Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing will crown its inaugural champion next month.
The newest boxing promotion on the block has promised big things for the sport, looking to break the mould set by the four major sanctioning bodies, the WBC, WBA, WBO and IBF.
While White may have recently dialled back on a previous promise not to work with those organisations, he continues to push ahead with the introduction of a Zuffa championship, and the cruiserweight division will host the first title fight.
With signings still taking place, how Opetaia, or indeed Glanton, defend their belt following this clash remains to be seen. What will be interesting for fans, however, is how the IBF plays a part.
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With Opetaia still keen on facing either WBC champion Noel Mikaelian or WBA and WBO titleholder Gilberto Ramirez, the IBF must approve this defence – or unification of sorts – for him to keep his title. Glanton is currently ranked at number 15 with the sanctioning body. The fight tops a card at the Meta APEX in Las Vegas on March 8.
Villanova and Notre Dame are in the final stages of solidifying a monumental scheduling sacrament to begin the 2026-27 college basketball season.
The Wildcats and Fighting Irish’s men’s and women’s basketball teams have been given special clearance by the NCAA to open next season in Rome for a doubleheader on Sunday, Nov. 1, sources told CBS Sports. College basketball’s official start to the season is Monday, Nov. 2, but the NCAA quietly approved a waiver in January to allow the teams a one-day head start, given the historic precedent of the games.
The motivation for the overseas twinbill happens to be one of the most famous people on the planet: Pope Leo XIV.
The two universities are prominent private Catholic schools with connections to the Pope. For Villanova, an obvious one: Robert Francis Prevost is a 1977 alumnus. The Notre Dame piece is tied to the school’s massive global brand. Notre Dame is regarded as the most prominent Catholic institution of higher learning in the world. It also has an outpost in Rome. An avowed sports fan, the Pope also grew up in Chicago, which has a significant Notre Dame fan presence given its proximity to nearby South Bend, Indiana. (Soon after Prevost was named the most powerful man in the Catholic Church, online detectives went back and found he appeared on television during the White Sox’s 2005 World Series run.)
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Notre Dame’s women’s program is a powerhouse with two national titles and nine Final Fours. Since 2020, Niele Ivey has been the coach. Villanova owns three national titles in men’s basketball and has made the Final Four seven times, most recently in 2022 under Jay Wright. It’s now coached by Kevin Willard.
Villanova and Notre Dame worked in concert on arranging the game for months, sources said, with talks seriously materializing in the early fall. Paperwork has not been finalized, but both schools are moving forward with the expectation that one of college basketball’s most ambitious scheduling ideas in recent memory will transpire on the first day of November.
Fox is on board to broadcast both games, per sources, with the doubleheader scheduled to play out in the afternoon in Rome. That means breakfast-time basketball in the United States. While final details are still being worked through, the general plan is to have Villanova-Notre Dame lead into NFL coverage on Fox in the United States on that Sunday. The women’s game is planned to air afterward on Fox Sports 1.
Starting a season in a foreign country isn’t unprecedented: Women’s college basketball opened this past season in Paris with Duke playing Baylor. On the men’s side, Villanova and Notre Dame is believed to be the first season-opener on foreign soil and the first regular season Division I basketball competition in Italy.
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The teams will play the doubleheader at the Palazzetto dello Sport, known more colloquially as the PalaTiziano. The arena seats 3,500 people for basketball games and has existed since the late 1950s. It was built in the lead-up to Rome’s hosting of the 1960 Olympics. The PalaTiziano underwent significant renovations from 2018-2023 and is approximately 30 minutes from the Pope’s residence in Vatican City.
The Pope’s involvement in the event — if any — is unclear and very much to be determined, according to sources, though officials from both schools have been in contact with the Pope and people around the Holy See. Notre Dame’s president and others had a private meeting with the Supreme Pontiff in November, while Villanova had officials fly to the Vatican last May to see Pope Leo’s inaugural mass. Villanova’s president, Rev. Peter M. Donohue, was not in the same class as Prevost in the 1970s, but the two did overlap as undergrads at VU.
The schools intend to make the trip not just about basketball, but a huge educational experience as well. Rome, which surrounds Vatican City, is a destination for millions of devout Catholics and tourists every year.
And come November, should all go to plan, it will play host to a global American sporting event.
United States figure skater Maxim Naumov delivered an emotional performance in his Olympic debut on Tuesday, honoring his late parents who died in a tragic plane crash last year.
