Stadium News

Breaking News from the Bench to the Bleachers

NFL Teams

5 Teams That Won the 2026 NFL Draft And 5 That Totally Blew It

The 2026 NFL Draft has come and gone, and teams have made their selections to fill necessary positions on their respective rosters, while other teams have made some head-scratching picks during the draft. Sure, some of these questionable picks might pay off in the future, but only time will tell. The teams that know what they’re doing will likely see the rookies they’ve drafted flourish into talented superstars for years to come. On the other hand, some teams look silly for missing out on talented players who would make a significant impact on their respective rosters, making them losers of draft weekend. Here at TPS, we’re going to take a look at teams that came out of the 2026 NFL Draft as winners and those that came out of the draft as losers. Who are the biggest winners and losers in the 2026 NFL Draft? Winners: Baltimore RavensJan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A view of Baltimore Ravens players’ helmets on a heated bench against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images The Ravens entered the 2026 NFL Draft needing a new interior lineman, and they nailed the pick by drafting Vega Ioane, who gave up zero sacks in his final season with the Penn State Nittany Lions. By addressing the interior offensive line issue, the Ravens found a guy in Ioane, who’ll likely replicate the production Tyler Linderbaum left behind during the upcoming 2026 NFL season, and provide Lamar Jackson with the necessary protection he needs to succeed. The Ravens added some receivers in the third and fourth rounds of the draft with Ja’Kobi Lane out of USC, Elijah Sarratt out of Indiana, and tight end Matthew Hibner out of SMU. The Ravens also drafted Zion Young out of Missouri, who should help make a positive impact on the team’s pass-rush during the 2026 regular season, and drafted Adam Randall out of Clemson, who should be a serviceable backup running back behind Derrick Henry.  Despite general manager Eric DeCosta flopping the rumored Maxx Crosby trade, he managed to make some serious home runs on highly graded draft prospects that will likely help the team rebound from 2025 and potentially get them back into the playoffs. With these additions to the roster, the Ravens will be a very exciting team to watch during the 2026 regular season. Losers: Chicago BearsNov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Although the Bears drafted Dillon Thieneman in the first round to help bolster their secondary, they neglected to address the pass-rush in the early rounds. The Bears drafted Zavion Thomas in the third round of the draft, even though he was projected to be a sixth- or seventh-round pick, making him a bit of a reach to draft him that high. The Bears also made a questionable pick, drafting tight end Sam Roush in the third round, when they already have Cole Kmet and Colston Loveland on the roster, making Roush an unnecessary luxury. On top of that, they drafted center Logan Jones out of Iowa, even though they already traded for veteran center Garrett Bradbury during the offseason. Stashing a rookie center and having him wait for his opportunity to start behind a seasoned veteran, while the team’s defense is still in need of repairs, is a bit questionable, especially when their 2026 season will be tougher, as they enter the year as defending NFC North Champions. Winners: Dallas CowboysDallas Cowboys helmet (Photo By Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) The Cowboys may make questionable moves during the offseason and before the regular season, but they had an excellent 2026 NFL Draft. Securing Caleb Downs to bolster the team’s secondary will pay off during the regular season, and he’ll work nicely with cornerback DaRon Bland. The Cowboys also drafted Malachi Lawrence with the 23rd pick of the draft, addressing the pass-rush issue the team had, since they traded away Micah Parsons before the start of the 2025 season. Drafting offensive tackle Drew Shelton will help protect Dak Prescott, as he only allowed one sack during his final season at Penn State. Drafting Jaishawn Barham, Devin Moore, and LT Overton in the third and fourth rounds will also help the defense out in 2026. The Cowboys’ focus on addressing the defense for the upcoming 2026 season should pay dividends, as their defense was miserable to watch in the 2025 season.  Downs, Barham, Moore, and Overton should work quite nicely with the Cowboys’ new defensive coordinator, Christian Parker’s system, and his defensive schemes for the upcoming 2026 season.  Losers: Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers helmet (Photo via Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) The Steelers had a chaotic first round of the 2026 NFL Draft, making a massive blunder when they were outmaneuvered by their instate rivals, the Philadelphia Eagles, who traded up to draft Makai Lemon with the 20th pick, when they were on the phone with him, hoping to snag him with the 21st pick. Pittsburgh would draft Max Iheanachor with the 21st pick instead, but he’s already being considered a reach when there were many more talented prospects available, as he started playing football in 2021 when he enrolled at East Los Angeles College.  The Steelers drafted wide receivers Germie Bernard in the second round and Kaden Wetjen in the fourth round, who aren’t really known as gamechangers, since they weren’t able to draft Lemon. The Steelers also drafted quarterback Drew Allar in the third round, even though they still have Will Howard and Mason Rudolph on the roster, as we still don’t know whether Aaron Rodgers will play in 2026 or not. Pittsburgh might have some problems at quarterback heading into the 2026 season, as drafting a developmental quarterback is not the answer for the position moving forward, especially since Allar is recovering from an ankle injury that ended his 2025 season at Penn State. Though anything can change regarding Aaron Rodgers’ status, things are looking bleak for the Steelers heading into the upcoming regular season. Winners: Las Vegas RaidersAug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A Las Vegas Raiders Riddell speedflex helmet on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The Raiders had a nice draft night, drafting Fernando Mendoza, who should establish himself as the team’s franchise quarterback of the future, and snagging some impressive steals in the later rounds. The Raiders drafted Jermond McCoy in the fourth round of the NFL draft, as he is still recovering from a torn ACL from his final season with the Tennessee Volunteers. We hope he recovers well in time for the start of the 2026 season. Safety Treydan Stukes, who was drafted in the second round, should also help the Raiders’ secondary, along with Dalton Johnson, who was taken in