Carolina Panthers wide receiver Adam Thielen goes through pregame warmups ahead of kickoff against the Cincinnati Bengals on Sep. 29, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. The moment captures Thielen preparing on the field as he readies for game action in a regular-season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
Do you miss Adam Thielen yet? He’s been gone from the NFL for about three months, but he could soon be back — as an announcer or analyst.
Thielen’s post-playing future may be pointing toward TV.
The Minnesota Vikings legend is attending “NFL Broadcast Bootcamp,” meaning he’ll probably find a spot as a media member before too long.
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A Media Role Could Be Next for the Former Vikings Star
Thielen took a step toward that path last week in Los Angeles.
Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Adam Thielen (16) reacts following a late-game sequence in the fourth quarter, Dec. 28, 2025, at Huntington Bank Field in Cleveland, showing visible frustration as the Steelers battle the Browns in a tightly contested matchup with playoff implications hanging over the final possessions. Mandatory Credit: Scott Galvin-Imagn Images.
Thielen Eyes Broadcasting
Vikings.com’s Rob Kleifield reported Thielen’s next career path this week, noting, “Last month, the Vikings organization celebrated the amazing careers of C.J. Ham and Adam Thielen. This month, Thielen took a baby step toward what could wind up being a focus in his life after football. Thielen was one of 24 players who got “suited and booted” for the NFL’s annual broadcasting and media workshop in Los Angeles last week.”
“Thielen was picked from a pool of 90 applicants, and he participated alongside the likes of LB Demario Davis and WR Brandin Cooks. Alumni of the workshop include All-Pro Maurice Jones-Drew, as well as Super Bowl Champions Jason McCourty and Jason Kelce. Thielen sounded hesitant about a career in media during his retirement ceremony, alluding to the frequent traveling, but he stated his desire to be involved with the game in whatever is next.”
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Given Thielen’s reputation for determination and results, this thing might be a shoo-in.
The Athletic‘s Vic Tafur describes Broadcast Bootcamp: “It’s tough to get a spot at the workshop, which was first held in 2007. There were 90 applicants for 24 spots in this year’s program. Each player was asked to answer questions to make sure this is something he is serious about and then asked to submit reels.”
“Some players sent in old interviews at their lockers. They were told this was their chance to be their own content creator and their reels should reflect what they want to do in the space. After the reels were screened, players were ranked 1-90, with no clear-cut criteria.”
The Playing Career with Vikings
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Thielen’s Vikings stats speak for themselves: 542 catches, 6,751 yards, and 55 touchdowns in Minnesota. The numbers place him among the franchise’s all-time greats, ranking him third in receiving touchdowns, fourth in receptions, and fifth in receiving yards.
However, his path to those achievements was unconventional. After earning a tryout with the Vikings in 2013, he transformed that opportunity into a decade-long career with his hometown team. By 2018, he had become one of the league’s premier receivers, quickly developing a rapport with Kirk Cousins and establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most dependable targets.
His story continues to resonate with fans: small-town roots and a state-school background. He’s the quintessential Minnesota underdog. During his peak years, that underdog consistently earned Pro Bowl consideration, including two official Pro Bowl nods (2017, 2018).
A Disappointing Exit Strategy
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Of course, not all stories have spotless happy endings. The Vikings traded for Thielen last summer, a deal centered around a 4th-Round pick with the Carolina Panthers. The price felt steep at the time, and the feeling was vindicated. Thielen has clearly lost a step — hit a wall even — and Minnesota didn’t use him much on offense.
The drought wore on Thielen, so much so that he requested his release in November 2025, which the Vikings granted, and Thielen parleyed it into a contract with Aaron Rodgers’ Pittsburgh Steelers.
Taylor Twellman, left, shares the tournament lead after two rounds while Adam Thielen, right, sits in fourth place, July 12, 2025, at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course during the American Century Championship, as both athletes remain in contention entering the final round of the celebrity event. Mandatory Credit: Jim Krajewski/RGJ / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Thielen caught 11 passes for 117 yards in five Steelers games before retiring, in addition to appearing in a blowout playoff loss against the Houston Texans. While time will obviously heal the wound, some fans considered Thielen’s demand for a release rather bizarre. Wasn’t the whole point of the summer trade to retire with the Vikings? Evidently not.
