With training camps set to begin and the regular season just weeks away, we look at the biggest questions for each NFC team. Tap a team's abbreviation below to read its entry.
AFC | NFC
Jump to:
ARI | ATL | CAR | CHI | DAL | DET | GB | LAR | MIN | NO | NYG | PHI | SF | SEA | TB | WAS
Arizona Cardinals
How close is Carson Beck to starting?
As a third-round pick, Beck has no realistic chance of breaking camp as the starting quarterback. Where he settles on the depth chart, though, could tease how quickly he gets on the field. The Cardinals have two veteran quarterbacks in Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew, but neither one is their future. Beck, a former five-star recruit who nearly led Miami to a national championship in January, will have chances in camp to move up the pecking order.
Atlanta Falcons
Tua or Penix?
New coach Kevin Stefanski said in April that the starting quarterback job will be a true competition in training camp. With Michael Penix Jr. expecting to be cleared from his torn ACL in time for camp, the 2024 first-round pick has a chance to keep the role. However, Stefanski hyped up newcomer Tua Tagovailoa during OTAs, calling his accuracy a "God-given ability." Penix hasn't proven to be a surefire NFL starter, and Tagovailoa is coming off an underwhelming campaign with the Dolphins in which he threw 15 picks. How this battle plays out will be one of the bigger storylines across the league in August.
Carolina Panthers
Will Jonathon Brooks push for the RB1 job?
Rico Dowdle bolted for Pittsburgh on the heels of a breakout campaign, so carries are up for grabs in Carolina. And with Chuba Hubbard struggling last season, the door is open for Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, to emerge. Brooks looked like a future star at Texas, but a twice-torn ACL in his right knee has limited him to 12 professional touches. The good news is, he received medical clearance months ago and should enter camp ready to run.
Chicago Bears
Can Luther Burden make the WR1 jump?
With Rome Odunze sidelined down the stretch last season, Burden led all Bears wideouts in targets (42), receptions (31), and receiving yards (430) from Weeks 11-18. His 0.52 EPA per target on the season also ranked eighth among all wide receivers. With DJ Moore traded to Buffalo, the Bears have targets for the taking. Odunze has been inconsistent since entering the league two years ago and has failed to take the reins as Chicago's go-to guy, while Burden flashed elite playmaking ability as a rookie. Following his trajectory in camp will be fascinating.
Dallas Cowboys
Will the defensive changes be enough?
The Cowboys' minus-151.41 total EPA on defense last season was the fifth-worst mark of any team since 2000. As a result, Jerry Jones made a few changes to try and improve the historically bad unit. Dallas acquired pass-rusher Rashan Gary, moved up in the draft to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, and hired Christian Parker as defensive coordinator to replace Matt Eberflus. Parker, who spent the last two seasons working under Vic Fangio in Philadelphia, has received widespread praise from his new players regarding his scheme. How it looks in camp, and whether Gary and Downs hit the ground running, will be the Cowboys' main focus early on.
Detroit Lions
Is there a move coming in the secondary?
The Lions' secondary was already a concern. Then, Terrion Arnold got arrested and charged with kidnapping and robbery in June, leading to his swift release from the team. Now, Detroit heads into camp with D.J. Reed and a bunch of unexciting names at cornerback, plus a pair of injured safeties who may miss the start of the season in Brian Branch and Kerby Joseph. Surely the Lions are scouring the trade market and mulling over free-agent options such as Marshon Lattimore or Kenny Moore II.
Green Bay Packers
How much did Matthew Golden improve over the offseason?
Golden showed flashes during his rookie season, but his production was ultimately disappointing. He posted just 29 receptions on 44 targets, and his 361 receiving yards ranked 67th among 82 wideouts who played at least 430 snaps. The Packers reshaped their wide receiver group this offseason: Romeo Doubs departed in free agency, and Dontayvion Wicks was traded to the Eagles. With those two combining for 1,116 snaps last year, their absences create an opportunity for Golden to earn an increased role. If Green Bay wants to compete for a Super Bowl, its 2025 first-round pick has to step up.
Los Angeles Rams
Is there enough WR depth?
Puka Nacua and Davante Adams are household names, but the depth behind them is concerning for a team that's clearly all-in on 2026. Xavier Smith, Jordan Whittington, and Konata Mumpfield, who combined for 566 yards a season ago, are the next three names on the depth chart. Adams is 33 and seemingly always battling a nagging injury. Even though the Rams are keen on heavier personnel packages, they'll need more than two playmaking receivers once the attrition of the NFL season sets in.
Minnesota Vikings
Will all the 1st-team reps go to Kyler Murray?
