Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, July 6, 2026
Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift Wed in Star-Studded Ceremony at Madison Square Garden
Travis Kelce, tight end for the Kansas City Chiefs, married pop star Taylor Swift on Friday evening at Madison Square Garden, with comedian Adam Sandler officiating before a crowd packed with celebrities including Tom Brady, Andy Reid, Gigi Hadid, Bradley Cooper, and Selena Gomez. The couple’s wedding attire was designed by Christian Dior Haute Couture. Jason Kelce served as best man, while Austin Swift was Taylor’s man of honor. Stevie Nicks performed during the festivities, which continued well past midnight. Billboards outside MSG were lit up with the message “JUST&T MARRIED,” announcing the union to the world.
Growing Belief Within Rams Organization That Aaron Donald Will Return in 2026
A growing belief has emerged within the Los Angeles Rams organization and around the league that retired defensive tackle Aaron Donald will return for the 2026 season, according to multiple reports. Donald fueled speculation by posting a workout video captioned “work” and reacting with a wide-eyes emoji to social media posts about pairing him with newly acquired pass rusher Myles Garrett. ESPN’s Adam Schefter called a return “more likely than not.” SportsBoom’s Jason La Canfora reported a “growing sense” within the team that Donald will indeed come back. Rams training camp opens July 25 at Loyola Marymount University.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Three Teams Reportedly Interested in Terrion Arnold as Lions Waiver Deadline Passes
Detroit Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold, waived June 30 following his arrest on eight felony charges in Florida, is generating interest from three NFL clubs, according to his attorney Harvey Steinberg. Steinberg informed a Florida court that Arnold had been contacted by three teams and expected his client to sign with a new club within 30 days. The NFL waiver claiming deadline passed Monday at 4 p.m. ET. Arnold, a first-round pick from Alabama in the 2024 draft, faces charges tied to an alleged revenge kidnapping following a theft at a Tampa-area Airbnb. He has not been convicted of any crime.
Sources: Pro Football Talk Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Patrick Mahomes Ahead of Schedule in ACL Recovery, Chiefs Targeting Week 1 Return
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes says rehabilitation on his injured left knee is progressing well and his goal remains a Week 1 return for the 2026 season, with Chiefs team officials reporting growing optimism. Mahomes suffered tears of the ACL and LCL in his left knee during a Week 15 loss to the Chargers in December. General manager Brett Veach has described his recovery as “way ahead of schedule.” Mahomes returned to the practice field during OTAs. ESPN’s Adam Schefter noted the league’s scheduling of Kansas City against Denver on Monday Night Football in Week 1 reflects confidence the quarterback will be ready September 8.
49ers Not Seeking Aiyuk Trade as Commanders Develop Reservations About Signing
The San Francisco 49ers have “long given up” on trading wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk and expect to release him sometime between the start of training camp and the end of the preseason, according to Pro Football Rumors. Aiyuk, who abandoned the team during the 2025 season and has demanded his release through social media, remains on the Reserve/Left Squad list. While Aiyuk has repeatedly expressed a desire to join the Washington Commanders to reunite with Jayden Daniels, his former college teammate, the Commanders are now reportedly developing reservations about acquiring him due to his recent social media activity.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Brendan Sorsby Settles With NFL, Will Prepare for 2027 Draft After Supplemental Dispute
Quarterback Brendan Sorsby has reached a settlement with the NFL and NFLPA resolving all legal claims over the league’s decision to forgo a supplemental draft this offseason. Under the settlement terms, Sorsby will be considered draft-eligible for the 2027 NFL Draft and will face no additional league discipline for prior gambling-related conduct that ended his college career. He may also participate in all standard pre-draft events including the Senior Bowl, pro days, and team visits. Sorsby issued a public statement confirming he would not pursue further litigation and would instead focus on preparing for next April’s draft.
Sources: Pro Football Talk Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
NFL Top 100 Players: Jalen Ramsey, Bobby Wagner Among 90-81 Group in Ongoing Reveal
The 2026 NFL Top 100 Players list, voted on by NFL players themselves, continued its ongoing daily reveal with the 90-81 group announced this week. Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Jalen Ramsey and veteran linebacker Bobby Wagner were among those ranked in the group, with both players seeing slight drops from their prior rankings. The 16th annual series premiered June 22 on X, with two players revealed each weekday through August 21 before the top 10 is unveiled in early September. The list reflects peer recognition among active NFL players and is separate from media-voted rankings such as Pete Prisco’s CBS Sports Top 100.
NFL Teams and Players Honor America’s 250th Anniversary Across July 4 Weekend
NFL teams and players across the league joined the nation’s Independence Day celebrations Saturday as the United States marked its 250th anniversary. Multiple franchises, including the Arizona Cardinals, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, and New England Patriots, posted tributes on social media. The NFL’s America 250 involvement this season included commemorative footballs with the America250 logo used in the final weeks of the 2025 regular season and playoffs, special jersey patches at Super Bowl LX, and America250 recognition throughout the 2026 NFL Draft. Training camps begin in late July as teams build toward Super Bowl LXI.
American Conference Divisions
AFC East (2025 Final)
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. L.A. Chargers — 11–6–0
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0
National Conference Divisions
NFC East (2025 Final)
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. L.A. Rams — 12–5–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency