It’s not necessarily atypical, but it’s important to call out that the Minnesota Vikings have watched as one-fifth of their 2025 starters have departed via retirement and free agency.

Minnesota’s offseason turnover hit the starting lineup a bit hard.

The main faces on the coaching staff will remain the same, but from a starter personnel viewpoint, get ready to see a revised Vikings club in September.

Familiar Vikings Starters Have Moved On

In alphabetical order, these are the starters who left.

Jonathan Allen (DT)
Where He Went: Cincinnati Bengals

Allen lasted one year in Minnesota after signing a three-year, $51 million contract last offseason during former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s big spending spree. He played decently, basically at a replacement level, making the large financial commitment no longer worth a second look.

Minnesota released him right away during free agency, and he quickly landed in Cincinnati, where his new contract will alleviate most of the Vikings’ 2027 salary cap burden pertaining to his contract.

Allen was a swing-and-a-miss for the Vikings, at least per expectations.

C.J. Ham (FB)
Where He Went: His House. Retirement.

Ham came up during the Mike Zimmer era and stood the test of time. Providing support as an outstanding blocker, special teamer, and sometimes-playmaker, Vikings fans adored Ham and are sad to see him go. He was one of the locker room guys in Minnesota, a team captain through and through.

The longtime purple fullback said this week during a retirement ceremony, “There’s nothing like game day at The Bank. From the beginning, I felt all the love. Just a fellow Minnesota kid living his dream of wearing the purple and gold someday. I know that resonated with many Minnesota fans, so I felt as if I was doing it for me and my family, I was also doing it for you.”

Ham called it quits alongside former teammate Adam Thielen at the ceremony, and head coach Kevin O’Connel mentioned about the duo: “Their impacts clearly on and off the field have left a tremendous impact, not only on myself as the head coach of this team, all of our players, but also your families and what you guys were able to establish in the community here in the Twin Cities and beyond.”

“I know I, today, get the opportunity to not only speak for our team and our organization, but Minnesota Vikings fans everywhere, just saying, Thank you for your impact that you guys both had.”

Hopefully, Ham returns to the game as a coach down the road.

Javon Hargrave (DT)
Where He Went: Green Bay Packers

You can basically scroll up, read the paragraphs about Allen, rinse, and repeat.

The Vikings added Hargrave last offseason for $30 million over two years, and like Allen, the relationship was not parleyed into a second season. Minnesota dropped Hargrave, and a couple of days later, he did the unthinkable, signing with the Packers.

Minnesota will see him twice next year.

Ryan Kelly (C)
Where He Went: His House. Retirement.

Kelly had a bittersweet time in Minnesota, signed with Allen and Hargrave as part of 2025 free agency. When Kelly was on the field in 2025, he was fantastic, very much living up to his four-time Pro Bowl reputation.

But concussions ruined everything, as Kelly sustained three in one season alone. He even wore a Guardian cap down the stretch of 2025. It didn’t change anything.

Kelly retired from the NFL, and now Minnesota needs a center, either promoting Blake Brandel or Michael Jurgens, signing a free agent like Ethan Pocic, or drafting a rookie next month.

Jalen Nailor (WR)
Where He Went: Las Vegas Raiders

Nailor jelled instantly with Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy, but it wasn’t enough to secure a second contract beyond his rookie deal. The Raiders pounced earlier this month, granting Nailor a deal worth $35 million over the next three years.

The Vikings need a WR3 to replace Nailor, unless 2025 rookie Tai Felton, from Maryland, is ready for the offense’s bright lights. Nailor, on the other hand, will fill a WR1 or WR2 role in Las Vegas, presumably with rookie passer Fernando Mendoza when the Raiders make the draft pick official next month.

The Waiting Game: Harrison Smith

Smith played flag football with his peers on Saturday afternoon.

Meanwhile, he has made no concrete decision on his future, whether to retire or return for Year No. 15. It’s a waiting game. One would think that if Smith planned to retire, he would’ve done so by now. The sipidity of “Will he or won’t he?” regarding Smith continues.

While no one would be shocked by a Smith retirement tweet, the clues hint at a return.

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World number one Carlos Alcaraz was knocked out of the Miami Open in the third round after a surprise 6-3 5-7 6-4 defeat by Sebastian Korda.

Top seed Alcaraz, 22, produced a sloppy first set which gave the American the early initiative but Korda looked to have blown his chance in the second set.

Korda served for the match at 5-4 but was broken to love by the Spaniard who went on to win the next two games to force a third set.

Alcaraz upped the ante but Korda held his nerve and seized a break for 4-3 in the third when his opponent stroked a forehand wide.

