Wardy's NFL Wordy - Season Preview, Part 2: The NFC

By Rob Ward

The year is 2026 and everywhere you look, on every available social media or streaming platform, young, white dudes with big, bold opinions are having the time of their lives. Now I’m 40 next year, so the jury is out on whether I can still claim young. But I’m definitely a white dude and I certainly have opinions.

So, in this age of post-post-adolescent rage, to hell with decency and nuance, I’m ready to fill my cup. I’ll be here every week, with my tongue only slightly in my cheek, to offer my unwanted opinions on every game on the NFL slate. This weekend, I’ll start with a very not-so-special season preview for every team, this time focusing on the NFC.

Move over Skip Bayliss, there’s a new rent-a-gob in town.

NFC North

CHICAGO BEARS

All the talk in the Windy City is of the Bears aiming for an NFL record-breaking offense. The ingredients are all in place. A maniacal offensive genius as head coach, a third year former first round pick at QB, a tight end ready to break out, a receiver (Burden III) ready to do the same, complimented by another (Odunze) who had impressive numbers in the first half of last year. They should be a lot of fun to watch. But what’s all this about them moving to a dome in Indiana? This is the Chicago Bears we’re talking about! I want freezing cold temperatures and hurricanes on Solider Field by late September. Game’s gone.

DETROIT LIONS

I’m fascinated by these teams that become the next big thing, destined for glory, but who prompt existential interrogation after one down year. Can the Lions ever recapture what they had? Did their window shut no sooner than it seemed to open? Did they peak without every truly peaking? For all the ‘go for it on 4th-and-23’ fun, it would appear Dan Campbell is essentially a big, hairy cheerleader. Detroit relies on its offensive playcalling. Any team losing the psychotic brilliance of a Ben Johnson is going to be poorer for it. In 2025 the Lions tried the Johnson Zero version of the offense with John Morton, who worked under the now Bears HC for 2 years, but found it was a pale comparison to the full sugary hit. All eyes on new OC Drew Petzing.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

There may need to be an offensive philosophy change in Green Bay this year. The run first approach has served the Packers well the last couple of seasons, but the shocking revelations around Josh Jacobs may well see him out for the year. Backups Marshawn Lloyd or Kaleb Johnson don’t inspire confidence, so it feels like there’s no choice but to lean into the passing game. It’s time to see what Jordan Love is really made of. It’s a fascinating situation. They are such a well-coached team, and are particularly formidable at home, yet they go into 2026 down arguably their best offensive player in Jacobs and best defensive playmaker in Micah Parsons.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

It is kind of remarkable when you think about all of the drama surrounding the Vikings, from the sudden realisation that J.J. McCarthy is a bum to the firing of former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah towards the end of the hiring cycle in late January, the team actually had a winning record last year. Between Kevin O’Connell and Brian Flores, the Vikes may boast the strongest tandem of offensive and defensive minds in the league. Into all of that, enter Kyler Murray and his Xbox. There must be a temptation to deny him a helmet headset in case he mistakes gameday for a night on Twitch. I fear for all KOC’s brilliance, the Vikings are stuck in Steeler territory; exchanging quarterbacks every year in search of the Holy Grail.

NFC East

DALLAS COWBOYS

When the biggest off-field story currently surrounding the Cowboys is the ‘shock’ release of presumed backup QB Joe Milton, you know the waters appear to be unusually calm in Big D. As we were queuing up in the concessions stands for popcorn and a slush puppy, loose cannon George Pickens promptly signed his franchise tag and got stuck into mandatory minicamps. The offseason saga ended before it had even begun. If only the Dune franchise had taken that same path. If that defense is even league average, don’t be surprised if Dallas is contending for the East.

NEW YORK GIANTS

It’s rarely dull when it comes to the Giants. Which offseason story do you want to choose? The G-Men appeared to land the top head coaching candidate on the market in veteran John Harbaugh. Not long after, the man they’re hoping will be their franchise quarterback caused a stir when he played fluffer to Trump and instigated ‘clear the air’ talks with teammates. There are questions around star wide receiver Malik Nabers’ health, the endless uncertainty around the O-Line and the ongoing curious case of Cam Skattebo, who is either a future star or another concussion away from retirement. Buckle up for another wild ride down Broadway.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

You know the Eagles will be good for double digit wins because, according to page one of my Big Book Of NFL Clichés, if you’re strong in the trenches you’ve always got a chance. Whilst this approach has papered over the cracks, the questions persist. Is Nick Ciriani any good? Is Jalen Hurts any good? Was Big Dom mildly amusing the first time he appeared on our screens but since been nauseatingly rammed down our throats? I can only confidently answer one of those questions. Feels like this team needs a deep playoff run to avoid big changes next summer. But hey, if it all falls apart by Week 12, just “give it Big Dom ‘til end of season”.

WASHINGTON COMMANDERS

The star of the Washington offseason must be Jayden Daniels’ mum, who I imagine spoke for many Commanders fans on the Netflix show Quarterback, with her outrage at the puzzling decision to stick Daniels back in to get reinjured in a pointless game in Minnesota amidst a lost 2025 season. The pain and punishment may not be over in this a crucial year for the Quinn-Daniels operation, with star tackle Laremy Tunsil tearing his tricep and likely done until 2027. It’s shaping up to be another tough four months for the men in the Capital.

