Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, China says war shouldn't have started

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jana Choukeir

An Iranian woman walks next to a mural on a street in Tehran

ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI, May 16 (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump said Chinese President Xi Jinping had agreed Tehran must reopen the Strait of Hormuz, though China gave no indication it would weigh ‌in.

Flying back from Beijing on Friday after two days of talks with Xi, Trump said he was considering whether to ‌lift U.S. sanctions on Chinese oil companies buying Iranian oil. China is the biggest buyer of Iranian oil.

"I'm not asking for any favors because when you ask for ​favors, you have to do favors in return," Trump said when asked by a reporter on Air Force One whether Xi had made a firm commitment to put pressure on the Iranians to reopen the vital strait.

Xi did not comment on his discussions with Trump about Iran, although China's foreign ministry expressed frustration with the Iran war, calling it a conflict "which should never have happened, has no reason to continue."

'WE WANT THE ‌STRAITS OPEN'

Iran effectively shut the strait, which carried ⁠one-fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas supply before the U.S. and Israel launched attacks on February 28. The disruption to shipping has caused the biggest oil supply crisis in history, sending oil prices ⁠skyrocketing.

Thousands of Iranians were killed during the U.S. and Israeli air strikes, and thousands have been killed in Lebanon in renewed fighting there between Israel and the Iran-backed group Hezbollah.

The U.S. paused its attacks last month but began a port blockade. Tehran said it would not unblock the strait ​until the ​U.S. ended its blockade. Trump has threatened to resume attacks if Iran ​does not agree to a deal.

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"We don't want them ‌to have a nuclear weapon, we want the straits open," Trump said in Beijing, alongside Xi.

Iran, which has long denied that it intends to build a nuclear weapon, has refused to end nuclear research or relinquish its hidden stockpile of enriched uranium, to Trump's frustration.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi said Tehran had received messages from the U.S. indicating Washington was willing to continue talks.

"We hope that, with the advancement of negotiations, we will reach a good conclusion so that the Strait of Hormuz can be completely secured and we can expedite the ‌normalisation of traffic through the strait," he told reporters in New Delhi.

Trump, who ​told Fox News' "Hannity" program in an interview aired on Thursday that he was losing ​patience with Iran, said Tehran "should make a deal."

Oil prices ​rose around 3% to around $109 a barrel on Friday [O/R] on concerns over a lack of progress in resolving ‌the conflict, while U.S. Treasury yields [US/] hit their highest in ​around a year on expectations the ​Federal Reserve might need to raise interest rates.

Talks on ending the war, which has become a liability for Trump ahead of U.S. congressional elections in November, have been on hold since last week when Iran and the U.S. each rejected the ​other's most recent proposals.

Iran would welcome Chinese input, ‌Araqchi said on Friday, adding that Tehran was trying to give diplomacy a chance but did not trust the ​U.S., which has curtailed previous rounds of talks by launching air strikes.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jana Choukeir, with additional ​reporting by Reuters Newsrooms; Writing by William Mallard; Editing by Tom Hogue)

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May 16, 2026

Trump says Xi agrees Iran must open strait, China says war shouldn't have started

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jana Choukeir An Iranian woman walks next to a mural on a street in Tehran ABOARD AIR FORCE ONE/DUBAI...

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Argentina’s beef consumption falls to lowest level in 20 years as prices soar

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — At 6 a.m., in the Mataderos neighborhood ofBuenos Aires, workers unload sides of beef from a truck outside a butcher shop as customers line up for wholesale purchases. Inside, 73-year-old owner Jorge García and his staff prepare meat orders before dawn.

Daily life around the world, in photos

Among the stacks of beef boxes and red meat cuts hanging from metal hooks, chicken and pork are increasingly present.

Red meat consumption in Argentina — historically one of the world’s biggest consumers of beef — has fallen to its lowest level in two decades amid economic austerity measures imposed bylibertarian President Javier Milei.

