The Minnesota Vikings’ salary cap situation is grim in mid-February, but can be easily “fixed” with a few strokes of a pen. One such transaction might include a roster cut for T.J. Hockenson, who managed just 438 receiving yards in 2025 because the franchise used him more as a blocker than a pass-catcher. If so, Hockenson would land somewhere in March, and the following destinations make the most sense.

If Minnesota moves on from Hockenson, several teams make sense based on scheme fit, cap space, and tight end need.

And, of course, Minnesota would need a replacement TE1, either from free agency or the draft.

The Most Logical Landing Spots for Hockenson

Ranked in ascending order (No. 1 = top Hockenson landing spot), here’s where Minnesota’s TE1 could end up if released.

5. Houston Texans

The Texans are stocked with decent tight ends: Dalton Schultz and Cade Stover. Hockenson isn’t fully mandatory.

Still, Texans quarterback coach Jerrod Johnson worked with Hockenson in 2022 as the Vikings’ assistant quarterbacks coach. He saw the immediate impact Hockenson had on Minnesota’s offense. Houston could sign Hockenson as a TE1-TE2 and slide Stover to the back of the line.

4. Washington Commanders

The Commanders’ best tight end under contract next season is a man named John Bates. So, yes, Washington needs a TE1, and if Minnesota lets Hockenson walk, some team can sign him for cheap because the Vikings will be on the hook for most of his 2026 salary.

A guy named Lance Newmark is the assistant general manager in Washington. From 2016 to 2021, he worked as the Detroit Lions’ Director of Player Personnel, meaning he helped bring Hockenson into the NFL. The connection is there.

3. Carolina Panthers

Darrell Bevell will be the Panthers’ assistant head coach in 2026, and Bevell offensively coordinated Hockenson during his first two seasons in the NFL. Bevell also has ties to the Vikings from 20 years ago; this thing has pipelines all around.

Carolina’s tight ends are scheduled to be Tommy Tremble and JaTavion Sanders next season. Hockenson will surge to the top of the depth chart if signed in Carolina and will be featured heavily, which he’ll enjoy. The Vikings basically ignored him in the passing game last season.

Zach Roberts of SI.com on the Panthers’ tight end need: “The Panthers have tried drafting a tight end, and they still need one. If they aren’t going to draft one early, which they probably shouldn’t, then they shouldn’t draft one at all. There are some interesting names on the potential trade market like Dawson Knox and Cole Kmet, so the Panthers should be willing to send a mid-round draft pick or two to whoever to add one of those tight ends.”

2. Atlanta Falcons

Bob Quinn is the senior advisor to the head coach down in Atlanta, and he personally drafted Hockenson in 2019 as the Lions’ general manager. Tanner Engstrand also works for the Falcons as the passing game coordinator; he has ties to Hockenson from the Lions’ days as Hockenson’s tight end coach.

Atlanta may not have the funds to retain Kyle Pitts next month. If that’s true, the Falcons can let Pitts walk to the highest bidder and sign Hockenson for NFL pennies.

SI.com‘s Garrett Champman on Pitts: “A franchise tag is anticipated to rise to ~$16 million in 2026 (5.28%) of the projected cap. The former No. 4 overall pick never quite lived up to his lofty pre-draft expectations, but did bookend his time in Atlanta with a pair of years that were among the NFL’s best.”

“He is still only 25, and his best football very well could be ahead of him. With some inconsistent seasons mixed in there for Pitts, the idea of signing him to a long extension could carry some risk. However, nothing would be worse for a Falcons fan to stomach than the tight end taking his game to the elite level in another uniform.”

1. Pittsburgh Steelers

Who was Hockenson’s tight end coach for the last four seasons? Brian Angelichio. Where does Angelichio work now? He’s the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers. What’s one of the top offseason needs for the Steelers? A true TE1.

This is the best fit for Hockenson, mainly because of the Angelichio connection. If Hockenson leaves this offseason, folks should expect him to land in Pittsburgh, where he’ll feast on Aaron Rodgers’s balls for a year.

Otherwise, Pittsburgh can roll with Pat Freiermuth, Darnell Washington, and Jonnu Smith again and call it good. Mike McCarthy’s team certainly doesn’t have a quantity problem at tight end. It just needs better quality. That’s Hockenson.

James Doleman is the referee for Wales vs France in the 2026 Six Nations.

The New Zealander made his tournament debut during the 2023 championship, and has been given the whistle for this round two fixture as the tournament favourites visit Cardiff.

Born in Tauranga in the Bay of Plenty, Doleman took up officiating while still a student in Dunedin. With his parents living in Hong Kong, Doleman has also spent plenty of time refereeing in the city.

