The 2024 NFL season is right around the corner. And all 32 teams have the same ultimate goal: Win the Super Bowl. Yet not everyone is realistically expecting a title run. Different clubs have different internal standards, depending on where they’re at in terms of roster construction, staffing changes, and so forth.
So what would actually constitute success for each of the 32 teams this year? Here’s our take:
Kyler Murray staying healthy and making significant strides under center. This is Year 6 (!) for the former No. 1 overall pick. Young pieces like Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride should help, but at some point, the face of the franchise has to definitively take this team from rebuild to relevant.
One of the quarterbacks proving playoff-caliber. They absorbed offseason heat for doing the big-name double-dip at the position, but now they really just need one of either Kirk Cousins or Michael Penix Jr. to pay off. Because the staff and the roster is otherwise fairly ready for a postseason bid.
A leap to the Super Bowl. Lamar Jackson has essentially done everything except reach the big game. And it’s not all on him, but with Derrick Henry’s supersized bulldozing now alongside him in the backfield, and the defense still stacked at every level, John Harbaugh’s surely eager to get (back) over the hump.
Josh Allen overcoming (and/or elevating) the remade wide receiver corps. There is plenty of pressure on Sean McDermott to make like his old boss Andy Reid and finally conquer playoff woes. But the Bills embraced offseason cost-cutting, so Allen simply keeping them a contender would be a plus.
Bryce Young appearing as if he belongs. Even with upgrades out wide and up front, no one honestly expects new coach Dave Canales to have this group knocking on the door of the playoffs. If he simply brings the young quarterback up to NFL speed, rekindling Young’s “it” factor, the arrow will be pointing up.
The Caleb Williams show justifying Chicago’s roster overhaul. It’s been a long time coming for general manager Ryan Poles, who mostly let Justin Fields sink before doing everything in his power to accommodate Williams’ star-studded arrival. The lineup looks good. Let’s see if they can stack wins.
Joe Burrow fully returning to healthy form. It’s the chief goal for every Bengals season now, isn’t it? Obviously a return to the Super Bowl stage is the internal standard. But considering Burrow’s missed extensive time in two of four seasons, his mere availability and durability is paramount for now.
Someone — anyone — proving stable at the controls of Kevin Stefanski’s offense. Easier said than done considering Nick Chubb and a big chunk of the O-line is banged up. But if Deshaun Watson can’t stay healthy or steady (again), the onus will be on Jameis Winston or Tyler Huntley to step up.
A deep playoff run. What else is there to say? Both Dak Prescott and Mike McCarthy have come under Jerry Jones’ microscope for their hand in Dallas’ recent early playoff exits. The Cowboys still have title-worthy talent at premium spots, so it’s all a matter of meeting/exceeding expectations once again.
Competence from Sean Payton’s offense. Shedding salary and starting fresh at quarterback this offseason signaled new ownership is, in fact, all in on Payton’s plans. Rookie starter Bo Nix and Co. almost have to be more promising than the doomed Russell Wilson setup, right?
Proof that their 2023 breakout was not an anomaly. To be fair, Dan Campbell’s warriors were also feisty at the tail end of 2022. But now these Lions are closer to top dogs than underdogs, fresh off an NFC title bid. Can the aggressive offense continue? Jared Goff’s weapons and protections are second to none.
Noticeable strides from Jordan Love and the young offense. No one’s expecting a trophy just yet. Or are they? Another deep playoff run might be the benchmark for lots of Packers fans now that Love has burst onto the scene. But if he can maintain his gunslinging while controlling the ball, that’s a win.
A trip to the AFC Championship. It’s a lot to put on a second-year coach-and-quarterback combo, but that’s just how good C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans were in 2023. With Stefon Diggs and other vets added to the mix, it’d be a mild disappointment if they don’t sniff Super Bowl contention.
Anthony Richardson staying on the field. Wins and losses matter, sure, but after the 2023 top-five pick barely lasted four games as a rookie, it’s imperative Shane Steichen and Co. get an extended look at the supersized quarterback. And not only because Joe Flacco is the backup going on 40.
The offense getting back on the same page. Remember when Trevor Lawrence was getting MVP buzz going into 2023? Then the rails fell off due to a combo of injuries, wonky passing chemistry and play-calling woes. Freshly paid, it’d be nice if Lawrence can simply return to an upward trajectory.
A third straight Super Bowl victory. Read that again and consider how effortlessly this team has adopted the dynasty label. Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid are inevitable, whether they’re dialing up the big play or slugging it out late. Nothing short of another Lombardi will be accepted in-house.
