Former NFL player and scout Bucky Brooks knows the ins and outs of this league, providing keen insight in his notebook. Today's installment covers the teams that earn his highest marks for their offseason moves ...
Offseason hype can be a blessing and a curse. Just ask last year's Chicago Bears. The vibes were great a year ago at this time, when they were expected to make a major leap in Year 1 of the Caleb Williams era. Instead, they collapsed after a 4-2 start, firing their head coach before the calendar turned to December and losing 10 games in a row.
This year, the Bears are offseason darlings once again after the hiring of Ben Johnson and a series of strong player acquisitions. But I'm expecting the hype to be backed up when they take the field this time.
Chicago isn't the only team that positioned itself for better days with their moves since the 2024 season concluded, though. With less than a month before the first NFL training camp opens, I highlight my top five winners of the offseason below and share my expectations for each squad entering the 2025 campaign.
Bears' offseason additions | Chicago's 2025 draft class
After luring head coach Ben Johnson away from the division-rival Lions and upgrading the supporting cast around former No. 1 overall pick Caleb Williams, the Bears should be viewed as a dark-horse contender in 2025. Chicago has beefed up its pass catchers and pass protectors to ensure it can go toe-to-toe with any offensive heavyweight in the league. The team drafted a pair of mismatch creators in TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden III, who will keep opposing defensive coordinators up all night crafting game plans to neutralize the catch-and-run concepts that will be featured prominently on Johnson’s call sheet.
Given the veteran players added to the offensive line in free agency (Drew Dalman) and via trade (Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson), the Bears have given Williams enough support to help him dazzle this season. If Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo can add some spice to a defense in desperate need of more playmakers, the Bears could enjoy a worst-to-first rise in the NFC North.
My expectation for 2025: The table is set for the Bears to make a playoff run this season. They have upgraded their play-caller, playmakers and pass protectors to ensure Williams sparks a turnaround as a sophomore.
Ravens' offseason additions | Baltimore's 2025 draft class
It feels like now or never for the Ravens after general manager Eric DeCosta signed Jaire Alexander to put the finishing touches on the best roster in football. The two-time All-Pro will team with Kyle Hamilton, Marlon Humphrey, Nate Wiggins and first-round pick Malaki Starks to form a dynamic defensive backfield that can suffocate opponents with sticky coverage. The defensive upgrades should enable the Ravens to stymie opposing offenses that are forced into shootouts by Lamar Jackson and Co. With DeAndre Hopkins joining a group of pass catchers that already features dangerous playmakers like Zay Flowers, Rashod Bateman and Isaiah Likely, the Ravens are one of the favorites to represent the AFC in Super Bowl LX.
My expectation for 2025: This is the year Jackson finally gets the monkey off his back and guides the Ravens to the Super Bowl. The confetti might not fall on No. 8’s shoulders, but the “Bullies of Baltimore” will finish the season in Santa Clara, California, competing for the Lombardi Trophy.
Patriots' offseason additions | New England's 2025 draft class
The vibes are different this year with Mike Vrabel returning to the franchise as head coach. The former Patriots All-Pro linebacker is turning back the clock with an old-school approach and an updated roster that could make opponents miserable, forcing them to play “Fight Club” in Gillette Stadium. The addition of grizzled veterans on defense like Milton Williams, Harold Landry III, Robert Spillane and Carlton Davis III adds toughness and playmaking to a unit that lost its way in 2024.
Offensively, the Patriots have upgraded the talent around Drake Maye to help the quarterback make a jump in Year 2. From solidifying the offensive line with Will Campbell, Morgan Moses and Garrett Bradbury coming on board to adding a WR1 (Stefon Diggs) and RB2 (TreVeyon Henderson) with big-play potential, New England has surrounded its QB1 with a much-improved supporting cast that should make the game easier for him. With offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels building clever game plans to accentuate Maye’s strengths as a mobile playmaker, the Patriots offense could light up scoreboards by season’s end.
My expectation for 2025: The Patriots should quickly close ground on their division rivals as a .500 squad that makes a push for a playoff berth over the final month of the season.
Commanders' offseason additions | Washington's 2025 draft class
It’s hard to improve from good to great in the NFL, but the Commanders might join the league’s elites with an improved roster that features more blue-chip players around 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. The trades for Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel place a pair of Pro Bowl-caliber players in marquee positions (left tackle and WR2) that should help the offense unlock another gear in 2025. If the team can resolve Terry McLaurin’s contract situation, the Commanders will have a chance to open the season with an electric offense that will put plenty of stress on defensive coordinators crafting plans to stop the juggernaut.
Defensively, the additions of Deatrich Wise and Jonathan Jones fortify a unit that is coming into its own under the direction of head coach Dan Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. If the Commanders continue to receive key contributions from their young defensive backs (Mike Sainristil, Quan Martin and Trey Amos), the reigning NFC runner-up could take the next step in 2025.
My expectation for 2025: The Commanders are built to run through the NFC with a superstar quarterback surrounded by a stellar supporting cast. If Washington can secure the NFC’s No. 1 seed, we could see a championship parade in the nation’s capital come February.
Raiders' offseason additions | Las Vegas' 2025 draft class
The Raiders’ return to respectability is underway under head coach Pete Carroll. The Super Bowl XLVIII champion has installed a title-caliber blueprint that should make the Silver and Black competitive in his first season on the job. By reuniting Carroll with former Seahawks QB Geno Smith to help usher in a new culture, Las Vegas has jump-started the process with an underrated veteran who has a Pro Bowl pedigree. As rookie first-rounder Ashton Jeanty and budding superstar Brock Bowers settle into their roles as the designated playmakers in Chip Kelly’s offense, the Raiders can overwhelm opponents with an approach that repeatedly puts the ball in the hands of their best players in prime positions.
On defense, the return of coordinator Patrick Graham and top defenders Maxx Crosby and Christian Wilkins (if healthy) could help the Raiders challenge opponents with a fast-paced see ball, get ball scheme. Given Carroll’s history of producing quick turnarounds as a team leader, the squad’s mix of teachers and talent could lead to impressive results in his first season.
My expectation for 2025: The Raiders could emerge as a dark-horse playoff contender thanks to Carroll’s experience and expertise. The 73-year-old coach knows how to put together winning game plans, and his roster features enough talent to chalk up nine-plus wins.
