The dramatic and story-filled 2023 NFL season is in the books. Congrats to the Kansas City Chiefs on winning Super Bowl 58. As for the other 31 teams? As the hockey coach said in Happy Gilmore… “Better luck next year.”
Teams are now finalizing their coaching groups for next year. Then it’ll be time for free agency and the combine.
With the 2023 season in the books, let’s dive into our first edition of the 2024 NFL power rankings!
32. Carolina Panthers
Bill Belichick, his son Steve and Bill O’Brien are all out. Jerod Mayo is the new head coach and has the third overall pick in his back pocket to kick-start what figures to be a painful rebuild.
Do the Pats go with a QB or the ultimate can’t-miss wide receiver in Marvin Harrison Jr. in the draft? That’s the fascinating question that could make or break this once-proud franchise for years to come.
31. New England Patriots
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The Patriots put up quite the fight against the red-hot Buffalo Bills, but Bailey Zappe’s three interceptions doomed Bill Belichick’s squad in a 27-21 loss.
The good news? The loss keeps New England in top-three pick territory. They just need to somehow and some way lose to the New York Jets at home next week in what might be Bill Belichick’s final game with the Patriots…
30. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals have kept their front office and coaching staff intact, and all signs point to Kyler Murray returning at quarterback next year.
With the No. 4 pick in the draft, the Cardinals have limitless options here. Considering that top wideout Marquise Brown is a free agent, we’d suggest taking Harrison Jr. or Washington’s Rome Odunze — who’s drawing comparisons to some guy named Larry Fitzgerald.
29. Tennessee Titans
Following the surprise decision to fire Mike Vrabel, the Titans hired ex-Cincinnati Bengals OC Brian Callahan for their new head coach position. Callahan named Nick Holz and Dennard Wilson his new OC and DC, respectively.
With Derrick Henry and Ryan Tannehill likely to depart in free agency, a rebuild is looming in Music City. Armed with the No. 7 pick in the draft, the Titans should look at an offensive lineman or receiver to build around QB Will Levis.
28. Washington Commanders
Things are looking up for the Commanders once and for all. The new-look coaching staff features Dan Quinn and coordinators Joe Whitt Jr. and Kliff Kingsbury.
Adam Peters — one of the hottest GM candidates this year — was picked up as the new guy in charge for the Commanders. And with the No. 2 pick, a future franchise QB in USC’s Caleb Williams or North Carolina’s Drake Maye await the Commanders.
27. New York Giants
The million dollar question at this time for the Giants is what to do at quarterback. Is Daniel Jones getting what we like to call “one more last chance”, or do they use the No. 6 pick on a signal-caller in this QB-heavy draft class? Assuming they let Saquon Barkley walk to free agency, the Giants will need to use that cap space to add some more offensive weaponry. If they keep Jones, the receiving room has to be upgraded in both free agency and the draft
26. Denver Broncos
The Broncos are seemingly ready to move on from Russell Wilson, leading us to believe that Sean Payton will eye a QB with the No. 12 pick.
On top of finding a new QB, Denver will probably want to trade at least one of Courtland Sutton or Jerry Jeudy. Without a single 1,000-yard rusher or receiver for the fourth straight year, GM George Paton has to rebuild the skill positions around his next QB.
25. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons passed on the chance to hire Bill Belichick and instead brought back old friend Raheem Morris, who had a superb three-year run as the Los Angeles Rams’ OC.
The Falcons have far-and-away the most talented roster in the NFC South. All they need to do is get a quarterback, and Morris’ squad will be on their way. Kirk Cousins or Justin Fields would sure look good in that offense!
24. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders wisely retained Antonio Pierce as head coach, before hiring ex-Chicago Bears OC Luke Getsy for that same role.
Like so many teams on this list, a successful Raiders’ offseason comes down to what they do at QB. Jimmy Garoppolo is a goner and Aidan O’Connell just isn’t the answer. Vegas holds the No. 13 pick, but don’t be surprised if they explore the trade or free agent marker for a new quarterback instead.
23. Chicago Bears
The Bears’ first big offseason move was swapping out Luke Getsy for Shane Waldron as offensive coordinator. Up next, they have to decide what to do with Justin Fields and the first overall pick.
It feels like they’ll ultimately trade Fields and rightfully take Caleb Williams first overall. Of course, Ryan Poles’ mind could easily change if he gets another can’t-refuse offer for the top pick…
22. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts were one of the top surprise stories of 2023, finishing with a 9-and-8 record and falling just one game short of an improbable playoff appearance.
