Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, May 20, 2026
Aaron Rodgers Officially Signs With Steelers, Reports to OTAs
Aaron Rodgers officially signed his one-year deal with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday — worth up to $25 million — and participated in the team’s first voluntary OTA practice of the 2026 season the same morning. Rodgers arrived at the facility around 7:45 a.m., completing his physical before joining teammates on the field. During the media viewing period, he took first-team reps and completed five throws: two to Michael Pittman Jr., and one each to DK Metcalf, Roman Wilson and Pat Freiermuth. The signing reunites Rodgers with head coach Mike McCarthy, who coached him during his Super Bowl-winning tenure in Green Bay.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Ordered to Serve 30 Days in Jail After Probation Violation
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice has been ordered to serve 30 days in jail after testing positive for marijuana in violation of his probation terms. Rice pleaded guilty in July 2025 to third-degree felony charges of collision involving serious bodily injury and racing on a highway, stemming from a six-car crash on Easter Sunday 2024 in Dallas. A judge had granted deferred adjudication, meaning successful probation completion would have dismissed the charges. Rice will remain incarcerated until June 16, forcing him to miss the Chiefs’ OTAs and mandatory minicamp. He is entering the final year of his rookie contract.
Sources: NFL.com
NFL Awards Nashville the 2030 Super Bowl; Owners Approve International Game Expansion
NFL owners voted Tuesday to award Nashville Super Bowl LXIV in 2030, the first time the league’s championship game will be held in Music City. The game will be played at the Tennessee Titans’ new $2.1 billion Nissan Stadium, currently under construction and set to open next year. Owners also approved plans to expand the international game schedule to 10 contests in 2027, up from a record nine set for the 2026 season. Commissioner Roger Goodell has outlined a long-term vision of 16 international games per season, as the league continues its global expansion into new markets including Melbourne, Paris and Rio de Janeiro.
Sources: CBS Sports
Shedeur Sanders and Deshaun Watson Open Browns QB Battle at OTAs
The Cleveland Browns’ most consequential storyline of the 2026 offseason began Tuesday as first-round pick Shedeur Sanders and returning starter Deshaun Watson both participated in the opening OTA session. Head coach Todd Monken has said the quarterback who performs best over OTAs, minicamp and training camp will earn the Week 1 starting job, with a decision expected before July. Watson enters as the reported favorite, returning from the ruptured Achilles tendon that cost him the entire 2025 season. Sanders, selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, did not lock in a starting role before the offseason program began.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Myles Garrett Skips Browns OTAs, Costing Himself $1 Million Bonus Amid Trade Speculation
Cleveland Browns All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett was absent when the team opened OTAs on Tuesday, continuing an offseason pattern that has now cost him a $1 million workout bonus. Garrett also skipped mandatory minicamp last month, forfeiting the bonus. New head coach Todd Monken said he has communicated with Garrett only by text and has not spoken with him in person. Garrett, the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year, reportedly lobbied for Jim Schwartz to be named head coach; Schwartz’s subsequent resignation as defensive coordinator created tension. Garrett has also been the subject of trade speculation this offseason.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT
Falcons to Split First-Team QB Reps Between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. at OTAs
Atlanta Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski confirmed Tuesday that the team will intentionally split first-team reps between quarterbacks Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. during OTAs. Penix, recovering from the third ACL surgery of his career, has been cleared for individual drills and 7-on-7 work, but is not yet cleared for 11-on-11 team periods. Tagovailoa, acquired in an offseason trade from Miami, enters the competition as the current favorite for the Week 1 starting role. Stefanski said the outcome will be decided through competition at OTAs, minicamp and training camp, with the full-scale battle expected to heat up when Atlanta convenes in late July.
Sources: NFL.com
Lamar Jackson Skips First Ravens OTA Practice, Returns Expected Shortly
Two-time NFL MVP Lamar Jackson did not attend the Baltimore Ravens’ first voluntary OTA practice on Tuesday, though head coach Jesse Minter assured reporters the absence is temporary. Jackson traveled to South Florida over the weekend to attend the retirement ceremony of his high school jersey. Minter said communication with Jackson “has been excellent” throughout the offseason and confirmed the quarterback would return to the facility soon. Jackson was one of several high-profile veterans absent Tuesday, alongside safety Kyle Hamilton, cornerback Marlon Humphrey and wide receiver Rashod Bateman. As voluntary sessions, players are not obligated to attend OTAs.
Sources: NBC Sports PFT
Josh Allen Cleared for Bills OTAs After Offseason Foot Surgery
Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is fully cleared for voluntary OTAs, head coach Joe Brady confirmed Tuesday, following an offseason procedure on a broken bone in his right foot. Allen underwent surgery to remove a small piece of his fifth metatarsal — a fragment that broke off from an injury aggravated during a Week 16 win over Cleveland last season. He did not miss any playing time but chose to address it surgically in the offseason. Allen told reporters he is participating with no limitations: “It feels really good right now. I don’t feel like I have any limitations.” Brady said Allen has been fine throughout the ramp-up to OTAs.
Sources: Heavy.com
Keon Coleman Declares 2026 Season ‘Make or Break’ for His Bills Career
Buffalo Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman publicly declared Tuesday that the 2026 NFL season is “make or break” for his future with the team. The 2024 second-round pick (33rd overall) has caught 67 passes for 960 yards and eight touchdowns across two professional seasons — production that has not lived up to expectations. Coleman made the remarks at his first media availability since January, when Bills owner Terry Pegula said general manager Brandon Beane was “pushed to draft” the receiver. Currently listed fourth on the receiver depth chart, Coleman acknowledged the pressure directly: “For me, it’s make or break.” Head coach Joe Brady said he has confidence Coleman will contribute.
Sources: NFL.com
Derrick Henry Avoids Injury After Scary Collision at Ravens OTA Practice
Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry prompted a pause in Tuesday’s OTA practice after going down following a collision with a teammate in an 11-on-11 drill. Several players took a knee while Henry lay on the field after knocking knees with another player on a drop-back. He returned to practice after missing only a few plays. Henry downplayed the incident with characteristic humor: “Just banged knees. I saw you all looked hot and bored, so I was like, ‘I’ve got to give them something to tweet and write.’” The scare came during a session that also featured the absence of quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Sources: NFL.com
AFC Divisions
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
NFC Divisions
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 — 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. Atlanta Falcons — 8–9–0
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 8–9–0
4. New Orleans Saints — 6–11–0
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 — 3–14–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency