Even the best NFL teams have something to improve on beyond 2025. Now that 2026 is here, we'll see the final week of the regular season and the playoffs, with the Super Bowl ending the season in February.
After the Super Bowl, the free agency period happens in March, and the NFL Draft takes place in April. The early Spring months are when NFL teams need to make the necessary change to fix any and all roster holes, but as we know, it doesn't always work like that.
We've taken a giant task here to give a major resolution to every single NFL team now that 2026 is upon us. Let's get into it.
One resolution for each NFL team as the 2026 calendar year begins
AFC North
Pittsburgh Steelers - Put a plan on place to find a long-term quarterback
Until the Pittsburgh Steelers put a plan in place at the QB position, the Steelers will continue to not be able to get over the hump. Drafting a top prospect in 2026 and signing a high-end bridge quarterback is a good start and is what many teams have done before.
Baltimore Ravens - Recommit to Lamar Jackson and refresh key roster positions
Lamar Jackson's cap hit in 2026 is $74.5 million in 2026 - the Baltimore Ravens can fix this with a contract extension, which pays the QB what he deserves and lowers the cap hit for a few more seasons. This should be the team's primary focus, along with refreshing some key positions. The pass rush and offensive line need a boost.
Cincinnati Bengals - Shore up the offensive line and rebuild the defense
The Cincinnati Bengals offensive line has played well in recent weeks. Re-signing Dalton Risner should be a priority, but searching for another upgrade along the iOL and rebuilding the defense should be at the top of the Bengals to-do list.
Cleveland Browns - Take a quarterback in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft
Until the Cleveland Browns do this, they'll continue to circle the drain. Someone like Dante Moore of Oregon could be a realistic target for the Browns as they continue to circle the drain and fail to rebound from the Deshaun Watson trade.
AFC South
Jacksonville Jaguars - Acknowledge the wide open Super Bowl window and add for 2026 and beyond
The Jacksonville Jaguars appear to be in the early stages of a Super Bowl window - GM James Gladstone now needs to put his foot on the gas and load up on roster talent to ensure this window is open as much as possible in the AFC.
Houston Texans - Solidify the offensive line once and for all, and extend CJ Stroud
The offensive line in Houston could use another starter, and CJ Stroud is probably someone who also needs a contract extension. An offensive focus is what the Texans have to take into 2026.
Indianapolis Colts - Commit to Daniel Jones again in 2026
The Indianapolis Colts also may not have another choice - Daniel Jones played very well for them this year and was 8-5 in 13 starts. GM Chris Ballard needs to commit to Jones on another one-year deal through 2026.
Tennessee Titans - Add as much talent as possible around Cam Ward
Cam Ward has made some big-time throws this year and is beginning to stack some solid performances. By all accounts, Ward has done everything in his power to prove he's a franchise QB, so the Titans have to respond by adding talent on both sides of the ball
AFC East
New England Patriots - Pursue as many upgrades as possible
The New England Patriots coaching is outperforming the roster talent, if that makes sense. On paper, the Pats aren't really oozing with talent, so the key in 2026 is to find as many upgrades as possible to kick this operation into another gear.
Buffalo Bills - Find a legitimate WR1
Keon Coleman has not been that guy for the Buffalo Bills, so GM Brandon Beane, or whoever is in charge, needs to pursue a WR1 at all costs, whether it's via trade or in the NFL Draft.
Miami Dolphins - Cut or trade Tua Tagovailoa and start fresh at QB
This would be a massively bold move, but it's a needed one. The Dolphins benched Tua Tagovailoa a couple of weeks ago and need to totally rip the Band-Aid off, cut or trade him, and start fresh at the position.
New York Jets - Draft important positions in 2026 and take chances on cheap talent in free agency
GM Darren Mougey should also take swings on low-cost, talented players to keep building up the roster as much as possible.
AFC West
Denver Broncos - Give Bo Nix one elite offensive weapon
This is the missing link on offense - an elite weapon at wide receiver or running back. This could come via Breece Hall in free agency or even via trade for a big-time player like Jaylen Waddle or AJ Brown, for example.
Los Angeles Chargers - Please, Joe Hortiz, fix the offensive line!
There really isn't any other answer here - the Chargers should bank on Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater returning to form, but GM Joe Hortiz needs to approach the 2026 offseason with the mindset that the three other OL positions need upgrading.
