Luka Doncic pushed back against media speculation surrounding his injury status after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept out of the 2026 NBA playoffs by the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder.

The Lakers’ season ended Monday night with a 115-110 loss in Game 4 of the Western Conference Semifinals at Crypto.com Arena. While the Thunder completed a dominant 4-0 series sweep, much of the post-series attention centered on Doncic’s absence and his frustration with recent reporting about his recovery.

Doncic missed the entire series because of a Grade 2 left hamstring strain suffered on April 2 during a regular-season loss against Oklahoma City. Reports before the series claimed the five-time All-Star was progressing slowly and had not resumed full-contact workouts.

MORE: Lakers’ Luka Doncic draws fresh criticism from Ric Flair

Speaking to reporters after the elimination, Doncic strongly denied suggestions that he was close to returning.

“I mean, yeah, it’s very frustrating,” Doncic said. “I know some people wanted me back, but obviously, I wasn’t close to clearing. You know, there was some stuff in the media that went out that wasn’t true. Nobody of those people saw my MRIs, knew nothing, so it wasn’t really true. If I could be out there, I would be 100%. Everybody in that room knows that.”

The comments appeared directed at ESPN insider Shams Charania, who reported before the matchup that Doncic would miss the start of the series because of a ‘slow path’ in his recovery.

“I’m told Luka will be out to start the series…,” Charania said. “One source told me it’s still a slow path on Doncic’s recovery. He’s doing more on the court but still not doing full-contact workouts.”

Luka Doncic on missing the Lakers’ playoff games

The doctors had given Doncic an eight-week recovery timeline after the MRI results. The injury also marked the second time he damaged the same hamstring during the 2025-26 season, leading the Lakers’ medical staff to take a cautious approach.

The 27-year-old even traveled to Spain for platelet-rich plasma therapy in hopes of speeding up the healing process. Despite progress with light running and shooting drills, he never received clearance for full-speed basketball activities.

“But it’s been very tough,” Doncic said. “Like I said, this is the best time to play basketball. I was sad not to be able to help my team. So, looking to the offseason, obviously I’m still doing recovery, so that’s the first thing.”

The Lakers struggled without their leading scorer, while Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the Thunder into the Western Conference Finals.

PRAGUE (AP) — Slavia Prague was handed a forfeit loss in its abandoned game against archrival Sparta Prague as punishment for its fans invading the pitch during stoppage time of the heated derby in the Czech league this past weekend.

The disciplinary ruling issued on Tuesday awards Sparta a 3-0 victory. Slavia was leading 3-2 Saturday when hundreds of its fans stormed the pitch in the seventh minute of added time. Many of the supporters brandished flares and some attacked several Sparta players, including Slovak goalkeeper Jakub Surovčík, defender Jakub Martinec and forward Matyáš Vojta.

A total of 10 minutes of added time had been set to be played, but the match was abandoned without resumption.

Slavia was also ordered to play its next four home games without fans and was fined 10 million koruna ($484,000).

Slavia said it would not appeal. It remains atop the standings, five points ahead of Sparta with three games to go.

Slavia apologized and said the club will cooperate with police who are investigating the incident as hooliganism, which could be punishable by jail terms.

Czech soccer association head David Trunda said the incident was damaging to “Czech football, the clubs and the overwhelming majority of decent fans.”

Trunda has been engaged in talks with the government to improve security at Czech stadiums.

Slavia chief executive Jaroslav Tvrdík said the club will install a facial recognition system at the stadium.

Tvrdík announced Sunday that Slavia would close its North Stand, which hosts die-hard fans, with immediate effect. The stand will be closed until all the perpetrators are identified and brought to justice.

The perpetrators will be banned from Slavia’s stadium for life, the club said.

The two Slavia players who were shown red cards during the derby — league leading scorer Tomáš Chorý and defender David Douděra — were suspended for the rest of the season, Tvrdík said. The club has transfer-listed the pair.

Both players were included Tuesday in the Czech Republic's preliminary 54-man national team roster for the upcoming World Cup. The Czechs have qualified for the tournament co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico for the first time in 20 years.

___

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

Marvin Vettori will look to turn things around against a rising middleweight.

Vettori (19-10-1 MMA, 9-8-1 UFC) takes on Ismail Naurdiev (25-8 MMA, 4-3 UFC) at UFC Fight Night 280 on June 27 from Baku Crystal Hall in Azerbaijan, promotion officials announced Tuesday morning.

Vettori, 32, is on a four-fight losing skid after dropping a decision to Brunno Ferreira at UFC 323 this past December. The former title challenger hasn't won a fight since defeating Roman Dolidze at UFC 286 in March 2023.

Naurdiev, who now fights out of Morocco, is 2-1 in his second UFC stint. He rebounded from his loss to Jun-yong Park with a first-round knockout of "TUF 32" winner Ryan Loder at UFC Fight Night 265 this past November.

The current UFC Fight Night 280 lineup includes:

• Rafael Fiziev vs. Manuel Torres
• Shara Magomedov vs. Michel Pereira
• Ikram Aliskerov vs. Brunno Ferreira
• Asu Almabayev vs. Charles Johnson
• Julius Walker vs. Abdul Rakhman Yakhyaev
• Bekzat Almakhan vs. Jean Matsumoto
• Abus Magomedov vs. Michal Oleksiejczuk
• Daniil Donchenko vs. Andreas Gustafsson
• Tyrell Fortune vs. Rizvan Kuniev
• Matheus Camilo vs. Nazim Sadykhov
• Andrey Pulyaev vs. Nursulton Ruziboev
• Farman Hasanov vs. Eric Nolan
• Ismail Naurdiev vs. Marvin Vettori

This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC Baku adds Marvin Vettori vs. Ismail Naurdiev to lineup

Lars Ricken, Borussia Dortmund’s sporting director, explains: “We have known Joane for a very long time and have been monitoring him since his time at Paris Saint-Germain. Joane will strengthen our squad and play an important role for us right from the start of the new season. We are convinced of his qualities and see enormous potential for his sporting development.”

Gadou came through the Paris Saint-Germain youth academy and won the French championship with the U19s in 2024. In September 2024, the 1.95-metre-tall defender moved to FC Salzburg. He made a total of 58 competitive appearances for the Austrian side’s first team. He also made five appearances in the UEFA Youth League and one appearance in the second division for Salzburg’s reserve team, FC Liefering.

“Joane is a modern and physically strong centre-back. He has good build-up play, is extremely quick and still has room for development. Joane's abilities make him an ideal addition to our defence,” emphasises BVB sporting director Ole Book.

Gadou has been a regular in the French youth national teams since 2022. In 2023, he was runner-up at the European U17 Championship, and he captained his team at the tournament the following year.

Joane Gadou says: “I’m absolutely delighted to be joining the BVB family and can’t wait to pull on the Black & Yellow shirt for the first time. I want to achieve success in the coming years together with my teammates, the whole club and our incredible fans.”

The difficult final months of Dani Carvajal’s career have taken another painful turn after the Real Madrid captain was left out of Spain national team’s preliminary World Cup plans.

As such, Carvajal has not been included in the extended 55-player pre-selection list prepared by Spain manager Luis de la Fuente, dealing a major blow to the veteran full-back’s hopes of representing his country for the final time in his career.

For the experienced defender, the news only deepens what has already become an extremely emotional and frustrating period.

Double blow for Carvajal

Carvajal has known for some time that Real Madrid do not intend to renew his contract beyond this summer. 

With his current deal approaching its end, the Spaniard is now preparing for what increasingly looks like the closing chapter of his long and successful spell at the Santiago Bernabéu.

The timing of everything has made the situation even more difficult, as injuries have heavily disrupted Carvajal’s season, preventing him from building any rhythm or consistency during the campaign. 

Physical problems repeatedly kept him sidelined and significantly reduced his role within the squad at a stage where Real Madrid were already struggling collectively.

Across all competitions, Carvajal has managed only 20 appearances this season, accumulating just 885 minutes on the pitch.

This is a dramatic decline for a player who spent years as one of the most reliable figures in both Real Madrid and Spain’s setup.

There was hope

Despite those struggles, De la Fuente had publicly continued backing the defender and appeared eager to avoid completely closing the door on his international future.

Speaking about Carvajal’s importance within the national team environment, the Spain manager had said, “Carvajal is a very important figure in our locker room, a captain in capital letters.

“We love him and we will be looking forward to his recovery. I talked to him yesterday and I know what’s going on.

“His injury is nothing serious, but he needs time to reach the level he has.”

Those comments initially gave hope that the experienced defender could still fight his way back into contention during the final stretch of the season.

However, despite publicly remaining supportive, it now appears De la Fuente had already made his decision internally regarding the World Cup squad.

Only two horses are left in the race that no-one wants to lose - the scrap for Premier League survival.

With two games to go, and Burnley and Wolves already relegated, either Tottenham or West Ham will be joining them in the Championship next season.

Spurs, in 17th, are two points clear of 18th-placed West Ham after being held to a 1-1 draw by Leeds United on Monday - and also have the superior goal difference.

While a point is not to be sniffed at, the chance to go four points free of the Hammers was missed by Roberto de Zerbi's side, and Spurs remain without a home win in the top flight since 6 December.

"If we want to win, we have to reduce the mistakes," said De Zerbi.

West Ham, who saw Callum Wilson's stoppage-time equaliser ruled out by the video assistant referee (VAR) in Sunday's 1-0 defeat by leaders Arsenal, are rooted in trouble.

"It's going to be tough [to stay up] - we know it is not in our hands," said boss Nuno Espirito Santo.

"We will fight for it and we will keep on fighting."

• Spurs drag out safety battle to keep nerves jangling
• West Ham set to contact referees' body over disallowed goal

Who do Spurs and West Ham play next?

With Leeds, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest all securing their place in the top flight following last weekend's results, Tottenham and West Ham know time is running out to avoid the drop.

The odds are in Spurs' favour.

According to the Opta supercomputer, they have a 19.5% chance of relegation, compared to 80.5% for Nuno's Hammers.

West Ham take on Newcastle United at St James' Park this Sunday, two days before Spurs play next, at Chelsea.

If West Ham can win at Newcastle - they beat the Magpies 3-1 at home in the league in November - then they will jump to 17th and push Spurs into the relegation zone by one point.

Anything other than a Hammers win, though, would hand the advantage back to Tottenham - who could then ensure their safety by winning at Chelsea.

The chances of Spurs picking up a win at Stamford Bridge, however, might be slim, as they have managed it just once since 1990, with a 3-1 victory in April 2018.

If the battle does go down to the wire on 24 May, both teams have home games, with Tottenham welcoming Everton and West Ham facing Leeds.

'Spurs still in relegation driving seat'

The draw with Leeds felt like an opportunity missed. I felt like we deserve to win, but we just weren't clinical in front of goal.

However, we are still in the driving seat, and we need a minimum of four points to stay in the Premier League.

I feel confident [Tottenham can stay up] because in the past four games, we've picked up eight points - two wins and two draws - and there is a real belief and confidence under Roberto de Zerbi.

But one of the remaining games is Chelsea at Stamford Bridge - and we've only won there once in 36 years, so that's going to be tough.

I'm glad De Zerbi came in when he did; it was certainly a waste of time with [former interim head coach] Igor Tudor, his 44-day stint.

But De Zerbi seems to be getting a tune out of these players, so I live in hope.

We're going to now watch West Ham travel to Newcastle, and hopefully they don't pick any points up there, then Spurs need to just go and get a result at Chelsea.

'Tense final day if West Ham beat Newcastle'

It was hard not to feel defeated after West Ham's controversial home loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

But Spurs' draw with Leeds means there's still a lot of hope that the great escape is on in east London.

If it does go down to the final day, then it's hard to look past West Ham winning. With just one loss from their past seven home games (W3, D3), the fans in a similar voice as they were against the Gunners on Sunday and Leeds having nothing to play for, Nuno Espirito Santo's side will be clear favourites.

If the gap is still two points, then of course West Ham will need former boss David Moyes to do them a favour by beating Spurs away with Everton. A draw won't do because West Ham's goal difference is considerably worse. But an Everton win isn't entirely out of the question, given they'll probably need a victory for a chance of qualifying for Europe, while Spurs have just two home wins to their name all season.

Ideally, West Ham will have their destiny in their hands on the final day, without needing Everton to get something at Spurs. If that's how it's set up, I back us to get the job done. If not, having to rely on results elsewhere is far from ideal.

Either way, this coming weekend is absolutely huge. West Ham could be relegated by Monday night, or they could be 90 minutes from Premier League survival.

I'm not sure my heart can take any more.

'Recent form tells two different stories'

With two games left, the relegation fight between Tottenham and West Ham is on a knife edge - and their recent form tells two very different stories.

Tottenham have somewhat steadied themselves under Roberto de Zerbi. They are four games unbeaten (W2 D2), their longest run without defeat this season, and one that reflects a side finally showing some resilience after months of turbulence.

Their last unbeaten run of five matches came in December and January, a period that seems a long time ago now.

Momentum has rarely been Spurs' friend this year, but avoiding defeat at this stage is no small thing.

West Ham, by contrast, are sliding at the worst possible moment. Defeat at Newcastle would make it three losses on the bounce, something that has already happened twice under Nuno Espirito Santo - once in October and again in December.

When results dip, they tend to dip quickly, and the Hammers' season has been punctuated by damaging spells that have dragged them back into trouble.

Spurs still have their fate in their own hands, while West Ham's margin for error is shrinking fast. Over the next two defining games, survival may hinge on who holds their nerve.

• Spurs drag out safety battle to keep nerves jangling
• Five 'fouls' in one move - breaking down Premier League corner chaos

'Was offered money to speak against Virat Kohli': German influencer LizLaz makes shocking claim after Instagram controversy originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• German influencer LizLaz made an explosive claim about Virat Kohli.
• Social media sensation claimed she was paid to speak against RCB star. 
• Virat Kohli created a social media frenzy in April by liking an Instagram post that featured LizLaz.

'Was offered money to speak against Virat Kohli': German influencer LizLaz makes shocking claim

Popular German Instagram influencer, LizLaz, has made a sensational claim about Indian cricket legend and Royal Challengers Bengaluru star, Virat Kohli.

Kohli was in the news last month, over his alleged 'like' on one of LizLaz's old Instagram posts, which created quite a stir among fans.

Now, LizLaz has once again opened up on Kohli. As per the German influencer, certain media houses in India allegedly offered her money to badmouth Kohli in public forums, although she rejected those pleas as she claimed she herself was a big fan of the cricketer. 

In an interaction, LizLaz recently said: "Some people wanted me to throw shade at him and say things he never did. But why would I do that? He’s my favourite cricketer. Why would I throw shade at him for money?"

MORE: Has Bangladesh ever beaten Pakistan in a bilateral cricket series?

Virat Kohli’s Instagram 'like' on LizLaz’s post went viral amid IPL 2026

In April 2026, Virat Kohli grabbed headlines, although not for anything on the cricket field. As IPL 2026 continued its action-packed season, fans noticed that Virat Kohli had liked a rather old Instagram post from LizLaz, a popular German vlogger.

Under normal circumstances, such a story would have been forgotten; however, screenshots of the alleged 'like' quickly spread across all platforms.

LizLaz, a German-South African social media star, is known for her travel vlogs, where she documents her experiences while travelling to different countries. Some of her popular videos also include her experiences related to Indian culture and lifestyle, food, and other things.

She had gained some popularity online before, but her social media following surged after Virat Kohli's 'like' of one of her Instagram posts.

MORE: ‘Very sensitive to criticism’: Sanjay Manjrekar on Virat Kohli

The Cricket News Opinion: Virat Kohli is a national treasure and should be kept away from mudslinging 

Virat Kohli has selflessly served Indian cricket for close to two decades and has brought several laurels to the country, both as a player and as a captain. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest-ever cricketers in world cricket and one of the finest that India has produced.

At the twilight of his career, Kohli continues to perform with same passion and intensity for the Indian team and a national treasure like the cricketer should be kept away from petty quarrels and mudslinging. 

To keep up to date with all the latest cricket news and share your opinion on the biggest topics visit our Facebook, Instagram and X (Twitter) pages.

Tottenham fan Chris Cowlin says he feels "confident" Spurs will avoid relegation as there is a "real belief and confidence" under Roberto de Zerbi.

Monday's home draw against Leeds means Spurs need four points from their remaining two games against Chelsea and Everton to likely seal survival given their superior goal difference to West Ham.

"I feel like it is an opportunity missed but we are still in the driving seat," he told BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast.

"We need a minimum of four points to stay in the Premier League with two games remaining.

"It was a frustrating one last night as, like De Zerbi said, we deserved to win but we just weren't clinical enough in front of goal.

"The fans were excellent and behind every single player. With Mathys Tel you stick with the positives - he scored a fantastic goal. Antonin Kinsky made some big saves and a world class save at the end so when you look at if it was a point gained or two lost - it could easily have been a defeat in the end.

"I feel confident because in the last four games we've picked up eight points, two wins and two draws, and there is a real belief and confidence under De Zerbi so thank goodness he came in when he did.

"It was a waste of time under Igor Tudor but De Zerbi seems to be getting a tune out of these players so I live in hope.

"We now watch West Ham go to Newcastle and hopefully they don't pick up any points there and then Spurs need to just go and get a result at Stamford Bridge. That's a huge game."

Listen to the full chat from 06:23 on BBC Sounds

There’s a chance Puka Nacua could avoid charges for his alleged biting incident on New Year’s Eve. According to USA TODAY, the legal matter has been assigned for a City Attorney hearing.

Deputy Director of Communications for the City Attorney’s Office Ivor Pine told USA TODAY that charges have not been filed against Nacua at this time, but the case “stays open throughout the length of the statute of limitations.

Additionally, Pine says a pretrial diversion is “available to eligible individuals as an alternative to misdemeanor criminal prosecution,” potentially keeping this matter from going to trial.

Here’s more from USA TODAY’s story, including a statement from the woman’s representative.

"We feel validated that the city attorney is proceeding with its charge for battery to a hearing,'' Joseph Kar, who is representing the woman, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports. "This dispels the false narrative Mr. Nacua and his crisis team tried to push to the press before Mr. Nacua entered a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility.  Those city attorney proceedings are not a formal criminal filing but have very serious implications for an accused defendant, especially for a famous football player in the prime of his career such as Makea 'Puka' Nacua."

It was not immediately clear if Nacua is eligible for pretrial diversion and what the specific criminal charges might be. The City Attorney handles only misdemeanors.

The civil lawsuit against Nacua is continuing, with the woman seeking damages for assault and battery, gender violence and negligence. That civil case is separate from the City Attorney hearing.

The lawsuit was filed against Nacua in March after he was accused of biting a woman and making an antisemitic comment while out on New Year’s Eve. She also filed a temporary restraining order, which was denied.

This article originally appeared on Rams Wire: Rams WR Puka Nacua could avoid charges for alleged biting incident

Cricket World Cup League 2

Scotland 243-8 (50 overs): Munsey 75; Lamichhane 4-41

Nepal 218-7 (39 overs): Jha 61; Currie 3-43

Scotland win by two runs (DLS method)

Match scorecard

Scotland held their nerve to secure a thrilling two-run victory over Nepal in a rain-affected one-day international in Kirtipur.

Nepal required 13 off the final over of their chase, but seamer Brad Currie - who was superb in taking 3-43 - restricted the hosts to just 11.

Batting first on a testing pitch, the Scots amassed a total of 243-8 from their 50 overs, thanks largely to a blistering 62-ball 75 from opener George Munsey.

Fellow opener Finlay McCreath added 35 in a partnership of 114, while Michael English guided the back-end of the innings with a patient 34 not out.

After Munsey's powerful hitting - the left-hander struck 12 fours and two sixes - Scotland were restricted well by Nepal's varied bowling attack, before Mark Watt (24) and Michael Leask (29) added some late momentum.

The hosts' chase was then delayed by rain and they were set a revised target of 221 in 39 overs.

Mark Watt took two wickets in three balls to get Scotland off to a superb start, but a partnership between captain Rohit Paudel and Dipendra Singh Airee hauled Nepal back into contention.

However, Paudel was bowled trying to scoop Currie and, soon after, Airee sliced spinner Oli Davidson to short third, in what appeared to be a decisive passage.

There was drama to come though as Gulshan Jha - who finished unbeaten on 61 from 35 deliveries - kept up with the run rate and took it to the final six deliveries, but Currie stayed calm amid the flurry of boundaries.

The Sussex man only went from four runs from the first five balls of his final over, and although Jha smashed the final delivery of the game over the ropes, it was not enough.

"We knew from the start we were going to have to work hard to get the win," captain Richie Berrington said.

"Really pleased we managed to hold our nerve under pressure. Mark Watt and Oli Davidson bowled really well and Brad Currie was excellent again.

"Brad is very clear in what he's trying to do, which makes things easy as a captain. The trust is fully there and thankfully he managed to execute."

Scotland are level at the top of Cricket World Cup League 2 with USA on 36 points but have played five games more. They are next in action against USA on Thursday.

• Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

We asked for your views on how you would revamp the Manchester United squad in the summer, after fan contributor Alex Turk urged the club to "get aggressive in the transfer market".

Here are some of your comments:

Graham: Totally agree - it's time to be ruthless. The Sunderland game and the first half against Leeds United shows how poor this side can be. Players like Amad Diallo, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount and Joshua Zirkzee are just not good enough to play well on a regular basis and find the magic needed to win games.

Gordon: Totally agree with Alex Turk's comments regarding players surplus to requirements, and on signing sufficient new players for a rigorous campaign next season. I didn't agree with Michael Carrick's selections against Sunderland. Mount and Zirkzee are simply not good enough. Pick the best team available to keep momentum going until the season's end. And why not give some of the young lads like Shea Lacey a chance for half an hour?

Callum: I wouldn't say a radical overhaul of the squad needs to happen, rather than shrewd business that increases the quality and squad depth. Both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo show that bringing in players who are adapted to the Premier League will provide a more lasting impact than making a number of high-profile signings from across the leagues that are not carefully considered. Players like Amad and Martinez will be able to play their part if outgoings are replaced with genuine quality. If we fail to do that, next season could see yet another regression - and that would be very much in keeping with our experience post-Ferguson!

Gerry: In midfield, I'd get Ederson and Joao Gomes. I'd look at bringing James Garner back, he's in his last year of contract at Everton. In defence, I'd sign Michael Keane on a free for a similar role to that played by Jonny Evans in case Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez continue to be injury prone. Axel Tuanzabe could also be considered for that role - he's free.

Mike: As good as a job Carrick has done, if we don't sign a minimum of five players in key roles we don't stand a chance of competing in Europe or the Premier League. If you look at the games we drew this season, at least half of them should have been wins. I believe that Carrick was also to blame for the team he picked for a few of them - the latest at Sunderland had me thinking why Mbeumo didn't start the game instead of Zirkzee.

Antony: They need to bring up the youth. The Class of '92 never would have been as successful had they not been given the chance. Get a central midfielder to support and a central defender, then bring some up from the youths.

Alan: Acquire a new, seasoned manager first, then a top-class central defender, holding midfielder, wide player and striker.

Richard: This all very well but United need to have a full-time manager first. Players need certainty and know they are wanted. Personally, I'm not sure how much more Carrick can do. Appoint him and get on with it.

PGA of America

PGA CHAMPIONSHIP

Site: Newtown Square, Pennsylvania.

Course: Aronimink GC. Yardage: 7,394. Par: 70.

Prize money: TBA ($19 million in 2025). Winner’s share: TBA ($3,420,000 in 2025).

Television: Thursday-Friday, 7 a.m. to noon (ESPN+), noon to 7 p.m. (ESPN); Saturday-Sunday, 8 a.m. to 10 a.m. (ESPN+), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (ESPN), 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (CBS and Paramount+).

Defending champion: Scottie Scheffler.

Last year: Scheffler closed with an even-par 71 to win by five shots. He became the first player since Seve Ballesteros to win his first three majors by three shots or more.

Notes: The PGA Championship returns to Aronimink for the first time since Gary Player won in 1972. ... The field has 98 of the top 100 players from the world ranking. ... Jordan Spieth needs to win the PGA Championship to become the seventh player with the career Grand Slam. ... Rory McIlroy and Scheffler have combined to win four of the last five majors. ... McIlroy will try to become the first player since Spieth to win the first two majors of the year. ... The Philadelphia area last had a major championship in 2013 at the U.S. Open. ... Justin Rose (2010 AT&T National) and Keegan Bradley (2018 BMW Championship) are past winners at Aronimink. ... The top 60 in the world after this week will be exempt for the U.S. Open. ... Americans have won the PGA Championship the last 10 times, the longest such streak of any major. ... The PGA Championship has been played on 75 golf courses since it began in 1916.

Next year: Fields Ranch East at PGA Frisco.

Online: https://www.pgachampionship.com/

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LPGA Tour

KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONS

Site: Cincinnati.

Course: Maketewah CC. Yardage: 6,416. Par: 70.

Prize money: $2 million. Winner's share: $300,000.

Television: Thursday-Sunday, 3-6 p.m. (Golf Channel).

Defending champion: Charley Hull.

Race to CME Globe leader: Nelly Korda.

Last week: Jeeno Thitikul won the Mizuho Americas Open.

Notes: Nelly Korda will be going for her third straight victory. She won her third major at The Chevron Open, then the Riviera Maya Open at Mayakoba before taking off last week. ... Jeeno Thitikul is in the field after her victory last week in the Mizuho Americas Open. ... Korda has played in the final group in each of her six tournaments this year, with three wins and three runner-up finishes. The last player to start a season with six events and no worse than second place was Annika Sorenstam in 2001. ... The field features seven of the top 10 from the women's world ranking. ... Korda, Thitikul, Hyo Joo Kim and Hannah Green each have won two times on the LPGA Tour this season. A year ago, it took until October before Thitikul became the first multiple winner of the season. ... The tournament is in its fifth year and has moved to May after previously being in September. ... Maketewah is the third course used for the tournament.

Next tournament: ShopRite LPGA on May 29-31.

Online: https://www.lpga.com/

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Korn Ferry Tour

COLONIAL LIFE CHARITY CLASSIC

Site: Elgin, South Carolina.

Course: The Woodcreek Club. Yardage: 7,032. Par: 70.

Prize money: $1 million. Winner's share: $180,000.

Television: None.

Defending champion: New tournament.

Points leader: Ian Holt.

Last tournament: Dylan Menante won the Tulum Championship.

Next week: Visit Knoxville Open.

Online: https://www.pgatour.com/korn-ferry-tour

___

PGA Tour

Last week: Kristoffer Reitan won the Truist Championship and Brandt Snedeker won the Myrtle Beach Classic.

Next week: The CJ Cup Byron Nelson.

FedEx Cup leader: Cameron Young.

Online: https://www.pgatour.com/

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European tour

Last week: Yurav Premlall won the Catalunya Championship.

Next tournament: Austrian Alpine Open on May 28-31.

Race to Dubai leader: Patrick Reed.

Online: https://www.europeantour.com/dpworld-tour/

___

LIV Golf League

Last week: Lucas Herbert won LIV Golf Virginia.

Next tournament: LIV Golf Korea on May 28-31.

Points leader: Jon Rahm.

Online: https://www.livgolf.com/

___

PGA Tour Champions

Last week: Boo Weekley won the Insperity Invitational.

Next week: Trophy Hassan II.

Charles Schwab Cup leader: Stewart Cink.

Online: https://www.pgatour.com/pgatour-champions

___

Other tours

Epson Tour: Copper Rock Championship, Copper Rock GC, Hurricane, Utah. Previous winner: Gina Kim. Online: https://www.epsontour.com/

Ladies European Tour: Amundi German Masters, Green Eagle GC, Hamburg, Germany. Television: Thursday-Sunday, 9 a.m. to noon (Golf Channel). Defending champion: Shannon Tan. Online: https://ladieseuropeantour.com/

Challenge Tour: Catalunya Challenge, Fontanals GC, Girona, Spain. Defending champion: New tournament. Online: https://www.europeantour.com/hotelplanner-tour/

PGA Tour Americas: Diners Club Peru Open, Los Inkas GC, Lima, Peru. Defending champion: Hunter Wolcott. Online: https://www.pgatour.com/americas

Sunshine Tour: Kit Kat Cash & Carry Pro-Am, Irene CC, Centurion, South Africa. Defending champion: Luis Carrera. Online: https://sunshinetour.com/

Japan LPGA: Sky RKB Ladies Classic, Fukuokaraizan GC, Fukuoka, Japan. Defending champion: Sora Kamiya. Online: https://www.lpga.or.jp/en/

Korea LPGA: Doosan Match Play, Ladena GC, Chuncheon, South Korea. Defending champion: Yewon Lee. Online: https://klpga.co.kr/

___

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

The NFL revealed that the entire 2026 regular season schedule will be released this Thursday.

Each offseason it is made into a spectacle of sorts, even though we already knew every team's upcoming opponents and locations since the end of last season. The upcoming announcement is the order of each game.

Also part of the schedule release every year is when a few games are announced early. The Buffalo Bills were part of one of those this offseason.

The NFL revealed that Buffalo's first home game will be a "Thursday Night Football" contest in Week 2 against the Detroit Lions. That is significant because it will be the first-ever game at the new Highmark Stadium.

With former team owner Ralph Wilson Jr.'s ties to Detroit, it is a fitting opponent. But this announcement gives us a few other things to keep in mind.

Here are three notes on the Bills' home opener announcement:

HOUSEWARMING PARTY ON TNF ‼️

📺 NFL Schedule Release 5/14 at 8pm ET on@nflnetwork@Ticketmaster | #GoBillspic.twitter.com/c1ddzUVjT3

— Buffalo Bills (@BuffaloBills) May 11, 2026

Week 1 likely on the road

The way this news was announced is a bit of a double-edged sword. The Bills announced the "home" opener for Week 2. A big note: There will be a game in Week 1 and it sounds like that one will be on the road for Buffalo.

Thursday done early

There is a chance the Bills could play another game on a Thursday this season. Usually, teams only have one. If it is just one for the Bills, Buffalo's is at the ideal time in Week 2, as opposed to later on in the 2026 season when the team is much more beaten up from games played.

NFL will listen to Bills

Putting the Bills' first game at the new Highmark Stadium on a prime-time spot is something the team admitted they asked the NFL to do.

Based on that, it appears the NFL will listen to the Bills. Keep that in mind because the team also admitted they asked the league to host an upcoming NFL draft at the new stadium as well...

This article originally appeared on Bills Wire: 3 things to know about Bills' home opener annoucement

We are a few weeks removed from the 2026 NFL Draft and the New York Jets are being praised for the selections they made.

The team instantly improved their pass rush with the selection of Texas Tech defensive end David Bailey with the second-overall pick and upgrading their offense, adding Oregon tight end Kenyon Sadiq and Indiana receiver Omar Cooper Jr.

The Jets also continued a very solid offseason by signing Breece Hall to a three-year extension worth $45 million, making him one of the highest paid running backs in the league.

At this point, the Jets are probably done making any additional moves as their roster is set at most positions. There's still time before training camp to add a veteran through free agency and with Hall officially signed to a new deal, they could also focus their attention on locking up another key player, offensive lineman Joe Tippmann.

Let's take a look at the New York Jets updated depth chart on defense to see if any areas still need improvement:

Defensive Line

T'Vondre Sweat, Harrison Phillips, Jowon Briggs, David Onyemata, Mazi Smith, Darrell Jackson

The Verdict: Set

The Jets continued to retool the defensive line that was brutal against the run last season. It started with the acquisition of Sweat from the Tennessee Titans in exchange for fan favorite Jermaine Johnson. Sweat graded out as the fifth best defensive lineman last year according to PFF to go along with 18 pressures and two sacks as a pass rusher. There are a few questions about his motor, but he adds plenty of size to the defensive line and is terrific against the run, where he was fourth best in the league among interior linemen.

Onyemata was signed as a free agent and has plenty of experience playing for Glenn in New Orleans. He'll be another veteran presence on the line and his strength is against the run, finishing with a PFF grade of 74.2, ranking him eighth out of 134 interior defensive linemen. Adding Sweat and Onyemata to a unit that already includes Phillips and Briggs gives the team solid depth that could make life tough for opposing running backs.

Jackson was an interesting selection in the fourth round, but will need time time to develop before he's ready to take on a bigger role. He'll make the roster, but will most likely be an inactive for most of the season. Smith is a former first-round pick who played very little last year after being acquired from the Dallas Cowboys in the Quinnen Williams trade. He'll need a strong training camp to stick around as the Jets recently declined his fifth year option.

Defensive End

Will McDonald, David Bailey, Joseph Ossai, Kingsley Enagbare, Tyler Baron, Braiden McGregor

The Verdict: Set

The Jets added plenty of pass rushers to improve a unit that ranked 31st in sacks last season and will look for a bounce back season from McDonald, who recently had his fifth-year option picked up by the team.

Ossai is coming off a five sack season last year with Cincinnati and can contribute against the run. Enagbare had 31 tackles, 24 pressures and three sacks last year for the Packers. Both will see plenty of time at outside linebacker as well as defensive end. There's a ton of excitement surrounding Bailey, the team's first-round pick this year as he'll bring plenty of speed and juice to the pass rush. Like McDonald, Bailey struggles against the run though and needs to improve in that area. But, he's an immediate plug and play starter who could open up plenty of opportunities for McDonald, who is coming off a disappointing season.

Linebacker

Demario Davis, Jamien Sherwood, Kiko Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball

The Verdict: Still needs improvement

Davis is back for his third stint with the team and while he's 37, he's still one of the top linebackers in the league and the type of veteran that could mentor Sherwood, who's coming off a bad year after signing a new contract to stay with the Jets. Mauigoa showed flashes at times, but had plenty of rookie moments and missed the last few games due to injury. McCrary-Ball was a walking personal foul penalty last year and needs to be more disciplined if he wants a bigger role on this defense. Even with the addition of Davis and the hope of a bounce back season for Sherwood, this position feels very thin right now and the Jets should still look to add a veteran or two in free agency.

Cornerback

Brandon Stephens, Jarvis Brownlee Jr., Nahshon Wright, D’Angelo Ponds, Azareye’h Thomas, Quantez Stiggers

The Verdict: Almost There

This group is surprisingly deep but doesn’t include a true shutdown corner that can take away one side of the field.  Stephens got off to a rough start last year after coming over from Baltimore, but played much better as the season progressed.  Wright had five interceptions last season for the Bears, which is five more than the entire Jets secondary had.   Brownlee only played seven games after being acquired during the season from the Titans due to a season ending injury.  But, the Jets are high on Brownlee's play and he should be the team's starting corner in the slot.

Ponds was drafted in the second round and while he lacks size, he has plenty of playmaking ability and he's excellent in coverage.  He's the early favorite to start over Thomas, who enters his second year with the Jets after being drafted in the third-round last year.  Stiggers probably won’t see the field much as a corner unless there are injuries and he’s too valuable as a gunner on special teams.

Safety

Minkah Fitzpatrick, Malachi Moore, Dane Belton, Andre Cisco, VJ Payne

The Verdict:  Set

The Jets made a splash on the first day of the offseason, acquiring Fitzpatrick from the Miami Dolphins and signing him to a 3-year, $40 million contract.  His play slipped a little bit last year, but he’s still one of the top safeties in the league and will bring a much needed veteran presence to the secondary. 

Moore had some moments as a rookie last year but struggled at times as well.  Belton is an interesting addition as he played mostly special teams for the Giants and is an excellent tackler, an area where the Jets consistently struggle.  Payne was the team’s seventh-round pick this year and has plenty of size and speed to challenge for a role.  Cisco returns after a disappointing season last year and while he brings veteran depth to the position, his roster spot is not a lock especially if Payne has a strong preseason.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire: An updated look at the 2026 New York Jets depth chart: Defense

Marcus Rashford is currently recording better average goal-contribution numbers than Barcelona team-mates Lamine Yamal and Raphinha, according to Spanish football expert and BBC Sport columnist Guillem Balague.

Rashford, who is on loan from Manchester United, scored a free-kick as Barcelona beat rivals Real Madrid to seal their 29th La Liga title at the weekend - however, his loan club are reportedly hesitant to splash £30m on a permanent deal.

"His average goal contribution, which include goals, assists and penalties, is every 86 minutes - compared to Lamine Yamal's 103 minutes and Raphinha's 96 minutes," Balague explained on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"When you're using that metric, he is actually statistically the best British player in their first season [in La Liga] - ahead of Gareth Bale and Jude Bellingham.

"Among foreign strikers that have played for Barcelona this century, only Luis Suarez did better in his first season there.