As of April 2026, annual per capita beef consumption fell to 44.5 kilograms (98 pounds), down from 49.5 kilograms (109 pounds) during the same month a year earlier, according to the Agricultural Foundation for Argentina’s Development. In 2006, it was 63.4 kilos (139 pounds) per person.

“People are switching to cheaper proteins. They’re eating pork, they’re eating chicken,” said García.

Analysts attribute the decline to soaring beef prices, lower cattle supply andweakened household purchasing power. The opening of Argentina’s beef market to international trade has also pushed domestic prices closer to global levels.

“Beef moved into a completely different purchasing-power category. Workers’ wages fell far behind,” said Juampi Quintero, 25, a meat distributor who estimated consumption among his clients has fallen by more than half.

Less money for beef

Since coming into office in December 2023 with an annual inflation at 211%, Milei promised to eliminate what he called “the cancer of inflation” through an adjustment plan that included cuts equivalent to nearly one-third of public spending, symbolized bythe image of a chain saw.

The government succeeded in reversing the fiscal deficit and achieving a budget surplus — a rare result in Argentina’s recent history — but the social cost of theausterity measureshas drawn criticism.

Within months, Milei’s administration eliminated 13 ministries, laid off about 30,000 public employees, halted public works projects and reduced funding for key areas such as education, healthcare and science, while also cutting subsidies for basic services such as electricity, gas, water and transportation.

“That affects household income because families now have to pay more for services that were previously subsidized by the state,” said economist Camilo Tiscornia. “As a result, they have less disposable income and must give up certain more expensive goods, such as beef.”

At the same time, household incomes did not rise at the same pace as beef prices, helping drive down consumption.

Wages for registered workers increased an average of 1.8% in February, the latest available data, compared with monthly inflation of 2.9%.

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“Before, I had the freedom to buy what I wanted,” said Alberto Brajin, a 61-year-old retiree who runs a streetside barbecue stall in Buenos Aires.

Brajin said he now has to “trade down” to cheaper proteins such as chicken.

Incomes drop, beef prices surge

Beef prices rose more than 60% over the past year, reaching an average of 18,500 pesos ($13) per kilogram in Buenos Aires in May, according to the Argentine Beef Promotion Institute.

In July 2025, Milei’s government reduced export taxes on beef and poultry and removed production quotas to encourage overseas sales, reversing part of the restrictions imposed under former President Alberto Fernández to curb rising domestic prices. The easing of export regulations came just as Argentina's beef production dropped by more than 10 percent due to floods and droughts, according to CICCRA, the nonprofit organization that represents Argentina’s beef producers.

Argentina’s government said this week that beef exports rose 54% in the first quarter compared with a year earlier, totaling nearly 200,000 tons worth more than $1 billion. The increase followed a U.S. decision earlier this yearto expand Argentina’s tariff-free beef quotaamid Americancattle shortages.

With the market opening up, producers began selling beef — once affordable across much of Argentina’s social spectrum — at prices closer to international levels.

“Previously, all meats had similar prices, which encouraged high beef consumption that did not reflect its real production costs,” agricultural consultant Iván Ordóñez explained.

Shop owners learn to adapt

As beef becomes increasingly expensive for many Argentine families, chicken and pork are gaining ground as cheaper alternatives.

“We’ve chosen to buy pork and chicken because beef is too expensive,” said shop owner Ruth Simon.

Chicken costs an average of 4,900 pesos ($3.50) per kilogram, while pork ribs cost around 8,900 pesos ($6.30).

García, the butcher shop owner, said he began selling chicken and pork less than a year ago after noticing changes in customers’ eating habits.

“You have to adapt,” he said. “We can’t just sit around crying. No crying. We have to work. We have to keep our dignity. We have to fight.”

Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean athttps://apnews.com/hub/latin-america

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May 16, 2026

Argentina’s beef consumption falls to lowest level in 20 years as prices soar

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (AP) — At 6 a.m., in the Mataderos neighborhood ofBuenos Aires, workers unload sides of beef from a truck outsi...

