Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs walks off the field after a game against the New Orleans Saints at U.S. Bank Stadium, Nov 12, 2023, in Minneapolis. Dobbs reflects following another start during his midseason stint, helping stabilize the Vikings offense during a stretch of quarterback uncertainty. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The NFL’s quarterback free-agent pool received an injection on Monday after the New England Patriots cut ties with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The 31-year-old will now scour the league’s lay of the land for his 10th employer.
New England moved on, and Dobbs is back on the market again.
The Patriots will also need a QB3 for the 2026 campaign, or at least for the summer, so the Dobbs release is a bit strange.
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NE Moves on from the Former Vikings QB
The Patriots have passed on the Passtronaut for 2026.
New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs goes through pregame warmups before facing the Atlanta Falcons at Gillette Stadium, Nov 2, 2025, in Foxborough. Dobbs prepares for action as part of the Patriots quarterback room, getting loose ahead of a regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Dobbs Dropped by NE
Dobbs lasted a year in Foxborough. ESPN’s Mike Weiss wrote Monday, “The New England Patriots released quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday. Dobbs, 31, served as the No. 2 quarterback behind Drake Maye in the 2025 season. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.2 million in 2026 and carried a $4.75 million salary cap charge. The deal included per-game roster bonuses of $25,000 (up to $425,000) and a $75,000 workout bonus.”
“Dobbs’ signature game with the Patriots came in a 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19 when Maye left early in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Dobbs entered and on third-and-5 completed a 12-yard pass to receiver DeMario Douglas before Maye returned on a drive that ended with a touchdown. That put the Patriots ahead 24-13, and they cruised from there.”
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For what it’s worth, Dobbs should have no problem finding work as a QB2 or QB3 as early as now.
Tommy DeVito Wins for Now
The Patriots recently added DeVito, formerly of New Giants mini-fame, and that was apparently the catalyst for Dobbs’s release.
Weiss noted on DeVito, “The Patriots’ decision comes after the club signed No. 3 quarterback Tommy DeVito to a two-year deal with a base value of $4.4 million after not tendering him as a restricted free agent. DeVito’s deal includes incentives that could increase its value to $7.4 million.”
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“The team now projects to bump DeVito, on a cheaper contract, to the No. 2 role. A No. 3 quarterback is expected to be added later in the offseason.”
DeVito turned heads as a rookie in 2023 when the Giants went 3-3 on his watch, while the youngster delivered an 8-touchdown to 3-interception split. Oozing machismo, some bought into DeVito as the next big thing, but his undrafted Cinderella streak eventually ran out.
New England must believe it can resurrect DeVito in a QB2 capacity.
Dobbs’ Career
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For starters, here’s Dobbs enormous resume so far in his career:
Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2019)
Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2021)
Cleveland Browns (2022)
Detroit Lions (2022)
Tennessee Titans (2022)
Cleveland Browns (2023)
Arizona Cardinals (2023)
Minnesota Vikings (2023)
San Francisco 49ers (2024)
New England Patriots (2025)
In a remarkable three-week stretch in 2023, Dobbs led the Vikings to unexpected victories against Atlanta and New Orleans. These wins kept Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive, increasing their chances of making the postseason to over 80%.
It all unfolded rapidly. After Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in late October 2023, and with Nick Mullens also unavailable, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah quietly traded with Arizona, acquiring Dobbs for a 6th-Round pick and a conditional 7th. The condition for the 7th-Round pick was never met because Dobbs didn’t play enough for Arizona to trigger it, making the trade a minimal investment for Minnesota.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs drops back to pass during first-half action against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High, Nov 19, 2023, in Denver. Dobbs scans the field while managing the offense during his midseason stint with Minnesota. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dobbs’s debut was unforgettable. Jaren Hall started against Atlanta that day but suffered a concussion, forcing Dobbs into action with limited knowledge of the playbook. His performance ignited “DobbsMania” in Minnesota. The following week, he replicated that success, leading the Vikings to a win against New Orleans.
However, the magic soon faded. The passing game struggled. Dobbs and Jordan Addison couldn’t establish a consistent connection, his accuracy faltered, and a critical miscommunication with Justin Jefferson in Denver proved costly. The following week in Las Vegas, head coach Kevin O’Connell replaced Dobbs with Mullens mid-game. The Vikings won, marking the abrupt end of Dobbs’s brief but memorable tenure in Minnesota.
