On March 9th, the NFL’s “legal tampering” period begins, which means the Minnesota Vikings are 22 days away from signing new players — once they clear some cap space. And to get you ready for that week, a handful of under-the-radar decisions await.

Vikings free agency hinges on a few quieter choices that can swing depth, cap flexibility, and the next wave of starters.

The club will navigate free agency with interim general manager Rob Brzezinski running the finances and head coach Kevin O’Connell, along with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, evidently calling the personnel shots.

Three Quiet Free Agency Calls That Could Affect Minnesota’s 2026 Roster

The first Kwesi Adofo-Mensah-less free agency in five years.

1. Will the Vikings Cross CB — a Popular Draft Need — Off the List in Free Agency?

The Vikings successfully navigated the 2025 campaign with these cornerbacks: Byron Murphy Jr., Isaiah Rodgers, Fabian Moreau, and Jeff Okudah. Murphy Jr. and Rodgers missed zero games, a remarkable feat for two starting cornerbacks.

The problem? Minnesota probably won’t get another pristine year of CB health. It’s rare.

Therefore, the club needs another cornerback — someone more dependable than Okudah and younger than Moreau. Many fans have just assumed that a Round 1 cornerback will be on the way. While that could be true, Minnesota could also just as easily sign a CB from free agency and call it good.

The options will look something like this:

• Montaric Brown (JAX)
• Cordale Flott (NYG)
• Greg Newsome II (JAX)
• Alontae Taylor (NO)
• Jaylen Watson (KC)
• Tariq Woolen (SEA)

Does Minnesota prefer free agency or the draft for the new cornerback? The draft isn’t a foregone conclusion, contrary to popular belief.

2. Is the Ivan Pace Jr. Era Totally Over?

Pace Jr.’s diminished role was evident even before the 2025 season reached its midpoint.

As veteran linebacker Eric Wilson gained traction as a starter, Minnesota quickly adjusted the snap counts. Within weeks, Pace Jr. transitioned from a full-time starter to a rotational player, with Wilson absorbing the majority of the workload. This shift was accelerated by a series of missed tackles by Pace Jr. in September, and Wilson’s consistent performance only solidified the change.

This timing was unfortunate for Pace Jr., who entered 2025 after a strong rookie campaign in 2023 and a solid follow-up in 2024. He posted a 77.1 PFF grade as a rookie and started 27 games across two seasons — impressive production for an undrafted free agent. However, his 2025 grade dipped to 42.3, dampening extension talks at a crucial time.

Although restricted free agency keeps Minnesota in control, that doesn’t guarantee a reunion. The Vikings have already demonstrated that their defense can function effectively without Pace Jr. in a prominent role, a reality that will influence their decision-making.

Pace Jr. likely views the open market as a clearer path to consistent starting opportunities. Minnesota might reconsider if Wilson’s performance declines, but the coming weeks should reveal whether this late-season shift was a temporary adjustment or a long-term change.

3. A Rookie RB or Veteran RB?

Most Vikings fans expect Aaron Jones to be released in the coming weeks; he’ll be 32 next season, and the club could use the cap savings elsewhere on the roster. Jordan Mason is under contract, and at age 26, he’ll have a role on the 2026 squad.

But the club probably needs a high-profile running back to hopefully solve the longstanding rushing problem; Minnesota is just too damn run-heavy.

From free agency, O’Connell and counterparts could pursue a veteran like Travis Etienne, Breece Hall, or Kenneth Walker. In the draft, rookies like Jonah Coleman (Washington), Jadarian Price (Notre Dame), and Nick Singleton (Penn State) will probably be gettable after Round 1.

Our Janik Eckardt wrote this week, “Running back is on the wishlist of many Vikings fans, for good reason. Minnesota could move on from Aaron Jones after two seasons. He is under contract for another year, but the Vikings are about $40 million over the salary cap and releasing the veteran would save $7.75 million. Jones has been a decent back for the Vikings, but at 31 with an extensive injury history, getting some more juice in the room with Walker, perhaps even for a smaller 2026 cap hit, could be intriguing.”

