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Aaron Rodgers Will Reportedly Return To Steelers, Agrees To 1-Year Deal

Sat, 16 May 2026 20:24:26 -0400

Aaron Rodgers' decision for the 2026 season is in. The future Hall of Fame quarterback will sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, ESPN reported Saturday. Rodgers' deal will include $22 million in guaranteed money, and potentially allow him to earn up to $3 million more in incentives, according to NFL Network. Rodgers' agreement with the Steelers will reunite him with his former head coach, Mike McCarthy, as he prepares for his 22nd season in the NFL. Rodgers, 42, had spent the offseason flirting with retirement, and was initially expected to make a decision around the NFL Draft in April, but the wait continued. Now, he reunites with McCarthy, who was his coach for 13 seasons with the Green Bay Packers, for the 2026 season. Rodgers initially signed with Pittsburgh in June of last year following his 13 seasons with the Packers. After Year 1, the veteran quarterback finished the 2025 season with an AFC North title, 3,322 passing yards, 24 touchdowns and seven interceptions. Rodgers will lead a quarterback room with Mason Rudolph, Will Howard and rookie quarterback Drew Allar from Penn State. As the Steelers look to win the division for a second year in a row, some aren't as bullish that they can do that, even with Rodgers returning. Following Thursday's schedule release, our Ralph Vacchiano predicted that the Steelers would go 8-9 in 2026 under the presumption that Rodgers would be their quarterback. Vacchiano believes that the "Steelers' season is riding on the old shoulders of Aaron Rodgers." "Whoever their quarterback is will immediately have a tougher challenge if Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow can stay healthy, making the AFC North games much more of a minefield," Vacchiano added. "The Steelers also have to go on the road to New England and Philadelphia, and even their trip to Jacksonville won’t be easy. Playing the NFC South and AFC South gives them plenty of soft spots in the schedule. But finishing first last season gave them their division’s toughest schedule. Given their fragile state, stuck between contending and rebuilding, that’s not much of a prize." Vacchiano also had the Steelers drop to No. 25 in his most recent power rankings after Thursday's schedule release. "Seven of their last nine games are against teams projected to win 9-11 games. Aaron Rodgers’ 42-year-old body should be aching pretty good by then," Vacchiano wrote. Still, McCarthy had expressed a desire for Rodgers to return to Pittsburgh for a second season so he could reunite with the quarterback. "It would be a great story," McCarthy said back in March. "I don't know — and I would love to tell everybody about breaking news, but it's really cool to see Aaron at [age] 42. To see a young man at 22 and all of what he's been able to accomplish and where he's at in his personal life and trying to make this decision. I think he's in a really good place." The Steelers now have their 2026 quarterback with Rodgers returning, and will look to defend their AFC North title and head back to the Playoffs in Year 1 of the McCarthy era.

Colin Cowherd Pushes Back On Chicago Bears 2026 Schedule: 'It's No Gauntlet'

Fri, 15 May 2026 19:36:23 -0400

The Chicago Bears delivered a cinematic 2025 season in Year 1 of the Ben Johnson era, which came with an NFC North title and reaching the Divisional round in the playoffs. Their 2026 regular season schedule — which was released on Thursday — shows that the Bears might be staring at an uphill battle to repeat that, playing 12 games against teams who either had a winning record or made the playoffs in 2025. However, for FOX Sports’ Colin Cowherd, the Bears' schedule isn't the toughest in the league. "I was told the toughest schedule in the NFL is the Chicago Bears. I don’t see it. The Bears do not face any team off a bye. Not once. Secondly, look at the games before their toughest games. They’ll either be a game before or after where they will be a significant favorite," Cowherd said on Friday's edition of "The Herd." To Cowherd's point, the Bears host the New York Jets in Week 4 before playing the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field in Week 5. They face the Atlanta Falcons in Week 6 before taking on the New England Patriots in Week 7. They do face the Seattle Seahawks in the following week, but their Week 15 matchup against the Buffalo Bills follows a Week 14 game against the Miami Dolphins. Still, the Bears are set to take on some difficult challenges in 2026. They attempted to get ahead of that in the offseason, adding safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Tremaine Edmunds in free agency to offset some losses they had on defense. They also added highly-touted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with their first-round pick. The additions on defense come after Caleb Williams' emergence as a star quarterback in Year 2. While Williams lost wide receiver D.J. Moore this offseason, tight end Colston Loveland and wide receiver Luther Burden III both showed promise as rookies this past season. To kick things off for Chicago, the Bears open the season on the road at the Carolina Panthers, and then have three-straight at home against the Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles and the Jets. And while that aforementioned game against the Seahawks is after a matchup against the Patriots, Chicago hosts New England on a Thursday night. So, the Bears will take on the Seahawks with an extended break. For Cowherd, the extra rest in between games and the consecutive home-field advantages make for an easier schedule than some are suggesting. "I mean the first month alone, they get three home games," Cowherd said. "That’s a nice start. Their toughest game is the game in Seattle against the Seahawks. But they even get a break there. They get extra rest from Thursday to Monday. The NFL, they want a Chicago Bears team that is in the news. It’s no gauntlet."

2026 NFL Schedule Release: 5 Bold Predictions After Unveiling Of Regular Season Slate

Fri, 15 May 2026 18:51:22 -0400

Yes, we already knew who every team was playing in the 2026 NFL season. However, after Thursday's schedule release, it's now a bit easier to predict the year ahead in the NFL. With dates of all 272 regular-season matchups set, we can take a closer look at the ebb and flow of schedules for specific teams and hazard a guess as to what the potential outcomes might be. Last year, I predicted the demise of the Kansas City Chiefs, along with bounce-back seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and New England Patriots. But I also believed the ever-optimistic Pete Carroll would lead the Las Vegas Raiders to respectability in his first season and the Washington Commanders would reach the Super Bowl, so I’m not exactly puffing my chest out. So, here are five bold predictions for the upcoming season with the release of this year’s schedule. It’s finally Joe Burrow’s time to shine — again. The Cincinnati Bengals have the third-easiest schedule, based on the projected win totals of their opponents. However, the Bengals had one of the easiest schedules last year and still finished 6-11. Of course, Burrow could not stay out of the training room, playing in just eight games in 2025. Cincinnati traded for Joe Flacco to rescue the offense, but the defense couldn't keep up, allowing at least 30 points in serve games. So, in the offseason, the Bengals finally went all in and spent major resources to fix an ailing defense, trading with the New York Giants for Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. They also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe, along with safeties Bryan Cook, Kyle Dugger and Ja’Sir Taylor in free agency. The Bengals added defensive linemen Cashius Howell and Landon Robinson, along with cornerback Tacario Davis, in the draft. So, the defense should be much better than No. 31 in total defense, which is where the Bengals finished last season. Along with that, the Bengals' three other AFC North rivals all have new head coaches (Mike McCarthy, Pittsburgh Steelers; Jesse Minter, Baltimore Ravens; Todd Monken, Cleveland Browns). In all, the Bengals play nine games against teams with head coaches leading them for the first time this season (the Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons and Tennessee Titans are the others). Cincinnati has the advantage of most continuity in the division, including all 11 players returning for one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL and one of the top quarterbacks in the league when healthy in Burrow. If the LSU product can stay upright, it’s the Bengals best shot at reaching the Super Bowl since Burrow led them there after the 2021 season. If not, the Bengals have an experienced backup with a Super Bowl ring in Flacco. New Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan and head coach Jeff Hafley are taking a long-term approach to building a winner in South Beach. That means there will be some bumps in the road with new quarterback Malik Willis leading them. Expect some struggles for Miami this season, going winless on the road amid a first-year rebuilding effort. That might not seem like a surprise when you consider that they have games at the New England Patriots, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers and Green Bay Packers on their slate. That slate is made even more difficult when you consider that Miami was 1-7 in games that were 45 degrees or colder at kickoff under head coach Mike McDaniel, and four of those aforementioned games take place in November or later. But the Dolphins also have road games at the Las Vegas Raiders, New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, giving them opportunities to win games on the road. And while you might think there's a team that goes winless on the road every season, that hasn't been the case as of late. There's only been one winless team on the road in the last four seasons. On top of that, the last time Miami went winless on the road was in 2007, when the Dolphins finished 1-15. That was Cam Cameron's first and only season leading the Dolphins. (Miami hired Tony Sparano and he finished 11-5 the following year.) Miami moved on from a handful of the team’s best players this offseason in wide receiver Tyreek Hill, wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and quarterback Tua Tagovailoa. Under first-year head coach Mike Vrabel, the Patriots rode the third-easiest schedule in the league last year to a magical Super Bowl run. Drake Maye emerged as an MVP-worthy candidate in his second season, and the Patriots returned to their mantle as one of the dominant teams in the NFL. However, New England played only three teams that reached the playoffs during the regular season, the fewest of any team in the league. The Patriots finished 1-2 against those teams during the regular season. Well, fast-forward to this season and Vrabel is now dealing with off-the-field distractions. The Patriots are also coming off a Super Bowl where they were dominated up front on both sides of the ball, losing in ugly fashion to the Seattle Seahawks. And after enjoying a schedule that allowed them to travel no further than New Orleans in 2025, the Patriots will travel the fifth-most miles this season (27,590). The inevitable addition of No. 1 receiver A.J. Brown should help an offense that lacks explosive plays and moved on from the team’s best receiver in Stefon Diggs this offseason. But the Patriots have the sixth-hardest schedule in the league. The Patriots face nine playoff teams from last season. Only the Seahawks (10) face more. The previous two Super Bowl losers failed to have a winning record the following season, with the 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs stumbling in each of the last two years. Expect the Patriots to follow a similar path. The New Orleans Saints return Louisville product Tyler Shough at quarterback in 2026 after the second-rounder showed promise as a rookie in 2025. Shough took over as the starter midseason and finished 5-4 as the team’s starter, so the Saints believe they have their franchise quarterback of the future. New Orleans certainly approached the offseason with that mindset as well. The Saints surrounded Shough with playmakers on offense, including first-round pick receiver Jordyn Tyson, an athletic tight end in the third round in Oscar Delp and underrated receiver Bryce Lane. The Saints also added running back Travis Etienne, veteran tight end Noah Fant and offensive lineman David Edwards in free agency. The Saints finished 7-10 last season and have the second-easiest schedule, based on opponents, based on the projected win totals of their opponents. New Orleans also plays in one of the easiest divisions in football in the NFC South. The Carolina Panthers won the division at 8-9 last season. The Saints also face the fewest playoff teams this season at five. So, expect the Saints to reign supreme in the NFC South and win their first division title since Drew Brees was their quarterback. Yes, the Los Angeles Rams are the current betting favorite to win the Super Bowl. But Father Time is undefeated. Matthew Stafford is 38 years old and coming off a year when he played in all 17 games for the first time since 2021, winning the NFL’s MVP Award for the first time in his 17-year career. Can Stafford play at that level again and stay healthy? Stafford had a balky back that forced him to miss time during training camp in 2025. And oddly enough, Stafford-led teams finished below .500 in three of the four seasons after he started and won double-digit games. The only time that didn’t happen was this past season, when the Rams followed up a 10-7 record by going 12-5, reaching the NFC Championship Game and finishing four points short of reaching the Super Bowl. If Stafford does suffer an injury, the Rams no longer have an experienced backup in Jimmy Garoppolo. Instead, it’s surprise first-round pick Ty Simpson, who some scouts I spoke with around the league did not believe was a first-round pick. Los Angeles also has the fifth-hardest schedule, based on projected win totals, facing nine teams that made the playoffs in 2025. That includes two late-season matchups against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks, facing Seattle twice in the final three weeks. Teams with five of the six hardest projected schedules finished under their projected win totals last year. The Rams travel the second-most miles in the league this season (35,487), including a season opener against their NFC West rival in Australia against the San Francisco 49ers. That's just the start of a five-game stretch that includes games at the Broncos and Eagles, plus a home game against the Bills.

2026 NFL Strength of Schedule: Easiest and Hardest Slates After Release

Fri, 15 May 2026 16:56:35 -0400

The wait for the 2026 NFL schedule is finally over. We all love the hype videos, but who has smoothest path to the playoffs, and which franchises face an uphill climb? Let's take a dive into each team's strength of schedule based on opponents’ combined winning percentage from the 2025 season. Here’s how all 32 teams stack up. Which Team Has the Hardest Schedule in 2026? The Bears are set to have the stiffest competition in 2026. Their foes have a combined opponent winning percentage of .550 in 2025. Which Team Has the Weakest Schedule in 2026? The Browns will face the easiest road in the 2025 NFL season, with a combined opponent winning percentage of .429 in 2025. 2026 NFL Strength of Schedule Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

2026 NFL Schedule Release: What Are The Top-10 Games For The Upcoming Season?

Fri, 15 May 2026 16:26:18 -0400

The release of the NFL regular-season schedule can be exciting, but also a bit overwhelming. We finally found out when all 272 regular-season games in the 2026 NFL season will be played on Thursday night, causing us all to scroll around to find out when the biggest games will be played. But you can now take a deep breath, as we're able to pinpoint the 10 best games set to be played in the regular season. This year's 272-game slate should be a thrilling one, too. We've got a Super Bowl rematch to open the season, and plenty of matchups featuring fierce division rivals who should be contenders this season, including one on Christmas Day. So, as you can take your time scrolling through your favorite team's schedule and optimistically check off wins, let's take a closer look at the top-10 games to watch for the upcoming season. A big AFC West tilt between the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Chargers offers a good opportunity to see how new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel creates a scheme that gets the most out of talented quarterback Justin Herbert. The Bolts face the Seattle Seahawks the previous week on the road, so hopefully they make it through that game unscathed and ready to host Denver. For the Broncos, it's a tough early-season test to see whether quarterback Bo Nix is fully healthy after finishing the season with a fractured ankle. The defending AFC West champs, it’s another chance to show they are still kings of the division. The Detroit Lions look to rebound from a disappointing season after missing the playoffs last year. They have an easier schedule this season and face a New England Patriots squad that has a much more difficult schedule after reaching the Super Bowl in Mike Vrabel’s first year leading that team. The Patriots play in Germany for the second time in franchise history, while it’s the first time the Lions will play there. This game also pits two potential MVP candidates against each other in Drake Maye and Jared Goff. Kenneth Walker III said he knew the entire season last year that he would not return to Seattle in 2026. The Memphis native and Super Bowl MVP gets an opportunity to face his old team at Lumen Field on the road in Seattle. Walker should be adjusted to the Kansas City Chiefs' offense by this point in the year and comfortably leading the running game. For Seattle, it’s an opportunity to show out in front of a national audience on "Sunday Night Football" as it seeks to become the second team to repeat as Super Bowl champs in the last two decades. Head coach Mike Madonald is leading one of the best defenses in the NFL again, going up against the best quarterback in the league in Patrick Mahomes. The San Francisco 49ers have owned this series of late, winning the last four games against the Dallas Cowboys. However, this game is on the road at AT&T Stadium and who knows how healthy San Francisco’s roster will be at this point in the season. The Cowboys look improved on defense, with first-round draft picks Caleb Downs and Malachi Lawrence. And with one of the most explosive offenses in the league led by Dak Prescott, CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, the Cowboys should make things interesting in this matchup between two playoff hopefuls. The two teams expected to compete for the AFC North title meet for the first time here. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow remain two of the top quarterbacks in the NFL, but both have had trouble staying healthy for the duration of a marathon NFL season. This game also marks the first time talented edge rusher Trey Hendrickson plays against his old team, signing with the Baltimore Ravens in free agency after the team rescinded their trade for star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. Two of the best young quarterbacks match up in this NFC North division battle between two heated rivals in the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers. Bears head coach Ben Johnson has made it plain he does not care for the Packers and head coach Matt LaFleur, adding juice to this storied rivalry. All three games last season were decided by one score. The Packers won the game at Lambeau thanks to a game-sealing interception of Caleb Williams in the final seconds. Two weeks later, the Bears dramatically took down the Packers at Soldier Field after they tied the game in the final minute before Williams threw a game-winning touchdown pass in overtime. But the drama from the playoff matchup trumped them all, with Chicago coming back from an 18-point deficit to beat Green Bay. A Super Bowl rematch to start the season. The last time these two teams met, it wasn’t much of a contest as Seattle dominated from start to finish. However, the Seahawks lost Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III to Kansas City in free agency. Along with losing that key contributor on offense, the Seahawks must replace edge rusher Boye Mafe and defensive backs Coby Bryant and Riq Woolen, who also left in free agency. And with the anticipated arrival of A.J. Brown via trade and another year of development for Drake Maye, the Patriots could make things interesting. At this point in the season, we will know if Jalen Hurts can function at an elite level in new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion’s offense, and if the Philadelphia Eagles have enough playmakers on the perimeter with A.J. Brown potentially out of the picture. The Eagles have won back-to-back NFC East titles, but can they hold off an improved Cowboys squad looking to reclaim their title as the best team in the division? Prescott still owns a 10-5 record against Philadelphia, and both games came down to the wire last season, decided by a combined seven points. Two of the best quarterbacks on the planet face off again, making this game must-see TV. Josh Allen and Mahomes are 5-5 against each other in 10 meetings, although Mahomes holds a 4-0 record in the playoffs. Allen failed to take advantage of a rare opportunity to reach the Super Bowl with Mahomes, Burrow and Jackson not in the postseason last year. But with a new head coach in Joe Brady and a new No. 1 receiver in D.J. Moore, Allen must figure out a way to get back to the playoffs. And that run starts in this late-season matchup against another team fighting to get back into the postseason in the Chiefs. How much more do we need to say? In a rematch of the NFC Championship Game, these two teams face off in two of the final three weeks of the season. And if last season was any indication, we're in store for some late-season dramatics. The Rams and Seahawks split the two regular-season contests, as the two games were decided by one score. But Seattle won the rubber match 31-27 in a hard-fought game to advance to the Super Bowl Both teams are favorites to reach the Super Bowl again this season, and if you look at most power rankings, the Rams and Seahawks occupy the top two spots, too. So, the expectation is another highly charged contest.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: 5 Storylines To Watch In Patriots-Lions Game In Munich On FOX

Fri, 15 May 2026 16:18:48 -0400

When Sunday, Nov. 15, arrives, be prepared to keep the TV on FOX from the moment you wake up and through nearly the entire day. FOX will air its first tripleheader in over a decade, which will conclude with the Dallas Cowboys hosting the San Francisco 49ers on "America's Game of the Week." But the game that starts the Week 10 tripleheader is overseas. The New England Patriots will host the Detroit Lions at Allianz Arena in Munich, Germany, at 9:30 a.m. ET on FOX and FOX One. Munich has hosted NFL games at Allianz Arena twice before, drawing about 70,000 fans each time. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tom Brady beat the Seattle Seahawks in 2022, and the Carolina Panthers narrowly defeated the New York Giants in overtime in 2024. Munich will host a game again in 2028 as the NFL continues to expand its presence in Germany and all over the world. German fans love American football, and you'll hear word-perfect singing of songs like John Denver's "Country Roads" and Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" belted from the crowd during games. FOX Sports had the NFL's first international game in 2007 when the New York Giants beat the Miami Dolphins in London as well. Here are five storylines that could play out in this year's game: It makes sense that a team coming off a Super Bowl appearance is going to fare well no matter where they play, and the Patriots will try to improve on a 4-1 record in the past decade for teams in international games the year after playing in the Super Bowl. The lone loss came last year, when the Kansas City Chiefs, coming off a Super Bowl loss, opened the 2025 season in São Paulo, Brazil, and lost to the Los Angeles Chargers. The other four were all international wins, including the Chiefs, who also played in Frankfurt in 2023 as defending Super Bowl champs and beat the Miami Dolphins that year. In 2019, the Los Angeles Rams were coming off a Super Bowl loss and won in London against the Cincinnati Bengals; the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Jacksonville Jaguars in London in 2018 as defending Super Bowl champs, and the Patriots beat the Raiders as defending champs in 2017. Some New England players have played in Germany before. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt during the 2023 NFL season, losing 10-6 in Bill Belichick's final season. Running back Rhamondre Stevenson rushed for 88 yards in the game, and receiver DeMario Douglas, then a rookie, led the team with six catches for 84 yards. That game also saw the Patriots bench Mac Jones on the final drive, with quarterback Bailey Zappe throwing a game-sealing interception following a fake spike. The Patriots are 3-2 all-time in international games, also losing to the Jaguars in London in 2024. Only three teams have played in more international games than the Patriots — the Jaguars (14), Miami Dolphins (7) and Minnesota Vikings (6). The Lions, meanwhile, have only played two international games in their history, edging the Atlanta Falcons in London in 2014 and losing to the Chiefs there in 2015. He's no lock to make the 53-man roster, but the Patriots have one current player who was born in Germany in offensive tackle Lorenz Metz, a massive 6-foot-9, 310-pound prospect who is part of the NFL's International Player Pathway Program and was with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the last two offseasons. And one of the most successful NFL players ever from Germany was Patriots offensive lineman Sebastian Vollmer, who won two Super Bowl rings with New England and made 80 starts for the Patriots between 2009 and 2015. Patriots cornerback Carlton Davis played every snap for the Bucs in their 2022 win in Munich, collecting four tackles, and he's played for both of these teams in the last two seasons. He started 13 games for the Lions in 2024, then signed with the Patriots, starting every game last year in their path to a Super Bowl, getting two interceptions in the playoffs. Myles Adams, a defensive end who spent the last two years on Detroit's practice squad and will compete for a roster spot this fall, played for the Seahawks in Munich in 2022, getting one tackle in the loss. Detroit's offense ranked in the top five in scoring from 2022-24 and led the NFL in 2024 before Ben Johnson left to become the Chicago Bears' head coach. They ranked fourth last year, averaging 28 points per game, and the Lions still moved on from offensive coordinator John Morton, hiring Drew Petzing. Petzing is only 39, and a successful season could make him a head coaching candidate as a sharp, young offensive mind. He grew up in New England, going to high school in Wellesley, Massachusetts, just west of Boston, during the Patriots' heyday with three Super Bowls in four years under Tom Brady. He stayed in New England, playing in college in Middlebury and had his first coaching jobs at Harvard, Boston College and Yale. Detroit's offense has some significant changes for 2026, with running back David Montgomery traded to the Texans and replaced by Isiah Pacheco, and moves on the offensive line. Pro Bowl tackle Penei Sewell is moving from right to left tackle, with free agent Cade Mays stepping in at center and first-round pick Blake Miller stepping in at right tackle. Second-year receiver Isaac TeSlaa could also emerge after getting six touchdown catches among his 16 receptions as a rookie. Maye just missed out on MVP honors as runner-up, but his emergence in his second NFL season was central in the Patriots' amazing turnaround from 4-13 in 2024 to 14-3 and AFC champs. Maye threw for 31 touchdowns, more than doubling his rookie total, all while throwing only eight interceptions, two fewer than he did as a rookie. The Patriots paid $68 million to bring in receiver Romeo Doubs from the Packers, put a first-round pick into offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and added guard Alijah Vera-Tucker from the Jets in free agency as well. They should get improvement from two key rookies last year in offensive tackle Will Campbell and running back TreVeyon Henderson. Henderson rushed for 911 yards and nine touchdowns as a rookie and could take on a larger role in his second season. A potential trade for Eagles star wide receiver A.J. Brown also continues to linger. New England averaged 28 points per game in 2025, second-best in the NFL and a full 12 points a game better than it had the year before. Can the Patriots sustain that high level of play — or exceed it — with Maye's continued growth?

2026 NFL Odds Week 1: Lines, Spreads For All 16 Games

Fri, 15 May 2026 15:24:43 -0400

With the 2026 NFL schedule now officially released, sportsbooks wasted no time posting opening lines for Week 1. Headlined by a Wednesday night Super Bowl rematch between the Seahawks and Patriots, as well as the NFL’s first-ever game in Australia between the Rams and 49ers, opening week is absolutely loaded. And while kickoff is still months away, it’s never too early to take an early look at the Week 1 odds following the schedule release. Here are the lines for every Week 1 matchup at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 15. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. WEDNESDAY, Sept. 9 Patriots @ Seahawks Spread: Seahawks -3.5Moneyline: Seahawks -205, Patriots +170O/U: 44.5 THURSDAY, Sept. 10 49ers @ Rams (Australia) Spread: Rams -2.5Moneyline: Rams -155, 49ers +130O/U: 48.5 SUNDAY, Sept. 13 Saints @ Lions Spread: Lions -7Moneyline: Lions -325, Saints +260O/U: 48.5 Bears @ Panthers Spread: Bears -2.5Moneyline: Bears -135, Panthers +114O/U: 44.5 Ravens @ Colts Spread: Ravens -3.5Moneyline: Ravens -185, Colts +154O/U: 49.5 Bills @ Texans Spread: Bills -1.5Moneyline: Bills -112, Texans -108O/U: 45.5 Falcons @ Steelers Spread: Steelers -3Moneyline: Steelers -175, Falcons +145O/U: 42.5 Buccaneers @ Bengals Spread: Bengals -3.5Moneyline: Bengals -198, Buccaneers +164O/U: 50.5 Browns @ Jaguars Spread: Jaguars -7Moneyline: Jaguars -285, Browns +230O/U: 40.5 Jets @ Titans Spread: Titans -3Moneyline: Titans -170, Jets +142O/U: 39.5 Commanders @ Eagles Spread: Eagles -5.5Moneyline: Eagles -238, Commanders +195O/U: 46.5 Packers @ Vikings Spread: Packers -1.5Moneyline: Packers -125, Vikings +105O/U: 44.5 Cardinals @ Chargers Spread: Chargers -11.5Moneyline: Chargers -625, Cardinals +455O/U: 45.5 Dolphins @ Raiders Spread: Raiders -3Moneyline: Raiders -180, Dolphins +150O/U: 41.5 Cowboys @ Giants Spread: Cowboys -2.5Moneyline: Cowboys -130, Giants +110O/U: 48.5 MONDAY, Sept. 14 Broncos @ Chiefs Spread: Chiefs -2.5Moneyline: Chiefs -155, Broncos +130O/U: 42.5

2026 NFL Power Rankings: How the Schedule Release Shook Up the League Hierarchy

Fri, 15 May 2026 14:34:00 -0400

The truth of the NFL schedule is this: It’s not who you play, it’s when you play them. A team that looks tough on paper now might be a shell of itself when injuries hit in October. Maybe even sooner. That said, strength of schedule is at least a guide to the challenges each team will face. And it’s the last piece of the puzzle for ranking the teams from best to worst before training camp begins. So, now that the full 2026 schedule is out, here are my final Power Rankings of the offseason. Super Bowl odds: +40000 They have a real chance to start 0-13 against a brutal schedule before they get to their bye week. After that, they will have the chance to rack up some wins against the Jets, Saints and Raiders, but by that point they’ll have to ask themselves, "Why?" Super Bowl odds: +30000 If they tanked for the top pick, would anyone know? Their last six games, and nine of their last 11, are against teams projected to win nine or more games. After opening against the Raiders, the slate gets ugly fast. Super Bowl odds: +15000 It’s hard to find a soft spot in this schedule for the Raiders to put top pick Fernando Mendoza in. Maybe Week 8 against the Jets or Week 12 against the Browns, but those are the only weak games after September for a while. Super Bowl odds: +20000 The Jets’ schedule is relatively easy. They just have to survive Robert Saleh’s revenge quest in the opener and three straight games against the NFC North to get to the easier part that starts in Week 5. Super Bowl odds: +15000 They have the NFL’s easiest schedule based on last year’s record and travel fewer miles than all but one team. In theory, they have plenty of time to find their way — if they can find a quarterback. Super Bowl odds: +12000 After Robert Saleh (likely) exacts his revenge on the Jets in Week 1, things get at a lot tougher. On paper, the Titans' schedule is easy. In reality, it’s a lot harder than it looks. Super Bowl odds: +8000 Once they get past Detroit and Baltimore in the opening weeks, they have a real chance to build on last year with one of the NFL’s easiest schedules based on expected wins. They also are set up for a strong finish with no games against 2025 playoff teams in the last four weeks. Super Bowl odds: +5000 Seven of their last nine games are against teams projected to win 9-11 games. Aaron Rodgers’ 42-year-old body should be aching pretty good by then. Super Bowl odds: +6500 Surviving their first eight games may not be possible. They only play three of those on the road, but they’re at Philly and Dallas to open the season and then off to San Francisco in Week 6. They also play the Seahawks and Rams. They don’t really have a break until they get to Arizona in Week 12. Super Bowl odds: +6500 The only real problem with their schedule is they open against the Ravens, Chiefs and Texans. That’s three tough tests for either a backup quarterback or a still-healing Daniel Jones. It gets a lot easier after that, though. Super Bowl odds: +5000 The first half of their schedule is easy compared to what awaits them in the second half. Their last nine games include trips to Chicago, Detroit and Baltimore and home games against the Chargers and Rams. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They have the third-toughest schedule when measured by expected wins for their opponent, and they travel more than all but three NFL teams (27,980 miles). Add in five prime-time games and they have an exhausting road. Super Bowl odds: +12000 Their road slate is easy, but their home schedule is ugly. Their first six home games are against the Panthers, Ravens, Bears, 49ers, Chiefs and Lions, and that doesn’t count the "home" game against the Bengals in Madrid. Wow. Super Bowl odds: +7000 The NFL teed up the first six games for John Harbaugh, with only a road trip to the Rams looking impossible. They better build up a nice cushion, though, because life gets tough after their Week 8 bye. Super Bowl odds: +8000 The good news is nobody travels fewer than the 8,740 miles the Panthers will travel this season. The bad news is they play the third-hardest schedule, based on projected wins, along the way. Super Bowl odds: +5000 If they can hang on in the division, they’re set up for a fantastic finish. Three of their last four games are at home. One is against the Commanders. And their only road trip in that stretch is to New York to play the Jets. Super Bowl odds: +1600 The opening will feel easy to them against the Cardinals and Raiders. But the next eight weeks are as ugly as it gets, starting with a four-game stretch that includes trips to Buffalo, Seattle and Kansas City, with a home game against the Broncos in between. Ouch. Super Bowl odds: +1800 They have the NFL’s easiest schedule based on projected wins, but the NFL found a way to make it difficult. They get to open the Bills’ new stadium in Week 2. Then three of their last four games are against division opponents on the road. Super Bowl odds: +1600 Their schedule is filled with soft spots, so they shouldn’t have an extended losing streak at any point. And down the stretch, most of their tough games (Bills, Texans and Lions) are at home. Super Bowl odds: +1700 Here’s a fun fact: The 49ers will set an NFL record this season by traveling more than 38,000 miles, including trips to Melbourne, Australia and Mexico City. They’ll cross 58 time zones. Surviving that might be impossible. Super Bowl odds: +1500 The good news is the schedule is backloaded, so they might survive the first five weeks if Patrick Mahomes is rusty. The bad news is it’s backloaded, so things won’t be easy when Mahomes might be back to form. Super Bowl odds: +2200 Joe Burrow is back. They strengthened their awful defense. And on top of that, they get one of the NFL’s easiest schedules. They play just two 2025 playoff teams over the last 14 weeks. Super Bowl odds: +1800 The good news for the NFL’s best defense is they don’t play a lot of offensive powerhouses on the road. Most of their toughest tests (Bengals, Cowboys, Bills) come at home, and early. Super Bowl odds: +2500 They drew the NFL’s toughest schedule, though it’s a touch easier if you base it on expected wins in 2026 instead of the 2025 record. They also have seven prime-time or stand-alone games, so the whole world will be watching. Super Bowl odds: +3000 They have one home game in the first six weeks (against the Patriots) and two international games. If they can survive that, though, they’ll have a pretty smooth ride the rest of the way. Super Bowl odds: +1600 They have basically the same brutal schedule as the Bills, only more home games toward the end. So why did they drop behind them? Because the Patriots aren’t used to a slate like that. And their coach has been a bit … um … distracted. Super Bowl odds: +1000 It’s bad enough that their schedule includes the AFC West and NFC North, but they have to play at New England, Green Bay and Denver in December. The bright side is they will be very battle-tested for the playoffs. Super Bowl odds: +950 I was told ranking them this high was controversial. Then I saw their schedule, and I’m not sure I’ve ranked them high enough. They won’t be tested until Week 7 at home against the Bengals. Super Bowl odds: +1600 Take out three games against NFC West teams and their schedule is soft as butter. Also, they get their two toughest games at home (Rams, Seahawks), and by the time they travel to San Francisco, the frequent-traveling 49ers should be exhausted. Super Bowl odds: +950 They have basically the same tough schedule as the Rams, only with about 12,000 fewer air miles. But honestly, the battle between these two NFC West rivals will be decided by what happens when they play those two games over the final three weeks. Super Bowl odds: +800 My colleague, Eric Williams, doesn’t share my rosy view of the Rams. I remain bullish, but I got squeamish when I looked at their schedule. They’ll travel 34,847 miles this season, which can’t be good for Matthew Stafford’s 38-year-old back. And facing the Seahawks twice in the final three games caps a brutal final two months. Super Bowl odds: +2000 Their first six games are just terrible. But assuming they survive that, there is a real soft middle of the schedule that could put them on a real run from Weeks 7 to 15. That should be enough for the class of the AFC, and a team that is motivated by the knowledge they should’ve been in the Super Bowl last year.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: 5 Storylines To Watch In Rams-Seahawks Christmas Game On FOX

Fri, 15 May 2026 12:32:26 -0400

To borrow from the old holiday jingle: All I want for Christmas is the two top teams ... Look at any NFL power rankings these days, and you'll see the defending champion Seattle Seahawks and their division rival, the Los Angeles Rams, as probably two of the top three teams, if not the exact top two teams in the league. And you get to see them face off on Christmas Day on FOX and the FOX One app (8:15 p.m. ET on FOX and the FOX Sports app), in what could be both an NFC Championship Game rematch and preview. The cool thing about having two of the NFL's top teams in the same division — in fairness, the San Francisco 49ers are usually in the top eight or so — is that between the Seahawks and Rams, only one of them gets to win the division and start the playoffs on their home field. So, a Christmas showdown in Seattle should have huge ramifications for which team gets that major advantage. Here are five storylines to watch, looking ahead seven months to one of the biggest games of the entire season: The Rams' biggest offseason upgrade was to their defensive secondary, sending their first-round pick and three other selections to the Kansas City Chiefs for corner Trent McDuffie, who promptly got a massive $31 million per year extension. Los Angeles also signed McDuffie's former Kansas City teammate, cornerback Jaylen Watson, for $17 million a year, hoping those two could bring their Super Bowl experience to help the Rams get back to the big game. Los Angeles had the NFL's No. 19 passing defense last year, and there aren't many categories where it ranked that low. So, these are moves designed to improve a relative weakness, at considerable expense. Watson brings more size than what the Rams had in Cobie Durant and Emmanuel Forbes last year, and McDuffie has the versatility to play inside at nickel or outside, depending what package they're in. No defense ran more dime looks with six defensive backs on the field than the Rams did last year. Right after the Seahawks won the Super Bowl, offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak left to become head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders, and Mike Macdonald chose a relative unknown to take over Seattle's offense in Fleury. He spent the last seven seasons as an assistant with the 49ers, so he knows the division well and is well accustomed to lining up against the Rams' defense twice a year. Fleury's a first-time play-caller, no easy task for any team, let alone one with expectations as high as a potential repeat as NFL champs. He'll also have to do it without Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, who was not re-signed and landed with the Chiefs in free agency. Last year's No. 2, Zach Charbonnet, should be fully recovered from his late-season ACL tear by Christmas, and first-round rookie Jadarian Price is an intriguing prospect who never started once in college, playing behind Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame the last three years. Nick Emmanwori took second in the AP Defensive Rookie of the Year voting, even though he missed three games and didn't step into an every-down role until Week 6. His ability to play nearly anywhere on the field — safety, nickel, occasional edge rusher — makes him invaluable, and Seattle losing key defensive starters in free agency means Emmanwori will be asked to do even more in his second season. Emmanwori set a career high with 11 tackles in the regular-season game against the Rams in Seattle, and the Seahawks will need his versatility to try to contain Stafford's passing game. You can't expect to give up 457 passing yards and three scores and win, and Emmanwori can help Seattle improve another glaring weakness, having a minus-3 turnover margin in the regular season last year. Both offensive coordinators last year became NFL head coaches, with former Seahawks offensive coordinator Kubiak becoming the Raiders head coach and ex-Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Mike LaFleur taking over with the Cardinals. Could the same two teams yield two more head coaches for 2027? If Seattle's defense is a force again, defensive coordinator Aden Durde — born in London — should be a top candidate for the next wave of hirings, and new Rams offensive coordinator Nate Scheelhaase, still only 35, might be at the top of the list as a coveted young offensive mind. Don't forget the Rams' Kliff Kingsbury and Chris Shula or the Seahawks' Jay Harbaugh as potential candidates after another deep playoff run. Here's a cool one: There were five games in the entire NFL last season where a quarterback threw for at least 374 yards, three touchdown passes and had zero interceptions — and four of the five were from Rams star and NFL MVP Matthew Stafford. And two of those four came in losses to the Seahawks in Seattle. Both Rams-Seahawks showdowns in Seattle last year were amazing games. The first, a week before Christmas, saw Seattle rally from a 16-point fourth-quarter deficit, give up a touchdown in overtime, then rally to win on a touchdown and two-point conversion by Sam Darnold. The rematch, with a spot in the Super Bowl on the line, had the quarterbacks duel with similar three-touchdown gems, the Seahawks prevailing after their defense got three stops at the 6-yard line with five minutes left. So the bar is set high after three great games last year, but it's reasonable to think that the team that wins on Christmas might be the one that gets to host any rematch in the playoffs.

2026 NFL Christmas Odds: Lines, Spreads, What to Know for All 4 Games

Fri, 15 May 2026 11:22:40 -0400

The NFL now does Christmas, and it does it big. Let's check out the odds for the Christmas slate of games at DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 15. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. DEC. 24 — CHRISTMAS EVE Texans @ Eagles Spread: Eagles -2.5Moneyline: Eagles -135, Texans +114O/U: 41.5 What to know: Two teams that had high hopes coming into the playoffs last season, but fell apart at the seams come the postseason. The defending champion Eagles fell to San Francisco at home, and Houston lost at New England in the divisional round, behind four interceptions from C.J. Stroud. Many believe it's put up or shut up time for both Stroud and Jalen Hurts. DEC. 25 — CHRISTMAS DAY Packers @ Bears Spread: Bears -1.5Moneyline: Bears -118, Packers -102O/U: 47.5 What to know: An old-fashioned, NFC North slobberknocker. The two teams split their regular-season matchups last season, before the Bears beat the Packers in the wild-card round 31-27, despite trailing 21-3 at halftime. It will be Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams' second season together, after winning the division in their first. Bills @ Broncos Spread: Bills -1.5Moneyline: Bills -125, Broncos +105O/U: 46.5 What to know: A rematch of their AFC divisional-round clash from last season, where the Broncos eked out a 33-30 overtime win. That was the game in which Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury, which many believe cost the Broncos a trip to the Super Bowl. Denver added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle this offseason, while the Bills added D.J. Moore to their receiving corps. Rams @ Seahawks Spread: Seahawks -1.5Moneyline: Seahawks -120, Rams +100O/U: 47.5 What to know: Arguably the two best teams in the NFL reside in the NFC West. Last year, they played twice in the regular season, with the Rams winning 21-19 in L.A. and the Seahawks winning 38-37 (OT) in Seattle. Then, in the NFC title game, Seattle pulled out a 31-27 victory, followed by a Super Bowl triumph over New England. The Rams enter the season as the +800 favorites to win it all. Seattle is second at +950. Christmas games don't get bigger than this.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Ranking This Year's Top-10 Hype Videos

Fri, 15 May 2026 10:55:20 -0400

The NFL’s content teams put on a show for the 2026 schedule release Thursday night, flexing their creative muscles in what’s become known as the social media Super Bowl. But which franchise had the best schedule release video this year? Here’s my top-10, in descending order: The Browns nailed the "Street Fighter" theme, bringing out Ohio native and internet personality MatPat to introduce the "video game." The arcade vibe and retro sound effects and graphics take older Millennials back to their childhood. The Giants featured the always-entertaining Jameis Winston in their schedule release video, having the QB and offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor hang outside the Vessel in New York’s Hudson Yards. That’s where "Winston Van Gogh" played Pictionary with fans — if the fans named the team that Winston was referring to with his drawing within 15 seconds, they won Giants tickets. Winston sported a beret, giving him an artsy aesthetic, fitting for the occasion. With an art craft blend theme, the Jets had the most visually mesmerizing schedule release video this year. The sped-up blend of colors — leading into each opponent — was satisfying. No words were spoken, but nothing felt missing. The Raiders doing a "Step Brothers" parody starring quarterbacks Fernando Mendoza and Kirk Cousins was simply perfect. The bit included everything from the opening scene of them eyeing each other down, to Cousins showing the No. 1 overall pick how things are done around the facility. The Falcons' content team told me earlier this week that their new football regime of head coach Kevin Stefanski, president of football Matt Ryan and general manager Ian Cunningham would be involved in their schedule release video. As it turned out, they played a significant role. Atlanta hit a nostalgic vein by incorporating the old "SportsCenter" commercial theme as well. The reference to the Drake-Kendrick Lamar rap beef and cameo by Atlanta music legend Jermaine Dupri was a nice touch, too. The Cowboys brought out the "Tylers" on their offensive line — Tyler Booker, Tyler Smith and Tyler Guyton — to headline the "TIA" (Tyler Intelligence Agency), which has secret agents (most of them named Tyler) on each of Dallas’ opponents in 2026. The incredibly detailed video, which includes a cameo from quarterback Dak Prescott, features strong digs at the Packers, Rams and Eagles (of course). The Bears put a modern spin on the late Bob Ross’ "The Joy of Painting" television series, with wide receiver Rome Odunze — dressed like Ross — guiding viewers through an oil painting interpretation of each of Chicago’s 2026 opponents. The best part was undoubtedly the dig at the rival Packers. Odunze pulled out a cheese grater to use on the edge of the canvas, then looked at the camera and said: "Isn't that satisfying?" Maybe one day the Titans’ man of the street approach, which the team has used a couple of times, will get old. But not this year. Tennessee’s social team managed to find look-a-likes of key figures of their 2026 opponents on Broadway Street and other parts of downtown Nashville. The best one may have been a Myles Garrett jersey-wearing Browns fan who hilariously looked nothing like the reigning AP Defensive Player of the Year. The Colts crushed their "Simpsons"-themed video, which was jam-packed with small jokes, including the mess that was their 2025 schedule release and season at-large. This year’s video hilariously references how Indianapolis hasn’t won in Jacksonville in more than a decade with the viral scene of Homer Simpson hiding in the bushes. The Chargers have done it once again. Widely considered to be the gold standard on schedule release day, L.A.'s content team created a "Halo"-themed video loaded with excellent digs into their 2026 opponents. Some of the best include a nod to Cam Newton’s viral take on Bills receiver Keon Coleman and Texans QB C.J. Stroud giving Bears QB Caleb Williams advice after their primetime showdown in 2024.

