NFL burning questions: The biggest mysteries facing each AFC team
NFL mandatory minicamps begin next week and training camps kick off in July. With this much time before the Week 1, every team still has plenty of unanswered questions.
Rosters are still being formed, rookies are learning new systems, roles have yet to be defined and coaches are incorporating plans for the season ahead. Plus, several impact free agents are still available.
The latest of those, Aaron Rodgers, signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Rodgers will look to propel Pittsburgh back to the playoffs. Others, like Amari Cooper and Keenan Allen, are looking for 2025 homes, too.
Paste BN Sports’ Tyler Dragon provides tackles his major question for every squad in the AFC ahead of minicamps.
NFL burning questions, AFC edition
AFC East
Buffalo Bills
Can James Cook and the Bills come up with a contract agreement?
The Bills and Cook are currently in a contract stalemate. Cook reportedly wants an extension that will earn him around $15 million annually. The two sides don’t appear close to a deal and Cook was absent from OTAs.
Miami Dolphins
Are the Dolphins buyers or sellers?
It appears to be the latter. The marriage between Jalen Ramsey and the Dolphins is headed toward an amicable divorce. Jonnu Smith’s name is being tossed around the rumor mill. While the situation surrounding Tyreek Hill and the Dolphins is rocky at best. All of which comes in the aftermath of Terron Armstead’s retirement.
New England Patriots
Can Mike Vrabel turnaround the Patriots?
The Patriots backed up the Brinks trucks during free agency, spending well over $200 million in overall contract value. Will the additions pay off? The biggest addition, however, is on the sideline. The Patriots haven’t had a winning record since 2021.
New York Jets
When will the Jets end the longest active playoff drought in the NFL?
New head coach Aaron Glenn and the Jets decided to move on from a forgettable Aaron Rodgers era in New York. In comes Justin Fields who is now on his third NFL team. The culture is different with the Jets, but the goal remains the same.
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens
Did the Ravens do enough to fix a porous pass defense?
The Ravens ranked 31st in the NFL in pass defense and 29th in pass rush win rate, per ESPN. It’s not a coincidence Baltimore’s first two draft picks were on safety Malaki Starks and edge rusher Mike Green. Veteran cornerback Chidobe Awuzie was also added in free agency.
Cincinnati Bengals
Can the Bengals and Trey Hendrickson salvage their relationship?
The Bengals and Hendrickson are in a public contract dispute. The two sides don’t appear to be closing the gap in contract negotiations. The Bengals paid Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, but Hendrickson seems to be the odd man out. Could a trade be on the horizon?
Cleveland Browns
Who is going to win Cleveland’s quarterback competition?
Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders are vying to become the Browns starting quarterback. Meanwhile, Deshaun Watson is expected to miss the entire 2025 season. It’ll behoove the Browns to see what they have in either Gabriel or Sanders before the 2026 draft in which they have two first-round selections. The Browns have trotted out 40 starting quarterbacks since 1999, the most in the NFL during that span.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Does Aaron Rodgers actually make the Steelers better?
If the Steelers get vintage Rodgers they are Super Bowl contenders. But Father Time and last year’s performance serve as evidence that the 41-year-old quarterback isn’t the QB of old. Pittsburgh just needs him to improve on the 63% completion percentage, 229 passing yards per game average and 90.5 passer rating he produced last season.
AFC South
Houston Texans
Houston, do we have a problem with the O-line?
The Texans ranked 31st in run block win rate and 22nd in pass block win rate last season, per ESPN. Consequently, C.J. Stroud was sacked an AFC-high 52 times in 2024. In response, the Texans inexplicably traded away their best offensive lineman in Laremy Tunsil.
Indianapolis Colts
Who is going to win the quarterback competition between Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones?
This year feels like the last chance for Richardson to prove that he’s Indy’s starter. Jones was signed to a one-year deal to bring competition to the room. Richardson’s absence during minicamp due to a shoulder injury allows Jones more reps. Richardson possesses the tools and athleticism to beat out Jones, but can he put it all together?
Jacksonville Jaguars
How will the Jaguars use Travis Hunter?
The Jaguars say Hunter will play both ways, but we’re all waiting to see how it unfolds in the NFL. Hunter played over 86% of Colorado’s offensive snaps and 82% of the team’s defensive snaps.
Tennessee Titans
Have the Titans found a franchise quarterback in Cam Ward?
The vibes are good in Nashville right now. Ward’s even demonstrated leadership tendencies. Tennessee hasn’t had a 3,000-yard passer since Ryan Tannehill in 2021. Warren Moon is the franchise’s only 4,000-yard passer.
AFC West
Denver Broncos
Have the Broncos supplied Bo Nix with enough weapons?
The Broncos had the AFC West’s worst passing offense last year. Courtland Sutton’s 1,081 receiving yards were more than two times more than Denver’s next leading receiver. Rookies RJ Harvey and Pat Bryant figure to be key contributors, along with tight end Evan Engram.
Kansas City Chiefs
Can the Chiefs fortify their offensive line?
Patrick Mahomes was sacked a career-high 36 times (including a single-game most six times in the Super Bowl) last season. After a subpar season upfront, the Chiefs signed Jaylon Moore in free agency, moved Kingsley Suamataia inside to guard and drafted Josh Simmons in the first round. It remains to be seen if Kansas City's revamped O-line will be improved.
Las Vegas Raiders
What kind of impact will Pete Carroll have on the Raiders?
Carroll teams historically have stout defenses and are good at running the football. The Raiders had the worst total defense in the AFC West and ranked last in the NFL in rushing last season. Free agent additions Jeremy Chinn and Devin White could make immediate impacts on defense. While rookie Ashton Jeanty is expected to be a difference maker.
Los Angeles Chargers
Have the Chargers surrounded Justin Herbert with enough firepower?
Hebert averaged a career-low 227 passing yards per game last season. On the ground, the club’s 4.1 yards per carry averaged ranked in the bottom half of the NFL. Rookies Omarion Hampton and Tre Harris were brought aboard to jumpstart LA’s sluggish offense, along with the return of Mike Williams and addition of Najee Harris.
Follow Paste BN Sports' Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.