Eckardt also mentioned about Walker, the Super Bowl MVP: “Having his explosiveness in the backfield is certainly a dimension the Vikings have missed in the Kevin O’Connell era. That upside, however, comes at the cost of traits Minnesota has leaned on heavily under O’Connell. The two things that could prevent the club from throwing the bag at the 25-year-old are pass protection and pass-catching.”

If one assumes that Minnesota releases Jones in favor of a younger RB1 option, what’s the preferred method? Free agency or the draft?

Tyler Reddick secured a dramatic victory at the Daytona 500, clinching NASCAR‘s season opener in a car co-owned by basketball legend Michael Jordan. The win came after rival Chase Elliott crashed while battling Reddick for the lead.

Driving a Toyota for 23XI Racing, Reddick remarkably led only the final lap of Sunday’s race to claim the title. This marks a significant achievement for the team, a joint venture between NBA Hall of Famer Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin.

A jubilant Reddick, the 25th different driver to lead a lap – a new Daytona 500 record – expressed disbelief. “Just incredible how it all played out. Just true Daytona madness,” he said. “I’ve already lost my voice from screaming. Never thought I’d be Daytona 500 champion.”

Jordan, who turns 63 on Tuesday, met Reddick in victory lane for a bear hug before they jointly hoisted the prestigious Harley J. Earl trophy. The basketball icon, revealing he wears a size 13, will receive a Daytona 500 ring as a birthday gift.

“It feels like I won a championship, but until I get my ring, I won’t even know,” Jordan said.

Reddick, a 30-year-old from Corning, California, won for the ninth time in the Cup Series and first time since late in the 2024 season. Winless last year, Reddick was primarily focused on his infant son, who was found to have a tumor in his chest that affected his heart. Reddick opened last year with a runner-up finish in the Daytona 500.

He snapped the 38-race losing streak by finishing one place higher Sunday and winning to start a celebration that included multiple stars of NASCAR. Reddick is teammates with Bubba Wallace, who went to victory lane in tears after leading a race-high 40 laps before finishing 10th.

Jordan wrapped his arms around Wallace from behind and spoke closely into Wallace’s ear in a brief speech of encouragement.

“I don’t want my emotions to take away from the monumental day they just accomplished. Happy birthday, MJ. That’s a massive birthday present,” Wallace said. “I thought this was our week, the best 500 I’ve ever had, and come up short, sucks.

“Led a lot of laps, lap leader, I believe. It was a good day for us, but damn. Try again next year.”

Hamlin was also in victory lane after finishing 31st and falling short in his bid to become the third four-time Daytona 500 winner.

Hamlin, who drives for Joe Gibbs Racing, was involved in the final caution when he and teammate Christopher Bell collided with nine laps remaining. It set up the final push to the finish over the final four laps.

Elliott had control on the final lap after leader Carson Hocevar was spun off the track and it appeared the son of NASCAR Hall of Famer Bill Elliott would finally win his first Daytona 500.

Instead, Reddick made a huge surge with an assist from teammate Riley Herbst. He hit Elliott and sailed past to give Jordan a victory in NASCAR’s biggest event of the year.

Jordan was the face of the December federal antitrust lawsuit that NASCAR settled on the ninth day of trial. The settlement changed the revenue-sharing model in the United States’ top motorsports series.

Jordan watched the win from a suite overlooking the superspeedway built by the France family — NASCAR founders and private owners — he just beat in federal court. NASCAR chairman Jim France, who was personally a defendant in the suit, went to victory lane to congratulate the winners.

“I can’t even believe it. It was so gratifying,” Jordan said of the victory. “You never know how these races are going to end. You just try to survive. We hung in there all day. Great strategy by the team, and we gave ourselves a chance at the end. Look, I’m ecstatic.”

The victory marked a Daytona sweep for three team owners heavily involved in the trial. Bob Jenkins, who joined 23XI in suing NASCAR, opened the weekend with a victory when Chandler Smith won the Truck Series opener on Friday night for Front Row Motorsports.

