BUCCANEERS WIDE RECEIVER EMEKA EGBUKA LIMPS OFF VS JETS IN JOINT PRACTICE, DOESN’T RETURN
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Emeka Egbuka limped off the field during a joint practice with the New York Jets on Wednesday and didn’t return.
Buccaneers coach Todd Bowles had no immediate information on the nature or severity of the apparent injury.
“I don’t know his status as of right now because I was on the other field,” Bowles said. “But I’ll check on that as soon as I go in.”
Bowles was asked if the injury was to the second-year receiver’s ankle, but the coach said he hadn’t gotten any word. Egbuka, along with several of the starters, was not expected to play in the preseason opener Friday night.
Egbuka, who caught 63 passes for 938 yards and six touchdowns last season, appeared to have been rolled up on after making a catch during practice. He limped off the field under his own power and was examined by trainers on a table for several minutes. Egbuka later returned to the Buccaneers’ sideline with both cleats off but didn’t practice again.
With Mike Evans now in San Francisco, Egbuka is expected to see an increased role in the offense as one of Baker Mayfield’s primary passing targets along with Chris Godwin, fellow second-year receiver Jalen McMillan and rookie third-rounder Ted Hurst.
Egbuka was a first-round draft pick last year, taken 19th overall out of Ohio State.
Browning still set to start for Buccaneers
Backup quarterback Jake Browning didn’t practice Wednesday after injuring his back during the joint session with the Jets on Tuesday.
Bowles said Browning hasn’t been ruled out of the preseason opener and will start if he’s available. Baker Mayfield will sit out, so Bowles said Connor Bazelak would start the game against the Jets if Browning is sidelined. Undrafted rookie Jalon Daniels also would see playing time.
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COACH DAVE CANALES HAS POSITIVE OUTLOOK ON XAVIER LEGETTE UPON RETURN TO PRACTICE FOLLOWING INJURY
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Panthers wide receiver Xavier Legette may not be playing in Saturday’s preseason game at the Buffalo Bills after suffering a stinger early in training camp.
A former first-round draft pick, Legette closed the team’s practice session Wednesday with what head coach Dave Canales called a “walk off touchdown” catch from quarterback Bryce Young.
Canales had a positive outlook about Legette following his return to practice Wednesday.
“It was good to see him back out there, playing like himself and playing fast,” Canales said. “I don’t think he’ll play (Saturday). We haven’t gotten him to that level of conditioning. He’s doing a phenomenal job and he’s a guy that we’re counting on.”
Legette said he spent the offseason working to improve his skills and that he recognized why some are questioning his future, especially after losing his starting job late last season to undrafted free agent Jalen Coker.
“I’m just focusing on the details,” said Legette, who was injured in an Aug. 4 practice session after landing awkwardly on his head and neck. “Everything that was on tape last year that was bad, I looked at that and tried to do things better. I’m always trying to work on getting better.”
The last pick of the first round of the 2024 draft, Legette has caught 84 passes for 860 yards and seven touchdowns in 31 games.
Legette was asked if his confidence had been shaken following last year’s 35-catch season, down from the 49 receptions he had during his rookie year.
“I ain’t never lost my confidence,” Legette said. “I’m just trying to continue to make plays. I’m happy to be here.”
In addition to workouts at the Panthers facility, Legette said he, along with other Carolina receivers, worked out with Young in Los Angeles and Arizona this offseason in hopes of improving on his receiving skills and chemistry with his quarterback.
“I’m just working on the details and trying to get those things right,” Legette said.
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KIRK COUSINS AND FERNANDO MENDOZA WILL BOTH GET PLAYING TIME FOR RAIDERS IN PRESEASON OPENER
HENDERSON, Nev. (AP) — Raiders quarterbacks Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza will both play Thursday night when Las Vegas hosts the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game, but coach Klint Kubiak wouldn’t provide details on how much playing time they and their teammates would get.
“Our starters are going to play,” Kubiak said, adding that standout pass rusher Maxx Crosby’s availability would be “TBD.”
Cousins, who’s entering his 15th NFL season, has been running the first-team offense in training camp and is expected to be the starter when the Raiders open their season Sept. 13 against Miami.
Mendoza was the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Heisman Trophy winner, who led Indiana to its first national championship, has worked with the second-team offense nearly all camp.
Mendoza ran the first-team offense Saturday, when Cousins and Crosby were held out of team drills because of a tussle between the two the day before.
“He’s continuing to grow,” Kubiak said Tuesday before the Raiders’ scheduled practice that night at Allegiant Stadium. “It’s been a really impressive training camp as far as how he’s prepared, and then he goes out there to practice. Things don’t happen on the paper, the playbook, exactly how they do on the field. I think he’s done a good job of adjusting.
“With all of our players, we ask that as they gain experience and they make mistakes that they don’t make the same mistake twice. I think that he’s done a good job of that, and now it comes to live bullets with a live pass rush, and that’ll be a whole other animal.”
