Manchester United have been repeatedly linked with a sensational summer transfer swoop for Chelsea star Cole Palmer
Sam Allardyce belives Chelsea will sell Cole Palmer to Manchester United ‘for the right price’ amid ongoing speculation linking the England international with a move to his boyhood club.
The Blues’ playmaker is understood to be a United fan, despite coming through the youth ranks at Manchester City before his move to Stamford Bridge.
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Reports earlier this year claimed Palmer would be keen on a return to Manchester, being closer to home in Wythenshawe, though Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has stressed the 23-year-old is happy at the club.
However, that hasn’t stopped speculation linking the Chelsea star with a move to Old Trafford and Allardyce believes the Blues are always looking to make a profit in what would be a huge signing for United.
Speaking to the No Tippy Tappy podcast, Allardyce said: “Chelsea will always sell at the right price, so it’s whether Manchester United have the money that they’d want for him Cole Palmer.
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“It would be a big signing for United. He’s only 23-years-old, so they’d get a good seven or eight years from him, maybe more if he looks after himself.
“He’s a particular talent who shone from day one at Chelsea. There has been a bit of a lull because of his injuries, but he’ll get back to the level he was at sooner rather than later.
“He’s a tremendous talent, but I do think Chelsea are always in a position to make profit off a player.”
Rosenior attempted to shut down transfer talk linking Palmer with a Chelsea exit, claiming a move to United was unrealistic and said there was nothing in it.
He said: “There’s no reason for assurance. It’s so unrealistic. It’s come from nowhere. There’s nothing in it. There’s no reason to have the conversation. That’s where I’m at.
“Cole is very happy. I’ve had numerous conversations with him. Our thoughts are on how we can make this team better, how he can improve and how I can help him.
“He loves being here and he wants to be a Chelsea player. You can’t stop speculation, but some speculation is so far from the truth. There’s no point in having a discussion about it.”
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Wolves boss Rob Edwards understands the significance of his side moving past Derby’s record-low Premier League points tally after a 2-0 win over Aston Villa at Molineux.
It had looked for much of the season that Wolves would struggle to match the meagre 11 points the Rams posted in the 2007/08 season.
But second-half goals from Joao Gomes and Rodrigo Gomes gave them just a second win in 29 games, which takes them to 13 and beyond the possible notoriety of being the worst-ever Premier League team.
Asked if it means a lot to lose that tag, he said: “It does. It’s not something I’ve been focusing on, but being aware of it.
“Of course, I know it means a lot to the supporters. You don’t want that tag. Clearly we don’t. No one wants that.
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“That’s just obvious. But it’s not something that’s been weighing me down or I’ve been thinking about too much, but if that releases a little bit more tension or whatever, and helps you more, then great.
“I know it’s important to the supporters. I know it’s important to the football club. It’s not something that I’ve been really focusing on or talking about too much all of the time.”
Wolves opened the scoring with their first shot on target when Joao Gomes thrashed home but Rodrigo Gomes’ last-gasp second sparked mass scenes of celebration, with Edwards sprinting down the touchline.
Edwards added: “At the end, that was incredible. It was a special moment in a really difficult season. It’s nice to be able to show some emotion and build that connection that we’re desperate to do that.
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“That’s why I came here. Nights like that. Really special moments and that’s a moment that will live with me forever.”
Villa boss Unai Emery did not enjoy it as much and stormed straight down the tunnel when the second goal went in and was not around to shake Edwards’ hand at full-time.
Edwards added: “I get it. The two games that we have won in the league this year, both managers have disappeared.
“I think everyone expects just to turn up and win, which is understandable the way the season’s gone. So two guys have not been that happy.”
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Emery was not happy with what he saw from his side after a dire performance, which saw their Champions League qualification hopes suffer a blow.
They have now won just one of their last five games and are now looking over their shoulders at the chasing pack.
But Emery called for perspective.
He said: “Of course, it’s getting balance. We are doing a great season, a great season, and this is the moment I want to tell our supporters, now we need the supporters.
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“We need the energy, we are grateful for them being with us, but again playing in Villa Park on Wednesday, we need again their help, and we need to be together.
“The players, coaches, supporters, everybody, because the season is being fantastic, and we can remind ourselves now how we were in in September, how we are now.
