NFL 2025 Kickoff: Chiefs Face Challengers, Eagles Seek Repeat, and Commanders Bet on Jayden Daniels Rising Star

The 2025 NFL season is underway and the biggest question on everyone’s mind is whether anyone can finally stop the Kansas City Chiefs from returning to the Super Bowl. ESPN has called the Baltimore Ravens’ roster the best in the NFL, and both the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers have made major upgrades to challenge the Chiefs’ dominance in the AFC West. But history says the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes duo is one of the toughest combinations to beat, and predictions of the Chiefs’ downfall have almost always proven premature, so fans are watching closely to see if anyone can break their stranglehold on the conference this year according to WTOP News.

Turning to the NFC, the Philadelphia Eagles are drawing attention, coming off a Super Bowl run with their roster full of stars like Saquon Barkley and Adoree’ Jackson. The Eagles’ locker room message this year, as described by Jaylen Hurts and their popular head coach Nick Sirianni, is “contribution over credit.” The leadership group is stressing that everyone buys in to the mission, driven by a culture of accountability and unity. This is especially important after last season’s highs and constant reminders that, as Sirianni put it to the media, “if you think you’re the reason we won the Super Bowl, you’re exactly right. If you think you’re the only reason, you’re exactly wrong.” Eagles fans are watching carefully to see if this team can repeat and avoid the Super Bowl hangover, as Barkley and his teammates are all about winning games and playing for each other, according to their September 1 media session.

A storyline with national intrigue is Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels made history last year as the first rookie quarterback to lead his team to the conference championship game, picking up Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and guiding Washington to its best season since the Super Bowl run of 1991. This marks the first time in eight years that the franchise has had the same starting QB in back-to-back opening weeks, a level of stability and promise fans in the region haven’t seen in a generation. Daniels has talked up his comfort and readiness heading into his second year, with some experts predicting he could have an MVP-caliber season.

For the die-hard listeners, keep a close eye on offensive line play this season. Detroit Lions head coach Dan Campbell has spotlighted his line’s growth and chemistry as one of the keys to their potential run. After shuffling personnel in camp, the core group has been working together for more than a month. Campbell told the media September 1 that he’s seen significant development but believes there’s even more progress ahead, with communication and unity big factors in their offensive plans this year.

The NFL continues to be affected by conversations off the field. Colin Kaepernick, who hasn’t played since 2016 after kneeling during the anthem to protest police brutality, is in the news again. Doug Whaley, senior VP of player personnel for the United Football League, has publicly stated that the UFL is open to letting Kaepernick suit up if he chooses, and suggested a stint there or in the CFL could relaunch his pro career. According to the Times of India, the UFL was founded in 2024 to help players get another shot at the NFL, so this could be a new chapter for Kaepernick if he pursues it.

As always, the NFL’s expanded playoff format is creating an ongoing debate: Will this be the year a whole division makes the playoffs? Every season since 2020 there’s been at least one division that looks capable of this, but it’s yet to actually happen. Fans and analysts alike have their eyes on the crowded divisions where every team is in the hunt.

For casual and dedicated fans, those are the big headlines and locker room stories as the 2025 NFL season kicks off: the hunt to dethrone the Chiefs, the Eagles’ battle to repeat, Daniels leading a new era...