Soon, the NFL will be back. In 100 days, to be exact.
There will be training camp highlights and preseason games, but the regular season officially kicks off Sept. 9. Then the long offseason is officially over.
With 100 days until that kickoff game to the regular season, here are 100 things to get excited about, in no particular order:
1. Patriots at Seahawks to kick off the season
Let’s start the list with the reason for the list. It’s 100 days until we get to see NFL action that counts again, and it’s a day earlier than usual. The NFL moved the traditional opener with the reigning Super Bowl champs up a day to Wednesday to accommodate the Rams and 49ers playing in Australia the next day. The Patriots will want to put on a better show than we saw in Super Bowl LX, when the Seahawks buried them. It’s a fun way to get the season going.
2. Rams vs. 49ers down under
Let’s keep it right on moving to Day 2 of the season, when we get a historic game and a good matchup too. The 49ers and Rams will face off at Melbourne Cricket Ground, which was originally opened in 1853, in the NFL’s first regular-season game in Australia. It’s a big rivalry game too, which adds to the excitement.
3. Josh Allen’s brilliance
Allen didn’t win MVP last season, but he has probably taken over as the NFL’s marquee player. Allen’s playmaking is thrilling to watch. The big lingering question is whether Allen can get the Bills to a Super Bowl, which will be one of the league’s key storylines until it happens.
4. John Harbaugh tries to turn around the Giants
The biggest name among the 10 new head-coaching hires is easily Harbaugh, who was fired by the Ravens and landed in an even higher profile job. The Giants are one of the teams the NFL likes to highlight, even thought they have missed the playoffs in 11 of the past 13 seasons. We’ll see if Harbaugh can turn that around right away.
5. Patrick Mahomes’ return
Late last season, Mahomes tore his ACL against the Chargers. Mahomes has been one of the NFL’s biggest stars since he took over as the Chiefs’ starting quarterback, and there was concern over whether he’d be ready for the start of the season. It seems he is on track to be ready for Week 1. Whenever he returns it will be a great sight.
6. Micah Parsons’ return
Mahomes isn’t the only high profile star who will be coming back off a torn ACL. The Packers made a massive trade for Parsons last year and he was playing at his usual superstar level when he tore his ACL in Week 15. The Packers didn’t win another game after his injury. Parsons is a game wrecker on defense, and the Packers will be happy to see him back.
7. Bad weather games
One of the final games of last season was a blizzard. The Patriots-Broncos AFC championship game wasn’t pretty football, but it was memorable. That first game of the NFL season in which we see the snow flying at opening kickoff is always a highlight of the season.
8. An improved Cowboys defense leads to …
The story of the 2025 Cowboys wasn’t hard to decipher. They had a very good offense and a terrible defense. Multiple personnel changes on defense, including first-round draft pick Caleb Downs, along with a change at coordinator should help turn things around. Will it be enough to get Dallas back in the playoffs?
9. Maxx Crosby back in silver and black
The wildest story of the offseason was the Ravens trading for Crosby, then calling off the trade due to what they said were concerns about Crosby’s knee. The Raiders didn’t expect to have Crosby back, but he is and will be a big part of a Las Vegas team looking to make a big improvement.
10. The Bills’ lavish new stadium
It’s always fun when we get introduced to a new NFL stadium. The Bills’ new palace cost more than $2 billion. The first game at new Highmark Stadium will be a national showcase, on Thursday night against the Lions in Week 2.
11. Farewell to the Titans’ old stadium
It’s also bittersweet to say goodbye to old stadiums that hosted many great games. Nissan Stadium became the Titans’ home in 1999 after a chaotic move from Houston, and it was the site of some historic moments. The most memorable was the “Music City Miracle,” the Titans’ unbelievable kickoff return after a lateral to knock the Bills out of the playoffs at the end of the 1999 season. The final regular-season game is slated for Jan. 3 against the Steelers.
