Ranking the five NFL teams with the brightest futures
With two days to go before Super Bowl LVIII, the other thirty NFL teams are trying to figure out how they might still be in the game at this time next year. These are the five groups that have the most promising futures.
5. The Chargers of Los Angeles
For a number of years now, the Chargers have possessed one of the best teams in the league, but they have consistently performed below expectations. After appointing Jim Harbaugh, a former Michigan head coach and 49ers player, as their new head coach, that ought to change.
Justin Herbert is the starting quarterback for Los Angeles already. He is now the focal point, and aged veterans on both sides of the ball must help it grow around him.
The club will likely have a challenging summer because its estimated salary cap exceeds by $45.8 million. However, the Chargers appear to have both their quarterback and head coach in place, which is the first step toward success.
4. The Packers of Green Bay
The Packers are skilled quarterback draft pickers. Now that Aaron Rodgers has replaced Brett Favre, they have Jordan Love, who appears to be the genuine deal.
With an average age of 25.58, Love led the Green Bay club that became the youngest to qualify for the playoffs in more than 50 years. And they won on the road against a very good Cowboys squad.
The squad doesn’t have a lot of cap space ($7K) coming into 2024, but it also doesn’t have many important free agents.
The two most prominent players are safety Darnell Savage and running back AJ Dillon. In 2024, the Packers have a chance to reclaim the division and emerge as a serious contender if they have another excellent draft.
3. The Lions of Detroit
The 2023 season’s Cinderella story was the Lions. Just two years prior, Detroit had been 3-13-1; this time, they went 12-5, won the NFC North, and lost the NFC Championship Game by a mere three points. However, nobody will be taken off guard by the Lions the next season.
With picks like RB Jahmyr Gibbs, TE Sam LaPorta, LB Jack Campbell, and CB Brian Branch, the team may have had the finest draft of the year. These guys were major contributors to the team’s success this year.
The Lions also own the seventh-highest salary cap space in the NFL ($58.61 million). They ought to be even more formidable the following season if their draft and free agent classes of 2024 can perform similarly.
2. The Bengals of Cincinnati
The Bengals had a somewhat poor season, missing the playoffs and losing quarterback Joe Burrow to a season-ending injury. However, it appears that they are more prepared than ever for triumph in 2024.
Cincinnati has a lot of salary cap space ($59.43M) to work with, and Burrow is already committed for the foreseeable future. The team must choose whether to keep or cut loose a number of important free agents, including wide receivers Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins, defensive tackle D.J. Reader, and wide out Chidobe Awuzie.
However, the Bengals have a chance to become one of the league’s most complete teams with a focused offseason. Burrow’s health is the primary issue, but the window is always open as long as he is in good health.
1. The Houston Texans
The futures of all four clubs are quite promising, but without a question, the Texans have the most promising.
The futures of all four clubs are quite promising, but without a question, the Texans have the most promising.
DeMeco Ryans had a good chance to win Coach of the Year, while its two 2023 first-round choices, QB C.J. Stroud and DE Will Anderson Jr., were awarded the Offensive and Defensive Rookies of the Year.
Although Houston’s aggression over the previous offseason drew criticism, the team advanced to the postseason and won a playoff game in the first season of the new coaching staff.
Going into 2024, the Texans have the third-most salary cap room ($69.95M). They have a good chance to quickly rise to the top of the NFL if they can capitalize on Stroud’s rookie contract over the next few years.
