As the fans prepare for the 2025-26 NFL season, the league is charged with uncertainty, with coaching changes and free agency acquisitions creating chaos throughout franchises. Will seasoned players continue to perform at a high level, or will young talent capture the spotlight? How will ongoing discussions about player safety and potential rule modifications impact the game? As teams strategize for playoff success or embark on rebuilds, the answers to these questions will not only shape the narrative of the upcoming season. Still, they could also have long-lasting implications for the league’s future.

5. How will the Cincinnati Bengals improve its offensive line?

As Cincinnati looks to capitalize on their championship window, a reoccurring question surrounding the franchise is how the team will protect quarterback Joe Burrow. Despite a solid core of skill players, Burrow has faced significant pressure throughout his career, leading to injuries and disappointing offensive production. To improve upon their offensive line, Cincinnati could adopt a strategy that involves selecting a high-intensity lineman in the upcoming draft. Or the team could look to pursue key free agents to elevate the unit immediately. By prioritizing their offensive line, Cincinnati can create a more secure environment for Burrow and lead the team toward lasting success.

4. How will Sam Darnold perform without Justin Jefferson?

Darnold enjoyed a career resurgence in Minnesota, leading the team to fourteen wins in the regular season. However, the team’s unexpected playoff exit raises questions about his consistency as a starter. Following his departure from Minnesota, Sam Darnold’s transition to Seattle presents both challenges and opportunities, particularly in the absence of star receiver Justin Jefferson. As Seattle looks to reestablish itself as a playoff contender, Darnold’s performance will be vital. The pressure will be only on Darnold himself to prove that his success was not merely a product of his surroundings in Minnesota but a sign of a genuine turnaround.

3. Will the San Francisco 49ers pay Brock Purdy?

As Brock Purdy completes his rookie deal after a remarkable journey as Mr. Irrelevant in the 2022 NFL Draft, San Francisco faces a pivotal decision regarding his future, especially after his impressive performances during his first two seasons. Despite the upswing in his play, the 2024-25 NFL season presented significant challenges, including a string of injuries to the likes of Christian McCaffery and Deebo Samuel Sr. that ruined San Francisco’s offense and put an end to their playoff aspirations. While these setbacks were not solely Purdy’s fault, they cast a shadow of doubt over his potential to lead the team moving forward.

2. Will Aaron Rodgers retire?

Following his controversial departure from New York, the question of whether Aaron Rodgers will hang up his cleats still lingers, especially as options in the NFL begin to dwindle. Having recently considered the prospect of joining Minnesota, it seems as if the team is moving in a different direction, leaving Rodgers to face a decision that could define the twilight of his illustrious career. Pittsburgh emerges as a possible landing spot, a franchise renowned for its stability and commitment to winning, which could convince Rodgers to continue playing rather than retire. If Rodgers believes he still possesses the ability to achieve success, then signing with Pittsburgh could provide the opportunity to pursue one last chapter in his storied career.

1. Will the downfall of the Kansas City Chiefs begin?

With their embarrassing Super Bowl loss to Philadelphia, questions abound about whether this marks the beginning of the end for Kansas City as fans know them. With Patrick Mahomes facing a depleted offense that relies heavily on the aging Travis Kelce, doubts are apparent about the team’s ability to maintain its previous dominance. As the NFL landscape continually evolves, many analysts speculate that Kansas City may need to undertake a roster overhaul to rebound from this setback. If they fail to revitalize their offensive, this Super Bowl loss could signal the beginning of a new era, one where Kansas City must navigate the challenges of rebuilding while still holding onto the high expectations that come with Mahomes under center.