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A Contract-Year Vikings Player is Putting Minnesota is a Tricky Spot

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To pay Blake Cashman or not to pay Blake Cashman. That is Nolan Teasley’s question.

The veteran Vikings player has been instrumental in what Minnesota has accomplished across a pair of weeks. Assuming good health, the Vikings are going to continue leaning on Cashman to be a key piece of the puzzle due to boasting such formidable brains, leadership, and ability. Is part of his explosion due to playing from within a contract season? Every game that goes by with performances like those from Week 1 and Week 2 means that the dollar signs keep hitting the cash register.

A Contract-Year Vikings Player Has Been Terrific

Signing Mr. Cashman to a three-year deal for $22.5 million was an instance of highway robbery (OTC). The Minnesota Vikings, led by former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, did remarkably well here.

Basically the lone flaw in Cashman’s game has nothing to with his game. Rather, the problem is that he has often missed at least some time due to injury, meaning that Minnesota has been paying for thirteen or fourteen games rather than paying for a full season of work. Does it make sense to send over a raise to the older ‘backer next offseason?

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NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (obscured) celebrates with linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (not pictured) to end the game in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

At least part of the internal calculus needs to consider the lay of the land at linebacker. Consider the promised cap charges for the linebackers on the 53-man roster:

Player 2026 2027 2028 2029
Blake Cashman $9.18 Million $3.1 Million
Eric Wilson $4.08 Million $8.83 Million $9.58 Million
Ivan Pace Jr. $3.52 Million
Jake Golday $1.75 Million $2.12 Million $2.61 Million $3.05 Million

At least a few details jump out.

For starters, Wilson is carrying a decent cap charge into next year. Part of what makes that notable is that he can’t be cut for huge savings. In fact, a standard cut would involve the Vikings losing cap space, so Wilson should be understood as a keeper for the 2027 season. Do the Vikings have enough roster and cap room for two older, pricier linebackers?

There’s then Pace working toward free agency. He has been worked into the mix more than in the past, building up momentum for what he can offer rather than trend downward like in 2024 and 2025. It remains to be seen if the Vikings will find a way to retain him.

Vikings defenders celebrate a fumble recovery during the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Stadium.
Nov 10, 2024; Jacksonville, Florida, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51), linebacker Ivan Pace Jr. (0), cornerback Byron Murphy (7), and outside linebacker Dallas Turner (15) celebrate after recovering a fumble that was later ruled dead during second-quarter play against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Stadium. The defense showed high energy despite the reversal. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images.

Maybe the main wildcard in the mix is Golday, the long and athletic 2nd-Round linebacker who hasn’t received any work with the defense. Do the Vikings think that Golday can become the LB2 next year as Wilson takes over as the green dot LB1?

If so, then that means Blake Cashman is on the outside looking in for 2027 and beyond. Opting for a divorce means seeing that upcoming dead cap charge for 2027 — the $3.1 million listed in red — calcify on the cap.

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The problem with moving on, though, is that Cashman is a menace out there. He has been feasting on tackles and has done terrific work as a blitzer. Already, the veteran ‘backer is up to 17 tackles, 1.5 sacks, 3 quarterback hits, and 2 tackles for loss. Brian Flores has been letting him go up to the line of scrimmage for the DC’s now (in)famous all-out pressure look that’s proving so hard to decode. Over and over again, Cashman has made the DC look smart for tasking him with that form of sophisticated aggression.

The Vikings therefore find themselves in a bit of a pickle. Cashman has been playing borderline elite football in his contract year. In the short term, that’s an excellent outcome since the Vikings veteran is a key part of piling up wins. He can do basically all the normal tasks of a linebacker well, doing good things in coverage, when chasing down the runner, and as a blitzer. So, too, is he capable of corralling the play call, communicating it, and making adjustments pre-snap.

NFL: Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Sep 20, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner (obscured) celebrates with linebacker Blake Cashman (51) and quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) after sacking Chicago Bears quarterback Tyson Bagent (not pictured) to end the game in the second half at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

But then on the other end of that excellence is a player who will turn 31 in May who has sometimes been hurt. Does it make sense to drain the ATM for somebody climbing into his 30s and who has put some hard miles onto the odometer in recent seasons?

Watch for Blake Cashman on Sunday, September 27th. The linebacker can be found somewhere behind the line of scrimmage in the #51 jersey.


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How to easily execute a longer greenside bunker shot | Instruction

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“He pushes me to be Better” Carlos Alcaraz on his rivalry with Jannik Sinner

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Carlos Alcaraz has admitted that he misses seeing Jannik Sinner on the tennis court, as the two rivals have rarely faced each other this season because of their respective injury problems.

Speaking to BBC Sport ahead of the Laver Cup in London, Alcaraz said Sinner’s absence has been noticeable and that he misses the challenge of playing against him.

“I miss him, I miss seeing him around, playing against him. He pushes me to be a better player,” Alcaraz said.

