NEW DELHI: India’s women’s recurve team scripted one of their biggest victories in recent years by stunning 10-time Olympic champions South Korea to enter the final of the Archery World Cup Stage 2 on Thursday.The experienced trio of Deepika Kumari, Ankita Bhakat and teenage archer Kumkum Mohod delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat the mighty Koreans 5-1 in the semifinals and assure India of its first medal of the tournament.
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This Is What My Mother Wanted”: The Story Behind Lokesh Sathyanathan’s 8.21m Leap
The memorable victory set up a gold medal clash against second-seeded China on Sunday.While the women produced a sensational run, the men’s recurve team endured a disappointing campaign after crashing out in the opening round against Bangladesh in a below-par 2-6 defeat.Deepika-led India outclass KoreaFacing the sport’s most dominant nation, the Indian women showed remarkable composure from the very first set.The fourth-seeded Indians opened strongly with four perfect 10s from six arrows and dropped only two points to take the first set 58-55. The Korean side looked unsettled early and struggled after firing an 8.India maintained the pressure in the second set despite a slight dip in accuracy. Both teams finished tied at 56-56, allowing the Indians to extend their advantage to 3-1.With victory within touching distance, Deepika and company once again delivered under pressure. India shot another superb 58 in the third set, while the Koreans faltered with 56, sealing a dominant 5-1 win.The Korean team, however, fielded an inexperienced combination as part of preparations for the upcoming Asian Games in Japan. Debutants Lee Yunji and Oh Yejin featured alongside reigning world champion Kang Chaeyoung, while Olympic stars An San and Lim Sihyeon were absent.India survive shoot-off dramaEarlier in the day, the Indian women recovered from a slow start to beat Uzbekistan 6-2 in the opening round.Their toughest challenge came in the quarterfinals against Vietnam. After the scores were locked at 4-4, the contest went into a tense shoot-off.India responded brilliantly under pressure, dropping just two points from three arrows to clinch the shoot-off 28-25 and book a semifinal berth.Men crash out against BangladeshIn contrast, the Indian men’s recurve team of Tarundeep Rai, Dhiraj Bommadevara and Yashdeep Bhoge endured a forgettable outing against Bangladesh.The trio failed to win a single set and struggled badly with consistency throughout the match.Bangladesh capitalised on India’s repeated errors and comfortably sealed a 6-2 victory, leaving the Indian men with an early exit from the competition.
WWE President Nick Khan’s contract has been revised amid mass releases by TKO, the Stamford-based promotion’s parent company. Khan’s new salary structure and bonuses have been revealed.
It is a heartbreaking time for the WWE Universe as several talents have been released from the company. The list includes major names like Kairi Sane, The Wyatt Sicks, The Motor City Machine Guns, Zelina Vega, and Aleister Black. Even legendary names like The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have parted ways with the Stamford-based promotion, reportedly because TKO asked them to take a pay cut.
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Amid all of this, WWE President Nick Khan has received a new contract. According to TKO’s SEC filings, Khan’s new contract will keep him in the company til 2030. It was also mentioned that he would operate out of Los Angeles, where he currently stays. The contract also highlighted that Nick will receive $2 million per annum til the end of 2026, and his base salary will be bumped to $3 million per annum in 2027.
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It was also mentioned that either side can terminate the contract at any time, but Nick Khan is required to give at least 60 days’ written notice if he wishes to leave the company.
Furthermore, the WWE President will be eligible for annual bonuses based on certain performance metrics: 150% of his base annual salary in 2026, increasing to 200% of his base annual salary from 2027 through 2030.
“During the Term, Khan shall also be eligible to receive an annual bonus award (‘Annual Bonus’), subject to the attainment of certain performance metrics, which may include the attainment of EBITDA-based targets and/or such other metrics as determined by the Governing Body, in its sole discretion. Effective as of the Effective Date, the target amount of Khan’s Annual Bonus shall be 150% of the Base Salary (i.e., target $3,000,000) for calendar year 2026 and shall be 200% of the Base Salary (i.e., target $6,000,000) for each calendar year remaining in the Term (i.e., 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030) (as applicable, the ‘Target Annual Bonus’).” [H/T PWInsider]
Kevin Nash talked about Nick Khan’s WWE pay amid stars’ releases
During a recent edition of his Kliq This podcast, Kevin Nash was asked about the mass WWE releases.
