NFL 2026

NFL News & Analysis

Original reporting and analysis from the Touchdown Week staff

Updated daily
Top Story Off Field September 8, 2026

Matt Suhey, Bears Fullback on the 1985 Super Bowl Team, Dies at 68

Suhey scored Chicago's first touchdown in Super Bowl XX, blocked for Walter Payton for a decade and later became a father figure to Payton's family.

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Injuries September 8, 2026

Cowboys' Tyler Smith Headed to IR After Thumb Surgery, Out at Least Four Games

The three-time Pro Bowl guard tore a ligament in his left thumb and will have surgery Tuesday, with T.J. Bass stepping in at left guard for the opener against the Giants.

Team September 8, 2026

Giants Release Darius Slayton, Their Longest-Tenured Player

The receiver was due $13 million this season on the three-year deal he signed last year; a crowded room behind Malik Nabers, Odell Beckham Jr., Darnell Mooney and rookie Malachi Fields left no place for him.

Injuries September 8, 2026

Titans' Cedric Gray in Concussion Protocol After UTV Accident

Tennessee's leading tackler from last season suffered a concussion and minor injuries as the driver in a weekend accident; the team says no alcohol or reckless driving was involved.

🔥 Trending Contracts September 8, 2026

Patriots Make Christian Gonzalez Highest-Paid Cornerback Ever at $135M

The four-year deal with $102 million guaranteed lands less than 48 hours before the opener in Seattle and ends a summer in which Gonzalez skipped voluntary work and publicly aired his frustration.

Signings September 7, 2026

Harrison Smith Returns to Vikings for 15th Season on One-Year Deal

The 37-year-old safety, whose contract Minnesota terminated in March for cap reasons, is back on a deal worth $12.25 million that can reach $16.25 million.

Contracts September 7, 2026

Giants Extend Jameis Winston and Jon Runyan Ahead of Season Opener

Winston gets a two-year, $13 million deal to stay as Jaxson Dart's backup, while starting left guard Runyan signs a two-year, $22 million extension with $21.5 million guaranteed.

League September 7, 2026

Roger Goodell Signs Four-Year Extension as NFL Commissioner Through 2030

His fifth extension since taking the job in 2006 runs to March 2031, the same month the current collective bargaining agreement expires, with more than 95 percent of his pay tied to performance.

Analysis September 4, 2026

AI Predicts Every Week 1 Game of the 2026 NFL Season

Touchdown Week's model went 26 of 49 on preseason winners. Now the picks that count: a projected score, win probability and confidence rating for all 16 Week 1 games, from the Super Bowl rematch in Seattle to Mahomes' return on Monday night.

League September 4, 2026

NFL Betting Growth Expected to Nearly Flatline in 2026

The American Gaming Association projects just 0.3% growth in legal sportsbook wagering this season, with prediction markets like Kalshi cited as the biggest factor pulling volume away.

Injuries September 4, 2026

Bears' D'Andre Swift and Rome Odunze Both Leave Thursday Practice Injured

Swift left holding his midsection after a goal-line carry, while Odunze exited with an apparent right leg issue, with no official diagnosis yet for either player ahead of Week 1.

Contracts September 4, 2026

Cowboys Restructure Deals of Clark, Bland and Ferguson, Freeing Over $19M

Dallas converts base salary into signing bonus for the three players, taking its cap space from roughly $14 million to more than $30 million heading into Week 1.

Off Field September 4, 2026

Mark Sanchez Plans to Plead Guilty in Indianapolis Assault Case

The former NFL quarterback filed a motion to plead guilty days before his trial was set to begin, with a sentencing hearing expected in November.

Off Field September 4, 2026

Former NFL Defensive Back Alphonso Smith Dies at 40

The Wake Forest All-American and 2009 second-round pick played four seasons in the NFL with the Broncos and Lions.

Trades August 30, 2026

Jaguars Acquire QB Quinn Ewers From Dolphins

Jacksonville adds a young backup behind Trevor Lawrence for a 2028 sixth-round pick, a move that signals the team is likely moving on from incumbent backup Nick Mullens.

Trades August 30, 2026

Cowboys Acquire Tackle Broderick Jones From Steelers

Dallas takes a swing on the 2023 first-round pick, sending Pittsburgh a third- and sixth-round pick in 2027 in a deal that also included a fourth-rounder going to the Cowboys.

Game Recap August 30, 2026

Bears Beat Titans 24-15 in Preseason Week 3

Chicago Bears 24, Tennessee Titans 15 at Nissan Stadium. Tyson Bagent went 16 of 17 for 208 yards with 2 touchdowns.

Trades August 29, 2026

Giants Trade for Defensive Tackle CJ Okoye From Ravens

New York adds interior line depth for a 2028 seventh-round pick, landing a 365-pound reserve who was on Baltimore's roster bubble ahead of cutdown day.

Signings August 29, 2026

Panthers Sign Veteran Linebacker Bobby Okereke

The one-year deal brings in a former Giants captain to compete for a starting inside linebacker job alongside fellow free-agent addition Devin Lloyd.

Game Recap August 29, 2026

Lions Beat Colts 25-16 in Preseason Week 3

Detroit Lions 25, Indianapolis Colts 16 at Lucas Oil Stadium. Joshua Dobbs went 15 of 19 for 128 yards with 2 touchdowns.

Injuries August 29, 2026

Jets' Chip Trayanum Hospitalized With Neck Injury, Team Says He's 'Awake, Alert'

The rookie running back was carted off after being tackled on the final play of the first half in Friday's preseason finale loss to the Giants.

Injuries August 29, 2026

Cowboys' Marist Liufau to Miss Weeks After Fracturing Forearm

The outside linebacker is scheduled for surgery after getting hurt making a tackle in Friday's preseason-finale loss to New Orleans.

Team August 29, 2026

Giants' Harbaugh Says Odell Beckham Jr. 'Done Enough' to Make Roster

Coach John Harbaugh praised Beckham's camp progress ahead of Sunday's roster deadline, after the veteran receiver signed with New York in June on a make-the-team basis.

Game Recap August 29, 2026

Broncos Rout Vikings 34-6 in Preseason Week 3

Denver Broncos 34, Minnesota Vikings 6 at Empower Field at Mile High. Sam Ehlinger went 15 of 20 for 233 yards with 3 touchdowns and 1 interception.