1 Sentence To Describe Every Eliminated NFL Team
The 2025 NFL offseason has arrived for all but four franchises.
Some are in slightly, or significantly, better shape than others.
Let's summarize via one sentence per eliminated squad.
AFC East
1 of 8
Miami Dolphins: It's hard not to think this is headed in the wrong direction, and that a blowup is imminent despite the fact they're financially handcuffed to to their problematic core.
New England Patriots: There is a lot of work to be done, but they've positioned themselves advantageously with a promising young quarterback and a new coach with a proven track record.
New York Jets: Are you (non-Jets fans) not entertained?
AFC North
2 of 8
Baltimore Ravens: The core is the core, and it's a damn good one—it's likely a question of when (not if) they finally break through to a Super Bowl.
Cincinnati Bengals: Despite a second consecutive disappointing season, the second half of 2024 ensured us the right ingredients are there going forward.
Cleveland Browns: A significant new Deshaun Watson injury all but confirms the beginning of yet another rebuild for a franchise that seems to stack those on top of one another.
Pittsburgh Steelers: I don't believe this group has what it takes to break from the "good not great" model that has prevented them from winning a playoff game since 2017, but what's the alternative?
AFC South
3 of 8
Houston Texans: Considering what they overcame in 2024 (namely injuries and sophomore slumps), the path is there for continued growth and contention for years to come.
Indianapolis Colts: The real shame of 2024 is there's really no more clarity now regarding this team's trajectory than there was at the conclusion of 2023.
Jacksonville Jaguars: This head coaching hire is the most critical in franchise history, as it'll likely determine whether they make it work with the current Trevor Lawrence-led core.
Tennessee Titans: This No. 1 overall pick is the most critical in franchise history, as it'll likely determine the organization's trajectory for the next half-decade or more.
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AFC West
4 of 8
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton has them headed down the ideal path, but the window has to open very soon for a roster that in a couple of years will become very expensive to keep together.
Las Vegas Raiders: They've got money to spend, but that alone won't come close to solving their problems.
Los Angeles Chargers: There's no turning back anytime soon with Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert, but there remains a sub-Super Bowl ceiling until they add significant talent on both sides of the ball (and especially in support of Herbert on offense).
NFC East
5 of 8
Dallas Cowboys: It's simple: The next head coach will either salvage this era of Cowboys football or blow it up entirely.
New York Giants: The right quarterback can fix this, but the leash will undoubtedly be short and this quarterback draft class is far from ideal.
NFC North
6 of 8
Chicago Bears: Regardless of the fact Caleb Williams' rookie season wasn't totally pristine, it's hard not to be excited about what this cap-flush franchise can do with Williams and Ben Johnson moving forward.
Detroit Lions: The Lions have too much talent not to bounce back in 2025, but the conclusion to 2024 has to leave you wondering if this franchise can actually make a Super Bowl run with Jared Goff leading the offense.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers have too much talent not to remain in the picture in 2025, but an up-and-down 2024 campaign in general has to leave you wondering if this franchise can actually make a Super Bowl run with Jordan Love leading the offense.
Minnesota Vikings: Sam Darnold's failure to deliver when it mattered most late in 2024 is actually a good thing, as it confirms for the Vikings they have to give J.J. McCarthy his shot in 2025.
NFC South
7 of 8
Atlanta Falcons: At least they now know Kirk Cousins isn't the solution and they have Michael Penix Jr. in place, but the short-term future could hinge on when and how they get rid of Cousins.
Carolina Panthers: Because Bryce Young has earned more time to prove himself, the outlook is a lot more simple than you'd think for a team with just seven wins since the start of 2023—support Young and you might have a shot at becoming a contender.
New Orleans Saints: In cap hell yet again and with the roster aging and declining, the Saints desperately need to finally give in and commit to a full rebuild.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: They've avoided a full-on rebuild by developing a solid young core as the old one ages, but it will continue to come down to whether Baker Mayfield is a late-blooming star or a failed top pick who has experienced occasional signs of franchise-quarterback life.
NFC West
8 of 8
Arizona Cardinals: With cap space, draft capital, decent talent on both sides of the ball and an incredibly skilled but often unreliable quarterback, the Cardinals have one of the largest gaps between ceiling and floor imaginable.
Los Angeles Rams: Experience and resilience continue to keep them in the picture annually—the question now is how long they can keep that rolling before this core collapses.
San Francisco 49ers: Considering how expensive the rest of the core roster is, their failure to capitalize on three years of Brock Purdy at a comically low rate could be something the 49ers dwell on for years to come.
Seattle Seahawks: Like it or not, Geno Smith is the best option at quarterback for now, which likely means the Seahawks' ceiling remains below the Super Bowl plateau for at least one more year.
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.jpg?w=480 "Browns Monken Football")
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