NFL
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Entering a new NFL season, every single team in the league has hopes that this will be just as good as or better than last year, or that they will turn their fortunes around after a rough season last year. Unfortunately, for many teams, players and coaches, things don’t go as planned.
While there is still more than enough time left in the 2026 NFL schedule, these are the 10 biggest disappointments after the first four weeks of the season.
Robert Saleh & Tennessee Titans
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Oct 4, 2026; Baltimore, Maryland, USA; Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh looks on during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
It is not easy to get a second chance at being a head coach in the NFL. Especially when things end messily at your previous stop. However, Robert Saleh earned it with the Tennessee Titans after another impressive run as defensive coordinator for the San Francisco 49ers.
But after four games, the Titans are winless. They have a middle-of-the-road defense, and their offense with former No. 1 pick Cam Ward has been awful. They are averaging the fewest total yards on offense per game and are second-worst in points. While they weren’t expected to be world beaters in 2026, most around the NFL expected Saleh and his team to be far better than this.
Washington Commanders
NFL: Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders8
Sep 27, 2026; Landover, Maryland, USA; Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) reacts with tight end John Bates (87) after a first down against the Seattle Seahawks at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
Most chalked up the Washington Commanders’ regression in 2025 to quarterback Jayden Daniel’s elbow injury. Well, that same bad luck has returned this year, but this time around the QB will attempt to play through the injury for the 1-3 team.
Yet, even if Daniels can play at a high level with a huge brace on his non-throwing arm, the Commanders have been terrible on offense and are giving up the third most points a game (30.5) in the NFL. It is a surprising stat for a team led by a former defensive coordinator in Dan Quinn.
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter of their game8
Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur talks with quarterback Jordan Love (10) during the second quarter of their game against the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Sure, the Green Bay Packers were starting the season without superstar pass rusher Micah Parsons, but they still have enough talent to be a playoff contender. However, they head into Week 5 with a very disappointing 2-2 after barely beating the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Marvin Harrison Jr.
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) misses the pass on the last drive of the game. The Giants were called8
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) misses the pass on the last drive of the game. The Giants were called for a foul on the play, Sunday, October 4, 2026, in East Rutherford.
When Marvin Harrison Jr. was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the expectation was that the Ohio State star was a lock to be a big-time impact player at the next level. In his rookie season, he was solid. Unfortunately for Arizona Cardinals fans, he is getting worse by the season.
After four games in the 2026 season, Harrison Jr. has just five catches for 85 yards and a touchdown. The receiver has been the subject of trade rumors over the last couple of weeks, with that looking like the only thing that can save him from being one of the biggest draft busts of the decade.
Miami Dolphins
NFL: Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings8
Oct 4, 2026; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Miami Dolphins quarterback Malik Willis (2) throws a pass during the third quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
After the Miami Dolphins moved on from several expensive and problematic stars in the offseason, the expectation always was that they would struggle in 2026. Yet, the hope was a culture change led by new head coach Jeff Hafley might mean a far more competent team this year. That hasn’t happened.
The Dolphins enter Week 5 winless because they have the worst scoring team in the NFL. However, they aren’t much better on defense and reside in the bottom half of the league in points and yards given up per game.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
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Sep 20, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Tampa Bay Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles reacts during the second half against the Cleveland Browns at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
While the Buccaneers haven’t been dominant during the era of head coach Todd Bowles, they have still been a team always hovering around a .500 or better record in his first four seasons. Well, that isn’t the case in 2026 for the winless Bucs.
Without a doubt, the recent injury to Baker Mayfield has hurt. But even when he was on the field, the Buccaneers’ offense wasn’t great. After four games, they are in the bottom 10 in scoring. Sadly, despite solid play from their defense, Tampa starts the season in a mediocre NFC South with a 0-4 record.
Houston Texans
NFL: Buffalo Bills at Houston Texans8
Sep 13, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) talks with Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans before playing against the Buffalo Bills at Reliant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-Imagn Images
After going 12-5 last season, led by an elite defense, many around the NFL assumed this could be the year that the Houston Texans reach the Super Bowl for the first time. In 2026, there is doubt they can even reach the playoffs after a 0-4 start.
The Texans offense is again an average group despite hopes for big improvements this year. However, the real surprise is the terrible play of their defense. The group that smacked around opponents in 2025 enters Week 5 giving up the sixth most points in the league (27.3). It is a stunning regression that has quickly heated the seat under coach DeMeco Ryans.
Mike McDaniel & Justin Herbert
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Sep 27, 2026; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel looks on from the sideline in the first half against the Buffalo Bills at New Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
When Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh hired Mike McDaniel to be his new offensive coordinator. He was seen as an offensive guru as a coordinator in San Francisco, and when he was head coach of the Dolphins, they had a couple of big seasons on offense. On paper, pairing him with Justin Herbert seemed like a recipe for some big numbers in 2026.
Instead, the two-time Pro Bowler is having one of his worst seasons in the NFL. He looks like he’s lost his confidence, and the Chargers are scoring the fourth-fewest points in the league (16.8). It is a major reason why LA is off to a shocking 0-4 start this year.