All articles tagged with #sports nfl
With training camp approaching, the Buccaneers are reportedly in no rush to extend Baker Mayfield, betting they’ll top any competing offer in a veteran-QB market that could push APYs past $40 million. Mayfield’s willingness to push for more could test Tampa Bay’s leverage, potentially leaving them to rethink at QB if he tests the market or leaves, while behind him the roster options include Jalon Daniels, Jake Browning and Connor Bazelak.
As OTAs wrap and mandatory minicamp nears, the Falcons acquired Kansas City tackle Wanya Morris, a 25-year-old who has started 16 games since being drafted in 2023. Versatile enough to line up at left or right tackle, Morris has had pass-blocking struggles with 10 penalties in 2024 but showed improved run blocking in 2025. With KC adding depth and Atlanta adding five new tackles this offseason, the move positions Morris as a potential future starter under coach Bill Callahan as the Falcons reshape their OL this summer.
The Los Angeles Rams reworked Myles Garrett’s contract after acquiring him from the Cleveland Browns, moving guarantees earlier by pushing the vesting date back and adjusting end-of-deal option/workout bonuses to front-load more money into year one. Garrett remains at a $40 million average annual value, with the 2026 salary projected around $37 million, while the Browns’ original deal carried about $123 million in guarantees. The Rams’ trade package included Jared Verse and a 2027 first-round pick (plus a conditional 2029 third becoming a first if Garrett is traded within the AFC North). Garrett, who led the NFL with 23 sacks last season, is aiming to reach 200 career sacks.
The Rams’ deal to acquire Myles Garrett has revived talk that Aaron Donald could return to the league. ESPN’s Adam Schefter indicated a comeback isn’t impossible despite the team’s apparent money constraints, while Peter Schrager noted Donald’s strong relationship with head coach Sean McVay could keep the door open. Donald, 35, hasn’t played in two years since a standout 2023 season, and pairing him with Garrett would be a legendary move—though timing and feasibility remain uncertain.
The Bengals overhauled their defense with key free-agent signings and a trade for Dexter Lawrence, plus a strong draft led by Cashius Howell, fueling Joe Burrow's optimism as leadership improves and expectations rise for a top-tier defense in 2026.
The Philadelphia Eagles signed tight end Eli Stowers, their No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, to a four-year rookie contract, making him the sixth 2026 draftee to sign. Markel Bell remains unsigned but can participate in spring workouts, with training-camp timing in late July as the deadline.
An optimistic SB Nation piece argues that four teams who missed the 2025 playoffs—Detroit Lions, Indianapolis Colts, New York Giants, and Kansas City Chiefs—are poised to rebound in 2026, citing healthier rosters, added depth, coaching improvements, and favorable schedules that could push them into the postseason.
The AFC South remains unpredictable after a busy offseason: Houston fortified its offensive line and defense to pursue another playoff run, Indianapolis reshuffled cap space and depth (losing Michael Pittman Jr. while keeping Alec Pierce and adding Day 2 picks) with room to add veteran help, Jacksonville largely kept its core intact and added inside-forward pieces to defend its crown, and Tennessee overhauled its defense and added talent around quarterback Cam Ward, but still faces questions at left tackle and interior spots as the new regime builds toward sustained contention.
Chicago’s 2026 draft yielded three ESPN top-100 selections: safety Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall (No. 11 on Matt Miller’s list), corner Malik Muhammad (No. 124; No. 46) and linebacker Keyshaun Elliott (No. 166; No. 81), giving the Bears a strengthened secondary and faster linebacker group. Day 2 picks Logan Jones, Sam Roush and Zavion Thomas drew mixed reactions and left questions about the lack of early defensive-line selections, though the class could still produce immediate contributors and depth under GM Ryan Poles.
LA Rams used the No. 13 pick on Alabama QB Ty Simpson to stash behind Matthew Stafford, after weighing a potential trade-down amid chatter that the Cardinals were the biggest threat to Simpson; Detroit reportedly floated a first‑round swap to move up, but Los Angeles stayed put, and Arizona had shown heavy interest; the selection also preserves the team’s 2027 draft flexibility and signals a long-term plan with Snead and McVay aligned.
Bleacher Report’s post-draft power rankings evaluate all 32 NFL teams after the 2026 draft, placing Seattle at No. 1 and Miami at No. 32 while weighing roster changes, draft results, and coaching shifts as teams position themselves for the 2026 season.
The piece scores 50 mock drafts of the 2026 NFL Draft using a simple rule: each pick off by the actual draft earns a point, with double penalties for wrong trades. No credit is given for predicting the correct player but in the wrong slot. Todd McShay posted the best overall mock, while Evan Silva’s best performance came from a Ty Simpson trade projection. Matthew Freedman was the top non-McCoy performer. Chris Simms earned the worst mock score, and common correct predictions included the Jets/David Bailey at 2 and the Ravens/Olaivavega Ioane at 14. The article also notes the community mock outperformed or matched pros in a few cases (e.g., Lions drafting Blake Miller) and emphasizes how trades frequently derail mock accuracy across drafters.
The Steelers’ 2026 offense-focused draft creates several winners (Germie Bernard boosting the wide receiver corps with DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr.; Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle gaining depth behind added line help) and notable losers (Spencer Anderson and Brock Hoffman losing ground to Gennings Dunker; Broderick Jones and Dylan Cook facing competition with a first-round tackle; Mason Rudolph and Will Howard could be squeezed behind Drew Allar; Kaleb Johnson and Travis Homer battling for limited spots; Roman Wilson and JJ Galbreath crowded out by Bernard, Wetjen, and Heidenreich). The piece treats the draft as a speculative roster reshuffle driven by the possibility of Aaron Rodgers’ retirement and who earns roles on offense.
Las Vegas wrapped the 2026 NFL Draft with 10 picks, six on Day 3, highlighted by trading up to select Tennessee cornerback Jermod McCoy despite ACL concerns, and moving on from DE Tyree Wilson in a deal for Dalton Johnson. The Raiders fortified the secondary with Treydan Stukes, Dalton Johnson, and Hezekiah Masses while adding faster offensive weapons in Mike Washington Jr. and Malik Benson to complement top pick Fernando Mendoza, signaling a plan for a versatile, speedier offense under Robbie Leonard.
The Saints acquired Tyree Wilson from the Raiders in a trade, and GM Mickey Loomis said it will be a one-year audition to see how the 2023 No. 7 pick fits in the defense, with a likely decision on his fifth-year option coming afterward; a strong 2026 could set up a bigger payday in 2027.