Minnesota and safety Harrison Smith agreed to a one-year deal for 2026, NFL Network's Mike Garafolo and Ian Rapoport reported Saturday, and the club confirmed it. Reports put the pact at about $12.25 million with incentives that can push the maximum near $16.25 million (base value about $8 million per Tom Pelissero). Smith, 37, returns for a 15th season with the only NFL team of his career after a March post-June 1 release. This is a 53-man re-signing, not a practice-squad dump.
Dallas converted base salaries into signing bonuses for DT Kenny Clark, CB DaRon Bland, and TE Jake Ferguson, creating about $19 million in 2026 cap space, ESPN's Todd Archer reported. The club had about $14.2 million of NFLPA-listed space before the moves. Future add-backs are sourced (Clark about $1.5M in 2027; Bland about $2.15M across remaining years; Ferguson about $1.2M). Weekly cash pay is unchanged. This is cap construction, not a practice-squad dump.
The Athletic's nearly five-month review found Dianna Russini's relationship with Patriots coach Mike Vrabel was in clear violation of its standards and should have been disclosed. Standards editor Mike Semel reviewed 903 stories, 77 videos, and 204 podcast episodes and did not find a clear link that she used the platform to promote Vrabel or his teams. He did not speak to Russini. The Athletic added editor's notes to four pieces. Russini resigned in April after New York Post resort photos. The A
Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley said passing-game coordinator Kevin Patullo already had half of Hafley's Green Bay pressures on tape from fan-filmed training-camp video before the Packers-Eagles Week 1 game in São Paulo. Hafley called it disappointing and said he is not sure what you can do about it. Miami's camp rules prohibit audio and video recording.
Armchair Coach Justin's how-to says the game is in the trenches, the formation, and the matchups, not the ball. He walks a Chiefs zone-pressure bind, a Jesse Minter same-side four-man rush, a blocked alley for Derrick Henry, and a Seahawks smash-plus-scissors throw that put Jackson Smith-Njigba alone in the end zone. Teaching clip, not a scoreboard.
The Ringer posted a McShay Show clip in which Todd McShay says UCLA's Nico Iamaleava could be the breakout quarterback of the 2027 NFL Draft. The take is McShay's on-air projection as posted, not a consensus board this desk graded.
George Kittle and Nick Bosa are on the San Francisco plane leaving the Bay Area late Wednesday for Melbourne. That is the travel 53, not a Thursday dress list. Getting on the plane does not guarantee they play. Kickoff is Thursday, September 10 at 8:35 p.m. ET on Netflix at the MCG. Kittle was activated off PUP on August 23, had two positive practice days, and is trending to play. Bosa is ramping after an ACL and tendinitis and said he expects to play. The Rams are taking the opposite constructi
The Patriots still have a $27.45 million option bonus due on A.J. Brown the day before Kickoff. ESPN's remaining-contract math is 2026 salary of $1.3 million plus that option, due Tuesday, September 8. Exercise and it prorates over five years, about $5.49 million a year plus the $1.3 million salary. Decline and the bonus converts to 2026 salary, about $28.75 million against this year's cap. Over The Cap prints the prorated shape as a model. The club has not filed that it picked the option up. Wa
Seattle moved running back Zach Charbonnet from active/PUP to reserve/PUP at the 53. He must miss the first four games. A 2026 bylaw change lets clubs open a 21-day practice window after the team's second regular-season game. He still cannot play until Week 5 at home against the 49ers. Week 1 backs are first-rounder Jadarian Price, George Holani, and Emanuel Wilson. Reserve/PUP does not count against the 53. Injured reserve still counts against the cap. Run that backfield at https://realitysport
Kickoff is Patriots at Seahawks on Wednesday, Sep 9, 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, Peacock, and NFL+, the first Wednesday opener since 2012. The calendar leaves Thursday free for Netflix's 49ers-Rams at the MCG at 8:35 p.m. ET Sep 10, 10:35 a.m. AEST Friday. Noah Eagle has play-by-play. Luke Kuechly is in the booth for the first time as an analyst. Elle Duncan runs studio with Michael Irvin, Nick Foles, and Clay Matthews. The Jonas Brothers are the MCG halftime, the first of seven American Express intern
Pat McAfee amplified Ryan Paganetti's tape study: when opposing kickers lined up at Gillette, the video board showed a reverse view with a second, offset set of yellow uprights. Paganetti said he found dozens of examples and that the illusion appeared on Patriots kicks zero times across 52 reviewed Patriot field-goal attempts. Those counts are his review, not a league finding.
