A controversial breakdown is making waves after one outlet compiled how often each NFL franchise was referenced in the Jeffrey Epstein document release. The ranking orders all 32 teams strictly by mention count, not implication and not accusation, but just frequency.
According to the published summary, the Washington Commanders rank at the top of the list with 18 mentions, edging out the San Francisco 49ers, who are said to have 17.
Super Bowl finalists, the New England Patriots are in third with 15, while the Miami Dolphins and New York Jets are tied at 14.
Just behind those clubs is the New York Giants, whose inclusion generated additional scrutiny even if they trail the five aforementioned franchises in the top tier.
Co-owner Steve Tisch’s name was mentioned in some questionable emails allegedly suggesting Jeffrey Epstein hooked him up with different women.
Tisch’s mentions forced a response from the league, and we’re yet to see what action they’ll take, if any.
It is important to emphasize that mere mention of totals alone does not constitute wrongdoing. The Epstein files contain emails, scheduling notes, social invitations, and third-party correspondence – meaning teams can appear in contexts that are indirect or incidental.
Mid-tier and lower-tier franchises in the rankings
Beyond the top group, the counts begin to taper. The Tennessee Titans have nine mentions. The Chicago Bears, Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys each have seven, while the Kansas City Chiefs are at six.
The Chiefs have been one of the league’s most successful teams over the past decade, highlighted by multiple Super Bowl appearances, but their six references fall well below the top-tier totals cited above.
As for the Cowboys, it wouldn’t be a stretch to say they’re one of the most popular teams in the NFL, but the amount of mentions in this document doesn’t back that up.
The next cluster includes four teams tied at five mentions: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons, Seattle Seahawks and Las Vegas Raiders. Meanwhile, six more teams registered four mentions apiece: Cleveland Browns, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens.
As for the lower-tier teams mentioned, there are franchises that appear three times, like the Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals and Indianapolis Colts.
The Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints and the Minnesota Vikings are also among them.
Last but not least, the Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers are all mentioned twice. The Houston Texans are the only franchise with zero mentions.
Why the list matters
While this ranking may fuel discussion, it remains a reflection of document frequency, not legal findings.
Teams operate as massive brands connected to owners, executives, sponsors, venues, and countless public events. References can emerge through indirect associations or third-party communications.
Still, the optics vary. Seeing the Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers lead in total mentions will inevitably draw headlines, while clubs like the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs, and Las Vegas Raiders fall somewhere in the middle of the pack.
In the end, this ranking is less about on-field performance and more about document exposure, a controversial scoreboard that, for now, remains purely numerical.
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