The NFL is back, and the 2026 season is already packed with storylines. From the defending champion Seattle Seahawks beginning their title defense to the Dallas Cowboys and New York Giants renewing their rivalry on the first Sunday Night Football broadcast, the new season has no shortage of excitement. I look ahead to the biggest matchups of the year, including Chiefs-Seahawks and the Thanksgiving night showdown between Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen, while taking a closer look at the Kansas City Chiefs as they begin a new chapter. I also takes in the traditions that make the NFL so special—from packed stadiums and tailgates to Carrie Underwood’s Sunday Night Football opening and the familiar voices of Mike Tirico, Cris Collinsworth, Joe Buck and Kevin Harlan. The NFL is back, and the stage is set for another unforgettable season.

In this edition of Beyond the Field, Lacey shares why she has decided to step away from supporting the WNBA and the Indiana Fever. After two seasons of following Caitlin Clark’s professional career, she reflects on the officiating, physical play, injury-reporting controversy, and league decisions that have changed the way she experiences the game. This is not about walking away from women’s basketball—it is Lacey’s perspective on what happens when frustration begins to outweigh the enjoyment of being a fan.