Whereas the Philadelphia Eagles put a bow on Tremendous Bowl LIX celebrations immediately, the NFL offseason has begun in earnest.
And with that comes the following 5 months of belaboring over the most important fixes, provides and enhancements your favourite groups want to shut the hole. Survey The Athletic’s NFL beat reporters and also you’ll discover Tremendous Bowl LIX leaves a tried-and-true blueprint for a lot of the league — discover a quarterback to win with, a strategy to shield stated QB and a strategy to disrupt the opponent’s quarterback.
What’s the highest precedence on every NFL group’s offseason to-do checklist? The Athletic picks one for all 32.
Arizona Cardinals: Edge rusher
Nick Rallis joined the Cardinals two years in the past because the NFL’s youngest coordinator. Since then, he’s was a rising star. It’s time to improve his defensive expertise, and that begins with an edge rusher (prepare — this could be a preferred want on this checklist; practically everyone wants assist on this regard). The Cardinals are strong. They’re bodily. They don’t make many errors. Budda Baker by no means slows down. However they lack a difference-maker up entrance who places doubt in a quarterback’s thoughts. Rallis has carried out effectively getting by with out one. However for Arizona to turn into a playoff group, that is the following transfer. It needs to be addressed. — Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons: Move rush
It’s at all times move rush in Atlanta, isn’t it? The Falcons had been thirty first in sacks final season (31) and are final within the league over the past 5 years (141), 10 years (298) and 20 years (606). Matthew Judon was second on the group final yr with 5.5 sacks, however he’s hitting free company and there doesn’t appear to be lots of urgency on both facet to maintain Judon in Atlanta. The one “can’t miss” pass-rushing prospect on this yr’s draft, Penn State’s Abdul Carter, might be lengthy gone by the point the Falcons draft at No. 15, so free company could be the most suitable choice. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens: Offensive line
The Ravens might be an offensive line makeover for the second straight offseason. Beginning left sort out Ronnie Stanley and beginning left guard Patrick Mekari are free brokers, as are reserve offensive linemen Josh Jones and Ben Cleveland. Almost half of the offensive linemen who ended the season on the 53-man roster usually are not beneath contract. The Ravens have some younger gamers who can step into greater roles, however they need to add one — if not two — starting-caliber offensive linemen via the draft or free company. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Payments: Edge rusher
The Payments have two important wants that go hand in hand, as each edge rusher and huge receiver deserve ample consideration this offseason. The tie goes to edge rusher as a result of quarterback Josh Allen proved he can get probably the most out of a receiver room that lacks a real high possibility. The Payments rely closely on their entrance 4 to offer strain and not using a blitz, and outdoors of Greg Rousseau, they got here up woefully quick all through the season and playoffs. Making it an excellent greater want, Rousseau, 24, might be a free agent in 2026. Whether or not via commerce, free company or the draft, the Payments should add one thing important by any means essential. — Joe Buscaglia
Carolina Panthers: Run protection
After changing into the fourth group in NFL historical past (and first since 1980) to permit 3,000 speeding yards, the precedence needs to be fixing a porous run protection. The return of Professional Bowler Derrick Brown, who missed the ultimate 16 video games following knee surgical procedure, will assist. However the Panthers want an improve at nostril sort out, the place Shy Tuttle hasn’t been stout sufficient. One title to observe: Broncos free agent D.J. Jones, who had the fourth-best run cease charge amongst DL (per Professional Soccer Focus) and has ties to Carolina defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero. The security room must be overhauled with guys who can sort out and make performs on the ball. — Joseph Particular person
Chicago Bears: Offensive linemen
The Bears might be searching for three new starters in the midst of their offensive line. Guards Teven Jenkins and Matt Pryor and middle Coleman Shelton are all set to be unrestricted free brokers. Pryor and Shelton had been each reserves who joined the group on one-year offers earlier than changing into full-time starters. Jenkins, who has struggled to remain wholesome, didn’t obtain an extension as he hoped throughout final season. The Bears want to enhance their move rush. However quarterback Caleb Williams was sacked 68 occasions throughout his rookie season. He wants higher assist up entrance. — Adam Jahns
GO DEEPER
What every NFC playoff group wants this offseason to compete once more in 2025
Cincinnati Bengals: Defensive position
The Bengals should repair their defensive position. Not as soon as. Not twice. They most likely shouldn’t cease at three. They want many swings between the draft and free company at a place group that failed them in 2024 past Trey Hendrickson. Determining a tenable future with Hendrickson’s contract is a part of this, too. Cincinnati must make the most of a draft ripe with high quality and amount up entrance, plus discover a starter in free company. Inevitably, the event of latest high picks Myles Murphy, Kris Jenkins and McKinnley Jackson will go a protracted strategy to figuring out if this group can remodel itself, however they want new playmakers to re-energize the place beneath new defensive coordinator Al Golden. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns: Quarterback
The checklist of wants is prolonged, however with the Deshaun Watson experiment having failed miserably and expensively, the Browns are searching for each a quarterback of the current and one of many future. It stays unclear whether or not they’ll use the No. 2 decide on a younger passer, and the group’s salary-cap scenario could restrict the variety of sensible veteran choices. However the Browns are undoubtedly on the quarterback search and might be including a minimum of two new gamers to their 2025 quarterback room.