There wasn’t a dry pair of eyes at the Milano Ice Skating Arena on Tuesday night, as Naumov fulfilled a dream he had alongside his parents, former pairs world champions Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, who were among the 67 people killed when a military helicopter collided midair into American Airlines Flight 5342 in Washington D.C. in January 2025.
Naumov, 24, was expected to be a long shot to even crack the top 10 at this year’s Olympics, let alone medal. But he delivered quite the show that resulted in a full standing ovation, as he looked up at the sky and said, “Look at what we’ve done,” per ESPN.
Maxim Naumov of Team United States reacts after competing in the men’s singles skating short program on day four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 10, 2026.(Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
“I didn’t know if I was going to cry, smile or laugh,” Naumov said after his short program resulted in a score of 85.65 — good for 12th and having him qualify for the next round.
Naumov skated to “Nocturne No. 20,” and he couldn’t have been happier with his performance, knowing his parents were with him in spirit.
“I’ve been inspired by them since day 1, ever since we stepped on the ice together,” Naumov, who was holding an old photo of himself and his parents on the ice together in the kiss-and-cry zone after dedicating his performance to them.
Naumov’s parents were among a contingent of U.S. figure skaters, coaches and family members who tragically passed away from the crash after leaving a developmental camp in Wichita, Kansas after the 2025 national championships. Naumov was on an earlier flight.
Maxim Naumov of Team United States competes in the men’s singles skating short program on day four of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan, Italy, on Feb. 10, 2026.(Elsa/Getty Images)
Three days before being named to the U.S. Olympic team, Naumov was emotional after skating in their honor at the U.S. Championships, where he held up the same picture of himself as a 3-year-old boy with his parents on either side of him.
“Sharing the vulnerability with the audience and me feeling their energy back has been something I remember for the rest of my life,” Naumov said to reporters after his skate that solidified his spot on the U.S. team. “It’s what my parents and I — one of our last conversations was about exactly that, and you know, it would mean the world to me to do that. That’s what we’re fighting for.”
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As he took the ice, Naumov said that being too technical about his performance wasn’t the thought process.
His effort level was all that mattered — no matter the result.
USA’s Maxim Naumov holds a picture of his parents, who died in a plane crash last year, after competing in the figure skating men’s singles short program during the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena in Milan on Feb. 10, 2026. Naumov’s parents Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova died after a midair collision of an American Airlines plane and a US Army helicopter in Washington DC on Jan. 29, 2025.(WANG Zhao / AFP)
“I wasn’t thinking about executing anything perfectly or anything like that. I wanted to go out there and just give my heart out. Leave everything out there. Have no regrets. And that’s exactly what I felt,” he said, per ESPN.
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Naumov will perform again during the men’s free skate on Friday night.
Sam Darnold’s NFL journey has been nothing short of inspiring.
The quarterback finally got to hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy with his Seattle Seahawks, his fifth NFL team, Sunday in Santa Clara.
Darnold was the third overall pick out of USC in 2018 to the New York Jets, where he was hoping to take the team out of playoff purgatory and cement himself as one of the greats for “Gang Green.”
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Instead, Darnold found himself out of New York after three seasons, traded to the Carolina Panthers and beginning his move from the East Coast to West Coast.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium Feb. 8, 2026, in Santa Clara, Calif.(Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
After battling with Baker Mayfield in Carolina, Darnold eventually landed as Brock Purdy’s backup with the San Francisco 49ers. Then he got another shot at starting in the league with the Minnesota Vikings, leading them to a 14-3 record.
The success Darnold found led to choices in free agency, every player’s dream. He went with the Seahawks, reuniting with offensive coordinator Klint Kubiak, and the rest is now history.
So, as Darnold sat at a Raising Cane’s to celebrate with a “shift” in front of Seahawks fans after the 29-13 victory, Fox News Digital asked him what lesson might be learned from his journey through the league.
“I really think it’s about believing in yourself and taking it one day at a time,” he said over the phone. “I think, if there’s any lesson, it’s that. Continue to be yourself in any situation and always believe in yourself.”
Darnold’s belief led him to this point. And he got a taste of what Wednesday will be like at the parade in Seattle when Seahawks fans flocked to Raising Cane’s to see their Super Bowl-winning quarterback.
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“It’s unbelievable, man,” he said. “I mean, the warm welcome I got with fans was just pretty special. To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it. It’s just unlike anything I’ve seen.
Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold throws a pass during the first half of the Super Bowl against the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., Feb. 8, 2026.(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
“They’ve shown up for us all season, all the way to the end. So, I’m very thankful to be playing here in Seattle with these fans.”
Fox News Digital spoke with Darnold in March 2025 when he made the decision to join the Seahawks after they had just traded Geno Smith to the Las Vegas Raiders, making the starting quarterback spot open. He said he loved the mutual interest and believed in head coach Mike Macdonald and the group of guys already in the building.
Darnold was simply hoping to fit in and help lead the team to the promised land. Mission accomplished.
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“Clearly, I made the right decision,” he said almost one year later. “It’s been a very special ride with this group, with my teammates and the coaching staff that we had this year.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC championship against the Los Angeles Rams Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27.(Getty Images)
“It’s funny, I feel like after the Super Bowl even, we all wanted to play another game. Maybe not physically, but mentally, emotionally, we’re still in it, and we just love playing ball with each other. That’s all you can ask for when you sign up to play this great game.”
Bolton Middlebrook Leisure Trust has scooped the contract to run five leisure sites as an agent on behalf of Bolton Council. The 15-year contract starts on 1 April.
Managing director, Neil Hutchinson, told HCM that the trust, which has been operating Bolton Arena since 2021, has been preparing for the bid since his appointment four years ago.
Underdogs in terms of scale, the team are delighted to have fought off competition from much larger operators.
“To get to the start line and be in a position to even bid for a large leisure tender is a huge challenge for a small local independent leisure trust, such as us,” he says. “We had to work very hard over the last year just to meet the criteria checklist to enable us to submit a competitive bid.
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“Although price was a factor, Bolton Council had written the tender to be more about quality delivery, social value and investing in Bolton communities, this played to our strengths, because our health and wellbeing angle was very highly commended.”
Contract goals include increasing overall participation by 20 per cent and priority groups by 30 per cent. Supporting 10,000 people with inactivity-related health conditions and improving the mental wellbeing of targeted participants by 20 per cent.
“The council wanted an operator that would collaborate with public health and work towards reducing health inequalities across the borough, particularly in areas where there is less access or engagement with health and fitness,” says Hutchinson. “Our health and wellbeing fund is about reinvesting back into Bolton and we’ll also buy most of our support services locally.
“We’ll be working closely with Bolton Council and Public Health on an ABCD approach maximising Asset Based Community Development to improve peoples lives across Bolton.
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“Initiatives which extend beyond the four walls of the leisure centre are planned, for example utilising the parks and green spaces for activities such as yoga. A whole town activation of a population of 180,000 is in the pipeline that will involve a mass orienteering style event to engage schools, colleges and families.”
One of the leisure centres is a shared site with the NHS, so as part of the GM Active collective the trust will be running the Prehab4Cancer programme. There will also be GP referral cardiac rehab, stroke prevention and Parkinson support programmes ,as well as further engagement with established partners, including Age UK and Bolton Deaf Society. Some instructors have been trained in sign language to run classes for the hard of hearing and this will be extended.
Around £1.2 million will be invested in gym refurbishments across the sites in the next two to three years, replacing gym equipment, upgrading changing areas and creating a health and wellbeing hub with a specialist gym at one of the sites. A wellbeing membership giving access to mental health services and advice on nutrition and sleep with access to a GP will be offered as part of gym memberships.
“The next challenge is to mobilise for the 1st April and we can’t wait to go live,” says Hutchinson.
Cole Palmer’s face said it all. His mouth agasp in utter disbelief, the 94th-minute open-goal miss of the weekend’s hat-trick hero perhaps signalled the end of Liam Rosenior’s honeymoon period. And once more, it’s against Leeds United when fortunes change for a Chelsea manager.
Before the visit of Daniel Farke’s men, Rosenior’s early career at the Stamford Bridge helm consisted of seven wins in nine games, only suffering defeat in Chelsea’s two Carabao Cup semi-final legs against quadruple-chasing Arsenal. His impressive record had admittedly been aided by a favourable run of league fixtures, with his only top-half opponents coming in the form of Brentford in mid-January. But considering the backlash from a portion of the fanbase following his appointment, alarm bells were yet to really sound on BlueCo’s pick.
Dropped points against Leeds, however, could be the reality check that shifts the tide, as was the case in December. The visitors’ dismantling of Chelsea in this season’s reverse fixture plunged a club with a growing ambition of a title charge into turmoil. Defeat at Elland Road, eight days on from a stunning 3-0 win over Barcelona, can be seen as the turning point that led to Enzo Maresca’s messy demise. A month and two wins in seven games later, the Italian was sacked.
