Minicamp and OTAs only reveal so much, and the span before training camp leaves plenty of unanswered questions.
What is the biggest remaining question for every NFL team as the summer break begins? The Athletic’s NFL writers pinpoint each one and offer insight into what comes next.
Arizona Cardinals
Have they improved defensively?
The entire offseason has been about offense. The Cardinals hired an offensive-minded head coach in Mike LaFleur. They used the No. 3 pick on running back Jeremiyah Love. They have a QB battle that includes projected starter Jacoby Brissett (who went 1-11 last season) holding out for a new contract. But what about the defense? Last season, the Cardinals got worse as the season unfolded. Over their last nine games, all losses, they allowed an average of 35.2 points. And yet, offseason changes were minimal. To be competitive, the Cardinals need their young talent (DT Walter Nolen III, DE Darius Robinson and CB Will Johnson) to make a significant jump. They also need to stay healthy, which they haven’t done in two seasons. — Doug Haller
Atlanta Falcons
Is all of this enough?
The Falcons just hired their third head coach in the last five seasons (Kevin Stefanski). They also have a new general manager (Ian Cunningham). They even created a brand new position (president of football) to bring back franchise legend Matt Ryan to oversee the whole thing. They have invested big in two young pass catchers (Drake London and Kyle Pitts) and probably will soon pay a third skill player (running back Bijan Robinson). Will any of that help what is now the NFL’s second-longest streak without a playoff appearance? Atlanta has missed the postseason for eight straight seasons, which is behind only the Jets’ 15 dry years. Owner Arthur Blank, at 83, has begun the process of prepping son Josh to take over the day-to-day work, but he’d like to get back to the playoffs before leaving the big chair for good. — Josh Kendall
Baltimore Ravens
Will they medically clear Nnamdi Madubuike to play this season?
Madubuike’s 2025 season ended after just two weeks, when he sustained a neck injury that jeopardized his career. The Ravens have repeatedly declined to discuss Madubuike’s future and the 28-year-old hasn’t addressed it publicly either. What we do know is that Madubuike had neck surgery in April and team officials are speaking in somewhat optimistic tones about the two-time Pro Bowl DT’s recovery. Head coach Jesse Minter said Madubuike’s status will “clear itself up.” If Madubuike returns and has no restrictions, he’ll be as impactful of an addition as the Ravens could have made this offseason. — Jeff Zrebiec
Buffalo Bills
Have they figured out how to establish an effective pass rush?
While so much energy is expended about the Bills’ wide receivers and whether they are worthy of Josh Allen’s talent, their offense still finds ways to produce. Another position has been lacking, too. For years, football boss Brandon Beane has tried to solve the problem of mediocre pass pressure. He has spent precious draft capital on edge rushers Gregory Rousseau, A.J. Epenesa and Boogie Basham, supplementing them with previously injured vets who had a history of success — and all but ignoring interior D-line prospects. The mix has been uninspiring at best. Beane this offseason added another free agent with knee problems. Bradley Chubb, 30, has impressed his teammates so far and is coming off an encouraging 8.5-sack season in Miami. He and Rousseau are in line to start, with second-round pick T.J. Parker hoping to buck the draft-disappointment trend. Inside, Deone Walker might be a future star, and veteran Ed Oliver, back from multiple injuries, can be a force for stretches. First-time NFL defensive coordinator Jim Leonhard comes from an aggressive Denver staff whose Broncos led the NFL in sacks and ranked third in Pro Football Focus’ pressure percentage metric, but can he unlock this group? — Tim Graham
Carolina Panthers
How will Jonathon Brooks’ knee hold up?
The Panthers have taken a methodical approach with Brooks after the former Texas running back missed all of last season following a second ACL surgery on his right knee. Brooks participated in OTAs and minicamp, but admitted he didn’t hit his full speed. Brooks, a second-round pick in 2024, will be watched closely when the intensity picks up this summer, especially during joint practices with Houston and Jacksonville and the four preseason games. The Panthers’ RB room behind Chuba Hubbard lacks sizzle other than Brooks. So, getting him back to 100 percent and keeping him there is vital. — Joseph Person
Chicago Bears
What from the 2025 success will provide momentum into 2026?