“Not after two weeks prior, when I see what the CEOs — what Nick’s getting paid. I mean, Nick (Khan) took half of the f*cking WrestleMania net… But I’m busting his ba*ls because we sat here and went over the numbers, and the year before was $1.4 billion. The next year, you’re $1.7 billion. So that’s $300 million. So, I’m busting Nick’s ba*ls, but we sat here and went over the numbers…” said Kevin Nash.
It remains to be seen what TKO has planned for World Wrestling Entertainment’s future.
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Sep 20, 2020; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; A general view of a Miami Dolphins helmet on the field prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings wrapped up the busy portion of free agency in mid-March, and among the transactions, the club did not re-sign veteran cornerback Fabian Moreau. Fast forward to May, and Moreau may be an ideal fit for the Miami Dolphins, according to Pro Football Network.
Minnesota could still revisit Moreau, but Miami’s cornerback depth is scary.
Moreau will likely sign somewhere before too long, and with training camp less than three months away, PFSN asked, “Why not Miami?”
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Miami’s Secondary Need Creates Logical Fit for Moreau
The Dolphins have struggled at the CB spot for a couple of years.
Minnesota Vikings cornerback Fabian Moreau lines up during an NFC wild-card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Moreau contributed veteran depth to Minnesota’s secondary during the 2024 season and remained involved during postseason action on Jan. 13, 2025, in Glendale, Arizona, as the Vikings battled Los Angeles in the playoff opener. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
PFSN’s Take on Moreau to MIA
After the draft, NFL-themed media usually revisit the “who could still go where” of free agency, and 2026 is no different.
PFSN’s Jacob Infante wrote about Moreau to the Dolphins this week: “Fabian Moreau has bounced around to five different teams in his last six seasons, though he’s coming off two consecutive seasons as a backup cornerback for the Vikings.”
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“He fared pretty well in 2025, ranking No. 33 in the NFL with a 79.5 PFSN CB Impact Score, indicating he could push for a starting spot in some situations. 2026 Predicted Team: Miami Dolphins.”
To date, Moreau has had no known free-agency nibbles.
Moreau’s Quietly Good 2025 Campaign
Moreau emerged as one of the Vikings’ unexpectedly crucial players in 2025.
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Heading into the 2025 season, the cornerback room appeared precarious beyond Byron Murphy Jr. Isaiah Rodgers offered potential, Jeff Okudah was a reclamation project, and both Dwight McGlothern and rookie Zemaiah Vaughn remained largely unproven. This thin depth threatened to become a significant problem if injuries struck.
And one injury did strike. When Okudah suffered a concussion early in the season, Minnesota turned to Moreau over McGlothern. The decision worked. Moreau played consistently whenever called upon, earning a 70.9 Pro Football Focus grade and allowing a mere 47.4 passer rating on 19 targets.
The Vikings didn’t need a star; they simply required a reliable, experienced, and steady presence in a position prone to volatility. Moreau delivered precisely that.
Washington Redskins cornerback Fabian Moreau tackles Green Bay Packers wide receiver Geronimo Allison after a fourth-quarter reception at Lambeau Field. Moreau helped limit additional yardage on the play during a road matchup on Dec. 8, 2019, in Green Bay, Wisconsin, while Washington’s defense battled the Packers late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports.
This performance holds significant implications for 2026. Though Moreau is 32, veteran corners who can competently cover on the outside and avoid major coverage errors still offer considerable value. Any team seeking a CB3 or CB4 could do far worse than a player who quietly excelled in his role last season.
Ultimately, Moreau’s steady play made a solid contribution, helping stabilize Minnesota’s skimpy cornerback situation in 2025.
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The Dolphins’ CBs
As of May 6th, these are the Dolphins’ current cornerbacks:
Chris Johnson
JuJu Brents
Jason Marshall Jr.
