INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 27: Greg Desrosiers Jr. #31 of the Los Angeles Chargers carries the ball during a preseason game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium on August 27, 2026 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Good morning, Chargers fans!
Final cuts are a little over two days away with the deadline scheduled for 3:00 p.m. PST on Sunday, August 30th.
With that right around the corner, let’s cut to the chase: Which player(s) do you think MUST make the Chargers final roster if there truly is justice in the world. We all know at times that sometimes deserving players do not make the roster for another reason that wasn’t their performance. So this morning, let’s talk about the guys who have truly earned it, regardless of whatever factor may point to otherwise.
And now for today’s links.
Chargers News:
Five takeaways from the Chargers’ preseason finale (Chargers.com)
Chargers-Rams preseason finale game recap (Chargers.com)
What did Jim Harbaugh say about D.J. Uiagalelei’s play ahead of final cuts? (Chargers Wire)
Which players rose and fell the most following the Chargers’ preseason finale? (Chargers On SI)
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 27: Drew Biber #43 of the Cleveland Browns runs the ball during the third quarter of a preseason game against the New England Patriots at Huntington Bank Field on August 27, 2026 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of his first training camp as New England Patriots head coach in 2025, Mike Vrabel explained that he was judging his team’s performances by three distinct categories. The Patriots’ 37-13 loss to the Cleveland Browns on Thursday night saw mostly the second of those categories: there was little of the good, but a lot of the bad and the s—t that gets you beat.
If Vrabel looks at his team through those specific categorizations, let’s follow his lead and break down Patriots-Browns accordingly.
The good: No major injuries
As noted above, the Patriots’ loss to the Browns was mostly bad. There were still a few positives such as wide receiver Kyle Williams scoring his third touchdown in three preseason games, linebacker Namdi Obiazor being active on defense and special teams, or the kicking operation looking good.
The biggest positive from our perspective, however, was the lack of any significant injuries. The only scary moment came midway through the second quarter, when left tackle James Hudson — the Patriots’ starter at that spot in lieu of usual backup LT Marcus Bryant — got banged up. However, Hudson eventually reentered the contest and finished with 37 of 59 snaps.
It remains to be seen whether or not Hudson actually factors into the 53-man roster mix come Sunday evening. However, the fact that his was the only issue and still seemingly minor in nature is good news for a New England team that lost three valuable players over the first two weeks of preseason: backup interior offensive linemen Ben Brown and Andrew Rupcich against the Colts, followed by Bryant versus the Eagles.
The bad: Money downs
The Patriots were unable to deliver in most areas on Thursday, but one that stands out in particular were key situations on offense and defense. Offensively, the team went only 4-for-12 on third down, followed by a 1-for-2 fourth down performance (with one of those failed fourth downs a Behren Morton interception that was returned 36 yards to the New England 12-yard line). The unit also finished an uninspiring 0-for-2 in the red zone.
The defense, meanwhile, allowed Cleveland to move the chains on eight of 13 third downs. The Browns also went 4-for-6 in the red area, and a perfect 3-for-3 in goal-to-go situations. It wasn’t great.
The s—t that gets you beat: Lack of juice
Mike Vrabel was hired by the Patriots in January 2025 in large parts because of his reputation as a culture-builder, and he has indeed done a commendable job turning the team around after back-to-back 4-13 seasons. Thursday night, however, saw little of that. Instead, Vrabel’s team showed little juice and was simply outclassed by its opponent from start to finish.
The positive is that the team that took on the Browns will not be the one that will face the reigning world champion Seahawks in just under two weeks. None of the true core Patriots were on the field Thursday, and even roster-worthy depth options that struggled — think: Charles Woods and Kindle Vildor — should benefit from the “rising tide lifting all boats” effect.
But if we look at the Browns game in a vacuum, none of that matters. For those 60 minutes, the performance and demeanor simply were not good enough.
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - AUGUST 13: Head coach Klint Kubiak of the Las Vegas Raiders leaves the field after the team's 27-14 loss to the Arizona Cardinals in a preseason game at Allegiant Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
There is great excitement about how the Las Vegas Raiders’ offense can improve this season under the guidance of new head coach and offensive playcaller Klint Kubiak.
He has earned a great reputation as a top offensive mind in the league. However, don’t expect the Raiders’ offense to be among the fastest-paces units in the league this season, based on last season, at least.
According to NFL analyst Warren Sharp, the Seattle Seahawks, where Kubiak was the offensive coordinator last season, had the sixth slowest offense last year at a rate of 36.0 seconds per play based on the first three quarters of the game excluding the final two minutes of the first half. Here is the full list.
fastest paced offenses last year:
1. Dallas Cowboys (31.9) 2. Los Angeles Rams (32.7) 3. New Orleans Saints (32.7) 4. Indianapolis Colts (33.9) 5. Washington Commanders (34.0) 6. Kansas City Chiefs (34.1) 7. Denver Broncos (34.2) 8. Chicago Bears (34.2) 9. Detroit Lions (34.3)…
What does it all mean? Well, I don’t think it’s a bad thing. Whatever works for Kubiak obviously translates to success. So, fast or slow paced doesn’t matter as long as he improves the Raiders’ offense.
The most anticipated rookie sports card of the year has officially found its stage.
Fanatics Collect announced that the coveted 2025-26 Topps Cooper Flagg 1-of-1 Rookie Debut Patch Autograph is heading to the auction block as the crown jewel of its September Premier Auction, running from Sept. 10–24. In an unprecedented alignment of modern basketball grails, the event will also feature the 1-of-1 Rookie Debut Patches for fellow top prospects Dylan Harper and Kon Knueppel, marking the first time the top three top rookie debut patches of a single draft class will share a single auction stage.
While the event promises to set market records, the story of how Fanatics Collect secured the consignment is almost as exciting.
The Late-Night Pull and the Unplugged Landline
The saga began shortly before midnight on a Monday evening when the Flagg Debut Patch was pulled live on stream at Rhody Breakers, a local card shop in Rhode Island. Within minutes, the hobby internet erupted, prompting Kevin Lenane, Vice President of Marketplace at Fanatics Collect, to place an immediate call to the shop around 11:00 p.m.
“On scratch redemptions, we don’t have any visibility in it, we usually find out whenever everyone else does,” Lenane recalled. He managed to reach the shop owner, who told him the collector wished to remain anonymous for the time being but offered to pass along a message the following day.
As private six- and seven-figure bounties began multiplying across social media, Lenane attempted to call back to advance discussions, only to find the shop’s landline busy or taken off the hook by the overwhelmed staff. Realizing that digital messages and emails would quickly be buried in an avalanche of noise, Lenane decided to do it the old-fashioned way.
The Kon Knueppel Debut Patch Auto.
Ferries, Red-Eyes, and Landline Negotiations
At 6:00 a.m. the following morning, Lenane boarded a ferry from Port Jefferson, Long Island across the Long Island Sound to Connecticut, taking an Uber straight to the Rhode Island card shop to arrive around 9:00 a.m. before doors opened. Simultaneously, Fanatics Collect team member Clay Thomas boarded an emergency red-eye flight from Los Angeles, landing in Providence a few hours later to join him.
