2026 NFC Preview: One large query for each group

It’s formally that point of 12 months when there will not be per week with out NFL soccer till February.

As an added bonus, the 2026 season kicks off a day sooner than normal, with a Super Bowl rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots on Wednesday night time.

As many believed the case was final season, there’s a actual probability the 2 finest groups within the league each reside within the NFC. The Seahawks carry again most of their core items from their Super Bowl LX title, whereas the Los Angeles Rams added a daunting quantity of expertise to what was already one of many high rosters within the NFL.

But that is the NFL, the place parity reigns, and there are many different contenders able to problem the 2 powerhouse NFC West squads for the convention crown.

So, to get you set for one more NFL season, this is one large query every NFC group is going through heading into the season.

Chicago Bears
2025 document: 11-6, misplaced in divisional spherical vs. Rams

One large query: Can defence help offence simply sufficient?

The Bears had been among the finest tales of the 2025 season below Ben Johnson, and now the second-year head coach has gone on document saying he desires to run the highest-scoring offence in league historical past.

But the defence nonetheless has main query marks. Last season, the Bears D was capable of masks a few of its deficiencies by making a league-high 33 turnovers. But historical past would counsel that turnover luck will regress this season.

If the Bears can throw out even a league-average defence, they may very properly construct on their success final season. Otherwise, it might be a humbling 12 months for Johnson and Co.

Green Bay Packers
2025 document: 9-7-1, misplaced in wild-card spherical vs. Bears

One large query: Can they maintain serve with out Micah Parsons?

There could also be no group going through extra early-season stress than the Packers.

How they fare with out Micah Parsons, who will miss at the least the primary 4 video games of the season as he recovers from a torn ACL, may make or break their 12 months.

Because whereas a group cannot win the Super Bowl within the first month, if the Packers begin gradual in what is predicted to be an ultra-competitive NFC North, they may put themselves right into a gap even their star go rusher will not have the ability to dig them out of.

Minnesota Vikings
2025 document: 9-8, missed playoffs

One large query: What does Kyler Murray have left within the tank?

Another 12 months, one other new beginning QB in Minnesota.

In comes Kyler Murray, who’s hoping to revive his profession.

Everything is in place for Murray to achieve his new digs, because the Vikings have an awesome defence, a dominant wide-receiver duo and a head coach in Kevin O’Connell who is thought to make life simple on his QBs.

If O’Connell can unlock the most effective from Murray, the Vikings have an actual probability to make some noise.

Detroit Lions
2025 document: 9-8, missed playoffs

One large query: Can they benefit from their simple schedule?

The solely benefit of the Lions’ disappointing 2025 season? They get to play a last-place schedule in 2026.

Detroit heads into the season with the sixth-easiest energy of schedule, even regardless of enjoying in a troublesome NFC North.

For a group whose fundamental hiccup during the last two seasons has been accidents, and one which additionally sports activities what needs to be among the finest offences, that needs to be a scary thought for the remainder of the league.

Philadelphia Eagles
2025 document: 11-6, misplaced in wild-card spherical vs. 49ers

One large query: Can Sean Mannion revive the offence?

There could also be no co-ordinator going through extra stress this season than new Eagles OC Sean Mannion.

The Eagles offence took a serious step again final season, trying like a shell of the unit that helped the group win a Super Bowl in 2024.

In comes Mannion, who will step into his first function as a playcaller for a group the place the expectations are at all times sky-high.

He can even need to make issues work with out star WR A.J. Brown, as the 2 sides lastly determined to half methods after a tumultuous finish to their relationship final season.

The items are nonetheless there to make this factor work. But if there’s one factor we learn about Philly followers, it is that persistence is not often their sturdy swimsuit.

Dallas Cowboys
2025 document: 7-9-1, missed playoffs

One large query: Can new-look defence step up?

The Cowboys are going to place up factors this season, there isn’t any query about that. The actual query: can they cease different groups from scoring?

Much like Mannion, new Cowboys DC Christian Parker has the duty of turning round a unit which struggled final season.

Maybe no participant might be extra vital to the defence’s success than rookie security Caleb Downs, whom Parker has been transferring round all over all through coaching camp.

If the Cowboys may even preserve a league-average degree on D, the offence ought to have the ability to deal with the remainder.

Washington Commanders
2025 document: 5–12, missed playoffs

One large query: Does the group have sufficient round Jayden Daniels?

From 12-5 in 2024 to 5-12 in 2025, the Commanders skilled a giant actuality test final season.

Part of the problem was the well being of quarterback Jayden Daniels, however even when he stays upright this season, there are holes throughout this roster.

Outside of WR Terry McLaurin, the offensive weapons go away quite a bit to be desired. The offensive line is already in shambles, with beginning left deal with Laremy Tunsil anticipated to overlook an enormous chunk of the common season. The defence lacks any kind of star energy outdoors of rookie linebacker Sonny Styles, and he is nonetheless a giant if.

Daniels is nice, however along with his rookie-contract window closing, the Commanders would possibly want to consider a serious overhaul if this season additionally goes poorly.

New York Giants
2025 document: 4-13, missed playoffs

One large query: How shortly can John Harbaugh change the tradition?

The Giants in all probability will not win the Super Bowl this season, however that does not imply there should not be a number of pleasure in New York.

John Harbaugh’s observe document in Baltimore speaks for itself, and now he takes over a group that’s budding with younger, promising gamers like Jaxson Dart, Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter and Arvell Reese.

Harbaugh ought to have a full runway to show this group round, and it would not be stunning to see the Giants take a giant step ahead in Year 1 below their new head coach.

