play0:52Are the Bears’ comeback wins sustainable?J.J. Watt joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss whether the way the Bears are winning is sustainable and to share the key for their game against the Steelers.
play0:57Rex Ryan praises Broncos’ defense in win vs. ChiefsRex Ryan joins “Get Up” and evaluates the Broncos’ defense after their win over the Chiefs.
play1:01Kimberley Martin: Every game is a must-win now for the ChiefsKimberley Martin and Peter Schrager explain why the Chiefs must win against Colts and from here on out to stay in the AFC playoff race.
play0:38Schefter: Jaxson Dart urged to modify running approachAdam Schefter explains that the Giants are urging rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to be more careful with how he runs.
play1:11Jeff Saturday: Aaron Rodgers is playing vs. the BearsKimberley A. Martin and Jeff Saturday expect Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will do whatever he can to play vs. the Bears.
Can Joe Burrow’s return save the Bengals’ season? (1:49)Dan Orlovsky and Andrew Hawkins discuss whether Joe Burrow’s return from injury can elevate the play of the Bengals’ defense. (1:49)
Are the Bears’ comeback wins sustainable?J.J. Watt joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss whether the way the Bears are winning is sustainable and to share the key for their game against the Steelers.
J.J. Watt joins “The Pat McAfee Show” to discuss whether the way the Bears are winning is sustainable and to share the key for their game against the Steelers.
Rex Ryan praises Broncos’ defense in win vs. ChiefsRex Ryan joins “Get Up” and evaluates the Broncos’ defense after their win over the Chiefs.
Kimberley Martin: Every game is a must-win now for the ChiefsKimberley Martin and Peter Schrager explain why the Chiefs must win against Colts and from here on out to stay in the AFC playoff race.
Kimberley Martin and Peter Schrager explain why the Chiefs must win against Colts and from here on out to stay in the AFC playoff race.
Schefter: Jaxson Dart urged to modify running approachAdam Schefter explains that the Giants are urging rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to be more careful with how he runs.
Adam Schefter explains that the Giants are urging rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart to be more careful with how he runs.
Jeff Saturday: Aaron Rodgers is playing vs. the BearsKimberley A. Martin and Jeff Saturday expect Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will do whatever he can to play vs. the Bears.
Kimberley A. Martin and Jeff Saturday expect Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will do whatever he can to play vs. the Bears.
Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season is underway, and more than half of the league’s teams still have solid playoff hopes. Seventeen of them hold at least a 40% chance to make it to the postseason, according to ESPN’s Football Power Index (FPI). The other 15 franchises — including six with two or fewer wins — might already be shifting their focus to free agency and the draft, where they’ll address roster holes and make offseason improvements. But where are the weaknesses?
We called on our NFL reporters and analysts to take an early look at the biggest offseason needs for all 32 teams, starting with NFL analyst Aaron Schatz picking out two positions that need upgrades for each roster. Then our NFL Nation reporters named pending free agents to watch, and draft experts Matt Miller and Jordan Reid found prospects who could fit with each organization.
Let’s start with the Cardinals and go in alphabetical order. (Playoff chances and projected first-round draft slots are per the FPI.)
Biggest positional needs: Safety and offensive line. Jalen Thompson will be a free agent, so how much do the Cardinals believe in fourth-rounder Dadrion Taylor-Demerson? And the right side of the offensive line could use help, as right tackle Jonah Williams and right guard Will Hernandez will both be free agents. — Schatz
Pending free agent to watch: Williams. The right tackle has played in 15 of 27 games in his two seasons with the Cardinals thus far, which makes his $12.8 million salary this season a bit of an overvalue. His injury history could cause Arizona to move on. — Josh Weinfuss
One draft prospect who could help: Spencer Fano, OT, Utah. The Cardinals don’t have a long-term plan at right tackle. Fano could step right in and become a plug-and-play starter for Arizona’s offense. — Reid
Biggest positional needs: Tight end and defensive line. It’s time for the Falcons to decide what to do with Kyle Pitts Sr. in the long run, as his rookie contract comes to an end. Meanwhile, the Falcons are second in DVOA against the pass but 27th against the run; they are 31st in stuffing running backs for a loss or no gain. — Schatz
One draft prospect who could help: Peter Woods, DT, Clemson. The Falcons invested heavily at Edge in the 2025 draft, selecting Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. in the first round, but the middle of the defense needs an anchor who can also impact the pocket. Woods is the preeminent defensive tackle in the 2026 class and has three-down ability from a 3-technique alignment. — Miller
