The 2024 NFL season has officially come to a close, with the Philadelphia Eagles emerging as world champions and ending the Kansas City Chiefs’ chances at a three-peat. This NFL season was full of surprises, including the Washington Commanders making a shocking playoff run to reach the conference championship game for the first time since 1991.
The Minnesota Vikings also had a surprising season, finishing with a 14-3 record and playoff berth behind the arm of Sam Darnold. They didn’t win a playoff game, but Minnesota was one of the biggest surprises in the league.
Which team can be this year’s Commanders or Vikings? Let’s take an early look at five teams poised to make a leap in 2025, and this includes a team that made the playoffs last season.
Los Angeles Chargers (11-6)
The Chargers were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last season, emerging as a playoff team in Jim Harbaugh’s first season at the helm. Harbaugh used the tried-and-true formula of a strong run game and good defense to win football games, as the Chargers upped their win total from five wins to 11 in Year 1 with Harbaugh. What does Harbaugh have in store for Year 2? The Chargers will have $63.4 million in available cap space to improve the roster, mainly on the interior of the offensive line and at tight end.
Seattle Seahawks (10-7)
The Seahawks made an immediate improvement under Mike Macdonald in his first season, even if the win total only jumped from nine to 10. Seattle still missed the playoffs in a loaded NFC, but the defense underwent an immediate turnaround. Seattle jumped from 29th in points allowed per possession to fifth, showcasing how good of a defensive coach Macdonald is.
San Francisco 49ers (6-11)
Hard to write off an organization that’s been to two Super Bowls in the last six seasons, even if the 2024 season was a dumpster fire…
Carolina Panthers (5-12)
The Panthers were a bad football team last season, but the final record is deceiving.
New England Patriots (4-13)
The Patriots were one of the worst teams in the NFL last season, which led to the dismissal of Jerod Mayo as head coach after just one season.
