NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: June 17, 2026, 8:44 AM ET

Tragic Loss & Health Concerns

The NFL community mourns the passing of former defensive lineman Aldon Smith, who died at age 36. Smith played six seasons with the 49ers, Raiders and Cowboys before his career was derailed by off-field issues. His family has decided to have his brain examined by medical experts in Boston to determine whether chronic traumatic encephalopathy played a role in his death. The news has renewed discussions about player safety and long-term health consequences in professional football.

Legal Issues & Team Responses

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice was released from Dallas County jail on Tuesday after serving a 30-day sentence for violating probation terms. Rice dodged reporters upon his release as questions mount about his availability for the 2026 season. Meanwhile, Broncos outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was excused from mandatory minicamp following two arrests within a seven-day span on multiple domestic violence charges, including one felony. In Atlanta, edge rusher James Pearce Jr. returned to the Falcons four months after a domestic violence arrest and will participate in individual drills during minicamp. The NFL confirmed Pearce's case remains under review.

Contract Extensions & Personnel Moves

The Saints secured a significant piece of their defensive line for 2026, with Cameron Jordan agreeing to a one-year deal that will allow him to finish his career in New Orleans. Jordan's return addresses one of the lingering questions about the Saints' edge rush heading into mandatory minicamp. In New York, the Jets and right guard Joe Tippmann reached agreement on a four-year, $62 million contract extension featuring $31 million in new guarantees. The Jets also drew inspiration from the Knicks' recent championship run, with players openly discussing their desire to bring similar success to New York's football franchise. On the personnel front, former Bears general manager Ryan Pace joined the Minnesota Vikings as an adviser, providing GM-level input after spending the past four seasons in Atlanta's personnel department.

Quarterback Developments

Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix made his first appearance in full offseason practice on Tuesday and confirmed he remains on track for training camp next month following his second surgery, which addressed bone spurs. In Tennessee, the Titans coaching staff expressed no concern about Cam Ward's accuracy issues observed during organized team activities, stating these are normal growing pains for a young quarterback. Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. has not yet participated in full practices but expects to be ready for training camp in July. Bucs quarterback Baker Mayfield pushed back against durability concerns while acknowledging contract negotiations with Tampa Bay remain far from completion. Cowboys head coach Brian Schottenheimer emphasized that his team feels more dangerous heading into 2026 after learning from a disappointing 7-9-1 debut season.

Draft & Player Movement

Texas Tech transfer quarterback Brendan Sorsby plans to enter the NFL supplemental draft amid ongoing legal issues surrounding his NCAA eligibility and previous gambling violations. The supplemental draft process has generated buzz around potential team interest despite questions about his value proposition. George Pickens reported to Cowboys minicamp after initially skipping voluntary portions of the offseason program, taking his physical at The Star on Monday as a precursor to mandatory sessions. Pickens indicated he is willing to play under the franchise tag designation if necessary. Raiders players and coaches shared their initial impressions of rookie quarterback Fernando, though the article was truncated.

Fantasy Outlook & Record Predictions

Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice faces uncertainty for the 2026 fantasy season as analysts break down his outlook amid legal troubles and questions about reliability. Meanwhile, former Lions star Calvin Johnson predicted his single-season NFL receiving record will fall soon, identifying Rams wideout Puka Nacua as the most likely candidate to break the mark. Johnson's assessment comes as fantasy football preparations ramp up with draft guides featuring rankings, projections and analysis for the upcoming season.

Team-Building Moves

The Bengals acquired defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence during the active offseason as part of efforts to maximize Joe Burrow's championship window. Cincinnati's aggressive approach in free agency reflects the organization's belief that Burrow's prime years warrant maximum investment. New Orleans continues searching for answers at running back, edge rusher and wide receiver positions as they head into mandatory minicamp activities. The Saints' roster construction will be closely watched given their need to rebuild key position groups.