the fifth round. Keyron Crawford will serve as a great rotational player who should make things work in the team’s pass-rush. They also drafted Trey Zuhn III in the third round, as he should provide Mendoza or Kirk Cousins with some necessary protection during the upcoming season. The Raiders added some top-tier talent to their roster for the 2026 season. The question is, will this talent help them rebound in the upcoming regular season? Losers: Arizona CardinalsJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Although the Cardinals drafted Jeremiyah Love, the move was viewed as controversial, due to the team needing to improve their defensive and offensive lines. The Cardinals failed to find a trading partner and missed out on drafting guys like linebacker Arvell Reese and Fracis Mauigoa, who both went to the New York Giants. Arizona did draft quarterback Carson Beck in the third round of the draft, but critics have argued that he looks like he’ll likely be a developmental quarterback instead of a starter, and passed on drafting guys like Drew Allar and Garrett Nussmeier, who were drafted later on by the Pittsburgh Steelers and Kansas City Chiefs, respectively.  The Cardinals addressed some issues on offense by drafting Chase Bisontis in the second round, but neglected to address their issues on defense, having one of the league’s worst defenses in the 2025 season. They drafted two defensive players in the draft: defensive tackle Kaleb Proctor in the fourth round and linebacker Karson Sharar in the sixth round. The Red Birds are likely going to have another rough season ahead of them, as they don’t know what their identity will be heading into the new regular season come September. Winners: Cleveland BrownsAug 17, 2023; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Cleveland Browns helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports The Browns had a nice weekend, drafting some much-needed offensive talent from wide receivers and offensive linemen to their roster. Drafting Spencer Fano, Austin Barber, and Parker Brailsford will improve the team’s offensive line for the 2026 season.  Drafting wide receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston and tight ends Joe Royer and Carsen Beyer should help the team out in the passing attack, with Boston winning battles on the outside, making for a great addition to the team’s offense. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren should patrol the Browns’ secondary quite nicely and work well with veteran cornerback Denzel Ward, and is considered a draft steal from the second round. The Browns provided their already loaded quarterback room with protection and offensive weapons heading into the 2026 season. Losers: Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills helmet (Denny Medley-Imagn Images) The Bills made some odd decisions trading out of the first round of the 2026 NFL draft three separate times, and didn’t make a selection until the second round of the draft, drafting T. J. Parker with the 35th pick. Parker is currently viewed as a rotational player, rather than a primary starter, as he saw a dip in production during the 2025 season at Clemson, where he had 37 tackles and five sacks in his final year with the Tigers. The Bills traded away cornerback Taron Johnson to the Las Vegas Raiders to facilitate moves in the second round, but have created a massive hole in their secondary as a result. Sure, they drafted Davison Igbinosun and Toriano Pride Jr. to replace Johnson, but they won’t replicate his production in the secondary immediately in week one of the regular season, and neither of them is considered a starter. The Bills missed out on drafting talented players who include wide receiver KC Concepcion and safety Dillon Thieneman, who would’ve made huge impacts on the roster during the 2026 season. The Bills are still talented on offense with Josh Allen leading the way, but they had too many missed opportunities as a result and didn’t draft any significant gamechangers who will help them in the 2026 season. Winners: Tampa Bay BuccaneersNov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Bucs addressed their defensive needs at the 2026 NFL Draft by selecting Ruben Bain Jr. with the 15th pick, as he’ll provide the team’s pass-rush with a much-needed boost of strength. Not to mention picking him at 15 is considered a steal.  Other defensive talent drafted by the Buccaneers includes linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round, as he’s viewed as a successor to Lavonte David, cornerback Keionte Scott in the fourth round, and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart in the fifth round. These defensive picks should work quite nicely under head coach Todd Bowles and defensive pass game coordinator George Edwards in the 2026 season.  General manager Jason Licht made some draft-day trades, whether it was trading down for depth and making sure they had offensive insurance, as they wanted to draft wide receiver Ted Hurst in the third round of the draft.  The Bucs landed some immediate starters who should hit the ground running instead of focusing on long-term projects, ensuring they stay competitive in the NFC South.  The Bucs also drafted offensive guard Billy Schrauth in the fifth round, who should help stabilize the team’s offensive line during the regular season. We look forward to seeing how the Bucs will utilize their nice draft haul during the 2026 regular season.  Losers: Los Angeles RamsJan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Rams made some odd decisions during the NFL draft, as they traded up into the first round with the Atlanta Falcons and drafted Ty Simpson with the 13th pick, as many believed Simpson was going to be selected in the late first round or early second round, making his selection a significant reach. Picking Simpson with that pick shows they want to have a succession plan for when or if Matthew Stafford retires, but the pick also shows neglect for specific needs the Rams didn’t address, such as getting players who would make a significant impact, such as drafting a high-impact wide receiver. Simpson is also someone who isn’t going to be a starter right away, as he had one year of significant starting experience at Alabama, and he will likely see limited action on the field, as Stafford will start in 2026. Sure, they drafted guys like tight end Max Klare in the second round, offensive tackle Kaegen Trost in the third round, wide receiver CJ Daniels in the sixth round, and defensive tackle Tim Keenan III, but they are not projected to be immediate starters. Not to mention drafting Klare seemed unnecessary, as the Rams already have Tyler Higbee, Terrance Ferguson, Davis Allen, and Colby Parkinson on the roster. On top of that, head coach Sean McVay looked frustrated and baffled during the team’s drafting process, which is never a good sign. 

