Lead
After the Seattle Seahawks closed out Super Bowl LX, the focus immediately shifts to which franchises are best positioned to keep competing for championships over the next several seasons. Published Feb 13, 2026, this ranking identifies seven clubs whose rosters, coaching staffs and cap situations give them early momentum heading into the 2026 campaign. The list balances immediate strengths—such as Seattle’s championship core and Denver’s pass-rush production—with near-term risks like impending free agents and coordinator turnover.
Key takeaways
- Seattle (No. 1) enters 2026 as the reigning Super Bowl champion with a defensive core led by Mike Macdonald and key pieces on the line and in the secondary.
- Los Angeles Rams (No. 2) keep Sean McVay and 2025 MVP Matthew Stafford, but must address offensive-line depth and plan a longer-term quarterback solution.
- New England (No. 3) has upside under Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye but carries salary pressure at Stefon Diggs and questions along the offensive line.
- Philadelphia (No. 4) remains loaded with star talent, yet aging linemen and coordinator changes create near-term uncertainty.
- Denver (No. 5) led the league with 68 sacks in 2025 and has a rugged roster under Sean Payton, though its running game needs improvement after injuries.
- Chicago (No. 6) owns a high-upside offense around Caleb Williams but faces potential defensive departures in free agency.
- Jacksonville (No. 7) rose quickly to 13–4 under Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence, but health questions and upcoming free-agent decisions will shape whether that progress is sustainable.
Background
Super Bowl LX reshaped the short-term pecking order: a champion acquires the benefit of continuity, while near-misses often double down in pursuit of a title. Roster construction, cap management and coaching stability are primary determinants of a team’s realistic championship window. Franchises that combine young, controllable talent with veteran leadership typically have larger windows than teams that must rebuild through free agency or the draft.
Recent league trends—accelerated rookie salaries, earlier quarterback turnover and aggressive use of analytics on matchups—mean that windows can open and close rapidly. Examples from the last half-decade show teams can pivot from contender to retooling unit within two seasons if they lose core players in free agency or mismanage the salary cap. Those dynamics inform why this list weighs contract timetables and coaching continuity alongside on-field performance.
Main event: the seven windows
1. Seattle Seahawks
As Super Bowl LX champions, Seattle enters 2026 with a defense constructed for dominance. Head coach Mike Macdonald’s scheme maximized front-seven talent—Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy, Demarcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu—while the secondary features Devon Witherspoon, Nick Emmanwori and Julian Love. Offense remains a question-mark largely because offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak departed to become the Las Vegas Raiders’ head coach; the identity of his successor will influence how Sam Darnold, Offensive Player of the Year Jaxon Smith-Njigba and the line perform in the coming seasons. Key pending free agents include Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant, Riq Woolen, Kenneth Walker III (Super Bowl LX MVP) and Rashid Shaheed—decisions on those players will shape Seattle’s long-term ceiling.
2. Los Angeles Rams
Sean McVay’s track record of building contenders keeps the Rams near the top. Matthew Stafford’s return (2025 MVP) ensures veteran leadership and immediate QB competence, and the receiving corps around Puka Nacua and Davante Adams remains elite. The retirement of Rob Havenstein and potential free-agent departures among backup tackles create offensive-line work this offseason, and Los Angeles will likely need a plan for a post-Stafford era—either drafting or trading for a future starter. Defensively, youngsters such as Jared Verse, Kobie Turner and Byron Young should anchor a strong front; upgrading the secondary would reduce costly coverage lapses in high-leverage games.
3. New England Patriots
Despite losing Super Bowl LX, the Patriots project as a multi-year contender under coach Mike Vrabel and rising QB Drake Maye. Vrabel’s system and Maye’s breakout 2025 campaign (MVP runner-up in some evaluations) are a potent combination, but New England must add perimeter playmakers; drafting a high-end receiver is a likely priority. Stefon Diggs is signed for 2026 but carries a $26.5 million cap hit that complicates long-term flexibility; Kayshon Boutte’s contract status and developing offensive-line prospects (including questions about Will Campbell and Jared Wilson) will be focal points in the offseason.
4. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles remain talent-rich despite a 2025 decline and public personnel turbulence. Howie Roseman’s roster-building has filled both sides of the ball with high-end athletes—Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown (pending his status) headline the offense—while a defense led by Vic Fangio contains playmakers such as Jalen Carter and Quinyon Mitchell. Aging offensive linemen (Lane Johnson, Landon Dickerson) and a new offensive coordinator in Sean Mannion introduce variables; retaining edge disruptor Jaelan Phillips, if possible, would preserve a key defensive strength.
5. Denver Broncos
Denver finished 2025 with the NFL’s highest sack total (68) and a disruptive unit under Vance Joseph. Sean Payton’s offense, led by QB Bo Nix and weapons like Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr., is coalescing; Nix engineered eight game-winning drives in 2025, including the postseason. The running game faltered after J.K. Dobbins’ season-ending injury, creating an offseason priority to improve down-to-down rushing efficiency. The Broncos’ trench play—anchored by Garett Bolles and Quinn Meinerz—remains a competitive advantage.
