Has the Falcons’ QB competition even begun?<\/p>\n
Josh Kendall<\/p>\n
Baltimore Ravens<\/p>\n
Will they medically clear Nnamdi Madubuike to play this season?<\/p>\n
Madubuike\u2019s 2025 season ended after just two weeks, when he sustained a neck injury that jeopardized his career. The Ravens have repeatedly declined to discuss Madubuike\u2019s future and the 28-year-old hasn\u2019t addressed it publicly either. What we do know is that Madubuike had neck surgery in April and team officials are speaking in somewhat optimistic tones about the two-time Pro Bowl DT\u2019s recovery. Head coach Jesse Minter said Madubuike\u2019s status will \u201cclear itself up.\u201d If Madubuike returns and has no restrictions, he\u2019ll be as impactful of an addition as the Ravens could have made this offseason. \u2014 Jeff Zrebiec<\/p>\n
Buffalo Bills<\/p>\n
Have they figured out how to establish an effective pass rush?<\/p>\n
While so much energy is expended about the Bills\u2019 wide receivers and whether they are worthy of Josh Allen\u2019s talent, their offense still finds ways to produce. Another position has been lacking, too. For years, football boss Brandon Beane has tried to solve the problem of mediocre pass pressure. He has spent precious draft capital on edge rushers Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Boogie Basham, supplementing them with previously injured vets who had a history of success \u2014 and all but ignoring interior D-line prospects. The mix has been uninspiring at best. Beane this offseason added another free agent with knee problems. Bradley Chubb, 30, has impressed his teammates so far<\/a> and is coming off an encouraging 8.5-sack season in Miami. He and Rousseau are in line to start, with second-round pick T.J. Parker hoping to buck the draft-disappointment trend. Inside, Deone Walker might be a future star, and veteran Ed Oliver, back from multiple injuries<\/a>, can be a force for stretches. First-time NFL defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard comes from an aggressive Denver staff whose Broncos led the NFL in sacks and ranked third in Pro Football Focus\u2019 pressure percentage metric, but can he unlock this group? \u2014 Tim Graham<\/p>\n Carolina Panthers<\/p>\n How will Jonathon Brooks\u2019 knee hold up?<\/p>\n The Panthers have taken a methodical approach with Brooks after the former Texas running back missed all of last season following a second ACL surgery on his right knee. Brooks participated in OTAs and minicamp, but admitted he didn\u2019t hit his full speed. Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, will be watched closely when the intensity picks up this summer, especially during joint practices with Houston and Jacksonville and the four preseason games. The Panthers\u2019 RB room behind Chuba Hubbard lacks sizzle other than Brooks. So, getting him back to 100 percent and keeping him there is vital. \u2014 Joseph Person<\/p>\n Chicago Bears<\/p>\n What from the 2025 success will provide momentum into 2026?<\/p>\n Ben Johnson\u2019s assertion days after a January playoff loss that his team was headed \u201cback to square one\u201d set the right tone as a firm reminder for players that this is a year-to-year league. Still, the Bears aren\u2019t fully erasing what they built in Johnson\u2019s first season, which included a division championship. Said defensive tackle Gervon Dexter: \u201cYou get that winning feeling. You get trust from your guys and build that chemistry together. That always carries over.\u201d That winning feeling came from the elevated standards and expectations Johnson injected and the subsequent hard work and locker room unity. That formula is a positive starting point for the next act. \u2014 Dan Wiederer<\/p>\n Cincinnati Bengals<\/p>\n Will there be another veteran addition on defense?<\/p>\n The Bengals like where the defensive roster stands after an aggressive overhaul this offseason. They also could use veterans to supplement questionable spots in the back seven. They\u2019ve made a big bet on Year 2 jumps from Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter at linebacker, but there\u2019s room for a veteran to add depth and insurance should it fall apart. The same is true at cornerback where the group behind starters Dax Hill and DJ Turner are young, journeymen or former practice squaders. A veteran with starts under his belt would make everyone breathe easier should an injury require those depth pieces to play. \u2014 Paul Dehner Jr.<\/p>\n The primary takeaway from the Bengals’ offseason program<\/p>\n Paul Dehner Jr.<\/p>\n Cleveland Browns<\/p>\n Who\u2019s going to be the quarterback?<\/p>\n Would the Browns actually go back to Deshaun Watson, who hasn\u2019t played since October of 2024? They shouldn\u2019t, but they might. The best option for a team pushing all of its chips into the future is second-year man Shedeur Sanders, who showed some good and some bad in starting the final seven games of his rookie season. Watson\u2019s one opening to win the job is new coach Todd Monken wanting a mobile quarterback, but Watson through the spring looked like the same inconsistent player he was through his first three seasons in Cleveland. Sanders finished the spring strong but didn\u2019t thoroughly outplay Watson, so the battle will resume in late July and continue into August. \u2014 Zac Jackson<\/p>\n Dallas Cowboys<\/p>\n Did they do enough to fix the defense?