The Top NFL Storylines for Week 1
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Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, we made it. Football is finally back on our screens, and week one of the 2025 NFL season kicks off on Thursday night (Friday morning on this side of the Atlantic) with the reigning Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting hated rival Dallas Cowboys in Lincoln Financial Field. Dallas will be without star pass rusher Micah Parsons, who was traded to Green Bay last week in a blockbuster move that sent shockwaves around the league. This was one of many major storylines that dominated discussions in the lead up to opening weekend, and is certain to keep fans debating well into the new NFL season.
Ahead of the much anticipated slate of NFL action, let’s take a look at some of the biggest narratives that will have fans fully invested and glued to their couches on Sunday evenings for the next 5 months!
Micah on the move
This felt a little bit like Jerry Jones cutting off his nose to spite his face. On August 28th, the Dallas Cowboys traded All Pro, face of the franchise edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in exchange for 2 first round draft picks and Defensive Tackle Kenny Clark. Parsons had been angling for a new deal for some time, and was handsomely rewarded by the Packers who made him the highest paid non Quarterback in the league with a 4 year, $188 million dollar deal. Despite dumping his best player, Jones showed no signs of contrition, insisting that the move was in the best interests of the organisation. An interesting twist to keep an eye on however, is Parson’s lingering back injury, which may cause him to miss his new club’s opening fixture against fellow NFC North side Detroit Lions. One thing is certain: this move fundamentally altered the foundations of the league and will have repercussions for many years to come.
Scary Terry stays put
Speaking of star players that got paid by threatening to leave, Washington Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin earned himself a new three year contract recently following a protracted dispute which included the talent pass catcher requesting to be traded. After years of virtual anonymity as an afterthought in DC, “Scary Terry” had a breakout season last year when Jayden Daniels arrived in the Capital. Posting a career-high and franchise-record 13 touchdown catches, along with 82 receptions and 1,096 yards, McLaurin led the Commanders to their first winning season since 2016, which also saw them advance to the NFC Championship game for the first time since 1991. The bottom line: McLaurin is one of the best offensive players in the National Football League, and Washington simply had to get this deal done if they wanted continued success. His presence is also crucial to the development of Jayden Daniels, who enters his sophomore season hoping to avoid any sort of slump. The question now is: can the Commanders run it back?
Rodgers’ revenge tour
Even before future Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers signed in Pittsburgh, the Steelers tilts against the Jets and Packers were circled on the schedule. With the future Hall of Famer now firmly at the helm, things have gotten a whole lot more interesting. Aaron Rodgers will face two of his former teams when he lines out for Pittsburgh, in what should be his final season in pads. First up is a trip to the Big Apple, where one time Steeler Justin Fields now has the gig as Jets’ starting signal caller. New York could have been where Aaron set off into the sunset, but a ruptured achilles followed by a season of struggles put paid to that idea. Rodgers will now have a chance to get revenge on the Jets for binning him after two seasons when Pittsburgh travels to the Meadowlands for their season opener this Sunday. The big one though comes on Sunday Night Football in Week 8, as the Green Bay Packers travel down to the Steel City for a game that the entire NFL world will be tuned into. Aaron Rodgers faces the team he spent most of career with, and where he won his first, and so far, only Super Bowl title. Will he have his revenge or will he go out with a whimper? Watch this space.
Excitement builds for NFL in Dublin
It would be highly remiss of me to not mention a certain NFL game happening in Croke Park at the end of this month. Without over selling it, this is going to be one of the biggest and best things to ever happen on the Island of Ireland. The hype has already started to build for the historic occasion, with plenty of exciting fan events and activities happening in the run up. It wouldn’t be a party without music either, and earlier this week the NFL announced that none other than Myles Smith will perform at halftime, with Cork singer Lyra set to sing Amhrán na bhFiann before kick off. The city is going to be absolutely buzzing as fans travel from around the world to witness the first ever regular season NFL game in Ireland. Gaelic Gridiron will be out and about soaking up the atmosphere and capturing great content so make sure to say hi if you see us!
That’s all for now folks, but make sure to follow us on social media and subscribe for weekly NFL content!