NFL Combine 2026: Coaches and GMs Signal Bold Moves Ahead of Draft

The 2026 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis has once again become the epicenter of the league’s offseason maneuvering, as head coaches and general managers from across the NFL offered updates on team direction, player evaluations, and potential draft strategies. With the draft looming, their comments and decisions at the combine are providing vital clues about roster shakeups and positional priorities.

Team decision-makers used their time at the podium to address pressing questions, from quarterback controversies to free agency targets and injury updates. The event has not only showcased the next wave of NFL talent, but also highlighted how franchises are retooling for the coming season.

• Quarterback situations dominated much of the conversation, with multiple teams openly discussing their search for a franchise signal-caller.
• Coaches signaled both continuity and change for key roster spots, hinting at aggressive drafting or free agency moves.
• GMs outlined the importance of combine interviews and medical results in shaping their draft boards.

Several general managers reiterated the growing importance of the combine’s interview process. Beyond the physical drills, teams are prioritizing character and football IQ when evaluating prospects. Many franchises emphasized their intention to build through the draft, leveraging deep position groups in this year’s class.

Some coaches highlighted the need for immediate impact from incoming rookies, especially for teams that narrowly missed the playoffs in 2025. Others discussed depth-building strategies, particularly in the trenches and secondary, pointing to a league-wide emphasis on athletic versatility and scheme fit.

Injury updates were another focal point, with teams offering optimism about key players’ recoveries or outlining contingency plans in case of setbacks. Medical evaluations conducted at the combine are informing these discussions, and some GMs indicated they will wait until post-combine results before finalizing offseason moves.

• Teams with top draft picks remain tight-lipped about specific targets, but several hinted at willingness to entertain trade offers, adding intrigue to the top of the draft order.
• The consensus among executives is that this year’s draft class is strong at offensive tackle, wide receiver, and defensive back, which could impact free agency priorities.
• Combine performances are expected to cause significant shifts in prospect rankings, as teams refine their boards based on athletic testing and interviews.

As the combine continues, league insiders expect further clarity on major free agency decisions and trade rumors. Many coaches and GMs are leveraging the event to connect with agents and gather intel, making Indianapolis a hub for both on-field and off-field movement.

With the 2026 NFL Draft on the horizon, the themes and priorities emerging from the combine are setting the tone for what is expected to be an eventful and unpredictable offseason. Teams are balancing the need for immediate contributors with long-term development, and the statements from key decision-makers in Indianapolis are already shaping the narrative for the months ahead.