Week 14’s action brought about a few notable updates to the standings at both ends of the NFL’s conferences. Another four teams are officially out of playoff contention, while wins by Tennessee and New Orleans could prove to be rather important once the campaign has ended.
The Jets, Browns, Falcons and Commanders were eliminated from the postseason through the results of recent days. Of course, each of those teams have been out of the running for a playoff push for some time now. Still, that group will be worth watching closely over the closing four weeks of the season as the top-10 order for Day 1 of the draft gradually comes into focus.
Uncertainty regarding the quarterback class of 2026 will no doubt remain a talking point over the coming months. Fernando Mendozastrengthened his case to be QB1 in April’s draft, although it remains to be seen if other top signal-callers like Dante Moore and Ty Simpson will turn pro or elect to remain in school for one more season. Decisions on those fronts will be central storylines carrying significant implications for the teams near the top of the order which find themselves in need of a quarterback investment.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
Giants punter Jamie Gillan is dealing with an injury, so they brought in several punters to try out on Tuesday. Johnston emerged as the best of the group and will be on hand for punting duties in Week 15 if Gillan is not healthy enough to play.
After finishing with an NFL-worst three wins in 2024, the Titans’ 1-5 start this year was enough to cost Brian Callahan his job. Tennessee became the the first team of the season to fire its head coach when it gave Callahan his walking papers on Oct. 13.
Almost two full months since Callahan’s ouster, the Titans have logged even worse results. They’re 0-6 under interim head coach Mike McCoy, who likely has little to no chance of earning a full-time promotion after the season. That should put president of football operations Chad Brinker and first-year general manager Mike Borgonzi in position to find a new sideline leader from outside the organization.
With the hiring cycle still weeks from getting underway, Brinker and Borgonzi probably won’t make their pick until sometime in January. If they prioritize hiring an experienced candidate, Albert Breer of SI.com points to Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy and former Packers and Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy as names to watch.
Nagy has an obvious connection to Borgonzi, previously a longtime member of Kansas City’s front office. He also has some past success as an NFL head coach, having gone 34-31 with the Bears from 2018-21. Nagy took the Bears to the playoffs twice in that span.
McCarthy coached the Packers from 2006-18, winning one Super Bowl along the way, and Brinker was in their front office for most of that span. With a career .608 winning percentage over 18 seasons, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see someone give McCarthy a third opportunity.
As established coaches on the offensive side of the ball, either Nagy or McCarthy could aid in the development of quarterback Cam Ward. The first overall pick in last spring’s draft, Ward is the most important player in the organization. If Ward eventually lives up to his draft stock, it would go a long way in helping the Titans orchestrate a turnaround. Ward’s career has gotten off to a rough start, though, which isn’t a shock when considering the lack of coaching stability and the Titans’ dearth of talent.
While the Titans need more from Ward, they aren’t necessarily locked in on hiring an offensive choice or someone with head coaching experience. Two defensive coordinators, the Chargers’ Jesse Minter and the Rams’ Chris Shula, are among the “wide array of candidates” the Titans have considered so far, Breer reports. PFR’s Sam Robinson previously highlighted Minter and Shula as ascending defensive coaches to monitor during the hiring cycle, which will lack obvious slam-dunk picks on the offensive side.
The 42-year-old Minter and Shula, 39, don’t have head coaching experience at any level. However, they’ve drawn rave reviews in coordinator roles, which will lead to interest from other organizations.
Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh brought Minter with him to LA after a national championship-winning season with the Michigan Wolverines in 2023. The move has worked out for the Chargers, who have boasted upper-echelon defenses under Minter.
Shula, the grandson of legendary head coach Don Shula and the son of former Bengals HC Dave Shula, is also in his second year as a coordinator. Playing its first season of the post-Aaron Donald era, the Rams’ defense ranked an underwhelming 17th in scoring and 26th in yards in 2024. It’s a far more impressive second and 13th in those categories this year.
While Nagy, McCarthy, Minter, and Shula all seem like reasonable possibilities to end up as the Titans’ next sideline leader, there are surely more choices under consideration. The Titans are working to narrow down the list by season’s end, per Breer.
