Sports
Aaron Rodgers Twist Hits Vikings Rumor Mill
The decision may not come soon because the man loves to bask in the spotlight of speculation, but new reporting suggests Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers will retire — or is at least leaning that way, like never before.
Rodgers’ latest signal points to retirement, and it quietly lowers the temperature on Minnesota’s 2026 talk.
As a free-agent-to-be, Rodgers cannot be ruled out of the Minnesota Vikings’ QB1 plans, but the latest assertion from CBS Sports insinuates that the 10-time Pro Bowl is probably done for good.
Rodgers Retirement Buzz Changes Vikings Speculation
The longstanding Vikings-Rodgers rumor is on life support.
Aditi Kinkhabwala: Rodgers Leaning Toward Retirement
Kinkhabwala of CBS Sports joined 93.7 The Fan in Pittsburgh this week, delivering the intel that Rodgers is likely on his way out.
“Having spoken to people who were around him, who have been around him, most everyone that I’ve spoken to who has been around him feels that the chance that he comes back to play is minuscule, so you take that for what it’s worth,” he told the show’s hosts.
“In conversations with people who were around him all year, who were with him when he was leaving the Steelers when the season was over, all of those people that I spoke to said that it seems far more likely that he is done than that he is going to return.”
Until Kinkhabwala’s declaration, most assumed that Rodgers would probably return to Pittsburgh for one last hurrah.
Last Year’s Rough and Tumble Vikings Rumor Mill
Ardent Vikings fans are no strangers to the Rodgers rumors. During the 2025 offseason, Rodgers and Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell casually discussed what a relationship might look like, but no contract ever materialized.
Still, the possibility of Rodgers turning purple, fully effectuating the Brett Favre storyline — Packers to Jets to Vikings — was a real sentiment for about two months (March and April 2025) until Rodgers put pen to paper and signed with the Steelers.
Some were even insistent that Minnesota take the plunge with Rodgers, though it seemed former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah avoided the circus Rodgers would’ve brought to the Twin Cities. Then, when the Steelers lost in the postseason, and Rodgers refused to retire after the contest, a new set of miniature Rodgers-to-Minnesota rumors sprouted — would he take the plunge one year later?
The Kinkhabwala reporting suggests no.
Rodgers’ 2025 Season
Rodgers started 16 games for Pittsburgh in 2025, with his team posting a 10-6 record on his watch, while he personally threw for 3,322 yards, 24 touchdowns, 7 interceptions, and a 65.7 completion percentage. The Steelers’ offense wasn’t overly dynamic, and Rodgers often played a game-manager role, as offensive coordinator Arthur Smith preferred a pretty low-octane approach.
All told, Rodgers ranked 21st of 34 qualifying quarterbacks per EPA+CPOE, sharing statistical space with passers like Tyler Shough and Jacoby Brissett.
Rodgers was basically serviceable — nowhere near his 2020 and 2021 MVP seasons.
Behind the Steel Curtain‘s Jarrett Bailey noted on the Steelers’ quarterback situation this week, “The Pittsburgh Steelers offseason revolves around what Aaron Rodgers decides to do. Should he decide to return for a 22nd NFL season, the Steelers have their quarterback. If he decides to retire or if he wants to play elsewhere, though, Pittsburgh will need to figure out who they will bring in at the position.”
“The only other two quarterbacks on the Steelers’ roster are Mason Rudolph and Will Howard. There have been several names connected to the Steelers in terms of potential trades or free agent signings, such as Kyler Murray, Malik Willis, and Anthony Richardson.”
The Mike McCarthy Angle
The Steelers shockingly cut ties with Mike Tomlin last month after nearly two decades of service. His team never showcased a losing record and hadn’t won any playoff games in eons. In return, Pittsburgh hired Rodgers’s former coach in Green Bay, Mike McCarthy, a hire that stunned fans because McCarthy feels like a continuation of Tomlin — enough to fire up a 10-7 season or so but not a skipper known for Super Bowl success, outside of one title with the Packers 15 years ago.
At his introductory press conference, McCarthy stated that he’d love to have Rodgers back, which reduced the proliferation of the Rodgers rumor mill: if he didn’t retire, well, he’d likely return to Pittsburgh with McCarthy in charge.
McCarthy and Rodgers have shared a rollercoaster relationship, but they apparently made amends within the past few years.
McCarthy may not coach Rodgers again, though, as Kinkhabwala claims retirement is imminent.
That will also subtract Rodgers from the Vikings’ rumor mill. Rodgers will turn 43 in December.
A general view of Soldier Field, home of the Chicago Bears since 1971. Mandatory Credit: Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images The Chicago Bears are willing to commit $2 billion to a stadium project near Wolf Lake in Northwest Indiana after failing to gain traction with new construction projects in Illinois.
