This roster is not far away from contending. The problem is if Anthony Richardson can’t emerge into a viable NFL starting QB, the Colts will be set back multiple years. After two seasons, it’s hard to say things are looking good.
The Steelers are always contenders, but never serious ones. This list is about teams that can actually compete for a Super Bowl. When is the last time anyone took the Steelers as a serious threat to win a Super Bowl? Until Pittsburgh actually rebuilds, they will be stuck in mediocrity.
It’s possible the Panthers have their answer at quarterback, which is why they aren’t higher. This roster still needs a lot of work after going 5-12 last season. They need wide receivers and an entire defense, which is not going to be fixed in one year. But it is possible to see the Panthers emerging in a couple of years if Bryce Young turns out to be very good.
The Saints have been in a perpetual state of limbo since Drew Brees retired. Their roster has always been good enough to compete, but they haven’t found the answer at quarterback. Seemingly stuck with Derek Carr for at least another year, the Saints can compete for a playoff spot, but a Super Bowl feels like a pipe dream.
The only reason the Raiders aren’t higher is because they actually don’t have a terrible defense. Plus, they were wise enough to realize Antonio Pierce has no business being an NFL head coach. With a new coach, solid receiving weapon in Brock Bowers and Jakobi Meyers, and a good defensive core, the Raiders just need to find a QB. Easier said than done, though, and since they are unlikely to find one this year, it’s hard to envision them contending anytime soon.
There’s an argument to put the Jaguars even higher on this list. One constant is these teams all don’t have a franchise QB…except the Jaguars think they do, which is arguably even worse. Trevor Lawrence is, at best, a low-end NFL starter. Yet, he’s being paid like a clear top 10 QB. The Jaguars won’t be able to truly compete until they realize Lawrence isn’t the answer, move on from him, and find a suitable replacement.
Going 3-14 isn’t always a bad thing. The Titans could turn their fortunes around quickly with the No. 1 overall pick. We saw what Jayden Daniels was able to do for the Commanders in just one season. However, there’s no clear franchise QB in the 2025 class and there may not even be a single NFL-caliber starter. With no answer at quarterback and a poor defense, the Titans competing does not seem to be anywhere close.
It’s hard to imagine the 2025 version of Aaron Rodgers taking a team to the playoffs, let alone winning a Super Bowl. The Jets essentially handed their roster over to Rodgers, who brought in his buddies, but failed to provide so much as a playoff appearance. Now, Rodgers seems as good as gone, leaving the Jets with old players and no quarterback.
Jan 5, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images
Last year, the Giants seemed to think they had to decide between keeping Saquon Barkley or Daniel Jones. They failed to realize the answer was neither. After going 3-14, the only reason the Giants are a tick ahead of the Browns is because they have Malik Nabers. This team needs an offensive line, a quarterback, and help on defense.
What a disaster. The Browns mortgaged their entire future in a highly controversial acquisition of Deshaun Watson. Instead of the MVP candidate version of Watson, they got, quite literally, the worst quarterback football. Cleveland went 3-14 last season. Their best player, Myles Garrett has requested a trade. They have to rid themselves of the Watson contract and only then can they start to build a winning team.