And they did that with rookie phenom QB Anthony Richardson missing all but four games, and with superstar running back Jonathan Taylor missing seven contests.
Chris Ballard has several top priorities on his offseason to-do list. Among them: Re-sign top wideout and pending free agent Michael Pittman Jr., and address the leaky secondary.
21. Minnesota Vikings
In Minnesota, all eyes are on the quarterback position: Will they keep Kirk Cousins or move on from the four-time Pro Bowler? If it’s the latter, just whom will Kevin O’Connell want in the QB-heavy draft class?
Another order of business: Getting that lucrative contract extension done with Justin Jefferson before his value further increases.
20. New Orleans Saints
The Saints kept Dennis Allen but fired offensive coordinator Pete Carmichal and o-line coach Doug Marrone as part of the staff overhaul.
Clint Kubiak, the son of former NFL coach Gary Kubiak, is now running the offense.
With limited cap space this offseason, don’t expect too many big moves out of New Orleans this year.
19. Jacksonville Jaguars
It’s going to be a difficult offseason for GM Trent Baalke. He needs to re-sign defensive MVP Josh Allen and either retain star wideout Calvin Ridley or find a formidable replacement.
Upgrades in the secondary would help, too.
Otherwise, most of the pieces are there for Jacksonville to bounce back and win the AFC South.
18. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks settled on ex-Baltimore Ravens DC Mike Macdonald as their new head coach to replace fan favorite Pete Carroll. As Macdonald rounds up the brand-new Seattle coaching staff, the ‘Hawks have several difficult roster decisions to make.
Do they move forward with Geno Smith or look at a younger option via the draft, trade or free agent markets? Do they retain the ageless Bobby Wagner or let him go again? And how do they fix a secondary that underachieved mightily?
17. Pittsburgh Steelers
Finishing 10-and-7 and earning a playoff win was nice and all, but let’s be real: The Steelers ain’t getting that lucky again without better quarterback play.
Pittsburgh probably won’t spend big on a new QB, and they obviously won’t take a guy in round one. Will new OC Arthur Smith be tasked with unlocking Kenny Pickett? Or does Mason Rudolph get a long-term look after a strong finish to 2023?
Like the Vikings, the QB situation bears the most watching in Steel City this offseason.
16. New York Jets
The Jets only crack the top half because of one man: Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets won seven games in 2023 despite an awful minus-87 point differential. We’re bullish on the idea of the four-time league MVP single-handedly turning a seven-win team back into a playoff contender.
If the Jets can rebuild that offensive line accordingly, they’ll finally live up to the hype as a Super Bowl contender in 2024. Big if, though.
15. Los Angeles Chargers
Feels weird putting the Chargers this high considering they just finished 5-and-12. But hey, such is life when you hired an all-time great in Jim Harbaugh as your new head coach.
Stanford, San Francisco and Michigan. Harbaugh has won wherever he’s gone, and we have no doubt that he’ll get the most out of a star-studded albeit constantly underachieving Chargers team that has been held back by inept coaching for far too long.
The future is finally bright again in Charger Land.
14. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Bucs were another pleasant surprise in 2023 — winning the NFC South behind Baker Mayfield’s career year in the first season of the post-Tom Brady era.
Mayfield then led the Bucs to a blowout win over the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card Round, before narrowly losing to the Detroit Lions the following week.
If Tampa wants to stay in win-now mode and hold off on the inevitable rebuild, then the priorities are to extend Mayfield and fellow pending free agents Mike Evans, Lavonte David and Antoine Winfield Jr.
13. Cleveland Browns
Despite using five different starting QBs, the Browns finished 11-and-6 and made a surprise return to the postseason. Joe Flacco’s short-but-sweet run ended in a blowout loss to the Houston Texans in the Wild Card Round — but by no means was this season a failure.
We don’t expect the Browns to make any drastic moves at QB, but it’s clear that they can win without Deshaun Watson. Re-signing Flacco as QB insurance should be a no-brainer for a Cleveland team suddenly looking to take that next step in 2024.
12. Los Angeles Rams
For the first time in forever, the Rams will enter the offseason as owners of their first-round pick…and with some valuable cap space.
Making the playoffs was a win in itself last year. But GM Les Snead surely has to explore some more blockbuster moves if his Rams are to seriously challenge the Lions, San Francisco 49ers and Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC.
