Samwise NFL Newsletter
Sunday, June 21, 2026
Rams Safety Kam Curl: Defense Has 'a Chance to Be Legendary' After Myles Garrett Trade
Los Angeles Rams safety Kam Curl declared Friday that the rebuilt defense has “a chance to be legendary.” Speaking on Up & Adams, Curl pointed to the blockbuster mid-June trade landing two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett from Cleveland — a deal costing the Rams their 2027 first-round pick and edge rusher Jared Verse. Los Angeles also acquired cornerback Trent McDuffie from the Chiefs and signed McDuffie's former teammate Jaylen Watson. Byron Young, who led the Rams with 12 sacks in 2025, returns on the other edge. “We've got some Super Bowl winners in there, we've got some Defensive Player of the Years,” Curl added.
Sources: NFL.com
Cam Jordan Raves About Saints' WR Depth: 'All These Dogs' Around Tyler Shough
New Orleans Saints veteran defensive end Cam Jordan is back for a self-described “one final season” in Year 16, and he entered the summer break gushing about the offense around second-year quarterback Tyler Shough. Appearing on Good Morning Football Friday, Jordan rattled off the Saints' revamped receiving corps: Chris Olave, Devaughn Vele, first-round rookie Jordyn Tyson, and veteran depth pieces Ja'Lynn Polk and Trey Palmer. “The depth is there that we may not have had last year,” Jordan said. New Orleans also signed running back Travis Etienne and tight end Noah Fant this offseason, while the Saints finished the 2025 season on a four-win tear in their final five games.
Sources: NFL.com
Titans Lock Up Jeffery Simmons on Record $105.8M Extension, Highest-Paid DT in NFL History
The Tennessee Titans locked up their anchor on defense Friday, agreeing with defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons on a three-year, $105.8 million contract extension that includes $100 million in guaranteed money — making Simmons the highest-paid defensive tackle in NFL history. NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Mike Garafolo reported the deal. Simmons, entering his eighth season in 2026, has been one of the Titans' most consistent performers since the team drafted him in the first round in 2019. The extension arrives as Tennessee rebuilds around first-overall pick quarterback Cam Ward under first-year head coach Robert Saleh, who recently dismissed accuracy concerns about Ward surfacing during spring workouts.
Sources: NFL.com
Diggs Cleared by NFL, Open to Commanders: 'We're Not Ruling It Out'
Free-agent wide receiver Stefon Diggs is weighing his options after the NFL closed its investigation into a December battery arrest, finding insufficient evidence to support a suspension. Diggs was found not guilty of all charges in May following a jury trial. In a recent FOX 5 interview, Diggs acknowledged interest in the Washington Commanders — the team nearest his Maryland hometown. “We're not ruling it out,” Diggs said. Washington lacks a proven No. 2 receiver to pair with Terry McLaurin. Diggs is coming off an 85-catch, 1,013-yard, four-touchdown season with New England but has been absent from the market since February as the investigation ran its course.
Sources: NFL.com
New Bills HC Joe Brady: McDermott's Firing Left Me 'Broken' — But He's Ready to Lead
New Buffalo Bills head coach Joe Brady opened up this week about the emotional weight of succeeding his mentor Sean McDermott, who was fired after the Bills fell short in the postseason for the second consecutive year. Brady, who served as Buffalo's offensive coordinator before being elevated to the top job, said the news of McDermott's dismissal left him broken and devastated. “I was broken,” Brady told reporters at mandatory minicamp. Brady now leads a Bills team that went 12–5 in 2025 before falling in the playoffs. Buffalo chose its in-house coordinator to continue the team's winning culture rather than pursue a high-profile outside hire.
Sources: NFL.com
Mendoza and Simpson Remain the Only Unsigned 2026 First-Round Picks
Two first-round picks from the 2026 NFL Draft remain without signed rookie contracts: Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza, the first overall selection, and Rams quarterback Ty Simpson, chosen 13th. Every other first-round pick has completed his deal. Mendoza is expected to sign a four-year, $57.3 million fully guaranteed contract, but negotiations have stalled over whether he will receive his signing bonus as a lump sum — a convention that has become standard for first overall picks since 2020. Simpson's situation may be linked, as his camp reportedly wants similar payment terms. Both quarterbacks participated in spring activities on handshake agreements.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cowboys' Quinnen Williams Vows Bounce-Back: 'I Know I Can Be Better'
Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams acknowledged this week that the 2025 season was not his best and said he believes he can make significant strides in 2026. Williams, a Pro Bowl performer who generated just 2.5 total sacks last year — well below expectations — said he has used the disappointing campaign as motivation going into the new season. The Cowboys, who went 7–9–1 in 2025, are hoping Williams can rediscover his disruptive form under first-year head coach Christian Parker. “I know I can be better,” Williams said at mandatory minicamp. Williams remains a centerpiece of the Cowboys' pass rush as Dallas bets on a defensive resurgence in 2026.
Sources: NFL.com
Daniels on Learning Commanders' New Offense: 'I've Still Got a Long Way to Go'
Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels said this week he has more work ahead in mastering the new offense installed by first-year coordinator David Blough. “I've still got a long way to go,” Daniels told reporters during mandatory minicamp. Washington employed a new system this offseason after finishing 5–12 in 2025. The 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, Daniels enters his third NFL season having spent the entire spring absorbing Blough's terminology and concepts. Minicamp provided Washington's first look at Daniels running the new scheme in competitive settings. The Commanders also remain linked to free-agent receiver Stefon Diggs as they seek to upgrade the weapons around their young franchise quarterback.
Sources: NFL.com
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