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10 Biggest NFL Names That Are Most Likely Still To Get Cut This 2026 Offseason

There has been no shortage of notable NFL players who got released in cap-saving moves at the start of the offseason. That list included Kyler Murray, Tua Tagovailoa, Kirk Cousins, Jawaan Taylor, Joe Mixon, and Stefon Diggs. But don’t think for a second that the big-name offseason roster cuts end there. Many teams are strategically waiting until June 1st to release certain players, knowing they’ll save more in cap space. With that, let’s dive into the 10 biggest NFL names most likely to still get cut this offseason. Which popular NFL players might get cut this offseason? Brandon AiyukBrandon Aiyuk (Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports) The Aiyuk-49ers saga is unlike any other we’ve seen. In the 2024 NFL offseason, he agreed to a four-year contract extension worth $120 million, weeks after initially requesting a trade. He got off to a slow start that year, then suffered season-ending ACL and MCL tears in Week 7 against the Kansas City Chiefs. The 49ers expected their superstar wide receiver to return at some point in the 2025 season while they were in an intense playoff push. But Aiyuk reportedly refused to train with his teammates as he was getting healthier, preferring to keep to himself. Sure enough, the season passed with no return of Aiyuk. GM John Lynch then publicly stated that Aiyuk had played his last game as a 49er, all but assuring a divorce. Cutting Aiyuk would save the 49ers $6.3 million in 2026, $33.1 million in 2027, and $34.987 million in 2027. And by the way? The 49ers don’t exactly need Aiyuk anymore after signing future Hall of Famer Mike Evans and using the No. 33 pick on Ole Miss wideout De’Zhaun Stribling. Aiyuk once looked like a player who was on a Hall of Fame trajectory. He’ll either be traded or cut by the 49ers before Week 1 rolls around. It’s a matter of when, not if. Alvin KamaraDec 8, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara (41) runs with the ball against the New York Giants during the second quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images Before the 2025 NFL trade deadline, Kamara said he would retire if the New Orleans Saints traded him. Even with New Orleans well out of playoff contention, Kamara made it clear that he wasn’t interested in chasing a ring elsewhere. But it’s not up to Kamara if he plays in New Orleans next season. The Saints signed former Jacksonville Jaguars star running back Travis Etienne Jr. to a four-year deal worth $48 million, another clear indicator they don’t plan to keep Kamara around long-term. Cutting Kamara would only save the Saints $376,000, essentially pocket change. But this is a team in transition mode, having already bid farewell to other fan favorites like Cameron Jordan, Demario Davis, and Marshon Lattimore. The Saints would not have thrown money at Etienne if they weren’t planning to make him their RB1. Kamara isn’t a young man anymore at 31, either. We can’t imagine he’d be happy to take on an RB2 role, given all he’s done for the New Orleans organization. If Kamara won’t accept a trade, the Saints’ best bet is to cut the five-time Pro Bowler and let him decide if he’d actually retire. Either way, nobody should be surprised if Kamara is let go before the preseason rolls around. Denzel WardDec 28, 2025; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Browns cornerback Denzel Ward (21) celebrates after the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Huntington Bank Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Don’t let a third straight Pro Bowl nod deceive you. Ward has been on the decline for a couple of years. He’s just lucky that Pro Bowl voting is largely a popularity contest Few cornerbacks were as elite as Ward from 2018 to 2023. In each of his first six seasons, he allowed a passer rating of 78.3 or lower, according to Pro Football Reference. That included a hilarious 56.2 passer rating in 2023. Inexplicably, Ward’s regression began in 2024 — after arguably the best season of his career. He allowed 716 yards in coverage and a passer rating of 92.8. In 2025, he allowed a career-worst 61.3 completion percentage when targeted and a passer rating of 88.1. Thanks to the stupid Deshaun Watson trade and contract, the Browns are in a salary cap predicament this NFL offseason. One easy way out of this mess? Releasing the veteran cornerback. Doing so would save the Browns $17.4 million for 2026 and a whopping $20.5 million for 2027. Cole KmetSep 28, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet (85) misses a throw during the first quarter against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images Many were surprised when the Chicago Bears used their 2025 first-round pick on Michigan tight end Colston Loveland. They already had plenty of pass-catching weapons, including veteran tight end Cole Kmet. Turns out, the Bears knew what they were doing the entire time. Loveland finished the year with 58 receptions for 713 yards and six touchdowns — all tops on the team. His contributions helped Caleb Williams enjoy a breakout year, guiding Chicago to an NFC North division crown and a surprise trip to the Divisional Round. While Loveland enjoyed a superb rookie year, Kmet’s production dropped significantly. He finished with just 30 receptions for 347 yards and two touchdowns.  Kmet has two years remaining on a $50 million extension he signed in the 2023 NFL offseason. Cutting him would only save the Bears $2.35 million against the cap for 2026, but that number increases to $10 million for 2027. Absolutely worth it. Kmet’s role is only going to continue reducing while Williams forms better chemistry with young studs like Loveland, Rome Odunze, and Luther Burden.  Ideally, Chicago would find a taker for Kmet and get something in return. Otherwise, it only makes sense to cut Kmet and save the cap space. The offense will be more than fine without him. Kristian FultonDec 25, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Kristian Fulton (8) misses an interception during the second quarter at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images The Kansas City Chiefs already made one notable roster cut, moving on from veteran offensive tackle Jawaan Taylor. That was at the start of the new league year. By no means should one believe that GM Brett Veach is done clearing out cap space. Last year, the Chiefs signed former Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Kristian Fulton to a two-year deal worth $20 million. Fulton struggled in his transition to Steve Spagnuolo’s defensive scheme and was limited to eight games in 2025 due to injury. Kansas City remade its cornerback room in the NFL offseason. They traded Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams and let Jaylen Watson walk to free agency. KC then moved up to take LSU corner Mansoor Delane with the No. 6 pick. Cutting Fulton would save the cap-strapped Chiefs $5 million before the 2026 season. That cap space could be used for Veach to bring in another serviceable veteran or two before preseason begins. Plus, the Chiefs always seem to develop rock-solid cornerbacks out of nowhere. The rest of their CB room outside of Delane and Fulton may be filled with nobodies. But cutting Fulton is worthwhile if it means saving precious cap dollars. Veach can just trust Spags and Andy Reid to develop quality replacements, too. Patrick QueenDec 7, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Patrick Queen (6) reacts after a defensive stop against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images Queen had four up-and-down seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, who decided the bad outweighed the good. He left in 2024 free agency, signing with the archrival Pittsburgh Steelers on a three-year deal worth $41 million. Queen was supposed to add more juice to a stacked Pittsburgh front seven already featuring TJ Watt, Alex Highsmith, and Cameron Heyward. He had a solid first year with the Steelers, but regressed miserably in 2025 to finish the year with a Pro Football Focus grade of 44.0. Pittsburgh’s expensive and underperforming defense needs a reset, and cutting Queen could be the starting point. If the Steelers cut him, they would save a hefty $10.8 million against the salary cap. If GM Omar Khan can find a taker via trade, Pittsburgh would save $13.3 million. The reality is, Queen’s inconsistent production doesn’t justify his hefty salary. And new Pittsburgh head coach Mike McCarthy wasn’t here when Pittsburgh signed Queen. If he doesn’t think the two-time Pro Bowler fits, the Steelers have no reason to keep him. It feels like the Steelers are ready to rebuild from scratch when Rodgers inevitably retires next year. Why not get a head start now by moving on from one of your overpaid veterans?  Arik ArmsteadJacksonville Jaguars defensive tackle Arik Armstead (91) walks off the field after the game of an NFL football AFC Wild Card playoff matchup, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Bills defeated the Jaguars 27-24. [Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union] Following his release from the 49ers in 2024, Armstead was scooped up by the Jacksonville Jaguars on a three-year deal worth $43.5 million.  After a miserable 2024 campaign, the veteran defensive end bounced back nicely with 5.5 sacks — his best since 2021 — helping the Jags to a surprise 13-win season and AFC South division crown. But the fact remains that Armstead makes too much money for a non-Pro-Bowl-caliber defensive lineman. And the Jaguars would save $14.48 million if they cut him before the regular season. Jacksonville already has two premier edge rushers in Travon Walker and Josh Hines-Allen. Rookies Albert Regis and Wesley Williams could seek meaningful reps as well if the Jaguars were to cut Armstead. And shed no tears for Armstead if the Jaguars decide to cut him in the 2026 NFL offseason. He would draw plenty of interest from other teams. Marlon HumphreyMarlon Humphrey. Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images Humphrey was once in the discussion as the NFL’s best cornerback. The 2017 first-round pick has been a mainstay in the Baltimore Ravens’ secondary, earning four Pro Bowl and two First-team All-Pro selections. But as everyone knows, the Ravens’ usually-stingy defense kept getting worse and worse under John Harbaugh before he was fired after the 2025 season. And Humphrey’s inexplicable regression was a key reason why the Ravens couldn’t hold onto double-digit fourth-quarter leads to save their lives. According to Pro Football Reference, Humphrey allowed 920 yards in coverage and an 84.6 passer rating when targeted. Numbers like that would get a cornerback benched mid-season on most teams. Just saying. The Ravens have a problem with being too loyal to certain players. Look at Mark Andrews, who just got a three-year extension even though he hasn’t been a difference-maker since 2022. And it’s amazing how long Rashod Bateman has lasted with “checks notes” one good season in five years. At some point, the loyalty thing has to go out of the window. They can at least start now. Cutting Humphrey, who’s entering the final year of his contract, would save Baltimore $15.2 million against the cap in 2026. And yes, the Ravens’ secondary should be just fine with Kyle Hamilton, Malaki Starks, and Nate Wiggins leading the way. Tony PollardTennessee Titans running back Tony Pollard (20) exits the field after the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Nov. 23, 2025. The one-time Pro Bowler has lived up to the first two seasons of a three-year deal he signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2024 free agency. Pollard has proven that he wasn’t a product of the Dallas Cowboys system, recording consecutive 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Tennessee. But Titans GM Mike Borgonzi wasn’t here when the Titans signed Pollard. And Borgonzi just hired a new head coach in Robert Saleh, with ex-New York Giants HC Brian Daboll taking over as the new OC. So, the loyalty aspect doesn’t apply here. Cutting Pollard would save the rebuilding Titans $7.25 million against the salary cap. They also have veteran Tyjae Spears waiting for a bigger role. Also, Borgonzi used a fifth-round pick on Penn State running back Nicholas Singleton. We doubt the Titans would draft Singleton to simply be a No. 3 running back. Pricy veterans with plenty of mileage are hard to trade. If the Titans could find someone to take on the last year of Pollard’s contract this NFL offseason, great. But that’s much easier said than done. So, Tennessee may as well cut Pollard and use an RB-by-committee approach with Spears and Singleton. With Pollard getting up there in age, he might even welcome a fresh start if it allows him to play on a more competitive team. Not like the Titans will do much in 2026. Anthony RichardsonIndianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates after rushing for a touchdown Sunday, Dec. 22, 2024, during a game against the Tennessee Titans at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. Richardson lost his starting job to free agent signing Daniel Jones last year. With Danny Dimes putting together a career year before his season-ending injury, an A-Rich trade felt inevitable. And yet, it still hasn’t materialized. How much has Indy given up on Richardson? So much so that they brought a 44-year-old Philip Rivers out of a five-year retirement to take over as the QB1 after Jones tore his Achilles. The Colts gave Richardson permission to seek a trade before the new league year began. But even with the draft well behind us, the No. 4 pick of 2023 is still on Indy’s roster. Indy seems to like Riley Leonard as a backup to Jones. So, unless they find a trade partner for Richardson, the Colts should do the right thing and release him. There is no benefit to keeping around a young QB who needs a fresh start that would just leave in 2027 free agency anyway.