Thankfully, Thielen is so beloved that few will care about the Steelers chapters five years from now.
The Ben Leber Route
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Klefield also claimed that Thielen will do some work for the Vikings’ draft next week: “We also can advise to be on the lookout for Thielen to participate in a pre-draft show for Vikings Entertainment Network.”
Former Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber watches from the sideline during an NFL International Series game, Oct. 5, 2025, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, observing the action between the Vikings and Browns as part of the league’s continued global expansion efforts. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In that vein, he can follow in Leber’s footsteps. Leber played for the Vikings from 2006 to 2010, walking away after the Brett Favre years. By 2012, he had transitioned into a sideline radio personality and has remained in that role since.
Leber is active on social media, engages with fans, appears on folks’ podcasts, and is generally considered one of the most sensible Vikings-themed minds out there. If Thielen wants a blueprint, all he has to do is chat with Leber.
Here’s an up-to-date list of all NFL Players from Mesa High School in Mesa, AZ.
The list includes only those players who have played in a regular-season NFL game. Consequently, players taken in the upcoming draft will not be included until they have seen the field.
The League does not officially recognize players who appeared only in preseason exhibition games.
Mesa High School is ranked as the No. 5 pro football player-producing high school in the state.
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Arizona has produced a total of 309 NFL players from 98 schools, with 40 pros currently active.
See where all the other schools in the Grand Canyon state rank here, with links to their respective players.
NEW DELHI: History was created on the Mediterranean shores as Vaishali Rameshbabu clinched the 2026 Women’s Candidates Tournament on Wednesday, earning the right to challenge China’s reigning champion Ju Wenjun for the Women’s World Chess Championship crown later this year.Going into the final round, Vaishali’s fate wasn’t entirely in her own hands. She needed a win against Kateryna Lagno and also required Bibisara Assaubayeva to drop points. The first part of that equation fell into place when Divya Deshmukh held Bibisara to a crucial draw in Cyprus, opening the door for Vaishali.
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Seizing the moment, Vaishali delivered under pressure. Playing with the white pieces in Round 14, she defeated Lagno in style, capping off a remarkable campaign in the marathon tournament. Her composure and fighting spirit stood out, especially in high-stakes situations where every move mattered.Vaishali’s journey through the tournament showcased both resilience and consistency. She secured key wins against strong opponents like Lagno, Tan Zhongyi and Aleksandra Goryachkina, while also holding her ground with important draws against top contenders such as Anna Muzychuk. Though she faced setbacks, including losses to Zhu Jiner twice (her only defeats in the tournament), she bounced back strongly each time.Now, all eyes turn to her blockbuster clash against Ju Wenjun, a five-time world champion known for her calm and clinical play. The upcoming match promises to be a thrilling contest between experience and rising talent. With a prize pool of €300,000 at stake and global attention on the event, Vaishali has already etched her name in history. R Vaishali is guaranteed at least €28,000 for winning the Women’s Candidates Tournament. In addition, she earned €2,200 for every half-point scored during the event, increasing her total prize.
Harry Maguire will now miss Manchester United’s upcoming game against Chelsea after being hit with an additional one-game ban
16:26, 15 Apr 2026Updated 17:07, 15 Apr 2026
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Harry Maguire is alleged to have described the match officals in charge of Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth as a ‘f*****g joke’. The Reds centre-back will serve an additional one-game ban after being charged by the Football Association with acting in an improper manner towards fourth official Matt Donohue at the Vitality Stadium after he was sent off.
Maguire was shown a red card for pushing Evanilson to the ground in the penalty area, with referee Stuart Attwell pointing to the spot, despite waving away a similar challenge on Amad earlier in the match. The England international protested the decision to Attwell before speaking to the fourth official as he departed the pitch.
