After three straight years with no playoff appearances, the pressure is on the Bengals in 2026. Quarterback Joe Burrow’s assessment of the improvements the team has made since a disappointing 6-11 performance in 2025 will only increase the expectations. Making the bar even higher is the fact that, for now, the Bengals are favored in 15 of their 17 regular-season games. Via DraftKings, the Bengals are the underdogs only in Week 2 (+2.5, at Texans) and Week 7 (+3.5, at Ravens). The Bengals’ over-under for their win total is currently 9.6. All of the lines can, and most will, change. But the current assessment of the Bengals is that they will be serious contenders in 2026. Which will set the stage for potentially significant changes if they fail to make the playoffs for a fourth straight year. The most obvious change, if the team misses the postseason, would happen on the coaching staff — starting at the top. The more pressing question would become whether Burrow will fully commit for an eighth season, or whether he’d seek a mid-career change of scenery
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Los Angeles Rams extend Matthew Stafford’s contract
If you thought that the Los Angeles Rams drafting quarterback Ty Simpson in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft was a sign that Matthew Stafford’s career was quickly coming to an end, I have some bad news for you… Looks like there will be two more seasons of Stafford vs Seattle. I think we can safely assume that this deal also means that Rams head coach Sean McVay is also not planning on leaving prior to that point. The Seattle Seahawks and Rams have had some barnburners during Stafford’s time in Los Angeles , none more so than their best-of-three series last season which featured a stunning comeback victory by Seattle and culminated in their NFC Championship victory at Lumen Field. The NFL clearly thinks that this rivalry will be just as ferocious in 2026, waiting all the way until Christmas Day to schedule their first matchup with the rematch coming on the final day of the season. Stafford’s new deal will give us at least one more season of these slobberknockers after 2026 assuming his back holds up
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How Ty Simpson & Matthew Stafford can co-exist amid extension news
Matthew Stafford is now under contract with the Los Angeles Rams through the 2027 season . The veteran inked a one-year extension that will pay him up to $105M over the next two years. The Rams still need Ty Simpson, who they drafted with the 13th overall selection in last month’s NFL Draft. Even with Stafford secured for another season, the long-term succession plan remains unchanged. At a minimum Simpson should be a more capable and affordable backup option than Jimmy Garoppolo , who is contemplating retirement. Simpson brings an element of mobility that the offense has lacked for nearly Sean McVay’s entire tenure as play caller. The Rams will hand the keys over to Simpson when he is ready. They drafted him to be the future franchise quarterback and one day he will get his opportunity. And said opportunity could come far earlier than most realize. On average across the 2021 through 2025 seasons, only 11 quarterbacks start all 17 games. Stafford is no spring chicken at age 38 and missed the entirety of training camp last year with a nagging back injury. Simpson could see his number called. If he plays well enough, the Rams may feel compelled to start the next era sooner rather than later. Season Number of QBs Average per Team (out of 32) Notes 2025 11 ~34% Allen, Darnold , Goff , Lawrence, Maye, Mayfield, Nix, Prescott, Stafford, Ward, Williams 2024 14 ~44% Highest in the 17-game era 2023 9 ~28% Lowest recent year 2022 10 ~31% Adjusted for canceled game (originally ~8) 2021 11 ~34% First 17-game season Two things are certain with life in the NFL: attrition and injury. Only a third of Week 1 starting quarterbacks will retain these jobs over the course of the season. The Rams were fortunate that Stafford has not missed a start over the last two years because of injury, although he sat out Week 18 during the 2024 season as LA rested key players ahead of the playoffs. This doesn’t necessarily mean that Stafford is due for an injury; however, good luck only lasts for so long. LA should both be thankful for Stafford’s recent durability while also being mindful of a strong plan B. Jordan Love sat for three years with the Green Bay Packers behind Aaron Rodgers , and Rodgers studied under Brett Favre for an equal amount of time. Patrick Mahomes took over for the Kansas City Chiefs after a single redshirt season. Philip Rivers took two years to take over from Drew Brees with the San Diego Chargers. Replacing a great quarterback—simply put—is not easy. There is no straightforward timeline to when Simpson will start his first game nor when he will be ready to take over full-time. Stafford has also earned the right to hang it up under his terms, and Simpson will be better having sat behind him. But these transitions cannot be planned to a tee. Attrition will likely give Simpson an opportunity over the next couple of years to show how he’s progressing. It’s no slight to Stafford; just simple math and averages
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Matthew Stafford and Rams agree to a one-year contract extension