Ben Johnson’s assertion days after a January playoff loss that his team was headed “back to square one” set the right tone as a firm reminder for players that this is a year-to-year league. Still, the Bears aren’t fully erasing what they built in Johnson’s first season, which included a division championship. Said defensive tackle Gervon Dexter: “You get that winning feeling. You get trust from your guys and build that chemistry together. That always carries over.” That winning feeling came from the elevated standards and expectations Johnson injected and the subsequent hard work and locker room unity. That formula is a positive starting point for the next act. — Dan Wiederer
Cincinnati Bengals
Will there be another veteran addition on defense?
The Bengals like where the defensive roster stands after an aggressive overhaul this offseason. They also could use veterans to supplement questionable spots in the back seven. They’ve made a big bet on Year 2 jumps from Demetrius Knight Jr. and Barrett Carter at linebacker, but there’s room for a veteran to add depth and insurance should it fall apart. The same is true at cornerback where the group behind starters Dax Hill and DJ Turner are young, journeymen or former practice squaders. A veteran with starts under his belt would make everyone breathe easier should an injury require those depth pieces to play. — Paul Dehner Jr.
Cleveland Browns
Who’s going to be the quarterback?
Would the Browns actually go back to Deshaun Watson, who hasn’t played since October of 2024? They shouldn’t, but they might. The best option for a team pushing all of its chips into the future is second-year man Shedeur Sanders, who showed some good and some bad in starting the final seven games of his rookie season. Watson’s one opening to win the job is new coach Todd Monken wanting a mobile quarterback, but Watson through the spring looked like the same inconsistent player he was through his first three seasons in Cleveland. Sanders finished the spring strong but didn’t thoroughly outplay Watson, so the battle will resume in late July and continue into August. — Zac Jackson
Dallas Cowboys
Did they do enough to fix the defense?
Hiring first-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker was the Cowboys’ biggest offseason move. Next up was landing do-everything defensive back Caleb Downs early in the draft. There were other notable roster improvements, like signing defensive backs Jalen Thompson, Cobie Durant and P.J. Locke, trading for edge rusher Rashan Gary and linebacker Dee Winters, and drafting edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round. But was all of that enough to fix what was arguably the NFL’s worst defense? Another inside linebacker or edge rusher could still be needed. We’ll find out more when they put the pads on. — Jon Machota
Denver Broncos
How will the Jonathon Cooper situation unfold?
The veteran pass rusher was arrested twice in the span of one week in June stemming from a domestic incident with his then-girlfriend. The Broncos excused Cooper from the team’s mandatory minicamp and coach Sean Payton said the 28-year-old was taking time “to work on himself.” Cooper could be subject to discipline from the league; an NFL spokesman said the pass rusher’s legal situation is under review. It remains to be seen whether Cooper will be with the team when it begins training camp in late July. The team likes its young depth at outside linebacker, but losing Cooper, who has 18.5 sacks the past two seasons, would be a significant development. — Nick Kosmider
Detroit Lions
How will Kerby Joseph’s knee respond in 2026?
Last year, the Lions made Joseph the highest-paid player at his position. A year later, they’re left wondering what they have in the All-Pro safety. Joseph’s been dealing with an undisclosed knee injury — one that Joseph himself said surgery won’t help. The Lions shut him down to rest his knee in October, but after multiple setbacks in practice, Joseph was placed on IR and ended up missing 11 games. After sitting out all of OTAs and minicamp as well, the Lions are hopeful his knee responds well in training camp and he’s back to his ball-hawking ways. However, when asked for his expectations of Joseph this season, Lions head coach Dan Campbell told reporters, “I don’t know. I honestly do not know.” — Colton Pouncy
Green Bay Packers
What’s going to happen with Josh Jacobs?
Jacobs, who practiced with the team this offseason, is still under investigation by the Brown County District Attorney’s Office. He was initially arrested by the Hobart/Lawrence Police Department in Wisconsin, charged and jailed on five counts relating to domestic abuse in late May, but the D.A.’s office found insufficient evidence to pursue criminal charges and Jacobs was released from jail with the investigation ongoing. If the D.A.’s office decides to no longer pursue the case, Jacobs and the Packers will carry on with football. If criminal charges are pursued, then what happens with Jacobs from both a legal and football perspective? — Matt Schneidman
Houston Texans
Have they done enough to help C.J. Stroud take the next step?
