As the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers prepare for Thursday’s Hall of Fame Game in Canton, Ohio, to officially kick off the 2026 NFL preseason slate, there is a lot to digest around the league.
From a three-time Super Bowl champion’s health, Baker Mayfield’s contract drama and new deals for Bijan Robinson and Zay Flowers to more devastating injury news for Ricky Pearsall and Jadeveon Clowney’s reunion with the Houston Texans, here is what you should know around the NFL.
Patrick Mahomes‘ health; Baker Mayfield’s contract frustration
Despite tearing his left ACL in December against the Los Angeles Chargers, Mahomes was cleared to participate in 11-on-11 drills at training camp, though he was spotted limping as he gets used to wearing a knee brace and noted that he still needs to take a hit despite trending in the right direction.
As Mahomes continues to deal with the immediate aftermath of the serious injury, the Kansas City Chiefs have also moved away from their shotgun-heavy offense in camp as they try to keep him as protected as possible.
Mayfield is entering the final year of his three-year, $100M deal, but despite being “in the best shape I’ve ever been in,” he is at odds with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers franchise over failed contract negotiations.
Mayfield set career-highs in completion percentage (71.4%), passing yards (4,500) and passing touchdowns (41) in 2024 before a disappointing 2025 season ensued. While Mayfield said he feels “disrespected” and “undervalued,” this could give him an edge going into the 2026 season with something more to prove.
Bijan Robinson, Zay Flowers get paid
On Tuesday, it was reported that the Atlanta Falcons signed their running back to a three-year, $75M extension, making the 2023 first-rounder the league’s highest-paid RB.
While Robinson has combined for 2,934 rushing yards the last two seasons and is more than deserving of the deal, it still does not solve the dilemma the Falcons face at QB with the underwhelming play from Michael Penix Jr. and the lack of confidence surrounding Tua Tagovailoa.
Flowers also made headlines on Tuesday after he and the Baltimore Ravens agreed to a four-year, $140M extension with $108M guaranteed, tying him with Minnesota Vikings wideout Justin Jefferson for the fourth-highest-paid receiver in the league.
He still has more to prove, but after a career season in 2025, it makes sense that Baltimore would secure its WR and bank on him building off the recent success.
Jadeveon Clowney’s reunion; Another setback for Ricky Pearsall
The Texans were tied for the seventh-most sacks (47) in the NFL last season, and they only added to that by bringing back their former No. 1 overall draft pick Clowney on a one-year deal.
Clowney has struggled to consistently find a home since his first stint with Houston ended, but after recording 8.5 sacks in just 13 games with the Dallas Cowboys last season, the 33-year-old clearly still has a lot left in the tank.
Pearsall has been plagued by injuries and setbacks since he was drafted in the first round by the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. That will only continue after it was revealed that he will undergo season-ending surgery on a nagging PCL injury.
Pearsall has showed some flashes in limited action, but after only appearing in just 20 of a possible 51 games in his young career so far, time is starting to run thin if he wants to have a successful NFL career.