In an organization as internally intertwined as the NFL, every result, every injury, every decision has ripple effects that can be felt league-wide for years at a time. These ripple effects often turn into narratives, which we all engage with in one way or another before, during, and after every season. Such narratives are often more interesting than those from which they spring, as those initial questions can diminish in intrigue when turned into cookie-cutter subjects and discussed ad nauseam for days, weeks, and even months at a time.
I wish to touch on a few of those possible ripple effects here. I’m not expecting each of these 2026 scenarios to happen when my season predictions next week, and some are more likely than others. But they’re all possibilities, and in the interest of looking past the next few months and into the seasons ahead, I have a few predictions of what might happen if these possibilities come to fruition.
- I’ll lead off with perhaps the biggest one, as it’s one that I’ve alluded to in other settings previously. We likely all heard the seemingly ridiculous rumors before the league year began that the Vikings might be willing to part with as many first-round picks as they would be permitted to in a hypothetical trade for Joe Burrow. While, I do think, presently, that such a trade is in fact ridiculous, it might not be for much longer. Many were quick to notice the unusual nature of the decision by the Bengals, a team famously reticent to part with first-round draft picks, in giving up the 10th overall selection in exchange for Dexter Lawrence. Many wondered why they would suddenly operate so differently, as they also gave out $100 million in combined contracts to Boye Mafe and Bryan Cook in an effort to stabilize a habitually problematic defense.
My theory? It’s been confirmed by both player and team that Burrow has met with Bengals management about how to get back to contention again after he had them on the precipice of unprecedented glory. I suspect he gave them an ultimatum: we have to get back to the playoffs, or I’m requesting a trade. Since the offseason began, they’ve moved like a team that doesn’t want to part with a homegrown talent who has a massive fan base, and who nearly brought them their first Lombardi once and is their most realistic chance to do it again. The willingness to part with a first-round pick specifically also suggests this to me, as they would only be likely to do something like that if they knew they might be getting many more first-rounders back down the line. If their fourth straight season goes awry this year, I believe that’s exactly what they’ll get.
The Vikings will be a candidate for Burrow if this happens, provided Kyler Murray doesn’t prove himself to be a true franchise QB this year. The team with the most appealing package to offer, though, will be the Jets, who have three first-round picks in the loaded 2027 Draft, at least one of which is likely to be a very high pick. Another team could also be in the market for a sure thing franchise QB, and that team will be discussed in the next point. - If Cam Ward doesn’t show marked improvement from Year 1 to Year 2, I think the Titans may move on from him more quickly than we typically see for #1 overall picks. Robert Saleh knows his second chance to be an NFL head coach is likely his last if he doesn’t win. As both a minority and a defensive coach, opportunities to prove himself are going to be more limited. He’s waited for a highly-drafted young QB to develop once, and he’s not going to allow himself to be burned in that regard again.
Similarly, it’s safe to assume new offensive coordinator and 2022 Coach of the Year Brian Daboll would like to be a head coach again sooner rather than later. He’ll get another chance if his offense scores points, but he’ll need good QB play in order to achieve that.
If they don’t see the progress they want to from Ward and do move on (or, more likely, simply demote him to the backup spot while he’s still on a cost-controlled rookie deal), they could address the job any number of ways. There could be a top prospect they love, tough this entire hypothetical predicament demonstrates the risk in that approach. Perhaps if Baker Mayfield and the Buccaneers can’t reach an agreement, they’ll pursue him (if he’s left untagged). A trade is probably the most likely, though. This could be for someone like Mac Jones, who looked good last year in his few starts on a 49ers team for which Saleh was the defensive coordinator. But there is still that possibility that the most desirable trade could be that swing for the fences to acquire Burrow. - To stay in the realm of development by young QB’s, what the Dolphins see from Malik Willis this year could have massive ripple effects. Of the four teams with the lowest Super Bowl odds (typically the standard used, inversely, to project draft order when there is none yet), three of them are in clear lame-duck situations at the position. Everybody assumes that the Cardinals, Browns, and Jets will be looking at QB in the 2027 draft, and they’re probably right. Even if Willis shows enough to dissuade them from replacing him with a top draft pick, the rest of the roster at this point is such that it likely won’t help them win many more games. So if he does, that projected top-4 pick becomes extremely valuable in a class with several passers who possess tantalizing potential. The haul they get for that pick could be the basis of rebuilding their franchise.
- Shifting gears to coaches, it’s no secret that Nick Sirianni came under a bit of fire last season for having reportedly lost the locker room, even mere months removed from hoisting the Lombardi Trophy. It remains to be seen how much of that is alleviated with AJ Brown gone and how well the new pieces on the team mesh with both coaches and players. But there are concerns to be addressed, especially with the struggles on offense from a team led by an offensive-minded head coach. Howie Roseman is hardly afraid to make changes that may seem like luxuries, and that may even to the head coaching job. In an offseason where Mike Tomlin and Sean McDermott will both be available, and Shane Steichen could well be also, he could decide that the best chance to win more is under new leadership.
- On a related note, next year’s coaching carousel looks to be dominated by “retread” candidates. Of the 10 jobs filled this offseason, six were by first-time NFL head coaches while four were by retreads. Not only are there going to be fewer openings a year after a third of the league changed coaches, but the field is seemingly crowded by those looking for a well-deserved second chance. Tomlin and McDermott will each have plenty of offers. If Steichen is indeed let go, he won’t have to wait too long to get another shot. In the above scenario, Sirianni would also be able to find a job rather quickly. Zac Taylor, who took the Bengals to the Super Bowl in 2021, is also a possible casualty this season who will be an attractive potential hire. And if Mike McDaniel has the sort of year with the Chargers that many expect, he’ll be a popular interview as well.
- The final point has less impact for on-field results over the next few years, but more for one of the league’s basic institutions. I believe Matthew Stafford has already secured for himself a place in the Hall of Fame. However, adding a second MVP and/or Super Bowl win to his resume this year would cement him as a first-ballot inductee. His illustrious career, assuming it lasts for the two remaining years on his contract and nothing more or less, will see him retire in the top 6 all-time in both yards and touchdowns, be the franchise leader for two different teams in those categories, and have at least one MVP and Super Bowl victory. Add a second of either of those distinctions, and longtime precedent allows him to schedule his family vacation to Canton years in advance.
It remains to be seen how many, if any, of these scenarios for 2026 will take place. But we should all know now what comes next if they do! And each one has the potential to change the league in its own way. Let’s spot the ball and see what happens now.
