| NFC NORTH |
| DETROITAs would be expected, Coach Dan Campbell is pushing back against the idea that the Lions “window” is closed. Eric Woodyard of ESPN.com finds others who also think Detroit is dangerous. His Lions were in need of the mini reset. They had won 15 games in 2024 and 12 the season before that, cementing themselves as one of the NFC’s top contenders along the way. But in 2025, after losing both coordinators and eight coaches overall, they won just nine games and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2022. This offseason, some change was inevitable. The biggest: Campbell brought in former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing to replace John Morton, whom the Lions fired in January after the first-time OC struggled to give Detroit an offensive identity. Detroit also put the finishing touches on a two-year renovation of the offensive line by moving All-Pro Penei Sewell from right tackle to left, adding Cade Mays in free agency and drafting tackle Blake Miller with the No. 17 selection. Otherwise, the team that enters the 2026 campaign is largely made up of the same nucleus that helped push the Lions to so much success. And Detroit has doubled down by locking down two of its young stars in running back Jahmyr Gibbs and linebacker Jack Campbell with lucrative contract extensions. Those signings followed new deals they’ve given to other homegrown talents over the past three years and raised their overall investment in extensions to more than $1 billion over that span. Dan Campbell said the commitment to the current roster, combined with the organization’s recent track record of success, is why he and the Lions remain confident their championship window remains open despite last season’s setback. “Our window is not closed. It’s not closed. That was the whole reason why we did this. We fell short last year. But needed to get in [the playoffs], and now it’s about the matchups, where you’re playing and who you’re playing,” Campbell told ESPN of his team, which is favored by DraftKings to win the NFC North and have the fifth-best odds to win the conference. “We want to be able to do that every year, and sometimes, I’m just saying is what happens is, you want to go all-in for one player, well how do you know that one player doesn’t get hurt? “Or how do you know the three players behind him don’t get hurt and now you’ve got no depth. Whereas, let’s just get a unit together that we feel like can compete every year and then it’s about in that moment, we’re making those plays and finding a way to win that game.” And they are not alone in their assessment of the team. Asking about the Lions’ prospects revealed a consensus from top coaches around the NFL — from the Los Angeles Rams’ Sean McVay to the Green Bay Packers’ Matt LaFleur — that the 2026 Lions are not the 9-8 team the league saw last season. Here’s what the Lions and others around the league are saying about Detroit’s Super Bowl worthiness in 2026. Part of the reason for Detroit’s uncharacteristic 2025 campaign was the turnover on the coaching staff. After finishing 15-2 in 2024, the Lions most notably lost offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn, who took head coaching jobs with the Chicago Bears and the New York Jets, respectively. Those two departures were big losses for the team. But an underappreciated aspect that contributed to its struggles last season was the sheer number of coaches Campbell had to replace. Campbell: “Well, you learn. But I don’t think anybody necessarily tells you, ‘Hey, be ready to lose [eight] coaches in one year.’ Of course, that’s the plan. You’re going to lose some guys, you do it right and then the next guy, you can promote or you can go find guys. But when you’re talking about [eight coaches], that’s a tall task. But you owe it to the players, you owe it to the organization to find the best guy. “So, I feel like those pieces we added last year, for the most part, really fit what we’re about and are good for us.” McVay: “I think it’s a champagne problem. When you end up losing coaches for the reasons that you’re talking about with Dan, that means you’re doing really well. People want to try to replicate. Or people in your building that are in leadership roles, they want to have them lead or take elevated steps in their career. “What I would say is it’s a blessing. What I’ve really leaned into for us is what’s been really fortunate is you get exposure to new people. New ideas.” Glenn: “It’s a really good problem to have because usually when you’re losing coaches like that, that means you’re doing well.” LaFleur: “I do think that is a challenge, obviously. [Campbell] lost both of his coordinators, and there’s a little bit of learning curve there and sometimes you have some growing pains, but I still think they’re an elite team.” In Johnson’s three years as OC, the Lions established one of the NFL’s most dangerous and prolific offenses. In 2024, his unit scored a franchise-record 564 points and led the league in scoring for the first time since 1954. Since 2022 — the year Johnson took over playcalling duties midseason — the Lions are tops in the NFL in scoring and total offense. While they still managed 481 points last season, they failed to establish an offensive identity outside of home run plays, and Morton, who replaced Johnson, was relieved of playcalling duties in November. In January, the Lions fired Morton and hired Petzing, who’d spent the previous three seasons as OC of the Cardinals. Campbell: “I feel like the addition with Drew Petzing is going to be great for us. I think it’s going to get us centralized. Back to being centralized more on offense.” McVay: “This league is so volatile, great coaches get let go every year and great coaches become available. And I think when you show your place is a developmental staff that’ll invest in the human being and help them get to places that Dan and I were fortunate enough to get to, you attract high-caliber people and you’ve got to lean into it.” The Cardinals ranked second in the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (4.92) and ninth in total rushing yards (6,399) during Petzing’s three years of calling plays in Arizona. And while Detroit’s average yards per carry remained steady from 2024 to 2025 (4.7 to 4.6), the team’s attempts, rushes per game and rushes of 10 or more yards per game all dipped last season. Petzing, on what he wants from his offense in Detroit: “It needs to be physical, it needs to be tough, it needs to be difficult to defend and it needs to be multiple at times. “It’s not going to all run through one person, it’s not going to run through one personnel, it’s going to change week to week. I think that’s important in this league. Defensive coordinators, I think, do things at a really high level. They watch tape, they understand scheme. So, I think that’s a big part of what we need to be on offense.” Gibbs on Petzing: “He’s nice. Smart. He’s demanding of us, but he knows we can do it. He puts a lot on our plate, but like I said, he knows we can do it. We’re smart, we’re really good football players. I like him. He’s cool. That’s my dog.” Campbell enters his sixth season with the Lions having helped lead the franchise to unprecedented heights in the Super Bowl era. Despite missing the