A Minnesota Vikings helmet rests on the turf at TCO Performance Center during organized team activities on Jun 11, 2019, in Eagan. Images like this are common during the early offseason as players prepare for camp and roster battles begin to take shape. Mandatory Credit: Harrison Barden-USA TODAY Sports.
In my 20+ years as an NFL exec, I was often asked what I did in the offseason. Many fans, friends, and even some family members assumed I took several months off after the season. They thought I had a schedule similar to the players who were on vacation until offseason workouts in mid to late April, and were surprised when I said the offseason months were my busiest time as a GM or team president.
It always was extremely hectic from January until I had two weeks of vacation in late June and early July before preparing for training camp.
Franchise and Transition Tag Pressure Peaks
Immediately after our final game of the just-completed season—which was usually a playoff game—I met with the coaches to get player grades for the season and discuss team needs in advance of free agency and the draft. I was also in scouting meetings where we were starting to hone in on potential trade and free agency targets, including our own players we wanted to retain and outside free agents we were interested in.
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The salary cap was a constant focal point as I considered players likely to be released, asked to stay at a reduced salary, or strong candidates for contract restructures to lower their cap numbers in the upcoming season.
I never had to deal with a $40 million cap shortfall as the Vikings must do by the start of the new league year next month, but there were plenty of years when I had to cut or restructure several players to get under the cap. I also never had $20-30 million increases in the cap from one year to the next, as has been the case the past several years, as NFL revenues have risen significantly.
The period for teams to place franchise or transition tags on top pending free agents opens in mid-February but we were planning on possible moves and I was often in negotiations in January and February to try and sign potential top free agents who were franchise or transition tag candidates as I didn’t want to tie up excessive salary cap space with a tag if it wasn’t necessary.
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The Minnesota Vikings’ state-of-the-art TCO Performance Center is shown in Eagan, Minnesota, on Jul 28, 2018. This world-class facility serves as the team’s headquarters, featuring cutting-edge training, rehabilitation, and meeting spaces. Since its opening, it has become the central hub for all things Vikings, from offseason prep to daily operations. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
In late January, I would attend the Senior Bowl in Mobile and meet with our coaches and scouts in attendance. Upon returning home, it was an intense period in February of free agency planning and pre-Combine meetings, as is the case this week at Vikings HQ with the Combine coming up next week. At this juncture, we would identify draft-eligible players we wanted to interview at the Combine and players to closely check their physical status if they were coming off injuries, while continuing to update our draft board.
Then it was off to the Combine, where I would watch player workouts, participate in player interviews, and meet with our scouts in between numerous negotiation sessions with agents for our players. There were also discussions with agents on free agents from other teams who were on our radar.
These conversations would involve discussing parameters rather than concrete numbers, since it would technically constitute tampering before the league’s “legal tampering” period, which begins three days before the official start of free agency (those dates are March 9 and March 11 this year).
I’ll talk more in the coming weeks on the Combine, free agency and the draft including who I see as candidates from the current Vikings roster to be released, restructured, extended or re-signed and possible free agent and trade targets including a potential veteran QB to compete with or back up J.J. McCarthy (with rumors continuing on a possible Kirk Cousins return to Minnesota).
Around the NFL–Franchise/transition tag period
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The two-week window for teams to apply franchise or transition tags to players opened on Monday and runs through March 3. The tags consist of a one-year tender associated with the franchise tag (basically the average of top five cap hits at a position or 120% of the previous salary and the old team retains a right of first refusal and receives two first-round picks if a player signs elsewhere unless it’s the exclusive franchise tag that is more costly) or transition tag (average of top 10 salaries; old team retains right of first refusal and no draft choice compensation if he signs elsewhere).
Jalen Nailor lined up for the Minnesota Vikings during the NFC wild card round on Jan 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale. The wide receiver, wearing number 83, faced the Los Angeles Rams in a postseason matchup that tested Minnesota’s depth and offensive playmakers under the playoff spotlight. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
It’s highly unlikely the Vikings will utilize either tag for any of their 14 pending unrestricted free agents. The Vikings’ best free agents-to-be are No. 3 WR Jalen Nailor ($960,000 salary last season; projected franchise tag $28.8 million; projected transition tag $25 million) and starting LB Eric Wilson ($2.6 million salary in 2025; $28.2 million franchise tag, $23.6 million transition tag). Punter/holder Ryan Wright is another key pending free agent, but the Vikings are not going to tag him at $6 million-plus when the league’s highest-paid punter (Seattle’s Michael Dickson) is making $4 million per year.