2026 NFL Odds: Back Cowboys, Chiefs To Win In Week 1

Fri, 15 May 2026 09:29:04 -0400

Okay, friends — we're getting closer to football season. The NFL schedule release is a nice little teaser and does just enough to get us excited about what lies ahead. Also, now that we know which matchups we have to look forward to, it's time to put our money where the calendar is. Let's take a glance at the first two games I've got my eyes on. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. COWBOYS @ GIANTSSept. 13 — Week 1 I’m high on the Cowboys this season. Quarterback Dak Prescott seems underrated, despite playing well year after year. The Cowboys' offensive line is outstanding. Their wide receivers are elite. They clearly have things together on offense. Defense was a struggle last season, but they’ve done much to improve it with late, in-season moves last year and free agency this spring. They’ve improved at all three levels, either in the draft with Malachi Lawrence and Caleb Downs, or in free agency with Rashan Gary and Cobie Durant. The Giants also improved with the addition of John Harbaugh as the squad's coach. They had a productive draft by selecting Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa. Quarterback Jaxson Dart will start this season healthy and presumably so will star receiver Malik Nabers. Their defense should be fantastic once again this season with a hellish pass rush. But there's this: The Giants do not have a home-field advantage that’s worth much, in my opinion. That opinion is backed by years of data showing that they don’t cover as often. Part of that is because they've been stinky for years, but also, that stadium provides them no real upside. The Cowboys, on the other hand, have advantages all over the field in this game. They have a returning coaching staff with a better quarterback. Their offensive line can neutralize the Giants' defensive line. The Cowboys' improved defense should play well against a New York offense with that new staff that will be attempting to find its footing early in the season. PICK: Cowboys (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points BRONCOS @ CHIEFSSept. 14 — Week 1 I’m prepared to lose money again this season wagering on the Chiefs when the number is under a field goal. Last season was bad. The offense had no rhythm or flow. Nothing easy was designed. Then injuries started to pile up. Receiver, offensive line and eventually, Patrick Mahomes. But now, Mahomes appears healthy, and the offensive line is healthy. K.C. has added Kenneth Walker at running back and have acknowledged it needs to change the offense. Defensively, it always felt like the Chiefs allowed fewer points than their talent. The Chiefs added some young pieces on defense and will need those guys to get up to speed fast. The Broncos made the AFC Championship Game last season in the second year of Bo Nix being paired with head coach Sean Payton. They lost when Nix was out of the lineup. Now, he’s on track to be under center in Week 1. Denver didn’t need to do much this offseason with the roster. It already had a top-notch offensive line and added Jaylen Waddle to the receiving core. The Broncos return nearly everyone from that outstanding defense. It’s a team that feels primed to make another deep playoff run. Honestly, I just won’t ever quit betting on the Chiefs getting less than a field goal at home — especially when there's motivation to start this season much better. They’ve heard all offseason about their demise and how it’s over as currently constructed. Hear me out, though, when I say their roster is much better. They’ve improved their coaching staff and Andy Reid's teams are fantastic in Week 1. I think the Broncos will compete for another AFC West title but will lose in their first game of the season. PICK: Chiefs (-2.5) to win by more than 2.5 points

4 Takeaways From The 2026 NFL Schedule Release

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:45:57 -0400

The NFL's 2026 schedule is out for all to see — 272 games spread out over 18 weeks, four continents and every day of the week from Wednesday to Monday. It's a careful and complicated calculation of home and away that will eventually yield one Super Bowl champion. Here are my takeaways on the 2026 NFL schedule. It's easy to pick on the Miami Dolphins. The Los Angeles Chargers, perhaps the best of all NFL teams at creating viral schedule-release videos that sneak in subtle and not-so-subtle jabs at the teams they'll be facing, got in an easy shot this year. The Dolphins were shown as an actual tank, trudging along toward a white flag, noting the wave of departures from their roster in the past year. Miami's schedule is even meaner. The Dolphins have a new coach, new general manager, new quarterback and a depleted roster that is projected to win 4.5 games, as low as any team in the league. Before you accuse the Dolphins of tanking — losing on purpose to secure a high draft pick in 2027 — take a close look at the final six weeks of their 2026 schedule. Their final six opponents are the Denver Broncos, Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Chargers, Buffalo Bills and New England Patriots. All six teams made the playoffs last year, four of them won playoff games and New England made it to the Super Bowl. Five of those six won at least 11 games in 2025, including the Broncos and Patriots each going 14-3. It's just a cruel turn by the NFL's scheduling rotation: Each AFC East team faces the entire NFC North and AFC West, two of the best divisions in the league, and Miami's third-place schedule did the Dolphins no favors, lining them up against the San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals and Indianapolis Colts. We knew the opponents would be tough for the Dolphins, but to see the concentration of tough teams down the stretch, it will make a long season that much tougher for them to find a single win in the final six weeks of the season. That might help Miami land the No. 1 overall pick and a potential franchise quarterback, but it won't be fun for the team or its fans getting there. [2026 NFL Win-Loss Predictions, Analysis For Every Team] All 32 teams have a bye week. So ideally, each team would have one game where it has that extra week to prepare for an opponent, and one week when an opponent is coming off a bye for the same advantage. But that's not the case at all. The Philadelphia Eagles and the Chargers each play four games against teams coming off their bye week. The Eagles have that three times in four weeks between Weeks 6 and 9, and the Chargers have it three times in five weeks between Weeks 9 and 13. The Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Rams each have three games against opponents coming off their bye week, while there are 14 NFL teams that never have to face an opponent coming off a bye week. We can't expect a total balance in terms of uneven prep time before games — inevitably, one team played on a Thursday the week before, another might be coming off a Monday night on the road. But if you're using fairness as one of the main criteria in putting together a 272-game schedule, you shouldn't tolerate some teams having four games where the opponent has an extra week of rest and preparations, and other teams (44% of the league) never have to deal with that once. The first game of the 2026 season — Wednesday, Sept. 9 — features a Super Bowl rematch, as the Seattle Seahawks host the Patriots. There are five NFL teams unfortunate enough to play both Super Bowl teams this season. The entire AFC West plays both teams, and the Bears not only play both but in consecutive weeks, hosting the Patriots on a Thursday night in Week 7, then going to Seattle 11 days later for a Monday night game in Week 8. Which NFL teams have the most games against 2025 playoff teams this season? That would be the Seahawks and Broncos, with 10 each, followed closely by the Kansas City Chiefs, Raiders, Rams, Arizona Cardinals, Patriots and Dolphins with six playoff teams each. At the other extreme, the New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals each only have to play five games against 2025 playoff teams. It's especially cruel for the Raiders and Cardinals, who finished last in their divisions last year with two of the worst records in the NFL, but still have more than half their 2026 schedule against teams that made the playoffs in 2025. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers and Pittsburgh Steelers won their divisions and yet have only six games each against playoff opponents. The league tries to avoid too many long runs of home or away games, but three in a row is almost unavoidable. Three teams have road games in three consecutive weeks — the Browns, Jacksonville Jaguars and Chiefs — and another 10 teams have three consecutive home games, including the Browns. The NFL has nine international games scheduled this season, and it used to be the norm for teams to offset the long travel back and forth by scheduling their bye week immediately after the international game. That's hardly the case at all in 2026. Of 18 opportunities, only three times are teams taking bye weeks directly after their global travel: The Jaguars have their bye weeks after back-to-back games in London, the Patriots have theirs after their game in Munich, and the Saints have theirs after their game in Paris. Another quirk is when division opponents face each other twice in close proximity, but there isn't much of that in 2026. The Jaguars and Tennessee Titans play in Weeks 10 and 12, and the Rams and Seahawks (perhaps one of the best rivalries in the league) play in Weeks 16 and 18, putting potentially a division title if not home-field advantage in the NFC playoffs on the line in the final three weeks of the season. Those are the only two twice-in-three-weeks instances, and there are two twice-in-four-weeks quirks, with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Saints playing in Weeks 15 and 18, and the same for the Ravens and Steelers.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: All 32 Hype Videos in One Place

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:18:35 -0400

When NFL schedule release day arrives, everyone gets excited to see who their favorite team is playing in the upcoming year. But what's become just as anticipated is the videos the teams release to announce them, and the social media teams around the NFL brought the heat this year. The Los Angeles Chargers had another classic release video, drawing inspiration from the video game Halo. The New York Giants used quarterback Jameis Winston — or "Winston van Goh" — to help share who they'll face this season. So, now that the NFL schedule has arrived, let's take a look at how all 32 teams unveiled their schedules for the upcoming year. So here's a look at schedule release videos for each NFL team. AFC East AFC North AFC South AFC West NFC East NFC North NFC South NFC West

2026 NFL Schedule Release: The 7 Biggest Winners — And 7 Biggest Losers

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:11:32 -0400

The NFL tries to keep its schedule as fair and balanced as possible, but there’s really no way to do that with 32 teams playing just 17 games each. There are unavoidable inequities everywhere. And when the order of games is released, it always seems to be worse. So no, you’re not imagining things. Some teams got the short end of the schedule stick with Thursday night's release, while others got a cupcake-like slate that would’ve made last year’s Patriots blush. Here’s a look at the winners and losers (at least on paper), now that the full 2026 schedule is out. WINNERS They closed out the 2025 season winning four of their last five games, signaling they might be ready to make a run at the playoffs in 2026. And that’s not impossible considering they play in the NFL’s worst division, in which no team finished above .500 last year. And now they've been afforded the second-easiest schedule (based on last year’s records and projected win totals for 2026). Even better for them, they get some of the tough stuff out of the way early, opening in Detroit and Baltimore before they come home for five of their next seven games. It may also help that their last four games are against teams that missed the playoffs last year. When a new coach is trying to change a losing culture, he needs to get off to a fast start. And the schedule gives John Harbaugh a chance to do just that. From Weeks 3 to 6, the Giants play the Titans, Cardinals, Commanders and Saints — four teams that had a combined .250 winning percentage last season, and all of those games except for the one against Washington will be played at home. They have a huge shot at a rare fast start, especially if they can knock off the Cowboys at home in Week 1 (ignore their daunting trip to L.A. to face the Rams in Week 2). The NFL really teed the start of the Harbaugh era up nicely. The Browns will need some time to figure out who their quarterback is, and whether they have a capable one. And the schedule gives them some time. After a tough opener at Jacksonville, only two of their next eight games are against teams that made the playoffs last season. And the slate never really gets tough. They have the easiest schedule in the league based on last year’s record and the fourth-easiest schedule based on projected wins. They also travel less than every team aside from the Panthers (9,073 miles) and have just one prime-time game — a Thursday nighter at home against the Steelers in Week 10. On the surface, the Panthers’ schedule is hard. It’s the third-hardest, in fact, based on the projected wins of their opponents. And that’s something, considering they play six games against their own division, where nobody finished above .500 last year. But the really good news is that nobody travels less than they do. They’ll cover a league-low 8,740 miles this season. They never go beyond the Central Time Zone and their farthest trip is to Minneapolis, a mere 940 miles away. And that doesn’t happen until Week 13. Two things have killed them in recent seasons: Injuries to Joe Burrow and slow starts. Well, Burrow is healthy (for now). And the Bengals not only have a chance for a decent start, but they’re all set up for an incredibly strong finish. They draw the Bucs, Steelers and Dolphins within their first five games, giving them a shot at a few semi-easy wins. But it’s what happens from Week 8 on where the magic occurs. They face just two teams that are projected to finish above .500 in their final 12 games, and they get both of those — December games against the Chiefs and the Ravens — at home. They also will play each of their first seven games at 1 p.m. on Sundays, too. The Ravens were already hoping for the return of Lamar Jackson to give a boost to new coach Jesse Minter, but the schedule may give them a bigger one. The Ravens don’t play against a 2025 playoff team until their Week 8 game in Buffalo. And while that game starts a tough three-game stretch, the next two — against the Jaguars and the Chargers — are at home. They also rank in the bottom 12 in miles traveled this season, and most of that is because of their Week 3 game against the Cowboys in Brazil. After that, they travel just once outside the Eastern Time Zone: to Houston in Week 12. The NFL thinks the Eagles are going to be good, which is why they put them in prime time five times and gave them three other stand-alone games. And the NFL is probably right, since this is one of the easiest slates the Eagles have had in years. They will face the entire NFC West, but the games against the Rams, the Seahawks and the 49ers are the only ones on their entire schedule featuring teams projected to win 10 or more games. They get the Rams and Seahawks — their two toughest opponents — at home. And by the time they get to San Francisco in Week 17, the travel-weary 49ers should be pretty tired. As long as the Eagles own the division, as they have in recent years, they are all set up for a monster year. LOSERS They look like a team primed for a Super Bowl run, but they are going to be exhausted by the time they get to the postseason. They will travel 38,105 miles this season, breaking the NFL’s all-time record. Sure, more than 15,000 of those come from their trip to Australia to play the Rams in the regular-season opener. But they also have a game in Mexico City in Week 11 — a game that was supposed to be a home game for them, by the way. They also have cross-country trips to New York and Atlanta. They have just one trip shorter than 1,000 miles (to L.A. to play the Chargers in Week 15), and they’ll change time zones an astounding 58 times. And they play three of their last four on the road. There is just no way that a slate like that won’t take a toll. They already had the hardest schedule in the NFL based on last year’s record, but the NFL is going to make sure the entire country is watching as they prove they are for real. They were given four prime-time games, and three stand-alone games, including a Thanksgiving-Christmas double dip. They also get last year’s Super Bowl teams — the Patriots and the Seahawks — on consecutive weeks as part of a midseason stretch of three straight prime-time games. And they finish the season against three teams projected to win at least 10 games, including a December trip to Buffalo. The Bears' finale is a trip to Minnesota, which isn’t an easy place to play, either. It’s going to be hard enough for the Steelers to navigate a season with a 42-year-old quarterback (we assume), but they’ll need Aaron Rodgers to somehow be fresh late in the season. The NFL brutally backloaded Pittsburgh's schedule with seven of its final nine games coming against teams projected to win nine-plus games. Three of those games will be in prime time and one will be on Black Friday. Four of them are on the road, too, including trips to Cincinnati, Philadelphia, Jacksonville and Baltimore to end the season. Rodgers and the Steelers have a really easy start to the season, with just one game against a 2025 playoff team in the first eight weeks. But Rodgers better get his body a lot of rest (and maybe some kind of miracle medicine) during Pittsburgh's bye week in Week 9. The schedule looked like it was going to line up so easy for them. They have the easiest slate in the NFL based on projected win totals, and sixth easiest based on last year’s records. But the NFL didn’t do the Lions any favors with the way they arranged it. Their first road trip will be to Buffalo, where they'll be the Bills’ first opponent in their new stadium. And then they end the season with three road division games in the last four weeks, including at Chicago and at Green Bay in the final two weeks. The Lions do have a chance to fatten up on some bad teams before their Week 6 bye. But they better, because they’re looking at a really tough finish. It’s bad enough that they lost a home game against a division rival that will now be played in Australia. And it’s tough enough that they have to travel a ridiculous 34,847 miles this season, and play four prime-time games plus three other stand-alone games (all of which are late games, too). But it’s with the final seven weeks where the NFL really did them dirty. Five of those opponents are projected to win at least 10 games, and the other two have an over/under over 8. That stretch includes a cross-country trip to Tampa, by the way, and games against the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks in two of the final three weeks. That would be a nightmare stretch for any team. For one with a 38-year-old quarterback, it could be particularly dangerous. The schedule release is good news if the Cardinals have their eyes on the top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft. But if they’re hoping for any kind of success in Mike LaFleur’s first season as head coach … forget it. It’s bad enough that they live in the NFC West and have to play interconference games against the AFC West this year. But they have five games all year against teams projected to win fewer than eight games, and the NFL buried three of them (vs. Jets, at Saints, vs. Raiders) in their final month. Their first 13 games, all before their ridiculously late bye, include nine games against teams projected to win 10 or more games. Their two "easiest" games in the first 11 are both on the road — at Dallas and at the New York Giants. Honestly, an 0-13 start feels pretty realistic. They already had a pretty tough schedule based on last year’s records, but even that was deceptive because the slate included several teams (like the Lions, the Chiefs and the Ravens) that figured to be much better this year. The good news is the Bills get all three of those teams at home, but that’s really the only good news. Their schedule includes a brutal start: five straight games against teams projected to win 9-10 games. And they get a dome team (Lions) and a warm-weather team (Chargers) in their first two home games, instead of later when weather might be a factor. Speaking of weather, they go to New England, Green Bay and Denver in December, which isn’t easy for anyone. And both of their Monday night games are on the road, too.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Full Schedule for All 32 Teams

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:07:03 -0400

It's here! The NFL has officially released the 2026 schedule for all 32 teams. After the Seattle Seahawks closed the season with a Super Bowl LX win, they'll host the season opener on Wednesday, Sept 9, against the New England Patriots. We'll also see the tripleheaders on Thanksgiving and Christmas, with FOX airing a matchup on each day. Here's a full look at the 2026 schedule: AFC East Week 1: Sept. 13 at Houston TexansWeek 2: Sept. 17 (Thursday) vs. Detroit LionsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. New England PatriotsWeek 5: Oct. 12 (Monday) at Los Angeles RamsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 7: BYEWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 9: Nov. 9 (Monday) at Minnesota VikingsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at New York JetsWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 12: Nov. 26 vs. Kansas City Chiefs (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 6 at New England PatriotsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Green Bay PackersWeek 15: Dec. 19 (Saturday) vs. Chicago BearsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Denver Broncos (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 3 at Miami DolphinsWeek 18: TBD vs. New York Jets Week 1: Sept. 13 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 2: Sept. 20 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 6: BYEWeek 7: Oct. 25 at New York JetsWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. New England PatriotsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Buffalo BillsWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. New York JetsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Denver BroncosWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Chicago BearsWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Green Bay PackersWeek 16: TBD vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 17: TBD vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 18: TBD at New England Patriots Week 1: Sept. 9 (Wednesday) at Seattle SeahawksWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Buffalo BillsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. New York JetsWeek 7: Oct. 22 (Thursday) at Chicago BearsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Miami DolphinsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Detroit Lions (in Munich)Week 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 14: Dec. 10 (Thursday) vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 15: Dec. 21 (Monday) at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at New York JetsWeek 17: TBD vs. Denver BroncosWeek 18: TBD vs. Miami Dolphins Week 1: Sept. 13 at Tennessee TitansWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Detroit LionsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Chicago BearsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at New England PatriotsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Miami DolphinsWeek 13: BYEWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. New England PatriotsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 18: TBD at Buffalo Bills AFC North Week 1: Sept. 13 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Dallas Cowboys (in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil)Week 4: Oct. 4 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Buffalo BillsWeek 9: Nov. 5 (Thursday) vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 10: Nov. 16 (Monday) vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Carolina PanthersWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Houston TexansWeek 13: BYE WeekWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 17: Dec. 31 (Thursday) at Cincinnati Bengals Week 18: TBD vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Week 1: Sept. 13 vs Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Houston TexansWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Miami DolphinsWeek 6: BYE WeekWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Baltimore RavensWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs Tennessee TitansWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Atlanta Falcons (Madrid, Spain)Week 10: Nov. 15 vs Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 11: Nov. 23 at Washington Commanders (Monday)Week 12: Nov. 29 vs New Orleans SaintsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs Kansas City ChiefsWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Carolina PanthersWeek 16: TBD at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 17: Dec. 31 vs Baltimore Ravens (Thursday)Week 18: TBD vs Cleveland Browns Week 1: Sept. 13 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 4: Oct. 1 (Thursday) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers Week 5: Oct. 11 at New York JetsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Tennessee TitansWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Houston TexansWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 15: Dec. 20 at New York GiantsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Baltimore RavensWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 18: TBD at Cincinnati Bengals Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at New England PatriotsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 4: Oct. 1 (Thursday) at Cleveland BrownsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at New Orleans Saints (in Paris)Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 9: BYEWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 12: Nov. 27 (Friday) vs. Denver BroncosWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Houston TexansWeek 14: Dec. 14 (Monday) at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 16: TBD vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Tennessee TitansWeek 18: TBD at Baltimore Ravens AFC South Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Tennessee TitansWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Jacksonville Jaguars (In London)Week 7: Oct. 25 vs. New York GiantsWeek 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 11: Nov. 19 (Thursday) vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Washington CommandersWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 16: Dec. 24 (Thursday) at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 17: Jan. 4 at Green Bay PackersWeek 18: TBD vs. Tennessee Titans Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs Houston TexansWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Washington Commanders (In London)Week 5: Oct. 11 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 11: Nov. 19 (Thursday) at Houston TexansWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. New York GiantsWeek 13: BYEWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Tennessee TitansWeek 16: TBD vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 18: TBD vs. Jacksonville Jaguars Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Denver BroncosWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. New England PatriotsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (In London)Week 6: Oct. 18 vs. Houston Texans (In London)Week 7: BYEWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 9: Nov. 5 (Thursday) at Baltimore RavensWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Tennessee TitansWeek 11: Nov. 22 at New York GiantsWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs Tennessee TitansWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Chicago BearsWeek 14: Dec. 14 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Houston TexansWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Dallas CowboysWeek 17: TBD vs. Washington CommandersWeek 18: TBD at Indianapolis Colts Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. New York JetsWeek 2: Sept 20 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 3: Sept. 27 at New York GiantsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Baltimore RavensWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Houston TexansWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 9: BYEWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Dallas CowboysWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Detroit LionsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 18: TBD at Houston Texans AFC West Week 1: Sept. 14 (Monday) at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 6: Oct. 15 (Thursday) vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Carolina PanthersWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 12: Nov. 27 (Friday) at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at New York JetsWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 16: Dec. 25 vs. Buffalo Bills (Christmas)Week 17: TBD at New England PatriotsWeek 18: TBD vs. Los Angeles Chargers Week 1: Sept. 14 (Monday) vs. Denver BroncosWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Miami DolphinsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 5: BYEWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Denver BroncosWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. New York JetsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Buffalo Bills (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 3 (Thursday) at Los Angeles RamsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 15: Dec. 21 (Monday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 17: TBD at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 18: TBD vs. Las Vegas Raiders Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 3: Sept. 27 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at New England PatriotsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at New York JetsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Denver BroncosWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 13: BYEWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 18: TBD at Kansas City Chiefs Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Buffalo BillsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 7: BYEWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Los Angeles RamsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Houston TexansWeek 10: Nov. 16 (Monday) at Baltimore RavensWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. New York JetsWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. New England PatriotsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 15: Dec. 17 (Thursday) vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Miami DolphinsWeek 17: TBD vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 18: TBD at Denver Broncos NFC East Week 1: Sept. 13 at New York GiantsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens (in Rio)Week 4: Oct. 4 at Houston TexansWeek 5: Oct. 8 (Thursday) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 6: Oct. 18 at Green Bay PackersWeek 7: Oct. 26 (Monday) at Philadelphia Eagles Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 12: Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 7 (Monday) at Seattle Seahawks Week 14: BYEWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Los Angeles RamsWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. New York GiantsWeek 18: TBD at Washington Commanders Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 2: Sept. 21 (Monday) at Los Angeles Rams Week 3: Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Washington CommandersWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Houston TexansWeek 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 10: Nov. 12 (Thursday) vs. Washington Commanders Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs San Francisco 49ersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 16: Dec. 28 (Monday) at Detroit Lions Week 17: Jan. 3 at Dallas CowboysWeek 18: TBD vs. Philadelphia Eagles Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 2: Sept. 20 at. Tennessee TitansWeek 3: Sept. 28 at Chicago BearsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Carolina Panthers (in London)Week 7: Oct. 26 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 8: Nov. 1 at. Washington CommandersWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. New York GiantsWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday)Week 13: Dec. 6 at. Arizona CardinalsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 15: Dec. 19 vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday)Week 16: Dec. 24 vs. Houston Texans (Thursday)Week 17: Jan. 3 at. San Francisco 49ersWeek 18: TBD at New York Giants Week 1: Sept. 13 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Dallas CowboysWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts (in London)Week 5: Oct. 11 at New York GiantsWeek 6: Oct. 19 (Monday) at San Francisco 49ersWeek 7: BYEWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 10: Nov. 12 (Thursday) vs. New York Giants Week 11: Nov. 23 (Monday) vs. Cincinnati Bengals Week 12: Nov. 29 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Tennessee TitansWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Houston TexansWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 18: TBD vs. Dallas Cowboys NFC North Week 1: Sept. 13 at Carolina PanthersWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 3: Sept. 28 (Monday) vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. New York JetsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Green Bay PackersWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 7: Oct. 22 (Thursday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 8: Nov. 2 (Monday) at Seattle SeahawksWeek 9: Nov. 9 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 6 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Miami DolphinsWeek 15: Dec. 19 (Saturday) at Buffalo BillsWeek 16: Dec. 25 vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 18: TBD at Minnesota Vikings Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 2: Sept. 17 (Thursday) at Buffalo BillsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. New York JetsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Carolina PanthersWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 6: BYEWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Miami DolphinsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. New England Patriots (in Munich)Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 12: Nov. 26 vs. Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 6 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 16: Dec. 28 (Monday) vs. New York GiantsWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Chicago BearsWeek 18: TBD at Green Bay Packers Week 1: Sept. 13 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at New York JetsWeek 3: Sept. 24 (Thursday) vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Chicago BearsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Detroit LionsWeek 8: Oct. 29 (Thursday) vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at New England PatriotsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 25 (Wednesday) at Los Angeles RamsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 16: Dec. 25 at Chicago Bears (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 4 (Monday) vs. Houston TexansWeek 18: TBD vs. Detroit Lions Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Chicago BearsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 6: BYEWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Detroit LionsWeek 9: Nov. 9 (Monday) vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Green Bay PackersWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. San Francisco 49ers (in Mexico City)Week 12: Nov. 29 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 14: Dec. 10 (Thursday) at New England PatriotsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 16: TBD vs. Washington CommandersWeek 17: Jan. 3 at New York JetsWeek 18: TBD vs. Chicago Bears NFC South Week 1: Sept. 13 at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 3: Sept. 24 (Thursday) at Green Bay PackersWeek 4: Oct. 5 (Monday) at New Orleans SaintsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Chicago BearsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (in Madrid)Week 10: Nov. 15 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Washington CommandersWeek 16: TBD vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 18: TBD at Carolina Panthers Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Chicago BearsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Cleveland BrownsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 5: BYEWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 8: Oct. 29 (Thursday) at Green Bay PackersWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 10: Nov. 15 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 12: Nov. 30 (Monday) at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 13: Dec. 6 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 16: TBD at Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 18: TBD vs. Atlanta Falcons Week 1: Sept. 13 at Detroit LionsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Baltimore RavensWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 4: Oct. 5 (Monday) vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at New York GiantsWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (in Paris)Week 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Chicago BearsWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Carolina PanthersWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 18: TBD vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 1: Sept. 13 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 5: Oct. 8 (Thursday) at Dallas CowboysWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Carolina PanthersWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Chicago BearsWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Detroit LionsWeek 12: Nov. 30 (Monday) vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Baltimore RavensWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 16: TBD at Atlanta FalconsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 18: TBD at New Orleans Saints NFC West Week 1: Sept. 13 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 3: Sept. 27 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 4: Oct. 4 at New York GiantsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Los Angeles RamsWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Denver BroncosWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Dallas CowboysWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Seattle Seahawks Week 10: Nov. 15 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 11: Nov. 22 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 12: Nov. 29 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 14: BYEWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. New York JetsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Los Angeles RaidersWeek 18: TBD vs. San Francisco 49ers Week 1: Sept. 10 (Thursday) vs. San Francisco 49ers (in Melbourne)Week 2: Sept. 21 (Monday) vs. New York GiantsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Denver BroncosWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 5: Oct. 12 (Monday) vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Washington CommandersWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 25 (Wednesday) vs. Green Bay Packers Week 13: Dec. 3 (Thursday) vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 16: Dec. 25 at Seattle Seahawks (Christmas)Week 17: TBD at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 18: TBD vs. Seattle Seahawks Week 1: Sept. 10 (Thursday) at Los Angeles Rams (in Melbourne)Week 2: Sept. 20 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 6: Oct. 19 (Monday) vs. Washington CommandersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Dallas CowboysWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Minnesota Vikings (in Mexico City)Week 12: Nov. 29 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 13: Dec. 6 at New York GiantsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 15: Dec. 17 (Thursday) at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 18: TBD at Arizona Cardinals Week 1: Sept. 9 (Wednesday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Washington CommandersWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 6: Oct. 15 (Thursday) at Denver BroncosWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 8: Nov. 2 (Monday) vs. Chicago BearsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 13: Dec. 7 (Monday) vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. New York GiantsWeek 15: Dec. 19 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 16: Dec. 25 vs. Los Angeles Rams (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 3 at Carolina PanthersWeek 18: TBD at Los Angeles Rams

2026 Washington Commanders Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:04:11 -0400

Commanders fans, the mission is set as the 2026 schedule has officially arrived. Washington now has its full route mapped out, complete with division battles and key stretches that will shape the season. Now it’s time to see how this team charts its course, one week at a time. Week 1: Sept. 13 @ Philadelphia EaglesWeek 2: Sept. 20 @ Dallas CowboysWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Indianapolis Colts (in London)Week 5: Oct. 11 at New York GiantsWeek 6: Oct. 19 @ San Francisco 49ers (Monday)Week 7: ByeWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 10: Nov. 12 vs. New York Giants (Thursday)Week 11: Nov. 23 vs. Cincinnati Bengals (Monday)Week 12: Nov. 29 @ Arizona CardinalsWeek 13: Dec. 6 @ Tennessee Titans Week 14: Dec. 13 vs. Houston TexansWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 16: Dec. 27, at Minnesota VikingsWeek 17: Jan. 3, at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 18: TBD vs. Dallas Cowboys Despite a healthy Jayden Daniels returning, our Ralph Vacchiano predicts the Commanders will struggle to compete in the NFC East, finishing the season with a 6-11 record. "The Washington Commanders are counting on the healthy return of Jayden Daniels to vault them into contention, but even that could be tough unless the complete rebuild of their league-worst defense actually works," Vacchiano wrote. "They’ll find out because they face six of the top 11 offensive teams from last season, plus two more teams (Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals) that could be in the top 10 this year. In fact, outside of road trips to Arizona and Tennessee, they don’t face anyone who doesn’t have a legit shot at the playoffs in 2026. Daniels’ return will surely give them a boost, but they are plugging in so many new pieces, including two new coordinators, that they might need time to figure it all out. But this schedule really doesn’t give them any breaks. The Commanders' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 7.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +5000, making them the favorites to win it all. Their odds to make the playoffs are +194. The Commanders have had a busy offseason under head coach Dan Quinn, with a clear emphasis on improving the defense. Washington added pass rusher Odafe Oweh and used the No. 7 overall pick in the NFL Draft on an Ohio State linebacker. On offense, newly hired coordinator David Blough helped guide key additions, including tight end Chig Okonkwo and running back Rachaad White, while the team also selected Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round and Penn State's all-time leading rusher in running back Kaytron Allen in the sixth round. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Commanders at No. 23 in his power rankings. "Dan Quinn fell in love with Ohio State LB Sonny Styles, and that’s great. But what this team needed most was offensive playmakers. They got Clemson WR Antonio Williams in the third, but they needed more, plus more help on the offensive line," Vacchiano wrote. Washington's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a C grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "Washington found a future star at linebacker in Sonny Styles and one of my favorite wideouts in Antonio Williams," Rang wrote.

2026 Pittsburgh Steelers Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:03:56 -0400

The Terrible Towels can officially start waving again as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ 2026 schedule has arrived. Pittsburgh’s road ahead is finally set, giving fans their first glimpse at the journey to come. Now, the countdown to football season in the Steel City officially begins. Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 2: Sept. 20 @ New England PatriotsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Cincinnati BengalsWeek 4: Oct. 1 @ Cleveland Browns (Thursday)Week 5: Oct. 11 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 6: Oct. 18 @ Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. New Orleans Saints (in Paris)Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 9: BYEWeek 10: Nov. 15 @ Cincinnati BengalsWeek 11: Nov. 22 @ Philadelphia EaglesWeek 12: Nov. 27 vs. Denver Broncos (Friday)Week 13: Dec. 6 vs. Houston TexansWeek 14: Dec. 14 @ Jacksonville Jaguars (Monday)Week 15: Dec. 20 vs. Baltimore RavensWeek 16: TBD vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 17: Jan. 3 @ Tennessee TitansWeek 18: TBD @ Baltimore Ravens Despite the transition from Mike Tomlin to Mike McCarthy, our Ralph Vacchiano expects a familiar finish in Pittsburgh. He's predicting the Steelers to go 9-8. "So much of the Pittsburgh Steelers' season is riding on the old shoulders of Aaron Rodgers — whether he plays again, or whether he can defy his age for one more season. Whoever their quarterback is will immediately have a tougher challenge if Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow can stay healthy, making the AFC North games much more of a minefield," Vacchiano wrote. The Steelers' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 7.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +7500, making them a longshot to win it all. Their odds to make the playoffs are +175. The Steelers’ offseason was highlighted by the hiring of Mike McCarthy and the ongoing question surrounding whether Aaron Rodgers will return to the team this season. Pittsburgh also made upgrades on offense, signing running back Rico Dowdle and acquiring wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts. The defense saw improvements as well with the additions of defensive tackle Sebastian Joseph-Day and former Chicago Bears safety Jaquan Brisker. During the NFL Draft, the Steelers continued to bolster the offensive line by selecting Arizona State offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and Iowa's Gennings Dunker. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Steelers at No. 24 in his power rankings. "This draft would’ve looked better if the Eagles hadn’t stolen Makai Lemon from them in the first round," Vacchiano wrote. Pittsburgh's draft haul was one of this year's best, earned a A- grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "Whether [Drew] Allar lives up to his upside or not, this was the kind of draft Steelers fans deserved and it kicks off the Mike McCarthy era in fine form," Rang wrote.

2026 Minnesota Vikings Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:03:15 -0400

Sound the Gjallarhorn, Vikings fans as Minnesota’s 2026 schedule has officially arrived, giving fans a first look at the road ahead. The slate features four primetime showdowns along with critical NFC North matchups that could shape the playoff race. Now, the Vikings officially know the path they’ll need to navigate in hopes of making a postseason run. Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 2: Sept 20 @ Chicago BearsWeek 3: Sept 27 @ Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 4: Nov. 4 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 5: Nov. 11 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 6: BYEWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 8: Nov. 1 @ Detroit LionsWeek 9: Nov. 9 vs. Buffalo Bills (Monday)Week 10: Nov. 15 @ Green Bay PackersWeek 11: Nov. 22 @ San Francisco 49ers (in Mexico City)Week 12: Nov. 29 vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 14: Dec. 12 @ New England Patriots (Thursday)Week 15: Dec. 20 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 16: TBD vs. Washington CommandersWeek 17: Jan. 1 @ New York JetsWeek 18: TBD vs. Chicago Bears While some see a contender after the addition of quarterback Kyler Murray, our own Henry McKenna predicts a 9-8 finish for the Vikings, leaving them well short of the NFC North crown. "The discount for Kyler Murray was incredible. The quarterback-value contract did not, however, embolden the Minnesota Vikings to go out and fix their many problems. In fact, they shipped off edge Jonathan Greenard, one of their best players, in a trade. And without much of a free agency class (due to cap constraints), the Vikings will have to rely upon their rookie defensive linemen Caleb Banks and Domonique Orange to contribute right away. Given Banks’ injury history (a 300-pound man with foot issues), I have concerns. Last year was the year when they were supposed to contend. Because that flopped, this might have to be their get-right year." The Vikings' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 8.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +5000, making them a longshot to win it all. Their odds to make the playoffs are +190. The Vikings have had a relatively quiet offseason, especially after moving on from general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and working through cap constraints. They parted ways with several veterans, including defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, while also trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles. Despite financial limitations, Minnesota still managed to make a handful of notable moves. The Vikings signed quarterback Kyler Murray to a one-year deal worth the league minimum, added former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback James Pierre and used some of the cap space created by the Greenard trade to bring in former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings. The Vikings also made one of the more surprising picks of the first round by selecting defensive tackle Caleb Banks at No. 18 overall out of Florida. Banks is expected to contribute immediately on the defensive line alongside Iowa State third-round pick Domonique Orange and Jalen Redmond. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Vikings at No. 17 in his power rankings. "Trading away edge rusher Jonathan Greenard hurts their defense, especially their pass rush. But at least they stacked the middle with Florida DT Caleb Banks (6-6, 327) and Iowa State DT Domonique Orange (6-2, 322) in Rounds 1 and 3," Vacchiano wrote. Following a quiet offseason, the first draft class under interim GM Rob Brzezinski earned a C+ grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "This is a class that could pay off big — or completely flop," Rang wrote.

2026 Los Angels Rams Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 23:02:13 -0400

Los Angeles Rams fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Rams' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open the year in Melbourne to take on the San Francisco 49ers, and will close the year at home against the Seattle Seahawks. Here is the Rams' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 10 (Thursday) vs. San Francisco 49ers (in Melbourne)Week 2: Sept. 21 (Monday) vs. New York GiantsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Denver BroncosWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 5: Oct. 12 (Monday) vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Washington CommandersWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 25 (Wednesday) vs. Green Bay Packers Week 13: Dec. 3 (Thursday) vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 16: Dec. 25 at Seattle Seahawks (Christmas)Week 17: TBD at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 18: TBD vs. Seattle Seahawks Unlike most prognosticators, our Eric D. Williams believes the Rams will fall short of having the top record in the NFC West this season. He's predicting Los Angeles to go 9-8. "Matthew Stafford is 38 years old and played all 17 games last season for the first time since 2021. And slated to back Stafford up is surprising first-round pick Ty Simpson, who has never taken an NFL snap and is a play away from leading a team that is the current betting favorite to win the Super Bowl," Williams wrote. "The Rams also must make sure Puka Nacua’s off-the-field issues are in the rearview mirror. The Rams' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 11.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +700, making them the favorites to win it all. Their odds to make the playoffs are -330. After a few offseasons of taking a break from the approach, the Rams embraced their "F them picks" mantra again in March when they traded for Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie. Los Angeles surrendered its first-round pick, along with a few other selections, to get the All-Pro corner. But the Rams weren't done there, signing Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson in free agency. They also re-signed safety Kam Curl to help ensure their secondary would improve from last season. Los Angeles also made arguably the most surprising move of the offseason when it selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett IV to be Matthew Stafford's backup for 2026. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Rams at No. 1 in his power rankings. "They’re still the most talented team in the NFL, but they could’ve locked that in by picking an actual impact player at No. 13," Vacchiano wrote. Los Angeles' draft haul, meanwhile, earned a D grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "I was hoping for more — and I think many Rams fans feel the same," Rang wrote.

2026 New England Patriots Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:59:59 -0400

New England Patriots fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Patriots' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open the year on the road against the Seattle Seahawks in a rematch in Super Bowl LX, and will close the year at home against the Miami Dolphins. Here is the Patriots' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 9 (Wednesday) at Seattle SeahawksWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Buffalo BillsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. New York JetsWeek 7: Oct. 22 (Thursday) at Chicago BearsWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Miami DolphinsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Detroit Lions (in Munich)Week 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 14: Dec. 10 (Thursday) vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 15: Dec. 21 (Monday) at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 16: Dec. 27 at New York JetsWeek 17: TBD vs. Denver BroncosWeek 18: TBD vs. Miami Dolphins Our Henry McKenna believes the Patriots will have another strong campaign in 2026, predicting they'll go 10-7. "It’s actually rare for a Super Bowl loser to miss the playoffs altogether, and I don’t think that’ll happen here — not as the Patriots continued to invest in their weakness on offense and built even more depth to their defense," McKenna wrote. The Patriots' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 9.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1600, while their odds to make the playoffs are -210. The Patriots had a relatively busy offseason for a team that just made the Super Bowl. They let go of last season's leading wide receiver, Stefon Diggs, but brought in former Green Bay Packers wide receiver Romeo Doubs to replace him. They also signed guard Alijah Vera-Tucker to help beef up the offensive line and defensive lineman Dre'Mont Jones. They continued to add in the trenches during the NFL Draft, selecting Utah offensive tackle Caleb Lomu and Illinois edge rusher Gabe Jacas. New England's biggest move this offseason might not have happened yet, though. The Patriots have been widely linked to Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown, who is rumored to be traded after June 1. Such a move would give Drake Maye a clear No. 1 wide receiver as he looks to build upon his MVP runner-up campaign from 2025. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Patriots at No. 6 in his power rankings. "Their most important job was improving the O-line, which they did with Utah tackle Caleb Lomu (6-6, 313) in Round 1," Vacchiano wrote. New England's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a B grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "While I like the Patriots’ strategy — and appreciate the difficulty of finding players who can make an impact on a team this talented and deep — their class feels long on potential and short on immediate help," Rang wrote.

2026 New York Giants Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:57:02 -0400

New York Giants fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Giants' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at home against the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1, and will close the year at home against the Philadelphia Eagles. Here is the Giants' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 2: Sept. 21 (Monday) at Los Angeles Rams Week 3: Sept. 27 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Washington CommandersWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Houston TexansWeek 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 10: Nov. 12 (Thursday) vs. Washington Commanders Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 12: Nov. 29 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 13: Dec. 6 vs San Francisco 49ersWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Cleveland BrownsWeek 16: Dec. 28 (Monday) at Detroit Lions Week 17: Jan. 3 at Dallas CowboysWeek 18: TBD vs. Philadelphia Eagles Our Ralph Vacchiano believes the Giants will see a slight improvement in the first year of the John Harbaugh era, predicting New York will go 7-10. "The New York Giants are expecting big things in the first year of the John Harbaugh era and their second year with Jaxson Dart, especially after enduring one of the NFL’s toughest schedules last season. They’re more in the middle of the pack this year, but the NFC East could be much tougher to navigate," The Giants' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 7.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +7000, while their odds to make the playoffs are +275. New York's most notable move in the offseason came on its coaching staff, hiring former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh to be its new head coach. Harbaugh brought some players from his former job with him, too. The Giants signed tight end Isaiah Likely, punter Jordan Stout and fullback Patrick Ricard, among others, from the Ravens. The Giants lost defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence, shipping him out to the Cincinnati Bengals in a trade. However, that helped them get two top-10 picks, with New York adding Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese and Miami (Fla.) offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa in the draft. The Giants also drafted Tennessee cornerback Colton Hood with one of the first picks in the second round. Following the draft, Vacchiano placed the Chiefs at No. 18 in his power rankings. Armed with two top-10 picks, they came away with arguably the draft’s best LB (Arvell Reese) and best offensive lineman (Francis Mauigoa)," Vacchiano wrote. New York's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a B grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "The John Harbaugh era started off in true ‘Big Blue’ fashion with arguably the best overall prospect stolen at No. 5 overall and the best blocker a few picks later," Rang wrote.

2026 Kansas City Chiefs Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:54:18 -0400

Kansas City Chiefs' fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Chiefs' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at home against the Denver Broncos in Week 1, and will close the year at home against the Las Vegas Raiders. Here is the Chiefs' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 14 (Monday) vs. Denver BroncosWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Miami DolphinsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 5: BYEWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 8: Nov. 1 at Denver BroncosWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. New York JetsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Buffalo Bills (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 3 (Thursday) at Los Angeles RamsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Cincinnati BengalsWeek 15: Dec. 21 (Monday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 17: TBD at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 18: TBD vs. Las Vegas Raiders Our Henry McKenna believes the Chiefs will have another down season in 2026, predicting they'll go 8-9. "Out of an abundance of caution, the Kansas City Chiefs probably won’t start quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Week 1. He might be ready ahead of schedule. But the risks are too significant, whether that’s the quarterback suffering another injury, or simply that he doesn’t quite look the same right away," McKenna wrote. "Do they have the right wide receiver? Do they have the right tackles? Can Travis Kelce do much more than rotational play? That’s a lot of questions. And with his ACL recovery, Mahomes will have fewer answers than normal." The Chiefs' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 10.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1600, while their odds to make the playoffs are -184. The Chiefs had a pretty active offseason after missing the playoffs in 2025. They traded away star corner Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams, getting a first-round pick and a few other draft selections in return. They also lost cornerback Jaylen Watson, linebacker Leo Chenal, wide receiver Marquise "Hollywood" Brown and running back Isiah Pacheco in free agency. However, Kansas City was able to sign running back Kenneth Walker III after he won Super Bowl MVP with the Seattle Seahawks. The Chiefs also re-signed star tight end Travis Kelce. In the draft, they took LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane and Clemson defensive lineman Peter Woods in the first round before adding Oklahoma edge rusher R Mason Thomas in Round 2. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Chiefs at No. 8 in his power rankings. "They made sure that when Patrick Mahomes returns, he’ll have a top-10 defense behind him again," Vacchiano wrote. Kansas City's draft haul, meanwhile, earned an A grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "Needing to replace three starters in their secondary, I loved the aggression the Chiefs showed in trading up to get the top cornerback in the draft in Mansoor Delane, who is equal parts athlete and technician, projecting as an immediate starter with high-end potential," Rang wrote.

2026 Green Bay Packers Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:51:55 -0400

Green Bay Packers' fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Packers' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at the Minnesota Vikings in Week 1, and will close the year at home against the Detroit Lions. Here is the Packers' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at New York JetsWeek 3: Sept. 24 (Thursday) vs. Atlanta FalconsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Chicago BearsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Detroit LionsWeek 8: Oct. 29 (Thursday) vs. Carolina PanthersWeek 9: Nov. 8 at New England PatriotsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 25 (Wednesday) at Los Angeles RamsWeek 13: Dec. 6 at New Orleans SaintsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Buffalo BillsWeek 15: Dec. 20 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 16: Dec. 25 at Chicago Bears (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 4 (Monday) vs. Houston TexansWeek 18: TBD vs. Detroit Lions Our Ben Arthur is bullish on the Packers entering the 2026 season, believing they'll go 10-7. However, he thinks there are a few caveats that must go their way in order for them to reach that mark. "The Green Bay Packers’ path to being one of the NFC’s top contenders is filled with 'ifs.' If Micah Parsons is healthy. If Tucker Kraft is healthy. If 2025 first-round pick Matthew Golden steps up at receiver, filling the void left by Romeo Doubs’ departure," Arthur wrote. "This should be a double-digit win season for Green Bay." The Packers' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 9.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +2000, while their odds to make the playoffs are -132. The Packers weren't too active in adding players this offseason. In fact, they even gave away a few veterans. They traded the likes of edge rusher Rashan Gary and wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. They also lost wide receiver Romeo Doubs, linebacker Quay Walker, quarterback Malik Willis, running back Emanuel Wilson and offensive tackle Rasheed Walker. In terms of additions, the Packers were able to get linebacker Zaire Franklin in a trade with the Indianapolis Colts and signed defensive lineman Javon Hargrave. While they didn't have their first-round pick due to the Micah Parsons trade, the Packers were able to add in the draft. Green Bay took South Carolina cornerback Brandon Cisse and Missouri defensive tackle Chris McClellan on Day 2. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Packers at No. 16 in his power rankings. "The Packers said they needed a corner and a nose tackle, and they got both with their picks in Rounds 2 and 3. But CB Brandon Cisse and DT Chris McClellan might be more about depth than immediate impact," Vacchiano wrote of Green Bay. Green Bay's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a C+ grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "I thought Green Bay could’ve boosted its depth at offensive tackle and running back in this class, so this grade is tempered, but I liked the gamble on traits with sixth-round cornerback Domani Jackson and I think that McClellan, in particular, is going to ultimately outplay his selection as a mid-Round 3 pick," Rang wrote.

