We’re back again and this time around hoping for a bit more success.

Last year, foxsports.com.au had a go at putting every NFL team into a tier ahead of the season.

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The eventual Super Bowl champions, the Seattle Seahawks, were placed in the ‘is our quarterback any good?’ bucket. The answer to that, in case it isn’t obvious, was a resounding yes.

New England, meanwhile, was apparently all about ‘preaching patience’. Good luck selling that line this year after Drake Maye’s rapid rise last season.

In fact, none of the teams we had as Super Bowl contenders even ended up playing in the AFC and NFC Championship games.

It was a wildly unpredictable season, but at least it’s a low bar to clear this time around.

So, let’s get into it for 2026.

SUPER BOWL CONTENDERS

Seattle Seahawks

Let’s start with the Super Bowl champs. Sam Darnold proved last year he can be that guy. The defence is up there with the best units in the league and will continue to be this team’s greatest strength, even if it has been weakened after losing Coby Bryant, cornerback Riq Woolen and outside linebacker Boye Mafe. The big question is new offensive coordinator Brian Fleury. Klint Kubiak masterminded one of the most explosive and efficient offences in the NFL last year, and that was without a consistent run game. Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker made an impact down the stretch, but now he is gone too putting all the pressure on rookie Jadarian Price to hit the ground running with Zach Charbonnet rehabbing from a torn ACL. The pressure is on Fleury to get the most out of a limited passing attack that has questions beyond standout receiver Jaxson Smith-Njigba.

Seattle Seahawks’ players celebrate with the Vince Lombardi Trophy. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP)Source: AFP

New England Patriots

Moving onto the runners-up, wherever you sit in the debate it is hard to deny that the Patriots at least somewhat benefited from the softest schedule in the league last year. However, an aggressive summer has New England positioned to take another leap in Drake Maye’s third year at quarterback. Most notably, Maye finally has a true alpha receiver in A.J. Brown. Maye is one of the best deep passers in the NFL and should thrive having a consistent downfield weapon to target, while the ever-reliable Romeo Doubs will add a solid secondary option and willing blocker to the receiver room. The pass rush, however, is a concern after the Patriots parted ways with sacks leader K’Lavon Chaisson.

Buffalo Bills

Another year of ranking the Bills inside the top tier and hoping things will be different. So, has anything actually changed? Well, as long as Josh Allen is quarterback there will always be hope. Add in D.J. Moore and Allen may have his first true top dog in the receiver room since Stefon Diggs’ departure. The question, however, is whether Moore’s underwhelming final season in Chicago was more a reflection of his poor fit in Ben Johnson’s offence or a once-explosive player on the decline in the latter stages of his career. The change in defensive scheme from 4–3 to 3–4 (three defensive lineman and four linebackers) under Jim Leonhard will also take time to adjust to. But for the first time in a long time it feels like the Bills are flying under the radar, and it is an ominous thought for the rest of the NFL.

49ers soaking up Melbourne atmosphere | 04:26

Denver Broncos

Are you a Bo-liever? That is the only thing that should really be holding you back from declaring Denver a genuine Super Bowl threat. The training wheels were on early under Sean Payton in Nix’s rookie year but the former Oregon first-round pick has quickly silenced his sceptics and proven himself worthy of his selection at 12th overall in the 2024 draft. Adding a genuine star receiver in Jaylen Waddle to the mix should only help Nix go to another level, although there could be some growing pains early in the season under new offensive coordinator Davis Webb. Still, the defence remains one of if not the most elite unit in the league. The run game should be steady with a now healthy J.K. Dobbins leading the way, while RJ Harvey and rookie Jonah Coleman round out the ground attack.

Los Angeles Rams

The clear Super Bowl favourites, and that was before confirmation that Aaron Donald was coming out of retirement. Add in superstar edge rusher Myles Garrett and cornerback Trent McDuffie and this is a fearsome Rams defence. The offence, meanwhile, was one of the best in the league last year and should be the same this season. Puka Nacua is a do-it-all freak. Davante Adams was automatic on the one-yard line last year. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum keep the sticks moving in the run game. Second-year tight end Terrance Ferguson is a candidate to take a leap. And of course, Sean McVay is still there pulling all the strings. The worthy Super Bowl favourite.