Richard Childress, who testified on behalf of 23XI and Front Row and was the subject of disparaging text messages by since-departed NASCAR chairman Steve Phelps, was the winning team owner Saturday when Austin Hill won.

Then came “The Great American Race,” and Jordan and Hamlin, the two front-facing litigants, got their first Daytona 500 victory together.

Former race winners Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Joey Logano finished second and third as Toyota, Chevrolet and Ford each placed a driver on the podium. Elliott wound up fourth and sat dejected and in disbelief on the outside wall of the track after climbing from his car.

“We ended up kind of getting gifted the lead … and then at that point in time, you’re just on defense. Man, that’s a really, really tough place to be, truthfully,” Elliott said. “Obviously looking back, you can run it through your mind 1,000 times, do you do something different?”

Pakistan’s captain Salman Ali Agha, left, looks at India’s captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo/)

There was no handshake after the match between India and Pakistan at the T20 World Cup clash in Colombo, continuing the icy stand-off that began during the Asia Cup last September.“I will break the suspense tomorrow. Wait for 24 hours,” Suryakumar Yadav had said on the eve of the match. Twenty four hours later, the message was clear and unambiguous. There would be no handshakes.

The frost between the two sides remained evident not only at the toss but also after the game. Just as in their meetings during the Asia Cup in Dubai last year, the players did not exchange handshakes once the contest ended on Sunday.On the field, India produced a commanding performance. Opener Ishan Kishan’s supersonic 77 off 40 balls powered India to 175 for seven after being asked to bat first on a tacky surface. He shared an 87 run stand with Tilak Varma, whose contribution was 11, as Kishan dominated the Pakistan attack.The match began on an unusual note with Pakistan skipper Salman Ali Agha bringing himself on for off spin in the first over and dismissing Abhishek Sharma, who holed out to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Saim Ayub, who finished with 3 for 25, and Agha kept the pressure on during the power play.Kishan, however, turned the tide. He pulled Afridi for a towering six and then dismantled the spinners. Abrar Ahmed and Shadab Khan were struck for boundaries and sixes as Kishan raced to a 27 ball fifty. He eventually fell trying to carve Ayub over mid wicket, missing the ball and losing his stumps.Pakistan clawed back through Ayub, who removed Tilak Varma and Hardik Pandya off successive deliveries to leave India at 126 for four. Suryakumar Yadav made 32 off 28 balls, while Shivam Dube added 27 off 17. A 15 run final over from Afridi, in which Dube and Rinku Singh attacked, carried India to 175 for seven.In reply, India’s bowlers never allowed Pakistan to settle. Hardik Pandya struck in the opening over to dismiss Sahibzada Farhan for a duck. Jasprit Bumrah followed with a double strike, removing Saim Ayub and Salman Agha as Pakistan slumped to 13 for three.Axar Patel bowled Babar Azam and later dismissed Usman Khan, who top scored with 44 off 34 balls. A brief 39 run partnership between Usman and Shadab Khan offered resistance before another collapse set in.Varun Chakravarthy claimed two wickets in the 16th over, and Hardik returned to take the final wicket as Pakistan were bowled out for 114 in the 18th over. Hardik, Bumrah, Axar and Varun took two wickets each, while Kuldeep Yadav and Tilak Varma picked up one apiece.

Diego Simeone has again been recommended to Manchester United with club legend Roy Keane still eager to have him as head coach

Manchester United have once more been urged to appoint Diego Simeone as their permanent manager ahead of Michael Carrick. Roy Keane is amongst the pundits who have expressed strong admiration for the Atletico Madrid boss, with United’s iconic midfielder believing he would bring “good havoc” to the club.

Carrick, by contrast, has arguably taken a completely different approach, focusing on the fundamentals, with United appearing significantly improved compared to their performances under Ruben Amorim. Whilst he was only brought in as interim manager until the end of the season, Carrick has positioned himself strongly to potentially remain in charge beyond that point.

A fifth straight win was the aim last Tuesday night, but United had to settle for a draw against West Ham following victories over Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham and Tottenham. Meanwhile, United have been linked with several managers, including England boss Thomas Tuchel.