"When you put it like this, you would assume Barcelona want to keep him. But, even though their perception has changed a bit in the past two or three weeks, the ideas of paying £30m for him is a lot for Barcelona.

"It will cost £30m to keep him, plus £30m more for his package of wages and so on, so it will cost around £60m for a player who is 28 years old with no real return.

"This is what is installing the doubt really, but I don't think it should be a debate."

Watch the full episode on BBC iPlayer and listen on BBC Sounds

On Spain’s preliminary squad list, there is one piece of news that has gone down like a bucket of cold water in Real Madrid circles. Dani Carvajal, captain and key figure for Real Madrid, has been left out of Luis de la Fuente’s squad.

The physical problems that have hampered the full-back in the final stretch of the season, added to a recent injury, have forced the national team coach to do without his experience for the World Cup appointment.

Despite the absence of the “2”, Real Madrid will still have representation in the national team. Fran García, who has established himself as a real threat down the left flank under Arbeloa, is among those selected. 

Alongside him, the presence of the young talents who represent the future of the club stands out. Dean Huijsen, the centre-back who arrived to strengthen Madrid’s defense, confirms his great international potential after choosing to represent Spain. 

Gonzalo García, in the preliminary squad

The big surprise, however, is the inclusion of Gonzalo García. The Madrid-born forward has enjoyed a meteoric breakthrough season in the first team, making more than 30 appearances and scoring decisive goals.

In this way, Real Madrid contributes three very different profiles to the preliminary squad: the maturity of Fran García, the solidity of Huijsen, and Gonzalo’s attacking boldness. 

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

First Test, Mirpur (day five of five)

Bangladesh 413 (Shanto 101; Abbas 5-29) & 240-9 dec (Shanto 87, Monimul 56)

Pakistan 386 (Awais 103; Mehidy 5-102) & 163 (Fazal 66; Rana 5-40)

Bangladesh won by 104 runs; lead series 1-0

Scorecard

Bangladesh secured their first home Test win over Pakistan with a 104-run victory in Mirpur.

Set 268 to win, Pakistan collapsed from 68-2 to 163 all out, with seven wickets coming in a thrilling final session of the match at Shere Bangla National Stadium.

Tigers fast bowler Nahid Rana claimed 5-40 to help his side go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.

It is Bangladesh's third consecutive win over Pakistan in Tests, following their first series win over their opponents as the away side in 2024.

Bangladesh captain Najmul Hossain Shanto's century and 91 from Mominul Haque led the hosts to score 413 in their first innings.

Pakistan opener Azan Awais, 21, hit a century on his Test debut as the tourists made 386 in reply, a deficit of 27 runs.

After significant rain interruptions on days three and four, the Tigers declared on 240-9 - Shanto (87) and Monimul (56) again starring - before lunch on the final day to try and set up a push for victory.

Abdullah Fazal made a defiant 66 but did not receive enough support as Pakistan failed to bat out the day for a draw, with Taskin Ahmed and Taijul Islam picking up two wickets each.

"Very happy," said Tigers captain Shanto. "Proud of all the guys the way we played.

"We declared because we have a quality bowling attack and in these conditions Rana, Taskin, Taijul bowled really well and that's what I want from them."

The second and final Test starts in Sylhet on Saturday.

• Notifications, social media and more with BBC Sport

It appears that Von Miller may be feeling nostalgic — or hinting at his next career move.

The former Denver Broncos pass rusher took to social media early Tuesday morning to share a photo on his Instagram story showing himself in a Broncos uniform. Miller picked "In the Air Tonight" by Phil Collins as the song for his post, which includes "I've been waiting for this moment for all my life."

Miller, 37, has repeatedly said he would like to return to Denver to finish his career with the Broncos, but the team has a deep outside linebacker room. Miller could, in theory, sign a one-day contract to retire as a Bronco, but he wants to play another season.

Von Miller just feeling nostalgic, or is he hinting at something? 🤔👀 pic.twitter.com/s8BwO2sF8g

— Broncos Wire (@TheBroncosWire) May 12, 2026

If not as a player, Miller is also open to returning to the club as an executive. He has already started taking steps toward becoming a future general manager, and Miller has not ruled out the possibility of returning to Denver in a front office role.

A two-time Super Bowl champion and a one-time Super Bowl MVP, Miller ranks ninth on the NFL's official all-time sack list with 138.5. He set a Broncos franchise record with 110.5 sacks during his time in Denver.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: NFL: Broncos fans trying to decipher Von Miller's Instagram story

The main news yesterday was that Alabama picked up a commitment from 2026 linebacker Kenneth Simon II.

Simon built strong connections with the defensive staff, especially linebackers coach Chuck Morrell and Kane Wommack’s group, and saw a clear path for development.

“He promised he’d put everything into making me the best version of myself,” Simon said. “Coach Morrell is a great coach. He knows a lot about linebackers and the development of guys at myself. He is ready to work with me and make me the best I can be, and that means a lot.”

Head coach Kalen DeBoer also made a strong impression.

“He’s a winner… and he hates losing. When you’ve got coaches and players that hate losing, things are going to go right. I like what he is about and how much he cares for his players and the program. Coach DeBoer is going to win at Alabama.”

Tennessee is Tennessee. It will always have a place in his heart. Georgia and Ole Miss gave him a lot to think about, but this decision was the right one for Simon.

“It’s been a blessing,” Simon said. “A lot of kids don’t get the opportunity to go through this process and play at the next level… I’m just thankful.

“I developed some great relationships with different coaches, but Alabama separated in the end. Why would you not want to be there?

“It just felt right. I just want to go be the best version of myself, and I believe Alabama can get me there.”

Simon is a Tennessee legacy, so committing to Alabama was something of a surprise to many. He absolutely gushes about the coaching staff in this piece, so I think he seems like a dude that’s solid. He’s a top 150 player and the #7 overall linebacker according to 247. Alabama’s recruiting class is still quite small. The Tide’s M.O. through both the Saban and DeBoer regimes has been to take very few commits until June, when things start really picking up with all of the summer camp visits.

Quarterback battles are a lot like horse races before the gates open—everyone lines up with a case, but if you look at the odds, there’s usually one name bettors keep circling. At Alabama, the post-spring conversation still carries uncertainty on the surface, but the numbers behind the scenes are already painting a much sharper picture. And while Kalen DeBoer hasn’t publicly decided the winner of the competition between Austin Mack and Keelon Russell, the outside world may be tipping its hand on how this race is trending. 

According to FanDuel Sportsbook Heisman odds, Russell sits at +3000—good for 14th in the nation heading into the summer, firmly in a tier that suggests his legitimate breakout potential. This climb comes after flashes he showed during Alabama’s A-Day scrimmage last month, where the 5-star redshirt freshman gave a glimpse of why the buzz around his upside hasn’t faded. 

Russell being 14th in the whole country in betting odds to win the Heisman as a guy who we don’t even know if he’ll play really goes to show just how high the hype is going to be for him. After A-Day, I think most Alabama fans are comfortable with making a prediction he’ll be the Tide’s starter, even though that battle is far from over. If Russell lives up to the hype, it could make for a very interesting 2026 for all of the media that seems so excited to bury the Tide.

“That was my comment the other day,” he told reporters during the ACC spring meetings on Monday. “All of a sudden I’m getting hate mail from people. We have enough. I was just making a point we never had the same as this school and this school if we met at the middle of the field and compared budgets and alumni bases and total revenues, and 5-stars, recruiting rankings—we’d lose every time. You’ve got to have enough, and then it’s about putting it together. We may not have a $45 million roster like some teams, but we’ve got enough. We’ve just got to be good with it. We’ve got to be strategic.”

Swinney didn’t shy away from critiquing Clemson’s results from last season, however, as the team went 7-6, missed the College Football Playoff and lost the Pinstripe Bowl against Penn State, 22-10.

“It’s pretty well documented we grossly underachieved last year. That isn’t a news flash,” he acknowledged. “We just keep beating that dead horse to death. We’re onto the new season. We grossly underachieved and underperformed and did not coach and play to our potential. We’ve had other seasons where we had nobody drafted and won 10-plus games. That’s football. It didn’t work last year. If you do this long enough, you can have a year where it just doesn’t work. I don’t care if you’re Roy Williams or Coach K [Mike Krzyzewski] or Dabo Swinney, it doesn’t matter. It’s what you do moving forward. But I think perspective is important.”

Despite the ACC being the weakest of the Power 4 conferences in football at this point, Clemson has just one CFP appearance in the past five seasons and hasn’t won a Playoff game since 2019. Swinney’s aversion to the transfer portal and the changing landscape NIL has provided plenty of challenges for the program, with questions about whether he can adequately adapt.

Dabo Swinney owes Brent Venables, DeShaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence (Saivion Smith) a whole lot of money for the long career leash that Clemson has given him. At what point do the Tigers get tired of the perennial underachieving and excuse-making despite constantly putting out NFL talent, all because they have a coach obstinately refusing to change his approach from 2019.

The coaches association, which has no official decision-making voice on these matters, wants to move the calendar up and finish the playoff by the second Monday in January.

“The American Football Coaches Association, without picking up the phone with those of us in the decision-making roles, issues a statement and says we want to get the season done earlier,” Sankey said.

The point the commissioner was making involves the complexity of the schedules and multiple interests competing for the same time. He noted the two executive orders issued by the White House that aim to protect the Army-Navy game on the second Saturday of December.

There are NFL games in early December that would cannibalize TV ratings for both if the playoff shifted earlier, Sankey said.

“You know, Commissioner (Roger) Goodell and I’ve talked,” Sankey said. “He would prefer that not happen, as would Commissioner Sankey.”

The current playoff format means playing deeper into January every year to avoid calendar landmines. The 2027 season won’t end until Jan. 25, 2028.

Compressing the schedule to finish in early January isn’t so simple, Sankey said.

“Last I knew, the AFCA is not in charge of dealing with scheduling those postseason games or even the regular season games,” Sankey said. “I mean, the entity or figuring out where they fit in the calendar or dealing with TV.

I don’t really know who’s in the wrong here, whether it’s Greg, ESPN, or whoever. But I think we all know that the way college football has turned into utter chaos in December and the drags late into January has become a real problem.

Between the transfer portal, national signing day, and now cramming an entire playoffs in, all while the “student-athletes” are supposed to be getting Christmas break, we’ve tried to force too much into one spot.

Remember when the recruiting silly season happened after the season, in February? We could all focus on that and it made for fan involvement in the offseason. Now, nobody has the capacity to keep up or care because it all happens right in the middle of conference championships.

And transfers? We COULD have transfers all swap teams during the summer. Like a normal thing for students in schools, and a natural window for that to happen. Fans could get more into “free agency” period during the normally barren months, and transferring players could get a lot more time to scope out the new schools (and ditto for coaching staffs).

But no, we also want to cram that in at the same time in December, then try to shoehorn in exception rules for playoff teams that just makes the whole thing even more disjointed.

Do all of that, and maybe you free up a little time for some more December games. And maybe players actually play in post-season games because they could be showcasing for their next potential school, rather than having to skip so that they can get on a new team in time to not get left out. And then maybe coaches don’t get fired until after the season ends, so we don’t have mass exoduses of players feeling like they were misled and schools having to make new hires in 2 days. Just maybe.

But what do I know?

Rutgers athletics has seemingly always been playing a game of catch-up with its facilities, with a decent amount of work that still needs to be done to bring the university’s facilities to the same level as the rest of the Big Ten. One of the most pressing needs in terms of facilities is to renovate Jersey Mike’s Arena (JMA), or the RAC, whichever you prefer to call it. 

Rutgers currently has a naming rights deal with Jersey Mike’s for the rights to have their name on the side of the basketball arena. However, as a part of the contract, Rutgers must either build a completely new basketball arena or severely renovate the existing arena by 2029. If they fail to do either of these options, Jersey Mike’s has the option to suspend the sponsorship agreement it has for the building, which is currently a 20-year, 28 million deal. However, if a major renovation is done, it could provide both parties with an opportunity to rework the contract, which could lead to a further financial contribution from Jersey Mike’s. (If they are open to it, of course)

Rutgers athletic director Keli Zinn has already made it clear that they intend to renovate the arena and that they are in the hunt for a design firm that is going to take a look at the building. Before he unceremoniously departed from the university, former AD Pat Hobbs had several renderings of a renovated stadium made based on input from fans, which are pictured below. 

During a podcast recorded with The Knight Report, Zinn talked about how everything that is going to be done to Jersey Mike’s Arena is meant to enhance fan experience, and that nothing about the current arena damages the actual play on the court. The areas that Zinn talked about on the pod revolved around the arena’s bathroom situation, its lack of premium seating, the navigation of the building, and its seating capacity to a certain degree.

“The only thing that stands in the way of us being a premier program in those programs (basketball, gymnastics, wrestling) is that competitive arena.”

We have broken down the renovations to the arena that we here at OnTheBanks feel are necessary to bring JMA into the modern age. These improvements include a 360-degree open concourse to improve circulation and sightlines, a new external lobby to modernize entry flow, better concession management, significantly expanded restroom capacity, and club and premium seating upgrades that put the arena on par with the rest of the Big Ten.

We submitted what we believe to be the arena’s needs to Microsoft Copilot to see what kind of solutions it would come up with as to how Rutgers could resolve this issue. It came up with several renovations that could be made to the arena in phases, so that the bill isn’t all footed at once. It should be noted that this information is all according to the information gathered by the AI, and could be inaccurate, as has been the case with AI before. 

The exterior and entryway design it came up with features a grand glass lobby and an expanded and upgraded outdoor plaza. The glass lobby will have better natural light for pregame flow and will house ticketing operations, the team store, and escalators to the upper concourses. The expanded outdoor plaza will be an outdoor gathering space for fans that features integrated LED boards for hype videos, scores, and event announcements, and space for food trucks and pep-rally events. It could also serve the general student population at Livingston if implemented correctly. 

The seating and bowl enhancements it came up with attempt to keep the steep geometry of the arena so as not to lose the competitive advantage, while adding courtside boxes, a mid-level club seating area, and adding to the existing student section area. To do this, the lower courtside stands on either side are made steeper so as not to lose as much seating capacity. This plan won’t add significant additional seating; the financial advantage of the plan is from the premium seating. Copilot also suggested something it called the “Rowdy Club,” which is an elevated deck with standing room terraces right behind or above the student section for donors who want to hear the noise of the arena and be a part of it. 

Concessions and hospitality improvements proposed by Copilot include two signature bars that overlook the court on the concourse and a premium club kitchen for donor events; this is where revenue can be generated. Technology and game presentation improvements include 4k screens on the center-hung board, LED ribbon boards around the bowl, and an upgraded surround sound system. 

Improvements for the media areas were suggested as well. These improvements include better wifi for the whole arena and upgraded press facilities. 

The premium seating areas will also have special entrances for those sitting in those areas. 

A dedicated recruiting lounge was also proposed by Copilot. 

What do our readers think of these proposed changes? Let us know in the comments below if there is anything that we missed in terms of renovating the arena. This is meant to be the first installment of a series where we take a look at the facilities around campus and what improvements need to be made for each. We will discuss what these renovations might cost in total in our next part of the series. 

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said Tuesday he was counting on wingers Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams to be fit and available for the World Cup next month. 

Yamal, 18, suffered a hamstring injury in late April, which has caused him to miss the rest of the season for Barcelona, though his club have said he should be fit in time for the start of this summer's showpiece in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

Athletic Bilbao's Williams picked up a muscle injury on Sunday, while Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino is also on the sidelines after breaking his right foot three months ago.

"I think that all the players who have been mentioned will be fit and available for the start of the World Cup and I believe for the first match," De la Fuente told journalists.

"But if it's not for the first match, it would be for the second or third, and it doesn't cause any major setbacks," the Spanish coach continued, adding it had been "a very tough year in terms of injuries".

"The world of injuries, which is the tragedy of sport, is what truly keeps us under a lot of pressure, especially in this critical phase because injuries that occur from now on, any minor muscular injury, are really difficult to recover from," he added.

Meanwhile, De la Fuente confirmed that his World Cup squad list will include 26 players but that there would be additional players who would be included for a friendly against Iraq on June 4. 

Spain's World Cup opener will be against Cape Verde on June 15 in Atlanta. Their group also includes Uruguay and Saudi Arabia.

gr/mcd/ea/nf

May 12—Decatur is adding another national tournament to Jack Allen Recreation Complex's schedule with the announcement Monday that the city will host the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics' Women's Soccer National Championship in 2026 and 2027.

Mayor Kent Lawrence and Marc Burchard, NAIA director of championships, announced the two-year agreement at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

As part of the agreement, the city will host the national title tournament featuring 16 teams. This year's tourney will be Nov. 30 through Dec. 7.

Burchard and Lawrence made the announcement while the quarterfinals of the NAIA Women's National Lacrosse Championship were being played behind them on Jack Allen's championship field.

The women started Monday, and the men's national tournament begins Tuesday. They will alternate days until the women's championship on Friday and the men's title game on Saturday. Both matches start at 5 p.m.

Burchard said he believes NAIA has "forged a great partnership with the city."

It's a return to Decatur for the NAIA. The association held its national championship tournament for 11 years at Wilson Morgan Park through 2010. The Southern States Athletic Conference held its conference tournament at Wilson Morgan in 2023.

"It's an honor that NAIA continues to place its confidence in Decatur with another national championship competition," Lawrence said.

The city and Decatur-Morgan Tourism bid for the tournament in a joint partnership. Dan Dukemineer, who recently moved from Tourism to Parks and Recreation, said discussions with NAIA about hosting the soccer tournament began last summer when the city won the lacrosse bid.

"We told them, 'Hey, if there's other things that may come of interest and/or be available, we'd be interested to talk about it," Dukemineer said.

Burchard said he received more than 10 competitive bids and, after a site visit last fall, he notified the city on Halloween that Decatur would host the soccer tournament,

"I didn't know if it was trick or really a treat or whatever," Dukemineer joked.

The city paid a bid fee of $7,000 and agreed to host a student-athletes banquet and a "student-character event similar to the one we held (Monday) when our lacrosse team visited Oak Park Elementary," Dukemineer said.

Lawrence said the agreement "is huge" for the city, particularly because it's a sport that Decatur knows about. Jack Allen regularly fields national, regional, state and local soccer tournaments.

"It's great for us because it brings so many people to town," Lawrence said.

Lawrence said the lacrosse tournaments are an example of how the city will benefit from the soccer tournament. While games began on Monday, the lacrosse teams arrived Sunday and, along with their family and staffs, will be here all week.

The city has a three-year agreement with NAIA to host the national lacrosse championships.

Burchard said Decatur has continued to prove itself a championship-caliber host city.

"Decatur and Jack Allen Recreation Complex have created an outstanding experience for our student-athletes," Burchard said.

— bayne.hughes@decaturdaily.com or 256-340-2432

Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has weighed in on the Spanish giants’ debate over signing Marcus Rashford from Manchester United this summer, according to a new report.

Catalonian Renaissance

Fresh from the first league title win of his career, Rashford is pushing for his season-long loan at Camp Nou to become a permanent switch.

A stunning free-kick in the 2-0 win over Real Madrid on Sunday confirmed Barcelona as LaLiga champions, taking the 28-year-old forward to 14 goals and 14 assists in all competitions for his adopted side this season.

Rashford is understood to be a popular member of the dressing room and is content playing a more rotational role behind superstars Lamine Yamal and Raphinha. He feels fully settled in Catalonia and has even won back his place in the England squad ahead of the World Cup in North America — a stark contrast to the position he found himself in at Old Trafford under Ruben Amorim’s reign.

A £26 million buy-option was included in the deal with United, a bargain price for a seasoned and versatile forward still in the prime of his career, with 28 goal contributions to his name. However, a major dip in performance in the last few months, culminating in poor back-to-back showings in the Champions League exit to Atletico Madrid, has seen the tide turn against Rashford.

Blaugrana fans are said to prefer that a young option from LaLiga be signed, while the club’s hierarchy have tried to renegotiate the deal with United to strike a cheaper price — or even a second loan.

The Red Devils have remained resolute that new terms will not be considered, informing the Spanish champions to pay up or risk Rashford being sold elsewhere this summer. AC Milan have been suggested as a possible landing spot, while clubs in England are also eyeing a swoop.

Flick backs Rashford to remain

TEAMtalk reports Flick, who has overseen successive LaLiga titles as Barca boss, has “now made it abundantly clear internally” that he wants Rashford to remain in his squad.

The victory over Real Madrid proved an incredibly difficult day for the 61-year-old German as he learned his father had passed away the morning before the game.

“It proved an emotional evening for the German coach, who revealed before the match that his father had passed away, and sources state Flick has developed particularly close relationships with several players during a demanding campaign, with Rashford among those he trusts most,” the report states.

Flick has agreed a contract extension until 2028, with the option for another year. His stock — and influence at Camp Nou — is at an all-time high, which is why his backing could prove decisive for Rashford.

“TEAMtalk understands Flick has been hugely impressed not only by Rashford’s performances on the pitch, but also by his professionalism, mentality and willingness to fully embrace Barcelona’s squad rotation system.

“The Barca boss has now communicated directly to president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco that he would like Rashford to remain at the club beyond the current campaign.”

Final Thoughts

United are desperate to be rid of Rashford and his exorbitant contract for good this summer. The Carrington graduate’s wage will go well past the £300,000 a week mark once the Champions League bonus kicks back in.

And while a £26m fee is a nominal one for a player with his experience and quality, his status as an academy player means it will constitute ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective ahead of a massive summer window at Old Trafford, where every penny will count.

Flick’s steadfast support of Rashford becoming a permanent part of his squad is therefore a major boost, as the noises emanating from Spain were that the Englishman’s days in Catalonia were numbered.

Featured image Alex Caparros via Getty Images

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Justin Gaethje was in attendance last Friday when his opponent got into a heated confrontation.

‘The Highlight’ was part of the group that gathered in Newark for the UFC White House press conference, which took place just before the ceremonial weigh-ins for UFC 328.

Gaethje will be going up against Ilia Topuria in the main event on June 14. It’s a significant fight for Gaethje, who is looking to add an undisputed title to his resume late in his career.

But during that press conference, Topuria’s focus seemed to wander beyond just Gaethje, as there were other storylines unfolding in Washington D.C. that caught his eye.

Justin Gaethje liked what he saw when Ilia Topuria lost it with Josh Hokit during the UFC White House press conference

Josh Hokit was kicked out of the event after getting into it with Topuria on stage, an incident that capped off the press conference right before the face-offs began.

The rising heavyweight has been making headlines for his bold personality, and his comments about Alex Pereira at the presser clearly struck a nerve with Topuria.

Across from him, Justin Gaethje watched as his opponent confronted Hokit, even throwing something at him during the exchange. The moment was picked up by cameras filming episode two of The Art of Violence, which is part of Gaethje’s YouTube series leading up to their June 14 fight.

Gaethje seemed to take something away from how emotionally charged Topuria got in response to Hokit’s behaviour.

“It’s funny because he’s (Topuria’s) very emotional,” said Gaethje. “That was good to see. Although I do get emotional defending my friends as well.

“But you can’t let another man control you like that. Never!”

This upcoming title fight will be Gaethje’s third shot at becoming undisputed champion, having previously come up short against Khabib Nurmagomedov and Charles Oliveira. He’ll be looking to change that narrative by handing Topuria his first loss in MMA.

Read more:

Justin Gaethje is widely viewed as the underdog heading into his lightweight title unification bout against Ilia Topuria next month at UFC Freedom 250.

The majority opinion is that the stylistic matchup favours Topuria, whose precision, composure and finishing threat have made him a difficult puzzle for opponents. That makes every possible edge important for Gaethje.

And during the UFC Freedom 250 press conference, he believes he spotted something useful in Topuria’s reaction to Josh Hokit.

Justin Gaethje says Ilia Topuria showed emotional weakness

Topuria became involved in an altercation with Hokit while defending Alex Pereira, after the heavyweight’s comments appeared to cross a line.

Gaethje noticed the reaction and later suggested it revealed something about the Spaniard’s temperament, even if he understood the instinct behind defending a friend.

“It’s funny because he’s very emotional. That was good to see,” the 37-year-old American said on his own YouTube channel.

“Although I do get emotional defending my friends as well, you can’t let another man control you like that. Never.”

Gaethje and Topuria have largely kept things respectful during the build-up. There has not been the same level of personal hostility that often surrounds major UFC title fights.

Still, that moment could change how the interim champion approaches the mental battle. If he believes Topuria can be pulled into emotion, ‘The Highlight’ may test that before fight night.

Ilia Topuria’s camp has already identified Justin Gaethje flaw

Topuria’s side has also studied a weakness. Training footage previously showed his brother Aleksandre Topuria pointing to Gaethje’s vulnerability when he attacks.

The concern is that Gaethje commits heavily when throwing. That aggression makes him dangerous, but it also leaves openings for sharp counters.

In that context, Aleksandre’s message to Ilia was about being selective rather than reckless.

That leaves both fighters with something to target. Gaethje sees emotion in Topuria, while Topuria’s camp sees openings in Gaethje’s offence.

Read more:

Ronda Rousey still plans on retiring from fighting after her big return bout on Netflix against Gina Carano on Saturday, May 16th. But she may end up sticking around in the sport as the promotional face of MVP MMA … just as a big ‘F–k you’ to UFC CBO Hunter Campbell.

Campbell is the guy running the day to day dealing at the top of the UFC now that CEO Dana White has taken a step back from negotiations and contracts. According to Rousey, Campbell has sucked the soul out of the UFC over the past few years and is the reason things feel so stale and corporate. And after a dismissive meeting with Hunter, she wants to show the world how an MMA promotion is supposed to be run.

“Maybe after this, we will see. I could feasibly be the Dana of MVP MMA,” Rousey said on the Ariel Helwani show. “I could be the most powerful figure in the sports since Dana. Like, that’s that’s insane. That’s a goal that I never even would have thought to have had if I had done done nothing but win and win and win and win. And it’s not just for me, this isn’t like something I ever really inspired to do. I mean, a little bit would be kinda cool. But it’s giving fighters their power back, and I feel like that’s a role that I was meant to inhabit.”

Rousey pointed to her work helping set up the California fighters’ pension fund, which puts a dollar from every ticket sale into a fund for retired fighters in the state. More small actions like that, she argued, could make a huge improvement for combat sports athletes.

Having someone at the head of a competing organization putting fighters first could potentially push the UFC to start treating its fighters more fairly, and if that comes due to the power of Ronda Rousey’s spite, we’re all for it. And Rousey is extremely spiteful after her disastrous meeting with Hunter Campbell back in 2025.

“With Hunter, it was personal because he was just a f–king a–hole about it,” Rousey recalled. “He was just being such a chauvinist pr–k, and he was being so dismissive and just trying to get me and Gina to value ourselves less from the get-go and acting like this isn’t the greatest thing that has fallen to his lap … he was like, ‘Oh, I don’t know. You guys are just so much older, and I just don’t know how it’s gonna do.’ And I’m like, ‘Who the f–k is this guy?'”

“He wanted me and Gina to fight for the 145 title because it was vacant and it’s a way to retire the the belt,” she continued. “And Hunter’s like, ‘Yeah, then we can get rid of that division. And just the way that he spoke of it, like how dismissive he was and the disdain that he had for the the the fighters of that weight. And I’m like, motherf–ker, my husband’s 6 foot seven. My girls are not going to be 135. This is what you think … they can’t offer you anything, that they’re worthless, that they’re worth scoffing at.”

“It just really rubbed me the wrong way that this f–king guy is the person that’s going to be shepherding the company that I helped build. Like, that really, really rubbed me the wrong way.”

The ultimate confirmation that Campbell was a douche came from Rousey’s legendary mother AnnMaria De Mars, who was responsible for drilling Ronda’s ‘judo throw to armbar’ into an unstoppable weapon.

“I was like, ‘Mom, do you know who Hunter Campbell is?’ And she’s like, ‘Yeah, he’s a f–king a–hole. Screw that guy.’ And I was like, ‘Why? Why don’t you like him?’ She goes, ‘He’d sell tickets to Christians being fed to lions.'”

Dr. De Mars is a member of the California State Athletic Commission and dealt with Campbell when he was doing the rounds getting Power Slap legalized.

“My mom said, ‘Honestly, I think this slap is everything that’s wrong with society.’ … As a response, he goes, ‘This is a really big opportunity for a lot of these people. A lot of these guys would just be doing meth in a trailer park if it wasn’t for this.’ That’s what you think of the fighters? Like, we are glorified bum fights to this guy.”

“This guy does not have a job because he’s good at it,” she concluded. “He has a job because he is Dana and Lorenzo’s lawyer’s son. He was a f–king intern when I was there before, and now he’s f–king coming up to me saying, ‘Oh, I don’t know how you and Gina are gonna do.’ Like, motherf–ker, I’m gonna put on a bigger fight with Gina than you have your entire f–king career. Keep trying to fail upwards, motherf–ker. Keep trying to suck the right dicks in the right order. I’m f–king coming for your job. You f–king pissed off the wrong bitch.”

“Then I told Dana, ‘The last thing you want me to do is leave this office pissed off with something to prove. Because this motherf–ker is pissing me off, and now I have something to prove.’ That’s why I’m gonna go do some ‘change the world’ s–t. And Dana’s like, ‘I just want you to make as much money as possible. You go do it.’ And I’m like, ‘I wanna do it.'”

At times like this you almost wish it was Ronda Rousey fighting Hunter Campbell in the cage on May 16th. But on the plus side, it sounds like Rousey could be bagging on Campbell for years to come, and it’s gonna be good to have someone who is vocal and can generates headlines every time UFC penny pinches on a massive fight to fatten TKO’s bottom line.

The NFL is banking its Monday Night Football Week 1 opener on two quarterbacks who may not be healthy enough to play in it.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the first primetime matchup of the season on the Worldwide Leader’s airwaves will be the Denver Broncos vs. the Kansas City Chiefs, with a site yet to be determined as the NFL is still finalizing its schedule ahead of Thursday’s release.

The Denver Broncos will face off against the Kansas City Chiefs for this season’s first Monday Night Football game!
Joe Buck is here with more details. #MNFpic.twitter.com/mMZnn4Vp4P

— Good Morning America (@GMA) May 12, 2026

It remains to be seen whether Patrick Mahomes (torn ACL and LCL) and Bo Nix (fractured ankle) are healthy enough to play. If neither can suit up, the league would settle for Justin Fields versus Jarrett Stidham in its first Monday night window, with Joe Buck and Troy Aikman on the call.

“Yeah, I mean, well, first of all, we know that Patrick Mahomes is not human,” said Buck, who announced the matchup on Good Morning America Tuesday morning.  “So, he will. He probably healed after a week. But he’s evidently ahead of schedule. Bo Nix missed the AFC Championship Game with a bad ankle, but he is supposedly good to go and ready for training camp. So, hopeful that within that matchup we get Mahomes and Nix, which makes it that much better.

Mahomes tore his ACL and LCL on Dec. 14, 2025, and has been rehabbing aggressively since. Fox’s Jay Glazer reported in March that Mahomes would be back “by far” before Week 1, and ESPN reported last month that he is on track to participate in the Chiefs’ first OTAs. But Chiefs owner Clark Hunt told Front Office Sports in March that he did not expect Kansas City to appear in Seattle for the season opener precisely because of Mahomes’ status. “From a league standpoint, I think there would be some concern whether our quarterback will be ready to go,” Hunt said. “My guess is the league won’t want to take that risk.”

The league took the risk anyway, just not in Seattle.

NFL VP of broadcasting Mike North laid out the dilemma last month, too, acknowledging that the league faces a genuine problem with how it deploys the Chiefs in primetime this season. The NFL watched what happened last year when it held too much Chiefs primetime inventory for late in the season, and Kansas City ended up on Christmas after Mahomes got hurt and the team had already been eliminated from playoff contention. Saving the big matchups for December is not the answer, but booking them early means gambling on a quarterback still working back from torn knee ligaments.

“I’d hate to save all the Chiefs’ prime time appearances for the end of the season,” North said. “There’s going to have to be something early.”

Broncos-Chiefs in Week 1 is apparently where the league landed.

The Chiefs acquired Justin Fields from the Jets in March for a 2027 sixth-round pick specifically to provide insurance behind Mahomes. Denver has Jarrett Stidham behind Nix, who recently underwent a follow-up procedure on his injured right ankle. Both backups are capable of starting in the NFL — Fields, in particular, has 53 career starts — but a Week 1 Monday Night Football opener between two backup quarterbacks is not the product the league is counting on when it puts Broncos-Chiefs in that window.

The full schedule drops Thursday.

The post Broncos-Chiefs set for ‘Monday Night Football’ Week 1 opener appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Alisson Becker may have already played his final game for Liverpool.

The Brazilian has been the Reds’ undisputed first-choice since his arrival in 2018 but has faced plenty of time sidelined through injury.

After suffering an injury in March, Alisson has missed Liverpool’s last six league games and could be out for their remaining two also.

Reports have claimed that Juventus are increasingly confident in getting a deal over the line for the ‘keeper this summer, and Liverpool could be left searching for a new no.1.

Replacing Alisson won’t be an easy task, but according to a new report Liverpool may have already found the man they want to take the first-choice spot at Anfield.

Liverpool have already found Alisson’s replacement

It’s no surprise to see the Reds linked with several goalkeepers from around Europe, and Richard Hughes will no doubt be exploring all his options, but Alisson’s replacement has likely already been decided.

According to reliable transfer insider Ben Jacobs, it is in fact Giorgi Mamardashvili who will take over as Liverpool’s no.1 if Alisson leaves this season.

In a post on X, Jacobs confirmed that the Georgian will be given the opportunity to be the Reds’ first choice next season, and that the hierarchy at the club still view him as the long-term no.1 at Anfield.

This will no doubt be music to the ears of the 25-year-old who joined Liverpool in the summer.

Arne Slot’s side will likely still have to sign a ‘keeper however, with Freddie Woodman into the last few weeks of his deal.

When the Georgian does step up then a suitable replacement will have to come in as his back up, although highly rated academy prospect Arman Pesci could be given the opportunity if Liverpool don’t want to splash out.

If Mamardashvili has been picked as Alisson’s replacement, Hughes and Co will have one less thing to worry about this summer, and Liverpool’s backline will be playing in front of a ‘keeper they are already familiar with.

Juventus remain one of the most recognised football clubs in the world and continues to hold enormous importance within Italian football, despite recent struggles to consistently secure major trophies. The Old Lady has long been regarded as a dominant force domestically and internationally, with expectations remaining exceptionally high among supporters and club officials alike.

The Bianconeri continue to invest heavily in their squad in an attempt to maintain their standing among Europe’s elite clubs. Compared to many of their domestic rivals, Juventus consistently spend significant sums to strengthen the team and compete at the highest level. Their ambition to remain among the top sides in world football has not diminished, even during difficult periods.

Juventus Facing Continued Scrutiny

Juventus are still determined to finish the current campaign strongly and remain one of the most closely followed clubs in European football. Their performances and decisions are constantly analysed, which reflects the scale and influence of the club both in Italy and abroad.

However, the club’s popularity and success have also brought increased scrutiny over the years. Juventus have often found themselves at the centre of controversy, with supporters regularly believing the team receives unfair treatment from referees and football authorities. This perception has only intensified during challenging periods for the club.

Many fans feel Juventus are judged more harshly than other teams whenever disputes arise. Critics frequently place the club under pressure, and this has contributed to ongoing frustration among those connected with the Bianconeri.

Pavan Questions Decisions Against Juventus

As cited by Tuttojuve, Massimo Pavan believes Juventus have been unfairly targeted in recent weeks and questioned several decisions involving the club.

He said: “If Juventus doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, something’s definitely wrong. The Bianconeri have been through a lot. Who can explain the difference between the penalty awarded to Roma and the one taken away from Juventus in Florence? Come on, it’s a joke. But then again, playing on Sunday at 12:30 is a test of survival… at 30 degrees Celsius, for anyone who keeps up the pace, it’s a massacre, come on.”

The comments reflect the growing frustration surrounding Juventus as the club continues its battle to secure qualification for next season’s Champions League.

Barcelona’s search for a new attacking signing this summer is becoming increasingly complicated, especially after the latest update involving Joao Pedro.

According to transfer market specialist Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea currently consider the Brazilian forward completely untouchable within their squad, making any potential move extremely difficult for Barcelona at this stage.

It is known that the Catalan side is expected to prioritise signing a new forward ahead of next season.

While Julian Alvarez remains the club’s preferred target, Joao Pedro has also emerged as one of the names being closely monitored by Barcelona’s sporting department.

There is believed to be significant admiration for the 24-year-old Chelsea attacker, particularly from sporting director Deco, who views the Brazilian as an ideal fit for Barcelona’s system.

