Having separated the contenders from the noncontenders some teams have already started planning their extensive rebuild for next season. A coaching change, a new front office or an extensive roster review will be the first step in the transformation. Here are eight teams who need to make some major moves in order to rebound next season. Las Vegas RaidersDespite Pete Carroll’s experience as a turnaround specialist, the Silver and Black stumbled out of the gate under his direction. The offense does not resemble the ground-and-pound attack he prefers due to Chip Kelly’s inconsistent play calls and the offensive line’s struggles. Although the offensive coordinator has promised to find more equilibrium with Ashton Jeanty taking on a heavier workload as a rookie, the Raiders are still going to struggle without an elite frontline to protect the former first-rounder. Great offenses have blue-chip players at the edge of the line. The Raiders signed left tackle Kolton Miller to a 3-year, $66-million deal to keep him as the blindside protector. But the team needs to find an elite right guard to balance out the offensive line. Carroll needs to hire a high-quality offensive tackle in 2026. Pete Carroll hasn’t had a great start to his first season as a Las Vegas resident. Arizona Cardinals The Cardinals are a much better team than their record indicates, based on their five losses by a combined 13 points. It’s partly due to the inconsistency of their running game, which falters at critical moments. Without a marquee running back to mask the offensive line’s deficiencies, the Cardinals have been unable to control the game and tempo when a few first downs could make a difference between winning and losing a one-score game. Position fix: To relieve some of Kyler Murray’s burden, the Cardinals need to find an elite runningback to put in their backfield. The former No. When healthy, the former No. With a steady running game supporting him, he could spend more time targeting Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison Jr. With the team unlikely to pay big bucks for a veteran running back on the free agent market, the Cardinals turn their attention to the draft to snag a top runner like Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love to anchor a revamped ground attack next season. Cleveland Browns The “Dawg Pound” has been eerily silent despite one of the league’s top defenses playing in the backyard. Despite Myles Garrett’s best efforts, the Browns’ stifling defense cannot make up for the offense’s ineptitude. From schematic concerns to a lack of blue-chip talent at several marquee positions, including quarterback, the Browns do not have the firepower to keep up with the AFC’s heavyweights. The Browns must build a franchise around Kevin Stefanski, if they retain him as head coach. Stefanski will need a quarterback who is able to excel in his system, whether he chooses a reclamation project (Mac Jones or Daniel Jones) or a player drafted in 2026. The Browns need a quarterback who can put an end to the rotation of the quarterback position. Miami Dolphins The culture reset in South Florida has not produced the results Mike McDonald desired this season. Though the Dolphins’ chemistry has seemingly improved, the on-field performance has not matched some of the positive vibes emanating from the locker room. Although the Dolphins’ defense has been strong, their lack of offensive output from a team that is led by guru should cause the front office staff to reevaluate the personnel. To reclaim their position as a contender in the AFC, the Dolphins will need to revamp their entire lineup. This includes the pass-catchers, playmakers, and protectors. TuaTagovailoa’s performance hasn’t been what many hoped for when they signed him to a four-year contract worth $212.4 millions in 2024. Though the Dolphins’ QB1 is not solely to blame for the team’s offensive woes, his inconsistent production makes it hard for the offense to find its rhythm. McDonald must either find a new way to get more from his franchise quarterback or find another option to spark an offensive loaded with speedsters on the perimeter but few points in 2025. New York Giants The Giants might have found their “Big Three” with Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and Malik Nabers slotted in as QB1, RB1 and WR1. Even though the Giants’ playmakers are out for the season, they must continue to develop around the franchise quarterback that has brought the swagger to New York. The Giants can return to prominence by adding pieces to their offensive line that will keep him safe or an additional weapon to use in the passing game. Front office staff should be able focus on improving offense in the off-season, with the defense locked down behind a dominant frontline. If Brian Daboll is re-appointed as head coach, then he will have to help his young QB make a quantum jump in his second year. Dart could benefit from a high-end receiver opposite Nabers to help him become a better passer and distributor. The free agents available tend to be more WR2 type players (Jakobi Jennings and Jauan Myers), but the draft may offer more explosive options early on. Jaxson Dart, a rookie, and Cam Skattebo are strong building blocks for the Giants. New York Jets It is never a good thing when the owner calls out the starting quarterback as a problem, but Woody Johnson might have directed his anger at the wrong person when citing the Jets’ biggest woes. Tanner Engstrand has yet to find the spark in his offense, despite having some playmakers at important positions. Breece Wilson’s running backs and Garrett Wilson’s receivers should have enough firepower to be competitive in the AFC. With a young tight end with outstanding potential in Mason Taylor and an offensive line that features some talented young players, the Jets have the offensive personnel to compete with the AFC’s top squads.Position fix: Justin Fields will be targeted as the player holding the franchise back due to the quarterback’s impact, but some quarterbacks must be inserted into schemes that accentuate the strengths of their games. Since Engstrand has not cracked the code to Fields’ game this season, the embattled offensive play-caller could nudge Aaron Glenn to find a better option in 2026. Though the draft class is murky at this point, the Jets could throw a flier at an intriguing prospect to see if a new franchise quarterback can reverse the team’s fortunes next season. Tennessee Titans The early dismissal of Brian Callahan threw the Titans into a tizzy before the season was fully underway. The Titans hope that their franchise quarterback, Cam Ward, can use the experience to become a dominant athlete next year. The rookie has gained valuable experience from each rep, despite the abysmal results. Ward’s 17 games this season could make him a more effective player and leader. Position fix: The Titans must first identify the right head coach for Ward to reach his full potential as an All-Pro player. Whether it is an offensive guru who is coming off a fantastic season like Buffalo’s Joe Brady or an unlikely candidate who is visionary with CEO traits, the Titans must start the rebuild with a head coach who knows how to win with a young quarterback. New Orleans Saints Kellen Moore was doomed from the start when the Saints opted for developmental quarterback prospects over draft weekend. Tyler Shough may become an elite football player but the Saints need an older rookie who can carry a team lacking in young playmakers. The Saints’ inconsistent offense and disorganized play on defense are a perfect match for a tough NFC field. They need to overhaul their roster in order to compete. Position fix: If the Saints are lucky enough to hit on Shough as a franchise quarterback with promise, the team must address the defense’s lack of a pass rush in 2026. Cam Jordan’s NFL career is about to end and the Saints are in need of a disruptive All-Pro to play the edges. The 2026 draft class is loaded with young talents who could provide a spark (Miami’s Ruben Bain, Clemson’s Peter Woods, and TJ Parker) immediately as “DPR” (designated pass rushers) on a defense that needs to create more splash plays. Tyler Shough must be determined as the Saints’ long-term quarterback. Bucky Brooks works as an NFL analyst at FOX Sports. He also analyzes games for NFL Network as well as co-hosting the “Moving the Sticks podcast”. Follow him on twitter @BuckyBrooks.
2025-10-31 14:56:52
There’s Always Next Year: Fixing 8 NFL Non-Contenders for 2026
