Florida’s three NFL teams are heading into the 2026 season on three different tracks, but they all face the same basic test: survive their divisions and keep stacking wins. The Buccaneers, Dolphins, and Jaguars each have their own identity, their own coaching setup, and their own set of problems to solve.
Tampa Bay is trying to hold its ground in the NFC South under head coach Todd Bowles. The Buccaneers play at Raymond James Stadium, and their offense is built around a balanced backfield featuring young running back Bucky Irving and quarterback Baker Mayfield.
Offensive coordinator Zac Robinson is steering a system meant to control tempo and keep drives moving efficiently. On the other side of the ball, interior defensive lineman Vita Vea remains a central piece of the team’s physical style.
Tampa Bay’s divisional slate includes the Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, and Carolina Panthers.
Miami enters the year with a different challenge in the AFC East. The Dolphins call Hard Rock Stadium home, and head coach Jeff Hafley is working alongside offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik.
Their offense is built on speed and versatility, with running back De’Von Achane a key part of that approach. Defensively, edge rusher Chop Robinson and linebacker Jordyn Brooks are important pieces, while defensive coordinator Sean Duggan is tasked with tightening things up against strong passing games and cutting down on big plays.
Miami will see the Buffalo Bills, New York Jets, and New England Patriots twice each.
Jacksonville, meanwhile, is looking to move forward in the AFC South with Liam Coen at head coach and Trevor Lawrence running the offense. The Jaguars play at EverBank Stadium, and Lawrence is operating behind a retooled offensive line with targets like wide receiver Brian Thomas Jr. and tight end Brenton Strange.
Defensively, Jacksonville leans on its pass rush, with Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker leading the edge group. Linebacker Foyesade Oluokun adds strength to the front seven and helps against the run.
The Jaguars’ division matchups come against the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans.
What happens for all three teams won’t be decided only on Sundays. The source of their success also runs through roster depth, salary cap management, and the ability to develop young players behind the starters. Injuries will force adjustments, and the teams that have built real depth will have a better chance of staying afloat when the season gets messy.
Coaching decisions matter just as much. Halftime adjustments and late-game calls can swing postseason hopes, especially when matchups tighten up and pressure rises. Teams that handle those moments well can keep control when the game starts to tilt.
Florida football also carries a strong local pull. Raymond James Stadium brings its tailgating culture, Hard Rock Stadium has its entertainment-heavy feel, and EverBank Stadium carries a strong community identity. Games involving these teams draw plenty of regional attention, especially when divisional opponents or neighboring franchises are involved.
The state’s three NFL teams are all chasing different goals in 2026. Tampa Bay is trying to stay steady under Todd Bowles in the NFC South.
Miami is building under a new coaching structure in the AFC East. Jacksonville is hoping Trevor Lawrence and the rest of the roster can push the franchise into a stronger place in the AFC South.
And for visiting teams, Florida’s weather is part of the job. Opponents at Raymond James Stadium, Hard Rock Stadium, and EverBank Stadium have to deal with warm, humid conditions while preparing for each team’s style of play. That adds another layer to a season already packed with divisional pressure.
In Other News...
Trevor Lawrence Got Dragged Into Another Al Michaels Broadcast Mess
Thursday nights Jaguars spotlight came with an unexpected detour when Al Michaels mixed up Trevor Lawrences draft year on the air, a slip that quickly spread across social media and turned into the latest reminder of how closely every national broadcast is scrutinized. For Jacksonville, it was one of those odd moments where the teams franchise quarterback became part of a much bigger conversation than the game itself.
Lawrence has been in the public eye long enough that a mistake like that lands fast, and fans wasted little time piling on as the clip circulated. Michaels has already acknowledged the retirement question in the past, saying he and Amazon would figure out the right time together, and this latest broadcast mess only added more fuel to that ongoing discussion. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Just Sent A Strong Trade Deadline Message To The AFC
The trade deadline chatter around Brian Thomas Jr. says a lot about where the Jaguars stand right now. A team does not get linked to a receiver like that unless the rest of the league sees real value, and Kansas Citys interest only underscores how quickly Thomas has become part of Jacksonvilles long-term picture. For a Jaguars team trying to stay in the AFC contender conversation, moving a former first-round pick would send the wrong kind of signal.
So far, that does not appear to be the direction Jacksonville is leaning. The Chiefs are still canvassing other receiver options, including Josh Downs and Hollywood Brown, while the Jaguars are treating Thomas like a piece worth keeping. In a conference where every contender is looking for an edge, Jacksonvilles stance is a reminder that it expects to be in the mix, not shopping away one of its most important young weapons. [Read more 🡒]
Jaguars Have A Win-Now Trade Deadline Decision To Make
As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Jaguars find themselves in the familiar spot of weighing whether to stay patient or push chips in for a roster that has shown enough promise to justify a real move. Defensive tackle, defensive end and safety all stand out as areas where help could make a difference, and the list of possible targets reflects that urgency. Names like Budda Baker, Derrick Brown, Christian Barmore and Khalil Mack all fit the kind of upgrade Jacksonville would be considering if it wants to sharpen the roster for the stretch run.
The challenge, of course, is that deadline shopping is rarely simple, especially when the asking price for proven talent can climb quickly. Jacksonville has options to explore, but the bigger question is how aggressive it wants to be and which position it values most as it tries to balance immediate help with the long view. For a team trying to make the most of its current window, the next move could say plenty about how the Jaguars see themselves right now. [Read more 🡒]