Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, May 4, 2026
Patrick Mahomes' Knee Rehab Going Well; Chiefs Target Week 1 Return
Patrick Mahomes is progressing on schedule in his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered in a December 14 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. The Chiefs quarterback underwent surgery in Dallas the following day and has since begun rehabilitation with a Week 1 return goal for the 2026 season. Kansas City head coach Andy Reid confirmed this week that Mahomes' rehabilitation is “going great,” and sports medicine specialists project a realistic Week 1 comeback. Chiefs OTAs open May 26–28, and Mahomes has been cleared to attend in an observational capacity. The regular season kicks off September 9.
Sources: NFL.com
Aaron Rodgers Expected to Decide on Steelers Return Before OTAs Begin May 18
The Pittsburgh Steelers' Aaron Rodgers situation remains unresolved heading into the final stretch of the offseason, but movement is expected shortly. Owner Art Rooney II stated last week the team expects “to come to a conclusion here in the next few weeks,” with Pittsburgh's OTAs beginning May 18 serving as the critical deadline. The Steelers placed an unrestricted free agent tender on the 42-year-old quarterback in April, securing compensatory pick rights if Rodgers departs. NFL insider Tom Pelissero reported that nobody inside the league believes Rodgers will sign elsewhere. Pittsburgh also selected Penn State quarterback Drew Allar in Round 3 of the 2026 draft as a developmental backup.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Calais Campbell Signs with Ravens on One-Year Deal for 19th NFL Season
Veteran defensive end Calais Campbell is returning to the Baltimore Ravens on a one-year deal reportedly worth approximately $5.5 million, reuniting with the franchise where he played from 2020 to 2022. Campbell, who turns 40 on September 1, will be embarking on his 19th NFL season. The signing comes under new Baltimore head coach Jesse Minter, who served as the Ravens' defensive backs coach during Campbell's first tenure in Baltimore. The Ravens parted ways with longtime head coach John Harbaugh earlier this offseason. Campbell rejoins a defensive line that ranked among the league's most formidable during his previous stint.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Eagles' Lemon, Cowboys' Downs, Raiders' Mendoza Among First-Round Picks Signing Rookie Deals
Multiple 2026 NFL Draft first-round picks signed their four-year rookie contracts on May 1, led by Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Makai Lemon, selected 20th overall, whose deal includes an $11.5 million signing bonus. Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs, acquired via a draft-day trade at pick No. 11, also finalized his rookie deal. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall selection by the Las Vegas Raiders, agreed to a four-year, $54.5 million fully-guaranteed deal with a $34.4 million signing bonus. Additional picks are formalizing contracts as teams process paperwork following the April 23–25 draft in Pittsburgh.
Sources: NFL.com
Seahawks Remain No. 1 in Post-Draft Power Rankings; Chiefs Rising Despite Mahomes Absence
The Seattle Seahawks retain the top position in post-draft NFL power rankings, reflecting their Super Bowl LX championship and an offseason focused on retaining core contributors. The Los Angeles Rams rank second on several major outlets' lists, while the New England Patriots cracked the top three after a well-regarded draft. The Kansas City Chiefs, despite Patrick Mahomes' ongoing ACL rehabilitation, are rising in rankings on the strength of a consensus A+ draft class that prioritized defensive acquisitions. The Miami Dolphins sit near the bottom of most rankings after an offseason analysts deemed insufficient in addressing the team's structural weaknesses.
Sources: NFL.com
NFL Schedule Release Targeting Mid-May; Record Nine International Games Include Australia Debut
The NFL is targeting a mid-May release for the full 2026 regular season schedule, with May 12–14 the most likely window pending final approval from Commissioner Roger Goodell. The 2026 slate will feature a record nine international games spanning four continents. The most historic matchup sends the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams to Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, September 10 — the first NFL regular season game ever played in Australia. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks will open the 2026 season on Wednesday, September 9, a departure from the traditional Thursday kickoff. Christmas tripleheaders return for the fourth time in five years.
Sources: CBS Sports
NFL 2026 Rookie Minicamps Begin May 8 as Post-Draft Offseason Programs Launch
The 2026 NFL offseason program accelerates this week with rookie minicamps scheduled to begin league-wide on Thursday, May 8. The workouts give teams their first opportunity to evaluate 2026 draft picks and undrafted free agent signings on a practice field. Veteran OTAs and team-wide programs follow later in May, with most clubs conducting organized workouts between May 18 and June 12. Mandatory minicamps are set for mid-June. The Pittsburgh Steelers shifted their mandatory minicamp date, a move that could affect the timeline for veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has yet to announce a decision about returning to the team for the 2026 season.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Post-Draft UDFA Frenzy: Teams Compete to Sign Best Undrafted Free Agents After 2026 Draft
In the hours following the close of the 2026 NFL Draft on April 25, front offices across the league scrambled to sign undrafted free agents to fill roster needs. The annual UDFA signing period is one of the most active windows of the offseason, with teams targeting prospects who slipped through the draft due to injury concerns, limited college exposure or positional depth. Multiple clubs locked up priority UDFAs with guaranteed incentive-laden deals to secure commitments before rival teams could intervene. Offensive linemen, linebackers and cornerbacks were among the most sought-after positions. CBS Sports and NFL.com are tracking team-by-team UDFA lists as signings are announced.
Sources: CBS Sports
American Conference (2025 Final)
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0
National Conference (2025 Final)
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 8–9–0
3. Washington Commanders — 7–10–0
4. New York Giants — 5–12–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–5–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 10–7–0
3. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 6–11–0
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0
2. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 8–9–0
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0 (SB LX Champs)
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 4–13–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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