NFL Offseason Begins for 26 Teams After 2025 Playoffs

The 2025 NFL regular season wrapped up on January 4, leaving 26 teams out of the playoffs heading into the offseason. These teams, spread across the AFC and NFC, now turn their attention to rebuilding for the 2026 campaign, with Super Bowl LX set for February 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Background

The NFL season started on September 4, 2025, with the Philadelphia Eagles beating the Dallas Cowboys in the kickoff game. Over 18 weeks, teams battled for spots in the postseason, but only 14 made it—seven from each conference. The rest, totaling 26, saw their seasons end without a playoff berth.

In the AFC, powerhouses like the Denver Broncos (14-3) and New England Patriots (14-3) grabbed top seeds, while the Jacksonville Jaguars (13-4) and others filled out the playoff field. The NFC saw the Seattle Seahawks (14-3) lead, followed by teams like the Chicago Bears (11-6) and Los Angeles Rams (12-5). Many eliminated teams hovered around .500 records or worse, hit hard by injuries, poor starts, or late collapses.

Teams like the Detroit Lions (9-8) and Minnesota Vikings (9-8) in the NFC finished strong but missed out due to tiebreakers and head-to-head losses. In the AFC, squads such as the Indianapolis Colts (8-9) started hot at 8-2 before fading. The Las Vegas Raiders (3-14) and Arizona Cardinals (3-14) struggled all year, posting the league's worst marks.

This offseason marks a time for general managers to evaluate rosters, coaches to adjust schemes, and players to hit the weight room. Free agency opens in March, and the draft follows in late April, giving these teams chances to reload.

Key Details

AFC Eliminated Teams

Eight AFC teams missed the playoffs despite some high expectations. The Indianapolis Colts (8-9) collapsed after an 8-2 start, becoming just the sixth team since the AFL-NFL merger to miss out after such a hot beginning. Their defense leaked points late, and quarterback play faltered.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-10) had a down year from their usual standards, dealing with injuries to key skill players. Miami Dolphins (7-9) fought through a tough schedule but couldn't string wins together. Cincinnati Bengals (6-11) saw their offense stall without consistent protection up front.

New York Jets (3-13) and Tennessee Titans (3-13) both endured losing campaigns, marked by quarterback instability. Cleveland Browns (4-12) couldn't find rhythm on either side of the ball. Las Vegas Raiders (3-14) finished last, with defensive woes and turnovers plaguing them.

Other AFC teams like the Baltimore Ravens (8-9) just missed, sitting one game back of the playoff cutline.

NFC Eliminated Teams

The NFC elimination list grew to eight core teams, with others on the edge. Minnesota Vikings (9-8) and Detroit Lions (9-8) both ended with winning records but no postseason ticket, thanks to division rivals advancing.

Dallas Cowboys (7-8-1) tied for their lone blemish but lost key games down the stretch. Atlanta Falcons (7-9) showed flashes but faltered in close contests. New Orleans Saints (6-10) dealt with quarterback changes midseason.

Washington Commanders (4-12), Arizona Cardinals (3-14), and New York Giants (3-13) rounded out the bottom. Additional teams like Carolina Panthers (8-10), Green Bay Packers (9-8-1), and Philadelphia Eagles (11-7) exited early in the playoffs or missed entirely.

"The Colts are now the sixth team since the AFL-NFL merger to miss the playoffs after starting 8-2 or better." – The Athletic

These records highlight parity across the league. Many teams scored high points but gave up more, pointing to areas like run defense and red-zone efficiency needing work.

What This Means

For the 26 eliminated teams, the offseason means tough choices. Coaches face pressure to adapt after missing the playoffs. General managers must target free agents at positions like quarterback, edge rusher, and cornerback, where depth thinned out this year.

Draft preparations start now, with bottom feeders like the Raiders and Cardinals owning high picks to build around young talent. Mid-pack teams such as the Lions and Vikings look to add veterans for immediate impact.

Player development takes center stage. Rookies who underperformed get extra coaching, while veterans hit free agency or restructure deals. Training camps in July will test these changes, but success hinges on health and cohesion.

The playoff teams set the bar, with paths to Super Bowl LX clear for them. For the others, 2026 offers a reset. Early buzz points to quarterback battles in places like New York and Cleveland, and defensive overhauls in Miami and Dallas.

Teams with winning records despite elimination, like Detroit and Minnesota, avoid full teardowns. They tweak lines and secondaries. Rock-bottom squads rebuild from the trenches out.

Free agency could shake things up. Stars from losing teams hit the market, drawing bids from contenders and pretenders alike. The draft brings college stars, potentially transforming franchises overnight.

Offseason workouts begin in April, giving coaches first looks at changes. By summer, new rosters take shape, aiming for that elusive playoff push. The cycle resets, with every team eyeing February 8, 2026, in Santa Clara.