Indiana House of Representatives speaker Todd Huston made the announcement on Thursday morning with the passage of State Bill 27, which creates a stadium authority and “sets forth the framework for a final agreement,” Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement.
The significant development is not a legally binding or full and final bill ending the Bears’ 55-year stint at Soldier Field.
But it came not long after policymakers in Illinois called off a scheduled session to discuss stadium plans to keep the team in — or at least near — Chicago. Recent negotiations to remain in Illinois were focused on taxpayer funding with the Bears willing to commit more than 50% of the projected cost for sites in Arlington Heights, Ill., or a rebuild on the Chicago lakefront.
A state committee in the Illinois House focused on “megaprojects” through the revenue and finance committee did not meet as originally scheduled early Thursday morning as the Bears confirmed a stadium development is progressing in the Hammond, Ind., area.
“The passage of SB 27 would mark the most meaningful step forward in our stadium planning efforts to date. We are committed to finishing the remaining site-specific necessary due diligence to support our vision to build a world-class stadium near the Wolf Lake area in Hammond, Indiana. We appreciate the leadership shown by Governor Braun, Speaker Huston, Senator (Ryan) Mishler and members of the Indiana General Assembly in establishing this critical framework and path forward to deliver a premier venue for all of Chicagoland and a destination for Bears fans and visitors from across the globe. We value our partnership and look forward to continuing to build our working relationship together.”
Hammond, Ind., is 22 miles from Soldier Field and Wolf Lake is around 20 miles. Public transportation options via the South Shore line and Amtrak, which traverses the Lake Michigan shoreline across Indiana and into Michigan. Arlington Heights, located 25 miles from downtown in the northwest Chicago suburbs, has Metra stops and is situated near O’Hare Airport with access to nearby interstates.
“Indiana is open for business, and our pro-growth environment continues to attract major opportunities like this partnership with the Chicago Bears. We’ve identified a promising site near Wolf Lake in Hammond and established a broad framework for negotiating a final deal,” Braun said. “If approved, the proposed amendment to Senate Bill 27 puts forward the essential framework to complete this agreement, contingent upon site due diligence proceeding smoothly. The State of Indiana moves at the speed of business, and we’ve demonstrated that through our quick coordination between state agencies, local government, and the legislature to set the stage for a huge win for all Hoosiers. We have built a strong relationship with the Bears organization that will serve as the foundation for a public-private partnership, leading to the construction of a world-class stadium and a win for taxpayers.” Earlier this year, the Kansas City Chiefs made a similar move to end their longstanding agreement with Missouri, rolling out a plan to leave Arrowhead Stadium for a new home across the border in Kansas. The agreement brings new revenue streams to the Chiefs and met the franchise’s financial vision for a shared funding plan that Missouri refused to entertain.
The Bears have called Soldier Field home since 1971. The team played the 2002 season at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill., on the campus of the University of Illinois while Soldier Field underwent a massive renovation.
–Field Level Media
We’re less than a month away from Selection Sunday and the more we see, the more convinced we are that the 2026 NBA Draft class could be something special.
Our latest big board reflects plenty of movement, beyond the top four. To be clear though, the debate is intensifying at the top of the draft as well. Darryn Peterson remains at the top spot, as he has all season long, but the ongoing availability saga continues to add questions. The bottom line is that when he’s been on the floor and not limited, he’s been even better than expected. Unfortunately though, the times when he’s been out of the line-up, or noticeably tentative even when he is playing, continue to mount.
While most NBA executives still seem to favor him atop the draft, this ongoing trend is creating some pause. Availability is vital in today’s NBA, particular when a franchise is committing to build around you long-term. Peterson’s season has left executives to question his physical durability, along with any other factors that could be contributing to this very clear pattern.
Dybantsa impressive, but questions remain
While questions are intensifying about Peterson, AJ Dybantsa is putting up unmatched offensive numbers. He’s the leading scorer in Division I at 24.8 points per game, making real gains with his ability to pressure the rim, finish through contact and still maintain his core competencies of being able to get to the free-throw line and rise-and-fire in the mid-range area. However, there are questions about him too. BYU has built their attack around Dybantsa and yet they’ve lost six of their last nine.
Certainly, the loss of Richie Saunders is a huge one, but they had lost five of six from mid-January through early-February without him. Dybantsa’s defensive intensity, body language and rebounding have, at times, come in correlation to his team’s success. So, questions from high school about whether or not someone with his natural talent impacts winning, are now resurfacing.
