Mark Andrews ralks 2026 NFL season and importance of eye exams
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews previews the 2026 season while discussing DME awareness, regular eye exams, and his partnership with Genentech as a paid spokesperson
The vibe check.
It’s something that can’t be defined, only felt. In other areas of the world, we would call it a “State of the Union Address” or even the “stock market.” Those reveal different kinds of vibes, related to the direction of a country or the health of its economy.
When it comes to the NFL, vibes aren’t typically used as a unit of measurement. We look at things like free agency, draft class, coaching and the roster as a whole. It’s more analytical in nature, but that doesn’t always sell tickets, merchandise and hope.
The allure of sports, at least in the NFL, is that anyone can win on any given Sunday. Those on-field dynamics might not swing a team’s way, but the unspoken variables could make all the difference. As training camps near, it only makes sense to take the league’s temperature.
Here’s a vibe check for all 32 teams and where they land in the leaguewide rankings:
NFL vibe check rankings before 2026 season
32. Indianapolis Colts
You know that feeling when they get your order wrong at the restaurant? That’s how the Colts feel going into the season. No first-round pick, no big signings. All they got was extensions for Daniel Jones, coming off a torn Achilles, and Alec Pierce. Contending feels like a long way away.
31. Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins are throwing off some new house energy this offseason. They are building, but it’ll take a long time for this place to feel like a home. Next offseason can’t come soon enough for Miami.
30. Jacksonville Jaguars
There’s always one person in the group project that gets credit for doing nothing. The Jags are just the NFL version of that after a quiet offseason and now they won’t even get to see Travis Hunter primarily at receiver next season.
29. Pittsburgh Steelers
The Steelers hit their ceiling a long time ago and all it did was give them a headache. Pittsburgh’s streak of seasons with a winning record has trapped the team in a vicious cycle of trying to win when it’s time to let go. This year, the Steelers are throwing a retirement party for Aaron Rodgers and inviting all of his friends. Get your wild-card round tickets now.
28. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Mike Evans? Gone. Lavonte David? Retired. It feels like a sinking ship and we don’t know if the life vests are on board. The NFC South is trending up while the Bucs fade. This team could use a hero and some new energy after finishing off a miserable 2025.
27. Arizona Cardinals
Mike LaFleur and Jeremiyah Love are flying this team out of the deep, dark depths. The Cards are still a year away from a new quarterback, which limits the vibes for this season.
26. Detroit Lions
The window is closing rapidly and “Unc” status is within reach. Detroit better hope it nailed the offensive coordinator hire.
25. Houston Texans
The Texans should have good vibes. Instead, Houston is plagued by this weird in-between feeling that contributes to a sense of impending doom brought on by C.J. Stroud’s struggles last season.
24. Atlanta Falcons
Imagine you’re stuck in the famous Atlanta traffic. Brutal, right? On the bright side, the A/C is chilly, the radio is blasting and there’s some daylight up ahead. You’ll suffer in the short-term, but at least the car has plenty of cool features. The Falcons might have it all. They just need a new driver and he’ll be arriving next offseason. Until then, enjoy the six or seven wins.
23. Carolina Panthers
Much like its vinegar-based barbecue sauce, Carolina is simply just another version of its Texas counterparts in Houston. The Panthers invested in the defense, but will they be held back by a shaky quarterback situation? Carolina heads into the season knowing its ceiling is capped and that’s tough to get excited about.
22. Green Bay Packers
The Packers aren’t known for making a lot of noise in the offseason, but this one feels exceptionally quiet after the Micah Parsons’ blockbuster last year. Green Bay’s history, tradition and overall small-town love of football lifts the vibes for a team that doesn’t look all that different from the one that keeps falling short in the playoffs.
21. Cleveland Browns
Wins will be in short supply again this season in Cleveland. However, fans can look to a new coaching staff for some optimism and an infusion of some young talent this offseason.
20. Chicago Bears
The Bears are no longer the hunters. Opponents know what they’re up against and that will leave some wondering if the Bears peaked in 2025. It sounds crazy, but the same was true of the Lions after 2023 and look at where they are now. Ben Johnson’s second season gives fans a reason for hope, however.
19. Philadelphia Eagles
A.J. Brown is gone, but so is Kevin Patullo. Losing a star hurts; however, a new one could emerge in Makai Lemon. Either way, there is a cautious optimism in Philadelphia even if it’s not enough to land in the top half of the league.
18. Kansas City Chiefs
Travis Kelce is back. Patrick Mahomes is healthy. It’ll take a little more to turn things around even if the team is trending in the right direction again, but there is reason to believe as long as No. 15 is suiting up.
17. Washington Commanders
Washington dipped into the fountain of youth this offseason – at least on the football field. The Commanders realized that it was time for change and things weren’t getting any better by relying on veterans at the end of their careers. That type of awareness should be commended as the Commanders look to bounce back in 2026 with Jayden Daniels and new offensive coordinator David Blough.
16. New England Patriots
The A.J. Brown trade was great, but that doesn’t rid the organization of the Mike Vrabel-sized weight hanging over the team. This tug-of-war lands the Patriots in the perfect spot – the middle.
15. San Francisco 49ers
Not even the famed electric substation could zap the good vibes out of the Niners right now. Mike Evans and a revamped receiver room should have San Francisco dreaming big again – even if the injury bug keeps lurking in the shadows.
