CHICAGO — Matt LaFleur could not have made it much clearer: He wants to remain the Green Bay Packers coach.

But after blowing an 18-point lead in Saturday night’s NFC wild-card playoff loss to the Chicago Bears, LaFleur declined to say whether he expected to return next season for an eighth year.

“With all due respect to your question, now’s not the time for that,” LaFleur said shortly after the Packers’ 31-27 loss. “I’m just hurting for these guys. I can only think about what just happened, and there will be time for that.”

LaFleur and general manager Brian Gutekunst each have one more year left on their contracts. First-year team president Ed Policy said before this season that he would prefer not to have a coach or general manager go into a so-called lame-duck year.

That ramped up the pressure this season, which began with a 9-3-1 record only to see the Packers lose five straight games to end the season, although in one of those games — the regular-season finale — they rested most of their starters.

LaFleur has a 76-40-1 regular-season record and has led the Packers to the playoffs in six of his seven seasons, but Green Bay has not reached a Super Bowl during his tenure and has not been to a conference championship game since the 2020 season, the second of back-to-back appearances in LaFleur’s first two years.

Three times after Saturday’s loss, LaFleur was asked about his job security, and each time he said it wasn’t the time to discuss it.

However, he explained what the Packers’ job means to him.

“It means everything to me,” LaFleur said. “This is the greatest organization in the world, in my opinion. It’s very humbling. I’m certainly disappointed right now, disappointed mostly for — well, not mostly — I’m disappointed for everybody that’s associated with the Green Bay Packers. I’m disappointed for our locker room. I’m disappointed for our fans. I’m disappointed for our leadership, all our employees, everybody involved with the Green Bay Packers right now.”

A playoff loss like this could have long-term implications, and several players acknowledged that possibility.

“I’m not going to jump to any conclusions or anything,” Packers quarterback Jordan Love said. “We’ll see what happens going forward. That’s the case for every end of the season, and going into the offseason, that’s always the case. We’ll see if anything comes forward, if anything. So, we’ll see.”

Love threw his support behind the only head coach he has had in the NFL.

“I definitely think Matt should be the head coach,” Love said. “I’ve got a lot of love for Matt, and I think he does a good job. And that’s it.”

Second-year safety Evan Williams concurred.

“He’s our leader,” Williams said. “I’ll tell you that much. We have full faith in him, in all of his decisions. I can’t speak on any extension or anything that’s in his future. I know business is business, but he’s been my only head coach and really the only one that I see needing moving forward. Feel like he’s done a great job of putting us in positions to win and in scenarios like today, we’ve just got to find a way to finish.”

Saturday’s loss was rife with mistakes and miscues. Love and the offense, of which LaFleur is the playcaller, managed only six points after scoring touchdowns on the first three drives of the game to take a 21-3 lead into halftime.

LaFleur said Love “played his ass off” but added that they “obviously didn’t do enough around him.”

It was the second time this season that the Packers blew a lead against the Bears. Their overtime loss at Soldier Field in Week 16 looked much the same as this one. That one cost the Packers the NFC North. This one cost them their season.

“We’ve just got to do a better job of keeping our composure as a football team and going out there and doing the fundamental things that we practice all the time,” LaFleur said. “I think when you get into these types of big games, when you don’t execute simple fundamentals, it comes back to bite you. That’s exactly what happened.”

Their skid to finish the season coincided with defensive end Micah Parsons‘ season-ending knee injury. The Packers did not win a game after Parsons got hurt, and their defense suffered. Green Bay allowed just 19.0 points per game and 287.2 yards per game in its first 13 games. Those numbers spiked to 28.8 points per game and 402.6 yards per game in its last four.

The Packers gave up 25 points in the fourth quarter, only the third time in NFL history that a team has allowed that many in the fourth quarter of a playoff game.

“When you have a team on the ropes, it’s just finishing them,” Packers linebacker Isaiah McDuffie said. “It’s as simple as that.”

Special teams, which have cost the Packers in the postseason before, cost them again when kicker Brandon McManus missed an extra point attempt and a field goal try in the fourth quarter. McManus called it the “biggest disappointment in my career. Just an embarrassment of a performance.”

After last year’s playoff exit, Gutekunst said it was time the Packers got back to competing for championships, but after a second straight first-round loss, the Packers got no closer.

“It’s going to take a lot of work, a lot of work,” LaFleur said. “And we’re not where we want to be. I know we fought through a lot of adversity this year. Unfortunately, we didn’t do enough to overcome that adversity. That’s all of us collectively. We’ve got to do more. We’ve got to be better because it’s never an excuse. I know we lost some key players, but you’ve got to find a way to overcome that because I think we do have a lot of talent on our team. It’s just, it’s disappointing.”

The 2026 NFL offseason has begun for the 20 teams. How can each improve over the next seven months to have better results next season? What big decisions are on deck for each front office? We have next steps for all 20 franchises.

To start, our NFL Nation reporters picked out two key offseason priorities for the teams they cover and weighed in on the most interesting coaching situations that bear watching. National reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano laid out early rumblings on one looming free agent decision for each franchise, and draft analysts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid called out one thing to know about each team’s 2026 draft outlook. And finally, NFL analysts Aaron Schatz and Ben Solak made a big offseason prediction for every eliminated team.

It’s all here as we get ready for the offseason. ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI) and projected salary cap space (via Roster Management System) are as of Jan. 4. We’ll add more teams as they’re eliminated during the postseason.

Jump to a team:
ARI | ATL | BAL | CAR | CIN
CLE | DAL | DET | GB | IND | KC | LV
MIA | MIN | NO | NYG
NYJ | TB | TEN | WSH

Eliminated playoff teams

2025 record: 9-7-1
Final FPI ranking: No. 5
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$37 million
2026 first-round draft pick: None (traded to DAL)

What is their top offseason priority? Revamping the cornerback position. General manager Brian Gutekunst has generally been good at adding talent through free agency, but cornerback Nate Hobbs did not work out this past season. Keisean Nixon has been serviceable but might not be a CB1, while Carrington Valentine was too inconsistent in 2025. Without a first-round pick, the Packers might have to try free agency again at this position.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Developing Matthew Golden. The Packers finally spent a first-round pick on a receiver, yet they didn’t get him the ball enough. Quarterback Jordan Love even admitted this late in the season. Golden has rare speed and ability, and the Packers need to find a way to use that to their advantage.

