Time is winding down to the start of the 2026 NFL season. This is the perfect time for speculation and planting your flag in your bold predictions. Before the action begins, let’s make a few more NFL bold predictions, one more time.
The Ravens moved on from Super Bowl champion head coach John Harbaugh after 18 seasons. They hired former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter as his replacement. With a highly touted DC taking over, why would Baltimore miss the playoffs?
Baltimore lost several key players during free agency. Center Tyler Linderbaum, tight end Isaiah Likely, linebacker Kyle Van Noy, fullback Patrick Ricard, and punter Jordan Stout all departed for new homes.
Lamar Jackson is a tremendous quarterback, with two MVP awards to prove it. In 2025, he only started 13 games due to nagging injuries, and his production reflected that. He threw for 2,549 yards and 21 touchdowns, his lowest in each category since 2022, when he started 12 games.
The last obstacle for Baltimore is the field around them. The Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Houston Texans, and Jacksonville Jaguars all made the playoffs last year, and will likely repeat that.
The AFC West has three potential playoff contenders, along with the New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts vying for a spot. A new coach and a roster exodus may put Baltimore behind the eight ball. They went 8-9 last year. While another losing record is unlikely, I don’t see them exceeding 10 wins, and that won’t be enough in this iteration of the AFC.
Germie Bernard was drafted 47th overall by the Steelers in 2026. The Alabama receiver brings a ton of versatility, and he’ll make a splash in Aaron Rodgers’ final season.
Bernard finished 2025 with career highs in receptions (64), receiving yards (862), and touchdowns (seven). He can line up anywhere on the field, and he can get open quickly. In an offense with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr., he brings something different.
At 6’1” and 206 pounds, Bernard runs a 4.48-second 40-yard dash, and he can play out of the backfield. He’s something of a Swiss Army knife, one that Rodgers will be happy to target.
The Steelers are in “win-now” mode, and Mike McCarthy’s offense will bring everything it has. Bernard could see a stat line in the range of 50 catches, 600 yards, and six touchdowns. In an offense that saw only one receiver break 600 yards last year, a WR3 with that kind of production would excite fans in the Steel City.
This one may not be so bold considering recent history. Notre Dame’s head coach, Marcus Freeman, was frequently mentioned in the 2026 coaching cycle. In the four full seasons he’s coached, the Fightin’ Irish have a 43-12 record.
Freeman led Notre Dame to the National Championship in 2024, where they lost to Ohio State. They had a 10-2 record in 2025 and controversially missed the playoffs. He expressed his frustration over the result, which led to speculation that he would jump ship.
Freeman instead signed an extension through 2031. While he seems to have no intention of leaving, the right opening could entice any coach.
The Cincinnati Bengals and the Washington Commanders’ respective head coaches could be on the hot seat this year. The allure of coaching Jayden Daniels or Joe Burrow could be enough to bring Freeman to the pro level. NFL teams are always looking for fresh, exciting faces on the sideline, and the Notre Dame coach seems to be at the top of that list.
The Raiders already tried to trade Maxx Crosby once. The deal was to send him to the Ravens in exchange for two first-round draft picks. Baltimore backed out due to him failing a physical for his surgically repaired knee.
It seems Crosby is happy to return to Vegas, especially after the plethora of moves the team made. They signed Linderbaum, linebackers Quay Walker and Nakobe Dean, and defensive end Kwity Paye. To top it all off, they drafted Heisman-winning QB Fernando Mendoza first overall.
Vegas’ rebuild is far from over, and they’re still holding out hope for a strong season. Crosby will produce strong numbers, and if the season seems lost by the deadline, he’ll be a “sell-high” move.
The fall of Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft was unprecedented. He was a projected top five pick during the season prior, but fell to the fifth round. The Cleveland Browns, after already drafting Dillon Gabriel in the third round, took the Colorado QB 144th overall.
Sanders’ career to this point has been less than stellar. He spent nine games on the bench before finally getting the starting job. In Cleveland’s final eight games, he threw for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and 10 interceptions.
The Browns have built a sneakily strong young core. Tight end Harold Fannin Jr., running back Quinshon Judkins, and rookie wide receivers Denzel Boston and KC Concepcion are an exciting group.
With the addition of first-round offensive tackle Spencer Fano, Cleveland is making smart moves. They hired former Ravens OC Todd Monken as their head coach. He reportedly wanted Sanders in Baltimore in 2025. An upgraded supporting cast is exactly why the QB will take a step forward.
Sanders will end the year as Cleveland’s QB1, and he’ll finally show why he was a projected first-rounder. With Lamar Jackson’s former OC and an impressive group of young weapons, his numbers will improve. Whether that translates to wins is another story.
Whether it’s a standout performance or a complete turnaround, the NFL is full of surprises. Don’t overlook any player or any team. Even the boldest of predictions can come true in this league.
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