Despite Lenane arriving in person, the collector, identified as Mr. Williams, was initially protective of his anonymity, but agreed to a call. Lenane pitched the collector directly over the shop’s re-plugged landline phone later that day.
“There was everybody and their brother sending Instagram messages, emails, texts, whatever trying to get to this guy,” Lenane noted. “Getting to the shop enabled us to speak to the actual collector live.”
By the afternoon of day two, Williams met Lenane and Thomas in person at the shop, kicking off a marathon 10-to-12-hour negotiation. The discussions centered heavily around marketing strategy, grading, and ensuring the card received the spotlight it deserved, with Lenane making the case that a public Premier Auction offered unparalleled visibility over a private sale. Though the pitch went well, Williams was in no rush, letting the team know he would reach out once he made up his mind. That kicked off a tense waiting game for Fanatics until August 26, when Lenane finally got the call that Williams had chosen to bring the card to Fanatics Collect.
“Ultimately they went with us ’cause they felt like we could get the card the right amount of attention,” Lenane explained. “The difference was not us being Fanatics,” he emphasized. “The difference was us being willing to take a red-eye and a boat to the card shop in Rhode Island. It’s old-school sales hustle.”
The Dylan Harper Debut Patch Auto.
Setting the Stage for the Largest Auction in Fanatics Collect History
Securing these grails for the open market comes just weeks after the high-profile Ohtani/Judge dual patch auto went to a private buyer. Rather than viewing that private sale as a missed opportunity, Lenane used it as a valuable benchmark during discussions with Williams to contextualize the current state of the market.
Lenane noted that the Ohtani sale served as a great marker for where high-end demand sits for the rarest modern cards, giving people a clearer idea of the sheer magnitude a card like Flagg’s could reach on the open market.
At the same time, landing the Flagg patch was far from a reactive chase. Lenane explained that he and his team had been anticipating this product release for months, making it their core mission to bring these flagship debut patches to Fanatics Collect. He pointed out that with five marquee rookies featuring game-worn debut patches in a single set, the hobby knew this release was going to be a monumental moment.
Now, with Flagg, Harper, and Knueppel anchored in the same showcase, the platform is preparing for what Lenane expects to be the largest auction in Fanatics Collect history. He noted that the size of this auction will likely dwarf past benchmark events, noting that where the market was in Jan 25′ compared to now, “There’s no comparison, we’re very excited.”
With bidding opening on September 10, the hobby won’t have to wait long to see where the market places the crown on basketball’s newest generation.
What do you think the Cooper Flagg Debut Patch will sell for? Let us know on Mantel.
The Philadelphia Flyers' 2026-27 schedule is set and there are plenty of games worth circling on the calendar. After ending last season in the second-round of playoffs, the Flyers enter this season with expectations rising. Whether they can take another step forward will become clearer as the season progresses, but there are already several games that are attention grabbing.
Here are five games Flyers fans should already be excited for.
Sept. 30 vs. Pittsburgh Penguins
It doesn't get much better for a home opener. The Flyers will begin their season at home against the Pittsburgh Penguins, immediately bringing one of the NHL's best rivalries to Philadelphia. It will also be the first opportunity for fans to see the 2026-27 Flyers in action at home. With both teams hoping to compete in the Metropolitan Division, this could set the tone for the season.
Oct. 17 vs. Montreal Canadiens
The Flyers will get an early opportunity to test themselves against another young team looking to take the next step. Montreal has been building an exciting core and the Canadiens could be competing for the same playoff opportunities as Philadelphia. An October matchup won't determine the playoff race, but it could offer an early indication of how the Flyers stack up against another up-and-coming team.
Nov. 28 vs. New Jersey Devils
A Black Friday matchup against the New Jersey Devils should be an interesting one. The Devils have established themselves as one of the stronger teams in the Metropolitan Division, making divisional games like this especially important. Philadelphia will have plenty of chances to prove they belong among the Metro's contenders, and this is one of the early opportunities to do so.
Feb. 20 vs. New York Rangers
By the time the Flyers host the New York Rangers in February, the playoff picture should be much clearer. Flyers-Rangers needs little introduction, but the timing could make this specific game more compelling. With the playoff race entering the final stretch, a divisional rivalry game in February is likely to hold significant weight for both teams.
The regular-season finale always deserves a spot on the list. The Flyers will close out the season at home against the Washington Capitals, and by April 10, this game could be a make or break it situation. Depending on the standings, it could have playoff-seeding implications, or determine whether Philadelphia's season continues at all. Even if the playoff picture is clear, it will be the final chance for fans to see the Flyers' season continues at all.
With the Flyers hoping to build on last season's success, these five games should give fans plenty of reasons to tune in throughout the 2026-27 season.
OXNARD, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 18: Donovan Ezeiruaku #6 of the Dallas Cowboys pulls off Taliese Fuaga #75 of the New Orleans Saints helmet during joint practice at River Ridge Playing Fields on August 18, 2026 in Oxnard, California. (Photo by Ric Tapia/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The New Orleans Saints will head to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium in Week 3 of the 2026 NFL preseason. To break it down, David Halprin of Blogging The Boys joins us to preview this weekend’s matchup.
NJ: At this point, everyone knows the joint practice between New Orleans and Dallas was chippy as all get out. Before that joint practice and since then, the Saints haven’t really had any issues with scuffles. Has that kind of intensity and physicality been a consistent theme throughout the Cowboys’ offseason?
DH:I would say the intensity has been there through training camp, a certain amount of energy, but we haven’t had the scuffles we saw in that joint practice. Christian Parker is our new defensive coordinator and he has brought a swagger back to the defensive side of the ball, and that has led to some trash-talking during practices as a very poor Cowboys defense from 2025 gets a complete makeover. Brian Schottenheimer is also a high-energy coach so there has been some friendly banter and interplay between the offense and defense, but only OLB Donovan Ezeiruaku, who was thrown out of the Saints practice, was also told to leave a practice earlier in training camp for a similar fighting problem. That appeared to be a very isolated incident because we never saw much else like that until the joint practice. I don’t know what happened during the joint practice, but the fighting seemed out of the ordinary for how the Cowboys had conducted most of their practices.
NJ: Which Dallas position battle or group of players has the most to gain from the additional preseason reps against New Orleans?
DH: The Cowboys are sorting out quite a few position battles. One of the ones that has been watched a lot is who will be RB2 behind Javonte Williams. Jaydon Blue, Malik Davis, Phil Mafah and Israel Abanikanda are all fighting for reps, with Davis in the driver’s seat right now. The Cowboys are also closely looking at their depth at cornerback as they have a cluster of players all trying to get attention. This one may end up needing some outside help once cutdown day happens. There was a good battle at QB2 going on, but many feel like Joe Milton III has locked that up with a couple of excellent performances in preseason. There is also some competition going on along the backup offensive line.
NJ: What are you hoping to learn about the Cowboys from Friday’s matchup against the Saints, and what did you learn from training camp and the first two preseason games that you’d like to see the team build on?
