Samwise NFL Newsletter
Thursday, July 30, 2026
Eagles Make Jalen Carter Highest-Paid Defensive Tackle in NFL History
The Philadelphia Eagles avoided any training camp drama by signing defensive tackle Jalen Carter to a four-year, $152 million contract extension, making the 25-year-old the highest-paid interior defender in NFL history. The deal includes $106 million guaranteed and can be worth up to $160 million, running through the 2031 season. Carter has recorded 13.5 sacks, 37 quarterback hits, and 108 tackles across his first three seasons and has been selected to two Pro Bowls. He earns $38 million per year under the new deal, securing his place as the cornerstone of Philadelphia's defensive line for years to come.
Sources: ESPN
Bijan Robinson and Jahmyr Gibbs Sit Out Practice in Training Camp Holdout
Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs arrived at their respective training camps Wednesday but did not practice, seeking long-term contract extensions. Both backs are present in camp but will not take part in on-field drills as they await new deals. Robinson, who led the NFL last season with 2,298 all-purpose yards, is targeting a projected market value of approximately $18.87 million per year on a three-year deal, per Spotrac. Both players have two years remaining on their rookie contracts, with their teams having exercised fifth-year options.
Sources: NFL.com
Baker Mayfield to Play Out Final Year of Buccaneers Deal, Set for Free Agency
Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield will play out the final year of his contract and enter free agency after the 2026 season, with sources telling ESPN that contract extension talks have produced no real progress. Mayfield, who is earning $40 million in 2026 on the final year of a three-year, $100 million deal signed in March 2024, set training camp as his deadline for extension discussions. He ranked 16th among quarterbacks in average annual value before the deadline passed. Mayfield reported to camp and practiced Wednesday but has closed the door on further contract talks for now.
Sources: ESPN
Vita Vea Formally Requests Trade From Buccaneers After Contract Talks Stall
Two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Vita Vea has formally requested a trade from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, with his agent Collin Roberts telling ESPN that contract extension talks stalled ahead of training camp. Vea, 31, is entering the final year of a four-year, $71 million contract and is set to earn $17 million this season with none of it guaranteed. The eight-year Buccaneers veteran was a key piece of the team's Super Bowl championship. He prefers to be dealt to the Las Vegas Raiders or another California-based team, per his agent, though no specific destination has been formally requested.
Sources: ESPN
Bengals DE Shemar Stewart Carted Off With Serious Left Leg Injury at Camp
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Shemar Stewart was carted off the practice field Wednesday after suffering a serious left leg injury during the first padded training camp session. Stewart's leg buckled while he attempted to beat offensive lineman Cody Ford during second-team eleven-on-eleven drills. He was unable to put weight on the leg after receiving initial treatment and was later spotted in a protective brace on crutches. Imaging was performed at Paycor Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, with results still pending. Former NFL team physician Dr. David J. Chao described the injury as a 'significant knee hyperextension injury with ligament tears.'
Sources: ESPN
49ers Express Concern Over Ricky Pearsall PCL Flare-Up, Exploring All Options
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Ricky Pearsall sat out Wednesday's practice with knee swelling, raising fresh concern about the same PCL injury that cost him all or part of 10 games last season. The 49ers say they are 'exploring all options,' and ESPN reports the organization has expressed 'concern' about the recurring flare-up. The injury involves his right knee's posterior cruciate ligament, injured last season. Pearsall had not undergone surgery on the knee this offseason, instead rehabbing throughout the summer. He has now been held out after just three practices, with San Francisco's receiving corps already dealing with multiple camp injuries.
Sources: ESPN
Browns Lock Up Safety Grant Delpit to Three-Year, $48 Million Extension at Camp
The Cleveland Browns locked up safety Grant Delpit to a three-year, $48 million contract extension just 20 minutes into the opening of their 2026 training camp, the team announced Wednesday. The deal includes $35 million guaranteed and raises Delpit's annual salary to $16 million per year, up from $12 million, according to ESPN. Agent David Mulugheta of Athletes First negotiated the agreement. Delpit, 27, signed the deal one day after cornerback Denzel Ward agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million extension, giving the Browns back-to-back significant investments in their defensive secondary at the start of camp.
