Commanders Star Jayden Daniels Reportedly Issues NIL Cease And Desist To LSU

The important thing is this isn't awkward. An attorney representing Washington Commanders star and former LSU Tigers quarterback Jayden Daniels informed LSU that it can no longer use Daniels' name, image and likeness (NIL). This comes in the wake of LSU sophomore cornerback DJ Pickett changing his number to No. 5, which Daniels wore over his two years with the Tigers from 2022-23. "The Daniels family is deeply disappointed and feels profoundly disrespected by LSU's decision to give Jayden's number to another player," an Aug. 5 statement from Daniels' spokesperson read, according to ESPN. "Jayden and his family had every reason to believe that his number would remain a meaningful part of his LSU legacy and would be honored and protected in recognition of his extraordinary contributions to the university. … "Jayden made it clear that he did not want his number given to another player, and he believed his wishes would be respected. His Heisman Trophy-winning season and everything he accomplished on and off the field cemented his place in LSU history. To see his number given to another player is incredibly disappointing and feels like a failure to honor the significance of what Jayden accomplished at LSU." Pickett, a consensus five-star recruit, wore No. 3 last season, with him recently changing to No. 5, which LSU head coach Lane Kiffin said the defensive back was "promised" he could wear when being recruited by the school in 2024. The No. 5 isn't retired by LSU. "Accordingly, LSU must immediately cease and desist from any further issue use, display, publication, distribution, promotion, commercialization, or other exploitation of Mr. Daniels' NIL in any manner or medium," attorney Adam Kenner wrote. "Any use of Mr. Daniels' NIL occurring after LSU's receipt of this notice will be deemed knowing and willful and will be pursued vigorously through all available legal and equitable remedies, without further notice." As for what he did on the field last season at LSU (2025), Pickett totaled three interceptions, three passes defended, two sacks and 37 combined tackles in his 2025 freshman campaign. Regarding Daniels, he transferred to Baton Rouge after three seasons with the Arizona State Sun Devils (2019-21) and was the Tigers' starting quarterback for two seasons (2022-23). In his second year at LSU, Daniels put together one of the best seasons by a quarterback in college football history, capped off by winning the 2023 Heisman Trophy Award. Across 12 games, Daniels totaled 3,812 passing yards, 40 passing touchdowns, four interceptions and a 208.0 passer rating, while completing 72.2% of his passes. His 40 passing touchdowns and 208.0 passer rating each led the SEC, while Daniels also rushed for 1,134 yards and 10 touchdowns. Daniels was then selected by the Washington Commanders with the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft and proceeded to lead them to a playoff win for the first time since 2005 and to the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991, when Washington won Super Bowl XXVI. In doing so, Daniels won 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year honors, totaling 3,568 passing yards, 25 passing touchdowns, nine interceptions and a 100.1 passer rating in the regular season, while completing 69.0% of his passes. Meanwhile, Daniels rushed for 891 yards and six touchdowns. Daniels was limited to seven games in 2025 due to ankle, knee and elbow injuries, posting an 88.1 passer rating and completing 60.6% of his passes. The Commanders missed the playoffs at 5-12. LSU is entering its first season with Kiffin, who previously went 55-19 as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels from 2020-25, as its new coach.

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Year 2 Breakout Candidates: One Player From Each NFC Team Primed To Take A Leap

One need only be reminded of the fact that quarterback Sam Darnold just won the Super Bowl to understand that when it comes to the NFL, patience truly can be a virtue. Darnold was in his eighth NFL season and the Seattle Seahawks are the fifth team of his professional career, but the point is the same with second-year breakout candidates. It is so easy to get caught up in the excitement of the latest draft class and overlook other young players set to pop. With that, here are my picks for which 2025 draft picks I believe will take the biggest leaps in their sophomore season. NFC EAST Coming off a torn ACL, Revel didn’t see the field until Week 11 of his rookie season. Now that he’s fully healthy, I’m expecting big things from the long-armed 6-foot-2 corner. Revel is big, physical and aggressive. With he and 2026 rookie Caleb Downs leading the way, I believe the Cowboys will show massive improvement in their secondary this season, positioning the team for a postseason run. Given the downhill running game John Harbaugh prioritized in Baltimore, there probably wasn’t a player on the Giants’ roster more excited about the arrival of the longtime Ravens head coach. Skattebo flashed last year prior to sustaining a horrific lower leg injury that abruptly ended his rookie campaign after just eight games. He scored seven times, showing not only bruising running ability but also soft hands out of the backfield. He’ll be Harbaugh’s bell cow with a chance to at least double his production in 2026 — if he can stay healthy. Admittedly, listing Campbell here is pretty low-hanging fruit. He’s a former first-round pick who started 10 games as a rookie and is slated to play even more in Year 2 with his primary competition of a year ago — Nakobe Dean — now on the Raiders. But I don’t think Campbell is just going to start — I think he’s going to star. He is a remarkable athlete at 6-foot-3, 240 pounds, offering Vic Fangio all sorts of flexibility with how to use him. He has the size and burst to excel as a pass-rusher with the speed to chase down backs in the running game. His pass coverage was outstanding at Alabama and even better in his rookie season, when he ranked eighth among all NFL linebackers (with at least 200 snaps) in completion percentage allowed, per Pro Football Reference. Campbell is a blue-chip chess piece that has the talent to become one of the faces of a fierce Eagles defense. Scoring eight touchdowns and being named the NFL’s Rookie of the Week four times last season suggests that Croskey-Merritt has already arrived. His role should expand this year, however, with his vision and burst a nice fit for the wide zone concepts new offensive coordinator David Blough is implementing. I’m expecting a committee approach at running back, similar to what Blough used in Detroit. But I see Croskey-Merritt as the front-runner to lead the position. He runs with deceptive speed and power and is not afraid of traffic. NFC NORTH I believe last year’s production (47 catches for 652 yards and two touchdowns) is only the tip of the iceberg for Burden. He caught at least three passes in each of the Bears' final 10 games (regular season and playoffs) after snaring that many in just two of his first seven games. With veteran D.J. Moore now playing in Buffalo and Rome Odunze fighting through recurring foot pain, Burden is a good bet to become Caleb Williams’ most trusted wideout in 2026. One could argue that after hauling in six touchdown receptions as a rookie, TeSlaa already enjoyed his breakout campaign. With four of those scores coming in the final six games of the season, however, TeSlaa may only be warming up. He’ll need to score a lot more of them before opponents will start shifting their coverages toward him rather than Detroit’s more established playmakers Amon-Ra St. Brown and Jameson Williams. Fantasy football enthusiasts should prepare for some possible TD regression, as few receivers were more efficient in the red zone than TeSlaa, who scored six times despite catching just 16 total passes. Golden is the third receiver from the NFC Central listed as a breakout candidate, and because he’s the fastest (and was the first of the trio selected in the NFL Draft), he will likely enter his second NFL season with the most hype. His talent and anticipated workload warrant it. Golden’s opportunities will jump with Romeo Doubs now playing in New England, and he boasts the run-after-catch ability and breakaway speed to quickly become Jordan Love’s favorite big-play target. Along with first-round guard Donovan Jackson, Price was one of the few impactful rookies for the Vikings in 2025 — which speaks to why the team hired a new general manager (Nolan Teasley) during the offseason. The former undrafted free agent from Texas Tech generated a whopping 1,777 all-purpose yards as the Vikings’ starting punt and kickoff returner, finishing third among all NFL players. Minnesota has several quality candidates pushing Price for the returner job — including 2025 third-round wideout Tai Felton and 2026 sixth-round running back Demond Claiborne. But the vision, elusiveness and burst Price demonstrated as a returner could also make him a dangerous target out of the slot, though he’d need to take real strides in this area after seeing just a few snaps at receiver as a rookie. NFC SOUTH It's worth noting the Falcons had only a five-man draft class in 2025, and four of those players — edge rusher Jalon Walker (ACL), edge rusher James Pearce Jr. (legal), defensive back Billy Bowman (Achilles) and offensive tackle Jack Nelson (waived) — are tracking to miss extended time this season. The lone exception is Xavier Watts, who led all NFL rookies with five interceptions last season, finishing fourth in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. So while he may, in fact, continue playing a starring role in 2026, his breakout was last year. Conversely, as an undrafted free agent who spent half of last season on Atlanta's practice squad, Bryant isn't a lock to even make its roster. But the trash-talking 6-foot-1, 185-pounder punches above his weight class as a tackler, offers legitimate man-to-man cover skills and is a cerebral special teams performer, giving him a solid chance to build upon last year's production (10 combined tackles, one pass breakup, one TD allowed) in seven games. The NFL is the ultimate copycat league, so I expect we’ll see many teams utilize the three safety look that the Seahawks used so successfully in last year’s Super Bowl run. Ransom, the 122nd overall pick in 2025, moonlighted in this role as a rookie behind veterans Nick Scott and Trevon Moehrig. With Scott now 31 and never a consistent turnover producer, don’t be surprised if Ransom forces his way onto the field sooner rather than later. After recording 10 pass breakups over just five starts as a rookie, Riley appears ready to step into the huge vacuum left behind by departed standout Alontae Taylor. Riley is a quality athlete, but his instincts are what stood out most between his rookie season and six seasons in college. This experience has taught Riley above-average route anticipation and poise when the ball is in the air. He led all cornerbacks from the 2025 class with 15 career interceptions and I think he might top the Saints in this category this season. I am as excited as anyone about Rueben Bain Jr., but my enthusiasm for the Bucs’ building off of last year’s 37-sack performance doesn’t end with the club’s first-round pick in 2026. Walker missed all of his rookie season after suffering a torn ACL during training camp. He’s back healthy, and all reports suggest that his trademark twitch remains. Playing at a stumpy 6-foot-1, 263 pounds, he’ll be a bit of a pass-rush specialist this season, but I think he’ll prove to be an effective one with at least a handful of sacks. NFC WEST Little went right for the Cardinals in 2025 and that included their prized first-round pick — Nolen — suffering through an injury-plagued rookie campaign that limited him to just six games. The burst and agility that warranted the No. 16 overall pick, however, was obvious. Now that he’s healthy following surgery to repair a torn meniscus, I expect Nolen to emerge as one of the NFC’s better young pass rushing defensive tackles. Given that the Rams pulled off the biggest trade of the offseason by prying Myles Garrett away from Cleveland, suggesting another pass-rusher is about to break out for them should terrify opponents. Garrett’s mere presence will command extra attention, opening opportunities for his teammates. Stewart doesn’t need much assistance. His combination of quickness and compact strength make him a tough block. The former third-rounder likely won't start this year, but I think Stewart will prove a quality sub option who might just double last year’s production (22 tackles, three sacks). The 49ers were as snakebitten by injuries as any team in the NFL last year, with Martin (as well as first-round pick Mykel Williams) among the many to miss significant time. Martin was placed on injured reserve midseason following a concussion, finishing with just 11 tackles after being selected No. 75 overall. The tape suggests he’ll be a future standout. Martin is an agile and highly aggressive downhill defender with plus closing speed and power. The 49ers brought back Dre Greenlaw, but only on a one-year deal. Don’t be surprised if Martin is starting (and starring) by December. A remarkable rookie class led by first-round left guard Grey Zabel and Defensive Rookie of the Year finalist Nick Emmanwori played a huge role in Seattle winning the Super Bowl. Mills recorded a sack in the title game but otherwise recorded just three other tackles on the season after missing most of his rookie campaign to rehab a torn ACL suffered in college. While playing time will be a challenge given Seattle’s talent up front, coach Mike Macdonald constantly rotates his defensive linemen. A healthy Mills would’ve been drafted a couple of rounds earlier than where Seattle stole him — in the fifth, at No. 142 overall. He should prove as much this year, with 30 tackles and five sacks being realistic goals.

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Even After Super Bowl Victory, The Seahawks Are Being Overlooked

For some teams, winning a Super Bowl takes an extraordinary set of circumstances. However, the Seattle Seahawks' run to a Super Bowl title in 2025 shouldn't be viewed as them catching lightning in a bottle. After the Los Angeles Rams dominated headlines this offseason, Colin Cowherd argued that the Seahawks are being overlooked ahead of the 2026 season. "Vegas has the Baltimore Ravens, an 8-9 team last year, with better Super Bowl odds than the Seahawks. Nobody thinks they can repeat. It was a one-off. No way will [Sam] Darnold play mistake-free playoff football again. Things went in their favor," Cowherd said on Wednesday's "The Herd." "No, actually, they did not go in their favor at all. The opposite is true. Sam Darnold goes to arguably the best division in football, has a new coach, a new coordinator, a new O-line, a bad O-line, and a new receiving core, JSN (Jaxon Smith-Njigba)." Seattle enters the season with the fourth-best Super Bowl odds (via DraftKings Sportsbook), trailing Los Angeles, Baltimore and the Buffalo Bills. But Cowherd thinks even that's too low, pointing to the rare continuity Darnold will have this season as a key reason why the Seahawks should be viewed as a contender. "Darnold — four teams, four years — for the first time in years, [he has the] same head coach, same locker room, same culture, same city, same house," Cowherd said. "That kind of continuity to me seems like a huge benefit." Darnold had a strong opening season with the Seahawks. He was fifth in the league in passing yards (4,048) to go with 25 passing touchdowns as he helped Smith-Njigba win Offensive Player of the Year. But Darnold wasn't the key reason for Seattle's success. The Seahawks' defense was arguably the best in the league. They finished with the best scoring defense in the regular season before putting up a dominant performance in the playoffs, including in their Super Bowl win over the New England Patriots. Cowherd added that head coach Mike Macdonald has established a strong identity in Seattle, comparing him to another Super Bowl-winning coach in the same division. "Boy, Mike Macdonald is really impressive. The head coach, he's Sean McVay [on the] defensive side." Cowherd said. "They're not aging out of this. Their older players don't get hurt much. Leonard Williams, DeMarcus Lawrence, Charles Cross, and their best players are all young and getting better." And beyond that, Cowherd likes the Seahawks' infrastructure heading into the new year. "Their old guys are healthy. Darnold's a young 29, never had a lot of injuries," Cowherd said. "They have the best GM, arguably, defensive coach, arguably, the best receiver, arguably. And over the last two years, they've been 15-2 on the road. They're the best home team without an argument, and yet they're kind of considered, and they're not really mentioned."

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Will The Detroit Lions Reclaim The NFC North Crown? Colin Cowherd Thinks So

Can the Lions top the division and return to the postseason after missing out last year? FOX Sports' Colin Cowherd thinks so. On Tuesday's edition of The Herd, Cowherd predicted his top two teams for each division heading into the 2026 NFL season and he offered a bold perspective for the NFC North. "In the NFC North…Lions, Bears is how I see it." Cowherd explained during his broadcast on Fox Sports Radio, highlighting Detroit as the team to beat in the black and blue division. "Lions have the best roster," Cowherd said. "They upgraded at OC," referring to the recently hired former Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as the new offensive coordinator in Detroit. Cowherd also pointed to their previous campaign as proof of their ceiling under tough circumstances. "They won nine last year with a brutal schedule and a truckload of injuries." With high expectations for their postseason trajectory, Cowherd stated, "I think Detroit could win the Super Bowl." The overall talent level on the Lions stood out to Cowherd across every major position group on the field. "Their skill positions: Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, Sam LaPorta—they are stacked." He also praised the front office for maintaining strong investments along the offensive line to protect Jared Goff. Not only did Sewell receive a long-term extension two offseasons ago, but now they also added another tackle after drafting Clemson's Blake Miller with the No. 17 overall pick in this year's NFL Draft. "Penei Sewell is one of the best tackles in football. They addressed the other tackle during the draft." Cowherd said, referring to 2026 first-round pick Blake Miller. "You know I love Goff. I think this roster is top three in the NFL. I'm going to take them to win the division." Cowherd wasn't done there, as he also expects the Chicago Bears to remain competitive after making the playoffs for the first time since 2020. Not only did they make the playoffs, but they won a playoff game for the first time since 2010. "The Bears' first year with Ben Johnson, creating a culture and cleaning up a mess, made the playoffs," Cowherd said. Cowherd sees steady growth coming for quarterback Caleb Williams alongside a talented surrounding offensive unit full of playmakers. After trading D.J. Moore to the Buffaloe Bills, the Bears head into this season with pass catchers Rome Odunze and Luther Burden III alongside tight end Colston Loveland. "I think Caleb Williams will be more accurate," Cowherd said. "He's a young kid. He's getting better, and I love their tight end, receiver, running back group." Reflecting on Chicago's foundation, Cowherd concluded, "Don't like it, [I] love it."

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Why Quinnen Williams Extension Could Prove That Cowboys Won Micah Parsons Trade

Colin Cowherd is ready to ask a question that some thought might have been unimaginable a year ago: Did the Dallas Cowboys actually win the Micah Parsons trade? A day after the Cowboys extended four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million deal, Cowherd thinks there's momentum building toward the idea that Dallas won its trade with the Green Bay Packers. "People were freaking out about the Micah Parsons trade. I would make an argument by October or Thanksgiving, the Dallas Cowboys, it could be official, won the Micah Parsons deal," Cowherd said on Tuesday's edition of "The Herd." "You got Quinnen Williams, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. By the way, when they traded Micah, initially, the Cowboys got worse. That gave them a better draft pick. That draft pick became Caleb Downs, who, to me, is the steal of the draft. I think there's an argument he could be the best player in the draft. "You don't get that if the Cowboys had two or three more wins [last season]. … We overvalue non-quarterback stars in this league." The Cowboys acquired the star defensive tackle in a trade with the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline last season, using some of the draft capital they got in the deal with the Packers for Parsons. Dallas received defensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 from Green Bay for Parsons. Then, they traded a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets for Williams. As for the 2026 first-round pick the Cowboys received from the Packers, the Cowboys selected UCF Knights linebacker Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick after a trade-back. Earlier in the draft, they traded up one spot to select Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. The Packers, meanwhile, saw Parsons have an encouraging debut season with the franchise, logging 12.5 sacks, earning his third career All-Pro honor and finishing third among edge defenders in overall grade (91.9), according to Pro Football Focus. However, Parsons' 2025 campaign ended after 14 games due to a torn ACL, which is expected to keep him off the field for at least the first month of the 2026 season. With Parsons sidelined, the Packers lost their last five combined games of the season (regular season and postseason), ending with an NFC wild-card round loss to the Chicago Bears. The two teams actually faced off in Week 4 of last season, playing to a 40-40 tie. Granted, the Cowboys went on to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and their defense finished last in points allowed. However, with the reinforcements Dallas has received thanks to the Parsons trade, Cowherd thinks the Cowboys are on the rise. "I look at the Cowboys' roster, between Caleb Downs, Quinnen Williams and the roster flexibility, this is the best team they've had, in terms of overall talent, arguably in a decade," Cowherd later said. "The Cowboys are in a good spot."

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Why Kevin O'Connell Picked Kyler Murray As His Next Starting QB Experiment

The Minnesota Vikings are fully committed to the Kyler Murray experiment. The Vikings didn’t want to hand the job to Murray. They wanted him to earn it, and apparently, that’s what he did in these first few weeks of training camp — now set to start the season as QB1 in coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. Murray beat out J.J. McCarthy, the 2024 10th-overall pick whose development has been startlingly minimal. And while he enjoyed the best training camp of his career, McCarthy couldn’t edge out Murray. The QB competition ended how everyone expected. Even in March, when Murray signed with Minnesota, everyone could see this decision coming. Even safety Josh Metellus remembered that moment fondly. "Man, I loved it," Metellus told me last week at Vikings camp. "Kyler's a guy we've game planned for a couple times, and I know how much hell that was to not only game plan but to actually play against him. So to get a guy like that on your team, it only elevates your team. We're trying to be the best team in the National Football League." They’ll have to start with fighting to be the No. 1 team in the NFC North, a deep division that saw the Vikings finish third last season. But there’s no denying this offense’s potential. O’Connell earned his clout as a QB whisperer by elevating Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold into next-level seasons. Now, he’ll have the opportunity to do the same with Murray. The former No. 1 overall pick may be far removed from his sensational 2020 season (3,971 passing yards, 26 passing TDs; 819 rushing yards, 11 TDs), but Murray is 29 years old and not yet out of his prime. The Cardinals parted ways with him this offseason — deciding to go a new direction at QB. But that doesn't mean Murray can't resurface with a little help from O'Connell. As soon as Murray stepped into the offense, running back Aaron Jones admitted Murray’s skills were different. Unique. Special. "The way he's able to speed up his arm and make throws," Jones told me last week. "If he sees something and he wants to get it there, you can see him, in real time, speed up his arm. I don't know if that's the baseball a little bit or what it is, but you can see him speed it up and get it there. … I haven't seen that often, where it comes out and it's coming with zip, but somebody who can speed up their arm. So that was kind of new for me to see." This season will be new for everyone. For Murray. For O’Connell. For the entire Vikings offense. The whole experiment with Murray is that the Vikings will do what the Cardinals could not. Minnesota will make football easy for Murray. In Arizona, the QB labored to win games. He made sensational plays — but not often enough. Too regularly, he made game-wrecking mistakes. He injured himself doing everything for his offense. And it seemed like Murray finished his career with the Cardinals feeling that he had to do it all by himself. That’s not the case for the Vikings. Here’s what passing game coordinator and quarterbacks coach Josh McCown said about what he wants from his starting quarterback. "Don't feel like you have to put your Superman cape on and win this specific down for us. You're not going to win one game with one throw," he told me, adding later, "Kevin's an unbelievable play-caller, and so I tell these guys all the time: you got really great play-makers around you. You got a really great play-caller and good scheme, and so just play the law of averages. If it's not there, the next one might be. If that one's not there, the next one might be. Just play to that — and protect the football." Under O’Connell, the Vikings have never had a quarterback who is as mobile as Murray. That’s what he brings to the table that’ll require O’Connell to think differently about his system. Murray, however, hasn’t had to take a step back. To remove the ego from the equation. And let his system, his coaches and his teammates take over. But there are millions of reasons why Murray, a former No. 1 overall pick, sees now as his chance to humble himself. He's standing on a razor-thin edge at this phase of his career. He has to succeed — or risk irrelevance. If he's looking for an example, he needs only look at teammate Carson Wentz, who was once the King of Philly – and who is now one of the backups for Minnesota. "I was with a team [the Eagles] for so long that I thought it was going forever," Wentz, a former No. 2 overall pick, told me. "And then I got kind of shipped out, so to speak, kind of like he was in a little bit. Just starting over. If anybody knows how that goes, I know what he’s been through. … I feel like I understand him. We're very different people with different interests off the field and all that. But it's been fun, just the little time we've had so far working together, get to know him, the quiet competitor that he is; I think he's done a good job." This is the chance for Murray and O’Connell to get their grooves back. Their desperation and talent make them a hard duo to bet against.