Referee Attwell wrote in his report of the match: “In the 78th minute, I dismissed Manchester United player Harry Maguire for denial of an obvious goalscoring opportunity. Following confirmation of the decision by the Video Assistant Referee, Mr Maguire left the field of play.
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“As he left, he approached the 4th Official, Matthew Donohue, to protest the decision. These actions will be the subject of a separate report by Mr Donohue, and may warrant further review by The Football Association.”
A further report from fourth official Donohue added: “In the 78th minute of the game, referee Stuart Attwell sent off Manchester United #5Harry Maguire. After the VAR check was complete, Maguire, as he was leaving the field of play, approached me and shouted, ‘You’re a joke. You’re all a f****** joke.’ I am reporting the matter to the Football Association for further review.”
Maguire denied that he had said the remark and insisted that he labelled the decision to award Bournemouth a penalty as a ‘joke’. He added: “As I left the field of play following my dismissal I said something along the lines of ‘it is a f****** joke’. I am certain that I did not call the Fourth Official or any Match Official, a joke or use any other form of insult.”
While United team-mate Joshua Zirkzee had also given evidence to the commission, and said he could “not recall exactly what Harry said, but I recall that it was something along the lines of ‘it is a joke’ or ‘what a joke’”, before adding that he was “confident that Harry did not call the Fourth Official or any other Match Official a joke.”
In response to that claim, fourth official Donohue said: “In response to the words recorded in my report. In respect of the first line ‘You’re a joke’, there is a possibility that the words were either misheard or mis-recollected.
“Whilst I think Mr Maguire said ‘You’re a joke’, I wouldn’t be able to respond to this with certainty. However, the second sentence ‘You’re all a f****** joke’, I do remember hearing with clarity and remember thinking that the comment was aimed collectively at the group of officials. I would be prepared to say with certainty that these words were said.”
However, the FA rejected United’s version of events, as Donohue insisted the second part of the allegation was accurate and he could say so ‘with some certainty’.
Maguire will now miss his side’s game against Chelsea on Saturday night, and in a statement the FA said: “An independent Regulatory Commission has imposed a one-match suspension and £30,000 fine on Manchester United FC’s Harry Maguire.
“The defender was charged after being sent off in the 78th minute of their Premier League match against AFC Bournemouth on Friday 20 March.
“It was alleged that Harry Maguire acted in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or insulting words and/or behaviour towards the fourth official following his dismissal.
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“The defender subsequently admitted the charge. The Regulatory Commission imposed his sanctions following a hearing.”
The 28-year-old had been expected to challenge Mo Farah’s British record of 2:05:11 at the race but will now miss it for the second year in a row, after an ankle tendon injury prevented him from taking part in 2025.
He finished third in the 2024 edition and fourth in the Paris Olympics marathon the same year.
He said on Wednesday: “I am gutted to be withdrawing from the 2026 London Marathon. After missing the 2025 race, I was so excited at the prospect of returning this year, but out of respect to both the race and the distance, I only want to be on the start line if I’m in the best possible condition.
“Unfortunately, the calf issue I sustained earlier in my training block means I am not currently where I need to be. I’ve done my best to be on the start line but unfortunately, I have to make the tough decision to withdraw.
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“I wish everyone taking part the very best of luck and hope to be back at the London Marathon next year.”
Britain’s Alice Wright also withdrew on Wednesday.
Cairess picked up the calf issue earlier this year, hampering his training throughout March.
His is the latest high-profile withdrawal from the race after world champion and 2020 Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir withdrew on Tuesday due to a stress fracture. The Kenyan also missed last year’s event with an ankle injury.
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Reigning Olympic champion Sifan Hassan will be another notable absence after pulling out last month with an Achilles issue.
The London Marathon takes place on Sunday 26 April.
A boxing match between Eddie Hearn and Dana White appears to be edging closer to reality.
So much so that KSI’s Misfits Boxing has made the Matchroom Chairman Hearn an official offer to face UFC CEO White, Hearn confirmed to Uncrowned’s “The Ariel Helwani Show” Tuesday.