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PGA Championship golfer overcomes tough penalty over 60-second mistake

Follow along forcomplete coverage and highlights of the first roundof the PGA Championship.

Garrick Higgo sat in the scoring tent after his first PGA Championship round in four years was over and made one final plea to tournament officials to rectify the embarrassing mistake he made to start his day.

Higgo, a South African and two-time winner on the PGA Tour, had been penalized two strokes for being late to his first-round tee time on Thursday, May 14 at Aronimink Golf Course.Higgo's group was scheduled to play the first hole at 7:18 a.m. ET. The ESPN broadcast later showed him arriving at the tee box at 7:19 a.m. He eventually carded a par that became a double-bogey 6 on his scorecard once the PGA of America announced the penalty.

"Really inexplicable," said ESPN golf commentator David Duval.

The more remarkable part might be what happened from there. Despite losing two strokes before he ever took one, Higgo finished his first round at this PGA Championship only two shots off the lead when he entered the clubhouse. The experience included Higgo's last-ditch pitch for some leniency under the premise that he was just "one second" late.

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"It is a rule and I obviously broke the rule, but it's unfortunate," Higgo told ESPN after signing his scorecard for a 1-under 69. "… One second is tough to define, but I think this should maybe be a minute's grace. There's a bunch of times on Tour we tee off 15 seconds after our tee time, just starters being a little off time or I've definitely had a few times where I've had to say to the starter it's already a minute past our time."

Higgo was on the putting green near the first tee box just before his tee time, but he was not within the area defined as the starting point at his starting time. He was penalized under Rule 5.3a. It defines the starting point as "the rope, gallery stakes, green bike fencing and/or blue stakes, blue dots or blue lines."

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The penalty for violating the rule is disqualification unless a player arrives no more than five minutes late. Higgo was able to begin his first round at the PGA Championship due to that exception.

Higgo said he arrived later than usual to the tee box because the weather was cold for his morning start. He "was trying to stay as warm as possible coming from the range," he said. Higgo also watched as ESPN showed his final practice putt from the putting green and admitted he was "running a little bit" to get to the nearby first hole. Higgo later revealed during a post-round news conference his caddie was yelling for him to come

Before Higgo got to the tee box, a rules official alerted him about the penalty for his tardiness.

"He tells me I got a two-shot penalty straight away. It was a little unnecessary, but it's fine. It is what it is," Higgo said. "My caddie was on the tee box. I had my putter in my hand. Obviously I didn't have my watch on me. I didn't have my phone with me. I'm already in the clouds a little bit as it is, so it just is what it is. I don't know what else to do."

Higgo managed the error well, with two birdies on the front nine and two more over his final five holes. He had just one bogey on his scorecard otherwise.

The 27-year-old left-hander is a two-time PGA Tour winner aftercapturing the Corales Puntacana Championship in April 2025and entered this week ranked No. 85 in the Official World Golf Ranking.

"I think it shows a lot of mental strength the way I kept fighting," Higgo said. "It wasn't going to affect my swing or my putting."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Garrick Higgo overcomes tardiness penalty at PGA Championship

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May 15, 2026

PGA Championship golfer overcomes tough penalty over 60-second mistake

Follow along forcomplete coverage and highlights of the first roundof the PGA Championship. Garrick Higgo sat in the scoring tent ...

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Former Commanders' first-round pick talks trash after schedule release

To the delight of fans worldwide, the NFL released thefull 2026 scheduleon Thursday evening. While everyone's full schedule was known since January, the schedule release allows fans to plan vacations, tailgates and much more. It's also an exciting time for players.

On Thursday night, one formerWashington Commandersfirst-round pick took to social media to share his excitement about playing against his old team. TheCommandersused the No. 16 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on Mississippi State cornerback Emmanuel Forbes. Many called it a reach at the time, but then-head coach Ron Rivera truly believed he pulled off a heist in choosing Forbes over Christian Gonzalez.