Around the league, the top candidates to be hit with the franchise tag include:
George Pickens (Cowboys WR, 93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine TDs last season, $28.8 million franchise tag, $25 million transition tag);
Daniel Jones (Colts QB, 8-5 record in his 13 starts before tearing his Achilles, career-best 100.2 passer rating, which ranked ninth, franchise tag a pricey $47 million, transition tag would be an estimated $41 million);
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Kenneth Walker III (Seahawks RB, Super Bowl MVP after 135 yards rushing, 1,340 rushing yards last season, including playoffs; despite the relatively inexpensive $14 million RB franchise tag, Seattle is rumored not to be planning to place the franchise tag on him, perhaps they’ll use the transition tag at $11.7 million);
Jan 17, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) reacts after scoring a touchdown against the San Francisco 49ers during the second half in an NFC Divisional Round game at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Trey Hendrickson (Bengals DE, only four sacks in seven games in an injury-hampered 2025 season, but he led the league with 17.5 sacks in 2024, $27.3 million franchise amount, and $22.9 million for transition);
Kyle Pitts (Falcons TE, 88 catches for 928 yards and five TDs in 2025, $16.3 million—franchise tag, $13.9 million transition tag);
Breece Hall (Jets RB, 1,065 rushing yards plus 350 receiving yards with five total TDs for a lousy Jets offense last season).
Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond
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As a four-year member of Columbia’s inaugural class of female varsity golfers, Jessica can out-birdie everyone on the masthead. She can out-hustle them in the office, too, where she’s primarily responsible for producing both print and online features, and overseeing major special projects, such as GOLF’s inaugural Style Issue, which debuted in February 2018. Her original interview series, “A Round With,” debuted in November of 2015, and appeared in both in the magazine and in video form on GOLF.com.
Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) goes through pregame warmups at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee, on Nov. 17, 2024, loosening up ahead of kickoff against the Titans. Nailor works through drills on the field as the Vikings finalize preparations for the road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Steve Roberts-Imagn Images
With free agency just 18 days away, roughly a dozen Top 50 or Top 100 free agency lists are circulating from various outlets, and Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor had been left almost all of them — until now. The Athletic‘s Daniel Popper ranked the league’s best free agents, and out of nowhere, Nailor checked in at No. 29.
A top-30 free agent tag might change the conversation for Nailor, forcing Minnesota to weigh his McCarthy chemistry against price and role.
It’s quite the prestige for Nailor, a player who has never accrued over 500 receiving yards in a season.
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Jalen Nailor Gets a Top 30 Free Agent Endorsement
Nailor gets a little respect.
Jalen Nailor secures a contested touchdown through contact at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Dec. 14, 2025, extending Minnesota’s second-half surge against Dallas. Nailor finishes the play in tight coverage as the Vikings capitalize on timing and coverage leverage during a pivotal offensive stretch. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
The Athletic: Nailor Is NFL’s 29th-Best FA
Nailor notably outranked reputable NFLers like Rashid Shaheed, Romeo Doubs, Aaron Rodgers, and Keenan Allen in free agency, according to Popper.
He wrote about Nailor at No. 29, “Contract projection: 3 years, $36 million. Nailor’s production does not jump off the screen. The 2022 sixth-round pick had a career-high 444 receiving yards in 2025. But Nailor was playing behind Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and he dealt with poor quarterback play last season.”
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“More importantly, the tape shows a player who is ready to take a big jump in the right environment. Nailor has the spatial awareness to weave through zones and find soft spots. He was predominantly a slot player in Minnesota but has inside-outside flexibility. He flashes late hands to prevent defensive backs from turning and locating the ball.”
The speedy wideout built rapport with Vikings QB1 J.J. McCarthy last season and might’ve even been his favorite target.
Popper added, “Nailor is not a burner, but he can push vertically out of the slot on fades, wheels and corners. He is compact ball carrier who is capable after the catch, and he is also a quality run blocker for his size.”
“Nailor can get bogged down at the line of scrimmage against bigger, more physical corners. He is not a household name right now, but he could be in the future.”
