The NFC South enters 2026 with major questions at quarterback, new faces on defense and several coaches under pressure to turn promising pieces into playoff results. Atlanta is beginning a new era under Kevin Stefanski, Carolina is waiting for Bryce Young to take a decisive step, New Orleans is building around Tyler Shough, and Tampa Bay faces a pivotal season for both Baker Mayfield and Todd Bowles.
NFC South Training Camp Preview: Quarterback Tests, Defensive Changes and Coaching Pressure
Atlanta Falcons begin Kevin Stefanski’s tenure
Atlanta moved on from Raheem Morris in January despite ending 2025 strongly, hiring former Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski to lead an organization coming off back-to-back 8-9 seasons. The Falcons are seeking a faster climb out of mediocrity, and Stefanski arrives with a résumé that includes two playoff trips, one postseason victory and two Coach of the Year awards.
Stefanski kept Jeff Ulbrich as defensive coordinator, preserving leadership continuity for a defense that carried much of Atlanta’s 2025 effort. The club finished 15th in yards surrendered per game, ranked 19th in scoring defense and placed second in the NFL in sacks. But Ulbrich must now remake a unit that lost multiple contributors.
- Linebacker Kaden Elliss, the Falcons’ leading tackler, signed with New Orleans.
- Arnold Ebiketie joined Philadelphia, David Onyemata went to the Jets and Dee Alford signed with Buffalo.
- James Pearce Jr., Atlanta’s sack leader and 2025 first-round selection, remains in legal and league uncertainty after his arrest and entry into a pretrial intervention program connected to three felony charges. The NFL has not determined his 2026 status.
- The Falcons added linebacker Christian Harris and defensive tackle Maason Smith as expected starters, while Da’Shawn Hand and Samson Ebukam were brought in for rotational depth.
The secondary remains a major strength, led by safeties Jessie Bates III and Xavier Watts alongside cornerback A.J. Terrell. Atlanta also used a second-round pick on Terrell’s brother, Avieon Terrell. If nickelback Billy Bowman Jr. can return effectively from the Achilles injury that ended his rookie season in November, the Falcons should be positioned to defend the pass well.
Quarterback recovery shapes the offense
Stefanski’s first season could hinge on Michael Penix Jr.’s recovery from the knee injury that ended his 2025 campaign. Former Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa joined Atlanta after being released and could open the season as the starter if Penix is not ready.
Tagovailoa’s timing-based passing style fits the offensive system Stefanski has frequently paired with a wide-zone running game. Still, the arrangement could become complicated if Tagovailoa plays well while Penix works his way back. Penix, a former top-10 draft pick entering his third season, must show he can become the long-term answer.
Carolina Panthers need Bryce Young to become consistent
Bryce Young enters his fourth NFL season with Carolina still waiting for firm proof that its former No. 1 overall pick can be a franchise quarterback. Young showed growth in 2025 but did not produce at a dependable level every week.
General manager Dan Morgan expressed confidence in Young in late April, saying, “We really feel like the arrow is up with Bryce.” That belief could lead to extension talks if Young breaks through in 2026. A regression, however, could push Carolina toward a difficult decision as the fifth year of his contract approaches.
Young will again work under head coach Dave Canales, and a more stable offensive performance could help the Panthers defend their NFC South title. Carolina also invested heavily in improving its defense after fielding a middle-of-the-pack group last season.
- Edge rusher Jaelan Phillips signed a four-year, $120 million contract.
- Linebacker Devin Lloyd joined on a three-year, $45 million deal.
- Defensive tackle Lee Hunter arrived as a second-round draft pick and could become a run-stopping partner for Derrick Brown.
The Panthers did not undertake a complete rebuild of their front seven, but the additions are designed to improve a pass rush that needed more impact plays.
Running back depth remains unsettled
Carolina lost Rico Dowdle to Pittsburgh after his productive one-year stint with the Panthers. Chuba Hubbard is again the leading option, though he has surpassed 1,000 rushing yards once in five seasons and owns a career average of 4.1 yards per carry.
The biggest question is Jonathon Brooks. The 2024 second-rounder has played only three games across two NFL seasons after suffering two ACL tears. The Panthers signed AJ Dillon as protection against another uncertainty, but Dillon has his own injury history and saw limited action in Philadelphia in 2025. Trevor Etienne returns for a second season after primarily working on special teams as a rookie.
