Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, May 23, 2026
Giants DL Roy Robertson-Harris Tears Achilles at OTAs, Expected to Miss 2026 Season
The New York Giants suffered a major blow Friday when defensive tackle Roy Robertson-Harris tore his Achilles tendon during organized team activities, ESPN reported. Robertson-Harris, taking first-team reps when he reached for the back of his right leg, is expected to miss the entire 2026 season. The injury hits a unit already in transition after the Giants traded Pro Bowl tackle Dexter Lawrence II to the Bengals this spring. Robertson-Harris was slated to start, leaving GM Joe Schoen scrambling for defensive line depth with training camp still two months away.
Sources: ESPN
Cardinals, QB Jacoby Brissett Remain 'Significantly' Far Apart in Contract Talks
The Arizona Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett are still significantly far apart in contract negotiations, ESPN reported Friday, with no signs of progress. Brissett, 33, seeks starter-level pay after completing 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns in 12 starts last season — all on a team that finished 3–14. His current deal carries a $4.9 million base salary. Head coach Mike LaFleur acknowledged talks remain the same as a few weeks ago. With Brissett absent, Gardner Minshew and rookie Carson Beck are splitting first-team reps at Arizona's voluntary OTAs.
Sources: NFL.com
Raiders Coach Kubiak Commits to Heavy Workload for RB Ashton Jeanty in Year Two
Las Vegas Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak said Friday that running back Ashton Jeanty will carry a heavy workload in his second NFL season. Jeanty, the No. 6 overall pick in 2025, produced more than 1,300 scrimmage yards and 10 touchdowns despite poor offensive line play in his rookie year. Kubiak cited Christian McCaffrey's snap percentage as a benchmark target. Jeanty's outlook is brighter in 2026: he runs behind a revamped line featuring new free-agent center Tyler Linderbaum and is joined in the backfield by rookie Mike Washington Jr., who posted the fastest 40-yard dash among running backs at the March combine.
Sources: NFL.com
Panthers' Derrick Brown: Critics 'Don't Want to Admit' How Good Bryce Young Is Becoming
Carolina Panthers defensive lineman Derrick Brown argued Friday that the public has been slow to credit quarterback Bryce Young because doing so would mean admitting they were wrong. Brown said on the Green Light podcast that outside critics do not want to acknowledge how good Young is becoming. Young, the 2023 No. 1 overall pick who was benched after an 0–2 start in his second season, rebounded to throw for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2025, leading Carolina to the NFC South title. The Panthers have picked up his fifth-year option and plan to sign him long-term.
Sources: NFL.com
New Ravens Safety Jaylinn Hawkins: 'We've Got Something Cooking' in Baltimore's Secondary
New Baltimore Ravens safety Jaylinn Hawkins said Friday he believes the team's three-man safety group can be something special in 2026. Hawkins, who posted career highs in interceptions (four) and sacks (1.5) with New England last season, joins a secondary led by three-time Pro Bowler Kyle Hamilton and second-year starter Malaki Starks. "I think we've got something cooking," Hawkins told The Lounge podcast. "Everybody is talented in their own way." The Ravens missed the playoffs in 2025 for the first time since 2021 and overhauled the coaching staff, bringing in Jesse Minter as head coach.
Sources: NFL.com
Chargers GM: 'Door Is Not Closed' on Bringing Back Veteran WR Keenan Allen
Los Angeles Chargers GM Joe Hortiz said Friday the team has not ruled out re-signing veteran receiver Keenan Allen, 34, for a third stint. Speaking on Up & Adams, Hortiz confirmed both sides remain in contact while the team focuses on developing younger pass-catchers Ladd McConkey and 2025 second-rounder Tre Harris. "Nothing but love for Keenan. That door is not closed," he said — while clarifying the Chargers have no interest in seeing Allen join rival Kansas City. Allen returned last summer on a one-year deal and led Los Angeles with 81 catches for 777 yards and four touchdowns in his 13th NFL season.
Sources: NFL.com
Steelers OT Broderick Jones: 'Nobody Knows What the Future Holds for Me' After Neck Surgery
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Broderick Jones said Friday he harbors no ill will toward the team for drafting Texas tackle Max Iheanachor 19th overall in April — the third first-round pick Pittsburgh has spent on the position in four years. "It's all a business at the end of the day," Jones told the Pittsburgh Tribune. "Nobody knows what the future holds for me." Jones, who played 45 consecutive games before a Week 12 neck injury required spinal fusion surgery, is lifting weights and targeting a training camp return, though he has not yet received medical clearance. His fifth-year option was declined this offseason.
Sources: NFL.com
What's Trending in the NFL
Aaron Rodgers Announces 2026 Retirement Tour — Steelers QB Aaron Rodgers confirmed Wednesday at OTAs that the 2026 season will be his last, ending a 22-year Hall of Fame career reunited with coach Mike McCarthy.
Browns QB Battle: Watson vs. Sanders at OTAs — Cleveland’s open QB competition continued this week with Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders splitting reps. Coach Todd Monken says no deadline exists until the Sept. 13 opener.
Mahomes Eyes Week 1 Return from Torn ACL — Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes, who tore his ACL and LCL in December, is on track to participate in OTAs beginning May 26 and remains focused on being ready for the regular-season opener.
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 — 11–6–0
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 (Super Bowl LX Champions)
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