A.J. Brown On Jalen Hurts Relationship After Eagles Trade: 'There's No Bad Blood'

The long-awaited trade of wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots finally came to fruition on Monday. But as the deal went down, it further raised the question of how things went sour so quickly between Brown and the Philadelphia Eagles. Brown's relationship with Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was widely speculated as a top reason why Philadelphia opted to move on from the star pass-catcher. Brown confirmed that his relationship with Hurts wasn't as strong as it once was during an appearance on the "7 p.m. in Brooklyn" podcast. However, Brown dispelled the notion that he holds any animosity toward Hurts. "Not as close as we once were. I believe that's fine. There's no bad blood. There's actually a lot of love. I love him. I love him to death. I want him to succeed and accomplish all the things he wants to accomplish," Brown said. "I didn't truly understand why our friendship became the center of everybody's attention when it came to football, because, looking back at it, we haven't been as close as we were for a couple of years now." Brown took to social media to air out his frustrations with the Eagles' offense throughout the 2025 season. Even though Brown had 78 receptions for 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns, he continued to be visibly upset by not having a consistent role in Philadelphia's offense. That led to rumors about Brown's relationship with Hurts and what might have caused the two to grow apart. But Brown isn't sure what might have led to his relationship with Hurts souring. "Nothing happened. People just grow apart, and nothing happened between me and him or our families, wives or anything. Nothing like that ever happened," Brown said. "But life happens. You just look up sometimes and find yourself drifting away, and that's fine. I think both parties accepted that." Brown and Hurts played together for four seasons, with the wide receiver joining the Eagles after he was traded from the Tennessee Titans in 2022. Together, the pair appeared in two Super Bowls, with a win in Super Bowl LIX against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2025. Last season, the Eagles' run to repeat fell short, losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the wild-card round. That loss ended up marking the end of Brown's time in Philadelphia, with trade rumors swirling shortly after. And as the rumors began, Brown shared that he told his agent he didn't want to be with the Eagles anymore. "Just talked to my agent. Had a one-on-one sit-down, and he got the green light from me," Brown said. "I was kind of behind the scenes. I wasn't pushing anything and he worked his magic, you know? So, we're here." It had been reported for months that the Patriots would be the likely landing spot for Brown. There were a few reasons why New England would've enticed Brown, too. The Patriots were coming off a Super Bowl run, with Drake Maye emerging as one of the NFL's top quarterbacks. On top of that, heading to New England means that Brown will reunite with his former Titans head coach, Mike Vrabel. But as Brown landed with a team that many thought was an ideal landing spot for him, he denied that he requested to only be traded to a certain team. "I kind of let [my agent] handle that," Brown said. "Obviously, I know it's my career, but I trust him in that area, in that space. That's your job. We talked about a few things, not to get into details, but I let him know all of it. Like I said, it was one of those things where I sat back and enjoyed my family each and every day. That's my only focus: being the best father and husband I can be."

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A.J. Brown Earns High Praise From Patriots: ‘Closest Thing I’ve Seen Is Gronk’

A.J. Brown has already made a strong impression on his new team. The New England Patriots' newest wide receiver received strong praise from head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Tuesday. In fact, after seeing Brown practice for the first time since the Patriots traded for him on Monday, McDaniels compared the star wideout to one of the greatest Patriots players of all time. "There’s a force to the way he plays the game … Maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk," McDaniels told reporters, referring to former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. "This is a big guy." Gronkowski became synonymous with the Patriots’ physical identity during his career, dominating defenders with his size, strength and presence in the red zone. Gronkowski logged 79 touchdown receptions in his nine seasons with the Patriots, as New England hopes Brown can be its next great red zone threat. Vrabel believes that Brown can not only succeed in that role, but he also thinks the wide receiver can bring a similar edge to New England’s offense that Gronkowski once did. "I think he loves football," Vrabel told reporters on Tuesday. "I think that he has a physical skill set. I think he’s got great body control. I think he’s strong at the catch point, but I also think he’s grown as a player and wide receiver." Vrabel has seen Brown’s development firsthand. He coached Brown for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, seeing the 2019 second-round pick quickly blossom into one of the NFL's top pass-catchers. As the two team up again for the first time since 2021, Vrabel still has a unique understanding of what Brown can bring both on and off the field. "Just the nuances of release versus press or playing versus bracketed coverages," Vrabel said. "[Brown] plays physical with the football and has been a productive and physical player." Brown’s ability to overpower defenders while still creating separation has made him one of the league’s toughest matchups at the position. That type of talent has helped Brown log six 1,000-yard seasons in his first seven years, reaching that threshold again in 2025 in what many thought was a down season for the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver. Vrabel believes those traits can help elevate the Patriots' offense moving forward, as the team looks to make another Super Bowl run in 2026. "I’m just excited to add the player," Vrabel said. "I know that the football team is looking forward to having him at practice and get acclimated and whatever that looks like today. For Brown, reuniting with Vrabel and officially being traded to the Patriots still hasn’t fully sunk in. He described the move as feeling almost like "heaven," capturing just how surreal the moment has been now that it’s become reality. "Just trying to take it all in as much as I can," Brown told reporters. "Obviously, I got back to work quickly, but there are levels to it. I’m enjoying it. Obviously, I know this ain’t heaven, but it’s close to it."

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A.J. Brown Earns High Praise From Patriots: ‘Closest Thing I’ve Seen Is Gronk’

A.J. Brown has already made a strong impression on his new team. The New England Patriots' newest wide receiver received strong praise from head coach Mike Vrabel and offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels on Tuesday. In fact, after seeing Brown practice for the first time since the Patriots traded for him on Monday, McDaniels compared the star wideout to one of the greatest Patriots players of all time. "There’s a force to the way he plays the game … Maybe the closest thing I’ve seen is Gronk," McDaniels told reporters, referring to former Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski. "This is a big guy." Gronkowski became synonymous with the Patriots’ physical identity during his career, dominating defenders with his size, strength and presence in the red zone. Gronkowski logged 79 touchdown receptions in his nine seasons with the Patriots, as New England hopes Brown can be its next great red zone threat. Vrabel believes that Brown can not only succeed in that role, but he also thinks the wide receiver can bring a similar edge to New England’s offense that Gronkowski once did. "I think he loves football," Vrabel told reporters on Tuesday. "I think that he has a physical skill set. I think he’s got great body control. I think he’s strong at the catch point, but I also think he’s grown as a player and wide receiver." Vrabel has seen Brown’s development firsthand. He coached Brown for three seasons with the Tennessee Titans, seeing the 2019 second-round pick quickly blossom into one of the NFL's top pass-catchers. As the two team up again for the first time since 2021, Vrabel still has a unique understanding of what Brown can bring both on and off the field. "Just the nuances of release versus press or playing versus bracketed coverages," Vrabel said. "[Brown] plays physical with the football and has been a productive and physical player." Brown’s ability to overpower defenders while still creating separation has made him one of the league’s toughest matchups at the position. That type of talent has helped Brown log six 1,000-yard seasons in his first seven years, reaching that threshold again in 2025 in what many thought was a down season for the former Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver. Vrabel believes those traits can help elevate the Patriots' offense moving forward, as the team looks to make another Super Bowl run in 2026. "I’m just excited to add the player," Vrabel said. "I know that the football team is looking forward to having him at practice and get acclimated and whatever that looks like today. For Brown, reuniting with Vrabel and officially being traded to the Patriots still hasn’t fully sunk in. He described the move as feeling almost like "heaven," capturing just how surreal the moment has been now that it’s become reality. "Just trying to take it all in as much as I can," Brown told reporters. "Obviously, I got back to work quickly, but there are levels to it. I’m enjoying it. Obviously, I know this ain’t heaven, but it’s close to it."

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Browns GM Andrew Berry On Myles Garrett Trade: Jared Verse 'A Perfect DNA Match'

Everything we expected to happen in the NFL on June 1 transpired. The Philadelphia Eagles traded star wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. Odell Beckham Jr. reunited with the New York Giants. And the Los Angeles Rams acquired superstar defensive end Myles Garrett from the Cleveland Browns. Wait, what's that last one? Yes, Garrett, who set the NFL single-season record with 23.0 sacks last season, was traded to the Rams in one of the biggest deals in league history. For Garrett, the Browns received a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, a 2029 third-rounder and third-year linebacker Jared Verse, whose addition excited Browns general manager Andrew Berry. "He's a huge part of this return for us. Jared is an outstanding football player — a former Defensive Rookie of the Year and a two-time regional ballot Pro Bowler," Berry said about Verse when discussing the blockbuster trade at a press conference on Tuesday. "He's a perfect DNA match for our attacking front. He's really a terror in both phases, both as a run defender and a pass rusher. We are really, really excited about adding him to our team. "He allows us to continue to play defense at a high level, which has been our standard over the past several seasons, and we're really excited to welcome him into the organization." Verse, whom the Rams selected with the No. 19 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft out of Florida State, was the 2024 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in a campaign that saw him total 4.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and 66 combined tackles in the regular season and then two sacks and a 57-yard scoop-and-score across two postseason games. Last season, Verse racked up 7.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and 58 combined tackles. Verse, a Pro Bowler in each of his first two seasons (2024 and 2025), was second in the NFL in hits (20), fourth in forced fumbles (three) and solo tackles (38), fifth in assists (18) and sixth in hurries (52) in 2025, according to Pro Football Focus. Verse joins a Cleveland defense that was third in the NFL in opponent passing yards (167.2 per game), fourth in opponent total yards (283.6 per game), 14th in opponent points (22.3 per game) and 16th in opponent rushing yards (116.4 per game) last season. Granted, all that happened with Garrett, a two-time Defensive Player of the Year and five-time All-Pro. The Browns have a new head coach in former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken, whose defense coordinator is former Atlanta Falcons defensive pass game coordinator and New York Jets linebackers coach Mike Rutenberg.