Latest on the head coach situation: Both Gutekunst and coach Matt LaFleur are entering the final year of their contracts. New team president Ed Policy, who took over for Mark Murphy in July, said last summer that he does not want lame-duck leaders. That means he either needs to sign them to extensions, move on from one or part ways with both. — Rob Demovsky

Latest on whether they will re-sign wide receiver Romeo Doubs: The Packers discussed him in trade talks with other teams last offseason and have yet to extend him. They’ve used extremely high draft picks on receivers in recent years, including Golden. Doubs has been a reliable target for Jordan Love, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him elsewhere in 2026. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: With a huge hole at cornerback, the Packers could serve to find a high-end starter on Day 2. Chris Johnson (San Diego State) and Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) are ideal fits in defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley’s scheme given their strength in man coverage. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Packers will reinvent their offensive line. Both left tackle Rasheed Walker (free agent) and center Elgton Jenkins (one year remaining) will be replaced by younger options with lower-priced contracts in Jordan Morgan, Sean Rhyan and Anthony Belton. Green Bay won’t be big spenders with its coaching staff potentially in flux if the team has a disappointing 2026 season. — Solak

2025 record: 8-9
Final FPI ranking: No. 25
Estimated 2026 cap space: $25.5 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 19

What is their top offseason priority? Beef up the pass rush. After tying for 29th in total sacks in 2024, Carolina improved only to 28th this season (30, tied with the Ravens and Cardinals). Getting to the quarterback is a major key to coordinator Ejiro Evero’s 3-4 scheme, so the team needs to add more talent on the edge.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Deciding if quarterback Bryce Young fits into the team’s long-term plans. The former No. 1 overall pick will be heading into his fourth season, but he’s still showing signs of inconsistency as a passer. Young ranked 22nd in QBR (47.7) and completion percentage (63.6%, tied with the Ravens’ Lamar Jackson). — David Newton

Latest on whether they will re-sign center Cade Mays: Mays is one of the top centers to hit free agency, turns 27 in April and has flexibility to play guard. The Panthers have interest in retaining core players. A re-sign wouldn’t shock if both sides can find a sweet spot. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: Building better protection around Young next season is still a vital need for Carolina, especially on the interior. Penn State guard Olaivavega Ioane is the top prospect on the inside. He has the power at 330 pounds to move piles in the run game, while also showing the agility to be an ideal blocker for a mobile quarterback. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Panthers will pay big money to Trey Hendrickson. The Panthers ranked 24th in pass rush win rate this season, and while they took two edge rushers high in the 2025 draft (Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen), they could use a steady veteran to lead the attack. — Schatz

Non-playoff teams

2025 record: 3-14
Final FPI ranking: No. 26
Estimated 2026 cap space: $14.5 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 3

What is their top offseason priority? Decide what they’re going to do with quarterback Kyler Murray. Is it time to part ways, or will the Cardinals try to run it back for another season? The former is more than likely, but that leads to another question: Do the Cardinals just cut him or can they trade him to get at least some compensation?

What is one secondary priority to watch? Figure out why there were so many injuries this season. Coach Jonathan Gannon has said more than once that his offseason evaluation will include a deeper dive into how Arizona handles health and wellness. Injuries decimated the Cardinals’ roster on both sides of the ball, preventing them from putting a suitable enough roster on the field this season.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Cardinals fired third-year head coach Jonathan Gannon, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, on the Monday after their worst regular season of the modern era. General manager Monti Ossenfort will spearhead the search for a new head coach. — Josh Weinfuss

Latest on whether they will re-sign safety Jalen Thompson: Safety always comes down to how the team values the position. Thompson, if healthy, is likely to be one of the more sought-after free agents at the position, which is why most of the people I talk to about this situation seem to think he gets more from another team. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: The Cardinals need a lot of help, so they can afford to take a “best player available” approach in the first round. If Murray ends up elsewhere by April, quarterback could be an area that’s addressed, but offensive line is a glaring weakness on the roster. Arizona took 53 sacks entering Week 17, sixth most in the NFL. Miami’s Francis Mauigoa and Utah’s Spencer Fano are polished blockers who could become immediate starters at right tackle. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Cardinals will keep Murray. Everyone expects a trade, but his level of play and his contract aren’t so bad that the Cardinals need to deal him right away. If they don’t find a solid offer for Murray, keeping him for one more year is very defensible. — Solak

2025 record: 8-9
Final FPI ranking: No. 24
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$12.7 million
2026 first-round draft pick: None (traded to LAR)

What is their top offseason priority? Decide who stays and who goes. Owner Arthur Blank has several decisions to make with the coaching staff and front office. General manager Terry Fontenot has not produced a winning season in five years with the team, while the Falcons regressed in Year 2 under coach Raheem Morris.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Figuring out who will play quarterback in Week 1. Michael Penix Jr. tore his ACL in November and will be out at least nine months, which could push up on training camp. The Falcons are committed to Penix, but they could try to bring in someone if he isn’t ready and Kirk Cousins isn’t a viable option.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Falcons fired coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot after two straight disappointing seasons. Their exits came hours after Atlanta wrapped up an 8-9 season with a 19-17 win over the Saints. — Marc Raimondi

Latest on whether they will re-sign tight end Kyle Pitts Sr.: He came on strong at the end of his fourth season with the team, finishing with 928 receiving yards. But with top wide receiver Drake London extension-eligible, I don’t see the Falcons handing out top tight end money to a player who hasn’t been consistently healthy or consistently great since after his rookie season. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: Even though the Falcons don’t have a first-round pick, there are still plenty of options to address their need at cornerback. Julian Neal (Arkansas) and Davison Igbinosun (Ohio State) are a couple of Day 2 names who could play opposite A.J. Terrell Jr. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Falcons will keep Cousins in 2026. Sure, this is finally the year in which it’s easier to get out of his contract. But the offense has worked better with Cousins than Penix, and Cousins looks far healthier another year removed from the Achilles injury. — Solak

2025 record: 8-9
Final FPI ranking: No. 6
Estimated 2026 cap space: $8.4 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 14

What is their top offseason priority? Reduce quarterback Lamar Jackson‘s salary cap number. The Ravens will be extremely limited with what they can do in free agency if they don’t lower Jackson’s cap figure, which jumps to $74.5 million in 2026 (roughly 25% of Baltimore’s cap). The team likely needs to sign him to a new contract, and the last contract talks with Jackson were challenging because he doesn’t have an agent and represents himself.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Add an impact edge rusher. This is the first season since 1996 that the Ravens didn’t have at least one edge rusher with six or more sacks. Plus, Baltimore’s two most experienced pass rushers — Dre’Mont Jones and Kyle Van Noy — are unrestricted free agents.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Ravens fired John Harbaugh, ending the run of the most successful coach in franchise history. His exit came two days after the Ravens lost to the Pittsburgh 26-24 after missing a last-second field goal attempt, which eliminated them from the playoffs for the first time since 2021. — Jamison Hensley

