Chairshot NFL News Report (9/7/2026): Goodell Stays, Giants Pay Winston & Rams Get Healthier

Roger Goodell signs through 2030, the Giants extend Jameis Winston and Jon Runyan, and the Rams get encouraging Week 1 injury news.

The NFL season begins in two days, and Sunday produced news that stretches considerably farther into the future than Week 1.

Roger Goodell will remain commissioner through the 2030 season, the Giants locked up two veterans before their opener and the Rams received encouraging news regarding several important players preparing for the league’s first game in Australia.

It’s the Chairshot NFL News Report for September 7, 2026!

Roger Goodell Signs Through the 2030 Season

NFL owners agreed to a four-year contract extension with commissioner Roger Goodell that will keep him in the position through the 2030 season. Goodell has served as commissioner since 2006, and the new agreement is his fifth extension.

The current collective bargaining agreement expires in March 2031, which means Goodell is now positioned to guide the league directly into its next major negotiation with the NFL Players Association.

An 18-game regular season will almost certainly become one of the largest issues surrounding those discussions. The league will also be approaching another potentially enormous round of media negotiations.

Goodell has overseen dramatic revenue growth, international expansion and the move from 16 to 17 regular-season games. The owners clearly want continuity while the next structural changes are negotiated.

Giants Extend Jameis Winston and Jon Runyan

The New York Giants agreed to a two-year, $13 million extension with quarterback Jameis Winston that keeps him under contract through 2028. Guard Jon Runyan also agreed to a two-year, $22 million extension that includes $21.5 million guaranteed.

Neither move is built around a traditional franchise centerpiece, but both tell us something about how New York views its roster.

Winston is currently the backup to Jaxson Dart, which makes the extension an investment in quarterback stability rather than quarterback controversy.

Runyan’s contract is arguably more significant because of the guaranteed money involved. New York is effectively removing an offensive-line question before the season begins rather than allowing negotiations to become an offseason distraction.

Puka Nacua and Alaric Jackson Expected to Play

Rams head coach Sean McVay said he expects wide receiver Puka Nacua and offensive lineman Alaric Jackson to be available for Thursday’s Week 1 game against San Francisco in Melbourne. Nacua has been dealing with psoas soreness, while Jackson has also been working through his own availability questions.

Los Angeles entered the weekend with several major health questions. Getting two offensive starters trending in the correct direction simplifies the preparation considerably.

Nacua remains one of the central pieces of the Rams offense, particularly after another offseason that changed portions of the receiving room.

Jackson matters for an entirely different reason. San Francisco already presents enough problems along the defensive front without Los Angeles needing to rearrange its offensive line immediately before the opener.

Myles Garrett and Aaron Donald Practice

Myles Garrett practiced Sunday despite a knee issue, while Aaron Donald also participated as the Rams continued preparing for Thursday’s opener. McVay said he expects to provide another update on both defensive linemen Tuesday before the game. There may not be a more closely watched defensive front in football this week.

Donald returning from retirement would already be one of the season’s biggest stories. Pairing him with Garrett turns Los Angeles into something potentially absurd if both are healthy enough to operate anywhere near their normal levels.

The Rams do not need Donald playing 70 snaps immediately. They need enough snaps from Donald and Garrett together to force San Francisco to structure protections around them.

TreVeyon Henderson Still Cannot Practice

New England running back TreVeyon Henderson missed Sunday’s practice because of the ankle injury that has sidelined him since August 24. Defensive tackle Christian Barmore and center Ben Brown also did not participate as the Patriots prepare for Wednesday night’s opener at Seattle.

If Henderson cannot go Wednesday, New England will lean more heavily on Rhamondre Stevenson while recently acquired Corey Kiner potentially becomes part of the rotation immediately.

Barmore’s status may be equally important against a Seattle offense preparing to hand significant work to rookie running back Jadarian Price.

Seattle Has Safety Problems Before Opening Night

Starting Seahawks safety Ty Okada did not practice Sunday because of a hamstring injury, while Nick Emmanwori remained limited as he returns from ankle surgery. Seattle has only three safeties on the active roster, increasing the possibility that a practice-squad player could be elevated before Wednesday’s game against New England.

That makes Saturday’s decision to bring D’Anthony Bell back onto the practice squad look even more relevant. Seattle may need him immediately.

Opening games are already difficult because teams enter them with months of schematic changes that opponents have not seen on film. Entering that environment with uncertainty at safety can create exactly the type of communication mistakes an experienced quarterback can exploit.

Seattle has a few days to determine whether this is merely a depth concern or something that alters the defensive game plan.

Sunday’s NFL Transactions

Most teams have moved beyond major roster reconstruction, but several Sunday transactions involved players expected to carry meaningful roles once the season begins.

• New York Giants – Agreed to two-year extension with QB Jameis Winston
• New York Giants – Agreed to two-year extension with G Jon Runyan
• San Francisco 49ers – Signed TE Brayden Willis to practice squad
• Seattle Seahawks – Signed S D’Anthony Bell to practice squad
• Seattle Seahawks – Released LB Marvin Jones Jr. from practice squad

The Rams appear to be moving closer to that goal. Nacua and Jackson are expected to play, while Donald and Garrett are practicing before Thursday’s historic game in Australia.

New England and Seattle have more immediate uncertainty before Wednesday night’s opener, particularly around Henderson and Seattle’s safeties.

Beyond Week 1, Goodell’s extension quietly sets up one of the league’s biggest long-term stories. By keeping him through 2030, NFL owners have made sure the same commissioner who helped move the league to 17 games will be sitting at the table when the possibility of 18 games becomes very real.

The games finally start Wednesday, but the business surrounding them never stopped.

This report includes information from: Reuters.com, ESPN.com, NFL.com, Patriots.com, and Seahawks.com.