“Maybe now we are a little worse than two months ago. We are losing the opportunity to compete for the title in the Premier League, two months ago you were asking about it.
“Some supporters maybe they were dreaming it. Now we are not with the possibility to fight for the Premier League, some can feel frustrated, even myself because I have my dreams.”
Speaking to Betway, the ex-City manager said: “When you look at all football clubs around the world and look at how stable certain clubs are, Manchester City are one of the most stable of the lot. With the manager, you don’t see the owners clamouring for headlines.
“But it’s going to be a big, big ask to replace him when he leaves. Whether you look at a like-for-like replacement potentially, they’ve got feeder clubs around the world, but have they got managers around the world that might come in from their other clubs?
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“That might be something going forward. A total change of style might set them back slightly. Can you replicate what he’s achieved already? It’s been absolutely incredible.
“Obviously, I was at City prior to the wealth and the riches arriving. So you can see the impact he’s had. I would try and hang on to him as long as humanly possible.
“There’s been talk over the last few years about him packing it in. Personally, if I was City, I would just keep him there – you might even want to keep him there as a director of football afterwards.”
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In a recent interview, Haaland appeared to suggest he and his City team-mates are bracing themselves for Guardiola to depart the club in the near future. The Norwegian goal machine said: “When I talk about good people around me, it’s not just my friends but the people at the club.
“I’m lucky to be at a club with so many good people, and with Pep, who pushes us every single day. I’m lucky to have worked with Pep for three-and-a-half years.
“It’s been an amazing time, as we all know, and no matter what happens in the future, we still need to keep pushing. I need to keep pushing myself and others around me to get better.”
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the 2025/26 season, saving £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
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Sky shows at least 215 live Premier League games each season, an increase of up to 100, plus Formula 1, darts, golf and more.
USA Rugby, the nation’s governing body for the sport of rugby, announced Friday it will be introducing a new “open” gender division to accommodate trans athletes.
The new rule comes more than a year after President Donald Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order and nearly seven months after the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee’s (USOPC) new requirement for all governing bodies to comply with it.
“USA Rugby will now have three competition categories; Men’s Division, Women’s Division and Open Division. The Open Division will permit any athlete, regardless of gender assigned at birth and gender identity, to compete in USA Rugby-sanctioned events, whether full contact or non-contact,” the organization said in a statement.
Cassidy Bargell of the United States passes the ball during a women’s rugby World Cup 2025 match against Samoa at LNER Community Stadium in Monks Cross, York, Sept. 6, 2025.(Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto)
The organization’s policy also seemingly allows any hopeful competitors to simply select their gender when registering, with potential vetting by officials.
“Division status will be determined during the membership application and registration process, when an athlete selects the ‘gender’ option in Rugby Xplorer. When applying for membership or registering as ‘Female’ or registering for an event in the Women’s Division, an athlete represents and warrants to USA Rugby that they are Female.”
“This representation creates a rebuttable presumption that the individual’s sex identified at birth was female,” the organization’s member policy states.
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Gabriella Cantorna, Ilona Maher and Emily Henrich of the U.S. before a women’s rugby World Cup 2025 match against Samoa at York Community Stadium Sept. 6, 2025, in York, England. (Molly Darlington/World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images)
“The determination of whether an individual is Female may be established through records from authoritative sources. Only USA Rugby shall have the right to contest the individual’s Women’s Division status or challenge the presumption of an athlete registered as ‘Female.’”
In July, the USOPC updated its athlete safety policy to indicate compliance with Trump’s “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports” executive order.
However, Trump has also pushed for mandatory genetic testing of athletes to protect the women’s category at the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics amid concerns over forged birth certificates allowing biological males to gain access to women’s sports.
The USA Rugby goal line flag before a match between the United States and Scotland at Audi Field July 12, 2024, in Washington, D.C.(Scott Taetsch/Getty Images for Scottish Rugby)
USOPC Chief Medical Officer Jonathan Finnoff said at the USOPC media summit in October the SRY gene tests being used by World Athletics and World Boxing are “not common” in the U.S. but suggested the USOPC is exploring options to employ sex testing options for its own teams and that he expects other world governing bodies to “follow suit.”
“It’s not necessarily very common to get this specific test in the United States, and, so, our goal in that was helping to identify labs and options for the athletes to be able to get that testing. And (it was) based on that experience and knowing that some other international federations likely will be following suit,” Finnoff said.
