The NFL's opening weekend was a statistical marvel — the highest-scoring Week 1 since the 1970 merger, with teams averaging 49.4 points per game. But Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy saw through the fireworks. What he witnessed on the field left him less than impressed.
Dungy, who spent years molding defenses into disciplined machines, watched the 2026 season kick off with a mix of explosive plays and ugly mistakes. The Chicago Bears dropped 59 on the Panthers, the Vikings stormed back for 39 against the Packers, and the Bills and Texans traded blows in a 36-31 shootout. Yet for Dungy, the scores masked a deeper problem: too many players simply weren't ready for real football.
“After watching Week 1 of the NFL season I believe we need a real preseason. I saw many players and teams who were not ready for the speed or contact of a real game. Tackling, penalties, mental errors, turned games around. Defenses especially can’t get ready without some contact,” Dungy said. “I think we’ll see much better play and have a different impression of many of these teams in October. So don’t get too high or too low on your team just yet.”
His critique found a perfect example on Monday night, when the Broncos and Chiefs squared off. Denver's defense missed 28 tackles and surrendered 247 yards after those whiffs, according to Next Gen Stats. That kind of sloppiness, Dungy argues, is a direct result of a preseason that's become more about preservation than preparation.
The coach's call for change comes as the NFL has trimmed preseason action in recent years, with many starters barely seeing the field before the games that count. Dungy believes that approach is hurting the product, especially on the defensive side where timing and physicality can't be simulated in practice alone.
This isn't the first time Dungy has spoken his mind this year. He announced earlier that he wouldn't return to NBC's “Football Night in America,” a role he held for 17 seasons. “I have been informed by NBC that I won’t be back with FNIA this fall and it has given me time to reflect and also to look ahead. It’s disappointing news but I want to thank my NBC family for making the last 17 years so special. I’ll have lasting memories of my time there, especially with Rodney Harrison who has become a tremendous friend,” he said. “God has always directed me in these moments and while I’m not sure what the next step will be for me—whether it will be in football, in broadcasting, or getting more involved in church and community outreach —I know God has plans for my life and I can’t wait see them unfold.”
NBC replaced Dungy with another coaching legend, Mike Tomlin, but that hasn't silenced the Hall of Famer. He's still watching closely, and his latest commentary is a reminder that even in a season full of points, the fundamentals still matter.
For fans, the early returns might be thrilling, but Dungy's warning is clear: don't overreact to Week 1. The teams that look unstoppable now could stumble as defenses find their footing, and the ones that struggled might surprise once they shake off the rust. As the season heats up, the real picture will emerge — just as Dungy predicts.
In the meantime, the debate over preseason length is likely to intensify, with coaches and players weighing in on both sides. Whether the league listens to Dungy's plea remains to be seen, but his voice carries weight. After all, few know what it takes to prepare a team for battle better than he does.
