Top Offseason Priority for Eliminated 2026 NFL Playoff Teams

Two weeks into the 2026 NFL postseason, 10 teams are in search of answers as to what went wrong in playoff exits. Some clubs will start with interviews for head coaching vacancies, and others will need to take a deep look at the roster.

Every offseason is a busy one across the league. Front offices will look to trade, acquire and re-sign talent while balancing the salary cap. Though teams that bowed out early in the playoffs may not be far from a deeper run next season.

We have highlighted the top offseason priority for the 10 squads that lost in this year's postseason and why these moves can lead to a brighter short- and long-term outlook.

Buffalo Bills: Hiring an Offensive HC Who Can Develop Talent Around Josh Allen

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Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen

On Monday, the Buffalo Bills fired Sean McDermott, who led them to the playoffs in eight of the last nine seasons and five AFC East titles. With a strong track record in the regular season, he lost his job because of disappointing playoff exits. On his watch, Buffalo never advanced beyond the AFC Championship Game.

Reigning MVP Josh Allen can lead Buffalo to the playoffs with a double-digit record, but in order for the club to reach the next level, he needs more help around him. 

In this year's divisional-round loss to the Denver Broncos, Allen threw two interceptions and lost two fumbles, but the Bills still had a chance to win the game in overtime. Wideouts Mecole Hardman and Brandin Cooks had opportunities to move the Bills into field-goal range, but they didn't come up with contested catches.

When Allen isn't playing at a Superman level, he needs high-end playmakers to help him overcome a subpar outing. 

The Bills must hire an offensive-minded head coach like Mike McCarthy or Klint Kubiak who can elevate the talent around Allen. If the team promotes offensive coordinator Joe Brady to lead skipper, general manager Brandon Beane should make a move for a big-play wide receiver like A.J. Brown or Brandon Aiyuk.

Carolina Panthers: Building Continuity Around QB Bryce Young

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Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young

Quarterback Bryce Young helped lead the Carolina Panthers to the playoffs for the first time since the 2017 season. Though he only threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 starts, the third-year signal-caller led six game-winning drives this season.

Young has done enough to be the unquestioned starter for at least another year. He'll have another offseason to grow with wideouts Tetairoa McMillan, Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker, who will be an exclusive-rights free agent this offseason.

Still a relatively young team in one of the league's weaker divisions, the Panthers have a lot of room to grow if they run it back with most of the current roster intact. Young isn't quite playing up to the expectations of a recent No. 1 overall pick, but he's trending in the right direction. 

The Panthers have picked up Young's fifth-year option, which is a vote of confidence in him. Now, they can shift their focus to maintaining and developing the signal-caller's supporting cast for a bigger leap next season.

Chicago Bears: Restocking the Safety Group

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Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker

The Chicago Bears don't have a safety under contract in 2026. Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III, Jonathan Owens, Jaylon Jones and Elijah Hicks will all be free agents this offseason. 

Byard played at an All-Pro level and led the league with seven interceptions, but he'll turn 33 in August. Brisker, though much younger at 26, isn't as polished in coverage. He allowed a 127.6 passer rating and five touchdowns in coverage this season. On the other hand, he's a sure tackler who can strengthen the Bears' 27th-ranked run defense.

Chicago has a strong cornerback unit that includes Jaylon Johnson, Tyrique Stevenson and Kyler Gordon, but the front office must sort out the safety position. With a solid duo patrolling center field, the Bears would have one of the league's top secondary groups in 2026.

Brisker wants to re-sign with Chicago, but his lapses in coverage may influence the Bears to look for a replacement if they don't re-sign Byard.

Green Bay Packers: Replacing Defensive Coordinator Jeff Hafley

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Green Bay Packers coach Jeff Hafley

On Monday, the Miami Dolphins hired Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley to be their head coach.

In two seasons with the Packers, he led a top-11 scoring defense that also ranked top 12 in total yards. Among the most notable advanced metrics, Green Bay finished third in defensive third-down conversion rate and seventh in pressure rate.

With a healthy Micah Parsons, the Packers fielded a dominant defense in stretches, a unit that helped balance a playoff-caliber squad. The star edge-rusher has a long road to recovery from a torn ACL, so coaching will have to compensate for the potential loss of star power on the defensive front.

The Packers' defensive unit has featured several recent first-rounders but underachieved under former coordinator Joe Barry and played closer to its potential under Hafley. 

Green Bay signed head coach Matt LaFleur to an extension. Now, he must replace a key assistant.

Houston Texans: Committing to a Five-Man Starting Offensive Line Group

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Houston Texans tackle Tytus Howard

Following C.J. Stroud's turnover-ridden performance in the divisional round of the playoffs, his contract has become the biggest talking point, but the Houston Texans don't have to rush into a decision on a new deal. Stroud will have two years remaining on his rookie contract if Houston picks up his fifth-year option.

The Texans should continue to work on Stroud's pass protection and provide the best offensive line possible to allow him to make more plays through the air.

Center Jake Andrews, right guard Ed Ingram and right tackle Trent Brown will be free agents this year.