Benson has chance to shine in preseason
The preseason opener also provides an opportunity for rookie wide receiver Malik Benson to show that his promising play in camp can translate into a game.
Drafted in the sixth round out of Oregon, Benson quickly played his way onto the second team. He began to develop a rapport with Mendoza before they arrived in Las Vegas, and their connection has been obvious in practices. He also has worked with the starters and began to build an on-field relationship with Cousins as well.
“Just for my confidence, I feel like it has been really good for me,” Benson said of being with the top group. “Just to show myself that I can do it. I’m really glad that the coaches and my teammates are giving me (the) opportunity. They’re trusting me, and I’m able to show that I can be trusted.”
McCoy to get game action
Kubiak said rookie cornerback Jermod McCoy will receive plenty of playing time, which could showcase the progress he’s made since tearing an ACL after the 2024 season at Tennessee.
He had been considered a first-round talent, but the Raiders got him in the fourth round after trading up a spot.
“Jermod has been practicing almost every day we’ve been out there, so we expect him to play,” Kubiak said. “We expect him to compete and look forward to watching him play.”
Injured players on the mend
Defensive ends Kwity Paye and Keyron Crawford, guard Caleb Rogers and wide receiver Dont’e Thornton Jr. have missed practice in recent days with undisclosed injuries.
“Most of those guys we expect to play in this game,” Kubiak said. “Not all of them will, and we hope the ones that don’t play get to go get ready for that Houston game (next week).”
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BEARS’ JOHNSON: ‘I WANT TO HAVE THE HIGHEST-SCORING OFFENSE EVER’
Chicago Bears head coach Ben Johnson isn’t just hoping to hoist the Lombardi Trophy this season – he wants to shatter records in the process.
“You’ve got 31 other teams coming to training camp saying, ‘Our goal is to win the Super Bowl,'” Johnson told The Athletic’s Dan Pompei. “I want more than that. I want to have the highest-scoring offense ever, which happens to be the 2013 Denver Broncos. I know how many points per game they scored, and I want to surpass them. I want shutouts. I want blowouts.”
He added: “The moon is the Super Bowl, but we’re shooting beyond that, for the stars. And I want these players to feel that each and every single day they come in.”
The 2013 Broncos averaged 37.9 points per game, though they failed to win the Super Bowl.
The Bears, in their first season under Johnson, averaged 25.9 points in 2025, good for ninth in the NFL. Johnson produced his best year as a play-caller in his final season as the Detroit Lions’ offensive coordinator in 2024, when the unit posted 33.2 points per contest.
Johnson and the Bears enter the 2026 campaign looking to build on last year’s success after winning the team’s first division title since 2018 and earning its first playoff victory since the 2010 season.
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NFL POWER RANKINGS
1. Los Angeles Rams
L.A. had the best team on paper coming out of the NFL draft, then it pulled off the move of the summer by trading for reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. This squad is littered with stars on both sides of the ball. As long as they’re healthy, the Rams are the team to beat.
2. Seattle Seahawks
It’s tough to disrespect the defending champions like this, but while the Rams were busy adding all offseason, the Seahawks let contributors like Coby Bryant, Kenneth Walker, and Boye Mafe walk out the door. Between the draft and internal development, Seattle believes it has adequate replacements.
3. New England Patriots
A.J. Brown’s arrival pushes Romeo Doubs, DeMario Douglas, and the rest of the Patriots’ receivers into more natural roles. And New England’s dynamic new wideout has been lighting up training camp after a slow start. Super Bowl hangovers have doomed runner-ups in the past, but the Pats might’ve added enough firepower to avoid that.
4. Denver Broncos
You could argue that the Broncos have the AFC’s most talented roster from top to bottom. However, football often boils down to quarterback play, which means Bo Nix will be under the microscope all year long. Although Denver reached the conference title game last season, Nix’s numbers were slightly worse than the year prior.
5. Buffalo Bills
The Bills will be contenders as long as Josh Allen is their quarterback, but they enter the preseason still facing important questions at cornerback, safety, and defensive tackle. Buffalo relied too much on Allen last season and is at risk of repeating that mistake.
6. Philadelphia Eagles
DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon missing time due to hamstring injuries is a concern for a team trying to reinvent its offense. The Eagles need both receivers and Jonathan Greenard – who’s missed all of camp with a pectoral injury but was brought in to reignite the pass rush – to get healthy if they want to hit the ground running.
7. Baltimore Ravens
The pieces are in place for the Ravens to rebound after they missed the playoffs for just the second time in eight years last season. The disaster led to a coaching change, with Jesse Minter replacing John Harbaugh. Don’t be surprised if Minter has Lamar Jackson and Co. back near the top of the ladder soon.