Kansas City Chiefs - Add key talent along the DL, and refresh the offensive weaponry
This is what the Kansas City Chiefs need to do - getting more explosive on the DL and adding some legitimate, not average weapons on offense is how this operation gets back on track.
Las Vegas Raiders - Commit to the top QB prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft
The Las Vegas Raiders are very likely finishing with the top pick for the 2026 NFL Draft, so the team has to commit to and draft the top QB prospect, which is very likely to be Fernando Mendoza from Indiana.
NFC North
Chicago Bears - Fix the defensive line and add another starter in the secondary
The Chicago Bears have the foundation of something special, but a revamped defensive line and some help in the secondary is really what this team needs to focus on in 2026.
Green Bay Packers - Just get healthy
The Green Bay Packers seem to be trending in the wrong direction with injuries, so their resolution for 2026 should simply be to just get healthy for next year.
Minnesota Vikings - Bring back JJ McCarthy, but trade for Mac Jones
This could be a realistic scenario for the Minnesota Vikings, as they have to bring in a competent veteran to compete with JJ McCarthy, but that veteran also has to be good enough to win games, and Mac Jones fits those criteria.
Detroit Lions - Usher in a new defensive era
The Detroit Lions just kind of need to turn the page defensively. I am not sure if the Lions will make any defensive coaching changes, but something big has to change for this team to get back on the right track, as the talent is there. Simply getting healthier is a huge part of this.
NFC South
Carolina Panthers - Decline Bryce Young's 5th year option and bring in competition
I am sorry, folks, but Bryce Young is not a franchise quarterback and just isn't consistent enough week to week. The Panthers need to decline his fifth-year option and bring in some legitimate competition to try and improve at QB.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers - Bring in a new coaching staff and load up on pass rushers
It feels like we could be approaching the end of the Todd Bowles era, which is probably the right move. The Buccaneers need a fresh face in the building and also need to find some pass rush help, as that has been an issue for years now.
Atlanta Falcons - Commit to Michael Penix Jr one final time in 2026
The best-case scenario for the Atlanta Falcons is that Michael Penix Jr plays his tail off in 2026 and cements himself as a franchise QB in a huge third year in the league. The Falcons should commit to him in 2026 and perhaps also bring in some insurance.
New Orleans Saints - Do whatever it takes to ensure a year two breakout for Tyler Shough
The Saints might have something special in Tyler Shough, so the front office should add some young offensive talent and really just do whatever it takes to put Shough in the best position to breakout in 2026.
NFC East
Philadelphia Eagles - Trade AJ Brown for as much as possible
It seems like AJ Brown's fit isn't really that seamless anymore for the Eagles. Philly should trade Brown in the offseason for as big of a haul as they can possibly get. This could give them some cap relief and even more draft capital.
Dallas Cowboys - Give Dak Prescott at least an average defense
The Dallas Cowboys are an average defense away from winning the NFC East and being a contender once again. Simply put, that's really all the team has to focus on, but obviously, a contract extension for George Pickens is important as well.
Washington Commanders - Pursue young talent all over the place
The Washington Commanders had a very old roster this year, and that isn't always a formula for success, so this team needs to change direction and bring in some young talent on both sides of the ball.
New York Giants - Build around Jaxson Dart and hire a proven coach
Jaxson Dart has the goods, folks, and all it might take is a proven head coach to unlock his full potential. Mike McCarthy really makes a lot of sense here.
NFC West
Seattle Seahawks - Look at some key player extensions and find another iOL starter
The Seattle Seahawks could benefit from another starter along the iOL and have a few free agents in-house who might be worth extending. The neat thing with Seattle is that this operation is so solid that the team doesn't need to make any major changes in 2026.
San Francisco 49ers - Once again, get healthy
It feels like the San Francisco 49ers are banged up every single season, and with how well they have played this year, simply getting key players back from injury is what this team needs to focus on. There is a lot of young talent on this roster as well, so the arrow is pointing up.
Los Angeles Rams - Begin to think about life after Matthew Stafford
Matthew Stafford just might win the NFL MVP this year, but he's 37 years old and is not going to play forever. At some point, the LA front office has to begin thinking about life after Stafford.
Arizona Cardinals - Clean house... again
The Arizona Cardinals are playing bad, uninspired football, and that is a direct reflection on the coaching staff, so the front office probably needs to clean house and bring in a new coaching staff.