The 2026 NFL preseason is officially underway. Sure, it isn’t the regular season, but isn’t it exciting to have football on TV again? I know I’ll enjoy sitting on the couch and watching NFL action, even if it’ll be a bunch of backups on the field.
For some teams, the preseason can feel like going through the motions. It’s the mandatory ramp-up period where they sit their starters and work out some kinks in their system. For others, however, the preseason can have a serious impact on how things play out in the regular season.
As we kick things off, we’re going to take a look at all 32 NFL teams and rank them by how much they have to play for this preseason. Please note that these are not typical NFL power rankings. These rankings do not reflect where each team stands going into the 2026-27 regular season. They strictly indicate which teams have the most to gain in this preseason period.
32) Seattle Seahawks
I told you these weren’t typical power rankings! The Seattle Seahawks come into the 2026 NFL preseason as the defending Super Bowl champions, retaining most of their contributors from their talented offense and their defense, which finished first in the NFL in PFN Defense Impact Scoring in 2025.
The Seahawks have a new offensive play-caller at the helm in Brian Fleury, who’s replacing the departed Klint Kubiak. That adjustment will be something to monitor in the preseason, though the starters likely won’t play much, if at all.
31) Kansas City Chiefs
A ranking this low isn’t meant to indicate that the Kansas City Chiefs are the second-best team in the NFL. While you’ll see a handful of contenders with a low ranking on this list, it’s not exactly a perfect inverse of a team’s Super Bowl chances. Rather, the Chiefs just face a lot of continuity going into 2026.
It’s been the same core of Patrick Mahomes, Andy Reid, Travis Kelce, and Chris Jones for much of the last decade. Kansas City even brought back former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy to take the role back over in 2026. They have something to prove this year after a down performance in 2025, but not much will be determined by the preseason.
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30) Green Bay Packers
Matt LaFleur is entering his eighth season as the head coach of the Green Bay Packers, giving the team a level of continuity that few NFL teams can match. They’re also facing very little turnover on their roster going into 2026, which means there isn’t as much at stake for them this preseason.
The Packers have remained competitive for much of LaFleur’s time as their head coach, but they’ve been defeated in the Wild Card Round each of the last two seasons. Though this year will be key in determining if they’ll ever be able to break through that glass ceiling, not much of that will be determined by their preseason performance.
29) Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills are the lowest-ranked team on this list among the ten NFL teams with new head coaches going into 2026. A lot of that comes down to the continuity they face; new head coach Joe Brady has been in their organization since 2022 and was their offensive coordinator for each of the previous two seasons.
Though there could be an adjustment period with Jim Leonhard taking over defensive play-calling duties, the Bills have a veteran defense with several returning starters from last season. They don’t have as much to prove this preseason.
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28) Denver Broncos
As of this writing, the Denver Broncos’ only projected starter who wasn’t on their roster last season is star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. Otherwise, there’s a lot of continuity in the organization heading into 2026, particularly on their defense, which ranked No. 4 in the NFL in PFN Defense Impact Scoring last year.
None of the Broncos’ rookies are slated to start this season, which isn’t all that surprising when you consider they didn’t have a single pick in the first two rounds of the 2026 NFL Draft. Their rookies will be fun to watch, but that’s about it.
27) Los Angeles Rams
Coming into the 2025-26 NFL season as the odds-on Super Bowl favorites, the Los Angeles Rams don’t have much that will be decided this preseason that pertains to their performance this season. Their roster relies heavily on proven, veteran talent, which is part of why they appear so strong on paper.
The only reason the Rams don’t rank lower on this list is because of the presence of quarterback Ty Simpson. They drafted him in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft in hopes that he’ll be the heir apparent to reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford. While Stafford is in no danger of losing his starting job, Simpson’s performance in the preseason could indicate how aggressive Los Angeles gets with its spending in a post-Stafford world.
26) San Francisco 49ers
The only big thing the San Francisco 49ers need to prove this preseason is that they can defy the evil magic of their nearby electric substation and stay healthy. In all seriousness, as unfortunate as their injury luck has been these last few years, there isn’t much the 49ers need to prove in the preseason.
Going into his tenth season as San Francisco’s head coach, Kyle Shanahan has already shown that he’s one of the brightest offensive minds in the NFL. Veteran quarterback Brock Purdy returns as the starter, as does most of their starting lineup on both sides of the ball. It will be interesting to see how the 49ers’ young defensive linemen and second-round wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling perform in the preseason, but that’s about it.
25) Houston Texans
In each of his three seasons as their head coach, DeMeco Ryans has led the Houston Texans to the playoffs. They made a postseason appearance last year as a Wild Card team, but their 12-5 record was the best they’ve put together under Ryans to date.
