Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, April 22, 2026
2026 NFL Draft Opens Thursday Night in Pittsburgh
The 2026 NFL Draft begins Thursday night at Pittsburgh's North Shore, broadcast live on ESPN and ABC at 8 p.m. ET, with all eyes on the Las Vegas Raiders and the No. 1 overall selection. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is the universally projected pick, after he won the Heisman Trophy and led the Hoosiers to a perfect 16-0 national championship season, throwing 41 touchdown passes against just six interceptions. Mendoza drew comparisons to past No. 1 quarterbacks Cam Newton and Joe Burrow, who also won titles and the Heisman before going first overall. Rounds 2-3 follow Friday, with Rounds 4-7 on Saturday.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cowboys Make Brandon Aubrey the Highest-Paid Kicker in NFL History
The Dallas Cowboys agreed to a record-setting four-year, $28 million contract extension with kicker Brandon Aubrey on Tuesday, making the 31-year-old the highest-paid kicker in NFL history at $7 million per season. The deal includes $20 million in guaranteed money. Aubrey has earned a Pro Bowl selection in each of his three seasons with Dallas and holds an 88.2 percent career field goal percentage. He set an NFL record by converting his first 35 field goal attempts without a miss and has a career-long of 65 yards, a Cowboys franchise record. The extension ties Aubrey to Dallas through the 2030 season.
Sources: NFL.com
Cowboys Confirm George Pickens Will Play 2026 Season Under Franchise Tag
The Dallas Cowboys confirmed Wednesday they will not pursue a long-term contract with wide receiver George Pickens this offseason, meaning the 25-year-old will play the 2026 season under the franchise tag worth $27.3 million. Executive VP Stephen Jones cited the difficulty of paying two receivers at top-of-market rates and the relative newness of Pickens to the organization as reasons for the decision. Pickens, acquired from the Pittsburgh Steelers last offseason for a third-round pick, erupted in his debut Cowboys season with more than 1,400 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Dallas has until July 15 to reach a long-term agreement.
Sources: ESPN
Shedeur Sanders Takes First-Team Reps at Browns Minicamp Ahead of Open QB Battle
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders handled the bulk of first-team repetitions during Tuesday's voluntary minicamp in Berea, Ohio, with veteran Deshaun Watson working primarily with the second unit. The Browns' front office has publicly committed to an open quarterback competition this summer. The Athletic's Zac Jackson reported he feels stronger than ever that Sanders is the frontrunner heading into training camp. Sanders, 22, started seven games as a rookie last season, completing 59.6 percent of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns, and ten interceptions. Head coach Todd Monken praised the young quarterback's elite playmaking ability following Tuesday's session.
Sources: News 5 Cleveland
Steelers Open Minicamp Without Rodgers; Decision Not Expected Before Draft
The Pittsburgh Steelers launched their three-day voluntary minicamp Monday under first-year head coach Mike McCarthy without any indication from quarterback Aaron Rodgers about his 2026 intentions. Rodgers has been traveling and has not communicated to the Steelers whether he plans to sign with the team. In his absence, sixth-round pick Will Howard handled first-team quarterback snaps during practice. The team does not expect a decision from Rodgers before the NFL Draft, which opens Thursday in Pittsburgh. Rodgers signed with the Steelers last June after a similarly extended deliberation, suggesting the current situation may follow a comparable timeline.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Jimmy Garoppolo Considering NFL Retirement After 12 Seasons and $156 Million Earned
Veteran quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo is seriously considering retiring from professional football following 12 NFL seasons, according to reports Monday from NFL Network and ESPN. The 34-year-old, who has earned more than $156 million in his career, has been a free agent since March and was expected to return as the Los Angeles Rams' backup to Matthew Stafford. Rams head coach Sean McVay said the team has been aware of Garoppolo's deliberations and is not pressing him for a decision. McVay told reporters: "No timeline. Wanted to be able to give him his time." Garoppolo spent his final two seasons with Los Angeles.
Sources: NFL.com
Packers Confident Zach Tom Will Be Ready for 2026 Season After Knee Surgery
Green Bay Packers GM Brian Gutekunst told reporters this week that starting right tackle Zach Tom, who underwent knee surgery this offseason, is expected to be fully healthy for the 2026 season. Tom partially tore his patellar tendon during a Week 14 game against the Denver Broncos and attempted to play in Green Bay's Wild Card game before ultimately being limited. Gutekunst said Tom is "doing well" following surgery and that the Packers do not expect the procedure to affect his availability heading into the season. Tom has been a cornerstone of the Packers' offensive line since being drafted in 2022.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Draft Prospect Caleb Banks on Pace for June Return After Combine Foot Injury
Florida defensive tackle Caleb Banks, considered a potential first-round pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, is on pace to be fully cleared for football activities in early June after fracturing the fourth metatarsal in his left foot at the NFL Combine in February. Banks cracked the bone while practicing for the 40-yard dash the night before combine drills, then played through the pain the following day, clocking a 5.04-second 40 and competing in position drills. The injury may prompt teams to let him slide in the draft order, though the June clearance timeline was communicated to NFL clubs by letter Wednesday.
Sources: ESPN
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. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 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 🏆
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
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