Houston has leaned on Stroud to help mask offensive deficiencies for much of his young career, but last season, when the Texans needed him most in the postseason, he wilted under the pressure and played some of his worst football. Given the dominance of a championship-caliber defense that held playoff opponents to just 17.4 points and 277.2 yards per contest, it wouldn’t have taken much for Houston to advance to the conference championship game. But a lack of poise led to poor decision-making and ball-security issues from Stroud, who at times panicked before pressure even arrived and rushed throws and made unforced errors in a loss to the Patriots. Those struggles and another premature playoff exit cast doubt on the quarterback’s long-term future with the team. This offseason, the Texans overhauled their offensive line and also added a punishing back in David Montgomery. Now, they just need their young quarterback to display the growth necessary for Houston to live up to its potential. — Mike Jones
Indianapolis Colts
Will DeForest Buckner be ready for Week 1?
Buckner, acquired via a trade with the San Francisco 49ers in March 2020, is arguably the Colts’ best defensive player. However, the 32-year-old underwent neck surgery near the end of last season and did not practice this spring. I spoke to Buckner at his annual kids camp about his recovery, and he was noncommittal on when he could return. “The goal is Week 1,” he said. If Buckner isn’t ready for the season opener, or worse, if he can’t regain his All-Pro form at any point in 2026, then the Indianapolis pass rush will suffer tremendously. — James Boyd
Jacksonville Jaguars
Can they replace Travis Etienne Jr.?
The 2021 first-round pick, who signed a four-year, $48 million deal with the Saints in free agency, quietly had 1,107 rushing yards — 18 shy of matching his best output — and scored a career-high 13 touchdowns in his first season under coach Liam Coen after a paltry pair of trips to the end zone in 2024. While Etienne wouldn’t necessarily be categorized as an irreplaceable player, that’s still quite a load of production that went out the door, especially since Bhayshul Tuten and Chris Rodriguez are unproven by comparison. Coen’s offense requires a strong running game to be successful. — Jeff Howe
Kansas City Chiefs
Did they do enough to help out quarterback Patrick Mahomes?
The Chiefs’ 6-11 record last season masks the fact that there were at least some good offensive moments before injuries derailed the final few weeks. Still, with Mahomes likely to be less mobile following offseason knee surgery and the team using its first four draft picks on defense, it’s at least worth wondering: Did Kansas City do enough to help out its star QB this offseason? The Chiefs’ major free-agent acquisition was Super Bowl MVP running back Kenneth Walker III, but beyond that, improvement mostly needs to come from returning wideouts Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy and Tyquan Thornton. — Jesse Newell
Las Vegas Raiders
Can the current receiving corps be competitive?
The Raiders made sweeping changes across their roster this offseason, and the overhaul received praise from onlookers. But qualms still remain about the wideout group that will catch passes from Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza. After trading Jakobi Meyers last season, Las Vegas added only Jalen Nailor as a premier free agent and waited until the sixth round to draft Malik Benson, leaving the team with a room full of unproven targets. The Raiders’ brass believes with more opportunities, the production of Nailor, Tre Tucker, Jack Bech and Dont’e Thornton Jr. will pick up. But whether those upticks are enough to pace Klint Kubiak’s offense is a primary concern going into training camp. — Sam Warren
Los Angeles Chargers
Who starts at left guard?
The Chargers overhauled their offensive line this offseason, primarily to find the athleticism necessary for new coordinator Mike McDaniel’s scheme. Heading into summer break, the Chargers have four of the positions filled with starters. Star tackles Rashawn Slater and Joe Alt are coming back. Free-agent additions Tyler Biadasz and Cole Strange will start at center and right guard, respectively. The open spot is at left guard, and this competition will be decided in training camp. It is shaping up as a three-man battle between rookie Jake Slaughter and veterans Trevor Penning and Kayode Awosika. — Daniel Popper
Los Angeles Rams
What’s the plan at left tackle?
This was an offseason of mostly positive vibes for the Rams, with the additions of Myles Garrett, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson. But they suddenly have a giant question at left tackle. Alaric Jackson was arrested on suspicion of domestic violence, and the potential now exists for him to be suspended a second time under the league’s personal conduct policy. If he has to miss time, who fills in at left tackle? Is it David Quessenberry, who turns 36 this summer and hasn’t started a game since 2023? Is it Keagen Trost, the third-round Missouri rookie the Rams drafted as a utility man who played primarily on the right side in college? Could they take a swing on Taylor Decker, who used to be Matthew Stafford’s blindside protector in Detroit? Could it be a trade? Given that Stafford is 38 and managing a degenerative back issue, this has become the primary question for a team currently favored to win the Super Bowl. — Nate Atkins
Miami Dolphins
How quickly can the 2026 rookie class make an impact?
