With the NFL season officially two weeks away, there are plenty of questions to be answered about all 32 teams across the league. Can the Eagles repeat as champions? Will Lamar Jackson or Josh Allen finally get over the hump? Who will win the NFL's most valuable player? Who is the sleeper of the year? 

These are just some of the many questions that football fans are begging to find answers to while watching their favorite teams play in the preseason. 

Although most people are asking questions, I am a fan of storylines. After all, I am a radio show host here at Blaze. Storylines drive sports-talk radio. Storylines have driven the National Football League into becoming the biggest must-see television event anywhere in the United States. 

The 2025 season is no different, with many familiar faces in new places, plenty of rookies looking to make immediate impacts with their respective teams and established veterans looking to add to their lengthy resumes. 

Luckily for you, I have conducted what I believe to be the five biggest storylines of the upcoming 2025 season. 

Headline No. 1: Ben Johnson becoming the Chicago Bears' New Head Coach: Can he restore the roar with the Bears?

The NFL world deemed Ben Johnson as the prize of the offseason, and rightfully so. As the offensive coordinator with the Detroit Lions in 2024, his squad led the league in points per game, passing yards and points for the entire season. His most notable work came with Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who saw career highs in passing touchdowns, quarterback rating, and passer rating. Now, Johnson gets the opportunity to work with 2024’s No. 1 overall pick, Caleb Williams. The former University of Southern California product showcased his ability to be the face of the franchise, throwing for 20 passing touchdowns in his rookie campaign with just six interceptions. If Johnson unlocks Williams’ true potential, like he did with Goff for his three years as offensive coordinator in Detroit, it is a real possibility that the Bears can head back to the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2020, and win a playoff game for the first time in 16 years. 

Headline No. 2: Aaron Rodgers is back, in black and gold! 

It truly is impressive how close Aaron Rodgers’ career now compares to Brett Favre's. Both had Hall of Fame careers with the Green Bay Packers, both went to the New York Jets, and for a variety of reasons, neither of them were able to create magic with the Jets and take them to the promised land. Now, this is where their careers become different (for now). Favre went on to become the quarterback of the Minnesota Vikings and had a stellar season in 2009, slinging it for 33 touchdowns and over 4,000 yards. Favre even led the Vikings to the doorstep of a Super Bowl, taking them to the NFC Championship game. If Rodgers could somehow, someway do something like this, it would not only be an incredible feat for the Steelers and almost unprecedented, given how good the AFC is with quarterbacks like Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen. It would add on to the legacy of Rodgers and make him a top-five quarterback of all time in my book. Rodgers won’t be heading to Steel Country alone; DK Metcalf, the former standout Seattle Seahawks wide receiver, was their prized acquisition during free agency. The Steelers also added Kaleb Johnson to provide stability at the running back position with the loss of Najee Harris. Rodgers and Steelers’ head coach Mike Tomlin have a lot at stake in 2025. If the Steelers can make a Super Bowl run, it would be quite the accomplishment and an excellent send-off for Rodgers. 

Headline No. 3: Micah Parsons, will he be a Cowboy in 2025? 

Make no mistake. Just about everyone knows how good Micah Parsons is and the value he provides to a defensive side. In case you don’t, the four-time Pro Bowler has amassed 52 ½  sacks through his first four seasons in the league—only five players have had more through their first four seasons: Reggie White, Mark Gastineau, Derrick Thomas, JJ Watt, and DeMarcus Ware. That is four Hall of Famers and one who will undoubtedly be a first ballot Hall of Famer—Watt. In theory, this is a player for whom you should “break the bank.” So, this should be pretty simple: you pay the player, and in return, you get a generational talent on your defensive line. But for the Dallas Cowboys and owner/general manager Jerry Jones, it’s not that simple. Although Jones has alluded to the fact that he had a “handshake deal” with Parsons regarding a deal, nothing is imminent, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. If Parsons is not on the field to start the season, that would be a significant blow to a defense that allowed the second-most points on average per week a season ago (27 ½ ). This could easily have been my top storyline, given the impact player that Parsons is. 

Headline No. 4: Shedeur Sanders fell to the 5th round. Can he make a difference for the Cleveland Browns? 

The biggest story of the first round of the 2025 NFL draft wasn’t Cam Ward getting taken with the first overall pick, or the Jaguars trading the house to move up to pick No. 2 and select Travis Hunter, the biggest story was Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders, a projected first-round pick, and ESPN’s Mel Kiper’s best quarterback available in the draft, falling to the fifth round. With Joe Flacco being named the starting quarterback for week one, the Browns will start with Sanders on the bench, watching and learning from a proven veteran. Sanders will compete throughout the season with former superstar quarterback Deshaun Watson, third-round rookie quarterback Dillon Gabriel, and former Pittsburgh Steelers first-round pick Kenny Pickett for the backup position. If Sanders gets an opportunity to start for the Browns, he will look to prove the doubters wrong and make some noise in the AFC North. Cleveland could have a diamond in the rough if Sanders can make an impact on the 2025 Browns.

Headline No. 5: Pete Carroll found his ace in Ashton Jeanty

When Pete Carroll was the head coach of the World Champion Seattle Seahawks back in 2013, his team was built on strong power running with Marshawn Lynch and a great secondary. Now, he will look to create something similar, and running back Ashton Jeanty will be at the core of that. Jeanty, the Boise State product, was known as the “broken tackle machine” in college. With Jeanty now in the backfield, he pairs with an emerging star at the tight-end position in Brock Bowers and new veteran quarterback Geno Smith, whom the Raiders acquired in a trade with the Seahawks in the offseason. With Carroll now at the helm for the Raiders, expect the Raiders to make a significant jump on the offensive side of the ball. If the Raiders show flashes for the future, the 2025 season will be a big-time win for new Raiders owner Tom Brady and Carroll.