2026 NFL Season Preview: The Most Important Storylines for Every Team

Every offseason reshuffles the league to some degree, but 2026 mixed it up more than most. Beyond the coaching carousel and the Garrett trade, a wave of quarterback movement reshaped rosters before camp even opened. On the West Coast alone, Las Vegas swapped Geno Smith for Kirk Cousins while adding Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza as its quarterback of the future, the Rams stunned the league by drafting Ty Simpson as Matthew Stafford's eventual successor, and Arizona waited until the third round to address the QB position when they drafted Carson Beck.

This guide breaks down every division team by team, before covering the award races drawing early attention and how season-long outcomes are priced as the picture develops.

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The Biggest NFL Storylines Entering the 2026 Season

Before diving into all 32 teams below, there are a few league-wide changes that are sure to set the stage for the season ahead.

Which NFL Teams Have New Head Coaches in 2026?

Ten teams hired new head coaches this offseason, tied for the most in a single cycle in the modern era.

What Were the Biggest NFL Trades of the 2026 Offseason?

Myles Garrett Traded to the Rams

In addition to hiring a new coach, the Cleveland Browns sent reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Rams in exchange for edge rusher Jared Verse and a haul of draft picks, setting Garrett up with an experienced Los Angeles roster already built to contend.

A.J. Brown Traded to the Patriots

The offseason's biggest offensive player trade involved the Philadelphia Eagles sending A.J. Brown to New England. The Patriots, fresh off an AFC-best season and a Super Bowl LX appearance, have paired Brown with young quarterback Drake Maye.

Changing Receiver Rooms

Miami's rebuild went beyond a new head coach. The team released longtime receiver Tyreek Hill and traded WR Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos.

The Green Bay Packers reshaped their receiver room by trading Dontayvion Wicks to Philadelphia while also losing Romeo Doubs to New England in free agency, leaving vets Christian Watson and Jayden Reed and the rising Matthew Golden as the primary receiving options for Jordan Love. The Chicago Bears traded D.J. Moore to Buffalo, opening a larger role for Rome Odunze and rising second-year Luther Burden III.

The Giants overhauled their receiver room around new head coach John Harbaugh, signing Super Bowl-winning veteran and longtime fan favorite Odell Beckham Jr. along with Darnell Mooney. Big Blue also added tight end Isaiah Likely, while losing receiver Wan'Dale Robinson to Tennessee, where he'll play for his former head coach Brian Daboll.

Which NFL Teams Have New Quarterbacks for 2026?

After former Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa signed with Atlanta, the Dolphins turned instead to newly signed Malik Willis to lead the offense. This leaves Miami with a major question mark at the position, but gives the Falcons an established starter to pair in the backfield with running back Bijan Robinson.

Las Vegas paired its coaching change with a quarterback swap of its own, trading Geno Smith back to the Jets, where he began his career. The Raiders begin their new era with veteran Kirk Cousins and rookie Fernando Mendoza vying to take over under center for rookie head coach Klint Kubiak.

Minnesota named newly signed Kyler Murray its Week 1 starter two weeks into camp, moving J.J. McCarthy into the backup role with veteran Carson Wentz behind them. Arizona, who have cut ties with longtime starter Kyler Murray, signed Jacoby Brissett to take over as the starter, used the third overall pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and added Georgia's Carson Beck in the third round as a developmental option.

A few more quarterback situations are worth tracking heading into the season: Pittsburgh re-signed Aaron Rodgers for another season and also added rookie Drew Allar as insurance, Carolina added veteran depth in Kenny Pickett, and the Los Angeles Rams made one of the draft's biggest surprises by taking Alabama's Ty Simpson at No. 13 to eventually replace Matthew Stafford.

2026 NFL Quarterback New Team Tracker

The division-by-division outlook below covers what these situations and more mean for all 32 teams.

AFC Season Outlook

The AFC's offseason featured as much roster turnover as coaching turnover, from Las Vegas's Geno Smith-for-Kirk Cousins swap with the Jets to New England reloading its receiver room to help out a battered Drake Maye.

AFC East Preview

Buffalo Bills

Buffalo enters the season with continuity on offense around star quarterback Josh Allen. However, there is some uncertainty on the coaching staff after promoting offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach following Sean McDermott's departure. The team's biggest addition was receiver D.J. Moore, acquired in a trade with the Bears to give the run-first attack a veteran option on the perimeter. Buffalo also traded down out of the first round, using their top actual pick at No. 35 overall on edge rusher T.J. Parker.

