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NFL players who are going into decline in 2025
Sam Navarro / IMAGN

NFL players who are going into decline in 2025

Age comes for every NFL player. These 25 players could be headed into decline heading into 2025.

 
1 of 25

Davante Adams, WR, Rams

Davante Adams, WR, Rams
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Another change of scenery might end up doing Adams some good, but he's beginning to show signs of decline in his 30s. He's failed to make the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons, and barely reached 1,000 yards last season while also missing three games.

 
2 of 25

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers

Keenan Allen, WR, Chargers
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Allen is back in LA after one season in Chicago. While he worked with a rookie quarterback, Allen's 50 yards per game was the least of his career. He hopes to bounce back at age 33.

 
3 of 25

Joey Bosa, DE, Bills

Joey Bosa, DE, Bills
Mark Konezny / USA Today Sports Images

The Chargers moved on from Bosa after another injury-plagued season, in which he recorded only five sacks in 14 games. The Bills still believe he can provide a jolt to their defense, but Bosa last recorded double-digit sacks in 2021.

 
4 of 25

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles

A.J. Brown, WR, Eagles
Bill Streicher / USA Today Sports Images

Brown recorded his fifth career 1,000-yard season in 2024, but his numbers were generally down overall. He missed four games and showed some inconsistency, barely topping 1,000 yards. At age 28, Brown is certainly young enough to bounce back, and the change at offensive coordinator also might have played a role in his down numbers.

 
5 of 25

Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals

Calais Campbell, DE, Cardinals
Rob Schumacher / USA Today Sports Images

The fact that Campbell remains so productive nearing age 40 is remarkable, though he has shown some signs of age. Both his pressures and sacks were down slightly last season in Miami, and Campbell last made the Pro Bowl in 2020. This could be his swan song at age 39 with the team that drafted him.

 
6 of 25

James Conner, RB, Cardinals

James Conner, RB, Cardinals
Joe Camporeale / USA Today Sports Images

Age 30 is generally nearing the end for running backs, so there's reason to be concerned for a pending decline from Conner. He's coming off one of his best seasons, largely due to health, with a career-high 16 games played, though his rushing average and yards per game were down vs. 2023. The presence of Trey Benson is also worth watching.

 
7 of 25

Demario Davis, LB, Saints

Demario Davis, LB, Saints
Stephen Lew / USA Today Sports Images

Davis' streak of Pro Bowls and All-Pro honors came to an end last season. Though he was still highly productive with 136 tackles and two sacks, there were signs of a decline. Now 36, it wouldn't be a surprise to see Davis continue downward.

 
8 of 25

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers

Mike Evans, WR, Buccaneers
Nathan Ray Seebeck /USA Today Sports Images

Evans has shown nearly unprecedented consistency since entering the league in 2014, recording 1,000 yards in all 11 seasons. He barely reached that mark last season while missing three games, and his 13.6 yards per catch was the worst of his career. While still productive, there are clear signs of decline at age 32.

 
9 of 25

Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs

Chris Jones, DT, Chiefs
Denny Medley / USA Today Sports Images

Jones remains an All-Pro and the foundation of the Chiefs' defense, but the decline started at age 30 last season. He recorded only five sacks, his lowest total since his rookie season, and his quarterback hits were also down. Age is likely to continue playing a role at 31.

 
10 of 25

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints

Alvin Kamara, RB, Saints
Brad Penner / USA Today Sports Images

Kamara made the Pro Bowl in his first five NFL seasons, but his numbers have fallen off slightly since then. In particular, Kamara's yards per carry average continues to be down in a far less potent Saints offense. He enters his age-30 season with a questionable quarterback situation in New Orleans, which could further hurt his numbers.

 
11 of 25

Joe Mixon, RB, Texans

Joe Mixon, RB, Texans
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

Mixon provided a boost to the Texans' offense when it was desperately needed last season, but he hasn't quite shown the burst that he did early in his career. The former Bengal had only 4.1 yards per carry and missed three games. More decline should be expected as he nears age 30.

 
12 of 25

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins

Tyreek Hill, WR, Dolphins
Sam Navarro / USA Today Sports Images

The speedy Hill battled through injury last season, failing to reach 1,000 yards receiving for the first time since 2019. His 11.8 yards per catch was also the third worst of his career. It could be a sign of major decline now at age 31.