He took charge of the final of the 2019 World Rugby U20 Championship before becoming a professional referee a year later, overseeing a number of Super Rugby fixtures in 2020

A step-up to international level followed in 2021. It was at Twickenham three years ago that he oversaw a first Six Nations encounter, refereeing England’s win over Italy, while he operated as an assistant during the World Cup in France in the autumn of 2023.

Doleman is joined on the officiating team by England’s Christophe Ridley and Sam Grove-White of Scotland. Compatriot Richard Kelly is the TMO, with Mike Adamson on hand in the bunker to rule on any acts of foul play.

Wales vs France officials

Referee: James Doleman (NZ)

Assistant Referees: Christophe Ridley (Eng) & Sam Grove-White (Sco)

Television Match Official: Richard Kelly (NZ)

Foul Play Review Officer: Mike Adamson (Sco)

During Team USA’s comeback men’s hockey win over Denmark at the Winter Olympics, two fans raised the flag of Greenland in the stands to protest President Donald Trump’s intent to acquire Greenland for the U.S. 

The flag was raised enthusiastically after Denmark took an early lead. However, the U.S. came back to win the game 6-3. 

Vita Kalniņa and her husband Alexander Kalniņš, fans of the Latvian hockey team who live in Germany, held up a large Greenland flag during warmups and again when the Danish team scored the opening goal of the preliminary round game against the U.S., which ultimately beat Denmark 6-3.

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The United States’ Brady Tkachuk, right, challenges Denmark’s Oliver Bjorkstrand during a preliminary round match of men’s ice hockey at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

“We are Europeans, and I think as Europeans we must hold together,” Kalniņš told The Associated Press.

“The Greenlandic people decide what will happen with Greenland, but, as it is now, Greenland is a part of the Danish kingdom and, as Greenland is a part of Denmark, as in this case, we support both countries against the U.S.”

A Danish fan at the game, Dennis Petersen, said, “It doesn’t matter whatever sport it is — it could be tennis, it could be bobsledding, it can be ice hockey, it could be football — it has nothing to do with politics. … They are athletes, not politicians.”

An American fan at the game, Rem de Rohan, said, “I think this is the time for people to kind of put that down and compete country versus country and enjoy,” he said. “We love rooting on every country that’s been here.”

Fans on social media had their own reactions to the flag display and the result of the game. 

“Now that the USA is up 4-2 could we place a wager that if the USA wins the game, Denmark gives up Greenland?” one fan wrote in response to the flag.

One fan wrote, “Team USA won, do we get Greenland now?”

AMERICANS ATTENDING OLYMPICS URGED TO ‘EXERCISE CAUTION’ AFTER ITALIAN RAILWAYS HIT BY SUSPECTED ‘SABOTAGE’

The United States’ Jack Eichel, second right, celebrates after scoring his team’s third goal during a preliminary round match of men’s ice hockey against Denmark at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Italy, Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Another fan similarly said, “How did that turn out? we won, we get greenland now.”

Some American conservative influencers used the U.S. victory as a springboard to make viral jokes about annexing Greenland. 

The comeback victory by the U.S. appeared uncertain early in the game. 

After trailing 2-1 through the first period, the Americans dominated on offense to take a 6-3 victory over Denmark Saturday in the Milan Cortina Olympic Games.

The Americans scored three unanswered goals to open the second period, with 4 Nations hero Brady Tkachuk (Ottawa Senators), Jack Eichel (Vegas Golden Knights) and Noah Hanifin (Vegas Golden Knights) finding the back of the net. 

Both sets of brothers on the team — Brady and Matthew Tkachuk and Jack and Quinn Hughes — each had a point in the contest. Fourteen players had points for the Americans with a different goal scorer each time the lamp was lit.

The Americans had 47 shots on goal compared to Denmark’s 21.

The U.S. ends preliminary play Sunday with a game against Germany at 3:10 p.m. ET. The Americans will once again be heavy favorites, and a victory will put them into the knockout stage.

The Americans can also go right to the knockout stage with an overtime loss. With a regulation loss, their fate would be determined by Canada’s game against France and point differentials with Slovakia, Finland and Sweden.

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But as a heavy favorite against a German team with just eight NHL players, the U.S. may not need to worry.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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The Atlanta Falcons will probably release Kirk Cousins in the next few weeks, and his next team can sign him for cheap. Because Cousins will basically be free in 2026 — he’s already been paid by Atlanta — so media members have already speculated that a reunion in Minnesota is on the table. Well, that’s an awful idea.

A Cousins return sounds familiar, yet Minnesota’s 2026 priorities at QB point toward younger upside and smarter team-building value.

Cousins might have a decent season or two left in the tank, but he should play them out with a squad outside Minnesota.

Why a Cousins Reunion Fails the 2026 Test

The idea of a Cousins reunion is unflattering.

The Age — 38

Cousins will turn 38 this summer. His talents will not increase as he ages; this never happens for athletes, except in rare cases of GOAT behavior like Tom Brady.

