BREAKING NEWS: Trevor Lawrence, Injured NFL Stars Who Could Have Huge Impact on 2025 Offseason. giang

The Jacksonville Jaguars’ disappointing season took another downturn on Wednesday, when quarterback Trevor Lawrence was placed on injured reserve. The fourth-year signal-caller is also set to undergo shoulder surgery, according to NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport, which effectively means his season is over.

When a franchise quarterback and one of the young faces of the league such as the 2021 No. 1 overall pick suffers a season-ending injury, nobody wins.

The good news is that players like Lawrence, Dak Prescott, Zack Martin and Chris Godwin are expected to return for the start of the 2025 season.

Fans will be excited to see some of the game’s biggest names back on the playing field. Between now and then, though, the health and recovery of some of the league’s biggest standouts could have major implications in the offseason.

Whether they impact free agency, alter contract situations or play a role in upcoming coaching searches, these injured NFL stars may be out but are poised to be in the offseason headlines.

Lawrence isn’t going anywhere in the foreseeable future. The Jaguars signed him to a five-year, $275 million extension last offseason.

Whether he’s healthy enough for the start of the offseason program, the start of training camp or the start of the season, though, is more of an unknown.

It’s an important factor too, because we’ve seen even top quarterbacks struggle after missing time in the offseason—Joe Burrow in 2023, for example. Any setbacks in Lawrence’s recovery could create a negative outlook for the 2025 season, which could affect Jacksonville’s approach to free agency.

It could also leave the Jags in the market for a high-end insurance policy—be it current backup Mac Jones or someone else.

Lawrence’s recovery could also impact the Jaguars if and when they start their search for a new head coach. Doug Pederson remains employed now, but there has already been buzz about his job security.

“The Jaguars, mired in a miserable rut after losing four of their last five games, might be looking at another regime change for 2025, Rapoport wrote on November 16.

There should be no shortage of coaching candidates eager to work with Lawrence, who has played at a Pro Bowl level in the past. But that eagerness could fade if his recovery looks to be a long one.

The Jaguars won’t necessarily be rebuilding, so any incoming coach will be expected to win right away. Lawrence has also dealt with late injuries in each of the last two years. That’s not enough for him to be slapped with the “injury-prone” label, but the sooner the 25-year-old is back to 100 percent, the better.

Dak Prescott, who underwent season-ending hamstring surgery, is in a similar situation to Lawrence. Mike McCarthy is still the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys, but his contract will expire at the end of the season.

Franchise owner Jerry Jones told 103.5 The Fan (h/t Sean Leahy of Yahoo Sports) that it’s “not crazy” to think McCarthy could return in 2025. Given the way this season has gone in Dallas, though, a reset is likely in order.

A reset probably won’t mean a rebuild. Dallas has talented foundational players like CeeDee Lamb and Micah Parsons, and it just inked Prescott to a new four-year, $240 million extension in the summer. Whoever takes the reins after the season will be expected to deliver immediate results.

That task will be more challenging if Prescott isn’t available for the start of the offseason, when a new head coach will be installing game plans, relaying terminology and getting an idea of the talent at his disposal.

Any setbacks with the three-time Pro Bowler’s recovery would also require the Cowboys to add some quality quarterback insurance—something any team with playoff aspirations should do anyway.

Cooper Rush has been fine as a spot-starter under McCarthy, but he might not fit an incoming offense and is scheduled to be a free agent anyway.

Would the Cowboys pay for a better backup, like Jacoby Brissett, Justin Fields or Jameis Winston? It might not be a bad idea, and it might become a necessity if Prescott’s journey back to the field takes an unexpected turn.

Rookie first-round pick J.J. McCarthy never got an opportunity to be the Minnesota Vikings’ quarterback in 2024. He flashed his potential in the preseason but was quickly lost to a season-ending meniscus tear.

The timing of the Michigan product’s injury would, under normal circumstances, give him an excellent chance to return by the start of the offseason. However, his recovery has already required a second surgery, which was performed in November.

“As his rehab has picked up, we noticed a little swelling in there and just with the time that we do have … we just wanted to make sure there was no cause for concern,” Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell said, per ESPN’s Kevin Seifert.

O’Connell added that McCarthy will reportedly remain on his original recovery timeline. Obviously, that doesn’t guarantee there won’t be another setback.

His recovery could be critical for the Vikings, who have already racked up 10 wins with Sam Darnold at quarterback.

Darnold, who is on a one-year deal, has played well enough to earn himself a hefty payday in free agency. He was only supposed to serve as the bridge to McCarthy, and that likely remains the plan. However, that plan could change if the 21-year-old isn’t healthy enough to take over in the spring.

Minnesota is a legitimate contender. While McCarthy has been tapped as the quarterback of the future, it would be foolish to waste a potential Super Bowl window on an uncertain QB situation.

Keeping Darnold via the franchise tag could become Plan B if McCarthy isn’t recovering as expected. Barring that, the Vikings might have to consider a quarterback like Justin Fields, Aaron Rodgers—who is expected to be released—or recent addition Daniel Jones.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin was having a phenomenal campaign before suffering a season-ending ankle dislocation in Week 7 that required surgery.