He spent a season in San Francisco in 2024 and on to New England, where he lasted as another one-hit wonder.
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The Patriots’ FA Moves in March
In addition to the Dobbs release, the Patriots did not re-sign these players:
Alex Austin (CB) NE → MIA
K’Lavon Chaisson (ED) NE → WAS
Jack Gibbens (LB) NE → ARI
Jaylin Hawkins (S) NE → BAL
Austin Hooper (TE) NE → ATL
Vederian Lowe (LT) NE → SF
Khyiris Tonga (DL) NE → KC
Former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury was traded to the Chicago Bears a couple of weeks ago, so in addition to Dobbs and Bradbury, New England is basically getting rid of all its former purple players, including OT Vederian Lowe, DT Khyiris Tonga, and WR Stefon Diggs, who was also released.
New England Patriots quarterback Joshua Dobbs speaks with media members at the Santa Clara Marriott, Feb 5, 2026, in Santa Clara. Dobbs addresses reporters during a team-related media session, discussing his role and outlook as part of the Patriots organization. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
In return, the Patriots added these newcomers via free agency and re-signed these men:
Kevin Byard (S) CHI → NE
Mike Brown (S) TEN → NE
K.J. Britt (LB) TB → NE
Romeo Doubs (WR) GB → NE
Reggie Gilliam (FB) BUF → NE
Julian Hill (TE) MIA → NE
James Hudson (LT) NYG → NE
Dre’Mont Jones (ED) BAL → NE
Alijah Vera-Tucker (T/G) NYJ → NE
Kindle Vildor (CB) DET → NE
Oddsmakers expect the Patriots to win nine or ten games next season.
The Seattle Seahawks did not just reward production when they handed Jaxon Smith-Njigba a record four-year, $168.6 million extension. According to Colin Cowherd, they paid for something NFL teams value just as much as elite numbers.
Smith-Njigba earned the deal after a Super Bowl-winning season in which he led the league with 1,793 receiving yards. He is now the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history. Cowherd argued the overlooked factor was professionalism, not just talent.
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“Talent alone in pro sports absolutely has a ceiling,” he said on ‘The Herd,’ today. “No drama, no big ego. He is what every CEO is seeking. He is what every GM is seeking. He gets along with teammates, quarterbacks, coaches, coordinators. He never steps in it.”
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Cowherd summed it up by saying, “Ego and drama always punctures talent… This is a prime example why Seattle had to make big decisions, and where do they set the record with JSN, you think it’s just talent. It’s not just talent. No babysitting him, no drama. He cares about the right stuff. He carries himself like a professional…”
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This was not only about rewarding a superstar season. The Seahawks are betting massive money on a proven playmaker who, in Cowherd’s eyes, carries himself like a franchise cornerstone.
Colin Cowherd uses Jaxon Smith-Njigba to warn Puka Nacua
In the same segment, Cowherd had a piece of advice, masked in the form of a warning for Rams wide receiver Puka Nacua. He said,
“Many young athletes get terrible advice. JSN, huge talent, no drama. It’s like Amon-Ra St. Brown, you don’t have to worry about him. You don’t have to babysit him. He’s a grown-up. Puka Nacua, by the way, is great, but he has stepped in it multiple times with the Rams.”
“The Rams are going to take a wide receiver, I believe, early in this draft, just in case he steps in it again… And I love Puka, and so do the Rams. Maybe he should stream less…”
Nacua also had a monster season with Rams (1,715 yards) and fell just short of eclipsing Jaxon Smith-Njigba for most receiving yards in the 2025 NFL season.
Phil Foden’s late appearance in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal felt more like a “charity” substitution, according to former England captain Wayne Rooney.
City were closing in on a 2-0 victory at Wembley Stadium on Sunday when Foden came on in the 90th minute, replacing Rayan Cherki. The 25-year-old has struggled for regular playing time, starting only four of City’s last 13 matches in all competitions and failing to score in his past 20 appearances.
Foden said after the game: “Football sometimes is not straightforward. There are ups and downs and sometimes you can’t be the best version of yourself. It’s just about how you pick yourself back up. I’m still keeping my head down and trying to train as well as I can every day. Hopefully I come back after the internationals a lot sharper and get more minutes.”
