Super Bowl LXI Contenders: Rams Add Garrett as Broncos Chase 72-Sack Record

Five NFL franchises are prioritizing Super Bowl LXI, including a Los Angeles Rams roster featuring 38-year-old MVP Matthew Stafford and 35-year-old Aaron Donald.

The Los Angeles Rams enter the 2026 season as the current favorites for Super Bowl LXI following a blockbuster offseason. Quarterback Matthew Stafford, the reigning NFL MVP, leads the roster at 38 years old. The team bolstered its defense by trading for Myles Garrett and convincing 35-year-old Aaron Donald to return from retirement. This defensive unit also features 31-year-old Poona Ford, contributing to a starting lineup with an average age of 28.1, which ranks as the sixth oldest in the league.

Financial and draft constraints define the Rams' immediate window. The trade for Garrett cost the franchise its first-round pick next year and a second-round selection in 2028. Additionally, a third-round pick was sent to Kansas City to acquire cornerback Trent McDuffie. Key young contributors, including Puka Nacua, Byron Young, and Kobie Turner, are currently playing in the final years of their rookie contracts.

Denver Broncos Pursue Defensive Milestones

Denver aims to build on a season where they reached the AFC Championship Game, ultimately falling 10-7 to the Patriots. The Broncos' defense recorded 68 sacks in 17 games last year, finishing four shy of the 1984 Bears' single-season record of 72. While 26-year-old Bo Nix starts at quarterback, the offensive starters average 29.1 years of age, the second-highest mark in the NFL. Left tackle Garett Bolles is 34, and the entire offensive line is at least 28 years old.

The Broncos' veteran presence extends to the skill positions and defense. Tight end Evan Engram is 32, while receiver Courtland Sutton is 31. On the defensive side, the starters' average age is 28.3, ranking fourth in the league. This group includes 32-year-old linebacker Alex Singleton, 30-year-old Justin Strnad, and 31-year-old defensive lineman D.J. Jones. To support the 2026 run, Denver acquired receiver Jaylen Waddle via trade and re-signed several defensive contributors.

San Francisco 49ers Face Salary Cap Constraints

San Francisco rosters the oldest projected starting offense in the NFL with an average age of 30.3. Left tackle Trent Williams is 38, while fullback Kyle Juszczyk is 35. The receiving corps and backfield are led by 33-year-olds George Kittle and Mike Evans, alongside 30-year-old Christian McCaffrey. Center Jake Brendel, 34, has a contract that voids after the 2026 season. Despite these ages, quarterback Brock Purdy stated in January that he "100 percent" believes the team can win this season.

The 49ers' defense is younger, averaging 26.2 years, with 30-year-old Fred Warner serving as the oldest starter. However, the franchise ranks 29th in projected cap space for 2027. Potential solutions to this financial outlook include cutting Brandon Aiyuk or extending the contracts of Warner and Nick Bosa. This follows a season where the 49ers ranked third in the NFL for snap-weighted age.

Buffalo and Baltimore Navigate 2027 Financials

Buffalo enters the season with Josh Allen, 30, starting his ninth NFL year. The Bills added wide receiver DJ Moore and new coach Joe Brady to an offense that includes 32-year-old left tackle Dion Dawkins. The organization currently sits 30th in projected 2027 cap space. Notably, no player who participated in at least 50% of the Bills' snaps last season remains on the roster with a contract extending beyond the 2026 campaign.

The Baltimore Ravens face the league's most difficult 2027 cap situation, needing to clear $41.5 million. Quarterback Lamar Jackson, a two-time MVP who represents himself without an agent, carries an $84.3 million cap hit for 2027. After missing the 2025 playoffs, the Ravens traded for Maxx Crosby—though the deal fell through—and subsequently signed defensive end Trey Hendrickson to a four-year, $112 million contract. These moves emphasize the urgency for the 2026 season as the franchise seeks its first Super Bowl appearance of the Jackson era.