Jackson Thompson is a sports reporter for Fox News Digital covering critical political and cultural issues in sports, with an investigative lens. Jackson’s reporting has been cited in federal government actions related to the enforcement of Title IX, and in legacy media outlets including The New York Times, The Los Angeles Times, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Associated Press and ESPN.com.
After a stellar Olympic debut with five goals and five assists in just six games as a 19-year-old, it’s safe to say Macklin Celebrini will probably be among those representing Canada in the French Alps in 2030.
However, the end goal for Celebrini and Team Canada fell short after they lost to the U.S.A in the gold-medal game 2-1 in overtime.
Macklin Celebrini’s father, Rick, who’s the director of sports medicine for the Golden State Warriors, believes the gut-wrenching loss will add extra motivation to take home gold in four years.
“He was inconsolable after the game, he was upset, he was upset at himself, he was upset at the results,” said Rick Celebrini at a Warriors press conference on Friday.” I think that, with a lot of athletes, it’s fuel, and I really do think it’s a motivator for him. I’m sure it’s a long way to be thinking about it, but four years from now that will be part of additional motivation to prepare, to be ready and to hopefully influence a different outcome.”
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Macklin Celebrini wowed all hockey fans on the international stage with his performance in the tournament, earning a nod to the Olympic all-star team and finishing second among all players in scoring behind teammate Connor McDavid and his record 13 points.
His play in the gold-medal game was exceptional, too, with him logging six shots on net.
But while the gold medal is missing from the trophy case, Celebrini’s father thinks he should be happy with the effort the Canadians put in.
“He was almost competitive to a fault and probably loses perspective in the moment, but I think at this point he can look back and be proud of his team and himself and to say that they put their best foot forward and played their butts off and lost to a better team that day,” said Rick Celebrini.
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The Olympic stage is not the only place Macklin Celebrini has been dominating, as the young phenom has his San Jose Sharks just five points out of a playoff spot in the Western Conference on the back of his fourth-most 81 points.
Welcome to Fully Equipped’s weekly Tour equipment report. Every Friday of PGA Tour weeks (plus other times, if news warrants), GOLF equipment editor Jack Hirsh runs you through some of the biggest news surrounding golf clubs on Tour, including changes, tweaks and launches.
As the PGA Tour’s Florida Swing kicked off at PGA National, many of the game’s top pros were taking a week off before next week’s Arnold Palmer Invitational. But that didn’t stop companies from bombarding us with putter prototypes.
If you’re a fan of low-torque (also known as zero-torque) putters, this week was sure to get you excited.
First up is the Tour launch of the new L.A.B. Link 2.1 and 2.2, the next generation of the Link 1, currently L.A.B.’s only blade in their matrix.
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The 2.1 is a more traditional modern blade shape, while the 2.2 is a shorter heel-to-toe wide-body blade. But the interesting thing is that both putters have L.A.B.’s new HS riser hosel introduced on the OZ.1i HS last summer.
Additionally, they have a new deep-flymilled face. I would be super interested in this, as all the L.A.B. faces thus far have been either too soft or too firm for me.
But L.A.B. wasn’t the only company offering up new heel-shafted, low-torque options. Bettinardi launched a few new “Hexpiramental” Prototypes at the Cogninzant Classic, and each appeared to have a new low-torque hosel from the company.
Bettinardi currently has four shapes in its Antidote low-torque line, and all are center-shafted. But it seems like the company has come up with a new hosel that looks more like a traditional long plumber’s neck, but with the shaft oriented toward the center of the putter.
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Like I said, these new Bettinardi Hexperimentals low-torque protos really have my attention.
It seems like a very similar concept to L.A.B.’s riser hosel or Odyssey’s S2S Tri-Hot SB that Max Greyserman is using, where the axis point of the shaft is raised so it aligns with the CG of the putter to give it toe-up properties.
Bettinardi’s take on it looks about as traditional as an attempt as we’ve seen yet.
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So far, we’ve seen only two shapes: a high-toe wide-body blade SS9 and a new mid-mallet option similar to an Odyssey Jailbird or Scotty Cameron Fastback with a window in the back.