Boozer shows he’s a winner
Then, there’s Cameron Boozer. His individual offense isn’t nearly as flashy as Peterson or Dybantsa. His highest levels outcomes may not have the same ceiling, but his impact on winning is as undeniable at Duke as it was in high school. We’re talking about a player who won both state and Nike EYB championships every single year. He did the same thing every time he put on a USA Basketball jersey. Then he punctuated all that with a national championship as a high school senior.
At Duke, he’s been the focal point of a team that is now 24-2, without nearly the same supporting cast as Cooper Flagg had a year ago. He’s the favorite to win national player of the year and proven to be the most reliable of the big three prospects. So I, and perhaps some NBA executives, are starting to wonder if he should be getting more consideration atop this draft.
Freshmen class shows it is elite
While the big three still headline this draft, the freshmen class is proving that they are, collectively, truly elite in totality. Caleb Wilson had been tremendous for North Carolina prior to his recent injury and is on the verge of putting himself in the conversation for a top three pick. Kingston Flemings has sustained the same signs of stardom he showed to start the season, while Keaton Wagler has blown away expectations by a consistently increasing margin as the season has gone on. Simultaneously, Darius Acuff has been absolutely dominant for Arkansas and both Mikel Brown and Nate Ament have started to put the pieces together at Louisville and Tennessee respectively.
From a positional standpoint, we’re seeing some real depth emerge at both ends of the line-up. The freshmen headline what looks like the deepest point guard class in recent years with Peterson, Flemings, Wagler, Brown and Acuff all projected as top ten picks. But Bennett Stirtz and Labaron Philon could push for the lottery as well, while Christian Anderson looks like a very solid first-round pick.
Interesting options at center
The depth at the center position lacks the same star power, but boasts a variety of players who could fight for spots in the first-round and a host of others who will have to weigh certain NIL paydays versus the financial uncertainty that comes from being a fringe first-round pick, given that second-round picks do not necessarily receive guaranteed contracts.
Jayden Quaintance is still the most intriguing true big man, but after that, beauty may truly be in the eye of the beholder. Henri Veesaar, Flory Bidunga, Patrick Ngongba, Motiejus Krivas, Rueben Chinyelu, Aday Mara and Morez Johnson all have a chance to be first-round picks and yet none of them is a lock to end up in that range. Simultaneously, they all have additional eligibility remaining in college, so who stays and who goes when it’s all said and done will be a very compelling storyline to watch and ultimately dictate just how good this big man market ends up being.
Of course, with all eyes on college basketball as we approach March Madness, the storylines of are just beginning to reveal themselves. What we know for sure is that there is a ton of anticipation behind this draft and the vast majority of them will be on display in the NCAA Tournament.
NBA Draft Big Board top 10
Top 10 players on CBS Sports NBA Draft expert Adam Finkelstein’s Prospects Rankings. Check out Finkelstin’s complete top 80 players on his Big Board.
Confidence abounds from trainer Matt Laurie regarding Treasurethe Moment’s fitness level for her first run back at Caulfield, on par with her spring return condition.
Last spring, the four-year-old mare Treasurethe Moment started her preparation with a victory in Caulfield’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m), and now she recreates that scenario in Saturday’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes over the identical course and distance.
Tuesday saw Laurie and regular pilot Damian Lane put Treasurethe Moment through her paces at Caulfield in a final gallop, with Laurie subsequently affirming her readiness for the task at hand.
Laurie reflected on the remarkable path Treasurethe Moment has taken him and his team on, as she seeks to claim a further Group 1 prize.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the horse and in her last three preparations she’s been able to knock off some Group 1’s, and hopefully she can do it for a fourth time,” Laurie said.
“I’ve got a similar feeling as when we went into the Memsie, but I’m not sure where the speed is going to be in this particular race.
“Damian will just ride our horse how he finds her on the day, but I wouldn’t have changed anything.
“She was very much on the ball and wanting to get on with the job and I think she is in a good headspace and ready to go.”
This campaign’s trajectory echoes those from before, per Laurie.
The mare presents as stronger now than in spring, attuned to the routine when heading out for trials, gallops, or race starts.
“She’s a bit older, a bit stronger and she’s very aware every time we put her on a track nowadays,” Laurie said.
“I can’t wait to kick her off and see where the preparation leads.
“Coming into this preparation I was of the feeling that I would give her a light one, give her nice break for another crack at the Cox Plate.
“We’ll run in the Futurity, then the All-Star Mile then we’ll play it by ear after that.
“She’s an incredible horse and I feel very privileged to have her.”
Saturday’s field pits Treasurethe Moment against eight foes, such as Buckaroo, runner-up in the Cox Plate, Evaporate, Feroce and Leica Lucy.
Discover premier betting sites with strong racing odds for the Futurity Stakes.
The other Olympic semifinal, between Slovakia and the United States, already promises high drama.
But an unexpected subplot may steal the spotlight.
