Offseason business is largely complete, and teams are turning their attention to preparations for the 2026 season. Keep up with the latest headlines as we break down all notable developments from spring workouts.
May 28
Johnson talks up Burden
The fantasy football community isn't alone in manifesting a Year 2 breakout for Luther Burden III - Ben Johnson appears to be feeling it, too. Asked about his sophomore receiver on Wednesday, the Bears head coach didn't temper expectations.
"Yeah, I'm buying Luther Burden stock right now," Johnson said. "Just how he's approached his offseason, it's been electric. It showed up yesterday. He had numerous explosive plays. ... He's in a really good spot."
A supremely dynamic prospect coming out of Missouri in 2025, Burden landing with the Bears in the second round always felt like a steal. Though it took him some time to earn a role as part of a crowded group of playmakers, he made the most of his limited opportunities as a rookie. Burden's 2.71 yards per route run finished third behind only Puka Nacua and Jaxon Smith-Njigba among all pass-catchers with at least 40 receptions, according to TruMedia.
With another offseason of development and DJ Moore's departure leaving a clear path to a featured role alongside Rome Odunze and Colston Loveland, Burden's game could really take off in 2026. A consensus fifth-round fantasy ADP (WR22, No. 51 overall) might seem a little pricey for a still-unproven player, but Caleb Williams taking another step forward in his second year with Johnson could allow Chicago to support three true game-changers in the passing attack. And Burden may have the most upside of the bunch.
May 27
Daniel Jones on practice field
Daniel Jones appears to be making excellent progress in his recovery from a torn Achilles. The Colts quarterback was on the practice field and participating in individual drills at the start of OTAs on Wednesday, less than six months after undergoing season-ending surgery. Jones later told reporters he's "feeling good" and "absolutely" expects to be ready for Week 1.
I was critical of the Colts' decision to dish out a two-year, $88-million extension to Jones this offseason, mostly because I didn't think any other team would swoop in with that kind of money for a player with such a limited track record who was also facing a lengthy rehab. I still feel that way, but if a healthy Jones can prove that last year wasn't a mirage and that he really is the perfect point man for Shane Steichen's offense, this team won't regret being aggressive to ensure he'd stay in Indy. In a competitive AFC, the Colts' ability to challenge for a playoff spot may well depend on how quickly Jones returns to full strength.
May 26
Mahomes back in action
Patrick Mahomes is on a mission. The superstar quarterback was on the field for the start of the Chiefs' OTAs, returning to practice just five months after tearing his ACL and LCL in mid-December.
He likely still has plenty to do in his recovery before Week 1 even becomes a consideration - the 30-year-old was sporting a large brace on his surgically repaired knee for Tuesday's workouts. And even when Mahomes is cleared, questions will linger as to whether it's time for his mobility and game-changing improv skills to return. Still, seeing him out there with the rest of his teammates so soon after a major injury, even in a limited capacity, is a great sign, especially with more than three months until Kansas City's Monday night opener.
Hunter still a 2-way player
There was a brief period early this offseason when people online overreacted to reports out of Jacksonville, irrationally concluding that the Jaguars would have Travis Hunter focus exclusively on cornerback after some early challenges playing both ways. That was never the case.
Hunter is still working his way back from last year's knee surgery, so he isn't ready to participate in on-field drills. But the fact that he was seen getting mental reps with the offense during Tuesday's practice, the first of Jacksonville's OTA schedule, should dispel the speculation once and for all. Though the former No. 2 pick may well be headed for a more significant role on defense, the Jaguars were never going to throw in the towel on the two-way potential this soon. Hunter still has a chance to be a superstar on both sides of the ball.
Irving rehabbing shoulder injury
Bucky Irving seemed like an obvious bounce-back candidate after a shoulder issue spoiled his sophomore year. However, hopes that he can recapture the level of play he enjoyed as a rookie took a significant hit when Todd Bowles met with reporters Tuesday.
When asked about his dynamic running back, the Bucs head coach said that he's recovering well from offseason shoulder surgery and is expected back "in the summer or fall." ESPN's Adam Schefter later followed up with a report suggesting that Irving will return during training camp, so perhaps the rebound is still on the table. But this injury has lingered for a while now - Irving returned for the last six games of the 2025 season after initially going down in Week 4 - and Bowles' wide recovery timeline is certainly worth noting for anyone drafting fantasy teams early. Sean Tucker and veteran free-agent addition Kenneth Gainwell would take on more significant roles if Irving misses additional time or is at all limited upon his return.
May 22
Nabers timeline uncertain
This is the time of year when teams are oozing optimism - you're typically hard-pressed to find stories about anything other than players feeling great and in the best shape of their lives. With that in mind, it's particularly notable when a head coach strikes a different tone about a superstar's recovery from a major injury.
Malik Nabers, who went down with a torn ACL and meniscus in September, recently underwent a second procedure to remove scar tissue from his knee. John Harbaugh's latest update suggests he still has a long way to go in his recovery.
