NFL Teams I'm Buying & Selling Stock in For the 2026 Season

We’re still a ways away from the NFL season kicking off in September, but with the 2026 NFL Draft now wrapped up, this kind of marks that dead period in the offseason.

Really, the only thing fans have to look forward to until training camp in July is the schedule release in May.

With most of the major moves likely done, aside from a likely A.J. Brown move to the New England Patriots, we now have a pretty clear picture of what rosters and coaching staffs are going to look like heading into next season.

With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at which teams I’m buying stock in and which teams I’m selling stock in heading into the 2026 season. This isn’t about long-term futures, this is strictly based on what I think will happen this upcoming year.

Buying: Cincinnati Bengals

We all know how good the Cincinnati Bengals offense is when Joe Burrow is healthy. But, that’s always been one of the biggest question with this team, can they keep their franchise quarterback on the field for a full season? Well, If they can, this offense should once again be among the best in the league with Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown, plus an offensive line that looks like it’s slowly improving.

For Cincy, It’s always going to come down to how the defense performs, and while they did lose Trey Hendrickson to the Baltimore Ravens in free agency, I do like a lot of what they’ve done on that side of the ball. Some people didn’t love giving up the 10th overall pick for Dexter Lawrence, but he’s going to make an immediate impact for a team that is clearly trying to win right now.

I also like some of the other moves they made to improve the defense. Bringing in veterans like Jonathan Allen, Bryan Cook, and Boye Mafe should all help right away. And I think a full offseason for their 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart is going to be huge if he’s going to reach his potential after everything that went on with contract negotiations last year.

As long as Burrow is healthy, I think the Bengals have a real shot to compete for an AFC North title.

While I still have some hesitations about Zac Taylor as a head coach in what feels like a make-or-break year for him, I do like what Cincinnati has done to put themselves in position to compete for a playoff spot and end that three-year drought. This is a team I think is going to be very formidable this season.

Selling: New England Patriots

If you recall last offseason, I was very high on the New England Patriots. I predicted they would at least double their win total, make the playoffs, and be one of the biggest turnarounds in the league.

And somehow, they exceeded even that. Not only did they make the playoffs, second-year quarterback Drake Maye finished second in MVP voting, they won their division, won 14 games, and made the Super Bowl. Sure, they got dominated once they got there, but the fact they even reached that point was crazy.

I’m still very high on the Patriots long-term with him leading the way. But if we’re just talking about this upcoming season, there are real reasons to be concerned.

For starters, the schedule is brutal. They’re set to play eight playoff teams from last season, and even the non-playoff teams include the Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, and Kansas City Chiefs. That’s not an easy path at all.

I also still don’t love the offensive weapons around Maye. It sounds like A.J. Brown could be joining them, which would help a lot, but outside of that, there are still question marks unless someone like TreVeyon Henderson takes a big leap. The offensive line is also still a concern.

Then there’s everything going on with Mike Vrabel. I won’t get too deep into it, but any kind of off-field situation or distraction, especially involving a head coach, can impact a team more than people think, whether it’s the offseason program or the locker room dynamic during the year.

So like I said, I’m still very high on the Patriots over the next 3-5 years, but if you’re asking me about this season specifically, whether they’re more likely to win the division again or miss the playoffs, I lean toward missing the postseason.

Between a potential Super Bowl hangover, a much tougher schedule, a quarterback that every team is now game-planning for, and uncertainty around the coaching situation, I just don’t think it’s going to be as smooth or as successful as it was in 2025.

Buying: Tennessee Titans

Let me make something perfectly clear, the Tennessee Titans are not going to be some elite team next season. I don’t even think they’re making the playoffs. But I am starting to buy stock in them because they’re beginning to look like a real, professional operation again.

Last season, whenever the Titans were on my screen, and let’s be honest, it wasn’t often, it was rough. They were getting dominated, their first overall pick looked like he was losing confidence week after week, and the whole thing just felt dysfunctional.

That’s why I actually like what they’ve done this offseason. Bringing in a coaching duo like Robert Saleh and Brian Daboll makes a lot of sense for a team that just needs structure and direction. It’s not about being great right away, it’s about becoming stable again.

They’ve also started bringing in actual, proven NFL contributors like Wan'Dale Robinson and John Franklin-Myers, which helps raise the floor of the roster. And even in the draft, while taking Carnell Tate at fourth overall might’ve been a bit of a reach, I like the idea behind it, they’re trying to support their young quarterback and build something functional offensively behind what I think is an underrated offensive line.

There’s always a team every year that surprises people and comes out of nowhere. I’m not necessarily predicting that to be Tennessee, but I do think they’ll be more competitive than people expect.

Selling: Kansas City Chiefs

Can someone explain to me why the Kansas City Chiefs are just getting the benefit of the doubt? I get it, there’s history there with Patrick Mahomes, but do we just forget how bad they were last season? Even when Mahomes was healthy.

Now you’re telling me I’m supposed to expect them to just bounce back after trading away a star like Trent McDuffie and their big offseason addition is Kenneth Walker III? And listen, I love Walker, he’ll always have a place for me as he won the Super Bowl MVP for my Seattle Seahawks last season, but there’s a reason the team was keen on managing his workload. Outside of last year, he’s had trouble staying consistently healthy, and it’s not a coincidence his healthiest season came with less usage.

I also have real concerns about guys like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones. They just didn’t look like the same players last season, and now they’re another year older.

And then there’s Mahomes coming off a torn ACL in December. Even if he’s ready for Week 1, he’s likely missing most of training camp, which means those early games are basically his first real action since the injury. It’s unrealistic to expect him to immediately look like peak Mahomes again.

