This is the time of year when we use fun NFL buzzwords such as culture and cohesion and structure. The truth is some teams simply have bad players and coaches.
Luckily for them, this offseason promises to serve the underwhelming while the teams with quality rosters wait for them to catch up. At least seven free-agent quarterbacks have extensive starting experience. At least four new head coaches will be learning on the job. Plus, a draft with serious depth at several positions, including running back and wide receiver, can bolster teams saddled with capital.
It's time to get better. Here's a deeper look at the teams that need an overhaul and the list of tweaks needed by teams that don't need massive rebuilds.
Jump ahead:
Tear it down | New coach taking control
Defense needs help | More offense, please
New QB, not much else | Minimal change needed
Tear it down
Cincinnati Bengals
2019 record: 2-14
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.7 (sixth youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $57,144,748 (No. 12)
Big-ticket free agent: A.J. Green
Low-key important free agent: Andrew Billings
Priorities this offseason: Get the quarterback. Let Andy Dalton walk and use the No. 1 pick on the guy -- either LSU's Joe Burrow at the top or moving back a few spots to select Tua Tagovailoa or Justin Herbert. Execs agree the offensive line needs major work and the defense has looked a step slow thanks to multiple aging vets. And make efforts to re-sign Green at a reasonable cost, which seems possible coming off a lost year due to injury. Coach Zac Taylor will probably get at least another one to two years to fix this.
Miami Dolphins
2019 record: 5-11
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.5 (third youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $102,565,053 (No. 1)
Big-ticket free agent: Aqib Talib
Low-key important free agent: Evan Boehm
Priorities this offseason: Use 14 draft picks to catalyze a complete rebuild. The Dolphins have traded the players they don't want and re-signed the ones who fit their plan. What's left is a monster effort to improve every position on the roster, starting with identifying the right quarterback in the draft but also making smart free-agents signings along the offensive and defensive lines. "Brian Flores has [Bill] Belichick-type job security," one NFL scout said. "They believe in him and will give him time to fix the Dolphins. He's shown a lot of promise."
New coach taking control
New York Giants
2019 record: 4-12
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.9 (15th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $63,656,986 (No. 8)
Big-ticket free agent: Eli Manning
Low-key important free agent: Markus Golden
Priorities this offseason: Get to work on a defense that needs an upgrade at virtually every position. Several NFL evaluators believe an offensive nucleus of Daniel Jones, Saquon Barkley, Darius Slayton, Golden Tate, Sterling Shepard and Evan Engram should be able to score consistently. But both lines need work, and Leonard Williams hasn't played his way into a lucrative deal. The Giants should frantically scribble Chase Young's name on the draft card if he is available. Getting faster in the back seven is a must, too. General manager Dave Gettleman will have another year to get new coach Joe Judge a workable defense.
Carolina Panthers
2019 record: 5-11
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.5 (seventh oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $28,811,992 (No. 22)
Big-ticket free agent: James Bradberry
Low-key important free agent: Mario Addison
Priorities this offseason: This franchise has a ton of potential, with new facilities and an owner (David Tepper) who was schooled by Art Rooney II. But uncertainty at quarterback, lack of clarity with the front office and an uneven roster greet new coach Matt Rhule. The franchise must sort out Cam Newton's future before anything else. Rhule and a reworked personnel department must decide whether the oft-injured Newton is the best quarterback to lead the mini-rebuild. Fortify the secondary, either by re-signing Bradberry or investing in corner help early in the draft. And bolster the line by going shopping in a deep free-agency class of pass-rushers.
Cleveland Browns
2019 record: 6-10
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.7 (ninth youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $52,022,480 (No. 16)
Big-ticket free agent: Joe Schobert
Low-key important free agent: Rashard Higgins
Priorities this offseason: Get organized! Freddie Kitchens showed his inexperience on a weekly basis with bad playcalls, bad strategy and disgruntled players. Kevin Stefanski is now charged with handling the following tasks: improve the finer points of the job; bring a sense of order to that place; and figure out the passing attack or risk losing Baker Mayfield for good.
