NFL Player News

“We feel like Joe has assembled a good young nucleus of talent, and we look forward to it’s development,” was the direct quote from owner John Mara. Do not link him to the 2022 or 2023 Giants draft classes. That would be mean. It does appear that hitting on Malik Nabers, Abdul Carter, Jaxson Dart, and Cam Skattebo has bought Schoen more time than we would have expected from the outside.

Licht during a Wednesday presser said the Bucs were “on to Cincinnati” with the regular season less than two weeks away. Licht has called Mayfield a franchise quarterback, but has not offered the veteran a long-term deal ahead of the 2026 season. Mayfield could be on his way out of Tampa in 2027 unless the team decides to use the franchise tag on him. Mayfield ranks 11th out of 40 qualifying QBs in adjusted EPA per drop back since the start of the 2024 season, ahead of Jalen Hurts and Dak Prescott, among others.

Musgrave is coming back from a neck injury with no clear timeline for a return to action. The Packers last week signed Jonnu Smith, who will play behind Tucker Kraft to start the regular season. Smith could be an interesting waiver add if Kraft — returning from a major knee injury — misses any time in 2026.

“Asked if there’s a scenario in which the Packers release Jacobs, Gutekunst says he wants to let the process play out,” The Athletic’s Matt Schneidmann said. Jacobs on Sunday was placed on the Commissioners Exempt List while his legal situation plays out. Jacobs in May was arrested and booked on five charges, including felony strangulation. ESPN’s Adam Schefter said Monday that Jacobs’ time on the exempt list was, for now, indefinite, and hinged entirely on how his legal situation unfolds. If damning video evidence is released, Jacobs could miss most or all of the regular season. MarShawn Lloyd would start the year as Green Bay’s lead back and has a chance to be one of fantasy’s best running back values.

What this means is that Geno Smith has plenty of job security. Klubnik in the preseason completed 21 of 34, passes for 190 yards, no touchdowns, and one interception while taking four sacks. Klubnik would be a marked downgrade from Smith if the veteran misses time in 2026.

It’s an interesting move after Tyler Loop, the team’s Week 1 starter, struggled in training camp and during the preseason. The journeyman Moody was most recently cut by the Commanders and would only be activated to the 53-man roster if Loop’s struggles continue into the regular season. Last year with Washington, Moody went 10-for-11 while going 2-for-2 on distances of 50-plus yards.

Love is still working his way back from a preseason high ankle sprain, and has been spotted doing some light practice work in recent days. The Cardinals will “have to see how he progresses” before they decided whether to make the rookie back active for Week 1. If Love is out for the season opener, Tyler Allgeier could see a heavy workload, as James Conner (ankle) begins the season on injured reserve. Trey Benson could also see backfield touches if Love is sidelined.

That could mean the team will have to hammer out a new deal with Joey Porter, Jr. before the season kicks off in less than two weeks. The Steelers recently activated Porter from the PUP list after he dealt with a supposed back injury in the offseason. Porter will most likely have to play out his rookie contract or hold out. He would be a big loss for the Pittsburgh defense.

Nabers told reporters Monday that he still needed to clear a few checkpoints before being ready to suit up for the season opener against Dallas. “Will it take some time? Who knows?” he said. “But I know for sure if I’m out there, I’m going to run some routes.” Some routes and movements, he added, feel better than others on surgically-repaired knee. Even so, ESPN’s Jordan Raanan said the “expectation is [Nabers] will be playing barring some sort of setback.” A target hog who’s explosive with the ball in his hands, Nabers profiles as a risky fantasy selection for now. His absence in the season opener would be a blow to Jaxson Dart’s outlook.

Zappe was unable to win the backup quarterback position — that’s going to rookie Cade Klubnik — but he’ll remain in the organization as the emergency signal-caller behind Geno Smith and Klubnik.