Formation of a cohesive vision from the new regime. For years now, it’s been tough to pinpoint just what the Raiders are trying to achieve; they’ve spent big, for example, on proven vets, only to remain in a holding pattern under center. The quarterback spot remains a short- and long-term question mark.
Jim Harbaugh laying a sustainable foundation with/for Justin Herbert. How that manifests in terms of wins and losses is hard to say. But Herbert’s elite tools were often overshadowed by his staff’s miscues early on. If Harbaugh can instill some genuine belief and toughness in L.A., that’ll be a major step.
Keeping Matthew Stafford upright. When available, the big-armed vet has helped Sean McVay’s colorful supporting cast make serious noise as either wild-card or Super Bowl contenders. He’s 36, though, and has a history of bumps and bruises. New backup Jimmy Garoppolo has been even more fragile.
Mike McDaniel’s offense developing late-year mettle. If the defense is just competent, that’s fine. The truth is this is a McDaniel-led fireworks show, through and through, and Tua Tagovailoa’s still got bonkers speed at his disposal. But can the contingent adapt off-script, or in the cold, when the lights are bright?
Young stars growing, emerging and/or staying healthy while J.J. McCarthy rehabs. A Sam Darnold redemption tour would be very fun. But the Vikings are in a weird spot where the more important goal of 2024 is probably guys like Jordan Addison and Dallas Turner readying for what lies even farther ahead.
A transition to modern-day offensive thinking. It might be a long shot with Jerod Mayo at least partially serving as an extension of the Bill Belichick era, and yes, defense still helps keep the ship afloat in New England. But Drake Maye’s arrival should hopefully spell more dynamism with the ball in their hands.
Management finally embracing a youth movement. Barring a stunning leap from the Derek Carr-Dennis Allen outfit, the Saints are overdue for a legitimate rebuild at premium positions, even though the defense remains feisty and physical. Chris Olave and Taliese Fuaga could at least be initial building blocks.
Brian Daboll working his magic like it’s 2022. The days of Daniel Jones guiding a road playoff win seem so long ago, don’t they? Jones once again feels backed into a corner, in part by his own doing. Which means Daboll’s creativity may have to carry the club aside from a fast and physical front seven.
A playoff appearance (and maybe one postseason victory, at least). Look, the Aaron Rodgers hype started with Super Bowl talk. But Gang Green fans would surely take simply making the dance after such a long postseason drought, no? If Rodgers can actually stay upright, they remain must-see TV.
A return to Super Bowl contention. That doesn’t necessarily mean an all-out victory, but at least enough success to suggest the current setup isn’t rotten at its core. The talent is top-notch, there’s no doubting that. Jalen Hurts and A.J. Brown and Co. can be lethal. But can Nick Sirianni’s new staff maximize them?
Something other than just another “non-losing season.” That might mean an improbable deep playoff run. Or simply identifying an actual answer at the remade quarterback spot. Or, dare we say it, more of a bottoming out that prompts Mike Tomlin and Co. to do some deeper philosophical digging/adapting.
A Super Bowl victory. Much, much easier said than done, but what else can Kyle Shanahan settle for after reaching four NFC title games in five years? Brock Purdy is just getting started, their talent is still immense, and yet they’re still in search of a truly strong finish when the stage is biggest.
A noticeable leap by the defense. With Geno Smith and new backup Sam Howell at quarterback, the offense should be reasonably exciting, considering their talent at running back and out wide. The real test will come on “D,” where new coach Mike Macdonald is tasked with maximizing Pete Carroll’s old unit.
A fourth straight NFC South crown. It’s kind of precisely what you sign up for — not necessarily anything more or less — when you re-up Baker Mayfield and stick with Todd Bowles atop the staff, right? Both guys are scrappy, even though the roster as a whole hasn’t undergone significant turnover/upgrading.
Will Levis proving that he’s franchise-caliber. General manager Ran Carthon is giving the former second-rounder a real audition for the top quarterback gig thanks to splashy skill-weapon upgrades. The young wrecking-ball signal-caller doesn’t necessarily need to go on a deep run to show he’s got “it.”
Jayden Daniels staying healthy. Of course it also matters if the LSU product is, you know, good. But with his slender frame and clear rushing ability, it might be just as important for 2024 that the rookie avoid major injury as he acclimates to NFL speed and tries to establish himself as “the future.”