<\/p>\n Hiring first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker was the Cowboys\u2019 biggest offseason move. Next up was landing do-everything defensive back Caleb Downs early in the draft. There were other notable roster improvements, like signing defensive backs Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke, trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary and linebacker Dee Winters, and drafting edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round. But was all of that enough to fix what was arguably the NFL\u2019s worst defense? Another inside linebacker or edge rusher could still be needed. We\u2019ll find out more when they put the pads on. \u2014 Jon Machota<\/p>\n Denver Broncos<\/p>\n How will the Jonathon Cooper situation unfold?<\/p>\n The veteran pass rusher was arrested twice<\/a> in the span of one week in June stemming from a domestic incident with his then-girlfriend. The Broncos excused Cooper from the team\u2019s mandatory minicamp and coach Sean Payton said the 28-year-old was taking time \u201cto work on himself.\u201d Cooper could be subject to discipline from the league; an NFL spokesman said the pass rusher\u2019s legal situation is under review. It remains to be seen whether Cooper will be with the team when it begins training camp in late July. The team likes its young depth at outside linebacker, but losing Cooper, who has 18.5 sacks the past two seasons, would be a significant development. \u2014 Nick Kosmider<\/p>\n Detroit Lions<\/p>\n How will Kerby Joseph\u2019s knee respond in 2026?<\/p>\n Last year, the Lions made Joseph the highest-paid player at his position. A year later, they\u2019re left wondering what they have in the All-Pro safety. Joseph\u2019s been dealing with an undisclosed knee injury \u2014 one that Joseph himself said surgery won\u2019t help. The Lions shut him down to rest his knee in October, but after multiple setbacks in practice, Joseph was placed on IR and ended up missing 11 games. After sitting out all of OTAs and minicamp as well, the Lions are hopeful his knee responds well in training camp and he\u2019s back to his ball-hawking ways. However, when asked for his expectations of Joseph this season, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, \u201cI don\u2019t know. I honestly do not know.\u201d \u2014 Colton Pouncy<\/p>\n Green Bay Packers<\/p>\n What\u2019s going to happen with Josh Jacobs?<\/p>\n Jacobs, who practiced with the team this offseason, is still under investigation by the Brown County District Attorney\u2019s Office. He was initially arrested<\/a> by the Hobart\/Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin, charged and jailed on five counts relating to domestic abuse in late May, but the D.A.\u2019s office found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges and Jacobs was released from jail with the investigation ongoing. If the D.A.\u2019s office decides to no longer pursue the case, Jacobs and the Packers will carry on with football. If criminal charges are pursued, then what happens with Jacobs from both a legal and football perspective? \u2014 Matt Schneidman<\/p>\n Is Green Bay Packers offensive line ‘good enough’ going into 2026 NFL season?<\/p>\n Robert Mays and Derrik Klassen<\/p>\n Houston Texans<\/p>\n Have they done enough to help C.J. Stroud take the next step?<\/p>\n Houston has leaned on Stroud to help mask offensive deficiencies for much of his young career, but last season, when the Texans needed him most in the postseason, he wilted under the pressure and played some of his worst football. Given the dominance of a championship-caliber defense that held playoff opponents to just 17.4 points and 277.2 yards per contest, it wouldn\u2019t have taken much for Houston to advance to the conference championship game. But a lack of poise led to poor decision-making and ball-security issues from Stroud, who at times panicked before pressure even arrived and rushed throws and made unforced errors in a loss to the Patriots. Those struggles and another premature playoff exit cast doubt on the quarterback\u2019s long-term future with the team. This offseason, the Texans overhauled their offensive line and also added a punishing back in David Montgomery. Now, they just need their young quarterback to display the growth necessary for Houston to live up to its potential. \u2014 Mike Jones<\/p>\n Indianapolis Colts<\/p>\n Will DeForest Buckner be ready for Week 1?<\/p>\n Buckner, acquired via a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2020, is arguably the Colts\u2019 best defensive player. However, the 32-year-old underwent neck surgery near the end of last season and did not practice this spring. I spoke to Buckner at his annual kids camp about his recovery, and he was noncommittal on when he could return. \u201cThe goal is Week 1,\u201d he said. If Buckner isn\u2019t ready for the season opener, or worse, if he can\u2019t regain his All-Pro form at any point in 2026, then the Indianapolis pass rush will suffer tremendously. \u2014 James Boyd<\/p>\n Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n Can they replace Travis Etienne Jr.?<\/p>\n The 2021 first-round pick, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Saints in free agency, quietly had 1,107 rushing yards \u2014 18 shy of matching his best output \u2014 and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season under coach Liam Coen after a paltry pair of trips to the end zone in 2024. While Etienne wouldn\u2019t necessarily be categorized as an irreplaceable player, that\u2019s still quite a load of production that went out the door, especially since Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez are unproven by comparison. Coen\u2019s offense requires a strong running game to be successful. \u2014 Jeff Howe<\/p>\n Kansas City Chiefs<\/p>\n Did they do enough to help out quarterback Patrick Mahomes?