NFL Football 3 Days

Last updated: August 16, 2026, 9:54 AM ET

Contract Extensions

Three-time Pro Bowl cornerback Devon Witherspoon and the Seattle Seahawks reached an agreement on a four-year extension worth $132 million, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The deal includes $102 million guaranteed and sets a new franchise record for a defensive back. Meanwhile, Seahawks outside linebacker DeMarcus Lawrence confirmed to Yahoo Sports that his 13th NFL season will be his last, adding clarity to Seattle's defensive line plans. On the other side of the ball, the Pittsburgh Steelers locked up defensive tackle Keeanu Benton to a four-year, $72 million extension, making him the highest-paid defensive lineman in franchise history. The Steelers also brought back linebacker Elandon Roberts on a one-year deal, adding veteran depth to the linebacking corps.

Injury Updates

Cardinals rookie running back Jeremiyah Love will miss the next week to allow a sore ankle he suffered Thursday night against the Raiders to heal, coach Mike LaFleur announced. Cardinals second-round pick Chase Bisontis suffered a torn left MCL in Thursday night's preseason game and is considered doubtful for the season, potentially ending his rookie campaign before it begins. Jets quarterback Geno Smith is day-to-day with an ankle injury that occurred Wednesday and caused him to be scratched from Friday night's preseason opener against the Buccaneers. Saints rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson has a right hamstring issue and will miss time, according to Saints coach Kellen Moore. 49ers receiver Ricky Pearsall underwent successful knee surgery and is targeting a roughly nine-month recovery before returning to the field. Colts special teams coordinator Brian Mason tore multiple ligaments in his knee after a sideline collision on the final play of Thursday night's preseason game against the Patriots.

Suspensions

Falcons edge rusher James Pearce Jr. will serve an eight-game suspension for violating the NFL's personal conduct policy, the league announced Friday afternoon. Bills defensive tackle Phidarian Mathis received a three-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy. Commanders defensive end/linebacker Dorance Armstrong will miss the season opener after being suspended without pay for violating the personal conduct policy.

Preseason Performances

Bears assistant head coach Antwaan Randle El took over playcalling duties for the second half of the preseason opener against the Browns, helping Chicago score 24 unanswered points in a 34-10 victory. Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 11 of 15 passes for 126 yards and led two scoring drives in his first game since the 2024 season, providing the only points for the Browns in that same 34-10 loss. Rams rookie quarterback Ty Simpson, the second quarterback taken in this year's draft, went 21-of-25 for 190 yards and two touchdowns in his preseason debut against the Chiefs. Steelers rookie quarterbacks Drew Allar and Will Howard turned in solid performances during Pittsburgh's 28-9 preseason win over the Packers. Raiders rookie quarterback Fernando Mendoza completed 10 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown on four drives against the Cardinals. Quarterback Ja'Kobi Lane scored a touchdown to continue his impressive preseason trajectory.

Coaching and Front Office News

Rams coach Sean McVay stated he won't put an "invisible deadline" on Aaron Donald to come out of retirement but hopes the former star defensive tackle makes a decision "sooner than later." The Tennessee Titans hired Brian Daboll to maximize Cam Ward's potential, with the organization believing the coach-player relationship can be as effective as what Daboll enjoyed in Buffalo. ESPN analyst Troy Aikman will see some restrictions in the lead-up to "Monday Night Football" broadcasts similar to those imposed on Fox's Tom Brady. Panthers tight end Darren Waller agreed to a one-year deal with Carolina, adding veteran presence to the tight end room.

Standout Players

Five Patriots players stood out in New England's first preseason game against the Colts, with Kyle Williams and K.J. Britt among those whose performances should help them ascend the Patriots' ranks. Giants quarterback Jaxson Dart said he is "puzzled" after being checked for a concussion during Saturday's preseason game against the Vikings. Falcons quarterback Tua Tagovailoa expressed frustration and disappointment after a preseason loss to the Broncos, during which he played two series and finished 3-of-5 passing for 22 yards.

Team News and Developments

The Chicago Bears will not change their name if they move across state lines to Indiana, chairman George H. McCaskey said Thursday. The Buffalo Bills will host their first game at the new Highmark Stadium during a "Return of the Blue & Red night" event, with coach Joe Brady deciding to have Josh Allen and other healthy starters play in the team's preseason contest. The Jonas Brothers have been tapped to perform as part of the entertainment lineup for the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia, featuring the 49ers and Rams. A California judge ruled against the Rams in a wrongful termination lawsuit, finding the team's arbitration rules constituted an "example of an employer's attempt to overreach." Former NFLPA lawyer Heather McPhee has settled her federal lawsuit accusing the union, its former executive director, and two other senior executives of conspiring to keep her from advancing in the organization.

Draft and Fantasy Insights

ESPN's comprehensive 2026 fantasy draft guide provides rankings, projections, and analysis for draft preparation. Eric Karabell's "Do Draft" list features undervalued players like Derrick Henry and Patrick Mahomes who are being drafted later than they should be. Matt Bowen's QB tiers offer essential guidance for fantasy managers creating their own rankings. Mike Clay's playbook delivers strategy tips for 10 different league types and scoring setups. ESPN has also released comprehensive cheat sheets for the 2026 fantasy football season.

College Prospects

Twelve colleges are stacked with NFL draft talent for the upcoming season, with scouts particularly eyeing Miami and Texas among the must-watch rosters full of potential early-rounders. Packers rookie Brandon Cisse is making a strong push to steal the starting cornerback spot, challenging presumptive starter Keisean Nixon for the left-side role.

Historical Notes

A Joe Montana Super Bowl XXIV jersey fetched a record $1.5 million at auction, surpassing the previous record held by a Tom Brady jersey from his final game. The 2026 season represents a critical juncture for Bo Nix and the Broncos, as the quarterback looks to establish himself as the franchise's next alpha signal-caller after two successful seasons as a winner.

Personal Stories

Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce called his wedding night with Taylor Swift "the best night of my life" in his first public comments since the ceremony at Madison Square Garden. New York Giants quarterback DJ Pickett says he has no plans to change out of the No. 5 jersey despite pushback from Jayden Daniels, with the Commanders quarterback saying the situation won't serve as a distraction. The Mets became the latest organization to poke fun at Daniels over his jersey number dispute with LSU. Former Cowboys executive Jerry Jones likened the Micah Parsons trade to the 1989 Herschel Walker deal that helped build the Cowboys' 1990s dynasty. NFL rookies like Jeremiyah Love, Drew Allar, and Carnell Tate are navigating life after receiving their first professional paychecks.

Training Camp Culture

An inside look at Harbaugh team meetings reveals a culture filled with personal messages and quirky terms like "poised" and "opportunity of fatigue." The Eagles' training camp saw tempers flare on the 11th day when defensive tackle Moro Ojomo and offensive tackle Fred Johnson got into a scuffle that could have resulted in injury. Raiders coach Klint Kubiak is instilling his culture and bringing a sense of urgency to the rebuild, with players and coaches appreciating his "no nonsense" approach during his first training camp with the team.

Quarterback Battles

Carson Beck will miss Thursday night's preseason game against the Raiders due to a rib injury sustained in last Thursday's Hall of Fame Game, derailing what was expected to be a rematch with Fernando Mendoza. The Solak training camp awards highlight the players, teams, and position battles that have stood out as training camps wind down and preseason action ramps up.