Oscar De La Hoya has delivered a typically theatrical reaction to Dana White’s first ever Zuffa Boxing show, suggesting it lacked excitement and creativity.
The UFC boss entered the boxing market last year with lofty ambitions and provocative statements, promising to introduce an entirely new format.
The main event made for a largely lacklustre display while the rest of the card, in fairness, has been praised for its action-packed matchups.
Golden Boy promoter De La Hoya has strong views, seizing the opportunity to lambast White and his team at Zuffa.
Taking to Instagram in his latest edition of ‘Clapback Thursday’, De La Hoya made no attempt to hide his true feelings about the new promotional outfit.
“The big debut of Zuffa is out – and it couldn’t be less of what they promised us it would be.
“There was no new ring; there was no new belt; no new rules and no faces anybody recognised.
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“They told us boxing [is] broken and they were coming to change it and fix it, but all they did was copy and paste what we have been doing for 100-plus years.
“You could hear a pin drop in that arena; there was zero vibe or excitement. It honestly felt like a [COVID-19] bubble show. It had the look of a club show with the action of a sparring session.”
While his first show received a selection of mixed reviews, White could look to change De La Hoya’s mind when he stages his second Zuffa event this Sunday, once again at the Meta Apex, Las Vegas.
This time, the card is headlined by former world champion Jose Valenzuela, who takes on Diego Torres Nunez in what looks to be a solid lightweight matchup on paper.
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Elsewhere on the bill, Serhii Bohachuk vs Radzhab Butaev and Radivoje Kalajdzic vs Oleksandr Gvozdyk represent two well-matched contests that could quite easily steal the show.
Although none of Germany‘s group-stage matches at next summer’s World Cup are to be played in Mexico, government officials in Berlin are already thinking about the impact the recent clashes between security forces and suspected members of a drug cartel could have on the men’s national team.
“FIFA must work with the governments of Canada, the United States, and Mexico to ensure that fans are not endangered and that the host countries comply with safety regulations,” Christoph Ploss, the German government’s tourism coordinator, told the Handelsblatt newspaper.
He also stressed that protecting German tourists was a “very high priority” for Berlin.
Germany’s Foreign Office is among the national authorities of many countries, which have updated their travel advisories for Mexico. It now urgently advises its citizens to avoid travel to affected areas in the country and calling on Germans in the country to shelter indoors.
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More than 70 killed in clashes
The advisory was issued shortly after the news broke of the killing of drug lord Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes or “El Mencho” by security forces on Monday – and the ensuing clashes that have left more than 70 people killed.
Following reports of his death, suspected cartel members also blockaded highways with burning cars and torched businesses in more than half a dozen states. No civilian deaths were reported.
Burned-out buses were used by suspected drug cartel members to set up roadblocks during the clashesImage: Arturo Montero/AFP/Getty Images
Cervantes was the head of the powerful Jalisco New Generation Carte. Guadalajara, the capital of Jalisco state, is slated to host four World Cup matches. Guadalajara’s Estadio Akron is one of three Mexican venues set to host World Cup matches this summer. The stadium is also to host playoff matches between Congo, Jamaica and New Caledonia from March 26 to 31.
Mexico home to 13 World Cup matches
In total, world football‘s governing body, FIFA, has scheduled 13 matches to be played in Mexico, including the prestigious opening match in the capital on June 11. The bulk of the 104 matches are to be played in the United States (78), with Canada hosting the remaining 13.
The current wave of violence has foreign governments worried about sending their teams and fans to Mexico, and has locals concerned about how the violence could impact their businesses.
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‘It will have an impact’
Maria Dolores Aguirre, who owns a corner shop in the town of Tapalpa in Jalasco state, told the Associated Press that her business is highly dependent on tourism.
“The government is going to have to have a lot of security. I think it will have an impact because everyone just saw what happened and, of course, people are going to think twice about coming,” she said. “Yes, it will have an impact.”