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2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule: Dates, Times, TV Channels, How to Watch

The NFL preseason continues with its first full slate of 2026. Preseason Week 1 features all 32 teams across 16 games from Thursday, Aug. 13 through Saturday, Aug. 15. Six games will air nationally on NFL Network, while the rest will be available through local team affiliates. For every preseason matchup and national TV window, see the complete 2026 NFL preseason schedule. 2026 NFL Preseason Week 1 Schedule All times are Eastern and subject to change. Thursday, Aug. 13 Friday, Aug. 14 Saturday, Aug. 15 How Can I Watch NFL Preseason Week 1? NFL Network will carry six Week 1 games nationally: Packers-Steelers, Titans-49ers, Buccaneers-Jets, Browns-Bears, Rams-Chiefs and Cowboys-Seahawks. The other games will air on participating teams' local broadcast affiliates. Local listings can vary by market, so fans should check their team or television provider before kickoff. How Can I Stream NFL Preseason Week 1 or Watch Without Cable? NFL+ offers live national and out-of-market preseason games, subject to local blackouts, device restrictions and availability rules. In-market games may also be available through participating clubs' websites or apps. Streaming television services that include NFL Network and local affiliates may carry games depending on the viewer's package and market. Although Week 1 does not include a national FOX broadcast window, fans can prepare for FOX's upcoming NFL coverage and stream eligible games with FOX One. Does NFL Preseason Week 1 Count Toward the Standings? No. Preseason results do not count toward a team's regular-season record. The games give teams an opportunity to evaluate rookies, new additions and position battles before the regular season begins. How Many Preseason Games Does Each NFL Team Play? Most teams play three preseason games. The Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals each play four in 2026 because they also participated in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 6. The preseason continues with Week 2 from Aug. 20-23. Keep up with every matchup using the full 2026 NFL preseason schedule.

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How Are Eagles Operating Post-A.J. Brown? 6 Takeaways From Week 2 Of Training Camp

We're only two weeks into the start of NFL training camp, but we're starting to get a glimpse at the potential impact new additions might make on certain teams in 2026. That includes the Philadelphia Eagles, who are navigating an almost entirely new wide receiver room after trading A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots this offseason. How is quarterback Jalen Hurts acclimating to his new targets? Elsewhere, there's a new head coach who is already making a strong impact on his team's new culture, and another NFC East team made a much-needed move at wide receiver. Here are our takeaways from Week 2 of training camp. Ralph Vacchiano: Trading an elite receiver like A.J. Brown for future draft picks was always a big risk for this year’s Eagles, and they planned to lean hard on veteran DeVonta Smith and rookie first-rounder Makai Lemon to pick up all the slack. So it was quite a problem this past week when both Smith and Lemon missed multiple training camp practices in Philadelphia with hamstring injuries. They still have depth there with veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, but they were clearly missing something dynamic with Smith and Lemon on the sidelines. That was really evident on Tuesday morning when they seemed to be working hard on deep passes — passes that quarterback Jalen Hurts struggled to complete without his top two targets. He was out of sync with both Brown and Wicks on the deep routes, overthrowing each of them and getting picked off several times. It’s early in camp and no cause for alarm, but it’s hard to overstate how much they need Smith, in particular. He’s put up No. 1 WR-type numbers each of the past four seasons and his presence is the reason why general manager Howie Roseman felt comfortable trading Brown. Lemon was a bonus, but a necessary one. They loved Lemon’s explosiveness out of the slot so much they traded up in the first round to get him. Both players will be huge components of the scheme new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is running that will feature a lot more play-action passes and over-the-middle routes. And with more than a month to go before Opening Day, it’s a good bet that both players will be more than fine then. But it’s worth noting that hamstring injuries do tend to linger and even small strains can sometimes turn into season-long issues. That’s especially true with rookie receivers. So their status is worth watching, now that everyone has been reminded how important they both are to the Eagles as they try to carry on without Brown. Henry McKenna: The hype around Caleb Williams is significant. And perhaps it’s even justified. In my time in Lake Forest, I saw the Chicago Bears quarterback generate countless big plays in team drills and 1-on-1s. But I also witnessed no shortage of operational errors and pre-snap miscues from the quarterback and the Bears offense. Apparently, the mistakes were not limited to Thursday’s practice. Bears coach Ben Johnson was upset about how Tuesday’s practice went, too. "These padded practices are so valuable, and that's why I get upset when the offense is — they're sabotaging practice a little bit, because our defensive players need these reps as much as anybody else," Johnson said during a press conference. That was Johnson’s second instance where he brought up the team’s shortcomings as a non-sequitur. No one asked him about it. In fact, he first referenced his upset when he was asked about Williams’ presence on the cover of "Madden NFL 27" and the general optimism surrounding the team this offseason. "We tell them the truth in the meetings," Johnson said, explaining how he cuts out the noise. "When it's good, we let them know that it's good. When it's not good enough. We let them know. Two days ago, practice was not good enough as a whole team, and certainly not as an offense. When you have false starts, delay games, drop passes, center-quarterback exchange, it's really not a good practice. You can't evaluate the defense either. "So we have a long way to go. Appreciate all the flowery comments there, but they understand that we're just getting started here in camp, and hard work is really what we're doing every single day." Earlier this offseason, Johnson said he and Williams will focus on improving all things post-snap — given that they spent most of last season focusing on the important elements of pre-snap operation. But it seems maybe they’re moving backward, given how many penalties and problems popped up last week. This isn’t a reason to panic. But it is a reality check. The Bears are building a strong foundation. But they’re still building from the ground level. Greg Auman: The wild run of lucrative new contracts for the NFL’s top running backs — with Atlanta’s Bijan Robinson, Detroit’s Jahmyr Gibbs and Indianapolis’ Jonathan Taylor all getting more than $20 million a year — has shifted the position market value so quickly that deals that have not even started yet are looking woefully low. Last August, James Cook signed a four-year deal with the Bills, paying him $46 million over four years. It was added to his rookie contract to start with the 2026 season, and tied him for the sixth-highest contract for a running back. Cook led the NFL in rushing in 2025 with 1,621 yards and made his third straight Pro Bowl. But before his new deal even begins, Cook has dropped to 13th in average salary at his position. How long before he can ask for a new one? Teams are normally hesitant to tear up a deal with more than two years left on it, so that would mean after the 2027 season. Cook’s deal has limited incentives, so no matter how well he plays, he won’t earn more than an extra $2 million. Cook's deal has less than two years fully guaranteed, and it’s a reminder why players are choosing shorter deals — Gibbs and Robinson went with three years in new money after their rookie contract and fifth-year options are done. For Cook, the third and fourth years aren’t guaranteed, so he could be cut if he underperforms, and he’s capped his value by locking himself in at a dated and much lower salary. He isn’t the only one feeling the financial wrath of signing too soon in the latest running back extension cycle. Miami extended De’Von Achane in May with a four-year deal averaging $16 million a year, but that doesn’t start until 2027 and has barely more than one year fully guaranteed. He’d have to play three years before he’d have two years left on his deal. The Bills did well to lock up much of their young nucleus to long-term deals as soon as they could, and that allows them to extend their playoff window longer than if they gambled and waited. For players like Cook, it means feeling undervalued, though, before a new deal has even begun. Vacchiano: It wasn’t much of a mystery to the Commanders that they had a glaring need at wide receiver. The mystery was only why they didn’t sign one in free agency or select one until the third round of the draft. But they took a big step towards fixing that issue last week when they signed veteran receiver Stefon Diggs to a one-year deal worth up to $12 million. Diggs is 32, but he showed last season that he’s still capable of being a No. 1 receiver. He had 85 catches for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns while playing only about half of the offensive snaps for the New England Patriots. That was also his first year back after recovering from a torn ACL. Even if he just comes close to matching those numbers in 2026, he’ll be a boon to a team that puts few good weapons around electric quarterback Jayden Daniels. Their best option was the ever-reliable Terry McLaurin, but he’s going to be 31 in September and coming off an injury-plagued season. Beyond him, all they had at receiver was the disappointing duo of Luke McCaffrey and Treylon Burks, and third-round pick Antonio Williams. Now, at least, they have a potential 1-2 punch — at least if McLaurin and Diggs can manage to stay healthy at their age. It’s a big "if," of course, but adding Diggs to the mix was a necessary move for general manager Adam Peters, given the lack of other options available. Washington tried in the free-agent market, targeting Alec Pierce before he re-signed with the Indianapolis Colts and making a push for Romeo Doubs before he signed with New England, but they failed to land any help for their offense. Diggs will more than make up for that big miss if he’s anything close to what he was last year. Ben Arthur: The Titans’ Jeffery Simmons, arguably the best defensive tackle in football, is a fiery player. He’s a big-time trash talker who backs it up with superstar-caliber play. He crossed a line at Tuesday’s training camp practice, though. After an early play in team drills, he scuffled with center Austin Schlottman and threw a punch at right tackle JC Latham. Assistant defensive line coach Tanzel Smart needed to grab and tackle Simmons to separate him from the O-line. Simmons didn’t practice with his teammates for the rest of the day. He was banished to individual work on a side field with a strength coach. "Our policy is if you throw a punch, you’re ejected in the game. Same thing with practice," Saleh explained. "But rather than going to the locker room, [Simmons] went to the other fields. He still got his work in. So the projected reps and the work that he would have got in, he got in off to the side." Saleh’s decision to kick Simmons out of practice is significant. When the All-Pro defensive tackle got in a similar skirmish in training camp under previous coach Brian Callahan, it went unpunished (at least publicly). In a small way, Saleh has shown that he has an uncompromising standard that even Simmons — the Titans’ best player — must adhere to. The goes a long way to establishing a culture of accountability that Tennessee will need to turn around its franchise, which has won just six games over the past two seasons combined. Saleh’s decision is one that can gain the respect of players, too. It’s fair to wonder if respect for last season’s coaching staff waned. Left tackle Dan Moore Jr. alluded to it last week, saying Saleh’s staff is professional and organized. "We’re always going to toe the line of violence, we're always going to toe the line of being aggressive and call it instigating if you want, it's just the nature of who we are going to be," Saleh said. "But we've got to be disciplined enough to make sure that we always find our way back to the huddle without giving the other team freebies." If it means kicking the team’s best player out of practice to enforce that point, so be it. Eric D. Williams: Omarion Hampton didn't get to show his first-round potential for a good portion of his rookie year, missing seven games due to a severe left high-ankle sprain he suffered in Week 5. And while he ran for 545 yards on a respectable 4.4 yards per carry, Hampton was pretty ineffective in the Los Angeles Chargers' playoff loss to the New England Patriots, putting up minus-1 rushing yards due to a Week 17 ankle injury. Now fully healthy and entering his second season, Hampton should be a key piece of L.A.'s running game with new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel, who had a lot of success with speedy back De’Von Achane while with the Miami Dolphins. McDaniel said that you could argue that Hampton has had the most growth of any player from offseason work through the first days of training camp. "This guy is completely obsessed and focused," McDaniel said. "His [running] tracks and the urgency to which we’re trying to get him to start the play at the beginning of the play has been phenomenal. He came back from the spring, and with the five weeks he had off you could tell he was really focused on that. "And in and around contact, something we’ve been working on with ball carriers is how they approach tacklers. And for him and his skill set, nobody wants to tackle that guy. That is a massive human moving very fast. So, the less we can get him to stop his feet and do what we call is ‘slash,' which is pick edges of defenders and shoulder punch them, the better."