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Despite his recent struggles, Foden has won 18 trophies since breaking into the first team and was called up to the expanded England squad for upcoming friendlies. However, there are questions over whether he will make the squad for this summer’s World Cup.
Speaking on his show, Rooney said: “I felt sad for him, but not because he was coming on in a cup final. To see Phil Foden come on at the end felt like a charity sub. He is a top player, but it feels strange he can’t get near the team. He will be pleased they won the cup, but he would have wanted to be out there making an impact. That will be tough for him.”
The 31-year-old Englishman had a disappointing bogey on 18 to finish runner-up at last week’s Players Championship, and he trailed the Valspar Championship’s third-round leader, Sungjae Im, by three shots heading into the final round.
But when Im faded with a final-round 74, Fitzpatrick kept the pedal to the metal, carding a bogey-free round of three-under 68 to claim victory by a single shot over David Lipsky.
Fitzpatrick sealed his win with a birdie on the 18th hole. With the pressure on, Fitzpatrick laced a 303-yard drive down the middle of the fairway, setting up a 116-yard approach, which he hit to 14 feet — then drained the putt.
Fitzpatrick’s driver — Titleist’s GT3 — has become a true weapon for him in recent years.
“By optimizing his move and leaning into the high speed tech of the Titleist GT3, he has climbed the distance charts, currently averaging over 300 yards off the tee,” wrote GOLF’s director of gear Johnny Wunder. “The counter-balanced Mitsubishi Orange shaft is the secret sauce here — it allows him to swing with aggressive intent while maintaining the face-angle control required to thread the needle through the Snake Pit.”
Titleist’s GT3 driver features five possible weight locations (H2, H1, N, T1, T2) that get the CG closer in line to the golfer’s strike location tendencies. The club is designed for players looking to have additional control over their ball and shot shape.
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Check out Fitzpatrick’s Titleist GT3 driver in detail below. And to add a customized version of the driver to your bag, click on the link to order your own new club from Fairway Jockey.
Shop Titleist’s GT3 driver at Fairway Jockey
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Titleist GT3 Custom Driver
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As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
India’s Anahat Singh will face off against Egypt’s Hana Moataz in the women’s final while in the men’s category Abhay Singh and Veer Chotrani booked their respective spots in the Indian Open squash, here on Saturday.
Anahat got the better of compatriot Tanvi 3-1 (11-6 9-11 11-8 11-2) to make it to the summit clash. After dictating the early exchanges, the Indian ace took the opening game following which Tanvi bounced back to level the contest.
However, despite Tanvi’s strong start in the third game, Anahat grew in confidence and control. Her consistent shot-making and movement around the court helped her to win the third as well as the fourth.
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In the other women’s semifinal, Moataz defeated compatriot Nadien Elhammamy 3-1 (11-8 5-11 11-5 11-7) in an all-Egyptian contest.
After edging a closely fought opening game, Moataz lost the second before raising her intensity in the final two games to secure her spot in the final.
In the men’s event, Abhay overcame a strong challenge from Ameeshenraj Chandaran from Malaysia to win 3-1 (11-9 9-11 11-3 11-8).
Abhay was pushed hard by the unseeded Chandaran in a gripping encounter. The Malaysian matched the Indian’s shots during long rallies, producing powerful forehands and sharp returns.
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Abhay began strongly, racing to a 9-4 lead in the opening game. Chandaran mounted a spirited comeback with five consecutive points to level the score, but the Indian held his nerve at the crucial moment to clinch the game 11-9.
In the second game, Chandaran was trailing 8-9 at one stage but the Malaysian surged ahead with three straight points to take the game 11-9 and level the match.
Abhay dominating proceedings to win the third game 11-3. The fourth saw another intense battle as Abhay fought back from 2-6 down to level at 7-7 before closing out the contest 11-8.
In the other semifinal, fourth seed Chotrani defeated another Malaysian, Sanjay Jeeva, also by a 3-1 margin (11-7 11-5 5-11 11-6), setting up an all-Indian showdown for the title.
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The Indian recovered from a slightly nervy start to win the opening game 11-7 and continued his dominance to claim the second 11-5. Jeeva won the third game 11-4, but Chotrani bounced back to win the fourth 11-6 and seal the match in his favour.
