Sugar Ray Leonard believes one of his fellow Four Kings was more intimidating than even Mike Tyson, who terrorised the heavyweight division in his early 20s.

The most physically imposing king was surely Thomas ‘The Hitman’ Hearns, who somehow squeezed his 6ft 1in frame down to 147lbs when he collided with Leonard in 1981.

Back then, Sugar Ray claimed a hard-fought 14th-round stoppage before boxing to a controversial draw in their super-middleweight rematch in 1989.

Just over two years earlier, the American had arrived at another contentious result against Marvin Hagler, this time edging their middleweight encounter by split decision.

But while Hearns and Hagler posed enormous threats, Leonard was ultimately most intimidated when he faced Roberto Duran in 1980.

The Panamanian joined the welterweight scene after becoming a world champion at 135lbs, where he dethroned Ken Buchanan with a controversial 13th-round stoppage in 1972.

Even as an undersized contender at 147lbs, Duran was considered a dangerous puncher but was made a sizable underdog against Leonard, who had just scored back-to-back stoppages over Wilfred Benitez and Dave ‘Boy’ Green.

It then came as a major upset when the skilled technician lost a unanimous decision to ‘Hands of Stone’, whose tenacity proved a decisive factor.

Reflecting on their rivalry, Leonard admitted in a resurfaced interview that there was an element of fear attached to his WBC title defence.

“Roberto Duran – he was more intimidating than Mike Tyson. I hate that motherf**ker.”

Despite the manner in which their first encounter unfolded, Leonard ultimately made the necessary adjustments and won their immediate rematch via an eighth-round stoppage.

England play one of the eight best third-placed teams, but the distribution of the fixtures depends on which groups provide the qualifiers.

After it was confirmed Ghana had qualified as third in group L, it meant England had only two possible opponents – third place in group K or Senegal.

If DR Congo beat Uzbekistan in their final group K match at 00:30 BST on Sunday, England will play the third-placed team in that group.

That is almost certain to be DR Congo, bar a scenario whereby Portugal lose with a goal difference swing of seven between the teams. Then England would play Portugal.

If DR Congo draw or lose then England will play Senegal.

The knockout path is now set for England through to the quarters.

After DR Congo or Senegal, they would play the winners of Mexico or Ecuador in the last 16 in Mexico City on 5 July.

The potential quarter-final would be in Miami in 11 July against Brazil, Japan, Ivory Coast or Norway.

Cape Verde’s remarkable FIFA World Cup journey continued on Saturday morning as the Blue Sharks secured a historic place in the Round of 32 with a goalless draw against Saudi Arabia.

The African debutants finished second in Group H with three points, ahead of two-time world champions Uruguay and 2034 World Cup hosts Saudi Arabia. Their reward is a mouth-watering clash against defending champions Argentina on July 3 in Miami.

Here are some of the key lessons from Cape Verde’s historic achievement:

Cape Verde have proved they belong on the world stage

Few gave Cape Verde a chance of progressing from a group that included Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. However, the Blue Sharks defied expectations by remaining unbeaten in all three matches.

They drew against Spain, held Uruguay and secured the point they needed against Saudi Arabia, showing that organisation, discipline and belief can compete with football’s biggest names.

Bubista’s tactical discipline has been crucial

Head coach Bubista deserves enormous credit for building a team capable of frustrating stronger opponents while remaining dangerous on the counter-attack.

Against Saudi Arabia, Cape Verde created the better opportunities. Willy Semedo tested goalkeeper Mohammed Al Owais early on, while Kevin Pina and Laros Duarte both came close to finding the winning goal.

The team’s defensive structure and tactical awareness have been among the biggest reasons behind their success.

Small nations can still dream big

With a population of around 525,000 people, Cape Verde have become one of the biggest stories of the tournament.

Their qualification reminds the football world that success is not always determined by population size, financial power or historical achievements. The Blue Sharks have shown that unity, organisation and determination can overcome the odds.

African football continues to make history

Cape Verde have become the first African nation making its World Cup debut to progress beyond the group stage since Ghana achieved the feat in 2006.

They are also the third African debutants to remain unbeaten during the group stage, underlining the growing competitiveness of African football on the global stage.