The violence has already had a major effect on football in the country, with four matches in the top divisions of the women’s and men’s leagues called off on Sunday.
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However, the Merida Open women’s tournament in the eastern part of the country was reportedly proceeding as planned.
The 2026 World Cup is the first to be co-hosted by three countries, the USA, Mexico and CanadaImage: Amber Searls/Imagn Images/IMAGO
“The WTA is aware of security incidents reported in parts of western Mexico,” the WTA said in a statement, adding that police presence around the tournament venue had been stepped up.
Friendly against Iceland
Meanwhile, the Mexico national team are due to face Iceland in a friendly at Queretaro on Wednesday.
The head of marketing for the Icelandic FA, Omar Smarason, told DW via email that they were keeping “well informed” about the situation on the ground.
“As far as we are concerned, the schedule for today and tomorrow remains unchanged. Security is tight as it should be, and the safety of everyone connected to the game is what is most important,” he said.
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“Our main concern is for the people here in Mexico who have been affected by this unrest.”
As for Mexico, with more than three months still to go before the World Cup kicks off, FIFA appears to be taking a wait-and-see approach.
“At FIFA Mexico, we are closely monitoring the situation in Jalisco and remain in constant communication with the authorities,” a FIFA spokesperson told Reuters.
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“We will continue to follow the actions and directions from the different government agencies, aimed at maintaining public safety and restoring normalcy, and we reiterate our close collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities.”
For now, the German Football Association (DFB) isn’t panicking either.
“Let’s hope this war-like situation calms down quickly and doesn’t escalate further,” Andreas Rettig, the DFB’s managing director told the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper. “My thoughts are with all of the Mexicans suffering due to the unrest.”
Additional reporting by Alima Hotakie. Edited by: Jonathan Harding
After President Donald Trump called the men’s Olympic hockey team to congratulate them on their gold medal, he received criticism for what’s been deemed by some as disrespect toward the women’s team that had the same fate.
Trump told the men’s team after inviting them to Tuesday’s State of the Union that he’d “have” to invite the women’s team, otherwise “I probably would be impeached.”
Gold medalists Quinn Hughes and Jack Hughes of Team United States celebrate after the Men’s Gold Medal match between Canada and the United States on day 16 of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Santagiulia Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 22, 2026, in Milan, Italy.(Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
Hughes’ mother, Ellen, a player development consultant for Team USA women’s ice hockey, was not bothered by Trump’s comments.
“These players, both the men and women, can bring so much unity to a group and to a country,” she told “Today.” “People that cheered on that don’t watch hockey, people that have politics on one side or on the other side, and that’s all both the men’s team and the women’s team care about.”
“If you could see what we see from the inside, and the men and women sharing, you know, dorm rooms and halls and flex floors and the camaraderie and the synergy and the way the women cheered on the men and the way the men cheered on the women — that’s what it’s all about,” she continued. “And the other things they cannot control. They care about humanity. They care about unity, and they care about the country.”
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Megan Keller (5) of Team United States warms up prior to the Women’s Preliminary Round Group A match between the United States and Czechia on Day one of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Rho Ice Hockey Arena on Feb. 5, 2026 in Milan, Italy.(Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Hughes’ brother, Quinn, who scored an overtime goal against Sweden last week, said it was “amazing to spend some time” with the women’s team in the Olympic village.
“And then obviously watch them, me and Jack were there, we watched them win the gold medal. They came to our game and were able to watch us,” he said. “So just the support back and forth, just to get to know them a little better was special, too.”
The women’s team declined an invite to Washington, D.C., citing schedules. Several members of the men’s team will be in attendance after partying in Miami on Monday.
Brady Tkachuk, Jack Hughes, Matthew Tkachuk and Quinn Hughes attend a celebration of the USA Men’s Hockey Team’s Olympic Gold at E11EVEN Miami on Feb. 23, 2026 in Miami, Florida.(Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for E11EVEN Miami)
Matthews’ status was in doubt as he returned to from the Olympics with the gold-winning Team USA in Miami and is expected to attend the State of the Union address later Tuesday in Washington, D.C.
