NFL Betting News This Week | Matthew Stafford Extension, Week 1 Lines Are Out | May 26, 2026

by Braulio Perez

Updated: May 26, 2026

As we get even closer to the month of June, things are heating up in terms of the preparation for next season. While it’s still the heart of the offseason, teams are getting ready to get back on the field in the coming weeks for OTAs and minicamps. This is a great opportunity for players to get into a bit of a groove before the preseason gets here in August, as new studs will hope to make an impact with their team.

Before minicamps do arrive, there’s some big news that we’ve got you covered with, including Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford signing his massive extension with the Super Bowl-favorite NFC West powerhouse. On top of that, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers also made his long-awaited decision about his future, which obviously has people talking. We have that and much more for you in this piece.

The biggest NFL betting storylines this week

• To start us off, Rodgers indeed will be back on the gridiron next season, agreeing to play one more year with the Steelers. Retirement rumors continued to swirl, which had Steelers fans worried sick that maybe he was going to decide to hang up his cleats. Instead, Rodgers confirmed on May 20 that he’ll be back for his 22nd NFL season. Rodgers also confirmed that this will be his last dance, as he’ll retire after the 2026 campaign.
• Another quarterback getting a ton of attention is of course Stafford, as he put the finishing touches on a one-year, $55 million extension with the Rams. This just goes to show that Los Angeles is all-in on Stafford being a stud for this team, with LA hoping to win the Super Bowl next season – they hold the top NFL betting odds. The Rams remain the favorites to win the title next winter and in order for that to happen, Stafford will need to be at his best.
• Elsewhere at QB, there’s been plenty of focus on Malik Willis, as the veteran quarterback is the top dog to win the quarterback battle for the Miami Dolphins. Things aren’t set in stone there, but the NFC East betting odds will be impacted by the QB decision in Miami. In terms of our NFL betting analysis, something tells us Willis will win the job and live up to the hype he created for himself last season with Green Bay.
• Last but not least, a major piece of news that came in on May 21 was that the New York Giants were signing general manager Joe Schoen to a multi-year extension as well. Schoen has been under fire of late due to some down seasons, but this latest decision strongly hints there’s belief he can turn things around. The Giants don’t hold strong NFC East betting odds, but the hope is Schoen can help turn things around soon.

The #Giants and GM Joe Schoen have agreed to terms on a multi-year extension to keep him working with John Harbaugh for years to come, per me and @MikeGarafolo.

After a successful offseason, including the work during the NFL Draft, Schoen is rewarded with a new deal. pic.twitter.com/wslaVuXVKy

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) May 21, 2026

Biggest futures, outright and win total moves this week in the NFL

• The biggest change we’ve seen in recent weeks is that the Rams are now even bigger favorites to win the Super Bowl. LA is at +700 to bring home the Lombardi Trophy, but the Seahawks, who have consistently been No. 2 on the list, have fallen to +1000. With those odds, it tells us that the Las Vegas oddsmakers have even more belief that the Rams are going to go on to win it all, which is head-turning.
• You’d think that with Rodgers returning for one more season with the Steelers that Pittsburgh would be among the top contenders in the AFC, but that’s not the case. As of this writing on May 25, Pittsburgh holds a deflating +7500 odds to win the title this year. Pittsburgh will have a great shot of reaching the playoffs, either by winning the division or grabbing a Win Card spot, but the low title odds are not encouraging at all.
• The Chargers saw a bit of a rise in their Super Bowl odds, as they’re now at +1600. In the AFC, the Bills and Ravens remain the two teams who are getting the most Super Bowl love, but you simply can’t sleep on Justin Herbert and the Chargers. With the offensive line expected to make a big push forward next season, it could help the AFC West side make plenty of noise with NFL playoffs betting.

NFL Week 1 odds are out for bettors to check out

Elsewhere, and in some good news for NFL bettors out there, the Week 1 odds are out following the recent schedule release. And with that, you better believe that people are wasting no time in checking the top NFL sportsbooks for updated odds to get their wagers in. With things being released too, there are some great matchups coming, with some intriguing lines that have been put out there.

