Every NFL team has its dark days, but some seasons are so brutal that fans are left wondering why they even bothered to watch. Whether it’s comically bad quarterback play, locker room chaos, or just an endless stream of L’s, these seasons stand out as pure football misery.
From historically awful records to star players demanding trades midseason, these teams lived through absolute nightmares. Here are the 18 most miserable seasons in recent NFL history, ranked from bad to truly soul-crushing.
18. 2020 Philadelphia Eagles (4-11-1)
Carson Wentz fell apart, the offensive line was in shambles, and Doug Pederson got fired three years after winning a Super Bowl. Philly fans booed from home during a pandemic, which is saying something.
17. 2018 Arizona Cardinals (3-13)
The Josh Rosen era was a disaster from the jump, and the offense looked like it was running in slow motion. Steve Wilks got one year and was shown the door before Kliff and Kyler arrived.
16. 2014 Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-14)
They somehow tanked into the No. 1 pick despite Lovie Smith trying to win games. The Mike Glennon and Josh McCown QB carousel was tough on the eyes.
15. 2012 Kansas City Chiefs (2-14)
Arrowhead was silent all season, the offense couldn’t score, and tragedy rocked the locker room. It was a dark and painful year that needed a complete reset.
14. 2019 Cincinnati Bengals (2-14)
Before Joe Burrow saved the city, Andy Dalton’s final ride was a sad, sputtering mess. Zac Taylor’s rookie season featured zero momentum and one of the league’s worst defenses.
13. 2007 Miami Dolphins (1-15)
They somehow avoided 0-16 thanks to an overtime miracle against the Ravens. That one win felt like a Super Bowl parade for fans clinging to any hope.
12. 2023 New York Jets (7-10)
Aaron Rodgers tore his Achilles tendon four plays into the season, and the offense never recovered. It was an entire year of Zach Wilson memes and broken dreams.
11. 2008 Detroit Lions (0-16)
The first team to go winless in a 16-game season, and it wasn’t even close most weeks. Dan Orlovsky running out of the back of the end zone became the season’s signature highlight.
10. 2022 Denver Broncos (5-12)
“Let’s Ride” became the most mocked catchphrase in NFL history as Russell Wilson imploded. Even with a great defense, the offense was unwatchable under Nathaniel Hackett.
9. 2016 Cleveland Browns (1-15)
This was the year before 0-16, and somehow it was just as depressing. Cody Kessler, Josh McCown, and RGIII all started games in a QB carousel from hell.
8. 2010 Carolina Panthers (2-14)
They had the worst offense in the league and scored 10 or fewer points eight times. Jimmy Clausen was the quarterback, which tells you everything you need to know.
7. 2023 Carolina Panthers (2-15)
They traded away DJ Moore and the No. 1 pick for Bryce Young, then gave him zero help. Frank Reich didn’t last the season, and the offense looked like a high school playbook.
6. 2011 Indianapolis Colts (2-14)
No Peyton Manning, no hope. Curtis Painter started most games, and the team bottomed out so hard that they got the No. 1 pick and drafted Andrew Luck.
5. 2020 Jacksonville Jaguars (1-15)
They somehow beat the Colts in Week 1, then lost 15 straight and made tanking look like performance art. The prize? Trevor Lawrence and a future of slightly less misery.
4. 2019 Washington Commanders (3-13)
Jay Gruden got fired after an 0-5 start, and the team had no direction or leadership. The Dwayne Haskins era began and ended with more questions than answers.
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3. 2021 Houston Texans (4-13)
Deshaun Watson was inactive all year, the roster was gutted, and David Culley was a one-and-done coach. Most fans couldn’t even name half the players by midseason.
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2. 2009 St. Louis Rams (1-15)
They averaged just under 11 points per game and cycled through Keith Null and Kyle Boller at quarterback. Steven Jackson was the only bright spot on a team that felt doomed before Week 1.
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1. 2017 Cleveland Browns (0-16)
They completed the rare feat of going winless and still somehow keeping Hue Jackson for another year. The “Perfect Season Parade” was the most Cleveland thing ever, and fans showed up.
