The NFL season is almost here, and every division is gearing up for a close race to the playoffs. The NFC South came down to a three-team tiebreaker in 2025, but will the gap be that small once again? In this NFL Preview series, we’re asking one burning question for every team. Here’s the NFC South.
In the 2025 NFL Draft, the Saints selected Louisville quarterback Tyler Shough 40th overall. After seven weeks on the bench, he finally got his shot in Week 8, and he didn’t disappoint.
Shough started nine games and appeared in 11. In that span, he threw for 2,384 yards, 10 touchdowns, and six interceptions. He showed the Saints enough that they committed to building around him.
New Orleans signed running back Travis Etienne this offseason and drafted Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson eighth overall. Shough now has a strong backfield duo of Etienne and Kamara, as well as Chris Olave and Tyson catching passes.
Shough will turn 27 years old less than a month into his second season. He’s about as pro-ready as a quarterback can be. “Who Dat” nation will be watching closely for him to take a major step in his second year.
The Buccaneers’ collapse in 2025 was difficult to watch. Baker Mayfield was a serious option for the NFL MVP award, but it quickly fell apart. After a 6-2 start, the team finished the year with an 8-9 record. Injuries derailed them, but now they’ve lost the poster boy of consistency.
Mike Evans has spent his entire 12-year career with the Buccaneers. The wide receiver had 11 consecutive 1,000-yard seasons before injuries caught up to him. In 2025, he only appeared in eight games due to a strained hamstring and a fractured clavicle.
Evans signed with the San Francisco 49ers this offseason, leaving the Bucs’ receiving room to Chris Godwin, Emeka Egbuka, and Jalen McMillan. The first of those will now take over as the veteran leader.
The Bucs have already seen life without Evans in 2025. They also, however, only had Godwin for nine games last year. The duo of Egbuka and McMillan will play larger roles in 2026. The entire offensive game plan may change without number 13 out there.
Panthers fans have been waiting patiently for their former first-overall Draft pick to finally become their franchise QB. Bryce Young’s development has been slow and steady, but it’s finally on the upswing.
Young ended his third season with career highs in pass yards (3,011), touchdowns (23), and completion percentage (63.6%). A large part of that is thanks to the Offensive Rookie of the Year, Tetairoa McMillan.
The Panthers made great defensive moves in free agency, signing linebackers Jaelan Phillips and Devin Lloyd. They also drafted offensive tackle Monroe Freeling and wide receiver Chris Brazzell to strengthen the offense.
Everything Carolina has done to this point is for Young’s development. Their 8-9 record was the franchise’s best since the 2017 season. Young’s fourth season will be extremely important, especially with contract negotiations right around the corner.
The Falcons hit the pause button on QB Michael Penix Jr. this offseason by signing former Miami Dolphin, Tua Tagovailoa. Under their new head coach, Kevin Stefanski, the starter under center is now one big question mark.
Penix is coming off his fifth season-ending injury, dating back to his college career. He’s suffered three ACL tears, two in his right knee, and the most recent in his left.
Tagovailoa’s contract is still largely being paid by the Dolphins. They’re shelling out $52.7 million this year, and the Falcons only have to pay him a $1.215 veteran’s minimum. He’s an insurance policy, and one that could take the starting job.
Neither Penix nor Tagovailoa has had stellar careers to this point. The former has only started 12 career games in two years, and the latter was unceremoniously released by the team that drafted him. Neither is overly inspiring, leaving the possibility of a tank-year wide open.
It may be disappointing to see a division led by three teams with only eight wins apiece. The bright side is that it’s still completely up for grabs. With nobody holding the crown hostage, the NFC South will be the definition of “frisky and fun” in 2026.
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