12. Packers vs. Bears
This rivalry is great because of the long history and the fans’ dislike for the opponent. It has been rare that both teams have been good at the same time though. They’re both good now, and after the Bears beat the Packers in a wild-card playoff game last season, the rivalry is as hot as ever. The first meeting is in Week 5 and the second one is Week 16, on Christmas.
13. A great Christmas tripleheader
Speaking of Christmas, the NFL did not mess around scheduling some great games for the holiday. All three games are rematches of fantastic playoff games from last season. It starts with Packers at Bears, then we get Bills at Broncos and then the nightcap is Rams at Seahawks. Happy holidays, indeed.
14. What does Myles Garrett do for an encore?
Myles Garrett had one of the best seasons in NFL history, setting the single-season sack record with 23 in the 2025 campaign. The Browns’ superstar is chasing history. He has two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards, one short of the record. Can he get another 20 sacks and win DPOY again?
15. Mike Tomlin on NBC
Tomlin’s catchphrases as Steelers head coach, such as “we need volunteers, not hostages,” became famous. In his first year after stepping down as Steelers coach he’ll bring his wit to NBC as a studio analyst on “Football Night in America.” He could be a broadcasting star.
16. Can the Seahawks repeat?
The Seahawks snuck up on everyone as a dominant champion. They were fantastic all season and finished the job with a decisive win in Super Bowl LX. It’s hard to repeat, but the Seahawks’ dominant defense will have Seattle in the mix to do it again.
17. Joe Burrow to Ja’Marr Chase
The last time Burrow stayed healthy all season he led the NFL with 4,918 and 43 touchdowns two seasons ago, with Chase winning the receiving triple crown with 127 catches, 1,708 yards and 17 touchdowns. Appreciate this duo because it’s one of the best we’ve seen.
18. Derrick Henry keeps rolling
Running backs are supposed to wear down when they get too many carries. Not Henry. He handled another massive workload at age 31 and rushed for 1,595 yards. With another typical season he should pass Hall of Famers Eric Dickerson, Jerome Bettis, LaDainian Tomlinson and Curtis Martin to get into the top six all time in career rushing yards.
19. The Eagles’ nonstop drama
We can always count on the Eagles to provide a soap opera, even when they’re good. When things are only kind of good, as they were last season, it can get spicy. No matter if the Eagles are great, good, average or terrible, they’ll always give us something to talk about.
20. Bears fans’ excitement
The Bears haven’t won a Super Bowl since the 1985 season and have had plenty of down years since. Last season’s NFC North title, with first-year coach Ben Johnson and quarterback Caleb Williams leading the way, allowed Bears fans to celebrate what they hope is a new era of success.
21. Matthew Stafford is back again
It’s rare for a player to win MVP and also have to address retirement speculation. Stafford announced when he won MVP that he’d be back for 2026, and we’re all better off for another season of seeing Stafford throw to Puka Nacua and Davante Adams.
22. Cam Ward’s next step
Ward had some fun highlights as a rookie. Now he needs to put it all together. That will be easier with a better Titans team around him. The 2025 No. 1 overall draft pick could be the NFL’s breakout star this season.
23. Kyler Murray’s second act
Murray is trying to become the next veteran quarterback to revive his career. He signed with the Vikings after the Cardinals let him go, and some have hope that he’ll be much better in Kevin O’Connell’s offense.
24. Those Seahawks-Rams games
The Seahawks and Rams played three masterpieces last season, none better than a Week 16 overtime game that Seattle won 38-37 with an incredible comeback. This season the Rams play in Week 16 and then again in Week 18. Then if we’re lucky, another game in the playoffs.
25. A.J. Brown’s future (probably with Pats)
Assuming the Patriots’ long-anticipated trade for Brown happens, we could see an epic season from a motivated Brown with Drake Maye throwing him the ball. Brown wasn’t happy with his role in Philadelphia, but he should have no problem getting the ball often in New England.