New Orleans Saints build around Tyler Shough and new weapons
New Orleans closed 2025 by winning four of its final five games, with Tyler Shough’s emergence providing optimism for the club’s rebuilding direction. Shough enters Year 2 as the expected starter after showing franchise-quarterback potential late in his rookie season.
At 26, Shough is older than most second-year starters, and his extensive college background has helped him arrive with a more experienced profile. Head coach Kellen Moore, a former NFL quarterback, now has a full offseason to develop Shough after previously helping guide productive offenses in Dallas and Philadelphia.
The Saints also supplied Moore with more offensive options in free agency and the draft.
- Running back Travis Etienne signed early in free agency, joining Alvin Kamara, Kendre Miller and Devin Neal in a deeper backfield.
- New Orleans selected Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick.
- Tyson joins Chris Olave and Devaughn Vele in the top portion of the receiver room.
- Rookies Bryce Lance and Barion Brown will compete for roster spots with Trey Palmer, Kevin Austin Jr. and Ja’Lynn Polk.
Health could determine how dangerous the Saints can become. Tyson and Olave have each missed time with injuries, while Kamara played a career-low 11 games in 2025. The roster has limited established receiver depth behind Olave, Tyson and Vele.
Cam Jordan returns for one final run
Cam Jordan re-signed with New Orleans on a one-year contract in June after spending much of the offseason unsigned. The 2011 first-round pick is preparing for a final season with the franchise he has represented throughout his career.
Jordan and Chase Young each reached double-digit sacks in 2025, giving the Saints a formidable edge-rushing combination. With playmakers spread across the defense, New Orleans will try to match or better its ninth-place defensive finish from last season while giving Jordan one more meaningful push.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers face a defining season
Baker Mayfield enters a contract year with a training-camp deadline for a new deal, a new offensive situation and more pressure after Tampa Bay’s 2025 collapse. Mayfield led the Buccaneers to a 6-2 start last season and briefly put the club in the Super Bowl conversation, but injuries and wider roster losses contributed to a difficult finish that kept Tampa Bay out of the playoffs.
For the first time since 2022, Mayfield finished below 4,000 passing yards. His offensive coordinator was fired rather than hired away for a head-coaching job, a departure from the previous exits of Dave Canales and Liam Coen. Mayfield also must move forward without Mike Evans, who left for San Francisco.
Mayfield signed a three-year, $100 million deal after a strong 2023 season and has generally played up to that contract. But his tendency toward uneven stretches leaves his long-term standing in Tampa Bay tied closely to what happens in 2026.
Todd Bowles and the defense need answers
Todd Bowles remained head coach despite expectations that Tampa Bay might make a change after last year’s downturn. His defense ranked 20th in points allowed in 2025, continuing a trend of average production from a unit that finished 23rd, 18th and 19th in total defense over the past three seasons. The Buccaneers have not posted a top-10 finish in yards allowed since Bowles became head coach in 2022.
The coach must replace franchise cornerstones Evans and linebacker Lavonte David, who retired after 14 seasons. Tampa Bay has added pieces that could help reshape the defense, particularly in the front seven.
- Miami edge rusher Rueben Bain Jr. was selected in the first round and is expected to provide a pass-rushing complement to YaYa Diaby.
- Linebacker Alex Anzalone signed in free agency, while veteran Christian Rozeboom also joined the group.
- The Buccaneers drafted linebacker Josiah Trotter in the second round.
- Defensive backs Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish and Tykee Smith enter another development year, with Antoine Winfield Jr. still the centerpiece of the secondary.
Bowles has the personnel to produce a stronger defensive showing, but the unit could decide more than Tampa Bay’s record. It may also determine whether Bowles keeps his job and whether Mayfield remains the club’s long-term quarterback.
SEO Title: NFC South 2026 Training Camp Preview: Falcons, Panthers, Saints and Buccaneers
SEO Description: A Sunday-desk look at the key 2026 NFC South storylines, including Atlanta’s new coaching staff, Bryce Young’s pivotal season, Tyler Shough’s rise in New Orleans and pressure on Tampa Bay.