Ryan Lomberg, who has shared dressing rooms with both Matthew Tkachuk and Martin Pospisil, summed it up best.
“Oh yeah,” he said, practically rubbing his hands together.
“I mean, get the popcorn ready if they start battling, because that’ll be epic, man.”
Few matchups in the tournament offer the same potential for fireworks as a collision between Calgary’s rising agitator and the former Flames master of mayhem.
With Pospisil centring Slovakia’s third line, and Tkachuk driving the Americans’ top unit, there’s a strong possibility the two will share plenty of ice time with a berth in the gold‑medal game on the line.
For Flames fans, it’s the kind of crossover event that adds extra intrigue.
Tkachuk remains one of hockey’s premier disturbers, a superstar who can score, stir the pot, and chirp with the best of them.
His bridesmaid jab at Leon Draisaitl earlier in the tournament was a reminder that his verbal game is still world‑class.
Pospisil, meanwhile, has emerged as one of the NHL’s most prolific hitters, a relentless forechecker who has worked hard to stay on the right side of the rulebook.
His play in Slovakia’s Cinderella run has showcased the same blend of energy and edge that has endeared him to Calgary fans since he broke into the league in 2023.
Lomberg, who knows both personalities well, sees the potential for something memorable.
“Chucky’s obviously one of the best in the game at being a rat and also having an impact on the score,” used Lomberg, who won a Stanley Cup with Tkachuk in Florida.
“And we all know what Pospisil is capable of when he’s at the top of his game. So it’ll be exciting to watch, for sure.
“I would imagine big brother, Brady, might poke his head into it too, but I’m sure Pospisil will be able to handle himself. He’s been doing a great job so far.”
In an NHL regular‑season game, prop bets would be offered on who would draw the first roughing minor.
And while one would think Olympic stakes will keep tempers in check, the Slovaks’ best chance of upsetting the Americans might just revolve around doing whatever they can to get Tkachuk’s line, with Brady and Jack Eichel, off their game.
“Yeah, it’ll be fun to watch a little chess match of who can toe the line a little bit better,” said Blake Coleman.
“I can’t imagine there’d be a ton of love between the two. But both are great players in their own way.”
While both have posted seasons with over 100 penalty minutes, the two have matured. Tkachuk has become a Hart‑level force who picks his moments. Pospisil has worked to avoid the unnecessary penalties that once plagued him.
But MacKenzie Weegar, who has watched Pospisil’s growth up close, doesn’t expect the Olympic rings to sanitize things entirely.
Asked whether the stage might eliminate the extracurriculars, he didn’t hesitate.
“I’m sure they’ll still find a way to bring that garbage,” he laughed.
“The U.S. is obviously the favourite, and the Tkachuk brothers are pretty elite players, but Pospisil can handle himself out there, and he can skate. And I’m sure he’ll be doing things out there to get things going, I won’t doubt that at all.”
Weegar, and the hockey world, will be watching.
“I’d love to see that, maybe bang (Tkachuk) around a little bit,” said Weegar, whose allegiance is clear, as he attended Canada’s Olympic orientation camp.
“It’ll be fun to watch that little matchup for sure. I would keep a close eye on that.”
Flames coach Ryan Huska has been pleased watching Pospisil thrive between Milos Kelemen and Pavol Regenda, even after an early scare.
“I saw him take the forearm to the head in one of the first games, which I was a little concerned about, but he’s fine,” said Huska of his 26-year-old forward, who has one assist and is plus-2 in three Olympic games.
“It’s neat to see him and his team having some success. Whether they’re a little Cinderella story, or they’re where people didn’t expect them to be, it’s good for Pospy, and it’s good for our team.”
Indeed, this is a great opportunity for Pospisil.
The stakes are enormous. Discipline will be preached. The game likely won’t devolve into chaos.
But if Pospisil and Tkachuk do indeed share plenty of ice together?
Chanettee Wannasaen smiles after a good shot during the LPGA Classic on June 12. Chanettee Wannasaen is tied atop the leaderboard of her home-country tournament with Japan’s Nasa Hataoka after the opening round of the Honda LPGA Thailand on Thursday in Pattaya, Thailand.
Wannasaen was effective throughout a 7-under-par 65 opening round, racking up nine birdies against two bogeys. She finished with a birdie on the par-5 18th and hit 17 of 18 greens in regulation at the Siam Country Club Old Course.
“Today, I played really well on the approach shot,” Wannasaen said. ” … It’s pretty fun and I have a lot of memory in this course.”
After a bogey on the par-4 2nd hole, Hataoka played bogey-free over the final 16 holes. That included three birdies in the final five holes, overcoming making just 14 of 18 greens in regulation by requiring just 26 putts.
