.jpg?w=1280 "Buccaneers Dolphins Football")
Worst-Case Scenario for Every NFL Team's Offseason
The NFL offseason is a time of hope, and for teams at every stage of development, success may feel more attainable than ever before.
The New England Patriots just appeared in Super Bowl LX a year after posting a four-win record. The Seattle Seahawks won the big one after missing the playoffs in 2024 and adding a few key pieces during the 2025 offseason.
Heading into 2026, every team can believe that, with the right additions and ideal developments, it can set up a deep playoff run. Of course, if a team doesn't put the proper pieces in place, it may crash and burn as franchises like the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and New York Jets did this past season.
Every team's situation is different, but let's dive into the worst-case scenario that each should avoid at all costs.
Arizona Cardinals Try and Fail to Trade Kyler Murray
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Though he was a two-time Pro Bowler early in his career, Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray has never won anything of note in the NFL, and he's failed to establish himself as a reliable and consistent signal-caller.
The Cardinals' offense operated more efficiently last season with journeyman Jacoby Brissett behind center than it did with Murray. Now, Arizona would like to trade Murray, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
It's possible that Arizona will find a trade partner. Murray is, after all, a former No. 1 overall pick who has flashed an intriguing ceiling. High-level starters don't tend to hit the free-agent market, and Indiana's Fernando Mendoza is the only first-round caliber QB prospect in the draft class—and he's essentially guaranteed to go to the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 1.
If the Cardinals can't find a taker for Murray, though, they could have problems. Cutting him outright would cost a minimum of $54.7 million in dead money, and keeping him could create a very awkward situation for new head coach Mike LaFleur.
Atlanta Falcons Part With Kirk Cousins Only to See a Michael Penix Jr. Setback
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There's a world in which bringing back Kirk Cousins would make a ton of sense for the Atlanta Falcons. He has played under new head coach Kevin Stefanski before, and third-year QB Michael Penix Jr. is coming off a torn ACL.
However, the Falcons recently restructured Cousins' contract in a way that will make his $67.9 million 2027 salary guaranteed on March 13. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the move was made in order to make it easier for Atlanta to cut Cousins this offseason.
This largely means it'll be Penix or bust in 2026, which sets the stage for a truly disastrous scenario. If the 25-year-old, who has now suffered three significant knee injuries, suffers a setback in his recovery, the Falcons could be left without a quarterback plan.
Atlanta will likely look to bring in some form of veteran quarterback insurance this offseason. However, having to depend on a journeyman would be a worst-cast scenario for Stefanski, who was fired by the Cleveland Browns after years of trying to make it work with a patchwork group of QBs.
Baltimore Ravens Reach Contract Standoff with Lamar Jackson
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The Baltimore Ravens decided to move on from longtime head coach John Harbaugh after a rocky season. According to ESPN's Jameson Hensley and Jeremy Fowler, a strained relationship between offensive coordinator Todd Monken and quarterback Lamar Jackson played a role in the team's dysfunction:
"Despite great success together in 2023 and 2024, Jackson and Monken had chemistry issues this past season, according to team sources."
The hope is that with new head coach Jesse Minter in the fold, Jackson can return to Pro Bowl form and help put Baltimore back in the playoff picture. The worst-case scenario for the Ravens would involve Jackson deciding he doesn't want to return at all.
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, Jackson is set to enter contract negotiations with the Ravens. If talks break down, it could create a massive problem.
Jackson is set to carry a $74.5 million cap hit that the Ravens would clearly like to lower. If the two-time MVP sours on negotiations, there's a chance he could request a trade, as he did when he was unhappy with contract talks in 2023. However unlikely, that would be a disaster for the Ravens.
Buffalo Bills Fail to Land Receiver Help
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The Buffalo Bills fell in the divisional round of the playoffs. They subsequently fired head coach Sean McDermott for not getting more out of a team quarterbacked by 2024 MVP Josh Allen.
It was an odd decision, considering the Bills largely lost in January because Allen made too many mistakes while trying to play hero ball. He was consistently let down by a patched-together receiving corps and may have yielded a very different outcome with more reliable targets.
