1. New York Jets: 5-12
When it comes to the biggest disappointments from the 2024 NFL season, the New York Jets finishing 5-12 is towards the top of the list. With one of the best defensive groups in the league and two young stars on offense (Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson) in place, the return of four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers had many pundits predicting a huge season for the Jets. Instead, New York struggled out of the gates and could never find its footing. A loss in the season opener to a healthy San Francisco team was followed by two wins. However, after losing their next two games — including a 10-9 defeat to Denver — the Jets fired Robert Saleh.
The Jets acquired Davante Adams after losing their first game without Saleh… and proceeded to go 1-6 over the next two months to fall out of playoff contention. Rodgers finished the year with nearly 4,000 yards and 28 touchdowns but often looked over the hill. It remains unclear if the legend will return in 2025. Regardless of his status, it is clear the Jets have a lot of work to do after a miserable season.
2. Chicago Bears: 4-2 to 5-12
If there is one team that challenged the drama that surrounded the Jets throughout the season, it was the Chicago Bears. With Caleb Williams, the No. 1 pick, under center, the Bears were seen as a fringe contender for a Wild Card spot in the NFC. Then, Chicago started the year 4-2 and entered its Bye Week with consecutive blowout victories. Following the Bye, Chicago was one play away from beating the Commanders in Washington. An embarrassing Hail Mary resulted in a loss, however, and started Chicago’s spiral.
A series of miserable losses and poor decision making on the sidelines led to Matt Eberflus losing his job after a Thanksgiving Day loss in Detroit. A once-promising season became a season from hell. The Bears lost 10 games in a row before ending the year with a win at Lambeau Field. While they didn’t have Super Bowl hopes like the Jets, Chicago’s season was arguably more embarrassing than any other team.
3. Tyreek Hill
By his standards, Tyreek Hill had a miserable season. The former Kansas City Chief had begun his tenure with the Miami Dolphins with two dominant seasons. In 2022, Hill caught 119 passes for 1,710 yards and seven TDs. Hill caught 119 passes once again in ’23, but this time led the NFL with 13 TDs and 1,799 yards. Hill’s unmatched production resulted in two First-Team All-Pro selections and consecutive top-10 MVP finishes.
This year, Hill and the Dolphins endured a frustrating season. The star wideout was forcibly detained before Miami’s Week 1 tilt against Jacksonville, and he later revealed that he suffered a wrist injury during the encounter. On the field, Hill failed to put up his typical numbers as QB Tua Tagovailoa missed a lot of action. Overall, Hill finished the year with 81 catches for 959 yards and six TDs — his worst numbers since he played only 12 games in 2019.
4. 49ers Finish Last in NFC West
Before the 2024 season, San Francisco had established itself as the team to beat in the NFC for five years. A Super Bowl appearance following the 2019 season was followed by NFC Championship appearances in ’21 and ’22, and another Super Bowl showdown with the Chiefs last season. After a heartbreaking loss in overtime in last year’s big game, the Niners were once again pegged as an elite team this year.
Instead, the Niners endured a season from hell. Star running back Christian McCaffrey didn’t take the field until Week 10 and appeared in just four games before suffering a season-ending injury. No. 1 wideout Brandon Aiyuk tore his ACL in October. Star defenders Javon Hargrave and Talanoa Hufanga combined to play 10 games. Despite a 5-4 start, San Francisco’s injury woes eventually crippled the team’s chances. The Niners went 1-7 down the stretch and finished at the bottom of the NFC West.
5. The Kirk Cousins Deal
The moment reports of Kirk Cousins and the Atlanta Falcons reaching a lucrative agreement hit the airwaves, many questions were asked about the franchise’s thought process. Cousins tore his Achilles last season and would be 36 years old when Week 1 rolled around. Giving him a four-year, $180 million contract with roughly $90 million guaranteed over the first two years was questionable at best. Then, the Falcons stunned the league by taking Washington QB Michael Penix Jr. 8th overall in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Cousins started 14 games for Atlanta this year before being replaced by Penix. Clearly limited by last year’s Achilles injury, Cousins was a statue under center and Atlanta’s offense was limited as a result. Still, the veteran put up decent numbers through his first nine games — 17 TDs and seven INTs. His final five starts, however, were terrible. Cousins threw one TD and nine INTs as the Falcons struggled to one win in five tries. The franchise has said it plans on Cousins entering 2025 as the backup QB, but it is hard to imagine he will be willing to stay in town.