playoffs last season, Detroit’s 9-8 mark gave it a winning record for a fourth consecutive season — the longest such streak in more than 50 years and tied for the second longest in team history. Cincinnati Bengals coach Zac Taylor: “This is his sixth year, so I would have complete trust that Dan and those guys have a great plan. We played them last year, and they’re a great team from top to bottom. They certainly got the best of us, and I’m happy we don’t play Detroit this year because I’ve got a lot of respect for Dan and Detroit and the job they’ve done there, and [quarterback Jared] Goff. … I haven’t studied them as much this offseason or going into next year, but I would imagine they’re going to continue to have success.” LaFleur: “Oh yeah, Dan Campbell’s a stud. He is an unbelievable football coach. Got a ton of respect for him. What he’s been able to establish here, the culture that they have. You know you better strap it up when you’re going to play the Detroit Lions.” Buoying Detroit’s hopes in 2026 is a roster brimming with talent on both sides of the ball. Since 2021, his first year in charge, Holmes has drafted more players who have been named All-Pro (six) than any other GM or franchise over that span, according to Elias Sports Bureau. And Holmes, as part of his draft-and-develop strategy, has signed many of those players to extensions, ensuring the Lions — projected by ESPN’s Mike Clay to win 12 games this season — will have its core group of stars together for years to come, which has contributed to the organization’s strong sense that a Super Bowl in 2027 and beyond is a very real possibility. Lions president and CEO Rod Wood: “When you look at us top to bottom and I think we’ve got elite players in some of the most important positions. [Offensive tackle] Sewell, [All-Pro wide receiver Amon-Ra] St. Brown, [defensive end] Hutch [Aidan Hutchinson], and there’s a lot of teams that would trade for that. … [Sam] LaPorta at tight end, and Gibbs at running back, Goff at quarterback. So, you put it all together and I think that we’ve got a team that can compete. “Not to compare, but I don’t think that too many people are assuming that the window’s closed on the Chiefs, and they only won six games last year. So, it can come back just as fast as it went the other way, but I’m very confident.” St. Brown: “I think Dan’s 100% right. I think our Super Bowl window is still wide-open. I think our nucleus is still here. … The guys that are important key players are still here. There’s so many guys on our team that are core pieces that are still with us, so I feel like that changes that we’ve had, every team is going to go through changes. You win games, your corners, they leave and you’ve got to bring new guys. We’ve got more changes this year, and I think it’s going to be good for us. “I think we, as a team, are going to be hungrier than ever because of what happened last year and how disappointed we were just as a team internally. We feel like we had way bigger goals than what we did last year and what happened. For us, it’s like, we know what we got; we’ve just got to put it together and just keep working towards the biggest goal.” Lions All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell: “Yeah, it’s no excuses, and I feel like everybody here knows that. Our roster has more than enough talent to get it done. We’ve just to go out there and do it, and it comes down to the players. “So, I don’t know if that’s pressure or whatever, but again, it doesn’t matter. You’ve just got to be yourself. Each and every player is here on this roster for a reason.” |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASCoach Brian Schottenheimer calls out his right tackle. Michael David Steele of ProFootballTalk.com: Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer wants more consistency from right tackle Terence Steele. “T-Steele’s got to play a little bit more consistent,” Schottenheimer said, via ESPN. “He has had a couple days where he’s been a little bit dropping his pads and getting edged a little bit. He needs to be better.” That’s a blunt assessment, but Cowboys offensive coordinator Klayton Adams suggested that part of the issue could be that Steele is over-worked. Steele has started all 17 games the last three seasons and has played 99 percent of the Cowboys’ offensive snaps in that time. “He and I had a good conversation about that this morning of how we continue to try to find consistency,” Adams said. “He’s a guy that’s going into Year 7, and he’s never going to ask for a day off. He’s never going to ask for a break. So we’re just searching for ways to help him and help him play at his best and most consistently.” The 29-year-old Steele, who has been with the Cowboys since they signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2020, is the oldest and most experienced member of the offensive line in Dallas. His coaches would like him to be the most consistent as well. |
| PHILADELPHIAT LANE JOHNSON says the new offensive of OC Sean Mannion will unleash the RB SAQUON BARKLEY of old. Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com: The Eagles are acclimating themselves to a new offense this offseason and right tackle Lane Johnson thinks it is going to suit one of the team’s top players quite well. Wednesday’s joint practice with the Patriots gave offensive coordinator Sean Mannion a chance to call plays for the starting offense and provided a glimpse into how the team will use running back Saquon Barkley. One of those uses will be as a receiver and Johnson believes that giving him the ball like that will provide an opportunity for Barkley to get back to the 2024 production that made him the league’s offensive player of the year. “The more productive we are in the run game and stuff feeds off that, we’ll see the Saquon from two years ago,” Johnson said. “We’ll see the big plays, we’ll see him flexing out wide at wide receiver, we’ll see him in the screen game.” Mannion’s scheme will be significant, obviously, but having Johnson and the rest of the offensive line healthy this year would also set the stage for Barkley to dominate defenses the way he did on his way to 2,283 yards from scrimmage in 2024. That season ended in a Super Bowl win and having everything come together offensively should make the Eagles a threat to repeat that feat as well. |
| NFC SOUTH |