The next hire will bring in a new staff, but management will “likely” ask that individual to strongly consider retaining first-year sspecial teams coordinator John Fassel,according to Titans reporter Paul Kuharsky. Fassel previously led ST units for the Raiders, Rams, and Cowboys. He was on McCarthy’s staff in Dallas from 2020-24. It could work in Fassel’s favor if the Titans hire McCarthy.
While there’s still five weeks to go in the regular season, a handful of teams are already eyeing the 2026 campaign. These bottom dwellers will have a quarterback atop their list of offseason needs, and these franchises will also be primed to pursue the position via the first round of the draft.
A recent ESPN article took an early look at the 2026 draft and identified three organizations that could turn to first-round quarterbacks: the Jets, Raiders, and Browns.
The Jets are an obvious suitor for a quarterback. However, with the front office now armed with multiple first-round picks in both 2026 and 2027 (thanks to the SauceGardner and QuinnenWilliams trades), Rich Cimini says there’s a chance the Jets decide to kick the can down the road a bit. Both coach Aaron Glenn and general manager DarrenMougey will naturally feel some pressure to improve the team’s outlook ASAP, but Cimini notes that they’d only pursue the position if they have “conviction” in a particular player.
The Raiders are another obvious landing spot for a quarterback considering Geno Smith‘s struggles in 2025. Ryan McFadden says that even if Smith is leading the depth chart in 2026, the front office will strongly consider “a succession plan.” Plus, with AshtonJeanty and BrockBowers in place, it’s in the organization’s best interest to add a young signal caller to the mix sooner than later.
The Browns’ situation is a bit more complex. Deshaun Watson will surely be back considering his hefty dead cap hit, and the team is also evaluating rookies Shedeur Sanders and DillonGabriel as potential options at the position. Daniel Oyefusi notes that the front office may find themselves behind a handful of QB-needy teams in the draft, but with two first-round picks in their possession (and 10 picks overall), the Browns will be well positioned to move up if necessary.
Two other teams were mentioned as suitors for quarterbacks, although reporters weren’t as convinced that those front offices would actually pull the trigger. Sarah Barshop acknowledged that Matthew Stafford‘s retirement is rapidly approaching, and the team will be well positioned to select a QB since they have a pair of first-round selections. Considering the Rams’ contender status, Barshop is ultimately skeptical if the franchise will pursue the position in the first round. Even if they do, the reporter doesn’t believe the hypothetical QB would start as a rookie.
Meanwhile, Field Yates lists the Cardinals as a franchise that could pursue the position, and the reporter points to the fact that the front office could easily get out of the KylerMurray contract. Yates believes the Cardinals may be a better fit for a veteran signal caller, although the reporter says the front office will at least “do its quarterback homework in the draft.”
A handful of highly touted quarterbacks like ArchManning, LaNorrisSellers, and CadeKlubnik have slipped a bit in 2025, leading to some question marks atop the positional draft class. ESPN’s Jordan Reid believes there will be three QBs with first-round grades: Oregon’s DanteMoore, Indiana’s FernandoMendoza, and Alabama’s TySimpson.
The Patriots’ win Monday night gave the AFC two two-loss teams (and zero three-loss squads) exiting Week 13, forming a mid-2010s-like duel for the No. 1 seed with the Broncos. In the NFC’s race for the bye slot, the picture is much cloudier.
As it stands, the NFC has a host of teams in contention for that No. 1 spot. The Bears currently hold it, but a fierce challenge appears ahead for Ben Johnson‘s resurgent team. Chicago sits at 9-3, but so do the Rams and Seahawks. Because of their tie in Dallas, the Packers are 8-3-1. The Eagles’ Week 13 loss to the Bears hurts their cause, but the defending Super Bowl champions are 8-4. The 49ers are 9-4, creating an interesting race with five weeks left.
The Bears have not earned a top seed since 2006, though their second-seeded squad advanced to the 2010 NFC title game. The Bears have not managed a playoff win since. ESPN’s Football Power Index gives the current NFC leader a 12% chance of holding the top spot. That figure sits fifth in the conference.
Chicago, however, closes with four games against over-.500 teams; the Bears draw the Packers twice and have games against the 49ers and Lions. In addition to the two Bears tilts, the Packers have a Denver trip to make along with a Week 17 Ravens matchup. ESPN’s FPI gives Green Bay a 17% chance to hold the No. 1 seed. The Packers earned back-to-back No. 1 seeds — in 2020 and ’21 — but have not come especially close to such real estate during Jordan Love‘s starter run.
