The 2025 NFL season is in the starting blocks. In the night from Thursday to Friday, Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles starts the new season against the Dallas Cowboys (2.20 a.m.).
Sebastian Vollmer himself played in the NFL from 2009 to 2016 and was the protector of Tom Brady as an offensive tackle of the New England Patriots.
In an interview with Sport1 Vollmer talks about his favorites for the upcoming season, the dry spell of his ex-team, the perspective of Russell Wilson and Aaron Rodgers in their new teams and the difficult situation of the Germans.
Philadelphia Eagles “no worse”
Sport1: Mr. Vollmer, how do you assess the start of the season between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys?
Sebastian Vollmer: You have to pay a lot of respect to the defending champion. They have not gotten worse, but have increased more in the past few months. But there is always a risk that you will enjoy success for too long after a Super Bowl victory. On the other hand, there are the Dallas Cowboys who have the drama around Micah Parsons …
Sport1: He is one of the best defenders of the NFL and wanted a new contract, but was instead traded to the Green Bay Packers …
Vollmer: The cowboys always provide special storylines. Things pass around the owner Jerry Jones like in a daily soap. Somehow the cowboys don’t get these topics parked. I assume that the Eagles will win the game.
Sport1: Can you understand that the cowboys have given Micah Parsons?
Vollmer: No, it makes little sense for me. This is a generation player that will probably not be available again in the next 25 years. Of course, you can speculate about the required sums of money. But if they wanted to give it off anyway, they should have done it earlier – not a week before the start of the season.
Vollmer also expects the Kansas City Chiefs
Sport1: Apart from the Philadelphia Eagles, who are the title candidates?
Vollmer: The Kansas City Chiefs are always to be mentioned because they have Patrick Mahomes. This is the same with the New England Patriots and Tom Brady – they can always win the Super Bowl. The Buffalo Bills are also among the Super Bowl candidates. However, they would soon have to win the title, because otherwise the Super Bowl window closes. The Baltimore Ravens are also very strong because they have an outstanding quarterback with Lamar Jackson. In addition, the squad was further reinforced.
Sport1: There were some prominent changes this season. The New York Giants have brought Russell Wilson as a new quarterback, the Pittsburgh Steelers in turn Aaron Rodgers. How strong will these teams be in 2025?
Vollmer: I think the Giants will be better than many people think. Above all, I like the defensive end Abdul Carter, which was picked in position 3 at the NFL draft. This is a machine. It would also encourage offense if the defense works. Then 21 points can also be enough to win a game. I also think Brian Daboll is a good coach. If he gets Russell Wilson near a form like in Seattle, the Giants are good for a surprise.
Sport1: And the Steelers?
Vollmer: When Aaron Rodgers came to the New York Jets, many spoke of the fact that they are now a candidate for the Super Bowl. Then he tore the Achilles tendon. He was fit in the second year, but still not much positive happened. I fear that Rodgers is out of his prime time. He is 41 years old, will soon be 42. From a certain age it will be difficult.
New England Patriots? “Better this year”
Sport1: Her former team, the New England Patriots, has not found the road to success in 2020 since Tom Brady’s departure. In the past two seasons, only four wins. Do you hope that it will be better next season?
Vollmer: It is no secret that the Patriots have had a rebuild in recent years. I definitely believe that you will be better this year. You will now also be better coached. It hurts a bit in my soul because ex-coach Jerod Mayo is a good friend of mine. Now you have a new trainer with Mike Vrabel. The preseason was promising. In the draft you have offensive tackle Will Campbell (Pick number 4, note. d. Red.) obligated. That will help you in the running game. The offensive line still has problems in the pass game. If you succeed in giving your quarterback Drake Maye more time, it could work in interaction with a stefon DIGGS. The running game should be good with Treveyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. Both have the potential for 1000 rushing yards. I think the Patriots behind the Buffalo Bills play for second place in the AFC East.
Sport1: The season preparation was rather unpleasant for the Germans. With the exception of Amon-Ra St. Brown, who is a superstar at the Detroit Lions, there is almost no German in the official squad of the NFL teams. Most Germans ended up in Practice Squad.
Vollmer: Well, we also have Brandon Coleman (A German-American, note d. Red.) with the Washington Commanders. But otherwise that’s right. You have to be realistic: the best football players in the world play in the NFL. It is very difficult to stay there. But the Practice Squad can also be an opportunity – especially for an international player who is not cut due to the regulations. You have sniffed NFL air in the training camp, can now develop and train with the best players. To do this, you have to know that the boys from the Practice Squad take on the role of the opponent in training. This means that they train against the top players from their own squad. It is quite possible that you recommend yourself during the season and get a chance.
Vollmer is happy for Austrians Raimann
Sport1: With the Austrian Bernhard Raimann, the Indianapolis Colts has a German -speaking player who recently signed a contract for four years and $ 100 million.
Vollmer: Yes, I’m totally happy for him. He really deserves that. In the NFL, an Austrian or a German does not get so much money without reason. This is a tough way. He is now even the top earner at the Colts. This shows once again how quickly it can go in the NFL. He also had to work up. And if the performance is right, then you are paid accordingly.
Sport1: Raimann will meet the Atlanta Falcons with the Indianapolis Colts in Berlin in Berlin. An international game of the NFL also takes place in Madrid, as well as three in London, one in Dublin and one in Sao Paulo. What does this mean for the NFL?
Vollmer: First of all, I’m really looking forward to the game in Berlin. I will be on site throughout the week. The Olympic Stadium is a great, traditional stadium. It will be an absolute highlight. The many international games show that cities continue to be very interested in it. Such games have a positive economic influence – on the hotels, restaurants etc. and it is also good for the NFL because more people are introduced to sport.
Sport1: In 2028 Flag Football – a variant of the American football without tackling – will be Olympic. What influence could this have?
Vollmer: This is a good thing because even more eyes are aimed at sport. The Olympic Summer Games are achieved, which have so far had hardly any contact. First of all, this helps the flag football, but in the long run also the normal American football. In the past, Flag Football was just a hobby. Now people have a goal in mind. You can become Olympic champion. And maybe a six -year -old girl watches the Olympic champion himself in 15 years.
