# NFL 2026 Offseason Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [February 13, 2026, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644 "2026-02-13T18:22:52Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/21 "2026-02-17T17:55:56Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > You mean the Titans. Yes, sorry, typo. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/22 "2026-02-17T17:55:57Z")
> [@Great\_Antibob](#): > > That didn’t really have the intended effect, UH still used it last season, and Rice (usually dark blue) wore the colors for a game last season as well. So basically, it was a variation of the Streisand Effect. > [@ShadowFacts](#): > > Yes, sorry, typo. I thought you failed to remember the Titans. 😜 ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [February 17, 2026, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/23 "2026-02-17T17:57:50Z")
Booooooooo. (Actually, that was great, well done). ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/24 "2026-02-18T01:13:26Z")
I mean, since they’re named the Patriots, shouldn’t they be “America’s Team”! 😄 ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/25 "2026-02-18T01:18:05Z")
I’m not going there. 😞 ---
**Author:** ![fedman1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e495f1/32.png) [@fedman1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fedman1)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/26 "2026-02-18T01:20:57Z")
I see your team is going through the usual Super Bowl winners staff poaching ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 1:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/27 "2026-02-18T01:22:16Z")
Yeah, lost our OC and our passing game coach, so we’re stealing to fill those. 😃 It’s the Post-Super Bowl Shuffle. ---
**Author:** ![ShadowFacts](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/shadowfacts/32/2934_2.png) [@ShadowFacts](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShadowFacts)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/28 "2026-02-18T21:13:33Z")
Circling back to this delightful article from Seahawks Wire (reported by @Atamasama) that Robert Kraft was secretly circulating fake rumors that the Allen estate would be selling the Seahawks after the Super Bowl in a psy-ops style cheating scandal (!!). Because the Patriots are HUGE CHEATERS! > [@NFL Playoff Thread 2026](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-playoff-thread-2026/1026372/552): > > Theory now is that the Seahawks sale rumor source was Robert Kraft, trying to cheat again and give his team an edge in the Super Bowl by stirring up drama and doubt. I don’t know if I believe that, it seems clumsy to me. Today, the Allen estate began selling the team: > **[Seahawks for sale: Paul Allen's estate to begin selling process weeks after...](https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/seattle-seahawks-for-sale-paul-allen-super-bowl/)** > > The estate is also in the process of selling the NBA's Portland Trail Blazers No word yet on if Kraft has begun sabotaging the sale… ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/29 "2026-02-18T21:47:41Z")
> [@ShadowFacts](#): > > No word yet on if Kraft has begun sabotaging the sale… I’m sure a fake mustache is involved. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/30 "2026-02-18T21:56:32Z")
Yesterday, the Bears announced that they are raising their season ticket prices by 13.5% for 2026, on top of a 10% increase last year, and an 8% increase two years ago. Team president Kevin Warren announced it this way: > [@](#): > > “Through detailed analysis and market research, we will implement an average increase of 13.5 percent on our season ticket packages for 2026” Something tells me that “detailed analysis and market research” means “other teams continue to jack up prices, too, and we want to take advantage of our fans being excited by a playoff team, by squeezing them for more money.” I’m slagging on the Bears here, but rapidly-rising ticket prices are endemic across the league, and sports in general. [https://wgntv.com/sports/bears-announce-highest-season-ticket-price-increase-in-last-3-years/](https://wgntv.com/sports/bears-announce-highest-season-ticket-price-increase-in-last-3-years/) ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/31 "2026-02-18T21:57:57Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > My WAG: the Titans discovered that their throwback/alternate uniforms and related merchandise which used the old Oilers’ color scheme sold really well, and decided to make the switch full-time. I kind of doubt that this is a data driven decision at all. One, every team is going to see some bump in sales when they trot out a good looking alternate, so I don’t think you can get any meaningful sales data comparing the entire year’s sales of the standard livery versus the short-term sales spike from a limited-edition throwback/alternate uniform design. Two, ownership doesn’t really have that way of doing things, they love to knee jerk everything. The baby blue looks good and looks more distinctive than the navy blue. Navy is an overused color and staking their claim to the baby blue palette is probably smart strategically. There have been a lot of calls for the Chargers to switch back to their baby blues as their standard design, the Titans squatting on it now will have a mild chilling effect on that change. But the big thing is that they are opening a new stadium in 2027, and in 2026 they will be outfitting the new stadium with tons of Titans branding. The franchise seems very interested in having a fresh start and they can’t practically wait to rebrand in 2027 as the designs will be visible. They are making the shift now in preparation for the 2027 move. > [@fedman1](#): > > I mean, since they’re named the Patriots, shouldn’t they be “America’s Team”! 😄 I’ve always had a minor quibble with the Patriots current design. Of all the teams they have the best claim to the Red, White and Blue color scheme and then choosing not to use the actual formal colors of the USA seemed like a bit of a whiff. I’m sure there was a cynical marketing reason where they wanted a brand color they could “own” per se, but the old Pat Patriot colors feel more natural for that team. Would be cool to see them go back to that full time sometime soon, even if the Pat Patriot logo isn’t retained as-is. Hopefully in 2027 we’ll get to finally see a Polar Bears alternate uni here in Chicago. I especially like that the Bears seem to be making the all-Navy shirts and pants combo their unofficial “playoff fit” as that’s my favorite combo. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/32 "2026-02-18T22:04:54Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I kind of doubt that this is a data driven decision at all. Thanks for that context. That, in combo with @Great_Antibob ‘s note about the Titans’ owner’s possessive feelings about the powder-blue-and-red Oilers scheme, makes sense. > [@Omniscient](#): > > I especially like that the Bears seem to be making the all-Navy shirts and pants combo their unofficial “playoff fit” as that’s my favorite combo. They do look sharp in that scheme. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 10:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/33 "2026-02-18T22:40:20Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I’m sure there was a cynical marketing reason where they wanted a brand color they could “own” per se, but the old Pat Patriot colors feel more natural for that team. It’s still better than the weird “storm blue” uniforms. [![](https://i.redd.it/storm-blue-these-are-amazing-in-my-opinion-whats-everyone-v0-mt6gurm19slf1.jpg?width=1123&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acc01b34eaf322eb88440e1eee4602332f30ac1f) ](https://i.redd.it/storm-blue-these-are-amazing-in-my-opinion-whats-everyone-v0-mt6gurm19slf1.jpg?width=1123&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=acc01b34eaf322eb88440e1eee4602332f30ac1f) It vaguely reminds me of the ugly greyish blue uniforms that the Seahawks previously wore. [![](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2826422/photo/cardinals-v-seahawks.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=lkOtGF89ZbAYcNTuFVVlJZze6ijgw6KEttDUYVxITo4=) ](https://media.gettyimages.com/id/2826422/photo/cardinals-v-seahawks.jpg?s=1024x1024&w=gi&k=20&c=lkOtGF89ZbAYcNTuFVVlJZze6ijgw6KEttDUYVxITo4=) I vastly prefer the new Seahawk colors, or their original iconic colors. I think the modern day Patriot colors are fine (particularly the silver helmets with red facemasks). ---
**Author:** ![SuntanLotion](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/suntanlotion/32/16165_2.png) [@SuntanLotion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SuntanLotion)\ **Post date:** [February 18, 2026, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/34 "2026-02-18T23:57:27Z")
I honestly prefer the Ravens and Vikings colors. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/35 "2026-02-19T01:06:55Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > It’s still better than the weird “storm blue” uniforms. Weirdly enough, I really like that color. I don’t think the overall design works as well, it needs some contrast somewhere, but as an alternate I kind of dig it. It helps that I think it looks good as a casual shirt which isn’t the case for most jerseys. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/36 "2026-02-19T01:45:58Z")
Ah, the Reebok era (2002-2011). I liked it ok, but I like the current and the throwback better. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/37 "2026-02-19T01:47:30Z")
> [@Omniscient](#): > > I really like that color. I don’t think the overall design works as well, it needs some contrast somewhere I will concede that the shade of blue might look good with a different color combination. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/38 "2026-02-19T21:37:52Z")
This week, in Bears news: - Tuesday: “We’re raising season ticket prices by 13.5% for this year. Thank you for your support.” - Thursday: “Our ‘vision’ is building a new stadium in Hammond, Indiana.” The Bears seem to really not be good at messaging, and have been all over the board on what they plan to do with their stadium. In the last two years alone, their public statements have essentially been (in chronological order): - “We’re excited about building a new stadium complex in Arlington Heights!” - “We’re excited about working with the City of Chicago on a new stadium!” - “Our focus is back on Arlington Heights!” - “We are considering options in Northwest Indiana!” - “We’re very excited about Arlington Heights again!” - “We’re very excited about Hammond!” Granted, a lot of this is coming down to their dealings with various governmental and taxing bodies, and it’s pretty evident that they have been playing Chicago off of Arlington Heights, and Indiana off of Illinois, in hopes of getting tax breaks and infrastructure upgrades. Even so, if I were a Bears fan, I’d be getting very sick of the back-and-forth. [https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/indiana-lawmakers-to-meet-thursday-morning-to-review-proposal-for-bears-to-build-new-stadium-in-northwest-indiana/](https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/indiana-lawmakers-to-meet-thursday-morning-to-review-proposal-for-bears-to-build-new-stadium-in-northwest-indiana/) ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 11:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/39 "2026-02-19T23:39:07Z")
To be fair, the Gary Bears has a certain - _je ne sais quoi_ - to it. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 19, 2026, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/40 "2026-02-19T23:56:53Z")
Brian Fleury is officially the new OC in Seattle, and did his first press conference. > **[New Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury: Goal is 'to maintain' Klint...](https://www.nfl.com/news/new-seahawks-oc-brian-fleury-goal-is-to-maintain-klint-kubiak-s-offense)** > > New Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Brian Fleury told reporters that he's goal is "to maintain" former OC Klint Kubiak's offense heading into the 2026 NFL season. I guess after winning the Super Bowl, you don’t want to fix what isn’t broken. Mike Macdonald did say that he wanted continuity, which was why they interviewed so many people from within for that job, and even though they did an outside hire, they got someone with previous experience working under Shanahan much like Klint Kubiak did. > While much of Fleury’s answer leaned on typical platitudes, the intent is clear: Don’t mess up a good thing. Kubiak’s offense was undoubtedly good, ranking eighth in yards per game and passing yards per game, and finishing third in points scored per contest (28.4). Paired with an elite defense, the Seahawks’ offense outscored the team that ranked one spot ahead of them (New England at 28.8 points per game) in Super Bowl LX, burnishing Kubiak’s reputation as a brilliant coach with a bright future. It remains to be seen what personnel on the offense is still around next season. It’s one thing to have the goal to continue things as they were from before, it’s another to actually have the people to do it. Losing people is going to be inevitable after winning the Super Bowl. People see free agency, and see their value be higher than ever after getting a ring. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=3)