8. Chicago Bears
Luther Burden and Coby Bryant going down with injuries has squashed some of the excitement around the NFC North champions. Burden could be back from a groin problem by Week 1, but Bryant may miss the entire season with a knee injury. Regardless, the Bears have a young, exciting team capable of taking another step in 2026.
9. Kansas City Chiefs
A healthy Patrick Mahomes and a promising draft class could quickly catapult the Chiefs back into the title mix. Still, they’ll need to bring in another receiver unless training camp standout Cyrus Allen turns out to be the real deal. In any event, Kansas City is coming off a 6-11 campaign but we’re buying stock while it’s low.
10. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars opened a lot of eyes with a 13-win season in Liam Coen’s coaching debut, and they’re hoping to ride that momentum into the new campaign. Greater contributions from Travis Hunter and Brian Thomas Jr. could raise the team’s ceiling, though Jacksonville won’t catch anyone by surprise this time around.
11. Houston Texans
Just when you thought this defense couldn’t get any better, the Texans reunited with Jadeveon Clowney, who’ll rotate in with Will Anderson and Danielle Hunter on the edge. All the questions surrounding Houston boil down to its offense and whether C.J. Stroud can return to the form he displayed in 2023, when he ran away with Offensive Rookie of the Year.
12. San Francisco 49ers
The injury epidemic in San Francisco continues. Ricky Pearsall is out for the season, Mike Evans, Christian Kirk, and De’Zhaun Stribling have all dealt with injuries in camp – and we’ve only touched on the receivers. Star running back Christian McCaffrey (tightness) and defensive end Nick Bosa (knee) headline the rest of the list.
13. Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers went 11-6 in 2024 and 2025, suffering wild-card beatdowns in both seasons. When you look at their roster, that feels about right. New offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is tinkering with Justin Herbert’s footwork, but unless that unlocks something magical, the Bolts are destined for a similar fate.
14. Dallas Cowboys
A revamped defense should be better suited to complement a prolific Cowboys offense more than it did a year ago. If it does, Dallas will cause trouble for the rest of the NFC. This squad could go all the way if the stars align, but you’re old enough to know that they never do.
15. Green Bay Packers
Micah Parsons could be out until mid-October while rehabbing his knee, leaving the Packers to start the season without their best player. Green Bay did little to make up for his looming absence or fill the void left by Romeo Doubs’ and Rashan Gary’s departures. Instead of finding help, the club’s banking on internal growth to offset the losses.
16. Detroit Lions
Detroit’s offense should be fine, especially with Jahmyr Gibbs’ contract situation resolved, but the defense is still a huge concern. The cornerback room remains a work in progress, both starting safeties are hurt, and Aidan Hutchinson might have to be a one-man band rushing the passer. Until the defense improves, the Lions will have to win a lot of shootouts.
17. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings named Kyler Murray their starter, with the veteran quarterback supplanting J.J. McCarthy. While Murray has his faults, Minnesota can surround him with the kind of coaching and talent he never had in Arizona. This team could be a dark horse in the NFC.
18. Cincinnati Bengals
Cincinnati dedicated nearly all its offseason resources to fixing a defense that couldn’t get a stop to save its life last year. The Bengals have missed three consecutive postseasons, and it’s now been half a decade since they reached the Super Bowl and looked like a budding powerhouse.
19. New York Giants
Season-opening contests against the Cowboys and Rams will be even more daunting if top receiver Malik Nabers isn’t ready to go in his comeback from a torn ACL and meniscus. An offseason of hype could quickly wash away if the Giants open with back-to-back losses.
20. Pittsburgh Steelers
Aaron Rodgers is back, but expectations must be tempered considering he’s 42 and provides limited upside at this stage of his career. The Steelers tinkered with the margins of their roster over the offseason, but it’s going to take a much greater renovation project before Pittsburgh can dream about Super Bowls again.
21. New Orleans Saints
The Saints have quietly gotten their ducks in a row, while the rest of the NFC South seemingly spins its wheels. Chris Olave extension? Check. Jordyn Tyson healthy? Check. Alvin Kamara and Cameron Jordan back in the fold? Check. This team appears to be on the right trajectory, even after losing Bryan Bresee to an ACL injury in camp.
22. Washington Commanders
The Commanders finally found their No. 2 receiver by signing Stefon Diggs partway through training camp, only for the excitement to wash away with Laremy Tunsil’s injury. The star left tackle tore his triceps over the weekend and is expected to miss most, if not all, of the regular season. One step forward, one step back.
23. Indianapolis Colts
Quarterback Daniel Jones has been a full go at practice, a positive development after he tore his Achilles in December. In less exciting news, top receiver Alec Pierce hasn’t practiced since offseason ankle surgery and doesn’t have a clear timetable for his return. It’s a big year for the regime in Indy, and the Colts need all hands on deck.
