Seattle defensive tackle Leonard Williams swapped Tolstoy’s 1,000‑page *War and Peace* for the 250‑page fable Chop Wood Carry Water this summer. The book, handed to him by defensive coordinator Aden Durde, stresses process over outcome—a mantra echoed by head coach Mike Macdonald. Veterans Jarran Reed, De Marcus Lawrence and Uchenna Nwosu are also reading it as they chase a second Super Bowl legacy.

Commanders offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. got Atomic Habits from GM Adam Peters after being drafted 29th overall in 2025. Giants linebacker Kayvon Thibodeaux says offseason reading stalls for him, favoring business and philanthropy, while Saints cornerback Martin Emerson used rehab time to devour nonfiction. Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz and Bills tight end Dawson Knox both claim daily Bible study dominates their summer schedule.

Rookies and veterans alike shared titles ranging from John Maxwell’s *The Way to Win* (Falcons RB Bijan Robinson) to George Orwell’s *1984* (Jaguars LB Foye Oluokun). The collective focus on self‑improvement, leadership and faith reflects a league‑wide push to sharpen mental edges during the offseason lull. Ultimately, these reading habits provide players with a tangible tool to sustain performance once the 2026 grind begins.