Big stories of the NFL 2026 offseason, from Garrett to Kelce
The 2026 NFL offseason has been one for the record books, filled with massive trades, coaching changes, and historic contracts. With training camps now underway, the landscape of the league looks entirely different than it did when Super Bowl LX concluded in February.
The most notable shift involves star pass rusher Myles Garrett, who moved from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams in a deal that reshaped defensive expectations for the coming year. Beyond Garrett, the league saw a flurry of movement among impact players, including wide receiver A.J. Brown heading to the New England Patriots and defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II joining the Cincinnati Bengals. These trades, combined with a record-setting $504.75 million contract for Patrick Mahomes, signal a new era of financial and competitive stakes in the NFL.
Coaching staffs also saw significant turnover, with over a third of the league hiring new leadership. Notable changes include Mike McCarthy taking the helm in Pittsburgh and Jesse Minter stepping in to lead the Baltimore Ravens. While the league continues to navigate these personnel shifts, it also faced organizational news, such as the record-breaking $9.6 billion sale of the Seattle Seahawks to a group led by Vinod Khosla.
As the season approaches, storylines extend well beyond the gridiron. From the expansion of international games in cities like Paris, Madrid, and Rio de Janeiro to ongoing questions about stadium locations for franchises like the Chicago Bears, the league remains in a state of rapid transition. Fans should also keep an eye on new replay rules that allow league officials to weigh in on flagrant acts from headquarters, a change that reflects the ongoing evolution of game officiating.
Players like Aaron Rodgers are returning for one final push, while the league simultaneously processes the retirement of veterans and the arrival of high-profile rookies like Fernando Mendoza. As the regular season kicks off, these storylines will define the path to the next championship.