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The AFC South champion Jacksonville Jaguars are receiving precious little attention this offseason, even after their upstart takeover in Liam Coen’s first season.

Given their relatively quiet offseason, the Jags are counting on evolution within their roster in Year 2 under Coen, including an improved Trevor Lawrence, a healthy Travis Hunter, a more productive defense and a more efficient offense. Despite 13 wins, Coen knows his club has room to improve, and they’ve shown that with a commitment during offseason workouts.

“This team understands that there was meat left on the bone, I think,” Coen said Monday. “And the way they’ve attacked this offseason, I think, is representative of that hunger and wanting to try to put ourselves in the best position to go earn those [opportunities] next year.”

The Jags came on strong down the stretch, winning their final eight games to swipe the division, but came up shy against Josh Allen and the Bills in the Wild Card Round. Of course, four of those final eight games came against clubs that finished with three or fewer victories, and two others were over the floundering Colts. The positive: double-digit victories over the Chargers and Broncos.

Coen’s offense found a groove, and the play-caller proved he has staying power after a short stint in Tampa Bay vaulted him to Jacksonville. However, Coen knows that to stay atop the division is easier said than done. Far more teams are flashes in the pan than consistent winners.

“Establishing is definitely a little easier [in Year 1] because (players) are very ready to hear something different,” Coen noted. “When you have lost or are coming off a tough year, they’re eager, their eyes are bright, they want to hear what you’ve got to say because like, ‘Hey, man. This is what we got, this is where we have to go.’ That was probably a little easier than sustaining it.”

Dealing with a first-place schedule will make it even more difficult for the Jags to repeat as division champions.

The Cincinnati Bengals held their ground while the rest of the AFC North was in upheaval this offseason. The Bengals kept coach Zac Taylor and director of player personnel Duke Tobin despite calls for a franchise reset following a six-win season and third straight campaign missing the playoffs.

Executive vice president Katie Blackburn told several local reporters on Monday that the club opted to allow the brass to right the ship.

“We think they deserve another opportunity to prove that we can do what we hope we can do,” Blackburn said, via Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic.

Generally, three straight playoff-less seasons with a player of Joe Burrow’s caliber under center lead to change — heck, Sean McDermott lost his job in Buffalo because he couldn’t get over the playoff hump despite seven straight postseason appearances.

Blackburn stopped short of making any ultimatums entering 2026.

“We obviously are hoping to have a successful season this year,” Blackburn said. “I know [Taylor and Tobin] want to do that as much as I want to do that. I can’t predict anything into the future, but we’re certainly counting on, right now, having a good season and going from there.”

The Bengals have a history of being patient, particularly with their coaching staff. Marvin Lewis, Taylor’s predecessor, was given 16 years after digging the Bengals out of the cellar despite never winning a playoff game (0-7). Taylor has two years left on his contract.

“Both Zac and Duke are experienced guys with proven success and really good people,” Blackburn said. “We feel good about them for a lot of reasons. I think there’s also that element of consistency that hopefully will prove out to be beneficial, too. I think those are the things that we would rather try to take advantage of and build on rather than having to regroup and figure things out a little bit from scratch.”

The Bengals have acted as a team that knows it must win now — highlighted by trading the No. 10 overall pick to New York for veteran Dexter Lawrence in April. The club hopes the continuity surrounding Burrow and Co. will be to their advantage as the rest of the division breaks in first-year coaches.

Another year, another injury derailed J.K. Dobbins in 2025.

The Denver Broncos running back was off to a sensational start, generating 772 yards and four touchdowns in 10 games before a foot injury put him on the shelf. After re-signing in Denver this offseason, Dobbins is out to prove last year’s start was an accident.

“What I’m going to show is that last year wasn’t a fluke. Like, instead of being No. 3 in the NFL, I’ll be No. 1 this year. And there won’t be any injuries,” Dobbins said, via Luca Evans of The Denver Post.

Technically, Dobbins was fifth in the NFL when injury struck, but the point still remains. There are zero questions about the slashing runner’s ability when he’s on the field. He has averaged 5.2 yards per carry in his career, knows how to utilize blockers well, and has the speed to turn a short gain into a chunk. However, he hasn’t been able to stay healthy since suffering a gruesome preseason knee injury with the Ravens in 2021, which forced him to miss the entire season.

Dobbins finally found some continuity in 2024 with the Chargers, but again missed four games deep into the season. Then last year, he couldn’t finish on the field. As Bill Parcells was fond of saying, sometimes a player’s greatest ability is being available. Dobbins is still fighting that battle into Year 7.

