Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, July 31, 2026
Deebo Samuel Returns to 49ers on One-Year Deal
Wide receiver Deebo Samuel is returning to the San Francisco 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Friday. Samuel spent one season with the Washington Commanders after being traded there at his request in March 2025, following six seasons in San Francisco. With the 49ers dealing with early training camp injuries at wide receiver — including first-year signee Christian Kirk sidelined with a calf strain — Samuel’s return adds an experienced option to the receiving corps. He is expected to wear No. 19, the number he wore at the start of his career in San Francisco.
Sources: ESPN
Baker Mayfield to Play 2026 on Expiring Bucs Deal After Extension Talks Collapse
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play the 2026 season on an expiring contract after extension talks with the team failed before training camp, Fox Sports and Pro Football Talk confirmed. Mayfield, entering the final year of a three-year, $100 million contract, publicly expressed his displeasure at camp, with Yardbarker reporting he offered a fiery response regarding the failed negotiations. He will earn $40 million in 2026. The Buccaneers could consider franchise-tagging Mayfield after the season; a strong 2026 campaign could push his next contract above $50 million per year.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs Stage Hold-Ins as RB Contract Tensions Rise
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Detroit Lions counterpart Jahmyr Gibbs are staging hold-ins at training camp as each seeks a long-term contract extension, CBS Sports reported. Robinson is present at the facility but sitting out drills after the Falcons exercised his fifth-year option at $11.32 million — far below his projected market value. Gibbs is in a similar situation in Detroit, where coach Dan Campbell said the team is “not sweating it” and remains confident a deal will be reached. Both backs are expected to receive new contracts before the 2026 regular season begins.
Sources: CBS Sports
Chris Olave Locks In With Saints on Four-Year, $132 Million Extension
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Chris Olave agreed to a four-year, $132 million contract extension Thursday at training camp, SI.com reported. The deal keeps Olave in New Orleans and resolves what had been a major contract question for the Saints offense as the team begins its 2026 preparations. New Orleans has moved aggressively to retain its offensive core this offseason, with the Olave deal the latest notable commitment by the franchise. The extension was confirmed as the Saints reported to camp, adding clarity to the team’s receiving depth ahead of the 2026 season, which opens September 9.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
Taysom Hill Announces Departure From New Orleans After Nine-Year Run
Taysom Hill announced Wednesday that he will not return to the New Orleans Saints, ending a nine-year run with the franchise, Yahoo Sports reported. The versatile 35-year-old — who has played quarterback, tight end, fullback, and wide receiver throughout his career — posted on social media that he has “taken time this offseason to think carefully” about his future, and that returning to New Orleans “is not in the cards.” Hill stopped short of announcing his retirement, leaving open the possibility of signing with another NFL team as a free agent. The news broke during the opening week of the 2026 training camp period.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Panthers Rookie WR Chris Brazzell II to Undergo Season-Ending LCL Surgery
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II will undergo season-ending surgery to repair a torn LCL and be placed on injured reserve, NFL.com reported Thursday. The injury sidelines the young receiver before he could play a regular-season snap. The Panthers have now lost two players for the season before the regular season begins: outside linebacker Nic Scourton tore his ACL on the opening day of training camp last week, drawing an NFLPA investigation into the circumstances. Carolina opens preseason action in the Hall of Fame Game against the Arizona Cardinals on August 6.
Sources: NFL.com
Bengals DE Shemar Stewart Avoids Serious Injury After Hyperextended Knee at Camp
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart avoided serious injury after hyperextending his knee during Wednesday’s training camp practice, NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport and ESPN’s Adam Schefter confirmed Thursday. Stewart was carted off the field during team drills, sparking immediate concern in the Bengals camp. The belief, per both reporters, is that Stewart did not suffer ligament damage and that no structural damage was done to the knee. The Bengals were relieved by the update as the team navigates the early stages of a busy training camp period, with Cincinnati opening preseason play August 13 against the Detroit Lions.
Sources: NFL.com
Lions OL Giovanni Manu to Miss 12 to 14 Weeks on Non-Football Injury List
Detroit Lions offensive lineman Giovanni Manu will miss 12 to 14 weeks with an undisclosed injury and has been placed on the non-football injury list, coach Dan Campbell confirmed Thursday. Manu, who started one of four games he played in during 2025 in his second NFL season, suffered the injury outside of football activities. The loss creates depth concerns along Detroit’s offensive line heading into the preseason period. The Lions also face uncertainty at running back, with Jahmyr Gibbs currently holding in at camp while seeking a new contract extension. Detroit opens preseason play August 13 against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Sources: NFL.com
American Conference Divisions
2026 NFL Regular Season begins September 9. All teams: 0–0–0
AFC East
Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
New England Patriots — 0–0–0
New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
Houston Texans — 0–0–0
Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
National Conference Divisions
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
New York Giants — 0–0–0
Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency