2024 NFL Free Agency: Sorting All 32 Teams by Chances of Winning Offseason via Draft, Signings, Trades
NFL championships are not won in the offseason. But the foundations for championships are certainly laid. There are rare instances of teams going “all-in” and hoisting the ultimate prize as a result; the Tampa Bay Buccaneers did it with Tom Brady and the Los Angeles Rams did it with Matthew Stafford. But even the most sustainable title contenders — the New England Patriots and Kansas City Chiefs dynasties, for example — draft, develop and swing big for veteran help.
So which teams are best suited to make noise during the 2024 offseason? Well, the first step to “winning” an offseason is defining expectations. Here, we’re looking to sort all 32 teams into one of five rough tiers — contenders sitting pretty, contenders with questions, rebuilders with resources, uphill climbers, and purgatory peddlers. That way, when the frenzy of signings and trades and draft picks unfolds, we can return to the 32-team rundown and grade activity within expectations.
So join us now as we venture into the offseason and identify which clubs appear to have the quickest paths to success:
Contenders Sitting Pretty
These are the teams that have already established themselves as legitimate title contenders and are in a strong position to build upon their success. The defending Super Bowl champions, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by the legendary Tom Brady, are undoubtedly sitting pretty. With a solid foundation in place, they have the luxury of focusing on fine-tuning their roster rather than making major overhauls.
Contenders with Questions
In this category, we find teams that have shown promise but still have some lingering doubts. The Kansas City Chiefs, led by superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes, fall into this group. While they have been consistent contenders in recent years, their performance in the Super Bowl left some questions unanswered. Can they address their offensive line issues and regain their dominant form? Only time will tell.
Rebuilders with Resources
These teams are in the process of rebuilding but have the necessary resources to make significant strides in the offseason. The Jacksonville Jaguars, armed with the first overall pick in the draft, have a golden opportunity to add a franchise-changing player to their roster. With a young and talented quarterback in Trevor Lawrence, the Jaguars have the potential to turn their fortunes around quickly.
Uphill Climbers
The uphill climbers are teams that face significant challenges but have the potential to overcome them. The New York Jets, for example, have struggled in recent years but have a new head coach in Robert Saleh and the second overall pick in the draft. With the right moves and player development, they could make significant progress in the upcoming season.
Purgatory Peddlers
Finally, we have the teams stuck in purgatory, neither fully contending nor fully rebuilding. The Detroit Lions find themselves in this position. After trading away Matthew Stafford, they are in a transitional phase. While they have some promising young players, they lack the star power and depth to compete at the highest level.
As the offseason unfolds, these categorizations will serve as a guide to evaluate each team’s activity and determine whether they are meeting expectations. While championships are not won in the offseason, the groundwork laid during this time can set the stage for future success. So buckle up and get ready for an exciting offseason filled with signings, trades, and draft picks that will shape the destiny of each NFL team.