The Kansas City Chiefs will feature in six primetime NFL games during the 2026 season, as the league bets heavily on the return of injured quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

Following a disappointing 6-11 campaign in 2025 that saw them miss the play-offs, the Missouri-based franchise remains one of the league’s major television draws.

Their marquee billing comes despite significant uncertainty surrounding the team’s talisman, who is currently rehabilitating a severe left knee injury.

The franchise quarterback tore both his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligaments on 14 December, yet schedule-makers anticipate his presence for the new campaign.

Opening night optimism

The team will host the Denver Broncos on “Monday Night Football” on 14 September to kick off their season.

Kansas City management shares the league’s optimism regarding their star player’s availability for that divisional clash.

“It has been just an awesome experience to see exactly how Pat Mahomes has attacked this rehab process,” stated Chiefs general manager Brett Veach.

The executive recently revealed the rigorous nature of the recovery programme, noting the player spends up to nine hours at the facility daily.

“Because of that hard work, I think he’s pretty far ahead of schedule,” Veach added.

A tale of two rehabilitations

If the standout passer does start against Denver, his recovery from the most significant setback of his nine-year career will have taken just nine months.

The opening match-up also carries intrigue for the opposition, as Broncos quarterback Bo Nix is recovering from a broken ankle sustained in January.

The overarching narrative mirrors the 2009 season, when Tom Brady returned from a torn ACL to lead the New England Patriots to an opening-night victory.

Meanwhile, veteran tight end Travis Kelce is also approaching the twilight of his illustrious career, adding further drama to the upcoming season.

“Any time you question Patrick Mahomes, he’s going to come out swinging,” noted broadcaster Kirk Herbstreit.

The celebrated signal-caller is expected to participate alongside his team-mates when organised team activities begin in May.

The National Football League has unveiled its full 2026 schedule, with the defending champion Seattle Seahawks hosting the New England Patriots on Wednesday, 9 September to kick off a season featuring a record nine international fixtures.

The highly anticipated opening matchup is a direct rematch of Super Bowl LX.

The only previous occasion the league commenced on a Wednesday was in 2012, aiming to avoid a scheduling clash with political events.

Defending titleholders possess an excellent track record in season openers, boasting a 16-5 win rate over the past two decades.

Rams face 49ers in historic Australia fixture

This unusual midweek start is specifically designed to accommodate the sport’s first ever regular-season match in Melbourne, Australia.

The Los Angeles Rams will play the San Francisco 49ers on Thursday, 10 September.

Due to the extreme time difference, the prime-time American broadcast means the historic clash will actually kick off on Friday morning local time.

It forms part of a massive global expansion for the sport, with a record nine matches taking place across four continents and seven countries during the upcoming campaign.

Harbaugh returns as Giants face Cowboys

The first Sunday Night Football showcase features John Harbaugh making his highly anticipated managerial debut for the New York Giants.

The veteran head coach faces a fierce NFC East rivalry game against the Dallas Cowboys.

That same Texan franchise will later host the Philadelphia Eagles in a marquee Thanksgiving showdown.

Elsewhere, the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs will clash in the first Monday Night Football broadcast on 14 September.

Testing travel logistics for NFL franchises

San Francisco face a significant logistical challenge with their groundbreaking Australian expedition.

The Californian franchise plans to spend a full week in Melbourne to acclimate, while their divisional rivals plan a much shorter visit.

Pundits predict the NFC West powerhouse will overcome the severe jet lag to secure a strong start to their campaign.

Meanwhile, the Giants have been handed a favourable early schedule that could ease their new boss into his high-pressure tenure.

The Las Vegas Raiders have selected quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft, headlining a class of 10 rookie passers entering the league.

This year’s draft saw two signal-callers taken in the first round, a slight decrease from the 13 total quarterbacks selected in 2025.

Mendoza enters a promising situation in Nevada under the guidance of offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak.

Perfect fit for Kubiak system

The former Indiana and Cal prospect brings valuable experience operating versatile offensive schemes.

His ability to progress through complex reads makes him an ideal candidate for a play-action heavy approach.