Darrell Baker Jr.
Storm Duck
Ethan Robinson
Marco Wilson
Alex Austin
Ethan Bonner
A.J. Green III
Unless Johnson, a 1st-Rounder a couple of weeks ago, turns into an immediate All-Pro, Miami will showcase one of the worst CB rooms in the NFL. In that vein, it’s no wonder that the Dolphins are connected to free-agent CBs in May. Moreau would likely profile as the CB3 or CB4 with this setup.
Phin Phanatic‘sBrian Miller noted on the Dolphins’ secondary this week, “The Dolphins must find a way to add more defenders to their secondary before the season. Jon-Eric Sullivan managed to draft 13 players over the last weekend of April, but those 13 picks couldn’t fix the Miami Dolphins’ secondary entirely. First-round pick Chris Johnson will help usher in a new era on the boundary.”
“His physical style of play will be what the Dolphins want to become at every position in the secondary. The Dolphins still have a problem on the other side of the field. It’s not just cornerback that remains an issue. Safety doesn’t look all that good either. At cornerback, the problems are on the boundary with a rookie and two guys that have yet to prove they can handle the work consistently, but the depth behind them is not deep; that too is a problem.”
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A Vikings Reunion?
Of course, if Moreau receives no free-agent attention in the next few months, he could re-sign with the Vikings and have a firm spot on the practice squad at the very least.
Washington Redskins cornerback Fabian Moreau runs onto the field before a game against the Atlanta Falcons at FedEx Field. The defensive back entered pregame introductions ahead of the matchup on Nov. 4, 2018, in Landover, Maryland, during his early years with Washington after joining the franchise as a third-round draft pick. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.
The Vikings have Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, rookie Charles Demmings, and Dwight McGlothern ready to patrol the back end of Brian Flores’s defense this season, but Moreau as an insurance policy would not hurt.
To be fair, Moreau deserves a CB4 job, at minimum, right now, so a team like the Dolphins — that really needs CB oomph — probably makes the most sense.
Moreau will turn 33 next offseason.
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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
The 2025/26 Nigeria Women Football League Premiership regular season ended on Matchday 18 with exciting results recorded across different venues, as clubs fought hard to finish the campaign on a strong note.
In Lagos, FC Robo Queens defeated Nasarawa Amazons 2-1. Opeyemi Ajakaye and Oluwakemi Adegbuyi scored for the home side before Ayatsea Hembafan pulled one back late in the match.
At Ikenne, Remo Stars Ladies suffered a thrilling 3-2 home loss to Dannaz Ladies. Both teams exchanged early goals before the visitors took control, while a late own goal confirmed the win for Dannaz Ladies.
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In Benin City, Edo Queens claimed a 2-1 victory over Rivers Angels. Atume Doosuur and Esther Inyang scored for Edo Queens, while Rivers Angels managed a late consolation goal.
Delta Queens produced one of the biggest wins of the round with a convincing 3-0 triumph against Osun Babes in Asaba. Titilayo Aweda netted twice early in the game before Anastasia Terfa added the third goal.
Elsewhere, Ahudiyannem Queens secured a slim 1-0 away win against Abia Angels thanks to Loveth Edeh’s second-half effort.
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In Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti Queens shocked Bayelsa Queens 1-0 after Joke Adeyemo scored the only goal of the encounter early in the match.
Sunshine Queens defeated Confluence Queens 2-0 in Akure. Lolade Akintunde opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Bunmi Adenuga wrapped up the victory late on.
In Owerri, Heartland Queens left it late to beat Adamawa Queens 1-0, with Chimebere Opara scoring the winning goal in the 88th minute.
Meanwhile, Pacesetter Queens and Naija Ratels played out a 1-1 draw in Ibadan. Janet Achukwu gave Naija Ratels the lead before Samantha Victor equalised for the hosts.
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The regular season has now ended, with attention turning to the next stage of the competition.