And along with firing McDermott, Buffalo promoted the general manager who crafted an underwhelming receiving corps and the offensive coordinator who failed to adapt.
GM Brandon Beane and new head coach Joe Brady will continue to build Allen's support system. If they fail to land a truly dependable go-to receiver or two, the Bills can't expect a different outcome. Targeting a free agent like Alec Pierce or a prospect like Notre Dame's Malachi Fields—who was Buffalo's pick in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest mock draft—is a must.
Carolina Panthers Can't Find an Improved Pass Rush
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The Carolina Panthers were a surprise in 2025, getting a mostly good campaign out of quarterback Bryce Young and winning the NFC South. They even came close to upsetting the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round, losing only after Matthew Stafford capped a touchdown drive with less than a minute remaining.
Carolina will need to continue putting pieces around Young, and retaining running back Rico Dowdle would be wise. However, its biggest priority should involve improving a pass rush that was one of the league's worst.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown and rookie linebacker Nic Scourton tied for the team-lead with five sacks apiece this past season. As a team, Carolina logged just 30 sacks, tied for the third-fewest in the league. The Panthers simply can't expect to go far in the postseason if they can't get after opposing quarterbacks.
Free agents like Jaelan Phillips and Odafe Oweh, as well as draft prospects like Akheem Mesidor and Cashius Howell, must be on Carolina's radar this offseason.
Chicago Bears See Their Secondary Collapse
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Like the Panthers, the Chicago Bears came close to knocking off the Rams in the postseason. Also like Carolina, Chicago couldn't stop Matthew Stafford when it mattered most.
The reality is that the Bears' defense was never good enough to win a Super Bowl in 2025. It was great at creating takeaways and led the league in that category. However, it was bad overall, ranking 29th in yards per carry allowed and 28th in net yards per pass attempt allowed.
The Bears need to improve all three levels of their defense; failing to do so would be detrimental. What would be even worse is watching some of those turnover creators walk without finding upgrades.
Safety Kevin Byard III, cornerback Nashon Wright, and safety Jaquan Brisker are among Chicago's list of impending free agents. Those three combined for 13 of the Bears' 23 interceptions.
The Bears can't bank on their defense being a turnover machine again in 2026. They certainly can't afford to exit the offseason without a secondary capable of generating takeaways.
Cincinnati Bengals Watch Joe Burrow Suffer Another Injury
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To be fair, any NFL team would find it tough to lose its starting quarterback to a significant injury during the offseason. For the Cincinnati Bengals, though, it would be an unmitigated disaster.
The harsh reality is that the Bengals have some offensive playmakers but a flawed overall roster. The harsher reality is that head coach Zac Taylor simply can't win without Joe Burrow healthy and on the field. Taylor has proven that time and time again, most recently going 1-8 without Burrow in 2025.
Cincinnati continually lost this past season, despite trading for Joe Flacco, who played quite well.
The Bengals desperately need to improve a defense that ranked 31st overall last season if they hope to return to playoff contention. However, they won't even have hope if something unfortunate happens to their star signal-caller.
While other teams regularly find ways to pick up wins with fill-in quarterbacks, Cincinnati has shown that it is incapable of doing so.
Cleveland Browns Refuse to Buy into Todd Monken
8 of 32.jpg?w=684 "Browns Monken Football")
After he failed to win with a flawed offensive roster, Kevin Stefanski was fired by the Browns. They replaced him with another offensive coach, former Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken. By hiring Monken over defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz, they alienated Schwartz, leading to his resignation.
The way things have unfolded could lead to a very sticky situation for the Browns. Schwartz was well-liked by his players, and some of them may find it hard to buy into Monken's plan because of Schwartz's departure.
Myles Garrett, Denzel Ward, Grant Delpit, and others "touted" Schwartz as their preferred next head coach, according to Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com.
And Monken will need the full support of his locker room if his plan is going to work. According to ESPN's Jameson Hensley and Jeremy Fowler, his coaching style became a problem for the Ravens and quarterback Lamar Jackson:
"Monken's hard-driving coaching style didn't mesh with Jackson, one source said."
