This week brought the spotlight for Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, massive contract extensions for two rising stars, and the second blockbuster trade of the week, this time involving one of the league’s premier wide receivers.
As teams continue shaping their rosters ahead of the 2026 season, several headline-making moves have already altered the NFL landscape.
Caleb Williams Makes Bears History With Madden Cover
Caleb Williams added another milestone to his growing list of accomplishments Wednesday when EA Sports announced him as the cover athlete for Madden NFL 27.
The Bears quarterback is the first player in franchise history to earn a standalone Madden cover, further cementing his status as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
The honor comes after a breakout second season in Chicago. Williams threw for a franchise-record 3,942 yards and 27 touchdowns while helping lead the Bears to their first NFC North title since 2018.
“When I received the call from Madden, it was like my childhood dream was coming true,” Williams told ESPN.
The cover image also features a tribute to Michael Jordan’s iconic “Jumpman” pose, connecting two of Chicago’s biggest sports icons across generations.
Steelers Reward Nick Herbig’s Breakout Season
The Pittsburgh Steelers made sure one of their emerging defensive playmakers won’t be hitting the open market anytime soon.
According to multiple reports, Pittsburgh signed edge rusher Nick Herbig to a four-year contract extension worth $100 million, including $42 million guaranteed.
Herbig entered the 2025 season as a promising young contributor and finished it as one of the league’s most productive pass rushers. The 24-year-old recorded 7.5 sacks, 18 quarterback hits, and three forced fumbles while appearing in 15 games.
The extension reinforces Pittsburgh’s commitment to its defensive identity and keeps Herbig alongside veteran pass rushers T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith for the foreseeable future.
Falcons Invest in Drake London
The Atlanta Falcons also locked up a cornerstone player this week, agreeing to a four-year extension with wide receiver Drake London.
The deal is reportedly worth $141 million and includes $100 million guaranteed, with incentives capable of pushing the total value even higher.
Since arriving as the eighth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, London has become the focal point of Atlanta’s passing attack. Despite inconsistent quarterback play throughout much of his career, he has consistently produced at a high level.
London recorded 1,271 receiving yards in 2024 and followed that up with 919 yards in just 12 games last season before injuries cut his year short.
The extension places him among the highest-paid receivers in football and signals Atlanta’s belief that his best years are still ahead.
The Patriots finalized a blockbuster trade with the Philadelphia Eagles to acquire three-time Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Brown, giving their offense an immediate boost heading into the season.
Philadelphia reportedly received a 2028 first-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round selection as part of the deal.
The trade was processed after June 1, allowing the Eagles to spread Brown’s dead-cap charge across multiple seasons rather than absorb the entire hit in one year.
Brown battled injuries during portions of the 2025 season but still managed to surpass 1,000 receiving yards, finishing with 78 receptions, 1,003 yards, and seven touchdowns.
For a Patriots team searching for a true No. 1 receiving threat, Brown instantly becomes the centerpiece of the passing game and one of the most impactful additions of the offseason.
A Busy Summer Is Just Getting Started
The calendar may still read June, but NFL teams continue making aggressive moves as they prepare for training camp.
Whether it’s Williams becoming the face of one of gaming’s most recognizable franchises, Pittsburgh and Atlanta investing heavily in homegrown talent, or New England swinging big for an established star wideout, this week’s developments offered another reminder that the NFL rarely takes a day off.
And with training camp still weeks away, there are likely plenty more headlines to come.
Conor Forrest is the Editor-in-Chief and Senior NFL Insider at SportsJourney.com, where he covers the Washington Commanders and the league at large. A Northern Virginia native and George Mason University graduate, his work has appeared in FanSided, NBC Sports Washington, Heavy.com, and The Fourth Estate. He is also the host of the “After Further Review” podcast, reaching a global audience with his analysis and storytelling.
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