But it also looks like there are tons of options for face milling already, with photos showing Bettinardi’s new VFT milling pattern and the FIT face currently on their Antidote line.
Lastly, Scotty Cameron also unveiled a new prototype to pros this week with a new T12 mallet.
We don’t know much about this one, and you’ll have to check out the photos on GolfWRX for yourself, but we’ll address the elephant in the room and acknowledge it’s pretty clear what kind of look and performance Cameron is going after here. But before anyone starts throwing accusations around, know that pretty much every OEM has putters and tech that look exactly like another’s. People like what does well, so there’s no sense in trying to make things that are radically different from what is working.
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What’s interesting here is that the last time we saw a Scotty “12” mallet in the Phantom X line, it too had gaps between the wings and the center of the putter. But that putter seemed larger and more focused on delivering ultra-high MOI.
We have no idea when this could be coming out because we still haven’t heard any details about the T3 mallets (the one Ryan Gerard is gaming) that have been out since last summer! I wouldn’t expect anything soon, as the T12 we saw on GolfWRX doesn’t appear to have the new SCS insert or chain-link face milling that the rest of the 2026 Phantom line has.
Two works of art go into play
Chris Kirk also added this gorgeous new Odyssey Prototype Damascus Milled #7 Single Bend.
Seeing a Damascus steel putter on the PGA Tour is pretty rare, but they usually produce a pretty soft feel, not unlike carbon steel since it’s usually based on that.
While all those new prototypes look awesome, the only new prototype putters that actually went into play this week were two Odyssey Damascus Milled No. 7s.
Yes, you read that right! Damascus!
Damascus steel is one of those materials that’s typically used in high-end boutique putters to give them a one-of-one look. The material is usually based on carbon steel and then welded, folded or forged together to create a unique look only that piece has.
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It’s more considered art than a piece of performance material, but both Chris Kirk and Kevin Yu put the new Odyssey Damascus wands in the bag this week at the Cognizant. Kirk played a single-bend version, while Yu had one with a Crank Hosel.
Check this out
This section is dedicated to cool photos we’ve snapped recently on Tour, but haven’t had a reason to share yet. For this week, check out Joel Dahmen’s Ping Anser hybrid, still kicking in his bag more than 14 years after its release.
Joel Dahmen’s Anser hybrid might never leave the bag.
Jack Hirsh/GOLF
Odds and Ends
Some other gear changes and notes we’re tracking this week.
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Keith Mitchell added a new Scotty Cameron Kombi S (yes, new!) after testing against an original Kombi he brought from home … Matthieu Pavon has a Scottsdale Tec Ketsch Onset, the same platform as Tony Finau’s new wand and in the same configuration, just with a different headshape … Emiliano Grillo added a TaylorMade Qi4D 3-wood and TaylorMade led the fairway count with 84 … Danny Walker and Hoatong Li both added the TaylorMade R7 Quad Mini driver … Chandler Phillips added a 10.5 Qi4D driver, the 16th Qi4D driver in play this week and 17th TaylorMade driver … Brandt Snedeker, Davis Thompson and Li all got Spidered this week … Brooks Koepka is still in a Spider Tour X L-Neck, but has reportedly switched to a Titleist Pro V1x golf ball … Alejandro Totsti added a 25˚ Qi4D Rescue… Garrick Higgo added a split set of TaylorMade P7CB (4-5) and P7MB (6-PW) irons … Chris Kirk and Rasmus Hojgaard both moved into the Quantum TD Max driver.
3 things you should read/watch
A selection of GOLF content from the past week that may interest you.
Tony Finau’s new putter isn’t his only equipment tweak | Bag Spy – Take a deep dive into the bag of Tony Finau, who has made a few more tweaks than normal this season, including a brand new Ping prototype Scottsdale Tec putter.
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PING G440 LST Custom Driver
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60x Carbon Twist Face™ is a technological cornerstone that provides weight savings, incredible ball speed and more consistency vs. a titanium face.
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4° loft sleeve can be used to adjust loft, lie and face angle for optimized flight.
TOUR PROVEN TECHNOLOGIES
New and improved cut-through Speed Pocket™ protects ball speed and reduces spin on low-face strikes.
Advanced CAD modeling creates a design with a clean and powerful sound, a foundation of TaylorMade driver performance.
