Two of the biggest phases of the NFL offseason — the hiring cycle and the initial rush of free agency — are in the books. The draft looms in roughly a month. Soon after, coaches and players will begin the early steps of on-field preparation for their seasons.
But this truly is the stage where foundations are laid, and where NFL owners prove themselves as either committed and competent leaders, mere window-dressers or meddlesome self-saboteurs.
Every owner professes a desire to build a winning franchise, but not everyone truly cares about winning as much as they would have you believe. And very few understand what it actually takes.
Not all owners pull the strings and levers and push the buttons this time of year. Some of the best empower and trust their staffs to position their teams for success. Others, driven by egos, can’t stay out of the way and their teams suffer as a result. And somewhere in between, you’ll find owners who are content with just getting by.
If we were to construct a “Want to Win” meter, which category would team owners be in based on track record and the moves of this offseason? Contention mode? Willing to do what it takes to win? Content to compete? Trying to get it right? Or stuck in struggle mode?
Let’s take a look.
Contention mode
Baltimore Ravens
Re-signing Ronnie Stanley to ensure Lamar Jackson’s blind side remains well protected was big. And DeAndre Hopkins should help improve the depth of the wide receiver unit. Salary-cap restraints made it hard to do more, but Baltimore’s front office always finds gems in the draft. When it came to their belief in Steve Bisciotti’s commitment to building a winning team, Ravens players in the most recent NFLPA team report cards gave the owner the ninth-highest rating in the league.
Buffalo Bills
The Bills made Josh Allen one of the highest-paid players in league history earlier this month with a new six-year, $330 million contract. Then they had a busy free agency, meeting needs at pass rusher, defensive back, wide receiver, running back and more while trying to finally get over that Kansas City hump that has slowed Terry Pegula’s team in the playoffs for years now.
Detroit Lions
The Lions didn’t hand out a bunch of megadeals in this free agency window. But they re-signed eight core players while making other depth signings, hoping to return to the NFC Championship Game after falling short in the divisional round this past postseason. After Sheila Ford Hamp got it right with the hiring of GM Brad Holmes and coach Dan Campbell, the Lions have steadily risen to contender ranks.
Kansas City Chiefs
The Hunt family’s team is the gold standard of how to build a winning franchise in the modern age. The Chiefs’ front office recognizes shortcomings and quickly finds solutions. The Eagles exposed the problems along the offensive line, so the Chiefs made sure Trey Smith couldn’t get away, and they got a promising, young left tackle in Jaylon Moore while also restructuring Patrick Mahomes and Chris Jones to make other depth signings possible.
Philadelphia Eagles
There’s nothing complacent about Jeffrey Lurie’s organization, in which players have no doubt their owner is “extremely committed” to winning, according to the NFLPA report cards. The Eagles lost several key players to free agency, but rewarded Saquon Barkley and Zack Baun for their championship-caliber contributions, flipped Kenny Pickett for Dorian Thompson-Robinson (who has greater potential) and added key veterans such as guard Kenyon Green (trade), pass-rusher Josh Uche and running back A.J. Dillon.
Willing to do what it takes to win
Green Bay Packers
The league’s only publicly owned team, the Packers always seem to have a clear vision of what it takes to win. The acquisitions of guard Aaron Banks and cornerback Nate Hobbs highlight the offseason moves thus far.
Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers used free agency to meet some key needs, adding running back Najee Harris and guard Mekhi Becton, while also making numerous depth signings. Owner Dean Spanos knows he has ground to make up to catch the Rams in the battle for the L.A. fan base, and Chargers players feel his commitment runs deep, according to the NFLPA report cards.
Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have been one of the NFL’s top franchises for the better part of the last decade, and owner Stan Kroenke continues to put his trust in GM Les Snead and coach Sean McVay. The Rams this offseason gave quarterback Matthew Stafford a new contract, signed wide receiver Davante Adams in free agency and look like early favorites to win the NFC West.
Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins didn’t give out any big deals in free agency. Instead, they took a balanced approach while filling needs on defense and the offensive line. But Stephen Ross drew high marks from his players in the NFLPA report cards for his commitment to winning after building a new training facility and extending coach Mike McDaniel in the last year.
