Dec 6, 2009; Glendale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber against the Arizona Cardinals at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Cardinals defeated the Vikings 30-17. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings’ upcoming quarterback competition at training camp will evidently be the real thing. Folks are lining up to proclaim it as such, and Ben Leber is no different.
The Vikings wanted competition everywhere. Quarterback now owns the spotlight.
Leber explained the stakes this week, paving the way for quite the showdown in Eagan.
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Minnesota’s QB Room Has a Real Summer Showdown
Who you got? J.J. McCarthy or Kyler Murray?
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray participates in minicamp drills on Jun. 11, 2019, at the team’s training facility in Tempe. Murray entered the NFL with enormous expectations as the top overall pick and later developed into one of football’s more dangerous dual-threat quarterbacks because of his mobility, arm talent, and off-script playmaking ability. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.
Leber on the QB Battle
Leber hopped on KFAN this week and said, “I don’t think you can really go wrong either way; I think there’s going to be some shock and awe from people who can’t believe it if McCarthy wins the job. I’m sure some will think there’s politics behind it, but I honestly believe it’s all business.”
“I don’t think they’re trying to placate anyone or make a political decision. I think they simply want to create as much competition as possible at every position, and quarterback is no exception.”
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Minnesota signed Murray in March for $1.3 million after the Arizona Cardinals cut ties.
Leber continued, “May the best man win. There’s too much riding on the season; there’s too much talent on this team.”
“This is not a rebuilding year where you say, ‘Oh, we’re just going to get cute, win a few games and be competitive.’ There’s no reason why we can’t compete to win this division. None at all. This is not just a wasted year. This is a year where, ‘Let’s go for it.’”
The Daniel Jones Comparison
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Leber also likened Murray’s 2026 situation to Daniel Jones in 2025, explaining, “It could very well be a Daniel Jones situation where he walked into the Colts, and they said, ‘Hey, we can’t guarantee anything, but we’ll give you a one-year rental deal, and all you have to do is get into a competition with Anthony Richardson. It’s up to you whether you think you can beat out Anthony Richardson.’”
“Then Daniel Jones was like, ‘Yeah, I see the writing on the wall here. I know that I can beat this guy out. ‘Maybe just situationally and also from a personal confidence standpoint.”
Leber added, “Kyler and his agent are not blind. They saw what happened with J.J. McCarthy last year, and they know the Vikings are looking for other services to bolster that room and bring in true competition.”
Betting Money on Murray?
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Murray arrives with a huge chip on his shoulder, a factor that shouldn’t be underestimated.
His release by Arizona after seven seasons is a bitter pill for any quarterback, particularly one with Murray’s personality and swagger. Though the Cardinals never secured a playoff victory with him and ultimately moved on, Minnesota now gains a highly motivated quarterback. He brings a documented track record of production and an athletic prowess capable of singlehandedly altering games.
Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy shares a postgame moment with Commanders cornerback Mike Sainristil on Dec. 7, 2025, after a matchup at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. McCarthy’s first season as Minnesota’s starter featured flashes of high-end arm talent, leadership traits, and growing confidence while navigating increased expectations around the franchise quarterback role. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
And he’s not a player who’s starting at square one. Projecting over a 17-game season, Murray routinely delivers approximately 4,000 passing yards, 30 total touchdowns, and 600 rushing yards. These are star-level numbers for a dual-threat quarterback, even if Arizona struggled to translate them into playoff success.
From a pure talent perspective, the comparison is straightforward. Murray surpasses McCarthy in speed, accuracy, experience, and arm strength. However, McCarthy’s five-inch height advantage is a notable factor. Both men have injury concerns.
Remember Murray’s Injury Resume
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While Murray may be the frontrunner to earn the QB1 job at training camp, one must remember his durability. Since 2019, Murray has missed 26% of all starts due to injury, and if that pattern holds in his first season with the Vikings, McCarthy will get one big shot to strut his stuff, assuming he starts the season as the QB2.
The Vikings drafted McCarthy in 2024 to be their future quarterback, plain and simple. The commitment was evident when they passed on established veterans like Sam Darnold, Aaron Rodgers, and the aforementioned Jones during the 2025 offseason in favor of McCarthy.
Former Vikings linebacker Ben Leber watches from the sideline on Oct. 5, 2025, during an NFL International Series game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. Leber has remained connected to the organization after retirement, frequently appearing in Vikings media coverage and offering analysis on Minnesota’s roster and outlook. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
At just 23 years old (Murray, by comparison, will turn 29 this summer), McCarthy has significant room for growth. If the Vikings’ original plan unfolds as hoped, he will arrive at training camp with sharper mechanics, improved command, greater maturity, and the same magnetic locker room presence that inspired belief in him last year.
McCarthy has already shown flashes of his potential. In college, he executed throws that few quarterbacks can make, and his teammates visibly rallied around his energy. His arm talent, leadership, and drive are undeniable.
Now, the Vikings simply await the arrival of the complete package. That could happen if Murray succumbs to an injury.
