Every NFL Team's Top Offseason Priority

With nearly four full weeks left in the 2025 NFL regular season, it may feel like the offseason is a world away. However, non-playoff teams will reach the offseason in less than a month, and the 2026 league year will officially begin on March 9.

Even teams hoping to make a Super Bowl run in the coming weeks have one eye on what comes next.

Offseason priorities will vary from franchise to franchise, but all teams will need to address some degree of coaching and/or roster turnover, tend to contract situations, navigate free agency, and maneuver through April's draft.

Here, you'll find an early look at each NFL team's top offseason priority based on roster makeup, coaching situations, projected cap space, draft capital, team needs, and any relevant franchise-specific factors.

Arizona Cardinals: Determine the Fate of Kyler Murray

AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin

Cardinals QB Kyler Murray

To be fair, the Arizona Cardinals may have to make some tough decisions regarding their front office too. Jonathan Gannon and Monti Ossenfort haven't delivered a consistent winner, and it may be time for change.

However, the Cardinals have made a massive financial investment in quarterback Kyler Murray, and his future may determine the direction of the franchise for the foreseeable future.

Like Gannon and Ossenfort, Murray has largely disappointed in recent years. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last month that Arizona and Murray are expected to have "extensive discussions" to determine what's next, with a split being likely.

The Cardinals could save $35.3 million in cap space if they can find a trade partner and decide to move Murray. They're also trending toward a top-10 draft selection and could try chasing their next franchise quarterback in April if they determine that Murray is no longer the answer.

Atlanta Falcons: Add Receiving Help

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Falcons TE Kyle Pitts

Second-year Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is currently rehabbing after suffering the third torn ACL of his career. While Atlanta can lean on veteran Kirk Cousins during Penix's recovery, the Falcons presumably still view Penix as their future.

If Atlanta wants to see Penix succeed once he returns, it needs to improve its receiving corps. Drake London is a terrific receiver who has missed time this season, but the Falcons don't have a high-end No. 2 wideout on their roster. They're also set to potentially lose tight end Kyle Pitts—who has never quite played up to his status as the fourth overall pick in the 2021 draft—in 2026 free agency.

The Falcons don't have a first-round pick because of the James Pearce Jr. trade, but top free agents like Alec Pierce and Day-2 draft prospects like Chris Brazzell II should be firmly on their radar.

Baltimore Ravens: Find a Pass-Rusher

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Ravens edge-rusher Kyle Van Noy

Despite having an impressive roster and a two-time MVP in quarterback Lamar Jackson, the Baltimore Ravens are scrambling to stay in the playoff hunt. They've been plagued by two big issues this season.

Lamar Jackson hasn't been at 100 percent, and Baltimore's defense has largely stunk. General manager Eric DeCosta can only address one of these issues through free agency and the draft.

The Ravens' 25th-ranked defense has been particularly bad at getting after opposing quarterbacks—it has just 19 sacks through 13 games. If Baltimore hopes to see its defense rebound in 2026, it needs to go after free agents like John Franklin-Myers and draft prospects like  Keldric Faulk and do so aggressively.

Buffalo Bills: Bolster The Run Defense

AP Photo/Adrian Kraus

Bills LB Matt Milano tackles Bengals RB Chase Brown on Dec. 7, 2025

The Buffalo Bills will have a chance to win games more often than not because they have a unicorn at quarterback in Josh Allen. However, Buffalo hasn't looked like one of the NFL's top title contenders this season, largely because of a suspect defense.

While the Bills have been mostly solid against the pass, they've been very vulnerable to the run. Buffalo has, to this point, surrendered 5.1 yards per carry, fourth-most in the NFL.

Fixing the run defense will be easier in theory than in practice because Buffalo is projected to have just $4.4 million in 2026 cap space. Chasing high-end free agency like Travis Jones and Devin Lloyd won't be possible unless the Bills can free up some cap space.

However, Buffalo can, and must, target prospects like Francis Mauigoa and LT Overton early in the draft.

Carolina Panthers: Improve the Offensive Cast

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez

Panthers RB Rico Dowdle

The Carolina Panthers have emerged as surprise contenders in the NFC South, due to mostly good play by quarterback Bryce Young and a defense playing better than raw statistics might suggest.

Young will be extension-eligible this offseason, though he hasn't yet shown enough to justify a lucrative second contract. The Panthers need to see him play better and more consistently before they're willing to hand out $40-plus million per year.