It helps that Houston retains much of its core from last season, and it also brings veteran running back David Montgomery into the fold on offense. One storyline to watch this preseason will be the play of rookie center Keylan Rutledge. He was a guard in college and should receive playing time as he switches positions and makes the jump to the NFL.
24) Philadelphia Eagles
The Philadelphia Eagles became the first team to repeat as NFC East champions in over 20 years last season, but their reign as the defending Super Bowl champions ultimately fell short of expectations. Getting bounced in the Wild Card Round isn’t the worst way to follow up hoisting the Lombardi Trophy, but it’s hardly the best, either.
Wisely, the Eagles parted ways with offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after the season ended. That said, it will be interesting to see how Sean Mannion, who’s only 34 years old and is in just his third year as an NFL coach, will fare in the role. His fast and aggressive trajectory into a coordinator job could either make Philadelphia look foolish or ahead of the curve.
23) Baltimore Ravens
After 18 seasons with John Harbaugh as their head coach, the Baltimore Ravens went in a different direction by hiring Jesse Minter in the role this offseason. Minter was an assistant for the Ravens from 2017 to 2020, and he brings similar defensive philosophies to their old coaching staff, so it shouldn’t be a major culture shock for the existing roster.
The Ravens face more continuity than most teams in the NFL due to the strength of their roster’s core. They don’t have many positional battles heading into the preseason, though the development of rookies like edge rusher Zion Young and wide receivers Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt will be fun to monitor.
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22) Cincinnati Bengals
You have to give the Cincinnati Bengals credit; they realized that their defense was a massive need, and they were incredibly aggressive in addressing it this offseason. Veteran additions like Dexter Lawrence, Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook should help bring their defense to a reasonable level of play.
Those players won’t do much in the preseason, but the Bengals still have some selections from the 2026 NFL Draft worth monitoring over the next few weeks. Rookies like Cashius Howell and Tacario Davis probably won’t start much this year, but they could play key roles in the defense’s rotation and will therefore be players to keep an eye on.
21) Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers didn’t have the 2025 campaign they had hoped for, as they missed the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2019. They started off the year with a 6-2 record, but injuries and a falloff in play saw them close out the year with an underwhelming 8-9 record.
Though the Buccaneers and head coach Todd Bowles have a lot to play for in the regular season, that doesn’t ring as true in the preseason. There’s a lot of continuity on offense going into the new year, though it’ll be fun to see what defensive rookies like Rueben Bain Jr., Josiah Trotter, and Keionte Scott can do with their snaps these next few weeks.
20) Carolina Panthers
2025 marked the first time since 2017 that the Carolina Panthers made the playoffs, which is a feat worth celebrating, even if they only made it with an 8-9 record via a tiebreaker. Circumstances aside, they’re clearly on an upward trajectory under head coach Dave Canales, which has to be exciting for the fanbase.
This preseason, the Panthers would like to get some clarity at the offensive tackle position. They have a tremendous amount of depth there, which is helpful when you consider that both Ikem Ekwonu and Taylor Moton are currently injured. Rasheed Walker has enough starting experience at left tackle, but rookie right tackle Monroe Freeling’s adjustment to the NFL as a one-year collegiate starter will be worth watching.
19) Minnesota Vikings
When the Minnesota Vikings declared Kyler Murray as their Week 1 starting quarterback over J.J. McCarthy before their preseason even started, it took a lot of the suspense out of these next few weeks.
Now, the intrigue in the Vikings’ preseason comes from their defensive line. They made two early selections at defensive tackle in the 2026 NFL Draft in first-rounder Caleb Banks and third-rounder Domonique Orange. They’ll have plenty of focus on them in their preseason play, especially with Banks coming off two major foot injuries in the last calendar year.
18) New Orleans Saints
With their strong finish to the 2025-26 season, the New Orleans Saints are one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL going into the new year. Much of that intrigue won’t manifest until the regular season, as much of the discussion around their upcoming season centers on their starting lineup.
That said, the glimpses we’ll see from the Saints’ starters will be fun, especially on offense. Though he left practice early on Thursday with a hamstring injury, Jordyn Tyson’s connection with Tyler Shough will be must-see TV if we get to see the two in action this preseason.
17) Chicago Bears
One of the most divisive NFL teams going into 2026 has to be the Chicago Bears. Some view them as a powerhouse on the rise, with young quarterback Caleb Williams surrounded by offensive mastermind Ben Johnson and a talented group of ascending weapons. Others see them as a regression candidate due to anticipated turnover falloff and a more difficult schedule.
