It’s time for my final NFC North position rankings for the 2026 season, and we finish with the safety position. To review the previous position rankings, click the following links: QB, RB, WR, TE, OL, iDL, EDGE, LB, and CB.

NFC North Safety Rankings for 2026

There has been some change in the NFC North at safety since I did my rankings last year. Some big names have left, new signings have been made, and some intriguing rookies have joined the division.

1. Green Bay Packers

Xavier McKinney, Evan Williams, Javon Bullard, Kitan Oladapo

Since switching the Big Apple for Wisconsin, Xavier McKinney has been very good. He earned first-team All-Pro honors in his first season in Green Bay and followed that up with second-team All-Pro last season. The switch from the Giants to the Packers has been a great success for both the player and the team and is the main reason Green Bay tops this list.

However, McKinney isn’t a one-man show and receives particularly good support from Evan Williams and Javon Bullard, while Kitan Oladapo rounds out the depth chart. Top-end talent and good depth is a recipe for first place in the rankings.

2. Detroit Lions

Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, Christian Izien, Chuck Clark

Brian Branch has been an excellent addition to the Detroit Lions defense since he was drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft. His hard-hitting tackling sets the tone in Detroit, where his run defense is elite and his coverage is pretty good, too.

Branch and fellow safety Kerby Joseph have started training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list, which is something to monitor as Branch recovers from an Achilles injury and Joseph a knee injury that occurred last season. It leaves veteran Chuck Clark and Christian Izien holding down the fort in Detroit for now. The return to health for Branch will be vital for the whole of the Lions defense.

3. Chicago Bears

Dillon Thieneman, Coby Bryant, Elijah Hicks, Cam Lewis

The Bears turned to safety with their first-round pick this year, so the success of Dillon Thieneman is going to be crucial. They need him to come on and be an immediate starter who can lead the unit with the backup coming in the form of Coby Bryant, Elijah Hicks, and Cam Lewis.

If the Thieneman pick doesn’t work, the Bears could have a problem. Although Bryant gives them a solid veteran presence, Hicks played very little on defense last season, and Lewis was a depth player in Buffalo before joining Chicago. There’s a lot of pressure on Thieneman to deliver early in his career.

4. Minnesota Vikings

Josh Metellus, Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, Jakobe Thomas

Often a position of strength during the long career of Harrison Smith, the Vikings come into the 2026 season with safety possibly the biggest area of concern on the roster.

Josh Metellus is a good player, but his best football has come playing a hybrid role in Brian Flores’ defense. Now he is the team’s standout safety and needs to perform as such. Theo Jackson gives the Vikings a solid veteran who has performed well as a depth player the last couple of seasons. Then there is Jay Ward, a fourth-round pick from 2023 who has done a good job as a depth player but might be required more this season.

Finally, the Vikings drafted Jakobe Thomas in the third round this year, and he could be the joker in the pack in Minnesota. There has already been talk of him being ready to start immediately.

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

LeBron James #23 of the Los Angeles Lakers drive against Tyrese Maxey #0 of the Philadelphia 76ers during the second half at Xfinity Mobile Arena on December 07, 2025 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

LeBron James has signed a contract to play for the Philadelphia 76ers, the team announced Monday, with managing owner Josh Harris “thrilled” about chances for their first NBA title since 1983.

James announced on Friday he would play for the Sixers on a two-year deal worth $8 million, ending a weeks-long mystery over the 41-year-old superstar’s future, but the 76ers had no comment throughout the weekend.

“I am thrilled to welcome LeBron James to the Philadelphia 76ers,” ownership managing partner Harris said in a statement. “One of the greatest players in NBA history and one of the best athletes ever, his accomplishments are iconic.”

READ: NBA: 76ers celebrate LeBron James arrival with coronation photo

James, the NBA’s all-time scoring leader set to begin his record 24th campaign in October, is a four-time NBA champion and four-time NBA Most Valuable Player.

After winning two titles with Miami, another with hometown club Cleveland and his most recent with the Los Angeles Lakers in 2020, James could become the first NBA player to win crowns with four different teams.

James, a three-time Olympic champion and 22-time NBA All-Star, joins a Sixers roster filled with NBA stars in hopes of bringing Philadelphia an NBA title for the first time since Julius Erving led the club to the crown 43 years ago.

“I cannot wait to see LeBron alongside Jaylen Brown, VJ Edgecombe, Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and our talented roster as we work to deliver a championship for Philly,” Harris said.

“To LeBron and his family: we are grateful you chose the 76ers, and look forward to this next chapter of your legendary career. Welcome to the 76ers!”

