We're not even officially into the new league year for 2026, but every team across the NFL has begun some form of preparation for the upcoming offseason. Free agency and the NFL Draft are the two big events if the offseason in the NFL.
This is the time where teams can make some franchise-altering changes to their respective rosters, and that's what we'll focus on here. There were more Super Bowl contenders than just the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, and some of those teams might truly be one notable move away from setting a path to Super bowl 61.
We took a look at the three most likely teams that feel only one move away in 2026 from reaching Super Bowl 61.
These 3 teams are 1 major move away from Super Bowl 61 glory in 2026
Denver Broncos
Not only do the Denver Broncos need a legitimate RB1, but they also need a game-changing pass-catcher as well. Last offseason, the Broncos front office signed J.K. Dobbins and Evan Engram to help out on offense, but between a Dobbins' injury and Engram not producing at a high enough level, Denver is again needing help at both positions.
However, on offense, nothing is more important than being able to establish the run, and that was something the Broncos simply were not able to do the second Dobbins went down. The Broncos being able to find a legitimate work-horse running back is going to propel them on a deep playoff run in 2026.
It seems a bit insane to think it's that simple, but with how good the Broncos are otherwise, a legitimate threat at the running back position can put this team over the edge, as we saw just how good Denver could be when they bested the Buffalo Bills in the Divisional Round, and had Bo Nix not broken his ankle, it's not a stretch to think that the Broncos would have been in the Super Bowl.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams had the NFC West in their grasp, but the team faltered near the end of the season and had to go on the road in the playoffs, ultimately falling to the Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game.
When you dig a bit deeper into how the Rams faltered, the defense was actually a primary culprit. Specifically, the secondary is in need of at least one starting-caliber cornerback, and the team could use another safety. Fortunately, the Rams not only have the most dangerous offense in the NFL, but they also have two first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft.
There really isn't an excuse for the Rams not to improve the weakest spots on the roster, and given that this team is in a win-now window, it would not shock me to see General Manager Les Snead scouring the trade market for some secondary help.
If Los Angeles can find an impact player at cornerback, the defense is going to continue to be among the best in the NFL, and they'll be able to sustain that in the playoffs. When you take an aerial view of this great roster, that's really the main issue the front office has to solve in 2026.
Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are another team that could use help in the secondary, but the most obvious need in the eyes of many is at wide receiver, as the Bills just have not fielded a good wide receiver room in multiple years. The Keon Coleman experience has been forgettable, as Josh Allen had to throw to Brandin Cooks and Mecole Hardman in the Divisional Round.
If the Bills can somehow find a way to swing a notable wide receiver trade, similar to how they did with Stefon Diggs before Allen's breakout campaign back in 2020. A difference-maker at wide receiver could get the Bills to Super Bowl 61.