To that end, Carolina must continue improving Young's supporting cast. Re-signing breakout running back Rico Dowdle would be a great start. GM Dan Morgan should use some of the Panthers' $40.1 million in projected cap space to chase the likes of center Tyler Linderbaum and tight end Kyle Pitts on the open market.

Chicago Bears: Sort Out the Future of D.J. Moore

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Bears WR D.J. Moore

D.J. Moore had just one catch for minus-four yards in Week 14, marking a low point in his Chicago Bears career.

"We just couldn't give him the ball," head coach Ben Johnson said, per Larry Mayer of the team's official website. "That was not the intent."

While Chicago may not be intentionally phasing Moore out of the offense, the 2023 trade acquisition simply hasn't been a go-to target in Johnson's offense. He's on pace for a career-low 651 receiving yards.

The Bears need to decide if Moore can be one of Caleb Williams' top targets or if moving on from the 28-year-old would provide more value. Receiver-needy teams would undoubtedly be interested, and Chicago could save $16.5 million in cap space by trading Moore in the spring.

Cincinnati Bengals: Defense, Defense, Defense!

AP Photo/Kareem Elgazzar

Bengals edge-rusher Trey Hendrickson

The Cincinnati Bengals haven't been able to count on quarterback Joe Burrow staying healthy every single season. However, they're also wasting some of his prime years by fielding a defense that is simply below playoff-caliber.

This season, Cincinnati ranks dead-last in both yards and points allowed. It could use help at just about every single position.

Even if Cincinnati is able to retain star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson—who recently underwent core muscle surgery—it should invest heavily in its defense. Top free agents like Riq Woolen and Devon Lloyd should be firmly on the table for the Bengals, as should top draft prospects like Peter Woods and David Bailey.

Cleveland Browns: Settle on a QB Plan

AP Photo/David Richard

Browns QB Shedeur Sanders

Regardless of whether the Cleveland Browns retain head coach Kevin Stefanski in the offseason, Cleveland has to settle on a quarterback plan. Any coach is going to struggle in Cleveland without at least average quarterback play.

The Browns face an interesting QB dilemma. They'll have Deshaun Watson under contract for another year, and he could serve as a bridge QB. They also have rookies Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders on the roster, possess two 2026 first-round picks, and are trending toward a top-five draft selection.

Gabriel looks like a long-term backup, at best, but Sanders has flashed starting-quarterback potential. The Browns have already named him the starter for the remainder of the regular season.

Cleveland's front office—whether new or not—must decide whether to build around Sanders or to go after a top draft prospect like Fernando Mendoza or Dante Moore. That choice will likely influence everything else the Browns do in 2026.

Dallas Cowboys: Add Edge-Rushing Help

AP Photo/Matt Patterson

Cowboys edge-rusher Jadeveon Clowney

The Dallas Cowboys still have slim playoff hopes, but they're fading fast, due in no small part to an unreliable defense.

While trade-deadline deals to acquire Logan Wilson and Quinnen Williams have helped, Dallas still ranks 29th in total defense and 31st in points allowed. Its pass rush hasn't recovered from the August trade of Micah Parsons either—the Cowboys are averaging just under one full sack per game fewer than they did in 2024.

Facing a $33.7 million cap deficit in 2026, Dallas may not be able to chase top free-agent sack artists like Trey Hendrickson and Khalil Mack. However, top draft prospects like Keldric Faulk and Cashius Howell should be priority targets for the Cowboys.

Denver Broncos: Upgrade the Receiving Corps

AP Photo/Candice Ward

Broncos WR Troy Franklin

The Denver Broncos share the best record in the AFC and have a true Super Bowl-caliber defense. However, an inconsistent offense has made it hard to view the Broncos as legitimate title contenders.

While Denver has gotten mostly good play from second-year quarterback Bo Nix, offensive consistency has been a major issue. The Broncos, it seems, looked to fix it by adding receiver help at the trade deadline.

According to NFL insider Jordan Schultz, the Broncos reached out to the Miami Dolphins regarding the availability of Jaylen Waddle.

While the Broncos have some "good" pass-catchers, like Troy Franklin, Courtland Sutton, and Evan Engram, they lack a truly elite one. Expect Denver to try upgrading its receiving corps through the draft. Targeting a top prospect like Carnell Tate or Kenyon Sadiq would be advisable.

Detroit Lions: Add Secondary Help

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Lions S Brian Branch

The Detroit Lions' defense has struggled to contain opposing passers, in part, because of injuries. No injury looms larger for the Lions than the torn Achilles suffered by star safety Brian Branch.

