We finally saw the return of best-on-best hockey at the Olympics for the first time in 12 years and it didn’t disappoint. It was an incredible gold-medal game between Canada and the U.S. that added another chapter to their storied rivalry, one that now seems set to only grow over the next decade.
As good a showcase as it was for the sport, not everyone escaped unscathed. There were a handful of injuries to significant players that will now have a ripple effect throughout the rest of the NHL season. Some key players are set to miss substantial time, which is going to have a major impact on playoff races and could even alter the plans of a few teams leading up to the trade deadline.
Let’s look at four injuries that could shape how the standings play out the rest of the way.
If the Penguins plan to complete an improbable run to the post-season, they’re going to have to do most of the work without their captain.
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The news that Sidney Crosby is expected to miss the next month after suffering an injury at the Olympics is a devastating blow to their hopes. Crosby was on pace for 86 points before going down and is still the Penguins’ most important player by a mile. Evgeni Malkin continues to play at a high level, but is he still capable of putting this team on his back for a critical month with a congested schedule at age 39?
Pittsburgh is holding down second place in the Metro, just one point up on the New York Islanders, five up on the Washington Capitals and seven ahead of the Columbus Blue Jackets. There is some cushion for the Pens there, but those leads could erode quickly without Crosby. If Pittsburgh slips in the division, it could still grab a wild-card spot, though that’s easier said than done. The Buffalo Sabres are tied with the Penguins and the Boston Bruins are one point behind, so earning a top-three divisional spot might actually be easier for Pittsburgh than going the wild card route.
If you’re a Penguins fan looking at the glass half full, general manager Kyle Dubas has made some savvy acquisitions and has stockpiled a ton of draft picks. So Pittsburgh is in a good position moving forward. They have 16 combined picks over the second and third rounds of the next four drafts, meaning they could theoretically spare one or two and add leading up to the deadline without doing much damage to their rebuild.
If all goes well, Crosby could potentially return for Pittsburgh’s final nine or 10 games of the season. Can the Pens survive in the race until that reinforcement arrives? You know Crosby is hungry for at least one more playoff run in Pittsburgh, and it’s going to take a serious effort over the next month to keep his chances alive.
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Mikko Rantanen doesn’t project to miss as much time as Crosby, but he is expected to be sidelined for at least two weeks with an injury he suffered while playing for Finland in Milan. The good news for the Dallas Stars is that they aren’t in as precarious a position as the Penguins when it comes to the playoffs. They have a spot all but secured and are just jockeying for positioning in the Central.
Dallas is likely going to have to go through Colorado and Minnesota — arguably the two best teams in the NHL — in the first two rounds if it hopes to make a deep run. The Stars need to put themselves in the best position possible if they hope to get through that gauntlet. Currently, they sit third in the Central, one point behind the Wild and six behind the Avalanche. Any hope of catching Colorado could be fading now that Rantanen is set to miss a bunch of games, but finishing ahead of Minnesota could be key.
If the Stars play the Wild in the opening round, it’s likely going to be an incredibly tight series where something like home-ice advantage could end up being the difference. There’s also the possibility Minnesota could end up catching Colorado and jumping them for the division title, which would mean an even tougher matchup for the Stars if they meet the Avalanche in Round 1.
Both the Wild and Avalanche seemed poised to try and make a major addition prior to the deadline, with a centre upgrade as their rumoured target. That could also give them an edge down the stretch with Rantanen out and may force the Stars to follow suit. Unfortunately, Dallas doesn’t have its 2026 first-round pick or much cap space to absorb a talented player, so swinging a deal will be complicated. The Stars ultimately may not be able to make a huge splash and instead might have to cross their fingers that Rantanen returns sooner rather than later.
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If there was one sour note from the Olympic tournament, it was that Kevin Fiala was lost for the season after a brutal injury while playing for Switzerland. Now the Los Angeles Kings have a hole in their top six after bolstering it before the break with the acquisition of Artemi Panarin.
The Kings are three points out of a playoff spot and five points behind the Anaheim Ducks for third in the Pacific, so they’re very much in the mix. Even with the addition of Panarin, Fiala is still a big loss for their lineup, as he scored 35 goals last year and was on pace for around 30 again this year. Replacing that scoring isn’t going to be easy, but you can bet the Kings are going to try with this being Anze Kopitar’s last season. They’ll surely want to try and give him a final playoff run on the way out.
