Editor’s note: This is part of our Countdown to Kickoff series, in which we highlight the NFL’s top teams, players, predictions and storylines to watch as the 2025 season begins.
It could always be worse — in Dallas at least.
Responses for The Athletic’s second annual Hope-O-Meter — the poll which measures how optimistic fans are about their team heading into the season — were recorded before the Micah Parsons trade was announced, meaning Cowboys fans’ outlook on 2025 at that point (13.1 percent optimism) stands a chance to be much lower now just as the season kicks off. Meanwhile, Packers’ optimism (75.4) was good, but would be markedly better with the news Parsons is on their side.
There is always one believer, though, as even one Cowboys optimistic voter wonders, “Maybe I’m just a glutton for punishment!”
Few fan bases were as optimistic as the Chicago Bears’ heading into 2024 at 97.6 percent optimism, which ranked third in last year’s poll. QB Caleb Williams’ arrival was the source of excitement then. But Chicago still floundered to 5-12 and Matt Eberflus was fired. Now, new head coach Ben Johnson spurs the excitement. And while Bears fans rank lower in our rankings this year (12th), they still check in at a healthy 88.2 percent optimism.
Of course, not everyone is on board in Chicagoland. One pessimistic voter, preferring not to be a glutton for punishment, said, “I’ve seen this so many times with the Bears. … At this point, as a fan, I need to see it to believe it.”
Which fan base is most optimistic about its team heading into 2025 (surprise, it’s not Eagles fans)? Where does hope lie for fans of other franchises as the season nears? Check out the results and responses below.
1. Denver Broncos: 98.7 percent optimism
Optimist: After a decade in the abyss, we are finally back. The defense should be great at all levels and with the reigning DPOY, teams better be ready. On offense, Bo Nix has the weapons to succeed. The O-line is one of the best and the team has greatly improved the skill positions, and especially true at RB and TE. It simply all comes down to Bo Nix building upon his very solid rookie year.
Optimist: Nix is the Fix!
Optimist: It’s “Payton’s Place” Season 3 — lots of the cast have returned and there are some new stars taking recurring rolls. This is the first season in color for a few years. It is not going to be perfect — we expect a few dramas but Season 2 left us three episodes short of a Primetime Award. Bo Nix may yet get “Outstanding Continued Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Dramatic Series” with Patrick Surtain II the “Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Drama.”
Pessimist: All the hype. It just never pans out.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 98.3 percent optimism
Optimist: The Eagles may not say it, but all I can think of is a repeat.
Optimist: To win the Super Bowl, especially in such dominant fashion, is just such a treat. Losing key defensive veterans like Darius Slay Jr. and C.J. Gardner-Johnson definitely hurts, but the young talent there combined with the stability on offense maintains both a high floor and ceiling for this group. It would be amazing if this group turns into a dynasty (or whatever the closest version of it a modern team can be), and it feels like we have the on-field ability and forward-thinking general manager to make a run at it. But it’s worth appreciating the view right now, no matter what happens going forward, because it doesn’t get any better than this. And “this” is pretty great.
Optimist: What’s not to be optimistic about?
Optimist: Beat Dallas.
Pessimist: I worry a lot about the offensive line depth. They haven’t invested in this the way they have in years past and don’t have a guy you can confidently rely on. Beyond that, their secondary still being in flux without a clear CB2 has me concerned.
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 97.1 percent optimism
Optimist: This is an underrated team for some reason with an absolutely stacked roster, particularly on offense. The defense has weakness at the middle linebacker position and from a pure pass-rush set. There’s still an opportunity to improve the pass rush. I think the NFC South is ours at the end of the season, and we’ll see how far we can push the playoffs. In Baker We Trust. Go Bucs.
Pessimist: Todd Bowles’ ceiling is one win in the playoffs, if that. For a “defensive” head coach, his defenses have been pretty offensive and this year won’t be different.
Optimist: In an optimistic scenario, I see this team as NFC champions.
Optimist: When they get Tristan Wirfs and Chris Godwin back, they have the team to go all the way, and have the supporting cast to win until they get back.
4. Baltimore Ravens: 96.2 percent optimism
Optimist: A should be three-time MVP, star players at every position, and one of the deepest rosters in the league. This is the year, it has to be the year … right?
Optimist: Through Lamar Jackson all things are possible.
Optimist: This will finally be the year we put it all together.
Optimist: Pretty simple, they have the most talented and deepest roster in the NFL. They have a great blend of youth and experience. They’re battle tested in the postseason. They have an excellent coaching staff. They’re hungry and motivated for a championship.