The Dolphins made approximately 100 picks in April, and our NFL Draft guru, Dane Brugler, was a fan of their work. This team desperately needed an infusion of young talent, and while it’s great to be optimistic about youngsters in the offseason, they need to show something this season. That’s stating the obvious, but the timeline for this team’s next competitive window will largely be determined by the success of new GM Jon-Eric Sullivan’s debut class. If the Dolphins come out of this season feeling like they found four or five new building blocks — something like what the Browns pulled off last season with Mason Graham, Carson Schwesinger, Quinshon Judkins and Harold Fannin — fans would have cause to buy into this regime’s vision for the future. — Jim Ayello
Minnesota Vikings
Who will they add for depth at edge rusher?
Because quarterback continues to dominate the conversation in Minnesota, other parts of the roster remain overlooked. Edge rusher is one of them. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. His departure opens the door for 2024 first-rounder Dallas Turner to take the next step. Minnesota also still has the cyborg, Andrew Van Ginkel. Depth behind them warrants a potential addition. If Turner or Van Ginkel miss time with an injury, the Vikings need reliable pass rushers, especially with how much they’re betting on youth on the interior. The team has about $13.1 million in cap space for 2026. Using a chunk of change on edge help is a realistic expectation. — Alec Lewis
New England Patriots
Is their pass rush good enough?
Even before spring practices started, it was fair to question whether the Patriots did enough this offseason to improve their pass rush. Since then, we’ve learned that Harold Landry isn’t quite ready to practice and second-rounder Gabe Jacas underwent an unknown procedure that has led to a contract dispute, which meant he didn’t participate in any practices. Maybe Milton Williams is good enough in the interior to overcome the team’s weakness at edge rusher. But they certainly didn’t put any concerns to rest this spring. — Chad Graff
New Orleans Saints
What’s the deal with Alvin Kamara?
Signs pointed to the end of Kamara’s tenure when the Saints inked Travis Etienne Jr. But New Orleans’ all-time great running back showed up for parts of OTAs unexpectedly and then attended minicamp. The Saints have already fit Kamara within this year’s salary cap so they don’t necessarily have to unload him. And if the Saints roll with Kamara on the roster, it will be curious to see how Etienne and Kamara coexist. Kamara played his best years with a complementary back (Mark Ingram) so maybe this could work? — Larry Holder
The New Orleans Saints’ signing Travis Etienne Jr. this offseason makes an uncertain future for running back Alvin Kamara. (Bob Donnan / Imagn Images)
New York Giants
Will Malik Nabers be ready for Week 1?
It’s impossible to know this right now, but it’s hard to believe that there’s any more pressing question for the Giants. The star wide receiver is recovering from a torn ACL and meniscus and had a second cleanup surgery this spring. General manager Joe Schoen expressed optimism he’ll be back for Week 1, and coach John Harbaugh is hopeful he’ll be back soon. The Giants have plenty of receivers after adding three big names late this spring, but none bring the juice Nabers provides. Oh, and even if Nabers is ready for Week 1, will he be the same explosive playmaker right away? — Charlotte Carroll
New York Jets
Who will be the No. 2 quarterback?
The Jets opted against adding any veteran quarterback of note to back up Geno Smith — an interesting strategy for an organization with a not-so-rich history of starting quarterbacks getting injured. They dabbled with interest in Russell Wilson and Carson Wentz, but never seriously pursued either. The No. 2 in minicamp and OTAs was Bailey Zappe, who started eight games for the Patriots from 2022 to 2023. His only competition is fourth-round rookie Cade Klubnik, who started off the spring hot but ended with some inconsistency and a back injury that knocked him out of some practices. Would the Jets really go into training camp or the season with this group? It’s possible they’re waiting for other QB situations to settle, but for now, this is the group — plus Brady Cook — that they’re rolling with. — Zack Rosenblatt
Philadelphia Eagles
Does the system suit the quarterback?
This is an important year for Jalen Hurts. The Eagles made no move to give him more contract security this offseason, and although he still has three years left on a deal that affords him franchise quarterback status, it’s feasible for the organization to move on from him after this season if it so chooses. While no player performed well in last year’s clunky system, the campaign revealed that Hurts indeed has limitations. New OC Sean Mannion’s scheme will call for the most under-center play of Hurts’ career, with a slew of other significant changes to boot. The offseason only offered a peek. Can Hurts get back to elite play? Will he earn that next major deal? — Brooks Kubena
Pittsburgh Steelers
How does the QB room shake out behind Aaron Rodgers?
