The National Football League kicked off its 2025 season with unprecedented viewership numbers and significant player transactions that have captured the attention of fans and analysts alike.
According to the Associated Press, the NFL achieved its highest-ever average viewership for an opening week, drawing 22.3 million viewers per game across TV and digital platforms—a 5% increase from last year’s 21 million. This surge is partly attributed to updated viewer measurement methods by Nielsen, which now include smart TVs, set-top boxes, and nationwide out-of-home data. NBC led with the top two games: Philadelphia’s 24-20 win over Dallas drew 28.3 million viewers, and Buffalo’s 41-40 win over Baltimore attracted 24.7 million. The Detroit-Green Bay game garnered 24 million viewers on CBS, marking its most-watched Week 1 game since 1998. ESPN’s coverage of Minnesota's win over Chicago on Monday Night Football averaged 22.1 million viewers, the second-best since 2006. Fox’s early games averaged 17.9 million, while the Friday game in Brazil between the Chargers and Chiefs averaged 17.3 million globally. This marks the third consecutive season with at least four games crossing the 20 million viewership mark, signaling growing interest in the NFL’s opening week.
In player news, the Pittsburgh Steelers have signed veteran safety Jabrill Peppers following his unexpected release by the New England Patriots on August 29, 2025. Peppers, 29, previously signed a three-year, $24 million extension with the Patriots in 2024 but was limited to six games last season due to injuries and a league suspension. With a career spanning 99 games , Peppers brings significant experience, including over 500 tackles, seven interceptions, and 35 passes defensed, having played for the Cleveland Browns, New York Giants, and Patriots. He was originally drafted 25th overall by the Browns in 2017 out of Michigan. The Steelers' signing comes after starter DeShon Elliott suffered an MCL sprain during their season-opening win against the Jets, sidelining him for several weeks. Head coach Mike Tomlin also confirmed that rookie Derrick Harmon and linebacker Malik Harrison will remain out due to knee injuries ahead of their Week 2 game vs. the Seahawks.
Additionally, the NFL is beginning negotiations with Las Vegas to potentially host Super Bowl LXIII in 2029. Las Vegas previously hosted Super Bowl LVIII in 2024, when the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the San Francisco 49ers in overtime at Allegiant Stadium, home of the Raiders since 2020. However, there is no certainty that the two parties will reach an agreement. Upcoming Super Bowls are scheduled for Santa Clara, California , Inglewood, California , and Atlanta, Georgia . Meanwhile, New Orleans is aiming to be a host city again as early as 2031; the city has hosted the game 11 times, tied with the Miami area for the most ever. The Super Bowl has been held in 16 different markets and at 27 different stadiums, with New Orleans' Superdome having hosted the most times at eight.
In other developments, FanDuel has agreed to pay approximately $5 million to the Jacksonville Jaguars to help recover part of the nearly $20 million stolen by former team employee Amit Patel. Patel pleaded guilty to embezzling $22 million through a virtual credit card system used by the Jaguars, using the funds to place bets over several years. He is currently serving a 6.5-year prison sentence. In October 2024, Patel sued FanDuel for $250 million, alleging the company exploited his gambling addiction and ignored its own anti-gambling and trafficking safeguards. The Jaguars also filed a lawsuit against Patel in July 2024, seeking over $66 million in damages. Both FanDuel and the Jaguars have declined to comment publicly on the situation.
These developments highlight the NFL's ongoing efforts to address off-field issues while maintaining its status as a premier sports entertainment entity.