Branch is likely to miss time in 2026, and the Lions needed secondary depth even before he went down. Poor pass defense has been one of Detroit's biggest problems this season. While the team ranks a somewhat respectable 18th in net yards per pass attempt allowed, it has surrendered a whopping 26 touchdown passes.

Detroit must target top free agents like Jaylen Watson and aggressively pursue top draft prospects like Avieon Terrell in order to bolster their secondary.

Green Bay Packers: Re-Sign Key Contributors

AP Photo/Jeffrey Phelps

Packers LB Quay Walker

The Green Bay Packers took a rare home-run swing when it traded for Micah Parsons in August. Under general manager Brian Gutekunst, Green Bay has typically preferred a draft-and-develop approach.

Of course, adding Parsons made sense because the Packers' collection of young homegrown talent had the team on the cusp of title contention. In order to keep the Super Bowl window open, though, Green Bay will need to retain some of its own.

Contributors like linebacker Quay Walker, defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt, wide receiver Romeo Doubs, left tackle Rasheed Walker, and backup quarterback Malik Willis are all scheduled to be free agents in March. Re-signing at least some of them would be a lot more sensible than chasing replacements in free agency and the draft.

Houston Texans: Improve the Interior O-Line

AP Photo/Maria Lysaker

Texans C Jake Andrews

The Houston Texans will have a chance to go deep in this year's playoff field because of their elite defense. However, the Texans could also be ousted early because of an offense that has struggled to score consistently.

A vulnerable offensive interior has been one of Houston's biggest issues this season. Interior pressure has been a significant problem for quarterback C.J. Stroud, and the Texans have struggled to open holes in the running game—they have averaged just 3.9 yards per carry as a team.

General manager Nick Caserio would be wise to target a premier free agent like center Tyler Linderbaum before chasing a prospect like Francis Mauigoa or Olaivavega Ioane in April's draft.

Indianapolis Colts: Make the Call on Daniel Jones

AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack

Colts QB Daniel Jones

For the most part, Daniel Jones has looked like a potential long-term answer for the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, Jones also suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14, which leaves his future with the Colts rather murky.

He's an impending 2026 free agent, and with his recovery likely to linger well into the 2026 season, GM Chris Ballard may have to commit to the quarterback long before he's back on the field. As The MMQB's Albert Breer recently pointed out, using the franchise tag on Jones could be problematic.

"Next year, it projects to be around $46 million. That's not only triple what Jones is making now, it'd also give Jones the leverage to land a deal in the range of $50 million per year.

The Colts may have to extend Jones with a multi-year deal now or allow him to test the open market. It won't be an easy call, and making it will be Indy's top offseason priority.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Find Secondary Help

AP Photo/Doug Murray

Jaguars CB Greg Newsome II

The Jacksonville Jaguars took some big swings at improving their pass defense in recent months. First, they traded up for receiver/cornerback prospect Travis Hunter during the 2025 draft. Ahead of the trade deadline, they swapped cornerback Tyson Campbell for Greg Newsome II.

Unfortunately, Hunter suffered a season-ending LCL tear, and Newsome has been mostly just OK. Jacksonville's pass defense, which ranks 22nd in yards allowed and 24th in points allowed, remains one of the team's biggest vulnerabilities.

The Jags will have to determine whether they want to re-sign Newsome, and they'll want to add even more talent to their secondary. Jacksonville won't have a first-round pick because of the Hunter trade, but adding a free agent like Alontae Taylor or a Day-2 prospect like Jalon Kilgore should be high on the priority list.

Kansas City Chiefs: Try to Get Younger, Cheaper at Multiple Positions

AP Photo/Ed Zurga

Chiefs DT Chris Jones

The Kansas City Chiefs are likely to remain competitive for as long as Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are in control of the offense. However, this season's struggles have shown that a mini-reset may be necessary.

Part of the issue has been that older core players like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones haven't produced at an elite level as they've done in previous years. The Chiefs also have a lot of money invested in an offensive line that has too often been a liability.

If the Chiefs want to extend their dynasty and get back in the title hunt, they need to replace some of their older and expensive players with younger and cheaper alternatives—trading Jones, for example, would save $15.6 million in cap space. Otherwise, they'll find it difficult to improve any areas of need.

Right now, the Chiefs are projected to be $34.2 million over the 2026 salary cap.