The Broncos’ ground game struggled to consistently churn out yards after Dobbins went down. RJ Harvey splashed some big moments, but overall, the rushing attack lacked sans Dobbins. In the first 10 weeks, the Broncos generated 230 rush yards over expected and -0.01 expected points added per carry, per Next Gen Stats. From Weeks 11-18, after Dobbins went down, those figures fell to -124 RYOE and -0.08 EPA/C.

Bringing back Dobbins gives the backfield some stability, with Harvey, fourth-round pick Jonah Coleman and pass catcher Jaleel McLaughlin rounding out the top of the corps.

“We’re excited about where it’s going,” Broncos coach Sean Payton said last week of the rushing attack. “And certainly, we understand how important it is, not only for the team but for our defensive success and time of possession, and all of those things that play a complementary role in playing good defense.”

According to Evans, Harvey underwent offseason shoulder surgery after suffering a torn labrum in the AFC Championship Game. Harvey has participated in some offseason work but has not taken part in team drills.

Chatter around Aaron Donald’s potential return has swirled in football circles ever since the Los Angeles Rams traded for two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett. The idea of Donald and Garrett lined up on the same defensive front has to be a scary thought for opposing offenses, but it also must be salivating for fans of the game and Rams head coach Sean McVay.

“Here’s what I would tell you guys overall, too: Aaron is a guy that I stay really close in touch with, and I know the respect that he has for Myles,” McVay said earlier this month when asked about the possibility of Donald returning. “Talked to him about the opportunity to bring him on board. If Aaron decides he wants to dust ’em off at the age of 35, I bet you he can still do it at a pretty high clip.”

This got us thinking of the many star players and legends, like Donald, who have stepped away from the game after storied NFL careers, and who we’d like to see return to the gridiron. So we asked the question:

Which former NFL player would you want to return to action and which team would he play for?

PICK: Tom Brady to Las Vegas Raiders

If Philip Rivers can come back to play after spending four years out of the league, surely Brady can do the same after retiring three years ago, even if he is four years older than Rivers.

First off, I don’t doubt Brady would do a respectable job this season as a 49-year-old, which is mind-boggling. I mean, the guy was the MVP runner-up at 44. Second, what better way for the Raiders minority owner to show No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza the ropes than as his teammate? Yes, I know league rules stipulate Brady would have to divest his ownership stake in the team before he returned, and the chances of that happening are slim to none, but a guy can dream, right? So, out of the way, Kirk Cousins. Let the G.O.A.T. do his thing.

PICK: Andrew Luck to New York Jets

The first pick of the 2012 draft unceremoniously stepped away from the NFL during the 2019 preseason but has stayed around the game. Currently the general manager of Stanford football, Luck is just 36 years old, younger than three starting QBs in the NFL in 2026 (Aaron Rodgers, Matthew Stafford, Kirk Cousins). Luck is set up pretty nice now that he’s no longer getting walloped by pass rushers, but if he ever wished to live to his generational potential, there’s still time. Though his old gig is currently occupied by Danny Dimes, Luck can reunite with former Colts boss Frank Reich in New York as a Geno Smith escape hatch and potential bridge.

PICK: Randy Moss to Kansas City Chiefs

He’s already come out of retirement once, albeit 14 years ago. But the 49-year-old Hall of Fame receiver, now cancer-free, said it himself during a March appearance on the “New Heights” podcast: “I really believe the way they changed the rules of the game that I could really still go out there and give a team close to double-digit touchdowns.” 

OK, Randy! No need to tell me twice. I’d also guess there isn’t a team on Earth that would walk away from 10 scores, and as much as I’d like to see The Freak play opposite Justin Jefferson in Minnesota, Patrick Mahomes desperately needs some help in Kansas City. Just picture Moss mossing defenders in the end zone to help elevate the Chiefs’ once-dominant passing attack. Plus, anyone tied to Mahomes has a legitimate chance at a ring — the only thing missing from Moss’ résumé.

PICK: Von Miller to Denver Broncos

I know everyone (except offensive linemen) is pining for an Aaron Donald comeback, but what about Von Miller? He seems willing to give it another run and could be a fine pass-rush specialist for the Broncos, or any other team in need of a little third-down juice — even at age 37. After all, he had nine sacks last season. With 3.5 more sacks he’d surpass Michael Strahan for No. 6 on the all-time list. I’d love to see him continue his climb up the board.