Shortly into his rookie season, Forbes was benched after being repeatedly beaten byEaglesstar A.J. Brown. Teammates tried to console Forbes on the sideline. He'd finish his rookie season appearing in 14 games with six starts. To say he struggled would be an understatement.

Rivera was fired after the 2023 season, and Washington hired new general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn. It didn't take Peters and Quinn long to realize Forbes wasn't a fit, and Washington waived him during his second season. TheLos Angeles Ramsclaimed Forbes off waivers, and he remains on their roster entering the 2026 season.

The Rams and Commanders play in 2026. Per the new NFL schedule, the two teams will meet in Week 9 at Northwest Stadium. Forbes was paying attention.

"Get back don’t have a date," Forbes wrote.

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Interesting. If anything, Forbes should be appreciative that Washington overdrafted him in 2023. Or, perhaps, he should be more concerned about even making the Rams' 2026 roster. After all, Forbes played so well in 2025 that Los Angeles went out and traded four draft picks, including a first-rounder, to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie. Then, the Rams gave McDuffie a record-setting four-year, $124 million contract.

They weren't done.

When free agency opened, the Rams signed McDuffie's fellow starting cornerback with the Chiefs, Jaylen Watson, to a three-year, $51 million contract.

Los Angeles also declined Forbes' fifth-year option, meaning he'll be a free agent after the 2026 season.

"Get back don’t have a date."

Well, apparently it does, and it's Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026.

This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire:Washington Commanders: Former 1st-round can't wait to play former team

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May 15, 2026

Former Commanders' first-round pick talks trash after schedule release

To the delight of fans worldwide, the NFL released thefull 2026 scheduleon Thursday evening. While everyone's full schedule was kno...

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Australian court upholds ruling for transgender woman, doubles damages against female-only app

By Christine Chen

Sall Grover reacts as she leaves court in Sydney

SYDNEY, May 15 (Reuters) - An Australian court upheld a landmark decision for a transgender woman on Friday, ruling that her exclusion from a female-only app because she ‌appeared to be a man amounted to an act of discrimination.

The Full Federal Court of Australia ‌also doubled damages against the Giggle for Girls app and its founder and CEO, Sall Grover, saying that the blocking of ​transgender woman Roxanne Tickle's account was direct discrimination.

A lower court had found in 2024 that it was an act of indirect discrimination. That finding was hailed as a groundbreaking decision on gender identity and transgender rights in Australia.

"I'm very pleased by the outcome of my case, and I hope that it assists trans and gender ‌diverse people and their loved ones ⁠to heal," Tickle told reporters outside the courthouse.

"I've brought my case to show trans people that you can be brave and that you can stand up for ⁠yourself. In the process, I surprised myself at how brave I could be," she said.

TRANS PROTECTIONS AFFIRMED

The decision represents a significant affirmation of protections for trans people, said Alice Taylor, an assistant professor of law at Bond University.

The ​court ​has made clear that the Australia's Sex Discrimination Act "is ​intended to eliminate discrimination on the basis of ‌gender identity, and that this protection should be applied as broadly as possible."

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Tickle, who was born male but is recognised as female in an updated birth certificate following gender affirming surgery, was blocked because Grover reviewed her photograph, a requirement upon registration, and concluded she was a man.

Lawyers for Grover did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Grover has argued sex at birth is immutable and unlawful discrimination ‌did not occur. The Federal Court in 2024 found ​that "sex is changeable".

Grover appealed and Tickle also cross-appealed, seeking a declaration ​of direct discrimination and greater damages.

In a ​summary judgment read in court, Justice Melissa Perry said Giggle and Grover had treated ‌Tickle "less favourably than a woman designated female ​at birth." All three judges ​hearing the case ruled that there had been direct discrimination.

Giggle and Grover have been ordered to pay Tickle A$20,000 ($14,350) as well as her legal costs.

The judges also agreed with the lower court ​that the app, which markets itself ‌as a safe online space for women, did not qualify as a "special measure" under the ​Sex Discrimination Act intended to promote equality between men and women.