| TAMPA BAYDT VITA VEA’s dispute with the Buccaneers has ended peacefully with a win-win. Nick Shook of NFL.com: Vita Vea is staying put with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for at least the next two seasons. The two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle and the Bucs have agreed to terms on a one-year extension for $30 million, ESPN Insider Adam Schefter reported on Wednesday. The extension is fully guaranteed, meaning Vea is assured to receive $48 million over the next two years, NFL Network Insider Mike Garafolo reported. Vea, who requested a trade earlier this summer, will be under contract with the Bucs through the 2027 season, as he was entering the final year of his current deal. Tampa Bay later announced the extension, which was accompanied by a statement from general manager Jason Licht. “Vita is exactly the type of player and person we want to build around in Tampa Bay,” Licht said. “He has been a dominant force in the middle of our defense, an exceptional teammate, and a tremendous leader in our locker room. One of the keys to our recent success has been our ability to draft, develop and re-sign core, foundational players who set the standard for what it means to be a Buccaneer. As one of our team leaders, Vita has played a big role in establishing that winning culture, and we are excited to have him continuing to help lead the way as we pursue our next championship.” Over eight NFL seasons spent exclusively with Tampa Bay, Vea has established himself as a premier nose tackle. At 31 years old, however, he found himself in a complicated position as he angled for a new deal. Although he consistently produced at a rate deserving of a new contract, Vea’s age was a deterrent to a long-term extension from the Bucs’ perspective. After a lack of significant progress on the matter and the likely realization Vea wouldn’t receive the lucrative deal he desired, the veteran requested a trade. Though not a perfect comparison, one can draw a connection to the contractual standoff and eventual agreement struck between Trey Hendrickson and the Cincinnati Bengals in 2025. Cincinnati wasn’t interested in investing in a player who had already cleared 30 years old, and while Hendrickson sought long-term security, he eventually accepted a one-year raise with the understanding he’d be a free agent after the season. Vea’s deal is slightly different. He received slightly more security with one year added to his contract, and he’s getting plenty of guaranteed money for it. The defensive lineman’s camp has to be pleased with how this conflict was resolved. With $48 million in guaranteed money coming his way over the next two seasons, Vea will see a raise of nearly $7 million per year and still be free to sign another deal or join a contender as a veteran mercenary after the 2027 season. Tampa Bay, meanwhile, solves one lingering contract issue that, if left unaddressed, could have spilled over into the season and cost them their most important interior defender. Up next for general manager Jason Licht: Crafting a pitch to keep quarterback Baker Mayfield from reaching free agency. Don’t expect that to go as smoothly as the Vea deal did.– – -Could EDGE JACK PYBURN, who would seem to be a “pro” after having two sacks in the opener, find a better deal in NCAA football? Brad Crawford of CBSSports.com: Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie Jack Pyburn could be headed back to college after a Louisiana judge granted a temporary restraining order to the former LSU edge rusher and 15 others against the NCAA on Wednesday, clearing a path for them to leave the NFL and return to college football. It’s another significant courtroom loss for the NCAA at a time when its eligibility model continues to be challenged by players seeking additional seasons. Pyburn’s argument centers on the organization’s five-year clock and his injury-shortened 2023 campaign at Florida, when a torn ACL ended his season after nine appearances. Others who have successfully been granted a TRO by a Louisiana court include former James Madison linebacker Trent Hendrick, Ole Miss starters Dae’Quan Wright, Zxavian Harris and Wydett Williams, and SMU running back TJ Harden. Hendrick was the 2025 Sun Belt Defensive Player of the Year for the Dukes and received invites to participate in minicamps with the Cleveland Browns and the Kansas City Chiefs this month. Previously, the members of the 2022 recruiting class who returned to college football and took advantage of the extra year of eligibility granted by District Judge Charlotte Sweeney had been those who didn’t sign NFL contracts. Despite Sweeney clarifying on Aug. 2 that NCAA rules would still apply regarding players who’ve signed NFL contracts and are ineligible to return to college, teams have remained in contact with different players about a potential return to school, sources told CBS Sports. Pyburn exhausted what the NCAA considered his eligibility following four collegiate seasons, including a productive final year at LSU. He started 11 games for the Tigers last fall, recording 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and eight quarterback pressures before participating in the Senior Bowl and beginning his professional career. He later signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent and was an active participant in training camp this preseason. The TRO does not constitute a final ruling in Pyburn’s lawsuit, but it provides him with immediate relief and the ability to pursue another opportunity while the case proceeds. Considering his SEC experience at multiple schools and proven production, Pyburn should become a coveted defensive player once he is officially available. For the NCAA, this is another crack in an eligibility structure that courts have repeatedly questioned. So what would be better for Pyburn – starting the season on an NFL practice squad or playing in the SEC for LSU or another top program? They are licking their chops in Baton Rouge. Matt Moscana of LSUSportsNet.com: Jack Pyburn wants to return to LSU. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie defensive end has not said that on the record, but having an attorney file for a temporary restraining order to open the door for his return to Baton Rouge is all the circumstantial evidence needed. The TRO was granted by a Louisiana judge Wednesday to 16 former college football players including Pyburn and former Ole Miss Rebels, tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive tackle Zxavian Harris. Those players must now decide between chasing an NFL dream or pursuing heavy paychecks promised to elite college athletes. Players who have donned professional uniforms returning to college is sure to elicit an emotional response. Let’s put that aside for the time being and just talk practicality. If Pyburn were to earn a spot on the Bucs 53-man roster, the rookie minimum salary would be $885,000. LSU would have to pass the hat to collect at least that much to convince Pyburn to spurn his NFL dream for another season. If LSU were to pursue Harris, Wright or any of the other players granted a TRO, college football’s first $50 million roster could swell further. Relationships almost certainly work in LSU’s favor. Pyburn’s family has a camp in Tickfaw, La. His defensive coordinator Blake Baker and position coach Kevin Peoples are still on staff. Pyburn and senior linebacker Whit Weeks became fast friends during their one season together and would most certainly relish the opportunity to join forces again. Pyburn was a special teams standout during his time at Florida under Joe Houston, who is now the Tigers’ special teams coordinator. He also shared a defensive line room with Princely Umanmielen—whose brother transferred to LSU from Ole Miss in January. LSU’s need at the position is unmistakable. After Ole Miss transfer Princewill Umanmielen and former Tennessee five-star Jordan Ross, the room is considerably thin. Junior Gabe Reliford was lost for the season with an ACL injury in spring. That leaves career reserve Dylan Carpenter and true freshman Lamar Brown running with the second unit. Pyburn played in 41 games with 20 starts across four seasons with the Gators and