The NFL is betting big on the next generation of fans with NFL Offsides, a new weekly game show launching April 15, 2025. Created in partnership with WePlay Studios, the series blends pro football, gaming culture, and nostalgia-fueled competition into a high-energy format built for YouTube and creator co-streams.
Airing Tuesdays during the 2025 offseason on the NFL’s official YouTube channel, NFL Offsides puts NFL players, Legends, and gaming creators through a mix of video game-inspired physical challenges, puzzle segments, and head-to-head matchups in popular game titles. The series will be co-hosted by Los Angeles Chargers kicker Cameron “Dicker the Kicker” Dicker and esports host Ovilee May.
The debut episode will feature Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley and NFL legend Todd Gurley teaming up with streamers Xaryu and Pikaboo for a format inspired by classic “Brawl” games.
Ed Kiang, the NFL’s VP of Video Gaming, said the show is designed to strengthen ties with Gen-Z audiences by combining the cultural heat of gaming creators with the personality and appeal of football talent. “We’re excited to partner with WePlay Studios to bring this game show to life with NFL players and Legends alongside top gaming creators,” he said.
Each episode of NFL Offsides is divided into three parts:
- Physical Challenge – Live-action sets inspired by video games test the physical and strategic skills of the players.
- Mystery Segment – Randomized puzzles, quizzes, or challenges, often shaped by live viewer participation.
- Gaming Showdown – Players and creators compete in an actual video game, emphasizing reflexes, coordination, and trash talk.
The show is being produced by WePlay Studios, known for its esports broadcast production and experience-driven entertainment content. Max Bilonogov, WePlay’s Chief Visionary Officer, said the concept draws from ’90s game shows and aims to repackage that spirit for today’s content-first fanbase.
Future episodes will feature an evolving roster of NFL stars and creators, including Terrell Owens, Jeffrey Simmons, the Botez sisters, MMG, Repullze, and Esfand.
NFL Offsides is part of a broader strategic push by the NFL to deepen its footprint in gaming and creator-driven content as it looks to build affinity among younger, digital-native fans.
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