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Best Super Bowl Betting Sites & Sportsbook Promos

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Football is here! Super Bowl LXI will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers — on Feb. 14, 2027. The Super Bowl is a prime opportunity for sports betting, so it is time to look at the best Super Bowl betting sites. Sports betting is legal in several states via licensed sportsbook. In this guide, we'll cover top Super Bowl betting sites and apps, as well as top sportsbook promos. Best Super Bowl Betting Sites 2026 When it comes to betting on the Super Bowl, there are numerous opportunities available across various sportsbooks, as it is arguably the biggest betting event of the year. Between DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365 and Caesars, there’s a betting opportunity for all. New users can also stack promotions across multiple books before deciding which sportsbook best fits their betting style. Don’t settle on just one — claim as many offers as possible to maximize your bonus value, then stick with the book that feels right for you. Here are the best Super Bowl betting sites you can use for 2026. DraftKings Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict FanDuel Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict BetMGM Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Fanatics Sportsbook Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict bet365 Overview Welcome Bonus Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Caesars Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Best Super Bowl Betting Promos & Welcome Offers Like with many websites in general, there are incentives just for signing up. If you create accounts at these popular sports gambling sites, usually you will get some form of welcome offer. Let's check out the options. DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $200 Instantly New DraftKings customers can bet $5 and get $200 instantly. The instant credit gives you immediate flexibility, and adds strong football-season value. Deposit at least $10, place a $5 qualifying wager (minimum odds often -500 or longer), and the bonus bets arrive right away. This is a Bet & Get offer; bonus bets typically expire in 7 days and only winnings are withdrawable. FanDuel: Bet $5, Win, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Place a $5 first cash wager and, if it wins, you’ll receive $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. No promo code is needed. This suits bettors who already like a favorite and want extra upside on a small first play. Deposit $5 or more, place your first $5+ cash bet, and if it wins FanDuel credits the bonus (usually within about 72 hours). This is a Bet & Get (win-triggered) offer; bonus bets generally expire in 7 days, and only bonus winnings can be withdrawn. BetMGM: First Bet Offer up to $1,500 paid back in Bonus Bets if your first wager loses With BetMGM, your first wager is protected up to $1,500 with promo code FOXSPORTS. If it loses, BetMGM refunds you in bonus bets. No promo code is required in-app. This "safety net" is ideal if you want to take a bigger first swing with less downside. Deposit at least $10, place your first cash bet of $10+, and if it loses you’ll get a refund in bonus bets (bets $50+ are typically split into five equal tokens; <$50 returns as one token). This is a First-Bet Safety Net; bonus bets usually expire in 7 days and only winnings are withdrawable. bet365: Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (win or lose) Bet365’s welcome is simple: wager $10 and get $200 in Bonus Bets, win or lose with promo code FOX365. The low qualifier and outcome-independent credit make this one of the easiest ways to get started. Deposit $10+ and place a $5+ qualifying bet to unlock the bonus after settlement. This is a Bet & Get offer; bonus bets typically expire in 7 days, only the winnings can be withdrawn, and a minimum-odds requirement applies (often -500 or longer). Fanatics: Get a 100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days. Fanatics often runs Bet & Get structured promotions, such as a daily match on bets (e.g. Get a 100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days.)— though the specific Indiana offer must be confirmed. Sign up today. Caesars: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers with Code 'FOXDYW' The Caesars Sportsbook promo code FOXDYW allows new users to bet $1 and double their winnings on their next 10 wagers with 10 × 100% Profit Boost tokens. Check it out here. Popular Super Bowl Betting Markets There are multiple ways to bet on the Super Bowl that involve the score of the game, player statistics and even Gatorade bath color. Let's take a look at a few major betting markets. Moneyline & Point Spread A moneyline bet is the simplest form of wagering — you’re just picking which side will win the game outright, disregarding the score. The odds determine how much money you will make. Heading into the Super Bowl, there will be a favorite and an underdog. A heavy favorite might only return a small profit, while backing the underdog can lead to more money if they pull off the upset. The point spread is the expected final score difference between two teams. If the spread is 3 points, you'll see that as both -3 and +3. The team that is favored to win the Super Bowl gets the minus-number (-3); the underdog gets the plus-number (+3). If the favorite is -3, that means it must win by more than three points to cover the spread. If the underdog is +3, that means it must lose by fewer than three points or win outright to cover the spread. Totals (Over/Under) An Over/Under bet, also called a total, is a wager on the combined number of points, runs, or goals scored in a game. So for the Super Bowl, the sportsbook sets a line, and bettors choose whether the final score will go over (more than the posted total) or under (less than the posted total). Player Props A player prop bet is a wager on an outcome other than the final score, like player stats in the Super Bowl. Examples include: Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) A same-game parlay (SGP) is a wager in which you bet on multiple outcomes occurring from one specific game. Unlike a traditional parlay, SGPs focus solely on events within this one specific game, such as the Super Bowl. A bettor could wager on the moneyline, spread and how many passing TDs for a quarterback in the Super Bowl on a single betting slip. Novelty Props Novelty props are wagers that don't always relate directly to the outcome of the game. Examples include: Super Bowl Live Betting Sites Live betting (also called in-play betting) is just that: instead of betting before the game, you are actually gambling as the game is going on. This kind of gambling is prominent in the Super Bowl because of the high viewership, frequent stoppages, and dynamic odds changes. Examples of live betting include wagering on the next scoring play, updated point spreads, or quarter/half totals. The benefits of live betting include reacting to game flow, hedging and capitalizing on momentum shifts, and potential drawbacks include fast-moving odds and risk of impulsive bets. Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here.

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Texans QB C.J. Stroud On Potential Extension: 'I've Held My Bargain Up'

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud can sling it, but the results have been a mixed bag over three years, with roaring highs and concerning lows. Now, it's decision time, as Stroud is extension-eligible. What are the 2023 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year's thoughts on the matter? "I let my agent handle that [extension talks]. If it's time to do it, then it is. My job is football. That's what I'm focused on, just getting better. I think I've held my bargain up," Stroud said at the Texans' OTAs on Thursday, according to ESPN. "Whatever happens, happens." In the aforementioned 2023 campaign, which also saw Stroud earn a Pro Bowl nod, he totaled 4,108 passing yards, 23 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 100.8 passer rating (sixth among NFL quarterbacks) across 15 regular-season games, while completing 63.9% of his passes (22nd) in a year that saw Houston win the AFC South at 10-7 and make the playoffs for the first time since 2019; they defeated the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round. Stroud & Co. followed up 2023 with another 10-win season, a division title and a wild-card round victory over the Los Angeles Chargers in 2024. At the same time, they were again eliminated in the divisional round, this time by the Kansas City Chiefs. In the regular season, Stroud threw for 3,727 yards, 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, while posting an 87.0 passer rating (25th) and completing 63.2% of his passes (27th). Then, last season, Stroud posted 3,041 passing yards, 19 passing touchdowns, eight interceptions and a 92.9 passer rating (17th) across 14 regular-season games, while completing 64.5% of his passes (20th). Houston won the AFC South and reached the divisional round for a third consecutive season, going 12-5. However, the Texans were also eliminated in the divisional round for a third consecutive season, with Stroud throwing four interceptions against the New England Patriots in the season-ending loss. "I am a motivated person regardless. Of course, [the playoff struggle] helps," Stroud said. "I have learned to let failures and successes go quickly." Regardless of one's view of Stroud, he's likely to become a top-10, if not top-five paid quarterback given the contracts that a handful of signal-callers who are arguably in the same ballpark as him from a sheer pedigree standpoint have received; Trevor Lawrence and Jordan Love are in a four-way tie with Josh Allen and Joe Burrow for being the second-highest paid quarterback in the sport with a $55 million average annual value in their respective contracts; Brock Purdy and Jared Goff are tied for sixth among quarterbacks with a $53 million average annual value in their respective deals. The Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Ohio State; they exercised his fifth-year option for 2027 in April.

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Nick Bosa Expects to Be 'On Track' for 49ers Season Opener Following Knee Surgery

Nick Bosa is encouraged by the pace of his recovery from another major knee surgery and believes he's on track to return to the field during training camp and start the season on time for the San Francisco 49ers. That wasn't always the case for the star edge rusher in the early days after he had his third major knee injury of his career when he tore the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in Week 3 last season. "It was rough early on, obviously," Bosa said Thursday in his first news conference since the injury last September. "You just want to be able to play, especially how good things were going for the defense and me personally. I felt I was at a pretty high level to start the year. Then as you start out wanting to quit, never play again and never put your body in that position again. Then slowly you realize that you love this game and you want to get back to it. I never doubted that I could get back to where I am." The reports so far on Bosa's recovery have been positive and he is on target to be back on the field this summer. Bosa said his previous experiences with this type of injury helped him during the rehabilitation process. He said he did a better job not rushing the recovery, knowing he had more than 11 months between the injury and the start of the 2026 season. "When I did it in ’20, it was just like ... get back, push every milestone as hard as you possibly can," Bosa said. "I probably dealt with some stuff that I didn’t need to deal with in terms of just kind of the bumps in the road of recovery. Now, I’m taking it slow and I kind of have references to go back and look at." Bosa's return will be a key help for a 49ers defense that ranked last in the NFL last season with 20 sacks. Bosa has had at least nine sacks in the five seasons when he didn't get hurt in the opening month as he has been one of the most productive edge rushers ever since being drafted second overall in 2019. Bosa has made the Pro Bowl in all five of his healthy seasons and won the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2022, when he led the league with 18 1/2 sacks. Bosa’s 74 1/2 sacks in the regular season and playoffs are the fifth-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 2019 despite missing nearly two full seasons. His 280 total pressures rank fourth-most in the NFL in that span, according to Sportradar. No Bosa brother reunion Bosa didn't seem optimistic about a possible reunion with his older brother, Joey, who remains unsigned after playing last season in Buffalo. "I think he’s working on his golf game right now, so I don’t think he is thinking too much about football," Nick Bosa said. Joey Bosa turns 31 in July and is coming off a season when he had five sacks in 15 games for the Bills. While the 49ers could use more juice at pass rush, adding Bosa doesn't seem to be a likely option at this point. "I look at our team as kind of we have our team and anyone else that we can figure out to bring, especially someone like that, that’d be awesome," coach Kyle Shanahan said. "But that stuff’s not always possible." Isaac Guerendo injures pectoral muscle Running back Isaac Guerendo's chance to bounce back from a disappointing second season hit a setback when he tore a pectoral muscle lifting weights. Shanahan said he expects Guerendo to be sidelined until late in training camp. Guerendo showed promise as a rookie after being drafted in the fourth round in 2024, rushing for 430 yards on 84 carries with four touchdowns. But Guerendo fell to third team last season after the team acquired Brian Robinson to back up Christian McCaffrey. Guerendo didn't get on the field for a single offensive snap all season, being relegated to special teams duties. The Niners also waived running back Sincere McCormick and signed running backs Jermar Jefferson and Jordan Mims for depth in the offseason. Safety Darrick Forrest was placed on injured reserve. Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Rams WR Puka Nacua Says Rehab Has Improved His Life, Not Thinking Much About Extension

Puka Nacua says he is thinking less about his contract situation with the Los Angeles Rams these days and more about how to be a good father, friend and teammate after his eventful offseason. The Rams' All-Pro receiver gave some details about the changes in his life over the past several months after the Rams' organized team activities Thursday. Nacua hadn't spoken at length publicly since he spent time in a holistic rehabilitation facility and was sued for allegedly biting a woman and making an antisemitic statement on New Year's Eve. "I feel like I’ve learned is it’s OK to ask for support," Nacua said. Nacua described his time in rehab as "a short stint," and he hasn't missed any offseason workouts heading into his fourth season with the Rams. But the two-time Pro Bowl selection also says he has worked with a team therapist and attended unspecified weekly meetings in recent months, and he is trying to improve the structure of his day-to-day life. "Little did I know that even just writing in a journal, as simple as that, and finding ways to express some of the things I have near and dear to my heart ... it’s been a great improvement in my life," Nacua said. Nacua entered the rehab facility early in the offseason, apparently before he was sued in March by a woman who claims he made an antisemitic statement and bit her on the shoulder. Plaintiff Madison Atiabi also claims Nacua bit her friend’s thumb during a night of partying. Nacua also issued a public apology last December after he performed a gesture that plays upon antisemitic tropes while appearing on an internet livestream. He also made sharply critical comments against NFL officials on social media. Nacua turns 25 years old on Friday, and the prolific receiver says he has turned a corner in his off-the-field life. His son was born last October, shortly before trouble started for Nacua off the field during his wildly prolific season for the Rams, who reached the NFC championship game. Nacua led the NFL with 129 catches and ranked second with 1,715 yards receiving and 10 touchdowns, earning unanimous All-Pro honors. "I have a young son, and I think of the things that I have the opportunity to share with him, and the great things that I’ve been able to accomplish, and to enjoy those moments, but also to teach him in some of the mistakes I’ve made," Nacua said. "There’s an opportunity for him to learn before some of those wrong decisions can be made." Nacua will be at the center of the Rams' passing game this fall alongside Davante Adams and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford, but Nacua is also entering the final year of his rookie contract. Nacua and the Rams have not yet reached an agreement on a long-term contract extension, although general manager Les Snead has a history of finalizing big deals shortly before the start of training camp. When asked if he could envision playing in 2026 without an extension, Nacua made it clear he leaves that side of his life up to his agent. "I haven’t really thought about it," Nacua said. "I enjoy playing football. It’s been the biggest dream come true. So to be out here, and play for this organization specifically, has been awesome. I couldn’t imagine myself playing anywhere else, but it’s been fun to go out here and be around these guys, and hopefully let all those things handle themselves." Reporting by The Associated Press.

