| The NFL’s controlled schedule leaks are continuing. FOX will have the late game from Dallas on Thanksgiving – and the opponent will be the rival Eagles. The Eagles are not a familiar Thanksgiving foe for the Cowboys – since 1966, the Cowboys and Eagles have faced off on Thanksgiving just twice. Philadelphia has prevailed both times, winning 27-0 in 1989 and 33-10 in 2014. The first PRIME video game of the year comes in Week 2 – and it will be from the Bills new stadium with the Lions as the opposition. Kevin Patra of NFL.com tells us that it will indeed be the Bills’ first regular season game in their new palace – thus look for the Buffalo on the road in Week 1. For some reason, we think that game could be in New England on CBS. The Broncos and Chiefs will play the first Monday Night Football game on Monday – but we don’t know if it will be in Denver or Kansas City. ESPN.com: The site of the game will be known when the NFL unveils the complete 2026 regular-season schedule Thursday at 8 p.m. ET. A two-hour prime-time special will air on ESPN and NFL Network. Another unknown is whether Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be available for the game. The two-time NFL MVP tore the ACL and LCL in his left knee on Dec. 14 in the final minutes of a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He has stated his goal is to be ready for Kansas City’s 2026 season opener. Jeff Kerr reminds us: @JeffKerrPHLThe #NFL is expected to have standalone games on these days in 2026 (not counting Sundays, TNF and MNF) Wed., Sept. 9 (Kickoff Game)Thurs., Sept . 10 (Australia Game)Thanksgiving Eve (1 game)Thanksgiving (3 games)Black Friday Saturday in Week 15 (2 games)Christmas Eve (1 game) Christmas (3 games) Saturday in Week 16 Saturday in Week 17 (2 games)Saturday in Week 18 (3 games) More on the NFL and FOX from Mike Florio: On Monday, Fox CEO Lachlan Murdoch announced during an earnings call that the network will add a pair of nationally-televised games to its existing package for 2026. The limited expansion of the Fox slate comes at a time when Murdoch’s father, Rupert, has been instigating a political pressure campaign against the league over the effort to renegotiate existing broadcast deals. Via Drew Lerner of Awful Announcing, Lachlan Murdoch nevertheless said “[t]here is no tension really with the NFL.” If the current situation has resulted in no tension with the league, it’s hard to imagine what it would take to cause tension. Rupert Murdoch reportedly told President Donald Trump in February that the NFL’s migration of games from broadcast networks to streaming could, if it expands, “kill the networks.” Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal — one of the most widely-read and influential publications in the world — posted an editorial challenging the NFL to justify why it continues to deserve a broadcast antitrust exemption. Even before the article was posted, the league reportedly suspected Murdoch of instigating the multi-layered assault by the federal government on whether the league has exceeded the boundaries of the existing exemption by selling games to for-pay platforms. It culminated on Sunday with President Trump addressing the issue of the cost of streaming to consumers who “live for” watching pro football. And while his facts, as they almost always are, were not entirely accurate (he claimed fans are paying $1,000 per game to watch the NFL), the point remains. The issue is on the radar screen of the leader of the free world, and he doesn’t like it. After the dust settled on a Monday chock full of developments regarding the NFL’s relationships with the various broadcast networks, Joe Flint of Rupert Murdoch’s Wall Street Journal tweeted this: “I’m sure that there is no correlation between the DOJ probe into Sports Broadcasting Act and grumbling about putting too many games on streamers and today’s NFL news that Fox, NBC got more games and CBS got to move an afternoon game to prime time next season.” If there is a correlation, it appears to be window dressing. The deeper issue is the attempt (starting with CBS) to get significant increases in annual payments under existing broadcast deals that run through 2029 for CBS, Fox, NBC, Amazon, and YouTube and through 2030 for ESPN/ABC. And if it wasn’t already obvious that the effort was sparked by the magnitude of the NBA’s latest broadcast deals, a recent profile of Commissioner Roger Goodell in Vanity Fair made that point as clear as it could be. Fox, CBS, and NBC buying extra games for 2026 doesn’t solve the deeper, and more significant, question of whether the league wants more from the networks now with the “or else” being a potential shift of current broadcast packages to streaming companies. So, yes, there’s obviously tension between the NFL and Fox. A major media mogul has created a significant political problem for the league, one that has put the device that fuels the NFL’s entire economic model in jeopardy. Without the broadcast antitrust exemption, the teams would have to sell their TV rights individually. Some teams (starting with the Cowboys) would earn dramatically more than others. The biggest source of funds for revenue sharing would collapse. The salary cap would be skewed in favor of the teams earning more, and against the teams making less. Taken to the extreme, the NFL could fracture into two leagues — one consisting of the teams selling the more attractive TV packages, and one made up of the teams selling the less attractive TV packages. And it all traces to Fox. How can Fox claim there’s no tension when Fox has deliberately lit the fuse that is burning toward a bomb that could, in theory, blow up the entire house? |
| NFC EAST |