Miami Dolphins

Miami is rebuilding itself from the ground up under new head coach Jeff Hafley and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. The team released longtime receiver Tyreek Hill, traded away Jaylen Waddle, parted ways with tight end Darren Waller, and moved on from quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Now they turn instead to newly signed quarterback Malik Willis to step into the number one role. Miami used its first-round pick on Alabama offensive tackle Kadyn Proctor to help protect their new signal caller.

New York Jets

The Jets return head coach Aaron Glenn for a second season, with general manager Darren Mougey continuing to reshape the roster. New York's headline additions came via trade, safety Minkah Fitzpatrick from Miami and quarterback Geno Smith from Las Vegas, joined by three first-round picks in the draft: edge rusher David Bailey, tight end Kenyon Sadiq, and receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

New England Patriots

New England returns 2025 Coach of the Year Mike Vrabel after a turnaround season that took the team from a 4-13 finish the year before to a Super Bowl LX appearance. New England released longtime leading receiver Stefon Diggs in a cap-driven move, then reloaded at the position, trading for A.J. Brown and signing Romeo Doubs away from Green Bay in free agency. The two new pass catchers give quarterback Drake Maye added weapons, along with rookie first-round tackle Caleb Lomu to protect the young QB after he was pressured relentlessly by Seattle in the Super Bowl.

AFC North Preview

Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore hired Jesse Minter as head coach after moving on from John Harbaugh, keeping a defensive-minded coaching lineage in the building. The Ravens spent their first-round selection, No. 14 overall, on interior lineman Vega Ioane, adding beef up front to protect Lamar Jackson. Elsewhere on offense, the Ravens lost tight end Isaiah Likely to the Giants in free agency, while the rest of the skill-position group returns largely intact.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh brought in Mike McCarthy as head coach, replacing Mike Tomlin after nearly two decades at the helm. The Steelers added receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Colts and re-signed quarterback Aaron Rodgers to lead the offense for another season. At No. 21, Pittsburgh went with offensive tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round, addressing the offensive line directly. Given Rodgers' age, the team also added quarterback Drew Allar in the third round as depth behind the former MVP.

Cleveland Browns

Cleveland brought in Todd Monken to lead the team after his run as Baltimore's offensive coordinator, and parted with Myles Garrett, last year's Defensive Player of the Year, in a trade with Los Angeles that brought in young edge rusher Jared Verse. Monken settled the team's other headline question in late August, naming Deshaun Watson the Week 1 starter over Shedeur Sanders and saying the job is not a week-to-week decision. The Browns had two first-round picks: offensive tackle Spencer Fano at No. 9, and versatile receiver KC Concepcion at No. 24 via a pick originally owned by Jacksonville.

Cincinnati Bengals

Cincinnati returns with Joe Burrow and Ja'Marr Chase leading one of the league's more explosive passing attacks, with the offensive skill positions largely unchanged heading into the season. The Bengals traded their first-round pick to the Giants for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, making their first draft selection in the second round: edge rusher Cashius Howell at No. 41.

AFC South Preview

Houston Texans

Houston's defense, led by Defensive Player of the Year candidate Will Anderson Jr. and CB Derek Stingley Jr., is already generating buzz heading into the season. On offense, the Texans added running back David Montgomery in a trade with Detroit. Houston's first-round investment, guard Keylan Rutledge at No. 26, acquired from Buffalo, goes toward keeping CJ Stroud upright.

Indianapolis Colts

Indianapolis traded away receiver Michael Pittman Jr. to Pittsburgh and signed Nick Westbrook-Ikhine in free agency to help fill the target void, while also re-signing receiver Alec Pierce and quarterback Daniel Jones to big extensions. The Colts didn't have a first-round pick after trading it to the Jets for cornerback Sauce Gardner last year, making linebacker CJ Allen their first selection in the second round at No. 53.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Jacksonville lost running back Travis Etienne to New Orleans in free agency, which hands Bhayshul Tuten a bigger workload in an offense still led by Trevor Lawrence, Brian Thomas Jr., and Travis Hunter. The Jaguars traded away their first-round pick to Cleveland in a previous draft, making tight end Nate Boerkircher their first selection this year at No. 56 in the second round.

