NFL teams have worked long and hard at improving their front offices, coaching staffs and rosters over the last several months, with their sights set on dethroning the Super Bowl-champion Philadelphia Eagles this fall.
Offseason changes began with seven franchises hiring new head coaches and continued with other clubs extending star players (SEE: Cincinnati locking down Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins), while all 32 teams bolstered their rosters during the free agency period.
The team-building process is far from over; next up is the 2025 NFL Draft, which will take place April 24-26 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. But we asked our analysts to look at the NFL landscape right now and answer the following question:
Which NFL team has had the best offseason so far?
This one isn’t close. Chicago landed the most coveted coach in the hiring cycle, former Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson. General manager Ryan Poles also rebuilt the interior of an offensive line that allowed an NFL-high 68 sacks last season (signing center Drew Dalman and trading for guards Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson), and he shored up a defensive line that couldn’t pressure quarterbacks consistently (with the additions of edge rusher Dayo Odeyingbo and defensive tackle Grady Jarrett). Yes, the Bears had a ton of salary-cap space heading into the offseason. They’ve also spent their money wisely and look like a legit postseason contender today.
There are teams that simply got better (Patriots) or improved their chances of getting into the playoffs (Bears), but the one team that made the moves to actually earn a trip to the Super Bowl was Washington. The Super Bowl timeline accelerated instantly with Jayden Daniels orchestrating the offense, evidenced by the Commanders' trip to the NFC Championship Game in his rookie season. This offseason, they made trades for elite players at key positions, bringing in offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. The Commanders also re-signed veteran contributors like Zach Ertz and Bobby Wagner and offset their own free agent losses with smart signings, including defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw and safety Will Harris.
As targeted and inspired as both the Bears and Pats have been over the past few months, the Rams are my offseason darling to this point. Sean McVay and Les Snead have rebuilt L.A.’s roster with several exceptional draft selections, putting together a team that, with a bit more pro experience and a few select pieces (see below), could be in line for another Super Bowl run.
L.A. has already addressed its biggest offseason question mark by managing to keep Matthew Stafford in the fold. His decision to return to L.A. for a 17th season (and not pursue a trade elsewhere) is arguably the most consequential roster move we’ve seen across the league thus far. And while not nearly as important, the Rams’ retention of their other QB, veteran Jimmy Garoppolo, could have a meaningful impact in 2025, as well.
The team also re-signed standout tackle Alaric Jackson before he could hit the open market and won the Davante Adams sweepstakes, signing the six-time Pro Bowler to a very reasonable two-year deal before the start of free agency. Plus, the Rams further bolstered both sides of the line with the additions of DL Poona Ford and OL Coleman Shelton. The latter, who spent his first five seasons with L.A. before joining Chicago last March, adds depth along the interior and could also compete with second-year center Beaux Limmer for the starting gig.
The Rams’ offseason should get even better, too, considering they still have their first-round pick in April (well, at least for now) and seven additional selections, including two third-rounders. That’s been the Rams’ money spot of late, with the team landing four major contributors in Round 3 over the past two drafts (2023: Blake Corum, Kamren Kinchens; 2024: Byron Young, Kobie Turner).
The Patriots had one of the most talent-poor rosters in 2024, which ultimately led to the firing of Jerod Mayo and a top five pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The biggest move New England made was hiring Mike Vrabel, who was a member of the Patriots dynasty in the early-2000s before leading the Tennessee Titans for six seasons, which included three playoff berths. They then spent much of their salary-cap space on shoring up the defense, signing game-changers at every level, including K'Lavon Chaisson, Harold Landry and Milton Williams along the D-line, linebacker Robert Spillane in the middle and corner Carlton Davis on the back end. They also threw money at the offensive line, signing Morgan Moses, Wes Schweitzer and Garrett Bradbury, in an attempt to better protect second-year QB Drake Maye as he looks to develop under Josh McDaniels. The additions of Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins should also help Maye and a passing attack that ranked dead last in 2024 take a step forward.
On top of still having more than $80 million in available cap space, per Over The Cap, New England also holds nine selections in next month's draft, including the No. 4 overall pick. This rebuild feels far from over.
Specifically, Caleb Williams enjoyed the best offseason thus far. The Bears poached the top play-caller, Ben Johnson, from a division rival, immediately bringing life to a listless offense. Chicago then solved for its biggest weakness -- interior O-line -- by trading for two proven guards and making a splash signing at center, who will fit perfectly into Johnson's system. Unless Joe Thuney, Jonah Jackson and Drew Dalman physically crumble, they'll be a massive upgrade in front of the QB and the ground attack. There are no more excuses for Williams heading into Year 2. Bonus: The Bears' offseason moves, bolstering the trenches, open up their options with the No. 10 overall pick. Now they can take an OT, an RB or another edge, or continue to beef up the interior on both sides, or snag a DB. There is no wrong answer.
There are a number of teams worthy of this title, but I'll look to a team in the AFC West. Fresh off their first playoff appearance since the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos have moved full steam ahead on their rebuild centered around quarterback Bo Nix. They signed a much-needed playmaker at the tight end position, bringing in two-time Pro Bowler Evan Engram. But the attention paid in free agency to the defense is what will really elevate this team in 2025 and beyond. They re-signed D.J. Jones and nabbed two studs from San Francisco, linebacker Dre Greenlaw and safety Talanoa Hufanga. Both are returning from injury but have the talent and experience to be major game-changers for a Vance Joseph-led unit that ranked third in scoring and seventh overall in 2024.
I love what the Bears have done this offseason, hiring Ben Johnson and building around Caleb Williams, but I'm taking the Patriots. When New England takes the field in September, it will look like an entirely different team from the one that won four games a year ago, especially on the defensive side of the ball and among the coaching staff. What I'm most excited about, though, are the improvements in front of Drake Maye. The Patriots added much-needed help along the offensive line, signing tackle Morgan Moses, guard Wes Schweitzer and center Garrett Bradbury. Under Josh McDaniels' direction, we should see a better-protected Maye improve in Year 2. The Stefon Diggs signing also gives the young QB a reliable target, presuming the veteran receiver is able to fully recover his form after suffering an ACL tear in October.