NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 5:35 AM ET

League Business & Executive Moves

The annual NFL league meeting concluded in Phoenix with several significant administrative decisions, including owners unanimously approving the Jacksonville Jaguars’ proposal to play their 2027 home games in Orlando during the $1.4 billion renovation of Ever Bank Stadium. Furthermore, ownership formally endorsed a succession plan for the Raiders, granting Silver Lake co-chief executive officer Egon Durban the option to acquire a majority stake from Mark Davis. These approvals came as Commissioner Roger Goodell voiced his belief that the Rooney Rule remains "consistent" with hiring laws despite threats of civil litigation from Florida’s attorney general regarding the affirmative action mandate.

Regarding officiating, owners ratified two key replay changes, establishing a contingency plan to centralize officiating duties should ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations with the NFL Referees Association break down into a work stoppage. This move coincides with the NFLPA executive director JC Tretter stating that player safety hinges on having "trained, professional officials on the field" amid the ongoing labor talks. Separately, legal action emerged as former female official Robin DeLorenzo filed a lawsuit against the league after her 2025 firing, alleging open hostility and gender-based scrutiny throughout her tenure.

Player Personnel & Veteran Departures

Veteran defensive talent is leaving the league as two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 Defensive Player of the Year, formally announced his retirement after a decorated career. Linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. also confirmed his departure from the NFL on Thursday, thanking football in a brief statement. Meanwhile, player movement continues, with safety Kyle Dugger securing a one-year deal to remain in the AFC North, signing with the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2026 season.

Quarterback shuffling saw veteran Kirk Cousins agree to terms with the Raiders, a move his agent confirmed, potentially positioning him as a mentor for the team's younger signal-callers. The Raiders’ head coach, Klint Kubiak, expressed high confidence in potential top overall selection Fernando Mendoza, calling the Heisman Trophy winner a "winner" during Tuesday’s discussions, following Mendoza’s impressive performance where he threw approximately 56 passes in front of scouts at his Indiana pro day. Elsewhere, the Cowboys confirmed they maintain "long-term plans" for receiver George Pickens, indicating they will utilize the franchise tag as negotiations stall.

Coaching Commentary & Team Dynamics

Coaching staffs expressed varied confidence levels regarding their quarterbacks and team outlooks following the league meetings. Jets coach Aaron Glenn declared that Geno Smith is unequivocally "the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land", while the Ravens’ new coach, Jesse Minter, indicated uncertainty regarding Lamar Jackson's level of participation in next week’s voluntary offseason workouts. Browns offensive coordinator Alex Monken stated that quarterback reps during their competition will not be evenly distributed between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel. In Tennessee, new coach Robert Saleh confirmed there is no lingering animosity stemming from last September's sign-stealing incident involving Liam Coen, though Saleh did suggest the Titans could always use more edge rushers, especially with the No. 4 draft pick.

The star-studded Eagles offense is reportedly facing internal friction, suggesting that quarterback Jalen Hurts needs to evolve his game to improve team performance. In personnel speculation, Patriots coach Mike Vrabel refused to dismiss the possibility of pursuing a trade for Eagles receiver A.J. Brown. The Lions are preparing for their Munich international game next season, which wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown called a "dream homecoming" following a surprise call that set the trip in motion.

Draft Prospects & Offseason Focus

As the 2026 draft approaches, analysts are firming up their top selections, with four experts releasing a combined three-round mock draft detailing their top 100 picks. Quarterback Fernando Mendoza, who threw for scouts this week, remains a top prospect, though analysts are pointing out specific flaws that could potentially hold back the class’s top QBs from immediate success. Raiders coach Kubiak praised Mendoza's winning pedigree, while draft watchers are also studying tape on underrated players identified by Ben Solak's "All-Film team" for every position. Meanwhile, the NFLPA is advocating for player safety, noting the necessity of professional officials, which ties into the league's broader business dealings, such as the 20-year agreement that consolidated the exclusive NFL trading card license under Fanatics.

Off-Field Matters & League Expansion

The league is seeing movement in developing the sport at lower levels, as the Kansas City Chiefs organization launched a petition urging the Kansas State High School Activities Association to sanction girls' flag football ahead of their April 23 vote. This contrasts with NFL coach Sean Payton’s view that he would be "surprised" to see current NFL players participating on the U.S. team in flag football competitions anytime soon. In Chicago, team President Kevin Warren stated the Bears are targeting "late spring, early summer" for a definitive choice regarding the location of the team's new stadium construction. Separately, Rams receiver Puka Nacua has reportedly checked into rehab, according to his attorney, following a recent lawsuit filed against him in Los Angeles. The Detroit Lions organization defended its decision to require Frank Ragnow to repay a portion of his signing bonus, with the CEO drawing parallels to past financial dealings involving figures like Barry Sanders.