Los Angeles was probably hoping to bolster its centre depth after dealing Phillip Danault, though now it may be in the market for a winger as well without Fiala. The Kings might not be able to make a major move, but could they look at someone like Bobby McMann or Blake Coleman to help replace the loss of Fiala?
Both players can score and play with physicality, something that would help the Kings if they hope to finally get past the first round and the Edmonton Oilers. The Kings have the advantage of owning all their first-round picks, and it may end up costing them one if they truly want to upgrade their top six.
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It doesn’t appear that Josh Morrissey will be out that long after getting banged up at the Olympics, but every game is precious to the Winnipeg Jets at this point. The Jets are nine points out of a playoff spot with three teams to leapfrog, and last year’s Presidents’ Trophy winners are going to have to go on an incredible run if they hope to make up ground.
Making things even more challenging for the Jets is that Neal Pionk is now out week-to-week with an injury of his own, thinning out the blue line that much more. It’s a possibility that Morrissey could return as soon as next week after the Jets return home from their three-game road trip, though at this point, Winnipeg can’t afford to just survive without him in the lineup. They need to get on a winning streak immediately.
Morrissey is really the Jets’ only true puck mover on their defence corps, and the team is very top-heavy up front, so his loss is massive from an offensive perspective. Six-foot-seven Logan Stanley will quarterback the power play in Morrissey’s absence, and he had never recorded more than 14 points in a season coming into this year. To say the offence is likely to sputter without Morrissey is a major understatement.
Even if Morrissey misses more than a handful of games, I wouldn’t expect the Jets to try and acquire a stopgap via trade. Winnipeg is too far back in the playoff chase to be spending assets for a short-term fix. Unless there’s someone who is young and has some term, it seems unlikely the Jets would add to try and spark a miracle post-season push. The most likely path forward for the Jets is they now start selling some pending UFAs to recoup some assets and regroup for 2026-27.
Walking into Brighton’s Elite Football Performance Centre, I was swiftly approached by a member of the club’s communications team. “Have you got the frames?” he asked this bemused writer, who only had his phone, laptop and notepad with him. It turns out he was after a different Will; not from The Independent, but from Guinness World Records. We were both here for James Milner.
For Milner, his record-breaking 654th Premier League appearance was just another game. “Massive victory on the road, delighted for the boys and travelling fans, thanks for the support,” read his very ordinary Instagram post, with the comments limited, after Brighton’s hard-fought win at Brentford. No self-congratulations, no fuss. It was very run-of-the-Milner.
The 40-year-old had his priorities straight. “I’ve always just tried to get on with my job and keep my head down really,” Milner said, ironically surrounded by journalists – and the aforementioned GWR dignitary, adorned in the trademark blue blazer and tie – who had all congregated on the south coast to discuss his remarkable milestone. “I know obviously there’s been a lot of talk around this sort of thing, but for me, I just want to do my job and [was] especially pleased to get the win, that was so important for us at the weekend. So to contribute to that, that’s always number one.”
Milner receives three Guinness World Records after notching his 654th Premier League appearance (Brighton & Hove Albion)
Of course, Milner meant no disrespect and emphasised he was incredibly grateful for the tidal wave of congratulations that had come his way. “I’ve had so many amazing messages, you want to thank people and there’s nice posts like the clubs have done,” he stressed. But it was Gareth Barry, the man whose record Milner had surpassed, who seemed to really get the “no biggie” vibe.
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“He sent me a message after the game and then it was his birthday yesterday, so I sent him a message saying happy birthday,” Milner said. “He just said congrats, and he said he’s going away and golfing somewhere, so that sounded good to me.”
You don’t get many football bingo cards more filled out than Milner’s (and that’s not a quip at his age).
Across a Premier League career that has spanned 23 years, 109 days and counting, the Englishman has won every trophy under the sun, including three Premier League titles and one Champions League during his glory-laden stints with Manchester City and Liverpool. He even has an Intertoto Cup to his name with Newcastle.
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James Milner has won every trophy under the sun, including a Champions League title with Liverpool in 2019 (Getty)
He’s been deployed in every outfield position possible. “I’d say I needed goalkeeper to play every single one,” he joked.
Milner collected three framed world records on the day of our visit: one for most Premier League appearances (654), another for longest time between first and last Premier League goal (22 years and 248 days), and a third for most consecutive Premier League seasons of any player (24). He’ll get a fourth in 217 days, at the time of writing, if he surpasses Teddy Sheringham as the oldest outfield player in Premier League history. But while that box remains one of the few unmarked, so does another: retirement.
