AFC Offseason Breakdown: Key Moves and Superlatives for Every Team

AFC East

Buffalo Bills

• Superlative: Most likely to stay the course
• The Bills focused on retaining their core players, extending contracts for key draft picks like Christian Benford and Greg Rousseau. They avoided big splashes in free agency, instead opting for mid-tier signings like Michael Hoecht and Larry Ogunjobi.

Miami Dolphins

• Superlative: Least likely to find a solution for their most pressing problem
• The Dolphins are struggling to resolve Jalen Ramsey's contract situation. Despite his contributions, his age and injury history make it difficult to find a trade partner willing to take on his hefty salary.

New England Patriots

• Superlative: Most likely to need name tags at training camp
• The Patriots overhauled their roster, adding 11 potential new starters, including Stefon Diggs and Milton Williams. This influx of talent aims to address the team's lackluster performance in 2024.

New York Jets

• Superlative: Most likely to go on a late-summer spending spree
• The Jets are facing decisions on extending their 2022 draft class, including Sauce Gardner and Garrett Wilson. With new QB Justin Fields, the team is poised to make significant moves to bolster their offense.

AFC North

Baltimore Ravens

• Superlative: Most likely to sign a post-June 1 free agent
• The Ravens are known for their strategic use of the post-June 1 market to avoid impacting compensatory picks. They’ve been quiet in free agency but could target veterans like Will Hernandez or Kyzir White.

Cincinnati Bengals

• Superlative: Most likely to hope their biggest problem just forgets about being mad
• Trey Hendrickson’s contract dispute remains unresolved. The Bengals are banking on time to ease tensions, but Hendrickson’s threat to sit out games looms large.

Cleveland Browns

• Superlative: Most likely to pepper the wall and hope something sticks
• The Browns added multiple quarterbacks, including Kenny Pickett and Joe Flacco, to address Deshaun Watson’s absence. The team is hoping one of them can step up and lead the offense.

Pittsburgh Steelers

• Superlative: Most likely to wait until the last possible second to buy a critical gift
• The Steelers are in a holding pattern with Aaron Rodgers. Despite mutual interest, a deal has yet to materialize, leaving Pittsburgh’s QB situation uncertain.

AFC South

Houston Texans

• Superlative: Most likely to apologize with a flurry of gifts
• After failing to protect C.J. Stroud in 2024, the Texans revamped their offensive line, adding Cam Robinson and Laken Tomlinson. The goal is to provide Stroud with better protection in 2025.

Indianapolis Colts

• Superlative: Most likely to focus on tackling drills in training camp
• The Colts’ poor tackling cost them a playoff spot in 2024. This offseason, they’ve added players like Cam Bynum and Charvarius Ward to improve their defensive efficiency.

Jacksonville Jaguars

• Superlative: Most likely to get their guys
• The Jaguars aggressively pursued their targets, signing Jourdan Lewis and Dyami Brown to lucrative deals. They also made a bold move to draft Travis Hunter, who could play both offense and defense.

Tennessee Titans

• Superlative: Most likely to keep their quarterback upright more often
• The Titans addressed their offensive line issues by signing Dan Moore Jr. and Kevin Zeitler. With No. 1 pick Cam Ward at QB, the team aims to reduce sacks and improve offensive efficiency.

AFC West

Denver Broncos

• Superlative: Most likely to have 'Joker' puns in headlines written about them
• The Broncos signed Evan Engram to fill the 'Joker' role in Sean Payton’s offense. Engram’s versatility and pass-catching ability could provide a much-needed boost to the Broncos’ offense.

Kansas City Chiefs

• Superlative: Most likely to slide their pass protection to the left
• The Chiefs revamped their offensive line, signing Jaylon Moore and moving Kingsley Suamataia to left guard. Protecting Patrick Mahomes remains a top priority as they aim for another Super Bowl run.

Las Vegas Raiders

• Superlative: Most likely to improve
• The Raiders made significant upgrades at QB and head coach, bringing in Geno Smith and Pete Carroll. After a disappointing 2024, the team is poised for a turnaround in 2025.

Los Angeles Chargers

• Superlative: Most likely to try to run over and through their opponents
• Under Jim Harbaugh, the Chargers are building a physically dominant team. They’ve added big players like Mekhi Becton and Najee Harris to impose their will on both sides of the ball.