Read more10 Biggest NFL Names That Are Most Likely Still To Get Cut This 2026 Offseason

5 Teams With The Biggest Super Bowl Windows Closing And 5 That Will Be Opening Soon

While some NFL teams are running out of time to win it all with their respective cores, other clubs have done a masterful job in stockpiling young talent to create a long-term title contender. Here are five NFL teams whose Super Bowl windows are rapidly closing, and five whose will open real soon. Which teams should win the Super Bowl soon, and which ones will not? Closing: Buffalo BillsBuffalo Bills helmet (Denny Medley-Imagn Images) It’s not only mind-boggling that the Bills have yet to win it all in the Josh Allen era. It’s baffling that they haven’t even gotten to the Super Bowl in the first place.  Buffalo has won double-digit games every year since 2019. They’ve won the AFC East division crown five times. And yet… The Bills’ heartbreaking Divisional Round loss to the Denver Broncos was the final straw for GM Brandon Beane, who fired beloved head coach Sean McDermott. The Bills then promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady to head coach, the latest desperation move to get this franchise over the hump. The problem is, the window in Buffalo can’t be considered wide-open anymore. Allen has entered his 30s, and it’s anybody’s guess how much longer he’ll be in his prime with his style of play. Wide receiver DJ Moore, offensive tackle Dion Dawkins, defensive tackle Ed Oliver, and edge rusher Bradley Chubb aren’t young guns, either. And while the Bills are trying to “win now,” the archrival New England Patriots have taken over as the team to beat in the AFC East. And if their rebuilds are done properly, the New York Jets and Miami Dolphins could gain ground on Buffalo in a couple of years. At this rate, the Bills’ window has no more than three years. If they can’t get it done, then it’ll be time to start over. Opening Soon: New York GiantsOct 28, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Giants helmets on the sidelines against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the third quarter at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images We know Giants fans haven’t had much to celebrate since their last Super Bowl triumph in the 2011 season. But for the first time since they last won it all with Eli Manning, the long-term future in New York is oozing with brightness and promise. They hit on their 2024 first-round pick of wide receiver Malik Nabers, and finally ended the failed Daniel Jones experiment. They found three potential franchise cornerstones in the 2025 NFL Draft with edge rusher Abdul Carter, quarterback Jaxson Dart, and running back Cam Skattebo. Dart showed promise in his rookie year despite season-ending injuries to Nabers and Skattebo. And decided to play behind one of the league’s worst offensive lines….with a terrible coaching staff at his side. Then something special happened for the Giants. The Baltimore Ravens fired head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons at the helm. So, the G-Men moved quickly to hire the future Hall of Fame head coach. And boom goes the dynamite. The Giants then aced the draft, snagging prized offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa and linebacker Arvell Reese with their first two picks. So, the Giants now have one of the best coaches of the 21st century to maximize a roster loaded with offensive firepower and a ridiculous front seven featuring Carter, Reese, Brian Burns, and Kayvon Thibodeaux.  With their three NFC East rivals all facing long-term question marks across the board, the path is there for the Giants to emerge as the new kids on the block and rule the division. Bottom line: They’re about to enter a lengthy Super Bowl championship window. Much brighter days are coming, G-Men fans. Closing: Philadelphia EaglesFeb 9, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; Detailed view of a Philadelphia Eagles helmet during Super Bowl LIX at Ceasars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images It’s a good thing the Eagles won the Super Bowl with this very core in 2024, because there’s a high probability that the group will never get that close to tasting victory champagne again. Only could a Philadelphia sports team win a championship one year, let locker room drama affect their title defense, and seemingly have half the fanbase demand a new head coach. That’s the state of the Eagles, folks. Everyone knows about the Jalen Hurts-AJ Brown drama that never got resolved. Despite winning the NFC East with an 11-6 record, the Eagles never found their rhythm. And nobody was shocked when they were upset by a short-handed San Francisco 49ers team in the Wild Card Round. Anyway, AJ Brown is gone, and we wish Makai Lemon luck in repeating his all-world production. Jalen Hurts is maddeningly inconsistent. Saquon Barkley could slow down at any time with all that mileage. Lane Johnson is likely retiring within the next two years. Jalen Carter has yet to put it all together, and mainstays on the defense from the Super Bowl 59 championship team, like Josh Sweat, Milton Williams, and Darius