Tennessee Titans

Tennessee brought in Robert Saleh to run the team and Brian Daboll to run the offense and drafted receiver Carnell Tate fourth overall. The Titans also signed receiver Wan'Dale Robinson away from the Giants in free agency to pair with quarterback Cam Ward heading into his second season. After selecting Tate top 5, the Titans added a second first-round pick in edge rusher Keldric Faulk at No. 31 via a trade with Buffalo.

AFC West Preview

Kansas City Chiefs

Kansas City signed Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III away from Seattle in free agency, giving the backfield a new option alongside a recovering Patrick Mahomes, fresh off a new contract. The Chiefs traded up to No. 6 in the draft for cornerback Mansoor Delane, and used a second first-round pick (acquired from the Rams in the Trent McDuffie trade) on defensive tackle Peter Woods at No. 29.

Denver Broncos

Denver acquired receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with Miami, adding a proven target to Sean Payton's rising passing game. The Waddle trade cost Denver its first-round pick, leaving the team without a Round 1 selection for the third time since 2022; its first pick came in the third round at No. 66 overall.

Las Vegas Raiders

Las Vegas tapped Klint Kubiak to lead the franchise, fresh off winning Super Bowl LX as Seattle's offensive coordinator. The Raiders' biggest offseason move was at quarterback: trading away Geno Smith to the Jets, signing veteran Kirk Cousins to take over under center, and using the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana's Heisman Trophy- and National Championship-winning QB Fernando Mendoza as the long-term answer at the position.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers brought in former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator to replace the outgoing Greg Roman in an offense that features loads of young talent in QB Justin Herbert, RB Omarion Hampton, and WRs Ladd McConkey and Quentin Johnston. After rookie TE Oronde Gadsden's breakout campaign, the Chargers bolstered their tight end room even further by signing David Njoku in free agency. The Chargers' first-round pick, edge rusher Akeem Mesidor, came at No. 22.

NFC Season Outlook

The NFC's headline stories ranged from Philadelphia's retooled receiver room after trading away A.J. Brown, to a surprise first-round quarterback pick in Los Angeles.

NFC East Preview

Philadelphia Eagles

After Philadelphia traded receiver A.J. Brown to New England, GM Howie Roseman traded up to No. 20 in the first round to replace him with receiver Makai Lemon, the Biletnikoff Award winner out of USC. They further sought to fill the AJ-sized gap by adding extra bodies to the receiver room after acquiring Dontayvion Wicks in a trade with Green Bay and signing free agent Hollywood Brown. The core of the offense still hinges on a recovering offensive line, as well as Jalen Hurts, Saquon Barkley, Dallas Goedert and defacto WR1 DeVonta Smith.

Dallas Cowboys

Dallas returns for a second season under head coach Brian Schottenheimer after a 7-9-1 finish. Former Eagles assistant Christian Parker replaces Matt Eberflus as defensive coordinator following a franchise-worst defensive season. The Cowboys traded up one spot to take Ohio State safety Caleb Downs at No. 11, and added a second first-round pick in edge rusher Malachi Lawrence at No. 23. The team also placed the franchise tag on receiver George Pickens, re-signed running back Javonte Williams, and added receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling in free agency. Dak Prescott returns at quarterback.

New York Giants

The Giants hired John Harbaugh as head coach shortly after his run in Baltimore ended, to preside over a team led by second year quarterback Jaxson Dart. New York used its two top-ten picks on defense and the offensive line, taking edge rusher Arvell Reese at No. 5 and offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at No. 10 (acquired from Cincinnati in the Dexter Lawrence trade). The team also rebuilt its receiver room in free agency, signing Odell Beckham Jr. and Darnell Mooney, then added running back Najee Harris in August. Isaiah Likely joins that receiver rebuild at tight end, while Wan'Dale Robinson heads the other direction to Tennessee. The rookie Reese joins a pass rush led by Abdul Carter and Brian Burns, whose 16.5-sack season already has him in the early Defensive Player of the Year mix.

Washington Commanders

Washington continues to build around quarterback Jayden Daniels and receiver Terry McLaurin under returning head coach Dan Quinn. On defense, the Commanders used their first-round pick at No. 7 overall on linebacker Sonny Styles and signed free-agent edge rusher Odafe Oweh, while losing veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner after he reached 2000 career tackles last season. The team added running back Rachaad White to fill out an aging running back room, while parting ways with gadget receiver Deebo Samuel.

NFC North Preview

Chicago Bears

Chicago enters year two of the Caleb Williams–Ben Johnson pairing, and Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III both stand to see more targets now that D.J. Moore has been traded to Buffalo. Chicago went defense with its first-rounder, selecting safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25.

