Chairshot’s NFL News Report: Seahawks Sale, Aaron Donald & Stefon Diggs Watch

Welcome to The Chairshot NFL News Morning Report, bringing you the biggest NFL stories, media notes, transactions, and team updates from the weekend. Today’s report starts with the Seattle Seahawks’ record-setting sale agreement, then moves through Aaron Donald comeback speculation, Stefon Diggs reframing his free agency market, Matt Miller’s ESPN leave, Trent Taylor’s retirement, and the NFL calendar turning toward the July 15 franchise-tag deadline and training camp.

Seahawks Sale Remains The NFL’s Biggest Weekend Story

The Seattle Seahawks sale remains the biggest NFL story coming out of the weekend, with the franchise announcing that the Paul G. Allen Estate has reached an agreement to sell the team to the Khosla family. NFL.com reported that the purchase price is expected to be $9.612 billion, which would make it the most expensive sale in NFL history if approved by league owners.

The larger story is what this says about the modern NFL. Axios noted that the reported Seahawks valuation would rank among the biggest sports-team transactions ever, and the sale proceeds are expected to go to philanthropy in line with Paul Allen’s wishes. The deal still needs NFL approval, with owners reportedly expected to take it up at a special meeting in August.

Aaron Donald Comeback Talk Is Not Going Away

Aaron Donald continues to be one of the most interesting football stories on the board, even though he is still retired. Reuters reported that Donald was seen working out at the Rams’ facility after already acknowledging that Sean McVay’s pitch had him thinking about a possible return. Donald retired after the 2023 season with 111 sacks, 543 tackles, and 176 tackles for loss across a 10-year career.

This is still speculation until Donald actually signs, but the football fit is easy to understand. The Rams already added Myles Garrett, and Reuters noted that McVay publicly left the door open by saying Donald could still play at a high level if he wanted to “dust ’em off.” A Donald-Garrett defensive front would immediately become one of the league’s biggest training camp stories.

Stefon Diggs Reframes Himself As A No. 2 Receiver

Stefon Diggs is still unsigned with training camps approaching, but his latest comments may help define his market. CBS Sports noted that Diggs called himself the NFL’s best No. 2 wide receiver, a shift that could make him easier for contending teams to picture as a secondary weapon rather than a full offense-defining WR1.

That matters because Diggs is 32 and still one of the best offensive players left in free agency. CBS pointed to potential fits including the Commanders, Jets, Colts, and Falcons, largely because each could use a proven veteran running mate without necessarily needing Diggs to be the top target. The question now is whether his next deal matches that more realistic role.

Matt Miller Story Continues After ESPN Leave

The Matt Miller situation remains a difficult media story, mixing a serious medical recovery with questions about alleged financial improprieties. The Guardian reported that Miller is taking indefinite leave from ESPN after a severe car crash that required the amputation of his left arm, along with additional surgeries to save his left leg.

The same report also detailed complaints tied to fantasy football leagues, paid scouting lessons, and charity-related work, with the Missouri attorney general’s office confirming an open investigation. ESPN is expected to address that piece later, while Miller’s leave is currently tied to his recovery from the crash.

Trent Taylor Announces Retirement

Veteran wide receiver and returner Trent Taylor announced his retirement on Sunday. NFL.com’s Sunday roundup noted that Taylor played 80 career games with the 49ers, Bengals, and Bears after being selected by San Francisco in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.

Taylor finished his career with 88 receptions for 845 yards and three touchdowns, while also contributing 1,051 punt return yards. He missed the 2025 season after being placed on injured reserve by the 49ers last June.

July 15 Franchise-Tag Deadline Becomes This Week’s Contract Marker

The next major NFL calendar point arrives Wednesday, July 15. NFL.com lists that as the deadline for any club that designated a franchise player to sign that player to a multi-year contract or extension. After that deadline, the player can only sign a one-year contract with his prior club for the 2026 season, with no extension allowed until after the team’s final regular-season game.

That gives the week a natural contract watch, even without games or major practices yet. The franchise-tag deadline is the kind of offseason date that can create last-minute deals, confirm one-year standoffs, or push player-team tension into training camp.

Transactions And Team Notes

• Trent Taylor announced his retirement after an 80-game NFL career with the 49ers, Bengals, and Bears.
• NFL.com’s Sunday roundup listed Taylor’s retirement as the primary league update for July 12.
• The Seahawks sale agreement remains subject to NFL owner approval.
• The July 15 deadline for franchise-tagged players to sign multi-year deals is the next major league calendar item.

Training Camp Watch

NFL.com announced that the Cardinals and Panthers, who play in the Hall of Fame Game, will be the first teams to have both rookies and veterans report on July 22, and all 32 teams will have reported by July 28.

The league has also started rolling out division-by-division camp previews, including the AFC East, where NFL.com highlighted Joe Brady beginning his first camp as Bills head coach and the Patriots, Dolphins, and Jets each entering camp with major questions of their own. That gives us a clean runway for the next few reports: contracts first, then rookie report dates, then full camp battles.

This is definitely a transition-week edition of the NFL News Report. The weekend gave us one massive business story with the Seahawks sale, one major speculation story with Aaron Donald, one free-agent market story with Stefon Diggs, and one media story with Matt Miller.