As the NFL turns its attention to the 2026 season, nearly every franchise has a “this is it” need standing between it and true contender status. Some must fix glaring roster holes, others need health, stability or a quarterback to finally take the leap.
Here’s what Yardbarker NFL writers believe each team needs to realistically put itself in the Super Bowl conversation for the 2026 season. (2025 regular-season records are in parentheses.)
NFC East
DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9-1) | Stronger defense | Dallas’ offense felt pressured to score more than 30 points a game in 2025 because its defense was so poor (league-leading 30.1 points allowed per game). The offense scored 27.7 PPG, second most in the league. For the Cowboys to reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1995 season, they need a defense that’s at least half as good as the offense.
NEW YORK GIANTS (4-13) | Consistency | With new head coach John Harbaugh remaking the organization in his image, the Giants will have stability for the first time in a decade. But to win a Super Bowl, the team needs consistency. The defense can’t continue to blow double-digit leads in the fourth quarter, and the offense can’t falter against stronger opponents.
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6) | Stronger rushing attack | In 2024, the Eagles averaged 179.3 rushing yards per game and 27.2 points, but this season, Philadelphia averaged a pedestrian 116.9 rushing yards and 22.3 points. To return to the Super Bowl, the Eagles need an offense that’s true to their ground-and-pound identity and not a system that pretends they’re a high-octane passing offense.
WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (5-12) | Younger core | In 2025, the Commanders had 25 players 29 or older, with an average age of 28.1, making them the oldest team in the league. In contrast, Commanders star QB Jayden Daniels is 25 and still on his five-year rookie contract. Washington must build a strong core of young players. — Conor Killmurray
NFC West
ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-14) | Stability | After another wasted season, the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon. Injuries plagued Arizona in 2025, notably to QB Kyler Murray and running back James Conner, who were placed on injured reserve. Bringing in Sean McVay disciple Mike LaFleur as HC provides optimism, given the success McVay’s former assistants have had. However, with no clear answer at QB and the NFC West gauntlet awaiting, don’t count on the hire alone to yield immediate results.
LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5) | Improved secondary | Getting QB Matthew Stafford back for another season is key for the offense, but more consistent play from the secondary is important, too. DBs Cobie Durant and Kamren Curl combined for three interceptions in the wild-card win over the Chicago Bears, but both are set to become free agents. The Rams have not drafted a cornerback in the first or second round since Lamarcus Joyner in 2014. It’s time to fortify the back end of the defense.
SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5) | Season-long health |
Injuries seem to be the prevailing theme for the 49ers each season, and 2025 was no different. The 49ers dealt with season-ending injuries to All-Pros Nick Bosa (torn right ACL) and Fred Warner (right ankle) and to rookie defensive end Mykel Williams (right knee). Tight end George Kittle (right Achilles) and QB Brock Purdy (turf toe) also missed time. A healthier roster for a 17-game season is key for the 49ers to return to the Super Bowl for a third time under HC Kyle Shanahan.
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (14-3) | Receiving depth | Head coach Mike Macdonald has done an incredible job leading the franchise to its first Super Bowl appearance since the 2014 season. For Seattle to return, its focus should be on getting help around WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards. The next-closest receiver on the roster was wideout Cooper Kupp at 593 yards. — Colby Colwell
NFC North
CHICAGO BEARS (11-6) | Improved defensive line | Chicago’s defense was successful this season because it was opportunistic, leading the NFL in takeaways (33). But the defensive line didn’t affect games enough. The Bears ranked 29th in yards allowed per rush (4.9) and 26th in sacks (35) in 2025. To take the next step, the Bears should explore trading for Raiders EDGE Maxx Crosby.
DETROIT LIONS (9-8) | Fortify the interior offensive line | The Lions lost center Frank Ragnow (retirement) and right guard Kevin Zeitler (free agency) last offseason, but they failed miserably at rebuilding the interior offensive line. Detroit struggled to run in 2025, and QB Jared Goff is not athletic enough to escape the interior pressure Detroit allowed. The Lions must upgrade at center and left guard.
GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7-1) | Better injury luck |
The Packers have the QB, roster and coaching staff to make a Super Bowl run, but impactful injuries have doomed them in recent years. Green Bay lost its top four wide receivers by the wild-card round last season, and it entered this year’s playoffs without superstar EDGE Micah Parsons (torn ACL) and explosive tight end Tucker Kraft (torn ACL). The Packers don’t need to make any sweeping changes — just hope Parsons and QB Jordan Love stay healthy next season.
MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-8) | Steady QB play |
QB J.J. McCarthy threw more interceptions (12) than touchdown passes (11) and missed seven games because of injury in his first year as the starter. Despite that, the Vikings still found a way to finish with a winning record. Minnesota is talented and well-coached, but it won’t win a title unless McCarthy hits the ceiling the Vikings envisioned when they drafted him in the first round in 2024. — Jack Dougherty
NFC South
ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | Invest in interior defensive line |
With a dynamic rushing attack and burgeoning pass rush, the pieces are in place for the Falcons to leap to the top of the NFC South, regardless of who starts at QB. But Atlanta must get better at stopping the run after losing longtime defensive tackle Grady Jarrett in free agency last offseason. In 2025, the Falcons ranked 24th in rush defense (126.2 rushing yards per game), allowing 4.6 yards per carry.
CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9) | Growth from QB Bryce Young |
The No. 1 overall pick of the 2023 NFL Draft is far from the bust he appeared to be as a rookie, although Young’s growth has been more incremental than his peers. He’s coming off his best pro season, but Young is mediocre, ranking 30th out of 42 qualifying QBs in passer rating (87.8) and No. 26 in QBR (47.6) in 2025. Carolina’s hopes of a stunning Super Bowl breakthrough hinge on Young being much better in season No. 4.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-11) | Follow Patriots playbook |
The Saints can look to the Patriots for a blueprint in expediting a rebuild. New England bolstered the roster around young star QB Drake Maye by drafting running back TreVeyon Henderson and using free agency to fortify the offensive line and add a No. 1 receiver in Stefon Diggs. New Orleans could do something similar, using free agency to improve the interior offensive line and add a complement to wideout Chris Olave in the passing game. Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love would be a great addition with the No. 8 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-9) | Veterans to return |
The Bucs are awaiting decisions by linebacker Lavonte David and WR Mike Evans, both veterans who are pondering their futures. David could retire, while Evans could command a decent sum on the open market as one of the top pending free agents. Of the two, Tampa Bay could more easily afford to lose Evans, but losing his veteran leadership would be a major blow. — Eric Smithling
AFC East
BUFFALO BILLS (12-5) | A true No. 1 receiver |
With Joe Brady promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach following Sean McDermott’s firing, it is now or never for the Bills. Buffalo needs a true No. 1 wide receiver for generational QB Josh Allen. Khalil Shakir — the team’s leading wideout this season — only had 719 yards receiving and four TD catches.
MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-10) | A new identity | Bad news: QB Tua Tagovailoa got benched for rookie Quinn Ewers and HC Mike McDaniel and general manager Chris Grier were fired. Good news: The Dolphins brought in former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as HC following a successful run as DC for the Packers. Miami’s 24th-ranked defense allowed 24.9 points in 2025, so it should benefit from the change at the top.
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3) | Continued Improvement from offensive line | The Patriots are set to become the first team to start two rookies on the offensive line (LT Will Campbell and LG Jared Wilson) in a Super Bowl, but that unit is still a work in progress. The Patriots were tied for the ninth-most sacks allowed (48) during the regular season and have given up 15 sacks in their three postseason games so far. QB Drake Maye’s mobility helps, but a more consistent effort from the OL would be welcomed.
NEW YORK JETS (3-14) | A total rebuild | Any hope this franchise has of making a Super Bowl starts with a complete rebuild. In 2025, the Jets got terrible play at QB and from a historically bad defense that failed to record an interception. It’s almost impossible to envision the Jets playing in a Super Bowl anytime soon unless you believe in miracles. — Colby Colwell
AFC West
DENVER BRONCOS (14-3) | A “joker” | A “joker” is a versatile TE or RB who often serves as a pass-catcher in HC Sean Payton’s system. Denver signed TE Evan Engram to a two-year, $23M contract this offseason, but he had just 461 receiving yards in 16 regular-season games. Denver should consider targeting a skill player in free agency, perhaps Falcons TE Kyle Pitts, who earned a second-team All-Pro nod after totaling 928 receiving yards in 2025.