($1 = 1.3926 Australian dollars)

(Reporting ​by Christine Chen in Sydney; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)

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May 15, 2026

Australian court upholds ruling for transgender woman, doubles damages against female-only app

By Christine Chen Sall Grover reacts as she leaves court in Sydney SYDNEY, May 15 (Reuters) - An Australian court upheld a lan...

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British Gas owner Centrica to pay $27 million after prepay meter probe

By Susanna Twidale

May 15 (Reuters) - British Gas owner Centrica has agreed to pay 20 million pounds ($26.69 million) into a ‌redress fund after investigators found the utility installed prepayment ‌meters in the homes of vulnerable customers without their consent, regulator Ofgem said.

The practice ​meant those customers could ultimately get their supply cut off if they did not keep topping up the meters. The Times newspaper reported in 2023 the prepay systems had been installed by debt agents ‌working on behalf of ⁠British Gas.

“It is clear that British Gas fell short in its treatment of an unacceptable number of ⁠vulnerable customers who had a PPM installed without consent," Ofgem said in a statement.

Centrica CEO Chris O'Shea said he had apologised to affected ​customers.

"When ​these issues came to light in ​2023 – we apologised, stopped ‌the activity immediately and took rapid action to improve our processes," he said in a statement.

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British Gas will compensate those affected, write off up to 70 million pounds of energy debt and review customer records for the relevant period, Centrica said.

Customer energy debt is ‌a growing problem in Britain. It ​currently stands at around 5.5 billion pounds ​and could grow to ​7 billion pounds by the end of the year, ‌industry group Energy UK has ​said.

Centrica's payment went ​into Ofgem's voluntary redress fund, which is used to help charities support vulnerable energy customers.

The investigation, which covered activity between ​February 2018 and February ‌2023, had now been resolved, Ofgem said.

($1 = 0.7495 pounds)

(Reporting ​by Ankita Bora and Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing ​by Sonia Cheema and Andrew Heavens)

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May 15, 2026

British Gas owner Centrica to pay $27 million after prepay meter probe

By Susanna Twidale May 15 (Reuters) - British Gas owner Centrica has agreed to pay 20 million pounds ($26.69 million) into a ‌red...

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Which NFL teams deserve more or fewer prime-time games in 2026 schedule?

One of the trickiest and most scrutinized elements of composingthe NFL scheduleis figuring out the prime-time slate.

The league has placed a special emphasis on recent years out of maximizing the audience for its most lucrative windows. That shift has only increased the imbalance between the franchises that are fixtures of the standalone slate and those who tend to toil in obscurity. But with this year's schedule release set for Thursday, several organizations could be set for a significant swing in how much attention they're afforded.

USA TODAY Sports took a look atfive teams that deserve more prime-time games in 2026andfive that deserve fewer:

Five NFL teams that deserve more prime-time games

New England Patriots

With schedule-makers left to guess how New England's Year 1 resurgence under Mike Vrabel might take form, the Patriots only received an initial allotment of three prime-time games last season − the same number given to theLas Vegas Raiders,New York GiantsandChicago Bears. Safe to say a boost is coming in 2026.

Even independent of theVrabel controversy that has loomed over the franchisethis offseason, the defending AFC champions should compel plenty of people to tune in whenever they play. NFL MVP runner-up Drake Maye is one of the league's most prolific deep throwers, and there should be widespread interest in how the offense rebounds from its Super Bowl 60 unraveling. If the long-awaited A.J. Brown trade materializes after June 1, the wide receiver's acclimation into the league's No. 2 scoring attack will be one of the most compelling early-season storylines.

New England has plenty of matchups more than worthy of a significant spotlight. The Super Bowl rematch against theSeattle Seahawksshould be one of the most highly rated regular-season contests. Another tilt with theDenver Broncosshould also prove far more entertaining than the sloppy AFC championship game was. Matchups with the Kansas City Chiefs and Chicago Bears offer up excellent quarterback showdowns. Meanwhile, the rivalry with theBuffalo Billshas turned into one of the league's best and most consequential divisional games. Expect the league to push the Patriots early and often in the prime-time slate.

