The countdown to training camp continues across the NFL, and many unanswered questions remain with respect to veteran players. Clarity on quite a few fronts has emerged in recent days, though. In case you missed any of this week’s top stories, here’s a quick recap:
- Kamara Staying With Saints: Throughout the spring, it was uncertain if Alvin Kamara would remain in place with the Saints for 2026. That can indeed be the case, with team and player agreeing on a pay cut covering the approaching season. For 2026 – still the ultimate yr of the pact – Kamara will collect $6MM in base pay and as much as $2.5MM more via incentives. Recent Orleans added running back Travis Etienne in free agency, resulting in questions on Kamara’s role moving forward. The latter will proceed along with his only NFL team for not less than a tenth season. Coming off a down yr when it comes to production, Kamara will aim to rebound while operating in a split backfield.
- Cowboys’ Pickens To Play On Tag: July 15 marked the deadline for franchise tag recipients to sign long-term deals with their respective teams. Every tagged player from 2026 had already done so excluding George Pickens and the Cowboys. To no surprise, the deadline passed without an agreement being reached. Dallas has long been clear Pickens, 25, will play on the tag this season. The 2025 trade acquisition enjoyed a profession yr as one among the league’s best wideouts during his debut Cowboys campaign. That has helped Pickens line up $27.3MM in compensation on the tag, however it stays to be seen if a multiyear pact value more an annual basis is within the cards. Negotiations on that front can be something to observe for after the season.
- Donald Conducts Rams Workout: In the most recent indication an Aaron Donald return to the Rams may very well be coming soon, the longer term Hall of Famer recently conducted a workout on the team’s facility. With Donald giving thought to unretiring, he went through drills much like those he can be doing if he’s officially back in time for training camp. By the onset of camp later this month, a commitment by hook or by crook could also be in place on this case. There continues to be the matter of funds to deal with if Donald does select to come back back after a two-year absence, but the potential for the longer term Hall of Famer playing in 2026 stays a storyline to follow closely.
- Diggs Dealing With Recent Lawsuit: Free agent receiver Stefon Diggs was found not guilty following a transient criminal trial earlier this offseason, but he has since been named in one other civil suit. The four-time Pro Bowler is alleged to have falsely accused a person of stealing his Ferrari in 2024; notice being served to other defendants within the case has paved the way in which for it to proceed. This marks the most recent legal issue for Diggs, who was cut this spring in a cost-shedding move. Nevertheless, a recent report indicated the lawsuit is just not expected to significantly alter his free agent market. Quite a lot of teams have been connected to interest not long before the beginning of coaching camp, so a deal may very well be in place shortly.
- Packers Extend McDuffie: Over the course of his five-year Packers tenure, Isaiah McDuffie has emerged as a consistent producer on defense and a core special teams presence. The veteran linebacker received a two-year deal last offseason, but Green Bay authorized a one-year extension to avoid a possible free agent departure in 2027. McDuffie’s newest deal is value $4.85MM, a slight raise in comparison with the $4MM AAV of his previous pact. One other $1MM is accessible through incentives. McDuffie has posted not less than 86 tackles in each of the past three seasons, and the 26-year-old can be expected to proceed serving a key role on Green Bay’s defense and special teams over the short term.