- All 32 teams are covered: PFF's 2026 NFL season preview hub links to a full breakdown of every team, including roster strengths, concerns, key additions and breakout candidates.
- The league looks dramatically different: Seattle enters as defending Super Bowl champion, while major offseason moves include Myles Garrett joining the Rams, Trey Hendrickson landing in Baltimore and A.J. Brown moving to New England.
- Quarterback storylines shape the season: Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson remain central to AFC contenders, while Fernando Mendoza begins his career as the No. 1 overall pick in Las Vegas.
- Last Chance! The PFF Early Bird Sale Ends Aug. 17: Save 33% and get PFF+ for just $79.99, our lowest price of the year.
The 2025 season ended with Mike Macdonald’s Seattle Seahawks lifting the Lombardi Trophy after a 14-3 campaign and three straight playoff wins, and with the New England Patriots completing one of the great single-season turnarounds — 4-13 to 14-3 and an AFC title — before falling at the final hurdle.
The offseason that followed reshaped the league all over again: Myles Garrett is a Ram, Trey Hendrickson a Raven, A.J. Brown a Patriot and Mike Evans a 49er, while at least nine teams hired a new head coach and the Raiders took Fernando Mendoza first overall.
Gordon McGuinness has broken down every roster in the league — the biggest strengths, the clearest concerns, the key additions and the players most likely to swing each season. Every 2026 team preview is linked below.
Arizona Cardinals 2026 preview: Jeremiyah Love headlines new era
Nine straight losses left the Arizona Cardinals with a 3-14 record, tied for the worst in the NFL. The collapse led to the firing of head coach Jonathan Gannon, with former Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur hired as his replacement. That was not the only major change, as the Cardinals also parted ways with quarterback Kyler Murray, ending the former No. 1 overall pick’s seven-year tenure in Arizona. Here is our 2026 preview of the Arizona Cardinals.
Atlanta Falcons 2026 preview: The quarterback competition takes center stage
After a difficult start to the 2025 season left them at 4-9 through 13 games, the Atlanta Falcons won their final four contests to finish tied for the best record in the NFC South, ultimately placing third on tiebreakers. Atlanta responded with sweeping changes, hiring Kevin Stefanski as its new head coach and adding Tua Tagovailoa to create competition at quarterback. Here is our 2026 preview for the Atlanta Falcons.
Baltimore Ravens 2026 preview: Why Lamar Jackson and Trey Hendrickson fuel optimism
The Baltimore Ravens endured a disappointing 2025 season, marred by injuries to quarterback Lamar Jackson before ultimately falling on Tyler Loop’s missed field goal on the final play of the season. They made sweeping changes this offseason, and optimism remains high as they head into 2026. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Baltimore Ravens.
Buffalo Bills 2026 preview: Joe Brady begins new era with the league’s best quarterback
Josh Allen was the only one of the AFC’s “big four quarterbacks” to make the playoffs last season, so everything appeared to be in place for the Bills to finally get over the hump and reach the Super Bowl for the first time since the 1993 season. Instead, an overtime loss to the Broncos in Denver ended their season in the divisional round. Buffalo responded by moving on from head coach Sean McDermott and replacing him with Joe Brady. Here is our 2026 preview of the Buffalo Bills.
Carolina Panthers 2026 preview: Bryce Young enters pivotal year after NFC South title
The Carolina Panthers lost their final two games of the 2025 regular season but still won the NFC South on a tiebreaker, returning to the playoffs for the first time since 2017. Their season ended with a home loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the wild-card round, but reaching the postseason was still an encouraging step forward for a team in the midst of a rebuild. Carolina was aggressive in free agency as it looked to build on that progress, but the team’s ceiling in 2026 will likely be determined by the play of quarterback Bryce Young. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Carolina Panthers.