"Not a simple knee (injury), you know? So, um, he's in the slog of it, the grind of it, I would say," Harbaugh said Thursday, according to ESPN. "He's fighting through it, and he's here every day working hard at it.
"Just impossible to predict. I mean, the goal is to start the season and get out there sometime in training camp. That'd be the goal, and we'll see what happens."
There's no need to panic here since Nabers still has plenty of time before the 2026 season starts. Even then, the real goal is to get him healthy for the future. If he has to miss additional time in September, so be it. The Giants should probably even start planning for that possibility. Third-round rookie wideout Malachi Fields and free-agent tight end Isaiah Likely could have critical roles to help lead this passing game out of the gate.
Fangio back for at least 2 more
Vic Fangio isn't going anywhere. The Eagles' veteran defensive coordinator reportedly flirted with retirement this offseason, but he told reporters Thursday that he's still got at least two more years of coaching in him.
That's music to the ears of everyone in Philadelphia. While there's some uncertainty over what the offense might look like with Sean Mannion taking over as coordinator and A.J. Brown headed out the door, there should be no concerns with Fangio running the show on the other side of the ball. The Eagles' offense will continue to get all the support it needs with one of the NFL's best defensive minds calling the shots for a supremely talented group. This Fangio-led unit may be good enough that Philly won't even need a top-10 offense to reemerge as a contender.
May 21
Rams extend Stafford
No contract drama this year. The Rams are doubling down on their commitment to Matthew Stafford, dishing out a one-year, $55-million extension that keeps the veteran quarterback under contract through the 2027 campaign. After an MVP season, it's only fitting that the 38-year-old gets additional security at a rate that puts him near the top of the market.
My only thought here is the same one I've been having since the draft: the Rams might regret not maximizing their chances of winning with Stafford. I understand planning for the future at quarterback, but was it really worth reaching on Ty Simpson if he's at least two years away from stepping in as the starter? For a team that has a chance to win it all right now, seeing the No. 13 pick used on another weapon to deploy alongside Puka Nacua and an aging Davante Adams would've been really nice. I'm not convinced the Rams couldn't have found a Simpson-level prospect at the end of the first round in 2027 or 2028.
Kincaid feeling healthy
Injuries have been a constant theme for Dalton Kincaid to this point in his pro career. Last year should have been his long-awaited breakout, but a knee issue once again hampered him. For what it's worth, the Bills tight end is confident those setbacks are a thing of the past. "I'd say it's probably the best I've felt in my career at this point in the year," Kincaid said Tuesday, according to Tim Graham of The Athletic.
The former first-round pick has a chance to emerge as a true game-changer if he can stay healthy for the first time since his rookie season. Impactful as the DJ Moore trade may be, lingering questions about Buffalo's receiving corps still leave plenty of room for Kincaid to be a focal point of this Josh Allen-led passing attack. His 2.83 yards per route run last season was the best mark of any tight end since George Kittle in 2020 (minimum 35 receptions). Judging by those absurd efficiency numbers, some better injury luck could set the stage for Kincaid to take that next step.
May 20
Cousins working as QB1
Nothing but positive reviews for Fernando Mendoza since his arrival in Las Vegas as the No. 1 pick in this year's draft. The Raiders are seemingly pleased with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner, and it's only a matter of time before he gets the opportunity to establish himself as the franchise quarterback this organization so desperately needs. But don't expect the team to throw him into the fire.
Kirk Cousins has been getting first-team reps to open spring workouts, according to The Athletic's Sam Warren. Aidan O'Connell is reportedly mixing in behind him, while Mendoza is working third. The practice workload should ramp up as he gets more comfortable with Klint Kubiak's offense, but the highly touted rookie could be learning from the sidelines for a good chunk of the 2026 season. Both Kubiak and general manager John Spytek have been open about their desire not to rush the process, and influential minority owner Tom Brady has long advocated for young quarterbacks to sit early in their careers. Cousins may be the perfect bridge option to help the Raiders execute that plan. Nobody should be surprised if Mendoza doesn't debut until the back half of the campaign, and perhaps not until after a Week 13 bye.
Burrow talking the talk
The Bengals have evidently done enough to keep their quarterback happy. After an uncharacteristically aggressive offseason to upgrade the defense, Joe Burrow isn't shying away from expectations. "We're gonna go win a lot of games this year, and play great, and win a Super Bowl. Everything that comes with that, comes with that," Burrow said.
We'll see how it plays out. Headlined by the additions of Dexter Lawrence, Boye Mafe, and Bryan Cook, Cincy's moves could very well help a dreadful Bengals defense make the jump to a league-average unit. And paired with a star-studded offense capable of scoring with anyone, that might be all Cincinnati needs to get back into Super Bowl contention.
May 19
Rashee Rice sentenced to 30 days in jail
Rashee Rice was ordered to serve a 30-day jail sentence after testing positive for marijuana, which violated his probation for his role in a multi-vehicle crash in 2024. It seems unlikely that the Chiefs receiver will face any further league discipline as a result of this development. Notably, the NFL suspended Rice for the first six games of the 2025 season, finding that his involvement in the incident violated the personal conduct policy.