Chelsea will not do business

The interest is understandable considering the level Joao Pedro reached this season.

During a difficult campaign overall for Chelsea, the Brazilian established himself as one of the team’s most reliable performers, having scored 20 goals and nine assists so far in the season.

Chelsea will not sell Joao Pedro. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

That form, however, is precisely why Chelsea are refusing to consider his departure lightly.

According to Romano, the London side now sees Joao Pedro as a central piece of their long-term project after one of the few consistently positive individual campaigns inside the squad.

Because of that, Barcelona are facing a major obstacle despite the player’s profile fitting many of the qualities they are searching for in the market.

Then the financial difficulty

There have already been reports suggesting a potential transfer fee for the Brazilian could fall somewhere between €80 million and €100 million. 

Compared to other elite attacking targets, Barcelona believed there might be room to negotiate a more manageable structure with Chelsea, which is not the case with Atletico Madrid and Alvarez.

Even so, Chelsea’s position may ultimately prove just as problematic.

The Premier League side are not only reluctant to negotiate, but they also view Joao Pedro as one of the few genuinely untouchable players in the squad after his performances this season.

Ten have accepted invitations to the fourth edition of the National Golf Invitational.

The postseason collegiate event, which is equivalent to the NIT in college basketball, is scheduled May 22-24 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club in Maricopa, Arizona.

Presented in partnership with Golfweek, the 2026 NGI will feature 10 college teams competing in a 54-hole stroke-play tournament. There is one returning team from the 2025 field – Rhode Island– with nine others hoping for a chance to claim a postseason title.

In May 2022, the NCAA announced it would allow schools to play in one season-ending event. By July 2022, the inaugural National Golf Invitational was created in a partnership between Golfweek and Ak-Chin Southern Dunes, with Golfweek’s Lance Ringler serving as the Invitational’s tournament director.

Ohio State won the 2025 edition of the NGI.

Here's a look at the teams competing in the 2026 National Golf Invitational:

Augusta

NCAA golf ranking: No. 99

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 4

Overall record: 67-103-3

Grand Canyon

NCAA golf ranking: No. 92

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Overall record: 74-102-3

Mercer

NCAA golf ranking: No. 142

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 3

Overall record: 76-65-2

Missouri

NCAA golf ranking: No. 88

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 3

Overall record: 60-86-2

Nevada

NCAA golf ranking: No. 106

Wins: 1

Top 5s: 4

Overall record: 96-73-2

North Alabama

NCAA golf ranking: No. 100

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 6

Overall record: 98-51-3

Rhode Island

NCAA golf ranking: No. 138

Wins: 4

Top 5s: 9

Overall record: 105-35-3

Tennessee Tech

NCAA golf ranking: No. 193

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 6

Overall record: 97-43-2

William & Mary

NCAA golf ranking: No. 147

Wins: 2

Top 5s: 6

Overall record: 89-53-0

Wyoming

NCAA golf ranking: No. 161

Wins: 0

Top 5s: 1

Overall record: 81-113-6

This article originally appeared on Golfweek: National Golf Invitational 2026: Men's field, teams, course info

Why the Vikings haven't traded J.J. McCarthy after getting Kyler Murray originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Minnesota Vikings showed their lack of belief in J.J. McCarthy this offseason when they signed free agent quarterback Kyler Murray, presumably to be their starting QB in the 2026 NFL season.

McCarthy is still in Minnesota, though, which has the potential to make things a little awkward, assuming there's no late trade in the works.

And it certainly doesn't seem like a trade will be happening.

For better or worse, the Vikings appear content to hold onto McCarthy alongside Murray for the season ahead.

MORE: Shilo Sanders under fire for telling female reporter to 'make a sandwich'

Why aren't the Vikings trading J.J. McCarthy?

At this point, the Vikings have invested enough into McCarthy that it simply makes more sense to ride this out and see what happens.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense to trade him," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote in a new article on Tuesday. "The Vikings have already paid 70% of McCarthy's rookie contract. There's no way they could get anything in return that remotely approaches what they spent in terms of draft capital to acquire him in the first place. They're less than a year removed from believing he could be their starter, not just now but for years to come. And it's not like Murray is some automatic fix, either. He has had one fully healthy season in the past five, and the Cardinals are paying him almost $36 million this year to play for another team."

The reality is that McCarthy had positive moments last season. His inconsistencies were just too tough to ignore.

Maybe bringing Murray aboard can help in both a mentorship way and a motivational way.

"People I've talked to who are close to this situation insist that the Vikings haven't given up on McCarthy -- that part of their hope is bringing in Murray sends some sort of shock to McCarthy's system and gets him refocused on whatever they think he got away from last year," Graziano writes. "It's probably a long shot, but again, there doesn't seem to be much they would gain from trading him at this point."

McCarthy is more likely than not to be a bust for the Vikings at this point. But because his trade value wouldn't be very high anyway, they might as well hang onto him, just in case.

More NFL news:

• Saints still have an Alvin Kamara decision to make
• Why the Cowboys aren't signing George Pickens long-term
• Giants given warning on Odell Beckham Jr. reunion
• Why the Dolphins haven't traded De'Von Achane, and the offer that might change that
• From Falcons to Cardinals, Tyler Allgeier can't catch a break

The Boston Bruins await the results of the McAvoy suspension hearing and a front office search. 

The Bruins top defenseman had his hearing with the NHL Department of Player Safety (DoPS), and some of the Bruins’ front office executives may be on the move to a vacant GM spot. Though nothing is confirmed, reports swirled that he won the job, but the team has not confirmed anything. 

The DoPS was busy yesterday, even aside from the meeting. 

In other league news, the Avalanche stormed to a 3-1 lead last night, picking up a three-goal win, though that does not reflect how the game went. The Devils’ new GM made his first move, bringing a new AGM to Newark. The Penguins have some trade pieces, the Hurricanes extended a depth forward, and the Maple Leafs said goodbye to another executive. 

Also, a New Jersey judge ruled that the man who killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau will stand trial after he tried to get charges dropped. 

Happy Tuesday, catch up on Bruins and league news in today’s Daily Bean:

Boston Bruins

EVAN GOLD: Evan Gold, Bruins AGM and P-Bruins GM, is a finalist for the GM job in Vancouver, according to multiple reports. It is between him and Abbotsford Canucks GM Ryan Johnson. Chris Johnston said Gold is the  “likely winner” for the job yesterday on the Chris Johnston Show.

Donnie & Dhali (video via 𝕏): But nothing’s official. Elliotte Friedman said it was “premature” to make a final call on the GM in Vancouver.

Sekeres & Price (video via YouTube): David Pagnotta, amongstothers, reported that Bruins AGM Jamie Langenbrunner may follow Evan Gold to Vancouver if he gets the job. He noted that it is a lateral move, but also said that Gold may want to bring someone in to work with him. 

MCAVOY: Charlie McAvoy had his in-person hearing with the NHL DoPS yesterday for his slash on Buffalo’s Zach Benson. There has been no announcement yet. 

Prospects Update

MAINE: The Maine Mariners picked up their first win of the second round last night, taking the Wheeling Nailers (PIT) down 6-3 last night. They took a 5-0 lead before the halfway mark of the game. Ben Allison had three points (1-2–3), and Luke Cavallin made 36 saves in the win. 

Maine Mariners (video via YouTube): Here are the highlights from Maine’s Game 3 win.

Game 4 is tonight at Cross Insurance Arena in Portland, ME.

• Game 1: at Wheeling – WHL wins 4-3 (OT)
• Game 2: at Wheeling – WHL wins 4-1
• Game 3: at Maine – MNE wins 6-3
• Game 4: at Maine – Tuesday, May 12, 7:00 PM
• Game 5: at Maine – Wednesday, May 13, 7:00 PM
• Game 6*: at Wheeling – Saturday, May 16, 7:10 PM
• Game 7*: at Wheeling – Monday, May 18, 7:10 PM

NHL News & National Hockey Now

Colorado Hockey Now: The Avalanche have a 3-1 series lead after picking up a 5-2 win last night. The Avalanche went down early, but were pouring shots on Jesper Wallstedt before they finally beat him. They fought off a Minnesota push in the third period, preserving a 3-2 lead, then potted two empty netters to close the win. 

Aarif Deen has more takeaways from the win, including more on the Avs’ goalie switch to MacKenzie Blackwood.

Montreal Hockey Now: The DoPS handed out fines to Montreal’s Arber Xhekaj for roughing ($3,385.42). He punched Sam Carrick after the whistle. They also got Buffalo’s Beck Malenstyn ($3,515.63) for goaltender interference.

Montreal Hockey Now (video via 𝕏): Here is the play that got Malenstyn fined. 

New Jersey Hockey Now: New Devils GM Sunny Mehta went back to Florida to make his first Devils’ hire. Yesterday, the team announced the hiring of assistant general manager Braden Birch. He was a special assistant to Bill Zito, and he handled the hockey operations and salary cap management in Sunrise. James Nichols has more on the move. 

Pittsburgh Hockey Now: The Pittsburgh Penguins have some, not many, but some trade pieces. While anything is possible, and Dan Kingerski noted that Justin Brazeau only played in one playoff game, the Penguins might be able to acquire a top-round pick for a 20-goal scorer… or something back for their excess amount of prospects. 

ESPN: The Carolina Hurricanes, fresh off their second-round win, extended forward Mark Jankowski yesterday. He signed a two-year contract with a cap hit of $1.85 million, a bump from the $800,000 he made this season. 

TSN: Shane Doan and the Toronto Maple Leafs have parted ways. He was brought in by former GM Brad Treliving, and his contract was set to expire on June 30. Pierre LeBrun noted that Doan interviewed with the Vancouver Canucks. 

As Paul Bissonnette of TNT has noted on the Spittin’ Chiclets podcast, the new Leafs GM “stabbed [Doan] in the back” during their time together in Arizona. Chayka showed Doan the door after two years of working together. 

6abc Philadelphia: The man who drove drunk and killed Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau tried to get the charges dismissed, again. Yesterday, a New Jersey judge denied that attempt. The suspect’s attorneys attempted to “dismiss several charges,” citing that the blood samples used to determine his blood alcohol content were improperly handled. 

Last January, he rejected a plea deal that would have sent him to prison for 35 years. 

Today’s NHL Schedule

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He is the man of fairy tales, at least footballing ones. From the historic Premier League title won with Leicester to the double miracle with Cagliari, passing through Roma, where in 2010 he came incredibly close to winning the Scudetto after an unbelievable comeback. In Claudio Ranieri’s career, impossible feats have become almost a specialty. And perhaps that is exactly why his name is once again making noise around the National Team today.

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Last night, speaking to Sky Sport during the “Gianni Di Marzio” Award, Sir Claudio opened the door for the first time in concrete terms to the possibility of becoming the new Italy head coach: “I said no because I was committed to Roma and I couldn’t have two jobs, but now I’m free.” Words that come in the middle of the earthquake that has shaken Italian football following yet another failure to qualify for the World Cup and the resignation of former FIGC president Gabriele Gravina. 

Because after the heaviest failure in Italy’s recent history, the Azzurri are desperately searching for someone capable of rebuilding both technical and emotional rubble. And few coaches in European football evoke the idea of a “mission impossible” quite like Ranieri. 

WHY YES ✅

If there is one name capable of immediately restoring credibility and calm to the National Team, it is the former Roma manager. Not only because of his palmarès, but because of what he represents: the man of great feats, the coach who turned Leicester into an eternal fairy tale and who throughout his career has always had a very rare quality, that of getting into players’ heads even before stepping into the dressing room.

📸 Laurence Griffiths - 2016 Getty Images

And that may be exactly what Italy needs today. More than a tactical revolutionary, the Azzurri are looking for someone capable of bringing a lost group back together, easing the pressure and restoring confidence to a team that has been fragile in decisive moments. From this point of view, Ranieri would be an almost natural choice: endless experience, recognized leadership, and a human approach to management that could prove decisive in the role of head coach. 

There is also a symbolic aspect. In an Italian football scene desperately searching for certainties, choosing Ranieri would mean entrusting the team to a reassuring figure, respected by everyone and capable, once again, of making people believe in the impossible.

WHY NOT ❌

At the same time, Ranieri’s candidacy inevitably also brings some doubts. Starting with his age and the type of project the FIGC wants to build: Ranieri will turn 75 this year, and his would be a choice based on immediate experience rather than a bet on the future. After years of changes and failures, does Italy need a man for the emergency or a head coach truly capable of opening a new cycle?

Then there is the style-of-play issue. Ranieri has always been a pragmatic coach, extraordinary in managing difficult moments, but rarely associated with innovative or dominant football. And for a National Team that has struggled for years to create a technical identity, his appointment could be seen as a choice that is more reassuring than revolutionary.

Finally, one question remains: does Ranieri really want to put himself back under such enormous pressure? In recent years he had spoken several times about retirement and about experiencing football differently. Returning to the Azzurri bench today would mean stepping into the most delicate moment in the National Team’s recent history.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.

Pep Guardiola said Manchester City do not feel extra pressure even though they realistically need to beat Crystal Palace on Wednesday to keep their Premier League title hopes alive.

City, with three games left, are five points behind leaders Arsenal with a game in hand.

Failure to win at the Etihad would mean Mikel Arteta's side could clinch their first Premier League title for 22 years against Burnley on Monday.

Guardiola was asked at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday how much pressure City were under after recent results, including last week's damaging 3-3 draw at Everton.

"Same one, two days, three days, four days ago, one week, two weeks, same one," he said.

The City boss, chasing a seventh Premier League title in nine seasons, said he had not seen his players to gauge their mood since the dramatic end to Arsenal's match at West Ham on Sunday.

The Gunners won 1-0 after relegation-threatened West Ham's last-gasp equaliser was ruled out following a lengthy VAR check.

"I learned from my career as a manager, what you cannot control, forget about it," said Guardiola.

"(Focus) and do better what we have not done better this season to fight for the Premier League. We are still fighting and (next it is) Crystal Palace."

Palace host Arsenal on the final day of the Premier League season, just days before they face Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final, but Guardiola said he was not concerned at the prospect they could field a weakened team.

"They are so professional, the teams," he said. "Crystal Palace will play top. We saw Leeds yesterday against Spurs (a 1-1 draw), how even being out of the relegation battle... how they compete."

Guardiola said Rodri and Abdukodir Khusanov were both "better" and that he would decide after training on Tuesday whether either were ready to return to action.

City face Chelsea in the FA Cup final on Saturday, still in the running for a domestic treble after winning the League Cup earlier this season.

jw/ea

IndyCar and IndyCar Officiating have announced alterations to an operating practice and process update, which comes in the wake of the on-track incident involving ECR’s #20 Chevrolet of Alexander Rossi in Saturday's race on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course.

On Lap 21 of 85, Rossi’s car suffered a mechanical issue, which he later insinuated was due to the hybrid, and was stopped on the right side of the front straightaway; the press release stated “off the racing line” at an area of the track cars receive a tow and potentially go three-and four-wide.

It was deemed that course marshals followed standard flagging protocol and deployed a standing yellow condition at Marshal Panel 14, with a corresponding waving yellow condition at Marshal Panel S/F (start-finish) to alert competitors to the stationary car. The escalation to a full course yellow (FCY) was made on Lap 22 as the driver began to exit the race car.

Following race control practice, the assessment of whether and when to escalate a local yellow to a FCY included the weighing of the following standard factors: driver egress, vehicle position, recovery vehicle access, safety team locations, laps remaining and the timing of approaching traffic to the incident. Additional factors on timing of a FCY also included pit windows and the running order of cars on track.

Alexander Rossi stalls on the front stretch. pic.twitter.com/4k1wpYAhx8

— INDYCAR on FOX (@IndyCarOnFOX) May 9, 2026

Upon further review and effective immediately, IndyCar Officiating will no longer take into consideration pit windows and the running order of cars on track before deploying a FCY. Local yellow procedures remain unchanged, with the initiation of a FCY based primarily on driver status, vehicle position and condition, the location and readiness of safety personnel, recovery access, and the speed differential between affected cars and approaching traffic.

“The Lap 21 incident on Saturday made clear that there needs to be a cleaner standard for how race control moves from a local to a full course yellow,” IndyCar Officiating’s Independent Officiating Board chair Raj Nair said.

“IndyCar Officiating, with IndyCar’s full support, has made this change of approach to ensure that the only inputs to the full course yellow escalation are safety ones. Streamlining the assessment will also save time as competitive considerations are no longer a factor.”

IndyCar President Doug Boles, who also serves as president of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, added, “The most important job in race control is to ensure the safety of our drivers, crews, safety workers and fans. Saturday highlighted that we must not waver from that central mission and aligning everyone on that philosophy was critical to discuss over the last 48 hours.

"The Independent Officiating Board, the new managing director of officiating, race director and IndyCar are all in agreement and the metrics used to determine when to initiate a full course yellow will now ensure that when there is any risk to driver safety that race control will initiate a full course yellow.”

IndyCar alters qualifying format for 2026 Indianapolis 500

Alexander Rossi furious after IndyCar leaves him stranded on 170mph straight

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May 12—FLORENCE — Four local teams are just one game away from the state tournament after the first day of regionals on Monday.

Hartselle, Athens, West Morgan and West Limestone will play in their regional final on Tuesday to decide the top qualifier in their classification going into the state tournament in Oxford next week.

Austin will play in the losers' bracket of the east regional after a loss to Thompson in the second round.

After two close wins over Hamilton and then Wilson, West Morgan will face Good Hope on Tuesday in the north regional final. A win would give the Rebels their first spot in the state tournament since 2014.

"This is so important to me," West Morgan senior Chasity Rikard said. "I'm honestly willing to miss my graduation if it means us going to state."

In class 6A, Hartselle and Athens will meet in the north regional final to decide who goes to state and who goes to the loser's bracket.

This will be the second straight year the two have met in the regional final. Last season Hartselle beat Athens 2-0.

"With Athens it's always going to be back and forth. It's never going to be a cakewalk," Hartselle head coach Anna Hall said. "It's always going to be tough because they keep fighting like we keep fighting."

West Limestone will see Plainview on Tuesday in the east regional final.

—

Hartselle 10, Fort Payne 0: Aubree Peak and Addison Chudy combined to throw a five-inning no-hitter to open up regional play on Monday.

Katie Norgard was 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Amelia Fox knocked in three runs on a triple. Jesi Chittham had a two-run home run. Ryley Wolf and Hatsumi Peterson had an RBI each. Peak pitched three innings with five strikeouts. Chudy was perfect in her two innings pitched.

—

Hartselle 10, Hazel Green 4: Bailey Lawrence dove over the left field wall and robbed what would have been the lead-taking home run in the bottom of the sixth as the Tigers beat Hazel Green in nine innings to make it to the regional final.

Katie Norgard was 2-for-5 with a three-run home run. Hatsumi Peterson hauled in three RBIs on a home run and a double. Aubrey Mize, Ryley Wolf, Amelia Fox and KJ Prater all knocked in a run each.

—

West Morgan 4, Wilson 0: Chasity Rikard didn't allow a single run in a complete game with five strikeouts pitched as West Morgan won the second match of the day.

Maddie Letson was 2-for-4 with an RBI. Hatleigh White and Payson Terry knocked in a run each. Alyssa Cleveland was 2-for-3.

—

West Morgan 2, Hamilton 1: Chasity Rikard pitched for nine strikeouts and four hits in a complete game in their first match of the day.

Tensley Suggs and Maddie Letson knocked in a run each. Adi Grace Rodgers and Hatleigh White were both 2-for-3.

—

Athens 14, Southside 3: The Golden Eagles scored 11 runs in the final three innings to win their first game of the North Regional in Florence.

Abby Lopez was 4-for-5 with two doubles and home run for five RBIs. Rayne Brewer hit two triples while 4-for-5 to pick up three RBIs. Caitlyn Tedeford hauled in three RBIs while 3-for-4 with a home run. Linsley Gillman and Paisley Howell knocked in a run each. Jaicey Harty pitched a complete game, allowing three hits and striking out 12.

—

Athens 13, Mortimer Jordan 3: Every Golden Eagle in the starting lineup got a hit except one in a run-rule win in the second round of the north regional.

Abby Lopez led the way with four RBIs while 2-for-3. Linsley Gillman, Jaicey Harty, and Rayne Brewer all had two RBIs each. Caitlyn Tedeford, Lexie Thornton, and Jay Davis all knocked in a run each.

—

West Limestone 9, Cherokee County 1: Katie Kyle threw a complete game one-hitter with 11 strikeouts and two walks as the Wildcats won the first round of the Class 4A East Regional in Albertville.

Raelee Campbell led the way with two RBIs. Lilee Legg was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Ali Blair, Kyle, and Jaidin Hargrove all knocked in a run each.

—

West Limestone 5, Madison County 4: West Limestone is only one win away from a trip to the state tournament in Oxford after a regional semifinal win on Monday. They will play Plainview in the regional final on Tuesday at 9 a.m.

Aubrey Bethune led the way with three RBIs on a home run and double while 2-for-3. R Campbell had two RBIs on a base-hit.

—

Austin 11, Hillcrest 4: The Black Bears scored seven runs in the first two innings, propelling themselves into the second round of the Class 7A East Regional in Albertville.

Marissa Adams was 2-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Grace Lamb knocked in two runs. Arden Breedlove and Liann Sanchez had an RBI each. Adams pitched all seven innings, allowing eight hits with four strikeouts.

—

Thompson 6, Austin 1: Austin could muster only three hits against Class 7A's No. 1 Thompson in the East regional semifinal. The loss puts the Black Bears in the losers bracket.

Arden Breedlove had Austin's only RBI on a home run. Khalilah Mason and Amiya Garth had a hit each.

Jake Paul says his boxing career is "most definitely" in doubt because of the injuries sustained during his loss to British heavyweight Anthony Joshua in December.

Paul had two titanium plates fitted and some teeth removed after Joshua broke his jaw in two places during their heavyweight fight in Miami.

The YouTuber-turned-boxer went six rounds with two-time world heavyweight champion Joshua, but the bout was stopped when Paul failed to beat the count following repeated knockdowns.

"I'm getting some new scans in a couple of days, of the jaw, to get an update on the healing process. We'll see what the doctors say," he said on The Ariel Helwani Show.

"I think I'll be able to get a more accurate timeframe, or can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibility.

"It does feel a lot better as weeks go by, but I definitely need to get cleared to be able to spar. I'm staying in shape and enjoying some mitt work. I'm always in the gym regardless."

Paul's defeat by Joshua saw the 29-year-old drop out of the WBA's cruiserweight rankings. His previous opponents were largely made up of boxers well past their prime or former mixed martial artists.

Earlier this month, his partner at Most Valuable Promotions, Nakisa Bidarian, told BBC Sport Paul was eyeing a return to cruiserweight.

But asked if his boxing future is in doubt, Paul said: "Most definitely. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then also there's a tooth missing - I'm pretty sure I'm going to have to get an implant of some sort.

"I don't know how much time that's going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me."

Breiden Fehoko took direct aim at LeBron James’ legacy after the Los Angeles Lakers were swept 4-0 by the Oklahoma City Thunder, using the loss to reopen the Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant debate.

The criticism landed because it was not just about one playoff series. It was about how fans, former players, and athletes from other sports still judge James against the harshest possible historical standard.

That is why Fehoko’s post carried more bite than a normal reaction. He turned a Lakers elimination into a legacy argument built around embarrassment, comparison, and the image of Oklahoma City’s young roster.

LeBron James legacy debate gets a sharp Breiden Fehoko twist

As Breiden Fehoko wrote on X after the Lakers’ sweep, his criticism of LeBron James was framed directly through the Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant standards.

“Please keep him out of Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant convos please, like I said. Mike & Kobe weren’t getting swept by TikTok creators,” the former NFL star tweeted.

It was a brutal line, and it was clearly designed to sting. Fehoko was not offering a balanced breakdown of the series, he was attacking the idea that James belongs in the same legacy conversation as Jordan and Bryant.

The “TikTok creators” phrase was the sharper part. It reduced a deep, talented Oklahoma City team into a social media punchline, which made the Lakers’ defeat sound even more humiliating.

That is unfair to the Thunder as a basketball team, but it explains why the comment spread. Legacy debates rarely stay clean after a sweep, especially when James is involved.

LeBron James criticism misses what OKC Thunder actually proved

The second layer is that Fehoko’s insult works emotionally, but it can also flatten what Oklahoma City did across the series. The Thunder did not sweep the Lakers because they were viral personalities, they swept them because they were younger, faster, deeper, and more complete.

Oklahoma City closed the series with a 115-110 win in Game 4, after already controlling the first three games by wider margins. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was the main force, while Chet Holmgren, Ajay Mitchell, and the Thunder’s depth kept applying pressure.

That matters because the Lakers were not beaten by a gimmick. They were beaten by a roster that had more answers over 48 minutes.

Still, Fehoko’s broader point is easy to understand. When James is placed beside Jordan and Bryant, every sweep becomes evidence for critics who believe his case has cracks.

That is the burden James carries. His greatness is secure, but his losses are always treated as public arguments.

Read more:

Chelsea are apparently being given a free run at signing Xabi Alonso as their next manager after Liverpool make a decision.

Alonso obviously used to play for Liverpool before he retired and went into management, and the big prediction is that one day he will return their as the manager. However, that does not look like happening any time soon and as a result, Chelsea should apparently get a free run at him now this summer as they look to appoint a replacement for Liam Rosenior.

EXCLUSIVE! Xabi Alonso not making any major demands but emphasising importance of defence, talks progressing well – Chelsea throwing everything at it!

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It will certainly help The Blues, because I am sure if Liverpool did decide to come in for Alonso then he would jump at that chance. It could end up now being Chelsea’s gain, and Blues fans will be hoping it stays that way.

Liverpool backing Slot

Arne Slot reacts with a thumbs up. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)

According to Liverpool reporter David Lynch, Liverpool are ready to pass on Xabi Alonso this summer and Chelsea look set to be given a free run at signing him.

Liverpool are said to be sticking with Arne Slot for now and are not advancing on Alonso.

In other news today

Malo Gusto infuriated some Chelsea fans with his performance on Saturday afternoon, and some are now writing him off for good with their latest reflections on the player.

Chelsea are pushing for Xabi Alonso and the Basque seems interested, with a pre-World Cup deadline certainly possible. And it’s not just Fabrizio Romano reporting it!

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Check out the latest edition of Simon Phillips’ SPTC podcast here:

Another week on the farm is in the books, and there’s big stories at every level.

In Scranton, a talented roster tries to steady the ship after being depleted due to big league call-ups. A powerful lineup continues to mash in Somerset, while Hudson Valley’s pitching staff continues to round into form. Down at the lower levels, multiple highly-touted pitching prospects made big returns from Tommy John surgery on the road to recovery.

Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders

Record: 20-17, 1 GB in the International League East after a 2-3 week against the Worcester Red Sox (Red Sox)

Run differential: +21

Coming up: Home vs. Syracuse Mets (Mets)

It was an uneven week in Scranton as their once-stacked roster continued to be eaten away at, partially due to the MLB team needing injury reinforcements. Spencer Jones was called up mid-week to replace Jasson Domínguez (both started the year in Scranton). Multiple relievers went up and down, Brendan Beck was needed for a few innings in the majors, and Luis Gil was lost for the next six weeks due to a shoulder issue.

Saturday’s game was rained out, but they had ample opportunity to win the series otherwise. They blew a late lead on Tuesday and played an extremely bizarre 12-inning affair on Thursday, which saw emergency catcher Edinson Duran be forced to pitch extra innings due to the roster turnover. He got through 2.1 solid innings before allowing a walk-off home run in the 12th.

With some of their heavy hitters off the roster, the focus has shifted to the likes of recently promoted top prospect George Lombard Jr. and the recently demoted Anthony Volpe. On one end, Lombard is displaying some tremendous plate discipline and hitting the ball hard, but is running into some bad luck. Volpe is struggling considerably, particularly at putting the ball in the air with some mental lapses defensively and on the bases.

Carlos Rodón started on Tuesday and had a very uneven final rehab start, allowing six runs in 6.1 innings. Veterans Dom Hamel and Adam Kloffenstein struggled, while Carlos Lagrange continued an up-and-down season by striking out eight in 4.1 innings, but allowed five runs on three dingers. Elmer Rodríguez returned to the minors to make a solid start on Sunday, as he settles back into the next-man-up role.

Yovanny Cruz took the loss on Tuesday, but continued to be effective along with Bradley Hanner in the back of the bullpen. Veterans Dylan Coleman and Rafael Montero, who both started the year on the shelf, have combined to allow just two runs in 11.2 innings with 13 strikeouts. It was only four years ago when Montero was one of the best relievers in baseball for the Astros, and he could be an option at some point.

Players of Note:

Anthony Volpe: .205/.238/.333, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 3 XBH, 2 SB, 43 wRC+ (42 PA)
George Lombard Jr.: 6-for-34, 12 BB, 7 K, 2 SB
Brendan Beck: 2-2, 5.11 ERA, 4.61 FIP, 1.14 WHIP, 18.7 K-BB% (37 IP)
Carlos Lagrange: 0-2, 4.76 ERA, 5.63 FIP, 1.45 WHIP, 16.4 K-BB% (28.1 IP)
Yovanny Cruz: 16 IP, 11 H, 4 ER, 7 BB, 22 K

Double-A Somerset Patriots

Record: 15-18, 5.5 GB in the Eastern League Northeast after a 3-3 week against the Reading Fightin’ Phils (Phillies)

Run differential: +26

Coming up: Home vs. Binghamton Rumble Ponies (Mets)

It was a so-so week down in Somerset, as every single one of their games against Reading turned into a shootout. They scored at least 11 runs in each of the first three games and scored 42 runs in the series, while allowing 33. The offense cooled down towards the end of the week, but it produces some gaudy numbers.

Marco Luciano hit enough that he earned a midweek promotion. Tyler Hardman (10-for-25, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 2B) and Garrett Martin (10-for-28, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB) continued to rake, while Jace Avina (9-for-29, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 2B, 3 BB) heated up in a big way after being in a big-time slump to start the year. Jackson Castillo missed the start of the season due to injury, but has an OPS over .900 in 15 games since being activated.

In the rotation, Trent Sellers struggled badly on Tuesday, but the rest of the rotation wasn’t terrible. Cade Smith had his second straight solid start and Xavier Rivas struck out seven in 4.1 shutout innings, while Jack Cebert and Kyle Carr had inconsistent outings, with the latter striking out a career-high eight batters despite allowing four runs.

Gerrit Cole made his latest rehab start on Sunday, and he’s getting closer and closer to being ready. Despite taking the loss, he struck out eight and built up to 77 pitches in a five-inning outing while consistently flashing 96 on the radar gun.

The bullpen was rough this week. Will Brian was off to a fantastic start to the season, but had a disastrous outing in Tuesday’s 14-12 loss. Matt Keating and Michael Arias continue to struggle to put up zeroes, but the team is getting better performances from Geoff Gilbert and Kelly Austin of late. Eric Reyzelman also continues to flash his improved command with 25 strikeouts to just four walks in 13.2 innings. I truthfully think he isn’t far from a big league mound.

Players of Note:

Tyler Hardman: .306/.384/.622, 9 HR, 29 RBI, 17 XBH, 159 wRC+
Garrett Martin: .262/.321/.557, 11 HR, 22 RBI, 6 SB, 124 wRC+
Coby Morales: .293/.381/.560, 8 HR, 26 RBI, 8 SB, 144 wRC+
Eric Reyzelman: 13.2 IP, 8 H, 6 ER, 4 BB, 25 K
Cade Smith: 1-1, 4.44 ERA, 6.38 FIP, 1.39 WHIP, 16.7 K-BB% (18.2 IP)

High-A Hudson Valley Renegades

Record: 18-14, 2.5 GB in the South Atlantic League North after a 4-2 week against the Winston-Salem Dash (White Sox)

Run differential: +32

Coming up: Home vs. Frederick Keys (Orioles)

Hudson Valley got back to its winning ways this week, rebounding after two early-week losses to win three straight to end the week, allowing just six total runs in its four victories.

Outside of Kaeden Kent, the offense has still been pretty bad. Eric Genther continued to cool off as his lack of slugging continues to be more apparent, and a lot of the 2025 draftees are inconsistent (Kyle West capped off the week with a two-homer, five-RBI day on Sunday, notably). A name to keep an eye on is Josue Gonzalez, who’s now up to a 96 wRC+ with a .221 ISO. The Yankees are really trying to replenish their minor league catching depth, and he could be a big part.

The rotation was absolutely phenomenal this week after Cole’s mediocre start on Tuesday. Luis Serna struggled with command, but worked around five walks to toss five shutout innings on Wednesday. Rory Fox (5 IP, 2 R) had a solid start on Friday, and Franyer Herrera struck out seven in five shutout innings on Sunday. The real highlight of the week, though, was Sean Paul Liñan. He made by far his best start since he was acquired in the Jorbit Vivas trade, tossing six no-hit innings with seven strikeouts in the best start of his entire pro career.

Chris Veach is up to 12.2 shutout innings with 21 strikeouts, Tony Rossi has 18 strikeouts in 11.1 innings, and the trio of Tanner Bauman, Jack Sokol, and Brady Kirtner aren’t far behind in terms of jaw-dropping numbers out of the bullpen. We’re getting to a point where some of them need to be promoted just to see if this isn’t an effect of A-ball hitting.

Players of Note:

Eric Genther: .233/.407/.291, 7 RBI, 4 XBH, 108 wRC+
Core Jackson: .248/.354/.376, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 11 SB, 99 wRC+
Kaeden Kent: .333/.406/.488, 3 HR, 21 RBI, 12 XBH, 9 SB, 138 wRC+
Luis Serna: 2-0, 1.67 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 0.93 WHIP, 19.0 K-BB% (27 IP)
Sean Paul Liñan: 1-3, 3.47 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.07 WHIP, 25.7 K-BB% (23.1 IP)

Single-A Tampa Tarpons

Record: 15-18, 5 GB in the Florida State League West after a 3-3 week against the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (Twins)

Run differential: -26

Coming up: Home vs. Dunedin Blue Jays (Blue Jays)

It was a much better week for the Tampa offense, as they put up at least six runs on four different occasions, but the pitching took a step back as Fort Myers secured a split with two straight wins to end the week.

The two hitters who had the best weeks were Hans Montero and Jackson Lovich, who has rebounded nicely after the first real slump of his professional career. Enmanuel Tejada continues to pace the team with a near-.400 OBP and could be in line for a promotion if Kent is pushed up to Double-A in the near future to open up a spot in the infield.

Tyler Boudreau allowed three runs in 4.1 innings to start the week on Tuesday, Mac Heuer struggled with command in an abbreviated 2.2 inning outing, Justin West struck out eight in a choppy 4.1 innings on Thursday, and both JT Etheridge and Henry Lalane struggled early in their starts over the weekend. There wasn’t much to get excited about in the rotation this week… except for one big rehab assignment.

The team’s sixth-round pick from 2022 Chase Hampton made his first start since August 10, 2024, and just his eighth since 2023. He looked great in three innings for Tampa on Friday, allowing just one hit with three strikeouts and zero walks. You could tell the organization was still high on him when he was added to the 40-man roster amidst Tommy John recovery in the offseason, so he’s a big story to watch going forward.

Players of Note:

Jackson Lovich: .277/.370/.500, 3 HR, 15 RBI, 13 XBH, 135 wRC+
JoJo Jackson: .237/.364/.351, 2 HR, 17 RBI, 7 SB, 106 wRC+
Enmanuel Tejada: .232/.392/.384, 13 XBH, 12 RBI, 12 SB, 122 wRC+
Tyler Boudreau: 18.1 IP, 14 H, 10 R, 10 BB, 24 K
Pedro Rodríguez: 9.2 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 4 BB, 15 K

FCL Yankees

Record: 5-2, 2 GB in the FCL North after a 3-2 week.

Run differential: +30

The FCL North has been an extremely funny division. So far, the FCL Blue Jays are 7-0, and the FCL Tigers are 0-7, with the FCL Phillies sitting at 2-5. Both Yankees losses are to the Blue Jays, and both Phillies wins are against the Tigers. It’s perfect balance.

The offense has been great to start the season, specifically the likes of Leni Done and Wilberson De Pena, who was acquired for Oswald Peraza from the Angels last July. Last year’s DSL darling, Richard Matic, isn’t far behind. As a note, Francisco Vilorio is currently injured.

Thatcher Hurd and Wyatt Parliament, two 2024 draftees who missed all of last season with Tommy John recovery, have made their pro debuts and look good in a limited sample. Blake Gillespie, who started the year in Tampa before being demoted, and Omar Gonzalez have 19 strikeouts in 12 innings combined.