Meanwhile, fellow forward Dakota Joshua is also clear to return after being out since December with a lacerated kidney, Berube said.
Joshua has played just 36 games in his return to the Leafs organization this season, recording six goals and four assists.
Matthews has 26 goals and 22 assists in 51 games on the season for the Leafs, who return from the Olympic break with a Florida back-to-back against the Lightning and Panthers on Wednesday and Thursday.
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Toronto (27-21-9) sits six points out of a playoff spot with 25 games left to play.
The team practised Tuesday without centre John Tavares, who was out with the flu but is expected to play against the Lightning, per Berube.
Berube added that the team did not have further updates on defenceman Chris Tanev, who has not played since Dec. 28 because of a groin injury.
Brook played quite magnificently as he made 100 from 51 deliveries to marshal a tricky chase of 165 even as wickets tumbled around him.
Having been promoted to No 3 by coach Brendon McCullum, England’s captain looked a class apart and fell with just 10 required after a strong partnership with Will Jacks (28).
Liam Dawson had earlier put the clamps on Pakistan’s innings with impressive figures of 3-24 from his four overs, with Archer also producing a hostile new-ball burst.
“I’m very happy with the way we played there,” Brook said. “It’s nice to get through to the semis.
“[The promotion to three] was all Baz [McCullum]. He came to me this morning and said, ‘we might change it up’. We’ve spoken about adapting and changing all sorts throughout this competition and having the bravery to do that today was awesome.
“I haven’t done it much, but it is nice to get out there and face as many balls as possible. Pakistan are always good, they have some world-class players in there, and it’s just nice to get over the line.”
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It means England are through with a game against New Zealand still to come, while Pakistan must beat Sri Lanka and hope other results go their way after a washout against the Blackcaps.
One of the rumored matches at WrestleMania 42 is Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar. WWE teased the matchup at the Royal Rumble, but it seems like the company has changed its course. Even Oba might have hinted if the match is going to happen or not.
On Monday’s episode of Raw in Atlanta, Paul Heyman announced that The Beast has an open challenge to anyone for WrestleMania 42. Fans were chanting “Oba” at one point, though The Ruler will likely have a feud with Rusev based on their backstage interaction.
Thanks for the submission!
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According to Ibou of Self Made Pro, the Oba Femi vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania 42 is not happening. The two-time NXT Champion appeared to have confirmed the rumor during her interview with Denise Salcedo at the WWE 2K26 Creator Fest.
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“It’s highly requested right now. The demand is here. All we have to do is put it out there. So, hopefully, it happens. Even if it’s not this year, when it does happen, we know it’s going to be phenomenal,” Oba said.
It seems like Oba Femi was still hoping to have a match against Brock Lesnar, though he’s alright if it doesn’t happen this year. It will be interesting to see what the current plan is for Lesnar at the biggest WWE event of 2026.
Oba Femi named one of the future faces of WWE by AJ Styles
Speaking to Adam Glynn in an ambush interview, AJ Styles was asked to name three young WWE Superstars who could be the future of the company. Styles picked Oba Femi, Je’Von Evans and Leon Slater, who is currently under contract with TNA Wrestling.
“Oba is a guy right now in NXT who’s definitely making his way up. He’s going to be a big star. I know it, everyone knows it. Je’Von, hopefully, we get Leon, these guys are up-and-coming stars from TNA and NXT, and they’re going to change the game,” Styles said.
Styles officially confirmed his retirement on Raw after laying out his vest and gloves in the middle of the ring in Atlanta. The Undertaker also surprised him at the end of the show by announcing that he’ll be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2026.
Kindly credit Denise Salcedo or Adam Glynn and give a H/T to Sportskeeda if you use the quotes from this article.