Do I think Mahomes and the Chiefs can win another Super Bowl at some point? Yes. But this year, I just don’t see it. In fact, if you asked me what’s more likely, them winning the Super Bowl or missing the playoffs again in a tough AFC and especially the AFC West, I’d lean toward them missing the playoffs.

I’m not buying the Chiefs going into next season, and honestly, based on current Super Bowl odds, they might be one of the most overrated teams heading into 2026.

Buying: Dallas Cowboys

It may be early, but I think I’m picking the Dallas Cowboys to win the NFC East next year.

Down the stretch last season, they really impressed me. They were playing meaningful football after Thanksgiving, which if you asked most Cowboys fans back in September, probably felt impossible with how bad that defense looked early on.

The defense still isn’t perfect, but there’s a lot to like now. Bringing in talent like Quinnen Williams for a full season after getting him at the trade deadline last season, adding Rashan Gary, Kenny Clark coming back, and expecting DeMarvion Overshown to be fully healthy makes a big difference. And then in the draft, they land Caleb Downs, who I think can be a transformative piece for that unit for years.

On offense, Dak Prescott showed he’s still one of the better quarterbacks in the league and when you surround him with weapons like CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, plus a run game with Javonte Williams, this is an offense that can compete with anyone on any given day.

I also thought Brian Schottenheimer answered a lot of questions last season, both as a coach and leader. And with Matt Eberflus no longer in the picture defensively, I think that side of the ball takes another step forward.

I really like the direction this team is heading, and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Cowboys win the division and are hosting a playoff game next January.

Selling: Philadelphia Eagles

The Philadelphia Eagles no doubt have one of the more talented rosters in the league, and like I wrote a few days ago, I love the addition of Makai Lemon in the draft as a potential replacement for A.J. Brown. I also like the moves they made on defense bringing in Jonathan Greenard and Riq Woolen.

But man, the vibes around this team just feel off right now, especially with Jalen Hurts. The way last season ended felt way too similar to what we saw in 2023, a complete collapse down the stretch. Sure, they bounced back and made a Super Bowl run the following year, so it’s not impossible to see that happen again, but heading into 2026, there are some real concerns.

One of the biggest things for me is the coaching situation. There were a lot of strong offensive coordinator candidates out there, and the fact that none of them seemed interested in that role is at least a little concerning. It makes you wonder what’s going on behind the scenes.

Then you look at the roster construction. That offensive line, which has been a strength for years, is starting to age. Outside of DeVonta Smith, there isn’t a ton of consistency in the passing game, which likely means they’re going to lean heavily on Saquon Barkley. He was great two years ago, but last season it did look like he lost a bit of a step, so it’ll be important to see if he can bounce back.

Overall, I’m probably selling some Eagles stock heading into next season. And if I had to make playoff predictions right now, I don’t think Philly would be in the mix, which might sound surprising given the talent, but there are just too many question marks for me to fully buy in.

Buying: New York Giants

Alright, last NFC East team.

But, the New York Giants are one of the more interesting “buy” teams heading into next season to me.

Bringing in John Harbaugh as head coach is massive as he will help create that culture and structure that the Giants have been missing for years now.

And, from a roster standpoint, they really might’ve been better than their record last year. At quarterback, Jaxson Dart is definitely someone you can talk yourself into. The biggest thing is health and consistency, but the flashes are there.

The skill positions are quietly solid too. Cam Skattebo is electric in the run game, Tyrone Tracy Jr. is a good complementary piece, and getting Malik Nabers back healthy is huge. Even depth pieces in the passing game like Darnell Mooney stretching the field and Isaiah Likely at tight end, are legit weapons to work with for Dart. Even drafting Francis Mauigoa to help the offensive line is a big step in the right direction.

Defensively, there’s legit talent. Arvell Reese, who they got fifth overall is great, and you’ve already got guys like Abdul Carter entering year two, Brian Burns as a proven pass rusher, Tremaine Edmunds at linebacker, and Kayvon Thibodeaux (assuming they don't trade him) is still in the mix. Then in the secondary, Jevon Holland is a legit difference-maker.

There is a scenario where I could see them competing for a spot in the playoffs next season, and even though the NFC is deep, seeing them go from one of the worst teams in the league to trying to compete for a playoff spot in one year would be massive for the organization.

Selling: Green Bay Packers

The Green Bay Packers have been a consistent playoff team for years, but this might be the first season in a while where they’re in serious danger of missing the postseason.

I’m a big fan of Jordan Love, but by this point I expected him to take a bigger step. What stood out last season was how he handled adversity, especially in the playoffs. He started strong against the Chicago Bears, but struggled late, and that inconsistency is something I'm monitoring.

Then you look at the division, and it’s loaded. The Detroit Lions should bounce back, the Minnesota Vikings should improve with Kyler Murray, and the Bears aren’t going anywhere. Caleb Williams looks ready to take another leap, and with Ben Johnson leading the way, that duo could take over the division for years to come.

On defense, adding Micah Parsons was a huge move for them last year, but the torn ACL late in the season raises real concerns. There’s no guarantee he’s ready for Week 1, and even if he is, it could take time for him to get back to form.

What’s most concerning is that the Packers haven’t really improved this offseason. In today’s NFL, if you’re not getting better, you’re getting worse, and right now, that’s what it feels like for Green Bay.

A lot of people are going to talk themselves into the Packers being contenders again, but based on how the roster looks right now, that feels like a stretch to me.

Long-term, there’s still belief in the direction of the team, but for the 2026 season specifically, this looks like a team that could disappoint and potentially miss the playoffs.