Samwise NFL Newsletter
Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Bills Host Ribbon Cutting at New $2.1B Highmark Stadium, Opening New Era in Buffalo
The Buffalo Bills officially opened their new $2.1 billion Highmark Stadium with a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday in Orchard Park, New York. The venue, replacing the team’s longtime previous home directly across the street, features a 60,108-seat capacity with natural grass, a 360-degree concourse, frictionless food-and-beverage stations, and state-of-the-art audio-visual technology. Bills owner Terry Pegula participated in the ceremony alongside state and county officials. New York State contributed $600 million toward construction, with Erie County adding $250 million. The Bills’ first regular-season game in the new building is Thursday, September 17, against the Detroit Lions.
Sources: Buffalo Bills
Atlanta Falcons Extend Kyle Pitts on $54M Deal, Making Him Third-Highest-Paid Tight End in NFL
The Atlanta Falcons agreed to terms with tight end Kyle Pitts on a three-year, $54 million contract extension that includes $36 million guaranteed, the team announced Tuesday. The deal, at $18 million average annual value, makes Pitts the third-highest-paid tight end in the NFL, behind George Kittle and Trey McBride. Pitts had been playing on the 2026 franchise tag worth $15.045 million before the extension was reached. He caught 88 passes for 928 yards and five touchdowns in 2025, earning Second Team All-Pro honors. The Falcons previously placed the franchise tag on Pitts in February after his standout campaign.
Sources: ESPN
Florida Police Conduct Active Investigation Into Battery Allegation Against Jets QB Geno Smith
Police in Davie, Florida are conducting an active investigation into an assault allegation against New York Jets quarterback Geno Smith, authorities confirmed Tuesday. Officers were called to Smith’s residence Sunday afternoon after a woman identifying herself as his ex-girlfriend called 911 and claimed she had been assaulted. No one was arrested or taken into custody at the scene. Conflicting early reports suggested the case had been closed, but police confirmed Tuesday evening the investigation was active and had been referred to detectives. The NFL said it is aware of the matter and the team has been in contact with the league. Smith has not publicly commented.
Sources: ESPN
NFL Cancels 2026 Supplemental Draft, Blocking Sorsby; QB’s Lawyer Calls Decision a CBA Violation
The NFL informed teams Tuesday it will not hold a 2026 supplemental draft, effectively barring Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby from entering the league this year. The league cited Sorsby’s stated reason for seeking entry: the NCAA declared him permanently ineligible in May after finding a pattern of gambling activity that included roughly 40 bets on Indiana football while he was on the team. Sorsby acknowledged betting more than $90,000 on college and professional sports. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, called the decision a violation of the CBA and the law and said he intends to challenge it.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
Kirk Cousins Praises Raiders’ Klint Kubiak for Running “Most Urgent and Productive OTAs” of His Career
Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins praised first-year head coach Klint Kubiak Wednesday, describing the team’s recently completed offseason program as the most productive he has experienced in his NFL career. “Coach, this is probably the most urgent and most productive OTAs I’ve ever been a part of,” Cousins told Kubiak after the program concluded. Kubiak had created “a sense of urgency from Day One, all the way through the 10-week program,” Cousins said. All 32 NFL teams finished mandatory minicamps last week, launching a six-week summer break before training camps open in late July ahead of the 2026 season.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
George Kittle Calls Out NFL Owners Over World Cup Grass: “If You Can Put Grass in SoFi, You Could Do It Year-Round”
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle challenged NFL owners Wednesday to install permanent natural grass at league stadiums after the 2026 FIFA World Cup demonstrated that venues with artificial turf can accommodate grass surfaces. Several NFL stadiums that normally feature synthetic turf — including MetLife and SoFi — replaced their surfaces with natural grass to meet FIFA requirements. “If you can put grass in MetLife and in SoFi, I think you could do that year-round if you really gave a shit,” Kittle said on Pardon My Take. Kittle, who tore his Achilles last season, argued the change would improve player safety across the league.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
With Pitts Extension Signed, George Pickens Stands Alone as NFL’s Only Remaining Franchise-Tagged Player
Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens is now the only player in the NFL who will play the 2026 season on a franchise tag, after Atlanta Falcons tight end Kyle Pitts signed a long-term extension Tuesday. Pickens signed his $27.3 million fully guaranteed franchise tag earlier this spring after the Cowboys opted not to negotiate a multi-year deal. He produced a career year in 2025 with 93 receptions, 1,429 yards, and nine touchdowns — all career highs — earning his first Pro Bowl selection. Dallas has until July 15 to offer a long-term extension, but team officials have said they do not plan to do so this offseason.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
23 Former UFL Players Sign NFL Deals Since Spring Season; Lions Lead All Teams With Four Signings
Twenty-three players who competed in the United Football League’s 2026 spring season have signed with NFL teams since the league concluded, with the Detroit Lions leading all clubs by signing four such players, it was reported Wednesday. Six additional UFL players have pending NFL tryouts, the league separately announced this week. Teams are in the final weeks before mandatory training camps open in late July, and coaches are evaluating spring-league talent for potential roster spots. The UFL, which completed its third season this spring, has emerged as a consistent pipeline for players seeking to earn or reclaim NFL roster positions.
Sources: Pro Football Talk
AFC Divisions
AFC East
1. Buffalo Bills — 0–0–0 — —
2. Miami Dolphins — 0–0–0 — —
3. New York Jets — 0–0–0 — —
4. New England Patriots — 0–0–0 — —
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens — 0–0–0 — —
2. Pittsburgh Steelers — 0–0–0 — —
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 0–0–0 — —
4. Cleveland Browns — 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. Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0 — —
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0 — —
Season begins September 9, 2026
NFC Divisions
NFC East
1. Dallas Cowboys — 0–0–0 — —
2. Philadelphia Eagles — 0–0–0 — —
3. Washington Commanders — 0–0–0 — —
4. New York Giants — 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. Tampa Bay Buccaneers — 0–0–0 — —
2. Atlanta Falcons — 0–0–0 — —
3. New Orleans Saints — 0–0–0 — —
4. Carolina Panthers — 0–0–0 — —
NFC West
1. Los Angeles Rams — 0–0–0 — —
2. San Francisco 49ers — 0–0–0 — —
3. Seattle Seahawks — 0–0–0 — —
4. Arizona Cardinals — 0–0–0 — —
Season begins September 9, 2026
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.