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A Staggering Contract Estimate
From Vikings fans’ viewpoint, $12 million per season is the absolute top rung of the ladder someone with Nailor’s production should command. Spotrac estimates his value to be under $5 million. There’s a vast variance between the upper and lower range of Nailor’s next deal, and Hopper pounded home the ceiling.
But last offseason, Los Angeles Rams wideout Tutu Atwell earned a deal for one year and $10 million, so the estimate of Nailor may be merely a continuation of an escalating NFL salary cap. Atwell later caught 6 passes for 192 yards in 2025 and is a free agent once again.
If Nailor’s price is $12 million annually, the Vikings would almost assuredly exit stage left from contract negotiations. Minnesota is cash-strapped, and $12 million for a player who posts WR4 numbers isn’t worth it.
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Nailor in MIN
Throughout McCarthy’s first ten starts, Nailor was one of the few receivers with whom he consistently clicked. Their timing has been more reliable than McCarthy’s connection with Justin Jefferson, and a lot of McCarthy’s better plays in 2025 involved throws to Nailor — a big plus for a quarterback still finding his feet.
In 2025, Nailor snagged 29 catches for 444 yards and 4 touchdowns. The year before, with Sam Darnold throwing the ball, he had 414 yards and 6 scores. While his stats might say “WR4,” his game film occasionally shows flashes of something more.
A December game against the Dallas Cowboys is an apropos example: 3 catches, 47 yards, 2 touchdowns, and a serious momentum shift. Nailor exploded. But then he followed that up with zero catches in the next two weeks against the New Giants and Detroit Lions. That’s Nailor in a nutshell — quiet stretches broken up by sudden sweet bursts of production.
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Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Jalen Nailor (83) hauls in a pass during the first quarter at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Aug. 10, 2024, against the Las Vegas Raiders. Nailor tracks the ball cleanly over his shoulder as the Vikings test their passing game in preseason action. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
This makes him a tricky free agency case. Given the rollercoaster that was McCarthy’s season, keeping some familiar faces around him is key. Letting go of the one receiver who empowered him seems risky.
And Nailor’s likely to get some attention. Speed always plays, and a team might think a bigger role could unlock his true potential. The Las Vegas Raiders, Los Angeles Rams, Kansas City Chiefs, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Seattle Seahawks all make sense as possible destinations, based on their roster needs, offensive schemes, or coaching connections. Las Vegas, his hometown, and a team needing playmakers on the depth chart, could be a particularly good fit.
An Eric Wilson Shoutout
Linebacker Eric Wilson, who experienced a career resurgence in 2025, also made Hopper’s list at No. 79.
Hopper scribed, “Contract projection: 3 years, $19.5 million. Wilson is a downhill off-ball linebacker who can blitz and defend the run. He is more limited as a coverage player. He has sideline-to-sideline speed and attacks plays in front of him.”
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Minnesota Vikings linebacker Eric Wilson (55) celebrates at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan, on Nov. 2, 2025, after defeating the Lions. Wilson raises his arms amid teammates and crowd noise as Minnesota closes out a divisional matchup on the road. Mandatory Credit: Lon Horwedel-Imagn Images
“Wilson also got some edge work in coordinator Brian Flores’s scheme. Wilson is undersized, which limits him when he is asked to take on climbing guards and centers in the run game.”
The veteran defender posted Pro Bowl-level numbers and efficiency in 2025, and it’s a safe bet that Minnesota will re-sign Wilson, especially with Flores back as the defensive coordinator.
In free agency, it will probably be Nailor out, and Wilson in.
At the most recent edition of the Genesis Invitational at Riviera, in 2024, the brutish par-3 4th hole made the players squirm. For the week, the 230ish-yard hole played to a meaty stroke average of 3.204, making it the third hardest hole on the course. In the fourth round just 6 of 51 players hit the green in regulation, with many tee shots getting held up in the sticky kikuya grass fronting the green.
“Terrible” is how veteran pro Adam Schenk, after missing the cut by four, described the hole in a tweet in which he tagged tournament host Tiger Woods. “Tell them to grow poana [sic] short of 4 for the left 2/3 of green rewarding good shots & keep current grass short on right 1/3 of green.”