Chelsea were overrun in that contest, falling victim to a blistering start by Daniel Farke’s side as they fell behind inside six minutes. There was a brief sense the same was about to happen when Jayden Bogle, bizarrely playing in a second striker role rather than his usual wing-back position, found himself in the Blues box inside 60 seconds, a break stemming from Cole Palmer giving the ball away cheaply. Without Dominic Calvert-Lewin in support, who lost his race to make fitness, Bogle ended up running the ball out of play, but it was an early glimmer of hope for the visitors.
That glimmer was swiftly snuffed out as Chelsea grew increasingly comfortable. Leeds became camped in their own half as the hosts pressed and probed, who found the breakthrough in the 24th minute thanks to a scything Chelsea move, cutely finished by Joao Pedro after being slipped in by Palmer.
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Joao Pedro opened the scoring for Chelsea (Getty)
That’s eight goal contributions in his last nine outings for the Brazilian, who had seen his star fade after an electric start to his Chelsea career. The instant impact he made in New Jersey last summer, lighting up the latter stages of the Club World Cup before carrying that form into the opening weeks of the season, led many to tip him as the Premier League’s signing of the season. He is now rediscovering the potency that justified that initial hype.
The roles of Chelsea goalscorer and provider were swapped after the break, in a way. Jaka Bijol gifted the Blues a penalty in the 56th minute, pushing Joao Pedro in the back with both hands to send the striker tumbling over. The Slovene’s appeals were pointless – it was stonewall. And off the back of his first-half hat-trick at Molineux – including two converted spot-kicks – there was no mistake from Palmer, tucking past Karl Darlow to double his side’s lead.
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Cole Palmer doubled Chelsea’s advantage from the spot (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Chelsea were cruising, with Rosenior looking on course for an fourth straight league win. The new Blues boss has so far looked impermeable to an upset – but then the wheels came off.
Just as it seemed a clumsy challenge down one end had put the game out of sight for Leeds, a clumsy challenge down the other end offered the visitors a way back. Moises Caicedo’s tripping of Bogle gave referee John Brooks another simple decision to make, and Lukas Nmecha – deputising for Calvert-Lewin – sent Robert Sanchez the wrong way.
Six minutes later, things weren’t so black and white for the referee. Noah Okafor tucked into an open net after a calamitous mix-up between Sanchez and Josh Acheampong, who failed to clear the ball after Bogle had forced himself into the box. It seemed, however, that Chelsea’s sinners would get a reprieve, with replays showing the ball to have touched Bogle’s arm in the build-up.
A delay ensued – not as long as we’ve seen in the recent past, but one significant enough for home fans to believe a jog to the monitor was imminent. But that didn’t come; the goal was given. Leeds were resurrected, Chelsea crestfallen.
Farke’s side still had a quarter of an hour to survive as Chelsea upped the ante, but while taking no credit away from their defensive reslience, there was a sense it just wouldn’t fall for the hosts now that they’d surrendering total control.
Joao Pedro was nearly the hero as his late header crashed off the bar, but it’s Palmer who will have sleepless nights after skying a last-gasp chance with the goal gaping from a couple of yards out. Caicedo, who must have thought he’d set up a late winner when squaring it across the six-yard box, could not quite believe his talisman hadn’t scored as he looked lifelessly into the Matthew Harding Stand.
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Palmer was dejected after missing a late sitter (Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Palmer was crouched, dejected, before the full-time whistle even went, with Leeds winding down the final seconds of the clock. For Farke’s side, it’s another point towards survival.
Champions League qualification remains paramount for the Blues and this result on its own will not harm them too much, with sixth-placed Liverpool going into the matchweek four points adrift. But as we saw at the tail-end of 2025, things can snowball and fast. Just ask Rosenior’s predecessor.
But while ‘Bud’ announced his retirement several months later, Canelo has opted to remain in the sport for a little while longer.
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It was announced by Turki Alalshikh last month, in fact, that the Mexican will headline a card in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, this September.
Along with that, Alalshikh added that Canelo is set to face one of the champions at 168lbs, presenting him with an opportunity to reclaim one of his titles.
As it stands, the only current male super-middleweight world champions are Christian Mbilli and Jose Armando Resendiz, with the WBO and IBF titles remaining vacant following Crawford’s departure.
And, of the two, WBC champion Mbilli is perhaps the obvious candidate for a Canelo clash, given his fan-friendly style and Alvarez’s traditionally productive relationship with the WBC.