24. Tennessee Titans
The Titans have tried to load up around Cam Ward as they look to accelerate his development and become relevant again. With only six wins over the last two years, we’ll need to see results before we start to buy the hype, even if we liked their offseason.
25. Carolina Panthers
Carolina’s depth is already being tested, with rookie receiver Chris Brazzell II and sophomore pass-rusher Nic Scourton out for the season and key offensive tackle Taylor Moton dealing with a blood clot in his lung. The Panthers topped the NFC South last year, but that had more to do with the division than themselves.
26. Las Vegas Raiders
A busy offseason yielded a promising new coach in Klint Kubiak and a vastly improved quarterback situation featuring veteran Kirk Cousins and No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza. The Raiders might not be ready to win big, but they should at least be competitive this year.
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers are in the precarious position of having their most important offensive player (QB Baker Mayfield) and most important defensive player (DT Vita Vea) angry over their contracts. Tampa Bay fell off a cliff down the stretch last season, and this ship is at risk of sinking further.
28. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons could be forced to start Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback in Week 1 while Michael Penix Jr. continues to rehab his knee. On the opposite side of the ball, Atlanta once dreamed of Jalon Walker and James Pearce Jr. wreaking havoc off the edge, but Walker tore his ACL, and the NFL could discipline Pearce for his February arrest.
29. New York Jets
Though the Jets don’t necessarily need to win oodles of games this year, Aaron Glenn will be two-and-out as their coach if they don’t look a lot more competitive. He’s remade the defense and has three first-round rookies to work with, so it’s time to see some progress.
30. Cleveland Browns
The strength of the Browns is in flux after they traded away Myles Garrett, the longtime face of the franchise. Even more concerning is the state of the offense, as Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders are at the center of an uninspiring quarterback competition.
31. Arizona Cardinals
A veteran signal-caller like Jacoby Brissett will give the Cardinals some stability early, but it won’t take long for fans to demand change as losses pile up. And they will pile up. On the bright side, Carson Beck looked good in the Hall of Fame Game.
32. Miami Dolphins
First-year coach Jeff Hafley can deny it all he wants, but it doesn’t change the reality: this is a rebuilding year for the Dolphins. If Malik Willis makes good on his $23.5-million salary and first-round picks Kadyn Proctor and Chris Johnson develop, Miami will consider this season a resounding success.
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2026 NFL SEASON PREDICTIONS
AFC EAST
Buffalo Bills: 12-5
New England Patriots: 9-8
Miami Dolphins: 5-12
New York Jets: 2-15
AFC NORTH
Pittsburgh Steelers: 12-5
Baltimore Ravens: 11-6
Cincinnati Bengals: 11-6
Cleveland Browns: 3-14
AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis Colts: 9-8
Houston Texans: 9-8
Tennessee Titans: 7-10
Jacksonville Jaguars: 6-11
AFC WEST
Kansas City Chiefs: 11-6
Denver Broncos: 11-6
Los Angeles Chargers: 10-7
Las Vegas Raiders: 5-12
NFC EAST
Philadelphia Eagles: 13-4
Dallas Cowboys: 13-4
New York Giants: 9-8
Washington Commanders: 7-10
NFC NORTH
Green Bay Packers: 10-7
Minnesota Vikings: 10-7
Detroit Lions: 8-9
Chicago Bears: 7-10
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons: 10-7
Carolina Panthers: 8-9
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 8-9
New Orleans Saints: 4-13
NFC WEST
Los Angeles Rams: 12-5
Seattle Seahawks: 11-6
San Francisco 49ers: 7-10
Arizona Cardinals: 2-15
PROJECTED NFC PLAYOFF FIELD
Philadelphia Eagles
Los Angeles Rams
Atlanta Falcons
Green Bay Packers
Dallas Cowboys
Seattle Seahawks
Minnesota Vikings
PROJECTED AFC PLAYOFF FIELD
Buffalo Bills
Pittsburgh Steelers
Kansas City Chiefs
Indianapolis Colts
Denver Broncos
Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals
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2026 NFL PREVIEW: ARIZONA CARDINALS
Changes ::
Offense: Arizona revamped their coaching staff after bottoming out in 2025 and hired new head coach Mike LaFleur, who was previously the offensive coordinator for the Rams. He is expected to implement many of the key concepts we see from the Sean McVay coaching tree in terms of personnel usage and play calling.
Defense: Arizona retained defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who is only 32 years old. Rallis should have a more direct involvement with the defense this year after working under defense oriented Jonathan Gannon the last three seasons.
Personnel Changes ::
The Kyler Murray era is over in Arizona as they cut him with no compensation in return. The Cardinals current starter appears to be Jacoby Brissett, who is now holding out for actual “starter” money, while they also brought in veteran journeyman Gardner Minshew for depth and to give themselves more options.