| DALLASDan Graziano of ESPN.com on why WR GEORGE PICKENS will play on a franchise tag in 2026: Why didn’t the Cowboys want to extend George Pickens?In his first season in Dallas, Pickens was one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. He caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns. The Cowboys got him for a third-round pick around this time last year, and he more than delivered on that investment. Pickens was eligible for free agency, but the Cowboys used their franchise tag to keep him off the market. Just before the draft, they announced publicly that they would not work on a long-term contract with Pickens this offseason and that they expected him to play on the franchise tag, which will pay him a fully guaranteed $27.298 million in 2026. Shortly after the draft, Pickens signed his franchise tender. There are a few reasons the Cowboys want to see Pickens do it again before deciding whether to commit long-term money to him. They’re already paying wide receiver CeeDee Lamb an average of $34 million per year, and carrying two of the highest-paid receivers in the league would be a salary cap challenge. Another reason, as team president Stephen Jones said a few weeks ago, is that Pickens is still new to Dallas. He doesn’t have as much in the bank with them as he would if it had been the team that drafted and developed him. There are explanations for why the Cowboys were able to get a player as talented as Pickens from the Steelers a year ago for only a third-round pick, just as there are explanations for why no team sent him an offer sheet after Dallas tagged him. Pickens’ time in Pittsburgh included persistent questions about consistency and focus, and while the Cowboys’ 2025 experience with him was positive, it’s not unreasonable for them to wait another season before making the kind of commitment his on-field performance deserves on its own. Who knows? If Pickens has another big year and Lamb struggles with his health again, maybe the Cowboys feel differently about both players a year from now. But they’ve decided the franchise tag is the right way to go with Pickens in 2026. |
| NEW YORK GIANTSDan Graziano of ESPN.com on why the Giants did not take S CALEB DOWNS at #10. Why didn’t the Giants draft Caleb Downs with the 10th pick?The Giants had Ohio State star Arvell Reese fall into their laps at No. 5 in the draft. Then at No. 10, Downs was sitting right there. The Cowboys had tried to trade up to No. 9 to get Downs, fearful that the Giants would take him. New York could have come out of the first round of the draft feeling like it had locked down two defensive cornerstones for a decade to come. Instead, the Giants drafted offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Dallas exhaled and moved up one spot to make sure it got Downs. And now the Giants will have to play against him twice a year. So why didn’t they take him? Well, they felt they’d made their defensive pick at No. 5 when Reese was still there. I think there’s a chance they’d have taken Downs at No. 5 if Reese had been picked in the top four. But what became clear to me after the draft in talking to people around that situation is that the Giants were determined to use one of their two top-10 picks on an offensive player in an effort to support second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart. That could have meant running back Jeremiyah Love if he’d been there at No. 5. It could have meant wide receivers Carnell Tate or Jordyn Tyson if they’d been there at No. 10. Ultimately, it meant locking in the player the Giants identified as the best offensive lineman in the draft to help fortify Dart’s protection. They’re far from the only team that operated this way. Tennessee and New Orleans — both of whom are building around promising second-year quarterbacks — drafted Tate and Tyson, respectively, with their first-round picks. Teams try to maximize young quarterbacks’ chances to succeed whenever they can, and picking Mauigoa over a second defensive standout was the Giants’ way of doing that. |
| AFC NORTH |
| CLEVELANDZac Jackson of The Athletic wonders if the Browns might turn to Door Number 4 in their quarterback hunt – not DESHAUN WATSON, SHADEUR SANDERS or DILLON GABRIEL. Last weekend, Cleveland Browns rookie quarterback Taylen Green found himself walking through an unfamiliar playbook in a hotel room down the street from a place he’d previously never been. With one eye on a nearby iPad and one making sure his feet were where his new coaches wanted them without actually backing into any hotel furniture, Green prepped himself for his first set of NFL practices at the Browns’ weekend rookie minicamp. The long strides are a part of what makes the 6-foot-6 Green such an intriguing prospect. Whether Green is capable of making significant enough strides with the playbook and his all-around game to help the Browns in the season ahead remains to be seen, but in an offense and quarterback situation that appears fluid now and going forward, the Browns feel they’re taking a big swing on a rare prospect. At the NFL Scouting Combine in February, Green weighed 227 pounds and clocked a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash, a combine record for quarterbacks. The Browns’ new rookie quarterback is almost as big as most of the team’s tight ends and defensive ends and is basically as fast, if not faster, than the team’s new first-round wide receiver, KC Concepcion. A sixth-round pick who begins his career a clear No. 4 on the depth chart comes with no guarantee of any kind, but the Browns took a chance on Green because he’s a top-level athlete with rare physical gifts. And though new Browns coach Todd Monken has been clear that the 23-year-old is promised nothing past the majority of the rookie minicamp reps, there could eventually be a way for the Browns to merge the development of a long-term longshot with short-yardage or red zone opportunities for Green to use his size, athleticism and running ability. “I would say of course (I’m like) Lamar Jackson, but he ain’t 6-foot-6,” Green said. “Josh Allen is close, but I’m 230. He’s like 260. I don’t know. My dad says I’m Randall Cunningham-ish. I really don’t think there’s