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:
But first, a warning to those disregarding one of the NFL's most decorated franchises in 2025 ...
The regular season is just over a month away, so this is the perfect time to issue a hot take that will elicit some quizzical looks and eye rolls.
OK, truthfully, I have no desire to produce clickbait content, but I know that suggesting the Pittsburgh Steelers will emerge as Super Bowl contenders will undoubtedly spawn a slew of interesting comments on my social media channels -- especially considering that I already expressed this sentiment early last December. While that prediction ultimately missed the mark, as the 2024 Steelers lost their final five games, I believe the 2025 Steelers head into a new season with the kind of upgraded roster that could reward my continued faith.
Pittsburgh has enough offensive firepower to support a nasty defense with the potential to finish as the top-ranked unit in every major category (scoring defense, yards allowed and takeaways). With a renewed commitment to playing complementary football via an old-school approach that prioritizes physicality and toughness over all else, the Steelers can win by utilizing a formula that has helped the franchise collect six Lombardi Trophies.
Admittedly, I previously touted this blueprint and formula with Russell Wilson/Justin Fields under center, but Rodgers is an upgrade as a seasoned game manager with the infectious confidence and swagger that suit Pittsburgh's locker room. The four-time league MVP not only believes in his talent, but he envisions himself as a difference maker with the secret sauce to put the Steelers over the top.
"To have a guy like that, man -- in your huddle, in your locker room, a part of your group -- it certainly gives us all great confidence," head coach Mike Tomlin said this week on The Pat McAfee Show.
Despite coming off a subpar season following an injury-obliterated campaign in 2023, Rodgers adds a dimension to Pittsburgh as a pinpoint passer with a risk-averse playing style that produces touchdowns and few interceptions when he is on his game. As a graybeard entering his 21st season, Rodgers cannot carry the team on his right arm alone, but he still possesses the clutch factor that can result in the kinds of game-winning drives and fourth-quarter comebacks that are needed in playoff wars.
Though I have been one of Rodgers' biggest detractors in recent years, the marriage between the future Hall of Fame quarterback and this Tomlin-led coaching staff should produce some of the fireworks the team has lacked since Ben Roethlisberger hung up the cleats in January of 2022. Moreover, the insertion of the veteran into a ball-control offense that balances downhill runs with various quick-rhythm and play-action passing concepts will force opponents to make tough decisions when facing an attack that features more speed and explosiveness on the perimeter in 2025. Whether Rodgers is targeting DK Metcalf on go routes/deep crossers or finding Jonnu Smith screaming down the seam, the Steelers' new pass catchers will enable offensive coordinator Arthur Smith to expand his call sheet, leading to more explosives for the run-heavy squad.
Pittsburgh's young offensive line will significantly benefit from Rodgers' presence, with the 41-year-old QB getting the team into ideal play calls against favorable fronts and coverages. As a result, the Steelers should become more efficient on the ground by pounding the ball between the tackles against light boxes, while remaining aggressive in the passing game with vertical shots against one-on-one coverage on the outside. All in all, Rodgers can deftly manage the game with a ball-control offense, thus limiting possessions for opponents going against a stout Steelers defense.
That defense should be quite stingy in 2025, with Jalen Ramsey and Darius Slay joining a secondary that wants to play man-to-man coverage against the dangerous wideouts within their division. By adding a pair of accomplished vets, the Steelers have the flexibility to travel their defensive backs based on matchups or play man coverage from traditional alignments with minimal adjustments. In addition, defensive coordinator Teryl Austin can deploy Ramsey as a designated playmaker with "blitz, run and cover" responsibilities from the slot or out wide.
"[Ramsey's] a football player first and a positional player second," Tomlin recently said to the assembled media. "When he came out in the draft, I think he was the No. 1 safety on our board, as well as the No. 1 corner on our board. And I think that speaks to his versatility. His tape has done nothing but solidify that perspective that we had on him since he's been in the league. Over the course of his career, you've seen him do a variety of things: play inside and play out. All the components of the game -- man-to-man coverage, run support -- he has an appetite for it all."
Given Ramsey's track record of shutting down wideouts and tight ends, the Steelers have added a chess piece that will enable them to issue a checkmate on opponents who want to feature a WR1 or TE1 prominently in the game plan.
While Ramsey will occupy a key role as one of the Steelers' designated playmakers in the defensive backfield, T.J. Watt will continue to fill the lead role as the trench warrior Austin builds the pass-rush plan around. The 2021 Defensive Player of the Year recently inked a three-year, $123 million extension that rewards him for his splash-play efforts off the edge. A high-motor technician with an assortment of "Mr. Miyagi" hand maneuvers, Watt whips blockers with a combination of power and finesse that routinely produces a game-changing turnover or sack. Given the hefty payday and raised expectations that come with admittance into the $40 Million club, the Steelers' top defender must work with Ramsey, Cameron Heyward and Patrick Queen to spark a top-five unit that controls the game with rugged play.