Latest on whether they will re-sign center Tyler Linderbaum: Tricky one. The Ravens declined Linderbaum’s fifth-year option for the same reason the franchise tag likely isn’t a possibility — because all offensive linemen are the same in the eyes of the fifth-year option and the franchise tag, and applying either would make Linderbaum the highest-paid center by $4 to $5 million per year. They want to have Linderbaum back, but he has the leverage. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: The Ravens defense has taken a massive step back this season, which has primarily been because they can’t generate any pressure. Zion Young (Missouri) and Derrick Moore (Michigan) are two edge rushers who fit the profile of players that Baltimore has gravitated toward in prior drafts. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Ravens will part ways with cornerback Marlon Humphrey, whether via trade or just as an outright cut. Humphrey has been one of the most targeted — and least successful — cornerbacks deep downfield this season. He would hit the Ravens’ cap for nearly $20 million in 2026, the final year of his current deal. — Solak

2025 record: 6-11
Final FPI ranking: No. 14
Estimated 2026 cap space: $60.8 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 10

What is their top offseason priority? Add juice to the pass rush. Cincinnati’s young pass rushers showed promise at the end of the season, but they were 30th in pass rush win rate and 26th in team sacks through Week 17. Recreating the magic of 2021, when Cincinnati added Larry Ogunjobi as an interior pass rusher, could be critical to improving the defense.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Solidify the secondary. While safety Geno Stone deserves due credit for helping fix the defense at the end of the season, he will be a free agent next season. Finding someone to pair with Jordan Battle, as well as landing a starting slot cornerback, will be critical.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Bengals are bringing back coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin, owner Mike Brown announced the day after Cincinnati’s season-ending loss. In seven seasons, Taylor has had two playoff appearances (2021, 2022) and is the only coach in franchise history to make multiple appearances in the conference championship game. — Ben Baby

Latest on whether they will re-sign edge rusher Trey Hendrickson: This relationship has run its course. The Bengals have the option to franchise-tag Hendrickson, but after a year of contentious contract negotiations, the edge rusher appears poised to land elsewhere and capitalize on a booming positional market. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: The likely loss of Hendrickson, coupled with the lack of impact so far from first-round picks Shemar Stewart and Myles Murphy, should point the Bengals toward edge rushers in Round 1. That matches the strength of this class, where David Bailey (Texas Tech) and Keldric Faulk (Auburn) could be realistic options. If Stewart and Murphy are seen as capable of replacing Hendrickson, a space-eating defensive tackle like Caleb Banks (Florida) would improve the line in a hurry. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Bengals will sign more than one veteran edge rusher, such as Joey Bosa, Yetur Gross-Matos, D.J. Wonnum or Charles Omenihu. As mentioned above, the Bengals will have to attack the edge rusher free agent class with volume. — Schatz

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Philip Rivers opens up about call he received to come back to Colts

Colts quarterback Philip Rivers joins “The Rich Eisen Show” to discuss coming out of retirement to play for Indianapolis.

2025 record: 5-12
Final FPI ranking: No. 32
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$65 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 6 and TBD (acquired from JAX)

What is their top offseason priority? Gaining clarity under center. Cleveland needs to figure out its quarterback situation after neither Dillon Gabriel nor Shedeur Sanders established themselves as long-term options. The Browns might have played themselves out of position for a top quarterback in the 2026 draft after beating the Steelers in Week 17. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported in December that the Browns are planning to keep Deshaun Watson on their 2026 roster.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Rebuild the rest of the offense. The Browns need to get younger and more athletic along the offensive line, where only one Week 1 starter is under contract for 2026. They could use more dynamic players at skill positions, too.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Browns fired Kevin Stefanski after six seasons, the team announced Monday. This season marked their fourth losing season under Stefanski and their second straight last-place finish in the AFC North. — Daniel Oyefusi

Latest on whether they will re-sign tight end David Njoku: The emergence of rookie tight end Harold Fannin Jr. has affected Njoku’s playing time, and it could affect his future with the team. He likes it in Cleveland, and the Browns like him, so it’s possible — even likely — they find common ground on a reasonable deal. The decision could also be affected by potential changes to the Browns’ coaching staff. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: Cleveland is not in contention to draft one of the top two passers after falling out of the top two picks, but it could use its two first-round picks to trade up and take a QB. If the Browns elect to go elsewhere, offensive tackle and wide receiver are clear needs on the roster. Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa would bring immediate stability at guard or tackle. Carnell Tate (Ohio State) and Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) could be instant impact starters at receiver. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Browns will bring in 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, as they continue their tradition of signing receivers on low-cost contracts in the hopes of hitting it big. Aiyuk’s days in San Francisco are likely over; the Browns can offer him more money and opportunity compared to any other team in the NFL. — Solak

2025 record: 7-9-1
Final FPI ranking: No. 18
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$79.4 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 12 and No. 20 (acquired from GB)

What is their top offseason priority? Rebuild the defense. Owner Jerry Jones said in Week 16 that he believes the “bones” of a good defense are in place. That can be debated because the Cowboys allowed close to 30 points per game in 2025. Their strength is at defensive tackle with Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Osa Odighizuwa, but they have questions at every other position group.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Spend in free agency. The Cowboys will never be big spenders in free agency, but they have to do more than just nibble around the edges, especially defensively. Finding a high-end pass rusher and cornerback is difficult in free agency, but they can do more at linebacker and safety. There have been more questions than answers in recent drafts, so they need a more proactive approach to free agency. — Todd Archer

Latest on whether they will re-sign wide receiver George Pickens: This may grab as many headlines as any free agent situation in the league, mainly because it’s the Cowboys. Pickens has been spectacular for Dallas since the team acquired him in a trade with Pittsburgh, catching 93 balls for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. He comes with concerns due to some of the effort and concentration issues he had with the Steelers, even though those haven’t shown up in Dallas. Based on everything I’ve heard, the franchise tag is the likely option here. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: One of the worst defenses in the league, the Cowboys are in dire need of new players at every position. Texas Tech’s David Bailey is arguably the best pass rusher in this class, logging 14.5 sacks this season, tied for the most in the FBS. If they opt to add to the secondary in Round 1, Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) would make a lot of sense, as his skill set matches previous Cowboys defensive backs. –– Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Cowboys — after a classic prolonged and public negotiation — will make Pickens the fourth-highest-paid receiver in the NFL, just under teammate CeeDee Lamb ($34 million per year) but ahead of Pittsburgh’s DK Metcalf ($33 million). And with Pickens back, quarterback Dak Prescott goes on to win MVP in 2026. — Solak

2025 record: 9-8
Final FPI ranking: No. 4
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$23.1 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 17