The garbage-time power-play goal didn’t keep the Anaheim Ducks from claiming a series-tying victory on the road, their 3-1 win evening the second-round bout 1-1, but it did keep the club from breaking a streak that dates back to Day 1 of the 2024-25 campaign:
But wins are what matter, and Dostal certainly earned this one. A goalie battle from the start, he and Vegas netminder Carter Hart took turns stumping opposing forwards in what was a strong showing from both sides. Hart shone early, stopping all 13 of Anaheim’s first-period shots, and was the busier goalie Wednesday night — he faced 27 shots, and stopped 25. The Golden Knights’ offence was slow to warm up, which meant Dostal was, too — he faced just three shots in the first frame. His night got busier as the game went on, stopping all 11 pucks fired his way in the second and seven of eight in the third. He was perfect at even-strength.
Dostal’s Game 2 performance feels like a win within the win for Anaheim. The 25-year-old had a shaky start to his first career post-season stint — he allowed four goals in each of his first three games of Round 1 against Edmonton, his series save percentage coming in at .874. He bounced back from a dismal Game 5 showing to put away the Oilers with a 25-save performance in Game 6, and has been excellent since. He registered a .905 save percentage on 21 shots in Game 1 against Vegas, and on Wednesday night raised the bar to .955 to win the showdown against Hart. He’s allowed just three goals through two games, and while he didn’t quite achieve perfection, Wednesday’s showing seems like a sign of more great showdowns to come.
Ducks’ power play falls short again versus Vegas’s stifling PK
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Through two games of this second-round series so far, Vegas has made Anaheim’s elite power play look lifeless. That’s a huge storyline early in this series, considering just how heavily the Ducks relied on their PP production against Edmonton — and just how steep a drop the unit has experienced since.
After going zero-for-four in Game 1 Monday night, Anaheim had ample opportunity to turn things around in the first period of Wednesday’s contest, which saw Vegas collect eight penalty minutes (including a four-minute, high-sticking double-minor charged to Eichel) in the first five minutes of the opening frame.
Even with more than 90 seconds of five-on-three play, the Ducks couldn’t capitalize. Much like we saw from Utah in Round 1, the Ducks spent nearly every second with the man advantage patrolling the perimeter in search of the perfect shot. They couldn’t find it.
Anaheim closed out Wednesday’s win without a PP goal, going zero-for-five on the night to bring their total to none-for-nine on the series so far. But their fifth opportunity did show some signs of life — Anaheim clearly got the memo to get pucks on net, and looked a lot more like the squad we saw last series. Something to build on, perhaps.
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Youth and depth step up for Ducks
Two nights after falling to Vegas in Game 1, the Ducks got off to a blazing start in Game 2, with Troy Terry launching the club into a scoring chance just six seconds into the matchup in an attempt to catch Hart on his heels. Hart’s early heroics kept Vegas in the game despite the Ducks’ barrage of shots, but Anaheim was clearly intent on setting the tone in this one.
It worked. Anaheim managed to harness its own speed-forward game while also matching Vegas’s hard-hitting, physical approach. Ducks head coach Joel Quenneville rolled out his big lines early and often, resulting in a pretty sizeable gap between his most- and least-used forwards, but that didn’t stop Beckett Sennecke (11:03 minutes of ice time) and Jansen Harkins (9:44) from making big impacts. Sennecke was the first to light the lamp Wednesday night, when he took advantage of Vegas’s defensive misplay that saw him in all alone after Jeffrey Viel served him up the puck from behind the net. Harkins scored an empty-net insurance goal late in the third in his 2026 playoff debut.
Those goals sandwiched Leo Carlsson’s third-period marker that gave Anaheim some breathing room early in the third.
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Are Vegas’s stars going quiet again?
It was a storyline in Round 1 against Utah, and while this second-round series is still very young, it’s hard not to wonder if it’s happening again… Because through two games, we have yet to see much of an offensive impact from some of Vegas’s biggest names. Pavel Dorofeyev has just two shots to his name through two games so far. He and Eichel have two assists between them. Mitch Marner sealed Monday’s series-opening win with an empty-netter, but was held without a point Wednesday on just two shots. If not for Eichel and Stone collaborating on Vegas’ power-play marker at the end of regulation, the Golden Knights would’ve been shut out entirely in this one.
