Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, June 7, 2026
Chicago Bears Board Votes to Advance Stadium Development in Hammond, Indiana
The Chicago Bears took a significant step toward leaving Illinois on Friday, when the team’s board of directors voted to advance a stadium development project in Hammond, Indiana. No specific site has been selected, but it marks the first time the Bears’ board has formally voted on any stadium location. The decision follows the Illinois General Assembly’s failure to pass stadium financing legislation before lawmakers adjourned their spring session. Indiana passed property tax certainty legislation in February, giving the state a decisive edge. A league source told ESPN that Illinois can still re-enter the race, but Hammond is currently “in the lead.”
Sources: ESPN
Jared Verse Arrives in Cleveland, Vows Not to Fill Myles Garrett’s Shoes
Jared Verse addressed the media for the first time since being traded from the Los Angeles Rams to the Cleveland Browns as part of the Myles Garrett deal, making clear he intends to carve his own path. Verse admitted he was initially “upset” when he heard the news but said the feeling passed quickly after conversations with former Rams teammates Byron Young and Braden Fiske. “I’m not here to fill [Garrett’s] shoes,” Verse said. “My job is to be the best me. And the best version of me is going to be the best defensive player in the league.”
Sources: ESPN
Baker Mayfield Sets Training Camp Deadline as Contract Talks with Buccaneers Stall
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield set a firm deadline for contract extension talks on Friday, saying he will not discuss a new deal once training camp begins. Entering the final year of his current contract — worth $27 million with incentives up to $32 million — Mayfield said talks are “not anywhere close to what we were thinking.” Buccaneers general manager Jason Licht said in March there is “no timetable” on reaching a deal. Despite the standoff, Mayfield remained committed: “As soon as training camp starts, we’re not doing any contract stuff — it’s all ball.”
Sources: NFL.com
George Kittle Targeting Week 1 Return from Torn Achilles, Says Recovery ‘Ahead of Schedule’
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle is targeting a Week 1 return from the torn Achilles he suffered in San Francisco’s NFC Wild Card win over the Philadelphia Eagles on January 11. Kittle said during 49ers OTA sessions that he is “ahead of schedule,” has had “no setbacks” in his recovery, and is “checking all the boxes.” He was seen jogging 30-yard sprints and performing single-leg hops at practice. “That’s the goal,” Kittle said of a Week 1 return, noting it will depend on medical clearance. Team surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache described the injury as a “best-case scenario” Achilles tear near the soleus muscle.
Sources: ESPN
Jacoby Brissett Continues Cardinals Holdout as Two Sides Remain ‘Significantly’ Far Apart
Arizona Cardinals starting quarterback Jacoby Brissett has skipped every voluntary OTA session and remains in a contract holdout, with sources telling ESPN the two sides are “significantly” far apart in negotiations. Brissett, 33, completed 64.9 percent of his passes for 3,366 yards, 23 touchdowns and eight interceptions over 14 games in 2025 after being named Arizona’s starter. His current deal pays $4.88 million, potentially rising to $5.39 million with incentives — still less guaranteed than what the team committed to backup Gardner Minshew II. The Cardinals’ mandatory minicamp runs June 8–10, the first event Brissett is contractually required to attend.
Sources: ESPN
Broncos Linebacker Jonathon Cooper Arrested on Domestic Violence Charges in Colorado
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was arrested late Thursday night and booked into Douglas County jail Friday on two counts of domestic violence and one count of criminal mischief, according to jail records. Parker Police took Cooper, 28, into custody at 11:16 p.m. Thursday. His girlfriend was also arrested in connection with the incident, according to local Colorado reports. Cooper appeared in the 23rd Judicial District Court on Friday and is due back Monday for a disposition hearing. The Broncos said they “are aware of the matter and are gathering more information.”
Sources: ESPN
Tank Dell Participates in Texans Team Drills at OTAs in Comeback from Catastrophic Knee Injury
Houston Texans wide receiver Tank Dell made a significant step in his comeback from a catastrophic multi-ligament knee injury, participating in non-contact team drills at Texans OTAs this week after spending most of May working separately from the main group. Dell suffered a dislocated knee along with torn ACL, MCL, LCL and meniscus damage on December 21, 2024, and missed the entire 2025 season. Head coach DeMeco Ryans praised Dell’s positive attitude but emphasized the team is being cautious given the severity of the injury. Dell called 2025 “the hardest year of my life” and said he is ready to compete again.
Sources: NFL.com
Nolan Teasley Introduced as Vikings General Manager After 13 Years in Seattle Front Office
The Minnesota Vikings formally introduced Nolan Teasley as their new general manager this week, ending a multiweek search that began after the 2026 NFL Draft. Teasley, 42, spent 13 seasons with the Seattle Seahawks, rising from pro personnel scout to Director of Pro Personnel and contributing to both of Seattle’s Super Bowl championships. He succeeds Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired January 31 after four seasons leading the front office. Teasley will have final say over the 53-man roster, though head coach Kevin O’Connell and former interim GM Rob Brzezinski will also have significant input. Teasley called the role “a special opportunity.”
Sources: NFL.com
American Football Conference
2026 regular season opens Sept. 9
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
2. Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
3. New England Patriots — 0–0–0
4. New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
2. Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
3. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
4. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
1. Houston Texans — 0–0–0
2. Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
3. Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
4. Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
2. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
National Football Conference
Super Bowl LX champions: Seattle Seahawks
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
2. New York Giants — 0–0–0
3. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
1. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
2. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
3. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
2. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
4. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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