The 2026 NFL season begins this week with several major storylines to follow, from the Los Angeles Rams’ bid to reach the Super Bowl at their home stadium to uncertainty surrounding veteran quarterbacks and the future of Travis Kelce.

Can the Rams reach the Super Bowl at home?

The Rams are among the favourites after an ambitious off-season that saw them add cornerback Trent McDuffie and defensive end Myles Garrett. Garrett recorded a league-record 23 sacks last season.

Los Angeles had the NFL’s best offence last season, led by quarterback Matt Stafford, who was named the season’s Most Valuable Player. The team is now aiming to strengthen its defence and overcome divisional rivals Seattle, who beat the Rams last season on the way to winning Super Bowl 60.

The Super Bowl will be played at SoFi Stadium this season. The Rams won the last Super Bowl held there, in 2022, and are hoping to repeat that achievement.

The team also confirmed that three-time defensive player of the year Aaron Donald, 35, will come out of retirement after training with the Rams during the summer.

Can the Chiefs bounce back?

Kansas City missed the playoffs last season for the first time in 11 years after reaching five Super Bowls in six seasons and winning three. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes also suffered the first major injury of his career in the game that ended the Chiefs’ playoff hopes.

Travis Kelce had been linked with retirement, but the veteran tight end has committed to at least one more season. The 36-year-old could now be entering his final NFL campaign.

The Chiefs have also signed running back Kenneth Walker, who became the first player in his position to win Super Bowl Most Valuable Player since 1998. Walker is expected to help Mahomes as the quarterback returns from torn knee ligaments.

Will Allen or Jackson reach the Super Bowl?

Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson are the only two active NFL MVPs who have not won a Super Bowl. Both players were drafted in 2018, but neither has reached the championship game.

They will begin the season under new head coaches. Buffalo promoted offensive coordinator Joe Brady after Sean McDermott was fired, while Baltimore appointed former Los Angeles Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to succeed John Harbaugh.

Harbaugh is now head coach of the New York Giants. With Kansas City looking to recover, the season could give Allen or Jackson another opportunity to win the AFC and reach the NFL’s biggest game.

Rodgers prepares for a final season

Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers is set to play his 22nd and final NFL season. The 42-year-old, a four-time MVP, had previously been “99% sure” he would retire after leading the Steelers to last season’s playoffs.

However, the arrival of head coach Mike McCarthy persuaded Rodgers to continue. McCarthy coached Rodgers when the pair won Super Bowl 45 with the Green Bay Packers.

Rodgers will now look to produce more memorable moments for Pittsburgh before ending his NFL career.

Cleveland’s quarterback uncertainty continues

Deshaun Watson will begin the season as the Cleveland Browns’ first-choice quarterback after missing all of last season with a ruptured Achilles. Watson has played only 19 games for Cleveland since signing a five-year contract worth a guaranteed $230 million in 2022, with injuries and a suspension limiting his availability.

Rookie Shedeur Sanders finished last season as the Browns’ starter. Watson was booed by Cleveland supporters during a preseason game two weeks ago and later described the reaction as “personal” and “disrespectful,” before saying his emotions had got the better of him.

The Browns have given Watson another opportunity to establish himself, but the article says Sanders could return to the starting role, potentially as early as Cleveland’s home opener in the third week of the season.