Head coaches and general managers from every NFL team head to Indianapolis this week for the 2026 NFL Combine. Over 300 top college football players show up at Lucas Oil Stadium from February 26 to March 1. They run drills. They sit for interviews. Teams check their bodies and skills up close. It's the big job fair before the April draft.
Key Takeaways
- Combine runs Thursday, February 26 through Sunday, March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
- More than 300 prospects invited, including stars like Fernando Mendoza and Jeremiyah Love.
- Different position groups workout each day: defensive linemen first, offensive linemen last.
- Fans get free entry to watch drills live and join interactive events.
Background
The NFL Combine started back in 1985 as a simple medical check for draft hopefuls. It grew fast. By 1987, Indianapolis became home base. Lucas Oil Stadium hosts it every year now. All 32 teams send their top people: coaches, GMs, scouts, doctors.
Prospects come from colleges across the country. They must rank high on draft boards to get invites. This year, 319 players made the list. Names like Fernando Mendoza at quarterback. Jeremiyah Love at running back. Arvell Reese on defense. Sonny Styles in the secondary. These guys dream of pro contracts.
Teams use the four days to dig deep. Interviews last 15 minutes each, up to 60 per player. Medical exams spot injuries. On-field drills measure speed, strength, jumps. It's raw data for draft picks. And coaches talk. They share thoughts on who's rising. Who's falling.
Indianapolis rolls out the red carpet. Free fan zones. NFL legends sign autographs. Interactive games let kids throw passes. The city buzzes. Hotels fill up. Bars near the stadium pack with scouts in polo shirts.
But it's not just show. Teams build draft boards here. A great 40-yard dash can jump a guy 20 spots. A bad interview? He slides. GMs whisper about trades. Coaches eye fits for their schemes.
Key Details
Drills kick off Thursday at 3 p.m. Eastern. Placekickers and punters go first. Then defensive linemen and linebackers pound the turf. Fans watch from stands. Cameras catch every rep.
Friday brings defensive backs and tight ends. These guys run routes. They leap for balls. Speed shows here. Saturday spotlights skill positions: quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs. Passes fly. Cuts happen sharp. Sunday wraps with offensive linemen. They block. They bench press heavy iron.
Press rooms hum all weekend. Head coaches face mics after sessions. GMs join panels. They talk needs. One hot topic loops up: quarterback deals. Teams like the Bears eye extensions. Travis Kelce's future with Chiefs sparks chat too. Will he retire? Play on?
Carolina Panthers staff arrives early. They track dates close. Draft room buzzes already. Every team does the same. Interviews fill hotel ballrooms. Prospects in suits. Nervous handshakes.
Live coverage hits NFL Network. NFL+ streams it all. ESPN jumps in with shows like SportsCenter and NFL Live. On-site reporters grab soundbites. Drills air from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. most days.
Daily Schedule Breakdown
Thursday, Feb. 26: Defensive linemen, linebackers from 3-8 p.m.
Friday, Feb. 27: Defensive backs, tight ends same window.
Saturday, Feb. 28: QBs, WRs, RBs start at 1 p.m.
Sunday, March 1: Offensive linemen 1-5 p.m.
Fans register free via NFL OnePass app. Inside Look events open doors. Combine Experience runs parallel. Touchdowns for all ages.
"This is where dreams meet reality. One workout changes everything." – Anonymous GM speaking off the record in Indy press room.
Coaches don't hold back in private. One Bears coach eyes a speedy corner: Van de Ven Attracts Liverpool, Man United, Real Madrid Interest. Wait, no—NFL talk sticks to prospects. But soccer links show global scout eyes. Here, a Panthers scout nods at linebackers fitting their new defense scheme.
Medical tents stay busy. MRI machines hum. Orthopedists poke knees. A hamstring tweak ends hopes quick. Teams note it all.
2026 NFL Combine Key Details
Numbers tell the story. 319 invites. Four days. 32 teams. Thousands of fans. Drills timed to the tenth. Bench presses counted strict.
Prospects train months for this. Some drop weight. Others bulk up. Agents coach interview answers. It's pressure cooked high.
Hot teams chat contracts. Bears on Caleb Williams deal. Chiefs on Kelce. Packers scout backups. Every GM fields questions.
And weather cooperates. Indy stays dry. Mid-40s. Perfect for shorts and stops.
Teams link needs to workouts. Pass rushers timed. Linemen measured. It's math meets tape.
Buster Olney Ranks MLB’s Top 10 Third Basemen for 2026 shows cross-sport rankings heat drafts. NFL follows suit.
What This Means
Strong combines boost stock. A 4.3 40-yard dash screams first round. Poor shuttle runs drop guys to day three.
Teams lock in boards. Trades brew. A GM might swap picks now. Coaches see scheme fits. A mobile QB for zone defense? Check.
Fans watch futures form. That corner who flies? He lands with your squad. Draft hype builds to April 23 in Pittsburgh.
Injuries lurk. One slip. Career pause. But standouts shine forever. Combine clips replay on highlight shows.
GMs shape rosters. Cheap talent via late picks. Stars via trades up. It's chess with million-dollar pieces.
Kelce talk hints retirements. Vets eye exits. Rookies fill gaps. Balance shifts league-wide.
Panthers build fast. They scout deep. Others chase playoffs. Combine fuels runs.
Draft nears. Pittsburgh hosts April 23-25. Acrisure Stadium. Point State Park. Rounds one through seven.
Prospects wait invites. Some shine. Others grind. All chase paydays.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the 2026 NFL Combine end?
Sunday, March 1 at 5 p.m. Eastern after offensive line drills.
How can I watch the 2026 NFL Combine?
Tune into NFL Network or stream on NFL+. ESPN covers with daily shows.
Who are some top prospects at the 2026 NFL Combine?
Fernando Mendoza, Jeremiyah Love, Arvell Reese, Sonny Styles head the list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the dates for the 2026 NFL Combine?
The event takes place from Thursday, February 26 to Sunday, March 1 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
Which positions workout on which days at the 2026 NFL Combine?
Thursday: defensive linemen and linebackers; Friday: defensive backs and tight ends; Saturday: QBs, WRs, RBs; Sunday: offensive linemen.
How many prospects are invited to the 2026 NFL Combine?
A total of 319 college players received invitations to participate.
