With offseason work mostly
complete, here are some of the most improved teams in the NFL
[May 13, 2025]
By JOSH DUBOW
Spring is the time of optimism in the NFL with most teams hopeful
that the moves made this offseason will lead to success in the fall.
Since the start of the league year in March, teams have doled out
billions of dollars in free agent contracts, drafted 257 players and
made scores of trades to upgrade their rosters.
Winning the offseason doesn't guarantee wins in the real season with
countless examples of aggressive teams in March and April falling
flat in September and October.
But it does provide hope to fans hopeful that their teams can have a
turnaround like the one that carried Washington from last place in
2023 to the NFC title game a year later or have added the
ingredients to get over the hurdle and win it all like Philadelphia
last season.
With most of the major work by teams this offseason mostly complete
— outside of a potential Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh — here
are some of the teams that made the biggest improvements headed into
the 2025 season.
Chicago Bears
Chicago was one of the offseason winners last season only to
struggle in the regular season as quarterback Caleb Williams
struggled at times as a rookie and the defense struggled to close
out games, leading to the midseason firing of coach Matt Eberflus.
The Bears were busy again this offseason and might have made the
necessary changes to get the most out of Williams. They hired the
most sought after coach on the market in bringing in Ben Johnson
after a successful run as offensive coordinator in Detroit.
That should help Williams as should the additions of Joe Thuney,
Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson on the interior of the offensive line.
Williams also has two new key playmakers in draft picks Colston
Loveland at tight end and Luther Burden III at receiver.
Chicago also fortified the defensive front for new coordinator
Dennis Allen, adding Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency
and drafting Shemar Turner in the second round.
New England Patriots
Jerod Mayo struggled in his first season as head coach in New
England in place of the legendary Bill Belichick, leading the move
to hire an established coach in his place with Mike Vrabel taking
over the Patriots.
Vrabel made the playoffs three times in six seasons as head coach in
Tennessee and should have a big impact on the culture and a defense
that added key free agents Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Carlton
Davis and Harold Landry.
But the key to success in 2025 will be the additions made on offense
to support second-year QB Drake Maye. Maye showed positive flashes
last season despite having one of the worst supporting casts in the
league.
The situation is much better this season with the offensive line
getting a big upgrade thanks to No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell at
left tackle, along with veteran center Garrett Bradbury and right
tackle Morgan Moses.
Free agent receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, along with
rookie Kyle Williams, give Maye more legitimate options on the
outside and second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson should make
a big impact as both a runner and in the passing game.
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New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel smiles during a media
availability prior to the NFL football team's rookie minicamp,
Friday, May 9, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)
Las Vegas Raiders
Perhaps no team made a bigger leap at the key spots of head coach
and quarterback like the Raiders. Proven winner Pete Carroll was
hired to replace Antonio Pierce. Carroll added his old quarterback
from Seattle with a trade for Geno Smith, who provides a major
upgrade over Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.
The offense under new coordinator Chip Kelly should be potent thanks
to the drafting of electric running back Ashton Jeanty to team with
last season's rookie sensation Brock Bowers.
Competing for a playoff spot in the loaded AFC West could be tough,
but the Raiders should win considerably more games than the four
they had last season.
Arizona Cardinals
Coach Jonathan Gannon has done a good job his first two seasons in
Arizona of making the best out of a thin defensive roster. The
Cardinals could make a big jump in his third season thanks to
several key additions this offseason.
It started in free agency when Arizona signed edge rusher Josh Sweat
and interior defenders Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson. But the
biggest additions might have come in the draft with the Cardinals
getting high-upside defensive tackle Walter Nolen in the first round
and cornerback Will Johnson in the second after he fell because of
injury concerns.
Later picks such as defensive lineman Jordan Burch, linebacker Cody
Simon and cornerback Denzel Burke also could make impacts as
rookies.
The offense must hope for internal improvement from last year's
first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyler Murray.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos were a surprise team in 2024 by making the playoffs
behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix. They might be better positioned
this season thanks to some key moves this offseason.
An already strong secondary got better with the signing of former
All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga and the addition of versatile
first-round pick Jahdae Barron. Denver also signed former San
Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who could make a big impact if he
can stay healthy after missing almost all of last season.
The offense added a legitimate receiving threat at tight end with
free agent addition Evan Engram and a potential big-play back in
second-round pick RJ Harvey, leaving almost no notable holes on the
roster.
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