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“[I’ve not received] a real official offer [from Turki Alalshikh],” Hearn said, “but Turki’s kind of asked me if I’d [fight White], and we’ve had conversations and an offer from Misfits as well.
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“It’s quite interesting. [White’s] kind of got me a bit excited about it, to be honest with you. He called me out on ‘The Piers Morgan Show’ for a fight. I explained that I’m pretty useless. I’ve seen him spar, he looks quite decent. So I’ve got into a little bit of training, I’ve started to think about it — I’ve started to visualize my ring walk music, and I’ve started to get very excited about the money.”
Hearn claims to have had a handful of amateur fights in Essex in his youth in the ’90s before deciding that his skill set lay elsewhere. White himself began with the hopes of being a fighter and even sparred with former UFC champion Tito Ortiz in his early years. A bout between the pair would be a colossal spectacle, and Hearn even believes it could see him and White earn Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-esque purses.
“He keeps calling me a p****,” Hearn said, “but I’m like, let’s see if I’m a p****. Then he says, ‘We’re both bums, and we’ll [fight] the start of the night [on a show].’ I mean, you know how big this would be? Huge. We would make $30 million each. I’m all over it. So, stick me in, put my name down, find me a pair of shorts and I’ll travel. He called me out — I accept.”
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“Let’s find out who the real p**** is,” Hearn added.
Hearn is a decade younger than White, perhaps explaining his confidence going into a potential bout — although Hearn doesn’t rule out the possibility of defeat.
“What does he think I am? An easy touch? I’m very limited, but I’ll have a right go, I’ll tell you,” he said. “I’ll get myself in good shape — and I’m a big lump — and I think I’ll knock him out. Also, if I get knocked out and I make $30 million, it’s not the saddest day in the world, and people would find it quite amusing.”
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Moving on to men who can actually fight, Hearn and heavyweight boxing star Anthony Joshua have now received a contract to face Tyson Fury later in 2026, Hearn revealed to Uncrowned. The contract offered to Joshua is a two-fight agreement that would see Joshua return to the ring in July against an undetermined opponent before a mega-showdown against Fury in November.
Heard said no names have been discussed for Joshua’s potential July fight.
“[He’ll fight] no one of serious note [in July] if I’m honest — that would be everyone’s preference,” Hearn said. “The story is the comeback, the story is the return to the ring. We would not go into that fight without having the Tyson Fury fight signed.”
It’s understandable why Joshua’s team is hesitant about putting him in with a top opponent while a big payday with Fury hangs in the balance. Joshua has fought just once since being knocked out by Daniel Dubois, and it was a sixth-round knockout win over Jake Paul. “AJ” will not have fought a real heavyweight contender in nearly two years by the time he next enters the ring.
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More importantly, the Brit is still recovering from the mental and physical injuries of a December car crash he was involved in that tragically took the lives of two of his closest friends, Sina Ghami and Latif Ayodele. It is unknown how Joshua will perform after the traumatic incident.
Although the boxing star has an exclusive deal with DAZN, Netflix has hosted a number of major boxing matches in recent years, including the Fury vs. Arslanbek Makhmudov fight from London this past Saturday, so it appears likely that a step-aside agreement with DAZN could be made to allow the biggest fight in British boxing history to air on the most visible platform in the world.
“It’s one of the biggest fights of all time, and I don’t think it’s something we should play around with,” Hearn said, “and just be told to do that and do that until everything is in order in a place that we want it to be, especially given what ‘AJ’ has gone through over the last couple of months. We need to make sure that everything is exactly right for us.
“We’re fully committed to making this fight, and I fully expect this fight to happen, but it’ll happen at our speed in the right way, and hopefully that won’t be too long.”
Most complaints have been around the strictness of the rules, rather than the principle itself or specific cases.
Somerset coach Jason Kerr said Tom Kohler-Cadmore was unable to hold a bat and Lewis Goldsworthy had a severe hamstring tear after their injuries last weekend, while Yorkshire seamers Jhye Richardson and Jack White had food poisoning.