DH:For most of the offseason, training camp and preseason, Cowboys fans have been eyeing the changes on defense and hoping they make the team better. Last year, the defense was horrible and totally scuttled the season. First-time defensive coordinator Christian Parker has changed the scheme and has overhauled much of the personnel on that side of the ball. So far, it looks like it is working as the defense has played much better. The continuation of that is what Cowboys fans need to see. We know our offense is powerful and can score points, last year they were great. It is all down to the defense if we are going to have success in 2026.
NJ: Who is one Cowboys player you think Saints fans should keep an eye on Friday—someone who may not be receiving much national attention but could make a strong impression?
DH: Wide receiver Camden Brown went undrafted as a rookie. He only had one strong college season in his senior year after he transferred, and wasn’t really on our radar after the Cowboys signed him. In training camp, he exploded. He just kept making plays and catching the attention of everybody. Then in the first preseason game he had two spectacular touchdown catches, and in the last game he added a 69-yard catch-and-run pass completion. He has come out of nowhere to the brink of making the roster. If he shines again on Friday, the Cowboys will have to keep him on the roster, it would be criminal negligence not to.
NJ: According to FanDuel Sportsbook, the Cowboys (-126) are currently 2.5-point favorites over the Saints (+108) in Sunday’s matchup; what is your final score prediction?
DH: Predicting scores for preseason games feels like a losing proposition all around because you never know who will play for how long, and what the coaches want to look at that might not be the best strategy for winning the game. But since you asked, I’ll go with Cowboys 24 Saints 13.
Thank you again to David Halprin for joining us to preview this week’s matchup! You can check out the rest of his work here.
ATLANTA, GA - AUGUST 14: Atlanta quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) reacts during the NFL pre-season game between the Denver Broncos and the Atlanta Falcons on August 14th, 2026 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, GA. (Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The third week of the NFL Preseason schedule typically does not include major storylines as everyone focuses on the depth players who are trying to make the roster more than the players who, in two weeks, will be starting and major contributors in the regular season. Roster cuts are coming due, with each team needing to drop 37 players in the hours between its preseason game and 6 p.m. Eastern time on Sunday.
Typically is the keyword in that opening sentence. When it comes to the Miami Dolphins’ final preseason game, another storyline is set to play out. The Dolphins host the Atlanta Falcons on Friday night, and a familiar face will hit the field at Hard Rock Stadium, but he will wear white, red, and black instead of aqua and orange. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, Miami’s 2020 first-round pick, was released this offseason and now returns as the Falcons’ signal caller.
Tagovailoa is expected to start in Friday’s game for Atlanta. He will be the first “franchise” quarterback for the Dolphins to return to South Florida with another team – Bob Griese and Dan Marino never left Miami and Ryan Tannehill never faced the Dolphins in Miami after he moved to the Tennessee Titans.
Tagovailoa highs and lows in Miami
In six seasons with the Dolphins, Tagovailoa threw for 18,166 yards with 120 touchdowns and 59 interceptions. He led the league with 4,624 passing yards in 2023 and earned a Pro Bowl selection that year. He was the league’s completion percentage leader in 2024 and the passer rating leader in 2022. He is the team’s all-time leader in passer rating and completion percentage and ranks fourth in franchise history in passing yards and touchdown passes.
Injuries, particularly concussions, played a major role in the decline of Tagovailoa’s play, ultimately leading to his release. He succeeded when he could anticipate routes and use his accuracy to thread passes through tight defenses. Over the last two years with Miami, the timing seemed off, his arm lost strength, and his confidence seemed shot – both in himself and in his offensive line.
Salary cap impact of Tagovailoa’s release
It was time for a new start for Tagovailoa and for the Dolphins – even as his release costs Miami $55.4 million in cap space this season and another $43.8 million next year.
Are the Falcons getting the quarterback who can lead the league in major passing statistics or are they getting the quarterback who was eventually benched last year for a seventh-round rookie? To get an idea of what the Falcons have in Tagovailoa, I spoke with Jeanna Kelley from The Falcoholic, SB Nation’s Falcons team site. She provided a great breakdown of Tagovailoa’s time in Atlanta.
Tua’s roller coaster summer
Kelley: Tua’s performance has definitely been up-and-down this summer, but there are several caveats. One, Atlanta’s right tackle Kaleb McGary retired unexpectedly this offseason, and Jawaan Taylor was brought in as the probable replacement, but he was working through some injury issues early on that delayed his ability to really integrate with that unit. You know what it’s like when an offensive line hasn’t quite developed the chemistry they need to be effective, and in addition to adjusting to a new scheme and developing his timing and chemistry with his new receivers, that hasn’t made Tua’s life easier.
Door open for Tagovailoa to start
If Tua’s able to play well, I think it would be bonkers to make a change when Penix is ready to play.
Kelley: I do not think Michael Penix will be able to start Week 1. I believe he is healthy, but given how recently he was medically cleared and that he’s just had three days of practice, I feel like the season is creeping up too quicky for Penix to be ready, so I think Tua will be the starter. And if Tua’s able to play well, I think it would be bonkers to make a change when Penix is ready to play.
Tua’s work ethic on display
Kelley: Tua’s biggest strengths, in my opinion, are his maturity, intelligence (general intellect and football IQ), and work ethic. If it is at all possible for Tua to put himself in a position to succeed — if that is actually something that is within Tua’s control — I believe with his mindset and work ethic, he will get it done. If it’s out of Tua’s control, though — for example, if he (and I truly, truly hope he does not) gets another concussion, then all bets are off.
Fans frustrated but Tagovailoa the best option
Tua has not been perfect, but I still firmly believe he’s the Falcons’ best option Week 1 unless Michael Penix’s status changes dramatically
Kelley: Falcons fans are generally over the Tua experiment and would rather see either Penix regardless of whether he’s fully physically ready, or Jack Strand, the UDFA dynamo who’s shown out against guys buried deep on the depth chart, but needs quite a bit of development coming out of Minnesota-Moorhead. No, Tua has not been perfect, but I still firmly believe he’s the Falcons’ best option Week 1 unless Michael Penix’s status changes dramatically much faster than I expect. And Tua is such a good guy; I can’t help but hope it works out for him — if not in Atlanta long-term, given what they invested into Penix, then I hope he’s able to show enough this season to get another shot at a starting gig elsewhere.
CINCINNATI, OH - AUGUST 22: The Chicago Bears offense huddles during the preseason game between the Chicago Bears and the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Cincinnati, OH. (Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Bears’ initial 53-man roster will be announced in just a few days, and trying to project this one is rather difficult. Most of the main positions are mostly settled, but there are several players dealing with injuries, so trying to figure out how the Bears plan to maneuver those players so they can get everyone to their designated injury list is a bit more challenging.
Here’s my best guess as to how the 53-man roster looks on Sunday (* are explained in the comments for each group)
Quarterback (3): Caleb Williams, Tyson Bagent, Case Keenum
Why burn words on the most straightforward group at any position on the team?
Running Back (4): D’Andre Swift, Kyle Monangai, Salvon Ahmed, Roschon Johnson
I think most projections here will be three running backs. I’m going to go with four thanks to Ozzy Trapilo (more on that later). I think Ahmed makes the team as the third running back and Roschon finishes out his contract playing largely on special teams.