Depth has been a major asset for the experienced club, but they need their stars to step up if they’re to match the firepower of Anaheim. Might that garbage-time goal have woken them up?
Currently ranked World No.42, Eala is looking to reach beyond the round of 64, following last month’s exit at the Madrid Open.
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The 20-year-old Rafa Nadal Academy graduate already surpassed her round of 128 exit in last year’s Italian Open where she lost to Marta Kostyuk, 0-6, 1-6.
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Charlotte Hornets forward Brandon Miller (24) brings the ball up the court against the Orlando Magic during the second half of an NBA basketball game, Thursday, Jan. 22, 2026, in Orlando, Flordia. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Charlotte Hornets guard Brandon Miller underwent surgery on Wednesday to address left shoulder instability.
Miller will be out indefinitely and additional updates on his status will be provided as appropriate, but the team said he is expected to make a full recovery.
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He missed 13 consecutive games beginning in late October after sustaining a left shoulder subluxation injury. He played the remainder of the season with a wrap around the shoulder.
Despite the injury, Miller played in 65 games and averaged a team-leading 20.2 points as well as 4.9 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steals in 30.3 minutes per game. He shot a career-high 38.3% from 3-point range and made 204 3-pointers.
The No. 2 overall pick in 2023 also ranked ninth in the NBA by hitting 89.2% of his free throws.
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It all comes down to just two teams in the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 season as Arsenal and PSG have booked themselves a final date at the Pusaks Arena in Budapest to battle it out for supremacy on May 30th, Sunday. While Arsenal booked their final spot courtesy of a hard fought 2-1 battle over two leg against Spanish giants Atletico Madrid, it was the other encounter between Bayern Munich and PSG that stole the show in the semi-finals, ending 5-6 on aggregate over the two legs in a clash worthy of any final. Arsenal have made it to their first European final in 8 years, first Champions League in more than 20 years with the Gunners last featuring in 2006. Mikel Arteta’s are in line for a historic double this year, with the Premier League title also still up for grabs for them. If they are to win the title this year, they will do so by becoming the only unbeaten team this season. Defending champions PSG have also had a near perfect season so far and reached the final of the tournament through a much tougher path, facing former champions Bayern Munich and the likes of Liverpool on the way too. A win for Enrique’s men would script history for them too, winning back-to-back titles for the first time in the club’s history.
UCL 25/26 final schedule
Competition
Stage
Date
Time (IST)
Team 1
Team 2
Venue
UEFA Champions League
Final
30/05/26
21:30:00
Arsenal
PSG
Puskás Aréna
UEFA Champions League Final: PSG vs Arsenal live telecast and streaming details
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When will the UCL 2026 final between PSG and Arsenal be played?
The UEFA Champions League 2026 final between Bayern Munich and Arsenal will be played on May 30.
What time will the UCL 2026 final between PSG and Arsenal begin?
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The match will kick off at 9:30 PM IST.
What will be the venue for the UCL 2026 final between PSG and Arsenal?
The Puskas Arena in Budapest will host the final.
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Where will the live telecast of the UCL 2026 final between PSG and Arsenal be available in India?
The live telecast will be available on the Sony Sports Network.
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Where will the live streaming of the UCL 2026 final between PSG and Arsenal be available in India?
The match will be streamed live on the SonyLIV app and website.
May 6, 2026; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart (79) makes a save as Anaheim Ducks center Ryan Poehling (25) looks for a rebound behind defenseman Noah Hanifin (15) during the second period of game two of the second round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images
Lukas Dostal made 22 saves while leading the Anaheim Ducks to a 3-1 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Wednesday in Las Vegas, evening their best-of-seven Western Conference second-round playoff series at one win each.
Beckett Sennecke, Leo Carlsson and Jansen Harkins scored for the Ducks.
The series now shifts to Anaheim for Game 3 on Friday and Game 4 on Sunday.
