NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 5:35 AM ET

Veteran Departures & Roster Moves

The NFL saw several key defensive figures announce their retirements on Thursday, notably two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, who won the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year award, and linebacker Anthony Walker Jr., who simply stated, "'Thank you football'" in his departure. Roster activity also continued as safety Kyle Dugger agreed to a one-year contract with the Cincinnati Bengals, keeping him within the AFC North division through the 2026 campaign. Meanwhile, the Las Vegas Raiders added veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to their roster, a move reported by his agent that suggests the veteran may serve as a mentor figure for the team's younger signal-callers, potentially including rookie Aidan O'Connell or a high draft selection.

Offseason League Business & Draft Outlook

League business concluded its annual meetings this week in Phoenix, where executives discussed various operational items, including the ongoing search for the Vikings' next General Manager and the positioning of top quarterback prospects like J.J. McCarthy relative to established players like Kyler Murray as detailed in league reports. In anticipation of the upcoming draft, four leading analysts—Kiper, Miller, Reid, and Yates—collaborated to project the top 100 picks across three rounds, offering insight into where elite talent will land while simultaneously acknowledging that even the premier college quarterbacks possess potential flaws that could impede their NFL transition. This focus on player evaluation contrasts with the league's expanded commercial reach, as the 20-year exclusive trading card license officially shifted to Fanatics, consolidating all NFL and NFLPA card rights under the single entity.

Franchise Branding & Grassroots Initiatives

In team-specific news, the Atlanta Falcons unveiled their new uniform designs for the 2026 season, marking a return to their franchise's foundational primary color, red, as the base scheme. Beyond professional leagues, the Kansas City Chiefs organization is actively launching a petition to sanction girls' flag football at the high school level, hoping to influence the Kansas State High School Activities Association ahead of their critical April 23 vote on the matter, signaling a push for broader participation in youth football programs.