Carolina Panthers
2025 document: 8-9, misplaced in wild-card spherical vs. Rams

One large query: What is their ceiling with Bryce Young?

Despite profitable their first division title in 10 years final season, let’s bear in mind the Panthers nonetheless completed with a beneath .500 document to win a pillow combat within the NFC South.

Third-year QB Bryce Young had the most effective season of his profession, however was nonetheless inconsistent at occasions.

If Young can take one other step ahead this season, these Panthers would possibly actually be a menace, particularly with big-time additions in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd on defence.

However, if Young regresses, it will not take lengthy for the questions on Carolina’s future at QB to pop up once more.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2025 document: 8-9, missed playoffs

One large query: How will Bowles, Mayfield fare below stress?

After the Buccaneers misplaced seven of their final 9 video games to overlook the playoffs, many believed Todd Bowles’ time in Tampa was up.

But the top coach stays on for one more season, although there isn’t any query his seat is piping scorching.

Bowles’ quarterback, Baker Mayfield, additionally involves this season with one thing to show after he made noise this low season by saying he felt “disrespected” by his contract talks with the Buccaneers.

Bowles teaching for his job and Mayfield enjoying for his new contract might be the motivation this group must proper the ship after final season. It additionally may create main off-field drama and see this entire factor go up in flames.

Atlanta Falcons
2025 document: 8–9, missed playoffs

One large query: Is their QB of the long run on the roster?

New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski’s job this season is easy: discover out if he has any quarterbacks price their salt.

Unfortunately for Stefanski, the crop he at the moment has to work with leaves quite a bit to be desired.

The early indicators for Tua Tagovailoa, who will begin Week 1, haven’t been encouraging. Michael Penix Jr.’s sturdiness is a large query mark, and even when he is managed to be on the sphere, it has been a blended bag.

Stefanski could have an opportunity to present each QBs a chance to safe the long-term job this season, and if it does not look promising, Falcons followers could be watching a number of faculty soccer this fall and dreaming in regards to the subsequent period below centre.

New Orleans Saints
2025 document: 6-11, missed playoffs

One large query: Can Tyler Shough do it for a full season?

After a dreadful begin to the 2025 season, rookie QB Tyler Shough got here in during the last 9 video games and gave Saints followers a ton of purpose for optimism.

The 26-year-old pivot led the Saints to a 5-4 document and seemed to get progressively extra snug week after week.

But the guide is out on Shough now, with NFL groups having a full low season to have a look at his tape.

The indicators had been all there; now, it is as much as the 2025 second-round choose to point out it over a full season.

Seattle Seahawks
2025 document: 14-3, received Super Bowl LX vs. Patriots

One large query: How a lot will shedding Klint Kubiak harm the offence?

As at all times within the NFL, the worth of profitable a Super Bowl is that different groups wish to steal part of that success.

The Seahawks felt that firsthand once they had offensive co-ordinator Klink Kubiak poached by the Raiders for his or her head-coaching gig.

So in comes new OC Brian Fleury, who labored below Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco.

While many of the items on the Seattle offence stay the identical, Fleury must adapt to the lack of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker.

What Fleury does have working for him, nevertheless, is the truth that Mike Macdonald’s defence needs to be one of many high models in soccer this 12 months as soon as once more. While the first-year OC does not need to work magic for the Seahawks to contend once more, he simply cannot let issues go utterly off the rails.

Los Angeles Rams
2025 document: 12-5, misplaced in NFC Championship vs. Seahawks

One large query: Can they reside as much as the hype?

Only a few performs away from a Super Bowl look final season, the Rams went out earlier than this summer season’s draft and addressed their greatest weak point by buying and selling for nook Trent McDuffie.

Then, they made the most important transfer of the low season by buying and selling for reigning DPOY Myles Garrett.

All of this managed to lure one of many biggest defensive linemen of all break day his sofa, as Aaron Donald ended his two-year retirement to rejoin his outdated group.

It’s led to the Rams being labelled a so-called “super team” heading into this season.

Which additionally means something apart from a Super Bowl title in L.A. might be seen as a disappointment.

San Francisco 49ers
2025 document:12-5, misplaced in divisional spherical vs. Seahawks

One large query: Can they keep wholesome?

Yes, sure, get your substation jokes in.

But on paper, the 49ers have a Super Bowl-contending roster.

The greatest drawback the final two seasons has been the back-breaking accidents.

If the 49ers can keep wholesome this season, and that is a giant if given they’ve getting old stars like Christian McCaffrey, Mike Evans, George Kittle and Trent Williams, there isn’t any purpose they should not be within the dialogue come playoff time.

If not, they could be preventing an uphill battle in a stacked division that options the Seahawks and Rams.

Arizona Cardinals
2025 document: 3-14, missed playoffs

One large query: Can HC Mike LaFleur show he is the man for his or her subsequent QB?

Let’s face it: within the NFC West, the Cardinals do not have a number of hope of contending.

Their roster has too many holes, and the opposite three groups of their division are too good.

So what this season is actually going to be about is discovering out whether or not first-year head coach Mike LaFleur is who they need main them into the long run.

There are a number of strong items on offence for LaFleur to work with, however there are additionally no actual secrets and techniques that veteran QB Jacoby Brissett is not the long-term reply on the place.

When the Cardinals do get their quarterback of the long run, which very properly might be in what is meant to be a QB-loaded 2027 NFL Draft, it could be good in the event that they might be assured that LaFleur is the best man for that job.