PICK: Adam Thielen to Baltimore Ravens

Despite a storied, 12-year NFL career that included two Pro Bowl selections and an appearance in the 2017 NFC Championship Game, Thielen never made it to the Super Bowl. He turns 36 in August, but I think he has a few crucial catches left in the tank. I’m sending him to the Ravens, where Lamar Jackson and Co. always seem one receiver short and where Thielen has great odds at a meaningful playoff run.

Dallas Cowboys receiver George Pickens reported for mandatory minicamp on Tuesday and told reporters that he does not plan to hold out for a long-term contract, adding that he will arrive for training camp in July on schedule.

Pickens previously had not attended the voluntary portion of the Cowboys’ offseason workout program, saying that he sat out those sessions at the behest of his agent, per The Athletic.

Pickens, however, said on Tuesday that he was not disappointed by the lack of a long-term deal after receiving the franchise tag this offseason.

“What’s important to me is winning,” Pickens said. “Like I said from the beginning, I always wanna bring a Super Bowl to a group of guys that never had that feeling. That’s really the most important part to me.”

Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer said earlier Tuesday that Pickens would go through walkthrough and individual drills but won’t take part in team drills, as a precaution.

“Really great visits with George,” Schottenheimer said. “Fired up to have him back, he’s fired up to be here. He’ll do all the mock, he’ll do all the individual, and we’ll just keep him out of team, just let him watch. He’ll be coach Pickens today during the team period.”

The coach added that Pickens should be full-go by the time the Cowboys get to training camp in Oxnard, California, in late July.

The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pickens this offseason, but said they had no plans to extend the wideout long-term after just one year in Dallas. Pickens skipped voluntary workouts, but after signing his franchise tender, reported for mandatory minicamp to avoid fines. Schotty said he had zero doubts Pickens would report.

“No. I know how he feels about this team, this locker room, what we’re building here. So I’m not surprised to see him, and I’m thrilled he’s here,” the coach said.

Schottenheimer added that quarterback Dak Prescott will also be limited in practice on Tuesday due to a sore knee but noted it’s not a lingering issue.

“Nothing we’re concerned about,” the Cowboys coach said, “but we’re just going to be smart heading into these last couple of days.”

Cameron Jordan and the New Orleans Saints are reuniting.

Jordan, who turns 37 years old in July, signed a one-year contract to return to New Orleans for a 16th season, the team announced Tuesday. NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that Jordan’s deal is incentive-laden.

Jordan announced his return for “one final season” in a social media post before speaking to reporters at a press conference.

“We’re gonna take everything the way we want to. Year 16, how many more years you want me to play?” Jordan said Tuesday. “I definitely am going to take to this like every game is my last to ever play.

“I’ma treat it like it’s final season with intention because I believe between God and my wife that’s the only two people that can get me back through.”

The eight-time Pro Bowler had a resurgent season for the Saints and first-year head coach Kellen Moore in 2025, racking up 10.5 sacks — his first double-digit sack season since 2021 — and two forced fumbles.

Jordan surpassed Rickey Jackson last season for the top spot for sacks in franchise history with 132, which also ranks 17th on the all-time NFL list, dating back to 1982. With 6.5 or more sacks this season, Jordan would enter the top 10 in career sacks.

Jordan’s future has remained cloudy for months. He let it be known in March, following the initial wave of free agency, that he was not happy with the altered deal on which he played in 2025. The Saints didn’t draft an edge rusher but did trade for former first-rounder Tyree Wilson and signed free agent Anfernee Jennings.

Still, Jordan saw a path back to the Saints this spring, even after those veteran additions, saying, “The landscape is clearing up.”

On Tuesday, the Saints and Jordan seem to have bridged the financial gap to make his return possible. Other Saints mainstays such as Alvin Kamara and Taysom Hill remain in limbo.

But there’s excitement brewing in New Orleans after the Saints won four straight games last December and played far more consistent football after the bye week. Jordan’s return isn’t likely to tamp down that enthusiasm, especially with the Saints defense playing its best down the stretch, too.

In the run-up to the IFAF Flag Football World Championships, slated for August 13-16 in Düsseldorf, the NFL has donated flag football kit to Düsseldorf’s Jan-Wellem-Schule.

The NFL flag football kits will enable Düsseldorf schools to participate in the increasingly popular sport of flag football, which will make its debut at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

At the event, Alexander Steinforth, General Manager of NFL DACH, symbolically presented an NFL flag football kit to Jörg Heinold, principal of the Jan-Wellem Special Education School. Burkhard Hintzsche, City Director of the state capital Düsseldorf, provided the school with tickets to the IFAF Flag Football World Championships as part of the event.