Arizona’s backfield is extremely crowded all of a sudden after selecting electric RB Jeremiyah Love with the third overall pick in the draft and signing Tyler Allgeier in free agency. The team still has James Conner and Trey Benson on the roster as well, at least one of which will likely be traded in the coming weeks.
Marvin Harrison Jr. is coming off an injury riddled 2025 season, while Michael Wilson was one of the breakout stories of the year in the NFL. Arizona added Kendrick Bourne and Devin Duvernay in the offseason to round out their top four receivers, but Wilson and MHJ will be the everydown options.
Trey McBride is coming off a season in which he set the NFL record for receptions by a tight end. The massive Tip Reiman and the versatile Elijah Higgins are next on the depth chart. LaFleur used heavy tight end personnel packages often with the Rams last season, so one or both of Reiman and Higgins could see a significant bump in playing time this season.
Schedule ::
Divisional Games (6) ::
LAR x2, SF x2, SEA x2
NFC East (4)::
@ DAL, @ Giants, vs. PHI, vs. WAS
AFC West (4)::
@ KC, @ Chargers, vs. DEN, vs. LV
vs. DET, vs. Jets, @ NO
The Cardinals offense just didn’t fit in past seasons and Kyler Murray never acclimated to former offensive coordinator Drew Petzing’s offense. On the same token, Petzing was never able to fully adjust and show the ability to build an effective offense around Murray’s skill set. The Cardinals were a source of explosive fantasy scoring once Murray was off the field, however, and their skill players are absolutely loaded with talent this season. We never really saw the Cardinals at full strength with McBride, Harrison, and Wilson all healthy and effective after Wilson had broken out and Brissett was under center. This year we should see that trio on the field together often, while also adding a game-changer in the backfield in Jeremiyah Love after having a pedestrian group back there in 2025.
Mike LaFleur is a young coach who is coming from a place where he learned from Sean McVay how to effectively scheme your best players the ball and get them in situations that fit their skill sets. Looking at the 2025 Rams and comparing them to the 2026 Cardinals, we should expect Trey McBride’s skillset to fill all the high volume underneath work that the Rams used Puka Nacua for and McBride will be used as a matchup nightmare all over the field. He will likely play in-line, in the slot, out wide, in the backfield, and being put in motion often. Harrison and Wilson provide defenses with a choice on the perimeter as both are above average talents who can make defenses pay when coverage is shaded away from them. Harrison should bounce back from last year and benefit from an improved scheme and less defensive attention. Wilson is a nightmare on in-breaking routes and will likely be asked to do a lot of the things Davante Adams did for the Rams last season. Finally, Love and Tyler Allgeier should complement each other extremely well. Allgeier can be a mix of himself in Bijan Robinson’s rookie year and Blake Corum last year with Los Angeles—a “1B” back who handles some of the pounding and gets seven to 15 touches per game depending on game script. The Cardinals should be far more balanced in 2026, which makes them more dynamic and explosive with a higher ceiling prior to defenses going “prevent” with big leads.
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2026 NFL PREVIEW: LA RAMS
Changes ::
Offense: Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur left the team after three seasons to become the Arizona Cardinals head coach. Sean McVay is still here, however, which means that the Rams offense will look largely the same as what we have seen in recent years. Nate Scheelhaase was promoted internally to replace LaFleur.
Defense: Chris Shula enters his third season as the Rams defensive coordinator.
Personnel Changes ::
Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford returns for another season. The Rams selected QB Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the NFL Draft as the heir apparent whenever Stafford decides to retire – but that won’t be for at least one more season.
Kyren Williams and Blake Corum combined to form an elite backfield committee in 2025 and are set to do the same in 2026. These two operate in a “1A/1B” type of situation, usually rotating drives with Williams getting some extra work in special situations.
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams return as arguably the top receiving duo in the league. Jordan Whittington and Konata Mumpfield appear set to fill the WR3 and WR4 roles for the team in what appears to be a very thin receivers room.
The Rams have started a trend in the NFL with their shift to heavier personnel and multiple tight end formations. They are led by veterans Colby Parkinson and Tyler Higbee and have used second round picks at the position in consecutive seasons on Terrence Ferguson (2025) and Max Klare (2026). Davis Allen also played a role in 2025 and it wouldn’t be shocking to see them keep him around as well. Quite a unique and crowded situation.
Schedule ::
Divisional Games (6) ::
LAR x2, SF x2, SEA x2
NFC East (4) ::
vs. DAL, vs. Giants, @ PHI, @ WAS
AFC West (4) ::
vs. KC, vs. Chargers, @ DEN, @ LV
vs. GB, vs. BUF, @ NO
The Rams were the only team in the NFL to average 30 points per game in 2025 and then scored over 30 points in two of their three playoff games. They return all of their key offensive players and are set to run it back with no meaningful reason that they should be unable to. Stafford playing at an MVP level with an elite running game, dynamic receiving options, and one of the best schemes in the league is repeatable and everything else flows from there.