Discovering the long-term reply is vital to changing into an actual AFC contender, and it stays to be seen if the Browns can save the roles of the parents in cost — and attempt to salvage the present roster core — by getting competent play from an skilled quarterback early subsequent season. — Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys: Defensive sort out
After the season the Cowboys had, you may decide from a number of positions, however none is extra urgent than defensive sort out. The Cowboys have one stellar participant on the place in Osa Odighizuwa, and he’s a pending unrestricted free agent and arguably the highest participant on the place on this class. If the Cowboys lose him subsequent month, the cabinet is sort of actually empty. The Mazi Smith experiment up to now has been a disappointment. The Cowboys must make each effort to re-sign Odighizuwa, in addition to add a minimum of another impression participant, whether or not or not it’s within the draft, via free company or through commerce. — Saad Yousuf
Denver Broncos: Tight finish
The Broncos had much less receiving manufacturing from the tight finish place in 2023 than any group within the NFL. That they had an opportunity to unravel the issue by choosing Brock Bowers with the No. 12 decide in final yr’s draft. Selecting Bo Nix as a substitute? Smart transfer. The Broncos seem to have their long-term QB in place. However the want for a mismatch-creating tight finish very a lot stays, and Denver should fill that void this offseason. The excellent news? This seems to be a powerful draft class on the place, even past probably first-round picks Tyler Warren and Colston Loveland. — Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions: Defensive linemen
The Lions may actually use one other explosive move rusher reverse Aidan Hutchinson, however in addition they want rather more depth between the tackles — as we noticed how issues obtained as soon as Alim McNeil went down with harm. Even when Detroit opts to deliver again Za’Darius Smith on some kind of re-worked deal, the Lions nonetheless want extra on the skin when it comes to move rushers who can win 1-on-1s reverse a dominant participant (Hutchinson). Edge could be a barely greater precedence than DT, however not by a lot. — Nick Baumgardner
Inexperienced Bay Packers: Move rusher
The Packers ranked thirteenth in strain proportion and tenth in sack proportion, in response to TruMedia, however the eye take a look at reveals the move rush was inconsistent. Common supervisor Brian Gutekunst stated as a lot at his season-ending information convention earlier than the Packers fired defensive position coach Jason Rebrovich.
