Bears, Jets, Raiders among most improved teams heading into 2025 NFL season

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

Like another team on this list (New England), Arizona had some money to spend and needs to address. That's how the Cardinals landed edge rusher Josh Sweat, reuniting him with Jonathan Gannon, who helped Sweat enjoy his best seasons in Philadelphia while serving as the Eagles' defensive coordinator. DE Calais Campbell returns to the team with which he spent the first nine seasons of his career. He provides a veteran presence, as does Dalvin Tomlinson, helping to revamp the defensive front in one offseason. Rookie DT Walter Nolen (drafted 16th overall) will play a part, too, along with CB Will Johnson, a first-round talent who slid into Round 2 (No. 47) because of concerns about his knee, according to NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport, though Johnson later said he's healthy. Keep an eye on linebacker Cody Simon, who enters the NFL as a fourth-round pick (No. 115) after enjoying an incredible run through the College Football Playoff with Ohio State, starring in a dominant Rose Bowl win over Oregon and juicing his draft stock along the way. 

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

Chicago added in key places this offseason, picking up top-tier linemen (Joe Thuney and Drew Dalman) and a solid veteran (Jonah Jackson) to protect Caleb Williams. The Bears drafted another target for Williams in Luther Burden III, a first-round-caliber talent who dropped to Round 2 (No. 39 overall). It's fair to wonder how much gas Grady Jarrett has left in the tank heading into his 11th pro season, but his presence alone figures to improve the defense's ability to stop the run. First-round pick Colston Loveland should pair excellently with Cole Kmet, creating a tight end duo that will receive plenty of exposure under new coach Ben Johnson, who is expected to lean heavily on 12 personnel. The Bears' rebuild was always going to require multiple seasons; the 2025 campaign might be the first in which we see notable progress, because of how they strategically sifted through the offseason.

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

The March trade for quarterback Geno Smith improved the Raiders drastically and would have been enough by itself to earn them consideration for this piece. But they didn't stop there, going on to draft a much-needed replacement for Josh Jacobs (whose departure via free agency last offseason left a void at running back in 2024) with the sixth overall pick (Ashton Jeanty) and adding receiver Jack Bech in Round 2 (No. 58 overall). Guard Alex Cappa brings high-level experience from his time with the Buccaneers and Bengals, while DL Leki Fotu, LB Elandon Roberts, S Jeremy Chinn and CB Eric Stokes should bolster a defense that lost S Tre'von Moehrig in free agency. The jury is out on the overall outlook on that side of the ball, but frankly, again, Smith's arrival alone will make me want to watch the Raiders in 2025.

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

Many analysts (including this one) panned Minnesota for the absence of a clear plan under center and a perceived lack of talent heading into what many deemed to be a transitional year in 2024. Boy, were we wrong. Instead, the Vikings won 14 games while looking like a legitimate Super Bowl contender, until it all fell apart in the postseason. There's reason for skepticism entering 2025: Sam Darnold is gone after cashing in on the free-agent market following his career turnaround, leaving unproven 2024 first-rounder J.J. McCarthy, who missed all of his rookie season with a knee injury, in position to take over at QB. But the cast around McCarthy has undoubtedly improved, especially in the trenches, where the Vikings added Ryan Kelly at center. At guard, veteran Will Fries and first-round pick Donovan Jackson are on board, while tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave joined up on D. As someone who places a high value on both sides of the line, I support this approach. But it still all comes down to whether or not McCarthy can get the job done.

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

The Patriots had an absurd amount of cap space entering the 2025 offseason, which was a good problem to have, because in 2024, they were one of the worst teams in the NFL, finishing 31st in yards per game (292) and 28th in point differential (-128). They had needs everywhere except at quarterback and spent like it. Yes, they paid DL Milton Williams at a rate ($104 million over four years) that might never match his production (he has 11.5 sacks over four career seasons), but with money to burn, the move made sense. Carlton Davis and Christian Gonzalez should make a fascinating cornerback tandem, while second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson will form quite a two-headed monster in the Patriots' backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson. Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins will provide Drake Maye with experienced pass-catchers, and New England's new-look offensive line will have plenty of options when it comes to assembling the starting five, including veterans Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury, plus first-rounder Will Campbell, with my favorite being third-rounder and former Georgia center Jared Wilson. Plenty of changes -- including at head coach, where Mike Vrabel takes over -- should give Patriots fans reason to feel optimistic. 

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

I've loved the Jets' approach since they hired Aaron Glenn as their new coach in January. For the first time in years, New York did not strike a false offseason note, at least to my ears, bolstering the defense with veterans like DL Derrick Nnadi and S Andre Cisco while using a first-round selection on Armand Membou, who should pair with 2024 first-rounder Olumuyiwa Fashanu to give the team a nice set of bookend tackles. The Jets' best pick of this year's draft might end up being tight end Mason Taylor (Round 2, No. 42 overall), a polished pass-catcher with the potential to make a difference from Day 1. The big question mark is Justin Fields, a quarterback who needs to prove himself now that he's with his third NFL team in as many years. Then again, this feels like his best opportunity to do so, compared to previous situations in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

Veteran additions | 2025 draft class

Washington's stunning 2024 turnaround breathed new life into a franchise that had trudged through plenty of losing in the 21st century. The Commanders entered the offseason with a clear goal: capitalize on their newfound success, and do so fearlessly. Trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil gave them two proven veterans to bolster an offense headlined by 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. Now, there are ways things could go awry. Samuel struggled to stay healthy enough to consistently produce in San Francisco in recent years, and Tunsil allowed 52 pressures in 2024, the most for him in a season since 2018, according to Next Gen Stats (with a pressure-allowed rate of 8.3%, fourth-highest for him in that span). But if everything works out, the Commanders should be better than they were a year ago, when they sprinted all the way to the NFC Championship Game.