Newcastle legend Alan Shearer has discussed Manchester City goalkeeper James Trafford’s future after his man-of-the-match performance in the Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal
Alan Shearer has outlined why he thinks Newcastle United could potentially secure the signing of Manchester City star James Trafford in the coming months. The Magpies were reported to be pursuing Trafford last summer whilst the goalkeeper was at Burnley.
Trafford subsequently departed the Clarets but chose to join City instead, who triggered a buy-back provision in the goalkeeper’s deal to secure his services at the Etihad Stadium for £27million.
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The City shot-stopper was the standout performer at Wembley Stadium on Sunday afternoon as Trafford played a crucial role in City’s Carabao Cup final triumph over Arsenal.
Trafford produced a string of vital stops to preserve a clean sheet in a 2-0 victory against the Gunners, though questions persist regarding the goalkeeper’s long-term future.
City signed Gianluigi Donnarumma from Paris Saint-Germain last summer, which has resulted in Trafford occupying the backup goalkeeper position this campaign, and Shearer has explained why a move to Newcastle might once again be feasible when the summer transfer window opens, reports Chronicle Live.
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“He’s coming to Newcastle, lads,” Shearer said on the Rest is Football podcast.
When asked if Trafford could leave City this summer, Shearer added: “It wouldn’t surprise me. It was almost done and dusted last summer and then, for whatever reason, City came back in with a buy-back clause.
“I guess he thought that he was going there as a No.1 [goalkeeper], and clearly other things took over with Donnarumma [moving to City].
“I would like to think that Newcastle would be back in for him. He will definitely have options, but if he was that close to Newcastle last summer, I would see no reason for him to not be that close again.”
Trafford spoke honestly about his return to the City line-up after playing a pivotal role in their Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal, as well as the challenges he has faced due to his lack of regular appearances this season.
“Yeah, it means a lot to have his [Pep Guardiola’s] faith, and it’s a testament to how I believed in myself, and how I acted in training, when I’ve been brought in for club games,” Trafford told Sky Sports. “Every time that I play I just give it my best shot.
“No illusions, it hasn’t been easy at all. It’s been really tough at times, but I have a really good set of people around me.
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“My teammates and my coaches have been brilliant. They have kept me going and given me individual goals. It’s down to them.”
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester City coverage and analysis.
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And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Talking City podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
Dec 19, 2025; Norman, OK, USA; Oklahoma Sooners linebacker Owen Heinecke (38) against the Alabama Crimson Tide during the CFP National Playoff First Round at Gaylord Family Oklahoma Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Oklahoma linebacker Owen Heinecke filed a lawsuit against the NCAA on Monday as he seeks an additional season of eligibility.
Heinecke, who participated in last month’s NFL Scouting Combine after his waiver request and appeal were denied by the NCAA, is seeking an injunction before the NFL draft begins on April 23.
An emergency hearing for the case has been scheduled for April 16 in Oklahoma’s Cleveland County Court.
“We’re not giving up,” Oklahoma general manager Jim Nagy said of Heinecke’s case earlier this month. “Owen is just a guy you want to fight for.”
Heinecke was ruled by the NCAA to be out of collegiate eligibility due to playing in three lacrosse games at Ohio State in 2021 before transferring to Oklahoma’s football program as a walk-on. He redshirted in 2022 before playing 39 games over the last three seasons.
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He had just 11 total tackles from 2023-24 but broke out last season with 74 tackles (second on the team), 12 tackles for loss and three sacks, earning recognition on the All-SEC second team.
“OU fully supports Owen and his pursuit of a fair opportunity to continue playing the game he loves,” Oklahoma athletic director Roger Denny said in a statement. “We’ll stand firmly beside him as he works to do just that.”
Heinecke joins a growing list of college football players suing the NCAA for extra eligibility this offseason to mixed results.
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Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss was granted a preliminary injunction to play in 2026 by a Mississippi state court last month, while Tennessee quarterback Joey Aguilar had his injunction denied. The NCAA has appealed Chambliss’ case.
Virginia quarterback Chandler Morris is also suing the NCAA in an attempt to be granted a seventh year of eligibility.
Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins (94) lines up across the interior and reacts after the snap against the Las Vegas Raiders, Dec 26, 2020, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, working through contact in the trenches while anchoring the defensive front during a late-season AFC matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Former Miami Dolphins and Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins remains a free agent and evidently wants back in the NFL after a year off. If so, the Minnesota Vikings should sign him. It’s as simple as that.