anybody like me. Not (to be) cocky or anything, just some confidence. There’s nobody that moves like me that’s as tall as me.” Monken was hired by the Browns after three seasons as the offensive coordinator in Baltimore, where he constructed an offense around the running and passing talents of Jackson. Green spent his last two college seasons at Arkansas playing under offensive coordinator Bobby Petrino, Jackson’s college head coach. So Green is familiar not only with Jackson’s work in the NFL but with plenty of his college film and coaching points Petrino carried forward. If any NFL team thought Green was really ready to be the next Jackson, Allen or Cunningham, he would have been selected long before pick No. 182, where the Browns got him. So in the interest of keeping the brake pedal nearby, it’s fair to call Green the most interesting player coming out of rookie minicamp, and one Monken believes is worth thorough and proper development. “You see the talent with Taylen, and there’s still a next jump that he can make,” Monken said. “It’s exciting to have him out here and let him just play through some things. Obviously, this is the time for him to get reps. Once we get into (organized team activity practices) in another week, that’s really going to diminish. I mean, you’re not going to see as much of him because of the numbers (at quarterback). “But I’m excited and excited for him. He’s a great kid, and everything we’d heard about him so far has been true.” Since their return to the NFL in 1999, the Browns have had 42 mostly forgettable starting quarterbacks. They’ve had nine different players make starts at various points over the last three seasons, and three of them are still on the team. But with a new coach and little guaranteed based on recent performance, the team’s future at the game’s most important position is wide open. As a college quarterback, Green was a weapon. He had 73 carries of 10-plus yards over his two seasons at Arkansas and 35 rushing touchdowns over his time at Arkansas and Boise State. It was no surprise to NFL scouts that Green also set combine quarterback records in the vertical jump (43.5 inches) and broad jump (11 feet 2 inches) because he was a powerful athlete who could create explosive plays, both by design and necessity. But Green never had a single-season completion percentage of greater than 61 percent and threw 20 interceptions over his final two college seasons. He was clearly a runner first and a passer second, and Monken said the Browns must continue to work with Green on shortening his release as he gets more comfortable with his new offense and new surroundings. The Athletic’s Dane Brugler wrote in his pre-draft report that Green “needs to take better care of the football and refine his mechanics and passing rhythm, but he offers the physical traits and high character worth molding in a read-option, vertical passing game.” |
| AFC SOUTH |
| HOUSTONDan Graziano of ESPN.com on why the Texans did not extend QB C.J. STROUD: Why didn’t the Texans extend C.J. Stroud?Houston tends to be very aggressive with its long-term extensions for its veteran stars. The latest example is Will Anderson Jr., who became the league’s highest-paid non-quarterback on the extension he got this offseason after three stellar years at the front of the Texans’ defense. Stroud and Anderson, the second and third picks in the 2023 draft, respectively, were each eligible for extensions for the first time this offseason. Anderson got his deal early; Stroud’s does not appear to be on the horizon. The Texans picked up Stroud’s fifth-year option for 2027, which was a no-brainer because it means they’ll pay him a total of $31.6 million over the next two seasons. But it appears the Texans want to wait to see another year before committing long-term quarterback money. Why? Well for starters, do you remember the last time we all watched Stroud play? His performance in the team’s divisional round playoff game in New England was season-endingly poor. His showing the week before in a wild-card playoff victory over the Steelers wasn’t very good, either. Stroud was Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2023, and he has won at least one playoff game in each of his three NFL seasons, so there’s a lot to like. But the Texans haven’t seen marked improvement from him in Years 2 or 3, he missed games because of injury last season and the playoff flops are hard to ignore. Add in the fact that there aren’t currently any big quarterback extensions on the horizon anywhere else that would scare Houston into trying to get ahead of the market. Carolina doesn’t seem in a huge hurry to do a Bryce Young extension. Lamar Jackson isn’t rushing to do an extension with the Ravens. In turn, the Texans aren’t at risk of having to pay a ton more next offseason than they’d likely have to pay this offseason to get Stroud under contract long term. They can afford to wait. If Stroud rebounds and plays in 2026 the way he did as a rookie, I believe the Texans will have no issues extending him next offseason. Heck, Stroud himself likely realizes he’d be better off putting a better finish on tape and negotiating off that. Everybody involved wants things to be better in 2026 than they were in 2025, so let’s see what happens, then make the next move. |
| AFC EAST |