What is their top offseason priority? Improve the offensive line. Detroit ranked 20th in run block win rate (70.7%) and 30th in pass block win rate (55.2%). The unit struggled to adapt with the offseason departures of four-time Pro Bowl center Frank Ragnow, who abruptly retired in June, and veteran guard Kevin Zeitler, who signed with the Titans.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Add another edge rusher. Defensive end Aidan Hutchinson earned Pro Bowl honors for the second time after a career-best 14.5 sacks. However, Detroit needs another reliable option opposite of Hutchinson — a player who can bring depth and better consistency. — Eric Woodyard

Latest on whether they will re-sign linebacker Alex Anzalone: Anzalone has been a fixture for the Lions in the Dan Campbell era, and his game is more respected in league circles than in fan or media circles. The early feedback: Anzalone’s return is a 50/50 proposition. Detroit wants him back, but he’ll have interest from other teams. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: The Lions’ first-round pick should be used on defense, where the team has needs at edge rusher, cornerback and linebacker. They could take the first cornerback off the board with Jermod McCoy (Tennessee) or Mansoor Delane (LSU). They could also consider linebackers Sonny Styles (Ohio State) and CJ Allen (Georgia). — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Lions will cut left tackle Taylor Decker if he does not retire. He will be 33 years old next season and has had issues with shoulder injuries. Through Week 17 in 2025, he fell to 43rd out of 70 ranked tackles in pass block win rate, and he ranks 61st in run block win rate. — Schatz

2025 record: 8-9
Final FPI ranking: No. 21
Estimated 2026 cap space: $36.3 million
2026 first-round draft pick: None (traded to NYJ)

What is their top offseason priority? Resolve their quarterback situation. Daniel Jones lit it up in his first season with Indy, but he’ll be a free agent in March, when he’ll still be recovering from a torn right Achilles. The Colts seem inclined to run it back with Jones, but they’ve got to reach a deal and confirm his injury progress.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Re-tool the defensive line. The Colts have stuck with this group for years, but the results have been too intermittent to assume this group returns en masse. This will be tricky with no first-round pick, but the Colts need more juice on the edge.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Colts lost their final seven games to complete a historic collapse after an 8-2 start. But the team’s ownership has decided not to make significant changes, with the Colts announcing less than three hours after a season-ending loss to the Texans that general manager Chris Ballard and coach Shane Steichen will return for the 2026 season. — Stephen Holder

Latest on whether they will re-sign Jones: He has proved to be the Colts’ steadiest quarterback option since Andrew Luck. The Colts will monitor his Achilles tear recovery before free agency, and assuming all goes well, Indy should attempt to keep Jones, via a franchise tag or new deal. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: With no first-round pick, the Colts won’t be on the clock until Friday night. When that happens, finding impact players on the defensive front seven is crucial. Linebacker has been a weak point for the defense, and this draft is loaded with talented prospects with second-round grades. Anthony Hill Jr. (Texas) has the range and versatility to be a good fit. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Colts will give a big extension to 25-year-old safety Nick Cross. He did well in my coverage DVOA metric and was involved in 14.0% of Colts defensive plays, seventh among safeties through Week 17. His average run tackle came after a gain of just 4.4 yards (ranked sixth among safeties through Week 17). — Schatz

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Schefter: Brian Flores will have coaching options

Adam Schefter joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss where Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores might end up next season.

2025 record: 6-11
Final FPI ranking: No. 20
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$58.4 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 9

What is their top offseason priority? Improve the pass rush. The Chiefs must find an above-average pass rusher to put alongside Chris Jones and George Karlaftis. In past years, they have prioritized improving the offensive line. This year, that focus should shift to Steve Spagnuolo’s unit either through free agency or with their first-round pick.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Convince tight end Travis Kelce to return. The odds might not be in the Chiefs’ favor, but he is still productive and someone Patrick Mahomes trusts over any other pass catcher. A reasonable one-year contract could lead to Kelce returning to the roster for Mahomes’ return following his recovery from a left knee injury. — Nate Taylor

Latest on whether they will re-sign cornerback Jaylen Watson: The Chiefs drafted four defensive backs in 2022. Three of them (Watson, cornerback Joshua Williams and safety Bryan Cook) are free agents, while cornerback Trent McDuffie is extension-eligible ahead of his fifth-year option season. I put Watson here as an example, because the Chiefs — who have a history of letting cornerbacks leave in free agency and replacing them with draft picks — need to decide who stays in their secondary. They could prioritize the McDuffie extension and just use a ton of picks on DBs again. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: The Chiefs are in a rebuild mode thanks to bloated contracts and aging veterans. Quarterback and left tackle are the only positions truly off the table in Round 1. With a rare top-10 pick, the Chiefs could replace right tackle Jawaan Taylor with a prospect like Francis Mauigoa (Miami). In Round 2, they could address Kelce’s uncertain future by drafting a tight end like Eli Stowers (Vanderbilt). — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Chiefs will cut Taylor, which would save them $20 million on the cap even if Taylor is cut before the June 1 mark. He was in the top 10 of pass block win rate for tackles through Week 17 this season, but the Chiefs can’t live with his expensive contract or his predilection for earning penalties. — Schatz

2025 record: 3-14
Final FPI ranking: No. 28
Estimated 2026 cap space: $84.1 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 1

What is their top offseason priority? Figuring out a plan at quarterback. Geno Smith is still under contract, with a dead cap hit of $18.5 million in 2026 if the team decides to move on from him. Whether or not Smith remains in Las Vegas, the Raiders will examine the future of the quarterback position, especially since they will have the No. 1 pick.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Revamp the offensive line. A key part of the Raiders’ inability to run or pass the ball was the lack of support from the offensive line. Las Vegas elected to run it back with last year’s group, only for the unit to take a major step back with a pass block win rate and run block win rate that ranked among the bottom half of the league through Week 17.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Pete Carroll era with the Raiders is over after just one year. The team fired the 74-year-old coach after it went 3-14 this season, which ended with a 14-12 win over the Chiefs. — Ryan McFadden

Latest on whether they will re-sign guard Dylan Parham: Young, reliable offensive guards are valuable, and Parham has 63 starts over four seasons for the team that drafted him. He thrived in 2024 as a right guard, which could be his long-term home, though the Raiders played him at left guard this season. The Raiders likely will entertain retaining Parham, but a looming coaching search could affect that process. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: The last time the Raiders drafted a QB in Round 1 was 2007, when the team selected JaMarcus Russell. It’s time for the organization to find its franchise QB with no young option at the position. The Raiders could have a decision to make between Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza and Oregon’s Dante Moore. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: If Carroll goes one-and-done, Brady will call an old New England friend to be head coach: current Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores. He’ll get a well-deserved second crack at a head coaching gig after getting fired by the Dolphins in 2022. — Solak