Mark Stone scored a late power-play goal and Carter Hart finished with 25 saves for Vegas, which lost in regulation at home to the Ducks for only the fourth time (16-4-1) in franchise history.
Vegas killed off eight minutes of penalties in the first half of a scoreless opening period, including 1:37 of a 5-on-3 after Jack Eichel picked up a four-minute double minor for high-sticking Mikael Granlund.
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The Ducks, who scored on eight of their 16 power-plays chances while defeating the Edmonton Oilers in six games in their first round matchup, have yet to score with the extra man in the series against the Golden Knights. Anaheim is now 0-for-9 on the power play.
Anaheim took a 1-0 lead midway through the second period on Sennecke’s second goal of the playoffs. Jeffrey Viel picked up the primary assist, stealing the puck from Vegas defenseman Kaedan Korczak along the boards behind the net and then passing to Sennecke in the low slot. The Calder Trophy finalist for rookie of the year, who scored 23 goals in the regular-season, then chipped a shot past Hart’s glove side.
The Ducks extended the lead to 2-0 at the 6:36 mark of the third period on Carlsson’s fourth goal of the playoffs. Troy Terry set up the score with a crossing pass from the left circle to Carlsson alone on the backdoor by the right post. Carlsson then roofed a wrist shot past Hart’s glove side.
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Vegas pulled Hart with four minutes remaining for an extra attacker and Harkins sealed the win with an empty-netter thirty seconds later, his first goal since New Year’s Eve against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
The Golden Knights spoiled Dostal’s shutout bid with just 5.6 seconds on to go when Stone redirected a Eichel shot from along the right boards for his third goal of the playoffs.
Jan 18, 2026; Foxborough, MA, USA; Former New England Patriots Randy Moss interacts with fans before the start of an AFC Divisional Round game against the Houston Texans at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images.
Hall of Famer Randy Moss stays up to speed on all things Minnesota Vikings, the team that drafted him in 1998, and he recently revealed his freshest takes on the club’s new quarterback, Kyler Murray. In short, Moss thinks Murray will cook in Minnesota, especially with Justin Jefferson at his side.
Training camp is still ahead, but optimism around Murray keeps building inside Vikings orbit.
The regular season is four months away, so it’s not long before Murray will start to deliver a verdict.
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Moss Sees Murray as Minnesota’s Missing Piece
Do you agree with Moss that Murray will be unlocked in the Twin Cities?
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss runs during action against the Chicago Bears at Soldier Field in a classic NFC Central matchup. Moss continued establishing himself as one of football’s most explosive playmakers during the 1998 campaign. The file photo was captured on Sep. 27, 1998, in Chicago, Illinois, during his historic rookie season. Mandatory Credit: USA TODAY Sports.
Moss on Murray
Speaking to Bleacher Report, Moss opined, “I’ve always rooted for Minnesota. When you look at the success of the team, either good or bad, it has been because of the quarterback play. You had Sam Darnold, you had Daniel Jones. But you go with the youngster McCarthy, and he was not able to provide that answer, so you had to go out and get a guy like Kyler Murray.”
“What I’m excited about is the opportunity in front of Kyler Murray. He’s got a great wide receiver in Justin Jefferson, who now can try to regain his dominance as the No. 1 wide receiver in all of football. Kyler Murray also has something to prove.”
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When Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has his starting quarterback — Kirk Cousins in 2022 or Sam Darnold in 2024 — his team has won at least 13 games in a season. If injuries emerge and quarterback instability ensues, Minnesota morphs into a middling-to-decent squad.
Moss added on Murray, “He was the future of the Arizona Cardinals, but they basically threw him away. If he’s able to deliver the ball to Justin Jefferson, everything else with the defense and every other weapon will be fine.”
“But all eyes will be on whether he can do that so they both can regain their dominance.”
How Murray Got Here
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The Arizona Cardinals drafted Murray in 2019 with the first overall pick, replacing quarterback Josh Rosen, who had been selected in Round 1 the previous year. Murray would later stabilize the Cardinals’ QB1 spot for seven years while the franchise posted no playoff wins.