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-11) | A RB who lightens QB Patrick Mahomes’ workload | Mahomes — who suffered a torn ACL in a 16-13 Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers — ranked third on the team in rushing yards (422) and second in rushing TDs (five) in 2025. So it would be wise for the Chiefs to take a RB in the first round of the NFL Draft. With pick No. 9, NFL Mock Draft Database projects that they’ll select Notre Dame Fighting Irish RB Jeremiyah Love, an excellent choice. The 6-foot, 214-pounder was named a Heisman finalist after rushing for 1,372 yards in 12 games in 2025.
LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-14) | Everything |
The Raiders remain one of the worst teams in the NFL after going 7-27 over their past 34 games. They’re expected to take Indiana Hoosiers QB Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 pick in the draft, but they must surround the 2025 Heisman winner with a better supporting cast if they do. In 2025, Vegas ranked last in the NFL in points scored (14.2) and 25th in points allowed (25.4).
LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6) | A healthy offensive line | Offensive tackles Joe Alt (right ankle) and Rashawn Slater (left knee) suffered season-ending injuries in 2025. Consequently, the injury-riddled O-line couldn’t protect QB Justin Herbert, a two-time Pro Bowler who was sacked a career-high 54 times in 16 regular-season games. — Clark Dalton
AFC North
BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-9) | Wide receiver help |
The Ravens have one of the best QBs — and players — in Lamar Jackson and a dominant running back in Derrick Henry to complement him in the running game. But for as good as the running game is for the Ravens, they have consistently struggled to find top-tier wide receiver play, a huge liability.
CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-11) | Better defense |
With QB Joe Burrow and WRs Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, the Bengals have one of the best play-making trios on offense in the league. As long as all three are healthy, few teams can score like the Bengals can. The problem is the defense has been so bad for the past three seasons that it has completely outweighed the positives from the offense. With an even average defense, Cincinnati would be an AFC contender.
CLEVELAND BROWNS (5-12) | New owner | Head coaches have changed, QBs have changed and rosters have been turned over, but the Browns are still losers. That falls on owner Jimmy Haslem, who inserts himself into too many big decisions.
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) | Franchise QB |
It is a testament to how good former HC Mike Tomlin is — and to the strength of the rest of the roster — that the Steelers made the playoffs five of the past six seasons despite mostly mediocre QB play. The Steelers have other needs, but the absence of a franchise QB is the biggest thing holding them back from getting to a Super Bowl level.
— Adam Gretz
AFC South
HOUSTON TEXANS (12-5) | Offensive efficiency |
The Texans rode their NFL-best defense to the divisional round of the playoffs, but their offensive struggles were too much to overcome. Houston’s interior offensive line must be upgraded. The Texans also need more consistency at wide receiver behind Nico Collins, a true playmaker at running back and a better overall offensive scheme to maximize QB C.J. Stroud’s abilities.
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (8-9) | A long-term QB solution | Daniel Jones was enjoying a career revival before he suffered a torn Achilles in Week 14. The Colts were a legitimate playoff contender with Jones in the lineup, but the veteran is headed for free agency and facing a long recovery. 2023 No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson has done nothing in three NFL seasons to show he is capable of becoming a franchise QB.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (13-4) | A continued Trevor Lawrence ascension | Lawrence played MVP-caliber football in head coach Liam Coen’s first year with Jacksonville, particularly down the stretch. Lawrence had a career-high 29 TD passes and led the Jaguars to the playoffs, where they lost a tough game to the Buffalo Bills in the first round. Lawrence had two interceptions in that game, underscoring how important it will be for the 26-year-old to continue to find ways to improve.
TENNESSEE TITANS (3-14) | A complete rebuild |
It remains to be seen if Cam Ward will develop into an elite QB for the Titans, who have needs almost everywhere. New head coach Robert Saleh has inherited a roster with major holes, most notably along the offensive and defensive lines. Tennessee’s only hope of a turnaround is by protecting Ward and giving the 2025 No. 1 overall pick more offensive weapons. — Steve DelVecchio