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NFL Offseason Check-In: Why Browns QB Deshaun Watson Might Bounce Back in 2026

If you are looking for a comeback story to watch in 2026, you might want to pay close attention to Deshaun Watson’s re-emergence as a starting quarterback with the Cleveland Browns under new coach Todd Monken. Early reports out of Cleveland assert that Watson has impressed at organized team activities and moved ahead of Shedeur Sanders as the club's QB1. While it is far too late for Watson to live up to his historic contract — $230 million fully guaranteed over five years after the Browns traded six draft picks just to acquire him — he could line himself up for another starting job, or perhaps extend his stay in Cleveland, with a bounce-back campaign that reminds the football world of his spectacular talents as a playmaking wizard from the pocket. Now, I certainly understand why the doubters are rolling their eyes at that statement. It's been a while since we've seen the best of Watson, who's now 30 years old. But the recent reclamations of Sam Darnold, Baker Mayfield and Geno Smith should create some optimism that Watson can turn things around under a head coach who believes in his game and brings a system that will showcase his talent. Monken is coming off a three-year stint where he helped Lamar Jackson claim his second MVP award (and nearly a third), while completing 66% of his passes for 10,399 yards with 86 touchdowns and just 18 interceptions over 46 games. Jackson finished with a passer rating of at least 102.7 in each of those seasons and averaged a sparkling 8.4 yards per pass attempt during that span. Those numbers are especially notable because Jackson transitioned from a run-heavy offense to a spread system that featured more downfield throws and a renewed commitment to a quick-rhythm passing game. With Monken pulling from his experience as a playcaller on the collegiate level, the Baltimore Ravens utilized more spread formations and Air Raid concepts to make the game easy for their electric QB. Watson once enjoyed similar success during his time with the Houston Texans, directing a wide-open offense under Bill O’Brien. The former first-rounder completed 67.8% of his passes for 14,539 passing yards with 104 touchdowns and 36 interceptions for a 104.5 passer rating during his first four seasons. With an 8.3 yards-per-attempt average over his 54-game stint in Houston, Watson clearly excelled in the "spread and shred" system, mirroring the offense in which he flourished while leading Clemson to a national title in 2016. The skeptics will point out that Watson’s recent struggles and injuries should not be ignored, as we have not seen the former Pro Bowler at his peak since 2020. He has seemingly lost his mojo after sitting out all of 2021, serving an 11-game suspension in 2022 for violating the NFL’s personal conduct policy following more than two dozen allegations of sexual assault, and dealing with injuries to his throwing shoulder and Achilles between 2023-25. Watson has appeared in just 19 out of a possible 85 games over the past five seasons and his last NFL action came in October 2024. However, the Browns’ ill-fitting scheme also contributed heavily to Watson’s struggles. Although Kevin Stefanski’s under-center, play-action-heavy system has worked well for some passers, Watson never found his rhythm within the scheme, as evidenced by his woeful numbers (61.2% completion rate, 3,365 pass yards, 19 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 80.7 passer rating) over those 19 games. Whether it was rust, resistance or a complete regression, Watson's subpar play is one of the most puzzling developments we have witnessed in recent years. That said, I'm reminded of what Hall of Fame executive Ron Wolf once told me he learned from the late Al Davis: Don't give up on a blue-chip talent because a new voice or environment could unlock their potential. Although that discussion was part of a conversation about first-round picks getting multiple chances in the league, the point resonates in this scenario, given Monken’s arrival as the Browns' new head coach and playcaller and Watson's early-career pedigree. For as mightily as Watson has struggled since arriving in Cleveland four years ago, he was a three-time Pro Bowler in Houston and widely viewed as a top-five QB. "Any time that you have a player that at one time has exhibited the skill set at an elite level," Monken reportedly said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February, "I think you're always going to give them the benefit of the doubt that somehow we might be able to get that out of him again, and I think that's how you should look at every player." By giving Watson a clean slate and implementing a system that is more suited to his skills, the Browns are holding out hope for the player who once led the league in passing (4,823 yards in 2020) and set a Texans’ franchise record with 33 touchdowns in the same season. The team is hoping a new scheme and upgraded supporting cast will help Watson get back to the pinpoint passing that made him one of the most feared young quarterbacks in the game. From a schematic standpoint, Monken’s emphasis on the deep ball and quick game from shotgun formations should tap into Watson’s skills as a rhythmic passer. The 6-foot-3, 223-pound Watson excelled at "catch it and rip it" concepts early in his career based on his extensive experience throwing quicks, screens and RPOs at Clemson. Additionally, he is a pinpoint passer on deep balls with his rainbow-arcing tosses routinely flying over the top of the defense. The Texans took advantage of his skills by surrounding him with speedsters and "catch-and-run" specialists (Will Fuller, Brandin Cooks, Kenny Stills and Randall Cobb) who could track down his deep tosses or transform his quick passes into chunk gains on the perimeter. With perennial Pro Bowler DeAndre Hopkins dominating as a WR1, the team put enough playmakers around Watson to enable him to target the entire field. Cleveland can mimic that blueprint after drafting KC Concepcion, Denzel Boston and Joe Royer this past April to play alongside Jerry Jeudy, Isaiah Bond and Harold Fannin Jr. While the offseason moves were not made with Watson in mind, he should benefit from a more diverse and explosive receiving corps around him. With a rebuilt offensive line featuring a mix of veteran free-agent signees and trade acquisitions (Zion Johnson, Elgton Jenkins and Tytus Howard) and a top-10 draft pick (Spencer Fano), the Browns have a set of "trench warriors" in front of Watson who should keep him upright and protected in the pocket. Moreover, the unit should move defenders off the ball to give the Browns a credible running game, thereby alleviating some of the pressure on the quarterback to carry the offense. While it is hard to envision a player bouncing back from a five-year span of subpar play and injuries, Darnold just won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks after flopping with the Jets and the Panthers over five seasons before mastering his craft as a backup with the 49ers and delivering a spectacular campaign with the Vikings in 2024. Mayfield also endured a roller-coaster ride as a former No. 1 overall pick who was dismissed from his original team (the Browns) and booted from his second squad (the Panthers) before turning the corner with the Rams and the Buccaneers. Smith is probably the best example of an improbable comeback after earning back-to-back Pro Bowl berths in Seattle (2022-23) after a six-year hiatus from a starting role. He served as a backup in four different organizations before eventually replacing Russell Wilson as the Seahawks’ starter following a two-year apprenticeship. The veteran’s odyssey shows the importance of finding the right scheme and environment to flourish as a starter. Moreover, it is a tale that should give Browns fans hope that Watson, should he win the starting job, can play like the franchise quarterback the Dawg Pound expected him to be all along — if only for a season.

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J.J. McCarthy Uses ‘Classroom’ Analogy to Describe Relationship With Kyler Murray

The combination of skills and experience Kyler Murray carried with him to the Minnesota Vikings has made him their presumptive starting quarterback this upcoming season, even if the coaching staff declared an open competition for the job with J.J. McCarthy. In his first public comments since Murray was cut by the starting-over Arizona Cardinals and signed with the eager-to-contend Vikings, McCarthy sounded as though he understood the situation but did not necessarily appreciate it. "Look, the organization made a decision that they feel like is going to improve the depth and the quality of the room," McCarthy said Wednesday after the first offseason practice session the team opened to reporters. "All I’m thinking about is continuing the upward trajectory that I set for myself last season — that last quarter of the season — and continuing to be the best version of me every single day." Asked directly if he was disappointed that the Vikings acquired Murray, McCarthy said, "Then I would be disappointed if the rain fell. That’s out of my control. At the end of the day, I’ve just got to focus on what I can do to be the best quarterback for this football team." As for his nascent relationship with Murray, McCarthy said there's no awkwardness between them but, well, sure didn't sound warm about it in his terse response. "It’s just like two guys in a classroom. He sits on one side. I sit on the other side. And it’s the coaches responsibility to teach us and coach us," McCarthy said. Murray, for his part, didn't hesitate to speak highly of the working arrangement, which is undoubtedly easier to do as an eighth-year player in the NFL with multiple standout seasons on his resume. Murray said McCarthy has been "overly" receptive to his input as a veteran with 87 starts. "We’re both competitors. I know we both want what’s best for the team," Murray said. "He’s always communicating, asking questions, stuff like that, so it’s been good." Murray has deftly dodged any discussion of depth chart expectation. Even with all of the assets the Vikings offer — from top-notch facilities to a quarterback-friendly head coach in Kevin O'Connell to star wide receiver Justin Jefferson — he likely wouldn't have picked Minnesota on a one-year minimum-salary contract if he didn't think he'd be the starter. Whether the job was privately promised to him or not hardly matters. "My confidence is unshakeable. That’s how I feel about myself," Murray said. "Regardless of what happens day to day, I know the next day I’m coming out here giving my best effort." McCarthy declined to specify whether he's made any changes to his throwing mechanics, after being dogged by erratic performances during his injury-impacted rocky debut. He has spent plenty of time since the offseason began, however, working on the field with Jefferson. "Just building those on-time and on-rhythm passes for each concept and each route," McCarthy said. "It’s just tremendous to be around that guy every single day." When Vikings players reconvened last month to begin the formal offseason training program, Jefferson spoke candidly to reporters about his excitement over Murray's arrival — and his expectation for McCarthy’s improvement. "It’s good to get some good talent in that room to kind of give a little spark in that room, to see a competitive edge from those guys to lock in and do what we’re expecting them to do, which is to come in and to be that guy," said Jefferson, the two-time All-Pro who has entered his seventh year in the NFL. "We have great talent in that room, especially for J.J. to get that spark in him and for Kyler to come from Arizona and continue that spark." Assuming Murray wins the job this season, his mobility ought to open up more space for Jefferson down the field. "Definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he’s shown countless times over the years," Jefferson said. "For J.J., somebody into that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit. So it’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now, or I’m going to take that backseat again.'" Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Why Mark Schlereth Thinks Cowboys Should Be Favored To Win NFC East

