While most of the NFL is still focused on trying to get into the postseason, there are a few teams that have already turned their attention to 2023. What do these NFL’s five worst teams really need?
The Biggest Needs For The NFL’s Five Worst Teams
Five teams have been eliminated from the playoff hunt, sending five coaching and front office staffs into evaluation mode for next year.
Houston Texans
The Texans have the worst record in the NFL and will most likely have a new coach next year weighing in on what the team should do with the No. 1 overall draft pick.
Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Texans 31st in Real Quarterback Rating and 32nd in Offensive Passer Rating, leaving little doubt as to what the Texans should do and will do.
They have a good young running back in Dameon Pierce and John Metchie is hoping to be back after this year’s leukemia diagnosis. Give this team a quarterback and they will be better in 2023.
Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have their quarterback. Now it’s time to build around him and not make him carry this team by himself. The offensive line in Chicago needs to be better, and he needs to have better wide receivers. Not a single Bears receiver is over 500 yards for the season.
Darnell Mooney does have a 1,000-yard season to his credit, so he can still develop into a reliable first option. But the wide receiver room has to become deeper if Fields is going to become better. Just look at what was unlocked with Jalen Hurts with the addition of A.J. Brown.
Denver Broncos
Russell Wilson isn’t going anywhere, even though the biggest issue on the Broncos this season has been the passing offense. So what can Denver do to improve itself this offseason, other than just getting healthy? The return of Tim Patrick alone should make things better.
They have to move on from head coach Nathaniel Hackett and offensive coordinator Justin Outten. Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Broncos 30th in Scoreability, which highlights just how inefficient this offense is. Since the QB is staying, the coaches have to change.
Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals are another team that has too much of a financial commitment to their quarterback to move on from him. They also still have reason to believe in the growth of Rondale Moore, Hollywood Brown (when he’s healthy), and the leadership of DeAndre Hopkins. So the offense is fairly set/stuck.
Defensively, however, Cold, Hard Football Facts ranks the Cardinals 31st in Defensive Passer Rating and 30th in Defensive Rusher Rating. In free agency and in the draft, they have to go defense, defense, defense.
Los Angeles Rams
As the worst defending Super Bowl champion in history, there are many issues with the Rams. None of their backups, and not Baker Mayfield either, are prepared to be the team’s starting quarterback. Job one is to evaluate the health of Matthew Stafford and his future in the league.
Beyond Stafford the offensive line is the biggest offensive need. The Rams set an NFL record this season with the most different starting combinations on the line. It’s the surest way to lose.
