2025 NFL Offseason thread

[Cobra Mgr]

Ravens cut Justin Tucker

[low]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Ravens cut Justin Tucker

Least surprising story of the offseason so far.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Ravens cut Justin Tucker

He'll find another job because the NFL is about forgiving great players.

[Cobra Mgr]

Derek Carr retires.

[Amazin69]

So, does Spencer "0-6" Rattler take over as QB1 and continue to seek that elusive win #1? (I still like Spencer, even if his second Gamecocks season was rougher than his first.)

Or is it back to Jake Haener? Or does Tyler Shough get thrown in at the deep end?

[Déjà Bru]

It's been a long time since I felt excited about the prospects of the New York Giants. Their management has gone from zero to hero, from dunces to geniuses, in my eyes. Reading how they pulled off being able to draft Abdul Carter, a move that I panned at the time, and still land Jaxson Dart is inspiring.

Confident Jaxson Dart appears ready to be the face of the Giants franchise -- whenever that time may be

Speaking of Dart, read about him here and see if you don't get a special feeling about him. Like two other guys that they mentioned were in his situation: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

The right combination of confidence and rookie deference? Here is an example: Cam Ward, having done nothing in the NFL yet, has requested the team unretire uniform number 1. Warren Moon graciously greed.

In contrast, here is a quote from Dart: "Yeah, he [Brian Daboll] coaches me up like every second I'm around him," Dart said. "He's the guy that will walk in a room, say goodbye and whatnot, and then he'll come back 30 seconds later because he has an idea. So, he's constantly coaching me, and I think that's what I want to be around I want to be coached the hardest, and I feel like that's going to help me excel at the highest level and help me reach my potential. So, there's not another coach I'd rather be playing for."

One guy is worried, literally, about number 1. The other guy is valuing his coach in learning mode. Even if Dart turns out to be only 80% as good as Ward, I prefer Dart.

[David Watts]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

So, does Spencer "0-6" Rattler take over as QB1 and continue to seek that elusive win #1? (I still like Spencer, even if his second Gamecocks season was rougher than his first.)

Or is it back to Jake Haener? Or does Tyler Shough get thrown in at the deep end?

Since I reside in Louisiana it's pretty much Saints and or Cowboys every Sunday on the tube. With that in mind all of those options are acceptable. What scares me is, them running out and signing Aaron Rodgers. Ugh!

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

It's been a long time since I felt excited about the prospects of the New York Giants. Their management has gone from zero to hero, from dunces to geniuses, in my eyes. Reading how they pulled off being able to draft Abdul Carter, a move that I panned at the time, and still land Jaxson Dart is inspiring.

Confident Jaxson Dart appears ready to be the face of the Giants franchise -- whenever that time may be

Speaking of Dart, read about him here and see if you don't get a special feeling about him. Like two other guys that they mentioned were in his situation: Josh Allen and Patrick Mahomes.

The right combination of confidence and rookie deference? Here is an example: Cam Ward, having done nothing in the NFL yet, has requested the team unretire uniform number 1. Warren Moon graciously greed.

In contrast, here is a quote from Dart: "Yeah, he [Brian Daboll] coaches me up like every second I'm around him," Dart said. "He's the guy that will walk in a room, say goodbye and whatnot, and then he'll come back 30 seconds later because he has an idea. So, he's constantly coaching me, and I think that's what I want to be around I want to be coached the hardest, and I feel like that's going to help me excel at the highest level and help me reach my potential. So, there's not another coach I'd rather be playing for."

One guy is worried, literally, about number 1. The other guy is valuing his coach in learning mode. Even if Dart turns out to be only 80% as good as Ward, I prefer Dart.

It would be a step forward if the Giants didn't totally embarrass themselves in week 1. A Daboll led team isn't prepared for week one the last two seasons. They were embarrassed. Even the game against the titans 3 seasons ago started off terribly. It's only because the Titans sucked they they were able to come back.

[Cobra Mgr]

NFL Schedule was released tonight.

Season opens up w/the Cowboys @ Philly.

Next night on Friday, KC plays the LA Chargers in Brasil

1st Sun night game: Ravens @ Buffalo

1st Mon night game: Vikes go to Chicago (only one MNF game on opening week)

Thanx games..........GB @ Detroit, Chiefs @ Dallas, & Cincy @ Baltimore

Xmas contests...........Cowboys @ Washington, Lions @ Minnesota & Denver @ KC

Int'l Games (besides above).........
Pitt vs Min in Dublin Week 4

next 3 in London
Min vs Clev Week 5
Den vs Jets Week 6
LARams vs Jags Week 7

Atl vs Indy week 10 in Berlin
Miami vs Washington week 11 in Madrid

Curiously, 2 Friday games Dec 19....Packers @ Chicago & Eagles @ Washington.

Interesting to me......half the week 17 schedule doesn't have start times. I know why they would do that the last week. But the week before?

