The NFL offseason has reached the quiet stage. Free agency is mostly over, the draft is behind us, and outside of rookie minicamps and the upcoming schedule release, there isn’t much happening on the surface. But this is also the point in the calendar where the pressure starts building internally for every team in the league. Some teams are trying to figure out if they’re contenders, others are hoping they didn’t make a massive mistake, and a few are already one bad season away from everything unraveling. To give you an insight into what could be going on with your team, I’m going to identify one big question for each NFL team as we head into the summer.

Arizona Cardinals: Was Jeremiyah Love the Right Pick?

It’s hard to go wrong taking one of, if not the best player in the draft class, but the Arizona Cardinals will be asking themselves if it was the right move all offseason. Mike LaFleur wanted to get a weapon for his offense, but Arizona has holes all over its roster, especially along the offense and defensive line. There were premium players at both of those positions available, but they passed on them for a running back.

Arizona was one of the worst teams in the league last year for a reason, and it wasn’t because of the running back position. You build through the trenches first, especially when you’re as bad as Arizona was and have a new, offensive head coach coming in, but they decided to draft with their heart and not with their head.

The counterargument is that the Cardinals clearly don’t view Love as just another running back. They see him as a centerpiece offensive player who can change how defenses play them immediately. But when you pass on premium linemen that high in the draft, the expectations attached to the pick become a lot heavier.

Atlanta Falcons: Who Will be QB1?

The Atlanta Falcons drafted Michael Penix Jr. a couple of years ago, which eventually forced Kirk Cousins out. Now, they’ve brought in Tua Tagovailoa, and with Penix’s health a big question mark, nobody knows who is going to start under center.

You’d like to think that if Penix were healthy, he would be the starter, but Kevin Stefanski didn’t draft Penix, and he hand-selected Tua in free agency. I don’t think either of them is his ideal starter, but if they’re both healthy at the start of the year, there isn’t going to be any sort of bias towards Penix. We could see both Penix and Tua start a handful of games this season.

That’s what makes this situation messy. Penix is the long-term investment, but Tua feels more tied to the current coaching staff. Stefanski’s offense also naturally fits a quick-processing quarterback like Tua, which makes the competition feel more open than people expected.

At the same time, if Penix is healthy, Atlanta eventually has to commit to finding out what it really has in him. Otherwise, spending a first-round pick on him starts looking harder to justify.

Baltimore Ravens: Can Derrick Henry Keep Defying Time?

Derrick Henry is 32 years old and has been defying father time for years now. Everyone says the running back wall is 30, but over the last two seasons, Henry has rushed for 3,500 yards and 32 touchdowns. But can he do it once again?

History tells us no. Even if a running back is good past 30, there’s very little chance they’re good at 32, but Henry is a different breed. He didn’t show signs of slowing down last year, but Baltimore’s offensive line might be worse than it was a year ago. If Henry can defy father time, this offense will be one of the best in the league, but without him carrying a heavy workload, things could get ugly in Baltimore.

The bigger concern might not even be Henry himself. It’s whether Baltimore’s offensive line can still create the same kind of rushing environment around him. At this stage of his career, even a slight drop in blocking matters more than it used to.

The counterargument is obvious, though. Henry has spent years proving he doesn’t really follow normal aging curves, and playing next to Lamar Jackson still gives him lighter boxes than most veteran backs ever see. That’s a major reason why people still believe he can keep this going.

Buffalo Bills: Did They Get Josh Allen Enough Weapons?

The Buffalo Bills started the offseason by trading for D.J. Moore, and then in the draft, they selected one of my favorite receivers in Skyler Bell, who had over 100 catches and 1,200 yards at UConn last season. But will it be enough?

When Josh Allen had Khalil Shakir as his WR1, he still led one of the best offenses in the league and took the 1-seeded Denver Broncos to overtime in the Divisional Round. Now, he has two receivers who are better than anyone he had last season. Bell may take some time to settle in, but his ceiling is through the roof.

That’s what makes Buffalo so interesting. Allen already proved he could carry an offense without elite receiving talent around him, so adding Moore and Bell should raise the ceiling of the passing game considerably. The question is whether the roster is balanced enough overall.

The Bills neglected to fix their run defense to give Josh Allen some more weapons. They still have huge holes at linebacker and defensive tackle, so the question is, did they get Allen enough weapons to overcome their run defense issues?

Because if Buffalo ends up in the same spot as last year, needing Allen to win shootouts every week, the pressure on the offense becomes unsustainably high again.

Carolina Panthers: Can Bryce Young Lead a Playoff Run?

Bryce Young took a step forward in 2025 and helped the Carolina Panthers win the NFC South and make the playoffs, but he still wasn’t that great. In a career year, Young threw for 3,011 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. That’s a below-average season for 90 percent of NFL quarterbacks.

The encouraging part for Carolina is that Young at least looked more comfortable and functional within the offense late in the season. The concern is whether that growth was enough to survive a tougher schedule and a much more competitive division this year.

The Panthers took big steps forward, especially on the defensive side of the ball, this offseason, but their schedule is going to be much harder, and the other three NFC South teams took steps forward. Can Carolina repeat as NFC South champions? I think it’s going to be extremely tough unless Young takes a pretty massive step.

At some point, Carolina needs Young to become more than just efficient. They need him to consistently tilt games in their favor, especially if the margin for error gets smaller this season.

Chicago Bears: Is This Defense Improved Enough to Win it All?

The Chicago Bears had the offense to win it all last season, but their defense really let them down for most of the year. They made defense a priority this offseason, but will Dennis Allen’s unit be improved enough for them to get over the hump?

The Bears added guys like Devin Bush, Dillon Thieneman, and Coby Bryant to the mix, but they failed to find another impact edge rusher opposite Montez Sweat. On paper, this unit is definitely better than it was last year, but are they good enough to compete with teams like the Los Angeles Rams and the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC? Only time will tell.

Cincinnati Bengals: How Much Better is Cincy’s Defense?

The Cincinnati Bengals are a lot like the Bears. When Joe Burrow is healthy, their offense is fantastic, but they needed to get better on defense this offseason, and I think they did. But just how much better did they get?

The Bengals had a lot of defensive needs. With Trey Hendrickson leaving, they needed pass rush help, so the Bengals signed Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen while trading for Dexter Lawrence, all three of whom should also help in the run game. They also selected Cashius Howell to help them get after the passes. Cincy also signed Bryan Cook to help them in the secondary

At the very least, Cincinnati looks much tougher up front now. The Bengals were too easy to run on at times last year, and adding players like Allen and Lawrence changes the physical identity of the defense immediately.

The bigger question is whether the pass rush can still consistently replace Hendrickson’s production. Improving depth is one thing. Replacing a true game-wrecker off the edge is another.

Cleveland Browns: Who’s Going to Play QB?

The Cleveland Browns already had a pretty good defense last year, and now they’ve spent a lot of resources on their offense. They have a solid offensive line, two rookie receivers that were first-round talents, a second-year running back that’s very good, and one of the best young tight ends in the game. Now they just need to figure out who is playing quarterback.

Deshaun Watson seems to be the leader in the clubhouse right now, but Shedeur Sanders is going to try to make his mark this offseason under a new regime. Watson is experienced, but he has also torn his Achilles twice in the past two years, and quite frankly, isn’t a person anyone can root for. Sanders may have his haters, but at least he doesn’t have legal issues and has support from the fanbase.

That’s why this situation feels bigger than just football. Watson may technically have the experience edge, but the organization also has to think about durability, public perception, and whether he can still realistically return to his old form after multiple major injuries.

I’d like to see Sanders get another chance this year, but whoever it is, I don’t know that they make a huge difference on this team’s record at the end of the year.

And that’s probably the harsh reality for Cleveland. The roster around the quarterback is improving, but until they get stability at the position, it’s hard to fully buy into them as a serious contender.

Dallas Cowboys: How Big of an Impact Will Caleb Downs Have?

The Dallas Cowboys came into the offseason needing to find playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. They added some solid players, such as Rashan Gary, Malachi Lawrence, and Jalen Thompson, but they hit a home run when they selected Caleb Downs 11th overall.