If the players don't buy into what Monken is selling this offseason, Cleveland's latest coaching experiment could be doomed before it ever really gets started.
Dallas Cowboys Ignore The Pass Defense
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The Dallas Cowboys had a potent offense in 2025, but rarely got enough defensive stops to beat quality opponents. Their run defense improved after adding Quinnen Williams at the trade deadline, but their pass defense finished as the worst in the league.
Entering the offseason, much of the Cowboys' buzz has surrounded impending free-agent receiver George Pickens. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, Dallas is preparing to use the franchise tag on the talented wideout, which would put further strain on a bad cap situation.
Dallas is already projected to be $31.5 million over the salary cap.
If the Cowboys put too much effort into clearing cap space to retain Pickens and ignore their pass defense, it would keep the offense interesting, but it would be a worst-case scenario for the overall team. Dallas simply isn't going to go deep in the postseason with a lackluster pass rush and a sieve of a secondary.
The good news is that the Cowboys have two first-round picks thanks to the Micah Parsons trade. They should strongly consider using both on defenders, as predicted in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's latest mock draft.
Denver Broncos Fail to Find Weapons for Bo Nix
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There's a very real chance that the Denver Broncos would have reached Super Bowl LX if quarterback Bo Nix hadn't suffered a broken ankle during the divisional round. Denver carried an elite defense into the AFC title game and lost a 10-7 game to the New England Patriots with Jarrett Stidham at quarterback.
However, the Broncos probably wouldn't have fared much better than New England did against Seattle, even with Nix healthy, due to a serious lack of offensive firepower.
Denver needed offensive playmakers entering last offseason. While rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey made a significant impact, other additions, like Pat Bryant, Evan Engram, and J.K. Dobbins, really didn't. The offense ranked a respectable 14th in scoring, but consistency was a massive problem.
The Broncos can't afford to spend another offseason only half-attacking their need for playmakers. Pass-catchers, like free-agent Alec Pierce and Washington prospect Denzel Boston, must be high on Denver's wish list.
Detroit Lions' Offense Takes a Step Back Under Drew Petzing
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The Detroit Lions must upgrade their 22nd-ranked defense through free agency and the draft. What would be even worse than failing to improve the defense, though, would be allowing a talented offense to regress further than it did in 2025.
The Lions' vaunted offense simply wasn't the same after offensive coordinator Ben Johnson departed to take the Chicago job. Detroit's personnel remained largely unchanged, and the offense still ranked fifth overall. However, it lacked the creativity it featured under Johnson and was unable to consistently offset defensive issues.
Dan Campbell tried to resolve things by taking over play-calling duties during the season. In January, Detroit replaced offensive coordinator John Morton with Drew Petzing. Given that Petzing oversaw a Cardinals offense that ranked 19th overall last season, the change may not have excited the Lions' fanbase.
In a best-case scenario, though, Petzing will install a scheme during the offseason that allows the offense to return to its 2024 form. In a worst-case scenario, he has Detroit's offense looking more like the unit that never tracked the top 10 in Petzing's three seasons in Arizona.
Green Bay Packers Watch their O-Line Fall Apart
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The Green Bay Packers could certainly afford to add a legitimate No. 1 wide receiver this offseason. However, they showed this past season that they can reach the postseason with a mix of good receivers and a quality running game.
Plus, the Packers can still hope that 2025 first-round draft pick Matthew Golden develops into that coveted No. 1 target.
However, Green Bay could be poised for a big step in the wrong direction if it can't protect Jordan Love and open holes for Josh Jacobs. That will be a real danger if the Packers' offensive line falls apart. Unfortunately, that could happen.
Elgton Jenkins is coming off a fractured fibula and looms as a potential cap casualty. 2025 free-agent addition Aaron Banks disappointed in Year 1, while Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan are both slated to be free agents.
Keeping the current group together might not be sensible, but parting with three starters and not finding an upgrade at any spot that isn't right tackle—Zach Tom is well above average when healthy—would be an organizational failure.
