An NFL offseason can transform a familiar player into one of the season’s biggest unknowns. A new uniform often brings a different quarterback, coaching staff, supporting cast and set of responsibilities. Those changes can quickly reshape how and where a player contributes.
That makes A.J. Brown, Mike Evans, Kyler Murray and Kirk Cousins particularly interesting entering 2026. All four have established NFL résumés, but their new surroundings could change how they contribute. With the regular season approaching, the first clues are nearly here.
A.J. Brown Takes Center Stage in New England
A.J. Brown spent four seasons in Philadelphia, becoming one of the NFL’s most dangerous receivers and helping the Eagles win Super Bowl LIX. His June trade to New England brings a new challenge and the chance to become another offense’s focal point.
Brown now gives Drake Maye a proven top receiving option in New England’s passing game. Maye has the arm to attack defenses vertically, while Brown combines strength at the catch point with the ability to turn shorter completions into substantial gains.
The circumstances have also changed. Brown shared opportunities with DeVonta Smith in Philadelphia, while New England could make him a central part of its passing game. Romeo Doubs provides another option, and the distribution of targets should become clearer once the regular season begins.
September should clarify Brown’s role through targets, receptions, yardage and usage in important situations. Fans tracking individual player performance can also find FanDuel player props alongside the wider NFL schedule, while Brown’s connection with Maye will be one of the early developments to follow.
Mike Evans Adds a Different Dimension to San Francisco
Few offseason sights will require more adjustment than Mike Evans outside Buccaneers colors. The veteran spent 12 seasons in Tampa Bay, setting franchise records for receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns before joining San Francisco on a three-year deal.
His new role does not need to resemble the old one. Evans brings size and contested-catch ability to an offense capable of moving players around and creating favorable matchups, giving San Francisco another way to challenge defenses across different areas of the field.
Purdy’s timing and anticipation could complement those strengths. With several ways to move the ball, San Francisco may not need Evans to dominate targets. His size and established contested-catch ability make third downs, vertical targets and red-zone usage important areas to monitor.
Receiving yardage therefore tells only part of the story. Where Evans lines up, when Purdy targets him and how defenses respond to his presence in different game situations could provide a clearer picture of how successfully he is adapting to San Francisco.
Kyler Murray Steps Into a New Kind of Opportunity in Minnesota
Kyler Murray’s fresh start presents a different challenge. After seven seasons in Arizona, the former No. 1 overall pick signed with Minnesota in March and competed with J.J. McCarthy for the starting job. Kevin O’Connell named Murray the winner during training camp.
The move gives Murray a chance to adapt to a new structure in Minnesota’s offensive system. His ability to escape pressure and improvise makes him difficult to defend. The regular season will test how that improvisational style fits with the timing and rhythm of O’Connell’s passing game.
Having Justin Jefferson certainly helps, while Jordan Addison provides another established option. Together, they give Murray a supporting cast capable of threatening different areas of the field and creating opportunities when defenses devote additional attention to Jefferson.
Early games should reveal how quickly those partnerships develop. Pocket efficiency, explosive plays, rushing and receiver chemistry will provide clues. Injuries, lineup changes and evolving roles can also reshape the offense throughout the season, adding further context to the latest NFL news and trends surrounding Minnesota.
Kirk Cousins Brings Experience to a Changing Raiders Offense
Kirk Cousins arrives in Las Vegas at a very different stage of his career, bringing considerable experience to a changing offense. The 38-year-old is entering his 15th NFL season after two years in Atlanta, bringing 44,700 career passing yards and 298 touchdown passes with him.
There is also some familiarity within the change. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak previously worked closely with Cousins for three seasons in Minnesota, reducing some of the uncertainty that usually accompanies a veteran quarterback joining a new NFL organization.
Las Vegas also has one eye on the future after selecting Fernando Mendoza first overall and retaining Aidan O’Connell. Cousins will open the season as the Raiders’ starting quarterback after Klint Kubiak officially named him the Week 1 starter on September 2, giving the veteran the first opportunity to lead the offense while Mendoza develops behind him.
Cousins now gets the first opportunity to lead that changing offense. His experience operating from the pocket, processing defenses and delivering throws on schedule gives Las Vegas a veteran starter while its longer-term plans continue to develop.
Why Familiar Stars Can Look Different Almost Overnight
Changing teams does more than put a different logo on a player’s helmet. Even established stars can see their production and responsibilities shift because football performance depends heavily on the players and system around them.
Several factors will be particularly important for this group:
- Quarterback chemistry: timing and trust can determine whether promising combinations become productive ones,
- Offensive philosophy: a new system can change where and how frequently a player receives opportunities,
- Competition for touches: surrounding playmakers influence how the football is distributed,
- Supporting personnel: protection, receivers and the running game can alter individual responsibilities,
- Red-zone roles: changing teams can create very different opportunities close to the goal line.
Brown could take a larger role in New England, while Evans may thrive with less volume. Murray faces a new structure, while Cousins brings experience to an evolving team. Their numbers may change as these new roles develop, but context matters.
New Uniforms, Familiar Expectations
Brown, Evans, Murray and Cousins have already shown what they can do in the NFL. Their challenge now is translating that experience into unfamiliar situations. The fascination in 2026 comes from discovering what those familiar abilities look like when the surroundings change.
September will provide clues rather than verdicts. Chemistry takes time, responsibilities evolve and unexpected players inevitably emerge. That uncertainty is part of what makes a fresh NFL season compelling: even stars fans have watched for years can suddenly offer something new.
*Content reflects information available as of September 2, 2026; subject to change.