| MIAMIDan Graziano of ESPN.com on why RB De’VON ACHANE is still a Dolphin: Why didn’t the Dolphins trade De’Von Achane?Miami is clearly in rebuild mode, having pared its roster of big salaries, taken on $99 million in dead money by cutting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa and traded top wide receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos before the draft. Achane has one year left on his rookie contract at $5.767 million, and to this point the Dolphins have not extended him. Achane has averaged 1,445 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns per season in his first three years in the league. He also doesn’t turn 25 until October. In a market where Kenneth Walker III got over $14 million per year and Breece Hall got over $15 million per year, one would think Achane at less than $6 million would be an appealing trade target for teams … and that a team looking to amass draft picks would listen. Talking to Dolphins staffers throughout this offseason, what I’ve been told is that the team views Achane, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks, as foundational players and candidates for extensions rather than trades. Miami is focused on the future, for sure, but new coach Jeff Hafley and new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan aren’t interested in just white-flagging their first season by stripping things all the way down to the studs. Also, they need some players to build around, and they have identified Achane as one worth keeping long term. Now, I was told at the combine that the Dolphins viewed Waddle as a part of their future as well, so the fact that he got traded might lead you to take this with a grain of salt. All I’ll say on that is if a team offered a first-round pick for Achane, as the Broncos did for Waddle, the Dolphins’ opinion of the standout running back as part of their future might have wavered a bit. But teams aren’t offering first-round picks for running backs that they’d then need to pay big money to keep. The smart bet is on the Dolphins extending Achane’s contract at some point this offseason. |
| THIS AND THAT |
| 10 TEAMS WITH THE “MOST COMPLETE” ROSTERSAn admittedly subjective ranking of the “most complete” rosters in the eyes of Erik Edholm of NFL.com: With the 2026 NFL Draft behind us and free agency slowing to a trickle, most teams are pretty darned close to what they’ll be when training camps open in less than three months. That means it’s time to compare all 32 rosters to see which ones stand above the rest. As for my process, I went through every team’s different position groups, giving each a general grade. Then I weighed those units based on positional importance — quarterbacks on top, followed by pass rushers, wide receivers, offensive linemen, defensive backs and so on — to give me a more contextual sense of overall roster strength. Ultimately, I settled on a top 10. The results surprised me. Even though the Chiefs are coming off their worst season in more than a decade, it was still somewhat jarring to see them miss the cut. I also thought the Packers and Chargers could crack the list, but they were the next ones left on the cutting-room floor. The Bears, Buccaneers, Bengals and Cowboys also received consideration before falling short. Here’s who did make the ranking — and yes, not everyone is going to agree with my top group. 1 Los Angeles RamsOne reason Rams fans seemed to take such exception to the drafting of quarterback Ty Simpson in Round 1 was the belief that the team boasted a Super Bowl-caliber roster and could only be a player or two away from another championship. At the very least, Rams fans’ hearts appeared to be in the right place. Los Angeles was one possession away from reaching the Super Bowl, and no matter what you thought of the Simpson selection (or the rest of the Rams’ draft class), this appears to be a roster capable of reaching — and even winning — the big game this time around. L.A. might boast the NFL’s best offense, depending on Puka Nacua’s rehabilitation and Davante Adams’ health. QB Matthew Stafford returns for at least another season following his MVP campaign, with most of last year’s two-deep stacked up behind him. Add in myriad talents at tight end and two quality runners (Kyren Williams and Blake Corum) operating behind a respectable offensive line, and this unit has few obvious weaknesses. Defensively, the Rams addressed their biggest issue by adding CBs Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. At full strength, the secondary could be one of the team’s best units, mitigating the fact that the linebacker group doesn’t knock your socks off. Still, buoyed by a strong D-line that thrives on pressure, this is a defense that should be far closer to the top of the rankings than the bottom. 2 Seattle SeahawksThe defending champion Seahawks lost some free agents but didn’t appear to put up a huge fight trying to keep most of them. Instead, the ‘Hawks stayed prudent by locking up a few key pieces long term, including Jaxon Smith-Njigba, and perhaps even found a starting running back in the draft. The vision: Run it back with one of the most question-free rosters, led by a terrific defense and strong balance. Sam Darnold elevated this team last season, overcoming early-season bumps and some tough spots against the Rams to deliver his best all-around season and first Super Bowl victory. Smith-Njigba was his clear go-to guy — and now one of the game’s best offensive weapons — but there’s symmetry with an unselfish cast of receivers behind him, as well as a strong run game. Kenneth Walker III’s departure and Zach Charbonnet’s injury certainly don’t help the ground attack, but rookie first-rounder Jadarian Price could yield instant results. Defensively, the Seahawks are a monster with no true weakness. The depth up front isn’t quite as rich, with some attrition in free agency, but this remains an elite group. The secondary is studded with unique chess pieces such as Devon Witherspoon and Nick Emmanwori, and the front is loaded with pressure sources in Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II, Demarcus Lawrence and plenty of others, even with the personnel losses. Top to bottom, there are as few questions with the Seahawks as there are with almost any roster in the league. They’ll have a great chance to run it back, even in the fierce NFC West. 3 Philadelphia EaglesEven if the Eagles aren’t quite as deep and stout as they were in some recent seasons, they still possess one of the most complete rosters in the game. Jalen Hurts’ rank among quarterbacks is hotly