# 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:** 3
**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 20, 2026, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/41 "2026-02-20T00:46:36Z")
A little more on the Bears’ stadium news: they had been in the midst of negotiations with Illinois over taxes and infrastructure, and had, in fact, had a long meeting with state officials just yesterday. It sounds like Indiana threw a bigger deal at the team, and the Bears then lied to Illinois legislators about why they wanted to delay further discussion on a piece of legislation, as well as telling Illinois, later today, that their announced “agreement” with Indiana was not as final as their statement this morning indicated. Really really classy. 😛 From an update to the above [WGN link](https://wgntv.com/northwest-indiana/indiana-lawmakers-to-meet-thursday-morning-to-review-proposal-for-bears-to-build-new-stadium-in-northwest-indiana/) I had shared earlier: > [@](#): > > Meanwhile, in Illinois, the state’s Revenue and Finance Committee had been scheduled to look at a bill Thursday that would freeze the Bears’ property tax assessment in Arlington Heights for up to 40 years and provide more than $850 million in infrastructure support. > > But that meeting was cancelled. > > At an unrelated event later Thursday, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker addressed the latest developments coming out of Indiana, saying the news “was a surprise to us.” > > Pritzker said the committee meeting among Illinois lawmakers that was scheduled for Thursday came after “more than three hours of discussions with the Bears” on Wednesday, which the governor called “very positive.” But then he said the Bears cancelled the meeting. > > “(We) mostly agreed on a bill that would move forward (Thursday) morning,” Pritzker said. “But they asked us not to move forward with it this morning, because they said they wanted to tweak a couple of items in the bill, which were things we were working with them on. > > “… Now they’re saying to us that that statement (about Hammond) is not some confirmation that they’re moving to Indiana, but rather that Indiana had asked them to say that they’re going to move forward with the negotiations. But I have to say, it’s very disappointing to hear that they would put that statement out but not say anything about the advancement that’s been made in the State of Illinois. We’re waiting to hear from the Bears what they’d like to do next.” ---
**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 24, 2026, 6:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/42 "2026-02-24T18:28:04Z")
The Combine is this week in Indianapolis; today and tomorrow feature media availability for coaches and GMs. Several news items from today: - Raiders GM John Spytek says that he “expects” that edge rusher Maxx Crosby – the subject of many trade rumors – will be a Raider in 2026, but that the team will always be willing to listen to trade offers, including for Crosby, and their first-overall pick in the draft. - As has been widely expected, Falcons QB Kirk Cousins will be released on March 11, which is the first day of the “league year.” - The Ravens are working on a contract extension/restructuring for QB Lamar Jackson, and a new deal for pending free-agent C Tyler Linderbaum. They are hoping to get a restructured deal for Jackson prior to March 11, as his current contract cap number for 2026 is $74.5 million. - Eagles coach Nick Sirianni indicates that there is “mutual interest” in WR A.J. Brown returning for 2026, but on the heels of Brown’s open frustration with the offense last year, the Eagles are not yet committing to keeping him. > **[Raiders GM says he expects Maxx Crosby to stay despite trade rumors](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48023153/raiders-gm-says-expects-maxx-crosby-stay-trade-rumors)** > > Raiders GM John Spytek said he expects star defensive end Maxx Crosby to play for the team in 2026 amid trade speculation. > **[Falcons GM informed QB Cousins he'll be released March 11](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48022693/falcons-gm-informed-qb-cousins-released-march-11)** > > New Falcons GM Ian Cunningham has informed QB Kirk Cousins that the team will release him March 11, the first day of the league year, Cunningham said Tuesday on 92.9 The Game. > **[Ravens confident about contract extension for Lamar Jackson](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48023358/ravens-confident-contract-extension-lamar-jackson)** > > Ravens GM Eric DeCosta said he's confident about a contract extension for QB Lamar Jackson while the team has made a "market-setting" proposal to Tyler Linderbaum. > **[Sirianni 'can't guarantee' A.J. Brown back with Eagles in '26](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48020922/sirianni-guarantee-aj-brown-back-eagles-26)** > > Philadelphia Eagles coach Nick Sirianni says there is mutual interest between the team and wide receiver A.J. Brown, but doesn't commit to him playing this year. ---
**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 24, 2026, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/43 "2026-02-24T22:55:30Z")
Am I the only person who gets excited around this time… The combine, the draft, offseason trades… It’s a time when every fan can dream that their team might be the best team in the NFL next year. Even garbage teams can have miraculous turnarounds with enough luck and the right moves. (Except the Jets.) ---
**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 26, 2026, 12:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/44 "2026-02-26T00:55:19Z")
I know the Combine is often silly and that a lot of really bad takes are born here, but I don’t care. I like it. And every so often I see a player and the eye test is just overwhelming. I remember watching Aaron Donald and spending the entire offseason pounding the table for the Bears to draft him. ---