Inexperienced Bay may use a disruptive move rusher on the sting or inside, however Gutekunst is extra more likely to discover one on the sting and could also be enticed to go all in for the likes of Myles Garrett, Maxx Crosby, Trey Hendrickson or Josh Sweat this offseason. If he really desires to contend for a championship like he stated, that could be probably the most wise manner to take action. — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans: Offensive linemen
Though they’ve gained their division and reached the postseason in back-to-back seasons, the Texans have fairly just a few wants with offensive line, defensive sort out and huge receiver main the best way. No place carries a better precedence than offensive line, nevertheless, particularly inside linemen. C.J. Stroud was sacked 52 occasions in the course of the common season and one other 11 occasions in his two postseason video games. Houston must do a greater job of defending its prized quarterback within the worst manner, and so whether or not via the draft, free company, or each, the Texans can’t afford to emerge from the offseason with out having considerably bolstered the road. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts: Security
Other than QB Anthony Richardson drastically bettering as a passer, the Colts’ greatest positional want this offseason is at security. New Indy DC Lou Anarumo places lots of strain on the backend, and when analyzing the success his defenses beforehand had in Cincinnati — when the Bengals went to back-to-back AFC Championship Video games — it coincided with having a high-IQ and skilled security. The Colts may at all times draft a security, however it could most likely be wiser to signal a confirmed veteran in free company who may expedite the method of implementing Anarumo’s typically multifaceted schemes. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars: Offensive line
The Jaguars want to spice up their offensive line and certainly want a left sort out. New coach Liam Coen’s offense can have a working identification, so the Jaguars want a troublesome, bodily line to set the tone. They’ve the fifth decide within the draft, so that they’ll have a superb alternative to take the primary offensive lineman off the board. They’re additionally in the midst of the pack with about $32 million in cap house, so the Jags have the means to enhance up entrance. Quarterback Baker Mayfield deserved all of the reward he obtained final season with Coen, however don’t overlook the Buccaneers jumped from thirty second to fourth in speeding final season. If quarterback Trevor Lawrence goes to take off with Coen, he’ll want a profitable floor assault. — Jeff Howe
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs: Left sort out
This may sound repetitive, however the Chiefs are again to the place they had been final spring — or in 2023, 2022 or 2021. Even when the Chiefs had been three-time champions, their greatest roster wants can be the identical. They desperately want a viable left sort out. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was sacked six occasions in Tremendous Bowl LIX. Mahomes might be 30 subsequent season, and he may, for the primary time in his profession, be with out tight finish Travis Kelce, who’s contemplating retirement. The Chiefs should purchase a left sort out who generally is a reliable starter for a number of years. Bear in mind, up to now six years, the Chiefs have began a special left sort out in every of their 5 Tremendous Bowl appearances. — Nate Taylor
Kansas Metropolis Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes spent a lot of Tremendous Bowl LIX beneath duress. Regardless of the group’s success, left sort out has been a weak point. (Jamie Squire / Getty Photos)
Las Vegas Raiders: Quarterback
New coach Pete Carroll tried to downplay the necessity for a quarterback at his opening information convention, saying that the Raiders wish to construct the group across the place. However the Raiders nonetheless want a plan at quarterback, whether or not it’s drafting one at No. 6 to pair with a veteran, or opening their massive pockets for probably high free agent Sam Darnold. Incumbent Aidan O’Connell will probably nonetheless be on the roster, whereas Gardner Minshew figures to be launched — so the Raiders seem set to usher in two new our bodies to compete for the beginning job. Many will level to Russell Wilson because of his ties to his former Seahawks coach, although we’re unsure Carroll will go that route. — Vic Tafur
Los Angeles Chargers: Inside offensive line
The Chargers have the most effective sort out duos within the league in Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt. However they’ve to unravel the inside of the road this offseason to raise their offense. The inside performed significantly poorly towards the Texans within the Chargers’ wild-card spherical loss. That sport is not going to sit effectively with common supervisor Joe Hortiz or coach Jim Harbaugh.
Heart Bradley Bozeman is a pending free agent. Proper guard Trey Pipkins is a possible cap casualty. Backup guard Jamaree Salyer began instead of the injured Pipkins in Houston and struggled. The Chargers might be two new starters in 2025 between the 2 guard spots and middle. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams: Offensive sort out
Now, let me be clear: If the Rams can’t determine quarterback Matthew Stafford’s contract, or a group involves them with a tempting commerce provide, “quarterback” is the reply as a result of they haven’t any actual plan behind the veteran star. Nonetheless, in the event that they go the “year-to-year” route with Stafford (they usually may), then each left and proper tackles are wanted. Starter Alaric Jackson, their left sort out in 2024, is a free agent. Proper sort out and veteran group captain Rob Havenstein will enter the final yr of his deal and had hassle staying wholesome in 2024, although his worth when on the sphere versus off was clear. The Rams ought to have a look at each positions within the draft. — Jourdan Rodrigue
Miami Dolphins: Inside offensive line
Figuring out the issue is straightforward. Fixing it gained’t be. The up-against-the-cap Dolphins’ greatest precedence this offseason needs to be fixing the inside offensive line. Extra particularly, they want two new guards to line up subsequent to strong middle Aaron Brewer. What was as soon as one of many league’s best speeding assaults nosedived this previous season, largely because of substandard guard play. The Dolphins ranked fourth within the NFL in speeding success charge in 2023, then watched Robert Hunt depart in free company and plummeted to twenty seventh this previous season. Sadly for Miami, many different groups’ high precedence might be upgrading the offensive line and with out lots of cap house, the Dolphins may wrestle to make significant additions. — Jim Ayello
GO DEEPER
What every AFC playoff group wants this offseason to compete once more in 2025
Minnesota Vikings: Offensive line
Throw Minnesota into the lengthy checklist of groups that want inside offensive line upgrades. The Vikings have tried a number of gamers at each guard spots in the previous few seasons, and most have been turnstiles. Ezra Cleveland was traded for Dalton Risner, who was serviceable in move safety. Risner was handed over for Blake Brandel, who allowed the second-most pressures amongst guards this season. Former second-round decide Ed Ingram was benched for Risner.
