One burning offseason question for every AFC team
The Super Bowl is officially over, but with the scouting combine and free agency looming, NFL front offices don't have much time to relax.
Here's every AFC team's biggest question heading into the 2026 offseason.
AFC I NFC (Wednesday)
Baltimore Ravens
Was 2025 an aberration or a sign of trouble?
Lamar Jackson and the Ravens were shells of their prolific selves in 2025. After leading the NFL in offense in 2024, the Ravens plummeted to 16th in that category last season and dropped to 27th in passing yards. The defense also regressed, and the Ravens missed the playoffs for only the second time in eight years. In comes Jesse Minter, who replaces longtime head coach John Harbaugh. With Minter and new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle injecting fresh ideas, can Jackson and the Ravens not only revive their playoff hopes but push even further? Or was 2025 the first sign that this team's window is quickly closing?
Buffalo Bills
How will Brady's vision for the team differ?
Quarterback Josh Allen remains the driving force behind the Bills' Super Bowl hopes, now under Joe Brady's leadership. Buffalo is trying something different after the defensive-minded Sean McDermott consistently struggled to get over the hump, promoting Brady - formerly the offensive coordinator - and hiring Jim Leonhard as defensive coordinator. The Bills want to see a change in their postseason results, but how much difference does Brady bring to the table, given that he served under McDermott?
👉 See who's favored to win the AFC next season on theScore Bet here
Cincinnati Bengals
How do they inject life into the defense?
Cincinnati's Achilles' heel has long been its leaky defense. While Joe Burrow's health deserves attention, the Bengals allowed 380.9 yards (31st in the NFL) and 28.9 points (30th in the NFL) per game in 2025. With Trey Hendrickson likely on his way out, boosting the pass rush will be critical. Adding veteran defensive linemen to last year's draft class and strengthening depth in the secondary would significantly help an underperforming group.
Cleveland Browns
Did they set Monken up for failure?
After working his way up the coaching ranks, Todd Monken is finally getting his shot as an NFL head coach. However, several challenges await him. The Browns' quarterback room lacks a clear starter, even if rookie Shedeur Sanders showed flashes last season. Although tight end Harold Fannin was a revelation in 2025, Cleveland doesn't have a true No. 1 receiver, and the offensive line is aging and in disarray. The defense features Myles Garrett, but replacing defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz will be a steep task for the first-year coach.
Denver Broncos
Can the offense acquire more high-end talent at skill positions?
The Broncos won 14 games and came within a win of hoisting the Lombardi Trophy despite not having elite playmakers for Bo Nix to feed. Starting running back J.K. Dobbins' season ended prematurely, exposing RJ Harvey for not being up to par. And while Courtland Sutton had a 1,000-yard season, he's probably a better fit as a 1B receiver rather than a true No. 1. What Denver could really use is a home-run hitter either in the backfield or out wide. That would help take a lot of pressure off Nix and the defense.
Houston Texans
Is there any way to save Stroud?
C.J. Stroud's 2023 rookie year feels like a distant memory. The 24-year-old has struggled to reproduce the magic that had him recognized as a surefire bet to be the Texans' long-term answer at quarterback. Instead, he's only gotten worse with some seriously inconsistent play and an ugly playoff performance earlier this year. Houston changed offensive coordinators last offseason, but it made no difference. Does head coach DeMeco Ryans have another solution? At the rate it's going, Stroud could become the franchise's latest what-if case.
Indianapolis Colts
Did they lead themselves into a dead end?
The Colts were locked into a competitive window the moment they traded two first-round picks for cornerback Sauce Gardner. As a result, the franchise almost has to attempt to re-sign quarterback Daniel Jones and receiver Alec Pierce. Pierce appears to be the safer gamble after recording a team-high 1,003 yards in 2025, but does it make sense for Indianapolis to pay him and Michael Pittman Jr.? The Colts could cut Pittman for cap savings, though it might be worth keeping him in win-now mode. Then there's Jones, who started brilliantly before tearing his Achilles. Banking on that small sample size being sustainable is a risk, yet Indy might not be able to pivot after backing itself into a corner.
Jacksonville Jaguars
What is Thomas Jr.'s role moving forward?
A year after a stellar rookie season, Brian Thomas Jr. came back down to earth in his sophomore year with 707 yards and two touchdowns. The Jaguars held onto Thomas at the trade deadline amid speculation they could cash out his value, but might they move him this offseason? The former first-round pick is in a crowded receiver room consisting of Jakobi Meyers and Parker Washington, plus Travis Hunter - though it appears Hunter will be predominantly on the defensive side now.
Kansas City Chiefs
What can they do to help Mahomes?
