RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 1 sourcesThe NFC South has become one of the NFL's most competitive divisions in recent years, but Bleacher Report isn't convinced it's one of the league's best.
In a preseason ranking of every NFL division, Kristopher Knox placed the NFC South eighth , making it the lowest-ranked division heading into the 2026 campaign. The ranking factored in last season's results, offseason additions and departures, and each team's placement in Bleacher Report's latest power rankings.
Knox acknowledged that every team in the division has reasons for optimism. He pointed to Atlanta's additions of head coach Kevin Stefanski and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, New Orleans continuing to build around young quarterback Tyler Shough, and the Buccaneers addressing their pass rush by signing Al-Quadin Muhammad and drafting Rueben Bain Jr.
Tampa Bay also found itself on the list of the division's biggest offseason losses. Knox highlighted the departures of longtime franchise cornerstones Lavonte David, who retired, and Mike Evans, who left in free agency, as significant changes for a team looking to reclaim the NFC South crown after its four-year run at the top of the division came to an end.
Despite ranking the NFC South last overall, Knox doesn't believe the race will lack intrigue. He noted that Carolina, Atlanta, Tampa Bay and New Orleans all have a realistic path to contention if their quarterback situations develop as hoped. He also pointed out that the Buccaneers looked like one of the NFL's hottest teams before injuries derailed their season, leaving them with an opportunity to win the division until the final week of the year.
Ultimately, the biggest factor behind the ranking was last season's results. No NFC South team finished with a winning record in 2025, and Knox believes the division still has more questions than answers despite its upside. While he expects another tight race, he concluded that potential alone isn't enough to move the NFC South out of the league's bottom spot entering the new season.
This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Bleacher Report lists the NFC South as the worst division in the NFL
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