26. Sam Darnold’s awesome story
Darnold is the rare case of a quarterback who was called a bust and written off as a backup, then turned everything around by becoming a key member of a Super Bowl championship team. The Seahawks are glad they took a shot on Darnold after his big 2024 season with the Vikings, and now we get to see what comes next in this fun story.
27. Jahmyr Gibbs in the open field
No running back has more home run ability than Gibbs, who can score anytime he touches the ball. There aren’t many players who can break a 60-yard run and make it look easy, which is a good reason the Lions are appointment viewing.
28. Jaxson Dart’s next move
Dart had an exciting rookie season, giving Giants fans hope that they’ve found their quarterback of the future. Dart needs to protect himself and stay healthy, but his competitive spirit is part of what makes him so fun to watch.
29. Rams try to go further
The Rams had a tremendous season but were not even the kings of the NFC West. To get past the Seahawks, the Rams made some big moves at cornerback including a trade with the Chiefs for standout Trent McDuffie. The Rams are Super Bowl betting favorites, and they’re the team to watch heading into the season.
30. Thanksgiving week drama
The NFL put a stronger emphasis than ever on making great matchups for standalone games, including perhaps the best Thanksgiving slate ever. That includes Packers at Rams on Thanksgiving Eve, then Bears-Lions, Eagles-Cowboys and Chiefs-Bills on Thanksgiving and then Broncos-Steelers on Black Friday. What a lineup.
31. Aaron Rodgers’ last (?) go around
At this time last year we figured Rodgers was entering his final season. So even though he says “this is it” for his 22nd NFL season, you never know. But if we take him at his word, we get a farewell tour from one of the greatest players in NFL history.
32. Fernando Mendoza’s first start (whenever that happens)
The Raiders signed Kirk Cousins so they could ease Mendoza into the starting lineup. When will that be? It might depend on how well the Raiders and Cousins are playing. We should see the No. 1 overall pick start games this season. At that point the Raiders become a must-watch team.
33. Bijan Robinson’s dominance
Don’t blame Robinson for the Falcons’ losing record last season. He set a franchise record and led the NFL with 2,298 yards from scrimmage. Here’s the first overall pick in most fantasy football leagues this season.
34. So many international games
The NFL is taking the international series more seriously than ever before. There are a record nine international games and the NFL took the scheduling more seriously than ever, booking compelling matchups for practically every slot. You won’t be able to sleep in and miss those early games this year.
35. What’s next for the Chiefs?
Is the dynasty over or just paused? We’ll hear that question plenty early in the season after the Chiefs had a miserable 6-11 campaign. Even if you hate the Chiefs by now, they’re the most compelling team of this era.
36. Drake Maye, Year 3
Maye had a second-year breakout that we’ve seen from some other star quarterbacks in recent years. He nearly won MVP, barely losing to Matthew Stafford. Maye had a fantastic season, and there’s no reason he can’t be even better this season as he becomes one of the NFL’s biggest draws.
37. ESPN gets the Super Bowl
Broadcasting the Super Bowl is a massive deal for every network. It’s especially big for ESPN, which gets the biggest game for the first time. ESPN has promised a year-round promotional blitz, and even tasked Andy Tennant with being its vice president of Super Bowl production. It will make the big game seem even bigger.
38. Nick Bosa and Fred Warner are back
The 49ers’ defense struggled when Bosa and Warner, two of the NFL’s best defensive players, went down. Bosa and Warner will be back this season and the 49ers’ defense should improve. It’ll be great to see them wreaking havoc again.
39. Houston’s nasty defense
Defensive football can be a blast to watch, too. Houston had a fierce defense last season, leading the NFL in yards allowed. Head coach DeMeco Ryans has had a big impact on that group, which will be tough as ever to move the ball against this season.
40. Brazil welcomes Cowboys vs. Ravens
41. Malik Willis gets his shot
Willis had some exciting moments as the Packers’ No. 2 quarterback the past couple seasons. Now he’s a starter for the Dolphins after they signed him this offseason. He’s a bit of an unknown after just six starts, which is part of the intrigue.