Puka Nacua. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Baltimore Ravens

Last year didn’t go to plan, and a lot of that came back to the fact Lamar Jackson couldn’t stay healthy. Fingers crossed that will change this year. Jackson should benefit from a fresh vision under new offensive coordinator Declan Doyle, who comes from Chicago where Ben Johnson took the league by storm with his creative play-calling. There is already talk of shifts and motions added to the offence, which should help make receiver Zay Flowers even more of a central point. Then there is the force of nature that is Derrick Henry, who continues to defy the age curve at running back. Jackson should be back to his best as a rusher this season too after being limited by injury last year, while rookie receiver JaKobi Lane has been creating buzz at training camp. If there is one major question mark it is once again along the offensive line after the departure of three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum.

Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)Source: AP

CONTENDERS WITH A CAVEAT (THEY’RE IN THE AFC)

Houston Texans

This year will go a long way to determining how we think about C.J. Stroud. The Texans quarterback exploded out of the gates in his rookie year but has regressed since. There are reasons for that. The offensive line was a disaster. The run game was down there with the worst in the league. The receiving corps, outside of Nico Collins, has at times been barren. But there are also still genuine concerns Stroud is not the franchise-altering quarterback the Texans would have thought he was after his rookie year. There is unfortunately little room for patience. This is a Texans team with Super Bowl aspirations because the defence is elite. The running game is improved with the addition of David Montgomery. The offensive line could look different with center Evan Brown and rookie guard Keylan Rutledge. But this is a team that will only go as far as Stroud is willing to take them and based on how Seattle went last year with Darnold at quarterback, it isn’t hard to see the Texans winning it all if Stroud can at least play at league-average level.

C.J. Stroud. Kenneth Richmond/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

Jacksonville Jaguars

The hope is that the second half of the season was more indicative of the direction the Jaguars are heading in. It would make sense too if that was the case. It was always going to take time for the offence in particular to take shape under new head coach Liam Coen. Trevor Lawrence started to look more comfortable. The receiver room started to make sense. Brian Thomas Jr. moved to the boundary, Parker Washington emerged as a physical, yards-after-catch presence over the middle of the field and Jakobi Meyers was a do-it-all, dirty work veteran. The defence forced turnovers at an unsustainable rate, so that is something to monitor along with the run game after the departure of Travis Etienne. The offensive line is also a major question mark.

Kansas City Chiefs

Like Josh Allen, any team with Patrick Mahomes has to be in with a shot at the Super Bowl every year. The question mark, however, is what version of Mahomes we’ll get. That is less in relation to the passing and more the scrambling, with Mahomes coming off a torn ACL. The Chiefs’ superstar quarterback was one of the best in the league at extending plays with his legs and throwing on the move. That may not be a big feature of his game off the injury. Fortunately, the Chiefs have a big-name acquisition in running back Kenneth Walker to feature in a new-look offence. Kansas City’s run game has lacked an explosive element for years now. If Walker stays healthy, he could put himself in the frame for offensive player of the year in a featured role. The receiver room, however, remains a question mark. Rashee Rice doesn’t look healthy, Xavier Worthy isn’t the picture of durability and Cyrus Allen — until he proves otherwise — is just another camp hype darling. Even Travis Kelce in the back end of his career isn’t someone the Chiefs want to feature in their passing attack.

Quarterback Patrick Mahomes. David Eulitt/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

CONTENDERS WITH A CAVEAT (THE NFC IS REALLY HARD)

Philadelphia Eagles

This could be a make-or-break year for Jalen Hurts. It seems surprising given he only won a Super Bowl recently, but the Eagles are leaning into a new-look operation on offence under new coordinator Sean Mannion. The timing-based offence will require Hurts to pass over the middle of the field with confidence and anticipation, something he has not really been asked to do much of previously. Instead, Hurts has been at his best throwing outside the numbers to Devonta Smith and A.J. Brown. Now it is just Smith and rookie Makai Lemon, who made a name for himself in college football last season primarily as an inside receiver. Smith can undoubtedly win on the outside and new acquisition Dontayvion Wicks can do a bit of both. But it will all depend on how Hurts masters this new offence which will require him to operate from under center. If it fails, Hurts could enter next season under pressure to keep his job. Of course, the defence still remains Philadelphia’s strength along with the offensive line and superstar running back Saquon Barkley. But Philadelphia’s success this year hinges on Hurts.

Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts. (AP Photo/Chris Szagola)Source: AP

Chicago Bears

Everyone is excited about the Bears. Year two of Caleb Williams in the Ben Johnson offence. Colston Loveland and Luther Burden taking significant leaps in their second season. The offence should be among the most electric in the league. The defence, however, is unconvincing at best. The Bears forced turnovers at an incredible clip last year, but it is hard to see that repeating with some level of regression expected. Injuries to the defence in the summer only add further question marks on that side of the ball. Safety Coby Bryant is out four to six months, and nickel corner Kyler Gordon has landed on reserve/PUP to start the year, meaning he will miss at least four games.

Green Bay Packers

The Packers are usually perennial contenders and in a way their reputation is mainly what has them in this tier, because on paper this team doesn’t look quite as strong as those of years passed. The defence will be without Micah Parsons for at least a month, while who knows when Josh Jacobs will be back — if ever. The star running back was placed on the commissioner exempt list late last month after he was charged with two misdemeanours stemming from an alleged incident with a woman in May. Green Bay has typically been a run-first offence under Matt LaFleur. That will almost certainly change with former third-round pick MarShawn Lloyd now leading the running back room, having battled numerous injury setbacks in his first two years in the league. Jordan Love has the arm talent to be the focal point of the offence and the receiver room, if healthy, is stacked for talent with Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Matthew Golden. It also sounds like tight end Tucker Kraft is nearing full health coming off his torn ACL, although it remains to be seen whether he has the same, insane tackle-busting ability post-injury. If the Packers can stay healthy, they should be thereabouts again in the NFC. But depth is a major concern on both sides of the ball.

49ers extend NFL invite to Jai Arrow | 00:32

Detroit Lions

Like the Bears, this offence is also tipped to be one of the best in the league and unlike Chicago, it doesn’t require much forecasting. We’ve already seen it. Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams are among the best receiver tandems in the sport. Sam LaPorta has hopefully put his back injury put him. Jahmyr Gibbs is the top dog in the running back room after David Montgomery was traded and is ready to go to another level. His back-up Isiah Pacheco is starting the year on injured reserve though, and he isn’t the only one with center Cade Mays (wrist) and safeties Brian Branch (Achilles) and Kerby Joseph (knee) also sidelined to open the season. Injuries aside, the secondary is also a major unknown which will only put more pressure on the defensive line, led by Aidan Hutchinson, to deliver.

San Francisco 49ers

It’s really an age thing with the 49ers. This is a talented group on paper, but injuries could prove their undoing and expose just how fragile this roster is. Mike Evans, the new addition at receiver, is 33. Left tackle Trent Williams is 38. Superstar running back Christian McCaffrey is at 30, and even though he is still a weapon in the passing game he seems to have lost some of his explosiveness and twitch between the tackles. Center Jake Brendel is 34. Tight end George Kittle is 33 and coming off a torn Achilles. Fullback Kyle Juszczyk is 35. Fred Warner is 30. It’s not just that the roster is old, but it’s old at key positions and so this seems like a team that could either go to a Super Bowl or very quickly be looking at some tough decisions entering the summer.

San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)Source: AP

WE CAN’T QUITE GET THERE… YET

Cincinnati Bengals

Like Dallas, this could be one of the league’s most explosive offences. But all the questions are on the defensive side of the ball. The defensive front looks a lot stronger this time around after Cincinnati got aggressive and traded for Dexter Lawrence II while also adding Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen. The Bengals also found the answer at cornerback last year in Dax Hill and DJ Turner. The hope and expectation is that this will be a transformed unit and if they are at least middle of the pack, a trip to the Super Bowl could be in the mix. As long as the offensive line can stay healthy, the Bengals could be right up there. It’s hard to get there yet given we haven’t quite seen it yet from this defensive unit, but it may not take long for them to move up a few tiers.

