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Training camps are open across the National Football League, and the AFC has no clear favorite. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been fully cleared to practice after tearing two ligaments in his left knee last December.
Buffalo, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Miami, Tennessee and Las Vegas all start the season with new head coaches. Denver won 14 games and lost the conference title game by three points. New England reached the Super Bowl and lost. Here is how all 16 AFC teams stack up now that pads are on, ranked from worst to first.
MORE: Ranking 300-yard passers in 2025 NFL season
The Dolphins gutted their receiver room and never replaced it. Miami released receiver Tyreek Hill and traded receiver Jaylen Waddle to Denver, leaving quarterback Malik Willis to throw to Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and a group of rookies.
Head coach Jeff Hafley did lock up one star, giving linebacker Jordyn Brooks a three-year, $51.3 million extension. Running back De’Von Achane still brings speed. The roster simply has too many holes to fix in one offseason.
Cleveland Browns Jared Verse talks to the media after taking part in OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026.
Cleveland traded pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge rusher Jared Verse and three early draft picks, which tells you the plan. New head coach Todd Monken opens camp with a quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson did not play at all in 2025 after re-rupturing his Achilles.
The Colorado product went 3-4 as a rookie starter with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. A new offensive line also needs time to fit together.
The Raiders took quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, settled a brief contract dispute with him and expect veteran Kirk Cousins to start while the rookie sits.
Head coach Klint Kubiak rebuilt the offensive line and signed three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, which should help running back Ashton Jeanty in his second season. Tight end Brock Bowers is a foundational piece. Denver, Kansas City and Los Angeles all rank ahead of them in the West.
New York brought back quarterback Geno Smith, who the Jets drafted in 2013 and who threw a league-high 17 interceptions for Las Vegas last season. He was also sacked 55 times behind a poor offensive line. This one is better, with tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou.
Head coach Aaron Glenn added edge rusher David Bailey with the second overall pick. The passing game ranked last in the league at 140.3 yards per game, so any jump helps.
Everything in Nashville rides on second-year quarterback Cam Ward. He finished strong, throwing 11 touchdown passes with two turnovers over his last seven games after six touchdowns and 12 turnovers in his first 10.
New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has developed young passers before, and head coach Robert Saleh inherits a defense that allowed more than 345 yards per game. Receiver Carnell Tate went fourth overall, and Wan’Dale Robinson arrived in free agency. Seven wins would count as progress.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) yells at the line of scrimmage Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis started 7-1 before quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, then lost seven straight to end the season. The Colts still signed him to a two-year, $88 million extension, and Jones said he is “a full go” for the start of training camp.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is coming off a second straight injury-marred season, and the defense lost its top two tacklers this offseason. Indianapolis has not reached the playoffs since 2020.
MORE: Vikings to honor legend during 2026 NFL season
Head coach Mike McCarthy takes over after 19 seasons of Mike Tomlin, and he brings a 174-112-2 record and a Super Bowl title with him.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said 2026 will be his last season, and he turns 43 during it. Pittsburgh added receivers Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard to help him. Left tackle Broderick Jones could open the year on injured reserve, which would push Troy Fautanu across the line and start rookie Max Iheanachor.
Jacksonville went 13-4 and won the AFC South before Buffalo beat them 27-24 in the wild-card round. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played the best football of his five-year career.
The bigger question is receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who fell from 87 catches as a rookie to 48 catches and two touchdowns last season while tying for the second-most drops in the league. Two-way star Travis Hunter will play more cornerback this year in a secondary that needs it.
Cincinnati spent the offseason fixing a defense that finished last in the league in yards per play at 6.2 and gave up 28.9 points per game. The Bengals traded the No. 10 pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe, then added safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is healthy again with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Head coach Zac Taylor has missed the playoffs three years in a row.
Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with head coach Andy Reid after a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Head coach Andy Reid said quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been fully cleared to practice after tearing two ligaments in his left knee in Week 15. Mahomes said, “I’ll give every single thing I can to be out there Week 1.”
That opener is Denver at Kansas City on Sept. 14. The Chiefs went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They added running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 pick.
Baltimore went 8-9 and let John Harbaugh go after 18 seasons. New head coach Jesse Minter takes over a defense that just added edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million deal. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is healthy after missing four games, and running back Derrick Henry returns.
The open question is center, where Pro Bowl starter Tyler Linderbaum signed with Las Vegas and free agent Ethan Pocic is coming off a torn Achilles suffered in Week 14.
Quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked a franchise-record 54 times last season and took more hits than any passer in the league. Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are back after missing most of the year, and head coach Jim Harbaugh rebuilt the interior with center Tyler Biadasz, rookie left guard Jake Slaughter and right guard Cole Strange.
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel calls the plays now. Los Angeles went 11-6 and lost at New England in the wild-card round.
New England lost Super Bowl LX to Seattle 29-13, then traded for receiver A.J. Brown to give quarterback Drake Maye the No. 1 target the offense lacked.
Owner Robert Kraft confirmed an offer to cornerback Christian Gonzalez that would make him the highest-paid player at his position and the largest contract in team history. Head coach Mike Vrabel faces a much harder schedule this year after the Patriots played one of the easiest slates in 2025.
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Houston went 12-5 and gave up 17.4 points per game, the second-fewest in the league. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has his defense locked up with edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Calen Bullock all under contract.
The offense is the worry. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions at New England in the divisional round and still has no extension. Houston traded for running back David Montgomery and rebuilt the line in front of the Ohio State product.
Denver won 14 games, took the top seed and ended Kansas City’s nine-year hold on the AFC West.
Quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle in the closing moments of the overtime divisional round win, then had a second surgery in April to remove bone spurs. He was limited in minicamp and said he would be at full speed for the start of camp. Head coach Sean Payton traded for receiver Jaylen Waddle.
Buffalo fired Sean McDermott after an overtime divisional round loss at Denver and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. Quarterback Josh Allen finally has a proven No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore.
The bigger project is a pass rush that ranked 24th in pressures and 20th in sacks last season. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard gets edge rusher Bradley Chubb on a three-year, $52 million deal, second-round pick T.J. Parker, and healthy returns from defensive tackle Ed Oliver and edge rusher Michael Hoecht.
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Buffalo, Baltimore, Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Miami, Tennessee and Las Vegas all start the season with new head coaches. Denver won 14 games and lost the conference title game by three points. New England reached the Super Bowl and lost. Here is how all 16 AFC teams stack up now that pads are on, ranked from worst to first.
MORE: Ranking 300-yard passers in 2025 NFL season
16. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins gutted their receiver room and never replaced it. Miami released receiver Tyreek Hill and traded receiver Jaylen Waddle to Denver, leaving quarterback Malik Willis to throw to Malik Washington, Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and a group of rookies.
Head coach Jeff Hafley did lock up one star, giving linebacker Jordyn Brooks a three-year, $51.3 million extension. Running back De’Von Achane still brings speed. The roster simply has too many holes to fix in one offseason.
15. Cleveland Browns
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Cleveland Browns Jared Verse talks to the media after taking part in OTAs at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus of the Cleveland Browns in Berea, Ohio on June 2, 2026.
Cleveland traded pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams for edge rusher Jared Verse and three early draft picks, which tells you the plan. New head coach Todd Monken opens camp with a quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson did not play at all in 2025 after re-rupturing his Achilles.
The Colorado product went 3-4 as a rookie starter with seven touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. A new offensive line also needs time to fit together.
14. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders took quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, settled a brief contract dispute with him and expect veteran Kirk Cousins to start while the rookie sits.
Head coach Klint Kubiak rebuilt the offensive line and signed three-time Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, which should help running back Ashton Jeanty in his second season. Tight end Brock Bowers is a foundational piece. Denver, Kansas City and Los Angeles all rank ahead of them in the West.
13. New York Jets
New York brought back quarterback Geno Smith, who the Jets drafted in 2013 and who threw a league-high 17 interceptions for Las Vegas last season. He was also sacked 55 times behind a poor offensive line. This one is better, with tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou.
Head coach Aaron Glenn added edge rusher David Bailey with the second overall pick. The passing game ranked last in the league at 140.3 yards per game, so any jump helps.
12. Tennessee Titans
Everything in Nashville rides on second-year quarterback Cam Ward. He finished strong, throwing 11 touchdown passes with two turnovers over his last seven games after six touchdowns and 12 turnovers in his first 10.
New offensive coordinator Brian Daboll has developed young passers before, and head coach Robert Saleh inherits a defense that allowed more than 345 yards per game. Receiver Carnell Tate went fourth overall, and Wan’Dale Robinson arrived in free agency. Seven wins would count as progress.
11. Indianapolis Colts
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) yells at the line of scrimmage Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025, during a game against the Houston Texans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis started 7-1 before quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles, then lost seven straight to end the season. The Colts still signed him to a two-year, $88 million extension, and Jones said he is “a full go” for the start of training camp.