 
13 of 25

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs

Travis Kelce, TE, Chiefs
Mark J. Rebilas / USA Today Sports Images

Kelce's star has never been brighter between the Chiefs' winning and his off-field endeavors, but his game appears to be in decline. He's failed to reach 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons, with last year's 823 yards his worst over a full season.

 
14 of 25

Cooper Kupp, WR, Seahawks

Cooper Kupp, WR, Seahawks
Steven Bisig / USA Today Sports Images

The Rams moved on from Kupp after another injury-plagued season, as he appeared in only 12 games with 710 yards and six scores. His 10.6 yards per catch are indicative of a wideout in decline.

 
15 of 25

DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE, Seahawks

DeMarcus Lawrence, EDGE, Seahawks
Stephen Brashear / USA Today Sports Images

Lawrence moved on from the Cowboys after 11 seasons, and missed most of last season due to injury. He made the Pro Bowl in 2022-2023, but it remains to be seen what Seattle can expect at age 33.

 
16 of 25

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys

Dak Prescott, QB, Cowboys
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Prescott had already shown less mobility last season before a season-ending injury. He struggled when on the field, with 11/8 TD/INT in eight games. The addition of George Pickens this season could help, but there are signs the 32-year-old Prescott is past his prime coming off another leg injury.

 
17 of 25

Haason Reddick, LB, Jets

Haason Reddick, LB, Jets
Nathan Ray Seebeck / USA Today Sports Images

After consecutive Pro Bowls, Reddick had a lost season in 2024 with a holdout and big step back when he did play. The Bucs are hoping he's revived, but the chance of a big bounce back doesn't look great, going on age 31.

 
18 of 25

Deebo Samuel, WR, Commanders

Deebo Samuel, WR, Commanders
Geoff Burke / USA Today Sports Images

Injuries have seemingly hampered Samuel in recent seasons, and his 806 yards from scrimmage last year were the second-worst of his career. He hopes to get on track in Washington now at age 29.

 
19 of 25

Darius Slay, CB, Steelers

Darius Slay, CB, Steelers
Barry Reeger / USA Today Sports Images

Slay has been a lockdown corner for much of his career, making six Pro Bowls and winning a Super Bowl with the Eagles last season. However, he's missed time due to injuries in the last two seasons and failed to record an interception last year. He hopes to rebound this year at age 34 on a Steelers squad that's all-in for this year.

 
20 of 25

Geno Smith, QB, Raiders

Geno Smith, QB, Raiders
Candice Ward / USA Today Sports Images

Smith is set for a change of scenery, rejoining Pete Carroll in Las Vegas this season after starting for three seasons in Seattle. He was still productive last season, but his 53.8 QBR was his worst as a starter. Going on age 35 and in a very tough AFC West, Smith's slide could continue.

 
21 of 25

Harrison Smith, S, Vikings

Harrison Smith, S, Vikings
Matt Krohn / USA Today Sports Images

Smith is one of the oldest players in the game, entering his age-36 season. He remains a leader of the Vikings' defense, but has started to decline with age.

 
22 of 25

Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams

Matthew Stafford, QB, Rams
Kirby Lee / USA Today Sports Images

Stafford remains very productive in the Rams offense, and the team tried to help him this offseason by adding Davante Adams. Unfortunately, a back injury is already limiting the 37-year-old in training camp, and it remains to be seen what impact it will have during the season.

 
23 of 25

Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers

Adam Thielen, WR, Panthers
Scott Kinser / USA Today Sports Images

Thielen remains in Carolina as a veteran leader, but missed seven games last season due to injury. The two-time Pro Bowler could be entering the final season of his career at age 35, and is hoping for better health.

 
24 of 25

Bobby Wagner, LB, Commanders

Bobby Wagner, LB, Commanders
Tim Heitman / USA Today Sports Images

Wagner made his 10th Pro Bowl last season, though his tackle total (132) was his lowest since 2015. He continues to play at an elite level at age 35, but there are signs Wagner isn't quite what he was earlier in his career.

 
25 of 25

Trent Williams, LT, 49ers

Trent Williams, LT, 49ers
Darren Yamashita / USA Today Sports Images

A game-changing offensive line man when healthy, Williams played only 10 games last season. It ended a streak of three straight All-Pro designations, and there was some decline when the veteran was on the field.

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