A contract extension for the 52-year-old, announced earlier this week, is anticipated to see interest from Old Trafford diminish. Carlo Ancelotti, Luis Enrique and Julian Nagelsmann are amongst other top-tier candidates being discussed, with Simeone’s name continuing to feature prominently.

FOLLOW OUR MAN UNITED FB PAGE!** Latest news and analysis via the MEN’s Manchester United Facebook page**

Former Premier League midfielder Andy Townsend is the latest to back him for the role. Speaking to Boylesports, he said: “I think you have to be looking for an elite manager, someone that has dealt with the very biggest players and personalities and has handled pressure from above and the terraces

“I don’t think Antonio Conte would be the right fit. Out of all of them, the one manager I would like to see at United is Diego Simeone.”

“I think his football and the way his Atletico Madrid team have played is kind of more suited to the Premier League. I don’t think his style of play would please the United fans. They want something more flamboyant.

“But at the moment, United need to get back on level terms with the likes of City and Liverpool and try to get ahead of Arsenal, I don’t think you want someone who’s talking about the beautiful game.

“You need someone who is prepared to put massive demands on the players on a consistent basis and drag performances and victories out of them. Only Simeone has those qualities.”

Despite advocating for Simeone as the club’s new permanent head coach, Townsend was quick to commend the work Carrick and his coaching staff have accomplished over the past month.

He admitted: “I think Michael Carrick has done a really good job since he’s come in. Some of the decisions he’s made have been very straightforward, like playing Kobbie Mainoo. He’s been naming unchanged starting line-ups and that’s never a bad thing.

“If you’ve got a winning team, don’t change it. Too many managers rotate players when their team’s been on a good run. All of a sudden, they’re giving this player a game, that player a game, but when you have a winning team, and they look like they’re enjoying things, just roll with it.

“Keep going. Live in that moment. Suddenly, you’re five games unbeaten as United are. There’s a simplicity and an effectiveness to what Michael has done and he’s doing it in an understated manner.”

Keane has recently performed a notable U-turn regarding the possibility of handing Carrick the permanent role, though he’s already made it abundantly clear who he’d prefer to see take over from Amorim.

“I’ve said it for years, I’d like to see Atletico Madrid’s Simeone, I’d like to see him go in there,” he stated on Stick to Football back in October.

“I know his mate’s [Andrea Berta, sporting director] gone to Arsenal, but I think he would just create havoc, but good havoc.

“I think he’d rock up to that place and say, ‘This is how you do things.’ No guarantee, but I’d just like to see his personality, and his track record..”

Keane continued: “People might think styles of football, they beat Real Madrid, they scored five last weekend. This idea that he’s defensive… Yeah, he doesn’t like his team giving up too many goals or chances, but they can play a bit.

“Liverpool a few weeks ago [3-2 defeat], the team aren’t as great as they were a few years ago but there’s still that fighting spirit. He’s on the sideline causing… He got sent off that night [against Liverpool], didn’t he? I’d like a big personality.”

Recent weeks have brought contrasting fortunes for Simeone’s Atletico, with a contentious 4-0 Copa del Rey semi-final victory over Barcelona sandwiched between losses to Real Betis and Rayo Vallecano.

The recent La Liga match resulted in a 3-0 loss for Atletico, with points lost against Levante late last month leaving them trailing leaders Real by 15 points.

Chris Waller proclaimed Joliestar the finished article after the mare strengthened her impeccable fresh record by securing the Expressway Stakes at Randwick.

Waller admitted doubt as Caballus ($4.60), once from the same stable, took a firm grip on proceedings mid-straight, unsure if Joliestar ($2.60 fav) had the measure.

The mare responded by laying back her ears and grinding forward, collaring the Bjorn Baker charge and striding away to triumph by 1-1/4 lengths ahead of stablemate Lady Shenandoah ($6), who was a head adrift in third.

“She is a true horse now. Last year we were saying we needed her to settle and relax and do the little things right, and she does that now,” Waller said.