Defensive tackle DeForest Buckner is coming off a second straight injury-marred season, and the defense lost its top two tacklers this offseason. Indianapolis has not reached the playoffs since 2020.
MORE: Vikings to honor legend during 2026 NFL season
10. Pittsburgh Steelers
Head coach Mike McCarthy takes over after 19 seasons of Mike Tomlin, and he brings a 174-112-2 record and a Super Bowl title with him.
Quarterback Aaron Rodgers has said 2026 will be his last season, and he turns 43 during it. Pittsburgh added receivers Michael Pittman and Germie Bernard to help him. Left tackle Broderick Jones could open the year on injured reserve, which would push Troy Fautanu across the line and start rookie Max Iheanachor.
9. Jacksonville Jaguars
Jacksonville went 13-4 and won the AFC South before Buffalo beat them 27-24 in the wild-card round. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence played the best football of his five-year career.
The bigger question is receiver Brian Thomas Jr., who fell from 87 catches as a rookie to 48 catches and two touchdowns last season while tying for the second-most drops in the league. Two-way star Travis Hunter will play more cornerback this year in a secondary that needs it.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati spent the offseason fixing a defense that finished last in the league in yards per play at 6.2 and gave up 28.9 points per game. The Bengals traded the No. 10 pick for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe, then added safeties Bryan Cook and Kyle Dugger.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is healthy again with receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. Head coach Zac Taylor has missed the playoffs three years in a row.
7. Kansas City Chiefs
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Aug 22, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15) talks with head coach Andy Reid after a play against the Chicago Bears during the first half of the game at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Head coach Andy Reid said quarterback Patrick Mahomes has been fully cleared to practice after tearing two ligaments in his left knee in Week 15. Mahomes said, “I’ll give every single thing I can to be out there Week 1.”
That opener is Denver at Kansas City on Sept. 14. The Chiefs went 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2014. They added running back Kenneth Walker III and cornerback Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 pick.
6. Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore went 8-9 and let John Harbaugh go after 18 seasons. New head coach Jesse Minter takes over a defense that just added edge rusher Trey Hendrickson on a four-year, $112 million deal. Quarterback Lamar Jackson is healthy after missing four games, and running back Derrick Henry returns.
The open question is center, where Pro Bowl starter Tyler Linderbaum signed with Las Vegas and free agent Ethan Pocic is coming off a torn Achilles suffered in Week 14.
5. Los Angeles Chargers
Quarterback Justin Herbert was sacked a franchise-record 54 times last season and took more hits than any passer in the league. Tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are back after missing most of the year, and head coach Jim Harbaugh rebuilt the interior with center Tyler Biadasz, rookie left guard Jake Slaughter and right guard Cole Strange.
New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel calls the plays now. Los Angeles went 11-6 and lost at New England in the wild-card round.
4. New England Patriots
New England lost Super Bowl LX to Seattle 29-13, then traded for receiver A.J. Brown to give quarterback Drake Maye the No. 1 target the offense lacked.
Owner Robert Kraft confirmed an offer to cornerback Christian Gonzalez that would make him the highest-paid player at his position and the largest contract in team history. Head coach Mike Vrabel faces a much harder schedule this year after the Patriots played one of the easiest slates in 2025.
3. Houston Texans
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Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. (51) leaves the field following an AFC Wild Card Round win against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Houston went 12-5 and gave up 17.4 points per game, the second-fewest in the league. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has his defense locked up with edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. and safety Calen Bullock all under contract.
The offense is the worry. Quarterback C.J. Stroud threw four interceptions at New England in the divisional round and still has no extension. Houston traded for running back David Montgomery and rebuilt the line in front of the Ohio State product.
2. Denver Broncos
Denver won 14 games, took the top seed and ended Kansas City’s nine-year hold on the AFC West.
Quarterback Bo Nix broke his ankle in the closing moments of the overtime divisional round win, then had a second surgery in April to remove bone spurs. He was limited in minicamp and said he would be at full speed for the start of camp. Head coach Sean Payton traded for receiver Jaylen Waddle.
1. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo fired Sean McDermott after an overtime divisional round loss at Denver and promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. Quarterback Josh Allen finally has a proven No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore.
The bigger project is a pass rush that ranked 24th in pressures and 20th in sacks last season. New defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard gets edge rusher Bradley Chubb on a three-year, $52 million deal, second-round pick T.J. Parker, and healthy returns from defensive tackle Ed Oliver and edge rusher Michael Hoecht.
— Enjoy free coverage of the top news & trending stories on The Big Lead —
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