Fans, players, and coaches alike are rightfully upset with subpar offensive play. Deploying a struggling offense week in and week out causes an uphill battle on the scoreboard.
Here’s what the lowest-scoring team from each division is doing to avoid a repeat performance.
Offseason Goals for the Worst Offenses in the NFL
New England Patriots
New England’s lack of talent on offense reached new lows this season. Years of terrible drafting, particularly at wide receiver, have caught up to them. Bill Belichick’s firing indicates New England is ready to hit the “reset” button.
With all their weaknesses, the Patriots can do whatever they want with the third overall pick. Most assume they’ll draft a quarterback, but there are reasons why that isn’t a guarantee.
Jerod Mayo seems more optimistic than most about former first-round pick Mac Jones. Jones received praise for his work ethic when Mayo found him in the weight room shortly after being introduced as head coach.
“That attitude, that mentality of changing the page, is something that I hold high,” Mayo told ESPN’s Mike Reiss.
Consensus draft rankings imply the Patriots are out of Caleb Williams or Drake Maye range. Barring a trade, selecting Marvin Harrison Jr. and filling their need at wide receiver is a likely outcome.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Issues with the Steelers offense were brewing entering 2023. It boiled over when Matt Canada became the first Steelers’ coordinator fired mid-season since the 1940s.
Around the same time, Kenny Pickett got hurt and ultimately replaced. Mason Rudolph provided a much-needed spark and is now a strong candidate to be the team’s starter next season.
Steelers president Art Rooney II recently told WTAE’s Andrew Stockey that trading for a quarterback is “unlikely.”
Steelers fans can expect a familiar face under center next season, with changes coming schematically instead. Although offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is a controversial hire, this offense needs a new philosophy.
Tennessee Titans
With the Derrick Henry era wrapping up in Tennesee, they’re looking to find a new identity. Henry said goodbye to Titans fans after the season finale, and his free agency departure is all but official.
Expect a pass-heavy approach in Tennessee for the first time in a while. New head coach Brian Callahan used 11-personnel (three WR sets) on 70% of plays with Cincinnati this season. For comparison, Tennessee used 11-personnel just 36% of the time.
Executing a spread offense is easier than it sounds; you need the right players to make it work.
Tennessee has a star in veteran wideout DeAndre Hopkins, but minimal support behind him. Installing a spread offense with no receivers is like giving Will Levis a gun with no ammo.
Additionally, the Titans must fix their offensive line in the coming months. Tennesee had one of the worst units in the league last year, leading to Levis and Ryan Tannehill suffering injuries behind them.
Las Vegas Raiders
An inspiring end to the Raiders’ 2023 campaign strongly dictates their plans on and off the field. Interim head coach Antonio Pierce and rookie quarterback Aidan O’Connell brought unmatched energy to the team. They’ll get another opportunity next year for their efforts.
O’Connell has learned a new playbook this summer as Luke Getsy is now their offensive coordinator. Getsy is familiar with superstar wideout Davante Adams from their days together in Green Bay. Adams figures to help O’Connell and Getsy settle into their new roles.
Of course, this assumes Adams will be on the Raiders next season.
It’s a situation worth monitoring, as he’s been the subject of trade rumors for some time. If the Raiders choose to hold onto Adams, they’ll have plenty of weapons to operate with.
New York Giants
The Giants find themselves in a similar spot as the Titans. New York’s lack of weapons at receiver and subpar offensive line spell danger most weeks.
General manager Joe Schoen admitted such on SiriusXM NFL Radio, saying, “You’re trying to get your timing down, trusting and reading the body language of players. That, and the offensive line being a revolving door, and it was a little bit of the perfect storm.”
New York is in a premiere spot to bolster their receiver room through the draft, as they own the 6th pick. Between LSU’s Malik Nabers and Washington’s Rome Odunze, they have pro-ready options.
Another obstacle the Giants face this offseason regards their star running back. Saquon Barkley hits free agency this summer, and retaining him is paramount. He had 200 more touches than the next closest Giant this season.
Minnesota Vikings
One of the easier paths for a “worst-to-first” turnaround belongs to the Minnesota Vikings. Minnesota’s foundation is stable thanks to head coach Kevin O’Connell and various offensive stars.
Kirk Cousins will draw interest in free agency, though there’s a mutual interest to keep him in Minnesota.
As important as it is to retain Cousins, it’s also time to start looking for a replacement. Cousins, coming off a torn Achilles, turns 36 this offseason.
There are consolation prizes beyond Williams and Maye in the draft this year. Rolling the dice on a prospect like J.J. McCarthy or Michael Penix Jr. makes sense for the Vikings and their “competitive rebuild.”
Carolina Panthers
Carolina is in a tough spot entering the offseason. They only won two games, Bryce Young played poorly, and they’re without their first-round pick.
“We’re just going to draft good players, and hopefully at 33, I think there will be a good player there,” said new general manager Dan Morgan during a press conference. “If we choose to move back, if we choose to move up, that’s to be seen.”
Through their later picks or free agency, Carolina’s receiver room needs a revamp.
They’re taking steps in the right direction, hiring Dave Canales as their new head coach. Canales is well-respected around the league after helping Geno Smith and Baker Mayfield emerge late in their careers.
Carolina hopes Canales can do the same with their top draft pick.
Arizona Cardinals
Don’t let Jonathan Gannon’s 4-13 record fool you. The first-year head coach installed his system and began building a culture more smoothly than most.
The Cardinals‘ obsession with undersized wide receivers is holding them back. Three of their top four receivers from this season are 5’9″ or shorter. (Marquise Brown, Rondale Moore, Greg Dortch)
Gannon comes from a coaching tree that gets the most out of big-bodied receivers. A.J. Brown (6’1″, 227 lbs) and Michael Pittman Jr. (6’4″, 223 lbs) both broke out under ex-Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
Incoming prospects mentioned above (Harrison Jr., Nabers, and Odunze) are each clear of 6’0″ and 200 lbs. Selecting one of them with the fourth overall pick is a no-brainer.
Main Image: Kevin R. Wexler / USA TODAY NETWORK
