Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
NFL Reveals Record 9 International Games for 2026, Including Historic Firsts in Australia and France
The NFL on Wednesday unveiled all nine international games for the 2026 season during a live segment on NFL Network's Good Morning Football at 9 a.m. ET. The record-setting slate spans seven countries and four continents, with regular season matchups scheduled for Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich, and Mexico City. It marks the first time the NFL will play regular season games in Australia or South America. The league will also play its first-ever game in France when the New Orleans Saints host the Pittsburgh Steelers in Paris. The full 2026 schedule releases Thursday, May 14, at 8 p.m. ET on NFL Network and ESPN2.
Sources: NFL.com
Rams and 49ers to Play NFL's First-Ever Game in Australia at Melbourne Cricket Ground, on Netflix
The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will play the first NFL regular season game ever held in Australia, opening the 2026 season at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday, September 10. Netflix will stream the Week 1 matchup live in the United States, where kickoff is scheduled for 5:35 p.m. PT. Due to a 17-hour time difference, the game kicks off Friday morning at 10:35 a.m. local time in Melbourne. The intraconference NFC West rivalry game follows the traditional season-opening night on Wednesday, September 9, when the defending Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks host the league kickoff game at Lumen Field.
Sources: 49ers.com
Seahawks to Host 2026 NFL Season Opener Sept. 9 at Lumen Field, Will Raise Super Bowl LX Championship Banner
The Seattle Seahawks will host the 2026 NFL season opener on Wednesday, September 9, at Lumen Field, raising the Super Bowl LX championship banner before kickoff. Seattle defeated the New England Patriots 29–13 on February 8 to claim the franchise's second Lombardi Trophy. The identity of Seattle's Week 1 opponent has not yet been confirmed, with the full 2026 schedule set for release Thursday, May 14. The Seahawks' defense recorded six sacks against quarterback Drake Maye in the Super Bowl, with running back Kenneth Walker III, named game MVP, rushing for 135 yards on 27 carries in the championship win.
Sources: Seahawks.com
Cowboys-Giants Set for Week 1 Sunday Night Football; Dallas to Host Eagles on Thanksgiving
The New York Giants will host the Dallas Cowboys in Week 1 on Sunday Night Football, NBC announced Wednesday as part of the 2026 schedule rollout. The Sept. 13 divisional matchup kicks off at 8:20 p.m. ET from MetLife Stadium, marking the eighth time in the past 15 seasons the NFC East rivals have opened a campaign against each other. Dallas will also host the Philadelphia Eagles on Thanksgiving Day, the Cowboys' first holiday home game against the Eagles since 2014. Both matchups were confirmed ahead of Thursday's full schedule release on NFL Network and ESPN2 at 8 p.m. ET.
Sources: NFL.com
Mahomes Targets OTA Return May 26 but NFL's PUP Rules Create Roster Dilemma for Chiefs
Patrick Mahomes is on track to join Kansas City Chiefs OTAs beginning May 26, roughly five months after tearing the ACL and LCL in his left knee against the Chargers on Dec. 14. Head coach Andy Reid confirmed Mahomes can do some things in Phase 2 workouts, but the Chiefs face a roster decision: Phase 3 participation starting May 26 would disqualify Mahomes from opening training camp on the Physically Unable to Perform list, which would otherwise allow Kansas City to carry an extra roster spot. GM Brett Veach called the recovery way ahead of schedule. The Chiefs open September 14 against the Broncos on Monday Night Football.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
A.J. Brown Trade to Patriots Still Expected After June 1 as Eagles Build WR Depth for Life Without Him
Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver A.J. Brown remains on track to be traded to the New England Patriots, with both sides waiting until after June 1 to complete a deal. Moving Brown before that date would trigger a $43.4 million dead cap charge for Philadelphia in 2026 alone; after June 1, that figure splits across two seasons, freeing roughly $7 million in cap space. Trade compensation is expected to center on a 2027 or 2028 first-round pick. The Eagles have added receiver depth in preparation, acquiring Dontayvion Wicks from Green Bay, signing Marquise Brown in free agency, and selecting Makai Lemon with the No. 20 overall pick in the 2026 draft.
Sources: Boston.com
Saints and Steelers Confirmed for Week 7 Paris Game, NFL's First-Ever Regular Season Contest in France
The New Orleans Saints and Pittsburgh Steelers will meet in Paris in Week 7 as part of the NFL's 2026 international schedule, announced Wednesday on NFL Network's Good Morning Football. The matchup, tentatively scheduled for October 25, will mark the first time an NFL regular season game has been played in France. Paris joins a growing list of international NFL host cities in 2026, which includes London, Madrid, Munich, Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, and Mexico City. The Saints serve as the home team for the Paris game. The full 2026 schedule, including kickoff times and broadcast assignments for the Paris contest, releases Thursday, May 14 on NFL Network.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Ravens and Cowboys to Play NFL's Return Game in Brazil at Rio's Maracanã Stadium in Week 3
The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will play the NFL's return game in South America during Week 3 on Sept. 27, competing at Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The game airs on CBS at 4:25 p.m. ET, announced as part of Wednesday's international schedule reveal on Good Morning Football. The NFL first played a regular season game in Brazil in 2024, when the Philadelphia Eagles faced the Green Bay Packers in São Paulo. The 2026 Rio matchup pairs two marquee franchises: Lamar Jackson's Ravens and the Cowboys, who will play their season-opener against the Giants on Sunday Night Football one week prior.
Sources: CBS Sports
Baker Mayfield and Buccaneers Face Contract Deadline to Avoid $22M Dead Cap Hit Before 2026 Season
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and quarterback Baker Mayfield face a critical contract timeline ahead of the 2026 season. Mayfield's current deal expires after 2026, but void years embedded in the contract will trigger a dead cap penalty exceeding $22 million if no extension is reached. Mayfield, 31, joined Tampa on a one-year prove-it deal in 2023 before earning a three-year, $100 million contract. He remains one of the NFL's better-value starters entering 2026, with the Buccaneers finishing outside the playoff picture in 2025 despite remaining competitive in the NFC South. Both sides are expected to negotiate before season's start to avoid the significant cap penalty.
Sources: The Ringer
American Football 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 Football Conference
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 8–8–1
3. New York Giants — 4–13–0
4. Washington Commanders — 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 — 7–10–0
3. Atlanta Falcons — 7–10–0
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 13–4–0
2. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
3. Los Angeles Rams — 11–6–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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