May Mailbag, Part II: Which team crashes the party in 2026? A look at the Vikings...
Also: Where's the No. 1 concern in Green Bay? Did Chicago do enough on D? The TE position remains woefully unpaid. Hope for Ed Oliver? And we look into our crystal ball at the NFL's future.
On my way to Gate F7 at the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport last night, I had to do a double take. Right there — plain as day — was a gentleman in a New York Jets hat.
Still regret not asking him one question: “Why?”
His Jets, of course, own the longest playoff drought in pro sports.
Yet, this sight also represents the beauty of pro football. This is what makes the league unlike any other. One week ago, the NBA held its lottery. With a such strong crop of prospects on tap, roughly one-third of the league actively tried to lose games through the 2025- ‘26 season. Disgraceful, unwatchable, yet understandable. In basketball, clubs must do everything possible to land a singular game-changer. One trudge to 17-65 inches you closer this direction. But odds are, you’ll stink again. In football, conversely, there is real parity. Bad teams can turn it around — quick.
Long ago, owners decided to spread the wealth around to all 32 teams in the broader interest of the league. That helps. And while there’s certainly a team here ‘n there that’ll set its cruise control at 35 MPH by Week 17 and 18 and piss off a star like Maxx Crosby, tanking is no grave concern.
Football, by nature, is a team game. Shaking up the roster one offseason can directly lead to wins. Or, at least hope.
Hope is the NFL’s greatest currency. It’s neatly packaged and sold from February to August. That fella in the Jets hat can dream big dreams. Like, say, eight new starters on defense manufacturing at least one interception this 2026 season.
Woody Johnson will discover a brand new way to poison the well, but there’s always one surprise team out there. Seeing Sam Darnold atop that Super Bowl dais surely was not easy for Kevin O’Connell, but I like how the Minnesota Vikings proceeded this offseason.
Prognosticating which team leaps forward and which team falls back is one topic explored in Part II of the May Mailbag.
Other questions broached…
On the pod, I discussed/debated the Green Bay Packers’ defections with Mike Tanier. That conversation continues below. Has corner been adequately addressed?
Does Matt LaFleur have another gear?
How do Ed Oliver, Greg Rousseau and Terrel Bernard — well-compensated holdovers — fit into Jim Leonhard’s new Bills defense.
The Bears — yes, those Bears — won the NFC North in 2025. We give Ben Johnson a bouquet of flowers for refusing to believe all those turnovers on defense were sustainable. But was this the correct pivot?
Which free agent still on the market could help a contender?
CTE concerns are real. The NFL is championing flag football. What does the future of the sport look like?
What is the most underpaid position in football?
Before we get to all your questions, here’s some cool news to share. The Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE) announced the winners of its annual writing contest. In the C category, our piece on Jordan Poyer placed fifth in Long Features, our deep dive on the New England Patriots took second in Explanatory and our collection of columns (including this one on Jerry’s Cowboys) also took second.
Our reporting is always a credit to readers, above all. Go Long exists because of you. This spring, I’ve been traveling the country for another round of features ahead of the 2026 season. We’ve got huge plans.
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Part I is here, icymi.
Let’s combine a pair of Packers-related inquiries to start…
Hi Tyler,
Now that the offseason is moving into minicamp, it feels like the Packers may have taken a step back compared to other teams in the NFC North It started with the decision to re-sign Matt LaFleur — he seems like a strong coach Monday through Saturday, but that hasn’t always translated on Sundays.
They were also relatively quiet in free agency, and once again drafted a cornerback who didn’t record many interceptions in college and isn’t known as a strong tackler. On top of that, their overall depth appears weaker compared to other teams in the division.
Steve Livermore
De Pere, WI
and…
Greetings T,
Eager to hear your thoughts on what the Packers did in the draft.
On the surface, I would give them a B (the ratings by all the pundits are humorous; NO ONE will know how any team did until the balls are in the air).
They addressed needs at CB, edge rusher, DT, OL, kicker (I say addressed not solved). They’ve made some strategic moves with current players (extensions), got 4 extra 2027 draft picks with trades, letting players walk, etc.
So I kinda like what they’ve done.
Thoughts?
Best,
Mark Matlock
Bluffton, SC
One image clogs my mind as I read these emails from two our OG subscribers.