Andy Reid says Patrick Mahomes is most likely to start Kansas City’s Week 1 game against Denver, moving the quarterback’s recovery from a December knee injury to its biggest test yet.
Aaron Donald will not play or travel to Australia for the Rams’ Week 1 game against the 49ers, delaying his return while Los Angeles leans on a deep defensive front.
Christian Gonzalez and the Patriots ended their contract standoff with a four-year, $135 million extension, removing a major uncertainty before New England opens against Seattle.
Harrison Smith is back with Minnesota on a one-year deal after months of uncertainty, giving the Vikings an experienced defensive centerpiece just before the Week 1 rivalry game with Green Bay.
C.J. Stroud enters 2026 with extension talks paused, a rebuilt supporting cast and a Texans roster ready to win now. His response will shape Houston’s biggest long-term decision.
Tyler Smith will miss at least four games after thumb surgery, putting T.J. Bass into the Cowboys’ starting lineup and testing Dallas’ offensive-line depth from Week 1.
The Falcons will start Tua Tagovailoa against Pittsburgh while Michael Penix Jr. continues working toward full readiness, giving Atlanta a clear Week 1 quarterback plan after a summer-long competition.
The Patriots moved from late-summer contract tension to a record-setting resolution, agreeing to a four-year extension with Christian Gonzalez just before the opener in Seattle.
San Francisco’s Week 1 trip to Melbourne is more than an NFL spectacle. It is a compressed, high-stakes divisional opener that will test how quickly the 49ers can turn unusual logistics into an early advantage.