Chicago Bears

From a network's perspective, the Bears have plenty going for them: Caleb Williams' captivating off-schedule plays, an offense that scores in droves and a novelty factor for a massive brand that's had new life breathed into it. Now, the league could be set to go all in on Chicago after hedging somewhat with three prime-time games in 2025.

What makes the Bears even more attractive for standalone windows is the abundance of intriguing matchups. None of the NFC North grudge matches would be out of place in an evening slot, but the clashes with the Packers seem particularly appealing given the thrills that the rivalry produced last year. The road trip to face the Seahawksseems like a strong candidate for the season opener, and the schedule will also include meetings with the Bills andEagles. Don't be surprised if the Bears are topped by only the Cowboys and Chiefs in their prime-time tally.

Jacksonville Jaguars

Far from a mainstream draw, the Jaguars have frequently had to settle for their London dates as their most reliable opportunity to capture a wider national audience. After getting just one prime-time slot last year, however, Jacksonville should reap the rewards of its nine-win improvement with a substantially larger share of the spotlight this fall.

While the two meetings with the Houston Texans might not seem like a ratings winner, the AFC South tilt should be a compelling matchup at least deserving consideration for "Thursday Night Football." Jacksonville could also be paired with typical Sunday and Monday night fixtures, such as the Cowboys, Eagles, Steelers, Giants and Broncos. No matter which games are chosen, Jaguars fans probably will need to get accustomed to staying up late rather than merely getting up early.

Carolina Panthers

The NFL has treated Carolina as little more than an afterthought for marquee matchups this decade, giving them just six in the last six years. Perhaps this is the year for a breakthrough.

The Panthers are coming off an NFC South title and an end to a franchise-record playoff drought. With all eight division winners from 2024 having received at least four prime-time appointments last season, it seems like Carolina is due for a bump in visibility.

A first-place schedule will bring plenty of challenges for the Panthers while also opening lots of broadcast opportunities. A brutal home slate includes the Bears, Lions, Bengals, Ravens, Seahawks and Broncos. Meanwhile, the road schedule features the Eagles, whom the Panthers outbid to land marquee free agent edge rusher Jaelan Phillips.

New Orleans Saints

The last-place finisher in the league's most lackluster division might seem like an odd candidate for this list. New Orleans, however, has plenty going for it after last year being held out of the prime-time lineup for the first time since 2000.

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Going from 5-12 in 2024 to 6-11 last year might not seem like sufficient cause for more consideration in prized broadcast windows. But the Saints have already made significant strides. Chief among them: The quarterback outlook has gone from shaky to stirring, with ascendant second-year signal-caller Tyler Shough proving himself capable of making impressive throws on the move. With running back Travis Etienne Jr. and first-round receiver Jordyn Tyson providing the supporting cast with sorely needed big-play potential, Kellen Moore's offense could make waves in Year 2.

Yet there aren't necessarily many matchups on the slate that scream must-see TV. Maybe one of the NFC South rivalry games would suffice as "Thursday Night Football" fodder. And there are a couple of fun clashes of young quarterbacks with Shough taking on the Giants' Jaxson Dart and Raiders' Fernando Mendoza − depending on when the No. 1 pick takes the starting reins. Regardless, New Orleans deserves better than being blanked for a second year in a row.

Five NFL teams that deserve fewer prime-time games

Atlanta Falcons

With five prime-time games and a standalone window for their Germany matchup in 2025, the Falcons received a major vote of confidence from the league. A breakthrough for Atlanta and quarterback Michael Penix Jr. never materialized, and Arthur Blank cleaned house in response to the disappointment.

Even withnew coach Kevin Stefanski aboard, the Falcons hardly qualify as must-see TV. A quarterback competition between Penix and Tua Tagovailoa likely won't move the needle with viewers or produce much better results through the air. A stagnant Atlanta roster has also been passed up by its competition in the NFC South, with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints showing serious signs of growth. It's time to spread the wealth in the division, which can easily be achieved by bumping the Falcons down to a slate befitting a team stuck in neutral.

