2025 NFL Preseason Schedules and Games to Watch

Now that the calendar flips to June, NFL football will finally be on our television screens next month. The NFL has become a year-round sport, and fans are itching for more and more football with every season. The NFL Hall of Fame Game has become a tentpole event to satisfy that itch, even if most of the teams’ stars are in street clothes or play very little.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions kick off the NFL preseason in Canton, OH on July 31 in the NFL’s Hall of Fame Game.

Besides the Hall of Fame Game, there are many other games we’re keeping an eye on as we’ll get the first game action for several rookies, players on new teams and position battles across all 32 teams. Let’s dive into July 31’s Hall of Fame game, plus other preseason contests, which should have plenty of people tuning in.

Los Angeles Chargers vs Detroit Lions, July 31

Starting things off in Canton, OH, is the Los Angeles Chargers and Detroit Lions meeting at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Both teams are Super Bowl contenders and feature two excellent quarterbacks in Detroit’s Jared Goff and LA’s Justin Herbert. Both teams have plenty of exciting playmakers like Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Ladd McConkey and others. We’re unlikely to see much, if any, of these players save for Omarion Hampton, the Chargers’ first-round running back.

We’re sure future Hall of Fame enshrinee and former Charger Antonio Gates won’t be too far away as the game also kicks off Hall of Fame Weekend with the enshrinement of Gates, Eric Allen, Jared Allen and Sterling Sharpe happening later that weekend. It’ll be great to have football back as it will mark the return of NFL football each week until the Super Bowl in mid-February.

Cleveland Browns vs Carolina Panthers, August 8

The Browns have put themselves in an interesting position with their quarterback room this season, with a competition that runs four deep with veterans Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett, plus rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. It’s a competition that will garner plenty of headlines and buzz. This preseason opener will be the first game where we’ll see this competition unfold outside of training camp.

For the Panthers, we’ll see if Bryce Young can continue his solid second half of the 2024 season, as he started to look more like the 2023 NFL Draft first-overall pick after early struggles. He’ll have a new target in first-round rookie wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan, who has a decent chance of suiting up for his first NFL action in this game.

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Jacksonville Jaguars, August 9

We go from one quarterback competition in Cleveland to one where anything could happen in Pittsburgh. The current starting quarterback is Mason Rudolph, but that could change if Aaron Rodgers decides to play this season with the Steelers. We’re also likely to see rookie running back Kaleb Johnson in his first NFL action and the possibility of new Steeler DK Metcalf playing some snaps.

For the Jaguars, most eyes will be on the No. 2 overall pick Travis Hunter, and not only if he will play, but if he plays cornerback, wide receiver or both. A dark horse to look for in this game is Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten, who has already created a buzz in an ambiguous Jaguars’ backfield.

Other Preseason Games We’re Keeping An Eye On

Buffalo Bills vs Chicago Bears, August 17

• We could get a glimpse of Josh Allen and company, but the Ben Johnson-led Bears, with Day 1 tight end Colston Loveland and Day 2 receiver Luther Burden III, could steal the spotlight. Don’t forget last season’s top draft pick Caleb Williams is in his second season.

Minnesota Vikings vs Tennessee Titans, August 22

• A battle of first-round quarterbacks with last season’s top-ten draft pick J.J. McCarthy, and this past NFL Draft’s first overall pick, Cam Ward. McCarthy tore his meniscus after his preseason debut and lost his rookie season. Ward looks to get off on the right foot in a clear rebuilding situation in Tennessee.

Indianapolis Colts vs Cleveland Browns, August 23

• Two quarterback battles are at stake, and both competitions could work into the third and final preseason game. Will the Colts hinge on their Anthony Richardson vs Daniel Jones decision for this game? How about the Browns’ four-way competition? This could be a huge game for both situations.