Love has shown more growth in 2025, ranking third in QBR despite the team battling major issues in its pass-catching corps. Tucker Kraft is out for the season, and the team has not had Jayden Reed — its leading receiver in 2023 and ’24 — available since Week 2. Reed is in the IR-return window, and the Packers have seen Christian Watson — who returned midseason from an ACL tear — step forward along with Romeo Doubs. The Pack have not seen too much from first-round pick Matthew Golden, however, and the Kraft-to-Luke Musgrave gap appears wide despite the latter being drafted earlier in 2023.
The Packers did not exactly ride defense to those bye slots earlier this decade, with that unit being unreliable for most of Aaron Rodgers‘ stay. But Jeff Hafley‘s unit ranks sixth in scoring and fourth in yardage. EPA is a bit more skeptical, slotting the Pack 14th defensively. The team’s Micah Parsonsblockbuster trade/extension sequence has made an impact. Parsons’ 36 pressures trail only Myles Garrett (39) this season; the ex-Cowboy dynamo has 12.5 sacks — already just 1.5 shy of a career high.
Concerns about Matthew Stafford‘s summer back injury were overblown, and the 17th-year quarterback is pushing for an MVP — an accomplishment that would strengthen a Hall of Fame case light on accolades. The one-time original-ballot Pro Bowler’s 32:4 TD-INT ratio has powered the Rams, who have benefited from their Cooper Kupp-to-Davante Adams upgrade. The NFL’s active touchdown reception leader (117) has a league-high 14 this season.
L.A. has also benefited from good injury fortune this season. Until Rob Havenstein‘s setback, the Rams’ O-line has rebounded from injury-plagued campaigns, with Puka Nacua also avoiding IR. Chris Shula‘s defense ranks second in points, putting him on the radar to become the third Shula appointed an NFL HC. FPI gives the Rams, who have not held the No. 1 seed since 2001, a 30% chance to do so — tops in the conference. The Rams have three games against sub-.500 teams, though they do face the Lions and Seahawks as well.
Seattle limited Stafford in a Week 11 loss, but Sam Darnold‘s four-INT day impeded a road win. The Seahawks have otherwise seen Darnold reward them for another offseason QB gamble, as they gave the nomadic QB a three-year, $100.5MM deal days after trading Geno Smith. Darnold is all but certain to collect the additional $17.5MM due in February. While Kupp has stayed healthy, he only has 438 receiving yards. Jaxon Smith-Njigba has rendered that a minor concern, as his NFL-most 1,336 have him gunning for Calvin Johnson‘s single-season record (1,964), setting up the 2023 first-rounder for a monster extension; he is eligible for a new deal in January.
Mike Macdonald‘s defense has surpassed expectations, ranking third in points allowed and EPA per play. Byron Murphy has taken a major step forward, going from a half-sack as a rookie to seven this season, while the DeMarcus Lawrence and Ernest Jones signings have paid off as well. The Hawks will need to upend the Rams to have a realistic shot at the 1 seed, and they also have games against the 49ers, Colts and Panthers. FPI gives Seattle a 16% chance at what would be its first 1 seed since 2014.
San Francisco is somehow 8-4 despite losing Nick Bosa, Fred Warner and Mykel Williams for the season — along with Brock Purdy for much of it. The recently extended starter has not played especially well, but he is not expected to be 100% after a turf toe injury until the offseason. Mac Jones‘ two-year, $7MM contract has proven to be a bargain, as the once-maligned QB has gone 5-3 as a starter this season. Jones ranks 10th in QBR. Robert Saleh‘s return has also aided the 49ers, who rank eighth defensively (though, EPA is far more skeptical, slotting Saleh’s crew 24th).
Given a 15% chance at claiming what would be their third No. 1 seed of the Kyle Shanahan era, the 49ers follow their Titans matchup with games against the Colts, Bears and Seahawks. Only one road game (Indianapolis) remains on San Francisco’s docket.