The top selection excelled in this area during his final college season, recording a 73.4% completion rate on play-action passing.

Franchise leadership has already taken significant steps to support their new cornerstone.

Building around the number one pick

The organisation secured veteran center Tyler Linderbaum during free agency to anchor the offensive line.

Establishing a consistent rushing attack will be crucial after the team finished last in yards per carry over the previous two seasons.

A backfield featuring Ashton Jeanty and fourth-round addition Mike Washington Jr will be tasked with easing the rookie’s transition.

Projections suggest the young passer could throw for over 3,000 yards and 15 touchdowns during his inaugural professional campaign.

Rams secure their quarterback of the future

The Los Angeles Rams provided the biggest shock of the opening round by drafting Ty Simpson with the 13th overall pick.

The former Alabama standout will not be rushed into immediate action.

Despite making only 15 starts at the collegiate level, he demonstrated high-level football intelligence by handling pre-snap protection adjustments.

He is expected to spend multiple seasons developing behind reigning NFL MVP Matthew Stafford.

The Miami Dolphins and running back De’Von Achane have agreed a four-year contract extension worth $64m, making him the third-highest-paid player at his position in the NFL.

The lucrative new deal will keep the Pro Bowler in South Florida through the 2030 season, with performance bonuses potentially pushing the total value to $68m.

At an average annual value of $16m, the agreement marks the first major extension negotiated under Miami’s recently appointed general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan.

A franchise pillar

Sullivan had previously dismissed any speculation that the dynamic playmaker was available for trade, labelling his long-term retention an absolute priority for the organisation.

Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley praised the former third-round draft pick for his exceptional vision, acceleration, and dual-threat capability out of the backfield.

“He’s dynamic. I mean there’s plays that you’re not even blocked right for and he gets six or seven yards,” Hafley said.

The standout back rushed for a career-high 1,350 yards during the 2025 campaign to earn his first Pro Bowl selection.

Since entering the professional ranks in 2023, he leads all qualified running backs with a remarkable 5.6 yards per carry average and is tied for the second-most rushes of at least 50 yards.

He has also proven highly productive in the passing game, recording 172 receptions and 13 receiving touchdowns across his first three seasons.

Offseason strategy and ground focus

While Miami traded or released several veteran stars earlier this year to reduce their wage bill, securing their premier offensive weapon remained a cornerstone of their long-term plans.

The franchise also invested heavily in their offensive line to support a run-heavy approach in 2026, selecting Alabama tackle Kadyn Proctor in the first round of the draft.

“He’s going to make plays. He’s a great running back, fast as hell and I can’t wait to block for him,” Proctor said of his new team-mate.

This massive agreement follows a recent trend of significant running back contracts across the league.

Travis Etienne Jr, Breece Hall and Kenneth Walker III have all secured substantial multi-year deals during a highly active offseason for the position.

With their backfield star secured, the Dolphins will now focus negotiations on extending their other designated core pieces, center Aaron Brewer and linebacker Jordyn Brooks.

The NFL will stage a record nine international games during the 2026 season, with London hosting three fixtures alongside historic debuts for Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro and Paris.

The unprecedented expansion reflects the league’s aggressive global growth strategy.

Defending Super Bowl champions the Philadelphia Eagles will feature in the British capital, taking on the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on 11 October.

Capital remains core to global strategy

That high-profile clash is sandwiched between two other London matchups across consecutive weekends.

Tottenham will also host the Indianapolis Colts against the Washington Commanders on 4 October.

The focus then shifts across the city a week later, as the Houston Texans face the Jaguars at Wembley Stadium on 18 October.

Jacksonville’s back-to-back appearances continue their long-standing relationship with the British fanbase, having played numerous matches in the UK over the past decade.

New frontiers in Australia, Brazil and France

Beyond the established European markets, the sport is breaking new ground in the southern hemisphere.

The San Francisco 49ers and Los Angeles Rams will open the international slate at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground on 10 September.

Two weeks later, the Baltimore Ravens clash with the Dallas Cowboys at the historic Maracanã Stadium in Brazil.

Paris will also welcome elite American football for the first time when the Pittsburgh Steelers meet the New Orleans Saints at the Stade de France late in October.

