The NFL's free agency dust is still settling, but that hasn't stopped FOX Sports' outspoken voice Colin Cowherd from dropping his latest—and most controversial—power rankings. On a recent episode of "The Herd," Cowherd didn't just reshuffle the deck; he tore it up and dealt a brand new hand, placing the Los Angeles Rams firmly at the top of the league and sending shockwaves by excluding the reigning powerhouse Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.
The New King of the Hill: Los Angeles Rams
According to Cowherd, the road to the 2026 season runs through SoFi Stadium. He's crowned the Rams as the NFL's premier team, a bold prediction fueled by what he sees as a masterful offseason. Los Angeles aggressively addressed its secondary, headlined by the acquisition of All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and the lucrative signing of Jaylen Watson. Coupled with the strategic re-signings of key role players like safety Kam Curl and tight end Tyler Higbee, Cowherd believes the Rams have plugged their most glaring holes and built a complete, championship-caliber roster.
"The Rams went out and fixed their biggest problem," Cowherd's analysis suggests, praising the front office for its decisive moves while other contenders hesitated. This aggressive approach has catapulted them to the #1 spot in his eyes.
The Stunning Omissions: Chiefs and 49ers Sidelined
The most explosive part of Cowherd's list isn't who's on it, but who's missing. In a move that's sure to ignite a social media frenzy, Cowherd left both the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers out of his top ten entirely. His reasoning? A firm belief that both franchises are clinging to past glory with aging cores.
"San Francisco's got some players that are older than the trolley cars in the city," Cowherd quipped, specifically referencing the 49ers' signing of veteran receiver Mike Evans. "Guys, you gotta get younger." He applied similar logic to Kansas City, suggesting their front office is avoiding a necessary reset. This philosophy of favoring youth and aggressive offseason activity over established, but older, contenders is the defining theme of his rankings.
The Full Cowherd Top 10
Here is Colin Cowherd's complete ranking of the NFL's best teams after the initial wave of free agency:
- 1. Los Angeles Rams
- 2. Chicago Bears
- 3. Seattle Seahawks
- 4. Buffalo Bills
- 5. Denver Broncos
- 6. Los Angeles Chargers
- 7. Houston Texans
- 8. Philadelphia Eagles
- 9. New England Patriots
- 10. Detroit Lions
The list showcases a clear preference for teams that have been major players in the market. He notably applauded moves like the Dolphins signing Malik Willis and the Vikings bringing in Kyler Murray, though neither franchise cracked his elite ten. He also gave a nod to the Las Vegas Raiders for retaining star pass-rusher Maxx Crosby after a potential blockbuster trade with Baltimore fell apart—a scenario that dramatically altered plans for multiple teams.
Analysis: A Philosophy of Future-Proofing
Cowherd's rankings are less a snapshot of current power and more a bet on trajectory. By exiling the Chiefs and 49ers, he's making a stark statement that in today's NFL, standing pat with veteran stars is a path to decline. His top ten is populated by teams he views as ascending, having made significant investments to improve now. It's a high-risk, high-reward perspective that values offseason momentum as much as proven track records.
Of course, as with any "way-too-early" ranking, this is merely a starting point. Cowherd himself admitted these standings are fluid, likely to change between now and the season opener in September. But for now, his take provides a fiery talking point that challenges conventional wisdom. It begs the question for every fanbase: is your team building for tomorrow, or holding onto yesterday? For several franchises now on the outside looking in, the pressure to prove Cowherd wrong just intensified, putting them squarely on the ultimate hot seat this coming season.