Read more5 Teams That Won the 2026 NFL Draft And 5 That Totally Blew It

Final 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams

The 2026 NFL Draft is now officially in the books. There were 257 players drafted over the course of three days, and while we won’t truly know the ramifications of this year’s draft class until at least 2029, that won’t stop us from doling out our final 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams. […] The post Final 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams appeared first on ClutchPoints.

Read moreFinal 2026 NFL Draft grades for all 32 teams

2026 NFL Draft: Live Updates on First-Round Moves and Moments

The 2026 NFL Draft is finally upon us. Over the years, the draft has become one of the biggest events in all of sports — even though it’s not exactly a “sporting event.” Officially known as the NFL’s “Annual Selection Meeting,” the first round of the draft might just be the most anticipated day of ...

Read more2026 NFL Draft: Live Updates on First-Round Moves and Moments

2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final 4-Round Forecast

One week before the main event, Athlon Sports draft expert Luke Easterling makes one more deep-dive projection covering the first four rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Read more2026 NFL Mock Draft: Final 4-Round Forecast

Which NFL Teams Are Getting New Uniforms in 2026? Full List Revealed

With fashion trends becoming increasingly popular by the year, many NFL teams replace their current looks after a few years, sometimes a decade with new uniforms. Oftentimes, colors are tweaked, logos can be changed/replaced, and patterns are usually changed on new uniforms. Heading into the 2026 season, three teams will be sporting new looks with […]

Read moreWhich NFL Teams Are Getting New Uniforms in 2026? Full List Revealed

NFL expands digital rights for team-run social media accounts

Fans might notice a few changes to how NFL teams operate their social media pages this upcoming season. According to a report by Ben Fischer in Sports Business Journal, the NFL has approved a number of changes to how teams can utilize there various social media channels. Per Fischer, “Team social media accounts will now…

