18 Teams, 18 Ultimatums: The One Move Every NFL Non-Playoff Team Must Make in the 2026 Offseason

While 14 NFL fan bases get to strap in for the chaos and joy of a Super Bowl chase, the other 18 are left staring into the offseason mirror. No confetti. No champagne. Just hard questions, tougher answers, and the uncomfortable truth that standing still is the fastest way to fall behind in today’s NFL.

This isn’t about half-measures. This is about decisive moves. One per team. No hedging. No excuses. Here’s the move every non-playoff team must make in the 2026 offseason.

Arizona Cardinals — End the Kyler Murray Era

The experiment has run its course. Kyler Murray has now missed significant time due to injury for the third time in four years, and the Arizona Cardinals have missed the playoffs four straight seasons. That’s not bad luck — that’s a pattern.

Yes, cutting him would mean roughly $57.8 million in dead money. But this isn’t about cutting him. It’s about trading him. There will be a team willing to gamble on Murray with a restructured deal. Arizona needs to stop tolerating mediocrity and start over at the most important position in sports.

The Murray era must end. Immediately.

Atlanta Falcons — Hire a Young Offensive Mind

Atlanta Falcons hoped Raheem Morris would be transformative. He wasn’t. And that’s not an insult — it’s reality.

This roster has real offensive talent: Michael Penix Jr., Bijan Robinson, Drake London, Darnell Mooney. Asking a defense-first coach to maximize that group is malpractice. Follow the league trend. Go young. Go offensive. Go bold.

Baltimore Ravens — Replace the Defensive Coordinator

The Baltimore Ravens have a championship-caliber roster when Lamar Jackson is healthy. That’s not debatable.

What is debatable is why loyalty trumped results on defense. This unit underachieved badly. A new voice is required — not next year, not midseason, but now.

Cincinnati Bengals — Fire or Demote Duke Tobin

This is the uncomfortable one. Cincinnati Bengals are wasting the prime years of Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase.

That falls on roster construction. And that leads directly to Duke Tobin. Owner Mike Brown may not have the stomach to fire him — but a demotion and a real GM would be a start. Loyalty doesn’t win Lombardis. Talent management does.

Cleveland Browns — Draft a Top WR

The Cleveland Browns can debate quarterbacks all they want. What they can’t debate is this: the pass-catching group isn’t good enough.

Jerry Jeudy regressed. With two first-round picks, Cleveland must land one of the elite wideouts: Jordan Tyson, Mai Lemon, or Carnell Tate. Any of them. No excuses.

Dallas Cowboys — Extend George Pickens

Dallas Cowboys fans know Jerry Jones isn’t firing himself. So let’s talk reality.

George Pickens was a perfect fit alongside CeeDee Lamb. Letting him walk would be organizational malpractice. Extend him. Lock in a top-five offense. Worry about the defense later.

Detroit Lions — Pay Trey Hendrickson

The Detroit Lions leaned too hard on Aidan Hutchinson — again.

Fix it by backing up the Brinks truck for Trey Hendrickson. Hutchinson plus Hendrickson instantly puts Detroit back in the Super Bowl conversation. That’s how contenders think.

Indianapolis Colts — Keep Daniel Jones

Before the Achilles tear, Daniel Jones was having a career year with the Indianapolis Colts.

We’ve seen this franchise cycle through Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, and Anthony Richardson. Don’t do it again. Tag Jones. Make it a prove-it deal. Stability matters.

Kansas City Chiefs — Get a True WR1

Even dynasties have blind spots. The Kansas City Chiefs can’t keep pretending the receiver room is fine.

Rashee Rice can’t stay available. Xavier Worthy hasn’t arrived. Travis Kelce may retire. Patrick Mahomes needs help — now.

Las Vegas Raiders — Draft Moore or Mendoza

The Las Vegas Raiders need to keep this simple.

Draft Dante Moore or Fernando Mendoza. Pair them with Ashton Jeanty and Brock Bowers. Enjoy the fireworks.

Miami Dolphins — Move On From Tua

This one’s done. Miami Dolphins gave Tua Tagovailoa six years. That’s enough.

The contract doesn’t matter. The results do. Restart. No more hoping for an offseason epiphany.

Minnesota Vikings — Bring in QB Competition

The Minnesota Vikings aren’t cutting J.J. McCarthy. But they should challenge him.

Bring in a real veteran. Push him. Protect the season.

New Orleans Saints — Find Chris Olave a Partner

New Orleans Saints found something with Tyler Shough. Now help him.

Chris Olave needs a sidekick. Draft one. Bargain-bin one. Just do it.

New York Giants — Hire a Veteran Head Coach

The New York Giants have tried first-timers. It hasn’t worked.

Call Bill Belichick. Call Mike McCarthy. Call Robert Saleh. Just stop gambling on inexperience.

New York Jets — Draft a Quarterback

The New York Jets have two first-round picks. Use one on a QB.

Dante Moore, Fernando Mendoza, Ty Simpson, John Mateer — pick one. The veteran route has failed.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers — Fix the Secondary

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers keep ignoring coverage issues.

Draft help or target veterans like Tariq Woolen or Rasul Douglas. You can’t keep masking flaws forever.

Tennessee Titans — Hire an Offensive Head Coach

The Tennessee Titans need patience — and the right teacher for Cam Ward.

Kliff Kingsbury or Mike McCarthy make sense. Experience matters when rebuilding.

Washington Commanders — Hire a Proven DC

The Washington Commanders defense collapsed. Dan Quinn needs to step aside and bring in a real defensive coordinator — not another experiment.