The musical chairs can’t proceed. Even when Minnesota retains middle Garrett Bradbury on the ultimate yr of his contract, it desperately wants reinforcements alongside him. The Vikings have about $60 million in cap house and a first-round decide. They need to use a few of these sources — and perhaps each — on their offensive entrance. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots: Offensive line
We’ll make this straightforward: The offensive line, anyplace on the offensive line. The Patriots need assistance at just about each place on the entrance 5. Left sort out? Nice, want it. Proper guard? Positive, and transfer Mike Onwenu exterior. There’s an opportunity that the Patriots can have 4 new beginning offensive linemen in 2025. So search for them to be very energetic there, each in free company and the draft. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints: Vast receiver
It will be straightforward to counsel the most important concern is at quarterback, however the Saints went 5-5 with Carr. If he doesn’t miss seven video games, New Orleans probably would’ve been within the hunt for an NFC South title. The larger difficulty going through the franchise is that whoever is at QB in 2025 wants somebody to throw to.
Saints receivers completed with 1,833 yards final season — thirty first within the NFL, in response to TruMedia. Their high two receivers, Chris Olave and Rashid Shaheed, missed 9 and 11 video games, respectively. However including a dependable goal would go a protracted strategy to serving to the Saints’ offense enhance no matter who strains up at QB. — Amos Morale III
New York Giants: Quarterback
Whereas there’s fairly just a few wants that might be addressed for a group that completed 3-14 and possesses the No. 3 decide, there’s no better one than the quarterback. There’s not a long-term starter on the roster proper now. With common supervisor Joe Schoen and head coach Brian Daboll returning, there’s lots of strain on them to get this proper, so anticipate them to make some daring strikes. Whether or not that’s buying and selling up within the draft or spending massive in free company (or each), the Giants should assault the place aggressively this offseason. — Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets: Quarterback
Right here we’re once more, acquainted territory for this franchise. Aaron Rodgers is on the best way out, so the Jets haven’t any long-term options at an important place. Tyrod Taylor is on the roster and may be positive as a stopgap answer, but it surely’s unclear if Aaron Glenn views him as a viable starter for 2025 — and he definitely isn’t past that. The Jets do produce other wants in an offseason when the quarterback market isn’t nice — like proper sort out, huge receiver, cornerback and defensive sort out — but it surely all begins at QB. I’d anticipate them to discover all choices and probably land both a stopgap veteran (if not Taylor, somebody like Kirk Cousins or Derek Carr), a lottery ticket free agent (Justin Fields) or a rookie. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles: Extensions with key defenders
The Eagles gained their second Tremendous Bowl whereas ambushing Patrick Mahomes with a top-ranked protection that has 4 key members whose contracts are expiring. Zack Baun would be the hottest title to hit free company after changing into NFL Defensive Participant of the 12 months finalist in his first yr as an inside linebacker. Josh Sweat modified businesses the week earlier than the large sport. That was positive timing for him. However how a lot will common supervisor Howie Roseman be keen to pay for a soon-to-be 28-year-old edge rusher after buying and selling away Haason Reddick final offseason? Milton Williams recorded a season-high 5 sacks within the common season as an inside lineman. Isaiah Rodgers crammed in throughout important moments as a backup cornerback, and the Eagles could wish to maintain him round with Darius Slay nearing the tip of his profession in Philadelphia. It’s wishful pondering to consider they’ll all signal team-friendly offers. For every participant the Eagles don’t re-sign, every place turns into a necessity this offseason. — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Stability
Mitch Trubisky. Kenny Pickett. Mason Rudolph. Justin Fields. Russell Wilson… The checklist of quarterbacks attempting to succeed Ben Roethlisberger continues to develop because the Steelers spin their wheels searching for the long-term reply behind middle. When coach Mike Tomlin benched Fields amid a 4-2 begin, the QB stated that he didn’t play effectively sufficient to maintain his job. After Wilson’s offense scored 14.2 factors per sport throughout a five-game shedding streak to shut out the yr, Tomlin stated 14 factors per sport wasn’t adequate.