Moores said seamer Fergus O’Neill was unable to bowl on the final day against Glamorgan but was already down on pace the previous day. O’Neill was replaced by Lyndon James, who took two wickets in a 192-run win.
Glamorgan’s Carlson said his complaints were “no slight on Notts whatsoever”.
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“A guy who hadn’t played cricket for three days to then come in and bowl, obviously that’s an advantage,” he added.
“The thinking behind bringing in the rule is sound, but I think it has to be ironed out in terms of the way it does get done.”
The ECB has implemented more relaxed restrictions than other nations.
It wants to keep the quality of cricket high by not having players with serious injuries struggling through matches – as seen with England’s Chris Woakes in the fifth Test against India last summer.
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In Australia the ‘stand-down period’ – the period a replaced player is then unavailable for – during the most recent season was 12 days, but in the UK it is only eight.
There is also no stand-down period for players whose team do not play in the next round of fixtures – as is the case with Nottinghamshire, Glamorgan and Yorkshire this week – or for the final round in a season.
The Australian laws also only allowed one substitute per match and ruled that any change had to be made before the end of day two, thus reducing the advantage of a fresh player coming into a four-day match late on.
When explaining the rules last month, ECB head of cricket operations Alan Fordham said the governing body would be relying on the co-operation of the counties in not pushing the rules to gain an advantage.
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“If teams are going to start pushing at the edges of the regulation then it risks the chance we will have to backpedal,” he said.
NEW DELHI: It was a worrying moment for Rishabh Pant and Lucknow Super Giants early in their IPL clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Wednesday, as the skipper was forced to walk off the field after a painful blow to his elbow.Pant had just come in to bat and struggled to get going against Josh Hazlewood. In fact, he faced three consecutive dot balls, unable to properly connect with the pace and bounce. The pressure was building, and things quickly got worse.
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On the first delivery of the fifth over, Pant went for an aggressive shot across the line but missed completely. The very next ball saw him attempt another big hit, only to be beaten again by Hazlewood’s pace. Then came the crucial moment, a short delivery that struck Pant painfully on his left elbow. Replays later confirmed the impact, and it was clear he was in serious discomfort.Almost immediately, the physio rushed onto the field as Pant winced in pain. He tried to carry on but was visibly struggling. In an emotional moment, Hazlewood walked up to him and gave him a reassuring pat on the back as Pant decided to leave the field. He looked close to tears while walking off, highlighting how much pain he was in.With Pant unable to continue, Nicholas Pooran came in as the replacement batter. The sudden change disrupted LSG’s momentum, especially after they had already lost Aiden Markram earlier in the innings.It turned into a tough phase for LSG, with Pant’s injury becoming the biggest talking point of the early overs.
A Minnesota Vikings defensive back jogs onto the field ahead of a defensive series during NFC Wild Card action on Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. The moment captures the intensity of postseason play as Minnesota’s secondary prepares to handle explosive threats in a tightly contested playoff matchup. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Outside of draft speculation — there’s a lot of that — the Minnesota Vikings news cycle (actual news) has been quiet over the last couple of weeks. The franchise snapped that streak on Tuesday, formally locking in defensive tackle Jalen Redmond on an exclusive rights free-agent tender.
Minnesota kept a rising defensive lineman in the fold for 2026.
Redmond isn’t going anywhere, and although no one thought he would, his presence is official on the Vikings’ 2026 roster.
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A Cheap Deal With Bigger Value for Minnesota
Redmond will hope to build on two consecutive breakout seasons.
Minnesota Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond lines up across from the Los Angeles Rams offensive front during the NFC wild card playoff battle, Jan. 13, 2025, at State Farm Stadium, settling into his stance before the snap as Minnesota’s defensive line fights for leverage in a tense postseason matchup with momentum swinging on each possession. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Redmond Makes It Official
Everyone knew that Redmond would return to Minnesota in 2026, so Tuesday served as a formality. NBC Sports‘Charean Williams wrote, “Vikings defensive lineman Jalen Redmond signed his exclusive rights free agent tender on Tuesday, according to the NFL’s transactions report. He entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Panthers out of Oklahoma in 2023.”