Washington Redskins
2019 record: 3-13
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.8 (12th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $50,200,810 (No. 17)
Big-ticket free agent: Brandon Scherff
Low-key important free agent: Tress Way
Priorities this offseason: Opting for Ron Rivera's calm approach and experience at head coach makes the Redskins look like adults in the room for a change. Anything to bring stability to the building is a good thing. Give Dwayne Haskins a chance by upgrading the skill positions and re-signing Scherff; Pro Bowl guards should be kept. Get Josh Norman off the books to save $12 million in cap space. Reinforce the youth movement on defense by drafting playmakers on that side of the ball.
Dallas Cowboys
2019 record: 8-8
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.2 (15th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $80,445,358 (No. 5)
Big-ticket free agent: Dak Prescott
Low-key important free agent: Maliek Collins
Priorities this offseason: Settling the futures of Prescott and Amari Cooper is crucial. The team can utilize a franchise tag and a transition tag this year because the collective bargaining agreement will have expired, so don't be surprised if the Cowboys consider one or both options on these players. But they absolutely must protect themselves from letting Prescott walk in free agency. Try to keep at least one of these three defensive free agents: Collins, Robert Quinn, Byron Jones. And new coach Mike McCarthy must instill a sustainable culture after the Cowboys clearly lost their edge under Jason Garrett. No franchise needed a shock to the system more than the Cowboys did after the 2019 season.
Defense needs help
Houston Texans
2019 record: 10-6 (lost in AFC divisional round)
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.0 (16th in NFL)
Projected 2020 cap space: $57,018,866 (No. 10)
Big ticket free agent: Bradley Roby
Low-key important free agent: Carlos Hyde
Priorities this offseason: Not many NFL head coaches enter 2020 with more intrigue than Bill O'Brien, who owns four division titles in six years but hit a low point in a 51-31 loss to the Chiefs in the divisional round and doesn't have a first-round pick to help the defense until 2022. There are no clear-cut paths to fast improvement. He must utilize free agency and Days 2 and 3 of the draft to try to improve the defensive line, secondary and tight ends. The biggest contractual decision might be J.J. Watt, who has a $15.5 cap hit in 2020 and, despite his greatness, has missed 32 games in the past four years. One big change on the coaching staff is that Romeo Crennel will not return as defensive coordinator; defensive line coach Anthony Weaver will replace him.
Detroit Lions
2019 record: 3-12-1
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (12th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $38,370,945 (No. 20)
Big-ticket free agent: A'Shawn Robinson
Low-key important free agent: Graham Glasgow
Priorities this offseason: Create a new identity in the secondary. The Lions opened 2019 with a spark, but they finished dead last in passing defense, curiously trading Quandre Diggs at the deadline. Detroit could pair Darius Slay -- who will badly (and deservedly) want a new deal -- with a free-agent corner such as Byron Jones, then draft a rangy safety. The offense is set up to score a lot of points next year.
Arizona Cardinals
2019 record: 5-10-1
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.8 (fifth oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $64,975,357 (No. 7)
Big-ticket free agent: Larry Fitzgerald
Low-key important free agent: D.J. Humphries
Priorities this offseason: The defense is several players away. Chandler Jones, Budda Baker and Jordan Hicks are among the staples. Patrick Peterson needs a rebound season, however, and there isn't enough behind him in the secondary (though corner Byron Murphy will be good in the slot). "Kyler Murray has a chance to be really good," one NFL scout said. "They need to surround him with more talent."
Atlanta Falcons
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.5 (sixth oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: -$6,692,554 (No. 31)
Big-ticket free agent: Vic Beasley
Low-key important free agent: Tyeler Davison
Priorities this offseason: For the love of coherent football, get the offensive line right. Matt Ryan saw a collapsing pocket too often, and the running game finished 30th in yards per game. A passing attack of Ryan throwing to Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Austin Hooper (the latter of whom should be extended this offseason) can make even average line play work. The team rallied around Dan Quinn by finishing 6-2, but that doesn't mask a defense that wasn't as good as advertised. The Falcons are probably two more good pass-rushers away.
More offense, please
New England Patriots
2019 record: 12-4 (lost in AFC wild card)
Average age of starters in 2019: 30.4 (oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $43,677,169 (No. 19)
Big-ticket free agent: Tom Brady
Low-key important free agent: Kyle Van Noy
Priorities this offseason: The playoff loss to the Titans felt like a seismic shift in New England. The Patriots will be forced to entertain life without the only quarterback they have known through two decades -- and six Super Bowls. The whispers of Brady leaving the Patriots are growing stronger, though several league execs still predict he'll stay, assuming he gets more outside receiving and tight end help. Most everything else is still in place for another run, though with half the team's offensive or defensive starters 29 or older, a mini reset seems inevitable.