Multi-Material Construction allows engineers to strategically place mass in areas of the head where it maximizes performance, speed, and stability.
Bryson DeChambeau and LA Golf have split. Here’s why it didn’t work out – GOLF’s Michael Bamberger looks into where things went sour between one of the most marketable stars and one of the trendiest equipment companies.
The third round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches gets underway Saturday, February 28, at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., a little earlier than usual, thanks to some expected inclement weather on Saturday afternoon in South Florida. You can find full Cognizant Classic tee times for Saturday’s third round at the bottom of this post.
Featured tee time for Round 3
Thirty-one-year-old Austin Smotherman only has one career top 5 on his PGA Tour resume — the 2023 Mexico Open at Vidanta — but thanks to an excellent start in Florida, the Southern Methodist alum may be adding to that tally this weekend with something even better: a win.
Smotherman opened with a sizzling round of nine-under 62 on Thursday and followed that performance with a two-under 69 to reach 11 under overall. He now leads the field by three shots heading into the weekend.
Smotherman’s closest competitor is Taylor Moore (-8), followed by A.J. Ewart and Nico Echavarria (both -7), and Joel Dahmen (-6).
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Smotherman will play alongside Moore and Ewart in Saturday’s final grouping at 9:40 a.m. ET.
You can watch Saturday’s third round of the 2026 Cognizant Classic in the Palm Beaches from 10-3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel. PGA Tour Live on ESPN+ will provide exclusive early streaming coverage beginning at 7:45 a.m. ET on Saturday, in addition to featured group and featured hole coverage.
Check out the complete Round 3 tee times and groupings for the Cognizant Classic below.
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.
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2026 Cognizant Classic tee times for Saturday: Round 3 (ET)
Tee No. 1
7:28 a.m. – Zecheng Dou, Matthieu Pavon, Max McGreevy 7:40 a.m. – Mackenzie Hughes, Chan Kim, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen 7:52 a.m. – Ryan Gerard, Brooks Koepka, Ben Silverman 8:04 a.m. – Steven Fisk, Ricky Castillo, Eric Cole 8:16 a.m. – Max Homa, Thorbjorn Olesen, Kevin Streelman 8:28 a.m. – Matti Schmid, Takumi Kanaya, Kevin Roy 8:40 a.m. – Seamus Power, Chad Ramey, Carson Young 8:52 a.m. – William Mouw, Michael Brennan, Daniel Berger 9:04 a.m. – Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry, Jimmy Stanger 9:16 a.m. – Kristoffer Reitan, Pontus Nyholm, Hank Lebioda 9:28 a.m. – Nico Echavarria, Joel Dahmen, Mark Hubbard 9:40 a.m. – Austin Smotherman, Taylor Moore, A.J. Ewart
Tee No. 10
7:28 a.m. – Sudarshan Yellamaraju, Alex Smalley, Danny Walker 7:40 a.m. – Rasmus Hojgaard, Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Dan Brown 7:52 a.m. – John Parry, Austin Eckroat, Beau Hossler 8:04 a.m. – Lee Hodges, Matt Wallace, Keith Mitchell 8:16 a.m. – Davis Thompson, Jackson Suber, Adrien Saddier 8:28 a.m. – Patrick Fishburn, Zach Bauchou, Dylan Wu 8:40 a.m. – Emiliano Grillo, Adam Schenk, Chandler Phillips 8:52 a.m. – Tom Kim, Patton Kizzire, Haotong Li 9:04 a.m. – David Ford, Billy Horschel, Garrick Higgo 9:16 a.m. – Joe Highsmith, Nicolai Hojgaard 9:28 a.m. – Adrien Dumont de Chassart, Jordan Smith
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah surveys the field during pregame warmups Nov 24, 2022 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota before a matchup with the New England Patriots. Adofo-Mensah continues shaping Minnesota’s roster through measured draft decisions and targeted free-agent moves as the franchise builds toward long-term stability. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports..
On January 30th, three and a half weeks after the end of the 2025 regular season, the Minnesota Vikings fired general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah after four seasons. Reasons for his termination ran rampant, but thanks to ESPN’s Peter Schrager, the cause is known: Adofo-Mensah’s quarterback decision-making was not trustworthy for the long haul.
The firing elevates Kevin O’Connell’s influence, and it compresses the timeline to get the quarterback call right.
