NFL offseason priorities for 2026: Key dates, storylines - ESPN

Super Bowl LX is in the books. The Seattle Seahawks, who entered the season with a 1.1% chance to win the Super Bowl based on ESPN Analytics projections, beat the New England Patriots 29-13 to take home the Lombardi Trophy.

Now begins the process of building the Super Bowl LXI champions through an offseason that will be characterized, in part, by the usual imbalance of available quarterbacks relative to demand. Nearly a third of the NFL could be seeking a new quarterback this offseason, but the 2026 draft is projected to be particularly light at the position, and no stars are looming in free agency.

Off the field, the NFL will need to reconcile the concussion rate on its redesigned kickoff and also consider whether to empower replay officials with the authority to throw flags in certain situations.

The offseason process will begin accelerating in the coming weeks. Teams can begin using the franchise tag Feb. 17, and the scouting combine opens Feb. 23 in Indianapolis. There are 29 days remaining before NFL teams can (legally) begin contacting pending free agents and 72 days until the NFL draft in Pittsburgh.

Let's take a closer look at how the 2026 offseason will shape up for its teams, players and league decision-makers.

Based on age alone, at least two likely Hall of Fame players are candidates: quarterback Aaron Rodgers and tight end Travis Kelce. (Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, 38, said last week that he plans to play in 2026.)

Rodgers, 42, did not commit either way after the Pittsburgh Steelers' wild-card playoff loss, but it's worth noting that the Steelers hired his former Green Bay Packers coach — Mike McCarthy — after Mike Tomlin's resignation. Kelce, 36, said he would spend some time after the