Green Bay Packers

Green Bay enters the season with a thinner receiver room after this offseason's departures, leaning on Jayden Reed, Matthew Golden, and a re-signed Christian Watson to carry the load for QB Jordan Love. The Packers didn't have a first-round pick after trading it to Dallas as part of last year's Micah Parsons deal, making cornerback Brandon Cisse their first selection in the second round at No. 52.

Detroit Lions

Detroit traded running back David Montgomery to Houston and signed Isiah Pacheco in free agency to help replace him. Offensive stars Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Sam LaPorta all return after a nine-win season that disappointingly ended outside the playoffs. Detroit's first-round pick was used on tackle Blake Miller at No. 17 to help keep Jared Goff protected.

Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota moved on from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and brought in Kyler Murray as a free-agent answer at quarterback, naming him the Week 1 starter over J.J. McCarthy two weeks into camp. The Vikings also added receiver Jauan Jennings in free agency, giving Murray another option alongside returning studs Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Minnesota went defensive tackle with its first-rounder, No. 18, in Caleb Banks.

NFC South Preview

Atlanta Falcons

Atlanta brought in Kevin Stefanski to take over as head coach after parting ways with Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot. The Falcons' headline addition was quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who signed after Miami moved on from him and started the preseason finale, with Michael Penix Jr. working back from last fall's knee surgery. Whoever takes the first snap joins a backfield built around Bijan Robinson and a receiver room that added Jahan Dotson to the likes of Drake London and Kyle Pitts. Atlanta didn't have a first-round pick after trading it to the Rams in 2025, though they used their second-round pick on cornerback Avieon Terrell, pairing him with his older brother A.J. Terrell in the Falcons' secondary.

Carolina Panthers

Carolina welcomes the return of running back Jonathon Brooks from a torn ACL to a backfield that also includes Chuba Hubbard, and added two former Eagles in quarterback Kenny Pickett and receiver John Metchie in free agency. Carolina went offensive tackle in round one, taking Monroe Freeling at No. 19.

New Orleans Saints

New Orleans brought running back Travis Etienne home to the state of Louisiana in free agency, and he opens the year as the lead back with Alvin Kamara sidelined at least a month by an MCL sprain. At No. 8, New Orleans added receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round, giving up-and-coming QB Tyler Shough another target alongside Chris Olave, though Tyson starts the season on injured reserve with a hamstring injury and is out at least four games. On defense, Cam Jordan returns for what he's called his final season.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tampa Bay enters the season after receiver Mike Evans departed for San Francisco in free agency, adding running back Kenneth Gainwell to a backfield that will help offset some of the loss on offense. Tampa Bay's first-round selection was edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. out of Miami, taken at No. 15.

NFC West Preview

Los Angeles Rams

The Los Angeles Rams landed Myles Garrett, the reigning DPOY, in a trade with Cleveland, sending Jared Verse and future draft picks back the other way. On offense, a newly extended Matthew Stafford and receiver Puka Nacua anchor a passing game that's been near the top of the league in production. In one of the draft's biggest surprises, the Rams used a first-round pick acquired from Atlanta on quarterback Ty Simpson at No. 13, while also trading their own first-rounder to Kansas City for cornerback Trent McDuffie.

San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco signed receiver Mike Evans away from Tampa Bay and added receiver Christian Kirk in free agency, though a calf strain landed Kirk on injured reserve and he cannot return until Week 5. Evans gives the passing game another established target alongside dynamic running back Christian McCaffrey, who is already in the early Offensive Player of the Year conversation. The 49ers traded out of the first round entirely, making receiver De'Zhaun Stribling their top pick at No. 33 in the second round.

Seattle Seahawks

Seattle returns as defending Super Bowl LX champion with Sam Darnold at quarterback, after losing running back Kenneth Walker III to Kansas City in free agency. To replace him, they turned to rookie Jadarian Price, taken with the final pick of the first round at No. 32, who opens as the lead back with Zach Charbonnet starting on the reserve/PUP list as he rehabs a torn ACL. The passing game still runs through Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who enters the season as the reigning Offensive Player of the Year.

Arizona Cardinals

Arizona moved forward without quarterback Kyler Murray by signing Jacoby Brissett to start, using the third overall pick on Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, and hiring Mike LaFleur as head coach. The Cardinals also added quarterback Carson Beck in the third round as a developmental option, along with receiver Kendrick Bourne in free agency.