Two years later, the world’s best players are back at Riv (in 2025, the L.A. wildfires forced the tournament to relocate to Torrey Pines), and Schenk, who is not in the field this week, got half his wish. Changes have been made to the 4th hole — just not the kind of changes he’d lobbied for.
Instead of shortening or swapping out the grass to make the Redan-style green more accessible, the club has lengthened the hole by about 40 yards, meaning it can now play up to 270 yards, and repositioned the tee box well to the right of its original site. Riv said it made the changes to better align the hole with designer George Thomas’s original vision but the beefing up of an already stout test has raised the eyebrows of at least a few players, including world No. 2 Rory McIlroy, who characterized the new-look 4th as a “horrible change.”
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Asked to expound, McIlroy said, “Like 15 percent of the field hit the green last time when it was played at its original yardage at 230. If you want it to be a 275-yard par-3, you have to change the apron leading up onto the green. It can’t be kikuyu, it has to be another type of grass that can help you run it onto the green because, again, in the right conditions, you try to fly that ball on the green with a 3-iron, it’s going to land — it’s going to finish up on the 5th tee box.”
The hole doesn’t have to play all stretched out, of course, and likely won’t on cool, damp days or when the wind is blowing in hard toward the players. As PGA Tour rules official Steve Rintoul told my colleague Jack Hirsh in 2024, “I suspect the players in the Genesis will see a bit of everything over the four days. However, the summertime events coming up at Riviera (Women’s U.S. Open, Olympics and the U.S. Open) will allow for firmer and warmer conditions where the ball played along the ground, chasing onto the green, will be more effective.”
Rintoul added, “As always we will evaluate the playability of the hole and gather player input on the design, but our usual strategy is to tip-toe into using major changes.”
So far that input hasn’t been especially positive. Collin Morikawa, who won at Pebble Beach last week, said Wednesday was his first day playing the retooled 4th and even from pushed-up tees he still needed to hit a 3-wood. “Hit and hope, I guess,” he said. “It’s too soft, unfortunately, to have a lot of control to say, man, I’m going to play a tight 5-iron and run it up. I think a lot of us play it left to chip uphill, but with a 3-wood in hand, that cart path on the left honestly comes into play. … I think it’s just a very long par-3. There’s not a lot of thought to it other than just kind of hitting the green and moving on, unfortunately.”
Jordan Spieth also offered a less-than-ringing endorsement of the hole, telling Golf Channel’s Brentley Romaine, “It’s the only weak spot on the course.” Other players weighed in from afar. Graeme McDowell, who won a U.S. Open up the coast at Pebble Beach, isn’t in the field but filed this observation on X: “Few holes that you would like to lengthen on this great course, but this wouldn’t be my first choice. Obsession with total yardage can destroy individual great holes.”
Riv’s 4th is now the longest par-3 on Tour, edging out the 265-yard 11th at Puntacana Resort. Still, both of those holes are relative mites compared to the par-3 8th at Oakmont, which played 289 yards at the U.S. Open last summer and drew this dig from Viktor Hovland: “I just think all the best par-3s are under 200 [yards]. You can maybe have it just over 200, but as soon as you start to take head covers off on par-3s, I just think it gets a little silly.”
Head covers will most assuredly be coming off at Riv’s 4th this week. Defending U.S. Open champion J.J. Spaun played the hole Wednesday with a 3-wood, feeding his shot in from the front right of the green. His ball released to about six feet from the hole from where he missed his birdie try but made a stress-free par.
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Easy . . . right?
“It’s Wednesday,” Spaun said after his round. “It didn’t matter really today.”
Shivam Dube said guidance from former India captain MS Dhoni helped shape his batting approach after he played a match-winning 67-run knock in the last group-stage match of the T20 World Cup against Netherlands at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Wednesday.Dube said he had struggled against pace bowling early in his career, but advice from Dhoni on strike rotation and controlled intent helped him improve in pressure situations.