debated, but at his best, he’s been an MVP candidate and a Super Bowl MVP. He’s expected to lose A.J. Brown, but their waning connection and the drafting of Makai Lemon could make it an addition-by-subtraction thing, especially with DeVonta Smith on board and Marquise Brown and Dontayvion Wicks added in the past couple months. The O-line depth is a concern, especially with Lane Johnson and Landon Dickerson dealing with chronic injuries and vaunted OL coach Jeff Stoutland no longer with the team. Saquon Barkley took a step back in 2025, production-wise, but he remains one of the league’s best all-around backs. Rookie Eli Stowers spices up a TE room that already featured mainstay Dallas Goedert. Defensively, there are some questions, specifically with who the other starting safety will be next to Andrew Mukuba, and whether Philadelphia can stay healthy at linebacker. But cornerback could be deeper and stronger with a few offseason additions, and the Eagles mitigated the pass-rush loss of Jaelan Phillips with the trade for Jonathan Greenard. Jalen Carter leads an excellent front for a defense that was top 10 in several categories a year ago but could be even better in 2026. 4 Baltimore RavensThe Ravens fell off last season, and longtime head coach John Harbaugh is gone, but there’s still a deep well of talent in Baltimore for new skipper Jesse Minter. Lamar Jackson has endured ups and downs in his play, and injuries bit him a year ago, but he remains the centerpiece of a talented and still-dangerous team. Jackson received help from seven offensive draft picks, including two at receiver. He still has Zay Flowers and Mark Andrews to rely on, but rookies Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt add new dimensions to the pass game. The offensive line could round into form as a solid group — even after Tyler Linderbaum’s departure in free agency left a gaping hole at center — but depth stands as a major worry. I expect the Ravens to add a veteran blocker in the coming months. Derrick Henry and a stable of talented backs give this offense a great floor, though, especially alongside Jackson’s wizardry. Baltimore’s defense will be a unit capable of improvement, coming off one of its more disappointing recent seasons. The addition of Trey Hendrickson, a strong secondary with some fresh talent and the hope for a healthy Nnamdi Madubuike all could boost the Ravens. Kyle Hamilton is an elite player, Roquan Smith remains a difference-maker, and there are emerging forces who could be on the verge of Pro Bowl recognition (SEE: Travis Jones). 5 Buffalo BillsLast season showed that the Bills remain dangerous and talented, even if they’re still a flawed operation. Less balanced and concern-free than others on the list, Buffalo counters with Josh Allen, James Cook, Gregory Rousseau and a potent group of top-end players who offset any holes the roster might have. Allen might not have been at his very best last season, but he was still the biggest reason the Bills were able to overcome some of their warts and compete. He is surrounded by a strong offensive group, led by Cook and a well-built offensive line, but it’s not one without worry. Wide receiver is the biggest question mark, even after the acquisition of DJ Moore and the drafting of Skyler Bell. If tight end Dalton Kincaid can stay healthy and wideout Keon Coleman can develop, the Bills will be more dangerous. The defense is undergoing a scheme change under Jim Leonhard, who’ll run the unit more like the attacking 3-4 approach we’ve seen from the Broncos in recent years. There’s a question as to whether the Bills have the personnel to make the switch currently. Linebacker appears to be the thinnest spot right now. Rousseau, Ed Oliver, Deone Walker and Bradley Chubb, along with the addition of second-rounder T.J. Parker, likely make the front the strongest part of the defense. The secondary could be a defensive strength if Cole Bishop and Maxwell Hairston take big steps this season. Adding Chauncey Gardner-Johnson, Geno Stone, Dee Alford and some draft prospects also gave the back end a boost. 6 Detroit LionsThe Lions fell out of the playoffs last season, but they still went 9-8 in the NFL’s most balanced division while posting a plus-68 point differential. This team might not boast quite as much firepower as it did a few years ago, but it remains a top-tier roster. Jared Goff is an upper-echelon QB who has averaged more than 4,500 pass yards and 30 TDs over the past four seasons. He has a battery of game-changing playmakers at his disposal. The Lions’ offensive identity could change slightly without battering-ram RB David Montgomery, but Jahmyr Gibbs is one of the league’s most electric playmakers. Taylor Decker’s release could affect Detroit’s offensive line, but Penei Sewell is arguably the game’s best tackle and should do just fine in his expected move to the blind side. The biggest question is whether rookie RT Blake Miller and the interior will hold up. But with weapons such as Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta and Isaac TeSlaa, the Lions can hang 30-plus points on a lot of teams. Detroit’s defense remains the biggest question, even while it’s led by top-tier playmakers at each level in Aidan Hutchinson, Jack Campbell and Brian Branch (though Branch is coming off major injury). The remainder of the unit appears solid to average right now, although the defensive line could improve incrementally and a young secondary has a chance to blossom some. 7 Denver BroncosThe Broncos were within an eyelash of making the Super Bowl last season and retain the bulk of that group’s firepower. There were a few offseason losses and only one addition of note on either side of the ball — WR Jaylen Waddle — but Sean Payton heads into the season knowing he’s coaching one of the better rosters in the NFL. Waddle might be similar to some of the Broncos’ other pass catchers, but he should give Bo Nix another quality weapon on the outside. Where