Who will win the Super Bowl next year? Super Bowl LX has drawn to a close, with the Seattle Seahawks taking home the Lombardi Trophy. The celebration will last for a few days, but focus will immediately turn to the 2026 NFL season.
While plenty of events will occur in NFL free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft that will alter the pecking order of the league, it is never too early to try to predict how things will shake out next season. We are focusing on which NFL teams we think are legitimate threats to win the Super Bowl next season.
Let’s dive into our list of the best NFL teams who are legitimate Super Bowl contenders for 2027.
Chicago Bears
Some will view the Chicago Bears as a regression candidate in 2026, seeing 11 one-score games (7–4) and a +26 point differential (15th) as indicators for taking a step back next season. It is a fair argument. However, Chicago’s defense was also decimated by injuries in 2025, and it should have better health next fall. Even a league-average defense will complement a top-five offense beautifully, especially with quarterback Caleb Williams entering his second season in Ben Johnson’s system. We think there is a path to Chicago hosting the NFC Championship Game next year.
Related: Super Bowl LX Recap, Winners and Losers from Seahawks vs Patriots
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are Super Bowl contenders as long as Matthew Stafford is under center. He is heading into his age-38 season, but he also appears to be far healthier entering the offseason than he was a year ago. Los Angeles also boasts a pair of first-round picks and is among the leaders in cap space among playoff teams. If the Rams can improve their secondary this spring and defensive coordinator Chris Shula learns from the team’s narrow miss in the postseason, Stafford and Sean McVay could absolutely be hoisting the Lombardi Trophy on Feb. 14, 2027.
Related: Impact of Matthew Stafford’s Decision on the Los Angeles Rams Offseason
Jacksonville Jaguars
In the final six games of the 2025 NFL season, Trevor Lawrence posted a 113.2 passer rating with a 15–1 TD–INT ratio. During that span, the Jacksonville Jaguars ranked fifth in offensive EPA per play (0.120) and third in defensive EPA per play (–0.196). The team’s most glaring weakness, cornerback, may have already been addressed this offseason with reports that Travis Hunter may primarily play defense in 2026. With the core of this Jaguars’ offense in place—Lawrence, Bhayshul Tuten, Brian Thomas Jr., Jakobi Meyers, Parker Washington, and Brenton Strange—better play in the secondary could make Jacksonville one of the most well-rounded NFL teams next season. It will all come down to Lawrence and Liam Coen taking that next step in their second year together.
Related: Super Bowl LX MVP Winner, Ranking Super Bowl MVP Candidates for Seahawks vs Patriots
Los Angeles Chargers
Justin Herbert played at an MVP-caliber level in 2025 when you factor in the context of his play-caller, Greg Roman, and an injury-decimated offensive line. Health is never a given for the Los Angeles Chargers, but the offensive coordinator upgrade from Roman to Mike McDaniel is a significant shift. If tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater stay on the field, we will likely see a top-five offense from Los Angeles. That is more than enough for Herbert and Jim Harbaugh to make a playoff run. What can finally get this franchise over the hump is first-year defensive coordinator Chris O’Leary replicating even a fraction of the success that Jesse Minter had with a unit that has young, ascending talent.
Baltimore Ravens
Injuries to Lamar Jackson, Nnamdi Madubuike and Ar’Darius Washington, along with defensive regression, played a massive role in the Baltimore Ravens falling well short of expectations in 2025. One thing we feel very confident saying is that under defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter, Baltimore’s defense will perform much better than it did under Zachary Orr. Health is less of a guarantee with Jackson, but Baltimore can strengthen those odds by improving its interior offensive line this offseason. If Jackson and Derrick Henry stay on the field, with what we expect from the Ravens defensively in 2026, Baltimore has as good a shot as anyone at reaching Super Bowl LXI.
Related: Grading NFL Coaching Hires 2026, including the Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay Packers
During the 2025 NFL season, the Green Bay Packers lost Tucker Kraft, Devonte Wyatt, and Micah Parsons to season-ending injuries, while Christian Watson (10 games), Jayden Reed (7 games), and Zach Tom (5 games) missed significant time. It cannot be understated how much better the Packers’ offense was with Watson and Kraft on the field. Likewise, Parsons (who finished third for Defensive Player of the Year) and Wyatt almost single-handedly carried Green Bay’s defense. The core of this Packers’ roster, with the level of play quarterback Jordan Love has reached, is good enough to propel Green Bay to double-digit victories. If Matt LaFleur and Jonathan Gannon have Love, Watson, Kraft, Wyatt and Parsons at their disposal when the NFL playoffs roll around, the Packers can beat anyone and potentially bring the Lombardi Trophy back to Green Bay.
Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills could not take advantage of a golden opportunity this postseason to reach the Super Bowl in a year when the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs did not make the playoffs. With that said, it is not as if the Bills’ roster was at its usual standard. The hope is that, with President of Football Operations Brandon Beane potentially on the hot seat, he will actually address the receiving corps this offseason. Even if that happens, Buffalo’s defense leaves something to be desired from a talent perspective, and there are no guarantees that Jim Leonhard will excel as the defensive play-caller. Regardless, an MVP-caliber quarterback, an All-Pro running back, and a great offensive line will always give the Bills a shot at reaching the Super Bowl next season.
Related: Why the Buffalo Bills Got It Wrong with the Sean McDermott Firing
Seattle Seahawks
As long as the Seattle Seahawks re-sign Kenneth Walker III, which feels like a given based on his postseason performances, we see no reason why this team cannot return to the Super Bowl next year and repeat as champions. Seattle’s defense already proved itself more than capable of single-handedly winning big games, and it will be intact next season. As for Sam Darnold, he has now performed like an above-average starter in two different systems, so we do think he can keep things going even with play-caller Klint Kubiak departing. Really, the core of this Seahawks’ roster and the combination of a great coaching staff and front office position this franchise for a multi-year window as a Super Bowl contender.
New England Patriots
Yes, the New England Patriots‘ path to the Super Bowl next season will be much more difficult than it was this time around. With that said, we also see no reason why the left side of the Patriots’ offensive line cannot take a big step forward in 2026. It is also worth remembering that New England’s defense tailed off during the regular season due to injuries and then performed like a top-shelf unit when everyone returned. We also have not seen the last of the Patriots’ front office adding to the supporting cast around Drake Maye. Maybe New England does not coast to the Super Bowl next season, but they can absolutely get back. Although, there is a history of the runner-up falling off considerably the following year.
Philadelphia Eagles
Picking the Philadelphia Eagles as Super Bowl contenders feels riskier than ever. Legendary offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland is effectively out of the picture, and Sean Mannion is a complete unknown as a play-caller. Jalen Hurts has demonstrated significant limitations when more of the offense is on his shoulders, and the Eagles’ offensive line is not nearly the strength it used to be. All of that makes a strong case for why A.J. Brown should not be traded; this offense simply cannot afford to lose him. However, there is still an abundance of talent on the Eagles’ roster, and Vic Fangio is the architect of one of the league’s best defenses. There is also the fact that Howie Roseman will find a way to improve the offense this offseason.
Related: Latest on A.J. Brown’s Relationship with Philadelphia Eagles