Tigers. He would also have the opportunity to graduate from LSU (Pyburn lost a year’s worth of credits when he transferred from Gainesville). There are sure to be other suitors among college football’s biggest spenders (we’re looking at you Longhorns, Aggies and Sooners) but the writing is on the wall for a return to LSU. The only real question that remains is whether or not Pyburn would make the Bucs’ roster. If Pyburn is released after next Friday’s preseason finale against the Jaguars, he could theoretically be in Baton Rouge by Saturday with a week to prepare for the season opener against Clemson. Familiarity with the defensive scheme would make a transition from pewter and red to purple and gold seamless. Should the Bucs cut Pyburn, a return to college under the judge’s TRO would also mean Pyburn would be eligible to reenter the NFL Draft in 2027. A healthy, productive season in Baton Rouge could net Pyburn more guarantees as a draft pick and a better chance at making a roster without looking over his shoulder. While it might not make sense to the average college football fan, a reunion certainly makes sense for LSU and Pyburn. A Louisiana judge agrees. |
| NFC WEST |
| SEATTLEIn their quest to repeat, the Seahawks are in the troubled cornerback market – signing former Cowboy CB TREVON DIGGS. The Seattle Seahawks have made another addition to their cornerback room. Former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs is signing a one-year contract with Seattle, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported, per a source informed of the situation. Seattle later announced Diggs’ signing and the corresponding release of receiver Julian Hicks. The move comes after the Seahawks put the signing of former first-rounder Terrion Arnold on hold. Arnold is facing eight felony charges in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping. Schefter added that the club still plans to sign the former Detroit Lions corner, who is expected to land on the Commissioner’s Exempt List. With Arnold unavailable in the short term, Seattle turns to Diggs to fill out a shallow DB room. The former second-rounder out of Alabama earned two Pro Bowl nods in six years in Dallas. Diggs led the NFL with 11 interceptions in 2021. He struggled to stay on the field after suffering a torn ACL early in 2023 and missed more plays than he made upon his return. After being released late in 2025, Diggs was claimed by the Green Bay Packers. He made two appearances for the Pack, in Week 18 and the Wild Card Round. He played just one snap in the playoff loss and was released following the postseason. Seattle worked out the 27-year-old Diggs earlier this week. They still want to sign Arnold, apparently – but the timing has to be right. While the Seahawks are still in line to sign Arnold and have agreed to terms with the veteran cornerback, the team is working through logistics that are expected to take some time, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday. The NFL is expected to place Arnold on its Commissioner’s Exempt List once he signs with Seattle, which means he won’t be able to practice or play while his legal process plays out. Arnold was released by the Detroit Lions, who selected him in the first round of the 2024 draft, in June, shortly after a Florida judge set Arnold’s bail at $1 million on eight felony charges in connection with a February robbery and kidnapping. Harvey Steinberg, an attorney for the 23-year-old Arnold, has argued in court that prosecutors were “not even close” to showing that Arnold knew or directed what his associates would do. Seahawks head coach Mike McDonald told reporters on Aug. 14 that the timeline for Arnold to officially sign was “being worked out.” “It was an opportunity to bring on a player that we felt strongly about during the draft process,” Macdonald said. “We also understand that it’s a serious situation with a legal matter. There’s a process behind it, so we respect that. That’s how we’ll operate, just letting that process play out and let the league decide if and when his return to play is. We’ll understand that that’s at play, but there’s also an opportunity to bring him and give him an opportunity to earn a position here. “We’re working through that on when’s the best time for him to come in, but we have an agreement with him, and we’ll see. … I really don’t know how we’re going to do it.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONBad news for WR JAYDEN HIGGINS and the Texans. Nick Shook of NFL.com: The Houston Texans will play the 2026 season without one of their top receivers. Jayden Higgins suffered a torn ACL in Tuesday’s joint practice with the Las Vegas Raiders, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported on Wednesday, per sources. The second-year wideout will miss the 2026 season. The No. 34 overall pick of the 2025 NFL Draft, Higgins caught 41 passes for 525 yards and six touchdowns as a rookie, finding himself in an elevated role following Tank Dell’s season-ending injury suffered late in the 2024 campaign. Alongside C.J. Stroud’s favorite target, Nico Collins, Higgins filled an important role in Houston’s passing game in 2025, catching 41 of 68 targets while seeing his target share increase by 8.1 percentage points during Houston’s nine-game winning streak to close the regular season. With Dell still slowly making his way back to the field, Higgins was expected to play an important part in Houston’s aerial attack in 2026. His late-season production — Higgins scored four of his six touchdowns in Weeks 10-18 and produced his two highest single-game yardage totals in Weeks 13 and 17 — was a promising indicator of how Higgins might perform from the start of the 2026 season for an offense that also welcomed running back David Montgomery into the fold in the offseason. Higgins will instead spend the season recuperating. Houston, meanwhile, will turn to the likes of Xavier Hutchinson, Jaylin Noel and Justin Watson in an attempt to fill the void while maintaining hope Dell can contribute at some point. |
| JACKSONVILLEIs ATH TRAVIS HUNTER a three-way performer? The early results were not promising. Kevin Patra of NFL.com: Jacksonville Jaguars star corner and wide receiver Travis Hunter showed that not everything comes easy. The two-way stud took his shot at placekicking during Wednesday’s special teams session at joint practice with the Carolina Panthers. Hunter took five field goal attempts from 27 yards out, per Garry Smits of The Florida Times-Union, with the first four missing badly, including a couple that barely got off the ground. Hunter finally connected on his fifth try from chippy-range. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback/wide receiver Travis Hunter drills field goal at Jaguars practice. At least he didn’t go 0-fer. The event showed that even for the best of athletes, adding another skill isn’t always easy. That preamble is the entertaining bit regarding Hunter from Wednesday’s practice. The more actionable news is that the dual-threat’s workload continues to tilt heavily toward defense, as expected. On Wednesday, Hunter played 28 snaps on D and just two on offense. It continues the trend of the Jags getting the second-year stud more work on one side of the ball. After beginning camp closer to one-third of his snaps coming on offense, the tip toward the defense in recent days is a sign of where things could be headed. Hunter owns the tools to be CB1, and Jacksonville is a much more stout defense if he becomes a lock-down corner. There isn’t as large of a need on offense, where Brian Thomas Jr., Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers can handle the load. Notably, Hunter’s reps on offense remained low despite Washington not participating in practice Wednesday. Austin Trammell, not Hunter, took most of the slot snaps with Washington out. We’ll see if the recent trend with Hunter’s reps continues for the rest of training camp or the Jags pump his offensive snaps back up as we get closer to the start of real games. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 2027 DRAFT – RANKING THE QBsWith the NCAA season upon us, here is how Dane Brugler of The Athletic has the quarterbacks lined up: Let’s be honest: It will be tough for the 2027 quarterback class to live up to the immense hype. Entering the season, two quarterbacks sit in the top tier, followed by a drop-off to the second and third tiers — both of which are crowded and jumbled. Can LSU’s Sam Leavitt, a gamer with plenty of fans around the league, learn to play with more restraint and cut down on the YOLO moments (especially now that he’s in the SEC)? Ohio State’s Julian Sayin is incredibly accurate, but his physical tools are average, and he needs to show more answers against the pass rush. UCLA’s Nico Iamaleava, Minnesota’s Drake Lindsey, USC’s Jayden Maiava … the list goes on and on. And let’s not forget about Brendan Sorsby, who won’t have any 2026 film and whose past issues make him an unknown. He is still expected to be in the early-round mix next spring. I expect this list to fluctuate over the next eight months. Going into the season, though, here are my top draft-eligible quarterbacks for the 2027 NFL Draft: 1. Arch Manning, Texas (6-4, 230)*I wrote a lot of words earlier this week about Manning and why he starts the season at No. 1 — I won’t bury the lede. If the 2027 NFL Draft were held tomorrow, Arch Manning would be the No. 1 pick — not because of his last name or lineage, but because of the promise of his traits and tape. If you only saw Manning play in the first half of 2025, that statement probably sounds crazy. He looked like an inconsistent first-year starter before Halloween, especially in losses at Ohio State and Florida. But as the season progressed, so did Manning. The number of inexperienced mistakes decreased while eyebrow-raising plays increased, which is the trajectory expected from a young quarterback saddled with an inconsistent offensive line and run game. The numerous examples of NFL-level moments littered throughout the second half of Manning’s film were refreshing to see. Based on the eight Texas tapes I studied from last season, there were three clear strengths to Manning’s game: his ability to navigate a muddy pocket (and he saw a lot of them), anticipation to trigger as a passer before the target was looking for the ball and his overall athleticism to move launch points or create with his legs. 2. Dante Moore, Oregon (6-3, 215)*Best trait: Passing touchMoore is a loose passer with a quick setup and release. He has a high batting average in the screen game because the ball gets out fast with both velocity and placement. He also shines on intermediate and downfield throws because of his feathery touch. Last season, Moore completed 54.5 percent of attempts beyond 20-plus yards, including 15 touchdowns. His physical traits (size, mobility, arm) are more good than great, and those won’t change, but his feel for layering throws should translate well to the pro game. Moore’s downfield touch on the Washington tape was outstanding. Both plays below came on third down and were great examples of “perfect throws beat good coverage.” Must improve: Tendencies under pressureFor the most part, Moore is a sound decision-maker, although his inexperience tends to pop up. At times, he appears to predetermine where he’s going, as on the first play from scrimmage against Indiana, which D’Angelo Ponds intercepted and returned for a pick six. Other times, he struggles to be decisive under pressure. In overtime versus Penn State, Moore had a wide-open touchdown to Kenyon Sadiq on the corner route but quickly found the checkdown at the first hint of pressure. A five-star recruit out of high school, Moore was the No. 3 quarterback (behind Manning and Nico Iamaleava) in the 2023 recruiting class and a top-five overall recruit. Coming out of the Detroit area, he was a huge get for UCLA — and started right away — but spent just one year with the Bruins. Prior to the 2024 season, Moore transferred to Oregon, where he backed up Dillon Gabriel before emerging as one of college football’s top quarterbacks in 2025. He finished last season with 71.8 percent completions, 3,565 passing yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions. Had he declared, Moore would have been drafted very high in the 2026 NFL Draft — likely No. 2 by the New York Jets. However, he wanted one more year of college experience to continue developing mentally and physically; scouts say he is now in the 218-pound range after hovering under 205 last year. Returning to Eugene made sense, and it should make Moore better equipped for the long term. 3. CJ Carr, Notre Dame (6-2, 215)*Best trait: Feel for the positionI get it — “feel for the position” sounds vague. But Carr shows a ton of promise in critical areas for such a young player. Considering his lineage and football upbringing, that shouldn’t be a surprise. Carr is efficient with his operation and understands how to find vulnerable matchups. He moves with rhythm in his feet and throws a pretty ball, giving his targets the chance to make plays. At the line of scrimmage, he frequently makes adjustments to put the offense in favorable looks. Off the field, feedback is glowing regarding his mental comprehension and how his preparation translates to game day. Against NC State, Carr was aggressive with what the defense gave him. Here, he checks at the line and throws with anticipation from the far hash on the man-beating route combination: Must improve: Rookie mistakesWhile I am encouraged by his grasp of the position for his age, Carr had his share of mistakes in year one as a starter. On some plays, he showed stubborn trust in the play design, but he didn’t have the same decisiveness on others. His pocket movement was more abrupt than contained and needs to be developed. He didn’t always account for all 11 defenders and would put the ball in harm’s way (see his two interceptions vs. Pitt). 