Read moreNFL expands digital rights for team-run social media accounts

Every NFL Team’s Secret Bad Habit Exposed

Every NFL team has that ONE thing. That pattern they just can’t seem to break, no matter how hard they try… or how many times it burns them. Some of these habits are funny, others are painful, and a certain subsection is just flat-out baffling. But here’s the thing… fans already know what their team’s bad habit is. They’ve lived it, screamed at their TVs about it, and taken to social media to post about it! Today, we’re going through all 32 NFL teams and calling out their favorite bad habit. Let’s dive in. What are the bad habits for each NFL team? Arizona Cardinals Ownership FutilityJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Bidwill family has owned the Cardinals since 1972. In that time, they’ve had just 11 seasons above .500… That’s right around 20% of the time… Yikes. There have been brief glimpses of hope, but they never last long because the franchise’s dysfunction always leaks in and kills the seed of success before it can really bloom. Some franchises have bad luck. The Cardinals have bad ownership. Atlanta Falcons: Misusing StarsAug 15, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons helmet on the sideline against the Tennessee Titans in the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images This one dates back to the days of Julio Jones—when Atlanta simply could not get one of the best receivers in the league the ball in the endzone! Now it is guys like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts… super athletic, talented playmakers—that any team would kill for, but Atlanta can’t quite figure out how to utilize properly. Baltimore Ravens: Losing in JanuaryJan 11, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; A view of Baltimore Ravens players’ helmets on a heated bench against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an AFC wild card game at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Lamar Jackson is a two-time MVP. One of the most electric players in football. In the regular season, he’s nearly unstoppable versus other NFL teams. But January hits… and something changes. The turnovers spike, the efficiency drops—and the Ravens lose their identity—and, unfortunately, quite a few playoff games in the process. Buffalo Bills: Losing to the Chiefs when it CountsJan 26, 2025; Kansas City, MO, USA; A detailed view of the Buffalo Bills helmet before the AFC Championship game against the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images Josh Allen is a top-five quarterback, and Buffalo has made the playoffs consistently… But there’s one problem… Kansas City. The Bills are 0 and 4 against the Chiefs in the playoffs, while going 4 and 1 against them in the regular season. They can beat KC when it doesn’t matter. When does it? Heartbreak every single time. Luckily for Bills fans, they won’t have to worry about Mahomes and co. In the 2025 postseason! Carolina Panthers: Impatient OwnershipCarolina Panthers helmet (Photo By Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) David Tepper bought the Panthers in 2018. Since then, he’s fired three head coaches—Rivera, Rhule, and Reich. Then he forced the team to trade up to draft Bryce Young first overall in 2023—only to push for his benching in Year 2. I respect that Tepper wants to win now. But every time he forces the issue, it sets this NFL team back further. Chicago Bears: Ruining Young QuarterbacksNov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Chicago is where quarterbacks go to die. Caleb Williams’ father actually said that before the draft, and though Caleb has a chance to buck the trend, he wasn’t wrong. We just saw it with Mitch Trubisky… let’s hope the talented USC quarterback isn’t the next victim.  Cincinnati Bengals: Bringing in Players With-Off-the-Field IssuesDec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis (48) during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images Back in the mid-2000s, the Bengals had a… let’s call it a reputation problem… It seemed like half their roster had a rap sheet. It has gotten a little bit better, but this NFL team can’t seem to shake the trend fully, a la their decision to keep Jermaine Burton in January of ‘25. Cleveland Browns: Churning and Burning QuarterbacksNov 17, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Cleveland Browns helmets on a time out against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Here’s a stat that will make you sad… the Browns have started 42 different quarterbacks since 1999. Forty-two. Insane… The Factory of Sadness keeps churning. And until they figure out the quarterback position, nothing changes. Dallas Cowboys: Living in the PastDallas Cowboys helmets (Photo via Geoff Burke-Imagn