Minnesota Vikings
GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah received the green light from owner Zygi Wilf — consistently one of the highest-rated owners in the NFLPA report cards — to conduct another aggressive offseason. The Vikings invested heavily on both sides of the ball as they aim to overtake Detroit for NFC North supremacy and make a deep playoff run. And Wilf didn’t pressure his team to sign quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has interest in playing for Minnesota. Wilf left the decision up to Adofo-Mensah and coach Kevin O’Connell, who decided they would stick for now with J.J. McCarthy and see how he fares after missing all of last season with a torn meniscus.
San Francisco 49ers
San Francisco experienced a mass exodus during free agency, but GM John Lynch said the 49ers “have a plan” as he retools the roster. The Yorks have received strong votes of confidence from players on the Niners, who have reached the Super Bowl twice and the NFC Championship Game four times in the last six seasons.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay remains the picture of stability in the NFC South thanks largely to the vision of general manager Jason Licht and support he receives from the Glazer family. This offseason’s efforts to retain core players such as wide receiver Chris Godwin, linebacker Lavonte David, and guard Ben Bredeson, while adding Haason Reddick to pass rush with Anthony Nelson, seemingly have the Bucs positioned for another playoff run.
Washington Commanders
Preaching “people, culture and talent,” owner Josh Harris signed off on another aggressive offseason, which included trades for wide receiver Deebo Samuel and offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil as GM Adam Peters works to fortify the team around quarterback Jayden Daniels. After years of dysfunction and repeated resets under Daniel Snyder, Washington players have showered Harris with praise for his leadership and the support he offers Peters and coach Dan Quinn.
Content to compete
Arizona Cardinals
Josh Sweat met a need for an impact pass rusher. But coach Jonathan Gannon and quarterback Kyler Murray needed more help this offseason, and Cardinals players consistently give owner Michael Bidwill low grades when it comes to perceived commitment to winning.
Cincinnati Bengals
Yes, they made hefty investments in wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. But those moves felt more like notoriously frugal owner Mike Brown caving to the demands of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Cincinnati thus far has neglected to truly upgrade the defense, which is a must if the Bengals are serious about trying to overtake Kansas City, Buffalo and Baltimore in the AFC.
New Orleans Saints
The Saints’ decisions since Sean Payton’s departure hint at a team just trying to remain interesting in a very winnable NFC South. Kellen Moore seems like an upgrade at head coach over Dennis Allen, but a restrictive salary cap translated into offseason moves largely centered on re-signing solid players while Gayle Benson’s team passed on difference-makers.
Trying to get it right
Carolina Panthers
Owner David Tepper does want to win. He just needs to learn to how to let the football professionals on his team do their jobs and handle the decisions. Dave Canales and Bryce Young showed promise last season as the coach-QB duo the Panthers need, and spending on the defense this offseason seems to have been a wise move.
Chicago Bears
GM Ryan Poles repeatedly receives the green light for some aggressive moves as he works to rebuild one of the league’s iconic franchises, and the Ben Johnson-Caleb Williams union could prove transformational. The pieces seemingly are in place. Is this the year the payoff comes for the Halas family?
Denver Broncos
After a rocky first year under Sean Payton, things appear to be trending in the right direction in Denver. Bo Nix is the guy, and this free agency period, highlighted by the free-agent signings of Talanoa Hufanga and Dre Greenlaw, displayed a commitment to further building this team (owned by the Walter-Penner group) into a contender.
Houston Texans
Houston, owned by Cal McNair, has won back-to-back AFC South titles with coach DeMeco Ryans and GM Nick Caserio at the helm. But the Texans have had a curious offseason, trading away their best two veteran offensive linemen while also making Derek Stingley Jr. the highest-paid cornerback in the league and giving defensive end Danielle Hunter a big-money extension. The desire is there. But if the Texans don’t land a couple of O-line cornerstones in the draft, C.J. Stroud’s chances of achieving his true potential are bleak.
Las Vegas Raiders
Mark Davis tried to give his players what they wanted, removing Antonio Pierce’s interim tag and making him the full-time head coach last season. But Pierce needed time to grow and a quarterback to have a chance. Now, Tom Brady is strongly influencing decisions and the hiring of Pete Carroll to replace Pierce should help the Raiders make some strides. Geno Smith is an upgrade as a bridge quarterback, and rewarding defensive end Maxx Crosby with a new contract was the right move this offseason.
