[No Paywall] How NFL strategy has changed in 2026: QBs under center, more tight ends and coverage tricks

Quarterbacks are back under center Offenses are aligning under center 47 percent of the time on early downs through Week 4, which would be the highest rate since 2017 if sustained. That’s up from 40 percent last season and a low of 33 percent in 2023. These changes are frequently cast as schematic cat-and-mouse games between offensive and defensive strategists. Hiring is a factor as well. Coaches Kyle Shanahan (San Francisco 49ers) and Sean McVay (Los Angeles Rams) deserve some of the credit. Their success leaning into under center concepts on early downs over the past decade has led other tea

r/nfl · 2h ago