Las Vegas Raiders: Decide Whether or Not to Hit the Reset Button

AP Photo/Candice Ward

Raiders head coach Pete Carroll

There's no way to sugarcoat it. The Las Vegas Raiders' plan for a quick turnaround isn't working. Quarterback Geno Smith has underwhelmed, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly has already been fired, and head coach Pete Carroll is firmly on the hot seat, according to NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport.

It's probably time for the Raiders to hit the reset button. Again.

Smith may have value as a bridge QB or veteran backup in 2026, but he isn't a long-term answer for the Raiders. Carroll isn't elevating the roster, and the presence of his son, Brennan Carroll, as the offensive line coach and run-game coordinator is a serious issue—Las Vegas' line and ground game have struggled significantly, though the elder Carroll may not be quick to fire family.

The Raiders would have the second overall pick in the draft if the season ended today, so a top QB prospect like Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson is in play. Las Vegas has to decide quickly whether it wants the current staff choosing and developing its next franchise quarterback.

Los Angeles Chargers: Bolster the Offensive Line Depth

AP Photo/George Walker IV

Chargers OT Joe Alt

If the Los Angeles Chargers fail to make a deep playoff run, it'll likely be due to injuries and other issues along the offensive line. L.A. has lost starting tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater to season-ending injuries, and it could use an upgrade or two along the interior.

The Chargers have already surrendered 47 sacks on the season.

Addressing the line will be a two-pronged priority for the Chargers. They'll want to find better depth at tackle to provide insurance behind Slater and Alt. They should also target a starting-level lineman, like free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum or guard prospect  Francis Mauigoa, in the draft.

Los Angeles Rams: Figure Out Matthew Stafford's Future

AP Photo/Rick Scuteri

Rams QB Matthew Stafford

The Los Angeles Rams appear poised for another run at a Super Bowl, and quarterback Matthew Stafford has been a big reason why. The 37-year-old has been playing at an MVP level, which raises the question of what comes next.

The Rams allowed Stafford to speak with other teams about a potential trade and contract extension this past offseason, though they ultimately agreed to a contract restructure instead.

Under the revised deal, Stafford is signed through 2026 and will have $40 million of his 2026 salary become guaranteed on March 15. Will the Rams and Stafford agree to another restructure, broach the idea of a new long-term deal and a raise, or agree to let the final year of his contract unfold?

The Rams need to figure out the plan early. Stafford is the key to L.A.'s Super Bowl window, and if he won't commit to a future beyond 2026, the Rams need to establish a succession strategy.

Miami Dolphins: Make the Call on the Mike McDaniel-Tua Tagovailoa Tandem

AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar

Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel and QB Tua Tagovailoa

According to Jason La Canfora of The Washington Post, the Dolphins fired general manager Chris Grier shortly before the trade deadline, in part, because he wanted to start breaking apart the roster and rebuilding.

Miami's next step will be to determine if head coach Mike McDaniel should also be ousted. McDaniel appeared to be on the hot seat early, but may be coaching his way back into some job security. His future, though, is undeniably tied to quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

McDaniel was hired to help get more out of the Alabama product, and Tagovailoa's skill set makes it hard to know if he can succeed in an offense other than McDaniel's. Whether the Dolphins like it or not, the pair has become a package deal.

According to La Canfora, teams aren't likely to be interested in acquiring Tagovailoa and his $56.4 million cap hit in 2026. Therefore, the QB may not be a viable trade chip until 2027 at the earliest. That doesn't mean, however, that committing to another season of McDaniel and Tagovailoa will be an easy call.

Minnesota Vikings: Decide a Path Forward with J.J. McCarthy

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Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy

Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy missed his entire rookie season following knee surgery. He's been in and out of the lineup in Year 2 because of various injuries, and he's only looked like a capable starter on occasion.

McCarthy's play has been so bad at times that some have wondered if he should be benched for his own good.

Now, McCarthy played well in Minnesota's Week 14 win, and if he can build off of his latest performance (129.2 QB rating), his future may not seem so uncertain in the offseason.

Right now, though, the Vikings have to wonder if McCarthy can be their long-term answer, whether they can fully commit to him as their 2026 starter, and/or if they should bring in a veteran to push him—as the Colts did when they acquired Daniel Jones to challenge Anthony Richardson this past offseason.

New England Patriots: Improve the Pass Rush

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Patriots edge-rusher Harold Landry III

The New England Patriots have been the hottest team in the NFL this season. Drake Maye has become an MVP favorite, he's making the most of a young supporting cast, and New England's seventh-ranked defense is holding its own. This is a team with few glaring weaknesses.

