The NFL is a league of extremes. For some NFL teams, the writing’s on the wall — the roster’s stale, the window’s slammed shut, and it’s time to blow the whole thing up and start over.
Yeah, nobody likes the “R” word, but rebuilding is sometimes the only path back to relevance. Clinging to false hope is a surefire way to stay trapped in mediocrity.
On the flip side, there are teams that are right there, teetering on the edge of greatness. The foundation is solid, the stars are in place, and all that’s left is to push those chips to the center of the table.
Let’s take a look around the NFL and call out five franchises that need to strip it down to studs and rebuild—and five that should be gearing up for a Super Bowl run next year!
Which NFL teams should opt to rebuild, and which ones should go all in next year?
Rebuild: New York Jets
The New York Jets walked into 2023 with dreams of Super Bowl glory, Aaron Rodgers jerseys flying off the shelves, and a swagger they haven’t had since Joe Namath promised a trophy.
Four snaps later? Rodgers tore his Achilles, and those dreams turned into a never-ending nightmare.
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And while many New York fans came into this season with hope renewed, a leaky offensive line and a defense that’s been left to rot in frustration have all combined to create a stench that even the most optimistic Jets fan can’t ignore.
The Rodgers gamble blew up, and now the front office has to face reality: This core isn’t good enough. It’s time for this NFL team to sell off assets, get younger, and figure out what a post-Rodgers plan actually looks like.
Starting with a new head coach, a new general manager, and—most likely—a new quarterback.
All in: Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have assembled one of the fastest, most explosive offenses the league has ever seen.
Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle are track stars on the outside disguised as receivers, the Dolphins running game is almost as plug-and-play as the great 49ers rushing attacks we’ve seen over the past couple of years, and Tua Tagovailoa showed what he can do when he’s not getting knocked around like a pinball.
Obviously, there is always an injury risk with him as their quarterback…
But if they are going to keep him as their go-to guy—it is time to push the chips to the middle of the table and go all in.
The Dolphins defense took a hit with injuries in 2024, I mean, losing Jalen Ramsey is a game-changer in the secondary and that’s just the tip of the injury iceberg for the Fins, but Anthony Weaver’s system is still starting to take shape.
And if the front office can go out and get the kind of pass rushers that they need to complement rookie Chop Robinson, who has had a nice start to his NFL career—and some help in the secondary—we could see Miami put out one of the better defenses in the league next year.
The AFC may be a shark tank, but Miami has the teeth to swim with the big boys if they can make a couple of strategic moves this off-season.
Ownership should be adopting a “whatever it takes” philosophy because the window is open, and the fans in South Beach are hungry for some results.
Rebuild: New York Giants
The New York Giants are living proof that one miracle playoff run doesn’t mean you’re set for the future. Brian Daboll and Daniel Jones fooled everyone with a respectable 2022, but the 2023 sequel was absolutely brutal—and it has led to more bad decisions, bad contracts, and bad vibes all around.
To make matters worse for the G-Men, Saquon Barkley, who has been the lone bright spot in New York since they drafted the Penn State standout, is no longer dragging this offense by his sheer willpower but rather, putting up numbers for one of New York’s most hated rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles.
Brian Daboll might be a great coach, but there’s no fixing this roster without a full-on teardown.
The Giants have taken the first step in a full-on rebuilt by finally admitting that they whiffed on Jones with the 6th overall pick in 2019 no less…
It is time for New York to stock up on draft capital to rebuild an NFL team that can actually compete in the NFC East from the ground up.
Buckle up, Giants fans… Because while it may seem impossible, this one could get a whole lot worse before it gets better!
All in: Cincinnati Bengals
2024 has been a massive disappointment for Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals…
The pieces are there. Burrow, Chase, Higgins—this offense should be elite.
But the coaching staff has really struggled to adapt, and the defense hasn’t been able to stop a nosebleed.
Many people have pointed fingers at defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo, whose reputation has taken a beating this year… and with good reason—the Bengals’ defense has been a train wreck and continues to fold when the offense needed them most.
Blown coverages, missed tackles, and a shocking inability to get stops in crunch time have cost the Bengals dearly.
So, while there was a sense in Cincinnati that the Bengals were “all-in” coming into this season with Joe Burrow fully healthy again—they absolutely need to keep the foot on the gas heading into this offseason…
Otherwise, the Joe Burrow window could slam shut faster than expected. And with one or two more disappointing seasons like this, their franchise quarterback could start to look toward greener pastures—if he hasn’t already!
The Bengals need to double down on building a defense that can actually hold the line—and complement an offense that has been among the best in the league in 2024.
Also Read: 5 Active NFL Quarterbacks Who SAVED Their Careers On A NEW Team…And 5 Who DESTROYED Theirs
Rebuild: Jacksonville Jaguars
Trevor Lawrence’s ascent at the end of the 2022 season felt like the start of something special.
And the start to the 2023 season seemed to mark Jacksonville’s arrival, but after that 8 – 3 start, the Jags came crashing back down to earth—and in 2024, it has been more of the same…
If not worse!
Lawrence’s development stalled behind a shaky offensive line, and now he’s out for the remainder of the season.
And Head Coach Doug Pederson seems to have lost his ability to connect with this young squad.
Not to mention the front office! The AFC South isn’t the gauntlet that other divisions are, and this roster still isn’t keeping up!