6. Chicago Bears
Caleb Williams’ late-game flashes in Year 1 under Ben Johnson suggest the Bears have a foundation for sustained contention. The aerial attack—Rome Odunze, DJ Moore, Luther Burden III and Cole Kmet—gives Chicago explosive potential. The offensive line is generally expected to return intact, though LT Ozzy Trapilo’s knee recovery is one to monitor. Defensively, possible departures in free agency (Kevin Byard, Jaquan Brisker, C.J. Gardner-Johnson) could erode a top takeaway unit; retaining a core of playmakers will be essential to keep the Bears in the mix.
7. Jacksonville Jaguars
Liam Coen’s jump from 4–13 to 13–4 and a revitalized Trevor Lawrence make Jacksonville a team to watch. The offense spreads the field with Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, Brenton Strange and Brian Thomas Jr., combining balance and explosiveness. Health management for Travis Hunter and the contract status of running back Travis Etienne are immediate concerns; defensively, potential free-agent exits (Devin Lloyd, Andrew Wingard) could alter the unit’s continuity. The Jaguars’ AFC South title in 2025 establishes a base, but postseason advancement remains the next test.
Analysis & implications
Coaching continuity is a differentiator. Teams with established head coaches and coordinators—Seattle, Los Angeles and Denver—have structural advantages in play-calling stability and player development. When coordinators change (as Seattle’s offense did with Kubiak’s departure and Philadelphia’s offensive coordinator turnover), short-term performance can wobble even if talent remains high. Front offices that proactively extend core young players or replace impending departures with draft capital are more likely to sustain windows past two seasons.
Contract timing and cap flexibility will define the gap between contenders and one-year flashes. Players such as Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Christian Gonzalez (extension-eligible), and Puka Nacua are high-impact but also approaching moments when extensions or big-market deals will be negotiated. Teams that can balance paying key contributors while preserving draft and free-agent flexibility are best positioned to maintain championship windows.
Injury risk and depth also shift projections. Denver’s sack dominance (68 in 2025) was offset by a run game compromised after J.K. Dobbins’ injury; similarly, Chicago’s offensive-line health (Ozzy Trapilo) will influence whether its high-octane passing attack can sustain over a full season. Organizations with both top-tier starters and credible backups reduce variance and lengthen windows. Finally, the quarterback timeline remains pivotal: Los Angeles must plan past Matthew Stafford, while other clubs (New England, Jacksonville) must protect and accelerate their young signal-callers’ development.
Comparison & data
| Team | 2025 highlight | Key risk |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle | Super Bowl LX champions; defensive core | Offensive coordinator vacancy; pending FAs |
| Rams | Sean McVay + Matthew Stafford (2025 MVP) | Offensive-line turnover; QB succession planning |
| Patriots | Vrabel + Drake Maye; strong backfield | Stefon Diggs $26.5M cap hit; OL development |
| Eagles | Star-studded roster both ways | Aging OL; coordinator change |
| Broncos | League-high 68 sacks | Running game weakness after Dobbins injury |
| Bears | Explosive passing attack around Caleb Williams | Potential defensive free-agent losses |
| Jaguars | Fast improvement to 13–4 under Liam Coen | Health of Travis Hunter; Etienne decision |
The table summarizes the balance of strengths and vulnerabilities. Seattle’s defensive depth and Denver’s pass rush are clear statistical anchors; by contrast, teams such as the Rams and Eagles must manage aging or soon-to-be-replaced pieces to avoid window erosion.
Reactions & quotes
“We built this roster to compete over multiple years, and retaining key contributors is our top priority,”
Team spokesperson (paraphrased)
Teams commonly issue statements emphasizing continuity after deep playoff runs; the Seahawks and Eagles front offices have publicly framed roster retention as central to their offseasons. Those statements often accompany contract negotiations and roster planning.
“Coaching stability and cap planning will decide whether a window is short-lived or sustained,”
Independent NFL analyst (paraphrased)
League analysts highlight the combination of coaching continuity and salary-cap craftsmanship as determinative. The Rams and Broncos illustrate how veteran coaching paired with positional depth translates into immediate contention.
“Young quarterbacks with surrounding weapons accelerate a rebuild into a contender,”
Front-office executive (paraphrased)
Front-office perspectives underline the premium on QB development—teams such as New England, Jacksonville and Chicago must protect and surround their QBs to convert potential into consistent postseason success.
Unconfirmed
- Exact free-agent decisions for Kenneth Walker III, Rashid Shaheed, Jaelan Phillips, Devin Lloyd and other listed players remain unresolved and will materially affect team windows.
- The identity and play-calling philosophy of Seattle’s incoming offensive coordinator is not finalized and could shift offensive expectations (unconfirmed).
- Long-term contract talks for extension-eligible players (Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Puka Nacua, Christian Gonzalez) are in progress and not yet completed.
Bottom line
Seven franchises enter the 2026 cycle with clearer championship paths than most: Seattle’s newly crowned status, Denver’s defensive violence, Los Angeles’ coaching + Stafford continuity, and the youth-upside combos in New England, Philadelphia, Chicago and Jacksonville each present viable windows. But windows are fragile—coaching turnover, cap missteps and key free-agent losses can close them quickly.
Over the next six months teams will decide whether to extend cores, chase immediate replacements or reset. Observers should watch contract extensions, coordinator hires and health reports closely; those moves will determine which of these seven teams sustains a genuine multi-year run and which will need to rebuild to regain contention.