“I think things change very quickly in football, and I think when you get to my age, things change very quickly as well,” Milner admitted when asked if he will be around long enough to become the top flight’s eldest ever statesman.
“When I look at where I was last year, not being able to lift my foot for six months, to where I am this year, it’s easier to turn around and say, ‘Yes, I’d love to do another year.’
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“I’m pretty open at this moment in time – whether I will or whether I won’t, I’m not sure. We haven’t had any conversations, so obviously the club have to be interested as well. It’s all right me saying I want to play another year if the club don’t want you.”
Whether it’s sooner or later, and whether it’s his decision to make or Brighton’s, Milner is under no illusions: “I know the end’s getting closer.” The veteran, however, asserts that he doesn’t “fear” retirement, even if the question of “when’s the right time?” does play on his mind. “I feel like I still can do it now, but do you go to the point where you can’t? Is that too long?”
As such, Milner is in the thick of considering his life after football, all while keeping a piece of advice from former boss Jurgen Klopp in the back of his mind. “Jurgen always said, whenever you finish, you need to have a rest and a break straight away,” he reflected. “I think that’s pretty appealing at this moment in time.”
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Jurgen Klopp has advised Milner to take a break when he hangs up the boots (PA Wire)
The workhorse deserves his break, but knowing his character, it will only last so long.
“I think most people say you miss the structure and what you’re training for every day. You’re going in the gym and it’s hard, it’s for a reason, it’s for the next game and things like that,” Milner said with a sense of pre-emptive nostalgia, before reassuring that his world-class engine will not be detuned in retirement.
“When you haven’t got that, I think I’d probably look towards doing marathons or something like that to give me something to go for again.”
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Milner says he will ‘probably look towards doing marathons’ once he retires (Getty)
Milner will leave football with arguably the most fabled work ethic in the English game. At Liverpool, the yearly pre-season lactate test under Klopp – which tasked players with doing laps of their training ground – came with an award named after him, having won it at a canter for every season he was at Anfield, even into his mid-thirties.
He boasts longevity that with the modern fixture schedule will be nigh-on impossible to replicate, fuelled by a drive to prove his doubters wrong – something his dad used to play on.
“He knew what I was like and he used to say, ‘you don’t work hard enough, you’re not gonna make it’,” Milner remembered. “He knew what he was doing and it [his drive] probably comes from that, to be fair.
“He’d never say it in a horrible way or anything like that, but he knew what I was like, and he’d be like, ‘you’ve got no chance of scoring the goal from there’, and then like two shots later it’s in the top corner. He knew how to get the best of me.”
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Silencing the sceptics is part of the reason Milner is still going today. “Some things don’t change,” he laughs.
Milner has been motivated from childhood to prove people wrong (Peter Tarry/PA Wire)
It’s that burning desire to push himself that has him now pondering a career in management. Milner has been earning his coaching badges but knows the hellfire that the job can pose.
“There are some times I think it’d be great and I’d love to put my stamp on a team, and I think I could do this and that,” he says. “But it’s such a hard gig, isn’t it? It’s so hard. Even the amount of press you’ve got to do to be honest – press conference before the game, after the game, like eight times a week.
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“It’s one that the competitive guy in you thinks, ‘yeah, I wouldn’t mind giving that a go and taking on’. I know it’s difficult but… and I feel like I’ve got a fantastic knowledge of people I’ve worked under, from back to your Terry Venables and your Sir Bobby Robsons, and then you go through to the current manager now.
Milner made his Premier League debut under the legendary Terry Venables at Leeds (Getty)
“I’ve got a great array of different managers from different countries and different personalities to lean back on, so in one way I think it’d be a big shame to lose all that knowledge and experience I’ve built up, to not be able to use that.”
There are no guarantees on next steps from Milner, who wants to focus on the present. But incredibly, his career could yet be charged with some footballing firsts.
A win over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday would send Vincent Kompany’s Bayern Munich 11 points clear of their opponents and all but seal back-to-back Bundesliga titles for the Belgian coach.
While the football is his focus, Kompany’s powerful, forthright and eloquent monologue on racism and victim-blaming last week struck a chord beyond the game.
