The 2026 NFL regular season is upon us, and it’s felt like forever since a meaningful football game was played. With training camp and the preseason in the rearview mirror, the time for football to take over our lives is here. Before another exciting season kicks off, we decided to take a deeper dive into the offseason that was and how each team ranks heading into Week 1. Without further ado, let’s take a look at our WCG pre-Week 1 Power Rankings.
1. Seattle Seahawks
2026 Question To Answer: Are the
Seahawks the most overlooked Super Bowl winner in recent memory?
Heading into the season, it feels like there’s much more focus on other teams than the group that completely dominated their way through the playoffs and into a Super Bowl victory. Perception is in the eye of the beholder, and it’s worth noting that no one had the Seahawks as a Super Bowl contender this time last year. That said, this is an extremely well-rounded roster that might not have the same flashy offseason as a team like the Rams or Chiefs, but might still have the best overall roster in the league.
2. Los Angeles Rams
2026 Question To Answer: Will going all-in once again pay off for the Rams in what could be one of Matthew Stafford’s final seasons?
Only time will tell how many more years Stafford will play, but it’s clear that general manager Les Snead and company see a win-now window and have no issue saying “f them picks” yet again. The trade for Myles Garrett shocked the NFL world. Couple that with the return of Aaron Donald, even on a rotational basis, and they’ve got all the pieces to have a dominant Super Bowl-winning season. Now all that is left to do is deliver on expectations.
3. Denver Broncos
2026 Question To Answer: Can a healthy Bo Nix be enough to get them to the Super Bowl in 2026?
I’m still not sure the Broncos would have won the Super Bowl even if Nix wasn’t hurt, but it’s hard to imagine they wouldn’t have put up a better fight than the Patriots did. The AFC West, assuming the Chiefs round back into form, will be tougher in 2026. Even so, the Broncos are a well-built team with a true No. 1 receiver and one of the league’s elite defenses. Even if Nix fails to take another step in his development, this group should be good enough to challenge for a title. I don’t think they have enough to win it.
4. Buffalo Bills
2026 Question To Answer: How will (or won’t) the decision to replace Sean McDermott with Sean Brady pay off?
2025 felt like the best opportunity for the Bills to break through and win the AFC. Following a disappointing exit during the Divisional Round, Buffalo decided it was time to make a change. While it’s hard to blame them in some ways, they took a serious gamble in letting go of McDermott for a first-time candidate in Brady. This roster has some flaws, but a change in leadership/messaging and a player like DJ Moore should be enough to get them over the hump.
5. New England Patriots
2026 Question To Answer: Can the Patriots overcome an offseason full of distractions, or will they prove to be the beneficiaries of last year’s easy schedule?
On paper, New England is a very talented team. That said, there’s a strong argument to be made that they were the beneficiaries of one of the league’s easiest schedules and a team that, in general, played over their heads. While I’d give the Bills better odds to win the division, if the Patriots can ignore the distractions caused by their head coach, there are plenty of reasons to believe they could be even better in 2026. Much of that comes down to Drake Maye refining his game and A.J. Brown delivering one of his best years.
6. San Francisco 49ers
2026 Question To Answer: Are the 49ers for real, or will last year’s surprise season prove to be an overachievement?
Heading into last season, many believed the 49ers were simply playing out the string of a retool that would require a tough season of taking on oodles of dead cap space to get back into contention. Instead of a fourth-place finish like many projected, they rounded back into playoff form and came close to winning the division. This is a talented, but older roster that is in a much better financial state moving forward. Will that be enough to win the division or have post-season success? We’ll see.
7. Baltimore Ravens
2026 Question To Answer: Will replacing John Harbaugh prove to be the needed move to get the Ravens back to a serious Super Bowl contender?
Like the Bills, the Ravens felt a change was needed after their Harbaugh-led squad failed to make the playoffs, thanks to a down season and a missed field goal with time expiring in Week 18. There’s no question about Harbaugh’s ability as a coach, but sometimes fresh ideas are what are needed to get a team back over the top. This is a young coaching staff with plenty of talent, but unlocking Lamar Jackson will be key to any Super Bowl aspirations.
8. Houston Texans
2026 Question To Answer: Can C.J. Stroud prove to be an above-average quarterback, or will his historical rookie performance prove to be the outlier?