There are just too many angles for Wilkins to Minnesota to be merely a pipe dream.
Wilkins reportedly has a growing free-agent market, and there’s no reason the Vikings shouldn’t be at the front of the line.
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Wilkins Could Solve the Vikings DT Hole
Get Wilkins to Minny.
Christian Wilkins celebrates after being selected 13th overall by the Miami Dolphins during the first round of the NFL Draft in downtown Nashville, Apr 25, 2019. The Clemson standout begins his professional journey as one of the top defensive tackle prospects, bringing energy and leadership to Miami’s defensive rebuild. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports
26 Teams Allegedly Kicking the Tires on Wilkins
All signs point to a Wilkins return — sometime soon.
SBNation‘s Justis Mosqueda wrote Friday, “According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, 26 teams have reached out to former Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins’ camp in anticipation of his return to the NFL in 2026. Per agent David Mulugheta, by way of Schefter, Wilkins is still rehabbing a foot injury that he suffered in 2024.”
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“Last July, the Raiders voided $32.5 million in guarantees on Wilkins’ deal, as he did not follow their medical advice following a Jones fracture injury. According to reports, the Raiders believed that Wilkins needed surgery, which he refused. As far as we know, Wilkins is still attempting to rehab this foot injury without surgery, and his camp has been unable to claw back the $32.5 million that he lost over this decision.”
In fact, it would be strange if 26 teams called Wilkins, and the Vikings were not among them.
The Brian Flores Connection
Flores’ tenure as Miami Dolphins head coach began in 2019, and that spring, the team drafted Wilkins as the very first draft pick of the Flores era. Flores didn’t simply inherit Wilkins; he helped mold him into a key player on Miami’s defensive line. This history is significant because, should the Vikings pursue Wilkins, Flores already possesses intimate knowledge of his capabilities, his fit within a defensive scheme, and how best to utilize him.
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Furthermore, Wilkins and Andrew Van Ginkel — one of Flores’ trusted players, now in Minnesota — were Dolphins teammates. The existing relationship streamlines the assessment of Wilkins’ potential integration into the locker room.
For Vikings interim boss Rob Brzezinski, evaluating Wilkins to bolster the run defense is therefore straightforward. Flores offers firsthand insight; he knows the guy — better than most.
The Resume and the Price
The on-the-field connection between Wilkins and the Vikings is logical. Wilkins is consistently one of the league’s best run defenders, a strength the Vikings can put to use on Day One.
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Moreover, Wilkins is currently available, and his next contract is projected to be significantly less than his previous one. His Pro Football Focus run defense grades since entering the league demonstrate his consistently high-level play:
Wilkins is 30 and remains an interior lineman capable of immediate impact.
What happened to Wilkins in Las Vegas? Well, an unexpected offseason development complicated everything. Following a dispute over the treatment of a foot injury, the Raiders released Wilkins, voiding his guarantees. This disagreement, compounded by a bizarre locker-room incident involving a teammate, quickly escalated, creating an irreparable rift.
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Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Christian Wilkins warms up on the field before a road matchup against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium, Sep 15, 2024. Wilkins prepares for action as a key interior presence, bringing strength and disruption to the Raiders defensive front early in the season. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images
Wilkins then entered the free-agent market with diminished leverage compared to 2024, when Las Vegas offered him $110 million over four years. His next contract will likely focus on re-establishing himself in the league. Perhaps in the ballpark for $5 million.
For a squad like Minnesota, signing Wilkins is an obvious move: a proven player at a reduced cost who can immediately fill a critical role. That works for the Vikings, a team with a skimpy budget at the moment.
Out with Allen + Hargrave
Why would Minnesota need Wilkins in the first place? Pretty simple — the club cut ties with two starting defensive tackles a couple of weeks ago, saying goodbye to Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave, who spent the 2025 campaign in the Twin Cities, with disappointing outcomes.
The Vikings still have Jalen Redmond in the house for DT duties, but after him on the depth chart, the outlook gets thinner. So, fans expect interim general manager Rob Brzezinski to pick an interior defensive lineman early in next month’s draft — and/or sign Wilkins.
