With 32 NFL teams, it’s a given that some are vying for the championship while others are lagging behind. The Kansas City Chiefs, boasting a 5-0 record and back-to-back Super Bowl victories, are undoubtedly in win-now mode. Conversely, teams like the Carolina Panthers, struggling at 1-4, face an uphill battle. While a rebuild seems inevitable for the Panthers, today’s focus is on four other NFL franchises that need to hit the reset button. These teams have experienced a mixed bag of results early in the season, but the NFL is a marathon, not a sprint. Let’s delve into why a complete rebuild is essential for these franchises.
Las Vegas Raiders: Stuck in Neutral
The Las Vegas Raiders entered the 2024 season with a sense of optimism following a strong finish to the 2023 season. After a rocky 3-5 start under Josh McDaniels, they rallied to a 5-4 record under interim head coach Antonio Pierce. The difference was palpable, and the decision to retain Pierce seemed promising.
However, the elephant in the room is the quarterback situation. Beginning the season with Gardner Minshew and Aiden O’Connell as the primary options was a gamble that hasn’t paid off. Through five games, their combined five touchdowns and six interceptions, coupled with a league-worst -7 turnover margin, paint a bleak picture.
The Las Vegas Raiders have struggled to find their footing in the 2024 NFL season, leading many to believe a rebuild is necessary.
While the Raiders possess some solid foundational pieces, they lack the firepower to compete with the NFL’s elite. Clinging to the hope of a wild card berth with their current quarterback situation is unrealistic. A rebuild is the only logical path forward, allowing them to address their quarterback needs and build for the future.
New York Giants: Retool or Rebuild?
The New York Giants present a unique case. Unlike other teams on this list, they’re in a position to retool rather than undergo a complete teardown. Daniel Jones has shown flashes of brilliance in 2024, silencing some of the doubters who questioned his hefty contract.
However, the Giants’ success hinges on the offensive line. Regardless of who’s carrying the ball – Saquon Barkley, a rookie sensation, or a seasoned veteran – their potential is severely limited without adequate protection.
The New York Giants' offensive line has struggled to protect quarterback Daniel Jones, hindering the team's offensive performance.
The Giants’ offseason strategy should prioritize bolstering the trenches. Whether they choose to stick with Jones for another year or draft a quarterback in the upcoming draft, a strong offensive line is paramount. The decision to draft a quarterback could be tempting, especially if they aim to pair a young signal-caller with their star receiver, Malik Neighbors.
While Jones’s improved play offers a glimmer of hope, the Giants’ ceiling with him at the helm remains uncertain. A 7- or 8-win season seems plausible, but their Super Bowl aspirations hinge on finding a long-term answer at quarterback.
Cleveland Browns: Mired in a Deshaun-Sized Hole
The Cleveland Browns find themselves in arguably the most precarious situation in the NFL. The Deshaun Watson experiment has been a colossal failure, both on and off the field. However, their woes extend far beyond their troubled quarterback.
The receiving corps, led by Amari Cooper, Jerry Jeudy, and Elijah Moore, has been underwhelming. Dropped passes and inconsistent play have plagued this group, raising questions about their ability to be a reliable target for any quarterback, let alone Watson.
The Cleveland Browns' receiving corps, led by Amari Cooper, has struggled with dropped passes and inconsistency, adding to the team's offensive woes.
The offensive line, once a strength, is crumbling due to age and injuries. Replacing key veterans like Joel Bitonio and Wyatt Teller will be a formidable task. The Browns face the daunting prospect of rebuilding a significant portion of their offensive line while simultaneously navigating the Watson debacle.
Watson’s massive contract, with its guaranteed money and inflated cap hit, is an albatross around the franchise’s neck. Their best hope is to find a trade partner desperate enough to take on his contract, although that seems highly unlikely given his off-field issues and declining performance.
The Browns’ current predicament is a cautionary tale of how quickly a team’s fortunes can change. With a disgruntled quarterback, an aging offensive line, and a subpar receiving corps, a rebuild is the only way to salvage this sinking ship.
New Orleans Saints: Kicking the Can Down the Road
The New Orleans Saints have consistently opted for short-term fixes instead of committing to a full-fledged rebuild. This strategy has yielded mediocre results, leaving them stuck in NFL purgatory.
Their 2-3 start to the 2024 season, despite Derek Carr’s promising first two games before his injury, is a mirage. The Saints’ roster is aging and devoid of elite talent outside of a few key players.
The New Orleans Saints' offensive line has been hit hard by injuries, further exposing the team's lack of depth and raising concerns about their long-term prospects.
Alvin Kamara, their once-dynamic running back, is nearing the end of his career and carries a hefty cap hit next season. Cameron Jordan, a defensive stalwart, is a shell of his former self. Marshon Lattimore, while still playing at a high level, will need to be replaced sooner rather than later. The offensive line, even with Eric McCoy’s return from injury, is a patchwork of aging veterans and unproven youngsters.
The Saints’ best path forward is to embrace a rebuild, shedding expensive veterans and acquiring draft capital to build a foundation for the future. Unfortunately, this seems unlikely under the current regime, which seems content to kick the can down the road and settle for mediocrity.
The NFL landscape is constantly shifting, and for these four franchises, the time for a rebuild is now. Attempting to compete with aging rosters and glaring weaknesses is a recipe for disaster. By hitting the reset button, these teams can position themselves for long-term success and avoid becoming mired in mediocrity.
