What if? The biggest questions ahead of the 2026 NFL season

[p]Talented rookies had a chance to showcase their craft and shine, while reserve players got valuable reps. Coaches tested new systems and plays, and fans received the first glimpse of the newest version of their team. All 32 organizations entered the season with one goal: to win the Super Bowl and stand on the ultimate pinnacle.[/p][p]The road to glory is not easy - it’s long, challenging, and full of ups and downs. But one team will make it all the way to the end and lift the Lombardi Trophy. [/p][p]The football environment is extremely volatile, and circumstances can change in the blink of an eye. A conference-leading team has their superstar quarterback go down with an injury, and suddenly the Super Bowl aspirations start evaporating. A well-decorated, Hall-of-Fame-caliber coach doesn't see eye to eye with his players and staff, and his team falls deeply behind expectations early.[/p][p]But it can go the other way around, too - a team that finished with one of the worst records last season dominates its division and secures a postseason bid. [/p][p]It happens all the time. [/p][p]Every year, there are numerous “what ifs”, and the massive ones could reshape the league. We picked the biggest and most interesting “what if” scenarios that could produce jaw-dropping results in 2026. [/p][embed guid="58803212-7d0c-4db6-9495-5f96838fc0e4" url="https://x.com/NFLonPrime/status/1674472368855556096" social-type="twitter" /][h2]What if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jackson-lamar/niWBe4T5/"]Lamar Jackson[/a] stays healthy all season?[/h2][p]The Ravens’ superstar and former league MVP battled multiple injuries throughout the 2025 season. In Week 4, he suffered a Grade 1 hamstring strain against the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/kansas-city-chiefs/vienoNr7/"]Kansas City Chiefs[/a], forcing him to miss three games. When he returned, he continued to deal with minor knee and ankle issues that affected his mobility and explosiveness.[/p][p]Ravens fans noticed: Lamar just wasn’t himself. Baltimore’s offense struggled because the centerpiece wasn’t right. And from there, everything went south. [/p][p]The Ravens finished 8–9 and missed the playoffs despite entering the season with high expectations.[/p][embed guid="46660bb2-ae12-473d-a206-f3f74c6832da" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsrDe_cfVB4&pp=ygUNTGFtYXIgSmFja3Nvbg%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p]Baltimore was widely expected to win the AFC North behind an explosive offense featuring Jackson, running back Derrick Henry, and wide receiver Zay Flowers. However, Jackson’s early-season injuries, combined with defensive struggles, kept the Ravens far below expectations.[/p][p]To address the gaps in defense, the Ravens brought in star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson and veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell.[/p][p]So, the only piece to the puzzle remains: can Lamar Jackson stay healthy and lead Baltimore to an AFC North crown, and then break the playoff curse and make it back to the Super Bowl?[/p][p]Health is going to be the key to the Ravens' success. [/p][embed guid="b3e32d46-723f-4f87-adcb-1b1c5193fe29" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsrDe_cfVB4&pp=ygUNTGFtYXIgSmFja3Nvbg%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][h2]What if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/donald-aaron/Sf9IN274/"]Aaron Donald[/a] comes back?[/h2][p]The [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/los-angeles-chargers/K0iU7PXK/"]Los Angeles[/a] Rams already look scary enough entering the 2026 season. And it might get even worse for every single team in the league. As of right now, retired superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald is eyeing a comeback, and if he rejoins the team, the Rams will instantly become the Super Bowl favorites.[/p][p]In 2018, Donald posted a career-high 20.5 in a single season. He averaged 11.1 sacks per season during his 10-year career. [/p][embed guid="2fbbcf5c-9a04-460e-a5ed-41dadaa2ef5f" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4srEAsoIzs&pp=ygUcQWFyb24gRG9uYWxkIDIwMTggaGlnaGxpZ2h0cw%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p]The expectations for this Rams squad are already sky-high.