The way-too-early odds to win Super Bowl LXI

The Rams came up just short in the NFC Championship, but appear primed to make another run as long as Matthew Stafford is up for it. Sean McVay's team brings back most of its key talent, and has a favorable cap situation entering the offseason.

Buffalo moved on from Sean McDermott after another playoff favor, promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to the lead role. It's a risky move given Brady's lack of head coaching experience, and the Bills have some major personnel decisions to make with Joey Bosa and multiple starting offensive linemen headed toward free agency. Still, they should have a shot as long as Josh Allen is upright.

The 2025 offseason decisions couldn't have gone any better for Seattle, adding Sam Darnold, Cooper Kupp, DeMarcus Lawrence, and others on their way to winning their second Super Bowl. They're in a good position to add more talent, though the pending sale of the team could be hanging over their heads.

Even while plagued by injuries on both sides of the ball this season, the 49ers made a strong run into the playoffs. Now they must contend with the loss of defensive coordinator Robert Saleh for the second time, but the team has some cap space to work with and a potentially valuable trade chip in Mac Jones.

Baltimore will have a new head coach for the first time since 2008, as John Harbaugh departed. Former Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter is tasked with getting the team back on track, and particularly unlocking Lamar Jackson after a frustrating 2025 season.

Is the Chiefs dynasty over? The team finished with a losing record for the first time in Andy Reid's tenure, and Patrick Mahomes is questionable for Week 1 following a torn ACL. The team is also in salary cap hell with the worst situation in the league entering the offseason, and questions about whether Travis Kelce will return. For fans, the return of former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy does provide reason for optimism after the offense looked stale recently.

The Eagles were unable to repeat their Super Bowl victory with an anemic offense that failed to show up in the playoffs. Offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo was finished after only one season on the job, replaced by first-time coordinator Sean Mannion. It's a risky hire even as the team's offensive talent remains, though Philly has to make free agent decisions on major contributors like Jaelan Phillips, Reed Blankenship, and Nakobe Dean.

Green Bay came up short in a frustrating playoff defeat to the rival Bears, and could be set to lose several major contributors in free agency led by wideout Romeo Doubs. The team will also see a change at defensive coordinator, with Jonathan Gannon taking over for new Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley. Ultimately, Jordan Love's play should determine the team's upside.

Drake Maye emerged as an elite quarterback in his second NFL season, and the team hit many of the right notes in free agency last offseason led by the addition of Stefon Diggs. Mike Vrabel's squad could lose free agent K'Lavon Chaisson, who revitalized his career in New England, but enter the offseason in good shape with Maye still on his rookie deal.

While the Chargers lost offensive coordinator Jesse Minter, they made a splash hire on offense with Mike McDaniel. The hope is that he will unlock an elite offense with Justin Herbert, and Jim Harbaugh's team is also in excellent shape with the cap. They could use that cap space to re-sign Odafe Oweh and Khalil Mack.

Detroit regressed after losing both of their coordinators last season, and have some tough decisions to make with a more difficult cap situation. Still, the team's key talent is locked up through next season, and the addition of Drew Petzing as offensive coordinator could make a difference for Jared Goff and company.

Denver made as big a jump as any team in football during 2025, earning the No. 1 seed in the AFC and just falling short in the Conference Championship despite Bo Nix's absence. The team's cap situation remains very favorable with Nix signed on the cheap, and their elite defensive talent remains along with coordinator Vance Joseph.

Head coach Liam Coen made a difference in his first season at the helm, and the Jags hope to continue improving next year. Trevor Lawrence has plenty of weapons with Jacobi Meyers and the return of Travis Hunter adding to Brian Thomas, though the team must contend with the free agencies of Travis Etienne, Devin Lloyd, and Greg Newsome.

The shuffling at offensive coordinator didn't help C.J. Stroud like the Texans hoped, but an elite defense still gave them a fighter's chance in 2025. Stroud needs to show his rookie form again for the Texans to reach their goals.

Ben Johnson's impact was arguably even greater than advertised in his first season, with the Bears winning the NFC North at 11-6 and making a playoff run. Caleb Williams looks like a force to be reckoned with in the NFC, though the team could be set to lose multiple defensive starters in free agency.

Cincinnati stood pat with Zac Taylor as head coach, but 2026 could be a pivotal season. The Bengals must address their offensive line to help keep Joe Burrow healthy, and Trey Hendrickson's pending free agency is bad news for a defense that already needs help.