  • João Fonseca to miss Asian Swing as Injury Problems ContinueJoão Fonseca to miss Asian Swing as Injury Problems Continue

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The pair have faced each other only once in 2026, with Sinner winning their Monte Carlo Masters final meeting. Sinner has since been sidelined by a knee injury, while Alcaraz missed almost five months earlier in the season because of a wrist problem.

Their rivalry dominated much of the 2025 season. They met six times and split the four Grand Slam titles between themselves.

Alcaraz said he has sent Sinner a few messages during his time away, particularly earlier in the year when the Italian was winning regularly.

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“People will be waiting for those matches, so I think it’s going to be better [when he’s back],” he added.

Alcaraz is now preparing to return to competition at the Laver Cup, where he will represent Team Europe. Sinner is not competing at this year’s event as he continues his recovery.

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Brewers’ Rookie Pitcher Ties MLB Record In Final Regular Season Start

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The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Philadelphia Phillies on Wednesday night, and starting pitcher Logan Henderson tied an MLB record.

Henderson made his debut last season, but only made five starts. His rookie status is intact through this season, and he is up to 23 career starts. He missed some time this year with a back injury, but he is the Brewers’ No. 2 starter behind Jacob Misiorowski.

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Misiorowski has gotten all of the headlines, but Henderson has been just as good. He has a 2.47 ERA through 18 starts this year. After going five innings and allowing just one earned run, Henderson ried Zac Gallen‘s MLB record of starts to start a career allowing three earned runs or fewer.

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That’s right, Henderson has never made a start in which he allowed more than three earned run. He has allowed exactly three earned runs only three times in his career. He has allowed one or fewer run in 13 of his first 23 starts.

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Every time he takes the mound, he is giving the Brewers a chance to win, and he will be a big part of their postseason run.

Last season, the Brewers had Freddy Peralta, but after that there rotation had serious question marks. Now, they are set up much better with Henderson, Robert Gasser and Dustin May. If Kyle Harrison can figure things out, he, Henderson and Misiorowski have the potential to be the best trio of starters in the postseason.

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Coca-Cola launches golden can for Spain World Cup win: All you need to know | Business

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Coca-Cola India has launched a limited-edition golden can in Delhi-NCR to celebrate Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph, giving football fans an opportunity to own a commemorative collectible linked to one of the tournament’s biggest moments.

 

The special-edition can is part of Coca-Cola’s ‘Own a Piece of History’ campaign and features the FIFA World Cup Trophy along with the date of Spain’s historic victory. The collectible is being made available to consumers through quick-commerce platforms, with Zepto and Blinkit currently offering the product across Delhi-NCR.

 

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The initiative combines Coca-Cola’s long association with FIFA with the growing popularity of collectible football merchandise, allowing fans to mark Spain’s World Cup victory through a limited-edition version of the beverage.

 

Coca-Cola golden can: Price and availability

The limited-edition Coca-Cola FIFA can is available in a 330 ml format. A single can is priced at Rs 65, while Blinkit is also offering a pack of two 330 ml cans for Rs 120. The 330 ml can is listed at Rs 65 on Zepto as well.

 

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The product was initially offered for pre-booking exclusively through Zepto during the launch week. It is now available for purchase through both Zepto and Blinkit for consumers across Delhi-NCR. Availability may vary depending on the consumer’s location and stock levels on the respective platforms.

What does the special-edition Coca-Cola can feature?

The collectible golden can has been designed around Spain’s FIFA World Cup victory. It carries an image of the FIFA World Cup Trophy along with the date of Spain’s triumph, turning the regular Coca-Cola can into a commemorative item for football fans.

 

The design is intended to capture the significance of Spain’s tournament victory and provide fans with a physical memento associated with the 2026 World Cup. The limited-edition positioning also distinguishes it from Coca-Cola’s regular range of FIFA-branded products.

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What is Coca-Cola’s ‘Own a Piece of History’ campaign?

The launch forms part of Coca-Cola’s ‘Own a Piece of History’ campaign, which aims to turn major football moments into tangible collectibles for fans. The initiative uses the company’s long-standing association with FIFA to create products that connect consumers with significant moments from international football.

 

For the 2026 World Cup, the campaign seeks to link Spain’s tournament victory with a physical collectible that fans can purchase and keep. The initiative also combines football fandom with quick commerce, allowing the commemorative product to reach consumers through platforms that offer rapid delivery.

What Coca-Cola said about the campaign

Abhishek Gupta, Vice President, Customer Development, Coca-Cola INSWA, said the company’s long association with FIFA has been centred on bringing fans closer to the moments and emotions associated with football.

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Gupta said the ‘Own a Piece of History’ initiative was designed to turn Spain’s World Cup celebration into something fans could own and preserve. He also highlighted the partnership with Zepto, saying it allows Coca-Cola to respond to consumer interest quickly while bringing together football fandom, culture and convenience.

 

According to Gupta, the initiative is intended to create an experience that goes beyond the beverage itself by giving football fans a personal and memorable collectible connected to the World Cup.