It’s the second time in as many LPGA events this season that Hataoka has had at least a share of the first-round lead. She led after the opening round of the Hilton Grand Vacations Tournament of Champions in late January at 6 under.
“Today was a good start,” Hataoka said. “I think my tee shot and iron shot pretty well today. That’s why I was able to make so many birdie chances today.”
There’s little separation between a large pack at the top of the leaderboard. South Korea’s Somi Lee and Hye-Jin Choi as well as Scotland’s Gemma Dryburgh are tied for third at 6 under. Dryburgh holed out for an eagle on the par-5 10th — her first hole in her first LPGA event back after becoming a mother seven weeks ago.
After that, 10 players are tied for sixth at 5 under. That clump of competitors shooting 67 includes world No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul of Thailand, who is competing on her home course. First playing in this event at 14 years old and now on the eve of her 23rd birthday, Thitikul was bogey free at 5 under, securing a pair of sand saves.
“Just grateful for everything that I really put the work in and it just pay off,” Thitikul said, reflecting on her career after the first round. “And then also I think they should be happy on not just me doing, but all the Thai girls doing out there on the Tour.”
There are eight Thai golfers competing in this year’s event. Ariya Jutanugarn is also tied at 5 under, and Pajaree Anannarukarn is one of 10 golfers tied for 16th at 4 under. After shooting 1 over on the front nine, Anannarukarn surged back into contention with five birdies on a bogey-free back nine.
Angel Yin, who won the 2025 event, is tied for 26th at 3 under after the opening round. –Field Level Media
A spot in the gold medal game is on the line when top-seeded Canada takes on Finland at the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey competition on Friday. The winner will take on the winner between the United States and Slovakia on Sunday. Canada advanced to the semifinals with a 4-3 overtime win over Czechia on Wednesday. Finland defeated Switzerland 3-2 in overtime in their quarterfinal.
Canada enters as the -430 favorite, per FanDuel Sportsbook, while Finland is at +330. The over/under in total goals is 5.5. Friday’s puck drop is set for 10:40 a.m. ET from Palaltalia, Milan. Before making any 2026 Winter Olympics men’s hockey semifinals picks or Olympic predictions, you need to see what Matthew Severance has to say.
Severance is coming off an outstanding NHL season in which he went 235-155-21 (plus $2,022). He entered the Olympic break on a 26-12 roll on NHL money-line picks this season, returning $1,326 for $100 players. Anyone following his hockey picks at their favorite sportsbooks could have seen huge returns.
Now, Severance has turned his attention to Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey semifinals. He’s only sharing his best bets at SportsLine.
| Finland vs. Canada money line: | Canada -430, Finland +330 |
| Finland vs. Canada over/under: | 5.5 goals |
| Finland vs. Canada puck line: | Canada -1.5 (-142) |
| Finland vs. Canada picks: | See picks at SportsLine |
| Finland vs. Canada streaming: | Fubo (Try for free) |
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2026 Winter Olympics Canada vs. Finland semifinal picks
For the 2026 Winter Olympics hockey semifinal between Canada and Finland, Severance is taking the Under 5.5 goals (-115) at 10:40 a.m. ET. The teams have met 27 times, with each team winning 13 games. The Fins hold an edge in total goals at 74-70. The teams have split each of the last six meetings.
Finland is 3-1 in the competition. After losing 4-1 to Slovakia, the Fins beat Sweden 4-1 and Italy 11-0 in Group B play, before beating Switzerland on Wednesday. Canada won Group A with a 5-0 win over Czechia, 5-1 win over Switzerland and 10-2 triumph over France, before beating Czechia in overtime in the quarterfinals. See his other picks at SportsLine.
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How to make Olympics hockey Finland vs. Canada predictions
Severance also has puck line and analysis for the Finland vs. Canada semifinal matchup. You can only see his Olympic picks here.
So who wins the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey semifinal between Finland and Canada, and which puck line should you back? Visit SportsLine now to see the 2026 Winter Olympics men’s ice hockey picks and best bets from a hockey insider, and find out.
On an afternoon when the Olympic record kept falling, Jordan Stolz skated fast enough to win the gold at any other Winter Games. Just not this one.
The 21-year-old American was foiled in his bid for a third gold medal in eight days on Thursday, winning silver in the 1500m in a time of 1:42.75 after lowering the Olympic marks in the 1000m last Wednesday and the 500m on Saturday and threatening to become only the second American to win more than two golds in any sport at a single Winter Games.
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China’s Ning Zhongyan was the surprise gold medalist, crossing in an Olympic-record time of 1:41.98sec – 0.77sec ahead of Stolz – after seizing the race with early aggression. Kjeld Nuis of the Netherlands, the two-time defending Olympic champion in his final Winter Games, came in 0.84sec off Ning’s pace for the bronze to the delight of another Dutch-heavy crowd.
