Top 5 Offseason Queries for NFC Teams This Fantasy Football Season

Introduction

The NFL offseason is a crucial time for fans and fantasy football enthusiasts alike. As teams reevaluate their rosters and strategies, the decisions made now can have a monumental impact on the upcoming season. In this article, I'll tackle the five most pressing questions around NFC teams as we gear up for the 2026 season.

1. Who Becomes Quarterback in Arizona?

First up, let's look at the Arizona Cardinals. Last season was turbulent, to say the least. With Kyler Murray's future uncertain, we are left wondering if he'll even don a Cardinals jersey in 2026. If he indeed departs, the team could turn to Jacoby Brissett as a stop-gap measure while drafting a rookie to develop. However, counting on a 33-year-old quarterback who has struggled in recent outings isn't just a gamble; it raises major red flags for fantasy managers.

Moreover, the lack of emerging talent among free agents leaves the Cardinals with limited options. If Brissett starts, expect a conservative approach, which will likely temper the fantasy outputs of Arizona's receiving corps. This is critical to consider when drafting your fantasy teams.

2. What Will Kevin Stefanski Do at QB in Atlanta?

Next, the Atlanta Falcons are faced with their own quarterback conundrum. With Kirk Cousins likely exiting and Michael Penix Jr. recovering from multiple injuries, the options for Stefanski are limited. The current talk is of leaning on veterans like Wilson, Flacco, or Wentz—all of whom inspire little confidence in their ability to lead effectively.

But wait, there's more! The Falcons traded away their first-round draft pick, significantly hindering their ability to bring in fresh talent. As a result, we may see more of the same shaky quarterback play from last season. This uncertainty also leaves stars like Bijan Robinson and Drake London in limbo regarding their fantasy potential.

3. Who Will Be the RB1 in Carolina?

The running back situation in Carolina is equally intriguing. Rico Dowdle had his moments but fizzled out toward the end of the previous season, while Chuba Hubbard underperformed significantly, ranking last among 49 running backs in yards after contact per attempt. Will Carolina re-sign Dowdle? Or will they lean on Hubbard, who still has a long-term contract?

The uncertainty riddled with injury risk serves as a reminder that fantasy managers need to tread carefully with this backfield. With each player potentially vying for snaps, it might be wiser to steer clear unless a definitive starter emerges before draft day.

4. How Will the 49ers Offense Shape Up for 2026?

As for the 49ers, Head Coach Kyle Shanahan always seems to extract maximum value from players, but how will the offensive landscape change? With key players like George Kittle recovering from injury and receivers potentially entering free agency, this presents an exciting but perilous landscape for fantasy draft considerations.

Brock Purdy's performance has been stellar, leading the league in catchable target rates in addition to impressive completion percentages. If Kittle and a new high-potential receiver can mesh well with Purdy, don't underestimate their value. Drafting late-season players from a Shanahan offense has proven fruitful historically.

5. Do the Giants, Commanders, or Saints Go WR in the Top 10?

Lastly, we have the intriguing possibility of receivers being drafted within the top 10 again. The Giants, Commanders, and Saints each have the potential to select a top WR. However, history demonstrates that very few rookie receivers drafted this high perform well in their inaugural seasons.

For instance, the Giants are mulling over Nabers, whose recovery has shown ambiguity. And for the Commanders, imagine a rookie WR alongside Terry McLaurin providing value during the later rounds of drafts. As for the Saints, Kellen Moore's offense has already seen success with existing players like Chris Olave. A new rookie WR could only elevate that offense further.

Conclusion

This offseason is shaping up to be crucial for NFC teams as they navigate quarterback dilemmas, explore draft strategies, and manage returning talent. As fantasy managers, we need to keep our ears to the ground and strategize carefully—because every decision made could have lasting implications for our fantasy seasons. Prepare wisely, because when game day comes, we want to make sure we're ready to take home that championship!