The 39-year-old condemned Benfica coach Jose Mourinho for his suggestion that the alleged racist abuse by Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni that compelled Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. to walk off the pitch was provoked by Vinicius’s celebration of a goal. Kompany then went on to share his own experiences of racist abuse as both player and coach.
“I go to Club Brugge [while coaching Belgian side Anderlecht in 2021]. And I played for the national team; I was the captain for the national team. Me, my staff, we get called brown monkeys and so on. And after I complain, I see how all these politics happen again to kill the story. So, no consequences, no nothing. And I have a voice. What do you think for the people without a voice?”
Kompany’s upbringing in Brussels and his father’s influence
Kompany’s decision to use that voice to speak out has its roots in his parents and upbringing.
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“I come from Brussels, and we speak so many different languages. Just in Brussels alone, you could be speaking French, Dutch, maybe a little bit of Arabic or Lingala from Congo, Italian, Spanish, it’s all mixed,” he told UEFA.com in 2024. “And you find that unless you communicate with people, nobody will do what you want them to do, and that’s a big part of what we learn. I take it with me when I communicate with the group [of players].”
While a multicultural city helped Kompany develop his sense of social justice and awareness of discrimination, such notions also come from his father.
“Where I come from is my dad,” he once said. “His experiences give me strength.”
Vincent Kompany won 89 caps for Belgium, finishing third at the 2018 World CupImage: Reuters/T. Hanai
Pierre Kompany fled what was then the Belgian Congo (now DR Congo) in 1975 as a political refugee after serving 13 months in jail for his involvement in a student protest against the ruling regime. He was elected to the Brussels parliament in 2014 and became the country’s first Black mayor four years later.
Racism a part of Kompany’s childhood
As a young man, Pierre married Vincent’s mother, Jocelyne, a white Belgian who died in 2008, something that shaped his own politics.
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“My dad wasn’t accepted in the family at the beginning,” explained Vincent in a 2019 Guardian interview. “My mother comes from the most rural village you can imagine and when she arrived, in the 70s, with my dad, straight from Africa, it was a shock. It was ignorance. My dad always ended up being accepted because of his personality. It was normal for us to go to youth tournaments and be called monkeys; parents shouting it. That would nearly cause a fist fight with my mother. We were taught to be stronger.”
That family trait of standing up for their rights and beliefs is something that has been a feature of Kompany’s career. After leaving Belgian giants Anderlecht for a two-year spell as a player in Hamburg, he became the on-field leader of a routinely successful Manchester City side, winning four Premier League titles. Kompany gained admirers both within and outside City, before returning to Anderlecht to take his first steps in coaching.
Kompany’s coaching rise with help from his friends
His upbringing is even reflected in his choice of coaching staff. Childhood friend, Rodyse Munienge, is on the staff at Bayern. Floribert N’Galula, who also came through Anderlecht’s academy and played professionally in Belgium, has followed Kompany to Anderlecht, Burnley and is now with him at Bayern Munich.
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Kompany was not Bayern’s first choice for the coaching role in 2024, having overseen Burnley’s relegation from the Premier League but has been a success so far. Bayern have lost just three league games since the start of last season and are on course for a league and cup double with a first Champions League title — the only thing that appears to offer any Bayern coach more job security — since 2020 very much a possibility.
After Vinicius and his teammates got the better of Benfica in their Champions League playoff on Wednesday, Real Madrid could meet Bayern at the quarterfinal stage. Among the hype such a fixture would produce would be two men, in Kompany and Vinicius, prepared to make a stand against racism regardless of the personal cost.
Will Jacks and Rehan Ahmed starred as England defied a sluggish pitch to lay down a marker for the semi-finals of the T20 World Cup following an unlikely four-wicket win over New Zealand.
Already guaranteed a top-two spot in their Super 8 group following wins over Sri Lanka and Pakistan in Pallekele, England were staring defeat in the face as they required 42 from the last 17 balls.
On a Colombo surface where run-scoring was difficult, man of the moment Jacks and the recalled Rehan, both of whom took two wickets apiece in New Zealand’s 159 for seven, went in full-on attack mode with an astonishing unbroken 44-run stand in 16 deliveries.
The pair each took sixes in a Glenn Phillips over which yielded 21, while New Zealand captain Mitch Santner leaked 16, before Jacks hit the winning runs off Matt Henry to get England home with three balls to spare.
Unified world cruiserweight champion Ramirez will face Benavidez on May 2, defending his WBO and WBA titles at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.
