With offseason work mostly complete, here are some of the most improved teams in the NFL

Spring is the time of optimism in the NFL with most teams hopeful that the moves made this offseason will lead to success in the fall.

Since the start of the league year in March, teams have doled out billions of dollars in free agent contracts, drafted 257 players and made scores of trades to upgrade their rosters.

Winning the offseason doesn't guarantee wins in the real season with countless examples of aggressive teams in March and April falling flat in September and October.

But it does provide hope to fans hopeful that their teams can have a turnaround like the one that carried Washington from last place in 2023 to the NFC title game a year later or have added the ingredients to get over the hurdle and win it all like Philadelphia last season.

With most of the major work by teams this offseason mostly complete — outside of a potential Aaron Rodgers signing in Pittsburgh — here are some of the teams that made the biggest improvements headed into the 2025 season.

Chicago was one of the offseason winners last season only to struggle in the regular season as quarterback Caleb Williams struggled at times as a rookie and the defense struggled to close out games, leading to the midseason firing of coach Matt Eberflus.

The Bears were busy again this offseason and might have made the necessary changes to get the most out of Williams. They hired the most sought after coach on the market in bringing in Ben Johnson after a successful run as offensive coordinator in Detroit.

That should help Williams as should the additions of Joe Thuney, Drew Dalman and Jonah Jackson on the interior of the offensive line. Williams also has two new key playmakers in draft picks Colston Loveland at tight end and Luther Burden III at receiver.

Chicago also fortified the defensive front for new coordinator Dennis Allen, adding Grady Jarrett and Dayo Odeyingbo in free agency and drafting Shemar Turner in the second round.

Jerod Mayo struggled in his first season as head coach in New England in place of the legendary Bill Belichick, leading the move to hire an established coach in his place with Mike Vrabel taking over the Patriots.

Vrabel made the playoffs three times in six seasons as head coach in Tennessee and should have a big impact on the culture and a defense that added key free agents Milton Williams, Robert Spillane, Carlton Davis and Harold Landry.

But the key to success in 2025 will be the additions made on offense to support second-year QB Drake Maye. Maye showed positive flashes last season despite having one of the worst supporting casts in the league.

The situation is much better this season with the offensive line getting a big upgrade thanks to No. 4 overall pick Will Campbell at left tackle, along with veteran center Garrett Bradbury and right tackle Morgan Moses.

Free agent receivers Stefon Diggs and Mack Hollins, along with rookie Kyle Williams, give Maye more legitimate options on the outside and second-round running back TreVeyon Henderson should make a big impact as both a runner and in the passing game.

Perhaps no team made a bigger leap at the key spots of head coach and quarterback like the Raiders. Proven winner Pete Carroll was hired to replace Antonio Pierce. Carroll added his old quarterback from Seattle with a trade for Geno Smith, who provides a major upgrade over Gardner Minshew and Aidan O'Connell.

The offense under new coordinator Chip Kelly should be potent thanks to the drafting of electric running back Ashton Jeanty to team with last season's rookie sensation Brock Bowers.

Competing for a playoff spot in the loaded AFC West could be tough, but the Raiders should win considerably more games than the four they had last season.

Coach Jonathan Gannon has done a good job his first two seasons in Arizona of making the best out of a thin defensive roster. The Cardinals could make a big jump in his third season thanks to several key additions this offseason.

It started in free agency when Arizona signed edge rusher Josh Sweat and interior defenders Calais Campbell and Dalvin Tomlinson. But the biggest additions might have come in the draft with the Cardinals getting high-upside defensive tackle Walter Nolen in the first round and cornerback Will Johnson in the second after he fell because of injury concerns.

Later picks such as defensive lineman Jordan Burch, linebacker Cody Simon and cornerback Denzel Burke also could make impacts as rookies.

The offense must hope for internal improvement from last year's first-round pick Marvin Harrison Jr. and quarterback Kyler Murray.

The Broncos were a surprise team in 2024 by making the playoffs behind rookie quarterback Bo Nix. They might be better positioned this season thanks to some key moves this offseason.

An already strong secondary got better with the signing of former All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga and the addition of versatile first-round pick Jahdae Barron. Denver also signed former San Francisco linebacker Dre Greenlaw, who could make a big impact if he can stay healthy after missing almost all of last season.

The offense added a legitimate receiving threat at tight end with free agent addition Evan Engram and a potential big-play back in second-round pick RJ Harvey, leaving almost no notable holes on the roster.

