The Athletic is bringing back its NFL Hope-O-Meter for a second year, inviting fans to share how optimistic they are about their favorite team ahead of the 2025 season.
Last year’s Hope-O-Meter offered a peek into what fans were feeling before the action began. Chicago saw Caleb Williams mania, with an optimism score of 97.6 percent, ranking third in the inaugural survey. Williams flashed talent, but the Bears still endured a 5-12 season, and head coach Matt Eberflus was fired after a 4-8 start.
In Cincinnati, Bengals fans opened with an optimism score of 93.8 percent, buoyed by Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase’s star power. Yet the team’s defense faltered and they missed the playoffs by a single game.
Washington’s fanbase checked in at 78.0 percent optimism, ranking 17th, before Jayden Daniels lit up the league and propelled the Commanders to their first conference title game since 1991.
The Athletic invites readers to participate again with a short survey asking how optimistic you are about your favorite NFL team and why. The responses will be used to tabulate updated optimism scores for each franchise, with standout replies highlighted ahead of the 2025 season kickoff on Sept. 4.
Note for mobile readers: Android users may need to use two fingers to scroll through the survey.
Beyond the numbers, the Hope-O-Meter aims to capture the emotional heartbeat of the league—how fans tether hope to the long road to a title, no matter the preseason forecasts. Even when seasons stumble, optimism can rally communities and keep conversations lively as teams work toward brighter horizons.
What to watch this year is simple: how do optimism levels shift as teams undergo changes, draft new talents, or surprise with unexpected breakthroughs? The Hope-O-Meter strives to reflect that evolving sentiment, turning fan thoughts into a quantified snapshot of NFL hope.
In short, the Hope-O-Meter returns to track the pulse of fan optimism as the 2025 season approaches, inviting you to weigh in and perhaps have your take featured before the kickoff.
Summary: The Athletic’s NFL Hope-O-Meter reopens for a second year, inviting fans to rate their optimism for their teams ahead of the 2025 season. Last year highlighted high hopes for Williams in Chicago, strong enthusiasm for the Bengals, and a mid-pack outlook for the Commanders, with fans eager to see how current narratives will unfold this year. Expect renewed engagement and a chance for standout responses to shape the conversation before kickoff.
Positive note: This initiative continues to fuel engaging fan dialogue and gives teams a barometer for where belief stands as training camps open and the season nears.