There is only one game left in the 2025-26 NFL season. Either the New England Patriots or the Seattle Seahawks will be the champions.
Both teams have brought big surprises to everyone this year. Before training camp began, the Seahawks’ odds of winning the Super Bowl were about 60 to 1. The Patriots’ hopes of getting here are getting slimmer. Their odds are about 80 to 1. For comparison’s sake, the Lions have the fifth-best odds at 12-to-1.
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All of which points to a very surprising year for everyone. Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs, as did Joe Burrow, Lamar Jackson, Jared Goff and Dak Prescott.
Today’s Daily Question is:
What’s the biggest surprise of the 2025 NFL season?
My answer: There are so many directions I can go in here. The Chicago Bears winning the NFC North are high on the list, although I have a hunch they will at least make the division round this year. The Chiefs’ 6-11 record is truly shocking, but everyone knows they overachieved last year and are heading in the wrong direction. I still can’t believe the Jaguars are 13-4 this year.
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But I think my biggest shock was that the Seahawks decisively won the Geno Smith trade.
To be honest, I was very confused by the Seahawks’ move at the time. This appears to be a rebuilding move when they already have a roster capable of competing. Smith wasn’t great in 2024, but he helped the Seahawks to a 10-7 record with over 4,300 pass attempts, and it looks like he can lead Seattle into another competitive season in 2025. Trading a fully capable starting quarterback for a third-round pick with no clear replacement was shocking at the time.
But the Seahawks smartly outbid everyone to acquire Sam Darnold, and the upgrade at quarterback couldn’t be more obvious. Check out the stats between 2025 Darnold and 2024 Smith.
Geno Smith with the Seahawks in 2024:
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407 of 578 (70.4%), 4,320 yards, 7.5 Y/A, 93.2 passer rating
Sam Darnold’s 2025 season with Seahawks:
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323-for-477 (67.7%), 4,048 yards, 8.5 Y/A, 99.1 passer rating
Smith, meanwhile, completely collapsed with the Raiders, throwing just 19 touchdowns to 17 interceptions and a passer rating of 84.7 — now that Las Vegas has a new head coach and may be looking for a new quarterback.
My thoughts on this trade from when it happened to now are a stark reminder that this game is difficult to predict.
What’s the biggest surprise for you in the 2025 NFL season? Share your answers in the comments section at the bottom of the page.