The Dallas Cowboys missed the playoffs for a second straight season in 2025, going 7-9-1 in Brian Schottenheimer's first year as head coach. But that isn't stopping FOX Sports NFL analyst Mark Schlereth from being bullish about the Cowboys ahead of the 2026 season. Schlereth not only thinks that Dallas can eclipse its projected win total of 9.5, but he wouldn't be surprised if the Cowboys usurped the Philadelphia Eagles and won the NFC East. "I think they have plenty of talent. I think this is a football team that can dominate both lines of scrimmage," Schlereth said on "The Herd." "That, to me, says the Dallas Cowboys are frontrunners to win their division." While the Cowboys invested in a heavy defensive roster, which includes No. 11 overall pick safety Caleb Downs and No. 23 overall pick Malachi Lawrence, Dallas also spent time redesigning its offensive line look. Already, the foundation of the offensive line is set up with Tyler Guyton, Tyler Smith, Cooper Beebe, Tyler Booker and Terrance Steele as the projected starters. However, their depth is what seems to be the game-changer for how they’ll perform this year with fourth-round pick Drew Shelton and T.J. Bass. On the other side of the ball, the front seven emerged as a major storyline for the Cowboys this offseason. After last year's blockbuster trade of edge rusher Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers, Dallas struggled, finishing last in yards allowed per game. Now anchored by edge rushers Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, their offseason additions — edge rushers Rashan Gary from the Packers and Lawrence — make the Cowboys' front seven dangerous going into a difficult 2026 schedule. Schlereth emphasized the importance of being talented at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, and said that it will be a massive turning point for the Cowboys' success this season. "You control both lines of scrimmage in the National Football League, you’re going to win a lot of football games. That’s what jumps off the page to me more than CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens," Schlerth said. Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens were two of the NFL’s best at their position in 2025 as they caught passes from quarterback Dak Prescott. Pickens finished third in the NFL in receiving yards with 1,429 and Lamb finished 11th with 1,077 despite his injuries. With the Cowboys revamping their roster in a major way this offseason, their projected win total has climbed at some sports books. FanDuel Sportsbook has Dallas' win total set at 9.5 wins. While that mark is one of the higher projected win totals in the league, Schlereth thinks the Cowboys will easily clear the mark of 9.5 wins. "I’d hammer the over," Schlereth said. "One thing I will say about the Dallas Cowboys is … where they have invested is a young offensive line that can hammer people, they can beat up on people, and now they’ve invested defensively in their front seven."

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Cowherd Reacts to Stafford's Extension: ‘Win A Super Bowl Now And Next Year'

The 2026 NFL MVP hinted at a return in February and put it in writing this week – Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford is officially suiting up for the 2026 season. Stafford, who led the NFL in passing yards and touchdown passes last season, inked a one-year extension with the Rams worth up to $55 million. FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd believes the Rams’ recent draft class made it possible to extend Stafford while keeping a talented defense intact. "The Rams can do that and pay that because they’ve drafted so well, but in about two years, they’ve got some really good players and money’s going to be due with a lot of them on defense," Cowherd said on Friday's edition of The Herd. Los Angeles' returning lineup plus Stafford instantly makes them an early favorite to win the Super Bowl next year. Their defense also received an upgrade with their blockbuster trade of veteran cornerback Trent McDuffie. Come the NFL Draft, the Rams used their first-round selection on quarterback Ty Simpson, which became one of the most shocking picks of the draft. Los Angeles had been projected to select a weapon player, like a wide receiver or a tight end with their first round pick. Although Simpson's selection could’ve been questionable for the Rams, FOX Sports' Rob Rang still saw Simpson as a perfect fit. "Prior to the draft, I listed the Rams as one of the cleanest fits for Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson. His pre-snap recognition and accuracy project quite well to Sean McVay’s offense, and with Matthew Stafford already in place, Simpson will have the opportunity to learn from the sideline, rather than get pushed onto the field prematurely," Rang wrote. Simpson led the Alabama Crimson Tide to their first College Football Playoff appearance with coach Kalen DeBoer at the helm. After a first round win over Oklahoma, the Tide fell in a brutal 38-3 loss at the Rose Bowl to eventual champions Indiana in the quarterfinals. Now, Simpson will prepare to take over the Rams offense when it comes time for Stafford to hang up the cleats. The Rams' returning offense still has wide receivers Puka Nacua and Devonte Adams, tight end Colby Parkinson and running back pair Blake Corum and Kyren Williams. Cowherd also saw the Simpson pick as the right call, especially if Stafford potentially retires following his extension. "This is why I defended the Ty Simpson pick…They're trying to master two timelines. The number one timeline is: Win a Super Bowl now and next year. The 2nd timeline is: To have their QB in place without getting into a bidding war in two years." Last year, the Rams fell short of a title, when they lost to eventual Super Bowl LX champions the Seattle Seahawks in the NFC Championship. It was their first time back in the conference title game since their Super Bowl LVI win in 2022. Now, with Stafford’s official return, the Rams are already positioned to make another deep run this season. The Rams officially open up the 2026 season in Melbourne (the first ever NFL regular season game in Australia) with an NFC West game against the San Francisco 49ers on Sept. 10.

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Top 10 QBs Of All-Time: Where Does Aaron Rodgers Rank Ahead Of Final Season?

After years of retirement rumors, Aaron Rodgers made it official on Wednesday. The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback announced that the 2026 season will be his last. While the last few seasons haven't been kind to Rodgers, he sealed his place as one of the greatest players in pro football history well before his time with the Green Bay Packers came to an end. He is a lock to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and he may eventually get a street named after him in Green Bay. And Rodgers' name will come up whenever a discussion is held on the greatest quarterbacks of all time. The only debate will be about how high on the list he should rank. So, with Rodgers entering his 22nd and final NFL season, where does he fit on the all-time quarterbacks list? Here are my top 10 quarterbacks to ever play the game. Easily the greatest quarterback to never win a Super Bowl. Dan Marino did lead the Miami Dolphins to one appearance, though, in his spectacular second season. That year, he became the first quarterback to ever top 5,000 passing yards and 40 passing touchdowns in a single season and was the NFL’s MVP. Known for his lightning-quick release, he was the most prolific passer of the 1980s and early ‘90s. He still ranks 10th all-time in passing yardage (61,361) and eighth all-time in passing touchdowns (420). Ernie Accorsi, the long-time NFL general manager who worked for the Baltimore Colts during the Unitas era, once told me, "The definition of leadership was watching Johnny Unitas get off the team bus." Unitas had an aura and confidence about him at a time when quarterbacks were just beginning to be superstars in the league. In fact, he helped set up the modern passing era with his golden right arm, leading the Colts to three championships and winning three MVPs. His numbers may pale in comparison to the modern stars, but in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s, he dominated the league. Drew Brees might be the most prolific, high-volume passer of all time. He was one of only two quarterbacks ever to top 80,000 career yards (80,358) and he led the NFL in passing seven times in his 20 seasons. He is also second all-time with 571 passing touchdowns. Despite being just 6-feet tall, he had remarkable accuracy, completing 67.7% of his career passes. He led the NFL in that category six times, topped 70% in seven of his seasons and set the all-time record when he completed 74.4% of his passes in 2018. He went to 13 Pro Bowls and was the Super Bowl MVP when the New Orleans Saints won their only championship. John Elway wasn’t as prolific as some of his counterparts in the 1980s and ‘90s, but he did lead the Denver Broncos to five Super Bowls. And when he capped his career with back-to-back Super Bowl championships, his place in the top 10 was secured. Elway won an MVP, too, and he finished with impressive career numbers. His 51,475 passing yards ranked second all-time when he retired and currently sit in 12th, while his 300 passing touchdowns ranked third when he retired and still rank 14th. Those are impressive marks considering the rise of the passing game since Elway retired. More importantly, Elway retired as the winningest quarterback in NFL history with 148 victories — a number that still ranks seventh all-time. Brett Favre was the definition of a "gunslinger. The Green Bay Packers icon was one of the most prolific passers in NFL history … and is still the all-time leader in interceptions (366, including the playoffs). But Favre was a master of the broken play, with the ability to turn scrambles into dazzling, highlight-reel throws. He was an 11-time Pro Bowler and a Super Bowl champion. He is also the only player in NFL history to win three straight MVP awards (1995-97), a remarkable feat. Favre's 71,838 passing yards still rank fourth all-time, and his 508 touchdown passes are still the fifth-most. What might have made Favre different, though, was his Iron Man status. He set a position player record with 297 consecutive starts in his career — 321 straight when the playoffs are included. Now entering his final season, Aaron Rodgers is 42 and still putting up respectable numbers at quarterback. But while there’s always a chance for a late-career miracle, his best days are behind him and his legacy is very secure. Rodgers is a four-time NFL MVP — one of only two players to ever win that many, and one of just five players to ever win the award in back-to-back seasons. He also took the Packers to a Super Bowl in 2010 in only his third season as a starting quarterback, while making Green Bay a playoff mainstay as he led it to four NFC Championship Games in 11 seasons. Ahead of the 2026 season, Rodgers is fifth all-time in passing yards (66,274), fourth all-time in passing touchdowns (527), with a chance to finish third. But what's made Rodgers elite is his efficiency. He currently has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in NFL history and is also the all-time leader in passer rating (102.2). Sure, Rodgers is also the most-sacked quarterback of all time (600), but you can look past that when he's put up the numbers he's had and the amount he's won. Rodgers is sixth all-time in wins with 163, and is just one last 10-win season away from finishing fourth. The scary part about Patrick Mahomes is that he’s still only 30 years old and has played just nine NFL seasons, including the year he was Alex Smith's backup. But that means his career might only be half over, and look what he’s done already: 35,939 passing yards and 267 passing touchdowns — including two seasons over 5,000 yards and one season with 50 touchdowns. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion (and Super Bowl MVP), has been to two other Super Bowls, and before he got hurt last season, he had led the Chiefs to the AFC Championship Game in each of his first seven years as their starter. He’s got a 17-4 record in the playoffs and has thrown 46 postseason touchdown passes. Only Tom Brady has thrown more and won more in the playoffs, and he might have another decade to add to a résumé that almost no one else can match. In many ways, Peyton Manning was the prototype of the modern quarterback, making him easily the most anticipated quarterback prospect ever. And Manning more than lived up to his considerable hype. He's the only five-time MVP in NFL history and led two teams to Super Bowl championships (Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos) and played in four. He might have made a couple more, too, if he hadn’t kept running into Tom Brady and the New England Patriots in the playoffs. He’s third all-time in passing yards (71,940) and passing touchdowns (539) and tied for second in wins (186). He also arguably had the best season for a quarterback in NFL history, throwing for a record 5,477 yards and 55 touchdowns with Denver in 2013. Before Tom Brady came around, "Joe Cool" was the undisputed king of NFL quarterbacks. Joe Montana set the standard in the 1980s and early ‘90s, running the Bill Walsh West Coast offense to perfection. He was a four-time Super Bowl champion, a three-time Super Bowl MVP, and didn’t throw a single interception in his 122 Super Bowl passes. Montana's Super Bowl passer rating of 127.8 is a record that still stands, and his 45 playoff touchdown passes and 16 playoff wins rank him third all-time. His career numbers aren’t dazzling (40,551 yards and 273 touchdowns), but they were a product of a different era and the fact that he was only a starter for 12 seasons. But he made the most of those dozen years, taking his teams to the playoffs 11 times. There is no debate about who is No. 1, and no one is even close. The 199th pick in the 2000 draft, Tom Brady won seven Super Bowls (more than any single franchise has ever won), five Super Bowl MVPs and three NFL MVPs. A 15-time Pro Bowler, he is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards (89,214), passing touchdowns (649) and wins (251). He’s also the all-time playoff leader in those categories (13,400 yards, 88 touchdowns, 35 wins). But Brady was unparalleled as a winner. With him leading the way, the Patriots won 17 division titles, including 11 in a row, and went to 13 AFC Championship Games, including eight in a row. He took the Patriots to nine Super Bowls, winning six, and then won one in his first year with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, too. In case you need more, Brady was the oldest NFL MVP (40), the oldest Super Bowl MVP (43) and the oldest quarterback to receive a Pro Bowl nod (44). Brady played an astonishing 23 seasons in the NFL, which was long enough to land him on the all-decade teams for both the 2000s and the 2010s.