Houston Texans Fail to Support C.J. Stroud
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Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud will be extension-eligible this offseason, but the franchise will probably want to see more from the Ohio State product before giving him a lucrative long-term deal. Stroud was excellent as a rookie, but he's been closer to average over the past two seasons.
The lowlight of Stroud's 2025 campaign was a four-interception performance in the divisional-round loss to the Patriots.
If Houston wants to see Stroud return to his 2023 form, it needs to surround him with a better supporting cast. The receiver depth behind Nico Collins remains questionable, and the Texans' offensive line was ranked 27th overall by Pro Football Focus for the season. While rookie Woody Marks flashed some promise, Houston's backfield was not good overall.
The Texans must improve their offensive line and add more playmakers. Impending free agents like Jauan Jennings, Rico Dowdle, and Tyler Linderbaum should be on the team's wish list. If Houston doesn't upgrade its supporting cast, it may go another season without knowing just what it has in Stroud.
Indianapolis Colts Try and Fail to Retain Daniel Jones
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According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to sign quarterback Daniel Jones to a long-term deal.
According to NFL Network's Tom Pelissero, the Indianapolis Colts are looking to sign quarterback Daniel Jones to a long-term deal.
"My understanding is the Colts plan to open talks soon with Daniel Jones on a multi-year deal to keep him in Indianapolis," Pelissero said on The Insiders (h/t Drake Wally of SI.com).
The Colts could use the franchise tag on Jones if negotiations stall, but that would give the quarterback, who is coming off a torn Achilles, a lot of leverage in future negotiations. The tag value is projected to be at $47.2 million, and that number would likely serve as the floor for the annual value Jones would be willing to accept.
The worst-case scenario for Indy would involve the team refusing to use the tag, failing to ink an extension, and losing Jones on the open market. That would leave the Colts starting over (again) at the game's most important position, with few enticing alternatives in free agency or the draft.
Jacksonville Jaguars' Defense Gets Worse
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The arrival of head coach Liam Coen helped the Jacksonville Jaguars revitalize their offense in 2025. However, Jacksonville's defense left something to be desired. While the unit was good at creating takeaways, it wasn't great overall.
Jacksonville finished the year ranked 11th in yards allowed, but just 21st in passing yards allowed. The defense recorded a mere 32 sacks as a unit, too. Ideally, the Jags will find ways to improve their defense this offseason. Actually getting worse would be the worst-case scenario, but it's possible.
Defensive contributors like Devin Lloyd, Andrew Wingard, Montaric Brown, Christian Braswell, Dennis Gardeck, and Greg Newsome II are all scheduled to be free agents. Jacksonville is projected to be roughly $9.2 million over the salary cap.
Getting receiver/corner Travis Hunter back and healthy should help the defense. However, general manager James Gladstone must find a way to clear cap space, retain a couple of key defenders, and add more impact players—without the benefit of a first-round pick. Otherwise, the Jags will be in real danger of a serious 2026 regression.
Kansas City Chiefs See a Patrick Mahomes Setback
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The Kansas City Chiefs just finished their worst season of the Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes era. After reaching the AFC title game in seven straight campaigns, they failed to make the playoffs and lost Mahomes to a torn ACL and MCL in mid-December.
Even when Mahomes was healthy, the Chiefs struggled, largely due to a flawed offensive roster. Pass protection was average at best, and Kansas City struggled to find consistent playmakers.
Unfortunately, the Chiefs face a nearly $58 million cap deficit and can't simply buy their way to a better roster. They may find ways to rebound with only minor roster turnover, but they'll need a healthy Mahomes to do it.
"It's been going great," Mahomes said in mid-January, per NFL.com's Eric Edholm. "Obviously, long term, I want to be ready for Week 1. The doctor said I could be."
The Chiefs don't necessarily need to rush Mahomes back in Week 1. However, if a setback in his offseason recovery causes him to miss significant time, 2026 will quickly turn into another lost season.
