Every NFL Team's Best Reason for Hope for Next Year

The funny thing about the NFL is there's always hope. 

It persists regardless of situation. Maybe it's a new head coach, big money to spend in free agency or the allure of good draft positioning. 

Reasons for hope shift based on team standings and goals. Contenders aren't worried about draft positioning, but they sure don't mind drawing inspiration from the stars or coaches who lifted them to this point. 

We've identified the best reason for hope for each team in 2020, spanning a bevy of on-field factors and beyond while keeping in mind each franchise's standing and goals. 

Arizona Cardinals: Kyler Murray

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Maybe the five-win Arizona Cardinals shouldn't have the postseason on their minds in 2020 in what will be a brutal NFC West. 

But it's fun to watch Kyler Murray develop. 

And he did just that as a rookie, improving steadily as the season progressed before settling on a 64.4 completion percentage with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions. He had another 544 yards and four scores on the ground, placing him next to Cam Newton as the only rookie passer with 3,500-plus passing yards and more than 500 rushing yards. 

Drumming up big stats isn't everything. But a 60.4 percent increase in points scored per game under Murray last year is something to get excited about. 

Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan

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The Atlanta Falcons kept head coach Dan Quinn in 2019, and the 7-9 season produced a middling first-round pick. The cap situation a mess, as they figure to have the second-smallest amount of space in the league this offseason. 

Thank goodness for quarterback Matt Ryan. 

Through it all—which included a wealth of injuries to the roster and 48 sacks—the 2016 NFL MVP still completed 66.2 percent of his passes and threw for 4,466 yards, 26 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. A career high in sacks but a touchdown percentage at 4.2 remains impressive. 

The reality is simple: The Falcons are better than their record indicates. If the team can get lucky and avoid the injury bug, Ryan's play will only lift Atlanta higher. 

Baltimore Ravens: Lamar Jackson

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As if there were any doubt. 

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson put on one of the most memorable performances in NFL history this season, completing 66.1 percent of his passes with 36 touchdowns and six interceptions. He tacked on 1,206 yards and seven scores on the ground, and his league-leading touchdown percentage of 9.0 was unreal. 

While NFL defenses will adapt and nudge Jackson into regression at some point, it's hard to imagine it will happen anytime soon. 

While it sure doesn't hurt that Jackson has quality pieces flanking him and a great mind in offensive coordinator Greg Roman leading the way, he's the biggest reason for hope going into 2020. 

Buffalo Bills: Defense

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Yes, the Buffalo Bills' 24-year playoff-win drought continued with the first-round overtime loss to the Houston Texans by all of three points. 

But the biggest point of hope remained: that deadly defense. 

Against the Texans, the Tremaine Edmunds-led unit held Houston quarterback Deshaun Watson to 247 yards passing and largely kept the ground game in check. On the season, the unit ranked No. 4 against the pass and allowed just 16.2 points per game (No. 2) with 44 sacks (No. 12). 

With Patriots signal-caller Tom Brady regressing, a little bump from the offense paired with this elite unit spell big problems for the AFC. 

Carolina Panthers: Matt Rhule

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Change is often a good thing, and the Carolina Panthers have seemed stagnant for a few years. 

The Panthers have decided to go with a collegiate offensive innovator in Baylor's Matt Rhule, as opposed to a veteran like Mike McCarthy, which is sure to provide a jolt of new energy and do plenty of good for the organization. 

Not only will Rhule bring fresh ideas to a roster with intriguing pieces such as Christian McCaffrey, but the right offensive mind also has a shot at revitalizing the career of 2015 MVP Cam Newton (who, by the way, is only 30 years old). 

Keep in mind Rhule gets to pounce on a top-10 pick in the 2020 draft, too. 

Chicago Bears: Eddie Jackson

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This could be about the Chicago Bears defense as a whole, or the obvious: Khalil Mack. But in light of Eddie Jackson's recent four-year, $58.4 million extension, it only felt right to spotlight the rising star. 

Jackson isn't a household name yet, but he played a big part in the Bears' ability to limit opponents to 222.1 passing yards and 18.6 points per game last season. 

On his lonesome, Jackson allowed a 53.5 completion percentage on 43 targets, and had 60 total tackles, two interceptions, five passes defensed and a forced fumble. 

While the Bears have to figure out what they're going to do under center, Jackson is a big reason to hope the team's biggest strength can carry it again. 