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PSG head coach Luis Enrique remains cautious but ambitious as the Champions League winners take on Ligue 1 rivals AS Monaco on Wednesday at Parc des Princes to continue their defense of their continental title. Les Parisiens have only a one-goal lead following last week’s 3-2 away win at Stade Louis II. PSG were 2-0 down before a Désiré Doué-inspired comeback.
“When you’re down 2-0 in the first 20, it usually ends catastrophically“, Luis Enrique says in his pre-game presser. “But we’ve shown over the last two years that we can overcome adversity. I’d prefer we didn’t find ourselves in the same situation again, though.“
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Although PSG will lead the tie on aggregate once a ball is kicked, the Spaniard asks his players to play the second leg as if it were the first. “We want to win the game, and deserve to win it. The best way to manage this game will be to play as usual. We don’t have a result to defend, but a game to win.“
Jul 29, 2025; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on during the teams training camp at the Minnesota Vikings Training Facility. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
The Vikings’ QB plan involves embracing a specific strategy: welcoming a talented veteran to function as legitimate competition for J.J. McCarthy.
Former starter (and current Super Bowl winner) Sam Darnold was allowed to leave. Former backup Daniel Jones was desired, but he opted for the Colts. The lever that got pulled was to trade for Sam Howell, a decision that aged poorly in a matter of months.
Worse yet, basically all of the quarterback decisions — McCarthy, Howell, Brett Rypien, and Max Brosmer — didn’t pan out in 2025. None of those players played as well as Minnesota hoped. There was a late move for Carson Wentz, but that was an instance of too little, too late.
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So, the pivot now involves adding meaningful talent to that quarterback position. The problem is that the most coveted options — Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and so on — could end up heading elsewhere or nowhere at all, sticking around in their current location.
The Vikings’ QB Plan: Malik Willis, Kyler Murray, and Others
The Pittsburgh Steelers look like the best fit for Malik Willis, at least to my eye.
The still-young veteran passer lands at No. 1 in the NFL list of top free agents (a cluster of talent that has a pair of Vikings). Consider what Gregg Rosenthal has to say: “I see him as the most dynamic quarterback in football as a runner, and his tape in Green Bay showed incredible growth as a passer over his two years with Matt LaFleur. Despite his limited sample size, Willis jumped to the top spot of this ranking based on the same logic that applies to the NFL draft: If a potential franchise quarterback is good enough to be ranked in the top five of a list like this, then he should be placed first, by virtue of the position. The ceiling is the roof.”
The Steelers, a great franchise, made the befuddling decision to hire Mike McCarthy as the new head coach. Did that decision set up Pittsburgh to bring in Mr. Willis?
McCarthy didn’t overlap with Willis in Green Bay. There’s nevertheless the reality that a shared history of working for Wisconsin’s NFL football team would make the transition from the NFC North to the AFC North easier. Plus, the QB1 job is open in Pittsburgh and has been unsettled for a while, making the fit look crisp and clean.
Working with Kevin O’Connell may have some appeal. Presumably, throwing to Justin Jefferson does, too. But then there’s the need to compete with McCarthy, whom Minnesota has invested a ton into. Does Malik Willis opt for Pittsburgh instead?
Feb 6, 2011; Arlington, TX, USA; Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy (right) greets Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before Super Bowl XLV at Cowboys Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
ESPN’s Benjamin Solak jumped into the topic, dropping several teams in the analysis of where Willis fits. There’s a mention of a possible “bidding war” while describing the lack of QB talent in the 2026 NFL Draft. Solak brings his potential fits around to the New York Jets, the Cleveland Browns, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Miami Dolphins.
Nary a Vikings mention in sight (at least per the short clip).
Obviously, these opinions are just that: opinions. The great issue is that multiple teams all pursuing the same passer is going to involve a world where the Vikings get outmuscled quickly. Minnesota’s money isn’t ample, so Willis could need to leave money on the table if the Vikings really do want him.
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Sep 8, 2019; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) against the Detroit Lions at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
If, for the sake of argument, Malik Willis travels elsewhere early in free agency, the Vikings may turn toward Kyler Murray. Is he even on the market?