Vikings coach Kevin O'Connell has declared a quarterback competition between Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Murray, who's entering his first season in Minnesota, made spicy comments during OTAs, saying that splitting reps has him behind the curve in learning O'Connell's offense. McCarthy struggled mightily last season, ranking last in passer rating (72.6) and completion percentage (57.6%) among 33 qualifying signal-callers. Murray has enjoyed some success in the NFL, but he's battled injuries in recent years, hindering his career trajectory. How O'Connell divvies up the first-team reps will give us a read on whether this is Murray's job to lose or McCarthy's to win.
New Orleans Saints
Can Tyler Shough build on his rookie season?
Shough flashed potential while starting New Orleans' final nine games last season, leading the Saints to a 5-4 record in those outings. He finished the year with 2,570 total yards, 13 touchdowns, and eight turnovers, and his 95.8 passer rating from Weeks 9-18 ranked ninth across the league. Shough, who's entering his second season but will turn 27 in September, has the resources to improve upon his promising debut campaign. New Orleans has built a solid offensive line, a steady backfield with Travis Etienne and Alvin Kamara, and a high-upside receiving corps in Chris Olave and eighth overall pick Jordyn Tyson. This is a massive season for Shough as he vies for the long-term starting job, so it's important that he gets off to a good start at camp.
New York Giants
Can new coach John Harbaugh get everyone to buy in?
Giants camp will feature no shortage of colorful personalities. Take Malik Nabers, for instance: The wide receiver openly criticized the Giants' draft strategy when they chose Arvell Reese fifth overall. Look at Jaxson Dart, the confident - if not cocky - quarterback who said last year that he wouldn't shy away from taking big hits despite the injury risks. Then there's Cam Skattebo botching random blackflips with his surgically repaired ankle, Abdul Carter, who got benched last season for tardiness, and Kayvon Thibodeaux, who's never been afraid to speak his mind and could enter a contract year in a backup role. Harbaugh will need to check some egos if he's going to build the culture he seeks.
Philadelphia Eagles
Will the offensive overhaul work?
The Eagles' offense is going to look a lot different next season. A.J. Brown, who led Philly in targets each of the last four years, was traded to New England, and the team replaced him in the aggregate with the acquisitions of Wicks, Hollywood Brown, and first-round pick Makai Lemon. But the most significant change could be new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion. He's expected to move away from the shotgun-heavy approach of his predecessors and put Jalen Hurts under center more. Since coach Nick Sirianni arrived in 2021, the Eagles have run only 142 dropbacks from under center - by far the fewest in the league. The new system should lead to less predictability, though it will force Hurts out of his comfort zone.
San Francisco 49ers
What does Mike Evans have left in the tank?
In need of a true No. 1 wide receiver, the 49ers lured the six-time Pro Bowler away from the Buccaneers in free agency. San Francisco believes he can elevate its passing game, but there is no guarantee it'll get the perennial 1,000-yard receiver it admired for so long in Tampa Bay. Evans missed half of last season with a broken collarbone, played to a 782-yard pace when he was in the lineup, and turns 33 in August. He's also battled hamstring issues for years, and San Francisco hasn't been the best place for injury-prone players in recent times. Perhaps he'll fit seamlessly into coach Kyle Shanahan's offense, but it's also possible injuries and Father Time will doom the twilight of Evans' career.
Seattle Seahawks
How does the backfield shake out with Kenneth Walker gone?
With their Super Bowl LX MVP now in Kansas City, the Seahawks must replace 1,027 yards of ground production. Zach Charbonnet, who split carries with Walker for three seasons, is the top candidate to take over as the primary ball carrier, but first-round rookie Jadarian Price would like to encroach on his territory. Although Price backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, he averaged six yards per carry and showed game-breaking ability.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will Baker Mayfield's extension talks be a distraction?
The Buccaneers' biggest offseason storyline has been the contract negotiations between Mayfield and the team. He's entering the final season of a three-year, $100-million deal, and his play fell off down the stretch last season. After a hot start that put him in the early MVP conversation, Mayfield ranked 27th in EPA/dropback from Weeks 7-18, while the Bucs tumbled out of playoff contention. The 31-year-old set training camp as the deadline for a new deal, so we'll soon find out if the quarterback and his representatives stick to their word.
Washington Commanders
Will Brandon Aiyuk be a part of their camp?
The NFL's worst-kept secret (if you can still call it that) is the Commanders waiting for Aiyuk to be released so they can sign him. The problem is, the 49ers have no incentive to cut the scorned wideout. San Francisco moved Aiyuk to the Left Squad list, meaning it doesn't have to pay him until he reports back to the club. And Aiyuk has given no indication he'll comply. Meanwhile, the Commanders need receiver help, especially with quarterback Jayden Daniels entering a pivotal third season. Washington can either trade an asset for Aiyuk or keep playing the waiting game.