Los Angeles Chargers

The hype in L.A. this offseason is real, and it’s hard not to buy in. Justin Herbert has long been billed as a superstar quarterback and while there is little doubting his talent, he hasn’t quite taken that next step yet to truly establish himself among the league’s elite. There have been excuses, whether it was poor offensive line play, unimaginative coaching or injuries but that is why he has quickly earned the nickname as the ‘If Man’. If this happened… if that happened. If he got the right offensive co-ordinator. Well, he’s got that man now. Mike McDaniel’s arrival has Chargers fans dreaming of that breakout Herbert season. McDaniel is the man behind Miami’s hyper-efficient run game, and imagine what he’ll do for Omarion Hampton and speedster Keaton Mitchell. And how about Ladd McConkey? The chess piece he can move all over the formation. Then there’s Quentin Johnston, who struggled as a rookie in an X receiver role that he simply wasn’t ready for but could thrive as a yards-after-the-catch machine in the McDaniel offence. All the ingredients are there. But the injury to big-name signing Tyler Biadasz in the summer was a brutal reality check because yet again, injuries to the interior offensive line could derail the hype train before it gets on the tracks. Granted, McDaniel proved in Miami he could find ways to work around poor offensive line play but expectations are much higher in L.A. with Herbert.

Justin Herbert. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Dallas Cowboys

It all hinges on the defence. There aren’t any real questions on the other side of the ball. Dak Prescott, when healthy, is an MVP-calibre quarterback. He has two bonafide studs at receiver in CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, while Ryan Flournoy stepped up when Dallas needed him last year. Javonte Williams will get what is blocked for him. The offensive line was a strength, but the thumb injury to Tyler Smith that will sideline him for four to six weeks is not ideal. The defence is where there is questions though. Outside of star defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, the front seven lacks punch and then the depth at both cornerback and lineback is a concern.

PLAYOFFS… BUT NOT MUCH MORE

Pittsburgh Steelers

Time and time again, the Steelers seem to somehow find a way to scrap out enough wins to make the playoffs but beyond that point they lack the true difference-makers on offence to make much noise. It looks like that will be the case again this year with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback. The additions of Michael Pittman Jr. and Germie Bernard should ease the pressure on DK Metcalf to always be the go-to target while the defensive front remains one of the more feared units in the league and should keep the Steelers in most games. The offensive line is the swing factor, particularly when you consider Rodgers needs a clean pocket to get some explosives going on an otherwise uninspiring offence.

Aaron Rodgers. Joe Sargent/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

Washington Commanders

Honestly, playoffs also seems like a stretch for the Commanders given the state of their offensive line. Losing Laremy Tunsil for the season to injury was a gut punch and left guard Sam Cosmi as the best offensive lineman on Washington’s books. It was a crushing blow since the biggest priority for the Commanders this season will be keeping Jayden Daniels upright. That now will be a challenge. The receiver room is solid, with Stefon Diggs a handy addition and Chig Okonkwo a more dynamic option at tight end. But the run game looks like it will be inconsistent and it will be a surprise to see Washington finish above Dallas or Philadelphia.

PLAYOFFS… BUT THEY’RE THE NFC SOUTH

New Orleans Saints

Tyler Shough was one of the more pleasant surprises of last season and this year will be all about proving it wasn’t a fluke and that he can continue to improve now that opposition teams have more tape of him and have taken notice of the former second-round pick. He was going to have two stud receivers but rookie Jordyn Tyson went down injured in training camp, so it’ll be Chris Olave and Juwan Johnson as his top two targets again. Travis Etienne adds a much-needed explosive element to the run game that was missing last year, and if the offensive line can stay healthy the Saints are a good bet to top the NFC South. Depth is a concern though, as is Shough’s ability to play at a high enough level to go deep in the playoffs. But that is a problem for a few years down the track. Right now, Shough is a major win considering where he was drafted.

Tyler Shough. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The offensive line is healthy, which is a big plus because keeping Baker Mayfield on his feet will be key. Mayfield didn’t look the same after suffering a shoulder injury last year that saw him spraying throws. Bucky Irving, meanwhile, also struggled through injuries as Tampa Bay’s once efficient run game cratered. Should Mayfield’s accuracy improve and Irving return to form, the Bucs have enough depth on both sides of the ball to remain competitive in the NFC South. It’s still hard to see much beyond then in that conference.

