NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: March 25, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

Contract Extensions & Offseason Moves

The Seahawks front office expressed strong confidence in wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, rewarding him with a record-setting extension based on his "unique combination" of on-field dominance and off-field professionalism, according to General Manager John Schneider and Coach Mike Macdonald. This significant financial commitment immediately raises questions about the market value for other top receivers, potentially impacting contract negotiations for players like Rams star Puka Nacua, whose own market standing is currently complicated by external legal issues involving a civil suit. Meanwhile, reigning Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett secured contract language modifications with the Cleveland Browns this week, ensuring his long-term commitment to the defense after the modifications became official Tuesday. In other veteran movement, quarterback Joe Flacco is preparing for his 19th season after agreeing to a one-year, $6 million deal to return as the Bengals' backup, a move during which he publicly stated that teams passing on him to start were "dumb".

The Atlanta Falcons continued to bolster their offensive depth by reaching a one-year, $2.5 million agreement with running back Brian Robinson, while the team also heard from Tua Tagovailoa, who stated Tuesday that he "has got to play better football" to earn the Falcons' starting quarterback role. Elsewhere in the quarterback carousel, the New Orleans Saints finalized their room by adding Zach Wilson on a one-year pact, and the Patriots elected to release Joshua Dobbs, elevating Bailey DeVito to the QB2 position. In defensive personnel news, linebacker Lavonte David announced his retirement after a 14-year tenure with the Buccaneers, during which he captained the team 12 times and led the league in tackles since his entry into the league, while the Bucs countered by signing free agent linebacker Christian Rozeboom from the Panthers.

League Operations & Future Planning

Labor negotiations between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association stalled earlier than anticipated this week as the two parties failed to find common ground on a new collective bargaining agreement, prompting the Competition Committee to finalize rule change proposals designed to account for the growing possibility of using replacement officials. Beyond the immediate labor concerns, league owners are reportedly set to vote on awarding Super Bowl LXIII, scheduled for after the 2028 season, to Las Vegas, which would mark the city's first time hosting the championship game. Furthermore, the Seattle Seahawks, who will be opening the season on a Wednesday instead of the customary Thursday night slot due to their Week 1 game in Australia, have also secured a key piece of their future by matching the Jaguars' multiyear offer sheet to retain wide receiver Jake Bobo.

Offseason Narratives & Personal Matters

Injuries and player commentary provided further offseason storylines this week, as Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes posted video evidence Wednesday showing him successfully dropping back and throwing the ball following his December knee surgery, signaling positive progress in his rehabilitation. Meanwhile, Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate opted against running the 40-yard dash during his pro day, asserting that the measurement can often be "overvalued", a decision that comes as analysts compare his potential to other recent first-round receivers from the Buckeyes program. Financial scrutiny continued to follow the league outside of player contracts, with a new civil lawsuit filed in a Pennsylvania state court targeting the NFL, Genius Sports, and major sportsbooks like Fan Duel and Draft Kings over issues related to gambling addiction. In unrelated legal matters, Rams receiver Puka Nacua is facing a civil suit in Los Angeles alleging both an "unprovoked antisemitic statement" and a subsequent bite on the plaintiff's shoulder.

Coaching, Culture, and Miscellaneous

The Green Bay Packers are set to integrate new coaching structures, with Luke Getsy returning to the offense while Jonathan Gannon reportedly installs a 3-4 base defensive scheme. On the commentary front, former Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy suggested that reuniting with Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh "would be a great story", while former quarterbacks Joe Burrow and RG III expressed their enthusiasm for participating in Olympic flag football for Team USA. In terms of infrastructure, the Buffalo Bills unveiled new stadium renderings featuring massive stainless steel bison statues that will anchor a new year-round plaza outside Highmark Stadium. Finally, the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced it will honor three influential assistant coaches: Mike Westhoff, Bobb McKittrick, and Ted Cottrell.