Quarterback Matthew Stafford , the reigning NFL most valuable player, is now under contract with the Rams through the 2027 season. Stafford signed a contract extension Thursday, the team announced. Terms of the deal were not released but it is a one-year extension worth $55 million, a person with knowledge of the situation said. The person requested anonymity because the contract has not been posted. Stafford, 38, is scheduled to carry a salary-cap number of $48.3 million this season, according to Overthecap.com. With Stafford, receivers Puka Nacua and Davante Adams and a defense featuring edge rusher Jared Verse and recently acquired All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie , the Rams are regarded as a favorite to play in Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium. Whether Stafford, a 17-year veteran, plays in 2027 remains to be seen. Read more: Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford earns first NFL MVP honor, makes big announcement Last month, the Rams selected former Alabama quarterback Ty Simpson with the 13th pick in the draft. Fourth-year pro Stetson Bennett also is on the roster. The Rams and Stafford had been working on the framework of an extension ever since Stafford announced during NFL Honors in February that he would return this season to play for a team that advanced to the NFC championship game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks . The team and the quarterback have been conducting contract talks on a year-to-year basis since 2024, after Stafford delayed his arrival to training camp because of a contract impasse. Last year, Stafford and the team came to an agreement on March 1. Read more: Rams' Super Bowl push in 2026 will be loaded with prime-time games In 2025, Stafford passed for 46 touchdowns, with eight interceptions. He was voted All-Pro and won his first MVP award. Stafford has been participating in voluntary offseason workouts. The team begins more comprehensive organized-team activities next week. Training camp opens in July in preparation for the Sept. 10 season opener against the San Francisco 49ers in Melbourne, Australia. Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times
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Bears say they have "exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago"
The Bears are where we thought they were. Despite a suggestion that the Bears have been dangling the possibility of building a new stadium in Chicago, the team has issued a clear statement closing the door on remaining in the city where they have played for more than 100 years. “The Chicago Bears have exhausted every opportunity to stay in Chicago, which was our initial goal,” the team said in a statement issued on Thursday, via the Associated Press. “There is not a viable site in the city. As a result, the only sites under consideration are in Arlington Heights and Hammond.” The new statement is stronger than the statement the team issued on Wednesday to the Chicago Tribune: “The team has been clear with the city of Chicago and state leaders there are only two viable stadium locations under consideration, Arlington Heights and Hammond, and a decision is expected between the two later this spring or early summer.” Indiana is ready to roll. Illinois is working on a package that would help the Bears build a new stadium on property the team owns in Arlington Heights. And the Bears seem to be very intent on building in one of those two locations, and nowhere else
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Lions sign star linebacker Jack Campbell to $81 million extension after All-Pro season
The Lions have locked up one of their young stars for the foreseeable future. Detroit signed All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year extension, which puts him under contract with the team through the 2030 NFL season, the team announced Thursday. The extension is worth $81 million, $51.5 million of which is guaranteed, ESPN reported . Campbell’s deal comes after the Lions declined to exercise the fifth-year option of his rookie contract last month. The option was estimated at $21.925 million, which would have made Campbell the NFL’s highest-paid off-ball linebacker. Campbell, 25, was selected by the Lions with the 18th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft and has steadily improved in each of his first three professional seasons. He had a breakout season in 2025, finishing with a team-high 176 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, and five sacks, earning first-team All-Pro honors along with his first Pro Bowl selection. “This is Jack Campbell’s defense, and I don’t hesitate when I say that,” defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard said at the NFL Scouting Combine this offseason. “This is Jack Campbell’s defense and everyone in that locker room knows it. Point blank period. It all goes through Jack.” Campbell’s deal comes as Detroit is also looking to secure extensions for running back Jahmyr Gibbs , tight end Sam LaPorta , and defensive back Brian Branch , all of whom the Lions selected in 2023. LaPorta and Branch are set to become unrestricted free agents following the 2026 season if the Lions are unable to work out extensions. Detroit exercised the fifth-year option on Gibbs’ contract, which is valued at $14.29 million in 2027. “The bottom line is this: we want Gibbs here for a long time. He is truly a centerpiece for our offense, of our team. That’s really the main thing,” Holmes told NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero in February
Michael Wilson caught 85 passes for 1,113 yards and seven touchdowns over his first two seasons. The Cardinals wide receiver had 78 receptions for 1,006 yards and seven touchdowns last season. It’s how he got there that makes becoming one of only 19 pass catches with 1,000 yards even more impressive. Through the first five games, Wilson had eight catches for 52 yards and a touchdown. Jacoby Brissett replaced Kyler Murray in Week 6, and Marvin Harrison Jr. and Zay Jones went out with injuries in Week 11. Wilson’s 593 routes for the season were the third-most in the NFL. “If myself from February could have went back to myself in October and said, like, ‘Hey, man, you’re going to have a thousand ,’” Wilson said, via Josh Weinfuss of ESPN, “I probably would have been like, ‘Jesus Christ. I don’t know what would have happened for me to get a thousand, but some pretty cool stuff would have had to happen.’ “And, so, yeah, I’m still proud of myself for that.” Wilson is eligible for a contract extension, but he said it’s business as usual. “I don’t want that to affect how I show up every single day because ultimately that stuff is going to take care of itself,” Wilson said. “What I did last year, I can’t change. Like, that’s my resume, that’s what we’re going off of. “But as soon as Week 1 starts and we’re playing against [the] L.A. Chargers, contract stuff, that stuff doesn’t matter. What I did last year doesn’t matter. I need to make sure I’m taking care of what I can now, tomorrow, the next day after that. That’s going to help me sort of replicate that season and build upon that.”