There’s no questioning the Texans’ defense. They are about as elite as elite comes. The issue is that in the AFC, they need an offense that can outplay some of the conference’s other elite defenses. Much of that starts with quarterback play, where, frankly, Stroud has failed to live up to expectations after an impressive rookie campaign. Last year’s playoff performance was one of the worst we’ve seen in quite a while. Although they continue to praise Stroud publicly, this feels like a big year for the fourth-year quarterback to prove he’s worthy of a high-dollar extension and capable of being good enough in a stacked conference of top-end quarterbacks.
9. Chicago Bears
2026 Question To Answer: Can Caleb Williams take the next step into quarterback stardom?
Year 1 of the Williams and Ben Johnson marriage didn’t get off to the best of starts, but by the time their season ended, the Bears’ offense showed plenty of promise. No one has ever doubted Williams’ big-play ability or athleticism, but the next step in his development is making the easy plays look… Well, easy. If he can do that, it’s easy to envision a scenario where he climbs into the Top 5-7 range. Step 1 will be getting his completion percentage up, which was the worst of any qualifying starting quarterback in the league last season.
10. Kansas City Chiefs
2026 Question To Answer: Will 2025 prove to be an “off year” or is the Chiefs’ window actually closing?
Last season could not have gone much worse for the Chiefs, no matter how you slice it. Missing the playoffs is one thing, but losing your star quarterback that late into the season with a serious knee injury is even more challenging. On the plus side, Patrick Mahomes will be ready for Week 1, and it appears that it took a losing season for them to upgrade the soft spots of their roster. This group is one year removed from back-to-back Super Bowl appearances. Now they must prove last year was a fluke, not the end of a dominant era.
11. Detroit Lions
2026 Question To Answer: Did Dan Campbell successfully replace Ben Johnson, or will another botched hire cost the Lions another year of their window?
Detroit’s overall offensive numbers still ranked Top 10 in the league, but that was more talent-based than anything to do with coaching. Campbell did a solid job taking over playcalling duties, but he’s at his best as a head coach when he’s playing the CEO role. While many will think of Johnson as a great hire, his track record since being promoted to OC leaves plenty to be desired. This feels like a scenario where another failed hire could lead to a piping hot seat by year’s end.
12. Philadelphia Eagles
2026 Question To Answer: Is Philly a house of cards, or will rooting out some of the discontent get them back on track?
Despite a strong start to last season, something felt “off” for the majority of last year. They benefited from a favorable schedule and a weak division. History suggests that won’t be the case again this year. With A.J. Brown gone and an offseason to sort of last year’s turmoil behind the scenes, the Eagles must prove that they can keep things on track. If so, they are still a vastly talented team, but the offense, especially at quarterback, needs to get going early.
13. Jacksonville Jaguars
2026 Question To Answer: Who is Trevor Lawrence? The age-old question still exists following a tale of two halves last season.
Landing the top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft felt like the godsend that the Jaguars needed to get back on top. Instead, it’s been five seasons of inconsistency from Lawrence, including last season. Now, Jacksonville must figure out if Lawrence’s vast improvement during the second half was for real, or if Year 2 under Liam Coen is going to lead to a similar overall product. If Lawrence can maintain the same trajectory as he ended the season with, he’s a borderline Top 5 quarterback. If not, some tough discussions will need to start next offseason.
14. Green Bay Packers
2026 Question To Answer: Can the Packers survive the first four-to-six weeks of the season before Micah Parsons returns?
From Weeks 1 through 14, the Packers looked destined to win the NFC North and be a serious Super Bowl contender. Then, Denver happened, Parsons was lost for the season, and Green Bay didn’t win another game. So, who are the Packers in 2025? The team that starts 9-4-1 or the team that couldn’t finish a game down the stretch? With Parsons not expected back until October, they’ll need to stay around .500 to have a chance to contend for a playoff spot.
15. Los Angeles Chargers
2026 Question To Answer: Will 2026 finally be the year the Chargers find some playoff success?
Injuries have continued to be an issue for the Chargers, and while those shouldn’t be overlooked, at some point, this team has to deliver. Making the playoffs in back-to-back years is a nice start for Jim Harbaugh and company, but that only goes so far if that’s the maximum potential of this team. Having a healthy and productive offensive line would be a good start, but the team will need a big year from second-year running back Omarion Hampton, too.
