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Questions can be just as informative as answers.
At this time last year, for example, we wondered whether J.J. McCarthy offered a high enough floor for the Vikings (uhh), who would protect Justin Herbert (no one) and whether the Rams had enough talent at cornerback (not then).
This year’s questions could prove as consequential. Before I dig into the four most concerning, a quick look at all 32 raised by The Athletic’s writers. See if you can guess which I consider the most worrying.
I’m not worried about a team’s depth at any given position, like the Vikings’ edge rushers or the Steelers’ or Jets’ backup quarterbacks. We can’t predict which backups will need to step up months from now.
But I am alarmed about these four situations, listed in order of severity (excluding the Browns, whose quarterback situation is perpetually severe):
1. Did C.J. Stroud get enough help? Despite making the postseason in each of his first three seasons, the Texans are hesitant to sign their 25-year-old quarterback to a long-term deal. Blame his playoff collapse, which helped convince Houston to again overhaul its offensive line and running back rooms. With his fifth-year option exercised, time is running out for both him and the team to decide on his future.
2. How soon can Dolphins rookies contribute? Quickly, the new regime must be hoping, as coach Jeff Hafley and GM Jon-Eric Sullivan inherited the league’s bleakest roster. After a league-high six draft picks in the top 100, Miami was No. 9 in Dane Brugler’s post-draft rankings. The team hopes to end 2026 like last year’s Browns: with some new building blocks.
3. Did Jayden Daniels get needed support? The honeymoon is over in DC. The miracle NFC championship appearance to begin the Daniels-and-Dan Quinn era was followed by a sophomore slump. Daniels was hurt, and the Commanders went 5-12. The coach’s job is safe for now, but new coordinators on both offense and defense hint at urgency. Daniels still deserves better weapons, and I’m not sure Brandon Aiyuk would be the answer.
4. Cardinals defense any better? Short answer: unlikely. Despite ending the season with an 0-9 stretch that included allowing 35.2 points per game, Arizona spent its offseason investing in offense. This is the league’s worst team on paper, though at least it has … a fun running back?!
Our full list of questions is here. It has much more on all 32 teams, including concerns about the Seahawks’ new-look offense under first-year coordinator Brian Fleury.
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CJ2K diagnosed with ALS
Earlier this week, Chris Johnson, the longtime Titans running back who broke the 40-yard dash record (4.24 seconds, a then-record) and Marshall Faulk’s total yards from scrimmage record (2,509 in just 16 games, a record that still stands) joined Michael Strahan on “Good Morning America” to explain what’s happened to him since.
“First, I want people to know that I’m still me,” said the 40-year-old Chris Johnson, who responded to Strahan’s questions using a speech-generating device triggered by his eyes. “ALS has changed what my body can do, but it hasn’t changed who I am.”
The Titans legend shared his diagnosis of having ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. I didn’t understand the severity of the diagnosis until I watched the interview.
What began as weakness in his right hand quickly devolved into a life-threatening disease that impacts nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord.
“It’s continued to progress much faster than I ever imagined,” explained Johnson. “I want people to understand just how quickly ALS can attack your body. Just over a year ago, I was picking up my 7-year-old daughter so she’d make a wish with her birthday cake. Today, I couldn’t do that.” We have more details here.
To me, Johnson’s strength and message feel personal. Two years ago today, a doctor told me — Jacob, your NFL newsletter writer — that I had cancer. (Don’t worry, I thankfully got a clean scan eight months ago!)
So do us both a favor: Use this newsletter as an excuse to see a doctor about that thing that’s been bugging you. You’re worth it.
🎙 ‘TAFS’: Lions top-5 offense?
The Lions finished last in the NFC North in 2025. Yet they are the betting favorites to win the division this season. Is that reasonable?
The “The Athletic Football Show” examined that question in its Lingering Questions series earlier this week, and you can watch here. I found this back-and-forth telling:
Robert Mays: If I asked you to bet a year’s salary on one offense in the NFC North to finish as a top-five offense this year, which would you pick?
Dave Helman: The Lions.
Mays: Me too.
Derrik Klassen: I actually feel really good about the Lions offense. They’re changing the coordinator, but they’re (replacing) someone who they took the reins from midseason. I don’t know if Drew Petzing is one of those ceiling-raising coordinators. I think he at least gets you to solid. (There’s also former Giants OC Mike Kafka, who joined Detroit as passing game coordinator.)
You pair that with three of the five pieces of the line coming back. And then the skill players, I think it’s as good as you could possibly get. They have explosive players everywhere. If there’s an offense I’m betting here to be top five, it almost has to be the Lions because I’ve seen it before with most of these same pieces.
Detroit’s offense should be as strong as ever, but its defense took a minor hit when it released Terrion Arnold on Monday. The Lions had used a first-round pick on the promising cornerback, though he never lived up to his potential and wasn’t worth the headache after his arrest in connection to a kidnapping and robbery. Details on his tenure here.
Extra Points
📈 Wheels up for the Cowboys, Bears and Panthers, per our Ted Nguyen’s look at the top breakout defenses of 2026. Colts and Titans fans will also appreciate that story.
👀 Gap years. As quarterback prospect Brendan Sorsby serves an unofficial one-year suspension while waiting for the 2027 draft, Matt Baker looked at the history of one-year waits, which includes Maurice Clarett.
🚑 A can’t-miss prospect since high school, Alijah Vera-Tucker has become a health risk, yet he’s among the most intriguing Patriots.
▶️ Monday’s most-clicked: Mike Jones’ biggest offseason winners and losers, with the Jaguars and Packers on the wrong side of that list.
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