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NFL's most improved position groups that can swing the season, from Rams' CBs to Patriots' pass catchers and more
An improved position group — and not just an outright offensive or defensive (or special teams!) unit — can help drive a team to the top. These improvements can pave the road to a Super Bowl championship, or at the very least keep the road smoother than it would have been otherwise. Turning a weakness into a strength, or even into just something resembling average, can swing a season. Not giving opponents, especially playoff opponents, an advantage to pick at and hyperfixate on keeps a season alive and sometimes is the main reason for winning a football game. (Think of the Seahawks’ offensive line from 2024 to 2025, going from travesty to something resembling average as the season wore on.) Let’s look at some of the moves, some big, some small, that can help swing the 2026 season. We’ll start with one of the biggest moves of the offseason. The Rams sent their 2026 first-round pick for Trent McDuffie and then double dipped on former Chiefs cornerbacks when they signed Jaylen Watson in free agency. Los Angeles has made the most out of its oddball personnel under defensive coordinator Chris Shula, constantly blitzing and dropping defenders, moving players before and after the snap, and inverting roles in an attempt to confuse quarterbacks. Play 2026 Soccer Pick 'Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world's biggest soccer tournament Shula’s Rams blitz at a healthy clip, majoring in zone blitzes that attempt to trap the quarterback into making a bad decision after getting heated up. They also use simulated and creeper pressures at a high rate — defensive calls that “blitz” an off-ball defender but still only using four pass rushers because of another defender dropping from the line of scrimmage. With the constant switching of roles between cornerbacks, safeties and front seven players, versatility and intelligence can be attributes just as valuable as size, speed and sheer athleticism. As well as cornerbacks have played under Shula, getting the most out of Day 3 selections like Cobie Durant and retreads like Emmanuel Forbes Jr. points to strong coaching and game-planning that maximized those players to the fullest. The issue that the Rams ran into last season was when they just lost the straight talent battle against the league’s better wide receivers. Or “out-blue chipped” as my colleague Charles McDonald likes to say. This is where McDuffie and Watson come in. Not only are both talent upgrades, but McDuffie has All-Pro ability when playing in the slot and on the outside. And both have experience playing in a defense that likes to blitz and throw a lot of funk at quarterbacks and offensive lines under Steve Spagnuolo in Kansas City . The Chiefs and Rams both have similar rates of split coverage (i.e. running two different concepts on each side) over the past two seasons, with a similar rate of Cover 2, a common coverage call behind inverted or simulated looks to make quarterbacks think they’re getting heated up before catching them with a “softer” coverage look. The Rams led the NFL in using dime personnel (six defensive backs) with 32.4% of their defensive snaps in 2025, the highest rate by an NFL defense since 2020. Three Rams defensive backs, Quentin Lake , Josh Wallace and Jaylen McCollough , played more than 100 snaps in the slot, and that’s not even including the 89% slot snap rate that midseason acquisition Roger McCreary posted. McDuffie will start on the outside opposite of Watson, but Forbes is still on the roster, and McDuffie can kick inside and be used wherever Shula wants him to make the most impact on the play. It’s not only a scheme and role fit, it’s a gigantic talent upgrade. And Watson is no slouch himself on the outside, he rates as a slightly better than league average cornerback by both eye test and advanced metrics. The Rams currently sit as Super Bowl favorites. Their offense is going to be what leads the charge if Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford want to add another ring onto their fingers
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NY Giants news: GM Joe Schoen reportedly gets multi-year contract extension
Far from being pushed out the door with the arrival of accomplished head coach John Harbaugh, general manager Joe Schoen has reportedly received a multi-year extension to remain in that role with the New York Giants . The news was first reported by NFL Media insiders Ian Rapaport and Mike Garafolo . Schoen has been general manager of the Giants since 2022. The team has a 22-45-1 record in his four seasons. Schoen and then-head coach Brian Daboll, who both came to the Giants in 2022, were nearly fired after a 3-14 season in 2024, but co-owner John Mara chose to exercise patience. Daboll was fired midway through last season with the Giants at 2-8, but Schoen was retained and pun charge of a search for a new head coach that led to the hiring of Daboll. Harbaugh insisted on reporting directly to Mara rather than Schoen, and the coach has final say over personnel decisions. Those things led to speculation that Schoen’s job was in jeopardy, and that he could be fired after the 2026 NFL Draft. The Giants also hired Dawb Aponte, and gave her several of the responsibilities that had previously been Schoen’s. Harbaugh and Schoen have insisted that their working relationship has been smooth, and that they have been able to work together. Now, we know they will do so for the next several seasons
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With Olympics looming, USA Football hires Marcel Reece for a key role
USA Football soon will step into the spotlight, when it comes to figuring out the members of the 2028 Olympics flag football team. To assist that process, USA Football has made a key hire. The sport’s national governing body announced on Thursday that former NFL fullback Marcel Reece has become the group’s Senior Vice President of Football Strategy & Operations. Per the press release, USA Football explains that Reece now oversees the “football operation, driving the strategy, vision and success of the organization’s national team programs, Olympic and high-performance pathways, scouting and talent identification, athlete development and grassroots growth, as well as USA Football’s events portfolio.” “In a short time with USA Football, Marcel has already made meaningful contributions to our organization,” USA Football CEO Scott Hallenbeck said. “With the Olympics on the horizon and the game growing at every level, this is exactly the right time to bring him on board full-time. His background as both a player and an executive brings a perspective that is truly unique and will strengthen everything our team has built, positioning us well for 2028 and beyond.” A three-time Pro Bowler, the 40-year-old Reece primarily played for the Raiders. He spent three years working in the Raiders’ front office. “Flag football’s Olympic debut in Los Angeles is a historic moment for the sport, and I’m proud to be part of this organization as we prepare for it,” Reece said. USA Football plans to announce its selection process for the men’s national team for the 2028 Olympics later this year . Reece will not be heavily involved in that process
