Bet Now: Top 10 teams to watch in the 2026 NFL offseason (and why it matters)

The offseason is officially the NFL’s second season — and for the teams that missed the playoffs, it’s a seven-month sprint to fix the stuff that broke in 2025. Here are the 10 franchises with the loudest, most consequential storylines, based on what’s already on the table: quarterbacks, coaching churn, cap problems, and premium draft slots.

1) Las Vegas Raiders

Why they’re a headline: They own the No. 1 pick and have to decide what the future looks like at quarterback. That single decision can reshape the top of the draft and the league’s QB dominoes.What to watch: Whether they commit to a rookie QB at 1 or build a bridge plan while resetting the roster.

2) New York Jets

Why they’re a headline: They’re basically starting over at quarterback and have to solve it with a two-lane plan: veteran + draft.What to watch: Which vet becomes the safety net — and whether they use a premium pick on a franchise QB or “build first, QB later.”

3) Arizona Cardinals

Why they’re a headline: The franchise is staring at the biggest question in the building: what to do with Kyler Murray.What to watch: If they keep him, the focus turns to protecting him (hello, offensive line). If they move on, everything shifts to a new timeline.

4) Atlanta Falcons

Why they’re a headline: New leadership vibes — the team has major decisions on who stays, who goes, and who starts at QB with injury uncertainty in the room.What to watch: Whether they patch the QB position short-term or try to survive the early season with a limited plan.

5) Cleveland Browns

Why they’re a headline: They need clarity under center and they also need to rebuild parts of the offense around it.What to watch: Whether they chase a QB solution aggressively (trade up / veteran) or pivot to building a stronger line + weapons first.

6) Miami Dolphins

Why they’re a headline: They can’t walk into next season with “QB questions” and pretend it’s fine — and they also have a massive decision with Tyreek Hill’s contract/future.What to watch: If they bring in real QB competition and whether they rework or move on from expensive veteran pieces.

7) Baltimore Ravens

Why they’re a headline: The cap math is real — Lamar Jackson’s cap number is a big constraint, and they need more impact off the edge.What to watch: Restructure/new deal mechanics and how they rebuild a pass rush that didn’t consistently tilt games.

8) Kansas City Chiefs

Why they’re a headline: A rare down year forces uncomfortable choices: cap cleanup, roster reset energy, and a clear push to improve the pass rush — plus Kelce’s future hovering.What to watch: Cuts/restructures that signal a true retool vs a quick bounce-back build.

9) Dallas Cowboys

Why they’re a headline: Defense needs a real rebuild, and they’ve got a massive decision on George Pickens after a monster season.What to watch: Whether they tag him, pay him long-term, and how they add speed and playmaking to a defense that bled points.

10) Tennessee Titans

Why they’re a headline: They have a young QB to support, and the priority is obvious: get him a real No. 1 receiver and upgrade the pass rush help around Simmons.What to watch: Whether they swing big for a proven weapon or try to draft/patchwork it and hope the QB makes it work.

The Bet Now offseason cheat code

If you only track four things, track these:

• QB clarity (starter, competition, injury timelines)

• Coaching hires (especially OC/DC — identity changes fast)

• Cap cuts/restructures (tells you who they’re moving on from)

• Trenches (O-line + pass rush = quickest “real” improvement)