Recently, Ian Rapoport of The NFL Networkjumped into the issue. Rapoport describes the Murray rumblings as being based on assumptions rather than ironclad sources.
Sticking around in Arizona is an option, per Rapoport, while also indicating that teams in the NFL may pry him away with the belief that Murray is a cornerstone guy: “There have been many times in his career where we have seen and thought [that] Kyler Murray is a franchise quarterback.”
Digest those thoughts from Rapoport for a moment. Start off with the tidbit about there being a chance Murray continues to stick around in Arizona. Not likely, but possible. What happens if that’s not the case and teams get a shot at Murray?
If there’s a team out there that truly believes Kyler Murray is a franchise guy, then the Vikings are going to get outbid. In fact, a franchise passer who is only 28 and who could be shipped out is a very unique scenario. The Vikings can’t compete with (for instance) a Jets team that has better draft picks and way more cap space.
The Vikings’ QB plan involves added competition. Reasonable and fair. Urgently needed, in fact.
But then there’s the issue of how good that competition is going to be. Signing Malik Willis for a Sam Darnold deal — a single season at $10 million — isn’t happening if the reporting is accurate. How competent is the new passer? How much does that competence cost?
Missing on Willis and Murray means there’s a drop off in talent. Minnesota isn’t doomed to poor passer play, but the price for Mac Jones (as an example) could skyrocket even further as the market shrinks. Just takes two teams to send the trade price soaring. Furthermore, San Francisco could keep the QB2.
Stay tuned. Plenty more speculation and rumor is going to come out of the NFL combine. NFL free agency will get real on Monday, March 9th.
For years, David Benavidez has been in hot pursuit of a showdown with Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez, but to no avail. Now, after arguably replacing Canelo in the pound-for-pound rankings, the tables have turned and Benavidez has announced his own stipulation in order for him to take on Alvarez.
At super-middleweight, David Benavidez held the WBC Interim title and was Canelo’s mandatory challenger for over two years, but the champion refused to face him, eventually resulting in Benavidez moving up to light-heavyweight.
As a result, it seems as though the chances of him facing 35-year-old Canelo are slim, but in an interview with Pro Boxing Fans, Benavidez said that he would still be willing to face his foe in the light-heavyweight division.
“When I am at cruiserweight, I don’t want to go up too heavy and I don’t want to come in too heavy either, because I still want to go down to 175lbs.
“If the fight happens with Canelo, it is going to be at 175lbs, it is not going to be at super-middleweight. That is even if it does happen.
“That is what I am saying, I want to stay light. I want to be able to go up and down easy, I don’t want to gain too much muscle and then not be able to go down to 175lbs.
“My main goal is to be one of the best reigning champions at light-heavyweight in history.”
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With a 25-pound weight jump in store, compared to the seven-pound difference between super-middleweight and light-heavyweight, it will be intriguing to see how Benavidez looks at cruiserweight and whether a return to light-heavyweight is realistic thereafter.
This Saturday, six men and women will step foot inside one of the most brutal structures WWE has to offer. In the city of Chicago, the fans will be on the edge of their seats as they find out who survives the Elimination Chamber and earns a title shot.
Let’s take a look at the card and what WWE has to offer on its last (for now) show before WrestleMania.
The biggest bout on the card is for the World Heavyweight Championship. Hometown hero CM Punk will defend his title against Finn Balor. Now, there is a snowball’s chance in hell that Balor walks away with the gold, as it is reported that this is a placeholder feud until Roman Reigns returns in March. That doesn’t mean the build-up hasn’t been great, though. Punk is trying to knock some sense into Balor, telling him to split from the Judgement Day. Meanwhile, the Prince has become a somewhat conceivable threat to win the World Heavyweight Championship. Expect the second-city Saint to have his hand held high when the match is over.