Argentina cannot afford to underestimate them

The celebrations among the Cape Verde players after the final whistle, as they gathered around a phone to follow the conclusion of Spain’s victory over Uruguay, reflected just how much this achievement means.

However, their fairytale journey is far from over. Defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, will be overwhelming favourites in the Round of 32, but Cape Verde have already shown they fear nobody.

If the Blue Sharks have taught the football world anything at this tournament, it is that writing them off is a dangerous mistake.

The race for the golden boot at World Cup 2026 is hurtling towards an epic contest during the knockout stage after Cristiano Ronaldo made an emphatic statement to silence the critics, joining Lionel Messi, Vinicius Jr, Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the race.

The stars continue to dominate at this tournament, none more so than Messi after backing up a hat-trick against Algeria with a double against Austria to highlight one of his greatest traits after a penalty miss.

Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland followed the Argentine with doubles of their own on a dramatic day at the World Cup, with the France captain enduring nearly a two hour delay due to adverse weather.

But after a dismal first outing had many questioning whether he was hampering Portugal’s World Cup hopes, Ronaldo hit a superb brace against Uzbekistan to prove his worth and put himself in contention for the accolade.

Vinicius Jr also stamped his mark with a brace against Scotland while Ousmane Dembele hit a superb hat-trick against Norway to throw his hat in the ring, though Kane failed to add to his opening brace against Croatia as he missed a late sitter against Ghana.

If players are tied for goals, the number of assists will determine who ranks higher. If there is still a tie, it comes down to minutes played and the goals-per-minute ratio. Here are the latest 2026 World Cup golden boot standings:

World Cup golden boot standings

1. Lionel Messi (Argentina), 5 goals

2. Kylian Mbappe (France), 4 goals, (2 assists)

= 3. Ousmane Dembele (France), 4 goals (1 assist)

= 3. Vinicius Jr (Brazil), 4 goals (1 assist)

5. Erling Haaland (Norway), 4 goals

6. Deniz Undav (Germany), 3 goals (2 assists)

= 7. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland), 3 goals (1 assist)

= 7. Ismaila Sarr (Senegal), 3 goals (1 assist)

= 9. Jonathan David (Canada), 3 goals

= 9. Ismael Saibari (Morocco), 3 goals

= 9. Matheus Cunha (Brazil), 3 goals

= 9. Brian Brobbey (Netherlands), 3 goals

= 9. Elijah Just (New Zealand), 3 goals

= 9. Harry Kane (England), 3 goals

Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo (7) reacts during the World Cup Group K soccer match between Portugal and Uzbekistan in Houston, Tuesday, June 23, 2026. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to start for Portugal in their decisive final Group K fixture against Colombia as the two nations prepare to meet for the first time in senior men’s international football. With top spot in the group still undecided, Portugal captain Ronaldo and Colombia playmaker James Rodríguez expected to headline one of the most anticipated matches of the FIFA World Cup 2026 group stage.Colombia enter the contest on six points after winning both of their opening matches and have already secured a place in the Round of 32. Portugal, meanwhile, sit on four points following a draw with DR Congo and a commanding victory over Uzbekistan. Roberto Martínez’s side must win in Miami to overtake Colombia and finish as Group K winners, while a draw or Colombian victory would see Los Cafeteros remain top of the standings.

Ronaldo ready to lead Portugal once again

There is no doubt surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo’s availability.Portugal manager Roberto Martínez has confirmed that 41-year-old captain Cristiano Ronaldo is fully fit and named in the starting XI to face Colombia. Ronaldo was also seen arriving at the Miami stadium ahead of kick-off, a strong indication of his readiness to lead the side.Ronaldo heads into the match in excellent form after bouncing back from criticism following Portugal’s disappointing 1-1 draw against DR Congo.Having failed to score in the opening match, the veteran responded emphatically with a first-half brace in Portugal’s 5-0 victory over Uzbekistan. The performance not only helped Portugal all but secure qualification for the knockout rounds but also saw Ronaldo become the first player in football history to score in six different FIFA World Cup tournaments.The victory also marked his first major tournament goal from open play since UEFA Euro 2020, while his emotional “I’m back” celebration reflected his response to suggestions from critics that he should retire or be dropped from the starting lineup.Ronaldo also completed the full 90 minutes against Uzbekistan without any signs of physical fatigue, reinforcing Martínez’s confidence that his captain is ready for another demanding assignment.Saturday’s match will be Ronaldo’s 25th World Cup appearance and his 23rd start at football’s biggest tournament. After starting each of his first 20 World Cup matches, he came off the bench twice during the 2022 edition before returning to the starting lineup in every Portugal match at this tournament.

Portugal’s biggest challenge is expected to come from Colombia captain James Rodríguez, who has been the creative heartbeat of Néstor Lorenzo’s side throughout the group stage.The experienced midfielder started both of Colombia’s victories, playing 72 minutes during the 3-1 win over Uzbekistan before completing 58 minutes against DR Congo in a controlled 1-0 victory, where he was withdrawn after helping establish Colombia’s advantage.James has dictated Colombia’s attacking rhythm throughout the tournament and is again expected to start as the South Americans chase a third consecutive victory.Colombia opened their campaign with an impressive 3-1 win over Uzbekistan before defeating DR Congo courtesy of Daniel Muñoz’s 75th-minute winner, results that secured qualification before the final round of group matches.

First meeting carries major knockout implications

Although Portugal and Colombia are both established names in international football, tonight marks the first senior men’s international meeting between the two countries.The occasion has generated enormous interest, with reports suggesting that more than five million ticket applications were submitted for the match at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.The stakes extend well beyond simple qualification.Portugal know only victory will be enough to leapfrog Colombia into first place and potentially earn a more favourable Round of 32 draw. Any other result leaves Colombia as Group K winners after an outstanding group-stage campaign.For Roberto Martínez, the selection of Ronaldo underlines the importance Portugal place on winning the group rather than merely progressing.With Ronaldo arriving in confidence after another record-breaking performance and James Rodríguez continuing to conduct Colombia’s attack with his customary composure, the tournament’s first-ever meeting between the two nations promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the final round of group-stage matches.

First place in the 2026 World Cup Group K standings is on the line when Colombia battle Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal on Saturday. Colombia, 11th in the FIFA rankings, need a win or draw to finish on top of the group, while a Portugal victory gives the 8th-ranked FIFA team the top spot. Colombia, who did not qualify for the 2022 World Cup, reached the Round of 16 in 2018. Portugal, meanwhile, placed eighth in 2022 after reaching the quarterfinals.

Kickoff for Colombia vs. Portugal is 7:30 p.m. ET from Miami Gardens, Fla. The latest Colombia vs. Portugal odds from FanDuel Sportsbook list Portugal at -105 (risk $105 to win $100) on the 90-minute money line, with Colombia at +250 and a draw at +280. The over/under for total goals is 2.5, with the Over priced at -140. Ronaldo has the lowest odds for anytime goal scorer at +360. 

Before locking in any Portugal vs. Colombia picks or World Cup 2026 predictions, check out the Colombia vs. Portugal predictions from SportsLine’s Jon Eimer.

Eimer is a high-volume bettor who has vast knowledge of leagues and players across the globe. Since joining SportsLine, he has covered the English Premier League, Champions League, Serie A, the FA Cup, and much more. He’s been red-hot on his soccer betting picks in 2026, posting a 31-13-2 record and returning over $1,200 of profit on his Champions League picks. He’s also off to a fast start in the World Cup, entering Saturday on an 25-13-2 run on WC picks (+587). Anyone wanting to follow his World Cup betting advice at sportsbooks and on betting apps could see big returns.

Now, Eimer has studied Colombia vs. Portugal and just revealed his 2026 World Cup picks and betting predictions. You can head to SportsLine now to see his picks. Here are several World Cup odds and soccer betting lines for Portugal vs. Colombia:

Top Colombia vs. Portugal predictions

After examining Colombia vs. Portugal from every angle, Eimer is leaning Over 2.5 total goals (-140). Both sides have proven they can find the back of the net. Colombia have scored nine goals over their past four matches, including three goals twice in that span. Portugal have scored 10 goals in their last four matches, which includes a 5-0 win over Uzbekistan on Tuesday.

He expects Colombia’s offensive prowess continues, which will force Portugal to try to follow suit. “This Portugal side was able to get some confidence back after their 5-0 beatdown over Uzbekistan, and will be desperate to pick up three points and top the group. Colombia have shown already in this competition they’re struggling to play defense with Uzbekistan breaking their backline, and DR Congo, even though they didn’t score, finding chances. Even though Colombia only needs a draw, I don’t see them being able to sit back for 90 minutes, and they’ll be forced to a position where they need to push back.” See Eimer’s best bets for Colombia vs. Portugal at SportsLine, and you can bet the Over in Portugal vs. Colombia at FanDuel here:

How to make Colombia vs. Portugal picks

After studying the Colombia vs. Portugal matchup from every angle, Eimer has found a critical x-factor and locked in four best bets that all return plus money. You can head to SportsLine to see what they are. 

So what are the best bets for Portugal vs. Colombia? Visit SportsLine now to see the best bets for Colombia vs. Portugal, all from expert on a 25-13 roll on World Cup picks, and find out.

A day after receiving the bitter news that four-star athlete Bode Sparrow had chosen Oklahoma over them in a decision that the Davis High star said was razor-close, BYU’s football coaches got some news Saturday afternoon that will erase that crushing disappointment.

Rising senior receiver Blake Wong, a four-star recruit and the No. 3 rated receiver in California, committed to play for BYU during a live stream on 247Sports from his high school in Norco, California.

Advertisement

Wong picked the Cougars over four other big-time finalists: Ohio State, UCLA, Oregon and Utah.

Wong, 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, is a much-needed boost to BYU coach Kalani Sitake’s recruiting efforts, and the athlete of Chinese-American ethnicity becomes the ninth member of the 2027 recruiting class to commit to BYU.

He is expected to sign with BYU when the December signing period begins in a little less than six months.

I really wanted to see the full culture, and see how I fit in with the players, and what the whole program and organization represents.

Blake Wong on visiting five different colleges

“For the next three to four years, I will be committed to BYU,” Wong said as he picked a BYU cap off the table, surrounded by family members. Wong is a member of the faith that supports BYU, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Advertisement

“BYU is the choice just because how much of the culture I fit in, and the way Kalani is, and Fesi (Sitake) is, as a head coach and a position coach for me,” Wong said. “I really fit in well with them, and also the early opportunities I have (to play) there.”

Wong caught 84 passes for 1,470 yards and 20 touchdowns in 10 games last fall as a junior, soaring up recruiting boards after one of the most productive seasons in the history of his high school. He’s one of the top 50 receivers nationally in the class of 2027.

Wong said the fact that BYU made him its No. 1 receiver priority also played into his decision to choose Provo.

“Just seeing how much belief they have in me to make an impact, and how much they care, and how much they value who I am (was impressive),” he said. “They care about me not just as a player, but as a person.”

Advertisement

Wong attended the same high school as a freshman as BYU’s Bear and Tiger Bachmeier, Murrieta Valley High in Southern California.

He said the Cougars are getting “just a great person overall (who is) coming to make an impact, whether it’s off the field or on the field.”

Wong visited Utah first, then UCLA. He visited BYU on June 15 and June 16, then concluded his trips with visits to Oregon and Ohio State.

“I really wanted to see the full culture, and see how I fit in with the players, and what the whole program and organization represents,” he said.

Wong thanked his high school coaches and teammates, his family and Heavenly Father for helping him get where he is today.

Advertisement

“Without Him, I am nothing,” he said. “And my coaches and my family, I am with them every day, and I work hard with them. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. They help give me motivation every day.”

Ranked last in the Big 12 in 2027 football recruiting by 247Sports and other sites when the day began, BYU almost certainly will jump in the national team rankings.

Recruiting expert Casey Lundquist of Cougs Daily on the Sports Illustrated online network said Wong’s commitment could jumpstart a BYU run over the course of the next two weeks.

“While BYU’s class certainly would have been better with Sparrow on board, and BYU doesn’t have the luxury of finding another top 100 prospect to take his spot, I wouldn’t panic quite yet,” Lundquist said Friday after Sparrow picked Oklahoma.

Advertisement

“A lot of BYU’s top prospects are still on the board, and there’s a long time before signing day.”

Also Saturday, three-star athlete Peyton Higginson of Salem Hills High in Utah County told the Deseret News that he has narrowed his three finalists to BYU, Michigan and Utah State.

Higginson said he will likely made a decision in the middle of next week, or the week following the 4th of July holiday weekend.