Dallas fell short of the playoffs in 2025, but has ample talent to rebound. Re-signing George Pickens will be key, and the team also faces a decision of running back Javonte Williams. They'll get some help with the 12th and 20th overall picks in the draft.

The Bucs are set to undergo another change at offensive coordinator, with former Falcons coordinator Zac Robinson on board. He hopes to get Baker Mayfield and company back on track after an 8-9 season, and the team has a critical decision to make with Mike Evans. The defense also has its fair share of issues, which could ultimately cost head coach Todd Bowles his job.

It looks like the Vikings made a mistake when they allowed Sam Darnold to walk last season, but J.J. McCarthy still has time to change the narrative. His development will be critical for Minnesota's chances in 2026, especially with a difficult cap situation. The team has all the talent it needs elsewhere, and an acclaimed coaching staff led by head coach Kevin O'Connell and DC Brian Flores.

The Colts were making major strides in 2025 before Daniel Jones went down with an injury. They must decide whether to bring Jones back, and also face major free agent decisions on Alec Pierce and Braden Smith. Navigating free agency will be key as head coach Shane Steichen enters a pivotal 2026 season.

Steeler Nation appears up in arms over the hiring of Mike McCarthy to replace Mike Tomlin, and the team also must figure out what to do at quarterback given Aaron Rodgers' potential departure. Last year's squad added several veterans who could also be on the chopping block in what will likely be one of the most interesting offseasons for any team in the league.

Atlanta cleaned house in the front office and coaching staff, and made the controversial hire of former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski. Stefanski has a lot of talent to work with, though he still must determined if Michael Penix Jr. is the answer at quarterback. Tight end Kyle Pitts is also a pending free agent, and the team is without a first-round pick in the draft.

The Commanders regressed in 2025 after a surprising surge under Jayden Daniels in his rookie campaign. A healthy Daniels will make a difference, but the team surprisingly moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. The team still has plenty of cap space to work with, but also several needs on both sides of the ball.

The Giants hope for rapid improvement under new head coach John Harbaugh, after a promising year from the team's rookie class led by quarterback Jaxson Dart. The return of star wideout Malik Nabers should help, as well, and the defense is loaded with talent in the front seven.

The Panthers claimed the NFC South at 8-9 as Bryce Young continued to make strides under head coach Dave Canales. The potential loss of Rico Dowdle could impact the team's potent running game, but the young roster looks headed in the right direction.

The Saints might have found their answer at quarterback with Tyler Shough, though the aging roster remains in a difficult cap climate. After winning four of their last five games under head coach Kellen Moore, New Orleans does finally have reason for optimism for the first time in a while.

Another disastrous season in Tennessee ushered in a new head coach, as Robert Saleh gets his second chance after the Jets struggled under his watch previously. Cam Ward showed flashes as a rookie, but the team has a lot of needs around him. Fortunately, the Titans enter the offseason with the most cap space in the league.

The Dolphins fired Mike McDaniel and hired former Packers DC Jeff Hafley to replace him, but face many more questions this offseason. It remains to be seen if Tua Tagovailoa will remain the starting quarterback after being benched, and Tyreek Hill's status is also up in the air following a major leg injury. Unfortunately, the Dolphins don't have cap space to address their numerous roster deficiencies. 

Cleveland's losing ways continued last season, and head coach Kevin Stefanski lost his job, as a result. New head coach Todd Monken will be tasked with developing Shedeur Sanders, but the defense could face some regression if a new coordinator can't match Jim Schwartz's scheme and ability to isolate Myles Garrett.

Head coach Aaron Glenn's first season couldn't have gone much worse, and the offense faces major questions with no answer at quarterback and along with Breece Hall's free agency. The defense's complete failure to produce an interception last season is an unbelievable feat that speaks to its futility.

Pete Carroll was one-and-done as head coach of the Raiders, and the team is likely to replace Geno Smith with Indiana star Fernando Mendoza. The rest of the roster will also need a revamp, and potential address Maxx Crosby's situation after he ended the 2025 season on a sour note.

The Cardinals moved on from Jonathan Gannon after a painful 2025 season, and Kyler Murray could be next. It's a messy situation as the Cardinals look toward next season, though they have some building blocks with Trey McBride, Marvin Harrison Jr., Josh Sweat, and Budda Baker.