the tough, athletic Nix slots at quarterback is a fun but tricky debate, yet his eight game-winning drives last season showcased a clutch gene. His line elevates the offense, and the run game added help with fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman. With Waddle, Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin and others at wideout, the Broncos feature a capable offensive unit on the whole. Defense is where this team unquestionably excels. This may not be the best D in the league, but it’s a strong candidate for the top five. Patrick Surtain II might be the unit’s sole elite-level player, but there is ample talent on all three levels. Surtain leads a strong secondary, even with Riley Moss occasionally getting picked on. The front seven is deep and talented, although the losses of John Franklin-Myers and Dre Greenlaw could sting. Still, the pass-rush group logged 68 sacks last season, led by the fearsome edge duo of Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper, as well as interior force Zach Allen. 8 San Francisco 49ersThe 49ers feature a top-heavy lineup that’s sprinkled with star-level pieces, as well as a respectable crop of talent a tier just below that. The roster might have some shortcomings in spots, but this team survived injuries to almost every top player last year, save for Christian McCaffrey, and still made a strong run at the division crown before winning a road playoff game. Brock Purdy is a polarizing QB who has won two-thirds of his NFL starts. At worst, he’s a quality distributor and occasional playmaker who makes one of the league’s best offenses go — and he’s backed ably by Mac Jones. At receiver, San Francisco added Mike Evans, Christian Kirk and second-round pick De’Zhaun Stribling. Factor in returning pass catchers Ricky Pearsall and George Kittle, and the Niners have firepower. Trent Williams bolsters a solid offensive line, but he hasn’t played a complete season in more than a decade. Left guard and overall depth are concerning elements up front. McCaffrey averaged 3.9 yards per rush last season, his lowest mark in San Francisco, but his consistency and receiving ability (arguably his most productive ever at this in 2025) make him a true blue-chipper, anchoring the backfield and the offense as a whole. The 49ers’ defense was crushed by injuries to Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, plus first-rounder Mykel Williams. The front seven appears to be the team’s strength overall, however, assuming those players return healthy and some youngsters and new vets elevate the group. The secondary has potential as a solid group but lacks any clear difference-makers. 9 Houston TexansLike the Broncos, the Texans received a top-10 spot here on the strength of their defense. With a devastating pass rush up front and a talented, deep secondary, this unit has a chance to be the NFL’s best next season. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter are one of the best pass-rush pairs in the NFL, requiring offenses to account for their destructive capabilities every snap. They are anchored by a strong interior front that was boosted by second-round NT Kayden McDonald. Behind the front, Houston boasts a solid group of tenacious linebackers and a loaded secondary. CBs Kamari Lassiter and Derek Stingley Jr. are a great pair outside, Jalen Pitre is a weapon at nickel and Calen Bullock is becoming a top-tier safety. The Texans’ questions arise on offense. Houston spent vast resources to upgrade a troublesome O-line, adding talent and competition, with up to three new starters. We’ll see how much difference it makes, but it will be a surprise if this unit isn’t stronger. Throw in David Montgomery to the backfield mix, and there’s hope that a stagnant run game can squeeze out more production. But the key lies in the play of C.J. Stroud. Since his eye-opening rookie performance, the quarterback’s play has leveled off to the point where he’s very much in prove-it mode, especially coming off five picks and five fumbles in two playoff games. Nico Collins is a strong WR1, TE Dalton Schultz is a reliable second target and there is playmaking upside at receiver, with a good corps of young talent. Will it all come together? If so, the Texans might have a top-five roster. 10 New England PatriotsLast year’s AFC Super Bowl representative overachieved in Mike Vrabel’s first season, with a favorable schedule helping. Even though the Patriots appeared to be ahead of schedule in the team’s rebuild, they have a mostly solid foundation and a star QB in Drake Maye who also helps cover up some of the shortcomings. The offensive line fell apart in the Super Bowl, and it’s still a worry, even after the additions of OG Alijah Vera-Tucker and first-round OT Caleb Lomu. This unit could be solid, but concerns remain for now. The Patriots also could stand to be more efficient running the ball, although Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson complement each other well. Maye’s playoff struggles can be chalked up to excessive hits and a shoulder injury, as he appeared to show in the regular season that he’s one of the game’s bright young playmakers. Hopefully, the protection improves. We’ll also have to wait to see how the WR room shapes up, with rumors of A.J. Brown possibly joining the group this summer. Overall, Maye has solid — but unspectacular — receivers and tight ends to throw to. The Patriots might lack edge-rush juice on defense, and it remains to be seen if they’ll stop the run as effectively, but this is a strong group on the whole, led by blue-chip players such as Christian Gonzalez and Milton Williams. If the front seven maximizes its talent, the secondary should be a productive group again. New England finished in the top third of the league in several defensive categories last season and likely will be up there again in 2026. |