**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 27, 2026, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/45 "2026-02-27T20:33:49Z")
The NFL salary cap for 2026 will be $301.2 million, an increase of $22 million over last year, as revenues continue to rise. The cap has gone up by 40% over the last five years alone, after a brief dip in 2021 (due to lower revenues from empty stadiums during the COVID year of 2020). > **[NFL salary cap hits milestone at $301.2 million for 2026](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48055711/nfl-salary-cap-hits-new-milestone-3012-million-2026)** > > The NFL salary cap has topped $300 million for the first time in league history, landing at $301.2 million for 2026. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/46 "2026-02-27T21:21:23Z")
Players (1,759 responded) grade their teams on things like the facilities, the coaches, and how good the team is to their families. This wasn’t supposed to be leaked. It was. The Miami Dolphins ranked first. > [@](#): > > ## **Miami Dolphins** > > **Treatment of Families** : B+ > **Home Game Field** : A- > **Food/Dining Area** : A > **Nutritionist/Dietician** : A- > **Locker Room** : A- > **Training Room** : A > **Training Staff** : A > **Weight Room** : A+ > **Strength Coaches** : A+ > **Position Coaches** : A- > **Offensive Coordinator** : A- > **Defensive Coordinator** : A > **Special Teams Coordinator** : B > **Team Travel** : A > **Head Coach** : B > **General Manager** : A- > **Team Ownership** : A > **Overall Rank** : 1 The Steelers ranked last. > [@](#): > > ## **Pittsburgh Steelers** > > **Treatment of Families** : F > **Home Game Field** : F- > **Food/Dining Area** : B- > **Nutritionist/Dietician** : B > **Locker Room** : F- > **Training Room** : C > **Training Staff** : B+ > **Weight Room** : B > **Strength Coaches** : B- > **Position Coaches** : B > **Offensive Coordinator** : B+ > **Defensive Coordinator** : C > **Special Teams Coordinator** : A- > **Team Travel** : F > **Head Coach** : A > **General Manager** : C+ > **Team Ownership** : D- > **Overall Rank** : 32 > **[NFLPA 2026 report cards: See the results for all 32 teams](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47987931/nfl-2026-report-cards-nflpa-32-teams)** > > See the results of the NFL Players Association's 2026 report cards for all 32 teams. ---
**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 27, 2026, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/47 "2026-02-27T21:31:08Z")
Seahawks were great, 4th overall, everything in the As except for two B+ rankings. And one F. “Home Game Field” What is up with that?! ---
**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 27, 2026, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/48 "2026-02-27T21:32:13Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > “Home Game Field” I’m going to guess that’s about the field (playing surface) itself, and its condition, not the stadium. ---
**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 27, 2026, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/49 "2026-02-27T21:33:30Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > I’m going to guess that’s about the field (playing surface) itself, and its condition, not the stadium. Yeah, I guess they switched to artificial turf last year and they HATED it. > **[Lumen Field playing surface receives F grade from players | HeraldNet.com](https://www.heraldnet.com/2026/02/27/lumen-field-playing-surface-receives-f-grade-from-players/)** > > Seahawks receive mostly high marks, but turf fields receive growing criticism league-wide. > The only other time Lumen Field has featured real grass for an extended period of time was last summer, for the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup matches in Seattle. The pitch for that at Lumen Field last June and July was a temporary hybrid-grass pitch of ryegrass and bluegrass. Then the Seahawks went back to playing on the artificial turf for their 2025 Super Bowl championship season. And the players hated it. Again. So I guess it’s the fact that they briefly had grass, and loved it, and it went away that pissed them off. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 10:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/50 "2026-02-27T22:03:39Z")
It looks like the top 10 are 1. Miami 2. Minnesota 3. Washington 4. Seattle 5. Jacksonville 6. Las Vegas 7. Houston 8. Atlanta 9. Detroit 10. Denver ---
**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 27, 2026, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/51 "2026-02-27T22:14:29Z")
It’s interesting that those reports got leaked. The league just [won a grievance against the NFLPA](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/47920248/nfl-wins-grievance-nflpa-regarding-report-cards), preventing them from publishing the reports. Guess that didn’t work! 🤣 I wonder how hard the NFL will try to find the leaker. They must be pissed. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [February 27, 2026, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/52 "2026-02-27T22:54:10Z")
The report get sent to literally every NFL player. Probably harder to find out who _didn’t_ leak it. ---
**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 27, 2026, 11:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/53 "2026-02-27T23:45:41Z")
Where did the Browns rank? ---