42. Seahawks’ defensive excellence
Mike Macdonald came to the Seahawks as their head coach with a reputation as a defensive wizard. That came to pass, as Macdonald led a fantastic Seahawks defense to a Super Bowl championship. That defense gives Seattle a chance to repeat.
43. Ravens at Bills, the rematch
Last season, the Ravens and Bills kicked off the season in Week 1 with one of the best games of the year, a thrilling 41-40 comeback win by Buffalo. This season the teams meet in Week 8, and anytime Josh Allen and Lamar Jackson go against each other it has a shot to be the game of the year.
44. Trent Williams marches on
Williams made his 12th Pro Bowl last season, and only eight players in NFL history have made more. Williams will be 38 years old this season but there’s no reason he can’t play at a Pro Bowl level for another few seasons for the 49ers. Williams might be the most intimidating player in the NFL, and perhaps the best offensive tackle ever too.
45. Arizona will be a shootout circus
The Cardinals won’t win many games, but they’re going to provide a ton of entertainment. Arizona has plenty of skill-position talent like Trey McBride, Jeremiyah Love, Michael Wilson and Marvin Harrison Jr., and a defense that’s going to give up a lot of points. We could see some 45-42 games in the desert.
46. Brock Bowers being unstoppable
New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak described Bowers as “a football robot from heaven.” Watch the robot again put up numbers that are silly for a tight end.
47. Travis Hunter, both ways again?
The Jaguars insist that Hunter will play offense and defense, as he did in a partial way as a rookie. This season might skew more toward cornerback than receiver, but it will be interesting to watch a unique experiment in its second season.
48. Justin Herbert behind a healthy offensive line
Herbert continues to develop into one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, but last season wasn’t easy. Offensive tackles Joe Alt and Rashawn Slater suffered season-ending injuries and that led to Herbert being under pressure more often than not. With Alt and Slater back, Herbert and the Chargers’ offense will be much more enjoyable to watch, particularly with new coordinator Mike McDaniel calling plays.
49. The Jets’ secretly fun offense
Seriously. The Jets have some talent. Garrett Wilson and Breece Hall are elite talents, and they’ll be joined by first-round receiver Omar Cooper Jr. and first-round tight end Kenyon Sadiq. Geno Smith was a viable quarterback not that long ago. Hey, at least it’ll be better than last season.
50. De’Von Achane’s big plays
The Dolphins refused to trade Achane, giving him a big extension instead. The reason is obvious: Achane makes things happen just about every time he touches the ball. The Dolphins won’t be great this season but Achane will be worth watching.
51. Fresh new uniforms for the Titans
The Titans are changing their look in 2026, going back to Houston Oilers colors for their new uniforms.
That’s sharp, even if Houston fans won’t be happy about it.
52. Commanders throw it back with new uniforms
The Commanders wore a “Super Bowl era” throwback to a previous time (and nickname) last season, and decided to go with it full time starting this season. It’s a massive upgrade.
The Falcons, Rams and Ravens also have made updates to their uniforms, but the Titans and Commanders are the two teams that will look much different this season.
53. Broncos back-to-back AFC West champs?
The Broncos broke the Chiefs’ streak of nine straight AFC West titles last season. Can they make it two straight? Denver was one of the NFL’s best teams last season, and another division title would signify a changing of the guard in the division.
54. Jayden Daniels back healthy
Sophomore slumps happen. Daniels’ rough second season had a lot to do with injuries. Let’s wipe the slate clean for Daniels and hope we see the scintillating player who set records as a rookie in 2024.
55. The weird NFC South
There was an odd curiosity about the NFC South last season, which crowned the Panthers as a champion in a three-way tie at 8-9. Hopefully one team in the division will have a winning record but if not, it will still be entertaining in a dysfunctional way.
56. The awesome NFC West
The Seahawks are reigning Super Bowl champions. The Rams are Super Bowl favorites for this season. The 49ers could be much better with a healthier defense. The Cardinals … well, they should have some really high-scoring games. There are a few strong divisions in the NFL but the NFC West is king.
57. Will Anderson Jr. becomes more famous
Anderson got a stunning three-year, $150 million deal this offseason. Most fans know the Texans defensive end, but the headlines from his contract will bring even more attention to how good of a player he is. If anyone can knock off Myles Garrett as NFL Defensive Player of the Year, it’s Anderson.
58. Dan Campbell tries again with the Lions
If the Lions ever win a Super Bowl, it will be one of the best sports stories in a long time. Detroit has come close to making it to the Super Bowl lately, but their playoff runs have ended in heartache. The Lions missed the playoffs last season but Campbell should have his team back in contention again, which makes for a fun ride.
59. Daniel Jones’ return
Jones was the surprise star of the first half of last season, but an Achilles injury changed that narrative. The Colts are hoping Jones will be back for Week 1, and we can see if he can pick up where he left off.
60. David Bailey’s debut
The Jets had a tough choice with the second overall pick of this year’s NFL Draft and chose Texas Tech edge rusher Bailey, who had 14.5 sacks last season. If Bailey lives up to that draft billing, he’ll be an instant star in New York.
61. Week 1
Week 1 is a tremendous time to be an NFL fan. We get to see all those rookie debuts, our favorite teams all have hope, and the opening week typically has a few absolutely unexpected results (last season it was the Raiders winning at the Patriots). What surprises will we get on opening weekend this season?
62. Christian McCaffrey’s HOF career goes on
McCaffrey came into last season with some injury questions, and at age 29 he led the NFL with 413 touches, gaining 2,126 yards from scrimmage with 17 touchdowns. He’s an all-time great with plenty of great games to come.
63. Brandon Aubrey
It’s rare to get excited when a kicker comes on the field, but Aubrey is an exception. It doesn’t seem like any kick is too far for Aubrey, who has at least 10 field goals of 50 yards or more in each of his three Cowboys seasons. When the Cowboys get to midfield, they’re in field-goal range.
64. The trade deadline
For many years, there was never much action on the deadline. In recent years the mentality has shifted, and now the NFL’s trade deadline can have some impactful deals. That could increase this year with teams keeping an eye on a stacked 2027 NFL Draft. This year’s deadline is Nov. 3.
65. Patriots and Lions go to Germany
Going with the theme of a strong international schedule of games, Munich is getting a prime game. The Patriots vs. Lions would fit great on a Sunday or Monday night; we get it in the early window of Week 10.
66. All those Ohio State rookies
The first round of the NFL Draft was dominated by Buckeyes. Four of the first 11 picks were from Ohio State, including three defensive players. Any of those players — receiver Carnell Tate, linebackers Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles and safety Caleb Downs — could win Rookie of the Year.
67. A great Hall of Fame class
There’s some real star power in the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame class: Roger Craig, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly and Adam Vinatieri. They’ll be inducted in August, but they’ll be celebrated in the cities in which they starred during the season.
68. Jalen Hurts under fire
Hurts never seems to get a break from criticism. He was Super Bowl MVP at the end of the 2024 season but last season was rough with infighting on the Eagles and a poor offensive scheme. Hurts didn’t play well either, and now finds himself in a positive of having to prove himself again.
69. Your fantasy football sleeper
You’ve got less than 100 days to hone in on that mid-round pick who will carry your fantasy team to a title this season. Don’t leave your draft without him (let’s call it now: Jaguars running back Bhayshul Tuten).
70. Another Travis Kelce season
Kelce’s potential retirement has been a story for a couple years, but he keeps coming back. After a good 2025 season, Kelce decided to come back for a 14th season as he gets set to turn 37 years old in October. One of the greatest tight ends ever is still productive, and he’s not ready to step away yet.
71. Jaguars return to London
The Jaguars enjoy their status as London’s unofficial team, and they return for a back-to-back dip in England again this season. Both matchups are compelling too: Jacksonville takes vs. the Eagles in Week 5, then division foe Houston in Week 6.
