A breakdown of where every AFC team stands heading into free agency
The AFC might feature the better NFL quarterbacks, but plenty of the rosters in the conference need to be overhauled in the coming seasons for one reason or another.
Either they are a quarterback-needy team like the Miami Dolphins, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts and Cleveland Browns, or they possess a roster whose defense, offensive line or arsenal needs to be retooled.
With free agency beginning next week take a look at every AFC team’s roster needs, cap space, and a breakdown of what might be on the horizon for that particular team.
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Issues: Adding D.J. Moore in a trade with Chicago allows the Bills to provide quarterback Josh Allen a better group of receivers. Nine of Buffalo’s key defenders, which includes three starters in pass rusher Joey Bosa, wea-kside linebacker Matt Milano and cornerback TreDavious White, are unrestricted free agents.
Cap space: Over by $31.7 million.
Team needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, OL
Miami Dolphins
Issues: The Dolphins plan to cut quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and pass rusher Bradley Chubb with a June 1 designation, which will provide $9 million in cap space later this summer. But right now, Miami’s are fiscally challenged and have very little avenues available to create cap space to upgrade a severely taken deficient roster.
Cap space: Over by $2 million
Team needs: QB, CB, Edge, OL, TE
New England Patriots
Issues: The impending release of Stefon Diggs moves receiver to the front of the Patriots’ list of needs. The Patriots had a top-five scoring defense in 2025, but two starters — linebacker K’Lavon Chaisson and safety Jaylinn Hawkins — are free agents.
Cap space: $39.3 million
Team needs: WR, Edge, OL, DL, TE
New York Jets
Issues: The Jets placed the transition tag on Breece Hall to prevent the tailback from becoming an unrestricted free agent, but that won’t stop the ridiculous exodus out of New York, which will likely have to overpay free agents to lure them. The expectation is that Justin Fields’ days with the Jets are numbered, but nobody knows the veteran quarterback who will replace him.
Cap space: $74.3 million
Team needs: QB, Edge, CB, WR, OL
AFC NORTH
Baltimore Ravens
Issues: The Ravens have cap space, but need to get an extension done with quarterback Lamar Jackson to reduce his $51.2 million base salary and get him locked up past the 2027 season, which is when his contract expires. Problem is, Jackson doesn’t make it a habit of doing the Ravens favors. Expect the Ravens to move on from cornerback Marlon Humphrey, who has a $15.2 million base salary and a $4 million roster bonus due on March 15.
Cap space: $18.5 million
Team needs: Edge, DL, OL, S, WR
Cincinnati Bengals
Issues: The Bengals have a solid offensive foundation in Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins and Mike Gesicki, but the offensive line and the defense needs a ton of work. Trey Hendrickson announced he won’t be re-signing in Cincinnati, so that leaves a gaping hole in the Bengals’ defensive front.
Cap space: $47.2 million
Team needs: Edge, OL, CB, DL, S
Cleveland Browns
Issues: Deshaun Watson, Sheddeur Sanders and Dillion Gabriel are Cleveland’s options at quarterbacks, which isn’t exactly ideal. The Browns acquired right tackle Tytus Howard from Houston in a trade last week, but that doesn’t address the fact that six members of last year’s offensive line are free agents, as is tight end David Njoku, who has already said his goodbyes to Browns fans.
Cap space: $18.5 million
Team needs: OL, QB, WR, CB, LB
Pittsburgh Steelers
Issues: The Steelers are being held hostage again by Aaron Rodgers, who is deciding between retirement and coming back to reunite with Mike McCarthy, who coached him in Green Bay. The Steelers must replace or re-sign five starters on offense.
Cap space: $40.1 million
Team needs: QB, WR, CB, S, OL
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
Issues: Houston acquired tailback David Montgomery from the Lions to fortify the run game, and re-signed Trent Brown in an effort to stabilize the offensive line. The Texans need a strong run game to eat the clock and compliment its aggressive defense.
Cap space: $28.7 million
Team needs: OL, DL, S, Edge, RB
Indianapolis Colts
Issues: The Colts made a risky decision placing the transition tag on quarterback Daniel Jones, committing to give the injured quarterback $37 million for the 2026 season even though he suffered an Achilles tendon injury in late December. That lone decision will likely put the Colts in position to lose Alec Pierce in free agency. Indianapolis is also shopping inside linebacker Ziare Franklin.
Cap space: Over by $4.7 million
Team needs: Edge, OL, S, WR, D line
Jacksonville Jaguars
Issues: Jacksonville’s in a tough spot because the Jaguars have some expensive free agents — particularly tailback Travis Etienne and linebacker David Lloyd — they won’t have a chance to retain without restructuring contracts and purging a few players.
Cap space: Over by $16.9 million
Team needs: CB, LB, OL, S, DL
Tennessee Titans
Issues: The Titans have the second-most cap space available to an NFL team this offseason, and will need it to rebuild the defense, and add weaponry to a unit that needs to produce for Cam Ward. Expect Tennessee to make a big slash when it comes to upgrading at receiver and tight end.
Cap space: $92.7 million
Team needs: WR, Edge, CB, OL, DL
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
Issues: The Broncos have a couple of free agents — NT John Franklin-Myer, and linebackers Alex Singleton and Justin Strnad — who might get substantial offers on the open market, and need to add to the weaponry arsenal that supports Bo Nix.
Cap space: $25.2 million
Team needs: LB, TE, DL, RB, OL
Kansas City Chiefs
Issues: The Chiefs traded cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Rams for draft picks, and to create salary cap room, which Kansas City will need to fortify the offensive line, and improve the defense. There’s also a possibility that tight end Travis Kelce might retire.
Cap space: $24.9 million
Team needs: RB, CB, WR, S, OL
Las Vegas Raiders
Issues: The Raiders plan to cut Geno Smith, which is a clear indication they plan to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Mendoza will need a better offensive line and more receiver help.
Cap space: $88.1 million
Team needs: QB, OL, WR, CB, Edge
Los Angeles Chargers
Issues: The Chargers have the most cap space available this offseason, but they also have five starting spots to fill on defense. Plenty of that budget needs to be spent on offensive line help considering that unit has annually been an issue.
Cap space: $99 million
Team needs: OL, Edge, DL, S, CB