It's business as usual for the New York Giants . General manager Joe Schoen and the team have agreed to a multiyear contract extension, the team announced . The deal ends any further speculation about Schoen's future with the franchise, something that had been in question all offseason. This deal will pair Schoen with the new head coach, John Harbaugh, as the Giants' brain trust for the foreseeable future. The 46-year-old general manager was hired by the Giants ahead of the 2022 season and arrived with Brian Daboll from the Buffalo Bills . When Daboll was dismissed during the 2025 season, the expectation was that Schoen wouldn't be far behind after the campaign concluded. OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) Instead, Schoen stuck around through the coaching search that landed on Harbaugh. He ended up participating in free agency and the 2026 NFL Draft despite the belief that his days with the Giants were numbered. The contract extension puts those rumors to rest as "Big Blue" enters a new era. To this point, Schoen's tenure has been characterized by losing – and a lot of it. The Giants made the playoffs with a 9-7-1 record in 2022, but have gone 6-11, 3-14 and 4-13 in the three seasons after that. While some criticized his decisions for signing Daniel Jones to a lucrative contract extension and balking at the idea of giving Saquon Barkley the same treatment, others have been quick to defend him for drafting Jaxson Dart , Malik Nabers and the current crop of Giants young talent. For better or worse, Schoen and Harbaugh are aligned on the path forward for the Giants. Time will tell if this relationship tallies more wins than the general manager's previous partnership. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Schoen, Giants agree to multiyear extension
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Matthew Stafford signs extension with Rams: Reigning MVP adds one year to deal, which runs through 2027
Reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford parlayed one of the best seasons of his stellar career into a lucrative contract extension, as the Los Angeles Rams announced Thursday they signed their quarterback to a new deal. According to ESPN , Stafford received a one-year extension worth up to $60 million in incentives. The contract places him among the most elite earners in the league. Stafford's contract is now a two-year deal worth up to $105 million. If he reaches all of his incentives, he will make an average of $52.5 million per year, which would tie him with Justin Herbert as the NFL's eighth-highest-paid quarterback, according to Over The Cap . Stafford will earn $40 million fully guaranteed in 2026, per the terms of his existing contract. Just as important as the pay raise is what the extension means for Stafford's timeline as the Rams' franchise quarterback. The former No. 1 overall pick turned 38 in February and it is only a matter of time before retirement emerges from the horizon. In securing him through 2027, Los Angeles ensures that it will make two more Super Bowl pushes before it reaches that crossroads. With Stafford in the room for at least two more years, 2026 first-round draft pick Ty Simpson will have the opportunity to learn from and develop behind an MVP-caliber veteran. But while that benefits Simpson, it also increases scrutiny on the Rams for using the No. 13 overall pick on a quarterback who is two or more years away from taking over the starting duties, rather than using the capital to maximize their win-now window. Regardless of the Simpson element, keeping Stafford in town through 2027 figures to give the Rams two more bites at the apple as they seek a second Super Bowl since 2021. Stafford orchestrated the NFL's most prolific offense last year and showed minimal signs of regression despite playing into his late-30s. In fact, at 37, Stafford became the oldest quarterback to win the MVP award for the first time . He secured the honor after posting 46 passing touchdowns, which led the NFL, marked a career high and set a new Rams franchise record. Stafford's 4,707 yards were also a league best
All information shown is current as of 7:00 p.m. Thursday, May 21. Current space: $5.5 million This includes the estimated salary cap impacts of all known signings and releases. More information about our cap space calculation is available below the tables. Please note: All NFL teams must remain below the salary cap between the beginning of the new league year in mid-March and the end of each season. If our estimate of the team’s cap space is a negative number, it’s because contracts for some reported roster moves have not been officially submitted to the league office, or there is a difference between publicly available salary information and the official figures. Older transactions are at the bottom of the page. Current roster number: 90 (with one exempt player) Rookie contract signed (5/21) defensive end R Mason Thomas (roster unchanged) Rookie contract signed (5/20) cornerback Jadon Canady (roster unchanged) Rookie contract signed (5/5) running back Emmett Johnson (roster unchanged) Signed (5/4) tackle Kahlil Benson , wide receiver Xavier Lyd , safety Marlen Sewell (roster to 90) Waived (5/4) quarterback Jake Haener , defensive end Ethan Hurkett , defensive tackle Zacch Pickens (roster to 87) Signed (5/1) defensive end Vincent Anthony Jr. , linebacker Wesley Bissainthe , defensive tackle Cole Brevard , wide receiver Jeff Caldwell , wide receiver Jacob De Jesus , defensive end Anthony Dunn , wide reciever Omari Evans , tight end John Michael Gyllenborg , defensive end Ethan Hurkett , defensive tackle Amari McNeill , safety Xavier Nwankpa , center Pete Nygra , running back Jadyn Ott , defensive tackle Damon Payne , cornerback D’Arco Perkins-McAllister , cornerback Bryce Phillips , safety DeShon Singleton , running back E.J. Smith , guard Josh Thompson , cornerback Zelmar Vedder (roster to 90) Rookie contract signed (5/1) wide receiver Cyrus Allen and quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (roster unchanged) Waived (5/1) linebacker Brandon George (roster to 70) Roster exemption granted (4/29) offensive lineman Chukuebukua Godrick (roster to 71) Wavied (4/29) running back ShunDerrick Powell (roster to 72) Drafted at 7/249 (4/25) quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (roster to 73) Drafted at 5/178 (4/25) wide receiver Cyrus Allen (roster to 72) Drafted at 5/161 (4/25) running back Emmett Johnson (roster to 71) Drafted at 4/109 (4/25) cornerback Jadon Canady (roster to 70) Drafted at 2/40 (4/24) defensive end R Mason Thomas (roster to 69) Drafted at 1/29 (4/23) defensive tackle Peter Woods (roster to 68) Drafted at 1/6 (4/23) cornerback Mansoor Delane (roster to 67) Signed Exclusive Rights tender (4/20) punter Matt Araiza (roster unchanged) Positon Group Num Players Offensive Linemen 16 J.Simmons, K.Suamataia, C.Humphrey, T.Smith, J.Moore, E.Pole, W.Morris, M. Caliendo, C.Hanson, H.Nourzad, C.Godrick*, E.Driskell, M.Waletzko, P. Nygra, J. Thompson, K. Benson Tight Ends 6 T. Kelce, N.Gray, J.Wiley, J.Briningstool, T.Watson, J. M. Gyllenborg Running Backs 6 K Walker III , E. Demercado, B.Smith, E. Johnson, J. Ott, E.J. Smith Wide Receivers 13 R.Rice, X.Worthy, T. Thornton, J.Royals, N. Remigio, C. Allen, J.Holiday, J. Brownlee, A.Armstrong, J. Caldwell, O. Evans, J. De Jesus, X. Loyd Quarterbacks 4 P.Mahomes, J. Fields, C.Oladokun, G. Nussmeier Defensive Linemen 16 G.Karlaftis, C.Jones, K. Tonga, R M. Thomas, P. Woods, A. Gillotte, F.Anudike-Uzomah, O.Norman-Lott, M.Harris, Ty.Smith, E.Downs, V. Anthony, A. Dunn, D. Payne, A. McNeill, C. Brevard Linebackers 8 N.Bolton, D.Tranquill, J.Bassa, J. Cochrane, C.McDonald, C. Christiansen, K.Arnold, W. Bissainthe Defensive Backs 19 K.Fulton, C.Conner, N.Williams, M. Delane, A. Gilman, K. Kohou, J.Hicks, J. Canady, C.Roland-Wallace, K.Knowles, M.Smith, T. McCalister, K. Elam D. Perkins-McAllister, X. Nwankpa, D Singleton, B. Phillips, Z. Vedder, M. Sewell Specialists 3 M Araiza, H.Butker, J. Winchester Total 91 * – exempt from 90-man roster limit (In