Rice is expected to be released from jail on June 16, more than a month before training camp. However, it appears he was already set to miss all OTAs and minicamp work after recently undergoing a cleanup procedure on his right knee. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, he's facing a two-month recovery process. It's unclear how time spent in jail - away from the team's medical resources - might impact that timeline. Could the latest uncertainty around his status lead the Chiefs to explore the free-agent market at receiver? Stefon Diggs and Deebo Samuel are among the most notable names still available as teams ramp up spring workouts.
Falcons QBs to split 1st-team reps
New Falcons head coach Kevin Stefanski said Monday that Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. will split first-team reps during OTAs, according to NFL.com. No surprise there, as neither quarterback is really in a position to be an unquestioned starter. Penix is still working his way back from last year's knee injury and has yet to take part in full-team work. However, his participation in seven-on-seven drills just six months after ACL surgery is a promising sign for his ongoing recovery.
Tagovailoa probably has the inside track here, but there's a reason he was available on a league-minimum contract. The Dolphins are eating a record $99.2 million in dead money to move on from the 2023 passing leader, which speaks to how much his game dropped off over the last two seasons. The Falcons would likely prefer Penix to win the job, giving him a chance to prove himself as the long-term starter. The former No. 8 overall pick certainly has the arm talent to maximize this offense. Still, he may have to get back to 100% soon to avoid falling too far behind the more experienced and more accurate Tagovailoa.
Watson open to staying in Cleveland
Deshaun Watson is the clear favorite to be named Cleveland's QB1. As much as Browns fans would probably prefer Shedeur Sanders, the reality is that a quarterback in the final year of a fully guaranteed $230-million contract will always get the first crack at the job. The real headline came when a source close to Watson told ESPN that he'd be open to sticking with the team beyond 2026. But that would also require the organization to have an interest in such an arrangement.
Perhaps we can't rule anything out: Watson was once among the league's brightest young stars, and Todd Monken's offense may well prove to be a better fit for his skills. However, nothing about the way Watson played under Kevin Stefanski suggested that the scheme was the only issue, and he's arguably been the worst quarterback in football since arriving in Cleveland in 2022. And now he's coming off multiple Achilles tears? The Browns have been patiently waiting for the day they can finally get out from under his all-time horrific contract. There may be nothing Watson can do in 2026 to earn another deal. Barring a monumental Year 2 jump from Sanders, Cleveland will be looking to find another quarterback in the first round of next year's loaded draft.
May 18
Skattebo on track for Week 1
Giants running back Cam Skattebo said at a team town hall event that he'll be ready for the regular-season opener after suffering a gruesome ankle injury in October. Though Skattebo isn't yet taking part in on-field workouts, head coach John Harbaugh has indicated that could change at some point this spring. Additionally, New York's decision not to add a running back this offseason all but confirms the club's confidence in Skattebo's recovery timeline.
Once healthy, the second-year back would likely reemerge as the favorite for high-volume early-down work. A supremely physical running style - which produced an impressive 3.04 yards after contact as a rookie, per PFF - seemingly makes him a natural fit as a centerpiece of a Greg Roman-influenced run game. Skattebo could put up some big touchdown numbers as part of an improved Giants offense in 2026.
Brissett staying away
Jacoby Brissett is absent from the Cardinals' offseason workouts as he reportedly seeks an adjustment to his contract for 2026. Yes, you read that correctly.
Look, I like Brissett more than most. I think he's long been a capable starter and remains one of the league's most underrated quarterbacks. Perhaps Arizona has already told him he'll enter camp as QB1, and he feels as though the $7.44 million he's due this year isn't appropriate compensation for such a role. And he'd be right. But do the Cardinals really have any incentive to give in to the 34-year-old's demands? With a new staff inheriting one of the worst rosters in football, this figures to be a rebuilding year regardless of whether Brissett is the starter. If Gardner Minshew or third-round rookie Carson Beck can unintentionally help Arizona get in position to select a quarterback at the top of next year's draft, that's probably the better route anyway. The more practice time Brissett misses, the more likely the Cardinals will become comfortable with one of their other options.
Rodgers returns
Aaron Rodgers is back for one more season in Pittsburgh. As he later revealed to the media, this is it. The future Hall of Famer is planning to ride off into the sunset at the conclusion of his 22nd NFL season.
On one hand, the Steelers are fortunate that Rodgers eventually decided to give it another go. After passing on any sort of meaningful upgrades to the quarterback room throughout the offseason, it seemed clear that all of the team's eggs were in this one 42-year-old basket. Rodgers' familiarity with Mike McCarthy will probably be beneficial for the early stages of the transition to a new coaching staff, but what's the upside here? While he may still show flashes of that old arm talent, he's no longer the player who's going to push the ball downfield with any regularity - Rodgers ranked 33rd out of 33 qualified starters with 6.0 air yards per attempt in 2025. After 18 straight non-losing seasons under Mike Tomlin, the legendary coach's departure could very well be the catalyst for this organization finally bottoming out.
