New Playoff Teams In 2026? The 5 Non-Playoff Teams Most Likely To Make It

The start of training camp sparks hope for the fan bases of all 32 NFL teams, especially those who missed the playoffs the year prior. But even as the NFL sees plenty of turnover on a year-to-year basis, only a handful of teams that missed the postseason the year prior make the playoffs the next season.

Which teams will be a part of that group this year? FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd predicted which five non-playoff teams from last season are most likely to make the postseason in 2026 on a recent edition of "The Herd," as one of the 18 teams that missed the playoffs last year looked to replicate what the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots did in 2025. 

After star quarterback Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 last season, the Chiefs missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Now, with a healthy Mahomes, a new offensive weapon in Super Bowl LX MVP Kenneth Walker III and the addition of top-10 pick Mansoor Delane, Cowherd believes the Chiefs are able to make their way back into the playoff picture. 

"Andy Reid. 27 seasons. Never had back-to-back losing seasons," Cowherd said. "They have two huge needs, corner (Delane) and running back (Walker). They have addressed both with elite players. They were 1-9 in one-score games. 

"I do believe, when Mahomes has protection and a semi-solid run game, he’s a playoff quarterback. Kansas City is back in."

The New Orleans Saints finished their 2025 campaign on a high note under first-year coach Kellen Moore, when rookie quarterback Tyler Shough led the team to four wins in the final five games. 

So, the Saints added around Shough over the offseason. They signed Jacksonville Jaguars standout Travis Etienne, adding him to a running back room with Alvin Kamara. They also