Team rebuilds are a finicky process, regardless of the team or sport. For the NFL, rebuilds are often under more scrutiny whether or not it is executed properly. Some teams could get by with just hiring new coaches or just signing new players to bolster team play. But there are those who need a clean slate in multiple, if not all, areas of the franchise. Needless to say, each passing week of the 2024 regular season reveals who ought to consider hitting the “reset” button sooner rather than later.
Here are a few teams that should commence a rebuild in the near future, starting with the AFC.
4 Teams in the AFC That Need to Rebuild
New York Jets
The New York Jets are the real-life equivalent of the Lernaean Hydra from Greek Mythology: one problem gets taken care of, only for two more to take its place. The firing of head coach Robert Saleh clearly has not solved everything wrong with Gang Green. Plus, Aaron Rodgers being healthy still has not sparked the match for this offense, which keeps finding ways to waste their elite defense’s efforts to keep the Jets in the game.
After years of mediocre play and missing the playoffs, it is perhaps high time for the Jets to start from scratch, which may (and should) include new ownership and management.
Jacksonville Jaguars
Being a Jacksonville Jaguars fan must be tough. At one moment, the Jaguars are making a strong push for the postseason and possibly a Super Bowl bid. Then the next moment, they are plummeting at a rapid pace and probably holding a top 10 pick in the draft. Head coach Doug Pederson is on the hot seat, even after a decisive 32-16 win over a lowly New England Patriots team. Although Trevor Lawrence is tending to his turnover problem, it would be best for him to seek greener pastures outside of Duvall County.
Yes, it’s nice that EverBank Stadium is getting a major touchup. But a new pad will not be any consolation if major changes are not made to the team itself.
Las Vegas Raiders
Needless to say, what could go wrong IS going wrong for the Las Vegas Raiders. With several key players injured, the 2024 season is becoming a nightmare in real time for head coach, Antonio Pierce. This all could have been avoided three years ago if the Raiders’ front office opted to keep Rich Bisaccia as the Raiders head coach and steered clear of Josh McDaniels. But alas… Las Vegas hired McDaniels, and McDaniels single-handedly tore down this once-promising roster.
Pierce is now low on resources to get Las Vegas into fighting shape like he did when McDaniels got let go. Hitting the reset button on this franchise might be for the best if it includes owner, Mark Davis, selling the team.
Cleveland Browns
When discussing the Cleveland Browns and rebuilds, the definition of insanity comes to mind. That is “doing the same thing over and over again, while expecting different results.” Almost everything Cleveland has tried turned into failure. From head coach, Hue Jackson, going 3-36-1 in the late-2010’s (which included going 0-16 in 2017), to replacing Baker Mayfield with Deshaun Watson, the “Factory of Sadness” moniker is well-deserved.
Browns owner, Jimmy Haslam, should consider putting the Browns franchise on the market, not just declaring relocation and/or stadium renovations. The Browns have a career record of 70-123-1 under his ownership which started in 2012. At this point, trading their best players for some draft capital will not help improve the atmosphere in Cleveland.
Check back next week to see which teams from the NFC should consider rebuilding.
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