The AFC is an incredibly deep conference heading into 2025. Let's highlight one burning question for each squad.
It would not be a surprise to see most of the teams in the conference in the playoff picture in some capacity during the 2025 NFL Season - there are many teams who have a legitimate argument for a postseason run.
Overall, the AFC is quite talented, and there is a metric-ton of QB talent in the conference. While teams like the Chiefs, Bills, and Ravens have owned the AFC, we could see some sort of shift in the 2025 NFL Season.
Let's look at one burning question for each AFC team in 2025.
1 burning question for each AFC team ahead of the 2025 NFL Season
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens - How does this team get over the hump in the playoffs?
Playoff failure after playoff failure has us wondering how this team can get over the hump in the playoffs and make a Super Bowl run, as the Ravens have not won multiple games in the postseason since the Joe Flacco era back in 2012.
Cincinnati Bengals - What in the heck will happen with Trey Hendrickson?
Can the Cincinnati Bengals get out of their own way and find a way to get a deal done with Trey Hendrickson? If not, will their best defensive player actually sit out and not play in 2025? He seems pretty dug in, which is a disaster for the franchise.
Pittsburgh Steelers - What is the QB plan?
An obvious question - what do the Pittsburgh Steelers plan on doing at QB? Will it be Mason Rudolph and Will Howard or Aaron Rodgers?
Cleveland Browns - How will the Browns handle their deep QB room?
Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel may all honestly start games in 2025 - this is not a situation teams area jealous of, either.
AFC South
Houston Texans - Were the offensive line tweaks enough?
The Houston Texans overhauled their offensive line in 2025, as that unit was quite bad in 2024 and the primary season for their offensive regression. Were the offseason tweaks along the OL enough?
Tennessee Titans - What are the expectations for Cam Ward?
With the rookie QB success we have seen in recent years, some fans may think that Cam Ward can play as well as Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix did in 2024, but those guys were the exceptions. Overall, what are the expectations for the no. 1 overall pick?
Indianapolis Colts - Can Anthony Richardson have a miraculous turnaround?
Entering his third year in the NFL, Anthony Richardson could have a huge impact on the hierarchy in the AFC in 2025. Can he develop into a franchise QB, or will he still be the most inefficient passer in the NFL?
Jacksonville Jaguars - Is this the staff that stabilizes things?
This is already the third coaching staff of the Trevor Lawrence era, so you have to wonder if this staff is the one that settles things down.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills - How do the Bills make a Super Bowl run?
The Buffalo Bills are another team that just cannot get over the hump in the NFL playoffs - how do they do just that in 2025? What will it take for this team to slay the dragon, if you will, and get past the Kansas City Chiefs, their playoff kryptonite?
New York Jets - What is the objective this year?
With Justin Fields under center, the New York Jets aren't competitive at QB, but the roster overall is quite good, so it is hard to get a feel on what this team is trying to accomplish in 2025.
New England Patriots - Can Drake Maye take that next step?
Drake Maye all of a sudden has a stable offensive line, good coaching, and more weapons for the New England Patriots, so the formula is now in place for him to make a huge leap in 2025.
Miami Dolphins - What will the Dolphins get from Tua Tagovailoa?
Can Tua Tagovailoa stay on the field for a full 17 games for the Dolphins? If so, this team could win double-digit games, as Tagovailoa has never finished a season with a losing record in his NFL career.
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs - How do the Chiefs get more explosive on offense?
The Chiefs offense has turned into more of a dink-and-dunk unit ever since trading Tyreek Hill, as they just are not an explosive unit anymore. Can they restore that explosion in 2025? And if so, how will they do that?
Denver Broncos - Offseason additions on offense enough for Bo Nix?
Did the Denver Broncos add enough playmakers on offense to help Bo Nix and the entire unit take that next step in 2025? The primary additions were Evan Engram, RJ Harvey, and Pat Bryant. Denver did have the 10th-ranked scoring unit in 2024, but it was clear that they were missing some juice.
Los Angeles Chargers - What more is there of Justin Herbert?
We have seen the Los Angeles Chargers make the playoffs two times in the Justin Herbert era, but they have gotten embarrassed in both games, and Herbert himself has been a "B+" QB in each year of his NFL career. Is there more of this QB? Can Herbert actually become and elite QB and join the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, and Josh Allen?
Las Vegas Raiders - Can the Raiders at least be competent for a few years?
The Las Vegas Raiders added Pete Carroll and Geno Smith this offseason, among other additions. Did they at least do enough to be competent for a few years? They absolutely aren't a playoff team, but was stability what they found?