[/p][p]Reigning NFL MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford led the league with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns in 2025. The Rams already had one of the league's most talented rosters before adding Myles Garrett, another superstar pass rusher and two-time Defensive Player of the Year. Los Angeles also has plenty of offensive firepower, with wide receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams leading the way. [/p][p]Simply put, the Rams are stacked—and that's without Donald on the roster. Adding one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history to a defense that already features Garrett could give LA the competitive edge. If he comes back, the franchise could win its second Super Bowl in this decade. [/p][p][b]"I feel great about our football team as it currently stands, and I know he'll add value if he decides to come,”[/b] [a href="https://x.com/UnderdogNFL/status/2085445655934161168?s=20" target="_blank"]said head coach McVay[/a]. If Donald's addition comes through, the Rams will be unstoppable. [/p][embed guid="fe508b9d-3c35-4985-a5ef-8ff7b051e6f5" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ws4cO7UC9Cs" social-type="youtube" /][h2]What if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/mahomes-patrick/W2xC0Ev4/"]Patrick Mahomes[/a] fully recovers?[/h2][p]Between 2019 and 2024, the Kansas City Chiefs appeared in five Super Bowls and won three of them. Under head coach Andy Reid, Kansas City became a feared dynasty where double-digit win seasons and deep playoff runs became the standard. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes was the driving force behind that success, winning two MVP awards and three Super Bowl MVPs.[/p][p]After losing Super Bowl LIX to the Philadelphia Eagles in February 2025, the Chiefs entered the 2025 season determined to get back on track. [/p][p]Instead, disaster struck. Kansas City struggled to find its rhythm and dropped its first two games of the season. Just when the team appeared to be finding its footing, Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL, ending his season and crushing the Chiefs' hopes of redemption. [/p][p]Following the injury, Mahomes has now been cleared and is back practicing with the team as they get ready for Week 1.[/p][embed guid="a2390db9-ae54-4956-969a-5e38ee46bbdc" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeJUvtVLhFg&pp=ygUHTWFob21lcw%3D%3D" social-type="youtube" /][p]It’s still unclear whether the fans will see him in the opening regular-season game. However, Mahomes feels confident that he'll be back on the field. If he returns to his former self, the Chiefs will restore the dynasty.[/p][p]Travis Kelce returned for another season, and the franchise signed the reigning Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. If Kansas City gets its centerpiece back in Mahomes and his magic, the Chiefs will make another deep postseason run.[/p][p]If Patrick Mahomes comes back healthy, don't count out the Chiefs.[/p][embed guid="069c8647-0c3e-4767-b22c-0443d587ea1e" url="https://x.com/MarkPoulose/status/2091336677843157013?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][h2]What if [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/willis-malik/xzzUp8s3/"]Malik Willis[/a] reaches his full potential?[/h2][p]Last year, the [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/miami-dolphins/WQivmqEf/"]Miami Dolphins[/a] faced notable problems at the quarterback position. Former starter [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/tagovailoa-tua/E5x2VnNg/"]Tua Tagovailoa[/a] struggled throughout the season, finishing with 20 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 14 games.[/p][p]He was benched heading into Week 15, and Quinn Ewers was named the starter for the remainder of the season. The Dolphins finished 7–10 and missed the playoffs.[/p][embed guid="a52d64ea-306c-4128-a281-2985b7e856b8" url="https://x.com/FinsXtra/status/2089869734707601615?s=20" social-type="twitter" /][p]The franchise made earthquake-like moves during the offseason in an attempt to make the Dolphins competitive again.[/p][p]Miami hired new head coach [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/wilson-jeffrey/63cnnuae/"]Jeff Hafley[/a] and general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan. The Dolphins released Tagovailoa and signed Willis, a young quarterback who had not yet been a full-time starter in the NFL. [/p][p]However, Willis gained valuable experience in Green Bay while backing up [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/love-jordan/dO0LnHLO/"]Jordan Love[/a], who dealt with multiple injuries in 2025. And Willis made the most of Love’s absence.  [/p][p]Willis showcased incredible efficiency and playmaking. He completed 67.7% of passes, recorded 1,322 yards, and six touchdowns. He showed sparks with both his arm and his legs. The Dolphins saw this potential as a possible key piece to get them back into the playoffs.[/p][p]If he keeps playing at the high level he showed last season, Willis will finish in the top 10 in the NFL in passing and rushing, and the Dolphins will win 10 games.[/p][p]They will compete in the Wild Card Round, and maybe even advance. [/p][embed guid="e8752c42-1e57-4d4f-b28d-0a825a296775" url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ViB0L_T55CU" social-type="youtube" /][infobox id="20b251ad-200b-415c-a27c-559697b10377" /]