Downs is a bona fide superstar. He was my No. 1 player in the class because he can do literally anything you ask him to do. Want to put him in the slot? He can do that. Want to put him in the box and have him defend the run? He can do that. Want to throw him at free safety and have him roam deep? He can do that, too.

That’s what makes him such a clean fit for Dallas specifically. This defense badly needed versatility and speed on the backend, and Downs gives them someone who can erase matchup problems in multiple ways instead of being locked into one role.

Downs is exactly the kind of player Dallas needed on defense, so I want to see how big an impact he can actually have on one of the worst defenses in the league.

The bigger question is whether one elite defensive back can realistically change the identity of an entire unit. Downs should help immediately, but Dallas still has a lot to prove collectively after how bad the defense looked at times last season.

Denver Broncos: Is Bo Nix’s Ankle Actually 100 Percent?

The Denver Broncos were a freak injury to their starting quarterback, Bo Nix, away from making the Super Bowl last year. After their thrilling overtime win over the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round, the Broncos announced that Nix fractured his ankle on one of the final plays of the game, forcing him to miss the AFC Championship. Apparently, the injury was inevitable due to a pre-existing condition, which leaves fans wondering if he’s actually going to be 100 percent this season.

Photos of Nix’s ankle after surgery have been swirling around the internet for a few days, and to be honest, it doesn’t look great. Maybe it’s just the angle, but there is a very serious concern about his long-term health after this injury. For his sake, I hope it doesn’t affect him long-term, but if I were a Broncos fan, I’d be a bit concerned.

And that’s fair, because ankle injuries for quarterbacks can quietly linger even after players are technically cleared. Mobility, pocket movement, and comfort planting on throws all matter, especially for someone like Nix whose athleticism is a big part of his game.

Denver clearly believes he’ll be ready, but until people actually see him moving normally in camp and preseason action, the concern probably isn’t going away.

Detroit Lions: Can This Team Stay Healthy?

I believe the Detroit Lions have one of the best rosters in the NFL. Their offense is easily one of the best in the league, and they made some solid additions to their defense. The only reason they missed the postseason last year was because of all the injuries they suffered, particularly in the secondary, so my big question is, can they stay healthy?

If the Lions don’t suffer injury after injury in their defensive backfield, there’s no reason they can’t be serious contenders in the NFC. Their offense will likely be a top-five unit in the league, and with guys like Derrick Moore and Keith Abney coming in, their defense should be better than last year, and if you remember, they were pretty good when they were healthy.

That’s really the frustrating part with Detroit. When this roster was healthy, it looked complete enough to compete with anyone. But the injuries piled up to the point where the depth simply couldn’t hold together anymore, especially in the secondary.

The Lions could be real Super Bowl threats, but they need to hope the injury bug doesn’t bite them for the second straight year.

Because if they stay relatively healthy, there honestly aren’t many obvious weaknesses on this roster.

Green Bay Packers: How Much Better Did They Actually Get?

I feel like the Green Bay Packers are stuck in purgatory. They’ve been the 7-seed in the NFC each of the last three seasons, and it feels like they sit still pretty much every offseason. They don’t make a lot of splashes in free agency, and their draft classes are typically pretty average, so it never feels like they get any better from year to year.

This offseason has been no different. The Packers’ biggest signing this offseason was Javon Hargrave, and without a first-round pick, the best player they got in the draft was a developmental cornerback. I’m just not convinced Green Bay got any better, and it feels like a lot of NFC teams did.

That’s the issue with the Packers right now. They’re not bad enough to reset, but they also don’t feel aggressive enough to seriously close the gap on the top tier of the conference.

Hargrave helps, but it’s hard to point to one major move and say Green Bay meaningfully changed its ceiling this offseason.

Houston Texans: Will C.J. Stroud Take the Next Step?

The Houston Texans had the best defense in the league last season and would’ve been Super Bowl contenders if it weren’t for C.J. Stroud throwing four interceptions in a 12-point loss to the New England Patriots.

Ever since his stellar rookie season, C.J. Stroud has regressed. As Houston’s defense has gotten better, its offense has gotten worse, and it’s quite frankly because of him. I know his offensive line and run game haven’t done him many favors, but he also just needs to be better.

The big question this offseason is, can he unlock that next level? If he’s just an average quarterback, their defense is good enough to win it all. This is a big season for Stroud, because if he doesn’t deliver, Houston could look to bring someone else in for 2027.

The counterargument is that the situation around him offensively hasn’t exactly been stable either, but franchise quarterbacks eventually get judged on whether they can overcome some of those issues.

Indianapolis Colts: Can They Replicate Last Year’s Start?

The Indianapolis Colts were one of the best teams in the league before Daniel Jones got hurt. Their offense was red-hot, and while Jonathan Taylor was carrying the brunt of the load, Jones was also playing very well. They were so good that they traded their next two first-round picks to Sauce Gardner to improve the weakest link on their defense.

Obviously, Jones got hurt, and Indy missed the playoffs, but the question is, can they recapture that magic? Jones is coming off a torn Achilles, which is a brutal injury and can take over a year before you start feeling 100 percent again. If they can, they’re real threats in the AFC. If they can’t, they could miss the playoffs and be without a first-rounder once again.

That’s what makes this such a high-pressure year for Indianapolis. They already pushed chips into the middle of the table with the Sauce Gardner trade, so if the offense regresses because Jones isn’t fully healthy, the risk attached to those moves suddenly looks a lot bigger.

Jacksonville Jaguars: How Do They Replace Their Big Losses?

The Jacksonville Jaguars were one of the surprise teams of 2025, but the only reason they were able to be so dominant in year one under Liam Coen is that they had two players make massive leaps: Travis Etienne and Devin Lloyd. Etienne was a trade candidate before the year, but ended up totaling nearly 1,400 yards of offense. Lloyd was a solid linebacker, but he took a massive leap and is now one of the highest-paid off-ball linebackers in the sport. But both of them play for different teams now.

So how does Jacksonville go about replacing these two? The short answer is, they can’t. Chris Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten are their RB1 and RB2 this season, which is a steep drop off from Etienne, and Ventrell Miller is set to take over Lloyd’s spot. No offense to those guys, but they’re nowhere near Etienne or Lloyd’s level.

That’s the difficult part for Jacksonville. Even if the replacements are solid players, replacing production is very different from replacing impact. Etienne gave them explosiveness, while Lloyd became one of the emotional leaders of the defense by the end of the year.

I know running back and linebacker aren’t premium positions, but man, it’s hard to lose players of that caliber and not feel it.

Kansas City Chiefs: Will Patrick Mahomes be Ready Week 1?

Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL with just a few weeks left in the season, and reports are saying he could be ready for OTAs just six months later. I know ACL rehab is getting faster and faster, but this would be an incredibly quick turnaround.

I know Kansas City has lofty expectations and would hate to waste a year with Mahomes under center, but they could be doing him more harm than good by rushing him back. What will they do if he hurts his knee and has to get it repaired again? The last thing you want to do is have him suffer two knee injuries in a row and alter how effective he can be with his legs.

And that’s the real concern here. Even if Mahomes is technically cleared, there’s still a difference between being available and being fully comfortable moving naturally again. His mobility is such a huge part of what makes him impossible to defend.

It seems like Mahomes will be ready to go for Week 1, but will he be 100 percent? That’s a whole different question…

Las Vegas Raiders: How Long Before Fernando Mendoza Starts?

Nowadays, when you take a quarterback first overall, he’s expected to start right away. The Las Vegas Raiders said “F that” and already announced he most likely will not start Week 1, and instead will give the ball to Kirk Cousins to begin the year. They went so far as to say they hope Mendoza sits his entire rookie season, which probably won’t happen, but I love that they’re going to let him learn and give him the best chance to be successful when he does step on the field.

Honestly, it’s a refreshing approach. Rookie quarterbacks are usually thrown into terrible situations immediately, and the Raiders seem determined not to repeat that cycle with Mendoza.

So the question is, when does he get his first start? If the Raiders are 0-4 to start the year, do they pull the trigger early? Do they wait until their bye week (whenever that comes) to make the switch? Do they actually have the patience to wait an entire year? We don’t know, but it’ll be fascinating to see.