Images) America’s Team hasn’t reached an NFC Championship since 1995, and they are going to spend the 2025 postseason on their couches yet again. But that doesn’t stop Jerry Jones from continuing to say “this is our year,” even though it hasn’t closed since the turn of the millennium. Denver Broncos: Can’t Draft Wide ReceiversOct 12, 2023; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of a Denver Broncos helmet against the Kansas City Chiefs prior to a game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports Since Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in 2010, the Broncos have whiffed on nearly every wide receiver they’ve drafted, with Courtland Sutton in 2018 being the lone exception. Cody Latimer. Carlos Henderson. Jerry Jeudy. KJ Hamler. All busts. Now it looks like Marvin Mims and Troy Franklin are the latest disappointments. Detroit Lions: HeartbreakHelmet of Detroit Lions place kicker Jake Bates (not in the photo) before the NFC divisional round between Detroit Lions and Washington Commanders] at Ford Field in Detroit on Saturday, Jan. 18, 2025. The Lions are good now. Really good. But they still find ways to rip your heart out. In 2024, they blew a 17-point halftime lead in the NFC Championship—the largest comeback in conference championship history.  In 2025, as the one-seed with 15 wins, they lost to the six-seed Commanders after Jared Goff threw four interceptions. The talent is there now for this NFL team. The results are better. But Detroit is still Detroit when it matters most. Green Bay Packers: Neglecting Special TeamsDec 29, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; A Green Bay Packers helmet sits ready before the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images The organization just doesn’t care about Special Teams. And it keeps costing them.  Both in the regular season, where they’ve ranked towards the bottom of the league for years… and the postseason, where the third unit has cost them big-time… like the botched onside kick in 2014 or getting a field goal and punt blocked in 2014. Houston Texans: Power Tripping ExecsAug 9, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A Houston Texans helmet sits on the sidelines during the 4th quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-USA TODAY Sports The Texans have a habit of giving the wrong people too much power. Bill O’Brien convinced ownership to let him be head coach AND general manager.  He promptly traded DeAndre Hopkins—one of the best receivers in the league—for a washed running back and some mid-round picks.  Then there was Jack Easterby, a former team chaplain who somehow worked his way into the front office and had ownership’s ear on football decisions. The inmates were running the asylum. Houston’s problem isn’t talent…  It’s trusting the wrong people to run the organization around it. Indianapolis Colts: Can’t Quit Veteran QuarterbacksDec 1, 2024; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; An Indianapolis Colts helmet sits on an equipment case during the first half against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images Andrew Luck retired in 2019. And ever since, the Colts have refused to actually develop a young quarterback. Instead? They’ve brought in Philip Rivers at 38. Matt Ryan. Joe Flacco. And in 2025, Daniel Jones… then Philip Rivers AGAIN! This time, at 44 years old—59 months since his last NFL snap—because Jones tore his Achilles. Yes, they tried and failed with Anthony Richardson, but at some point, the Colts have to figure out how to get a quarterback of the future. Jacksonville Jaguars: Hiring Crazy CoachesNov 3, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars helmets on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Jaguars have had five head coaches since Shad Khan bought the team—and let’s just say—they have a type… crazy. Urban Meyer lasted 13 games before the scandals caught up to him—kicked his kicker, got caught at a bar with a woman who wasn’t his wife, and lost the locker room completely. Doug Pederson threatened to fight a reporter… then Liam Coen showed up to Duval with one of the most bizarre Duuuvaaal cries we’ve ever seen! Kansas City Chiefs: Expecting Mahomes to Figure It OutFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Kansas City Chiefs helmet in Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Chiefs have won three Super Bowls. Nobody’s feeling sorry for them. But their approach to skill position players is… interesting—to put it lightly. They’d rather just let Mahomes try and figure it out rather than invest in the kind of talent to make his life easier! And to his credit, he has done a pretty good job to date, but as we’ve seen in 2025, he is only human, and KC might be wise to put some real supporting pieces around him. Las Vegas Raiders: Drafting Fast ReceiversAug 23, 2024; Paradise, Nevada, USA; A Las Vegas Raiders Riddell speedflex helmet on the field at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports Al Davis had a type. Fast. Very fast.  