The third round of the 2026 Travelers Championship gets underway Saturday at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Saturday, including full TV coverage, streaming info and Round 3 tee times.

How to watch the Travelers Championship on Saturday

Seven top-10 finishes. Thirteen cuts made in 13 tries. And nearly $13 million in prize money. For most golfers, that would qualify as an astounding stretch. For Scottie Scheffler, it constitutes a dry spell. He hasn’t won a PGA Tour event since — gasp! — January at the American Express.

But the World No. 1 is in position to change that this weekend at the Travelers. He enters Saturday’s third round atop the leaderboard, fresh off a scorching 10-under 60 on Friday that featured 11 birdies and one bogey. Scheffler is at 16-under for the week, two shots clear of a resurgent Viktor Hovland, who shot 61 on Friday, and four ahead of Akshay Bhatia and Eric Cole. Cole is seeking his first Tour win.

Scheffler and Hovland tee off in the final pairing Saturday at 2 p.m. ET.

You can watch the third round of the Travelers on TV via Golf Channel, which will air coverage beginning at 1 p.m. ET. Live TV coverage on NBC begins at 3 p.m. ET. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide streaming coverage starting at 7:45. ET., with Peacock joining the streaming coverage at 3 p.m. ET.

Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the third round of the 2026 Travelers Championship

How to watch on TV Saturday

Golf Channel will provide third-round TV coverage of the 2026 Travelers Championship from 1-3 p.m. ET on Saturday, followed by NBC coverage from 3-6 p.m. ET.

How to stream online Saturday

You can stream the second round of the 2026 Travelers Championship via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage 7:45 a.m. – 6 p.m. ET on Saturday in addition to featured group and hole coverage. Live streaming starts on Peacock is from 3 – 6 p.m. ET. You can also stream a live simulcast of Golf Channel’s TV coverage on the GOLF App.

Check out the complete Round 3 tee times and pairings for the Travelers Championship below.

Hoping to wager on the Travelers Championship? Sign up for Fanatics Sportsbook with code “SUBPAR” to receive a special welcome offer.

2026 Travelers Championship tee times for Saturday: Round 3 (ET)

Tee No. 1

7:50 a.m. – Lucas Glover, Sepp Straka
8:00 a.m. – Ryan Fox, Cameron Young
8:10 a.m. – Jake Knapp, Adam Scott
8:20 a.m. – Sahith Theegala, Min Woo Lee
8:30 a.m. – Jordan Spieth, Mark Hubbard
8:40 a.m. – Nick Taylor, Jacob Bridgeman
8:50 a.m. – Matt McCarty, Gary Woodland
9:00 a.m. – Sam Stevens, Andrew Novak
9:15 a.m. – Jason Day, Ryo Hisatsune
9:25 a.m. – Harry Hall, Ludvig Åberg
9:35 a.m. – Tom Hoge, Nicolai Højgaard
9:45 a.m. – Alex Smalley, Daniel Berger
9:55 a.m. – Xander Schauffele, Brian Harman
10:05 a.m. – Tony Finau, Russell Henley
10:15 a.m. – Mac Meissner, Ryan Gerard
10:30 a.m. – Collin Morikawa, Chris Gotterup
10:40 a.m. – Jackson Suber, Alex Fitzpatrick
10:50 a.m. – Keith Mitchell, Denny McCarthy
11:00 a.m. – Rickie Fowler, Michael Kim
11:10 a.m. – Jhonattan Vegas, Alex Noren
11:20 a.m. – Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Thomas
11:30 a.m. – J.T. Poston, Brandt Snedeker
11:45 a.m. – Taylor Pendrith, Sungjae Im
11:55 a.m. – Nico Echavarria, Aaron Rai
12:05 p.m. – Si Woo Kim, Shane Lowry
12:15 p.m. – Kristoffer Reitan, Corey Conners
12:25 p.m. – Ben James, Robert MacIntyre
12:35 p.m. – Sam Burns, Wyndham Clark
12:45 p.m. – Harris English, Keegan Bradley
1:00 p.m. – Maverick McNealy, Kurt Kitayama
1:10 p.m. – Tommy Fleetwood, Patrick Cantlay
1:20 p.m. – J.J. Spaun, Justin Rose
1:30 p.m. – Matt Fitzpatrick, Brian Campbell
1:40 p.m. – Bud Cauley, Ben Griffin
1:50 p.m. – Akshay Bhatia, Eric Cole
2:00 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Viktor Hovland

The Minnesota Vikings put minicamp behind them last week, and it’s time to start thinking about training camp, which starts in late July. Oddsmakers believe Minnesota will win roughly eight or nine games this season, so it’s up to head coach Kevin O’Connell and friends to prove them wrong.