Nonetheless, given the restricted choices in free company and an underwhelming QB class, group president and proprietor Artwork Rooney II stated that his desire is to re-sign both Wilson or Fields. Which one will they select? It might not matter. Contemplating Wilson’s age and Fields’ incapacity to dwell as much as his billing because the eleventh decide in 2021, there’s no assure that both one goes to maintain the Steelers from being in the identical scenario subsequent yr right now. You may go forward and pencil within the Steelers for a first-round QB in 2026. — Mike DeFabo
San Francisco 49ers: Defensive sort out
5 of the final seven tailbacks the 49ers confronted in 2024 completed with greater than 100 speeding yards, and it may need been six of seven had James Conner performed within the meaningless finale for the Cardinals. In the meantime, the 49ers’ defensive tackles recorded one sack — Maliek Collins’ towards the Chicago Bears in Week 14 — over the past eight video games. With Javon Hargrave scheduled to be launched earlier than free company, they’ve one marginal starter in Collins and one creating participant in Evan Anderson, an undrafted rookie in 2024. They’re lucky the upcoming draft is deep on the place. They should take two with their 10 picks. — Matt Barrows
Seattle Seahawks: Offensive line
Final offseason, the Seahawks drafted three offensive linemen and signed 5 in free company, but they’re nonetheless seeking dependable starters alongside the inside. They’ve good tackles in Charles Cross and Abe Lucas, however final yr featured an in-season rotation at proper guard. Veteran left guard Laken Tomlinson is getting into free company and didn’t present something that may make re-signing him a precedence. Second-year middle Olu Oluwatimi had a good end to the season after Connor Williams’ sudden retirement, however the Seahawks may use an improve at that place as effectively. — Michael-Shawn Dugar
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Edge rusher
The Bucs’ main sackers final season had been defensive tackles Calijah Kancey and Vita Vea, who had 7.5 and seven, respectively. A little bit extra juice off the sting would complement the tackles and outdoors linebacker Yaya Diaby in addition to improve the move protection, which ranked twenty ninth within the NFL and generated solely seven interceptions. The Bucs additionally may need to switch Joe Tryon-Shoyinka, a former first-round decide who has began the final three years. Tryon-Shoyinka might be a free agent. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans: Quarterback
Once you’re 3-14, you’ve gotten every kind of wants. The one place teams that don’t essentially want addressing on this group are working again and cornerback – although the latter presumes L’Jarius Sneed and Chidobe Awuzie will play soccer in 2025. Coming in a detailed second to quarterback is offensive line, they usually should be mounted in tandem or the QB selection is not going to get pleasure from himself subsequent season. The plain query: Will the Titans use the No. 1 decide on Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, or will they have already got a veteran starter signed by then? It’s potential they do each. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders: Edge defender
This might go in quite a few instructions contemplating Washington’s roughly 30 free brokers, however one difficulty stood out above all final season. Run video games chewed up the protection all season, averaging 4.8 yards per carry with important injury carried out exterior and earlier than contact. The Commanders additionally lacked a constant move rush regardless of a stunning 10.5 sacks from 2025 free agent Dante Fowler. — Ben Standig
(Illustration: Demetrius Robinson / The Athletic; Pictures: Doug Murray/Icon Sportswire, Luke Hales/Getty Photos, Joe Robbins through AP, AP Photograph/Doug Benc)