Toughest conversation every NFL front office must have this offseason

The NFL offseason isn’t just about draft boards, cap space and free-agent wish lists. It’s also about the conversations teams must have — the uncomfortable, franchise-shaping discussions that could determine whether a contender keeps rolling or a rebuilding team finally admits where it stands. 

Below, Yardbarker NFL writers identify the people with whom each team’s front office must have its toughest offseason conversation.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS (7-9-1) | With Jerry Jones | The Cowboys haven’t made it back to the Super Bowl since the 1995 season, and Jones won’t get them back there. He has made questionable personnel decisions, like making trades to fill roster holes he’s created, and continues to be a distraction anytime he’s in front of a microphone. It’s long past time someone in the front office told him the team needs a reset without him. Chances of this happening? Oh so slim.

NEW YORK GIANTS (4-13) | With WR Wan’Dale Robinson | The 5-foot-8 receiver recorded a career-best 1,014 receiving yards, and he’s set to get paid because of it. However, the Giants are projected to have roughly $15M in cap space, per Spotrac, and they have plenty of other roster holes. How they maneuver contract negotiations with Robinson will be crucial; New York doesn't have much depth at WR behind Malik Nabers.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (11-6) | With QB Jalen Hurts | The Super Bowl LIX MVP hasn’t played like an MVP this season. Last season, Hurts had the 10th-best adjusted QBR (62.5), whereas this season, he has the 22nd-best QBR (55.9). The Eagles must evaluate if this season was an outlier under a new OC (Kevin Patullo) or if Hurts is a declining player.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS (5-12) | With QB Jayden Daniels | Daniels was reportedly blindsided when the Commanders let offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury leave. While the offense dropped from averaging 28.5 points per game in 2024 to 20.9 this season, it was just the second season of the dynamic QB's pairing with Kingsbury. Now, head coach Dan Quinn must sell his star QB on a new offensive system and hope his next OC hire stays around longer. — Conor Killmurray

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS (3-14) | With prospective new head coaches | The Cardinals have the third pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but their biggest priority is finding a new head coach after Jonathan Gannon was fired. With QB Kyler Murray’s uncertain future and a nine-game losing streak going into the offseason, this is not an appealing gig.

LOS ANGELES RAMS (12-5) | With talented assistant coaches | Offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur — younger brother of Green Bay Packers HC Matt LaFleur — has spearheaded the team's top-ranked offense (30.5 PPG), while defensive coordinator Chris Shula’s group has been excellent in the red zone, allowing the third-lowest percentage of TDs (46.2 percent). HC Sean McVay will have his work cut out for him to retain both.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (12-5) | With defensive linemen | Injuries have been a factor all season for the 49ers, who lost All-Pro DE Nick Bosa to a torn right ACL and LB Fred Warner (right ankle). With a league-worst average of 1.2 sacks per game, San Francisco must prioritize getting its pass rush healthy and generating more pressure, whether that means banking on its stars returning to form or exploring potential draft options.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS  (14-3) | With RB Kenneth Walker III | RB isn't as valued as other skill positions, but the Seahawks nonetheless must must make a call on Walker. He is in the final year of his rookie deal and has the most rush yards on the team (1,027) while RB Zach Charbonnet has the most TDs (12), putting the Seahawks in an interesting position. Do they keep both or let Walker pursue other options? — Colby Colwell

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS (11-6) | With tight end Cole Kmet | Kmet has been a beloved member of the organization since being drafted in 2020, but the time has come for the two sides to part. The tight end’s $50M contract has a potential out this offseason that would cost the Bears just $3.2 million in dead-cap money, and Kmet’s services aren’t needed, considering rookie TE Colston Loveland looks like a budding star. 

DETROIT LIONS (9-8) | With OC candidates | The Lions put up 44 points against the Commanders after head coach Dan Campbell took over the play-calling duties from offensive coordinator John Morton (fired Tuesday), but they went 3-5 down the stretch to miss the playoffs. Detroit’s offense sorely missed Ben Johnson in 2025, and the Lions must hire another elite play-caller this offseason so Campbell can go back to focusing on his HC duties. 

