NFL Owners Vote To Expand International Schedule
MAY 19: The owners have voted to expand the international schedule from eight to 10 games in 2027, NFL executive vice president Peter O’Reilly announced (via Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports).
MAY 18: The NFL’s owners will meet this week in Orlando. Among the items on the agenda is a potential expansion of the league’s international schedule.
Owners will have the option of increasing the number of overseas games to 10 for 2027, as noted by Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer. That figure would not include the Jaguars’ ability to schedule a London contest separate from the NFL’s slate. The team’s home games are set to be played in Orlando in 2027 while stadium renovations in Jacksonville take place.
As a result, a maximum of 11 international games could be played that season. 2026 will see a new record set in that regard, and continued expansion of the overseas slate has long been a priority for the NFL’s owners. That is not expected to end (or even see a reduction) any time soon with new markets consistently being sought out.
In 2026, three games will be played in London; the Jags will play there in consecutive weeks. One game in each of Paris, Madrid and Munich will also be taking place. Melbourne and Rio de Janeiro will serve as host cities for NFL contests as well, with a return to Mexico City also forthcoming. Nine of the league’s first 11 weeks during the regular season will include an overseas game.
The NFL is aiming to eventually have every team play once internationally on an annual basis, something which has become increasingly clear over time. A 16-game slate would of course become more feasible with an overall expansion of the schedule from 17 games to 18. Nothing seems to be imminent on that front, but the widespread expectation remains that an 18-game setup will be in place relatively soon. Especially if/when that is the case, further expansion of markets outside the United States can be anticipated.
Lions Attempted To Acquire No. 14 Pick From Ravens
Not long after the draft was finished, it was reported the Ravens nearly worked out a trade which would have seen them move down the first-round order. Further details on the offer Baltimore considered have emerged.
The latest edition of Ravens Wired (video link) showcases the discussions held by general manager Eric DeCosta and Co. leading up to the 14th overall pick. The Lions attempted to move up from No. 17, offering pick No. 118 and a third-round selection in 2027 to do so. Teams were largely hesitant to part with capital in next year’s draft, one believed to be much stronger than the 2026 edition.
That makes Detroit’s offer a notable one, although it comes as little surprise GM Brad Holmes showed interest in moving up the board. The Lions had long been connected to Kadyn Proctor, and drafting him would have helped stabilize an offensive line which has been in flux this year. Based on the timing of Baltimore’s conversations with Detroit, it appears as though Holmes’ offer was rescinded shortly before the Ravens made their selection.
The Dolphins wound up selecting Proctor at No. 12, taking the Alabama product out of consideration for any Lions deal moving them up the board. As a result, the Ravens remained in place and went the expected route of drafting Penn State guard Vega Ioane. The Lions, meanwhile, still managed to add an offensive tackle by drafting Clemson’s Blake Miller at No. 17. All three O-linemen will be expected to contribute early and often in their careers.
Proctor flashed considerable potential with his combination of size and athleticism during his college career. Concerns related to his playing weight and overall consistency were raised leading up to the draft, but it came as little surprise when he was selected early on Day 1 (albeit to play guard in Miami). Miller’s stock nevertheless rose considerably during the pre-draft process, and his success as a rookie will play a key role in determining the Lions’ play up front as they seek to return to the playoffs in 2026.
Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks Uncertain If He’ll Receive Extension
The Dolphins handed running back De’Von Achane a lucrative four-year extension last week, leaving linebacker Jordyn Brooks as the clear next candidate to get a new deal. While the veteran is reportedly seeking a raise, he’s uncertain if Miami will dish out the money to keep him around for the long haul.
[RELATED: Dolphins LB Jordyn Brooks Seeking Raise]
While speaking with reporters today, Brooks admitted that he’s unsure if he’ll receive an extension offer from the organization.
“I don’t know,” Brooks said when asked about his extension candidacy (via C. Isaiah Smalls II of the Miami Herald). “It could go either way, obviously. I’m just controlling what I can control — play football. I’m blessed to do it. So I’m just going to keep approaching it that way.”
The former Seahawks first-round pick joined the Dolphins via a three-year deal in 2024. He’s emerged as one of Miami’s defensive leaders over the past two years, culminating in a 2025 campaign when he earned a first-team All-Pro nod after finishing with a league-leading 183 tackles. Pro Football Focus ranked Brooks 11th among 88 qualifying linebackers, including the third-best positional grade for his run defense.
Brooks is now entering the final season of his contract and has no guaranteed money left on his deal. While there was some skepticism that he’d show up for OTAs as he pursued a new deal, Brooks made it clear that a holdout was never under consideration.
“I need to get better as a player so that’s why I show up,” Brooks said. “Obviously, I never want to send the wrong message to the team or to my teammates. I play with these guys. Go to battle with them. I want them to know that I’m here no matter what [and that I’m] playing the game for the right reasons.”
For what it’s worth, the Dolphins haven’t given any indication that they’re against extending the linebacker. Back in March, GM Jon-Eric Sullivan said he wants Brooks “to be part of this” and “to be a pillar on the defensive side.” Coach Jeff Hafley was equally complimentary of his defensive leader today.
“Great leader, loves football, works really, really hard,” Hafley said (via Smalls). “He’s made the right way. I’ve really enjoyed him. You see the film, you see the type of player that he is; but once you get to know him you kind of understand why. I think his work ethic is elite and he loves football. He absolutely loves the game and he wants to meet. He wants to go over stuff. He wants to learn. He’s a fun guy to coach.”
As Smalls notes, Azeez Al-Shaair‘s recent extension could provide a basis for a future Brooks contract. The Texans linebacker got a three-year, $54MM extension, and that $18MM average annual value would represent a significant leap from Brooks’ current $8.76MM AAV. As the Dolphins navigate a significant rebuild, the team may decide it’s worth it to retain one of their few veteran leaders.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/19/26
Today’s minor moves:
Carolina Panthers
- Reverted to IR: RB Montrell Johnson, TE Bryce Pierre
Cleveland Browns
- Signed: WR Aaron Anderson, LB Reid Carrico, LB Markees Watts
- Waived: TE Caden Prieskorn, WR Isaiah Wooden
Seattle Seahawks
- Waived: WR Michael Briscoe, LB Devean Deal
Ravens Sign Zion Young, Complete Draft Class Signings
The Ravens have completed their draft class signings. The team announced that they’ve inked second-round linebacker Zion Young to his rookie contract.
Young put himself on the NFL map with strong showings at Michigan State in 2023 and Missouri in 2024, but he established himself as one of the top prospects at his position with a dominant 2025 campaign. The pass rusher got into 13 games for the Tigers, tallying 42 stops, 6.5 sacks, and 16.5 tackles for loss. That performance earned him a first-team All-SEC nod.
The Ravens selected Young with the 45th-overall pick in this year’s draft. Baltimore ranked 28th in pass-rush win rate in 2025, so some young talent on the edge should certainly help the defense. The Ravens, of course, added Trey Hendrickson to help in that regard, but the team should have some open snaps opposite the All-Pro pass rusher. Young will be competing with Tavius Robinson and 2025 second-round pick Mike Green for reps.
As mentioned, the Ravens have now signed all of their 11 draft picks to contracts. The draft class includes:
- Round 1, No. 14: Vega Ioane (G, Penn State)
- Round 2, No. 45: Zion Young (EDGE, Missouri)
- Round 3, No. 80: Ja’Kobi Lane (WR, USC)
- Round 4, No. 115: Elijah Sarratt (WR, Indiana)
- Round 4, No. 133 (from 49ers)*: Matthew Hibner (TE, SMU)
- Round 5, No. 162 (from Chargers): Chandler Rivers (CB, Duke)
- Round 5, No. 173*: Josh Cuevas (TE, Alabama)
- Round 5, No. 174*: Adam Randall (RB, Clemson)
- Round 6, No. 211 (from Broncos via Jets, Vikings and Eagles): Ryan Eckley (P, Michigan State)
- Round 7, No. 250: Rayshaun Benny (DT, Michigan)
- Round 7, No. 253: Evan Beerntsen (G, Northwestern)
Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Recently Underwent Knee Surgery, Expected To Be Sidelined For Two Months
The Rashee Rice saga has taken yet another turn. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Chiefs wide receiver recently underwent a clean-up surgery on his right knee. This will sideline Rice for two months.
[RELATED: Chiefs WR Rashee Rice Ordered To Serve 30 Days In Jail For Violating Probation]
The operation was intended to remove “loose debris” that was causing inflammation in the wideout’s knee. There is no structural damage, and the debridement was solely required to relieve the discomfort. The pain stems from Rice’s knee injury from 2024, when he suffered a torn LCL, a damaged hamstring tendon, and a damaged PLC after colliding with quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
The surgery took place last week in Dallas. Schefter notes that Rice went under the knife without the knowledge that he’d soon be sentenced to 30 days in jail for violating the terms of his probation.
Rice is set to be released from jail on June 16th. This means he’ll miss some critical time that could have been spent rehabbing with the Chiefs medical staff. Schefter notes that Rice is still expected to be ready to go for training camp.
Rice is on probation for five years as a result of a 2024 hit-and-run crash that resulted in eight felony charges. His current jail sentence stems from a positive THC test. Rice was previously ordered to serve a 30-day sentence but was granted the ability to choose when he’d spend his time in jail. By violating the terms of his probation, he’s now being forced to serve that sentence immediately.
Rice was already slapped with a six-game suspension for the crash, and when coupled with his recovery from the knee injury and a subsequent concussion, the receiver has been limited to only 12 games over the past two years. He’s still been productive when he’s seen the field, averaging more than 70 yards per game while hauling in seven touchdowns across the 2024 and 2025 seasons.
Rice’s legal issues have already put the Chiefs in a difficult position, and his recovery from this knee surgery will continue to stress their WR depth. If Rice’s recovery extends into the regular season, the Chiefs will be eyeing a WR corps that features former first-round pick Xavier Worthy, Tyquan Thornton, and rookie fifth-round pick Cyrus Allen.
CB Nazeeh Johnson To Visit Bears
The market for Nazeeh Johnson is starting to heat up. After being connected to the Cowboys and Giants, the free agent defensive back is set to visit with the Bears, per Jordan Schultz.
[RELATED: CB Nazeeh Johnson Met With Eagles, Arranges Giants Visit]
The 2022 seventh-round pick out of Marshall has spent his entire career in Kansas City, where he’s earned a pair of Super Bowl rings. He played exclusively on special teams as a rookie, and his sophomore season was completely wiped out thanks to a torn ACL.
The cornerback finally got some run on defense during the 2024 season, when he started six of his 16 appearances. He finished that year with 56 tackles, one sack, and three passes defended, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 101st among 117 qualifying corners. Johnson also started two of his three postseason appearances that year.
His 2025 campaign was mostly erased thanks to a shoulder injury suffered during the preseason. He was limited to only two late-season contests, with all of his 27 snaps coming on special teams.
Chicago’s cornerbacks corps will look a bit different in 2026. Nahshon Wright and Nick McCloud are no longer around, leaving Tyrique Stevenson, Jaylon Johnson, and Kyler Gordon to lead the depth chart. If Johnson catches on, he could establish a depth role ahead of the likes of fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad and former fifth-round pick Terell Smith.
Vikings Sign Second-Round LB Jake Golday, Wrap Draft Class
The Vikings announced that they have signed second-round linebacker Jake Golday. They now have their entire nine-player draft class under contract.
As the 51st overall pick, Golday’s four-year deal is worth approximately $10.07MM. There is no word on how much is guaranteed, but his draft slot suggests it is a significant amount. To name one nearby example, 52nd overall selection Brandon Cisse received full guarantees over the first three years of his agreement with the Packers.
After spending three years at Central Arkansas, where he played defensive end for two seasons before switching to linebacker, Golday transferred to Cincinnati ahead of the 2024 campaign. The 6-foot-4, 240-pounder made 58 tackles (seven TFL), forced two fumbles and totaled 1.5 sacks in 12 games in his first year with the Bearcats. He jumped to 105 tackles in 13 games last season. Golday also notched six TFL, 3.5 sacks, three pass deflections and a forced fumble. The production was good enough for Golday to earn first-team All-Big 12 honors.
Now that he is officially a pro, Golday will join a Brian Flores-coordinated defense that finished third in yards and seventh in scoring in 2025. The Vikings relied heavily on linebackers Eric Wilson and Blake Cashman last season. They remain in the fold, meaning Golday will begin his career in a depth role.
Here is a refresher on the Vikings’ rookie class:
- Round 1, No. 18: Caleb Banks (DT, Florida) (signed)
- Round 2, No. 51 (from Panthers): Jake Golday (LB, Cincinnati) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 82: Domonique Orange (DT, Iowa State) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 97*: Caleb Tiernan (T, Northwestern) (signed)
- Round 3, No. 98 (from Vikings)*: Jakobe Thomas (S, Miami) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 159 (from Panthers): Max Bredeson (FB, Michigan) (signed)
- Round 5, No. 163 (from Eagles): Charles Demmings (CB, Stephen F. Austin) (signed)
- Round 6, No. 198 (from Vikings via Texans, Vikings and 49ers): Demond Claiborne (RB, Wake Forest) (signed)
- Round 7, No. 235 (from Panthers): Gavin Gerhardt (C, Cincinnati) (signed)
Bills WR Keon Coleman Entering ‘Make-Or-Break’ Season
The Bills spent the 33rd pick of the 2024 draft on wide receiver Keon Coleman, but the investment has not gone according to plan. Coleman’s professionalism was an issue last year, in which head coach Sean McDermott scratched him four times.
