The NFL draft is nearly here, offering a glimmer of hope for last season’s worst teams as they aim for significant improvements after selecting top prospects. However, not all teams will find success, and the optimism of Week One could quickly turn into frustration for many fans and organizations.
Here are three teams from the 2024 season that are likely to struggle even more in 2025, for various reasons.
First on the list is the Cleveland Browns, a franchise synonymous with struggles. Even if they weren’t historically cursed, there’s little reason to believe they will improve next season. Quarterback Deshaun Watson is anticipated to miss significant time with an Achilles injury, and even when healthy, he performed poorly last season. Although the Browns hold the second pick in an underwhelming quarterback draft class, their defense also regressed significantly last year. In response, they signed star pass rusher to a six-year, $205 million deal. The Browns remain a dysfunctional franchise without a clear path to improvement.
The Pittsburgh Steelers weren’t terrible last season, but they also weren’t impressive. Under head coach Mike Tomlin, the team seems trapped in a cycle of mediocrity, yet they continue to support him. As the Steelers prepare for another season, uncertainty looms over their quarterback position. With the leading candidates being Aaron Rodgers—coming off his worst season—or a struggling Russell Wilson, the outlook isn’t great. Our prediction is a disappointing 7-10 record, likely leading to Tomlin’s departure from Pittsburgh.
Finally, the New York Jets face an uphill battle to improve upon their 5-12 record from last season, despite the addition of Justin Fields. Many were left scratching their heads at the decision to switch to an even less dependable quarterback after Aaron Rodgers. Popular podcaster Ryen Russillo reflected on this perplexing choice, noting that even though Fields seemed to show flashes, the numbers reveal a grim picture of his performance. With a two-year, $40 million deal, Fields’ future with the Jets remains uncertain. The situation for these teams illustrates how some franchises are mired in difficulties, showing little sign of overcoming them.