Because no matter what, the plan is right now, quarterback timelines tend to speed up quickly once losses start piling up.

Los Angeles Rams: Will Drafting Ty Simpson Bite Them This Year?

The Rams held the No. 13 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft despite finishing the season as the NFC runners-up because of a trade they made with the Falcons last season. Instead of using that premium pick on a receiver, tackle, or anyone else who could help them win the Super Bowl this year, they selected Ty Simpson to be their backup quarterback.

The Rams didn’t need a ton of help entering the draft. They fixed their cornerback issue in free agency and through trades, but they still could’ve used a third receiver, a right tackle, or some kind of impact defender to help them win it all this year. Instead, they took a guy who likely won’t play in 2026. Will this come back to haunt them? We’ll see, but it’s Super Bowl or bust, and if they don’t win it all, fans will be asking why they didn’t fill one of their few holes with this pick.

Miami Dolphins: How Many of Their 13 Draftees Start Week 1?

The Miami Dolphins made 13 draft picks this offseason, and there’s a real chance that over half of them start Week 1.

I think it’s safe to assume that Francis Mauigoa, Chris Johnson, Jacob Rodriguez, and Kyle Louis will be day one starters. After that, there are a bunch of guys who could start Week 1, including Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas, Will Kacmarek, Trey Moore, and Michael Taaffe. That’s nine rookies that could start Week 1. I don’t think they all will, but don’t be shocked if six or seven of them are day one starters.

Minnesota Vikings: Will it be the Kyler Murray Show?

The Minnesota Vikings are not convinced that J.J. McCarthy is their savior, so they brought in a low-risk, high-reward quarterback in Kyler Murray. The former Cardinal has been injured the past couple of years, but he was a really good quarterback early in his career, and Kevin O’Connell is the QB whisperer.

Should the Vikings roll Murray out as their Week 1 starter? I think they absolutely should. McCarthy has been injured a lot and hasn’t shown anywhere near the flashes Murray showed early in his career, and if anyone is going to get Murray back to playing like a top-15 quarterback, it’s going to be O’Connell. It will be fascinating to see how they handle this QB room.

That’s what makes Minnesota one of the more interesting quarterback situations in the league. Murray probably gives them the higher immediate ceiling, while McCarthy still represents the long-term investment they don’t want to give up on too quickly.

And if O’Connell really believes he can unlock Murray again, there will be real pressure to put the better short-term option on the field, regardless of draft status.

New England Patriots: Will They Get A.J. Brown?

A.J. Brown has been on the trade block for what feels like forever now, but he might actually be moved sooner than later. The Philadelphia Eagles can save a whole lot of cap by waiting to deal Brown until June 1st, and it seems like they already have a partner in the New England Patriots.

If the Patriots get Brown, it would take them from Super Bowl contenders to arguably being Super Bowl favorites. They overachieved a bit last year, but adding someone as dynamic as Brown to that offense would take this team to the next level. Can they get the deal done? It feels like they can, but what will they have to give up? We’ll have to wait and see.

What makes this situation believable is that New England has both the cap flexibility and the urgency to make a move like this. They’ve already accelerated the rebuild faster than expected, and adding a true WR1 would completely change how defenses play them.

The bigger question is whether the Patriots are willing to meet Philadelphia’s asking price without gutting too much future draft capital. Because once you become a contender, maintaining roster depth gets harder fast.

New Orleans Saints: How Good Will This Offense Be?

Want to know how much the New Orleans Saints believe in Tyler Shough? They went out and spent big on Travis Etienne and David Edwards in free agency to fix their run game, and then followed that up by drafting three receivers (including one at No. 8 overall) and a tight end in the draft. They think this guy is the savior, and if he plays like last year, the sky is the limit for this offense in 2026.

Just how good can this offense be next year? Well, if everyone can stay healthy, they could be a top-five unit, and I’m not just saying that as a fan. They have one of the best offensive lines in the league when all five guys are healthy. They now have two elite receivers in Chris Olave and Jordyn Tyson, they have a three-headed monster at tight end, and two elusive running backs in Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara. If Shough takes a step forward as everyone expects, they could average somewhere in the 27 PPG range.

