NFL free agency begins in three weeks on the nose, with “legal tampering” kicking off on March 9th. Internally, the Minnesota Vikings don’t have oodles of must-haves to re-sign, mainly because former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes largely stunk. Still, the club has one central internal mystery regarding free agents: Will wide receiver Jalen Nailor re-up with the franchise that drafted him or score a fatter paycheck on the open market?

The Vikings can’t ignore Nailor’s free agency, because his speed and role could swing the receiver room quickly. But is his price tag worth the squeeze?

Other question marks about linebackers Eric Wilson and Ivan Pace Jr. are intriguing, but Nailor’s free agency takes the cake this cycle.

Nailor’s Next Contract Is the Big Vikings FA Matter

The speedster nears a second contract and might be the fastest player in Minnesota’s offense.

ESPN Outlines the WR Situation

Regarding the Vikings’ WR section of the offseason, ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote last week, “The Vikings are paying Justin Jefferson an average of $35 million per year and must also budget a future contract extension for Jordan Addison, a 2023 first-round draft pick who is now eligible for a new deal.”

“That makes it unlikely they could allocate cash and cap space for No. 3 receiver Jalen Nailor, who is a pending free agent (and one of the few productive members of Adofo-Mensah’s draft classes). But no objective observer would feel confident that the Vikings have a younger and cheaper player ready to step into Nailor’s role.”

Spotrac lists Nailor’s 2026 market value at $4.7 million per season.

Seifert added, “They demonstrated their own uncertainty at the beginning of the 2025 season, when Nailor’s hand injury and Addison’s NFL suspension forced them to use the equivalent of a fourth-round pick to trade for veteran Adam Thielen, who was ultimately waived and is now retired. Has anything changed since then?”

So, yes, Nailor’s free agency is a “Will he or won’t he?” re-sign situation.

Nailor’s Production with J.J. McCarthy

Nailor’s stat line 2025 defines him and his impending free agency: 29 receptions, 444 yards, and four touchdowns. The previous year, with the more accurate Sam Darnold at quarterback, he recorded 414 yards and six touchdowns. Statistically, he profiles as a WR4.

However, Nailor displays undeniable flashes of brilliance.

Against the Cowboys in December, he single-handedly changed the game with three catches for 47 yards and two touchdowns, appearing, for one night, like a receiver poised for a breakout contract. When Nailor is on, he’s electric; the problem is his subsequent inconsistency. In the following two weeks against the Giants and Lions, he had zero catches, the surge completely vanishing. It’s volatile. Periods of drifting followed by sudden explosions.

Now consider J.J. McCarthy. Nailor is one of the few receivers with whom McCarthy has consistently connected. Through ten career starts, that same timing hasn’t consistently emerged with Justin Jefferson. Some of McCarthy’s best plays have come when targeting Nailor.

This connection complicates the decision. McCarthy’s 2025 season was turbulent, and stability is crucial for a young quarterback.

Therefore, the question becomes more significant than it initially seems: how comfortable are the Vikings letting the one receiver McCarthy consistently synced with … walk away?

Another Team May Hand Him the Bag

Why must Vikings sweat the mystery? Well, there’s a chance that Nailor appeals to a suitor free-agent team that values his speed. The squad basically thinks it can empower him more than the Vikings through four seasons.

If so, these teams, based on Nailor’s past ties to coaches, could make a run at him:

• Las Vegas Raiders
• Los Angeles Rams
• Kansas City Chiefs
• Pittsburgh Steelers
• Seattle Seahawks

The Raiders could be a frontrunner because Nailor is from Las Vegas, and that franchise desperately needs wideouts.

Vikings Option if No Nailor

Of course, Minnesota would still need a WR3 if Nailor walked. Seifert opined, “One possibility is Tai Felton, a fourth-round pick in 2025 who played 46 snaps and had three targets as a rookie. But that would require a significant projection, given his lack of playing time.”

“A draft that is believed to be heavy on receiver talent might provide more options. Addison has had three brushes with law enforcement in his time with the Vikings. He pleaded to lesser charges on two of them and charges were ultimately dropped on the third. If the Vikings were to change course and commit to Nailor while moving on from Addison, the same depth challenge would exist.”

From free agency, a list of WR3 might look like this to replace Nailor:

• Dyami Brown
• Jahan Dotson
• Tyreek Hill
• Jauan Jennings
• Wan’Dale Robinson
• Deebo Samuel
• Rashid Shaheed

If Nailor leaves, fans will know about it in three weeks. Free agency is oh-so very close.

Man Utd have got recruitment wrong too often in recent years, but things are looking up after one deal in particular in the summer.

Robin van Persie’s heroics for Manchester United in his first season at Old Trafford won the club its last Premier League title. Bryan Mbeumo’s efforts might only be good enough for a return to the Champions League, but that doesn’t make his start to life at the club any less impactful.

A major reason United have gone 13 years without a Premier League title is their recruitment. It has been consistently underwhelming and has often lacked a clear, long-term strategy. One minute, there is a focus on superstars; the next, the plan is to target young domestic players.

Really, United should be just focusing on signing the best players available to strengthen their squad. Adding youth and bringing in players with their best years ahead of them is always ideal, with Senne Lammens a good example, but there also needs to be arrivals who can hit the ground running.

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That is exactly what Mbeumo has done. The £65million summer signing from Brentford is in the running for the club’s player of the year award, and is only likely to be denied that honour due to the brilliance of Bruno Fernandes.

Mbeumo is certainly United’s best signing since Fernandes, who joined from Sporting for an initial £47million in January 2020. Between them, they are leading the charge to get the club back in the Champions League.

The Cameroon international’s return of 10 goals in 22 games is impressive and even more eye-catching is who he has scored against. He has scored home and away against Tottenham and netted against Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal. More than half of his Premier League goals for United have been against their ‘big six’ rivals.

In the process, he became the first United player to score against City, Liverpool and Arsenal in his first season at the club since 2012/13. He is the first player to do it at any point in their United career since Marcus Rashford three seasons ago.

It’s difficult to understate Mbeumo’s impact. He is a versatile forward who has played as a No. 9 under Michael Carrick, as a No. 10 under Ruben Amorim, and on either wing, as he may do if Benjamin Sesko returns to the side. Whatever position he plays, he is delivering.

This should now be the template for United transfers. Ineos put a rather ambitious target of winning the league by 2028, and it’s pretty clear United look short of that at the moment.

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The good news is that there is suddenly no outstanding club to catch. The days of Manchester City and Liverpool racking up points totals in the high 90s are over and don’t look like returning any time soon.

City are in transition, and Pep Guardiola could depart this summer, which would only add to the unpredictability at the Etihad. Liverpool are in a similar situation under Arne Slot. Arsenal could end their long title drought this season, but under Mikel Arteta, they aren’t in the same league as City and Liverpool were at their peak.

United still have significant improvements to make, however. But in Mbeumo, they have an idea of what their new signings should be able to achieve.

The 26-year-old has helped to transform the attack this season. This summer, the focus will turn to midfield. In trying to replace Casemiro and bring in two new midfielders, United need players who can make the same kind of immediate impact.

That is the only way they are going to achieve that ambition of winning the league, whether it takes two years or a little longer. Recruitment is the most important aspect of achieving success in football, and while United have got it wrong for years, there is an obvious example now of how they can get it right.

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Unit Five wrote himself into the history books with a victory in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic during his second race, and Ciaron Maher holds strong belief that the unbeaten colt can forge ahead further this weekend at Caulfield.

The Supido offspring leads Maher’s three-pronged bid for the $2 million Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes, with Ghana’s Akan and Milsons Point also in the mix.

Post the January 17 Gold Coast success, Maher passed on an extra race for Unit Five, as no horse has transitioned directly from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic to win the Diamond, though Maher anticipates success for his runner following a third-place finish in last Monday’s Cranbourne trial dominated by Milsons Point.

“He trialled well and he seems very similar,” Maher said.

“He’s a very similar weight, travelled down well and seems in similar order. I can’t fault him, really, he’s a very straightforward horse.

“I think he’ll run to that (Gold Coast run) and possibly better given it’s only his third run.

“I like the fact that his runs have been spaced and he’s fresh. It worked going into that (Gold Coast) race and I think it’ll work going into this race.”

Before heading to the Gold Coast, Unit Five dominated the $250,000 Magic Millions Victorian 2YO Classic at Caulfield back on December 20.

He’s quoted at $7 for the Blue Diamond, following the pair Big Sky and Guest House prepared by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, and the fresh Blue Diamond Prelude conqueror Closer To Free.

Milsons Point, who was second last out in the Blue Diamond Preview, trades at $34, yet Maher approved of the Blue Point son’s trial display and foresees improvement over 1200m for his debut beyond 1000m.

“I think the 1200 will really suit him, he was looking for the 12 the other day, he was there to win the race but just didn’t have that turn of foot over 1000,” Maher said.

“I think the 1200 it will be a different story.”