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Jack Campbell contract details: Where Lions All-Pro ranks among LBs
On Thursday afternoon, the Detroit Lions announced that All-Pro linebacker Jack Campbell signed a four-year extension—one that will keep him under contract through the 2030 NFL season. Contract terms weren’t initially disclosed, but on Thursday night, they were revealed. As first reported by Ian Rapoport, Campbell’s deal is worth $81 million total, including $51.5 million guaranteed . That’s an average of $20.25 million per year, which is just behind the top linebacker in average earnings: Fred Warner . Last year, Warner signed a three-year, $63 million deal—averaging $21 million per year. Let’s compare Campbell’s contract to some of the other high-market linebackers in the league. Average per year: Fred Warner: $21 million/year Jack Campbell: $20.5 million/year Roquan Smith : $20 million/year Azeez Al-Shaair : $18 million/year Zack Baun : $17 million/year By total amount: Campbell’s total value of $81 million ranks second in the NFL, only trailing Ravens linebacker Roquan Smith, who signed a five-year, $100 million contract. What’s interesting about that deal is that it was signed all the way back in 2023, showing that Campbell’s deal has not pushed the market too much beyond where it stood three years ago. Here’s a full list of the top-market deals in overall value right now: Roquan Smith: five years, $100 million Jack Campbell: four years, $81 million Fred Warner: three years, $63 million Azeez Al-Shaair: three years, $54 million Zack Baun: three years, $51 million By guaranteed money: Campbells’ $51.5 million guaranteed places him third among current NFL linebacker deals. Here’s what those top contracts look like: Roquan Smith: $60 million guaranteed Fred Warner: $56.7 million guaranteed Jack Campbell: $51.5 million guaranteed Azeez Al-Shaair: $45.75 million guaranteed Zack Baun: $34 million guaranteed One thing to keep in mind with all of these comparable contracts is that every player listed above is 29 years or older. Jack Campbell, on the other hand, will turn 26 years old in August. So, in short, Campbell—who is considered one of the best off-ball linebackers in football—got a market level deal that was set three years ago, is three years younger than the top-four paid linebackers in the NFL, and is still getting better. That’s a pretty big win for the Lions
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Report: Jack Campbell's four-year extension is worth $81 million, with $51.5 million guaranteed
The Lions announced earlier in the day that they have signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year extension. Now, details of the deal have emerged. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the extension is worth $81 million, with $51.5 million guaranteed. Campbell's $20.25 million annual average ranks second for an off-ball linebacker behind only Fred Warner , whose deal with the 49ers pays him $21 million a season. Campbell is now under contract through 2030. The Lions declined the fifth-year option for the 2027 season that would have paid Campbell $21.925 million. Campbell, the No. 18 overall pick in 2023, has appeared in 51 games with 46 starts. In 2025, Campbell earned All-Pro honors for the first time after totaling 176 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
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Report: Jack Campbell's four-year extension is worth $81 million, with $51.5 million guaranteed
The Lions announced earlier in the day that they have signed linebacker Jack Campbell to a four-year extension. Now, details of the deal have emerged. Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that the extension is worth $81 million, with $51.5 million guaranteed. Campbell’s $20.25 million annual average ranks second for an off-ball linebacker behind only Fred Warner, whose deal with the 49ers pays him $21 million a season. Campbell is now under contract through 2030. The Lions declined the fifth-year option for the 2027 season that would have paid Campbell $21.925 million. Campbell, the No. 18 overall pick in 2023, has appeared in 51 games with 46 starts. In 2025, Campbell earned All-Pro honors for the first time after totaling 176 tackles, nine tackles for loss, five sacks, four passes defensed, three forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries
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Matthew Stafford, Rams agree on contract extension worth over $100M
The Rams and Matthew Stafford have agreed to a contract extension that could extend his stay in Los Angeles for at least the next two seasons. According to a source with knowledge of the situation, Stafford will sign a one-year extension that could pay him up to $105 million between 2026 and 2027. The new money in the deal is $55 million, which could grow to $60 million. Stafford was going into the last year of his contract and was scheduled to make $48 million this year. The 38-year-old Stafford is coming off an MVP season that took the Rams to the brink of the Super Bowl. He will turn 39 in February. Next season will be his 18th in the NFL, but he has shown no signs of letup. All the more reason for the Rams to make sure he keeps on playing , even with first-round pick Ty Simpson in the fold. Barring a surprise, Stafford will play the next two years, and, if he decides to retire at that point, will hand things off to Simpson, who will have spent the previous two years learning and developing in the Rams’ system. It does not guarantee it will be a seamless handoff, but the Rams now have their quarterback position situated and under cost certainly for the next five seasons, two of which will be with one of the best players in the game. And it extends the Rams’ Super Bowl window for another season. Even at his age, he gives the Rams an edge at quarterback against nearly every team they play. At the worst, it’s a push, even in the most exclusive company. That has marked his time in Los Angeles, in which the Rams are 46-28 with Stafford under center and 7-3 in the playoffs. With Stafford showing no signs of slowing down, the Rams can comfortably count on that level of play for the duration of the new extension. And with the rest of the roster as talented as any in the league, it almost guarantees them to be in the conversation as the NFL’s best team. California Post News : Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X , YouTube , WhatsApp , LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube , X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters : Sign up here! California Post App : Download here! Home delivery : Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood : Sign up here!
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford enters 2026 having just turned 38. He was set to have a base salary of $16 million, with a $12 million signing bonus. Stafford was never going anywhere with a dead cap hit north of $81 million. National reporters confirmed that Stafford, who is about to play his 18th season in the NFL, said the Rams gave him a one-year extension with $55 million in new money. Now, Stafford’s contract is good through the 2027 season, and he can earn up to $105 million remaining on his deal. Stafford has battled several injuries during the past few seasons, but he’s only missed four games in the past three seasons. Stafford has been among the most valuable players in the NFL in recent seasons. You could make a strong case for him being the best in the game last year. He threw for 46 touchdowns and only eight interceptions. The Rams’ hesitation to pay him was puzzling, even as he approaches 40. Then, once the Rams drafted a quarterback in the first round with only one season of starting experience, Los Angeles was mocked by most draft pundits. Now, Ty Simpson will have to wait two years before he steps onto the field. The San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks have seen enough of Stafford. According to Sports Info Solutions, three of Stafford’s best games last season were against his divisional foes. For what it’s worth, the top two were against the Niners
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Giants already managing a new Andrew Thomas injury worry that’s ‘lingering’ during OTAs
Andrew Thomas said he participated in the first two organized team activities this week, but he was held out of team periods during Thursday’s session inside the Giants field house. Get texts from Paul Schwartz with all the latest Giants news and insights, exclusive to Sports+ subscribers. tRY IT NOW “He has a shoulder [problem] he’s coming back from,” head coach John Harbaugh said. “He’s got a foot [problem] he’s working through. So those things are things we’ll manage.” The foot issue is not news with Thomas, who underwent Lisfranc surgery in 2024 and missed the first two games of the 2025 season coming back from that injury. The “shoulder he’s coming back from” is something new. He did work in drills but watched from the side during 11-on-11 periods. “It’s lingering,” Thomas said of the shoulder problem. “Something that I’ve been dealing with. I think I’m in a good place.” Thomas said he did not need surgery on his shoulder this offseason. Having Thomas healthy and on the field is a priority for the Giants. He started all 16 games as a rookie in 2020, but he has missed 27 games in his six-year career with an assortment of injuries. When healthy, he is one of the NFL’s best left tackles. “They have a nice ramp-up planned for me,” Thomas said. “Just precautionary things. Obviously, what we care about is September, being ready, so I’ve been trusting that. It’s definitely tough sometimes because I want to push it and I want to get better, but I’m trying to trust the process to make sure I’m ready to go when it counts.” Harbaugh at the Giants Town Hall event Monday night responded to a “Cowboys suck!” chant by saying he wants his team to improve every day in practice, which will “be one more step in the direction of being a good enough football team to kick the Cowboys’ ass.” Cowboys star WR CeeDee Lamb posted on Instagram “lol, that’s cute” in response to Harbaugh’s remarks. “I love CeeDee’s comeback, by the way. It was cute,” Harbaugh said. “It was cute.” There was loud music playing inside the fieldhouse during the 11-on-11 team periods. It was throwback rock and roll day, with Guns N’ Roses and AC/DC blaring from the speakers. “Going to be some oldies but goodies,” Harbaugh said. “My playlist is definitely in the mix. You may have noticed.” Rookie Sisi Mauigoa lined up as the starting right guard. … Arvell Reese, the No. 5 overall pick, lined up at weakside linebacker with the first-team defense and looked comfortable dropping in coverage. On one play, he ran with RB Dante Miller. … DT Darius Alexander jumped offside, which delighted the offense. … Jaxson Dart is working under center more often this spring, and he is working on his cadence and his hard count. “We got them to jump a lot today,” Dart said. “That was fun.”