2027 NFL Draft outlookHighly recruited out of high school, Carr, grandson of former Michigan coach Lloyd Carr, passed on the Wolverines for the chance to create his own path. After redshirting in 2024, Carr won the Irish starting job last season and almost immediately looked like he belonged. He finished with a 24-to-6 touchdown-to-interception ratio and helped Notre Dame finish the regular season with 10 straight wins. Carr has good but not remarkable physical traits for the position, which is why some NFL scouts question his long-term ceiling while still liking his foundation. Notre Dame understandably relied on the run game last season (Carr ranked 84th in the FBS in pass attempts), but with running backs Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price now in the NFL, more will be on the quarterback’s shoulders in 2026. NFL scouts will have Nov. 7 circled — the Irish face Miami in South Bend. 4. Drew Mestemaker, Oklahoma State (6-3, 210)*Best trait: Attacks every inch of the fieldOperating in an up-tempo version of the Air Raid, Mestemaker is a tall, fluid passer who isn’t shy tossing it all over the yard. Despite his inexperience, he shows natural instincts for the position, including the ability to calmly climb, adjust his platform and hit receivers in stride. No part of the field was off-limits last season, but Mestemaker was especially dialed in on pass attempts over the middle. Must improve: Mental repsAll college quarterbacks are relatively young in football years, but Mestemaker is a unique case, as he has one year of starting experience since middle school. He needs to continue maturing physically and filling out his frame. He needs to tweak his mechanics and release point to improve the consistency of his ball placement, specifically on pass attempts to his left. Most importantly, Mestemaker needs those valuable mental reps to slow his eyes and raise his comfort level reading out the play. 2027 NFL Draft outlookHow do you properly rank a unique prospect like Mestemaker? His raw talent is incredibly enticing, but there is no substitute for experience at quarterback. Mestemaker was an all-district performer in high school — but at safety and punter. He was the backup quarterback, even as a junior and senior. Mestemaker went overlooked at multiple recruiting camps before walking on at North Texas. He won the starting QB job as a redshirt freshman in 2025 and thrived for the Mean Green (68.9 percent completions, 4,379 passing yards and 39 total touchdowns). Mestemaker had multiple transfer options this past offseason but opted to follow his coach, Eric Morris, from UNT to Oklahoma State. Given his lack of experience, Mestemaker is a more realistic option for the 2028 NFL Draft. But he is draft-eligible now, and the buzz among NFL teams shouldn’t be ignored. I am eager to see his development against better competition, especially when Oregon visits Stillwater in Week 2. 5. Trinidad Chambliss, Ole Miss (6-0, 208)Best trait: Instinctive playmakerAfter starting last season as the backup QB, Chambliss stepped in due to injury and made it impossible to take him off the field. He has an explosive release — the ball comes out very quickly with above-average velocity, whether in the pocket or throwing off platform. There is a high level of poise to his reactive athleticism, too, which makes him a nuisance for pursuit and allows him to create outside of structure. Though short, Chambliss has decent thickness to his frame, which helps him break tackles. Chambliss had several “whoa” moments during a win over Georgia in the College Football Playoff, but this play is the most translatable. He effortlessly buys time under pressure and unleashes a dot on the move that goes almost 50 yards in the air. Must improve: Coverage recognitionThere is nothing Chambliss can do about his height (NFL-verified 5-11 7/8 inches), but I would like to see him improve his processing, both before and after the snap. He faced a massive jump in defensive speed last season, going from Division II to the SEC, and it took time for his eyes to catch up. Being quicker to understand what defenses are doing will only make him more dangerous. 2027 NFL Draft outlookChambliss spent four years at Division II Ferris State, the first three as a backup. As the full-time starter in 2024, he led the program to the national championship, posting 51 total touchdowns (26 passing, 25 rushing). Prior to the 2025 season, Chambliss transferred to Ole Miss with the expectation of being the backup behind Austin Simmons. However, Simmons injured his ankle in Week 2 — Chambliss grabbed his opportunity and didn’t look back. He became SEC Newcomer of the Year and led the Rebels to a 13-2 season, including two wins in the College Football Playoff. Chambliss has gone from fun story to a legitimate NFL prospect who will test the comfort levels of scouts to think outside the box. He will be a 25-year-old rookie; he stands under six feet tall; not everything on his college tape will translate cleanly to the NFL. But there is a place at the next level for an instinctive playmaker like him. 6. LaNorris Sellers, South Carolina (6-4, 245)*Best traits: Physical giftsThere aren’t many quarterbacks with Sellers’ talent and traits. A unique dual-threat weapon, his superpower is how he creates conflict for defenses with the ball in his hands. Sellers has rare explosiveness for a 240-plus-pounder and flexes a power arm, which shows in both his velocity and distance as a passer. On the move, he has the strength to shrug off defenders and the burst to outpace pursuit, allowing him to buy time or pick up chunk yardage with his legs. Given South Carolina’s pass-protection woes, Sellers struggled to develop rhythm within the pocket. But that also allowed him to show off his explosive athleticism and escapability. Several of Sellers’ best throws on tape come out of structure, when he is forced to change throwing platforms and hit targets moving right to left. Must improve: Accessing easy buttonsSellers has the talent to make incredibly difficult plays look easy. But too often, the inherently simpler throws appear difficult. His accuracy in the quick game can be erratic, and he’s shown a discouraging lack of timing on basic in-structure throws. Regardless of an inconsistent supporting cast, Sellers’ efficiency at the first level needs to improve. Last season, he completed just 66.9 percent of his throws of between zero and 10 yards, down from 76.7 in 2024. (For comparison, Fernando Mendoza was at 88.1 percent and Moore at 81.8 in 2025.) 2027 NFL Draft outlookSellers put himself on the NFL radar in 2024 with a standout redshirt freshman season, creating buzz among scouts that he could be a future high draft pick. His play fell short of those expectations last season, although the Gamecocks’ play calling, offensive line and receivers did their quarterback few favors. South Carolina this offseason hired Kendal Briles as offensive coordinator and made several upgrades to support its quarterback. If Sellers struggles in 2026, it will be hard for NFL teams to buy him as an early-round option and future starter. But any degree of on-field progress and consistency will give them optimism that he is on the right track and there is more to be cultivated, which could land him in the first round. 