The Patriots do, however, need to add a premier pass-rusher to the equation. Despite frequently playing with a lead, the Patriots have notched just 26 sacks through 13 games. For a team just opening its championship window, there's certainly room for improvement.

Re-signing K'Lavon Chaisson, who has 6.5 sacks, would be a good first start for New England. Adding a veteran free agent like Odafe Oweh and targeting a top draft prospect like T.J. Parker should also be part of the equation.

New Orleans Saints: Formulate a QB Plan

AP Photo/Chris O'Meara

Saints QB Tyler Shough

Like the Browns, the New Orleans Saints have a rookie quarterback who just might be a long-term answer. Second-round pick Tyler Shough has flashed some intriguing upside in limited action and has won two of his five starts.

Unlike Cam Ward and Jaxson Dart, however, Shough doesn't come with the first-round pedigree that could make him safe if New Orleans has a chance to draft a QB prospect like Ty Simpson or Dante Moore early. In a matter of weeks, the Saints have to begin deciding if Shough has shown enough or if starting over with another rookie is the right move.

These will pretty much be New Orleans' only options at quarterback in 2026, as the team is projected to be $17.5 million over the salary cap. Next season, it'll be Shough, a rookie, or bust.

New York Giants: Find the Right Head Coach for Jaxson Dart

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Giants QB Jaxson Dart

The New York Giants appear to have their quarterback in rookie first-round pick Jaxson Dart. The Mississippi product has loads of arm talent, is a capable dual-threat, and has flashed the leadership skills needed to breathe life into New York's offense.

What Dart doesn't have is a capable head coach who can steer him in the right direction, develop his physical talents, and protect him from himself.

Dart's willingness to initiate contact has already led to missed time and multiple concussion evaluations.

New York decided that Brian Daboll wasn't the right fit, and he was fired last month. The Giants' first goal of the offseason will involve evaluating the top coaching candidates and finding the one best-suited to help Dart succeed.

New York Jets: Throw Multiple Darts at the QB Position

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Jets QB Tyrod Taylor

The New York Jets' ongoing search for a franchise quarterback continues. Two years after going all-in with Aaron Rodgers—a swing that ended in disaster—the Jets took a flier on Justin Fields and signed Tyrod Taylor as insurance.

The two-pronged approach has gotten New York three wins in 2025. Fields, a 2021 first-round pick, largely flopped and was eventually benched for Taylor. The Jets can save $10 million by releasing Fields with a post-June 1 designation, so he'll probably be gone.

Taylor, who is dealing with a groin injury, will be a free agent in March. If the Jets don't re-sign him, they'll want to find another top bridge quarterback while trying to land a prospect like Fernando Mendoza or Ty Simpson in the 2026 draft.

Philadelphia Eagles: Evaluate the Offensive Coaching Staff

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Eagles offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo

The Philadelphia Eagles still have a championship-caliber defense, but their inefficient offense may prevent them from making another run this postseason. The struggles are reminiscent of the issues Philly experienced after losing offensive coordinator Shane Steichen and defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon after the 2022 season.

The Eagles struggled on both sides of the ball in 2023 and hired offensive coordinator Kellen Moore and defensive coordinator Vic Fangio in 2024. Fangio remains, but Moore left to take the Saints' head coaching job and was replaced by Kevin Patullo.

Patullo's offense ranks 24th overall and 19th in scoring. It has struggled to find chemistry and maintain momentum during games, and the Eagles have been searching for answers. Head coach Nick Sirianni even became more involved with the offensive preparation in Week 14, according to ESPN's Tim McManus.

Can Philly turn things around with its current staff, or will it require more change? Evaluating Patullo and the rest of the offensive staff will be a big step in the Eagles' upcoming offseason.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Determine the Future of Mike Tomlin

AP Photo/Terrance Williams

Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin

The Pittsburgh Steelers have to figure out a long-term quarterback plan, as a 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers probably isn't it. More importantly, though, they have to decide whether Mike Tomlin will continue guiding the organization over the long haul.

Tomlin is under contract through next season and includes a team option for 2027. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Steelers have to exercise that option by March 1.

Pittsburgh doesn't fire head coaches, and it's highly unlikely to fire Tomlin. However, declining his option and allowing him to enter 2026 with an uncertain future could create a very awkward situation. If the Steelers are no longer sold on Tomlin long-term, a "mutual" split might be best for both parties.

