As we continue down the road to the 2025 NFL Draft, teams are making moves to solidify their position as high-level contenders. The Kansas City Chiefs have been working through their roster since their Super Bowl loss and have already made significant improvements. The Chicago Bears have also made progress after hiring Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, who has been clear about his vision for the team. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders made history with their star defensive leader, Max Crosby.
The Chiefs are looking to bounce back after coming so close to becoming the first team in NFL history to three-peat. General Manager Brett Veach has confirmed that tight end Travis Kelce will return next season, also noting in a press conference that Kelce battled a tough illness during the Super Bowl. The soon-to-be 36-year-old doesn’t have many years left in the league, but he’s determined to make the most of them alongside Patrick Mahomes, who is still in his prime. The team also has a big decision to make regarding guard Trey Smith, who received the franchise tag and is set to make over $23 million next season.
The Raiders have crucial decisions ahead in the NFL Draft, particularly whether they’ll select one of the top quarterbacks available or a high-level skill player. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has been informed that he will be released next week once the new NFL year officially begins. The team also locked down their defensive anchor, signing defensive end Max Crosby to a three-year, $106.5 million extension, with $92 million guaranteed—a well-deserved deal for the 27-year-old, who has cemented himself as one of the most dominant linemen in the league.
Crosby has publicly stated that he would love for quarterback Aaron Rodgers to join the team next season. It’ll be interesting to see if that idea gains traction in the coming weeks.
The Chicago Bears and Ben Johnson have made it clear that fixing the offensive line is a top priority to protect second-year quarterback Caleb Williams. The team traded their 2026 fourth-round pick to the Kansas City Chiefs for All-Pro guard Joe Thuney and also acquired guard Jonah Jackson from the Los Angeles Rams. These trades can’t be finalized until the new NFL year begins on March 12.
These moves are just the tip of the iceberg as big-name players like defensive end Joey Bosa have been released from the Los Angeles Chargers, making him one of the biggest free agents on the market. With so many moving parts, teams will continue making major roster adjustments before the draft next month.
