The AFC ended up being a very competitive conference in 2025, and it also ended up featuring some shocking results, as the 'regulars' like the Kansas City Chiefs and Baltimore Ravens did not make the playoffs, and the so-called juggernaut Buffalo Bills weren't able to get over the hump.
Many AFC teams also have a ton of cap space and could make some sweeping roster changes, so what we know about the conference right now might not end up being the case even a week from now when free agency begins.
As we get closer to free agency, let's power rank the AFC.
Updated AFC power rankings approaching 2026 free agency
16. New York Jets
The New York Jets, if nothing else, could be primed to be a fun, frisky team in 2027 if they hit on some of their first-round picks and snag a quarterback in next year's draft.
15. Cleveland Browns
With no quarterback in sight, the Cleveland Browns are again going to be among the worst teams in the NFL in 2026 unless something major changes.
14. Miami Dolphins
At some point, the Miami Dolphins will very likely cut Tua Tagovailoa, and this could get them in a spot to make a run at Malik Willis in free agency, but this potential reality wouldn't really elevate the Dolphins that much.
13. Las Vegas Raiders
If nothing else, the Las Vegas Raiders should have a solid duo to try and build with in Klint Kubiak and Fernando Mendoza, but a lot would still have to be done after that.
12. Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans have a metric ton of cap space and could honestly buy a ton of talent this offseason. With a strong coaching staff now in place and Cam Ward having put a lot of good stuff on the field near the end of 2025, the Titans could be primed to breakout.
11. Cincinnati Bengals
You get the sense that the Cincinnati Bengals have to splurge at some point right? Until they do and actually fix the defense, they'll continue to miss the playoffs as they have done the past three seasons.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
The Kansas City Chiefs just traded Trent McDuffie and honestly don't have a good roster, either, so this is going to take some time to build up again. I would not be shocked if the Chiefs missed the playoffs again in 2026.
9. Indianapolis Colts
Let's not pretend like this team didn't start 7-1 in 2025. Sure, the quarterback position is a bit unknown at this point, but the Colts are a good team and could flirt with Wild Card contention in 2026.
8. Baltimore Ravens
With Jesse Minter now as the head coach, the Baltimore Ravens should be right back in the thick of things in the AFC, especially if they get better injury luck.
7. Pittsburgh Steelers
If Aaron Rodgers returns for another year, the Pittsburgh Steelers would feel primed to again go 10-7. There isn't much of anything special with the Steelers, as they come in at no. 7 in our AFC rankings.
6. Los Angeles Chargers
Los Angeles is one of the more 'good not great' teams in the NFL, as they need to overhaul this offensive line, and Justin Herbert's playoff performances can't be excused, either.
5. Houston Texans
Houston's defense is Super Bowl-caliber, but their quarterback, CJ Stroud, feels anything but, unfortunately. The Texans should again be in a position to win double-digit games in 2026.
4. Jacksonville Jaguars
A breakout team in 2025, the Jacksonville Jaguars managed to stop the run at a high level and were also able to put things together on offense as the season went on, so this team could again be a top AFC squad in 2026.
3. Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills again blew their chance to get over the hump. A brutal ending in the Divisional Round once again ended their season before they would have liked it, but as long as Josh Allen is present, the Bills are going to be among the best.
2. New England Patriots
Benefitting from an all-time easy schedule, the New England Patriots managed to get to the Super Bowl, but you get the sense that this team could regress a bit. Stefon Diggs is shockingly headed out the door, so there's that as well. I would expect the Pats to be moderately aggressive in the offseason, especially on offense.
1. Denver Broncos
Let's not pretend like we all didn't see how the AFC Championship Game and Super Bowl went. It's a very solid scenario that the Denver Broncos could have won it all had Bo Nix not gotten hurt in the Divisional Round. Denver does have the best roster in the NFL and could also have a top-10 quarterback as well.