Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, August 29, 2026
NFL Owners Approve Record $9.6 Billion Sale of Seahawks to Khosla Family
NFL owners unanimously approved the sale of the Seattle Seahawks to Vinod and Neeru Khosla for $9.612 billion on Wednesday, the largest team sale in NFL history. The Khoslas beat out rivals Wyc Grousbeck and Aditya Mittal to acquire the defending Super Bowl champions from the estate of Paul Allen. Commissioner Roger Goodell congratulated the family for their “great timing.” The transaction is not yet fully complete — banks and lawyers must vet the funds, a process expected to take roughly one week. The Khosla family must also divest its minority stake in the San Francisco 49ers before assuming control of the franchise.
Sources: Insider Sport
Packers RB Josh Jacobs Charged with Two Misdemeanors in Domestic Incident
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs has been charged with misdemeanor battery and misdemeanor criminal damage to property in connection with a May domestic incident in Brown County, Wisconsin. Charges were filed Thursday by the Brown County District Attorney’s Office. According to police, the confrontation involved Jacobs’s girlfriend. Jacobs initially faced felony strangulation and suffocation charges along with four misdemeanors before the case was reduced to two counts. General Manager Brian Gutekunst told reporters the Packers are prepared for the NFL to suspend Jacobs. His initial court appearance is scheduled for November 17.
Sources: CBS Sports
Seattle Seahawks Sign Leonard Williams to 3-Year, $90 Million Extension
The Seattle Seahawks signed defensive tackle Leonard Williams to a three-year, $90 million contract extension, including $56 million guaranteed and averaging $30 million per season. Williams, 32 and entering his 12th NFL season, was in the final year of his previous deal when the extension was finalized. He was a second-team All-Pro selection last season, tying for the team lead with seven sacks while anchoring a defense that allowed the fewest points in the NFL as Seattle won the Super Bowl. The extension ties Williams for the fifth-highest annual average value among interior defensive linemen in the league.
Sam Ehlinger Delivers 88-Yard Strike as Broncos Rout Vikings 34-6 in Preseason Finale
Sam Ehlinger capped a three-touchdown performance with an 88-yard strike to rookie tight end Justin Joly, helping the Denver Broncos rout the Minnesota Vikings 34-6 on Friday night in their preseason finale. Ehlinger finished 15–of–20 for 233 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Starter Jarrett Stidham led Denver to scores on both of his drives, with a Wil Lutz field goal and a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Adam Prentice. Ehlinger also connected with running back Cody Schrader on a 14-yard score. Minnesota, which finished the preseason at 1–2, did not play backup J.J. McCarthy due to a minor ankle injury.
Sources: Durango Herald / AP
Carlson 53-Yard Field Goal Lifts Saints Past Cowboys 27-24 in Preseason Finale
The New Orleans Saints earned their first preseason win of 2026, beating the Dallas Cowboys 27-24 on Friday night as kicker Daniel Carlson converted a 53-yard field goal to decide the contest. The Saints overcame Dallas in the closing minutes after Zach Wilson led a 54-yard drive to set up the go-ahead kick, while the Cowboys failed to cross midfield on the ensuing final possession. New Orleans heads into Sunday’s 53-man roster cutdown deadline with momentum, while Dallas begins its roster evaluation ahead of the September 9 regular season opener.
Sources: Fox 8 Live
Falcons QB Battle Between Tua and Penix Remains Unresolved as Preseason Ends
The Atlanta Falcons remain without a named starter as the preseason enters its final weekend, with head coach Kevin Stefanski offering no timeline on the quarterback decision between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Tagovailoa struggled in his lone preseason appearance against the Broncos, completing 3–of–5 passes for 22 yards while muffing a shotgun snap on his opening drive. Penix, returning from a season-ending ACL injury, has been cleared for 11-on-11 practice work but will sit out the preseason finale. Stefanski confirmed this week he has not settled on a direction with the September 9 regular season opener approaching.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
All 32 Teams Face 53-Man Roster Cutdown Deadline by 6 p.m. ET Sunday
All 32 NFL teams face a 6 p.m. ET deadline Sunday, August 30, to trim their rosters from 90 players to the regular-season limit of 53. This year the cutdown deadline was moved earlier — to the Sunday after the final preseason weekend — because the 2026 regular season opens on a Wednesday, September 9. Each club will make approximately 37 cuts to reach 53. Practice squads of up to 17 players must be submitted by 6 p.m. ET Monday, August 31, with waiver claims clearing at 1 p.m. ET that same day. The moves made over the next 24 hours will shape every roster for the season’s first week.
Las Vegas Raiders Have Yet to Name Week 1 Starter Between Cousins and Mendoza
The Las Vegas Raiders have not yet committed to a starting quarterback for the 2026 regular season, with the competition between veteran Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza still unresolved. The Raiders are one of only two teams entering the final week of the preseason without a clear Week 1 signal under center, alongside the Atlanta Falcons. Cousins arrived in Las Vegas as the presumed starter but Mendoza has pushed the competition through training camp and the preseason. The Raiders open September 9 against the Miami Dolphins, giving the franchise one week to finalize its decision ahead of the first game of the year.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
Raiders Star RB Ashton Jeanty’s Week 1 Status in Doubt After Ankle Sprain
Las Vegas Raiders running back Ashton Jeanty’s status for the regular season opener remains uncertain after he suffered a sprained ankle at practice on Sunday, August 24. The second-year back was helped off the field without putting weight on his right leg after landing awkwardly while diving for a pass. Head coach Klint Kubiak described the sprain as “more low than high” and not a long-term injury, but said Jeanty is “still on the mend” with another week needed to assess his availability for Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins. Rookie Mike Washington Jr. would likely take over if Jeanty is unable to play.
Sources: Yahoo Sports
AFC Standings — 2026 Season
Regular season opens September 9 — all teams 0-0-0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
NFC Standings — 2026 Season
Regular season opens September 9 — all teams 0-0-0
| Team | W | L | T |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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