The NFL season officially kicks off 100 days from today.
It may seem like September 6th is far away, but the 2021 season is in fact rapidly approaching.
Here are 25 reasons to be excited for the 2021 NFL season:
1. Tom Brady goes to Gillette Stadium to take on the Patriots
Whether you like Tom Brady and the Patriots, or hate them, you’ll be tuning in for their week 4 matchup. This will be one of the most highly anticipated regular season games in NFL history.
2. More Football…
This season will mark the first in NFL history in which their are 17 regular season games. Who doesn’t want more football?
3. Fans will likely be back
The 2020 NFL season was much different than any other in their history. The lack of in-person fans was evident, and was something that took getting use to. But, if all things go accordingly, the fans should be returning at full capacity for the 2021 season.
4. Aaron Rodgers vs. Patrick Mahomes
If Aaron Rodgers stays in Green Bay, we’ll finally be treated to a matchup between Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs and Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. This could have been a Super Bowl matchup the last two years, but it did not come to fruition. But, this season, we’ll finally get to see Mahomes and Rodgers square off in a regular season matchup.
5. Matthew Stafford takes center stage
Matthew Stafford has only reached the postseason three times in his career. But, with this Rams team, Stafford has a real opportunity to make a real playoff run. finally giving him the credit that he deserves.
6. Year 2 of Justin Herbert
Justin Herbert’s 2020 season took people by surprise. But, the Chargers are poised for a bright future with Herbert at the helm. Herbert in year 2 is absolutely worth paying attention to.
7. The Browns are Super Bowl contenders
The Browns have been mostly considered as a punch line in NFL circles over the last two decades. But, the Browns finally look poised to actually be true contenders in the AFC in 2021. With a loaded roster on both sides of the ball, the Browns are faced with something that they haven’t experienced in a very long time. And that is expectations…
8. Lamar Jackson with offensive weapons
Lamar Jackson has certainly been forced to deal with limited playmakers on offense. But, this offseason, they added Sammy Watkins, and selected Rashod Bateman in the first-round of the NFL draft. This season is big for Lamar Jackson, and he’ll have the offensive weapons to take the next step.
9. Patrick Mahomes has an offensive line
During the final stages of 2020, Patrick Mahomes’ offensive line seemingly fell apart, a long with the Chiefs season. But, the Chiefs addressed that this offseason adding Joe Thuney, Kyle Long, and Orlando Brown. Patrick Mahomes finally having top tier protection on the offensive line is a scary thing for NFL defenses.
10. The return of Dak Prescott
After Dak Prescott went down with that gruesome ankle injury during the beginning of the 2020 season, it looked like Prescott would be in for a long recovery. But, he’s expected to be ready for the start of the 2021 season, giving the Cowboys a fighting chance in the NFC East. Will Prescott live up to that contract?
11. A healthy Joe Burrow
In 2020, Joe Burrow looked poised for a great rookie campaign. But, the Bengals failed to protect him, and Burrow suffered a torn ACL and MCL. It looks like he’ll be ready to give it a go for the start of the 2021 season. I’m excited to see how Burrow bounces back…
12. Bills-Chiefs rematch
We will get to see a rematch of last season’s AFC Championship game. The Bills will get their chance to dethrone the Chiefs in the AFC, as they are slated to face them on October 10th, at Arrowhead Stadium. Will the Bills finally have the firepower to get by the Chiefs in 2021?
13. Urban Meyer in the NFL
Urban Meyer will make his NFL head coaching debut this season, and all eyes will be on him. Meyer has succeeded as a college coach, but will he be able to successfully make the leap into the pros? If Meyer succeeds, his legacy will jump tremendously. If he fails, he’ll join the long list of successful college coaches to fail in the NFL.
14. Tom Brady making history
Tom Brady will be entering his age 44 season in 2021, and at this point , there isn’t a debate to who is the greatest quarterback of all time. Brady and the Bucs are must-watch every game for obvious reasons. Brady is on the brink of breaking multiple passing records in 2021.
15. Trevor Lawrence’s debut
Trevor Lawrence has been looked at as the next great NFL quarterback prospect for at least the last two seasons. But, the time to project Lawrence’s career is over, and he’ll have to prove himself on the field. I’m excited to see if Lawrence can truly deliver in Jacksonville.
16. A healthy 49ers team
The 49ers were devastated with injuries on both sides of the ball in 2020. Whether it was Nick Bosa or Jimmy Garoppolo, the 49ers just couldn’t get healthy. The last time we saw a healthy roster in San Francisco, the 49ers represented the NFC in the Super Bowl.
17. The Bill Belichick revenge tour
Bill Belichick and the Patriots finished with a pedestrian 7-9 record in 2020. After Tom Brady left in free agency, and a swarm of COVID opt-outs, the Patriots struggled all season. But, Bill Belichick spent over $100 million in free agency, and drafted quarterback Mac Jones in the first-round of the NFL draft. This Patriots roster is loaded on both sides of the ball, I can see a scenario in which Belichick gets the Patriots back to the playoffs in 2021.
18. The Jets begin a new era
The Jets begin the 2021 campaign with a new head coach and a new quarterback. Head coach Robert Salah, and rookie quarterback Zach Wilson will look to guide the Jets to relevancy.
19. Tim Tebow’s return to the NFL
Tim Tebow will be the biggest storyline all summer, as he will look to make the 53-man roster for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Will he succeed as tight end? Will he be the Jaguars version of Taysom Hill? Or will it be a complete failure?
20. A healthy Odell Beckham Jr
Once OBJ missed the remaining 9 games of the 2020 season, the Browns turned into AFC contenders. Now, with Beckham Jr. set to return, will he be able to give the offense another level of explosiveness? Or, will he set the offense back?
21. Fantasy Football
This one is an easy one. Fantasy football has become bigger and bigger every single year. At this point, it feels like everyone takes part in at least some form of fantasy football. None of the other fantasy sports compare to the excitement of fantasy football.
22. Ben Roethlisberger’s last shot
At age 39, Ben Roethlisberger’s career is winding down, and he’s running out of time to make another Super Bowl run. Will Roethlisberger’s career end on a high note? Or, will it be an ugly ending?
23. Chiefs-Ravens
Lamar Jackson has a 30-7 career regular season record, but is 0-3 against the Chiefs. Two of those matchups have been decided by 5 or fewer, and it’s always exciting to watch Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes face off.
24. Josh Allen’s progression
Many believed that Josh Allen would never been accurate enough to be a true elite quarterback in this league. But, in 2020 he proved some people wrong. Allen was an MVP candidate, and nearly led the Bills to a Super Bowl appearance. Was 2020 a fluke? Or, will Allen be a legitimate superstar for years to come?
25. Carson Wentz reunited with Frank Reich
Carson Wentz played the best football of his career under Frank Reich’s. Now, the two will be able to have the opportunity to do in Indy, with a mountain or expectations. There is no more excuses for Carson Wentz.