NFL Competitive Imbalance: The Rise of Superteams
In 100 days, the 2026 NFL season will kick off. Traditionally, this time allows most fans to hope their team stands a chance. However, optimism seems scarce this year. The NFL increasingly mirrors the NBA, with only a few teams looking like Super Bowl contenders. Others seem focused on building for the future, leaving the majority idling in mediocrity.
Recently, the Cleveland Browns traded star pass rusher Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams. The trade included a first-round pick, Jared Verse, and additional draft capital. This deal provided Cleveland with substantial compensation but cost them perhaps the league’s premier defensive player. Garrett set a new record last season with 23 sacks, outpacing his nearest rival by 6.5 sacks.
The Rams were already leading Super Bowl odds and, with Garrett, their chances have improved to +600. Meanwhile, the Bills, Ravens, and Seahawks trail at +1000, according to DraftKings Sportsbook.
On paper, the Rams possess a rare NFL superteam. This lineup could be the most talented since the 2007 Patriots. Los Angeles reached the NFC Championship Game last season, hindered by special teams mistakes. To rectify this, they hired a new special teams coordinator and added All-Pro and Pro Bowl talents during the offseason.
Besides Garrett, the Rams acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie and signed Jaylen Watson. McDuffie ranks among the top five cornerbacks in the NFL. Watson, a potential number one cornerback on other teams, was the 17th best-ranked cornerback by PFF last season.
The Rams’ current roster excels across several positions: quarterback, pass rush, cornerback, wide receiver, offensive line, tight end, running back, and head coach. Their strong assembly defies the league’s intended parity; however, competitive balance had been faltering even before these moves.
OutKick’s Dan Zaksheske highlights:
- Only nine different franchises participated in the last ten Super Bowls.
- Twenty-three teams missed out on a Super Bowl appearance in that span.
- More teams participated in multiple Super Bowls (five) than just one (four) in the last decade.
- The AFC Championship Game consistently featured either the Chiefs or Patriots for over 15 years.
- Patriots, Chiefs, Eagles, and Seahawks combined for ten of the last thirteen championships.
These five teams aggressively upgraded this offseason. The Rams’ actions are well-documented. Kansas City added Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Philadelphia bolstered its pass rush and receiving corps, and New England acquired A.J. Brown.
Entering a different trajectory, Cleveland appears more focused on the future 2027 NFL Draft, mirroring strategies of teams like the Dolphins, Cardinals, and Jets. These teams are trading their top talent, leaving many stuck in a repetitive cycle of moderate performance.
Ownership preferences now shape the NFL. General managers like Les Snead (Rams), Howie Roseman (Eagles), Brett Veach (Chiefs), John Schneider (Seahawks), and Jason Licht (Buccaneers) wield substantial influence due to owner support. They re-sign key players, secure high-profile free agents, and trade draft picks accordingly.
This imbalance poses a concern for the NFL. Formerly, its “any given Sunday” approach appealed to fans, where any team could triumph. This scenario is fading, seemingly unnoticed by the league.
While enticing fans to spend more on streaming services, international games, additional viewing windows, and a fragmented experience, the league strays from its roots. Solutions for restoring parity remain elusive.
The Rams’ acquisition of Myles Garrett highlights this shift. Historically, the NBA experienced a similar waiting game, expecting the same elite teams to vie for the championship each season. The NFL increasingly parallels that model, even with the season 100 days away.