7. Darian Mensah, Miami (6-3, 205)*Best trait: Willingness to attack middle-field windowsShort, intermediate or deep, the middle of the field is Mensah’s playground. Comfortably working from the pocket, he anticipates developing windows over the middle and drives the ball to spots. Mensah is just as effective layering throws with touch between levels or deep. His pre-snap recognition and compact release give him full access to middle-field targets. Mensah completed 81.3 percent of his attempts between the numbers last season, including several examples on the Clemson tape. Must improve: Progression timingLike most quarterbacks, Mensah is at his best when he stays on time — he triggers when his back foot hits the top of his drop, and the ball comes out with accuracy. But when he hesitates or is late getting to his second or third reads, the passing windows become much more crowded and he lacks top-tier velocity to compensate. Mensah throws with touch, but the ball doesn’t consistently explode off his hand, especially when out of rhythm, which increases the importance of his timing. Though he threw only six interceptions last season, there were several more “almost” interceptions on tape (Mensah’s 21 turnover-worthy plays last season ranked ninth most in the FBS, according to PFF). 2027 NFL Draft outlookA two-star recruit out of San Luis Obispo, Calif., Mensah turned heads at Tulane in 2024 after becoming a starter as a redshirt freshman. Capitalizing on his success, Mensah entered the portal and transferred to Duke. He completed 66.8 percent of his throws for 3,973 yards and 34 touchdowns last season for the Blue Devils. Unfortunately for Duke, that success made him a target for rival Miami. After the dust settled, Mensah joined the Hurricanes (and reportedly received a total NIL package of close to $10 million). Some scouts see Mensah as a future NFL starter because of his quick release and passing instincts; others aren’t sold that he has a starter-level ceiling because of his only-adequate physical traits (size, arm, speed) and see him as a Day 3 prospect. However, between the returning talent at Miami and a manageable schedule, the stage is set for Mensah to have a Heisman-worthy season. Top 25 senior quarterbacks prospects: 1. Chambliss2. Brendan Sorsby, Texas Tech (6-3, 238)3. Jayden Maiava, USC (6-4, 218)4. John Mateer, Oklahoma (6-0, 220)5. Byrum Brown, Auburn (6-3, 235)6. Josh Hoover, Indiana (6-0, 201)7. Jaden Craig, TCU (6-2, 227)8. Kevin Jennings, SMU (6-0, 184)9. Rocco Becht, Penn State (6-1, 213)10. Avery Johnson, Kansas State (6-2, 198)11. Steve Angeli, Syracuse (6-2, 213)12. Beau Brungard, Youngstown State (5-11, 208)13. Katin Houser, Illinois (6-3, 226)14. Gunner Stockton, Georgia (6-0, 210)15. Chase Mason, South Dakota State (6-3, 237)16. Noah Fifita, Arizona (5-8, 191)17. Jordan Cooke, Idaho State (6-3, 241)18. Ty Pennington, Northern Arizona (6-2, 217)19. Jaylen Raynor, Iowa State (6-0, 207)20. Walker Eget, Duke (6-3, 241)21. Beau Pribula, Virginia (6-2, 209)22. Aidan Chiles, Northwestern (6-3, 217)23. Devon Dampier, Utah (5-10, 205)24. Owen McCown, UTSA (6-1, 196)25. Braxton Woodson, Navy (6-3, 216) Top 15 draft-eligible prospects: 1. Manning2. Moore3. Carr4. Mestemaker5. Sellers6. Mensah7. Sam Leavitt, LSU (6-2, 213)8. Julian Sayin, Ohio State (6-1, 212)9. Drake Lindsey, Minnesota (6-5, 230)10. Nico Iamaleava, UCLA (6-5, 210)11. Demond Williams Jr., Washington (5-11, 195)12. DJ Lagway, Baylor (6-3, 235)13. CJ Bailey, NC State (6-5, 218)14. Dylan Raiola, Oregon (6-3, 230)15. Marcel Reed, Texas A&M (6-1, 185) |
| OVER THE PONDJayna Bardahl of The Athletic ponders how an NFL team could operate based in a foreign clime: NFL commissioner Roger Goodell told a German media outlet Tuesday that he has “no doubt” the NFL will eventually have teams outside of the United States. But what logistical challenges could come with an international franchise? For years, the NFL has been expanding its global footprint with games overseas in new countries and markets. This season will feature a record nine international contests, including first-time trips to Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Paris. But with added travel miles — the San Francisco 49ers will venture a record 38,105 miles in 2026, per Bookies — comes added logistics. NFL teams start preparing for international travel as soon as their games are announced, beginning with obtaining passports and visas for every member of the traveling party all the way down to shipping gear and meals. Once teams arrive at their destination, there are new facilities to navigate and jet lag to overcome. Take this year’s Week 1 game in Melbourne for example. The San Francisco 49ers are planning to arrive a full week before the game to acclimate to the 17-hour time difference, while the Los Angeles Rams are planning to take a more in-and-out approach. There’s no one way of doing things, and players and coaches have previously bemoaned travel’s impact on performance. Scheduling is also a consideration. The league avoids scheduling teams coming off international travel for Thursday night games, opting to give either a bye or the full week to recover. In a world with an international franchise, what would the travel look like? Would the NFL schedule blocks of extended home stands followed by weeks on the road? If the latter, would that require a U.S.-based training facility? There’s also the competitive issue. Would players willingly sign in free agency with a team based in another country? In The Athletic’s 2023 anonymous NFL player poll, a majority of players (55.4 percent) said they would not want to play on an NFL team based overseas (34.9 percent responded “yes” and 9.6 percent said “maybe”). Perhaps a U.S.-based training facility could serve as the team’s offseason home for OTAs and minicamps, limiting a player’s time required in the other country to just in-season. However far off it may be before a team is based outside the U.S., robust international travel doesn’t seem to be going anywhere, with the NFL previously saying it could go as high as 16 games — nearly one per week. If the NFL goes international, what are the challenges?Here’s a breakdown of the considerations, complications and reference points the NFL could use when debating the feasibility of an international franchise. Which locations could be considered for an international NFL franchise?London has been the most common international host for the NFL, with 42 games played since 2007. The Jacksonville Jaguars have marketed themselves as London’s team, and have hosted a home game in the English capital at Wembley Stadium each season since 2013 (except for the pandemic-altered 2020 campaign). London was toyed with as a temporary home for the Jags in 2027, when their stadium will be under construction, but the franchise ultimately landed on playing their home games that season at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Fla. It’s also worth wondering how often the Jags will visit London upon the completion of their $1.4 billion stadium renovation. Speaking at a UK fan event in 2022, Goodell said there was “no question that London could support not just one franchise, I think two franchises,” according to the British media outlet Sky Sports. Goodell said the question would come down to whether a London-based team — and the teams visiting — would be able to maintain competitive balance. Logistically, a team in North America would ease travel headaches as opposed to jetting across the pond. Mexico City, which is in the Central time zone, is the NFL’s second-most-visited city with four hosted games (in 2018, poor field conditions led the league to move a scheduled Kansas City Chiefs versus Los Angeles Rams game to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum). The last game in Mexico City was in 2022, but the league is entering the first year of a