NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: May 21, 2026, 2:47 PM ET

Quarterback Carousel

Aaron Rodgers ended months of speculation by declaring Wednesday that the 2026 season will be his last, calling it a "this is it" moment for his Hall of Fame career. The 42-year-old took the practice field with his Steelers teammates at OTAs on Monday after signing his one-year contract, drawing reactions from teammates who admitted being "little shocked" at his presence. The broader question remains whether Pittsburgh's offense — which struggled in 2025 under Rodgers — can succeed by essentially running it back. Meanwhile in Cleveland, Shedeur Sanders has earned praise from coach Todd Monken for coming "a long way" in his development, though the Browns are still giving Deshaun Watson another chance to compete for the starting job, keeping the 30-year-old veteran in the mix despite his uneven tenure.

Joe Burrow called the 2026 Bengals the "most talented" roster he's played with since joining the franchise, a vote of confidence that came as Kid Cudi rolled through Cincinnati practice after a concert. In Arizona, the Jacoby Brissett holdout continued as OTAs opened without the veteran quarterback, with new coach Mike LaFleur saying talks are "the same as where we were a few weeks ago." Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr., now a limited participant in practice following November ACL surgery, reiterated that his goal remains being ready for Week. Raiders No. 1 pick Fernando Mendoza has made a strong impression in his first month, with coach Klint Kubiak saying the rookie has been "as advertised."

Roster Moves, Injuries & Free Agency

The NFL's remaining free-agent market still features 14 notable names, including Stefon Diggs and Jadeveon Clowney, as teams look for perfect scheme fits. In the AFC, offseason evaluations highlighted hits and misses: the Steelers' signing of Jamel Dean was lauded as solid, while the Colts guaranteeing big money to Daniel Jones drew skepticism. Bills wide receiver Keon Coleman called his third season "make or break," reflecting the pressure on the 2024 draft pick to deliver. Denver rookie running back Coleman (likely a different player — pass-protection faces his own challenge: pass blocking could be his ticket into the rotation, even though he was an accomplished rusher in college.

Saints running back Alvin Kamara's status remains unresolved, with coach Kellen Moore saying the team and the 30-year-old are "letting the offseason process play out." The Buccaneers' new offensive coordinator Zac Robinson plans to use his top three receivers interchangeably, but rookie Ted Hurst's size and speed make him an intriguing option to potentially replace what Mike Evans provided. Panthers defensive lineman Tershawn Wharton underwent neck surgery, coach Dave Canales confirmed Monday, sidelining a key rotational piece. Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward, who pondered retirement after two seasons of tragedy and injury, said he opted to return because he's in a better headspace, calling himself "whole" again.

Legal, Off-Field & League Business

The NFL's international expansion accelerated Tuesday as owners approved playing up to 10 international games per season starting in 2027, also eliminating the rule that allowed teams to protect opponents from being scheduled abroad. Minneapolis is expected to be awarded the 2028 draft on Tuesday, with U.S. Bank Stadium as the "foundational piece" for the event. The league also defended its expanded streaming lineup amid criticism from President Donald Trump and scrutiny from the U.S. Justice Department.

Brian Flores' lawsuit against the NFL intensified this week after court filings revealed his lawyers subpoenaed 25 teams and served more than 1,000 discovery requests in an effort to obtain evidence of alleged discriminatory hiring practices. Former Jaguars coach Urban Meyer lost his grievance against the team over the remainder of his contract following his 2021 firing, saving Jacksonville approximately $30 million, according to On3.com. In a tragic development, former NFL defensive lineman Josh Mauro died from an accidental overdose involving fentanyl, cocaine and ethanol intoxication, according to the Maricopa County medical examiner. Eagles linebacker Nolan Smith Jr. was arrested Friday in Georgia on charges of speeding and reckless driving after his car was clocked at 135 mph, the Twiggs County Sheriff's Office confirmed Wednesday.

Team Executive Changes & Ownership

The Titans hired Dave Gardi, formerly of the Commanders, as executive vice president of football operations, adding front-office experience to a rebuilding franchise. Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel is participating in the NFL's revamped accelerator program, which features several notable head coaching and general manager candidates. John Harbaugh lightheartedly referenced his firing by the Ravens in a speech about resilience, drawing from his own experience to motivate others. Colts owner Carlie Irsay-Gordon, emerging from her father's shadow, said she's prepared for criticism as part of the job, acknowledging a "welcome-to-the-NFL moment" that began as early as third grade.

On the Field & Schedule

The NFL's 2026 schedule reveals drew clever promotions from all 32 teams, ranging from memes to mini movies. Rookie impact predictions for the 2026 season include projections for leaders in rushing yards, touchdowns and sacks, with the draft class expected to make immediate contributions. The Ravens' Derrick Henry's brief injury scare highlighted his continuity at a position that has been unsettled in Baltimore for years, stabilizing the backfield. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, the reigning AP Offensive Player of the Year, posted a video showing his trophy was mislabeled, calling the gaffe "disrespectful" on his Instagram account.

In broader trends, when NFL owners get involved with football decisions, results are mixed — Jeffrey Lurie and Clark Hunt helped land franchise quarterbacks, while Jimmy Haslam of the Browns had less success, a dynamic that continues to shape front-office power structures across the league.