10 Burning Questions That Will Define the NFL Offseason

The Seattle Seahawks secured a dominant 29-13 victory over the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX on Sunday at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, shifting the football world's immediate focus to a pivotal 2026 offseason defined by major coaching shifts and a shallow quarterback market. Despite New England quarterback Drake Maye accumulating significant yardage during the fourth quarter, Seattle maintained total control throughout the contest, effectively ending the season and triggering a wave of transitions across the league. The most immediate impact was felt on the Seahawks' sideline, where offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak confirmed following the trophy presentation that he is departing to become the next head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Kubiak’s move to Las Vegas is expected to coincide with the Raiders selecting Indiana quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Analysts are already drawing comparisons between Mendoza and established pocket passers like Joe Burrow or Jared Goff, noting that while Mendoza lacks elite mobility, his pro-style traits align perfectly with Kubiak’s offensive philosophy. However, the success of this pairing will depend on Kubiak's ability to transition from maximizing veterans, as he did during Seattle's championship run, to the delicate process of developing a rookie signal-caller. Beyond the top of the draft, the landscape for teams in need of a quarterback appears remarkably bleak, creating a high-stress environment for front offices. Behind Mendoza, the draft class lacks blue-chip prospects, and the free-agent market offers little certainty. Potential options include Daniel Jones, who is currently recovering from both an Achilles injury and a broken fibula, and Malik Willis, whose recent flashes of potential remain unproven over a full season. This scarcity of talent is expected to drive aggressive trade negotiations and inflated contracts as desperate franchises scramble to find viable starters before the September kickoff.