T20 World Cup | Shivam Dube press conference after India beat Netherlands
“When I first came into the IPL, I struggled against fast bowlers and wasn’t striking the ball cleanly. I realised that if I want to dominate at this level and I have the power, I needed to work on that aspect. I put in significant effort during the off-season. Mahi bhai told me that it’s not necessary to hit sixes every time. Boundaries and strike rotation are equally important.“That clarity has helped me. If I get a good ball, I look for a boundary or rotate strike. In the death overs, I will naturally go harder, but early in the innings, my focus is on smart intent,” Dube told Jio Hotstar, as cited by news agency IANS.Speaking about pressure situations, Dube said his focus is on batting according to the match scenario and staying till the end if required.“I don’t feel pressure; I focus on the situation. If wickets fall, my responsibility is to bat deep. If I stay till the end, I know I can add 10–15 crucial runs in the final over. I avoid taking unnecessary risks in the middle overs. If the situation demands stability, I rotate strike. If the platform is set, I’m ready to attack from the first ball,” he said.Dube walked in to bat when India were 69 for 3 after nine overs and stabilised the innings with a 66-run knock off 31 balls.He also contributed with the ball, taking two wickets for 35 runs in three overs. For his all-round performance, he was named player of the match.
Coach Jon Cooper told reporters Thursday that the Canadian men’s hockey team’s captain has not been ruled out for the tournament after suffering a lower-body injury in Wednesday’s Olympic quarterfinal against Czechia.
Crosby was scheduled to have an MRI to determine the severity of the injury he suffered, Elliotte Friedman reported on the CBC Olympics broadcast on Wednesday.
Crosby hobbled off the ice in the second period after he was crunched along the boards in the neutral zone by Czech defenceman Radko Gudas at centre ice and took another awkward hit along the boards later in the same shift.
After chatting with a team doctor on the bench, Crosby made his way down the tunnel toward the dressing room with an apparent limp.
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Crosby, the 2010 Olympic hero, had enjoyed a strong round-robin in Milan with two goals and four assists in three games.
Cooper also said defenceman Josh Morrissey, who has missed the past three games, has not been ruled out.
Meanwhile, forward Sam Bennett told reporters he was battling an illness. He did not play in the quarterfinal, but says he’ll be good to go for the games ahead.
Canada will face Finland in a semifinal on Friday (10:40 a.m. ET / 7:40 a.m. PT, CBC Gem, Sportsnet+).
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The bronze-medal game is Saturday and the gold-medal game is Sunday.
Aug 3, 2023; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell and team owner Ziggy Wilf talk at training camp at TCO Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Social Justice Committee knows how to endear itself to the Twin Cities communities.
We at PurpleTerritory also know what it’s like to connect with the Twin Cities communities. But the Vikings and their Social Justice Committee have taken it… let’s say… multiple steps further.
In 2025, the Vikings donated a total of a half million, yes, you heard correctly, $500,000, to a total of 18 charities across Minneapolis, St. Paul, and other central Minnesota communities to make sure that people of any color in the Twin Cities region have equal access to all sorts of mental health, physical work, and required living resources.
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Minnesota Vikings owner Zygi Wilf surveys pregame warmups at U.S. Bank Stadium, where Sep 14, 2025 brought a home matchup against the Atlanta Falcons as he observed preparations from the sideline in Minneapolis. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
So, which charities are receiving a donation? And how will this benefit said charities? Let’s highlight a few examples.
Minnesota Vikings Social Justice Committee Makes Huge $500,000 Donation to Charities
One notable topic that has come to light in recent years is the concept of mental health.
As Founder and Executive Director of the Invisible Wounds Project Russ Hanes told Vikings.com, “Mental Health has a stigma in and of itself. And then when you tie in the other factor —– that our people work in careers where sometimes and in some departments, agencies and units it’s not accepted well —– and they really need a safe space to go. It’s not a one-and-done: ‘Here’s a couple bucks; here’s a gift card. Thanks for your service. See you later.’ It really becomes a family, and the family continues to grow and support each other.
We really focus on providing that safe, healthy, positive atmosphere where people can be themselves, learn from each other, help each other and just foster that growth in a way you can’t without a physical space or presence.”
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Now, not only does the Invisible Wounds Project align with the Social Justice Committee’s ideals, but it also provides additional resources, such as suicide prevention classes.
A Vikings Player Speaks Up on the Social Justice Committee and Highlights His Charity
This charity was highlighted by outside linebacker Bo Richter. As Richter noted, “It’s absolutely amazing to have these people here fulfilling the need. They explained to us how they provide this sense of community along with the necessary resources… and that community piece [is really unique].”
Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Bo Richter (98) against the Los Angeles Rams during an NFC wild card game at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Thanks to their efforts, Invisible Wounds received a $30,000 donation.
Social Justice Committee and Praise of the Owners
Headed by the owners and brothers Zygi, Mark, and Leonard Wilf, the Vikings have made over $9.5 million in donations to social justice initiatives since the 2018 season. In 2025, the causes the donations supported included mental health, inclusion, food insecurity, and equal access to education, to name a few.
Other Charities & Player Ties
Speaking about food insecurity, running back Zavier Scott enjoyed teaming up with the squad’s Social Justice Committee for his partnership at a local food charity.
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“I love the fact we can help out,” he said. “It’s not easy what a lot of people are going through, and we want to lighten the load any way we can.”
After working with food bank Loaves & Fishes to help provide meals, Scott also quipped, “It’s special any time you can sit down and just talk to someone. I think there’s something special about those slower moments. Every person matters. Every individual matters, no matter what their background is, no matter where they’re at in life. Everybody is valued, and I feel that’s a way of showing and honoring that. I like to connect, hear their story and give them some love.”
Nov 2, 2025; Detroit, Michigan, USA; A general view of a Minnesota Vikings helmet on the sidelines during the third quarter against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: David Reginek-Imagn Images
As a result, Fishes & Loaves received a $25,000 special contribution to their charity.
Other charities receiving donations through the Vikings Social Justice Committee in 2025 were Project Success, the Jeremiah Program, the Khyree Jackson Foundation, Black Men Teach, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Twin Cities, Elevate Youth Elite Sports, Raise the Barr, Twin Cities Habitat for Humanity —– Advancing Black Ownership Program, Big Brothers Big Sisters Twin Cities, Gigi’s Playhouse, the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota & the Dakotas, the Great North Innocence Project, Page Innocence Foundation, Shout Out Loud MN, Acres for Life, and Sharing and Caring Hands.
So, the Vikings Social Justice Committee is among the best in the NFL when it comes to charity work. And the owners are receiving high praise for their connections to the Twin Cities communities. It’s something to be very proud of as a Vikings fan.
The 2026 Genesis Invitational gets underway Thursday with the first round at Riviera CC. Here’s everything you need to know to watch the tournament on Thursday, including full Genesis Invitational TV coverage, streaming details and Round 1 tee times.
How to watch Genesis Invitational on Thursday
If Rory McIlroy has any hope of catching up to World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler in the Official World Golf Ranking, he needs to start piling up big PGA Tour wins.
And this week presents exactly that opportunity for the World No. 2 and five-time major champion. McIlroy is making is second Tour start of the season at this week’s Genesis Invitational. And as with the tournament he played last week, the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, the Genesis is a Signature Event with a $20 million purse.
The Genesis is played at an iconic golf course (Riviera) and it has an legendary host in the form of Tiger Woods, who spoke to the media on Tuesday. That’s exactly the kind of tournament that McIlroy has said he wants to win as his career goes forward.
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And the action gets started on Thursday with the opening round in L.A.
You can watch the first round of the Genesis Invitational on TV via Golf Channel beginning at 4 p.m. ET on Thursday. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive streaming coverage starting Thursday at 10:15 a.m. ET, as well as featured group and featured hole coverage all day long.
Below you will find everything you need to know to watch the first round of the 2026 Genesis Invitational.
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With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to PGA Tour Live, where you can stream the best PGA Tour events live from wherever you want.
How to watch on TV Thursday
Golf Channel will provide first-round TV coverage of the 2026 Genesis Invitational on Thursday from 4-8 p.m. ET.
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How to stream online Thursday
You can stream the first round of the 2026 Genesis Invitational via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which will offer streaming coverage starting at 10:15 a.m. ET on Thursday in addition to featured group and hole coverage.
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10:15 a.m. – Sami Valimaki, J.T. Poston, Rico Hoey 10:27 a.m. – Kurt Kitayama, Nico Echavarria, Jake Knapp 10:39 a.m. – Matt McCarty, Jhonattan Vegas, Taylor Pendrith 10:51 a.m. – Tom Hoge, Bud Cauley, Matti Schmid 11:03 a.m. – Sahith Theegala, Michael Kim, Pierceson Coody 11:15 a.m. – Ben Griffin, Keegan Bradley, Sam Burns 11:27 a.m. – Maverick McNealy, Akshay Bhatia, Jacob Bridgeman 11:39 a.m. – Cameron Young, Viktor Hovland, Shane Lowry 11:56 a.m. – J.J. Spaun, Ludvig Åberg, Hideki Matsuyama 12:08 p.m. – Collin Morikawa, Tommy Fleetwood, Rory McIlroy 12:20 p.m. – Ryan Gerard, Adam Scott, Patrick Rodgers 12:32 p.m. – Kevin Yu, Max Homa, Denny McCarthy 12:44 p.m. – Aldrich Potgieter, Ryan Fox, Sam Stevens 12:56 p.m. – Tom Kim, Rickie Fowler, Max Greyserman 1:08 p.m. – Lucas Glover, Tony Finau, Max McGreevy 1:20 p.m. – Garrick Higgo, Aaron Rai, Matt Fitzpatrick 1:37 p.m. – Jason Day, Alex Noren, Ryo Hisatsune 1:49 p.m. – Andrew Novak, Brian Harman, Nick Taylor 2:01 p.m. – Russell Henley, Harris English, Corey Conners 2:13 p.m. – Sepp Straka, Harry Hall, Patrick Cantlay 2:25 p.m. – Chris Gotterup, Justin Rose, Robert MacIntyre 2:37 p.m. – Scottie Scheffler, Xander Schauffele, Si Woo Kim 2:49 p.m. – Min Woo Lee, Jordan Spieth, Daniel Berger 3:01 p.m. – Brian Campbell, Wyndham Clark, Marco Penge
Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar, and this former Premier League ace believes he’ll fetch a hefty transfer sum
Former England coach Joleon Lescott thinks Manchester United will have to shell out £100million to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest this summer. United and a number of rival clubs have been linked with a move for the 23-year-old.
Since leaving his boyhood Newcastle United for Forest, Anderson has been a revelation. He has played his way into the England frame and is one of the Premier League’s most sought-after young players.
Ex-Manchester City defender Lescott worked alongside Anderson with England’s Under-21s and has a figure in mind should the youngster leave this summer. He also agreed with a peer as to whether Anderson’s Forest will survive the drop this season.
Lescott and a guest on In The Mixer, brought to you by Sky Bet, were asked who they foresee being relegated this season alongside the current 19th- and 20th-place teams, Burnley and Wolves.
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Both agreed on one side, and Lescott said: “I think Forest. I think West Ham get out of it.” The discussion then turned to Forest star Anderson, with Lescott adding: “He’s a £100million player, isn’t he? Especially after he plays at the World Cup.
“You’re not going to sell him before, are you? You’re going to sell him after the World Cup. [If Forest go down] they have to sell. But then there are more teams interested.
“They go down, more teams come in. Because if he’s in the Premier League, it’s, ‘He’s not leaving unless it’s £100m.’ Then there are only two or three teams.”
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Having made his debut last year under Thomas Tuchel, Anderson admits he has hopes of being included in the manager’s World Cup squad. He told Sky Sports: “My dream was to play for Newcastle because I never expected to play for England but it tops everything off.
“First, I’m selected and I’m over the moon to be there, training with great players. But you want to make an impression, show the team that I am a good player. When I found out I was playing it was such a big moment.
“It’s my dream playing for England and playing with the best players brings out the best in me. England’s aim now is to win the trophies. It sounds good, doesn’t it?
“There’s a long way to go to get to the World Cup. I have to treat every game until then as a World Cup final and then hopefully I can get to one. I can’t wait. If I’m there I’ll have all of my family with me. It’s really exciting, to be honest. Very exciting.”
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ALEX MONEYPENNY EPISODE ON YOUTUBE: Subscribe now to be the first to watch the latest episodes of In The Mixer and other original shows, brought to you by Sky Bet.Watch All Out Football’s episode with Alex Moneypenny here.
The phrase: ‘There’s no rest for the wicked’ will always ring true for certain fighters, not least British and Commonwealth super-welterweight champion Ishmael Davis.
The following month, though, ‘The Black Panther’ ended his win drought in a six-round tick-over fight, before claiming a unanimous decision victory over Sam Gilley in November.
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Now gearing up to defend his domestic titles against Bilal Fawaz – featuring on the undercard of Leigh Wood vs Josh Warrington this Saturday – Davis has hardly afforded himself a moment to breathe.
