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Saturday, May 2, 2026
Steelers Await Aaron Rodgers Decision After UFA Tender
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers has yet to announce whether he will accept the team’s unrestricted free agent tender, leaving the franchise’s offseason plans in limbo. Pittsburgh extended the tender last week, locking in Rodgers at a set salary while preserving his right to negotiate with other teams. The 42-year-old has reportedly narrowed his options to Pittsburgh and retirement, but no timeline for a decision has been given. The Steelers held their first post-draft rookie minicamp sessions this weekend without Rodgers on the field, though veterans are not required to attend the optional workouts at this stage.
Sources: CBS Sports
Commanders Pass on Aiyuk Trade as 49ers Face June 1 Deadline
The Washington Commanders have declined to pursue a trade for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, narrowing the market for the disgruntled pass-catcher. San Francisco had hoped the Commanders’ need at receiver following their Super Bowl run would drive interest, but Washington opted to address the position in the draft instead. With June 1 approaching, the 49ers face mounting salary-cap pressure that makes retaining Aiyuk without a restructured deal increasingly difficult. Several contenders remain in informal contact, but no team has submitted a formal offer. Aiyuk has two years remaining on his contract at a combined cap figure exceeding forty million dollars.
Sources: SI.com
Browns Break Ground on $2.6B Huntington Bank Field Stadium
The Cleveland Browns officially broke ground Thursday on a new domed stadium adjacent to their current lakefront facility, a project valued at approximately 2.6 billion dollars. The venue, to be named Huntington Bank Field, is scheduled to open in time for the 2029 NFL season and will seat roughly 65,000 fans with capacity for major events including Super Bowls and college football playoffs. Ohio contributed 600 million in public financing after lengthy negotiations. Architecture firm HKS designed the structure with a translucent roof and views of Lake Erie. The current FirstEnergy Stadium will be demolished once the new building is operational, clearing the lakefront site for mixed-use development.
Sources: FOX Sports
NFL Fifth-Year Options: 22 of 31 First-Round Picks From 2023 Class Extended
Teams exercised fifth-year options on 22 of the 31 eligible first-round picks from the 2023 NFL Draft class, with the May 1 deadline now passed. Among those declined were three offensive linemen projected as scheme mismatches and two defensive backs who lost starting roles to later picks. The nine players whose options were declined will become unrestricted free agents after this season unless their teams sign them to extensions beforehand. Notable picks retained on their options include quarterbacks selected in the top ten, both of whom have taken over starting duties. Teams must guarantee the option year salary for injury purposes beginning this coming March.
Sources: NBC Sports
Top Pick Fernando Mendoza Reports to Raiders Rookie Minicamp on Day One
Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick Fernando Mendoza was on the field for the opening session of rookie minicamp on Friday, drawing praise from head coach Pete Carroll for his preparation and command of the playbook. The 21-year-old quarterback from California completed a majority of his throws during individual and team drills, showing the quick release and pocket mobility that pushed him to the top of most draft boards. Carroll said the team would not rush Mendoza into the starting lineup but left open the possibility he could compete for the job during training camp. The Raiders finished 4-13 last season and hold high expectations for his immediate impact.
Sources: ESPN
NFL Targeting May 13 for 2026 Schedule Release, Eight Global Games Planned
The NFL is targeting Wednesday, May 13, for the official release of the 2026 regular-season schedule, with a primetime television event similar to prior years. The upcoming season will feature a league-record eight international games spread across London, Munich, Madrid, and a new venue in Tokyo, which will host its first regular-season NFL game in October. All 32 teams have been informed of their opponents and home-away designations under the league’s rotation formula, though no game times or broadcast assignments have been confirmed. The 18-week regular season is set to open the weekend of September 10, with the Super Bowl scheduled for February 8, 2027, in Atlanta.
Sources: CBS Sports
NFL Rookie Minicamp Week Opens With 15 Teams Holding First Sessions
Fifteen NFL franchises opened their rookie minicamps on Friday, marking the first time 2026 draft picks and undrafted free agents have worked on the field in team facilities. The three-day sessions allow coaching staffs to evaluate new talent without the pressure of veterans or full contact drills. Undrafted free agent signings from smaller programs drew attention at several camps, consistent with a trend of late-round talent outperforming expectations in early evaluations. Teams are limited in the number of tryout players they may invite under current collective bargaining rules. The remaining seventeen franchises are scheduled to begin their rookie camps over the following weekend, completing the league-wide orientation period by mid-May.
Sources: NFL.com
NFL 2026 Offseason Road Map: OTAs, Mandatory Minicamp and Training Camp Dates
With rookie minicamps underway, the NFL offseason schedule moves into its next phase. Voluntary Organized Team Activities for most franchises begin the week of May 18 and run through early June, featuring non-contact drills open to all rostered players. Mandatory minicamps for all 32 teams are clustered in the second and third weeks of June, the only point at which veterans face fines for absence. Training camps are expected to open in late July, with the Hall of Fame Game in Canton kicking off the preseason on August 6. The regular season begins September 10. Teams may begin negotiating contract extensions for players on their rosters starting June 1.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
2025 Final Regular Season Standings
AFC EAST
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Buffalo Bills | 13-4 |
| Miami Dolphins | 10-7 |
| New York Jets | 7-10 |
| New England Patriots | 4-13 |
AFC NORTH
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Baltimore Ravens | 12-5 |
| Pittsburgh Steelers | 10-7 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | 9-8 |
| Cleveland Browns | 3-14 |
AFC SOUTH
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Houston Texans | 11-6 |
| Indianapolis Colts | 9-8 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | 4-13 |
| Tennessee Titans | 3-14 |
AFC WEST
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | 15-2 |
| Las Vegas Raiders | 4-13 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | 11-6 |
| Denver Broncos | 8-9 |
NFC EAST
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Eagles | 14-3 |
| Washington Commanders | 11-6 |
| Dallas Cowboys | 7-10 |
| New York Giants | 3-14 |
NFC NORTH
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | 15-2 |
| Minnesota Vikings | 14-3 |
| Green Bay Packers | 11-6 |
| Chicago Bears | 5-12 |
NFC SOUTH
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 10-7 |
| Atlanta Falcons | 8-9 |
| New Orleans Saints | 7-10 |
| Carolina Panthers | 2-15 |
NFC WEST
| Team | Record |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles Rams | 11-6 |
| Seattle Seahawks | 10-7 |
| San Francisco 49ers | 8-9 |
| Arizona Cardinals | 6-11 |
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