Intro
Updated 2023 NFL power rankings after Aaron Rodgers traded to the Jets
1. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs are still the kings of the NFL right now. There’s no denying it. Even with the team letting Orlando Brown Jr. walk, you can’t help but feel like Jawaan Taylor is going to come in and seamlessly replace him. The Chiefs have needs just like everyone but with Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes leading the charge, this team’s not going anywhere and will have to be dethroned in January/February.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles could have a lot of departing free agents but we know GM Howie Roseman is going to make sure this roster is reloaded one way or another. It will be interesting, though, to see how Philadelphia responds after losing both coordinators as well as some of their key pieces roster-wise.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
If you want to interchange the Bengals and the Bills on this list, be my guest. I think both teams are in very similar spots right now. Both have elite rosters and both have the ability to knock off the mighty Chiefs. The Bengals seem to have a bit more going for them on both sides of the ball at the moment.
4. Buffalo Bills
If Von Miller can stay healthy this season, we’ll see what kind of a difference he could make when it comes time for January football. That’s what the Bills signed him for. Buffalo didn’t quite live up to expectations this past season but injuries had something to do with it. We’ll see how they rebound in 2023.
5. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins improved dramatically on offense last season and in the 2023 offseason, they’ve now added Vic Fangio and Jalen Ramsey to the mix. If Tua Tagovailoa can stay healthy, this Dolphins team could be scary good. In case Tua struggles again in 2023, the Dolphins brought in former Jets backup Mike White, who should be able to operate Mike McDaniel’s offense in case things go awry. It is interesting, though, that they would choose someone who is coming off of a year in which he struggled with injuries himself…
6. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers obviously have a QB issue on their hands right now but I can’t help but love Kyle Shanahan getting Sam Darnold as an option with Brock Purdy and Trey Lance both coming off of major injuries/surgeries. Darnold played well down the stretch last year and could parlay a one-year deal in San Francisco into a big-money contract in 2024 if he actually gets to play…
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars took a massive leap forward in 2022. What is the encore going to look like in 2023? Doug Pederson has been a godsend for this franchise and you can’t help but trust that he’s going to have them on the right path moving forward. I love the direction of this team and feel very confident putting them this high in NFL Power Rankings because of the leap forward from Trevor Lawrence, specifically.
8. New York Jets
The newest Jet has landed. Well, kind of. Aaron Rodgers has declared he intends to play in 2023 for the New York Jets, and he’s now found his way to the loaded AFC. The Jets become instant contenders with him under center. Right? Rodgers should be in a healthy environment with Nathaniel Hackett as his OC and Robert Saleh running the squad/defense. This Jets team looked like a top-10 team at times in 2022 with Zach Wilson at QB…
9. Detroit Lions
Dan Campbell has this team looking absolutely fierce heading into 2023. It’s just awesome to see the way he’s been erasing the previous culture of the Lions and instilling exactly what he said he would at his introductory press conference. The Lions are more than just a good story, too. They are one of the best offenses in the NFL and we’ll see how they improve defensively in 2023. Cameron Sutton is a good start.
10. Dallas Cowboys
It will be fascinating to see how the loss of Kellen Moore as OC impacts Dallas in 2023. Mike McCarthy is putting his faith in himself with his job seemingly on the line in 2023, although it seems like Jerry Jones has no interest in letting him go. Dan Quinn is back to coach the Cowboys’ defense in 2023 and that side of the ball needs to really carry this team in January.
11. Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks were arguably the most shockingly good team of 2022. They deserve some kudos here in our post-Aaron Rodgers NFL Power Rankings because they run the ball well, they have some nice young pieces on defense, and Geno Smith is back on a three-year deal. The addition of Dre’Mont Jones to the defensive line could be a game-changer.
12. Los Angeles Rams
There’s no recency bias here. The Los Angeles Rams are one of the most well-run teams in the league but they got bit by the injury bug in 2022. I would be shocked if they’re not back among the NFL’s elite in 2023.
13. Minnesota Vikings
This seems egregiously low for a team that won 13 games in 2023. I am sorry, Vikings fans. I love what the team is doing right now and I love the way they were able to close out close games last year. That’s certainly not worth nothing, which is why I put the Vikings in the top half of the league in these NFL Power Rankings. But I could see a bit of a regression in 2023.
14. Los Angeles Chargers
The Los Angeles Chargers are one of the best teams in the NFL some weeks, and they’re one of the most frustrating other weeks. I would say the average of a top 7-10 team and a team that plays down to its competition other weeks is about right here. I just don’t buy this team being led by Brandon Staley, who is a great defensive mind but makes some bizarre choices as a head coach.
15. New Orleans Saints
The addition of Derek Carr for the New Orleans Saints gives them a violent shove up the list. It’s going to be interesting to see how it all works out for New Orleans, because this team lost some very key pieces defensively including Ryan Nielson (Falcons). There should be substantial enough talent on that side of the ball to keep playing at a high level, but the Saints are going to take a step forward offensively with Derek Carr, in my opinion.
16. New York Giants
The New York Giants overachieved in 2022, and now they are paying up for it. Daniel Jones got a big deal, Saquon Barkley got the franchise tag, and now we’ll see how the Giants move to supplement those guys. I just don’t buy this team long-term with Daniel Jones under center but I do buy Brian Daboll and Joe Schoen running the team. I could see them being a nine-win team in 2023 again, but that might be the ceiling.
