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Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Madonna Teams with 'Deadpool' Director for New Biopic Series
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek's network of contributors Pop icon Madonna is getting her own Netflix limited series. According to a new report from Deadline, the singer is partnering with "Deadpool & Wolverine" and "Free Guy" director Shawn Levy to tell the story of her life and career. The project is in the early stages of development. Read More: Original "The Office" Star Appears in Spinoff First Look The Queen of Pop has been looking to put the grand story of her life on the screen for a while now. Madonna first announced she was working on a biopic about her life in 2020, and at the time she was set to direct the feature herself. Julia Garner of "Ozark" fame was cast in the lead role, and screenwriters such as Diablo Cody ("Juno") and Cressida Wilson ("Secretary") worked on the script. US singer songwriter Madonna arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. US singer songwriter Madonna arrives for the 2025 Met Gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on May 5, 2025, in New York. ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images) Deadline says that Garner is the most likely choice to play Madonna in the Netflix series, but that the casting wouldbe subject to the "Fantastic Four: First Steps" star's availability because no deals have been made. Back in September 2020, Madonna talked to Entertainment Weekly about some of the parts of her life she wanted her fans to see brought to the screen. They included her meeting with Andy Warhol, the controversy over her 1989 music video "Like A Prayer", and the making of the 1996 musical historical drama "Evita". In 2023, Variety broke the news that Universal Studios had dropped the Madonna biopic, just as the singer was embarking on a world tour. The report went on to imply that it was Madonna's decision to go on the tour, rather than continue to develop the biopic, that prompted Universal to drop the project. Deadline notes that last November Madonna hinted in an Instagram post that she might be abandoning the idea of a biopic feature in favor of a limited TV series. It is tempting to speculate "Like A Prayer" may have indirectly had something to do with the partnership between Madonna and Levy. The song featured prominently in Shawn Levy's Marvel film "Deadpool & Wolverine" and Ryan Reynolds previously mentioned meeting personally with Madonna to secure permission to use the song in the feature. It plays during a particularly bloody scene in which the titular duo battle a small army of Deadpool variants. More TV: Multiple Fan-Favorite Shows Canceled at NBC Sarah Michelle Gellar Debunks 'Buffy' Reboot Casting Rumors
The Sun
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Madonna, 66, shows off bra under sheer top as she gyrates with boyfriend Akeem Morris at his 29th birthday party
MADONNA showed off her bra under a sheer top as she gyrated with her boyfriend Akeem Morris at his 29th birthday party. Pop superstar Madonna, 66, left little to the imagination as she celebrated the occasion in true Material Girl fashion. 8 8 8 Showing off her nude lace bra underneath the see-through number, cinched at the front, she paired the look with silky tan pants. The birthday bash wasn't just about Madonna's daring fashion statement. In a video shared on former soccer player Akeem's Instagram, the couple showed off some playful chemistry as they danced together, their affection on full display. She danced seductively by gyrating to her boyfriend in the clip, Madonna's post from the event also gave a glimpse of her family, as four of her six children - twins Stella and Estere, 12, daughter Mercy, 19, and son David Banda, 19 - joined in the celebrations. YG Marley, grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, also took to the stage for a performance. Madonna wrote in her Instagram caption, 'Happy Birthday to my favorite Taurus @akkmorris. Thank you @ygmarley for joining us. It was a night to remember. One Love……..' Akeem reciprocated his love for Madonna in the comments, posting, 'I LOVE YOU,' along with three heart emojis. He also shared a sweet snap of Madonna sitting on his lap, expressing his gratitude for those who made the night special. Akeem wrote, "Thank you wifey. It meant so much to have the people I love and respect all in one room." Madonna looked ever-stunning, her blonde curls bouncing as she accessorized with statement necklaces and oversized hoop earrings. Her signature dark red lipstick and chic sunglasses completed the look, while Akeem opted for a white and blue basketball jersey paired with a baby blue Yankees cap. The evening