Chicago Bears 2026 preview: QB Caleb Williams, HC Ben Johnson look to build on NFC North title
The Chicago Bears broke through in 2025, winning the NFC North before defeating the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round and falling to the Los Angeles Rams in overtime in the divisional round. It marked Ben Johnson’s first season as head coach and Caleb Williams’ second year in the NFL, giving Chicago plenty of reason for optimism entering 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Chicago Bears.
Cincinnati Bengals 2026 preview: Joe Burrow leads a revamped roster following major offseason additions
Were it not for an injury that sidelined Joe Burrow from Weeks 3-12 last season, the Cincinnati Bengals could have made a serious playoff run despite their struggles on defense. While they are running it back with the same head coach and coordinators, they made significant additions on defense this offseason, and expectations are high for the 2026 season. Here is our 2026 preview for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Cleveland Browns 2026 preview: Todd Monken takes over rebuilt offense and a defense without Myles Garrett
Another rough season spelled the end of the Kevin Stefanski era in Cleveland, and Todd Monken takes over as head coach ahead of the new season. That wasn’t the only seismic change for the Browns, though. Cleveland also traded reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett and rebuilt its entire offensive line. Here is our 2026 preview for the Cleveland Browns.
Dallas Cowboys 2026 preview: Caleb Downs headlines defensive overhaul
Four losses in their final five games left the Dallas Cowboys out of the playoffs for a second straight season. They reshaped the defense over the past year, trading Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers before the 2025 season, acquiring Quinnen Williams during the year and continuing to invest heavily on that side of the ball this offseason. Here is our 2026 preview of the Dallas Cowboys.
Denver Broncos 2026 preview: Bo Nix, Jaylen Waddle lead loaded AFC contender
The Denver Broncos enjoyed a remarkable 2025 season, finishing 14-3 to win the AFC West and secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. They defeated the Buffalo Bills at home in the divisional round but lost quarterback Bo Nix to injury in the process, then fell 10-7 to the New England Patriots in the AFC Championship Game. With Nix healthy again, Denver has every reason to believe it can contend for the AFC’s top spot once more and potentially go a step further in 2026. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Denver Broncos.
Detroit Lions 2026 preview: Biggest strengths, concerns and breakout candidates
A year removed from a 15-2 season, the Detroit Lions finished 2025 with a 9-8 record but were the last-place team in a ridiculously competitive NFC North. With talented playmakers on both sides of the ball, the expectation will be that they can return to the playoffs this year. Here is our 2026 preview for the Detroit Lions.
Green Bay Packers 2026 preview: Jordan Love, Micah Parsons shape season outlook
A season that began with a trade many believed could propel the Packers to the Super Bowl ended with five straight losses, including a playoff defeat to the Chicago Bears. The disappointing finish led to questions about Matt LaFleur’s future as head coach before he signed a contract extension in January. The Packers once again face the challenge of navigating one of the NFL’s toughest divisions, but they have the talent to return to the playoffs in 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Green Bay Packers.
Houston Texans 2026 preview: Elite pass rush fuels postseason hopes
The Houston Texans went 12-5 in 2025, finishing second to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the AFC South. They opened the postseason with an impressive road victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers before a 28-16 loss to the eventual AFC champion New England Patriots brought their season to an end. With one of the NFL’s best defenses returning, expectations will once again be high in 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Houston Texans.
Indianapolis Colts 2026 preview: Sauce Gardner, Laiatu Latu give Indianapolis a promising defensive foundation
The Colts raced out to an 8-2 start in 2025, but a seven-game losing streak to close the season left them at 8-9 for the second consecutive year. They made a blockbuster move during the season by acquiring cornerback Sauce Gardner, then doubled down this offseason by committing to Daniel Jones at quarterback as they look to challenge the Houston Texans and Jacksonville Jaguars, who finished first and second in the AFC South last season. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Indianapolis Colts.