2026 Seattle Seahawks Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:49:24 -0400

Seattle Seahawks fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Seahawks' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at home against the New England Patriots in Week 1 in a rematch of Super Bowl LX, and will close the year on the road against the Los Angeles Rams. Here is the Seahawks' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 9 (Wednesday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 2: Sept. 20 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 3: Sept. 27 at Washington CommandersWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Los Angeles ChargersWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 6: Oct. 15 (Thursday) at Denver BroncosWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Kansas City ChiefsWeek 8: Nov. 2 (Monday) vs. Chicago BearsWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Las Vegas RaidersWeek 11: BYEWeek 12: Nov. 29 at San Francisco 49ersWeek 13: Dec. 7 (Monday) vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. New York GiantsWeek 15: Dec. 19 at Philadelphia EaglesWeek 16: Dec. 25 vs. Los Angeles Rams (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 3 at Carolina PanthersWeek 18: TBD at Los Angeles Rams Our Eric D. Williams believes the Seahawks will have another strong season in 2026. He's predicting Seattle to go 11-6. "The foundational pieces remain and the Seahawks still have one of the youngest rosters in the league," Williams wrote. "The bottom line is that the Super Bowl window is still wide open, and the Seahawks have a chance to appear in back-to-back Super Bowls for the first time since the 2013-2014 seasons." The Seahawks' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 10.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1000, while their odds to make the playoffs are -255. Seattle saw a relatively large exodus of notable contributors to its Super Bowl team leave in free agency, including running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Riq Woolen, safety Coby Bryant and edge rusher Boye Mafe. However, the Seahawks were able to re-sign the wide receiver Rashid Shaheed, and they extended star wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba. In the draft, the Seahawks picked up Notre Dame running back Jadarian Price with their first-round pick before selecting TCU safety Bud Clark in Round 2 as they sought to replace some of the players who left in free agency. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Seahawks at No. 3 in his power rankings. "The reigning champs are a team without many holes," Vacchiano wrote. Seattle's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a B grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "This class wasn’t as flashy as the one a year ago, which helped power the Seahawks to their second championship in franchise history, but it was an impressive haul that improved one of the deepest rosters in the league — even with the club having already invested two middle-round picks at the trade deadline for Rashid Shaheed," Rang wrote.

2026 Chicago Bears Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:46:25 -0400

Chicago Bears fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Bears' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at the Carolina Panthers in Week 1, and will close the year on the road against the Minnesota Vikings. Here is the Bears' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 at Carolina PanthersWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 3: Sept. 28 (Monday) vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. New York JetsWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Green Bay PackersWeek 6: Oct. 18 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 7: Oct. 22 (Thursday) vs. New England PatriotsWeek 8: Nov. 2 (Monday) at Seattle SeahawksWeek 9: Nov. 9 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Detroit Lions (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 6 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 14: Dec. 13 at Miami DolphinsWeek 15: Dec. 19 (Saturday) at Buffalo BillsWeek 16: Dec. 25 vs. Green Bay Packers (Christmas)Week 17: Jan. 3 vs. Detroit LionsWeek 18: TBD at Minnesota Vikings Our Henry McKenna has the Bears going 11-6 this upcoming season, a mark that also surprised him. "The Chicago Bears have something special in Ben Johnson and Caleb Williams. And 11 wins is actually quite generous, given their schedule, the toughest in the NFL (in terms of opponents' combined winning percentage in 2025)," McKenna wrote. "I believe in what Johnson is building. I believe in the ways the coach is developing Williams. And I see a clear path from general manager Ryan Poles in building up the offense last year (still reaching maturity) before addressing the defense in a big way this year. Defensive coordinator Dennis Allen has way more tools to improve that unit. This Bears team will be more consistent — and, in turn, better." The Bears' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 9.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +2500, while their odds to make the playoffs are +108. The Bears made a couple of notable signings on defense this offseason. They signed former Seattle Seahawks safety Coby Bryant to a three-year, $40 million deal, adding him after losing safeties Kevin Byard and Jaquan Brisker. They also lost cornerback Nahshon Wright in free agency, and traded away wide receiver D.J. Moore. However, Chicago continued to rework its defense through the draft. It took highly-touted Oregon safety Dillon Thieneman with its first-round pick. On Day 2 of the draft, the Bears selected Iowa center Logan Jones, Stanford tight end Sam Roush and LSU wide receiver Zavion Thomas. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Bears at No. 9 in his power rankings. "They did what they had to do in the draft, finding a starting safety (Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman) and offensive line help (Iowa C Logan Jones)," Vacchiano wrote of Chicago. Chicago's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a B+ grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "The NFL Draft is all about value, and few teams added more of that in the first round than Chicago, stealing a future Pro Bowl-caliber safety in Dillon Thieneman at No. 25 overall," Rang wrote. "Center Logan Jones wasn’t perhaps quite as economical a selection at No. 57 overall, but I think he’ll start as a rookie with the mentality and rugged playing style to project as a long-term anchor inside."

2026 Detroit Lions Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:43:45 -0400

Detroit Lions fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Lions' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open against the New Orleans Saints in Week 1, and will close the year on the road against the Green Bay Packers. Here is the Lions' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. New Orleans SaintsWeek 2: Sept. 17 (Thursday) at Buffalo BillsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. New York JetsWeek 4: Oct. 4 at Carolina PanthersWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Arizona CardinalsWeek 6: BYEWeek 7: Oct. 25 vs. Green Bay PackersWeek 8: Nov. 1 vs. Minnesota VikingsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Miami DolphinsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. New England Patriots (in Munich)Week 11: Nov. 22 vs. Tampa Bay BuccaneersWeek 12: Nov. 26 vs. Chicago Bears (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 6 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Minnesota VikingsWeek 16: Dec. 28 (Monday) vs. New York GiantsWeek 17: Jan. 3 at Chicago BearsWeek 18: TBD at Green Bay Packers Our Ben Arthur likes the Lions' chances of having a bounce-back season in 2026. He's predicting Detroit to win 10 games, thanks to an easier schedule. "On paper, the Detroit Lions’ offense is worse off. Standout RB2 David Montgomery is out of the picture. There are shuffling parts on an O- line that struggled in 2025. But with a fourth-place schedule, Detroit is poised to have a bounce-back year," Arthur wrote. "The Lions clearly have a path to double-digit victories. It remains to be seen, though, if they can get back into the NFC’s elite with all the personnel changes." The Lions' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 10.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1700, while their odds to make the playoffs are -215. Detroit didn't take many big swings this offseason. The Lions traded away running back David Montgomery, giving him to the Houston Texans, before signing former Kansas City Chiefs running back Isiah Pacheco. Their priciest signing was former Carolina Panthers center Cade Mays, giving him a three-year, $25 million deal. In the draft, the Lions used their first-round pick on Clemson offensive tackle Blake Miller. They also added Michigan edge rusher Derrick Moore and Michigan linebacker Jimmy Rolder as they seek to improve their defense. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Lions at No. 15 in his power rankings. "Dan Campbell is all about the trenches, and he got help on both sides with OT Blake Miller (Round 1) and edge rusher Derrick Moore (Round 2)," Vacchiano wrote of the Lions. Detroit's draft haul also earned a strong mark from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. Rang gave the Cowboys a B-plus grade for their picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. "Campbell’s fiery coaching style has made him a favorite for many NFL fans, but [general manager Brad] Holmes and his scouts also deserve a lot of credit for turning the Lions into a contender," Rang wrote.

2026 San Francisco 49ers Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:41:29 -0400

San Francisco 49ers fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The 49ers' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open against the Los Angeles Rams in Melbourne in Week 1, and will close the year on the road against the Arizona Cardinals. Here is the 49ers' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 10 (Thursday) vs. Los Angeles Rams (in Melbourne)Week 2: Sept. 20 vs. Miami DolphinsWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Denver BroncosWeek 5: Oct. 11 at Seattle SeahawksWeek 6: Oct. 19 (Monday) vs. Washington CommandersWeek 7: Oct. 25 at Atlanta FalconsWeek 8: BYEWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. Las Vegas RaidersWeek 10: Nov. 15 at Dallas CowboysWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Minnesota Vikings (in Mexico City)Week 12: Nov. 29 vs. Seattle SeahawksWeek 13: Dec. 6 at New York GiantsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 15: Dec. 17 (Thursday) at Los Angeles ChargersWeek 16: Dec. 27 at Kansas City ChiefsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. Philadelphia EaglesWeek 18: TBD at Arizona Cardinals Our Eric D. Williams believes the 49ers will have another strong season in 2026. He's predicting San Francisco to go 10-7. "The San Francisco 49ers improved on offense with the additions of veteran receivers Mike Evans and Christian Kirk, and the return of linebacker Dre Greenlaw in free agency should help bring intensity and juice back to the defense," Williams wrote. The 49ers' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 10.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1600, while their odds to make the playoffs are -158. The 49ers were quite active in adding veteran talent this offseason. Their signing of wide receiver Mike Evans was one of the headline moves of NFL free agency. However, Evans wasn't the only notable pass-catcher San Francisco added, signing wide receiver Christian Kirk. San Francisco made a few notable moves on defense, too. It brought back linebacker Dre Greenlaw on a one-year deal and signed former Green Bay Packers cornerback Nate Hobbs. The 49ers also swung a trade for defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa from the Dallas Cowboys. In the draft, the 49ers turned their attention back to the receivers room. They took Ole Miss wide receiver De'Zhaun Stribling with their first pick in the draft. They also added Texas Tech defensive end Romello Height and Indiana running back Kaelon Black. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the 49ers at No. 10 in his power rankings. "They should have the most explosive offense they’ve had in years," Vacchiano wrote of San Francisco. San Francisco's draft haul, meanwhile, earned a B grade from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. "While I didn’t always like where the 49ers made their selections, I do like the players GM John Lynch picked — and let’s face it — isn’t that the point?" Rang wrote.

2026 Philadelphia Eagles Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:38:17 -0400

Philadelphia fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Cowboys' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at home against the Washington Commanders in Week 1, and will close the year on the road against the New York Giants. Here is the Eagles' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 2: Sept. 20 at. Tennessee TitansWeek 3: Sept. 28 at Chicago BearsWeek 4: Oct. 4 vs. Los Angeles RamsWeek 5: Oct. 11 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 6: Oct. 18 vs. Carolina Panthers (in London)Week 7: Oct. 26 vs. Dallas CowboysWeek 8: Nov. 1 at. Washington CommandersWeek 9: Nov. 8 vs. New York GiantsWeek 10: BYEWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Pittsburgh SteelersWeek 12: Nov. 26 at Dallas Cowboys (Thursday)Week 13: Dec. 6 at. Arizona CardinalsWeek 14: Dec. 13 vs. Indianapolis ColtsWeek 15: Dec. 19 vs. Seattle Seahawks (Saturday)Week 16: Dec. 24 vs. Houston Texans (Thursday)Week 17: Jan. 3 at. San Francisco 49ersWeek 18: TBD at New York Giants Our Ralph Vacchiano is relatively high on the Eagles entering the 2026 season, predicting them to win 12 games as he thinks they'll do a fine job at navigating a difficult schedule. "The Philadelphia Eagles are as loaded as ever, and if they can just get some consistency up front and a little better play out of their offense, they’ve got a chance to be a Super Bowl contender," Vacchiano said. "They sure will have to run the gauntlet of contenders to get there, though. "They will be tested constantly this season against some of the NFL’s elite. If nothing else, it’ll be very clear where they stand heading into the playoffs." The Eagles' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 10.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +1800, while their odds to make the playoffs are -152. Many of the additions the Philadelphia Eagles have made this offseason have been to their wide receivers room as they could still trade A.J. Brown this summer. They signed Marquise "Hollywood" Brown, traded for Dontayvion Wicks from the Green Bay Packers and used their first-round pick on Makai Lemon of USC. Philadelphia has also been active in the trade market. The Eagles acquired Andy Dalton in a trade with the Carolina Panthers, giving them another backup quarterback option. The Eagles' most notable trade, though, came on Day 2 of the NFL Draft. They added edge rusher Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings for a third-round pick, acquiring him after losing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to the Carolina Panthers in free agency. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Eagles at No. 4 in his power rankings. "They are so back," Vacchiano simply wrote of Philadelphia. Philadelphia's draft haul also earned high marks from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. Rang gave the Eagles an A-plus grade for their picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. "Reinforcing a roster as talented as the Eagles’ is difficult and [general manager Howie] Roseman does it creatively and effectively every year, lengthening the team’s Super Bowl window," Rang wrote.

2026 Dallas Cowboys Schedule: Win-Loss Record Prediction and Full List of Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:24:48 -0400

Dallas Cowboys fans, you can finally set your calendars for this fall. The Cowboys' complete 2026 schedule has arrived. They'll open at the New York Giants in Week 1, and will close the year on the road against the Washington Commanders. Here is the Cowboys' full regular-season slate, and how we think they'll do in 2026. Week 1: Sept. 13 at New York GiantsWeek 2: Sept. 20 vs. Washington CommandersWeek 3: Sept. 27 vs. Baltimore Ravens (in Rio)Week 4: Oct. 4 at Houston TexansWeek 5: Oct. 8 (Thursday) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 6: Oct. 18 at Green Bay PackersWeek 7: Oct. 26 (Monday) at Philadelphia Eagles Week 8: Nov. 1 vs. Arizona CardinalsWeek 9: Nov. 8 at Indianapolis ColtsWeek 10: Nov. 15 vs. San Francisco 49ersWeek 11: Nov. 22 vs. Tennessee TitansWeek 12: Nov. 26 vs. Philadelphia Eagles (Thanksgiving)Week 13: Dec. 7 (Monday) at Seattle Seahawks Week 14: BYEWeek 15: Dec. 20 at Los Angeles RamsWeek 16: Dec. 27 vs. Jacksonville JaguarsWeek 17: Jan. 3 vs. New York GiantsWeek 18: TBD at Washington Commanders Our Ben Arthur isn't bullish on the Cowboys heading into the 2026 season, but it's largely due to their schedule. He has Dallas going 6-11 this season. "An elite offense got the Dallas Cowboys seven wins last season," Arthur wrote. "So, with the same offense and an improved defense entering 2026, getting above .500 should be more than doable. It helps that the NFC East isn’t as threatening as it was a year ago at this time. But their non-division schedule is brutal. "Expectations are high in Dallas, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see it take a step back." The Cowboys' projected win total for the 2026 season currently sits at 9.5 wins at FanDuel Sportsbook. Their odds to win the Super Bowl sit at +2200, while their odds to make the playoffs are +100. Dallas opened the offseason by placing the franchise tag on wide receiver George Pickens and re-signing running back Javonte Williams. In free agency, the Cowboys signed former Arizona Cardinals safety Jalen Thompson, former Los Angeles Rams cornerback Cobie Durant and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Marquez Valdes-Scantling. The Cowboys were also pretty active on the trade market. They acquired edge rusher Rashan Gary in a deal with the Green Bay Packers, but traded defensive tackle Osa Odighizuwa to the San Francisco 49ers. Dallas also acquired linebacker Dee Winters in a separate deal with San Francisco. In the draft, the Cowboys traded up a spot to select Ohio State safety Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick. They also selected UCF defensive end Malachi Lawrence in the first round, picking him with the 23rd overall pick. Dallas also made four picks in Rounds 3 and 4, selecting Michigan linebacker Jaishawn Barham, Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton, Florida cornerback Devin Moore and Alabama defensive tackle LT Overton. Following the draft, our Ralph Vacchiano placed the Cowboys at No. 21 in his power rankings. "They have been laser-focused on the defense all offseason long, as they should be. Getting safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 was a steal, since some thought he was the best player in the draft," Vacchiano wrote of Dallas. Dallas' draft haul also earned high marks from our draft analyst, Rob Rang. Rang gave the Cowboys an A-minus grade for their picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. "The Cowboys needed to take advantage of their two first-round selections and did so. The duo will immediately upgrade what was one of the NFL’s most porous defenses of a year ago," Rang wrote.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Rams-Seahawks on Christmas Part of FOX's Slate

Thu, 14 May 2026 22:12:27 -0400

NFL fans, be prepared to not only turn on FOX for every Sunday this fall, but also on a pair of major holidays. The majority of FOX's slate of games for the 2026 NFL regular season was unveiled during Thursday's schedule release, with 92 games set to air on FOX from Week 1 through Week 17. That includes a rematch of last year's NFC Championship Game on Christmas Day, as the Los Angeles Rams take on the Seattle Seahawks on FOX. The Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys will also have a major holiday tilt on FOX, with the two teams going head-to-head on Thanksgiving Day. Several other marquee matchups will also take place on FOX in 2026. The Chicago Bears travel to play their top rival, the Green Bay Packers. The San Francisco 49ers will try to get revenge on the Seahawks after last season's playoff drubbing. There will also be an intriguing Los Angeles matchup between the Rams and Chargers on FOX. FOX will also air an undetermined number of games in Week 18, with dates and times of all 16 matchups that week set to be determined at a later date. Here's a look at FOX's full slate of games as released on May 14. Atlanta Falcons at Pittsburgh Steelers (1 p.m. ET) Chicago Bears at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Cincinnati Bengals (1 p.m. ET) Washington Commanders at Philadelphia Eagles (4:25 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET) Top storylines: The NFL season kicks off with a matchup of newly hired head coaches with the Falcons' Kevin Stefanski and the Steelers' Mike McCarthy. The Bears and Panthers hope to build off playoff appearances in 2025, while the Saints and Lions strive to make it back to the postseason. Division rivals Commanders and Eagles meet in a 2025 NFC Championship rematch. Could Fernando Mendoza make his NFL debut with the Raiders? Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET) Philadelphia Eagles at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET) Green Bay Packers at New York Jets (1 p.m. ET) Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET) Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET) Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Kyler Murray might be under center for the Vikings in a major tilt at Chicago. NFC East rivals the Commanders and the Cowboys are hoping to rebound after falling short in 2025. Can new Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur challenge the defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks? Los Angeles Chargers at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET) Seattle Seahawks at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET) New York Jets at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET) Carolina Panthers at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET) Minnesota Vikings at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4:05 p.m. ET) Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Chargers' Justin Herbert and the Bills' Josh Allen face off in a battle of quarterbacks looking to overcome playoff shortcomings. Jets' coach Aaron Glenn will return to Detroit, where he was the defensive coordinator from 2021 to 2024. Dallas Cowboys at Houston Texans (1 p.m. ET) Los Angeles Rams at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET) Green Bay Packers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET) New York Jets at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at Minnesota Vikings (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The week starts with a battle of the two NFL teams in Texas. The Rams and Eagles meet in a matchup of the NFC's top contenders. Will Malik Willis (Dolphins) or Kyler Murray (Vikings) provide their new team with more value? New York Giants at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET) Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET) Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET) Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (4:25 p.m. ET) San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET) Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: FOX will broadcast a trio of division rivalries in Week 5. The Giants and Commanders hope to be darkhorses in the NFC East. The Bears and the Packers met three times in 2025, including an epic playoff game. Will this be another postseason preview? The Seahawks and 49ers also met in the NFC playoffs. Can the 49ers avenge a 35-point defeat from last year's divisional round? Chicago Bears at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET) Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET) Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET) Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Week 6 will bring another slew of in-division rivalries with the Ravens playing the Browns, the Titans traveling to Indianapolis and the Rams hosting the Cardinals. The Rams' defense could have the Cardinals' number as coach Mike LaFleur was Los Angeles' offensive coordinator before getting the head coach position. The Falcons will also seek to get a statement win against the Bears. San Francisco 49ers at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET) New York Giants at Houston Texans (1 p.m. ET) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET) Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (4:25 p.m. ET) Los Angeles Rams at Las Vegas Raiders (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers will be tested against Texans' defensive backs Derek Stingley Jr. and Kamari Lassiter. Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield relishes the opportunity to play his former team, the Panthers. The Packers and Lions meet in a heated NFC North rivalry on "America's Game of the Week" after splitting last season's series. Arizona Cardinals at Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET) Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET) Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET) Las Vegas Raiders at New York Jets (1 p.m. ET) Los Angeles Chargers at Los Angeles Rams (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Vikings and Lions are looking to rebound from down seasons in the NFC North. The Falcons and Buccaneers try to capture NFC South supremacy. Could the Chargers and Rams battle at SoFi Stadium be a preview of Super Bowl LXI, which is also set to be in SoFi Stadium? Dallas Cowboys at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET) New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET) Los Angeles Rams at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET) Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET) Green Bay Packers at New England Patriots (4:25 p.m. ET) Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Tom Brady will be back at Gillette Stadium in Week 9, as he'll be on the call for Packers-Patriots in "America's Game of the Week." Will that game also serve as a Super Bowl preview? Can the Giants challenge the Eagles for the NFC East division title? New England Patriots vs Detroit Lions (9:30 a.m. ET in Munich, Germany) Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (1 p.m. ET) Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET) Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET) Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (1 p.m. ET) San Francisco 49ers at Dallas Cowboys (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Drake Maye and the Patriots and Jared Goff and the Lions head to Germany for FOX's first abroad broadcast of the 2026 season. There are three division rivalries in the second slate of games, with the Vikings and Packers highlighting that group of games. Finally, two of the NFC's classic teams will meet on "America's Game of the Week" when the 49ers travel to Dallas. Tennessee Titans at Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (1 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET) Baltimore Ravens at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET) New York Jets at Los Angeles Chargers (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: Cam Ward will look to improve over his second season in the NFL. The Dolphins and Bills meet in an AFC East rivalry. Also, Lamar Jackson and the Ravens seek to get back into the playoffs in 2026 after missing it in 2025 as they take on the reigning NFC South champs. Atlanta Falcons at Minnesota Vikings (1 p.m. ET) New York Giants at Indianapolis Colts (1 p.m. ET) Las Vegas Raiders at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET) Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET) Washington Commanders at Arizona Cardinals (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Seahawks and 49ers meet for their second and final 2026 matchup, which will surely impact the NFC West race. San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (1 p.m. ET) Green Bay Packers at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET) Jacksonville Jaguars at Chicago Bears (1 p.m. ET) Philadelphia Eagles at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at Denver Broncos (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The 2025 division winners in the AFC South and the NFC North meet when the Jaguars travel to Chicago. Newly acquired Broncos wide receiver Jaylen Waddle will play his former team, the Dolphins, as the Broncos welcome Miami to Denver. Indianapolis Colts at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET) Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Baltimore Ravens (1 p.m. ET) Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions (1 p.m. ET) Kansas City Chiefs at Cincinnati Bengals (4:25 p.m. ET) Los Angeles Rams at San Francisco 49ers (4:25 p.m. ET) New York Giants at Seattle Seahawks (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Chiefs and Bengals meet in a rematch of the 2021 and 2022 AFC Championship Games, pitting two of the game's top quarterbacks against each other. Joe Burrow and Patrick Mahomes are both seeking to help their teams get back into the postseason in 2026, though, after missing the postseason in 2025. That isn't the only notable rivalry that will air on FOX in Week 14, with the Rams and 49ers going head-to-head that Sunday. Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles (5 p.m. ET on Saturday) Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET) Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers (1 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 p.m. ET) Cincinnati Bengals at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET) New York Jets at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Seahawks and Eagles meet in a Saturday special between two NFC contenders. It's also a matchup between the last two Super Bowl winners. The Saints and Buccaneers could also be fighting for the top spot in the NFC South that same weekend. Los Angeles Rams at Seattle Seahawks (8:15 p.m. ET on Friday) Los Angeles Chargers at Miami Dolphins (1 p.m. ET) Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints (1 p.m. ET) Tennessee Titans at Las Vegas Raiders (4:05 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Rams and Seahawks meet in an NFC Championship Game rematch on Christmas Day that could determine how the NFC West plays out. Newly hired offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel returns to Miami, where he was the head coach for four seasons. There's a battle between the two teams that last had the No. 1 overall pick in the Titans and Raiders. New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (1 p.m. ET) Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers (1 p.m. ET) New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (1 p.m. ET) Indianapolis Colts at Cleveland Browns (1 p.m. ET) Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (4:25 p.m. ET) Top Storylines: The Giants and Cowboys meet in a historic NFC East rivalry. The Lions and Bears face off in a battle of the last two NFC North division winners as Chicago head coach Ben Johnson looks to beat his former team on "America's Game of the Week."

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Who’s Most Likely To Go From Worst To First?

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:38:35 -0400

The New England Patriots finished in last place in the AFC East in 2023 and ‘24, winning just four games each season. But they engineered a dramatic turnaround in 2025, exploding for 14 wins in the regular season to secure their first division title since 2019. New England's rags-to-riches storyline was one of the biggest of the season, but it was hardly unprecedented. In fact, the NFL has a rich history of teams rising from the ashes in a single year. The 2025 Patriots, who went on to reach the Super Bowl, were the 26th NFL team since 2002 to go from worst to first in a single season. Who will be the 2026 version of the Patriots? Which team has the best chance to go from last to first in its division — and potentially make a deep postseason run? In descending order, I rank the fourth-place finishers from last season by the likelihood they will win their division in 2026: Not only do the Cardinals still have major roster issues — they don’t have a clear QB1 — but they also happen to play in the toughest division in football. The Seattle Seahawks won the Super Bowl last season. The Los Angeles Rams, who had the league’s best offense in 2025, reached the NFC Championship Game (where they lost to Seattle). The San Francisco Niners have won at least 12 games in three of the past four seasons. Arizona has some exciting offensive skill players to build around, including running back Jeremiyah Love, the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. The team took a flier on Miami QB Carson Beck in the third round. New head coach Mike LaFleur, the former Rams offensive coordinator, brings hope of an optimistic future. But the Cardinals’ chances of competing for the NFC West crown in 2026 are unrealistic. On paper, the Jets have had a strong offseason. They upgraded at quarterback with Geno Smith. WR1 Garrett Wilson has pass-catching help in first-round tight end Kenyon Sadiq and second-round receiver Omar Cooper Jr. No. 2 overall pick David Bailey provides pass-rush juice on the edge. The floor of the secondary has been raised with the additions of five-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick and second-round pick D’Angelo Ponds as well. But challenging for the AFC East title is a huge reach. The Bills still have Josh Allen. Mike Vrabel’s off-the-field issues could be a distraction for the Patriots, but New England still has one of the best teams in the NFL. The Jets have a great chance of climbing out of the cellar in this division, though, if for no other reason than the Dolphins look like the least competitive team in the AFC East. Brighter days could be ahead in Las Vegas. The Raiders have the present and future secured at the quarterback position in Kirk Cousins and No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza. Their revamped defense still has five-time Pro Bowl edge Maxx Crosby in the fold, as his trade to Baltimore was nixed. So Vegas should be more competitive in 2026. But the AFC West features three playoff-caliber teams, including the Denver Broncos — who were a win away from the Super Bowl last season — and a Kansas City Chiefs team that’s getting Patrick Mahomes back. The Raiders making noise in this division would be a surprise. With star quarterbacks Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow healthy for the Ravens and Bengals, respectively, the Browns' chances of competing for the AFC North title are unlikely. But if Cleveland can get competent play from the quarterback position — Deshaun Watson has emerged as the favorite to start over Shedeur Sanders — this becomes a team to watch. The wide receiver and offensive line rooms have been revamped. Plus, the Browns still boast one of the best defenses in football. The Titans have plenty of reasons to be optimistic. The top of the AFC South is somewhat fragile. For the Jacksonville Jaguars, a first-place schedule and losing key starters like linebacker Devin Lloyd and running back Travis Etienne Jr. in free agency could set the team back in Year 2 under Liam Coen. The Houston Texans, meanwhile, still have questions on offense, despite having arguably the NFL’s best defense. With new coach Robert Saleh, Tennessee has raised its floor substantially. Its defense has a chance to be good, particularly on the defensive line. The cast of pass-catchers around QB Cam Ward is respectable. If Ward makes a big Year 2 jump, the Titans become a wild card. It’s a new age in New York with John Harbaugh. The Super Bowl-winning coach has inherited a talented roster that’s added two top-10 picks (LB Arvell Reese, OL Francis Mauigoa). Harbaugh has also brought in two former Ravens — All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard, tight end Isaiah Likely— who figure to be pivotal in setting a new culture. The Philadelphia Eagles are a candidate to step back in 2026. For the Dallas Cowboys, their defense is a bit of a wild card. The Washington Commanders are trying to rediscover their 2024 magic. With one of the NFL’s best coaches, the Giants could be in the mix for the NFC East crown — as long as QB Jaxson Dart makes a second-year jump. No division is more wide open than the NFC South, which had three eight-win teams in 2025. If quarterback Tyler Shough takes a step in Year 2, the possibilities open up for New Orleans. No. 8 overall pick Jordyn Tyson is expected to be a top-end wide receiver alongside star Chris Olave, and free-agent acquisition Travis Etienne Jr. is one of the better running backs in the NFL. The Lions are too talented to finish in last place in the NFC North again. Sure, they weren’t even bad in 2025 — they were above .500 with nine wins — but with a fourth-place schedule, it feels inevitable that Dan Campbell & Co. will get back into NFC contention with a double-digit win season. The Chicago Bears, who won the division last year, could cool off a bit with a first-place schedule. The Green Bay Packers face uncertainty regarding the health of edge Micah Parsons (ACL tear in December) and tight end Tucker Kraft (ACL tear in November) and the void created by receiver Romeo Doubs’ departure in free agency. The Minnesota Vikings aren’t even sure who their starting quarterback will be. Watch out for the Lions.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Playoff Predictions From Wild-Card Round To Super Bowl LXI

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:32:23 -0400

With the 2026 NFL schedule now released, we know what the regular season will look like. But of course, we don’t know how it will end — or which 14 teams will make the playoffs. That’s what I’m here to tell you. And I’m not just here to tell you who will make the playoffs. Let’s also go through the postseason with a Madden-like simulation to imagine what might happen, from the wild-card games to the Super Bowl. I’m going to project the scores in every playoff game, because there’s no detail too small for a way-too-early playoff prediction bracket. This is the fun time of the year, when every team can win the Super Bowl. I’ll take a crack at predicting who will win. And how they’ll do it. AFC Playoff Standings The most obvious omission is superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs. And my reasoning is fairly simple. First, Mahomes is coming back from an ACL injury that he suffered in December. Even if he returns in Week 1 (and I’m dubious), he won’t be the same player until late in the year — and maybe even 2027. Second, the AFC West is one of the best divisions in the NFL, especially because the Las Vegas Raiders should improve drastically this year. And third, the Chiefs’ roster sorely lacked talent last year, and you could argue they traded their third-best player, cornerback Trent McDuffie, this offseason. The AFC South feels like a coin flip between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Houston Texans. I’ll take the Jags, in large part because I trust coach Liam Coen, and because of Texans quarterback. C.J. Stroud's playoff collapse. But Jaguars QB Trevor Lawrence and Coen figured something out last year, and I think they can sustain their success. The Bengals, meanwhile, invested in their defense this offseason and should see a real return on that investment. Their schedule is easy. They’ve assembled talent. All they have to do is avoid the slow start that has plagued them seemingly every year under coach Zac Taylor — and I like them to win at least three of their first five games going into their Week 6 bye. Don’t count me as a believer in the Pittsburgh Steelers — or Aaron Rodgers, if he returns. I have even less faith in the playoff-hopeful Indianapolis Colts and Daniel Jones, who's returning from a torn right Achilles tendon. NFC Playoff Standings Every one of my NFC playoff permutations left out an elite team, which made for an impossible decision. In this case, it was the Green Bay Packers who didn't make the cut. It genuinely pains me to leave them out, because they’re as good as any of the other teams in the NFC’s playoff pool. Also left out were the Washington Commanders, a team that, if quarterback Jayden Daniels is healthy, could see a real surge, particularly if all their new defensive pieces come together. Even after making the NFC Championship Game two years ago, they’re somehow a sleeper in their conference. Ultimately, I couldn’t bet against the Chicago Bears — which, admittedly, is a little bit crazy. They won several close games last season to finish at 11-6, and those sorts of teams tend to regress. But over the offseason, I spoke to head coach Ben Johnson about the team’s plan to fend off regression and I came away convinced that Chicago is here to stay. Johnson and third-year QB Caleb Williams should take a big step forward. But most importantly, I think defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s unit will improve drastically, which is what this team really needs in order to finish with a similar record as last season. As for the seeding order, the NFC West is about as hard to predict as can be. The 49ers get the edge because they have a weak schedule and they put together a solid free-agency class, which includes veteran receiver Mike Evans. But the NFC’s top seed could just as easily be the Rams or Seahawks (again). As usual, the NFC South is up for grabs. And as usual, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the consensus favorite. But the Saints have a hilariously easy schedule. In his first season at the helm, coach Kellen Moore got the New Orleans offense humming, admittedly against bad defenses last year. And given all that the Saints did to invest in their continued reboot, with receiver Jordyn Tyson, guard David Edwards and running back Travis Etienne, I think they could find themselves at the top of the division. AFC Wild-Card Round Bye: Broncos NFC Wild-Card Round Bye: 49ers Wouldn’t it be crazy to have a road-team sweep in the NFC? There’s no way the Saints advance. And the Lions will likely have a record that reflects their weak schedule, which could leave them ripe for an upset in Round 1, particularly when matched up against former Detroit OC Ben Johnson, who knows the team's system and personnel inside and out. Even with the Lions executing a pair of 2-point conversions, Dan Campbell can’t take down the coach he mentored. On the AFC side, the Patriots won’t have the same endurance this year — despite getting better over the course of last postseason. They seem like a team that will regress, which will look like a one-and-done playoff appearance. The Bills are going to be a team with a new-ish identity, particularly on defense, and I think that could make them as dangerous as ever in the postseason, even if it means generating the final stop in a shootout with the Ravens. And remember: Josh Allen is 2-0 against Lamar Jackson in the playoffs. The Chargers get an upset, fueled largely by their run game, which new offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is going to turn into something special. AFC Divisional Round NFC Divisional Round The Bengals were — just a few years ago — one of the best-built teams in the NFL and a few points away from a Super Bowl win over the Rams. A lot has changed since then. The quarterback, Joe Burrow, has not. This feels like the season when his love for football returns. This feels like the season when the Bengals support him. As a result, Burrow takes Josh Allen down to advance to the AFC Championship Game. In a rematch of last season’s NFC Championship Game, the Rams get their revenge. L.A. was essentially one play away from beating the Seahawks in Seattle, and I think that the Seahawks would be lucky to see New Orleans in Round 1. Seattle looks bound for a regression year as it restocks the defense. (If the Seahawks saw anyone other than an NFC South team, they’d probably be one-and-done.) AFC Championship NFC Championship If quarterback Bo Nix didn't break his ankle in the divisional round last season, the Broncos would have made the Super Bowl. They might have even made it if that crazy snow storm hadn’t blown into Denver so quickly and intensely. And it looked like, with Nix, the Broncos were the only great team in an otherwise unspectacular conference. So with the AFC still lacking (compared to the NFC), the Broncos get their second chance. And they'll convert on it, taking care of Cincinnati, whose questions at cornerback might prove too severe to make a complete Super Bowl run. The Rams can’t quite make good on their second chance in the conference title game. Instead, Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford watch as the 49ers eke out a win in San Francisco, in part because they have home-field advantage and in part because they earned the NFC bye. The 49ers are a deep team. They have elite players at premium positions. They have a relatively easy schedule outside their division. This could be their year. Super Bowl LXI What a strange matchup of quarterbacks: Nix and Brock Purdy. What a logical matchup of coaches: Sean Payton and Kyle Shanahan. What an excellent matchup of defenses. It feels like Payton and Nix are only coming to understand each other better. It feels like Broncos OC Davis Webb will be the hot head coaching candidate next offseason. And it feels like former Dolphins receiver Jaylen Waddle is the perfect addition to the Denver offense. (Don’t sleep on rookie tight end Justin Joly either!) That offensive unit proves to be too much against the 49ers, whose age might start to show at this point in the postseason. Running back Christian McCaffrey, tight end George Kittle and receiver Mike Evans might all be among the best at their positions, but they have plenty of wear and tear. That’s how the Broncos find their advantage, with their young and fast defense taking care of Purdy & Co. Payton gets his second Super Bowl victory. And he does it by making Nix look a little bit like Saints legend Drew Brees, including on the game-winning drive when the Broncos convert a two-pointer, rather than settling for a tie (and, likely, overtime).

2026 NFL Schedule Release: What We're Watching For In Every America's Game Of The Week

Thu, 14 May 2026 20:19:29 -0400

For over three decades, many of the NFL's top regular-season matchups have taken place on FOX's "America's Game of the Week." That will certainly be the case for the 2026 season, too. Several of the NFL's best teams will be featured in "America's Game of the Week" in 2026, with FOX Sports announcing the nine games that will be featured in that window as part of Thursday's schedule release. Six of the matchups are between division rivals, including a rematch of one of last season's epic playoff games. And this slate doesn't even include what will happen on Thanksgiving Day, when the Dallas Cowboys host the Philadelphia Eagles on FOX, and Christmas Day, when the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams on FOX. So, as we now know where Tom Brady, Kevin Burkhardt, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi will be spending several Sundays this fall, let's take a look at the early storylines we're watching for in each of the America's Game of the Week matchups announced on Thursday: The season launches with two NFC East showdowns. The Philadelphia Eagles and Washington Commanders met twice in the final three weeks of the regular season last year, and they're back at it in their 2026 opener. The Commanders actually opened last year 3-2 and then went 2-10 the rest of the way. Can a healthy Jayden Daniels get back to his phenomenal rookie form of 2024? Washington's pass defense ranked 31st in average yards per pass play, so it's a major test for them to open against an upgraded Eagles pass game, which will likely be without A.J. Brown but added first-round pick Makai Lemon and veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown at wide receiver. Watch out for running back Saquon Barkley, who has averaged 143 rushing yards in his last three games against Washington, with a combined five touchdowns. The Dallas Cowboys haven't won more than one playoff game in any season for 30 years, but one thing they can hang their hat on is handling the Washington Commanders. They swept their divisional rival last year and have an 8-2 record since the start of 2021. Dak Prescott threw for 571 yards and five touchdowns and no interceptions against Washington last year, and if the Commanders are to get back to anything closer to their 2024 breakout, they'll need to hold their own in the division. Can rookie linebacker Sonny Styles lead a defensive bounce-back year for Washington? The Commanders ranked dead last in total defense and 31st in the red zone, and this is a chance to show what's changed against a dangerous offense. The Green Bay Packers have been a wild-card team three years in a row, and a home division game like this is a must-win if they are going to catch the Chicago Bears for an NFC North title. The two games at Soldier Field last year were epic for Chicago's Caleb Williams — rallying from 10 down with two minutes left to win in overtime in the regular season, then another comeback from 11 down with five minutes to play for a huge win in the playoffs. Jordan Love had three touchdown passes in last year's win over Chicago at Lambeau Field. After 32 touchdown passes in his first year as a starter, Love has had 25 and 23 in the last two seasons. Can he find a connection with second-year receiver Matthew Golden to get back to his 2023 form? A healthy part of the Lions' slide from 15-2 in 2024 to 9-8 in 2025 was going from sweeping the Lions to being swept. Detroit's defense dropped from seventh in points allowed in 2024 to 22nd, and the Packers averaged 29 points in the wins over the Lions. Can a retooled offensive line get Detroit back into playoff form? New Packers defensive coordinator Jonathan Gannon should have Micah Parsons back healthy by this game, though starting the season without him could get Green Bay out to a slow start. Detroit's health is a key, and you'll see how they're better with defensive tackle Levi Onwuzurike back after missing all of last season. For the first time since he joined FOX Sports in 2024, Tom Brady is set to call a game featuring the New England Patriots. Brady is slated to be in the booth when the Patriots host the Packers in Week 9 in Foxborough. For Green Bay, it gets featured on America's Game of the Week three times in a span of five weeks, this time going on the road to face the defending AFC champs. New England flipped so much from 2024 to last year's breakout success, but that included going 1-4 against NFC teams in 2024 and then 5-0 in the regular season last year. Brady went just 4-3 against the Packers in his career — one of his least successful career records — playing long enough to lose to Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers alike. Drake Maye was especially good against NFC opponents last year, with 11 touchdown passes against just two interceptions. New San Francisco 49ers receiver Mike Evans is just 1-3 at AT&T Stadium with two touchdowns in his four games there. Can his playmaking ability take San Francisco's offense to another level? The 49ers ranked fifth in red-zone efficiency and first on third downs last season, and Evans could help them end a surprising drought — San Francisco hasn't had a receiver catch 10-plus touchdowns in a season since ... Terrell Owens in 2002. (Tight ends have done so, but no receivers). Dallas had the NFL's worst scoring defense last year, allowing 30 points per game, so rookie safety Caleb Downs will lead the efforts to improve there. The Cowboys had just 12 takeaways in all of 2025, the third-lowest total in the league. The NFC West has perhaps three of the top eight teams in the NFL. Last year, the Seattle Seahawks bookended their regular season with the 49ers, losing the opener and then winning in Week 18, followed by a 41-6 thrashing in the playoffs. Seattle's home-field advantage isn't what it once was. The Seahawks were 34-6 at home from 2012-16 in their "Legion of Doom" heyday, but they were 16-18 at home from 2021-24 before bouncing back with a 6-2 mark (plus two home playoff wins) last season. Will the NFC West powers beat each other up enough that the division doesn't get the NFC's top seed? If the division is to send a team to the Super Bowl for the fourth time in six years, they might have to be road warriors in January. Alas, the Cincinnati Bengals defense — over the last two seasons, Cincinnati has seven games in which it has scored at least 33 points and lost. No other team in the NFL has more than two such games in the same span. Will that be the case for Joe Burrow and friends in 2026? The Bengals acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and imported Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen for their defensive front. If they can just get a top-20 defense, that might be enough to get them into the playoffs. Can Patrick Mahomes have a healthy bounce-back season after going 6-8 as a starter and throwing only 22 touchdowns? By this game, Kansas City Chiefs rookie corner Mansoor Delane should have played enough to have confidence trying to cover another LSU standout in Bengals receiver Ja'Marr Chase. The Ben Johnson Bowl is back. Chicago went 11-6 and won the division last year despite Johnson getting swept by his old team, including a 52-21 drubbing in Week 2 in Detroit. This is a game that could have major playoff implications, in the division and the conference. Watch for Chicago's two second-year pass-catchers to shine, with tight end Colston Loveland leading the team in receptions as a rookie last year and receiver Luther Bolden emerging in the final month of his first season. Which quarterback will throw more touchdown passes in 2026? It's a close call between Detroit's Jared Goff (who threw 34 last year) and Chicago's Caleb Williams, who threw for 27 himself.

2026 NFL Thanksgiving Odds: Lines, Spreads, What to Know for All 4 Games

Thu, 14 May 2026 12:18:07 -0400

Fans are gonna get to gobbling up some football during Thanksgiving week. The NFL Thanksgiving Eve and Thanksgiving Day games have dropped, and there are some bangers. Let's check out the odds for the holiday slate at FanDuel Sportsbook, as of May 14. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. NOV. 25 — THANKSGIVING EVE Packers @ Rams Spread: Rams -3.5Moneyline: Rams -198, Packers +164O/U: 49.5 What to know: The Rams went 12-5 last season (second in the NFC West) and were one win away from the Super Bowl, falling to division rival Seattle in the NFC Championship. Entering this year, they are favored to win it all, after adding Trent McDuffie to the secondary. As for the Packers, they finished second in the NFC North (9-7-1) and lost to division rival Chicago in the wild-card round. NOV. 26 — THANKSGIVING DAY Bears @ Lions Spread: Lions -2.5Moneyline: Lions -126, Bears +108O/U: 53.5 What to know: A classic NFC North rivalry game. Despite the Bears winning the division last season (11-6), and the Lions finishing last (9-8) and missing the playoffs, Detroit did sweep Chicago. The Lions smashed the Bears in Week 2 (52-21) and then closed the regular season with a 19-16 win over Chicago. Eagles @ Cowboys Spread: Cowboys -1.5Moneyline: Cowboys -116, Eagles -102O/U: 49.5 What to know: Arguably the biggest rivalry in the NFL. The two NFC East foes split the regular-season series, with Philadelphia outscoring Dallas 45-44 across the two games. The Cowboys missed the playoffs last year after finishing the regular season at 7-9-1, second in the division. The Eagles (11-6) won the division and were the defending champions entering the postseason, but fell in the wild-card round to San Francisco. Chiefs @ Bills Spread: Bills -2.5Moneyline: Bills -142, Chiefs +120O/U: 50.5 What to know: This one comes down to one thing: How will Patrick Mahomes look? Chances are he will be back on the field for Kansas City after tearing his ACL at the end of last season. But will he be the Mahomes of old? The Chiefs (6-11) missed the playoffs last season for the first time in forever, while the Bills (12-5) lost a heartbreaker to Denver in the divisional round. Josh Allen is 5-1 against Mahomes in the regular season all-time.

