Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Browns Mandatory Minicamp Opens With Four-Man QB Battle Still Wide Open
Cleveland’s mandatory minicamp kicked off Tuesday at Berea with one of the NFL’s most unsettled quarterback competitions still to be decided. The Browns carry four signal-callers into the three-day session: veteran Deshaun Watson, second-year passer Shedeur Sanders, second-year backup Dillon Gabriel, and rookie Taylen Green. During individual drills Watson goes first and Sanders second — a hint at the coaching staff’s preliminary thinking — but coaches have maintained the competition is genuine. Gabriel started six games last season before a concussion sidelined him. Reporters who covered OTAs have suggested what is happening on the field tells a very different story from the official stance.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Giants Edge Rusher Abdul Carter Leaves First Minicamp Practice With Ankle Injury
New York Giants edge rusher Abdul Carter left the opening practice of mandatory minicamp Tuesday after twisting his ankle during a team drill. Medical personnel evaluated Carter on the field before he exited for further assessment. Head coach John Harbaugh said after practice the injury does not look serious and that Carter appears to be okay. Carter, selected third overall in the 2025 NFL Draft out of Penn State, is entering his second professional season as a cornerstone of New York’s defensive plans. The Giants are scheduled to practice Wednesday and Thursday to close out their three-day mandatory minicamp.
Sources: ESPN
L’Jarius Sneed Returns to Kansas City Chiefs on One-Year Deal Worth Up to $5 Million
The Kansas City Chiefs are reuniting with cornerback L’Jarius Sneed on a one-year contract worth up to $5 million, according to ESPN. Sneed, 29, was drafted by Kansas City in 2020 and won two Super Bowls with the franchise before the Chiefs traded him to the Tennessee Titans in 2024 after placing the franchise tag on him. The Titans released Sneed in March after he appeared in 12 games across two injury-plagued seasons in Nashville. He fills a need at cornerback for a Chiefs defense that has undergone significant changes this offseason following Kansas City’s challenging 2025 campaign.
Sources: ESPN
New England Opens Mandatory Minicamp With A.J. Brown Participating in First Team Activities
The New England Patriots began their mandatory minicamp Tuesday — a week ahead of the original schedule — with wide receiver A.J. Brown taking part in his first organized team activities since the trade from the Philadelphia Eagles. The Patriots moved their three-day camp to June 9–11 from the originally scheduled June 15–17. Brown, a three-time Pro Bowler who recorded 1,003 yards and seven touchdowns on 78 catches last season, immediately becomes New England’s top receiver. The Patriots sent a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to Philadelphia in exchange for Brown and his existing contract.
Sources: Roundtable
Caleb Williams Named Madden NFL 27 Cover Athlete After Breakout 2025 Season With Bears
Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams has been announced as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27, EA Sports confirmed this week. Williams, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, broke out in his second season under head coach Ben Johnson, throwing for 3,942 yards with a 27-to-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio and posting an 11–6 record that included an NFC North title and a Wild Card win over Green Bay. When asked what he most wants heading into 2026, Williams said he wants to win as many games as possible. Williams drew inspiration from Michael Jordan for his Madden cover photo.
Sources: NFL.com
Kyle Shanahan Cancels 49ers Mandatory Minicamp After Roster Achieves Perfect OTA Attendance
San Francisco 49ers head coach Kyle Shanahan canceled the team’s mandatory minicamp — originally scheduled for June 9–10 — after the roster achieved perfect attendance throughout voluntary organized team activities. Shanahan told players before OTAs began that full voluntary participation would earn them an excused absence from the mandatory camp sessions. With that threshold met, San Francisco proceeds directly to training camp without a mandatory minicamp. Wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk was notably absent from the 49ers’ offseason program, with reports indicating he will not be with the team when the regular season begins.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Giants Open Mandatory Minicamp With Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster in Attendance
The New York Giants launched mandatory minicamp Tuesday under first-year head coach John Harbaugh with an upgraded offensive roster in attendance. Veteran wide receivers Odell Beckham Jr. and JuJu Smith-Schuster were among those present as the team opened camp with a revamped group of weapons for its offense. Both receivers signed veteran-minimum one-year contracts with the Giants in recent weeks and are competing for roster spots heading into training camp. Harbaugh, who joined New York after the 2025 season following years coaching the Baltimore Ravens, is placing a premium on open position battles throughout his first minicamp.
Sources: ABC7 New York
Green Bay Packers Open Mandatory Minicamp for Three Days of Pre-Training Camp Evaluation
The Green Bay Packers opened mandatory minicamp Tuesday as the full roster gathered for three days of evaluation in the final organized activity before the offseason program wraps up. This year the Packers moved their minicamp to the third week of the offseason window, an earlier slot than the team has traditionally used. All rostered players are required to attend the mandatory sessions, which run through Thursday. The Packers finished 9–7–1 in 2025 and were eliminated by the Chicago Bears in the Wild Card round. The team’s focus now shifts to training camp as preparations for the 2026 regular season ramp up.
Sources: Sports Illustrated
American League Divisions
2025 Regular Season Final Standings
AFC East
1. New England — 13–3–0
2. Buffalo — 11–5–0
3. Miami — 7–9–0
4. NY Jets — 3–13–0
AFC North
1. Pittsburgh — 9–7–0
2. Baltimore — 8–8–0
3. Cincinnati — 6–10–0
4. Cleveland — 4–12–0
AFC South
1. Jacksonville — 12–4–0
2. Houston — 11–5–0
3. Indianapolis — 8–8–0
4. Tennessee — 3–13–0
AFC West
1. Denver — 13–3–0
2. LA Chargers — 11–5–0
3. Kansas City — 6–10–0
4. Las Vegas — 2–14–0
National League Divisions
2025 Regular Season Final Standings
NFC East
1. Philadelphia — 11–6–0
2. Dallas — 7–9–1
3. Washington — 5–12–0
4. NY Giants — 4–13–0
NFC North
1. Chicago — 11–6–0
2. Green Bay — 9–7–1
3. Minnesota — 9–8–0
4. Detroit — 9–8–0
NFC South
1. Carolina — 8–9–0
2. Tampa Bay — 8–9–0
3. Atlanta — 8–9–0
4. New Orleans — 6–11–0
NFC West
1. Seattle — 13–3–0
2. San Francisco — 12–4–0
3. LA Rams — 11–5–0
4. Arizona — 3–13–0
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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