FPI gives the Eagles only an 8% chance at the top seed, despite the team’s head-to-head Rams tiebreaker. Philly’s latest OC change, installing longtime Nick Sirianni coworker Kevin Patullo in the play-calling role, has keyed an uneven Super Bowl title defense. Saquon Barkley has not come close to matching his stratospheric 2024 form, and QBR ranks Jalen Hurts 19th. Top O-lineman Lane Johnson has a Lisfranc injury, though he is not on IR, while more A.J. Brown drama has unfolded ahead of likely 2026 trade rumors.
While Vic Fangio‘s defense looked better following some deadline trades (most notably the Jaelan Phillips move), it surrendered 281 rushing yards to the Bears after a collapse in Dallas. The Eagles’ schedule does cooperate for a potential third No. 1 seed since 2017. After a game against a potentially Justin Herbert-less Chargers team, two Commanders tilts await. Philly does have a Buffalo trip in Week 17, however.
Who will end up claiming the NFC’s top seed? Vote in PFR’s latest poll and weigh in with your thoughts in the comments section.
With J.J. McCarthy close to a return from his concussion, the Vikings parted ways with Ridder. He was signed last week after McCarthy entered concussion protocol, but was not elevated to back up Max Brosmer in Week 13. That responsibility instead went to John Wolford, who remains in Minnesota.
Bishop was released by the Steelers at the beginning of November. After appearing all 17 games last year with a 50% snap share, he did not make the 53-man roster this season and remained on the practice squad. He will now join the Saints in the hopes of making his 2025 debut in New Orleans.
Week 12 saw the Giants become the first team in the NFL to be mathematically eliminated from the playoffs. Based on Sunday’s results, another two teams from each conference saw their postseason chances officially come to an end.
The Titans, Saints, Raiders and Cardinals have now been eliminated as well. Attention in the case of those teams will increasingly turn toward the offseason. For some, questions about changes at the quarterback spot will be ongoing through the spring. Free agency is not expected to include many notable options, so the draft will be sought out in several instances as a means of finding a 2026 starter.
Of course, the incoming class of passers has largely underwhelmed this season. That has led to uncertainty regarding the ceiling for many of the top prospects at the quarterback position. Nevertheless, supply often outweighs demand at the top of the Day 1 order in the NFL draft. How things shake out over the closing weeks of the season will be key in determining which QB-needy teams find themselves in the best position to select a new QB1.
For non-playoff teams, the draft order is determined by the inverted 2025 standings plus a series of tiebreakers, starting with strength of schedule. Playoff squads are slotted by their postseason outcome and the reverse order of their regular season record.
JoshuaKarty is already back with the Rams. After getting waived by the team the other day, the kicker has landed back with the Rams practice squad. Harrison Mevis will continue to operate as the team’s kicker for the time being, and the Missouri product continued his perfect season with four XP makes yesterday. The organization apparently isn’t completely ready to hand over the gig to Mevis, however, as Karty will stick around as insurance.
With the Rams off to a 9-2 start, they’ll get back a notable defender as they vie for the No. 1 seed in the NFC. The Rams activated cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon from IR on Saturday, per a team announcement.
Owners of the NFL’s top-ranked scoring defense, the Rams’ excellence has come despite limited contributions from Witherspoon. The 30-year-old broke his scapula in Week 2 and wound up missing two and a half months.
A former 49er, Seahawk, and Steeler, Witherspoon entered the season on his third straight one-year deal with the Rams. He was a 17-game starter in 2023 who came off the bench in eight of 13 appearances in 2024. Witherspoon worked as a starter this year before going on IR.
After losing Witherspoon, the Rams turned to Emmanuel Forbes,Cobie Durant, and Darious Williams as their top corners. Josh Wallace and Derion Kendrick are around as healthy depth. The Rams claimed Kendrick off waivers from the Seahawks after they placed in-season trade addition Roger McCreary on IR on Wednesday. The former Titan logged just one defensive snap in his first four games with L.A., though, and Witherspoon’s comeback will more than make up for his absence.
Witherspoon’s activation from IR is the first the Rams have used this year, leaving them with seven more. The team opened wide receiver Tutu Atwell‘s practice window on Wednesday, and his activation appears imminent. McCreary, safety Quentin Lake, right tackle Rob Havenstein, and tight end Tyler Higbee are candidates to return later this season.
