Hall of Fame coach Tony Dungy wasn’t exactly amused by everything that went down during Week 1 of the NFL season.
Week 1 of the 2026 season produced the highest-scoring opening week (49.4 points per game) since the AFL-NFL merger in 1970. The Chicago Bears scored 59 points against the Carolina Panthers, the Minnesota Vikings had 39 points in a comeback win over the Green Bay Packers, and the Buffalo Bills and Houston Texans were involved in a 36-31 shootout.
While fans enjoyed the fireworks this past weekend, Dungy believes the NFL needs a “real preseason” so the product can be even better in Week 1.
“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.”
There were plenty of missed tackles on display during Monday night’s showdown between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs. According to Next Gen Stats, the Denver defense missed 28 tackles and gave up 247 yards after missed tackles.
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Is Tony Dungy covering the NFL this season?
Dungy announced earlier this year that he wouldn’t be part of NBC’s “Football Night in America” crew this fall.
“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,” Dungy 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 ultimately replaced Dungy with another great coach in Mike Tomlin. That being said, he’s still finding ways to share his thoughts on the NFL.