Slay, are long gone. There are just too many question marks for us to think that Philly can compete for a Super Bowl much longer. And honestly, the Eagles will probably fire Sirianni if they don’t at least reach the NFC Championship Game next season. If that happens, good luck replacing a Super Bowl-winning head coach with a .694 winning percentage. As we said, it’s a darn good thing the Eagles won it when they had their best chance in 2024. Opening Soon: Cincinnati BengalsDec 1, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; A general view of the helmet of Cincinnati Bengals long snapper Cal Adomitis (48) during warmups before the game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images It feels weird putting the Bengals under this entry, yes. Their last “championship window” was seemingly wide-open three years ago. Three straight non-playoff seasons unexpectedly followed. But sometimes, a retooling phase and short-term pain are necessary. The Bengals have worked through that, and now they’ve lined up what appears to be another window of opportunity with Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. Burrow, Chase, and Tee Higgins are just in the midst of their prime years. Chase Brown emerged as the new lead RB with his first 1K rushing seasons. The defense was garbage last year, but it could be much better in 2026, even if Trey Hendrickson is out. They signed Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen in free agency before making a blockbuster trade for ex-Giants defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Cincy also got great value with Texas A&M edge rusher Cashius Howell, a projected first-round pick who fell to them at No. 41. So, the Bengals have a top-five offense and a rebuilt D that just has to go from abhorrent to average for them to win. Why else are the Bengals on this list? Look at their AFC North rivals. The Pittsburgh Steelers are going to take a big step back. The Baltimore Ravens face major question marks with John Harbaugh gone, and with Lamar Jackson facing longevity issues. And the Cleveland Browns? Yeah, a QB room with Deshaun Watson, Shedeur Sanders, and Dillon Gabriel isn’t scaring anyone. Closing: Pittsburgh SteelersSteelers helmet (Photo via Eric Hartline-Imagn Images) Sticking with AFC North teams… When Mike Tomlin made the right decision by stepping down as the Steelers’ head coach, this was the perfect time for the organization to sell its fans on a necessary rebuild. But of course, the Steelers just couldn’t bring themselves to it. Rather than bring in a young, energetic, and culture-building coach, the Steelers went with Mike McCarthy, who’s hardly different from Tomlin. He won a Super Bowl more than a decade ago. His teams are always in the mushy middle. Not a bad coach, but not one to get you over the hump again. The Steelers made a win-now move by trading for ex-Indianapolis Colts receiver Michael Pittman Jr., because an overpaid and fading DK Metcalf wasn’t enough. They’re retaining pricey and rapidly aging veteran defensive players like TJ Watt, Cameron Heyward, and Jalen Ramsey, who aren’t the same game-breakers anymore. And oh yeah, the QB thing. It’s sad that a fading and 42-year-old Aaron Rodgers is still their best option. Otherwise, yeah, Mason Rudolph isn’t saving the day. And that Super Bowl dream remains far. If you’re a Steelers fan, you should just hope for 2026 to go off the rails. That will give this organization the long-overdue wake-up call to rebuild from scratch. At some point, 10-win seasons and wild-card berths should stop being the standard in Steel City. Opening Soon: Carolina PanthersDec 8, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Carolina Panthers helmet rests on the bench against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field. Mandatory Credit: Eric Hartline-Imagn Images If the Panthers played in any other division, they wouldn’t be on this list. Fortunately, they play in the NFC South — football’s worst division by a country mile since 2021. Carolina won the NFC South with an 8-9 record last season. They also took the heavily-favored Los Angeles Rams to the wire in their Wild Card Round matchup, narrowly losing 34-31 to Matthew Stafford’s squad. 2023 first-overall pick Bryce Young finally came into his own, thanks to the emergence of wide receiver and 2025 Offensive Rookie of the Year Tatairoa McMillan. Seeing that his young roster was ready to take the next step, GM Dan Morgan completed an excellent offseason that has Carolina on the path to long-term contention. He bolstered the front seven by signing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and Pro Bowl linebacker Devin Lloyd, giving Dave Canales more game-changing juice. He landed a future star in Georgia offensive tackle Monroe Freeling at No. 19 overall, before snagging Tennessee wideout Chris Brazzell II in the third round. Morgan filled Carolina’s last few remaining roster weaknesses with an excellent offseason. If Young, McMillan, Freeling, and the other young talents take that next step forward, Carolina will be more than the best of a weak NFC South division. They should soon enter “Super Bowl contender” status. Closing: Tampa Bay BuccaneersNov 4, 2024; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; A general view of Tampa Bay Buccaneers helmets against the Kansas City Chiefs during the first half at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images When Tom Brady lead the Bucs to a Super Bowl 55 championship in the 2020 season? We know it’s important not to be too greedy, but it sure felt like the Buccaneers could have won another before the GOAT retired. But it never happened. In fact, the Bucs won just one more playoff game over Brady’s final two years before he retired.  