The NFL offseason continues to deliver plenty of headlines as teams prepare for training camp and the 2026 season. From coaching developments and player workouts to major league-wide changes and historic honors, several stories are shaping the conversation around football.
In today’s NFL news roundup, we look at Brian Schottenheimer’s backup plan before becoming the Dallas Cowboys’ head coach and Mark Davis’ decision to prioritize a grass field for player safety.
We will also see Jayden Daniels’ offseason preparation with the Washington Commanders, a major study highlighting long-term health concerns for NFL players, Adam Vinatieri’s latest career honor, and Bleacher Report’s fantasy sleepers to watch before training camp.
Biggest headlines
Let’s dive deep into today’s and yesterday’s biggest NFL news.
Brian Schottenheimer had a Cowboys backup plan before landing a head coaching job
The Dallas Cowboys HC Brian Schottenheimer revealed he had an agreement to remain with the Cowboys as offensive coordinator if he wasn’t hired as head coach in 2025.
The decision came after discussions with Stephen and Jerry Jones, as Schottenheimer wanted to stay in Dallas despite interest from other teams. The Cowboys eventually promoted him, giving him his first NFL head coaching opportunity.
Raiders owner Mark Davis said player safety was the main reason behind installing a grass field at Allegiant Stadium
Davis believes football should be played on natural grass and was willing to spend extra money to give players a safer surface.
“I just always felt that football should be played on grass,” Raiders owner Davis told Perez. “That’s for safety purposes, No. 1. I want it to look like a game was played even if it’s an indoor field. You see grass stains and everything else. I wasn’t going to a stadium without it being grass once I knew that capability was there. Obviously, it added a lot of cost, but it’s worth it.”
The Raiders’ retractable grass field allows the indoor stadium to maintain a traditional playing environment while prioritizing player health.
Jayden Daniels returns to work with Commanders teammates during offseason training
Jayden Daniels is preparing for the upcoming season by working out with his Washington Commanders teammates in California.
The Commanders‘ quarterback joined several receivers, running backs, and tight ends for offseason sessions, including Terry McLaurin and Dyami Brown. Daniels is looking to bounce back after an injury-plagued second NFL season, in which he appeared in only seven games.
Landmark study finds NFL players 4 times more likely to die from Brain disease, with younger athletes at 12x higher risk
A sweeping new study of nearly 20,000 NFL players who competed between 1960 and 2019 has provided the strongest evidence yet that professional football is linked to serious long-term brain health risks.
Researchers found that former NFL players were 4 times more likely to die from neurodegenerative diseases such as dementia and Parkinson’s disease compared to the general population. Players who died before age 60 faced an even greater risk, with a 12-fold higher rate of neurodegenerative deaths.
The study also found that skill position players, including receivers and running backs, died from brain-related diseases at nearly double the rate of linemen, likely because of repeated high-impact collisions.
Researchers identified CTE as the most likely explanation after ruling out lifestyle factors. The findings also noted that death certificates often miss these conditions, meaning the true impact could be higher. A 2025 ESPN survey found 15% of retired players from the 1988 season reported a dementia diagnosis, compared to under 4% of men over 65 nationally.
Colts to honor NFL legend Adam Vinatieri with Ring of Honor induction
The Indianapolis Colts announced that legendary kicker Adam Vinatieri will be inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor on Oct. 18 during their game against the Tennessee Titans.
Vinatieri, who will also enter the Pro Football Hall of Fame next month, becomes the 21st person honored by the franchise. The four-time Super Bowl champion finished his career with NFL records for 2,673 points and 599 field goals made.
Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay names four Fantasy Football Sleepers to monitor before 2026 training camp
As NFL teams prepare to report for training camp, fantasy football managers are looking for potential breakout candidates who could provide late-round value. Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay has identified four players who could emerge as fantasy steals during the 2026 season.
Kay highlighted New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough as a potential high-upside option after showing promise during his rookie campaign. Carolina Panthers running back Jonathon Brooks was also named a player to watch after returning healthy from injury and entering a bigger role in the offense.
The list also includes Tennessee Titans wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson, who could benefit from a larger role in Brian Daboll’s system, and New York Giants tight end Isaiah Likely, who may see increased opportunities after joining the team.
According to Kay, tracking these players throughout training camp could give fantasy managers an advantage before draft values change.
That wraps up today’s biggest NFL headlines. From coaching decisions and player preparation to league developments and fantasy football insights, the offseason continues to provide plenty of storylines to follow.
Stay tuned to Touchdown Daily for the latest NFL news, updates, rumors, and analysis as training camp approaches.