On the Move The Sticks Podcast, Daniel Jeremiah and I have dissected the foundations of each of the 32 NFL clubs over the last few weeks. We examined every roster through the lens of a championship foundation, which we determined to be the following 12-player formula, with the assistance of NFL Research guru Jack Andrade:
one quarterback
Three creators of offensive plays
Three offensive lineman of superior caliber
two rushers who pass
Three rear-seven players
Additionally, each player chosen for a championship foundation was assigned to one of the following categories:
BLUE: The best five to ten players in his position.
GREEN: A very strong, trustworthy beginning.
YELLOW: Age, injury, or contract-related potential concerns.
PURPLE: A youthful, inexperienced athlete with BLUE promise.
PINK: A youthful, inexperienced player has the potential to be a GREEN or even BLUE.
Finding the teams who are most prepared to contend for the Lombardi Trophy over the course of the next few years, not only in 2024, is the goal of this exercise. My top eight championship foundations are listed below.
The age provided for each player is his anticipated age on September 5, which is the first day of the NFL season. * Indicates that the player is a rookie.
Place 1
The Chiefs of Kansas City
The Chiefs of Kansas City
Record for 2023: 11-6 KC-foundation
Kansas City should be able to contend for a championship for the next ten years only with Patrick Mahomes, but general manager Brett Veach and head coach Andy Reid have surrounded the two-time MVP with a group of players that is nearly unfair to the other teams. Beginning with a formidable offensive line stacked with talent in the center (Trey Smith, Joe Thuney, and Craig Humphrey), the Chiefs have constructed a stronghold around their franchise quarterback that will allow him to pass to a variety of quick and explosive wide receivers. Although he is nearing the twilight of his career, tight end Travis Kelce is still the best option in the passing game, which emphasizes the necessity for Mahomes to build rapport with the wide receiver group. The defending Super Bowl winners are ready to add even more hardware to the trophy case in the future thanks to a defense that boasts players at every level, led by DT Chris Jones, LB Nick Bolton, and CB Trent McDuffie.
Philadelphia Eagles, ranked two
Philadelphia Eagles: 11-6 in 2023 (PHI-foundation)
In the age of salary caps, general manager Howie Roseman has perfected the art of team building. The astute assessor establishes a core using the conventional “draft and develop” approach, but also aggressively adds elite players through trade or free agency. The star-studded offensive lineup of Philadelphia includes a variety of Pro Bowl players that were obtained through different channels. Roseman’s innovative approach disregards caution as he crafts a club capable of winning immediately while also encouraging the kind of growth that will keep the Eagles competitive for many years to come. As long as the general manager continues to hoard draft cash in order to choose blue-chippers or trade for valuable assets, Philly will be vying for the Lombardi Trophy.
3rd place Detroit Lions
Detroit Lions: 12-5 in 2023
DET-foundation
The head coach’s tough style has been reflected in Dan Campbell’s transformation of the Lions into a title contender, but general manager Brad Holmes should be commended for assembling a team full of young, talented players. Premier quality, in particular, can be found at every prominent position on the offense, led by first-team All-Pro RT Penei Sewell and including players like Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Sam LaPorta, and Jahmyr Gibbs. Dan Hutchinson, Brian Branch, and Kerby Joseph, Detroit’s defensive playmakers, can feast on overly aggressive quarterbacks who are compelled to chase points in order to maintain pace in shootouts, thanks to offensive coordinator Ben Johnson’s skillful management of one of the most explosive attacks in sport. The Lions are fast becoming the NFC’s envy as they continue to bolster their defense with weapons like first-round pick Terrion Arnold and second-round choice Ennis Rakestraw Jr.
San Francisco 49ers, rank four
San Francisco 49ers: 12-5 SF-foundation-1 in 2023
This particular 49ers team may be nearing the end of its championship window, but there are still enough young players with elite talent at key positions to support a championship run before moving on to a new core with a high-paid quarterback. In the upcoming offseason, general manager John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan will have to decide which blue-chip players to hold onto for the long term in order to keep Purdy on a championship roster. Purdy commands an annual salary of at least $50 million. Due to ongoing contract disagreements, first-team All-Pro linebacker Trent Williams and second-team All-Pro wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk are each listed above as YELLOW. Whether the 49ers are still competitive in the Purdy era will depend on how they manage the pay cap with their senior players.
Baltimore Ravens, Rank 5
Baltimore Ravens: 13-4 overall; BAL-foundation
When it comes to the “draft and develop” method, the Ravens are the best. The team has a talent for selecting blue-chip talents at different phases of the draft and surrounding them in crucial positions with underappreciated veterans. A few excellent players who are about to enter their prime careers are on Baltimore’s current roster. With a two-time MVP quarterback signed to a long-term contract, the Ravens have assembled the essential component needed to win a title. The group of playmakers the organization has strategically surrounded the quarterback with—Mark Andrews, Zay Flowers, and Derek Henry—have abilities that exactly match Jackson’s style of playmaking. Additionally, Rashod Bateman and Isaiah Likely, two gifted young pass catchers for Baltimore, should be able to grow into more significant roles in the future. The Ravens have a strong defensive line led by homegrown blue-chippers Kyle Hamilton and Justin Madubuike, who help a top-tier trade acquisition in Roquan Smith. With all of the quality and depth, John Harbaugh’s team ought to be a strong contender in the 2020s.
Houston Texans, Rank 6
Houston Texans: 10-7 at home against the foundation in 2023
The Houston DeMeco Ryans process has accelerated due to C.J. Stroud’s instant success. With a five-star quarterback throwing to explosive pass catchers like Nico Collins and Tank Dell, who get to learn from a route-running master like Stefon Diggs, the Texans appear to be among the AFC’s heavyweights in 2024. Tytus Howard and Laremy Tunsil might make a strong edge tandem if Howard can improve his health, and the offensive line is promising. Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., the Texans’ pass rushers, provide a well-rounded threat to a talented secondary that is led by Derek Stingley Jr., a rare lockdown corner. Ryans might witness his club soar to the top of the AFC if the Texans can turn some of the guys shown as GREENs in the above chart into BLUEs (SEE: Jalen Pitre and Azeez Al-Shaair).
Green Bay Packers, Rank 7
Green Bay Packers: 9–8 GB-foundation in 2023
Some have expressed disapproval of the Packers’ approach to team building, but Green Bay’s performance in Jordan Love’s debut season as starting quarterback indicates general manager Brian Gutekunst has the ability to fit the pieces of the puzzle together. If the parties can work out their present contract standoff, the Packers appear to have the quarterback they need to compete for the next ten years. Love is surrounded by a fascinating assortment of weaponry that will enable him to demonstrate his prowess as an upscale gunslinger. The team doesn’t have a proven wide receiver, but a number of young pass catchers have shown promising performances, thus it appears the Packers’ developmental strategy is still effective in 2024. Elgton Jenkins, Zach Tom, and Rasheed Walker anchor a potent offensive line that prevents opponents from interfering with Love’s rhythm in the pocket. Additionally, it will open up space for Josh Jacobs, a free agent addition, to pummel opponents in between tackles. On defense, the Packers have selected players with blue-chip potential at key positions (cornerback, off-ball linebacker, and rush rusher) with first round selections. Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark, Quay Walker, and Jaire Alexander might lead Green Bay to a deeper postseason run if they perform at the highest level possible.
Eighth-ranked New York Jets
New York Jets: 7-10 in 2023
The New York Journal Foundation
Don’t allow Aaron Rodgers’ injury history or advanced age prevent you from supporting the Jets. Even with the four-time MVP being just temporarily rented by the organization, New York has amassed enough blue-chip talent to become a consistent competitor, and its quarterback performance is even respectable. The Jets offense is loaded with talented players like Brett Hall, Alijah Vera-Tucker, and real No. 1 receiver Garrett Wilson. However, it would also be advantageous if Vera-Tucker could stay healthy this season. Even if the offense falters, New York’s all-star defense is strong enough to keep the club competitive. With its outstanding play, the group—led by Quincy and Quinnen Williams, C.J. Mosley, Sauce Gardner, and Jermaine Johnson II—has the ability to swing the game in the Jets’ favor. The Jets are at least dark horse competitors in the AFC because to a quality team full of players who are either in or about to enter their prime.
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