wasn't without its sentimental moments. Madonna led the crowd in a lively rendition of Happy Birthday as Akeem blew out the candles on his cake. In another heartwarming photo, she cuddled with her daughters, adding a sweet family moment to the mix. The couple, who first crossed paths in August 2022, made their relationship public in July 2024. A source said at the time, 'Madonna is happier than she has been in a long time. "Her romance with Akeem has been a real whirlwind but they are so in love. She's not back from her trip yet but her pals wouldn't be surprised if it really is an engagement ring.' Madonna might be the Queen of Pop, but she's also queen of her brood – proudly raising six kids over the years. The Like A Prayer hitmaker first became a mom in 1996, welcoming daughter Lourdes Leon with ex Carlos Leon. Four years later, she gave birth to son Rocco with director Guy Ritchie, before the pair adopted David in 2006. Following her split from Guy, the superstar didn't slow down — later adopting daughter Mercy and then twin girls Stella and Estere, now 12, as a solo parent. Madge has always been open about her devotion to her children, and in recent years, the tight-knit clan has been showing up together more than ever. In March, Madonna revealed her twin daughters made a heartfelt return to their roots in Malawi - the first time they'd been back in eight years. The music icon, who adopted twins Stella and Estere from the African nation in 2017, shared that the trip was a powerful moment for the girls, who revisited the country they were born in. It comes as no surprise, given the pop legend's deep connection to Malawi, where she founded her charity Raising Malawi to support vulnerable children and improve healthcare and education. She told People Magazine, 'The girls have a lot of empathy for vulnerable children in need of life-saving medical care and they are very grateful to be living in a country where medical care is readily available for people. "We are so much closer because we have a common goal, and that is making Malawi a better country for kids to grow up." Meanwhile, Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon has taken a page out of her mother's book and shocked onlookers with a raunchy outfit in Paris. Lourdes ditched her bra and slipped into a completely see-through catsuit for her Paris Fashion Week appearance. The 28-year-old attempted to keep off the chill with a knee-length leather jacket and covered her modesty with a skimpy G-string. But with her nipples still on show, she confidently posed for photographers at the Saint Laurent Homme Autumn 25/26 runway show. This is not the first time Lourdes, who goes by the name Lola, has walked the red carpet in a very skimpy ensemble. She has previously been snapped braless at fashion shows for both Victoria's Secret and Rihanna 's beauty brand Fenty, and modelled at photo shoots in the nude. Dr. Jenn Mann, author of The A to Z Guide To Raising Happy Confident Kids, previously told The Sun that she is just taking cues from her mother Madonna. She said, "I suspect that Lourdes is carrying on the family tradition of boundary pushing with the blessing of her mother. "Madonna has always recognized the power of the female body and known how to use it to garner media attention." 8 8 8 8 8
The Irish Sun
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Madonna, 66, shows off bra under sheer top as she gyrates with boyfriend Akeem Morris at his 29th birthday party
MADONNA showed off her bra under a sheer top as she gyrated with her boyfriend Akeem Morris at his 29th birthday party. Pop superstar Madonna, 66, left little to the imagination as she celebrated the occasion in true Material Girl fashion. 8 Pop superstar Madonna left little to the imagination at her boyfriend's 29th birthday Credit: Instagram 8 Madonna seen dancing seductively with her boy toy 8 YG Marley, grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, performed Credit: Instagram Showing off her nude lace bra underneath the see-through number, cinched at the front, she paired the look with silky tan pants. The birthday bash wasn't just about Madonna's daring fashion statement. In a video shared on former soccer player Akeem's Instagram, the couple showed off some playful chemistry as they danced together, their affection on full display. She danced seductively by gyrating to her boyfriend in the clip, read more on Madonna Madonna's post from the event also gave a glimpse of her family , as four of her six children - twins Stella and Estere, 12, daughter Mercy, 19, and son David Banda, 19 - joined in the celebrations. YG Marley, grandson of reggae legend Bob Marley, also took to the stage for a performance. Madonna wrote in her Instagram caption, 'Happy Birthday to my favorite Taurus @akkmorris. Thank you @ygmarley for joining us. It was a night to remember. One Love……..' Akeem reciprocated his love for Madonna in the comments, posting, 'I LOVE YOU,' along with three heart emojis . Most read in Celebrity He also shared a sweet snap of Madonna sitting on his lap, expressing his gratitude for those who made the night special. Akeem wrote, "Thank you wifey. It meant so much to have the people I love and respect all in one room." Madonna looked ever-stunning, her blonde curls bouncing as she accessorized with statement necklaces and oversized hoop earrings. Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon shocks onlookers as she goes braless in completely see-through catsuit at Paris Fashion Week Her signature dark red lipstick and chic sunglasses completed the look, while Akeem opted for a white and blue basketball jersey paired with a baby blue Yankees cap. The evening wasn't without its sentimental moments. Madonna led the crowd in a lively rendition of Happy Birthday as Akeem blew out the candles on his cake. In another heartwarming photo, she cuddled with her daughters, adding a sweet family moment to the mix. The couple, who first crossed paths in August 2022, made their relationship public in July 2024. A source said at the time, 'Madonna is happier than she has been in a long time. "Her romance with Akeem has been a real whirlwind but they are so in love. She's not back from her trip yet but her pals wouldn't be surprised if it really is an engagement ring.' Madonna might be the Queen of Pop, but she's also queen of her brood – proudly raising six kids over the years. The Like A Prayer hitmaker first became a mom in 1996, welcoming daughter Four years later, she gave birth to son Rocco with director Following her split from Guy, the superstar didn't slow down — later adopting daughter Mercy and then twin girls Stella and Estere, now 12, as a solo parent. Madge has always been open about her devotion to her children, and in recent years, the tight-knit clan has been showing up together more than ever. In March, Madonna revealed her twin daughters made a heartfelt return to their roots in The It comes as no surprise, given the pop legend's deep connection to Malawi, where she founded her charity Raising Malawi to support vulnerable children and improve healthcare and education. She told children in need of life-saving medical care and they are very grateful to be living in a country where medical care is readily available for people. "We are so much closer because we have a common goal, and that is making Malawi a better country for kids to grow up." Meanwhile, Madonna's daughter Lourdes Leon has taken a page out of her mother's book and Lourdes ditched her bra and slipped into a completely see-through catsuit for her appearance . The 28-year-old attempted to keep off the chill with a knee-length leather jacket and covered her modesty with a skimpy G-string. But with her nipples still on show, she confidently posed for photographers at the Saint Laurent Homme Autumn 25/26 runway show. This is not the first time Lourdes, who goes by the name Lola, has walked the She has previously been snapped braless at fashion shows for both Dr. Jenn Mann, author of The A to Z Guide To Raising Happy Confident Kids, previously told The Sun that she is just She said, "I suspect that Lourdes is carrying on the family tradition of boundary pushing with the blessing of her mother. "Madonna has always recognized the power of the female body and known how to use it to garner media attention." 8 Madonna and Akeem shared an embrace Credit: Instagram 8 Madonna looked ever-stunning with her blonde curls bouncing Credit: Instagram 8 Twins Stella and Estere, 12, and daughter Mercy, 19, joined in the celebrations Credit: Instagram 8 Her son David Banda was there too Credit: Instagram 8 Madonna posed for a selfie with photographer Steven Klein Credit: Instagram
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL power rankings: Jets have something to prove with 2025 changes
NFL power rankings: Jets have something to prove with 2025 changes The New York Jets did plenty of work during the NFL's 2025 free agency period. The 2025 NFL draft is still to come, but quarterback Justin Fields is coming to New York (along with head coach Aaron Glenn). It's a brand new team and the Jets are hard to get a read on right now. That's reflected in the latest mock draft released by our friends at Touchdown Wire, as the Jets have some work to do in it... TD Wire's full post-free agency power rankings can be found below: 32. Tennessee Titans While the Titans have no offensive line, they make up for it by having no quarterback. And while their defense can't cover, they also can't stop the run. And not for nothing, Brian Callahan looks like Dave from Love Is Blind and I don't trust a fella with that look. Good luck with Cam Ward, though. 