And honestly, the Saints deserve credit for how aggressively they built around Shough this offseason. A lot of teams talk about supporting young quarterbacks. New Orleans actually committed major resources toward making his transition easier.

The counterargument is that this entire ceiling still depends on health. Olave, Kamara, and parts of the offensive line have all dealt with injuries recently, so the depth of this offense is going to get tested quickly if guys start missing time again.

New York Giants: Will Malik Nabers be a Full Go in Week 1?

Malik Nabers tore his ACL early in the season, but there’s no guarantee he’ll be 100 percent for Week 1. A big reason the New York Giants entertained drafting Jordyn Tyson in the first round is that they were worried about Nabers being fully ready for the start of the season.

Jaxson Dart had a terrific rookie season, but if he wants to make sure he doesn’t suffer from a sophomore slump, they need Nabers to be ready to go for Week 1. Teams have tape on Dart now, and without Nabers, the Giants’ best weapon out wide is either Malachi Fields or Darius Slayton. That won’t get it done against most NFL defenses.

That’s why Nabers’ recovery matters beyond just his individual production. He changes how defenses line up against the entire offense, and without him, the margin for error around Dart becomes much smaller.

Giants fans, you should be praying that Nabers isn’t just good to go, but is 100 percent, by Week 1.

New York Jets: Can They Make Something Out of Their Draft?

It seems like the New York Jets almost always walk out of the draft as winners, but aren’t able to turn their offseason success to in-season success. Could that change this year?

On paper, this was a great draft for the Jets. They got a star edge rusher in David Bailey, one of the best receiving threats in this class in Kenyon Sadiq, and the best YAC receiver in the draft in Omar Cooper Jr. On top of that, they got an elite corner in D’Angelo Ponds on day two and got the biggest steal of round seven in VJ Payne.

All of these guys should be playmakers for the Jets by the end of the year, but again, it’s the Jets, and it’s where young players’ dreams go to die. At least, it used to be. If this class can find success and build a solid foundation, the Jets might actually have something.

Philadelphia Eagles: Can Sean Mannion Fix Their Offense?

The Eagles didn’t lose a whole lot of talent last offseason, but they took a significant step back after winning the Super Bowl the year prior, and that was largely due to their offense.

They lost Kellen Moore after their Super Bowl run, and Kevin Patullo was nowhere near the quality of play-caller that Moore was. They promptly fired Patullo and brought in former NFL quarterback Sean Mannion, who should be able to right this ship. Nothing is guaranteed, though, and he could lose a big weapon in A.J. Brown if they trade him.

That’s what makes Mannion such an interesting hire. He’s respected around the league for his football IQ and quarterback work, but calling plays at this level is a completely different challenge.

How Sean Mannion does in his first year as a play caller could ultimately decide the Eagles’ fate this year.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Is Aaron Rodgers Coming Back?

The million-dollar question every offseason seems to be is Aaron Rodgers coming back? And if so, where will he play? Frankly, I’m tired of it and don’t care at all whether he returns, but he loves the spotlight and is once again dragging his decision out so everyone will talk about him.

At least we know if he comes back, it will be as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers. So the question is, will he actually come back? I think he will, and as much as I don’t care for the guy and think he’s a bit washed, he’s far better than any other option the Steelers have at the quarterback position. Now we just have to wait and see when he finally announces his decision…

And honestly, that’s where Pittsburgh is stuck right now. Rodgers may not be peak Rodgers anymore, but the Steelers clearly believe his floor is still higher than anything else they currently have in the room.

The risk, though, is that the longer this drags out, the harder it becomes for the organization to fully move forward with clarity heading into the season.

San Francisco 49ers: Can They Avoid the Injury Bug?

Everyone knows about the San Francisco 49ers and their injuries. It feels like every single year they’re hit by the injury bug, and some have theorized it’s due to electromagnetic field exposure from a nearby power plant, which supposedly weakens tendons, but no matter what’s causing it, the only thing that matters is that it happens, and if they want to win it all, they need injury luck to be on their side.

