Chairshot NFL News Report (8/5/2026): Bijan and Flowers Get Paid, Walker Feared Lost

Bijan Robinson and Zay Flowers land massive extensions, Jalon Walker may have torn his ACL and Tuesday’s NFL transactions continue to reshape camp rosters.

Two of the NFL’s most dynamic offensive players received massive contract extensions Tuesday, but Atlanta’s celebration was quickly overshadowed by a potentially devastating injury.

Bijan Robinson is now the league’s highest-paid running back, Zay Flowers has secured his future in Baltimore and Jalon Walker may be lost for the entire season.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for August 5, 2026!

Falcons Make Bijan Robinson NFL’s Highest-Paid Running Back

The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a three-year contract extension with Bijan Robinson worth as much as $75 million.

The agreement includes $51 million guaranteed and a $37 million signing bonus, setting new financial standards at the running-back position. Robinson is now under contract through the 2030 season.

Robinson had been attending training camp without participating in team drills while negotiations continued. Atlanta plans to gradually increase his workload rather than immediately returning him to full participation.

The 24-year-old earned first-team All-Pro honors after producing 2,298 yards from scrimmage and 11 touchdowns last season.

Atlanta is paying Robinson as more than a traditional running back. His ability to carry the offense as both a runner and receiver makes him one of the team’s most important building blocks.

The contract also establishes the next benchmark for elite running backs seeking extensions. Teams may still resist paying ordinary players at the position, but Robinson’s deal shows that exceptional versatility and production can overcome those concerns.

Zay Flowers Lands $140 Million Ravens Extension

The Baltimore Ravens have agreed to a four-year, $140 million extension with Zay Flowers.

The deal contains $108 million guaranteed and carries an annual average of $35 million. Flowers is now under contract through the 2031 season.

Baltimore selected Flowers with the 22nd pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has already recorded 237 receptions for 3,128 yards and 14 touchdowns through his first three seasons.

Flowers has produced consecutive 1,000-yard seasons and set a Ravens single-season record for a wide receiver with 1,211 yards in 2025.

Baltimore has spent years attempting to build a dependable receiving group around Lamar Jackson. The extension ensures that Jackson’s strongest established connection will remain in place through the quarterback’s prime.

Flowers now carries the financial expectations of an elite receiver. Baltimore is betting that his early production represents the beginning of his rise rather than the ceiling of his career.

Falcons Fear Jalon Walker Suffered Torn ACL

The Falcons fear that linebacker Jalon Walker suffered a torn ACL during Tuesday’s training-camp practice.

Walker was injured during a team period and left the field on a cart. Atlanta ended practice early as teammates gathered around him.

The team was awaiting confirmation from additional testing, but the initial fear was that the injury would end Walker’s second NFL season before it began.

Atlanta selected Walker with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He recorded 5.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and 36 tackles across 15 games during his rookie season.

The timing makes the potential loss especially damaging. Walker was expected to take a major step after establishing himself as one of Atlanta’s most promising young defenders.

The Falcons can add another pass rusher, but available veterans are unlikely to replace Walker’s combination of athleticism, versatility and developmental upside. His absence would require Atlanta to reconstruct a significant portion of its defensive plan.

Bears Secure Darnell Wright Through 2031

The Chicago Bears have agreed to a four-year, $116 million extension with right tackle Darnell Wright.

The contract reportedly contains $93 million guaranteed, the most guaranteed money ever given to an offensive lineman. Wright’s $29 million annual average ranks second among all NFL offensive tackles.

Chicago had already exercised Wright’s fifth-year option for 2027. The extension now keeps the 24-year-old under contract through the 2031 season.

Wright has started all 49 games since the Bears selected him with the 10th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. He earned second-team All-Pro recognition last season.

Chicago has decided that protecting Caleb Williams begins with maintaining stability at tackle. Wright’s age allows the Bears to make a long-term commitment without paying primarily for past accomplishments.

The guaranteed money creates enormous expectations, but dependable tackles rarely reach free agency. Chicago chose to accept the financial risk rather than attempt to replace a young player who has already developed into one of the league’s best at his position.

Ahkello Witherspoon Retires After Nine Seasons

Washington Commanders cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon has retired from the NFL at 31.

The Commanders placed Witherspoon on the reserve/retired list after he had joined the team on a one-year contract in March.

San Francisco selected Witherspoon in the third round of the 2017 NFL Draft. He later spent time with Pittsburgh and the Los Angeles Rams after a brief stop with Seattle.

Witherspoon finishes his nine-year career with 64 starts and 13 interceptions.

Washington responded by signing veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau, but the retirement removes another experienced option from a secondary already dealing with injuries.

Moreau can provide immediate depth and familiarity, but the Commanders may still need to evaluate the remaining free-agent market before the preseason begins.

NFL Transactions — August 4, 2026

• Atlanta Falcons – Placed linebacker DeAngelo Malone on the physically unable to perform list
• Atlanta Falcons – Signed defensive tackle Marlon Tuipulotu
• Baltimore Ravens – Signed offensive tackle Kendall Lamm
• Carolina Panthers – Signed wide receivers Roc Taylor and Elijah Cooks
• Carolina Panthers – Waived wide receivers Ainias Smith and Gabriel Benyard
• Carolina Panthers – Placed defensive lineman LaBryan Ray on the reserve/retired list
• Chicago Bears – Placed defensive end Jonathan Garvin on injured reserve
• Chicago Bears – Signed defensive lineman Marlen Sewell
• Cincinnati Bengals – Waived safety Isaiah Nwokobia
• Cleveland Browns – Signed cornerback Tyler Hall
• Cleveland Browns – Claimed defensive lineman Coziah Izzard off waivers
• Cleveland Browns – Waived offensive lineman Jack Conley and wide receiver Aaron Anderson
• Detroit Lions – Placed tight end Anthony Firkser on injured reserve
• Detroit Lions – Signed tight end Zach Horton and running back Raheem Blackshear
• Detroit Lions – Waived wide receiver Lawrence Keys III
• Green Bay Packers – Signed tight end McCallan Castles
• Green Bay Packers – Waived tight ends RJ Maryland and Luke Lachey
• Houston Texans – Placed wide receiver DJ Turner on injured reserve
• Indianapolis Colts – Placed defensive back Cameron Mitchell on injured reserve
• Jacksonville Jaguars – Placed offensive lineman Trystan Colon-Castillo on the reserve/retired list
• New England Patriots – Claimed wide receiver Tejhaun Palmer off waivers
• New York Jets – Waived tight end Gee Scott Jr.
• Pittsburgh Steelers – Signed wide receiver Jakobie Keeney-James and waived Cole Burgess
• Seattle Seahawks – Signed linebacker Garrett Nelson and waived cornerback Kyre Duplessis
• Washington Commanders – Placed cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon on the reserve/retired list
• Washington Commanders – Signed cornerback Fabian Moreau.

The contracts for Robinson, Flowers and Wright demonstrate how aggressively teams are attempting to secure foundational players before another season increases their market value.

Atlanta’s day still belongs to Walker’s injury. The Falcons resolved Robinson’s contract situation but may have lost a young defender expected to become one of the faces of their defense.

Baltimore and Chicago avoided that uncertainty by investing early. Flowers gives Jackson a long-term receiving partner, while Wright gives Williams dependable protection through the remainder of his rookie contract and beyond.