READ: LeBron James picks Philly 8 years after billboards asked him to come

James has career averages of 26.8 points, 7.5 rebounds, 7.4 assists and 1.5 steals over 1,622 games.

‘Ultimate competitor’

Philadelphia 76ers president of basketball operations Mike Gansey, an Ohio high school rival of James on the court, expects the legend will boost the club and the community.

“There’s no doubt LeBron is one of the greatest players to ever play the game of basketball and there are no words to measure the impact he’ll have on this organization,” Gansey said.

“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing LeBron since high school and have seen the high-level impact he has produced at every stop of his basketball journey. He is a consummate professional, the ultimate competitor, and a tireless worker.

“But he’s also an incredible person with natural leadership traits, a family man, and someone who possesses unwavering commitment to community and those around him. We couldn’t be happier that he’s officially here.”

READ: LeBron James hopes to bring title magic to Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers posted a photo on social media of a James jersey, keeping his tradition number 23 with his new club, hanging in a locker with a crown on a shelf inside it, a nod toward “King James” being with the Sixers.

James has taken teams into the NBA playoffs 19 times, matching a league record, with post-season averages of 28.2 points, 8.9 rebounds, 7.2 assists, 1.7 steals and 1.0 blocked shots over 302 games.

In June, James announced he was leaving the Lakers and numerous clubs were seen as contenders to become his new home, including Miami, Cleveland, Golden State and Minnesota as well as the 76ers.

Philadelphia swung a deal with Boston three weeks ago for Brown, sending Paul George to the Celtics, and together with center Embiid and top guards Maxey and Edgecombe they provided a lineup too good for James to pass up in his quest for a fifth NBA title.

“I believe I can help make the Philadelphia 76ers a championship team and I am so excited to energize a new fan base and start this incredible journey one last time,” James posted on X Friday.

Veteran India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja marked his return as the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Having fully recovered from a tennis elbow injury sustained during the 2026 Indian Premier League (IPL) in May, Jadeja makes his comeback to bolster India’s spin attack in Subcontinental conditions. The announcement also marks the maiden India call-up for spin-bowling all-rounder Saransh Jain, who comes into the 15-man squad as a replacement for Washington Sundar, who was unavailable for selection due to a hamstring injury sustained during the ODI series in England.

A seasoned campaigner for Madhya Pradesh with 131 First-Class wickets to his name, Jain secured his spot following impressive performances for India A against Sri Lanka A recently.

Saransh has established himself as a reliable bowling all-rounder over 42 First-Class matches, proving to be a mainstay for Madhya Pradesh and earning recognition at the India A level. Operating primarily as a right-arm off-spinner, he has claimed 131 wickets at an average of 28.51 and a controlled economy rate of nearly 2.99 runs per over, with best innings figures of 6/103.

With the bat, the left-handed lower-middle-order hitter offers vital depth, having amassed 1,455 runs across 60 innings at an average of 25.98. He has registered eight half-centuries and a maiden First-Class century (top score of 100), making him a well-rounded utility player who can fill in the void left by Washington Sundar.

In a press release, the BCCI said: “The Men’s Selection Committee has selected India’s squad for the two-match Test series against Sri Lanka. Ahead of the series, the team will play a four-day practice match in Colombo, starting on 7 August.”

The BCCI also said that  Sai Sudharsan and Jasprit Bumrah’s availability will be subject to fitness clearance from the BCCI COE. Washington Sundar was not available for selection for the first Test.

India’s squad for Tests against Sri Lanka: Shubman Gill [C], KL Rahul [VC], Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant [WK], Sai Sudharsan*, Dhruv Jurel [WK], Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Jasprit Bumrah*, Mohd. Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain

India’s tour of Sri Lanka kicks off with a four-day practice match in Colombo on 7 August, followed by the two Test matches scheduled in Galle (15–19 August) and Colombo (23–27 August).

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Spain’s Royal Family Welcomes World Cup Champions To Zarzuela Palace

FILE – Minnesota Timberwolves forward Jaden McDaniels, right, shoots as Denver Nuggets forward Spencer Jones (21) defends during the second half of Game 6 of a first-round NBA basketball playoffs series, April 30, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Matt Krohn, File)

DENVER — Spencer Jones will return to Denver for a third season after the team matched the Oklahoma City Thunder’s offer sheet, the Nuggets announced Monday.

The Thunder had offered a guaranteed two-year, $12 million offer sheet, according to ESPN.

