The NFL regular season is back (kickoff weekend Sept. 4–8, 2025): defending champion Philadelphia edged Dallas on Thursday, the Kansas City–Los Angeles Chargers rematch in São Paulo saw Justin Herbert outduel Patrick Mahomes, and Week 1 continues with 13 games on Sunday and Monday Night Football in Chicago where the Bears host the Vikings.
Key Takeaways
- Seven teams open with new head coaches; eight clubs begin with new starting quarterbacks.
- More than half the league entered the season with at least one new coordinator, increasing schematic turnover across the NFL.
- Several 2024 breakout rookies—Jayden Daniels, Bo Nix, Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers and Brock Bowers—face heightened expectations for Year 2.
- High-pressure situations loom for multiple coaches whose jobs could hinge on early results, including Brian Daboll and Shane Steichen.
- Sunday night’s Bills vs. Ravens is a major early-season measuring stick—Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen renew a top AFC rivalry.
- Intrigue in regional revenge and roster storylines: the Jets–Steelers matchup raises questions about quarterback continuity and fit.
Verified Facts
The regular season opened with the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles holding off the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night. On Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs faced the Los Angeles Chargers in São Paulo, Brazil, where Justin Herbert produced a standout performance against Patrick Mahomes.
Seven franchises begin the season under new head coaches, and eight teams have different Week 1 starting quarterbacks than a year ago. Examples of new head-coach debuts this weekend include Mike Vrabel (New England) and Pete Carroll (Las Vegas), along with rookie head coaches Kellen Moore (New Orleans), Liam Coen (Jacksonville), Aaron Glenn (New York Jets) and Ben Johnson (Chicago). Brian Schottenheimer also made his head-coaching debut for the Cowboys on Thursday.
Recent rookie standouts return with higher expectations. Brian Thomas Jr. recorded 1,282 receiving yards on 87 catches in 2024; Malik Nabers set an NFL rookie record with 109 receptions and posted roughly 1,200 yards; tight end Brock Bowers had 112 catches for 1,194 yards as a rookie; and linebacker Jared Verse finished with 66 tackles, 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and two recoveries, including a playoff fumble return for a touchdown.
Week 1’s slate features 13 Sunday games and wraps on Monday night in Chicago. A marquee matchup Sunday night pits the Buffalo Bills and Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens against each other, renewing a rivalry that has featured postseason clashes and MVP-level performances from both Jackson and Josh Allen.
Context & Impact
Coaching and quarterback turnover alters preseason expectations for many teams. Organizations that overhauled staff and personnel will use Week 1 to test schemes, evaluate fit and begin setting a tone for the season; early wins can ease pressure, while losses can amplify scrutiny.
Second-year and breakout players face different burdens: some must build on rookie success without the element of surprise, while others—those who struggled or missed time—need fast improvements to justify draft capital and fan patience. Caleb Williams, returning under rookie coach Ben Johnson, and other young quarterbacks enter high-visibility starts that could define momentum for their clubs.
Several coaches enter 2025 with notable scrutiny. Brian Daboll’s Giants have posted consecutive double-digit-loss seasons; Shane Steichen’s Colts missed narrow postseason opportunities; Jonathan Gannon, Mike McDaniel and Kevin Stefanski each face narratives tied to recent inconsistencies or unmet postseason expectations. Early-season results will shape front-office conversations about direction and patience.
On-field matchups carry playoff implications beyond Week 1. A victory in a head-to-head contest between two contenders can affect tiebreakers and home-field calculations months from now—making early rivalry games, including divisional openers, especially consequential.
Official Statements
“Teams and coaches have emphasized starting fast and establishing identity in Week 1,”
The Athletic coverage / team media availability
Unconfirmed
- Long-term job security for coaches named among the pressured group remains speculative until teams assess more than one week of results.
- How each second-year and rookie player will adapt under new coordinators and game plans is uncertain and will depend on in-season adjustments.
- Any specific roster or tactical changes announced in the days following Week 1 should be verified through team releases.
Bottom Line
Week 1 offers a concentrated look at transition points across the league: new head coaches and quarterbacks, elevated expectations for several young players, and immediate pressure on managers and staffs who need quick returns. While the full picture will take weeks to form, this opening weekend will provide the first meaningful evidence of which teams hit the ground running.