NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: May 13, 2026, 2:30 PM ET

League Operations & International Slate

The NFL officially unveiled its expanded 2026 international schedule, confirming a record nine games to be played outside the United States, which includes the Steelers-Saints matchup in Paris. This slate, detailed Wednesday, also features the Bengals facing the Falcons in Madrid during Week 9, while the Seahawks will kick off their season internationally as part of the league’s growing global footprint. Furthermore, the league finalized its marquee opening weekend matchups, scheduling the Harbaugh-led Giants to host the Cowboys on September 13 for the first "Sunday Night Football" game, while the AFC West rivals, the defending champion Broncos and Chiefs, clash in the first "Monday Night Football" broadcast.

Teams preparing for the season opener will also be looking at new venues, as the Bills are slated to open their new Highmark Stadium in Week 2 against the Lions. Beyond scheduling logistics, the league is facing player demands regarding playing surfaces, as the NFLPA’s JC Tretter advocated for grass fields, citing the high-quality surfaces FIFA utilizes for the World Cup as the standard players now expect.

Player Personnel & Legal Matters

A somber note permeated the league this week with the passing of two former NFL quarterbacks, including Craig Morton, who died over the weekend at age 83, who notably became the first QB to start a Super Bowl for two different franchises—the Cowboys and the Broncos. Additionally, the league mourned the loss of Charle Young, an All-Pro tight end who helped the 49ers secure their first Super Bowl victory, passing away at. In personnel movements, the Chargers secured veteran tight end David Njoku to a one-year agreement valued at up to $8 million after his nine-year tenure with the Browns, which immediately impacts fantasy outlooks for players like Oronde Gadsden and Justin Jefferson.

However, off-field issues continue to surface, as Patriots rookie defender Quintayvious Hutchins, a seventh-round pick from Boston College, was formally arraigned Wednesday on a charge of assault and battery against a family/household member. Meanwhile, the NFLPA competitor Zul-Qarnain Kwame Nantambu was found guilty of resisting an officer following his misdemeanor disruption of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show.

Team Strategy & Roster Moves

Several franchises are making moves to solidify depth or address longstanding weaknesses following the draft, with the Broncos hoping a mixture of youth and veteran presence will finally upgrade their tight end production, which has lagged in recent years. The Steelers rewarded kicker Chris Boswell with a four-year, $28 million extension, a decision that followed questions about the team's perceived inaction regarding quarterback upgrades during the draft. In Philadelphia, Saquon Barkley demonstrated community engagement by ensuring a young Eagles fan with a rare disorder scored a touchdown at his youth camp.

In terms of offensive philosophy, other teams are examining the Rams’ success using tight end-heavy 13 personnel sets, potentially influencing offensive schemes across the league after a draft day heavy on TE selections. Quarterback development remains a focus in Pittsburgh, where coach Mike McCarthy is reportedly prioritizing building rookie Drew Allar’s footwork and increasing his work under center, mirroring the foundational training that helps players like Carson Beck succeed in complex systems.

Offseason Milestones & Honors

The offseason calendar brought personal achievements and institutional honors this week, as Adrian Peterson will be inducted into the Minnesota Vikings' Ring of Honor this fall. On the transactional front, the Saints added a relative with a wrestling background, signing Scott Rechsteiner, cousin of Bron Breakker, who had a brief stint with the Titans previously. In Atlanta, quarterback Michael Penix Jr., currently rehabbing a torn left ACL, was observed throwing to Drake London during Phase 2 drills, suggesting positive progress in his recovery, a sentiment further supported by reports that the Falcons QB celebrated his recent marriage to Olivia Carter.

Veteran coaching influence is also returning to college ranks, as longtime NFL and college assistant Tom Moore, who turns 88 this season, will join the Iowa Hawkeyes staff as a senior consultant and offensive adviser. Finally, in the realm of early predictions, speculation is already beginning for the upcoming season, with analysts naming favorites and long shots for early NFL awards, even as players like Bengals receiver Andrei Iosivas admitted the strain of online abuse affected his performance last year.