As an Amazon Associate, Modded gets commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
Every NFL team comes into the season with high hopes. Playoffs, division titles and Lombardi trophies are what players dream about. However, someone has to be at the bottom. Who is it in 2026? Here’s what you need to know about the worst team in the NFL and how they got here.
Which Team is the Worst in the NFL?
There are a handful of teams at the bottom of the standings. However, the worst of the worst is the Tennessee Titans. The Nashville-based franchise has just one win all season, a road win against the Arizona Cardinals. In that game, the Titans overcame an 18-point deficit to win a shocker. It’s safe to say they’re not making the first round of the playoffs this season.
Some teams are unlucky and narrowly lose games. However, most of the Titans’ losses have come by double digits. These blowouts included uncompetitive games against the New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts and the Houston Texans. Tennessee has the worst point differential in the NFL, with only Las Vegas and New Orleans close in this category.
How Did They Become So Bad?
The Titans fell from grace quickly. Tennessee earned the AFC South crown in 2020 and 2021, winning at least 11 games each season. Even as the runner-up in 2019, the Titans went on an unforgettable run. They defeated Tom Brady in New England and Lamar Jackson in Baltimore before falling to Patrick Mahomes in Kansas City.
How did the good times end? After a couple of losing seasons, the Titans fired head coach Mike Vrabel after the 2023 season. In retrospect, this decision cemented Tennessee as one of the worst NFL teams. The franchise hired Brian Callahan from the Cincinnati Bengals to lead the Titans to glory. Unfortunately, it would only deteriorate from there.
Roster Management
Imagine having Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown in the same offense. These dynamic players can elevate any team, thanks to their sheer talent and power. However, the Titans must have taken Henry’s legendary 99-yard touchdown for granted because they let him walk in free agency. Yes, it’s typically wise to let older running backs go. However, King Henry is still a great player two seasons later.
Letting Henry go was a questionable decision. However, it pales in comparison to the Brown situation. The Titans traded him to the Philadelphia Eagles for Treylon Burks and a third-round pick. In just three seasons, Brown earned 24 touchdowns and nearly 3,000 receiving yards. Conversely, Burks played just 27 games in his first three seasons due to injuries.
How Long Will They Be the Worst NFL Team?
The vibes are bad in Nashville. The Titans have not been this bad since the early 2010s, when Ken Whisenhunt was the head coach. However, there are some glimmers of hope. For example, Cam Ward was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s not high on fantasy football leaderboards, but he’s already improved as a rookie. Building around him will be key.
The NFL is among the most popular sports due to its high level of parity. If you’re a bad team, you can go from bottom to top in just a few years. You need some luck on your side, but it can be done. Just look at the Cincinnati Bengals, which had five losing seasons between 2016 and 2020. Despite being the worst team in the NFL, they made the Super Bowl in 2021.
What Can They Do to Improve?
So, where do the Titans go from here? Fortunately, there is always a path forward in the NFL. Here’s a roadmap to get Tennessee back to the top of the AFC South.
1. Hire a Solid Head Coach
The difference between winning and losing is the head coach. This leader sets the tone for the entire organization, from top to bottom. Tennessee fired Brian Callahan earlier in 2025, setting up a critical coaching search in the off-season. Mike Borgonzi, the GM, must get the hire right. Otherwise, the Titans risk another five years of irrelevance.
The top priority should be righting the ship. Find a guy with experience and a proven track record of winning games. Who fits the bill? Mike McCarthy is available and would likely pick up the phone. Despite his publicized exits from Green Bay and Dallas, McCarthy knows how to win.
2. Acquire Talent in Free Agency
The good news is the Titans have a significant amount of cap space heading into 2026. In fact, experts say Tennessee has the most of all NFL teams, with $108,986,850. This much money gives the Titans more flexibility to sign great players. The roster is weak across the board except at quarterback, so it might be wise to spend money on the offensive line.
Cap management is essential because winning teams are smart with their contracts. If you max out your salary for one player, you’re in trouble. For instance, the Miami Dolphins paid over $50 million to Tua Tagovailoa in 2025. However, they’re more likely to plan a trip to Cancún instead of the Super Bowl.
3. Hit on Draft Picks
The NFL’s bottom feeders are already looking to April and gearing up for the 2026 Draft. If you’re one of the worst teams in the NFL, it’s essential to hit on your draft picks. Otherwise, you’ll be back in the top five next year. The Titans are likely to secure the No. 1 pick, which gives them significant leverage. There are plenty of top guys to choose from in the spring.
The Titans need a lot of help on both sides of the ball. If they’re thinking defense, they could draft Reuben Bain Jr., the top-rated edge rusher on the board. Arvell Reese and Caleb Downs are other solid options to shore up the defense. An offense-centric approach could mean targeting wide receivers Jordyn Tyson or Carnell Tate. After all, a top QB needs a go-to receiving target.
4. Consider Trading Picks
Tennessee could keep the top pick and get a star player. However, it might be wise to trade the pick to other needy teams. The Saints, Jets, Raiders and Browns all could use a quarterback. Therefore, it would be wise to start a bidding war among these teams. Who is willing to give up the most assets for a top QB prospect?
Fernando Mendoza should be a solid quarterback at the professional level. GMs for the aforementioned bottom feeders would love to draft him on April 23. What the Titans do with their draft pick between January and April could significantly impact the franchise’s future. You could see Tennessee trade with the Jets and Browns, both of which have multiple first-round picks.
Analyzing the Worst Team in the NFL
The Tennessee Titans could have the No. 1 pick for the fourth time in franchise history. Regardless of how they finish the season, the vibes are down in Nashville. However, every situation is fixable, even when you’re the worst NFL team. A good coach, smart draft picks and strategic free agent signings will be key.
