Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, May 5, 2026
Mendoza Takes More Under-Center Snaps at Raiders Minicamp Than in Three College Seasons
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza arrived at rookie minicamp having taken just five under-center snaps across three college seasons at Indiana — and immediately went to work fixing that. During the Raiders’ camp at the Intermountain Health Performance Center, Mendoza logged more snaps under center than in his entire college career, as offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak’s play-action system demands heavy under-center usage. After Friday’s first practice, Mendoza pulled rookie offensive linemen into a hotel room to continue taking reps. “He just connects with everybody,” said guard Trey Zuhn III. Kubiak called the technical adjustment one of the key milestones in Mendoza’s development.
Sources: NFL.com
Mahomes “Way Ahead of Schedule” in ACL Recovery, Chiefs GM Says OTA Return Possible
Kansas City Chiefs general manager Brett Veach declared Monday morning on SiriusXM that quarterback Patrick Mahomes is “way ahead of schedule” in his recovery from torn ACL and LCL ligaments suffered in a December loss to the Chargers. Veach said the biggest challenge would be “protecting him against himself” because of Mahomes’ competitive drive. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes holds a realistic shot at participating when Kansas City’s first organized team activities open May 26–28, though full involvement remains uncertain. Sports medicine experts project a Week 1 return. The Chiefs selected LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane sixth overall in the 2026 draft to fortify their roster during Mahomes’ recovery.
Sources: Fox Sports
Texans Owner McNair Declares Team “Fully Committed” to QB C.J. Stroud
Houston Texans owner Cal McNair told reporters Monday that the organization is “fully committed” to quarterback C.J. Stroud, pushing back on uncertainty surrounding the 24-year-old’s future. McNair confirmed the team already exercised Stroud’s fifth-year option — worth $25.9 million in 2027 — calling it a “no-brainer” per GM Nick Caserio. Stroud battled inconsistency in 2025 but showed resilience throughout the Texans’ winning campaign. McNair indicated contract extension talks are expected in 2027 depending on the upcoming season. Stroud’s fifth-year option salary represents a bargain compared to the 16 NFL quarterbacks earning more than $30 million annually. The Texans open OTAs May 26.
Sources: NFL.com
Richardson Reports to Colts Workouts Amid Unresolved Trade Request
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson reported for the club’s voluntary offseason workouts Monday despite a mutual agreement between player and team to seek a trade that has yet to materialize. Richardson had skipped the previous two weeks of workouts while awaiting a trade destination. The Colts declined his fifth-year option last week, making him a free agent after the 2026 season. GM Chris Ballard confirmed the team received “some calls” from interested teams after the draft but “nothing’s come to fruition at this time.” Richardson, the No. 4 overall pick in 2023, has battled injuries and inconsistency through three NFL seasons, while the Colts retain Daniel Jones as their starter.
Sources: NFL.com
Tyrod Taylor Joins Packers as Jordan Love’s Backup; Desmond Ridder Released
The Green Bay Packers signed veteran quarterback Tyrod Taylor on Monday and released Desmond Ridder in a corresponding move, filling the backup role behind starter Jordan Love after Malik Willis departed in free agency. Taylor, 36, enters his 16th NFL season having started 62 games with seven franchises including Baltimore, Buffalo, Cleveland, the Chargers, Houston, the Giants, and the Jets. He completed 61.8 percent of career passes for 13,033 yards and 73 touchdowns. The Packers are banking on Taylor’s experience to stabilize the backup position. Green Bay opens OTAs in late May as Love enters 2026 coming off a Pro Bowl season.
Sources: Green Bay Packers
Skylar Thompson Signs One-Year Deal With Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens agreed Monday to sign quarterback Skylar Thompson to a one-year contract, bolstering backup depth behind starter Lamar Jackson. Thompson, 28, was a seventh-round pick by Miami in the 2022 draft and spent time with the Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers before landing in Baltimore. He joins a Ravens quarterback room that includes Tyler Huntley, Diego Pavia, and Joe Fagnano as Jackson’s potential backups. The Ravens also signed Thompson alongside two other quarterbacks this spring, reflecting the organization’s depth-building approach during the offseason. Baltimore selected Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey second overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, adding pass-rush help for the AFC.
Sources: Baltimore Ravens
NFL 2026 Schedule Release May Slip to Third Week of May Amid Broadcast Talks
The NFL’s 2026 regular-season schedule release, originally targeted for May 12–14, may slip to the third week of May as the league navigates ongoing broadcast negotiations for a new five-game package, per NFL VP Mike North. The package includes the Australia game in Week 1 between the 49ers and Rams, a potential Thanksgiving Eve game, a second Black Friday game, a Christmas Eve contest, and one additional matchup. The 2026 slate features a record nine international games spanning seven countries. Once finalized, the 272-game schedule will culminate in Super Bowl LXI on February 14, 2027 at SoFi Stadium — the first Super Bowl ever played on Valentine’s Day.
Sources: CBS Sports
First-Round Rookies Sign Deals Across League as Minicamp Weekend Wraps
With rookie minicamps wrapping across the league this weekend, first-round picks continued signing their contracts. Philadelphia Eagles receiver Makai Lemon — selected 20th overall — became the first 2026 first-rounder to sign his fully guaranteed four-year, $20.8 million rookie deal on May 1. Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (11th pick) and the Seattle Seahawks’ Jadarian Price also signed during the minicamp period. The NFL.com signing tracker shows rookie signing bonuses increased 18.5 percent league-wide compared to 2025. Kansas City signed draft picks Garrett Nussmeier and Cyrus Allen during its rookie minicamp this weekend. All 32 teams held rookie minicamps between May 1 and May 8.
Sources: NFL.com
American Conference Divisions
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 Divisions
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–5–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–6–1
3. Minnesota Vikings — 8–8–0
4. Detroit Lions — 8–8–0
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0
3. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0
4. New Orleans Saints — 7–10–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0
2. San Francisco 49ers — 12–4–0
3. Los Angeles Rams — 11–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–13–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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