Baltimore Ravens to Face Dallas Cowboys in Brazil During 2026 NFL Season The Baltimore Ravens are set to play a regular-season game in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, during the 2026 NFL season, marking the team’s third international matchup in league history. According to sources cited by The Baltimore Banner, the Ravens will take on the Dallas Cowboys at Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro during the third week of the 2026 schedule. The Cowboys will serve as the designated home team for this game, which will be the first time the stadium hosts an NFL contest. This game follows the Ravens’ previous international appearances, both held in London. In 2017, the Ravens lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars with a score of 44-7, and in 2023, they defeated the Tennessee Titans 24-16. The decision to host the 2026 game in Brazil was influenced by the Ravens’ inability to host the international matchup in 2025 due to the nearly $500 million renovation project at M&T Bank Stadium. The NFL has allowed teams to retain their full slate of home games even during stadium remodeling or construction, a policy that enabled the Ravens to proceed with the 2026 schedule. The 2026 NFL season schedule is expected to be officially released in May, though the specifics of the Ravens’ game in Brazil have already been confirmed. This move represents a significant step for the league’s expansion into international markets, with Brazil joining the United Kingdom as a host country for regular-season games. The game at Maracana Stadium, one of the most iconic venues in South America, is anticipated to draw substantial fan interest and media attention. Beyond the international game, the Ravens’ offseason activities have been marked by significant changes.#baltimore_ravens #john_harbaugh #dallas_cowboys #rio_de_janeiro #maracana_stadium
Giants Show Interest in Former Bills Guard Ryan Bates During Free Agency The New York Giants made a move in week two of NFL free agency by visiting with veteran interior offensive lineman Ryan Bates, a former starting guard for the Buffalo Bills. The visit, noted in the NFL transaction log, marks the team’s attempt to secure a backup or depth option at the guard position. Bates, 29, spent three seasons with the Bills under head coach Joe Schoen before joining the Chicago Bears in 2024 and 2025. Bates, an undrafted prospect from Penn State, had a brief stint as a full-time starter in 2022, when he played 15 games at right guard for the Bills. However, his production has declined significantly in the past three seasons, with limited playing time due to injuries. He has started just eight games since 2022 and has appeared in 103 total contests, mostly as a backup and special teamer. Despite his limited starting experience, the Giants’ interest suggests they see value in his familiarity with Schoen and his potential as a reliable depth player. The Giants’ free agency strategy has been unconventional, with significant cap spending on positions like tight end, punter, and fullback rather than traditional priorities like offensive line. While they re-signed right tackle Jermaine Eluemunor and added wide receivers Calvin Austin and Darnell Mooney, their focus on atypical positions has raised questions about their approach to key roles like guard. The team’s interest in Bates comes amid a broader free agency landscape where top-tier guards like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Tyler Linderbaum were out of reach. With new head coach John Harbaugh emphasizing a smashmouth style that prioritizes a strong rushing attack, the Giants’ offensive line depth remains a concern.#buffalo_bills #new_york_giants #john_harbaugh #ryan_bates #joe_schoen
Giants Free Agency Rumor Highlights New York as Potential Landing Spot for Explosive Running Back The New York Giants are emerging as a key team to monitor in the upcoming free agency market, particularly for explosive running back Keaton Mitchell, who is set to enter the open market after the Baltimore Ravens opted not to tender him. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Ravens have decided against placing a contract offer on Mitchell, which will make him a free agent. Fowler noted that the Giants are among the teams expected to show interest in Mitchell’s services. The decision by the Ravens not to tender Mitchell has been attributed to concerns about the cost of maintaining their running back room, as reported by The Athletic’s Jeff Zrebiec. The Ravens already have Derrick Henry and Justice Hill under contract, and they may feel that adding Mitchell would create financial strain. Mitchell, a former undrafted free-agent signing in 2023, has spent his entire NFL career with Baltimore, serving as a depth player. Despite his limited role, he has shown flashes of potential as a playmaker. Mitchell’s career has been shaped by injuries, which have impacted his availability. During his rookie season, he recorded 396 rushing yards, 93 receiving yards, and two touchdowns but was sidelined for much of the year due to a torn ACL. The injury forced him to miss several games in 2024, and he returned in 2025 after a knee strain kept him out for four contests. Once back, he contributed 341 rushing yards, 63 receiving yards, and one touchdown in 13 games. His connection to the Giants runs deeper than just his playing ability. Head coach John Harbaugh, who previously coached Mitchell in Baltimore, now leads the Giants, creating a potential familiarity that could benefit both parties.#baltimore_ravens #new_york_giants #jeremy_fowler #john_harbaugh #keaton_mitchell
