It is mid-January 2026. While the heavyweights like the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks are busy prepping for the Divisional Round, a different kind of drama just wrapped up at the bottom of the barrel. Honestly, the regular season finale was a mess for all the wrong reasons. We finally have an answer to the question of who has the worst record in the nfl right now, and the "winner" isn't who you might expect if you haven't been paying attention to the AFC West disaster.
The Las Vegas Raiders officially hold the worst record in the NFL with a dismal 3-14 finish.
Now, if you’re looking at the standings, you’ll notice they aren't alone in the basement. It’s a crowded cellar. Three other teams—the New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans—also finished the 2025-2026 season with identical 3-14 records. But because the NFL uses strength of schedule (SOS) as the primary tiebreaker for draft positioning, the Raiders’ historically weak schedule "earned" them the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
The Raiders' long fall to 3-14
Vegas actually won their Week 18 game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Usually, a win on the final day knocks you out of the top spot. Not this time. They were so bad for so long during the middle of the season—losing 14 of their final 15 games—that even a late-season victory couldn't save them from the bottom.
👉 See also: Why the 2025 NFL Draft Class is a Total Headache for Scouts
It’s the first time the franchise has picked first overall since 2007. Remember JaMarcus Russell? Yeah, Raiders fans are desperately hoping lightning doesn't strike twice in that particular way. The team is currently in a total freefall. They’re searching for a new head coach, and rumor has it Tom Brady is heavily involved in the search alongside John Spytek.
Why the tiebreakers matter
The 2025 season was a strange one for parity. Or, I guess, a lack of it. Having four teams tied at 3-14 is basically a mathematical nightmare for fans trying to track the draft order.
The Jets are sitting at No. 2. They finished 3-14 after a season that saw their defense hold up decently well while the offense completely vanished into a green and white abyss. Arizona takes the No. 3 spot. Despite Trey McBride having an absolutely legendary season for a tight end—seriously, the guy set an NFL record for catches at his position—the Cardinals couldn't buy a win after their 2-0 start. Then you have the Tennessee Titans at No. 4.
✨ Don't miss: Liverpool FC Chelsea FC: Why This Grudge Match Still Hits Different
The Giants almost joined the 3-win club, but they managed to upset the Dallas Cowboys in Week 18. That win was a "loss" for their draft stock, moving them to 4-13 and the No. 5 pick.
Shocking names in the bottom ten
If you told a fan three years ago that the Kansas City Chiefs and Cincinnati Bengals would both have a top-10 draft pick in 2026, they’d probably ask you to take a breathalyzer.
But here we are.
🔗 Read more: NFL Football Teams in Order: Why Most Fans Get the Hierarchy Wrong
The Chiefs finished 6-11. It’s been a bizarre year for Patrick Mahomes and company. The offense just hasn't looked the same, and the defense took a massive step back after losing key pieces to free agency. Cincinnati also bottomed out at 6-11. The AFC North was surprisingly top-heavy with the Steelers and Ravens dominating, leaving Joe Burrow and the Bengals in the dust.
The "Almost" Worst: NFC and AFC disappointments
- Washington Commanders (5-12): Jayden Daniels won OROY in 2024, but 2025 was a "sophomore slump" defined by injuries. He only played seven games before being shut down. Without him, the roster looked like a patchwork quilt that was falling apart at the seams.
- New Orleans Saints (6-11): They started with so much promise under Kellen Moore. Derek Carr had high PFF grades early on, but the wheels fell off in the second half of the season.
- Cleveland Browns (5-12): A defense that used to be elite just couldn't carry an offense that remains one of the league's most expensive and least productive units.
What happens next for the bottom dwellers?
The focus now shifts entirely to Pittsburgh. That’s where the 2026 NFL Draft will be held from April 23-25. For the Raiders, the Jets, and the Cardinals, the next three months are about scouting.
There isn't a "generational" quarterback prospect like Caleb Williams or Trevor Lawrence this year, which makes the Raiders' No. 1 pick even more interesting. Do they take a franchise tackle? Do they trade down to a team desperate for a QB?
If you're a fan of a team with a terrible record, the only silver lining is the "reset" button. The Raiders are looking at a complete overhaul. The Jets are likely moving on from the remnants of the Aaron Rodgers era. The Cardinals have to find a way to help Trey McBride so he isn't the only person on the field catching passes.
Actionable insights for the offseason
- Watch the Senior Bowl: This is where the Raiders and Jets will be looking for the "safe" picks that can start Day 1.
- Monitor the Coaching Carousel: Vegas is the big opening right now. Who they hire will signal if they are drafting a QB at No. 1 or going for a defensive cornerstone.
- Check the Salary Cap: Teams like the Commanders and Saints have massive decisions to make regarding veterans. Expect a "fire sale" in Washington as they try to recoup picks lost in previous trades.
The 2025 regular season is in the books. While the playoffs are the main event, the real work for the NFL's worst-performing teams is just beginning.