Atlanta Falcons<\/p>\n
The quarterback competition hasn\u2019t really started yet. Atlanta signed Tua Tagovailoa on the cheap in free agency to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting job, but Penix was limited throughout OTAs and minicamp by the ACL tear that ended his 2025 season in Week 11. First-year quarterbacks coach Alex Van Pelt acknowledged that that makes it almost impossible to evaluate the situation fairly. Penix, who expects to be full go when camp begins the last week of July, threw in 7-on-7 drills during the offseason and still needs to close the accuracy gap with Tagovailoa to give himself a chance. \u2014 Josh Kendall<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
It\u2019s already clear that first-year offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will be detail oriented and coach star quarterback Lamar Jackson and his teammates hard. From video footage that showed Doyle telling the Ravens how tight they needed to be in the offensive huddle to Doyle admonishing Jackson after he made the wrong play to Doyle sending veteran tight end Mark Andrews and others to the sideline after penalties, the 30-year-old has wasted no time in establishing and enforcing a high standard. His relationship with Jackson, who is only 10 years younger than his new play caller, will be scrutinized, but the two look in sync early. \u2014 Jeff Zrebiec<\/p>\n
Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n
First-time, 36-year-old head coach Joe Brady wants to establish himself as a players\u2019 coach. Thus, the demeanor around One Bills Drive has flipped. Although taskmaster Sean McDermott loosened up over his last few seasons, his no-nonsense reputation was earned the moment he arrived in 2017 and always hovered. Now, high-ranking Bills staffers watch players whooping around the practice field and remark how Brady is \u201ca breath of fresh air.\u201d Brady loves his fellas. He got emotional multiple times while addressing players at his introductory news conference. More than football drills, field-day competitions like tug-of-war and obstacle courses took place at OTAs, where obscene music blared across the practice fields. Players rave about how cool Brady is, but can he develop an authoritative voice? Or will he maintain substitute teacher vibes? If fundamentals and attention to detail erode even a skosh \u2014 if Buffalo\u2019s new regime oversees uncharacteristic blunders while the players revel in a friendlier environment \u2014 the mood will shift from \u201cWow, fun\u201d to \u201cWhoa, what\u2019s going on?\u201d \u2013 Tim Graham<\/p>\n
Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n
Dave Canales won\u2019t just hand the starting left tackle job to rookie Monroe Freeling. The 19th overall pick spent most of the spring working with the second team behind Rasheed Walker, the former Packer considered one of the best values in free agency. Walker, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal, said he expects to be the first man up after starting 48 of 51 games for the Packers the past three seasons. \u201cI want to be on the field,\u201d Walker said. \u201cAnd I ball.\u201d The Panthers took Freeling with the future in mind. Ikem Ekwonu, who is still recovering from knee surgery, is in a contract year and right tackle Taylor Moton is showing signs of wear and tear as he enters his age-32 season. \u2014 Joseph Person<\/p>\n
Chicago Bears<\/p>\n
Nothing is more important to the Bears\u2019 future than the continued ascent of quarterback Caleb Williams. And nothing is more important to Williams\u2019 ascent than his growing connection with Ben Johnson. During the spring, it became clear the two continue working in harmony, a positive sign as the team heads for training camp. Johnson has made it clear that Williams\u2019 completion percentage needs to spike in 2026. (The quarterback ranked 32nd in that category last season at 58.1.) Additionally, there has been nonstop emphasis on improving Williams\u2019 precision with his ball location graded on just about every throw he made in a practice setting during the offseason program. Asked for some of the keys to polishing his ball placement, Williams said: \u201cJust being more conscious of it. That\u2019s one of the biggest things.\u201d \u2014 Dan Wiederer<\/p>\n
Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n
The Bengals traded for Dexter Lawrence<\/a> looking for a powerful force at the middle of their defense. What we learned this offseason was that he would also be a powerful force in the middle of their locker room. His ability to instantly arrive and take on alpha status for a defense in desperate need of leadership went a long way to the growing belief the Bengals will have true revitalization on that side of the ball. Teammates unanimously pointed out how Lawrence went out of his way to become a leader and he\u2019s been at every practice and workout since the day he signed his contract in Cincinnati. That commitment and presence has made a big impression on the rest of the organization. \u2014 Paul Dehner Jr.