Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, May 9, 2026
NFL Stages First Regular-Season Game in Australia: 49ers vs. Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground
The NFL will stage its first-ever regular-season game on Australian soil Thursday, September 10, when the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Netflix will stream the contest beginning at 8:35 p.m. ET, making it the league’s first streaming-only international season opener. The matchup is part of a record nine-game international schedule for 2026, spanning seven countries and four continents. Melbourne joins Rio de Janeiro and Paris as debut NFL host cities this season. The NFC West rivalry gives the league a compelling narrative for its Australian debut, continuing the NFL’s most aggressive international expansion effort to date.
Sources: The Big Lead
2026 NFL Schedule Release Set for May 14 with Nine International Games and Wednesday Season Opener
The complete 2026 NFL regular-season schedule drops Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network, ESPN2, and NFL+. The release covers a record nine international games, with those matchups to be confirmed separately on Wednesday, May 13. The season opens Wednesday, September 9 — only the second Wednesday opener in 75 years. The Christmas tripleheader returns, with Netflix and Fox sharing broadcast rights. A Thanksgiving Eve prime-time game is under consideration for the first time in league history. The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots, last February’s Super Bowl LX participants, are expected to headline multiple marquee time slots on the full slate.
Sources: 98.5 The Sports Hub
Carnell Tate Signs $51.1M Rookie Deal with Tennessee Titans After Being Taken Fourth Overall
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Carnell Tate signed his four-year, $51.1 million fully guaranteed rookie contract on Friday, completing his deal less than three weeks after being selected fourth overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. The former Ohio State standout finished the 2025 college season with 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns, performances that persuaded the Titans to use the highest draft pick on a wide receiver in franchise history. Tate’s deal includes a $33.6 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. He is expected to compete immediately for a starting role in the Tennessee offense under offensive coordinator Brian Daboll, who joined the Titans this offseason.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
Jordyn Tyson Inks $32.5M Rookie Contract with New Orleans Saints After Being Picked Eighth Overall
New Orleans Saints first-round pick Jordyn Tyson signed his four-year, $32.5 million fully guaranteed rookie contract Friday, closing the financial side of his transition from Arizona State to the NFL. The eighth overall selection in the 2026 draft brings size and speed to a Saints receiving corps that has lacked a dynamic playmaker since the Michael Thomas era. His deal includes a $20.1 million signing bonus and a fifth-year team option. The Saints went 6–11 in head coach Kellen Moore’s debut season in 2025. New Orleans is counting on Tyson to immediately elevate a passing attack that ranked among the league’s worst in yards and scoring last year.
Sources: Heavy.com
Minnesota Vikings Sign Eight 2026 Draft Picks on Friday, Led by First-Rounder Caleb Banks
The Minnesota Vikings signed eight of their nine 2026 NFL Draft picks to rookie contracts Friday, led by first-round defensive tackle Caleb Banks. The 18th overall selection from the University of Florida secured a four-year deal with $21.28 million in fully guaranteed money plus a fifth-year team option. Banks is projected to strengthen a Vikings defensive line that struggled against the run in 2025. The unsigned player from the class is second-round linebacker Jake Golday, who remains in contract negotiations. Minnesota also added defensive tackles Domonique Orange and Caleb Tiernan, safety Jakobe Thomas, fullback Max Bredeson, cornerback Charles Demmings, running back Demond Claiborne, and center Gavin Gerhardt.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
New England Patriots Sign Five Draft Picks and 12 Undrafted Free Agents Ahead of Rookie Minicamp
The New England Patriots signed five of their nine 2026 NFL Draft picks and 12 undrafted free agents Friday ahead of rookie minicamp, giving the organization a full complement of talent for initial evaluation. Signed draft picks include cornerback Karon Prunty, offensive tackle Dametrious Crownover, linebacker Namdi Obiazor, quarterback Behren Morton, and running back Jam Miller. The additions follow New England’s trade of center Garrett Bradbury to the Chicago Bears for a 2027 fifth-round pick earlier this offseason. The Patriots, who reached Super Bowl LX last February before losing to the Seattle Seahawks, are rebuilding their roster around second-year quarterback Drake Maye entering the 2026 season.
Sources: 98.5 The Sports Hub
San Francisco 49ers Rookie Class Takes the Field for First NFL Practice at Santa Clara Minicamp
The San Francisco 49ers’ 2026 draft class took the field Friday for its first NFL practice at the SAP Performance Facility in Santa Clara. Prior to workouts, the team announced six of their eight draft picks signed four-year contracts, including wide receiver De’Zhaun Stribling, running back Kaelon Black, offensive linemen Carver Willis and Enrique Cruz Jr., cornerback Ephesians Prysock, and linebacker Jaden Dugger. Stribling, an Ole Miss product, worked through individual and 7-on-7 drills and drew notice from the coaching staff. Seven undrafted free agents also signed. Black said becoming a 49er fully hit him when he saw his locker beside All-Pro linebacker Fred Warner.
Sources: San Francisco 49ers
Pittsburgh Steelers Open Rookie Minicamp with Drew Allar as Sole Quarterback for Weekend Sessions
The Pittsburgh Steelers opened a three-day rookie minicamp Friday with quarterback Drew Allar as the only signal-caller, giving the third-round Penn State product extended live reps in a professional setting for the first time. Allar will throw to receivers Germie Bernard, Kaden Wetjen, and Eli Heidenreich — three rookies who generated strong post-draft buzz. All 10 Pittsburgh draft picks reported to the South Side facility alongside undrafted free agents and 12 tryout players. The Steelers targeted linebackers and punters for tryout spots, addressing two position groups that went unfilled during the April draft. Camp concludes Sunday with staff evaluating the entire rookie class.
Sources: Steelers Depot
American Conference
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
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 — 12–5–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 10–7–0
3. Detroit Lions — 10–7–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 8–9–0
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 Champions)
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