There’s not too much to talk about yet with this team as we wait for large enough sample sizes for it to matter, but there are certainly players to watch.

Players of Note:

Wilberson De Pena: 9-for-25, HR, 8 RBI, 6 XBH, BB, SB
Leni Done: 12-for-26, HR, 11 RBI, 3 XBH, 4 BB, 4 SB
Richard Matic: 10-for-30, 3 RBI, 2 XBH, 4 BB, 4 SB
Thatcher Hurd: 7.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 7 K
Omar Gonzalez: 6.1 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 10 K

Prospect of the Week: Marco Luciano

Weekly Stats: 8-for-20, 2 HR, 7 RBI, 3 2B, 4 BB (w/AA & AAA)
Season Stats (Combined): .324/.408/.685, 10 HR, 23 RBI, 19 XBH, 3 SB, 177 wRC+

Luciano is not legally a Yankees prospect, but considering he’s younger than multiple people we’re keeping close eyes on across the system and has only a handful of big league experience, he counts in my book.

At one point, Luciano was one of the best prospects in the world. Signed for $2.6 million out of the D.R. by the San Francisco Giants in 2018, he was a consensus top-20 prospect in baseball for three consecutive years from 2021-23, ahead of his MLB debut in July 2023 with the Giants. But over a 41-game big league sample in two years, he slashed just .217/.286/.304 with mediocre defense at both second base and shortstop, killing his hype to the point he was DFA’d this past offseason.

After being claimed off waivers by the Pirates and spending a month there before being DFA’d again, he went through the same process with Baltimore before the Yankees gave him a shot in late January. He would get DFA’d by a fourth different team a few weeks later, but he cleared waivers this time, staying in the Yankees’ organization.

After getting a good amount of reps in spring training, he was sent down to Double-A Somerset, the lowest level he’d played at since July 2023. In this situation, you’d love a guy like him to immediately show he doesn’t belong there and that’s exactly what he did.

His stats have been ludicrous to this point, and after Max Schuemann’s promotion and Paul DeJong’s release opened space in the infield, the Yankees suddenly have him one step away from the bigs once again. We’ve seen them rehabilitate former prospects in the past and tweak something with them to get them back on teams’ radars (Blake Perkins, Brennan Davis). Could Luciano be next? That’d be great to see.

Meet the Mets

The Mets are calling up A.J. Ewing, one of their top prospects.

Ewing is someone who is on everyone’s radar, and several Mets farmhands are on the horizon, writes Laura Albanese.

Beyond just promoting Ewing, Max Goodman identified four more bold moves that the club can make to save its season.

Despite a disastrous 2026 season, Joe Pantorno explained why David Stearns’ job is probably not going to be in danger any time soon.

David Lennon wrote about every bad month for the Mets feeling like an existential crisis.

Abbey Mastracco provided the good, the bad, and the ugly from the team’s 5-4 road trip.

Dan Martin sees the Mets as ‘broken’ and help likely isn’t on the way.

With trade rumors swirling amid the team’s horrid start to the season, Freddy Peralta expressed confidence in the team’s turnaround, adding ‘I love being here”.

However, a changing Mets reality puts Peralta at ‘the top of the list’ for most deadline sales.

Christian Scott’s revamped mix of pitches has led to an electric start to his 2026 campaign.

After a rocky start to his season, Devin Williams has begun settling in.

In the latest edition of “This Week In Mets”, Tim Britton implored the Mets to find their offense sooner rather than later.

With Bo Bichette as the center piece, Joel Sherman focused his latest article on the death of the big-hitting third basemen.

Chelsea Janes attempted to answer some questions around the Mets in the latest Mets Mailbag on SNY.

The Mets outrighted Eric Wagaman to Triple-A.

The Mets purchased the contract of Nick Roselli from the Long Island Ducks.

Around the National League East

The Braves activated Ha-Seong Kim and placed Eli White on the 7-day concussion list one day after his incredible, game-saving catch.

Cristopher Sánchez was named NL Player of the Week. Bobby Witt Jr. took home AL honors.

Charlotte Varnes provided some Phillies takeaways, including some bullpen updates and Kyle Schwarber’s start.

Following Justin Crawford’s first major league home run, Todd Zolecki took a trip down memory lane with the first career homer for some Phillies players.

Phillies players are excited to see Ranger Suarez, their former teammate turned rival, as they travel to Boston to face the Red Sox.

The Marlins have released Chris Paddack.

Around Major League Baseball

The Cubs surged to Number One in the latest MLB Power Rankings.

The MLB.com staff looked at one thing each club can improve in 2026.

The Dodgers activated Mookie Betts from the IL, five weeks after suffering a strained right oblique, and optioned Alex Freeland to Triple-A.

The Blue Jays made a bunch of roster moves, placing Addison Barger on the IL, recalling Yohendrick Piñango from Triple-A, selecting Yariel Rodríguez to the big league roster, and designating Eric Lauer for assignment.

The Athletics are calling up No. 5 prospect Henry Bolte, one week after recording a hit in twelve straight plate appearances.

The Yankees appear more ruthless than ever this year, despite Brian Cashman rejecting the narrative around urgency.

José Caballero of the Yankees will have an MRI on his sore right middle finger.

Scott Boras believes that Tarik Skubal will have a short rehab and could be back sooner than later.

Nathan Eovaldi was scratched from his start last night due to left side tightness. Texas turned to a bullpen game with Eovaldi sidelined.

19-year-old Padres prospect Humberto Cruz plead guilty to transporting undocumented immigrants and has self-deported amid this plea.

Coby Mayo’s three-run home run with one out in the seventh inning catapulted the Orioles past the Yankees by a 3-2 victory.

The Yankees lost despite Ryan Weathers carrying a no-hit bid into the seventh inning.

The Guardians defeated the Angels 7-2, as Travis Bazzana’s trained eye continued to aid the Guardians’ offense.

The red-hot Rays stayed…well, red-hot…with an 8-5 win over the Blue Jays. The power of friendship has helped power the Rays to one of their best 40-game starts ever. In the victory, Rays’ speedster Chandler Simpson created a run entirely with his legs.

The Mariners topped the Astros 3-1. On the evening, Julio Rodríguez answered a fan’s call with a batting practice home run, and then did the same during the game.

With the help of a surging Rafael Devers and Willy Adames, the Giants’ offense got back on track with a 9-3 over the Dodgers.

A first inning run held up in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Rangers, as Michael Soroka’s gem and Paul Sewald’s save gave Arizona some payback for the 2023 World Series.

Yesterday at Amazin’ Avenue

Linus Lawrence provided a Monday Stat Party.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 2011, Carlos Beltran became just the seventh Met to hit three home runs in a single game, accomplishing the feat in the team’s 9-5 win over the Rockies at Coors Field.

Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!

Commanders links

Articles

Commanders Roundtable

Washington Commanders Re-Sign Veteran Cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr

The team announced on Monday morning that veteran cornerback Antonio Hamilton Sr. is set to re-sign with the Commanders for a second season. Hamilton returns after serving as an underrated piece on the 2025 roster with a chance to elevate the depth under position coach William Gay ahead of 2026.

Hamilton appeared in all but two games during the 2025 season after he recorded 18 total tackles and a pair of pass deflections. Yet he also served as an integral part of the special teams unit alongside safety Jeremy Reaves where the veteran is able to step back into his role under special teams assistant John Glenn.

Commanders Roundtable

State of Washington Commanders Roster After Free Agency, Draft

Offensive Line

T: 5 (Larmey Tunsil, Josh Conerly Jr., Brandon Coleman, Trent Scott, Foster Sarell)

G: 4 (Chris Paul, Sam Cosmi, Timothy McKay, Andrew Wylie)

OC: 3 (Nick Allegretti, Matt Gulbin, Julian Good-Jones)

Washington will have a lot o familiarity in the trenches once again with the left side of the line officially back and solidified.

Tunsil is as good as they come at left tackle and has been since he was drafted back in 2016, following through on the much-anticipated extension. 2025 first-round pick Conerly started all 17 games in a year where everyone was getting hurt. Coleman is a former third-round pick in 2024, who is the top reserve at both tackle spots. Scott, Sarell, and Aumavar-Laulu could each be fighting for one spot. Barring injury. Commanders should have no worries at the tackle spots. 

Cosmi has played both tackle and guard for the Commanders, and the team is hoping the injuries from last year are in the rear-view mirror. Paul was resigned after starting 15 games in 2025. Wylie has been a starter for both the Commanders and Chiefs, while McKay spent last year on the practice squad. Tanoa Togiai arrived as a UDFA as a guard option where the Commanders have depth.

Following the release of former starter Tyler Biadasz, Allegretti moves over from guard to center in hopes of improved play there. Gulbin will likely be the backup with hopes of challenging Allegretti as the former interior lineman also offers college experience at guard.

CB: 5 (Trey Amos, Mike Sainristil, Amik Robertson, Ahkello Witherspoon, Antonio Hamilton Sr.)

There’s true question marks at the position. Amos and Sainristil both return while Robertson gives Washington a possible nickel corner, though head coach Dan Quinn previously noted Robertson is likely to stick outside. Witherspoon was signed from the Rams after only playing in six games last year, adding more veteran experience though coming off an injury-shortened 2025 season. The latest roster move materialized on Monday when the Commanders re-signed Hamilton, restocking the depth after shining late in the 2025 regular season. Does Washington make more moves at the position? It certainly feels possible, though wide receiver has been the lone position the front office has been actively linked to this offseason.

Whether UDFA signing Fred Davis II is able to crack the roster through the summer is worth watching while Chris Hilton Jr. is one who signed as a receiver but also drew evaluation as a defensive back prospect before going undrafted and signing with the Commanders, arriving as an intriguing addition.

Riggo’s Rag

7 Commanders officially out of excuses

Will Harris – Commanders S

The Commanders were expected to make big changes to their safety unit this offseason. Almost every position on the depth chart struggled to make an impression in 2025, but the back-end stability on defense left a lot to be desired.

Perhaps surprisingly, the Commanders made slight tweaks rather than a complete overhaul.

Nick Cross signed in free agency, which could be a steal at the money involved if he has the impact expected. Nobody else of note has joined the ranks as yet, so Washington obviously has confidence in those who largely underperformed during the previous campaign.

Will Harris is among them. He was the man tasked with filling the void left by Jeremy Chinn, but an early injury put pay to his chances of having a successful season. He never looked 100 percent even after returning. Still, the Commanders clearly believe things can improve with a better run of luck on the health front.

Frankie Luvu – Commanders LB

There is no doubt Frankie Luvu became a victim of circumstances with the Commanders last season. When injuries began to decimate his defense, the coaching staff asked the linebacker to occupy a role he wasn’t entirely comfortable with. He gave it everything, but the waning influence spoke volumes.

Luvu played more on the edge than at any stage during his career. This restricted his ability to be instinctive and retain the form that earned him second-team All-Pro honors in 2024. Daronte Jones is changing all that this time around, and Adam Peters has enough strength in the pass-rush after an aggressive offseason.

Jones plans to move Luvu back to his off-ball role. That would greatly benefit the franchise, but the Commanders have contingencies in place in case he cannot turn the tide.

Washington signed Leo Chenal in free agency. They took Sonny Styles at No. 7 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft. Luvu will still play an integral role, but for how much longer remains to be seen.

Commanders Wire

One reason Commanders should be optimistic for next season

Bryan DeArdo of CBS Sports gave one reason why all 32 teams should be optimistic.

For the Commanders, DeArdo said Washington should be optimistic about its “significant offseason upgrades.”

After a disappointing 2025 season, the Commanders put themselves in position to mirror the success they had in 2024, when they advanced to the NFC title game. 

Washington overturned its defense this offseason. Six defensive players acquired during free agency are projected starters. They then hit a home run during the draft when they selected linebacker Sonny Styles, whose brilliant play at Ohio State helped the Buckeyes capture a national title in 2024. 

The Commanders also gave Jayden Daniels some new weapons in former Buccaneers running back Rashaad White and rookie wideout Antonio Williams. San Francisco 49ers wideout Brandon Aiyuk could certainly land there, too. 

The Commanders had one of the NFL’s worst defenses last season. Now, that entire side of the ball is younger, faster and better. It’s way too soon to tell what that means in terms of wins and losses, but it can’t be any worse. Offensively, it was about giving Jayden Daniels more help. Third-round wide receiver Antonio Williams will be a significant part of the offense as a rookie, as will Chig Okonkwo, who signed a three-year deal in March. The Commanders also brought back wide receiver Dyami Brown, who had a nice connection with Daniels in 2024.

Podcasts & videos

Commanders Minicamp! Daronte Jones Defensive OVERHAUL in FULL SWING!

Second Thoughts: Post Rookie Minicamp | JOHN KEIM REPORT

Monday Fun Day ft @Mitch_Tischler w/ @Gcarmi21

NFC East links

Blogging the Boys

Cowboys find out who they will play on Thanksgiving

Dallas has played Philadelphia twice on Thanksgiving in the past, it hasn’t gone in their favor. The Eagles beat the Cowboys 27-0 in 1989 in the infamous “Bounty Bowl” during Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson’s first season as head coach in Dallas. Their last matchup on Turkey Day came in 2014 when the Eagles won 33-14.

This decade, the Cowboys and Eagles have split their 12 meetings. They’ve split the season series four times over those six years, and each team has swept the other once. With this game landing on Thanksgiving, it’s likely that NFC East and playoff implications will be heavily involved. The Cowboys and Eagles should be the favorites to win the division heading into the 2026 season.

Front Office Sports

Fox Chases NFL Record With 2026 Thanksgiving Day Game

Fox’s pursuit of an NFL viewership record will lean on another heated NFC East division rivalry.

The network said as part of its upfront presentation to advertisers Monday in New York that it will air an Eagles-Cowboys game in the late-afternoon window on Thanksgiving Day. That game, leaning into of the league’s most storied rivalries, will seek to exceed the audience average of 57.2 million for last year’s broadcast in that window between the Chiefs and Cowboys on CBS.

Fox and the NFL will also likely have the benefit of an expanded Nielsen methodology for measuring co-viewing within households. A recent pilot program found that the new process generated a 4.2% audience lift during several top events in February, including Super Bowl LX.

That latest move adds to prior Nielsen introductions of its Big Data + Panel process last September and an enlarged counting of out-of-home audiences that began in early 2025.

Regardless of the final count, though, this late-afternoon Thanksgiving game is traditionally the most-watched broadcast of each NFL regular season. The upcoming game will be the Eagles’ eighth contest on Thanksgiving, and the first in Dallas since 2014. 

Big Blue View

2026 NY Giants schedule: 4 storylines for Week 1 against the Cowboys

The NFL made one of the highlights of the season their first announcement, when they confirmed that the New York Giants would host the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday Night Football.

Giants vs. Cowboys is always a cash cow for the NFL. Not to mention, this game is simply rife with potential storylines.

Will the doubters be right?

The honeymoon period with John Harbaugh didn’t last long for some.

Voices in both the fandom and the media have expressed consistent skepticism that the Giants can right the ship and be competitive in 2026.

The belief is that the Giants’ competitiveness as underdogs last year is irrelevant in the face of the leads they coughed up, that the team is still at a severe talent deficit compared to their competition, and that they didn’t make the correct moves in adding players this year.

New Cowboys’ safety Caleb Downs is the poster boy for doubts surrounding the Giants as Week 1 draws nearer. There were many who were not only convinced that the Giants would take Downs at fifth overall, they were convinced that the Giants had to do so. There were arguments that he would rebuild their defensive culture, fix their run defense, and rejuvenate a secondary that had regressed badly under Shane Bowen.

Instead, the Giants took Arvell Reese and Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. Behind the scenes footage revealed that Reese was the Giants’ second-highest rated player, and Mauigoa was in their Top 5 as well. It also revealed that they believed there was a drop-off after the top-5 and we can infer that Downs was in that second tier of players.

The Cowboys, meanwhile, have been lauded for drafting Downs. He will be playing the nickel in their defense and likely spend much of Week 1 near the line of scrimmage. That will make him a constant factor for Dart, Mauigoa, the Giants’ running game, and their underneath passing options.

So will Downs prove the doubters right? Will he make the Giants pay for passing on him to draft a tackle to play guard? Or will Sisi reenact Miami’s win over Ohio State, Dart beat the rookie in coverage, and Skattebo pinball off of him the way he did so many other defenders before his injury?

NFL league links

Articles

The Athletic (paywall)

Adrian Peterson to be inducted into Minnesota Vikings’ Ring of Honor

The Minnesota Vikings will induct legendary running back Adrian Peterson into the team’s Ring of Honor during the 2026 season, the team announced Monday. Peterson, a seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time All-Pro, will join fellow running backs and past honorees Chuck Foreman and Bill Brown.

The Vikings selected Peterson with the seventh pick in the 2007 draft. He played with the team for 10 seasons, accumulated 11,747 rushing yards and 97 touchdowns — the most ever by a Vikings running back. In 2012, Peterson’s 2,097 rushing yards and 12 touchdowns led to him becoming the third Vikings player to be named the NFL’s MVP.

Discussion topics

aBit o’Twitter

Craig Morton, the first quarterback to start Super Bowls for two separate teams, died Saturday at the age of 83

Dan Rapaport has suggested how likely he thinks Jordan Spieth is to win the PGA Championship this week, with the American once again looking to complete the Career Grand Slam.

Spieth has been a PGA Championship victory away from joining one of the game’s most exclusive clubs for the best part of the decade now.

He has not actually finished inside the top 10 at the event since 2019. Spieth ended up missing the cut at Quail Hollow 12 months ago.

Dan Rapaport assesses Jordan Spieth’s chances of winning the PGA Championship at Aronimink

The positive news is that the Texan is in reasonable form heading into the second major of this season. His previous injury problems look to be well and truly behind him.

Spieth has registered five top 20 finishes on the PGA Tour this year. The only problem is that he is still awaiting his first top 10, having finished 11th on two occasions.

With the likes of Scottie Scheffler and Cameron Young playing so well right now, and Rory McIlroy likely to be a threat at every major he plays, it is probably no surprise that Dan Rapaport wrote off Spieth’s chances of a fourth major win this week.

“I said yesterday that I feel personally affronted by his form. It’s not fair, he doesn’t owe me anything personally. But also, let’s go. Let’s do something. He has been chasing the Career Slam for eight years now and nobody says anything,” he said on Dan on Golf.

“With Rory because he played so well everyone was talking about it every time he got to Augusta National. You don’t hear it all from Jordan Spieth.

“There is a chance he shoots 68 on Thursday, definitely. But I don’t think there is any chance he wins the golf tournament. Alex Fitzpatrick has three top 10s on the PGA Tour this year, Jordan Spieth has zero.”

Spieth’s PGA Tour statistics suggest that Aronimink will not play to his strengths

What has been strange this year is just how unspectacular Spieth’s performances have been. He previously guaranteed entertainment whether he was about to contend or be one of the first to finish on Sunday.

Spieth actually sits between 70th and 90th on the PGA Tour this season for strokes gained off the tee, approach, and around the green.

Meanwhile, he is 34th on tour for putting. So it is probably fair to say that there is not one strength that particularly stands out heading into Aronimink.

That may be more useful at a US Open where all aspects of a player’s game are put under the microscope. Spieth’s fans will hope that he is putting the foundations in place to really kick on in the coming years.

But ahead of a PGA Championship where the scoring looks set to be extremely low, it is hard to see how Spieth will be able to keep up.

Why Giants let Cowboys get potential superstar in NFL Draft originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New York Giants had a chance to get one of the best players in the 2026 NFL Draft with the No. 10 overall pick.

They had already taken Arvell Reese at No. 5, and Caleb Downs slid past a few other interested squads to get to the Giants' second pick of the first round.

The Giants didn't choose the safety out of Ohio State, though. The Dallas Cowboys actually were worried enough about that possibility that they tried to trade up to No. 9 to beat the Giants to Downs.

"The Cowboys had tried to trade up to No. 9 to get Downs, fearful that the Giants would take him," ESPN's Dan Graziano wrote in a new article on Tuesday. "New York could have come out of the first round of the draft feeling like it had locked down two defensive cornerstones for a decade to come."

The Giants instead took offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa from Miami. The Cowboys only had to trade up one spot, from 12 to 11, to ensure they got Downs.

MORE: Shilo Sanders under fire for telling female reporter to 'make a sandwich'

Why did the Giants let the Cowboys draft Caleb Downs?

New York knew that whoever it passed on might help its division rival, but the Giants felt they had to do right by Jaxson Dart.

They had already taken one defensive player with the fifth pick, so they went offense at No. 10.

"I think there's a chance they'd have taken Downs at No. 5 if Reese had been picked in the top four," Graziano writes. "But what became clear to me after the draft in talking to people around that situation is that the Giants were determined to use one of their two top-10 picks on an offensive player in an effort to support second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart."

One of Dart's issues as a rookie was staying out of harm's way, and if the Mauigoa pick works, it will be a big help toward that cause.

They'll just have to hope Downs isn't wreaking too much havoc on the other side of those NFC East showdowns.

More NFL news:

• Saints still have an Alvin Kamara decision to make
• Why the Cowboys aren't signing George Pickens long-term
• Giants given warning on Odell Beckham Jr. reunion
• Why the Dolphins haven't traded De'Von Achane, and the offer that might change that
• From Falcons to Cardinals, Tyler Allgeier can't catch a break

Jalen Duren’s playoff struggles have become impossible to ignore, but Detroit Pistons head coach J.B. Bickerstaff made one thing crystal clear after Monday night’s loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

He is not giving up on his young center.

Following Detroit’s 112-103 Game 4 loss, Bickerstaff delivered an honest and revealing response when asked about sticking with Duren despite strong play from backup big man Paul Reed.

And in many ways, his comments said everything about the culture the Pistons have built this season.

J.B. Bickerstaff explains why Pistons still believe in Jalen Duren

Duren has not looked like himself throughout much of the postseason.

The 22-year-old averaged 19.5 points and 10.5 rebounds during the regular season while earning the first All-Star selection of his career. In the playoffs, however, his production and consistency have dipped significantly.

Meanwhile, Paul Reed provided a spark in both Game 3 and Game 4 against Cleveland, earning extended opportunities after bringing energy, rebounding, and offensive production off the bench.

Even so, Bickerstaff made it clear that trust matters.

“You gotta give guys confidence, you gotta give them belief,” Bickerstaff said as quoted by 97.1 The Ticket. “He’s accomplished a lot for us, he’s done a lot of things.”

That belief is not blind loyalty.

Bickerstaff also acknowledged that minutes still need to be earned.

“I still believe that nothing is just given. Things still need to be earned,” he explained. “Again, that’s why P-Reed got the minutes, he earned them. I thought he deserved them.”

Pistons coach refuses to abandon struggling star

The most telling part of Bickerstaff’s comments came when discussing why he continued going back to Duren late in games.

“And then you give JD a chance to go back out there and do the things we know he’s capable of,” Bickerstaff said. “You don’t just give up on guys when they’re having a hard time.”

That quote perfectly captures the balancing act Detroit is facing right now.

The Pistons are trying to win a playoff series while also continuing the development of one of their cornerstone players. Benching Duren completely might create short-term benefits, but Bickerstaff clearly believes confidence and trust are critical for the long-term growth of the young center.

And according to the head coach, that mindset extends throughout the entire locker room.

“That’s why our guys genuinely care for one another, they support one another, and we’ll fight through and figure it out together,” Bickerstaff added.

Jalen Duren still has physical tools to change series

Despite the struggles, Bickerstaff remains convinced Duren can still impact the series in major ways.

His message to the young center has been simple.

“Physically, he can dominate a game, whether it’s rebounding, defending, running the floor,” Bickerstaff said. “Put your emphasis and focus on those things and then the rest of the game will come to you.”

That may ultimately be the key for Detroit moving forward.

When Duren plays with force and energy, he changes the complexion of games. The challenge has been maintaining that impact consistently against Cleveland’s frontcourt and physical defensive style.

Pistons facing critical stretch against Cavaliers

The series now shifts into dangerous territory for Detroit.

What once looked like a confident playoff run has suddenly become a grind, and the Pistons need their core players to respond. Reed has unquestionably earned more opportunities, but Bickerstaff’s comments make it clear the organization still views Duren as a foundational piece.

Now the question becomes whether Duren can rediscover the aggressive version of himself that dominated throughout the regular season.

Because if he can, the entire series could shift again.

I’m not making this any sort of commentary on the Pacers’ misfortune yesterday. I only bring up the lottery, because the NBA is making strides towards reworking their draft process. The NBA is hard targeting “tanking” and it is reported that there will be three different options available for the league to choose from. Each option is going to open up the lottery to all non playoff teams, in some manner or the other. Frankly, it needs to be adopted in all major sports.

Oddly enough, in a society where participation trophies are a thing, finishing at or near a .500 winning percentage is considered mediocrity. On this site alone, much of the feeling about our GM is about his tendency toward mediocre results. Colt fans are not alone, we all heard chants in Pittsburgh to “Fi-er Tom-lin”. We all know his record of non losing seasons, but even that was deemed mediocre. The fact that mediocrity is less desirable than just plain bad, is a little hard for me to wrap my head around.

I know there are others who frequent this site who have been here from the time the Mayflower landed and some have been Colts fans for even longer than that. I had the opportunity (tongue firmly in cheek) to attend all of the home games for 26 years. This include the time B.P. (Before Peyton) It wasn’t pretty. The Colts did not win many games and were outscored by 1000 points in those seasons prior to our lightning strike. We had paper bags, we were the Dolts! One late season game provided more entertainment by watching the flight of paper airplanes, constructed from the team photo poster that was handed out, than the product on the field.

That experience is deeply imbedded and may be part of my perceived “tolerance for mediocrity”. However, I am not oblivious to mediocrity being as difficult to overcome, as sheer badness. Teams who are chronically bad, are thought of as poorly run, but the midland teams are not spared as they are reportedly in “purgatory”. Actually the comparison between the two results is the basis for the article. Why should teams who continue to be bad, be rewarded more than those who continue to be mediocre?

Being bad each year makes the Browns, Jets, and Cardinals the beneficiary of their choice of players entering the NFL out of college. But it hasn’t resulted in changing their stars. You might think that gaining that first overall pick is the ticket to righting the ship, but there is not a lot of evidence to prove this, unless you are a Colts fan. One pick atop the draft, did change our stars. Since Peyton, there have been two number one overall picks who have won a Super Bowl, but only one of them with the team that drafted them and that is Brother Eli. Ironically, his overall record of .500, would make him mediocre in many circles.

If the number one pick has been being wasted on those who most often lose, why not open it to those teams who might actually be a player away from contention? I’d be happy to see the narrative of feeling like you need to lose more to become good, just go away. I’ve sat through 1 – 15, 2 – 14, and multiple 3 – 13 seasons and before it worked out with Manning, there were many failed attempts to right the ship.

Tanking exists, although in football you would be hard pressed to find a player or coach who wasn’t trying to win. It is also hard to justify that it happens, when you see a team that would benefit from losing, still win late season games. I can’t find evidence of tanking working in the NFL. In my opinion, fans and media are far more concerned with how a team’s results affect their draft status, than anyone associated with the team. It wasn’t Jim Irsay who coined “Suck for Luck”.

I can point to MLB’s Astros and Cubs as examples of it working, but there are more examples of bad teams remaining bad. In the NBA, the 76ers even gave it a name, they called it “The Process”. Very few players are left from that process and it has been a failed experiment. Now, did Cleveland lay down to land their local hero? With the statute of limitations behind them and a couple of Gin and Tonics in there system, you might get someone who was in the room to admit that it was discussed and that it happened. OKC, like Golden State before them, have built championship level teams through the draft, but only Holmgren as a #2 could be considered a prize for laying down.

Currently, only the NBA does not give the first pick in the draft to the team with the worst record. Instead of having a system which allows the team with the worst record to automatically get the first pick, they tried making it no guarantee by just giving that team a better chance than most. This doesn’t fix anything as they are still assured of a top pick, if they lose enough games.

I’m in an old baseball league that plays a board game called APBA. It’s a keeper league that drafts the rookies each year and laying down was a problem. We had a couple of members who would not deny the fact that they intended to lose and “Win 100, or Lose 100” was the mind set. If you ask those members if a weighted lottery would work, they would tell you that they were still going to lose to get the most chances at the best pick. Keep in mind, we don’t have fans to keep happy or checks to write.

I proposed something that we have been using pretty successfully for going on 15 years now. I asked a couple of the 100 or bust members, “At what number of the draft would you decide that laying down was not worth it? We came up with the seventh pick, so we adopted that the first six picks in our draft would be a true lottery. All 16 non playoffs teams would have a 1/16 chance to get the first pick. You’d have a 1/15 for the 2nd pick and so on. After the first six slots are established by lottery, the rest of the teams are slotted by record, worst to best.

It works for us and I think that if it was presented to any league, they would find the merits. It would bring some more strategy into giving up 1st round draft picks, if you did not have some idea on whether it would be a top pick or not? It would not involve playoff teams, so you could still count on them to pick later, but for a not playoff team, trading a first round choice could be trading away the first pick in the draft. Once the order is set, deals will still be made to move up or down, depending on your situation.

The lottery could be well timed to steal focus from other sports, or could simply be completed at the owners meetings. Imagine 16 of the most powerful figures in the nation, taking turns sticking their hand in a Crown Royal bag, and pulling out a poker chip with a name on it. I got a case of beer from one of our members for pulling his pick two years ago.

So, what do you think? Would owners be receptive? Would it be better or worse than the system that has been in place for as long as any of us can remember? Is tanking a problem and would this suggestion fix it? I’m still a little butt hurt over the Pacers losing out, but that’s for another site.

Good morning, Broncos Country!

Craig Morton, the Broncos’ Ring of Fame quarterback who helped Denver transition from NFL irrelevance to Super Bowl contender in the late 1970s, died May 9, the Broncos announced on Monday.

Morton, drafted by the Cowboys in 1965, joined the Broncos in 1977 and led them to their first playoff appearance, first AFC Championship and first Super Bowl berth that season.

With the help of the Orange Crush defense, Morton secured home playoff wins over two stalwart franchises, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Oakland Raiders, on the way to Super Bowl XII. Morton had even spent several days in the hospital for a hip injury just before the Raiders game, where he led the Broncos

Facing off against his former team, Morton and the Broncos fell short in Super Bowl XII, losing 27-10 behind eight turnovers.

For his performance during that 1977 season, Morton was named the AFC’s Offensive Player of the Year as well as Pro Football Writers of America’s Comeback Player of the Year and Sporting News’ Player of the Year.

As a Bronco, Morton led the team to two division titles and three playoff berths, finishing his career in Denver as the quarterback with the most passing yards (11,895), passing touchdowns (74), pass attempts (1,594) and completions (907) in franchise history at the time. John Elway would shatter those records, but Morton’s 41 regular-season wins remains the third most in franchise history.

In his 18-year career that began with the Cowboys and included a stint with the Giants, Morton threw for 183 touchdowns and 27,908 yards. He was the first quarterback in NFL history to start in two Super Bowls — Super Bowl V with the Cowboys in a losing effort to the Baltimore Colts and of course Super Bowl XII in a losing effor to his former team, 27-10.

Morton’s time in Denver is often overshadowed by the dominance of the Orange Crush defense that was the identity of the franchise in its quest for relevancy, but he was a crucial piece of that rise.

Morton was inducted into the Denver Broncos Ring of Fame in 1988 along with Haven Moses and Jim Turner.

Just before Super Bowl XII and after Denver had toppled the mighty Raiders in the AFC Championship, Moses told the New York Times that Morton was his MVP.

“Craig Morton is unbelievable,” said the 32‐year‐old wide receiver who caught two touchdown passes from Morton in that game and earned the game ball from his teammates. “To me he’s the most valuable player in the National Football League this year.”

The Bears are near the end of Caleb Williams' rookie contract, and soon it will be time to pay him a boatload of money. Before they have to do that, winning a Super Bowl would be a great thing to achieve. The Bears are on a realistic path to that achievement after a successful Year 1 in the new era of Ben Johnson.

In a recent article, Mike Pendleton concludes that the Bears need to strike while the iron is hot before Caleb Williams big payday. Here is what he had to say about the Bears moving forward, heading into the end of Williams's rookie contract:

"Pairing Johnson with Williams was key to the season that the Bears had last year, winning the NFC North division for the first time since 2018, and beating the Green Bay Packers twice last year, including eliminating them from the playoffs.

Chicago understands the urgency to strike big while in the early stages of Williams' career, looking to build the most competitive and talented roster around him while he is still on his rookie deal. Teams that have young quarterbacks have a small window to find the most success before they have to pay the face of their franchise big money, which is where the Bears are approaching in 2026, the last year season for Williams before he's eligible for a lucrative contract extension.

Williams is certainly in line for a massive payday, but for financial reasons, the Bears would most certainly love to capitalize on the highest level of success, winning a Super Bowl sooner rather than later."

The Bears showed in just one season of the Caleb Williams and Ben Johnson experience that they are capable of success. Nearly a play away from an NFC Championship appearance. With Caleb taking another step, there is no reason to believe this team can't reach that destination and much more in 2026.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: Chicago Bears are gunning for it all in 2026 with good financial setup

Saracens' teenage star Noah Caluori believes he is now ready for the step up to international rugby after a stunning breakthrough season.

The 19-year-old has scored 18 tries in the Prem this campaign, just two short of Sam Simmonds' regular-season record from 2021.

Caluori trained with Steve Borthwick's senior squad before the autumn internationals and is now targeting a Test debut this summer.

"I feel like now is a good time [to play international rugby]," he told the BBC Rugby Union Weekly podcast.

"I feel like I would back myself if I got put into that environment, if I got put into the team. I would be happy to go on the [summer] tour."

• Caluori aims for England debut inside six months - then greatness
• Caluori-led rampant Saracens annihilate sorry Sale

Caluori was catapulted into the spotlight after scoring five tries against Sale on his full Saracens debut in October, earning an immediate call-up to Borthwick's autumn squad and an appearance for England 'A' in November.

However Caluori was not involved in the Six Nations, instead featuring for England Under-20s, and admits playing full international rugby at that point may have come too soon.

On 4 July, England face South Africa in Johannesburg before playing Fiji in an 'away' fixture at Everton's Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool a week later. They then travel to the small Argentine city of Santiago del Estero to face the Pumas on 18 July.

"Maybe the autumn or the Six Nations would have been a bit of a rush," Caluori said.

"But I feel like I got handled well during the autumn and the Six Nations, putting me into England 'A' to experience that level as well as enjoying my time with the Under-20s, and going on a bit of a physical development plan was good.

"If I were to play [for England] earlier this year it would have been a rush, but now is a good time, especially experiencing this run-in with everything on the line for Saracens. It shows how [critical] every result is, and that's similar to a Test match game.

"I've had some comms [with Steve Borthwick], we've had a chat, and I'm just focused on playing my best rugby from now until the end of the season."

After scoring five tries in the home fixture against Sale, Caluori repeated the feat against them last month, and says he is coming to terms with being one of the most talked-about players in the league.

"I feel like the most pressure that will come on me is maybe internalised pressure," he added.

"And I've dealt with that pretty well and then spoken to people to help me with it, so I can just focus on being the best team-mate and the best person on the pitch I can be.

"But I feel like I'm handling everything pretty well. I'm trying to enjoy it."

Athletes moving into streaming is no longer a side story. It is becoming part of the way they speak directly to their audience.

UFC stars Max Holloway and Renato Moicano, for instance, are active in that space, while Arman Tsarukyan has appeared on major influencer streams. Boxing champion Ryan Garcia has also embraced live streaming.

Basketball is moving the same way. Jaylen Brown and Scottie Barnes are among the NBA names already using streams to show personality and control their own message.

That wider shift gives Carmelo Anthony’s latest view extra weight, as the former 10-time NBA All-Star believes streams should replace post-match press conferences altogether.

Carmelo Anthony says streaming is the new press conference

Speaking on “7PM in Brooklyn”, Melo made the case that players no longer need to hand their immediate reaction to traditional media settings.

He said: “Why give a press conference to a company? When I’m my own IP, I can go, do my own press conference. Streaming is a new press conference.

“Right, nobody wanna sit in a room and answer questions on five, six, seven reporters. They wanna get to the nitty gritty of it and face it face to face with your followers and the people who’s actually watching. They are the ones who really wanna ask the real questions.”

Replacing press conferences with streams still carries obvious risks

The idea is modern, but it is not simple. Press conferences are controlled environments, usually shaped by PR staff, team rules and league expectations.

