The NFL regular season has officially come to an end. For some teams, this is an exciting time as they prepare for the Wildcard Round. For others, it’s a somber moment filled with tough conversations and final handshakes, especially on the day commonly referred to as “Black Monday.” This year, the fallout extended into Tuesday, with the Raiders firing first-year head coach and former interim Antonio Pierce, and the Titans parting ways with GM Ran Carthon. The Titans have announced they will retain first-year head coach Brian Callahan, so they won’t appear on this list. However, their GM opening is intriguing, especially with the Titans holding the first overall pick in the draft.
The teams searching for new leadership in the locker room next season are the Saints, Jaguars, Bears, Raiders, Patriots, and Jets. While each position has its pros and cons, some are clearly more desirable than others, offering a higher likelihood of satisfying ownership, pleasing fans, and delivering on-field success.
1. Chicago Bears
Pros:
The Bears already have their assumed franchise quarterback in rookie and first overall pick Caleb Williams. The toughest challenge for many head coaches—finding a future QB—is off the table here. They also boast an elite receiver room featuring DJ Moore and rookie top-10 pick Rome Odunze. Tight end Cole Kmet is no slouch either. On top of that, the Bears are projected to have one of the largest salary caps in the upcoming offseason, making a quick rebuild a real possibility if the right roster moves and leadership are in place.
Cons:
The offensive line is atrocious, allowing Caleb Williams to be sacked 68 times this season. Even if everything goes perfectly this offseason—improving the O-line, making key defensive signings, and seeing Caleb Williams live up to his potential—the Bears could still finish under .500 in the loaded NFC North. With the other three teams in the division thriving, there’s no clear path to dominance anytime soon.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
Pros:
Like Chicago, Jacksonville has its franchise quarterback in place. Rookie wideout Brian Thomas Jr. looks like a steal, providing a reliable target for years to come. Defensively, Travon Walker, their first overall pick in 2022, has blossomed into a dominant edge rusher, delivering back-to-back 10-sack seasons. Players like Walker are invaluable to any competitive roster.
Cons:
Despite Walker’s contributions, the Jaguars’ defensive line and secondary are abysmal, allowing the most passing yards in the NFL this season. Doubts also remain about whether Trevor Lawrence can live up to his massive contract. Additionally, the decision to keep GM Trent Baalke, despite fan discontent, clouds the organization’s future. Owner Shad Khan’s bizarre comment about possibly replacing Baalke—made while on a call with the GM—only adds to the dysfunction.
3. New England Patriots
Pros:
Drake Maye emerged as a bright spot this past season, providing hope that the Patriots have their franchise quarterback. With significant cap space, they have plenty of room to address their offensive line and add much-needed skill players. For a coach, the opportunity to reshape this historic franchise is enticing.
Cons:
The Patriots’ offensive line is among the league’s worst, and the team has a poor track record of adding impactful skill position players in recent years. While the high draft pick and cap space are appealing, the Patriots need improvements across the board, making it unlikely they can fix everything in just one offseason.
4. New York Jets
Pros:
The Jets’ roster is stacked with talent, featuring stars like Sauce Gardner, Breece Hall, Quinnen Williams, Garrett Wilson, and newly acquired Davante Adams. With only a few roster tweaks needed, the Jets appear to be a coach away from serious contention.
Cons:
It’s concerning that such a talented roster performed so poorly this season. Aaron Rodgers also looms large as a potential issue. While he’s a future Hall of Famer, it’s clear the team hasn’t responded well to him. Deciding on the quarterback position, especially with their current draft pick, could make or break the Jets’ offseason.
5. Las Vegas Raiders
Pros:
The Raiders are set for a rebuild, with elite players like Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers as cornerstones. They’re projected to have the second-most cap space in the NFL, giving the next head coach ample flexibility to mold the team. Success shouldn’t be expected immediately, which hopefully offers some breathing room to implement a new vision and culture.
Cons:
That being said, the team played hard for Antonio Pierce, but Mark Davis still fired him, raising concerns about job security. Additionally, with the sixth pick in the draft, securing a top quarterback will require trading up and sacrificing significant draft capital. If the team does commit to a full rebuild, will stars like Maxx Crosby stick around? At least the stadium is nice!
6. New Orleans Saints
Pros:
The Saints have offensive weapons in Chris Olave, Rashid Shaheed, and Alvin Kamara, plus a steady (if unspectacular) quarterback in Derek Carr. The defense has been a consistent strength, and second-round pick Kool-Aid McKinstry showed flashes this past season. Ownership is known for patience, giving a new coach a long leash to turn things around.
Cons:
The Saints are in the worst cap situation in the NFL. Years of kicking the can down the road on contracts dating all the way back to when Sean Payton was leading the team have finally caught up to them, leaving little room for significant roster changes. With an aging roster and limited mobility, the Saints are essentially stuck. While loyalty is admirable, the Benson family may be too loyal for their, and the team’s, own good.