Executive vice president of football operations Rob Brzezinski now holds the interim general manager title, and fans will merely hope he’s better in the director’s chair. Fans will get a verdict rather soon, as the NFL’s “legal tampering” period of free agency gets cracking in 10 days.
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Schrager’s Explanation Points Back to the Quarterback Bet
Schrager succinctly explains the Vikings’ decision.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah speaks with reporters Feb 25, 2025 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Indiana during the NFL Scouting Combine. Adofo-Mensah discussed roster-building philosophy and draft priorities while evaluating prospects alongside league executives preparing for the upcoming offseason cycle. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Schrager on Kwesi’s Downfall
Speaking to Get Up on ESPN, Schrager explained Adofo-Mensah’s termination: “This was a 14-win team a year ago, and they fired their GM less than 12 months later. And it’s not because of paternity leaves or the relationship with Kevin O’Connell.”
“They fired the GM because he had Sam Darnold, Daniel Jones, and an interested Aaron Rodgers in the building, and he said, ‘No, we’re good with JJ — and Max Brosmer and Carson Wentz are gonna be his backups. They’re not going to make the same mistake twice.”
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It’s also worth noting that Adofo-Mensah had an approximate 15%-20% success rate in the draft, which did not help his cause for long-term employment.
The Working Theory — Explained
These are the Cliff Notes of Schrager’s comments, extrapolated with a little flair from VikingsTerritory:
Kevin O’Connell recommended the Vikings trade up for Drake Maye in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Vikings tried, but the New England Patriots wouldn’t move off the third overall pick. With O’Connell’s blessing, Minnesota then drafted J.J. McCarthy.
After the 2024 campaign, when Sam Darnold delivered 4,319 passing yards and 35 touchdowns, O’Connell urged his boss to re-sign Darnold; Adofo-Mensah didn’t want to spend $33 million per season on a quarterback who played like trash in the two most important games of the season. After all, Adofo-Mensah had drafted McCarthy 11 months prior.
O’Connell also nudged his team to re-sign Daniel Jones, but Jones picked the Indianapolis Colts over the Vikings, knowing he could win the starting job over Anthony Richardson, whereas Minnesota seemed committed to McCarthy.
Then, O’Connell and Aaron Rodgers had talks about a one-year relationship, but Adofo-Mensah never took the bait.
Every step of the way — Maye, Darnold, Jones, and Rodgers — O’Connell came up with the right solution — but was ignored.
That’s what the tea leaves point to — and explain why Adofo-Mensah was fired five days after Darnold helped the Seattle Seahawks win the NFC Championship.
One Chance for O’Connell to Make It Right
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All of that said, O’Connell doesn’t have a clean slate. With Adofo-Mensah’s departure, the pressure on O’Connell to deliver results has intensified. Now wielding greater control over roster decisions, the head coach bears full accountability for the team’s performance, and the quarterback situation demands immediate attention — either a full commitment to McCarthy or the identification of a viable alternative.
Entering his fifth year, still seeking his first playoff victory, the 2026 season looms large for O’Connell. A playoff berth feels essential, and a January win could be crucial for his long-term job security, as few coaches survive beyond Year 5 without demonstrating some level of playoff success.
NFL Network analyst Peter Schrager works on the sideline Dec 17, 2022 at Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, New York before a matchup between the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Schrager regularly contributes league insight and reporting on roster decisions, coaching developments, and offseason movement across the NFL. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
Historically, head coaches rarely outlast the general manager who hired them. Teams that dismiss the GM often move on from the coach shortly thereafter if significant improvement isn’t evident. Recent examples include Tennessee and Carolina, and Miami nearly followed suit before ultimately firing Mike McDaniel.
Minnesota now finds itself in a similar position. A season mired around 6-11 or 7-10, particularly if attributed to a poor quarterback selection, could trigger further organizational changes. Achieving a 9-8 record or better and demonstrating genuine playoff potential likely represents the minimum requirement for stability, especially given ownership’s increased reliance on O’Connell as the primary decision-maker.
Adofo-Mensah Back on His Feet
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As a side note, Adofo-Mensah didn’t wallow in unemployment long. The San Francisco 49ers hired him this week, naming him a “personnel executive.” The club will evidently give him a more suitable job title after the draft.