Streams remove much of that structure. Players can sound more relaxed, but that comfort can create headlines, as Brown recently showed with remarks about Joel Embiid and NBA officiating.

There is also a commercial issue. Press conferences form part of the media ecosystem that broadcasters pay heavily to access, especially when live rights depend on player availability.

Read more:

LSU football has finished spring practice, and the wait for Week 1 begins. Summer doesn’t bring too much big-time news in terms of the Tigers who will take the field this fall, but it is the most important period for recruiting. The spring and summer are when many recruits narrow down their schools of interest, and given this year’s Tiger team and its lack of young depth at several positions, LSU needs to be on many of those recruits’ short lists.

Here are the three most important positions for LSU football to target in the 2027 recruiting class:

Offensive Line

LSU’s offensive line is the clear-cut most important position on this list. The only player in the Tigers’ projected starting five with any chance of staying in Baton Rouge after this upcoming season is right tackle Weston Davis, who is heading into a “prove-it” year after a mostly-poor stretch of play in 2025.

There’s some young depth along the line, with sophomore guard Devin Harper, redshirt freshman guard Solomon Thomas, redshirt sophomore center William Satterwhite II, redshirt freshman tackle Derrin Strey, and true freshman tackle Brysten Martinez. However, even with those potential building blocks, bringing in some top-ranked recruits along the line will be key to turning the position from a question mark into a strength in the future.

Edge Rusher

Kiffin and his staff did a quality job signing talent at edge rusher this offseason, bringing in the No. 1 player at the position, Princewill Umanmielen, and former five-star Jordan Ross. However, Umanmielen is out of eligibility after this season, and Ross is a junior who did not play to his potential during his time at Tennessee.

The Tigers signed the No. 1 player in the country this offseason, Lamar Brown, who will play defensive end under Blake Baker. Brown played more three-technique in high school but is expected to transition smoothly into his new role. They also signed four-star Trenton Henderson, who beefed up considerably this offseason and will hopefully make an impact in the fall.

Beyond those three future pieces, things become more concerning. Redshirt sophomore Jaylen Brown signed with the Tigers out of South Carolina, but he struggled to see the field in Columbia, and it’s hard to see him developing into a high-level starter. There’s also the oft-injured Gabriel Reliford, who had a strong start to the 2025 season before tearing his rotator cuff in Week 4. Reliford was expected to be an impact player this upcoming season, but he tore his ACL in LSU's second spring practice, raising questions about his availability this upcoming year. Given Reliford’s injury history, it’s hard to trust him to become a high-level starter in 2027.

LSU has already secured a commitment from one high-level recruit at this position this offseason, South Carolina native Jaiden Bryant. Bryant is the No. 4 edge rusher in the 2027 class, but if LSU could add some more talent behind him, it would pay dividends.

Cornerback

This is the most concerning position group on LSU’s roster heading into the season. After sophomore cornerback Aidan Anding tore his Achilles this spring, depth at the position is paper-thin.

During a recent press conference, Lane Kiffin was asked for his thoughts on the depth at the position after Anding's injury, and his response didn’t exactly inspire confidence.

“Some guys did some decent things, but nobody stepped up to make you feel great in that,” Kiffin said. “We’ve got a lot of work to do [there].”

The starting two at the position, DJ Pickett and PJ Woodland, have the potential to be one of the best starting cornerback tandems in the country. Both have remaining eligibility beyond this year, but if Woodland has the type of season many expect from him, he could easily decide to forgo that final year of eligibility and enter the draft.

The players behind Pickett and Woodland have potential, despite Kiffin’s concerns. Ja’Keem Jackson is a former top-50 recruit and is entering his second season under cornerbacks coach Corey Raymond. The Tigers’ latest recruiting class also includes four-star cornerbacks Havon Finney Jr. and Dez Ellis, so there’s a chance one or both could develop into starters down the road. However, it would be helpful to have a top-notch recruit or two come in and challenge for a starting spot next season.

There's no way to know how a recruit might develop once they reach the SEC, but LSU could really use some more bites at the apple to ensure a future at the position.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Three key needs for LSU football's 2027 recruiting class

IPL 2026 Playoff Qualification Rules

The tournament features 10 teams split into two groups of five each. Every team plays 14 matches during the league stage. You face the four teams in your own group and one team from the opposite group twice. The remaining four teams from the other group you meet just once.

IPL Points System

• Win = 2 points
• No result = 1 point
• Loss = 0 points

Playoff Qualification for the IPL

The top four teams advance to the playoffs. If teams finish level on points, here's how positions are decided:

• Most wins takes priority
• If wins are equal, higher net run rate decides
• If NRR is also identical, team with most wickets taken gets preference
• If everything remains tied, drawing lots settles it

Playoff Qualification Scenarios for Teams in IPL 2026

Points Table Qualification Trends

Based on how previous seasons have played out, here's what teams typically need to make the playoffs:

16 Points (8 Wins):

• Pretty much a guaranteed playoff spot
• Teams reaching this mark rarely miss out
• Puts you in strong position.

14 Points (7 Wins):

• Gives you a decent shot at qualification
• Not guaranteed though - depends heavily on your net run rate
• Other results around you also matter
• Usually enough but can go either way

12 Points (6 Wins):

• Very difficult to qualify with just six wins
• Only happens in exceptional circumstances
• Would need several other teams to underperform badly
• Net run rate becomes absolutely crucial
• Historically, teams with 12 points have mostly missed out

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How will the play-offs fixture be determined?

Once the league stage wraps up, the top four teams from the points table move into the playoffs. Their positions are decided purely by points with net run rate acting in as the tiebreaker when needed.

The format gives a massive advantage to teams finishing in the top two spots. The first and second placed teams face each other in Qualifier 1, where the winner books a direct ticket to the final. Meanwhile, the third and fourth placed teams battle it out in the Eliminator, and whoever loses goes home immediately

The Eliminator winner then takes on the Qualifier 1 loser in Qualifier 2 to decide who joins the first finalist. This setup heavily rewards teams finishing in the top two because they get a second life if they lose their first playoff match. The stats back this up too, with six of the last eight IPL champions coming from the top two positions after the league stage. 

When are the IPL 2026 play-offs?

• Qualifier 1 –May 26, Dharamshala
• Eliminator –  May 27, New Chandigarh
• Qualifier 2 – May 29, New Chandigarh
• Final – May 31, Ahmedabad

Hansi Flick’s project at FC Barcelona has reached lasting stability. At the press conference ahead of the league clash against Alavés, the German coach officially confirmed his contract renewal with the Blaugrana club until June 30, 2028, with the option to extend the deal by one more year.

Flick, with the natural ease that defines him, joked about the announcement before expressing his satisfaction. "I’m very grateful to the club for this opportunity. Over the past few days, it has become clear to me that I’m in the right place," said the coach, who arrived in Barcelona with the challenge of restoring the team’s competitiveness.

The contract extension comes at a time of complete harmony between the board, the dressing room, and the stands. The commitment to La Masia’s young talents and the vertical style implemented by the German have been key factors in Joan Laporta speeding up talks over his long-term continuity.

The goal: the Champions League

Beyond the signing, the coach is not hiding his sporting ambition. After laying the team’s foundations, Flick is already setting his sights on Europe’s top prize: "Now it’s time to keep winning and try to win the Champions League again," he told the media.

This renewal sends a message of calm and confidence to the Barcelona camp. With his future secured until 2028, Hansi Flick now has full backing to continue building a Barça capable of dominating European football once again.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

The Cleveland Browns just finished their 2026 rookie minicamp over the weekend. This consisted of all drafted players, undrafted rookie free agents, first-year players, and some tryout guys.

It is also the first year for new head coach Todd Monken and the majority of his coaching staff. The minicamp was held from May 8–10 in Berea at the CrossCountry Mortgage Campus.

RELATED: LIST OF ROOKIE TRAINING CAMP ATTENDEES

The effort was good each day, but as expected, there were plenty of mistakes. Being called offside seemed to be a popular occurrence all weekend. So was going right when the play called went left. Keep in mind, every player was in shorts with no pads.

A total of 53 athletes participated: 10 draft picks, 6 reserve/futures guys, 12 undrafted rookies, and 25 tryout players looking to secure a training camp contract. Each May, this minicamp will include a few guys who aren’t technically rookies but have been extended an invitation to participate. Call them first-year veterans who have inked the reserve contracts.

Before any of the players arrived in Berea, the coaching staff had held virtual meetings with the players in order to introduce them to parts of the install. This was considered early prep work, so that much of the terminology doesn’t have to be explained on the practice field, which allowed more live practice time.

All in all, the entire weekend had a training camp feel when in reality the majority of players who showed up and participated will be their only indoctrination to Browns football and will be seeking employment elsewhere soon.

The weekend featured meetings and installs and had some real competition during 7-on-7 and 11-on-11 drills on the field, which was utilized to apply what the athletes had been shown already in order to see who has picked it up and who is struggling to learn.    

Each of the three days, the Browns began with morning meetings and then strolled out to the practice field for a walkthrough before the session evolved into the live practice.

Although every player gets a look and is involved, the rookie minicamp is essentially about the recent draft class. Despite not being signed, WR KC Concepcion and S Emmanual McNeil-Warren still showed up and participated.

The entire minicamp is supposed to become an orientation for what’s to come in training camp. These new guys are introduced to what an NFL team does, and bring a new level to the game of football.

The rookies who have already inked their deals will begin offseason conditioning beginning next week and then on May 19, be involved in the first organized team activity practice.

In 11-on-11 drills, OT Spencer Fano was lined up at left tackle while third-rounder Austin Barber was installed at right tackle. Parker Brailsford took the center snaps. Both Concepcion and Denzel Boston were lined up as outside receivers with Taylen Green and tryout player Bryson Barnes (Utah State) at the quarterback position. The majority of the slot receiver reps were either Aaron Anderson (5’-8”, 198 pounds) or Jaelon Reagor (5’-10”, 203 pounds). Both are tryout guys.

Both Joe Royer and Carsen Ryan saw significant snaps at tight end, along with tryout player Jyrin Johnson from Bowling Green.

During training camp, Cleveland will have four quarterbacks and will need a bunch of receivers. At least 15 to service all four signal-callers. Along with the two drafted receivers, the team signed one undrafted rookie free agent in Kole Wilson (5’-7”, 177 pounds) out of Baylor and three tryout receivers. Tylan Wallace was signed in free agency, and despite being viewed more as a return guy, will go into the receiver room until camp breaks. There are eight more receivers currently under contract.

Analysis

Green was drafted as an excellent runner, a head-turning athlete with poor accuracy. But in minicamp, he was hitting small windows in the 11-on-11s. He also showed some high-level processing and the ability to go through with more than one progression. Yes, he ran quite a bit and showcased those skills, especially on a good run on a keeper. He did have some issues with check-downs and will need to tighten the speed of his release.

Concepcion and Boston are different style receivers, but they look really good. They will instantly improve the Browns’ passing game. Another receiver who showed out was the tryout guy, Anderson. He has clean routes with elite footwork.

Fano, Brailsford, and Barber all showed promise, but they also got some indoctrination of the speed of the game at this level. Their true test will come once the veterans show up, who all have another gear.

RB Davon Booth, an undrafted rookie free agent, showed good moves and caught several short passes out of the backfield. He caught a really nice ball from Green running full speed down the sideline. The Browns brought back Ahmani Marshall, and he played quite a bit, showing the ability to find gaps. He seems to be able to process this new offense better than most that were inserted.  

S McNeil-Warren and drafted LB Justin Jefferson should provide good depth in their first year, with plenty of defensive snaps once live games begin. For now, they were active in all drills and showed good athletic ability. Both seem to want to be pushed. McNeil-Warren is a beast. Another safety that looked good and had a couple of batted balls was Zion Washington (6’-1”, 208 pounds) from Boise State.

Keep in mind, it’s just May. Nobody is hitting each other, and it’s going to be an eye-opener for players such as these newly drafted offensive linemen who haven’t tried to block Myles Garrett yet.

The weekend rookie minicamp was to give these younger players an introduction to not only the league, but to the Browns’ way of doing things.  

The 2026 NFL schedule release is set for May 14. The formal offseason program wraps up with a mandatory minicamp from June 9 through 11.   

Is it too early? Yes. Does that matter for MVP consideration? No. Bleacher Report stepped up to the plate last week, naming Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray as a fringe contender for the NFL’s 2026 MVP award.

Murray’s first Vikings season now has a national longshot attached.

Murray signed with the Vikings in March, fresh off seven years with the Arizona Cardinals. His next chapter evidently already comes with possible MVP sizzle.

Vikings’ Passing Game Gives Murray an MVP Opening

Quite the prediction for Murray.

BR: Murray an Honorable Mention for MVP Candidates in 2026

BR’s Moe Moton sized up seven players who could snag the honor for the first time, and Murray got some love. Moton wrote, “Despite Kyler Murray’s recent struggles on the field and with injuries, he’s a talented two-time Pro Bowler who could be one of the league’s best in the right situation. Still in his prime, the 28-year-old could benefit from a change of scenery.”

“With the Minnesota Vikings, Murray will play with two-time All-Pro wideout Justin Jefferson, a solid No. 2 receiver in Jordan Addison and reliable pass-catching tight end T.J. Hockenson. Moreover, head coach Kevin O’Connell has fielded a top-six passing offense in three of the previous four years. Murray could flourish with the Vikings’ supporting cast on a team that competes for the No. 1 seed in the NFC.”

Murray currently has +7500 odds to win the award, sandwiched between Jaxson Dart (+7000, NYG) and Cam Ward (+8,000, TEN).

What Murray Must Do to Win MVP

Realistically speaking, it’s a longshot for Murray to win the 2026 MVP award; no one quite knows if he’ll cleanly resonate in the Vikings’ offense, though fans are, of course, dreaming big.

For starters, Minnesota will need a winning record, plus a playoff appearance. In 2025, the club clawed its way to an “ugly” 9-8 record after a 4-8 start, missing the postseason and NFC North crown by one win, believe it or not. So, out of the gate for MVP contendership, Murray must take Minnesota to the postseason.

Winning in the playoffs does not matter for the MVP trophy; voters select the winner before postseason wins and losses. Statistically, Murray will probably have to deliver a stat line in this neighborhood:

• 3,800+ Passing Yards
• 35+ Total Touchdowns
• 15 or Fewer Interceptions
• A Team Record of 12-5 or Better

Vikings’ MVP History

The last guy to win an MVP for the Vikings? Adrian Peterson in 2012 — the last non-quarterback to bring home the league’s top individual hardware. Peterson singlehandedly took Minnesota to the postseason that year, just missing Eric Dickerson’s single-season rushing record and doing all his damage one season removed from a torn ACL. Peterson also made headlines this week when the Vikings surprised with his inclusion in U.S. Bank Stadium’s Ring of Honor. He’ll be formally inducted alongside 28 other Vikings legends at a home game in 2026.

Before Peterson, quarterback Fran Tarkenton won the award in 1975, and defensive tackle Alan Page started the party for Minnesota in 1971 — back in an era when the NFL entertained MVPs for defensive players.

Ironically, no player from the Cardinals, Murray’s former team, has ever won the award.

The First-Time Other Candidates in 2026

Moton revealed his full list, including these names in addition to Murray:

• Christian McCaffrey (RB, 49ers)
• Dak Prescott (QB, Cowboys)
• Caleb Williams (QB, Bears)
• Drake Maye (QB, Patriots)
• Justin Herbert (QB, Chargers)
• Joe Burrow (QB, Bengals)

Moton deemed the Burrow as the frontrunner from his first-time criteria, explaining, “He possesses MVP-caliber talent and has the supporting cast to rack up big numbers. In 2025, he led the league with 4,918 passing yards and 43 touchdown passes. Over the past several years, Burrow has built a strong rapport with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. In 2024, the former won the receiving triple crown, and the latter recorded double-digit touchdown receptions in the last two seasons.”

“Burrow’s MVP case comes down to two factors: staying healthy and the Bengals winning more games. In three out of six seasons, the 29-year-old has missed at least six outings. Cincinnati hasn’t qualified for the playoffs since the 2022 campaign. According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, some believe Burrow’s future with the Bengals could be uncertain following another disappointing season. This team may play with more urgency in a make-or-break campaign.”

Two other Vikings players have MVP odds: quarterback J.J. McCarthy at +25,000 and wide receiver Justin Jefferson at +40,000. Jefferson’s odds are similar to rolling double sixes on a dice twice in a row.

Following their 2-0 loss to FC Barcelona over the weekend, Real Madrid returned to training today with still three games left to be played in the season.

There is nothing left to play for, for Alvaro Arbeloa & co., but they will hope to end the campaign on a strong note while some players will want to build form and momentum heading into the summer’s 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Dani Carvajal back in group training

And, according to MARCA, Dani Carvajal is back. The Real Madrid captain returned to full group training during the team’s training session today ahead of their match against Oviedo at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spanish full-back, who suffered a fracture to the distal phalanx of the little toe on his right foot, is doing everything possible to recover as early as possible.

Back in training. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

The 34-year-old captain’s aim is to return in time for Real Madrid’s final home league match of the season against Athletic Club so that he can say goodbye properly to the supporters who have backed him for more than 13 years.

Carvajal, who first arrived at Real Madrid’s academy setup 22 years ago, picked up the injury during training at Valdebebas ahead of the match against Espanyol. At the time, the club estimated a recovery period of around two weeks.

That timetable would allow him to return in time for the home match against Athletic Club at the Bernabeu on the weekend of 23 May, or at least that is the player’s intention.

Carvajal’s contract expires on 30 June and will be on the move, with no extension being offered. In fact, Real Madrid are already planning a farewell tribute for their captain, who has only featured in 20 matches this season.

Like a number of Premiership clubs, we are facing a pretty big rebuild over the close season.

Several loan players will return to their parent clubs, while some of our standout performers will inevitably attract interest elsewhere.

There are also a handful of players nearing the end of their contracts who, for one reason or another, are unlikely to stay on.

However, Saturday's 3-1 home defeat to Hibernian again highlighted that bringing in a centre-half must be high on John McGlynn's list of priorities for next season.

Conceding from set-pieces continues to plague us, a flaw that dates all the way back to our League 1 days. It remains a glaring weakness and was exposed again early in Saturday's loss.

We found ourselves behind almost immediately when conceding a cheap goal from a corner, leaving us with a mountain to climb and, ultimately, seeing our European hopes go up in smoke.

While they are a rare breed in today's game, we're in need of a proper old-school leader beside Liam Henderson - someone capable of organising the backline and bringing the aggression needed to deal with this ongoing issue from set-pieces.

Given the level of detail McGlynn puts into his work, you would imagine he is already exploring ways to solve this problem, but hopefully it is near the top of his summer shopping list.

Happy Tuesday, Red Sox Nation. The Red Sox start a three-game series with the Philadelphia Phillies today. It marks the fifth National League opponent the Red Sox have played over the first month of the season. The balanced schedule has been around for a few years now, with fewer divisional games and everyone playing everyone, but it still doesn’t feel quite right to me. So, I’m wondering, how do you feel about the balanced schedule? Do you wish we still played Baltimore 19 times, or whatever it was?

Talk about whatever you want, and be good to one another.

Five-star offensive tackle Mark Matthews will announce his commitment on Friday, per Rivals’ Hayes Fawcett. The South Florida native will choose between LSU, Miami, Texas A&M, and Georgia.

Matthews is the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2027 class on both 247Sports and Rivals. Rivals’ recruiting prediction machine gives Texas A&M a 95.4% chance of landing the 6-6, 300-pound offensive tackle, while 247Sports leans toward Miami.

247Sports’ player comparison for Matthews is former Iowa offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs. Here’s what their scouting director, Andrew Ivins, has to say about Matthews as a prospect:

“Athletic offensive tackle with the quickness and mobility to eventually man the hot corner at the game’s highest levels… Still far from a complete product after starting prep career off as a defensive lineman, but has put extremely encouraging stretches on tape while facing stiff competition… Likely to face an initial adjustment period, but projects as a multi-year starter for a College Football Playoff contender with early-round of the NFL Draft upside,” Ivins wrote.

LSU’s chances of landing the top recruit don’t look great based on Rivals and 247Sports’ predictions, but you never know. Given how Lane Kiffin was able to leverage LSU’s funding during the transfer portal window, it’s hard to count the Tigers out.

This article originally appeared on LSU Wire: Elite LSU football recruit reveals commitment date

Former F1 team boss Guenther Steiner has suggested that Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson finds himself in too many incidents.

Lawson had to retire from the Miami Grand Prix over the weekend because of a gearbox issue. The mechanical problem also played a part in an accident with Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.

The New Zealander lost drive as Gasly attacked him around the outside at the final corner, resulting in a collision that flipped the Alpine onto the barriers. Neither driver was hurt, and stewards decided not to penalise Lawson after looking into it, noting the circumstances were out of his control.

Guenther Steiner questions how often Liam Lawson avoids trouble

Speaking on the Red Flags podcast, Steiner admitted that there wasn’t much Lawson could do in this particular case, saying it was just “bad luck”.

When one of the hosts asked, ‘Why is it always him?’, the former Haas boss responded: “I was thinking the same. At some stage, when something happens, you shouldn’t be involved in it!”

Earlier in the race, Lawson had also come under scrutiny for an incident with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. The two went off track while battling for position at turn 11, and despite both drivers leaving the circuit, Racing Bulls instructed Lawson to give up the spot.

This year’s Miami race marked his first DNF of 2026. Last season he retired five times, with four of those due to damage.

Pundits have been quick to point out a pattern. Christijan Albers remarked: “There is always something going on with Lawson.”

Where Liam Lawson stands with penalty points

Liam Lawson has three penalty points so far this season, placing him joint-sixth among the 22 drivers. That’s a quarter of the way to a race ban, but it’s not something he needs to worry about just yet.

Oliver Bearman leads the list with 10 penalty points, followed by Lance Stroll on six and championship leader Kimi Antonelli on five. Oscar Piastri and Carlos Sainz are both sitting on four.

After the Gasly crash, Martin Brundle came to Lawson’s defence, pointing out that the visual impact of the Alpine flipping made it seem worse than it really was.

Lawson also received backing from David Coulthard for how he raced Verstappen. Despite their team connections, Coulthard highlighted that Lawson is ‘fighting for his career’ and appreciated his aggressive approach given the circumstances.

Read more:

Paris Saint-Germain has officially announced that the Parc des Princes will once again become the epicenter of Parisian passion. The club will install giant screens so that its fans can follow the UEFA Champions League final live next Saturday, May 30.

After last season’s success, the club is looking to recreate an experience that is already part of its collective memory. The aim is to reproduce the atmosphere of great European nights, allowing thousands of supporters to thrill together in their own stadium, even though the team will be playing away from home.

The event will not be limited to just broadcasting the match. PSG has confirmed a special program that will include top-level musical and artistic performances. With this, the club hopes to strengthen the bond between the team and its fan base at what they describe as a historic moment.

This initiative comes in response to the team’s qualification for its second consecutive continental final. The board wants to offer a unique alternative for those who cannot travel, ensuring exceptional conditions of safety and entertainment in an iconic venue.

Details about ticket sales, schedules, and logistics will be announced this Thursday. A full house is expected in the stands of the Parisian stronghold to push the team toward its first title in Europe’s top competition.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

English winger Jonathan Rowe paid tribute to Diego Armando Maradona after scoring the winning goal for Bologna in an away game at Napoli on Monday, taking a picture with the legend’s statue.

Bologna defeated Napoli 3-2 on Monday, with Rowe scoring the winning goal in stoppage time with a fantastic volley.

The English winger, 23, is in his first season at Bologna and has scored eight goals in 42 appearances across all competitions this term.

The ex-Marseille and Norwich starlet celebrated his latest goal with an Instagram picture near the Diego Armando Maradona statue, located in the tunnel of the Napoli stadium, named after their legend.

Rowe’s picture with Maradona’s statue after Napoli 2-3 Bologna

Jonathan Rowe picture with Diego Armando Maradona’s statue (via Instagram).

Rowe initially struggled to get playing time under Bologna coach Vincenzo Italiano, but has become a regular starter at the Stadio Dall’Ara in the second half of the campaign.

“It wasn’t immediate to understand your football, and the coach took a bit longer to integrate me into the team in the best possible way,” Rowe said in an interview in April.

“I’m not sure why, maybe he saw something I hadn’t seen. But I kept working hard to earn my place. As wingers, we’re often substituted, so we have to be decisive as quickly as possible. The coach and I are starting to understand each other much better; time helps build chemistry and a good relationship.”

FC Barcelona are still waiting for Robert Lewandowski’s final response to the club’s offer of a one-year contract extension with a reduced salary.

The Polish striker’s agent, Pini Zahavi, is currently in the Catalan capital as discussions continue and the player is weighing up the various proposals now on the table.

Porto emerge as an option

Now, though, according to reports in Portugal, as relayed by SPORT, FC Porto are prepared to offer Lewandowski a one-year contract to replace former Barcelona forward Luuk de Jong.

The Portuguese club have already begun working behind the scenes to convince the 37-year-old striker.

Porto are hoping to unite Lewandowski with one of Poland’s brightest young talents, winger Oskar Pietuszewski, who is regarded as one of the country’s great hopes for the future. Lewandowski would effectively act as a mentor figure within the project.

Porto’s squad also already includes Polish internationals Jan Bednarek and Jakub Kiwior, both of whom are said to be encouraging the veteran to join the club and become the team’s undisputed first-choice striker for the season ahead.

Financially, Porto’s proposal would reportedly be below some of the other offers available to him, but the project would offer him the chance to play alongside several compatriots while competing in the Champions League at the highest possible level.

Lewandowski to Porto? (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Porto are on course to win the Portuguese league comfortably this season, finishing well ahead of Jose Mourinho’s Benfica.

Lewandowski’s options

Lewandowski is still considering Barcelona’s reduced renewal proposal, while AC Milan and Juventus also remain interested in bringing him to Serie A.

Even so, the offer that appears most attractive from both a sporting and financial perspective could be the one from Chicago Fire, who are keen to make him the marquee star of their MLS franchise.

Clubs from Saudi Arabia have also made enquiries and continue pushing hard for his signature.

The Pole still has doubts about a departure because both he and his family are extremely happy in Barcelona, and all signs suggest his close friend Wojciech Szczesny will remain at the club for at least another season.

Lewandowski, who has 18 goals and four assists this term, also wants to speak directly with Hansi Flick to better understand what his future role in the team would be, as he still feels capable of fighting for a starting place.

Luka Doncic's season for Lakers had the most ironic ending originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The Los Angeles Lakers had a player from the Luka Doncic trade on the court in crunch time as they tried to prolong their season against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

The problem is that it wasn't Luka. It was Maxi Kleber, seemingly in the game out of nowhere to set a screen. In the end, L.A. didn't have enough, OKC completed its sweep, and Doncic ended the campaign in street clothes.

The layers of irony were stacked upon each other as this season came for an end for Luka, with Kleber serving a bit as the ironic cherry on top.

Doncic's health is the big thing, of course. He appeared on the cover of Men's Health magazine in the offseason. 

After being shockingly traded by the Dallas Mavericks, Doncic seemed motivated to get his body into better shape, and he seemingly did so. That didn't stop the hamstring strain that turned out to have ended his season prematurely.

MORE: LeBron's retirement update involves the media in a repetitive way

It's hard to know whether Doncic's journey of physical improvement had anything to do with his hamstring strain. The reality is that it was probably just bad luck.

There's also the LeBron James layer here. All season long, James learned how to play second fiddle to Doncic. But when the games mattered, Doncic wasn't available, so the King had to put on his crown once again.

All told, it wasn't the season Doncic wanted to have in his first full campaign with the Lakers. Last season was supposed to be about adjustments. This one was supposed to be about dominating.

MORE: Donovan Mitchell never wanted the Knicks, only moments like this

The Lakers couldn't stay healthy at all, though, with James and Doncic and Austin Reaves all missing significant time with injuries even before this sad ending note.

And now there are questions. Lakers head coach JJ Redick basically said in his postgame press conference that he knows they aren't good enough to win a title right now, and that this offseason has to work toward solving that.

Doncic will clearly be the center of whatever the Lakers do in the future. They'll just have to hope it's actually him on the floor when the games matter next season and beyond.

More NBA news:

• Bronny James' future with Lakers has 3 possible outcomes
• Clippers are set up to trade Darius Garland again
• Warriors' Steve Kerr news means it's time to talk about LeBron and Steph
• Anthony Davis is the magic touch for the No. 1 pick
• Jaylen Brown blames the 'media' for a problem he created himself

The three points picked up from Falkirk on Saturday could yet prove to be huge for Hibs' season.

We have to hope Celtic can win at Fir Park on Wednesday night and that Hibs find a way to beat Rangers at Ibrox to set up a shootout for fourth on Saturday.

My head tells me such a scenario is unlikely. The football gods have been incredibly unkind to Hibs this season, so we're maybe due some good fortune.

I was so happy for Josh Campbell to get his goals at the weekend. He has a real aptitude for timing those runs into the box and popping up with important goals.

Josh has struggled for game-time and I think he sometimes suffers from being asked to play when we need a midfielder to chase down opponents and run all day, but when he's given the opportunity and remit to get in the box, he's a real threat.

With Jamie McGrath still suspended, Campbell has the chance to make sure he's starting against Motherwell if he can back up Saturday's performance with a similar impact against Rangers.

I've no idea how the game at Ibrox will go, Rangers' season is done but they'll want to bow out with a win in their final home match.

Hibs can't be distracted by what's going on there. With a job to do I'm sure David Gray will have the team focused on the task in hand.

Hopefully things go our way and we're in for a thrilling last game of the season on Saturday.

You can find Matty Fairnie at Longbangers podcast

Tottenham Hotspur manager Roberto De Zerbi has insisted that the decision to disallow West Ham United’s goal against Arsenal was ‘200%’ correct.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

It’s not often that a Tottenham Hotspur manager will defend a decision that favours rivals Arsenal, but that’s exactly what Roberto De Zerbi did on Monday night.

De Zerbi had just seen his team scrape a draw at home to Leeds United, and he suggested that both the referee and his team had felt the pressure of the previous day’s game between West Ham and Arsenal.

Yet the manager added that he can’t understand why there was so much focus on the officiating in the Arsenal match, insisting the foul on David Raya was clear.

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

“I think [the referees] were not calm today,” De Zerbi said. “Maybe they suffer the pressure of yesterday, West Ham-Arsenal game. The VAR.

“For sure, we suffer the pressure today. But also, the referee was not calm today.

“I can’t understand the polemic about yesterday’s VAR [decision] because it was a foul, 200%. Not 100%, 200%, if you want to speak about football.”

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

It’s fair to point out that Spurs had a vested interest in the West Ham goal being disallowed, given the Hammers are their direct rivals in the current relegation scrap.

For once, it was probably a good thing for Spurs to see Arsenal winning a game, meaning De Zerbi wasn’t an entirely neutral party in this case.

But there was no necessity to defend the decision after the fact, with West Ham’s points already dropped. No one was going to give the Hammers their disallowed goal back if De Zerbi said VAR made a mistake. So De Zerbi’s comments are likely his genuine opinion on the incident.

Regardless of the reasons why, Spurs certainly saw an opportunity go begging against Leeds on Monday. A win would have put them on the verge of safety, but they now need four points or more from their final two games to guarantee their top-flight status.

Since returning from a cruciate ligament tear in December, Alphonso Davies has struggled to stay consistently fit due to recurring setbacks.

The Canada international suffered another injury blow in FC Bayern München’s 1-1 draw with Paris Saint-Germain last week and is set to miss the rest of the season with a muscle injury in the back of his left thigh.

The injury has jeopardised Davies’ chances of featuring at the World Cup with Canada, whose opener against Bosnia and Herzegovina is exactly one month away – leaving Bayern in an uncomfortable situation.

According to Bild, Bayern believe Davies will need around six weeks to fully recover from the injury.

The Bayern bosses would reportedly prefer him to skip the tournament entirely in order to recover fully, but that scenario is considered unlikely, as Davies is Canada’s captain and wouldn't want to miss the unique opportunity of representing his country at a World Cup at home.

In Canada, however, officials are reportedly expecting a shorter recovery period of four to five weeks, which could still make it possible for Davies to feature at the tournament in the best-case scenario.

However, the shorter the recovery time, the higher the risk of Davies suffering another injury – something that Bayern will obviously be desperate to avoid.

NFL schedule leaks 2026: Tracking rumors, latest news ahead of official release originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

This NFL season, 285 games will be played to determine a Super Bowl champion. While the last 13 will have the most eyes on them, the first 272 are must-see TV.

From the Chiefs' shocking spiral and Bears' surprise division title run to thrilling moments like the Seahawks' unlikely two-point conversion against the Rams or the Ravens' missed field goal in Week 18, the 2025 season brought drama. 2026 promises to do the same, and a record nine international games mean the league is once again going global.

While much of the offseason remains ahead, the schedule release is upon us, and leaks are already underway as the NFL's 2026 slate is pieced together.

The Sporting News is tracking the latest NFL schedule leaks before the full slate is officially released. Follow along below with all of the credible rumors.

MORE:Every NFL team's strength of schedule in 2026

NFL schedule leaks 2026

Week 1

• TBD vs. Seahawks on Wednesday in season opener
• 49ers vs. Rams in Australia on Thursday (announced)
• Cowboys at Giants on "Sunday Night Football" (announced)

Week 2

• Lions at Bills on "Thursday Night Football" (announced)

Week 3

• Ravens vs. Cowboys in Brazil (announced)

Week 4

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Week 11

Week 12

• Eagles vs. Cowboys on Thanksgiving (announced)

Week 13

Week 14

Week 15

Week 16

Week 17

Week 18

NFL games without confirmed week

The NFL will have a record nine international games in 2026, but seven still don't have a confirmed date:

• London: TBD vs. Commanders (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
• London: TBD vs. Jaguars (Tottenham Hotspur Stadium)
• London: TBD vs. Jaguars (Wembley Stadium)
• Paris: TBD vs. Saints (Stade de France)
• Munich: TBD vs. Lions (FC Bayern Munich Stadium)
• Madrid: TBD vs. Dolphins (Santiago Bernabeu Stadium)
• Mexico City: TBD vs. 49ers (Estadio Banorte)

The NFL is also hosting a Week 1 game between the Rams and 49ers in Melbourne, Australia, and a Week 3 game between the Ravens and Cowboys in Rio De Janeiro, Brazil.

The NFL Draft has come and gone. Free agency has died down from a roaring fire to a few glowing embers. The offseason doldrums are upon us.

That means it's time for schedule leaks, some low-key trade rumors that use the vacuum of real news to generate drama and some rest time for the veterans and prospects who will throw themselves back into the fire come August. That doesn't mean it's time to rest, however. Coaches, executives and players still have work to do to either patch the holes that sunk the 2025 season or reinforce the strengths that made last fall a success.

Not all these fixes have the same urgency. The Seattle Seahawks have much different priorities than the Tennessee Titans when it comes to their biggest flaw as the 2026 season approaches. But everyone could use at least a little help.

Thus, I scoured over rosters, 2025 results and advanced stats from Pro Football Reference,NFL Pro and RBSDM.com to find out what concerns from last season could carry over to this one or which new ones could derail Super Bowl hype trains. Let's run down each team's most interesting flaw, in alphabetical order.

Arizona Cardinals: Getting rid of the dang ball

Arizona faced the league's second-lowest blitz rate but fielded its fourth-highest pressure rate thanks to uneven quarterback play (and, trailing throughout the majority of their second halves, the shrug and butt-pat to allow Jacoby Brissett to go out there and try and create some magic). Pass protection is an issue, but so is finding wideouts who can win early and often so whomever is throwing passes in Glendale can get rid of the ball. The Cardinals had one of the league's higher times to throw, and while Trey McBride remains awesome and Michael Wilson bailed out plenty of fantasy seasons last year, additional help is needed.

Atlanta Falcons: Passing game uncertainty

The quarterback room is set and the top two options are an injured Michael Penix Jr. and a diminished Tua Tagovailoa. Not ideal, but workable. The wideout corps, however, has only a single reliable presence to lift that duo. Drake London remains great, but even if Kyle Pitts continues his rise at tight end there are going to be a lot of double-teams thrown London's way.

That means someone from a receiving corps of Jahan Dotson, a returning Olamide Zaccheaus and rookie Zachariah Branch has to step up. This could be a windfall for Bijan Robinson fantasy owners and a headache for Falcons fans, who need someone to elevate their flawed quarterbacks with few reliable receiving options after London.