At the top of the list has to be the matchup between the Patriots and Seahawks. In a rematch of the Super Bowl, the Hawks are favored by 4.5 points, with -205 moneylines odds to come out on top. That game is all set for Sept. 9, and millions of people across the planet will be watching closely. Will Sam Darnold and his teammates post another win over Drake Maye?

Another showdown that people are counting down the days for is the one between the Giants and Cowboys for Sunday Night Football on Sept. 13. The Cowboys are going to want to make an early statement in this one, as things are always interesting when the Giants and Dallas go to war. Dak Prescott will also want to put on a show, as he has a strong history of playing well against the G-Men.

Most bet NFL props and markets

With the schedule release and Week 1 odds getting posted, there’s no question that people are firing up the odds and checking different prop bets betting odds. For Week 1 alone, there are some great ones that people are putting money down on now and things are only going to continue leading up to September. One that seems to have growing attention is the passing touchdowns for Prescott in Week 1.

For now, that number has been set at -110 NFL betting odds, with the over/under at 1.5 passing touchdowns. While it would not be a shocker if Prescott throws for multiple touchdowns, keep in mind that the Giants have a loaded pass-rush, with Brian Burns, Abdul Carter and Kayvon Thibodeaux hoping to make his life difficult. This is not going to be easy for the standout, Pro Bowl signal-caller.

Obviously, there’s plenty of attention on Seattle wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba, as he put together a tremendous season for Seattle last season. He was a major reason why the Seahawks were able to win the Super Bowl. In Week 1 against New England, the over/under for Smith-Njigba has been set at 87.5 receiving yards. This is a head-turning number, but because of how electric he is, people aren’t hesitating in going with the over.

NFL betting trends bettors are watching

It shouldn’t come as a major surprise, but in terms of the NFL betting trends, there continues to be a lot of focus on the rookies who were just drafted. On offense, the two names who are getting the most betting love are Fernando Mendoza and Jeremiyah Love, who have brilliant futures ahead of them at the next level.

Starting off with Mendoza, the 2025 Heisman winner is expected to have a huge first season with the Raiders. As things stand, the over/under for his total passing yards have been placed at 2,350, with -110 betting odds for both. From our chair, something tells us he’ll blow the over out of the water.

As for Love, the former Notre Dame superstar was taken early in the first round by the Cardinals and he’s going to want to make a huge impact for the offense next season. Some have argued that he’s the most talented rookie getting ready to make his NFL debut in September. Per the oddsmakers, his over/under has been set at 900.5 rushing yards, which we also think he’ll have no issues in topping.

NEW: Former Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love plans to avoid touching any of his $53M+ rookie contract and put it away💰

“I live in the era of NIL, I’m pretty well off already. I really don’t need to touch that money.”https://t.co/QWlBkwYYpV pic.twitter.com/ZbK1cNIH7o

— On3 (@On3) May 9, 2026

What could move NFL odds next?

Just like our last update, we’re going to be quick to remind you that this time of the year, not much is going to be changing the NFL odds as a whole. However, that doesn’t mean we can keep you updated on the races in each division, as there are some clear-cut favorites on who will win that title and book their trips to the postseason. As you might have been able to guess, teams like Baltimore, Philly, Kansas City and others remain on top:

• Buffalo Bills to win the AFC East at -130
• Baltimore Ravens to win the AFC North at -120
• Houston Texans to win the AFC South at +140
• Kansas City Chiefs to win the AFC West at +180
• Philadelphia Eagles to win the NFC East at +140
• Detroit Lions to win the NFC North at +150
• Tampa Bay Bucs to win the NFC South at +185
• Los Angeles Rams to win the NFC West at +130

NFL previous news updates

• [April 2026]: The NFL Draft was completed, with betting markets gaining traction. Odds have been adjusted for teams after adding top talent throughout the seven rounds of the draft. On top of that, some more free agency moves have been posted.
• [March 2026]: National Football League trade activity impacts the board, with high-profile player moves causing immediate shifts in division and Super Bowl markets.
• [March 2026]: National Football League free agency reshapes futures odds, with teams adding elite quarterbacks or defensive pieces shortening from +2000 into the +1200 range.
• [February 2026]: Super Bowl LX closes the market, with the New England Patriots shortening late to win, driving final line movement as sharp money backed their defense.