With the NFL season rapidly approaching, every team in the league is filled with optimism that this could be their year to win the Super Bowl.

For some, however, that goal—while not impossible—may not be realistic for one major reason: continuity.

As perennial contenders such as the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Baltimore Ravens, and Detroit Lions have shown, offensive continuity is critical.

Why is it so important?

A cohesive, finely tuned offense allows a team to start the season strong and maintain momentum. A quick look at the NFL’s best teams makes this clear.

Over the past several years, the Chiefs, Bills, Ravens, and Lions have consistently gotten off to hot starts. With most of the same personnel in place—led by elite quarterbacks like Mahomes, Allen, Jackson, and Goff—their offenses operate on the same page from Day 1.

That familiarity makes it easier to be productive early, while other teams with new personnel struggle to find a rhythm. Lower turnover leads to better chemistry, allowing these offenses to pick up where they left off the previous season: driving the ball, shifting field position, and scoring touchdowns, while less-polished units settle for field goals.

Now, let’s look at the teams that made big offensive changes this offseason.

Seven stand out: the Giants, Steelers, Seahawks, Colts, Jets, Browns, and Vikings.

Each has made a change at the most critical position on the field: quarterback.

Russell Wilson, Aaron Rodgers, Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, Justin Fields, and J.J. McCarthy will all be starting fresh in new or revamped offenses.

That’s a massive challenge, no matter how much time they’ve spent learning schemes, working with running backs and receivers, or trusting their offensive lines to give them protection. As any quarterback will tell you, it takes time to absorb a playbook and build chemistry with new weapons.

Established offenses don’t have that issue.

While things might click quickly for Wilson, Rodgers, Darnold, Jones, Fields, or McCarthy, the reality is they may take four to six games before hitting stride. And if those early struggles lead to stalled drives and fewer points, it could be the difference between making the playoffs or falling out of contention before midseason.

Other offenses with continuity heading into 2025 include the Packers (Love), Broncos (Nix), Commanders (Daniels), and—if Joe Burrow stays upright—the Bengals.

On the flip side, more teams could stumble early due to a lack of chemistry. Add the Browns (Flacco), Titans (Ward), Falcons (Penix), and Patriots (likely Maye) to the earlier list of squads that may start slow.

Surprises are always possible, of course. A stout defense can mask offensive struggles—for a while. But teams that can’t put up points often dig themselves into holes that are tough to climb out of.

As the old saying goes, only time will tell. Either way, it should be fascinating to watch.