Speaking with Boxing News, the Yorkshireman revealed exactly how much time he was given to rest and recover over Christmas.
“I had four days; four days until Christmas. But it was good, man. All the kids were happy.
“Being a dad [of seven] while you’re an athlete is hard, because you’re always training. And I’m proper busy, always taking fights, so it’s hard, but I spend as much time with them [his kids] as I can.”
Indeed, Davis always seems to be taking fights; and in the wake of his loss to Agyarko, the 30-year-old felt as if he had no option but to jump back on the horse.
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And while such a quick turnaround would usually present more problems than benefits, Davis insists that his ability to recover between fights is almost superhuman.
“I’m ‘The Black Panther’, man. I’m a young, strong man; I’ve still got age on my side.
“After the Caoimhin fight, I had a dip in emotions because I knew I won and got robbed, so I told myself to get straight back to training.
“Sometimes you’ve got to make sacrifices, and that’s what I did. One thing I always say to myself is: ‘at the end of the day, that day’s got to end.’ You’ve got to keep going; life goes on.”
Having previously lost to Serhii Bohachuk and Josh Kelly – both on short notice – Davis is eager to properly test himself at world level, this time with the luxury of a full training camp.
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First, he must take care of business against English champion Fawaz, a fighter he has been preparing for by sharing rounds with standout amateur John Joe Carrigan.
“I know I belong [at world level] but I know there’s still a lot of work to do, because I’m still learning.
“I’ve been sparring John Joe [Carrigan], who’s a seriously talented kid. He’s a tough battle but I keep going back, keep sparring him, because he’s so skilled.
“I’m not stupid – I understand that, to be better, you’ve got to get better opponents and better sparring partners.”
“I didn’t know him before we fought but he’s Josh Kelly – he’s flashy – so I was thinking to myself, ‘I need to beat this guy.’
“But then I’ve gone and sparred him, have had a chat with him, and he’s gone through similar things that I’ve gone through.
“So he’s an all right guy, but he’s in my weight [division] and has beaten me before, so I need to get my revenge.
“He boxed well [against Murtazaliev]. Everyone wants to see you stand and bang, but Josh Kelly can’t stand and bang with that guy. I wouldn’t even stand and bang with him. Well, I probably would, but I’m different.”
Davis suffered a majority decision defeat to Kelly in 2024 but, in the final round, was able to hurt his man with a ferocious onslaught.
We finally know the four countries that will be competing for gold on the men’s side at the Winter Olympics.
Canada’s Team Brad Jacobs fell to Norway’s Team Magnus Ramsfjell 8-6 on Thursday in what was a win-and–in game for the Norwegians to reach the semifinals. With the loss, the Canadian rink finished the 10-team round-robin at 7-2.
Canada, which was locked into second, will again face Norway in the semis on Thursday at 1:05 p.m. ET / 10:05 a.m. PT (CBC Gem, Sportsnet+).
Entering the final draw on Thursday morning, there were many different playoff scenarios to figure out who the top four teams were going to be with only Canada and Switzerland’s Team Yannick Schwaller qualified.
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Four teams, including world No. 1 ranked Great Britain’s Team-Bruce Mouat, which was idle, were gunning for the final two spots. Italy, Norway and the idle U.S. also were in the hunt.
Italy’s 9-5 loss to Switzerland sealed the final spot for Mouat, who will battle the Swiss in the other semi at the same time as the Canada-Norway game.
The first five ends for the Norwegians couldn’t have gone any better as they cruised to a 7-2 lead after Ramsfjell made timely hits to score big ends and limit Canada.
In the second half, things changed as the Norwegians played very sloppy sixth and seventh ends with poor strategic decisions to let Canada score four and make the game 7-6.
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However, Norway held on to just barely edge the Canadians.
Canadian spare Tyler Tardi played the full game to keep Ben Hebert, 42, who has been giving it his all on the sweeping front, rested for the semifinal.
In the other game of importance, Italy’s Team Joel Retornaz needed to beat Switzerland to earn its playoff spot, but a massive three-ender in the seventh end by the Swiss ruined any chance the host country had.
Semifinal winners go to the gold-medal game on Saturday and the losers will face off for bronze on Friday.
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