2025 record: 9-8
Final FPI ranking: No. 27
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$58.1 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 18

What is their top offseason priority? Figure out the J.J. McCarthy conundrum. He had a mostly brutal first season as the Vikings’ starter and the team must decide whether to give him another season, acquire a replacement or pair him with a veteran backup who could take over if he fails to make progress.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Settle the Brian Flores situation. He has been one of the NFL’s best defensive coordinators during his three seasons in Minnesota, but his contract is expiring and he’ll have the opportunity to consider options elsewhere even if he doesn’t get a head coaching job. It’ll be a challenge to replace him with an equal performer. — Kevin Seifert

Latest on whether they will re-sign safety Harrison Smith: Smith got the last-game treatment in Week 18, subbing out in the final minutes for a home-crowd ovation and hugs from teammates. That signals a looming retirement. But if he plays a 15th season, the chances of a return to Minnesota would be high. He produced at age 36 with 54 tackles, two interceptions, 10 pass deflections and one sack. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: If Flores isn’t hired away as a head coach, he’ll want to bolster the secondary. Ohio State’s Caleb Downs is unlikely to last until the late teens, but he would be an ideal pick in a Minkah Fitzpatrick-type role. Either Brandon Cisse (South Carolina) or Colton Hood (Tennessee) might be more likely options to fill a need at cornerback. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: With little cap space, the Vikings will say goodbye to tight end T.J. Hockenson, who has had injury issues and is coming off two straight years with fewer than 500 receiving yards. He was tied for 33rd among tight ends in ESPN’s receiver scores through Week 17. Cutting Hockenson would save the Vikings nearly $9 million in cap space before June 1 and $16 million if designated after June 1. — Schatz

2025 record: 7-10
Final FPI ranking: No. 31
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$27.5 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 11

What is their top offseason priority? Figure out the quarterback situation. Tua Tagovailoa was benched once playoffs were out of the picture, and cutting him this offseason would be expensive. But considering his play in 2025, Miami can’t go into next season with him as the clear-cut starter. Even if Tagovailoa remains on the roster, expect the team to bring in real competition at the position.

What is one secondary priority to watch? From one expensive player to another, the Dolphins will have to make a decision on wide receiver Tyreek Hill‘s contract. He missed most of this season with a dislocated knee, and there’s no certainty he returns to his trademark level of play. Considering he represents a nearly $30 million cap hit in 2026, there’s no way Hill returns on his current deal — if at all.

Latest on the head coach situation: The Dolphins have fired coach Mike McDaniel, the team announced on Jan. 8. The move comes after McDaniel had met with reporters Monday and said he would be part of the team’s interviews to hire a new general manager. — Marcel Louis-Jacques

Latest on whether they will re-sign cornerback Rasul Douglas: The Dolphins got a steal when they signed Douglas at roster cutdowns for $1.57 million. He greatly outplayed that contract with 62 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass deflections. Chances of re-signing the 31-year old appear strong, though Miami could go younger in spots of the defensive backfield and will have a new general manager soon. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: Quarterback will be the focus of the offseason, but it’s unlikely Miami drafts one in Round 1. Cornerback is next on the list, with the Dolphins collecting just nine interceptions this season and having no clear-cut CB1 on the roster. Tennessee’s Jermod McCoy could give them speed and ball skills. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Dolphins will cut Hill. He had already declined last season and will be 32 in 2026. Cutting Hill with a post-June 1 designation would save the Dolphins $36 million on the cap and is a much easier decision than figuring out what to do with Tagovailoa’s huge contract. Cutting the quarterback would actually cost the Dolphins cap space. — Schatz

2025 record: 6-11
Final FPI ranking: No. 23
Estimated 2026 cap space: minus-$26.5 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 8

What is their top offseason priority? Make decisions about veterans. Linebacker Demario Davis will be 37 in January, and defensive end Cameron Jordan will turn 37 next summer. Both have voiding contracts this year, but they have continued to play at a high level despite their age. The Saints will need to decide whether to bring them back, as well as 35-year-old Taysom Hill. If not, they could get younger at those positions.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Surround rookie quarterback Tyler Shough with a better offense. He was playing with a cast of backups by the end of the season due to injuries, but even a healthy Saints offense needs a refresh. The Saints need to get Shough some pass catchers and build around him in free agency or the draft. — Katherine Terrell

Latest on whether they will re-sign Jordan: He could very well decide to retire. If he doesn’t, will he fit into the Saints’ 2026 cap picture? That picture is cloudy as always, but it’s impossible to imagine Jordan in a different uniform — and I think he feels the same way. Either he retires or they find a way to bring him back. — Graziano

Early draft outlook: Shough has quickly changed the course of the rebuild, as he looks to be the franchise quarterback. This has positioned the Saints to take a true “best player available” approach in the first round. With a top-15 pick, they could add another wide receiver. Carnell Tate (Ohio State) or Jordyn Tyson (Arizona State) would provide the team with a true go-to target alongside Chris Olave. — Reid

Big prediction for the offseason: The Saints will sign ex-Bills guard David Edwards to a big deal, as he’s the lone exciting player who could be available in the guard market. The offensive line is a sneakily solid group when center Erik McCoy is healthy, but it needs better guard play. — Solak

2025 record: 4-13
Final FPI ranking: No. 16
Estimated 2026 cap space: $21.2 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 5

What is their top offseason priority? Re-signing at least two of their three biggest free agents. Right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor, wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson and cornerback Cor’Dale Flott are all valuable and coming off the best seasons of their careers. This team can’t afford to let any more good players walk.

What is one secondary priority to watch? The Giants need to add run-stuffing defensive linemen to the mix in the worst of ways. There is a reason they allowed a league-worst 5.35 yards per carry entering Week 18. Rookie Darius Alexander isn’t the answer. He’s more of a 3-technique pass rusher and Dexter Lawrence II can’t do it all by himself. The run defense has been a problem for three consecutive seasons.