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NFL Catchup: Big OT News In The NFC East, Bills Debut New Looks, Lions On QB Carousel

There wasn't any game action in the NFL this weekend, but plenty of noteworthy news broke throughout the league. In the NFC East, one star offensive tackle made a big announcement about his future, while the Washington Commanders and Jayden Daniels received injury news that they didn't want to hear. Elsewhere, the Buffalo Bills went public with their new alternate uniforms and their new home stadium during Saturday's practice. That's just a taste of what happened over the weekend. As we're now less than one month away from the start of the regular season, here are things you should know that went down in the NFL this weekend. Philadelphia Eagles right tackle Lane Johnson indicated the 2026 NFL season will likely be his final year in the league over the weekend. "As you get older, things change in your life. Your children get older. Your parents get older. Just to put this thing into perspective, it's looking like this is probably potentially going to be my last year," Philadelphia Eagles star right tackle Lane Johnson said about his NFL future at a press conference on Saturday. "Just because I am getting to that point of those priorities away from football are starting to merge. Not that I don't enjoy this [football]. I love everything about this game and preparing for it, but that's kind of where I'm at in my career. Johnson is entering his 14th season, all spent with Philadelphia since being selected with the fourth overall pick in the 2013 NFL Draft out of Oklahoma. Throughout his career, Johnson has earned two All-Pro selections and six Pro Bowl honors while starting at right tackle during the team's Super Bowl championship runs in 2017 and 2024. His 2025 season was cut short after 10 games due to a foot injury, but he did not allow a sack or a quarterback hit in those appearances. Washington Commanders left tackle Laremy Tunsil reportedly suffered a torn triceps during pass-rush drills in practice on Saturday. The 32-year-old tackle is expected to undergo surgery and miss a significant portion of the 2026 regular season, marking his second major health setback since joining Washington. Tunsil arrived in Washington prior to the 2025 season via a trade that sent a fourth-round draft pick to the Houston Texans, where he had previously earned five Pro Bowl selections. Before the start of last season, Tunsil signed a two-year extension with Washington. He is set to earn $34.35 million in 2026, which includes a $32.5 million signing bonus alongside a $1.495 million base salary, pushing his career earnings past $142.2 million. Washington is looking to bounce back from a dismal outing in 2025. The Commanders open the season against the Eagles, which is "America's Game of the Week" on FOX for Week 1. The Buffalo Bills hosted fans at the new Highmark Stadium on Saturday for their annual Blue & Red practice, marking the first time players took the field at the newest NFL stadium. Quarterback Josh Allen made his entrance wearing Buffalo's new Nickel City alternate uniform, featuring an all-gray jersey and pants combination paired with a royal blue helmet. The helmet features the first blue shell in franchise history and a red streak from the team's logo. For Saturday's practice, quarterbacks, punters, and kickers wore the full Nickel City alternate, while the rest of the offense wore blue practice jerseys and the defense wore white. Although the Nickel City alternate design faced some public criticism, Allen defended the new uniforms during a July 29 interaction with reporters. "I enjoy them. I think it's very symbolic of what we want to do and what we want to be," Allen said. "I understand people want the old jerseys and the old helmets and all that. "But at some point, too, we are moving forward. We have to move forward and do something new — and that's what we're doing." And for Highmark Stadium, reporters at Saturday's practice shared some visuals of how the inside of the stadium looks. Detroit Lions backup quarterback Teddy Bridgewater has decided to step away from professional football, informing the team of his retirement Sunday. Head coach Dan Campbell confirmed the news, marking the second time the 33-year-old quarterback has retired from the NFL. "I've known Teddy a long time and the human being is unbelievable. Certainly, the player, everything that he's about. The type of teammate he is, the way he prepares ... always played the game up here and had a huge heart," head coach Dan Campbell told reporters. "He's gonna be missed." Bridgewater previously retired following the 2023 season before taking over as head coach at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where he guided the team to a state championship. He subsequently unretired late in the 2024 season to rejoin Detroit, then spent the 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as Baker Mayfield's backup. Bridgewater re-signed with the Lions in March. In response to Bridgewater being placed on the reserve/retired list, the Lions agreed to terms with veteran quarterback Joshua Dobbs on a one-year contract to serve as the primary backup behind starter Jared Goff, NFL Network reported. Dobbs backed up Drake Maye with the New England Patriots last season, but saw very little action. He's 3-12 all-time in 15 career starts.

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Who’s Next For Pro Football Hall Of Fame? Forecasting Who Could Be Inducted In 2027

With the five-person class of this year’s Pro Football Hall of Fame of Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Roger Craig, Adam Vinatieri and Luke Kuechly in the rearview, we can turn our attention to next year’s class. Of course, that will likely mean another discussion about the résumés of two controversial snubs who were not inducted as part of Saturday's ceremony: former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick and Patriots owner Robert Kraft. The news of their snubs (specifically Belichick's) outweighed the news of those who were included as part of the Class of 2026, making them central figures among the candidates for the Class of 2027. Along with those two, first-time eligible candidates who make sense as possible first-ballot selections include tight end Rob Gronkowski, running back Adrian Peterson, quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and cornerback Richard Sherman. Offensive tackle Willie Anderson, guard Marshal Yanda and edge rusher Terrell Suggs were among the final seven modern-era candidates this past year, which means they automatically advance to the final 15 for the upcoming process. It’s the second year in a row Anderson has been an automatic finalist. To be eligible for the Hall of Fame, players must be retired for at least five years, while the wait for coaches is one year. There are at least four inductees in each class, but no more than eight will be enshrined from the 20 finalists selected (15 modern-era finalists and a maximum of five candidates from seniors, coach and contributors categories). The 15 modern-era finalists are cut from 10 to seven. Voters are then asked to vote for five of those candidates, with candidates needing to receive at least 80% of the vote to be inducted. If only two or fewer candidates receive 80% of the vote, then the top three vote-getters move on. The new voting structure has led to a splintering of the vote from the selection committee, making it harder for players to get into the Hall, which ultimately led to Belichick not getting in the past voting cycle. As a member of the 50-person Hall of Fame selection committee, I’ve had the honor of voting on these candidates annually. It’s always a grueling process featuring long, challenging debates that lead to deserving candidates ultimately donning gold jackets. Here’s a first look at some of the candidates for the upcoming class, and what I think of their chances to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2027. GOOD SHOT Belichick won an unprecedented six Super Bowls as a head coach and two more as a defensive coordinator for the New York Giants. He coached the greatest player in league history in Tom Brady. The Patriots won 17 AFC East titles, made 13 appearances in the AFC Championship Game and went to nine Super Bowls. I voted for Belichick and Kraft last year and will vote for them again if they are on the ballot. Brady’s security blanket is another no-brainer. Gronkowski is a four-time Super Bowl champion who earned five invitations to the Pro Bowl and was on the All-Decade team for the 2010s. He’s also a member of the NFL’s 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. A freak of nature, Peterson was an unstoppable force as a runner for 15 seasons in the league. His 14,918 rushing yards are fifth in NFL history. He rushed for over 2,000 yards in a single season, won league MVP and Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. A seven-time Pro Bowler, Peterson is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. The only major thing he did not accomplish was a Super Bowl win, giving him strong odds to be enshrined in Canton. Roethlisberger was the most accomplished of the storied 2004 quarterback draft class that included Eli Manning and Philip Rivers. Roethlisberger won two Super Bowls, and at 23 years old, was the youngest quarterback to win the big game. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year, led the league in passing twice and earned six trips to the Pro Bowl. A six-time finalist, momentum continues to build for one of the best right tackles in league history. Anderson has finished in the top seven twice, a signal that voters are bullish on his candidacy. PUNCHER'S CHANCE A seven-time finalist, Holt fell out of the top 10 during the last voting cycle after making it to the top seven the year before, which is not a good sign for his candidacy. Holt is part of a logjam at receiver and deserves serious consideration. One of the cornerstones of the Rams' "Greatest Show on Turf," Holt finished with 920 career receptions for 13,382 yards and 74 touchdowns in 11 NFL seasons. Another one of the seven finalists from the last voting cycle, Suggs is a two-time finalist. He’s eighth all-time in sacks with 139, and all seven players above Suggs on the list are in the Hall of Fame. Like Suggs, Yanda was one of seven finalists in this past voting cycle. Considered one of the best guards to play the game, Yanda was an eight-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion for the Baltimore Ravens. Yanda's also a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. A charismatic trash talker and one of the leaders of the Seattle Seahawks’ fabled Legion of Boom, Sherman played in back-to-back Super Bowls, winning it all after the 2013 season. A five-time Pro Bowler, Sherman is a member of the 2010s All-Decade Team. He finished with 37 interceptions in 11 NFL seasons, including stints with the Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. One of the most complete tight ends in NFL history, only Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez had more catches among players at the position than Witten, whose 1,228 receptions rank fourth all-time. Witten’s 13,046 receiving yards are 20th in league history and second among tight ends, only trailing Gonzalez there as well. Witten is an 11-time Pro Bowler and won the Walter Payton Man of the Year in 2012. UPHILL CLIMB A two-time finalist, Manning has yet to crack the top 10 in his two voting cycles of eligibility. His postseason accolades are impressive, including two Super Bowl wins over Brady and the Patriots in which he was named MVP of both games. But also on his ledger is a 117-117 record as a starter, including a 9-26 mark in his final three seasons. Manning’s career 84.1 passer rating is 60th in NFL history. A finalist for the first time last voting cycle who cracked the final 10, Williams is a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, a five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler. Williams is a member of the Vikings Ring of Honor. One of the leaders of the Dallas defense during his time with the team, Woodson is a three-time Super Bowl champion and five-time Pro Bowler. A four-time finalist, Woodson is a member of the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor, and the player in Cowboys history to have been in the starting lineup for five different head coaches. Wayne is one of only nine players in league history with at least 1,000 receptions, 14,000 yards and 80 touchdowns. A seven-time finalist, Wayne has been unable to separate himself from the logjam of talented receivers that remain a part of the voting process during his candidacy. Gore entered the league with significant knee issues but played an impressive 16 seasons for five teams, finishing as the third-leading in league history with 16,000 rushing yards. A member of the 2010 All-Decade Team, Gore was a five-time Pro Bowler who rushed for over 1,000 yards nine times and led San Francisco to the Super Bowl after the 2012 season. Another talented lineman who was a finalist for the second time in his third year of eligibility. A six-time Pro Bowler and five-time All-Pro, Evans served as an anchor up front for one of the most dominant offenses of his era, led by Drew Brees. Known for his "Superman" celebration after scoring a touchdown, Newton took home league MVP honors after leading the Carolina Panthers to a 15-1 campaign and Super Bowl appearance after the 2015 season. A three-time Pro Bowler, Newton also won Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2011. A dynamic emotional leader for the Chargers alongside Hall of Famer Junior Seau, Harrison is a two-time finalist whose resume deserves a closer look. A two-time Super Bowl champion, Harrison played 15 seasons with the Bolts and Patriots and is in both teams’ Hall of Fame. He totaled 34 interceptions and 30 sacks, making him one of two players to record over 30 picks and 30 sacks in their career. The other is Hall of Famer Ray Lewis. A Super Bowl champion and member of the 2010s All-Decade team, Brown was a seven-time Pro Bowler and dynamic playmaker during his time in the league. However, Brown is caught in the glut of WRs worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Also, he finished his career by quitting on his teammates, stripping off his gear mid-game with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. And his short tenure with the Raiders was also marred by controversy. The emotional catalyst of Seattle’s drive to back-to-back Super Bowl appearances, Lynch was dominant from 2011-14, totaling 5,357 rushing yards and scoring 56 touchdowns over that time. A member of the 2010 All-Decade Team, the five-time Pro Bowler’s 10,419 rushing yards rank just 29th all time, but in the postseason, he's eighth all time with 970 rushing yards.Others to consider: Alex Mack, Earl Thomas, LeSean McCoy, Anquan Boldin, Steve Smith Sr., Jimmy Smith, Eric Weddle, John Abraham, Robert Mathis, Hines Ward, Gerald McCoy, Andrew Whitworth.