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The unbeaten Frenchman comes off a 10-round draw with Lester Martinez, featuring on the undercard of Canelo-Crawford, which saw Mbilli retain his WBC ‘interim’ strap.
Serena Williams eligible to return to Tennis this Month
Serena Williams will be eligible to return to professional tennis in 13 days if she chooses.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has confirmed that Serena Williams will complete the required six month period in the anti-doping testing pool on February 22, clearing her to compete again under professional rules.
This simply means Williams has met the eligibility requirement for a return after time away from the Tour. No announcement has been made by Williams or the WTA regarding future plans.
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Williams last played competitively in 2022 and stepped away as a 23-time Grand Slam singles champion and one of the most successful players in tennis history.
If she decides to return, she will likely play in major US tournaments like Indian Wells and the Miami Open, where former champions are often granted wild cards.
Manchester United ticked off another game in their race for Champions League football thanks to Benjamin Sesko’s smart finish in added time at West Ham
23:59, 10 Feb 2026Updated 23:59, 10 Feb 2026
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Manchester United are six points above Liverpool in the Premier League top five after drawing 1-1 with West Ham United on Tuesday night. Benjamin Sesko’s injury-time leveller maintained Michael Carrick’s unbeaten start to life in interim charge.
The draw moves United up to 45 points, with Chelsea just one point behind after their 2-2 draw against Leeds United. Liverpool face Sunderland on Wednesday night before the Premier League pauses for FA Cup action this weekend.
United are next in action on February 23 when they travel to Everton. Here, the Manchester Evening News takes a look at United’s upcoming fixture list compared to some of their Premier League rivals.
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games this season, an increase of up to 100 more.
Here at The Manchester Evening News, we are dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
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And, finally, if you would rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa has clarified his recent comments about the bats used by Indian cricketers after they sparked major controversy during the T20 World Cup 2026. His earlier remarks were interpreted by many as an allegation of “bat-tampering” or unfair equipment advantages for Team India, but Rajapaksa said his words were misunderstood and taken out of context.
How PCB, ICC, BCB reached a resolution on India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup match
In a social media post, Rajapaksa explained that his intention was to praise India’s cricketing setup and equipment standards, not accuse anyone of wrongdoing. “Hi all, just a quick clarification about comments from a recent interview that have been interpreted differently and, in parts, lost in translation,” he wrote. “My point was meant as praise: Indian cricket is incredibly advanced, from its systems and infrastructure to its equipment standards. Their bat manufacturers are truly among the best in the world. In hindsight, I could have provided clearer context. Nothing but respect always,” he added.The controversy began after Rajapaksa was quoted as saying, “Indian players have bats that are far superior to the best bats we get. It feels as though a layer of rubber has been applied. I can’t imagine how that’s possible. These bats can’t even be bought by others — all players know this.” These comments led to online debates and speculation about whether Indian players were using special or modified bats.However, no official complaint was made to the ICC, and neither India nor Sri Lanka issued any formal statement on the matter. The episode mainly remained a social media and fan discussion.In cricket, ball tampering has long been a sensitive topic, but bats have also been discussed in the past, especially regarding size and power. The ICC has rules on bat dimensions, such as the maximum thickness of the edges, but there are no regulations on the quality of the willow used to make bats. With English willow becoming rarer and more expensive, some fear that wealthier teams and players could gain an equipment advantage.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson warms up at Soldier Field on Jan. 8, 2023, wearing a shirt honoring Buffalo Bills safety Damar Hamlin before facing the Chicago Bears in Illinois. The pregame gesture reflected league-wide solidarity as Jefferson prepared for kickoff during a late-season divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Daniel Bartel-USA TODAY Sports.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson is not for sale on the trade block, but CBS Sports doesn’t believe it. Jordan Dajani published “10 crazy predictions” this week, fresh off the steam of the Super Bowl, and at the very top of his list, he predicted Jefferson to Buffalo via trade.
The idea is louder than it looks, because Jefferson’s value is massive, and Minnesota’s financial hit would be brutal.
It’s the latest in an offseason that Minnesota will navigate without general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, who was fired on January 30th.
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CBS Sports Tosses a Loud Jefferson Trade Idea Into the Offseason
The offseason starts with one hell of a theory.