31. New Orleans Saints Hmm. An offense with one true weapon quarterbacked by Derek Carr. A defense in which most of their top players were born when Madonna was in her prime (Cam Jordan was born four months after "Like A Prayer" was released). All of whom are led by Kellen Moore - doesn't exactly scream "playoffs." 30. New York Giants Picture this: It's Week 4. The Giants are in Philadelphia playing the Eagles when Russell Wilson throws a pass directly into the chest of Cooper DeJean. Brian Daboll puts Russell Wilson in a chokehold while Jameis comes over to break it up. "Coach," Jameis Winston says. "Let the devil not make of you what he wants. Let the lord deliver you from this temptation as we ascend into his glor-" he's cut off as Daboll punches him in the face and resigns on the spot. 29. Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett went on a mini press tour during Super Bowl week talking about wanting to play for a championship contender. Then the Browns offered him $40 million per year, and he decided that maybe the Browns are a championship contender - what a waste of time. At least it looks like we're done talking about Deshaun Watson. 28. Indianapolis Colts The Colts are bad, but at least they're entertaining. They are the Sharknado of the NFL. Few things are as silly as watching your favorite team on a Sunday afternoon and catching a glance at the ticker to see Anthony Richardson is 11-of-37 for 302 yards - what a hilarious football player... who might be replaced by Daniel Jones AND just like that, they're boring again. 27. New York Jets I mean - it could work. The same way Sydney Sweeney could choose me to be her arm candy at the next red carpet event. Aaron Glenn feels like a good hire at head coach. The defense is still filled with talent. How good will Justin Fields play? This just feels like the same questions we've had about the Jets for years with a new cast of characters. If Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers was the Jets' Degrassi, Glenn and Fields are Degrassi: The Next Generation. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars Alright, jokes aside, why do so many AFC South personnel look like Love Is Blind castmates? Brian Callahan looks like Dave, and Jaguars general manager James Gladstone looks way too much like Mason for me not to make note of it. Love may be blind, but Gladstone better not be when it comes to roster building or Jacksonville is going to remain in the same spot they're currently in. 25. Carolina Panthers I don't know what Bryce Young found on the bench when Andy Dalton replaced him, but he came back in and played very well. If not for a dropped touchdown, they would have beaten the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles, and they put up 27 or more points in three of their final seven games. Now they just need to find about eight new defensive starters. Playing the Saints twice will help. 24. Arizona Cardinals We live in a void where every year, the Cardinals win six games and we say "Kyler Murray will have a breakout season this year." And then the cycle repeats. 23. Seattle Seahawks Getting rid of Geno Smith to rebuild and start anew is a fine idea. Getting rid of Geno Smith to bring in Sam Darnold on a three-year deal? That I don't understand. Trading away DK Metcalf and replacing him with an oft-injured 32-year-old slot receiver? Also don't get. Nothing the Seahawks have done this offseason makes sense, so color me a skeptic. 22. Dallas Cowboys I just remembered Brian Schottenheimer is their head coach. Meanwhile, the ghost of Jerry Jones seems not to know who Micah Parsons' agent is, so that's less than ideal. 21. Miami Dolphins Don't worry, Dolphins fans. I'm sure Mike McDaniel will give a totally tubular press conference answer as he talks like Michaelangelo from the Ninja Turtles en route to losing to the Bills twice and getting blown out in the Wild Card round if they make it that far. 20. Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix showed a lot of promise in the final weeks of the 2024 season, but there will be growing pains. Plus, they still don't have a pass rush for what feels like the 15th consecutive season. Playing the Saints twice will help. 19. Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers will sign sooner or later. Regardless, anyone on the USA Today SMG staff could play quarterback and they'd still win nine games. That doesn't make them good, though - it makes them painfully mediocre. In all honesty, they should have moved on from Mike Tomlin and made a run at Ben Johnson. 