Chairshot NFL News Report (7/27/2026): Brissett Gets Paid, NFLPA Investigates Panthers

Arizona rewards Jacoby Brissett, the NFLPA investigates Carolina, the entire rookie class signs and training camps begin across the league.

The Arizona Cardinals resolved their quarterback dispute by guaranteeing Jacoby Brissett $15.5 million for the 2026 season, clearing the way for him to begin working with the starting offense.

Elsewhere, the NFL Players Association is investigating the circumstances surrounding Nic Scourton’s season-ending injury, New England completed the signing of the entire 2026 draft class and several prominent quarterbacks began navigating their first major training-camp storylines.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for July 27, 2026!

Cardinals Rework Jacoby Brissett’s Contract

Arizona reworked Brissett’s contract to guarantee him $15.5 million in 2026, with incentives capable of increasing the total value to approximately $21 million.

Brissett had been scheduled to earn a $4.88 million base salary with only $1.5 million guaranteed. He skipped voluntary offseason activities while seeking compensation more appropriate for a starting quarterback but reported for mandatory minicamp and training camp.

The agreement is not a contract extension, meaning Brissett remains scheduled to become a free agent after the season. Head coach Mike LaFleur said Brissett will begin working with Arizona’s starters Tuesday and is currently expected to open the season as QB1.

Brissett produced career highs of 3,366 passing yards and 23 touchdowns after replacing Kyler Murray last season. Arizona also has Gardner Minshew and third-round rookie Carson Beck, but the financial adjustment confirms that Brissett will receive the first opportunity to lead the offense.

The Cardinals did not commit to him beyond 2026, preserving their ability to evaluate Beck or return to the quarterback market next offseason. Brissett received the immediate raise he wanted, while Arizona retained long-term flexibility.

NFLPA Investigating Panthers After Nic Scourton Injury

The NFLPA is investigating whether Carolina followed the collective bargaining agreement’s required acclimatization procedures before Scourton tore his ACL during the first day of training camp.

Live contact is prohibited during the first five days of camp. The first day is generally limited to medical examinations, meetings, classroom work, running and conditioning, prompting the union to review video and other information surrounding the play on which Scourton was injured.

The Panthers said they are cooperating with the investigation. Head coach Dave Canales maintained that the team followed the required practice rules, while tight end Tommy Tremble described Scourton’s injury as a freak accident rather than the result of excessive contact.

Carolina placed Scourton on season-ending injured reserve and signed UFL Defensive Player of the Year Cam Gill. Scourton recorded 47 tackles and tied for the team lead with five sacks as a rookie, leaving the Panthers without a young pass rusher expected to start opposite Jaelan Phillips.

The investigation does not establish that Carolina violated the CBA. It should determine whether the practice was properly structured and whether any prohibited contact contributed to an injury that immediately changed the Panthers’ defensive plans.

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Entire 2026 NFL Draft Class Is Under Contract

Patriots second-round defensive end Gabe Jacas signed his rookie contract Sunday, becoming the final player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft to complete his deal.

New England subsequently placed Jacas on the active/non-football injury list. The designation allows him to attend meetings and use team facilities but prevents him from practicing until he is medically cleared and removed from the list.

Jacas missed portions of the offseason while recovering from a knee procedure and negotiating his contract. Every drafted rookie in the league is now signed, eliminating the possibility of a traditional rookie holdout disrupting the opening stage of camp.

The accomplishment is partly a reflection of the NFL’s rookie wage scale, which establishes most of the financial framework before negotiations begin. Disagreements over guarantees, payment schedules and offset language can still delay signings, but prolonged rookie holdouts have largely disappeared.

Fernando Mendoza Embraces Competition With Kirk Cousins

First overall pick Fernando Mendoza said he intends to compete “with” Cousins rather than viewing the veteran as an opponent standing between him and the Raiders’ starting job.

Mendoza explained that a productive quarterback room should involve players sharing information and pushing one another rather than withholding assistance. Cousins is expected to begin the season as Las Vegas’ starter, although the Raiders have not formally named him QB1.

Head coach Klint Kubiak previously indicated that his preferred approach would be allowing a rookie to learn behind an accomplished veteran. Mendoza will also have access to minority owner Tom Brady, whom the rookie described as a valuable resource and one of his childhood idols.