Though the Steelers lack the overall talent and depth of some current NFL powerhouses, their ability to transform every game into a street brawl could enable Rodgers to work his fourth-quarter magic and claim a series of one-score wins, ultimately earning Pittsburgh a ticket to the postseason. And in the playoffs, where margins of victory typically shrink, this could be a very dangerous squad with experience, physicality and balance.
I know a lot of people are dismissing Pittsburgh -- a team that hasn't won a postseason game since the 2016 season -- but I think that's a mistake. If these seasoned Steelers can just stay healthy, they could absolutely round into form as a true title contender.
NFC's top three contenders to topple Eagles
Coming off an awe-inspiring victory in Super Bowl LIX, Philadelphia heads into the 2025 season with great expectations. But before the franchise's fervent fan base starts planning a February trip to Santa Clara, California, for Super Bowl LX, the Eagles need to prove they remain atop the conference.
Despite their spectacular roster and steely focus, the reigning champions won't have an easy time advancing out of the NFC, thanks to a group of emerging teams built for a title run. Armed with talented quarterbacks, formidable fronts and ball-hawking defenses, a group of conference foes are well-equipped to knock the Eagles off their NFC perch.
Here is my ranking of the top three NFC teams poised to challenge Philly for conference supremacy.
From the spectacular play of Matthew Stafford to the grittiness of a young and hungry defense, the Rams have re-emerged as one of the heavyweights in a league built on toughness and stellar quarterback play. Need proof? Well, looking back at the Eagles' Super Bowl run earlier this year, the Divisional Round battle against the Rams stands out as the champs' toughest test. Trailing 28-22 at a snowy Lincoln Financial Field, Los Angeles entered the red zone with less than a minute remaining before ultimately turning the ball over on downs.
In 2025, the Rams should be formidable foes once again. Free-agent addition Davante Adams joins Puka Nacua to give Sean McVay a pair of interchangeable WR1s and help Stafford torch opponents intent on stopping Kyren Williams and Co. on the ground. With Tutu Atwell and Tyler Higbee capable of creating big plays on various catch-and-run concepts, the Rams have an offense that can test the talent and depth of any defense.
As the defense continues to grow, with a collection of young players graduating from roles as key contributors to elite playmakers, the Rams have a unit with the game-wrecking front to engage in -- and win -- trench wars with the NFC's heavyweights. This is a team that can control the line of scrimmage. Add in the savvy coach-QB combo of McVay-Stafford, and Los Angeles is well-positioned to challenge Philadelphia.
If Jayden Daniels can guide the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game without an elite roster in Year 1, he can lead a vastly improved squad to Super Bowl LX in Year 2. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year has more playmakers at his disposal, with Deebo Samuel coming over from San Francisco to give Washington a rugged, catch-and-run specialist. The Commanders also acquired Laremy Tunsil via trade to solidify Daniels' blind side.
If the defense can improve -- with veterans Von Miller, Deatrich Wise, Javon Kinlaw, Jonathan Jones and Will Harris joining a disruptive corps that features Bobby Wagner, Frankie Luvu and Marshon Lattimore -- the Commanders could overtake their division rivals as the team to beat in the NFC.
Now, the one thing that gives me pause with this team: The contract dispute with Terry McLaurin has disrupted the offense's rhythm throughout the offseason. And now the Pro Bowl has requested a trade, heightening the stalemate to a new level. I'm still operating under the assumption that the two sides ultimately work something out, because a parting of ways could deal a serious blow to the 2025 Commanders -- and prove quite harmful to Daniels' development. McLaurin is clearly the straw that stirs the drink in Washington's aerial attack. The Commanders need to figure this out.
A fully healthy season from Jordan Love could make the Packers serious contenders to represent the NFC in Super Bowl LX. The young gunslinger flashes top-tier talent, guiding an efficient offense that utilizes interchangeable pieces on the perimeter to keep opponents guessing.
Although rugged running back Josh Jacobs established himself as Green Bay's offensive engine last season, the Packers' deep and talented receiving corps operates like a committee of playmakers, with Jayden Reed, Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks and Christian Watson (when healthy) sharing WR1 duties in a diverse aerial attack that mixes deep shots with crossing routes. As Green Bay inserts dynamic rookies Matthew Golden and Savion Williams into the rotation, Matt LaFleur can overwhelm opponents with a collection of catch-and-run specialists with the potential to turn short passes into big gains. Furthermore, tight end Tucker Kraft enjoyed a breakout sophomore campaign in 2024, catching 50 passes for 707 yards and seven touchdowns.
If defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley can continue to befuddle opponents with a clever "bluff and blitz" scheme that enables Rashan Gary, Edgerrin Cooper, Quay Walker and Kenny Clark to wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage while Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard and free-agent pickup Nate Hobbs attack the ball in various "vision and break" coverages, the Packers have the recipe to knock off any opponent and reach the top of the NFC totem pole.