three-year agreement to return in 2026 following completion of renovations at Estadio Banorte (formerly Estadio Azteca). The San Francisco 49ers will host the Minnesota Vikings there on Nov. 22, marking their third trip to the Mexican capital. The NFL hasn’t explored as many opportunities in Canada. The Buffalo Bills hosted a Toronto series from 2008 to 2013, during which the team played six regular-season games and two preseason games at Rogers Centre (home of MLB’s Toronto Blue Jays). The series was postponed and later terminated early due to dwindling attendance and concerns from Buffalo fans about losing a true home game each season. The Green Bay Packers and Oakland Raiders played a preseason game in Winnipeg in 2019 that had to be contested on an 80-yard field with no kickoffs due to an issue with the artificial surface in one end zone. As for other places the NFL seems to be investing, the league will play its third game in Brazil (first in Rio) this year after opening the international slate in São Paulo the last two years. There has also been a game hosted in Germany in each season since 2022, with a game scheduled in either Munich or Berlin in each of the next four years. What logistics do teams already deal with during international contests?My colleague Peter Carline is based in London and has followed the NFL’s presence overseas closely. Here’s how he described the logistics of an international trip: When the Jaguars first played back-to-back games in England in 2023, around 180 people — players, coaches, staff and families — traveled on their nine-night excursion. The Rams took it to the other extreme last year, staying for one night ahead of their game against Jacksonville at Wembley Stadium. Teams charter flights to London Stansted Airport and book blocks of rooms at The Grove or Hanbury Manor, two five-star hotels outside London. They are transformed into temporary headquarters ahead of arrival, with multiple meeting rooms and offices. Both have a custom-built NFL practice field and gym on site, but, recently, the Baltimore Ravens (2023) and Denver Broncos (2025) opted to use the facilities of Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur for practice and media. Most teams have sleep experts explain several concepts about transatlantic travel and jet lag to players ahead of time, including the effect on circadian rhythms and the importance of taking magnesium to aid sleep. Staples such as condiments and drinks are also imported, while team chefs work with hotels to provide extensive, familiar menus. The nominal home team has a couple of advantages: They have first choice on hotels and are the first to leave the stadium. — Carline How have other leagues navigated having teams based outside the U.S.?For additional perspective, I asked around The Athletic’s newsroom about the challenges non-U.S. teams face in other American leagues. I found it interesting how different currencies impact both player salaries and team revenues. Plus, the NHL has seen examples of visa complications at the trade deadline and competitive disadvantages for Canadian teams. NHLThe NHL has always been a multinational enterprise operating in both Canada and the United States. The impact of this has been far-reaching and, occasionally, unpredictable. For example, drawing league revenues in multiple currencies inevitably creates some level of vulnerability for the NHL, as a result of real-world events and value fluctuations. In 2015, for example, the value of the Canadian dollar abruptly plummeted by 16 percent. Given how much of the NHL’s revenues at the time were tied up in CAD, the NHL salary cap — which is tied to hockey-related revenues — was suddenly and unpredictably flat year-over-year, significantly altering the amount of liquidity in the system for free agents and fundamentally altering the exchange value of player contracts that had been previously agreed to. The COVID-19 pandemic was another illustration of these factors. Because of logistical issues posed by various quarantine protocols on either side of the border, the NHL was effectively forced to hold a form of competition that prevented Canadian and American teams from playing against one another until the conference finals of the 2020-21 season. On a day-to-day basis, there are immigration challenges to work through. For example, the Washington Capitals last season acquired a player, David Kampf, in a trade at the deadline whose debut with the team was held up over work visa issues. There’s also the taxation dynamic, which has a broader impact on player recruitment outcomes. This factor has been more pressing in recent years, with star players like Alex DeBrincat, Matthew Tkachuk, Mitch Marner and Quinn Hughes utilizing their leverage before free agency to play for teams based in the United States. It’s a factor that’s noted with increasing frustration among Canadian hockey fans, given that a Canadian team hasn’t won the Stanley Cup since 1993. — Thomas Drance, Canucks writer MLBThe Toronto Blue Jays are the only Major League Baseball franchise outside of the United States. While there are certainly some players trepidatious about playing in another country, the Jays don’t believe their location is a significant obstacle. “Every market has its challenges,” general manager Ross Atkins said in winter 2025. “There are players that don’t want to play in certain markets for various reasons. We’ve found Toronto to be exceptionally attractive to a large part of the baseball population.” There are some logistical challenges, though. All players require passports to cross the border regularly, though that’s not a huge issue in MLB as so many players come from outside of the United States anyway. Both the Jays and road teams need to clear customs upon entry and exit from Canada, as well, but that’s described as more of a minor inconvenience than a major obstacle. Perhaps the largest issue is that a significant portion of the Blue Jays’ revenue is in Canadian dollars, while every other team earns in American dollars. As of Aug. 18, the CAD is worth about $0.72 USD. The revenue generated from ticket sales, stadium concessions and local merchandise is all in CAD. That earning imbalance hasn’t held the Jays back from spending in recent years, though, as they currently own the fifth-highest payroll in the sport, per FanGraphs. — Mitch Bannon, Blue Jays writer NBAYou would be surprised at how many players chafe at having to go through customs. Even as this process has become easier over the years, Toronto Raptors players and their opponents still get annoyed at the extra time a cross-border trip takes. Also, draft prospects often don’t have their visas or passports, meaning the Raptors have had to do individual workouts across the border in Buffalo — although that doesn’t figure to be a big issue in the NFL. There is also the issue of taxes. Again, the Raptors have gotten better at finding their players the right resources over time, but the local/provincial taxes in Ontario are higher than they are almost anywhere in the United States, and significantly higher than in no-state-tax locations such as Florida and Texas. — Eric Koreen, Raptors writer A team in Canada doesn’t seem “foreign” in the conventional sense. But how, really, could a London club work? |
