AFC Mock Off-Season Scenarios: Patriots - Raiders - Browns - Titans
These four teams are not where they would like to be thus far in 2025. I selected one team from each division in the AFC to demonstrate potential off-season scenarios in 2026 based on their current trajectories. This is not what I think will happen, or even what I would do necessarily, but these are simply paths the organizations could take to get their franchises back on track. CLEVELAND BROWNS The Browns are the most difficult team to get excited about from a financial standpoint with all of the money tied up in Deshaun Watson. Watson has one year left on his deal, and nearly $134-million remaining in guarantees. If this team wants to try and win now, they will likely restructure him AGAIN to reduce his 2026 cap hit down to around $45-million. That is also the simplest solution, but I will argue that the Browns are not ready to compete. Why push all this dead money further back when Cleveland could finally start fresh? This scenario may not be sexy, but here is what it accomplishes: ...