Cincinnati Bengals: No. 1 Pick

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The Cincinnati Bengals got their new head coach last offseason after 16 years of Marvin Lewis. And while things didn't pan out as expected for Zac Taylor with the worst start in franchise history (11 consecutive losses) and a 2-14 record, that's what happens when a new coach doesn't get to revamp the roster. 

But this past season showed the front office that has to change. The overhaul starts with the first pick in 2020, which figures to be LSU Heisman Trophy-winning passer Joe Burrow. 

Ending the Andy Dalton era (he has one year left on his deal) with a prospect such as Burrow will reignite the fanbase, not to mention likely improve the on-field product. 

Cleveland Browns: Change

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The Freddie Kitchens experiment was an extreme dud, as the Cleveland Browns posted a worse record in 2019 (6-10) than they did during the Hue Jackson-Gregg Williams run in 2018 (7-8-1). 

But the Browns have a chance to fix that and potentially keep a talented roster in place. 

For fans, the hope has to be that a new direction at head coach will instill some sense of culture, as well as steer Baker Mayfield's career out of busty waters after he completed 59.4 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns and 21 interceptions this year. 

While the Browns don't have the best track record of hiring head coaches, this is the best hope fans have of seeing their first winning season since 2007. 

Dallas Cowboys: Head Coach Shuffle

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As is their wont, the Dallas Cowboys made a ridiculous show of moving on from head coach Jason Garrett. 

And no matter who ends up taking the gig, it has to be a relief for Cowboys fans to get away from the overextended Garrett era that produced just two playoff wins since 2010 on three appearances. 

When viewed through that lens, it's clear the Cowboys have wasted talented rosters. The comforting thought has to be the idea that owner Jerry Jones will keep ponying up the cash to keep stars such as wide receiver Amari Cooper and quarterback Dak Prescott—who are both impending free agents—just as he has done with Jaylon Smith, Demarcus Lawrence and others. 

A new pair of eyes on the talented roster is about as encouraging as it gets for a team that should probably be postseason-bound each season, not sitting at 8-8.

Denver Broncos: Drew Lock

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For a big chunk of the Denver Broncos' season, it didn't seem like Drew Lock would slot into this sort of category. 

Then he got onto the field Dec. 1. 

Lock stunned onlookers down the stretch, going 4-1 as a starter and posting two game-winning drives. He finished his brief intro with a 64.1 completion percentage, throwing seven touchdowns and three picks. 

While it's a little less than ideal the late-season surge pushed the Broncos down to the 15th pick in 2020, it's hard to complain that the team's next potential franchise passer is the one who orchestrated it.    

Detroit Lions: The No. 3 Pick

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The Detroit Lions only won three games in 2019, but it's hard to read into that too much. 

Because while most of it's low-key, the Lions have a lot going for them. Matthew Stafford is still a top-tier passer capable of carrying the franchise. The team is projected for $43.2 million in cap space. And last year, the front office showed a willingness to splurge via the five-year, $90 million Trey Flowers deal. 

Then there's the No. 3 pick. 

Maybe sitting third means the Lions miss out on Joe Burrow and Chase Young. Maybe a team leaps them via draft-day trade. Either way, Detroit will get its pick from a deep class. A top-flight corner such as Jeff Okudah or offensive tackle such as Andrew Thomas, if not a Jerry Jeudy at wideout, just for fun, awaits. The third pick will not only serve as a building block but also help the Lions contend. 

Green Bay Packers: Matt LaFleur

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The Green Bay Packers' underrated defense deserves a nod, but boy, is it hard to ignore what head coach Matt LaFleur did this season.

LaFleur arrived as a a question mark and finished the year with 13 wins, a full sweep of the NFC North and an 8-1 record in one-score games.

Compared to his fellow first-year coaches, LaFleur doesn't have an equal. He accomplished this in a brutal NFC while setting up Aaron Rodgers to throw for 4,002 yards, 26 touchdowns and four interceptions, and reviving the running game with 1,795 yards and 18 scores on a 4.4 per-carry average.

If LaFleur's arrival was this dominant, there's plenty of reason to hope he'll stay ahead of the curve as the NFL adapts.

Houston Texans: Deshaun Watson

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Deshaun Watson doesn't get the same hype as Lamar Jackson or Patrick Mahomes, but his miracle play during the Houston Texans' playoff win over the Bills says it all: He's special. On that play alone, he got sandwiched by converging defenders in what looked like a sack, spun out of it, left the pocket and, with two more Texans collapsing on him, threw an off-balance pass down the field to let his receiver make a play. 