The Jags need to face facts. Strip it down, rebuild the trenches, and give Lawrence the protection and support he needs to live up to that generational talent billing. If this NFL team keeps pretending everything’s fine, they’ll find themselves at the bottom of the standings yet again in 2025.
All in: Chicago Bears
The 2024 season was supposed to be a turning point for the Chicago Bears.
Instead, it’s been a massive disappointment. Actually… that may be underselling it.
I mean… They made some bold moves in the 2023 offseason, and Bears fans were riding high coming into the year, but the pieces clearly didn’t fit, and Matt Eberflus is gone.
Now, it’s time to protect their future and their number one investment and asset: Caleb Williams.
The good news is that the Bears have their franchise quarterback in Williams, the 2024 number-one overall pick who brings a mix of poise, arm talent, and playmaking ability. But if they want to maximize his potential, capitalize on his rookie contract window, and avoid ruining him – like so many terrible franchises do to talented young signal callers – they need to act fast.
The first priority has to be hiring the right head coach… one that is aligned with Ryan Poles and believes in Caleb.
Then—it is the offensive line. Williams can’t develop into a star if he’s running for his life every Sunday.
Finally, they need to invest in the defense. The unit has shown flashes but needs more consistency and playmakers to keep games competitive.
The Bears have the resources: multiple high draft picks and a ton of cap space. It’s time to spend wisely, draft smart, and go all in. Williams is the key to a brighter future, but he needs the right support to unlock his full potential.
No more half-measures. There is no time to waste… Chicago needs to seize this moment and give the city an NFL team worth believing in again.
Rebuild: New Orleans Saints
The Saints have been clinging to the reveries of the Drew Brees era for too long, and it has officially caught up to them.
Derek Carr was supposed to steady the ship, but instead, he’s been another overpriced patch on a sinking vessel. Alvin Kamara’s prime is fading, Michael Thomas is long gone, and the defense isn’t getting any younger.
At least they finally pulled the trigger by firing Dennis Allen, who was an absolutely horrendous head coach for them.
But it will take more than just leaning on the charisma of interim head coach, Darren Rizzi, to reboot this troubled franchise.
This NFL team needs to navigate the market to get themselves out of cap hell ASAP, rebuild with youth through the draft, and let go of the belief that they are going to rebuild this thing on the fly.
It is well past due to go back to 0 and start fresh!
All in: Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals might just be on the verge of something special. Kyler Murray has looked sharp most of the year since returning from injury, proving that he’s still one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the league when he is focused on the field.
He’s making plays with both his arm and his legs, keeping defenses guessing and giving the offense a fighting chance despite the lack of playmaking going on on the outside.
Unfortunately, Marvin Harrison Jr. has had far more growing pains than most anticipated. Arizona needs to find some talented vets to add to that receiving room, who can create space for him—and teach him the ropes as a professional.
And the defense, while inconsistent, has shown flashes of brilliance. They’re young, hungry, and just need a few more pieces to turn those flashes into dominance that can sustain a season—and a deep playoff run.
If the front office can find consistent playmakers on both sides of the ball heading into the 2025 NFL season, this team could surprise a lot of people.
Rebuild: Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons rolled the dice on Kirk Cousins in 2024, and it came up snake eyes. Cousins has been a bust, failing to elevate this NFL team that desperately needed stability under center. Now, it’s time to pivot to the future with Michael Penix Jr. and structure the rebuild around him.
The good news? The Falcons have star power at the skill positions. Bijan Robinson is a game-changer, Drake London is a physical presence at receiver, and Kyle Pitts has the talent to dominate if used correctly… Something we’ve still yet to see in Atlanta!
But they need to surround Penix with the right support system—namely—an offensive line to give the inexperienced signal call a chance to dissect the defense.
In addition to rebuilding the offensive line, Atlanta needs to shore up the defense, which has been gashed many times in 2024…
And accepting that a full teardown is required is the only way forward.
Granted, some of the pieces are already in place, but they’re scattered. Time to rebuild and give Penix a real chance to shine and get this struggling franchise back on track.
All in: Los Angeles Chargers
The Jim Harbaugh era in Los Angeles has already changed the Chargers’ culture. Gone are the days of sloppy play and missed opportunities. Harbaugh has brought a sense of toughness, discipline, and purpose to a team that desperately needed it.
I mean, just think about how different this team looks under his leadership than it did when Brandon Staley called the shots. It is night and day!
Justin Herbert is thriving under Harbaugh’s guidance. The chemistry between coach and quarterback is undeniable, and Herbert’s elite arm talent is finally being maximized. The defense, led by Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James, has the potential to be a perennial top-five unit within Harbaugh’s scheme.
But for all their toughness, the Chargers need legitimate offensive playmakers. Keenan Allen isn’t there anymore, and they can’t just rely on guys like Joshua Palmer to be the answer at wide receiver…
Furthering the problem, the run game lacked consistency in 2024—in part due to an absence of depth. Once J.K. Dobbins went down, the entire operation came to a screeching halt!
If the front office can add dynamic weapons to complement Herbert and the defense, this NFL team could be a nightmare for the rest of the AFC.
Harbaugh didn’t come to LA to play it safe and hover around mediocrity. It’s time to go all in and give the Chargers the firepower they need to contend for a Super Bowl.
Also Read: 10 Offseason Moves That NFL Teams Are Already Regretting This Season (2024)
