Summer break is fast approaching for NFL teams. Over the next two weeks, they’ll be wrapping up their offseason programs.
During the long wait for football’s return, what will be the top question lingering over every club?
I pick one key query for each NFC team (stay tuned for the AFC edition Friday):
NFC East
Can New Cowboys DC Christian Parker Turn Around The Defense?
On paper, the Dallas Cowboys are much improved on defense. Five of their seven draft picks were used on that side of the ball — most notably first-round picks Caleb Downs, who’s been touted as a generational defensive back prospect, and edge rusher Malachi Lawrence. Dallas also traded for standout edge Rashan Gary (7.5 sacks last season). Safety Jalen Thompson and cornerback Cobie Durant headline their free-agent acquisitions.
Cowboys first-round picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence pose with the team’s Super Bowl trophies following their introductory press conferences in April. (Tom Fox/The Dallas Morning News via Getty Images)
But it will be up to the 34-year-old Parker, a first-time defensive playcaller, to put all the talent together into a competent unit. The Cowboys’ hopes of returning to the playoffs, and a potential postseason run, could hinge on the former defensive backs coach.
Can Giants QB Jaxson Dart Make A Second-Year Leap?
Dart is learning a new system, with former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator Matt Nagy taking over as Giants OC under new head coach John Harbaugh. There’s also a question of whether New York has enough firepower around the 2025 first-round pick.
The biggest concern is star receiver Malik Nabers, who, after tearing his ACL last season, had a cleanup procedure earlier this offseason. Nabers’ availability for the start of the season remains unclear, and fellow receiver Darius Slayton has also been sidelined with a core muscle injury. The signing of Odell Beckham Jr. is nostalgic for New York fans, but at 33 years old, there’s no guarantee that he even makes the roster.
[Odell Beckham’s Giants Reunion A Futile Trip Down Memory Lane]
Are The Eagles Going To Remorse Buying and selling A.J. Brown?
For months, the Philadelphia Eagles had been making ready their roster for the eventual departure of three-time All-Professional receiver Brown, who was formally traded to the New England Patriots on June 1. Philadelphia drafted USC’s Makai Lemon with the twentieth total decide, signed veteran receivers Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore in free company and traded for wideout Dontayvion Wicks. However can they fill the void left by Brown, who posted 4 straight 1,000-yard seasons with the Eagles? Extra might be requested of DeVonta Smith as quarterback Jalen Hurts’ high goal.
After an sad tenure with the Eagles, A.J. Brown was all smiles throughout his first apply with the Patriots. (Photograph by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Photographs)
Will Jayden Daniels Reassert His Standing As An Elite QB?
After lacking 10 video games attributable to harm final yr, the Washington Commanders QB mentioned he has a “bitter style” in his mouth. The 2024 Offensive Rookie of the 12 months will look to get again on monitor with a brand new offensive coordinator in David Blough, who was Washington’s assistant quarterbacks coach the earlier two seasons.
NFC Central
Will Bears QB Caleb Williams Dwell Up To The Hype In 12 months 3?
When you thought this previous yr couldn’t have been any higher for Williams, who led the Chicago Bears to an NFC North title and a playoff victory over the Packers final season, he was introduced as the duvet athlete for “Madden NFL 27” in early June — the first-ever Bear to say that honor.
Caleb Williams exhibits off his “Iceman” pose on the deluxe cowl of “Madden NFL 27.” (Photograph: EA Sports activities)
Williams & Co. face huge expectations to construct on what was Chicago’s first playoff look since 2020 and first division crown since 2018.
Are The Lions Geared up To Return To The NFC’s Elite?
A fourth-place schedule in 2026 might assist the Detroit Lions return to double-digit wins within the 2026 season. However the play of the offensive line, which was a problem final yr, will go an extended option to Detroit reestablishing itself as a dominant workforce. The revamped unit has All-Professional offensive sort out Penei Sewell flipping from the fitting to left aspect. No. 2 operating again David Montgomery is out of the image, having been traded to the Houston Texans.
The pass-rush assist for Aidan Hutchinson and the well being of the secondary is paramount for the Lions, too. Beginning defensive backs Terrion Arnold, DJ Reed and Brian Department missed a mixed 20 video games in 2025.
When Will Packers Star Micah Parsons Return To Peak Kind?
Recovering from a torn ACL suffered in mid-December, Parsons informed reporters in early June that he’s about 4 months away from taking part in, which might put his return round October. However even when that timeline holds, there’s a query of how lengthy it’ll take the famous person edge rusher to actually get his toes again below him. Inexperienced Bay will want Parsons at full power down the stretch for what is anticipated to be a playoff push.
After Micah Parsons tore his ACL in Week 15 in opposition to the Denver Broncos, the Packers misplaced 5 straight video games, together with their first-round playoff recreation in opposition to the rival Bears. (Photograph by Justin Edmonds/Getty Photographs)
Who Wins The Vikings’ QB Battle?