Minnesota Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah observes practice activities Jul 27, 2022 at TCO Performance Center in Eagan, Minnesota during team preparations. Adofo-Mensah has overseen multiple roster transitions while shaping Minnesota’s long-term direction through draft selections and targeted personnel acquisitions across recent seasons. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Adofo-Mensah’s stock is low, but the job in San Francisco will keep him relevant and perhaps in the mix to reapply for general manager jobs in a few years.
Per the NFLPA Player Report Card, players assigned Adofo-Mensah an ‘A’ grade in 2025 for his general management.
Manchester City and Arsenal have both seen games moved as a result of the Champions League draw
Manchester City and Arsenal may have been kept in separate halves of the Champions League draw, but the frantic March fixture list looks set to throw up a seismic Saturday night showdown involving both clubs.
Pep Guardiola’s side are battling the Gunners for the Premier League title and the two teams will also meet in the Carabao Cup final next month. The pair could yet meet in the Champions League final, while both remain in the FA Cup ahead of a potential meeting in the latter stages of that competition.
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It means the next few weeks and months will be crucial for both clubs, with both still hunting an unprecedented quadruple. And amid all the key dates, another looks to be looming with a fixture quirk plunging both sides into Saturday night action on March 14.
City face West Ham that day in the capital with the game selected for TNT Sports coverage and handed a 12.30pm kick off slot. But that was under the proviso that the Blues were not away from home in the Champions League on the Wednesday before. UEFA have now confirmed the dates for the last-16 ties and City will visit Real Madrid on Wednesday, March 11, meaning that trip to West Ham will move to 8pm on the Saturday.
Arsenal, meanwhile, were due to host Everton on Sunday, March 15 (2pm). But that game was also subject to being moved to accommodate Champions League fixtures and has been given a new date because the Gunners will face Bayer Leverkusen in Europe on Tuesday, March 17, meaning they cannot play on the Sunday. The Emirates Stadium fixture has moved to Saturday, March 15, with a 5.30pm start.
That means Arsenal and City are in action on the same day in the same city in what could prove a pivotal evening in the title race given the fixtures are sandwiched between Champions League ties and come a week before the Carabao Cup final.
The Premier League released a statement earlier this week around those two fixtures. It read: “The Premier League confirmed the above fixtures on 21 January (Fixture Amendment 14) and advised UEFA that clubs scheduled to play on Sunday 15 March would not be available to play Champions League fixtures on Tuesday 17 March.
“Unfortunately, UEFA has not been able to provide any guarantees on its scheduling ahead of the draw. As a result, the Premier League now faces the possibility of re-scheduling its fixtures at even shorter notice, at the inconvenience of supporters and clubs.”
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Bryce Heys, the trainer, may have felt tension as Zac Lloyd masterfully took an inside rail run with burgeoning sprinter Banjora at Wednesday’s Rosehill races, but the rider faced no such concerns.
“Plenty of room,” Lloyd said.
“He’s a big horse, so he needs a bit more room than an average horse. He was just going that well he was able to bulldoze his way in there.”
The bold charge succeeded, with the $2.50 top pick shoving aside third-finisher Astronomix ($2.70) to power through on the fence and win by a length from $51 shot Beau Bandit, still keen at the wire.
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Lloyd and the gelding had pulled off an identical feat at Gosford in their prior outing, and Heys noted he’d welcome drawing the unbeaten type off the inside.
“He is more than brave,” Heys said.
“Two starts in a row I can’t say he was looking pretty, and that I had any confidence we’d get the result, despite the horse’s ability, but to overcome that twice in a row now, not many can do it.”
“I was going to go to the Gosford qualifier for the Provincial Midway,” he said.
“The 1400 might be a query, but I thought against that class of horse, he might be alright.”
“Hopefully he ends up in the Provincial-Midway Championship.”
Chris Waller and James McDonald entered the day’s action one win from 500 mutual successes, denied narrowly when Almaaz was beaten a head by Fireball Miss and Soverato caught in the dying stages by Aisle Two.
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They face four more bids for the achievement at Friday night’s Canterbury meeting.
Secure the best online bookmakers options for betting on Banjora’s Provincial-Midway Championships qualifier at Gosford.
Running back could quietly become a sneaky need for the Minnesota Vikings, especially if the team makes a cap-related decision on veteran back Aaron Jones this offseason.