Mendoza’s public approach is sensible, but the competition will eventually become more direct. The Raiders used the first overall selection on their potential franchise quarterback, and every strong practice or Cousins mistake will increase the pressure to accelerate the transition.

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Myles Garrett Wants to Challenge the Champions

Garrett identified the defending Super Bowl champion Seahawks as the divisional opponent he is most excited to face following his arrival in Los Angeles.

The reigning Defensive Player of the Year recorded an NFL-record 23 sacks last season before the Rams acquired him from Cleveland. Garrett said he believes Los Angeles possesses the pieces necessary to overtake Seattle in the NFC West and compete for a championship.

Garrett participated in team drills during the Rams’ first training-camp practice. Los Angeles rested Matthew Stafford as part of a scheduled maintenance day, allowing Stetson Bennett to work with the first-team offense while Garrett began integrating into a defense that also added Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson.

The Rams will visit Seattle on Christmas night before hosting the Seahawks in Week 18. That closing stretch could determine the division and provide Garrett with exactly the championship-level test he wanted when he joined Los Angeles.

Drake Maye and A.J. Brown Begin Building Connection

Maye opened Patriots training camp by immediately looking toward Brown during the first 11-on-11 snap of practice.

The attempt was not completed, but Maye acknowledged that he wanted to involve New England’s biggest offseason addition immediately. The Patriots acquired Brown after reaching Super Bowl LX without a true dominant outside receiver.

Maye said New England cannot assume that repeating last season’s performance will produce another Super Bowl appearance. The Patriots open the regular season against Seattle in a rematch of their championship-game loss, giving the team an immediate test of whether it has improved.

The defense controlled much of Sunday’s practice. Craig Woodson intercepted Maye after a pass deflected off Brown’s hands, while Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis produced several strong coverage plays.

Brown’s arrival gives Maye an established primary target, but their connection will require more than occasional deep completions. New England’s offense must develop timing and consistency before facing the same Seattle team that exposed its limitations in the Super Bowl.

NFL Transactions — July 26, 2026

• Arizona Cardinals reworked quarterback Jacoby Brissett’s contract to guarantee him $15.5 million for the 2026 season
• Denver Broncos placed guard Nick Gargiulo on the active/PUP list
• Denver Broncos placed linebacker Jordan Turner on the active/NFI list
• Detroit Lions placed safety Brian Branch on the active/PUP list
• Detroit Lions placed safety Kerby Joseph on the active/PUP list
• Detroit Lions placed tight end Tyler Conklin on the active/PUP list
• Jacksonville Jaguars placed offensive lineman Garrett DiGiorgio on the active/PUP list
• Jacksonville Jaguars placed offensive lineman Cole Van Lanen on the active/PUP list
• Los Angeles Rams placed offensive lineman Justin Dedich on the active/NFI list
• Los Angeles Rams placed cornerback Al’zillion Hamilton on the active/PUP list
• New England Patriots signed defensive end Gabe Jacas to his rookie contract
• New England Patriots placed defensive end Gabe Jacas on the active/NFI list
• New England Patriots placed wide receiver Jeremiah Webb on injured reserve
• San Francisco 49ers signed defensive tackle Kevin Givens to a one-year contract
• San Francisco 49ers placed running back Isaac Guerendo on the active/PUP list
• San Francisco 49ers placed tight end George Kittle on the active/PUP list
• San Francisco 49ers placed defensive end Mykel Williams on the active/PUP list
• San Francisco 49ers placed defensive tackle Alfred Collins on the active/PUP list
• San Francisco 49ers waived defensive lineman Evan Anderson

Arizona’s decision provides Brissett with starting-level compensation without pretending that the organization has solved its long-term quarterback problem. He now has one season to prove that his 2025 production can translate into wins and potentially another starting opportunity.

Carolina’s situation carries greater consequences. Scourton’s season is already over, but the NFLPA’s findings could determine whether the injury was simply terrible luck or whether the structure of the opening practice violated protections negotiated for players.

The quarterback developments in Las Vegas and New England represent opposite stages of team-building. Mendoza is preparing for the job while learning behind Cousins. Maye already owns the job and must now prove that the Patriots can take another step after coming within one victory of a championship.