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2026 NFL Odds: Back Cowboys to Shine; Fade Cardinals' Win Total

We can't tell the future, but we can darn sure predict it. Now that each NFL schedule has landed, here are the two Over/Under win totals that stand out the most to me right now. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Arizona Cardinals Over/Under 4.5 wins There’s a strong chance the Arizona Cardinals have the worst record in the NFL next season. Not only are they weak at the most important position in the sport, but they have also been dealt an extremely difficult schedule. They have to play six in-division games against the Seahawks, 49ers and Rams, all of which are playoff-caliber squads. Then, the NFC West is paired with the AFC West and NFC East, so that adds the Chiefs, Broncos, Chargers, Eagles and Cowboys to that brutal gauntlet. All five of those teams will push to win their respective divisions. The Commanders should also be better this season and the Giants will be much improved with a new head coach. The Cardinals do get the Raiders, but not until Week 17, when the Las Vegas' rookie quarterback should be playing better football. That Raiders game could be the only matchup all season in which the Cardinals are favored, but as of now, Arizona is still listed as a 1.5-point home underdog in that game. What makes this schedule even more daunting is the Cardinals' quarterback room. Right now, it’s Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and newly drafted Carson Beck. Not ideal. Brissett and Minshew are capable backup quarterbacks, but are losing their effectiveness as the years go by. Additionally, I don’t expect much from rookie Beck if he gets a chance to play this season. In short, Arizona's roster isn’t dynamic enough to overcome poor quarterback play and that schedule. PICK: Arizona Cardinals Under 4.5 wins Dallas Cowboys Over/Under 8.5 wins I think the Cowboys are legit contenders to win the NFC. Let’s go through the checklist of winning teams, starting with the QB. Check. Dak Prescott is an above-average quarterback and I don’t think people want to believe it. He was seventh last season in EPA and just needs to stay healthy. The Cowboys also have an excellent offensive line and skill position players, which makes Prescott even more potent from the pocket. On defense, Dallas has drastically improved its pass rush with the additions of Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark last season, plus Rashan Gary this spring. It also drafted pass rushers Malachi Lawrence and LT Overton, and I love the addition of Caleb Downs at safety in the draft, as well as Cobie Durant during free agency. Additionally, Dallas' coaching staff showed last season it can win games and in Year 2, I’d expect improvement. The Cowboys' schedule is manageable for an Over win projection. Four games against the Giants and Commanders in which they will be the favorite, plus two against the Eagles, which they can split. They get the AFC South, so that includes games against the Colts, Titans, Jaguars and Texans. The Cowboys get the Cardinals, Bucs and Ravens as well. There’s not a game on the schedule Dallas cannot win. PICK: Dallas Cowboys Over 8.5 wins

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2026 NFL Schedule Release: The 5 Teams That Must Get Off To A Good Start

In a 17-game season, starting off slowly can be the difference between reaching the playoffs and making plans for vacations to warmer climates in January. Look no further than the Minnesota Vikings, who dealt with injuries to starting quarterback J.J. McCarthy early and started the year 4-8, but finished on a five-game winning streak and a half-game out of the postseason. The Vikings looked to rectify that issue this offseason by signing former No. 1 overall draft pick Kyler Murray to compete with McCarthy for the No. 1 quarterback job, providing a better opportunity to compete in the NFC North. A slow start could also cost head coaches and general managers their jobs. The Tennessee Titans needed just six games to determine that they saw enough of head coach Brian Callahan last season, while the New York Jets only needed five games to fire Robert Saleh during the 2024 season. So, now that we know what the schedule looks like for the 2026 NFL season, let's take a look at five teams that need a fast start to the upcoming year. After winning four straight NFC South titles, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and head coach Todd Bowles find themselves under pressure entering the 2026 season. The Bucs not only lost seven of their last eight games last season, missing the postseason and finishing with a losing record for the first time since 2019, but they're also replacing a pair of foundational stalwarts. Wide receiver Mike Evans left the team to sign with the San Francisco 49ers, and linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement. So, Bowles will now enter the season on the hot seat while also having to replace a pair of franchise icons. Bowles has a 35-33 record and has taken the team to the playoffs in three of his first four years of the helm. But can he prove that last season was a blip? Bowles is on the hot seat after last season’s poor finish and needs a strong start to avoid a potential midseason firing. That starts with better play from quarterback Baker Mayfield, who began 2025 strong but scuffled down the stretch, finishing with just one 300-yard passing performance in his last 12 games. Mayfield has some added motivation this season, entering a contract year. A Week 2 matchup with the Cleveland Browns could also spark some extra juice for Mayfield. The Bucs added reinforcements in the draft to a defense that finished No. 27 in pass defense last year, selecting polished Miami (Fla.) pass rusher Rueben Bain in the first round, along with linebacker Josiah Trotter, safety Keionte Scott and defensive tackle DeMonte Capehart. The 49ers somehow managed to deftly navigate a rash of injuries and reach the postseason in the toughest division in football, finishing third in the NFC West. But San Francisco head coach Kyle Shanahan will have a tough time playing catch-up this season, facing four playoff teams in the final seven games, along with Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs and the John Harbaugh-led New York Giants on the road in the backstretch of the season. That’s why it’s important for the 49ers to start the season strong. They will have some adjustments to make, with Raheem Morris taking over for the departed Robert Saleh as the team’s defensive coordinator. The 49ers added edge rusher Romello Height and interior pass rusher Gracen Holten in the draft to help improve one of the worst pass rushes in the league. San Francisco starts the year with a tough international contest in Australia against the Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams, and will log a league-high 38,105 miles during the season. That includes another international contest against the Minnesota Vikings in Mexico City in Week 11. However, after the Rams, the 49ers have winnable games at home against the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals, so surviving that initial tough road game against Los Angeles and stacking some wins early will be important for Shanahan’s 49ers if they want to have a chance to push for the postseason late in the year. The second — and final — year of the Aaron Rodgers era is officially underway in Pittsburgh, with the Cal product agreeing to a one-year deal, reuniting with his old head coach, Mike McCarthy. Rodgers helped lead the Steelers to the postseason in 2025, which resulted in another early, opening-round exit for the Steel City. But how long will the Steelers stick with Rodgers if they get off to a slow start this season? Pittsburgh drafted Will Howard in the sixth round last year and Drew Allar in the third round this season as development prospects to groom behind the future Hall of Famer. Scouts I spoke with in the pre-draft process liked Allar’s upside, believing he has all the tools to develop into a starting NFL quarterback. If Rodgers struggles early, it increases the urge for McCarthy to hit the eject button on his 42-year-old quarterback and turn to the development of Allar or Howard, especially with the future Hall of Famer announcing that the 2026 season is it for him. Therefore, it will be important for Rodgers to get some wins early, much like Pittsburgh’s 5-3 start in 2025. And the schedule obliges, with only one game against a playoff team last season (New England Patriots) in Pittsburgh’s first eight contests. The Steelers also face the Cleveland Browns twice, and host the Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts at home in the first five games. Speaking of the Colts, general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen are once again on the hot seat, missing the playoffs for a fifth season in a row after starting 8-2 in 2025. Indianapolis faltered after a rejuvenated Daniel Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear in December, leaving the desperate Colts turning to 44-year-old Philip Rivers in an attempt to rescue the season late in the year. The return of Rivers was entertaining and gave Indianapolis at least a fighting chance to win at the end of the season. However, a healthy return for Jones is imperative to the success of the Colts in a make-or-break season for Ballard, who's in the final year of his contract. It’s a daunting start for the Colts, who face four playoff teams in the first five games and an international game in Week 4 against the Washington Commanders in London. The expectation is that Jones will be ready for the start of training camp in August. Indianapolis re-signed receiver Alec Pierce and Jones to big money in the offseason, and both need to play to their potential — along with running back Jonathan Taylor — carrying the offense in a difficult first part of the schedule to start the year. New head coach Jesse Minter replaces John Harbaugh after the Ravens’ underwhelming performance last season resulted in Baltimore missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021. Under the defensive-minded Minter, expectations are high for the upcoming season. Minter is tasked with returning Baltimore’s defense to its tough and stingy ways. The signing of star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson away from the Cincinnati Bengals should help in that effort. The Ravens also added Missouri edge rusher Zion Young in the second round of the draft to help improve an underperforming pass rush. New offensive coordinator Declan Doyle will look to create an offense that gets the most out of Lamar Jackson, who played in only 13 games for the Ravens last year because of hamstring and back issues. A two-time MVP, Jackson's now on his second head coach, his fourth offensive coordinator and is skipping organized team activities this offseason. With Harbaugh gone, the pressure is on Jackson to lead this franchise. One of the favorites to reach the Super Bowl this season, Baltimore starts with four of its first six games on the road, including a Week 3 international game in Brazil against the Dallas Cowboys. However, the Ravens do not play a team that made the playoffs last season until a Week 8 matchup with Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills. So, the schedule maps out well for a strong start in Minter’s first season with the Ravens.

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2026 NFL Odds: Ranking All 32 Teams By Games They’re Favored In

One of the most interesting ways to evaluate the NFL landscape is by looking at how many games in which each team is favored. While win totals and Super Bowl odds often dominate the offseason oddsboard, the number of games in which a team is projected to be favored can reveal just as much about their expectations and schedule difficulty. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. By analyzing the lookahead point spreads for all 272 regular-season matchups, we’ve stripped away the public bias to rank every NFL team by a single, definitive metric: the exact number of games they are favored to win. With that in mind, here is a complete power ranking of all 32 NFL teams based on the number of games they are currently favored in entering the 2026 season. Number of Games Favored: 0 What to know: The Arizona Cardinals are the only NFL team not favored in a single game this season. That number aligns with their projected win total of 4.5 wins, which is tied for the lowest mark in the league. Number of Games Favored: 1 What to know: The Dolphins are favored in just one game this season — their Week 12 home matchup against the New York Jets. Number of Games Favored: 2 What to know: The Browns are only favored in their home matchups against the Raiders and Falcons. This number is well below their projected win total of 6.5. Number of Games Favored: 2 What to know: The Titans are only favored in home games against the Jets and Browns. This number is also well below their projected total of 6.5. Number of Games Favored: 2 What to know: This one came as a pretty big surprise. The Falcons are favored in only two games this season — their home divisional matchups against the Panthers and Saints. Number of Games Favored: 3 What to know: The Raiders are slight favorites in home games against the Dolphins and Titans, along with a road matchup against the Cardinals. Number of Games Favored: 3 What to know: This one is also a big surprise. The 2025 NFC South champs are only favored in three games, including on the road against the Browns and at home against the Saints and Falcons. This number does not reflect their win total projection of 7.5. Number of Games Favored: 4 What to know: The Jets are favored in three home games against the Browns, Dolphins and Raiders, along with a road matchup against the Cardinals. Their number of games favored aligns closely with their projected win total of 5.5. Number of Games Favored: 5 What to know: The Saints are the third NFC South team favored in five or fewer games this season. Despite that, there is still some optimism surrounding the team, as their projected win total sits at 7.5. Number of Games Favored: 5 What to know: Heading into John Harbaugh’s first season, the Giants are favored in five home games against the Titans, Cardinals, Saints, Commanders and Browns. They are not favored in a single road game. Number of Games Favored: 5 What to know: While the Commanders are favored in only five games, there are several matchups throughout the season in which they are currently listed as slight 1-3 point underdogs. Number of Games Favored: 6 What to know: Like the Commanders, the Colts are favored in only six games, but they are listed as slight underdogs in several other matchups throughout the 2026 season. Number of Games Favored: 7 What to know: In Mike McCarthy’s first season reunited with Aaron Rodgers, the Steelers are favored in only seven games. Their projected win total also sits at 8.5, signaling what could be the franchise’s first losing season since 2003. Number of Games Favored: 8 What to know: The Vikings are the only NFC North team that is not favored in a double-digit number of games. A major reason for this lower number is the expectation that the division will once again be one of the toughest in football. Number of Games Favored: 8 What to know: The 2025 AFC South champions won 13 games in Liam Coen’s first season, but their number of games favored suggests there could be some regression in Year 2. However, like several of the teams above them, the Jaguars are slight underdogs in many of the games in which they are not favored in 2026. Number of Games Favored: 9 What to know: The last NFC South team is off the board, and we are only at No. 17 on the list. That makes sense considering the NFC South champion has won nine games or fewer in three of the last four seasons. The Buccaneers were the only exception during that span, winning 10 games in 2024. Number of Games Favored: 10 What to know: After winning 14 regular-season games and representing the AFC in the Super Bowl in 2025, the Patriots are favored in 10 games entering 2026. However, in half of those matchups, they are favored by at least 6.5 points, showing that oddsmakers still view them as one of the stronger teams in the NFL. Number of Games Favored: 10 What to know: Like the Patriots, the Broncos, who also won 14 games in 2025, are favored in only 10 games entering the 2026 season. However, in the seven games they are currently underdogs, they are never listed at worse than +2.5. That said, Denver opens as an underdog in five of its first six games, signaling a very challenging schedule to start the season. Number of Games Favored: 11 What to know: After winning just seven games in 2025, the Cowboys are expected to significantly improve in 2026, as they are favored in 11 games entering the season. They are also favored in five of their six divisional matchups. Number of Games Favored: 11 What to know: There is plenty of uncertainty surrounding the Chiefs due to Patrick Mahomes’ recovery from a torn ACL. However, Vegas still expects Kansas City to be one of the league’s top teams, as the Chiefs are favored in 11 games entering 2026, including each of their first five matchups. That aligns closely with their projected win total of 10.5. Number of Games Favored: 11 What to know: The Chargers are also favored in 11 games entering next season, and they are not listed as underdogs of more than 3.5 points in any matchup in 2026. Number of Games Favored: 12 What to know: The 49ers are one of three NFC West teams favored in 12 games or more entering 2026. San Francisco won 12 games last season despite missing multiple key players for large portions of the year. Outside their divisional matchups, the 49ers are underdogs in only three games: road contests against the Cowboys, Chargers and Chiefs. Number of Games Favored: 12 What to know: In Ben Johnson's first season, the Bears won double-digit games for the first time since 2018. In Year 2, Chicago faces the toughest schedule in the entire NFL, yet Vegas still favors it in 12 games. Number of Games Favored: 12 What to know: Vegas has the Packers favored in 12 games entering the 2026 season. Outside NFC North play, the only games in which Green Bay is currently an underdog are road matchups against the Patriots and Rams. Number of Games Favored: 13 What to know: After winning their last nine regular-season games last year, the Texans are favored in 13 games in 2026. They are favored in all six AFC South divisional matchups. Number of Games Favored: 13 What to know: The Eagles are favored in 13 games entering the 2026 season, including five of their six NFC East matchups. Their number of games favored is also notably higher than their projected season win total of 10.5. Number of Games Favored: 14 What to know: The Lions are favored in 14 of their first 15 games in 2026. The only matchups in which they are currently underdogs are Week 2 at the Bills, Week 17 at the Bears and Week 18 at the Packers. Number of Games Favored: 14 What to know: Coming off a 12-win regular season in 2025, the Bills are favored in 14 games entering next season. The only matchups in which Buffalo is currently an underdog are road games against the Rams, Patriots and Packers. Number of Games Favored: 14 What to know: The Ravens won only eight games last season, largely because Lamar Jackson battled injuries throughout the year. Vegas expects Baltimore to take a major leap forward in 2026. The only games in which the Ravens are currently underdogs are road matchups against the Bills, Texans and Bengals. Number of Games Favored: 14 What to know: The defending Super Bowl champions come in tied for third on the list. The only games in which they are currently underdogs are road matchups against the 49ers, Eagles and Rams. Number of Games Favored: 15 What to know: No, this is not a typo. A Bengals team that won just six games in 2025 is favored in 15 games entering the 2026 season. With Joe Burrow returning and a very favorable schedule, Cincinnati is currently an underdog in only two games: Week 2 at the Texans and Week 7 at the Ravens. Number of Games Favored: 16 What to know: The Rams are remarkably favored in 16 of their 17 games entering the 2026 season. Their only game as an underdog is a Week 16 Christmas Day road matchup against the Seahawks. Last season, the Rams lost to Seattle on the road in Week 16 and again in the NFC Championship Game. Los Angeles is currently the +800 favorite to win the Super Bowl.

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CeeDee Lamb On Giants HC John Harbaugh's 'Kick Cowboys' Ass' Line: 'That's Cute'

At this point, outside the opening night Super Bowl LX rematch between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, it's safe to say that the Dallas Cowboys going up against the New York Giants in the Meadowlands on Sunday Night Football is the most anticipated Week 1 game of the 2026 NFL season. Why's that? Earlier this week, new Giants head coach John Harbaugh said at a town hall event that piling up good practices will get them "one more step in the direction of being a good enough football team to kick the Cowboys' ass." Cowboys star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb quoted a post on Instagram of Harbaugh saying that line by writing, "lol, that's cute." Of late, the Cowboys have dominated the Giants, winning nine consecutive matchups against their NFC East rival and 16 of 17 before losing on the road to New York in Week 18 of last season, 34-17. As for its other 2025 duel, Dallas and New York teamed up for one of the most dramatic games of the season, as it featured seven lead changes and ended with the Cowboys winning 40-37 on a walk-off, 46-yard field goal from Brandon Aubrey — who made a 64-yard field goal to force overtime — as time expired in overtime. Both teams missed the playoffs, though, with the Cowboys finishing 7-9-1 and the Giants going 4-13. In 12 career games against the Giants, Lamb, a five-time Pro Bowler, has totaled 71 receptions for 975 yards and four touchdowns. Lamb's reception and receiving yard totals against New York are career highs for him against any opponent. The two teams will meet in Dallas on Jan. 3, which can be watched on FOX and the FOX Sports app at 1 p.m. ET.

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Which NFL QBs Have the Most Help? Ranking All 32 Supporting Casts