<\/p>\n The Chiefs\u2019 6-11 record last season masks the fact that there were at least some good offensive moments before injuries derailed the final few weeks. Still, with Mahomes likely to be less mobile following offseason knee surgery and the team using its first four draft picks on defense, it\u2019s at least worth wondering: Did Kansas City do enough to help out its star QB this offseason? The Chiefs\u2019 major free-agent acquisition was Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, but beyond that, improvement mostly needs to come from returning wideouts Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton. \u2014 Jesse Newell<\/p>\n Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n Can the current receiving corps be competitive?<\/p>\n The Raiders made sweeping changes across their roster this offseason, and the overhaul received praise from onlookers. But qualms still remain about the wideout group that will catch passes from Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. After trading Jakobi Meyers last season, Las Vegas added only Jalen Nailor as a premier free agent and waited until the sixth round to draft Malik Benson, leaving the team with a room full of unproven targets. The Raiders\u2019 brass believes with more opportunities, the production of Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Dont\u2019e Thornton Jr. will pick up. But whether those upticks are enough to pace Klint Kubiak\u2019s offense is a primary concern going into training camp. \u2014 Sam Warren<\/p>\n Takeaways from Raiders mandatory minicamp<\/p>\n Sam Warren<\/p>\n Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n Who starts at left guard?<\/p>\n The Chargers overhauled their offensive line this offseason, primarily to find the athleticism necessary for new coordinator Mike McDaniel\u2019s scheme. Heading into summer break, the Chargers have four of the positions filled with starters. Star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are coming back. Free-agent additions Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange will start at center and right guard, respectively. The open spot is at left guard, and this competition will be decided in training camp. It is shaping up as a three-man battle between rookie Jake Slaughter and veterans Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika. \u2014 Daniel Popper<\/p>\n Los Angeles Rams<\/p>\n What\u2019s the plan at left tackle?<\/p>\n This was an offseason of mostly positive vibes for the Rams, with the additions of Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. But they suddenly have a giant question at left tackle. Alaric Jackson was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence<\/a>, and the potential now exists for him to be suspended a second time under the league\u2019s personal conduct policy. If he has to miss time, who fills in at left tackle? Is it David Quessenberry, who turns 36 this summer and hasn\u2019t started a game since 2023? Is it Keagen Trost, the third-round Missouri rookie the Rams drafted as a utility man who played primarily on the right side in college? Could they take a swing on Taylor Decker, who used to be Matthew Stafford\u2019s blindside protector in Detroit? Could it be a trade? Given that Stafford is 38 and managing a degenerative back issue, this has become the primary question for a team currently favored to win the Super Bowl. \u2014 Nate Atkins<\/p>\n Miami Dolphins<\/p>\n How quickly can the 2026 rookie class make an impact?<\/p>\n The Dolphins made approximately 100 picks in April, and our NFL Draft guru, Dane Brugler, was a fan of their work. This team desperately needed an infusion of young talent, and while it\u2019s great to be optimistic about youngsters in the offseason, they need to show something this season. That\u2019s stating the obvious, but the timeline for this team\u2019s next competitive window will largely be determined by the success of new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan\u2019s debut class. If the Dolphins come out of this season feeling like they found four or five new building blocks \u2014 something like what the Browns pulled off last season with Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin \u2014 fans would have cause to buy into this regime\u2019s vision for the future. \u2014 Jim Ayello<\/p>\n Minnesota Vikings<\/p>\n Who will they add for depth at edge rusher?<\/p>\n Because quarterback continues to dominate the conversation in Minnesota, other parts of the roster remain overlooked. Edge rusher is one of them. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. His departure opens the door for 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner to take the next step. Minnesota also still has the cyborg, Andrew Van Ginkel. Depth behind them warrants a potential addition. If Turner or Van Ginkel miss time with an injury, the Vikings need reliable pass rushers, especially with how much they\u2019re betting on youth on the interior. The team has about $13.1 million in cap space for 2026. Using a chunk of change on edge help is a realistic expectation. \u2014 Alec Lewis<\/p>\n New England Patriots<\/p>\n Is their pass rush good enough?<\/p>\n
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