Practice-squad signings, elevations, pay bands and roster moves after the waiver awards. The September 5 update includes Minnesota waiving Kenny Dyson from injured reserve, the Rams releasing Zech McPhearson from injured reserve, and Seattle waiving Power Echols from injured reserve with a settlement, as reported by NFL Trade Rumors.
Aaron Donald is on the same Rams 53 as Myles Garrett. Week 1 is September 10 against the 49ers in Australia. Sean McVay told the Los Angeles Times on September 1 that if Donald is not ready, he absolutely would not have him play in Australia. Monday's non-practice was part of the plan. Polymarket's "Donald to Play Week 1?" market sits around 56-57 percent Yes on thin volume, a mood meter, not a forecast. The club announced the return; reporters have the deal at about one year and $20 million wit
Front Office Sports reported the Massachusetts Gaming Commission is reviewing Bill Simmons's admission that he had a proxy place FanDuel bets. Ryan Cortes amplified the report. Separately, Simmons posted a new BS Podcast on NFL QBs and Diana Taurasi. Commission outcome and betting details remain unverified beyond that reporting.
Cedric Tillman landed on the Saints practice squad Tuesday. Detroit put Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury that will keep him out at least four games. Those are the two moves that closed the post-cutdown window after the NFL awarded 29 waiver claims Monday.
SleeperCowboys posted video of George Pickens' swing after the Cowboys golfed in Utah. Also in this pack: Ryan Mouque on backswing depth, and a Skratch clip captioned Not a bad gig.
Mina Kimes said the first look at Mike McDaniel's offense with Justin Herbert used heavy personnel groupings, condensed formations, and pistol. She and Aaron Schatz said they are excited, and she asked whether it can cover a shaky interior offensive line. This is their first-look note, not a snap-count sheet.
Miami coach Jeff Hafley confirmed Kyle McCord is the Dolphins' QB2, Joe Schad reported. Also in this pack: Justin Jefferson's four-year 98th-percentile mark versus press coverage per Reception Perception, six 49ers on ESPN's Top 100 as posted, Yahoo Fantasy's note that no overall fantasy WR1 has repeated the next year in a decade, and Bryce DeGroat's overall-RB1 tiers. The Lions' Isiah Pacheco IR is a separate filing.
The Detroit Lions placed running back Isiah Pacheco on injured reserve with a back injury. Adam Schefter reported he will be sidelined at least four games. This page is that IR filing. It does not name a replacement or a fantasy landing.
The NFL awarded 29 waiver claims Monday, according to Tom Pelissero's official sheets posted at 1:49 p.m. ET. Dallas claimed running back Emari Demercado from Kansas City. Miami claimed seven players, including Brady Cook and Justin Joly. New England claimed tight end Cameron Latu from Philadelphia. The Jets claimed kicker Blake Grupe from Indianapolis. Las Vegas was awarded only Darrell Luter. Cedric Tillman cleared the Monday waiver awards and signed the Saints practice squad Tuesday.
Tennessee waived Will Levis. Dallas waived Jaydon Blue and Jashaun Corbin. Malik Davis won the Cowboys RB2 job on special teams; the rumor that Dallas kept a UFL back over Blue is false. Odell Beckham Jr. is on the Giants 53. The Rams 53 lists Aaron Donald on the defensive line next to Myles Garrett at outside linebacker. Donald's deal is one year, $20 million, incentives to $30 million. Polymarket had Donald to sign at 99 percent and Week 1 play at 66 percent.
By Sunday evening, the final wave of roster moves was in. Odell Beckham Jr. made the Giants’ initial 53, the Titans waived Will Levis, and the Packers placed Micah Parsons on PUP while listing Kaleb Johnson as inbound pending a physical. The 49ers designated Christian Kirk to return from IR, and Dallas sent Nate Thomas to Houston as the late roster churn continued.
Sunday filings only. Aaron Donald unretired and is on the Rams initial 53. The NFL put Packers running back Josh Jacobs on the commissioner’s exempt list. The Bills traded Sedrick Van Pran-Granger. Miami got Kyle McCord. Jacksonville sent Hunter Long to Arizona. Green Bay got Mark Redman. Deadline is still 6pm ET.
The 53-man deadline is still 6 p.m. ET Sunday. New filings: the Steelers sent tackle Broderick Jones and a 2027 fourth-round pick to Dallas for a 2027 third and sixth. The Bills released Mecole Hardman. The Cardinals waived lineman Christian Jones. McCarthy, AOC, Fulton, Howell, Kaleb Johnson, and Tracy are unfiled. OBJ is on an NFL roster, not a named 53. Tillman is a free agent as of Saturday. Kirk remains IR or release.
