Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, June 5, 2026
Falcons Lock Up Drake London With $141M Extension, Making Him NFL’s Third-Highest-Paid WR
The Atlanta Falcons have locked up their top wide receiver, agreeing to a four-year, $141 million contract extension with Drake London. The deal, confirmed by London’s agent, includes $100 million guaranteed and can reach $150 million with incentives, making London the NFL’s third-highest-paid receiver at $35.25 million per year. The extension runs through 2030 and is the first major move by general manager Ian Cunningham and president Matt Ryan. London, 24, has been Atlanta’s No. 1 receiver since being selected eighth overall in 2022, recording 68 catches for 919 yards and seven touchdowns in 2025 before a knee injury cut his season short.
Sources: CBS Sports
Nick Herbig Signs $100M Extension With Steelers, Completing NFL’s Second-Richest Edge Rush Group
Pittsburgh Steelers pass rusher Nick Herbig has agreed to a four-year, $100 million contract extension, tying the 24-year-old to the team through his prime years. The deal, reached during mandatory minicamp, averages $25 million per year and includes $42 million guaranteed. Herbig said it was his desire to be a Steeler for life after recording a career-high 7.5 sacks in 2025 as a part-time starter. The extension makes Pittsburgh’s edge rusher trio of Herbig, T.J. Watt, and Alex Highsmith worth $83 million annually combined, the second-highest such investment across the NFL, trailing only the Houston Texans.
Sources: ESPN
Packers Sign Christian Watson to 4-Year, $110.5M Extension Through 2030
Green Bay wide receiver Christian Watson signed a four-year, $110.5 million contract extension with the Packers on Thursday, the team announced, locking up one of quarterback Jordan Love’s primary targets through 2030. The deal includes a $31 million signing bonus. Watson, 26, emerged as the team’s leading receiver during the 2025 season. The Packers finished 9–7–1 and reached the NFC playoffs as a wild card last year. The extension signals Green Bay’s commitment to continuity at the position as the team continues building around Love after trading Davante Adams in 2022.
Sources: Green Bay Packers
George Pickens Expected at Cowboys Mandatory Minicamp Despite Franchise Tag Standoff
George Pickens is expected to attend Dallas Cowboys mandatory minicamp June 16–18, coach Brian Schottenheimer confirmed Thursday, despite the Pro Bowl wide receiver skipping all voluntary OTAs this offseason. Pickens has been operating under a $27.3 million franchise tag after the Cowboys declined to negotiate a long-term deal. A source close to Pickens told NFL Network’s Jane Slater he will attend the first day of mandatory minicamp, where absence would trigger fines under the collective bargaining agreement. The contract standoff between Pickens and Dallas is one of the most closely watched situations in the league heading into training camp.
Sources: ESPN
Jared Verse Admits He Was ‘Upset’ by Myles Garrett Trade, Vows to Earn Starting Role in Cleveland
Cleveland Browns defensive end Jared Verse spoke publicly for the first time since arriving from the Rams in the Myles Garrett blockbuster trade, admitting he was upset by the news initially. The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year and two-time Pro Bowl selection said he was caught off guard when he learned he was part of the deal. “I had two choices: work or give up, and I have never been a quitter,” Verse told reporters. The Browns received Verse, a 2027 first-round pick, a 2028 second-rounder, and a 2029 third-round selection in exchange for Garrett, the reigning two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Sources: Cleveland 19 News
Odell Beckham Jr. Calls Giants Return ‘Surreal’ After Signing Veteran Minimum Deal With New York
Odell Beckham Jr. described his return to the New York Giants as surreal after signing a one-year veteran minimum deal worth $1.3 million with the club Monday. The three-time Pro Bowler worked out for team officials earlier in the day before agreeing to terms, rejoining the franchise that drafted him 12th overall in 2014. Beckham, who last played for the Miami Dolphins in 2024, served a six-game PED suspension last season. The Giants also signed wide receivers JuJu Smith-Schuster and Braxton Berrios on minimum contracts the same day, adding depth at receiver as star wideout Malik Nabers recovers from knee surgery.
Sources: Bleacher Report
Alex Highsmith Misses Steelers Minicamp With Illness, Stoking Trade Speculation After Herbig’s Extension
Pittsburgh Steelers outside linebacker Alex Highsmith missed mandatory minicamp day two with a stomach bug, the team confirmed Thursday, though the absence drew attention given its timing one day after the team signed fellow edge rusher Nick Herbig to a $100 million extension. Spokesman Burt Lauten said the illness was unconnected to Herbig’s deal. Highsmith, who has two years remaining on his existing contract, has faced increasing trade speculation as the Steelers now carry $83 million annually across three edge rushers. He remained at the practice facility throughout the session despite not participating.
Sources: ESPN
Dolphins Complete Mandatory Minicamp With Encouraging Signs Under New Coaching Staff
The Miami Dolphins wrapped up their mandatory minicamp Thursday with a competitive final practice, concluding the team’s first extended look at a rebuilt roster under new leadership. Quarterbacks and receivers showed sharper timing throughout the three-day session, and defensive communication improved noticeably, according to the team’s official practice notebook. Miami finished 7–10 last season and missed the playoffs. The Dolphins enter 2026 with a new coaching staff and significant roster changes. Nineteen teams will hold mandatory minicamps next week, with 11 more the following week, before all 32 clubs reconvene for training camp in late July.
Sources: Miami Dolphins
American Conference 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 Conference 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 ★
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0
★ Super Bowl LX Champions — Seattle 29–13 New England
Final 2025 regular season standings
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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