NFL franchises with the longest title droughts look to 2026

Seventeen NFL franchises enter the 2026 season still chasing a long-awaited championship, with 11 teams stuck in droughts of at least 30 years and six more yet to win a title despite existing since at least 1995. The list has drawn added attention after the New York Knicks ended a 53-year wait for an NBA championship. League-wide parity in the modern NFL has not prevented nearly half the clubs from going decades without a title.

The longest active NFL championship drought belongs to the Arizona Cardinals, whose last title came in 1947. The Tennessee Titans follow among the teams listed, with their most recent championship dating to 1961, before the Super Bowl era.

The same group also includes the Miami Dolphins (last title 1973), Cleveland Browns (1964), New York Jets (1968) and Las Vegas Raiders (1983). Several other franchises are also part of the broader set of 17 teams assessed for their chances of ending their drought in 2026.

In Arizona’s case, recent roster work has focused on adding offensive pieces, including rookies Jeremiyah Love and Chase Bisontis. The bigger concern, however, is a defense that ranked 29th in points allowed in 2025, with limited changes cited on that side of the ball.

The Cardinals also face uncertainty at quarterback after Jacoby Brissett skipped spring practices amid an ongoing contract dispute. Those factors make a quick leap into contention harder to project for 2026.

Offseason changes around the league

Tennessee has tried to raise its floor by strengthening the offensive line and surrounding quarterback Cam Ward with additional targets. The team added rookie wide receiver Carnell Tate and veteran Wan’Dale Robinson, moves aimed at improving the passing game and overall efficiency.

Miami’s drought sits at more than five decades, and the franchise has struggled to replicate the sustained success of the Don Shula era. Since Shula’s final season in 1995, the Dolphins have won two playoff games, with none since 2000, underscoring how long the gap has lasted beyond the last Super Bowl title.

The Dolphins are also entering a new leadership phase with general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley. A meaningful 2026 breakthrough, however, would likely require the revamped roster to outperform expectations and a major season from quarterback Malik Willis.

Why the drought list remains stubborn

Cleveland’s last championship came in 1964, two years before the first Super Bowl was played, and the franchise has continued to search for sustained playoff success. The Browns are beginning a new era under head coach Todd Monken after an active offseason that included adding multiple new starters on offense and acquiring Jared Verse in the trade that sent Myles Garrett to Los Angeles.

The Jets have not returned to the Super Bowl since winning Super Bowl III, but the team is described as building a foundation for future contention. Their 2026 outlook includes eight potential new starters on defense and former Pro Bowl quarterback Geno Smith returning for his second stint with the franchise.

The Raiders’ drought dates to 1983, after a stretch in which they were one of the league’s most successful organizations. The team has added veterans on both sides of the ball and has a quarterback plan that includes veteran Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza.

Attention will stay on whether any of these franchises can translate offseason change into a genuine run in 2026, or whether the league’s longest waits for a title will continue to grow.