100 things to know for the 2026 NFL season ... 100 days out

playSteve Smith Sr. voices concerns about Mahomes' supporting cast (1:13) We know you're already looking forward to the 2026 NFL season -- and it's getting closer and closer. As of June 1, there are officially 100 days until the season opener. So we're using this opportunity to dig into 100 big things to know. We're hitting on 14 different categories to set up the regular season, which kicks off with a Super Bowl LX rematch on Sept. 9. We will tackle the latest intel, players who could have big years, teams trending up or down, injury updates, bold predictions and more. Let's start with some offseason buzz as we head into minicamps. (All odds by DraftKings Sportsbook.) Jump to a section: Offseason buzz | MVP race | Bold predictions Best bets | Position battles | Rookies Key sophomores | Fantasy sleepers Most improved teams | Least improved teams Must-watch games | Stat numbers Injury buzz | Final thoughts National NFL reporters Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have updates on offseason storylines that could have a big impact in September and beyond. Some big names are still out there looking for new homes. Will Joey Bosa team up with his brother, Nick, in San Francisco? Is Stefon Diggs going to land somewhere -- Kansas City? Las Vegas? Washington? -- that could still use a veteran WR? Could Jadeveon Clowney continue his quest to play for every team in the league before he's done? And do the Giants reunite with Odell Beckham Jr.? There's a lot still in play here. -- Graziano Baltimore wants to extend Jackson, a free agent in 2028. No major progress has been made yet, and some around the league wonder whether Jackson wants to wait until next offseason to up his value. The quarterback market could move during the 2027 offseason, with Drake Maye, Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels eligible for new deals. -- Fowler The focus tends to be on quarterback Josh Allen and the offense in Buffalo, but with former offensive coordinator Joe Brady assuming the head coach role, the bigger question is how the Bills will adjust to a new defense under new coordinator Jim Leonhard. Sean McDermott directed things on that side of the ball for the past nine years. -- Graziano Pickens signed his $27.3 million franchise tag, which the Cowboys are happy about. But he wants a long-term deal that Dallas won't give right now. Whether Pickens develops a reason to sit out during the offseason or regular season could be something to watch. -- Fowler His relationship with the 49ers is apparently broken, making him likely to be on another team by the start of the season. The Niners have resisted cutting him, but if they can't find a trade partner, they have to make him a free agent before the season starts. -- Graziano Early indications are that quarterback Jalen Hurts has embraced new coordinator Sean Mannion's scheme and structure. Things will look different. Hurts will be under center more, with DeVonta Smith now serving as his No. 1 option. The former teammates at Alabama should have more chemistry than Hurts had with A.J. Brown in 2025. -- Fowler They got Jack Campbell's deal done, but they have three other 2023 draft picks they want to extend, ideally before the 2026 season. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs could be playing chicken with Atlanta's Bijan Robinson to see who sets the top of that market, so that could take a while. But the Lions also want deals with tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch. -- Graziano This offseason has been a heavy distraction for coach Mike Vrabel. How New England proceeds as a team in the coming weeks and months will say a lot. It's a chance for Vrabel to prove he hasn't lost his edge on the field and with his players. New England is expected to add wide receiver A.J. Brown to the fold in time to acclimate him for OTAs and minicamp. -- Fowler Patrick Mahomes, Daniel Jones, Bo Nix and Jayden Daniels all saw their 2025 seasons end early due to injuries. When will they all be back? How effective will they be once they are? Encouraging reports so far on all four, but we will continue to monitor the progress of their respective recoveries as the offseason moves along. -- Graziano Nine receivers went in the first 35 selections two years ago. None had back-to-back 900-yard seasons, but Year 3 is the time to rise. Marvin Harrison Jr., Brian Thomas Jr., Xavier Worthy and Ladd McConkey need bounce-back years. And the pressure is on Keon Coleman and Xavier Legette this offseason. -- Fowler NFL analyst Seth Walder goes 100 deep on MVP candidates coming out of every season. Here's his way-too-early top-10 list for 2026. He's the best quarterback in the NFL, and if the Bills are the No. 1 seed in the AFC -- which is well within the cards -- it will be because Allen delivered an MVP-worthy performance. He's coming off a down season, and a new offensive coordinator in Declan Doyle means more uncertainty. But if Jackson is healthy, there's every reason to believe the two-time MVP can reach the mountaintop

100 things to know for the 2026 NFL season ... 100 days out

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