Tomlin has never delivered a losing season as Pittsburgh's head coach, but he hasn't delivered a playoff win since 2016 either. Of course, the Steelers would have to be confident that they can find an upgrade if they allowed Tomlin to look for new landing spots as early as 2026.

San Francisco 49ers: Make the Call on Brandon Aiyuk

AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File

49ers WR Brandon Aiyuk

Last month, Dianna Russini and Michael Silver of The Athletic reported that the San Francisco 49ers were unhappy with how Brandon Aiyuk handled the recovery from his 2024 knee injury and voided his 2026 guarantees as a result. Doing so could clear the way for Aiyuk's release.

However, Aiyuk isn't gone just yet, and GM John Lynch recently told The TK Show with Tim Kawakami (h/t David Bonilla of 49ers Webzone) that he hopes to see Aiyuk back on the field.

Deciding Aiyuk's future in San Francisco, or lack thereof, will be a critical step in the 49ers' upcoming offseason. If Aiyuk is on his way out, impending free agent Jauan Jennings may become a bigger priority, and the 49ers may look for other ways to upgrade their receiving corps. The 49ers believed that Aiyuk would be the centerpiece of that group when they signed him to a four-year, $120 million extension last offseason.

Seattle Seahawks: Keep Adding to Sam Darnold's Supporting Cast

AP Photo/Danny Karnik

Seahawks QB Sam Darnold

The Seattle Seahawks have a championship-caliber defense. They also appear to have found their quarterback in Sam Darnold, who is proving that last season's Pro Bowl campaign in Minnesota was no fluke.

Seattle has one of the most complete rosters in the NFL this season, but it could afford to put a few more weapons around Darnold. The Seahawks could potentially lose running back Kenneth Walker III and receiver Rashid Shaheed—who was acquired at the trade deadline—in 2026 free agency. They could also use additional receiver depth behind superstar Jaxon Smith-Njigba.

Adding a potential long-term No. 2 receiver by targeting a prospect like Chris Bell or Denzel Boston would make a ton of sense for the Seahawks.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Reload the Defense

AP Photo/Tyler Kaufman

Buccaneers CB Jamel Dean

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers were one of the NFL's hottest teams early in the season. However, injuries and some underwhelming defense have Tampa clawing to stay atop the NFC South. Tampa's offense is slowly getting healthier, but its defense pretty much is what it is.

The Bucs can't simply wish away the injury bug in the offseason. They can, however, improve their 21st-ranked defense through free agency and the draft.

Retaining key contributors like cornerback Jamel Dean and Lavonte David should be a big part of the equation. However, GM Jason Licht should use some of Tampa's projected $40.3 million in cap space—along with multiple draft picks—to add potential difference-makers to the defense this offseason.

Tennessee Titans: Find the Right Coach for Cam Ward

AP Photo/David Richard

Titans QB Cam Ward

The Tennessee Titans have a lot of work ahead of them, but surrounding rookie No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward with the pieces he needs to succeed is at the top of the to-do list.

Naturally, that means putting a better supporting cast around the young signal-caller. Ward has shown flashes of elite upside as a rookie but has been hard to properly evaluate as part of one of the league's worst offensive rosters.

Before that, though, Tennessee must identify a head coach who can develop Ward and accentuate his strengths. It quickly became clear that Brian Callahan wasn't that coach, and he was fired in mid-October.

Interim coach Mike McCoy hasn't been much better, so the Titans should already be poring over this year's top coaching candidates.

Washington Commanders: Turn Over an Aging Roster

AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez

Commanders LB Bobby Wagner

The Washington Commanders reached the NFC title game in their first season with head coach Dan Quinn and quarterback Jayden Daniels. However, this year's struggles have shown that Washington may not be as close to true title contention as previously thought.

It's time for Washington to start looking at the big picture and begin building for the future. General manager Adam Peters must prioritize a youth movement next offseason, as Washington's roster is rapidly aging.

The Commanders had the league's oldest roster entering the 2025 season, with 25 players over the age of 29, according to Jimmy Kempski of the Philadelphia Voice. A few older players, like Deebo Samuel and Bobby Wagner, are probably worth retaining. However, many older vets should be on the way out.

Washington must use the draft and its $94.9 million in projected cap space to add younger players who can grow alongside Daniels and help give the Commanders a chance to win beyond 2026.

*Contract and cap information from Spotrac.