A significant tactical shift defined the opening week of the 2026 NFL season as teams across the league moved away from the shotgun and pistol formations that have dominated the sport for over a decade. Organizations including the Commanders, Eagles, Ravens, Chiefs, Giants, and Raiders all increased their usage of under-center snaps, marking a dramatic departure from the league-wide trends of recent years.
The league-wide rate of under-center play reached 42.5% during Week 1, the highest mark since 2012. This resurgence coincides with a high-scoring start to the season, as teams averaged 24.7 points per game, tying the record for the highest-scoring opening week since the 1970 merger. While the trend is leaguewide, the commitment to the formation varied by team, with some organizations integrating it as a core philosophy while others experimented with the approach.
The Strategic Drivers Behind the Shift
The primary motivation for returning to under-center play is the desire for a more diverse and unpredictable rushing attack. Operating from the shotgun often limits run concepts and makes the direction of the play more predictable based on the running back's alignment. By lining up directly behind the quarterback, offenses can execute a wider variety of schemes, such as inside and outside zone, power, and duo, without needing to shift personnel.
Furthermore, the move is a direct response to the prevalence of zone coverage in modern defenses. Coaches are utilizing under-center play-action to manipulate linebackers and create passing lanes. Data shows that teams used play-action on more than 75% of their under-center pass dropbacks in Week 1, compared to just 9.5% for shotgun or pistol sets. This hard play-action approach is designed to force defenders to hesitate, creating openings in the middle of the field that are harder to exploit from a static shotgun stance.
Team Performance and Future Outlook
The results of this transition were mixed across the league. The Kansas City Chiefs, who operated under center on 43.3% of their snaps, saw immediate success on the ground with Kenneth Walker III, who rushed for 173 yards. However, Patrick Mahomes struggled with passing efficiency from the formation, finishing 0-for-4 with an interception. Meanwhile, the New York Giants leaned heavily into bigger personnel groupings, using two tight ends or fullbacks on 67.6% of their snaps, and finished as the league's second-best offense by EPA per play in Week 1.
Conversely, the move toward under-center play has led to a sharp decline in the designed