Biggest positional needs: Safety and edge rusher. Alohi Gilman and Ar’Darius Washington (who was originally supposed to be in that spot before an offseason injury) are free agents in 2026. And while Mike Green was a good addition to the D-line, the Ravens need more youth there, especially with Kyle Van Noy and David Ojabo hitting free agency. — Schatz
One draft prospect who could help: Quincy Rhodes Jr., Edge, Arkansas. At 6-foot-6, 275 pounds, Rhodes fits what the Ravens want on the edge, as he’s strong against the run and continuing to ascend as a pass rusher. Rhodes has broken out this season, with eight sacks after having only one in his first two college seasons. — Reid
Biggest positional needs: Edge rusher and wide receiver. Joey Bosa is on a one-year deal, and AJ Epenesa will see his contract void as well. On offense, general manager Brandon Beane is sick of hearing suggestions that the Bills need a No. 1 receiver — and he’ll be sick of it until the Bills either win the Super Bowl or get that game changer. — Schatz
Pending free agent to watch: Connor McGovern, C. The Bills have had the same starting offensive line for the past two seasons, but both McGovern and left guard David Edwards are set to hit free agency. McGovern transitioned to center when the team moved on from Mitch Morse. There’s no doubt the Bills would like to keep the line intact, but finances might force a change if they give out extensions elsewhere this offseason. — Alaina Getzenberg
One draft prospect who could help: Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State. The Bills have struggled to add a true X receiver in the past for quarterback Josh Allen. Tate has the physical tools at 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds to body defensive backs and is a technician as a route runner. — Miller
Biggest positional needs: Interior offensive line and wide receiver. Center Cade Mays will be a free agent, as will depth linemen Austin Corbett and Brady Christensen. Although Jalen Coker was a great find as an undrafted player, Xavier Legette isn’t living up to his first-round status. Tetairoa McMillan needs help alongside him. — Schatz
Pending free agent to watch: Rico Dowdle, RB. The Panthers signed him on a one-year deal to back up Chuba Hubbard, who got a four-year, $33.2 million deal toward the end of last season. But Dowdle has emerged as the lead back and a valuable asset. Keeping him will be tough with Hubbard’s contract, so Carolina will have to be creative to prevent Dowdle from hitting free agency. — David Newton
One draft prospect who could help: Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State. With Bryce Young showing signs of franchise quarterback play, supporting him is crucial. Tyson has the vertical skills to perfectly complement McMillan and would be an ideal WR2 who can stretch the field and win 50-50 balls. — Miller
Biggest positional needs: Safety and defensive tackle. Jaquan Brisker, Kevin Byard III and backup Jonathan Owens are hitting free agency. On the line, Grady Jarrett will be 33 next season, while backups Andrew Billings and Chris Williams are free agents. — Schatz
Pending free agent to watch: Byard. The 32-year-old leads the NFL with five interceptions and hasn’t missed a game since he signed a two-year, $15 million deal before last season. This is the first year that Byard has had multiple interceptions since he had four in 2022 with Tennessee. The Bears struck the right safety duo with Byard and Brisker, and figuring out this position will be the first item on general manager Ryan Poles’ to-do list in March. — Courtney Cronin
One draft prospect who could help: Kayden McDonald, DT, Ohio State. McDonald is an anchor in the middle who can provide a pass rush from nose tackle to go along with his run defense. He could give the Bears a youthful option alongside Jarrett and Gervon Dexter Sr. — Reid
Biggest positional needs: Interior offensive line and edge rusher. The Bengals always need linemen, and they are 29th in pass block win rate this season. And so long Trey Hendrickson, thanks for all the sacks. Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample will also be free agents. — Schatz
One draft prospect who could help: Keldric Faulk, Edge, Auburn. Faulk’s power pass rush and ability to stack up against the run could make him an easy addition to the Bengals’ starting front four. At 6-foot-6 and 285 pounds, Faulk can line up as a true 6-technique defensive end. He also brings enough size to bump inside on pass-rushing downs. — Miller
Biggest positional needs: Quarterback and offensive line. You don’t want to write off rookies after just a handful of starts, but Dillon Gabriel has a 33.0 QBR. Only three Browns linemen have played over 50% of snaps this season, and they’re all free agents (Joel Bitonio, Ethan Pocic, and Wyatt Teller). Right tackle Jack Conklin is also a free agent. — Schatz
Pending free agent to watch: Devin Bush, LB. A 2019 first-round pick by the Steelers, Bush has had a bit of a career resurgence in Cleveland after a knee injury. He ranks second in tackles (66) and has formed a reliable duo with rookie standout Carson Schwesinger. Re-signing the 27-year-old Bush will likely cost more than his current one-year, $3.25 million deal, but the Browns have been pleased with the veteran linebacker. — Daniel Oyefusi