Pessimist: Realizing that this is a team that is never going to figure out how to get over the hump.
5. Detroit Lions: 95.4 percent optimism
Optimist: The decline of the offense has been overblown — the amount of credit Ben Johnson received vs. his place in Dan Campbell’s overall system has never added up. Oh, and it’ll be nice to actually field a starting defense filled with NFL caliber players again. This team can win the Super Bowl, no doubt about it.
Optimist: There may be a few hiccups to start the year with new coordinators and changes to the offensive line, but things should come together in time for a good playoff push and, hopefully, a Super Bowl victory.
Optimist: I’m a lifelong Lions loyalist and I’m 44 years young. That means I’ve seen some dreadful seasons for the MoTown lads — 0-16, 2-14, 3-13. The early retirements of Barry Sanders and Calvin Johnson. Charlie Batch, Scott Mitchell, Dan Orlovsky, Joey Harrington, Jon Kitna. All of it.
So now, in 2025, and for the past few seasons, hope and happiness have been abundant. Will the Lions win the Super Bowl this year? Totally possible. But no matter what, we’re not going 0-17, and that’s enough. Every meal is a banquet when you’ve been starved your whole life.
Pessimist: Will never win a championship with Jared Goff.
6. Buffalo Bills: 93.4 percent optimism
Optimist: Not reaching the Super Bowl would be disappointing, but that’s how good this team has become. That’s the new standard they’ve set, and as long as we have Josh Allen there’s no reason not to hope and smile for our Bills.
Optimist: Josh freaking Allen.
Optimist: Starts and ends with 17. I watched Jim Kelly and 17 is better than 12. I do not say that lightly.
Pessimist: The Bills own three of the 10 most heartbreaking playoff losses in the Super Bowl era (Wide Right, Music City Miracle, 13 Seconds) Even Josh Allen’s Jedi powers are no match for the gravitational pull of this history.
Buffalo fans are happy to have last season’s MVP Josh Allen running things after he threw for 28 TDs and ran for another 12. (Mark Konezny / Imagn Images)
7. Los Angeles Rams: 93.3 percent optimism
Pessimist: Even before Matthew Stafford’s back started flaring — and I’ve no doubt he’ll play through it, for good and ill — this felt like a year we’d take a step back. We’ve been a team coached up, our flaws wallpapered over by misdirection and over-performance. Then again, we have good coaches and that’s what they do. I thought the same going into last year. Maybe this is our year, after all.
Optimist: If they can keep Matt Stafford upright, they’ve got a decent chance of making noise. Nobody played the Eagles tougher down the stretch last season.
Optimist: The Rams’ defensive front should only improve. Having Puka Nacua and Davante Adams for Stafford to throw to along with Kyren Williams should mean the Rams are in every game. Coach Sean McVay is one of the best in his profession.
Optimist: Despite the concern about Stafford’s health, which is a big factor, I like the rest of the team and I have a lot of faith in McVay. I think they’ll be a solid contender.
8. Kansas City Chiefs: 92.6 percent optimism
Optimist: They did it before. They’ll Mahomes it again.
Optimist: Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes. What more do you need?
Optimist: Super Bowl is expected at this point. Also we have the best player on Earth on our team, Taylor Swift.
Optimist: Last year, KC was able to prevail atop the AFC with some of the worst play that I can remember from them. I attribute most of it to the injuries of their weapons (Rashee Rice, Isiah Pacheco, and Hollywood Brown) as well as the revolving door at left tackle. Now, all of those problems are solved heading into the season.
Pessimist: We’ve been very successful in recent years and whilst this may seem a little braggy, we have become used to at least an AFC Championship Game; I don’t think we’ll get that far this year.
9. Washington Commanders: 91.1 percent optimism
Optimist: No. 5 is my answer. The rest is incidental.
Pessimist: We overachieved last year and are probably headed for a disappointing season in comparison, despite being early in a rebuild still. Expectations are sky high now. I’m worried that fan sentiment will turn quickly.
Optimist: I shouldn’t be. I became a Commanders fan during the CTSE (Crushingly Tragic Snyder Era) and I know better. This team always has the capacity to let you down. But after last season, how can you not?
Optimist: Josh Harris, Adam Peters, Dan Quinn, and Jayden Daniels have displayed a level of professionalism and competence that has not existed in this organization for three decades.