Korda, ranked 36th in the world, confidently held his next two service games to close out the match – sealing the win on his second match point as Alcaraz overhit a a return.

Alcaraz said his game is improving despite being knocked out as he prepares to rest up before the clay-court seaon.

“I think the process has been good. Besides the loss today, I think I’m still in the right way,” he said.

“Some things in previous tournaments that I just didn’t feel comfortable, I think in this tournament, I started to feel better and better.”

Alcaraz said lower-ranked opponents such as Korda have the opportunity to play with more freedom against him, but he must guard against putting undue pressure on himself.

He added: “I’m feeling they have more to win than to lose in those matches. They’re playing without pressure.

“I’m not thinking about my pressure. I don’t feel it at all. I’m trying to play my best.”

Korda, 25, is the lowest-ranked man to defeat Alcaraz since world number 55 David Goffin of Belgium upset the Spaniard in the second round in Miami last year

Alcaraz began the year by winning his seventh Grand Slam title with a triumph at the Australian Open and did not suffer his first loss of the season until he fell to Daniil Medvedev in the semi-finals of Indian Wells.

Korda, who reached the quarter-finals of the Miami Open in 2021 and 2025 but has never gone further, will face 14th seed Karen Khachanov or qualifier Martin Landaluce in the fourth round.

“It feels great,” said Korda, who wrapped up the win in two hours and 19 minutes as he beat a top-ranked player for the first time in his career.

“I took the scenic route, that’s for sure – a little more stress than I would want but happy with how I played.

“I kept believing. I got myself in some nasty situations, but I kept going and played really well in the end.”

Timely shots and a gritty performance helped the Iowa Hawkeyes knock off the defending NCAA men’s basketball national champion Florida Gators on Sunday night, 73-72.

Down two points, Iowa inbounded the ball to guard Bennett Stirtz who dribbled up the floor and found Alvaro Folgueiras in the corner. Folgueiras took one dribble back to make sure he was above the 3-point line and nailed the go-ahead bucket for just over four seconds left.

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Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) puts up a three point shot against Florida during the second half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

Folgueiras pointed to the sky to honor his late father. Florida couldn’t get a last-second shot up and Iowa won the game. He was seen hugging his mother in the stands.

“It’s really special,” Folgueiras said after the game. “We went through a lot of moments in the season. I’ve been in a lot of moments in my life. My mom is there after fighting for me her whole life. This is really special. It’s for the dreamers and there’s no better dreamers than us.”

ST JOHN’S SENDS KANSAS PACKING WITH DRAMATIC BUZZER-BEATING LAYUP IN NCAA TOURNAMENT

Iowa forward Alvaro Folgueiras (7) and Florida forward Thomas Haugh (10) go after a loose ball during the first half in the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Folgueiras scored 14 points and had five rebounds in the win. Iowa star Tavion Banks added 20 points on 7-of-10 from the field.

Florida’s Alex Condon led the Gators with 21 points, seven assists and five rebounds. Thomas Haugh added 19 points and Xavian Lee had 17 points.

It will be the first time since 1999 that Iowa will be able to compete in the Sweet 16. In that year, J.R. Koch and the Hawkeyes lost to the Rip Hamilton-led UConn Huskies.

Florida forward Alex Condon (21) reacts after the team lost to Iowa during the second round of the NCAA college basketball tournament Sunday, March 22, 2026, in Tampa, Florida. (AP Photo/Chris O’Meara)

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Florida is the first No. 1 seed in the men’s tournament to fall.

The Gators will no longer be in the running to be repeat champions. It means the Dan Hurley-led UConn team remains the only back-to-back champions since Florida began its own dynasty in 2006 and 2007.

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Jalen Redmond continued his career breakout last season, turning a first season on promise in Minnesota into a second season in which he became the team’s best interior defensive lineman. He received an extra $1.18 million this week for his efforts during the 2025 season.

The Recent Cash Windfall

The NFL has a new performance-based payment system that can see players on small contracts get a pay bump after the fact. It is a new initiative for this year, and Redmond found himself in the money this week. In essence, if an unsung player exceeds his expected snap count and the efficiency is there, he gets paid extra.

Each team was allotted $16.951 million in performance-based pay benefits, and the Vikings issued 100% of their budget to 68 different players. 

Redmond was a 2025 poster child for the program and the only Viking to receive north of $1 million. The extra money comes with the $1 million he receives after the Vikings tendered him an exclusive-rights contract, ensuring he stays in Minnesota for the 2026 season.

Redmond’s rise from a discarded undrafted player in Carolina to a year in the UFL to the lynchpin on the Vikings DL has been meteoric. It leaves Redmond deserving of a much bigger contract than the tender he is sitting on.

When Does the Extension Come?