18. Las Vegas Raiders Tom Brady is stepping in with his quail egg ice cream or whatever he eats to get stuff done. Paying Maxx Crosby the GDP of the state of Nevada? Well done. A trade for Geno Smith? Ooo, how naughty. Capped off by the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach, the Raiders will, at minimum, be competitive and crack a Wild Card spot at most. 17. New England Patriots Yeah, I'm a believer in the Patriots. They've brought in several high-end defenders via free agency and signed Stefon Diggs to give Drake Maye at least one proven receiver. And while they still need a few more pieces, they're gearing up to play like they're in a Toby Keith song putting boots to butts, it's the American way. 16. Chicago Bears Ben Johnson has spent all offseason collecting new offensive linemen like they're Pokémon. Keeping Caleb Williams upright and giving him a good run game is the clear plan in mind, and the Bears have the defensive talent to hold up their end of the bargain on the other side of the ball, as well. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers I worry about Tampa Bay having a third different offensive coordinator in three years, but Josh Grizzard being on the staff last year takes away some of those worries. As does Baker Mayfield, who is coming off a 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown season. I do have questions about their pass rush - hello Haason Reddick. Playing the Saints twice will help. 14. San Francisco 49ers They may as well re-name the team the San Francisco Christian McCaffreys because they stink when he isn't in the lineup, and they've gotten rid of just about every other good player from the last half-decade. Plus, they're about to pay Brock Purdy money he's not worth. They'll be better than the 6-11 record they posted in 2024, but the elite era of the 49ers is over for the time being. 13. Denver Broncos I love the defense. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen deserve much more credit than they get, and Patrick Surtain just won the Defensive Player of the Year. And yes, I lost a bet to Broncos fans and Peter Schrager, which resulted in me needing to get a tattoo (cheers on the new gig, by the way, Peter). That bet stemmed from me saying they wouldn't make the postseason, followed by clowning the selection of Bo Nix. And while Denver proved me wrong, I'm still not sold on them being a powerhouse. That said, they'll be competitive and back in the Wild Card picture. 12. Los Angeles Chargers I'm a big Justin Herbert defender, but even I have to knock him down a peg after that playoff performance against the Texans. However, it doesn't help that instead of giving him real receivers, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman trot out the 1954 Boston Celtics for Herbert to throw to while getting almost sexual levels of excitement from four-yard duo runs. 11. Houston Texans It genuinely feels like a rib that the Texans are pulling on C.J. Stroud with how bad they are making his offensive line. Stroud was the second-most sacked quarterback in football, and the Texans responded to that by trading his five-time Pro Bowl left tackle. I imagine Stroud did the Donald Glover holding pizza GIF walking into the facility to learn that Laremy Tunsil is no longer protecting him and seeing Blake Fisher slotted in at left tackle. Stroud's incredible, but he can't do it all on his own. By the way, they need at least two more receivers with Stefon Diggs leaving for New England and Tank Dell being injured. 10. Cincinnati Bengals Anything that can be said about the Chargers with receivers or the Texans with their offensive line can be said about the Bengals' defense. Good on them for locking down Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals, but if the defense doesn't get better, it won't matter. That said, no teams are lining up to have to play that offensive trio of Joe Burrow, Chase, and Higgins. 9. Minnesota Vikings I don't know how good J.J. McCarthy is going to be, but I know Kevin O'Connell is a top-five coach in the NFL. After what he was able to do with Sam Darnold, as long as McCarthy isn't Nate Peterman, the Vikings will be good. 8. Detroit Lions Roster-wise, the Lions are still very good. However, the obvious question is what will the offense look like without Ben Johnson? I still expect Detroit to be good, but they have a lot to prove. 7. Washington Commanders From the Lions to the team that beat them. Jayden Daniels and Co. rode a magic carpet all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. Since then, they've added Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to their offense. This will be a very fun squad in 2025. 