Eagles Soar to the Top as NFL Training Camps Open, While Ravens and Steelers Make Bold Moves
With the 2025 NFL season just weeks away, The Athletic has released its annual pre-training camp Power Rankings. Topping the list are the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles, followed closely by the Baltimore Ravens and the Buffalo Bills. The rankings, published on July 22, offer an early look into team dynamics, off-season changes, and preseason expectations across the league.
The Philadelphia Eagles enter the season ranked No. 1 after a dominant 2024 campaign. Despite losing key defensive pieces such as Darius Slay Jr. and Josh Sweat, the Eagles return with a fully intact offense led by quarterback Jalen Hurts. One of the biggest questions for Philadelphia will be whether Hurts can replicate his elite production. Also, whether star running back Saquon Barkley can stay healthy after a 378-touch season, one of the heaviest workloads in recent NFL history.
The Baltimore Ravens rank No. 2 and continue to build around quarterback Lamar Jackson, who had an outstanding 2024 season with 41 total touchdowns and over 900 rushing yards. Although they lost 15 free agents in the off-season, the Ravens boast one of the league’s strongest offensive and defensive scoring records, making them good contenders if they can overcome their recent playoff struggles.
The Buffalo Bills sit at No. 3, banking on quarterback Josh Allen and a rebuilt defensive line featuring Joey Bosa and Larry Ogunjobi. The Bills aim to improve on their top-tier rushing and pass protection stats to break through the postseason ceiling.
Meanwhile, one of the most talked-about teams is the Pittsburgh Steelers, ranked 13th. After years of playoff losses, Pittsburgh made aggressive off-season moves, including signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, trading for wide receiver DK Metcalf, and acquiring cornerback Jalen Ramsey. The team also invested heavily in its defense through the draft. These changes signal a ‘win-now’ mindset as the franchise seeks to end its playoff drought, which dates back to 2016.
Other teams to watch include the Kansas City Chiefs, who fell to No. 4 after a relatively underwhelming offensive season. Another team consists of the San Francisco 49ers, who rose from No. 22 to No. 15 following the return of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and the possible comeback of running back Christian McCaffrey.
As training camps kick off around the league, all eyes are on how these off-season changes will play out. The first test comes with the Hall of Fame Game in early August, which is the unofficial start of the 2025 NFL season. Until then, to see which teams are ready to live up to the hype.