Since suffering his only professional blemish, a points loss to Dmitry Bivol in 2022, Ramirez has firmly cemented himself as an elite operator at 200lbs.
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Consecutive victories over Arsen Goulamirian and Chris Billam-Smith saw him topple two world champions in 2024, before defending his titles via another unanimous decision, this time against Yuniel Dorticos, in June 2025.
Benavidez, meanwhile, secured two-division world title status last year after being upgraded from ‘interim’ to full WBC light-heavyweight, with Bivol having relinquished his belt.
The 29-year-old then made a maiden defence of his crown in November, stopping Anthony Yarde in round seven, which led to him negotiating a cruiserweight clash with Ramirez.
During his time as the WBC ‘interim’ champion at 168lbs, many felt that Canelo, the then-super-middleweight king, was avoiding a mandatory title defence against Benavidez.
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But while we can only imagine how a matchup between Alvarez and Benavidez would unfold, Ramirez has kindly offered an insight into his sparring sessions with the both of them.
Speaking with Fight Hub TV, the 34-year-old hinted at the power being more apparent with Canelo than it was with his next opponent.
“[The sparring was] way different because Canelo is short and, at that time, I was [at] 168[lbs]. I was super skinny.
“Then I moved up [in weight] and moved to the US, and I started sparring with David and different guys – bigger guys.
“Canelo – he’s good. He has power; he has a lot of faints; he moves really well. And Benavidez, he presses you all the time; you don’t have time to breathe. You have to just keep going. And [Benavidez] likes to be [on the] inside.”
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Ramirez shared rounds with Canelo during his reign as the WBO super-middleweight champion, while the Benavidez sparring seemingly came following his brief excursion to 175lbs.
On Sep 14, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) took the field before kickoff against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. The highly anticipated matchup marked another chance for the young passer to display poise and growth under center as fans filled the stadium with anticipation. McCarthy’s entrance reflected the energy and optimism surrounding Minnesota’s evolving offensive identity. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
If memory serves, the wizards at Hogwarts were hesitant to utter the name of Voldemort. Is there a similar dynamic at play with those around the Vikings and the words Super Bowl?
If so, then nobody told the Vikings’ fill-in GM.
Rob Brzezinski has been an executive in Minnesota for a long time. Several decades, in fact. The assignment has most commonly been to function as a numbers nerd, working the books behind the scenes to make the money work. After the decision to fire Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, the Vikings needed a temporary top decision maker, leading to Brzezinski getting his bump up. He isn’t shy about what he’s chasing.
The conversation moves through different topics before Brzezinski is asked about whether Minnesota’s roster is that of a championship team. He was fairly political and evasive before declaring, “Just want to be a small part of delivering that Lombardi to our very, very special fans.”
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold (14) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi trophy on the podium after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Note that the Lombardi quip gets shoehorned into the end of the interview. He does so while connecting the feat to fans, perhaps suggesting that this is merely a throw-away comment that plays well with the crowd but isn’t particularly sincere.
Fast forward through the NFL Combine a bit further.
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Interviewers Paul Allen and Pete Bercich get to chat with Rob Brzezinski. Check out what he says less than five minutes into the interview: “I just want to be a small part of helping deliver a championship to our fans. They’ve been waiting a really, really long time and it’s going to mean so much to them when it finally does happen. And it will.”
Toward the end of the same interview, Brzezinski reflects on his desire for his legacy with the franchise: “I want to be a small part of delivering a championship to our fans. I just try to envision what that would look like. I can see it.”
“I just want to be a small part of finally delivering that Lombardi,” Brzezinski concludes.
Feb 8, 2026; Santa Clara, CA, USA; Seattle Seahawks head coach Mike MacDonald and Seattle Seahawks running back Kenneth Walker III (9) hoist the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Rob Brzezinski doesn’t lack for ambition. The charming part is that he tethers that massive ambition — winning it all — to a personal humility, commonly describing his part as “just” a tiny portion of the overall effort. A lot of the time, quotes on the page don’t convey tone very well, so do note that his words are that of someone who comes across as being sincere in his passion.
Currently, the Vikings appear pretty far off from winning it all. The 2025 season finished off at 9-8 but was on the brink of fully unravelling due to a 4-8 record toward the end of the year. The outlook was grim before the year ended with a five-game winning streak.