Miami Dolphins

The NFL made it all the way to Week 16 last year beforeflexing a prime-time matchup, giving the rudderless Dolphins and Cincinnati Bengals the boot. That was perhaps a harbinger of how the league might treat the former this spring after reserving five such slots for the team in 2025.

First-year general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan has left no doubt that Miami is going full bore with its teardown, which has sent away the likes of Tagovailoa, wide receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, edge rusher Bradley Chubb and more. All that's left in the rubble: various low-cost holdovers, bargain free-agent signings and rookies trying to find their way. And while quarterback Malik Willis provides some panache with his big-play capabilities as a runner and downfield thrower, he's sure to be inhibited by a receiving corps lacking any established options. This looks like a season that will be spent toiling and tweaking before the Dolphins can establish any real competitive credentials. It's probably best for the group to do that away from the limelight.

Washington Commanders

In 2025, the league's schedule-makers embraced a Washington team coming off an unexpected run to the NFC championship game, giving the franchise five prime-time games along with a Christmas slot and a standalone international window. The Commanders went on to lose all seven of those contests, though three of those defeats were only sealed on the last play.

Is that a sign of a rapid re-emergence? With Jayden Daniels getting a fresh slate after a spate of injuries spoiled his sophomore campaign, there's reason to believe Washington should be far more formidable in 2026. Yet the Commanders will be working in two first-time coordinators, with David Blough instituting what likely will be a more methodical offense that emphasizes more under-center work. That's not exactly a scintillating setup for a team that didn't do much from a personnel standpoint to support Daniels, who still lacks a viable No. 2 target alongside Terry McLaurin.

The Commanders should find a more stable resting point between the high of 2024 and last season's nadir. But Washington remains decidedly outside of the NFC's prime class of contenders, and its schedule should reflect that reality.

Arizona Cardinals

Since getting rid of its mandate for every team to be scheduled for at least one prime-time game, the NFL hasn't been shy about keeping some of its duller and less competitive operations out of the spotlight. That could mean trouble for Arizona, which got two prime-time appointments in 2025 but could be blanked this fall.

First-year coach Mike LaFleur might see better fortune on the health front – the Cardinals finished last season with 24 players on injured reserve – and in close contests than predecessor Jonathan Gannon did. Yet the team that finished with the worst point differential in the NFC (-133) remains a long way off from challenging anyone in its division after going 0-6 against NFC West foes last year. No matter whether Jacoby Brissett holds onto the starting quarterback job or gives way to third-rounder Carson Beck, the offense looks bound to be boxed in by its limitations behind center. And while thearrival of Jeremiyah Lovemight spark some mild intrigue, running room likely will be hard to come by – as will any game times outside of Sunday afternoons.

New York Jets

Maybe this seems harsh for a team that was already pushed to the fringes, with their prime-time tally being razed from six in 2024 to two last year. Yet even matching that amount this fall would be generous for a regime that still hasn't conjured a reason for others to tune in.

Gang Green very well might be a more competent operation after absorbing some necessary lessons from Aaron Glenn's turbulent first year at the helm. But are the Jets any more compelling than they previously were? The defense still seems stuck in a transitional phase after dealing away Sauce Gardner and Quinnen Williams at midseason, and the new pairing of quarterback Geno Smith and coordinator Frank Reich doesn't inspire a ton of confidence for an offensive surge.

The Jets, of course, are too big a brand to be shunted aside completely. But while a "Thursday Night Football" game against an AFC East rival might be reasonable, anything beyond that might be a stretch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:2026 NFL schedule: Which teams deserve more or fewer prime-time games?

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May 14, 2026

Which NFL teams deserve more or fewer prime-time games in 2026 schedule?

One of the trickiest and most scrutinized elements of composingthe NFL scheduleis figuring out the prime-time slate. The league ha...

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