Before OTAs start, the biggest NFL stories are usually not about final answers. They are about clues. The 2026 offseason has a lot of them. New coaching staffs are settling in, rookies are entering new systems, and teams with quarterback questions are trying to create stability before training camp. The structure of the offseason program also matters more than many fans realize, because teams move from meetings and conditioning to limited on-field work and finally to the OTA window where real install work begins.
Understanding the Offseason Timeline
Per the NFL’s Collective Bargaining Agreement, the nine-week voluntary offseason program unfolds in three distinct phases, each with specific rules and objectives:
- Phase One (Weeks 1-2): Limited to meetings, strength and conditioning, and physical rehabilitation. No on-field football work is permitted. This phase is about building chemistry, installing terminology, and getting players physically prepared.
- Phase Two (Weeks 3-5): On-field workouts may include individual drills, group instruction, and “perfect play” walkthroughs. Offensive players line up against offensive players; defense vs. defense. No live contact or team offense vs. defense drills are allowed.
- Phase Three (Weeks 6-9): The OTA window. Teams may conduct up to 10 days of organized team practice activity. While live contact remains prohibited, 7-on-7, 9-on-7, and 11-on-11 drills are permitted—giving fans and analysts their first real look at scheme installation, positional battles, and rookie integration.
Adding another layer, ten teams with new head coaches—including the Raiders, Titans, and Giants—are holding voluntary veteran minicamps before the draft. These sessions provide crucial early reps for install and evaluation, accelerating the learning curve for both coaches and players.
Coaching Carousel: Identity in Transition
A major storyline is how quickly new staffs can put their identity on the field. Seven franchises—Raiders, Titans, Giants, Browns, Dolphins, Ravens, and Steelers—entered 2026 with completely new head coaches and coordinator trios. That means OTAs are the first real glimpse at how different these teams might look. Scheme changes, personnel usage, and tempo can all start showing up now, even if pads are still far away.
Las Vegas Raiders
New head coach Klint Kubiak and offensive coordinator Andrew Janocko arrive from Seattle, bringing a pass-first approach that heavily featured Jaxon Smith-Njigba (35.8% target share in 2025) and averaged 8.3 air yards per attempt. Expect the Raiders’ offense to look unrecognizable compared to last year’s conservative attack. Defensively, promoted coordinator Rob Leonard is expected to maintain continuity, though Maxx Crosby’s future remains a storyline to watch.
Tennessee Titans
Robert Saleh and Gus Bradley install a 4-3 defensive front, a significant shift from the previous 3-4 scheme. On offense, Brian Daboll’s adaptable play-calling could unlock Cam Ward’s arm talent. The Titans may prioritize a dynamic running back like Jeremiyah Love and a true WR1 to accelerate Ward’s development.
New York Giants
John Harbaugh and Matt Nagy bring a run-heavy, multiple-tight-end philosophy. The signings of Isaiah Likely and Patrick Ricard signal a shift toward heavier personnel packages. Expect fewer 11-personnel sets and more emphasis on offensive line investment to protect Jaxson Dart and establish the ground game.
Cleveland Browns
Todd Monken and Travis Switzer import Baltimore’s offensive principles: heavy run-action usage (60% combined rate), multiple running back sets, and downfield passing concepts (8.7 air yards per attempt). If Cleveland can upgrade protection and receiving talent, this could be a transformative shift. Defensively, Mike Rutenberg is expected to maintain continuity around Myles Garrett.
Miami Dolphins
Jeff Hafley and Sean Duggan shift Miami’s defense from an aggressive blitz scheme to a more zone-heavy, 4-3 approach. On offense, Bobby Slowik inherits a depleted skill-position group after the departures of Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle. With Malik Willis at quarterback, expect creative run-pass options and a focus on yards after catch.
Baltimore Ravens
Jesse Minter and Anthony Weaver bring a more zone-coverage, less blitz-heavy defensive identity. Offensively, Declan Doyle’s background is limited, so expect continuity with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry while addressing offensive line and tight end losses from free agency.
Pittsburgh Steelers
Mike McCarthy (reportedly calling plays) brings shotgun-heavy, wide-formation concepts. Patrick Graham’s defense will tailor schemes to maximize T.J. Watt’s impact. The quarterback situation—Aaron Rodgers’ pending decision—looms large, but Pittsburgh will likely add developmental QB depth in the draft.
Rookie Readiness: Early Indicators
The other big question is rookie readiness. Which first-round players look ready for immediate roles, and which teams quietly fixed weak points during the draft? OTAs will not settle everything, but they will give us the first honest hints.
Teams with early picks—like the Raiders (No. 1 overall), Titans (No. 4), Giants (No. 5), and Browns (No. 6)—face heightened scrutiny. Will Fernando Mendoza command the Raiders’ huddle immediately? Can Jeremiyah Love, if drafted by Tennessee, handle a feature-back workload in Daboll’s system? Will the Giants prioritize defensive help (LB Sonny Styles, S Caleb Downs) or double down on offensive line protection?
For rookies, OTAs are less about physical dominance and more about mental processing: learning playbooks, recognizing defensive looks, and building rapport with quarterbacks. Coaches watch for “coachability”—how quickly a rookie absorbs feedback and applies it in the next rep.
What to Watch During OTAs
As OTAs unfold across the league (most teams begin Phase Three between May 18–29), keep an eye on these indicators:
- Quarterback Command: How quickly do new QBs—whether veterans in new systems or rookies—demonstrate command of the offense? Look for pre-snap adjustments, timing on dropbacks, and chemistry with primary targets.
- Scheme Installation: Are coaches installing core concepts or experimenting with wrinkles? Early OTA install often reveals philosophical priorities.
- Position Battles: While depth charts remain fluid, standout performances in 11-on-11 drills can signal emerging starters, especially at wide receiver, cornerback, and interior offensive line.
- Rookie Integration: Are first-round picks taking first-team reps? Are undrafted free agents making noise in special teams drills?
- Health and Conditioning: After voluntary minicamps and Phase One conditioning, which players appear physically ahead? Which positions show the most improvement in flexibility and explosiveness?
The Bigger Picture
While OTAs generate headlines and highlight-reel moments, remember: no contact, no game-speed intensity, and no definitive answers. But for teams navigating coaching transitions, quarterback uncertainties, and rookie integration, these weeks lay the foundation for training camp and beyond.
The 2026 offseason isn’t about perfection—it’s about progress. Every rep, every meeting, and every corrected assignment moves a team closer to its identity. As pads finally arrive in late July, the clues gathered during OTAs will help us separate early optimism from sustainable success.
For fans, the takeaway is simple: watch the process, not just the highlights. The teams that maximize this offseason window—installing schemes efficiently, developing young talent, and building cohesion—will be the ones making noise when the real season begins.
Reference Links:
