Listeners, here’s what’s happening in the NFL right now, with a focus on what both casual and die-hard football fans are talking about.

This season has started with a bang. According to ESPN’s NFL news archive for September 2025, early games have delivered headline-grabbing moments, including several overtime thrillers, breakout rookie performances, massive upsets, and some major injury news. The Eagles avenged their Super Bowl loss by defeating the Chiefs 20-17 in Arrowhead, while the Patriots, under new coach Mike Vrabel, recorded a statement win over the Dolphins with rookie quarterback Drake Maye putting up three touchdowns. The Dallas Cowboys edged out an overtime win for their new offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. Meanwhile, quarterbacks are making news for both their play and injuries: Joe Burrow is sidelined with turf toe—reports estimate he’ll miss about three months—forcing backup Jake Browning to step up and lead the Bengals to a comeback victory over the Jaguars.

Key player developments that die-hard fans want to know: Tyrod Taylor is set to start for the Jets at quarterback after Justin Fields was ruled out. The 49ers had Mac Jones step in for injured starter Brock Purdy, and Jones picked up a big win, leaving fans debating possible long-term implications for the Niners’ depth chart. For the Packers, Tucker Kraft is emerging as a breakout tight end. On the injury front, Commanders running back Austin Ekeler suffered a torn Achilles, a huge blow for Washington’s offense.

Emerging rookie storylines are adding intrigue. Carolina’s receiver Tetairoa McMillan turned heads in his debut, and Spencer Rattler stayed composed leading the Saints into Week 2. On the coaching scene, the Giants and Bears are both dealing with early-season quarterback questions, as the Bears’ Caleb Williams is still trying to fix accuracy issues.

Off the field, the national anthem protests remain a point of discussion. The legacy of Colin Kaepernick and his kneeling protest against racial injustice starting in 2016 has led to lasting policy and cultural change in the league. NFL owners have approved policies allowing players to remain in the locker room during the anthem but requiring anyone on the field to stand. This compromise tries to balance player activism with league image, though the NFL Players Association has vowed to challenge any rule they say violates the collective bargaining agreement, according to LAist and Associated Press reports. Commissioner Roger Goodell told CNBC this season that the league will continue to support players who protest or speak out, and emphasized that the NFL wants to use its platform to create change and stand behind its athletes.

The debates over protests have also fed into larger cultural and political divisions. Former President Trump has been vocal against the kneeling protests, calling for players to be fired and claiming they disrespect the military, which fueled league-wide responses, according to Wikipedia’s summary of the controversy. Trump’s criticism made the issue even more prominent in the media, but also shifted focus at times away from racial justice towards a partisan battle over free speech and patriotism.

As for the business of the league, NFL television ratings have actually climbed in recent seasons, up 5 percent to 16.5 million viewers per game last year, making the NFL the envy of other sports and entertainment industries, reports Fox News Sports. That means, despite sometimes being criticized for controversy, the league remains more popular than ever.

For listeners looking ahead, keep an eye on the Week 4 schedule, where multiple teams are poised to make big statements and where playoff contender narratives are starting to take shape. Storylines including injury comebacks, rookie sensations, coaching whispers, player protests, and league policy debates are making this 2025 season one of the...