All Watson did over 15 regular-season games was complete 67.3 percent of his passes and throw 26 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while taking 44 sacks. He rushed for another seven scores while averaging five yards per carry. 

All this while ripping off three fourth-quarter comebacks and five game-winning drives behind a line that still isn't good enough. 

Provided that line keeps Watson healthy, the Texans will continue to boast one of the league's brightest stars at its most important position.

Indianapolis Colts: Chris Ballard

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Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard has to deal with more than most. 

Ballard had to rebuild one of the league's worst rosters. His first coaching choice, Josh McDaniels, reneged at the last moment. A guy on pace to be one of the best quarterbacks ever, Andrew Luck, retired before last season. 

And yet here are the Colts, scrapping their way to seven wins, sitting on a top-15 pick and $96.5 million in cap space. Ballard's frugal, smart spending and drafting are encouraging signs even the Luck retirement won't put a damper on for long. 

Which isn't to say the task in front of the Colts is easy—especially with quarterback still an issue. But the front office remains in better hands than most. 

Jacksonville Jaguars: The Offseason

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Nick Foles was a dud in 2019, which seemed like a strong possibility before the Jacksonville Jaguars acquired him, thanks to his middling career. 

While the Jaguars retained head coach Doug Marrone, there's still plenty of reason to think this offseason can be lucrative. The team has the ninth pick and can create droves of cap space by wiggling out of the Marcell Dareus deal, if not those of Foles and others. 

And lots of cap space means paying important stars such as Yannick Ngakoue, who's an impending free agent, if not adding talent via the market to complement strong draft prospects. 

With the way edge-rusher Josh Allen (10.5 sacks) panned out last year and with the emergence of quarterback Gardner Minshew II, one strong offseason could stand between the Jaguars and another playoff berth. 

Kansas City Chiefs: Patrick Mahomes

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It's all about Patrick Mahomes. 

Regardless of what happens in the playoffs, Mahomes didn't skip much of a beat in 2019 despite a knee injury, completing 65.9 percent of his passes and throwing for 4,031 yards, 26 touchdowns and five interceptions. 

Mahomes is somewhat scheme-proof with his ability to improvise in and out of the pocket. It helps that the strong core around him likely isn't going anywhere, either. 

The Chiefs aren't perfect, but putting up another 12 wins while taking a defensive leap is just the icing on the cake. Mahomes gives hope his game-altering play can help the team hoist a Lombardi Trophy. 

Los Angeles Chargers: Offseason Reset

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Things didn't pan out the way the Los Angeles Chargers envisioned in 2019—a slight understatement for a team that put up just five wins a year removed from 12. 

The question that's hanging over Philip Rivers' time with the team isn't fun, either, as the 38-year-old faces free agency and skills decline. But what is? The No. 6 pick and $56.4 million in cap space.

In the draft, the Chargers could be in a position for a top-flight passer such as Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa. And generally speaking, the front office has been money in the first round, having selected Derwin James, Mike Williams, Joey Bosa, Melvin Gordon III and Jason Verrett. 

Free agency will present an interesting opportunity, too, with guys such as quarterback Marcus Mariota and otherwise. Regressions of seven wins don't happen often, and the Chargers have plenty of resources capable of spurring a similar rebound. 

Los Angeles Rams: Sean McVay

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There's no reason to throw in the towel on Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay. 

While it's fun to wonder whether the NFL has figured out one of its brightest innovators, the Rams' 9-7 record wasn't the worst outcome. Jared Goff's play (22 touchdowns, 16 interceptions) was concerning, but McVay can also adapt. 

Interestingly, the Rams could use a little luck. Ty Schalter of FiveThirtyEight noted no team lost more "coin flip" games than the Rams in 2019, which had a ceiling of a 13-3 record. 

The Rams have plenty of work to do, and the highly publicized lack of top draft picks is notable. But tags, cap creativity and trust in McVay should mean plenty of hope going into another offseason.    

Miami Dolphins: The Process

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It couldn't have been fun for Miami Dolphins fans to watch the front office ship away talent such as Minkah Fitzpatrick. 

But it also had to be a little eyebrow-raising to see the team rally down the stretch despite its tank—picking up five wins, including one over the New England Patriots. 

Rather than on one of the league's worst defenses or any number of roster holes that begin at quarterback, the focus should be on the droves of draft picks and about $94.3 million in cap space. 

The players fought for head coach Brian Flores, who has incited a palpable culture change. That in itself is reason for hope, and it looks like the organization has found a plan and is sticking with it.