What Is the Point Spread in Sports Betting? What -3.5, -7 and Other Spreads Mean

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:58:39 -0400

The point spread is the most widely used bet type in sports betting. It levels the playing field between a strong favorite and a weaker opponent by assigning a margin that the favorite must overcome. Rather than picking who wins, you are betting on whether a team wins or loses by a specific number of points. Spread betting drives NFL and NBA wagering, and it appears across college football, college basketball, and other team sports. Once you understand how to read a spread number and what the attached odds mean, it becomes the most straightforward bet type at any sportsbook. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. What Is the Point Spread? The point spread is a handicap set by oddsmakers to create a more balanced betting market between two mismatched teams. The favorite is assigned a negative number, meaning they must win by more than that amount. The underdog receives a positive number, meaning they can lose by up to that amount and still cover. The goal of the spread is not to predict the exact margin of victory. It is designed to split betting action evenly between both sides. When roughly equal money is wagered on each team, the sportsbook collects its margin on the losing bets, regardless of the outcome. How Does Spread Betting Work? When you place a spread bet, the final score is adjusted by the spread before grading. If the spread is -6.5 for the favorite, subtract 6.5 from their final score. If the result is still positive, the favorite covered. If negative, they did not. The number next to the spread (usually -110) is the juice, or vig. It is the sportsbook's cut. At -110, you must bet $110 to win $100. That small margin is how the book profits over time regardless of which side wins. NFL Point Spread Example The Kansas City Chiefs are -6.5 (-110) against the Denver Broncos, who are +6.5 (-110). A bet on Kansas City wins if the Chiefs win by 7 or more points. A bet on Denver wins if the Broncos win the game or lose by 6 or fewer. NBA Point Spread Example The Boston Celtics are -8 (-110) against the Miami Heat at +8 (-110). The Celtics need to win by 9 or more. The Heat cover if they win outright or lose by 7 or fewer. A final score of Celtics 112, Heat 105 (margin: 7) means the Heat covered. What Is a Push? A push occurs when the final margin exactly matches the spread. If the Chiefs are -7 and win by exactly 7, no side wins or loses. Your stake is returned in full. To eliminate pushes, oddsmakers frequently use half-point spreads (called the hook) such as -6.5 or -7.5. What Is the Hook? The hook is the half-point added to a spread to prevent a push. Buying or selling the hook is a common strategy where bettors pay extra juice to move a spread a half point in their favor. Moving from -3 to -2.5 on a football bet can be worth paying a premium because 3 is the most common margin of victory in the NFL. Point Spread vs. Moneyline The moneyline and the point spread are both ways to bet on the outcome of a game, but they measure different things. The moneyline rewards picking the winner regardless of margin. The spread rewards picking the team that wins by enough, or loses by little enough. For heavy favorites, the moneyline requires a large stake to win a small return. The spread often offers a more balanced payout, but it demands the favorite win convincingly. The right choice depends on how confident you are in the margin, not just the result. How Are Point Spread Payouts Calculated? Most spread bets are priced at -110 on both sides. At -110, you bet $110 to win $100, for a total return of $210. The $10 difference is the vig the sportsbook keeps. Understanding the juice is important because it affects your long-term profitability. Spreads are not always priced at -110. When one side attracts more action, the sportsbook may shade the juice to -115 or -120 on the popular side and +100 or -105 on the other. Always check the price on both sides before placing your bet. Standard -110 Spread Payout Alternate Juice Example To break even on -110 juice, you need to win 52.38% of your spread bets. That is the minimum win rate required before you start showing a profit. At -115, the break-even rate rises to roughly 53.49%. When Does Spread Betting Make Sense? When to Bet the Favorite on the Spread When to Bet the Underdog on the Spread When the Spread May Not Be the Best Option How to Place a Point Spread Bet Spread bets are available on every major sportsbook for NFL, NBA, college football, college basketball, and other team sports. Here is how to get started using one of the best betting apps. Spreads can move between when you first see them and when you place your bet. Line movement happens as new information comes in (injuries, weather, betting volume). Locking in a line early can be an advantage if you expect it to move against you. Common Point Spread Mistakes For deeper strategy on specific bet types, see our guides on how to bet on moneylines, teaser betting, and over/under totals betting. Responsible Gambling Sports betting should be fun. Set a budget before you start and treat losses as the cost of entertainment. If gambling stops being enjoyable or starts affecting your daily life, help is available. Point Spread Betting FAQ What does point spread mean in sports betting? The point spread is a margin set by oddsmakers that the favorite must exceed to win the bet. If a team is -6.5, they need to win by 7 or more for a bet on them to cash. The underdog at +6.5 covers if they win or lose by 6 or fewer. What does -110 mean on a point spread? The -110 is the juice, or vig. It means you must bet $110 to win $100. This is the standard price on most spread bets and represents the sportsbook's built-in margin. Not all spreads are priced at -110; the juice can vary depending on where the action is. What is a push in spread betting? A push happens when the final margin equals the spread exactly. If a team is -7 and wins by exactly 7, neither side wins. Your original stake is returned in full with no profit or loss. Sportsbooks often use half-point spreads to eliminate the possibility of a push. Can you bet the spread on any sport? Spread betting is most common in football and basketball, where scores are high and margins vary widely. In baseball the equivalent is the run line (fixed at 1.5). In hockey it is the puck line (fixed at 1.5 goals). Spreads do exist in other sports but are less commonly used. What is a key number in spread betting? Key numbers are the most frequent final margins in a sport. In the NFL, 3 and 7 are the most important because field goals and touchdowns are the most common scoring plays. Lines often cluster around these numbers and bettors will pay extra juice to land on the right side of them. What does it mean when the line moves? Line movement happens when oddsmakers adjust the spread after it opens, usually in response to betting volume, injuries, or weather. If a line moves from -6.5 to -7.5, it means more money is coming in on the favorite. Sharp bettors often try to anticipate or react to line movement. Is spread betting the same as a parlay? No. A spread bet is a single wager on one game. A parlay combines multiple bets, including spread bets, into one ticket where all legs must win for the parlay to cash. See our parlay betting guide for more. How do I find the best spread odds? Comparing lines across multiple sportsbooks is the most reliable way to find the best spread. Even a half-point difference or a juice improvement from -115 to -110 adds up over many bets. Our list of the best sportsbook promos can help you get started with multiple accounts.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Inside the Process of Making an Epic Reveal Video

Thu, 14 May 2026 09:24:37 -0400

In 2024, when the Los Angeles Chargers created what became their viral "Sims"-themed schedule release video, several members of their social team sat in a room filming the New England Patriots matchup in the life simulation video game. The scene was a retirement home. At some point, something strange started to happen. "One of the Sims peed his pants because I guess we had him standing there for too long," Megan Julian, the Chargers’ vice president of social media and digital marketing, told me. "And then he’d like go take a shower. We were all just sitting there, waiting for this little Sim [character] to go do his thing. Sometimes, this job and this process is such a ridiculous thing. "And then at the end, when everybody gets to see [the video] and my boss is yelling from down the hall, ‘Is it doing well? Do people like it?’" Julian added. "We’re reading the comments out loud. We’re looking at the Reddit threads to see what jokes people picked up on. I think it just brings us together in a really cool way before the season every year." This is just one example of how big the schedule reveal has become in NFL culture. Over the past several years, schedule release day has become known as the Super Bowl for social media teams. Their videos are analyzed and ranked for the quality of jokes, nostalgic nods and pop culture references. Videos like the Chargers’ anime creation in 2022 and the Tennessee Titans’ 2023 reel, in which they quizzed people on Broadway Street in Nashville on the logos of their opponents that year, broke the internet. In 2019, the Atlanta Falcons' schedule release video paid homage to "Game of Thrones" by using the cityscapes and mascots of their opponents. In 2024, the Patriots had Julian Edelman portray the title character in "Good Will Hunting" in a parody of the Oscar-winning movie set in Boston. That same year, the Los Angeles Rams had video game versions of Matthew Stafford, Puka Nacua and other star players recklessly drive around the cities of the team's opponents in a takeoff on "Grand Theft Auto." Ahead of Thursday’s 2026 schedule release, I spoke to leaders of the Chargers and Falcons’ content teams about what it takes to make a great schedule release video. Both franchises expressed an appreciation for the camaraderie and creative freedom involved. "It’s a chance for creative teams to kind of let their hair down. It’s a chance for all clubs to kind of use its proverbial one night to roast, and they roast and can be roasted and that’s just part of the fun of it," Falcons chief marketing officer Shannon Joyner told me. "These videos really do kind of live on their own. … It’s truly just a creative exploration that doesn’t have any set rules or necessities that go along with it. I think that is what — in a positive way — lends to such a spectrum of 32 amazingly creative ideas that all have their own unique flavor." The Chargers began working on their 2026 schedule release video in late January, not long after their opponents were finalized. Every year, their video and social teams get together for an initial meeting, where "upwards of 100" ideas are pitched, according to Julian. Nothing is ruled out early. This year, the Chargers pared their ideas down to five themes and then examined the constraints and opportunities for each potential concept. "You could almost say you’re burning a lot of time by doing that, but you almost need to be really exhaustive on the pre-production to really know that you’re hitting on the right idea," Tyler Pino, the Chargers’ vice president of production, told me. "And so that process is probably the most painful of all this. "Then there always comes a moment when everyone in the room — you don’t even have to say it — is like, ‘This is it.’ … Then you just take off like a rocket ship," he added. "From there, it’s like a Manhattan Project. The team is like ‘OK, like we gotta go.’" There’s a challenge of being "niche while also being broad" with the project, as Pino put it. The video should speak to your fan base, the NFL at large and broader pop culture simultaneously. Both teams acknowledge that there have been jokes in their schedule release videos that were completely missed. Some jokes, thrown in at the last minute, land better than expected. Others, which took a lot of time, don't land at all. And some things that weren’t even intended to be jokes become ones. "I think that’s just the nature of the beast," Julian told me. The Falcons, who also began their schedule release prep in January, have an initial meeting that is an "organizational open invitation," according to Joyner — employees from the social media team to the stadium tours business participate. This year, Atlanta's creative team involved the franchise’s new football regime — head coach Kevin Stefanski, president of football Matt Ryan and general manager Ian Cunningham. "We do want to use this moment to tastefully call back to things or honor things, or that our fans will react to or that the internet will react to," Ryan Delgado, the Falcons’ director of digital platforms, told me. "It’s important for us to kind of think through that lens, but realizing that everyone has a different version of that and how that comes across is always going to be kind of a challenge for sure. "It’s very difficult to stick to one thing and you put your head down and look up months later and be like, ‘Here it is.’ I mean, that’s just the way the internet works and how quickly things move and whatever the new moments are and if you’re able to integrate those in there, then great." Organizationally, the schedule release video is "really important" to the Chargers, per Julian. There’s an understanding that it can help the team sell tickets and generate excitement. No other creative pursuit in the calendar year takes as much time. "Normally in social and video, we’re going really quickly," Julian told me. The Chargers had meetings on the schedule release video five days per week dating back to February. That doesn’t include all the technical and creative work that employees put in on the project. "It’s like creating a sequel to anything: You want to make it bigger and better and subvert expectations of what people think we’re going to do," Pino told me. "Every year we’re like, ‘How can we do this again?’ When you’re at the bottom of the mountain, it’s pretty daunting, especially when you don’t have the idea yet. You always have doubt of can we actually pull this off again? And then somehow, through us all just kind of being in rooms for hours and hours and hours and banging our heads against the wall, we usually get to a good result. "It’s definitely become a bigger thing than we’ve ever imagined." Joyner called the schedule release "the ultimate brand and business moment." "The floor has been raised so, so high for what clubs are doing and how you show up on this day, how you show up in this moment," Delgado told me. "And you’re naturally going to observe all 32 clubs and kind of see what they did. Learn from it. Try to figure out, ‘How did that happen? How did that come about?' You’re always going to be sort of a fan first or try to walk yourself through this and be able to watch all of them as much as you possibly can." [Ranking the 10 Best Schedule Release Videos of All Time] Pino sees the schedule release video process as rewarding. At no other point in the year are there so many people working on one project. Before publishing their video each year, the Chargers find peace in the answers to a couple of questions: Did we like our process? Did we work as hard on this as we could to make it as good as it could have been? The work on the 2026 schedule release videos is now done. Tonight is the Super Bowl for social teams. "That last 15 minutes before we release the video, there’s always all of us in the room like really nervous," Pino told me. "Like, ‘Oh, I don’t know about this year.’ It happens every year. And then you just have to kind of release it to the world and hope for the best."

Top-10 NFL QBs: Josh Allen or Patrick Mahomes at No. 1? Colin Cowherd Shares List

Wed, 13 May 2026 18:53:05 -0400

Patrick Mahomes missed the playoffs in 2025, and Josh Allen didn't have an MVP season last year, but that isn't stopping Colin Cowherd from listing the two stars as his top-two quarterbacks in the NFL. But which of the two is the league's best quarterback? Cowherd answered that question as he ranked the top-10 quarterbacks in the NFL ahead of the 2026 season. His rankings aren't as straightforward as talent trumps all. Cowherd rates quarterbacks, he said, based on their production, durability and current momentum of their careers. With those factors in mind, here are Cowherd's top-10 quarterbacks entering the 2026 NFL season. Missed the cut: Dak Prescott, Jayden Daniels, Jalen Hurts, Jordan Love, Trevor Lawrence, Baker Mayfield Cowherd's thoughts: "35-10 in his last 45 starts — highest win percentage by any quarterback the last two years in the league. Big, athletic, risk-taking. No turnovers when it mattered in the playoffs. Still 28, five different teams — what a disaster. But if you go — remember he was benched in Carolina, came back, went 4-2 — if you take his career starting then [in 2022], [he's the] winningest quarterback in the NFL with the second-highest passer rating." Cowherd's thoughts: "The most disrespected guy in the league. All he does is win. Four straight seasons with 4,000-plus passing yards. And, strangely, never misses a start. He and Caleb Williams, they don't get hurt." Cowherd's thoughts: "Bad o-line. Hit-and-miss run game. Got to a Super Bowl. Finally going to get A.J. Brown, a No. 1 wide receiver — that's what's being reported. I think you'll see how special he is. Led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt and passer rating at 23, with a bad o-line in front of him." Cowherd's thoughts: "I love him. He doesn't play like anybody. He doesn't move like anybody. Two MVPs. He has the highest passer rating in NFL history, and everybody's like, ‘I don’t know if he's a great pocket passer.' I don't know, the analytics guys like him. Highest win percentage by any quarterback in league history not to make a Super Bowl." Cowherd's thoughts: "I think, on any given Sunday, he's the best player in the league. Burrow's durability is a big problem. You want him to win more. But I will say it again, I'm not sure — on a fourth-and-7, trailing by four in a Super Bowl — if there's a guy I want at quarterback more than Joe Burrow. I think he's an all-time talent. He got saddled with a cheap owner and a minimalist front office. Highest completion percentage and highest passer rating all time, with terrible o-lines." Cowherd's thoughts: "He just won the MVP. What do you want me to say? They're favored to win the Super Bowl. He's taken a bunch of mid-round guys — Puka Nacua, fifth round, made him a star. So I'm not building this for five years. He is a top-five quarterback in the NFL right now." Cowherd's thoughts: "Worst offensive line in the NFL. Made the playoffs. That's insane! He's beloved in the locker room. He and Lamar Jackson are the most beloved players in the NFL in their respective locker rooms. Missed only six starts in his career, which is confounding because he's never had a good o-line." Cowherd's thoughts: "Do you know what his numbers are the first two years? Forty-seven touchdowns, 13 picks, never hurt. Never hurt in high school. Never hurt in college. Never hurt in the pros. Got hit more than any other quarterback in the league his rookie year. Unbelievably durable. Makes throws that only Josh Allen can make." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's going to be back in September. Each of his first seven years, led the Chiefs to a division title and an AFC Championship appearance. Sorry, don't get recency bias. He's amazing." Cowherd's thoughts: "He's been very good in the playoffs. He's won 70% of his games with a defensive head coach that most of you didn't like. Seven straight years with 10-plus wins. I'm sorry folks, he's been better than (Patrick) Mahomes two straight years."

2026 NFL Schedule Release: Which Games Have Been Announced?

Wed, 13 May 2026 16:03:55 -0400

We've known for several months who each NFL team will play in the 2026 season. But this week, we'll learn when all 272 games will be played in the upcoming regular season. The NFL will unveil the entirety of the 2026 regular-season schedule on Thursday. However, the league is announcing the dates of several games before then, like marquee matchups in Week 1. So, as you get your calendars out to prepare for what you'll be doing this fall, here's a look at which games we know will be played and when ahead of Thursday's schedule release. The Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 season on a Wednesday, marking the first time the NFL has opened a regular season on a Wednesday since 2012. Still, it marks the continuation of the tradition of the defending champion playing in the game's season-opener. As of Tuesday morning, there are four potential opponents the Seahawks could face in the season-opener. One of those includes the New England Patriots, which would be a rematch of Super Bowl LX. The other potential opponents for the Seahawks are the Chicago Bears, Los Angeles Chargers and Arizona Cardinals. The Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers will play their opener on Sept. 11 in Melbourne. The game is expected to kick off at about 10:35 a.m. that Friday in Australia, which is 8:35 p.m. ET on Thursday night (Sept. 10) in the United States. The Dallas Cowboys are set to visit the New York Giants in the first Sunday night game of the 2026 NFL season on Sept. 13. It'll mark the eighth time in the past 15 years that the Cowboys and Giants are opening the season against each other. Dallas is always a national television draw as "America’s Team," and New York could get more prime-time exposure with Super Bowl winner John Harbaugh coaching and Jaxson Dart established as the franchise quarterback coming off his eventful rookie year. It is set to be Harbaugh’s Giants debut. If healthy, it would also be the first meaningful game between Dart and Dak Prescott. While each started the season finale on Jan. 4, the teams were eliminated from playoff contention by then. This also could be the NFL debuts for a pair of former Ohio State teammates: Giants linebacker Arvell Reese, taken with the fifth pick, and Cowboys safety Caleb Downs, drafted not long after at No. 11. While it's unclear whether Kansas City Chiefs' quarterback Patrick Mahomes will be back from ACL and LCL tears by the first game of the season or not, what is known is that he will have an extra day to prepare for that possibility: the Chiefs and Denver Broncos play each other in the first Monday Night Football game of the 2026 season, on Sep. 14. Also unclear at this early stage is which team this is a home game for, but the full schedule release on Thursday will answer that question well before we know what's going on with Mahomes' recovery plans. The Buffalo Bills' first game at the new Highmark Stadium will be against the Detroit Lions on a Thursday night in Week 2. It'll mark the start of a new era in Buffalo, as the Bills played the vast majority of their home games from 1973 to 2025 at the stadium previously nicknamed The Ralph. It'll also mark the start of a new era for the Bills on the field, as it'll be Joe Brady's first home game as their head coach. The Baltimore Ravens have been chosen to play the Dallas Cowboys in the NFL’s inaugural game in Rio de Janeiro this season. That game will be played on Sunday, Sept. 27. The NFL previously made a multi-year commitment to bring at least three regular-season games to Rio de Janeiro over the next five years. The NFL has previously played two games in Brazil — Packers-Eagles in 2024 and Chiefs-Chargers in 2025 at São Paulo's Corinthians Arena — but this will be the first in Rio. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will play the first of the NFL's three games in London in 2026. This matchup will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4, as each team looks to get back on track in 2026 after they saw their respective 2025 seasons get derailed by injuries. The Jacksonville Jaguars are heading back to London again in 2026, and they'll play two straight games in England's capital city. They'll face the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11. After facing the Eagles, the Jaguars will remain in London, but will face the Houston Texans at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18. The Jaguars have played back-to-back games in England twice before, but this will be the first time they've had two designated home games in London in the same season. The NFL is heading to France for the first time ever in 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday, Oct. 25. Will Aaron Rodgers be the Steelers' starting quarterback for that game? Who knows, but the matchup could be an enticing one as the reigning AFC North champs take on a Saints team that appears to be on the rise. The NFL's second-ever game in Madrid will feature a pair of high-flying offenses. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Spain in Week 9, the NFL announced on Tuesday. This will be Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's first international game, as Cincinnati hasn't had an international game since 2019. As for the Falcons, they played the Indianapolis Colts in Germany last season. However, the Falcons were the designated road team for that game, but will be the designated home team for the Week 9 matchup against the Bengals. The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions will go head-to-head at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15. For New England, this will actually be its second trip to Germany. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt in 2023. It'll also mark the Patriots' third international game in four seasons, facing the Jaguars in London during the 2024 season. As for the Lions, this will be their first international game since 2015. Will this be a Super Bowl preview? The Patriots are looking to get back to the title game again in 2026, as they played in Super Bowl LX last season. The Lions, meanwhile, were one of the NFL's top teams in 2023 and 2024 before missing the playoffs at 9-8 in 2025. The NFL is heading back to Mexico in 2026. The Minnesota Vikings face the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, Nov. 22. It marks the first game that the NFL has played in Mexico in four years. San Francisco will become the first team to play two international games in nonconsecutive games in NFL history. As for Minnesota, this will mark the third straight season it has played an international game. The Vikings also played in two international games last season. They played the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, before facing the Cleveland Browns in London, England, a week later. The NFL is adding another game around the Thanksgiving holiday. The Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams will meet up at SoFi Stadium for the league's first-ever Thanksgiving Eve (Nov. 25) game, the NFL announced. With the addition of the Thanksgiving Eve game, there are now five games surrounding the holiday. Three games will be played on Thanksgiving Day, while another game will be played on Black Friday. One of the NFL's best rivalries will be featured on Thanksgiving Day and will air on FOX. The Philadelphia Eagles will meet up with the Cowboys in Dallas on the holiday this year as the two NFC East rivals go head-to-head on Thanksgiving for the first time since 2015. Here are five storylines to know ahead of the matchup. The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Giants QB Jaxson Dart on John Harbaugh: 'Couldn't Think of Better Coach' to Have

Wed, 13 May 2026 14:35:01 -0400

Consider New York Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart a fan of new head coach John Harbaugh. "What he wants to do is what everybody on this team wants to be about. We're hungry to win. I couldn't think of a better coach to play for," Dart said about Harbaugh in an interview with ESPN. New York hired Harbaugh in January following his dismissal from the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons as their head coach. From 2008-25, Harbaugh's Ravens went a combined 180-113 in the regular season, 13-11 in the postseason and won Super Bowl XLVII. Harbaugh brought former Kansas City Chiefs offensive coordinator and former Chicago Bears head coach Matt Nagy to the Meadowlands to be the Giants' offensive coordinator, which has generated excitement for the team's second-year quarterback. "I just think that we're very versatile," Dart said of the Giants' new offense. "I think it starts there. The other thing is I just can't wait for all my boys to be back healthy. I'm excited for the pieces that we've brought in that are going to help us a ton. We're just going to be a physical, violent team, and that goes on the offensive side of the ball, the defensive side of the ball and special teams. I can't wait to get out there." Dart is coming off a successful rookie season that saw him make 12 starts. Across the dozen starts and 14 appearances that the Ole Miss product made in 2025, he totaled 2,272 passing yards, 15 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 91.7 passer rating, while completing 63.7% of his passes. Dart also rushed for 487 yards and nine touchdowns. As for the Giants' recovering playmakers, star wide receiver Malik Nabers – a Pro Bowler in his 2024 rookie campaign who set the Giants' single-season record with 109 receptions in 15 games in said year – is working his way back from a torn ACL that he suffered in Week 4 of last season. Meanwhile, running back Cam Skattebo saw his 2025 rookie season end after eight games due to a dislocated ankle and fractured fibula; across eight games, Skattebo rushed for 410 yards and five touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry, while totaling 24 receptions for 207 yards and two touchdowns. As for the new "pieces" that Dart is alluding to, the Giants signed former Ravens tight end Isaiah Likely (three-year, $40 million deal), former Ravens All-Pro fullback Patrick Ricard (two-year, $7.6 million deal), former Atlanta Falcons wide receiver Darnell Mooney (one-year, $3 million deal) and former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Calvin Austin (one-year, $1.5 million deal), among other offensive pickups. In the 2026 NFL Draft, New York selected Miami Hurricanes offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at pick No. 10 and traded up to select Notre Dame Fighting Irish wide receiver Malachi Fields at pick No. 74. The Giants are coming off a 4-13 season and have won just 13 games over the last three seasons.

Best Super Bowl Betting Sites & Sportsbook Promos

Wed, 13 May 2026 13:44:04 -0400

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Football is here! Super Bowl LXI will take place at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California — home of the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers — on Feb. 14, 2027. The Super Bowl is a prime opportunity for sports betting, so it is time to look at the best Super Bowl betting sites. Sports betting is legal in several states via licensed sportsbook. In this guide, we'll cover top Super Bowl betting sites and apps, as well as top sportsbook promos. Best Super Bowl Betting Sites 2026 When it comes to betting on the Super Bowl, there are numerous opportunities available across various sportsbooks, as it is arguably the biggest betting event of the year. Between DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Fanatics, bet365 and Caesars, there’s a betting opportunity for all. New users can also stack promotions across multiple books before deciding which sportsbook best fits their betting style. Don’t settle on just one — claim as many offers as possible to maximize your bonus value, then stick with the book that feels right for you. Here are the best Super Bowl betting sites you can use for 2026. DraftKings Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict FanDuel Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict BetMGM Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Fanatics Sportsbook Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict bet365 Overview Welcome Bonus Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Caesars Overview Welcome Bonus Why It’s Great for Super Bowl Betting Standout Features Verdict Best Super Bowl Betting Promos & Welcome Offers Like with many websites in general, there are incentives just for signing up. If you create accounts at these popular sports gambling sites, usually you will get some form of welcome offer. Let's check out the options. DraftKings: Bet $5, Get $300 If Your Bet Wins New DraftKings customers can bet $5 and get $100 instantly. The instant credit gives you immediate flexibility, and adds strong football-season value. Deposit at least $10, place a $5 qualifying wager (minimum odds often -500 or longer), and the bonus bets arrive right away. This is a Bet & Get offer; bonus bets typically expire in 7 days and only winnings are withdrawable. FanDuel: Bet $5, Win, Get $150 in Bonus Bets Place a $5 first cash wager and, if it wins, you’ll receive $150 in Bonus Bets if Your Bet Wins. No promo code is needed. This suits bettors who already like a favorite and want extra upside on a small first play. Deposit $5 or more, place your first $5+ cash bet, and if it wins FanDuel credits the bonus (usually within about 72 hours). This is a Bet & Get (win-triggered) offer; bonus bets generally expire in 7 days, and only bonus winnings can be withdrawn. BetMGM: First Bet Offer up to $1,500 paid back in Bonus Bets if your first wager loses With BetMGM, your first wager is protected up to $1,500 with promo code FOXSPORTS. If it loses, BetMGM refunds you in bonus bets. No promo code is required in-app. This "safety net" is ideal if you want to take a bigger first swing with less downside. Deposit at least $10, place your first cash bet of $10+, and if it loses you’ll get a refund in bonus bets (bets $50+ are typically split into five equal tokens; <$50 returns as one token). This is a First-Bet Safety Net; bonus bets usually expire in 7 days and only winnings are withdrawable. bet365: Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (win or lose) Bet365’s welcome is simple: wager $10 and get $200 in Bonus Bets, win or lose with promo code FOX365. The low qualifier and outcome-independent credit make this one of the easiest ways to get started. Deposit $10+ and place a $5+ qualifying bet to unlock the bonus after settlement. This is a Bet & Get offer; bonus bets typically expire in 7 days, only the winnings can be withdrawn, and a minimum-odds requirement applies (often -500 or longer). Fanatics: Get a 100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days. Fanatics often runs Bet & Get structured promotions, such as a daily match on bets (e.g. Get a 100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days.)— though the specific Indiana offer must be confirmed. Sign up today. Caesars: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers with Code 'FOXDYW' The Caesars Sportsbook promo code FOXDYW allows new users to bet $1 and double their winnings on their next 10 wagers with 10 × 100% Profit Boost tokens. Check it out here. Popular Super Bowl Betting Markets There are multiple ways to bet on the Super Bowl that involve the score of the game, player statistics and even Gatorade bath color. Let's take a look at a few major betting markets. Moneyline & Point Spread A moneyline bet is the simplest form of wagering — you’re just picking which side will win the game outright, disregarding the score. The odds determine how much money you will make. Heading into the Super Bowl, there will be a favorite and an underdog. A heavy favorite might only return a small profit, while backing the underdog can lead to more money if they pull off the upset. The point spread is the expected final score difference between two teams. If the spread is 3 points, you'll see that as both -3 and +3. The team that is favored to win the Super Bowl gets the minus-number (-3); the underdog gets the plus-number (+3). If the favorite is -3, that means it must win by more than three points to cover the spread. If the underdog is +3, that means it must lose by fewer than three points or win outright to cover the spread. Totals (Over/Under) An Over/Under bet, also called a total, is a wager on the combined number of points, runs, or goals scored in a game. So for the Super Bowl, the sportsbook sets a line, and bettors choose whether the final score will go over (more than the posted total) or under (less than the posted total). Player Props A player prop bet is a wager on an outcome other than the final score, like player stats in the Super Bowl. Examples include: Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) A same-game parlay (SGP) is a wager in which you bet on multiple outcomes occurring from one specific game. Unlike a traditional parlay, SGPs focus solely on events within this one specific game, such as the Super Bowl. A bettor could wager on the moneyline, spread and how many passing TDs for a quarterback in the Super Bowl on a single betting slip. Novelty Props Novelty props are wagers that don't always relate directly to the outcome of the game. Examples include: Super Bowl Live Betting Sites Live betting (also called in-play betting) is just that: instead of betting before the game, you are actually gambling as the game is going on. This kind of gambling is prominent in the Super Bowl because of the high viewership, frequent stoppages, and dynamic odds changes. Examples of live betting include wagering on the next scoring play, updated point spreads, or quarter/half totals. The benefits of live betting include reacting to game flow, hedging and capitalizing on momentum shifts, and potential drawbacks include fast-moving odds and risk of impulsive bets. Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!

2026 NFL International Series: All 9 Matchups in the Record-Setting Slate

Wed, 13 May 2026 10:28:23 -0400

If you're looking to catch every NFL international game in person in 2026, then hopefully you have your passport ready to go. The league announced all nine NFL International Series games on Wednesday, which will mark the most international games the league has played in a single season. With more games being played internationally than ever, there are also a few places that will host an NFL game that have never hosted an NFL game before. Australia, Rio de Janeiro and France will all host their first NFL games in 2026. The first international game will take place in Week 1, while the last will be held in Week 11. And half of the league's teams will play an international game in 2026, as two teams will play two games outside the country. So, here's a full look at the nine games that will be a part of the NFL's international slate in 2026. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will begin the NFL's international slate for the 2026 season in Week 1, playing in the league's first game in Australia. The game, which will be played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, has unique timing, though. It'll kick off at around 10:35 a.m. in Melbourne on Friday, Sept. 11. That means the game will begin on Thursday, Sept. 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET. It's a rare divisional matchup that'll be played overseas, but it just means the stakes will be higher. Both the 49ers and Rams contended for the NFC West title late into the season in 2025, with Los Angeles reaching the NFC Championship Game. Heading into 2026, each team figures to contend for the NFC West crown again as the Rams are currently the Super Bowl favorites. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will play in the NFL's first game in Rio de Janeiro on Sunday, Sept. 27. It actually marks the third game the NFL has played in Brazil, though, as the league had Week 1 matchups at São Paulo's Corinthians Arena in each of the last two seasons. While both teams missed the playoffs in 2025, both the Ravens and Cowboys are playoff hopefuls who've had eventful offseasons. Baltimore made a coaching change, hiring Jesse Minter to replace long-time head coach John Harbaugh. Dallas, meanwhile, made a handful of moves on defense, including the selection of Ohio State safety Caleb Downs in the NFL Draft. Of course, this game will also feature two of the league's top quarterbacks, with Lamar Jackson and Dak Prescott going head-to-head. The Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will play the first of the NFL's three games in London in 2026. This matchup will take place at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 4. Both the Colts and Commanders are seeking to bounce back from campaigns in 2025 that were derailed by injuries. Indianapolis actually had the inside track to win the AFC South for much of the season, but quarterback Daniel Jones tore his Achilles late in the year. Washington, meanwhile, will have quarterback Jayden Daniels back as it hopes to reach the status it was at in 2024, when it reached the NFC Championship Game. This will mark the first of two games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in London this season, playing the Philadelphia Eagles at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 11. Both the Eagles and Jaguars made the postseason in 2025. Philadelphia has been a mainstay postseason contender since 2021, but Jacksonville had a surprise year in 2025, going 13-4 in Liam Coen's first year as head coach. The Jaguars will be the designated home team again when they play in London for a second straight week in Week 6. However, their matchup against the Houston Texans will take place at Wembley Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 18. While the Jaguars have played back-to-back games in England twice before, this will be the first time they've had two designated home games in London in the same season. It's also just the second time that they'll face a division rival in an international game, facing the Texans in London in 2019. This matchup could have major postseason implications, as the Jaguars and Texans finished first and second, respectively, in the AFC South last season. The two teams split the 2025 season series. The NFL is heading to France for the first time ever in 2026. The Pittsburgh Steelers will take on the New Orleans Saints at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday, Oct. 25. Pittsburgh might be led by quarterback Aaron Rodgers as he remains unsigned, although most have speculated that he'll be the Steelers' starting quarterback again in 2026. New Orleans, meanwhile, will be led by second-year quarterback Tyler Shough, who helped the Saints go on a four-game win streak late last season. The Saints made sure to build around him over the offseason as well, adding running back Travis Ettiene and wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. The NFL's second-ever game in Madrid will feature a pair of exciting offenses. The Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Atlanta Falcons in Spain on Sunday, Nov. 8. This will be Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow's first international game, as Cincinnati hasn't had an international game since 2019. As for the Falcons, they played the Indianapolis Colts in Germany last season. Will Michael Penix Jr. be starting for the Falcons this time around, or will newcomer Tua Tagovailoa have the starting job? The New England Patriots and Detroit Lions will go head-to-head at FC Bayern Munich Stadium in Munich on Sunday, Nov. 15. It's the third game the league has played in Munich. For New England, this will actually be its second trip to Germany. The Patriots faced the Colts in Frankfurt in 2023. It'll also mark the Patriots' third international game in four seasons, facing the Jaguars in London during the 2024 season. As for the Lions, this will be their first international game since 2015. This will also mark just the eighth time that one of the Super Bowl participants from the previous season will be in an international game since the league started to regularly play international games in 2007. New England is seeking to get back to the Super Bowl in 2026 after losing to the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX as part of its surprise 2025 season. Detroit, meanwhile, is hoping its 2025 season was a one-off. The Lions went 9-8 in 2025, missing the playoffs for the first time in three years and establishing themselves as a Super Bowl contender in the two seasons prior. The NFL's international series for the 2026 season will conclude when the Minnesota Vikings take on the San Francisco 49ers at Estadio Azteca on Sunday, Nov. 22. It marks the first game that the NFL has played in Mexico since 2022, which also featured the 49ers. On top of that, San Francisco will also become the first team to play two international games in nonconsecutive games in NFL history. As for Minnesota, this will mark the third straight season it has played an international game. It actually played in two international games last season as well, playing the Pittsburgh Steelers in Dublin, Ireland, before facing the Cleveland Browns in London, England.

2026-27 NFL Odds: Why Caleb Williams is a Nightmare for Sportsbooks

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:52:04 -0400

Caleb Williams took a major leap in his second NFL season, thriving during his first year under head coach Ben Johnson. Williams threw for 3,942 yards, 27 touchdowns and just seven interceptions while leading the Chicago Bears to an 11-6 record, an NFC North title and their first playoff win since 2011. He also established himself as one of the NFL’s most clutch quarterbacks, leading the league with seven game-winning drives in 2025 (tied with Bo Nix). That included six regular-season comebacks and a dramatic wild-card win over the Green Bay Packers. And because of that breakout, bettors are already piling in on the former No. 1 overall pick heading into Year 3. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. According to BetMGM NFL insights, Williams has emerged as the biggest liability in the MVP market, drawing 11.8% of all tickets and 13.5% of the total handle. The former Heisman Trophy winner currently sits at +1400, tied with reigning MVP Matthew Stafford for the eighth-best odds. He still trails a loaded group at the top, including Josh Allen (+550), Lamar Jackson (+650) and Patrick Mahomes (+1000), along with Justin Herbert (+1000), Joe Burrow (+1000), Drake Maye (+1100) and Dak Prescott (+1300). On a recent episode of "The Herd," Colin Cowherd echoed what many bettors are already signaling. "To me, Caleb Williams is the No. 1 preseason MVP, Josh Allen at No. 2," Cowherd said. "A lot of it is, and nothing against Joe Brady, but he's not Ben Johnson. So I think he (Caleb) should be the favorite. Some guys are more fun to watch and easier to vote for." Despite the public heavily backing Williams, history tells a different story, considering no quarterback has ever won MVP in their third NFL season. As the reigning 2025 NFC North champions, the Bears will face first-place teams from the other NFC divisions. Chicago enters 2026 with the sixth-hardest strength of schedule in the entire NFL. At age 24, Williams looks to become the youngest MVP since Jackson back in 2019.

2026-27 NFL Odds: How Will JSN Follow Up Historic Season?

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:50:43 -0400

Last season, Jaxon Smith-Njigba officially became that dude. For years, Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase were seen as the game's greatest pass-catchers — but JSN crashed that party by putting up a league-leading and Seattle Seahawks record 1,793 receiving yards during the 2025-26 campaign. He also won Offensive Player of the Year, and his team won the Super Bowl. What a season for the 24-year-old. So, how will he follow that up? Let's see what DraftKings Sportsbooks expects out of JSN as of May 8. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Regular-season receiving yards Over 999.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total)Under 999.5: -110 (bet $10 to win $19.09 total) Only 1,000 yards? Seems … underwhelming. Last season was JSN's third. As a rookie, he put up 628 yards, and in his sophomore year, he put up 1,130. He's never been unavailable for a game in his career. In addition, those 1,793 yards from last season were the eighth-most receiving yards in a single season in NFL history. Only 15 players in the history of the game have crossed the 1,700-yard mark in a single year (Tyreek Hill did it twice). So, again, why such a low number? Maybe the books are just being safe. Or, maybe it's this: Of the 15 players that have crossed the 1,700-yard mark in a single season, 11 of them have had at least 400 fewer yards the following season. The only two who haven't had a major dip are Hill (1,710, then 1,799 the next season) and Chase (1,708, then 1,412 the next season). And then there are JSN and Puka Nacua, who both crossed 1,700 last season, meaning we haven't seen their follow-up numbers.

5 Storylines to Watch in Thanksgiving Eagles-Cowboys Matchup on FOX

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:12:43 -0400

Don't plan to eat too much on Thanksgiving this year, or else you might sleep through one of the biggest matchups of the 2026 NFL regular season. The Dallas Cowboys will play host to the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day (Nov. 26) on FOX and the FOX One app, the network announced on Monday, adding a holiday bonus to one of the NFL's best divisional rivalries. The matchup should be among the most-watched NFL games this upcoming season, given the holiday window and the fact that it features two of the NFL's most popular teams. But it should promise to be a thrilling battle between a recent Super Bowl champion and a playoff hopeful, as both games between the Eagles and Cowboys last season were decided by one score. So, as we begin the countdown to the thrilling Thanksgiving matchup, here are five storylines to watch in Eagles-Cowboys with more than six months until kickoff at AT&T Stadium in Arlington. Dallas didn't have many big wins last season, going 7-9-1, and six of those victories came against teams that finished 6-11 or worse. The lone exception? A late November home game against Philadelphia. This one was four days before Thanksgiving, where the Cowboys rallied from a 21-0 deficit — and down 21-7 with three minutes left in the third quarter — for a 24-21 win over their NFC East rivals. Dak Prescott threw for two touchdowns and ran for a third in the comeback, capped by Brandon Aubrey's 42-yard field goal as time expired. The 21-point comeback matched the largest in Cowboys history. The Eagles were 8-2 before that loss, and it started a three-game losing streak. They'd still win the division, but lost in the wild-card round to the 49ers. The Cowboys would beat the Kansas City Chiefs the following week on Thanksgiving, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive at the time. But they then lost four of the final five games to miss the playoffs. The Cowboys' defense was abysmal last year, giving up a league-high 30.1 points per game and the most passing yards and second-most overall yards per play. That led to the firing of defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, and the Cowboys hired Eagles defensive backs coach and passing game coordinator Christian Parker. Parker was a part of a Philadelphia coaching staff that helped the Eagles finish fifth in points allowed a year ago, and was also in that same role when they won the Super Bowl in 2024. Parker's departure from the Eagles was big enough that the likes of Cooper DeJean shared their sadness in his decision to leave for a division rival. Parker, who is only 34, is considered to be one of the top, young-minded assistants in the game, and he's now tasked with getting the Cowboys' defense back on track. The team gave him some reinforcements this offseason, too. They traded for former Green Bay Packers edge rusher Rashan Gary before selecting Ohio State safety Caleb Downs and UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. The selections were widely praised, particularly the Downs pick. If Parker can find success in turning around the Dallas defense, a head coaching job might not be far off. An easy way to prove his qualifications would be to slow down Philadelphia's offense on Thanksgiving Day. Jalen Hurts lost his first two starts against the Cowboys, but he's 4-2 since then, with only one interception thrown in his last 185 passes against Dallas. He's even better as a scrambler, though. Hurts has rushed for two touchdowns in each of his last three games against Dallas, and since he took over as Philadelphia's full-time starting quarterback in 2021, he has seven rushing scores against the division rival. The next closest player in that span is new Houston Texans running back David Montgomery, who has four rushing touchdowns since 2021. Being a division rival gives Hurts more chances, but he's the only quarterback with multiple 50-yard rushing games against the Cowboys over the last five seasons as well. Even if wide receiver A.J. Brown is traded next month as expected, the Eagles will have a much more potent passing game built around Hurts. They traded up with the Cowboys to take first-round pick Makai Lemon, a receiver from USC, after trading for Packers wide receiver Dontayvion Wicks. They also added Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore in free agency to go with star DeVonta Smith. On top of that, the Eagles added a receiving threat to their tight ends room, drafting Vanderbilt's Eli Stowers to pair with veteran Dallas Goedert. Philadelphia is 6-1 all-time in Thanksgiving games, and that .857 winning percentage is the best among NFL teams with more than two such games in its team's history. The Eagles haven't played on Thanksgiving since 2015, though. That game featured their lone Thanksgiving loss, falling 45-14 to the Detroit Lions. But a year earlier, the Eagles played a Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys in Dallas, picking up a commanding 33-10 win. LeSean McCoy rushed for 159 yards and a touchdown that day, giving Philadelphia a one-game lead on Dallas in the NFC East. The two teams would meet again 17 days later, with Dallas winning the rematch. The Cowboys would win their last four games of the season and the Eagles would lose their next three, so it was Dallas that won the division at 12-4 and Philadelphia that missed the playoffs at 10-6. Dallas and Detroit are annual Thanksgiving hosts, and the Cowboys are 35-22-1 in their history on Thanksgiving — that's a .612 winning percentage, compared to .571 overall in their history. The Cowboys have beaten the Eagles in seven of the last eight meetings in Arlington, with the lone Philadelphia win coming in 2024. Dallas has averaged a ridiculous 34.4 points per game in those seven wins. That's pretty remarkable considering that the Eagles have given up 37 or more points just six times since December 2020, but four of those are against the Cowboys, and three of them were at AT&T Stadium. Prescott has played long enough that he has basically an entire season of games against the Eagles. He's 10-5 against the Cowboys' rival, with 3,944 passing yards, 26 touchdown passes and just nine interceptions. It's reasonable to think Prescott will finish 2026 with the third-most career touchdowns of any NFL quarterback against the Eagles, passing Kirk Cousins (28) and trailing only Sonny Jurgensen (33) and Eli Manning (54).

2026 NFL Odds: Giants Open as Underdogs vs. Cowboys in John Harbaugh's Debut

Mon, 11 May 2026 15:02:39 -0400

It is officially NFL schedule release week. On Thursday, fans will finally learn every NFL team’s full 18-week regular season schedule. However, the league has already started unveiling some of the season’s biggest matchups ahead of the official release. The NFL previously announced that the 49ers and Rams will meet in the league’s historic first-ever game in Australia to open their season. Additionally, the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys are set to face off in the NFL’s inaugural game in Rio de Janeiro in Week 3. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Now, the league has officially revealed another marquee matchup: the Week 1 Sunday Night Football opener between two of the NFL’s most historic franchises, the Cowboys and New York Giants. With the announcement now official, opening odds for the game have already been posted by DraftKings Sportsbook as of May 11. Cowboys @ Giants (Week 1) Spread Cowboys -1.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)Giants +1.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total) Moneyline Cowboys: -130 (bet $10 to win $17.69 total)Giants: +110 (bet $10 to win $21 total) Total O 47.5: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)U 47.5: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total) The spotlight for this matchup immediately falls on John Harbaugh, who will make his Giants debut in primetime against one of the franchise’s biggest rivals. The longtime Ravens head coach was hired by New York in January after spending 18 seasons in Baltimore and now takes over a Giants team looking to turn the page after back-to-back last place finishes in the NFC East and just seven total wins over the past two seasons. Meanwhile, Dallas enters 2026 with major changes of its own. After allowing an NFL worst 30.1 points per game last season while also ranking last in pass defense and 30th in total defense, the Cowboys completely revamped that side of the ball by hiring former Philadelphia Eagles assistant Christian Parker as defensive coordinator. Dallas also made several key offseason additions, including using its first-round pick on star safety Caleb Downs. Both teams are expected to take significant steps forward in 2026, with the Cowboys’ season win total set at 9.5 and the Giants’ at 7.5. This matchup will mark the eighth time since 2012 that the NFC East rivals have met in a season opener. The Cowboys have dominated those games, winning six of the past seven Week 1 matchups against the Giants. The question now becomes whether John Harbaugh can change that narrative and start his Giants tenure with a statement win. Bettors will have the entire summer to think about it.