Another hometown hero will be looking to capture gold in Chicago. AJ Lee takes on Becky Lynch for the Women’s Intercontinental Championship. The odd part about this match is that it’s taking place at Elimination Chamber instead of WrestleMania. Rumor has it that the creative team will find a way to have this end in a no-contest, so they run it back at ‘Mania. So why even have the match take place? Their promo battles have been subpar at best. I suppose it’s an excuse to get the second-city Saints’ wife on the card in their hometown. Whether or not AJ wins, the crowd will be rooting for her.
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Then there is the women’s EC match, where the winner takes on Jade Cargill for the Smackdown Women’s championship. That is expected to happen, as it appears that Liv Morgan will choose Stephanie Vaquer after winning the Royal Rumble. The blue brand’s women’s division has been booked terribly, so let’s hope WWE can offer the fans something for WM.
The first participant and most likely to win is Tiffany Stratton. Stratton has faced Cargill before, so there might be backlash from fans if she wins. The next two that don’t seem to have a chance are Asuka and Alexa Bliss. That leaves Rhea Ripley, who will probably get the biggest pop of the night. Raquel Rodriguez is a sleeper in the fight, as she could pull the upset and take home the title alongside her stablemate Liv Morgan at WM. Lastly, perhaps the most shocking is that Kiana James will be debuting inside the Elimination Chamber. She found a creative way to win the triple threat, taking Flair down with the pin to get the win.
In the main event, six men will wage war inside the Chamber. Cody Rhodes, LA Knight, Randy Orton, Trick Williams, Je’Von Evans, and Jey Uso. Rhodes is the favorite to win the match, but expect everyone else to put up a fight. A very interesting fact is that Je’Von Evans is the first participant inside the EC to be born after it debuted. Look for him to shine inside the EC. The winner will take on Drew McIntyre for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania.
Lastly, don’t forget about what could be the biggest surprise of the night. For weeks, Adam Pearce and Nick Aldis have been trading back and forth a crate. On the crate, it says “Do Not Open Until 2/28/26”. At first, people thought it’d be Chris Jericho inside the crate. However, Y2J is still under contract with AEW, and reports suggest he will be returning to WWE when no one expects it. A comical take was that Triple H would come out of the crate and declare a “New Era” in the WWE. Other suggestions are a new sponsor, something to do with WWE 2K26, or Danhausen.
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No matter what is revealed, this year’s Elimination is looking to be a great one. Probably not as memorable as last year, when John Cena turned heel, but I digress. Feast your eyes on one of the most unforgiving structures in WWE, and get ready to see what’s inside that crate. Tune in at 7/ET on the ESPN App in the city of Chicago to witness the last checkpoint before WrestleMania.
Sep 12, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) looks for an open receiver during the first half against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports
The San Francisco 49ers have insisted this offseason that they have no real interest in trading quarterback Mac Jones, but their stance may be smoke, designed to raise his trade value. The Athletic‘s Matt Barrows claimed last week that the “stars could be aligning” for a Jones trade, despite the 49ers’ public rhetoric.
A mid-round offer might be enough if the Vikings want to rekindle Sam Darnold-like magic.
If so, most assume the Minnesota Vikings would be somewhere near the top of his destination list.
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The Case for Mac Jones Is Alive and Well
Don’t cancel the Mac Jones trade theories just yet.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) tosses a football along the sideline during pregame activity against the New York Jets. The former first-round pick developed early experience in Foxborough before later stops around the league. Oct 24, 2021; Foxborough, Massachusetts, USA: Jones prepared for action while continuing his rookie-season development with New England. Mandatory Credit: USATODAYSPORTS
Barrows: SF May Not Refuse Trade Offer for Jones
Barrows just isn’t quite buying that Jones is untouchable.
He wrote last week, “The 49ers have stated that they don’t intend to trade Jones, who, after all, proved extremely valuable in 2025 and has a cap cost of only $3.1 million in 2026. Still, circumstances are aligning to create an offer that might be hard to refuse.”
