Predicting the Boldest Roster Moves for the 2025 NFL Offseason
NFL teams make bold moves for a variety of reasons. Some are trying to stay in the mix for a Super Bowl, while others want to get into the playoff discussion. Last offseason, the Tennessee Titans took multiple swings at veteran players in a rebuild.
This offseason, several clubs can shake up the trade and free-agent markets with big-time acquisitions and cuts. Don't rule out a surprising draft-day trade that helps a team net a quarterback.
If Aaron Rodgers' tenure in New York comes to an end, one particular team has the structure to go on a playoff run with him and Davante Adams.
Let's examine seven bold roster moves that could happen in the 2025 offseason.
Cowboys Acquire RB Travis Etienne Jr.
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In the year of the running back, the Dallas Cowboys devalued the position to their detriment.
Last offseason, Dallas failed to adequately address its backfield. Instead, it brought back Ezekiel Elliott, who already had 2,065 carries worth of tread on his legs. The coaching staff also waited until late November to feature Rico Dowdle as the lead tailback.
A year later, the Cowboys can right that wrong by getting back to a run-heavy or balanced attack with a trade for Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr.
This past season, Etienne and Tank Bigsby had a near split in touches (189 to 175). With Etienne entering a contract year, the Jaguars may be willing to trade him and move forward with Bigsby as their lead ball-carrier.
Etienne's contract carries a $6.1 million cap hit. The Cowboys shouldn't have to pay a high premium for the final year of his contract, and he's still in his prime at 25 years old.
While many draft analysts will link Dallas to Boise State's Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 pick, the Cowboys can acquire a proven playmaker to bolster their ground attack and short passing game.
Giants Sign QB Russell Wilson to a Multi-Year Deal
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Last offseason, the New York Giants had contact with Russell Wilson before he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. ESPN's Adam Schefter noted the two sides had an "exploratory meeting" in New Jersey.
The Giants figure to add at least one quarterback in free agency since they don't have one under contract for the 2025 season. Perhaps Big Blue will revisit those previous discussions with Wilson.
Wilson helped lead the Steelers to the playoffs, but the offense sputtered in the final month of the season. Pittsburgh failed to score more than 17 points in its last five games, including a Wild Card Round loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Overall, Wilson posted respectable passing numbers with Pittsburgh. He threw for 2,482 yards, 16 touchdowns and five interceptions with a 63.7 percent completion rate in 11 games.
The 36-year-old Wilson could be the answer to the Giants' short-term quarterback woes and a mentor to a young signal-caller from one of the next two drafts.
Jets Sign QB Justin Fields, Reuniting Him With Garrett Wilson
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The New York Jets have a cloudy quarterback situation. Aaron Rodgers plans to take time before deciding whether to retire. Even if the 41-year-old wants to continue his career, Gang Green may have other plans at quarterback under a new regime.
The Jets have to hire a new general manager and head coach this offseason. They may prefer a less costly signal-caller with upside instead of a 20-year veteran close to retirement.
Given the buzz around wideout Garrett Wilson's discontent, the Jets may try to appease him with a quarterback other than Rodgers. They could sign Justin Fields to pair him up with his former collegiate teammate.
Fields and Wilson played together for two years at Ohio State. Wilson didn't break out for 1,000-plus receiving yards until 2021, but he built a connection with Fields in 2019 and 2020.
If Wilson isn't too thrilled about the Jets' current quarterback situation, a familiar face under center could keep him engaged for at least another season.
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Raiders Trade Back Into the 1st Round for QB Jalen Milroe
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Regardless of whom the Las Vegas Raiders hire to fill their general manager and head-coaching vacancies, the new decision-makers must upgrade the quarterback room. The Raiders currently have quarterbacks Gardner Minshew II, Aidan O'Connell and undrafted rookie Carter Bradley under contract.
In 2024, Minshew mostly struggled, throwing more interceptions (10) than touchdown passes (nine) in 10 contests (nine starts).
O'Connell made the most of his starts under interim offensive coordinator Scott Turner, who replaced Luke Getsy. He played far better than Minshew, throwing for 1,612 yards, eight touchdowns and four interceptions in nine games (seven starts), but he's been mediocre for two seasons.
During the draft, the Raiders can make a splashy move for a quarterback who wouldn't cost them multiple first-round picks. After making their first pick at No. 6, they could trade back into the first round for Jalen Milroe, much like the Baltimore Ravens did to draft Lamar Jackson in 2018.
While no one should expect Milroe to mirror Jackson's career pathway, he could be an intriguing developmental signal-caller who can blossom into a starter. Milroe must be more patient when going through his reads from the pocket, but teams like the Raiders should be interested in his physical tools.
"He brings outstanding speed and acceleration to defeat pursuit angles," Bleacher Report scout Dame Parson wrote in his scouting report for Milroe. His dynamic athleticism opens the offensive playbook and play-calling. Milroe thrives with a variety of designed QB run calls like, QB veer, zone read, QB Power, etc. He creates explosive plays on the ground and is a threat at any moment.