Another offseason of Rodgers uncertainty may be over, but significant questions still remain in the Steelers’ QB room. After drafting Drew Allar in the third round, Pittsburgh now has four quarterbacks on a depth chart that typically only fits three. It appears the stage could be set for a competition between 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard and veteran backup Mason Rudolph. The winner likely gets the QB2 job, while the loser could fall off the 53-man roster entirely. On one hand, coach Mike McCarthy wants to build his room with young talent that he can develop. On the other hand, would it be too risky to enter the season with a 42-year-old QB and two backups (Howard and Allar) who have never taken a single NFL snap? Or could they find a creative way to keep all four? — Mike DeFabo
San Francisco 49ers
Will they sign a veteran pass rusher (or trade for one)?
No one expects the 49ers to answer the Rams’ trade for Myles Garrett, but their pass rush could definitely use some help. That is, unless you expect third-round pick Romello Height to be an impact newcomer. If you do, go ahead and skip the rest of this … but if you think he might be a little light at 239 pounds and even had a little trouble shedding blocks in college, then you halfway expect the 49ers to sign Joey Bosa or Jadeveon Clowney or trade for an edge rusher (like they did for surprisingly retired Bryce Huff last year). Nick Bosa says his brother Joey, 31 next month, is focused on golf these days, but maybe mom can help convince him to chase a Super Bowl ring with his brother. — Vic Tafur
Seattle Seahawks
How will Brian Fleury’s offense incorporate the talent on offense?
You could easily pose a pressing question about the running back position following Kenneth Walker III’s departure and Zach Charbonnet’s injury, but that’s really part of a bigger question regarding Seattle’s offense. Klint Kubiak was a fresh arrival in 2025, as was quarterback Sam Darnold. Kubiak managed to run an offense that elevated Jaxon Smith-Njigba, created a productive running game and didn’t constantly ask Darnold to carry the load on his own. Fleury has spent the past six seasons in various offensive positions under Kyle Shanahan in San Francisco. It will be interesting to see how his scheme works to manage Darnold while still highlighting the talent around the quarterback. Smith-Njigba is a known commodity, as is Cooper Kupp. Everything else — the running back depth chart, tight end A.J. Barner, wide receiver Rashid Shaheed — has room to grow before reaching its ceiling. — Saad Yousuf
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Will the Bucs sign Baker Mayfield before the start of training camp?
Mayfield is entering the final year of a three-year, $100 million deal. He has said he wants to be in Tampa long term and general manager Jason Licht has no intention of letting Mayfield leave, but as of June, Mayfield said he was “not anywhere close” to being on the same page with the team on a contract. He also said he is setting a deadline for the start of training camp. Complicating matters may be the eight-year, $504 million reworked contract signed by Mahomes, because the price of an elite quarterback has gone up. — Dan Pompei
Tennessee Titans
Is there enough on the edge to give Robert Saleh a fierce defense?
The Titans did the smart thing and signed Jeffery Simmons to another extension, three more years for $105.8 million, keeping him with the team through the 2030 season. Simmons and John Franklin-Myers could be the most disruptive interior pair in the NFL this season. Alontae Taylor and Cor’Dale Flott solidify the corner spot. There’s excitement about second-year safety Kevin Winston Jr., and young linebackers Cedric Gray and Anthony Hill Jr. But if last year’s second-round pick and this year’s second first-round pick — Femi Oladejo and Keldric Faulk, respectively — don’t bring heat off the edge, there’s a built-in limitation to the entire operation. Jermaine Johnson II can only do so much. Oladejo and Faulk will be two of the Titans’ biggest individual stories to track in training camp. — Joe Rexrode
Washington Commanders
Did they give QB Jayden Daniels enough help on offense?
After finishing last season 5-12, the Commanders prioritized rebuilding the defense and creating a more “balanced” offense. They overhauled the systems on both sides of the ball, added speed and youth across the roster and spent more than $421 million in total contract value this offseason. But after OTAs and minicamp, the team still clearly lacks a true No. 2 receiver behind Terry McLaurin, doesn’t have an obvious leader in the running backs room and has questionable depth at tight end — all issues that contributed to their fall last season. It’s possible the team will consider adding a wideout later in the offseason or even after training camp, especially if a certain disgruntled 49er gets released. It’s also possible the Commanders find success with a running backs-by-committee approach, and develop their young tight ends behind Chig Okonkwo into reliable pass catchers. But as of now, the team lacks a consistent playmaker alongside Daniels and its star receiver. — Nicki Jhabvala