Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, May 8, 2026
Aaron Rodgers Talks Stall With Steelers as Money Remains the Sticking Point
Contract negotiations between the Pittsburgh Steelers and veteran quarterback Aaron Rodgers have stalled over money, according to Pro Football Talk. Rodgers, 41 and an unrestricted free agent, is in line for a one-year deal valued at approximately $15 million — a 10 percent increase over his $13.65 million salary last season under the league’s standard tender structure. Sources indicate Rodgers is seeking more. The Steelers, who won the AFC North with a 10-7 record in 2025, continue to weigh alternatives but have not closed the door on a deal. Pittsburgh remains without a confirmed starting quarterback for the 2026 season, which begins September 9.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
NFL Schedule Release Set for May 13 or 14, Nine International Games to Highlight 2026 Slate
The NFL will release its complete 2026 regular season schedule on Wednesday, May 13 or Thursday, May 14, per a report from CNBC’s Alex Sherman. The release covers all 272 games and comes as the league coordinates a record nine international contests, adding logistical complexity. Two games are already confirmed: Seattle hosts an unspecified opponent Wednesday, September 9 — the first Wednesday opener since 1948 — and the Baltimore Ravens visit the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, September 27. The league emailed fans Thursday teasing that the schedule release is “almost here,” with teams posting schedule-themed content on social media in anticipation.
Sources: CBS Sports
Netflix Lands U.S. Broadcast Rights for 49ers-Rams Season Opener in Melbourne
Netflix will broadcast the NFL’s Week 1 game in Melbourne, Australia, airing the San Francisco 49ers at Los Angeles Rams matchup on Thursday, September 10, from the Melbourne Cricket Ground, an Associated Press source confirmed Thursday. Kickoff is 8:35 p.m. ET — early Friday morning in Melbourne. Fans outside the Los Angeles and San Francisco markets need a Netflix subscription to watch in the U.S. The opener marks the NFL’s first-ever regular season game in Australia and is part of a record nine international games in 2026. Netflix will air four total NFL games this season, including a Christmas Day doubleheader.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
YouTube Pulls Out of NFL Rights Deal; Netflix Poised to Expand to Five Games in 2026
A reported deal to divide four former ESPN Monday Night Football doubleheader windows between YouTube and Netflix collapsed Thursday when YouTube withdrew from negotiations, according to Puck’s John Ourand. The NFL had been finalizing an arrangement in which each platform would receive two of the windows surrendered by ESPN as part of its deal to acquire NFL Network. With YouTube now out, the league is shopping those windows to traditional broadcast networks while Netflix is positioned to claim the remaining inventory. If finalized, Netflix would carry five NFL broadcast windows in 2026 — adding to its Christmas Day doubleheader — significantly growing its live sports footprint.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Colts Cut Nine-Year Starter Kenny Moore II After Failed Trade Bid
The Indianapolis Colts released cornerback Kenny Moore II Thursday after failing to find a trade partner following the nine-year veteran’s request to move on. Moore, a 2021 Pro Bowl selection, had spent his entire career in Indianapolis since signing as an undrafted free agent in 2017. His departure saves the Colts between $7 million and $9.9 million in 2026 cap space. ESPN’s Stephen Holder cited a scheme fit issue as the primary driver — Moore thrives in specific alignments that no longer match Indianapolis’s system under coordinator Lou Anarumo. The Colts will rely on second-year cornerback Justin Walley and veteran Charvarius Ward in the secondary.
Sources: NFL.com
Veteran Quarterback Taylor Heinicke Announces Retirement at Age 33
Taylor Heinicke, best known for a resilient 2020 wild-card playoff performance with Washington, announced his retirement from professional football Thursday at age 33 via Instagram. The journeyman quarterback spent parts of nine seasons across five NFL franchises — including Washington, Atlanta, the Los Angeles Chargers, and Minnesota — compiling a 13-15-1 record as a starter in 42 games. He threw for 6,663 yards, 39 touchdowns, and 28 interceptions over his career while adding 608 rushing yards and three scores on the ground. Heinicke last suited up for the Chargers in 2024, was released in the 2025 preseason, and spent last season outside the league.
Sources: NFL.com
Bears and Center Garrett Bradbury Agree to Restructured $4.7M Deal
The Chicago Bears and center Garrett Bradbury agreed Thursday to a restructured one-year deal worth $4.7 million, converting $1 million in incentives into guaranteed salary and cutting Bradbury’s cap hit from $5.7 million, per Pro Football Rumors. The 30-year-old was acquired from New England earlier this offseason for a 2027 fifth-round pick, filling the void left by Pro Bowl center Drew Dalman’s unexpected retirement. Bradbury is projected to start when Chicago opens the 2026 season, though Iowa’s Logan Jones — the Bears’ top Day 2 pick in April — will compete for playing time after a four-year starting career at Iowa.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
25 NFL Teams Launch Rookie Minicamps Friday; First Glimpse of 2026 Draft Class
Twenty-five NFL teams opened rookie minicamps Friday, May 8, giving coaches their first look at the 2026 draft class. Seven franchises — including the Las Vegas Raiders, who debuted No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza on May 2 — held camps the prior weekend. Teams beginning today include the Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Buffalo Bills. Rookie minicamps are padless, non-contact walkthroughs where players receive playbooks and complete position-specific drills. The Cowboys reported first-round pick Caleb Downs had a productive opening day, quickly adapting to coordinator Christian Parker’s multiple defensive scheme. OTAs for all 32 teams are scheduled to begin in late May.
Sources: Dallas Cowboys
2025 Final Standings
2026 season begins Sept. 9
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
★ Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Washington Commanders
3. Dallas Cowboys
4. New York Giants
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 — 7–10–0
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 — 3–13–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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