The 49ers were a very competitive team last year despite losing guys like Fred Warner, Nick Bosa, and Mykel Williams for the year. If they had all of those guys on the field in the playoffs, who knows what would’ve happened? They could’ve won it all, but their defense surrendered 41 points to Seattle in the playoffs.

That’s what makes San Francisco so frustrating to evaluate. Talent has almost never been the issue with this roster. Availability has been. At full strength, they still have one of the deepest and most dangerous teams in football, especially defensively.

If the injury bug doesn’t hit, San Fran will be a Super Bowl contender. But if it does again, they need to look into moving their practice field.

Seattle Seahawks: How do They Replace All Their Losses?

The Seahawks were a dominant champion last year, but they lost quite a few impact players this offseason. Kenneth Walker, Tariq Woolen, Coby Bryant, and Boye Mafe all walked out the door, and I don’t know how they’re going to replace them.

The Seahawks didn’t make any big additions in free agency, but they did select Jadarian Price in round one to hopefully fill Walker’s role. But that leaves three big holes on defense, and I’m not sure if anyone they drafted from round two and on will help them this year. Bud Clark could start at safety, but Julian Neal has some work to do before he’s ready to be a CB2 in this league.

That’s the dangerous part about trying to repeat after a championship run. Seattle lost proven production, leadership, and continuity all at once, especially on defense, which was the identity of the team last year.

The Seahawks relied on their defense to win the Super Bowl last year, and now they have to fill three big holes if they want to repeat.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Can Todd Bowles Hold Onto His Job?

There is absolutely no reason the Tampa Bay Buccaneers shouldn’t have won the NFC South last year. They were the most complete team in the weakest division in the NFL, and they still came in second behind the Panthers. Todd Bowles probably should’ve been fired, but he held onto his job. Another disappointing year could spell the end of his time in Tampa.

The Buccaneers are no longer the runaway favorites in the NFC South, either. Carolina improved, and the Saints are a real threat after a strong offseason. I was genuinely concerned for Tampa after free agency, but they did put a strong draft together, so they should be competitive in the NFC South. But you have to wonder if they’d be better off losing, firing Bowles, and getting a new head coach.

That’s what makes this such a pivotal year for Bowles. Tampa still has enough talent to compete for the division, but expectations change quickly when a team consistently underperforms relative to its roster.

The pressure also feels different now because the NFC South is no longer weak enough for Tampa to survive another inconsistent season and still coast into the playoffs.

Tennessee Titans: What Will Cam Ward Look Like With Real Weapons?

Cam Ward didn’t put up the stats you want the No. 1 pick to put up as a rookie, but if you put the stat sheet aside and look at the tape, you know he has the makings of a starting quarterback in the NFL. He made some incredible plays last year with some not-so-incredible weapons, but now he’s got some real receivers to throw the ball to.

First, Tennessee signed Wan’Dale Robinson, who has proven to be one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. Then, they went out and got Ward a deep ball threat in Carnell Tate with the No. 4 pick in the draft. On top of that, they improved the run game by adding Nick Singleton to the mix.

I can’t wait to see what Ward can do with some real weapons and Brian Daboll as his play caller.

That’s why this year should give a much clearer picture of what Ward actually is as a quarterback. Last season, there were too many limitations around him offensively to fully judge the situation fairly.

Now the excuses start disappearing a bit. Tennessee added speed, separation ability, and more balance to the offense, which should make life noticeably easier for a young quarterback still developing.

Washington Commanders: Can They Get Back to 2024?

The Washington Commanders were the surprise team of 2024, but fell completely flat in 2025 after some bad offseason moves and Jayden Daniels suffering two pretty serious injuries. However, they’ve had a really strong offseason, bringing in guys like Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Sonny Styles, Nick Cross, Antonio Williams, and Chig Okonkwo to hopefully get them back to being a playoff team.

On paper, this roster looks better than their 2024 team that made it to the NFC Championship, but that team also had momentum behind it. This year’s team has next to no momentum after a poor 2025 season, but if they can come out of the gates hot, Jayden Daniels is good enough to lead them back to the playoffs.