Baltimore Ravens: Keeping Lamar Jackson out of trouble

2025 was a concerning year for Baltimore's pass protection. The team's 9.6 percent sack rate allowed was one of the worst in the league. Lamar Jackson's absence didn't help, but he posted a career-worst 10.7 percent sack rate when on the field.

As a result, the Ravens' third down conversion rate dipped, what had been the league's most efficient offense fell outside the top 10 and a rebuild took place in the offseason, replacing parts along the offensive line and ushering out the John Harbaugh era.

Buffalo Bills: Wrapping up run plays

The Bills gave up nearly four full yards after contact per carry last season -- last in the NFL and nearly 0.3 full yards more than the 31st place Atlanta Falcons. This was partially a product of backs running through defensive back arm tackles on the outside -- only the Chicago Bears faced more outside runs -- but it played a significant role in what turned out to be the league's second-worst run defense. Modest help has arrived in the form of Bradley Chubb and TJ Parker, but sure-handed, block-shedding tacklers are needed.

Carolina Panthers: Pass rush

Carolina blitzed 27.7 percent of the time and generated pressure on only 26.2 percent of opponent dropbacks, which is the kind of inefficiency that leads you to a nine-game losing streak. That led to a massive contract for edge rusher Jaelan Phillips and a more modest one for off-ball linebacker and useful blitzer Devin Lloyd.

Even with them on board, the pass rushing rotation will lean heavily on 2025 Day 2 draft picks Nic Scourton and Princely Umanmielen making leaps in their sophomore seasons. They have the talent to get there, but the Panthers could use some veteran rotational help to bring proven production to the position.

Chicago Bears: Pass rush

There's room for Caleb Williams to up his game outside of play-action sets, but that's a pretty minor concern. The league's 27th-ranked pass rush, on the other hand, didn't get the boost it hoped from Dayo Odeyingbo and Grady Jarrett last season and then made minimal tweaks to the front four. A revitalized Devin Bush will add occasional help as a blitzer, but if Chicago is going to maximize an injury prone cornerback group it needs to create pressure with its down linemen.

Cincinnati Bengals: Stopping big plays in the secondary

The Bengals had the league's fifth-worst passing defense in terms of EPA in 2025, but this wasn't just a coverage issue. Cincinnati gave up 611 yards after catch over expected (YACOE), 200-plus more yards than the second-worst team in the NFL. Minimal pressure created space for opponents to shake free downfield. Poor angles and missed tackles led to bonus yards that made everything worse.

Cleveland Browns: Quarterback

Cleveland is trying to rehabilitate Deshaun Watson, who has been the league's 41st-best quarterback when on the field for the Browns and missed a wide swath of games due to injury and the 20-plus accusations of sexual misconduct that the league itself deemed "predatory behavior." Behind him are Shedeur Sanders and Dillon Gabriel, 4-9 combined as starters despite a top four defense and the league's 39th and 40th-best quarterbacks in terms of EPA in 2025 out of a field of 40). Just one more year before Watson can reasonably become one of the largest dead salary cap space hits in NFL history.

Dallas Cowboys: Converting pressure into sacks

Dallas' pass rush wasn't as grim as it seemed; the team's 34.7 percent pressure rate was right around league average, as was its blitz rate. But that manifested in only 35 sacks. Now the team heads into 2026 without either Jadeveon Clowney or Osa Odighizuwa, who ranked first and second on the team in total pressures.

Rashan Gary arrived via trade, Quinnen Williams will have a full season with the team and Demarcus Lawrence was one of the franchise's two first round draft picks. They should help keep the pressure rate constant, but it may not matter if they're not better at turning chaos into lost yards.

Denver Broncos: Defensive line depth

Denver is pretty well set on both sides of the ball, but the team's defense regressed after a thrilling 2024, falling from first in EPA allowed to eighth last season. Losing John Franklin-Myers means only one member of the team's three-man front had more than 19 pressures in 2025. While Zach Allen remains a stud and Malcolm Roach and Eyioma Uwazurike remain reliable run stoppers, the Broncos will hope for breakthroughs from recent third round picks Tyler Onyedim and Sai'vion Jones around a 31-year-old D.J. Jones.

Detroit Lions: Offensive line integrity

The Lions once had one of the NFL's most reliable, punishing offensive lines. Time took an ax to that, leaving the group to rely on young replacements (Blake Miller, Christian Mahogany) and questionable veteran imports (Cade Mays, Juice Scruggs, Larry Borom).

Despite an explosive run game, Detroit ranked in the bottom 10 when it came to run play stuff rate and juuuuuust outside the bottom 10 in run game success rate. It also led to a career low in pocket time for Jared Goff, manifesting in the lowest average target distance of his life (6.0 yards downfield, second-lowest in the league ahead of only Aaron Rodgers among full-time starters).

Green Bay Packers: Protecting Jordan Love and clearing space for Josh Jacobs

Green Bay paid a lot of money for Aaron Banks, who underwhelmed his first season as the team's left guard. It's turning left tackle over to Jordan Morgan, a 2024 first round pick who wasn't great as an interior lineman but showed flashes of his Day 1 potential while working on the outside.

2025 second round pick Anthony Belton's rookie season was uneven and frustrating. By those powers combined, the Packers fielded a below-average run game and Jordan Love faced pressure on more than 35 percent of his dropbacks.

Houston Texans: Boosting CJ Stroud with a competent run game

Stroud has never had an above average run game in Houston, but 2025 saw things approach crisis levels with the league's third-worst rushing offense. While Houston generated more than 100 rush yards over expected, it averaged fewer than four yards per carry, showcasing how grim things were behind a rebuilding offensive line. The key to improvement in 2026 will lie with new arrivals Braden Smith and Wyatt Teller (both on the wrong side of 30), first round pick Keylan Rutledge and David Montgomery, who has nearly 1,800 career NFL touches under his belt.

Indianapolis Colts: Receiving depth

Only one team in the league had four players with at least 84 targets last season. That was the Colts, who used a diverse receiving array to help restore Daniel Jones' value. This reduced double teams, helped push Alec Pierce into a new tax bracket and resulted in a 7-1 start (please do not ask what happened next).

Indianapolis has largely opted to keep the band together by re-signing Jones and Pierce, but did so at the expense of losing top target Michael Pittman, who was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers after Pierce's megadeal went through. Can Josh Downs and Tyler Warren command enough focus to keep Pierce flying? Can Nick Westbrook-Ikhine or Deion Burks pick up the slack? And what will it all look like in the space between Jones' recovery from a torn Achilles and whomever gets the call to start for him until he's ready?

Jacksonville Jaguars: Pass rushers who can finish the job

The Jags got off the ball effectively and had an above-average time to pressure average in their AFC South championship campaign, but didn't turn that into devastating losses. Their 4.6 percent sack rate was fourth-lowest in the league.

While the effective duo of Josh Hines-Allen and Travon Walker remain, the useful blitzing of Devin Lloyd is gone and the depth behind that pair is… limited. Consistently crumpling pockets will be a concern unless someone steps up around or behind that Hines-Allen/Walker tandem.

Kansas City Chiefs: Turning deep throws into big gains

Yards after catch are a superboost for quarterbacks. While the Chiefs' 5.8 yards after catch per reception were fourth best in the NFL, their eight yards after catch over expected across the entire season was the worst mark in the NFL.

Patrick Mahomes threw deep more than he had since 2020 but had the most frustrating season of his career because those downfield connections weren't reliable. Even when they were there, they lacked the "explode to the end zone" juice Tyreek Hill once had in this offense.

Las Vegas Raiders: That receiving corps

Fernando Mendoza steps into an offense where his top wideouts, in some combination, will be Tre Tucker, Jalen Nailor, Jack Bech and Dont'e Thornton. The presence of Brock Bowers and a rebuilt offensive interior in front of Ashton Jeanty and rookie Mike Washington Jr. will help. Even so, third-and-long will be remarkably easy for opposing coordinators to plan against if Las Vegas continues to lack reliable targets who can consistently create separation.

Los Angeles Chargers: Creating downfield space for Justin Herbert

This is step two after overhauling the offensive line. Tyler BIadasz and second round pick Jake Slaughter should be solid contributors inside, but the healthy returns of Joe Alt and (hopefully, as patellar tendon injuries truly suck) Rashawn Slater should upgrade a unit that allowed the league's second-worst pressure rate last fall.

That pressure led to quicker throws, wideouts who weren't quite established in their routes and the lowest average separation number (3.2 yards, second-lowest in the NFL) of Justin Herbert's career. We've been waiting for the Pro Bowl quarterback's breakthrough to MVP candidate, only to have it repeatedly derailed. Paving the way won't just be up to his offensive line but the wideouts around him to create space and thrive downfield.

Los Angeles Rams: Gap-penetrating run stuffers

Look, the Rams don't have many weaknesses -- they're favored to win Super Bowl 61 for a reason. But one issue was in the run game, where an 11.9 percent run stuff rate was second-lowest in the NFL.

With only 66 tackles for loss (24th-best) there's room for improvement along a front where Kobie Turner and Braden Fiske are asked to do a little more as pass rushers than other hand-in-the-dirt linemen. Poona Ford remains one of the league's underappreciated gems, but finding someone who can consistently turn first down into second-and-long would be another jewel in Los Angeles' crown.

Miami Dolphins: Receiving (all)

The Dolphins have several problems to address, but the most glaring is the one that threatens to tank Malik Willis' tenure as a Dolphin in his debut season. His top veteran targets, in no particular order, are a combination of Malik Washington, Greg Dulcich, Tutu Atwell, Jalen Tolbert and Terrace Marshall. Rookies Chris Bell, Caleb Douglas and Will Kacmarek can contribute, but Bell is rehabbing a torn ACL and Kacmarek is primarily a blocking tight end. It's gonna be a rough year for the Miami offense.

Minnesota Vikings: Restoring JJ McCarthy's competence

McCarthy was buoyed by a run-heavy attack at Michigan that created space when he aired the ball out. In his rookie season he threw the ball deep more often than his predecessor Sam Darnold, whose average pass went 8.9 yards downfield to McCarthy's 9.3 It was a bold play for a win-now team loaded with receiving talent, and it failed to pan out.

McCarthy was a disaster, had a 3:9 TD:INT ratio when throwing to those talented wideouts split wide and had a 48.9 passer rating on deep throws. He had only 2.1 yards of separation on those deep shots, on average, because he also stunk in the short range; a -0.12 EPA per dropback on low-risk throws that went an average of only 2.1 yards beyond the line of scrimmage. If he can't restore his short game, the Vikings' deep ball has no prayer.

New England Patriots: Getting Drake Maye a gotta-have-it target

Maye's protection wasn't an issue until it was, as his ability to handle pressure declined dramatically in the postseason. Let's assume Will Campbell continues to grow, Alijah Vera-Tucker stays healthy and Caleb Lomu makes an impact as a rookie. That will buy him more time, but he still needs a reliable WR1 who can maximize his potential as a young gunslinger like Stefon Diggs years earlier in Buffalo. Romeo Doubs was a nice addition, but unless he's ready to make a big leap he's more of a high level WR2 than a true top guy.

New Orleans Saints: Clearing space in the run game

New Orleans got an encouraging rookie campaign from Tyler Shough despite a bottom-two run game. The Saints gave Travis Etienne $48 million in contract value to fix that and take some weight from Alvin Kamara's shoulders, but he could be similarly grounded. The team's 0.76 yards before carry per handoff were third-worst in the NFL -- significantly lower than the 2.2 yards before contact he averaged in 2025.

That's concerning, since his two least efficient seasons as a pro came in seasons where the Jaguars failed to consistently clear space for him. Now Kellen Moore's big ticket acquisition could wind up similarly mired in his first season in Louisiana.

New York Giants: Run defense

The Giants will have a fearsome pass rush after pairing Brian Burns with Abdul Carter and now 2026 fifth overall pick Arvell Reese. This may not matter if opponents simply run all over them like they did in 2025. New York's 0.109 EPA per run play allowed was worst in the league and more than twice as bad as 31st-place Buffalo (0.049). Veteran help has arrived (Shelby Harris, DJ Reader, Tremaine Edmunds) but more reinforcements may be needed.

New York Jets: Secondary stability

New York went through a substantial overhaul after Aaron Glenn's ominous debut. A defense that recorded zero interceptions last fall could have as many as eight new starters. That includes a high-ceiling, iffy-floor cornerback duo in Nahshon Wright and rookie D'Angelo Ponds and a safety combination of Andre Cisco (eight games played in 2025) and a soon-to-be 30-year-old Minkah Fitzpatrick (14 games).

Bolstering the depth there would insulate the team from rookie mistakes or veteran drop-offs. Oh, and the quarterback situation is a mess, but you're not gonna do any better than Geno Smith in the middle of the offseason.

Philadelphia Eagles: Keeping Saquon Barkley fresh

That's not just a mileage problem. Barkley and the Eagles offense in general backslid last fall thanks to stale playcalling and an uneven push up front. Philadelphia faced a top five stacked box rate and that helped lead to a top three run stuff rate as Barkley's yards per carry dropped from 5.8 to 4.1 and the team's rushing EPA fell from first in the NFL to 13th. Replacing embattled offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo should help, though new hire Sean Mannion is taking his first gig higher than position coach.

Pittsburgh Steelers: Clearing running lanes

This isn't just a blocking concern; the Steelers had one of the league's lowest yards-before-contact numbers because they had one of the league's highest stacked box (with eight or more defenders near the line of scrimmage) rates. Mike Tomlin was predictable, in part because he had to be with an aging quarterback. Receiving corps upgrades will ease the burden of crowded running lanes, but whomever is slinging passes in Pittsburgh still has to get the ball out in a way that stretches the field and actually threatens defenses. Barring that, it's going to come down to a Herculean effort up front for Mike McCarthy.

San Francisco 49ers: Over-the-top passing defense

The 49ers had one of 2025's lowest pressure rates, in part, because of one of the NFL's lowest blitz rate. It's easy to understand why Kyle Shanahan was reticent to throw extra attackers at the pocket; his safety help stunk. While passer rating isn't a great metric for the position, it's telling that all four of the safeties to start at least one game last fall gave up a rating of 102.4 or worse in coverage. The Niners only pressured Sam Darnold on 16 percent of his dropbacks in a Week 18 showdown for the NFC's top seed, ceding the easiest path to the Super Bowl to a bitter rival.

Seattle Seahawks: Pass rushing depth

The reigning Super Bowl champions used high value draft picks to backfill free agent losses in the secondary and at running back. That left them unable to take big swings when it came to the pass rush, where veteran Dante Fowler is currently the team's top addition. The Seahawks consistently generated chaos without having to blitz, but the player who led the team in pressures is a 34-year-old DeMarcus Lawrence. Boye Mafe and his 41 pressures are now under contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. While talent remains, it's fair to worry about a dropoff from what was an elite, title-winning unit.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A run game that opens up the passing game

The Buccaneers backslid as Baker Mayfield played through injury last fall. A deficient run game didn't help, ranking fourth-worst in rushing yards over expected and third-worst in rushing yards after contact despite roughly average space-clearing up front (14th in yards before contact per carry). Rachaad White is gone, replaced by Kenneth Gainwell -- coming off a career-best season but who still had only 537 rushing yards. Bucky Irving will be called upon to put an injury-marred and inefficient season behind him, but it's clear a more dynamic attack is necessary.

Tennessee Titans: Big beefy boys on the inside (both sides)

Tennessee didn't do anything entirely well last season and responded by hiring Robert Saleh as head coach and signing or drafting what could be 11 new starters on both sides of the ball. Concerns remain about a defense that was fourth-worst in the NFL against the run remain, particularly after dealing away enormous tackle T'Vondre Sweat. While Peter Skononski is lock solid at left guard, the two interior spots next to him are a question mark even after the signings of Austin Schlottmann and Cordell Volson and the drafting of Fernando Carmona and Pat Coogan.

Washington Commanders: The secondary

Washington had the league's second-worst passing defense last season, beaten out, just slightly, by the Dallas Cowboys. This offseason's fixes include safety Nick Cross (gave up more than eight yards per target each of the last two seasons) and Amik Robertson (a 115.7 passer rating allowed in 2025). The hope for improvement rests with recent second-round draft picks Trey Amos and Mike Sainristil, though neither was especially impressive as the Commanders fell back to earth after 2024's breakthrough.

This article originally appeared on For The Win: Biggest NFL weakness for all 32 teams, from Titans' everything to Rams' ?

Kansas Jayhawks News

247 walks Kansas fans through draft experts’ opinions on Darryn Peterson

Kansas baseball blew a big opportunity against West Virginia over the weekend

SI’s Kansas site takes you through where Kansas and their postseason hopes lie after the sweep

Meanwhile, Kansas Softball is in the NCAA Tournament for the first time in quite a while

Links!

The war has no end in sight, and oil prices are back up again

This opinion piece from The Guardian says Republicans would rather self-destruct than distance themselves from Trump. Call me crazy, but I have a hard time seeing any lasting repercussions for them

Politico says Republicans’ gerrymandering push could hurt them in the long run. Apparently these people live in a different America than I do

Sorry for all the political stuff, but it’s all my Google “for you” page wants to talk about. This USA Today article tells you what’s at stake in this week’s midterm elections

Missouri’s star running back was shot over the weekend

Here’s one I know you’ve all been wanting to read about. Why did the T-Rex have such short arms?

Why is the ocean water off the east coast turning different colors?

The NBA did what the NBA does and protected a young star, electing to ignore Wemby throwing an elbow that could have seriously injured Naz Reid, and deciding the act did not warrant any further consequences. I’m not a Spurs hater and I have nothing against Wemby, but this was one of the most dangerous non-basketball acts I’ve seen on a court. You can seriously injure someone by forcefully elbowing them right in the throat. And the NBA doesn’t even think he deserves a fine? The NBA goes further to protect their chosen players than any other league, and on this one, they crossed the line and forgave an unacceptable, violent act that could have caused serious injury. It can be a joke of a league at times

Question of the Day

What sport has the best postseason? You can differentiate between college/pro men’s/women’s for the same sport if you’d like

During the 2026 NFL draft, the New York Giants demonstrated a strong belief in cornerback Colton Hood by selecting him with the 37th overall pick, despite receiving attractive trade-down offers.

Giants general manager Joe Schoen shared these details in the team's Giants Life draft video, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the war room.

"As we headed into Day 2, we're talking through different scenarios. It's an opportunity to acquire more draft picks," Schoen said. "Colton Hood was our top guy on the board going into Day 2. If he was there, we were going to turn the card in. If not, we had a few options to move back in the second round and acquire more picks."

The franchise received proposals from the Cincinnati Bengals and New Orleans Saints that would have allowed it to fall back to the 41st or 42nd pick. Those deals promised two fourth-round selections and a fifth-round pick in compensation.

Separately, the Detroit Lions offered the 118th, 128th, and 157th picks to slide back to No. 50.

"When we got to pick 37 and Colton Hood was there, it was an easy decision for us," Schoen said.

Although the Giants were more than willing to trade back for additional picks, Hood was the top player on their draft board entering Day 2. Team officials confirmed they would have accepted one of the trade offers had Hood been unavailable at No. 37.

Immediately after the selection, head coach John Harbaugh and Schoen began discussing a plan to move back up for wide receiver Malachi Fields, a maneuver they successfully completed in Round 3.

This sequence of decisions highlights New York’s targeted approach: Securing elite talent at critical positions while remaining flexible to address other needs.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Giants turned down multiple picks to select Colton Hood at No. 37

This offseason, Texas A&M coach Mike Elko saw a record 10 players selected in the 2026 NFL Draft, including unanimous All-American edge Cashius Howell, and defensive linemen Albert Regis and Tyler Onyedim, who were picked in the second and third rounds, and are all expected to earn key rotational roles this fall.

Last offseason, Elko predicted that 10-12 players from his 2025 roster would be drafted, as the third-year head coach prepared for these departures, adding several veteran defensive linemen, including Northwestern transfer edge Anto Saka, and defensive tackles CJ Sims (North Carolina) and Angelo McCullum (Illinois), who are all expected to make significant impacts next season.

Replacing Howell's pass rush production after he racked up 11.5 sacks will be a tough ask, but Anto Saka, who stands 6'4" and nearly 260 pounds, is a favorite among NFL scouts and will likely earn the starting big defensive end job, while CJ Sims is in line to serve as Albert Regis' replacement at nose tackle.

While it's tough to grade Texas A&M's 2026 defensive line, the return of junior defensive tackle DJ Hicks, who recorded a career-high 26 tackles and three sacks last season, will make or break the Aggie D-line based on how much he progresses during his final season. However, taking it from a player who's faced this group in practice, South Carolina transfer guard Trovon Baugh had nothing but praise for his newly formed group.

"A special group, very physical," Baugh stated regarding the Texas A&M defensive line. "Those guys really enjoy competing. We've got a smart group, and they keep you on your toes."

With 1,314 blocking snaps during his career with South Carolina, Trovon Baugh is expected to earn the starting right guard job and is one of the more reliable sources to discuss how tough facing Texas A&M's defensive line has been and will continue to be heading into the fall.

Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.

This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M OL Trovon Baugh praises the Aggies 'physical' D-line

With the early signing period, many prospects have opted to make commitments much earlier, and for Notre Dame, it has taken advantage of the new recruiting calendar.

A literal big target will go off the board later today, as 5-star offensive tackle Olu Olubobola will make his choice, as the Irish are viewed as the frontrunner. Anytime you can add a prospect of that caliber, it’s a huge victory for the program.

He isn’t the only prospect that could be joining Notre Dame’s 2027 class, as on Monday, three others announced when they’ll make their verbals. Find out below which prospects will soon commit along with a bit of background on each of them.

(Note: All rankings are according to the 247Sports Composite.)

Edge rusher Jackson Vaughn

It's about that time, @jwvaughn13!

Top247 EDGE Jackson Vaughn is set to announce his commitment LIVE on the @CBSSportsCFB YouTube Channel on Tuesday, May 26 at 6:30 pm ET.

Will it be Auburn, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame or South Carolina?

WATCH https://t.co/zBEiY9sWOI@247Sportspic.twitter.com/n04foyXGjI

— Tom Loy (@TomLoy247) May 11, 2026

When: May 26th, 2026

Home: Oradell, New Jersey

Ranking: No. 204 overall, No. 22 edge

Other teams involved: Auburn, LSU, Miami, and South Carolina

Notre Dame’s outlook: The 6-foot, 3-inch and 225-pound edge has the frame to be an elite pass-rusher and you have to like the Irish here. They currently have the only 247Sports Crystal Ball pick for Vaughn, and it’s from their national recruiting analyst Brian Dohn.

Wide receiver Quentin Burrell

NEWS: Four-Star WR Quentin Burrell will announce his Commitment Wednesday, May 13, LIVE on the @Rivals YouTube Channel

He’ll choose between Notre Dame, Michigan, Missouri, and Arizona State

Burrell is one of the top uncommitted WRs in the 2027 classhttps://t.co/gGPgTDg0eMpic.twitter.com/mWPUl9CXPi

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 11, 2026

When: May 13th, 2026

Home: Chicago, Illinois

Ranking: No. 83 overall, No. 14 wide receiver

Other teams involved: Missouri, Michigan and Arizona State

Notre Dame’s outlook: At the moment, it does look like the Irish are trailing the Wolverines, the 247Sports staff favors them, for the 6-foot, 3-inch and 200-pound receivers commitment. Notre Dame hasn’t had the best luck landing prospects from powerhouse Mount Carmel, but the hope is a late push changes that.

Safety Gavin Williams

NEWS: Four-Star Safety Gavin Williams will announce his Commitment Sunday, May 17th, he tells me for @Rivals⁰
He’ll choose between USC, Notre Dame, Washington, and UCLAhttps://t.co/EcE9t0PrQdpic.twitter.com/ovjNh5s16T

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 11, 2026

When: May 17th, 2026

Home: La Verne, California

Ranking: No. 159 overall, No. 11 safety

Other teams involved: Washington, UCLA, and USC

Notre Dame’s chances: As the only team not on the West Coast for the 6-foot, 1-inch and 185-pound defender, its hard for the Irish to get their hopes up landing Williams. 247Sports has the Trojans as the favorite as the moment.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions.

Follow Mike on X: @MikeFChen

This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Find out the three Notre Dame 2027 prospects who set commitment dates

CBS Sports pinpoints Florida football's home game against South Carolina as a matchup that could define the Gators season.

The contest might be a turning point in Jon Sumrall's first campaign and the beginning of a new era on the gridiron for the Orange and Blue. Florida was slated at No. 23 in the CBS Sports post-spring top-25 rankings and has seen expectations balloon as the hype continues to grow in Gainesville this offseason.

Florida's clash with the Gamecocks is the beginning of a grueling stretch for Sumrall's team — Texas, Georgia and Oklahoma immediately follow the Oct. 10 matchup and illustrate the hefty demands of SEC scheduling. Dropping this game could spell an early-season spiral for Florida; all three of these competitions will take place away from Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, marking the importance of protecting the Swamp early on.

Conversely, if Florida can emerge victorious, the program has a cushion to lean on before starting this tough stretch.

Solidifying winnable home games will be crucial if Florida wants to meet national expectations — CBS Sports also pegged Florida to be bowl eligible in 2026. The game is framed as a should-win contest for the Gators, as South Carolina is coming off a 4-8 season and is projected to win just 5.5 games this year.

If the Gators hope to find themselves in the college football postseason, this is a near must-win SEC game for Sumrall, who is surprisingly already under pressure before coaching his first regular-season snap.

The goal for Florida should be to come out of Week 6 at above .500. This would mean they'll need to either win on the road at Jordan-Hare against a rival Auburn team or pull off an upset against No. 9 Ole Miss at home.

Florida Gators 2026 football schedule

• Sept. 5 — vs. Florida Atlantic (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Sept. 12 — vs. Campbell (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Sept. 19 — at Auburn (Jordan-Hare Stadium, Auburn, Alabama)
• Sept. 26 — vs. No. 9 Ole Miss (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Oct. 3 — at Missouri (Faurot Field, Columbia, Missouri)
• Oct. 10 — vs. South Carolina (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Oct. 17 — at No. 2 Texas (DKR-Texas Memorial Stadium, Austin, Texas)
• Oct. 24 — Off week
• Oct. 31 — vs. No. 4 Georgia (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia)
• Nov. 7 — vs. No. 12 Oklahoma (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Nov. 14 — at Kentucky (Kroger Field, Lexington, Kentucky)
• Nov. 21 — vs. Vanderbilt (Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, Gainesville, Florida)
• Nov. 27 — at Florida State (Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee, Florida)

Follow us @GatorsWire on X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.

This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: Florida football's most pivotal game in 2026 is this SEC matchup

The Denver Broncos had 60 players at rookie minicamp last weekend, including three eligible "first-year" players who were invited to get more reps ahead of organized team activities (OTAs) and mandatory minicamp in June.

The three designated first-year players were guard Nash Jones, tight end Caleb Lohner and defensive lineman Jordan Miller. To have an accrued season in the NFL, a player needs to spend at least six games on an active roster, injured reserve or PUP list. Jones, Lohner and Miller do not meet that criteria, so the league lists them as first-year players.

"It’s really a league rule based on pension credits," coach Sean Payton explained on Saturday. "So every year, I’ll get the list: here are the five eligible [players]. We may have all five of them invited. I think we have three or four."

Jones entered the league as an undrafted free agent out of Texas State last year and spent part of his rookie season on Denver's practice squad. Lohner is a former basketball player who was picked by the Broncos in the seventh round of last year's NFL draft out of Utah. Lohner spent last season on the practice squad. Miller signed with Denver as a UDFA out of SMU in 2024, spending the last two years on the team's practice squad.

"[T]hey’re generally Year 1 guys without a pension credit, so they’ve been here nine workouts," Payton said. "In a normal rookie camp, it’d probably be more like 15 [workouts], but we pushed it back. So look, it’s just more exposure for them, more reps for them to steal before we get the whole 90-man [roster] together. So those snaps are invaluable for those guys.”

After getting extra reps at the rookie minicamp, Jones, Lohner and Miller will now look to carry their momentum into the summer while fighting for a spot on the 53-man roster.

Social: Follow Broncos Wire on Facebook and Twitter/X! Did you know: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.

This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: 3 first-year players attended rookie minicamp

Kent have signed Warwickshire spin bowler Jake Lintott on loan until the end of the 2026 T20 Blast.

The 33-year-old will be part of the Spitfires' T20 team and will be available for selection in the County Championship.

Lintott has taken 115 wickets in 104 appearances in T20 cricket, at an average of 23.06.

"We're delighted to welcome Jake into the group for the next block of first-team fixtures," said Kent's director of cricket, Simon Cook.

"He provides us with an extra dimension to our bowling attack in all formats, and will complement the spin options we have to give us more tactical flexibility."

Lintott has also represented Hampshire and Gloucestershire, Southern Brave in the Hundred, as well as Barbados Royals in the Caribbean Premier League and Fortune Barishal in the Bangladesh Premier League.

During a recent episode of the Craig Carton Show, Carton weighed in on rumors of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes being available to play at the start of the 2026 season.

"Patrick Mahomes is not playing football in September for the Kansas City Chiefs," said Carton, "I know you're a bunch of sheep. I know you're not that bright, but when you tear an ACL, you don't come back in six months. Patrick Mahomes is not going to be running plays for the Kansas City Chiefs in OTAs, period. Stop dumbasses."

PATRICK MAHOMES WILL NOT PLAY FOR THE CHIEFS IN SEPTEMBER!

“Patrick Mahomes is not playing football in September for the Kansas City Chiefs! When you tear an ACL, you do not come back from it in six months!” — Craig Carton@craigcartonlive@TyJohnsonNews#NFL#Chiefs… pic.twitter.com/0t9afODYtI

— The Craig Carton Show (@CraigCartonShow) May 4, 2026

Mahomes suffered a torn ACL and LCL late during the Chiefs' Week 15 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. After surgery the following day, he's shown drastic improvement in his rehab and is expected to return to the football field ahead of the 2026 season.

"I know he's (Patrick Mahomes) doing a lot of stuff right now. That's what I can give you," said Chiefs head coach Andy Reid during his rookie minicamp press conference," He is throwing the ball, and he does it on his own, so he's not getting in any trouble here."

There continues to be speculation regarding Mahomes' status as OTAs continue this offseason and for months leading up to the 2026 regular season kickoff.

This article originally appeared on Chiefs Wire: Radio Host dismisses the idea of Patrick Mahomes playing in September

PHILADELPHIA -- The Philadelphia 76ers are now moving on to the offseason following their Round 2 sweep by the New York Knicks. The Sixers will now look ahead to the summer to find ways to improve their team and move ahead to the future.

Quentin Grimes will be an unrestricted free agent in the summer. After a long 2025 offseason of restricted free agency, in which he had to settle for the qualifying offer of $8.7 million. He averaged 13.4 points, 3.6 rebounds, and 3.3 assists while shooting 33.4% from deep during the season. He then averaged 6.7 points and shot 40% from deep in the playoffs.

"I felt like it was a solid season for me to knowing that whenever guys are in and out or were dealing with injuries, whoever was in, I feel like I was able to prove myself every time I step on the court," Grimes said. "If I had more responsibility, if I was on the bench role, to come in to try to make an impact anywhere I can. So, I was kind of just digesting the whole season as a whole right now."

In the aftermath of a tough Round 2 loss, Grimes was focused more on the season itself than free agency. He believes that everything will take care of itself when the time calls for it.

"We had a pretty good season, considering everything we kind of went through as a team, just battling a whole bunch of stuff," Grimes continued. "I haven't really given any thoughts on what's going on after after today. Everything going in the summertime, it'll take care of itself, really."

With that being said, one has to wonder what the 5-year veteran out of Houston will be looking for in the offseason.

"I haven't really thought about that, honestly," he admitted when asked. "Just got done the season as a whole, just talking with my agents and everything, we’ll kind of figure out what's the best situation, what I'm looking for, but honestly, I haven't really thought about that right now."

This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Quentin Grimes talks season, free agency after Sixers fall in Round 2

In a post-NBA draft lottery mock draft, Wisconsin Badgers guard Nick Boyd was selected No. 60 overall.

With only 60 picks in the draft, The Athletic's Sam Vecenie believes there's a strong chance Wisconsin could see its former 25-year old point guard be taken to close things out.

Currently, the Washington Wizards hold the No. 60 overall pick thanks to a trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder.

One of the major concerns with Boyd going into the draft is his age. The Garnerville, NY, native began his collegiate career during the 2020-21 season at Florida Atlantic.

Boyd was an Owl until the 2024-25 season when he transferred to San Diego State. After just one season with the Aztecs he re-entered the portal and came to Madison.

Keep in mind, Vecenie has a 19-year old being selected in the second round. Boyd is the oldest player drafted, while a pair of 18-year-olds are NBA-bound in this mock draft.

At the end of the day, Boyd is Wisconsin's only shot at having a player drafted this year. John Blackwell will be draft-bound in 2027 as he decided he's best suited at Duke for his senior campaign rather than declaring for the draft alongside Boyd.

Contact/Follow @TheBadgersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Wisconsin Badgers news, notes and opinion.

This article originally appeared on Badgers Wire: Washington Wizards select Wisconsin guard Nick Boyd No. 60 overall

There is a specific kind of theater that only exists in the final moments of an AHL playoff series, especially when that series concludes in the pressure cooker of Laval’s Place Bell. When the Toronto Marlies finally put the finishing touches on their Game 5 victory over the Rocket on Saturday, the atmosphere shifted from mere hostility to a full-blown release of frustration from the 10,000-plus in attendance.

As debris began to rain down from the stands, a byproduct of a fan base incensed by the final result and a perceived non-call in the dying seconds, Marlies defenseman Dakota Mermis found himself at the center of a viral postscript. The veteran defenseman spotted a discarded beer can on the ice, picked it up, and delivered a mock chug toward the glass. It was a moment of peak gamesmanship that perfectly encapsulated a series defined by bad blood.

"I think it’s just a fun rivalry. It’s a high, very intense series," Mermis told reporters with a grin following the Marlies’ practice on Monday. "I think that at the end of the day, the fans were just saying cheers on a good hard-fought series and so just enjoying that with them."

Make no mistake, Mermis was being entirely facetious. The "cheers" from the Laval faithful was anything but celebratory. The Rocket fans were at a breaking point, fueled by the elimination and the lingering anger over the officiating moments prior. By reframing the act of throwing trash as a "toast," Mermis showcased the kind of veteran poise, and wit, that has made him a vital part of the Marlies’ leadership group this spring.

Rocket fans threw beer cans on the ice after being eliminated by the Marlies. Dakota Mermis picked up one of the cans and drank it.

🎥: FloHockey | #LeafsForeverpic.twitter.com/UgmhwyeuCH

— TheLeafsNation (@TLNdc) May 9, 2026

The gesture wasn’t just a hit in the locker room; it resonated far beyond the AHL footprint. Both Mermis and head coach John Gruden noted that their phones have been buzzing incessantly since the footage made its rounds on social media.

"I received a couple texts from certain people that I usually don't get thinking that they enjoyed that quite a bit, and I think he got quite a few as well," Gruden admitted. "In the moment, it was kind of a great reaction. Nothing's like winning a road playoff game, especially in Laval."

For Mermis, the reach of the clip was unexpected.

"A lot of people reaching out," he said. "A lot of people end up seeing that, that you obviously don't expect. It's just a little thing that happened and you know, just try to have fun with it."

Of course, the analytical question following such a moment is always about the "logistics" of the celebration. When asked if there was actually any liquid left in the projectile, Mermis was quick to shut down any health-and-safety concerns.

"No, no, no. We avoided any of that," Mermis laughed. "It was pretty, pretty low when I picked it up."

The viral moment provided a rare bit of levity for a team that had spent the previous two weeks in a defensive shell, absorbing physical punishment to secure a series win. While the "beer chug" will live on in highlight reels, the real victory for Toronto was the discipline required to ignore the noise and the debris, until the job was done. As the Marlies pivot toward Cleveland, they do so with a bit more swagger and a clear understanding that in the playoffs, sometimes you have to toast your enemies with their own frustration.

The race toward Super Bowl contention in the NFL is no longer just about having a superstar quarterback or a flashy offense. In today’s league, the teams built for sustained success are the ones with balance, depth, coaching stability, and enough talent across the roster to survive injuries, tough schedules, and playoff pressure. NFL.com’s ranking of the top 10 most complete rosters entering the 2026 season highlights exactly which franchises appear best equipped for the long grind ahead — and why several familiar contenders remain firmly in the championship conversation.