11. Green Bay Packers
Like the Rams, simply making the postseason made for a successful year in Green Bay — especially considering that they stood at 3-and-6 through nine games.
Jordan Love has arrived as the new franchise superstar quarterback in Green Bay. And to think youngsters like Christian Watson, Romeo Doubs, Jayden Reed, Luke Musgrave, Devonte Wyatt and Quay Walker haven’t even hit their primes yet.
Expect the Pack to cement themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl contender in 2024.
10. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles feel like an enigma. Was their late-season collapse just a string of bad bounces, or is that who they are? Was the 2022 run to the Super Bowl a fluke?
Something tells us this ultra-talented team will bo unce back in 2024. I mean, Nick Sirianni aced his new coaching hires in DC Vic Fangio and OC Kellen Moore.
Howie Roseman’s main task now is rebuilding a secondary that couldn’t stop a nosebleed last year. And he oughta be ready to replace Jason Kelce, Fletcher Cox and Brandon Graham if either or all of the three Eagles legends depart.
9. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are starting to reach the Chargers’ and Bills’ level of underachievement: Four straight winning seasons, two playoff berths and zero postseason wins.
Maybe a full year of health from the likes of superstars Jaylen Waddle, De’Von Achane, Jalen Ramsey and Jaelan Phillips will help Miami take that next step next year. Bottom line: Pressure is mounting on this team to go on a deep run for once.
8. Buffalo Bills
Not sure what more to say at this point. The Bills just can’t win when it matters most.
They finally got a vulnerable Chiefs team at home in the Divisional Round and still got eliminated in round two for the second straight year.
Something’s gotta change. Rebuilding an ageing and injury-prone defense would be a nice start. Don’t be surprised if the likes of Tre’Davious White, Jordan Poyer and Micah Hyde are let go in cap-saving moves.
7. Dallas Cowboys
Well, you know who the Cowboys are at this point: Glorified regular season stuntmen who fold like pretzels when the postseason commences.
Jerry Jones’ decision to keep Mike McCarthy means one thing: Jerry is fine with regular season wins and doesn’t care about Super Bowls.
6. Houston Texans
In year one with CJ Stroud, DeMeco Ryans and Will Anderson Jr., all Houston did was win the AFC South before crushing Cleveland in the Wild Card Round.
Their Cinderella run ended with a loss to the Ravens in the Divisional Round. That is nothing to be ashamed of. With Stroud, Anderson Jr., Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Derek Stingley Jr. rounding out a young nucleus, the Texans should make the jump to Super Bowl contender next year.
5. Cincinnati Bengals
Despite losing Joe Burrow for the final seven games, and despite playing in a division that sent three teams to the playoffs, Cincy finished 9-and-8 and barely missed out on the 14-team dance.
In Burrow’s two healthy seasons, the Bengals have gotten to the AFC Championship Game. If he’s healthy, these guys are bonafide Super Bowl contenders.
4. Detroit Lions
Critique Dan Campbell for his questionable fourth-down play-calling against the 49ers all you want. But this was nothing short of a successful year in Motor City.
They won their first division crown since 1993 and won their first playoff game in 32 years. Given how weak the NFC looks right now, we have no doubt that the Lions will remain in the mix for many years to come.
3. Baltimore Ravens
Lamar Jackson is starting to enter “can’t win the big one” territory. This was supposed to be the Ravens’ year, yet they were outmatched by a less-talented and more battle-tested Chiefs team in the AFC Championship Game.
We’ll find out within a year if they’ll use this heartbreaking loss to Kansas City as a learning experience towards a long overdue Super Bowl appearance.
2. San Francisco 49ers
The heartbreak for the 49ers continues. A third Super Bowl loss in 12 years. Fourth time in five years where they reached the final four and came up empty-handed.
And so, questions about if Kyle Shanahan can win the big one continue to linger. Hey, John Elway lost three Super Bowls before winning back-to-back to close out his career. We know 49ers fans are sick of hearing this…but there is always next year?
1. Kansas City Chiefs
At long last, we have a back-to-back Super Bowl champion. With their Super Bowl 58 victory over the 49ers, the Chiefs have officially cemented themselves as a dynasty.
Absolutely incredible when you remember the season-long concerns about the offense. Just another reminder of what happens when you have the league’s best quarterback and head coach.
Now we wait and see if the Chiefs can perform the first three-peat in NFL history?
Who do you think will win the Super Bowl next year?