McDermott benched Coleman despite a lack of strong options at receiver beyond slot target Khalil Shakir. The Bills added former Charger Josh Palmer on a three-year contract in March 2025, but he caught just 22 passes and went without a touchdown in a 12-game, injury-limited campaign. Despite Coleman’s own handful of absences, he finished second among Bills wideouts in catches (38), targets (59) and yards (404). The Florida State product also tied Shakir for first in touchdowns (four).
In acquiring D.J. Moore from the Bears for a second-round pick and drafting Skyler Bell in the fourth round, Bills general manager Brandon Beane has beefed up the team’s receiving corps this offseason. Those additions could have made Coleman a trade candidate, but Beane insisted in late April that he is not giving up on the soon-to-be 24-year-old. Beane said the Bills have “hit the reset button with [Coleman],” who will have an opportunity under the second head coach of his career after the Bills fired McDermott. Replacement Joe Brady, who was Buffalo’s offensive coordinator in Coleman’s first two years, gave the receiver a public vote of confidence back in January.
“I told Keon when I got hired, the best thing that happened to Keon Coleman was me being his head coach,” Brady declared. “I was one of the ones that stood on the table for Keon Coleman, and I believe in Keon Coleman.”
Brady’s remarks came just days after owner Terry Pegula attributed the Coleman pick to McDermott and his coaching staff. Pegula claimed Beane was “being a team player and taking advice of his coaching staff who felt strongly about the player.” Beane refuted that, stating he would not have chosen Coleman unless he had full belief in the player. Regardless, four months since Pegula’s comments, Coleman realizes he is entering a crucial season.
“For me, it’s make or break,” Coleman said Tuesday (via Alaina Getzenberg of ESPN), acknowledging he “might not be here” if he fails to take a step forward.
Halfway into his rookie contract, Coleman has hauled in 67 catches for 960 yards and eight touchdowns in 26 games. He will look to improve his output in 2026, but it could be a challenge in a more crowded receiving corps. Moore and Shakir are clearly the Bills’ top options at receiver, which will leave Coleman, Palmer and Bell to vie for targets behind them.
Giants’ RB Cam Skattebo Expects To Play In Week 1
Cam Skattebo‘s rookie season came to an abrupt end when he suffered a fractured ankle. His rehab process is ongoing, though, and progress has been made to the point a full slate in 2026 is expected.
“Obviously there’s ups and downs in the injury process and coming back and rehabbing, but the mental battle has been the hardest part: making sure that I trust it fully,” the second-year running back said on Monday (via Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press). “I’m a little ways out. Not too far, but I’ll be ready to go. Week 1, I’ll be ready to go.”
Skattebo underwent surgery late in October, setting up a long recovery process along with teammate Malik Nabers. The latter has since undergone a cleanup procedure on his knee, and his Week 1 availability will remain in question for the months ahead. Skattebo, on the other hand, is further ahead. A return in time for training camp – perhaps earlier – is expected in his case.
Taking on a large role early in his career, Skattebo logged 104 carries in eight games prior to this injury. The Arizona State product rushed for five touchdowns during that span, and he added a pair of scores on 24 receptions. Contributions on the ground and in the passing game will be expected in 2026 and beyond with the Giants aiming for overall improvement on offense under new head coach John Harbaugh.
Devin Singletary and Tyrone Tracy Jr. are still in the fold as backfield options for New York. The team did not select any running backs during the draft, meaning those two will be counted on to continue serving as complementary contributors this season. A full campaign from Skattebo, 24, would of course be welcomed by all parties. Three years remain on his rookie contract, and establishing himself as a full-time RB1 would confirm his status as an offensive focal point for the new coaching staff.
Tuesday marks the beginning of the Giants’ OTAs. Mandatory minicamp will soon follow, and it will be interesting to see if Skattebo can take part in those non-contact practices in any capacity. Even if that does not turn out to be the case, a return to full health in time for the fall remains his expectation.