The Three Biggest Disappointments of the 2025 NFL Season

Drew Thirion|published: Tue 16th December, 21:00 2025

Dec 11, 2025; Tampa, Florida, USA; Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris looks on against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the third quarter at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

We’ve made it to the final three weeks of the NFL season. At this point, we have a pretty decent idea of how teams are. Teams like the Broncos and Patriots have to be excited with how their seasons have gone, while the Chiefs and Lions must be disappointed in their likely playoff misses.

Those teams aren’t close to being the biggest disappointments in 2025. The Lions are still an excellent playoff team, who could sneak into the playoffs, and the Chiefs have been a dynasty for nearly the last decade, so they can’t be too crushed by one bad season. Here are the three teams most disappointed in how their seasons have gone.

Falcons

When you have two of the best skill players in the league in Bijan Robinson and Drake London on your roster, you expect to be one of the more potent offenses in the NFL. It also felt like the Falcons' defense was a few pieces away from being better than average. Unfortunately for Atlanta, it has been another season of mediocrity, where they have already been eliminated with three weeks to play.

However, the biggest disappointment for the Falcons comes with Michael Penix. Not only did he struggle when he was available this season, but he tore his ACL again, adding to the laundry list of knee injuries he’s dealt with over the course of his career. The Falcons are stuck with Kirk Cousins' contract, will be without Penix going into next year, and it doesn’t feel like they are a move or two away from competing in 2026. The Falcons might be looking to rebuild again after what is already shaping up to be an unsuccessful one.

Commanders

Dec 7, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) drops back to pass against the Minnesota Vikings during the first half at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images

After being one game away from the Super Bowl last season, the Commanders have hit a complete 180 and bottomed out in the worst way possible. Injuries have been a massive issue for Washington, but even when they had their full roster, things still seemed off. An aging defense that seemed to pull out every one-score game last year has fallen back to earth, and that’s not even close to the biggest concern for Washington.

Jayden Daniels struggled to stay on the football field, and Commanders fans have to be thinking of another awesome rookie who struggled to stay on the field in year two. Daniels can be one of the most exciting players in the country, but he needs to find ways to better protect himself as a runner. No quarterback can last taking the hits he’s been dealt, and if that doesn’t change, Daniels won’t be able to last for years to come in the NFL.

Vikings

Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Markquese Bell (14) pressures Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

When Minnesota decided to move on from Sam Darnold for second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy, it felt like he was being thrust into the perfect situation. The Vikings' defense is one of the best in the league, they have a solid enough running game, and having the receiving core of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and T.J. Hockenson makes things much easier for a first-time starter.

Well, Nine has had an absolute nightmare season in Minnesota, and Sam Darnold has thrived in his new home in Seattle. Not only have you fallen to the basement cellar of the NFC North, but the guy you let walk is also proving he wasn’t a one-year wonder. The Vikings are easily the biggest disappointment in the NFL in 2025.

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