Have you wondered for a few weeks why the Minnesota Vikings haven’t signed a center from free agency to replace retired four-time Pro Bowler Ryan Kelly? It seems the answer is in-house: the club likes veteran Blake Brandel for the job.

Minnesota’s clearest in-house answer at center is coming into focus.

Head coach Kevin O’Connell spoke to reporters on Monday at the NFL’s league meetings, and he called out Brandel as the odds-on favorite for the starting center post in 2026, with the caveat that next month’s draft has some intriguing names.

Brandel Has the Early Edge in the Center Battle

The Week 1 center may not be a mystery.

O’Connell on Brandel as Vikings Center Frontrunner

Until Monday, it didn’t feel like Minnesota had a known starting center on the depth chart. O’Connell changed that mindset.

He told reporters, “It is great that we feel that good about Blake’s versatility, but ultimately we want to do what’s best for Blake to ascend and reach his highest potential at one position or have the flexibility still to play multiple. What his offseason looks like, what his training camp looks like and what his work flow looks like leading into the season, we want to have him more than likely at that center spot and build on some things that he did last year.”

“It’s a position that’s got some really unique names in the draft, depending on where you may be looking to take one. There’s some guys with experience, there’s some guys with tremendous upside and then some guys that have that flex above the neck of really the smarts and the command that it takes to play center at the National Football League level. We’ll continue to work through it.”

ESPN’s Kevin Seifert added, “O’Connell said the Vikings plan to make center the permanent position for longtime backup Blake Brandel, making him the early front-runner for the job that was vacated by Ryan Kelly’s retirement.”

It’s Brandel’s job to lose.

Brandel’s 2025 Campaign

While technically a reserve, Brandel played 64% of Minnesota’s offensive snaps in 2025, appearing in all 16 games with nine starts, a workload that underscores the Vikings’ reliance on him.

Although his performance is adequate — evidenced by a 61.4 PFF grade — Brandel’s true value lies in his flexibility and reliability. He can seamlessly transition between guard, tackle, and even center without disrupting the offensive line’s performance.

This versatility was invaluable in 2025 as injuries ravaged the offensive line. Brandel can step in and perform adequately at multiple positions, a rare capability among linemen. And drafted in 2020 alongside Justin Jefferson, Brandel has quietly become a fixture on the team, building one of the longest tenures on the roster. He did enough to project as the starting center in 2026.

All told, Brandel played 383 snaps in 2025 as the Vikings’ center. He improved each week — like clockwork.

No Interest Whatsoever in Free Agent Centers

The Vikings had no plans to sign a free-agent center, despite about five quality options. These men left their 2025 teams for new destinations:

• Tyler Linderbaum — BAL → LV
• Elgton Jenkins — GB → CLE
• Tyler Biadasz — WAS → LAC
• Cade Mays — CAR → DET
• Luke Fortner — NO → CAR
• Austin Schlottmann — NYG → TEN

Many Vikings fans believed Mays or Fortner could be affordable options for O’Connell’s team, but Minnesota had no interest. They’re content with Brandel.

O’Connell also mentioned Brandel’s teammate, center Michael Jurgens: “Michael Jurgens has continued to grow and ascend as a young player. And then I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention some of the depth there at that position in the draft.”

“We feel really good about the guys we have in that position right now, with the opportunity potentially maybe to add a player as well in the draft, where we see a talented group of guys who could be available.”

The Names in the Draft

O’Connell mentioned the draft, which has no main 1st-Rounder center for the Vikings to explore. But it does contain about a half dozen promising rookie candidates.

Here’s the list, while noting that round placement is obviously approximate:

• Round 3 — Connor Lew (Auburn)
• Round 3 — Sam Hecht (Kansas State)
• Round 3 — Jake Slaughter (Florida)
• Round 3/4 — Logan Jones (Iowa)
• Round 5 — Parker Brailsford (Alabama)
• Round 6 — Pat Coogan (Indiana)

Perhaps the Vikings will draft a player like Coogan, let him develop, and let Brandel roll as the starter in 2026. O’Connell’s hints point to such a plan.

A free agent named Ethan Pocic remains on the open market; he’s probably the last guy left if O’Connell swerves and signs a center from the wire.

Jude Bellingham trained with his England teammates ahead of their friendly against Japan but manager Thomas Tuchel has confirmed the midfielder will not be risked, despite the imminent World Cup squad announcement.

The 22-year-old is working his way back from a hamstring issue that reduced him to tears in early February, and only returned to Real Madrid action as a late substitute eight days ago.

Tuchel had initially hoped Bellingham, included in March’s 35-man squad, could feature against Japan after missing Friday’s 1-1 draw with Uruguay.

However, despite good progress and participating in Monday’s session at Tottenham’s training complex, Tuchel will keep him as a spectator at Wembley once again.

“I think it’s too much of a risk,” the England head coach told BBC Radio 5 Live. “So, the tendency is that he will not play.

“We have all gained from him being part of it. He was excellent in training, but he was involved as a neutral player. He was involved in not the whole 100 per cent of the training.

“So, it looked very, very good but we’re still holding him back, to not take a risk.