What makes this list especially fascinating is the variety of team-building philosophies represented. Some clubs, like the Los Angeles Rams and Seattle Seahawks, are leaning into veteran leadership while surrounding their stars with carefully selected young talent. Others, such as the Houston Texans and New England Patriots, are hoping ascending quarterbacks and aggressive offseason moves can push them into the NFL’s elite tier. Across the board, these teams have minimized glaring weaknesses and assembled lineups capable of winning in multiple ways.

RELATED: NFL sophomores to watch in the 2026 season

Several of these organizations also enter 2026 with strong continuity, both schematically and culturally, which matters more than ever in a hyper-competitive league. Whether it’s dominant defensive fronts, explosive skill-position groups, or improved offensive lines, each roster on this list carries legitimate playoff aspirations. Some may still have questions to answer, but on paper, these are the franchises that look best prepared to compete for a Lombardi Trophy this season.

1. Los Angeles Rams

The Rams enter the 2026 season with a real shot in the Super Bowl title after coming just one possession away from reaching the big game last season. Matthew Stafford continues to lead one of the NFL’s most explosive offenses, anchore by the dangerous receiving duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Kyren Williams and Blake Corum give Los Angeles excellent balance offensively, while the additions of Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson significantly upgraded the secondary. With very few weaknesses across the roster, the Rams appear built for another deep playoff run.

2. Seattle Seahawks

The defending champions is still one of the league’s most balanced and disciplined teams despite losing some key contributors in free agency. Sam Darnold showcased his talents last season, while Jaxson Smith-Njigba has developed into one of the team’s most important weapons alongside an improving rushing attack led by rookie Jadarian Price. Defensively, Seattle continues to dominate with stars like Devon Witherspoon, Leonard Williams, and Byron Murphy II anchoring an elite unit. Few teams possess the same level of depth and stability from top to bottom.

3. Philadelphia Eagles

The Eagles still boast one of the NFL’s deepest offensive rosters, led by Jalen Hurts and an elite group of players which includes A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Marquise Brown. Saquon Barkley adds explosiveness to the ground game, while Dallas Goedert remains a reliable veteran presence at tight end. Defensively, Jalen Carter headlines a disruptive front capable of overwhelming opposing offenses. Although there are some concerns about depth in the secondary and offensive line, Philadelphia remains one of the NFC’s strongest contenders.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Even after a coaching change, the Ravens remain one of the AFC’s most dangerous teams because of Lamar Jackson’s ability to elevate the offense. Baltimore added young receiving talent in Ja’Kobi Lane and Elijah Sarratt while continuing to rely on veterans Zay Flowers, Mark Andrews, and Derrick Henry. Defensively, Kyle Hamilton and Roquan Smith lead a physical group that added more athleticism and depth this offseason. If the offensive line holds together, the Ravens have the talent to compete with anyone in the conference.

RELATED: Top 10 NFL team offenses entering OTAs

5. Buffalo Bills

The Bills continue to be led by talented quarterback Josh Allen, whose playmaking ability keeps Buffalo among the AFC’s top contenders every season. The addition of DJ Moore gives Allen another proven target, while James Cook and Dalton Kincaid provide versatility within the offense. Defensively, Gregory Rousseau, Ed Oliver, and Bradley Chubb headline a unit transitioning into a new scheme under Jim Leonhard. Buffalo may have some roster questions, but the overall talent level still makes this team extremely dangerous.

6. Detroit Lions

Detroit remains one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive teams thanks to Jared Goff and an elite collection of playmakers that includes Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams, and Sam LaPorta. Penei Sewell continues to anchor the offensive line, though depth remains a concern following Taylor Decker’s departure. Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson and Brian Branch headline a young group that still has room to improve. If the defense takes another step forward, the Lions could quickly return to contender status.

7. Denver Broncos

The Broncos quietly built one of the league’s most complete rosters under Sean Payton that had them almost reached the Super Bowl last season. Bo Nix continues to develop nicely, while the addition of Jaylen Waddle gives Denver another explosive weapon alongside Courtland Sutton and Troy Franklin. Defensively, Patrick Surtain II leads one of the NFL’s strongest secondaries, supported by an aggressive pass rush featuring Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper. Denver’s balance on both sides of the ball makes them a serious AFC threat.

8. San Francisco 49ers

The 49ers remain locked and loaded with star power, featuring Brock Purdy, Christian McCaffrey, George Kittle, Mike Evans, and Ricky Pearsall showcasing one of the NFL’s most dangerous offensive systems. Trent Williams still anchors the offensive line, though one of the biggest concerns is the durability and depth of the whole unit. Defensively, San Francisco hopes healthier seasons from Nick Bosa and Fred Warner can help the group regain elite form. Even with some roster questions, the 49ers still possess enough high-end talent to contend in the NFC.

RELATED: Most popular NFL teams in the world

9. Houston Texans

Houston earned its place on this list largely because of a defense loaded with young talent and elite pass-rushing ability. Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter form one of the NFL’s best edge-rushing duos, while the secondary continues to improve with emerging playmakers across the board. The Texans also upgraded the offensive line and added David Montgomery to support quarterback C.J. Stroud. If Stroud returns to his best form, Houston could become one of the AFC’s most complete teams.

10. New England Patriots

The Patriots have made major progress under Mike Vrabel, with Drake Maye quickly emerging as the face of the franchise after leading New England to an AFC Championship appearance last season. The offensive line remains a concern despite additions like Alijah Vera-Tucker and Caleb Lomu, but the backfield duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and TreVeyon Henderson gives the offense stability. Defensively, the Patriots continue to play disciplined and physical football under Vrabel’s system. While they may still lack elite depth compared to the teams above them, New England’s foundation looks extremely promising entering 2026.

In late April, the Wild earned their first playoff series win in more than a decade by bouncing back. They trailed Dallas 2-1 in the series, and were down by a goal in Game 4, facing the possibility of traveling back to Texas to face elimination.

Instead, they tied the game, won it in overtime, and grabbed the next two games to reach Round 2.

And there, in Round 2, on Monday, they got a hard lesson in how great teams bounce back.

The Wild had routed Colorado in Game 3, getting back into the series with a 5-1 win. They took a lead in Game 4, only to see the powerful Avalanche turn the tables and dominate long stretches. Trailing in the third period, the Wild forged a 2-2 tie on the strength of Nico Sturm’s first playoff goal since 2021.

And from there, it was all Colorado. By the time it was over, the Avalanche led the series 3-1, and the NHL’s best regular season team had improved to 7-1 in the playoffs.

Most notably, immediately after Sturm’s goal, the Avalanche hemmed Minnesota into the defensive zone, and didn’t relent until Parker Kelly had scored the game-winner. They added two more into an empty net for a 5-2 win.

“They’re a good team too. They’re gonna have good shifts. They’re gonna have pushes. You gotta try and limit those,” Wild forward Matt Boldy said. “Yeah, there’s not really much of an answer for it. Yeah, those shifts are big. We know that. But the game’s not always gonna go perfectly. And they’re a good team too. But yeah, we think we left a little out there tonight.”

For Sturm, who won the Stanley Cup with Colorado in 2022, the trouble started long before his goal got the sellout crowd back involved.

“We made bad decisions with the puck tonight, especially in the first half of the game. And, to be honest, we probably didn’t deserve to win when you take the whole game into perspective,” he said, offering some brutal honesty. “I felt like we started playing with about seven, eight minutes left in the second period, that’s when we found our game. At both blue lines, really, that team is too good to where you can get away with some of those mistakes, turning pucks over at the far blue line, not getting pucks out at our blue line. And overall, when you take the whole game, the final score is probably where it was supposed to be, to be honest.”

For the team that has dominated the NHL this season, and is determined to hang a fourth title banner inside Ball Arena, the response to quiet the Minnesota audience was described as “tenacious” by the Colorado coach.

“There was no hesitation on our forecheck,” said Jared Bednar, of his team’s relentless attack. “Guys were skating, they weren’t coasting in, so we came up with some turned-over pucks and were able to find a little bit of space in D-zone for a couple shifts there, and then we ended up getting rewarded.”

The Wild’s bounce back in Round 1 was impressive and inspiring to an army of fans who were desperately hungry for some good postseason news from this franchise. Now facing elimination for the first time this season, they know that an even bigger bounce back will be required.

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It's the eve of the Coppa Italia final, with Inter set to face Lazio at 21:00 CEST on Wednesday 13 May at the Stadio Olimpico. The Nerazzurri held a morning training session at the BPER Training Centre under the guidance of Cristian Chivu and his staff, their final one before travelling to Rome.

Austin Reaves can now leave $14.9 million Lakers contract originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

There's going to be a whole lot of attention given to LeBron James' future after the Los Angeles Lakers' season-ending loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the second round of the playoffs.

The reality is that there's a different storyline that might matter more to the Lakers' long-term future, and that's Austin Reaves.

The talented, undrafted guard from Oklahoma is coming to a pivot point in his career, and the direction he takes from here will matter greatly.

Reaves' contract has reached the moment when he has to decide on a player option for 2026-27. The amount written in this current deal for that option is $14.9 million.

Given the level Reaves has reached, it's all but assured that he will decline that player option. And whenever Reaves officially does that, it'll mean he's heading for free agency.

MORE: LeBron's retirement update involves the media in a repetitive way

The reality with Reaves, like it is with any other player in his spot, is that his current team can offer him an additional year and more money per year on a contract than any other team in the NBA.

So if Reaves wants to maximize his next deal, and if the Lakers are willing to pay him a max contract, then staying in Los Angeles would be the move.

But if the Lakers are hesitant to max Reaves out, or if he'd prefer to get out from under the shadow of Luka Doncic, he could always choose to move on.

MORE: Donovan Mitchell never wanted the Knicks, only moments like this

The James decision is big but probably only has one season of implications.

What Reaves decides to do could matter for the next half-decade for the Lakers. Will they have a backcourt of Doncic and Reaves to build everything else around? Or will they have to get a different running mate for Luka?

The player option part is straightforward enough, because Reaves has far outplayed that value. From there is where things will get very interesting.

More NBA news:

• Bronny James' future with Lakers has 3 possible outcomes
• Clippers are set up to trade Darius Garland again
• Warriors' Steve Kerr news means it's time to talk about LeBron and Steph
• Anthony Davis is the magic touch for the No. 1 pick
• Jaylen Brown blames the 'media' for a problem he created himself

Notre Dame's defense is loaded with star-power potential heading into the 2026 season. There's one proven star on defense and that's Unanimous All-American cornerback Leonard Moore who will be the best returning corner in the country two years in a row. There's others that are on the verge like defensive end Boubacar Traore and safety Tae Johnson who PFF has ranked as the No. 1 returning safety in the country. 

Another player making a push to become a star on this loaded defensive roster in rising junior defensive end Bryce Young. Young was one of the highest rated defensive recruits in the 2024 class. The 6-6, 260-pound North Carolina native came to Notre Dame with a lot of hype, but he was relatively raw coming out of high school and needed time to develop. 

In 2024, he played 374 snaps in their 16-game season. He came onto the scene against Purdue when they lost defensive in Jordan Botelho to a season ending injury. His snap volume ramped up during the Louisville game due to an injury suffered by Traore which put an early end to his season as well. In total, Young finished with 17 total pressures and seven hits plus sacks on the quarterback; 15 of his 17 pressures and six of his seven hits plus sacks on the quarterback came from the Louisville game to the end of the season. 

This past year, Young's snap volume went up. He played 314 snaps this season which was 60 less than his freshman season, but the Irish played in four less games. Out of his 314 total snaps, Young played 202 pass rushing snaps. In those 202 pass rushing snaps, Young tallied 29 pressures and 11 hits plus sacks on the quarterback. He also recorded 10 run stops in 104 run snaps. His production last year was good, but there's definitely another level he can get to. 

Notre Dame has one of the best returning edge-rushing duos in the country with Traore and Young. To varying degrees, we're confident in what we're going to see from Traore this upcoming season. It's likely he ends up breaking out nationally and could end up in the same conversation with players like Dylan Stewart from South Carolina, Damon Wilson II from Miami and Collin Simmons from Texas. Young, on the other hand, is more of a question mark. 

There are some things we saw from him this spring, in terms of his development, under new defensive line coach Charlie Partridge that make me confident that Young is on his way to a taking that next big step. For Notre Dame to have one of the best edge-rushing duos in the country, they need Young to play his part as well. We've seen previous defensive lines in South Bend in the past that are dominant to just one side, and that's easy to game plan around. 

Young has first-round NFL talent, measurables and potential. Now, it's about going out and turning that potential into production. He's had a solid first two seasons in South Bend, but this is a year where he's poised to take the next step and be the game-changing counterpart to Traore's impact on a weekly basis. If Young takes the next step as a pass rusher and a run stopper, this defense will be very hard to move the ball against in the fall. 

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On this episode, TJ Jones reacts to an interview with Alvin Kamara from the Terron Armstead podcast and uses it as a springboard into a broader conversation about how the Saints operate, how veterans are treated, and why the franchise feels like it’s finally pivoting into a necessary new phase. TJ starts with Kamara’s interview and highlights how much Kamara has going on beyond football, running through the off-field projects Kamara discussed, including real estate work in Birmingham, a film company, and a mobile money platform initiative connected to Liberia. The tone in this portion is more appreciative than argumentative, with TJ framing Kamara as someone thinking long-term and building real infrastructure outside the game while still being a centerpiece of the Saints’ identity.

From there, the episode shifts into the most debated portion: TJ breaking down comments from former Saints safety Tyrann Mathieu that raised eyebrows about the organization’s approach to veteran players. TJ’s main point is that the quote cycle can get misleading fast, so TJ urges people to view Mathieu’s remarks in full context rather than letting a clipped version drive the narrative. TJ digs into what Mathieu seemed to be suggesting about the Saints being reluctant to move on from veterans and how that can create tension underneath the surface, not necessarily because anyone is “wrong,” but because the league is constantly forcing teams to choose between loyalty, leadership, and production.

The back half of the episode widens the lens to organizational direction, with TJ circling back repeatedly to the departure of Dennis Allen as a turning point the Saints had to make. TJ argues the change was vital because the team had grown complacent, and TJ credits the fan base’s sustained frustration as a real factor in pushing leadership to finally act. That leads into a more pragmatic roster conversation, including how adding another running back like Travis Etienne can help lighten Kamara’s load and keep the offense from being overly dependent on one player. TJ closes by emphasizing the uncomfortable truth of the NFL: it’s a business, and New Orleans has to make tougher, cleaner personnel decisions going forward if performance doesn’t match expectations, even when it involves respected veterans.

The Houston Texans made a quiet but intriguing move on Monday, officially signing running back Evan Hull following a successful tryout at rookie minicamp. 

At first glance, Hull’s career stats—49 rushing yards on 20 carries across three teams—don't scream "game-changer." However, looking deeper into the move suggests the Texans are prioritizing a specific archetype for their backfield depth: the pass-catching specialist.

Why Hull? Why Now?

The Texans’ backfield already features a heavy hitter in David Montgomery, but modern NFL offenses thrive on variety. Hull, a former 2023 fifth-round pick by the Indianapolis Colts, was a prolific dual-threat weapon at Northwestern. In 2022, he led all FBS running backs with 54 receptions, showing a natural ability to operate as a safety valve in the passing game.

By signing Hull, the Texans are likely looking for:

• Third-Down Utility: A back who can reliably catch passes out of the backfield to alleviate pressure on C.J. Stroud.
• Special Teams Contributions: As a fringe roster player, Hull's path to the 53-man roster will require him to prove his worth on kick and punt units.
• Roster Flexibility: Moving on from Luke Lachey suggests the team feels comfortable with their tight end depth (likely led by Dalton Schultz and Brevin Jordan) and sees a greater "upside" in testing a versatile back like Hull.

The Other Side Of The Coin

In the NFL, the distance between "draft day sleeper" and "roster casualty" is often measured in a matter of months. We saw that cold reality play out on Monday as the Houston Texans waived tight end Luke Lachey to clear a spot for Evan Hull.

On paper, it’s a standard transactional swap that involves a move to bolster backfield depth at the expense of a developmental project. But for those watching the trajectory of this roster, cutting ties with Lachey feels like a premature surrender on a high-upside frame.

It’s a tough break for a second-year player still trying to find his footing in the league. Lachey has the physical tools to be a contributor elsewhere, but in Houston, his time simply ran out before it ever really began.

The Verdict

This is the definition of a "bottom-of-the-roster" chess move. While Hull has struggled to find a permanent home after stints with the Colts, Steelers, and Saints, he possesses a skill set—receiving and pass protection—that fits the Texans' offensive scheme.

Cutting a young prospect like Lachey is always a risk, but in the search for a complete backfield, Houston is betting that Hull's collegiate pedigree can finally translate into NFL production. If he can recapture his Northwestern form, the Texans might have just found a bargain-bin contributor for their 2026 campaign.

New York Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange was all the rage in Spring Training. He was flashing 102 mph on the radar gun, and he was buckling hitters with his nasty movement.

Some even felt that Lagrange could sneak his way on to the big-league roster, but in the end, the Yankees sent him down to Triple-A for some more work.

That proved to be the right decision, because Lagrange has certainly been struggling through his first seven starts of 2026.

Yes, Lagrange is still fanning hitters at an incredible rate, having racked up 38 strikeouts over 28.1 innings of work, but his walks have been just as noticeable.

Lagrange has issued 17 free passes thus far, good for an average of 5.4 walks per nine frames. He owns lifetime 5.2 BB/9, so command has always been an issue for the right-hander. But it isn't getting any better. In fact, it might be getting worse.

This is exactly why I've always pushed back against the notion of turning Lagrange into a reliever. Not that you ever want your pitchers walking batters, but it gets amplified much more when you are entering a game with runners already potentially on base.

Lagrange is 6-foot-7, so it's understandably difficult for him to harness his delivery. But if he ever wants to make it in the big leagues, he will have to rectify this problem.

Remember: Dellin Betances had a very similar issue in the Yankees' minor-league system, but he got it under control (somewhat) in the majors.

Can Lagrange do the same thing?

Well, based on what we have been seeing out of the Dominican native this season, he certainly isn't on the right track.

Lagrange's lack of control is also affecting how he pitches in general, as he has already surrendered six home runs in 2026. Three of them came in his most recent start, when he walked three and gave up five runs in 4.1 innings.

There is no doubting Lagrange's stuff. It's absolutely filthy. But we have seen plenty of pitchers with amazing talent fall flat due to their inability to consistently get the ball over the plate.

You would hate to see the same thing happen with Lagrange, but he is now five seasons into his minor-league tenure, and he hasn't improved.

Perhaps New York can work with Lagrange on his mechanics to ensure better command, but you also have to be careful you don't mess with him too much.

It's definitely a tough situation, and it's something that isn't really being discussed.

Lagrange lays claim to a 4.76 ERA thus far this season, and you already know that the walks are one of the primary reasons why.

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Francesco Bagnaia hailed Jorge Martin’s epic comeback from a nightmare 2025 MotoGP season as “admirable”, saying the Aprilia rider has emerged as a genuine title threat.

Martin dominated last weekend’s French Grand Prix, winning both the sprint and the main race after a difficult qualifying to move one point behind his team-mate Marco Bezzecchi in the championship standings.

The Spaniard’s early 2026 form is in stark contrast to his first year with Aprilia, when he suffered four injuries, struggled for competitiveness and even tried to trigger an early exit clause in his contract. 

Bagnaia knows Martin well from their time together at Ducati, with the latter having also beaten him to the 2024 title in an epic showdown that went down to the wire in Valencia.

The Italian feels Martin is now beginning to show the calmness and consistency that underpinned his title-winning 2024 campaign.

“He’s clearly a title contender,” Bagnaia said when asked about Martin’s performance by Motorsport.com. “He’s using the same strategy he used in 2024 - finishing every race. 

“Here, he finished every race first. But in general, he’s also very good at knowing when to settle for less. So, that’s a plus. I lost the world championship to him for that very reason. 

“When I saw him on Saturday, we both had lunch in the hospitality area at Alpinestar. He looked very relaxed. He knew he could do it today, and he did. 

“I’m very happy for him. He deserves it. Last year was very tough for him. I think he had 21 fractures last year. So, having the strength to come back to this level is admirable. 

“Congratulations to him and especially to Aprilia, which gave him incredible support last year.”

Jorge Martin, Aprilia Racing Team

Gresini rider Alex Marquez also believes Martin’s current form was reminiscent of his Ducati heydays, when Martin and Bagnaia were operating on a different level to the rest of the field.

Marquez said he was particularly impressed by how his countryman regained confidence on the Aprilia after undergoing multiple surgeries during an injury-hit 2025 season.

"It is impressive," he said. "When you see him riding, you see that he goes without fear, with his heart wide open," he added.

"And for someone who has hurt himself so badly, so many times, it is something strange. The normal thing would be to see him riding a little more rigidly on the bike. 

“Instead, you see that he has enormous confidence, the same [confidence] he had in 2023 or 2024. So, we can only congratulate him, because he is doing a great job.”

Francesco Bagnaia explains French GP crash: “I didn’t want to lose, I was having a blast”

Jorge Martin’s French GP win comes one year after Aprilia contract saga

To read more Motorsport.com articles visit our website.

Every season there are a few rookies who overcome their nervousness and excel in their first Stanley Cup playoffs.  

This postseason is no exception with 35 first-year players participating in the playoffs thus far.

Some have left lasting impressions.

Of the three Calder Trophy candidates, the Islanders’ Matthew Schaefer is the odds-on favorite to capture the award. 

Unfortunately for the Islanders, the did not make the playoffs — so Schaefer will have to wait for his postseason debut to really show out.

The other two candidates, Montreal’s Ivan Demidov and Anaheim’s Beckett Sennecke, are making their presence felt.

Sennecke has goals in the past three games, four in the playoffs. 

His 23 goals during the regular season tied him with Schaefer for the rookie lead.  His first playoff goal was a tiebreaker in Anaheim’s 7-4 win in Game 3 against Edmonton in Round 1.

Sennecke is tied with Philadelphia’s Porter Martone for the playoff lead in rookie scoring. 

Martone, Alex Bump and Denver Barkey all impressed and are bright spots in the Flyers’ future. All three scored their first ever playoff goals.

Demidov has playoff experience from last season but played only two regular season games and is still considered a rookie. 

He has yet to score a goal in 10 playoff games this year although he has three assists, has looked strong, and is averaging more than 16 minutes of ice time per game.

Defenseman Ian Moore is another Anaheim rookie getting his first taste of the playoffs. After being benched for Games 2 and 3 against Vegas, he came back to score the winning goal in Game 4.

Tampa Bay’s Dominic James split the season between the Lightning and the AHL. He managed two goals and an assist in the seven-game set against Montreal. 

He was a standout at Minnesota-Duluth and is a definite piece of the Lightning’s future.

The most outstanding performance by a rookie so far has been Canadien goalie Jakob Dobeš. He absolutely stoned Tampa Bay in their deciding game, stopping 28 of 29 shots while Montreal managed only nine shots against the Lightning.

For the playoffs to date he is sporting a 2.28 GAA and .912 save percentage.

Dobeš is technically a rookie although he had some regular season and playoff experience during the 2024-25 season. His backup in the playoffs, Jacob Fowler is also a rookie and has yet to see action because of Dobeš’ excellent play.

Another rookie goaltender making himself known is Minnesota’s Jesper Wallstedt.

Wallstedt was outstanding in Minnesota’s come-from-behind 4-2 series win against Dallas. 

He started eight of the Wild’s nine games going into Monday’s Game 4 with a 2.61/.913. 

On Monday, Wallstedt gave up three goals on 32 shots and the Avalanche took a 3-1 lead going back to Denver with a 5-2 win.

Against Colorado he had a rough start, giving up eight goals in the opening game loss. He was relieved by Filip Gustavsson for game two, another loss, but game back strong in 5-1 Game 3 victory.

Pittsburgh’s Arturs Silovs is still considered a rookie even though he played in games for Vancouver the prior three seasons, including 10 starts in last year’s playoffs.  

Even though the Pens were eliminated by the Flyers, Silovs impressed in his three starts, going 1.52/.939.

ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS OFFSEASON

• IIHF World Championship, Switzerland: May 15-31
• NHL Draft (9th in First Round, Seven Overall): June 26-27; KeyBank Center, Buffalo
• NHL Free Agency: Opens July 1
• Panthers Development Camp: Late June/Early July; IcePlex, Fort Lauderdale
• Panthers Rookie Camp/Tournament: Late August/Early Sept.; Site TBA
• Panthers Training Camp: Early/Mid September; Fort Lauderdale 
• 2026-27 NHL Season Opens: Late September; Site, Opponent TBA

This article: Rookies Becoming Household Names in these Stanley Cup Playoffs originally appeared on Florida Hockey Now.

People come to Los Angeles with big dreams. Some want to make it as Hollywood actors. Others dream of a record deal and music fame. And there’s those who aspire to drink green juice while wearing oversized sunglasses and attend the third-through-seventh inning of a Dodger game at Chavez Ravine while pitching a reality show.

The San Francisco Giants had more humble dreams: To get double-digit hits for the third time in four games and continue their 2026 dominance over the defending world champions. They did that and more Monday night, notching 12 hits and six walks in a 9-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers.

You know it’s a big hit when the NBCS account breaks out a reference to a 30-year-old Will Smith album! Willy Adames went 2-for-5 with three RBIs, one of five Men In Black and Orange with a multi-hit game Monday night. Rafael Devers got jiggy wit his fifth home run, scored three runs, and reached base four times. Every member of the starting lineup had either a hit or an RBI, truly the mark of an offense that keeps the roof blazin’.

All this on a night where the Giants had two runners thrown out at home, Jesus Rodriguez got his first career stolen base, and Shohei Ohtani went 0-for-5.

Matt Gage (3-1) picked up the win after relieving Trevor McDonald (5.1 IP, 9H, 3R, 2BB, 4K) in the 6th inning, after a Max Muncy home run and a Teoscar Hernandez single chased him from the game. Gage retired all five Dodgers he faced, mowing down the heart of the lineup. Maybe Ohtani and Kyle Tucker could settle for some deferred hits?

McDonald got hit hardest in the 4th inning, when the Dodgers led off the inning with four straight singles, all off of sinkers. The Giants escaped down only 2-1 thanks to an Adames-to-Arraez-to-Schmidt double play.

The Giants countered with three straight singles off lefty Alex Vesia (1-1) from Jung Hoo Lee, Luis Arraez, and Casey Schmidt, who reached base four times Monday. Devers drew a seven-pitch, bases-loaded walk to give the Giants a 4-3 lead before “Big Willy Style” drove in Arraez and Schmidt, just the two of them.

Devers started the scoring with a second-inning homer off starter Rory Sasaki, who had one of his better outings of the season by giving up three runs and six hits and striking out five. Like his walk, this came on a 3-2 pitch, the 8th pitch of the at-bat. Devers nearly fouled out on the previous pitch, but Hernandez got distracted by a Dodgers official holding a folding chair. One pitch later, he made Sasaki and the chair-wielding man pay.

Devers missed on a bases-loaded opportunity in the 3rd, where the Giants loaded the bases in unusual fashion. Rodriguez drew a walk and then stole second when Lee struck out, swinging and missing so badly he threw his bat down the first-base line. He went to third on an Arraez single but didn’t score after Sasaki beaned Schmidt and Sasaki retired Devers and Heliot Ramos.

In the 6th, the Giants showed off some excellent baserunning and some less excellent baserunning. Schmidt singled and took third on a Devers single, with Devers hustling to second when the throw went to third. Ramos followed with a two-run double down the line.

In a very Heliot Ramos sequence, he went to third on a deep fly ball, then got thrown out at home by roughly 20 feet on a Matt Chapman groundout.

Was that the only Giant thrown out at the plate? Heavens no. Harrison Bader doubled in the 8th and made it to third on a delayed start when Rodriguez grounded out to Muncy and Freddie Freeman’s throw back to third went high. One pitch later, Lee grounded to first and Bader was tagged out in a rundown.

The Giants got some insurance in the 8th inning when Schmidt walked and stole second (two steals in one game?!?). An intentional walk to Devers was followed by an unintentional walk to Ramos, an Adames single, and another walk, this time to Chapman.

The Giants rounded out the scoring with an RBI groundout from Rodriguez. Poor Lee was the second Giant hit in the game, but at least he only got nailed by a curveball. That made four walks and a hit batsmen in one inning from Wyatt Mills, who may not be long for the Dodgers roster.

The bullpen went 3.2 innings and only gave up a single, with Keaton Winn and JT Brubaker closing it out. The Dodgers have lost three straight, the Giants have won three out of four, and the Giants’ big hitters are mostly hitting again. That’s what we call a Hollywood Echo Park ending!

Paulo Dybala is eager to know his future. The Argentine made this clear after the victory at the Tardini against Parma.

La Joya’s priority is to remain in the capital; his contract expires on June 30th, and he currently has no agreements with any other clubs, including Boca Juniors.

In the coming weeks, the former Juventus player expects to learn more about a possible renewal, the path Gasperini wanted—or not.

As reported by SiamoLaRoma.it, one of Paulo Dybala’s agents is in Rome and will remain in the capital until after the derby against Lazio.

As of this morning, no official meeting has been scheduled between Paulo Dybala’s agents and Roma.

We’re waiting for the Friedkins to arrive to see if they’re willing to meet to establish a possible contract extension.

The owners will decide; the Argentine striker’s entourage is available to negotiate.

The priority is his permanence in Rome, but it’s highly unlikely that the future of “La Joya” will be decided by this weekend, one way or the other.

We have all stuck our foot in our mouths occasionally. It's easy to do. If you haven't, don't worry. Your time is coming. Spend enough time speaking, and it will, at some point, happen to the best of us. What does that have to do with the Baltimore Ravens, you ask? Well, let's just say a rookie quarterback came dangerously close to sticking a pair of cleats in his oral cavity.

After selecting Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Cleveland Browns added Taylen Green during the sixth round this past April. Rookie minicamps are underway, and Green spoke at Cleveland's. After being asked if there was any quarterback who shared his potential, he came dangerously close to making a wild comparison involving Lamar Jackson that may have followed him for a while. Here's the statement via Cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot.

"To be honest, no. I would say of course Lamar (Jackson), but he ain't 6-[foot-]6. Josh Allen is close, but I'm 230. He's like 260. My dad says Randall Cunningham-ish. I really don't think there's anybody like me. Not in a like cocky [way] or anything, just some confidence. There's nobody that moves like me, that's as tall as me."

Okay, it's easy to see where he was headed. He's discussing his physical profile and style of play. To his credit, the former Arkansas quarterback clearly wasn't attempting to disrespect anyone. In fact, he seemed more focused on explaining why he believes there isn't another quarterback built quite like him. The issue is that once Lamar Jackson's name enters the conversation, the standard changes immediately. Jackson isn't just any athletic quarterback. He's a two-time NFL MVP, a three-time First-Team All-Pro, and one of the most dynamic players professional football has ever seen.

Confidence is necessary, but comparisons matter

Again, Green didn't sound arrogant so much as confident. Honestly, confidence is almost mandatory for quarterbacks entering the NFL, especially developmental prospects drafted into chaotic quarterback rooms like Cleveland's.

Green possesses rare physical tools, and he knows it. At 6-foot-6, roughly 230 pounds, and armed with blazing athleticism, there genuinely are not many quarterbacks built like him physically. A 4.36 forty-yard dash and a 43-inch vertical jump certainly support that argument, but again, any comparison to Lamar Jackson, even if it's innocent, is a touchy subject. Comparing physical traits is one thing. Mentioning yourself anywhere near that resume before proving anything professionally quickly becomes risky territory. Any time someone mentions Lamar 'Action' Jackson, the always-protective Ravens fan base raises an eyebrow.

Green threw 59 touchdown passes in college and 35 interceptions -- rushing for 35 touchdowns while going 24-22 in 46 starts at Boise State (2022-23) and Arkansas (2024-2025).

That's especially true when we're discussing a rookie who hasn't played a snap of pro football yet. That's nearly enough to make every AFC North social media channel pause, if only for a few minutes. Green still has much to prove. The potential is there, but first, he must beat out Deshaun Watson, Gabriel, and Sanders before this even becomes a serious conversation.

This article originally appeared on Ravens Wire: Browns QB Taylen Green almost makes risky Lamar Jackson comparison

Jose Mourinho has firmly stated that Benfica’s Champions League qualification will not sway his decision regarding a potential move to Real Madrid.

The 63-year-old manager is widely reported to be a leading candidate to replace Alvaro Arbeloa at the Bernabeu, amid a challenging season for the Spanish giants.

Mourinho, who assumed control at Benfica in September, has overseen an unbeaten run in the Portuguese league with only one match left to play.

However, a draw against Braga on Monday evening has left his side two points behind second-placed Sporting Lisbon, ahead of Saturday’s critical encounter with Estoril.

Addressing the speculation at his post-match press conference, Mourinho declared: "You’re talking about Real Madrid, I’m not talking about Real Madrid. I’m talking about Benfica, and the work we’ve been doing won’t change because we’re second or third. That’s not what’s going to influence my future.

“Obviously, Benfica wants to play in the Champions League, and so do I as a coach, but it has no influence whatsoever."

Mourinho previously managed Real Madrid from 2010 to 2013, securing a league title and the Copa del Rey.

The current campaign has been particularly difficult for Los Blancos, culminating in their defeat to Barcelona on Sunday evening, which sealed the league title for their fierce rivals, alongside widely publicised dressing-room unrest.

Real Madrid were also knocked out of the Champions League at the quarter-final stage for the second consecutive season.

Having been eliminated by Arsenal last term, Real Madrid fell short against Bayern Munich this time around, suffering a 6-4 aggregate defeat.

The 15-time European Cup winners are set to finish the season trophyless, and the club is expected to appoint a new manager this summer, with Mourinho still well-liked by president Florentino Perez over a decade after he left the club to rejoin Chelsea.

The Cincinnati Bengals won’t find out their 2026 fate until the NFL schedule release on Thursday night. 

But reports and rumors start to trickle out well before that reveal. 

The buzz can be something as simple as say, news about another team’s schedule that, combined with the Cincinnati Reds’ schedule in town, makes a weekend pretty obvious. 

That, or it could be the NFL straight-up revealing a primetime game. 

Below, we’ll post live updates on any news, reports and rumors about the Bengals’ 2026 schedule. 

Bengals 2026 NFL schedule opponents 

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This article originally appeared on Bengals Wire: Bengals schedule release news: Tracking reports and rumors

The SCORE Act is set to again be on the United States House of Representatives agenda Monday, May 18, and the latest, amended version of the proposal to “represent the interests of student athletes, institutions, and conferences” includes language geared at dramatically altering the timeline of hiring coaches during the season.

The language in the SCORE Act’s latest version, made available Monday, May 11, on the rules portion of the House of Representatives website, seeks to establish “parameters for the manner in which an institution (or any person on behalf of an institution) may engage in public or private communication with respect to the employment of, or solicit, recruit, or enter into an employment contract or other arrangement with, any coach employed by another institution with respect to a varsity sports team, if such rules prohibit an institution (or any person on behalf of an institution) from engaging in any such communication, solicitation, recruitment, contract, or other arrangement with any such coach during a season of competition of the varsity sports team of such coach.”

It also seeks to dictate the funds an institution utilizes to pay off the buyouts of a fired coach.

While this element of college athletics is perhaps fresher in the minds of the public after Lane Kiffin’s weeks-long dalliance with LSU while still coaching Ole Miss late in the 2025 season, the debate on the timing of coaching departures in college football with seasons still in the balance traces to at least the 2021 cycle.

Brian Kelly left Notre Dame for the LSU job two days after the Irish concluded their regular season and Lincoln Riley left Oklahoma for Southern California on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2021, less than 12 hours after losing to rival Oklahoma State, costing the Sooners a spot in the College Football Playoff.

Kelly, who was replaced by Kiffin at LSU on Nov. 30, 2025, addressed the exit-status of coaches in the USA TODAY Sports college football podcast May 6, 2026 and advocated for a change to the hiring cycle.

“The timing stinks, ok?" Kelly said. "If we could all just say, 'Hey, (athletics directors), you can't make any decisions on coaches until after this time.' It'd be easy on our lives.

"Trust me, you don't like walking in on your team after they've already been told you're leaving. That's not fun."

There are other key, modified or new elements in the SCORE Act, which is in its third formal attempt in seeking to be passed through the House of Representatives and then addressed by the U.S. Senate.

Among those are an attempt to redefine "associated entity/entities," define compensation and define name, image and likeness (NIL), require arbitration to settle disputes and prohibit state attorneys general from suing on behalf of athletes, since arbitration is the act's goal, regulate agent-compensation from NIL deals with a 5 percent cap and five years' eligibility for student-athletes with proposed modifications to the NCAA's transfer rules for student-athletes.