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Panthers Sign Former Bucs QB Kyle Trask Following Haynes King's Hamstring Injury

The Carolina Panthers signed Kyle Trask as a third quarterback on Sunday with Hall of Fame game hero Haynes King expected to miss time with a hamstring injury. Trask gives the Panthers a third QB behind starter Bryce Young and backup Kenny Pickett. Trask has familiarity with Panthers offensive coordinator Brad Idzik, having spent the last three seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has limited game experience, with only 11 career pass attempts during his career. King, an undrafted rookie out of Georgia Tech, ran in from the 5 on the final play to give the Panthers a dramatic 33-30 victory over the Arizona Cardinals on Thursday night in Canton, Ohio, to kick off the NFL preseason. The Atlantic Coast Conference Player of the Year last season, King was 21 of 34 for 180 yards and two touchdowns. He ran for 39 yards and the winning score. Panthers coach Dave Canales said King strained his hamstring on the final play and will not play Saturday against the Buffalo Bills. Panthers Starters To Play 10-20 Plays vs. Bills Carolina quarterback Bryce Young and the rest of the team's starters will play about 10-20 plays against the Bills, depending on the flow of the game, according to Canales. The starters did not play against the Cardinals. "I'm excited to just go out there with the guys," Young said after practice Sunday. "Any time you get to play live football it's a privilege. especially after last week and just to be around it. You get that itch again." Reporting by the Associated Press.

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5 Takeaways From The 2026 Pro Football Hall Of Fame Ceremony

Saturday was showtime in Canton, Ohio, as the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s five inductees saw their busts for the first time. In front of a packed house at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri, Luke Kuechly and Roger Craig all had a chance to say thank you to those who helped them achieve the ultimate goal of wearing a gold jacket, which they all received at the annual dinner on Friday night. Here are some highlights from the big day for the five players, who bring the total to 387 busts in Canton. Payton, the former New Orleans Saints and current Denver Broncos head coach, had to hold back tears while talking about what Brees meant to him during his introductory remarks. "We were better coaches when he was our starting quarterback," said Payton, who presented Brees. "We were a better team when he was our leader. Drew, it has been an honor to have a front-row seat watching you play quarterback for the Saints at such a high level. "You made my job easy, and all of us are better for having been a part of this with you." Brees closed out the five presentations with an entertaining, heartfelt and emotional speech. It paid tribute to an ultra-competitive family that pushed him to reach his potential, as well as the bumps along the road he had to hurdle to become better at his craft. "I don’t take for granted that I got to play the most coveted position of all of sports," Brees said. "From as far back as I could remember, I wanted to play quarterback. I never saw the position as pressure, but rather one of great responsibility." "The quarterback is the distributor of hope and confidence, a master of probability," he added. "The ultimate problem solver. I’ve always seen the game of football and quarterback as a true art form, as a song or a dance. The key to the art form was controlling the rhythm of the game." A former Minnesota Vikings ball boy back when receivers Randy Moss and Cris Carter lit up the scoreboard in the 1990s for head coach Dennis Green, Fitzgerald followed in their footsteps by earning a gold jacket. He is one of the best receivers in NFL history, having been drafted by Green, ironically, when he took over as head coach of the Arizona Cardinals. Fitzgerald said he didn’t glean anything from Moss as a player because he could do so many things that others couldn’t do on the field. As a mentor, Fitzgerald said he took the out-of-this-world receiver’s generosity and willingness to help others. Presenting Fitzgerald was his son, Devin, who followed in his father’s footsteps and is playing receiver at Notre Dame. The younger Fitzgerald said his father's most memorable play, in his opinion, was the slant route he caught for a touchdown in Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers, giving the Cardinals a late lead. Ultimately, Pittsburgh overcame the deficit for a dramatic victory. Fitzgerald paid tribute to his parents, Larry Sr. and Carol Fitzgerald. His mother died from breast cancer while Fitzgerald was in college at Pittsburgh, while his father, a longtime sports reporter in Minnesota, passed away earlier this year. "Even though our parents, Carol and Larry, are no longer with us, I still try every day to make them proud," Fitzgerald said. Vinatieri was presented by Indianapolis Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. The third pure place kicker enshrined in the Hall, Vinatieri helped Irsay-Gordon’s father, Jim, win a Super Bowl with the Colts after the 2006 season. Irsay-Gordon said that while her father, who passed away last year, couldn’t be there, he was surely watching from above as Vinatieri received the ultimate honor of entering the Hall of Fame. "So, here I stand at the top of the mountain, the pinnacle of greatness and the highest achievement in my professional career," Vinatieri said. "And I can officially say my biggest dreams have come true." Vinatieri thanked his parents, Paul and Judy, who were both teary-eyed in the stands while watching their son praise them on the stage. "You gave me far more than opportunities; you gave me values," Vinatieri said. "You taught me that hard work, humility, accountability, perseverance and faith. You taught me that if something is worth doing, it’s worth doing it right." Vinatieri paid tribute to his New England Patriots days, which included three Super Bowls with head coach Bill Belichick and owner Robert Kraft, neither of whom made the cut to enter the Hall. "Your time to join us on this stage and in the Hall are right around the corner," Vinatieri said. Vinatieri later joked: "Unfortunately, Bill couldn't make it here today. There's a lot going on at UNC right now. He may be on a recruiting trip looking for the next Lawrence Taylor. I thought it was because training camp had already started, but in truth, it was because he's judging his girlfriend's cheerleading competition." Kuechly’s father, Tom, handled the introduction for the talented linebacker, who was a five-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl selection. "His driving influence is his desire to compete, perform to the highest that he can and win," Tom said. Kuechly did just that with the Panthers, who went to the playoffs four times and reached a Super Bowl during his eight seasons with the team. "This game teaches you a lot if you’re willing to listen and willing to observe," Kuechly said. "It’s taught me resilience, consistency and toughness. The value of communication and how to find common ground. And most importantly, it taught me to enjoy it along the way." And after a 28-year wait, the first player to record 1,000 rushing yards and 1,000 receiving yards in a single season (1985) finally earned his gold jacket as a senior candidate. The Nebraska product joined former San Francisco 49ers teammates Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Charles Haley and Ronnie Lott in Canton. "You spend your whole life trying to prove that you belong," Craig said in pre-recorded video remarks. "And then one day you’re told you’re one of the all-time greats. Man, it’s overwhelming."

