NFL 2026 predictions: Super Bowl, MVP, offensive and defensive player of the year, best offseason addition and more

NDAMUKONG SUH: Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears. Caleb is set up for a lights-out year. Heading into his third season, he's going to step up, play lights-out football, and really do his thing.

NEIL REYNOLDS: Lamar Jackson, QB, Baltimore Ravens. Lamar is going to be healthy and rejuvenated under Jesse Minter.

BRIDGET CONDON: Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Benglas. Joe Burrow has already shown us what he's capable of. Now his defense will finally be mediocre enough to give him his flowers. Burrow stays healthy and dominates his way back into the Super Bowl.

JASON BELL: Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys. Dak will lead what could be the best offense in football as he feeds CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens.

JEFF REINEBOLD: Josh Allen, QB, Buffalo Bills. He's the best player in the league with a better supporting cast and now in Joe Brady an offensive-minded head coach.

CAM HOGWOOD: Joe Burrow, QB, Cincinnati Bengals. When I heard Joe Burrow's 'this is it' speech demanding urgency from his Bengals this offseason, I really believed him. Injuries have hindered him over the last three seasons, so too has a below-par defense hamstringing their chances of contending for a Super Bowl. But a healthy Joe Burrow, with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins at his disposal, is capable of torching any defense in football.

NDAMUKONG SUH: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions . Jahmyr is going to be the focal point for Detroit - the true number-one option on that offense. As long as he stays healthy, he's going to put up elite, top-tier numbers.

NEIL REYNOLDS: Puka Nacua, WR, Los Angeles Rams. The Rams are going to unleash the NFL's best passing attack in 2026 and despite some off-field issues during this past offseason, there is no reason to believe that Puka Nacua's excellent level of play is going to drop off this season.

BRIDGET CONDON: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals. Burrow is going to need some help. This offense is going to explode this season. The better Joe does, the better Ja'Marr plays.

JASON BELL: Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, Detroit Lions. The Lions are going to find a way to feed him the ball and make sure he gets explosive plays.

JEFF REINEBOLD: Ja'Marr Chase, WR, Cincinnati Bengals. I've got a good feeling about the Bengals this season and Chase is a big reason why. With Zac Taylor dialling it up for Joe Burrow, Chase and co., the Bengals should be dynamic.

CAM HOGWOOD: Bijan Robinson, RB, Atlanta Falcons. When I look at the uncertainty around Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr at quarterback in Atlanta, it's hard not to feel like the entire Falcons operation rests on the shoulders of Bijan Robinson. He led the league in scrimmage yards last season and will deliver another huge return while spearheading Kevin Stefanski's offense.

NDAMUKONG SUH: Maxx Crosby, EDGE, Las Vegas Raiders. Maxx Crosby is coming back with a vengeance this year. He's heard all the outside noise and hype, and he's out to remind everyone who he is. He's an elite game-disrupter who just needed a quick chance to reset.

NEIL REYNOLDS: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams. The two-time Defensive Player of the Year was a wrecking ball in Cleveland last term and that was with the Browns holding very few leads where he could pin his ears back and attack. Teaming up with Aaron Donald, Garrett can complete the DPOY hat-trick.

BRIDGET CONDON: Aaron Donald, DE, Los Angeles Rams. It will be something out of a movie, retirement to DPOY. Aaron Donald will look everything like himself and more. People will be clawing to find out his retirement workout routine because he's coming back faster, stronger and even more dominant.

JASON BELL: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams. With the Rams' offense, Myles Garrett is finally going to be able to close out games rushing the passer.

JEFF REINEBOLD: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams. You aren't in Cleveland anymore, Myles! Teams are going to have to throw to keep up, which translates to more sack opportunities. Trent McDuffie and a guy named Aaron Donald will make him even better.

CAM HOGWOOD: Will Anderson Jr, DE, Houston Texans. There was a great quote from Texans defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins this offseason explaining how Anderson has reached a stage where he now realises his ability to "shut down practice" at any chosen moment, such has become of his dominance. I think we see that translate to live action games this Sunday. He established himself among football's game-changing disruptors last season while leading one of the most frightening defenses in the league. Myles Garrett will take some beating, but I think Anderson can be the man to pip him.

NDAMUKONG SUH: Mike McDaniel, offensive coordinator, Los Angeles Chargers. Mike McDaniel moving back into his absolute sweet spot as an offensive coordinator is huge. He has a phenomenal young talent in Justin Herbert, and McDaniel is going to take full advantage of dialing up creative schemes for him.

NEIL REYNOLDS: Jesse Minter, head coach, Baltimore Ravens. This is not meant to be disparaging to John Harbaugh, who was an excellent, Super Bowl-winning head coach during his 18 seasons in Baltimore. But a fresh start is probably best for everyone and I think Minter is going to improve the D and unleash a rejuvenated Lamar Jackson on the rest of the NFL.

BRIDGET CONDON: John Harbaugh, head coach, New York Giants. Harbaugh will lead the Giants to the NFC East title. He's just what New York needs to find their composure. Jaxson Dart isn't just an Abercrombie model - he's the next big thing. His time isn't this year but he's putting everyone on notice. He's coming.

JASON BELL: Myles Garrett, EDGE, Los Angeles Rams. The same reason why he will win Defensive Player of the Year!

