Biggest questions for seven NFL teams that stood pat this offseason

It's already been an offseason of change in the NFL.

With Seattle Seahawks offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak expected to accept the Las Vegas Raiders head-coaching role after Super Bowl LX, there have been an astonishing 49 prominent openings this offseason: 10 head coach, 21 offensive coordinator, 15 defensive coordinator and three general manager positions.

But of the whirlwind movement, seven teams stood pat. Below, we take a closer look at the franchises running it back in 2026 and pose one burning staff question for each.

1. Cincinnati Bengals

GM: Duke Tobin (2002) • HC: Zac Taylor (2019) • OC: Dan Pitcher (2024) • DC: Al Golden (2025)

If not this year, when? | The Bengals had an opportunity for a reset after the rest of the AFC North made coaching changes, but they elected to bring back the braintrust for one of the league's more disappointing 2025 teams instead.

In seven years as head coach, Taylor, who is entering the second-to-last year on a five-year contract extension signed in February 2022, has only led Cincinnati to the playoffs twice. His run to Super Bowl LVI extended his shelf life, but with diminishing returns in the years since, Taylor may need a playoff appearance in 2026 to survive another offseason.

2. Indianapolis Colts

GM: Chris Ballard (2017) • HC: Shane Steichen (2023) • OC: Jim Bob Cooter (2023) • DC: Lou Anarumo (2025)

Steichen's last stand? | Steichen, entering his fourth year, has yet to make the playoffs with the Colts. He's come close, losing a winner-take-all Week 18 game in 2023 to the Houston Texans then collapsing with seven consecutive losses after an 8-2 start to the 2025 season.

Since 2002, only three hires out of 24 coaches (excluding Steichen) who missed the postseason in their first three full seasons have gone on to reach the playoffs (Gary Kubiak, Dan Campbell, Jason Garrett). Out of the others, 17 were fired after their third year, while four others were dismissed following a fourth consecutive non-playoff season.

Despite flashes of promise, patience might be wearing thin on Steichen, turning 2026 into a make-or-break campaign.

3. New Orleans Saints

GM: Mickey Loomis (2002) • HC: Kellen Moore (2025) • OC: Doug Nussmeier (2025) • DC: Brandon Staley (2025)

Can Loomis hit another home run? | The longtime Saints general manager is tied with Bengals de facto general manager Duke Tobin for second-longest active front office tenure behind Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. Saints fans have clamored for a change in management for most of the 2020s, but Loomis alleviated some dissatisfaction with several hits last offseason, most notably in the NFL Draft.

Per ESPN, New Orleans had the most productive rookie class in 2025, helping lay the groundwork for a team that could contend for an NFC South title as soon as next season. Yet for an organization that hasn't made the playoffs since 2020, a step back in 2026 will throw Loomis right back onto the hot seat.

4. Houston Texans

GM: Nick Caserio (2021) • HC: DeMeco Ryans (2023) • OC: Nick Caley (2025) • DC: Matt Burke (2023)

How do Texans fix offense? | Houston wasted an elite 2025 defense with a dysfunctional offense, but that wasn't enough to make a change at OC. Quarterback C.J. Stroud, the 2023 Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year, has seen his progression stall behind a lackluster offensive line and unimaginable scheme. It's up to Caley, entering his second year in his role, to get Stroud and the offense back on track.

5. Carolina Panthers

GM: Dan Morgan (2024) • HC: Dave Canales (2024) • OC: Brad Idzik (2024) • DC: Ejiro Evero (2023)

How much longer can team keep Evero? | One of the few holdovers of the Frank Reich era error, Evero has provided stability for the Panthers defense. The unit made positive strides last season after a dismal 2024, once again making the three-year Panthers DC a hot commodity on the coaching circuit. Per ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler, Evero was a finalist for the Raiders coaching job. If Carolina takes another big defensive leap in 2026, Canales might be searching for Evero's replacement next offseason.