Samwise NFL Newsletter
Friday, June 19, 2026
Watson and Sanders Split First-Team Reps at Browns Mandatory Minicamp
The Cleveland Browns quarterback competition took concrete form at mandatory minicamp this week, with veteran Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders splitting first-team reps in team drills. Head coach Todd Monken said he would not name a starter after minicamp, noting both quarterbacks played well enough to earn the right to compete. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler said Watson remains pretty well positioned but that Sanders had closed the gap some over the spring. The competition is expected to continue through the first two preseason games, with training camp opening in late July providing the next critical evaluation window for both signal-callers.
Sources: ESPN
George Pickens Reports to Cowboys Minicamp on Franchise Tag, Rules Out Holdout
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens reported to mandatory minicamp this week after skipping voluntary OTAs, participating in practice despite being held out of 11-on-11 team drills as a precaution. Pickens, who signed the franchise tag worth $27.3 million for the 2026 season, told reporters he has no plans to hold out of training camp even without a long-term extension. Coach Brian Schottenheimer shortened the final session Thursday after an indoor team-meeting milestone. The Cowboys will not reconvene until July 27, when the team departs for its Oxnard, California training camp.
Sources: CBS Sports
All 32 NFL Teams Finish Mandatory Minicamps; Six-Week Break Before Training Camp
The final 11 NFL teams concluded mandatory minicamps Thursday, closing the books on the 2026 spring program for all 32 clubs. Teams now enter a roughly six-week break before training camps open in late July, with the regular season set to kick off September 9. The Denver Broncos and San Francisco 49ers canceled their minicamps this offseason, while the Miami Dolphins and Pittsburgh Steelers had finished theirs in the first week of June. The weeks-long program surfaced key storylines including quarterback competitions, contract disputes, and injury updates that will shape final offseason decisions before preseason camp.
Sources: NFL.com
Cam Ward Skipping Summer Break as Titans Aim to Rebound From 3-14 Season
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward has opted to skip a summer break and continue working ahead of training camp, as the franchise tries to regroup after a 3-14 finish in 2025. Ward acknowledged some accuracy issues during OTAs while adapting to a second consecutive new offense under coordinator Brian Daboll, but head coach Robert Saleh dismissed the concerns, saying missed throws are typical for any quarterback learning a new system. Saleh confirmed the team is happy with Ward's progress. Ward has also been building chemistry with new receivers Carnell Tate and Wan'Dale Robinson heading into camp.
Sources: Citizen Tribune
Cameron Jordan Signs With Saints for 16th Season, Says It Will Be His Last
Veteran defensive end Cameron Jordan has agreed to a one-year deal to return to the New Orleans Saints for what he has publicly called his final NFL season. A first-round pick in 2011, Jordan is back for a 16th campaign with the only franchise he has known, on a contract with a base value of $7.5 million and up to $3.5 million in sack-based incentives. Jordan debuted at the Saints mandatory minicamp this week, limited but active. On social media, Jordan wrote he is back for one final season and said he is all into the idea of the 2026 Saints reaching the Super Bowl.
Sources: ESPN
Alvin Kamara Works Through Limited Saints Minicamp Role as Contract Future Stays Uncertain
New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara participated in limited work at mandatory minicamp this week, sitting out 11-on-11 drills under a workload management plan set by head coach Kellen Moore. Kamara enters the final year of his contract and faces an adjusted role after the Saints signed Travis Etienne in free agency to add a younger backfield partner. Moore tied the limited reps to managing Kamara's workload given he missed most of the voluntary offseason program. WWL Radio analyst Deuce McAllister said Kamara does not have to be the Saints top dog anymore but still needs to be dependable.
Sources: ESPN
Vita Vea Sits Out Buccaneers Minicamp, Confirmed as Contract Hold-In
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea missed mandatory minicamp in what was confirmed as a contract-related hold-in, with the nine-year veteran seeking a new deal before the final year of his four-year, $71 million extension. NFL Network's Mike Garafolo reported the absence is contract-related, contradicting coach Todd Bowles' initial claim it was a coaching decision. Bowles later confirmed Vea is holding in. At approximately $18 million per year, Vea's deal has fallen behind a market now led by Kansas City's Chris Jones at $31.75 million annually. The Buccaneers said no tension exists with Vea, and time remains to resolve the situation before training camp.
Sources: Pro Football Rumors
American Conference Divisions
AFC East
Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0
Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0
New England Patriots — 0–0–0
New York Jets — 0–0–0
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0
Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0
Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0
AFC South
Houston Texans — 0–0–0
Indianapolis Colts — 0–0–0
Jacksonville Jaguars — 0–0–0
Tennessee Titans — 0–0–0
AFC West
Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
2026 season begins September 9
National Conference Divisions
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
New York Giants — 0–0–0
Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
Preseason — all records reset
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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