New England Patriots
After completely botching the Bill Belichick succession plan, Robert Kraft turned to a different former Patriots linebacker to help restore the franchise to its glory years. Mike Vrabel and Eliot Wolf worked hard to upgrade the defense in free agency, but young quarterback Drake Maye badly needs more support.
Seattle Seahawks
Seattle, with Jody Allen as the de facto owner, opted for an offensive overhaul. The Seahawks parted with offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, quarterback Geno Smith and wide receivers DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, replacing them with Klint Kubiak, Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. But a weak offensive line largely went neglected in free agency. Can DeMarcus Lawrence really help elevate second-year coach Mike Macdonald’s defense enough to improve on last season’s 10-7 campaign?
The Falcons still have Kirk Cousins on their roster despite benching him in his first season of a four-year, $180 million deal. (Kirby Lee / Imagn Images)
Stuck in struggle mode
Atlanta Falcons
Arthur Blank will take some swings, and players rank him high for his willingness to invest in the facility and support staff in their efforts to build a winning franchise. But Blank also seems to hurt his team by waiting too long to pull the trigger on moves that could correct mistakes. The Falcons emerged from free agency with their greatest need (pass rusher) largely unfulfilled, and unless they package quarterback Kirk Cousins in a trade for draft picks next month, they’re wasting a ton of money that could’ve been spent elsewhere had they not kept him on the roster.
Cleveland Browns
Cleveland sold its soul to the devil by giving up on Baker Mayfield and signing Deshaun Watson to that horrible contract. Yet another Watson injury kept this team stuck in neutral in 2024, and a setback in Watson’s recovery means the Browns still aren’t settled at quarterback. The efforts of owners Jimmy and Dee Haslam often feel like window dressing. Andrew Berry is a sharp GM, but cleaning up Cleveland’s messes are challenging. Despite resolving the Myles Garrett predicament, other offseason moves thus far — like trading for quarterback Kenny Pickett — seem unlikely to truly elevate the Browns above middle of the pack in the AFC North.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones loves to claim he wants to win another Super Bowl in the worst way. But above all, Jones loves being the center of attention and maintaining control. That causes him to hold onto coaches too long because he doesn’t want to pay them not to work, or to pass on hiring the most talented coaches because they might want more power than he’s willing to cede. Jones also tends to drag out player negotiations because he’s determined to pay them on his timeline, even if it means ultimately costing himself more in the long run.
Indianapolis Colts
Jim Irsay certainly professes a desire to win. But the Colts have reached the playoffs just twice in the last 10 seasons while largely hovering around .500. Anthony Richardson is dangerously close to bust territory, and even though other moves have failed to pay off, Irsay is sticking with GM Chris Ballard for another year. The Colts lost key players along their offensive line during free agency, and while Camryn Bynum and Charvarius Ward will help the secondary, Daniel Jones doesn’t seem like a franchise-elevating acquisition at quarterback.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Hitting the reset button once again, Shad Khan is on his sixth head coach and fourth general manager since 2012. In Liam Coen and GM James Gladstone, the Jags are going young, and both have displayed promise in their previous roles. However, the Jaguars have remained largely aimless under Khan, and critics wonder if he’ll ever get it right.
New York Giants
They paid Daniel Jones when they knew he wasn’t the guy, and then released him a season-and-a-half later. They opted against paying running back Saquon Barkley when they knew he was special. John Mara is letting GM Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll run it back in a bad year to need a quarterback in free agency or the draft.
New York Jets
Woody Johnson is on his eighth head coach since he bought the Jets in 2000. Aaron Glenn is regarded as a strong leader and defensive mind. And Justin Fields remains an intriguing young player. However, coach, quarterback and new GM Darren Mougey may have a hard time turning the Jets around if Johnson interferes with football decisions.
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Rooney family-owned Steelers are a well-respected organization, and Mike Tomlin also commands respect as a leader. But the Steelers have failed to evolve and modernize their methods for running a franchise, and as a result, they remain in search of their first playoff victory since the 2016 season.
Tennessee Titans
Owners of the No. 1 pick, the Titans have a chance to draft a franchise-saving quarterback. They also had a decent free agency period. But Amy Adams Strunk has displayed little patience since becoming controlling owner in 2015, and the lack of continuity in the team’s mission has prevented the Titans from turning things around.
(Top photos of Jerry Jones, Mike Vrabel and Robert Kraft: Christian Petersen and Billie Weiss / Getty Images)