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Miami Dolphins defensive tackle Christian Wilkins watches the action from the field during a game against the Dallas Cowboys at Hard Rock Stadium, Dec 24, 2023. Wilkins surveys the offense between plays, anchoring the interior while Miami battles a playoff-caliber opponent late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
If 26 teams are chatting with Wilkins about a prove-it contract, the Vikings, because of the Flores connection, have no reason not to be at the top of the list. Think of it this way: the team that just cut its two starting defensive tackles and the franchise that employs Flores, who brought Wilkins into the NFL, should be the number-one-with-a-bullet suitor for Wilkins’s services.
It just makes too much sense.
Wilkins is also a two-time National Champion from the Clemson days. He’ll turn 31 in December.
England winger Jadon Sancho might return to Borussia Dortmund, Zinedine Zidane agrees to take over as France manager and Roberto de Zerbi lines up the Tottenham job.
Former Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has agreed to take over as manager of France after the World Cup. The 53-year-old, who scored twice as France won the 1998 World Cup final, will replace Didier Deschamps, 57. (ESPN), external
Manchester United have yet to make contact with any candidates to become their new permanent manager in the summer and the club’s hierarchy will not rush into a decision. (Sky Sports), external
Leeds and Japan midfielder Ao Tanaka, 27, is wanted by German clubs Schalke and Hannover. (Teamtalk), external
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Manchester United are keen on signing left-back Alphonso Davies from Bayern Munich this summer, with the Bundesliga club open to offers for the 25-year-old Canada international. (CFBayerninsider), external
French forward Antoine Griezmann, 35, is set to end his 10-season association with Atletico Madrid in the summer to join the MLS side Orlando City. (Times – subscription required), external
A Round 1 playoff preview perhaps. A measuring stick for two Eastern Conference titans. A civic referendum on hockey culture. Something grander than 60 minutes of entertainment as the frost evaporated off the Causeway’s flying Bobby Orr statue.
A couple of storied and good teams puffing their chests to see who’s better.
In 2024-25, you may recall, the Maple Leafs and Bruins were co-owners of the NHL’s longest active post-season streak at eight years.
Well, Boston ceded that title Toronto last March, and now the floundering Maple Leafs have spiked their own impressive playoff run, selling at the trade deadline and hoping for a Bruins-like rebound to relevance in 2026-27.
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To that end, a top-five draft pick in 2026 would bless Leafs Nation with much-needed hope.
A prospect drafted between No. 6 and No. 10 overall that funnels into Boston’s system?
That’s a major yikes. And it would only further reflect poorly on GM Brad Treliving’s 2025 deadline deal for defenceman Brandon Carlo, which cost Toronto 21-year-old Fraser Minten and a 2026 first-round pick that is only protected through the top five.
Team Tank would prefer the Maple Leafs extend their losing skid Tuesday, when Treliving’s most criticized move will be on full display.
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Whip-smart Minten has bulked up. He is in the throes of a breakout campaign, his first full one in the show. His 70 games, 16 goals, and 31 points are all career highs.
Minten’s plus-22 rating leads all Bruins forwards. And he’s now centring playoff-bound Boston’s top line. David Pastrnak is on the man’s wing.
Boston coach Marco Sturm has likened Minten to another two-way pivot, L.A.’s Quinton Byfield, in the way the centre thinks the game.
“There are a lot of things you can’t teach,” Sturm told reporters of Minten’s hockey IQ, which was also raved about in Toronto. “That’s why he’s ahead of some other guys. He already had it. Even the teaching part, he gets it right away. He just has it. He’s lucky enough to be born with it.”
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The flip side of the Minten trade, Carlo, has heard the criticism and admitted to reporters in Toronto on Monday that the fan base’s angst over move has been “a little bit” tough on him.
“If you’re gonna be in the NHL environment, there’s gonna be a lot of things you need to tune out throughout your career,” Carlo said. “Just put it in the category with most of those things and continue forward.”
32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
Could the prospect-light Maple Leafs, who recently traded away depth centres Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton, benefit from the service of the emerging Minten? No doubt.
To be fair, Carlo has battled a foot injury this season and has consistently professed his appreciation and desire to be a Leaf. He’s also under contract for a team-friendly $3.49-million cap hit next season, which makes him a valuable contributor if they get back in the mix and a valuable trade asset if they don’t.