GREEN BAY PACKERS (9-7-1) | With HC Matt LaFleur | If the Packers lose to the Bears in the wild-card round of the playoffs, it might be time to have a hard conversation with LaFleur. After losing in the NFC Championship Game in LaFleur’s first two years in charge, Green Bay is in danger of failing to make it past the divisional round in five straight seasons. The Packers must decide whether to extend LaFleur or seek a new head coach sooner rather than later. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (9-8) | With QB J.J. McCarthy | In his first chance to prove he can be a franchise QB, McCarthy threw just 11 touchdowns and 12 interceptions in 10 starts this season. The Vikings can’t afford to keep wasting the talent they have, so they must bring in some competition for McCarthy — similar to what the Colts did with Anthony Richardson Sr. and Daniel Jones. Initiating that conversation with McCarthy will only amp up the pressure on the young QB. — Jack Dougherty

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS (8-9) | With themselves | After firing head coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot, Atlanta must have its toughest — and most consequential — decisions this offseason about who it picks as the failed duo’s replacements. CBS NFL studio analyst Matt Ryan could be in play for a front-office role, but considering how well Tom Brady’s done for the Raiders in a similar arrangement (sarcasm alert), the Falcons must explore other options, too.

CAROLINA PANTHERS (8-9) | With QB Bryce Young | Leading the Panthers to an NFC South title with a losing record shouldn’t be enough for Young to land the kind of deal other first-rounders, including Trevor Lawrence ($55M AAV), Joe Burrow ($55M) or Tua Tagovailoa ($53.1M), received with their rookie extensions. A deal similar to the ones Geno Smith (2023), Baker Mayfield (2024) and Sam Darnold (2025) signed — between $25M-$33.5M — after having much better seasons makes more sense, but Young and his camp might not agree.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (6-11) | With RB Alvin Kamara | While not in nearly as precarious a salary-cap position as years past, the Saints are still a projected $19.583M over the estimated 2026 salary cap of $295.5M (h/t Over the Cap). Kamara, a five-time Pro Bowl selection, is coming off his worst season, averaging a paltry 3.6 yards per carry while playing in a career-low 11 games, and has the second-highest cap hit on the 2026 roster ($18.571M). New Orleans must convince him to take a pay cut, or his time in the Big Easy could be over.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (8-9) | With two longtime Bucs | A tough end to the regular season — Tampa Bay lost seven of its last nine games — could lead to multiple tough conversations in Tampa Bay. The team must improve in key areas, but retaining still-productive veteran WR Mike Evans and LB Lavonte David is the smart call. That might not be so easy, however, with Evans telling ESPN’s Jenna Laine at the end of the regular season he’ll decide on his future in "maybe a month or two." David, who turns 36 on Jan. 23, is still one of the league’s more consistent linebackers but told reporters he has "no idea" if he’ll play next season. — Eric Smithling

AFC East

BUFFALO BILLS (12-5) | With themselves about receiving weapons for Josh Allen | Allen does not have to go through Patrick Mahomes, Lamar Jackson or Joe Burrow this postseason, but this is arguably the worst supporting cast he has had in Buffalo. RB James Cook has put up career numbers rushing (1,621 yards), but the team’s leading receiver, Khalil Shakir, only has 719 yards and four TDs. The front office must do better.

MIAMI DOLPHINS (7-10) | With QB Tua Tagovailoa | One season after signing a four-year, $212.4M extension in July 2024, Tagovailoa threw the second-most interceptions in the league (15) and posted the 26th-ranked QBR (37). Miami, which fired HC Mike McDaniel on Thursday, benched him for rookie Quinn Ewers for the final three games; Tagovailoa is fully guaranteed $54M next season, putting the organization in a dilemma after a second consecutive losing season.

NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (14-3) | With scouts about improving pass rush | First-year Patriots HC Mike Vrabel has done an exceptional job turning New England back into a contender, but one of the few flaws on this team has been its inability to pressure QBs. New England is tied for 22nd in sacks recorded (35), making that a clear area of focus for a team exceeding expectations this season.

NEW YORK JETS (3-14) | With every potential QB candidate |The Jets became the first team since 1933 without an interception in a season, but their offense was just as dismal, ranking 29th in points per game (17.6 PPG). The Jets went through three QBs; none is a long-term option. Justin Fields is only under contract through 2026, while Tyrod Taylor is set to become a free agent, and Brady Cook is 0-5 as a starter with seven interceptions. Whatever new QBs are in the mix — a vet or draft pick — New York must have eye-opening conversations with each about the woeful state of the team. — Colby Colwell

AFC West

DENVER BRONCOS (14-3) | With RB J.K. Dobbins | Dobbins, who’s a free agent this offseason, has missed seven straight games because of a left foot issue, hurting his chances of Denver re-signing him. (Head coach Sean Payton has hinted the RB may return during the postseason.) Dobbins has been Denver's most productive runner this season, rushing for a team-leading 772 yards in 10 games.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (6-11) | With TE Travis Kelce | Kelce, who turns 37 on Oct. 5, is determining how his body feels before deciding whether he should retire. If the future Hall of Famer wants to return in 2026, the Chiefs should consider letting him walk in free agency. The TE is clearly declining after logging 851 receiving yards in 17 games this season, the third consecutive season he has failed to tally 1,000 or more.