Redmond deserves a long-term commitment, and while the tender means there’s no rush on the Vikings’ side, Redmond will have accrued three seasons by the end of this year, taking away Minnesota’s exclusive rights. The Vikings shouldn’t wait for him to hit free agency next year and face competition for his signature – get the deal done this year.

The numbers back up what the film shows. Redmond earned a 72.7 Pro Football Focus grade and recorded six sacks from the DL interior, ranking 11th among all NFL defensive tackles. Furthermore, he led all defensive tackles in pass deflections, consistently disrupting quarterbacks.

Minnesota spent big money last year on Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen, only to release them earlier this month. Redmond outperformed both last season, deciding to cut ties with the two veterans for salary-cap relief, an easy one.

He has been a late bloomer, but Redmond is still only 27 and has plenty of football left ahead of him. In a short space of time, Redmond has become one of the most important players on the Vikings’ defense. If there is one player on the Vikings roster who should get the next big contract, it is Redmond.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

England’s Matt Fitzpatrick bounced back from an agonising near miss at the Players Championship to win the Valspar Championship,

Fitzpatrick had led last week’s Players by one shot on the 17th tee but a par-bogey finish cost him as American Cameron Young closed birdie-par to snatch victory.

But Fitzpatrick earned redemption on Sunday at Palm Harbor, Florida, sinking a 14ft-putt to birdie the 18th hole and beat American David Lipsky by one shot.

The 31-year-old carded a three-under-par 68 to finish on 11 under and had to wait for two groups to complete their rounds before his third PGA Tour win was confirmed.

“To come away with a win this week is really special, considering last week’s performance as well,” said Fitzpatrick, who last won on the tour in 2023.

“I’ll be honest, it wasn’t an ideal putt [on 18]. I wouldn’t say I was overly keen on it considering my putting performance but to get it done was special.”

Fitzpatrick, who won the DP World Tour Championship in November, says he will have a two-week break before preparing for next month’s Masters.

“I’m obviously very confident in my game right now but what it takes to win a major is very different to what it takes to win on the PGA Tour,” added the 2022 US Open champion.

“Particularly the Masters, there’s extra pressure on the Masters, no matter who you are. It just has that standing above all the other events, as well as the majors.

“I’m coming away from this week delighted with where my game’s at but there’s stuff I want to improve.”

Fellow Englishman Jordan Smith, 33, was third on nine under – his best finish on the PGA Tour.

Smith’s compatriot Marco Penge, South Korea’s Sungjae Imm who had led for three rounds, and Ameircan Xander Schauffele were all tied for fourth on eight under.

Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-0 at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final thanks to a Nico O’Reilly brace.

Arsenal head coach Mikel Arteta has insisted his side will use the defeat to Manchester City in the Carabao Cup final as fuel for the remainder of the season. The Blues were good value for the win at Wembley Stadium having dominated the second half after an even first 45 minutes.

Kepa Arrizabalaga’s mistake on the hour mark gave City the lead as he fumbled Rayan Cherki’s cross for Nico O’Reilly to head home. Moments later, the Blues added a second when Matheus Nunes’ cross was powered in by O’Reilly. When asked for his thoughts after the match, Arteta insisted his team would use the defeat as motivation.

“Very sad, a hard one to take. We know for our supporters how much it means to them,” he said. “We’re going to use it as fire in the belly. We’ll manage the energy in the right way. We’ll go through the pain and disappointment; it’s part of football.

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“We played 50 games before today? Every time we have a draw or a defeat, we have to prove it, we have to do it again. We have a recent history of how this team has responded in these moments.”

City and Arsenal are battling it out at the top of the Premier League with the Gunners boasting a nine-point advantage. However, the Blues have a game in hand over Arteta’s men and still have to face them at the Etihad Stadium next month.

Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Pep Guardiola insisted he would rather be in Arsenal’s position in the Premier League and played down talk of whether the Carabao Cup win could have an impact on the title race. “I would love to be nine points in front, to be honest. It’s in their hands,” he explained.

“We need time, an incredible break. I am exhausted and after we see step by step.”

When City return from the international break, they will face Liverpool in the FA Cup. The Blues then return to Premier League action on April 12 at Chelsea.

March Madness has a new darling.

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling found a lane and drove it. With four seconds left in the game, he blew past Kansas Jayhawks defender Elmarko Jackson and made the game-winning layup before time expired.

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Dylan Darling #0 of the St. John’s Red Storm shoots the ball against Elmarko Jackson #13 and Flory Bidunga #40 of the Kansas Jayhawks during the second half in the second round of the 2026 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament at Viejas Arena at San Diego State University on March 22, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)

St. John’s Red Storm guard Dylan Darling (0) shoots the game-winning shot against the Kansas Jayhawks in the second half during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026. (Kirby Lee/Imagn Images)

For the first time since 1999, the Red Storm will be headed to the Sweet 16 in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament.

