So you’ve reached that point in the season. You go to set your fantasy lineup or check the Sunday TV schedule, and suddenly, your star quarterback or your favorite team is nowhere to be found. It’s a bit of a gut punch, right? We’ve spent a month getting into a rhythm, and then the schedule makers decide it’s time to pull the rug out.
If you're asking who has a bye week 5, you're actually looking at the very first group of teams to hit the sidelines in the 2025 season. This year, the NFL decided to start the rest periods right at the beginning of October. Honestly, it’s a polarizing time for a break. Some coaches love the early reset to fix rookie mistakes, while others hate losing momentum after a hot start.
The four teams taking a breather in Week 5 are the Atlanta Falcons, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, and Pittsburgh Steelers.
That is a heavy-hitting list. You've got two NFC North rivals, a rising Falcons squad, and a Steelers team that usually finds a way to be in the mix regardless of who is under center. If you have Caleb Williams, Jordan Love, or Bijan Robinson on your fantasy roster, you're probably scrambling for a waiver wire replacement right about now.
Breaking Down the Week 5 Absentees
The Chicago Bears are probably the most interesting team on this list. They entered the bye at 2-2, which is sort of the definition of "fine." They managed a comeback win against the Raiders in Week 4, which gave fans a bit of hope. But let's be real—the offense has been a work in progress. For a team with a rookie quarterback like Caleb Williams, a Week 5 bye is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you want him getting as many live reps as possible. On the other, it gives the coaching staff a chance to sit him down, look at the film from the first month, and simplify the playbook.
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Then you have the Green Bay Packers. Their start was... weird. They actually played to a draw against the Cowboys earlier in the season, which was one of the highest-scoring ties in league history. Sitting at 2-1-1 entering the break, they are right in the thick of a brutal NFC North. The Packers have been dealing with some nagging injuries, and honestly, a Week 5 break might be exactly what Jordan Love needs to ensure he's 100% for the long haul.
The AFC and South Representatives
The Pittsburgh Steelers are arguably the "hottest" team of this group. At 3-1, they’ve been leading the AFC North. It’s classic Mike Tomlin football—gritty, defensive, and doing just enough on offense to break the opponent's spirit. Usually, when a team is 3-1, they hate the bye week. They want to keep playing. But the Steelers have a veteran heavy roster in key spots, and a week of rest in October can be the difference between a late-season collapse and a deep playoff run.
Lastly, the Atlanta Falcons are sitting at 2-2. They just came off a massive win against the Commanders where Michael Penix Jr. and Bijan Robinson looked like the elite duo fans were promised. For Atlanta, this bye is about consistency. They’ve looked great one week and mediocre the next.
Why a Week 5 Bye Sucks for Fantasy Managers
If you’re a fantasy football player, knowing who has a bye week 5 is basically a survival tactic. This is the first week you have to deal with "Zero" scores in your lineup.
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The biggest headache? The running back position. Between Bijan Robinson in Atlanta and Josh Jacobs in Green Bay, a lot of top-tier production is just... gone for a week.
- Quarterback Depth: If you were riding with Jordan Love or Caleb Williams, you’re looking at streamers like Geno Smith or maybe whatever veteran is starting for the Jets.
- The Pittsburgh Defense: A lot of people set-and-forget the Steelers D. Don't forget to swap them out, or you're giving away 10 points to your opponent for no reason.
- Wide Receiver Gaps: Drake London and George Pickens are big names to lose at the same time.
It’s just four teams, which isn't the "Bye-mageddon" we usually see in Week 10 or 14, but because it's the first one of the year, it always catches a few people off guard. You’ve had your full roster for a month. Now, the real management begins.
How the NFL Determines the Bye Schedule
You might wonder why these four teams specifically were chosen for the early exit. The NFL schedule is a massive jigsaw puzzle. Factors like international games usually play a big role. For instance, teams playing in London or Munich often get a bye the following week to recover from the jet lag.
Interestingly, there are no byes in Week 13 this year because of the Thanksgiving holiday games. The league wants every possible star on the field for the Turkey Day ratings. This pushes more byes into the early part of the season (like Week 5) and the later part (Week 14).
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What to Watch Instead
Just because your team is off doesn't mean there isn't great football to watch. Week 5 of 2025 has some absolute bangers on the schedule.
The 49ers and Rams are facing off in a divisional showdown that always gets chippy. Then you have the Vikings and Browns playing in London. If you're an early riser, that's a 9:30 AM ET kickoff. It’s actually a great way to spend a "bye week" Sunday—you don't have the stress of your own team losing, so you can just enjoy the chaos of the rest of the league.
Navigating Your Next Moves
If your team is one of the four on a break, or if your fantasy roster is decimated, here is what you should actually do:
- Check the Waiver Wire Immediately: Don't wait until Wednesday morning. By then, the best replacements for George Pickens or Bijan Robinson will be gone.
- Look at the Week 6 Matchups: The Packers return to face the Bengals, and the Falcons have a tough game against the Bills. If you're betting or playing daily fantasy, start looking at those lines now while they're soft.
- Self-Scout Your Fantasy Team: Use this "off week" to see where your holes are. If you can't survive four teams being on a bye, you definitely won't survive Week 8 when six teams are out.
Knowing who has a bye week 5 is the first step in not letting your season fall apart before the leaves even finish changing colors. Take the hit, make your moves, and get ready for the long stretch of games ahead.