16. Carolina Panthers
2026 Question To Answer: Will 2025 prove to be a launching pad for a young Panthers team, or was it ephemeral?
The NFC South is wide open. Over the last four seasons, teams under .500 have won the division twice, and overall, only three teams have finished over .500 in that time. Carolina was the most recent example of a below .500 finisher winning the division, and it wouldn’t be a surprise if eight or nine wins got it done again. So where does that leave the Panthers? A lot of that depends on Bryce Young, but their defense looks considerably better on paper after a strong offseason. There’s plenty to be proven in 2026 in Carolina.
17. Dallas Cowboys
2026 Question To Answer: Will a new and improved defense, headlined by defensive coordinator Christian Parker, be enough to get the Cowboys back in contention?
Very rarely has anyone questioned the success of the Cowboys’ offense. Typically, they are either in playoff contention or missing the playoffs altogether because of a poor defense. That was the exact storyline in 2025 after trading Parsons, and owner Jerry Jones took that personally. Following an offseason focused on the defensive side of the ball, there’s enough, at least on paper, to get Dallas back to the top in the NFC East. Now we’ll see if everything on paper matches what we should see on the field.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
2026 Question To Answer: Following an aggressive offseason, is the Bengals’ window still open?
For the first time in what feels like forever, ownership and the front office showed urgency to improve the roster. Adding Dexter Lawrence was a big swing that no one saw coming. In addition, they added Boye Mafe, Brian Cook, and Jonathan Allen in free agency. For a defense that needed plenty of help, it looks like Cincinnati finally gave it to them. Joe Burrow’s health is a key factor in all of this, but the top of the AFC North is wide open, and the Bengals have as good a chance as anyone to come out on top.
19. Pittsburgh Steelers
2026 Question To Answer: Can Take 2 of Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers respark some magic in Rodgers’ final season?
It’s been a while, so it’s easy to forget how things ended up for McCarthy in Green Bay, but in many ways, it felt like he was tossed under the bus following a tough 2018 campaign. Seven years later, the band is back together, and for the life of me, I cannot understand what the Steelers are trying to do. Rodgers hasn’t looked the same since leaving Green Bay, and the history of third-time NFL head coaches has not been pretty. Pittsburgh is banking on change being enough to find some postseason success, but count me as someone who doubts they even make it that far.
20. Indianapolis Colts
2026 Question To Answer: Who are the Colts? The team that got off to the hottest start in football or the one that crumbled down the stretch.
Much of that answer will rely on how Daniel Jones looks in 2026, but the Colts are one of the bigger unknowns heading into this year. Indianapolis’ offense should be in good shape, but the defense has a few questions to answer. This feels like a make-or-break year for general manager Chris Ballard and head coach Shane Steichen, especially after going all-in during last year’s deadline for Sauce Gardner. The AFC South is deeper than usual, so the Colts have their work cut out for them.
21. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
2026 Question To Answer: Is this Todd Bowles’ final stand? Making the playoffs might not be enough for Tampa Bay.
Last year was the first time in six years that the Bucs didn’t make the playoffs. That said, Bowles has yet to eclipse 11 wins in four seasons as the team’s head coach. Now that multiple long-time veterans have left, the upcoming season feels important for everyone involved. Tampa Bay needs to find its way back to the playoffs, but it also needs to show some upside once it gets there.
22. Minnesota Vikings
2026 Question To Answer: Can Kyler Murray become the next in a long line of successful veteran projects for Kevin O’Connell?
Whether or not the organization wants to admit it publicly or not, the J.J. McCarthy era appears to be over, barring a mid-season change and a historic turnaround. Signing Murray was one thing, but handing him the Week 1 job in Year 3 for McCarthy is another. With all the focus on the veteran quarterback and an offense with a history of getting career years out of these types of reclamation projects, Minnesota has to hope that Murray can show enough to justify an extension. The NFC North is tightly contested, and without at least a Top 15-level quarterback, it’s hard to imagine the Vikings stand much of a chance. No pressure, Kyler.
23. Washington Commanders
2026 Question To Answer: Who are the Commanders? The team that went to the NFC Championship Game or the 5-12 group who struggled last season. Jayden Daniels’ health and play style might dictate that answer.
Heading into last season, many had Daniels as a strong MVP candidate heading into Year 2. Like Houston, following up a historic rookie year is no easy feat. Their “true self” is probably somewhere in the middle of the last two seasons, but Daniels must stay healthy and show tangible growth in David Blough’s offense. That’s a tough ask for a first-year coordinator with minimal coaching experience.
