NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 12, 2026, 10:35 PM ET

Contract Standoffs Dominate Final Weekend Before Kickoff

Lamar Jackson and the Ravens are not expected to reach a long-term extension before the season begins, with league sources telling ESPN that the quarterback has been reluctant to engage on a new deal and is instead focused on the upcoming 2026 campaign. A similar standoff is brewing in Jacksonville, where the Jaguars and wide receiver Parker Washington are unlikely to agree on an extension before Week. In Houston, the Texans and C.J. Stroud made a run at a deal but both sides now prefer to table talks until after the season amid a looming quarterback market.

Bears Lock Up Swift, Odunze Eyes Opener

Chicago moved quickly to secure its backfield, agreeing to a three-year, $33.75M extension with running back D'Andre Swift that includes $27.5M guaranteed, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Bears also expect wide receiver Rome Odunze to play in Sunday's opener at Carolina; Odunze, listed as questionable with a calf injury, says he is ready for the Panthers.

Tight End Market Explodes: Kraft, Mayer Cash In

Green Bay has locked down one of its young weapons, reaching a four-year extension with tight end Tucker Kraft worth up to $92M. In Las Vegas, the Raiders rewarded tight end Michael Mayer with a three-year, $45M extension as he steps in for the injured Brock Bowers to open the regular season. The deals reflect a booming positional market that has reshaped how teams value the position.

Chiefs Turn to Rookie at Left Tackle

Kansas City will be without left tackle Josh Simmons for Monday's season opener against Denver, leaving the Chiefs expected to start undrafted rookie Kahlil Benson to protect returning quarterback Patrick Mahomes. The shuffle along the offensive line is one of the most consequential storylines heading into the divisional matchup.

Draft Buzz: Moore Runs Away With QB1 Poll

Oregon's Dante Moore is the runaway top vote-getter among 25 NFL scouts and executives polled by ESPN to identify the top quarterback for the 2027 draft, signaling a deep and highly regarded crop at the position.

Falcons Turn to Rush After Tagovailoa Ruled Out

Atlanta will start backup Cooper Rush at quarterback in Sunday's opener against Pittsburgh after ruling starter Tua Tagovailoa out with an oblique injury. Rush experienced back spasms Saturday but the team announced he will still start against the Steelers.

Cowboys Lose Davis to Hip Surgery

Dallas running back Malik Davis is scheduled to undergo surgery after suffering a hip injury in Friday's practice, a source told ESPN, and he is headed to IR, leaving the Cowboys shorthanded in the backfield for the opener.

49ers Reward Shanahan With Extension

San Francisco has given coach Kyle Shanahan a multiyear extension, sources confirmed to ESPN. Shanahan owns an 83-67 record across his 10 seasons with the franchise, and the deal ends any speculation about his long-term future.

Week 1 Preview: Picks, Sleepers and Inactives

The season's opening slate offers no shortage of intrigue, with 15 predictions for Week 1 covering upset picks, fantasy sleepers and projected stat lines — including whether DeVonta Smith finds the end zone and whether the Jets finally intercept a pass. Fantasy managers should track the latest Week 1 inactives for status updates on Jeanty, Love, Odunze and others ahead of kickoff. The remaining 14 games come with full matchup previews, including Josh Allen versus C.J. Stroud and Jayden Daniels against Jalen Hurts, plus key stats and watchability ratings. For lineup decisions, our analysts offer start-sit advice on more than a dozen fringe players, including starting the Bucs and sitting Mahomes.

Record Watch: Six Marks That Could Fall in 2026

Could this be a record-breaking season? Our analysts identify six NFL marks that might be in jeopardy in 2026, from the league's rushing record to a new long in field goal kicking and a potential single-season tight end receiving yardage mark.

25 Years After 9/11: NFL Stars Remember

A quarter-century after the September 11 attacks, Hall of Famers and franchise greats including Michael Strahan and Vinny Testaverde relive the memories of the moments they experienced in the aftermath and how the league responded.

Cousins Embraces Mentor Role in Year 15

Raiders quarterback Kirk Cousins is approaching his 15th season with a new perspective, discussing the 2026 campaign, working with coordinator Klint Kubiak and his role as a mentor to the young core in Las Vegas.

Daniels Poised for Commanders Breakout

Washington is expecting a big year from Jayden Daniels in 2026. Offensive coordinator David Blough said Daniels has had his best NFL camp so far, and teammates describe the quarterback as "a star" entering the season.

Broncos Defense Chases Another Sack Title

All eyes are on Denver's pass rush, which set single-season franchise sack records in back-to-back years — including a league-leading 68 sacks last season. The question now is whether the Broncos can top the NFL in sacks again in 2026.

Barkley Rebuilds for Another Dominant Season

Eagles running back Saquon Barkley says he is going back to a little kid again to recapture his 2024 dominance, adapting to Philadelphia's heavy under-center, wide zone scheme that is largely new to the veteran.

McDaniel and Harbaugh: A Partnership on the Line

There is a lot riding on the relationship between Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and coach Jim Harbaugh as Los Angeles pursues a title. Both men say "we need each other" as they work to make their football marriage pay off in 2026.