“James (McDonald) put her into a beautiful position and tactically, that was great because it was a sprint home.

“Tommy (Berry on Caballus) just about pinched the race. James didn’t go around them, he just stuck to the basics and rode her like a jockey should.”

Plans call for Joliestar to remain fresh throughout autumn, with the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) on March 7 as her immediate aim, followed by the T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick in April.

Royal Ascot looms large thereafter.

“She is a foolproof horse. She runs well fresh and hopefully that will be her autumn – Canterbury Stakes, T J, and we might get on a plane after that,” Waller said.

Waller was excited by Lady Shenandoah’s strong finishing burst upon resuming, while Angel Capital ($2.90) needed vet clearance after misbehaving in the gates.

He crossed the line fourth, 3-1/2 lengths away, having pulled hard initially then closing off.

Waller shrugged off the run, insisting the entire suits quicker races.

Visit the premier racing betting markets for Expressway Stakes action.

“Angel Capital was just a little bit fresh and there wasn’t enough speed and intensity for him,” he said.

“We will stick to our plan to go to the Newmarket Handicap.

“They went slow. I don’t think he was too bad.”

The post Joliestar claims 2026 Expressway Stakes in stylish return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Vibrating tendons before cycling allows people to push harder without feeling mental strain, according to a study.

The research was undertaken by Benjamin Pageaux, a professor in the School of Kinesiology and Physical Activity Sciences at Université de Montréal, working with researchers from Université Savoie Mont Blanc in France.

Volunteers took part in lab tests on stationary bikes. Each completed two sessions –  one after tendon vibration and another without.

The device was strapped to Achilles and knee tendons and activated for 10 minutes before cycling. After that, participants cycled for three minutes at a pace they perceived as either moderate or intense, adjusting their effort to match their target.

After tendon vibration, participants produced more power and showed higher heart rates compared to sessions without the pre-exercise vibration. However, even though their bodies were working harder, their sense of effort did not increase.

Changing ‘effort signals’

While the precise biological mechanisms are still being studied, Pageaux has suggested possible explanations.

“Depending on the amplitude and frequency of the vibration, we can either excite or inhibit neurons in the spinal cord,” he said. “Prolonged vibration changes the reactivity of the neuromuscular spindles and alters the signal sent to the brain.”

By changing these ‘effort signals’ travelling from the muscles to the brain, vibration appears to reshape how movement and exertion are perceived. 

This brain-body disconnect could help make exercise feel less intimidating for people who struggle to stay active.

The perception of how hard exercise is plays a role in whether people stick with it. When it feels overwhelming, they’re more likely to stop or avoid it, whereas if it feels manageable, it becomes more enjoyable and easier to continue over time.

This raises the question of whether the feeling of effort could be reduced, helping people push past the sense that exercise is too hard.

Encouraging people to stay active

The research is still in its early stages, with the testing limited to these cycling sessions under controlled conditions.

“It hasn’t been tested in a marathon, only during a short, three-minute cycling exercise,” Pageaux says. “However, this is the first time the effect has been shown to work with this type of exercise.”

The team will now examine brain activity more closely during exercise, using electroencephalography and MRI to see how tendon vibration influences neural activity during exertion.

The researchers are also studying the reverse process to understand how pain and fatigue amplify the feeling of effort and make physical activity feel more difficult.

Ultimately, the goal is to develop strategies that lower perceived effort and help more people become physically active, especially those who are currently sedentary.

“By gaining a better understanding of how the brain evaluates the link between effort and perceived reward during exercise, we hope to promote more regular physical activity,” Pageaux said.

Prolonged passive vibration of Achilles and patellar tendons decreases effort perception during subsequent cycling tasks was published in the Journal of Sport and Health Science

Indicators from last year’s Coolmore Stud Stakes were there, but the Black Caviar Lightning cemented the status, crowning Tentyris as Australia’s budding sprint phenomenon on Saturday at Flemington.

Trained by the Freedman duo of Anthony and Sam, the colt claimed a second straight Group 1 with a explosive run against top weight-for-age opponents in the 1000-metre sprint.