72. George Pickens drama
It seems inevitable that we’ll see some fireworks with Pickens and the Cowboys, and not just from him making big catches downfield. Pickens is on the franchise tag, not a long-term deal, and he can’t be happy with that. And if the mercurial Pickens is happy all season, we’ll just be entertained by his fantastic highlights.
73. Kyle Shanahan getting his due
A superb coaching job by Kyle Shanahan and then-defensive coordinator Robert Saleh (who is off to be the Titans’ new head coach) lifted San Francisco to the playoffs despite a rash of injuries. Shanahan didn’t get NFL Coach of the Year last season, but he’s solidifying himself as one of the top few coaches in the sport.
74. A 70-yard field goal?
Kickers have gotten much, much better through the years. Jacksonville’s Cam Little not only set the record last season with a 68-yard field goal, he hit the second longest in NFL history at 67 yards too. The next frontier might be if anyone can hit a 70-yarder. Little and Brandon Aubrey could give it a run if they get an opportunity.
75. The loaded 2027 NFL Draft
You heard about it a lot during this year’s draft, but the 2027 draft should be very deep and good. NFL fans, especially of bad teams, should be keeping an eye on Saturdays in the fall too. The race for the No. 1 pick will be a compelling story, and might lead to …
76. Will we see tanking?
Could we see NBA-level tanking in the NFL this season? The Dolphins might have gotten a head start on it through tearing down their roster. Could other teams put key players on injured reserve in December, like the Raiders did last season? Just because the NFL hasn’t had an epidemic of tanking doesn’t mean it can’t happen.
77. Malik Nabers back in action
Nabers had a great rookie season but his second season never really got off the ground. He suffered a torn ACL. Hopefully Nabers’ recovery goes well because he’s one of the most exciting players in the NFL when he’s on the field.
78. Ashton Jeanty, take two
Jeanty was one of the best running back prospects in many years, but the 2025 Raiders weren’t equipped to support him. He had a fairly quiet rookie season, but that should change with an upgraded Raiders roster and coaching staff. Then we’ll see what the hype was all about.
79. Penei Sewell crushing people
We don’t pay much attention to offensive linemen, but Sewell is hard to miss. He’s a bulldozer for the Lions at 335 pounds. Sewell is expected to move from right tackle to left tackle this season, but the violence in his game shouldn’t change.
80. Justin Jefferson gets back on track
When the Vikings’ passing game cratered last season, so did Jefferson’s numbers. We didn’t get nearly enough Jefferson highlights and the griddy was mostly put on ice. Hopefully that changes this season because Jefferson is a treat to watch.
81. Jeremiyah Love’s rookie season
Love was the rare prospect nobody seemed to have any problem with. He does it all at running back. The Cardinals were an odd landing spot at No. 3 overall, but Love will put up plenty of numbers and maybe win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.
82. Tom Brady’s improvement in the booth
Brady’s broadcasting career started slow, but he’s getting more comfortable as the color analyst on Fox’s No. 1 team. When Brady starts talking about quarterback play, it’s fantastic. If he continues to improve, he’ll be the star Fox thought it was paying for.
83. Tyler Shough’s encore
Shough wasn’t even starting for the Saints as a rookie halfway through last season. He made a push to win NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year after getting the job. Shough was a revelation, and now has No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson to throw to as well.
84. The unstoppable JSN
Jaxon Smith-Njigba entered last season as an ascending third year receiver for the Seahawks. Nobody knew he’d be the league’s most dominant receiver, win NFL Offensive Player of the Year and be the best player on a Super Bowl champion. Everyone knew JSN was getting the ball last season and couldn’t stop it, so expect more of the same.
85. George Kittle battles back
Kittle is one of the NFL’s great characters. It was tough to see his season end with an Achilles injury in the playoffs. We need his recovery to be seamless because the game isn’t as fun without him.
86. Lamar Jackson’s rebound
Let’s not forget that when healthy and locked in, Jackson is the best dual-threat quarterback in NFL history, and one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history period. The two-time MVP was a disappointment last season, but a coaching staff change might revitalize one of the NFL’s unique talents.