Four weeks after drafting quarterback Matthew Stafford’s potential eventual replacement, the Rams have reached a new deal with the latest NFL MVP. The Rams have announced that Stafford and the team have signed an extension . Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the one-year extension has a base value of $55 million . It can be worth up to $60 million with incentives. Stafford, 38, had been under contract for one more year, with a total compensation package of $40 million. The Rams and Stafford have been operating on a year-to-year arrangement. It’s currently unclear whether the Rams have made a firm, two-year commitment. Even if the Rams can feasibly exit the deal after 2026, Stafford’s commitment keeps him from becoming a free agent after the upcoming season. The structure will be the key. The amount of guarantees for 2027 will reveal whether the Rams are continuing to play it one year at a time, while also managing to keep Stafford from walking away, if he so chooses. The first overall pick in 2009, Stafford has earned more than $400 million during his NFL career. He was traded by the Lions to the Rams in early 2021. In his first season in L.A., the Rams won the Super Bowl
The Los Angeles Rams have signed quarterback Matthew Stafford to a one-year contract extension. The deal is worth a base of $55 million and can reach $60 million with incentives. Stafford, 38, was entering the final year of his previous contract and the extension ensures he remains with the team, at least for the upcoming season, preventing him from becoming a free agent
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Former Giants receiver Collin Johnson retires at 28 to enroll at MIT
A former Giants wide receiver is walking away from the NFL to pursue a master’s degree from MIT. Collin Johnson , who was with Big Blue from 2021 until the end of August 2023, is retiring from pro football and enrolling at MIT’s Sloan School of Management, he announced on Instagram on Thursday. The wide receiver, 28, spent four years in the NFL, with stops in the Big Apple, Jacksonville and Chicago . “Football has shaped my life in more ways than I can put into words,” he wrote in an Instagram post . “It taught me faith, discipline, resilience, leadership, and how to compete at the highest level. I’m thankful for every teammate, coach, organization, and person who helped me along the way.” In an Instagram Story post, Johnson added that “Football changed my life” and he said that he was “Thankful to everyone who has been part of my journey.” During his one healthy season (2021) with the Giants, Johnson appeared in 12 games and had 11 catches for 105 yards. During his four seasons in the league, Johnson had one start — coming with the Giants — and appeared in 38 games. Johnson finished his career with 31 catches for 394 yards and two touchdowns. In his announcement about his retirement, Johnson also said he would be continuing to work on Beyond Sports, a development and educational platform to help current and former athletes build businesses. “For a long time, athletes have been seen as endorsers of other people’s companies,” he wrote. “I believe we can be the founders, operators, investors, and owners behind them too. Grateful for the game. Excited for what’s next.” Johnson played all four years of his college football at Texas, suiting up in 44 games and recording 38 receptions for 559 yards and 15 touchdowns
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Can the Seattle Seahawks build the NFL’s next dynasty?
The Seattle Seahawks enter the 2026 NFL season as Super Bowl champions, albeit not necessarily favorites to repeat like we saw with their 2013 predecessors. When the Legion of Boom era Seahawks smashed up the Denver Broncos , it looked like the pieces were in place to beat the NFL’s next dynasty. It didn’t quite happen that way. Here we are with a very different group of players but the Seahawks looked destined to sustain success for awhile. Some of the question marks would be Sam Darnold maintaining his high-level play that dates back to his one year with the Minnesota Vikings , whether or not Seattle’s draft picks can effectively replace departed free agents, how Mike Macdonald can keep evolving and outfoxing the rest of the league as a head coach, and whether John Schneider can keep hitting it big with his offseason (and, sometimes, in-season) moves. Winning a singular Lombardi Trophy is tough as hell, but becoming the next New England Patriots , Kansas City Chiefs , or 1990s Dallas Cowboys is extraordinarily difficult. It isn’t impossible, though! The Seahawks Syndicate goes live at 5 pm PT for a roundtable discussion on Seattle’s dynastic potential. It’ll be myself, Brandon Cain (The Hawks Nest), Bryce Coutts (Field Gulls and The Hawks Eye), and Dan Viens (Seahawks Forever) all at the helm for enlightening Seahawks discussion. Some of our other topics (time permitting) include: Year 2 expectations for Sam Darnold The loss of Kenneth Walker vs. the introduction of Jadarian Price Seahawks schedule breakdown Rookie impact predictions Could we see Dallas Cowboys joint practices at VMAC? Nolan Teasley, from Seahawks assistant GM to next Minnesota Vikings GM? There are live chats available in the YouTube live stream and on Twitter, but still drop comments in here whether you’re catching us live or not!
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Matthew Stafford signs contract extension with Rams. Here's what it means
Matthew Stafford will be remaining with the Los Angeles Rams beyond the 2026 NFL season. The Rams inked Stafford to a one-year contract extension, the team announced. The 38-year-old quarterback will make up to $60 million as part of the renegotiated deal, as reported by ESPN's Adam Schefter. The base value of the one-year extension is worth $55 million in new money, meaning his current contract is structured as a two-year deal worth up to $105 million. Stafford's extension comes after a career-best season for the 17-year NFL veteran. He was named the 2025 NFL MVP after leading the Rams to a 12-5 record and leading the NFL in passing yards (4,707 yards) and passing touchdowns (46). Stafford was also entering the final season of a two-year, $84 million restructured extension he signed with the Rams in March 2025. He is now under contract in Los Angeles through the 2027 season, which could take him to the end of his career. The Rams will be hoping Stafford's presence can help them keep their Super Bowl window open, all while developing 2026 first-round pick Ty Simpson into a long-term successor for Stafford. Here's more to know about Stafford's extension with the Rams. OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) OT Tytus Howard: Traded to Cleveland Browns (previous team: Houston Texans) CB Trent McDuffie: Traded to Los Angeles Rams (previous team: Kansas City Chiefs) RB David Montgomery: Traded to Houston Texans (previous team: Detroit Lions) WR DJ Moore: Traded to Buffalo Bills (previous team: Chicago Bears) Term : One year Total contract value : $55 million, worth up to $60 million with incentives Stafford gets $55 million in new money with this extension, which adds another season to his contract and will keep him in L.A. through 2027. The quarterback now has two years remaining on his contract, which is worth up to $105 million. Stafford is one of the most prolific passers in NFL history, as his 64,516 yards through the air rank sixth all-time entering the 2026 season, while his 423 passing touchdowns rank seventh. Below is a full look at Stafford's career stats. Record : 120-118-1 Completion % : 63.5 Passing yards : 64,516 Passing TDs : 423 INTs : 196 Yards/attempt : 7.4 Passer rating : 92.4 Carries : 470 Rushing yards : 1,357 Rushing TDs : 15 Stafford is coming off the best season of his career in 2025. He completed 65% of his passes for 4,707 yards, a career-best 46 touchdowns and eight interceptions. His 109.2 passer rating was also the best mark of his 17-year career to date. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Matthew Stafford contract extension details. Here's what to know