Both the Draft and free agency feature some intriguing names, but one of the more fascinating fits could be a hometown prospect to the squad, now that C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen have announced their retirement.
Consider someone with the Twin Cities in his veins, Mr. Emmett Johnson, a runner from Nebraska. Regarded as one of the better backs in the class, Johnson could elevate the running back group for his hometown team.
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Feb 27, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Nebraska running back Emmett Johnson (RB10) speaks to members of the media during the NFL Combine at the Indiana Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Jacob Musselman-Imagn Images
While chatting with NBC Sports at the Scouting Combine, Johnson commented on the chance of playing for the Vikings, “Hey, man, it would mean a lot. I grew up in the inner city. I lived about 10-15 minutes from U.S. Bank Stadium. I had a great formal meeting with them and (Kevin) O’Connell. I would love to go back home.”
Johnson, 22, attended Academy of Holy Angels in Richfield, MN, where he dominated as a senior, rushing for nearly 2,500 yards and 42 touchdowns en route to earning Minnesota Mr. Football honors. The Golden Gophers didn’t offer him a scholarship, so he headed to Nebraska.
At Nebraska, Johnson had a redshirt year, followed by two solid campaigns in a timeshare with a total of 1,009 yards and three scores on the ground. His breakout season came in 2025, when he accumulated 1,451 rushing yards and added another 370 as a pass-catcher. Johnson scored 15 touchdowns from scrimmage in his final collegiate season.
With numbers like that, it’s no wonder he has drawn buzz ahead of the Draft. ESPN’s Draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. considers him the 3rd-best back in the class, only trailing Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Jadarian Price.
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Asked about guys whose skillset he resembles, he responded, “I’ll say a lot of different guys. Barry Sanders is one of them. I’ll go LaDainian Tomlinson, a little bit of (Christian) McCaffrey. In today’s day and age, my coach also coached him, so I feel like the receiving ability from him. And then a little bit of Walter (Payton). Y’all might not know, but if you go watch the tape.”
And then there’s a specific Vikings great he added to that list.
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
“I grew up a Vikings fan. Just how downhill [Adrian Peterson] was. I feel like if you watch my tape, I finish a lot of my runs moving forward. I feel like the violent part came from AP.”
If the Vikings ultimately acquire him on Day 2 of the Draft and Johnson can come close to any of the names he mentioned, well, the Vikings would be happy about that decision.
PFF’s Trevor Sikkema wrote about the prospect, “His game is built on outstanding vision and elusiveness, highlighted by some of the quickest feet in this class. That allows him to navigate traffic effectively in man- and gap-scheme concepts, where he has posted an elite rushing grade over the past two seasons. Johnson is a natural receiver out of the backfield, and while he shows the mentality for strong pass protection, he could be overpowered at the next level due to his lack of bulk. He also runs with a determined style, consistently displaying high effort and competitive toughness.”
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If Jones is, indeed, on the chopping block, the Vikings only have Jordan Mason under contract for the upcoming season. Mason is a solid back, but he needs a sidekick. That’s where Johnson could be the difference-maker. Depth runners Ty Chandler and Zavier Scott are both free agents. The latter is a decent bet for a contract extension.
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) jumps to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
On the consensus board of NFL Mock Draft Database, Johnson ranks 4th among RBs in the Draft and 77th overall, just a couple of spots under Washington’s Jonah Coleman.
Our own Josh Frey has him as the 3rd RB in the class, writing, “Johnson thrives in zone running schemes, and he was one of the most explosive playmakers out of the backfield in all of college football this season. His 36 carries of 10+ yards tied for sixth in the FBS. He also led all running backs in the FBS with 46 receptions. At 5’11” and 200 pounds, Johnson has a sturdy frame to along with outstanding breakaway speed and ability to change directions on a dime.”
Whether the Vikings ultimately prioritize running back in the middle rounds remains to be seen, but Johnson’s local ties, versatility, and rising draft stock make him an especially compelling fit. For a franchise looking to get younger, cheaper, and more dynamic in the backfield, a hometown prospect with three-down upside could check multiple boxes at once.
If the board falls the right way on Day 2 or early Day 3, the idea of bringing a Twin Cities native back home might be too appealing for Minnesota to ignore.
;)