Sound Smart: 4 Observations on the Latest NFL Storylines

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:33:51 -0400

It’s hope season, when everyone’s team could win the Super Bowl. That hope will only grow from here — all the way up until fans face reality in Week 1 of the 2026 season. For now, this is the first phase of best-shape-of-his-life season. NFL players will soon report to minicamp and some have already reported to OTAs. Rookies have, for the most part, completed their rookie minicamps. And so, if you ask the coaches, every player is in incredible shape — "the best shape of his life." This is "Sound Smart," where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what really happened over the past week of the NFL offseason. 1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW, IT’S … Aaron Rodgers is back to his same old stuff. Aaron Rodgers was supposed to sign this weekend. He reportedly was going to be in Pittsburgh to meet with the Steelers to work out a deal to play his 22nd NFL season. But according to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he hasn't yet met with the team, though his agent may have had some discussions. In any case, there is still no deal coming out of the weekend. Which is just so classic for Rodgers. He has a habit of not doing what everyone expects him to do. Everyone thought he'd finally sign this weekend. He didn't. And so we're in another holding pattern — waiting for Rodgers. It's like this every offseason, with the QB dragging out the process and creating uncertainty, like he did with the New York Jets and like he did last year with the Steelers and is doing now with the Steelers. It's just more of the same from Rodgers. And this is what Pittsburgh should've expected: a long wait. Meanwhile, the Steelers have an offense that’s ready to hum. There’s a nice infusion of experience and youth, like at receiver with veterans DK Metcalf and Michael Pittman Jr. and rookie Germie Bernard. At tight end, there’s up-and-comer Darnell Washington and proven producer Pat Freiermuth. At running back, there’s incumbent starter Jaylen Warren and newcomer Rico Dowdle. The offensive line has plenty of talent, even if it’s not exactly clear yet who will start where. All those guys are waiting for Rodgers. And in all likelihood, he'll show up — like he always does — in time for training camp. But just because that has happened in the past doesn’t mean it’s going to happen again. And the situation got a little murky when new Arizona Cardinals head coach Mike LaFleur refused to rule out the possibility of adding Rodgers. "We’re focused on the guys coming in," LaFleur said on the "Jim Rome Show" last week. "We’ve got a [QB] room that we’re excited to work with, and that’s solely where our focus is." It’s not a yes. It’s not a no. Rodgers is a free agent. He can sign wherever. The Cardinals, like the Steelers, selected a quarterback in the draft. Arizona snagged former Miami QB Carson Beck to work underneath journeymen Jacoby Brissett and Gardner Minshew. Rodgers could easily show up and be QB1 for the Cardinals. And of course, he could easily leave the Steelers at the altar. No one wants to see Mason Rudolph again, but he's the one who would probably start if Rodgers doesn’t return to Pittsburgh. The Steelers also have Will Howard, a sixth-rounder last year, and rookie Drew Allar, a developmental prospect who landed in the third round this year. I think Allar has a lot of potential, but the team would probably like to sit him for a full year. All that makes Rodgers a crucial part of Pittsburgh's plan. And as long as Rodgers is out there — undecided — the Steelers are hanging in limbo. They are essentially committed to him, even if he hasn’t officially committed to them. That’s how it always goes with Rodgers. But it's at this time of year that I always wonder: Why did the Steelers sign up for this — again? Why did Pittsburgh want more of this? Rodgers isn't anything more than a bridge quarterback at this point. He isn't what he was. And yet teams talk themselves into another year with the guy. When they do, this is how he repays them. 2. BUY & SELL BUY: Saints QB Tyler Shough Not only was he a pleasant surprise in his rookie season, he also saw the team throw an enormous amount of support behind him during the offseason. New Orleans added RB Travis Etienne and guard David Edwards. The Saints then drafted receivers Jordyn Tyson and Bryce Lance and tight end Oscar Delp. Second-year head coach Kellen Moore is not hesitating to build out a core of playmakers in New Orleans. Shough should play point guard in the middle of it all. SELL: Browns QB Shedeur Sanders If Deshaun Watson has the advantage in the QB competition, then something has gone very, very wrong for Sanders. And if Sanders can’t make things work in Cleveland this year, he might be out of the league by 2028 — and maybe even 2027. BUY: Vikings edge Dallas Turner Minnesota traded Jonathan Greenard, and given the fact that he had 12 or more sacks in 2023 and 2024, the Vikings did it in a relatively quiet way, netting a third-rounder in a package during the draft. That felt like a real show of support of one of the league’s quickly ascending players in Turner. The Vikings also drafted a pair of defensive tackles to work with Turner and help take away some of the attention. It should be a big year for the young edge player. SELL: Cowboys edge Donovan Ezeiruaku Ezeiruaku figures to get more playing time in 2026, but only because the Cowboys did little to bring in competition. In his final five games of the 2025 season, Ezeiruaku managed just 11 pressures. On the season, he finished with two sacks, and he played the most snaps among the Cowboys' defensive ends. It was a staggering lack of production for a defense that desperately needed edge help. BUY: Eagles WR Makai Lemon With A.J. Brown likely leaving town and the Eagles (yet again) installing a new offensive system, Philly must have targeted USC All-American Lemon in the draft with a role in mind for OC Sean Mannion's offense. That’s why you trade up for a player you love (which is what the Eagles did). Lemon might have the most catches of any rookie receiver. SELL: Browns WR Jerry Jeudy The Browns drafted receiver KC Concepcion in the first round and then took receiver Denzel Boston in the second round. Cleveland just hired coach Todd Monken, whose background is in offense. When there’s a new crop of skill players and a new coach, those new guys are often going to get every opportunity to succeed. And that means the veteran Jeudy likely will not. BUY: Lions WR Isaac TeSlaa Remember when the Lions traded three third-round picks to move up and get TeSlaa? They loved him in the draft last year. And while he didn’t see crazy volume as a rookie, he had a touchdown on nearly half of his catches. His stat line was 16 receptions for 239 yards and six touchdowns. There’s something there. I bet the Lions try to get more out of him this year. SELL: Saints TE Juwan Johnson I just listed all of Shough’s playmakers and — if I’m being honest — I forgot to mention Johnson. He has, for a long time, seemed like a player on the verge of a breakout year. And he finally got it in 2025. Unfortunately, his successor arrived in the draft (Delp) and the team brought in more pass-catchers to eat into Johnson’s workload. It looks like it’s downhill from here for Johnson. BUY: Commanders RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt This dude was supposed to be the next big thing at running back in Washington, especially after Austin Ekeler went down with an injury. The Commanders, however, refused to trust Croskey-Merritt with a sizable workload. But even with Washington throwing darts at running back — adding Rachaad White, Jerome Ford and rookie Kaytron Allen — I think Croskey-Merritt is the most talented, by far. Talent should win, especially in that group of ho-hum RBs. 3. HE SAID WHAT!? "We kind of viewed him as a problem, not a prototype." Buccaneers edge Rueben Bain Jr. took one of the draft’s most notable slides. Early in the process, he looked like a potential top-five pick — and then his arm length measured shorter than anticipated. At that point, he looked like a top-10 draft choice — but then news broke that he was involved in a 2024 car accident in which a person later died. Whether because of those factors or not, Bain landed at No. 15 to the Bucs. A tough draft day, however, can lead to a long career. Bain is a sensational fit for the Todd Bowles defense in Tampa. "Everybody's got a prototype. And we kind of viewed him as a problem, not a prototype," Bucs GM Jason Licht told "The Pat McAfee Show." "I’ve seen that movie and it’s called: ‘A.Q. Shipley playing a decade in the league.’ Rueben’s arms are a lot longer than A.Q.’s, too — probably by about five inches. … We just saw him as a game wrecker at the college [level]." Bain was a full-time player at Miami, where he had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss last season. He also added an interception for good measure. He’ll likely settle right into a starting role alongside defensive tackle Vita Vea and emerging pass-rusher Yaya Diaby. During the pre-draft process, I spoke with Bain about how much he played in his final college season on the path to the national championship game. "Just want to be on the field at all times," Bain told me. He should get the chance to do just that in Week 1. Consider him a legitimate option to win Defensive Rookie of the Year. [2026 NFL Draft Superlatives: Who Wins OROY, DROY? Biggest Steal? Best Upside?] 4. OFFSEASON ODDITY The NFL and the officials have a new collective bargaining agreement, and fans should be absolutely thrilled. I don’t blame you for not paying attention to the officiating negotiations with the NFL. I don’t blame you if this is the first you’ve heard of it. Labor disputes don’t make for the most compelling news, particularly when the players aren’t involved. But the NFL and the NFLRA have agreed to a deal that will keep the officials on the field for 2026 and beyond. The NFL product is vastly better when it has its officiating teams in place. Some may remember just how badly and quickly things fell apart in 2012 when the officials staged a lockout. Infamously, that was the year of the "Fail Mary," where a game ended on a Hail Mary catch that, on the field, one official called incomplete at the same time another official called the play a catch. The touchdown counted, and the Seahawks beat the Packers 14-12. But it was a messy controversy, and the clearest example that the NFL needed its officials back on the field. That’s because the fill-in officials came from all sorts of backgrounds, including the high school level. The training wasn’t enough to prepare them for the NFL game. And their experience came from a version of the game that was much, much slower than the NFL’s product. Bottom line is, this was a massive win for fans. The current officials might not always get it right, but they are — without a doubt — the best referees out there. The NFL is lucky to have them back for years to come.

Best NFL Betting Sites: Top Sportsbook Apps (2026)

Mon, 11 May 2026 10:11:21 -0400

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. We’ve assembled a list of the seven best NFL betting sites to target during the offseason and ahead of the upcoming draft. This guide is built to help you find the right NFL sportsbook for your approach — whether you prioritize early draft odds, competitive futures pricing, strong promotional incentives, deep prop menus or a streamlined mobile app. Compare our top picks and choose the platform that aligns with how you like to bet. With offseason storylines driving movement across draft position markets, win totals and long-term futures, sportsbook selection matters more than ever. Having the right NFL betting app can give you an edge year-round, from early offseason betting through kickoff and the Super Bowl. Best NFL Betting Sites & Mobile Apps - Sportsbook Reviews Here’s a quick overview of our top picks for NFL betting sites and apps and what each platform does best: BetMGM Sportsbook - Best Overall NFL Betting Site Overview:BetMGM is nicknamed "King of Sportsbooks" and backs it up by offering one of the widest selections of NFL betting markets. One area where BetMGM stands out is its unmatched range of player props, offering bets on niche season-wide and single-game player stats. Pros: Cons: BetMGM NFL Betting Features & Promotions: BetMGM NFL Sign-up Bonus: Get a $50 BetMGM Reward Points Bonus + $1500 Back in Bonus Bets, If Your First Bet Doesn't Win with Code ‘FOXSPORTS’ Available States:AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, ME, MI, NC, NJ, NY, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:BetMGM is our top recommended NFL sportsbook app thanks to its deep market selection, innovative features like the Edit My Bet tool, and boosted odds for big games. The variety of props lets you play exactly how you want to. FanDuel Sportsbook – Best NFL Betting Mobile App Overview: The FanDuel app is one of the easiest-to-use platforms. It is optimized for NFL betting and has easy navigation between game lines, props, and parlay options. It is the gold standard for U.S. Sportsbooks. Fast, reliable, well-designed. Biometric login (Face ID / Touch ID), dark mode and geolocation tools for legal state access. Pros: Cons: FanDuel NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Current FanDuel Promo Offer for New Users: Bet $5 and Get $150 If Your Bet Wins Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, VT, WV, WY + DC & PR Why We Recommend it:This is the easiest app to use as a new bettor. It couldn't be simpler to use its interface, including learning how to place bets directly from your phone. The access to same-game parlays on the app is quick, and everything you would need is easy to find. bet365 – Best NFL Odds & Early Payout Overview: bet365 is a global heavyweight known for sharp pricing and outstanding in-play options. For NFL bettors, its Early Payout stands out: straight moneyline bets are settled as winners if your team goes 17 points ahead at any time. Pros: Cons: bet365 NFL Betting Features & Promotions: bet365 NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $10, Get $200 in Bonus Bets (win or lose) Minimum $10 deposit required. Minimum odds -500 of greater. Bonus Bets wager excluded from returns. New customers only. T&CS, time limits and exclusions apply. Available States:AZ, CO, IL, IN, IA, KS, KA, KY, LA, MD, MO, NJ, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA Why We Recommend it:If you value sharp NFL odds and a safety buffer against blown leads, bet365’s pricing and Early Payout are hard to beat. DraftKings – Best NFL Sportsbook Promotions Overview:DraftKings pairs a deep NFL menu with fast pricing and one of the most aggressive new-user packages during football season. For 2026, new customers get $100 in bonus bets instantly after a $5 wager. Pros: Cons: DraftKings NFL Betting Features & Promotions: DraftKings NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $5 and Get $100 in Bonus Bets Instantly Available States:AZ, CO, CT, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MO, NH, NJ, NY, NC, OH, OR, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you want quick bonus value and football-centric perks, DraftKings’ NFL promo stack is one of the strongest this season. Caesars – Best NFL Betting Rewards Program Overview:Caesars combines a clean NFL menu with Caesars Rewards tier credits on eligible wagers. The current welcome focuses on profit boosts that double your winnings on many small tickets right after you join. Pros: Cons: Caesars NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Caesars NFL Sign-up Bonus: Bet $1, Double Your Winnings Your Next 10 Wagers with Code 'FOXDYW' Available States:AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MI, MO, NV, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you like spreading value across multiple NFL bets and earning hotel/entertainment rewards, Caesars delivers on both. Fanatics Sportsbook – Most Unique Loyalty Rewards Overview:Fanatics leans into FanCash, letting you convert rewards into bonus bets or merchandise. During football season, the book features repeated no-sweat style protections that refund losses in FanCash. Pros: Cons: Fanatics NFL Betting Features & Promotions: Fanatics NFL Sign-up Bonus: Get a 100% bet match up to $100 in FanCash for 10 days Available States:AZ, CO, CT, IN, IL, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, WY Why We Recommend it:If you want repeated protection and flexible rewards you can recycle into bets or gear, Fanatics’ FanCash model is uniquely valuable. theScore Bet – Best New NFL Betting Site Overview:theScore Bet offers a clean, content-driven sportsbook experience built directly into theScore app, making it especially appealing for users who already follow live scores, stats, and news. Its streamlined interface and integrated media experience create a seamless transition from consuming sports content to placing NFL bets. Pros: Cons: theScore Bet NFL Betting Features & Promotions: theScore Bet NFL Welcome Bonus: Bet & Get $1,000 Bet Reset Available States:AZ, CO, DC, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, MD, MA, MI, MO, NJ, NY, NC, OH, PA, TN, VA, WV Why We Recommend it:theScore Bet stands out for its seamless integration with sports content, making it one of the easiest platforms to use for NFL betting. If you already use theScore app to follow games, it offers one of the most natural and frictionless betting experiences available. NFL Betting App User Reviews NFL Live-Betting Apps Live betting lets you place wagers after kickoff, with odds that update in real time based on the score, clock, drives, and injuries. You’ll see changing lines for moneylines, spreads, totals, player props, and drive or quarter markets. Football’s stop-start rhythm creates frequent pricing pauses, so sportsbooks can refresh odds between plays, drives, and quarters. That gives bettors many decision points throughout the game. Live-betting essentially allows you to double down, hedge bets and capitalize on slow starts. Best Sportsbooks for Live Betting NFL Sportsbook Welcome Bonuses A welcome bonus is a new-customer offer that gives you extra value when you open an account and place an initial wager. Sportsbooks use these bonuses to attract first-time users, help you try the app with lower risk, and encourage you to explore more markets. Below we'll go into the two most common types: "Bet & Get" and "First-Bet Safety Net" bonuses. NFL Bet & Get Bonus In this offer, you make a low-bar qualifying bet, then receive bonus bets regardless of outcome. It’s great if you want instant value without risking a big first wager. Use a quick-settling market to unlock the offer fast, then deploy the bonus bets on lines you actually like—totals, player props, or a small underdog flyer. Remember, a bonus-bet stake usually isn’t returned, only the winnings. For example, let's say you place a $5 qualifying wager on the Eagles moneyline for Week 1. Win or lose, you’re credited $200 in bonus bets (often split into four $50 tokens). If you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Cowboys +120 and it wins, you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). Repeat with the remaining tokens before they expire to maximize value. FanDuel, DraftKings, and bet365 all offer this type bonus. NFL First-Bet Safety Net Bonus In this offer, you take one swing. If it wins, great—you keep the profit and the promo is done. If it loses, you get bonus bets back. This can be useful for a plus-money side or a bigger confidence play. Let's say you place your first cash wager for $250 on the 49ers -2.5 (-110). If it loses, you’re refunded $250 in bonus bets (often split into five $50 tokens) that expire in about a week; if it wins, there’s no refund and the promo ends. Say you then use one $50 bonus bet on the Ravens +120 and it wins—you profit $60 (the $50 bonus stake isn’t returned). BetMGM, Caesars, Fanatics, and bet365 all offer this bonus. Popular NFL Betting Markets Here are the most popular NFL betting markets you’ll see every week, from simple picks to deeper player angles. Use this quick overview to decide when to play spreads, moneylines, totals, props, same-game parlays, and futures. Moneyline & Point Spreads A moneyline is a bet on which team wins the game outright. Favorites show negative odds (e.g., -170 means risk $170 to win $100), while underdogs show positive odds (e.g., +150 means risk $100 to win $150). A point spread adds a margin the favorite must cover. The favorite is listed with a minus number (e.g., -3.5), and the underdog with a plus number (e.g., +3.5). If the Dolphins are -3.5 vs. the Jets, Miami must win by 4 or more to cover; the Jets cover by winning outright or losing by 3 or fewer. These are the two most popular NFL bets, and odds are shown in American format (like -110 on spreads and totals). Prices move throughout the week based on injuries, weather, lineup news, and betting trends, so timing your wager can matter. Totals (Over/Under) A total (Over/Under) is a bet on the combined points scored by both teams. Sportsbooks set a number, and you choose Over (more than that total) or Under (less than that total). Example: "Over/Under 47.5" means Over wins at 48+ points, Under wins at 47 or fewer. Totals move with factors like offensive and defensive form, pace of play, quarterback and key injuries, weather for outdoor games (wind, rain, extreme cold), matchups in the trenches, and coaching tendencies. Player Props Player props are bets on individual player outcomes rather than the final score. In the NFL, common examples include anytime touchdown scorer (will a player score a TD), quarterback passing yards Over/Under (e.g., Over 259.5), and receptions for a receiver or tight end (e.g., Over 5.5 catches). Same-Game Parlays (SGPs) A same-game parlay (SGP) lets you combine multiple bets from one NFL matchup into a single ticket. They’re appealing because you can personalize a game script and chase higher payouts than a single bet. For example, an Eagles vs. Cowboys SGP might include Eagles moneyline + Jalen Hurts Over 1.5 passing TDs + A.J. Brown 70+ receiving yards; the parlay wins only if all legs hit. Odds are calculated by combining each leg’s price, so payouts climb quickly. Risk also rises with every added leg, since the probability of winning drops as you stack more outcomes. Futures Futures are bets placed on long-term outcomes that settle later in the season. Popular NFL futures include Super Bowl winner, AFC/NFC champions, and season awards like MVP, Offensive/Defensive Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year. Odds move all year as teams perform, injuries occur, and markets react. Payouts are made only when the market concludes (for example, after the Super Bowl or when an award is officially announced). NFL Betting Sites & Apps FAQ (2026) What is the best NFL betting site in 2026? The best NFL betting site depends on how you like to bet. BetMGM stands out for overall market depth and player props, FanDuel is the easiest app to use, bet365 offers some of the sharpest odds with Early Payouts, and DraftKings delivers the most aggressive NFL promotions. Which sportsbook has the best Super Bowl betting odds? Sportsbooks like bet365, FanDuel, and DraftKings are known for competitive Super Bowl odds, especially on spreads, totals, and alternate lines. Odds can vary by sportsbook, so comparing lines before placing your bet can help you get the best price. Are NFL betting apps legal in the United States? Yes, NFL betting apps are legal in many U.S. states where online sports betting has been regulated. Availability depends on your location, and you must be physically present in a legal state and meet the minimum age requirement (usually 21). What is the best NFL betting app for beginners? FanDuel is often the best choice for beginners thanks to its clean layout, simple betslip, and easy access to spreads, totals, props, and same-game parlays. Caesars is another good option for new bettors who want a straightforward app with fewer distractions. Which sportsbook is best for NFL same-game parlays? DraftKings and FanDuel are the leaders for NFL same-game parlays. DraftKings’ SGP+ allows you to combine bets across multiple games, while FanDuel offers fast, intuitive SGP building directly from game pages. What is an NFL Bet & Get bonus? An NFL Bet & Get bonus lets you place a small qualifying wager (often $5 or $10), then receive bonus bets regardless of whether that bet wins or loses. The bonus bets can be used on future wagers, but typically only the winnings are withdrawable. What is a first-bet safety net or bet insurance? A first-bet safety net refunds your wager with bonus bets if your first bet loses. If the bet wins, you keep the profit and the promotion ends. This type of bonus is common at BetMGM, Caesars, and Fanatics. Which sportsbook is best for live NFL betting? bet365 is widely considered the best sportsbook for live NFL betting due to fast odds updates, deep in-play markets, and Early Payouts. FanDuel and DraftKings also offer strong live betting hubs with frequent cash-out options. Can I bet on Super Bowl player props and novelty bets? Yes. Major sportsbooks offer extensive Super Bowl player props, including passing yards, touchdowns, receptions, and anytime TD scorers. Many also post novelty bets closer to kickoff, such as halftime performance or game-related specials, depending on state rules. Gambling disclaimer: Only individuals aged 21 and over are permitted to gamble. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER. Gambling is subject to local state regulation and is illegal in some states. Please gamble responsibly – information relating to responsible gambling can be found here.

2026 NFL Free Agency Tracker: Bears Sign Former Buccaneers, Steelers Receiver

Sat, 09 May 2026 13:24:07 -0400

NFL free agency is officially open, and the deals have been fast and furious, so feel free to bookmark this page! Many players on Greg Auman's top 100 free agents list have found new homes, like running back Kenneth Walker and quarterback Malik Willis. Other notable names still have yet to sign, though, like quarterback Aaron Rodgers. Here's a closer look at some of the signings, trades and releases that have happened this offseason. [2026 NFL Free Agency: The Top 100 Players Available and Potential Fits] May 9 Details: One-year May 8 Details: Four years, $37.2 million (fully guaranteed) Details: Four years, up to $54.7 million (fully guaranteed) May 7 Details: One year, up to $13 million Details: Had one year remaining on a three-year, $30 million contract; Colts will save roughly $7 million in cap space. May 5 Details: One year, up to $6.25 million Details: One year, up to $5 million May 3 Details: TBD May 1 Details: Four-year April 30 Details: Four-year Details: One-year April 29 Details: One year, $27.3 million (fully guaranteed) Details: Three-year deal Details: One-year April 27 Details: One-year April 25 (source) Saints receive: DE Tyree Wilson and pick No. 219Raiders receive: Pick No. 150 April 24 Details: Three years, $50.3 million ($20 million guaranteed) April 21 Details: TBD April 17 (source) Falcons receive: DT Maason SmithJaguars receive: DT Ruke Orhorhoro Details: Three years, $150 million ($134 million guaranteed) April 10 Details: One year April 8 Details: One year April 3 Details: Four years, $110 million ($77 million guaranteed) April 2 Details: One year Details: One year Details: One year March 24 Details: One year Details: One year Details: One year, $6 million Details: One year Details: One year March 23 Details: Four years, $168.6 million March 20 Philadelphia receives: Picks No. 114 and 197 in the 2026 NFL DraftAtlanta receives: S Sydney Brown and picks No. 122 and 215 in the 2026 NFL Draft March 19 Details: One year Details: One year March 18 Trade Details:Eagles receive: QB Andy DaltonPanthers receive: 2027 seventh-round pick Details: One year March 17 Texans sign G Wyatt Teller Details: Two years Details: One year, up to $6.5 million March 16 Details: One year, $6 million March 15 Details: One year March 14 Details: One year, up to $6.75 million Details: One year Details: One year March 13 Details: One year Details: One year, up to $5.25 million Details: Two years, $11 million Details: One year Details: One year, up to $10 million Details: One year Details: One year, up to $3 million Details: One year Details: One year, maximum $5.5 million March 12 Details: One year Details: Two years, $28 million Details: Two years, $36 million (contract ends after 2027) Details: Two-year extension through 2028 (Brown was entering the final season of a four-year, $64.1 million deal) Details: Two years, $9.25 million March 11 Details: Two years, $23 million ($13 million guaranteed) Details: Two years, $10 million Details: TBD Details: Three years, $43.5 million (maximum $52.5 million) Details: Two years, $20 million Details: Two years, $8 million Details: Two years, $14 million Details: Two years, $10 million Details: Three years, $30 million Details: Two years, $88 million (maximum $100 million) Details: One year, $12 million Details: Four years, $112 million Details: One year, $12 million March 10 Details: Three years, $24.75 million Details: TBD Details: One year, up to $15 million Details: Three years, $33 million Details: Two years, $24 million ($20 guaranteed) Details: One year, up to $5.5 million Details: Four years, $70 million source Jets receive: QB Geno Smith and a 2026 seventh-round pickRaiders receive: 2026 sixth-round pick Details: Two years, $25 million Details: Two years, $13 million Details: One year Details: One year Details: TBD Details: One year, $5.1 million Details: Three-year extension Details: One year, up to $10 million Details: Two years, $10 million ($10.5 million maximum) March 9 Details: Three years, $42 million Details: Three years, $24.75 million ($15 million guaranteed) Details: Two years, $11 million Details: Two years, $12.25 million Details: Three years, $45 million ($25 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $31.5 million ($19 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $24 million ($16.5 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $51 million ($34.7 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $36 million ($20 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $40 million ($28 million guaranteed) Details: Four years, $100 million ($68 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $60 million Details: Three years, $36 million Details: Three years, $60.4 million Details: One year, $7 million Details: Three years, $42.5 million Details: Three years, $60 million Details: Agreed to terms Details: Three years, $45 million ($32 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $63 million ($42 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $49.5 million ($32.4 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $30 million ($21 million guaranteed) Details: Three years, $36 million Details: Four years, $70 million Details: Four years, $52 million Details: Three years, $81 million ($60 million guaranteed) Details: Two years, $12.25 million Details: Pittsburgh, Indianapolis swap late-round picks in the trade. Pittman will also receive a three-year, $59 million extension. Details: Three years, $40 million (worth up to $47.5 million) Details: Three years, $40 million Details: Agreed to terms Details: Three years, $51 million Details: Three years, $39.5 million Details: Three years, $67 million Details: Three years, $45 million Details: Four years, $116 million Details: Green Bay receives a fourth-round pick in the 2027 NFL Draft Details: Miami receives a seventh-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft Details: Two years, $12 million guaranteed Details: Three years, $33 million Details: Even with a post-June 1 release designation, Miami will take on a record $99 million in dead money March 8 Details: Three years, $33 million March 7 Details: One year, $18 million (fully guaranteed) Details: Two years, $11 million Details: Four years, $17 million ($10 million guaranteed) Details: Packers receive LB Zaire Franklin, Colts receive DT Colby Wooden Details: Three years, $78 million ($65 million guaranteed) Details: Four years, $52 million ($32 million guaranteed) March 6 Details: Baltimore sends Las Vegas two first-round picks (2026, 2027) Details: New England receives 2027 fifth-round pick from Chicago Details: Houston saves $8 million in cap space Details: Lions save $11.6 million in cap space Details: Las Vegas saves $8 million in cap space Details: Three years, $36 million March 5 Details: One year, $40.1 million Details: Two years, $8 million Details: Chicago receives 2026 second-round pick, Buffalo receives Moore and 2026 fifth-round pick March 4 Details: Kansas City receives a 2026 first-round pick (No. 29), fifth-round pick and sixth-round pick, plus a 2027 third-rounder for McDuffie. March 2 Details: Lions receive offensive lineman Juice Scruggs, a 2026 fourth-round draft pick and a 2027 seventh-round selection. Details: Texans receive 2026 fifth-round pick. Feb. 26 Details: Jets receive DT T'Vondre Sweat, Titans receive edge rusher Jermaine Johnson Feb. 21 Details: 3 years, $24 million

NFL Offseason Check-In: After Warren Sapp Tribute, Rueben Bain Seeks to Forge Own Path

Fri, 08 May 2026 17:10:56 -0400

TAMPA, Fla. — The parallel was already easy to make for Rueben Bain Jr. A consensus All-American who wreaked havoc at the front of a University of Miami defense but fell unexpectedly and landed in the middle of the first round with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers? That was Bain two weeks ago, when the Buccaneers were thrilled to get him at No. 15, but it also happened 31 years ago. So, when Bain arrived at Bucs rookie minicamp on Thursday wearing a black retro Warren Sapp No. 99 jersey, it was a nostalgic nod to a first-ballot Hall of Famer, but also a reminder of how confident he is, and how excited his new team is about the potential they see in him. "He's got an old soul, so to speak," coach Todd Bowles said at the podium after Bain's first practice Friday afternoon. "He understands his lineage. He understands the guys who came before him. They've got a lot of great players down at the University of Miami ... he understands how to pay homage to the guys that came before him down there and he's tried to pattern his game like that. He's a very smart player, not just a tough player. He understands what he's walking into and what he wants to be." And as Bain was fitted with his first NFL helmet, he made a video call to Sapp, who he knew from his Hurricane days, showing a real connection between one of the best players in Bucs history and the franchise's future. "It was a full-circle moment," Bain said at the podium on Friday, sharing he had traded texts with Sapp when he got drafted as the older 'Cane reminded him that Tampa was "his city." But Bain didn't go out and buy a Sapp throwback. This was an old jersey, older than Bain himself, as one of his friends in Miami sent him a pic of the Sapp jersey "in the back of his closet." There was already a no-nonsense vibe to Bain from draft night, when after waiting longer than most anyone expected him to hear his name called, he walked past an NFL selfie mirror set up for draft picks, grabbing the Bucs hat set out for him without even breaking stride. On Friday, given the chance to step on an NFL practice field for the first time, wearing his own new No. 3 jersey, Bain relented and allowed himself to smile and enjoy the excitement of a new chapter in his football career. "I've been on Cloud Nine ever since I walked in," said Bain, who had 9.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in helping Miami to the national championship game last season. "Just enjoying the process, enjoying where I'm at. I'm happy. I'm where I'm supposed to be. I'm with my friends and my team, I'm home. I can't complain about anything." The Bucs were elated to have Bain fall to them at 15, as edge rusher has been a major need for them and a catalyst in Bowles' attacking defense. Tampa Bay also hadn't drafted a player from Miami in Jason Licht's first 12 years as general manager, but he took two, in Bain and nickel defensive back Keionte Scott in the fourth round, hoping to import the toughness and aura from their college success. "I love that he's very unique, where he's got a great blend of power and athleticism," Licht said on draft night. "He can bend, he's got get-off, he's very powerful, he's got very explosive not just athleticism, but powerful hands, powerful strength and he plays very edgy. He plays with a chip on his shoulder." Bain was viewed as one of the top edge rushers in the 2026 draft in the lead-up to the event, with several mock drafts projecting him to be a top-10 pick. Our draft analyst, Rob Rang, had him at No. 7 on his big board, placing third among edge rushers. Rang gave the Buccaneers an A-minus grade for the pick, and Tampa a B grade for its overall draft haul due to the selection. However, Bain faced criticism about his arms being shorter than most pass rushers at 30 and 7/8 inches — "Mike Tyson had short arms, too," Licht said the night he drafted him — but the Bucs trusted the dominance they saw on tape in his three seasons at Miami, totaling 20.5 sacks, one more than Sapp finished with as a defensive tackle for the Hurricanes. They don't need him to be Sapp, who helped Tampa Bay to its first Super Bowl in the 2002 season during a run of seven straight Pro Bowl nods. But Bain has an excitement of his own — a much-needed positivity for a team that lost seven of its last nine games last season to miss the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Two franchise icons are gone in linebacker Lavonte David, who retired, and receiver Mike Evans, who signed with the San Francisco 49ers in free agency, so the Buccaneers needed a new face and source of optimism. This week is the first step for Bain, getting to know his fellow rookies before he soon begins work with the full team, trying to earn their respect and trust entering a season where the Bucs are still the odds-on favorite to win the NFC South. Bain made headlines with someone else's jersey, but it might not be long before fans are wearing his No. 3 in the stands. "It was a sense of pride," Bain said of his decision to pay tribute to Sapp. "I feel like it speaks on the brotherhood we have at the University of Miami, and it speaks on the amount of pride I've got where I'm at right now."

Colin Cowherd: Steelers Should Get ‘No More Freebies’ From Aaron Rodgers

Fri, 08 May 2026 15:03:03 -0400

The lingering NFL offseason question is on the way to being answered: quarterback Aaron Rodgers is taking a visit and is reportedly likely to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers. But the catch is simple – what's in it for Rodgers to re-sign? Well, that's the question that Colin Cowherd wants the answer to, defending the future Hall of Famer's potential ask for a pay bump in 2026. "He wants more money and the Steelers are going to cave. He deserves more money," Cowherd said on "The Herd." "You can’t ask a Hall of Fame quarterback in back-to-back years to give you two freebies. Last year was a Costco free sample year. This year, I need you to buy in bulk." Rodgers, who turned 42 in December, had a relatively solid 2025 campaign in his first year in Pittsburgh. He finished the season with 3,322 passing yards, 25 total touchdowns and seven interceptions, leading the Steelers to a 10-7 record and an AFC North title and a playoff spot. Additionally, the Steelers' offense drastically improved under Rodgers, including yards-after-catch and red zone touchdowns. However, Rodgers made a relatively small salary last season. He had a $13.65 million salary in 2025, which ranked outside the top 20 among quarterbacks. Now, it appears Rodgers is looking to make a bit more than that as he plans to fend off retirement for another year. But beyond salary, Pittsburgh does have some enticing things to sell Rodgers on to return for 2026. The Steelers hired Mike McCarthy, who was Rodgers' head coach for several seasons with the Green Bay Packers, to replace Mike Tomlin. They also upgraded the offense, adding veteran running back Rico Dowdle and wide receiver Michael Pittman Jr. before selecting offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and wide receiver Germie Bernard in the NFL Draft. Still, Cowherd doesn't think that the improvements Pittsburgh has made on offense should give the Steelers power at the negotiating table with Rodgers. "Most NFL teams have a three to five-year plan at quarterback, and the Pittsburgh Steelers treat quarterback like it’s a slot corner or an off-ball linebacker," Cowherd said. "[They say,] ‘We may get to it at the trading deadline, let's see what plays out in the preseason.’ They treat quarterbacks with absolutely no urgency at all." Rodgers has been a bit complicit in this, though. He has also been slow to give Pittsburgh an answer, which was originally expected by the NFL Draft, but it never came. Now, the 42-year-old quarterback has until July 22 to decide due to Pittsburgh using the UFA tender. The tender gives the Steelers exclusive negotiating rights through minicamp and up to July 22 unless Rodgers signs with another team while still a free agent. The speculation is that Rodgers will likely re-sign with the Steelers after his visit on Friday. Ideally, re-signing a quarterback familiar with the playbook, and pairing him with a coach he has a long-standing relationship with, would be a big question answering for Pittsburgh. However, it’ll be up to both sides to find common ground ahead of Rodgers returning to Pittsburgh.

2026 NFL Schedule Release: When Will Regular-Season Schedule Be Unveiled?

Fri, 08 May 2026 14:26:58 -0400

The NFL will release its complete regular-season schedule on Thursday. The announcement made Friday is in line with the past couple of years, when the schedule has been released during the second week of May. The league has already announced that the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will meet in Melbourne, Australia, in Week 1. The game will be aired in prime time in the United States at 8:35 p.m. ET/5:35 p.m. PT on Sept. 10. Melbourne is 14 hours ahead of New York and 17 hours ahead of Los Angeles and San Francisco, meaning the game will kick off at 10:35 a.m. the next day in Australia. The game between the Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys in Rio de Janeiro will take place in Week 3 (Sept. 27). The other seven international matchups will be announced on Wednesday at 9 a.m. ET on "Good Morning Football" on NFL Network. Dates for other key games are expected to filter out during the week. Typically, networks announce one of their showcase games during so-called up-fronts to advertisers. The Seattle Seahawks will begin defense of their Super Bowl title in the kickoff game on Sept. 9. The opponent has not been announced. The NFL could opt for an immediate Super Bowl LX rematch since the New England Patriots are scheduled to visit the Seattle Seahawks. Last season, the Super Bowl LIX rematch between the Philadelphia Eagles and Kansas City Chiefs took place in Week 2. Other likely possibilities include the Chicago Bears, Kansas City Chiefs, Dallas Cowboys or Los Angeles Chargers. Reporting by The Associated Press.

NFL Offseason Check-in: What Happened to C.J. Stroud and What Should the Texans Do?

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:54:00 -0400

The NFL has always been a quarterback-driven league where any signal caller with a pulse and a few highlight plays can command a hefty payday on the open market. The league-wide desperation has forced team builders to overpay for QB1 prospects with unimpressive résumés, ranking them as the highest-paid players on their teams. With an unproven quarterback such as Malik Willis inking a three-year, $67.5 million deal with six career starts to his name, the consternation over C.J. Stroud’s impending contract extension with the Houston Texans is laughable. While the fourth-year pro is coming off a disappointing postseason, in which he became the first quarterback in NFL history to record five interceptions and five fumbles in a single playoff run, the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year has also been brilliant at times while amassing 10,876 passing yards, 62 touchdowns (with just 25 interceptions) and 28 wins over his 46 starts. Additionally, Stroud has won at least one playoff game in each of his three seasons, and he has the fourth-most pass yards (1,438) and eighth-most touchdowns (8) in the postseason since 2023. Though the Texans’ stellar defense has played a significant role in the club's postseason success, Stroud’s contributions to the team’s revival make it hard to dismiss his contract wishes when sitting down at the negotiating table. If quarterbacks are judged by their ability to win, the Texans’ regular-season and postseason success with Stroud at the helm puts him in a position to command $40 million-plus annually. In fact, the recent contracts signed by Trevor Lawrence (five-year, $275 million), Jordan Love (four-year, $220 million) and Brock Purdy (five-year, $265 million) make it nearly impossible to keep Stroud out of the "$50 Million Club," as a fellow promising quarterback who has shown elite flashes as the offensive leader of a perennial playoff contender. Help Stroud Help Himself Before the pearl-clutching begins in H-Town over the blockbuster contract their franchise quarterback will likely sign in a future offseason, skeptics must consider the circumstances impacting his play over the past two seasons. The former Pro Bowler is working with his second offensive coordinator, while playing with a leaky offensive line that has not matched the physicality and violence of the Texans’ dominant defense. The lack of a consistent running game powered by an elite RB1 has put an inordinate amount of pressure on Stroud to carry the Texans, utilizing a pass-heavy approach without the perimeter weaponry to support the game plan. While the 6-foot-4 Nico Collins has produced like a top-10 receiver when healthy, he's missed 10 games over the past three seasons, including Houston's 2026 playoff loss, often leaving Stroud without a serviceable go-to target. Despite general manager Nick Caserio’s previous efforts to add playmakers via free agency (Stefon Diggs), trade (Christian Kirk) and the draft (Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel), those complementary receivers have not provided a consistent spark to the passing game. Tank Dell exhibited electric playmaking ability through his first 25 games, but a gruesome knee injury has kept the diminutive pass-catcher off the field for a season-plus. Although those challenging circumstances have impacted Stroud’s play, the dramatic decline in his production and performance since his rookie season takes a top-of-the-market deal out of the equation. His passing yards, yards per attempt and passer rating are down from his record-breaking 2023 campaign, and his on-field hesitancy has shown up in pivotal moments. With his most recent playoff failures against the Pittsburgh Steelers and the New England Patriots fresh in mind, Stroud’s ability to deliver under pressure is a major concern, particularly when factoring in his "closing" skills (only seven game-winning drives and two fourth-quarter comebacks) on a defensive-led team. The best quarterbacks can seamlessly transition from caretaker to playmaker depending on the game situation or circumstance, but questions persist regarding Stroud’s game based on the Texans’ defensive dominance and his modest production since a historic run at the beginning of his career. Table Negotiations Till Next Year In 2023, he became just the fifth rookie to post a 4,000-yard season and the first to have at least 900 yards, four passing touchdowns and zero interceptions over his first three career starts. Stroud recorded six 300-yard passing games that season, but he's had only three such games since. Although numbers do not fully tell a quarterback’s story, Stroud's regression and the team’s success make it harder to find a deal that is a "win-win" for Houston and its franchise quarterback. From the Texans’ perspective, they have routinely rewarded their best players after they established themselves as elite players. Cornerback Derek Stingley (three-year, $90 million), defensive end Danielle Hunter (one-year, $40 million extension after recently signing a two-year $49 million deal in 2024) and linebackers Will Anderson Jr. (three-year, $150 million) and Azeez Al-Shaair (three-year, $54 million) recently inked blockbuster deals after earning All-Pro or Pro Bowl honors. The meritocracy that permeates the Texans’ locker room is rewarded by the front office with hefty contracts that align compensation with production. While the NFL’s tendency to reward the next starting-caliber quarterback who hits the market with a megadeal that exceeds their on-field production, the Texans should slow-play the Stroud negotiation by using this year and potentially the fifth-year option season to evaluate their franchise quarterback. Considering the option is currently valued at $25.9 million, the Texans are getting their QB1 at a team-friendly number that lets them monitor his progress without overpaying for his inconsistent production. Although the Texans are bypassing a chance to sign Stroud when his stock is at an all-time low, the decision to prioritize the team’s blue-collar culture by making the young quarterback prove his worth raises the standards and expectations within the locker room. Most importantly, it prevents the Texans from committing to an inconsistent quarterback on a hefty contract, which could lead to immediate buyer’s remorse and a brutal rebuild (see: Arizona Cardinals, Miami Dolphins). That said, the market will continue to rise while the Texans take a "wait-and-see" approach with Stroud. The fourth-year pro could see his contract balloon to astronomical levels if he regains his Pro Bowl form and leads the team on a deep playoff run. Considering how his cross-state rival, Dak Prescott, has parlayed "wait-and-see" negotiations into multiple blockbuster deals, the Texans’ reluctance to seriously engage in contract discussions could lead to a substantial raise that makes the delayed gratification worth the wait for the once-rising star.

NFL, Referees Association Agree to 7-Year CBA; No Replacement Officials

Fri, 08 May 2026 13:12:16 -0400

The NFL and the NFL Referees Association have agreed on a new seven-year collective bargaining agreement that avoids a potential work stoppage and use of replacement officials. The deal runs through the 2032 NFL season. The league began the onboarding process for replacement officials last month because negotiations weren’t progressing, but they now won’t be necessary. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association had been set to expire on May 31, and the two sides began negotiating in the summer of 2024. Terms of the deal weren’t immediately known, but the NFL increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, two people with knowledge of the offer told The Associated Press in March. A stalemate in 2012 resulted in a 110-day lockout and replacement referees were used. That led to several high-profile mistakes, including the Fail Mary when Russell Wilson completed a desperation pass to Golden Tate in the closing seconds lift the Seattle Seahawks over the Green Bay Packers in a Monday night game. Tate pushed off, so he should’ve been penalized for offensive pass interference. He appeared to wrestle the ball away from a Packers defender and was given credit for a catch even though two officials had called it differently. There weren’t as many glaring errors when the NFL also used replacement officials for one week of exhibition games and the opening week in 2001 before the labor dispute was resolved shortly after 9/11, and the regular officials returned in time when the season resumed following a one-week break. Reporting by The Associated Press.