Optimist: Don’t expect 12 wins with the vastly more difficult schedule, but it feels like the team and the franchise, from ownership to management to coaching to talent, are on their best trajectory since the first Joe Gibbs era. After 30-plus years of misery with brief periods of mediocrity, how can you not be optimistic?
10. Houston Texans: 90.7 percent optimism
Optimist: Nobody will believe it until they see it, but I say the 24th try is the charm. The Texans make the AFC Championship Game for the first time in franchise history after they knock off Buffalo in the divisional round.
Optimist: Possibly the best defense in the NFL and the offensive line can’t get worse, right?
Optimist: We’re in the AFC South with no direct competition. We’ve taken steps forward this offseason despite losing talent on the offensive line. This defense can take us far into the playoffs and will be top 5. It won’t be perfect at all, but we should win the division and potentially a wild-card matchup.
Pessimist: They’re gonna play the first wild-card game as usual, win it, then get slaughtered on the road in Baltimore or Kansas City as usual. Until they win 13 or 14 games, that’s this team’s ceiling and they aren’t winning 13-14 games this season.
11. Minnesota Vikings: 90.3 percent optimism
Optimist: If JJ McCarthy hits, they’re a Super Bowl contender.
Optimist: Defense was great last year and looks even stronger. We’ve finally addressed a weak O-line. McCarthy doesn’t have to be a hero to win games with the support around him. I think we have the best coaching in the league and may finally have a reliable kicker.
Optimist: I’m about as optimistic in the Viking’s trenches, both O-line and D-line, as I’ve ever been since Jared Allen and the Williams wall were wreaking havoc. The D-line depth mixed with the star power from the edges will be menacing, and the O-line looks to be as solid as it’s been in years. With KOC leading him, I have very little doubt in JJ McCarthy. I believe we have the best head coach for quarterback development, and we will get the most out of McCarthy as possible. And I haven’t even mentioned that we have the best receiver in the NFL.
Pessimist: It’s a Minnesota sports team. We fans are not allowed to have good things happen to us!
12. Chicago Bears: 88.2 percent optimism
Optimist: Everything under Ben Johnson feels different. If there is a coach who can tap into Caleb Williams’ potential it’s him.
Optimist: We finally have a coach that knows what he is doing and was obviously the biggest hire for a coaching cycle. We didn’t settle for scrubs. The intensity and the attention to detail that Johnson brings is something we have not seen since Ditka. I am optimistic.
Pessimist: Fool me once, shame on you, fool me 27 times, that’s on me. Last year I bought all the way in on the Bears and it was ridiculous how wrong I was. Good luck, Ben Johnson, but I’m not getting my hopes up until I see actual progress on the field.
Optimist: Bears won’t win the division but will be the best team in the division by the end of the season.
Pessimist: New offense will take time to learn. Unclear if Caleb Williams is a top-tier QB. Roster lacks difference-makers and game-changers.
13. Seattle Seahawks: 86.7 percent optimism
Optimist: Am I taking crazy pills? Geno Smith was one interception off the league lead last year. DK Metcalf couldn’t get to 1,000 yards receiving. I expect 10-7 or 11-6 and I am not usually optimistic.
Optimist: I think the change to a wide zone blocking scheme, the draft, the player development and the change in offensive philosophy, coupled with Mike Macdonald’s defensive genius gives me a lot of hope.
Optimist: Year 2 of Mike Macdonald should lead to a top 10 defense and at least in preseason, the new offensive scheme and mentality is much more in line with what this team wants to do. Investment in the O-line is encouraging and I think we hit on a lot of guys in the draft for the second year in a row. It’s a tough division, but I think we are in play to win it or snag a wild-card spot.
Pessimist: Tough division. There’s promise, but maybe not enough. I’d rather be pleasantly surprised than sadly disappointed.
14. New England Patriots: 81.0 percent optimism
Optimist: My optimism isn’t rooted so much in this season specifically (although it would be hard not to improve on last year’s train wreck), but in the sense that things are pointing in the right direction for the first time in several years, and the team is set up for success in the next 2-4 years.
Optimist: Big leap for Drake Maye.
Optimist: They should be much better than the last couple of years … new coaches that know what they are doing. They still lack talent in the O-line and WR talent is thin. Drake Maye will hopefully improve.
Pessimist: I am extremely concerned that Drake Maye is going to get absolutely pulverized by the lack of O-line. I know they drafted a big name in OT Will Campbell, but that’s just one guy.
15. Green Bay Packers: 75.4 percent
Optimist: It’s a tough schedule, but I think a healthy Jordan Love can provide the elite play needed to make a deep run. On paper it’s a better roster than what we had this time last year, and I believe Matthew Golden has shown signs that he can be the alpha in the WR room that the team hasn’t had since Tae left.