MOST LIKELY TO HAVE THEIR COACH FIRED MID-SEASON

New York Jets

Will the real Geno Smith please stand up? Last year’s version in Las Vegas was a disaster. The Jets are hoping that was more a product of poor offensive line play than Smith reverting to old habits. If they can get solid quarterback play from Smith that is somewhere in between that Vegas experience and his heights at Seattle it will be a pass mark. Fortunately, New York’s offensive line is a genuine strength and this is also a much-improved skill position group after the Jets added Omar Cooper Jr. and Kenyon Sadiq in the draft. But if things unravel quickly, it won’t be long before the Jets pull the trigger on Robert Saleh. The front seven gives Saleh a chance of getting strong play on defence too, but the secondary is a major concern.

New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)Source: AP

Indianapolis Colts

There aren’t too many other teams that fit cleanly in this bucket because so many franchises have new head coaches, which makes it hard to see them moving on mid-season unless something disastrous happens. Realistically, the Colts shouldn’t be moving on from Shane Steichen either. He had this offence humming as one of the most efficient units in the NFL last season before Daniel Jones went down injured and the entire operation crumbled. Realistically, it should be GM Chris Ballard losing his job if Jones doesn’t look the same after the torn Achilles since he gave him the contract. But time and time again in the NFL it is the coach who is on the hot seat first. So if the Colts struggle early, don’t be surprised if Steichen goes — even though he shouldn’t. Fortunately, by all reports Jones has looked great in training camp.

IS OUR QUARTERBACK ACTUALLY ANY GOOD?

Minnesota Vikings

Kyler Murray isn’t a disaster by any means. He can still run a functional NFL offence and is a starting-calibre quarterback. But with a fresh flux of talent at the position entering the league next year via the draft, a quarterback like Murray could be a surprise contender to be closer to back-up than fully-fledged starter if he struggles this year. The biggest question is how Murray will fare running Kevin O’Connell’s offence, which requires the quarterback to access the middle of the field. Murray is adept at throwing deep crossers, but there may be some early teething problems. It will be interesting to see how O’Connell uses Murray’s legs too given he typically hasn’t had a quarterback as athletic as Murray. J.J. McCarthy was sneaky athletic too, but clearly not quite up to NFL level last season. Murray doesn’t have any excuses. He has an elite playcaller, top weapons in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison and a strong offensive line. The defence is also among the best units in the NFL and should give him plenty of favourable field position to work with. It’s all on Murray, and to extent O’Connell too to prove he is the quarterback whisperer after last year’s failed McCarthy experiment.

Justin Jefferson and Kyler Murray. Stephen Maturen/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

Carolina Panthers

This is it for Bryce Young. Not in the NFL, but at Carolina. The former first overall pick is nearing the end of his rookie deal with no extension on the horizon. There is the option that the Panthers could place the franchise tag on Young if they are undecided on whether he is the long-term option. Otherwise, contracts like the $10 million one Sam Darnold first signed with the Vikings don’t really exist in this current market. Look at what Malik Willis signed on at Miami from a few games with the Packers. This year is all about determining whether there is enough of a ceiling with Young for the Panthers to continue with him at quarterback. Young is an NFL-calibre quarterback, make no mistake. But his size limitations restrict the kind of offence Carolina can run, and his arm talent just doesn’t make up for it. The loss of rookie Chris Brazzell and injuries to the offensive line won’t help, but Young has enough weapons with Jalen Coker healthy and Tet McMillan looking to take a second-year leap.

Bryce Young. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)Source: Getty Images

Atlanta Falcons

Well, it certainly sounds like Tua Tagovailoa isn’t the answer. All the talk in the pre-season was about how accurate Tagovailoa was and how that should have allowed him to easily win the quarterback battle against Michael Penix given training camp is the kind of environment he should have thrived in. Instead, it appears Tagovailoa nearly lost the quarterback battle against himself given Penix has been largely banged up all pre-season. Penix himself is far from a sure thing, with a long injury history that makes it hard to rely on him. Undrafted rookie Jack Strand has developed somewhat of a cult following, although that says more about how desperate Falcons fans are for something new to latch onto. With superstar weapons in Bijan Robinson and Drake London along with tight end Kyle Pitts, this is a Falcons team that should be favourites for the NFC South. Instead, they remain stuck in quarterback purgatory.

