Samwise NFL Newsletter
Tuesday, July 21, 2026
ESPN Fires Analyst Ryan Clark On-Air as ESPN-NFL Network Integration Triggers Layoffs
ESPN laid off NFL analyst Ryan Clark on Monday, informing him of the decision during a live “NFL Live” broadcast — a move prompted by concern that news would leak to media before Clark could be told privately. Clark, a former Pro Bowl and Super Bowl-winning safety who joined ESPN as an analyst in 2015, did not finish the broadcast. The cut is part of a broader restructuring following ESPN’s April acquisition of NFL Network and other NFL Media assets. Additional layoffs targeting on-camera personalities and behind-the-camera NFL Network staffers are expected on Tuesday, with Disney having referenced “eliminating roles” as part of the integration.
Sources: NBC Sports / Pro Football Talk Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Green Bay Packers Lock Up Devonte Wyatt with Three-Year, $57 Million Extension
Green Bay Packers defensive tackle Devonte Wyatt agreed to a three-year, $57 million contract extension on Monday, locking in his services through the 2029 season. The deal includes a $20 million signing bonus. Wyatt, a 2022 first-round pick, was entering the final year of his rookie deal on a fifth-year option worth $12.938 million for 2026. The extension eliminates a significant offseason variable for Green Bay ahead of training camp. Wyatt has appeared in 57 regular-season games as a Packer but saw his 2025 campaign cut short by season-ending fibula and ankle injuries, limiting him to 24 games across the last two seasons.
NFL Training Camps Open This Week: All 32 Teams Set to Report by July 28
The 2026 NFL training camp season opens this week, with the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers first to have veterans report on Wednesday, July 22, ahead of their August 6 Hall of Fame Game matchup. The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots follow on July 24, with the San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams joining on July 25. The remaining 26 teams report on July 28. The regular season kicks off Wednesday, September 9, as the Seahawks host the Patriots in a rematch of Super Bowl LX — which Seattle won 29–13.
Mahomes Expected to Be Fully Cleared This Week; Targets Week 1 Start vs. Broncos
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is expected to be fully cleared for contact drills when the Chiefs report to training camp on July 28. Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL in December against the Los Angeles Chargers and had surgery on December 15. He participated in 7-on-7 drills during spring OTAs but was held out of 11-on-11 work. The expectation among Chiefs personnel is that Mahomes will receive full medical clearance this week, though he acknowledged still working through cutting and running adjustments. His stated goal is to start Kansas City’s regular-season opener against the Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football on September 14.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Giants WR Malik Nabers Heads to Camp on PUP List; Week 3 Debut the Realistic Target
New York Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers is expected to begin training camp on the physically unable to perform list after tearing his ACL and meniscus in a 2025 Week 4 game against the Los Angeles Chargers. Nabers also underwent a cleanup procedure this spring to address scar tissue causing knee stiffness. The Giants say Nabers is expected to work his way into practice, but the team is uncertain whether he will be ready for the regular-season opener against the Dallas Cowboys. A Week 3 debut on a pitch count is the most realistic return target, with his availability for opening night described as more unlikely than likely.
Sources: CBS Sports Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
Brissett Contract Holdout Continues as Cardinals Report for Hall of Fame Game Prep
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett is continuing his contract holdout as veterans report to camp July 22 — the earliest date in the league this year due to the Cardinals’ August 6 Hall of Fame Game against Carolina. Brissett is seeking more guaranteed money on a deal that pays him just $1.5 million guaranteed in 2026, the lowest total compensation among NFL starting quarterbacks. He attended mandatory minicamp in June to avoid fines but did not participate in drills. In Brissett’s absence, Gardner Minshew and rookie third-round pick Carson Beck have had opportunities to build a case for the starting role.
Defending Champion Seahawks Open Camp July 24, Featured on This Season’s Hard Knocks
Super Bowl LX champion Seattle Seahawks open training camp July 24 at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center in Renton, Washington, with rookies having arrived July 17. The team will hold nine open practices through August 13 and host Football Fest at Lumen Field on August 8. Seattle’s camp will be featured on HBO’s Hard Knocks beginning Tuesday, August 11 at 9 p.m. Pacific time for five consecutive weeks. Quarterback Sam Darnold, who led the Seahawks to a 29–13 Super Bowl LX victory over the Patriots in his first season with the club, is the headline storyline as the defending champions look to repeat.
Sources: Seattle Seahawks Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
C.J. Stroud Enters Prove-It Season as Contract Extension Talks with Texans Stall
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud enters the 2026 season without a contract extension as negotiations with the team remain stalled. A deal has not materialized despite Stroud’s belief that he deserves an extension, with reports placing the expected value at $55 million to $60 million per year. The standoff follows a 2025 postseason in which Stroud’s struggles cost Houston a potential AFC Championship Game appearance despite a championship-caliber defense. Stroud impressed coaches this offseason, with offensive coordinator Nick Caley noting he has taken a leap in preparation, and head coach DeMeco Ryans noting Stroud is in great shape. Houston veterans report July 28.
Sources: Yardbarker Share ↗ ✉︎ Email 💬 Text
AFC 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
Denver Broncos — 0–0–0
Kansas City Chiefs — 0–0–0
Las Vegas Raiders — 0–0–0
Los Angeles Chargers — 0–0–0
2026 regular season begins September 9
NFC 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 (SB LX Champions)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency