The 2026 NFL season has just arrived, prompting one team to do some final business before the regular season begins.
Baker Mayfield and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers agreed to a massive contract extension on Tuesday. The deal would reportedly make Mayfield one of the league’s highest-paid quarterbacks as he was entering the final year of his current contract.
Meanwhile, the Rams will be without Aaron Donald for their opener in Australia and the Patriots will be without a key piece of their backfield for Wednesday’s Super Bowl rematch.
Here are the latest from around the NFL on Tuesday.
Baker Mayfield’s summer feud with the Buccaneers has finally been resolved. Tampa Bay and its quarterback have agreed to a three-year, $165 million extension, ending months of speculation about his future, according to an ESPN report.
The $55 million annual average puts Mayfield in a three-way tie for the third-richest annual salary at the position, behind only Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott, and tied with Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford. according to Spotrac.
It’s a dramatic increase for Mayfield, who signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Tampa Bay in 2023 before signing a three-year, $100 million extension in 2024. Since taking over in the post-Tom Brady era, he’s gone 27-24 as a starter, with two playoff appearances, two playoff appearances. 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns.
Injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin took some of the shine off last season’s numbers, but with his long-term future now settled, the focus turns to knocking the Panthers off the top of the NFC South.
Aaron Donald will not make the trip in Melbourne.
The Rams defensive tackle has officially been ruled out for Thursday’s season opener against the 49ers, a decision that comes as he remained uncommitted about his travel plans earlier in the week.
Donald came out of retirement last month to rejoin Los Angeles, a decision he attributed in part to the team’s trade for edge rusher Myles Garrett, which further bolstered a line that already features Kobie Turner and Byron Young.
With Donald unavailable, Garrett will lead the Rams’ front against San Francisco.
Patrick Mahomes is back.
Andy Reid confirmed Tuesday that the two-time MVP will start Kansas City’s opener against Denver on Monday, barring a setback, closing the book on his recovery from the ACL and LCL tears he suffered against the Chargers in Week 15.
The return game caps a nearly nine-month absence for Mahomes, who saw the Chiefs miss the playoffs for the first time in his career last season as the team stumbled to 6-11 without him. He will return to an updated roster that includes new addition Kenneth Walker at running back, and will immediately face an AFC West loaded with Justin Herbert and Bo Nix.
In 14 games last season, Mahomes completed 62.7% of his throws for 3,587 yards, 22 touchdowns and 11 interceptions — modest by his standards, and now a benchmark he’ll look to clear as Kansas City tries to reclaim its division.
New England will be shorthanded in the backfield for Wednesday night’s Super Bowl LX rematch with Seattle.
TreVeyon Henderson has been ruled out after missing all three practices this week with an ankle injury first suffered on Aug. 24. Center Ben Brown (knee) was also ruled out and no other Patriots carried an injury designation heading into the game.
Henderson was one finalist for Offensive Rookie of the Year last season after leading New England in scrimmage and touchdowns — 911 rushing yards on 5.1 carries with nine scores, plus 35 catches for 221 yards and a touchdown — and he didn’t miss a game as a rookie, making it a rare setback in his young career.
Rhamondre Stevenson, who took over quarterback duties late last season in New England’s playoff run, is expected to step back into that role as the Patriots open their season on the road against the team that beat them in the Super Bowl.
Injury news and notes
- Steelers is said to have made an offer to cornerback Joey Porter Jr., but the two sides aren’t close to a deal at this point.
- Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots agreed to an extension that will make him the highest-paid defensive back in NFL history. according to multiple reports.
- Veteran running back Tyler Allgeier is listed as the starting running back Cardinals unofficial depth chart ahead of rookie first-rounder Jeremiah Love, who is designated as the RB2 as he continues his recovery from a preseason high leg sprain
