Ranking the darkest futures of NFL teams with losing records

Just as there are contenders and pretenders among winning teams, there are different degrees of losers in the NFL, as there are several sub-.500 teams whose futures appear brighter than others. 

Here are four teams with losing records who face the most difficult futures.

4. Los Angeles Rams (3-6)

Now that they’re slated to make their first first-round draft pick since 2016 and have begun freeing up future cap space, the Rams are in better shape than they’ve been in years. Yet, with at least two more seasons committed to aging, injury-prone QB Matthew Stafford and playing in the challenging NFC West, the Rams will still feel the ramifications of the “F them picks” approach for quite some time.

Stafford showed signs of decline last season before he was shut down with a neck injury, averaging 231.9 passing yards per game, a significant drop from his 2021 mark of 287.4. He’s rebounded a bit this season, but it’s easier to do so when you throw the sixth-most pass attempts per game (37.2). Stafford has proven he needs talent around him in order for his team to succeed, and with the Rams’ short-term outlook, it doesn’t seem that he’ll be capable of leading them to the playoffs anytime soon. 

Ultimately, the lack of success is the price Los Angeles paid for its Super Bowl LVI win. For now, the organization can live with the outcome, but the honeymoon phase is fading fast as darker days are likely ahead, especially if HC Sean McVay finally decides to transition to a television career.

3. New England Patriots (2-8)

Rock bottom gets a little closer each week for the Patriots. Although it’s undeniable that Mac Jones isn’t the answer at quarterback, the team is at a crossroads regarding Bill Belichick and whether it’s time to move on from the six-time Super Bowl-winning head coach. 

It’s impossible to overlook Belichick’s 82-98 record without quarterback Tom Brady, though parting ways with the 71-year-old seems unrealistic given all he’s done for the franchise. Not to mention, Belichick is 17 wins away from breaking Don Shula’s all-time wins record, and what are the chances owner Robert Kraft lets another team celebrate that milestone? It’s for this reason that New England is in such a bind, as it would probably benefit from a change, though is firing the greatest coach in history really the best course of action?

Regardless of how Belichick’s situation unfolds, New England’s highest priority this offseason should be revamping its offense, which is averaging the second-fewest points per game (14.1). However, the change must begin at quarterback, and landing a franchise-changing talent at the position may be challenging if the current 2024 NFL Draft order holds true, as the Patriots would select third overall. They’ve already wasted three seasons with the wrong quarterback, and the Patriots may find themselves in a similar predicament if they draft another bad prospect. 

2. Green Bay Packers (3-6)

Green Bay is in the midst of a critical transition period, and while it’s unfair to hold Jordan Love to the same Hall of Fame standards as his predecessors, his inconsistent play casts doubt that he’s “the guy.” The 2020 first-rounder still has another season left on his contract to prove he should be the long-term signal-caller, yet he’s not exactly set up for success.

The Packers offense lacks quality pass-catchers as well as a reliable running game, and the offensive line’s inability to stay healthy continues to cause issues. In addition, HC Matt LaFleur’s play-calling has repeatedly drawn criticism, and he hasn’t accomplished enough in his career to be trusted with leading the team through a rebuilding process. 

If Love isn’t the Packers’ quarterback of the future, there’s a real chance Green Bay could finish in last place in the NFC North regularly starting in 2024. The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings appear poised to battle for division titles for the foreseeable future, while the Chicago Bears are in a strong position to rebuild swiftly and effectively. 

1. Carolina Panthers (1-8)

After hiring Frank Reich as head coach and aggressively trading up for the first overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Carolina hoped it would emerge from mediocrity, but the early returns have been disastrous. The Panthers traded a package including multiple first-round picks and wideout D.J. Moore to select former Alabama quarterback Bryce Young. While Young is only eight games into his career, it’s becoming clear that Carolina should’ve drafted current Texan C.J. Stroud, who has played brilliantly on his way to entering into the MVP conversation.

Whiffing on a quarterback prospect can set a franchise back several years. Paying up to do so, including sacrificing a first-round pick during a season in which you may be the worst team in the league, only increases the likelihood that the team will struggle. It seemed apparent early on that Carolina had problems, so GM Scott Fitterer’s decision to once again decline trade offers for two-time Pro Bowl pass-rusher Brian Burns feels like a missed opportunity to recoup some assets.

Even so, hanging on to Burns just to re-sign him so he can collect sacks in meaningless games would be far from Fitterer’s most questionable move during his tenure. Nonetheless, Carolina must do everything it can to develop Young properly in order to turn its fortunes around, and without a first-round pick, it will need to bring in better pass-catchers through free agency to accomplish this. Unfortunately, based on last offseason’s signings, it doesn’t seem as though that’ll be the case.