Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, June 1, 2026
NFL Releases Full 2026 Schedule: Broncos-Chiefs Open MNF, Cowboys-Giants Lead SNF Week 1
The NFL unveiled its full 2026 regular season schedule on Thursday, headlined by a Monday Night Football opener pitting the Kansas City Chiefs against the Denver Broncos on September 14 in Kansas City. The matchup carries added weight: the Broncos — who finished 14–3 last season and snapped Kansas City’s nine-year run as AFC West champions — visit Arrowhead with QB Bo Nix against a Chiefs team still uncertain about Patrick Mahomes’ ACL recovery timeline. On Sunday Night Football in Week 1, the New York Giants host the Dallas Cowboys on September 13. It marks the eighth time in fifteen seasons the NFC East rivals have opened against each other.
Sources: NFL.com
Mahomes in ‘Good Spot’ with Knee Rehab, Aims to Start Week 1 vs. Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes returned to the practice field Thursday for OTAs, taking part in individual drills while sitting out the team period by head coach Andy Reid’s choice. Mahomes is rehabbing a torn ACL and LCL in his left knee — an injury suffered in Week 15 of last season — and wore a compression sleeve and brace throughout the session. He moved well through dropbacks and footwork but has not resumed full cutting. Mahomes told reporters he is in a “good spot” and wants to start the September 14 opener against Denver. Reid said there has been no setback and the pace remains on schedule.
Sources: NFL.com
Giants Fear WR Olszewski Has Torn Achilles — Third for the Team in Spring Workouts
Wide receiver Gunner Olszewski of the New York Giants went down Friday during organized team activities with a non-contact injury, and sources told ESPN the team fears he has suffered a torn Achilles tendon. Head coach John Harbaugh confirmed the non-contact nature of the injury, with the team expecting further testing to confirm the diagnosis. Olszewski is the third Giants player to sustain a feared Achilles tear in this spring’s workouts, joining defensive lineman Roy Robertson-Harris and rookie cornerback Thaddeus Dixon. New York has begun the offseason period under Harbaugh in notable injury adversity ahead of their September 13 SNF opener.
Vikings Name Seahawks Executive Nolan Teasley as New General Manager
The Minnesota Vikings named Seahawks assistant general manager Nolan Teasley their new general manager on Saturday, ending a GM search that began after Minnesota fired Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in January. Teasley arrives fresh off Seattle’s Super Bowl LX championship — the pinnacle of 13 seasons with the Seahawks organization, where he rose from intern to assistant GM in 2023. He replaces both Adofo-Mensah and interim GM Rob Brzezinski, who will remain as executive vice president of football operations. Teasley, head coach Kevin O’Connell, and Brzezinski will lead a leadership triad in Minnesota as the Vikings navigate a quarterback competition between J.J. McCarthy and newly signed Kyler Murray.
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Serving 30-Day Jail Sentence; Reid Expects Him Ready for Training Camp
Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice is serving a 30-day jail sentence in Dallas County after testing positive for THC in violation of his probation terms stemming from a 2024 highway crash that injured multiple people. Rice, 26, was booked May 19 and is due for release June 16, meaning he will miss all voluntary OTAs and the mandatory three-day minicamp beginning June 9. Rice also underwent knee surgery before his incarceration to address inflammation in his right knee. “We think he’ll be ready for camp as we go forward,” head coach Andy Reid said Thursday. The Chiefs went 6–11 last season and are counting on Rice’s return.
Sources: NFL.com
McCarthy and Murray Strike Notably Different Tones on Vikings QB Competition
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray struck notably different tones when discussing their QB competition at the team’s first open organized team activity. McCarthy was measured, acknowledging the organization made a roster decision it believed would improve the room while insisting he is focused on “continuing the upward trajectory” he set over the final weeks of last season. Murray, who signed with Minnesota after the Cardinals cut him this offseason, was more direct. “My confidence is unshakeable. That’s how I feel about myself,” Murray said. Head coach Kevin O’Connell confirmed both quarterbacks will receive a genuine competition this summer, with no incumbent advantage assumed.
Sources: ESPN, CBS Sports
Raiders TE Brock Bowers Returns to Full Practice Speed: ‘I Feel 100 Percent’
Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers told reporters Thursday at organized team activities that he feels “100 percent” healthy after battling a knee injury for most of the 2025 season. Bowers, who injured his knee in Week 1 against the New England Patriots, played through the issue all year and is now back at full practice speed. “I feel great. It feels good to be back out there, practicing full speed and getting back into football with all the guys again,” Bowers said. Head coach Klint Kubiak called him “a football robot from heaven” and a standard bearer entering the 2026 campaign.
Sources: ESPN
Nick Bosa ‘Pretty Far Along’ in ACL Recovery; Suggests Brother Joey May Be Done with Football
San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa told reporters Thursday at OTAs that he is “pretty far along” in his ACL recovery, having played in just three games last season. When asked whether older brother Joey might join him on the 49ers or retire, Nick said: “I don’t think he’s thinking too much about football.” The comment suggests Joey — who turns 31 in July and is coming off his 10th NFL season — could be weighing retirement. Taken second overall by San Francisco in 2019, Nick could be the only Bosa playing in the NFL this fall.
Sources: NFL.com
American League 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
National League 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. 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 Champs)
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
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