The Vikings signed veteran quarterback and former No. 1 total decide Kyler Murray to compete with J.J. McCarthy to be QB1. Murray might have the slight benefit — the stakes are excessive in Minnesota after GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s firing in January — however the two quarterbacks have been splitting first-team reps in offseason practices.
NFC South
Who Wins The Falcons’ QB Battle?
Michael Penix Jr., who’s making his approach again from a 3rd torn ACL, and former Miami Dolphins starter Tua Tagovailoa, who signed with Atlanta in March, are in a full-fledged competitors to be the Falcons’ QB1. Penix has not but been cleared for 11-on-11 work, so Tagovailoa has had the early benefit in reps with the beginning offense.
Whereas Michael Penix Jr. continues to get well from knee surgical procedure, former Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa (above) is getting the vast majority of the reps through the Falcons’ offseason program. (Photograph by Todd Kirkland/Getty Photographs)
Can Bryce Younger Cement His Place As The Panthers’ Lengthy-Time period QB?
Carolina picked up the fifth-year possibility in Younger’s rookie deal, retaining him below contract by 2027. However the former No. 1 total decide might want to construct on an encouraging 2025 marketing campaign to justify a long-term deal. He posted career-best passing numbers final season — a 63.6% completion price for 3,011 yards and 23 TDs with 11 INTs — main the Panthers to their first playoff look since 2017.
Will Tyler Shough Step Up To Turn out to be The Saints’ Franchise QB?
Shough completed second in Offensive Rookie of the 12 months voting final season, regardless of beginning simply 9 video games. And he has very best circumstances to construct off his promising 2025 marketing campaign. The previous Louisville standout is getting into 12 months 2 with coach Kellen Moore, and the Saints prioritized bolstering the encircling offense. New Orleans signed operating again Travis Etienne Jr. in free company and used the No. 8 total decide on broad receiver Jordyn Tyson.
Tyler Shough, a second-round decide final yr, has new weapons on offense getting into his second season with the Saints. (Photograph by Getty Photographs)
How Will Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Carry out In Final 12 months Of His Deal?
Mayfield had his worst season with Tampa Bay in 2025, and the Bucs did not make the playoffs for the primary time since 2020. The previous No. 1 total decide could have his fourth offensive coordinator in 4 seasons with the Bucs in Zac Robinson, and franchise legend Mike Evans — certainly one of Mayfield’s favourite receiving targets — departed in free company.
NFC West
Can The Cardinals Maximize Jeremiyah Love, Marvin Harrison Jr.?
Regardless of the uncertainty at quarterback — Jacoby Brissett, Gardner Minshew and Carson Beck are the choices — new Arizona Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur has loads of expertise on offense. However there are questions on whether or not the workforce has sufficient on the offensive line to offer Love, the operating again picked at No. 3 total, an opportunity at success.
Third-round QB Carson Beck palms off the ball to first-round decide Jeremiyah Love through the Cardinals’ rookie mincamp in Might. (Photograph by Christian Petersen/Getty Photographs)
For 2 seasons, receiver Harrison has did not dwell as much as the hype because the No. 4 total decide of the 2024 draft. LaFleur was a large receivers coach and passing recreation coordinator with the Niners earlier than working as an OC the previous 5 seasons, so maybe he’ll deliver an method that may unlock Harrison’s expertise.
Will The Rams Dwell Up To The Tremendous Bowl Hype?
After the blockbuster commerce for famous person defensive finish Myles Garrett, the Los Angeles Rams have surged as the favourite to win Tremendous Bowl LXI. That they had already acquired former All-Professional cornerback Trent McDuffie in what’s been an aggressive offseason.
In line with FOX Sports activities Analysis, it’ll mark the primary time {that a} reigning MVP (Matthew Stafford) and DPOY (Garrett) will play on the identical workforce within the following season (excluding Lawrence Taylor and Alan Web page, who received each awards in 1986 and ‘71, respectively). Something lower than a Tremendous Bowl journey could be a disappointment for Los Angeles.
[Ranking The Top 10 Moves After Myles Garrett, A.J. Brown Trades]
Can the 49ers’ Stars Keep Wholesome?
Accidents have been a recurring challenge for the San Francisco 49ers for years, and well being might form their fortunes as soon as once more in 2026. Stars George Kittle (Achilles), Nick Bosa (ACL) and Fred Warner (ankle) all enter the brand new yr coming off season-ending accidents.
Fred Warner (left) and Nick Bosa needed to sit out a lot of final season with vital accidents. (Photograph by Michael Zagaris/San Francisco 49ers/Getty Photographs)
Will Saints QB Sam Darnold Keep His Elite Stage Of Play?
Darnold beat the bust label years in the past. However how he responds to a bigger workload in 2026, coming off a Tremendous Bowl victory, stays to be seen. The 2-time Professional Bowler not has the luxurious of getting Kenneth Walker III within the backfield, and Zach Charbonnet is anticipated to overlook the beginning of the season with a torn ACL. And with a first-time offensive coordinator in Brian Fleury changing Klint Kubiak, Darnold might have to take better possession of the Seahawks’ offense.