Related: ‘An Olympic miracle’: Twist in Conan Doyle’s skimo tale as Russian snares silver
For the 26-year-old Ning, already a bronze medalist in the men’s 1000m and the team pursuit, it was the first Olympic gold of his career and China’s first speed skating medal of these Olympics.
“When Jordan was skating in the last pair, I still did not think the gold was mine,” Ning said afterwards. “He has been in incredible form all season. Even after he crossed the line, I was still not completely sure. It was only when the result was confirmed that it started to sink in. It is an amazing feeling.”
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The 1500m in speed skating is known as the race of kings because it sits at the perfect crossroads of the sport’s demands. The race requires the raw pace of a sprinter and the endurance of a distance specialist, ruthlessly exposing any weakness in either facet.
Many of the sport’s greatest champions have claimed the 1500m title, making it a proving ground where the most complete skater earns the crown. Only three of the 30 men’s 500m medalists from 1988 through 2022 even skated the 1500m.
Dutch skater Joep Wennemars, perhaps hard-done in the 1000m, laid down the early marker from the 11th pair with an Olympic-record time of 1:43.05, setting off a wall of noise in the banks of orange-clad supporters.
Two heats later, while Stolz calmly made circuits on the inner warm-up lane, Ning lowered that mark with a brilliant display of front-foot skating, putting down second-best early splits of 22.99sec and 47.86sec before taking control at 1100m with a field-best 1:13.80 and never looking back. Nuis, skating head-to-head in the same pair, was fastest after 700m but his early aggression proved costly on the final lap.
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Stolz went off in the final pair, his introduction eliciting deafening roars from a crowd braced for history. What followed was almost conservative. He completed the opening lap ranked fifth at 300m (23.36), where he remained at 700m (48.82), never chasing the blistering early pace set by Ning and Nuis. He closed in 27.60, faster than Ning, and the quickest final lap among the medalists, but it proved too little too late.
He circled the oval slowly with his head bowed after his time flashed on the screen while Ning celebrated with his coaches before taking a victory lap wearing the Chinese flag as a cape. Wennemars finished fourth, despite briefly holding the best time in Olympic history, 0.26sec out of the medals.
“When I saw Ning’s [time], I thought that was really fast,” Stolz said. “I thought, ‘I can skate that time in Inzell, at the last World Cup.’ But here, that’s a really fast time.
“I just didn’t quite have the legs. The beginning part was a little slow. I thought I could maybe get it back, but I was just beginning to die off.
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“Ning had the race of his life. I didn’t have one of my best, but I am still happy with silver. I have two golds and I was actually really happy that Ning was able to pull it off. I really like Ning.”
Stolz entered the Olympics beneath immense expectations, already a seven-time world champion and the favorite here across three individual distances. Had he completed 500-1000-1500 treble – as he did at two of the past three world championships – he would have become the first male speed skater to win three golds at a Games since Norway’s Johann Olav Koss did so at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994.
Stolz’s trajectory since Beijing 2022 has been meteoric. At 17 as an Olympic debutant, he finished 13th in the 500m and 14th in the 1000m. Four years later, he has won two golds and a silver with one last medal chance in Saturday’s mass start.
Raised in Kewaskum, Wisconsin, and developed at the Pettit National Ice Center in Milwaukee, Stolz has concentrated on blade setup, ice density and aerodynamic efficiency in pursuit of what he calls “free speed”. The Milan track – a temporary Olympic venue that has already produced some of the fastest times in Olympic history – has played into that mindset.
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Ning’s win on Thursday marked the seventh Olympic record of the competition after Francesca Lollobrigida in the women’s 3000m, Norway’s Sander Eitrem in the men’s 5000m, Jutta Leerdam of the Netherlands in the women’s 1000m, Stolz in the 1000m and 500m, and Dutch star Femke Kok in the women’s 500m.
“After the Beijing Winter Olympics, the level in speed skating just kept getting higher and higher,” Ning said. “It felt like there was a mountain in front of me, and no matter what I did, I just could not get past it.
“But I never stopped believing in myself. I kept telling myself to stay patient, to keep putting in the work, to trust that all the effort would add up one day. Today was that day. Even now, it still feels a little unreal that I was able to do this.”
MESA, Ariz. — Former big league manager Bob Melvin is returning to the Athletics as a special assistant in baseball operations.
The Athletics said Thursday that Melvin will advise the front office. The 64-year-old managed the A’s to three AL West titles from 2011-21, then left for San Diego and later San Francisco. The 64-year-old previously managed Seattle and Arizona.
