Athletes can draw motivation from many different factors, whether it be financial, such as a new contract; prestige, such as defining one’s legacy; or from the mere pursuit of winning a championship. However, an underrated inspiration for many is exacting revenge on an ex.
The 2025 NFL schedule was just released, and several people in the league will have the opportunity to see their exes in the 2025 NFL season.
Some may call these meetings reunions, while others may see them as more revenge matchups. Whichever term you prefer, here are the top games this season in which familiar faces will meet one another.
Week 1: Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
We get, possibly, two revenges in one, with both coming at the quarterback position. The guaranteed one is new Jets quarterback, Justin Fields, getting to face the team which, first, benched him last year despite a 4–2 record, and second, elected not to re-sign him this offseason.However, the bigger revenge game comes via the elephant in the room, who is not officially in the Steelers’ quarterback room, in Aaron Rodgers. He’s been linked with the Steelers for months, and Pittsburgh’s draft decisions indicate it’s keeping its QB1 spot open. Perhaps the NFL schedule makers know something that everyone outside of the Steelers’ HQ don’t know, as they bestowed a gift for fans by making this an opening week game. Now, Rodgers, and Pittsburgh, need to just do their jobs to make Rodgers’ return the headliner, and Fields’ reunion a mere subplot.
Week 3: New York Jets at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
This matchup for Buccaneers linebacker Haason Reddick most definitely leans towards “revenge” over “reunion,” considering how Reddick’s lone season in New York played out. Reddick went the unique route of requesting a trade from a team he was just traded to, as he was dealt to the Jets in April 2024 before requesting a trade just four months later. A contract holdout ensued, which led to Reddick missing the season’s first six games and losing out on over $4 million due to team fines and being inactive.He would play 10 games for the Jets in 2024 and had career-lows across the board, thus, he was elated to leave the team this offseason and join the Bucs. However, Reddick won’t get that lost money back, and to make matters worse, he was traded from the Eagles to the Jets last year, meaning he also missed out on Philly’s Super Bowl run.
Week 7: New England Patriots at Tennessee Titans
It’s not just players who relish the chance to get revenge, as coaches can too. Mike Vrabel overachieved as Tennessee’s coach, posting four winning records across six seasons and being named 2021 Coach of the Year. That, however, wasn’t enough to keep his job as he was fired after the 2023 season. After spending a year consulting with the Browns, the former linebacker is back with the franchise where he starred for eight seasons as a player in New England.Coincidentally, Vrabel’s firing and subsequent hiring may have had their seeds planted when he was inducted into the Patriots Hall of Fame in October 2023. While still the coach of Tennessee, Vrabel said this to the New England fans during his HOF speech: “I want you not to take this organization for granted. I’ve been a lot of places. This is a special place with great leadership, great fans, great direction, great coaching. Enjoy it. It’s not like this everywhere.”
Week 11: Seattle Seahawks at Los Angeles Rams
The Rams tried their damnedest to trade wide receiver Cooper Kupp this offseason, despite his giving his all to the organization for eight years, before ultimately releasing him. He then linked up with a divisional rival, even though he said he thought his career would end in a Rams uniform.
He’ll get to see his former squad twice a year, with the first meeting, fortunately, being a trip back to Los Angeles in Week 11. Kupp, a native of Washington, will then welcome the Rams on Thursday Night Football in Week 16.
Week 13: Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
What does a Pro Bowl season, a 14–3 record, and a playoff appearance get you? Apparently, a ticket out of town if you’re the Vikings. They let quarterback Sam Darnold go in free agency, bypassing the option to either re-sign him or apply the franchise tag on him. Thus, Darnold is now in the Pacific Northwest, replacing Geno Smith as Seattle’s signal caller. The well-travelled Darnold is now on his fourth team in four years, and fifth squad overall, but he has a habit of exacting revenge versus former employers. Darnold is 3–0 in his career as a starter when facing one of his former teams.Honorable Mention—Week 8: Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers
No, this isn’t a revenge game for linebacker Preston Smith, who was traded from Green Bay to Pittsburgh last season and has since been released. This is all about Rodgers and him getting the opportunity to face his original team for the first time.When Brett Favre faced the Packers, or when Peyton Manning faced the Colts, or when Tom Brady faced the Patriots, it was always must-see. This game would be the same—of course, only if Rodgers does indeed join Pittsburgh—with the only downside being that it would take place in the Steel City instead of in Green Bay.
