Samwise NFL Newsletter
Monday, June 22, 2026
All 32 NFL Teams Complete Mandatory Minicamps, Six-Week Break Begins
All 32 NFL teams wrapped up mandatory minicamps this week, closing the spring offseason program ahead of a six-week summer break before training camps open in late July. The final days produced coaches' last looks at position battles and incoming rookies before the long quiet period. Key storylines included a strengthening quarterback competition in Cleveland, accuracy questions addressed in Tennessee, and confident offenses in Cincinnati and Denver. The NFL will now go dark until late July, when all 32 clubs report to training camp. Coaches across the league emphasized that spring work sets the foundation for the September kickoff.
Sources: NFL.com
Sanders Closes the Gap on Watson in Browns QB Competition After Minicamp
The Cleveland Browns' quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and rookie Shedeur Sanders remained unresolved after mandatory minicamp, but ESPN's Jeremy Fowler reported that Sanders made tangible progress in the final spring session. Sanders opened minicamp with first-team reps, connecting with receivers Isaiah Bond and Denzel Boston on deep touchdown passes. Watson and Sanders then split first-team reps on the final day. "I still think Deshaun Watson is pretty well positioned here, but I do believe Shedeur had a good enough spring where he closed the gap some," Fowler said. Training camp in late July will bring the next round of evaluation.
Sources: CBS Sports
Cam Ward Bounces Back at Titans Minicamp After Accuracy Struggles
Tennessee Titans second-year quarterback Cam Ward struggled with accuracy during parts of the team's spring workouts, finishing one session 13 for 25 with several overthrows, but responded with a sharper performance on the opening day of mandatory minicamp. Head coach Robert Saleh pushed back on concerns, noting that even elite quarterbacks miss throws in practice while adjusting to new coordinator Brian Daboll's complex system. "Every quarterback is going to miss a couple here and there," Saleh said. Ward is building chemistry with new first-round receiver Carnell Tate, and improvement is expected to continue through training camp in late July.
Sources: NFL.com
Joe Burrow Compares 2026 Bengals to His Legendary 2019 LSU Team
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow compared this year's squad to his legendary 2019 LSU Tigers team — one of the most dominant college rosters in recent memory — while speaking with reporters at mandatory minicamp this week. Burrow said the talent level on the current Cincinnati roster reminds him of that national championship club. The Bengals upgraded their receiving corps and offensive line this offseason, and Burrow appears confident the pieces are in place for a deep playoff run. Running backs Jaydon Blue and Phil Mafah both took first-team reps at minicamp, adding depth to a formidable offense heading into training camp.
Sources: CBS Sports
Vita Vea Attends Bucs Minicamp But Sits Out Over Contract Dispute
Tampa Bay Buccaneers defensive tackle Vita Vea arrived at mandatory minicamp but did not participate in practice, with NFL Network's Mike Garafolo confirming the absence is contract-related. Vea, a two-time Pro Bowler entering the final year of his deal, earns approximately $18 million annually — well below recent interior defensive line extensions such as Dexter Lawrence at $28 million and Jordan Davis at $26 million per year. An extension has not been reached. Coach Todd Bowles said he expects Vea to be "full go" at training camp, projecting optimism that both sides will resolve the dispute before the season begins in September.
Sources: Yardbarker
Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Applies for 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby applied to enter the 2026 NFL supplemental draft on Monday — the deadline day — ending a chaotic offseason in which the NCAA ruled him ineligible after he admitted to placing over 9,000 sports bets totaling at least $90,000 while enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech. A Texas court briefly granted Sorsby an injunction to play college football, but Big 12 legal action and mounting backlash led him to pivot to the NFL. Most evaluators projected him as a potential first-round talent in the traditional draft. The NFL has not held a supplemental draft since 2023.
Sources: CBS Sports
Bo Nix Throws TD at Broncos Minicamp, Dismisses Ankle Injury Concerns
Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix participated in 7-on-7 drills at mandatory minicamp this week, throwing a touchdown pass to running back RJ Harvey on his first attempt, in a positive sign for his recovery from a fractured ankle suffered in the AFC Divisional Round. Nix underwent a second procedure to remove bone spurs but dismissed any concerns. "It's a broken bone, for crying out loud. I could be full go right now," he told reporters. The Broncos, who fell short of Super Bowl LX last season despite a 14-win campaign, are counting on a healthy Nix to lead a revamped roster that added wide receiver Jaylen Waddle from Miami.
Sources: NFL.com
Chargers WR Tre Harris Turns Heads at Minicamp, Primed for 2026 Breakout
Los Angeles Chargers second-year receiver Tre Harris impressed coaches and observers at mandatory minicamp this week, with CBS Sports identifying him as a potential 2026 breakout candidate. Harris has noticeably added muscle in the offseason and showed the movement skills and route precision that made him a draft prospect, while positioning himself to absorb a larger target share in the Chargers' offense. The 2025 second-round pick had a modest rookie statistical year but has drawn growing praise from the coaching staff. Los Angeles heads into training camp with several open competitions, but Harris is generating genuine optimism among those tracking the team's spring progress.
Sources: CBS Sports
AFC Divisions
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. Cleveland Browns — 0–0–0
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 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. Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
2. Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
3. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
4. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
NFC Divisions
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0
2. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0
3. New York Giants — 0–0–0
4. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0
NFC North
1. Detroit Lions — 0–0–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 0–0–0
3. Chicago Bears — 0–0–0
4. Minnesota Vikings — 0–0–0
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0
2. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0
4. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0
3. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0
4. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0
2026 season has not yet begun — all teams 0–0–0 pre-season
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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