2025 NFL season: The biggest question facing each NFC team
2025 NFL season: The biggest question facing each NFC team
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Five NFL games we can't wait to watch in the 2025 season
The NFL schedule for the 2025-2026 season has been released. Here are a few games on our must-watch list.
The NFL regular season will kick off in less than 100 days. NFL mandatory minicamps begin next week, and training camp gets underway in July.
Every team has multiple unanswered questions this time of year. Rosters are still being formed, rookies are learning new systems, roles have yet to be defined and coaches are incorporating plans for the season ahead. Plus, several impact free agents are still available.
As minicamps get ready to commence across the league, USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon provides his biggest question for every team in the NFC.
Here's a dive into one major question for all 16 teams in the NFC:
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NFC East
Dallas Cowboys
When are the Cowboys and Micah Parsons going to finalize a contract extension?
Parsons presumably will become the highest-paid defensive player in NFL history once an extension is finished. Browns star defensive end Myles Garrett currently holds the title, earning an annual average of $40 million. The Cowboys have over $32.1 million in cap space, via Over the Cap.
New York Giants
Is the job status of general manager Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll contingent upon quarterback Jaxson Dart's success?
Schoen is notoriously known for letting Saquon Barkley walk to Philadelphia. Daboll has an 18-32-1 record in three seasons at the helm. The Giants likely need to take a positive step forward this season for the two to remain employed in New York. Daboll said Russell Wilson is the team's starter but that could change if the temperature on his seat gets hotter.
Philadelphia Eagles
Are the Eagles still the team to beat despite key departures?
The significant losses for the Eagles include Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Mekhi Becton and Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Jr. Younger and less experienced players, such as rookies Jihaad Campbell and Andrew Mukuba, will be asked to contribute immediately for the defending champs.
Washington Commanders
Jayden Daniels must avoid a sophomore slump. Is Daniels the newest superstar quarterback?
The Commanders are in the fortuitous position of having a franchise quarterback on a rookie contract. Washington acquired standout left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel in separate trades. Now Daniels and the Commanders must build off a Cinderella 2024 campaign.
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NFC North
Chicago Bears
Can new head coach Ben Johnson improve the Bears offense?
The Bears ranked last in total offense and Caleb Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times last year. When Johnson was the offensive coordinator in Detroit, no offense averaged more points per game (30.1) or net yards per game (402.2) than the Lions the past two seasons.
Detroit Lions
Will the departures of both coordinators have a negative impact on the Lions?
The Lions lost both Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn to promotions. New OC John Morton and DC Kelvin Sheppard have big shoes to fill. Furthermore, the Lions must deal with the sudden retirement of center Frank Ragnow.
Green Bay Packers
Who will emerge in Green Bay's wide receiver logjam?
The Packers have Jayden Reed, Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs and rookie first-round pick Matthew Golden atop the depth chart. Watson will likely miss the start of the 2025 season as he recovers from an ACL tear. But what happens when Watson returns? Doubs missed practice last year because he wasn't happy with his role and was subsequently suspended for one game.
Minnesota Vikings
Is J.J. McCarthy Minnesota's franchise quarterback?
The Vikings are poised to start McCarthy after Sam Darnold's career year in Minnesota. Darnold is the first QB in NFL history to record 14 wins in his first season with a team. McCarthy is often going to be compared to his predecessor.
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons aren't really going to keep Kirk Cousins, right?
The Falcons have turned over the quarterback keys to Michael Penix Jr. -- and they aren't turning back. But is Atlanta comfortable with having the most expensive backup quarterback in the league? Cousins has a guaranteed salary of $27.5 million this season. He's made his intentions clear about his desire to start. A trade seems like a logical solution.
Carolina Panthers
Can Bryce Young continue his positive trajectory?
Young made positive strides as a passer after his early season demotion. He tossed seven touchdowns and had zero interceptions in his final three regular-season games as Carolina won two of those three contests last year. He ended his second year with three straight games with over a 100-passer rating. The Panthers helped Young out this offseason by adding WR Tetairoa McMillan in the first round. The two played high school football against each other.
New Orleans Saints
Is Tyler Shough the answer at quarterback?
Derek Carr's retirement jumpstarts Shough's era in New Orleans. The Saints have an open competition at quarterback, but Shough is believed to be the favorite. Shough's seven-year college career should bode well for him as he navigates life in the NFL.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Did the Bucs do enough to improve their pass defense?
The Bucs had the 29th-ranked pass defense in 2024. Tampa Bay signed Haason Reddick this offseason and four of the team's six draft selections were on cornerbacks and edge rushers.
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals
Will Kyler Murray and Marvin Harrison Jr. develop a better rapport in the desert?
During the 2024 season, Murray and Harrison often struggled to sync up with each other. Consequently, Harrison didn't meet expectations in his first year. As the top wide receiver selected in the 2024 draft, he finished fifth among rookies in both receptions and receiving yards. The Cardinals wideout told reporters this offseason, 'there's room for improvement.'
Los Angeles Rams
Are the Rams legitimate contenders in the NFC?
General manager Les Snead and head coach Sean McVay have done a tremendous job of infusing the roster with youth while remaining competitive since winning Super Bowl 56. The Rams essentially preferred Davante Adams over Cooper Kupp. The defense returns defensive rookie of the year, Jared Verse. Last year's club had the eventual Super Bowl 59 champion Eagles on the ropes.
San Francisco 49ers
Will the 49ers evade the injury bug this season?
There's a lot of talk about whether San Francisco's Super Bowl window is closed. They lost multiple starters on defense, including Dre Greenlaw, Talanoa Hufanga and Charvarius Ward. Plus, Deebo Samuel on offense. But the 49ers' core pillars -- Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, Brock Purdy, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams remain. San Francisco is still one of the best teams in the NFL if those six can stay healthy.
Seattle Seahawks
Is Seattle's investment in Sam Darnold going to pay off?
The Seahawks signed Darnold to a three-year, $100.5 million deal after the quarterback's career season in Minnesota. Was last year an anomaly or a sign of more to come for the journeyman QB? The Seahawks are banking on (literally) that it's the latter.
Follow USA TODAY Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
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