Biggest Surprises That Could Shake Up the 2026 NFL Season

Many of us think we know how the upcoming NFL season will unfold, but every year, we're proved wrong by major shakeups.

This year won't be any different. So why not go bold with predictions less than a week before the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers kick off the 2026 campaign?

At this time last year, anyone who said the dynastic Kansas City Chiefs would miss the playoffs, the New England Patriots would appear in the Super Bowl and the Seattle Seahawks, led by quarterback Sam Darnold, would hoist the Lombardi Trophy would have been laughed at.

Let's get into six of the biggest surprises that could change the complexion of the league and how we view certain players—three for the AFC and three for the NFC.

Chargers Miss the Playoffs for First Time in Jim Harbaugh Era

The Los Angeles Chargers are usually the offseason darlings that fail to play up to lofty expectations. Though in fairness, they've made the playoffs with an 11-6 record in back-to-back years under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

This offseason, offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel brings renewed optimism to the Chargers' outlook. He'll work with two-time Pro Bowler Justin Herbert and a talented group of skill-position players at running back, wide receiver and tight end.

While there's tremendous buzz around the Chargers' offense, many have overlooked what the team lost on the defensive side of the ball, particularly on the sideline.

Play-caller Jesse Minter left to become the Ravens' head coach, taking with him the defensive acumen that defined the Chargers over the past two seasons. Under his tutelage, Los Angeles allowed the fewest points in 2024 and ranked ninth in defensive scoring in the previous campaign.

First-time NFL defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary will take over for Minter. Aside from a one-year stint as Western Michigan's defensive coordinator last season, he has been a safeties coach. Sure, every play-caller in the NFL needs a first opportunity, but the Chargers defense could see a significant drop-off from Minter to O'Leary.

Furthermore, the Chargers face a brutal stretch from Weeks 3 through 10: road games against the Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Rams and Baltimore Ravens, plus home matchups with the Denver Broncos and Houston Texans. They have a Week 7 bye during that span.

Herbert may have a career year in passing, but it may not be enough to get the Chargers to the postseason if their defense gives up points in bunches to playoff-caliber opponents and elite-level quarterbacks.

Cowboys Defense Leaps from Worst to Top-10 Scoring Unit

In 2025, the Dallas Cowboys allowed the most points and the third-most yards. So, of course, they made wholesale changes on defense.

Dallas fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus and hired former Philadelphia Eagles defensive backs coach and defensive pass game coordinator Christian Parker to replace him.

Unlike Los Angeles Chargers first-time defensive coordinator Chris O'Leary, Parker has coached in the NFL for several years, dating back to 2019, and he's well-traveled across the league. The 34-year-old held positions with the Green Bay Packers and Denver Broncos before his tenure in Philadelphia.

Parker helped develop cornerback Quinyon Mitchell and versatile defensive back Cooper DeJean, both of whom earned first-team All-Pro honors. The Eagles allowed the fewest passing touchdowns in the NFL last season, and their defense has surrendered the fewest passing yards in the league since the start of the 2024 campaign.

As one of the rising coaches in the league, Parker can turn the Cowboys defense into a stingy unit that ranks within the top 10 in points and yards allowed.

The Cowboys bolstered their pass rush with seasoned veterans, acquiring Rashan Gary from the Packers and signing Von Miller. They also added a couple of rookie first-rounders in defensive back Caleb Downs and edge-rusher Malachi Lawrence. As free-agent pickups, cornerback Cobie Durant and safety Jalen Thompson will fill starting roles.

If linebacker DeMarvion Overshown stays healthy, Dallas' front seven should be stout with Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark on the defensive line and free-agent acquisition Dee Winters alongside him.

NFL fans enjoy poking fun at the Cowboys' lack of recent postseason success, but their defense won't be a laughing matter. Led by Parker, that unit could help lead the team to an NFC East division title.

The Green Bay Packers have concerning roster voids ahead of their season opener against the Minnesota Vikings.

Green Bay placed star edge-rusher Micah Parsons on the physically unable to perform list, which means he'll miss at least the first four games of the season coming off a torn ACL with meniscus damage.

Aside from that, the NFL placed running back Josh Jacobs on the Commissioner's Exempt List after he was charged with battery and criminal damage to property in connection with a May incident involving his girlfriend. His availability for the 2026 season remains uncertain.

Jacobs played a significant role in the Packers' offense, leading a rushing attack that ranked fifth and seventh in total carries over the last two seasons. In his absence, Green Bay will rely on third-year tailback MarShawn Lloyd, who's been beset by injuries, logging just six carries for 15 yards in one career game.