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Most concerning has been the QB play. Somehow, the position needs to experience massive improvement. The strategy is going to involve bringing in enhanced competition (as the Vikings’ fill-in GM has acknowledged). A trade is an option. So is a free agent signing. What can’t be missed is that the Vikings actually need a pair of things to occur at quarterback: a higher floor and ceiling. Quite possibly, that means adding two quarterbacks.
Rob Brzezinski will then need to see the roster stay healthier. So, too, will several players need bounce back seasons. Jonathan Greenard being a pass rushing terror, Byron Murphy a turnover machine, and Justin Jefferson a weekly 100-yard receiver is what’s required (alongside plenty of other developments).
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell during the first half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Rob Brzezinski has plenty of work ahead of him. He has promised to be thorough and to make wise decisions. Do well enough and maybe the dream of a Lombardi is no longer a dream before too long.
Man Utd U18s have reached the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup, which will be played at Old Trafford next month.
Manchester United Under-18s will play Sunderland at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday, March 18, with a kick-off time of 7pm. The U18s’ league fixture against Sunderland which had been scheduled for Saturday, March 13, will be re-arranged.
Darren Fletcher’s side progressed to the quarter-finals thanks to a 4-1 win against Oxford City earlier this month. JJ Gabriel, Albert Mills, Chido Obi and Noah Ajayi were on the scoresheet that night.
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Gabriel’s performances have made headlines this season. The youngster is the top goalscorer in the U18 league, despite playing years above his age group, and has netted 16 goals in all competitions.
The 15-year-old has already trained with the first team on several occasions and has been tipped for a bright future. “JJ is a fantastic talent. I’ve enjoyed working with him immensely, getting to know him,” said Fletcher when he was asked about Gabriel in December.
“He’s a young lad with a massive sort of hype, you know there’s a lot of noise around him and deservedly so because he’s a real talented kid. He works hard. First thing I’d say is he loves football.
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“He loves training, he loves playing, he loves having the ball, he loves expressing himself. He makes fantastic decisions. He’s just got an enthusiasm for the game that’s just amazing.
“15-year-old, a bright future ahead of him. I’m super excited by his talent, but the most important thing is that he keeps developing, and he’s in the U18 team, and he’s doing fantastically well, but he’s still got lots to learn.”
Obi has dropped down to play for the U18s in the Youth Cup. The 18-year-old made seven first-team appearances last season, but Fletcher has involved him in the Youth Cup this term. The U18s reached the semi-finals of the Youth Cup last season, losing to eventual winners Aston Villa.
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Out of nowhere, the New York Jets and Tennessee Titans finagled a rare player-for-player trade on Thursday, and the backhanded fallout suggests Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips could end up back in Minnesota, at least according to budding fan sentiment.
If Phillips becomes the odd man out, Minnesota would know exactly what it’s getting: sturdy run defense and leadership.
Phillips played for the Vikings for three seasons before former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah unceremoniously traded him to New York last summer.
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Johnson-Sweat Trade Fallout Could Push Phillips Loose
Bring him home, they say.
New York Jets defensive tackle Harrison Phillips (97) stands on the field during pregame warmups Sep 14, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey before facing the Buffalo Bills. Phillips continues to provide interior strength and veteran leadership along the defensive line after departing Minnesota in a late-summer trade. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Jets, Titans Swap Defensive Linemen
It’s a DT to New York and a DE to Tennessee.
NFL.com’s Kevin Patra wrote Thursday, “We have a rare February trade agreement. The New York Jets are trading pass rusher Jermaine Johnson II to the Tennessee Titans in exchange for nose tackle T’Vondre Sweat, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported Thursday, per sources informed of the deal. The trade can’t be consummated until the new league year opens on March 11.”
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“The trade reunites Johnson with new Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who was in New York when the Jets used a first-round pick on the edge rusher in 2022. Johnson had a roller-coaster four seasons in New York, generating 13.0 total sacks. He earned a Pro Bowl nod under Saleh in 2023, earning 7.5 sacks, but a 2024 injury wiped out all but two tilts, and he never seemed right last season.”
The deal caught Titans fans off guard because Sweat fired up a phenomenal 2025 campaign. Most didn’t think he was for sale.
Harrison Phillips as the Odd Man Out?
If one believes Jets-themed media, the Sweat trade has put Phillips on notice. He could be released in the wake of the deal.
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The Jet Press‘sMike Luciano wrote, “The Jets may cut Harrison Phillips after T’Vondre Sweat acquisition. Bringing in a player like Sweat could mean that some of the other defensive linemen on the team could see their roles change in a significant way.”
