NFL 2025 Season Preview: Eagles Kick Off, Steelers Quarterback Uncertainty, and Key Player Movements Spark Anticipation

As the 2025 NFL season approaches, several key developments have captured the attention of football fans.

### Schedule Release
The full 2025 NFL schedule was released on May 14th at 8 p.m. ET, broadcast on ESPN2, NFL Network, and streaming on NFL+. The season will kick off on Thursday, September 4th, with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting their NFC East rival, the Dallas Cowboys, at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC[3].

### Player Departures and Impact
Several significant player departures are expected to have a substantial impact on their former teams. For the Pittsburgh Steelers, the loss of quarterbacks Wilson and Fields to New York has left the team with uncertainty at the quarterback position. Currently, Mason Rudolph is the QB1, with Will Howard as the backup, and the team's prospects are clouded by the ongoing speculation about Aaron Rodgers potentially joining the team[2].

The Kansas City Chiefs face challenges following the departure of offensive lineman Mike Thuney due to cap constraints. Thuney's absence is particularly felt as he had to shift to left tackle late in the 2024 season to protect Patrick Mahomes. The Chiefs have signed Jaylon Moore and drafted Josh Simmons to address the left tackle spot, but the offensive line remains a question mark with players like Mike Caliendo and Kingsley Suamataia competing for positions[2].

### Bounce-Back Candidates
For teams looking to rebound in 2025, several players are highlighted as key bounce-back candidates. For the Dallas Cowboys, a strong performance from quarterback Dak Prescott, who earned a career-high 90.0 PFF grade in a previous season, could signal a return to the postseason[1].

### Quarterback Movements
The offseason has also seen significant quarterback movements. Sam Darnold, who had a breakthrough season in 2024, will be under scrutiny to see if he can build on his performance with his new team. The situation in Pittsburgh remains fluid, with Mason Rudolph currently at the helm but the possibility of Aaron Rodgers joining the team still looming[2].

### OTAs and Roster Trends
As teams begin their Organized Team Activities (OTAs), several storylines are emerging. The CBS Sports HQ panel has discussed various roster trends and schedule projections across different teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, and Cleveland Browns. These discussions provide insights into team dynamics and potential strengths and weaknesses heading into the season[4].

These developments set the stage for an intriguing 2025 NFL season, filled with uncertainty, new challenges, and opportunities for teams and players to make significant impacts.