Seven non-playoff teams from last season that could make jump in 2024: Bears, Jets primed to end long droughts

Parity has been the theme of NFL in recent decades, as the league typically has its fair share of new playoff teams from one season to the next. Approximately half of the 2023 playoff teams will be back in 2024, as the winners of new divisions and tougher schedules play a major role in teams’ returns.

Six new teams entered the postseason starting in 2023 and did not make the field in 2022. The previous year (2022) there were seven new teams that made the postseason and did not make it in 2021. The 14-team playoff format opened the floodgates to even more parity in the league.

Which seven teams have a chance to make the postseason and compete for a Super Bowl in 2024? There are a few candidates who could turn the corner and give their franchise significant football in January.

The Falcons were certainly aggressive this offseason in their quest for the NFC South title, starting with signing Kirk Cousins ​​​​to a four-year contract worth $180 million. They signed Darnell Mooney and traded for Rondale Moore, increasing the offensive space that already has Bijan Robinson, Drake London and Kyle Pitts – and one of the best offensive lines in football.

While the offense must score points with Zac Robinson calling the plays, Raheem Morris and Jimmy Lake will be in charge of the defense that has improved in points allowed per possession from 29th place NFL (2.27) to 15th (1.86).

The Falcons’ offense is banking on Cousins ​​recovering from his Achilles injury and being the quarterback who carried the Vikings’ offense for six years. Hopefully the end result is to end a seven-year playoff drought.

Chicago had to keep up with their NFC North counterparts, with the Detroit Lions being one Super Bowl contender and the Green Bay Packers are trending in that direction. The Bears scored big in their 2023 trade with the Carolina Panthers, securing the rights to draft Caleb Williams at No. 1 overall while also securing Rome Odunze with their own pick at No. 9.

The Bears also traded for Keenan Allen, having him join Odunze and DJ Moore at wide receiver. D’Andre Swift was signed to be Chicago’s No. 1 running back, while Gerald Everett was signed as a tight end. The offense also has a new player in Shane Waldron, who has significantly helped Russell Wilson and Geno Smith over the last five years.

Jaylon Johnson being re-signed and Montez Sweat on the edge significantly help Chicago’s defense, which has allowed just 15.5 points per game over the last six games. The Bears look poised to make the playoffs no matter how tough the NFC North is.

Minnesota Vikings (7-10)

The Vikings are another NFC North team that could make the playoffs based on the talent they currently have on their roster. The quarterback situation is murky, but the skill position players resemble a playoff lineup. Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison are paving the way for one of the best wide receiver duos in the world. NFL, while Aaron Jones was added at running back and will run behind an improving offensive line. TJ Hockenson will also be back at tight end.

The Vikings signed Jonathan Greenard and Dallas Turner at pass rush, while Andrew Van Ginkel and Blake Cashman were signed at linebacker. Brian Flores improved Minnesota’s defense from 27th in points allowed per possession (2.09) to 18th (1.91).

If JJ McCarthy can adapt, take Sam Darnold’s job and run the football in his rookie season – the Vikings have a chance at a playoff spot.

The Seahawks were not one of the active teams in free agency, but they had a leadership change with Pete Carroll retiring and Mike Macdonald taking over as head coach. Macdonald tinkered with the 29th-ranked defense in points allowed per possession (2.20), adding linebackers Jerome Baker and Tyrel Dodson and re-signing Leonard Williams. They also added Byron Murphy II in the first round of the draft to pair with Williams.

The offense hasn’t changed much, with Kenneth Walker, DK Metcalf, Tyler Lockett and Noah Fant returning as point guards for Geno Smith. Ryan Grubb will have a motion-based offense as offensive coordinator, so the system will be significantly different in 2024.

Seattle missed the playoffs last season. An improved defense could be the key to making the playoffs in 2024.

This appears to be the leading candidate to make the playoffs in 2024 if Aaron Rodgers is healthy. A healthy Rodgers changes the entire fortunes of the Jets, who have gone “all-in” on their offseason moves for the second year in a row.

Mike Williams was added at wide receiver to pair with Garrett Wilson, and the Jets drafted Malachi Corley in the third round to give Rodgers a WR3 presence. The Jets arguably have one of the best running back rooms in football with Breece Hall, Israel Abanikanda and rookie Braelon Allen. They also improved the offensive line by signing Tyron Smith and John Simpson as free agents and selecting Olu Fashanu in the first round. This unit also has Alijah Vera-Tucker holding down the fort at right guard.

Haason Reddick was added to help Jermaine Johnson II’s edge, while the defensive interior now has Javon Kinlaw and Leki Fotu to help Quinnen Williams. Don’t forget Sauce Gardner and DJ Reed are in the secondary.

Despite all the drama, the Jets are talented. If Rodgers is healthy, this team should overcome a 14-year playoff drought.

The Bengals are a contender for a deep playoff run if Joe Burrow is healthy. When Burrow plays more than 11 games in a season, the Bengals make it to at least the AFC championship game.

Cincinnati didn’t have any flashy moves, but some good signings in free agency. Geno Stone was signed by the Baltimore Ravens and Vonn Bell was brought back after one year with the Carolina Panthers. Mike Gesicki was signed as a tight end alongside Drew Sample, significantly improving pass-catchers at the position. Chase Brown was supposed to be the running back, but he will split the carries with the signing of free agent Zack Moss.

The Bengals are still trying to fix the offensive tackle position, adding Trent Brown in free agency and Amarius Mims in the first round of the draft. They also added Jermaine Burton in the third round as another outside wide receiver option.

Just like Rodgers and the Jets, the Bengals’ success comes down to Burrow’s health. Even in the crowded AFC North, this is a talented squad that is a postseason contender.

Let’s not forget that the Jaguars were 8-3 and competing for the top seed in the AFC in late November before losing five of six and missing the playoffs. Injuries and turnovers doomed Jacksonville, which revamped the roster in an effort to avoid a repeat of last season’s collapse.

The core of the offense is still Trevor Lawrence and Travis Etienne, but Jacksonville has changed things up at wide receiver by signing Gabe Davis as a free agent and signing Brian Thomas Jr. Evan Engram is back at tight end as Lawrence’s most reliable target.

The offensive line added Mitch Morse to bolster the interior, while the defense saw some changes – starting with Ryan Nielsen as the new defensive coordinator. The defense will move from a four-man front to a three-man front, signing defensive tackle Arik Armstead and drafting defensive tackles Maason Smith (second round) and Jordan Jefferson (fourth round). The secondary was also revamped with Ronald Darby starting at cornerback and Darnell Savage at safety.

Jacksonville will look significantly different in 2024. If Lawrence cuts its losses, a return trip to the playoffs will be on the line.