The AFC offseason Cold War is officially heating up. The league’s new year is set to kick off Wednesday as the conference’s powerhouses begin loading up in an escalating AFC arms race on the road to Super Bowl LXI. Meanwhile, the worst team in 2025, the Las Vegas Raiders, went on a spending spree to kick off free agency, as they attempt to go from worst-to-first in 2026.
The Buffalo Bills made an interesting trade last week, acquiring Bears wideout, DJ Moore, giving Josh Allen a new weapon. Since the release of Stefon Diggs in 2024, Allen has had to be a one-man show, willing the Bills to victories but still coming up short in the playoffs. The glaring need for a legitimate threat at the receiver position was evident throughout the season, as Allen found himself relying heavily on his ability to run and make plays out of the pocket. This all came to a head as he turned the ball over four times in the playoff loss to the Denver Broncos. While Allen is every bit an MVP-caliber player year in and year out, defenses have no reason to respect the Bills’ receiver corps.
The Bills’ new receiver is not without concern. Moore’s ability to be a number one is in question. While he has definitely shown moments of greatness dating back to his Carolina days, Moore has some analysts skeptical of the Bills’ new wideout. NFL analyst Jason McIntyre stated, “DJ Moore is nothing close to a No. 1 receiver,” following the breaking news. While the Bills filled a much needed spot on their roster, more will need to be done if they are looking to take back the AFC East.
DJ Moore’s Addition Does Little For The Bills in the AFC Arms Race
In the AFC West, Kansas City and Las Vegas made moves to dethrone the Denver Broncos. Andy Reid has a new running back in Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, bringing both elusiveness and power to a Kansas City team in desperate need of help for quarterback Patrick Mahomes. With the return of Travis Kelce for one more year, the Chiefs appear to be setting up a balanced offense, relieving Mahomes from having to play Superman on a weekly basis.
While the Chiefs filled their single biggest need, the Raiders upgraded an entire depleted roster, spending over $280 Million. Las Vegas is slated to take Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in this year’s draft and is building a veteran roster to set the rookie up for success. The Raiders set a record, paying the most in NFL history for an interior offensive lineman, signing center Tyler Linderbaum to a three-year, $81 million deal that includes $60 million in guaranteed money.
Linderbaum will be a major focal point in the Kubiak-style offense, which relies heavily on athletic center play and communication. Being able to take the pressure off presumed Raiders pick Mendoza, both in protection and communication, will be vital. The Raiders also hope that the offensive line addition will help take Ashton Jentey to the next level. Look for Las Vegas to make some noise this season despite the toughest division in the AFC.
Perhaps the biggest move of the offseason came the Friday afternoon before Free Agency Monday, when the Baltimore Ravens traded two first-round picks for Max Crosby. The Ravens instantly leaped over the Buffalo Bills in Super Bowl odds, landing as the favorite to represent the AFC in the upcoming season. He is the perfect fit for the Ravens’ defense, giving them their best pass rusher since Terrell Suggs.
Playing in over 94% of defensive snaps in his four seasons with the Raiders, Crosby brings a relentless motor to the defensive line. Adding him, along with defenders like Nnamdi Madubuike, Roquan Smith, and Kyle Hamilton, has every level of the Ravens defense set to be a nightmare for the AFC. With a revamped defense and a Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry–led offense, Baltimore is the most talented team on paper.
With the Bills’ offseason in question and the Chiefs coming off a major Mahomes injury, the Ravens rightfully sit atop the AFC as the favorites for the Super Bowl. Defense still wins championships, especially when it comes to the AFC. The 2025-2026 AFC playoffs saw four top-10 defenses represented in frigid, nasty weather games where points came at a premium. So far, Buffalo has done little to add serious weapons to their offense and has done little to address their terrible run defense as their rivals continue to build their arsenal. In a red-hot arms race in the AFC, the Bills are finding themselves falling behind.
As the Bills struggle to not be outpaced, Baltimore, under new head coach Jesse Minter, is in a win-now scenario. With the trade for Crosby at the cost of two first-round picks, the Ravens have put all their eggs in one basket. It is Super Bowl or bust. Look for the Ravens to solidify their O-Line and receiver group in the draft, completing a roster nobody wants to see, if healthy, come January.
