The 2025 NFL season was the 106th season of the National Football League (NFL). The regular season began on September 4, 2025, with reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia defeating Dallas in the NFL Kickoff Game, and ended on January 4, 2026. The playoffs began on January 10, and concluded on February 8 with Super Bowl LX, the league's championship game, in which Seattle defeated New England at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.
Player movement The 2025 NFL league year and trading period began on March 12. On March 10, teams were allowed to exercise options for 2025 on players with option clauses in their contracts, submit qualifying offers to their pending restricted free agents, and submit a Minimum Salary Tender to retain exclusive negotiating rights to their players with expiring 2024 contracts and fewer than three accrued seasons of free agent credit. Teams are required to be under the salary cap using the "top 51" definition (in which the 51 highest paid-players on the team's payroll must have a combined salary cap). On March 12, clubs were allowed to contact and begin contract negotiations with players whose contracts had expired and thus became unrestricted free agents. The season's salary cap increase $23.8 million per team for a total of $279.2 million per team.
Free agency
Free agency began on March 12, 2025.
Quarterbacks Sam Darnold (Minnesota to Seattle), Justin Fields (Pittsburgh to New York Jets), Joe Flacco (Indianapolis to Cleveland), Aaron Rodgers (New York Jets to Pittsburgh), and Russell Wilson (Pittsburgh to New York Giants) Running backs Nick Chubb (Cleveland to Houston), J. K. Dobbins (Los Angeles Chargers to Denver), Rico Dowdle (Dallas to Carolina), Najee Harris (Pittsburgh to Los Angeles Chargers), and Javonte Williams (Denver to Dallas) Wide receivers Davante Adams (New York Jets to Los Angeles Rams), Keenan Allen (Chicago to Los Angeles Chargers), Stefon Diggs (Houston to New England), DeAndre Hopkins (Kansas City to Baltimore), Cooper Kupp (Los Angeles Rams to Seattle), Tyler Lockett (Seattle to Tennessee), and Josh Palmer (Los Angeles Chargers to Buffalo) Tight ends Tyler Conklin (New York Jets to Los Angeles Chargers), Evan Engram (Jacksonville to Denver), and Noah Fant (Seattle to Cincinnati) Offensive linemen Aaron Banks (San Francisco to Green Bay), Mekhi Becton (Philadelphia to Los Angeles), Drew Dalman (Atlanta to Chicago), Will Fries (Indianapolis to Minnesota), Ryan Kelly (Indianapolis to Minnesota), Patrick Mekari (Baltimore to Jacksonville), Dan Moore (Pittsburgh to Tennessee), and Jaylon Moore (San Francisco to Kansas City) Defensive linemen Jonathan Allen (Washington to Minnesota), Joey Bosa (Los Angeles Chargers to Buffalo), Calais Campbell (Miami to Arizona), Maliek Collins (San Francisco to Cleveland), Leonard Floyd (San Francisco to Atlanta), Javon Hargrave (San Francisco to Minnesota), Grady Jarrett (Atlanta to Chicago), DeMarcus Lawrence (Dallas to Seattle), Tershawn Wharton (Kansas City to Carolina), Tedarrell Slaton (Green Bay to Cincinnati), and Milton Williams (Philadelphia to New England) Linebackers Dre Greenlaw (San Francisco to Denver), Nate Landman (Atlanta to Los Angeles Rams), Harold Landry (Tennessee to New England), Von Miller (Buffalo to Washington), Haason Reddick (New York Jets to Tampa Bay), Robert Spillane (Las Vegas to New England), Josh Sweat (Philadelphia to Arizona), and Oren Burks (Philadelphia to Cincinnati) Defensive backs Paulson Adebo (New Orleans to New York Giants), Jaire Alexander (Green Bay to Baltimore), Camryn Bynum (Minnesota to Indianapolis), Carlton Davis (Detroit to New England), Jevon Holland (Miami to New York Giants), Talanoa Hufanga (San Francisco to Denver), Tre'von Moehrig (Las Vegas to Carolina), D. J. Reed (New York Jets to Detroit), Darius Slay (Philadelphia to Pittsburgh), and Charvarius Ward (San Francisco to Indianapolis) Kickers Matt Gay (Indianapolis to Washington) and Joey Slye (New England to Tennessee) Punters Riley Dixon (Denver to Tampa Bay), Johnny Hekker (Carolina to Tennessee), and Ryan Stonehouse (Tennessee to Miami)
Trades The following notable trades were made during the 2025 league year:
March 12: San Francisco traded WR Deebo Samuel to Washington in exchange for a 2025 fifth-round selection. March 12: Kansas City traded G Joe Thuney to Chicago in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round selection. March 12: The Los Angeles Rams traded G Jonah Jackson to Chicago in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round selection. March 12: Houston traded OT Laremy Tunsil and a 2025 fourth-round selection to Washington in exchange for 2025 third- and seventh-round selections and 2026 second- and fourth-round selections. March 12: Seattle traded WR DK Metcalf and a 2025 sixth-round selection to Pittsburgh in exchange for 2025 second- and seventh-round selections. March 12: Philadelphia traded S C. J. Gardner-Johnson and a 2025 sixth-round selection to Houston in exchange for G Kenyon Green and a 2026 fifth-round selection. March 13: Seattle traded QB Geno Smith to Las Vegas in exchange for a 2025 third-round selection. March 13: Philadelphia traded QB Kenny Pickett to Cleveland in exchange for QB Dorian Thompson-Robinson and a 2025 fifth-round selection. May 7: Pittsburgh traded WR George Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round selection to Dallas in exchange for 2026 third-round and 2027 fifth-round selections. June 30: Miami traded CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, and 2027 seventh-round selection to Pittsburgh in exchange for S Minkah Fitzpatrick and a 2027 fifth-round selection. July 1: The New York Giants traded TE Darren Waller and a 2027 seventh-round selection to Miami in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection. August 5: Las Vegas traded CB Jakorian Bennett to Philadelphia in exchange for DT Thomas Booker. August 18: Philadelphia traded TE Harrison Bryant and a 2026 fifth-round selection to Houston in exchange for WR John Metchie III and a 2026 sixth-round selection. August 18: New Orleans traded DT Khalen Saunders to Jacksonville in exchange for C Luke Fortner. August 20: Denver traded WR Devaughn Vele to New Orleans in exchange for a 2026 fourth-round selection and a 2027 seventh-round selection. August 27: Carolina traded WR Adam Thielen, a conditional 2026 seventh-round selection, and a 2027 fifth-round selection to Minnesota in exchange for a 2026 fifth-round selection and a 2027 fourth-round selection. August 28: Dallas traded DE Micah Parsons to Green Bay in exchange for DT Kenny Clark and 2026 and 2027 first-round selections. October 7: Baltimore traded LB Odafe Oweh and a 2027 seventh-round selection to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for S Alohi Gilman and a 2026 fifth-round selection. October 8: Cleveland traded CB Greg Newsome II and a 2026 sixth-round selection to Jacksonville in exchange for CB Tyson Campbell and a 2026 seventh-round selection. October 29: Philadelphia traded WR John Metchie III and a 2027 sixth-round selection to the New York Jets in exchange for CB Michael Carter II and a 2027 seventh-round selection. November 1: Baltimore traded CB Jaire Alexander and a 2027 seventh-round selection to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2026 sixth-round selection. November 3: Miami traded LB Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia in exchange for a 2026 third-round selection. November 4: Las Vegas traded WR Jakobi Meyers to Jacksonville in exchange for 2026 fourth- and sixth-round selections. November 4: The New York Jets traded CB Sauce Gardner to Indianapolis in exchange for WR Adonai Mitchell and 2026 and 2027 first-round selections. November 4: New Orleans traded WR Rashid Shaheed to Seattle in exchange for 2026 fourth- and fifth-round selections. November 4: The New York Jets traded DT Quinnen Williams to Dallas in exchange for DT Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round selection, and a 2027 first-round selection.
Retirements Notable retirements
OT Terron Armstead – Five-time Pro Bowler and one-time second-team All-Pro. Played for New Orleans and Miami during his 12-year career. LB Anthony Barr – Four-time Pro Bowler. Played for Minnesota and Dallas during his 10-year career. QB Derek Carr – Four-time Pro Bowler. Played for Oakland/Las Vegas and New Orleans during his 11-year career. WR Amari Cooper – Five-time Pro Bowler. Played for Oakland, Dallas, Cleveland, and Buffalo during his 10-year career. TE Jimmy Graham – Five-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro (one first-team, one second-team). Played for New Orleans, Seattle, Green Bay, and Chicago during his 13-year career. WR Julio Jones – Seven-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro (two first-team, three second-team). Played for Atlanta, Tennessee, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia during his 13-year career. LB Shaquille Leonard – Three-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team), and 2018 Defensive Rookie of the Year. Played for Indianapolis and Philadelphia during his six-year career. G Zack Martin – Nine-time Pro Bowler and nine-time All-Pro (seven first-team, two second-team). Played for Dallas during his entire 11-year career. S Tyrann Mathieu – Three-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro (three first-team, one second-team), and Super Bowl LIV champion. Played for Arizona, Houston, Kansas City, and New Orleans during his 12-year career. LB C. J. Mosley – Five-time Pro Bowler and five-time second-team All-Pro. Played for Baltimore and the New York Jets during his 11-year career. OT Jason Peters – Nine-time Pro Bowler, six-time All-Pro (two first-team, four second-team), and Super Bowl LII champion. Played for Buffalo, Philadelphia, Chicago, Dallas, and Seattle during his 21-year career. CB Patrick Peterson – Eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time first-team All-Pro. Played for Arizona, Minnesota, and Pittsburgh during his 13-year career. C Frank Ragnow – Four-time Pro Bowler and three-time second-team All-Pro. Played for Detroit during his entire seven-year career. G Brandon Scherff – Five-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro. Played for Washington and Jacksonville during his 10-year career. OT Tyron Smith – Eight-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro (two first-team, three second-team). Played for Dallas and the New York Jets during his 14-year career. DT Ndamukong Suh – Five-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro (three first-team, two second-team), and Super Bowl LV champion. Played for Detroit, Miami, the Los Angeles Rams, Tampa Bay, and Philadelphia during his 13-year career.
Other retirements
Draft The 2025 NFL draft took place at Lambeau Field and its adjacent Titletown District in Green Bay, Wisconsin, on April 24–26. Tennessee, by virtue of having the worst record in , held the first overall selection and selected Miami (FL) quarterback Cam Ward.
2025 deaths Pro Football Hall of Fame members Kenny Easley Easley played seven seasons in the NFL as a safety with the Seattle Seahawks, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2017. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, five-time All-Pro (four first-team, one second-team) and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 1984. He died on November 14, age 66.
Steve McMichael McMichael played 15 seasons in the NFL as a defensive tackle with the New England Patriots, Chicago Bears, and Green Bay Packers, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2024. He was a two-time Pro Bowler, four-time All-Pro (two first-team, two second-team), and Super Bowl XX champion. He died on April 23, age 67.
Paul Tagliabue Tagliabue served as the commissioner of the NFL from 1989 to 2006 and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2020. He died on November 9, age 84.
Active personnel Carol Davis Davis was co-owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, assuming co-control in 2011 with her son Mark following the death of her husband Al Davis. She died on October 24, age 93.
Jim Irsay