Jacksonville Jaguars 2026 preview: Trevor Lawrence leads AFC South favorites
The Jaguars closed the 2025 regular season on an eight-game winning streak to finish 13-4 and capture the AFC South title. Their season ended with a home wild-card loss to the Buffalo Bills, but the way they finished the regular season provides plenty of optimism heading into 2026, particularly after Trevor Lawrence’s strong play down the stretch. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Kansas City Chiefs 2026 preview: Kenneth Walker, rookie class bolster rebound bid
A disappointing 2025 season saw the Kansas City Chiefs finish 6-11 and miss the playoffs, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ season ending late in the year due to a knee injury. The landscape of the AFC West has also changed, with the emergence of the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers meaning the Chiefs face a tougher path back to the postseason. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Kansas City Chiefs.
Las Vegas Raiders 2026 preview: Klint Kubiak takes over revamped roster
A 3-14 season left the Las Vegas Raiders with one of the least productive rosters in football by PFF’s numbers — 30th in offensive grade, 32nd on defense and 31st in EPA per play, averaging just 4.4 yards per snap. The reset has been total. Klint Kubiak takes over as head coach fresh off a Super Bowl title, and he has been handed a new franchise quarterback in Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick who led all FBS passers in PFF Wins Above Average with a 91.6 grade. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Las Vegas Raiders.
Los Angeles Chargers 2026 preview: Rashawn Slater, Joe Alt return to bolster offense
The Los Angeles Chargers went 11-6 in 2025 on the back of a defense that graded 11th in the NFL and allowed a league-low 42.6% red-zone touchdown rate, but the offense never got going — 28th by PFF grade — largely because injuries tore through the offensive line. That is the story of this offseason, with Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt returning to give Justin Herbert one of the best tackle tandems in football. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Los Angeles Chargers.
Los Angeles Rams 2026 preview: All-in on Super Bowl 61
Quarterback Matthew Stafford took home NFL MVP honors in 2025, but the Los Angeles Rams fell one win short of the Super Bowl with a road loss to the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship Game. They responded by making multiple blockbuster trades this offseason, giving themselves arguably the most talented roster in the NFL heading into 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Los Angeles Rams.
Miami Dolphins 2026 preview: Malik Willis headlines the Dolphins’ reset after major offensive changes
A 7-10 season brought sweeping changes to Miami, with former Green Bay Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley replacing Mike McDaniel as head coach and the Tua Tagovailoa era at quarterback coming to an end. Malik Willis arrived in free agency to replace Tagovailoa, but the trade that sent wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to Denver has left plenty of questions about how good the Dolphins’ offense can be in 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Miami Dolphins.
Minnesota Vikings 2026 preview: The QB battle between Kyler Murray and JJ McCarthy will define the season
The Minnesota Vikings closed the 2025 season on a five-game winning streak, but a stretch of six losses in seven games during the middle of the season ultimately cost them a playoff berth. They enter 2026 with a major question mark at quarterback, but the roster is talented enough to compete in the NFC North if they can find stability at the position before the season begins. Here is our 2026 preview of the Minnesota Vikings.
New England Patriots 2026 preview: Drake Maye, Mike Vrabel eye Super Bowl return
The New England Patriots were the surprise team of the 2025 NFL season, going from a 4-13 record in 2024 to a 14-3 mark that saw them win the AFC East. They reached the Super Bowl for the first time since Tom Brady’s departure but ultimately ran into the buzzsaw that was the Seattle Seahawks’ defense. With a star quarterback still on his rookie contract, the expectation is that New England will once again compete for a championship in 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the New England Patriots.
New Orleans Saints 2026 preview: Tyler Shough looks to build on promising rookie season
The New Orleans Saints endured a difficult start to the 2025 season, opening 2-10 before closing with four wins in their final five games. That late-season surge provided some optimism heading into 2026, particularly with Tyler Shough showing signs that he could be the team’s quarterback of the future. With Shough entering his second season and Kellen Moore returning for Year 2 as head coach, there is plenty of intrigue surrounding how much of a step forward the Saints can take in 2026. Here’s our 2026 preview of the New Orleans Saints.
