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“Dumbest Coach Ever”: Le’Veon Bell Calls Out Former Jets HC Over Poor Decision-Making
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Cowboys Legend’s Son Gets NFL Lifeline With Chiefs After Going Undrafted
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Mike Tomlin Weighs In On Steelers QB1 for Next Season Amid Aaron Rodgers’ Uncertainty
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Why Bryce Young Can Still Become the Panthers’ Long-Term Starter After His Fifth-Year Option
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Ravens GM Says Owner Steve Bisciotti Was “Begging” to Make His First-Ever Draft Pick in Clemson RB
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Congratulations Pour in from Jameis Winston, Lavonte David & Others as Chiefs Super Bowl Champ Announces Retirement
NFL players and franchises congratulate former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs' Donovan Smith on his retirement
2026 NFL Draft Grades: Buccaneers Ace the Weekend as Jaguars Disappoint
EssentiallySports NFL Senior Writers Luke Hubbard and Daniel Rios give their grades for every team's draft class.
“I’m sorry”: Jerry Jones Issues Statement on Cowboys Messing Up Steelers’ Draft Plans
Jerry Jones pleads not guilty to ruining the Pittsburgh Steelers' draft plans, with Omar Khan not willing to blame anyone for the mishap.
2026 NFL Draft: Best Undrafted Free Agents Who Could Still Make an NFL Roster
NFL writer Daniel Rios lists the players you should keep an eye on for who can potentially make a roster in the undrafted free agent pool
“You Are an Idiot”: Micah Parsons Fires Back at Steelers Legend After Backlash Over Awkward Makai Lemon Interview
Micah Parsons engaged in an online back-and-forth with a former player after being accused of trolling Makai Lemon during an interview.
“Don’t Have a Personal Relationship”: Taylen Green Confirms Stance on Shedeur Sanders After Browns Draft
Taylen Green adds another layer of competition to the Browns QB room, making things difficult for Shedeur Sanders.
Makai Lemon Would’ve Been a Steeler if Jerry Jones Listened to Al Davis’ Advice
Jerry Jones' big draft move left the Pittsburgh Steelers scrambling, and it was all because Jones chose to do things his own way.
Fact Check: Did Diego Pavia Post an Expletive-Laced Message For NFL After Going Undrafted?
Diego Pavia reportedly lashes out at the league after his 2026 NFL draft journey ends before it even began.
Russell Wilson Announces Major Career Move Away From America Amid Uncertain NFL Future
As uncertainty around his NFL future looms, veteran QB Russell Wilson takes a massive step for his career.
2026 NFL Draft: Best Overall Draft Classes: Chiefs, Buccaneers & Saints Stand Out After Day 3
NFL writer Daniel Rios breaks down his favorite draft classes in the 2026 NFL draft and which players were his favorite in each
Couple Behind the Dianna Russini-Mike Vrabel Photos Could Be Headed to Court
Weeks after the controversy surrounding Mike Vrabel and Dianna Russini erupted, the guests responsible for it may suffer legal problems.
Travis Kelce Fired Up After Chiefs Pick Cincinnati Bearcats WR in 2026 NFL Draft
Travis Kelce seems excited watching a player from his alma mater getting drafted to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft Late-Round Picks Who Can Make an Immediate Impact: Dalton Johnson, Cyrus Allen and More
NFL writer Daniel Rios goes over some prospects who were taken in the later rounds of the draft who can find a role this season
Meet Nancy Meier: Patriots Staffer for 50+ Years Makes Emotional Final Draft Call in War Room
Nancy Meier's historic chapter with the New England Patriots comes to a close with an emotional moment at the 2026 NFL Draft.
Bengals Rookie Eager to Sack Patrick Mahomes After Disappointing Chiefs Snub
Cincinnati Bengals' second-round pick is ready to sack Patrick Mahomes after being snubbed in the 2026 NFL Draft
2026 NFL Draft Best and Worst Pick for Every Team: Caleb Downs, Denzel Boston & More
Here is Luke Hubbard's ranking of every team's best and worst draft pick from the 2026 NFL Draft.
Caleb Downs Already Plotting Revenge Against 2 Major Cowboys Rivals For Draft Snub, Says Brian Schottenheimer
Head coach Brian Schottenheimer reveals rookie safety Caleb Downs' plans for Dallas Cowboys NFC East rivals.
Fantasy Football Winners and Losers From the 2026 NFL Draft: Shedeur Sanders Wins as Will Howard Loses Out
From Shedeur Sanders to Cam Skattebo, here are the biggest fantasy football winners and losers from the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft Best and Worst Pick of Every Round: Caleb Downs Shines in Round 1 as Ty Simpson Disappoints
Check out EssentiallySports' Luke Hubbard, who ranks the best and the worst picks from the 2026 NFL Draft.
2026 NFL Draft Player Comparisons: Styles vs Reese, Fano vs Mauigoa, Ponds vs Terrell and More
Check out Luke Hubbard's take on players who were drafted near each other and who he would have selected first.
Roger Goodell Announces Fake Cleveland Browns NFL Draft Pick For American TV Show
Here's why NFL commissioner Roger Goodell announced a fake first overall pick for the Cleveland Browns in Pittsburgh.
Mike McCarthy Reveals Whether Drafting Drew Allar Changes Aaron Rodgers’ Return
While the uncertainty around Aaron Rodgers' return for the 2026 NFL season looms, Mike McCarthy has drafted rookie QB Drew Allar.
Mel Kiper Jr. Teased by ESPN Co-Hosts On-Air After Yet Another Shedeur Sanders Mention
ESPN co-hosts teased Mel Kiper Jr. for bringing up Shedeur Sanders repeatedly during the coverage of the 2026 draft.
NFL Expected To Investigate Steelers Over Makai Lemon Phone Call Before Eagles Trade on Draft Day
The NFL might review the Steelers' draft-day phone call with Makai Lemon after the Eagles traded up to secure the wide receiver.
“We Were Not In Contact”: Patriots GM Explains Decision Against Mike Vrabel’s Day 3 Draft Involvement
New England Patriots GM shed light on not involving head coach Mike Vrabel on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft.
NBC Is Bleeding Money With $436 Million in Losses As Super Bowl & NBA Adds to Misery
NBC reported a $436 million loss in the first quarter of 2026, despite broadcasting high-profile events, including the Super Bowl.
About NFL
NFL
History
In August 1920, representatives from four states: Akron, Canton, Cleveland, and Dayton, held a meeting and formed the American Professional Football Conference (APFC) to improve footballing standards in the country. A month later, they formed the American Professional Football Association (APFA) and played a league with 14 teams. In 1922, they changed the name to the National Football League (NFL).
In 1960, a new professional league, the American Football League (AFL) started as a competition against the NFL. After six years, in 1966, the two leagues announced a merger that would take effect in 1970. During the four years between the announcement and the actual merger, the leagues started playing a Championship game which was called The Super Bowl. Since then, the two leagues have been recognized as two separate conferences within the same league, the NFL.
Participating teams
There are 32 teams in the NFL divided equally into two conferences: National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). Each conference is further divided into 4 divisions: East, North, South, and West, with each division containing four teams.
American Football Conference (AFC)
East
NorthSouthWestNational Football Conference (NFC)NorthSouthWest