Las Vegas Raiders Can't Improve the Offensive Line
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The Raiders have their head coach in former Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak. In a couple of months, they'll have their quarterback in Hoosiers quarterback Fernando Mendoza. The next step for Las Vegas must involve improving its offensive line.
Last year's O-line was a disaster for the Raiders, in part because standout left tackle Kolton Miller missed most of the year with a high-ankle sprain and a leg fracture. Poor guidance by offensive line coach Brennan Carroll only compounded the issues.
The result was an offensive line that was ranked dead-last in the league by Pro Football Focus. The unit struggled to protect Geno Smith, and it failed to provide running lanes for rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.
If the Raiders are going to set up Mendoza for early success, they have to improve the line and support him with a strong running game. That could involve targeting free agents like Braden Smith and Tyler Linderbaum, and it may mean targeting a draft prospect like Utah's Caleb Lomu after snapping up Mendoza.
Failing to bolster the group could be a worst-case development for the Raiders, and certainly for their soon-to-be rookie quarterback.
Los Angeles Chargers Don't Rebuild Their Offensive Interior
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The Los Angeles Chargers came close to winning the AFC West, despite the fact that Justin Herbert played much of the season hurt and behind a horrendous offensive line.
Herbert was sacked 54 times during the regular season and another six times during L.A.'s wild-card loss to New England.
Part of the reason the Chargers' line struggled was that standout tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater both suffered season-ending injuries. They'll be back and healthy in 2026. However, the interior of the offensive line was also a major issue that must be addressed this season.
Zion Johnson was mostly fine at left guard, but he's an impending free agent. Right guard Mekhi Becton largely disappointed, while center Bradley Bozeman was a flat-out liability.
The Chargers must upgrade their offensive interior if they hope to keep Herbert healthy and go deeper into the postseason. Free agents like center Tyler Linderbaum and guard Wyatt Teller should be on L.A.'s wish list. So should prospects like Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane.
Los Angeles Rams See Matthew Stafford Reverse Course
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The Los Angeles Rams seemingly got good news moments after quarterback Matthew Stafford was named the 2025 MVP.
"I'll see you guys next year. Hopefully, I'm not at this event and we're getting ready for another game at SoFi," Stafford said during his acceptance speech at the NFL Honors.
Presumably, the 37-year-old has every intention of making another run with the Rams. However, he might not want to do it in the final year of his current contract, which carries a $48.3 million cap hit.
"I'd be surprised, based on what I know, if Stafford played for that," NFL Media's Ian Rapoport said on The Insiders (beginning at the 2:15 mark).
A year ago, the Rams allowed Stafford to speak with other franchises about a trade before working out a new deal to keep him in L.A. A worst-case scenario would see things reach a similar point this offseason, with Stafford deciding he doesn't want to play in 2026—at least not for the Rams.
Miami Dolphins Are Forced to Run it Back with Tua Tagovailoa
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There was a time when head coach Mike McDaniel and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa seemed like a perfect pair for the Miami Dolphins. However, Tagovailoa hasn't played consistently well since 2023, and McDaniel was fired this offseason.
Miami has a new head coach in Jeff Hafley, and Tagovailoa has publicly stated that he'd welcome a fresh start elsewhere. It will benefit no one if the Dolphins are essentially forced to start Tagovailoa again in 2026.
No team is likely to trade for Tagovailoa and his $56.3 million cap hit. The Dolphins will have to eat $99.2 million in dead money if they release the 27-year-old, but they can lessen the immediate pain by doing so with a post-June 1 designation. Of course, parting with Tagovailoa will require finding a new starting quarterback.
As previously mentioned, there won't be a ton of options out there. Miami could turn to Quinn Ewers, as it did late last season, but it may also try giving Tagovailoa one more shot with a new regime—which would be a mistake.
Tagovailoa frequently flopped in McDaniel's offense last season, and he's not likely to fare any better under new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, who also comes from the Kyle Shanahan tree. And if Tagovailoa flops again, it could create early setbacks for Hafley.
