NFL Week 1 latest intel, buzz questions, news, fantasy tips

As we hit Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season, league insiders Jeremy Fowler and Dan Graziano have been making calls to sources around the league for the latest news and notable buzz.

What should we expect from Patrick Mahomes and other players returning from significant injuries in the early parts of the season? Which teams might be flying under the radar and could surprise? Where are the most interesting and uncertain quarterback situations around the NFL? And for all those fantasy football managers out there, which players might come out of nowhere in Week 1?

It's all here, as Jeremy and Dan answer big questions and empty their reporting notebooks with everything they are hearing heading into the 2026 campaign.

Jump to:
Injury comebacks | Playoff sleepers
QB situations to watch | Breakouts
More notes, intel entering Week 1

Which player returning from a significant injury is best set up for a strong comeback?

Graziano: Let's start with the biggest name: Mahomes. He tore his ACL late enough last season that many wondered if he'd play at all in the early part of the 2026 season. But it was clear early in camp that he attacked his rehab and would be ready to go in Week 1. We should see him Monday night against the Broncos, and though the injury to left tackle Josh Simmons does give me a little pause, I think there's reason to believe the Chiefs' offense will be better around Mahomes.

They replaced Matt Nagy with Eric Bieniemy at offensive coordinator, which doesn't seem like a big change given Bieniemy's history there, but they also changed out several other offensive assistants. And they are counting on a fully healthy Xavier Worthy, a (hopefully) fully healthy and engaged Rashee Rice and newly signed running back Kenneth Walker III to make them more explosive. I have the Chiefs bouncing back and reclaiming the AFC West title.

Fowler: What helps Mahomes is a supporting cast that seems improved, especially if rookies Emmett Johnson and Cyrus Allen ascend, but Simmons' injury also gives me pause. But Mahomes is well-positioned to win Comeback Player of the Year. He hears the noise, the hint of doubt about his place in the QB pantheon for the first time in his career. I expect him to respond accordingly -- with a big season.

But he isn't the only QB on the comeback trail. Jayden Daniels can reclaim his place as a premier quarterback, and there's considerable hype in league circles that Daniels will get back on track and be a problem for the rest of the NFC East. Kyler Murray has everything he needs in Minnesota to succeed if he can maximize Kevin O'Connell's offense.

Graziano: I believe Daniels is a fantastic player and will play well as long as he's healthy. I have significant concerns about the group around him, particularly his offensive line, capping his (and the team's) performance ceiling this season. Hopefully for their sake I'm wrong.

Some guys who I think are good enough to win Comeback Player of the Year if they come back healthy and play are:

• Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers if he helps to elevate Jaxson Dart and the Giants to playoff contender status

• Packers edge rusher Micah Parsons if Green Bay makes a second-half defensive turnaround and a playoff run once he returns

• Jaguars receiver/cornerback Travis Hunter if he plays like a lockdown corner and catches, say, three touchdown passes on offense. The Jags playing well again also would help.

Fowler: Parsons could provide a timely October lift for the Packers to contend. And the way Jacksonville plans to use Hunter -- as a primary zone corner and a "package" receiver -- will showcase his splash-play ability.

And let's not forget about 35-year-old Aaron Donald. No, he's not returning from an injury, but he is unretiring -- and he will be a major force if he can get to 80% of his previous play. Interior rushers have proved they can play well into their mid-30s (see Cameron Heyward and Calais Campbell). The sheer talent around Donald should free up rushing lanes and one-on-one opportunities. Still, the ramp-up will take some time. The Rams are sitting him this week, and returning after two-plus years out of football is no small feat. Part of the Rams' plan will be to keep Donald fresh for December and January snaps. That's the right strategy -- even if that sacrifices early-season sack numbers.

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What does Aaron Donald being inactive mean for 49ers-Rams?

Based on your preseason conversations, which team could be a real playoff sleeper?

Fowler: Sleepers are harder to find because of the league's deep parity, but let's go with the Giants, who won only four games last season. An NFL truism remains that you win with line play, and the Giants have that. They finally found an offensive line combination that works, resulting in a top-five rushing offense last season. The defensive line is well-stocked, even without defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence II. Dart is widely viewed as a quarterback with an upward trajectory. Add the John Harbaugh confidence boost and Nabers' imminent return, and New York might have something. So, give me the Giants as a sneaky NFC playoff team.

Graziano: The people I talk to seem to agree with you somewhat on the Giants. Those who buy into Dart as a real NFL starting QB point out how good they look up front on defense and that the offense has plenty to work with if Nabers is truly healthy. Those who doubt Dart are obviously more hesitant to back the Giants as sleepers.