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Adam Vinatieri Jabs At Bill Belichick's Absence From Hall of Fame Acceptance Ceremony

Adam Vinatieri's pretty confident his former coach can take a joke. The legendary kicker, who won three Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and one with the Indianapolis Colts, took a lighthearted jab at former Patriots coach Bill Belichick in his Hall of Fame acceptance speech on Saturday. Vinatieri beat Belichick to earning a Gold Jacket and reminded him of it, as Belichick was not voted into the Hall of Fame on his first chance, and didn't appear at Saturday's ceremony in Canton, Ohio. "I thought it was because training camp had already started," Vinatieri said regarding Belichick’s absence, "but in truth it’s because he is judging his girlfriend’s cheerleading competition." Vinatieri was taking a jab at Belichick and his 25-year-old girlfriend, Jordon Hudson. After that comment, Vinatieri wised up and complimented Belichick: "All jokes aside, in my opinion, Bill is the greatest coach of all time." Surprisingly, Belichick didn’t earn enough votes to be a first-ballot Hall of Famer. In January's vote, he received 39 of 50, and the required threshold is 40. While Belichick was up for a Hall of Fame vote, he continues to coach at North Carolina, entering his second season with the Tar Heels after a disappointing 4-8 in 2025. He won six Super Bowls over 24 seasons as the Patriots head coach. The 2025 Hall Of Fame class included Vinatieri, Drew Brees, Larry Fitzgerald, Luke Kuechly, Roger Craig. Vinatieri's speech also consisted of roasting former Colts quarterback Payton Manning and an introduction from owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon. "Peyton, thank you for generously donating your forehead for today’s teleprompter," Vinatieri cracked. "A gigantic forehead means big brain and your football IQ is unmatched." Manning nodded his head with a smile from his seat among the Hall of Famers. Vinatieri retired with NFL records of 2,673 career points and 599 field goals. Only George Blanda (26) and Andersen (25) had longer NFL careers than Vinatieri’s 24 seasons. "When people hear the word greatness, they usually think about the biggest names on the biggest stages," Vinatieri said. "But greatness isn’t created under bright lights. Greatness is built on empty practice fields when it’s below zero. Greatness is sacrificing temporary fun for meaningful outcomes. Greatness is turning doubt into belief. Preparation matters. Character matters. "And to all the doubters, thank you. Your criticism became fuel. Your doubt became motivation. You helped make me better." Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon introduced Vinatieri, who won his fourth Super Bowl with Indianapolis after earning three championship rings in New England.

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From Comeback Year To Super Bowl: 10 Best Moments Of Drew Brees' Hall Of Fame Career

A Texas native, Drew Brees wanted to play football in his home state. But like the rest of his football journey, Brees took a fortuitous detour to Indiana, where he went to star in college at Purdue. After lighting it up for the Boilermakers, Brees eventually ascended to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL. So, it’s no surprise that Brees will have plenty of people to thank in his induction speech, set to take place in Canton on Saturday. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, his head coach at New Orleans, will introduce Brees at the ceremony. Joining Brees on stage as part of this year’s Hall of Fame class include Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri and Luke Kuechly. "The way I really look at it is, this is my opportunity to convey my appreciation, gratitude to so many of the people and places that were a part of this journey," Brees told reporters this week. "That’s what I’m most looking forward to, is all the people I’m going to have a chance to see and appreciate and let them know just how valued they are." Standing at exactly 6 feet tall and weighing 209 pounds, Brees did not have the ideal stature of a quarterback. But through grit, a relentless work ethic and cerebral approach to the game, Brees developed into a 13-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion. Brees pointed to creating a culture of connectivity that led to sustainable winning during his time in the league, which included stints with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints. "So much of my thought process each and every season was how do you recreate so much connectivity and chemistry with the guys that are on your side of the ball," Brees said. "And then the team dynamics. How are we feeding off each other and how are we complementing each other? To me, that’s where a lot of the magic lies on a team is just how you build that chemistry. And how you build those relationships." Now, let's look at the 10 best moments from Brees' Hall of Fame career. 10. Winning Comeback Player Of The Year In 2004 Brees' tenure with the San Diego Chargers was a bit more successful than some might have remembered. After the Chargers took him with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Brees earned the starting job a year later in 2002. He went 8-8 that year before going 2-9 as a starter in 2003. With Brees and the Chargers struggling in 2003, San Diego selected Philip Rivers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. But Brees not only fended off Rivers for the starting job in each of the next two seasons, he also led the Chargers to the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004. He won the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award for his play that season before going 9-7 as a starter in 2005. Brees finished his time in San Diego with a 30-28 record as a starter. He completed 62.2% of his passes for 12,348 yards, with 80 touchdown passes and 53 interceptions. 9. Gold Jacket Connection: Brees Catches TD From LT An underrated athlete and accomplished basketball player in high school, Brees got to show off his skills when he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass for a score from fellow Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson during a Week 4 contest against the Raiders in 2003. It was one of seven touchdown passes the multi-talented Tomlinson threw in his NFL career, and it was one of the eight receptions Brees made in his career. 8. Eclipsing Johnny Unitas’ Record For Consecutive Games With A TD Pass Breaking a record by Unitas that lasted in the record books for 52 years, Brees completed a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games between the 2009 and 2012 seasons. Brees threw the touchdown that broke Unitas' record of 47 games against his former team, the Chargers, in Week 5 of the 2012 season with a 40-yard touchdown to Devery Henderson in the Superdome, giving him 48 at that time. His record of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass still stands. 7. Becoming The First QB To Throw For 5,000 Yards In Over 20 Years Dan Marino was the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards, totaling 5,084 passing yards in 1984. But Brees became the second quarterback to accomplish that feat when he threw for 5.069 yards in 2008. And he produced one of the most prolific seasons three years later, completing 71.2% of his passes for a career-high 5,476 yards, with 46 touchdown passes and a 110.6 passer rating in 2011. Brees holds the NFL record by eclipsing 5,000 passing yards in five different seasons. 6. Setting The NFL's Single-Season Record For Completion Percentage Accuracy is an important statistic NFL scouts and talent evaluators consider when assessing if a quarterback can make the transition to the pros. And while smaller in stature, Brees was the gold standard for moving inside the pocket and finding throwing lanes between linemen to push the ball down the field. Brees holds the NFL record for completion percentage in a single season, completing 74.4% of his passes in 2018. Brees actually holds three of the top five season marks for completion percentage in a season. His 67.7% career completion percentage is the third-best mark in NFL history. 5. Leading Saints To Victory In First New Orleans Game After Hurricane Katrina Brees' first home game with the Saints was one their fans will remember for ages. After Hurricane Katrina displaced the Saints for the 2005 season, they returned to the Superdome for the first time in Week 3 of the 2006 season. They decisively defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 23-3, with Steve Gleason's punt block that led to a touchdown return serving as the memorable moment from that game. Brees didn't put up terrific numbers, but he gave New Orleans a steady hand that night. He threw for 191 yards, leading his team to four scoring drives. 4. Surpassing Peyton Manning For Most TD Passes Ever For about a year, no quarterback had more regular-season touchdown passes than Brees. In Week 15 of the 2019 season, Brees threw his 540th career touchdown pass on a throw to tight end Josh Hill. The touchdown pass broke Peyton Manning's record for the most regular-season touchdown passes in NFL history, and it came against one of Manning's former teams, the Indianapolis Colts. Brees' pass to Hill was also his 20th-straight completion in that game. Tom Brady wound up breaking Brees' record in 2020. 3. Breaking The NFL's All-Time Passing Yards Record A year before Brees set the touchdown passes record, he broke the NFL's all-time passing yards record. He also surpassed Manning for that record when he threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tre'Quan Smith in Week 5 of the 2018 season. Brees would finish his NFL career with 80,358 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 80,000 yards. When he retired in 2020, Brees was the NFL's all-time leader in passing yardage, completions (7,142) and passing attempts (10,551). Brady wound up breaking those marks in the following seasons. 2. Helping Saints Reach NFC Title Game In Year 1 Brees' tenure with the Chargers ended with him suffering a devastating shoulder injury, leading the team to part ways with him as a free agent in the 2006 offseason. But that opened the door for a move that helped change the course of NFL history. After the Miami Dolphins were urged by team doctors not to sign Brees due to his recent shoulder surgery, the Saints picked up the quarterback in March 2006. The Saints were rewarded for taking on a significant risk. He led the team to a 10-6 record in his first year and was named first-team All-Pro. Brees threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the Saints' 27-24 divisional round win, helping the team secure their NFC Championship Game appearance. They lost to the Chicago Bears in that game. 1. Delivering First Super Bowl To New Orleans and Winning MVP The defining moment of Brees' career came in the 2009 season. Four years into his New Orleans tenure, Brees helped the Saints get over the hump when they defeated the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. His 32 completions were tied for the most in a Super Bowl at the time, and Brees won Super Bowl MVP as he threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns in that game.

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Who Are The NFL's Highest-Paid Players at Each Position?

In the NFL, the bar is always rising. Each offseason, superstars reset the market, altering the salaries that the best players at each respective position expect to receive. Well, as we approach the start of the 2026 NFL season, deals are still being made that are setting the bar at positions around the league. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter and Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler Denzel Ward became the latest players to receive a record-setting contract. Carter agreed to a deal that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, while Ward agreed to an extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Carter and Ward join an illustrious list of players to be the highest-paid player at their respective position. So, who does he join on the All-Highest-Paid-Player-Per-Position Team?  Here are the NFL's highest-paid players at each position, per average annual value (AAV), via Spotrac: Mahomes is the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL again. He usurped Dak Prescott for the honor after he signed a two-year extension in June, bringing the total value of his deal to $504.75 million. Prescott had been the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL for nearly two years before that, signing an extension in September 2024 that pays him $60 million per year. Two days after Bijan Robinson signed the wealthiest contract for a running back, Jahmyr Gibbs slightly topped it. Gibbs and the Detroit Lions agreed on a three-year, $75.8 million deal ($67.5 guaranteed) on Thursday. The Lions selected Gibbs with the 12th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he's appeared in 49 games over three seasons. Cincinnati Bengals star Ja'Marr Chase held the honor of being the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history for roughly a year, thanks to a contract that paid him just north of $40 million per season. But Smith-Njigba's memorable 2025 campaign helped him usurp Chase for that honor. Smith-Njigba has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks. Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, leading the league in receiving yards (1,793). His dominant regular season preceded Seattle's run to a Super Bowl title, which saw Smith-Njigba put up a 153-yard performance in the NFC title game. A few days after the 2025 NFL Draft ended, Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the 49ers. His new deal is worth an average of $19.1 million, surpassing the contract Trey McBride ($19M AAV) signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier in April of that year. However, Kittle might be facing his toughest test yet following another injury-plagued season in 2025. He missed time due to a hamstring tear before tearing his Achilles in the playoffs. Tunsil agreed to a two-year, $60.2 million extension at the start of the 2026 offseason that made him the highest-paid offensive tackle. The 31-year-old took that honor from Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension in 2024. Tunsil has been one of the game's top offensive tackles since he entered the league in 2016. He's been named a Pro Bowler five times, and was graded as Pro Football Focus' sixth-best offensive tackle in 2025. Skoronski became the highest-paid guard in the NFL in August when he agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension with the Titans. The Titans selected Skoronski with the 11th overall pick in 2023, and he's started 48 games over the last three seasons. Linderbaum became the NFL's highest-paid center in March after signing a three-year, $81 million deal to join the Las Vegas Raiders. He passed Chiefs center Creed Humphrey for the honor, as Humphrey signed a four-year, $72 million extension ($18 million AAV) in August 2024. Carter became the NFL's highest-paid tackle when he agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension with $106 million guaranteed. He received the contract after earning his second Pro Bowl nod in 2025 as he was also a key part of the Eagles' Super Bowl team in 2024. Carter usurped Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for the honor, as Jones is getting paid $31.75 million per year on a five-year, $158.75 million deal. Anderson only needed three seasons to earn a contract that made him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. He signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Texans, which included just over $100 million guaranteed. Packers star Micah Parsons was previously the highest-paid edge rusher, signing a four-year, $186 million extension ($46.5 million AAV) in August 2025. Of the defensive positions, inside linebacker has the cheapest average annual value contract leader. Still, Warner is making a pretty penny. He reached a three-year, $63 million extension ($56 million guaranteed) when he re-signed with the 49ers in May 2025. Warner is one of the longest-tenured 49ers, having played seven seasons with the team since he was drafted in 2018. He is arguably the NFL's best inside linebacker, and if not, he's at least the most consistent. He had been named to three consecutive All-Pro teams before an injury cut his 2025 campaign short. Warner was also the engine of San Francisco's defense during its run to Super Bowl LVIII. He had recorded at least 118 total tackles in each season of his career prior to his injury-shortened 2025 season. Ward became the other player to set the standard at his position on Tuesday. He agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million deal with the Browns, making him the league's highest-paid cornerback. Prior to Tuesday, Trent McDuffie was the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension with the Rams shortly after Los Angeles traded for him, giving him $31 million per year. In a good deal of contract maneuvering, James slightly beat out Ravens' star Kyle Hamilton to become the NFL's highest-paid safety. The Chargers' star signed a three-year, $75.6 million extension in May after earning his sixth All-Pro nod in 2025. There are two kickers who can claim to be the highest-paid player at the position. Both Aubrey and Boswell are making $7 million per year, as both players are also on a four-year, $28 million pact. Aubrey is receiving more guaranteed money, though, as his contract has $15 million guaranteed to Boswell's $10.5 million guaranteed. Stout was one of a few members of the Ravens' organization to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, and he was paid handsomely for doing so. Stout received a three-year, $12.3 million deal at the onset of free agency this offseason. Stout was named first-team All-Pro in 2025, with his 44.9 average net yards per punt leading the league.