Tennessee Titans

It is only early, but the Titans could face an interesting dilemma next year given the potential strength of the quarterback class. Cam Ward has shown flashes of brilliance but has also been equally maddening with his decision-making. The pre-season offered yet another reminder of just how far away Ward looks. He makes his best plays out of structure but that just isn’t a consistent recipe for success. Otherwise, he looks reluctant and shaky when sitting in the pocket and while Tennessee’s poor offensive line isn’t helping it doesn’t look like Ward is helping himself either by inviting the pressure at times. He has a much-improved receiving corps with rookie Carnell Tate and easy button Wandale Robinson but if Ward himself doesn’t show growth, the Titans may be having an uncomfortable conversation this time next summer.

Cam Ward. Johnnie Izquierdo/Getty Images/AFPSource: AFP

New York Giants

Jaxson Dart is that guy in the cartoon movies with the devil and angel on his shoulder and in his rookie season, most of the time it was the devil winning out. It doesn’t seem like Dart gets it either based on his comments in the pre-season, where he admitted to being “puzzled” by his latest concussion test. New coach John Harbaugh wants Dart to slide or run out of bounds, but it doesn’t sound like that is an option for Dart. It just isn’t in his nature. As long as that remains the case, Dart doesn’t seem long for the NFL. His play style is fun to watch and he showed potential particularly passing deep in his rookie season, but down-to-down consistency was a question mark. Getting stud receiver Malik Nabers back should at least help. But if Dart doesn’t show more maturity in his second season, he is still a late first-round pick with no connections to the current coaching staff and there is every chance they could bring in competition next year.

TANKING FOR THE FIRST OVERALL PICK

Miami Dolphins

This one is fairly simple — and brutal — for Malik Willis. He got his first big shot in the NFL after signing to a three-year deal that includes $45 million guaranteed. But shortly after signing that deal Willis found himself without a top target in the passing game after Miami traded Jaylen Waddle. It left Malik Washington as the primarily option along with rookies Chris Bell and Caleb Douglas. The run game should at least be fun with both Willis and DeVon Achane, who is also electric with the ball in hands and could be an easy button check down target. But this is a team with a limited offensive ceiling and poor defence that may well lock the Dolphins in to be drafting Willis’ replacement next year, even if they didn’t give him much of a chance.

Cleveland Browns

By all reports Deshaun Watson looked terrible in training camp and based on the pre-season alone, it won’t be long before he is replaced by second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders. Neither is the answer though and after trading Myles Garrett it is clear the Browns are looking to the future. That is also clear based on this quarterback room. If Cleveland had any intention of competing it would have traded for or signed a cheap veteran. Instead, the Browns already have one eye on next year’s draft and with new offensive weapons in Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion, there is already the talent in place for that next quarterback to shine.

Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)Source: AP

SHOULD BE TANKING FOR THE FIRST OVERALL PICK

Arizona Cardinals

The Cardinals are loaded for talent on offence. Trey McBride is a top-two tight end in the league. Michael Wilson has been a revelation at receiver. Marvin Harrison Jr., even if he hasn’t lived up to his lofty draft expectations, is still a more than functional NFL player. Jeremiyah Love has been billed as a generational talent at running back. The offensive line should be better than expected, even if the loss of rookie guard Chase Bisontis hurts. The problem? The defence, even if healthy, is still one of the worst units in the NFL. And more than anything, they are in the NFC West. Lock the Cardinals in for fourth place in the division. This will be a fun team to watch, but really they should be positioning themselves to draft their quarterback of the future. The problem is that this front office is under pressure to not only justify taking Love so high in this year’s draft but to get some results after a few down years, even if theoretically it makes more sense to tank.

PREACHING PATIENCE

Las Vegas Raiders

This one is quite simple. The Raiders have a plan and it is to start number one overall pick Fernando Mendoza when they believe the time is right. That could be very early in the season, potentially in early November against the Jets so Mendoza can be spared the match-up against the Rams’ fearsome pass rush. But otherwise, the main focus will be on getting Mendoza valuable reps to put himself in a position to hit the ground running in 2027. There are some key foundational pieces already in place in Brock Bowers and Ashton Jeanty. The 2027 class should offer Las Vegas a true number one receiver to draft for Mendoza too.