The 107th season of the NFL promises tons of surprises and heavy drama.
The 2026 NFL season kicks off on September 9, 2026, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots in a rematch of last year’s Super Bowl.
Big headlines for the upcoming season feature Seattle’s title defense under head coach Mike Macdonald, the Los Angeles Rams all-in approach this offseason, and the highly competitive AFC outlook.
Sam Darnold (photo courtesy Seattle Seahawks)
The Seattle Seahawks enter 2026 with a target on their backs coming off a dream season, winning their second Super Bowl in franchise history. Quarterback Sam Darnold completed one of the greatest turnaround stories in NFL history, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba elevated into a superstar wide receiver, winning AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year. With linebacker Ernest Jones IV, defensive tackle Leonard Williams, and cornerback Devon Witherspoon, Mike Macdonald led the NFL’s number one defense en route to the title. However, repeating to win a conference, let alone a Super Bowl, is incredibly challenging today. The rest of the NFC has made huge moves this offseason in hopes of dethroning the Seahawks.
The NFC West is expected to be a gauntlet once again, as the Rams and 49ers each won 12 games last season and come into 2026 with very high expectations. If Seattle wants to replicate last season’s success, they must navigate a difficult schedule and a conference projected to feature plenty of talented rosters.
Aaron Donald (photo, SB Nation)
No team went all-in this offseason the way the Los Angeles Rams did. By trading for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie and reigning AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, the Rams are pushing all their chips in the middle to help reigning MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford win his second Super Bowl. In addition, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time first-team All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald just officially announced that he is coming out of retirement. Donald, who retired in March 2024 after 10 seasons, teams up with Garrett to form one of the best defensive line duos of all time.
The Rams are coming off a heartbreaking loss in the NFC Championship to the Seahawks last season. Still, these acquisitions have made them the overwhelming preseason favorite to win Super Bowl LXI. As loaded as the NFC projects to be, we cannot forget about how talented the AFC has been in the last several years.
The Buffalo Bills made a bold move this offseason, moving on from head coach Sean McDermott after nine seasons and replacing him with offensive coordinator Joe Brady in the hopes that superstar quarterback Josh Allen can break through and lead the franchise to their first-ever title.
Speaking of the AFC East, the New England Patriots are looking to show everyone that their stunning 2025 season was no fluke. In early June, the reigning AFC champions traded for star wide receiver A.J. Brown to give quarterback Drake Maye another top target.
Lamar on the run
(photo, WBNS Columbus)
The Baltimore Ravens are coming off a very disappointing 2025 season, as two-time MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson dealt with several injuries and the defense took a big step back. However, a healthy Lamar and the hiring of head coach Jesse Minter have made Baltimore the favorite to win the AFC North and a legit Super Bowl contender. Every opening week delivers tons of anticipation regarding how incoming rookie cornerstones can adjust to the next level and make an immediate impact.
In the 2026 NFL Draft, the New York Giants selected Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese with the 5th pick and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa with the 10th pick in the hopes that they could come in right away and help turn the franchise around under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Coming off a challenging 6-11 season, the Kansas City Chiefs selected LSU CB Mansoor Delane with the 6th pick and Clemson DT Peter Woods with the 29th pick to put them right back in Super Bowl contention.
From the opening kickoff in Seattle, Washington, to the week-to-week grind towards Inglewood, California for Super Bowl LXI, there is zero room for error for all 32 teams.