I can actually envision a scenario where this Rams offense becomes even more potent and fantasy friendly in 2026, as crazy as that may sound. Puka is Puka and Davante is much cheaper to acquire this year. The backfield production in McVay’s offense when it is humming is off the charts, which means either Kyren or Corum could be an elite option at the position if the other ever misses time. Also, the way this team is building around and using the tight end position seems to be ahead of the curve as the rest of the NFL scrambles to catch up to the recent trend. This game of cat and mouse works with defenses as well, and the stress it will likely cause and adjustments teams will be forced to make will open them up to other things that the Rams can exploit. I think Parkinson and Ferguson are extremely talented chess pieces that are poised to take their games to another level in 2026 and when you fully add that dynamic to the talent, IQ, and scheme that made this offense so good in 2025 – a repeat of being the top offense in the league wouldn’t be shocking in the least.
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2026 NFL PREVIEW: SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS
Changes ::
Offense: Head coach Kyle Shanahan returns for his 10th season with the 49ers. He will run the offense along with offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak.
Defense: The 49ers lost defensive coordinator Robert Saleh after he became head coach of the Titans. In his place, former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris takes over San Francisco’s defense.
Personnel Changes ::
Brock Purdy returns as the 49ers starting QB and Mac Jones is still in town despite rumors he may be moved after an impressive stint as Purdy’s backup in 2025.
Christian McCaffrey enters his age-30 season following touching the ball over 400 times in 2025. Jordan James, Isaac Guerendo, and third round rookie Kaelon Black will compete for the backup role and touches behind CMC.
The 49ers will be very different at wide receiver as Jauan Jennings, Kendrick Bourne, and Brandon Aiyuk are out. Mike Evans and Christian Kirk joined them in free agency and they drafted De’Zhaun Stribling with the 33rd overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Evans, Kirk, and Ricky Pearsall will likely be the three primary receivers, with Stribling and Demarcus Robinson rounding out the room.
George Kittle tore his achilles in the 49ers Divisional round win over the Eagles and his status for the start of the season is uncertain. Veterans Jake Tonges and Luke Farrell will operate as the top tight ends until he returns.
Schedule ::
Divisional Games (6) ::
SEA x2, LAR x2, ARI x2
NFC East (4) ::
@ DAL, @ Giants, vs. PHI, vs. WAS
AFC West (4) ::
@ KC, @ Chargers, vs. DEN, vs. LV
vs. MIA, vs. MIN, @ ATL
Bull Case ::
San Francisco has an elite system/scheme led by one of the best offensive minds in the game as well as not one, but two, quarterbacks who have proven to be highly effective within that scheme. Brock Purdy has shown himself to be an elite quarterback option when on the field with Christian McCaffrey, who is the quintessential offensive weapon. The 49ers have an elite marriage of coaching, QB play, and cornerstone weapon that gives them the ability to be dynamic and adjust the rest of what they do based on the opponent and their own personnel dynamics. No other sport is as dependent on coaching and the performance of one specific position than football, which gives the 49ers a very high floor to begin with.
The optimistic outlook on this 49ers team is that their retooled weapons could unlock a different look that their elite coaching staff can adjust to. They have the elite ball skills and size of Mike Evans to go along with the versatility and dynamic talents of Ricky Pearsall as their primary options, then the dependability of Kirk and Robinson as well as the blazing speed of De’Zhaun Stribling to utilize situationally as needed. The upside case for the 49ers also has to be built around George Kittle proving to be the freak that we think he may be and returning early in the season at or close to full strength. If Kittle were healthy, he would likely be viewed as the primary receiving option of the bunch. Last year’s 49ers offense had a lot of productive players who have performed well at times, but their lack of downfield threats was evident many times and altered how they were able to stretch defenses. Jauan Jennings and Kendrick Bourne are more short and intermediate type options, whereas Evans and Stribling present very different dynamics for defenses to account for. Kittle returning would also allow the 49ers to utilize more multiple tight end formations as he and Tonges could complement each other, a trend that we are seeing across the NFL.
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2026 NFL PREVIEW: SEATTLE SEAHAWKS
Changes ::
Offense: Seattle lost offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak after their Super Bowl victory, as he took the head coaching position for the Raiders. He is replaced by Brian Fleury, who was formerly the tight ends coach and run game coordinator for the division rival 49ers. His background and style should be relatively similar to what Kubiak was doing.
Defense: Seahawks head coach Mike Macdonald is one of the brighter defensive minds in the game and returns for his third season in Seattle.
Personnel Changes ::
The Seattle QB room is unchanged, as Sam Darnold returns as the starter with Drew Lock and the uber-athletic Jalen Milroe operating as his backups.
Seattle’s running back room looks very different from a year ago as Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III left for the Chiefs in free agency and Zach Charbonnet tore his ACL in the playoffs. Seattle drafted explosive RB Jadarian Price with the last pick of the first round in April’s draft, while free agent acquisition Emanuel Wilson and second year back George Holani are also in the mix.
