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Rebuilding the Worst NFL Team in Each Division into a Playoff Contender
The New England Patriots and Chicago Bears have something in common. Both teams went from worst to first in their respective divisions, winning double-digit games. With the right offseason moves, a few clubs can pull off the same feat in 2026.
As bottom-tier teams mull over critical decisions ahead of the offseason, let's take a look at a three-step rebuild plan for the worst team in every division.
These offseason moves are geared toward contending for the playoffs next season more so than a long-term path to contention.
Worthy of note, the Detroit Lions lost their season series to the Minnesota Vikings. So despite a tie in win-loss record, they're currently the worst team in the NFC North.
AFC East: New York Jets
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The New York Jets signed quarterback Justin Fields to a two-year, $40 million contract, but they aren't getting much in return for that investment. Head coach Aaron Glenn benched Fields after Week 11, and the 26-year-old signal-caller will finish the season on injured reserve with a knee injury. Gang Green can designate him as a post-June 1 cut and save $10 million, per Over the Cap.
Even if the Jets draft a quarterback in April, they can upgrade their bridge-gap option to win more games next season. Mills has 29 career starts and played well, filling in for C.J. Stroud this year, throwing for 719 yards, five touchdowns, and an interception while leading the Houston Texans to a 3-0 record. The Las Vegas Raiders could draft Fernando Mendoza, but a Mills-Dante Moore combination would brighten the Jets short- and long-term future.
Coming off his most productive campaign, Hall is set to become a free agent in March, but Gang Green shouldn't allow him to hit the open market. Sure, the club has depth with Braelon Allen, who's on injured reserve, and Isaiah Davis, but Hall is an established three-down tailback.
New York will have $82.3 million in projected cap space in 2026, which is more than enough to retain him.
In a running theme here, the Jets should focus on improving their 28th-ranked scoring and total offense. Defensive-minded lead skipper Aaron Glenn can coach up his side of the ball, but first-year offensive coordinator Tanner Engrstrand needs another perimeter playmaker.
If Tate declares for the upcoming draft, Gang Green can make a shrewd move by using its second first-round pick (from the Indianapolis Colts) in a trade-up scenario. The Jets shouldn't solely rely on Garrett Wilson in the passing game. If he misses time like he did this year, the quarterback would have to rely on second- and third-tier receivers and a young tight end group. An Ohio State Wilson-Tate combination would spark the aerial attack.
AFC North: Cleveland Browns
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The Cleveland Browns' quarterback room is a muddled mess, but whoever takes snaps under center needs protection. Offensive tackles Jack Conklin and Dawand Jones have struggled to stay healthy. Fill-in left tackle Cam Robinson, whom the team acquired from the Houston Texans this year, will be a free agent.
On top of that, Wyatt Teller, Ethan Pocic and Joel Bitonio also have expiring contracts. Cleveland has several question marks across the offensive line, even if it retains veterans within the unit. The Browns should throw big money at the top free agent offensive lineman.
The Browns have elite edge-rusher Myles Garrett on the front line. They can complement him with a game-changer on the back end. Downs doesn't play a premium position, but he's a chess-piece-type player who can move around the secondary as a cover defender and support the run with physicality.
In cold-weather AFC North battles and home games at the end of the season, the Browns would be able to lean on their defense with Garrett and Downs leading the charge.
Currently, Cleveland has the No. 6 pick in the draft, behind the quarterback-needy Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets. Barring a trade-up maneuver, the Browns will likely miss out on Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore, but they may be able to snag Simpson on the back end of the first round.
When it comes to the Browns' quarterback competition, the more the merrier. Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, Dillon Gabriel and Simpson could battle for the lead position in the offseason.
AFC South: Tennessee Titans
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According to The Athletic's Dianna Russini, the Tennessee Titans will reach out to several defensive coordinators for their head-coaching vacancy. Sure, Tennessee should cast a wide net in the interview process, but it makes more sense to focus on offensive coordinators.
