NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: April 3, 2026, 11:30 AM ET

League Business & Governance

The league’s annual meeting in Phoenix concluded with owners approving several key measures, including a succession plan for the Las Vegas Raiders that grants Egon Durban the option to acquire a majority stake from Mark Davis. Furthermore, ownership ratified two replay rule changes and granted the Jacksonville Jaguars permission to play their 2027 home games in Orlando during the final year of their $1.4 billion stadium renovation. In personnel matters, Commissioner Roger Goodell defended the league's adherence to the Rooney Rule, stating it remains "consistent" with hiring laws despite threats of civil litigation from Florida's attorney general regarding the policy.

Officiating remained a major topic as the NFLPA asserted that player safety necessitates trained, professional referees amidst ongoing collective bargaining negotiations with the NFL Referees Association. Adding to the internal friction, former female official Robin DeLorenzo filed a lawsuit against the league, alleging gender-based scrutiny and hostility led to her firing in 2025. Separately, the league’s new 20-year agreement with Fanatics took effect, centralizing the exclusive licensing rights for both NFL and NFLPA trading cards under the single entity.

Team Moves & Player Personnel

The Las Vegas Raiders signaled a significant investment in their offensive front, with General Manager John Spytek explaining the heavy financial commitment to center Tyler Linderbaum at the league meetings, while simultaneously securing veteran quarterback Kirk Cousins to potentially mentor rookie signal-caller Fernando Mendoza who impressed scouts at his Indiana pro day. Meanwhile, defensive veterans officially announced their retirements, as two-time All-Pro cornerback Stephon Gilmore confirmed his departure after a decorated career, joining linebacker Anthony Walker Jr. who also released a farewell statement Thursday. The Cincinnati Bengals bolstered their secondary by signing safety Kyle Dugger to a one-year contract, keeping the former Steeler within the AFC North for the upcoming season.

Coaching staffs are also finalizing personnel plans, with Titans coach Mike Saleh stating that the team "could always use more edge" regarding the possibility of drafting a premier pass rusher with the No. 4 overall pick Saleh confirmed no lingering animosity exists between him and Liam Coen following last year's sign-stealing incident. In New England, coach Mike Vrabel refused to rule out the trade acquisition of receiver A.J. Brown from the Eagles, while in Detroit, the organization explained the rationale behind requiring Frank Ragnow to repay a portion of his signing bonus. The Chicago Bears are targeting a decision on their new stadium location for "late spring, early summer," according to team CEO Kevin Warren.

Quarterback & Draft Buzz

The focus leading into the draft remains heavily fixed on the quarterback class, where top prospect Fernando Mendoza threw approximately 56 passes in front of scouts from all 32 teams this week, drawing praise from Raiders coach Klint Kubiak who labeled the Heisman winner a "winner." However, analysts caution that the leading QBs entering the draft possess identifiable flaws that could temper their immediate professional impact, a sentiment reflected in the rotating mock drafts where four experts projected the top 100 selections across three rounds. Elsewhere, the Eagles are reportedly facing internal friction where quarterback Jalen Hurts must adapt his game to better suit the offense, contrasting with the Jets, whose coach Aaron Glenn confidently declared that Geno Smith is "the guy that's going to lead us to the promised land." Ravens coach Jesse Minter expressed uncertainty regarding Lamar Jackson's participation in voluntary offseason workouts, and the Browns indicated that reps in their quarterback competition will not be divided evenly between Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson, and Dillon Gabriel.

League Expansion & Player Updates

The league continues to explore avenues for growth and player engagement, as the Chiefs organization launched a petition advocating for the sanctioning of girls' high school flag football in Kansas ahead of the state association's April 23 vote. Simultaneously, Broncos coach Sean Payton, after testing the sport, stated he would be "surprised" if any current NFL players participated on the U.S. flag football team in the near future Payton shared his assessment. On the player front, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones affirmed the team has "long-term plans" for receiver George Pickens but confirmed they will rely on the franchise tag for contractual security in the interim. Odell Beckham Jr. reportedly met with the Giants and coach John Harbaugh during the league meetings to discuss a potential signing sources confirmed the discussions, while Rams receiver Puka Nacua has checked into rehab, according to his attorney, following a recent lawsuit filed in Los Angeles Nacua's legal situation is developing.

Fantasy & Team Aesthetics

Beyond the immediate roster concerns, long-term fantasy outlooks are already being assessed, with analyst Mike Clay delivering detailed profiles of the top 45 running backs for the 2026 season. For team branding, the Atlanta Falcons unveiled new uniforms, prominently reintroducing the franchise's primary red color as the base for the 2026 campaign, while the Lions are preparing for their international game in Munich next season, a fixture that will fulfill a dream for star wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown's homecoming. Finally, the first UFL Power Rankings were released, positioning Week 1 winners atop the list and naming each team’s most valuable player from the opening weekend.