24. New York Giants
2026 Question To Answer: Will John Harbaugh be the difference maker with a promising young core of players who need to take big Year 2 steps?
In many ways, landing the eldest Harbaugh brother felt like the biggest win for the Giants in recent history. Although the Brian Daboll era got off to a promising start, it quickly became the same old Giants. Without flashes from last year’s rookie class, the future wouldn’t feel quite as bright, but Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo all showed plenty of promise in Year 1. Now it’s up to Harbaugh and his staff to maximize their ceilings. If they can do that, the Giants could see a big jump in 2026.
25. New Orleans Saints
2026 Question To Answer: How high is Tyler Shough’s ceiling? On paper, the Saints might be good enough to compete for the NFC South if Shough can take another big step forward in 2026.
If not for Shough’s quality rookie campaign, the outlook for the Saints heading into this season would be much different. Instead, there appears to be light at the end of the tunnel. For me, the Saints are one of my dark-horse division winners for the season, and one of my favorite “surprise” teams overall for 2026. Shough will need to take the next step, but there’s quite a bit to like about this team, especially in a weaker division.
26. Atlanta Falcons
2026 Question To Answer: Do the Falcons have their long-term answer at quarterback on the roster? This feels like a team biding its time until they can draft the next in line.
Training camp and the preseason did not go as planned, at least if you’re Tua. The struggles were evident, and without Michael Penix participating in team drills (or preseason games), this new coaching staff has an incomplete picture and, thus, a very uncomfortable understanding of what they’ll get from their quarterbacks. Add to the fact that they’ve retooled their defense to a less aggressive personnel set, and there are far more questions than answers for this new regime in Atlanta.
27. Las Vegas Raiders
2026 Question To Answer: Can the Raiders stick to their original developmental plan for No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza?
Through camp and the preseason, the answer appears to be a solid “yes”. That said, regular-season pressure and a struggling Kirk Cousins could make sticking to that much harder. The offensive line needs to prove itself, Ashton Jeanty needs to get healthy and stay that way, and their receiving options outside of Brock Bowers need to emerge. Vegas needs to remain patient.
28. Tennessee Titans
2026 Question To Answer: Will Cam Ward be the next young quarterback to experience a sizable Year 2 leap?
Quarterback development is rarely linear, and for Titans fans, the hope is that a rough preseason and training camp won’t be a sign of things to come. Ward has all the physical tools to be a very good quarterback, but Tennessee set him up to fail during his rookie season (which is far from uncommon). It’ll be up to new head coach Robert Saleh and offensive coordinator Brian Daboll to get Ward back on track to reach his full potential.
29. Cleveland Browns
2026 Question To Answer: How will life after Myles Garrett look? The roster is young and developing, but it could be another long season for the Browns.
Cleveland has plenty of young talent to be excited about, but trading Garrett was a clear sign this regime doesn’t see a team close to competing. On the plus side, a bad year in 2026 likely lands them a top quarterback in next year’s class. The downside? Fans will have to sit through a year of awful quarterback play to get there.
30. Arizona Cardinals
2026 Question To Answer: Can a change at head coach spark enough improvement to get the Cardinals back on track?
Every year, fans fall into the trap of predicting the upcoming season based on how training camp and the preseason go. We must be careful not to read too much into Arizona’s preseason, but we can also acknowledge that this team has some talent. Mike LaFleur has his hands full, but with a better quarterback next season, it’s easy to see some light at the end of the tunnel.
31. Miami Dolphins
2026 Question To Answer: Is Malik Willis the long-term answer at quarterback?
Struggles during training camp and the preseason can be expected for a rebuilding team with a new regime at the helm. The Dolphins claimed an NFL-high seven players when the waiver wire process concluded following cut-down day. Typically, teams expected to struggle have a long list of new additions from different teams. That said, if Willis can prove to be the long-term answer at quarterback, the near-term future gets a lot brighter. He’ll do that without much help, though.
32. New York Jets
2026 Question To Answer: How long of a leash will Aaron Glenn receive in Year 2 now that the Jets are fully committed to a rebuild?
It was interceptions galore during the preseason for the Jets. While this roster is still far away from competing, things seem to be headed in the right direction. That said, what happens if there’s another slow start? How long does Glenn survive? Of all the “bad” teams, the Jets feel the most volatile, likely because most of the others have a first-year head coach.