Along the way at training camp, a handful of players will be under more pressure than most. These are those men, ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = player under the most pressure).

Vikings’ Roster Bubble Has Real Names This Summer

5. Walter Rouse (OT)

Rouse could not have enjoyed the offseason — unless the Vikings move him to guard.

Minnesota added veteran Ryan Van Demark and rookie 3rd-Rounder Caleb Tiernan, putting Rouse on the back burner because neither of those men is slated to be a fourth depth tackle on the depth chart. Think of it this way: if Rouse is shifted to guard, he’s not under very much pressure. If he remains a tackle, it will be difficult to maintain a roster spot with Christian Darrisaw, Brian O’Neill, Van Demark, and Tiernan in the way.

4. Ivan Pace Jr. (LB)

Minnesota started the offseason with ginormous question marks at off-ball linebacker. Eric Wilson was a free agent, so was Pace Jr. The team dropped rookie Kobe King out of nowhere during the 2025 regular season and also booted Austin Keys off the roster.

Then the Vikings re-signed Wilson and Pace Jr. and drafted Cincinnati linebacker Jake Golday. Blake Cashman is also under contract through the end of 2026.

If Golday is deployed as an ILB and he’s game-ready in September, Pace Jr. could be an under-the-radar cut casualty.

3. Tai Felton (WR)

Felton was floating along this offseason, relishing life after Minnesota drafted no rookie wideouts in April. Soon after, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski landed Jauan Jennings in free agency, and he’s in town as the Vikings’ best WR3 since Jake Reed, at least on paper.

UDFA wideout Dillon Bell has also turned heads at minicamp. Kick and punt return man Myles Price is likely safe in the regular season.

Felton must stand off the page in August. The guy who drafted him in Round 3 last year got fired in January. There’s a world where the Vikings keep Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jennings, Price, and Bell on the 53-man roster and end the Felton era after just one season.

It’s all up to him.

Our Brevan Bane noted on Felton earlier this month, “Now that the Vikings have signed WR Jauan Jennings to be WR3 behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, things are looking a bit murky for Tai Felton. Maybe, he’s still in the long-term plans since Jennings is on a one year deal. However, it’s not a great look for those that have high hopes for Felton to be a major piece of the Vikings’ offense.”

“The Vikings likely do value Felton’s special teams ability, and to be fair, that is how Adam Thielen got his start in Minnesota. He grinded a couple seasons away on the special teams unit, and played so well that he eventually got put into a major role in the offense. Maybe that’s the scenario we’re dealing with here with Felton, but that is quite unlikely.”

It’s time to find out if Felton is the real deal — or a wasted draft pick, which has been all too common in Minnesota since 2022.

One thing is certain: Felton has the speed to thrive.

2. Theo Jackson (S)

Harrison Smith hasn’t made his return-or-retire plans known, but if he comes back, the safety room will be a little crowded. Brzezinski and defensive coordinator Brian Flores drafted Miami’s Jakobe Thomas in April, the pick used as a fruit from the Jonathan Greenard trade.

Jackson’s roster spot could be in jeopardy, as Smith (if he returns), Thomas, Josh Metellus, and Jay Ward would be roster locks. Jackson feels like the quintessential roster-bubble guy in June, especially after Ward stole his starting job down the stretch of 2025.

1. J.J. McCarthy (QB)

This one probably doesn’t need an explanation.

Last year, the Vikings handed McCarthy the QB1 job with no fight whatsoever. This year, he has the fight of a lifetime because Kyler Murray didn’t come to Minnesota to be some 23-year-old’s backup. By the end of the 2026 season, McCarthy could be the Vikings’ unabashed starting quarterback for the long haul — or he could be pondering his next NFL destination via trade.

The stakes are enormous for McCarthy. He’s on deck to prove if he’s the Vikings’ savior in 2026 or tradebait in 2027.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker