cdn.vox-cdn.com
What are the Futures of NFL Teams?
The NFL Superbowl winning window can close for a team fast. When it closes, you can never be too sure when it will open again. Some teams can rebound and be back in the playoff race within a short amount of time but for some teams, the rebuild process can take years and seem never-ending. In this article, we will go over some of the NFL's most struggling teams and discuss their future in the NFL.
Cincinnati Bengals, (Last in AFC North 9-8)
The Bengals were primed for a potential dynasty with Joe Burrow, Jamar Chase, and Tee Higgins as the core. Obviously, things change in the NFL, and Tee Higgins doesn’t look like he will be a part of the future in Cincinnati. The trade request by Higgins puts a cog in the plans of revisiting the Super Bowl for the Bengals. The conference is only getting more and more competitive and it is starting to feel like their window has closed. An ugly 5-4 start last year, after Joe Burrow hurt himself in the preseason, finally had shown some signs of life in the middle of the year before receiving a critical blow of Joe Burrow needing season-ending wrist surgery. Now a Tee Higgins trade request after contract negotiations for a long-term deal couldn’t be reached, has the Bengals searching for a direction. Luckily Joe Burrow has no issues only throwing to Jamarr Chase if it came down to it.
Washington Commanders (Last in NFC East 4-13)
The final year with Ron Rivera as the head coach for the Commanders was a very disappointing one. They finished 4-13 and ended up replacing pretty much their entire coaching staff. Quarterback Sam Howell was fun, there, I said it. Although he was on pace to take about 300 sacks at one point in the year, and he wasn’t always the most accurate passer, Sam Howell loves playing football and was ready to die on the field for a win. Now with new leadership, where are they heading? They have the #2 pick in the draft and there are so many prospects to choose from. I think they should take Marvin Harrison Jr if he is still there. The Bears have hinted at drafting Caleb Williams with the 1st pick and letting Justin Fields seek a trade on his own. This draft has decent QB depth and if you could lock in a generational talent like MHJ while playing opposite Terry Mclaurin, your offense really could open up.
New England Patriots (Last in AFC East 4-13)
It is finally over, the Patriots dynasty now feels like it is over. Bill Belichick and moved on and Jerod Mayo is ready to have the team move in a new direction while keeping that winning culture a part of the organization. The Patriots called it quits on the Mac Jones Experiment and sent him off to Jacksonville to back up former college rival Trevor Lawrence. All signs are now pointing to the Patriots drafting a QB with that #3 pick. A lot of buzz about J.J. McCarthy being the best QB in the draft has begun to generate and although the national champion from Michigan had a decent combine, the Patriots seemingly really like Drake Maye. The Patriots also resigned Kendrick Bourne who was a rare bright spot in a very dark and ugly Patriots offense last year. During this first rebuild year, the Patriots also have 73 million in cap space to work with. Hopefully locking down their QB of the future should be the first step to reclaiming their seat at the table as a top organization in the league.
Arizona Cardinals (Last in NFC West 4-13)
The Arizona Cardinals witnessed firsthand how hard replacing a star QB could be. They weren’t expected to do much winningt this year but somehow the Cardinals were not a terrible team to watch. Kyler Murray was playing like he had a chip on his shoulder. The rumors that he doesn’t care about football must be getting to him. Kyler also had a clear connection with Trey McBride and the young TE did not disappoint. Now imagine this, a world where Marvin Harrison Jr falls to the #4 pick. This is not impossible. Honestly, the Cardinals offense could be a top offense in 1-2 years if that happened. Hollywood brown is a solid weapon for Kyler to exploit accounting for Hollywood speed over the top, while also accounting for the prince that was promised, Marvin Harrison Jr, WHILE ALSO worrying about Kyler taking off any moment. The potential is there and sadly I'll just have to wait and see how it all shakes out but if I am a Cardinals fan, I am happy about the direction the organization is heading.
