Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, May 22, 2026
Aaron Rodgers Confirms 2026 Will Be His Final NFL Season
Aaron Rodgers confirmed at Pittsburgh Steelers OTAs Wednesday that the 2026 season will be the final chapter of his 22-year NFL career. The four-time league MVP, 42, answered simply when asked: “This is it.” Rodgers spent more than four months weighing whether to return before signing a one-year deal worth up to $25 million with Pittsburgh this month. He cited the hiring of Mike McCarthy—his head coach for 13 seasons with Green Bay—as the deciding factor, saying Tomlin’s January resignation had initially convinced him his Pittsburgh career was finished. The announcement sets up a closely watched farewell season for one of the most decorated quarterbacks in NFL history.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford Locks In One-Year, $55M Extension With Rams
The Los Angeles Rams locked up reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford on Thursday, agreeing to a one-year, $55 million contract extension that can reach $60 million with incentives. The deal keeps the 38-year-old quarterback in Los Angeles through the 2027 season and gives him two years and up to $105 million remaining on his contract. Stafford claimed the award after leading the league with 4,707 passing yards and throwing 46 touchdown passes in 2025. The Rams also selected Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick in the 2026 draft, with the understanding that Simpson will develop under Stafford before eventually stepping into the starting role.
Sources: NFL.com
Lions All-Pro LB Jack Campbell Signs Four-Year, $81M Extension
Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell signed a four-year, $81 million contract extension through the 2030 season on Thursday, cementing his place as the cornerstone of Detroit’s defense. The deal, which includes $51.1 million guaranteed, came after the Lions declined to exercise the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Campbell, 25, broke out in his third NFL season in 2025 to earn first-team All-Pro honors and his first Pro Bowl selection, leading the team with 176 total tackles while adding nine tackles for loss, five sacks, and four passes defended. Detroit announced the news through a local superfan, signaling how valued Campbell has become in the organization.
Sources: ESPN
Browns OTAs: Watson Takes Early Lead Over Rookie Sanders in QB Battle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson appeared to take an early lead over rookie Shedeur Sanders in the team’s OTA sessions this week, drawing the first-team reps during key 11-on-11 periods while Sanders rotated with the second unit. Watson highlighted a standout play connecting with first-round rookie wide receiver Denzel Boston on a deep touchdown pass against double coverage. Head coach Todd Monken has said he plans to continue rotating the two throughout the offseason program. Watson missed all of the 2025 season after re-tearing his Achilles, while Sanders, selected fifth overall in the 2026 draft, is pushing for a fast-track path to the starting role.
Sources: ESPN
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Sentenced to 30 Days in Jail, Will Miss OTAs
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice will serve 30 days in jail after testing positive for marijuana in violation of his probation, a Dallas County court ordered this week. Rice, booked Tuesday and scheduled for release June 16, will miss the Chiefs’ OTA sessions and mandatory minicamp. The violation stems from his 2024 plea agreement following a highway crash that injured multiple people, under which Rice received five years of deferred probation. Rice also underwent a procedure last week to remove loose debris from his right knee, a recovery expected to sideline him for two months. He is expected to be ready for training camp.
Sources: CBS Sports
Raiders OTAs: No. 1 Pick Mendoza Works With Third Team as Cousins Leads
Las Vegas Raiders first overall pick Fernando Mendoza is working exclusively with the third and fourth units at this week’s OTAs while veterans Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell handle the first and second-team snaps, respectively. New head coach Klint Kubiak said Wednesday that Mendoza “has not disappointed” and that the timeline for the quarterback competition “is going to reveal itself, especially in training camp.” Mendoza, the Indiana product taken with the top selection in the 2026 draft, is learning a new system while Cousins—signed this offseason to be the bridge starter—takes the early lead. The Raiders coaching staff says no decisions will be made before training camp opens.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cardinals QB Brissett Skips OTAs in Contract Dispute, Talks Stalled
Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett has not appeared for any of the team’s voluntary OTA sessions, continuing a holdout as he seeks an improved contract for the final year of his two-year deal. Brissett, 33, is scheduled to earn $4.88 million in 2026 with only $1.5 million guaranteed, a figure he considers below his market value after finishing last season ranked first among quarterbacks in several efficiency metrics from Week 6 onward. The Cardinals named Brissett their starter this spring despite signing veteran Gardner Minshew II and drafting rookie Carson Beck as backups. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Thursday that talks with Brissett have produced no new movement.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cam Ward’s Shoulder Fully Cleared as Titans QB Builds Rapport With Tate at OTAs
Tennessee Titans quarterback Cam Ward enters his second NFL season with his right shoulder fully healed and building early chemistry with new offensive weapons at this week’s OTAs in Nashville. Head coach Robert Saleh said Thursday that Ward is “slinging the ball” with “good velocity,” dismissing any lingering concerns from shoulder issues that affected him last year. Ward and Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate—selected fourth overall in the 2026 draft—have shown early rapport during non-contact drills. Tennessee used the high pick to give Ward a legitimate receiving target after his debut season showed promise but lacked consistent playmaking around him.
Sources: NFL.com
Bobby Wagner Trade Buzz: 49ers and Bears Emerge as Potential Suitors
Veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner, 35, has emerged as a prominent name in offseason trade discussions, with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears both identified as potential suitors this week. Wagner is currently under contract with the Washington Commanders on a one-year, $9 million deal. The 49ers are searching for defensive leadership after a turbulent offseason of roster changes, while the Bears—a young team looking to accelerate their contention timeline—are seen as wanting an experienced anchor for their defense. Wagner has not requested a trade, and Washington has not indicated any intent to move him, but the conversations are reportedly ongoing.
Sources: Last Word on Sports
The Reunion: Rodgers and McCarthy Together Again as Steelers Embrace Farewell Tour
Aaron Rodgers and Mike McCarthy are working together for the first time since their Green Bay partnership ended in 2018, a reunion Rodgers cited as his primary reason for returning to Pittsburgh for the 2026 season. McCarthy, hired as Steelers head coach after Mike Tomlin resigned following a wild-card loss to Houston, coached Rodgers to a Super Bowl title and 13 consecutive playoff appearances over 13 seasons with the Packers. Rodgers said at OTAs Wednesday that Tomlin’s departure had nearly ended his Pittsburgh stint, but he reconsidered once he suggested GM Omar Khan consider McCarthy for the coaching vacancy. Their reunion is among the most-watched story lines of the offseason.
Sources: CBS Sports
What's Trending in the NFL
NFL schedule release reaction takes over sports media — Every team's 2026 schedule is public, and fans are debating prime-time slot counts, revenge games, and which franchises got the most favorable early-season opponents heading into September.
OTA attendance patterns under the microscope — With voluntary workouts underway, analysts are tracking which veterans are present and which are absent, treating attendance as an early signal of contract friction and team chemistry entering the 2026 season.
Super Bowl LX rematch builds early buzz — Seven months before the Seahawks and Patriots open the 2026 season, analysts are dissecting whether Drake Maye has improved enough to flip the 29–13 result from February's championship game in Santa Clara.
2025 AFC Final Standings
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
2025 NFC Final Standings
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 — 11–6–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0
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 — 6–11–0
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 — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency