The first NFL Sunday is less than 48 hours away, as we’ve already kicked off the 2026 season with two exceptional games: a Super Bowl LX rematch and a heavyweight fight in the NFC West.
Hard to believe it, but it’s finally here. The best sport in the world is back.
And with that comes bold, hot takes from the league’s biggest media heads to smaller content creators. Some are so far off that it’s laughable, while others will be running victory laps come January with their spot-on takes.
For myself, before I get into some bold predictions across the NFL, I’ll go through some of my correct takes from 2025 that I made on Fox Sports, The Gambler radio station, via iHeartRadio.
2025 Preseason Predictions
Caleb Williams enters top-10 conversations:
Heading into last season, there was a lot of speculation about whether Williams would live up to the No. 1 overall pick hype.
But I, for one, saw the big-playmaking ability, the arm talent and the ability to process the defense and make special things happen using his legs. It was a given he’d take a jump. Sooner or later, he will be regarded as an elite quarterback in the NFL.
Williams improved under Ben Johnson’s offensive scheme, throwing for nearly 4,000 yards, 27 scores and seven interceptions, while adding 388 yards on the ground and three touchdowns last year.
With a revamped offensive line and real weapons on the outside, Williams took a previous 5-12 team, where he took a league-high 68 sacks, to an 11-6 squad that made it to the NFC Divisional Round, losing in overtime, 20-17, to the Rams.
Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders take a step back:
Probably my most hated take on social media, I did my victory laps with this one.
Analysts predicted an MVP-caliber season from Daniels, taking them back to the NFC Championship. Comical.
2024 was a Cinderella run for a team that hit its stride at the perfect time, but in 2025, there were obvious, glaring issues why that wouldn’t happen again.
Daniels hit a sophomore slump as defenses had a year’s worth of film on his tendencies, the Commanders had the oldest roster in the league, and the overall roster talent simply was not up to par with other squads in the NFC.
I predicted they’d miss the playoffs, but 5-12 was a little eye-opening to the rise and fall in D.C.
J.J. McCarthy does not pan out:
The Michigan product was the most obvious first-round bust I’ve seen, and the fact that pro analysts/scouts thought otherwise is truly amazing.
Outside of playing under QB guru Kevin O’Connell, there wasn’t a shred of optimism that he’d be able to produce in the NFL.
In 10 games, McCarthy had just a 57.6% completion percentage with 11 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, six fumbles and a QBR of 35.6.
At the college level, the Wolverines won games by running the ball, complemented by a great defense on the other side.
So even then, there wasn’t enough production or enough eye-opening traits at the college level to justify the predictions that he’d become a quality QB.
Now, heading into this season, “Nine” is QB3 behind Kyler Murray and Carson Wentz.
Patriots being in the Wild Card mix:
Surprisingly, I undersold how much New England would change its fortune.
I loved the Mike Vrabel hire, and I was betting on a big improvement from Drake Maye. Additions such as Stefon Diggs, TreVeyon Henderson and Will Campbell were all parts of the puzzle to have a successful season.
The Patriots are heading back to being a team that others fear.
Dak Prescott has an MVP-esque season:
“What’s he smoking?” Well, apparently ball knowledge.
This offseason, I’m finally seeing the praise Prescott deserves as a top quarterback in the NFL.
When he is healthy, there is no denying what type of talent he is, unless bias comes into play.
He led one of the top offenses to 392 yards per game and 27 points per game, while throwing for over 4,500 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions.
One of the best in the league pre-snap, dissecting defenses at will, and overall, a guy you’d want leading your squad.
Like wine, he’s getting better with age.
P.S. He’ll be in MVP conversations again…
2026 Bold Takes
Cam Ward improves, Titans come alive:
Similar to how people across the league criticized Caleb Williams after his rookie season, the narrative is shifting for Cam Ward.
The cards did not fall in Ward’s favor in Year 1. Brian Callahan was fired after a 1-5 start, the defense ranked in the bottom third of the league, and the overall organization was dysfunctional following Mike Vrabel’s departure in 2023.
But with Robert Saleh at the helm, Brian Daboll as the OC and a brand-new, shiny weapon in Carnell Tate, improvement will follow.
Ward put up 3,169 yards, 15 touchdowns and seven interceptions, so it wasn’t a horrible season by any means, but the jury seems to already be out on the Miami product.
My prediction is that he throws for 3,500 yards and 25 touchdowns, leading the Titans to hover around a .500 record when it’s all said and done.
Saleh will improve the defense, anchored by Jeffrey Simmons, while Daboll polishes Ward’s mechanics, as the Titans steal a few wins inside the up-and-coming AFC South.
The arm strength, playmaking ability and overall leadership are all there for Ward. Expect a jump in 2026.
Houston Texans earn top seed:
The more time that has passed, the less of a bold take this is becoming.
There are no questions about how elite DeMeco Ryans’ defense has been and will continue to be. All three levels are scary when it comes to talent and production, from Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter to Azeez Al-Shaair to Derek Stingley Jr. and Jalen Pitre.
The unit allowed just 277 yards and 17 points per game, ranking in the top two across the NFL.
Many thought they’d make a run to the Super Bowl last season, but enter C.J. Stroud.
The Ohio State product melted against the Patriots in the Divisional Round, throwing four interceptions with a 28.0 passer rating.
Only losing 28-16, if it wasn’t for the monumental collapse, there was a great chance we would’ve seen the first-ever Texans Super Bowl appearance.
But I am confident the 24-year-old, who is in a contract year, bounces back and can game-manage well enough to let his defense win games without turning the ball over.
The addition of David Montgomery was a home run in my book, as was Kayshon Boutte, while I’m high on another exceptional season from Nico Collins.
This team is legit. The only questions hover around whether Stroud can get it done come playoff time.
Chicago Bears reach the NFC Championship:
Piggybacking off my confidence in Caleb Williams last year leads me to believe in what the Bears can do in 2026.
Probably my hottest take prior to kickoff, especially since a lot of others see the Bears possibly not even making the playoffs.
Currently, according to DraftKings Sportsbook, Chicago has the third-best odds to even win the NFC North at +305, behind the Lions (+175) and Packers (+240), then in front of the Vikings (+450).
Now, while they have the hardest strength of schedule during the regular season, I believe in what Ben Johnson is building in the Windy City.
Here’s why: The offensive line returns with another year of continuity, highlighted by Joe Thuney and Jonah Jackson. I’m very high on Kyle Monangai out of the backfield, and Luther Burden III and Colston Loveland should take another leap in Year 2.
Defensively, losing Kevin Byard hurts at safety, but the additions of LB Devin Bush, CB Coby Bryant (once off IR) and S Dillon Thieneman are enough for me to believe they’ll be able to compete in each game.
I could be well off on every prediction, but I’m excited to see what can come to reality in the coming months.
Let’s get NFL ball going!
For more NFL content, follow me on Twitter @MontaltoJared, on TikTok @JarSportsTakes, and on YouTube @PickSwapMedia.
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