Not having made the playoffs in consecutive seasons for 20 years, the Bears have a lot to prove in the regular season. That starts in the preseason, where rookies like Logan Jones, Sam Roush, and Zavion Thomas should see plenty of playing time. Keep an eye on defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg, the sixth-round pick who’s been making waves in training camp.
16) Dallas Cowboys
Similar to the Bengals, the Dallas Cowboys spent this offseason aggressively trying to fix their lackluster defense. They made some moves in free agency and traded for edge rusher Rashan Gary, but their 2026 NFL Draft class will be more notable for the preseason, as five of their seven selections came on defense.
Caleb Downs is projected to start for the Cowboys right away, but their remaining draft picks project better as rotational players in 2026. Both he and Malachi Lawrence, Dallas’ other first-round pick from this year’s class, are expected to play in the preseason, which will be appointment viewing.
15) Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions had a glaring need at center last season, and their intention was to fill that spot by signing Cade Mays this offseason. However, now that Mays is expected to miss the first few regular season games with a wrist injury, they’ll need to turn to Juice Scruggs, an add-on in the trade that sent David Montgomery to Houston.
It’s more than just the center position that’s worth watching for the Lions this preseason. Right tackle Blake Miller and edge rusher Derrick Moore are two rookies who will surely see snaps in the next few weeks. Fifth-round cornerback Keith Abney II has the potential to turn some heads, while Detroit’s safety depth will be spotlighted with both Kerby Joseph and Brian Branch dealing with injuries.
14) Los Angeles Chargers
From a schematic perspective, the Los Angeles Chargers’ change from Greg Roman to Mike McDaniel as offensive coordinator should be an interesting one to watch. McDaniel saw plenty of early success as Miami’s head coach, and though his tenure ended up not working out, he seems more suited for an offensive coordinator role.
The early stages of installing McDaniel’s vision will be apparent in the Chargers’ preseason games. Though top names like Justin Herbert and Ladd McConkey won’t play much, keep an eye on how Los Angeles calls plays and how its scheme differs from years past, especially with some starting spots along the interior offensive line up for grabs.
13) Indianapolis Colts
After kicking off last season as one of the NFL’s biggest surprises, the Indianapolis Colts fell back down to Earth with their second-half performance. Part of that came down to a season-ending injury to quarterback Daniel Jones, but regression elsewhere saw the Colts miss the playoffs for the fifth year in a row.
Whatever glimpses of Jones we get in the preseason could indicate how he’ll fare coming off of his Achilles injury. The bigger storylines for the preseason include the development of young defensive linemen like Jaylahn Tuimoloau and Adetomiwa Adebawore, as well as the performance of enticing defensive prospects from their 2026 NFL Draft haul like linebackers CJ Allen and Bryce Boettcher, and safety A.J. Haulcy.
12) Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jacksonville Jaguars had one of the most confusing classes in the 2026 NFL Draft, earning them a D+ grade that tied for the worst immediate grade in PFN’s NFL Draft HQ this year. Granted, it’s way too early to come to concrete conclusions about any draft prospects in the NFL, but the preseason will provide some insight into their vision.
Can Nate Boerkircher, Albert Regis, and Jalen Huskey look like the top-100 prospects they were selected as, even though none of them were even top-150 prospects on the consensus board? That remains to be seen, but the Jaguars’ notable rookies can help change the narrative if they perform well in the preseason.
11) New England Patriots
For a team that just made a Super Bowl appearance last year, the New England Patriots head into the preseason with a few notable questions. They project as one of the better teams in the NFL going into 2026, but these next few weeks will answer a lot about the future of this team.
Will first-round pick Caleb Lomu look the part at offensive tackle? How much time will second-rounder Gabe Jacas see off the edge amidst concerns about his knee? How will the Patriots respond after all of the drama surrounding head coach Mike Vrabel this offseason? There’s a lot to watch out for with this New England squad this preseason.
10) Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders were the breakout story of the 2024-25 NFL season, but last year saw them regress to the mean. Part of that regression came down to injuries to key performers like Jayden Daniels and Terry McLaurin, but the offensive play-calling took a nosedive compared to the year before, too.
New offensive coordinator David Blough will be tasked with bringing the Commanders back to their explosive ways from two seasons ago. Washington also has several new defenders it will need to bring up to speed in the preseason; first-round pick Sonny Styles will be especially intriguing to watch these next few weeks.
9) Tennessee Titans
Brian Callahan is out, and Robert Saleh is in as the Tennessee Titans’ head coach going into 2026. It’s a new coaching staff in the organization, and it’s also a pretty new roster; the Titans have nine projected starters who weren’t on their roster last season.