87. Alec Pierce, $114 million man
Pierce became a well known name last season and got a massive contract to stay with the Colts, signing for $114 million over four years. That gives him even more fame. He’ll try to lead the NFL in yards per catch for the third straight season.
88. Will the Jets finally get an interception?
One of the wildest stats in the NFL recently is the Jets getting no interceptions all last season. They’re the first team in NFL history to pull off that feat. The Jets have to get an interception early this season to break the streak. Right?
89. The MVP race
At this time last year, nobody figured Matthew Stafford and Drake Maye would finish 1-2 for MVP. Will it be one of the established former MVPs this season like Josh Allen, Patrick Mahomes or Lamar Jackson? Or will some young quarterback like Caleb Williams join the fray? We’ll debate the race all season.
90. Will Campbell’s redemption
Campbell, the Patriots’ left tackle, was the fourth pick of last year’s NFL Draft and got fame in the wrong way for his struggles in the playoffs and especially the Super Bowl. The Patriots drafted Caleb Lomu, a left tackle, in the first round this year, leading to more questions. Campbell is the rare offensive tackle we’ll be talking about.
91. Robert Saleh vs. Liam Coen
Last season, when Saleh was the 49ers’ defensive coordinator, he made a comment about Coen’s staff stealing signs. After Coen’s Jaguars beat the 49ers, Coen had words for Saleh. Now Saleh is the Titans’ head coach and will face Coen twice a season. The two say there’s no lingering bad feelings, but we shall find out.
92. Baker Mayfield tries to regroup
Mayfield was quite good two seasons ago and pretty bad in the second half of last season. There’s no Mike Evans for the Buccaneers anymore, which will be weird, but Emeka Egbuka, Chris Godwin Jr. and others can help Mayfield rediscover his form.
93. Mike Evans in a new place
Speaking of Evans, it’s always weird to see a legend switch teams late in his career. Evans spent 12 seasons with the Buccaneers but moved on to the 49ers in the offseason. Evans could be a great fit for Kyle Shanahan’s offense, which would add a cool second chapter to a great career.
94. Figuring out Bo Nix
Nix was very good as a rookie. He made huge plays in a tense playoff win over the Bills last season. But most of his second season was up and down, despite the Broncos’ 14-3 record, and it ended with an ankle injury suffered late against Buffalo. Will Nix take a step forward in Year 3? That would help the Broncos be a title contender again.
95. Something for Carolina to cheer about
The Panthers didn’t have a great 2025 season, finishing 8-9. But they won the NFC South and took the Rams to the brink in a wild-card playoff game. Tetairoa McMillan won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, and the Panthers added big free agents Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd to the defense. After years of malaise, Panthers fans have something to be excited for.
96. Trevor Lawrence’s star turn
It took a while, but Lawrence finally had a big season. The Jaguars won the division and Lawrence improved as a quarterback under head coach Liam Coen. Will Year 2 with Coen be even better?
97. Jesse Minter replaces a legend
Minter, the Los Angeles Chargers’ defensive coordinator last season, was one of the hot names in the head coaching cycle. He landed with the Ravens, who have high expectations. Perhaps new energy from Minter will boost the Ravens and finally get Lamar Jackson to a Super Bowl.
98. Aaron Glenn vs. the hot seat
Glenn might be on the hottest seat coming into the season. That happens when you’re the Jets’ coach and things don’t go well. The Jets have added some talent and should be more competitive. But all eyes will be on Glenn.
99. Clutch Caleb Williams
There aren’t many more exciting players in the NFL than Williams with a game on the line. His late-game highlights for the Bears last season were captivating, and there should be plenty more to come.
100. Super Bowl Sunday
Mark your calendars: Super Bowl LXI will be Feb. 14, 2027 from SoFi Stadium. That might not excite many couples looking to celebrate Valentine’s Day, but that can wait until Monday.
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