Each AFC team has its own significant regret when reflecting on their decisions:
AFC East
- Buffalo Bills: The regret centers around signing OLB Von Miller to a lucrative six-year, $120M contract during the 2022 offseason, hoping it won’t impact their Super Bowl aspirations.
- Miami Dolphins: The regret lies in their Week 14 loss to the Tennessee Titans, a turning point that undermined their chances of clinching the AFC East title.
- New York Jets: The failure to acquire a competent backup quarterback, even though the injury to QB Aaron Rodgers was unpredictable.
- New England Patriots: The mismanagement of QB Mac Jones’ development after OC Josh McDaniels left, affecting Jones’ performance over the past two seasons.
AFC West
- Denver Broncos: The regret involves trading for HC Sean Payton and QB Russell Wilson over the past two offseasons, with the flashy moves failing to produce desired results.
- Kansas City Chiefs: Not acquiring a star wide receiver, opting instead for inexperienced pass-catchers, leading to frustration for QB Patrick Mahomes.
- Las Vegas Raiders: The regret is in hiring HC Josh McDaniels, who hindered the team’s performance in his two seasons at the helm.
- Los Angeles Chargers: Allowing HC Brandon Staley to return after a 2022 wild-card round loss was considered a mistake, leading to a disappointing season.
AFC North
- Baltimore Ravens: The regret is in drafting wide receiver Rashod Bateman over other potential options in the 2021 NFL Draft.
- Cleveland Browns: The decision to trade for QB Deshaun Watson, giving up three first-round picks, has not proven worth it, considering Watson’s limited playing time and performance.
- Cincinnati Bengals: Losing safety Jessie Bates to the Falcons in free agency is a regret, considering his impressive performance after leaving the Bengals.
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Extending QB Mitchell Trubisky’s contract, expecting him to be a capable backup, but demoting him to No. 3 QB during the season.
AFC South
- Houston Texans: The regret involves not starting RB Devin Singletary sooner, as his performance significantly boosted the team’s offense.
- Indianapolis Colts: Allowing QB Anthony Richardson to run excessively, leading to a season-ending shoulder injury, impacting what could have been a special rookie season.
- Jacksonville Jaguars: Regret is in letting HC Doug Pederson waste two years of QB Trevor Lawrence’s career, resulting in Lawrence’s regression in performance.
- Tennessee Titans: The regret lies in fielding arguably the worst offensive line in franchise history, negatively impacting QB Will Levis and leading to a high number of sacks surrendered.