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Rashid Shaheed, and Cooper Kupp all return as the top wide receivers for Seattle. 2025 draft pick Tory Horton flashed at times before his season was derailed by injury and Jake Bobo is a very good blocker and sees situational snaps as well. All of the main receivers on the roster are returning from last season.
Tight end AJ Barner had a terrific 2025 season and will look to build on it and become more consistent. Elijah Arroyo was a second round pick last season and flashed at times. His upside is through the roof if he can stay on the field and figure some things out.
Schedule ::
Divisional Games (6) ::
ARI x2, LAR x2, SF x2
NFC East (4) ::
vs. DAL, vs. Giants, @ PHI, @ WAS
AFC West (4) ::
vs. KC, vs. Chargers, @ DEN, @ LV
vs. CHI, vs. NE, @ CAR
Bull Case ::
Seattle’s offense was the epitome of efficiency in 2025, operating with the 30th ranked pass rate relative to expectation, but having one of the league’s most lethal passing offenses when they did decide to throw the ball. They were able to accomplish this despite entering the season with what most considered to be a below average offensive line, a new offensive scheme, and inconsistency in their receiving options. Rashid Shaheed was acquired in a midseason trade, Cooper Kupp battled nagging injuries, Tory Horton had a slow start and then a devastating injury, and Elijah Arroyo struggled to get going as he came back from an injury sustained in college.
While the loss of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak is a big deal, the team wisely chose a replacement with a similar background and this team won’t be having to make massive changes that sometimes accompany a coordinator change. The cornerstones of this offense are Sam Darnold and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, whose roles and performance are rock solid. Tight end AJ Barner also returns after a breakout season and the Seahawks running game is built primarily on scheme, while their offensive line is in a much better place than it was entering the 2025 season. The selection of Jadarian Price in the first round of the draft was exactly what this team needed as he and Zach Charbonnet should combine for a dynamic running back duo once Charbonnet is back on the field. The scheme is the real star in Seattle’s offense and they have the pieces, continuity, and confidence to churn out another highly efficient season in 2026, while potentially being even more dynamic if their receiving corps stays healthy.
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2026 NFL PRESEASON WEEK 1: 10 THINGS TO WATCH
(NFL RELEASE)
For the first time since January, we’re about to take in a full slate of NFL action, with Preseason Week 1 kicking off on Thursday. Let’s celebrate by exploring some key storylines!
As usual, a lot of teams will be sitting starters, but there’s still plenty of intrigue at this time of year, following the sweeping changes an offseason brings. Now, for every player who first breaks out in the preseason before going on to star in the league — like Victor Cruz in 2010 — there are a slew of guys who flash before never being heard from again. So, keep a grain of salt with you as the games begin, but keep an eye on these narratives, as well.
Preseason Week 1 schedule and how to watch
Thursday, Aug. 13 (all times ET)
Detroit Lions at Cincinnati Bengals | 7 p.m. | NFL+
Green Bay Packers at Pittsburgh Steelers | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots | 7:30 p.m. | NFL+
Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans | 8 p.m. | NFL+
Arizona Cardinals at Las Vegas Raiders | 8 p.m. | NFL+
Tennessee Titans at San Francisco 49ers | 9 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
Friday, Aug. 14
Denver Broncos at Atlanta Falcons | 7 p.m. | NFL+
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Jets | 7 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
Miami Dolphins at Washington Commanders | 7 p.m. | NFL+
Saturday, Aug. 15
Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills | 1 p.m. | NFL+
Cleveland Browns at Chicago Bears | 1 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants | 1 p.m. | NFL+
Los Angeles Rams at Kansas City Chiefs | 4 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
Jacksonville Jaguars at New Orleans Saints | 4 p.m. | NFL+
Philadelphia Eagles at Baltimore Ravens | 7 p.m. | NFL+
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks | 8 p.m. | NFL Network, NFL+
1) Who wants the Browns’ QB job? The Vikings’ QB tussle has already ended and the competition between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. can’t really begin until Penix is cleared for 11-on-11 work, but Week 1 of the preseason could play a role in Cleveland’s quarterback derby.
How will Deshaun Watson fare in his first game action in nearly two years when the Browns visit the Bears on Saturday? Can Shedeur Sanders close whatever gap exists between him and Watson? As NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport recently reported, it feels like Watson is likely to win the job, but head coach Todd Monken says he isn’t shutting the door on anyone yet.
2) How does J.J. McCarthy respond? As I mentioned, the Vikings’ QB battle didn’t even make it to the preseason, so while we know what the future holds for Kyler Murray, the path forward for McCarthy feels far less certain. The 10th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft has made just 10 career starts, but his value is at an all-time low, given how poorly his time as the starter went. Minnesota could give him extended playing time against the Giants on Saturday with the hope that he performs well and starts to push his price up on the trade market. Carson Wentz is waiting in the wings to become Murray’s primary backup if the Vikings do part ways with McCarthy.
