Rich’s Top Storylines for Each NFC Team Heading into the 2026 NFL Season

After running through the AFC, Rich turned to the NFC with one storyline for every team, starting with TJ's Cowboys.

**NFC East**

For years, Rich said, Dallas fans have been getting "flimflam from Jerry." Squirrels, ducks, going all in without really going all in, making CeeDee Lamb sit out before signing him, and making Micah Parsons sit out before trading him. Then came Brian Schottenheimer and a flyer on George Pickens, and a lot of it worked, just not in wins. The defense looks better now, with Rashan Gary, Quinnen Williams, Kenny Clark and Caleb Downs among the additions. "All Dak's got to do is stay healthy," and Dallas has real reason to believe it can end its 30-year drought of reaching the NFC Championship game.

The Eagles are still pretty freaking good, but once again they changed offensive coordinators, with Sean Mannion coming in. "This guy cannot have the same offensive coordinator in back-to-back years if his career depended on it," Rich said of Jalen Hurts, who was great in the biggest games of his life anyway. AJ Brown is out, Dontayvion Wicks and Mecole Hardman are in, and "it's not going to be smooth." The defense is big, stout, angry and physical.

New York hired John Harbaugh and are letting him do things his way. Can Jaxson Dart slide, can Cam Skattebo not flip, and can Malik Nabers avoid another weird injury? Odell Beckham Jr. is back after earning a spot, and the front seven is terrific.

In Washington, Rich asked whether Dan Quinn is in a hot seat. Jayden Daniels went from "year one, unicorn" to "year two, sheep." David Blough is the new offensive coordinator, and the reports say they can't block a soul in practice. Or maybe they come out against the Eagles looking like the Commanders of two years ago, with Sonny Styles as the glue of the defense. Stefon Diggs joins Terry McLaurin. "They're long in the tooth, got it. But they could be pretty toothy themselves."

**NFC North**

Minnesota has Kyler Murray, a quarterback unlike anyone Kevin O'Connell has had, with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. Brian Flores still has a top five defense, and Harrison Smith is back. Rich framed it as Murray's opportunity of a career. Or, "we'll see what JJ McCarthy looks like mid-season."

Green Bay is the mystery. Rich said he has never opened this segment by saying all eyes are on a court date, but Josh Jacobs is on the commissioner's exempt list, and Matt LaFleur usually gives him eight to 10 of the first 15 scripted touches. Tucker Kraft is back from a knee injury, Christian Watson has trouble staying healthy, and Matthew Golden may need to step up after last year's dreadful final six weeks.

In Detroit, Jahmyr Gibbs is the bell cow now, with David Montgomery in Houston. Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta are back around Jared Goff. Rich recalled last season's mess, when the new offensive coordinator dropped 50 on Ben Johnson's Bears in week two before it all fell apart and Dan Campbell took over the play calling. If the football gods stop "kicking this defense in the nards," the Lions can win the division. If not, the window-closing talk grows.

Then the Bears, and Ben Johnson, "a lunatic, in a good way." Rich loves the intensity, including the swim move past the Packers' head coach after beating him in a playoff game. Caleb Williams nearly threw for 4,000 yards and came out in fourth quarters "like he's Tim Tebow on steroids." Can they keep taking the ball away, and can they win games without pulling them out in the end?

**NFC South**

The Saints are "the biggest bandwagon sleeper team pick of the year." Tyler Shough nearly won offensive rookie of the year, Chris Olave had a 1,000-yard season despite concussion issues and got paid, and Travis Etienne is back in Louisiana. Rich's position hasn't changed. "I need to see it first to believe it."

Atlanta has Kevin Stefanski, a new GM and a new team president in Matt Ryan, who almost had to throw some passes over the summer because of injuries at quarterback. Tua Tagovailoa gets the start because Michael Penix isn't ready. If the quarterback is right, with Drake London, Kyle Pitts and Bijan Robinson, the offense is dangerous. But the Falcons lost both young pass rushers from last year's draft, one to injury and one to the commissioner's exempt list.

Carolina shocked everyone by winning the division. In Dave Canales' third year, Bryce Young "looked the part of a real deal NFL quarterback," and the Panthers added Jaelan Phillips from the Eagles and Devin Lloyd from the Jaguars, a linebacker with five interceptions last year. Rich is hoping Jonathan Brooks stays healthy alongside Chuba Hubbard.

And in Tampa, Rich channeled Baker Mayfield: a quarterback who planted a flag on his own franchise, said he wouldn't talk contract while his agent was talking anyway, and now makes $55 million a year. "I'm Baker freaking Mayfield and I feel great about myself." Mike Evans and Lavonte David are gone, but Chris Godwin, Bucky Irving, Kenny Gainwell, a paid Vita Vea and Todd Bowles' defense give the Bucs a real shot, starting with a chance to hurt Atlanta.

**NFC West**

Arizona drafted Jeremiyah Love, and Rich can't wait to see him with Michael Wilson, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Trey McBride in Mike LaFleur's offense. Jacoby Brissett, in "year 90 of his career," has the best opportunity of his career. The Cardinals may not win a lot, but Rich thinks they'll be a fun watch every week.

The 49ers almost won the one seed last year and are running it back, with Mike Evans added, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel back, Raheem Morris as the new defensive coordinator, Nick Bosa back and Fred Warner healthy. If Brock Purdy stays upright, Rich sees Evans winning 50-50 balls inside the 10.

Then there are the Rams, the team everybody put in the Super Bowl, and for good reason. "They added Myles Garrett and they added Trent McDuffie and Aaron Donald's out of retirement. How stupid is that?" One of those additions would be a significant upgrade. They added three. Rich pictured Donald pointing with his ring finger on Valentine's Day, the date of the Super Bowl. "Every game this year for the Rams will be must-see."

Rich finished with the defending champion Seahawks, who he said are pissed off about every syllable spent on the other 31 teams. They lost Kenneth Walker III but drafted Jadarian Price, who Rich thinks could run for 1,000 yards. Sam Darnold is back, the defending offensive player of the year is on the roster, and John Schneider knows how to replace players. Rich imagined the Seahawks reacting to all the Rams talk: "What am I, chopped liver? Should I go get my Lombardi shine box?"

It all starts with Mike Macdonald's team on opening night.