He drafted the fastest player at the combine in his final three drafts from 2009 to 2011. Darrius Heyward-Bey went seventh overall in 2009—ran a 4.30—picked before Michael Crabtree and Jeremy Maclin. And his son Mark seems to have continued the trend, like we saw when he took Henry Ruggs and his 4.27 speed 12th overall in 2020.  What makes it all the more painful is they took Ruggs over CeeDee Lamb and Justin Jefferson… Yikes. Speed is great for each NFL team. But you have to actually be able to play football, too. Los Angeles Chargers: ChargeringAug 12, 2023; Inglewood, California, USA; Los Angeles Chargers helmets on the bench at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports The term “Chargering” exists for a reason… It seems that, regardless of the players on the field, the coaches calling the plays, or even the city they play in, this team always finds a way to lose in the most shocking fashion. There is perhaps no better example than the 2010 season, when the Chargers finished first in offense AND first in defense… and missed the playoffs because they had the worst special teams in the NFL.  Los Angeles Rams: Mortgaging the FutureJan 19, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Los Angeles Rams helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles in a 2025 NFC divisional round game at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images While they’ve softened on it a bit the last couple of years, trying to get younger, the Rams’ philosophy is clear… They have no issue trading all of their draft capital for stars. Win now. Worry about the future later. And it worked! They won Super Bowl 56, but when it goes wrong… it goes wrong in a major way, like 2022, when they were 5 and 12 and looked every bit the part of one of the oldest teams in the league. Miami Dolphins: Can't Win When It's ColdAug 3, 2022; Miami Gardens, Florida, US; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field during training camp at Baptist Health Training Complex. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports South Beach is warm. Beautiful weather year-round. Perfect for football… unless you have to play anywhere else in January. The Dolphins are 0 and 10 in games under 40 degrees since 2017… and more often than not it isn’t close… instead, they look sad and cold, and get their doors beat off. No wonder this team can’t win once the NFL playoffs come around! Minnesota Vikings: Losing in the NFC Championship GameJan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Detailed view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Vikings have lost six consecutive NFC Championship games, which makes for the longest streak in the NFL.  Six times they were just one game away from the Super Bowl—and it always seems to be in heartbreaking fashion, time and time again… like the Wide Right overtime loss in ‘99 and a couple of walloping’s mixed in. New England Patriots: Drafting Wide Receivers that Never Pan OutPatriots Helmet (Photo By Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports) New England cannot draft wide receivers to save their lives.  Since 2000, the Patriots have drafted 18 wide receivers and, really, only Deion Branch and Julian Edelman turned into stars—and Demario Douglas has been serviceable. The rest of the lot—like N’Keal Harry, their first-rounder in 2019, and Tyquan Thornton, who went in Round 2 of 2022, however, is a mess. New Orleans Saints: Ignoring the Salary CapDec 23, 2024; Green Bay, Wisconsin, USA; General view of a New Orleans Saints helmet during the game against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images New Orleans Saints: Kicking the Can Down the Road. The Saints spent years pushing cap hits into the future to stay competitive during the Drew Brees era. Now the bill has come due.  They’ve been in cap hell for three straight offseasons—cutting veterans, restructuring deals, doing whatever it takes just to field a roster. Brees got his ring. But the franchise is still paying for it… literally. New York Giants: Scared of ChangeOct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants helmets on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images The Giants hold on too long… Every single time they do it!  Tom Coughlin stayed two years past his expiration date. Eli Manning got a few more seasons than he should have.  