New York Giants general manager Joe Schoen is sticking around, despite a series of losing seasons. The Giants announced Thursday that the team and Schoen have agreed to terms on a multi-year extension. Schoen will now work alongside new Giants head coach John Harbaugh, who was hired by the team in January , for the long-term future. Though there was some questions as to whether Harbaugh would bring in a different GM after arriving in East Rutherford, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported Thursday that Schoen and Harbaugh have hit it off. That partnership sparked discussions over Schoen’s extension over the past few weeks. Schoen, 46, was hired by New York ahead of the 2022 season. In his first year, he led the Giants to the playoffs. However, in the three years since, the franchise has gone 13-38. In January, after the third straight losing season with Schoen at the helm, Giants owners John Mara and Steve Tisch confirmed that Schoen would stay on as GM despite the disappointment, saying in a statement that “continuity and stability in the front office is important to our progress.” The Giants had fired head coach Brian Daboll partway through the 4-13 season, following a 2-8 in November. Harbaugh was then hired in January, 10 days after the Giants owners said that Schoen would be staying. So far this offseason, Schoen and the Giants have gotten the Harbaugh era off to good start. The team has signed multiple key free agents, including a three-year deal for tight end and top free agent Isaiah Likely . Schoen also performed well at the 2026 NFL Draft, using the team’s two first-round picks to pick up edge rusher Arvell Reese in a steal at No. 5 overall and take offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa at No. 10
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Giants extend GM Joe Schoen: Multi-year contract keeps front office intact to begin John Harbaugh era
The New York Giants kept their front office intact amid a coaching change earlier this offseason, and now they are locking it in for the long term. General manager Joe Schoen signed a multi-year extension with the team, the Giants announced Thursday, to retain the position he has held since 2022. While the Giants remain in search of their first playoff appearance since Schoen's debut season, they enter 2026 with momentum and clearly want to give Schoen a chance to see things through with the promising players he added over the last couple of years. The extension, however, figures to draw mixed reviews at best from a Giants fanbase that made its frustrations with Schoen known over the last three years of struggles. Questions arose during the four-win 2025 campaign about whether Schoen was more to blame for the Giants' struggles than coach Brian Daboll, who lost his job in November. And when team owner and president John Mara chose to keep Schoen on board, it appeared the franchise had lost direction . "We feel like Joe has assembled a good young nucleus of talent, and we look forward to its development," Mara said in a statement. "Unfortunately, the results over the past three years have not been what any of us want. We take full responsibility for those results and look forward to the kind of success our fans expect." A string of successful draft picks paired with the arrival of coach John Harbaugh brightens the outlook for New York in 2026 and beyond, and Schoen will have every opportunity to reap the rewards. But his spotty track record with roster building -- including whiffs on a pair of top-10 picks in 2022 and a then-questionable contract for quarterback Daniel Jones -- suggests things could turn back the other direction
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Rams QB Matthew Stafford agrees to reported 1-year, $55 million extension for 2027
The Los Angeles Rams don’t seem too eager to move on from Matthew Stafford , for at least the next couple of years. The NFL MVP has agreed to a one-year, $55 million contract extension that could be worth up to $60 million, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefte r. Stafford was already under contract for 2026, so this deal will make him among the highest-paid quarterbacks in the NFL for 2027. The Rams confirmed the deal minutes after Schefter’s report. The deal comes only weeks after the Rams drafted Stafford’s apparent successor Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, which was the most shocking moment of the night. This article will be updated with more information
Giants General Manager Joe Schoen lost a significant amount of internal influence when the team hired coach John Harbaugh. Schoen’s willingness to adapt has helped secure his future in New York. The Giants have announced that Schoen has signed a multi-year extension . Schoen, we’re told, had been entering the last year of his contract with the team. The move necessarily means that Schoen has made a solid impression on new coach John Harbaugh. The long-time Ravens coach’s arrival transformed the long-time reporting structure with the Giants. For decades, the G.M. ran the show, with the coach reporting to the G.M. Now, the coach and G.M. separately report to ownership. It’s no surprise that ownership was willing to make a major change to the way they do business. The Giants have struggled since winning Super Bowl XLVI, 15 years ago. They’ve had a revolving door at coach and G.M. Harbaugh instantly has stabilized the organization — and he has determined in less than five months that he’ll be happy to partner with Schoen in the coming years
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Jaylon Johnson not participating in voluntary offseason work
Bears cornerback Jaylon Johnson is not participating in the team’s voluntary offseason program. Defensive backs coach Al Harris revealed Johnson’s absence on Thursday when Adam Hoge of CHGO Bears asked how Johnson was doing. “ We’re going to talk about the guys that’s just been out there,” Harris said, via Hoge. “To respect to Jaylon and the organization, we’ll just talk about the guys that’s been out there.” Johnson’s absence from Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the program is not unusual, as he spends his offseason in California with his daughter. The Bears don’t begin organized team activities until next week, and Johnson is required to attend only the mandatory minicamp on June 9-11. His absence is notable, however, given that he played only seven games last season and failed to make the Pro Bowl for the first time since 2022. Johnson will enter the third year of a four-year, $76 million contract under the microscope, with no guaranteed money left on his deal after this season. “I have no doubt that, fully healthy or whatnot, that we’ll get what we need to see,” Harris said. “No doubt about that at all.”
