NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero appears on site during media coverage at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center, Feb. 25, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pelissero reported on league developments as executives, coaches, and scouts gathered to evaluate prospects and shape offseason decisions ahead of free agency and the draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Tom Pelissero is a national insider who has strong connections to the Minnesota Vikings. He therefore brings some authority behind his words.
Recently, Pelissero chatted with Rich Eisen, known for (among other things) running a blistering forty. Apparently, Minnesota is working through a true battle at quarterback, giving each guy near identical opportunities to prove capable of being the QB1.
Tom Pelissero Says it’s a True QB1 Battle
“They are splitting this 50/50,” Pelissero explained about the purple passer battle.
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To my eye, the split was essentially even, as Pelissero indicates. J.J. McCarthy would get run with the starters; next up would be Kyler Murray with the starters. Neither were dominant forces completing every pass. Both made mistakes. What seemed to emerge, though, was a situation where the kid QB — McCarthy — was the better of the pair across the three days of practice.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back and delivers a first-quarter throw at U.S. Bank Stadium, Jan 4, 2026, in Minneapolis against the Green Bay Packers. The snapshot captured McCarthy operating within the structure of the offense early, as Minnesota looked to establish rhythm and tempo during a high-stakes divisional matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
At times, Murray turned the ball over. Some of that is to be forgiven since he’s so new and is human. More concerning, perhaps, is that there were several snaps where he struggled to find an open man. Being in a real football game instead of 7-on-7 would have led to some chaos.
Pelissero had more to say: “[Kevin O’Connell] wants this to be fair all the way through the entire process.” Next up was a reasonably juicy proclamation: “I think that at this stage coming out of minicamp, the coaches probably have a pretty good idea what direction they think this is going to go. And I don’t anticipate it takes all three preseason games for them to arrive at that conclusion.”
On Thursday after the final day of minicamp, Kevin O’Connell essentially offered the precise idea Pelissero is offering. Seeing this QB battle go all of the way to Week 1 isn’t going to happen.
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The reason why Minnesota is in the clunky scenario they’re in is due to what was a horrendous passing attack last year. J.J. McCarthy deserved better stats, often letdown by WRs who dropped too many balls, an OL that was very injured, and an HC who refused to run with consistency.
Still, things got ugly. McCarthy finished his season at 6-4 behind 57.6% passing for 1,632 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
Dec 13, 2021; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Meanwhile, Murray has never lacked for accuracy. Nor, for that matter, is arm strength, speed, or promise more broadly an issue. He can do a ton well.
Where Murray has struggled has been with winning. Very seldom has he turned the Cardinals into a strong team, if ever at all. In seven seasons, Murray went to the playoffs a single time. He then got demolished while there.
Worse yet, the injuries have piled up in his career and his work ethic has been a source of concern. Kicking things back even further involves remembering the doubts about Murray’s commitment to football since he was so good at baseball that he had a chance to play pro in the MLB.
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Oh, and for the record, Tom Pelissero did predict Kyler Murray as the starting quarterback. He seemingly did so as an assessment coming from his own perspective rather than delivering insight from Vikings coaches and/or executives.
NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero works during coverage of the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Mar. 2, 2022. Pelissero has become one of the league’s most recognizable insiders in recent years, regularly delivering breaking news, transaction updates, and behind-the-scenes reporting connected to the Vikings and the broader NFL landscape. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
Without question, Murray is the leader in the clubhouse, but the passer battle is just getting started.
Chris Eubank Jr has not fought since his underwhelming rematch with Conor Benn, but the 36-year-old is now being targeted by a fierce knockout artist, who is willing to travel to London for the opportunity to face him.
Eubank scored an iconic win over Benn last April but when they rematched seven months later, he felt the full effects of a brutal weight cut, narrowly avoiding a stoppage defeat as he survived until the final bell on unsteady legs only to lose a wide unanimous decision.
Since then, the Hove-born contender has been advised to move up in weight and return to the super-middleweight scene, but he has also been linked to a catchweight clash with Michael Zerafa in Australia – a bout which would take place at 164lbs.
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New York’s Edgar Berlanga has now thrown his hat into the ring though, after revealing on ‘The Last Stand’ podcast about his intentions to face Eubank before the end of the year.