Optimist: Jordan Love should have a breakout year. He has a fast, new target in Golden. No field goal kicker troubles to worry about. I am expecting a deep playoff run.
Optimist: I think our young team will do even better this year with a healthy Jordan Love and experience gained from last season. But we can’t lose to the Bears again or my hopes will be dashed!
Pessimist: Still don’t love Love!
16. Arizona Cardinals: 74.0 percent optimism
Optimist: They have been taking steps in the right direction each season since the new coaching team arrived. No glaring issues although it all rests on Kyler Murray.
Optimist: The defense should be much improved this year (hopefully) and Kyler can hopefully have a bounce-back season in a retooled and hopefully better-schemed offense that looks to utilize Marvin Harrison Jr. more and is less reliant on Trey McBride making miracles happen.
Optimist: The staff coached an undermanned defense to overachieve last year. They went out and added strong personnel to that very successful scheme so I look for the D to be a strength. They were the 11th-ranked offense last year. If they can duplicate that or maybe move up a couple of spots, the playoffs are attainable.
Pessimist: Kyler Murray is the hope and the disappointment.
17. Jacksonville Jaguars: 73.9 percent optimism
Optimist: Liam Coen getting Trevor Lawrence in rhythm with layups and producing at a level we’ve been expecting since 2022 while also adding Travis Hunter to the offense with a true No. 1 WR in Brian Thomas Jr. will have us back in the playoffs. The defense can’t be worse than last year, right???
Optimist: I still believe in Trevor. As a UMass Amherst grad, I can’t help but believe in Liam Coen as well. Having been a Jags fan for about 15 years, I’ve huffed plenty of hopium in nearly every offseason but this year, the feeling is different. Jax has been plagued by some form of what-if every off season, and by that I’m moreso referring to the what-ifs that accompanied questionable moves, like signing Nick Foles, drafting Taven Bryan, or retaining Trent Baalke. Even though bringing in youngsters like James Gladstone and Coen and swinging big on Travis Hunter are also major what-ifs, this offseason has a completely different feel that has me more excited than I’ve been in years.
Pessimist: There hasn’t been much consistent success during my time as a fan of the Jags. Seems about every seven years we will have a good season then back to the same bottom-dweller ways. Brand new GM and coaching staff doesn’t not give me optimism until I see good results on the field.
Pessimist: History repeats itself.
18. Los Angeles Chargers: 72.0 percent optimism
Optimist: Justin Herbert finally has a big boy head coach and a GM who kills the draft. It’ll take one more year to finish plugging all the holes, but our depth is fantastic and if the ball bounces our way this year, the sky’s the limit.
Optimist: All comes down to the coaching staff. Even after the loss of Rashawn Slater. I believe in them and the players.
Pessimist: Chargers always Charger. And as usual, key injuries right out the gate.
Pessimist: Losing Slater and the entire state of the offensive line plus a harder schedule, I feel like we’ll regress this year.
19. New York Giants: 70.0 percent optimism
Optimist: Abdul Carter and upgrades throughout the defense. The offense being run by a competent QB. And a future with Jaxson Dart. There seems to be a different attitude forming in the building.
Optimist: I am not expecting to make the playoffs, or for the team to be good, but I am optimistic about Jaxson Dart and the potential of having a good defense. There’s a part of me that thinks the Giants could have an elite defense and slide into the 7-seed in a weaker NFC. Maybe I’m crazy. That’s the peak of my optimism.
Pessimist: If being better is optimism, I’m all in. I can be happy watching this team grow, even as they lose.
Pessimist: The schedule is akin to the late stage Roman Empire battling the Visigoths.
20. San Francisco 49ers: 68.1 percent optimism
Optimist: Super excited to see this version of the 49ers. The Hall of Fame core (Trent Williams, George Kittle, Fred Warner, Christian McCaffrey) look healthy and ready to lead, All-Pros (Nick Bosa, Demo Lenoir, Brock Purdy, Brandon Aiyuk) will be back with a vengeance following last season. The defense could have some initial struggles with the youth to start the season, but this has always been a team that gets hot at the right time in December and beyond. Excited on the way to the Quest for 6!
Optimist: It has to be better than last year! We have all the big dogs back and they’re big dogs. We have Robert Saleh back so even a defense full of rookies will be better. The schedule is favorable!
Pessimist: I don’t trust our OL, DL or WRs. Trent Williams is going to fall off a cliff one of these seasons. CMC is almost certainly going to break during the year. Kyle Shanahan is a brilliant offensive mind, but his preseasons grind the roster into dust. The team has so many injuries coming out of camp that they’re immediately behind the 8-ball.
Pessimist: The 49ers live and die by their health. They’re a supremely talented team undone by their inability to stay on the field.
21. Las Vegas Raiders: 65.3 percent optimism
Optimist: Pete Carroll wins everywhere he goes. Major upgrade at QB and running back.
Optimist: Carroll, Jeanty, Bowers, Crosby. What more do you need?
Pessimist: They underperform. They always underperform. It doesn’t matter who is the GM or coach, it never works out. Do I think the roster is better? Yes. As usual, something will happen, someone will get injured who is very important and their depth will never be good enough.
Pessimist: Lack of defensive talent beyond Maxx Crosby. Young unproven players on defense. Offensive line is mediocre. They also play in the toughest division in football.
22. Cincinnati Bengals: 60.5 percent optimism
Optimist: Joe Burrow. Ja’Marr Chase. End of story.
Optimist: The defense blah, blah, blah. Half the defense was injured for the start of the 2024 season and everyone seems to overlook that. Once everyone got back together they ended with a 5-0 run. If the rookies can get it together on what should be a soft start, the Bengals at least make the playoffs.
Optimist: Have to believe the D will be marginally better and with the offense firing, even a close-to-average defense gets the Bengals to the playoffs.
Pessimist: The defense will continue to struggle in big moments. Even a historically productive offense can’t overcome the terrible defense.
Bengals fans are glad Ja’Marr Chase is on their side. He led the NFL in receptions, receiving yards and TDs last season. (Cara Owsley / The Enquirer via Imagn Images)
23. Carolina Panthers: 60.3 percent optimism
Optimist: If the Washington team can change its fortunes, so can Carolina.
Optimist: Optimism is a strange word when talking about the Panthers. I think we’ll win 7 games, which would be a vast improvement. Bryce Young finished 2025 strongly — we’ve given him more weapons and we’ve invested on defense. In a perennially weak NFC South, we have the capability and schedule to be playing meaningful December football, even though I don’t think we’ll get in the playoffs.
Pessimist: We have been bad for so long, I need to see it.
Pessimist: The defense was one of the worst in modern NFL history last year, and despite Bryce Young’s good three-game stretch to end the year, there are a lot of questions he needs to answer with consistent play before I believe this team can come anywhere close to a winning record.
24. Atlanta Falcons: 55.2 percent optimism
Optimist: I’m typically irrationally optimistic every year despite evidence to the contrary. I feel like Michael Penix Jr. is going to be a very good quarterback and our offense has nice weapons. If the defense could just … not be terrible, then we can make the playoffs.
Optimist: This is probably the best I’ve felt going into a Falcons season since Matt Ryan was at the helm.
Pessimist: It’s the Falcons. What could possibly make me optimistic about anything this franchise does? Go Falcons.
Pessimist: I have been a fan since my dad took me to my first game in 1972, which we won 20-10 over the Houston Oilers. So, my lack of optimism is a result of 53 years of watching the Falcons build their brand of slightly less than mediocre football. Nobody does that better than the Falcons — but the Browns do run a close second. Unfortunately, being a Falcon fan is a disease with no cure. I will continue to watch every snap of every game, even after we have been mathematically eliminated from playoff contention around Thanksgiving.
25. Tennessee Titans: 52.6 percent optimism
Optimist: Hard to be more pessimistic after last year. They’ll still suck, but I hope Cam Ward might have the “it” factor. Hard to tell in preseason, but he doesn’t look like a bust.
Pessimist: Fully anticipating the ruination of another young QB.
Optimist: There’s just a sense of optimism that Cam Ward provides. His ability, work ethic — not feeling like we’re making the playoffs this year, but do feel like we can make some big strides and show some major growth after last year’s dismal performance.
Pessimist: A team still trying to recover from trading away AJ Brown, but also seemingly hell-bent on mediocrity, at best.
26. Pittsburgh Steelers: 51.1 percent optimism
Pessimist: Love Mike Tomlin and a number of the players, but the Aaron Rodgers signing is disappointing. This is our penance for not having a plan in place for Ben Roethlisberger’s retirement.
Optimist: Defense will be one of the best in the league. Won 10 games last year and Rodgers, regardless of being a long way from his peak, is an upgrade at QB.
Pessimist: Not good enough to win, not bad enough to tank.
Optimist: I’m a simple man: 9-8 and a wild-card playoff win would make me so happy, I can’t even tell you … and I’m optimistic those goals are within reach.
27. New York Jets: 42.0 percent optimism
Pessimist: While the excitement for Aaron Glenn may turn out to be warranted, he’s a first-time HC with a first-time OC and a QB on his third team in three years who was benched last season. The depth on this team is paper thin. Draft capital is still diminished from trades for veterans no longer here. This team has the longest playoff drought in sports.
Optimist: It feels like Aaron Glenn is trying to build this thing the right way, he’s not putting the cart before the horse. Getting back to basics and focusing on the little things is a breath of fresh air.
Pessimist: While I am excited for Aaron Glenn, this team needs a true franchise quarterback and really haven’t had one since Namath.
Optimist: There is a lot of young talent on this team starting to click. A new coaching staff. This might not be a great year but there are better days ahead. Hope springs eternal.
Pessimist: I just don’t see it happening with Justin Fields at quarterback. The team should be better with hopefully some actual coaching, but it feels like this maybe an evaluation year for the first-year coach and GM.
28. Miami Dolphins: 18.5 percent optimism
Optimist: Despite the shortcomings of a secondary, I think we have a great defense and enough offensive tools to compete with anyone.
Pessimist: Great offensive potential. Poor coaching and defensive execution. Worried about another Tua Tagovailoa concussion and Tyreek Hill going off the rails.
Pessimist: I could play for their secondary, tbh. That unit is just so weak it will likely derail the season. Also, they should have fired Chris Grier. It’s a joke that he somehow remains the GM despite his lack of success.
Pessimist: Maybe this is the year it all actually works, but history says probably not.
29. Cleveland Browns: 17.6 percent optimism
Pessimist: I mean … (gestures at everything) — what more is there to say?
Pessimist: Looks like another year of Myles Garrett’s career wasted. Good defense. Very questionable weapons on offense. One hope is that getting back to the run-first mentality leads to a more competitive team than we saw last year.
Pessimist: It’s a dumpster fire.
Optimist: Defense bounces back, and rookie skill players make a mark with a healthier O-line. Shedeur Sanders starts by Week 7 or 8 and looks good enough to spend 2026 picks on the lines. Call it 8-9, I am optimistic, not insane!
30. Dallas Cowboys: 13.1 percent optimism
Pessimist: Jerry Jones is killing the franchise.
Pessimist: Jerry Jones is a clown. I denied it for a long time, giving the benefit of the doubt, but the handling of the Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb (contracts), and now the absolute lack of foresight and professionalism around Micah Parsons has pushed me over the edge.
Pessimist: The Cowboys are usually good on paper. But that’s about it. Year after year they tank. Lots of excuses get made. And I hate to say it, but it’s usually … an overrated quarterback issue.
Optimist: Dak, Lamb, Pickens. Championship!
31. New Orleans Saints: 8.5 percent optimism
Pessimist: The bill has come due after many years of not wanting to shut the contention window. At least we might get Arch Manning.
Pessimist: No cap space, no QB, a spare-parts roster because we couldn’t afford to pay the good players we drafted and developed, and no reboot in sight.
Pessimist: A quarterback depth chart that makes you pine for Billy Joe Hobert or Billy Joe Tolliver. And an overall roster just too old and and too mediocre to even contend in the league’s weakest division.
Optimist: Kellen Moore inspires optimism for me. Young, good OL players, RBs, DBs, and even some electric WRs. I think the bar being low is a reason for optimism — we can see growth instead of deterioration (only up from here or something like that).
32. Indianapolis Colts: 6.8 percent optimism
Optimist: Colts made good additions to the defense and Daniel Jones has a good supporting cast of skill players. I think the Colts will surprise the pundits.
Pessimist: Daniel Jones is our starting QB. Chris Ballard is our GM. This team has been a mess for years. I’m just excited for a reset … unfortunately, we have to wade through this quagmire of a season to get there.
Pessimist: At this rate, they’re gonna keep putting up that Andrew Luck retirement graphic until the end of time.
Pessimist: The team has given up on its first-round quarterback in favor of a player that offers no clear upside. The front office and coaching staff will be gone and the only hope is losing enough to have a chance at a good QB prospect paired with the right GM and head coach. So basically the three most important things in the NFL all being right in the same offseason. No big deal.
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(Illustration: Kelsea Petersen / The Athletic; Michael Owens, Cooper Neil / Getty Images)
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