| WORLD CUP ENVYThe World Cup teams will be playing on grass at places like Mercedez-Benz Stadium and MetLife Stadium next month. And the NFLPA is wondering why NFL games are still being played there on turf. Jordan Ranaan of ESPN.com: While NFL players watch some of their stadiums get new grass fields installed for upcoming FIFA World Cup games, it only reinforces their desire to move away from turf. Fifteen of the 30 NFL stadiums use some sort of artificial turf for American football games. Players have become more vocal in recent years about their desire to play on grass. “What we want is good grass fields. Good, solid fields,” NFLPA executive director JC Tretter said recently on the “Not Just Football” podcast hosted by Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cam Heyward. “You don’t just want to pull out the [municipal] golf course grass. On every field, you want high quality surfaces. I think one thing is understanding what our players care about. And there is something there that the data hasn’t been able to spit back out at us. Which if you ask every player that we polled, 1,700 players, 92% say they want grass over turf. “There is something about the feeling of being on grass the body feels different. I think if you ask the coaches, just standing on grass vs. standing on turf for three hours, feels different. There is something there that impacts the body.” Tretter said the talking point is that the injury rates on turf vs. grass have become marginal. But he added that if you look deeper into the numbers, turf injuries have held relatively steady. Grass injury rates have gotten worse. So it’s not just the idea of NFL stadiums having grass instead of turf. Tretter said he wants quality grass fields that reach certain unspecified standards. “I think it’s important for us to have metrics to enforce them, making sure the stadiums are being used predominantly for football games, especially when having concerts and monster truck rallies, those are all things owners make money off. The players don’t make money off it,” he said. “The idea that, hey, we’re going to host these events that means we have to put a worse surface on there for you and you don’t actually get any of that money for those events we’re hosting isn’t a great thing for the players either. And that is what we have to evaluate for the next deal.” The current CBA runs through 2030. The NFL and NFLPA agreed late last year to a new model for selecting playing surfaces in stadiums, one that will require teams to choose from an approved set of metrics and styles for both natural and synthetic fields. The policy will apply to any teams that plan to replace their surfaces for the 2026 season. By the 2028 season, all stadiums will be required to have approved fields. FIFA uses only grass fields for the World Cup. MetLife Stadium, AT&T Field, Gillette Stadium, Lumen Field, NRG Stadium, SoFi Stadium and Mercedes Benz all use some sort of artificial turf for NFL games but will have natural grass for the matches this summer. The installation process began in recent weeks, with the tournament expected to commence on June 11. The United States opens June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers. “You look at FIFA, they’re rolling out the green carpet for soccer players. And that has become the norm,” Tretter said. “Over in European leagues, that is what you do. You play on grass. They have surface standards that each thing is rolled out. It’s exactly how it’s supposed to be. And those players will not play if it’s not that.” |
| STRENGTH OF SCHEDULE BREAKDOWNJohn Breech of CBSSports.com on a big difference between the 2025 Bears and the 2026 version. With the release of the NFL schedule coming on Thursday night, we’ve decided to start making preparations by breaking down every team’s strength of schedule for 2026, and well, I have some bad news for Bears fans: Your schedule is tough. The Bears were one of the biggest surprises in the NFL last year after a 2025 season where they won the NFC North with an 11-6 record. However, it won’t be easy to replicate that success this year and that’s mainly because Chicago will be facing the NFL’s most difficult strength of schedule. The Bears are one of just two teams — along with the Miami Dolphins — who have a strength of schedule above .540: Chicago sits at .550, which is the toughest in the NFL, while the Dolphins are ranked second at .542. Why the Bears should be worriedThere are two big reasons why the Bears’ schedule is so difficult: Strength of schedule is based on your opponents’ record from last season and every team in the NFC North finished with a winning record last year, which is almost unheard of. It marked just the second time in the Super Bowl era that all four teams in the same division finished with a winning record. The other thing the Bears have to deal with is the fact that they’ll be playing a first-place schedule this year, which is the part that could end up being the back-breaker for Chicago. Since the NFL expanded to 17 games in 2021, the team that gets stuck playing the “hardest” first-place schedule has regressed by an average of four games per season. Last year, the team in this spot was the Lions. After going 15-2 in 2024, they had the hardest first-place schedule in 2025 and they dropped to 9-8. We’re using 2021 as the timeline here, because the addition of the 17th game created a more difficult schedule for the top teams in the NFL. From 2002 to 2020, the schedule was inherently the same for everyone, whether they were playing a “first-place” schedule or a “last-place” schedule. Each team played four games against a team that finished in first place, four games against teams that finished in second, four games against teams that finished in third and four games against teams that finished in last place. With the addition of the 17th game, a first-place team will now play FIVE first-place teams, which means you’re rarely going to see a division winner with an easy schedule. That being said, the team with the easiest first-place schedule always seems to thrive, and this year, that team is the Eagles. Why the Eagles should be in good shapeOf the eight teams playing a “first place” schedule in 2026, the Eagles have it the easiest, which is notable, because first-place teams have done well in that situation since the NFL added the 17th game. In the five years since then, the team with the easiest “first place” schedule has finished with a winning record in all five seasons. 