Echoing Unit Five’s path, Ghana’s Akan returns from an interstate slot in a premium sales-restricted contest, second in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) on February 7 after three runs in five weeks, with Maher satisfied by the Street Boss filly’s condition.

“She has been busy, but she’s also fit and well and sound,” he said.

“She doesn’t need to do any work. She’s been busy, she’s been travelling, so you’re just backing off and you don’t mind doing that with two-year-olds.”

Ethan Brown partners Ghana’s Akan initially on Saturday, Ben Allen stays on Milsons Point, and Tom Stockdale maintains his link with Unit Five. Fans should visit the leading online bookmakers for the Blue Diamond Stakes.

The post Unit Five leads Maher Blue Diamond Stakes assault first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

With Tyson Fury now in hot pursuit of a third clash with Oleksandr Usyk, ‘The Gypsy King’ has admitted that there is one active heavyweight who deserves his own shot at the unified world champion.

Fury hung up the gloves after consecutive defeats to Usyk in 2024, walking away from the sport as a two-time conqueror of the heavyweight division and as a legend of British boxing.

However, as has been the case with Fury in the past, it did not take long for the now 37-year-old to changed his mind and announce his comeback, confirming he will fight Russia’s Arslanbek Makhmudov on Saturday, April 11.

Although, whilst he is eyeing up a trilogy bout with Usyk himself, Fury told iFL TV that Agit Kabayel’s form warrants a title shot, but that he does not envisage that Usyk will give him one due to a lack of interest and financial incentive.

“Do you know what? Here is the fun facts of boxing, you are here today and you are gone tomorrow. Today’s news is tomorrow’s chip paper. No one really gives a s**t, do they?

“If Usyk fights Kabayel, who cares? I don’t care. No one cares. It doesn’t sell, no one is interested, it is what it is.

Kabayel deserves his shot at Usyk but I don’t think Usyk is going to give it him because it doesn’t sell, there is no real money there.

“If you have been with a straight 10/10 [girl] for the past three years of your life and then all of a sudden this 10/10 gets rid of you and you’ve got an old 2/10 coming to you, you are not going to be turned on, are you? In Layman’s terms.”

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Kabayel currently holds the WBC Interim heavyweight title, with Usyk expected to be mandated to fight the German after his next voluntary defence.

After exciting preliminary contests, it’s onto the playoff round for men’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics. The playoff stage begins early Tuesday with four qualification matchups before the quarterfinals take place on Wednesday. The semifinals will then be held on Thursday before the gold medal match for 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey takes place on Sunday. Canada enters the Olympics men’s hockey playoff as the top seed and -140 favorite to win gold, followed by the United States at +180.

For Tuesday’s contests, the latest hockey odds are: Italy (+980) vs. Switzerland (-2100), France (+550) vs. Germany (-820), Denmark (+320) vs. Czechia (-420) and Latvia (+660) vs. Sweden (-1050). The four winners advance to the Olympic hockey quarterfinals on Wednesday, while the four losers are knocked out of competition. The first faceoffs come at 6:10 a.m. ET. Before making any 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey picks or playoff predictions, you need to see what Matthew Severance has to say.

Severance is coming off an outstanding NHL season in which he went 235-155-21 (plus $2,022). He entered the Olympic break on a 26-12 roll on NHL money-line picks this season, returning $1,326 for $100 players. Anyone following his hockey picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.

Now, Severance has turned his attention to Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey playoff rounds. He’s only sharing his best bets at SportsLine.

New users can also check out the latest FanDuel promo code and get $100 in bonus bets instantly at FanDuel if your first $5 bet wins:

2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey playoff picks

For the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey playoff round, Severance is backing Under 6.5 total goals in Latvia vs. Sweden at 3:10 p.m. ET. These nations have squared off five times since the 2022 Olympic Games, including in each of the last four World Championships. Four of those five matchups saw under 6.5 goals, with them averaging five combined goals per contest.

With the winner just needing a victory and not needing to worry about goal differential to advance, Severance doesn’t anticipate either squad going all out to find the back of the net late in the game. “There is no need to be pushing hard up three goals or the like in the third period. Save as much energy as possible. Thus, I’d probably lean Under (but no lower than 6.5).” See his other picks at SportsLine.

New users can check out the latest Kalshi bonus code CBSSPORTS to get a $10 cash bonus after making $10 in trades:

How to make 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey predictions

Severance also has puck line and O/U picks for all four Tuesday games, including backing a team to cover the puck line that finished last in its preliminary group. You can only see his playoff picks here.