Sources: ESPN
Watson Takes First-Team Reps But Throws Two INTs in Opening Practice in Cleveland
First-year Cleveland Browns head coach Todd Monken opened his first training camp with Deshaun Watson taking all first-team quarterback reps on Day 1, but Watson threw two interceptions on back-to-back throws in 11-on-11 drills, picked off by cornerbacks Denzel Ward and Damarri Mathis. Watson missed the entire 2025 season following two Achilles surgeries and has played in just 19 games since 2022 due to suspension and injury. Challenger Shedeur Sanders, entering his second year in Cleveland, handled second-team work. Monken has not set a timeline for naming a Week 1 starter, indicating preseason games will be pivotal in the decision.
Sources: ESPN
Panthers Rookie Chris Brazzell Suffers LCL Tear, Expected Out Up to Eight Weeks
Carolina Panthers rookie wide receiver Chris Brazzell II suffered a moderate lateral collateral ligament tear in his left knee during Wednesday's training camp practice and is expected to miss up to eight weeks, per ESPN. The injury occurred on a noncontact play. Brazzell, a third-round pick from Tennessee in the 2026 draft, had already missed two earlier practices this week with knee soreness, though the team said that issue was unrelated to Wednesday's LCL tear. He was competing for the Panthers' WR3 role when the injury occurred. Brazzell plans to seek a second opinion before determining his next steps.
Sources: ESPN
Brian O’Neill Signs Four-Year, $96 Million Extension to Remain With Vikings
Minnesota Vikings right tackle Brian O'Neill agreed to a four-year, $96 million contract extension through the 2030 season on Tuesday, the team announced. The deal ended months of discussions and was completed on the day veterans reported to training camp, avoiding any potential holdout. O'Neill had been entering the final year of his previous five-year, $92.5 million extension from 2021 and has been a full-time starter for Minnesota since his 2018 rookie season. A two-time Pro Bowl selection, O'Neill is regarded as a cornerstone of the Vikings offensive line and a pillar of the locker room.
Sources: ESPN
American Conference Divisions
AFC East — 2025 Final
1. New England Patriots — 14–3–0
2. Buffalo Bills — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
3. Miami Dolphins — 7–10–0 — 7 GB
4. New York Jets — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
AFC North — 2025 Final
1. Pittsburgh Steelers — 10–7–0
2. Baltimore Ravens — 8–9–0 — 2 GB
3. Cincinnati Bengals — 6–11–0 — 4 GB
4. Cleveland Browns — 5–12–0 — 5 GB
AFC South — 2025 Final
1. Jacksonville Jaguars — 13–4–0
2. Houston Texans — 12–5–0 — 1 GB
3. Indianapolis Colts — 8–9–0 — 5 GB
4. Tennessee Titans — 3–14–0 — 10 GB
AFC West — 2025 Final
1. Denver Broncos — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Chargers — 11–6–0 — 3 GB
3. Kansas City Chiefs — 6–11–0 — 8 GB
4. Las Vegas Raiders — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
National Conference Divisions
NFC East — 2025 Final
1. Philadelphia Eagles — 11–6–0
2. Dallas Cowboys — 7–9–1 — 3.5 GB
3. Washington Commanders — 5–12–0 — 6 GB
4. New York Giants — 4–13–0 — 7 GB
NFC North — 2025 Final
1. Chicago Bears — 11–6–0
2. Green Bay Packers — 9–7–1 — 1.5 GB
3. Minnesota Vikings — 9–8–0 — 2 GB
4. Detroit Lions — 9–8–0 — 2 GB
NFC South — 2025 Final
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 — 2 GB
NFC West — 2025 Final
1. Seattle Seahawks — 14–3–0
2. Los Angeles Rams — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
3. San Francisco 49ers — 12–5–0 — 2 GB
4. Arizona Cardinals — 3–14–0 — 11 GB
Curated by JD · samwise.agency