Buffalo Bills
2019 record: 10-6 (lost in AFC wild card)
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.7 (10th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $83,868,523 million (No. 4)
Big-ticket free agent: Shaq Lawson
Low-key important free agent: Jordan Phillips
Priorities this offseason: The Bills need to surround Josh Allen with more playmaking. John Brown and Cole Beasley are nice options but aren't true No. 1 wide receivers. For the Bills to finally take ownership of the AFC East, Allen must reach the next level -- and he needs help to get there. The Bills have a young, healthy roster with a strong salary-cap outlook, so they can afford to take a few calculated free-agency swings on players who align with their core.
New York Jets
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.2 (16th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $56,387,712 (No. 13)
Big-ticket free agent: Robby Anderson
Low-key important free agent: Jordan Jenkins
Priorities this offseason: Finding reliable offensive line play is a start. A combination of injuries and questionable talent left the Jets' offense grounded all season and spoiled a good run defense. Le'Veon Bell had nowhere to run, and Sam Darnold looked uncomfortable. Use the top half of the NFL draft and part of free agency to bolster the blocking. Anderson is a good player, but when he is your No. 1 wideout, it's time to prioritize building up that position too.
Denver Broncos
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (14th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $61,588,109 (No. 11)
Big-ticket free agent: Justin Simmons
Low-key important free agent: Shelby Harris
Priorities this offseason: Build the passing game around Drew Lock, Noah Fant and Courtland Sutton. This trio has the Broncos believing that the days of offensive inertia are over. Lock still needs polish, but he has energized the team in a short span. The maligned offensive line showed signs of life late in the campaign, so let Mike Munchak do his thing with a blue-chip guard or tackle in the draft. And it's probably time to let Chris Harris Jr. chase a championship elsewhere.
Jacksonville Jaguars
2019 record: 6-10
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.2 (youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $299,090 (No. 30)
Big-ticket free agent: Yannick Ngakoue
Low-key important free agent: Marcell Dareus
Priorities this offseason: Reset locker room morale, starting with Tom Coughlin's replacement. "There's questionable leadership with players in that locker room," one NFL source said. "There is some unrest there." Since quarterback Nick Foles' contract can't be unloaded ($33.875 million dead cap in 2020), let him battle with Gardner Minshew II for the starting job this offseason. And quit plugging offensive line holes with stopgap talent.
Possibly a new QB, but not much else changing
Los Angeles Chargers
2019 record: 5-11
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (10th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $55,194,394 (No. 15)
Big-ticket free agent: Philip Rivers
Low-key important free agent: Hunter Henry
Priorities this offseason: Make the 2020 Chargers something they haven't been in nearly two decades: a team quarterbacked by someone other than Rivers. His unrestricted free agency offers a fresh start for both parties. The draft provides alternatives; or perhaps Ryan Tannehill or Cam Newton will be available. Get a quarterback who can go vertical with Keenan Allen and the underutilized Mike Williams, while pumping Austin Ekeler as a do-it-all back. Melvin Gordon needs a new home too. And pay Henry.
Oakland Raiders
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.8 (11th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $61,923,380 (No. 10)
Big-ticket free agent: Karl Joseph
Low-key important free agent: Benson Mayowa
Priorities this offseason: Year 2 of the Jon Gruden era V2.0 featured a productive draft class in Oakland, but it relied too heavily on stopgaps with past character issues such as Richie Incognito (who just received a two-year extension) and Vontaze Burfict. Year 3 is the time to spend in free agency. Take your draft capital and cap space to stock the defense with more talent. Derek Carr is still a viable option in 2020, but since he appears to have a ceiling, peeking at the quarterback draft class might just be a change Gruden welcomes.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.4 (second youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $84,297,572 (No. 3)
Big-ticket free agent: Jameis Winston
Low-key important free agent: Ndamukong Suh
Priorities this offseason: The Bucs have the best free-agent class seven wins can buy in Winston, Jason Pierre-Paul, Ndamukong Suh and Shaq Barrett. Tampa Bay has smartly maintained one of the league's youngest rosters while carving out healthy cap space, but keeping that defensive front seven together is prudent business. Since teams are allowed to double up with the use of franchise and transition tags in 2020 via the CBA transition, maybe use them on Winston and Barrett, while going all-in on a run for the playoffs next season. But don't give Winston long-term money; you'd be competing against yourselves in that particular market.
Chicago Bears
2019 record: 8-8
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.7 (seventh youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $4,063,504 (No. 28)
Big-ticket free agent: Ha Ha Clinton-Dix
Low-key important free agent: Kevin Pierre-Louis
Priorities this offseason: Give Mitch Trubisky one last shot -- a real shot, with a much-improved supporting cast. Trubisky looked lost at times, but everything went wrong around him. How does an NFL offense in 2019 not have a tight end with more than 14 catches? The line fell apart, the Bears couldn't run the ball and Allen Robinson was the only consistent threat beyond 5 yards. Even Matt Nagy's genius sheen wore off with every inharmonious playcall. "Ryan Pace doesn't want to give up on Mitch yet," one NFC exec said.
Close, but some tweaks needed
Tennessee Titans
2019 record: 9-7 (Lost in AFC championship game)
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.8 (13th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $55,924,234 (No. 12)
Big ticket free agent: Ryan Tannehill
Low-key important free agent: Logan Ryan
Priorities this offseason: An ascending team faces several crucial free-agency questions. The square-off between Tannehill and the Titans' front office deserves popcorn with extra butter. With the NFL's top regular season passer rating (and ninth in Total QBR), Tannehill played his way into a robust free-agent market he'll want to entertain -- unless Tennessee comes with the 11th-hour bag -- or a franchise tag that probably won't make him complain, either. The overall healthy salary-cap outlook should aid the Titans' efforts to re-sign Tannehill and running back Derrick Henry, who catalyzed the Titans' playoff run but faces tread issues after three late-season games of 30 or more carries. Tennessee looks like a contender for 2020, but deciding whether to bring back do-it-all cornerback Logan Ryan and offensive lineman Jack Conklin could prove expensive. We'll guess here that they'll pick one of the two.
Green Bay Packers
2019 record: 13-3 (lost in NFC championship game
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (13th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $28,333,341 million (No. 22)
Big ticket free agent: Bryan Bulaga
Low-key important free agent: Mason Crosby
Priorities this offseason: Figure out the curious lapses that overshadowed an otherwise banner 2019 season. A 13-3 regular season mark and a final-four berth should be celebrated. But Green Bay had too many games -- including on their season's biggest stage against San Francisco -- when the offense melted, or a usually stout defense struggled to stop the run. Aaron Rodgers is not washed, but he does need more help. Wide receiver should be prioritized in free agency and the draft. A lack of speed at inside linebacker is also an issue. And the Packers should make a strong push to re-sign Bryan Bulaga to fortify the offensive line.
Baltimore Ravens
2019 record: 14-2 (lost in AFC divisional round)
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (eighth oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $29,707,947 (No. 20)
Big ticket free agent: Matthew Judon
Low-key important free agent: Michael Pierce
Priorities this offseason: The curious playoff loss to Tennessee shouldn't dampen one of the NFL's healthiest 2020 outlooks. The entire offensive starting lineup returns and most of the defensive core is intact. Lamar Jackson should only grow as a passer. One AFC defensive coach said he believes a Jackson-led offense will sustain its potency because of the versatility of offensive coordinator Greg Roman's scheme when coupled with elite athletes. Next year's game plan should involve more Marquise Brown, who has a superstar trajectory.
Minnesota Vikings
2019 record: 10-6 (lost in NFC divisional round)
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.9 (third oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: -$10,073,420 (No. 32)
Big ticket free agent: Everson Griffen
Low-key important free agent: Anthony Harris
Priorities this offseason: The league's most cap-strapped team needs breathing room. Releasing Xavier Rhodes ($12.9 million cap hit in 2020) is a start, and expect the Vikings to talk with Kirk Cousins about his deal. The final year of his three-year, $84-million contract carries a $31 million cap charge, and after a Pro Bowl-caliber season and a playoff win, don't be surprised if Minnesota tries to extend him along with GM Rick Spielman and coach Mike Zimmer. The Vikings need to replenish the defense in the draft, given the possibility of losing three starters.
