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NFL 2016: 5 Teams Who Need to Blow it Up, Rebuild

Updated Mar. 4, 2020 12:49 p.m. ET

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They can’t all win the Super Bowl. These five teams need to be looking to rebuild for the NFL 2016 season.

All NFL teams look to win as many games as possible. That being said, it is probably better for some teams without a championship hope to lose more than most, instead of just being average. These teams would be wise to start a deep rebuild during the NFL 2016 season.

Led by new front office and coaching staff, the Cleveland Browns are the one team in the league who are clearly undergoing a deep rebuilding process. They built their team around young players and future draft capital, knowing that they would not be Super Bowl contenders in the 2016 NFL season.

This was a smart move by Cleveland. Instead of trying their best to go 7-9 or 8-8, the Browns are better off letting the bottom drop out of this team. They need more young, impact players, and this complete rebuild is the best way to make that happen.

In my eyes, other NFL teams should be following suit and would be wise to start doing so sooner rather than later. In-season trading is rare in the NFL, but it could be a great opportunity for these franchises to kick-start a much-needed rebuild.

Let’s take a look at these five franchises who would be wise to start a rebuild.

Sep 11, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Buffalo Bills head coach Rex Ryan (C) looks on from the sidelines during the second half against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens won 13-7. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

5. Buffalo Bills

There is not a coach in the NFL who has a hotter seat than Rex Ryan of the Buffalo Bills. If the Bills were wise, they would cut ties with Ryan and start a complete rebuild. They are not competing with the New England Patriots in the AFC East anytime soon and they do have some nice veteran pieces who could be of interest to other NFL teams.

LeSean McCoy is a guy who particularly would make sense for the Bills to move. McCoy is great, but he is nearing the end of his prime as an NFL running back. By the time the Bills are ready to be competitive, McCoy will not be an impact player.

Offensive guard Richie Incognito and defensive tackle Kyle Williams are two other players who would make sense for the Bills to move. With the right guy in charge, this rebuild could be quick, but the Bills would be wise to get it started ASAP.

Sep 26, 2016; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (9) throws the ball prior to the against the Atlanta Falcons at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports

4. New Orleans Saints

This one is tough. The Saints have had a great run under Sean Payton and Drew Brees. They brought the city a championship at a tough time in their history. However, they should start looking in another direction.

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Brees is still great, leading an explosive Saints’ offensive attack. However, his efforts are going completely wasted. Simply put, the Saints defense is awful and has shown no signs of turning it around.

They have started the season with an 0-3 record and are a strong threat for a top-five pick in the 2017 NFL Draft. They simply need more defensive talent to even have a chance and I think they would be wise to look to move some of their offensive players in the meantime.

Center Max Unger, left tackle Terron Armstead, and running back Mark Ingram all stand out as veteran players who the Saints should consider moving. Plus, shopping Brees around should be something that’s considered.

I understand that Brees means a lot to the franchise and city of New Orleans, but wouldn’t he like an opportunity to win another Superbowl before it is too late? The Saints simply would be best served if they looked to move some of their veteran pieces in exchange for draft capital.

Sep 25, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Washington Redskins quarterback Kirk Cousins (8) fumbles the ball as New York Giants defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul (90) defends during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

3. Washington Redskins

Maybe the Washington Redskins have not found their franchise quarterback after-all. Kirk Cousins was great for the team down the stretch in 2015, but he’s struggled to find a rhythm early in the NFL 2016 season.

Cousins and the Redskins beat up on weak defenses down the stretch last season and earned the reputation of being an explosive offensive attack. Unfortunately, that has not carried over. Cousins looks lost this season, continually making big mistakes with the ball in his hands. I am sure there will be times where he looks competent, but Cousins is not the kind of guy who is going to lead this team to a Super Bowl. They are simply better off looking to rebuild.

At 1-2, the Redskins seem unlikely to keep up with the other teams in their division this season. And that might not change until they find a legitimate NFL quarterback.

With that in mind, I believe that the Redskins would be better off rebuilding sooner rather than later. If they can find someone to take on Cousins before he hits the open market this offseason, that would be great. I could also see them looking to move guys like DeSean Jackson, Ryan Kerrigan, Chris Baker, and even Josh Norman in exchange for draft capital.

Call it a feeling if you want, but the Redskins are not going anywhere with Cousins leading the way. The sooner they realize that, they better off this franchise will be.

Sep 11, 2016; Kansas City, MO, USA; San Diego Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) is carted off of the field after an injury during the first half against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

2. San Diego Chargers

I feel bad for Philip Rivers. He continues to play quarterback at a high level for the Chargers, but he does not have much help around him. Injuries to Keenan Allen, Antonio Gates, Danny Woodhead, Manti Te’o, and Joey Bosa are going to severely limit the Chargers’ opportunity to make noise this season. Their defense has some nice young pieces, but they still leave plenty to be desired. On top of that, Rivers continues to carry too much of the offensive load.

In a tough AFC West, it is hard to envision the Chargers being legitimate postseason contenders in the NFL 2016 season. Perhaps they would just be best off looking to do a major rebuild ahead of their likely move to Los Angeles.

I could see the Chargers looking to move veteran offensive linemen like Orlando Franklin and Matt Slauson. Veteran cornerback Brandon Flowers would also be a viable trade candidate. The most interesting scenario here would be if the Chargers would look to move Rivers. He is a legitimate top-10 NFL quarterback who would bring back a nice haul in draft capital.

Rivers would probably like to finish his career with the Chargers, but making a legitimate run to the Super Bowl would have to appeal to him as well. Make no mistake about it, the Chargers need to rebuild. There is some talent on this team to build around, but they simply need more secure players in important spots.

Sep 25, 2016; Arlington, TX, USA; Chicago Bears wide receiver Alshon Jeffery (17) runs after a catch as Dallas Cowboys linebacker Justin Durant (56) pursues in the second quarter at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

1. Chicago Bears

Perhaps the current favorites for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, the Chicago Bears have had a tough start to the NFL 2016 season. The Bears have looked ugly through their 0-3 start and there is little reason to believe in them turning things around. They have already started a minor rebuild under general manager Ryan Pace, but I think this team would be best served if they were more aggressive.

There is some talent on both sides of the ball, but the Bears severely lack playmakers at important positions. Quarterback is an absolute mess, the offensive line is shaky at best, and their secondary is not any good.

The most obvious trade candidate here is wide receiver Alshon Jeffery. He is one of the most talented outside receivers in the NFL and the Bears may be able to land a massive haul in exchange for him.

The Bears simply are not going anywhere and Jeffery is set to hit free agency this offseason. Instead of spending a ton of money to bring him back, I think the Bears would be better off trading him away for strong draft capital.

This team needs to figure out its quarterback situation as Jay Cutler simply is not the answer. Once they get that figured out, the rest should start to fall into place better. In the meantime, it would not hurt the Bears to look to rebuild this roster more aggressively.

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