In the 2025-2026 NFL season, fans witnessed many upsets and surprises.
For example, the Kansas City Chiefs quarterback, Patrick Mahomes, tore his ACL against the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 15. This was the 30-year-old’s first major injury while playing in the league.
Heading out West, the Seattle Seahawks struck a diamond in the rough by signing free agent gunslinger Sam Darnold. In just his first year, the 28-year-old led his team to a Super Bowl for the first time since 2014.
Not to mention, the Indianapolis Colts revived former New York Giants’ shot-caller Daniel Jones’ career.
For someone who had not found success since 2022, when the Giants made the playoffs, the veteran registered 3,101 yards for 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions.
Keep in mind, this was before the former Duke Blue Devil sustained a season-ending Achilles tear versus the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14.
With that being said, the 2025-2026 NFL was a roller coaster and in this week’s rendition of Tyler’s Take, I discuss the most surprising and disappointing franchises of the year.
San Francisco 49ers (12-5), Surprise:
Throughout the 2025-2026 stretch, the 49ers faced many injuries, making it challenging to find ways to win.
To kick off the new season, turf toe sidelined starting quarterback Brock Purdy for nearly two months.
Additionally, defensive end Nick Bosa endured a season-ending ACL tear while clashing with the Arizona Cardinals in Week 3.
To fill Bosa’s void, rookie defensive end Mykel Williams took charge, but that did not last long. During the team’s bout with the Giants in Week 9, the former Georgia Bulldog tore his ACL and lateral meniscus.
To make matters worse, linebacker Fred Warner sustained a season-ending fractured and dislocated ankle while battling the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6.
With all the odds stacked against the franchise, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan had other plans to not let the ship sink.
In the 2025 offseason, the 49ers landed quarterback Mac Jones, who exceeded expectations in Purdy’s absence.
Through eight starts, Jones posted an overall 5-3 record. In total, the former New England Patriot accumulated 2,151 yards for 13 touchdowns and six interceptions.
With the help of Jones, this boosted the squad’s overall record to 6-4, allowing them to stay afloat in a tough NFC West division.
Defensively, the franchise activated middle linebacker Eric Kendricks from the practice squad to replace Warner. As for the defensive line, Bryce Huff stepped up.
In 17 appearances, the 27-year-old notched 34 tackles, four sacks and forced two fumbles.
Despite the many holdbacks, the 49ers reached the Divisional round of the 2025-2026 playoffs but lost 41-6 to the Seahawks.
In the wake of a much-needed vacation to Cancún, Mexico, injuries did not stop.
While facing the Philadelphia Eagles in the Wild Card round, tight end George Kittle endured a season-ending torn Achilles in the second quarter. This most likely will affect his chances of being available for Week 1 of the 2026-2027 campaign.
Buffalo Bills (12-5), Disappointment:
For the past five years, the league crowned the Bills as the AFC East champions, but the Patriots dethroned them.
Throughout the 2025-2026 stretch, the franchise experienced several issues, restricting them from reaching their full potential.
Offensively, the team downgraded in terms of wide receivers.
Ahead of the 2025-2026 run, the franchise departed from wideout Amari Cooper, who never really flourished in the Bills’ offensive schemes. Within eight contests with the franchise, the veteran recorded just 297 yards for two touchdowns.
Regardless of the decision to let Cooper leave, the front office failed to replace him.
Fast forward to the end of this year, the No. 1 weapon, Khalil Shakir, ranked No. 44 with 719 receiving yards and tied for No. 64 with four endzone appearances.
Going into the playoffs, the Bills signed wide receiver Brandin Cooks, whom the New Orleans Saints waived on Nov. 19, to add depth to their wideout room.
Every year in the postseason, the squad gets eliminated, but this run was different as the Chiefs, the Baltimore Ravens and the Cincinnati Bengals missed the playoffs.
In the last five playoff appearances, the Chiefs beat the Bills four times, while the Bengals defeated them once in the playoffs.
With no one blocking their path to the Super Bowl, the team still fell short to the Denver Broncos 30-27 in overtime in the Divisional round.