Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Burrow’s Bold Prediction: 2026 Bengals Remind Him of His 2019 National Championship LSU Team
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow drew a bold comparison during minicamp, likening his 2026 roster to the undefeated 2019 LSU Tigers team that won the national championship. “You go back and watch what I’ve said before the 2019 season at LSU. I feel very similarly about this team,” Burrow said. “I feel like there’s so much greatness that we’re going to be able to achieve this year.” The 2019 LSU squad went 15–0 and Burrow won the Heisman Trophy. He noted Cincinnati addressed multiple defensive weaknesses this offseason, acquiring Pro Bowl defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and veterans Jonathan Allen, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook.
Sources: CBS Sports, NFL.com
NFL Minicamps Wrap Up: All 32 Teams Enter Six-Week Break Before Training Camp
All 32 NFL teams wrapped mandatory minicamps Thursday, with the final group of clubs concluding spring practices and entering a six-week break before training camp opens in late July. The final wave of spring sessions produced several notable developments: unresolved quarterback competitions in Cleveland and Atlanta, a contract holdout by two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea in Tampa Bay, and the New York Jets canceling their final minicamp session. The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams had previously canceled their camps altogether. Teams will next gather for training camp in late July, when full-squad rosters and competitions face their first real test.
Sources: NFL.com
Browns Close Minicamp Without Naming a Starter; Watson–Sanders Battle Heads to Training Camp
The Cleveland Browns closed mandatory minicamp Thursday without naming a starter in their quarterback competition between veteran Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders. Coach Todd Monken said he wants to see both quarterbacks in more game-like settings before committing to a starter, with first-team reps split throughout minicamp. Watson, returning from an Achilles tear, has looked healthy and willing to push the ball downfield. Sanders has shown improvement in footwork and processing over recent weeks, drawing praise from the coaching staff. Both quarterbacks will continue competing when Cleveland’s training camp opens in late July.
Sources: CBS Sports, ESPN
Penix Jr. Not Cleared for 11-on-11 as Falcons Training Camp Approaches
Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has not been cleared for 11-on-11 practice work this offseason, creating uncertainty about the timeline for his competition with newly acquired Tua Tagovailoa as training camp approaches. Penix said he expects to be fully ready when camp opens in late July, but the restriction has prevented the Falcons from getting a full read on their quarterback battle during spring practices. With training camp roughly six weeks away, Atlanta’s coaching staff faces limited time to evaluate both passers before making critical decisions ahead of the 2026 season.
Sources: CBS Sports
Vita Vea Sits Out Buccaneers Minicamp in Contract Dispute; Bowles Not Worried
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea is conducting a hold-in at minicamp, sitting on the sideline and not participating in practice drills as he seeks a contract extension. The 31-year-old Vea is entering the final year of his four-year, $71 million deal, scheduled to earn $17 million in base salary with no guaranteed money. His $17.75 million per-year average now ranks 19th among interior defenders, with nine players earning $24 million or more annually. Coach Todd Bowles called the situation “part of the business” and declined to express confidence that a deal would be reached before training camp.
Titans Back Cam Ward Despite OTA Accuracy Concerns
Tennessee Titans head coach Robert Saleh dismissed questions about quarterback Cam Ward’s accuracy concerns this week, telling reporters the coaching staff has no worries about Ward heading into the 2026 season. Ward had a couple of rough OTA sessions during the offseason program that generated outside chatter, but Saleh said the team remains fully confident Ward is the right player to lead Tennessee’s offense. Ward bounced back during mandatory minicamp to show improvement in his accuracy and decision-making. Saleh stressed the issues in OTAs were not cause for concern and that Ward will be ready when training camp opens in late July.
Bo Nix Downplays Ankle Concern at Broncos Minicamp; Payton Says ‘Full Go’ for Camp
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix downplayed concerns about an ankle injury at mandatory minicamp this week, his first opportunity to work in full team drills since the offseason program began. Head coach Sean Payton said Nix will be “full go” when training camp opens in late July, with minicamp serving as the final pre-camp evaluation. Nix had seen limited participation in earlier OTA sessions due to the ankle issue. The Broncos, who posted a 14–3 record and earned the AFC’s top seed in 2025, enter the 2026 season among the conference’s title contenders. Training camp opens in late July.
Sources: CBS Sports
Jets Cancel Final Day of Mandatory Minicamp; Glenn Cites Trust in Players
New York Jets head coach Aaron Glenn canceled the final day of his team’s mandatory minicamp Thursday, informing players at an 8 a.m. team meeting that practice would not be held. Glenn cited trust in his players as the reason for ending the spring program a day early. The Jets, who finished 3–14 in the 2025 regular season, enter a six-week summer break before training camp opens in late July. Glenn said the decision reflected his confidence in the work his players put in throughout the spring program. New York is among the clubs rebuilding heading into the 2026 season.
Sources: ESPN
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
Curated by JD · samwise.agency