The proposal wants a “pool limit” that is a dollar amount “calculated and published by an interstate intercollegiate athletic association” that “serves as the annual maximum amount that a (member) institution may provide, in total, to student athletes, including in the form of name, image and likeness or direct payment.”

The "Associated Entity” or "Associated Individual" element is among the more pressing topics in the ongoing House Settlement revenue-share and NIL era as more schools seek to utilize their multimedia rights partners as third-party conduits for athlete recruitment and retention.

The proposal outlines an individual as associated if it is someone “who is or has been a member, employee, director, officer, owner or other representative” who is “known or should be known” to an athletics department and its employees because the individual helps “promote or support varsity sports teams or student athletes” or creates NIL agreements or proposals “solely for the student athletes of such institution.”

This is one element of the House Settlement currently being contested on multiple fronts regarding third-party, multimedia rightsholders such as Playfly Sports, Learfield and JMI Sports. Plaintiff lawyers contend overreach from the College Sports Commission in its handling of these deals and the ongoing arbitration process. The CSC cites language in the House Settlement that specifies an arbitrator – not a judge – is the pathway for assessing the validity of NIL proposals that might come from a school’s MMR, such as Nebraska’s partnership with PlayFly.

Late afternoon Monday, May 11, a third-party arbitrator sided with the CSC against Nebraska when it was ruled in a "binding decision" that PlayFly is an "associated entity" of Cornhuskers athletics and also that the proposed NIL deals had violated the rule "against warehousing NIL rights." The arbitrator deemed that there were no material services or products that accompanied the proposed deals for Nebraska athletes that were reportedly worth millions of dollars.

In a May 7, 2026, op-ed published by The Hill, NCAA President Charlie Baker urged the advancement of the SCORE Act in this next legislative session. Outlining that the NCAA has data that reflect student-athletes do not wish to become full-time employees of their respective institutions and also that additional oversight is needed before more opportunities and sports are sacrificed, Baker wrote that NIL should be an element upon which athletes can earn payment but that current spending levels in college athletics are not sustainable.

“Less than 1 percent of college sports programs nationwide generate meaningful revenue,” Baker wrote, “so the additional cost of an employment mandate would create enormous financial pressure, likely resulting in widespread program cuts — with women’s sports, Olympic sports, historically Black college and university programs, and Division II and III bearing the brunt. Beyond that, coaches would become bosses, and scholarships could be taxed. I speak with student-athletes daily, and this is not an outcome they desire.”

Baker further added, “This includes codifying student-athletes’ right to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness and mandating the health and wellness benefits they deserve, while finally establishing the guardrails necessary to protect young people from predatory agents and “bad actors” currently operating in an unregulated NIL market. Because of this balanced, holistic approach, the SCORE Act has earned the support of student-athlete leaders and nearly every conference — including all four HBCU conferences — across all three divisions.”

The SCORE Act also aims to tackle age-based eligibility issues in the NCAA, advocating against the return of professional players to the collegiate game, and it also pushes for student-athletes to be in residence at a school for a minimum of one year before transferring. It urges institutions to keep academics and progress toward a degree as critical components.

The proposal also tasks leaders with examining the length of collegiate sports seasons, capping the maximum number of competitions within respective sports and also examining the travel now required of many institutions in the aftermath of the latest batch of conference expansions and realignment.

With the university now a member of the ACC, Stanford’s women’s basketball team during the 2025-26 season had conference games at North Carolina, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Pittsburgh, Miami and Boston College.

Southern California football, now in the Big Ten Conference, had 2025 contests at Purdue, at Illinois and at Notre Dame in a five-game stretch.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: SCORE Act governing NCAA sports seeks change to coaches firing, hiring

Jake Paul has admitted that he might not box again, as he continues to recover from the broken jaw that he suffered against Anthony Joshua.

In December, Paul was stopped by Joshua in six rounds, as the former world heavyweight champion beat the YouTuber-turned-boxer in Miami.

And “AJ”, 36, dealt Paul a broken jaw in that contest, which led the 29-year-old to quickly undergo surgery. Paul actually underwent a second surgery in February, and he has admitted that his fighting future is up in the air.

“I’m getting some new scans here in a couple of days – of the jaw – to get an update on the healing process,” Paul told said on The Ariel Helwani Show. “We’ll see what my doctors say.

“I think I’ll be able to get a more-accurate timeframe of can I even fight again? That is definitely in the realm of possibilities of things.

“It does feel a lot better as weeks go by and time goes by. But I definitely need to get cleared first to be able to spar, but I am sort of staying in shape. I’m always in the gym pretty much regardless, just staying in shape and enjoying some mitt work.

“Most definitely, [there’s a chance I can’t fight again]. I think it just depends on how the bone heals, and then also there’s a tooth missing here that I’m pretty sure I’m going to have to get an implanted tooth of some sort.

“I don’t know how much time that’s going to add to things. But we just have to see and figure out what the smartest thing is for me.

“Definitely my doctor, Arman, he doesn’t want me to fight again. He’s saying he doesn’t want me to. There’s the occasional business person who’s just like, ‘You don’t need to do this.’ [My fiancee] is kind of in both boats. She understands being an athlete and having that feeling inside of you and wanting to prove yourself more and to compete and the love of that.”

Ultimately, the American said: “I’m not done. I can just feel it in my spirit, in my soul and my heart that I have more fights left and unfinished business, in my mind.”

Paul’s loss to Joshua was the second defeat of his career. He previously lost to Tommy Fury – half-brother of ex-heavyweight champion Tyson Fury – on points in 2023.

However, Paul holds 12 wins, including victories over former UFC champions Anderson Silva and Tyron Woodley, and former boxing champions Julio Cesar Chavez Jr and Mike Tyson, 59.

The Indiana Hoosiers were honoured at the White House on Monday after completing a historic championship season under Curt Cignetti.

Indiana finished 16-0 and defeated Miami 27-21 in the College Football Playoff national championship game, giving the programme a defining moment.

However, Fernando Mendoza, their star quarterback and the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, had already signalled he was unlikely to attend the meeting with Donald Trump, and his absence from the ceremony was later confirmed.

Donald Trump says Fernando Mendoza called him and was ‘so nice’ about White House absence

Trump made clear during the ceremony that he held no hard feelings towards Mendoza, despite the quarterback missing Indiana’s visit.

The US president said Mendoza had called him directly and was “so nice” while explaining why he could not be there with his former teammates.

“If he was not here for other reasons like he didn’t like Trump or he didn’t want to come, I wouldn’t have even mentioned him,” Trump said (via Fox News).

He then suggested the call gave him a clear view of Mendoza’s political position, adding that the quarterback was an admirer.

“But he’s a great guy actually and he is actually a big fan of what we’re doing for our country.”

Mendoza’s absence confirms his football-first mindset, as he explained that missing practice as a rookie would not be a good look while trying to prove himself.

That seriousness matters because the Raiders have not guaranteed him the short-term status as a starter, despite taking him first overall in the draft.

Las Vegas have made clear that the best quarterback will play in Week One, setting up the competition between the youngster and names such as Kirk Cousins and Aidan O’Connell.

Read more:

Nabil Bentaleb (31) could leave Lille OSC at the end of the season, and there is plenty of interest in the Algeria international, as per a report from Foot Mercato.

It was only last season that Bentaleb recovered from a heart attack to make a spectacular return to football. This season, he has been a key part of a LOSC side that, with one game remaining, is primed to qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League. He has played 36 times in all competitions this season, scoring twice and registering two assists. 

However, a departure this summer is on the cards. Bentaleb’s contract with Lille is up, and whilst the option of extending remains open, there is also plenty of interest from abroad.

Besiktas have already approached the midfielder’s entourage, Foot Mercato understands. There is another Turkish club in the race, as well as interest from Saudi Arabia. Closer to home, there is interest from top-six clubs in Ligue 1 and also from clubs in the bottom half of the Premier League table. 

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

South Africa fast bowler Shabnim Ismail has reversed her international retirement and is included in the Proteas' squad for this summer's T20 World Cup in England.

Ismail, 37, is one of the fastest bowlers in women's cricket and is her country's all-time top wicket-taker in the format despite making her last appearance more than three years ago.

She is joined in the squad by fellow opening bowler Marizanne Kapp, who has recovered from illness, while Dane van Niekerk, who has also come out of retirement in the past year, is included following a calf injury.

South Africa, who were runners-up at the past two Women's T20 World Cups, open their campaign against Australia on 13 June before facing Pakistan, India, the Netherlands and Bangladesh.

They recently enjoyed a 4-1 series win against ODI world champions India.

"Having someone like Shabnim back adds a lot of value to the group," said head coach Mandla Mashimbyi.

"We had good conversations and you could see the hunger she still has to represent South Africa and help this team achieve something special."

South Africa squad: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.

• Wong to have scan amid concerns before World Cup
• Women's T20 World Cup 2026 squads
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Adam Ramsay-Peaty has signed up for this summer’s Commonwealth Games in a major boost to organisers.

The three-time Olympic champion will be named in Team England’s 42-strong swimming squad on Tuesday as he targets gold at a fourth consecutive Games.

The inclusion of the world’s fastest breaststroker is a real coup for Glasgow organisers, who stepped in to stage a scaled-down version of the event after Victoria in Australia pulled out as hosts three years ago.

Ramsay-Peaty, 31, admitted he came close to quitting the sport after failing to defend his 100m breaststroke Olympic title in Paris. He described the period as a “self-destructive spiral” as he battled injury problems and mental health struggles.

He married model Holly Ramsay — daughter of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay — in December and spent part of their honeymoon in Australia training with former coach Mel Marshall.

The addition of the shorter 50m breaststroke to the Los Angeles Olympic programme has reignited his passion. But he was reminded of the challenge ahead when he finished fourth in his signature event at a meet in Edinburgh in March.

Peaty responded in trademark fashion by reclaiming his British 50m and 100m breaststroke titles last month, posting times that rank him No 1 in the Commonwealth this season.

“Being selected to represent your country is always an honour and there is something special about a home Commonwealth Games,” said Ramsay-Peaty.

“This event also marks a significant milestone in my international career, which began in Glasgow 12 years ago at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

“I’m particularly excited to compete in Scotland this summer because I know everyone will come together to make it a brilliant occasion.”

Ramsay-Peaty — who has won four Commonwealth golds and three silvers — is aiming to become the first British swimmer to win titles at four separate Games.

South African Chad Le Clos won seven golds between 2010 and 2018 but just missed out on the podium top spot four years ago in Birmingham.

Ramsay-Peaty, who is the oldest member of England’s swim team, will be joined by fellow Olympic champions Tom Dean and James Guy, as well as six Paralympic gold medallists, including two-time Commonwealth champion Alice Tai.

Dean – whose battle with Scotland’s Duncan Scott in the 200m freestyle is expected to be one of the Games highlights – missed the recent national championships as he continues to rehab from a shoulder injury

“It’s brilliant to be able to announce such strong swimming and para-swimming squads for Glasgow 2026,” said Team England chef de mission Jonathon Riall.

“We have a number of returning Commonwealth champions and true stars of the sport, alongside some new faces who are set to make their mark this summer.”

Australia are likely to send a strong team to Glasgow, with their trials next month in Sydney, as Olympic champions Kaylee McKeown and Cameron McEvoy are expected to be among the squad.

However, four-time Olympic and seven-time Commonwealth champion Ariarne Titmus won’t be adding to her medal tally after announcing her retirement at the age of 25 last year and will be in Scotland as a broadcaster instead.

Team England are Ready to Win at the 2026 Commonwealth Games. Keep up to date on https://teamengland.org/

Prem leaders Northampton Saints have signed Italian winger Malik Faissal to bolster their squad for next season.

The 20-year-old will move to Franklin's Gardens from Zebre, having scored two tries in seven senior appearances for the Parma-based outfit so far.

Faissal has played 10 games for Italy's Under-20 team in the U20s Six Nations over the past two seasons, scoring three tries in two matches against England.

"Malik looks like a very well-rounded player, with some x-factor to his athleticism too. He's got speed and the ability to win the ball in the air, which in today's game is a vital skill," said Saints director of rugby Phil Dowson.

"We've been impressed with his intent too, how hard he works to get into the right places on the field. (Head coach) Sam (Vesty) loved his breakdown elements and how he hits in defence as well."

Faissal will join fellow Italian wing Edoardo Todaro in the squad for 2026-27.

Todaro scored 10 tries in 13 games for Saints at the start of this season and earned a place in the full Italy squad, but then tore a cruciate ligament in his knee and is now working his way back to full fitness.

"Moving to England and getting to play in a competitive league like the Prem is going to be a real challenge but it's a great opportunity for me to grow as a rugby player and as a person," Faissal said.

"I've already had some good conversations with the coaches about my development and where they can help me learn. That coaching was one of the main reasons I wanted to come to Saints, to play amongst a squad that is at the top of its game and learn from them."

There are 12 teams competing in the ICC Women's T20 World Cup, which begins on 12 June.

England take on Sri Lanka in the first game at Edgbaston, and the final will be held at Lord's on 5 July.

Here are the squads that have been named so far.

Group 1

Australia: TBC

Bangladesh: Nigar Sultana Joty (c), Nahida Akter, Sharmin Akter Supta, Sobhana Mostary, Shorna Akter, Ritu Moni, Rabeya Khan, Fahima Khatun, Fariha Islam Trisna, Marufa Akter, Shanjida Akther Maghla, Sultana Khatun, Dilara Akter, Juairiya Ferdous, Taj Nehar.

India: Harmanpreet Kaur (c), Smriti Mandhana, Shafali Verma, Jemimah Rodrigues, Bharti Fulmali, Deepti Sharma, Richa Ghosh, Shree Charani, Yastika Bhatia, Nandani Sharma, Arundhati Reddy, Renuka Singh, Kranti Gaud, Shreyanka Patil, Radha Yadav.

Netherlands: Babette de Leede (c), Caroline de Lange, Frédérique Overdijk, Hannah Landheer, Heather Siegers, Iris Zwilling, Isabel van der Woning, Lara Leemhuis, Myrthe van den Raad, Phebe Molkenboer, Robine Rijke, Rosalie Lawrence, Sanya Khurana, Silver Siegers, Sterre Kalis.

Pakistan: TBC

South Africa: Laura Wolvaardt (c), Tazmin Brits, Nadine de Klerk, Annerie Dercksen, Shabnim Ismail, Sinalo Jafta, Marizanne Kapp, Ayabonga Khaka, Sune Luus, Karabo Meso, Nonkululeko Mlaba, Kayla Reyneke, Tumi Sekhukhune, Chloe Tryon, Dane van Niekerk.

Group 2

England: Nat Sciver-Brunt (c), Charlie Dean, Lauren Bell, Alice Capsey, Tilly Corteen-Coleman, Sophia Dunkley, Sophie Ecclestone, Lauren Filer, Dani Gibson, Amy Jones, Freya Kemp, Heather Knight, Linsey Smith, Issy Wong, Danni Wyatt-Hodge.

Ireland: TBC

New Zealand: Melie Kerr (c), Suzie Bates, Sophie Devine, Flora Devonshire, Izzy Gaze, Maddy Green, Brooke Halliday, Bree Illing, Polly Inglis, Jess Kerr, Rosemary Mair, Nensi Patel, Georgia Plimmer, Izzy Sharp, Lea Tahuhu.

Scotland: Kathryn Bryce (c), Chloe Abel, Olivia Bell, Sarah Bryce, Darcey Carter, Priyanaz Chatterji, Gabriella Fontenla, Katherine Fraser, Kirstie Gordon, Ailsa Lister, Maisie Maceira, Abtaha Maqsood, Megan McColl, Rachel Slater, Pippa Sproul.

Sri Lanka: TBC

West Indies: TBC

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Tigers' Kevin McGonigle in line to win a major award in MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

Infielder Kevin McGonigle has outperformed expectations for the Detroit Tigers, which is what earned him his eight-year ($150 million) contract extension. Through 39 games, the 21-year-old is hitting .293 with a .830 OPS and has walked (23) more than he's struck out (21). 

McGonigle is on a cold streak as of late, hitting .192 with a .515 OPS in his last seven games. However, this cold streak hasn't hindered his chances of winning the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

Detroit Tigers Kevin McGonigle is a favorite to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award

In a poll taken by MLB experts, McGonigle finished second (14 first-place votes) to Chicago White Sox first baseman Munetaka Murakami (20 first-place votes) to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.

"The fun thing about this list of rookies is that almost all of them lead their peer group in something, illustrating the depth of the class," wrote MLB.com's Jason Foster. "In McGonigle's case, he led all MLB rookies in on-base percentage (.395), hits (43) and doubles (11) entering Monday, and was tied for the lead in triples (two). He hit .327 with a .946 OPS in April, collecting 32 hits along the way. That was tops among MLB rookies in all three categories."

More News:Mets' Nolan McLean is overwhelmingly favored to win a major award

Among rookies, McGonigle is leading in batting average, is second to Murakami in walks and is tied for the lead in triples (two). The fight for the American League Rookie of the Year Award will likely come down to the wire. And with the American League Central so weak, McGonigle's and Murakami's performances of lifting their teams to the postseason could influence the voting. 

More News:

• Reds' Sal Stewart is a favorite to win a major award in MLB
• Mets' lack of production from a majority of the roster remains a concern
• The Braves need to improve in one facet of the game moving forward
• Rays need to figure out how to generate more power moving forward
• Athletics' early success has them as an early postseason contender
• Phillies have one area they need to improve on moving forward

Pirates' Konnor Griffin in line to win a major award in MLB originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

After Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Konnor Griffin got off to a slow start, hitting .231 with a .631 OPS in April, Griffin has done better in May. The 20-year-old is hitting .324 with a .959 OPS in 34 at-bats. 

Like his fellow rookie, Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle, Griffin is signed to a lucrative extension (nine years, $140 million) and is starting to show why he is worth the cash. Griffin's success in May and star power at a young age continue to put him in line to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. 

Pittsburgh Pirates Konnor Griffin is a favorite to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award

In a poll of MLB experts, Griffin finished fourth (two first-place votes) to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Through 35 games, Griffin is hitting .256 with a .721 OPS and has nine stolen bases (hasn't been caught), which are the most among rookies in the National League. 

"Through Sunday, Griffin's nine stole bases were most among NL rookies, while he was tied for first in triples (two) and tied for fourth in hits (32) and RBIs (19)," wrote MLB.com's Jason Foster. "He was hitting .316 with a .913 OPS over his past 10 games through Sunday. This included a four-hit game against the Reds on May 2. Overall, he's his safely in 11 of his past 12 games."

More News:Mets' Nolan McLean is overwhelmingly favored to win a major award

New York Mets right-hander Nolan McLean (23 first-place votes) is the overwhelming favorite to win the award, but there's still a lot of season left for Griffin to win. The Mets are the worst team in Major League Baseball (15-25), while the Pirates are a contender to make the playoffs (22-19). This could help sway some voters to put Griffin over McLean. 

More News:

• Reds' Sal Stewart is a favorite to win a major award in MLB
• Mets' lack of production from a majority of the roster remains a concern
• The Braves need to improve in one facet of the game moving forward
• Rays need to figure out how to generate more power moving forward
• Athletics' early success has them as an early postseason contender
• Phillies have one area they need to improve on moving forward

AS Monaco are guaranteed to finish off the podium for the first time since 2023 and for only the second time since the Covid season. It means that, having qualified for back-to-back UEFA Champions League seasons, the Principality club will miss out next season.

With one game remaining in Ligue 1, there is still the chance to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, although their fate is not in their hands. There is also the chance of qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League, or the chance of missing out on Europe altogether, depending on the result of the Coupe de France final.

Within this context, Sébastien Pocognoli’s future at Monaco could come under consideration at the end of the season, L’Équipe understands. The Principality club have just five points from their last five games, and the poor end to the Ligue 1 season gives rise to some doubts about whether Pocognoli is the man to lead the club forward into next season.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle

If Club Brugge win the league this season, it will be in large part down to the brilliance of Christos Tzolis. The 24-year-old Greek winger has been in sensational form once again for the side he joined back in 2024. Clubs have been trying to pry him away from Belgium, but to no avail. As reported by HLN, Crystal Palace bid twice, with the second one being around €40m. Club Brugge still said no. So, how much is Tzolis really worth?

Norwich City fans will be ruing their luck with how Tzolis has gone on to develop since leaving the club. After joining the Canaries in 2022, Tzolis only played 13 games, scoring one goal. The side allowed him to join Fortuna Dusseldorf on loan the following season with a purchase option included of around €5m, a large amount for Fortuna. Yet, after 24 goals in 37 games, the side decided it was worth picking up the option. They had been debating whether to do it or not after missing out on promotion via the play-offs, but it was obvious during the summer that teams were interested in Tzolis.

Club Brugge were one, and for Tzolis, they could offer him the chance to compete for trophies and play in Europe. He took to Belgian football like a duck to water, scoring 21 goals and providing 14 assists in 56 games. Many players who come to Belgian football and produce such numbers are one and done, with a big move that summer. Yet, Club Brugge rejected offers from Crystal Palace and other clubs for Tzolis. The side are known for playing hard ball; there is a reason Hans Vanaken is still there.

So far this season, Tzolis has been even better. He is already on 19 goals in 49 games with a few to go, so will more than likely score 20 for the third season in a row. He has also grabbed an incredible 24 assists in that time. If Club Brugge are willing to reject offers of €40m for Tzolis, then he is clearly going to demand a record fee for a player from the Belgian Pro League.

With a contract running until 2029, there is also no pressure on Club Brugge to sell Tzolis for anything less than a kings ransom. He has shown over the past three seasons that he has enough quality to play in the major European leagues. This season alone he scored three goals and grabbed five assists in 13 Champions League games.

Once again, Club Brugge are sitting on a goldmine. If they sell Tzolis this summer, they will have enough to sign two or three new players to bolster their squad. If the Greek winger decides to stay another year, they will be looking at competing for trophies once again next season. It is a win win situation for both club and player.

GBeNeFN | Ben Jackson

Southampton have asked for more time to investigate claims that the club were 'spying' on Middlesbrough's training ahead of their Championship play-off semi-final last week.

Boro claimed that one of Southampton's performance analysts had been observing their training from a slope looking down at the club's training ground and potentially recording it.

The Saints have been charged by the English Football League and have 14 days to respond.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly," Southampton CEO Phil Parsons said about the charge, after underlining that the club had been co-operating with the EFL.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn."

The first game at the Riverside finished goalless with Southampton hosting Middlesbrough in the semi-final second leg this evening.

Gian Piero Gasperini is at the heart of the Roma project.

This is what the Friedkins revealed in the statement releasing Ranieri’s departure from the capital on April 24. “Looking to the future, our direction is clear. The club is solid, with strong leadership and a well-defined vision. AS Roma will always come first. We have full confidence in the path that awaits us under Gian Piero Gasperini’s guidance, with the shared goal of growing, improving, and achieving results worthy of our history.”

The Giallorossi coach is awaiting a meeting with the ownership to begin planning for next season, with many delicate issues to address: from the contract renewals of expiring players to the summer training camp, from the medical staff shakeup to the transfer market planning that must be prioritized. Not to mention the choice of the next sporting director…

Gasperini has clear ideas about how to strengthen Roma for next season. However, the coach wants to meet with the owners to avoid the mix-ups that plagued his first year in the capital.

As reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Friedkins are expected in Rome for the derby against Lazio.

A crucial match in the race for next season’s Champions League. Gasperini will have the opportunity to speak with the club to plan a smooth future.

Southampton have requested more time to conduct an internal review after they were charged with spying on Championship play-off rivals Middlesbrough.

The English Football League has accused Saints of "observing, or attempting to observe, another club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match" and not acting "with the utmost good faith" to another club.

Middlesbrough claim that a member of the Southampton coaching staff was found watching and recording a training session at their Rockliffe Park base on Thursday - two days before the teams drew 0-0 at Riverside Stadium in the first leg of their play-off semi-final.

At no stage have Southampton attempted to deny the allegation.

Saints boss Tonda Eckert left Saturday's post-match news conference early after being asked multiple times, and refusing to answer, if he had sent a performance analyst to a Boro training session.

Normally the south coast club would have 14 days to respond to the charges, but the EFL has asked the independent disciplinary commission for "a hearing at the earliest opportunity".

The clubs meet at St Mary's in the second leg on Tuesday evening, with the winners facing Hull City in the final at Wembley on 23 May.

"The club is fully co-operating with the EFL and the disciplinary commission, whilst also undertaking an internal review to ensure that all facts and context are properly understood," said Southampton CEO Phil Parsons.

"Given the intensity of the fixture schedule and the short turnaround between matches, we have requested time to complete that process thoroughly and responsibly.

"We understand the discussion and speculation that has followed over recent days, but we also believe it is important that the full context is established before conclusions are drawn."

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The beautiful Aronimink Golf Club, located in Newtown Square (just west of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania), is hosting the 108th edition of the PGA Championship this week. Thursday to Sunday is when it all goes down.

The weather looks to largely agree, but will it be a hole-in-one?

Forecast

Long story short, as the event proceeds, the chances of rain drops, but the temperature should increase. With those increases in temperature comes an increase in humidity. Winds also shift direction but remain largely consistent in terms of speed.

Golf, like other sports, is a game of inches. All weather factors need to be taken into consideration for the golfers. The graphic below has more information.

Thursday

On the first day of this event, the weather is looking mainly good. There is a slight chance of a shower in the morning or early afternoon. Fortunately, this clears up as the afternoon progresses. The high is looking to be in the low to mid 60s, and a west-northwest wind between 10-15 mph is possible.

Friday

For Friday, the rain chances are greatly reduced, and the temperature is slightly warmer. A high in the lower 70s is expected with a northwest wind of 10-15 mph.

Saturday

The pattern of warmer temperatures continues. The high is now in the upper 70s to lower 80s. Winds also are expected to shift to come out of the west-southwest from 5-10 mph.

Sunday

The final day of the championship is also the warmest. Highs are expected to climb well into the 80s, with winds out of the west at 10-15 mph.

Previous Weather Impacts

I love looking at notable weather impacts at sporting events, especially since it doesn’t look this way this year.

A notable year that stuck out to me was when the BMW Championship that was held at the Aronimink Golf Club in September 2018. While this is a different event, I wanted to pick the last time this course saw crazy rainfall.

And that sure happened in September 2018, when what was left of Tropical Storm Gordon got swept up by a cold front moving across the country at the time. This brought inches of rainfall to the area causing a delay of play until the next day.

Fortunately, there is no chance of a tropical system for this one, and May is one of the drier months for this part of Pennsylvania.

Here's to hoping the players and the weather bring their "A" game.

Rob Shackelford is a meteorologist and climate scientist at weather.com. He received his undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Georgia studying meteorology and experimenting with alternative hurricane forecasting tools.

Jamie Carragher has claimed that Xabi Alonso ‘would love to manage Liverpool’ and would jump at a return to Anfield if he felt there was a chance of it happening.

Amid the steadily increasing pressure on Arne Slot, the former Reds midfielder has been widely touted as a leading candidate to take over from the Dutchman if the latter were to be sacked as our head coach.

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However, several reliable reporters have indicated that FSG are set to keep faith with the 47-year-old, and on Monday it emerged (via The i Paper) that the Spaniard could be tempted to become the next permanent boss of Chelsea as they seek out a successor to Liam Rosenior.

Carragher: Alonso ‘would love to manage Liverpool’

Speaking on Sky Sports‘ Monday Night Football, Carragher claimed that his former teammate Alonso would relish the opportunity to go back to Liverpool, if he felt that the Anfield hierarchy were keen on hiring him.

The pundit said of the ex-Real Madrid boss: “I think he would love to manage Liverpool one day, I’m sure he would, but Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in European football right now.”

Carragher added: “There will be a feeling from a lot of Liverpool supporters that Xabi Alonso’s there and, if we want him, I think he would come to us because there is history with the club, but it looks like the club have made their decision on Slot.

“What tells you they’ve made their decision on Slot is that there’s talks between Xabi Alonso and Chelsea. If there was an inkling that Liverpool were interested in him or that they were gonna change the manager, I think he would go to Liverpool.”

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Alonso won’t stick around for Liverpool if he doesn’t feel wanted

If Carragher’s hunches are correct – and we’ve no reason to believe they aren’t – it’d make the sight of Alonso taking charge at Chelsea all the more gut-punching for Reds supporters whose patience with Slot has run out.

The emotional allure of a return to Anfield may well appeal to the Spaniard, but if he senses that FSG would rather preserve the status quo, he’s not going to wait around for that to change, especially if another club have been more proactive in seeking to hire him.

The worry for Liverpool fans is that the hierarchy are missing a golden opportunity to appoint a coach with proven success (he incredibly won an unbeaten German double with Bayer Leverkusen two years ago) and who’s already adored by supporters, instead showing blind loyalty to a struggling incumbent.

That in itself is frustrating enough without it being compounded by the prospect of Alonso taking the reins at a direct domestic rival in Chelsea, which he has every right to do for his own coaching career (so long as he’s prepared to not get too cosy, with BlueCo already burning through five permanent bosses in four years).

The timing for a rapturous return to Anfield feels right to us. Unfortunately, FSG don’t appear to see it that way.

According to AS, Barcelona midfielder Gavi will be included in Luis de la Fuente’s final 26-man Spain squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Having spent a large chunk of the season out injured, the La Masia graduate has enjoyed a strong run of form since returning in March. And, it has been seemingly enough for him to secure a spot on the plane to North America.

Gavi to fly to the World Cup

From spending 192 days sidelined with a devastating knee injury that needed him to undergo surgery, to becoming a key figure in securing the La Liga title, Gavi has now climbed back onto the World Cup train just in time.

The Barcelona midfielder’s inclusion would be a reward for patience, trust and performances.

Gavi had been a cornerstone player for both Luis Enrique and De la Fuente in the Spain setup before the nightmare ACL injury struck in November 2023.

Gavi will be on the flight for the World Cup. (Photo by Eric Alonso/Getty Images)

While he briefly returned to the Spain setup during the 2025 Nations League campaign after recovering, another setback followed in the form of the knee injury that needed arthroscopic surgery.

A fresh ordeal. But one he has emerged from stronger than before. Since returning from injury, Gavi has once again re-established himself as a permanent fixture in Flick’s Barcelona, playing a key role in the final leg of the season.

With important players like Frenkie de Jong and Raphinha unavailable, the 21-year-old La Masia graduate has stepped up and delivered in a big way in recent weeks.

Now, after re-establishing himself as an indispensable part of Flick’s Barcelona, Gavi is set to be included in the Spain squad for the World Cup.

And he will not be alone from the Barcelona dressing room to be called up. As reported, Joan Garcia is also expected to be included, while the likes of Pau Cubarsi, Pedri, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo, Ferran Torres, and Lamine Yamal are regulars in the La Roja setup.

It has now been revealed how much Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to earn at Manchester United, amid reports that there is an agreement in place between his camp and the club.

Ederson interest

Heading into the summer transfer window, United are expected to prioritise midfield reinforcements.

Other positions are also likely to come into play but bolstering the team’s options in the middle of the park is the main item on the agenda, with as many as three midfielders likely to arrive.

One of these options is Ederson, a player who has long been linked to the club. The Brazilian is out of contract next summer and United have been alerted to his availability after a proposed move to Atletico Madrid appears to have stalled.

It’s believed that Atletico have switched their attention to Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Joao Gomes, paving the way for United to swoop in for Ederson. Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal are also thought to be admirers of the Atalanta player.

A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ederson is not a main target for United but is seen as a market opportunity. Although director of football Jason Wilcox admires him, Ederson is a “Category B” option who would complement a bigger midfield signing.

Another report claimed that United have an agreement in place with the player over personal terms. TEAMtalk have reiterated this, highlighting just how much the 26-year-old is set to earn if he seals a switch to Old Trafford in the summer.

Big payday

TEAMtalk write, “Sources suggest United have an idea on personal terms with the midfielder on a lucrative contract running until 2031, worth approximately €5million (£4.3m / $5.9m) net per year.”

“This package, equating to roughly £100,000 gross per week depending on bonuses, has convinced Ederson to say YES to a move to Old Trafford if official movements are made.”

“The Red Devils view the physical, ball-winning No.6 as an ideal reinforcement or potential replacement for the ageing Casemiro.”

Atalanta are said to want €45million (£38.9m) for Ederson. However, the final fee could rise to €60 million with add-ons.

It’s understood that United are aware of the conditions to get a deal over the line and are considering their options. United are seen as frontrunners for Ederson’s signature.

Featured image Francesco Scaccianoce via Getty Images

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With minutes left at the Stadio Tardini, Parma were ahead, the atmosphere had shifted, and Roma’s push for a Champions League spot seemed ready to collapse in painful fashion.

Then everything changed.

Two late goals flipped the match completely as Roma escaped with a wild 3-2 victory that could end up defining their season.

Roma Refused to Collapse

The match started in a positive way for the Giallorossi.

Donyell Malen opened the scoring after combining well with Paulo Dybala, continuing the strong attacking form that has kept Roma competitive during the final stretch of the season.

For long periods, Roma controlled possession and looked comfortable. The movement in attack was sharp, and Parma struggled to contain the pressure early on.

But the second half completely changed the mood.

Defensive mistakes started creeping in. Parma grew into the match, and suddenly Roma looked nervous. When Mandela Keita scored late to give Parma the lead, it felt like a devastating blow to Roma’s Champions League hopes.

Dybala and Malen Changed the Tempo

Even during the difficult moments, Paulo Dybala kept trying to create something.

His movement between the lines caused problems throughout the match, and his connection with Malen looked dangerous whenever Roma managed to move the ball quickly.

The chemistry between the two attackers is becoming increasingly important for Gian Piero Gasperini’s side as the season reaches its final weeks.

Malen especially continues to justify the attention around his recent form. His finishing, direct movement, and confidence in front of goal have added a different dimension to Roma’s attack.

The latest donyell malen stats also reflect that improvement. His recent goal involvement has become one of the biggest reasons Roma are still competing for a top-four finish.

The Match Turned Chaotic Late On

Roma’s response after going behind changed everything.

Devyne Rensch stepped into the spotlight with a dramatic equalizer before winning the late penalty that gave Roma one final chance.

Malen converted from the spot deep into stoppage time, and suddenly the entire narrative flipped.

Instead of another painful collapse, Roma walked away with one of their most emotional wins of the season.

The celebrations at full time said everything.

Live Odds Shifted With Every Moment

Matches like this show how quickly momentum changes in modern football.

Roma looked in control early, then suddenly appeared close to dropping crucial points before completely reversing the situation again in stoppage time.

That volatility was reflected in live betting movement throughout the match. Fans following the changing probabilities through platforms connected to MelBet apk saw the odds swing dramatically as Parma took the lead and Roma pushed for the comeback.

Games like this are impossible to fully predict because emotion and momentum often take over.

Gasperini’s Roma Still Feels Unfinished

There are still clear issues in this team.

Defensively, Roma looked vulnerable again. Transitions remain a problem, and periods of lost concentration continue to create danger.

But at the same time, there is obvious attacking quality inside this squad.

Gasperini’s aggressive style creates chances, especially when Roma move the ball vertically and attack with speed. The challenge is maintaining control when matches become chaotic.

Against Parma, Roma nearly paid the price for losing that balance.

Instead, they survived because the attack delivered in the biggest moments.

The Champions League Race Is Still Alive

That’s the biggest thing here.

Roma are still alive in the race for a Champions League place.

Dropping points in Parma would have been a massive setback with so few matches remaining. Instead, the late comeback kept pressure on the teams above them and maintained momentum heading into a crucial period of the season.

Every point matters now.

And emotionally, victories like this can change the mood around a club very quickly.

Fans Reacted Instantly Online

The reaction after the final whistle was immediate.

Roma supporters flooded social media with clips, reactions, and celebrations after one of the wildest finishes of the Serie A season.

The discussion around MelBet Instagram Somalia reflected the chaos of the final minutes, with fans reacting to the comeback almost in real time.

That’s what matches like this do. They create moments supporters remember long after the season ends.

Parma Deserved More

Lost in the chaos is the fact Parma played well for large stretches.

They stayed organized, punished Roma’s mistakes, and came extremely close to taking a huge result. For most of the second half, they looked more composed than the visitors.

That’s what makes the ending even more brutal for them.

One moment away from victory, and then suddenly everything disappeared.

Final Thoughts

Roma’s comeback against Parma was messy, emotional, dramatic, and probably impossible to fully explain logically.

But those are often the matches that define a season.

For Roma, the win keeps Champions League qualification alive and reinforces the belief that this team can still produce big moments under pressure.

Now comes the difficult part.

Turning emotion into consistency before time runs out.