The Titans' No. 1 priority should be developing rookie quarterback Cam Ward, which starts with pairing him alongside a quality play-caller. Defensive head coaches may lose their offensive coordinators every one-to-two years. With a lead skipper who has an offensive background, Ward can grow in a consistent system.
The free-agent wide receiver class isn't a strong group, so the Titans should focus on upside. Doubs will turn 26 in April, and he's racked up a career-high 724 receiving yards despite the Green Bay Packers' deep receiver rotation.
Ward needs a young, reliable wideout. This season, Calvin Ridley missed 10 games, and he'll finish with a career-low 47.2 percent catch rate. The eighth-year veteran will enter his age-32 term in 2026.
The Titans have their potential franchise quarterback, but they need to surround him with a better team. Tennessee ranks 30th in offensive scoring and 28th in defensive scoring. The club can't be picky about position needs.
If general manager Mike Borgonzi isn't able to trade down for more picks, he needs to take the best prospect available in hopes that the player is an Offensive or Defensive Rookie of the Year candidate.
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AFC West: Las Vegas Raiders
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Carroll and Smith couldn't recreate the magic they had in Seattle, where the latter put together two Pro Bowl seasons. Smith has thrown the most interceptions (17) and taken the most sacks (55), some of those because he tends to hold onto the ball for far too long behind a weak offensive line.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport doubts that the Las Vegas Raiders retain Carroll after their disastrous season. The Raiders have lost 10 consecutive games. Las Vegas could attempt to trade or release Smith and fire Carroll. With the No. 1 overall pick, top head-coaching candidates like Klint Kubiak and Joe Brady may be interested in the job.
The Raiders should start a new era with a rookie quarterback. They haven't held the No. 1 overall pick since taking quarterback JaMarcus Russell in 2007, but it's past due for the franchise to take another swing at a long-term draft option at quarterback.
If the Raiders fire Carroll and his staff, the new regime could move guard Jackson Powers-Johnson back to center. If not, Las Vegas should be interested in making Linderbaum the highest-paid center to solidify its offensive line.
With the Baltimore Ravens, Linderbaum has earned Pro Bowl honors in three consecutive terms. He'll be one of the most coveted free agents if the Ravens allow him to test free agency. A Linderbaum-Mendoza snap exchange could be a foundational combination for the Raiders offense.
NFC East: New York Giants
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The New York Giants will fill their head coach vacancy in the offseason, and their search should start with McCarthy, who has a proven track record. The 18-year NFL lead skipper won a Super Bowl in Green Bay and led the Dallas Cowboys to three consecutive 12-5 seasons between 2021 and 2023.
McCarthy's success with high-profile franchises makes him a reasonable fit with the Giants, who need stability. On his watch, Aaron Rodgers won two league MVPs and Dak Prescott led the league in multiple passing categories. The 62-year-old would be able to help Jaxson Dart develop into a quality quarterback.
The Giants don't need a flashy first-round pick. They have their quarterback, Dart, who can grow with wide receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo when they're healthy.
Though the Giants want Dart to protect himself as a ball-carrier, they can also bolster his pass protection with an offensive tackle to bookend left tackle Andrew Thomas. Fano has experience lining up both sides of the line. He could immediately start on the right side, giving Dart maximum protection on his dropbacks.
Greg Van Roten is a solid right guard, but he'll be a free agent ahead of his age-36 season. The Giants should target a younger guard in free agency. Teller's contract will expire at the end of the season. If he doesn't re-sign with the Cleveland Browns, New York may be a potential landing spot.
With Skattebo's rugged run style and Dart's tendency to use his legs, Big Blue needs its big men to lead the way on the ground.
NFC North: Detroit Lions
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Although the Detroit Lions offense ranks third in scoring and sixth in total yards, the unit saw a drop-off following Johnson's departure. In November, head coach Dan Campbell took over play-calling duties from John Morton, but the unit continued to experience inconsistencies in production. Since Week 14, the Lions have seen a decline in scoring.