Based on how the Bears have signed multiple veteran wide receivers, I get the idea they want to keep 6 on the roster. I think the top 5 are pretty straightforward, and I think with a strong camp, Kaden Davis makes the roster this year and the Bears see if Davis has finally found a home after being quite the nomad to start his career.
Tight End (3): Colston Loveland, Cole Kmet, Sam Roush
This one is about as straightforward as the QB room.
Offensive Line (9): Braxton Jones, Joe Thuney, Garrett Bradbury, Jonah Jackson, Darnell Wright, Logan Jones, Luke Newman, Jordan McFadden, Theo Benedet
Alright, so with this one, you’ll see that Ozzy Trapilo is missing. The Bears are allowed to move two players directly to IR without playing the “put them on the original 53, and then move them to IR the next day and bring back someone you just cut” game. I say they do that with Trapilo. I think based on the struggles of Amegadjie and Wills, it’s just time to let them go and use Benedet as the swing tackle until Trapilo can return. When Trapilo gets back, if the offense is fully healthy, that’s when I would look at Roschon Johnson potentially getting released, but odds are, there will be more injuries to the team because, well, it’s the NFL.
Special Teams (3): Cairo Santos, Tory Taylor, Beau Gardner
With Luke Elkin gone, this room is already set.
Defensive Ends (6/5): Montez Sweat, Austin Booker, Daniel Hardy, Marcus Davenport, Jamree Kromah, Shemar Turner*
The defense is certainly trickier than the offense, but let’s take a shot. With this group, I think Turner is moved to the injured list but not with one of those two initial spots, which means he’s going to have to be placed on the 53 and moved the next day. I think the Bears initially keep 6 here with the idea that it’s actually a 5-person room. Sweat and Austin, of course, are here. Hardy is a great special teamer and has been getting rotations with the 1s. Kromah has flashed enough that I think they give him a shot, and I can’t see the Bears bringing in Davenport just to let him go before the season starts.
Defensive Tackles (5): Grady Jarrett, Gervon Dexter, Dayo Odeyingbo, Neville Gallimore, Jordan van den Berg
For this exercise, we’ve moved Odeyingbo inside. The Bears really seem to want to try him as an interior pass rusher, so we will call him that for this purpose. I don’t know if Dexter is on the block or if the agent is just trying to drum up interest to try and get his client a bigger payday, but I think he’s here still on Sunday. Gallimore, of course, makes it, as does van den Berg. It does mean there is no room for Kentavius Street.
I think this room is pretty straightforward. Noah Sewell is in the final year of his contract and hasn’t been on the field, and I just don’t see a spot for Jack Sanborn. Hyppolite could be gone, but I doubt the Bears go another direction after just one season. I think he gets another year to show improvement. The other four aren’t going anywhere.
Here we see Kyler Gordon missing because I think he, like Trapilo, gets moved immediately to IR when the initial 53 comes out. I think Manning is initially released but is brought back as the 6th CB once they can move Turner over to the injured list. I think Terell Smith misses making the team this year after countless years struggling to stay healthy.
No Coby Bryant here, and a banged-up Elijah Hicks makes this an interesting group. I think the Bears initially keep Hicks on the 53 and release Thomas, but swap them 24 hours later, with Hicks moving to the injured list and Thomas coming back onto the 53.
With this group, as I’ve mentioned in previous paragraphs, Gordon and Trapilo immediately move to IR, and Turner and Hicks get transferred to the injured list after initial cuts.
The Seattle Seahawks entered the 2026 season with plenty of young players looking for an opportunity, but the path from draft pick to NFL contributor is rarely straightforward. For Seattle’s rookie class, that process has already become more complicated. So far, Jadarian Price appears to be the only realistic option from the class to contribute immediately as a rookie.
Those injuries matter, but they are only part of the story.
The bigger question surrounding Seattle’s 2026 draft class may be much simpler: how many of these rookies will actually earn a place on the 53-man roster?
Clark was one of the rookies with the clearest opportunity to carve out a role in Mike Macdonald’s defense. The second-round pick out of TCU brought the versatility and coverage ability Seattle was looking for in its secondary, and his ability to contribute in different packages made him an appealing fit for the defense.
Instead, his rookie season is already over.
Neal presents a different situation. The third-round cornerback out of Arkansas had a legitimate opportunity to compete for playing time at a position where Seattle has several questions behind its top options. His injury now removes another young player from that competition, at least temporarily.
That could have a significant effect on the roster battle at cornerback.
With Neal unavailable, veterans such as Trevon Diggs and Noah Igbinoghene become more important, while Seattle has fewer opportunities to evaluate its younger options. If Neal’s injury keeps him out for an extended period, the Seahawks may ultimately have to decide whether they have enough depth at the position or whether they need to look outside the building.
But losing Clark and Neal doesn’t mean the draft class itself is in trouble.
In fact, the more immediate concern is what happens with the rest of the rookies.
Seattle has several other draft picks (notably Michael Dansby and Andre Fuller) competing for roster spots, and some of them face a much steeper climb than Clark or Neal did. By the end of August, the Seahawks have to determine which rookies have done enough to justify occupying one of 53 roster spots.
That’s where preseason performance becomes particularly important.
Beau Stephens is one of the more interesting examples.
There was some discussion that Stephens could potentially emerge as a player capable of challenging Anthony Bradford for the starting job. I’m considerably less convinced that’s where the competition currently stands.
Stephens has shown flashes, but he hasn’t demonstrated the kind of consistent jump that would make me believe he’s ready to unseat an established player. And, to be fair, some of what we’ve seen is perfectly normal for a rookie.
There have been good reps followed by mistakes. Plays where his technique and athleticism stand out, followed by snaps where he looks like exactly what he is: a young player still adjusting to the speed and physicality of the NFL.
That isn’t necessarily a bad sign.
Preseason is supposed to expose those inconsistencies, particularly for rookies. The important question is whether Stephens can turn those flashes into something more consistent as the evaluation period progresses.
For now, however, I wouldn’t frame him as the player who is going to take Bradford’s job, and that distinction matters when evaluating this draft class. The Seahawks don’t need every rookie to become a starter. They need enough of them to become useful NFL players.
Some will have obvious paths to playing time. Others may need to earn their roster spots through special teams, rotational snaps or simply demonstrating enough developmental potential for the coaching staff to keep them around.
That could be the first real test of Seattle’s 2026 class.
Clark is already lost for the season. Neal’s availability is uncertain. Meanwhile, several of the other rookies still have to prove that they belong on the roster in the first place.
That’s a very different challenge from simply finding immediate production.
And it is why the final week of preseason will tell us much more about this draft class than the draft grades ever could.
If several of Seattle’s remaining rookies emerge as legitimate contributors, Clark’s injury and Neal’s absence can eventually become footnotes in what could still be a successful class.
If, however, multiple picks fail to separate themselves from the veteran and undrafted competition, Seattle could finish the season with surprisingly little rookie production despite investing significant draft capital.
That’s the real concern right now.
The Seahawks don’t need this class to dominate in 2026. They need to identify which players can help them now, which players need more development and, perhaps most importantly, which players are worth keeping on the 53-man roster.