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And then there’s this nugget, which may surprise some: The Maple Leafs, at minus-29, have the worst goal differential in the Eastern Conference. Carlo (plus-9) is the only Leafs defenceman (minimum 12 games played) who has been on the ice for as many more goals for as goals against (36-36), despite starting only 45 per cent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Carlo hasn’t hurt his new team.
The catch is that where the Maple Leafs find themselves now — in search of picks, young impact players and centre depth — Carlo’s best game can’t make up for all of that.
Carlo is the rare player who has seen both sides of the Toronto-Boston rivalry. He predicts a competitive affair Tuesday, standings be damned.
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“You know it’s going to be physical,” Carlo said.
And, because of their link, you know both Carlo and Minten will be scrutinized in this one.
Stolarz rebounds from Nylander scare
Despite Saturday’s unplanned visit to an Ottawa hospital and Monday’s recall of third-stringer Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis, Anthony Stolarz is expected to start one half of this week’s back-to-back. (Coach Craig Berube hasn’t declared whether that’ll be in Boston, site of Stolarz’s original neck injury this season, or Wednesday at home versus the New York Rangers.)
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An errant William Nylander warm-up shot caught the goaltender in the throat, making it difficult for him to breathe or talk for 30 or 40 minutes.
Stolarz, who recovered from a nerve issue in his neck shortly before the Olympic break, went for imaging to make sure blood vessels weren’t damaged. He was cleared by the buzzer and traveled home with the club.
“I’m fine,” Stolarz told reporters in Toronto, after practising with some new neck protection. “It’s an occupational hazard. You get pucks coming at you anywhere from 70 to 100 miles an hour, they’re gonna catch you in a bad spot once in a while. Just kinda shock.”
Nylander checked in on Stolarz immediately after his mistake and followed up with text messages before leaving Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.
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“I have certain spots where I shoot it, so they know where I’m shooting it all the time,” says Nylander, who was aiming glove. “Except for maybe the last shot we do in the half-moon, maybe you try to score. But other than that, I’m always doing the same shot.
“I feel really bad for that.”
Accidents happen. No real harm done.
“He’s good. It’s a one-off,” Stolarz said, shaking off the incident with a smile.
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During the broadcast, Sportsnet analyst Craig Simpson suggested the onus is on Nylander to control his aim. A couple goaltenders we spoke to, though, suggested that goalies must never let their neck be exposed during shooting drills.
Soccer players cover their most sensitive bits when building a wall to block free kicks.
Auston Matthews even gave Stolarz a bit of advice: “Next time, keep your chin tucked.”
One-Timers:Morgan Rielly missed Saturday’s game in Ottawa due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice Monday and was a full participant…. Oliver Ekman-Larsson left practice early because “something was bugging him,” according to Berube. The coach assures the durable defenceman will be fine to play Tuesday…. Joseph Woll says he never took so many pucks in the head as he did Saturday in Ottawa: three. “My poor mask was taking a beating,” he chuckled. “It broke. We fixed it. It broke again. Check my brain after that game. That’s the most I’ve gotten hit in the head for sure.”… The Maple Leafs mentors’ trip is going down in Boston.
Two All-Star Mile triumphs have established Tom Kitten firmly as a leading 1600m contender in Australia, providing him with this weekend’s prospect to demonstrate his 2000m credentials anew.
A product of Harry Angel, the one-time European sprinter, Tom Kitten ran placed in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champions Stakes – taken by Via Sistina – over his prior two 2000m starts, and co-trainer Sam Freedman feels the distance increase beyond his All-Star Mile victory fits perfectly.
“He’s in good form and at 2000 metres he might be slightly more effective than the mile,” Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, said.
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“He bounced out of the (last) run really well, so he’s going to be ready to go next week.
“Three weeks between runs suits and his fitness is good.”
The Australian Cup represents a shot at a third successive victory this season for Tom Kitten, after the Group 3 Heffernan Stakes (1400m) and his repeat All-Star Mile win at Flemington on March 7.
His record stands at eight wins from 31 races with eight additional placings, accumulating more than $7.5 million for Godolphin as a homebred.
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Tom Kitten is nominated alongside 15 others for the Australian Cup, with Pride Of Jenni, Birdman and reigning victor Light Infantry Man among the key opponents.
Discover premier betting sites for competitive Australian Cup odds.
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