The 5 NFL Teams That Improved the Most This Offseason Following NFL Draft

Thu, 07 May 2026 20:17:47 -0400

Now that the NFL Draft is behind us, the bulk of the 2026 NFL offseason is in the books — and it was really one to remember. There were 10 new head coaches hired, the most since 2022. The Arizona Cardinals decided they no longer wanted Kyler Murray, but the Minnesota Vikings deemed him good enough to sign him and allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback job. The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, will seemingly start veteran Kirk Cousins after taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams might have had the biggest swings this offseason. They traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up a first-round draft pick in that deal before using another first-round pick to surprisingly take quarterback Ty Simpson. But the biggest news this offseason surrounded a blockbuster trade that didn't happen. The Baltimore Ravens landed star edge rusher Maxx Crosby for a few days before pulling out of the deal due to his medicals. As Crosby remains with the Raiders, the Ravens opted to sign star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson instead. So, now that the dust has largely settled this offseason, let's take a look at the five teams that have improved the most this spring as we inch closer to the start of training camp in July. Notable additions: Robert Saleh (hired as head coach), Brian Daboll (hired as offensive coordinator), wide receiver Carnell Tate (selected with fourth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Keldric Faulk (31st overall pick), wide receiver Wan'Dale Robinson (signed a four-year, $78 million contract), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (signed a three-year, $63 million deal) Let’s start with coaching changes. The Tennessee Titans hired a defensive-minded head coach with a strong, charismatic personality in Robert Saleh, who brought in an experienced staff led by former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as the team’s offensive coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley as the team’s defensive coordinator. Along with an experienced coaching staff, Saleh’s focus has been surrounding last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward with upgrades at receiver in first-round pick Carnell Tate and free agent signee Wan’Dale Robinson. However, the offensive line remains a question mark. The Titans took late-round flyers on two interior offensive linemen in Fernando Carmona and Pat Coogan. How Daboll changes things schematically, along with how offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo brings that group together, will go a long way to Ward’s improvement. Saleh will make the defense better, an experienced coaching staff will limit mistakes and help Tennessee double its win total from three games in 2025. Notable additions: Linebacker Sonny Styles (selected with the seventh overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Odafe Oweh (signed a four-year, $100 million deal), linebacker Leo Chenal (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher K'Lavon Chaisson (signed a one-year, $12 million deal), tight end Chig Okonkwo (signed a three-year, $30 million deal), running back Rachaad White (signed a one-year, $2 million deal) Head coach Dan Quinn isn’t using injuries as an excuse for last year’s disappointing 5-12 finish after reaching the NFC Championship Game two years ago. Instead, the Washington Commanders made wholesale changes on offense and defense, moving on from experienced offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in favor of quarterbacks coach David Blough, who will put Jayden Daniels under center more in the upcoming season. The defensive-minded Quinn also moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., replacing him with Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones. Expect an emphasis on improved pass rush defensively, led by athletic first-round pick Sonny Styles. The team also made a splash in free agency, adding Odafe Oweh after he recorded 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. And on offense, general manager Adam Peters hopes the additions of running back Rachaad White, running back Jerome Ford and wide receiver Dyami Brown in free agency will lead to more explosive plays. Peters also drafted enticing Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round and Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the sixth round to help achieve that goal. The Commanders should improve this upcoming season and be back in the race for the NFC East division title. Notable additions: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (acquired in trade with New York Giants), edge rusher Boye Mafe (signed a three-year, $60 million deal), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (signed a two-year, $$25 million deal), safety Bryan Cook (signed a three-year, $40.25 million deal), edge rusher Cashius Howell (selected with 41st overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft) If Joe Burrow can stay healthy, the Cincinnati Bengals have upgraded enough defensively to compete for the top spot in the AFC North. The big move was trading for dominant defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in a deal with the New York Giants, sacrificing the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook in free agency, helping to fill the void left by edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, but have an infusion of talent that includes the addition of defensive linemen Cashius Howell and Landon Robinson through the draft. The Bengals allowed 29 points per game last season. If they can drop that number to the low-20s, Cincinnati will win more games because of an explosive offense. And the Bengals still have insurance behind Burrow in an accomplished veteran quarterback in Joe Flacco. Notable additions: Running back Travis Etienne (signed a four-year, $52 million deal), wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (selected with eighth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), guard David Edwards (signed a four-year, $61 million deal), linebacker Kaden Elliss (signed a three-year, $33 million deal), tight end Noah Fant (signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal) The New Orleans Saints appeared to have gotten the quarterback right, with last year’s second-round pick Tyler Shough showing he can be the long-term answer with the way he played in the second half of 2025. New Orleans added an elite playmaker with receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round. Now the Arizona State product must prove he can stay healthy, dealing with a hamstring injury this past college football season. Third-round pick Oscar Delp is an athletic mover who gives head coach Kellen Moore the ability to use more heavy formations with more tight ends. North Dakota State product Bryce Lance, the younger brother of quarterback Trey Lance, was considered by some scouts I spoke with as one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft, with New Orleans adding the wide receiver in the fourth round of the draft. The Saints also signed running back Travis Etienne, guard David Edwards and tight end Noah Fant in free agency. Defensively, Georgia defensive tackle Christian Miller and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles should help upgrade the defense. New Orleans also signed Atlanta Falcons free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss to replace departed veteran inside linebacker Demario Davis. Those moves could put the Saints in a position to compete in the winnable NFC South. Notable additions: Running back Kenneth Walker III (signed a three-year, $45 million deal), cornerback Mansoor Delane (selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft), defensive tackle Peter Woods (selected with the 29th overall pick), safety Alohi Gilman (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher R Mason Thomas (selected with the 40th overall pick) With the loss of cornerback Trent McDuffie in a trade and fellow corner Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs focused on replacing those playmakers by taking four defensive players with their first four picks in the draft, including cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Jadon Canady, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R Mason Thomas. The Chiefs also signed veteran safety Alohi Gilman and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in free agency, revamping their defensive unit from front to back. Offensively, the centerpiece of this offseason was securing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency from the Seattle Seahawks. Walker’s arrival should take pressure off Patrick Mahomes to carry the offense, as he returns from season-ending ACL knee surgery. Mahomes is expected to be ready for Week 1, as general manager Brett Veach recently said his star quarterback is ahead of schedule. Add in the return of Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs should rebound from a 6-11 campaign in 2025.

Patriots QB Drake Maye Spoke on Mike Vrabel, Stefon Diggs, 2025 Shoulder Injury

Thu, 07 May 2026 09:38:59 -0400

New England Patriots quarterback Drake Maye called Mike Vrabel "a great human being," and said he doesn't think the head coach's off-field issues will be a distraction for the defending AFC champions this upcoming season. "No, I don't," Maye said. "I mean, he’s our head coach. I think he’s done a great job of talking to us and talking us through it. I’m just looking forward to getting back to work and getting ready." Maye spoke to The Associated Press on Wednesday following the Truist Championship Pro-Am in Charlotte in which he was paired with PGA Tour pro Gary Woodland on the back nine at Quail Hollow. Vrabel has found himself entangled in controversy after the New York Post posted pictures of him with longtime NFL reporter Dianna Russini at an Arizona resort. Vrabel said on April 24 that he was taking accountability for his actions without addressing specifics about the published photos. Vrabel missed the third day of the draft to attend counseling. Vrabel said he had to have hard conversations with the people that he cared about the most, including his family, his team and members of the Patriots organization. He added that, "My previous actions don’t meet the standard that I hold myself to. They don’t." When asked if the issues are something the Patriots will need to put behind them before the season, Maye said, "I think that’ll take care of itself." "I know he’s got the right mindset and I know he’s a great human being," Maye added. "I think he’s ... like I said, I love playing for him." [More Patriots: Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts] Maye, the third overall pick in 2024 who grew up in nearby Huntersville, North Carolina, led the Patriots to an appearance in Super Bowl 60 in just his second season. He was runner-up to Los Angeles Rams QB Matthew Stafford for the AP NFL MVP award in 2025. Maye also addressed former Patriots teammate Stefon Diggs' acquittal on charges that he assaulted his live-in personal chef. The charges stemmed from a Dec. 2 incident at his Massachusetts home where Jamila Adams testified that Diggs slapped and choked her during an argument. Diggs had pled not guilty to a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault and battery charge. The jury deliberated for less than two hours before clearing Diggs of all charges. The acquittal in court clears a path for the four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver to return to the field, although he could still face discipline from the NFL. "Well, you know, he’s always been a great teammate to me and I know he’ll do great things," Maye said. "I was fortunate enough to have a year with him, and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens to him. He’s a great player." And as for the shoulder injury that hampered him down the stretch last season, Maye said he's doing "great." "Nothing, nothing, no problems at all," said Maye, adding that he did not need surgery. The Patriots will host a three-day rookie minicamp beginning Friday in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Reporting by The Associated Press.

Jaguars HC Liam Coen: 'The Plan Has Not Changed' for Travis Hunter’s Two-Way Role

Wed, 06 May 2026 19:08:13 -0400

Travis Hunter remains one of the most intriguing second-year players heading into next season, and the Jacksonville Jaguars now appear to have a clearer vision for how they plan to use him. The organization still intends for Hunter to continue as a two-way player. Despite skepticism surrounding that role, general manager James Gladstone and head coach Liam Coen reiterated that the plan remains unchanged. "The plan has not changed at all," Coen said in a video produced by the Jaguars. "He’s going to play both sides of the football just as we drafted him to do. We have the same vision for him in terms of being able to give him opportunities." Prior to suffering a season-ending torn LCL, Hunter split time on both sides of the ball, logging roughly 61% of his snaps on offense and 37% on defense as a rookie. Gladstone provided an update on Hunter’s recovery during an appearance on "The Rich Eisen Show" on Wednesday morning, offering insight into his progress as he works back from injury. "He’s in a good spot," Gladstone said. "He’s out on the grass in a limited fashion and that’s the case throughout the remainder of the offseason program. As we get going into training camp, he’ll be full go." Speculation about Hunter potentially shifting to cornerback full-time this offseason has drawn national attention, but Gladstone made the Jaguars’ plans clear when addressing his role. "Absolutely not," Gladstone said. "He is set to play both sides of the ball. The piece I think we can expect is an uptick in corner usage. Last year, he had a higher volume and a higher percentage of snaps at wide receiver than he did at corner." The growing national buzz around Hunter’s breakout potential was also highlighted by our reporter Greg Auman. Auman named Hunter as his top second-year breakout candidate poised to make a leap next season. "Hunter's on course to be fully recovered by the start of training camp, and it should be a simpler second season for him," Auman wrote. "It remains to be seen how much work he'll get on offense — the Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers during last season and gave him a lucrative extension, and they've held off on trading third-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., with Parker Washington enjoying a breakout season last year. Hunter should be an every-down corner, and that side of the ball should be his focus and the best chance for him to shine. Jacksonville let Greg Newsome leave in free agency and didn't draft a corner, setting Hunter up for a central role." Hunter’s increased usage is also tied to the departures of Greg Newsome II and Tyson Campbell in free agency. As currently constructed, the cornerback room is set to feature Hunter, Jarrian Jones, Montaric Brown, and Jourdan Lewis. "Our roster construction is different than it was a year ago," Gladstone said. "It’s more fitting to slot him in at corner in a different way than it was this time last year or even as the season progressed." For now, the Jaguars remain committed to that vision as they manage Hunter’s recovery and refine how his workload will be balanced on both sides of the ball. "He wants to play both ways," Gladstone said. "He wants to do exactly what he set out to do when he first started putting that into action all those years ago and that’s his dream. We’ll look to support that in the best way that we can."

Eating W’s All Summer Long: Jameis Winston Joins FOX Sports for 2026 World Cup

Wed, 06 May 2026 18:41:13 -0400

He’s back! But only this time he’s trading the gridiron for the global soccer stage. New York Giants quarterback Jameis Winston will return to FOX Sports as a World Cup Correspondent. Winston spent Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans with FOX Sports as a digital correspondent, where he roamed the Big Easy highlighting the culture and excitement around the big game. Now, Winston returns to fuel the hype around the largest World Cup yet, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. - FIFA World Cup 2026: All 104 games on FOX One. Start your free trial today. While several members of FOX’s World Cup team have won various soccer titles — Zlatan Ibrahimović has multiple league championships, Thierry Henry has a World Cup win and Golden Boot honors — how many have a Heisman Trophy and a college football national championship win? In college, Winston led Florida State to an undefeated 14-0 season and a national championship as a redshirt freshman in 2013. That same year, Winston lifted the Seminoles' third Heisman Trophy. Drafted No. 1 overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2015, Winston played five seasons there before he signed with the New Orleans Saints. After four years in New Orleans, Winston signed a one-year contract with the Cleveland Browns in 2024, then headed to the Big Apple to sign with the Giants. Winston joins a star-studded broadcast team for the tournament that includes Ibrahimović, Henry, former Danish goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel, Mexico's all-time leading scorer Javier Hernández and many more on the pitch and in the studio. 2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch From June 11 through July 19, 2026, FOX Sports presents its largest World Cup production and broadcast slate to date featuring all 104 matches live across FOX (69) and FS1 (35) with every match live-streaming on FOX One and the FOX Sports App. All 104 tournament matches will air live across FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match streaming live and on-demand within both the FOX One and the FOX Sports apps. A record 40 matches, more than one-third of the tournament, will air in prime time across FOX (21) and FS1 (19).

NFL Offseason Check-In: Eagles Already Prepared for Life Without WR A.J. Brown

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:55:18 -0400

Philadelphia general manager Howie Roseman has repeated countless times — recently with an ironic smirk — that "A.J. Brown is an Eagle." He has said it so often at press conferences that, sometimes, he’ll say it before anyone has time to ask a question about the disgruntled star receiver. The question is whether Brown will get traded. And at this point, everyone knows what Roseman's answer really means: A.J. Brown won’t be an Eagle for long. All reports indicate he’s going to be a New England Patriot in a deal that sends a 2028 first-round pick to Philadelphia. (That deal will come after June 1 so the Eagles can split his dead-cap charge over two years.) The one thing the Eagles have wisely avoided is trying to replace Brown in a one-for-one situation. This is where the Tennessee Titans went wrong, attempting to draft and develop Treylon Burks into their next Brown. And, well, that did not go well. Roseman clearly wants to replace Brown in the aggregate. ("The what?" Think about the famous Moneyball scene.) Preparations are already underway. In the draft, the Eagles picked two pass-catchers in the top 54 picks. These two selections have provided clues about Philly's new offensive vision. So let's get to the first one: Makai Lemon. The Eagles traded up in Round 1 to No. 20 to make sure they landed the USC All-American receiver. Roseman said they thought Lemon would be off the board much earlier, which was why the Eagles had increased urgency to snag him. "There’s a lot to like about him," Roseman said after the first round. "Has the ability to separate in man coverage. He can play in the slot. He can play outside. Physical player. Really good with the ball in his hands. Really good hands. Good in zone coverage — has really good instincts." Lemon has every tool to be one of the best slot receivers in the NFL. His natural comparison is Detroit Lions All-Pro Amon-Ra St. Brown, who upends the idea that a slot receiver can’t be the No. 1 option. Given the total absence of top-flight receivers (and the fact that Roseman liked Lemon enough to trade up for him), Lemon will likely get 100 targets next year. On Day 2 of the draft, the Eagles took Vanderbilt All-American Eli Stowers at 54th overall. The slender-framed tight end was one of the best athletes in the draft and should have a massive impact on the passing game. And even though the Eagles still have veteran Dallas Goedert, I’d expect that the two tight ends will enter a timeshare immediately. Roseman shopped Goedert on the trade market earlier this offseason. And on draft night, he made his feelings for Stowers clear. The GM, right before telling Stowers that he’d be the team’s second-round pick, asked the youngster if he could name any of the tight ends that Roseman had previously taken in Round 2. "We’ve got a pretty good history of selecting tight ends in the second round. Can you name any of them?" Roseman said in a video posted on Vanderbilt’s socials. "We’ve got the one we’ve got right here [Goedert]. We got Zach Ertz in the second round. How about we pick you right here and add you to that legacy?" Given Goedert’s size (6-foot-5, 255 pounds), he will still prove useful in a pass-catcher group that’s largely devoid of bulk. Devonta Smith, the team’s soon-to-be promoted WR1, is dubbed the "Slim Reaper" for a reason, after all. Lemon is 190 pounds. Stowers is 240 pounds. It’s not a big group. Saquon Barkley, who had a down year compared to his historic 2024 performance, will (hopefully for Philly) get back to being Saquon. And his physicality should help. What’s more, the team’s backup, Tank Bigsby, runs with intensity to match his nickname. So there’s your aggregate sum. Some returning pieces. Some new pieces. Plenty of compelling skill sets. But there’s no doubt: It’s an incomplete picture. How will new OC Sean Mannion build this offense? How will he make it better than the sum of its parts? (Can he?) The beauty is that the Eagles have Jalen Hurts, who is one of the more versatile quarterbacks in the NFL. It seems the public is down on Hurts, particularly after an ESPN exposé that highlighted his intense leadership style and strong-willed opinions. But when you look at his record, Hurts remains a QB who has a 69.5 winning percentage, ninth best all time. And Hurts has done that despite having a new OC in every single season of his career. Every one! That’s success unlike anything in recent memory — not to mention he has a Super Bowl ring. Stylistically, he’ll adapt. He always does. Mannion came from the Green Bay Packers, with Matt LaFleur at the helm. But Mannion has been coaching only since 2024. He was a longtime backup quarterback who spent two years under Rams coach Sean McVay, three-ish seasons under Mike Zimmer (with the Vikings), and one year under Kevin O’Connell. That’s a lot of different offshoots of the Shanahan scheme. Interestingly enough, we’ve been seeing most of those coaches prioritize size and tight end bulk. Teams are going toward the trendy schematic wrinkle of two- and three-tight end sets. In turn, teams are getting bigger and more physical. That was what the Eagles were when they made a run two years ago. But they’re straying from that style when you look at their personnel. They look more like the Seahawks under Klint Kubiak or the Rams from 2023, when they combined star receivers Cooper Kupp and rookie Puka Nacua. That’s roughly what I anticipate from Philly — a powerful run game and a play-action passing game. That will help Hurts feel more comfortable in a high-volume passing attack, because his pass-catchers can dominate horizontally. And Brown can head to New England where he and Drake Maye can do whatever it is that Josh McDaniels would like to do next. Even with uncertainty and drama swirling, Philly looks ready to take on the challenge of replacing one of the league's best receivers.

Former Ravens Pro Bowl LB Kyle Van Noy: 'I'd Really Like' to Play for 49ers

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:45:28 -0400

Former Baltimore Ravens linebacker Kyle Van Noy is one of the best remaining NFL free agents, and he has his next team in mind. "I want to throw out a team that a lot of people may not know. Who cares at this point, you know? I'd really like to play with my little brother, Fred Warner, with the Niners," Van Noy said on Tuesday's edition of "Up & Adams." "I think they've got something cooking over there. I know they love Joey Bosa, right, because Nick and all that, I get that. But I would love to play with my little brother. That's my guy, and I think they've got something cooking over there." Van Noy also expressed that the door remains open for a return to the Ravens, with whom he spent the last three seasons (2023-25). The 35-year-old linebacker earned his only Pro Bowl nod in a career-high 12.5-sack campaign with the Ravens in 2024. Last season, he totaled two sacks, one interception, four passes defended and 20 combined tackles across 15 games. If the 35-year-old Van Noy inked a deal with San Francisco, he would join a defense that was 11th in the NFL in opponent rushing yards (107.8 per game), 13th in opponent points (21.8 per game), 20th in opponent yards (340.2 per game), 25th in opponent passing yards (232.4 per game) and last in sacks (20.0) in 2025. [NFL Offseason Check-in: When Should the Raiders Start No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza?] At the same time, it was a 49ers' defense that was without star linebackers Nick Bosa (torn ACL), Fred Warner (ankle) and defensive lineman and 2025 first-round pick Mykel Williams (torn ACL), among others, for the majority of the season due to injury. They also managed to hold the defending-champion Philadelphia Eagles to 19 points on their home turf in the NFC wild-card round before losing to the Seattle Seahawks in the divisional round. San Francisco has a new defensive coordinator this season in former Atlanta Falcons head coach Raheem Morris, who takes over for Robert Saleh, the new head coach of the Tennessee Titans. Van Noy spent the first two-plus seasons of his NFL career with the Detroit Lions (2014-16) before being traded to the New England Patriots during the 2016 season. He would play in New England through 2019 before playing for the Miami Dolphins in 2020 and then returning to the Patriots in 2021. The linebacker also played for the Los Angeles Chargers in 2022 before embarking on a three-year stint in Baltimore.

Cowboys COO Stephen Jones: 'We Feel Really Good' About Micah Parsons Trade

Wed, 06 May 2026 14:10:09 -0400

The Dallas Cowboys' view of trading superstar defensive end Micah Parsons to the Green Bay Packers is a simple one: It was the right move. "We feel really good about it," Cowboys Chief Operating Officer Stephen Jones said about trading Parsons to the Green Bay Packers in an interview with Mad Dog Sports Radio on Tuesday. "Obviously, much respect for Micah and what he stands for and how he plays and the caliber of player he is, but at the same time we feel good about what we've added via that trade. "You look at a guy like Quinnen Williams and Kenny Clark, they're alpha players, who not only are great players on the field, but they're leaders in the meeting room. How they go about their business in the offseason; [they] just bring great leadership to this team. We add a guy like Caleb Downs, who's obviously the same type of character. He's going to make everybody around him great. Everybody's going to feed off of him. And then the pieces that we've added the last couple of years. We're fired up about [Donovan] Ezeiruaku, who was a second-round pick for us last year, who I think it's all in front of." After failing to reach a long-term deal with Parsons last offseason, Dallas traded him to the Green Bay Packers for defensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and two first-round picks (2026 and 2027) in August; Parsons subsequently signed a four-year, $188 million extension ($136 million guaranteed) with the Packers. Parsons, a Pro Bowler in each of his five seasons in the NFL, went on to have a productive debut season with the Packers, but it was one that was cut short after 14 games due to a torn ACL. Prior to the injury, Parsons totaled 12.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 41 combined tackles, helping him earn his third career All-Pro honor. [More Cowboys: Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts] Concurrently, at the 2025 NFL trade deadline, Dallas traded its 2026 second-rounder, a 2027 first-rounder – the highest of the two first-rounders that the Cowboys have in the 2027 NFL Draft – and defensive lineman and 2023 first-round pick Mazi Smith to the New York Jets for defensive tackle and four-time Pro Bowler Quinnen Williams. Granted, the Cowboys missed the playoffs for a second consecutive season, finishing 7-9-1. "I just feel very optimistic that we have the right pieces in place to go out there. Ultimately, the decision we made was that one player is not worth four or five good ones," Jones said about the aftermath of the Parsons trade. "We feel like that's where we're gonna end up here, in a good spot. We had that opportunity there and didn't feel like we were one player away last year, but I certainly feel like we're putting the pieces together to give us an opportunity to go do what our fans deserve, what we want, which is to go try and win the big trophy." As for this past draft, the Cowboys traded up one spot with the Miami Dolphins to select Ohio State Buckeyes safety and two-time All-American Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. They also traded back three spots with the Philadelphia Eagles, selecting UCF Knights defensive lineman Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick — which they received from the Packers in the Parsons trade — among other selections.

Ranking the 10 Best NFL Offenses Entering Offseason Workouts

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:38:34 -0400

There’s still a long way to go before we see real football again. But with the NFL Draft in the books and the majority of the top-tier free agents signed, teams know what the core of their squads will look like in 2026. Offensively, which teams are poised to be the most dynamic in the upcoming season? And how could they compare against one another? Here’s my projection for the top 10 offenses in 2026, in descending order (for the top 10 defenses, click here): Key additions: RB Isiah Pacheco (FA), OT Blake Miller (draft), C Cade Mays (FA), OL Larry Borom (FA), OL Juice Scruggs (trade)Key losses: RB David Montgomery (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA) The Lions still have one of the most talented offenses in football, but it could take a while for them to hit their stride in 2026. Isiah Pacheco’s addition as RB2 marks a significant downgrade from David Montgomery, who was traded to the Texans. Detroit has also shuffled pieces upfront to improve an offensive line that struggled last season. There’s a strong likelihood that the team will be flipping All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell to the left side. Key additions: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA), QB Justin Fields (trade)Key losses: QB Gardner Minshew (FA), WR Hollywood Brown (FA), RT Jawaan Taylor (release), RB Isiah Pacheco (FA) If QB Patrick Mahomes is healthy after December surgery to repair a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee, there’s a good chance the Chiefs’ offense returns to playing at a high level. Kenneth Walker III signed a three-year, $43.05 million deal with Kansas City after winning Super Bowl MVP with the Seahawks. He's the most dynamic running back that the Chiefs have had in the Mahomes era, and his presence should open the pass game. Veteran receiver Hollywood Brown departed in free agency, but WR1 Rashee Rice won’t be facing a suspension to start this season, like last year. Kansas City also welcomes back offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, who was the team's OC from 2018 through 2022. Key additions: WR Romeo Doubs (FA), G Alijah Vera-Tucker (FA), TE Julian Hill (FA), OT Caleb Lomu (draft), TE Eli Raridon (draft)Key losses: WR Stefon Diggs (release), C Garrett Bradbury (trade), TE Austin Hooper (FA) Before struggling in last season’s playoffs, the Patriots’ offense was dominant. And that should continue in 2026. New England traded center Garrett Bradbury, but the offensive line could be much improved with the addition of Alijah-Vera Tucker in free agency and first-round rookie Caleb Lomu, who could play either right or left tackle. Romeo Doubs is a younger, higher-upside wide receiver than Stefon Diggs. And there’s still a strong chance that the Patriots land star receiver A.J. Brown via trade. Key additions: G John Simpson (FA), G Olaivavega Ioane (draft), WR Ja’Kobi Lane (draft), WR Elijah Sarratt (draft)Key losses: C Tyler Linderbaum (FA), TE Isaiah Likely (FA), FB Patrick Ricard (FA), RB Keaton Mitchell (FA), TE Charlie Kolar (FA) With a healthy Lamar Jackson, the sky is the limit for the Ravens’ offense. There have been some significant changes in Baltimore — playcaller Todd Monken is gone, as well as several key contributors — but the run game could see a boost with the additions of first-round pick Olaivavega Ioane and veteran John Simpson at guard. The Ravens also grabbed much needed wide receiver depth behind Zay Flowers in mid-round picks Ja’Kobi Lane (third round) and Elijah Sarratt (fourth round). Key additions: C Garrett Bradbury (trade), WR Kalif Raymond (FA), C Logan Jones (draft), TE Sam Roush (draft), WR Zavion Thomas (draft)Key losses: WR DJ Moore (trade), WR Olamide Zaccheus (FA) Even with DJ Moore out of the picture, the arrow on the Bears’ offense is pointed up. Quarterback Caleb Williams is poised to make a massive leap in Year 3 after dazzling in clutch moments in 2025. Second-year tight end Colston Loveland and wideout Luther Burden are ascending, as is third-year receiver Rome Odunze. After losing Pro Bowler Drew Dalman to an early retirement, Chicago has both its center of the present (Garrett Bradbury) and future (Logan Jones) on the roster. Key addition: WR DJ Moore (trade)Key losses: G David Edwards, QB Mitch Trubisky (FA), OT Ryan Van Demark (FA) With Moore in the fold, Josh Allen has a legitimate No. 1 receiver for the first time since Stefon Diggs’ time in Buffalo. It raises the ceiling of a Bills offense that ranked fourth in scoring last season. Key addition: RB Jadarian Price (draft)Key loss: RB Kenneth Walker III (FA) The Seahawks have their entire offense returning from last year’s Super Bowl-winning team, with one (big) exception: running back Kenneth Walker III, who signed with the Chiefs in free agency. How quickly first-round pick Jadarian Price, who backed up Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, acclimates to the NFL level will be key to Seattle’s offense. Not only is Price replacing Walker, but also his running mate, Zach Charbonnet, who suffered a torn ACL in the divisional round in January. Key additions: n/aKey losses: TE Noah Fant (FA), G Cordell Volson (FA) The Bengals haven’t made any moves of note on offense — their offseason focus has been on the defense — but with a healthy Joe Burrow under center, Cincinnati still has one of the most feared units in football. The Bengals, who ranked 12th in scoring last season with Burrow missing nine games due to turf toe, return their entire starting offense from 2025. Key additions: n/aKey loss: WR Jalen Tolbert (FA) The Cowboys return 10 starters from an offense that ranked second in yards and seventh in points in 2025. Franchise-tagged star receiver George Pickens will be in his second year in the offense, which could make him even more difficult to account for as CeeDee Lamb’s running mate. And with a more competent defense on paper, Dallas’ offense could see more possessions per game in 2026. Key additions: QB Ty Simpson (draft), TE Max Klare (draft), OT Keagan Trost (draft) Key losses: n/a The NFL’s best offense in 2025 returns all 11 starters. While No. 13 overall pick Ty Simpson is viewed as the Rams’ quarterback of the future, tight end Max Klare (second round) and offensive tackle Keagen Trost (third round) provide young depth for a loaded offense in 2026.

No More Stalemate: NFL And The NFL Referees Association Working Toward New Deal

Wed, 06 May 2026 09:45:27 -0400

The NFL and its officials are moving closer toward a new agreement that avoids a work stoppage. After a lengthy stalemate, negotiations have reached a point where the NFL Referees Association is planning to have a ratification vote this week, a person with knowledge of the discussions told The Associated Press on Tuesday. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the conversations are private. ESPN first reported the development. Last month, the league began the onboarding process for replacement officials because negotiations weren’t progressing. The NFL’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association is set to expire on May 31. The league and the union have been negotiating a new CBA since the summer of 2024. "The league remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable agreement with the NFLRA but will be prepared in the event the NFLRA permits the current agreement to expire," NFL senior vice president of officiating Perry Fewell said in a memo sent to teams in April. The NFL has increased its offer to a 6.45% annual growth rate in compensation over a six-year labor deal, but the NFLRA wants 10% plus $2.5 million for marketing fees, two AP sources said in March. NFLRA executive director Scott Green told the AP "those numbers are not accurate." At the time, he said negotiations with the league were similar to 2012 when a stalemate resulted in a 110-day lockout and replacement referees were used. "We’re taking the appropriate steps to be ready, but we’re also keenly focused on negotiations," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said on March 31. Reporting by The Associated Press.

NFL Offseason Check-In: Dan Quinn Didn't Want Commanders to Fall for Easy Narrative

Wed, 06 May 2026 06:00:17 -0400

Following a disappointing 5-12 campaign in 2025, Washington Commanders head coach Dan Quinn admitted that it took some time to remove the stench from a season where it felt like nothing could go right for his upstart group. But Quinn's positive outlook has returned as he prepares for his third season as the Commanders' head coach. After a busy offseason full of changes in Washington, Quinn opened up to me on why the Commanders opted not to act complacent despite reaching the NFC Championship Game just a year prior. "The easy narrative is to say, ‘Hey man, the injuries – that’s all it was,’" Quinn told me. "But I want to go deeper than that, making sure what we can do better offensively and defensively, and then how do we develop more as an entire team. "It takes a good, strong offseason to dig into areas that you want to improve on. So, we’re putting in two new systems offensively and defensively, much like we did in 2024. I’m excited about that." Quinn made wholesale changes on offense and defense. That included parting ways with respected offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and promoting quarterbacks coach David Blough to offensive coordinator. The team also hired Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones to be their new defensive coordinator, replacing Joe Whitt Jr. after two seasons. With those hirings come the implementation of new schemes. Quinn said learning new schemes has created a sense of urgency for his players as they embark on offseason work. And at the heart of that new learning will be the evolution of Washington’s offense under the leadership of third-year pro quarterback Jayden Daniels, who finished the 2025 season on injured reserve with a dislocated elbow. Daniels told me back in February at the Fanatics Flag Football Classic that he’s fully healthy, and his offseason work began well before the start of organized team activities (OTAs). A Southern California native, Daniels’ regimen back home has included throwing with teammates Terry McLaurin, Dyami Brown and Rachaad White at UCLA. As Quinn is tasked with keeping Daniels healthy, the Commanders' head coach said that Washington's new offense under Blough will include more plays under center and a renewed focus on the play-action game. That'll include heavier formations to better keep the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year out of harm’s way. But that will be a major change from what the Commanders did last season. They ran a league-low 112 snaps under center in 2025, and Daniels completed 22-of-41 (53.7%) passes for 305 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions with a 94.1 passer rating on play-action passes last season, per Next Gen Stats. "When you’re under center, it does add value for the play-action game — some of the deep shots that can go down the field," Quinn told me. "And primarily, some of that is just based on protections with the tight ends and backs being involved for some of the deeper developing routes. "When you can add that to your game, that’s a big deal. So, that was one that we felt was worth going through. How much under center? That will be determined as we get through spring and training camp. But it will definitely be a bigger part of the offense for sure." While Quinn worked to make Daniels' life easier with a new scheme, Commanders general manager Adam Peters is attempting to do that by adding more playmakers to Washington's offense. The Commanders signed versatile running backs Jerome Ford and White in free agency, along with playmaking tight end Chig Okonkwo and receivers Van Jefferson and Brown. Peters also shuffled the Commanders' offensive line this offseason. They released starting center Tyler Biadasz as part of a cap-clearing move in order to sign those aforementioned playmakers. But Nick Allegretti will shift from guard to center, giving Washington some continuity up front. And Washington continued to add to its depth chart of playmakers in the draft. Peters grabbed slot receiver Antonio Williams out of Clemson in the third round and Penn State product Kaytron Allen in the sixth round. Williams ran a 4.41-second, 40-yard time at the NFL Scouting Combine after posting over 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns in his final two seasons at Clemson. He’s got an athletic build similar to another effective slot receiver Quinn is familiar with from his time with the Seahawks in Seattle Pro Bowler Doug Baldwin. The hope is that Williams can develop into a solid contributor as a complementary receiver opposite McLaurin. "We saw the route running and ability to change direction – to run option routes and break somebody’s leverage," Quinn told me of Williams. "And we also saw the ability for him to play outside as a Z receiver (flanker), where the deeper developing routes can take place. "We just saw the demonstrated pass catching and route running. He had a very accomplished career there, in terms of what it takes to play in the NFL. We’re excited to add him to our crew." Seventh-round pick Jacory Croskey-Merritt popped in his rookie season, leading in Washington in rushing yards (805) and rushing touchdowns (8). Joining him in the backfield with Ford and White is Allen, who finished his time in college as Penn State’s all-time leading rusher. "He has good size and likes to get downhill," Quinn told me about Allen. "Having another back that has size, can put his foot in the ground and be aggressive, those are the styles of running backs that carry. We’re excited to put him in the mix and let the whole thing kind of develop." The Commanders might not be finished with adding talent around Daniels yet, either. There’s still a chance Washington can add veteran wide receiver Brandon Ayiuk, who was Daniels’ teammate at Arizona State. San Francisco is expected to release him at some point this offseason, and Peters is familiar with Aiyuk from his time working in the 49ers’ front office, being a part of the group that drafted the talented wide receiver in 2020. And if Aiyuk can move past the ugliness that occurred in San Francisco and is healthy, he would provide a boost to Washington, which did not bring back Deebo Samuel in free agency. While the Commanders made several moves on offense this offseason, the splashiest moves they made were on the defensive side of the ball. They signed edge rushers Odafe Oweh and K’Lavon Chaisson, along with versatile Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Leo Chenal, in free agency, as Quinn told me the goal is for Washington to get back to having the opportunistic defenses he created during his time with the Dallas Cowboys and Seahawks. That means bringing in more speed, pass-rush ability and versatility up front. The centerpiece of that goal and Quinn’s revamped defense was the selection of athletic dynamo linebacker Sony Styles with the seventh overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. At 6-foot-5 and 248 pounds, Styles can take over as the green dot, defensive play caller of Washington’s defense. Peters saw up close the impact a do-it-all inside linebacker can have on a defense in San Francisco in Fred Warner. Quinn had the same experience as defensive coordinator for the Seahawks when Bobby Wagner, who played the last two years as the man in the middle of Washington’s defense, served in that role as a rookie, second-round draft pick for a Seattle defense that went to back-to-back Super Bowls. "What I like about Sonny is he has the traits — the work, the love of it and the discipline to go and do extra," Quinn told me. "That carries from college into pro ball. And he’s hungry. Those are just a few things that he can bring to us. "I have a sense that he’s going to be excellent at a lot of spots, but one of the things he didn’t do a lot of at Ohio State was blitzing. But I think with his speed and his length, I’m excited to develop that part of his game, too." The big investments the Commanders made on defense come after they had a rough performance on that side of the ball in 2025. They ranked last in yards allowed and their 10 takeaways were second from the bottom, with the New York Jets' historically poor season producing fewer takeaways. The Commanders totaled 42 sacks last season, tied for 12th in the league, but their pass rush win rate (36%) was 18th in the league. Quinn believes adding more juice up front will improve those numbers, creating a more dangerous defense that can consistently get the ball back to Daniels and the offense. "We want to put physical pressure, mental pressure and some frustration and doubt into the offense," Quinn told me. "Fear in some ways. And some of the best ways to do that is to deploy people at different spots, different locations. When they make a check, you make one as well. "Knowing there is uncertainty and decision-making that has to take place post-snap, that’s when you can really play good defense. Because if you’re giving some of these QBs too much information too early, they are so elite that the completions are high and they can control the game that way. You want to have enough in your toolbox to disrupt that, frustrate that and not allow that to be that way. It takes some risk to have this disguise or this location with a player, but at the end of it, it’s worth it because you’re not the one getting worked for the information. It’s like, you better figure this out after the snap."

Why Colin Cowherd Believes Cowboys Will Fail to Live Up to Expectations in 2026

Tue, 05 May 2026 19:15:37 -0400

It’s been two whole seasons since the Dallas Cowboys have had a winning record and earned a playoff spot. But with a lauded draft class and some notable offseason moves, will the Cowboys get their footing back and make it to the postseason again? Don't count on that happening, or at least that's what Colin Cowherd thinks. Cowherd said on Tuesday’s edition of "The Herd" that he took notice of Dallas’ schedule difficulty, and does not believe it will match what oddsmakers have as its projected win total for the 2026 season. "Over/Under is 8.5 wins. I will take the under," Cowherd said. "I think they’re a 7-10 or an 8-9 team. I like their draft, I like their personnel, but last year they played the third-easiest schedule and won seven games, and their eight games against teams with winning records, they went 1-7." While the full schedule for the 2026 NFL season hasn't been announced, the Cowboys know who they'll face this fall. They have eight games against teams that made the playoffs in 2025, including the Philadelphia Eagles (twice), Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams. One of their designated home games will be played in Brazil, taking on a Baltimore Ravens team that had a down year in 2025. They also have to travel to Green Bay to take on the Packers, and face the Texans in Houston. And that's all before mentioning their other four matchups against divisional foes, as the New York Giants and Washington Commanders appear to be in a spot to contend for the playoffs in 2026. The Cowboys finished their 2025 campaign 7-9-1 in the first year of the Brian Schottenheimer era, showing some improvement from Mike McCarthy's final season as head coach in 2024. Schottenheimer was elevated to head coach in the 2025 offseason after two seasons as the team's offensive coordinator, helping quarterback Dak Prescott put up another impressive statistical season (4,552 passing yards, 30 touchdowns, 10 interceptions). Dallas recently compiled an impressive draft class that included a pair of first-round picks (Ohio State safety Caleb Downs, UCF edge rusher Malachi Lawrence) along with some potential mid-round standouts (Michigan edge rusher Jaishawn Barham, Penn State offensive tackle Drew Shelton, Florida cornerback Devon Moore, Alabama edge rusher LT Overton). In a year when defensive depth was needed, Dallas took advantage from the jump, with its move to trade up and draft Downs being widely praised. FOX Sports' Rob Rang’s draft grade analysis for Dallas was positive, with a long-term vision that their new defensive look has potential. "With two first-round picks to play with following last year’s Micah Parsons trade, it was clear the Cowboys had the potential to be active in this draft, but they were even more flexible than expected, aggressively trading up to nab star safety Caleb Downs at No. 11 and recouping picks by dropping back and still getting an explosive edge rusher in Malachi Lawrence at No. 23." Rang wrote. After trading Micah Parsons to the Packers last August in exchange for two first-round picks, the Cowboys' will need their draft class, and the impact of key offseason moves – like franchise-tagging wide receiver George Pickens – to help surpass the projected win total of 8.5 wins. Cowherd recognized that because of those moves, Dallas has strong roster depth. However, he doesn't think the Cowboys have the top-end talent to make the playoffs in 2026. "I think their roster is better than we give it credit for, but their schedule is brutal, and they have not shown an ability with Brian Schottenheimer to win against better quarterbacks consistently. If you look at the Cowboys, and you’re like, ‘I like what they’re doing,’ you have to check schedules."

Ranking the 10 Best NFL Defenses Entering Offseason Workouts

Tue, 05 May 2026 14:28:43 -0400

With the primary player acquisition periods in the books, which NFL defenses are poised to be the most feared in 2026? Here’s my prediction for the top 10 defenses in the upcoming season, in descending order: Key additions: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Devin Lloyd (FA), DT Lee Hunter (draft)Key losses: DT A’Shawn Robinson (FA) Don’t be surprised to see the Panthers, who ranked 15th in points allowed and 16th in yards given up last season, make the leap into the top-10 conversation in 2026. They added two of the marquee defensive free agents in edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and linebacker Devin Lloyd. Cornerback Jaycee Horn is coming off back-to-back Pro Bowl seasons. Carolina lost starting defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson in free agency but essentially replaced him with second-round pick Lee Hunter, who had 10.5 tackles for loss at Texas Tech last season. Ejiro Evero, one of the NFL’s most respected defensive coordinators, has plenty of talent to work with. Key additions: OLB Trey Hendrickson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA), OLB Zion Young (draft)Key losses: DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), S Alohi Gilman (FA) The Maxx Crosby deal may have fallen through, but the Ravens will have much more pass rush juice in 2026 with the additions of former All-Pro Trey Hendrickson, who had 35 sacks from 2023-24, and second-round rookie Zion Young, who had 16.5 tackles for loss last season at Missouri. There has also been optimism about the potential return of former Pro Bowl defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike, who suffered a career-threatening neck injury at the start of last season. Key additions: DT Javon Hargrave (FA), LB Zaire Franklin (trade), CB Benjamin St-Juste (FA), CB Brandon Cisse (draft), DT Chris McClellan (draft), OLB Dani Dennis-Sutton (draft)Key losses: OLB Rashan Gary (trade), LB Quay Walker (FA), DL Colby Wooden (trade), DE Kingsley Enagbare (FA) If All-Pro edge Micah Parsons is healthy — he tore his ACL in December — the Packers are equipped to take a step forward in 2026, even after trading Rashan Gary. Defensive tackle Javon Hargrave and linebacker Zaire Franklin replace Colby Wooden and Quay Walker, respectively — on paper, both upgrades. Green Bay is also deeper at cornerback than a year ago with veteran Benjamin St-Juste and second-round rookie Brandon Cisse in the fold. Key additions: LB Quincy Williams (FA), S Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (draft)Key losses: LB Devin Bush (FA), DL Shelby Harris (FA) While the impact of defensive coordinator Jim Schwartz’s departure remains unclear, the Browns should still have one of the league’s best units. Cleveland lost just one full-time starter in Devin Bush Jr., and found a replacement who should suffice in former All-Pro Quincy Williams. Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, the 58th overall pick in this year’s draft, bolsters an already strong secondary. Key additions: S Kevin Byard (FA), DL Dre’Mont Jones (FA), OLB Gabe Jacas (draft)Key losses: LB Jack Gibbens (FA), DT Khyiris Tonga (FA), OLB K’Lavon Chaisson (FA), S Jaylinn Hawkins (FA) The reigning AFC champion Patriots, who ranked fourth in scoring defense and eighth in yards allowed in 2025, added more playmaking in the back end with All-Pro safety Kevin Byard, who led the NFL with seven interceptions last season. They also brought in much-needed depth to the edge rusher spot in veteran Dre’Mont Jones and second-round pick Gabe Jacas. Key additions: CB Jaylen Watson (FA), CB Trent McDuffie (trade)Key losses: CB Cobie Durant (FA) The Rams already had one of the best defensive fronts in football and now have a top-tier cornerback tandem in former All-Pro Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, both of whom were previously with the Chiefs. With Chris Shula returning as coordinator, Los Angeles has a championship-caliber defense. Key additions: OLB Jonathan Greenard (trade), CB Riq Woolen (FA), OLB Arnold Ebiketie (FA)Key losses: OLB Jaelan Phillips (FA), LB Nakobe Dean (FA), S Reed Blankenship (FA) Despite losing Jaelen Phillips in free agency, the Eagles made up for the void at edge rusher by trading for former Vikings Pro Bowler Jonathan Greenard. They’re also better at cornerback with the addition of former Seahawks Pro Bowler Riq Woolen. A healthy Jalen Carter gives DC Vic Fangio one of the best defenses in all of football. Key addition: DT Tyler Onyedim (draft)Key losses: DL John Franklin-Myers (FA), S P.J. Locke (FA) With the exception of standout defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers, who signed with the Titans, the Broncos have the core of their top-three defense from last season intact. Third-round rookie Tyler Onyedim figures to be part of the equation in replacing Franklin-Myers’ production (7.5 sacks in 2025). Key additions: DE Dante Fowler Jr. (FA), S Bud Clark (draft), CB Julian Neal (draft)Key losses: S Coby Bryant (FA), DE Boye Mafe (FA), CB Riq Woolen (FA) The Seahawks lost three contributors from their defense that led the team to a Super Bowl LX victory, so there’s some uncertainty there. But Mike Macdonald’s unit still returns 10 full-time starters. Rookie defensive backs Bud Clark (second round) and Julian Neal (third round) could have significant roles early. Key additions: S Reed Blankenship (FA), DL Logan Hall (FA), DT Kayden McDonald (draft)Key loss: DT Tim Settle (FA) DeMeco Ryans returns 10 starters to his defense that ranked first in yards allowed and second in scoring in 2025. Adding standout veteran safety Reed Blankenship and second-round rookie defensive tackle Kayden McDonald raises the ceiling of a defense that’s already Super Bowl-caliber.

NFL Offseason Check-in: When Should the Raiders Start No. 1 Pick Fernando Mendoza?

