The NFC South might not be the league’s glamour division, but it has no shortage of intrigue heading into camp. Tampa Bay is trying to get back on top after last year’s collapse.
Carolina just finished as the division winner. Atlanta and New Orleans are both trying to close the gap.
And when you stack them up right now, the Bucs still sit at the front of the line.
Tampa Bay gets the No. 1 spot despite plenty of questions hanging over the roster. The Buccaneers have a new offensive coordinator, an inconsistent quarterback, a rebuilt defense and a head coach who could be on the hot seat.
Even so, there’s still real talent here, especially up front. The offensive line should remain one of the better units in the league, and the defense should be at least a little better in 2026.
The Bucs were also much closer to the division race in 2025 than the collapse suggested. They were knocked out of playoff contention after the Atlanta Falcons beat the New Orleans Saints, and if New Orleans had won that game, Tampa Bay would have owned the tiebreaker over Carolina and taken the division.
For all the uncertainty, this is still the team with the most confidence attached to it.
Carolina comes in at No. 2, and there’s a clear reason why: the Panthers did real work this offseason. They poured money into the defense by adding pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd in free agency, two of the top names at their positions on the market.
That’s a strong haul for the front office. The issue, as it so often is, sits at quarterback.
Bryce Young has made a nice comeback after what looked like a possible end to his Carolina run when he was benched in 2024. He’s better now than he was then, no question.
But there’s still a ceiling question here. He has stretches that look promising, and he has others that leave you scratching your head.
That’s why Carolina lands behind Tampa Bay, with the offense likely not matching the Bucs over the course of the season.
Atlanta checks in third, and this was a tight call with New Orleans. The Falcons get the edge because of where the defense is heading and because the young talent on that side of the ball is hard to ignore.
Even with James Pearce Jr’s off field issues, the group still looks loaded with upside, and Atlanta’s 2025 draft class was one of the best in the league. The offense has plenty of juice too.
Bijan Robinson is arguably the best running back in the NFL, Drake London is a high-end wideout, and Kyle Pitts remains inconsistent but dangerous. The big problem is the quarterback situation, and it’s the messiest one in the division.
Atlanta signed Tua Tagovailoa to compete with Michael Penix Jr this preseason, and the Falcons still don’t know who will be under center for 2026. Penix Jr has shown flashes, and there’s still belief that a good quarterback is in there somewhere, but he hasn’t fully put it together yet.
New Orleans rounds out the group at No. 4, though the Saints do appear to be moving in the right direction. Kellen Moore looks like a strong head coach hire, and there’s enough interesting talent here to keep the arrow pointing up.
Tyler Shough finished his rookie season with a strong stretch, and if that growth continues, the offense should keep improving with Chris Olave and additions like Travis Etienne Jr and Jordyn Tyson. The Saints are close to Atlanta, and this division doesn’t have a team that feels bad.
Still, New Orleans seems to be another year away from really pushing for the crown.
In Other News...
Buccaneers Have One 2026 Uniform Decision Fans Wont Ignore
The Buccaneers already have three uniform looks lined up for 2026, giving fans the familiar home and road set along with the orange creamsicle alternate that always draws attention when it comes back into the rotation. Under the NFLs new rule allowing four uniforms per team, the missing piece has become the one that naturally invites speculation, especially for a franchise with one of the leagues more recognizable color identities.
One logical candidate is the pewter alternate set from 2020, which would give Tampa Bay a more modern fourth option without leaning on a look that was tied to a special one-year celebration. The white 76 throwbacks were part of the 2025 50th anniversary season, and the team had already made clear they were not intended to carry over, so the question now is which direction the Buccaneers choose when they finally round out the closet for next season. [Read more 🡒]
Buccaneers Suddenly Have A Bigger Question About Al-Quadin Muhammad
Al-Quadin Muhammads spring attendance raised an eyebrow in Tampa Bay, but when mandatory minicamp arrived, the edge rusher showed up in excellent shape and quickly eased some of the early concern. The Buccaneers had been waiting to get a clearer read on where he stands physically, and his arrival gave them a better sense that he is ready to factor into the defensive front.
Muhammad said he followed the same offseason training plan he used a year ago, the one he believes helped set up one of his most productive seasons. That matters for a Tampa Bay defense looking for reliable depth and a player who can compete for a meaningful role, and the next step is seeing how that preparation translates once the pads come on and the roster battles sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Baker Mayfield Is Closing In On A Massive Bucs Milestone
Baker Mayfield has already carved out a notable place in Buccaneers history, and the next step in that climb is starting to feel real. He sits third on Tampa Bays all-time passing touchdown list with 95, trailing only Jameis Winston and Tom Brady, and his steady production has been one of the defining constants of his three seasons with the team.
Mayfield has thrown at least 26 touchdown passes in each year in Tampa Bay, which puts him on a path to keep moving through the franchise record book if he stays healthy. Beyond touchdowns, he is also chasing other team marks in wins and passing yards, all while trying to help the Buccaneers turn individual milestones into the kind of season that ends with a Super Bowl run. [Read more 🡒]