“I would love to step into the ring to end the year with Chris Eubank Jr. I feel like that fight is going to be a big fight in London.
“I told Keith [Connolly], I said that I would rather not do it out here in America. I would rather go to London, where he is from [U.K.], you know what I am saying? We can make a big, big fight happen. He is on the radar.”
Berlanga’s most high profile fight came back in 2024 when he challenged Canelo Alvarez for his unified super-middleweight crown, suffering a unanimous decision defeat, one of two losses in his career after also coming up short against Hamzah Sheeraz.
He has since signed with Zuffa Boxing and in his debut with the company on Sunday he knocked Steven Butler out after seven rounds, recovering from a second-round knockdown to earn the 19th stoppage victory of his career.
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In an interview with The Ring, Berlanga has now doubled down on his call-out of Eubank, hoping he can convince the Briton to swerve the Zerafa fight in favour of a clash on home soil.
“I’m looking forward to getting a real big fight with Chris Eubank. Let’s do it in London. It’s going to be big.”
Danhausen has named his price for yet another major uncursing. He has shockingly asked for ten million dollars and that is something that he has never done before.
The Very Nice Very Evil star has been on the lips of all sports fans ever since he helped the New York Knicks win the NBA title in June. The Knicks had not won the NBA championship in 53 years and only did so after he lifted their curse.
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He has since become a household name and has also appeared on a lot of sports channels where they spoke about his powers. Danhausen will be taking on Dominik Mysterio at SummerSlam which will be held in Minnesota.
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He was posing for pictures with the fans when a fan asked him what would it take for him to uncurse the Minnesota Vikings, who have never won the NFL Championship. He jokingly said that it would take ten million dollars for him to uncurse the Vikings.
Danhausen makes bizarre request to the New York Knicks
The name Danhausen has been etched in the history of the New York Knicks. Ever since they won the NBA title, thanks to their curse being lifted, he has been praised by many of the Knicks players themselves.
After they won the title, the former AEW star made a bizarre request to the New York Knicks. He asked for a one day contract with the franchise so he can play and retire as a world champion. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, after the historic championship win, the former AEW star wrote:
“Danhausen is requesting a one day contract with The KNICKSHAUSEN so he may retire from basketball’s as a champion of the world”
It is the off season right now and there is not a lot of movement. However, given the kind of coverage and sensation the team has received from the WWE star, it should come as no surprise if they decide to adhere to the request and give him a one day contract.
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Derek Chisora is looking to secure a third world title shot, this time against a far different champion to Tyson Fury or Vitali Klitschko.
The Brit lost those two attempts in 2022 and 2012, respectively, but gave a gallant performance when he challenged the long-reigning Klitschko on away soil.
‘Del Boy’ – as he was then known – ultimately lost a unanimous decision to the Ukrainian, before getting stopped in five rounds by David Haye in his following outing.
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Then, around a decade later, Chisora suffered a punishing 10th-round stoppage defeat in his third encounter with Fury, no longer seeming capable of competing at world level.
Yet despite showing signs of deterioration, the heavyweight veteran has continued plugging away and is now coming off a split decision defeat to Deontay Wilder.
Their April encounter, which was supposed to be his ‘last dance’, saw Chisora touch the canvas twice but nonetheless contest the result of his 50th professional bout.
The 42-year-old then went on to demand an immediate rematch with Wilder, who appears to be one of the leading options for Oleksandr Usyk’s swansong next year.
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So, instead, Chisora has made a slight pivot and is now targeting Murat Gassiev, who was elevated from ‘regular’ to full WBA champion after Usyk vacated his belts.
Taking to social media, Chisora tagged Gassiev’s promoter, IBA Pro, and posted a graphic of himself and the Russian as two chickens, along with the caption: “Fight 51”.
The two heavyweights also went face to face earlier this month, shortly after Gassiev, 32, defended his title with a sixth-round finish over Peter Kadiru.
Former Maple Leafs winger Jeff O’Neill spilled the beans on first-overall pick Gavin McKenna asking for his permission to wear No. 92 on his jersey.
O’Neill had a brief two-season stint with the Maple Leafs from 2005-07, playing 146 games. During that time, he became the first player in franchise history to wear No. 92.