Misc notes.............
Tennessee visits Cleveland 12/07. Cam Ward vs Dillion Gabriel or Shedeur Sanders?...............

Giants toughest schedule .574, 49ers the weakest .415.............

KC plays 8 of 17 on national broadcast games. Friday the 1st week, Thnx, Xmas, 3 SNF & 2 MNF. That is rough. Their bye isn't til week 10 & sandwiched between road games to Buffalo & Denver. So they start out of the country & will have short weeks four times. Which means it will be hard to settle into a weekly routine. It will be interesting to see how they hold up health wise having to go thru that kind of schedule...............

Every year seems like the NFL schedule gives us a team on national TV too often. Could be 2 this year. Dallas is usually one of those. They have 7 prime games. Five on Thursday (is that a record) plus one (for now) SNF & another on Monday..............

Commanders got a surprising 8. They have a buffet of a schedule. One in Europe, 1 on Friday. a TNF game, Turkey Day, 2 SNF, & 2 MNF. They had the easiest schedule last season, 10 wins vs non playoff teams. This will be tougher to navigate.............

Saints & Titans have zero prime TV games, Cleveland has only 1 & that will be in London. Panthers have just one as well............

No Saturday games scheduled. They will evidently be flexed...............

I'm shocked the Steelers & Ravens don't have a prime TV game scheduled vs each other. That's usually a given. Neither do the Cowboys & Giants.............

Cincy usually starts slow. This year, they open w/Clev, Jax & Minny. They need to take advantage......

Jets host Pitt as their opener. Justin Fields payback?..................

Texans have grown fat vs the AFC South. This year they start on the road 4 of their 1st 6, but then are at home 7 of the last 11. Including 3 of the last 4 in Houston. Plus, 5 of their division games are done by week 13. Earlier you play a rebuilding team , the better. I expect their schedule to again inflate their worth. They could be a mediocre team w/only 5 or so losses............

Denver's schedule is similarly structured like Houston. But they will have tougher opponents......

Chargers have an opportunity by opening against all divisional opponents the 1st 3 weeks. & 2 will be in LA......

Philly doesn't play Washington will week 16. They are sandwiched around a road game to Buffalo in after Xmas Those could be high pressure games to end the year if they struggle the 1st 14 games...............

Finally, the Panthers. 1st half will be critical. Three of 1st 4 are on the road. Seven of next 12 in Charlotte. Those 1st 3 trips are vs beatable, 'zona, Pats & Jax. The rest of the 1st half of the season includes, Miami, Dallas, Buffalo & Green Bay. A 5-4, 4-5 record could set them up for a playoff run the 2nd half of the schedule. They play 5 of 6 division games towards the end of the year. Opportunity is there.

[Amazin69]

By "prime games", you mean prime-time, not games on Bezos's "Prime" service, right? As I will never spend a dime on that Prime, I actually will see very little of the Cowboys, which hardly saddens me.

It is shocking that there are two teams without evening exposure, given the superfluity of options. (Back in the 1990s, the TV contract required every franchise to be given at least one SNF or MNF matchup, which is how that Bengals-Falcons game in 1994 got to be on TNT, when Ted Turner would rather have run a WCW repeat, most likely.)

The last Super Bowl champion to play zero night games was The Greatest Show on Turf, the 1999 Rams. So whomever gets the Saints QB job will get a chance to play Kurt Warner, it appears.

(Cam Ward is of course disqualified from following in Warner's footsteps, both because he was the highly-touted #1 draft pick [rather than stocking shelves in Iowa] and because the Titans are whom Our Heroes beat, recall.)

[Cobra Mgr]

Caleb Williams dad & I think alike.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Caleb Williams dad & I think alike.

I agree with him as far as going to Chicago. But his complaint about the contract is a bit much.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Amazin69

By "prime games", you mean prime-time, not games on Bezos's "Prime" service, right? As I will never spend a dime on that Prime, I actually will see very little of the Cowboys, which hardly saddens me.

The night games for the Cowboys annoy me. I have to dedicate sick days for them or watch the 2nd half at work. Not ideal.

Originally Posted by Amazin69

It is shocking that there are two teams without evening exposure, given the superfluity of options. (Back in the 1990s, the TV contract required every franchise to be given at least one SNF or MNF matchup, which is how that Bengals-Falcons game in 1994 got to be on TNT, when Ted Turner would rather have run a WCW repeat, most likely.)

I thought every team got at least 1 Thursday night game. When did they change that?

I'm pretty sure the 1990 Cowboys didn't get any night games. Definitely no Monday night games.

Originally Posted by Amazin69

The last Super Bowl champion to play zero night games was The Greatest Show on Turf, the 1999 Rams. So whomever gets the Saints QB job will get a chance to play Kurt Warner, it appears.

Well, they were 4-12 in 1998.

Originally Posted by Amazin69

(Cam Ward is of course disqualified from following in Warner's footsteps, both because he was the highly-touted #1 draft pick [rather than stocking shelves in Iowa] and because the Titans are whom Our Heroes beat, recall.)