“Redmond went on the physically unable to perform list during his first training camp, and the Panthers cut him. Redmond played with the Arlington Renegades in the XFL in 2024, and then caught on with the Vikings that summer.”
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While Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave left the Vikings last month, Redmond is back.
The 2025 Output
Former Vikings boss Kwesi Adofo-Mensah desperately needed a successful player evaluation, and Redmond’s performance provided just that two years ago.
Following a 2022 draft that yielded limited impact and a 2023 class heavily reliant on Jordan Addison, Redmond offered the front office something more dependable: a scouting victory that consistently materialized on Sundays.
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He maintained that momentum into 2025, delivering consistent production as his role expanded and his impact became increasingly noticeable. Vikings fans have witnessed this progression before — a defender who subtly begins influencing games before ultimately commanding leaguewide attention.
Redmond earned a 72.7 Pro Football Focus grade and recorded six sacks from the interior, ranking 11th among NFL defensive tackles last season. Furthermore, he led all defensive tackles in pass deflections, disrupting opposing offenses on the regular.
While Redmond may not yet be a nationally recognized name, he’s not far away from Pro Bowl consideration.
A Long-Term Deal Soon?
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Redmond will earn just over a million bucks in 2026, leaps and bounds the best steal-of-a-deal on the Vikings’ roster. He’s also eligible for an extension at any time, and in the past, Minnesota’s brass has reached such agreements before the 11th hour.
The Vikings can acknowledge Redmond’s magnificent performance sometime this spring or summer, handing him a large extension. Or, as the club has all the contractual leverage, it could, in theory, wait until the 2027 offseason. When the time comes, Redmond can reasonably ask for $15 million to $20 million per season.
Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Jalen Redmond (61) reacts quickly to a loose football during preseason action, Aug. 24, 2024, at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, diving to secure the fumble against the Eagles and giving Minnesota an early defensive spark with a momentum-shifting takeaway in the opening quarter. Mandatory Credit: Caean Couto-USA TODAY Sports.
Our Janik Eckardt on Redmond, “Because Redmond has just two accrued NFL seasons, he was an exclusive rights free agent rather than, for example, Ivan Pace, who was a restricted free agent. The difference is that restricted free agents generally can negotiate with other teams and the franchise can match.”
“An exclusive rights free agent can’t listen to other offers if he’s tendered. Redmond staying around has been the expected outcome. He’s now signed through the 2027 season and would be a restricted free agent next year. The Vikings could hand him a long-term extension. Redmond was a key piece in the middle of Brian Flores’ defensive line as a true disruptor in his second season with the Vikings.”
Dollars to donuts, Redmond might’ve been the Vikings’ second-best player in 2025 next to Justin Jefferson.
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“Initially coming into the league as an undrafted rookie with the Carolina Panthers in 2023, he failed to qualify for their 53-man roster and took the long road over the UFL. That’s where the Vikings spotted his talent and brought him in for their training camp in 2024,” Eckardt continued.
“It was not the first time his football career was delayed. In college at Oklahoma, blood clots cost him some time and later, he opted out during COVID for the same reason. Despite excellent preseason play in 2024, he was initially stashed on the practice squad.”
The Evolving DT Situation Next to Redmond
Meanwhile, Minnesota will likely add more DT talent over the next month after offloading the aforementioned Allen and Hargrave this offseason, a pair who logged over 1,300 defensive snaps in 2025.
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Minnesota Vikings defensive linemen Jalen Redmond (61) and Alex Williams (99) go through positional drills at training camp, Jul. 29, 2025, at the team’s facility in Eagan, working through repetitions as coaches evaluate depth and competition along the defensive front ahead of preseason roster decisions. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
From the draft, names like Peter Woods (Clemson), Kayden McDonald (Ohio State), Caleb Banks (Florida), Lee Hunter (Texas Tech), Christen Miller (Georgia), and Domonique Orange (Iowa State) have activated fans’ mock-draft radar.
And from free agency, Christian Wilkins and D.J. Reader remain available.