6. Green Bay Packers The Packers had a disappointing end to their season, losing a stinker to the Eagles in the Wild Card round. With Jordan Love back at 100 percent health, though, I fully expect the Packers to make a push for the NFC Championship Game. 5. Los Angeles Rams The Rams were mere plays away from heading to the NFC Championship Game, and likely the Super Bowl. Adding Davante Adams makes their offense that much more dangerous. Adding pieces to the defense in the draft needs to be the top priority. 4. Baltimore Ravens It's championship or bust for the Ravens. They can't keep coming up short in the postseason. Lamar Jackson is coming off arguably his best season, Derrick Henry is still playing great football, and they added DeAndre Hopkins to give themselves a nice receiving trio of Hopkins, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman. Every year is a win-or-bust year for Baltimore. The longer they go without winning, the more fans will wonder if they ever will with this group. 3. Buffalo Bills The Bills are in a similar boat. While the Ravens' offense has largely come up short in the postseason, the Bills' defense constantly lets down the offense. They were the only team to allow the Chiefs to score 30 points last season, and it came in the AFC Championship Game, which left them with another heartbreaking loss to Kansas City in the playoffs. Much like Baltimore, every year without a championship is a wasted year. 2. Kansas City Chiefs Do they even deserve to be this high? Like, I'm going to put them at No. 2 because they've won three Super Bowls and always find themselves as one of the final four teams standing, but that Super Bowl left a sour taste in the mouth of Chiefs fans and highlighted a real problem with the offensive line. When you have Patrick Mahomes under center, though, that cleans up a lot of messes. 1. Philadelphia Eagles Sure, they've lost Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, but they still have a flood of talent on the defensive line and signed Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Saquon Barkley and all of the top offensive pieces are all coming back, as well. The Eagles are in prime position to try and run it back in a wide open NFC.
USA Today
08-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
NFL power rankings: Post-free agency sees Bills land among top teams
NFL power rankings: Post-free agency sees Bills land among top teams The Buffalo Bills did plenty of work during the NFL's 2025 free agency period. The 2025 NFL draft is still to come, but adding the likes of pass rusher Joey Bosa is a good start. Not to mention the possibilities with wide receiver Josh Palmer and his potential. Ahead of the upcoming draft, our friends at Touchdown Wire have released an updated NFL power rankings. The Bills fare well, landing in the top-five. TD Wire's full post-free agency power rankings can be found below: 32. Tennessee Titans While the Titans have no offensive line, they make up for it by having no quarterback. And while their defense can't cover, they also can't stop the run. And not for nothing, Brian Callahan looks like Dave from Love Is Blind and I don't trust a fella with that look. Good luck with Cam Ward, though. 31. New Orleans Saints Hmm. An offense with one true weapon quarterbacked by Derek Carr. A defense in which most of their top players were born when Madonna was in her prime (Cam Jordan was born four months after "Like A Prayer" was released). All of whom are led by Kellen Moore - doesn't exactly scream "playoffs." 30. New York Giants Picture this: It's Week 4. The Giants are in Philadelphia playing the Eagles when Russell Wilson throws a pass directly into the chest of Cooper DeJean. Brian Daboll puts Russell Wilson in a chokehold while Jameis comes over to break it up. "Coach," Jameis Winston says. "Let the devil not make of you what he wants. Let the lord deliver you from this temptation as we ascend into his glor-" he's cut off as Daboll punches him in the face and resigns on the spot. 29. Cleveland Browns Myles Garrett went on a mini press tour during Super Bowl week talking about wanting to play for a championship contender. Then the Browns offered him $40 million per year, and he decided that maybe the Browns are a championship contender - what a waste of time. At least it looks like we're done talking about Deshaun Watson. 28. Indianapolis Colts The Colts are bad, but at least they're entertaining. They are the Sharknado of the NFL. Few things are as silly as watching your favorite team on a Sunday afternoon and catching a glance at the ticker to see Anthony Richardson is 11-of-37 for 302 yards - what a hilarious football player... who might be replaced by Daniel Jones AND just like that, they're boring again. 