NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: March 31, 2026, 8:30 PM ET

NFL League Meetings & Governance

The annual NFL owners meeting wrapped up Tuesday in Phoenix, generating significant buzz across personnel and operational fronts. One major operational approval involved the Jacksonville Jaguars, whose proposal to host their 2027 home games in Orlando while Ever Bank Stadium undergoes its final year of a $1.4 billion renovation received unanimous consent from the league owners approved the plan. On the officiating front, owners established a contingency plan to centralize officiating oversight in case of a work stoppage while labor talks continue with the NFL Referees Association owners OK'd replay changes, though league alarm over negotiations has already prompted authorization to begin hiring and onboarding replacement officials NFL set to begin hiring. Furthermore, the league office issued a directive asking prediction market operators to halt trading on events easily manipulated or predetermined, attempting to curb vulnerability in that emerging sector Stop vulnerable prediction market trades.

Officiating & Legal Matters

The contentious environment surrounding league personnel extended beyond labor negotiations, as a former female official filed a lawsuit against the NFL female official sues league. Robin DeLorenzo, one of the initial female officials, cited gender-based scrutiny and open hostility following her 2025 dismissal in her complaint. Meanwhile, the league continued to grapple with internal team matters; the Browns withdrew a controversial rule proposal that sought to extend the window for trading draft picks from three years out to five Browns pull proposal, suggesting a pullback from aggressive future asset management.

Quarterback Situations & Personnel Moves

Quarterback discussions dominated much of the conversation emanating from the league meetings, with several teams offering concrete updates or making declarations. Jets coach Aaron Glenn publicly declared Tuesday that Geno Smith is unequivocally "the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land" Glenn declares Smith starter, an affirmation echoed by Glenn on Sunday stating there was "no doubt" Smith was the starting QB Jets' Glenn: No doubt. In contrast, Browns coach Todd Monken indicated that reps during the offseason QB competition between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel would not be divided evenly Monken: Reps won't be even, while Browns owner Jimmy Haslam expressed renewed confidence in Watson, noting he has a "great chance" to be QB1 a year after calling the trade for him a "big swing-and-miss" Haslam: Watson has great chance; Sanders confirmed he is switching back to the No. 2 jersey for the 2026 campaign Shedeur switching back. The Raiders expressed high praise for potential top selection Fernando Mendoza, whom coach Klint Kubiak labeled a "winner" Raiders' Kubiak on Mendoza, while the Jets brass also showed interest in No. 2 prospect Ty Simpson after meeting with him in Tuscaloosa Jets brass showing interest. Elsewhere, Chiefs coach Andy Reid offered an optimistic outlook on Patrick Mahomes’ recovery, stating people should "don't bet against Mahomes playing Week 1" Reid: Don't bet against, while Ravens coach Jesse Minter expressed uncertainty regarding Lamar Jackson's participation in voluntary workouts Lamar may skip workouts.

Receiver & Offensive Line Updates

Wide receiver movement and contract status generated several significant reports. Odell Beckham Jr. met with Giants coach John Harbaugh in Arizona regarding a potential reunion OBJ meets with Giants, while Patriots coach Mike Vrabel did not dismiss the ongoing trade speculation involving acquiring A.J. Brown from the Eagles Pats' Vrabel doesn't dismiss; Eagles GM Howie Roseman offered only neutral responses when pressed by local media about Brown Eagles GM offers reply. In Dallas, the team intends to use the franchise tag on receiver George Pickens as they maintain "long-term plans" for him, though coach Brian Schottenheimer remains unsure if Pickens will attend offseason programs Cowboys unsure on Pickens. The 49ers are reportedly on the "precipice of something good happening" in contract talks with star offensive tackle Trent Williams, who is currently slated to enter next season without guaranteed money Talks with Williams intensified, although coach Kyle Shanahan is less enthusiastic about the team opening the 2026 season with a trip to Australia Shanahan: No benefit for Aussie trip. Additionally, the Lions are actively considering moving All-Pro right tackle Penei Sewell over to the left side for 2026 Lions considering moving Sewell.

Team Philosophy & International Play

Team philosophies regarding player usage and international scheduling reflected shifting priorities across the league. 49ers GM John Lynch dismissed theories alleging an "injury conspiracy" behind the team's 2025 injury woes, calling the rumor a "big nothing burger" Lynch: Injury conspiracy big nothing, though Coach Shanahan is focused on lightening Christian McCaffrey’s workload after he carried the offensive burden last season Shanahan aims to lighten. The Lions are also contemplating significant positional shifts, with coach Dan Campbell confirming consideration of moving All-Pro Penei Sewell to left tackle Lions considering moving Sewell. On the international stage, Detroit Lions wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown expressed excitement that the team's next international game in Munich will fulfill a personal "dream homecoming" dream St. Brown homecoming, while the Patriots were named as the feature for the 2027 edition of "Hard Knocks" following the defending champion Seahawks this summer Hard Knocks to feature Seahawks.

Draft Profiles & Player Futures

As the league looks toward the future, focus remains firmly planted on the upcoming talent pool and existing young players. The Vikings confirmed they will exercise the fifth-year option on receiver Jordan Addison’s contract Vikings to exercise option, and the Panthers expect running back Jonathon Brooks to return for offseason workouts following his second ACL surgery since 2023 Panthers set for RB Brooks' return. In positional analysis, Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq is profiled as a prospect who could continue the trend of first-round tight ends top NFL draft prospect Kenyon Sadiq, while Matt Miller's comprehensive seven-round mock draft projected every selection from the Raiders at No. 1 down to Mr. Irrelevant Miller’s mock draft projections. Colts GM Chris Ballard did not rule out quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. remaining with the franchise in 2026 Possible Richardson stays, and Saints coach Kellen Moore assured that there will be sufficient offensive snaps for both Alvin Kamara and Travis Etienne Enough snaps for both.

League Partnerships & Legacy

The league announced a new venture into professional organized amateur sports, partnering with TMRW Sports—the company behind the TGL—to develop a professional men's and women's flag football league, which will receive backing from all 32 teams NFL teams partner for flag league; however, Broncos coach Sean Payton stated after trying the format that he would be surprised to see any current NFL players on the U.S. flag football team soon Payton: Flag football won't draw. On a somber note, the league mourned the loss of former Vikings All-Pro safety Joey Browner, who passed away Saturday at age 65, having been the first defensive back the team selected in the first round Former Vikings All-Pro dies. In ownership news, the Irsay sisters signaled a commitment to family control over Lucas Oil Stadium renovations, shunning private equity funding for the costly work for the time being Irsay sisters shunning equity.