NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 2:30 AM ET

League Operations & Offseason Moves

League activities this week centered around the annual owner's meetings in Arizona, where Robert Kraft set expectations for the 2026 season, acknowledging the Patriots face what he termed the "hardest schedule." Meanwhile, business operations saw the NFL announce a partnership with TMRW Sports, the entity behind the TGL golf league, to establish a professional men's and women's flag football league backed by all 32 franchises. On the regulatory front, the league requested prediction market operators cease trading on events that are easily manipulated or predetermined, while the Browns pulled their proposal that would have allowed teams to trade draft picks five years out, maintaining the current three-year limit.

Quarterback Situations & Coaching Decisions

Several teams provided clarity—or new layers of intrigue—regarding their quarterback rooms ahead of the 2026 campaign. The Jets' new coach, Aaron Glenn, publicly declared Geno Smith their undisputed starting quarterback, stating definitively, "he's our guy." Conversely, Browns owner Jimmy Haslam offered strong backing to Deshaun Watson, suggesting the QB has a "great chance" to remain QB1 following a year where the franchise admitted the trade was a "big swing-and-miss" Haslam stated regarding Watson. In Atlanta, new head coach Kevin Stefanski faces the challenge of integrating new talent, hoping his prior experience juggling quarterbacks like Joe Flacco, Nick Gabriel, and David Njoku in Cleveland prepared him for Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr..

Contract Statuses & Roster Management

General managers spent time addressing high-profile contract situations, with mixed messaging coming out of San Francisco regarding wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk, as both coach Kyle Shanahan and owner Jed York delivered differing signals on his future. The 49ers also confirmed ongoing "intensified" talks with star offensive lineman Trent Williams, who currently enters the next season without guaranteed money, suggesting the team is on the "precipice of something good happening". In Miami, Dolphins GM Jon-Eric Sullivan emphasized that extending running back De'Von Achane is a "priority", confirming there was "zero effort" made to trade the foundational player. The Vikings, however, confirmed they will exercise the fifth-year option on receiver Jordan Addison's contract, while the Commanders expressed confidence in their linebacker core even if veteran Bobby Wagner departs in free agency Commanders are confident in their LB core.

Team Focus & Player Workload Adjustments

Coaching staffs are beginning to map out strategies to manage veteran workloads and address previous season shortcomings. San Francisco's Kyle Shanahan specifically aims to lighten Christian McCaffrey's workload in 2026 after injuries forced the running back to carry too much of the offensive load. On the defensive side, the Lions are actively considering moving All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell over to the left side for the upcoming season. Furthermore, regarding the 49ers' injury woes last year, GM John Lynch dismissed theories about external interference, calling the "injury conspiracy" a "big nothing burger" Lynch dismissed the injury conspiracy.

Media Exposure & League Travel

The league announced its popular training camp docuseries schedule, revealing that the reigning Super Bowl champion Seahawks will feature on this summer's 'Hard Knocks', with the Patriots slated for the 2027 edition. While media exposure is increasing, not all scheduling changes are welcome; 49ers coach Shanahan expressed displeasure that the team is slated to open the 2026 season with a trip to Australia, stating there is "no benefit" for the team in the international travel. In Cleveland, second-year quarterback Shedeur Sanders announced he is switching back to the No. 2 jersey for the 2026 season.

Draft Prospects & Positional Outlooks

As the league pivots toward the offseason, focus remains on the upcoming rookie class and positional trends. Expectations are high for the tight end position, with Oregon's Kenyon Sadiq positioning himself as the next potential first-round selection following strong showings by Colston Loveland and Tyler Warren Sadiq could be the next top tight end. Meanwhile, the Jets brass confirmed their interest in No. 2 quarterback prospect Ty Simpson after meeting with him, though it remains uncertain if that interest will translate into a draft selection Jets show interest in Ty Simpson. Mock draft projections are already circulating, with Matt Miller predicting every pick in the 2026 draft from the Raiders' expected No. 1 selection through the Broncos' final pick.

Personnel & Legacy

Several teams addressed lingering personnel issues while the league also mourned a loss. The Ravens defended their handling of the Maxx Crosby situation, with team president Sashi Brown attributing the fallout from the rescinded trade to a "slow news cycle" Brown blamed the slow news cycle. In Pittsburgh, coach Mike McCarthy indicated that Aaron Rodgers is in a "very positive space" as he continues to weigh his future options McCarthy confirmed Rodgers is in a good place. Tragically, the league also saw the passing of former Vikings All-Pro safety Joey Browner, who died Saturday at 65; Browner was the first defensive back the team selected in the first round.