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“The first is that Jones didn’t just look like a starter in 2025 but someone who could lead an imperfect team, which is what any potential suitor would be. The win at the Rams — on a short week and in prime time — came at the height of the 49ers’ injury woes. They played without George Kittle, Brandon Aiyuk, Ricky Pearsall and Jauan Jennings, and with Jones battling through a PCL injury. The second reason to trade for Jones is that the league just watched another Shanahan reclamation project, Sam Darnold, thrive on the national stage.”
Jones has already stated this offseason that he believes he’s a starter in the NFL — not a QB2.
Barrows added, “Darnold, who signed a one-year deal with San Francisco in 2023, served as Brock Purdy’s backup that season. The following season, he led the Minnesota Vikings, who run a similar offensive system, to a 14-win season.”
“In 2025, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks and last week stood before the city with the Lombardi Trophy in his right hand, a beer can in his left and a wide grin on his face.”
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Redoing the Sam Darnold Arrangement
In 2024, Minnesota signed Darnold as a “bridge” quarterback for McCarthy, and all he did was deliver 35 passing touchdowns and 4,319 passing yards. Seeking a big payday and guaranteed starting job, Darnold chose the Seahawks in 2025 free agency, leaving the Vikings to sink or swim with McCarthy.
Minnesota sank, at least in terms of missing the postseason, while Darnold won the Super Bowl. What a world.
In Jones, Vikings head coach and de facto CEO Kevin O’Connell would have a chance at a do-over. The 49ers groomed Darnold for a year in 2023; they did the same for Jones in 2025.
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If O’Connell wants to rewrite history, he can finagle the Jones trade with San Francisco and restart the clock on his Darnold experiment — but with a different former 1st-Rounder in Jones.
2025 Rankings and Stats
These were the NFL’s top quarterbacks in 2025 per EPA+CPOE:
Drake Maye
Brock Purdy
Jordan Love
Josh Allen
Matthew Stafford
Sam Darnold
Daniel Jones
Dak Prescott
Mac Jones
Patrick Mahomes
The odds of Jones arriving in Minnesota and playing poorly like his earlier days are low. If Darnold could thrive in Minnesota, so can Jones — or so goes the theory.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Mac Jones (10) loosens up on the field during late-game warmups at Levi’s Stadium ahead of action against the Atlanta Falcons. The veteran passer worked through preparation reps while serving in a reserve role for San Francisco’s offense. Oct 19, 2025; Santa Clara, California, USA: Jones stayed ready as part of the 49ers’ quarterback depth chart. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images.
The 49ers also compiled a 5-3 record on Jones’s watch in 2025, as he delivered 269 passing yards per game with 13 touchdowns in 8 starts. The numbers would translate to a fringe MVP season if scaled to 17 games.
The Trade Price
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This is the tricky part. San Francisco’s brass is already working diligently to drive up Jones’s trade price. Two offseasons ago, Darnold was “free” in free agency. Jones won’t be that way. At the very minimum, Vikings interim general manager Rob Brzezinski will have to send a 3rd-Rounder to The Bay for Jones. Truth be told, the price will likely be steeper than that, perhaps in the neighborhood of a 2nd-Rounder.
O’Connell and Brzezinski must ask themselves if the price tag is worth it. Minnesota has suffered from four underwhelming drafts in a row. They can’t easily donate high-round picks and feel great about it.
New England Patriots quarterback Mac Jones (10) scans downfield while preparing to deliver a pass during first-quarter action at Bank of America Stadium against the Carolina Panthers. The rookie quarterback handled early offensive responsibilities as New England leaned on his accuracy and timing. Nov 7, 2021; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA: Jones operated the offense in road action for the Patriots. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports.
If Jones can be a years-long starter, the price will be worth it. If he’s more of a flyer, the club might be better off rolling with McCarthy, signing Malik Willis from free agency, or exploring Kyler Murray’s availability.
Jones will turn 28 just before Week 1 of 2026; there’s plenty of time for a team to christen him as the long-term QB1 and ask him to hold down the fort for a decade, akin to Darnold’s current trajectory.
