The NFL offseason has seen free agency, wheeling and dealing, the draft in Green Bay, and now the Pittsburgh Steelers have created a new headline after (finally) signing Aaron Rodgers. The move, in theory, gives the AFC North team a proven, veteran presence at quarterback, one who could help the team make a significant playoff run.
How does the Rodgers move impact the overall NFL hierarchy?
Here’s how all 32 teams stack up …
32. Cleveland Browns
Say what you want about how the Browns were smart to trade down in the first round with Jacksonville. However, there is no rational explanation for drafting Shedeur Sanders two rounds after choosing Dillon Gabriel. Adding them to a QB room that has Joe Flacco and Kenny Pickett means the travesty at signal-caller will continue for this AFC North doormat.
31. New Orleans Saints
Keeping with the QB theme, the Saints are in a bad spot. Derek Carr retired and passed up millions. And thinking a 25-year-old Tyler Shough could be the future is troubling.
30. Atlanta Falcons
At least they didn’t draft a quarterback in the first round (kidding). The Falcons went defense-centric. They are still stuck with Kirk Cousins and his monster deal — for now.
29. Chicago Bears
Ben Johnson and the Bears will do anything and everything to support Caleb Williams. Not a huge fan of the team grabbing Colston Loveland when Ty Warren was available.
28. Indianapolis Colts
What are the Colts doing at quarterback? They have Daniel Jones and Anthony Richardson, and still draft Riley Leonard? All of this can’t be a boost for the former Florida star Richardson’s confidence, which has only taking a deeper hit after his latest injury news.
27. Tennessee Titans
They drafted Cam Ward first and one would never know a quarterback was taken first overall because everything was overshadowed by a fifth-round pick. The Titans added some defense in the picking process. They will take a long time to rebuild. Just make sure they take care of Ward.
26. New York Giants
They did well at three with Abdul Carter. Although LT won’t give him 56 and Phil Simms’ No. 11 is retired by Big Blue. Carter will simply have to find his own digits. Jaxson Dart adds to Jameis Winsto and Russell Wilson, who has been anoninted the starter. Another long season in store at MetLife. Get ready for a shakeup in the front office before 2026.
25. New England Patriots
The Pats were wise to get Will Campbell. They need to make sure Drake Maye is left upright at all costs. TreVeyon Henderson should give Rhamondre Stevenson ample support. Mike Vrabel will show folks his ability is more of what he was in the beginning at Tennessee than at the end of his run with the Titans.
24. New York Jets
The Jets went huge early with Armand Membou, which will make Justin Fields a happy quarterback. This is another team that will take time to build and become a threat … if that day comes.
23. Jacksonville Jaguars
Trading up for Travis Hunter was a spectacular splash. Let him do his thing on offense and defense while monitoring total plays. Wyatt Millum should bring grit to the line.
22. Las Vegas Raiders
It will be interesting to see how well Ashton Jeanty does against much tougher competition than he found at Boise State (understatement). Everyone should be cheering on Jack Bech at wideout. Geno Smith isn’t a spring chicken. Then again, neither is Pete Carroll no matter how much enthusiasm he has.
21. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers have an aging Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. It will be fascinating to see if Mike Tomlin can revive the signal-caller’s nose-diving career.
20. San Francisco 49ers
This based more on players not being ravaged by injury as they were in 2024 as opposed to any huge gains from the draft.
19. Miami Dolphins
They are what they are: Mediocre. Please explain the Quinn Ewers pick in the seventh round. Oh, they need someone who might be able to play if Tua Tagovailoa is injured again because their backups in 2024 was horrific.
18. Dallas Cowboys
With Zach Martin gone, Tyler Booker was a prudent selection. Donovan Ezeiruaku could have been gone in the first round. The problem is that Dak Prescott is shaky and can’t be getting better as he ages. Brian Schottenheimer feels in the deep end with sharks circling.