The Packers will start the season without their best defensive player and their most established offensive skill player. They'll open the season with three of their first four games on the road and finish the campaign against the Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Houston Texans and Detroit Lions in four of their last five contests.

Green Bay may stumble through September and October and never recover from a slow start. If the Packers finish last in the NFC North, it would be the first time it's happened since the 2005 season.

Ravens WR Ja'Kobi Lane Makes Quick Rise to Become OROY

Since New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara won 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year, every player who's won the award was a top-10 pick in his draft class. Ja'Kobi Lane could buck that trend this year.

Lane generated buzz during organized team activities through training camp, and it translated in his preseason debut against the Philadelphia Eagles. In that outing, he caught three passes for 38 yards and a touchdown. Although it's a small in-game sample size, it's all the rookie needed to secure a top roster spot on the depth chart.

Early in the offseason, quarterback Lamar Jackson told reporters that offensive coordinator Declan Doyle's play-calling is "mind-blowing."

During an interview with Adam Schein on SiriusXM, the two-time MVP put defenses across the league on notice.

"I don't believe a defense is prepared for what's in store for them," Jackson said.

If Baltimore's offense is as potent as Jackson says it could be, Lane should be a beneficiary. Wide receiver Rashod Bateman is facing three charges in connection with a June incident, according to Jonas Shaffer of the Baltimore Banner . His status for the season remains uncertain. Even as a No. 2 receiver, Lane could post gaudy numbers as a complement to two-time Pro Bowler Zay Flowers.

At 6'4", 205 pounds, Lane could be a primary red-zone target in addition to his big-play ability outside the 20-yard line. If that's the case, he would have a good chance to follow Kamara's early career path from third-round pick to Offensive Rookie of the Year.

Saints RB Travis Etienne Jr. Emerges as Rushing Champion

After Travis Etienne Jr. sat out his 2021 rookie season with a Lisfranc injury, he's been a solid running back, but his resume isn't filled with accolades—no Pro Bowl or All-Pro campaigns.

On his second team, he could be a breakout candidate in terms of taking a leap from solid to a top-tier running back.

With Alvin Kamara on the mend with an MCL sprain and oft-injured tailback Kendre Miller second on the New Orleans Saints' running back depth chart, Etienne should be in line for a workhorse role early in the season.

Even with Kamara's return, Etienne should continue to handle a bulk of the touches on a new four-year, $48 million contract.

Furthermore, Etienne will run behind an offensive line that features first-rounders Kelvin Banks Jr. and Taliese Fuaga, two-time Pro Bowl center Erik McCoy and free-agent acquisition David Edwards, who helped block for 2025 rushing champion James Cook.

By the way, head coach Kellen Moore called plays for the Philadelphia Eagles when Saquon Barkley threatened Eric Dickerson's single-season rushing record. The Eagles' star tailback racked up a league-leading 2,005 yards before resting in Week 18 of the 2024 season.

Back in his home state, Etienne is set up for a big year with a shot to win the rushing title.

Texans Defense Leads Them to NFL's Best Record at 14-3

The Houston Texans will put defense back in the headlines amid a strong shift to an emphasis on offensive playmakers.

Quarterback C.J. Stroud won 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year in a Pro Bowl season, but his passing yard and touchdown totals have dipped over the last two years.

Two-time Pro Bowl wideout Nico Collins hasn't played through a full campaign, and he's yet to finish a season with a double-digit touchdown total. Houston acquired 29-year-old running back David Montgomery to lead its ground attack, and he may split a fair number of touches with 2025 fourth-rounder Woody Marks.

The Texans' offense won't be flashy, but their defense could hold teams to historic lows in scoring and yards.

Led by defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans, you would be hard-pressed to find a weakness on his side of the ball. The defense has strengths at all three levels.

First-team All-Pro Will Anderson Jr. and five-time Pro Bowler Danielle Hunter lead a dominant pass rush. Sheldon Rankins and Tommy Togiai are stout run defenders. Behind them, Pro Bowl linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair patrols the middle.

In the secondary, all five of the starting defensive backs in nickel have recorded at least four interceptions in a season over the last two years.

Two-time first-team All-Pro cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., Pro Bowl cornerback Kamari Lassiter, Pro Bowl safety Calen Bullock, slot defender Jalen Pitre and free-agent acquisition Reed Blankenship are all ball hawks.

The Texans' defense should give quarterbacks little time to throw, ball-carriers little room to run and receivers little separation downfield. This is an elite unit that will lead this team deep into the playoffs with the league's best record, proving that a high-level defense can still be a title contender's prime advantage.

Maurice Moton covers the NFL for Bleacher Report. You can follow him on Twitter @MoeMoton .