14. Baltimore Ravens
Is Jesse Minter just John Harbaugh in a different font? Does it matter? The Ravens still have an MVP-level quarterback and now they have a new voice leading the way with a young offensive coordinator that comes from the Ben Johnson tree in Declan Doyle. Expectations might’ve lowered, but this team can still fly high.
13. New Orleans Saints
It feels like a higher power intervened in New Orleans. The Saints were stuck in the post-Drew Brees era, with no cap space or hope. Then Kellen Moore arrived. Then Tyler Shough arrived. Now the Saints have arrived. New Orleans swung for the fences with the Jordyn Tyson pick in the draft and this team can make some real noise this season. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
12. Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings broke up with Sam Darnold and watched him thrive with someone else. Bad vibes. The Vikings are instead in a new relationship with Kyler Murray, which appears to be an improvement over J.J. McCarthy. Minnesota will forever chase what it had with Darnold, but Murray gives the team some legitimate reasons to be optimistic.
11. Los Angeles Chargers
It’s clear that the Chargers are the Rams’ understudy in the City of Angels. Just don’t let that distract you from the positive vibes coming from the Bolts right now. Hiring Mike McDaniel ensures Justin Herbert and co. will feature an exciting, creative offense going forward. If they can remain healthy, this team should be a real threat.
10. Tennessee Titans
“NashVegas” might not have the casinos like “Sin City,” but the Titans are betting big going into the 2026 season. The checkbook was getting a workout as Tennessee went on a spending spree in free agency and also brought in a brand-new coaching staff. Time will tell if those moves work out, but we’d be buying some merch and some tickets to see this team before bringing down the curtain on the current Nissan Stadium.
9. Buffalo Bills
The Bills are throwing off some new-car energy after deciding that Sean McDermott took them as far as he could. Buffalo racked up the miles and experienced some memorable trips, but you’re not getting up the mountain without some all-wheel drive. The team hopes Joe Brady is the guy who starts spinning all four tires in the right direction when it counts in the postseason. If nothing else, there’s a new stadium to open and Josh Allen still plays for the team. There’s a lot to be happy about.
8. Denver Broncos
Expectations are a mile high for the Broncos, which is exactly where they should be. On the doorstep of a Super Bowl appearance last season, Denver saw its ride come to an end after Bo Nix’s unfortunate injury in the divisional round. An offseason trade for Jaylen Waddle should provide a spark for an offense that needed it and the defense promises to be dominant again. It’s now or never in Denver.
7. Cincinnati Bengals
As long as Joe Burrow remains employed by the Bengals, it will be hard for this team to drop too far in terms of vibes. Cincinnati feels like it is capable of winning every game he starts. Now the Bengals decided to invest in a defense to assist in those winning efforts. It seems safe to say that Dexter “Sexy Dexy” Lawrence might be a vibes guy. That trade changed everything for the Bengals – in a good way.
6. Dallas Cowboys
Star talent seems to find a way to the star. Caleb Downs is the latest prospect to fall to the Cowboys’ pick, half a decade after Micah Parsons fell to them. Of course, Parsons is no longer in Dallas, but it was that trade that has rebuilt the Cowboys defense. Fans of this team are never lacking confidence and team performance might just match that this season.
5. New York Jets
The New Jersey Turnpike often has a noticeable stench to it and it’s nothing you’ll find in candle form. Of course, that is thanks to the factories and marshes, even if the Jets and Giants are major contributors most seasons. This year might be different though. The green-and-white are no strangers to winning in the offseason – a strong draft and some popular veteran additions in the form of former Jets like Geno Smith and Demario Davis will do the trick in 2026. And with three first-round picks next offseason, hopes are high for Jets fans – maybe for good reason too.
4. Seattle Seahawks
The confetti is still falling, even if there are some reasons for concern after losing Klint Kubiak and Kenneth Walker III. Seattle is rightfully in a celebratory mood, tossing the Lombardi Trophy across the fish market like it was the catch of the day.
3. Los Angeles Rams
Walk down Rodeo Drive and you’ll see Chanel, Gucci, Louis Vuitton and…the Rams’ team store? Those jerseys are all the rage this offseason, bringing championship vibes to Southern California – as if the Dodgers didn’t bring enough of that already. Myles Garrett and Trent McDuffie were two of the biggest movers this offseason and both landed with the Rams. It’s Super Bowl or bust for the league’s new super team.
2. Las Vegas Raiders
If the Raiders were a person at the casino, management would be suspecting them of counting cards. It’s all coming up Vegas this offseason. No. 1 pick in the draft? Check. Hiring arguably the top head coaching candidate? Check. Anchor the offensive line with one of the league’s best? Absolutely. Getting a superstar back in a voided trade? Sure, why not? The Raiders have done nothing but win off-the-field since the Super Bowl. Now they’ll hope that translates to victories on it. Still, the vibes might be at an all-time high.
1. New York Giants
“Big Blue” is no longer feeling blue. Not after hiring John Harbaugh. Not after Jaxson Dart’s rookie season. No, there is legitimate optimism that hasn’t been present around these parts in a long time. And no, the Brian Daboll and Daniel Jones arranged marriage wasn’t one of those times for optimism. It goes back much further than that. The Giants are back on the NFL map. Fans just have to hope that this team, unlike Cam Skattebo, can stick the landing when the games begin.