NFL 2026 Team Captains
Texans, Packers, Bengals, and Cardinals Announce Their Captains for the 2026 Season
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Jacoby Brissett was selected alongside Hjalte Froholdt, Casey Kreiter, Budda Baker and Mack Wilson Sr.; Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur said the captains were chosen exclusively by players in the locker room.
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Tight end Trey McBride said Cardinals players wanted Brissett at the team facility during his contract dispute, saying, “Guys want him to be here” and praising the presence he brought to mandatory minicamp.
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Houston’s 2026 captain group is smaller than last season’s, and notable players not initially selected included Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Danielle Hunter and kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn; the Texans have previously expanded their captain list during the season.
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Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said the team’s captains were chosen by the players and emphasized that the group was selected for its consistency in preparation, care for the locker room and willingness to speak up.
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The Bengals announced their seven captains on Sept. 7, with the group spanning quarterback, receiver, center, kicker, cornerback, safety and defensive tackle positions.
Four NFL teams have named their 2026 captains ahead of the new season, with each group reflecting a mix of established stars and emerging leaders. ESPN reports that the Arizona Cardinals, Houston Texans, Green Bay Packers, and Cincinnati Bengals completed their captain selections through votes by players in the locker room—a process that rewards preparation, communication, and locker-room commitment over contract size or statistics alone.
Cardinals Endorse Brissett Despite External Doubts
The Arizona Cardinals selected quarterback Jacoby Brissett as one of five captains, alongside Hjalte Froholdt, Casey Kreiter, Budda Baker, and Mack Wilson Sr. NFL.com reports that the captains were chosen exclusively by players in the locker room. Tight end Trey McBride said teammates wanted Brissett present during a contract dispute, stating that "guys want him to be here" and praising his influence at mandatory minicamp—an endorsement that signals trust despite Brissett's poor record as a starter.
Texans Select Four Captains Across Offense and Defense
The Houston Texans named Will Anderson Jr., C.J. Stroud, Azeez Al-Shaair, and Jalen Pitre as captains for 2026. NFL.com reports that coach DeMeco Ryans praised their preparation, communication, locker-room commitment, and willingness to speak up. The group is smaller than last season's captain list, with Pro Bowl receiver Nico Collins, defensive end Danielle Hunter, and kicker Ka'imi Fairbairn not initially selected—though the Texans have expanded their captain group during the season in previous years.
Packers and Bengals Build Deep Leadership Structures
The Green Bay Packers chose five captains: Jordan Love, Tucker Kraft, Xavier McKinney, Edgerrin Cooper, and newcomer D.J. Franklin, who previously served as captain with Indianapolis. NFL.com reports that the Cincinnati Bengals named seven captains on September 7: Joe Burrow, Ja'Marr Chase, Ted Karras, Evan McPherson, DJ Turner II, Bryan Cook, and newcomer Dexter Lawrence II. The Bengals' roster spans quarterback, receiver, center, kicker, cornerback, safety, and defensive tackle—spreading leadership across all three phases of the game.
Why Multiple Captains Help Teams Manage Uncertainty
Distributing captaincy across multiple positions creates leadership coverage throughout offense, defense, and special teams. Each captain can reinforce standards within their unit and help information flow between locker-room groups. This structure reduces dependence on a single star and gives more players formal responsibility for team-wide accountability. Because captain groups can change or expand during the season, teams can also recognize emerging influence rather than treating leadership as fixed—allowing a respected veteran such as Brissett to stabilize the roster while the organization evaluates its longer-term direction.
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