Tue, 05 May 2026 11:06:02 -0400

If Fernando Mendoza were not the No. 1 overall pick, there would be no rush to get him onto the field. In that alternate scenario, the Las Vegas Raiders could slot veteran Kirk Cousins into the QB1 spot and no one would give it a second thought. There would be no pressure. No stress. No reason to push the young quarterback, especially not when the team's offensive line (while rebuilt) was as bad as it was last year. Can the Raiders pretend Mendoza was not the No. 1 overall pick? Can they avoid the history of what teams have done with their rookie QB after taking him No. 1 overall? Of the 16 quarterbacks drafted at No. 1 overall in the past 20 years, every single one started in his rookie season, per FOX Sports Research. And of those 16 QBs, 12 of them started in Week 1. All of the past six first-overall QBs have started in Week 1. So you take my point — hopefully. The Raiders would have to fight what is historically inevitable. It's no mystery that the Raiders want to keep Mendoza off the field at the start of his NFL career. Not long ago, part-owner Tom Brady called it a "tragedy" that teams are "forcing these rookies to play early." At the NFL Combine, new Raiders coach Klint Kubiak said, "Ideally, you don't want a rookie to start from Day 1." That’s why Cousins, a legit bridge quarterback, arrived via free agency before the draft. He would be a worthy starter. But even he seems to know that he might not be the best quarterback on the team over the next 10 months. And at that point, Cousins wants the best QB to play, even if that’s Mendoza. "I honestly don’t want to start unless I’m the best option, and I told Klint that," Cousins told reporters at his introductory press conference. "The best player should play. As long as that’s the case, I have no qualms about however it plays out." For those who don't want Mendoza rushed onto the field, there's good(-ish) news: He isn’t even close to ready. At his first rookie minicamp practice last week, Mendoza took more under-center snaps than he did in his entire season at Indiana. And perhaps that’s why he had a startling realization. "Wow, I have a lot to work on," he remembered thinking during his first practice. "Wow, the NFL players, everybody here in rookie camp — these are all really, really good players." Many of those players won’t even make the 53-man roster. So that means that when OTAs, minicamp and training camp get underway, Mendoza is due for another surprise regarding the quality of his teammates. And then he’ll see two more surprises during the preseason and regular season. If all goes well, he’ll see how the game only gets faster in the postseason and the Super Bowl. That’s me getting ahead of myself. I won’t be the only one. But at least I know I’m getting ahead of myself. Some others won’t think twice about putting pressure on a guy the Raiders picked with the first selection in a draft of 257 selections. People will want Mendoza to play. People always want the No. 1 overall pick to play. Let’s juxtapose those expectations with what is actually happening. The No. 1 overall pick is learning how to take snaps under center. You’d think, of course, that’s built into being a quarterback. A kid learns that when he’s in middle school and it sticks with him. But Mendoza was a shotgun QB for the Hoosiers. And while he was touted as a quick-thinking draft prospect, he’ll have to figure out how to translate his superpower — his processing speed — into Kubiak’s dropback offense. "Instead of being back there in shotgun, we have to get back to make sure you best serve your offensive linemen, still be on time, still decipher the defense," Mendoza told reporters at minicamp. "And with that, actually having an emphasis on those first two steps, on securing the snap and getting out of there, and be powerful with having quick feet." The basics. He’s not behind or ahead of schedule. That is how rookie minicamp works. He’s getting comfortable handing off the football, checking down the football and throwing into one-on-one drills. He is not yet operating the entire scheme, let alone 11-on-11, full-speed, fully-padded reps. It’s a process and, hopefully, a progression that Mendoza will embrace wholeheartedly. By all accounts, he is the type of player who wants nothing more than to live the cliché of getting better every day. But that doesn’t mean that he won’t and can’t regress. In fact, I’ll assure you: He will. The danger of inserting a player like Mendoza into the lineup too early isn’t just that he’ll regress. It’s that early playtime might instill those bad habits. By nature of the draft order, the No. 1 overall pick goes to the NFL’s worst team. Contrast that to Mendoza coming from college football’s best team. It’s going to be different. When coach Ben Johnson arrived in Chicago last year, he got to work with Bears QB Caleb Williams. But it seemed as if Johnson had to break through some of the bad habits Williams learned in his rookie season (before Johnson arrived). That’s the risk of putting a QB in too early. It might create a new laundry list of issues to address in the ensuing offseason. The Green Bay Packers have a strong legacy of letting their quarterbacks sit and develop. And perhaps not coincidentally, they have also enjoyed a level of sustained success that’s basically beyond comparison. Green Bay sat Aaron Rodgers behind Brett Favre before sitting Jordan Love behind Rodgers. And that has covered their QB spot going back to 1992. And, of course, the Kansas City Chiefs famously sat Patrick Mahomes behind Alex Smith for a year. And that was despite — as the myth now goes — Mahomes playing better than Smith at practice for parts of Mahomes’ rookie season. Those were organizations that had success despite drafting a QB in Round 1. But none of those teams took its QB at No. 1 overall. One of the best imaginable outcomes for Mendoza would be that he could turn into Joe Burrow or Matt Ryan. In the case of Burrow, drafted No. 1 overall by the Cincinnati Bengals in 2020, he started in Week 1 and played well. But he took too many hits, including the one that prematurely ended his season in Week 11 with an ACL and MCL tear. As for Ryan, he was solid as a rookie in 2008, with 3,440 passing yards, 16 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year and led the Atlanta Falcons to an 11-5 record. Ryan, however, went third overall — and, in turn, had a better supporting cast. This is to say that the final decision should probably come down to more than Mendoza. Yes, he'll have to be ready. But there's more to it than that. Even if Mendoza is ready for the NFL, the Raiders might not be ready for him.

Chiefs GM Gives Patrick Mahomes Rehab Update: 'He’s Way Ahead of Schedule'

Mon, 04 May 2026 20:20:59 -0400

Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes could be on track to return to the field sooner than expected. Chiefs general manager Brett Veach told SiriusXM on Monday morning that Mahomes’ rehab is well ahead of schedule. The strong progress puts Mahomes in a position to potentially take part in portions of the team's offseason workout program if his recovery continues without setbacks. "He’s way ahead of schedule," Veach said. "I think the biggest challenge that we’re going to have is protecting [Mahomes] against himself because I’m sure when we get to St. Joseph, Missouri, for training camp, he’s going to want to be a full-go." Mahomes is recovering from ACL and LCL tears in his left knee, which he suffered last December in the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. While the typical recovery timeline is nine to 12 months, his current progress puts him on track to potentially return for training camp, if not sooner. "It’s been really inspiring," Veach said. "I’ve been there before with Pat when he had that dislocated knee and worked his tail off to come back in three weeks. I knew this bump in the road wouldn’t slow him down at all." Even with Mahomes seemingly ahead of schedule, Veach focused on protecting him from himself throughout the rehab process. As much as getting him back on the field would provide a boost, the team remains focused on a cautious, long-term approach rather than rushing his return. "We’re going to have to hold him back a little," Veach said. "I don’t want to put a timetable on it, but I think you know the type of person and competitor Pat [Mahomes] is. I would just say that we’re in a pretty good place right now. While the organization remains committed to a cautious timeline, Mahomes’ rapid recovery is quickly making a return to training camp a realistic possibility. The focus now is less on the knee itself and more on managing his competitive drive to ensure he’s fully cleared before returning.

2026 NFL Breakout Candidates: 10 Second-Year Players Poised to Make a Leap

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:50:30 -0400

We all get caught up in the excitement surrounding the current year's NFL Draft, as the top prospects find new homes to start their pro careers. But with the 2026 NFL Draft behind us, we now get a chance to see which players teams are trusting on their rosters the most ahead of the upcoming season. Many of those players are entering their second season. Not every NFL star finds immediate success, and others need a year to adjust to the pro game before finding themselves and thriving at the highest level. You'll hear that a player's biggest improvement can happen between his first and second NFL season, and we've chosen 10 players across the league who should have opportunities to make such a leap. Some were limited by injuries as rookies, some are stepping into much larger roles, but all of them have a chance to show significant progress in 2026. The Buffalo Bills went 12-5 and had the NFL's No. 1 pass defense in 2025, but Sean McDermott was fired and Jim Leonhard is in as the new defensive coordinator. Maxwell Hairston, the 30th overall pick in the 2025 draft, was derailed early by a preseason knee injury, but he'll go from three starts as a rookie to opening the year as a starting outside corner. The Bills have had a frustrating run of regular-season success with only one conference championship appearance in the last five years. If they're to get there in 2026, they'll need young players like Hairston to step up in a big way. The Jacksonville Jaguars were content to let Travis Etienne leave in free agency, signing with the New Orleans Saints after rushing for 1,107 yards and seven touchdowns last season. Part of that was a confidence in Bhayshul Tuten, a fourth-round pick from Virginia Tech who had 307 yards and five touchdowns in limited work as the top backup. Chris Rodriguez, signed from the Washington Commanders in free agency, will compete for carries, but has a chance to step into a much larger role in Liam Coen's prolific offense. After a quiet rookie season, could Jack Bech emerge as rookie Fernando Mendoza's favorite receiver? Tight end Brock Bowers might be the offense's primary target, but Bech — who had 20 catches for 224 yards and no touchdowns last year — could easily outpace Tre Tucker and newcomer Jalen Nailor as the Las Vegas Raiders' best downfield threat. He broke out as a senior at TCU in 2024 with 1,034 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, and he has as good a chance as any to benefit from a No. 1 overall pick throwing the ball in Las Vegas. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers' defense was a major part of their second-half collapse, losing seven of eight games and missing the playoffs for the first time in six seasons. Tampa Bay allowed cornerback Jamel Dean to leave for the Pittsburgh Steelers in free agency and hasn't made any significant additions at outside corner, so they're trusting that Benjamin Morrison and Zyon McCollum can be much improved, with the help of an upgraded defensive front. As much as anything, the former second-round pick must show he can stay healthy after missing seven games as a rookie with a hamstring injury. If the Kansas City Chiefs can get back on track in 2026, Josh Simmons will have to be a key part of that, as a first-round pick who was limited to eight games as a rookie, missing four games with a family issue and the last five with a fractured wrist. The Chiefs didn't touch the offensive line in the draft, so it will be Josh Simmons tasked with protecting Patrick Mahomes' blind side once he's back from injury. Kansas City has given up 40-plus sacks in back-to-back seasons and needs to get back to under 30 to preserve Mahomes. For a first-round receiver to go his entire rookie season without a touchdown is a major disappointment, and Matthew Golden finished with 29 catches for 361 yards while playing 43% of the Green Bay Packers' offensive snaps. The Packers' confidence in Golden was seen this spring, when they allowed Romeo Doubs to sign with the New England Patriots and traded Dontayvian Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles. Christian Watson is likely still the Packers' No. 1 receiver, but Golden should challenge him and could easily double his own overall rookie numbers. With Micah Parsons traded away, Donovan Ezeiruaku got to play a ton of snaps as a rookie, mustering only two sacks but nine tackles for loss. With Rashan Gary on board, the Dallas Cowboys have upgraded their overall pass rush from 2025, and Ezeiruaku will benefit from that — he nearly tripled his sack totals from his freshman to sophomore year at Boston College. A young, new defensive coordinator in Christian Parker will improve what was the worst scoring defense in the NFL, and Ezeiruaku could be a central part of that. Omarion Hampton was taken 22nd overall but missed half his rookie season with an ankle injury. In the nine games he played, he rushed for 545 yards and four touchdowns, with another 192 yards receiving. To be the lead back in a Mike McDaniel offense is a huge boost, and the Los Angeles Chargers will benefit from a much healthier offensive line after playing most of 2025 without either starting tackle. The interior of the offensive line has been upgraded, and Hampton should get the largest share of carries ahead of backups Keaton Mitchell and Kimani Vidal. He's a safe bet for a 1,000-yard season if he stays healthy as part of a team poised to make a deep playoff run. After sitting on the bench for the first half of 2025, Shough made a strong impression in the final nine games, leading the New Orleans Saints on a surprise four-game win streak. His overall numbers were modest — 10 touchdowns against six interceptions, with another three scores rushing. What stands out is how he did with a skeleton crew of supporting cast, throwing to receiver Chris Olave and tight end Juwan Johnson, but precious little in terms of depth. This has been a busy offseason, loading up on offensive talent for the Saints, spending big on running back Travis Etienne and adding veteran guard David Edwards. Then, in the draft, not only did the Saints add wide receiver Jordyn Tyson with the eighth overall pick, but they also added third-round tight end Oscar Delp and drafted two other receivers. With an offensive coach like Kellen Moore, Shough has no excuse not to take a step forward in his second year. In the last two years, the Saints have totaled 40 touchdown passes. Only four teams have fewer, and all four (Las Vegas Raiders, Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, New York Giants) have gone 8-26 or worse in those two seasons. Shough needs to take a step forward and get this offense back to where it averaged 27 touchdown passes per season in the first three years after Drew Brees' retirement, even while starting six different quarterbacks. The bigger question: Can either of last year's other rookie starters, Cam Ward of the Tennessee Titans or Jaxson Dart of the New York Giants, make similar jumps in their second seasons and help their teams get back to competitive football again? The novelty of a two-way NFL player was the allure with Travis Hunter, and the Jacksonville Jaguars believed in him enough to give up their 2026 first-round pick in moving up from No. 5 to No. 2 last spring. But Hunter's debut season was disappointing on both sides of the ball. He had 28 catches for 298 yards and a single touchdown at receiver and had even less production at corner, posting 15 tackles and zero interceptions. After seven games, his rookie season ended early with a knee injury, watching as the Jaguars finished 13-4 and won a division title. Hunter's on course to be fully recovered by the start of training camp, and it should be a simpler second season for him. It remains to be seen how much work he'll get on offense — the Jaguars traded for Jakobi Meyers during last season and gave him a lucrative extension, and they've held off on trading third-year receiver Brian Thomas Jr., with Parker Washington enjoying a breakout season last year. Hunter should be an every-down corner, and that side of the ball should be his focus and the best chance for him to shine. Jacksonville let Greg Newsome leave in free agency and didn't draft a corner, setting Hunter up for a central role. Can Hunter get back to being the playmaker who had seven interceptions in his last two seasons at Colorado? That remains to be seen.

NFL Offseason Check-in: Can Carnell Tate Be Titans’ WR1 After Being Ohio State’s WR2?

Mon, 04 May 2026 10:46:34 -0400

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Carnell Tate spent his first two Titans practices largely out of sight. After a team stretch during rookie minicamp last week, the No. 4 overall pick — like the rest of Tennessee’s 2026 draft selections— worked with the strength and conditioning staff. But there will come a time when the receiver will be on the field, running routes and catching passes from quarterback Cam Ward, last year's No. 1 overall pick. Tate's draft slot makes the expectation clear: Eventually, he needs to be a WR1-caliber player. He’s pivotal to Ward’s development and to the Titans’ offense. Tate doesn’t sound overwhelmed by that expectation. "I just go out there and play football," he told reporters on Friday. "The ball will find you. You just go out there and make the best of your opportunities, like I've always done." But not as a WR1. It’s well documented: In Ohio State’s (always) loaded wide receiver room, Tate was WR2 behind Jeremiah Smith last season. As a sophomore in 2024, Tate was the third option behind Smith and Emeka Egbuka, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' first-round pick last year. That means that at the highest level of football, Tate will need to grow into something he hasn’t been. "He's got to compete; he has got to prove that he belongs," new Titans head coach Robert Saleh said Friday. "He’s got to [show] that he deserves the ball, and it's going to start day one once he gets here." As a rookie, Ward never had a go-to target in Tennessee’s abysmal offense, which ranked third-worst in the NFL in scoring (16.7 points per game). Titans receivers were plagued by dropped passes and issues creating separation. Former All-Pro Calvin Ridley was a disappointment in 2025, missing 10 games due to injury and averaging just 43.3 receiving yards per contest when he was on the field. The Titans’ leading pass-catcher was tight end Chig Okonkwo (560 receiving yards), who signed with the Washington Commanders in free agency. Tennessee added free-agent Wan’Dale Robinson, who was a 1,000-yard receiver last season for the Giants. Robinson spent the first three-plus years of his NFL career playing under Brian Daboll, the former New York head coach and now the Titans' offensive coordinator. Second-year pros Chimere Dike — an All-Pro returner as a rookie — and Elic Ayomanor are ascending players. But Tate is the high-end, young talent the team desperately needs at the position. In the Titans’ eyes, he’s a complete wide receiver. The 6-foot-2, 192-pound Tate is a big target with contested-catch ability. He has great tracking skills and the catch radius to match. He’s an efficient route-runner and a willing blocker. What Tate lacks as a burner (4.53-second 40-yard dash) he makes up for in play speed. He’s "elusive and sudden" off the line of scrimmage, as Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi puts it, and can separate from defensive backs at the top of his routes. With Tate’s presence, Ward may be able to let it fly more downfield. Among the 33 qualified quarterbacks last season, he ranked 28th in deep passing rate (8.1%), according to Next Gen Stats. At Ohio State in 2025, Tate ranked second in the FBS with nine catches of 40-plus yards. "He got behind the defense in a pretty good league in college," Daboll said at rookie minicamp. "And then his range and ability to track the ball and his hands. His hands have been very good. His ability to pluck it and high point it and make catches in traffic. He’s a crafty route-runner. "Look, he’s going to have a lot of challenging things that happen to him as a young receiver," Daboll added. "There’s a transition from college to the NFL, as there is with every position. But his mindset, his makeup [stand out]. … We had a really good 30 visit. He’s a very mature young man for only being 21 years old." In Daboll’s offense, the wide receivers are expected to know all the spots in the formation. So the plan is to move Tate around. How he processes that remains to be seen. "We’ll give him as much as he can handle," Daboll said. The Titans have a "consensus vision" on what Tate will be in the offense, according to assistant GM Dave Zeiger. "A lot of times, you get the bigger, taller, linear receivers. … I call them first- and second-down guys," Zeigler told reporters last week. "They’re not productive on third down because they don't have the route tree to do that. Or you have a bigger guy that doesn't consistently play big at the catch point. "Carnell checked a lot of those boxes. We're feeling we're really getting a complete three-down player that can contribute on these critical downs and these critical situations, third down and the red zone." When Tate starts to practice, we’ll see if the former college WR2 can be a true WR1 in the NFL.

Sound Smart: 5 Observations on the Biggest Post-Draft Storylines

Mon, 04 May 2026 09:11:41 -0400

The NFL offseason — which is basically a whole season unto itself — is about to come to a screeching halt. Free agency has come and mostly gone. The draft is complete. And now, teams will likely wait until June 1 before making any more moves, because of the salary-cap and compensatory-pick considerations. (That’s when we’ll no doubt see the Philadelphia Eagles trade disgruntled receiver A.J. Brown.) But there is always something to discuss in the NFL offseason. Always. This is "Sound Smart," where I try to spin forward, dive deeper and think outside the box. If I do my job, you’ll have a better understanding of what really happened over the past week of the NFL offseason. 1. IF THERE’S ONE THING YOU SHOULD KNOW, IT’S… George Pickens’ contract situation says one thing about the Dallas Cowboys — and another about the NFL. When it comes to extending the All-Pro receiver, the Cowboys aren’t going to change the way they do business — not even after the Micah Parsons situation blew up last year. You know the story: Dallas and Parsons never agreed on a contract and negotiations went forgotten-milk sour. Parsons is now a Green Bay Packer. The Cowboys have players and picks to show for the trade. A new-look defense is under construction after last year's version was putrid without All-Pro edge Parsons. And you’d think maybe the Cowboys might be more generous with their players, perhaps to earn more goodwill — or perhaps to avoid fallout with another mercurial star. You’d think wrong. At the NFL owners meetings in March, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones set the table for how negotiations would go with Pickens, calling the franchise tag "an integral part of our strategy over the next two or three years as we look to keep our best players." And ahead of the draft, executive vice president and director of player personnel Stephen Jones doubled down. "We've made a decision that we're gonna have George play under the franchise tag, which won't be a first for us," Jones said. "There won't be negotiations on a long-term deal. That's certainly not a first for this organization and won't be a first in the league." Pickens signed his franchise tag on April 30. On the Cowboys’ end, this is a shrewd decision for roster management. It’s what’s best for the organization, forcing the receiver — who could likely have made $40 million per year (and probably on a three- or four-year deal) on the open market — to play for a one-year, $27.3 million deal. And with Pickens, it’s important to note how he’s not like CeeDee Lamb or Ja’Marr Chase, veteran receivers who repeatedly proved themselves on and off the field before signing huge deals. No, Pickens is more of a wild-card, whose play had been spotty at times until he arrived in Dallas last season. And he only landed with the Cowboys because the Pittsburgh Steelers were fed up with him, shipping him off for a third-round pick. That isn’t to say that Dallas' decision is fair. But it is analytical and calculated. The Cowboys aren’t changing. Not for Parsons. Not for Pickens. Now for the NFL, it’s yet another reminder of how little power the players have. At the owners meetings, Jerry Jones mentioned that Pickens entered the league under the collective bargaining agreement, which players negotiated. And so Pickens must follow the NFL and NFLPA’s agreed-upon contract rules, which include the franchise tag. In other words, Jones is saying: Don’t hold out, don’t hold in, don’t fight this franchise tag. But of course, Pickens doesn’t have much of an alternative. When he entered the draft in 2022, the NIL era was not fully launched in college football — not like the raging business it is now. Nowadays, star players can stay in college and make plenty of money. As we saw in this year’s draft, many do. But when it comes to going pro in football, the NFL has no competitor. And the league’s contract system is extremely team-friendly. It prevented Pickens from cashing in and securing the long-term financial deal that he could absolutely demand, if not for the franchise tag. Because of that, Pickens has no real recourse — except to demand a trade and/or to stage a holdout or hold-in. That doesn’t seem to be on the table. Instead, he’ll work to change the narrative that he’s difficult to work with. He’ll play on an improperly valued contract. And in 2027, if all goes well, he’ll cash in big. 2. MONDAY MORNING CONTROVERSY Where in the world is Shedeur Sanders? Deshaun Watson is in pole position to start at quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in 2026, per Cleveland.com’s Mary Kay Cabot. And … my goodness, why and how? Where is Shedeur Sanders? This is one of the more promising Browns teams we’ve seen in quite some time, which — I know, I know — might not be saying much. But I genuinely believe that Cleveland is agonizingly close to pulling itself out of the basement and away from the purgatory of rebuilding, year after year. But the Browns are not going to be competitive if they play Watson, one of the worst QBs in recent NFL history. I’m not even being hyperbolic. Consider this telling statistic from ESPN’s Benjamin Solak: Over the past 26 years, we’ve seen 907 seasons of quarterbacks with 200 passing attempts or more. In 2024, Watson’s season ranked 902nd in yards per dropback. And of course, the QB tore his Achilles twice since that season. That’s your guy, Cleveland? So I’ll ask again: Where is Sanders? I get it. In all likelihood, Cleveland will draft its guy in 2027 — and that will be the year the Browns can legitimately turn this around. Maybe it’s as simple as: The Browns want to lose a lot of games in 2026 — to rise to the top of the 2027 draft (aka tanking). But that would surprise me. The Browns can’t really afford to tank, not with GM Andrew Berry and head coach Todd Monken on hot seats. Yeah, that’s right, they could both get fired. Monken hasn’t coached a single down yet, but the Browns struggled to attract a top candidate in the 2026 hiring cycle, mainly because of the team’s salary cap issues and quarterback issues — which all tie back to Watson. If they have a strong, young team with a high draft pick in a QB-rich 2027 draft, the Browns could hire a big-name coach or hot coordinator prospect. (Monken joined Cleveland after getting fired from his OC gig with the Baltimore Ravens.) Think about how the Chicago Bears attracted Ben Johnson with a well-timed hire a year after selecting QB Caleb Williams with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 draft. It’s starting to feel clear that Sanders is not a part of the Browns’ plan, that I’m inserting him into the conversation — because he is not inserting or asserting himself as QB1. Time is running out. Now would be a great time for Sanders to step up. To prove he’s "LEGENDARY." 3. PEELING BACK THE CURTAIN Eric DeCosta did a brilliant job of defusing tension between NFL teams and the Consensus Draft Board. There has been an ongoing discussion in the NFL about the "Consensus Board," an aggregation of media-based big boards ranking the top draft prospects. It’s an effort to use the immense draft data to set the averages. The discussion is often contentious after a team veers from the consensus ranking. But finally, the discussion took a more productive turn this week. And that was when Ravens GM Eric Decosta took the time to explain what he’s seeing when he works with his team’s board — and compares it to the consensus. "Over the last three years or so, more teams seem to be drafting the same as the Ravens," DeCosta said on "The Lounge" podcast. "There seems to be an alignment in some ways of boards. And some of that might be based on modeling and analytics and more data being used, some of that data which is industry data and various things. I'm not sure if that's good or not." He said there are draft prospects he calls "outlier players" who he might rank, for example, as first- or second-round picks but who the consensus boards show as fourth- or fifth-round picks. "That was concerning except that, in most of those cases, those players were drafted closer to where we had them by other teams," DeCosta said. "Meaning, they weren’t falling [toward their consensus value]. … We see those guys getting drafted closer to 35 than 105. So what that tells me — and again, I think we’re just scratching the surface on this — but it tells me that there are players that teams like that the consensus boards haven’t heard about, valued properly or latched onto." He added: "There are these outlier prospects that the teams know about that the consensus boards haven’t caught up to." DeCosta felt like the open access to data and analytics has helped the media’s consensus board align more closely with teams’ boards — particularly as the years go on. But they don’t match universally. The entire discussion started with the examination of the San Francisco 49ers’ draft class, which included a handful of "reaches," when using the consensus board. In this year’s class, 49ers receiver De’Zhaun Stribling might be the best example of an "outlier player." The 49ers took him at 33rd overall — despite him sitting at 85th on the consensus board — because San Francisco feared he'd get drafted soon after their slot. Reports indicate that the 49ers were right — multiple teams had Stribling circled for Round 2. And all it takes is one other team. If the 49ers wanted Stribling, they probably needed to take him at No. 33. And it’s now upon them to make sure he delivers upon that draft status. San Francisco GM John Lynch and coach Kyle Shanahan were not as open as DeCosta to talk about the process and the way the consensus board does (and does not) steer their line of thinking. They were more defensive and flippant, with Lynch saying, "We’ve got consensus in this building. That’s the consensus that I care about." So I appreciate that DeCosta took the time to reach the draft community with a more generous spirit. 4. RANDOM RANKINGS Here are six sleeper rookies that I love for fantasy football. I’ll do three for dynasty and three for redraft. Ted Hurst, WR, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Dynasty) The Bucs' offense came down to earth last year, which is why they pivoted from OC Josh Grizzard to Zac Robinson, an apple that fell off the Sean McVay tree. You can bet that GM Jason Licht drafted Hurst with Robinson’s offense in mind, and the rookie wideout will join a unit that has some uncertainty at the receiver spots beyond Emeka Egbuka. Jalen McMillan has yet to take a full-time starting role and Chris Godwin is aging and oft-injured. Hurst is a developmental prospect out of Georgia State but has incredible physical abilities and was dominant at the FCS level. Maybe he breaks out in 2027. Mike Washington, RB, Las Vegas Raiders (Dynasty) New Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak ran a two-back backfield in Seattle. Now, Kubiak didn’t have Ashton Jeanty last year, and it’s likely the 2025 first-round pick gets a massive share of the touches. But there is a chance that Washington has a bigger role than expected, particularly given how ideally he fits Kubiak's system. He will be a really good handcuff in Vegas. Chris Bell, WR, Miami Dolphins (Dynasty) Bell is the ultimate high-risk, high-upside play. He was an outstanding player at Louisville, where he would have likely earned his way into the top 50 picks in the NFL Draft. But he tore his ACL, which landed him in Round 4 and on a Dolphins team devoid of receivers. Can he earn a sizable role while overcoming the knee injury? Draft him if you want to be along for that journey. Ja’Kobi Lane, WR, Baltimore Ravens (Redraft): If you want a late-round flier with high upside, Lane could be among the best options. Baltimore has long needed an explosive, outside option with good hands. That’s Lane. He should supplant veteran receiver Rashod Bateman for playing time, and the question will simply be whether Lane can convert his snaps in a more efficient way than Bateman has. Justin Joly, TE, Denver Broncos (Redraft): The Broncos have been looking for a tight end who fits Sean Payton’s sensibilities. (He wants another Jimmy Graham, but of course, those guys don’t grow on trees.) It doesn’t seem like Evan Engram or Adam Trautman have quite gotten it done in Denver. So Joly is a compelling guy, particularly if we see him running with the first-team in training camp. Jonah Coleman, RB, Denver Broncos (Redraft) I’ll say it: I don’t think second-round pick RJ Harvey was very impressive last year as a rookie. Not in fantasy. Not in reality. He’s not so impressive that a guy like Coleman can’t vulture carries. And that’s even more true of J.K. Dobbins, who will likely be Coleman’s more direct competition. So if Coleman can steal Dobbins’ job and eat into Harvey’s touches, the rookie will be a really good fantasy option. But for now, that’s a big if. 5. HE SAID WHAT?! *Silence* Normally, this is the space where I explore a controversial statement — or an exciting quote. But I want to explore an unusual silence that surrounded QB Fernando Mendoza, the draft’s No. 1 overall pick. No one is talking about him. No one has really discussed him since the combine, when it became clear that he was the sure-thing at first overall. There’s nothing controversial about the squeaky-clean Mendoza. From my vantage point, it has been intentional. Mendoza has made appearances here and there. He has let his aw-shucks persona shine. He has embraced his cultural achievements as one of the NFL’s few Latino quarterbacks. And he has used his spotlight for good, raising funds for the National MS Society in honor of his mother. But he has not generated a compelling headline since winning the national championship. That’s authentic to Mendoza, for sure. But it has all been in the name of securing the No. 1 overall pick. That didn’t help draft ratings. That thrust undersized and inexperienced Alabama QB Ty Simpson into the pre-draft discussion as a sacrificial lamb in the embrace-debate TV world. But it was all to benefit Mendoza, who has made the leap to the NFL as quietly as any first-overall pick in recent memory. That includes understated personalities like Cam Ward and Bryce Young going to understated teams like the Titans and Panthers. Despite the lack of fanfare for Mendoza, you can count me as someone who believes in his prospects. Give him some time. He’ll grow on people, both on and off the field. He may very well be a superstar in 2027.

Steelers WR DK Metcalf Won't Face Charges for In-Game Altercation With Lions fan

Fri, 01 May 2026 17:46:07 -0400

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf will not face any charges stemming from an incident with a Detroit Lions fan during a game last December. The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office announced Friday that it will not pursue a criminal complaint against Metcalf following an investigation into the incident between Metcalf and Ryan Kennedy. CBS cameras caught Metcalf and Kennedy, a Lions fan wearing a blue wig and a blue and black shirt that aligned with Detroit’s colors, having an exchange along the rail in the second quarter of Pittsburgh’s 29-24 victory on Dec. 21. Kennedy leaned over the railing during the exchange, and the blue wig fell forward to cover his face. The interaction ended with Metcalf reaching toward Kelly’s head with his right arm, though he didn’t appear to make much, if any, contact. The NFL suspended Metcalf for the final two games of the regular season, though he did return for Pittsburgh's first-round playoff loss to the Houston Texans. Officials spent months reviewing a warrant request, including going over videotape of the incident and interviewing Kennedy, security and fans who sat near Kennedy during the game. The officials ultimately denied the warrant request, noting that Kennedy "did not appear to be injured, nor did he seek medical attention at the game." Mitch Schuster, an attorney for Metcalf, applauded what he described as a "just result." A defamation lawsuit filed by Kennedy against Metcalf is still pending. Reporting by The Associated Press.

3 Reasons Why Shedeur Sanders Should Be Browns QB1, Not Deshaun Watson

Fri, 01 May 2026 17:16:05 -0400

Yes, according to a report by longtime and respected Cleveland Browns beat reporter Mary Kay Cabot, Deshaun Watson has the inside track to earn the starting quarterback job in a three-man competition over second-year pros Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel. However, that would be a mistake. Sanders finished his rookie season as the starter for Cleveland and should be the starter again this year. Selected in the fifth round, the Colorado product did not put up impressive numbers, completing 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions. The Browns finished 3-4 with Sanders under center, though, winning some games down the stretch. While Sanders' rookie season stats might not jump off the page, new Browns head coach Todd Monken likes the quarterback's potential to grow. "I think what you see is elite playmaking ability," Monken said when asked about Sanders at the NFL Scouting Combine. "That’s in him. You’ve seen it. We’ve seen it. You saw it in college, you saw it on tape last year. Sure, there’s a ways to go, but what rookie isn’t? I mean, what first-year player doesn't have a long way to go." Selected two rounds earlier in the third round last year, Gabriel completed 59.5% of his passes for 937 yards, with seven touchdown passes and two interceptions. Cleveland posted a 1-5 record with Gabriel as the starter, struggling to win games with its other rookie quarterback, making Sanders a clear superior option. The Browns, meanwhile, signed Watson to a $230 million guaranteed contract after a massive trade with the Houston Texans in 2022 amid off-the-field legal issues. He's woefully underperformed, winning nine games in his first three seasons with the Browns. Suffering two Achilles tendon tears, a shoulder issue and serving an 11-game suspension, Watson played in just 19 games in his four seasons with the Browns. The last time Watson started was 2024, when he finished 1-6 as a starter with five touchdown passes in seven starts. However, Watson is still just 30 years old and the most accomplished quarterback on the roster and the Browns owe him $46 million for the upcoming season, and he’ll count $86 million against the cap in 2027. So, it makes sense that owner Jimmy Haslam would like to get some return on his investment. That's why it might be an uphill battle for Sanders to get the starting job. "Sanders would have to have full command of the offense and confidence of the team behind him to overtake Watson," a longtime NFL scout told me. "But Watson might have worn out his welcome there, too." But if the Browns are serious about continuing to build on consecutive solid drafts executed by general manager Andrew Berry, here are three reasons why Sanders should be the quarterback in Week 1 for Cleveland. The Browns got better on offense through free agency and the draft, providing more talent on that side of the ball that should make Sanders' job to lead the offense easier. Cleveland took Utah offensive lineman Spencer Fano with the team’s No. 6 overall pick, who will slot in as the team’s blindside protector at left tackle. And they drafted two playmakers at receiver in Texas A&M's KC Concepcion in the first round and Washington's Denzel Boston in the second round. The Browns signed Los Angeles Chargers free agent Zion Johnson to play left guard and Green Bay Packers free agent Elgton Jenkins to man the center position during free agency. Along with that, Monken provides a shift in philosophy on offense that should put him in situations where he can make quick decisions that keep him out of harm’s way. Sanders was sacked 23 times in seven games last season. Those sack numbers need to come down, which means more decisive reads and getting the ball out quickly. Sanders is set to make a little over $1 million in the second year of his rookie contract. Yes, the Browns have already committed significant financial capital to Watson, but that’s sunk costs at this point. Moving forward, Sanders must show he can be the long-term answer at quarterback, allowing Berry and the Browns to continue to build the team around a young developmental prospect and taking advantage of a quarterback on a rookie deal. The San Francisco 49ers used the same strategy with Brock Purdy with similar success, as did the Seattle Seahawks during back-to-back Super Bowl runs. Both teams had plans to go with other quarterback options – Trey Lance in San Francisco and Matt Flynn in Seattle — but used later-round picks on developmental quarterbacks that blossomed into frontline starters to lead their respective teams to deep postseason runs in the earlier portions of their careers. Cleveland’s eject button out of this dizzying quarterback carousel, which now includes a fourth player in sixth-round pick in dual-threat quarterback Taylen Green, is the 2027 draft. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang has five quarterbacks selected in the first round of his first 2027 mock draft. The Browns have nine picks next year, so they could make a move for a quarterback if things don’t work out with Sanders or Watson this season. But Cleveland also must consider that it hasn't exactly set the world on fire drafting quarterbacks in the first round. Baker Mayfield, Brandon Weeden, Johnny Manziel, Brady Quinn and Tim Couch were all taken in the first round this century and never reached their full potential in Cleveland. Let Sanders cook.

2026-27 NFL Odds: Which Quarterbacks Will Start Week 1?

Fri, 01 May 2026 15:14:34 -0400

The hopes of NFL franchises — and their fanbases — often reside with their starting quarterbacks. Let's check out the odds for which signal-callers will start in Week 1 for six franchises, at DraftKings Sportsbook as of April 30. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Jacoby Brissett: -330 (bet $10 to win $13.03 total)Gardner Minshew: +420 (bet $10 to win $52 total)Carson Beck: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total) What to know: The Cardinals released seven-year starter Kyler Murray back in March, and he signed a one-year deal with the Vikings. With Murray battling injury much of last season, Brissett served as the Cardinals' starter for 12 games, going 1-11 in those starts. Minshew will be on his fifth team in five years, and is 2-8 as a starter over the last two seasons. As for Beck, he was selected by Arizona in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Tua Tagovailoa: -125 (bet $10 to win $18 total)Michael Penix Jr.: -102 (bet $10 to win $19.80 total) What to know: This one is up in the air. Tagovailoa started 76 games over the past six seasons in Miami, going 44-32. In five of those years, the Dolphins had a winning record when Tagovailoa started, but Miami only made the playoffs once, losing in the wild-card round. He was released by Miami in March and signed a one-year deal with Atlanta. As for Penix, he's started 12 games across two seasons with the Falcons, going 4-8, including 3-6 as the starter last season. Deshaun Watson: -135 (bet $10 to win $17.41 total)Shedeur Sanders: +108 (bet $10 to win $20.80 total)Dillon Gabriel: +5500 (bet $10 to win $560 total) What to know: Watson enters his fifth season with the Browns, a tenure that has been marred by off-the-field issues and injuries, including a ruptured Achilles that caused him to miss the entire 2025-26 NFL season. In 19 starts for the Browns, Watson has gone 9-10, including 1-6 last season. Sanders, a rookie last season, went 3-4 in seven starts, while Gabriel — also a rookie — went 1-5 in six starts before Sanders took over. Patrick Mahomes: -720 (bet $10 to win $11.39 total)Justin Fields: +500 (bet $10 to win $60 total)Any other QB: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total) What to know: This one is all about health. Mahomes tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season (Dec. 14, 2025), but the odds suggest that he will be ready for Week 1. If, for some reason, he is not ready to play, Kansas City traded for Fields in March. Fields started nine games for the Jets last season, going 2-7. Kirk Cousins: -200 (bet $10 to win $15 total)Fernando Mendoza: +168 (bet $10 to win $26.80 total)Any other QB: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total) What to know: The Raiders drafted Fernando Mendoza with the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, but they also signed Cousins at the beginning of April as an insurance policy. If the team wants to give reigning Heisman winner Mendoza some time to grow in a backup role, Cousins is Las Vegas' man. Any other QB: -670 (bet $10 to win $11.49 total)Will Howard: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)Mason Rudolph: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)Drew Allar: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total) What to know: In this case, Aaron Rodgers — who hasn't given the Steelers the word whether he will return or not — would fall under the "Any other QB" category. Rodgers spent 18 years with Green Bay, two with the Jets, and last year was his first with the Steelers. He went 10-6 as a starter, taking Pittsburgh to the playoffs, where it lost in the wild-card round. Howard was drafted in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. He has yet to take a snap in the NFL. Rudolph has spent five seasons in Pittsburgh and one in Tennessee. As a starter, he's 9-9-1. As for Allar, he was selected by the Steelers in the third round of the 2026 NFL Draft.

Dee Winters on 49ers Trading Him to Cowboys: 'I Wasn't Expecting It At All'

Fri, 01 May 2026 12:44:57 -0400

Heading into the 2026 NFL Draft, linebacker Dee Winters was a crucial member of the San Francisco 49ers' defense. He left the draft as one of the new faces of a new-look Dallas Cowboys defense. "Honestly, I wasn't expecting it at all. I was surprised quite a bit. … I definitely didn't have any plans on being traded," Winters said about being dealt to Dallas during the draft, according to the Cowboys' team website. "But everything happens for a reason. I'm excited that I'm back home and I get to play for the Dallas Cowboys." Dallas traded the No. 152 pick in this year's draft to San Francisco to acquire Winters, a Texas native and TCU alum who's entering the final season of his rookie contract. Winters is coming off arguably the best season of his three-year NFL career. In 2025, he set career highs with one interception — which he returned for a touchdown — five passes defended, eight tackles for loss and 101 combined tackles. What was the key to his success? "I think just the attention to detail last year, and just kind of understanding what offenses like to do," Winters said about his 2025 campaign. "I feel like I started to pick up on it more as I got reps. Just that experience, each and every game getting better and trying to use that motto. I think that really helped me have a decent year." Meanwhile, in Dallas, the Cowboys surrendered the most points in the NFL (30.1 per game), finished 30th in opponent total yards (377.0 per game) and logged just 35.0 sacks (five-way tie for 22nd). After the season, Dallas fired defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus after one year in favor of former Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach Christian Parker, who has a vivid plan for Winters. "He wants to get me in space," Winters said. "He feels like one of my assets is me being in space and being able to make tackles in space. Just run and hit with my physicality and speed that I bring to the game. Him and I are both excited to see what that looks like and go from there." Winters was selected by San Francisco in the sixth round of the 2023 NFL Draft. He played four seasons at TCU (2019-22), which is roughly 20 minutes west of AT&T Stadium, home of the Cowboys. He grew up in Burton, Texas, roughly three-and-a-half hours south of Dallas. The Cowboys have revamped their defense this offseason. In addition to acquiring Winters, Dallas traded for Green Bay Packers linebacker Rashan Gary and signed defensive backs Jalen Thompson (three-year, $33 million deal) and Cobie Durant (one-year, $4 million deal). Then in the draft, Dallas selected Ohio State Buckeyes safety and two-time All-American Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick and UCF Knights defensive end Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick.