Giants To Re-Sign OT Evan Neal The New York Giants have agreed to re-sign offensive tackle Evan Neal, according to his agency, AMDG Sports. The deal will be a one-year contract at the veteran-minimum salary, as reported by Ryan Dunleavy of the New York Post. This move marks another example of new head coach John Harbaugh’s impact in New York, despite Neal’s struggles during his tenure with the team. Neal, the former No. 7 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft, was expected to leave the Giants after failing to appear in a single game during the 2025 season. The team had hoped he would form a dominant bookend duo with left tackle Andrew Thomas, but Neal never met the high expectations set by his draft selection. His performance has been plagued by injuries and inconsistency, with his pass protection struggles becoming a recurring issue. Neal’s career has been marked by setbacks. As a rookie, he missed four games due to an MCL sprain. When healthy, he was graded as one of the worst right tackles in the league by Pro Football Focus, though his run-blocking grade improved to 80.8 in 2024. Over the next two seasons, Neal appeared in just 16 games, continuing to struggle with pass protection while showing some progress in run blocking. The Giants declined Neal’s fifth-year option last offseason and attempted to move him to guard, but the transition never worked. He spent much of the 2025 season as a healthy scratch until a hamstring injury in November forced him into injured reserve. At that point, it seemed his time with the Giants was over, with multiple reports indicating he would leave the team. However, Harbaugh and new offensive line coach Mike Bloomgren appear to have confidence in Neal’s physical abilities, leading to his re-signing. Neal’s journey with the Giants has been a mix of promise and disappointment.#new_york_giants #john_harbaugh #evan_neal #amdg_sports #ryan_dunleavy
Giants To Sign DB Ar'Darius Washington The New York Giants are set to add defensive back Ar’Darius Washington to their roster, following a series of free agency moves that align with the team’s strategy under new head coach Brian Daboll. Washington, who spent the first four years of his NFL career with the Baltimore Ravens, is expected to sign a one-year, $3 million contract with New York, according to reports from SNY’s Connor Hughes. The deal marks another step in the Giants’ efforts to bolster their secondary, particularly after losing key players in recent seasons. The move is part of a broader pattern of free agency activity for the Giants, who have been actively pursuing players from John Harbaugh’s previous tenure with the Ravens. Harbaugh, who was recently hired as the Giants’ head coach, brought several of his former assistants to New York, creating a clear link between his coaching staff and the team’s free agent targets. Washington, a former first-round draft pick, has been a reliable contributor in the league, known for his versatility and ability to play multiple positions. His signing is seen as a strategic move to strengthen the Giants’ defense ahead of the 2024 season. The Giants’ free agency efforts also include other additions, such as re-signing wide receiver Rashid Shaheed and adding linebacker Quay Walker. However, Washington’s potential arrival underscores the team’s focus on addressing defensive weaknesses. With the Ravens’ defensive backfield undergoing significant changes, Washington’s experience and familiarity with the system could provide immediate value. The contract details, while not finalized, suggest a short-term commitment for Washington, which may reflect the Giants’ cautious approach to the draft and free agency.#baltimore_ravens #new_york_giants #brian_daboll #ar_darius_washington #john_harbaugh
Giants Sign Ar’Darius Washington to 1-Year Contract The New York Giants have reached an agreement with former Baltimore Ravens defensive back Ar’Darius Washington, securing him on a one-year contract worth $3 million, according to reports. The deal comes as Washington recovers from a torn Achilles injury sustained during the 2025 season, which limited his availability for the previous campaign. The Giants’ decision to sign the 26-year-old marks a strategic move to address weaknesses in their secondary, which has faced significant changes following the departures of key players. Washington’s arrival is particularly timely given the Giants’ need to bolster their defensive backfield. The team lost cornerback Cor’Dale Flott to the Tennessee Titans in free agency and also parted ways with safety Dane Belton, who was a standout performer on special teams. Washington’s signing aims to fill the void left by these departures, adding depth to a secondary that has struggled with consistency in recent seasons. The Giants’ secondary has been a focal point of criticism, with questions about its ability to contain opposing offenses and provide reliable coverage in critical moments. Washington’s career has been defined by his versatility and athleticism, despite his smaller stature. Standing at 5 feet 8 inches and weighing approximately 176 pounds, he has carved out a niche as a dynamic defender with a knack for making plays. His college career at TCU was notable, as he earned Freshman All-American honors and was named Freshman Defensive Player of the Year in the Big 12. These accolades highlight his potential as a player who can contribute immediately at the professional level.#tcu #baltimore_ravens #new_york_giants #ar_darius_washington #john_harbaugh
