It’s the start of the 2026 NFL season and with it comes a fresh set of questions that could shape the league over the months ahead.
Can the Seattle Seahawks become the first team in years to successfully defend a Super Bowl title? Will established contenders respond to growing pressure? And which emerging teams are ready to turn potential into a genuine postseason run?
There is a lot going on this season. Quarterbacks are entering defining moments, new coaches are attempting to change the fortunes of their teams, and several young or developing rosters could alter the balance of power in the AFC and NFC.
We’ll explore five storylines worth following throughout the 2026 season.
The NFL Playoff Race
Many are already wondering which teams will emerge as real playoff candidates?
Potential postseason teams for the AFC include the Bills, Chiefs, Ravens, Texans, Bengals, Chargers and Broncos. For the NFC, predictions include the Rams, Seahawks, Eagles, 49ers, Lions and Bears.
There is lots of uncertainty and disagreement though. Established contenders such as Buffalo, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Kansas City will be expected to compete, while teams such as Chicago and Jacksonville have the potential to push their way in.
For fans keeping track of the teams shaping the season, DraftKings can be a useful reference point to learn more about the list of NFL playoff candidates and follow how their prospects develop.
The picture will change quickly once injuries, difficult stretches and unexpected breakout performances begin to affect the standings. Preseason expectations are a useful context, but they will not determine who reaches the postseason.
Quarterbacks under pressure to perform
Quarterback performance could define several teams in 2026. For example, C.J. Stroud enters an important season in Houston after his production dipped following an impressive start to his NFL career.
The Texas team has invested heavily in improving their offensive line. This means that there are a lot of eyes on whether Stroud can regain his earlier consistency.
For the Minnesota Vikings, Tyler Murray has been named the 2026 starter after winning the job over former first-round pick J.J. McCarthy, giving both players something significant to prove.
There are also questions surrounding established stars and rising young quarterbacks. Patrick Mahomes is returning from injury, while players such as Caleb Williams and rookie Cam Ward are under the spotlight for their own reasons.
A new generation of contenders
There are a number of teams that are worth watching closely this season.
The Chicago Bears are one example of this. With Caleb Williams entering another season under head coach Ben Johnson, the focus is on whether the quarterback can become more consistent and turn spectacular moments into sustained production.
The Los Angeles Rams have also emerged as an early Super Bowl favourite in several preseason markets. This shows just how quickly expectations can shift before a single regular-season game is played.
New contenders like these can force more established teams to rethink their approach and potentially change the balance of power across the whole conference.
Coaching and team changes
There has been a lot of change recently. Ten teams entered the season with new head coaches, while 21 had new offensive coordinators and 14 brought in new defensive coordinators.
For Baltimore, John Harbaugh is gone and Jesse Minter takes over, giving the Ravens a new voice while maintaining expectations of competing at the highest level.
Head coaches are not the only changes being made. New coordinators can alter offensive identities and defensive philosophies. That makes training camp and the opening weeks particularly important as teams attempt to establish new systems.
Players reaching a pivotal year in their careers
For some, it is about returning from injury. For others, it is about proving that they can consistently perform at the level expected of them. Quarterbacks such as Stroud and McCarthy fit into that category, while veterans like Kyler Murray are entering important chapters.
The same applies to young players trying to establish themselves in the franchise. Caleb Williams, for example, has already shown the ability to produce spectacular plays. His next steps involve making those moments more consistent.
Together, these five storylines could shape the entire 2026 NFL landscape. The playoff race will determine which teams get a chance to compete for Super Bowl LXI, while quarterback development could decide whether promising teams become genuine contenders.
Coaching changes will influence how quickly teams adapt, and emerging players could enable the rise of new challengers. Overall, the 2026 NFL season promises plenty of intrigue and these stories all have the potential to develop in unexpected directions.
Preseason projections provide a useful starting point, but they are not definitive. Once the season really begins, injuries, surprises and breakout performances will quickly reshape the picture.
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