Clark won’t get the opportunity to answer that question this year.
LANDOVER, MD - AUGUST 14: Ale Kaho #51 of the Washington Commanders celebrates with teammates after intercepting a pass during the second half of a preseason game against the Miami Dolphins at Northwest Stadium on August 14, 2026 in Landover, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The Daily Slop – 28 August 2026
Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
The running back room became a lot more interesting once the preseason started. Jacory Croskey-Merritt showed up to camp with more muscle and ready to compete, but he has what Dan Quinn has described as a lower-body issue that he’s working through. Kaytron Allen has continued strengthening his case, while Robert Henry Jr. went from being an afterthought in most roster projections to somebody Washington has to seriously consider after his performance against Miami. Jeremy McNichols looked fairly secure as the veteran fourth back entering camp before a quadriceps injury removed him from several important late-preseason opportunities.
Washington then signed veteran Craig Reynolds, initially because the team simply needed another healthy running back to get through practices and games. Still, every additional body adds another option. The decision here can’t be made strictly by looking at rushing totals either. Pass protection, special teams, third-down reliability, and which backs can actually be active on game day will matter. Allen and Henry have made this a much harder decision than it seemed a month ago, and Washington now has to decide whether the young backs have done enough to change the original roster math.
Kaliakmanis has completed 17 of 24 passes for 249 yards, averaging 10.38 yards per attempt with zero interceptions and an aggregate passer rating that reflects a quarterback playing with confidence rather than just managing the game. His 10.38 yards per attempt is elite by any standard — in the regular season, that number would rank among the best in the NFL. It’s preseason, yes. But the traits it reflects — arm talent, intermediate accuracy, downfield aggressiveness, comfort in the pocket — don’t disappear when the games start counting.
The scheme fit matters too. David Blough’s offense is built on play-action, RPOs, and rollouts that require a quarterback who can plant and drive the ball downfield from unconventional platforms. Kaliakmanis looks more comfortable after two preseason games than Hartman has in three years of being in the building.
Do you feel Jacory Croskey-Merritt has improved his pass blocking enough this offseason to warrant more snaps on third downs?
I would say so, and it’s arguably what has stood out the most about Croskey-Merritt, who had a good camp. His struggles in that area were one of the reasons he received fewer carries in the middle of last season, despite his abilities with the ball in his hands. There’s more to being an NFL running back than carrying the ball; it’s something that every rookie player at the position must learn. I don’t think he was ever unwilling to pass block, but learning the proper techniques and physical requirements can take time. Croskey-Merritt has put his full effort into improving that area of his skill set, and it has shown up on the field.
That’s going to get him more snaps on the field, and if fans have shown anything over the past year, it’s that they love when they see Bill in the lineup.
Who’s your long shots for making the season-opening 53?
The one that comes to my mind is Antonio Hamilton Sr. He has such a good story being an 11-year veteran who has bounced around the league. He was with the Commanders last year and performed well in spot duty. He does have some length to his frame, but what really makes him stand out is his energy and enthusiasm. He gives his all on every play, and that kind of effort matters to coaches. If he does make the team, it would likely be mostly for special teams purposes, but players like Hamilton are welcome in that unit. I have no idea how many cornerbacks they plan to keep, but if they do keep five, it wouldn’t surprise me if he was one of them.
I think you could make the same case for Ale Kaho.
“Get a quarterback under center. Gives you so many different looks, throws a defense off,” Anderson said. “It’s not just sitting in the pistol knowing that it’s one of three plays that’s going to happen.”
Anderson noted that early reports out of training camp suggest the offense is not coming together quickly, which he views as a positive sign rather than a negative one. A longer installation process should keep defenses off balance over the full 17-game slate.
Washington needs variance to avoid the Miami trap
The biggest risk for Blough’s offense is falling into a predictable pattern.
Anderson pointed to the Miami Dolphins’ timing-based attack under coach Mike McDaniel as a cautionary tale. That system was easily dissolved once defenses realized it ran the same concepts out of the same three formations, requiring defenders only to fill three predetermined spots to shut it down.
Controversial or not, there’s an appetite for merchandise with the Commanders’ outdated name and logo.
Via Eric Flack of WUSA, who first reported on the sale of gear bearing the abandoned name and logo earlier this week, all items featuring the old logo and name at the team’s online store have sold out.
Per Flack, items remain available at the team’s brick-and-mortar store.
The Commanders were my most watchable team entering 2025 off Jayden Daniels‘ uproarious Offensive Rookie of the Year season, penchant for close games (they won on multiple Hail Mary plays, remember) and a high pace of play that made for a lot more football. Of course, I didn’t calculate absolutely everyone getting hurt — but that’s on me.
Daniels was must-see television in 2024 and, in a new offense, should get back to that form in 2026. No quarterback scrambles more often than Daniels (16.0% last season). The new defensive approach under coordinator Daronte Jones, hired from the Brian Flores tree, should be aggressive and creative. So, we should see more big plays for the defense and the offense. Plus, with head coach Dan Quinn starting the season on the hot seat, the stakes should be high in early-season games.
[T]he dynasty’s been dead for decades, and all the Cowboys have been since is a mediocre football team that doubles as the most valuable brand in sports. Sportico reported the franchise is now worth $15.5 billion. The Joneses are fabulously wealthy, the fanbase as restless as ever. The championship drought is 30 years long.
“How the hell does this keep happening?” Stephen grumbles at the table.
His father’s stubborn refusal to hire a typical general manager — Jerry keeps the title to himself — has made Stephen the franchise’s second-most influential voice, and as Jerry has scaled back in recent years, often the most influential. “Trust me, Stephen’s the guy,” Rawlings says.
With that comes a say in everything the organization does, and the blame that comes with years of disappointing playoff exits. “I wear it just like he wears it,” Stephen says of his father. “It’s been too damn long.”
Publicly, he keeps sidestepping questions about the future, about how he’ll run the team when his father is gone. The mere thought can bring Stephen to tears. But Jerry is 83. He already beat back cancer once. More and more it’s Stephen speaking for the franchise, Stephen directing the draft room, Stephen inching into the camera’s view.
“I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t,” Jerry insists, admitting that he’s already started to pass the baton. “One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
The National Football League today announced it has reached commercial agreements with three leading sports betting operators ahead of the 2026 season. DraftKings and FanDuel, partners in the category since 2021, each signed a multi-year deal. Fanatics Betting and Gaming also signed a multi-year agreement, expanding a relationship with the NFL that includes collectibles and official league merchandise.
As part of these multi-year deals, all three partners will have the ability to leverage NFL marks within the sports betting category and promote online and retail sports betting. They will also have presence at NFL tentpole events such as the Super Bowl and NFL Draft, unique hospitality and VIP experiences and integrations across NFL-owned digital media properties. Finally, they will have access to real-time, official play-by-play statistics, proprietary Next Gen Stats and BetVision through Genius Sports, the league’s exclusive data distribution partner.
Kicking update from yesterday’s work with Baltimore:
Drew Stevens went 6/6 in his field goal period of practice with a long of 56. He then attempted, and missed, a 60 yarder at the end of a two-minute simulation. He pulled the kick to the left.