3) Fernando Mendoza, fellow rookie QBs take the big stage. We’ve been projecting how these newbies will perform in the pros for months. Finally, we have our first chance to see them in NFL game action, even if it’s only the preseason.
All signs point toward Kirk Cousins starting for the Raiders come Week 1 of the regular season, but Mendoza could at least make things more interesting if the first overall pick shakes off some training camp struggles and lights up the Cardinals’ defense on Thursday. And hey, the Arizona-Las Vegas tilt will serve as a rematch of sorts between the two QBs who went head to head in last season’s national championship game. Can Carson Beck stay hot after a sensational showing in last week’s Hall of Fame Game? Like Mendoza, he’s not in line to start from the jump, but he has the opportunity to put pressure on incumbent Jacoby Brissett earlier than expected.
Given the shockwaves the Rams sent around the league by drafting Ty Simpson in the first round this year, there will be plenty of eyes on the Alabama product when he takes the field against the Chiefs on Saturday. It would take an injury to Matthew Stafford for the 13th overall pick to see any meaningful regular-season snaps in 2026, but Simpson has been running with the third-team offense in camp, behind backup Stetson Bennett IV. It would at least be reassuring to Rams fans if Simpson were to put on a good show versus Kansas City.
4) Will Mike McCarthy play Aaron Rodgers versus the Packers? It appears we have our first public disagreement of the McCarthy-Rodgers reunion tour. Rodgers told The Athletic McCarthy wants him to play in the preseason, but the 42-year-old quarterback has said that he sees no advantage to taking any exhibition snaps. To top it all off, the Steelers are hosting Green Bay — the team McCarthy and Rodgers won a Super Bowl with before their messy divorce several years later — on Thursday night.
Is this a power struggle and a sign of things to come in Pittsburgh? Or should we all just R-E-L-A-X? Deep sigh.
5) How do Commanders regroup? The new Washington offensive line — sans five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil — could be tested right off the bat. The Dolphins are visiting the Commanders this week, with a joint practice on Wednesday before Friday’s preseason opener, and new Miami head coach Jeff Hafley has said all of his players should be prepared to play in the game. That doesn’t mean all starters will see time, of course, but unlike a lot of teams, he’s not ruling it out.
Losing Tunsil for the foreseeable future due to a triceps injury during Saturday’s practice is a massive blow, one that puts immense pressure on third-year pro Brandon Coleman to protect Jayden Daniels’ blind side. The good news is Coleman has started 18 games at left tackle, including the playoffs, with some success. The bad news: Coleman was benched at guard last season and has durability concerns of his own.
Head coach Dan Quinn has said the team does not intend to look outside the franchise for a left tackle. However, as we all know, plans can change quickly in the NFL, and keeping Daniels upright has to be the ultimate priority for the Commanders.
6) Can the Bears avoid further damage in the secondary? No unit has been bitten by the injury bug in training camp quite like Chicago’s defensive backfield. Nickelback Kyler Gordon, who missed all but three games last season due to injury, is on the PUP list with a calf ailment and there’s no clear timeline for his return. Starting safety Coby Bryant — one of the team’s top pickups of the offseason — is expected to miss 4-6 months after undergoing surgery for a knee injury he suffered in camp. Backup safety Elijah Hicks — who played in every game last season, though mostly on special teams — is also on the PUP list, while backup CB Dallis Flowers is out for the season with a right leg injury he suffered in camp.
Cue Lloyd Christmas.
Suddenly, rookie Dillon Thieneman is one of the most tenured healthy safeties on the team! Given the scope of the injury woes, the Bears have had to turn to players like CB Beanie Bishop Jr., who spent all of last season on practice squads and is suspended for the first three games of the season, to try patch things together. It will be considered a victory if they escape from Saturday’s game against the Browns without more losses to the back end of the defense.
7) Rookie WR showcase. Thursday’s nightcap between the Titans and 49ers will feature the debuts of two top rookie wide receivers. There’s understandably a lot of excitement about Tennessee’s Carnell Tate, the first pass catcher drafted this year, but the buzz about San Francisco’s De’Zhaun Stribling, the first pick in Round 2 (33rd overall), seems to only grow, even with a few missed practices due to hamstring tightness. It sounds like both will see their share of playing time in the preseason opener. While Tate’s lofty draft billing as the fourth overall pick came with the expectation that he’d be playing right away, injuries at receiver have opened a clear lane for Stribling to claim a starting spot from the slot. It will be interesting if the friskiness between the two squads in joint practice this week — with teammates coming to Tate’s defense after one hit that apparently didn’t sit well with Titans players — carries over to the game.
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