1 Sentence to Describe the State of Every NFL Team Entering 2025 Offseason
For nearly half of the NFL's 32 teams, the 2025 offseason has basically arrived.
They're just playing out the string in 15 cases, while a few more teams will complete their campaigns this weekend—whether they like it or not.
With that in mind, let's look at the state of each eliminated team on the brink of what is sure to be an interesting offseason.
AFC East
1 of 8
New England Patriots: It's been ugly, but the key piece appears to be in place at quarterback, and they should be loaded with draft capital in April.
New York Jets: It's been ugly, and the lack of clarity surrounding Aaron Rodgers' future makes it uglier.
AFC North
2 of 8
Cleveland Browns: In cap hell and realistically stuck with Deshaun Watson for at least another year, the Browns are in football prison.
AFC South
3 of 8
Indianapolis Colts: This is a mediocre all-around team that will sink or swim almost entirely based on if Anthony Richardson becomes a star in 2025, which is basically a crapshoot scenario.
Jacksonville Jaguars: The talent is there and there's draft and financial capital to grow, but who they choose to coach this team in 2025 will likely determine if this ever works with Trevor Lawrence as the franchise quarterback.
Tennessee Titans: No more half-hearted efforts to kinda sorta compete—this awful football team has to launch a full-fledged rebuild in 2025, starting with a shiny new quarterback via the draft.
AFC West
4 of 8
Las Vegas Raiders: The right head coach and quarterback can absolutely turn the tide considering the talent elsewhere, but that leaves them with plenty of work to do despite a late-season jolt for the second year in a row.
NFC East
5 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: Bringing back Mike McCarthy based on some decent late-season performances with nothing on the line would be a huge mistake for a team that needs changes and can't afford to make big ones at other key spots like quarterback.
New York Giants: There is a strong young core to build around, but they have to get both the coach and quarterback pursuits right or they'll continue to be a joke.
NFC North
6 of 8
Chicago Bears: The ingredients are there and they've got cap space and draft capital, so now it's about making the right call on who will lead them in 2025 and beyond.
NFC South
7 of 8
Carolina Panthers: There's plenty of work to be done (thanks in part to the draft capital they've surrendered the last couple years) but it does look as though they have something in Dave Canales and a rejuvenated Bryce Young
New Orleans Saints: The Saints won't contend again until they're willing to first suck again, and there's very little evidence they're OK with tanking, so settle in for more football purgatory in New Orleans.
NFC West
8 of 8
Arizona Cardinals: They weren't expected to contend this year anyway, and the grass is not likely greener on the other side when it comes to Kyler Murray, so it's all about progress and growth in 2025.
San Francisco 49ers: It's fair to chalk up San Francisco's messy 2024 season as an aberration due to injury hell, but now they'll likely have to pray Brock Purdy is the real deal or it'll all blow up soon.
Seattle Seahawks: There is plenty of skill on this roster, but it does feel as though there's a pretty clear-cut ceiling with 34-year-old Geno Smith under center.
.jpg?w=480 "Chiefs Giants Football")
.jpg?w=600 "Report: Bears Near 'Critical' Stadium Decision")