READ: NBA: Nikola Jokic plans on waiting to sign extension with Nuggets

The Nuggets signed Jones out of Stanford as a free agent in 2024. His retention as a restricted free agent brings with it severe financial implications for Denver, which faces a $32 million increase in current luxury taxes, according to multiple reports.

Jones started 37 of 64 games last season and averaged 5.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. He shot an NBA-best 69.2% on 3-pointers in the playoffs.

India’s Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)

Abhishek Sharma‘s struggles in T20Is have come under renewed focus following another disappointing series against Zimbabwe, with former India captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth calling on the selectors to make a difficult decision if the opener’s poor run continues.The left-handed batter endured a forgettable three-match series, failing to register a double-digit score. His recent numbers have also become a concern, with Abhishek unable to cross 20 in each of his last six T20I innings. Since India’s T20 World Cup triumph, he has managed just one half-century, putting his place in the side under the scanner as competition for the opening spot continues to grow.The debate has intensified further after Sanju Samson, India’s Player of the Tournament during the T20 World Cup-winning campaign, was left out of the Zimbabwe series despite his impressive performances. With several opening options available, Abhishek’s extended lean spell has only added to the pressure on the ICC’s former top-ranked T20I batter.Reacting to the opener’s dip in form, Srikkanth said rival teams have worked out a way to contain Abhishek and believes the selection panel may soon have to make a bold call. He also expressed confidence that Samson would return to the Indian setup.“Abhishek Sharma has been sorted out (by opponents) in international cricket, right from the World Cup. I think a tough call has to be taken against him now. I feel Sanju will get his chance again now. He will receive a call back 100%. The selectors will have to take a tough call,” he said in a video on his YouTube channel.While Abhishek’s form emerged as a talking point, India also found plenty to celebrate through the return of Mayank Yadav. The fast bowler made his comeback after a lengthy injury break, featuring in his first international match since October 2024.Mayank made an immediate impact by claiming two wickets in the opening T20I before ending the series with a three-wicket haul in the final game. Bowling with genuine pace throughout the tour, he consistently troubled Zimbabwe’s batting line-up and looked close to his best.Srikkanth was delighted to see the pacer complete all three matches without any fitness concerns and urged the team management to continue investing in young talent.“It was good to see Mayank Yadav playing all three games. So happy for him. Look at how consistent this boy was. The Indian future is very good. You have to back the right youngsters. I don’t mind Ashok Sharma either,” he said.

Abhishek Sharma vs Sanju Samson dilemma has intensified© BCCI/Creimas

Ronnie O’Sullivan has again stressed that he may only have two more chances to win a record-breaking eighth world championship and vowed to quit if he has to enter qualifying.

The 50-year-old, who won the last of his seven titles in 2022, is level with Stephen Hendry as the most successful player in the World Championship’s modern era.

“I’d love to win another World Championship,” O’Sullivan told World Snooker Tour after opening his 2026-27 season with a 6-1 win over Liu Linhao at the Shanghai Masters. “I have two attempts at it.

“If I can find a bit of cueing or some form at Sheffield, you never know. If I don’t do it this year or the next, it will definitely never happen.”

O’Sullivan has slipped to 12th in the world rankings as a result of playing fewer tournaments and only the top 16 qualify for some of the biggest events.

That raises the prospect of the game’s biggest name potentially having to go through qualifying to reach the Crucible – but O’Sullivan says that will not be happening.

“I’m not going to play qualifiers. You won’t be seeing me go down to Barnsley trying to win qualifying matches and all that sort of stuff,” he said.

“If that happens, then obviously that’s the end of my career. But hopefully, I can keep going for at least another two seasons.

“I’m happy with my career and how things have gone. I want to enjoy these next two years. I’ll reassess in 2028 and if things are really going well, you can maybe extend it.”

O’Sullivan believes he has to achieve the feat in the next two years because of the mental demands of the game.

He added: “I have to be realistic. I’m 50 now and if I play for two hours I then have to lie down for two or three hours. It is very hard for me.

“OK, you don’t have to run around a football pitch but mentally you have to concentrate. When you are younger you can do that for hour upon hour.”

O’Sullivan proved too strong for 18-year-old Chinese wild card Liu, finishing off the match with breaks of 73, 71, 75 and 55 after initially being pegged back to 1-1 following a fine run of 88 from his opponent.

Zhou Yuelong came from behind to beat four-time world champion Mark Selby 6-5, Barry Hawkins overcame Lei Peifan 6-4 and Ding Junhui saw off Dongcheng Yao 6-2.

The US Open has announced the first list of players for its 2026 mixed doubles tournament, with world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic leading the entries.

Sabalenka, who missed last year’s event, will team up with Djokovic in one of the biggest pairings for the competition.

Another strong team is Iga Świątek and Casper Ruud. Ruud reached last year’s final but lost alongside Świątek to doubles specialists Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, who are expected to return through a wild card.

Other top pairings include Amanda Anisimova and Learner Tien, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper, Naomi Osaka and Kei Nishikori, and Taylor Townsend with Alexander Zverev.

However, men’s world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz are not on the entry list yet. Alcaraz is still recovering from a wrist injury but has entered the singles event. Tennis legends Venus and Serena Williams are also missing from the mixed doubles list.

The mixed doubles competition will be played from August 24 to 26 during the US Open Fan Week, before the main singles tournament begins.

Only the six teams with the best combined singles rankings will qualify automatically after entries close on August 17. Eight more teams will receive wild cards, while the final two places will be decided through a qualifying tournament.

The event was a huge success last year, attracting around 78,000 fans, with champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori winning the $1 million prize.

This year’s tournament also comes as top players continue discussions with Grand Slam organisers over prize money, although many leading stars have still entered the competition. The matches will follow a shortened format until the final, where the traditional six-game sets will be used.

Chelsea are in talks to sign experienced duo Jordan Henderson and Danny Welbeck as the club looks to add more leadership to its squad.

The Blues are discussing a deal for 36-year-old midfielder Henderson, who has one year left on his Brentford contract. Brentford are willing to let him leave on a free transfer.

Chelsea are also working on a move for Brighton striker Danny Welbeck. The 35-year-old is interested in joining Stamford Bridge, and there is growing confidence that an agreement can be reached.

The club’s move for the two veterans comes after co-owner Behdad Eghbali admitted earlier this year that Chelsea’s policy of signing mainly young players needs some changes. The club now wants to add more experienced players to the squad.

Welbeck enjoyed one of the best seasons of his career last term, scoring 13 Premier League goals in 37 matches for Brighton. Since joining from Watford in 2020, he has scored 51 goals in 201 appearances for the Seagulls. He signed a one-year contract extension in March, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2026-27 season.

Henderson joined Brentford from Ajax and made 34 appearances in all competitions last season. He also featured for England at the FIFA World Cup before suffering a broken arm while celebrating the team’s last-16 victory over Mexico.

Chelsea’s interest in Henderson and Welbeck could affect the futures of several attackers already at the club. Joao Pedro is seen as the first-choice striker, while Liam Delap, Emmanuel Emegha, Marc Guiu and Nicolas Jackson all face uncertain futures.

Guiu is available for either a permanent move or a loan, while Jackson is open to leaving after attracting interest from Aston Villa. Delap is also expected to move on despite hoping to impress new manager Xabi Alonso, and Emegha’s future remains unclear.

Chelsea have already signed Morgan Rogers for a club-record £117 million and full-back Marco Palestra this summer. They are also close to completing a deal for defender Maxence Lacroix.

The possible arrivals of Henderson and Welbeck suggest Chelsea are changing their transfer strategy by combining young talent with experienced players as they aim to improve after finishing 10th in the Premier League last season.

Three of boxing’s biggest legends could be set to appear on one blockbuster card later this year, with Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao all poised to fight on the same bill.

Mayweather has been linked to an exhibition fight against Tyson and a professional encounter with Pacquiao throughout 2026, but had been scheduled to first take on Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in a lucrative three-fight year for ‘TBE’.

That proposed June meeting with Zambidis and his September date with Pacquiao were both cancelled due to ongoing legal issues, whilst his bout with ‘Iron Mike’ is still yet to be scheduled.

It seems as though Mayweather’s ring return could be around the corner though, as he prepares to step through the ropes in a rescheduled exhibition against Zambidis, before colliding with Tyson in the autumn, where Pacquiao may fight in a separate fight on the undercard, as per BoxingScene.

The report reveals that an “official connected to the arrangement” believes the plan for all three to fight on the same night could “solve everything” after the financial disputes.

While they have not confirmed this exact plan, Pacquiao’s team have made it clear that he is targeting an exhibition bout this year following the collapse of the Mayweather rematch. The Filipino was previously announced to be facing former super welterweight champion Ruslan Provodnikov before it fell through, so that could be revisited.

Should these plans go ahead, Mayweather and Pacquiao would then rematch at the start of 2027, almost a decade on from Mayweather’s most recent professional outing, against Conor McGregor in 2017.