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n There\u2019s not much true certainty for a team that has a new head coach, is yet to name the temporary survivor of its latest quarterback competition and just traded Myles Garrett<\/a>. The Browns probably will stink again on offense and, understandably, seem fully focused on their future when it comes to big-picture roster decisions. But one of the offseason goals was to upgrade the receiving corps, and that\u2019s happening. Second-round rookie Denzel Boston was arguably the spring practice MVP, while both first-round rookie KC Concepcion and second-year man Isaiah Bond flashed speed and playmaking ability. Baby steps are acceptable in this situation, and Boston is a big target who appears to be game-ready. \u2014 Zac Jackson<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n I\u2019d be surprised if Christian Parker didn\u2019t have success in his first season in Dallas. How he carries himself on the field, handles himself with reporters and the way players talk about him, it\u2019s clear why the Cowboys made him a first-time defensive coordinator. He\u2019s beyond prepared for the opportunity and everyone seems to be completely bought in after his first five months on the job. The group has to stay healthy, but if they do, this should be a significantly improved defense from a year ago. There were far too many defensive communication issues last season. Of course, it\u2019s only OTAs and minicamp, but I didn\u2019t see any of those issues over the last few weeks. \u2014 Jon Machota<\/p>\n What version of George Pickens will Dallas Cowboys get in 2026?<\/p>\n Robert Mays<\/p>\n Denver Broncos<\/p>\n Jaylen Waddle looks the part. On his very first 11-on-11 snap during Denver\u2019s initial open-to-the-media practice, the team\u2019s new star receiver burst off the line of scrimmage, cut this way and that, and turned his defender like a top before emerging open in the middle of the field. Asked to describe the early impact Waddle has had on the offense, Broncos offensive coordinator Davis Webb paused, smiled and deadpanned: \u201cHe\u2019s good.\u201d These are early days, but the Broncos are unmistakably excited about how Waddle can open things up for Bo Nix and the Broncos\u2019 attack \u2014 Nick Kosmider<\/p>\n Detroit Lions<\/p>\n Penei Sewell, still just 25 years old, is the new leader of the Lions\u2019 offensive line<\/a>. You can tell by how the players talk about him and gravitate toward him. Rookie first-round tackle Blake Miller, who\u2019s been repping with the first-team offense in scrimmage periods, said he models his game after Sewell. Young guards Christian Mahogany and Tate Ratledge playfully lingered during Sewell\u2019s OTA media availability, listening to their vet who just so happens to be the same age as them. But Sewell acknowledges he\u2019s the last remaining member of a once-respected offensive line, and said it\u2019s on him to uphold the standard set by those before him. He\u2019s also taken it upon himself to create chemistry \u2014 hosting the O-line at his home for a barbecue earlier this month. He\u2019s settling into his role as the leader \u2014 the way the Lions anticipated when they drafted him. \u2014 Colton Pouncy<\/p>\n Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n While Micah Parsons may miss the first month and a half of the season finishing ACL rehab, another one of the Packers\u2019 star players anticipates being ready Week 1 with no snap count limit. Tight end Tucker Kraft, who was arguably playing like the league\u2019s best at the position when he tore his ACL in Week 9, has looked swift while rehabbing on the side of practice this offseason. He said he recently hit 21.5 miles per hour on foot and, even if he starts training camp on the PUP list, should be full go by the time the Packers visit the Vikings to open the season. \u2014 Matt Schneidman<\/p>\n Houston Texans<\/p>\n The Texans remain in the midst of a multiyear overhaul of one of the most important units in the roster: the offensive line. Left tackle Aireontae Ersery and right guard Ed Ingram feel like they\u2019re set at their positions. But every other job remains up for grabs. Will free-agent acquisition Wyatt Teller win the left guard spot, or will that go to Keylan Rutledge? Or will Rutledge take the starting center job, or lose out to Jake Andrews? Will new face Braden Smith beat out returning Trent Brown at right tackle? The defense remains formidable and young receivers are making strides as they continue to develop improved chemistry with C.J. Stroud. But who protects him and paves the way for the run game remains a big question that will be solved in training camp. \u2014 Mike Jones<\/p>\n Biggest matchups on the 2026 NFL calendar<\/p>\n Jourdan Rodrigue<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n Alec Pierce, the Colts\u2019 top receiver, may not be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing left ankle surgery in late March. He recently revealed that he\u2019s facing a four-to-six-month recovery timeline, which if he\u2019s forced to take the longer route could also jeopardize his availability for Week 1. As Pierce continues rehab, his absence this offseason may make the Colts consider signing a veteran receiver for a little insurance. Keenan Allen is someone to keep in mind. The 34-year-old previously played for Colts coach Shane Steichen when Steichen was the Los Angeles Chargers\u2019 offensive coordinator. \u2014 James Boyd<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n Before Liam Coen\u2019s first training camp with the Jaguars in 2025, someone I trust said Trevor Lawrence should start to figure out the new offense by the end of the season \u2014 with 2026 as the time Lawrence should really take off. Lawrence made strides during the Jaguars\u2019 remarkable 13-4 season, but he might have only been laying the foundation for what\u2019s to come with Coen. \u2014 Jeff Howe<\/p>\n Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n The Chiefs have a position battle at right tackle. Veteran Jaylon Moore \u2014 he was signed during the 2025 offseason to a two-year, $30 million contract \u2014 was considered the favorite to take over this spot entering summer workouts, but the Chiefs\u2019 actions suggest they want him to earn it during training camp. Chiefs coach Andy Reid spoke in May about second-year player Esa Pole rotating in with the first-team offense during practice. K.C.