Latest on the head coach situation: General manager Joe Schoen was spared, and the attention is on finding the right guy to replace Brian Daboll. The Giants need a candidate who exudes leadership and can develop a sustainable culture. It’s a tough job. Previous head coaching experience and a track record of success probably wouldn’t hurt. — Jordan Raanan

Latest on whether they will re-sign Robinson: He joins Malik Nabers as the Giants’ only 1,000-yard receivers since 2019. Paying Eluemunor is also an option, but Robinson could become Schoen’s first draft pick extended. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: The Giants have a strong young nucleus in Nabers, Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo and Abdul Carter. If Robinson leaves, drafting his replacement could be vital at the top of the first round if a receiver like Carnell Tate (Ohio State) emerges as a top-five prospect. Drafting a right tackle that high isn’t done often, but the Giants could replace Eluemunor with Caleb Lomu (Utah) or Francis Mauigoa (Miami). — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Giants will trade down in the first round of the draft. They’re already set at quarterback and edge rusher, where many mock drafts have Arvell Reese and Rueben Bain Jr. as the first non-quarterbacks off the board. They need more talent at other positions, which they could address further down. — Schatz

2025 record: 3-14
Final FPI ranking: No. 30
Estimated 2026 cap space: $58.6 million
2026 first-round draft picks: No. 2, No. 16 (acquired from IND)

What is their top offseason priority? Find a quarterback. Justin Fields likely will be released and Tyrod Taylor is a free agent, so the Jets could be starting over. The process will be two-tiered: Acquire a veteran (or two) and draft one. There’s no surefire answer, though Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza or Oregon’s Dante Moore are in reach. General manager Darren Mougey will have to be creative to solve a problem that has vexed the franchise for decades.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Hire a defensive coordinator who meshes with coach Aaron Glenn. It didn’t work with Steve Wilks, who was fired after 14 games. First, the defensive-minded Glenn must determine his involvement. Will he take over and call plays? If not, he must find an innovative coach who can galvanize a unit that needs an overhaul.

Latest on the head coach situation: A disappointing season, lowlighted by a historically bad December, has raised questions among fans and media about Glenn’s job security. From all indications, he’s not going anywhere. Glenn said he still has the support of owner Woody Johnson. — Rich Cimini

Latest on whether they will re-sign running back Breece Hall: He is poised for top-10 running back money after posting his first 1,000-yard season. While the Jets could work to extend his contract, his market will be strong and too many teams need an impact back. He would be the best running back in free agency if he’s available. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: If the Jets don’t sign or trade for an established starter, a first-round pick has to be used on a passer. Mendoza and Moore will be in consideration among the top-five picks, and taking either of them would represent a clear rebuild around a rookie quarterback. With the Colts’ first-round pick, the Jets should also look at a cornerback or safety after an NFL-record zero interceptions this entire season. It’s unlikely Ohio State’s Caleb Downs will be available, but cornerback Mansoor Delane (LSU) could match the need and range of the pick. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Jets will trade for Kyler Murray and give him his second chance in the NFL. Murray is a bad fit for teams that want to run a lot of under-center offense, but the Jets ran the eighth-most shotgun or pistol sets through Week 17 in 2025. A trade for Murray’s big contract would likely cost very little in draft capital. — Schatz

2025 record: 8-9
Final FPI ranking: No. 19
Estimated 2026 cap space: $26.4 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 15

What is their top offseason priority? Re-sign wide receiver Mike Evans. The franchise’s all-time leading scorer’s contract expires at the end of 2025 and he’s undecided about playing next year. He did say after coming back from his broken collarbone injury, “I missed the game more than I thought I would. I come back and I still have love for the game. Who knows what it will do for me in the future?”

What is one secondary priority to watch? Go back to the drawing board at edge rusher. Haason Reddick didn’t have the rebound year he was hoping for with 2.5 sacks in 13 games. Yaya Diaby took some steps forward with 7.0 sacks in 17 games, and they will get David Walker back from a torn ACL next season. But they need way more impact up front.

Latest on the head coach situation: Todd Bowles led the Bucs to three straight division titles as a head coach before falling just short this season and signed a three-year extension last offseason. But their defensive struggles in the second half of the season were jarring to watch. Offensively, they took several steps backward with Josh Grizzard as coordinator. And on special teams, their coverage units struggled so much that they resorted to touchbacks on kickoffs. How much will the Glazer family factor in the team’s past success and injuries when making a decision? — Jenna Laine

Latest on whether they will re-sign Evans: A dominant force in Tampa Bay for over a decade, Evans turns 33 in August and must decide whether to retire or continue playing. It’s hard to imagine him in any other team’s uniform. Cornerback Jamel Dean is another key free agent, as he’s at the end of a four-year deal. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: This draft should give Tampa Bay plenty of opportunities to add defensive talent. In Round 1, a pass rusher such as Texas Tech’s David Bailey would give the Bucs much-needed help off the edge. If he’s off the board already, cornerback is a second need that should be addressed in the first three rounds. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: With help required at inside linebacker, the Bucs will steal Kaden Elliss from the rival Falcons in free agency. He would be perfect in those Bowles blitz packages after 3.5 sacks in 2025. — Schatz

2025 record: 3-14
Final FPI ranking: No. 29
Estimated 2026 cap space: $77.1 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 4

What is their top offseason priority? Add a playmaking wide receiver. Rookies Elic Ayomanor and Chimere Dike are the top returning receivers for quarterback Cam Ward. Calvin Ridley will likely be a cap casualty. Ward needs a go-to guy who can beat one-on-one coverage in the clutch.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Boost the pass rush. Defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons reestablished himself as a dominant presence. But Simmons needs an impactful running mate who can come off the edge. The Titans tried addressing the position with 2025 second-round pick Oluwafemi Oladejo. But they need more talent outside of Oladejo and third-year linebacker Jaylen Harrell.

Latest on the head coach situation: Interim coach Mike McCoy is unlikely to return after taking over for Brian Callahan in October. Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy figures to be a candidate given general manager Mike Borgonzi’s history with that team. President of football operations Chad Brinker’s extensive time with the Packers could also make former Green Bay and Dallas coach Mike McCarthy a candidate. — Turron Davenport

Latest on whether they will re-sign wide receiver tight end Chig Okonkwo: He drew interest at the trade deadline as a field-stretching tight end, and he has produced 56 catches for 560 yards this season — noble numbers in a bad offense. He has the combination of athletic traits and youth (26) that could make him a desirable option in free agency. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: Building an infrastructure around Ward is incredibly important, but there isn’t a prospect that matches the needs of the team at the top of the draft. That could mean the Titans trade back with a QB-needy team, or they could look to select a top-tier pass rusher. Taking Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. in Round 1 and Alabama wide receiver Germie Bernard in Round 2 could give Tennessee two impactful rookies. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Titans will make a huge splash by signing George Pickens in free agency. Tennessee’s biggest need is talented and experienced wide receivers for Ward, and the Titans have a ton of cap space. Pickens ranked fifth in the ESPN’s receiver scores this season and third in my DYAR values among wide receivers through Week 17. — Schatz

2025 record: 5-12
Final FPI ranking: No. 22
Estimated 2026 cap space: $51.2 million
2026 first-round draft pick: No. 7