Minnesota Vikings Alienate Justin Jefferson
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Minnesota Vikings star receiver Justin Jefferson had the least productive season of his career in 2025, and the struggles of second-year quarterback J.J. McCarthy played a role. Jefferson made it clear after the season that he believed Minnesota would have been better off keeping Sam Darnold.
"Having a quarterback that already had a season under his belt with us, knew the plays, knew the playbook, knew the players, throwing to me, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson, all these guys, I definitely feel like we would have done better," Jefferson told USA Today.
NFL Network's Ian Rapoport expects the Vikings to bring in a veteran quarterback to compete with McCarthy this offseason. Ideally, that will improve the QB position and help Jefferson return to Pro Bowl production. If that doesn't happen, however, the Vikings may risk alienating their best offensive player.
A worst-case scenario would involve Jefferson becoming so unhappy with the QB situation and Minnesota's outlook that he demands a trade. A trade may not actually be feasible—his contract still has $72.2 million in dead money on the books—but the Vikings do not need the distraction of a disgruntled receiver.
New England Patriots Get Stuck in a Contract Standoff with Christian Gonzalez
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New England's need for better receiving weapons and an improved offensive line became clear during Super Bowl LX. However, the Patriots did reach the title game with their current offensive group. Improving Drake Maye's supporting cast would be ideal, but a lack of major changes might not be disastrous.
What would be a disaster is losing the services of star cornerback Christian Gonzalez. The 23-year-old Pro Bowler helped forge a playoff-caliber defense in 2025 and almost single-handedly kept the Patriots in the Super Bowl for much of the game.
Gonzalez will be extension-eligible this offseason, and whenever contract talks get underway, the possibility of a holdout looms. The good news is that Gonzalez doesn't sound like a player who would consider sitting out or demanding a trade.
"This is where I got drafted, and I don't want to be anywhere else," he said, per Mark Daniels of MassLive.
A worst-case scenario, though, would see Gonzalez missing valuable offseason time and then either not being present or not at 100 percent for a stretch in the regular season.
New Orleans Saints Don't Improve Tyler Shough's Supporting Cast
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New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough didn't start in Week 1 as a rookie, but once he finally took over the offense, he provided plenty of hope. The Louisville product went 5-4 as a starter with a 91.3 quarterback rating and showed signs of being the quarterback of the future.
If the Saints want Shough to improve in Year 2 while putting themselves back in the playoff conversation, they have to improve their offensive cast. New Orleans needs a high-end receiver opposite Chris Olave, help along the interior offensive line, and a durable running back who can complement or replace an aging Alvin Kamara.
The problem is that New Orleans is staring down a $41.8 million cap deficit. GM Mickey Loomis will undoubtedly create some cap space, but he may also have to do a lot of his roster building through the draft.
Expect New Orleans to be very interested in high-floor draft prospects like Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, who was the Saints' pick in the Bleacher Report Scouting Department's post-Super Bowl mock draft. What the Saints can't afford to do is ask Shough to carry a below-average offense again.
New York Giants Fail to Reload the Offensive Line
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The New York Giants seem to have found their quarterback in Jaxson Dart. However, the Mississippi product has a habit of taking on contact, which led to several trips to the blue medical tent during his rookie season. New head coach John Harbaugh will undoubtedly try to convince Dart to play smarter, but a good offensive line could help him stay healthy, too.
New York's line took a positive step in 2025, finishing the season ranked ninth overall by Pro Football Focus. However, the Giants could use upgrades at left guard and center, and they could potentially lose right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, who is an impending free agent.
The Giants can't afford to allow their offensive line collapse this offseason. Keeping Dart upright and opening holes for Cam Skattebo and the ground game will be keys to New York's offensive success. Re-signing Eluemunor would be a strong first step, but New York shouldn't stop there.
According to SNY's Connor Hughes, the Giants are expected to target center Tyler Linderbaum in free agency. They should, and they should then turn their attention to prospects like Miami's Francis Mauigoa, who was New York's pick in the B/R Scouting Department's latest mock draft.
