Miscellaneous
Jun 30, 2026
We’ve all seen the “This is Fine” meme: A dog sitting and smiling as a raging inferno engulfs the room around him. Ignorance is bliss—but for both collectors and the athletes themselves, NFL roster cuts are anything but.
With the 2026 NFL season just nine days away (!), teams were forced to trim their rosters down to just 53 personnel over the weekend, dashing the hopes and dreams of some of the most talented players on the planet. While some will find their way onto practice squads—and others might sneak into games later in the season—it’s an undeniably sad day for people who have spent their entire lives striving for greatness, only to hit the ultimate roadblock.
While collectors aren’t going through anywhere near the same level of grief and frustration, it can be a day of mourning for those holding onto stacks of cardboard as well; highly touted prospects who were once the most coveted players in packs are now fighting to maintain their value.
Meanwhile, preseason Week 3 gave fantasy drafters better info on backfield battles, injury replacements, and depth charts ahead of Week 1 of the regular season, providing clarity to those looking to place their cardboard bets before rising stars turn into super stars. In this league, there’s never a dull moment.
Looking to learn about who got cut, why it matters for your collection, what collectors on Courtyard are chasing, and how you can join in on the fun? We’ve got you covered.
Cutdown Day Hit Hard:
Exhibit A: Will Levis. Tennessee’s 2023 second-round pick out of Kentucky, the guy with the cannon arm that had collectors hoarding his rookies just years ago, was waived by the Titans this weekend. Unable to lock down the QB2 spot behind veteran Mitch Trubisky and QB1 Cam Ward, who has plenty to prove in 2026, those stashing Levis’ cardboard are hoping he finds a safe place to land—and that he’ll once again get the opportunity to sling it on the gridiron.
Will Levis is another example of how The Hobby runs on hype. While rookies might get all the buzz, it’s important to remember that it can take years for players to prove their worth—if at all. That’s why Courtyard’s newest football release skips the guessing game and gives collectors exactly what they want: the big names that have already performed under the bright lights. Enter: Football Mythic Packs.
Every Football Mythic Pack contains one graded football card, and man, are there some hits waiting to be pulled. Unlike a regular retail or hobby box, these bad boys are loaded with rookie cards from proven winners like Joe Burrow, Josh Allen, and Tom Brady, with some of the biggest pulls going for tens of thousands of dollars. No waiting for a PSA mail day, no wondering if that rookie you pulled last week made the 53-man roster, just an instant buyback offer so you can keep what you love and get money for what you don’t.
In fact, one lucky collector recently ripped a Jordan Love Prizm Color Blast (PSA 10) rookie out of a Football Mythic Pack. The Green Bay Packers just earned themselves a new fan this season!
What Preseason Week 3 Means for Fantasy Draft Day:
Last week’s Card Watch highlighted the Raiders’ injury scare when Ashton Jeanty—last year’s headline rookie running back—banged up his ankle. This week, fourth-round rookie Mike Washington Jr. took over early-down reps in his absence. Based on early reports, Jeanty’s ankle doesn’t seem too bad, but it’s an important reminder that RB handcuffs are a major key, especially once the injury bug starts to hit teams throughout the season.
Over in the NFC, Atlanta’s new quarterback, former Miami Dolphin Tua Tagovailoa, had a solid day, as did fellow former first-round pick Kyle Pitts. The team’s QB1 is still up in the air, as Michael Penix Jr. sat out the team’s final preseason game. The Falcons offense has plenty of weapons between Drake London and Bijan Robinson; will their signal-caller hamstring them or can either Penix Jr. or Tagovailoa help them push for the playoffs?
Draft Week on Courtyard Comes with a Bounty:
As millions across the country prepare to sweat the coveted 1.01 spot this week, Courtyard is upping the ante. Take fantasy draft season to the next level with Draft Packs, a set of Limited Drop packs available Tuesday-Thursday. Loaded with chase cards from the top-25 fantasy players on ESPN’s draft board, new Draft Packs will be released each day, building excitement as you turn mock drafts into full-fledged fantasy squads. It gets better: Those lucky enough to pull one of ESPN’s top-25 players will receive 40,000 Courtyard Points, a value of roughly $200.
Keep an eye on the Football Packs page, and make sure your trigger finger is ready because these packs are sure to go fast.
The Biggest Football Card Sales on Courtyard Last Week:
As we inch closer to another NFL season, football fans have been busy showcasing their fandom on Courtyard. Whether you guys are ripping packs or making big purchases on the marketplace, we all have one thing in common: We’re ready for some football! As it turns out, some are more excited than others.
- Walter Payton: “Sweetness” is no longer with us, but fans from Chicago to L.A. haven’t forgotten about the hard-running back. One fan in particular went the extra mile, purchasing his 1976 Topps rookie card (PSA 9) for $5,500 last week.
- Bo Nix: Two years into Bo Nix’s NFL career, the Denver quarterback has already taken his team to the playoffs twice. With a stacked offense that added Jaylen Waddle to the mix, it’s no surprise a collector made the move to scoop up a 2024 Red Sparkle Prizm (PSA 10) for more than $650. Will he be laughing all the way to the bank in February?
The First Pick in the (Fantasy) Draft Is…
No matter what position you get in your drafts, you can always count on Courtyard to help you find the value pick. Whether you’re looking for a top-25 player in the new Draft Packs, shooting to score a once-in-a-lifetime pull in the Mythic Packs, or scoping out the marketplace before the season kicks off next week, we’ve got something for everyone.