Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, May 18, 2026
Aaron Rodgers Returns to Steelers on One-Year Deal Worth Up to $25 Million for 22nd Season
Aaron Rodgers, 42, has agreed to return to the Pittsburgh Steelers on a one-year contract worth up to $25 million, with $22 million guaranteed. The deal, finalized ahead of the team’s May 18 organized team activities, keeps the four-time MVP in Pittsburgh for a 22nd NFL season. Rodgers, who reunites with head coach Mike McCarthy, posted a 65.7 completion percentage last year despite playing with a severely injured left wrist in the second half of the season. He led Pittsburgh to its first AFC North division title since 2020. Amid retirement speculation throughout the offseason, the veteran chose to continue his career.
Sources: CBS Sports
Patriots-Seahawks Super Bowl LX Rematch Headlines 2026 NFL Season Opener on September 9
The NFL released its full 2026 regular season schedule on May 14, headlined by a Super Bowl LX rematch: the Seattle Seahawks host the New England Patriots on Wednesday, September 9, on NBC. The 272-game, 18-week slate also features the New York Giants hosting the Dallas Cowboys in the first Sunday Night Football game of the year on September 13. Season highlights include the NFL’s first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game — the Los Angeles Rams hosting the Green Bay Packers on Netflix — plus a Christmas tripleheader and nine international games spanning four continents. The regular season closes January 10, 2027.
Sources: ESPN
Buffalo Bills to Open New $2 Billion Highmark Stadium in Week 2 Thursday Night Matchup vs. Lions
The Buffalo Bills will officially open their new Highmark Stadium on September 17 against the Detroit Lions in a Thursday Night Football game streaming on Amazon Prime Video. The $2 billion facility holds approximately 60,000 fans and features seven sensory rooms — more than any venue in the world, according to the team. The Bills’ first regular-season game at the new venue was announced on May 14 as part of the 2026 NFL schedule release. Buffalo finished the 2025 season with a 12–5 record and earned a playoff berth behind a dominant offensive performance.
Sources: ESPN
NFL Sets Record with Nine International Games Across Seven Countries in 2026
The NFL will play a record nine international games in 2026, spanning four continents, seven countries and eight stadiums — the most in league history. The slate opens Thursday, September 10, in Melbourne, Australia, where the San Francisco 49ers face the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Netflix. The Baltimore Ravens and Dallas Cowboys will meet in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 27, marking the first regular-season NFL game at the iconic Maracanã Stadium. Additional games will be staged in France, Spain, Germany, Mexico and multiple United Kingdom venues throughout the season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants Headline First Sunday Night Football Game of 2026 Season
The Dallas Cowboys will travel to MetLife Stadium to face the New York Giants in Week 1 of the 2026 NFL season on September 13, serving as the first Sunday Night Football game of the year on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET. The NFC East rivalry matchup marks the eighth time in 15 seasons that the two clubs have opened a campaign against one another. The game also serves as the home debut for new Giants head coach John Harbaugh. Wide receiver George Pickens, playing on a $27.3 million franchise tag, will look to extend his breakout 2025 campaign against New York.
Sources: NFL.com
Jets, Raiders, Dolphins, Titans and Cardinals Receive Zero Primetime Games in 2026 NFL Schedule
Five NFL teams — the New York Jets, Las Vegas Raiders, Miami Dolphins, Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals — will not appear in a single primetime game during the 2026 season, according to the May 14 schedule release. The shutout signals the league’s assessment of each franchise’s rebuild trajectory heading into the year. At the other end of the spectrum, the Los Angeles Rams received a league-high seven primetime games, tying the all-time single-season record. The defending champion Seattle Seahawks and the Kansas City Chiefs each received six primetime appearances on the 2026 slate.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Green Bay Packers’ Micah Parsons a PUP List Candidate to Open 2026 Season After Torn ACL
Green Bay Packers linebacker Micah Parsons is expected to begin the 2026 regular season on the physically unable to perform list, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, following a torn ACL sustained in December 2025. Parsons, acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for two first-round picks and veteran defensive tackle Kenny Clark, would miss a minimum of four games if placed on PUP. Despite the slow start to camp, the All-Pro pass rusher said his recovery is tracking well and he is targeting a return in early October. General manager Brian Gutekunst confirmed the team expects Parsons back early in the 2026 season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Giants’ Malik Nabers Undergoes Second Knee Surgery to Remove Scar Tissue, Still Targeting Week 1
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers underwent a second procedure on his right knee to remove scar tissue from the ACL he tore on September 28, 2025, the team confirmed. Nabers has set a Week 1 return as his goal, and the Giants remain cautiously optimistic he will be ready for the season opener against Dallas. Head coach John Harbaugh said in April the team hopes to have Nabers available during training camp. The second-year receiver was emerging as a key offensive weapon in New York before his injury and is considered central to the franchise’s ongoing rebuild.
Sources: NFL.com
Anthony Richardson Reports to Colts OTAs Despite Trade Request, Expected to Remain Through 2026
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson reported to voluntary organized team activities in May 2026 despite requesting a trade in February, after the Colts re-signed Daniel Jones and committed to him as the starting quarterback. Richardson described his OTA attendance as “a blessing in disguise,” saying he remained motivated to work with teammates. General manager Chris Ballard confirmed the team has fielded trade calls but said “nothing’s come to fruition at this time.” With no clear market emerging for his services, Richardson is now widely expected to play out the 2026 season in Indianapolis before entering free agency.
Sources: CBS Sports
American Conference Divisions
AFC East
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0 — —
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0 — 7 GB
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0 — —
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0 — 2 GB
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0 — 4 GB
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0 — 5 GB
AFC South
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0 — —
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0 — 1 GB
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0 — 5 GB
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0 — 10 GB
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0 — —
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0 — 3 GB
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0 — 8 GB
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
National Conference Divisions
NFC East
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0 — —
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1 — 3.5 GB
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0 — 6 GB
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0 — 7 GB
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6–0 — —
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1 — 1.5 GB
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0 — 2 GB
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0 — 2 GB
NFC South
1. Carolina Panthers — 8–9–0 — —
2. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0 — 0 GB
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0 — 0 GB
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0 — 2 GB
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0 — —
2. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
3. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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