What is their top offseason priority? Hire a defensive coordinator. Coach Dan Quinn took over playcalling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. for the final seven games, but his preference in the past has been to have someone else run the defense. Whitt, hired in 2024, did not have prior playcalling experience, so it’s possible Washington will want someone who has done so in the past.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Add impact players on defense. Washington desperately needs them, otherwise simply changing coordinators won’t have a strong enough yield. The Commanders need more speed and youth in their front seven, as well as a starting corner and safety. — John Keim

Latest on whether they will re-sign wide receiver Deebo Samuel: The Commanders have been pleased with Samuel’s acquisition, as it has led to a team-high 72 catches for 727 yards this season. But he turns 30 in January and could be costly to retain. Left guard Chris Paul is also an option for Washington to re-sign. — Fowler

Early draft outlook: As mentioned above, improving the defensive front seven will be a core need for Washington, especially with linebacker Bobby Wagner set to hit free agency at 36. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese would solve a lot of problems in the middle of the defense, but some scouts think he can be an edge rusher in the NFL. That’s another priority for Quinn’s unit. — Miller

Big prediction for the offseason: The Commanders will make a big splash by signing running back Breece Hall, a talented rusher and receiver who will be just 25 years old next season. Rookie running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt didn’t end up taking the league by storm, and Chris Rodriguez Jr. wasn’t spectacular either. Washington finished 21st in run offense DVOA through Week 17 this season. — Schatz

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. — When Drake Maye met Josh McDaniels for the first time, they were in different countries.

Maye had just proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Ann Michael Hudson, on the sandy beaches of Mexico. McDaniels was moving back into a familiar space as New England Patriots offensive coordinator for the third time in his NFL coaching career.

“He was in the office, obviously, like he always is, probably watching film or something,” Maye recalled of the January video call with a smile.

“It had nothing to do with football, that’s what I remember,” McDaniels said.

It wouldn’t be about football for a while. Before Maye and McDaniels shared X’s and O’s that have made them one of the NFL’s most explosive QB-coordinator duos this season, they played pickleball together and dined at McDaniels’ home, with quarterbacks coach Ashton Grant joining them. Maye and Ann Michael later bought a home around the corner from McDaniels.

“Gaining that trust and getting to know who they were as people was the first thing,” said Grant, who is 30. He has had the most intimate behind-the-scenes viewpoint of how Maye, 23, and McDaniels, 49, have united.

Who won those pickleball games remains top secret. Nonetheless, the “thwack!” was symbolic in the sense they had both taken hits and were motivated, after being on divergent paths last season, to reignite their careers together. Maye was coming off a 4-13 season as a rookie that led to a coaching change in New England, and McDaniels found his “peace and joy” before returning to the NFL for the first time since being fired as Las Vegas Raiders head coach in October 2023.

The AFC East-division champion Patriots host the Los Angeles Chargers in the first round of the AFC playoffs on Sunday (8 p.m. ET, NBC) after completing a 14-3 regular season under coach Mike Vrabel, which ties the 1999 Indianapolis Colts and 2008 Miami Dolphins for the best turnaround in NFL history.

There are myriad reasons sparking the once-proud franchise’s resurgence. One of the most important began on that video call.

“I was just looking forward to meeting him and thankful to get the opportunity to play for him,” Maye said of his mindset at the time. “Obviously, I heard about him, saw all the old Patriot tapes and old videos, and what he’s done here as a coordinator before. It’s come true of what I thought.”

McDaniels’ comeback

THERE WERE NO guarantees McDaniels would be back in the NFL in 2025. He wasn’t going to force it after doing important self-improvement work in his first season out of the league since being hired by Bill Belichick in 2001 as a Patriots coaching assistant.

He fell in love with pickleball. Lost weight. Drove his youngest daughters, Livi and Neenah, to school. Watched his son, Jack, play football at John Carroll University, his alma mater. Took his daughter Maddie on college visits.

Coaching can be a rewarding profession, but also stress-filled, especially when losses outnumber wins as they did in Las Vegas.

“The first thing I was doing was trying to get healthy,” McDaniels said of his 14 months out of the NFL. “You put yourself on the back burner a little bit when you’re doing this thing, grinding at both ends.”

McDaniels and his wife, Laura, had kept their home in suburban Boston when McDaniels was hired as Raiders head coach in January 2022. So that brought him back to Massachusetts in November 2023 when his tenure ended with a 9-16 record. A lot of things would have had to fall in place for him to leave his family for another NFL job, even though his acumen as one of the NFL’s top playcallers made him a candidate for vacant offensive coordinator jobs. He previously guided the Patriots to eight top-10 rankings in his 13 seasons, including the No. 1 ranking in 2007, 2012 and 2017 with quarterback Tom Brady.

Then the unexpected unfolded in New England.

Jerod Mayo, whom owner Robert Kraft had identified years earlier as his choice to succeed Bill Belichick, was fired after one season. Kraft took the blame for putting Mayo in an unwinnable situation, before quickly hiring Mike Vrabel as the franchise’s 16th head coach.

“By this time last year, I had a peace and joy about myself … I re-gained it and had a different perspective on life and what I was looking for.”

McDaniels said on the “Schrager Hour” with ESPN’s Peter Schrager

As Vrabel began putting a staff together, he started with the core of coaches who had been with him in Tennessee. He had never coached with McDaniels before but had a connection with him from his playing career in New England; McDaniels, then a coaching assistant, picked Vrabel up from the airport on his free agent visit in 2001.

McDaniels was among a handful of candidates interviewed for offensive coordinator — a group including former Panthers and Bears interim head coach Thomas Brown — and Vrabel ultimately hired them both with McDaniels as OC and Brown as tight ends coach/passing game coordinator.

McDaniels’ affinity for the Patriots, which includes close ties with owner Robert Kraft, was among the reasons the timing was right for his return to coaching. So too was the chance to work under Vrabel, an already-proven head coach with whom he had a prior connection and admiration for his vision of installing a winning culture.

“Beyond grateful,” McDaniels said. “This has been a really special place in my professional career, but not just that, in my personal life. My kids, my wife, my family has really grown up and been raised here in New England. To have this opportunity to be with Mike in this place, and to be around this group of people every day, there’s a lot of joy in it.”

Players have seen it firsthand, noting how often McDaniels talks about Laura and their kids.

“Sometimes he’ll FaceTime with the fam, we’re in the room, and everyone will say hello,” third-string quarterback Tommy DeVito said.