The Lions can try to poach an assistant who works under a play-calling head coach of a high-scoring team. The Lions could bring some of Johnson's influence back by pursuing his offensive coordinator, Declan Doyle. As another option, they can target Coen's offensive coordinator, Grant Udinski, who's helped the Jacksonville Jaguars' ninth-ranked scoring offense.
Detroit can try to re-sign Al-Quadin Muhammad, who's having a career year with 11 sacks, 26 pressures and nine tackles for loss, but they shouldn't stop there with their pass rush. The Lions will only have one edge-rusher under contract beyond the 2025 campaign, Aidan Hutchinson.
At 34, Mack is still an impact edge defender on all three downs. In 12 outings, he's logged six sacks, 23 pressures and six tackles for loss. With a trio that features Hutchinson, Mack and Muhammad, Detroit would have the players to get after Caleb Williams and Jordan Love in the division.
When Brian Branch lines up in the box or as a deep safety, the Lions need depth at cornerback, particularly in the slot. Amik Robertson has struggled on the perimeter and in the slot, allowing a 113.6 passer rating and seven touchdowns in coverage. He'll be a free agent in 2026. Hilton would be a solid upgrade.
NFC South: New Orleans Saints
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The New Orleans Saints will likely sign wideout Chris Olave to an extension in the near future. This past offseason, they acquired Devaughn Vele, who showed flashes but will finish the season on injured reserve. New Orleans needs a reliable veteran receiver for its young quarterback, Tyler Shough, who looks promising.
Head coach Kellen Moore worked with Allen in his only year as the Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator. He may be interested in reuniting with the savvy 33-year-old veteran, who leads the Chargers in receptions (74) and is second on the team in receiving yards (741).
The Saints must have an honest discussion about Alvin Kamara. This season, he averaged a career-low 3.6 yards per carry, and he'll likely miss his sixth consecutive outing this weekend because of ankle and knee injuries. Kamara will be 31 in July. He's not part of this team's future.
Running back Kendre Miller has a long road to a full recovery from a torn ACL. Instead of waiting for him to get back into action, New Orleans can draft arguably the best running back in the 2026 class. Love could be an immediate impact player who balances the Saints offense. In four of seven years as an offensive play-caller, Moore has fielded a top-nine rushing offense. In his system, Saquon Barkley nearly broke the single-season rushing record.
The Saints won't have much cap-space flexibility, so they'll need to bargain-bin shop for free agents. In the best-case scenario at left guard, New Orleans can sign a veteran to a one-year deal and draft a rookie understudy on Day 2. A stronger line would help Love rack up rushing yards.
NFC West: Arizona Cardinals
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At this point, it seems like a foregone conclusion that the Arizona Cardinals will move on from Murray. Initially, they started Jacoby Brissett in place of Murray because of injury, and the team has continued to hold out the latter on injured reserve, though he may be healthy enough to suit up.
Regardless, the Cardinals can finalize their divorce with Murray via trade. General manager Monti Ossenfort didn't draft him. Arizona may be able to get a first-round pick for the two-time Pro Bowl signal-caller.
If the Cardinals move on from Murray, they'll need a veteran replacement. Arizona will likely miss out on Fernando Mendoza and Dante Moore if the Las Vegas Raiders and New York Jets take quarterbacks before them.
In free agency, Arizona could pursue Willis, who's made strides in Green Bay over the last two years. Over the last couple of seasons, he's thrown for 972 yards and six touchdowns without an interception, and rushed for 261 yards and three scores. The 26-year-old may have more untapped potential.
Regardless of how the Cardinals address the quarterback position, they should move on from Gannon, a defensive-minded head coach with a .300 winning percentage over three seasons.
Looking at league-wide trends, head coaches with an offensive background, such as Liam Coen and Ben Johnson, have been home-run hires. Sure, Mike Macdonald is leading a 13-3 Seattle Seahawks squad, but his offense may not look the same if he loses play-caller Klint Kubiak. Arizona needs an innovative offensive play-caller to make the most of its quarterback situation.
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