League vision and returning venues

Returning European venues in Madrid and Munich, alongside a fixture in Mexico City, complete the record-breaking global tour.

“The 2026 NFL season will feature our most expansive and ambitious international slate yet, with regular season games spanning Melbourne, Rio de Janeiro, London, Paris, Madrid, Munich and Mexico City.”

Peter O’Reilly, NFL executive vice president

O’Reilly emphasised that bringing world-class franchises to these renowned stadiums underlines their overriding global vision.

“This year’s record-breaking schedule will see a host of star athletes play in some of the most iconic sporting venues in the world, bringing our fans internationally closer to the game than ever before.”

Complete 2026 international schedule

The nine global fixtures will run consecutively from early September through to late November.

Missouri running back Ahmad Hardy has been released from hospital after being shot in the leg during a concert in Mississippi early on Sunday.

The 20-year-old plans to travel immediately to the Tigers’ campus to begin his physical rehabilitation.

Sources indicate the highly-rated prospect retains the goal of playing college football this year despite the severe setback.

Concert shooting investigation underway

The standout collegiate athlete underwent surgery at Forrest General Hospital in Hattiesburg following the incident in his native state.

Laurel police confirmed that at least two individuals sustained injuries during the event and three persons of interest are currently in custody.

“There had been a scheduled concert there of some rappers, or maybe a couple of different rappers,” Laurel police Sergeant Macon Davis told local media.
“It drew a large crowd, and then gunshots rang out at the end.”

A stellar debut season for the Tigers

The dynamic ball-carrier established himself as one of the premier offensive threats in the country last season.

He amassed an incredible 1,649 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns, finishing second overall among all top-tier players in the category.

His impressive production earned him Associated Press All-America honours and the prestigious SEC Newcomer of the Year award.

The former UL Monroe player had previously rushed for 1,351 yards at his former school before making the high-profile switch to the Southeastern Conference programme.

Missouri Tigers tailback Ahmad Hardy is in a stable condition following surgery after being shot at a concert in Mississippi early on Sunday morning.

The university announced on Monday that the first-team All-SEC selection is currently recovering in hospital.

Missouri officials have stated that a specific timeline for his return to competitive football activities remains entirely unknown.

University rallies behind recovering star

The athletic department released an official statement expressing their continued backing for the standout athlete during his rehabilitation.

“Ahmad is deeply loved by his teammates, coaches, friends, family and fans.”
“We will continue to stand beside him and his family through this difficult time, offering our love, prayers, strength and support.”

A dominant force in college football

The Mississippi native established himself as one of the premier offensive threats in the nation during his most recent campaign.

He finished second among all Football Bowl Subdivision players by amassing an impressive 1,649 rushing yards.

Earning SEC Newcomer of the Year honours, the prolific runner also found the end zone 16 times while averaging 6.4 yards across his 256 attempts.

Prior to his arrival at Missouri, the highly rated talent spent the 2024 season competing for UL Monroe.

During his time with that programme, he recorded 1,351 yards and 13 touchdowns on 237 carries before securing his high-profile transfer.

John Harbaugh will make his New York Giants coaching debut when they host NFC East rivals the Dallas Cowboys in the opening Sunday Night Football game of the 2026 season on 13 September.

The NFL confirmed the primetime fixture on Monday, marking the eighth time since 2012 that the two divisional foes have met in week one.

Recent Dallas dominance

The visiting side will arrive at MetLife Stadium holding a distinct historical advantage in these early-season encounters.

Dallas have emerged victorious in six of their past seven opening-weekend clashes against the New York franchise.

This broader trend of dominance extends across the regular season, with the Texas-based outfit winning nine of the last 10 meetings between the sides over the past five years.

Rebuilding a struggling squad

The demanding opening fixture presents an immediate challenge for the newly appointed head coach.

The former Baltimore Ravens boss took charge in January following a highly successful 18-year tenure in Maryland.

He inherits a struggling squad that has languished at the bottom of the NFC East standings for two consecutive seasons.

The four-time Super Bowl champions have managed to secure just a single post-season appearance since 2016.