In the NFL, every team talks about “learning from the past” and “building for the future.” But some franchises seem stuck in a never-ending loop of questionable decisions, bad luck, and self-inflicted wounds. Whether it’s chasing the wrong quarterback, ignoring glaring roster holes, or refusing to evolve with the modern game, these teams somehow keep stepping on the same rake year after year.
Fans of these franchises know the feeling — hope rises in the offseason, optimism peaks in training camp, and then reality smacks you in the face by Week 5. Some of these teams mean well, others just can’t seem to get out of their own way. Either way, we’re here to call it like it is.
10. Indianapolis Colts
Since Andrew Luck retired, the Colts have been collecting aging quarterbacks like Pokémon cards. Every season feels like a new experiment with a different veteran and the same disappointing results. They’re hoping Anthony Richardson will be the future, but jury is still out.
9. Carolina Panthers
They keep trying to fix things by throwing quarterbacks at the problem. It’s like they’re building a Frankenstein QB room one trade at a time.
8. Tennessee Titans
They love running backs like it’s still 1999. Every year they try to win by pounding the ball and pretending wide receivers don’t exist.
7. New York Giants
They live to overpay mid-tier free agents and draft linemen who immediately get hurt. At this point, it feels like they’re just trying to re-create 2007 magic with 2025 problems.
6. Las Vegas Raiders
The Raiders draft speed over substance and fall in love with chaos. No matter who’s in charge, they still treat the first round like a Madden fantasy draft.
5. New Orleans Saints
They keep restructuring contracts like the salary cap is a myth. Eventually the bill comes due, but they just push it to next year like it’s future them’s problem.
4. Cleveland Browns
They change coaches like socks and somehow always end up right back where they started. Flashy moves, big names, and then… four wins and a Twitter meltdown.
3. Chicago Bears
They’re in a committed relationship with quarterback misery. No matter who they pick, he either gets no help or gets crushed behind a turnstile offensive line.
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2. New York Jets
They bring in a quarterback, ruin him, fire a coach, and repeat. It’s like a sitcom with terrible reruns, but somehow still gets renewed every season.
Read More: 10 NFL Franchises That Have Never Figured It Out
1. Dallas Cowboys
They hype themselves into a Super Bowl every August, then trip over their own expectations by January. It’s the same script every year and Jerry Jones keeps greenlighting sequels.
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