Chairshot NFL News Report: Patrick Mahomes Targets Week 1 Return, Alvin Kamara Stays in New Orleans

Patrick Mahomes targets a Week 1 return from ACL surgery, Alvin Kamara restructures his Saints contract, George Pickens remains on the franchise tag and more.

Patrick Mahomes remains focused on returning for Kansas City’s Week 1 opener against Denver despite undergoing surgery for a season-ending ACL injury.

Elsewhere, Alvin Kamara agreed to a restructured contract that keeps him in New Orleans, the deadline passed without a long-term deal for George Pickens, and veteran quarterback Will Grier announced his retirement.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for July 16th!

Patrick Mahomes Still Targeting Week 1 Return

Mahomes said his goal remains to play when Kansas City opens its season against the defending AFC West champion Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football.

The three-time Super Bowl champion acknowledged that doctors and coaches will ultimately determine whether he receives clearance, but he intends to give them every opportunity to put him on the field. Mahomes suffered a season-ending ACL tear during the 2025 campaign and has spent the offseason working toward an accelerated return.

Mahomes participated in portions of Kansas City’s offseason program but was held out of full-team drills. Chiefs rookies report to training camp July 24, followed by the veterans July 28, giving Mahomes several additional weeks to prove he is ready for the opener.

His availability will immediately shape the AFC West race. Denver won the division while Mahomes was sidelined, and Kansas City begins its attempt to reclaim it with a direct opportunity against the Broncos.

Alvin Kamara Restructures Contract to Remain With Saints

Kamara agreed to restructure his contract for the 2026 season, ending speculation that the Saints could release, trade or lose the veteran running back to retirement.

Financial details were not disclosed. Kamara was previously scheduled to make as much as $11.5 million in base salary while entering the final year of a two-year, $24.5 million contract. His agent said the shared goal is for Kamara to finish his career in New Orleans.

The Saints created uncertainty around Kamara’s role by signing Travis Etienne to a four-year contract during the offseason. New Orleans was also carrying approximately $21 million in salary-cap commitments across a crowded seven-player running back room before Kamara’s deal was reworked.

Kamara appeared in 11 games last season while dealing with knee and ankle injuries. His 471 rushing yards, 33 receptions and one total touchdown were all career lows, making this season an opportunity to prove that his decline was caused more by injuries than age.

George Pickens Will Play 2026 on Franchise Tag

The deadline for Dallas to sign Pickens to a multiyear extension passed Wednesday without an agreement.

Pickens will play the season on a fully guaranteed $27.3 million franchise tender. The Cowboys had already made it clear that they were not planning to negotiate a long-term contract before the deadline, and Pickens signed the tender without threatening a training-camp holdout.

The decision gives Dallas another season with Pickens and CeeDee Lamb together, but it leaves the receiver’s future unresolved beyond 2026. Pickens produced career highs with 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns during his first season with the Cowboys.

A similar season would put Pickens in position to demand one of the NFL’s largest wide receiver contracts next spring. Dallas could use the franchise tag again, negotiate an extension or allow him to enter free agency.

Will Grier Retires From NFL

Carolina placed Grier on the reserve-retired list after the 31-year-old quarterback informed the team that he was ending his playing career.

Grier returned to the Panthers in April, rejoining the franchise that selected him in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft. He was expected to compete for a backup role behind Bryce Young alongside Kenny Pickett and undrafted rookie Haynes King.

Grier made the only two regular-season starts of his career during his rookie season with Carolina. He completed 28 of 52 passes for 228 yards and four interceptions before beginning a journey that included stops with Dallas, Cincinnati, New England, Los Angeles and Philadelphia.

Although he never developed into an NFL starter, Grier remained in the league for seven seasons by providing teams with an experienced developmental and reserve quarterback.

Ethan Pocic Cleared for Training Camp

Free-agent center Ethan Pocic has been medically cleared to participate in training camp approximately eight months after tearing his Achilles.

Pocic suffered the injury while playing for Cleveland in December. He started all 13 of his appearances for the Browns last season and has started every game he has played over the past four years.

The clearance should improve Pocic’s market as teams begin reporting to camp and reevaluating their offensive-line depth. The 30-year-old spent four seasons in Cleveland after beginning his career with Seattle.

Pocic may not immediately command a starting job, but healthy veteran centers become increasingly valuable once practices begin and injuries create openings across the league.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba Voted NFL’s Top Wide Receiver

Jaxon Smith-Njigba was selected as the NFL’s top wide receiver in a preseason survey of Associated Press football writers. Smith-Njigba received four of eight first-place votes, finishing ahead of Ja’Marr Chase, Puka Nacua, Justin Jefferson and Amon-Ra St. Brown.

The recognition follows a championship season in which Smith-Njigba caught a franchise-record 119 passes for 1,793 yards. He was named AP Offensive Player of the Year, earned unanimous All-Pro honors and helped Seattle win the Super Bowl before signing a four-year, $168.6 million extension.

Seattle’s offense will face the pressure that comes with defending a championship, but Smith-Njigba enters the season having moved from promising young receiver to one of the league’s established centerpieces.

NFL Transactions — July 15, 2026

• New Orleans Saints agreed to a restructured contract with running back Alvin Kamara
• Carolina Panthers placed quarterback Will Grier on the reserve-retired list

Mahomes’ recovery is the development with the greatest potential to alter the league’s balance of power. Kansas City remained competitive without him, but its path back to the top of the AFC still depends on Mahomes returning healthy rather than merely returning quickly.

Kamara and Pickens enter different versions of contract seasons. Kamara is trying to finish his career with the only franchise he has known, while Pickens has an opportunity to turn one more productive year into a massive long-term payday.

Training camps will soon replace speculation with actual competition. Mahomes’ knee, Kamara’s role, Pickens’ motivation and Seattle’s championship follow-up will all begin producing real answers within the next few weeks.