But, in general, I agree with you in that it's tough to find many true "sleepers" -- as in, teams most people don't think will be good but could end up being good. I keep talking myself into the Jets having a passable offense and maybe even a good one, but I don't expect them to contend with Buffalo and New England in the AFC East. I do think we will be talking about them as a potentially good spot for a rookie QB to land next spring.

I'm going to stretch the definition a bit: I think people are sleeping on just how good the Jaguars can be. Jacksonville was 13-4 last season, won nine of its final 10 regular-season games and ended up winning the AFC South. It seems as if a lot of people have already conceded that division to the Texans, but it wouldn't surprise me to see Jacksonville build on last season's progress under Liam Coen, repeat as division champs and make a playoff run.

Fowler: The Jaguars are deep and will be able to move the ball. Their three-man receiving corps is among the league's best. The offensive line faces questions -- it's lacking ideal size and has had some injuries. But Coen made it work with that group last season and should again.

Your point on the Jets is a fair one -- I was there for camp and the roster is better. But the Jets haven't won eight or more games since 2015, so it's tough to bank on them until they show it. But here's a snoozefest of a sleeper, if we're going that deep: the Browns.

I'm not declaring that Cleveland will make the playoffs just yet, but there's legitimate talent on both sides of the ball. The defense has a chance to be stout. Resources were spent to replenish the line. The offense is well-stocked with intriguing young talent. If Deshaun Watson's play graduates from poor to passable, Cleveland might be in decent shape in Todd Monken's first season.

Graziano: If Watson had played passably in 2022, 2023 or 2024, Monken probably wouldn't be there, because Kevin Stefanski probably would have kept his job. We haven't seen Watson play well since 2020, so I'm going to have to see a lot of success from Watson/Cleveland before I believe it.

I also need to point out that while many seem to see the NFC West as a two-team race (or even a one-team race!), the 49ers should be a threat to win that division if they can keep everyone healthy (I know, I know). They were still in the hunt for the division title and the NFC's No. 1 seed in Week 18 last season despite their injury issues. If San Francisco starts the season by beating the Rams in Australia, we have to take its chances seriously.

Which quarterback situation is going to be most interesting over the first month of the season?

Graziano: This is tough, because while the Atlanta and Cleveland situations carry the most intrigue and potential for early-season change, I'm not eager to watch either one. So, I'll go with the Raiders. How long can they keep No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza on the bench? They say they want to keep him there until he's ready and they're able to put him in the best possible position to succeed. But while Kirk Cousins is an experienced veteran and knows the offense, his lack of mobility is a concern -- especially behind a questionable offensive line. Early losses and lackluster offensive performance could make folks in Vegas restless. We almost always see teams play first-round quarterbacks before they say they want to. How long before the Raiders change course and decide to play the kid?

Fowler: The Raiders can follow the 2024 Patriots' script, when Jacoby Brissett was the stopgap option to Drake Maye. Brissett lasted about a month with a 1-4 record before Maye took over. Winning probably will determine how long Cousins stays in the lineup, as it usually does. The Raiders are playing this right, knowing Mendoza will provide a locker room spark whenever he earns the job. The play-QBs-from-the-start loyalists won't like it, but it's OK to sit a quarterback who's probably not ready. Maybe Cousins, winner of his last four starts in Atlanta last season, and the Raiders catch fire.

The situation that intrigues me most involves Houston's C.J. Stroud. From all I've gathered, he's prepared to play out the fourth year of his rookie deal, knowing the QB market will balloon in 2027. Perhaps Houston changes that over the next four days with an aggressive contract pursuit. Either way, there's a lot on the line for Stroud, whose team is a legitimate Super Bowl contender. But he needs to overcome his struggles from the postseason.

Graziano: I love the Stroud-betting-on-himself storyline and I kind of feel like he's going to make good on it. The Texans could be one of the more dangerous teams in the league if he does.

I don't think Jalen Hurts is in danger of losing his job this season, but I'm extremely interested to see how he looks early in Philadelphia's new offense. Are there massive growing pains as the Eagles get used to Sean Mannion's scheme? Does Mannion's inexperience create issues? It's a sneaky-big year for Hurts in Philly, and he has to show he can handle it and thrive amid all the change on offense if he wants to secure his long-term future there. I expect the offense to improve as the season progresses, but this first month will determine how far they have to go.

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Field Yates’ Week 1 fantasy reservations for Jalen Hurts

Fowler: That's why I expect the Eagles to lean into the run game early. Saquon Barkley breaking off those 20-plus-yard runs in 2024 opened the field for Hurts, and the Eagles have the offensive line to make that happen again.

