With 2026 free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft in the books, here are the top five Super Bowl contenders heading into the 2026 season.
Top Five Super Bowl Contenders Post 2026 NFL Draft
5. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles continue to build the skeleton of a Super Bowl-caliber roster even after winning it in 2024. The defense is filled with talent, including All-Pro players Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper Dejean. They also traded for edge rusher Jonathan Greenard during the draft. On offense, the Eagles swooped in to draft Makai Lemon, who will be an immediate contributor once Philly finally trades A.J. Brown. Jalen Hurts, DeVonta Smith, and Saquon Barkley bring veteran leadership and high-level playmaking abilities that will keep Philly in contention.
The biggest question about the Eagles will be how the offense looks this season. Philly’s offense ranked among the worst in the league in several categories, leading to the dismissal of offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo. Sean Mannion was hired this offseason and is tasked with getting the Eagles offense back on the right track.
4. Buffalo Bills
The Bills will always be Super Bowl contenders with Josh Allen under center. After a heartbreaking loss in the AFC Divisional round of the playoffs, the Bills have made moves on the margins to improve. Buffalo traded for D.J. Moore this offseason and during the 2026 draft added another weapon for Allen in wide receiver Skyler Bell. Buffalo made ten picks in the NFL draft, and six of them were defensive players, which shows the front office’s urgency to fix holes on its defense.
Buffalo did fire longtime coach Sean McDermott this offseason, but replaced him internally by promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach. Continuity will be there on offense, as Allen won’t need to learn a new offense, and Buffalo’s defense should improve with the resources they’ve invested.
3. Denver Broncos
Had it not been for an ankle injury to quarterback Bo Nix in the AFC Divisional round that kept him out of the AFC Championship game, Denver might have been representing the AFC in the Super Bowl. Denver has consistently ranked among the league’s top five defenses over the last couple of seasons and has continued to bolster its offense.
Denver didn’t have a first-round pick in the 2026 draft because they traded for Jaylen Waddle, who will provide immediate field-stretching speed for the Nix and the Broncos offense. They also added to their running back room by drafting Jonah Coleman.
If Nix is able to remain healthy this season, he and Sean Payton could be looking at their second consecutive number one seed in the AFC.
2. Seattle Seahawks
The reigning Super Bowl Champions are in a solid position to defend their crown. During free agency, Seattle lost Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III but replaced him with their 2026 first-round selection in Jadarian Price. Notable losses on defense during free agency were also addressed during the draft. Seattle added safety Bud Clark out of TCU and cornerback Julian Neal out of Arkansas.
The core of the 2025 Super Bowl Champions is still there, and Mike MacDonald has proved to be one of the best coaches in the NFL. If Seattle can get another strong season out of Sam Darnold, the Seahawks will have a good chance at repeating.
1. Los Angeles Rams
Many media analysts were critical of the Rams’ 2026 draft, as they selected Ty Simpson in the first round and did little else with their other picks. It left analysts confused, as the Rams are a team pushing to win the Super Bowl this season and are the current favorite at multiple sportsbooks.
However, the Rams did have two first-round picks this year and used one of them to address a flawed secondary by trading for All-Pro Trent McDuffie. During the offseason, the Rams bolstered their defense and have every starter returning from the league’s top offense in 2025, led by MVP Matthew Stafford. With losses by all the top teams in the NFC, the Rams are arguably the best team in the NFC and the NFL this season.
Main Image: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