"He has a dynamic and live arm to push the ball down the field creating explosive passing plays. He thrives as a vertical shot-making QB--attacking the defense in the deeper areas of the field. Milroe is showing flashes of getting through his progressions quicker and taking what the defense gives him."
If the Raiders' incoming coaching staff can help Milroe settle down in the pocket, he could be the centerpiece of the team's offense in a few years.
Ravens Acquire WR Tyreek Hill
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Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill caused a stir with his comments following a loss to the New York Jets in the last week of the season.
"This is my first time I haven't been in the playoffs," Hill said. "I just gotta do what's best for me and my family. If that's here or wherever the case may be, I'm finna open that door for myself. I'm opening the door. I'm out, bro."
Hill's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, tried to calm the trade buzz by saying Hill was "passionate" about missing the playoffs, but he's still committed to the Dolphins.
Regardless of whether the Baltimore Ravens win Super Bowl LIX, they should remain aggressive in building around Lamar Jackson, who posted career highs in passing yards (4,172) and passing touchdowns (41) this season.
If the Ravens traded for Hill this offseason, they'd field an offense that terrifies opponents. Between Derrick Henry's power on the ground, Hill's speed on the perimeter and Jackson's dynamic playmaking ability under center, they'd be nearly indefensible.
Hill might have to restructure his contract to make the deal more palatable for Miami when it comes to dead cap money. But if the 30-year-old deep threat is serious about wanting to play elsewhere, he may be willing to amend his contract to join Jackson and Henry in Baltimore.
Saints Trade Cameron Jordan, Tyrann Mathieu and Demario Davis in Massive Rebuild
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The New Orleans Saints are long overdue for a rebuild. For the past several offseasons, they have been $50-plus million over the salary cap before free agency, though the front office has continuously restructured contracts and pushed expenses into the later years.
The Saints have an aging roster, and they're currently projected to be $52.3 million over the salary cap. Under a new coaching staff that has a different vision, New Orleans may finally purge its roster of high-paid veterans.
Defensive end Cameron Jordan has played his entire 14-year career in New Orleans, but his production has significantly dipped over the past two years. The 35-year-old's contract carries a $20.1 million cap hit in 2025.
Linebacker Demario Davis is going into the final year of his contract with a $12.5 million cap hit. The 36-year-old has become a leader in the middle of New Orleans' defense and is still playing at a high level. The Saints can get draft capital for him as they look toward the future.
Safety Tyrann Mathieu wanted to play in his home state, and he's provided a ball-hawking presence on the field in New Orleans, recording 24 pass breakups and 10 interceptions in three seasons with the team. However, the Saints could attempt to trade Mathieu, who turns 33 in May and has an $11.3 million cap hit in 2025. Again, the Saints can find an opportunity to cut costs, add draft capital and get much younger across the roster.
These moves would rip the heart and soul out of the Saints defense. However, it'd be an opportunity to cut costs, add draft capital and get much younger across the roster.
With their three defensive leaders mostly healthy, the Saints gave up the third-most yards and ranked 19th in defensive scoring in 2024. This offseason could be a logical time for them to pivot toward a rebuild.
Steelers Acquire Aaron Rodgers and Davante Adams
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Aaron Rodgers may want to continue his playing career in the NFL, but he might want to do it with a new team.
In November, The Athletic's Dianna Russini brought up the possibility that the Jets cut Rodgers, but she also reported he would rather play elsewhere.
"Some around the league say they won't be surprised if Rodgers is cut in-season. As for Rodgers, his relationship with the owner has been strained for months—that's not a secret in the building or the locker room. At this point, after conversations with sources with the team and around the league, my understanding is that Rodgers still wants to play in 2025, just not for the New York Jets."
On The Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers denied Russini's report about his desire to move on from the Jets and left the door open for a return.
However, the Jets tried to build around Rodgers, acquiring his former teammates and hiring former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and it all resulted in disaster. While Rodgers may be open to playing out another year with Gang Green, team brass could have other plans.
If that's the case, Rodgers should go to a team with an established culture, although one that won't allow him to run the show.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are a stable franchise that has drafted players with big personalities like Antonio Brown, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Le'Veon Bell. Wide receiver George Pickens is outspoken and sometimes enigmatic, and he's had a few productive years in Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have remained mostly steady despite that, but they need an offensive lift. They've finished 16th or worse in scoring for four straight years.
Rodgers' MVP-caliber years are behind him, but he posted decent passing numbers with the Jets last year. He threw for 3,897 yards, 28 touchdowns and 11 interceptions with a 63.0 percent completion rate in 17 starts.
Rodgers and wide receiver Davante Adams also clicked well at the end of the season. Adams caught 67 passes for 854 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 contests with the Jets.
Rodgers and Adams would fare better on a team that has structure. Together, they could help the Steelers field their best offense in years.
With $52.3 million in cap space, the Steelers may be able to bring in Rodgers and Adams for a short-term boost.
NFL team cap space and player contract information courtesy of Over the Cap.
Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton.
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