The 2024 NFL season gave us drama, surprises, and record-breaking performances. Things all came to the boil at Super Bowl LIX back in February, with the Kansas City Chiefs looking to make history by completing the first-ever three-peat against the Philadelphia Eagles in New Orleans. But despite the brilliance of the mercurial Patrick Mahomes, the biggest star in the game was ultimately mauled on the grandest stage.
As we all remember, the former Texas Tech sensation was decimated by Philly’s Blitzkrieg-like defense. They sacked Mahomes a whopping six times, restricting him to just 60 yards, and forcing two interceptions in a dominant first half in which the Birds powered into an unassailable 24-0 lead. By the end of the third quarter, it was 34-0, and in the end, the Eagles emerged as worthy 40-22 victors after one of the most lop-sided Big Games in history.
Now, the bookies fancy the reigning champions to follow in the vanquished Chiefs’ footsteps, pricing them as the +600 favorites to win next year’s Super Bowl LX in San Francisco. But what else is there to look forward to next season? Well, one benefit of betting way-too-early is that you get plenty of bang for your buck, and here are two value tips that we can see materializing in the 2025 season.
Aaron Rodgers to Play in the NFL in 2025
The question of whether Aaron Rodgers will play in 2025 may feel never-ending, but all signs point to him suiting up. After a disastrous two-year stint with the Jets, A-Rod is looking to defy his advancing years. He was supposed to be the chosen one to lead the Green Machine back to prominence, but after an injury-hit 2023 and an inconsistent 2024 in which he looked a shadow of his former self, A-Rod now finds himself without a team.
With plenty of retirement talk, online sports betting sites think that the four-time MVP winner still has enough gas left in the tank for one final campaign. The latest odds from Bovada’s sports website consider Rodgers as a -220 shot to appear in the NFL next season. We think he will, too, but the question right now seems to be where.
Reports indicate that the 41-year-old has been linked to several teams for 2025, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, and even the Minnesota Vikings. His infamous discontent after his Jets departure has added fuel to these rumors, but his recent appearances on The Pat McAfee Show all but confirm that retirement is not yet on the table. With that coming straight from the horse’s mouth, then, -220 seems a surefire thing.
Rodgers’ 2024 season ended on a relatively strong note after returning from that Achilles injury that ruled him out for the entirety of the previous campaign. Despite the mid-season drama, his arm talent remains elite. Paired with football smarts and leadership, it’s tough to envision Rodgers walking away right now, especially without a fitting goodbye tour. Should Pittsburgh be his next destination, then that farewell tour will feature blockbuster games against AFC North rivals Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson.
Christian McCaffrey to Win Comeback Player of the Year
Much like Aaron Rodgers in 2023, San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey had an injury-hit year of his own in 2024. The year before, he was leading his NoCal side to the brink of Super Bowl glory, ultimately being downed by the Chiefs deep into overtime in Las Vegas. However, the 28-year-old is poised to return next season, and I expect him to come back with a point to prove.
Before last term, the former University of Sanford sensation was considered perhaps the finest RB in the game. Over 1,500 rushing yards in 2023 would serve as proof of that. However, injuries limited him to just four games last season, and he has since been surpassed as the biggest superstar on the ground by both Saquon Barkley and Derrick Henry. Add to that the impending addition of Ashton Jeanty to the league in the upcoming draft, and McCaffrey may fall even further down the pecking order.
But while that might be the case, the Niners star has a great opportunity of claiming the Comeback Player of the Year Award at odds of +300. The award goes to players bouncing back from adversity – see Joe Burrow last season and Joe Flacco the year before that. For McCaffrey, the formula is there.
For the 49ers, things can’t go any worse than they did last season. They were considered genuine Lombardi hopefuls before injuries curtailed their hopes. With McCaffrey back alongside Brock Purdy under center, expect them to make a big splash in the NFC West next term, and anything over a modest 1,000 rushing yards should see their running back claim the comeback prize and cash big at +300.