The Vikings turned the page on Cousins three offseasons ago because age and injury had entered the equation. It would be silly for decision-makers to convince themselves that an age-38 Cousins would have some big reclamation tour waiting.

The Jared Allen Quote

With Cousins’s name floating around Minnesota’s rumor mill, Kay Adams asked Vikings Hall of Famer Jared Allen about a Cousins reunion.

Allen replied, “No — no. In his prime, we weren’t winning championships with him.”

This is the correct stance, a common Allen dub. The Cousins’ plan in Minnesota didn’t work to the tune of a Super Bowl in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, or 2023. Hell, Minnesota only reached the postseason twice in those six campaigns. Allen is right. Why would the Vikings start contending with a Super Bowl in 2026 if they did no such thing with Cousins from 2018 to 2023? How would that work?

Minnesota already has proof that Cousins can’t guide the team to the Promised Land. Six years of proof.

Already a Lightning Rod among Fans

Because of his ability to habitually maximize his pocketbook while usually offering the 11th- or 12th-best quarterback play in the NFL, Cousins represented a divisive creature in the Twin Cities during his run. Re-upping with Cousins would force the 35%-%40% of the fan base that didn’t care for him to get inspired all over again. Instead, most of that camp will groan and grimace.

The vibes would not be off the charts.

He Can’t Move

Most of J.J. McCarthy’s fantastic moments in 2025 arrived when he operated off schedule, using his legs to flee a collapsing pocket. There’s no reason to believe that a Vikings quarterback won’t be asked to do that again in 2026. Cousins cannot do that. He’s old.

Wherever Cousins lands next season, he’ll be a classic pocket passer — almost a caricature of it — and nothing more. His mobility hasn’t really been showcased since the Washington Commanders days. He likes to sling the rock from the pocket, and late into his 30s, that’s all he’s got.

Minnesota will need a nimble quarterback. Cousins is not nimble. In his late 30s, he’s one of the least nimble players in all of football.

The Optics

This one might be lame, so bear with us.

In the court of public opinion, Minnesota will be perceived as striking out on McCarthy and crawling back to Cousins. His signing will resemble the boxing towel-throw of McCarthy’s early development. It really doesn’t matter if folks roast the Vikings for reuniting with Cousins — but they will roast, rest assured. It will be a terrible look for McCarthy.

Cousins Was Not Good in 2025

Thirty-five quarterbacks threw the ball as much or more than Cousins in 2025, and he ranked 30th of those 35 qualifying quarterbacks in EPA per play when the season concluded.

Assuming the Vikings take the Cousins bait this offseason, they will knowingly and willfully sign the NFL’s fifth-worst quarterback from the season prior, expecting the plan to translate into Super Bowl contention.

It might be the worst idea imaginable to think that’s wise. “We need a good quarterback to contend for the Super Bowl. Let’s sign the fifth-worst one then from 2025 — who’s also 38 years old and can’t move.”

It just doesn’t add up.

What Would It Really Achieve?

Unless Minnesota has changed its mission statement without telling the public, the goal is to win a Super Bowl and end a 65-year drought. Signing Cousins might allow the club to contend for a 10-7 or 11-6 record if everything goes well and high-profile players stay healthy.

The goal should be finding a quarterback who keeps the Super Bowl window open for multiple seasons — not loading up around a 38-year-old whose team couldn’t win a non-competitive NFC South in 2025.

Rolling with a Cousins would signal a concession that 10-7 seasons are good enough.

Former WWE star Ash by Elegance (fka Dana Brooke) has been making headlines with her work on TNA lately, and her recent run as the leader of the Elegance Brand has been phenomenal. Fans of the former Knockouts World Champion have been wondering what the future holds for her now that she is back after announcing her retirement.

TNA Hall of Famer Mickie James announced her retirement three years ago. However, the veteran star shocked fans at TNA No Surrender with an unexpected comeback. Moments after the TNA Knockouts World Tag Team Title match involving The Elegance Brand, James made an appearance and blindsided Ash by Elegance. The sudden assault turned the post-match celebration into chaos and immediately sparked rumors of James’ potential in-ring return.

Following her massive return, James took a shot at Ash by Elegance, sending a message to the latter on Valentine’s Day. The WWE legend asked the 37-year-old to be hers, dropping a massive tease for a potential feud between the two women in the near future.

“Be mine ❤️@Ashamae_Sebera @ThisIsTNA,” she wrote.

Check out the post below:

Will Mickie James return to the ring against a former WWE star?

Following her massive return at TNA No Surrender, it is clear that Mickie James is not really done with the incredible in-ring work she does. The veteran’s attack on the former WWE star Ash by Elegance makes it clear that TNA could book a singles match between the two women very soon. While the match has not been made official yet, the excitement among fans makes it clear that a potential battle between them could steal the spotlight.

Fans will now have to wait and see what the company has in store for both women in the near future.