Over the past two decades, some NFL franchises have convinced themselves that they’re at the center of the football universe—whether they’ve earned that status or not. These teams walk into the room like they’ve already won the Super Bowl, even if they haven’t sniffed a playoff win in years.
Whether it’s because of past glory, inflated media attention, or an overwhelming sense of entitlement, these teams have ensured we all know how important they think they are. So here it is: the definitive ranking of the 15 most self-important NFL franchises of the last 20 years.
15. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings act like a tortured dynasty that’s always this close to greatness. But at some point, the moral victories start sounding too self-congratulatory.
14. Arizona Cardinals
They’ll flash a new uniform combo or hype video like it’s proof they run the league. Meanwhile, their trophy case remains suspiciously undisturbed.
13. Chicago Bears
Every few years, a new savior appears in Chicago and is treated like the second coming of Halas. The results never quite live up to the press conferences.
12. New York Giants
Two Super Bowls in the last two decades buys you some swagger, but they’ve been coasting on those rings while acting like they still own the NFC. The vibe doesn’t quite match the win-loss record.
11. Cleveland Browns
The Browns have developed an impressive chest-puffing for a team that was a punchline for so long. A couple of decent seasons and suddenly they’re treating themselves like AFC royalty.
10. Indianapolis Colts
Still basking in the Peyton Manning glow, the Colts tend to carry themselves like perennial contenders. But the post-Luck era has been a reality check they don’t acknowledge fully.
9. New York Jets
Jets fans and media always act like something big is around the corner. Spoiler alert: it’s usually just another quarterback controversy.
8. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks carry themselves with the energy of a team that has won five Super Bowls. That one ring in 2013 sure has incredible staying power.
7. Dallas Cowboys
America’s Team loves reminding us they’re America’s Team. If hype won titles, they’d be on a two-decade dynasty by now.
6. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers haven’t won it all since the mid-’90s, but you’d never know it from how they act. Every season is treated like destiny—even if it ends with another NFC Championship heartbreak.
5. Denver Broncos
Denver talks like a team with a current elite quarterback. The reality since 2015 has been a rotating cast of disappointment and delusion.
4. New England Patriots
The post-Brady years haven’t been graceful, but don’t tell that to the Patriots. They still move like it’s 2016 and everyone’s afraid of them.
3. Buffalo Bills
Buffalo has spent the last few years acting like it won a Super Bowl. The energy is all-in, the expectations are sky-high, and the self-importance is off the charts—even if the results still end in heartbreak.
Read More: Ranking the 19 Most Self-Important Quarterbacks in NFL History
2. Pittsburgh Steelers
Every Steelers season starts with playoff talk, no matter how shaky things look. It’s a franchise that wears its six rings like armor—even when the offense can’t move the ball five yards.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Worst NFL Franchises of All Time
1. Green Bay Packers
No team has leaned harder into self-importance over the past twenty years than the Packers. Whether it’s QB drama or a belief that Lambeau is sacred ground, they act like the league runs through Wisconsin—and they genuinely believe it.
Read More: The 10 Worst NFL Franchises of the 2000s
