Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, May 31, 2026
Eagles and Patriots Have A.J. Brown Trade Framework in Place
The Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots have a trade framework in place for A.J. Brown, with a deal expected to finalize on or after June 1 due to cap implications. Philadelphia faces a $43.5 million dead cap hit on any pre-June 1 deal but only $16 million after that date. The two teams have grappled over compensation; Philadelphia wants a 2027 first-round pick while New England has balked at that price. Sources describe the deal as close enough that only one side walking away would prevent it. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler, would reunite with head coach Mike Vrabel in New England.
Sources: Boston Globe
Deshaun Watson Holds Lead Over Sanders and Gabriel in Browns QB Race
Deshaun Watson holds the inside track to Cleveland's starting quarterback job for 2026, leading rookie Shedeur Sanders and second-year signal-caller Dillon Gabriel in the Browns' offseason competition. Watson received the bulk of first-team reps during voluntary minicamp, with head coach Todd Monken still rotating the three quarterbacks during 11-on-11 work. Watson missed the entire 2025 season recovering from a torn right Achilles sustained in October 2024 and is working to reclaim the job after years of disappointment in Cleveland. Sanders, a fifth-round rookie out of Colorado, completed 56.6 percent of his passes in extended action during his first NFL season last fall.
Sources: CBS Sports
Steelers Fire Assistant Coach Derius Swinton for Violating Club Policy
The Pittsburgh Steelers dismissed senior special teams assistant Derius Swinton II on Friday for a violation of club policy, ending his tenure months after being hired as part of first-year head coach Mike McCarthy's inaugural staff. The Steelers declined to specify the nature of the violation. Swinton previously spent three seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, including a stint as interim special teams coordinator in 2025 after Tom McMahon was fired in Week 10. Pittsburgh will move forward with veteran special teams coordinator Danny Crossman as sole special teams coach for now. Swinton had been part of the staff since McCarthy took over the Steelers this offseason.
Sources: ESPN
Kyler Murray Holds Edge Over J.J. McCarthy at Vikings OTAs
Kyler Murray holds a significant advantage over J.J. McCarthy in the Minnesota Vikings' quarterback competition through the first week of organized team activities, according to ESPN's Kevin Seifert. Murray, the two-time Pro Bowler brought in after Arizona released him, has drawn stronger reviews from coaches and observers despite McCarthy showing improved mechanics. Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell described the competition as a true one, and both quarterbacks took snaps with the first-team offense and against projected starters on defense. McCarthy and Murray characterized their dynamic as collaborative. Three more OTA sessions are scheduled next week, with mandatory minicamp to follow in June.
Sources: ESPN
Seahawks Sign First-Round RB Jadarian Price to Four-Year Rookie Deal
The Seattle Seahawks signed first-round running back Jadarian Price to a four-year, $16.7 million rookie contract on Friday, locking up their top selection from the 2026 NFL Draft. Price joins an offense led by quarterback Geno Smith and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the 2025 Offensive Player of the Year, as the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks push for a repeat. Seattle also completed the acquisition of special teams standout Irv Charles from the New York Jets in exchange for a conditional 2028 seventh-round pick. The moves signal Seattle's continued aggressive approach to building on its Super Bowl LX championship run from the 2025 season.
Sources: NFL.com
Nick Bosa Says He Is ‘Pretty Far Along’ in ACL Recovery, Targets 2026 Opener
San Francisco 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa says he is 'pretty far along' in his recovery from a torn ACL suffered three weeks into the 2025 season, with the team expecting him ready for late July training camp. Bosa, 28, is not yet participating in on-field drills during San Francisco's OTAs but is present at the facility working through rehabilitation daily. He said he is taking a more patient approach than during a 2020 ACL recovery, noting he tends to push things quicker but is deliberately holding back. The All-Pro pass rusher is targeting a full 17-game 2026 slate and expressed renewed appreciation for the game during the lengthy recovery.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Patrick Mahomes Participates in Chiefs OTAs, Targets Week 1 ACL Return
Patrick Mahomes participated in drills during Kansas City Chiefs organized team activities this week, providing the most encouraging sign yet of his recovery from the torn ACL and LCL he suffered on December 14, 2025. Mahomes, 30, spoke with reporters after the session and said his rehabilitation is progressing on schedule, with his stated goal remaining a return for Week 1 of the 2026 season. The quarterback was cautiously optimistic, tempering expectations while emphasizing his timeline is moving in the right direction more than five months after surgery. Kansas City has maintained publicly that a Week 1 return is realistic, with a standard ACL recovery running approximately nine months.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Jacoby Brissett Skips Cardinals OTAs Seeking Contract Extension
Jacoby Brissett was absent from Arizona Cardinals voluntary organized team activities as the veteran quarterback seeks a contract extension with the team that installed him as the projected 2026 starter. Brissett, entering the final year of a two-year, $12.5 million deal that pays him a base salary of $4.8 million, and the Cardinals remain significantly apart on a new deal, per ESPN. With Brissett away, rookie third-round pick Carson Beck and veteran Gardner Minshew took the majority of snaps during OTA sessions. Arizona parted ways with Kyler Murray in the offseason after he signed with the Vikings, leaving the franchise still searching for its long-term quarterback.
Sources: CBS Sports
AFC Divisions — 2025 Final
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0 — —
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0 — 2.0
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0 — 7.0
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0 — 11.0
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0 — —
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0 — 2.0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0 — 4.0
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0 — 5.0
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0 — —
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0 — 1.0
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0 — 5.0
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0 — 10.0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0 — —
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0 — 3.0
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0 — 8.0
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0 — 11.0
NFC Divisions — 2025 Final
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0 — —
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1 — 3.5
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0 — 6.0
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0 — 7.0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6–0 — —
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1 — 1.5
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0 — 2.0
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0 — 2.0
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0 — —
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0 — 0.0
3. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0 — 0.0
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0 — 2.0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks ★ — 14–3–0 — —
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0 — 2.0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0 — 2.0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0 — 11.0
★ Super Bowl LX Champions
Curated by JD · samwise.agency