The 28-year-old has developed a strong rapport with quarterback Baker Mayfield and proved to be an ideal fit for offensive coordinator Liam Coen’s system. He’s also set to be a free agent in 2025, though.

The Buccaneers will soon have to make a decision on Godwin’s future, one that could be heavily influenced by his recovery.

Tampa won’t be the only team tracking his health in the early offseason, though. He’s a big-play receiver who was on pace for over 1,200 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns when he was injured. He’ll turn 29 in February and should be one of the most coveted pass-catchers on the free-agent market if he’s at 100 percent.

There is no shortage of teams that could use receiver help, as evidenced by the flurry of wideout-related moves made at the trade deadline. The Carolina Panthers, who employ former Buccaneers offensive coordinator Dave Canales as their head coach, would be just one perfect landing spot.

However, teams probably won’t line up to sign the Penn State product to a top-of-the-market contract if questions about his health linger. That could lead to him taking less money to simply stay in Tampa Bay.

And if Godwin does return to the Buccaneers—or simply isn’t viewed as a “safe” asset when free agency begins—that could funnel more free-agent money toward other receivers, such as Tee Higgins, Amari Cooper, Elijah Moore and Diontae Johnson.

Like Lawrence, Zack Martin is a late addition to injured reserve. Dallas announced on Thursday that its seven-time first-team All-Pro guard is set to undergo season-ending ankle surgery.

Like Godwin, Martin is scheduled to be a free agent in 2025 and would likely be a top player at his position if fully healthy. This latest injury complicates matters in a big way because he is 34 years old and has had ankle issues in the past.

There’s a non-zero chance the future Hall of Famer simply decides to retire in the offseason—though Mike McCarthy said the nine-time Pro Bowler hasn’t looked that far ahead.

“In my conversations with him, his focus is on getting the surgery and trying to do the best he can with this ankle because obviously this is I think the third surgery that he’ll have on that ankle,” the Cowboys head coach said, per ESPN’s Todd Archer.

Martin’s recovery and his playing future will be huge storylines in the offseason, in Dallas and elsewhere. The Cowboys—who have seen both turnover and stability issues along their offensive line this year—would be wise to bring him back if he’s healthy and ready to play.

Other teams in need of interior line help would undoubtedly be interested as well. Interior linemen were at a premium in 2024 free agency, and aside from Kansas City Chiefs guard Trey Smith—who may not actually reach free agency—the 2025 market isn’t loaded at the position.

For a guard-needy contender, Martin could be the perfect short-term target, but only if he’s healthy and willing to play in 2025.

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, who suffered season-ending ACL and MCL tears in October, won’t be a free agent in the spring. He received a four-year, $120 million extension just before the start of the season.

However, his recovery could have a major impact on the Niners, and perhaps other teams as well. San Francisco added receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round of April’s draft, and there was some speculation surrounding fellow receiver Deebo Samuel at the trade deadline.

According to The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, “many around the league” were “keeping an eye” on Samuel, among other receivers.

Samuel could become a viable trade candidate in the summer. San Francisco could save $17.5 million in 2025 cap space by trading him after June 1. That’s significant because the team is projected to have just $28 million in cap space and will need to at least consider extending quarterback Brock Purdy.

Samuel is in the midst of a down season, but he’s still a versatile offensive playmaker who could boost a handful of offenses. ESPN’s Adam Schefter may have dropped a few breadcrumbs with last month’s report that the Seattle Seahawks tried to trade up and draft him in 2019.

Things haven’t gone as planned for the 49ers this season, in part because of injuries, but the roster is talented enough to return to title contention in 2025.

Depending on Aiyuk’s health, San Francisco may be inclined to hang on to Samuel or dip back into the receiver market.

The future of do-just-about-everything standout Taysom Hill may only truly interest the New Orleans Saints and their fans—though if he were to become available, the Denver Broncos and a reunion with Sean Payton might make sense.

The 34-year-old is one of the most unique players in modern NFL history. In eight seasons with the Saints, he has thrown for 2,369 yards and 11 touchdowns, rushed for 2,437 yards and six scores, caught 99 passes for 943 yards and 11 touchdowns, returned 20 kickoffs and played 1,221 special-teams snaps.

Unfortunately, Hill suffered a torn ACL in Week 13. His absence creates multiple needs for New Orleans, as he has served as a tight end, the top rushing complement to Alvin Kamara and quarterback depth.

“It’s hard to sit here and tell you that you’re going to replace Taysom because you can’t,” Saints interim coach Darren Rizzi said, per Dave McCann of the Deseret News.

Now, the Saints may have been looking to replace the BYU product in the offseason anyway. They’re projected to be $77.4 million over the cap and could save $10 million by releasing him with a post-June 1 designation. Of course, keeping Hill and using one player to fill multiple roles might be the more cost-effective option.

New Orleans already had needs because receiver Rashid Shaheed suffered a season-ending meniscus injury in October, tight end Juwan Johnson is an impending free agent and running back Jamaal Williams will likely be a cap casualty in 2025.

However, using Hill in multiple spots won’t be an option if he is forced to miss a large portion of the 2025 season—and the timing of the injury makes that a real possibility.

*Contract and cap information via Spotrac.