RCB vs LSG Live Score, IPL 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Krunal Pandya has given Royal Challengers Bengaluru their second wicket against Lucknow Super Giants as he dismissed Mitchell Marsh for 40.
The UEFA Champions League returns with a blockbuster encounter as Bayern Munich host Real Madrid at the Allianz Arena in the second leg of their quarter-final clash. The German giants hold a narrow advantage after securing a 2-1 win in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Bayern’s victory in Madrid, powered by goals from Luis Diaz and Harry Kane, ended a long winless streak against Real Madrid. However, Kylian Mbappe’s late goal has ensured that the tie remains finely balanced heading into the decisive second leg.
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Historically, Bayern Munich have been extremely strong in two-legged ties after winning the first leg away from home, progressing in the vast majority of such scenarios. They also come into this match in excellent domestic form, having registered a dominant 5-0 win over St Pauli, which has further strengthened their position at the top of the Bundesliga standings.
The Allianz Arena has been a fortress for Bayern this season. They have won all their home matches in Europe so far and boast an impressive record in Champions League games on home soil, losing just once in their last 28 outings. Their consistency at home will give them confidence as they aim to reach their first semi-final since their 2019-20 triumph.
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Real Madrid, on the other hand, are under pressure after a series of underwhelming performances in La Liga. Recent dropped points against Mallorca and Girona have dented their title hopes, leaving them trailing in the race. The team is also adjusting to life under manager Alvaro Arbeloa, and results have been inconsistent across competitions.
Despite these challenges, Real Madrid’s pedigree in the Champions League cannot be overlooked. The Spanish side have a strong track record against German opposition in knockout ties and have consistently found ways to deliver in high-pressure European matches. They also have a solid recent record at the Allianz Arena, remaining unbeaten in their last few visits.
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With Bayern holding a slender lead and Real Madrid known for their resilience in Europe, this second leg promises to be an intense and closely fought battle, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Bayern Munich Team News
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Bayern Munich will be missing young winger Lennart Karl due to a thigh injury, while goalkeeper Sven Ulreich is also sidelined with a muscle problem. Harry Kane, however, is expected to be available despite experiencing some discomfort after the first leg, which led to him being an unused substitute in the recent match against St Pauli.
Kane has been in strong form against Real Madrid in the Champions League, contributing either a goal or an assist in each of his last four appearances against them. He has already scored 11 goals in this season’s tournament and is just one short of setting a new personal best in the competition.
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In attack, Serge Gnabry is likely to return to the starting lineup after recovering from a minor knee issue and could feature alongside Luis Diaz and Michael Olise, with Jamal Musiala potentially dropping out. In midfield, Aleksandar Pavlovic is pushing for a place in the starting XI ahead of Leon Goretzka.
At the back, Jonathan Tah, Dayot Upamecano, and Josip Stanisic, all of whom were rested in the previous match, are expected to come back into the side. They are likely to join Konrad Laimer in defence, providing cover for veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer.
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Real Madrid Team News
Real Madrid will be without Thibaut Courtois, who is sidelined with a thigh injury, and Rodrygo, who remains out with an ACL problem. In addition, Aurelien Tchouameni is suspended after picking up his third booking of the tournament in the first leg, ruling him out of Wednesday’s clash.
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Kylian Mbappe, who leads the Champions League scoring charts this season with 14 goals in 10 matches and is closing in on the single-season record of 17, is also a slight doubt after suffering a facial injury against Girona. If he is cleared to play, he is expected to feature in attack alongside Vinicius Junior, with Arda Guler or Brahim Diaz competing for the remaining forward spot, while Gonzalo Garcia remains an option to lead the line.
In midfield, Real Madrid may turn to Eduardo Camavinga or youngster Thiago Pitarch Pinar to partner Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham in Tchouameni’s absence. Defensively, a reshuffle is likely, with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Antonio Rudiger, Dean Huijsen, and Alvaro Carreras all in contention to return to the starting XI.
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Bayern Munich vs Real Madrid probable starting eleven:
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