Coming off a disappointing rookie year, which saw him rank dead last in the NFL in PFN QB Impact Scoring, Cam Ward has a lot to prove heading into Year 2. The flashes of arm talent and creativity that saw him selected with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft were apparent on tape, but with a better roster on paper around him, the expectations will be higher in his second season.
8) Arizona Cardinals
All of the drama surrounding Jacoby Brissett has subsided, so the Arizona Cardinals no longer have a controversy at the quarterback position. Still, new head coach Mike LaFleur has a lot of work to do before this team becomes a serious powerhouse in the NFL.
2026 will be about setting a foundation for the Cardinals’ future success, and that starts with getting comfortable in a new system during the preseason. In particular, it will be entertaining to see if Carson Beck can build off of his strong Hall of Fame Game performance with the remainder of his preseason outings.
7) Las Vegas Raiders
Though Kirk Cousins is the anticipated starting quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 1, it’s clear that Fernando Mendoza is expected to become the face of the franchise sooner rather than later. The rookie was listed as their second-string quarterback on their unofficial depth chart, meaning he should see plenty of playing time in the preseason.
Seeing Mendoza in Klint Kubiak’s offense will be the main headline for the Raiders’ preseason, but they also have plenty of other rookies worth watching in the next few weeks. Las Vegas had ten selections in the 2026 NFL Draft, so it will be interesting to monitor how its rookies fare as it looks to build a sustainable contender in the AFC.
6) Pittsburgh Steelers
Is this the year the Pittsburgh Steelers finally avoid NFL purgatory? That remains to be seen, but it’s certainly the hope with Mike McCarthy taking over as head coach after Mike Tomlin’s resignation this offseason. Building a true contender starts with getting the roster comfortable in a new system after decades of continuity under Tomlin.
Aaron Rodgers has obviously played under McCarthy before, though he wouldn’t play much in the preseason at his age, anyway. Rather, the preseason will be an opportunity to get their young guys onto the field, particularly first-round offensive tackle and potential starter Max Iheanachor.
5) Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins wisely hit the reset button this offseason, experiencing turnover at the likes of head coach, quarterback, and wide receiver, among other roles. New head coach Jeff Hafley will be tasked with building a sustainable contender in Miami, like he helped do in Green Bay as the Packers’ defensive coordinator.
Malik Willis is firmly entrenched as the Dolphins’ starting quarterback for 2026, though he’ll surely take some reps in the preseason to get comfortable in his new surroundings. The big question here is Miami’s group of wide receivers; it’s a largely unproven unit that needs as many snaps as it can get.
4) New York Giants
As of this writing, the reports coming out of the New York Giants’ training camp haven’t been all that optimistic. New head coach John Harbaugh brought a whole new coaching staff with him, and there’s reportedly been a rocky learning curve, particularly on offense.
With a young quarterback in Jaxson Dart and a rebuilding roster that includes two first-round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft, the preseason will be a chance for the Giants to get their roster up to speed.
3) Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons shook things up with their approach to the 2026 offseason. Kevin Stefanski is now their head coach, and Tua Tagovailoa has been brought in to compete with Michael Penix Jr. for the starting quarterback job. Those are two major moves at arguably the two most important roles in the modern NFL.
Though Tagovailoa will be starting for the Falcons in the preseason, Penix would surely see playing time if he’s cleared to play, coming off the ACL injury he suffered late in 2025. Coming off a season in which they only missed the playoffs by a tiebreaker, the Falcons rank highly on this list almost solely because of how high the stakes are in their quarterback battle.
2) New York Jets
A strong argument could be made that Aaron Glenn faces the hottest seat of any NFL head coach heading into the new season. The New York Jets are coming off a disappointing 3-14 campaign, during which they became the only team in modern NFL history to not tally a single interception for an entire season.
Beyond the high stakes for Glenn and a lot of the coaching staff, the Jets have a different roster from last year. Among their projected defensive starters, seven of them were acquired this offseason. Those players will surely see some time during the preseason, while rookies like Omar Cooper Jr., D’Angelo Ponds, and Kenyon Sadiq will have the chance to get up to speed in the coming weeks.
1) Cleveland Browns
It’s pretty fair to say the Cleveland Browns by far have the most to play for in the preseason this year. The obvious reason is their ongoing quarterback battle between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. These preseason games will be a crucial proving ground for both to establish themselves as “the guy” heading into 2026.
Beyond that, new head coach Todd Monken has a scheme and a culture to establish. The Browns had glimmers of hope under Kevin Stefanski, but his tenure ultimately ended in the same disappointment the franchise has been used to for much of the 21st century. Monken will be tasked with turning that around, and that all begins with the preseason.