The Leafs never retired the number, and after drafting McKenna first overall in the 2026 NHL Draft, the 18-year-old chose to wear the same jersey number O’Neill once donned.
It was revealed earlier this month when O’Neill posted on X (formerly called Twitter) that McKenna had asked his permission to wear No. 92, which the former Maple Leafs winger gladly granted.
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“Last night I got a FaceTime after dinner. Gavin asked if it was cool if he wore the number. I said ‘It’s the only way to go son. LFG,’” O’Neill wrote.
Last night I got a FaceTime after dinner. Gavin asked if it was cool if he wore the number. I said “ it’s the only way to go son. LFG. “
When it was confirmed that McKenna would be wearing the same number, O’Neill was credited with making it happen after allowing the young star to use it.
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However, during a recent appearance on OverDrive, O’Neill revealed the truth: Gavin McKenna never actually called him for permission, and he was just having fun on social media.
“I’m probably gonna get somebody call me a p*s. But I have to confess something, and it’s something that should be so obvious. But I didn’t. It went too far, and I couldn’t go back on it. Gavin McKenna did not, nor would he ever, call me to get my input on wearing number 92. I only played for the Leafs for two years. I do know both of his agents, but that did not happen,” said O’Neill.
He added:
“He picked 92 because he wanted some type of combination of 72 and 97. So he picked 92, and that’s what happened. He did not call me. Why would he call me? Like, I scored 40 goals in two years for the Leafs. I was just trying to have some fun on social media, and it got to a place where I’m like, I just have to leave this there because I can’t delete it or I can’t go back on it now.”
Gavin McKenna training with Macklin Celebrini ahead of highly anticipated debut
Toronto Maple Leafs first-overall pick Gavin McKenna is getting a head start on his rookie season by training alongside San Jose Sharks superstar Macklin Celebrini.
The two young guns were recently spotted working out together in Vancouver as McKenna prepares for what many expect to be a strong NHL debut with the Maple Leafs next season.
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Celebrini, meanwhile, is coming off a career-high 115-point season with the San Jose Sharks. He will be entering the new season as the highest-paid player in the NHL after signing a five-year, $94 million contract with an $18.8 million AAV recently.
Nigeria’s Flying Eagles secured a place in the semi-finals of the WAFU B U-20 Tournament after beating Togo 3-0 in their second Group B match in Yamoussoukro on Thursday.
The victory follows Nigeria’s impressive 4-2 win over Ghana in their opening game, making it two wins from two in the competition.
Togo made life difficult for the Flying Eagles in the first half and almost took the lead in the 38th minute, but their effort went wide. Nigeria also created chances, but both teams went into the break with the score at 0-0.
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The Flying Eagles returned stronger after half-time and broke the deadlock just one minute into the second half. Muiz Adeleke, who scored twice against Ghana, found the back of the net again to give Nigeria a 1-0 lead.
Adeleke doubled Nigeria’s advantage in the 59th minute after a swift counter-attack. The forward rounded the Togolese goalkeeper before calmly finishing to score his fourth goal of the tournament.
Substitute Abdoulaye Agbejoye completed the scoring in the 85th minute, finishing well shortly after coming on to seal a convincing 3-0 victory.
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The seven-time African champions will now face Burkina Faso on Sunday for a place in the final.
Two Pakistan Army Aviation helicopters joined the operation on Friday, while an experienced ground team deployed to the area where the group of at least 10 climbers was last believed to have been.
“The team has been out of communication since Thursday,” Alpine Club vice president Karrar Haidri said.
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Authorities were in contact with the climbers’ families, he added.
Pakistani security sources said the four bodies were located but had not yet been recovered.
Chhang Dawa Sherpa, a director at trekking company Seven Summit Treks, said the climbers were believed to have been swept away by an avalanche at around 6,600 meters (21,650 feet).
The Alpine Club said also said it had received “deeply concerning reports” that the avalanche struck the expedition around midday on Thursday.
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“The Alpine Club of Pakistan is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with all concerned stakeholders,” the organization said.
One of the missing climbers is Nepal-born Nirmal Purja, who climbed the world’s 14 highest peaks in under seven months (file photo)Image: Subash Shrestha/Pacific Press/IMAGO
It added that it remained hopeful the missing climbers would be found safely.