Just when we all thought his retirement would destroy the team, Baker Mayfield stepped in and emerged as Tampa’s new star QB, leading them to NFC South division crowns in 2023 and 2024. But it’s all over now, folks. The Bucs just got too old and didn’t make the necessary roster upgrades to maximize their window of opportunity with Mayfield. And they’re going to be taking many steps back from here. Lavonte David retired, and Mike Evans left to sign with the 49ers. Chris Godwin, the No. 1 receiver, can’t stay healthy. The secondary has been a weak link for five years, and the Bucs have done nothing to fix it. While Tampa is built around a few aging veteran stars, their three NFC South foes have stockpiled plenty of young talent, with young QBs in place. The Bucs got their one Super Bowl with Brady, but the chance to add another in this decade has sailed away. Opening Soon: Arizona CardinalsJan 5, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of an Arizona Cardinals helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images We know this entry will surprise most of you. But do hear us out. The Cardinals just used the No. 3 pick on a can’t-miss running back prospect in Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love. He joins an offense with superstar tight end Trey McBride, 1,000-yard wideout Michael Wilson, and another hopeful star in Marvin Harrison Jr., who has yet to put it all together. Josh Sweat, 2024 first-round pick Darius Robinson, and 2025 first-round pick Walter Nolen headline an underrated front seven. Budda Baker is still a game-wrecker at safety, and Will Johnson has the tools to be Arizona’s next great All-Pro cornerback. So, why do we have Arizona on this list with Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew II leading their QB room? Because the Cardinals will probably have a top-five pick in 2027. That means getting an elite quarterback prospect like Arch Manning or Oregon’s Dante Moore. Add a young QB to that core, and the Cardinals will be ready to compete for a Super Bowl very soon. If they get Manning or Moore next year? Look out, league. Closing: San Francisco 49ersDetail view of the helmet for San Francisco 49ers (Kyle Terada-Imagn Images) Unlike the Bills, the 49ers have been to the Super Bowl with their current core. Franchise mainstays like Nick Bosa, Fred Warner, and George Kittle led the 49ers to big-game appearances in the 2019 and 2023 seasons, both losses to the Kansas City Chiefs. GM John Lynch and head coach Kyle Shanahan have done a remarkable job building up a sustainable title contender since they both came over in 2017.  But the clock is ticking on this group to win it together, which is why it’s unfortunate that they were hit hard by the injury bug in 2024 and 2025. Kittle and newcomer Mike Evans are entering their age-33 seasons in 2026. Trent Williams is 38. Christian McCaffrey is 30, which is rather ancient for a running back in this day and age. Bosa and Warner, who’ve dealt with multiple significant injuries since 2020, aren’t getting any younger, either.  Is there a time for Shanahan’s 49ers to finally break through and bring Lombardi Trophy No. 6 to the Bay Area? It has to be in 2026 or 2027. Their window will not be happening after that. Opening Soon: Chicago BearsNov 3, 2024; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Detailed view of a Chicago Bears helmet at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images Yes, they won the NFC North and were one play away from reaching the NFC North last season. But regression is inevitable for the Bears, who benefited from unsustainable one-score luck and improbable comebacks. Also, the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions shall have better health luck next year. The Minnesota Vikings should contend as well if JJ McCarthy breaks out…or, more likely, if Kyler Murray takes over as the QB1. But folks, this would only be a temporary setback. The Bears are still set up nicely to dominate for the next half-decade-plus. Ben Johnson is the real deal as a head coach. Caleb Williams is THAT GUY. The young offensive nucleus of Colston Loveland, Luther Burden, and Rome Odunze is only going to get better. There’s a lot to like about a secondary of Coby Bryant, Tyrique Stevenson, Kyler Gordon, and rookie Dillon Thieneman. The Bears may take a temporary step back in 2026, but their long-term setup is much better than that of their division rivals. 2025 was fun and all, but these Bears are still a year or two away from hitting their ceiling and really taking off.