2021: The Bills had the “easiest” first-place schedule in 2021 and they finished with an 11-6 record. 2022: The Cowboys had the easiest first-place schedule in 2022 and they were able to turn that into an 12-5 record. 2023: The Jaguars had the easiest first-place schedule in 2023 and they finished 9-8. 2024: The Buccaneers got the honor of easiest first-place schedule in 2024 and they rode that to a 9-8 record and an NFC South title. 2025: The Bills got the easiest first-place schedule for the second time last season and they went 12-5. If you’re scoring at home, that’s an average of 10.6 wins per season for the team with the “easiest” first-place schedule, which should put the Eagles in a good spot heading into 2026. Last season, the Eagles became the first team in 21 years to win back-to-back NFC East titles. If they win it again this year, they’ll be the first team to three-peat in the division since 2001-04 when Philly won four NFC East titles in a row. With the Eagles having the easiest first-place schedule, you might be wondering who has the easiest schedule overall? Well, glad you asked. Let’s get to that now. Why the Browns might have actually caught a break If you’re looking for one team that could surprise people in 2026, that could be the Cleveland Browns, who have the easiest strength of schedule in the NFL. Here’s why that matters: The AFC team with the easiest schedule has finished with a winning record in EIGHT STRAIGHT seasons, including last year, when the AFC champion Patriots improved from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 in 2025. Over the past three seasons, the AFC team with the easiest strength of schedule has improved their record by an average of 7.7 wins and all three of those teams had a new head coach going into the season. 2023: Texans. After going 3-13-1 in 2022, the Texans had the easiest strength of schedule of any AFC team in 2023 and they ended up being a surprise playoff team at 10-7 during DeMeco Ryans’ first season as Houston’s head coach. 2024: Chargers. After going 5-12 in 2023, they had the AFC’s easiest strength of schedule in 2024 and they took advantage of that by going 11-6 and making the playoffs in Jim Harbaugh’s first season on the job. 2025: Patriots. After going 4-13 in 2024, the Patriots bounced back in a big way while playing against the AFC’s easiest strength of schedule in 2025. In Mike Vrabel’s first season on the job, the Patriots went 14-3 and ended up making a run all the way to the Super Bowl. In 2026, the Browns will have a new head coach in Todd Monken and he’ll be looking to replicate the success of those three coaches. The Browns will also be playing both the AFC South and NFC South this year, which has been a huge advantage for teams. Last year, the Super Bowl champion Seahawks went a combined 7-1 against those two divisions, which is a big reason why Seattle ended up earning the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. Last year, the 49ers were in the exact same spot as the Browns: They had the easiest strength of schedule in 2025 and they also got to play both South divisions. After going 6-11 in 2024, the 49ers used their scheduling advantage to go 12-5 in 2025. Of course, no one is going to mistake the Browns for the 49ers, but getting to play both South divisions seems to help. The last two times an entire division got matched up with both South divisions, that division produced at least three teams that finished with a winning record. 2021: AFC East plays NFC South and AFC South (Three AFC East teams finish with a winning record) 2025: NFC West plays NFC South and AFC South (Three NFC West teams finish with a winning record) This should make the AFC North an interesting division to watch this year. The division could end up producing multiple playoff teams thanks to a schedule rotation that has each team facing both the AFC South and NFC South. Speaking of the NFC South, it’s also worth nothing that the Saints have the second-easiest strength of schedule, which is something that could set them up to be a possible surprise team in the NFC. In seven of the past nine years, at least one team playing one of the two easiest schedules has made the playoffs, and the two teams in that spot this year are the Browns and Saints. The one thing about strength of schedule is that there’s no perfect way to measure schedule difficulty before the season kicks off. Thanks to injuries and trades, rosters are changing all the time and they will continue to change throughout the season. That being said, strength of schedule does give you a good idea of what your favorite team will be facing in the upcoming season. Here are the 2026 strength of schedule rankings for each team (combined 2025 record of all 17 opponents, combined winning percentage). 1.Bears158-129-2.5502.Dolphins156-132-1.542T-3.Cardinals155-133-1.538T-3.Packers155-133-1.5385.Chiefs155-134.5366.Patriots153-135-1.5317.Raiders153-136.5298.Bills152-136-1.5289. Chargers151-138.52210. Panthers150-138-1.52111.Vikings149-138-2.51912.Jets149-139-1.51713.Rams148-139-2.51614.Seahawks148-140-1.51415.Broncos148-141.51216.Commanders144-143-2.50217.Giants143-144-2.49818.49ers143-145-1.49719.Steelers143-146.49520.Cowboys142-146-1.49321.Buccaneers141-146-2.49122.Jaguars141-147-1.49023.Eagles138-149-2.48124.Ravens138-150-1.47925.Titans137-151-1.47626.Texans136-151-2.47427.Lions134-153-2.467T-28.Falcons134-154-1.465T-28.Colts134-154-1.46530.Bengals130-159.45031.Saints125-163-1.43432.Browns124-165.429 |
