Falcons' massive trade and Saints' refusal to change headline NFC South's boldest moves of the 2025 offseason

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Boldest Move: The plan (for now) at linebacker

Tampa Bay has the luxury of four straight division titles on their side and it has allowed them the least pressure to get dramatic in order to shake things up. The most bold thing about Tampa Bay's offseason to date is probably a thing that they didn't do as compared to something they did. The plan opposite Lavonte David lingers as a big question for this football team. 2023 fifth-round draft choice SirVocea Dennis has a big opportunity in 2025. 

The good news is he's playing behind one of the best nose tackles in football and next to one of the best off-ball linebackers of the last decade. The safety room also figures to provide some support as well. But Dennis, Deion Jones and Anthony Walker Jr. make up the top options opposite David, who is 35 years old this season. 

The Bucs must really like what they've seen from Dennis to have this much patience with the linebacker room this offseason. 

The Atlanta Falcons

The Boldest Move: Trading a future first-round pick for James Pearce Jr. 

Let's start with the obvious. Props to Atlanta for continuing to try to get a solution in place for their long-standing struggles rushing the passer. The Falcons have been one of the worst defenses in sacking opposing quarterbacks every year since, well, seemingly forever. After drafting Jalon Walker with their first pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, Atlanta subsequently traded up from No. 46 overall to land Pearce Jr. 

It's the price Atlanta paid that should keep your attention. The trade sent No. 26 and No. 101 overall to the Falcons, with picks No. 46 and No. 242 going back to the Rams, plus Atlanta's 2026 first-round selection. 

The Falcons have now invested the following draft picks on defensive linemen and pass rushers over the past two years: 

- 2024 No. 35 overall - DL Ruke Orhorhoro
- 2024 No. 74 overall - EDGE Bralen Trice
- 2024 No. 109 overall - DL Brandon Dorlus
- 2025 No. 15 overall - LB Jalon Walker
- 2025 No. 26 overall - EDGE James Pearce Jr. 
- 2025 No. 77 overall - *Traded for LB Matthew Judon ahead of 2024 season*
- 2026 first-round pick - *Traded for EDGE James Pearce Jr. during 2025 NFL Draft*

Zach Harrison and Arnold Ebiketie were both top-75 draft choices between the 2022 & 2023 NFL Draft classes, as well. We have a lot invested here and it's time to have something to show for it.

The New Orleans Saints

The Boldest Move: Retaining GM Mickey Loomis

The dynamics of New Orleans under Loomis' guidance are complicated. Loomis is engrained into the identity of this football team thanks to his relationship with late team owner Tom Benson and Benson's wife, Gayle. Gayle Benson is now the Principal owner of the Saints and Loomis is the only executive she's ever known in New Orleans. He's held the title of general manager in New Orleans since 2002, which precedes Gayle's marriage to Tom Benson by two years (2004). Loomis, per Benson herself, taught Gayle the game after she wed Benson in 2004. 

"Mickey (Loomis) would turn on games with the sound off and explain everything to me." 

— Gayle Benson

It makes the prospect of moving on from Loomis complicated. It's a tight-knit group atop the Saints' chain of command. But the magic of the Sean Payton & Drew Brees era is gone. And entrusting Loomis, whose team has grossly regressed over the last four seasons while appearing unwilling to reassess the team's management strategy, to see the infant stages of the next chapter of Saints football is, well, certainly bold. 

The Carolina Panthers

The Boldest Move: The defensive spending spree

Last year, Carolina pulled out the money bags for offensive guards Robert Hunt and Damien Lewis in free agency. Hunt received a $100 million contract, whereas Lewis received a $53 million contract. This year, the Panthers have spared no expense to right the ship on defense. 

Carolina ranks fourth in the NFL this offseason with money guaranteed at signing ($99.946 million). Only the Patriots, Vikings, and Giants guaranteed more. Carolina's big additions include safety Tre'von Moehrig, defensive tackle Bobby Brown III, defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, and pass rusher Patrick Jones II. Carolina parlayed the free agency splurge with extending cornerback Jaycee Horn, who is supremely talented but has dealt with injuries throughout much of the course of his rookie contract. 

Horn signed an extension valued at $100 million across four years. If Carolina is right with these investments, this team will look dramatically different on defense in 2025.