The Steelers, Broncos, Chargers, Buccaneers, Packers and Vikings saw their seasons end in the NFL And as these organizations begin planning for the 2025 season, we wonder: How do these teams’ long-term prospects compare?
It’s time to classify them.
The ranking consists of ranking the six teams from 1 to 6 (one being the best) in the following categories:
- Quarterback situation
- Financial data
- Talent-skill position
I had originally planned to include the ever-important draft capital in this ranking, but these clubs are all so close on this front that it would have been foolish to try to rank them 1-6 in this category.
To determine the full ranking, I added the category scores and the team with the lowest score is ranked first. The highest score is the last. Quarterback rankings were used to break ties.
6. Pittsburgh Steelers
- Quarterback situation: 6th
- Financial data: 5th
- Young non-QB talents: 6th
- Total score: 17
The Steelers have been a pillar of stability in the NFLfamous with three head coaches since 1969 — which is absolutely mind-blowing — and 15 playoff appearances over the last 24 seasons, two of which ended in Super Bowl victories.
This organization is firmly stuck at a crossroads, now entering its fourth season following the retirement of Ben Roethlisberger. I tried to give ideas at the quarterback position for the Steelers in the 2025 offseason. None of them are too exciting.
They have nearly $53 million in cap space for next season, but their skill talent is the least dynamic of this group. George Pickens is a talented receiver, but he has dealt with inconsistency and visible frustration throughout his third season in Pittsburgh. Can we get excited about another receiver? I can’t. Pat Freiermuth is a rock-solid tight end. It will be a founding element for the future. Najee Harris is a free agent. The firepower in Pittsburgh is barely there. To make matters worse, the offensive line is in as bad shape as it has been in a long time. Rookie center Zach Frazier was the only one to stand out in 2024-25.
All of this together – including the quarterback stuck in no-man’s land scenario – is why the Steelers came in last in these rankings. And what do they do with Mike Tomlin?
5. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Quarterback situation: 4th
- Financial data: 6th
- Young non-QB talents: 4th
- Total score: 16
Baker Mayfield has played much like a former No. 1 overall pick should since joining the Buccaneers, with 69 touchdowns and 26 interceptions over the past two seasons in Tampa. Although he threw six more interceptions this season than last, he set a career high in passer rating at 106.8, and the Buccaneers finished 10th in EPA drop per play in waste-free time scenarios.
Tampa Bay ranks fourth in the quarterback situation because of how its finances and non-quarterback talent relate to that position. Mayfield’s earnings are nearly $36 million and $46 million over the next two seasons, more than Jordan Love’s over the next two years, and Tampa Bay’s receiver group is getting older. Could be completely redesigned in 2025 and beyond. Tristan Wirfs is one of the best left tackles in football, and Bucky Irving is an exquisite, modern fullback with elusive and receiving skills.
The Buccaneers are approaching a new chapter in their franchise’s history.
4. Denver Broncos
- Quarterback situation: 3rd
- Financial data: 3rd
- Young non-QB talents: 5th
- Total score: 11
Although I didn’t perform as well as the general public during Bo Nix’s rookie season, he finished fourth, and behind Jayden Daniels, Caleb Williams, and Drake Maye among “full-time” rookies in my class. young quarterbacks project during the regular season – I’m comfortable recognizing that the first year was a pretty successful one for the Broncos passer.
He exploited Sean Payton’s fast-passing offense as well as could be expected of a rookie, and the wayward misses diminished as the season progressed, and as he became more confident. comfortable in the pocket, Nix leaned more on his legs and we got a glimpse. from how really athletic he is down the stretch and even in a few games against the Bills in the playoffs.
In 2025, Denver has a cap hit of around $48 million with only two players with a cap hit over $20 million: right tackle Mike McGlinchey and Courtland Sutton.
3. Minnesota Vikings
- Quarterback situation: 5th
- Financial data: 2nd
- Young non-QB talents: 1st
- Total score: 8
Sam Darnold became a pumpkin again at the worst time for the Vikings, and now Minnesota’s decision at quarterback has become a lot easier. Or maybe just cheaper. Minnesota has nearly $70 million in cap space, which is why it ranks so high in the financial section.
With Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, TJ Hockenson and returning from injury, left tackle Christian Darrisaw. Just as was the case for Darnold in 2024, whoever takes the first snap for Minnesota in 2025 will find himself in a luxurious offensive environment.
Will Brian Flores get a head coaching job or will he return for his third year as the NFL’s ultimate aggressive defensive coordinator? His unique scheme has mostly thrived alongside Kevin O’Connell’s offense. The wild card round loss highlighted his weaknesses. When a quarterback has quick answers for the blitz, it can be a long night.
Either way, the Vikings have one of the best long-term prospects of any team that lost in the first round of the playoffs.
2. Green Bay Packers
- Quarterback situation: 2nd
- Financial data: 4th
- Young non-QB talents: 2nd
- Total score: 8
How good is Jordan Love? After last year’s playoffs, it seemed like a no-brainer for the Packers to extend him after the season he put together. Hell, Green Bay was a few plays away from advancing to the NFC title game. Ironically, he had a nearly identical passer rating in 2023 as he did in 2024 (96.1 vs. 96.7), but this most recent version of Love seemed more forced and less consistent across the board.
Starting on November 17, Love threw 16 touchdowns against 11 interceptions and came up short with three more interceptions in the loss to the Eagles. There’s no doubt about Love’s arm talent. And it’s not like it’s significantly less effective in 2024. It’s just not the same. Maybe his knee injury from week one lasted longer than we thought? In this No. 2 ranking in the quarterback situation, Love represents no more than a $40 million cap hit through 2028. Stellar cap management there.
I still admire what the Packers have built in terms of young talent and how that has coincided with Love taking the quarterback reins. Tucker Kraft is on the verge of entering the elite level of tight end, the team still has a seemingly endless list of young, athletic receivers, and Zach Tom has been terrific at right tackle in his breakout year. The rest of the lineup is rock solid (when healthy).
Green Bay floundered late in the season. Their long-term prospects remain fantastic.
1. Los Angeles Chargers
- Quarterback situation: 1st
- Financial data: 1st
- Young non-QB talents: 3rd
- Total score: 6
Let’s not let recency bias cloud judgment on Justin Herbert, who, for all intents and purposes, had his best season in 2024 since his rookie year of 2020 under the watchful eye of Jim Harbaugh. And two of Herbert’s interceptions against the Texans – both home runs – went straight through the receiver’s hands.
I still have confidence in Herbert’s prodigious abilities as a pitcher. It was also encouraging to see him use his athleticism as a runner more than ever in 2024 – he set a career high with 69 rushing attempts during the regular season.
Ladd McConkey rushed for over 1,000 yards as a rookie and looks like one of the budding splitters at the receiver position. Harbaugh, Herbert and Co. have resurrected the early career of Quentin Johnston, who has nearly 20 more receptions and nearly 300 more receiving yards since his rookie season while catching eight touchdowns. At tackle, the Chargers are ready. Rashawn Slater is a wall of steel on the left side, and on the right side, young Joe Alt has All-Pro upside with his length and athleticism. The Chargers could use more firepower offensively, and that will likely be a priority this offseason, but this organization has the most glaring upward-facing arrow of any team that lost on wild card weekend.