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Spain’s FIFA World Cup 2026 triumph

Spain lifted the FIFA World Cup 2026 after defeating Argentina 1-0 after extra time in the final at the New York-New Jersey Stadium. The match remained goalless during regulation time before Spain finally broke the deadlock in extra time.

 

Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, finding the decisive breakthrough for Spain. Argentina were reduced to 10 players during the contest, but Spain maintained its advantage to secure the victory and claim its second men’s FIFA World Cup title.

 

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The triumph added another major chapter to Spain’s international football history and provided the backdrop for Coca-Cola’s limited-edition golden can. 

Spain’s World Cup record

Spain’s 2026 victory was its second men’s World Cup title. The country had previously won the tournament in 2010, when Andrés Iniesta scored the winning goal against the Netherlands in extra time in the final in South Africa.

 

The 2026 triumph, therefore, marked Spain’s return to the top of men’s international football on the World Cup stage. The victory also came during an extended unbeaten run for the Spanish national team, with Spain’s success described as part of a 38-match unbeaten streak under manager Luis de la Fuente.

Spain’s unique World Cup milestone

Spain’s 2026 triumph also produced a notable milestone in international football. With Spain winning the men’s World Cup while its women’s team already held the women’s World Cup title, Spain became the first country to simultaneously hold both FIFA World Cup trophies.

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Spain’s women won the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023 after defeating England 1-0 in the final in Sydney. The men’s team’s victory in 2026, therefore, gave Spain both senior FIFA World Cup titles at the same time, creating another significant milestone for Spanish football.

Where can fans buy the Coca-Cola golden can?

The limited-edition golden can is being sold through quick-commerce platforms across Delhi-NCR. Consumers can find the 330 ml can on both Zepto and Blinkit, with a single can listed at Rs 65 on each platform.

 

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Blinkit is also offering a two-can pack containing two 330 ml cans for Rs 120. The product was initially available for pre-booking exclusively through Zepto during the launch week before being made available through both quick-commerce platforms.

 

Since inventory on quick-commerce platforms can vary according to location, consumers may see differences in availability depending on their delivery address and local stock.

Why is the Coca-Cola can significant?

The limited-edition golden can is directly linked to a specific World Cup milestone — Spain’s 2026 triumph. Rather than being only a FIFA-themed Coca-Cola product, it commemorates a particular result and carries the date of Spain’s victory along with an image of the World Cup Trophy.

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The product gives football fans an accessible way to commemorate the tournament while also positioning the beverage can as a collectible. For Coca-Cola, the initiative extends its long-standing FIFA association into a physical product centred on a defining moment from the 2026 World Cup.

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“I couldn’t believe it” – Morgan Rogers shares why he admires Lionel Messi despite Cristiano Ronaldo being his favorite

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Chelsea star Morgan Rogers has revealed that he admires Lionel Messi, even though Cristiano Ronaldo is his favourite. The Englishman explained that the FIFA World Cup semifinal clash changed his view of the Argentine superstar.

Speaking on Chelsea Unlocked, Rogers said that Messi was unstoppable in the FIFA World Cup clash despite being 39 years old. He could not stop thinking about how the Argentine legend would have played in his prime and said:

“Ronaldo’s my personal favourite. But I played Messi in that World Cup semifinal. He’s 39. I couldn’t believe it. So, I can’t imagine what he was like in his prime. I can imagine him in his prime being absolutely nothing you can do. Like, absolutely nothing you can do. Like, it’s impossible. Because it was borderline nothing you could do in that game, and he’s 39 and he’s just retired from international football. That’s his second-to-last game ever. So, imagine what he was doing [in his prime].” (via The Chelsea Zone)

Lionel Messi assisted twice in the FIFA World Cup semifinal as Argentina came from behind to win. Cristiano Ronaldo fan Morgan Rogers assisted England’s lone goal, scored by Anthony Gordon.

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Pundit explains why he respects Cristiano Ronaldo more than Lionel Messi

Louis Saha spoke about Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi earlier this year, saying that he respects the Portugal superstar more than the Argentine. He claimed that the Al-Nassr captain likes to do things on his own, while the Inter Miami forward does not hesitate to ask for help. He said:

“That’s the problem, I think at some point he has to stop because he’s clearly a human. But yes, he’s playing like a robot. He has this quality body and his brain is not like a normal person. I don’t think that even Messi has this kind of brain because Messi understands that he can’t run as much as Cristiano. He just really knows that he will need the help of pretty much eight to nine players dedicated to his game; otherwise Messi won’t be playing this way.”

“Cristiano doesn’t ask. He doesn’t ask for help. He’s saying, ‘I’m fit enough, I’m as good, I am like 35 years old, so I’m going to score with your support or not’. So this is really a big mentality that I respect. It’s a big, big, big difference between those two. Even if they are two monsters, definitely I respect more this guy because you look at his stats – run nine-and-a-half or 10 or 11km. This is crazy numbers. He may have run 1,000 marathons now! It’s crazy.”

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to play for the national team, while Lionel Messi has announced his retirement and has his farewell game next month.