The Atlanta Braves enter the 2026 season facing an unusual challenge: rebuilding trust with their own fan base.

Injuries, roster instability, and underperformance have defined the past couple of seasons in Atlanta. While some struggles can be explained by fluke injuries and bad luck, other issues stem from troubling trends that are becoming harder to ignore. Even talented players can lose goodwill if availability, consistency, or credibility becomes a question mark.

Heading into 2026, several key Braves contributors must prove they can still be counted on. These are not fringe 40-man roster pieces or depth bench bats. These are familiar names — regulars — who now carry legitimate question marks.

Jurickson Profar Must Rebuild Credibility After PED Suspension

Few events erode trust faster than a PED suspension. For Jurickson Profar, that reality became unavoidable during the Braves’ disappointing 2025 campaign.

Profar’s suspension was more than just a temporary roster setback. It represented the first domino in what turned into a frustrating collapse for Atlanta. Regardless of how a player frames the situation publicly, a positive test fundamentally changes perception.

What makes the situation more complicated is timing. Profar’s breakout 2024 season now carries an asterisk in the minds of many fans. When performance spikes coincide with a PED violation, skepticism is inevitable.

Even if Profar returns in 2026 and posts solid numbers, he will face a tougher road to redemption. Fans do not simply evaluate production; they evaluate integrity and reliability. A strong half-season won’t be enough. Sustained performance, transparency, and leadership will be required to rebuild confidence.

From a front-office perspective, there’s also financial scrutiny. Contracts tied to players with disciplinary history always carry risk. If Profar fails to approach his 2024 form without controversy, questions about the long-term value of his deal will grow louder.

The path forward is simple in theory: produce consistently and stay clean. But regaining trust after a PED suspension is rarely quick or easy.

Ozzie Albies and the Growing Injury Narrative

For years, Ozzie Albies was one of the most underrated second basemen in baseball. National media often overlooked his production, while Braves fans passionately defended him as one of the best at his position.

However, what once looked like isolated injury misfortune is beginning to resemble a troubling pattern.

Albies’ talent has never been in question. When healthy, he remains a dynamic offensive contributor with defensive value and clubhouse presence. The issue is availability. Over multiple seasons, injuries have prevented him from completing anything close to a full campaign.

In professional sports, durability is part of value. A player who produces at an All-Star level for 90 games is less impactful than one who delivers slightly less but plays 155.

It is fair to say Albies has already cemented his legacy as the greatest second baseman in Braves history. His peak production and connection to the franchise’s recent competitive window are undeniable. But sentiment does not override reality. If Albies cannot stay on the field in 2026, fans may begin to question how much longer the Braves can count on him as a core piece.

To silence doubts, he does not need to post MVP-caliber numbers. He simply needs to play — consistently and without extended absences. A near-full season would go a long way toward restoring faith.

Bryce Elder’s Role Is Under Increasing Scrutiny

Unlike Profar and Albies, Bryce Elder does not carry star expectations. He has often been viewed as a depth arm rather than a frontline starter.

Still, repeated inconsistency can wear on a fan base.

Elder has shown flashes — particularly with his slider generating ground balls and weak contact. On the right day, he can deliver a quality start and keep the Braves competitive. The problem is volatility.

Too often, his outings swing between competent and chaotic. At times, he struggles to escape the first inning. At others, he strings together a solid five or six frames. That unpredictability creates tension whenever he takes the mound.

Previously, Atlanta could shield Elder by deploying him strategically against weaker opponents. But roster attrition and injuries forced him into more prominent roles, exposing his limitations.

In 2026, Elder does not need to transform into an ace. However, he must demonstrate improved command, better first-inning composure, and greater reliability. For a team with postseason ambitions, rotation stability is essential.

If he continues to profile as a back-end arm with a low floor, fans will struggle to trust him in meaningful games.

The Bigger Picture for the Braves in 2026

The Braves’ recent struggles cannot be pinned on one player. Baseball is a long season filled with variables — health, timing, depth, and luck all matter.

But trust is built on three pillars:

1. Availability

2. Consistency

3. Accountability

Profar must restore credibility. Albies must prove durability. Elder must deliver steadier performances.

The Braves’ core remains talented. There is enough upside on the roster to compete again if things break correctly. However, 2026 feels like a pivotal year for resetting expectations and reaffirming identity.

Fans are patient when they see effort and transparency. They are less forgiving when patterns repeat without correction.

For Atlanta to regain its footing, key contributors must step forward and rewrite their narratives. Redemption stories are possible in baseball. But they require performance — not promises.

The 2026 season will reveal whether these Braves can transform doubt into renewed belief.