In the ever-dramatic world of the NFL, hope springs eternal — but some fans are a lot more hopeful than others. Following a busy offseason filled with trades, draft picks, and free-agent shakeups, how do fans feel about their teams heading into the new season?
We surveyed NFL fan bases to ask:
“How optimistic are you about your NFL team’s performance next season based on the moves made this offseason?”
The results show a striking divide. While fans of top contenders are brimming with confidence, others remain skeptical — or downright pessimistic.
The NFL’s Most Optimistic Fan Bases
Among the 10 most optimistic fan bases, one trend is clear: recent success breeds belief. Los Angeles Rams fans top the chart, with a whopping 90% saying they’re “very optimistic” heading into the new season. It’s the highest optimism score recorded, and only 6% of Rams fans responded “not at all optimistic.”
Close behind are the Philadelphia Eagles (89%), Kansas City Chiefs (88%), and Buffalo Bills (87%) — all playoff mainstays with established quarterbacks and consistent front office strategies.
Surprising some, the Detroit Lions continue their climb in fan trust, with 86% of fans feeling “very optimistic”, reflecting momentum from their 2023 breakthrough season. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Chargers (85%) boast the lowest pessimism score of any fan base at just 2%, despite some lingering questions about postseason performance.
Here’s the full breakdown of the most optimistic NFL fan bases:
| Fan Optimism About Team's Offseason Moves | |||
| Fan Base | Very | Not at all | Neither |
| Los Angeles Rams | 90% | 6% | 4% |
| Philadelphia Eagles | 89% | 4% | 7% |
| Kansas City Chiefs | 88% | 6% | 7% |
| Buffalo Bills | 87% | 8% | 5% |
| Detroit Lions | 86% | 8% | 5% |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 85% | 2% | 13% |
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 84% | 4% | 12% |
| Baltimore Ravens | 84% | 9% | 7% |
| Washington Commanders | 82% | 9% | 9% |
| Houston Texans | 75% | 12% | 14% |
The Texans and Commanders round out the top 10 — impressive, considering both teams have been in rebuild mode in recent seasons. Young quarterback talent and promising offseason moves appear to be shifting fan sentiment in a big way.
The NFL’s Least Optimistic Fan Bases
At the other end of the spectrum, fan frustration is setting in.
The Cleveland Browns recorded the lowest optimism score across the league, with just 46% of fans feeling “very optimistic”, and a significant 38% responding “not at all optimistic.” That level of pessimism was only narrowly avoided by the New York Jets, where just 39% of fans expressed strong confidence in their team’s direction.
The Dallas Cowboys, despite being perennial playoff contenders, appear stuck in the trust gap. Only 50% of fans are “very optimistic,” while a striking 34% said “not at all” — a figure likely influenced by another early postseason exit.
Here’s the full breakdown of the least optimistic fan bases:
| Fan Optimism About Team's Offseason Moves | |||
| Fan Base | Very | Not at all | Neither |
| Cleveland Browns | 46% | 38% | 15% |
| New York Jets | 39% | 35% | 25% |
| Dallas Cowboys | 50% | 34% | 16% |
| Miami Dolphins | 53% | 33% | 14% |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 52% | 30% | 18% |
| Atlanta Falcons | 56% | 29% | 15% |
| Arizona Cardinals | 59% | 27% | 14% |
| New Orleans Saints | 61% | 27% | 12% |
| New York Giants | 58% | 26% | 16% |
| Denver Broncos | 65% | 25% | 10% |
Despite flashes of potential, teams like the Jets, Dolphins, and Giants have struggled with consistency — and their fan bases are responding accordingly.
One standout data point: the Jets also had the highest percentage of fans who said “neither optimistic nor pessimistic” at 25%, suggesting deep uncertainty heading into what could be a defining season for the franchise.
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You can find the full survey data here.