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Denver Broncos cornerback Jahdae Barron takes part in drills during the NFL football team's rookie minicamp at the Broncos' headquarters Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Centennial, Colo. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

Las Vegas Raiders' quarterback Cam Miller hands off a ball to Ashton Jeanty during an NFL football rookie mini camp Friday, May 9, 2025, in Henderson, Nev. (AP Photo/John Locher)

New England Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel smiles during a media availability prior to the NFL football team's rookie minicamp, Friday, May 9, 2025, in Foxborough, Mass. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

Chicago Bears new head coach Ben Johnson smiles as he talks to media members after the NFL football team's rookie camp in Lake Forest, Ill., Friday, May 9, 2025. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

STATESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — A business jet crashed Thursday while trying to return to a North Carolina airport shortly after takeoff, killing all seven people aboard, including retired NASCAR driver Greg Biffle and his family, authorities said.

The Cessna C550 erupted into a large fire when it hit the ground. It had departed Statesville Regional Airport, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) north of Charlotte, but soon crashed while trying to return and land, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol said.

Flight records show the plane was registered to a company run by Biffle. The cause of the crash wasn't immediately known, nor was the reason for the plane's return to the airport in drizzle and cloudy conditions.

Federal Aviation Administration records show Biffle was rated to fly helicopters and single and multi-engine planes. It wasn't clear if Biffle was piloting the plane at the time of the crash.

Biffle was on the plane with his wife, Cristina, and children Ryder, 5, and Emma, 14, according to the highway patrol and a family statement. Others on the plane were identified as Dennis Dutton, his son Jack, and Craig Wadsworth.

“Each of them meant everything to us, and their absence leaves an immeasurable void in our lives,” the joint family statement said.

Biffle, 55, won more than 50 races across NASCAR’s three circuits, including 19 at the Cup Series level. He also won the Trucks Series championship in 2000 and the Xfinity Series title in 2002.

NASCAR said it was devastated by the news.

“Greg was more than a champion driver; he was a beloved member of the NASCAR community, a fierce competitor, and a friend to so many,” NASCAR said. “His passion for racing, his integrity, and his commitment to fans and fellow competitors alike made a lasting impact on the sport.”

The plane, bound for Florida, took off from the Statesville airport shortly after 10 a.m., according to tracking data posted by FlightAware.com.

Golfers playing next to the airport were shocked as they witnessed the disaster, even dropping to the ground at the Lakewood Golf Club while the plane was overhead. The ninth hole was covered with debris.

“We were like, ‘Oh my gosh! That’s way too low,’” said Joshua Green of Mooresville. “It was scary.”

The National Transportation Safety Board and the Federal Aviation Administration were investigating.

The Cessna plane, built in 1981, is a popular mid-sized business jet with an excellent reputation, aviation safety expert Jeff Guzzetti said. It has two engines and typically seats six to eight passengers.

In 2024, Biffle was honored for his humanitarian efforts after Hurricane Helene struck the U.S., even using his personal helicopter to deliver aid to flooded, remote western North Carolina.

“The last time I spoke with Cristina, just a couple of weeks ago, she reached out to ask how she could help with relief efforts in Jamaica. That’s who the Biffles were," U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson, a Republican from North Carolina, said.

Wadsworth was Biffle's friend and helped him with odd jobs, including delivering supplies to places hit by Hurricane Helene, roommate Benito Howell said.

“He didn’t know how to say no,” Howell said of Wadsworth, who had worked for several NASCAR teams. “He loved everybody. He always tried to help everybody.”

The joint family statement also spoke about Dutton and his son Jack, saying they were "deeply loved as well, and their loss is felt by all who knew them."

With 2025 almost over, there have been 1,331 U.S. crashes this year investigated by the NTSB, from two-seat planes to commercial aircraft, compared to a total of 1,482 in 2024.

Major air disasters around the world in 2025 include the plane-helicopter collision that killed 67 in Washington, the Air India crash that killed 260 in India, and a crash in Russia’s Far East that claimed 48 lives. Fourteen people, including 11 on the ground, died in a UPS cargo plane crash in Kentucky.

Robertson reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. Associated Press writers John Seewer in Toledo, Ohio; Jenna Fryer in Charlotte, North Carolina; Josh Funk in Omaha, Nebraska; Ed White in Detroit; and Sarah Brumfield in Washington contributed to this story.

FILE - Former driver Greg Biffle waves to fans prior to a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Darlington Raceway, Aug. 31, 2025, in Darlington, S.C. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley, File)

FILE - Greg Biffle smiles along pit row during qualifying for Sunday's NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Friday, Aug. 31, 2012, in Hampton, Ga. (AP Photo/David Tulis, File)

FILE - Greg Biffle celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series auto race at Kansas Speedway on Sunday, Oct. 3, 2010, in Kansas City, Kan. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner, File)

First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

First responders tend to the scene of a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Kelley)

This screengrab made from video provided by WSOC shows firefighting crews responding to a reported plane crash at a regional airport in Statesville, N.C., erupting in a large fire, Thursday, Dec. 8, 2025. (WSOC via AP)