NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: April 2, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Player Movements & League Business

The quarterback carousel continued spinning as Kirk Cousins agreed to terms with the Raiders, a move his agent confirmed, potentially positioning the veteran to mentor burgeoning talent in Las Vegas. This activity occurred as league personnel gathered in Phoenix for the annual meetings, where news also emerged regarding the Vikings' search for a new General Manager and internal discussions concerning top draft prospects like Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy. Meanwhile, the defensive side of the ball saw two veteran players formally announce their departures from the league: Two-time All-Pro Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, confirmed his retirement after a decorated career, followed by linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. announcing his exit with a brief "Thank you football."

Player transactions also saw safety Kyle Dugger sign a one-year deal to remain in the AFC North, joining the Bengals, while the league’s commercial partnerships shifted with Fanatics fully assuming the exclusive 20-year license for all NFL and NFLPA trading cards, consolidating market control under the retailer. In off-field legal matters, Rams receiver Puka Nacua has checked into rehab, according to his attorney, following a lawsuit filed last month in Los Angeles alleging misconduct.

Draft Prospects & Program Development

The spotlight remains fixed on the upcoming draft, where four prominent analysts—Kiper, Miller, Reid, and Yates—released a consensus mock projection covering the top 100 selections across the first three rounds. Central to the top prospects is quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who put on a strong showing at his Indiana pro day, where he reportedly attempted approximately 56 passes in front of representatives from all 32 franchises and over 100 media members. Despite the positive pre-draft workouts, analysts caution that the top quarterback prospects face flaws that could temper expectations once they transition to the professional game.

Franchise Branding & Grassroots Football

to the 2026 season, the Atlanta Falcons unveiled new uniforms that reincorporate the franchise’s primary red color as the base design, a move intended to resonate with the team's history. On the development front, the Kansas City Chiefs organization launched a petition advocating for the sanctioning of girls' high school flag football, ahead of the Kansas State High School Activities Association's vote scheduled for April 23 to determine the sport's official status within state athletics.