The main thing that will stop him from following in Kurt's footsteps, his team sucks.

[Déjà Bru]

I was wondering how a team that goes 3-14 the previous season ends up with the toughest schedule in the following season.

That got me thinking: How does the NFL create its schedule? Here's how: Creating the NFL Schedule

I read through that article and I am still wondering. How does a team that goes 3-14 the previous season end up with the toughest schedule in the following season?

I am looking forward to 2026.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

I agree with him as far as going to Chicago. But his complaint about the contract is a bit much.

Not to me. A person shouldn't have his freedom to move in his "employer's" hands after his contract expires.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I was wondering how a team that goes 3-14 the previous season ends up with the toughest schedule in the following season.

That got me thinking: How does the NFL create its schedule? Here's how: Creating the NFL Schedule

I read through that article and I am still wondering. How does a team that goes 3-14 the previous season end up with the toughest schedule in the following season?

I am looking forward to 2026.

That link doesn't tell you what you want to know. In theory, the NFL's method should allow a bad season to result in an easier slate the next season. But sometimes something anomalous happens. It really depends on how well your division did & how well the 2 divisions your division is matched up against did. That is why you see the NFC North & East teams make up most of the 10 toughest schedules in '25.

You are going to play 6 vs your division. So for the Giants, that is 52 wins right away from Philly & Wash. You are going to play 4 vs the AFC. This year that is the AFC West. They put 3 teams in the playoffs last season. That's 36 wins from KC/LAC/Den. The NFC East is matched vs the NFC North. They too had 3 playoff teams. So that is 40 wins from Det/GB/Minn. 128 wins total. So if you just took those 8 games, & said all of the other 9 opponents went 0-17 in '24, the Giants still wouldn't have the easiest sched. They would come in 29th vs the present SOS for the rest of the league. That is w/9 winless teams.

Conversely, look @ the Niners. They are in a division whose leaders hovered around .500. They are matched vs both South divisions. Both of them only had one team above .500. Plus, last place Chicago & Cleveland. So 11 out of 17 vs teams under .500.

In 2026, the NFC East will be matched against the AFC South & NFC West. In 2027, the AFC East & NFC South. Then 2028, the AFC & NFC North.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

Not to me. A person shouldn't have his freedom to move in his "employer's" hands after his contract expires.

You're talking about the franchise tag? It's not about the money, it's about the tag and being trapped? If it's not about the money, no one is forcing him to sign the tag. If you're good enough to get the tag, they'll trade you if you don't want to play for them.

[Ragnar]

Originally Posted by Déjà Bru

I was wondering how a team that goes 3-14 the previous season ends up with the toughest schedule in the following season.

The only thing that changes due to your record are 3 games. The Giants are playing the NFC East, NFC North, and AFC West regardless of record. That's 14 games right there.

[Cobra Mgr]

Originally Posted by Ragnar

You're talking about the franchise tag? It's not about the money, it's about the tag and being trapped? If it's not about the money, no one is forcing him to sign the tag. If you're good enough to get the tag, they'll trade you if you don't want to play for them.

Players are "forced" to sign the tag cause they can't be a FA. Or they lose a season. They have no power to go where they want to go or sign for how much they want to sign.

[Déjà Bru]

Originally Posted by Cobra Mgr

That link doesn't tell you what you want to know. In theory, the NFL's method should allow a bad season to result in an easier slate the next season. But sometimes something anomalous happens. It really depends on how well your division did & how well the 2 divisions your division is matched up against did. That is why you see the NFC North & East teams make up most of the 10 toughest schedules in '25.

You are going to play 6 vs your division. So for the Giants, that is 52 wins right away from Philly & Wash. You are going to play 4 vs the AFC. This year that is the AFC West. They put 3 teams in the playoffs last season. That's 36 wins from KC/LAC/Den. The NFC East is matched vs the NFC North. They too had 3 playoff teams. So that is 40 wins from Det/GB/Minn. 128 wins total. So if you just took those 8 games, & said all of the other 9 opponents went 0-17 in '24, the Giants still wouldn't have the easiest sched. They would come in 29th vs the present SOS for the rest of the league. That is w/9 winless teams.

Conversely, look @ the Niners. They are in a division whose leaders hovered around .500. They are matched vs both South divisions. Both of them only had one team above .500. Plus, last place Chicago & Cleveland. So 11 out of 17 vs teams under .500.

In 2026, the NFC East will be matched against the AFC South & NFC West. In 2027, the AFC East & NFC South. Then 2028, the AFC & NFC North.

Originally Posted by Ragnar

The only thing that changes due to your record are 3 games. The Giants are playing the NFC East, NFC North, and AFC West regardless of record. That's 14 games right there.

Yeah, thanks. I know you are right, even though it doesn't feel right. Well, here's to another high draft pick in 2026 (if they haven't traded it away already).