Read more5 Teams With The Biggest Super Bowl Windows Closing And 5 That Will Be Opening Soon

Ranking All 32 NFL Teams By How Much Pressure Their QB Is Under Heading Into 2026

NFL quarterbacks aren’t just defined by their skill set and individual numbers. They’re also judged by their ability to perform under pressure as the main QB for their team. Look at Tom Brady vs. Philip Rivers. Joe Montana vs. Dan Marino. Patrick Mahomes vs. Lamar Jackson. You get the idea. With the 2026 NFL season just a few months away, how high is the pressure level of each team’s starting QB ? Let’s rank him from lowest to highest. Who are the most pressured QBs for each NFL team? 32. Cleveland Browns (Deshaun Watson)Deshaun Watson (Bill Streicher-Imagn Images) Two years ago, Watson would have placed higher on this list. But everyone has accepted that he’s washed up and done. So, there aren’t any expectations for him whatsoever.  And if Shedeur Sanders or Dillon Gabriel end up taking over as the QB1? Same deal. Nobody is expecting anything from anyone in Cleveland’s QB room. Moving on… 31. New York Jets (Geno Smith) Smith may be fighting for his career at this point, but nobody is expecting much of anything from the former Seattle Seahawks’ Pro Bowler. Smith was awful with the Las Vegas Raiders last year. The 2026 Jets have even less talent than the 2025 Raiders, who finished as the NFL’s worst team. 30. Arizona Cardinals (Jacoby Brissett)Nov 9, 2025; Seattle, Washington, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) throws a pass during the fourth quarter against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Ng-Imagn Images Whether it’s Brissett, Gardner Minshew II, or rookie Carson Beck behind center, it doesn’t matter. The pressure is minimal on an Arizona team that’s in a good spot to win the Arch Manning or Dante Moore QB sweepstakes next year. Even if Brissett loses the starting job, he’ll be a bridge QB elsewhere in 2027. Pressure meter on Cardinals QBs: Sub-zero. 29. Miami Dolphins (Malik Willis) The Dolphins signed Willis to a three-year deal worth $67.5 million after cutting Tua Tagovailoa loose. They also cut Tyreek Hill and traded Jaylen Waddle to the Denver Broncos, leaving Willis with a practice-squad-level set of receivers. In other words, the heat level is low on Willis this year. The Dolphins gave him a multi-year deal and little to work with, which is another way of saying they’ll be patient with his transition into a full-time QB1 role. 28. Las Vegas Raiders (Kirk Cousins)Apr 8, 2026; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins speaks at a press conference at Intermountain Health Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Candice Ward-Imagn Images Now on his third team in four years, the Pro Bowl version of Cousins is long gone. The Raiders gave him a one-year deal to serve as a temporary starter while they patiently develop No. 1 overall pick, Fernando Mendoza. Cousins isn’t playing for a long-term future in Sin City. He also joins a team that was far and away the worst in football last year. Despite his status as a household name, nobody is really expecting much from Cousins at this phase of his career. 27. New York Giants (Jaxson Dart)New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart (6) walks on the field after defeating the Los Angeles Chargers at MetLife Stadium, Sep 28, 2025, East Rutherford, NJ, USA. Dart had a strong rookie season while fighting numerous injuries and dealing with a banged-up supporting cast. Though some Giants fans understandably want a jump to superstardom with John Harbaugh now calling the shots, it’s still important to be patient with Dart. The Giants aren’t going to become contenders overnight. It’s a work in progress. Dart established himself as the starting QB last year for this team. Let’s not act like he has to be MVP-caliber in year two. 26. Tennessee Titans (Cam Ward)Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward (1) exits the field after an NFL pre-season game against the Minnesota Vikings at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Friday, Aug. 22, 2025. Yes, the Titans signed Wan’Dale Robinson and used the No. 4 pick on Carnell Tate to bolster the wide receiver corps for Ward. But again, nobody is realistically expecting Ward to break out in year two. The Titans enter 2026 with a brand new coaching staff, led by Robert Saleh. They play in a division with three playoff contenders. The Titans want improvement from Ward, but he’s not fighting for his job or under pressure to win a Super Bowl in 2026. 25. Seattle Seahawks (Sam Darnold)Sam Darnold (Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images) Among the established starting QBs for each NFL team in 2026, none can take a larger “chill pill” than Sam Darnold. The man exceeded expectations in his first year with the Seahawks, leading them to a Super Bowl 60 championship with a near-perfect postseason. Seahawks fans will want more, of course, hoping Darnold and the “Dark Side” defense can form a dynasty that Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom couldn’t. But there’s not much pressure on Darnold for 2026. Repeating is hard. The main objective has been achieved once already. Anything after that is gravy. 24. New Orleans Saints (Tyler Shough)Tyler Shough (Image Credits: Imagn) Shough replaced Spencer Rattler mid-season and finished the season as the starter. He showed enough promise to maintain the starting QB job for 2026, and New Orleans got him more help by signing Travis Etienne Jr. and drafting Jordyn Tyson in the first round. The Saints are still rebuilding, so expectations are minimal for Shough this year. It would take a disastrous season on his end for New Orleans to seek a new option in 2026. That feels unlikely, given the upgraded weaponry around him. 23. Pittsburgh Steelers (Aaron Rodgers)Aaron Rodgers (Photo By Michael Longo/For USA Today Network-PA / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images) We’re operating under the assumption that Rodgers ends up returning to the Steelers. If he doesn’t, well, Mason Rudolph isn’t gonna save the day.  It’s hard to label Rodgers as a QB facing much pressure for this team. He’s above-average, but well past his best-before date at age-42. If he returns to Pittsburgh, they’ll be a playoff contender and nothing more. 22. Kansas City Chiefs (Patrick Mahomes)Patrick Mahomes (Photo Via Imagn Images) Hard to put much pressure on Mahomes here. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion who’s gone to the big game in five of his eight seasons as the starter. With Mahomes also recovering from a season-ending ACL tear, it’ll be understandable if he’s not at 100 percent in 2026. 