Season opener and Super Bowl 61
The 2026 NFL season begins on Wednesday night when the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots, with coverage starting at 1:20 AM UK time on Thursday. Super Bowl 61 will take place at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Sunday, February 14. The season spans 285 games across eight countries and four continents, culminating in the crowning of one champion.[S1]
Seven months after the Seahawks' Super Bowl 60 victory, the new campaign promises to be wide open. Sam Darnold's fairy-tale redemption, Aden Durde's historic achievement, and Mike Macdonald's defense were highlights of the previous season. Now, the road to Los Angeles begins anew, with no football-less Sundays until February.[S1]
Offseason headlines and major moves
The offseason was marked by significant player movements. Myles Garrett was traded from the Cleveland Browns to the Los Angeles Rams, with Jared Verse heading the other way. Garrett, who broke the single-season sack record, joins Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement, to form a formidable pass rush. The Rams, led by MVP Matthew Stafford, are now Super Bowl frontrunners.[S1]
Other notable moves include Odell Beckham Jr. re-signing with the New York Giants, Mike McCarthy becoming the Pittsburgh Steelers head coach, and Geno Smith returning to the New York Jets. The Browns named Deshaun Watson as their starting quarterback, a decision that has drawn criticism. Off-field stories included Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift's wedding officiated by Adam Sandler, and various legal issues involving NFL figures.[S1]
Coaching changes and new contracts
Ten new head coaches took the reins, including Joe Brady with the Buffalo Bills and Jesse Minter with the Baltimore Ravens. John Harbaugh, after 18 seasons in Baltimore, joined the New York Giants. Klint Kubiak, who orchestrated Seattle's Super Bowl-winning offense, became the Las Vegas Raiders' head coach. These changes reflect the shifting dynamics in the AFC, with Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs' dominance influencing many decisions.[S1]
Several players signed record-breaking contracts, making them the highest-paid at their positions. Will Anderson Jr. became the highest-paid non-quarterback ever with an average annual salary of $50 million. Jalen Carter, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Devon Witherspoon also secured historic deals. The Raiders' first-round pick, Fernando Mendoza, will back up Kirk Cousins in his rookie season.[S1]
