Samwise NFL Newsletter
Saturday, September 5, 2026
Cardinals WR Michael Wilson Signs 3-Year, $75M Extension
The Arizona Cardinals locked up their top wide receiver this week, agreeing to a three-year, $75 million contract extension with Michael Wilson that keeps him in Arizona through the 2029 season. The deal includes $47 million guaranteed and a maximum value of $78 million, paying Wilson an average of $25 million annually. Wilson, a 2023 third-round pick out of Stanford, recorded his first 1,000-yard season in 2025, catching 78 passes for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns. Over three seasons with Arizona, he has logged 163 receptions for 2,119 yards and 14 touchdowns. Wilson enters 2026 as the Cardinals’ most reliable producer outside of tight end Trey McBride.
49ers and Rams Head to Melbourne for NFL’s First-Ever Game in Australia
San Francisco 49ers players arrived in Melbourne, Australia on Friday to prepare for the NFL’s first-ever regular season game on Australian soil, set for the Melbourne Cricket Ground on September 10. The 49ers will face the Los Angeles Rams, who are the designated home team for the historic matchup, which kicks off at 5:35 p.m. PT on Thursday and will stream live on Netflix. The game is one of nine international matchups the NFL is hosting in 2026 across four continents. The 49ers completed the 15-hour flight to reach Melbourne for the Week 1 opener.
Sources: San Francisco 49ers
Ravens DT Nnamdi Madubuike Day-to-Day as Baltimore Eyes Week 1 Opener
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Nnamdi Madubuike is nearing a return from neck surgery, with general manager Eric DeCosta expressing strong confidence in his star’s recovery. “I am as encouraged now as I have ever been about Nnamdi,” DeCosta said, describing Madubuike as “one of the best defensive tackles in football.” Though listed as day-to-day heading into the 2026 season, the Ravens remain optimistic about his availability for the opener. Baltimore faces the Indianapolis Colts on September 13, giving Madubuike additional time to demonstrate his readiness before the Ravens kick off their regular season campaign.
Packers RB Josh Jacobs’ Court Date Moved Up to September 10
Green Bay Packers running back Josh Jacobs is facing an off-field legal matter as the 2026 NFL season kicks off. Jacobs’ initial court appearance on misdemeanor charges has been moved up more than two months, now set for September 10, ESPN reported Friday. The charges remain categorized as misdemeanors, and few additional details have been publicly disclosed. The timing places the legal proceedings squarely in the opening weeks of the regular season. Jacobs is one of the NFL’s most productive running backs and plays a central role in Green Bay’s offensive plans heading into the 2026 campaign.
Rams to Bring Full Squad to Melbourne for Season Opener, Including Donald
The Los Angeles Rams will bring their entire roster to Melbourne, Australia, for their 2026 NFL season opener against the San Francisco 49ers, head coach Sean McVay confirmed Friday. McVay noted the squad will be at full strength for the historic international game, with Aaron Donald specifically named among those making the trip. The Rams versus 49ers rivalry takes on added significance as the two teams headline the NFL’s first-ever game on Australian soil. The matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is scheduled for September 10 and will stream live on Netflix as part of the league’s international expansion push.
Khosla Family Officially Takes Over as Seattle Seahawks Owners
The Seattle Seahawks have officially transferred ownership to the Khosla family, completing their purchase of the franchise. The transition ends the Allen family era — Paul and Jody Allen had led the organization through one of its most successful periods in team history, and new owner Vinod Khosla inherits both a competitive roster and a rich legacy. An ESPN analysis published Friday argues the Allens’ approach offers an instructive blueprint for the incoming owners. The Khoslas take the reins as Seattle enters the 2026 season aiming to remain a contender in the NFC West while building their own vision for the franchise.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Overhauls Selection Process, Eliminates Seniors Category
The Pro Football Hall of Fame has made sweeping changes to its enshrinement selection process, including a significant reduction in the number of selectors and the elimination of the separate Seniors category. The announcement, reported by ESPN on Friday, represents a major structural shift for the Hall. The Seniors category had long provided a dedicated pathway for players and contributors from earlier eras of the game, separate from the main selection ballot. The Hall also significantly scaled back the size of its selection committee as part of the broader overhaul, reshaping how candidates across all eras will be evaluated going forward.
Patriots CB Christian Gonzalez in Contract Standoff as 2026 Season Opens
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez and the team remain at a contract impasse entering the 2026 season, according to a CBS Sports report. Gonzalez has two years remaining on his rookie deal, worth approximately $20.9 million combined, and is scheduled to earn $2.8 million this season and $18.1 million in 2027 through his fifth-year option. The Patriots have offered to make him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback, but the primary holdup appears structural — centered on cash flow timing and guarantee provisions rather than total value. His agent, Reggie Johnson, recently negotiated a new cornerback deal that has raised the market benchmark.
Sources: CBS Sports
AFC Standings
Preseason — Season begins Sept. 9
| 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
Preseason — Season begins Sept. 9
| 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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Curated by JD · samwise.agency