New York Jets Simply Can't Find a Starting Quarterback
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The New York Jets once employed Sam Darnold, who is now a Super Bowl winner. Their inability to develop young quarterbacks has been a massive problem for many years, leaving them without a surefire starter entering the offseason.
The Justin Fields experiment was a flop, and he was benched in-season for journeyman Tyrod Taylor, who is an impending free agent.
New York did secure the No. 2 pick in April's draft. Unfortunately, Fernando Mendoza is expected to go No. 1 overall, and there isn't a QB prospect worthy of the second pick. Perhaps the Jets will take a flier on Alabama's Ty Simpson or LSU's Garrett Nussmeier later in the draft, but there's no guarantee they'll exit draft weekend with a starting-caliber quarterback.
And in a worst-case scenario, the Jets would fail to find a starter at all. If they try but fail to make a run at a free agent like Daniel Jones or Malik Willis and then strike out in the draft, they may have no choice but to tank for 2027 draft positioning and hope that next year's QB class is more impressive.
Philadelphia Eagles Alienate A.J. Brown
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Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown didn't hide his frustrations regarding the offense's struggles this past season. There's no guarantee that the risky hiring of Sean Mannion as the offensive coordinator will help boost the offense enough to satisfy Brown.
Mannion has just two years of coaching experience at any level.
Brown may be happier on a different team, and according to NFL Network's Mike Garafolo, trade talks are expected to pick up at the scouting combine. Brown's contract includes $72.5 million in dead money, but there are ways to lower that number—either with a restructure or by convincing a team to take on the guaranteed portion of his 2026 compensation.
A worst-case scenario, though, would see the Eagles trying and failing to move Brown, who remains unhappy with the state of the offense and his role. After last year's issues, Philly doesn't need a bigger offensive distraction, and having Brown on the roster and wanting to be elsewhere would be exactly that.
Pittsburgh Steelers Bring Back Aaron Rodgers with the Same Offensive Roster
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The Pittsburgh Steelers don't have a long-term plan at quarterback, and with an underwhelming 2026 quarterback class, they're not likely to find one in the draft. With former Packers head coach Mike McCarthy taking over for Mike Tomlin, though, Pittsburgh might convince Aaron Rodgers to return for the short-term.
According to NFL Network insiders Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo, Rodgers and McCarthy have spoken several times about that possibility.
McCarthy and Rodgers, of course, won a Super Bowl together in Green Bay. However, reuniting those two in Pittsburgh without upgrading the rest of the Steelers' offensive cast would be a worst-case scenario.
Despite having a solid backfield tandem in Kenneth Gainwell and Jaylen Warren, Pittsburgh had one of the league's worst overall skill groups in the league. Rodgers didn't have a dependable perimeter target aside from DK Metcalf, and the Steelers ranked 25th in total offense.
Running it back with Rodgers and the current roster would probably leave the Steelers right back to where they are in 2027—coming off an early playoff exit and with no shot at a top quarterback draft prospect.
San Francisco 49ers Don't Land Pass-Rushing Help
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The San Francisco 49ers' run to the divisional round was remarkable, given how many major injuries the team endured during the regular season. One of the biggest was Nick Bosa's torn ACL, which he suffered three games into the season.
With Bosa sidelined, the 49ers' pass rush floundered. The defense recorded just 20 sacks as a unit and finished the year ranked 20th in yards allowed. Defensive coordinator Robert Saleh did an excellent job of keeping the defense functional, but he's now gone.
Even if Bosa is healthy and ready to return by Week 1, the 49ers must add pass-rushing help. They have $25.5 million in projected cap space and should use a chunk of it to target impending free agents like Trey Hendrickson, John Franklin-Myers, and Odafe Oweh. San Francisco should also consider draft prospects like Texas A&M's Cashius Howell and Illinois' Gabe Jacas.
Improving the pass rush is a must, and failing to do so would be a critical error. The 49ers have enough talent to push for an NFC West title, but they can't expect to go far in the postseason while fielding the league's least-productive pass rush again.
Seattle Seahawks Experience a Mass Exodus
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Keeping a Super Bowl-caliber roster together is rarely an easy task, and that's the challenge that Seahawks general manager Josh Schneider will face this offseason.