“The injury is a muscle, it’s a very particular one, and we absolutely don’t want the re-injury in this moment of the season.

“And him as well, it was very good that he was in camp. He was excellent. But the tendency is that he won’t play.”

Bellingham was among 26 players that took part in Monday’s session at Spurs’ state-of-the-art training ground.

Jordan Henderson, who captained the side against Uruguay, followed his own programme indoors away from the main group.

Tuchel added that Declan Rice and Bukayo Saka were desperate to play for England but felt the risk of the Arsenal duo aggravating injuries was “way too big” at this stage of the season.

The German coach picked an expanded 35-man squad for the final camp before making his World Cup selection, with the first wave of players joined by 11 established names on Friday.

Rice and Saka were among the late arrivals but, having watched the 1-1 draw with Uruguay at Wembley, were among five injury withdrawals the following day, along with Arsenal team-mate Noni Madueke.

Building combinations, improving fitness levels, and sharpening tactical aspects will be the key focus areas when the tried-and-tested group of 31 probables assemble for the senior women’s national hockey camp from April 1 to prepare for the World Cup later this year.

The camp will be conducted at the Sports Authority of India’s National Centre of Excellence in Bengaluru.

The team is currently basking in the glory of a strong performance at the recently-concluded FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, where it secured a silver medal to qualify for the World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands in August.

The camp comes at a crucial juncture as India are also set to compete in the Nations Cup in June, followed by the World Cup and the Asian Games scheduled from September 19 to October 4 in Japan.

The goalkeeping unit includes Savita Punia, returning after missing the FIH World Cup Qualifiers in Hyderabad, alongside Madhuri Kindo, Bansari Solanki, and Bichu Devi Kharibam, the recent Hockey India Baljit Singh Award-winning goalkeeper.

The defensive line-up includes seasoned players like Nikki Pradhan and Udita, alongside Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Singh, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, and Shilpi Dabas offering depth at the back.

The midfield included captain Salima Tete, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Manisha Chauhan, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and Neha, complemented by promising players such as Sakshi Rana, who was awarded the Hockey India Asunta Lakra Award for Upcoming Player of the Year, Sunelita Toppo, and Ishika.

The forward-line boasts strong attacking options including Hockey India Balbir Singh Sr. Award for Player of the Year (Women) winner Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan, Deepika Soreng, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Baljeet Kaur, Annu, Beauty Dungdung, Hina Bano,Sonam and Sangita Kumari (Rehab).

Speaking about the camp, coach Sjoerd Marijne said, “This camp is the next step in our preparations for a very competitive season ahead. Our focus will be on improving consistency, refining our structures, and ensuring that we are physically and mentally ready for the challenges ahead.

“We want to build a squad that can perform under pressure and deliver in key moments during major tournaments like the upcoming FIH Hockey World Cup and Asian Games.” 
The probables: 
GOALKEEPERS: Savita, Madhuri Kindo, Bichu Devi Kharibam, Bansari Solanki 
DEFENDERS: Nikki Pradhan, Ishika Chaudhary, Jyoti Singh, Lalthantluangi, Jyoti, Udita, Shilpi Dabas 
MIDFIELDERS: Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Manisha Chauhan, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sakshi Rana, Sunelita Toppo, Salima Tete, Neha, Ishika 
FORWARDS: Deepika Soreng, Rutaja Dadaso Pisal, Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Deepika, Annu, Beauty Dungdung, Hina Bano, Sonam, Lalremsiami, Mumtaz Khan Sangita Kumari (Rehab).

O’Neill has always spoken of wanting his players to play at the highest level, but as mentioned, a significant number of players will be going up against his Rovers to avoid the drop and it’s tight at the bottom.

They include Price at West Brom, who are also four points above the relegation zone, Ciaron Brown, Jamie McDonnell, Jamie Donley and Brodie Spencer at Oxford United, who are one point from safety and Terry Devlin at Portsmouth, who are one point above the drop, while he manages Tom Atcheson at Rovers.

Is it a cause for concern for Northern Ireland that the international boss could potentially relegate some of his regulars in the international squad?

O’Neill certainly didn’t think so.

When asked in February he said he isn’t “having that blood on my hands” and the fate of those clubs lay with their respective managers.

“At the end of the day, my job is to do the best I can for Blackburn Rovers,” he said.

“The lads who manage those respective clubs, their job is to do the best for their clubs as well. I don’t think that’s an issue at all.”

Cynics may question whether O’Neill, who will have reduced preparation time with Rovers for two big games by virtue of preparing NI to face Wales, will deliberately disadvantage Championship rivals while in charge of NI in terms of how he manages the aforementioned players’ loads against Wales with a busy spell of domestic action to follow.

Coincidentally, three of the four players released from the NI squad in Norwich’s Ruairi McConville (knee), Preston’s Ali McCann (knock) and Hull City’s Paddy McNair (thigh) will face three of O’Neill relegation rivals in Portsmouth, Leicester and Oxford on Friday.

O’Neill would refute any suggestion of meddling no doubt and when asked about the cramped schedule said he was “aware of the situation” but stressed he would still focus on helping Northern Ireland win the game in Cardiff.

“We’re not in charge of the schedule of the games for either the international window or the EFL. I think 80% of my squad play in the EFL. We’re mindful of the situation for the clubs, of course, but when the clubs signed these players, they knew they were international players and, we’re not going to be reckless with the players or anything like that there, but, we have to obviously look after ourselves as a group of players,” he explained.

“The most important thing is that the players just go out and play the game. They’ll be fine. The lads who play in the EFL, they play a lot of football and they’re used to playing regular football. So they’ve got resilience and I’m sure they’ll get through the game fine.”

Also in this sports roundup:

In tennis, Jannik Sinner won back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami.

Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix in Formula 1.

In cycling, Jonas Vingegaard won Volta a Catalunya.

Stade Français put on a spectacular performance against Clermont in the Top 14.

We are now just one week away from the 2026 Masters at Augusta National, and the field is almost set. One competitor could still be added this week by winning the Valero Texas Open (see: Rickie Fowler), and we still don’t know if Tiger Woods will play.

However, on Sunday at the 2026 Texas Children’s Houston Open, five PGA Tour pros not previously qualified for this year’s Masters punched their tickets to Augusta National.

While Gary Woodland did it in emphatic fashion, four other top pros earned their spots a more precarious way: via the final Official World Golf Ranking update ahead of the tournament.

Here’s what you need to know.

5 players who qualified for 2026 Masters on Sunday

Gary Woodland

Woodland is easily the best feel-good story of the 2026 season. Recently, Woodland opened up about his struggles with PTSD following brain surgery that derailed his career a few years back.

He said he hoped the public admission would help him progress in recovery. And did it ever. The 2019 U.S. Open champion dominated the Texas Children’s Houston Open to win his first title since that U.S. Open.

The victory also earned him a spot in the 2026 Masters, where he’ll make his first start since 2024.

Nicolai Hojgaard

Hojgaard made a name for himself by starring on the 2023 European Ryder Cup team, before letting his twin brother Rasmus take his spot in 2025.

Heading into the Houston Open without a spot in the Masters, Hojgaard was hoping to chase down Woodland and earn his invite that way.

But he had one other avenue to make it to Augusta: the Official World Golf Ranking. All players ranked within the Top 50 of the OWGR after this year’s Texas Children’s Houston Open earn spots in the 2026 Masters.

At No. 47 to start the week, Hojgaard was at risk of getting knocked out. Though a Sunday 71 left him five shots behind Woodland, Hojgaard finished runner-up, which improved his OWGR ranking to 36th.

As a result, he safely earned his spot in the Masters, where he’ll be making his third-career start. He joins his brother Rasmus in the Masters field. In 2025, they became the first pair of twins to compete in the Masters.

Daniel Berger

Berger is a four-time PGA Tour champion who has played in six Masters. His best finish was a T10 in his Masters debut in 2016. Though he missed the 2023 and 2024 events, he returned to the Masters in 2025 and finished T21.

That wasn’t good enough to qualify him for 2026, but after finishing the Texas Children’s Houston Open at 38th in the OWGR, he earned his tee times at Augusta National in a week’s time.

Jake Knapp

Knapp, 31, has only played in one Masters, doing so after winning the 2024 Mexico Open for his only PGA Tour victory. He made the cut and finished T55.

Knapp didn’t qualify last year, but when he woke up on Monday, his OWGR ranking of 42 officially stamped his place in the 2026 Masters field.

Matt McCarty

The youngest player on the list at 28 years old, McCarty made his Masters debut last year following his maiden Tour victory at the 2024 Black Desert Championship.

He played great as a Masters rookie, eventually finishing an impressive T14. But that wasn’t quite good enough to punch his ticket to the 2026 Masters. No matter. He played his way into the Top 50 in the OWGR with a solid start to the season, finishing last week at 46th. That means he’ll make his second Masters start next week.

Moses Itauma could be set to challenge for a world title in his next fight.

Itauma proved yet again on Saturday why he is one of the most exciting stars in boxing after he recorded a destructive fifth round knockout win over Jermaine Franklin at Co-Op Live in Manchester.

Franklin had never been stopped before heading into the bout, including in fights with Anthony Joshua and Dillian Whyte, but a vicious uppercut followed by a right hook sent the American face first onto the canvas and gave Itauma a dominant victory.

Speculation has already begun over who the 21-year-old could face in his next outing, with some fans suggesting he already has the skills to test himself against unified world heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk.

Instead, it is a battle against WBA Regular heavyweight champion Murat Gassiev that may be next, after Gassiev’s promoter Al Siesta posted on social media confirming they are ready for the fight.

“Amazing performance by Moses. Remember we are READY to host Itauma against our WBA Champion Murat Gassiev NEXT. London, Moscow, Dubai, ANYWHERE.”

Gassiev became WBA Regular champion thanks to a stoppage win over Kubrat Pulev in December, and as Itauma is currently ranked as the number one contender with the WBA, a clash against Gassiev has been touted for some time.

Itauma is also number one with the WBO, so he could also have one eye on the WBO heavyweight title fight between Fabio Wardley and Daniel Dubois in May, though the youngster recently explained why he may not want to face the possible winner of that bout.