Last offseason, the Texans tinkered with their starting offensive line permutations. During the regular season, Tytus Howard, Jaret Patterson, Laken Tomlinson and Juice Scruggs all played a significant number of snaps at left guard. Howard lined up primarily at right tackle and saw some time at right guard as well.

In what seems like an ongoing project over the previous few years, Houston must nail down a five-man offensive line that builds chemistry heading into the 2026 campaign.

Jacksonville Jaguars: Adding an Experienced Starting Veteran Cornerback

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Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Travis Hunter

Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone wants Travis Hunter to continue playing wide receiver and cornerback in his second year, but that's not a reliable plan to shore up the secondary.

This past season, Hunter missed 10 games and finished the term on injured reserve with a torn LCL. Though he played both ways on the collegiate level, the 2024 Heisman Trophy winner may eventually have to pick a side in the pros. 

Unless Hunter fully commits to being a cornerback, the Jaguars should invest in the position. Greg Newsome II, whom the team acquired from the Cleveland Browns during the 2025 season, will be a free agent. Jarrian Jones, a 2024 third-rounder, has performed well in stretches, but he's started in just seven out of 34 outings.

The Jaguars should sign or acquire an experienced veteran starter to compete with Jones in case Hunter isn't able to handle a two-way workload. They could take a look at Jamel Dean, who's coming off a solid year with nine pass breakups and three interceptions while allowing two touchdowns and a 63.1 passer rating in coverage.

Los Angeles Chargers: Hiring an OC Who Can Help Reestablish Physical Identity

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Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh

Typically, Jim Harbaugh's teams have a physical identity. In part because of injuries, the Los Angeles Chargers didn't follow that mold in the second half of the season. 

They lost left tackle Rashawn Slater and running back Najee Harris to season-ending injuries. Joe Alt, who lined up at both tackle spots, missed 11 contests. Rookie tailback Omarion Hampton sat out eight games because of an ankle issue.

Despite the key injuries, Los Angeles didn't give offensive coordinator Greg Roman a pass. The club fired him after its Wild Card Round loss to the New England Patriots.

The Chargers should look to replace Roman with a play-caller who understands how to develop the ground game as a complement to quarterback Justin Herbert.

Under Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson, offensive coordinator Declan Doyle is familiar with an effective run game. As the offensive coordinator on Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen's staff, Jim Bob Cooter saw Jonathan Taylor finish third in rushing yards this season. Both could be a fit in Los Angeles if they want to be primary play-callers.

Philadelphia Eagles: Taking the Best Trade Package for WR A.J. Brown

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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown

The Philadelphia Eagles need to hire a new offensive coordinator, which is important, but regardless of whom head coach Nick Sirianni adds to his staff, the team may have to choose between quarterback Jalen Hurts and wide receiver A.J. Brown, whose on-field relationship could be beyond repair.

The Athletic's Mike Silver believes it's "untenable" for the Eagles to retain Brown. 

Following Philadelphia's Wild Card Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, general manager Howie Roseman provided a vague response when asked about the possibility of trading Brown.

Though Hurts has told reporters that his relationship with Brown is "in a good, great place," the three-time Pro Bowl wideout has expressed his frustrations with the offense. 

Hurts is due $51.5 million in guaranteed money for the 2026 term, and he plays the most important position on the team. If the Eagles break up their quarterback-receiver tandem, Brown will likely be on the way out. Expect Roseman to take the best trade deal for the 28-year-old wideout.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Hiring an Offense-Minded Head Coach

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Pittsburgh Steelers general manager Omar Khan

Although the Pittsburgh Steelers never had a losing season under former head coach Mike Tomlin, their offenses were mostly mediocre at best during his 18-year tenure, finishing in the top 10 in scoring just six times since 2007. 

Though Pittsburgh has succeeded under Tomlin, who has a defensive background, the organization must focus on offensive development, and that starts with hiring an innovative play-calling head coach.

Entering the offseason, the Steelers don't have a clear starter at quarterback. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Aaron Rodgers isn't expected to return to Pittsburgh. Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only two quarterbacks under contract. Also, other than D.K. Metcalf, the Steelers don't have a reliable receiver.

Pittsburgh should favor offensive coordinators to handle the tough task of remolding its offense.

San Francisco 49ers: Adding Depth Behind Aging, Injury-Prone Veterans

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San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa

The San Francisco 49ers had nothing left in the tank for the divisional round of the playoffs. They lost multiple key players to injuries on both sides of the ball and couldn't compete with a younger, healthier Seattle Seahawks squad.

General manager John Lynch doesn't need to take big swings at veterans with most of his top players under contract for the 2026 term, but his roster needs more depth at multiple positions.

Edge-rusher Nick Bosa, wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, tight end George Kittle and linebacker Fred Warner will be coming off significant injuries. The 49ers voided guarantees in Aiyuk's contract, casting doubt on his future with the team. Left tackle Trent Williams, who turns 38 in July, and running back Christian McCaffrey have a recent history of injuries.

With $29.9 million in projected cap space for the 2026 offseason, the 49ers should be looking for depth to back up, and if necessary, fill in for those players next season in order to keep their Super Bowl window open.

Player contract and team salary cap details are provided by Over the Cap.