The 2024 NFL season is in the books with the Eagles as Super Bowl champions. Instead of way-too-early power rankings for next season, I’m going to give keys for all 32 teams ahead of the offseason.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have undoubtedly made progress after two years under head coach Jonathan Gannon, but adding more “juice” to the defensive front will likely be critical if a Year 3 leap to contention is to happen.
Atlanta Falcons
The pass rush came alive when Raheem Morris took more control of the defense late in the season, but Atlanta must add more edge help to be a more complete team as Michael Penix Jr. takes over as the full-time starting quarterback.
Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens are clearly in a good spot roster wise to be playing meaningful football every January. Hitting their stride at the right time and winning close games is what it comes down to, but the formula is there with the Lamar Jackson-Derrick Henry duo. So, Baltimore might be dealing with a mindset thing more than anything—and it starts at OTAs.
Buffalo Bills
After seeing what the Eagles defense did to the Chiefs in the Super Bowl, the Bills better realize a big swing for a premier pass rusher is worth a shot. They should consider a godfather offer for Micah Parsons.
Carolina Panthers
The run game is in a fantastic spot, and former No. 1 pick Bryce Young clearly showed he can be the team’s franchise quarterback. I’d like to see the Panthers add at receiver, perhaps trying to pull something off like when the Eagles traded for A.J. Brown a few years ago (not that foolish decisions like the Titans made create those types of opportunities often).
Chicago Bears
This offseason will be about new head coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams gaining full trust in each other as Johnson constructs an ideal offense around his super talented quarterback.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow has made it clear that he wants the entire core—from Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to underrated tight end Mike Gesicki—to stay together. Cincy needs to find a way to get it done or have some fantastic replacements ready to step in.
Cleveland Browns
While this is the case for every team, the Browns very simply need to get the big decisions right—most notably, the No. 2 pick and the compensation for pass rusher Myles Garrett. They blew it when they acquired Deshaun Watson and handed him an insane contract in 2022, and that type of mishap cannot happen again for this regime.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys have shown they can draft premier talent, but the past couple of years have been a step back there. Getting more clear difference-makers via the draft is the way for Dallas to get back on track.
Denver Broncos
The Broncos found a potential superstar quarterback in Bo Nix, and now they need to surround him with much more talent at the skill positions this offseason. Sean Payton is already talking about the need for a “joker” on offense, which would be huge in making things easier on Nix and opening things up for everyone.
Detroit Lions
Aside from having much better injury luck in 2025, the Lions are looking to seamlessly replace their stud offensive and defensive coordinators. With the job general manager Brad Holmes has done in acquiring talent, Detroit remains positioned for major success.
Green Bay Packers
It appears the Packers will move on from former All-Pro cornerback Jaire Alexander this offseason, and I think adding more there is more important than the talk of needing a No. 1 receiver in a deep offensive attack.
Houston Texans
The offensive line in Houston must be rebuilt or at least re-tooled after C.J. Stroud appeared uncomfortable and took a step back while getting beat up a bit in Year 2.
Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are another team that needs more “juice” on the roster, particularly on defense with the hope of the inexperienced Anthony Richardson staying healthy at quarterback to get important reps and show progress.
Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars simply must get the general manager hire right—i.e., get someone that knows what they’re doing—to support new head coach Liam Coen and quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
Kansas City Chiefs
All-Pro guard Joe Thuney did an admirable job moving out to left tackle down the stretch this season, but the offseason goal for the Chiefs is to ensure they are steadier on the bookends. 2024 second-round pick Kingsley Suamataia seizing the left tackle role would be huge.
Las Vegas Raiders
The foundation will be set by new head coach Pete Carroll (and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly), and it’ll be one of competition and getting the most out of everyone. Of course, the big question is the quarterback position, though more help is needed at receiver and running back, too.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers had a tremendous 2024 offseason headlined by draft picks Joe Alt and Ladd McConkey which helped Jim Harbaugh quickly turn things around on the field. Following it up with another offseason of player personnel hits can help the Chargers take a step into the legitimate Super Bowl picture.
Los Angeles Rams
Former triple crown receiver Cooper Kupp is moving on from the Rams via an upcoming trade, and quarterback Matthew Stafford’s future sounds uncertain, so keep an eye on that. But adding stars to the back end of the defense to complement the impressive young front can help LA compete again in the postseason.
Miami Dolphins
Mike McDaniel knows the Dolphins must get a lot better on the offensive line. The path to doing damage is riding De’Von Achane and a consistent ground game that can create big plays and take pressure off the rest of the team.
Minnesota Vikings
Sam Darnold is the headliner because he plays quarterback, but the Vikings might need to replenish a lot of their roster this offseason—including getting the right guys to potentially take roles in Brian Flores’ complex defense.
New England Patriots
Mike Vrabel is going to get the most out of his guys, but the front office better quickly turn things around from what looked like a borderline incompetent 2024 offseason based on the early results.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints are hiring a new head coach (almost certainly Eagles OC Kellen Moore), and for the long-term health of the franchise it’s imperative that they take steps toward getting the terrible cap situation under control.
New York Giants
It’s pretty shocking the regime that—based on Hard Knocks—didn’t even consider Bo Nix among franchise quarterbacks in last year’s draft is getting to pick the quarterback for the Giants in 2025. New York needs to strike gold at quarterback, and remaining patient (as opposed to trading up to the No. 1 pick, and paying a ton to do so) is probably the best path.
New York Jets
The Jets are in desperate need of a establishing an identity of what they’re going to be about, and new head coach Aaron Glenn appears to be the right man for the job. Finding a franchise quarterback goes hand in hand with those important first steps.
Philadelphia Eagles
There’s no reason to believe the Eagles won’t be in contention for a repeat title, but they need to get the offensive coordinator hire right. And they should probably just give offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland a lifetime contract.
Pittsburgh Steelers
I believe the Steelers have their target in mind and have the means to acquire him, but identifying and acquiring their answer at quarterback is what can take them to the next level.
San Francisco 49ers
With Renardo Green and Malik Mustapha as two second-year studs in the secondary, the 49ers again need more impact hits in the draft to get back near the top and to sustain success as veterans age.
Seattle Seahawks
Mike Macdonald led the Seahawks to a 10-win season in his first year at the helm, and they can be even better if a clear theme—that of running the ball—is successfully implemented under new offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield will have yet another new offensive playcaller in 2025, but there are a ton of exciting pieces to work with on offense. Reaching for position in the draft is almost always a mistake, but an exceptional draft to bolster Todd Bowles’ defense can make the Bucs more of a force.
Tennessee Titans
Reportedly open to trading the No. 1 pick, the Titans have a massive choice ahead of them. It’s important to not be too eager to trade the top pick, as they might be able to get a ton for it and start finally building things the right way after years of puzzling roster management.
Washington Commanders
While the Commanders have plenty of cap space, getting too aggressive in spending on pieces might not be wise. So, they basically should keep establishing a culture under Dan Quinn and not do anything crazy to unwittingly take a step back.