We are only two days removed from crowning a Super Bowl Champion, and some fans have already shifted into off-season/mock draft mode.

The off-season is that glorious time of the year when almost any NFL team can convince itself that the future is bright.

While some squads have a better outlook than others right now, there are still hundreds of moves and acquisitions that have not yet been made.

With that in mind, let’s evaluate where each team stands currently regarding next season before free agency and the NFL Draft change the complexion of the league.

Power Rankings

1. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles should be viewed as the best team in the NFL headed into next season. That’s just how it goes after you win the Super Bowl.

Their quarterback, star running back, and four of five starting offensive linemen are scheduled to return to Philly next year. That’s an easy way to guarantee success in 2025.

2. Kansas City Chiefs

They might’ve gotten their asses handed to them in Super Bowl LIX, but they’re still the best team in the AFC. Nobody has come close to toppling KC, as proven by their five Super Bowl appearances over the last six seasons. As long as Patrick Mahomes is the quarterback, the Chiefs are one of the best teams in the NFL.

3. Detroit Lions

As I said previously, the playoff race in the NFC might have looked very different if the Lions weren’t so banged up. Getting back guys like Alim McNeil and a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Aidan Hutchinson will allow Detroit to remain near the top of the NFC playoff picture.

4. Buffalo Bills

The Bills are so close to getting over the Chiefs hump, but they will need to make a splashy move or two this off-season. Trading for Cleveland’s Myles Garrett or Las Vegas’ Maxx Crosby could do the trick.

5. Baltimore Ravens

The season might have ended in a disappointing Divisional Round loss, but Baltimore is still a threat to win the AFC. Running back Derrick Henry and quarterback Lamar Jackson are the best QB-RB duo in the NFL, even better than Philly’s Saquon Barkley and Jalen Hurts.

6. Washington Commanders

The Commanders need to continue to build on the success of this season. That should be easy since quarterback Jayden Daniels is on a rookie contract. That type of financial flexibility will allow Washington to add more pieces on both sides of the ball.

7. Houston Texans

Though the Chargers might be a more threatening team next season, the Texans place higher than them on the list because of the playoff victory. With quarterback C.J. Stroud, head coach DeMeco Ryans, and defensive lineman Will Anderson Jr. all ready for their third season together, I believe Houston will take a big step forward next year.

8. Los Angeles Chargers

The first season of the Jim Harbaugh era was successful despite underperforming in the playoffs. I expect the Chargers to make the postseason next year, but if quarterback Justin Herbert struggles again in the playoffs, then it’ll be time to have an uncomfortable conversation in Los Angeles.

9. Cincinnati Bengals

Cincy needs to fix its defense. They have a great pass rusher in Trey Hendrickson, but they need to shore up their secondary. The Bengals allowed the 12th-most passing yards per game during the 2024-25 regular season. Fix that, and they can easily make the playoffs.

10. Green Bay Packers

2025-26 is the year when it’s all supposed to come together for the Packers. They need to make meaningful additions to their defensive line, secondary, and wide receiver corps, but they have a strong foundation in head coach Matt LaFleur and quarterback Jordan Love.

11. Los Angeles Rams

The window is quickly closing for LA. With wide receiver Cooper Kupp likely on the move and quarterback Matthew Stafford turning 37, 2025-26 might be the last season that the Rams will compete for a championship with this core.

12. San Francisco 49ers

If the Niners didn’t have so many injuries, they probably would’ve contended for a playoff spot. They’ll be fully healthy next year, but they’ll be forced to move on from some contributors to free up the cap space needed to give quarterback Brock Purdy a contract extension.

13. Denver Broncos

The first year of the Bo Nix era was a roaring success. It would’ve been even better if the Broncos didn’t get blown out in the playoffs, though. Denver will add some receivers and running backs, and Nix will be even better in his second season, meaning the Broncos will be in the hunt for a playoff spot.

14. Minnesota Vikings

The Vikes will likely part ways with quarterback Sam Darnold, so their offense will probably take a step back next season. But if rookie quarterback J.J. McCarthy can limit his mistakes and get the ball to his weapons, then Minnesota will once again be a postseason contender.

15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Quarterback Baker Mayfield should have an even better 2025-26 campaign with Chris Godwin’s return. However, Mike Evans is starting to get up there in age, and the Bucs lost their offensive coordinator to the Jacksonville Jaguars. With teams like the Falcons and Panthers on the rise, Tampa could take a small step back.

16. Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons finished last season strong while learning that quarterback Michael Penix Jr. will be the face of the franchise. Wide receiver Drake London and running back Bijan Robinson have also emerged as talented intimidating offensive weapons. Now, they need to fix the defense, which recorded the second-fewest sacks in the NFL last season (31).