17. New England Patriots
I think the addition of Bill O’Brien back to the Patriots’ staff is going to make a massive difference. The Patriots just desperately need wide receiver help. Jakobi Meyers just left for the Raiders and the Patriots traded Jonnu Smith to the Falcons. Mac Jones is currently throwing to…who, exactly?
18. Baltimore Ravens
The Ravens franchise tagged Lamar Jackson, but it doesn’t really seem like he’s part of their long-term future. Usually, I am a huge fan of the way the Ravens do business but it really doesn’t make sense that they’re not building around Jackson properly. They have drawn a clear line in the sand.
19. Denver Broncos
The Broncos were one of the five worst teams in the NFL last season, so why are they in the top 20 here? Simply put, I believe Sean Payton makes this team much better. We’ll have to wait and see how Russell Wilson adjusts to life with his new coach in place, but I just think the floor for this team has been raised considerably by the addition of Payton into the mix.
20. Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers assembled one of the best coaching staffs in the NFL in one fell swoop with Frank Reich and Ejiro Evero coming in, and with this team making a bold trade to move up into that no. 1 overall slot, we’re now going to see Scott Fitterer and his HC of choice building this thing the way they see fit. I’m not sure there’s a healthier environment for a rookie QB to step into than this one.
21. Washington Commanders
The Commanders made a bold move to go and get Eric Bieniemy to coach the offensive side of the ball. The question now is, are they really going to let Sam Howell drive the car in his second NFL season? I just don’t buy it at this point. I think the Commanders need to make a move for a QB but they are running out of options…
22. Las Vegas Raiders
How can you trust a team led by Josh McDaniels? I guess we’ll see how he can do in Las Vegas this coming year with Jimmy Garoppolo under center. Is Garoppolo really an upgrade over Derek Carr? They’ve added Jakobi Meyers to continue the former Patriots connections and we’ll see how long the honeymoon phase lasts with Davante Adams. I wonder if this team could now be the worst in the AFC West.
23. Green Bay Packers
The Packers traded away Aaron Rodgers, finally. Mercifully. The Jordan Love era is now set to begin with a lot of change taking place on this Green Bay roster. Still, the development last season of Christian Watson was encouraging and Green Bay should still be able to run the ball well. We’ll get a real test for Matt LaFleur, although the Packers have done a mostly good job of managing the Aaron Rodgers stuff these past few years.
24. Pittsburgh Steelers
It’s tough to put a Mike Tomlin-coached team this low. I just am not buying Kenny Pickett and I think the Steelers could look very similar in 2023 as they did in 2022. Maybe they jump into the top half throughout the course of the season. This team will probably be way too good defensively to bottom out at all this season but their success hinges on the development of Pickett.
25. Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons have brought in Taylor Heinicke after a year of Marcus Mariota, which was oddly rather successful when you look back on it. I think Arthur Smith put a good infrastructure in place, and now the Falcons have Heinicke as their bridge guy to whatever is going to come next. And what is coming next? Anthony Richardson might be just what this team needs at QB.
26. Cleveland Browns
Call me skeptical all you want, I just want to see things actually work out on the field with Deshaun Watson and the Browns before calling this team one of the best in the league. I think Jacoby Brissett did a good job last season holding down the fort but the Browns are going to need Watson to be the $230 million man they paid for. He has to elevate that offense to top-10 heights or this team is going to be stuck in NFL Draft purgatory — too bad to make the playoffs but too good to be picking in the top 10.
27. Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears were the worst team in the league last year record-wise, but they have added some pieces of late and the franchise has some renewed excitement. The team is going all-in on Justin Fields despite the GM and head coach having nothing to do with drafting him in 2021. They moved out of the top pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and acquired DJ Moore in the process. Now, the Bears need to continue to make splashes in free agency and this team could more than double its win total from last season.
28. Tennessee Titans
The Titans seem to be blowing it up in year one of the Ran Carthon (Titans new GM) era. That’s totally fine, but this team could struggle badly this coming season. I am way lower on the Titans than I probably should be here, but this team is one in transition and it wouldn’t surprise me to see them hit a bit of a low in 2023. With that said, Mike Vrabel usually has his guys ready to go on Sundays, so maybe putting them this low will come back to haunt me.
29. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tom Brady is gone. The Bucs have a lot of players on the move already this offseason, including some key pieces of the offensive line in Donovan Smith and Shaq Mason. Who will be next? This team has already lost a lot of pieces and the biggest question marks right now are with the offense. Who is going to be the new captain of the ship with the GOAT setting sail into the sunset?
30. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts will likely be breaking in a rookie QB under Shane Steichen, and could struggle this season as a result. I don’t know though, because this team was competing for a playoff spot just a couple of seasons ago and much of that core remains intact. Could this team be sneaky if Steichen can get the most out of the QB position? Absolutely.
31. Houston Texans
The Texans might still be bad this year, but they are going to jump up this list very quickly. I have all the confidence in the world that DeMeco Ryans is going to be a great head coach in this league and we’re already seeing Houston put together the pieces to be competitive. Whoever they take at no. 2 overall is going to have a strong running game to lean on in their rookie season.
32. Arizona Cardinals
I am skeptical of the Cardinals for a lot of different reasons. First of all, Kyler Murray is coming off of a torn ACL. When is he even going to play? Second, Jonathan Gannon assembled a very inexperienced coaching staff while he’s a rookie himself. That could be a recipe for disaster. Third, the Cardinals’ roster is just depleted. It’s horrendous. This is a rebuilding project of astronomical proportions.