Arizona's quarterback situation is underplayed, possibly because of the Cardinals' perceived noncontender status and Carson Beck being a third-round pick. But they absolutely have enough talent to move the ball, and Brissett averaged 280.5 passing yards per start over 12 games last season. If Brissett plays well but the Cardinals struggle to win, he could be a trade candidate at midseason. That opens a path for Arizona to see what it has in Beck, who acquitted himself well in the preseason, before considering their 2027 draft options.

Call your shot: Who is going to come out of nowhere in Week 1 and make an impact all season?

Fowler: Let's start with Dolphins rookie receiver Caleb Douglas. The transitional nature of Miami's roster and lack of receiver depth are two big reasons, but Douglas has been highly impressive behind the scenes since being drafted in the third round. They also selected Chris Bell, a first-round talent whose profile suffered because of a torn ACL, in Round 3. Both will be factors for Miami's offense, which could be better than people think. The Dolphins have the offensive line talent to run the ball with star running back De'Von Achane. The team says it hopes that opens the passing game for its young receivers.

Graziano: We have heard a lot of exciting things out of Broncos camp about second-year wide receiver Pat Bryant, Denver's third-round pick in 2025. The headline move of the Broncos' offseason was the trade for Jaylen Waddle, and Courtland Sutton is still there and will surely be a factor. But the universal and specific praise about how Bryant has advanced ahead of Year 2 makes me wonder if he might force his way into a bigger role than expected. Kansas City has put together a new secondary, and the Broncos could have success throwing the ball Monday night. Don't be shocked if Bryant is a part of that success.

Fowler: The Bears have been very excited about sixth-round defensive tackle Jordan van den Berg since the predraft process, as if he were their secret player that the rest of the league hadn't yet discovered. Expect him to affect Chicago's defensive front. Some others:

• Rookie Buccaneers receiver Ted Hurst III will be hard to keep off the field if he can refine his route running.

• Watch for Byron Young and Ty Robinson become the next young Eagles defensive linemen to surprise people.

• The Bills have big plans for second-year nose tackle Deone Walker, who could become a young leader for a defensive front that needs it.

Graziano: I have a few quick hitters of my own. The Commanders have been big on third-round rookie receiver Antonio Williams this summer, especially in the slot. Though Stefon Diggs' signing makes it less urgent for Williams contribute as a rookie, he still could find an early role.

The Falcons have their own exciting third-round receiver in Zachariah Branch, who could carve out a specific role as a gadget player and run-after-catch guy, especially on Tua Tagovailoa dink-and-dunk passes. Branch could make an impact as a return specialist at minimum.

Moving to defense, I have an eye on Buccaneers edge rusher David Walker, who was a fourth-round pick in 2025 but sat out his rookie season after tearing an ACL early in training camp last year. He's back and had a strong camp, which puts him in a rotational pass rusher role behind Yaya Diaby and first-round rookie Rueben Bain Jr.

What else are you hearing this week?

Fowler's notes:

• The 49ers enter Thursday's game against the Rams as one of the league's oldest teams, as eight of their 11 offensive starters are at least 30 years old. But quarterback Brock Purdy says his teammates have shown no signs of slowing, and urgency permeates the building. "There's this thing here where we're all together, we have another opportunity to go swing for the fences together," Purdy told me in the preseason. "That's what we're going to do. I still think we've got plenty of juice, guys playing their best ball still. ... We've got to stay healthy and put a good season together." Purdy is coming off one of his best camps. Not only is he throwing the ball well, but he also worked on his agility this offseason to capitalize on rushing opportunities. Rookie wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling should inject some much-needed youth to the 49ers' attack. Purdy raves about Stribling's veteran-like tendencies to attack the ball and always be in the right spot. The 49ers' window might be closing soon, but Purdy says this team can capitalize on it now.

• The Cowboys are hoping to unlock more versatility in George Pickens, a traditional outside receiver who is entering a key career stretch while on the franchise tag. Head coach Brian Schottenheimer told me he plans to tweak the Dallas offense about 15% to 25% from last season to keep sophisticated defenses guessing. Part of that equation is moving Pickens around. "He can play multiple spots," Schottenheimer said. "I know in Pittsburgh he got frustrated a little bit because he was always in one spot. He was always the X. We move him around a bunch. But the sky is the limit for GP." Pickens has been seemingly unfazed by any frustrations associated with the franchise tag, which will pay him $27.3 million, well below market for a receiver of his caliber. He could be facing another tag (around $32.8 million) in 2027. For now, Pickens and the Cowboys are in a good place -- and Schottenheimer plans to maximize Pickens' enormous skill set.

