NFL Football 24 Hours

Last updated: September 5, 2026, 6:24 AM ET

NFL News

The NFL season opener is nearly here, and the Los Angeles Rams are planning to travel to Melbourne, Australia, with their full roster. Head coach Sean McVay said Friday that the team plans to bring all players for the Week 1 matchup against the San Francisco 49ers. The news comes as the league prepares for a record nine international games in 2026, which includes expanding the Inspire Change initiative to a global audience for the first time.

Personnel & Transactions

The Pro Football Hall of Fame has announced sweeping changes to its selection process, reducing the number of selectors and eliminating the separate Seniors category. The overhaul is designed to modernize how the Class of 2027 and beyond are selected. Meanwhile, Packers running back Josh Jacobs will address his legal situation sooner rather than later — his initial court appearance on misdemeanor charges has been moved up to Sept. 10, more than two months ahead of schedule.

In another off-field legal matter, former NFL quarterback and current broadcaster Mark Sanchez has agreed to plead guilty in connection to the alleged assault of a truck driver in Indianapolis last year. Sanchez, who now works for Fox Sports, faces charges relating to the incident. The former NFL defensive back Alphonso Smith, a two-time All-America at Wake Forest who played four seasons in the league, has died at age. He played for four NFL teams between 2009 and 2013.

Contracts & Comebacks

Tampa Bay's Baker Mayfield is turning heads after the self-imposed deadline for a new contract passed without a deal. His high school coach believes that's a good thing, as Mayfield is betting on himself in 2026. He'll seek big production to land a long-term deal. The quarterback faces a season full of questions regarding his contract and his play under Tampa Bay's leadership.

Geno Smith writes the second chapter of his career in New York. The Jets drafted him in 2013; now he returns after a nine-year hiatus, eager to script a comeback story in the same city that once drafted him. One of the Giants has some recent injury concerns, though. New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo is revealing he contemplated retirement after suffering an open fracture of his right ankle during his rookie season. Despite the setback, the tailback is healthy and ready for 2026.

Fantasy Football

The NFL season is nearing kickoff, and fantasy managers are setting their lineups. As drafts wrap up, Mike Clay advises that the post-draft phase is where some title-winning edges can be found; in his latest playbook, he details tips for winning the post-draft management battle — waiver wire rotations, shoring up trade leverage, and starting to work the schedule. If you're in a pinch, there are 30-plus player notes to bring you up to speed on big names and positional values for fantasy drafts. NFL betting sites are showing continued maturation for the league. While touting pro football wagering at U.S. sportsbooks has reached approximately $30 billion, the boom is beginning to slow as prediction markets take hold. For eager bettors, the 2026 betting guide previews odds, tips, and picks. For the lounge bettors, there's the high-stakes Circa contest, where survivor pool contestants chance a $1,000 entry to bet on $20 million through season-long combos.

Team Notes & Ownership

Kansas City is building a dominant defensive line — and with Chris Jones under contract, the Chiefs are betting on two rookies to form a dominant front. Peter Woods and R. Mason Thomas earned praise to give the star the help he has needed. A major storyline is the new Seattle Seahawks ownership. The Khoslas are officially new, but lessons can be learned from Jody and the late Paul Allen's stewardship; the standard has been set for how to run a franchise with consistency and stability.

In Dallas, safety Caleb Walls has outlined the hype in OTAs, and he is considered exceptionally hungry heading into his NFL debut. But across Philly, there are no shortages of storylines ahead of the 2026 season, as Jalen Hurts asks to acclimate after a new offensive coordinator, and there are questions regarding the Eagles and their roster. In Jacksonville, the club hasn't made consecutive playoff appearances this century, but Liam Coen and Trevor Lawrence think they have the right plan — that's how the Jaguars are treating the 2026 season as a serious deal.

2027 Draft: Early Takes

It's never too early. In his way-too-early assignment, Mel Kiper Jr. is already predicting the 2027 class, with Jadan Baugh as his RB1 and possibly five first-round quarterbacks. He shares these preseason takes in his latest forecast.

Betting Analyasis

Elsewhere, standings matter. Rankings for Week 1 PPR and IDP formats, as well as Eric Karabell's superflex ranks, are arranged. The NFL is looking at changes where playoff contenders will be determined, and there are 22 people with the most to gain or lose — including Baker Mayfield and C.J. Stroud, who are playing their way into big contracts, and Jets coach Aaron Glenn, who is on the rise without a winning record.

If you want to find the playmakers, look no further: every NFL team has a player who could define its season success. That includes names such as Marvin Harrison Jr, Jared Verse, and Travis Hunter, all key reasons they could define the outcome. Check out the 32 X-factor players for every team.

This brief was compiled from ESPN and AP—sources, unless otherwise indicated.