Buffalo Bills helmets line the sideline at Caesars Superdome during second-quarter action against New Orleans, with the scene unfolding on Nov. 25, 2021, in Louisiana. The image captured a quiet stretch as the Saints and Bills battled through a physical matchup, with equipment staged neatly as play continued under the dome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.
CBS Sports: Jefferson to Bills
Dajani’s article did not include a barrage of trades; it only featured two. Jefferson to Buffalo and George Pickens to the Denver Broncos.
He explained on Jefferson, “Joe Brady’s name popped up on NFL radars in 2019, when he served as the passing game coordinator and wide receivers coach at LSU. The undefeated Tigers had a historical season, which was powered by the play of Joe Burrow, Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase.”
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“Now, he’s the head coach of the Bills, and this offseason, Buffalo makes an aggressive move to pair its new coach with a friend of his — sending the Minnesota Vikings a package of picks for Jefferson. Why would Buffalo choose now to take a big swing at receiver? After all, Brandon Beane hasn’t been this aggressive before. Realize that the Bills front office is under just as much pressure as Brady to prove that the firing of Sean McDermott wasn’t a mistake.”
For now, the Bills’ WR1 is Khalil Shakir, who usually totals about 750 receiving yards in a season.
Dajani continued, “It’s about winning right now for the Bills, and what they will do is lean into Brady’s vision for the offense. Yes, Brady oversaw the No. 1 rushing attack in the NFL this past season, but his background is passing the ball. Jefferson is coming off his worst NFL season, as he set career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2).”
“We all know he’s one of the best wide receivers in the NFL. His career 90.2 receiving yards per game ranks No. 2 in NFL history, and his 7,432 receiving yards through five seasons were the most in NFL history. Imagine a talent like Jefferson teaming up with a quarterback like Josh Allen.”
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Vikings fans saw the Dajani theory and grimaced.
A $46 Million Dead Cap Challenge
If the Vikings fulfill this prophecy by trading Jefferson before June 1st, they’ll swallow a dead cap penalty of $46 million. Yes, that means the team would “pay Jefferson not to play here,” which just seems mind-boggling for a player who rather emphatically has not asked for a trade.
Theoretically, trading Jefferson after June 1st would ease the dead cap pain, zinging Minnesota for about $14 million.
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Still, there’s just no reason on God’s green earth for Minnesota to offload its best player when the man has not asked for it.
The Bills’ Would-Be WR Corps
From the Bills’ standpoint, hell yes, adding Jefferson would net dividends and reignite a dejected fan base that just watched the Bills fall short of the AFC Championship in a set of playoffs that didn’t feature Patrick Mahomes, Joe Burrow, or Lamar Jackson for the first time in seven years.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson celebrates in the end zone after scoring late at Lumen Field, with the moment arriving on Dec. 22, 2024, in Seattle. The fourth-quarter touchdown energized Minnesota’s sideline as Jefferson capped the drive against the Seahawks in a hostile road environment under bright primetime lights. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images.
The Bills’ WR group for Josh Allen would look like this:
Justin Jefferson
Khalil Shakir
Keon Coleman
Josh Palmer
Curtis Samuel
Tyrell Shavers
Mecole Hardman
Stephen Gosnell
The trade would draw parallels to the Vikings-Bills swap in 2020 for Stefon Diggs. You know, the deal that Minnesota used to extract Jefferson from the 2020 NFL Draft.
Vikings Reduced to Nubbins
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Minnesota would probably net a 1st-Rounder for Jefferson or something similar, but the playmaking corps would shrink with the snap of two fingers. Kevin O’Connell would promote Jordan Addison to WR1, probably re-sign Jalen Nailor, get some targets to last year’s rookie Tai Felton, and use free agency or the draft to find one extra competent receiver.
If you’re wondering why the Vikings would trade Jefferson — keep wondering. There’s no good reason for it; Jefferson hasn’t yet turned 27, and the passing game would risk full futility without him.
Vikings wide receiver Justin Jefferson reacts after finding the end zone at Bank of America Stadium during third-quarter action, with the play coming on Oct. 1, 2023, in Charlotte. The touchdown punctuated Minnesota’s offensive rhythm as Jefferson answered coverage with precision against Carolina’s secondary in a pivotal road moment. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
It’s why most, besides Dajani, don’t think a Jefferson trade is realistic.
Other theories this offseason have suggested that Minnesota could trade Addison — not Jefferson — and those ideas make a bit more sense because Addison isn’t as productive as Jefferson and he can’t stay out of trouble off the field.
The Bills will start the 2026 offseason about $8 million over the salary cap.