**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 28, 2026, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/54 "2026-02-28T00:52:51Z")
> [@SuntanLotion](#): > > Where did the Browns rank #30 overall. **Treatment of Families** : D- **Home Game Field** : B- **Food/Dining Area** : D+ **Nutritionist/Dietician** : C+ **Locker Room** : F **Training Room** : C **Training Staff** : C+ **Weight Room** : B+ **Strength Coaches** : B+ **Position Coaches** : B- **Offensive Coordinator** : D+ **Defensive Coordinator** : A- **Special Teams Coordinator** : D **Team Travel** : D- **Head Coach** : C- **General Manager** : C **Team Ownership** : C **Overall Rank** : 30 ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 1:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/55 "2026-02-28T01:03:28Z")
Do players vote for all teams or only their own? And if the Brown’s team ownership gets a C and Jets get a B, while the Steelers get a D- and the Cardinals get an F? What the hell are they grading on? ---
**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 28, 2026, 1:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/56 "2026-02-28T01:11:38Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Do players vote for all teams or only their own? Only their own team, AIUI, except maybe for the ratings for things like the playing field. > [@TroutMan](#): > > And if the Brown’s team ownership gets a C and Jets get a B, while the Steelers get a D- and the Cardinals get an F? What the hell are they grading on? [This other article on the survey results](https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/48045244/source-dolphins-rank-first-steelers-worst-nflpa-survey) says this about the Steelers, which suggests to me (as a market researcher) that the survey contains “open-ended” questions for the players to explain their ratings (which weren’t generally released). > [@](#): > > “[Steelers owner] Art Rooney ranks last in the league for willingness to invest in facilities, a trend reflected in the Steelers’ poor facility ratings across the board,” according to the survey. > > In a new category added this year, the Steelers had the lowest-rated home field in the league “by a wide margin.” > > “Players cite inadequate maintenance and excessive wear from hosting local college and high school games,” according to the survey. “Players across the league note the poor condition of the field and emphasize the need for investment to bring it up to standard.” > > The Steelers’ locker room was graded an F. Players reported that it “has only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.” ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 2:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/57 "2026-02-28T02:51:52Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > Do players vote for all teams or only their own? The impression that I get is it is a sort of workplace survey. So they asked players about the teams they were on. Things like, “how well does the team handle travel? How’s the weight room? What about the food they serve in training camp?” In other words, from a player standpoint, how desirable is it to play for that team? I’s interesting to me that it doesn’t correlate with team performance: Besides Miami at #1, players rate the Raiders #6. But, per the players who played for Las Vegas, they have an A+ weight room, and they get an A for their food, nutritionist, and treatment of families, among others. It would seem to be an attractive landing spot for a free agent. (They’re obviously changing their coaching staff, which accounts for their bad scores) > [@](#): > > Las Vegas Raiders > > Treatment of Families: A > Home Game Field: A- > Food/Dining Area: A > Nutritionist/Dietician: A > Locker Room: A > Training Room: A > Training Staff: A > Weight Room: A+ > Strength Coaches: A > Position Coaches: C+ > Offensive Coordinator: F > Defensive Coordinator: C > Special Teams Coordinator: C- > Team Travel: B > Head Coach: C+ > General Manager: A- > Team Ownership: A > Overall Rank: 6 ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/58 "2026-02-28T02:54:15Z")
It’s a brand new facility. The honeymoon is still on. The harsh reality that the Raiders are the Raiders no matter where you plant them hasn’t rubbed off the new-stadium smell. ---
**Author:** ![Moriarty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moriarty/32/49_2.png) [@Moriarty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Moriarty)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2026, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/59 "2026-02-28T03:00:22Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > The harsh reality that the Raiders are the Raiders no matter where you plant them hasn’t rubbed off the new-stadium smell. The players seem to like the front office. I’m laughing about the F at Offensive Coordinator. Chip Kelly was pretty notably a disaster at that role. > [@](#): > > NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported this past week [published November 29, 2025] on The Rich Eisen Show that Kelly sometimes botched his own play calls and, on several occasions, called plays that weren’t in the game plan. > **[Raiders' decision to fire OC Chip Kelly underscored lack of cohesion in...](https://www.nfl.com/news/raiders-decision-to-fire-oc-chip-kelly-underscored-lack-of-cohesion-in-building-under-hc-pete-carroll)** > > Pete Carroll's first season as head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders reached a low point last week after the firing of offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, a move that highlights the lack of cohesion in the coaching offices, NFL Network Insider Ian... ---
**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 28, 2026, 10:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644/60 "2026-02-28T10:25:43Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > > The Steelers’ locker room was graded an F. Players reported that it “has only five bathroom stalls for the entire team.” One for each starter on the O-line I suppose. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-2026-offseason-thread/1027644.md?page=4)