2026-27 NFL Odds: Back Fernando Mendoza to win OROY

Fri, 01 May 2026 11:17:12 -0400

The NFL Draft is behind us, and we're now able to get a clearer picture of how teams are shaping up to look next season. Some squads, like Carolina, are strengthening their defenses, while teams like the Raiders are building their offenses by drafting what they hope will be a generational quarterback. With this in mind, let's look at some wagers I like for awards season, along with one team's win total that I'm going to back now. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. Jacob Rodriguez to win Defensive Rookie of the Year The Miami Dolphins drafted Rodriguez in the second round, and he will immediately start at middle linebacker. Rodriguez was a tackling machine at Texas Tech the last two seasons. He had 127 total tackles in 2024, with 77 of those being solo tackles. Last season, he had 128 total tackles, four interceptions and seven forced fumbles. He’s a force on the field, and reminds me of last year's DROY, Carson Schwesinger. Schwesinger was drafted by the Browns in the second round in 2025, after putting up 136 tackles at UCLA. He immediately became a starting linebacker and played nearly every game last season. With the Browns being so poor offensively and playing from behind most of the season, Schwesinger played enough snaps to get 156 total tackles in 16 games. He also had 11 tackles for loss and two interceptions. Rodriguez is in the same boat as Schwesinger — highly productive in college and drafted to a team that projects to lose a ton of games. He will get the chance to make tackles all season long. I’m making this wager. PICK: Jacob Rodriguez (+2200) Defensive Rookie of the Year Fernando Mendoza to win Offensive Rookie of the Year Simple handicap here. I believe Mendoza is going to start Week 1 and play all 17 games for the Raiders. It makes no sense for the Raiders to keep him on the bench. For what? Give him the reps immediately so he can make his rookie mistakes. Get him comfortable with the NFL, with his linemen and with his weapons. Let him get comfortable making adjustments. All of it. Playing Kirk Cousins for any period of time doesn’t help the future of the Raiders. Anyway, with Mendoza playing a full 17 games, he will have the best opportunity to win this award. The Raiders have improved their offensive line and have Brock Bowers, plus they have Ashton Jeanty at running back. The Raiders' offensive scheme, with new coach Klint Kubiak, has produced high numbers and points for years with plenty of quarterbacks less-skilled than Mendoza. In addition, the story of Mendoza reviving the Raiders will play well with voters. The other candidates for this award have more of an uphill battle to win. Jeremiyah Love is playing on a poor Cardinals team that might not run the ball as much when they are behind in every game. They also have, at best, an average offensive line. I don’t think Love will put up numbers worthy of this award. The top drafted receivers have a shot to win the award, but I don’t know what the Tennessee offense will look like. Jordyn Tyson in New Orleans was something I was eying, but he’s not WR1 for the Saints. Hard to pick him. So I settled on Mendoza. PICK: Fernando Mendoza (+350) Offensive Rookie of the Year Carolina Panthers Over/Under 7.5 wins The Panthers finished last season 8-9 and won the NFC South. It was a fascinating season for them. They took some bad losses, like losing 17-7 to the Saints, while also beating the Rams, Packers and almost beating the Rams again in the postseason. Carolina established a ground game while quarterback Bryce Young continued to improve as a quarterback. The Panthers drafted a new left tackle and another receiver to pair with Tetairoa McMillian, who finished the season as the Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Panthers' defense had some issues but improved in the offseason. It added Devin Lloyd, Jaelen Phillips and drafted Lee Hunter in the second round. Rookie Nic Scourton came on strong to end the season and Derrick Brown is a fantastic insider. In short, the defense should be much better. The Panthers' schedule is far tougher this season, with games against both the NFC and AFC North, plus a first-place schedule that includes Seattle, Philadelphia and Denver. Taking their Over win total means I believe the Panthers are now a viable threat to compete for the NFC. They’d have to go 4-2 in division and then pull a few upsets along the way. I believe this team is ready for that moment, especially considering how it has improved and continued to build the roster to maximize the talent. PICK: Carolina Panthers Over 7.5 wins

How the Big Ten Could Enter a Golden Era for NFL Draft QBs

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 19:07:25 -0400

For nearly two decades, from 2006-22, college football followed a familiar script: Each January, a team from south of the Mason-Dixon Line celebrated a national championship amid falling confetti. Three months later, in late April, a player from that same region crossed the stage and shook hands with the commissioner as the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft. Sometimes, in the case of former Auburn quarterback Cam Newton and former LSU quarterback Joe Burrow, the circles in those two Venn diagrams overlapped. Football down South, people often said, just means more. And yet, just a few years removed from that prolonged period of southern dominance, a new pattern is beginning to take hold atop the sport that nobody can ignore. Three consecutive national championships have been won by Big Ten programs, all of them based in northern locales. And last week, when the Las Vegas Raiders selected Indiana's Fernando Mendoza with the No. 1 overall pick, making him their new franchise centerpiece, he finally papered over a statistic that listed Illinois quarterback Jeff George as the last Big Ten signal-caller to be drafted that high — way back in 1990. A day after Mendoza officially became a pro, Penn State quarterback Drew Allar was drafted in the third round by the Pittsburgh Steelers. On Saturday, the Washington Commanders selected Rutgers quarterback Athan Kaliakmanis in the seventh round. Just like that, the Big Ten had three or more signal-callers drafted for only the fourth time in the last 22 years. "It's the hardest position to evaluate," Raiders general manager John Spytek said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. "So much is required of those guys. Trying to have a vision for how they played and whatever offense they were asked to run in college and how they're going to fit into ours, and then how they're going to handle the pressure that comes with being one of 32 in the world is a lot. There's a lot that goes into it." Back in 2016, five of the league's quarterbacks heard their names called in the draft: Christian Hackenburg from Penn State, Connor Cook from Michigan State, Cardale Jones from Ohio State, Nate Sudfeld from Indiana and Jake Rudock from Michigan, all of whom busted. What's happening now, though, feels much different, especially when considering the potential avalanche of Big Ten quarterbacks that might litter the 2027 draft. The dollar-driven cocktail of NIL, revenue sharing and the transfer portal has transformed the Big Ten into a much more attractive, and viable, option for high-level quarterbacks. All three signal-callers who led their respective schools to national championships in recent years — J.J. McCarthy at Michigan, Will Howard at Ohio State, Mendoza at Indiana — were highly compensated players who went on to be drafted within months of hoisting a trophy on the grandest stage. Allar was the only QB of this year's Big Ten crop who started and ended his collegiate career at the same program, which reflects the league's wide-ranging attractiveness in the portal. To put it simply: In an era when Big Ten football is booming like never before, the conference is approaching new heights at the sport's most important, most influential position. Even though the Big Ten fell short of its recent high-water mark for quarterbacks selected in a single draft — some experts believed Illinois' Luke Altmyer and Iowa's Mark Gronowski might have snuck into the seventh round — there's a strong chance the number reached in 2016 will be matched or exceeded next April. The upcoming season in the Big Ten should be an exceptional one for quarterback play, particularly among conference front-runners, and it's not unreasonable to think as many as eight signal-callers could factor into draft discussions. The 2027 crop includes two potential candidates for the top pick: Julian Sayin from Ohio State and Dante Moore from Oregon. Both players have enough remaining eligibility to bypass the draft and remain in school beyond this season, but they both flashed enough requisite poise and arm talent during standout campaigns last fall to garner widespread attention from NFL evaluators. [2027 MOCK DRAFT: Five QBs Land In First Round] While guiding their respective teams to College Football Playoff berths, Sayin and Moore finished first and fourth, respectively, in the national rankings for completion percentage last season. Miami's Carson Beck and Mendoza were the two players sandwiched between them. It's fair to assume both should improve their stock in 2026, which will include plenty of Heisman talk and NFL Draft chatter alike. "I don't think you can ever have too many quarterbacks," Miami Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan said at the NFL Scouting Combine in February. "I think that the value of the position cannot be overstated. I think that you have to infuse as much competition into that room every year [as] you possibly can." Even the general idea that the Big Ten could produce first-round quarterbacks in consecutive years is rare, given the league's longstanding reputation for ruggedness between the tackles. The possibility of the conference generating back-to-back No. 1 overall picks at that position? Practically unheard of. In 1986, Jim Everett from Purdue and Chuck Long from Iowa were both selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. Michigan standout Jim Harbaugh matched them as an opening-round pick the following year. From that point forward, however, nearly 40 drafts would come and go before the Big Ten could finally enjoy something like that again. The drought was finally broken when the Minnesota Vikings selected former Michigan quarterback J.J. McCarthy at No. 10 overall in 2024, one year after the Houston Texans took former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud at No. 2 overall. Only four Big Ten quarterbacks have developed into first-round picks across the last 30 years: McCarthy, Stroud and former Ohio State standouts Justin Fields (2021) and Dwayne Haskins (2019). Prior to that, there was a 24-year gap between Haskins and conference predecessor Kerry Collins from Penn State, which hasn’t seen a quarterback drafted in the first round since. Any chance of Allar, a former five-star recruit, snapping that streak and giving the Big Ten multiple first-round quarterbacks for the first time since 1986 quickly evaporated the moment he broke his ankle in October. Such an outcome is unlikely to be repeated next spring, when Sayin and Moore seem like surefire first-rounders should they choose to enter the draft. They’ll be flanked by a host of other ex-transfer, draft-worthy quarterbacks: Jayden Maiva from USC, Nico Iamaleava from UCLA, Josh Hoover from Indiana, Rocco Becht from Penn State and Aidan Chiles from Northwestern. Strong seasons this fall could vault one or two of those players into early-round conversations next spring, the same way Mendoza's stock surged throughout a record-setting season for the Hoosiers. Mendoza set a new standard when his name was called last week, and the Big Ten will be hoping that it's merely the beginning.

2026 NFL Draft: The 10 Rookies Who Could Make the Most Fantasy Football Impact

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:32:22 -0400

We will admit this from the start: 2025 was a bad year for rookies in fantasy football. Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty came into the league with huge expectations and finished 15th among fantasy running backs. No rookie wide receiver finished higher than 15th — that was Carolina Panthers standout Tetairoa McMillan — and the only rookie quarterback in the top 20 was the Giants' Jaxson Dart, who finished 13th and was too uneven to start with any hope of winning. But 2026 could be different. We only said "could" be, not "should" or "will" be. It's exciting to take a rookie in your fantasy draft. It represents the unknown, boundless potential, a chance to land the steal of the draft compared to the big-name returning veterans. So who are the rookies in the best position to play a role big enough to have a real fantasy impact? We're offering up 10 names, including some obvious names, along with mid-round selections we're keeping an eye on ahead of minicamp in June. Dallas Goedert had an outlier breakout with 11 touchdown receptions last year — he'd totaled eight in the previous three years combined — but it shows that Jalen Hurts will throw to tight ends in the red zone. The Philadelphia Eagles, even as they likely deal A.J. Brown away soon, have added a ton to their passing game, in rookie Makai Lemon and veterans Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown. Still, we like Eli Stowers as a surprise-stash rookie, someone new to the position and athletic enough to steal snaps, catches and touchdowns from Goedert in what could be the veteran's final NFL season. The Cleveland Browns didn't have a receiver with more than two touchdown catches last season, and there's the ongoing question of who exactly is throwing passes for them. But they put first- and second-round picks into rookie receivers who could easily be their two most productive pass-catchers in 2026. Texas A&M's KC Concepcion went 24th overall, but keep an eye on Boston, who went 39th but has much more size (6-foot-4, 212 pounds) and caught 20 touchdown passes in his last two years at Washington. Harold Fannin shined as a third-round rookie last year, and if we had to pick a late-rounder from a deep group of rookie tight ends, it would be Justin Joly, who averaged 49 catches and 576 yards over his last three college seasons, with seven touchdown catches last year. The Denver Broncos have an older tight end in Evan Engram, who managed just one touchdown catch last season, so it's not hard to see Joly stepping into a larger role than, say, Max Klare with the Los Angeles Rams or Sam Roush with the Chicago Bears, joining loaded position rooms. Christian McCaffrey stayed healthy and played all 17 games in 2025, an oasis in an offense mired in injuries everywhere else. Can he do it again in 2026? If not, Kaelon Black could be the beneficiary, a third-round pick from Indiana who rushed for 1,039 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Grabbing a McCaffrey understudy has paid off before — see Elijah Mitchell in 2021 or Jordan Mason in 2024 — and with Brian Robinson signing with the Atlanta Falcons, Black has a chance to step into that high-potential backup role. To be clear, Fernando Mendoza is unlikely to be helping any good fantasy football team in 2026. We got spoiled by Jayden Daniels and Bo Nix in 2024, but Mendoza is closer to Ward and Dart last year — his over-under for passing yards is 2,499.5, via DraftKings Sportsbook. That's a reminder that the Las Vegas Raiders are paying Kirk Cousins well and may start him instead, at least early in the season. So, taking Mendoza is strictly a late-round dynasty flier, someone you can grab in the 14th round with the hopes that he's a solid starter in 2027. Tight end was a great position for rookie fantasy impact last year, with the Indianapolis Colts' Tyler Warren, the Chicago Bears' Colston Loveland and Fannin all finishing as top-10 tight ends in fantasy. So, it checks out that we would have three tight ends in our top 10. But what's complicated this year is that most of the top tight ends went to teams that already have good tight ends, like Sadiq, who goes to a New York Jets team whose leading receiver last year was rookie tight end Mason Taylor. It would be easy, however, for Sadiq to surpass Taylor's modest rookie totals (44 receptions for 369 yards and a touchdown) and for the Jets' offense in general to be an improved unit as Geno Smith is an upgrade over the three bad quarterbacks who started in 2025. Once the New Orleans Saints traded Rashid Shaheed to the Seattle Seahawks, there was a glaring need for a strong No. 2 receiver to complement Chris Olave. New Orleans found that at No. 8 in selecting Jordyn Tyson from Arizona State. The Saints have been busy this offseason in surrounding Tyler Shough with offensive talent, from running back Travis Etienne and guard David Edwards in free agency before getting Tyson and tight end Oscar Delp in the draft. They'll be set up much better to show off Kellen Moore's offensive mind, and with opposing defenses focusing on Olave, Tyson is in a good position to take advantage of that as a productive No. 2. Jadarian Price, taken by Seattle with the final pick of the first round, is an intriguing prospecthttps://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2026-nfl-draft-meet-jadarian-price-backup-rb-who-rb2-draft-class. He never started a game in college, stuck behind Jeremiyah Love at Notre Dame, and never had more than 15 touches in a game. But for sheer value, he's much more likely to exceed expectations than Love, because Price goes to an amazing offense on a dominant team that will have the lead plenty, one that lost star Kenneth Walker to the Kansas City Chiefs in free agency and has Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL. Fantasy impact is as much about opportunity as it is talent, and Price might go into the year with the best situational opportunity of any rookie. He should have a window in September to show what he can do before Charbonnet is back, and to set himself up to have the larger split of that job share if he can play consistently as a rookie and show pass-catching ability that wasn't used much in college. His over-under for rushing yards is 750.5 (via BetOnline), which is actually just 150 fewer than Love's. We'll open with a caveat: in the last decade, only two rookie receivers have had 1,000-plus receiving yards and 10-plus touchdowns — Brian Thomas Jr. with the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2024 and Ja'Marr Chase with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2021. So to ask for both of those things for a rookie receiver is to set the bar almost unfairly high. Carnell Tate, picked fourth overall by the Tennessee Titans, is the favorite to lead all rookies in receiving yards at multiple sportsbooks, but his over-under is also 900.5 (via BetOnline) and his over-under for touchdowns is just 4.5. For Tate to really shine as a fantasy football star, you need quarterback Cam Ward to take a big step forward. As a rookie on a bad team, he threw for 15 touchdowns all season, and that number should rise in Year 2. Getting to 25 would be a huge step up, and it could happen with better coaching and new receiving targets in Tate and free-agent signee Wan'Dale Robinson. Robinson is still only 25 and has gotten 140 targets in each of the last two seasons, which could be seen as a threat to Tate, but Robinson also has only nine touchdown catches in four NFL seasons, so the red-zone targets are more likely to go to Tate, the latest in a prolific pipeline of star receivers from Ohio State to the NFL. You see a running back taken in the top five, you want to see a Saquon Barkley impact. Barkley had 2,000-plus total yards and 15 touchdowns for the New York Giants in 2018. All you need is Love: That's what we will hear in our minds as drafts begin, with his 40 touchdowns in his last two years at Notre Dame and a No. 3 overall pick to boot. What complicates things is that Arizona will be a bad team — their over-under is 4.5 wins, matching the Dolphins for the lowest in the league — and teams constantly trailing generally throw more and run less. That wasn't the problem with Jeanty on a bad Raiders team last year. He got 311 touches, but just wasn't able to do much with them, disappointing just about anyone who drafted him. Now, Love has a young, offensive-minded coach, and there isn't a great quarterback to make a compelling case to throw a lot instead of building around the run game. Love's over-unders for rushing yards (900.5) and rushing touchdowns (6.5) lead all rookie running backs (via BetOnline). He also has an over-under of 450.5 receiving yards, and if he stays healthy, he could cover all three of those easily. One familiar concern: Tyler Allgeier. If you've had Bijan Robinson on your team in recent years, you know Allgeier's ability to cull touchdowns and touches away from an elite running back. Arizona gave him $12 million for two years, so even with a much bigger investment in Love, they'll want him to be a solid No. 2, the question being at what fantasy expense.

Back Patriots to Suffer from Super Bowl Hangover, Difficult Schedule

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:09:09 -0400

With the 2026 NFL Draft now in the rearview mirror, the look ahead to the regular season becomes clearer, with rosters now mostly established. Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders drafted Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza first overall, as expected — but the remainder of the first round presented a few curveballs. The Tennessee Titans drafting Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate fourth overall was not predicted in any major mock draft, and made for a stunning selection. Then, some were surprised when the Los Angeles Rams decided to draft Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson, a position where they have the league’s reigning MVP in Matthew Stafford. But, a major story that hung over the NFL this weekend was Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel not attending the third day of the draft to attend counseling for personal issues. While Vrabel seems on track to coach the Patriots when the season begins, I believe this tumultuous offseason is an ominous sign for the team in 2026. This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports. The Patriots, who have an Over/Under of 9.5 regular season wins, were already going to be up against some obstacles even before the news of Vrabel broke. "The Super Bowl hangover" refers to the team that loses the Super Bowl and often underperforms the following season. The physical toll of playing an extra month of football, or not recovering from the disappointment of losing the Super Bowl, has proven tough to bounce back from. None of the last three Super Bowl losers (Chiefs, 49ers, and Eagles) have won a playoff game the following year, with two of those teams missing the playoffs altogether. The Patriots also notably had one of the easier schedules in league history last season, as their opponents had a combined winning percentage of .366, the lowest mark in the NFL since 1999. That will not only change this year, but it will do so in dramatic fashion, as the Patriots will now battle a first-place schedule. N.E. will have to play the other division winners in the AFC (Steelers, Jaguars, and Broncos), as well as the Seahawks, Chiefs, Bears, Lions, along with two games against the Bills. When you consider the swing of going from a historically easy schedule to now a very difficult one, the Super Bowl hangover concern, and the offseason issues for Vrabel, it all adds up to a step back for the AFC champions. The Patriots are +165 to miss the playoffs, which I think is a good bet as well, but I’ll place my bet that the team does not win 10 games against that challenging schedule. PICK: New England Patriots Under 9.5 regular-season wins

Steelers Owner Art Rooney: Aaron Rodgers Decision Should Come in 'Few Weeks'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 11:21:43 -0400

So, uh, is Aaron Rodgers going to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers? Still, Pittsburgh doesn't have a firm answer on whether its 2025 starting quarterback will run it back with the Steelers next season. With that in mind, Steelers owner Art Rooney provided an update on Rodgers. "We've been in contact with Aaron on a regular basis. He's been keeping us up to date on his plans. Even though I thought it probably would have been concluded by now, I think we will come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks," Rooney said about Rodgers in an interview with NFL Network on Wednesday night. The Steelers placed the unrestricted free-agent tender on the 42-year-old Rodgers earlier this week. Now, in the event that Rodgers signs with another NFL team, Pittsburgh would receive a compensatory draft pick. "The main thing that the tender gives us is the potential for a comp pick if Aaron would choose to go to another team. We don't expect that, but by the same token, you never know," Rooney said about the Steelers placing the unrestricted free-agent tender on Rodgers. "It's just something that we had an opportunity to protect, if needed. The deadline was Monday, so if we were going to do it, we had to pull the trigger on Monday. "We alerted Aaron and his representative that we were going to do it. Not a real big deal, but it's just something that, in the unlikely event that he goes somewhere else, we are eligible for a comp pick in that situation." Last season, Rodgers and the Steelers won the AFC North at 10-7 before losing to the Houston Texans in the AFC wild-card round. Across 16 regular-season starts, Rodgers totaled 3,322 passing yards, 24 passing touchdowns, seven interceptions and a 94.8 passer rating, while completing 65.7% of his passes. As for Pittsburgh's quarterback room, it has veteran Mason Rudolph, second-year signal-caller Will Howard and Drew Allar, whom the Steelers selected with the No. 76 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. If Rodgers ultimately returns to the Steelers, he would be reunited with his former head coach, Mike McCarthy, who coached the four-time NFL MVP from 2006-2018 on the Green Bay Packers and was hired by the Steelers to replace the outgoing Mike Tomlin in January.

Raiders QB Fernando Mendoza: 'I Was an A-Hole Sometimes' at Indiana

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:49:47 -0400

The No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, has the Mr. Nice Guy reputation, but according to the former Indiana Hoosiers star, that narrative isn't absolute. "Although I've come off as very humble, and pretty fuzzy and warm, at the end of my Indiana career, when you have that equity, you're able to be like No. 4 [Brett Favre] and No. 12 [Aaron Rodgers]. If you ask my teammates ... I wasn't always a nice guy, I was an a-hole sometimes because I wanted everyone to do their one-eleventh, everyone to do their job, hold everyone to a high standard," Mendoza said in an interview with the Raiders' team website. "However, coming into a new organization, starting from the bottom of the totem pole, I believe that leadership is earned, not given." After spending the first three seasons of his collegiate career with the California Golden Bears (2022-24), Mendoza transferred to Indiana for the 2025 college football season, and the rest is history. In a season that saw Indiana win its first National Championship in program history — and go 16-0 in the process — Mendoza totaled 3,535 passing yards, 41 passing touchdowns, six interceptions and a 182.9 passer rating, while completing 72.0% of his passes. He led the Big Ten in passing touchdowns and passer rating, helping Mendoza win the 2025 Heisman Trophy and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors; he also rushed for 276 yards and seven touchdowns. For what it's worth, Mendoza has dropped multiple F-bombs since the National Championship, doing so in a postgame interview after the title triumph and in front of a group of Raiders fans after being drafted. As for Mendoza's new teammates, he has running back Ashton Jeanty (the No. 6 pick in the 2025 NFL Draft) by his side in the backfield, with star tight end Brock Bowers — who was an All-Pro in his 2024 rookie campaign — and wide receivers Tre Tucker (he totaled a team-high 696 receiving yards in 2025) and Jack Bech (2025 second-rounder) to target in the passing game. Plus, while the Raiders mostly doled out their money on defense in free agency (e.g., Kwity Paye, Quay Walker, Nakobe Dean, Eric Stokes and Malcolm Koonce), they did sign center and three-time Pro Bowler Tyler Linderbaum (three-year, $81 million deal) and wide receiver Jalen Nailor (three-year, $35 million deal), among other players. Meanwhile, Mendoza will have to beat out veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins, who signed a two-year, $12.6 million deal with the Raiders, for the starting job.

Travis Kelce: R Mason Thomas is 'Game-Changer' for Chiefs' Defense

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:11:56 -0400

The Kansas City Chiefs had three picks in the top-40 selections of the 2026 NFL Draft, and star tight end Travis Kelce is enthused about the impact that one of those players will have, that being Oklahoma Sooners defensive end R Mason Thomas. "The guy is a freak of nature in terms of athleticism and explosiveness. I can't wait to see how this guy gets after the quarterback," Kelce said about Thomas on the latest edition of his podcast, "New Heights." "It's been kind of something that the Chiefs have been looking at to get better at, and that's getting after the QB and really putting quarterbacks under duress. Obviously, we've always had Chris Jones there, and George [Karlaftis] is a workhorse. "I think this is going to be a game-changer at the edge position. I know he had a hamstring last year on an unbelievable fumble recovery. So we'll see him when he gets in the building. I'm sure Spags [Chiefs defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo] will have a fun time putting him to work, as well." Kansas City selected Thomas, who spent his entire four-year career with the Sooners (2022-25), with the No. 40 pick after taking LSU Tigers cornerback Mansoor Delane (trade up to pick No. 6) and Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Peter Woods (pick No. 29) in the first round. Regarding Thomas, the defensive end totaled two forced fumbles in each of the last two years, while racking up nine sacks in 2024 and 6.5 sacks in 2025; Thomas missed three games last season (2025) due to a quad injury, which he suffered on a scoop-and-score against the Tennessee Volunteers on Nov. 1 (the play that Kelce referenced). The defensive lineman returned for the College Football Playoff, but Oklahoma was eliminated by the Alabama Crimson Tide in the first round. In what was a 6-11 season, Kansas City's defense managed to hold its own in 2025. The Chiefs finished sixth in the NFL in opponent points (19.3 per game), ninth in opponent rushing yards (105.7 per game), 10th in opponent total yards (301.5 per game) and 12th in opponent passing yards (195.8 per game). That said, Kansas City finished in a five-way tie for 22nd in sacks (35.0). As for Kelce, the four-time All-Pro posted his lowest reception total (76) since 2015 last season, but he still led the Chiefs in receptions (76) and receiving yards (851) and was tied for the team lead in receiving scores (five). Kelce is returning for his 14th season.

Sean McVay Opens Up on How Rams Decided to Use 1st-Round Pick on Ty Simpson

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:55:07 -0400

The Los Angeles Rams shocked the football world when they took Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. While the Rams stunned just about everyone on Thursday night, though, the decision was the culmination of multiple months of work on Simpson, according to head coach Sean McVay. In an interview with FS1's "The Herd," McVay told Colin Cowherd that the Rams didn't come to a sudden decision to select Simpson with the 13th overall pick as they still have the reigning MVP, Matthew Stafford, on their roster. "There wasn’t that a-ha moment, it was a combination of the work," McVay said. "You like the body of work, and you say ‘Hey, this guy’s got the potential to develop one day into what we would deem a possible starting quarterback.’ We’ll welcome Ty into the building with open arms, but what I did think what was important for me to make sure that there was clarity on was, let's not get it twisted. We're trying to win right now, and we've got decisions for the short and long term." Simpson only started at Alabama for one season, giving him less experience than most other quarterbacks taken in the first round in recent years. However, Simpson had an impressive year in his lone season as Alabama's starter. He finished the season with 3,567 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns and five interceptions. He also had four consecutive wins over AP Top 25 teams, leading the Crimson Tide to their first College Football Playoff appearance under head coach Kalen DeBoer. As a result, Simpson was widely viewed as the No. 2 quarterback prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft, trailing only Fernando Mendoza. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang gave the Rams a B grade for the pick of Simpson, calling it a "gutsy" pick. "There is no denying that he is a good fit in Sean McVay’s offense — he was listed as such in my best NFL team fits for each of this year’s QBs — but this is easily the gutsiest pick of the first round thus far," Rang wrote. "This is obviously a move made for the long term. But I can't help but wonder if the Rams, presumably Super Bowl contenders in 2026, will later wish they’d selected a player likelier to make an immediate impact." Even though Rang and some others liked the selection of Simpson due to the positional value, there was still a massive elephant in the room with the pick. But McVay also made it clear that the team prioritized keeping Stafford in the loop when they were making the selection of Simpson. McVay said that communication was extremely important and called Stafford "a total stud" throughout the whole process. "If you can't have a little comfort in the conflict, but it's all rooted in I trust that person. I know what they're saying is the truth ... you can work through those things," McVay said. "I think one of the biggest breakthroughs of our relationship was having to go through some of the tough conversations we had last season." Stafford didn't show any signs of aging last season, throwing for 4,707 yards, 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions as he led the Rams to the NFC Championship Game. He and the Rams are also reportedly discussing an extension to keep him under contract for a little longer. Still, Stafford turned 38 in February, and McVay admitted that the quarterback's commitment is likely on a year-to-year basis at this point. Still, even if Simpson is the heir apparent to Stafford, he'll have to work his way up the depth chart to become their backup quarterback first. As the team is in the midst of organized team activities (OTAs), McVay has iterated that Simpson will compete with Stetson Bennett for the top backup job.

Steelers Legend Ben Roethlisberger: Will Howard Stands Out More Than Drew Allar

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 15:39:04 -0400

Yes, the Pittsburgh Steelers placed the unrestricted free-agent tender on veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who led the team to an AFC North title at 10-7 last season … but he still hasn't signed a contract, and we don't definitively know who the team's 2026 starting quarterback is. That leads us to second-year quarterback Will Howard and rookie Drew Allar. Who does Steelers legend Ben Roethlisberger — the franchise leader with 64,088 passing yards and 418 passing touchdowns — prefer? "I'm not sure yet if I love it or hate it. I don't watch a lot of Penn State games. When I did watch, he never jumped off the page to me," Roethlisberger said about Allar, whom Pittsburgh selected with the No. 76 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, on his podcast, "Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger." "Is he big? Can he move? Can he throw? Yes. But there was never a time when I was like, 'Whoa.' … The jury's still out for me right now. Again, there was nothing that just jumped off the page for me. Whether that's good or bad, I don't know. We'll see about this one." As for the other former Big Ten signal-caller? "Will Howard jumped off the tape to me way more than Drew [Allar] did," Roethlisberger said. The Steelers selected Howard in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. Howard spent the first four seasons of his collegiate career with the Kansas State Wildcats (2020-23) before transferring to play for the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024, with whom he won the National Championship. In said championship season (2024), Howard totaled 4,010 passing yards, 35 passing touchdowns, 10 interceptions and a 175.3 passer rating, while completing 73.0% of his passes. Howard led the Big Ten in passing yards, passing touchdowns and completion percentage, while rushing for 226 yards and seven touchdowns. He didn't appear in a game during his 2025 rookie season. As for Allar, the former five-star recruit's 2025 campaign at Penn State was cut short after six games due to a broken ankle. Over his two healthy seasons as the Nittany Lions' starting quarterback (2023-24), the 6-foot-5 Allar averaged 2,979 passing yards, 24.5 passing touchdowns, five interceptions and a 145.2 passer rating per year, while completing 63.2% of his passes. In 2024, Allar helped Penn State reach the College Football Playoff semifinals and led the Big Ten with 25 passing touchdowns in 2023. In all, Pittsburgh's quarterback room currently includes Allar, Howard and Mason Rudolph, who has made a combined 14 starts over his two stints with the Steelers (2018-23 and 2025-present).

Former Broncos' 2-Time Pro Bowl Safety Justin Simmons Announces NFL Retirement

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 13:52:12 -0400

Two-time Pro Bowl safety Justin Simmons has retired from the NFL following a nine-year career, including eight seasons with the Denver Broncos. The Broncos announced Simmons' retirement on Wednesday and noted the news came exactly 10 years after the team selected the safety in the third round from Boston College in 2016. Though Simmons started 16 games for the Atlanta Falcons in his final season in 2024, when he had two interceptions, he enjoyed most of his success with Denver. Each of his two Pro Bowl seasons came with the Broncos. He also was a four-time second-team All-Pro for Denver. "Being a Denver Bronco was more than just a team," Simmons said in the Broncos' announcement on social media. "It was my heart, my home and my story." Added Simmons: "I'm always going to be a Bronco, and I'm always going to be a Broncos fan. They took a chance on me, extended me. This is my home." Simmons intercepted at least two passes in each of his nine seasons and finished his career with 32, including an NFL-leading six in 2022. He started in 124 of 134 games in his career. The Falcons also offered congratulations to Simmons on social media. Reporting by The Associated Press.

Herd Hierarchy: Rams Team to Beat? No Patriots in Top 10? Chiefs Rising After Draft?

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 12:42:14 -0400

We're right in the middle of the NFL offseason, but there seems to be a clear team to beat emerging. Colin Cowherd agrees with that sentiment. In the latest edition of the Herd Hierarchy, Cowherd placed a team that's been at No. 1 in several other power rankings in his top spot as well. However, Cowherd thinks that a Super Bowl contender had a sneaky good draft to move them into the No. 2 spot, and the Chicago Bears continued their ascent with a strong performance over the weekend. So, now that the 2026 NFL Draft is in the books, let's take a look at Cowherd's updated top 10, with Super Bowl odds via DraftKings Sportsbook. Cowherd's thoughts: "Mike McDaniel, I think, is a perfect fit for Justin Herbert and Jim Harbaugh. This team knew its issue. They had to get an edge rusher and they had to fix the O-line. Four of their eight pick were offensive linemen. I think I probably have them rate several spots below where they’ll finish." Super Bowl odds: +1600 Cowherd's thoughts: "I think [Eagles offensive coordinator] Sean Mannion is young, but he works. I think between Makai Lemon, Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown, they’ll be OK once they move off A.J. Brown. It’s a very coordinator-dependent franchise. I think they upgraded in the draft, getting Jonathan Greenard from Minnesota, that will help their pass rush. I have so much respect for the organization and the GM [Howie Roseman]." Super Bowl odds: +1600 Cowherd's thoughts: "I think the Houston Texans have the best defense I’ve seen in this league, in probably about seven to eight years. It's unbelievable. Then they went and got David Montgomery to go with Woody Marks. So they have upgraded the running back room. They added three new starters on the offensive line. The old line has been their enigma and they’ve won multiple playoff games last year with the 27th-ranked O-line. They upgraded their running back room. Tank Dell comes back. They upgraded their O-line and I think have one of the top two or three defensive minds in the game." Super Bowl odds: +1800 Cowherd's thoughts: "Listen, folks, much like Philadelphia, much like the Rams, the good teams have selective drafts. They need like three or four spots, so they made splash moves getting the best running back in free agency, Kenneth Walker, the best cornerback in the draft [Mansoor Delane] and two guys in the defensive front [Peter Woods and R Mason Thomas] also. Rashee Rice is back from injury. Josh Simmons is back from injury. Patrick Mahomes, ahead of schedule, is back from injury. It's a quarterback-and-coach league. Don’t sell your Chiefs stock, I’ll buy it." Super Bowl odds: +1500 Cowherd's thoughts: "I think Drew Petzing, former Cardinals OC, is a huge upgrade. I don't think he's Ben Johnson, but Arizona last year was like a top 10 third-down offense, and we're like, how? I got a bad offensive line. They have a defensive coach when they were doing it because they have a really smart offensive coordinator. I love their GM [Brad Holmes]. They had to go get a left tackle. They were drafting for specific needs. I think their roster is excellent. It may not be Philadelphia, but it's close. I think they're a playoff team." Super Bowl odds: +1800 Cowherd's thoughts: "Denver upgraded with Davis Webb at offensive coordinator. A lot of people were interested. They trade for Jaylen Waddle to ensure Bo Nix's continued growth. They were the No. 1 seed last year. Now the Raiders will be better in the division and so will the Chargers. I don't know if they'll be the number one seed, but they went and got Jonah Coleman. They went and got another running back with [RJ] Harvey. Obviously, Sean Payton knows quarterbacks and has a lot of leverage, like Ben Johnson, when it comes to building this team through the draft. They’ve got a stacked offense. Tremendous pass rush. Big home field advantage early in the season in the altitude." Super Bowl odds: +1900 Cowherd's thoughts: "I think their first two draft picks are home runs. Dillon Thieneman and Iowa center Logan Jones are going to last a long time in this league. Everybody can say they didn’t get a pass rush in, but did they upgrade their offense again and right now, this is an offensive franchise. Their young receiver group is going to grow and Sam Roush is arguably the best blocking tight end that allows them to run 13 personnel. The team lost to the Rams in a playoff game in which the Rams literally played perfect. No drop passes. One or two penalties. No turnovers. This team will vie for the NFC Championship." Super Bowl odds: +2500 Cowherd's thoughts: "I don't think they're going to be as good. Klint Kubiak … are they as good at coordinator? Tariq Woolen, I mean, he made some mistakes, but he was a large, fast corner. Coby Bryant, Kenneth Walker, I just don't think they'll quite have the juice they did last year. But I love the coach. I love Sam Darnold. John Schnieder drafts and develops. They did get a running back out of Notre Dame [Jadarian Price] that should solve, to some degree, their running back shortage going into the draft." Super Bowl odds: +950 Cowherd's thoughts: "I like Buffalo's draft. Everybody now, low-hanging fruit, let’s beat up on Brandon Beane. … Skyler Bell, to me, could be one of those players that goes in the fourth round and I keep hearing how bad the draft is. Go watch Skyler Bell from UConn go to Buffalo and end up being a really nice, pleasant surprise. He won't be their No. 1. He may be their No. 3 receiver, but now, when you put him with their slot, their tight ends, James Cook, Josh Allen, Dion Dawkins and Keon Coleman, [Bell] is going to continue to grow. I like him, and they went out and got Bradley Chubb. Their first pick was T.J. Parker, the rush end. I like their draft. I thought they did really well. My take is they'll have a greater sensibility, a little more nuance and touch and satisfaction to their offense. Offensive guy now in the building. I like their draft. I thought they did a really good job with DJ Moore, who's durable. A total pro. The Bears may miss DJ Moore more than people think." Super Bowl odds: +1000 Cowherd's thoughts: "The Rams knew they were taking Ty Simpson. They ended up getting a vertical tight end and an offensive tackle. Keep your eye on the receiver out of Miami [CJ Daniels] in the sixth round, the guy that made that great catch against Notre Dame. The Rams have a history of grabbing receivers in the fifth, sixth, and seventh rounds that can play. The Puka Nacua situation bothers me, but young people make mistakes. They've got their arms wrapped around that." Super Bowl odds: +800

2026 NFL Draft: Why Giants Were a Winner with Their Selection of Arvell Reese

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:46:02 -0400

The New York Giants were widely lauded for selecting Ohio State edge rusher Arvell Reese with the fifth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt was among those praising the selection, but not just because Reese will bolster the Giants' pass rush. In the most recent episode of "The Joel Klatt Show," Klatt pointed to the competition the Giants will face in the NFC East as to why Reese was a strong selection. "Who do [the Giants] see twice a year? They see Jalen Hurts, and they see Jayden Daniels," Klatt said. "Jalen Hurts specifically had the second most drop backs that wound up being scrambles — 20% of his drop-backs wound up being scrambles. "Now you have a guy that can handle that and do it basically by himself [in Reese]. So, it is a great fit not just because he's a great player, but also because of who they play." The Giants were actually able to keep Hurts in check this past season, sacking him seven times and allowing him to rush for just 35 yards over two games. But Daniels rushed for 68 yards in the only game he played against the Giants in 2025. Still, the Giants could use the boost of talent that Reese should bring to their defense. They were in the bottom five in total defense, tied for 15th in sacks and 28th in run-stop win rate. While Reese has been labeled as an edge rusher in the lead-up to the draft, he also played plenty of off-ball linebacker at Ohio State. Klatt, who had Reese ranked third on his top-50 prospects big board, believes that the 6-foot-3 defensive standout's versatility will be a boon for New York's defense, citing a pair of his performances during his days at Columbus as a reason why. "One of the ways he made a tremendous impact last year for Ohio State was as a spy because of the athleticism that he has. And it's true, I mean his athleticism is off the charts. We saw it against Arch Manning, and we also saw it against Demond Williams Jr.," Klatt said on Monday's edition of "The Joel Klatt Show." "Demond Williams Jr. was one of the great scramblers in all of college football. He couldn't do anything against Ohio State, mainly because of Arvell Reese. Reese was spying on him, and he was watching him, and he could not create outside of the pocket." To Klatt's point, Williams put up minus-28 rushing yards in that game as he was sacked six times in Ohio State's victory over Washington. Reese didn't log any of those sacks, but he helped slow down Williams' process on multiple occasions, leading to sacks. The Giants finished the season 4-13 and fired former head coach Brian Daboll and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen in November after Daboll's 2-8 start. In the offseason, New York turned to hire John Harbaugh, bringing in the veteran head coach shortly after he was fired by the Baltimore Ravens in January. With a playoff-caliber coach in Harbaugh and new defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson in place, Reese's talent could help reignite the defensive side of the ball this season, as some believe he can help the Giants quickly turn things around.

2027 NFL Draft: Ranking the 10 Teams Who Might Already Be on the Clock for a QB

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:11:43 -0400

This was an underwhelming year for quarterbacks in the NFL Draft. But next year, the quarterback carousel might go for a wild ride when the draft is held in our nation's capital. Even though we're still a year out, 2027 looks to be a very strong quarterback class, potentially as deep and talented as the 2024 class, which had six picked in the first 12 selections, three of which have already guided their teams to playoff victories. FOX Sports NFL Draft analyst Rob Rang had five quarterbacks taken in the first round of his 2027 NFL mock draft, including three taken in the top-four picks. That's a far cry from this year's draft, when only two quarterbacks went in the first two rounds — that's only happened one other time (one in 2022) in the last decade. Which quarterbacks headline that group? Texas' Arch Manning is the current favorite to go No. 1, but other talented passers like Oregon's Dante Moore, Ohio State's Julian Sayin, Notre Dame's CJ Carr and others could threaten to be top-five picks. So, with next year's quarterback class looking to be promising, it might be a good offseason to be a quarterback-needy team. With that in mind, we tried to project the 10 teams that will most likely be in need of a quarterback in the potentially loaded draft class. The Indianapolis Colts gave Daniel Jones a two-year, $88 million contract, but there's nothing guaranteed in the second year, so if he doesn't look good coming off a torn Achilles tendon, they could move on. It would mean $35 million in dead money for 2027, but it's something we'll note as an unlikely but possible outcome. It's less likely that Anthony Richardson sticks around and plays well enough to be part of their plans, so there's a worst-scenario world where the Colts — potentially with a new coach and general manager — look at drafting a quarterback as part of a complete reboot in 2027. Baker Mayfield is a free agent after this season, but it's still likely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will give him a lucrative extension after three solid seasons taking over for Tom Brady. If they don't, there's no heir apparent on the current roster, so they'd be on this list, though they've had good luck in the last two veterans they've found in free agency. They've drafted only one quarterback (Kyle Trask) in the last decade. The New Orleans Saints got an encouraging nine-game look at Tyler Shough in the second half of 2025, as he went 5-4 as a starter and threw 10 touchdowns against six interceptions. He'll have every chance to entrench himself as the long-term starter this year, and the Saints have set him up with upgraded talent all over, from running back Travis Etienne to first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson and three other pass-catching draft picks. But it's possible that Shough doesn't continue where he left off, which could leave the Saints drafting a quarterback for the fourth time in five years. The Atlanta Falcons have Tua Tagovailoa on a minimum contract while Michael Penix Jr. comes back from another knee injury. He's still only 28, so this is a chance for him to reset himself, and it's possible Penix returns healthy and fares better than his 4-8 career record as a starter. If neither are a resounding success, an offensive coach like Kevin Stefanski will want a talented quarterback to build his team around after not having a first-round pick in this year's draft. The Minnesota Vikings landed Kyler Murray on the cheap, so it's possible he shows enough to become a long-term answer for the Vikings, and it's less likely but possible that J.J. McCarthy beats him out and shows he's better than a rough 2025 that saw him throw more interceptions (12) than touchdowns (11). Or Murray plays so well he Sam Darnolds himself to a big contract elsewhere, which would put Minnesota high on this list. The Miami Dolphins just gave Malik Willis a three-year contract worth $67 million. So, there's certainly a chance he plays well and shows his promising glimpses in limited work (three starts in the last two years with the Packers) can translate to a full season. Miami has moved on from a huge Tua Tagovailoa contract, one that will count $55 million against this year's salary cap. If Willis is unconvincing this season, he still has his $21 million salary fully guaranteed for 2027, but the Dolphins have also shown they'll move on from a quarterback once they've decided he's not the answer. Miami has shed enough talent in the past year through trades and cuts that this will be a rebuild, but if new coach Jeff Hafley wants to make it to a third season, having a long-term answer at quarterback is a must, so that could include a high draft pick next year. At age 35, Geno Smith is a stopgap quarterback, someone who can get the New York Jets started in the right direction but probably won't be back for another season once the team has the chance to put a high draft pick into a long-term answer. They haven't done that since Zach Wilson in 2021, and they should improve from a 3-14 record in Aaron Glenn's first season, meaning they'll pick later. New York used a fourth-round pick this past weekend on Clemson's Cade Klubnik, but he took a big step back this past season, going from 36 touchdowns in 2024 and high draft expectations to just 16 in a disappointing 2025. There just aren't many success stories from quarterbacks taken that late — in today's NFL, it's pretty much Brock Purdy and Dak Prescott. Is Aaron Rodgers coming back? Either way, he's 43, so the franchise has to plan for a near future without him. The Pittsburgh Steelers haven't had a losing record once since 2003, and they've managed to extend that streak despite mediocre quarterback play in the four years since Ben Roethlisberger retired. Much like some other teams on this list, they semi-addressed the position in this year's draft, taking Penn State's Drew Allar in the third round, and they also have 2025 sixth-round pick Will Howard. Could Allar be a long-term answer? He had 50 touchdowns against 10 interceptions in 2023-24, missing half of the 2025 season with an ankle injury. If Rodgers is back, Pittsburgh likely won't see enough of Allar to evaluate him in 2026, leaving them with enough uncertainty that they'll be tempted to draft a quarterback, though their relative success will mean they're picking too late in the first round to get one of the top two or three options. How can an NFL team have four quarterbacks, and yet have none? That's likely the Cleveland Browns, who still have the albatross of Deshaun Watson's $230 million contract and have taken three middling quarterbacks in the last two drafts. Watson may actually play this season — he last did in 2024, going 1-6 with five touchdown passes in seven starts — but we also might see Shedeur Sanders, who had seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions in seven starts as a rookie last year. There's also 2025 third-rounder DIllon Gabriel and 2026 sixth-rounder Taylen Green, but the odds of them leaving 2026 with a quarterback they'd want back as a starter are slim. Watson's contract is up after this year, though he'll count $86 million in dead money against their 2027 cap, which is just another reason Cleveland would do well to build around a rookie quarterback — with an inexpensive contract — as it works toward a franchise reset under new coach Todd Monken. Using first- and second-round picks on receivers KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston this year will help them have a viable pass game for the next quarterback. The Arizona Cardinals moved on from Kyler Murray this spring at a considerable expense, and are content to move forward with Jacoby Brissett as the presumed starter. Brissett is 33 and wasn't bad last year, throwing 23 touchdowns against eight interceptions, but he went 1-11 as a starter and this would be the first time in his NFL career he's started more than five games in back-to-back seasons. Arizona used a third-round pick on Miami (Fla.)'s Carson Beck, who should get a look at some point in what should be a long 2026 season at the bottom of the toughest division in the NFL. It's unlikely that Beck would show so much promise that the Cardinals wouldn't enter the 2027 draft with both a high pick and a clear focus on finding a starting quarterback there. Arizona hired an offensive-minded coach in Mike LaFleur, who has worked under both Kyle Shanahan and Sean McVay, and they have a promising young back in rookie Jeremiyah Love, so this should be a good situation for a quarterback to help spark a franchise turnaround.

Pittsburgh Steelers Place Unrestricted Free-Agent Tender on QB Aaron Rodgers

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:58:20 -0400

The Pittsburgh Steelers have left the door wide open for Aaron Rodgers to return. Still, the club gave itself a little bit of protection in case he does not. Pittsburgh placed the unrestricted free-agent tender on the four-time NFL MVP on Monday, meaning the Steelers would be entitled to a compensatory draft pick if Rodgers doesn’t sign with them and instead lands elsewhere during the 2026 season. General manager Omar Khan and first-year head coach Mike McCarthy remain very optimistic that the 42-year-old will be back after leading them to an AFC North title last winter. The line of communication between both sides has been wide open since the end of the season, and Khan said after the 2026 NFL Draft that the selection of former Penn State Nittany Lions star Drew Allar in the third round does not affect Pittsburgh's interest in having Rodgers back. The tender does not preclude Rodgers from signing with another team or even give the Steelers the ability to match an offer to him if one is made before July 22. What it does do is give them some coverage if he signs elsewhere before training camp opens in late July. After camp begins, the Steelers would have exclusive negotiating rights with Rodgers. The tender also slots in Rodgers' salary. Under the rules, Rodgers would be entitled to a 10% raise over his 2025 salary if he comes back for a 22nd season. Rodgers said in January that he would make a decision "down the line." The Steelers had expressed hope that Rodgers would be able to provide clarity before the NFL draft, but that did not happen. Pittsburgh begins organized team activities — which are voluntary — on May 18. Mandatory minicamp is set for June 2-4. Rodgers skipped OTAs entirely last year, signing a one-year deal with the Steelers not long after minicamp wrapped up. Reporting by The Associated Press.