And don’t get me started on Daniel Jones and Brian Daboll! It feels like New York sees the writing on the wall… and then waits another year to read it without fail. New York Jets: Wasting Premium Draft PicksAug 17, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; New York Jets helmets during the second half against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports Speaking of graveyards… the Jets have turned squandering premium draft picks into an art form. Sam Darnold went third overall in 2018. Zach Wilson went second overall in 2021, making the Jets’ first team since 1967 to draft two quarterbacks with top-3 picks within four years… yet here they are in 2025 still staring down a top draft pick and without a franchise quarterback anywhere in sight. Philadelphia Eagles: Letting their Top Coordinators WalkFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Eagles have a coordinator problem disguised as a Super Bowl hangover problem. After winning Super Bowl 52, they lost their offensive coordinator, Frank Reich, and their defensive coordinator, Jim Schwartz. By 2020, they went 4-11-1. After losing Super Bowl 57, they lost Shane Steichen to the Colts and Jonathan Gannon to the Cardinals. Got bounced in the Wild Card. After losing Super Bowl 59, they lost Kellen Moore to the Saints—and now their offense is in shambles. This NFL team can get to the mountaintop, but they can’t figure out how to retain the guys that got them there! Pittsburgh Steelers: Can’t Quit on their CoachesDec 15, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers helmet on the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images The Steelers have had three head coaches since 1969. Chuck Noll. Bill Cowher. Mike Tomlin. That’s it. Tomlin has never had a losing season in 18 years, which, yes, is great… But here’s the flip side… he hasn’t won a playoff game in eight years. The stability is admirable, but at some point, you have to wonder if being “too loyal to fire” is actually holding the franchise back. San Francisco 49ers: Relying on Injury Prone StarsJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a San Francisco 49ers helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Kyle Shanahan is one of the best coaches in the league—and always seems to make do with what he’s got- but the 49ers could make his job a whole lot easier if they stopped relying on stars that can’t stay on the field. Last year it was McCaffrey… this year Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and even Brock Purdy! It is endless! No wonder they always seem to come up short come playoff time. Seattle Seahawks: Ignoring the O-LineDec 8, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Seattle Seahawks helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Back when Seattle had Russell Wilson, they never once prioritized protecting him…  And people thought that it was part of their strategy to lean on his mobility… but in the time since, this NFL team remained in the bottom quarter of the league consistently, regardless of who their quarterback was, and continued to let their quarterbacks get beaten up. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can Only Win in the NFC SouthNov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Bucs keep winning the NFC South. The problem is… they keep winning it ugly—then get chased out by real competition in the playoffs. In 2022, they won the division at 8 and 9, with a losing record. In 2023, they won at 9 and 8. And in 2024, they won 10 and 7. Four consecutive NFC South titles, a franchise record, is great… but this just points to a decent team winning a bad division. Tennessee Titans: Chasing Out StarsAug 25, 2024; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the Tennessee Titans helmet against the New Orleans Saints during the first half at Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports The Titans have a propensity for chasing out their best players… the trend started with guys like Steve McNair and Vince Young, who went from Rookie of the Year, to the scrap heap in the blink of an eye. Then it was Derrick Henry and Head Coach Mike Vrabel.  It is no wonder that the heartbreak continues year after year in the Music City. Washington Commanders: Addicted to VeteransSep 29, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Washington Commanders helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Under new ownership, the Commanders have developed a clear strategy: sign as many old veterans as possible and hope they have one more good year left. Their defense is headlined by Bobby Wagner, who at 35 doesn’t run like he used to but… You guessed it! uses smarts to compensate. Zach Ertz, another 35-year-old, is one of their go-to guys over the middle.  Eerily reminiscent of the days when they would swing big with guys like Albert Haynesworth and Deion Sanders… I guess the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Read moreEvery NFL Team’s Secret Bad Habit Exposed