“Veteran Harrison Phillips put together a robust season for the Jets, but adding Sweat may push him out of a starting role. Phillips was a quality run stuffer last year, which is exactly what the Jets acquired him from the Minnesota Vikings to do.”
New York would incur no dead cap penalty for dropping Phillips; it would save $7.5 million. His contract’s guaranteed money ran out in 2025.
Luciano continued, “Phillips was an exemplary leader, so much so that it should not surprise anyone if he earns a captain patch, should he remain on the roster. However, Phillips has next to no upside as a pass rusher, and his skills in run defense were ultimately overshadowed by the fact that he was unable to trouble opposing quarterbacks at all.”
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“Sweat may not be John Randle as a pass rusher, but he can be disruptive on the interior.”
The Head-Scratcher Adofo-Mensah Trade
The Vikings’ decision to trade Phillips to the Jets last August — along with a 7th-round pick in exchange for two 6th-rounders — immediately puzzled many. Phillips, a team captain and a reliable defensive lineman, was highly respected within the organization.
Although the Vikings finished third in the NFL in EPA per play on defense, Phillips’ run-stopping prowess was noticeably missed at times during the 2025 season. Furthermore, the two additional 6th-round picks acquired in the trade rarely yield impactful players.
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Tennessee Titans defensive tackle T’Vondre Sweat (93) jogs onto the field before kickoff Nov 3, 2024 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee ahead of a matchup with the New England Patriots. Sweat’s size and run-stopping ability have helped anchor Tennessee’s interior defensive front as he develops into a larger role. Mandatory Credit: Denny Simmons-Imagn Images.
During his tenure in Minnesota, Phillips established himself as a tone-setting and dependable defensive tackle. He consistently performed well at a position that had often been a weak point, providing much-needed stability to the interior defensive line.
Off the field, Phillips was deeply involved in the community. Over 51 games with the Vikings, the 29-year-old amassed 207 tackles, 17 quarterback hits, and 6.5 sacks, solidifying his role as a respected voice in the locker room.
He’s one of the good guys.
Would Phillips Want to Return?
Vikings fans rushed to social media regarding the Johnson-Sweat trade, spitballing that Phillips would be cut as a byproduct and that a reunion in Minnesota would make sense. On paper, that idea seems great — making right a trade that didn’t add up in the first place.
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But would Phillips really want to rejoin the club that kicked him out less than a year ago? Is it enough to tell him that Adof0-Mensah was fired and all is well?
New York Jets linebacker Jermaine Johnson (11) celebrates after a defensive stop Oct 19, 2025 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey during first-quarter action against the Carolina Panthers. Johnson’s pass-rushing presence has helped energize the Jets’ defense as he continues expanding his role along the edge. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images.
Just because Phillips may be a free agent soon doesn’t mean he’ll want to reunite with the team that treated him disloyally.
The United States came away with 33 total medals at the 2026 Milan Cortina Games, and many came from the female athletes who showed out in Italy this month.
There were 17 medals won by the U.S. female athletes, including eight of the 12 gold medals.
As many Americans enjoyed watching the events at home, LPGA Tour legend Michelle Wie West was in Milan watching the U.S. reach the podium in several events.
Michelle Wie attends Netflix’s “Happy Gilmore 2” New York Premiere at Jazz at Lincoln Center on July 21, 2025, in New York City. (Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images)
“I had the honor to be in Milan with Nike and got to see some Winter Olympic Games for the first time in person. It’s amazing to see all these competitors,” she told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “Got to see [silver medalist] Chloe [Kim] do her halfpipe, and that was incredible.
“Women’s hockey, I mean, incredible. I got to go to the first game, and it was just lights out.”
From Mia Manganello in speed skating, to Alysa Liu’s captivating gold medal in figure skating, Wie West admitted the Olympics made her a bit emotional seeing the athletes achieve their dreams.
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“This whole Winter Olympics season has been so — I think every Olympic season is so uplifting,” she said. “But this one in particular was so inspiring, and it feels like the female athletes really knocked it out of the park.
“I feel like every Olympics gets me really emotional. I can see athletes achieve their dreams and it’s so cool. It was really cool to see it in person.”