Minnesota Vikings: Kirk Cousins

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It was nice to see Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins rip off some wicked passes when it mattered most during the team's 26-20 overtime playoff triumph over the New Orleans Saints—on the road, no less. 

The narrative around Cousins' prime-time struggles did much to undermine the fact that many franchises would love to have him under center. He emphasized this again in 2019, completing 69.1 percent of his passes and throwing 26 touchdowns and six picks, putting up a touchdown percentage of 5.9. 

Cousins' play is reason for continued hope. It sure doesn't hurt he's flanked by weapons such as Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs and Adam Thielen, not to mention a defense that allowed just 18.9 points per game this season. 

New England Patriots: Bill Belichick

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A sense of dread hangs over the New England Patriots after an early playoff exit and with Tom Brady leveraging himself toward a big extension. 

What the Patriots do with the legendary free-agent quarterback is hard to say. But there hasn't been any indication Bill Belichick will leave, and NFL fans have seen him operate without Brady just fine in the past (2008, 11-5). 

Really, Belichick had shifted the focus away from Brady in recent years anyway, as the signal-caller's dramatically regressed, especially against the blitz (50.9 completion percentage this year, per ESPN.com). 

With or without Brady, Belichick has $42 million to work with this offseason, the league's best defense at just 14.1 points per game allowed and the simple allure of his system to attract talent.

New Orleans Saints: The QB Position

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The dominant-looking New Orleans Saints fell early in the playoffs after a 13-win season, throwing Drew Brees' future into the spotlight earlier than expected. 

But regardless of what happens with the impending free agent, the Saints should end up in good hands under center. 

Brees, despite completing 74.3 percent of his passes while throwing 27 touchdowns and four picks on a 116.3 rating, had a few costly mistakes at home in the loss to the Vikings. If the soon-to-be-41-year-old passer retires, a new deal with viable starter Teddy Bridgewater won't be hard to secure. Taysom Hill has also shown flashes of talent. 

The Saints have built a powerhouse around the signal-caller, so even if this is goodbye for Brees, New Orleans fans should feel good about 2020. 

New York Giants: Joe Judge

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Joe Judge, who the New York Giants reportedly hired as head coach Tuesday, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, will walk into a great situation. 

Not only is the roster talented, but general manager Dave Gettleman has also admitted past mistakes of trying to contend and rebuild at the same time. 

The hope for Giants fans is that gets reflected in the front office's actions from here. Judge, most recently New England's special teams coordinator and wide receivers coach, inherits a roster with quarterback seemingly solved thanks to Daniel Jones—not to mention the elite presence of running back Saquon Barkley.

Judge will also have the No. 4 pick and $69.5 million in cap space to work with while fashioning the roster to his vision around those players. A massive swing in an exploitable NFC East could result. 

New York Jets: Assets and Flexibility

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Things got weird for the New York Jets in 2020, especially after Sam Darnold had mononucleosis and dealt with various injuries early in the season that seemed to knock things off the rails. 

But if there's a reason for hope, it's the $65.3 million in cap space and the No. 11 pick. Face-planting despite expectations has its perks. 

The Jets have much to improve during the offseason, starting with a line that coughed up 52 sacks and a defense that only put up 35 in that category. 

But since the Jets have quality wiggle room in a number of key areas and no major free agent to retain, smart spending and asset usage could swing this 7-9 hiccup into a big turnaround—especially since AFC East rival New England seems vulnerable. 

Oakland Raiders: The Front Office

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The Oakland Raiders would've liked to avoid a sub-.500 season in 2019, but most of the recent front-office moves have been encouraging.

Antonio Brown didn't work out, but it was nice to see the aggressiveness. Oakland also showed a willingness to splurge in free agency on players such as Trent Brown (four years, $66 million). Two of the team's three 2019 first-round picks were big hits, too, highlighted by running back Josh Jacobs, who had 1,150 yards and seven scores on a 4.8 average over 13 games. 

After seemingly overachieving on the field, the Raiders enter the offseason with the No. 12 pick and $69.4 million in cap space. If the moves keep trending in the right direction, there's plenty of reason to hope for an additional bump in 2020. 

Philadelphia Eagles: Carson Wentz

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Before his early exit from the Philadelphia Eagles' wild-card loss against the Seattle Seahawks with a head injury, Carson Wentz made it through 16 regular-season games after failing to do so in each of the past two years. 

The results were, for the most part, great. Wentz completed 63.9 percent of his passes with 27 scores and seven interceptions, the last number remaining as low as it has in recent years despite more appearances. Perhaps the big complaint is the 6.7 yards per pass attempt. 

