Six NFL records that could be broken during the 2026 season - ESPN

The 2026 NFL season is already here. Unfortunately, through two games, no NFL record has been broken. Boring!

Last time we saw regular-season football, Myles Garrett was setting a single-season sack record (23) and Trey McBride was catching more passes (126) than any tight end in NFL history. With a 17-game season and rules skewed to favor offenses, it feels like more and more records are within reach every year.

I wanted to find more NFL records that could be broken in 2026, so I went through a long list of candidates. Among them were:

Highest average punt distance for a single season (the Cardinals' Blake Gillikin and Packers' Daniel Whelan both hit 51.7 yards per punt last season, tied for third all time).

Most receiving touchdowns in a game (Jerry Rice had five — if it were four, I would have included it).

Most penalized team in NFL history (somehow the 17-game season isn't really affecting total penalty numbers).

After I ruled those out, I landed on a final six that could reasonably fall this season. There's some statistical reasoning for a few, some schematic considerations considered and some straight vibes rolled in. I want to see a 70-yard field goal. I want to root for a 70-yard field goal. Give me a 70-yard field goal!

But let's start with a new receiving record for tight ends.

Jump to a record:
Most TE receiving yards in a season
Most fourth-down conversions in a game
Most team rushing yards in a season
Longest field goal in NFL history
Highest completion percentage in a season
Most fumbles forced by a player in a season

Current record holder: Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (1,416 in 2020)

We have entered a new era of high-volume receiving from tight ends.

Last season, McBride was the Cardinals' only bright