Seattle Seahawks
2019 record: 11-5 (lost in NFC divisional round)
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (11th oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $62,174,645 (No. 8)
Big ticket free agent: Jadeveon Clowney
Low-key important free agent: Germain Ifedi
Priorities this offseason: Seattle's ability to survive late in games masked the roster's major needs. The secondary needs a reboot, and there's no reliable third wide receiver behind DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett. "Russell Wilson shouldn't have to keep doing everything himself," said one AFC scout. Jadeveon Clowney might not be a $20-million-a-year guy, but his disruption is worth Seattle's best offer.
New Orleans Saints
2019 record: 13-3 (lost in NFC wild card)
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.9 (fourth oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $3,679,221 (No. 29)
Big-ticket free agent: Drew Brees
Low-key important free agent: A.J. Klein
Priorities this offseason: Get a reliable second receiving option behind Michael Thomas (Antonio Brown, anyone?). Crystallize the post-Drew Brees plans, whether he comes back or not, starting with Taysom Hill, whom one NFC exec believes will be the quarterback of New Orleans' future. An older team with minimal cap space needs more rookie contracts, which means the Saints might need to decide between Klein and safety Vonn Bell, who is also a free agent.
Philadelphia Eagles
2019 record: 9-7 (lost in NFC wild card)
Average age of starters in 2019: 28.1 (second oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $29,567,424 (No. 21)
Big-ticket free agent: Rodney McLeod
Low-key important free agent: Avonte Maddox
Priorities this offseason: The Eagles are well positioned for another NFC East crown. Most of their key players are under long-term extensions, Carson Wentz made a late-season jump, and they found extra playmaking from the depths of the practice squad after injuries. The most pressing issue is mapping out the future of Alshon Jeffery, whose bloated cap hit of $15.7 million is complicated by his obvious lack of chemistry with Wentz.
Los Angeles Rams
2019 record: 9-7
Average age of starters in 2019: 27.4 (ninth oldest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $20,227,875 (No. 24)
Big-ticket free agent: Dante Fowler Jr.
Low-key important free agent: Cory Littleton
Priorities this offseason: With no first-round picks for the next two years and a handful of players occupying much of the salary cap, the Rams have limited options to get better. They might be stuck with Todd Gurley's albatross contract, which carries $25.65 million in dead money should he be cut. Jalen Ramsey will likely command a $100 million deal, because the Rams gave up everything to get him. So, the best course of action in Los Angeles is to let some free agents walk, try to strengthen a once-proud offensive line with smaller moves and draft well on Days 2 and 3. Good luck.
Indianapolis Colts
2019 record: 7-9
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.6 (fifth youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $93,473,804 (No. 2)
Big-ticket free agent: Eric Ebron
Low-key important free agent: Anthony Castonzo
Priorities this offseason: Either give Jacoby Brissett another season in hopes that a contract year and a healed-up knee will return him to early-2018 form or reunite Philip Rivers with Frank Reich from their Chargers days. But closely evaluate quarterbacks in the draft class, just in case. Indy needs a top-shelf pass-rusher and a wide receiver opposite T.Y. Hilton, but it is in good shape overall. "Chris Ballard is one of the most well-respected GMs," one AFC scout said. "The Colts are pointed in the right direction."
Pittsburgh Steelers
2019 record: 8-8
Average age of starters in 2019: 26.9 (14th youngest)
Projected 2020 cap space: $4,744,706 (No. 27)
Big-ticket free agent: Bud Dupree
Low-key important free agent: B.J. Finney
Priorities this offseason: Ben Roethlisberger's health is everything. By mid-March, the Steelers need to feel reasonably good that he can recover at least most of his velocity coming off elbow surgery. Otherwise, they need to refresh their free-agency list at quarterback. "I think he'll be the last quarterback of that 2004 [draft] class of quarterbacks to survive," one NFC exec said. But Big Ben won't be enough; he needs more playmakers around him. Dupree has earned a massive payday in free agency, and since the Steelers are usually pressed against the cap, they probably need to draft his replacement. At age 30, Cam Heyward's Pro Bowl season proved he is worthy of a third contract. JuJu Smith-Schuster didn't do enough to warrant the massive post-third-year payday.