Melvin was voted American League Manager of the Year in 2012 and 2018 with the A’s and led them to the playoffs six times while compiling an 853-764 record. The only manager in franchise history with more wins was Connie Mack with 3,582 for the Philadelphia Athletics from 1901-50.
In 22 seasons overall as a manager, Melvin has a 1,678-1,588 record, ranking 20th for wins. He was National League Manager of the Year with the Diamondbacks in 2007.
San Diego hired Melvin away from the A’s after the 2021 season, and he left the Padres after two seasons to go to San Francisco. The Giants fired Melvin after an 81-81 record last year, their fourth consecutive season missing the playoffs.
The former big league catcher played 692 games for seven different teams over 10 seasons from 1985-94. His most with any team were 265 games with his hometown Giants from from 1986-88.
As this stage in the offseason, the top NFL free agent lists proliferate. The Vikings, despite a cap crunch that has yet to be resolved (at least publicly), are going to participate, if only in a modest manner.
But while adding talent is an exciting thing, Minnesota is encountering a discouraging reality: many of the top team fits could have been had for cheap. Indeed, we’re four years on from the disastrous 2022 NFL Draft, meaning the four-year rookie pacts are expiring. Many of the top names who look like nice fits belong to players who could have become Vikings players.
The Vikings Get Salt in the Wound
If you enjoy feeling sad, consider the draft picks just one more time:
- 1st Round, No. 32: Lewis Cine, Safety
- 2nd Round, No. 42: Andrew Booth Jr., Corner
- 2nd Round, No. 59: Ed Ingram, Guard
- 3rd Round, No. 66: Brian Asamoah, Linebacker
- 4th Round, No. 118: Akayleb Evans, Corner
- 5th Round, No. 165: Esezi Otomewo, Defensive End
- 5th Round, No. 169: Ty Chandler, Running Back
- 6th Round, No. 184: Vederian Lowe, Offensive Tackle
- 6th Round, No. 191: Jalen Nailor, Wide Receiver
- 7th Round, No. 227: Nick Muse, Tight End
Pretty stunningly, the ten-person draft class is most likely going to venture elsewhere without a single player signing a second deal to remain. Of the crew, Jalen Nailor is the lone success story; drafting a promising WR3 in the 6th is excellent work. Otherwise, that’s a tough first go at drafting.
Shrinking things down to just the opening five draft picks allows us to see some of the promising talent that’s now out there in NFL free agency.
On ESPN, Matt Bowen proposes team fits for a list of the top free agents. The Vikings get a single mention, getting linked to off-ball linebacker Nakobe Dean. Consider what could have been possible:
- 1st Round, No. 32: Lewis Cine, Safety <–> Kenneth Walker III, Running Back, Drafted at No. 41
- 2nd Round, No. 42: Andrew Booth Jr., Corner <–> Alontae Taylor, Corner, Drafted at No. 49
- 2nd Round, No. 59: Ed Ingram, Guard <–> Nakobe Dean, Linebacker, Drafted at No. 83
- 3rd Round, No. 66: Brian Asamoah, Linebacker <–> Leo Chenal, Linebacker, Drafted at No. 103
- 4th Round, No. 118: Akayleb Evans, Corner <–> Tariq Woolen, Corner, Drafted at No. 153
For whatever it’s worth, the Bowen piece sees Walker as the 18th FA, Taylor as the 12th FA, Dean as the 48th FA, Chenal as the 45th FA, and Woolen as the 14th FA.
Obviously, the fight isn’t particularly fair. No GM, no matter how excellent, can withstand a battle with hindsight. Reality takes place and mysteries get solved, making it easy to tell the future that is the past. There is, nevertheless, some point to the exercise.
There’s a case to be made that what the Vikings need right about now is a young, dynamic runner like Walker. A tall, lengthy corner like Woolen would be great, too. Linebackers Dean and Chenal would be an upgrade, just as Taylor would be perfect for how the secondary operates.
The Vikings are experiencing an off-field equivalent to mistakes on the field.
Consider, for instance, a snap where the defensive tackle doesn’t get into the gap he’s supposed to be in. As the runner breaks through that early lane, the linebacker then misses a tackle since he wasn’t expecting to need break toward that area of the field so dramatically. The safety then needs to take on a powerful runner with a ton of momentum, leading to a business decision that results in an uninspired effort to tackle.
The (fictional) scenario above is an example of how an early mistake at the line of scrimmage can ripple through the rest of the defense and play more broadly. So, too, can the same logic be applied to drafting.
The Vikings are currently in a cap mess largely due to spending so freely on free agents. Needing to spend so freely on free agents largely overflows from poor drafting, the place where young, cost-controlled talent is found. In other words, mistakes from 2022 don’t stay in 2022. Instead, these 2022 mistakes have a real impact on what’s occurring in 2026.