With all the center drama in Washington I keep circling back to these 2 picks in the 5th round. Josephs has had a really strong camp but gotta wonder if Brailsford was the plan pic.twitter.com/rnn59MifFM
#Lions DE Payton Turner, the former 1st-round pick of the #Saints who signed this offseason, was placed on IR, ending his season in Detroit. pic.twitter.com/LrCAJrzSYK
New #Seahawks owner Vinod Khosla says he’s still a Pittsburgh Steelers fan, explaining that he came to the United States in 1976, when they were dominating the sport.
CANTON, OH - AUGUST 06: Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Reggie Virgil (82) is tackled by Carolina Panthers cornerback Corey Thornton (31) during the second quarter of the National Football League preseason game between the Carolina Panthers and Arizona Cardinals on August 6, 2026, at the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) | Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Hello CSR! Welcome to Brian Answers, part two of your weekly Panthers fan mailbag for everyone! We have one final week of preseason to get through before its on to the final roster cut down, practice squad signings, and then game week! Let’s dive in to your final round of preseason questions!
RobHolland211: Hi Brian. Based solely on what we’ve seen this preseason, do you think we win the division again this year or do you think one (or two) of our NFC South foes have a chance of overtaking us?
I have a hard time basing much on the preseason. I think the Falcons are going to be dead in the water unless Michael Penix really bounces back. I do think the Buccaneers could win the NFC South, while I think the Saints will once again be competitive. But this division is still as unpredictable as ever to me.
GooseCreek: Brian, you are among a group of football enthusiasts gathered to discuss NFL rules you would like to add or change. After these discussions, a list of proposals will be sent to Troy Vincent, NFL Exec. V.P. of Football Operations for evaluation and referral to Commissioner Goodell.
What changes or additions are you advocating?]
I would push for an additional bye week and add more final roster spots and active GameDay roster spots. I think both of these will help increase the longevity of the rosters over the course of the ever expanding NFL season and subsequent increased travel with international games. Plus, it gives more young talents time and paychecks to develop in the NFL. Those are the only ones I am really all that passionate about, there were some really good answers to this question so share all your thoughts down below, CSR faithful.
@WTMealey: We might know the answer before the other article drops but anywho
How many players not currently on the roster will we claim on waivers and make the initial 53?
How many of our current players that we cut will end up on some other teams initial 53?
The Panthers do tend to churn the 53 man roster cuts, so I’ll go with 2 players they might add.
I think maybe 2 for the Panthers to make other 53 man rosters. I don’t expect Xavier Legette to be waived so he’s not on my list. This Panthers squad is a bit deeper than seasons past.
Randallpink11: Is Corey Thorton making the 53? I have seen several reports suggesting he does not. What does the mighty Brain have to say about it?
I don’t have a whole lot of doubt that he does make the roster. He made it last season and played some valuable snaps as part of the regular season defense before injuries. I have 4 guys ahead of him on the depth chart (Jaycee Horn, Mike Jackson, Chau Smith-Wade, Will Lee III). I would expect at least 5 CBs to make the roster and an additional 1 or 2 making the practice squad.
Revshawn: What would be the equivalent of natural disaster it would be if Haynes King is cut on the final cut day and he’s claimed by the Atlanta Falcons?
I appreciate a good bit, but its not outside of the realm of possibility the Panthers let King hit waivers and try to add him back to the practice squad. I think its more likely he sticks and Kyle Trask gets released, but I’m not staking my name to that claim just yet. But if waiving King happens, it will suck a little bit.
Good_Ol_Boy: Have you been impressed by our incoming rookie class in the preseason? Do you think any of them will be cut outright and not be put on the PS?
I don’t see much reason for the Panthers to waive any of their rookie draft class. I’d consider Will Lee III, Sam Hecht, and Zakee Wheatley pretty safe at this point. They may waive Jackson Kuwatch but I’d expect him to go back to the practice squad. If you’re talking UDFAs, I’m not getting into that one.
SmoothC: What order so you see the NFC south finishing?
I see the Bucs, Panthers, Saints, and Falcons as the order, with the top of the division once again super close in record. I could even see the Panthers slipping to 3rd or 4th by only a game or twos difference and tiebreakers. Still a real hard division to predict right now.
schrodingersblackcat: What’s your favorite Dolly Parton song (or other artistic contribution)?
What’s your favorite Tim Curry role?
Jolene and I Will Always Love You will always be classics for me. They may be easy answers but its just not difficult to me. As a side note, check out Dollywood if you never got the chance to.
For me, Tim Curry’s version of It will always be my favorite. Just a classic film in the horror genre.
SnarkyComet: How do you think our RB group will look on Week 1 vs the Bears? Like what percentage do you see the usage of each RB? With Hubbard coming off injury I’m anxious to see how/who we roll out there for the run game.
I know no one is 100% safe that’s not named Hubbard or Brooks so you can say 3rd RB if it helps. Or do you have a strong idea of who that third RB is?
I’m not overly concerned with Chuba Hubbard, it very much seems like Carolina is playing it safe with a soft tendon issue, and they really don’t need to trot Chuba out there during the preseason when he’s nursing an injury. I think Hubbard and Jonathon Brooks will split a healthy number of carries, but if Chuba is still hampered I don’t see any reason they won’t use Trevor Etienne. I’m way more worried about other positions than running back right now.
JakeNCVA: I’m all out of questions; other than ones that will have to wait until the regular season gets underway to get answers.
Great final comment to end the preseason mailbag, I’m exhausted with trying to project this and am just excited to see the real thing.
That’s all for this week, Panthers fans. Enjoy the preseason game!
Jerry Jones has owned the Dallas Cowboys since 1989. The single transaction has become intertwined with his very identity.
Jerry Jones is the Cowboys and, for better or worse, the Cowboys are Jerry Jones.
That's why it's no surprise Jerry said in a recent interview with Zak Keefer of The Athletic: “I don’t have a succession plan, I don’t. One day I just won’t be here to toss my two cents in.”
It's another example of Jerry's legendary hyperbole. Of course he has a succession plan; the league office mandates that, each year, the owner of every team provide the name of the person who would take the reins if an owner dies or becomes incapacitated.
It's been obvious for years that, whenever Jerry "won't be here to toss my two cents in," Stephen Jones will be the one running the show. And the article focuses heavily on the potential differences between Jerry and Stephen, as the person in charge of the team.
It also centers on one of the biggest disagreements they ever had, when Jerry wanted to take quarterback Johnny Manziel in round one of the 2014 draft and Stephen spearheaded an effort to take offensive lineman Zack Martin instead.
Keefer has this jarring quote from Stephen, regarding his recollection of Jerry's reaction to the Martin selection.
“I hope you’re happy,” Stephen said, quoting Jerry. “You don’t do special things in life — I would have never bought the Dallas Cowboys — making middle-of-the-road decisions. And what you just did is down the middle. . . . You’ll never be great.”
Martin proved to be the greatest player still on the board when the Cowboys picked at No. 16. And, along with Mike Evans, Aaron Donald, and possibly Khalil Mack, Martin is one of the handful of future Hall of Famers from that draft. (Davante Adams, taken in round two, has a chance to get there, too.)