New York Giants 2026 preview: Jaxson Dart, Abdul Carter fuel optimism for future
Another disappointing season in New York brought an end to the Brian Daboll era, with the Giants turning to former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh after a 4-13 campaign. There are reasons for optimism, particularly after the flashes rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart showed in 2025, but the sheer amount of roster turnover this offseason underscores that this remains a major rebuilding project. Here is our 2026 preview of the New York Giants.
New York Jets 2026 preview: Geno Smith returns, David Bailey offers plenty of promise
Another difficult season saw the New York Jets stumble to a 3-14 record and finish at the bottom of the AFC East. They head into the 2026 season sharing a division with two Super Bowl contenders while facing significant questions at multiple positions on the roster. Here is our 2026 preview of the New York Jets.
Philadelphia Eagles 2026 preview: Philadelphia returns one of the NFL’s most talented rosters
The Philadelphia Eagles repeated as NFC East champions in 2025 but saw their season come to an abrupt end with a wild-card loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Even so, they remain one of the NFL’s most talented rosters and will once again enter the season as legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Here is our 2026 preview of the Philadelphia Eagles.
Pittsburgh Steelers 2026 preview: Aaron Rodgers reunites with Mike McCarthy for his farewell season
The Pittsburgh Steelers won the AFC North in 2025, but a heavy playoff loss to the Houston Texans marked the end of Mike Tomlin’s long tenure in Pittsburgh. To take Tomlin’s place, head coach Mike McCarthy has reunited with Aaron Rodgers in what the future Hall of Famer has said is his final season before retirement. Here is our 2026 preview for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
San Francisco 49ers 2026 preview: Kyle Shanahan’s squad enters the season as NFC contenders
The San Francisco 49ers went 12-5 in 2025, finishing third in the NFC West and earning the No. 6 seed in the NFC playoffs. They opened the postseason with a road win over the Philadelphia Eagles before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. Kyle Shanahan has turned the 49ers into one of the NFL’s perennial contenders, but after repeatedly coming up just short of a championship, they’ll be hoping 2026 is finally the year they break through. Here is our 2026 preview of the San Francisco 49ers.
Seattle Seahawks 2026 preview: The defending Super Bowl champions reload
Mike Macdonald’s second season as Seahawks head coach could hardly have gone any better. Seattle finished 14-3 to secure the No. 1 seed in the NFC before winning three straight playoff games to hoist the Lombardi Trophy as Super Bowl champions. With Macdonald already viewed as one of the brightest defensive minds in football, the Seahawks have every reason to believe they can contend for another title in 2026. The NFC West won’t make it easy, however, as the Los Angeles Rams spent the offseason reloading in an effort to knock them off their perch. Here is our 2026 preview of the Seattle Seahawks.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2026 preview: New era begins without Mike Evans, Lavonte David
A 6-2 start put the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in a strong position to reach the playoffs, but a 2-7 stretch following their Week 9 bye left them with a losing record and cost them the NFC South on a three-way tiebreaker. There has not been significant turnover among the projected starters heading into 2026, but the Buccaneers did lose two franchise legends in wide receiver Mike Evans and linebacker Lavonte David. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tennessee Titans 2026 preview: There is hope for Cam Ward’s development in Year 2
The Titans needed to be aggressive this offseason after back-to-back three-win seasons and the arrival of a new coaching staff, and they could have as many as nine new starters from their free-agent class alone. Here’s our 2026 preview of the Tennessee Titans.
Washington Commanders 2026 preview: Jayden Daniels, revamped defense fuel hope
The Washington Commanders endured a disappointing 2025 season just one year after reaching the NFC Championship Game behind rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels. Daniels missed significant time because of injury, but his return to full health gives Washington plenty of reason for optimism heading into 2026. Here is our 2026 preview of the Washington Commanders.
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