Gold medalist Alysa Liu of Team United States poses for a photo during the medal ceremony for the Women’s Single Skating on day thirteen of the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games at Milano Ice Skating Arena on Feb. 19, 2026 in Milan, Italy. (Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Wie West also added that Lindsey Vonn’s “heartbreaking” crash, after competing through a torn ACL, was hard to see. However, “seeing her journey up until that moment and even afterwards has been so inspiring to me.”
Breanna Stewart, a three-time gold medalist with Team USA women’s basketball, shared Wie West’s sentiments about seeing American success overseas.
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“I think there were so many events I really learned a lot about, whether it was bobsledding, or curling, or watching hockey,” she said. “Just wanting to cheer on the USA in whatever event they were doing, and see the pride and passion the athletes were having whenever they stepped up to compete with their sport.”
LPGA player Michelle Wie West plays her shot from the 14th tee during the Golden Bear Pro-Am prior to the Memorial Tournament presented by Workday 2025 at Muirfield Village Golf Club on May 28, 2025, in Dublin, Ohio.(Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Stewart even mentioned getting “goosebumps” thinking about what it feels like getting a medal around your neck, and better yet, seeing the flag raise with the national anthem playing.
“It’s really just satisfaction and justification of why you’re doing it and why you’ve gone through those hard moments and times,” she explained. “To me, the Olympics is the highest of the high. You’re playing your sport at the highest level against everyone else in the world, and you see that. It’s just a goosebump feeling no matter how many times you do it. Just the pride and knowing you’re representing something bigger than yourself always comes through full circle.”
The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has clarified that goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo has not yet completed his international switch to represent the Super Eagles.
Reports in recent days suggested that the former Arsenal player had been cleared to play for Nigeria, but senior NFF officials say the process is still ongoing and has not been officially approved by FIFA, the world football governing body.
Okonkwo, who currently plays for Wrexham AFC, has previously represented England at youth level. FIFA’s formal clearance is required before he can appear in competitive matches for Nigeria.
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NFF Head of International Competitions, Dayo Enebi, confirmed the situation to Footy Africa: “The process is still ongoing and has not been completed yet. Okonkwo is one we are looking at, but as of today, his international switch has not been concluded.”
Enebi added that Okonkwo is among several players under consideration as the coaching staff evaluate areas of the squad that may need strengthening.
While he remains ineligible for official fixtures until FIFA approval is granted, Okonkwo could still be invited to join the national team for training ahead of upcoming tournaments in Amman. Enebi explained that such camps provide an opportunity for potential players to integrate with the squad even if administrative matters are still being finalised.
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Okonkwo, 24, has been in excellent form this season, featuring in 35 matches across the English Championship (31), FA Cup (2) and EFL Cup (2).
This development keeps Nigerian fans hopeful about adding another promising goalkeeper to the Super Eagles’ roster once all formalities are completed.
Anthony Richardson Sr.’s future in Indianapolis faces more uncertainty than ever.
The Indianapolis Colts granted Anthony Richardson, the team that used the fourth overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft on the quarterback, permission to explore a trade. His agent, Deiric Jackson, confirmed the latest development in the 23-year-old’s tumultuous career to ESPN on Thursday.
Veteran quarterback Daniel Jones beat out Richardson in a preseason competition for the starting job. Jones made the most of another opportunity as an NFL starter, helping the Colts win eight of their first 10 games of the 2025 regular season.
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson heads off the field after an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2024 in Denver, Colorado.(AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
However, his season was ultimately derailed by an Achilles injury. The setback came two years after he tore an ACL with the New York Giants. The Colts appear ready to move forward with Jones, clouding Richardson’s future in Indianapolis.
Jones is set to become a free agent in March, meaning the Colts must either use the franchise tag or sign him to a new deal. Richardson has started just 15 games in three seasons with the Colts, his tenure largely shaped by injuries.
A shoulder surgery limited Richardson to four games during his rookie campaign, while a series of setbacks cost him four games in 2024.
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Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) looks for an open receiver during the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.(Troy Taormina/Imagn Images)
Richardson suffered what was described as a “freak pregame incident” during warmups last season, landing him on injured reserve after attempting just two passes in two games in 2025. He has thrown 11 touchdowns against 13 interceptions in his NFL career.
Colts general manager Chris Ballard said Tuesday that the vision problems stemming from Richardson’s orbital fracture last October are “trending in the right direction.” He added that Richardson has been “cleared to play.”
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson (5) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.(Brad Penner/Imagn Images)
Riley Leonard, a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, is expected to return to the Colts next season.