Manziel, in turn, was an all-time bust. Which should make Cowboys fans feel a little bit better about an inevitable future in which Stephen will be driving the giant bus with a blue star on each side.
THOUSAND OAKS, CA - FEBRUARY 09: Offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth #77 of the Los Angeles Rams talks with defensive tackle Aaron Donald #99 during practice in preparation for Super Bowl LVI at Los Angeles Rams Training Facility on February 9, 2022 in Thousand Oaks, California. The Rams will play against the Cincinnati Bengals in Super Bowl LVI on February 13. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Everyone wants to know whether Aaron Donald will be coming back to the Los Angeles Rams or not, and Andrew Whitworth feels that it’s only a matter of time. Whitworth explained to Ryan Fitzpatrick on their podcast that Donald has been putting on a football helmet and doing drills, and as far as Whitworth is concerned, Donald wouldn’t be putting on a helmet if he wasn’t serious about playing.
Whitworth is seemingly speculating, but his logic makes sense. Why put on a helmet if you don’t want to play football? There is also the possibility that Donald is wearing the helmet because it looks cool in workout videos, point being, until Donald makes an official decision, we don’t know what his plans are.
All signs point to Donald on some level is thinking our at least has thought about a genuine NFL comeback. All signs point to the Rams being so open to it that they are letting Donald work this all out on his own time. All signs point to we don’t have an official answer yet, and Donald could come back, he could not. But as far as Whitworth is concerned, Donald’s mind is made up and as long as the Rams are in contention, he’ll be back at some point.
“He’s barely said anything about his plans and hasn’t addressed it publicly, but signs have pointed to him returning to the Rams – including Sean McVay’s clear excitement when asked about that possibility. Andrew Whitworth has said before that he thinks Donald will play this season and during Prime’s broadcast of Browns-Patriots on Thursday night, Whitworth maintained his confidence in that belief.
“Oh, I think he’s playing,” Whitworth said. “I think you gotta figure out all the little parts that go into it. … Listen, if you put a helmet on and hit a sled, you’re playing football. I don’t care what you say, you’re going to figure it out.”
“Sean McVay said the Tutu Atwell decision is not related to any potential suspension that could come to Puka Nacua. He said they wanted Tutu for depth. He also said it won’t bump any WRs they wanted to keep off the roster either. They have plans to be flexible with the 53,” Atkins wrote on X, formerly Twitter.
With everything said and done, ifs and buts around a potential suspension have always been in discussion. Even ESPN’s Adam Schefter mentioned that Nacua could miss Week 1 of NFL action.
“Cases that I believe are now being reviewed include that of the Rams wide receiver, Puka Nacua, who could potentially face discipline for some of the off-season headlines that accompanied him and some of those incidents last year with another woman, what did and didn’t occur. We’ll leave that to the NFL to figure out what did and didn’t happen, but it’s possible that when the Niners and Rams play in Australia, it’s within the realm of options that Puka doesn’t play in that game,” Schefter reported earlier in August.“
“Rams fans know Atwell, and Atwell knows LA’s offense. That may be why the Rams pursued Atwell as the return piece in trading Hunter. But their current rookies already face the lack-of-use syndrome that plagued Atwell’s career in Los Angeles.
His return will only complicate the matter.
But LA just upgraded its roster, if for no other reason than to bolster its experience. And if the Rams are to survive any league-mandated suspension for Puka Nacua, Atwell will at least give them another target in the room.“
“While preparing for an upcoming play, the open microphone suddenly broadcast a weary voice saying, “Jesus, let’s get this over with.” Apparently, the grueling nature of the exhibition schedule had finally exhausted the refereeing crew’s patience.”
“Michael Holley and Mike Florio dive into Aaron Donald’s potential return from retirement and discuss the factors at play for the future Hall of Famer to come back.”
“Given the talent from top to bottom, it’s going to be a really challenging roster to make – especially for younger, unproven players. Even all of their rookie draft picks aren’t completely safe from being cut.
With the preseason now finished and final cuts mere days away, we’re looking at which players are virtually guaranteed to make the team. Sean McVay and the coaching staff make it easier to discern locks from bubble players based on who plays (and how much) in the preseason, but playing time isn’t always a perfect reflection of a player’s standing on the roster.“
“The LA Rams played their final preseason game of the year on Thursday against the Chargers. Stetson Bennett started their first two games of the preseason, but on Thursday he didn’t step foot on the field once.
Instead the Rams chose to ride with rookie quarterback Ty Simpson in his place. On the surface this may seem like a bad sign for Bennett, but in reality it might be the greatest sign yet that he is winning, or has already won, the backup quarterback job for the Rams.“
“After getting through the third and final dress rehearsal before the Rams kick off Week 1 in Australia, McVay said he won’t be “pigeon-holding” himself into any decision just yet. Rookie Ty Simpson and fourth-year vet Stetson Bennett have both performed well for the Rams this preseason, with Bennett sitting out Thursday’s game against the Chargers. The decision to sit Bennett on Thursday, coupled with the 62 snaps he saw in the preseason to Simpson’s 111, could be a signal as to which way McVay is leaning at this point, although he is on record saying we shouldn’t read too much into that. Regardless, the good news for McVay and Rams fans is that Matthew Stafford is healthy and will hopefully be under center for all 17 of the Rams’ games this season as he looks to defend his crown as the reigning league MVP.“
Comment of the Day:
“Ty is playing under so much pressure from the media after the storyline of the Rams “wasting” a pick on him. His mental toughness is amazing and it doesn’t appear to phase him in the least (so far).“-Unknown Football Fan
The coaches who challenged him. The players who earned his respect. The lessons that stayed with him long after the rink emptied. For years, Craig kept notebooks filled with observations from his hockey life—conversations, ideas and small details that might prove useful somewhere down the road. At the time, they were simply pieces of a career spent learning the game from as many angles as possible.
Now, those lessons have led him to the most important opportunity of his coaching career.
On June 18, Craig became the fifth head coach in Vegas Golden Knights history, taking over a team that had come within two victories of another Stanley Cup championship. The timing was hardly ordinary. Vegas had just watched its season end in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, leaving a roster that had spent months chasing another championship with little time to process the disappointment before a new voice entered the room.
Craig understood that feeling. He had been there before.
His connection to the Golden Knights dates back to the franchise’s inaugural season in 2017, when he joined the organization as an assistant coach. Six seasons later, he helped Vegas win its first Stanley Cup. He then spent three seasons as head coach of the organization’s American Hockey League affiliate in Henderson, where he developed his own identity behind the bench.
Now, after nearly a decade in the organization, Craig is back in Vegas—but this time, the responsibility belongs entirely to him.
“I think you get to work,” Craig told Alexis Bass of KLAS 8 News Now.
That mentality has essentially defined his career.
Before he was drawing up systems or managing an NHL locker room, Craig spent 14 years trying to establish himself as a professional player. The Abbotsford, British Columbia, native played 198 NHL games with the Tampa Bay Lightning, Pittsburgh Penguins and Columbus Blue Jackets, along with 711 games in the AHL. He also captained nine teams during his playing career, including the 2015-16 Lake Erie Monsters, who captured the Calder Cup.