2026 NFL Award Races to Watch: MVP, OPOY, DPOY, and Coach of the Year

Who Are the 2026 NFL MVP Favorites?

Last year, Matthew Stafford won the 2025 NFL Most Valuable Player award, with New England's Drake Maye as the closest competitor in second place. Both quarterbacks return to teams built to contend again in 2026 with receiving rooms that retained stars and added new depth. Both are names likely to come up early in this year's conversation, though perennial star quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson, Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow are sure to be in the mix as well.

Who Could Win 2026 Offensive Player of the Year?

Jaxon Smith-Njigba won the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year award, becoming the first wide receiver to take home the honors since Justin Jefferson in 2022. Entering 2026, running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and Bijan Robinson are drawing early attention after showcasing dynamic all-purpose versatility last year, while Ja'Marr Chase and Puka Nacua enter the year as some of the most productive receivers in the league by yards per game.

Can Myles Garrett Repeat as Defensive Player of the Year?

Myles Garrett is a candidate to repeat as the Defensive Player of the Year award with the Rams after winning it last year in a record-breaking season in Cleveland. Will Anderson Jr. and Aidan Hutchinson are among the other names part of the early conversation.

Which Coaches Are in the 2026 Coach of the Year Race?

Mike Vrabel won 2025 Coach of the Year after leading New England from a 4-13 finish the year before to securing the two seed in the AFC. With ten new head coaches across the league this season, several first-year names could enter the mix like John Harbaugh and Jesse Minter.

How Does Preseason Market Pricing Work?

What Moves a Team's Price Between Camp and Week 1?

A team's price can move meaningfully between the start of training camp and Week 1, and again as the regular season plays out. You can enter or exit a position at any point before the contract settles, subject to market availability.

For a full explanation of how event contracts work, see our guide on pro football prediction markets. You could lose the entire amount you invest, and there is no guarantee of profit.

Any prices shown are illustrations, not trade recommendations, and subject to change. You may lose the entire amount you invest.

2026 NFL Team Markets by Division

Every division and every team is represented below, with links through to division winner markets and each team's win-total page.

2026 NFL Season Preview FAQ

When does the 2026 NFL season start?

The 2026 NFL season kicks off Wednesday, September 9 at 8:20pm (Eastern), with the defending Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots.

How are NFL championship markets priced before the season starts?

Preseason event contracts on future events trade continuously based on implied probability. They may shift before and during the season as news, injuries, and results come in.

Which NFL teams changed head coaches for 2026?

Ten teams hired new head coaches this offseason: Arizona Cardinals, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Cleveland Browns, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, New York Giants, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans.

What NFL award races are getting early attention in 2026?

The MVP, Offensive Player of the Year, Defensive Player of the Year, and Coach of the Year races all generate early conversation as the most prestigious NFL awards. See the Award Races section above for the names involved.

Does Fanatics Markets offer fantasy football?

No. Event contracts on team and season outcomes are offered by Morton St. Trading Investments, LLC, d/b/a Fanatics Markets, a CFTC-registered Futures Commission Merchant and NFA member.

When and where is the 2027 Super Bowl?

Super Bowl LXI is scheduled for Sunday, February 14, 2027, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game will air nationally in the U.S. on ABC and ESPN.

How many divisions and teams make up the NFL?

The NFL is made up of 32 teams split evenly with 16 apiece in the American Football Conference (AFC) and National Football Conference (NFC). Each conference has four divisions, East, North, South, and West, with four teams in each.

How does the NFL playoff format work?

Seven teams from each conference qualify for the playoffs: the four division winners, seeded first through fourth by record, and three wild-card teams. The #1 seed in each conference gets a first-round bye, and each round is reseeded with the highest-seeded team always playing the lowest-seeded team remaining, rather than following a fixed bracket. The postseason culminates in the Super Bowl, played in February between the AFC and NFC champions.

Can I trade on NFL outcomes throughout the season?

Yes. Future event contracts like division winners, conference champions, the NFL champion and more remain open throughout the season, and prices continue to update as games are played. You can enter or exit a position at any point before the contract settles, subject to market availability. Prices are for illustration only and subject to change, and you may lose the entire amount you invest.

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This article is editorial content produced by Fanatics Markets. Views, projections, and team and player outlooks expressed in it are the opinions of the author.

Any trades or prices shown are illustrations, not trade recommendations, and subject to change.

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