27. New York Jets I mean - it could work. The same way Sydney Sweeney could choose me to be her arm candy at the next red carpet event. Aaron Glenn feels like a good hire at head coach. The defense is still filled with talent. How good will Justin Fields play? This just feels like the same questions we've had about the Jets for years with a new cast of characters. If Robert Saleh and Aaron Rodgers was the Jets' Degrassi, Glenn and Fields are Degrassi: The Next Generation. 26. Jacksonville Jaguars Alright, jokes aside, why do so many AFC South personnel look like Love Is Blind castmates? Brian Callahan looks like Dave, and Jaguars general manager James Gladstone looks way too much like Mason for me not to make note of it. Love may be blind, but Gladstone better not be when it comes to roster building or Jacksonville is going to remain in the same spot they're currently in. 25. Carolina Panthers I don't know what Bryce Young found on the bench when Andy Dalton replaced him, but he came back in and played very well. If not for a dropped touchdown, they would have beaten the eventual Super Bowl champion Eagles, and they put up 27 or more points in three of their final seven games. Now they just need to find about eight new defensive starters. Playing the Saints twice will help. 24. Arizona Cardinals We live in a void where every year, the Cardinals win six games and we say "Kyler Murray will have a breakout season this year." And then the cycle repeats. 23. Seattle Seahawks Getting rid of Geno Smith to rebuild and start anew is a fine idea. Getting rid of Geno Smith to bring in Sam Darnold on a three-year deal? That I don't understand. Trading away DK Metcalf and replacing him with an oft-injured 32-year-old slot receiver? Also don't get. Nothing the Seahawks have done this offseason makes sense, so color me a skeptic. 22. Dallas Cowboys I just remembered Brian Schottenheimer is their head coach. Meanwhile, the ghost of Jerry Jones seems not to know who Micah Parsons' agent is, so that's less than ideal. 21. Miami Dolphins Don't worry, Dolphins fans. I'm sure Mike McDaniel will give a totally tubular press conference answer as he talks like Michaelangelo from the Ninja Turtles en route to losing to the Bills twice and getting blown out in the Wild Card round if they make it that far. 20. Atlanta Falcons Michael Penix showed a lot of promise in the final weeks of the 2024 season, but there will be growing pains. Plus, they still don't have a pass rush for what feels like the 15th consecutive season. Playing the Saints twice will help. 19. Pittsburgh Steelers Aaron Rodgers will sign sooner or later. Regardless, anyone on the USA Today SMG staff could play quarterback and they'd still win nine games. That doesn't make them good, though - it makes them painfully mediocre. In all honesty, they should have moved on from Mike Tomlin and made a run at Ben Johnson. 18. Las Vegas Raiders Tom Brady is stepping in with his quail egg ice cream or whatever he eats to get stuff done. Paying Maxx Crosby the GDP of the state of Nevada? Well done. A trade for Geno Smith? Ooo, how naughty. Capped off by the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach, the Raiders will, at minimum, be competitive and crack a Wild Card spot at most. 17. New England Patriots Yeah, I'm a believer in the Patriots. They've brought in several high-end defenders via free agency and signed Stefon Diggs to give Drake Maye at least one proven receiver. And while they still need a few more pieces, they're gearing up to play like they're in a Toby Keith song putting boots to butts, it's the American way. 16. Chicago Bears Ben Johnson has spent all offseason collecting new offensive linemen like they're Pokémon. Keeping Caleb Williams upright and giving him a good run game is the clear plan in mind, and the Bears have the defensive talent to hold up their end of the bargain on the other side of the ball, as well. 15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers I worry about Tampa Bay having a third different offensive coordinator in three years, but Josh Grizzard being on the staff last year takes away some of those worries. As does Baker Mayfield, who is coming off a 4,500-yard, 41-touchdown season. I do have questions about their pass rush - hello Haason Reddick. Playing the Saints twice will help. 14. San Francisco 49ers They may as well re-name the team the San Francisco Christian McCaffreys because they stink when he isn't in the lineup, and they've gotten rid of just about every other good player from the last half-decade. Plus, they're about to pay Brock Purdy money he's not worth. They'll be better than the 6-11 record they posted in 2024, but the elite era of the 49ers is over for the time being. 