21. Los Angeles Rams (Matthew Stafford)Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford (Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images) Nobody seems to know how much longer Matthew Stafford is playing. But with a Super Bowl ring already on his resume, it’s hard to say there’s any real pressure on him. Of course, the Rams would like to win another Super Bowl before No. 9 calls it quits. But the NFC is brutally difficult this year. Nobody can hold it against him if they fall short of the ultimate prize again. 20. Carolina Panthers (Bryce Young)Jan 5, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) passes on the run against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images The No. 1 pick of the 2023 NFL Draft finally put it together in year three, leading Carolina to a surprise NFC South crown. With an improved supporting cast around him, there’s no reason to think Young is facing real pressure in year four. 19. Chicago Bears (Caleb Williams)Sep 21, 2025; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams (18) gestures after throwing a touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images Williams had a breakout year for the ages under Ben Johnson’s tutelage. He led the Bears to a surprise NFC North crown and their first playoff win since 2010. The No. 1 pick of 2024 has arrived, and he’s just entering his prime now as this team’s starting QB. No pressure here. Moving on… 18. Washington Commanders (Jayden Daniels)Oct 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels (5) celebrates after a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images There’s pressure on Daniels to stay healthy and look more like his superstar form we saw as a rookie in 2024. But I mean, he’s a third-year QB who has limited talent around him. Not like the guy’s fighting for his job or anything. Washington won’t re-emerge as a contender without an improved ground game, pass protection, and defense. Those responsibilities don’t fall on Daniels. 17. Cincinnati Bengals (Joe Burrow)Nov 27, 2025; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) reacts against the Baltimore Ravens during the second half at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images The weight isn’t really on Joe Burrow’s shoulders here. We all know he’s going to have a lights-out season in Cincinnati. The pressure is on the rest of the team to build a winner. We can see a scenario where he demands a trade Burrow memorably told reporters, “You think about a lot of things,” last December when asked about playing elsewhere. If things go well this year in Cincy, great. If not, Burrow has good reason to demand a trade. The pressure is hardly on him. 16. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Baker Mayfield)Baker Mayfield. Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Mayfield is entering the final year of his deal with the Bucs, who endured a brutal second-half meltdown to miss out on the postseason for the first time since 2019. The Bucs, even with their star QB, are a mushy middle team, not Super Bowl contenders. If Mayfield doesn’t play well enough to get an extension from Tampa, somebody else will pay him. And with their window closing, that’s not the worst scenario for Mayfield. 15. Minnesota Vikings (Kyler Murray)Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (Joe Camporeale-Imagn Images) After his release from the Cardinals, Murray signed a one-year deal with the Vikings. It’s hard to think he’ll fare poorly with an elite set of weapons and a top head coach like Kevin O’Connell…but crazier things have happened. If Murray somehow flops in Minny, it could hurt his chances of securing a long-term starting job elsewhere. Play well, however, and he could get a nine-figure contract from the Vikings or somewhere else next year. 14. Denver Broncos (Bo Nix)Bo Nix (Photo via Imagn Images) If not for a season-ending ankle injury in the Divisional Round, Nix would have led the Broncos to the Super Bowl. And who knows? They might have even defeated Seattle in the big game. The Broncos are now bona fide Super Bowl contenders, but so are over a half-dozen teams in the hard AFC. Nix and the Broncos are facing natural pressure as the AFC runner-ups, but it’s not the end of his career if they don’t win it all in 2026. 13. Jacksonville Jaguars (Trevor Lawrence)Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) runs on the field before an NFL football matchup at EverBank Stadium, Sunday, Sept. 21, 2025, in Jacksonville, Fla. The Jaguars defeated the Texans 17-10. Lawrence finally regained that star-like form we saw in 2022, thanks to the masterful coaching of Liam Coen. With a long-term contract in his back pocket, Lawrence isn’t going anywhere. Obviously, it’d be great if the Jags could build on last year’s 13-win season and go on a deep playoff run. But there’s only room for one winner in the AFC. It’s not quite championship-or-bust for this young QB and the team in 2026. At least, not yet. 12. San Francisco 49ers (Brock Purdy)San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy (Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images) Hard as it is to believe, we’re now four years through Purdy’s career. Three playoff berths, two NFC Championship berths, and a Super Bowl 58 appearance are nothing to scoff at. But now, the pressure’s growing on Purdy. The short-handed 49ers were crushed by the Seahawks in the Divisional Round. No shame in that, but they’ll be healthy for 2026. With core players getting old, Purdy is running out of prime opportunities to win his first Super Bowl. His pressure meter isn’t scorching-scorching hot, but sunscreen is a good idea. 11. Philadelphia Eagles (Jalen Hurts)Dec 20, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts (1) looks on before the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images To some, it may feel weird putting Hurts this high after winning the Super Bowl a year ago. But folks, this is Philly. The market is unforgiving. Just look at how many Eagles fans turned against Nick Sirianni this past season. The Eagles are getting rid of AJ Brown, drafted Makai Lemon, and named Sean Mannion their new OC. So, the Hurts-Brown locker room drama is no longer an excuse. Nor is OC malpractice. If Hurts has another “down” season, there will be calls for Philly to trade him and/or fire Sirianni. In this ruthless Philly market, the pressure is ultra-high for Hurts to rebound. 