17. Seattle Seahawks
All sorts of wonder: Why draft Jalen Milroe when you spent a fortune to land Sam Darnold? Then again, this is the NFL — so why would common sense be applied? Cooper Kupp is a massive plus from the offseason. He has plenty left for Darnold.
16. Carolina Panthers
This is a team on the rise. It helps that the NFC South is meek. Will Tetairoa McMillan make the rise from Arizona Wildcats to Carolina Panthers successfully? Trevor Etienne should not be expected to have the same results as his brother Travis is in Jacksonville.
15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Baker Mayfield will have plenty of options to choose from when he drops back as the Bucs added Emeka Egbuka to Mike Evans, Chris Godwin and others. Tampa Bay looks like the class of the NFC South again with Carolina the next best threat and it isn’t that close.
14. Arizona Cardinals
The Cardinals will continue to get better. The draft provided a couple of players who will be worth monitoring. Walter Nolen had flashes at Ole Miss. Will Johnson would have been a high first-rounder except for injury concerns. They will be the make or break guys when it comes to reviewing this process.
13. Denver Broncos
Not about to argue with Sean Payton, especially when it comes to scoping talent. Jahdae Barron will mesh with Patrick Surtain II in the secondary. Will RJ Harvey or Pat Bryant be assets on offense? Harvey brings big rushing numbers from UCF. Payton finds gems. See: Nix, Bo.
12. Houston Texans
The Texans had best hope Iowa State wide receivers can make it in the NFL because they drafted a pair of them. It was good to focus on pass-catchers given how injury-prone that group was in 2024.
11. Minnesota Vikings
This team’s hopes and dreams hinge on J.J. McCarthy’s knee. Sam Howell is going to bounce from team to team it seems. Do not expect 14 wins from Minnesota, again.
10. Los Angeles Chargers
Omarion Hampton goes well with Najee Harris. There were more wideouts added to go with Ladd McConkey. The Bolts should be better in 2025, Will they challenge the Chiefs? It is possible.
9. Los Angeles Rams
The football season at SoFi will be far better than it will be at MetLife. The Rams have Davante Adams. Is he an improvement on Cooper Kupp? Call that a draw. They needed a tight end but Terrance Ferguson felt like a stretch at 46. The running back room is full of talent. Sean McVay will figure it out.
8. Cincinnati Bengals
If the Bengals can only get out of the gate, they could make a run at the AFC North. Defense was the name of the game for the draft. Think Shemar Stewart has star potential out of Texas A&M. They need to sign Trey Hendrickson … fast.
7. Washington Commanders
The Commanders won’t catch anyone by surprise in 2025. That changes the dynamic for Dan Quinn. Jayden Daniels will get better and he already is a superstar. Trey Amos (DB) and Jaylin Lane (WR) were strong picks.
6. Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs remain the class of the AFC West. However, the Broncos and Chargers are gaining on them. Josh Simmons is either a steal or a guy whose injury history is going to haunt.
5. Green Bay Packers
A brilliant draft in Green Bay started with the first wideout taken in the first round (Matthew Golden) and followed by the huge Anthony Belton. The Packers are a powerhouse and will be a team to watch. The Detroit Lions best keep their eyes open.
4. Detroit Lions
The Lions’ season hinges on being healthy after a year where everyone and anyone was injured. Tyleik Williams will give size and depth to the defense. The biggest thing in Detroit is not having players on IR. The Lions still have upside though they have gained used a lot of it up in the past few years.
3. Buffalo Bills
The fact is the Bills are light years better than the rest of their division. They still have to figure out how to be better than the rest of the teams in the playoffs.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
Anyone going to argue with anything Howie Roseman does in the draft? Didn’t think so.
1. Baltimore Ravens
One can look at the comment on Howie Roseman and the Eagles and apply it to the Ravens. How do they keep getting players like Malaki Starks and Mike Green? Is everyone else blind to their talent? Nah. The Ravens’ front office is simply smarter than everyone.
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Power Rankings after Steelers sign Aaron Rodgers