NFL power rankings: Ranking the Chargers and all 32 teams after Super Bowl
NFL Power Rankings - The "Get a quarterback and then we'll talk" tier:
24. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are in a weird spot following the retirement of Tom Brady. The roster isn't as loaded as it was during Tampa's 2020 Super Bowl season, but it's enough with key pieces back on defense, the offensive line, and Mike Evans + Chris Godwin. The problem? No quarterback and they're $55 million over the cap after the Brady window has now passed. Todd Bowles' coaching staff is also still looking for an offensive coordinator as he heads into his second year as Bucs' head coach.
23. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders are in essentially a better version of the Tampa conundrum. Good playmakers, even a top-tier wideout in Davante Adams, but no quarterback or direction right now. However, they are in a good salary cap spot with draft position to be able to improve that defense.
They also have a viable cap situation to be able to *potentially* add a post-darkness retreat Aaron Rodgers at quarterback and probably become the favorite to trade for him if he wants to move on from Green Bay.
22. Carolina Panthers
Frank Reich has been off to a great start in Carolina assembling an elite coaching staff that includes Duce Staley, Ejiro Evero, Dom Capers, and Jim Caldwell.
The Panthers don't have the greatest cap situation but have a younger team with some great pieces to work with. Evero is going to do tremendous work with former first-round pick Jaycee Horn. Like the Raiders and the Bucs in this tier before them though, it all comes down to the quarterback. Will Frank Reich go for a stop-gap option like Derek Carr or will he go get his guy in the 2023 NFL Draft?
21. New York Jets
The Jets should have a bright future ahead if they nail the quarterback spot. Rodgers has been a name mentioned with the Jets, but Jimmy Garoppolo is a free agent name with potentially some ties there too.
Simply put, the Jets need a quarterback to be able to compete with Josh Allen in their own division but don't forget about the rest of the quarterback gauntlet that the AFC is with signal callers right now.
20. Los Angeles Rams
The quarterback in this case is the eventual return of Matthew Stafford in 2023 after his 2022 season ended with a spinal contusion. Other high-profile injuries that derailed the Rams' title defense included Cooper Kupp, Van Jefferson, Kyren Williams, Aaron Donald plus their entire offensive line and secondary. If the Rams start the season close to 100% health, they'll be closer to their 2021 form.
19. Washington Commanders
Two big questions for Washington this offseason. From a direct football standpoint, most will think about their quarterback position and whether Sam Howell will actually be the guy for them in 2023. But the possible sale of Daniel Snyder's Washington franchise might be the bigger macro story to watch as the offseason unfolds.