The missing group includes five Nepalese climbers, Pakistani mountaineer Sohail Sakhi, an Omani climber identified as Nathira, US climber Mallory Geis, a Chinese climber identified only as Wang and another international climber.
Three Sherpa guides from Seven Summit Treks were among those missing.
Who is Nirmal Purja?
Purja, widely known as Nims Dai, is a former British Army soldier who served with the Brigade of Gurkhas and later became the first Gurkha accepted into Britain’s elite Special Boat Service.
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He rose to international prominence after climbing all 14 of the world’s mountains above 8,000 meters in 189 days in 2019.
The achievement was featured in the Netflix documentary “14 Peaks: Nothing is Impossible.”
What is Broad Peak?
Broad Peak stands at just over 8,000 meters in Pakistan’s Karakoram range, close to the border with China. It is the world’s 12th-highest mountain and lies only a few kilometers from the better-known K2.
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Originally designated K3 during the surveying of the Karakoram, its more modern name refers to its unusually wide summit ridge, which stretches for roughly 1.5 kilometers (just under a mile).
The region contains five of the world’s 14 peaks above 8,000 meters and attracts climbers from across the globe, although avalanches and rapidly changing weather make expeditions particularly dangerous.
Edited by: Darko Janjevic
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Trainer Danny O’Brien has outlined an ambitious spring program for Sass Appeal, with three Group 1 races firmly in focus as the talented mare resumes at Flemington this Saturday.
The So You Think filly is set to kick off her preparation in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (1410m) after a stellar three-year-old season that culminated in a victory in the Kewney Stakes.
Sass Appeal has competed in just five races, achieving a runner-up finish on debut at Sandown before securing four consecutive wins, including her Group 2 success at Flemington in March.
O’Brien made the strategic decision to conclude her autumn campaign immediately after that win, believing a timely spell would position her perfectly for the spring season.
“She went to the paddock early in the autumn after the first Saturday in March as she had raced through the summer, so we weren’t keen to do too much more with her,” O’Brien stated.
“The benefit of going out early was we were able to have her ready for the early part of the spring as we are hoping to get her to a Sir Rupert Clarke or a Toorak Handicap.
“She needs to win a race or two between now and those races to get her rating up to that sort of level and this looks a good starting point on Saturday.”
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Although Sass Appeal was also entered for the Aurie’s Star Handicap, O’Brien felt the 1410m assignment was a more suitable option.
The mare also benefits from the weight allocation, carrying 53kg compared to what she would have shouldered in the Group 3 sprint.
“She already has a good record at the 1400 (metres),” O’Brien commented.
“She’s won twice at the course and distance, so we thought we would stick with what she does best and is already proven at. It’s a lower rating race than what the Aurie’s Star is, a Group 3, and she is a lot better handicapped in this.”
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O’Brien plans to give Sass Appeal one more lead-up run in another Benchmark 100 over 1400m at Caulfield on August 29 before stepping her into elite company.
“There’s only time to have two runs before potentially running in the Sir Rupert Clarke,” O’Brien explained.
“She can run this weekend and then go four weeks to Memsie Stakes Day to a similar race there, another 1400-metre at Caulfield and then it’s a three-week gap to the Sir Rupert Clarke. After that it’s potentially the Toorak Handicap into the Empire Rose.”
Despite the substantial prizemoney and the recent elevation of The Golden Eagle to Group 1 status, O’Brien’s preference is to keep Sass Appeal racing in Melbourne throughout the spring.
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Find the best betting sites for the Flemington races.
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has moved its 2026 Elective Congress by one day, with the election now set to take place on Sunday, September 27, 2026, in Lafia, Nasarawa State.
The congress was first scheduled for Saturday, September 26, and will elect members of the NFF Executive Committee, who will lead the federation for the next four years.
The decision was approved during an extraordinary General Assembly held virtually on Wednesday after the NFF Executive Committee proposed the change.
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NFF President, Ibrahim Musa Gusau, said the date was changed because of the Super Eagles’ opening qualifier for the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations against Madagascar.
According to Gusau, after talks with CAF, the match was fixed for Friday, September 25, 2026. He explained that many candidates contesting the NFF election are expected to be involved with the Super Eagles, making it difficult for them to travel to Lafia in time for the congress the next day.