“It seems like it’s been good to him,” added veteran No. 2 quarterback Joshua Dobbs. “Watching him after a game, he’s with his daughters and they have their friends and they’re hanging out. His son has been able to come to practice. I can imagine a unique sense of peace — doing what you love, close to the people you love, and they get to see you do it from the convenience of your own home and not a rental. There’s a lot that goes into it outside the [team] complex.”

Maye’s continued development

WHEN THE PATRIOTS mapped out a plan for Maye’s hopeful development in his second NFL season, Vrabel essentially said it had two parallel tracks. The first: Leadership, command and connection that resonates throughout the entire team. Then, mastery of an offense coordinated by McDaniels and supported by a talented, experienced staff of assistants. Putting those together would make Maye, in Vrabel’s view, the “conductor” of the Patriots.

Vrabel, as the culture-setting head coach, has worked closely with Maye on the first part — especially in voluntary spring practices and training camp. He said he was intentional in putting Maye in situations to lead with authenticity, which included supporting his plan to host teammates in his native North Carolina for pre-training camp throwing and bonding sessions. Vrabel also called it a “unique” role for a player who was turning 23 in August, with room to grow.

As this was unfolding, the X’s and O’s marriage between Maye and McDaniels was also taking shape behind the scenes.

“You have an experienced coach who has done it at the highest level, who has seen the progression of [Tom Brady] come in and become the greatest ever. And you have a curious and wide-eyed young player who’s very talented at football coming off a year where you don’t win a lot, so you’re like ‘I’ll do whatever if it means we’ll be good.’ I think that’s a good combination,” Dobbs, 30, observed.

“The biggest way to grow in life in anything is curiosity, and I think Drake has great curiosity in how to become a great football player, great quarterback. Not just throwing the ball, but managing the game, understanding the offense, leading men.”

Leadership was a significant change from 2024. Maye had been more deferential after arriving as the No. 3 overall pick in the draft, careful not to infringe on veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett‘s turf. Their lockers were side by side. Brissett had a “C” on his jersey as a captain. Maye also was part of a rookie class with sixth-round pick Joe Milton III, who had his own hopes of being the starter.

In 12 starts, but only 10 in which he played all four quarters, Maye totaled 10 interceptions and completed 66.6% of his passes.

“Vrabes calls him the conductor. The train, the show, whatever it is – everything literally goes through the quarterback.”

Patriots backup QB Tommy DeVito on Drake Maye

In hopes of sparking Maye’s growth in 2025, the Patriots altered the quarterbacks room dynamic by signing Dobbs (with his eighth NFL team) early in free agency, trading Milton to the Dallas Cowboys before the first day of voluntary offseason workouts and claiming DeVito on waivers from the New York Giants at the end of the preseason. Vrabel also hired Grant, whom he views as a rising star after getting to know him as part of the Cleveland Browns staff in 2024, as quarterbacks coach.

That infrastructure, along with McDaniels’ acumen, contributed to fostering Maye’s development when there was inevitable disruption on the railway.

“I missed OTAs and training camp when all that really went down. From what I heard, it was a lot of growing pains from both sides — all sides — for the offense in general,” DeVito said.

“There is a lot to this offense. When I first got here [at the end of preseason], I was getting frustrated and [they said to me] ‘take it easy, we dealt with this all OTAs and training camp.’ I know they grinded it out day in and day out a lot to get to the point they are.”

That continued into the early part of the regular season. When the Patriots lost to the Raiders 20-13 in the season opener, and Maye looked indecisive at times in finishing 30-of-46 for 287 yards with a touchdown and interception, McDaniels fielded a flurry of questions from the media. One of the most prevalent was if the offense was too complex, and if Maye had “too much on his plate.”

McDaniels was calm and decisive in saying they weren’t asking too much of Maye.

“It’s got to be a long-term vision of where this guy is going to be,” he said. “He’s going to be a really good player. He’s the right guy.”

Coming together for an MVP-like season

MCDANIELS REMEMBERS ONE play from training camp providing a glimpse of Maye’s promise. It was a broken play. Maye scrambled to his right and looked as if he was going to run out of bounds or throw it away.

Instead, just inches from the sideline, he uncorked a 60-yard bomb down the sideline to receiver DeMario “Pop” Douglas.

“I’m like, ‘There’s no way he can get the ball to this guy, right?'” McDaniels recalled.

The ball placement was perfect. Douglas, who called it “fastbreak” football, scored. McDaniels’ jaw dropped.

“I looked around and was like, ‘Did anyone else see this?'” he said.

Coaches had been working with Maye on remaining a thrower for longer instead of taking off to run. The play was one example of how Maye took the coaching to heart.

By season’s end, Maye led the NFL in Total QBR (77.2), completion percentage (72%) and yards per attempt (8.9). Since Total QBR was introduced in 2006, the only quarterbacks to lead the NFL in all three of those categories were Tom Brady in 2007 and Tony Romo in 2014.

Maye also became the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 71% of his passes and average 8.9 yards per attempt in a season (minimum 100 attempts).

“The questions he asked were questions a guy who has been in the league 4, 5, 6 years would ask. So you knew you were dealing with a guy that could think the game of football.”

McDaniels on Maye

He entered Week 18 as the favorite to win the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award, according to DraftKings Sportsbook. After Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford threw four touchdown passes in a win over the Arizona Cardinals, Stafford became the odds-on favorite (-180) to win MVP ahead of Maye (+150).

“Just the way Josh is wired is good for him. I think they almost counterbalance each other in a way, too,” veteran tight end Hunter Henry said. “They’ve really, really gotten close, seeing things on the same page.”

Players say McDaniels’ unwavering and relentless attention to detail has been embraced by Maye.

“He’s intense in the best way possible — always firing. Probably one of the more detail-oriented, dialed-in people throughout the day, consistently, I’ve ever been around,” DeVito said of McDaniels.

“Whether it’s teams or random companies, if the person leading doesn’t have that innate sense of ‘I want to get it right, I’m anal about what I do and I take pride in what is being put out there,’ usually the results kind of show that,” Dobbs added. “I think results have shown success because of his mindset.”

As a result, Maye shared he feels well-prepared for the variety of challenges opposing defenses present, which in the playoffs will be among the toughest the Patriots face. New England had an easier schedule — opponents’ final win percentage was .391 — as a result of its last-place finish in 2024.

“He really takes practice very seriously, and I think that’s one of the greatest things about him. He cares so much about practice and getting practice right,” Maye said.

In turn, McDaniels has noted Maye’s growth-based mindset.

The combination has been at the forefront of the Patriots’ stunning turnaround.

“What I’m most impressed and excited about is how much he grows from a good or bad experience,” McDaniels said. “I don’t know what else you could ask from a player. Some take a little bit longer than others to digest a mistake and learn from it, and then utilize it. Boy, he does that really well.”