Ole Miss football's offseason started when a failed hail Mary led them to a Fiesta Bowl loss to Miami.
Then, the transfer portal was Pete Golding's first priority. Golding all but outdid himself by locking in some solid defensive pieces in a program that he took over from the recruiting mastermind named Lane Kiffin.
Now, it's time for Golding to truly address the most pressing offseason issues.
What will the offense look like?
Golding's primary task this offseason would be building an entierly new blueprint from square one. With Kiffin and his staff gone, the program will entierly depend on the gameplan Golding builds this offseason.
Until now, Charlie Weis Jr. was their reliable offensive caller. With him and several other assistant offensive coaches off to LSU, the offense will be the Rebels' biggest question.
Finding an offensive identity would be crucial to the 2026 season. Especially with gaping holes in the offense due to the unexpected mass exodus of established players, the offense could turn out to be the anchor that holds the Rebels back in 2026.
What will the QB situation look like?
This is where the Rebels are stuck in a holding pattern. The NCAA denying QB was a total shock, considering the Rebels just backed Chambliss with a $5 million deal to anchor the 2026 offense.
However, there is still hope with the lawsuit already filed. But neglecting the possibility of Chambliss losing that is not a mistake Golding would make.
If Chambliss indeed loses, what will the QB situation look like in 2026? Will it be Auburn QB Deuce Knight handling the reins, or would Golding find another transfer portal underdog to turn the program around?
How to fix the gaping pieces?
Ole Miss lost a good chunk of their experienced players in a mass exodus, thanks to a reported sabotage attempt from Kiffin.
Defensive cornerstone TJ Dottery, starting WR Cayden Lee, and star edge Princewill Umanmielen all left a vacancy that will most certainly hurt the Rebels in 2026 unless Golding can find a solution to fill those shoes.
It will perhaps be Golding's toughest challenge this offseason.