It was his initial appearance since outclassing his contemporaries in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) during Derby Day, as Sam Freedman shared how his seasoned father – ex-member of the famed ‘FBI’, Freedman Brothers Incorporated – rated this horse highly.

“He has been in the game for so long and he said to me at the end of the spring campaign, this might be the best horse you ever train,” Sam said.

“(I said) I thought you might be suggesting you trained one better back in the 1990s and 2000s – there was a bit of cheek there, they had Mahogany and Schillaci – but he’s building his own record that will hopefully be right up there with some of the best.”

Street Boss-sired Tentyris ($2.60 fav) flew late from last among eight starters to duplicate the Coolmore quinella, placing John McArdle’s filly My Gladiola second once more.

In the Lightning, $7 elect My Gladiola closed the 2-1/4 length Coolmore deficit to three-quarters, Benedetta ($26) third by identical measure.

After steering Tentyris to second in the prior year’s Blue Diamond Stakes, Damian Lane returned Saturday replacing sidelined Mark Zahra and dubbed him an ‘incredible talent’.

“We just only had the one play with him with how he steps out of the barriers, it was just a risk whether the 1000 was going to be too short (but) it certainly wasn’t,” Lane said.

“Mid-race I had to ask him to pick up the bridle and when he did, he really joined in well and as had become his trademark, that last bit of his race was outstanding.”

Lane celebrated four wins via the Lightning, adding Group 3 C S Hayes Stakes on Sixties and Listed races on Hard Kick and Sass Appeal.

Freedman eyes the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington March 7 where Tentyris sits $2 favourite, his favoured option pending weight, and racing fans should examine racing betting markets for upcoming action.

“I would love to come to the Newmarket if he was not heavily penalised for the victory. It’s not easy for a three-year-old to carry a big weight like that,” he said.

“We’ll have to have a chat about where he goes, but I can assure you it’s a very good problem to have.”

The post Tentyris electric in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

Most current and former stars are at the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend, except former Chicago Bulls star Michael Jordan. Instead of participating in the league’s annual event, Jordan was seen at the Indy 500 on Sunday. After his sighting, fans revealed some of what they think about the six-time champion.

In the 2025-26 season, the league returned to NBC, and Jordan had some involvement to celebrate. The Bulls star was introduced as a special contributor for the network’s commentary team. However, fans were disappointed that it was just a one-on-one interview with Mike Tirico via the “MJ: Insights To Excellence” series.

Fans erupted on X, and here are some of what the fans said about Jordan.

“Hilarious that he cares about NASCAR more than the nba,” a fan said.

“MJ literally the only one who could’ve pulled this off,” another fan commented.

“NBC would have paid 5 million for this, he’s giving it out to FOX for free,” one fan said.

More fans noticed how Michael Jordan puts NASCAR ahead of the NBA.

“It’s pretty clear at this point MJ loves NASCAR way more than the NBA or NBC. He won’t even do a live segment for the NBA on NBC but he does it for NASCAR and FOX didn’t even pay Mike for this,” someone commented.

“That’s odd, didn’t go to the @NBA #AllStarWeekend doe 🤔” a comment read.

“Top 3 ever, been on NBC all season and he at the Racetrack during NBA All-Star weekend. Their old heads don’t care about it why they expect us to?” one fan commented.

Streamer IShowSpeed missed out on meeting Michael Jordan

Although his playing days have been over since 2003, Michael Jordan still attracts younger fans. One of the fans who was close to meeting him was streamer IShowSpeed. The online sensations recently wrapped up his tour in Africa and revealed that Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo offered to introduce him to Jordan.

Unfortunately for Speed, the meetup didn’t happen, and he revealed why during an interview with Yahoo Sports Mail on Thursday.

“Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. That didn’t happen,” Speed said. “I was on tour, and it was like a risk of, like, I would have to pause my tour for five days. And I would just mess up too many logistics and it just would have been, like it just would have been a hassle just to clean it up. But there’s always another try.”

However, Speed remains optimistic that he will meet Michael Jordan next time.