Breaking down the top 10 NFL teams that could CRASH and BURN during the 2024-25 season. Make sure to drop your thoughts and feedback in the comment section.
No. 10: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers exceeded expectations last season, winning the lowly NFC South division, and making the playoffs. They even won a playoff game behind strong play from QB Baker Mayfield. The former first-overall pick subsequently cashed in with a payday this offseason, but many variables could be going against Mayfield and the Bucs this season, including a strengthening division.
No. 9: Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have never had a losing record during the 18 years that Mike Tomlin has been their head coach. But that could change this season with their roster significantly regressing and a major question mark taking over at quarterback. Veteran QB Russell Wilson has won the starting job but is coming off a 2023-24 season in which he was benched after his play has significantly declined in the past two years. This once-great Steelers team is at risk of taking a major step back this year.
No. 8: Las Vegas Raiders
The Las Vegas Raiders are riding the high that they experienced when Antonio Pierce took over as their interim head coach last season. Pierce earned the full-time job this offseason and has the capabilities to lead the team to success, but the roster is lacking talent. With no clear answer at quarterback, Pierce might be gearing up for a difficult first season as head coach.
No. 7: Seattle Seahawks
Pete Carroll resigned this offseason after 13 seasons as the head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. Entering a new era, the Seahawks are a team with middling talent. QB Geno Smith regressed last season and needs to bounce back in 2024-25. Their roster is not as strong as it once was and with a new coaching staff taking over, despite being a fringe playoff team last season, the Seahawks could be staring down a challenging 2024-25 campaign.
No. 6: Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans made the bold choice to fire head coach Mike Vrabel after a 6-11 finish last season. Now rolling with Brian Callahan as their next head coach, the pressure is on for the rookie coach and his second-year quarterback Will Levis to deliver. The Titans pretty much rebooted the team this offseason by cleaning house in the coaching staff and letting star RB Derrick Henry walk. Fans might be on the fence and the Titans need to win games to get them back on board and confident in the direction of the team.
No. 5: Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings made some interesting decisions this offseason. They let veteran QB Kirk Cousins walk in free agency despite him leading them to postseason contention on a perennial basis. They lost several key pieces on the defensive side of the ball, including All-Pro pass-rusher Danielle Hunter. In response, they signed veteran backup QB Sam Darnold and drafted rookie QB J.J. McCarthy in the first round. McCarthy is done for the year, leaving Darnold in line to start this season. This could be a recipe for disaster for a Vikings team that needs to bounce back after missing the playoffs last season.
No. 4: Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are entering a pivotal season season with Sean Payton as their head coach. They went 8-9 in his first season coaching the team, failing to make the postseason and subsequently rebooting at quarterback in the offseason. The Broncos traded a first-round pick to acquire Payton as their head coach from the Saints. They need him to start showing some returns on their investment this season. However, he will be coaching a poor roster and a rookie quarterback. It’s hard not to wonder what the best and worst-case scenarios for this team look like entering the 2024-25 season.
No. 3: New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are entering the post-Bill Belichick era with Jerod Mayo as their new head coach and rookie Drake Maye as their new quarterback. After going 4-13 last season, the pressure is on for Mayo to turn things around in a hurry. But Maye is not in line to start the regular season and will be leading an offensive lineup with a severe lack of talent when he does take over. It could be another long season in New England if some of their key roster and coaching decisions don’t pan out.
No. 2: Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers need a breakout season from former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young. The second-year quarterback showed promise this preseason but is still living in the shadow of Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud, who was drafted directly after him last offseason and performed at a near-MVP level as a rookie. Following a 2-15 2023-24 campaign, the Panthers’ coaching staff and front office need Young to prove them right with a solid 2024-25 season, or else jobs could be on the line.
No. 1: New York Giants
The New York Giants’ front office and coaching staff have their backs against the wall entering a pivotal 2024-25 season. The Giants exceeded all expectations in 2022, making the postseason and winning a playoff game. But last year, after handing QB Daniel Jones a controversial $160 million contract, they came crashing back down to earth with a 6-11 record as Jones played in just six games and threw six interceptions with two touchdowns. The Giants tried to move on from Jones this offseason, but their failure to do so could be a move that haunts them forever. The entire season rests on Jones’ shoulders. If he doesn’t perform well this season, the Giants could find themselves cleaning house once again.