Several key contributors, including cornerback Riq Woolen, receiver/returner Rashid Shaheed, cornerback Josh Jobe, safety Coby Bryant, and Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III, are slated to be free agents next month. Other teams will be interested in them, looking to get a piece of that Super Bowl puzzle.
Seattle has already lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, who left to become the Raiders' head coach. He's quite likely to take other members of the Seahawks' staff with him.
Now, the good news is that the prospect of returning to a championship roster is alluring. The Seahawks also have $73.1 million in projected 2026 cap space, meaning they can make competitive offers for players they want to keep.
A worst-case scenario, though, would see the Seahawks lose the majority of their top free agents, along with Kubiak and several assistants, and end up with a team incapable of navigating the Super Bowl hangover.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers Can't Find a Pass Rush
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Injuries along the offensive line and in the receiving corps helped derail the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' promising 6-2 start. Even if the Bucs had managed to win the NFC South, though, they probably wouldn't have had the defensive difference-makers needed to go far in the postseason.
Tampa was mostly solid against the run, but it consistently struggled to contain opposing passers. The defense was ranked just 26th in net yards per pass attempt allowed, largely due to a toothless pass rush.
The Bucs recorded 37 sacks as a team, with YaYa Diaby being the only defender to record more than five. Free-agent addition Haason Reddick, who was expected to bolster the group, logged just 2.5.
If the Buccaneers hope to field a playoff-caliber defense in 2026, they have to make the pass rush a priority this offseason. That means they must target free agents like Khalil Mack and John Franklin-Myers, along with draft prospects like Texas A&M's Cashius Howell and Miami's Akheem Mesidor.
If the Bucs don't bolster their pass rush, they may struggle just to stay relevant in the division next season.
Tennessee Titans Fail to Support Cam Ward
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The Tennessee Titans believe they have their franchise quarterback in 2025 first overall pick Cam Ward. Already this offseason, they've paired him with an experienced head coach in Robert Saleh and a seasoned play-caller in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll.
If the Titans hope that a few coaching changes will be enough to get Ward playing up to his draft status, though, they'll be disappointed.
Saleh is a defensive-minded coach. As a coordinator or head coach, Daboll hasn't consistently produced strong offenses outside his four years with Josh Allen in Buffalo. If they're going to find success with a second-year quarterback, they need to see a significant offensive overhaul.
Ward really didn't have a single go-to receiver as a rookie, and he was sacked a league-high 55 times. Running backs Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears formed a serviceable tandem, but the duo often struggled to find room behind an offensive line that Pro Football Focus ranked 23rd overall.
In short, the Titans failed Ward in Year 1. Doing it again would be the worst-case scenario, especially since it would be a choice. Tennessee has a league-best $99 million in projected cap space. It needs to use it to chase free agents like wideout Jauan Jennings and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker before engaging in an offensively-driven draft.
Washington Commanders Can't Improve The Defense
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Two years ago, the Washington Commanders made a surprising run to the NFC title game. This past season, their campaign was derailed by injuries and by a defense that simply couldn't find its way.
In November, head coach Dan Quinn took over defensive play-calling duties from coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who was fired after the season. The coaching switch had little impact, as the Commanders lost four of six after their Week 12 bye and finished dead-last in yards allowed.
Washington can only hope that it experiences better injury fortunes in 2026. Over the next few months, it absolutely must find ways to improve things on the defensive side of the ball. It will start with implementing the system of new coordinator Daronte Jones, who most recently served as Minnesota's defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator.
From there, the Commanders must add impact defenders to their defense, while hoping Bobby Wagner wants to return for another season. Otherwise, a return to 2024 form will be unlikely.
Washington has $68 million in cap space and must target legitimate difference-makers like edge-rusher Odafe Oweh and cornerback Riq Woolen in free agency. It must also target top defensive draft prospects, such as Texas Tech edge David Bailey, who was the Commanders' pick in the latest B/R Scouting Department mock draft.
*Cap and contract information from Spotrac.
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