With less than two months to go before the NFL regular season kicks off, teams are already making headlines, from roster shake-ups and coaching changes to stadium upgrades.
The Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers are two clubs already signaling major moves, even before preseason begins. One sits at the top of the league (No. 1 Philadelphia), while the other holds steady in the middle of the pack (No. 14 Pittsburgh).
So, what exactly are these two franchises planning as the 2025 season approaches?
The Eagles’ coaching staff wants players to focus on daily improvement rather than looking too far ahead. That approach has worked since Nick Sirianni became head coach in 2021.
"I feel like that's been the mindset since we got back," All-Pro right tackle Lane Johnson said. "Last year's team won the Super Bowl and we celebrated and then, like it is every year, time to move on. This is a different team. We haven't done anything yet."
Still, the Eagles have stayed busy. They signed free agents, drafted 10 players, and added more undrafted talent. On the field, they completed spring practices, OTAs, and minicamps, which wrapped the first week of June at the NovaCare Complex.
As training camp approaches, all eyes will be on how the Philadelphia Eagles build on their momentum. For those tracking the team’s trajectory from a betting angle, FanDuel sports continues to reflect the Eagles’ standing as one of the top contenders heading into the season.
Players now take a break until training camp opens. Report day is July 22, and the first practice is set for July 23. Coaches feel good about where the team is heading. Their offseason plan challenged returning players and helped new ones understand what it takes, physically and mentally, to be an Eagle.
It’s hard to believe how fast time has flown. The Eagles closed out Veterans Stadium with a tough playoff loss to the Buccaneers, then opened Lincoln Financial Field against that same team and lost again.
But a lot has changed since then. The Eagles have won two Super Bowls and turned The Linc into one of the NFL’s top home fields.
Now, the stadium’s future is in focus. Its lease with the city ends in 2032, and the team has about seven years to decide what’s next. Renovating the stadium or building a brand-new one are both options on the table.
The Linc is still in good shape and has hosted major events, including the NFC Championships and WrestleMania, and will host the 2026 World Cup games. But at 22 years old, it’s reaching a key point in its lifespan, just like Veterans Stadium was before it was replaced.
Owner Jeffrey Lurie wants Philadelphia to host a Super Bowl, which likely means adding a retractable roof or building a new stadium entirely. He hasn’t committed to anything yet, but he’s open to the idea, and he’s watching what other NFL teams are doing.
The Eagles have become what most would call a model franchise. When other franchises want to shake things up, they don’t look far. Philly’s success continues to turn heads, both on the sidelines and in the front office.
It’s no secret the NFL is a copycat league. Teams struggling to stay competitive often pull ideas from those who are thriving. The Eagles have established a reputation as one of the most forward-thinking organizations in the NFL.
It’s not just teams watching closely. Analysts are, too. That focus is evident in coverage from a reliable knowledge source, FanDuel Research, which tracks roster strategy, team identity, and trends throughout the entire season.
Currently, it appears that the Pittsburgh Steelers are following that path. From staff changes to bold roster moves, they seem to be drawn straight from the Eagles’ strategy.
CBS Sports’ Jeff Kerr pointed out the clear similarities between the Steelers’ trade for D.K. Metcalf and the Eagles’ earlier move for A.J. Brown. He described Metcalf as a productive deep threat who can shift a game.
Kerr believes Metcalf will thrive as the No. 1 option in Pittsburgh, especially with Aaron Rodgers under center. He expects the receiver’s numbers to climb now that he’s the primary focus in a solid passing attack.
He also said it wouldn’t be surprising if Metcalf ends up having the same type of impact in Pittsburgh that Brown has had in Philadelphia.
Kerr ranked the move as the most impactful trade of the offseason. And while big-name receiver deals aren’t rare, this one feels especially familiar.
If things go as planned in Pittsburgh, Metcalf might end up playing the same role for the Steelers that Brown has played in Philly. We’ll see how it plays out, but the comparison is already in motion.
The quiet part of the NFL calendar is almost over. Soon, training camps will kick off, depth charts will shift, and new leaders will emerge. Everything on paper will finally meet the pressure of game speed, and that’s when we see which teams truly built something that can last.