There’s a reason quarterbacks are the highest-paid players in the NFL. Teams know they can’t win without a good one. And with very few exceptions in modern history, they can’t compete for a Super Bowl without one who is playing well. But the truth is, even the best quarterbacks can’t do it alone. They need a strong supporting cast around them. That includes game-breaking receivers, protection up front and a run game to help keep defenses off balance. A smart and talented playcaller with a strong offensive scheme certainly makes a difference, too. So which NFL teams have the best support systems in place for their quarterbacks heading into the 2026 season? We spoke to a handful of NFL scouts to help determine how all 32 teams stack up on offense — when the QB is taken out of the equation. The Dolphins have a really good center in Aaron Brewer and a speedy, dangerous running back in De’Von Achane. But, well, that’s really about it. Drafting OL Kadyn Proctor in the first round was a step in the right direction, but the line still isn’t good. And with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle gone, Miami's receiving corps is a mess. Jalen Tolbert and Tutu Atwell are the penciled-in starters, along with Greg Dulcich at tight end, and that’s terrible news for new QB Malik Willis. The Dolphins drafted multiple WRs and TEs between Rounds 3-5, but it’s a lot to expect any of them to really help this year. "They have the worst receiving corps in the league, and it’s not even close," one scout told me. "All they can do this year is either let Willis run, or just get the ball to Achane and get out of his way." It’s hard to find a worse offensive line situation in the league, which is horrible news for a team with big questions at QB. The Browns are likely to have four new starters on the line, including first-round LT Spencer Fano, and may need most of the season to develop any consistency. And it’s not like they’re overflowing with weapons who can make up for their line deficiencies. Their best is probably wideout Jerry Jeudy, who is quite the enigma. He was dazzling in 2024 (90-1,229-4) but a disaster last year (50-602-2, 47.2% catch rate). The Browns do have some promising young position players like RB Quinshon Judkins and TE Harold Fannin. And they have hope for the two receivers they just took in the first two rounds: KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston. "They have a couple of nice, young skill guys," one scout told me. "But it doesn’t matter. None of them are good enough to overcome all their other problems." It doesn’t help that most of the scouts viewed the switch from former coach Kevin Stefanski to new coach Todd Monken as a step backward. "Slightly," one scout told me. "Monken is good. But Stefanski is better." Every scout I spoke with said they liked the direction the Raiders were headed on offense. But they also all agreed, as one scout noted, "they have a very, very long way to go." Their line was terrible last season, but it should be helped by the addition of expensive center Tyler Linderbaum. And with a little improvement up front, RB Ashton Jeanty should have some room to show all the things he couldn't as a rookie. No one is sure what new coach Klint Kubiak will be able to get out of a very iffy receiving corps, though. A healthy Brock Bowers gives them an elite weapon at tight end, but Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor and Jack Bech are uninspiring. "Nailor’s a deep threat," one scout told me, "but not a No. 1 receiver." Another said: "They took the right first steps, but it’s still not a good spot for a rookie quarterback. That’s not a surprise. But they have to sit (Fernando Mendoza) for a while until Kubiak figures the rest of it out." The Titans added some weapons for QB Cam Ward in the offseason, but that’s not really the problem. "I wouldn’t put my quarterback behind that offensive line," one scout told me. "It was bad last season. And now it might be worse." The signings of center Austin Schlottmann and guard Cordell Volson probably weren’t enough to fix a unit that gave up 55 sacks last season. But their other additions were better. Drafting Carnell Tate No. 4 overall gives them a potential No. 1 WR. And even though WR Wan’Dale Robinson is 5-foot-8, he’s productive and fits perfectly in new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll’s scheme. Daboll can probably lean on his Giants years to figure out how to get the most out of his running backs (Tony Pollard, Tyjae Spears) despite the line issues. "Dabes has always had a brilliant offensive mind," one scout told me. "He’s a really underrated playcaller. He’ll get the most out of that group. I just don’t know if there’s much there." There seems to be a belief in Washington that the return of a healthy Jayden Daniels will make everybody better. They better be right, though, because the Commanders didn’t do a lot to improve his supporting cast in the offseason. Their best weapon, by far, is still WR Terry McLaurin, who will be 31 in September and coming off an injury-plagued season. Their offensive line improved last year, but they haven’t replaced their center, who left in free agency. The only weapon the Commanders added in the passing game was solid (and underrated) TE Chigoziem Okonkwo. They did add veteran RB Rachaad White, who could make for a potent duo with Jacory Croskey-Merritt, who had a surprisingly good rookie season after being drafted in the seventh round. Don’t underestimate the loss of offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, though. He got a lot of credit for helping Daniels post arguably the best rookie season ever for a quarterback. He’s now replaced by former quarterbacks coach David Blough, who has been an assistant for two seasons and has never called plays before. If they ever do find a quarterback, there is potential with this offensive group — though for the most part, it’s still only potential. The only proven commodities are WR Garrett Wilson and RB Breece Hall. "(Wilson) would be a top 10 receiver if he even had a mediocre quarterback," one scout told me. "And Breece can help any team in the league." But after that, there are mostly unknowns. The Jets drafted WR Omar Cooper and TE Kenyon Sadiq in the first round, so maybe they’ll have a little more offensive diversity for new offensive coordinator Frank Reich. Maybe RB Braelon Allen can stay healthy and take some of the tougher carries off Hall’s plate. And maybe the offensive line, anchored by bookend tackles Olu Fashanu and Armand Membou, can continue to improve after a solid 2025. Those are a lot of "maybes." But maybe the offensive foundation is finally there. Every year they tinker with their offensive line, and they did it again this offseason, bringing in probably three new starters. But it’s not clear if it’s any better than the mess of a unit that kept QB C.J. Stroud under constant pressure last season. That’s a big reason why his numbers keep dropping, but it’s far from the only one. "Everyone keeps wondering why C.J. Stroud is regressing," one scout told me. "Well, it’s pretty obvious. Just look at what he has to work with down there." Really, his only dangerous weapon is WR Nico Collins. He’s a big one, to be sure, but beyond that there isn’t much help outside of Dalton Schultz, a high-volume TE who doesn’t provide big returns. The Texans are hopeful that the return of WR Tank Dell will give the offense a spark, but that’s a lot to ask considering he missed all of last season with a knee injury. Houston did trade for RB David Montgomery, who is solid overall and a strong goal-line runner. But he’ll pair with Woody Marks, who is coming off an unimpressive rookie year. So again, it’s really Collins or bust for this offense. There is no doubt that Tetairoa McMillan, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, is an explosive weapon. It’s the rest of the weapons that should cause concern. WR Xavier Legette, a former first-round pick, was mostly a non-factor last season. The Panthers are counting on Chuba Hubbard to again be their No. 1 back after he had to play a secondary role to the since-departed Rico Dowdle last year. Carolina got basically nothing in the passing game out of its tight ends in 2025. And the line has a lot of new pieces to integrate after the club signed LT Rasheed Walker and C Luke Fortner in free agency and drafted RT Monroe Freeling in the first round. McMillan should develop into an elite player. But QB Bryce Young is going to need a lot more than that. "I don’t know how you can expect him to develop into what they need him to be with a surrounding cast like that," one scout told me. Here’s a great argument for the importance of the QB in the NFL: "If you take (Arizona’s) skill players and put them in a place with a good quarterback, they’ll win," one scout told me. "They might win a lot." And that’s the problem with evaluating the Cardinals. There is talent here, even if the production hasn’t been great. WR Marvin Harrison Jr.'s production through two years has not matched his promise. Michael Wilson played like a solid No. 1 WR last year. Trey McBride is the best tight end in the NFL, ranking second in catches and sixth in yards among all receivers last year. And there were many scouts who thought RB Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick, was the best player in the draft. The Cardinals' line is a problem, however. They hope that signing Isaac Seumalo and drafting Chase Bisontis in the second round will help make their interior stronger, but it’s very much a work in progress. Overall, though, "they have such a great, young core there," another scout told me. "But with a bad quarterback situation, you can’t expect much at all." They had two major problems on offense heading into the offseason: They had a bad offensive line and very little help for WR Chris Olave. They seem to have solved the latter, signing RB Travis Etienne, who’ll be a terrific replacement for the almost-done Alvin Kamara. And they drafted WR Jordyn Tyson, who one scout called "the best receiver in the draft." They also still have dangerous TE Juwan Johnson, so young QB Tyler Shough and offensive whiz head coach Kellen Moore should have enough tools to work with. The line, however, is still an issue. Adding guard David Edwards in free agency was good, but what the Saints really need is improvement from their tackle duo of Kelvin Banks and Taliese Fuaga, both former first-round picks. If they don’t get that, the rest of the additions won’t matter as much as they're hoping. They certainly have given whomever is their quarterback some good receivers to work with. Justin Jefferson is as good as any in football when everything is working right with the offense, and Jordan Addison is a strong No. 2. The Vikings also went out and added the underrated Jauan Jennings to give the QB another option. And TE T.J. Hockenson is a big weapon in the passing game, too — at least when he’s healthy. Beyond that, though, they really have to lean into the mind of head coach Kevin O’Connell because there are some issues. The offensive line was not good nor healthy last season. And they lean way too much on 32-year-old, oft-injured RB Aaron Jones. That lack of a dependable running game is big. It’s why defenses could tee off on Vikings QBs, who were sacked 60 times last season — tied for second-most in the league. They went on an epic run in the second half last season, averaging 32 points per game over their last 11 (including their loss in the playoffs). It looked like they had all the pieces in place on offense. But did they? Brian Thomas Jr., their No. 1 receiver, badly regressed last season. Parker Washington emerged, the trade for Jakobi Meyers helped and TE Brenton Strange is good, but if Thomas keeps fading, there isn't an elite threat here for Trevor Lawrence. Now, as one scout told me, "That may not matter. Liam Coen is that good." In his first season, the Jags head coach sure did look like one of the best young offensive minds in the league. But he’ll have to prove it again, especially after losing bell-cow running back Travis Etienne in free agency. The Jags are taking a huge risk by counting on Bhayshul Tuten and/or Chris Rodriguez to replace him. "Together, they might be better than Etienne," another scout told me. "Tuten is elusive and Rodriguez is a power back. They’ll (complement) each other. But carrying the entire rushing attack? That’s a lot to ask of two guys who haven’t done anything in this league yet." If Malik Nabers hadn’t torn his ACL last season, the Giants would be higher on this list. Maybe much higher. They have a deep receiving corps without Nabers, especially after signing Darnell Mooney and drafting Malachi Fields in the third round this offseason. And the addition of Isaiah Likely gives the Giants potentially the most dangerous TE they’ve had in years. They also have what one scout told me is a "sneaky good" running game behind a much-improved offensive line. If second-year back Cam Skattebo can fully recover from his devastating leg injury, he’ll join Tyron Tracy and Devin Singletary in a potent rotation. All that may be enough for the offense to be good around second-year QB Jaxson Dart, "but Nabers changes everything," one scout told me. "I didn’t think he played great as a rookie (in 2024). He had too many drops and his quarterback play was awful. But look at the numbers he put up (109-1,204-7). With better quarterback play and help around him, he could be a monster." Of course, that’s when he’s fully recovered. Nabers recently had another procedure on his knee and his status for Week 1 is uncertain. The fact that they had the NFL’s 12th-ranked total offense is a miracle considering all the injuries they had last season, and they really believe that better health will get them back where they were. Maybe they’re right. Their line was terrible, giving up 60 sacks, but they were missing LT Rashawn Slater and, for most of the season, RT Joe Alt. RB Omarian Hampton, their 2025 first-round pick, missed half his rookie season, too. The return of those three should definitely help the ground game. But do they have enough weapons in the passing game for their new offensive coordinator? "For Mike McDaniel? Yes," one scout told me. "He’s a mad scientist. He’ll get the best out of those guys." Those guys include WR Ladd McConkey, who got off to a painfully slow start last season, former first-rounder Quentin Johnston, who's disappointed, and TE Oronde Gadsden, who had a promising but erratic rookie season. "Watch (McDaniel) turn (Johnston) into a star," another scout told me. "He’s got pieces there. And he’s the right guy to figure it all out." Justin Herbert is counting on it. Should the Bucs be evaluated on what they are, or what they should be? That’s the problem with this team. For example, losing WR Mike Evans is a huge hit because he’d been a staple of their offense for more than a decade. But he didn’t do much even when healthy last season. Emeka Egbuka looked like an ideal replacement, though — but only if you ignore the alarming drop-off during the back half of his rookie season. Chris Godwin could be the new No. 1, too, but he’s played just 16 games the past two seasons. Then there’s RB Bucky Irving, who was dominant as a rookie but played only 10 games last season and took a back seat to the since-departed Rachaad White. As for the line, should it