The 2025 NFL preseason, kicking off in August, will offer a glimpse into how several key second-year head coaches and coordinators will continue to shape their teams’ strategies.
For those wondering if preseason games are worth watching, the evolving schemes under coaches like Dan Quinn in Washington, Jim Harbaugh in Los Angeles, and Raheem Morris in Atlanta provide compelling reasons to tune in. These coaches, now in their second year, are refining their offensive and defensive philosophies, making for intriguing matchups as they fine-tune rosters and playbooks against established configurations.
Washington’s Defensive Evolution
Dan Quinn, who took the Commanders to the NFC Championship in his first season, is known for his aggressive, turnover-driven defenses from his time as the Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator. However, Jayden Daniels led a vibrant offense for Washington in Quinn’s first season. In 2023, Quinn’s Cowboys defense led the NFL with 1.7 takeaways per game, but he inherited a defense that struggled in 2023, allowing 388 points under Ron Rivera’s conservative bend-don’t-break system. Quinn’s blitz-heavy, 3-4 hybrid scheme, which relies on dynamic fronts and versatile alignments, has transformed the unit into a disruptive force.
In the 2025 preseason, expect Washington’s defense to continue emphasizing turnovers and quarterback pressure. Key players like Bobby Wagner and Dante Fowler, who thrived under Quinn in Dallas, anchor a defense featuring aggressive safety play and cornerbacks jumping routes to generate interceptions rather than sitting in coverage. This high-energy approach makes Washington’s preseason games engaging for fans and bettors alike, with plenty of sportsbook promos offering bonuses like extra credits and bets.
Run-Heavy Refinement in Los Angeles
Jim Harbaugh, now in his second year with the Los Angeles Chargers since January 2024, brought his signature physical, run-heavy offense from his Michigan and San Francisco 49ers tenures. In 2023, Brandon Staley’s pass-first Chargers offense leaned on Justin Herbert’s 241.1 passing yards per game but managed only 3.8 yards per rush. Harbaugh’s power-running approach, featuring two-tight-end sets and pulling linemen, has shifted the team toward a possession-based ground game.
In the 2025 preseason, the Chargers will likely showcase their refined running attack, giving running back Najee Harris and a revamped offensive line ample opportunities to execute Harbaugh’s gap-blocking scheme. Unlike Staley’s spread, pass-heavy offense, Harbaugh’s system aims for 30+ carries per game to control the clock. Defensively, coordinator Jesse Minter’s 4-3 scheme, rooted in Harbaugh’s Michigan blueprint, emphasizes gap control and disciplined zone coverage. After a year of adjustments, will the Chargers’ be more cohesive and consistent, than with Staley’s inconsistent unit?
Balancing Atlanta’s Attack
Raheem Morris, in his second year as head coach of the Atlanta Falcons, continues to blend defensive expertise with a modernized offense under coordinator Zac Robinson. In 2023, Arthur Smith’s run-heavy Falcons offense averaged 4.1 yards per carry but only 6.9 yards per pass attempt. Morris, a Super Bowl winner as the Rams’ defensive coordinator, has paired with Robinson’s Sean McVay-inspired passing game to maximize talents like Bijan Robinson and Drake London.
During the 2025 preseason, Atlanta’s offense will likely continue to leverage play-action and deep passes to stretch defenses, a sharp departure from Smith’s conservative approach. The key question continues to be the quarterback situation though. Will veteran Kirk Cousins or second-year lefty Michael Penix take this team to the next step in a wide-open NFC South?
The Importance of Preseason for Refining Schemes
While the preseason has taken a step back in terms of interest level, it still does serve as a testing ground for these coaches to perfect their systems. Quinn’s aggressive defense will continue to blitz and chase turnovers, evaluating whether Washington’s secondary can sustain its coverage under pressure. Harbaugh’s ground-based offense will test the Chargers’ offensive line against diverse defensive fronts, while Morris’s offense in Atlanta will assess whether Penix can elevate the passing game to new heights.
You can catch full coverage of the NFL preseason for each of these teams on the Chat Sports network on YouTube!
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