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Stefon Diggs On Washington Commanders: 'They Got A Lot Of Talent'

Put Stefon Diggs in the category of people who won't be surprised if the Washington Commanders have a bounce-back season. "They got talent. They got a lot of talent," Diggs said about the Commanders on Friday afternoon after his first practice with the team. "[Dyami] Brown, he's been to a couple teams. I see that he has a lot of potential; he's made some plays. Terry [McLaurin], obviously, Trey Burks, he was in Tennessee. He's been in the league for a little while, too. And then, you got the young guys, [third-round pick] Antonio Williams can hoop a little bit. He's got some game, and, hopefully, I can be a piece in that process that can kind of build this team and lead this team in the right direction because, at the end of the day, I just want to win. "Winning is the main thing for me. We had a lot of that last year [with the New England Patriots], and I kind of want that to just carry over, and all I bring is my experience and the things that I've done and my leadership." Diggs, who was released by the Patriots in March, signed a one-year deal with the Commanders worth up to $12 million earlier in the week. The partnership with the Commanders is a homecoming of sorts for Diggs, who grew up roughly 35 minutes north of Nortwest Stadium, the Commanders' home stadium, in Gaithersburg and played college football for the Maryland Terrapins, whose campus is located roughly 15 minutes north of Washington's home turf. Coming off a 2024 campaign that saw Washington win a playoff game for the first time since 2005 and reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time since winning Super Bowl XXVI (1991 season), the Commanders went 5-12 in 2025. Washington's offense was 24th in the NFL in passing yards (184.1 per game), tied for 22nd in points (20.9 per game), 22nd outright in total yards (318.8 per game) and fourth in rushing yards (134.7 per game). Moreover, quarterback Jayden Daniels, the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, was limited to seven games due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries. As for some of the Commanders' offseason moves, they selected Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Sonny Styles with the No. 7 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft and signed linebackers Odafe Oweh (four-year, $100 million deal) and Leo Chenal (three-year, $24.75 million deal), defensive tackles Javon Kinlaw (three-year, $45 million deal) and Tim Settle (three-year, $24 million deal), cornerback Amik Robertson (two-year, $16 million deal) and tight end Chig Okonkwo (three-year, $27 million deal) in free agency, among other moves. Regarding Diggs, the 2020 All-Pro led the Patriots in receptions (85) and receiving yards (1,013) last year in a season that saw them reach Super Bowl LX. The Commanders are Diggs' fourth team in as many years, as the Buffalo Bills traded the now-32-year-old receiver to the Houston Texans in 2024, and he signed with the Patriots after the 2024 season. Diggs spent the first five seasons of his NFL career with the Minnesota Vikings (2015-19) before being traded to the Bills, with whom he earned each of his four career Pro Bowl nods, in 2020.

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Packers HC Matt LaFleur On Hot Seat Despite Extension? Colin Cowherd Explains

When the Green Bay Packers hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy — who was fired during the 2018 regular season — in 2019, it was to squeeze out another Super Bowl run with Aaron Rodgers. Well, to date, Green Bay hasn't advanced past the NFC Championship Game under LaFleur with both Rodgers (2019-22) and Jordan Love (2023-present) under center and has been eliminated in the NFC wild-card round in back-to-back years (2024-25). And while LaFleur signed a new contract in January, could he actually be coaching for his job this season? "Matt LaFleur has been in the league a while, and he's probably on the coolest hot seat any coach has ever been on," Colin Cowherd said on Friday's edition of "The Herd." "It's not your usual hot seat, but two things are working against the Green Bay coach. No. 1, his division has Ben Johnson [Chicago Cubs] and Kevin O'Connell [Minnesota Vikings], brilliant offensive head coaches, top of the league, and then, the ultimate alpha-dog coach, Dan Campbell [Detroit Lions]. Over the last two years, the NFC North has won seven more games than the next division. It is probably or arguably the best coach division in football … "Here's the other thing: Matt LaFleur has now developed a reputation, and the Packers' front office knows it, and they're watching the last couple of playoff losses, where they get that big lead, very smart, sophisticated game plan, and then they're not tough enough to finish the game off." The Packers, who began last season 9-3-1, lost their last four regular-season games before blowing a 21-3 halftime lead to the archival Chicago Bears in the wild-card round, marking five combined losses to end the year. Under LaFleur (2019-25), the Packers are a combined 76-40-1 in the regular season, 3-6 in the postseason and have won three division titles (2019-21). His 76 regular-season wins and 65.4% winning percentage each rank fourth in team history. Regarding this season, Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator in former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who replaces Jeff Hafley, who left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Gannon's defense will begin the 2026 campaign without superstar defensive end Micah Parsons, who tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season. As for their competition, one could argue the Packers' division, the NFC North, is the best in the sport. The Bears are coming off their first division title since 2018 and are entering their second season with Johnson as head coach; the Lions missed the playoffs last season, but they won 15 games in 2024 and have posted a winning record in four consecutive seasons (2022-25); the Vikings, who won 14 games in 2024, still went 9-8 last season in a campaign that saw them start three different quarterbacks (J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer). "Smart gets you a lead in pro football. Toughness gets you the win," Cowherd said about LaFleur's Packers. "At the end of games, eight, 12-play drives; no passes; head down; you're bloodied; you pick up a third-and-1 three separate times, and I think that's the question about Matt LaFleur and Green Bay. And I don't think it's a cheap shot. I think we got some data that it's probably true."

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Another New Highest-Paid RB: Lions Agree To Record Extension With Jahmyr Gibbs

First, Bijan Robinson signed an extension. Then, it was Jonathan Taylor. Now, it's Jahmyr Gibbs — and the Detroit Lions star is making history with his deal. Gibbs has agreed to a three-year, $67.75 million extension with $51.5 million guaranteed with the Lions, NFL Network reported on Thursday. With a $22.25 million average annual value, Gibbs is now the highest-paid running back in NFL history. This deal comes mere hours after the Colts reportedly signed Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension and two days after the Falcons signed Robinson to a three-year, $66.75 million extension ($22.5 million AAV), which made him the highest-paid running back in NFL history at the time. Gibbs, a Pro Bowler in each of his three seasons in the NFL (2023-25), has rushed for 1,317.5 yards and 14.5 touchdowns per year on 5.3 yards per carry over the last two seasons (2024-25). Over that span, he has also averaged 64.5 receptions for 566.5 yards and 4.5 touchdowns per season. Last season, Gibbs was third among running backs with 62 forced missed tackles, according to Pro Football Focus. Meanwhile, the Lions star back led the NFL with 16 rushing touchdowns in 2024. The Lions selected Gibbs with the No. 12 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Alabama. Earlier this offseason, they also extended linebacker and 2025 All-Pro Jack Campbell, who was in the same draft class as Gibbs (No. 18 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft out of Iowa), on a four-year, $81 million deal. Detroit is coming off a 9-8 season that saw it miss the playoffs for the first time since 2022.