JEFF REINEBOLD: Jeremiyah Love, RB, Arizona Cardinals. We saw signs of how special he can be in preseason, but he's got to stay healthy behind an offensive line that is a work in progress.

CAM HOGWOOD: Sean Mannion, offensive coordinator, Philadelphia Eagles. The Eagles may have won their division last season, but all was not well within one of the league's most uninspiring offenses, which endured something of an identity crisis under Kevin Patullo. His departure in the offseason prompted the appointment of former Green Bay Packers offensive coordinator Sean Mannion, who I think unlocks the best of Jalen Hurts with an exciting and revamped scheme on his way to head coaching contention.

NDAMUKONG SUH: The Minnesota Vikings win the NFC North. Everyone is hyped up on Detroit and Green Bay right now, but people are completely sleeping on Minnesota. They've got a fantastic head coach and great structure - they're the true dark horse in that division.

NEIL REYNOLDS: The Miami Dolphins take themselves out of the No.1 Draft pick stakes for 2027. The Dolphins have the youngest and arguably the worst roster in the NFL. But I think Malik Willis can produce just enough magic - to the dismay of ownership - to eliminate Miami from having the first overall pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, a position that could allow them to select their franchise quarterback of the future.

BRIDGET CONDON: The Tennessee Titans defense is going to be a lot better than people think. Robert Saleh has been part of nine top-10 defenses, and in his nine seasons as either a defensive coordinator or head coach, his teams finished top five in total defense five times. Saleh isn't going to let the Titans stay a joke.

JASON BELL: The Dallas Cowboys. Dak Prescott and co. will be in the Super Bowl conversation all year long.

JEFF REINEBOLD: The Cincinnati Bengals win the AFC North. Just a few stops a game and a turnover or two is all that is required, because the Bengals can score with any team in the league.

CAM HOGWOOD: From an individual perspective, Dallas Turner, while perhaps not a surprise to Vikings fans, is a name to keep an eye on. I think the third-year linebacker is a strong bet to establish himself among the leading pass rushers in the league and the face of Brian Flores' Minnesota Vikings defense following the departure of Jonathan Greenard. Here is his chance to break out as a complete and consistent threat up front to reach double figures in sacks. I think the Vikings as a whole could surprise some people and return to the playoffs behind a reinvigorated Kyler Murray.

NDAMUKONG SUH: The Los Angeles Chargers make the AFC Championship. The Chargers have every piece in place between their offensive coaching staff, Justin Herbert, and a tough defense. With Khalil Mack playing at an elite level, they're going to gel as a complete collective unit when it matters most.

NEIL REYNOLDS: The Rams struggle out of the gate. Despite a Week 1 win over the San Francisco 49ers, the Rams will follow their Australian adventure by losing three of their next four to Denver, Philadelphia and Buffalo. The biggest issues will be Davante Adams' swollen ankle after he gets bitten by a spider while Down Under and the confusing fact that Matthew Stafford picks up an Aussie accent he cannot shake until mid-October. The Rams will ride out their rough patch and still win the Super Bowl.

BRIDGET CONDON: The Steelers will have their first losing season since 2003 - Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are going to show us why you never go back to your ex. It seems good in the moment, you remember all the good times you had. But... there was a reason you broke up. It wasn't working and it still wont work. The experiment will blow up by midseason. We'll be talking about a lot more than Bougnettes when the Saints upset the Steelers in Paris.

JEFF REINEBOLD: CJ Stroud bounces back and leads the Houston Texans to the AFC Championship Game. They have the best defense in a weak division and the stage is set for Stroud to get back to his former self.

CAM HOGWOOD: The New Orleans Saints win the NFC South and reach the playoffs for the first time since 2020 behind Tyler Shough, who proves to be Kellen Moore's answer at quarterback.

NDAMUKONG SUH: Denver Broncos to beat Chicago Bears. Denver takes it all home. Bo Nix is my pick for Comeback Player of the Year, and I have immense faith in a head coach like Sean Payton. He's already taken an elite group to the conference championship, and once Sean gets back to the Super Bowl stage, he's simply not losing it.

NEIL REYNOLDS: Los Angeles Rams to beat Baltimore Ravens. This could be a quarterback-led shootout with Matthew Stafford and Lamar Jackson trading blows. But those defensive closers in LA - Garrett and Donald - will ultimately make the difference in LA.

BRIDGET CONDON: Cincinnati Bengals to beat the Los Angeles Rams. The Rams have it all - the coach, the quarterback, the defensive duo, the home-field Super Bowl advantage. It's too perfect! Life isn't a storybook ending so the Bengals are going to get their revenge. The Rams will score with time expiring in the fourth to make it 34-35. Sean McVay will try to go for two but Puka Nacua will drop the pass in the corner of the endzone to make the Bengals winners of their first Super Bowl.

JASON BELL: Los Angeles Rams to beat Denver Broncos. The Super Bowl will be all about defense - Myles Garrett and the Rams take it.

JEFF REINEBOLD: Los Angeles Rams to beat Buffalo Bills. Two of the league's best quarterbacks duel it out in SoFi Stadium. The Rams have always scored points and now have three of the best players in the league on defense in Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and Trent McDuffie. Add the best coach in the NFL and you get the best team in football.

CAM HOGWOOD: Cincinnati Bengals to beat Los Angeles Rams. I'm an enormous Joe Burrow believe. I think he and the Bengals beat Matthew Stafford in a straight shoot-out, avenging their loss from Super Bowl LVI.

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