Fantasy vs. Reality: Top Fixes for NFL's Worst-to-First Contenders in 2024 Offseason
We're so often disappointed in this world.
Sorry, were you expecting a happier tone as the holiday season gets underway? Nahhhh, let's focus on how, offseason after offseason, bad NFL teams frequently fail to take the extreme corrective action expected of them by so many adoring, paying fans.
This is a look at six teams that have a decent shot at being "worst" in 2023 but could theoretically jump to "first" in 2024, and how each can make that happen with something bold along with how they might be able to help themselves with something a lot more realistic.
Carolina Panthers
1 of 6
Fantasy: Revamp the entire mess of an offensive line except Taylor Moton
2022 first-round draft pick Ikem Ekwonu has been an utter disaster and needs to turn it around in the next six weeks. Austin Corbett was bad when healthy, youngsters Chandler Zavala and Cade Mays haven't panned out, and veteran Bradley Bozeman has been responsible for seven sacks this season. Rookie quarterback Bryce Young deserves better.
Reality: Hire Ben Johnson as head coach
They lack draft capital and salary-cap space to truly blow up and rebuild the offensive line properly, but they can at least hire a brilliant young offensive mind for Young's sake.
Chicago Bears
2 of 6
Fantasy: Trade Justin Fields and draft Caleb Williams
I'm not un-sold on Fields, and you shouldn't be, either. This was always likely to be a project, and he could still emerge as a bona fide starter. But Williams has the ability to become a generational talent, so I'm not sure the Bears can afford to pass him up. With so much first-round draft capital, that should be easy.
Reality: Keep Fields, build around him with two primo first-round picks
This really ain't a bad alternative. There's a good chance they wind up regretting passing on Williams, but Fields' chances of making this work would improve dramatically with, say, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Olumuyiwa Fashanu added to the offense.
Los Angeles Chargers
3 of 6
Fantasy: Move on from Mike Williams, add Tee Higgins and Brock Bowers
The Chargers are married to quarterback Justin Herbert, so they must give him better weaponry. Keenan Allen is beyond his prime, Williams hasn't been reliable and the tight end position hasn't helped much. Time to get serious and add some hot commodities via free agency and the draft.
Reality: Move on from head coach Brandon Staley but keep the status quo on offense
This very well could help, because it's ridiculous that the Bolts are likely to go three straight Staley-coached seasons without a playoff win, and the defense has disappointed again. But will it be enough? That's open for debate considering how often Herbert comes up short.
.jpg?w=256 "Titans Camp Football")
New York Giants
4 of 6
Fantasy: Trade Daniel Jones for Justin Fields
Or any quarterback who could use a change of pace. The Jones experiment can't linger and spoil another Giants season. Fields has a much higher ceiling, and the Bears might want to move on. A potential alternative is Bryce Young if the Panthers were to pull a Cardinals/Josh Rosen.
Reality: Stick with Jones, sign Tee Higgins in hopes that he'll help Jones realize his potential
Throw some more money at the problem! It's better than nothing, even if a half-measure. And it still enables you to bolster elsewhere with what's likely to be a top-10 draft pick.
Tennessee Titans
5 of 6
Fantasy: Trade for Daniel Jones, Justin Fields or Bryce Young
The Titans should arguably take 2024 to rebuild, but the reality is a few tweaks could enable them to make the leap to the top of a somewhat soft division. So for the purposes of this exercise and those determined to see them delay that seemingly inevitable rebuild next year, a run at a young quarterback who could benefit from a change of scenery could be the solution.
Reality: Roll with Will Levis or Malik Willis while replacing Derrick Henry with a younger blue-chip back
It would be kind of silly to give up on both young potential long-term Ryan Tannehill successors at this stage, so this is the safer route. At running back, impending free agent D'Andre Swift would be a dream (feel free to throw him into the fantasy category as part of that package), but Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs or Tony Pollard could help too.
Washington Commanders
6 of 6
Fantasy: Land Caleb Williams or Drake Maye near the top of the draft
I like some of what I've seen from Sam Howell, but he's thrown 13 interceptions. Is the now-slumping fifth-round pick really the answer? The odds are still stacked against him, and the Commanders might regret not swinging the bat on one of those blue-chip QBs.
Reality: Stick with Howell and load up on support via the draft and free agency
Again, I wouldn't fault 'em for this. The draft is a crapshoot, even with guys like Williams and Maye. Imagine Olumuyiwa Fashanu or Joe Alt via the draft, Brian Burns or Danielle Hunter in free agency, maybe a blue-chip edge like Dallas Turner in the draft. When you've got as much cap space and draft capital as the Commanders are expected to, the possibilities are almost endless.
.jpg?w=480 "Titans Camp Football")
.jpg?w=480 "49ers Eagles Football")
.png?w=480)
.jpg?w=600 "Undrafted Free Agent Tracker ✍️")
.jpg?w=600 "Maxx: Pavia's Fall a 'Wake Up Call'")
.jpg?w=600 "Rodgers Reportedly Gets 'Rare' Tender")