So who wins the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey playoff contests, and which nations should you back on the puck line? Visit SportsLine now to see the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey picks and playoff best bets from a hockey insider, and find out.

2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey Tuesday playoff odds, schedule

See more picks at SportsLine.
(odds via FanDuel and subject to change)

6:10 a.m. ET: Italy (+980) vs. Switzerland (-2100)
6:10 a.m. ET France (+550) vs. Germany (-820)
10:40 a.m. ET: Denmark (+320) vs. Czechia (-420)
3:10 p.m. ET: Latvia (+660) vs. Sweden (-1050)

Blizzard conditions during the alpine skiing men’s slalom competition at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games led to chaos for the participants, and a medal favorite lost his cool at the end of Monday’s runs.

Out of the 96 competitors in the field, 52 of them were unable to complete their first runs on the mountain due to the snowy conditions. Skiers were having trouble keeping their balance, let alone hitting each gate.

Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath, competing in his second Olympic Games, was leading the field after the disastrous first run for many of his opponents.

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Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

McGrath held a whopping 59-second lead heading into the second run, which is great for any slalom skier hoping to take home gold.

But, after straddling a gate on his second run, McGrath ruined his chances at taking home any medal, let alone gold.

McGrath knew that and reacted as such, launching his ski poles out of frustration. Then, after he was making his way off the course, he laid in the snow with his hands on his head, wondering what went wrong.

ILIA MALININ POSTPONES PRESS CONFERENCE A DAY AFTER EIGHTH-PLACE OLYMPIC FINISH

In turn, Switzerland’s Loïc Meillard won the gold medal, followed by Fabio Gstrein taking home silver and McGrath’s Norwegian teammate Henrik Kristoffersen winning bronze.

“It’s amazing,” Meillard said after winning gold, per the New York Post. “It’s been long days, a lot of expectations and about what you want to achieve, a lot of pressure on yourself.”

Gstrein added, “The feeling is great, really nice and cool,” after winning his silver medal.

Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath speeds down the course, during an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026.  (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

McGrath’s wipeout despite being the gold-medal favorite heading into the second run is just another example of how these Winter Games have not been going according to plan for many of the top athletes competing.

On the United States’ side, snowboarder Chloe Kim and figure skater Ilia Malinin are just two examples of expected gold-medal finishers who had wipeout moments in their decisive events.

Kim needed higher than a 90 on his third attempt at the women’s halfpipe to make Olympic history with three straight gold medals after 17-year-old Gaon Choi of South Korea had a clean final run to overtake first place.

Kim fell after attempting a trick, thus leaving her with the silver medal.

Norway’s Atle Lie McGrath arrives at the finish area of an alpine ski, men’s slalom race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Monday, Feb. 16, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

As for Malinin, he wasn’t on the podium like Kim, falling twice during the men’s free skate. The 21-year-old, nicknamed “Quad God,” finished eighth in the event, shocking everyone in Milan.

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But that’s the nature of the high-pressure moments the Olympics can bring out in these athletes. Execution is key, and when things don’t go the way they are hoped to, frustration can leak out.

In McGrath’s case, that frustration involved some pole throwing.

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Tyson Fury has claimed he will “train alone” for his comeback fight, as he prepares to emerge from retirement for the fifth time.

On 11 April, Fury will box Arslanbek Makhmudov at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, where the former heavyweight champion and the Russian held a press conference on Monday.

And after the press conference for the Netflix fight, a host for DAZN put it to Fury that he “might be adding” to his team.

Fury, 37, responded with a reference to Mr T’s character in Rocky III, saying: “Yeah, I’m like Clubber Lang, I’m gonna train alone. I’m gonna train alone.”

Heavyweight legend Lennox Lewis, who was offering punditry for DAZN, chimed in, “Well, he’s been through it so many times, he knows what to do,” before Fury explained his thinking.

“I know how to do it, I know how to go 12 rounds, I know how to push myself when I need to, and I know how to take a rest when I need to.”

When Fury returned to boxing in 2018, following a two-year hiatus, he did so with Ben Davison in his corner. Davison coached the “Gypsy King” to wins over Sefer Seferi, Francesco Pianeta, Tom Schwarz and Otto Wallin, and a draw against Deontay Wilder.

open image in gallery

Fury then switched trainers for his second bout with Wilder, and Sugarhill Steward guided the Briton to a stoppage win and the WBC heavyweight title in 2020. With Sugarhill in his corner, Fury stopped Wilder again in 2021, and a knockout of Dillian Whyte followed.