17. Seattle Seahawks

Seattle increased its win total from 2023-24 to 2024-25, which is impressive considering they were under the guidance of first-year head coach Mike Macdonald. I expect them to be around the 10-win range again next season so long as quarterback Geno Smith continues to excel as a passer (fourth in yards last season).

18. Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will have another winning season. That is all but guaranteed as long as Mike Tomlin is the team’s head coach. They’ll beat bad teams and upset a few good teams, but they’ll eventually get bounced out of the playoffs before reaching Conference Championship Weekend.

19. Chicago Bears

They have the quarterback (Caleb Williams) and the head coach (Ben Johnson). Now they need to put it all together and start winning some games. Improving the offensive line is absolutely necessary after Caleb Williams was sacked 68 times last season (tied for fourth-most sacks ever taken in a single season).

20. Miami Dolphins

I don’t know where the Dolphins go from here. They’ll probably move on from their best wide receiver, Tyreek Hill. Hopefully, some of their key guys can return from injury relatively unscathed. But if Miami has a repeat of this season, Mike McDaniel might lose his job.

21. Dallas Cowboys

With Dak Prescott coming back, the Cowboys should be much better next season. Then again, I don’t know what Jerry Jones was thinking when he named Brian Schottenheimer the head coach. At least Dallas has plenty of talented players (CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons, Trevon Diggs, etc.). That alone makes them a force to be reckoned with.

22. Arizona Cardinals

The Cards appear to have figured out their offense. Now, they need to make improvements on defense. Their front seven needs to be retooled after Arizona finished the regular season 20th in rushing yards per game allowed. They also need to force more turnovers next season because 17 takeaways aren’t enough to make the playoffs.

23. New England Patriots

I have high hopes for the Pats in 2025-26. They hired a proven winner in Mike Vrabel. I was also impressed with how Drake Maye finished last year (five total touchdowns in his last three full games played). If New England adds a number one wide receiver like Cincinatti’s Tee Higgins or Heisman winner Travis Hunter, they could surprise some people next season.

24. Carolina Panthers

Bryce Young has finally started to look like a top-flight quarterback prospect after finishing the season with ten total touchdowns and zero interceptions in his final three games. They’ll also be getting back their best defensive player: Derrick Brown. The Panthers are on the right track to becoming competitive.

25. Indianapolis Colts

The Colts are in no man’s land at the quarterback position. They could keep Anthony Richardson, who has only played 15 games over the last two seasons. Or, they could move on from Richardson and attempt to start over with a bridge quarterback or try to reach for somebody in the draft. Until they figure out their quarterback situation, the Colts will be one of the worst teams in the league.

26. New York Jets

The Jets are in a similar position as the Colts, but it sounds like they will be moving on from Aaron Rodgers. They still have plenty of talent across the board, but if they end up starting a rookie or second-year quarterback, then Gang Green will probably lose a lot of games. Sam Darnold might be available. Perhaps a reunion is in the works?

27. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jags must bring in extra protection for quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who has missed eight games over the last two seasons. I’m also unsure how new head coach Liam Coen will perform. If his introductory press conference is indicative of his coaching abilities, then Coen’s time with the Jaguars will be awkward and unsuccessful.

28. New Orleans Saints

The Saints continue to find themselves in quarterback purgatory in the post-Drew Brees era. With the ninth overall pick in the draft, I don’t think New Orleans will be able to select a QB unless one of the top guys experiences an Aaron Rodgers-like draft day fall. At least running back Alvin Kamara and wide receiver Chris Olave will be back next season, setting the stage for a much better offense than we saw this year.

29. New York Giants

If the Giants miss out on a quarterback in this draft, then they will probably be the worst team in the NFL next season. Then again, they would probably draft Heisman winner Travis Hunter if that ends up being the case. There are a few bright spots in New York (wide receiver Mailk Nabers and defensive lineman Dexter Lawrence II), but they need to figure out who their quarterback of the future will be.

30. Tennessee Titans

With the number one overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Titans will get to choose who they want to be the face of their franchise: Colorado’s Shedeur Sanders or Miami’s Cam Ward. The luxury of getting to choose the quarterback you want has me ranking the Titans ahead of the Browns.

31. Cleveland Browns

Cleveland is in a horrible position because they have to settle for the second-best quarterback prospect in the draft, AND their best player is looking for a trade. At least Cleveland can make one smart decision this off-season and cut quarterback Deshaun Watson, even if it will cost them tens of millions of dollars.

32. Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are in an even worse position than the Browns because their best player – defensive lineman Maxx Crosby – wants to leave, AND they don’t have a shot at landing one of the top two quarterbacks in the 2025 NFL Draft. With no clear direction at quarterback and their best player likely leaving, the Raiders should be the worst team in the league next year.