In football, everything is interconnected.
The point, folks, is not that Kwesi Adofo-Mensah is solely to blame for all that ails Minnesota. There’s no way that’s true (or anywhere close to true; there’s a ton of blame to go around). Nor, in fact, is the argument that Minnesota should have been capable of drafting in accordance with the insights that only reality can provide. Such a threshold is impossible to clear.
Rather, the point is that the Vikings are now turning over couch cushions to (possibly) sign one or two strong talents when these same players had been available four years ago for the price of a draft pick, a rookie contract, and a roster spot. The Vikings can now have these players, but they do so after they’ve become older and more expensive.
Connecting on one or two of these picks would have made a massive difference for the present moment.
At a time when the Vikings feel stretched thin, the need to launch the cap version of a fundraiser for free agents who were there for the taking must feel like salt in the wound.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Who is Vladyslav Heraskevych?
In Pyeongchang in 2018, the Kyiv native became the first Ukrainian to compete in skeleton at the Winter Olympics. Heraskevych also competed in Beijing in 2022. After the third of four runs there, he held up a sign with the English inscription “No war in Ukraine” for the cameras at the finish line of the run. Thirteen days later, Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Since then, Heraskevych has tirelessly used his sport to draw attention to the suffering of the people in Ukraine and to urge further strict sanctions against Russian sports. The skeleton racer was given the honor of being one of Ukraine’s flag bearers for the Milano Cortina Games’ opening ceremonies.
Heraskevych finished 12th in 2018 and 18th in 2022 but there had been some suggestions he would have been among the medal contenders this time.
What is his dispute with the IOC about?
Heraskevych wanted to wear his “helmet of remembrance” not only in training but also during the Olympic race in Cortina. It features images of Ukrainian athletes who were killed during Russia’s war on Ukraine.
The International Olympic Committee (IOC) considers the helmet a violation of Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter, which states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
Announcing his disqualification shortly before he was due to race on Thursday, the IOC said: “The decision followed his refusal to comply with the IOC’s Guidelines on Athlete Expression. It was taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules.”
In 2020, the IOC Athletes’ Commission published guidelines on how to implement the relevant rule. According to these guidelines, athletes should only be allowed to express political views during the Olympic Games at press conferences, in interviews in the mixed zones, at team meetings, on social media or through media outlets.
IOC spokesman Mark Adams told a press conference this week: “There are 130 conflicts going on in the world. We cannot have 130 different conflicts featured, however terrible they are, during the field of play, during the actual competition.”
Therefore, Heraskevych is allowed to express his political views outside of competition, but not during the race.
How have similar incidents been treated in the past?
United States figure skater Maxim Naumov displayed a picture of his parents, who died in a plane crash, after his short program on Tuesday evening in Milan, without any objections being raised. Heraskevych has previously pointed to the example of German weightlifter Matthias Steiner, who held up a photo of his deceased wife after his Olympic victory in Beijing in 2008.
According to the IOC, the cases are not comparable. The rules have evolved since 2008. Naumov’s behavior was “a very emotional, very human, spontaneous gesture,” according to IOC spokesman Adams: “In a sense it highlights what we are saying, this Ukrainian athlete, he can do the same.”
What happens to Heraskevych now?
The IOC initially said that he had, “with regret” been stripped of his accreditation for the Games and had to leave the Olympic Village immediately. It later rescinded that decision, saying the U-turn had come at the request of IOC President Kirsty Coventry.
Heraskevych told reporters at the track: “It’s hard to say or put into words. It’s emptiness.”
Although any chance of a medal vanished when the competition starting without the Ukrainian, he has nevertheless appealed the decision to the Court of Administration for Sport, which was hearing his case on Friday.
What have the reactions been?
Heraskevych has received support from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. On X, he wrote that it contradicted the spirit of the Games.
“Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors,” he wrote.
While the IOC have implemented the ban, Coventry had tears running down her face when she spoke of the decision.
“No one, especially me, is disagreeing with the messaging, it’s a powerful message, it’s a message of remembrance, of memory. The challenge was to find a solution for the field of play. Sadly we’ve not been able to find that solution” she said “I really wanted to see him race, It’s been an emotional morning.”
Germany’s three-time Olympic luge gold medalist Felix Loch expressed regret at the decision.
“It’s a shame that he can’t fulfil his Olympic dream here,” Loch told the DPA news agency.
“But the rules are clear. Now the matter has received more attention than if he had competed normally.”
Heraskevych, who has always been active in promoting his cause on social media posted a picture of him wearing the helmet with the phrase: “This is price of our dignity.”
This article was originally published in German and updated after Heraskevych was formally disqualified on February 12.
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