Now that OTAs and minicamps are in the books across the NFL, the next major offseason milestone is training camp, which does bring us one step closer to the start of the 2026 season. It does feel like front offices across the league are getting way more aggressive in their roster-building, and that did come to a boil this offseason.
A ton of star-studded trades went down, and especially in the NFC, you can make the argument for just about every team to get into the playoffs this year. The parity appears to be quite good, so that should make for some insanely competitive games weekly.
Let's get into some fresh NFC record predictions now that we're set to hit the main lull of the NFL offseason.
2026 NFL Season: Updated NFC record predictions following first wave of offseason activities
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions: 12-5
I really like the Detroit Lions to bounce back this year. They've won at least nine games in each of the past four seasons and were 7-4 at one point in 2025. During the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Detroit combined for 27 regular season wins, so this team knows how to win games. Some better injury luck and a slightly improved defense, which is possible if the injuries improve, would have the Lions right back near the top of the NFC North.
2. Chicago Bears: 11-6
I do believe the Chicago Bears could finish with the same record in 2026 as they did in 2025 and still have some growth. Much of the defense got reworked this offseason, so while that unit could improve, there also could be some early bumps in the road that this team has to overcome.
Caleb Williams is also not a lock to make a year two leap in Ben Johnson's system, but he has the potential.
3. Minnesota Vikings: 10-7
The Minnesota Vikings backed into a nine-win season last year. With Kyler Murray likely set to start for the team, it'd be hard to imagine that the Vikings don't win more games. The NFC North is going to be a loaded division, so the team's ceiling could be capped.
4. Green Bay Packers: 9-7-1
Could the Packers finish with the same record two years in a row? This team is very capable of winning games, but that's really it. They aren't a legitimate contender and might not get Micah Parsons back as quickly as they hoped. With a lot of 'good' littered all over the roster, those type of results will happen.
NFC South
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 9-8
The NFC South should look as expected in 2026. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers won eight games last year and just barely missed out on the division title. Tampa got better in the offseason and had taken strong ownership of the divison for years before 2025.
It's not a stretch to think that a favorable bounce here and there could have the Buccaneers securing one more win and another divisional title, but, like the Packers, this team just isn't a contender. They'll win games, as they typically always do, but no one mistakes this team as being a major threat.
2. New Orleans Saints: 8-9
The New Orleans Saints finish 8-9 in our latest record predictions. The Saints are still a year away but did win four of five games to end the 2025 season, which is significant. The offense appears to be in a good place with Tyler Shough, and offseason additions like David Edwards, Travis Etienne, and Jordyn Tyson could elevate this unit.
Kellen Moore was also in control of his squad in year one - nothing really major happened, which isn't a bad thing, so there is a path in front of Moore for growth as a coach. The Saints take another step forward and win eight games this year.
3. Carolina Panthers: 5-11-1
I have no idea how many people out there are high on the Carolina Panthers for 2026, but I am not one of them. The roster doesn't scare you, and the quarterback might be, at best, the third-strongest in the division.
Bryce Young 'broke out' in 2025 but was still thoroughly mediocre. Unless Young takes a sizeable step forward in 2026, the Panthers are going to fail to reach that next step, and with the Buccaneers and even Saints having a lot going for them, Carolina's progress is going to be stunted.
4. Atlanta Falcons: 5-12
If you remove the quarterback from the situation, the Atlanta Falcons might just have the best roster in the division. The playmakers on offense are great, and the defense really took a nice step in the right direction in 2025, but it really all comes down to the starting passer. Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. both have major concerns, and I am not sure it's worth banking on either player being good enough to lead this team.
There is also a new coaching staff in town, so that could lead to some early-season struggles.
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys: 10-7
At this point, it's hard for me to look at the NFC East and not think that the Dallas Cowboys are the most complete team. Not only does Dallas sport the best quarterback, but the massive defensive changes could have this team on the cusp of a breakout.
And let's be clear, here - the Cowboys weren't a total mess in 2025. They were 6-5-1 at one point and still finished with seven wins. This was with the league's worst defense, so even an average unit could bring forth a few more wins.
There are also some major concerns with the other three teams, so this division appears to be wide open right now.
2. Philadelphia Eagles: 9-8
Trading AJ Brown does remove that explosive element from the Philadelphia Eagles. Quarterback Jalen Hurts has also always been a limited passer and might have more on his plate without Brown in the picture.
Sean Mannion is the new offensive coordinator, so that could complicate things, and while Philly has won double-digit games in each of the last four seasons, that doesn't guarantee anything in 2026.
The Eagles will be a good team, but we're getting to a point with this squad where we're going to wonder what they really excel at. A dropoff from 2025 is in the cards.
3. Washington Commanders: 8-9
Washington did add a lot of talent in the offseason. In 2024, the Commanders broke out with a rookie Jayden Daniels, but based on how 2025 went, it's pretty clear that 2024 was definitely more of a Cinderella run.
The Commanders did get better on paper, but this team did win just five games last year, and teams that spend a ton in free agency don't always see that kind of success the following season. To top it off, Dan Quinn appears to be a fine head coach, but not a team-elevator. It could be another losing season for the Commanders.
4. New York Giants: 6-11
I do love what the New York Giants have done this offseason, but it's not common for teams to get fixed overnight. John Harbaugh is a very good head coach, but he's not among the very best in the league. The Giants have a fine roster, but nothing that really jumps out at you. A lot would have to go right for this team to get to above .500, but instead, what we could see is some modest growth in year one and an avenue for this team to really breakout in 2027.
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams: 12-5
It might end up being a major shock if the Los Angeles Rams do not win the Super Bowl this year. Adding Myles Garrett in a trade, along with adding Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson to the mix, gives the Rams a roster free of major holes.
Matthew Stafford is the reigning MVP and flirted with 50 touchdown passes in 2025, and the offense itself was explosive and dangerous. All in all, the Rams find themselves atop the NFL world and a clear Super Bowl favorite. They'll win 12 games in our latest record prediction.
2. San Francisco 49ers: 11-6
The San Francisco 49ers went 12-5 during the 2025 season despite dealing with a ton of injuries. What we've seen from this team in the Kyle Shanahan era is both a high ceiling and a low floor. They've been to two Super Bowls since 2019 but have also seen seasons get wasted away because of injuries.
Given that the injury trend has kept up for years, they'll probably deal with some in 2026. Still, we have them finishing 11-6 in our updated record predictions, which would still be a successful year.
3. Seattle Seahawks: 11-6
A regression could be coming for the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle did lose Kenneth Walker III and Riq Woolen in free agency, so those two departures are worth mentioning, and while it's not a perfect science, the Super Bowl hangover is a real thing for certain teams.
Seattle is going to still win a ton of games, as the team is returning most of their key contributors from 2025, but a very slight regression feels realistic. Head coach Mike Macdonald has won 24 regular season games across his first two seasons and should have a third in three years coming up.
4. Arizona Cardinals: 2-15
The Arizona Cardinals could definitely become the first team to go winless in the 17-game era, but we'll slot them at 2-15 for now. Even if the Cardinals were in the worst division in football, there'd be no viable path to success. Not only is the roster bottom-5 in the NFL, but the quarterback situation is even worse.
Mike LaFleur is the new head coach, so like other teams, a brand-new coaching staff could bring some inconsistencies. Overall, I am not sure how Cardinals fans could get excited about this year. It's a brutal reminder of just how unforgiving the NFL can be.