NFL overhaul tiers: Who's contending, rebuilding in 2025? - ESPN

Now that the 2024 NFL season is over, we're looking ahead at just how much work each franchise must do this offseason — and potentially beyond. Which teams need to tear it all down and regroup? Which should take a new approach to move toward contender status? Which can be in the mix after only a savvy move or two? And which are already trending in the right direction and could arrive near the top of the league sooner rather than later?

To get a better sense of how the league stacks up right now, we tiered all 32 teams based on their current trajectory, from the no-doubt perennial contenders to the full rebuilds. And for each club, we took a closer look at the franchise's current state — and what needs to be done in the coming months. We get started with the two teams that are on cruise control atop the NFL. (Note: Teams are organized alphabetically within each tier, cap space is via Roster Management System and projected draft picks do not include potential compensatory picks.)

Jump to tier:
Still major contenders
On the cusp
Need a postseason breakthrough
Teetering contenders
Headed on the right track
Stuck in the middle… but a move or two away
Stuck in QB purgatory
This could go either way
New coach, new direction
Rebuild in the works
Yep, still rebuilding

Average age of roster: 26.4
Salary cap space: $5.1 million
Total 2025 draft picks (projected): 7

What's next: One game won't diminish Kansas City's presence — thanks to five Super Bowl appearances and three Lombardi Trophies in six years — as the gold standard in modern football. But Sunday's ugly Super Bowl loss shook Kansas City to its core and highlighted the shortcomings of a team that greatly overachieved in 2024. How it pulled off 17 wins, including the playoffs, is a