Kansas City brought back Eric Bieniemy to serve as offensive coordinator. Whether a familiar face is the right remedy to push the stagnant Chiefs' offense forward is up for debate. More concerning, though, is whether this team can do much else to help Patrick Mahomes with limited resources, as the organization is projected to have a league-low negative $54 million in cap space. While some relief could come from veteran cuts and restructures, the Chiefs still have important in-house free agents to re-sign, like Bryan Cook, Jaylen Watson, and Travis Kelce. Is there enough dough to bring in a top free-agent running back or wide receiver?
Las Vegas Raiders
Will Crosby remain with the team?
Maxx Crosby is reportedly unhappy, and although he's brushed off trade rumors, he hasn't completely closed the door. The star defensive end would have no shortage of suitors, but new head coach Klint Kubiak and owner Mark Davis said last week they want Crosby on the team moving forward. Even with a potential rebuild coming, there's no reason for Las Vegas to trade the pass-rusher, who will still be 29 when the 2026 season starts. Besides, look how quickly drafting well or finding a high-caliber quarterback can help shoot teams from the basement to contention - do the Patriots and Seahawks ring any bells? The best chance for the Raiders to get early returns on their Kubiak investment is to make sure their five-time Pro Bowler stays on the roster.
Los Angeles Chargers
Can McDaniel take Herbert to the next level?
The Chargers will get tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt back from injury, but the biggest catalyst for improvement for Herbert might be the new offensive coordinator. Mike McDaniel's quick-passing game has been shown to elevate quarterbacks and mask offensive line deficiencies, which will aid Justin Herbert after he was sacked a career-high 54 times last year. Entering his seventh season, Herbert is still chasing his first playoff win and the MVP-caliber campaign that many thought was possible when the Chargers drafted him sixth overall in 2020.
Miami Dolphins
Will cutting Tagovailoa derail the offseason?
The Dolphins already have over $50 million in dead cap after releasing Tyreek Hill, Bradley Chubb, and James Daniels, and Tua Tagovailoa might be next. Releasing the 2020 first-rounder will saddle the club with another $99.2 million in dead money, and it's unclear whether late-season replacement Quinn Ewers can fill his shoes. While there's no doubt that moving on from Tagovailoa is in the franchise's best interest, it presents a challenge for new general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, who will have to navigate his first offseason with significant financial obstacles.
New England Patriots
How can they avoid a Super Bowl hangover?
The Patriots have a lot of great pieces that should give them confidence in avoiding a Super Bowl hangover, including MVP candidate Drake Maye and cornerback Christian Gonzalez. However, New England has some glaring issues that can't be ignored. For starters, the club will have to endure a first-place schedule following its 14-3 campaign. Left tackle Will Campbell was also exposed on the biggest stage, and although the team plans to keep him at his position, one has to wonder how long his leash will be if he continues to struggle. Meanwhile, K'Lavon Chaisson, who had 7.5 sacks, is a free agent, and the Patriots will be drafting at the end of the first round. The Super Bowl may have been a preview of the tests New England will face in 2026.
New York Jets
What's their best option at quarterback?
Head coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets are seeking a soft landing after the Justin Fields experiment. With Tyrod Taylor hitting free agency and Brady Cook having limited starting experience, the cupboard is bare. General manager Darren Mougey has said New York will exhaust every option at quarterback. The No. 2 overall pick in this spring's draft may provide the answer, but the Jets will likely explore free-agent and trade options before they're on the clock.
Pittsburgh Steelers
What do they do if Rodgers doesn't return?
Love it or hate it, it feels as if everything is falling into place for Aaron Rodgers to run it back. Still, the Steelers can't just bank on that. After all, Rodgers is known for stretching these things out in dramatic fashion. There needs to be a contingency plan in place, and it has to be better than Mason Rudolph or second-year pro Will Howard. Despite new head coach Mike McCarthy talking up Howard's potential, the fact remains that he's still a sixth-round pick who hasn't played a single preseason or regular-season snap.
Tennessee Titans
What is Saleh's plan for improving the defense?
Despite having former No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, the Titans chose a defensive-minded head coach over one focused on offense. That says a lot about where this team perceives its major weakness. New head coach Robert Saleh has his work cut out for him, as Tennessee allowed 938 points over the last two seasons, the second-worst in the NFL. The Titans need to improve drastically at cornerback and edge rusher. Fortunately, Saleh will have plenty of resources to give the unit a makeover, holding the No. 4 overall pick and a league-high $104 million in cap space.
US: Must be 21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER; Hope is here. Call (800)-327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org for 24/7 support (MA); Call 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY).
ON: Please play responsibly. 19+. ON only. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, call ConnexOntario 24/7 at 1-866-531-2600. Text us at 247247 or chat with us at www.connexontario.ca.