“In view of this development, the Executive Committee considered it necessary to seek the approval of Congress for a one-day postponement of the Elective Congress,” Gusau said.
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The proposal received full support during the virtual meeting after it was moved and seconded by members of Congress, confirming Sunday, September 27, 2026, as the new date for the NFF Elective Congress.
San Diego Padres right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr. delivered one of the best defensive highlights in Thursday’s game against the San Francisco Giants. The 27-year-old robbed slugger Rafael Devers of a home run with a spectacular leaping catch against the wall at Petco Park.
The play came in the first inning with Tatis covering 94 feet to haul the homer. In the end, Rafael Devers had to settle for a sacrifice fly as the Giants took a 1-0 lead. The Giants eventually won the game 4-1.
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The video of the catch quickly went viral, with fans taking to social media raving about Fernando Tatis Jr.’s jaw-dropping catch.
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“This is unapologetically exceptional ☺️😊”
This is unapologetically exceptional ☺️😊
“What a catch. You are right hit it to the wrong guy.”
What a catch. You are right hit it to the wrong guy.
“That catch was actually insane ngl, what a play 😤”
That catch was actually insane ngl, what a play 😤
“Guess the ball was just trying to get a better view of the skyline.”
Guess the ball was just trying to get a better view of the skyline.
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“That’s the kind of defensive play that changes games. Tatis Jr. is simply unreal. 👏⚾”
That’s the kind of defensive play that changes games. Tatis Jr. is simply unreal. 👏⚾
“Wrong guy to test! 😤”
Wrong guy to test! 😤 Fernando Tatis Jr. climbed the wall and stole a home run with an unbelievable catch. That’s a game-changing defensive play and another highlight for the reel. 🔥⚾
Ironically, it wasn’t the first time Fernando Tatis Jr. had denied the Giants’ $313.5M star’s of a home run. Tatis robbed Devers of a homer at Pecto Park last August, making Thursday’s catch feel like a deja vu to the Giants infielder.
Fernando Tatis Jr. fuels Padres’ push with career-best five-hit night
A couple of days ago, San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. put together a career-best five-hit performance in the team’s 8-7 walk-off win against the Colorado Rockies. Tatis played a crucial role in the team’s victory while shortstop Xander Bogaerts delivered the decisive sacrifice fly.
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Tatis’ continued production will be vital if the Padres hope to stay in the postseason race. They are currently third in the NL West standings, trailing the Arizona Diamondbacks and the division-leading Los Angeles Dodgers with a 55-54 record.
So far in 2026, Tatis Jr. has recorded eight home runs and 49 RBIs while averaging .285 with a .353 on-base percentage and .745 OPS in 108 games. Other than last year’s and Thursday’s home run robbery being similar, Tatis also went on an absurd stretch, robbing four home runs in 27 home games.
The San Francisco 49ers’ receiving corps took an early training camp hit as Ricky Pearsall’s knee injury became a growing concern.
That uncertainty led San Francisco back to a familiar name. Former All-Pro wide receiver Deebo Samuel agreed Thursday to return to the 49ers on a one-year deal worth up to $7 million, ESPN reported.
San Francisco 49ers player Deebo Samuel Sr. warms up before a game against the Seattle Seahawks at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Nov. 17, 2024.(Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Samuel’s NFL career started in the Bay Area after the 49ers spent a second round draft pick on the South Carolina standout in 2019.
Samuel went on to spend the first six years of his NFL run with the Niners and helped the team reach the Super Bowl twice. He earned All-Pro honors in 2021 when he had 1,770 yards from scrimmage and 14 touchdowns.
Washington Commanders player Deebo Samuel (1)warms up before a game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Dec. 20, 2025.(Michael Owens/Getty Images)
Samuel was traded to Washington in 2025 for a fifth-round draft pick and had 72 catches for 727 yards and five touchdowns for the Commanders last season.
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., left, cannot catch a pass while being defended by Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Kinchens during the second half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Thursday, Dec. 12, 2024.(AP Photo/Jed Jacobsohn)
He became a free agent in March and now will join the Niners to provide reinforcement with Pearsall out.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.
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