NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 8:48 PM ET

Quarterbacks & Steelers

The Steelers' decision to re-sign Aaron Rodgers has reignited a roster debate that will dominate training camp, with Aaron Rodgers' 2025 struggles casting a long shadow over Pittsburgh's offensive plans. Mike McCarthy historically carries three quarterbacks into Week, but Rodgers' return creates a four-man room that leaves one QB on the outside looking in as the Steelers grapple with their quarterback conundrum. Offseason grading reports slammed the Steelers for the re-signing, suggesting the team may have overpaid for a veteran whose offense stalled last season, though Pittsburgh is banking on running it back with the same scheme that failed to generate production.

Player Contracts & Injuries

The Dolphins locked in De'Von Achane with a four-year, $64 million extension that makes him the third-highest-paid running back in the league, a move that signals Miami's commitment to its backfield despite the salary outlay. Across the country, Giants wide receiver Malik Nabers underwent a second knee procedure but remains hopeful he can suit up for Week, leaving the team's opening receiving corps in flux. Meanwhile, the 2026 draft class delivered its first quirky storyline when Trey Smack, the lone kicker selected that year, traded lacrosse for football after a single kick, drawing puzzled reactions from veteran kicker Matt Stover.

Scheduling & Season Openers

The 2026 NFL schedule brought more than 272 games to life on Thursday night, with the league unleashing an avalanche of creative reveal posts from all 32 clubs. The headline matchup is a Super Bowl LX rematch, as the Seahawks host the Patriots to open the season at Lumen Field in what promises to be one of the marquee early-season tests. The broader slate includes several primetime streaming games that have drawn fire from President Donald Trump and scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department, prompting the NFL to defend its expanded streaming lineup as a revenue play rather than a fan-friendly distribution model.

Off-Field

Tom Brady added modeling to his résumé when he walked the Gucci Resort 2027 runway in New York, a runway debut that capped an afternoon blending high fashion with his post-football brand. The league also mourned former defensive lineman Josh Mauro, who died from an accidental drug overdose involving fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol, according to Maricopa County medical records.