All 142 public schools in Düsseldorf will receive a free NFL flag football kit—each kit contains two footballs and 12 flag belts. The schools receiving the equipment will also be invited to a flag football teacher workshop taking place on June 24 in Düsseldorf.

All 107 public kindergartens in Düsseldorf will also receive PeeWee footballs to get children excited about sports and active play.

“By providing NFL flag football kits, we want to give more children and young people the opportunity to try out flag football and learn more about it. Flag football is growing in Germany, but also worldwide. We look forward to experiencing top-class football in Düsseldorf this summer, where the NFL’s German headquarters are located,” said Steinforth.

“Flag football is quickly approaching an inflection point globally,” said Brian Flinn, NFL Senior Vice President, Global Flag Football. “To help ensure the sport’s long-term sustainability, the NFL is committed to strengthening its infrastructure at every level, including accessible, inclusive, and scalable grassroots pathways worldwide that provide clear entry points for youth to participate and enjoy the game.”

“Flag football is steadily gaining popularity at the local level as well as in a global context. When the IFAF World Flag 26 takes place in Düsseldorf this August, our city will become the global center of this sport. Given its continuous development, the next generation is, of course, also of great importance. That is why we welcome the NFL’s initiative with the flag kits, which will allow even more children and young people to be introduced to flag football in a playful way,” said Burkhard Hintzsche, City Director of the state capital Düsseldorf.

About the IFAF World Flag 26 in Düsseldorf

IFAF World Flag 26 will take place from August 13–16, 2026, at the flag football complex in Düsseldorf-Garath. The event will feature 16 women’s and 16 men’s national teams from 19 nations across five continents, competing for the world championship title as well as two coveted qualifying spots for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. This makes the World Championship the first direct Olympic qualifying tournament in the history of flag football.

The event is organized by the International Federation of American Football (IFAF) and hosted locally by D.SPORTS, with support from the National Football League (NFL). It represents the highest level of international flag football competition.

Over four days, the tournament will bring together elite athletes, fans, and representatives from the worlds of sports, media, and business from around the globe, transforming Düsseldorf into a global hub for flag football.

As a festival of sports and entertainment, the World Championship offers free admission for spectators on the first three days of competition and discounted tickets on the final day. In this way, the IFAF World Flag 26 combines world-class sports with an open fan experience for a broad audience.

Further information on the IFAF World Flag 26 and ticket details can be found here:

Groups Announced For 2026 IFAF World Flag in Düsseldorf | International Federation of American Football

Bo Nix is so confident in his surgically repaired ankle that he joked he might be even better than before.

“They say it’s back healthy as good as new, and I hadn’t really been like that in a couple years,” Nix said with a smirk on Tuesday, “so, my concern is I may move around a little bit better.”

The Denver Broncos quarterback spoke with the media at the start of his team’s mandatory minicamp about his road to recovery from the injury he suffered late in the Broncos’ Divisional Round playoff victory over the Bills in January, which knocked him out of an AFC Championship Game loss to the Patriots at home.

Nix’s belief? All the concern over his ankle is highly overblown.

“It’s a broken bone, for crying out loud,” he said, per DNVR Sports.

But even with Nix’s confident outlook on his fractured right ankle, it hasn’t been a perfectly smooth road to this point. He indicated he had some swelling because of bone spurs, per The Denver Post, but because Nix was head of his rehab to that point, he opted to have a cleanup on the ankle with a recent procedure following his late January surgery.

Nix was cleared for limited action in Monday’s practice at mandatory minicamp, and Broncos head coach Sean Payton said Nix would be good to go well in advance of training camp in July. Nix echoed that confidence for camp and said there’s nothing stopping his return now.

“I could be full go right now if they wanted me to,” Nix said, per the Post.

Expectations are high entering Nix’s third NFL season, especially after Denver added Jaylen Waddle to an already talented group of pass catchers. Also armed with a strong offensive line and a first-rate defense, the Broncos figure to be among the top few favorites in the AFC.

Nix believes the injury will be behind him and is setting his goals high this season accordingly.

“Just like each and every year, I want a great completion percentage, put the ball in play and have very few turnovers,” Nix said. “But at the end of the day, you can ask every quarterback that question, they want to win the Super Bowl and MVP. So that’s going to be my goal now each and every year.”