Seahawks Launch Aggressive Rebrand

The Seattle Seahawks wasted no time pivoting into the post-Pete Carroll era. Under coach Mike Macdonald, they traded star WR DK Metcalf ($150M to Pittsburgh) and QB Geno Smith (Raiders), replacing them with Sam Darnold (3 yrs/$100.5M) and Super Bowl MVP Cooper Kupp, released by the Rams. This signals a full offensive reset for a team that narrowly missed the 2024 playoffs.

Youth Movement: Protecting Franchise QBs

Teams invested heavily in offensive lines to shield young quarterbacks:

• Chicago Bears fortified protections for Caleb Williams (sacked 68x in 2024)
• New England Patriots prioritized blocking for Drake Maye
• Minnesota Vikings shed Darnold to bolster their line around rookie JJ McCarthy
  The Tennessee Titans, holding the 2025 draft’s top pick, also revamped their O-line—fueling speculation they’ll select Miami QB Cam Ward.

Record-Shattering Extensions

Two elite pass-catchers reset the market:

• Ja’Marr Chase (Bengals): $161M (£125M), making him the NFL’s highest-paid non-QB ever
• Tee Higgins (Bengals): $115M (£89M), securing Cincinnati’s explosive WR duo
  Meanwhile, Myles Garrett (Browns, $160M) and Maxx Crosby (Raiders) landed massive deals to remain defensive cornerstones.

Veterans on the Move

• Aaron Rodgers remains unsigned but met with the Giants, Steelers, and Vikings.
• Russell Wilson signed with the Giants after a brief Steelers stint.
• The Jets, abandoning last year’s failed Rodgers experiment, pivoted to Justin Fields and released Davante Adams (now with the Rams).

Dark Horses & Contenders

• The 49ers, clearing cap space for Brock Purdy, traded Deebo Samuel (Commanders), weakening their SB-caliber roster.
• The Ravens added DeAndre Hopkins to boost Lamar Jackson’s arsenal.
• Buffalo snagged edge rusher Joey Bosa, signaling an aggressive defensive shift.

With the draft looming, these moves could redefine the 2025 NFL hierarchy.