NFC South

ATLANTA FALCONS

The general perception appears to be that Kevin Stefanski, as a two-time Coach Of The Year, is a good guy and great coach whose entire operation was completely capsized by the general incompetence of the Browns organisation. I could buy that. But what if that is the red herring, thrown in during the first 15 minutes of the cosy crime drama, before we discover in the final twist that he was the killer all along? I don’t know for sure that getting him into a new environment equals success for his new team. This could well be a false dawn for the desperate Atlanta Lol-cons.

CAROLINA PANTHERS

Many years ago, when I was on The Collapsing Pocket podcast with The Touchdown’s Founding Father Simon Carroll, we would make our buddy Sam Akroyd write out all 32 teams in the NFL. For his many talents, Sam wasn’t always the best with the basics of the NFL (i.e. who plays in it). Inevitably he would get to 31 and forget the Tennessee Titans. For me, the Carolina Panthers are the new Tennessee Titans. Outside of a handsome head coach, I don’t really know what there is to get excited about. Maybe their owner will chuck a beer at a fan again, give us a giggle. That’d be something at least.

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

Saints head coach Kellen Moore is possibly the first person to give me a “that guy is younger than me, what have I done in my life?” moment. It comes to us all. At 38 he seems to have been around forever, masterminding multiple excellent offenses, winning a Super Bowl and is now a second-year head coach. What’s worse, I think he’s good at that too. I love the addition of Travis Etienne for this team and Jordyn (what’s wrong with spelling it ‘Jordan’?) Tyson, when back from injury, should be a gem. At least the bastard was a shit quarterback, that gives me something to cling onto.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

I can’t really get beyond the fact that Todd Bowles is still in charge of this team. Doesn’t that feel like a parting of the ways that happened two years ago? I guess it helps coaching in a division that has been dogshit for half a decade. The Bucs are favourites for the South, as it feels like they have been for the last 341 years. Baker is in a contract year, with Tampa Bay seeming reluctant to pay, which means we’re going to have to put up with 18 straight weeks of Baker telling us he’s “playing pissed”. If only he meant the British usage of that word. Maybe he does. There might be a gig at CBS coming his way post-retirement.   

NFC West

ARIZONA CARDINALS

There has been no summer hold-out I have enjoyed more than journeyman Jacoby Brissett’s, because ultimately it shouldn’t matter to the franchise whether they stick the ex-Patriot/Colt/Dolphin/Brown/Commander/Patriot-again or the not-so-constant Gardner (Minshew) out there, the goal is the same: be bad and pick a QB high in next year’s draft. Given how well Brissett played in the second half of last year, is there an actual negative impact on Arizona’s grand plan by playing him? The hold-out ended with victory for the little man over the big corporate entity. I would call him the NFL’s Erin Brockovich, but you tend not to find water in the desert.

LOS ANGELES RAMS

Not content with trading for Trent McDuffie and Myles Garrett, the Rams then talked Aaron Donald out of retirement. They are as all-in as all-in has ever looked in what could be Matthew Stafford’s last season. You could argue they were the best team in the NFC last season, despite the Seahawks surprise Super Bowl win, and now they’ve gotten even better, it is hard to deny them the favourites tag. But will that crown lie heavy on the head? Probably not, but I’ve got to create some intrigue. Might be best saving that for next offseason when Stafford, and possibly McVay, ride off into the sunset. Good job they didn’t draft a first-round quarterback who has impressed in preseason… oh wait.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

It gives me no joy as a 9ers fan to make this call, but I suspect this is Shanahan’s last season in San Francisco. Since the painful loss to the Chiefs in Super Bowl 48 – one that looks even worse as time goes by – the 49ers head coach has been wandering around the place with the same haunted look as Kendall Roy in the closing moments of Succession. And this was before he mysteriously crashed his car over the summer. Still, on the bright side, the salary cap won’t be too impacted as the business expenses for Jed York’s trip to an Ohio brothel only came to $140. To paraphrase a phrase, stay classy San Francisco.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

The Seahawks can feel rightly miffed that they’re being overlooked heading into the season when they defend their title. Tough. To quote everyone’s favourite Barry from Eastenders social media clip, I’m gonna do it anyway. Riq Woolen, Boye Mafe, Coby Bryant and Kenneth Walker are substantial losses. OC Klint Kubiak, now the top dog in Vegas, may be the toughest of the lot to replace. I need to say nice things now, or I’ll be accused of being a bitter 9ers fan (which is fine, because I’m usually accused of being a bitter Everton fan). Never underestimate the heart of a champion. How’s that?  

ROB WARD

NFL/Fantasy Football Enthusiast

ROB IS A LOVER OF ALL THINGS 49ERS AND HOST OF THE COLLAPSING POCKET PODCAST IN WHICH HE, SIMON CARROLL AND SAM AKROYD BUTT-FUMBLE THEIR WAY THROUGH THE WORLD OF THE NFL. AWAY FROM SPORT, ROB IS A PROFESSIONAL WRITER AND PERFORMER. HIT HIM UP ON TWITTER @TDWARDY!

Rated 5 out of 5