10. Detroit Lions (Jared Goff)Jared Goff (Image Credits: Imagn) The Lions were a trendy pick to win Super Bowl 60 last year. Instead, a rash of injuries and poor performances in one-score games sank them to a 9-8 record and last-place finish in the NFC North. Since leading the Lions to the NFC title game in 2023, Goff hasn’t won a single playoff game. And remember, the knock against him in Los Angeles was that he couldn’t win the big one. Goff isn’t a young man anymore at age 32. Dan Campbell infamously told his players that losing in the 2023 NFC title game may have been their only shot. It’s up to the veteran QB to put that notion to bed and lead his team back into playoff contention. 9. Green Bay Packers (Jordan Love)Jordan Love (Image Credits: Imagn) After leading the Packers to the elite eight in 2023, Love has endured back-to-back losses in the Wild Card Round. That’s just not going to cut it in Green Bay. Love isn’t fighting for his job in 2026, but it’s also not a stretch to suggest he’s a playoff choker. If the Packers don’t at least reach the NFC Championship Game, questions about whether he’s the right guy in Green Bay will escalate. 8. New England Patriots (Drake Maye)Drake Maye (Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images) Maye’s sophomore season couldn’t have gone THAT much better. He was the MVP runner-up and led the Pats to a surprise AFC title before an overmatched Seattle team crushed them in the Super Bowl. But fair or not, expectations are now sky-high for Maye. Any year the Pats didn’t win it all with Tom Brady and Bill Belichick was considered a disappointment. Playing in New England means more pressure. Now, it’s up to Maye to show a) last year was no fluke and b) he won’t let the Super Bowl loss break him. 7. Dallas Cowboys (Dak Prescott)Sep 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott (4) looks at his helmet during warmups before the game against the New York Giants at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images When you’re the starting quarterback of the Cowboys, pressure will always go through the roof. Even though most NFL fanbases know these guys aren’t serious contenders, the Cowboys’ faithful and brass hold a “championship or bust” mentality each year. If there were a time for Prescott to lead Dallas on a deep postseason run, it’s now. He’s never had an offense this stacked, with CeeDee Lamb, George Pickens, and Javonte Williams. If this team falls off and misses the postseason for a third straight year, you have to wonder if Jerry Jones will consider replacing their starting QB in 2027. 6. Los Angeles Chargers (Justin Herbert)Justin Herbert (Image Credits: Imagn) The knock against the Bolts early in Herbert’s career was that he had a bad offensive line, a weak defense, and coaching malpractice. Neither of those has been a problem in LA since Jim Harbaugh arrived. And yet, Herbert has delivered back-to-back stinkers in the Wild Card Round. His playoff record is now 0-3 with two touchdowns, four picks, and a 64.7 passer rating. Woof, we don’t wanna imagine how much worse his reputation will get if the Bolts can’t win at least one playoff game this year. 5. Indianapolis Colts (Daniel Jones)Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (Denny Medley-Imagn Images) Jones was enjoying a career year in Indy before, unfortunately, suffering a torn Achilles late in the season. The Colts decided to take the risk that it wasn’t a fluke, giving “Danny Dimes” a two-year extension worth $88 million. But folks, we’ve seen this story before. Jones had a career year for the Giants in 2022, then signed a $160 million extension in 2023. He was released in the midst of the 2024 season. If he flops in 2026 the way he did in 2023, he won’t be a starter again. Pure and simple. 4. Buffalo Bills (Josh Allen)Josh Allen (Image Credits: Imagn) Allen’s not a young man anymore at 30. If you thought Sean McDermott was the problem? Well, he’s long gone. The Bills replaced him with Joe Brady, who has helped Allen take his game to another level. The Bills’ championship window is closing, and quickly. If the Bills don’t get it done in 2026, then what do you do? The excuses for Allen have to end at some point. 3. Atlanta Falcons (Michael Penix Jr.)Sep 14, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. (9) reacts after the game against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images The Falcons signed Tua Tagovailoa to challenge Penix after his release from the Dolphins. So yeah, the pressure is really on Atlanta’s 2024 first-round pick to deliver this time. Penix has battled injuries and accuracy woes over his first two years. If he can’t deliver early for Kevin Stefanski, the Falcons will turn to Tua. And that will be that in this team’s young QB. 2. Houston Texans (C.J. Stroud)Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (Barry Reeger-Imagn Images) Stroud’s shaky 2025 season wasted a generational Houston Texans defense. He single-handedly cost them in their AFC Divisional Round loss against the Patriots. What happened to the guy who had an MVP-like season in his 2023 rookie year? Houston picked up Stroud’s fifth-year option, but his seat is burning-hot now. Houston has a championship-caliber roster. If Stroud is going to waste it again, they have to move on and find a QB who won’t keep screwing up when they need him most. 1. Baltimore Ravens (Lamar Jackson)Lamar Jackson (Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images) Lamar Jackson presumably wanted John Harbaugh gone after missing the postseason in 2025. The Ravens gave him a fresh start. So we’ve entered the “If not now, when” phase of Jackson’s career. Jackson and Harbaugh never got to the postseason together despite remarkable regular-season success. The 29-year-old QB isn’t getting any younger. If the fortunes don’t change under Jesse Minter, we might have to accept that Jackson will never win the big one.

Read moreRanking All 32 NFL Teams By How Much Pressure Their QB Is Under Heading Into 2026

Atlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Drops Bombshell Announcement About Concession Prices — It’s An Absolute Game-Changer

Unlike most NFL owners, Arthur Blank is widely popular among football fans because of his generosity with family-friendly concession prices. As all NFL fans know, most teams usually charge outrageous prices for food and beverages. A single beer at various NFL stadiums will cost more than a 12-pack at your local Walmart. Even bottled water …

Read moreAtlanta Falcons Owner Arthur Blank Drops Bombshell Announcement About Concession Prices — It’s An Absolute Game-Changer