NFL Season 2026: Five Huge Questions That Could Define the Road to Super Bowl LXI

The 2026 NFL season gets underway Wednesday night with a Super Bowl rematch as the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots at Lumen Field, officially opening the road to Super Bowl LXI.

After another offseason packed with major moves, emerging stars and huge expectations, the new campaign arrives with storylines stretching far beyond the opening game.

The NFL is taking its biggest-ever international schedule to the road, reigning champions Seattle begin their title defence, Kansas City are searching for redemption and one of the league's most intriguing rookie quarterbacks is waiting for his opportunity.

Then there is the question every fan ultimately wants answered: who will be playing for the Lombardi Trophy in February?

Here are five of the biggest storylines to watch.

1. Can the NFL conquer the world with a record nine international games?

The NFL is taking its global ambitions to another level this season.

A record nine regular-season games will be played internationally, bringing the league to fans across several continents.

The first arrives immediately, with the San Francisco 49ers facing the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne on Thursday night.

It will be the first NFL game played in Melbourne, adding Australia to an increasingly long list of international destinations.

The league will also stage games in Rio de Janeiro and Paris, both first-time host cities, while London, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City are all set to welcome NFL action again.

The question is no longer whether the NFL can attract international interest.

It is how far that interest can grow when the league puts its biggest stars in front of new audiences.

2. Can Seattle defend its Super Bowl crown?

The Seahawks enter the season with something every other team wants: the Lombardi Trophy.

Seattle went 14-3 during the regular season before powering through the playoffs and completing a dominant Super Bowl run.

Now comes the much harder part.

Can they do it again?

Quarterback Sam Darnold, wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and third-year head coach Mike Macdonald will all be under the spotlight as Seattle attempts to prove last season was not a one-off.

The opening-night Super Bowl rematch against New England immediately provides a fascinating test.

Seattle have gone from chasing the championship to being the team everyone else wants to knock off.

3. Can Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce revive the Chiefs?

Few teams have more to prove than the Kansas City Chiefs.

After making the playoffs in each of their previous 10 seasons, Kansas City suffered a stunning setback in 2025 and failed to reach the postseason.

The response will be one of the defining stories of the campaign.

Much of the attention will fall on Patrick Mahomes, who is attempting to return to his best after suffering an ACL tear in December.

Then there is Travis Kelce.

The veteran tight end is returning for his 14th NFL season at the age of 36, adding another chapter to one of the defining partnerships of the modern NFL.

For the Chiefs, anything less than a major response will feel like a continuation of last season's disappointment.

4. Can No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza live up to the hype?

Few rookies arrive with more intrigue than Fernando Mendoza.

The Las Vegas Raiders selected the former Indiana Hoosiers quarterback with the first overall pick after an extraordinary college season.

Mendoza led Indiana to a national championship, throwing 41 touchdown passes while adding another seven rushing touchdowns.

Yet his NFL debut may not come immediately.

Mendoza is not currently expected to start Week 1, which would make him the first first-round quarterback since 2018 not to start the opening week, according to ESPN.

That unusual beginning could make the build-up to his eventual debut even more fascinating.

The talent is obvious.

Now comes the question of whether Mendoza can transfer that spectacular college form to the NFL.

5. Who has what it takes to win Super Bowl LXI?

Ultimately, every storyline leads back to the same question.

Who will still be standing when the season reaches February?

The Los Angeles Rams have emerged as Super Bowl favourites, boasting an imposing roster featuring Myles Garrett, Aaron Donald and quarterback Matthew Stafford alongside a collection of offensive talent.

But the field is far wider than one team.

The Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks and Philadelphia Eagles are among the teams expected to challenge for the championship, while the unpredictability of the NFL means there will inevitably be surprise contenders.

The pressure will build with every passing week as teams attempt to position themselves for the playoffs.

The road to Super Bowl LXI begins now

The season-opening Seahawks-Patriots clash is just the beginning.

Over the coming months, the NFL will attempt to expand its global footprint, Seattle will try to defend its championship, Kansas City will attempt to rediscover its postseason formula and Mendoza will wait for his chance to announce himself.

And by the time February arrives, all of those questions will lead to one final stage.

Super Bowl LXI will be played on Sunday, February 14, 2027 — Valentine's Day — at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

The NFL season is finally here.

The race for the next champion starts now.