\u2019s coaches also seem high on 2026 undrafted free agent Kahlil Benson, who started at right tackle last season for the national-champion Indiana Hoosiers. \u2014 Jesse Newell<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n The Raiders will take Fernando Mendoza\u2019s process slow. The No. 1 overall pick worked predominantly with the threes during OTAs and mandatory minicamp, and Kirk Cousins and Aidan O\u2019Connell were ahead of him in the quarterback rotation. The aim of that practice was to play Mendoza alongside developmental players to learn the NFL game together, so head coach Klint Kubiak doesn\u2019t appear in a rush to ready his future quarterback. Assistant head coach Mike McCoy said the team has \u201ca detailed plan\u201d for cultivating Mendoza, adding that \u201cthe most important thing is that you just stick to your plan, and when you know you make that decision.\u201d All signs point to Cousins starting the season at quarterback and the Raiders waiting for the right time to replace him with Mendoza. \u2014 Sam Warren<\/p>\n Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel has asked quarterback Justin Herbert to make a pretty significant change to his footwork. Specifically, Herbert is now aligning with his left foot forward in his shotgun stance. Throughout his career, dating back to his rookie year in 2020, Herbert has primarily set up with this right foot forward in the shotgun stance. McDaniel has been coaching this stance for nearly 20 years. He believes it will allow Herbert to get the ball out more quickly and be more effective in the short area of the field. \u2014 Daniel Popper<\/p>\n Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n The Rams only had three open practices to watch before they canceled veteran minicamp, but one thing that stood out was that the backup quarterback race is on. This was how Sean McVay presented it upon the selection of Ty Simpson with the No. 13 pick, and then Stetson Bennett took reps first in the two practices Matthew Stafford missed to manage his back. Neither Bennett nor Simpson were able to stand out ahead of the other in these moments, as both worked on crossers, slants, outs and other basic routes, and neither produced much down the field. Bennett did have a lazy out throw that Trent McDuffie picked off, and Simpson overthrew a couple different deeper throws. It\u2019s just not as simple as it was with Jimmy Garoppolo, who had started 63 games before he became Stafford\u2019s backup the past two seasons. Los Angeles planned on bringing Garoppolo back even with the plan to draft Simpson, but with Garoppolo leaning toward retirement, time will tell whether Simpson or Bennett are ready to fill a void the Rams consider significant with Stafford\u2019s need to take time off and with the risk from each time Stafford takes a hit. \u2014 Nate Atkins<\/p>\n Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n If the Dolphins\u2019 defense is going to bounce back under new head coach Jeff Haley, a Year 2 breakout from 2025 first-round pick Kenneth Grant would go a long way in getting there. While it\u2019s the time of year for unbridled optimism run amok, it\u2019s at least a good sign new Dolphins coaches were impressed this offseason with a player they inherited. \u201cHe looks more like the guy I saw on his college tape with his lateral quickness, his pass-rush ability, his ability to play the run,\u201d Hafley said. The Dolphins finished 26th against the run last year. A big step forward from Grant would go a long way in helping Miami climb the ranks in that department. \u2014 Jim Ayello<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n Everything here revolves around the quarterback, and the most notable aspect of workouts was Kyler Murray\u2019s progression in head coach Kevin O\u2019Connell\u2019s system. The Vikings didn\u2019t dumb down the complexity for Murray. If anything, the team installed the full breadth of concepts and play calls to challenge Murray. He looked uncomfortable at times, working his way through the lengthy verbiage and downfield route distributions, but the Vikings believed this would be best in the long run. The competition with young quarterback J.J. McCarthy will continue into training camp. Barring major setbacks in terms of health or scheme understanding, the platform should exist for Murray to prove he is deserving of the starting job in an offense with loads of weapons. \u2014 Alec Lewis<\/p>\n Can Kyler Murray be the next Sam Darnold for Minnesota Vikings?<\/p>\n Robert Mays and Alec Lewis<\/p>\n New England Patriots<\/p>\n The Patriots are putting everything on Drake Maye\u2019s plate. Maybe that\u2019s to be expected after he finished second in MVP voting at age 23, but the Pats are upping the ante with Maye this season. During minicamp, they purposefully didn\u2019t give Maye a play to run out of the huddle. The goal was for him to study the opposing defense, figure out a play that would work against it, communicate the plan to teammates, then execute it. Tom Brady once mastered this Josh McDaniels-led offense. Now they want Maye to do the same. \u2014 Chad Graff<\/p>\n New Orleans Saints<\/p>\n
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