LAS VEGAS RAIDERS (3-14) | With DE Maxx Crosby | If the Raiders can’t win with Crosby (28 tackles for loss, No. 2 in the NFL), why are they keeping him? They could send the DE to a team looking to bolster its pass rush (Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys) for multiple draft picks. Vegas, which has the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, could then use those to build around a rookie QB, perhaps Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza.  

LOS ANGELES CHARGERS (11-6) | With OC Greg Roman | Injuries to offensive tackles Joe Alt (ankle) and Rashawn Slater (knee) are to blame for QB Justin Herbert taking a career-high 54 sacks in 16 regular-season games. Roman’s scheme, however, isn’t providing enough pass protection for the QB, nor is it maximizing his arm. Herbert has averaged 232.9 passing yards per game (3,727 yards), the second-lowest mark of his six-year career. — Clark Dalton

AFC North

BALTIMORE RAVENS (8-9) | With a new coach about fixing their pass rush | The Ravens took care of one big conversation when they fired HC John Harbaugh. Now, their focus must shift to how they fix the defense, specifically a nonexistent pass rush that became a huge liability and was unable to disrupt 42-year-old Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers with their season on the line. QB Lamar Jackson and RB Derrick Henry can put up points, but they need somebody to make a stop on defense. 

CINCINNATI BENGALS (6-11) | With QB Joe Burrow | The Bengals must determine whether Burrow is truly satisfied with the organization — and if he isn’t, figure out how to change that. They haven’t consistently won during his tenure, haven’t reliably protected him along the offensive line and have watched the defense deteriorate over the past three seasons. Two playoff appearances in seven years with a quarterback of his caliber is unacceptable, and it’s reasonable to wonder whether his patience is wearing thin.

CLEVELAND BROWNS  (5-12) | With a new coach about QB Shedeur Sanders | Sanders started seven games for the Browns, who are seeking a new HC. He looked both promising and overwhelmed at different times. Did he show them enough to be willing to go into next season with him as their starter, opening the door for them to use their two first-round picks on other areas of need, or is QB again going to be a focal point?
 
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (10-7) | With HC Mike Tomlin | This conversation will be easier if the Steelers win a playoff game or two, but Tomlin’s future should very much be a discussion point as he approaches his 20th season with the franchise. Fans were chanting for him to be fired less than two months ago, only to watch the team rally with wins in five of its past six games to clinch the AFC North. That may have cooled emotions a bit, but if the playoff win drought continues for another season, a discussion must be had.  — Adam Gretz

AFC South

HOUSTON TEXANS (12-5) | With RB Joe Mixon | Mixon missed all of 2025 with a foot injury he suffered during the offseason. The Texans made the playoffs anyway, and Mixon is a logical cut candidate with his $10.5M salary-cap hit for 2026. Though he was productive last season with 1,016 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns, Mixon will likely have to take a pay cut if he wants to stick around in Houston.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS | (8-9) | With QB Anthony Richardson Sr. | Daniel Jones had been enjoying a career revival before he suffered a torn Achilles in December. He is now set to become a free agent as he faces a long rehab, which has once again left the Colts with QB questions. Richardson has fallen out of favor and dealt with injuries of his own, but Indy might want to keep the 23-year-old 2023 No. 4 overall pick for another season.

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS  (13-4) | With CB/WR Travis Hunter | Hunter was set on playing both cornerback and wide receiver during his rookie NFL season, and the Jaguars allowed him to do that. The Heisman Trophy winner wound up being shut down for the season after he suffered a non-contact injury during practice in October. Given that Hunter was unable to make it through a full season, it might be wise for the Jaguars to speak with their two-way star about playing only one way in 2026 and beyond.

TENNESSEE TITANS (3-14) | With those in the draft room | The Titans finished with the same record this season as the one that landed them the No. 1 overall pick last season (QB Cam Ward). They have the No. 4 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, so Tennessee’s decision-makers must decide whether they truly believe Ward is a franchise cornerstone. If there are prominent voices within the front office who are unconvinced, another QB could be in play for the Titans in the draft. — Steve DelVecchio