New Players and Changes in the NFL

May 15, 2026, 22:30
JapanSports

Introduction

The Las Vegas Raiders have a new plan. They have a new young player named Fernando Mendoza.

Main Body

The Raiders picked Fernando Mendoza first in the 2026 draft. They also signed Kirk Cousins and three other players from Mendoza's old college. The team plays their first game on September 13 against the Miami Dolphins. Other teams are changing how they pay players. The Atlanta Falcons gave a special contract to Avieon Terrell. Now, more players want the same kind of money. Also, the Raiders signed Kansei Matsuzawa from Japan. Some teams have problems. The Indianapolis Colts want to trade Anthony Richardson, but no one wants him. The Houston Texans are not giving C.J. Stroud a new long contract yet. They want to spend money on defense first.

Conclusion

The NFL is changing. Teams are finding new players from other countries and changing how they pay them.

Learning

🏈 Moving from 'Now' to 'Next'

Look at how the text talks about people and things. To reach A2, you need to know how to connect a person to an action.

1. The "Possession" Pattern Instead of saying "The college of Mendoza," we use the 's.

  • Mendoza**'s** old college β†’\rightarrow The college Mendoza went to.

2. Action Words (Verbs) for Teams Notice these specific words used for sports and business:

  • Picked β†’\rightarrow Chose a player.
  • Signed β†’\rightarrow Made a legal agreement/contract.
  • Trade β†’\rightarrow Swap one player for another.

3. Simple Geography When someone is from another place, use from:

  • Kansei Matsuzawa β†’\rightarrow from Japan.
  • Players β†’\rightarrow from Mendoza's college.

Quick Vocabulary Map: Contract β†’\rightarrow A work paper about money. Defense β†’\rightarrow The part of the team that stops the other team.

Vocabulary Learning

plan (n.)
A detailed proposal for doing something.
Example:They have a new plan.
player (n.)
A person who plays a sport.
Example:The team has a new player.
draft (n.)
A selection of new players for a sports team.
Example:He was chosen in the draft.
signed (v.)
To agree to a contract by putting a signature.
Example:The team signed him to a contract.
game (n.)
An event where people compete in sports.
Example:The first game is on September 13.
pay (v.)
To give money to someone for work.
Example:Teams pay players for their performance.
contract (n.)
A written agreement between two parties.
Example:He signed a special contract.
money (n.)
Currency used for buying and selling.
Example:Players want more money.
defense (n.)
The part of a team that stops the other team from scoring.
Example:They want to spend money on defense.
trade (v.)
To exchange one player for another.
Example:The Colts want to trade Anthony Richardson.
spend (v.)
To use money for something.
Example:They want to spend money on defense.
change (v.)
To make something different.
Example:The NFL is changing.