But it's encouraging Wentz remained on the field and doubly encouraging he got the offense humming enough to compete in an odd NFC East. With the most important position settled, the Eagles can further surround their franchise passer with talent this offseason. 

Pittsburgh Steelers: Ben Roethlisberger

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Ben Roethlisberger is again the biggest hope for the Pittsburgh Steelers. 

The veteran quarterback will undergo a critical checkup in February, but otherwise, it sounds like he'll be good to go in 2020 after missing most of this past season with an elbow injury. 

The Steelers fought to 8-8, but it's clear that's the extent of their ability without him. If he gets back to his usual play, he'll help improve on the middling campaigns from running back James Conner (464 yards rushing, four scores) and wideout JuJu Smith-Schuster (552 yards receiving, three scores), not to mention help in the four losses by six or fewer points. 

Much hinges on Big Ben's health, as the team traded its first-rounder in the Minkah Fitzpatrick deal and only has $1.5 million in available cap space.

San Francisco 49ers: Kyle Shanahan

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Kyle Shanahan has the San Francisco 49ers in serious contention this year, and it should happen again in 2020. 

Freed from the doldrums of starting Nick Mullens and C.J. Beathard at quarterback, Shanahan's offense put up 30-plus points eight times while going 13-3. Jimmy Garoppolo completed 69.1 percent of his passes with 27 touchdowns, and the ground game scored 23 times. 

Shanahan is the latest offensive innovator to take the league by storm. He's got a capable passer and a top-five tight end in George Kittle, and the organization looks it could make a move for a talented wideout at some point after speculation linked it to Antonio Brown for much of last offseason. 

Even without a big move, Shanahan is outmaneuvering most opposition to the point it's hard not to have confidence in further contention. 

Seattle Seahawks: Russell Wilson

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Most everything is great for the Seattle Seahawks. The team has plenty of draft picks, $68.5 million in projected cap space and some bright defensive stars. 

But nothing trumps Russell Wilson. 

The star QB is only 31 years old and just pulled off more magic to the tune of a 66.1 completion percentage, 31 touchdowns and five interceptions despite suffering 48 sacks in 2019. 

The hope has to be the Seattle front office keeps improving things around Wilson—not blindly thinking issues up front are fine because he can work around them. But few players change the hopes of teams like Wilson can, and that won't stop next season. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Change

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If nothing else, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are willing to spend cash. 

That doesn't always happen in the best manner (Ndamukong Suh, one-year, $9.25 million), but the front office will have $91.8 million to work with this offseason while it retools the roster. 

And the changes could include moving on from longtime starting QB Jameis Winston. If head coach Bruce Arians and Co. go that route, they could look toward free agency with someone like Teddy Bridgewater or use a top-15 pick (or a trade) to grab a potential franchise passer. 

If nothing else, change is exciting because it offers hope that better complementary talents will surround franchise players such as Mike Evans and Lavonte David.

Tennessee Titans: Mike Vrabel

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All anyone had to see during the wild-card round was Mike Vrabel beat New England's Bill Belichick at his own game to know the future is bright for the Tennessee Titans. 

Those Titans took down a dynasty to advance Super Bowl ambitions this year, but 2020 doesn't look too shabby either. Vrabel's defense only allowed 20.7 points per game, and Ryan Tannehill experienced a career resurgence once the staff admitted Marcus Mariota wasn't the answer under center, completing 70.3 percent of his passes with 22 touchdowns against six picks. Never mind Derrick Henry's 1,540 yards and 16 scores. 

Tennessee's smashmouth ways, embodied by Vrabel, have already irrevocably shaken up the AFC. Now he gets about $57 million and draft assets to work with this offseason.    

Washington Redskins: Ron Rivera

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It's been apparent for some time that the Washington Redskins need a serious culture overhaul. 

That much was apparent amid the Trent Williams holdout, and it didn't help that team sported one of the NFL's most consistently injured rosters over the last few years. Don't forget Washington drafted quarterback Dwayne Haskins No. 15 but didn't play him early and fired Jay Gruden just a few games into a new season. 

Washington committed to this overhaul by firing team president Bruce Allen and members of the training staff before bringing on head coach Ron Rivera, who is renowned for his ability to shape both people and organizations. 

While there is quite a bit of work to be done, Rivera's abilities and assets, such as a top-two pick, mean a significant upswing could be on the way. 

Contract info via Spotrac. Advanced stats via Pro Football Reference.