be judged on its ugly season last year when the projected starting five played just a handful of snaps together? It all makes the Bucs offense a big mystery. There are pieces for new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson, a Sean McVay disciple. But it’s hard to say what that puzzle will look like when completed around Baker Mayfield. No one can say the Steelers aren't doing everything they can to help 42-year-old QB Aaron Rodgers have one last shot at glory. They brought in WR DK Metcalf for him last season, then traded for the underrated (and big) Michael Pittman this offseason. They used a second-round pick on WR Germie Bernard, who’ll be a good No. 3 receiver. They protected Rodgers well last season with a young offensive line, and they just added right tackle Max Iheanachor in the first round. And they brought in RB Rico Dowdle, who should give a jolt to what was a bad rushing attack in 2025. "Dowdle was an underrated pickup," one scout told me. "Nobody knows better how to use him than (Mike) McCarthy," who turned him into a feature back in Dallas two years ago. Dowdle isn’t elite, but the combination of him and Jaylen Warren could be very good. Everything about this evaluation will change if — or, more likely, when — the Patriots complete their trade for WR A.J. Brown. He’s the No. 1 receiver the Patriots thought they were getting in Stefon Diggs last season, only he’s bigger and four years younger. But without Brown, the Pats currently have a bunch of role players in the passing game. Romeo Doubs is a solid No. 2. Kayshon Boutte is a deep threat. And Mack Hollins is a big target, but needs a reduced role at age 32. New England's strength is in the potent 1-2 RB punch of TreVeyon Henderson and Rhamondre Stevenson. But the real key for this team will be the offensive line. It improved from 2024 yet still gave up a ridiculous 47 sacks in the regular season and a record 21 in four playoff games. There’s a good argument about whether those crazy numbers were more the fault of Drake Maye or his line. But it doesn’t matter. The young QB won’t survive another year like that, especially against a much tougher schedule. Make no mistake: This is a Josh Allen-centered offense. "His supporting cast doesn’t matter," one scout told me. "It’s all about him." Well, RB James Cook does play a role, too. And he emerged as a huge force last season when he led the league in rushing, thanks at least in part to one of the NFL’s best offensive lines. But the passing game is really all about Allen, and the Bills seem to treat it that way. "I’ll never understand why they just don’t go out and get (Allen) a No. 1 receiver," another scout told me. "Put him with a top-10 guy and who stops that team? He’ll break every record in the book." They did add D.J. Moore in the offseason, which is an improvement. But he’s 29 and three seasons removed from his WR1 days. Beyond him are mostly third and fourth receivers (Khalil Shakir, Keon Coleman, Josh Palmer) and two serviceable tight ends (Dalton Kincaid, Dawson Knox). "They would be unstoppable," the first scout told me, "if they’d just get (Allen) some real help." There is potential for this to be a great supporting cast for QB Jordan Love. But right now, the Packers are lacking a No 1 WR. Christian Watson showed glimpses last season of being that guy, but he has to show he can stay healthy first. Several scouts told me 2025 first-rounder Matthew Golden has the talent to be a go-to option, but last season he was, in the words of one scout, "tragically underused." The Packers also have a game-breaking TE in Tucker Kraft, but he’s coming off a torn ACL. And they have a promising offensive line, though it's coming off a bad season and dealing with a lot of moving parts. So for the moment, the star is 28-year-old Josh Jacobs, a punishing running back who also has to find a way to stay healthy. There’s a lot here for HC Matt LaFleur to work with — when everyone's on the field. The best way to sum up the supporting cast in Kansas City was this statement, from one of the scouts: "Andy Reid and Patrick Mahomes have won with a lot less." The reviews were generally good, if not great. Rashee Rice, if he stays healthy and out of trouble — he was sentenced to 30 days in jail Tuesday — can be a No. 1 receiver. Xavier Worthy has uncommon speed, though he hasn’t had the expected production yet. RB Kenneth Walker III is a huge upgrade to what the Chiefs have had in recent years, though it remains to be seen how Reid uses him. And then there’s TE Travis Kelce, back for another season at age 36. "He’s still good, but he’s nowhere near what he used to be," one scout told me. "They have to start moving the offense away from him." Either Rice or Walker might make more sense as the focal point of Reid’s scheme this year. It was unanimous among the scouts I spoke with that Bijan Robinson is the best RB, if not the best offensive skill player, in the game today. That’s a heck of a place for new coach Kevin Stefanski to start, no matter who starts at QB. "He’ll build everything around Bijan," one scout told me. "(Robinson) can’t get the ball enough." Robinson, in fact, was targeted on 37.2% of Atlanta’s plays last season. And "it should be more than that," another scout said. Though it’s not like there’s nothing else here. Drake London is a legit No. 1 WR and a huge target. TE Kyle Pitts finally had his long-awaited breakout season last year. Robinson, London and Pitts make for a great Big 3. The offensive line is only average, though. Helping Atlanta's cause is the fact that Stefanski, despite several years of QB Hell in Cleveland, is still a top-tier offensive mind. Having RB Derrick Henry in the backfield is probably more than enough support for Lamar Jackson, but that’s not all he has. Zay Flowers is emerging as one of the best receivers in the game, and TE Mark Andrews is still a weapon, especially in the red zone (at least as long as he’s healthy). There isn’t much help beyond that, but this is a ground-based attack, so the key is the offensive line. The loss of center Tyler Linderbaum is an undeniable hit. Drafting guard Olaivavega Ioane should help the interior, but center is now a big question mark. So is the hiring of 30-year-old Declan Doyle as the new offensive coordinator. He was the OC in Chicago last season, so at least he has experience watching Ben Johnson run his scheme. For much of last season, their passing offense was a one-man show, but what a phenomenal show it was. Jaxon Smith-Njigba might be the closest thing to Ja’Marr Chase west of the Mississippi. Even with a full season of Rashid Shaeed, which should help diversify the passing attack, the Seahawks might need even more out of JSN this season. There’s just no downplaying the loss of running back Kenneth Walker III, who was huge during their Super Bowl run. RB Zach Charbonnet is good enough to pick up some of the slack. Seattle also made a big first-round bet on RB Jadarian Price, who was the backup running back at Notre Dame. But there’s one other issue for QB Sam Darnold. "Losing Kenny Walker is going to hurt," one scout told me. "Losing Klint Kubiak is going to hurt more." The Seahawks' former offensive coordinator is now coaching the Raiders, and first-time coordinator Brian Fleury has some huge shoes to fill. There are some mixed opinions on the makeup of this offense around Daniel Jones. There is no tougher runner in the league than Jonathan Taylor, but he’s a one-man show who led the league in carries last season (323). He’s got one of the NFL’s best offensive lines in front of him. The Colts also have maybe the best young TE in the league in Tyler Warren. The questions concern the wide receivers. The Colts traded away Michael Pittman and made Alec Pierce a very rich man in free agency. But, as one scout told me, "Pierce is not a No. 1 receiver. There’s no better deep threat in the league, but he’s not going to put up big numbers as the focus of the offense." Slot receiver Josh Downs won’t be the focus, either, which could create a big hole in the passing attack if Pierce doesn’t prove he can do more than he’s been asked to do over his first four years. They were on the verge of a Super Bowl last year with an offense that was good but not explosive. The addition of WR Jaylen Waddle changes all that. He and Courtland Sutton form an elite tandem, and Troy Franklin can be one of the better No. 3 receivers in the league. Quarterback Bo Nix is also supported by possibly the best offensive line in the league and a solid, grind-it-out rushing attack (though that part depends on the always-iffy health of J.K. Dobbins). Add in the brilliant offensive mind of Sean Payton, and there’s not much more Nix could ask for heading into his third season — assuming, of course, that he’s fully recovered from the fractured ankle he suffered in the playoffs. He’ll be well-protected whenever he returns, so he’ll have plenty of time to execute what are always well-conceived game plans. The additions of wideouts Mike Evans and Christian Kirk really could put the Niners' offense over the top, especially since they still have WR Ricky Pearsall and TE George Kittle catching passes and OT Trent Williams protecting the blind side. And, of course, everything in this offense revolves around RB Christian McCaffrey, a perennial MVP contender. But every one of those guys comes with big injury concerns. "They have so many guys with health and age issues," one scout told me. "If they’re healthy, they’re loaded, but how many games do you really think they’ll all be on the field together?" It’s a good question, and if history holds, they won’t like the answer. But QB Brock Purdy still has one other big advantage: head coach Kyle Shanahan. "He’s a nightmare to play against," one scout told me. "You can’t out-scheme him. No matter what he has, he’ll get the most out of it." He always does. Everything with the Bengals starts with Ja’Marr Chase. "Nobody knows how to stop him," one scout told me. "He can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants." And he has help from Tee Higgins, who, one scout told me, "might be the No. 1 receiver on 20 other teams." They also can lean on RB Chase Brown in the passing game, where he had 69 catches to go with his 1,019 rushing yards last year, making him one of the best dual threats in the NFL. The Bengals are really top-heavy, though, because they don’t have much beyond their Big 3. And they're surprisingly returning all five starters from an offensive line that wasn’t very good last season. Considering nothing is more important for the Bengals than keeping QB Joe Burrow healthy, this was a curious decision. But Burrow’s intelligence and quick release might be able to compensate for that. And if it does, he’s got enough weapons to score a ton of points. Veteran QB Jared Goff has a trio of elite skill players, which is a great place to start. Amon-Ra St. Brown has become unstoppable, Jameson Williams is one of the best big-play receivers in the NFL. And Jahmyr Gibbs is a remarkable combination of power and elusiveness. But there are potential issues in Detroit. Gibbs and David Montgomery have made quite a combo in recent years, but the latter is now in Houston and was replaced by Isiah Pacheco. "He’s a good replacement," one scout told me, "but only if he’s healthy. That’s really a big risk." Another risky bet is TE Sam LaPorta, who's coming off back surgery and hasn’t been able to duplicate his success as a rookie in 2023. The Lions also needed to fix some holes on their offensive line, which they hope they did by drafting RT Blake Miller and signing C Cade Mays. So the talent is there for new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, who takes over an offense that was inconsistent last season yet still ranked fifth overall in scoring and total yards per game. They looked so dysfunctional all last year, but it was never because of a lack of talent around QB Jalen Hurts. The truth is, Philly is still loaded on offense. Saquon Barkley has 2,000-yard potential. The offensive line is the envy of most teams, despite coming off a relative down season. Dallas Goedert, as long as he stays healthy, is a reliable and dangerous tight end. And even if they trade A.J. Brown — which seems increasingly likely — they have a deep and dangerous receiving corps. DeVonta Smith is a worthy No. 1. In fact, he could become a top-five receiver once he’s out of Brown’s needy shadow. The Eagles also traded for Dontayvion Wicks and drafted Makai Lemon in the first round, and they signed Hollywood Brown, who is still only 28. All three wideouts could contribute a lot. New offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is younger than some of his players and has never been a coordinator before. But he sure has a lot of talent to work with in his first year. They look frighteningly like the Lions of a few years ago, led by a dangerous 1-2 punch at running back, a field-stretching tight end and an offensive game plan that’s hard to predict. That’s the brilliance of head coach Ben Johnson, the former Lions offensive coordinator. "His mind is on par with McVay’s," one scout told me. "He knows what his players can do better than any coach in the league." That’s great for QB Caleb Williams, who is protected by a top-three offensive line and has a thunder-and-lightning backfield with Kyle Monangai and D’Andre Swift. "You can game plan to stop one," one scout told me, "but not both." What Williams really needs is for a wide receiver to emerge so that tight end Colston Loveland doesn’t have to be his top target. Either Rome Odunze or Luther Burden could fill that void, though the former must first show that there aren't any lingering issues in his foot after suffering a stress fracture late last year. Wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens have a chance to put up some scary numbers in this offense if they can both stay healthy. Both are explosive enough to be considered top 10 in the league. And Dallas has other weapons, too, such as tight end Jake Ferguson and deep threat KaVontae Turpin. What really vaults the Cowboys on this list, though, is their commitment to Javonte Williams and the running game. "(Williams) surprised me with how strong a runner he was," a scout told me. "But I was even more surprised by how much he was used. He really takes the pressure off the passing game." It also helps that Dak Prescott has a top-tier line protecting him. If left tackle Tyler Guyton and center Cooper Beebe can stay healthy, Dallas might have one of the best lines in the league. No quarterback has more around him than 38-year-old Matthew Stafford. His line gave up only 23 sacks last season, tied for the fewest in the league. And it’s hard to find a more lethal wideout duo than Puka Nacua and Davante Adams, who remains strong and reliable despite his age (33). Kyren Williams is an elite running back and Blake Corum gives the Rams a 1-2 punch that is hard to stop. And while they may not have an elite tight end, the trio of Colby Parkinson, Tyler Higbee and David Allen combined for 92-897-14 last season, which any team would gladly take. That’s a lot to work with before factoring in head coach Sean McVay — "by far the best offensive mind in the league," as one scout told me. "They can attack you from anywhere, anytime. And (McVay) knows where your weakest spots are."

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