As we approach the start of the 2024 NFL season there’s a lot of hope and promise around the league. Teams looking to turn their fortunes around, and established winners hoping to take the next step — but then there’s a group of teams where the regular season doesn’t breed hope or excitement, but anxiety.

These are the desperate teams. Organizations who either see their windows closing, or who made rash moves in the hopes of winning right now. For them 2024 isn’t just part of the journey, but a mark of finality, with everything hinging on it.

Atlanta Falcons

When you try to emulate two Super Bowl winners it’s proof you’re in desperation mode. Many teams have thought about emulating the Buccaneers and Rams in their victories with older established quarterbacks, and the Falcons are simply the next in line.

The decision to sign Kirk Cousins and shoot for the moon shows that this team really thinks it can compete deep in the NFC this year, and not just settle for winning the NFC South. On paper this seems possible. There’s a ton to like about the Falcons on offense, and their late moves to trade for Matthew Judon and signing Justin Simmons makes Atlanta a force on defense as well.

It’s been seven years since the Falcons won a playoff game. A team that saw a window with Matt Ryan come and go, without much success to show for it. Considering the unpredictability of the NFC South the braintrust in Atlanta feels like it’s got to take its shot, lock up the division, and hope they can go far.

If that doesn’t materialize it’ll be a dark season in Atlanta.

New York Jets

Is anyone more desperate for victory than the New York Jets?

The entire AFC East was waiting for Tom Brady and Bill Belichick to age out and finally open the floodgates to contend. Since they the Jets have watched as the Bills, then the Dolphins slid into contention — leaving them on the outside.

Hiring Robert Saleh was a great decision on paper, but it really hasn’t panned out. As a coach he’s been passive at the wrong times, and the Jets have paid for it as a result. Now his last chance to hang on as a head coach comes down to the Hail Mary move to sign Aaron Rodgers and hope it can result in the Super Bowl win. That’s the expectation, and anything else would be a huge disappointment that would result in massive changes, and potentially a full rebuild.

San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers have consistently been one of the best teams in the NFL for the last three seasons, but now it’s all getting a little long in the tooth. Difficult decisions loom on the horizon when it comes to player contracts, and San Francisco is already dealing with Trent Williams holding out, likewise with Brandon Aiyuk. Couple all that with a looming extension for Brock Purdy and it results in a scenario where desperation is masquerading as confidence.

For all the deserved credit Kyle Shanahan has gotten, his team has still been unable to win when it matters. Part of that is due to the Chiefs’ being the NFL’s final boss, but where Kansas City has changed over time, the 49ers have been more stagnant and stuck to its status quo.

We have a scenario where San Francisco has lost a lot when they’ve been expected to win. Eventually that will lead to frustration, and 2025 could be the last time the team could afford to make a change at head coach if they feel the direction isn’t working before the salary cap catches up to the 49ers in a serious way.

That makes this a desperate season for Shanahan, and the 49ers by extension.

Dallas Cowboys

What is this team? It’s unclear if even the Cowboys know for sure. There’s no doubt Dallas has some of the NFL’s best talent, but nothing has managed to come together and lead to success. Locking up CeeDee Lamb after weeks of holdouts was critical in moving forward, but it’s a big gamble without knowing what the future holds for Dak Prescott or Micah Parsons.

An ever-present weight of expectations means that Dallas is in an ever-present state of desperation until they win a Super Bowl. This year is their make or break. If the Cowboys can at least contend in a serious way, then they could try and move ahead with their current players.

If they don’t, it’ll be a grim offseason in Dallas. Mike McCarthy is likely gone, Dak could be out as QB, and everything could be heading towards a major change.

Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images

Carolina Panthers

There is quite literally no reason for the Panthers to be in desperation mode — except for their owner. David Tepper is the least-patient man in the NFL, and with a wild card like that in the owner’s box it’s impossible to know what he’ll do from year to year.

A slow, patient rebuild with a new offense around Bryce Young and highlighting his abilities could lead to a solid future in Charlotte, but it’s also possible that another horrific season could lead to Tepper demanding more answers, more heads, and more results.

It’s a very different circumstance to other teams on this list, but right now there are no other owners in the league quite like Tepper.