• Speaking of Dallas' offense, having guard T.J. Bass in the rotation is a timely benefit because of star Tyler Smith's move to injured reserve. The Cowboys received trade inquiries for Bass during the offseason and at roster cut-downs but told teams he was off limits. That decision paid off. Now, he steps into a starter's role for the short term.

• Puka Nacua enters a crucial fourth season. He faces a lawsuit for allegedly biting a woman on New Year's Eve, a case the league is reviewing under the personal conduct policy. He's in a contract year and hopes of staying in Los Angeles long term. "I feel very confident. I couldn't see myself anywhere [else]," Nacua told me recently. "This is where I've been and I enjoy this environment. And from what I've heard from the players who have come other places, we're lucky to be here." The Rams' splash moves for Trent McDuffie, Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald effectively meant they wouldn't allocate big money for young stars eligible for extensions. That includes Nacua, defensive tackle Kobie Turner, edge rusher Byron Young and center Steve Avila. Los Angeles can sign them any time before free agency in March, but deals before Week 1 are unlikely. Nacua's off-field problems probably played a role in the contract delays. But it's hard to believe he isn't part of the long-term plans, especially if he puts together a banner season and moves past the turmoil. Nacua called being back at training camp with the Rams "a large exhale." He also plans to maintain his physical style of play as a receiver who can play on the outside but loves the action in the slot. "You run across that middle. It's just like the way the game of football is supposed to be played," he said. "If you're there, that's where all the bodies are going to end up being."

• This summer has featured complete market resets at cornerback and defensive tackle, and tight end could be next. It's the only offensive or defensive position without a player making $20 million or more per season, but the Packers' Tucker Kraft is hoping to change that. He remains in discussions about a new contract, but it has been a bit of a standoff so far. Green Bay hopes to get something done by the end of Week 1, so perhaps urgency prevails here. If Kraft can get a deal above that $20 million threshold, that sets the stage for Detroit's Sam LaPorta. The Lions have interest in extending him, but his situation might carry into the season.

Graziano's notes:

• The Buccaneers engaged with Baker Mayfield's agent again Friday to see if they could rekindle the contract extension talks that fizzled right before training camp. Bucs GM Jason Licht, assistant GM Mike Greenberg and Director of Football Research Jackie Davidson worked through the weekend with agent Tom Mills to get the deal done. Both sides were happy once they settled on a three-year term (on top of the one year he already had left) with $110 million in new guarantees, with the deal getting done Tuesday. Mayfield is now signed through 2029 in Tampa Bay.

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How Baker Mayfield, Bucs eventually reached contract agreement

• The sense I get out of Las Vegas is that the Raiders feel running back Ashton Jeanty will be healthy enough to play in the opener, a couple of weeks after the ankle injury that panicked the internet before it was known what it was. The team was never concerned that it was a serious issue. That said, the Raiders do love rookie running back Mike Washington Jr., and he could get more reps than expected in Week 1 because Jeanty sat out so much practice time. Another thing to be on the lookout for with the Raiders this season is formations with both Jeanty and Washington on the field at the same time, as well as formations with tight ends Brock Bowers and Michael Mayer simultaneously on the field. The Raiders say running back and tight end are strengths of their roster, and they probably will lean into their strengths as much as possible while they wait for one of their wide receivers to emerge.

• I also feel like Nabers is looking likely to suit up for the Giants against the Cowboys on Sunday night. There was a lot of pessimism about that happening during the early and middle parts of the offseason as he seemed to be struggling in his recovery from last season's knee injury. But Giants coaches and trainers were pleasantly surprised when they got to training camp in late July and Nabers' recovery had made significant progress since the June minicamp. He didn't have to start camp on the physically unable to perform list, which surprised people inside and outside the building, and he has been out of the noncontact practice jersey for a while now. Will he be full-speed, full-strength Nabers right away? At any point this season? All remains to be seen. But it sounds as if we're going to start finding out much earlier than we might have expected.

• So much focus this offseason was on the Vikings' quarterback situation that one of their big offensive changes might have gone unnoticed -- nationally at least. They hired former Dolphins offensive coordinator Frank Smith as assistant head coach with the intention of making major changes to their run game. Expect the Vikings to implement more wide-zone concepts this season as they work to make their running game a more reliable and integral part of their offense. "Great football mind, and he's helping me understand the game on an even deeper level," Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. said when I asked about Smith. "He's very detail-oriented and good at breaking it down so all 11 know what we're trying to accomplish on the play." People I talked to with the Vikings seemed to feel like the new system would be a particular benefit to Jordan Mason, so it's possible he emerges as the lead back. But Jones is still playing well, and Minnesota has been impressed with sixth-round rookie back Demond Claiborne. So if you're looking for a super-deep sleeper in your fantasy leagues ...