Ownership: The concept of 'culture' in sports is often nebulous, but few things are clearer than the Jets' toxic environment under Woody Johnson. Since 2010, they haven't made the playoffs, oscillating between short-term fixes and long-term rebuilds without the patience to endure tough times. It's rare for an owner to fire a coach just five weeks into a season due to potential embarrassment, but Johnson is that kind of owner.
Coach: Firing Robert Saleh just five weeks into the season seems harsh. Since taking over as Jets' head coach, he has consistently fielded a top-tier defense despite minimal offensive support. However, the Jets' decision had some logic. If you're assigning blame for this season's failures, general manager Joe Douglas, offensive coordinator Nathaniel Hackett, and Aaron Rodgers would top the list. The Jets couldn't bench Rodgers, and firing Hackett wasn't feasible due to his ties to the quarterback. Removing the general manager wouldn't spark change, so the head coach became the sacrificial lamb.
Quarterback: The current Aaron Rodgers is far from the back-to-back MVP he was in Green Bay. At 40 and recovering from an Achilles injury, he appears uneasy in the pocket and lacks the improvisational magic that once made him a dynamic force. The Jets' future hinges on a year-to-year basis with a 40-year-old quarterback. There's no guarantee Rodgers will return next season, and if he does, it's uncertain who he'd approve as the new head coach. If he retires, the Jets will be back to square one.
Hopelessness rating: 8/10. They have talented players, but a history of ownership failure makes it hard to envision a turnaround under the Johnsons.
Ownership: Jimmy Haslam's tenure has been a consistent embarrassment, both in courtrooms and on the field. His legacy will likely be as the owner who handed Deshaun Watson one of the worst contracts in sports history.
Coach: Kevin Stefanski has shown he can build playoff-caliber offenses around quarterbacks like Joe Flacco and Baker Mayfield, but he's on track to take the fall for Cleveland's $230m and draft pick splurge on Watson.
Quarterback: Watson has been the worst starting quarterback this season, a fact backed by his last position in adjusted EPA/play. Despite his contract making alternatives like Jameis Winston unfeasible, the Browns are stuck with him.
Hope for the future: None. Cleveland has the worst starter at the most valuable position, and they're paying him more than anyone else. Watson's contract guarantees $132m over three years, making roster upgrades nearly impossible. The Browns are trapped, and the ethical implications of Watson's contract only add to the gloom.
Hopelessness rating: 10/10. The Watson contract, both financially and ethically, ensures a long-lasting stench around the franchise.
Ownership: David Tepper is challenging Dan Snyder for the title of worst modern-era owner. Since buying the Panthers in 2018, his record stands at 32-77, characterized by rapid changes and poor decisions. Tepper's approach seems to be 'move fast and break everything,' cycling through coaches at an alarming rate.
Coach: Dave Canales, after working with Russell Wilson and Baker Mayfield, was hired to develop Bryce Young. However, after just two weeks, Canales benched Young in favor of Andy Dalton, a move that suggested he was already looking over his shoulder. Dalton has made the Panthers more competitive, but prematurely abandoning the No 1 overall pick wasn't part of the plan.
Quarterback: The Panthers might return to Young as the starter this season. A stint on the bench could help him regain confidence or better understand Canales's scheme. However, it's more likely the coaching staff has already decided Young isn't the right fit and will seek a new quarterback in the offseason.
Hope for the future: The Panthers' offseason strategy was unusual but admirable. They dismantled a solid defense to focus on offense, hoping Young could be a competent starter. It didn't work. They've moved on from Young and are now burdened with an expensive, injured offensive line and one of the league's weakest defenses. It will take years to recover, and Tepper has shown no patience for lean seasons.
Hopelessness rating: 9/10. They burned draft picks for Young, who doesn't seem to be the future quarterback. Tepper's lack of franchise competence is evident.
Ownership: The NFLPA's annual report ranked the Cardinals as the worst organization to work for, despite owner Michael Bidwill's efforts to address concerns. Bidwill is known for being frugal and fostering an uncomfortable environment. If you were betting on an owner to sell in the next five years, Bidwill would be the top pick.
Coach: Jonathan Gannon deserves credit for keeping Arizona competitive despite inheriting a troubled roster and behind-the-scenes turmoil. His 6-16 record is somewhat misleading, reflecting the franchise's rebuilding efforts as much as his coaching. In his second season, signs of progress are evident. The offense is finally competitive, and Gannon has kept a talent-lacking defense afloat.
Quarterback: Kyler Murray looks back to his best this year after returning from an ACL injury. Last year, there were murmurs the Cardinals might trade him despite a recent contract extension. This season, he has justified the investment, fitting well into Drew Petzing's offense and connecting quickly with rookie receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Hope for the future: The Cardinals have a talented, young offense performing at a top-10 level. This alone gives them a chance to compete in the division. If they can bolster the defense, they could become consistent playoff contenders.
Hopelessness rating: 4/10. Ownership concerns exist, but there's talent in coaching and playing ranks.
Ownership: Shahid Khan's 12-year tenure has been marked by eccentric decisions: hiring Urban Meyer, trusting Trent Baalke, considering relocation to London while planning a new stadium, and shelving iconic uniforms. But Khan isn't cheap. Jacksonville boasts some of the best facilities, and Khan has indulged in free-agent spending. When it came to extending Trevor Lawrence's contract, the franchise committed $275m with $200m guaranteed. Unlike other owners, Khan has been patient with coaches and GMs, though his record stands at 61-139. Perhaps he should be more decisive.
Coach: After the Meyer fiasco, the Jaguars hoped Doug Pederson would bring instant credibility. But Pederson's tenure is nearing its end. His 18-20 record includes a dismal 2-10 in the last 12 games. The Jaguars are likely to reset this offseason unless they make a playoff push. A loss in London could leave Pederson jobless.
Quarterback: Lawrence remains one of the league's most perplexing quarterbacks. Despite his physical gifts, he makes poor decisions. In three seasons, he averages 14 interceptions and 25 turnover-worthy plays. Poor coaching and weak rosters share blame, but minimal progress from the former No 1 pick is concerning.
Hope for the future: Lawrence is the key. If he can eliminate mistakes, Jacksonville has a top-10 quarterback. The worry is that his current performance might be his true level. If the Jaguars move on from Pederson, many coaches will believe they can refine Lawrence's game. With most of Lawrence's extension yet to kick in, the Jaguars will have ample cap space to rebuild the roster around him.
Hopelessness rating: 3/10. Khan's eccentricities aren't disastrous. If Lawrence fulfills his potential, the Jaguars should thrive.