His hockey education began even earlier with the Brandon Wheat Kings of the Western Hockey League, where Craig spent five seasons. Kelly McCrimmon, now the Golden Knights’ general manager, was then the team’s owner and general manager. Craig twice led Brandon in scoring, served as captain for two seasons and was eventually named to the WHL East First All-Star Team.
The relationship between the two would eventually follow Craig to the NHL.
When Craig’s playing career ended, however, he faced the difficult decision every professional athlete eventually encounters: what comes next?
“Are you sure you’re done?” was one of the questions he heard most often.
Craig was sure enough to move on, but he wasn’t ready to leave hockey behind. Instead, he transitioned into coaching, carrying with him years of experience from inside locker rooms and under coaches he had come to respect.
When asked what his younger playing self might tell him about becoming a coach, Craig pointed to the qualities he admired most in the coaches he played for: preparation, organization, relationships and accountability.
“I don’t know what goes into it until you live it,” Craig said.
Now, he is living it.
Craig spent six seasons as a Golden Knights assistant from 2017-23, helping the franchise reach the playoffs five times before lifting the Stanley Cup in his final season. His next challenge came in Henderson, where the Silver Knights improved their win total in each of his three seasons.
Henderson went from 28 victories in 2023-24 to 29 in 2024-25 before Craig’s team broke through last season with 39 wins and 90 points, both franchise records. The Silver Knights advanced to the second round of the Calder Cup Playoffs before falling to the Colorado Eagles.
The experience gave Craig something particularly valuable as he prepares for his first NHL head-coaching season: an opportunity to learn how to run a team rather than simply contribute to one.
It also allowed him to remain closely connected to Vegas. The Golden Knights and Silver Knights share the same city, practice facilities and organizational identity, creating a development pipeline Craig understands from both sides.
That familiarity extends to the players he will now coach. Craig already has relationships with many members of the Golden Knights’ roster, while others have become priorities as he works to establish new ones.
He began that process almost immediately after his hiring, but he also understood that his players needed time.
Many had just finished playing in the Stanley Cup Final.
“I had to be conscious of those guys just finished playing,” Craig said. “…You want to give them their space.”
That balance—knowing when to push and when to step back—will be an important part of Craig’s new job.
The summer has been about conversations. Training camp will be about action.
“Now we’re getting into the time here where it’s almost action,” Craig said. “It’s time to get to work on the ice.”
That may be the clearest way to describe where Craig stands now. For nearly a decade, he has collected experiences throughout the Golden Knights organization, learning as an assistant, developing as an AHL head coach and drawing from a playing career that included both the NHL and a Calder Cup championship.
He has watched the Golden Knights grow from an expansion franchise into a perennial contender and experienced the organization’s first Stanley Cup championship from behind the bench.
Now he has to lead the next chapter.
The preparation is over. The notebooks can stay on the shelf.
The opportunities to impress this coaching staff have dwindled with one preseason game left before the 53-man roster cutdowns. Friday’s game against the Carolina Panthers represents the final opportunity for players to put compelling tape together and earn a spot on this roster.
Given the number of injuries this training camp, there are more roster spots available than anticipated. Notably, the fourth defensive end, third and fourth running back, fifth and sixth receiver, and multiple linebacker spots are up for grabs. All it takes is one to two elite plays for a fringe player to compel Nick Caserio and DeMeco Ryans to keep them on the team.
Below, you’ll find the eight players who are on the outside looking in of the roster who can secure their spot with a good performance. A few have climbed the depth chart thanks to injuries elsewhere, including Solomon Byrd, yet they still have to prove they’re a better fit than whoever becomes available once rosters are trimmed.
Injured honorable mentions:
Jawhar Jordan, RB
Dominique Robinson, DE
Collin Wright, CB
Jake Hansen, LB
Brevin Jordan, TE
Solomon Byrd, DE
The seas have parted for the former 2024 seventh-round draft pick. He’s been cut in successive offseasons, but finally has a chance to make the roster. Injuries to Dylan Horton and Dominique Robinson elevate him to he DE4 role. He’s looked stout against inside runs and play actions, but has struggled against outside zone where he loses contain. A big performance against the Panthers can seal a roster spot for him.
British Brooks, FB/RB
The veteran fullback has out with an injured wrist all training camp. The offense has fully adapted without his presence and TE Cade Stover has assumed the role. He must demonstrate him impact on the entire offense by proving the run game is incrementally better with him than without. Not a tall task given how poor the run game has looked, but he only gets one shot to do so.
Texans running back British Brooks on Texans All Access told @jharrisfootball & @TexansVoice that he lost 17 lbs this offseason on top of weight lost at the end of last season:
“I think coming off the rookie injury I played a lot heavier than what I was the year before & I was… pic.twitter.com/F0AdJ4T5ef
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 13, 2026
Brooks can also tote the rock. Fans have been dying to see the 17-pound weight loss’ affect on British Brooks’ mobility and power. Anther special teams ace who provides versatility to the offense.
Jared Wayne, WR
Wayne watched as Nick Caserio did his thing and added three wide receivers to the room. He was a rising star this offseason, making plays in training camp and rising up the depth chart. However, Caserio wouldn’t of added veterans Sterling Shepard and Zay Jones if he had the utmost confidence in Wayne. It’s unclear where Wayne ranks on the depth chart now and he needs to win on the field and through his knowledge of the offense.
Alijah Huzzie, CB
Huzzie is in contention for the final defensive back spot alongside injured Collin Wright and veteran Tremon Smith. Huzzie has been competing for reps throughout camp and has played significant snaps in the preseason. He is a smaller corner who plays primarily in the slot, but doesn’t have the safety versatility to completely match Pitre’s role. He has let up a handful of catches in games, but has overall played well. He was on the practice squad last year for the majority of the season and will try to avoid the same fate in 2026 with one final, solid outing today.
Andrews entered camp as the incumbent starter at center and will leave camp most likely without a roster spot. Evan Brown has leapfrogged him at center, and Brown can also play guard. Andrews lack of versatility limits his upside on an offensive line desperately in need of a solidinterior. It may already be too late for Andrews, but one final good showing could keep him on the roster as the 10th and final lineman.
Naquan Jones, DT
I wrote in the Rosterology that Jones has been given every possible opportunity to shine and has yet to impress. He played in four games last year, but may return as a practice squad. He has to beat out veteran and incumbent DT Mario Edwards Jr. and show that he’s the better, more durable option at DT.
Aiden Fisher, LB
The last rookie in the class has navigated this tumultuous linebacker room as well as possible. He’s the signal caller for the third string and made plays in special teams. Making the roster will be almost entirely predicated on his special teams play this game.
Tremon Smith, CB
After trading away safety Jaylen Reed, the five corner backs are slated to make the roster. That means two of Tremon Smith, Alijah Huzzie, and Collin Wright. Smith is the odds-on favorite and listed higher inthe roster. Smith has struggled with protection in the preseason, but he’s known best for his special teams. Smith has to hold off both Huzzie and wright by dominating this last preseason game on defense and special teams.