13. Denver Broncos I love the defense. Nik Bonitto and Zach Allen deserve much more credit than they get, and Patrick Surtain just won the Defensive Player of the Year. And yes, I lost a bet to Broncos fans and Peter Schrager, which resulted in me needing to get a tattoo (cheers on the new gig, by the way, Peter). That bet stemmed from me saying they wouldn't make the postseason, followed by clowning the selection of Bo Nix. And while Denver proved me wrong, I'm still not sold on them being a powerhouse. That said, they'll be competitive and back in the Wild Card picture. 12. Los Angeles Chargers I'm a big Justin Herbert defender, but even I have to knock him down a peg after that playoff performance against the Texans. However, it doesn't help that instead of giving him real receivers, Jim Harbaugh and Greg Roman trot out the 1954 Boston Celtics for Herbert to throw to while getting almost sexual levels of excitement from four-yard duo runs. 11. Houston Texans It genuinely feels like a rib that the Texans are pulling on C.J. Stroud with how bad they are making his offensive line. Stroud was the second-most sacked quarterback in football, and the Texans responded to that by trading his five-time Pro Bowl left tackle. I imagine Stroud did the Donald Glover holding pizza GIF walking into the facility to learn that Laremy Tunsil is no longer protecting him and seeing Blake Fisher slotted in at left tackle. Stroud's incredible, but he can't do it all on his own. By the way, they need at least two more receivers with Stefon Diggs leaving for New England and Tank Dell being injured. 10. Cincinnati Bengals Anything that can be said about the Chargers with receivers or the Texans with their offensive line can be said about the Bengals' defense. Good on them for locking down Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to long-term deals, but if the defense doesn't get better, it won't matter. That said, no teams are lining up to have to play that offensive trio of Joe Burrow, Chase, and Higgins. 9. Minnesota Vikings I don't know how good J.J. McCarthy is going to be, but I know Kevin O'Connell is a top-five coach in the NFL. After what he was able to do with Sam Darnold, as long as McCarthy isn't Nate Peterman, the Vikings will be good. 8. Detroit Lions Roster-wise, the Lions are still very good. However, the obvious question is what will the offense look like without Ben Johnson? I still expect Detroit to be good, but they have a lot to prove. 7. Washington Commanders From the Lions to the team that beat them. Jayden Daniels and Co. rode a magic carpet all the way to the NFC Championship Game in 2024. Since then, they've added Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel to their offense. This will be a very fun squad in 2025. 6. Green Bay Packers The Packers had a disappointing end to their season, losing a stinker to the Eagles in the Wild Card round. With Jordan Love back at 100 percent health, though, I fully expect the Packers to make a push for the NFC Championship Game. 5. Los Angeles Rams The Rams were mere plays away from heading to the NFC Championship Game, and likely the Super Bowl. Adding Davante Adams makes their offense that much more dangerous. Adding pieces to the defense in the draft needs to be the top priority. 4. Baltimore Ravens It's championship or bust for the Ravens. They can't keep coming up short in the postseason. Lamar Jackson is coming off arguably his best season, Derrick Henry is still playing great football, and they added DeAndre Hopkins to give themselves a nice receiving trio of Hopkins, Zay Flowers, and Rashod Bateman. Every year is a win-or-bust year for Baltimore. The longer they go without winning, the more fans will wonder if they ever will with this group. 3. Buffalo Bills The Bills are in a similar boat. While the Ravens' offense has largely come up short in the postseason, the Bills' defense constantly lets down the offense. They were the only team to allow the Chiefs to score 30 points last season, and it came in the AFC Championship Game, which left them with another heartbreaking loss to Kansas City in the playoffs. Much like Baltimore, every year without a championship is a wasted year. 2. Kansas City Chiefs Do they even deserve to be this high? Like, I'm going to put them at No. 2 because they've won three Super Bowls and always find themselves as one of the final four teams standing, but that Super Bowl left a sour taste in the mouth of Chiefs fans and highlighted a real problem with the offensive line. When you have Patrick Mahomes under center, though, that cleans up a lot of messes. 1. Philadelphia Eagles Sure, they've lost Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, but they still have a flood of talent on the defensive line and signed Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche. Saquon Barkley and all of the top offensive pieces are all coming back, as well. The Eagles are in prime position to try and run it back in a wide open NFC.