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray attends UFC 274 at Footprint Center during an offseason appearance away from the football field. Murray watched the event from the crowd on May 7, 2022, in Phoenix, Arizona, while remaining one of the NFL’s most recognizable dual-threat quarterbacks entering another important Cardinals season. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Fast forward to the 2026 offseason, and the Cardinals fired head coach Jonathan Gannon, hiring Mike LaFleur as his replacement. The Cardinals’ brass decided it was time for a fresh start at quarterback, and with Arizona possessing virtually no trade leverage over Murray, they released him in March.
Then, it became a no-brainer that Murray would sign in Minnesota — the Vikings needed a quarterback to compete with J.J. McCarthy, and Murray was a Vikings fan as a kid.
In the end, Arizona will pay Murray to play for the Vikings, as Minnesota signed him to a deal worth $1.3 million for one year.
A Subtle Reversal from Moss?
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Moss’s endorsement of Murray is a slight reversal of his previous comments about the Vikings’ offense. Ex-NFLer Alex Smith picked Moss’s brain on ESPN airwaves in December, asking him if wide receiver Justin Jefferson should stick around for the long haul if McCarthy’s development took longer than expected, and Moss said to Smith, “I wouldn’t. I would not.”
Fans would’ve expected Moss to tell Jefferson to have patience, but he point-blank said he’d find a way out if the decision were up to him. Five months later, Moss is hyped about Murray and the upcoming chemistry with Jefferson.
In Moss’s defense, he had no way of knowing at the time that the Vikings landing Murray for the NFL’s version of free would be in play during the offseason.
McCarthy as a Fallback
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If, for some reason, Murray does not take off inside O’Connell’s offense or if he gets hurt — Murray has missed 26% of all career starts due to various injuries — McCarthy will be ready. He’s used the 2026 offseason to hone his mechanics, eat humble pie with Murray’s arrival, and follow a natural maturation pattern.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy flips through the air after a tackle from Detroit Lions linebacker Jack Campbell during first-half action at Ford Field. The play unfolded on Nov. 2, 2025, in Detroit, Michigan, during a physical NFC North showdown as players closed around the collision in the middle of live game action. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han-Imagn Images.
It’s an underrated 2026 storyline for Minnesota: Will McCarthy be ready to seize the moment when Murray exits the lineup (for whatever reason), or will he still feature his erratic play, intermixed with a bizarre tendency to get injured?
The Vikings’ best-case scenario might be for McCarthy to develop as planned. That is — when O’Connell calls upon him in 2026, he steps into the huddle and looks the part of an accurate and productive signal-caller.
Until then, Moss has big plans for Murray to explode in the Twin Cities. He thinks the Vikings are on to something.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Since that initial announcement, a lot of twists and turns have led to confusion over whether the bout will actually take place, with a planned April date already coming and going.
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Mayweather revealed he was set for two other fights this year, first a June exhibition with kickboxer Mike Zambidis, before a planned professional rematcg with former foe Manny Pacquiao, and while there are also doubts over those match-ups, it adds to the issue on if there is time for a Tyson battle.
However, Tyson has now refused to rule out the bout being completely off, telling Casino.org that even though there are certain things he can not discuss, he still finds the possibility of facing Mayweather as an ‘interesting’ one.
“There’s not much I can talk on, but it’s pretty interesting. I’m just happy that I’m in the condition I’m in to be able to do this to the degree that I can.”
Fans may take the vague update as a signal that behind the scenes the bout may not be going ahead, particularly given the simultaneous drama with the Pacquiao event, which Mayweather has cast doubt on by saying it is an exhibition rather than a pro bout – something the Filipino’s team have denied.
“I don’t know when [I’ll stop fighting]. I only think of it when somebody brings me a check. I can think of a lot of people (I want to fight).”
Tyson last fought in November 2024 in a controversial contest with Jake Paul. ‘The Problem Child’ claimed a comfortable points win, but ‘Iron Mike’ looked a shadow of his former ruthless self, so many fans would perhaps like to see him retire for good.
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