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7 QBs Among Top 11 NFL Players Who Have The Most To Gain In 2026

Finding NFL players with something to prove this season — or in any season — is not difficult. But of those currently navigating contract years or looking to move past 2025 hiccups, who has the most to gain in 2026? Here's my top 11 in descending order, ranking players not only by financial compensation at stake but also their perception in the eyes of the league: Williams established himself as one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks last season, delivering in the clutch and leading the Bears to their first playoff victory in 15 years. If he builds on what was an impressive second season, he sets himself up for what could be an extension that resets the quarterback market in the 2027 offseason. The 31-year-old Mayfield is entering a contract year after he and the Bucs failed to reach an extension agreement before training camp. A bounce-back campaign in 2026 — Mayfield’s numbers regressed across the board last season compared to his first two years in Tampa — should earn the former No. 1 overall pick a deal that ranks comfortably in the top 10 of quarterback contracts. Nix has been a good quarterback through two NFL seasons, helping lead the Broncos to back-to-back playoff appearances. If he makes the leap to elite in Year 3, it not only would mean a record-setting contract for the 2024 first-round pick next offseason, but would also make Denver a legitimate Super Bowl contender. If Pickens once again performs like a true WR1 in 2026, a top-end wide receiver contract awaits him from the Cowboys or someone else in the spring. The former second-round pick will play in Dallas this season on the franchise tag, which will pay him $27.3 million fully guaranteed. After an injury-riddled 2025, Daniels needs to show the Commanders that he can stay on the field. Doing that, and picking up from his historic rookie season two years ago, would all but guarantee him a deal that resets the benchmark for quarterback contracts. The talented Woolen is coming off a season in which he lost his starting job. After three years with the Seahawks, he’s now with the Eagles on a prove-it, one-year deal worth $12 million fully guaranteed. If he can recapture Pro Bowl form from his rookie season, he’ll be able to secure a contract that will rank among the richest cornerback deals. The 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Young’s career has been marked by inconsistency, including a benching in 2024. But he’s coming off his best season as a pro — he posted career-highs in completion rate, passing yards and touchdowns, and guided the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in eight years. Another step forward in 2026 will cement his place as Carolina’s long-term quarterback. After playing just 12 games over the past two seasons combined due to suspension and injury, Rice is now in the last year of his rookie deal. If he’s on his best behavior and produces like a WR1 this season, the former second-rounder is in line for a lucrative second contract. Texans general manager Nick Caserio has said the team has had "productive" extension talks with Stroud, but there’s a possibility that the QB plays this season without a new deal, given his playoff struggles last season and general regression since his rookie year in 2023. A bounce-back Year 4 would not only cement Stroud’s status as Houston's long-term quarterback, but also earn him a mega extension in 2027. Murray signed a league minimum, one-year contract with the Vikings after his release by Arizona. If he wins Minnesota’s starting quarterback job and regains Pro Bowl form, a top-end QB deal will be waiting for him in the spring. Football-wise, Nacua already deserves a second contract that would be the richest for a wideout in league history. He led the NFL with 129 catches last season and his 95.3 receiving yards-per-game career average is the most all time. But after a few off-field controversies dating back to last season, the All-Pro receiver must rebuild the Rams' trust in him to earn that mega extension. The former fifth-round pick is slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary in 2026, while a new deal would be expected to start at over $42 million in average annual value.

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Breakout Candidates: One Player From Each NFC Team Poised For A Star Turn

The hope for every NFL team ahead of each season always comes down to one truth: the belief that they have a player (or players) who will finally exceed their expectations. Someone, they think, is about to become a star. And they believe the whole team will be carried along for the ride. So who's primed to break out in 2026? Some are familiar names. Some have flown way under the radar. Here are 16 breakout candidates — one for each NFC team. NFC EAST His career has been a disaster of injuries, from a torn ACL keeping him out as a rookie to another one prematurely ending his second season and ruining his third. But in between, Overshown did have five sacks in 13 games in 2024, where he showed off his speed and explosive playmaking ability. Presumably healthy now, the 6-2, 220-pound linebacker could be a star on a Dallas defense that needs one with Micah Parsons now long gone, especially with a rebuilt defensive line playing in front of him. Overshown has the sideline-to-sideline skills the Cowboys have been lacking of late. There were huge expectations for the No. 3 overall pick of last year’s draft, but his headline numbers didn’t match them. He didn’t have his first full sack until Week 13 and finished with just four overall. But buried behind that disappointing total were 23 quarterback hits and, according to PFF, 66 quarterback pressures, which led all rookies. Those are huge numbers, which indicate there's a lot more to come. He still has fellow pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux to draw attention, and a new defensive coordinator in Dennard Wilson to presumably find better ways to use him. Double digits in sacks wouldn’t be a shock for Carter. When Howie Roseman traded fifth- and sixth-round picks for Wicks this offseason, it looked like a depth move for a team that was about to trade A.J. Brown. But it could end up being a lot more than that. Yes, DeVonta Smith is the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver, and first-rounder Makai Lemon is the favorite to be No. 2. But Wicks could put up a fight for that spot in the short term. He was underused in Green Bay, despite catching 60% of the balls thrown his way and averaging 12.3 yards per catch. He’s also only 25, so his best might still be in front of him. Lemon has more upside, but Wicks has the experience and played in the system new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is bringing with him from Green Bay. Wicks will have a chance to help fill Brown’s shoes, especially early in the season. In Jayden Daniels’ spectacular 2024 rookie season, 19% of his passes went to tight end Zach Ertz, who was his second-leading receiver (66-654-7). Ertz is gone now, replaced by the 26-year-old Okonkwo. He averaged 54-522-1 over the past three seasons for some bad Titans offenses. The Commanders do have a new offensive coordinator (David Blough), but Daniels clearly loves to throw to his tight ends. And he doesn’t have a lot of other great weapons to choose from in Washington anyway. All of that should mean an increase in workload for Okonkwo, who potentially has huge upside with a better quarterback. NFC NORTH He went a long way toward establishing himself as an elite tight end last season when he caught 58 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns. But it’s how he finished that truly showed off his potential. He exploded after catching just 11 passes for 116 yards over the first six games of his rookie campaign. In his final four games alone, including two in the playoffs, he had 28 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns. If he even comes close to replicating that over a full season, he might be the NFL's top receiver at his position. The Bears do have Cole Kmet to take away a few catches, but Loveland is firmly established as Chicago’s No. 1 tight end. There aren’t many more electric than him in the entire league. The Lions looked like they had a budding star in the middle of their defense in 2023 when McNeil had five sacks through the first 13 games and was proving to be a tough run-stuffer. But then his season was derailed by a knee injury. The Lions still gave him a four-year, $97 million extension, but the next year he had 3.5 sacks in 14 games before tearing his ACL. He’s presumably healthier now than he has been in three seasons. And with a healthy Aidan Hutchinson and Tyleik Williams alongside him, the Lions' line could be more dangerous than ever. McNeill won’t get a lot of attention from blockers, which could give him the room for his pass rushing numbers to shoot back up. The Packers didn’t give the 2022 second-rounder a four-year, $110 million contract in the offseason for more of the same from a player who’s never topped 41 catches or 620 yards in any of his four NFL seasons. Nor would they have traded away Dontayvion Wicks or let Romeo Doubs leave in free agency for a middling player. What they did was clear the deck for the 27-year-old to finally fulfill his promise in what surely will be a larger role. Matt LaFleur’s offense has never been high volume for the passing game, and it has always encouraged spreading the ball around, save for some seasons involving Davante Adams. But there are fewer weapons for quarterback Jordan Love to target now, and Watson has the talent to be the best of the smaller bunch. The 23-year-old edge defender recorded eight sacks last season, but even more was expected when the Vikings traded up to get him in the first round in 2024. He didn’t do much as a rookie, or in the first half of last season. But the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 6.5 sacks over the final eight weeks of 2025, which could be a sign of things to come. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, clearing the way for the speedy Turner to be the top edge rusher in Brian Flores’ blitzing scheme. If the second half of last season was any indication, he could eventually be one of the best pass-rushers in the league. NFC SOUTH After picking off 13 passes in his final two seasons at Notre Dame, everyone knew Watts had ball-hawking instincts. The lone conern was whether he had the skills to do it in the pros. Well, there’s no question now, after the third-round pick had six picks in his rookie season and finished fourth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The only question now is, how high is his ceiling? Watts had 11 pass breakups, 96 tackles and a fumble recovery as a rookie, showing he’s got an all-around game. He has the potential to be a regular among NFL interception leaders and an anchor in the Atlanta secondary for a long time. He’s competing alongside the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in front of him (Tetairoa McMillan) and another former first-rounder (Xavier Legette). But there is still room to grow with the Panthers for this former undrafted rookie (2024). The proof was in Coker's playoff outburst — a nine-catch, 134-yard, one-touchdown performance in a first-round loss to Rams. Coker was actually already beginning to emerge over the final five games of the regular season (19-244-3). And he's yet to drop a pass in his short career. The 6-3, 213-pounder likely opens the season as Carolina’s third receiver, but if quarterback Bryce Young continues to improve, Coker has a chance to put up sizable numbers in that role. That’s why the 24-year-old just got a new three-year, $55 million deal. He was the best rookie quarterback last season, even though the second-rounder started only nine games for a bad Saints team. He put up some impressive numbers in those starts, completing 69.2% of his passes for 2,256 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also led the Saints to a 5-4 record, including a 4-1 finish that nearly got them into the playoffs. This offseason, New Orleans beefed up its offensive line (with free agent guard David Edwards), drafted a first-round receiver (Jordyn Tyson), and added a top free-agent running back (Travis Etienne). In other words, the 26-year-old Shough is set up for even more success with offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore again calling the plays. Playing in a bad division, Shough could quickly emerge into a star. He absolutely exploded onto the NFL scene as a rookie last year with 25 catches, 445 yards and five touchdowns over his first five games. But he seemingly hit a wall after that and played himself right out of Rookie of the Year contention. He still finished with a respectable 63-938-6 stat line, but he was on pace for so much more as the centerpiece of the Bucs' passing game for much of the season given the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. No Buc had more targets (127), yet Egbuka caught only 49.6% of those passes. Assuming he improves at getting into the right spots and finishing plays, he will have a chance to put up elite numbers, especially with Evans no longer in the picture. NFC WEST He has 103 catches, 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns since the Cardinals drafted him No. 4 overall. It's about what would be expected of him if that had come in one season instead of two. Harrison, however, has been hampered by injuries and a terrible quarterback situation in Arizona. Entering Year 3 … well, hopefully his health has at least improved. If so, expect new coach Mike LaFleur to add some creativity to an offense surely built around this potentially dominant receiver. His numbers should spike, even if the Cardinals’ QB situation remains a mess. He had 12 sacks last season, so maybe it could be argued that he already had his breakout season (and really, most of the powerful Rams already have). But last season, he was the big man on the edge of the L.A. defense. Now, opposing offenses will have to deal with Myles Garrett (and perhaps Aaron Donald again). With the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year on the other end, it’s safe to say Young won’t see many double teams this year. He was already a top-10 pass-rusher in most categories, and with Garrett drawing most of the attention now, Young’s pressure rate and sack totals should only increase. He came into the NFL in 2024 with a reputation for locking down college football’s best receivers, and late in his rookie season he began to flash that potential. But last season was a step back for the former second-rounder, who wilted at times under the pressure created by the 49ers’ lack of a pass rush. That rush should be better this season, and accordingly, the 25-year-old Green could be right back on track. He has the speed, physical style and elite instincts to develop into one of the NFL’s elite corners. He just has to put it all together. For three seasons, the 6-1, 214-pounder has been the perfect handcuff in Seattle for Kenneth Walker III and a bruising option at the goal line. With Walker now in Kansas City, the 25-year-old Charbonnet is in prime position to be a bell-cow back. The good news is, he has shown over the years he’s more than capable of handling that. The bad news is, he’s never really been asked to expand his role for more than a few games at a time. He’s been fairly durable while averaging 4.1 yards per carry and has caught 82% of the passes thrown his way. Considering that 2026 first-round pick Jadarian Price had a limited role at Notre Dame, he’s not really a threat to steal too many touches right off the bat. Don't be surprised if Charbonnet puts up Walker-like numbers as Seattle's unquestioned No. 1 back.

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