The NFL is a copycat league. Everyone wants to figure out how to win the Super Bowl, and often a cheat code is seeing how another organization just did it.
For lesser playoff and non-playoff teams hopeful to get to Super Bowl 57, they are fortunate to see the Buccaneers and Rams just lifted the Lombardi Trophy after long droughts with aggressive moves for expensive veterans.
Tampa Bay had a good roster, but Tom Brady's presence helped put it over the top in short order. Los Angeles knocked on the door with an NFC championship three years ago, but it broke through by flipping QB to Matthew Stafford and adding stars such as Jalen Ramsey, Von Miller and Odell Beckham Jr. in between Super runs.
The Buccaneers spent well with contracts more for the short term. The Rams sacrificed future financial flexibility and draft capital to load up the roster. Here's looking at six teams that can turn around quickly toward big things in 2022:
MORE: Will these Super Bowl 57 longshots be next year's Bengals?
1. Denver Broncos
The Broncos, with new coach Nathaniel Hackett, are excited about tapping into their immense offensive potential with tackle Garett Bolles, running back Javonte Williams, tight end Noah Fant and wide receivers Courtland Sutton, Jerry Jeudy and Tim Patrick. They seem to be just a veteran QB of choice away, just like the Bucs and Rams were.
There's no doubt Aaron Rodgers is the dream get for Denver to match the Brady and Stafford blockbusters. The team's offensive coordinator, Justin Outten, is also from Matt LaFleur's Green Bay staff. The Broncos have a lot of talent on the roster and some good defensive pieces, too, minus Miller and Vic Fangio.
The Broncos also have great salary-cap space and draft capital. They are about $50 million under the cap and also have 11 selections in April, thanks in part to trades with the Rams. They wield plenty of power with GM George Paton. Convincing Rodgers to come would be the ultimate coup, but the Broncos can still make things big happen if they hit on the right QB, rookie or veteran.
2. Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles have done this before with GM Howie Roseman. They are still recovering a bit from their surprising Super Bowl 52 run with Doug Pederson and have remixed without some heavy contracts, led by that of QB Carson Wentz, to become an NFC playoff team again under Nick Sirianni.
The cheap rookie contract of 2020 second-round Jalen Hurts at starting QB has opened up more than $20 million in cap space. The Eagles also have 10 total draft picks, including three first-rounders (Nos. 15, 16 and 19 overall), thanks to trades with the Dolphins and Colts (Wentz).
Philadelphia needs to tweak the offensive line and get all their skill players going with Hurts. It also must make some wholesale changes defensively, especially in the front seven. There are plenty of avenues to upgrade significantly to get back on the plane of the Cowboys in the NFC East.
3. Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals made to the Super Bowl as surprise AFC champions because of the fortune of landing Joe Burrow and his go-to wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase in back-to-back drafts. Down to kicker Evan McPherson, they have made great recent picks to establish a young corps that will keep them contenders for a while.
But decision-maker Duke Tobin also have hit on big free agents the past two offseason, none bigger than defensive end Trey Hendrickson from New Orleans. Could they make run at Saints' left tackle Terron Armstead, knowing that team is in cap trouble and Burrow could use a rock of a left tackle?
Tobin's track record suggest he will improve his team in weak areas again with the right mix of spending and selection for need. The Bengals also should stay aggressive while Burrow is on his rookie first-round contract.
4. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers likewise have their young stud QB Justin Herbert on his rookie first-round contract from 2020. They were close to being a playoff team in 2021 and would have been dangerous in the 2022 AFC tournament had they made it.
They should feel confident that Brandon Staley and Herbert are the right leading combination. The defense is very good against the pass and can get shored up against the run. The offense is loaded everywhere for Herbert, from the offensive line to the wide receivers. The Chargers are staring at more than $50 in cap space, too. They don't need to do much to get over the top and challenge the Chiefs, inside and outside of the AFC West.
5. Indianapolis Colts
The Colts, had Wentz panned out to be more effective right away, would feel more confident they were close had they made the playoffs again under the strength of Jonathan Taylor's exceptional running and a strong defense at every level under Frank Reich. They still are an aggressive team under GM Chris Ballard, as deals for players such as Wentz and defensive tackle DeForest Buckner have shown.
They need to work on finding the right replacement for Wentz, which is difficult without a first-rounder. That answer may come in free agency. The Colts are looking at around $40 million under the cap with which to work before finding a way to dump Wentz's contract, which can save them $13 million more.
6. Chicago Bears
Here's the one true wild card. The Bears made some good hires in the combination of coach Matt Eberflus, who can get the still talented defense back on dominant track with better health, and GM Ryan Poles, who cut his teeth working for the Chiefs.
The Bears could suddenly roll offensively with the talent of Justin Fields forming dangerous triplets with David Montgomery and Darnell Mooney. They just need a few more pieces in terms of offensive line and weapons. They also can address key parts of their defense with just under $30 million under the cap. The key will be hitting on Poles' first draft without a first-round pick.
