All articles tagged with #profootballtalk
Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk released his Week 2 NFL picks, predicting a high-scoring Bills-Lions game and a 10-6 record from Week 1. The Ringer analyzed betting markets, favoring the over in the Lions-Bills game and the under in the Steelers-Patriots matchup, citing defensive mismatches and offensive inefficiencies.
Baker Mayfield has signed a new contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, detailed by NBC Sports' Mike Florio. The agreement includes a $10 million 2026 roster bonus and base salary, both fully guaranteed. For 2027, he will receive a $48.65 million roster bonus and a $1.35 million base salary, both fully guaranteed. The 2028 base salary is $50 million, with $20 million guaranteed at signing and the remaining $30 million vesting in 2028. A 2029 roster bonus of $2.5 million and a base salary of $52.5 million complete the deal. The contract provides $70 million in guaranteed money at signing, with additional guarantees vesting in 2027 and 2028. Florio notes the deal's structure creates a discrepancy between total payout and unearned money, averaging $51.25 million annually over four years but only $43.75 million in new money. The new-money average remains $55 million per year.
The NFL’s supplemental draft uses three groups based on 2025 records, with weighted lotteries and per-round bidding to determine order. If teams think Brendan Sorsby could develop into a starter, they may bid to move him up—even into round one—despite risks including a potential 2026 suspension and concerns about gambling history, meaning his draft stock could rise higher than expected as teams game the system for upside.
Ahead of the official 2026 NFL schedule release tonight, leaks detailing specific games have surged as teams already know their slates. The NFL appears to tolerate or even welcome the buzz, with schedule-release videos and online coverage driving engagement—even if some matchups get spoiled.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier demanded the NFL suspend the Rooney Rule for the Dolphins, Jaguars and Buccaneers. The NFL said it is reviewing the letter and that its policies align with the law and promote fairness and opportunity. The Rooney Rule aims to broaden the pool of coaching candidates rather than mandate minority hires, but the dispute highlights ongoing debates about DEI programs. With owners set to meet, officials are likely to be asked about it, though the league has stressed only that it is reviewing the matter.
Rob Gronkowski left his flag football debut after pulling a hamstring on a play following a two-point conversion from Tom Brady; the Founders must finish the day without him, highlighting NFL players’ offseason injury risk.
The NFL has set the 2026 salary cap at $301.2 million, at the low end of the earlier projected range of $301.2–$305.7 million. The cap rises from $279.2 million in 2025, continuing a multi-year jump that has added more than $100 million since 2021. With the figure finalized, teams can plan for cap usage when the league year opens on March 11.
Nine NFL teams are currently without a head coach, representing nearly 30% of the league; the Pittsburgh Steelers’ job is highlighted as particularly attractive as the offseason coaching carousel begins and vacancies remain unfilled.