NFL Year in Review

The NFL season has officially come to a close with a shockingly dominant Eagles Super Bowl win. This year has been filled with exciting moments and moving stories. Before moving on to the deep well that is draft season, let’s look back at the complete story of the 2024 NFL season. Which stories grabbed the attention of fans across the world? What lessons can we learn from this season? Here is the NFL year in review for the 2024-2025 season:

Top Storylines

The Return of the Running Game

Heading into the 2024 season, the running back market was reaching an all-time low relative to other positions. Teams were refusing to pay elite running backs, opting for younger, cheaper options instead. Because of this trend, stars like Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry hit the open market for the first time in their careers. Both of these players would end up dramatically shifting the course of the 2024 NFL season. Barkley and Henry led the league in nearly every statistical category. Barkley’s success was so impactful that the Eagles went from a first-round exit to Super Bowl champions. Teams across the league have shifted to a more run-heavy style. Could we be seeing the start of a major shift in NFL roster construction?

Mobile Quarterbacks Rule the Day

Gone are the days of seeking out a six-foot-five pocket passer to lead an offense. The top quarterbacks in the NFL, almost without exception, are mobile. Passers like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels dominated opposing defenses this season. While each of these players performed well in the passing game, their ability to extend plays with their legs was key to their success. Each of the four quarterbacks who made it to conference championship weekend possess the ability to scramble when necessary. Mobility is becoming a new requirement for NFL quarterbacks.

Surprise Contenders in the NFC

While the hierarchy of the AFC was mostly set before the season started, the NFC seemed to be wide open. The Lions and 49ers were expected to be contenders, but the rest of the conference was a mystery. In that void, teams like the Commanders and Vikings stepped up to contend for a Super Bowl run. Both of these teams leaned on unexpected success from their quarterbacks and highly effective coaching. Whether the Vikings and Commanders continue their success or not, their 2024 seasons will be worth remembering.

What We Learned

Build Through the Trenches

The Philadelphia Eagles dominated the Kansas City Chiefs in a way that very few people expected. Their success in this game, and throughout the season, is largely a result of their roster-building strategy. Over the last decade, Philadelphia has focused primarily on building up their offensive and defensive lines through early draft picks. The Eagles have spent one of their first three picks on either offensive or defensive line in eight of the last nine drafts. Don’t be surprised if more teams begin to follow suit.

Defense Wins Championships

The saying is almost as old as the game of football itself. However, it seems like the NFL needed to be reminded of this idea this season. The league has become more focused on offensive production than ever. In many cases, defense seems to almost be an afterthought. The Philadelphia Eagles reminded the football world just how important a dominant defense can be with an impressive Super Bowl performance. The Chiefs’ offense, despite being one of the best units throughout the playoffs, were helpless against the Eagles’ suffocating defense. Expect to see franchises pour more resources into the defensive side of the ball going forward.

For more from Michael Haney, check out The Football Ranker