NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 9:56 AM ET

Seahawks Lock Up Witherspoon

Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks reached an agreement on a four-year extension worth $132 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal, which includes $102 million guaranteed, makes Witherspoon one of the highest-paid cornerbacks in the NFL. The contract was finalized Saturday, capping a strong negotiation period for the Seahawks' secondary anchor.

Lawrence Announces Retirement

Outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence confirmed to Yahoo Sports that his 13th NFL season will be his last. The veteran pass rusher, who has spent his entire career with the Seahawks, made the announcement this week, signaling the end of a long and productive tenure in Seattle.

Love Out With Ankle Injury

Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will miss the next week to allow a sore ankle he injured Thursday night against the Raiders to heal, coach Mike LaFleur said. Love, who was active for the preseason opener, will be sidelined as the team manages his recovery.

McVay Leaves Door Open for Donald

Rams coach Sean McVay said he won't put an "invisible deadline" on Aaron Donald to come out of retirement but added that he hopes the former star defensive tackle makes a decision "sooner than later." Donald, a future Hall of Famer, has been weighing his options following his release from the Rams earlier this year.

Randle El Ignites Bears' Comeback

Assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El took over playcalling duties for the second half of the preseason opener against the Browns, helping Chicago score 24 unanswered points in a 34-10 win. The Bears' offensive resurgence under Randle El's direction has sparked optimism heading into the regular season.

Watson Shines in Preseason Return

Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and led two scoring drives in his first game since the 2024 season, the only points for the Cleveland Browns in a 34-10 preseason loss to the Rams. Watson's performance marked a promising step forward in his comeback journey.

Adams Carted Off in Vikings Debut

Veteran defender Jamal Adams was taken to the locker room on a cart Saturday shortly after his preseason debut with the Vikings. The severity of the injury remains unclear, but the incident has raised concerns about Adams' availability for the upcoming season.

Simpson Delivers in Rams Debut

Rookie quarterback Ty Simpson showed plenty of poise in going 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason debut against the Chiefs on Saturday. The second quarterback taken in this year's draft impressed with his accuracy and decision-making in his first taste of NFL action.

Dart Questions Concussion Protocol

Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart said he is "puzzled" after being checked for a concussion during Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings. Dart, the Giants' first-round pick, expressed confusion over the timing of the evaluation, which occurred late in the game.

Tua Criticizes Falcons' Performance

Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa said he was "frustrated and disappointed" after a preseason loss to the Broncos, during which he played two series and was 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards. Tua's brief appearance highlighted areas of concern for the Falcons' offense heading into the season.

Smith Day-to-Day with Ankle Injury

Jets quarterback Geno Smith is day-to-day with an ankle injury that occurred Wednesday and resulted in him being scratched from the preseason opener Friday night against the Buccaneers. Smith's status will be monitored closely as the Jets prepare for their next preseason game.

Benton Becomes Highest-Paid DL in Steelers History

The Steelers and defensive tackle Keeanu Benton have agreed to a four-year, $72 million extension, sources told NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. The deal makes Benton the highest-paid defensive lineman in franchise history, reflecting the team's commitment to keeping their rising star anchored to the defensive line.

Pearce Suspended Eight Games

Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will be suspended by the NFL for eight games due to violating the league's personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday afternoon. The suspension will impact Pearce's rookie season, delaying his debut until midseason.

Patriots Standouts Emerge in Preseason Opener

Several Patriots players stood out in their preseason opener against the Colts, with Kyle Williams and K.J. Britt among those whose performances should have them ascending the team's ranks. The strong showing has provided early momentum for the restructured Patriots roster.

Titans Tap Daboll to Develop Ward

The Titans are looking for the Cam Ward-Brian Daboll relationship to be as effective as what Daboll enjoyed in Buffalo. The team hired Daboll to maximize Ward's potential, hoping the new coaching staff can guide the young quarterback into a leadership role.

Kelce Reflects on Wedding Night

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce called his wedding night with Taylor Swift the "best night of my life" in his first public comments on the ceremony. The emotional reflection gave fans a glimpse into one of the most high-profile weddings in recent sports history.

Aikman Faces MNF Restrictions

ESPN analyst Troy Aikman will see some restrictions in the lead-up to "Monday Night Football" broadcasts similar to those for Fox's Tom Brady. The limitations stem from Aikman's consulting work with the Dolphins, which has raised potential conflict-of-interest concerns.

Highmark Stadium Hosts First Event

The Highmark Stadium hosted its first public event on Saturday as the Buffalo Bills held their "Return of the Blue & Red night." ESPN chronicled the occasion, capturing fan reactions and the energy surrounding the new facility.

Mets Troll Jayden Daniels

The Mets are the latest team to poke fun at Daniels over his jersey number dispute with his alma mater, LSU. The playful jab adds to the growing list of sports organizations that have weighed in on the ongoing controversy.

NFL Preseason Week 1 Takeaways

The NFL preseason is underway, and early performances from rookies and players in new systems have provided plenty of talking points. Ja'Kobi Lane's touchdown reception continued his banner preseason, while other newcomers made strong first impressions.

Solak's Training Camp Superlatives

As training camps wind down and preseason picks up, Solak handed out 10 completely made-up awards to players, teams, and position battles that have stood out the most. The whimsical recognition highlights the most memorable moments from the summer's intensive preparation period.

Draft Guide Released for 2026 Season

With draft season approaching, ESPN has released its comprehensive Draft Guide, featuring rankings, projections, and analysis for fans preparing for their fantasy football drafts. The resource provides detailed breakdowns of player values and positional rankings.

Cheat Sheets Available for Fantasy Players

Fantasy football enthusiasts can now access ESPN's Cheat Sheet Central, a collection of downloadable and printable cheat sheets designed to help managers dominate their drafts. The sheets cover PPR formats, non-PPR formats, and updated depth charts.

Karabell's Do Draft List Highlights Value Picks

Following the release of the "Do Not Draft" list, Eric Karabell has published his Do Draft list, identifying players being drafted later than they should be. The list includes names like Derrick Henry and Patrick Mahomes among the undervalued options available in fantasy leagues.