“It was ugly, but we got it done,” Darling said.

The No. 4-seeded St. John’s struggled late in the second half as Kansas pressed up the floor. St. John’s held a 10-point lead with 6:36 left in the game. But a few missed shots and a couple of turnovers and the Jayhawks were right back in the game.

Kansas star Darryn Peterson made two free throws with 13 seconds left to tie the game. The Jayhawks, who were the No. 5 seed, had four fouls to give and used them all up to get the game down to about four seconds to go. The idea was to keep the Red Storm on their toes and to keep them from setting up a decent inbounds play.

KENTUCKY SURVIVES SANTA CLARA IN OVERTIME THRILLER AFTER OTEGA OWEH’S MIRACLE BUZZER-BEATER

But Darling got the last laugh with his two-point bucket – his only points of the game. He had four assists and two steals.

Red Storm’s Zuby Ejofor and Bryce Hopkins each had 18 points to lead St. John’s.

Peterson led Kansas with 21 points. Melvin Council Jr. had 15 points and Flory Bidunga had 12 points.

St. John’s Red Storm head coach Rick Pitino talks with forward Sadiku Ibine Ayo (2) in the first half against the Kansas Jayhawks during a second round game of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Viejas Arena on March 22, 2026.  (Denis Poroy/Imagn Images)

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It’s the fourth straight year that Kansas has been unable to get out of the second round of the NCAA Tournament.

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Roberto Duran has hailed the “explosive hand speed and power” of Luis Reynaldo Nunez, a Dominican featherweight who he sees becoming a world champion.

The 26-year-old returned to action earlier this month, engineering a first-round finish after claiming a more significant points victory over Hector Andres Sosa in December.

Despite the limited nature of his opponent, Jhan Estiven Camacho, Nunez was able to showcase a brief but striking glimpse of his talent at Hotel El Panama, where a mightily-impressed Duran was watching at ringside.

The legend’s son, Roberto Duran Jr, was in Nunez’s corner, accompanying head coach Bob Santos who has previously worked with the likes of Robert Guerrero and Erislandy Lara.

Speaking with BoxingScene after Nunez’s fight, Santos recalled an encouraging conversation he shared with Duran, whose fighting career is still regarded as one of the all-time best.

“He really enjoyed looking at Nunez up close, and he said, ‘That kid has some explosive hand speed and power. No doubt in my mind that he is going to be a world champion’. Who better to know than [Duran]?”

Santos added that Nunez is targeting a shot at Rafael Espinoza, who is widely regarded as the top dog at 126lbs following his two victories over Robeisy Ramirez.

Espinoza claimed his WBO world title by outpointing the Olympic gold medallist in 2023, before ending their rematch with a sixth-round finish the following year.

But while Nunez and his team are determined to test themselves against the very best, it is highly unlikely that they will secure an opportunity against the Mexican anytime soon.

Far more likely is a shot at the IBF title, which is currently held by Angelo Leo, as Nunez boasts a No.3 ranking with that particular sanctioning body.

Entering a football match without a ticket has now become a criminal offence

A man from Oldham has been arrested and charged over a ‘tailgating’ incident at the Man City Wembley match on Sunday afternoon (March 22). In the first charge of its kind, the man was arrested by Met Police officers following the Carabao Cup final against Arsenal.

It comes after entering a football match in England and Wales without a ticket became a criminal offence under new laws on March 22. The legislation was introduced because of serious disorder that tainted the European Championship final between England and Italy at Wembley in July 2021, when thousands of fans barged into the stadium.

The man, aged in his 20s was arrested at the final and has since been charged. Benjamin Bailey, 27, of Fifth Avenue in Oldham, Manchester, will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on May 1 in connection with the alleged offence.

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Two other men were arrested on suspicion of the same offence at Wembley and they both remain in police custody to be questioned. Those convicted of tailgating face a football banning order of up to five years, alongside a fine of up to £1,000.

The Metropolitan Police said it saw a 78 per cent reduction in offences at this year’s final. In total, 20 arrests were made, including seven for affray, one for assault of an emergency service worker, and one for racially aggravated assault. This is compared to 91 arrests at the same fixture last year.

Chief Inspector Pete Dearden, of the Met’s public order unit and match commander at Wembley, said: “So much strategic planning goes into these operations. We expect high standards and every officer delivered that today.

“Huge changes have been implemented since last year, and we will now use the success of the policing operation today as a blueprint throughout the busy summer at Wembley so fans can safely enjoy upcoming fixtures.”