That gave way to a close shave against ex-UFC champion Francis Ngannou, whom Fury narrowly outpointed, before he suffered two decision losses to Oleksandr Usyk in 2024.

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Fury’s latest retirement ensued, and now fans wait to see if he will really fight Makhmudov, 36, without a coach, or whether he was simply having fun.

The Briton has been training in Thailand as he prepares to put his 34-2-1 (24 KOs) record on the line against Makhmudov, who is 21-2 (19 KOs).

open image in gallery

“I thought he’s a good opponent, he’s a dangerous opponent,” Fury told The Independent and other publications on Monday. “If they’d have said I was going to fight some random person no one’s heard of, then that wouldn’t have turned me on, so I wouldn’t have even been interested.

“But considering I’ve got a No 5-ranked WBA heavyweight, who’s known to the British public because he just had a good fight with Dave Allen… and he wrestles bears for fun, and he’s as big as me, and as ugly as me, [it] makes him a very worthy adversary.”

Legend of the Cosmicon Collective in Honkai Star Rail is an adventure mission that was released alongside version 4.0. Compared to others released with the aforementioned update, this one is exceptionally easy to complete. All you have to do is play and win a couple of Cosmicon matches.

This article details how to complete the Legend of the Cosmicon Collective quest in Honkai Star Rail.

Legend of the Cosmicon Collective quest guide in Honkai Star Rail

Legend of the Cosmicon Collective quest location

Teleport to the Tavern Lobby anchor in Planarcadia’s World’s End Tavern. After spawning, walk straight towards the bar counter. There, you will see Sampo standing on the left side. Talk to him to start the mission.

Defeat Umbralle in Dovebrook District

First off, teleport to the Furbobo Weekly Editorial Headquarters Space Anchor in Dovebrook District. Then, walk down the stairs and turn right. After reaching the end, take a left turn where you’ll see Umbralle standing near a store with a giant disco ball. Go close to the NPC and interact to initiate the battle.

Since Umbralle is level 5, make sure to use a card that can easily beat the opponent. In this case, the best choice will be Firefly. Moreover, you can “Gild” the card to increase your chances of winning.

While fighting, make sure to select dice with the highest numbers. When you attack, this will boost your damage. As for defending, it will allow you to negate the corresponding damage dealt by the opponent. If you roll low numbers, make sure to reroll, as you will get plenty.

Defeat Magical Middleager

For this particular enemy, you must go to Graphia Academy using the Academy Atrium anchor. When you spawn, turn right and head towards the stairs. The opponent will be standing right beside the stairs.

Unlike the previous one, defeating Magical Middleager will be quite easy, as this adversary is only level 3. Same as before, use the Firefly card to fight this opponent. Regardless of whether you are attacking or defending, select the dice with the highest numbers.

Moreover, you can also try to activate the card’s power by making sure there are at least two pairs of the same number. Since the Enemy has a low HP pool, you can defeat them in very few turns.

Defeat Kendor

Teleport to the @EntertainmentPlaza anchor in Duomension City and head south. When you reach a small food cart, turn right and walk up the stairs. On top, you’ll see Kendor on the left side. Interact with him to start the battle. Once again, using Firefly is the optimal choice since the opponent can only choose three dice while attacking and two when defending.

During your attack turn, make sure to deal as much damage as possible to quickly deplete the adversary’s HP. When you do so, start heading to the last challenge.

Defeat Singafar

Go to World End Tavern’s Lobby. Turn left when you reach the bar area and interact with Interplanar Jump! Difficulty II. Traverse the area to go to the other side, then head up. There, you will see Singafar standing near the railing.

When you start fighting, make sure to use the Prismatic Dice while attacking to make the most out of it. If you end up getting max rolls on three dice twice, you can defeat the adversary in two turns.

Defeat Dinocto

After defeating all four adversaries, head down to floor 1 and talk to Sampo near the bar counter. After burning through the dialogues, another enemy will show up. Among all enemies, this one is the toughest as the opponent uses a gilded Phainon card.

Same as before, use the Firefly card to defeat this adversary. To maximize the damage output, utilize the Prismatic Dice and reroll (if needed) to get two pairs of the same number when attacking. If you end up activating the card’s bonus effect, winning will be much easier.

When you are done, finish talking with Sampo to conclude the Legend of the Cosmicon Collective quest. You will receive the Aventurine Card as a reward alongside some Stellar Jade, Credit, and Refined Aether.

For more articles related to this turn-based gacha title from HoYoverse, Honkai Star Rail, check out the following section: