NFL Player News

A longtime ally of Aaron Rodgers, Hackett’s play calling and scheming has once again failed to produce. Rodgers, according to SNY TV’s Connor Hughes, is “on board” with the switch to Downing following a miserable start to the season for New York’s offense. The Jets through Week 5 are 18th in yards per play (4.5), 22nd in first downs, and 24th in EPA per play. They have used pre-snap motion at one of the lowest rates in the NFL. Downing was most recently offensive coordinator for the Titans from 2021 to 2022. In his final season in Tennessee, Downing’s Titans offense ranked 26th in points and 29th in yards.

Manu had a previous injury that resurfaced on the first day of training camp. He is now on the NFI list and will likely remain there at the end of training camp, putting him on ice for at least the first four games of the year. Manu appeared in four games last year and made one start. The Lions could add a free agent for some extra depth to start the year, but the good news is that Manu wasn’t projected for a starting role.

Sadiq returned to practice on the first day of training camp after missing the offseason program due to a minor hernia surgery. Glenn talked up the rookie’s versatility and his athleticism, which he has in spades. Sadiq will likely start off the season as a part-time player, mixing in with second-year tight end Mason Taylor. The latter is a reliable blocker and a true inline tight end, while Sadiq profiles as a big slot. That could limit Sadiq to TE2 numbers early in his rookie campaign, but a breakout over the second half of the season would surprise no one.

Rapoport said point blank, “Do not expect a Puka Nacua contract extension before the season. Do not.” Nacua is arguably the best receiver in the league, but off-field issues have become a serious concern, to the point that the Rams aren’t interested in signing him to a long-term deal at this moment. Nacua is set to hit free agency next offseason, but the Rams would simply place the franchise tag on him if they don’t have a deal in place before the new league year. The good news is that, according to Rapoport, Nacua is in a better place mentally than he has been in previous training camps. If Nacua can keep his head on straight and make it through the 2026 season without any more incidents, he will become the highest-paid non-quarterback in the league next year.

In a statement posted by the Saints on Wednesday, Hill thanked New Orleans for his nine years spent in the organization. The 35-year-old said he is “still working through what comes next”, but he will not return to the Saints as he remains a free agent. Hill’s market is small but a team may be willing to take a chance on him for a limited offensive role; Broncos head coach Sean Payton utilized Hill a lot in New Orleans and may be willing to have him around again. It’s the end of an era for Hill and the Saints heading into the 2026 season.

Head coach Todd Monken said the Browns will “divide the reps up according to the depth chart.” Based on the practice reps to open up training camp, Sanders and Watson are competing for the starting job while Dillon Gabriel and Taylen Green are competing for depth. Both Sanders and Watson have had disappointing showings in their most recent regular season performances and neither has yet to pull ahead of the other in this quarterback competition. Opening training camp with a quarterback battle, Monken will be alternating Sanders and Watson with the starting offense to see how the competition shakes out.

Cooper is facing six different charges stemming from domestic violence and harassment cases. He was excused from minicamp as a result, but returns to training camp as a full practice participant. Head coach Sean Payton said the Broncos have met with Cooper and the team is proceeding according to league protocol. Cooper is slated to have an arraignment hearing at the end of August. The NFL will conduct its investigation as the legal process plays out. In the meantime, Cooper is on the practice field with the Broncos.

The Texans exercised Stroud’s fifth-year option earlier this offseason, making him extension-eligible with two seasons left on his contract. Caserio said there is a “possibility” an extension is reached before the season starts, but nothing is set in stone yet. Getting a deal done soon appears to be a priority for the Texans and contract talks at least sound positive between management and Stroud’s agent, David Mulugheta. For now, there have been “productive conversations” between the two sides.

Jackson has been dealing with this blood clot condition for the past year and Rams head coach Sean McVay said Jackson was absent Wednesday as he deals with the treatment for the condition. It doesn’t seem to be a major injury issue for now, but certainly one worth keeping an eye on. Jackson has also been dealing with off-the-field issues stemming this offseason but his practice absence seemed to be only related to his blood clot treatment.

Mustapha suffered a hamstring injury in practice Monday and will be sidelined for Wednesday’s practice. The 24-year-old dealt with a knee injury last offseason after aggravating a previously torn ACL and missed the first few weeks of the 2025 season. It is unclear how long he will be sidelined, but Mustapha is at least out for Wednesday.

Olave missed time during the offseason program while on blood thinners that were prescribed to treat a blood clot found in his lung at the end of the 2025 season. The fact that he wasn’t ready for the start of camp initially seemed concerning, but Moore made it relatively clear that health isn’t an issue. Olave is set to play out the final year of his rookie deal in 2026 and is more than deserving of a new contract. Coming off his second 1,100-yard season in the past three years, the Saints will likely find the money necessary to keep him around long-term before the start of the season.