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Perhaps Leber is right that Minnesota has the best of both worlds.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
As geopolitical tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran continue to dominate headlines, preparations for the FIFA World Cup 2026 are moving ahead in Arizona, where Iran’s national football team is still expected to set up its tournament base camp.
Iran, also known as Team Melli, is scheduled to stay in Tucson ahead of the World Cup next month, even as uncertainty remains around the broader political and security situation involving the country.
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Tucson preparing to host Team Melli
The city of Tucson in Arizona has been officially designated as Iran’s training base during the tournament. The team is expected to use the Kino Sports Complex as its primary facility before travelling to Los Angeles and Seattle for group-stage matches.
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According to Kino Sports Complex director Sarah Hanna, preparations have continued without interruption despite rising tensions between the two nations.
“We’re just excited to host them here, and we’re going to give them a positive experience,” Hanna told AFP.
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Ground staff are reportedly maintaining FIFA-standard conditions, including carefully managing the grass height and overall pitch quality. Security arrangements, accommodation bookings and operational planning are also being finalised well in advance of the tournament.
“Right now, I’m probably averaging about 12 to 20 meetings regarding this training facility a week,” Hanna said. “From our concessionaire for food and beverage … to lots of grounds meetings with FIFA coming out to check.” he added.
Political tensions continue in the background
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The preparations come during a prolonged military and diplomatic standoff involving Iran, the United States and Israel. Although a ceasefire has technically been in place for weeks, tensions remain unresolved amid naval restrictions, sanctions and regional instability.
Despite speculation regarding Iran’s participation, FIFA has maintained that the team will compete in the World Cup as scheduled.
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“As far as we’re concerned, it’s 100 percent on, and it’s never been off,” Hanna said. “Since they’ve been identified as the team, we’ve been moving forward as them as our team until we hear something different from FIFA.”
Iran’s football federation has also publicly stated that the national team intends to participate, while reportedly seeking assurances related to visas, staff treatment and security arrangements.
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Trump comments sparked debate
Earlier this year, US President Donald Trump raised concerns over Iran’s participation by questioning whether it would be safe for the players to travel to the United States.
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“I really don’t believe it is appropriate that they be there, for their own life and safety,” Trump wrote in a social media post.
However, locals in Tucson and members of the football community have largely rejected the idea that the Iranian squad would face hostility.
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Jon Pearlman, president of FC Tucson, insisted the city would welcome the team. “I don’t think President Trump or any part of our government will make it their business to make them feel unwelcome or unsafe,” Pearlman said. “I think it will do the opposite.”
Football community backs Iran’s participation
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Tucson’s sporting community has continued to emphasise football’s role in bringing people together during periods of political conflict.
At the Kino Sports Complex, Iran’s players are expected to have access to gym facilities, recovery areas, massage rooms and training equipment throughout the tournament.
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“We welcome them with open arms,” Pearlman said. “We are part of the world soccer community. We are part of what FIFA is trying to do, and we believe the game is something that brings nations together, not drives them apart.” he added.
Residents of Tucson also echoed similar views regarding the team’s arrival. “I hope that they still feel welcome here,” local football player Rob McLane said. “Even though we’re doing what we’re doing, which is ridiculous.”
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Iran’s FIFA World Cup 2026 schedule
Iran are expected to arrive in Tucson roughly two weeks before their opening FIFA World Cup 2026 fixture.
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Team Melli will begin their campaign against New Zealand on June 15 in Los Angeles before facing Belgium on June 21. Their final Group G match will take place against Egypt in Seattle.
Egyptian giants Ismaily SC have been officially relegated to the Egyptian second division for the first time in their 68-year history.
The historic club from the city of Ismailia suffered a 2-1 defeat to Wadi Degla on Wednesday night, confirming their relegation after a disappointing campaign.
The result marks one of the darkest moments in the history of Egyptian football, with Ismaily, one of the country’s most respected clubs, unable to avoid the drop despite their rich pedigree.
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Founded in 1924, Ismaily are widely regarded as one of the traditional powerhouses of Egyptian football and remain the first North African club to win the prestigious CAF Champions League, achieving the feat in 1969.
Their relegation has sparked emotional reactions among supporters and football followers across Africa, bringing an end to the club’s long stay in the Egyptian top flight.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) are taking on Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in match number 57 of IPL 2026 at Shaheed Veer Narayan Singh International Stadium in Raipur. RCB are well-placed at second position in the points table, with seven wins from 11 matches. Despite a late surge, KKR are down in eighth place, with four wins from 10 games.
RCB beat Mumbai Indians (MI) by two wickets in a nail-biter in Raipur in their previous match. Fielding first, RCB restricted MI to 166-7 as Bhuvneshwar Kumar stood out with figures of 4-23. In the chase, RCB slipped to 39-3 before Krunal Pandya (73 off 46 balls) led a solid fightback.
KKR won their fourth consecutive game by hammering Delhi Capitals (DC) by eight wickets in their previous clash at Arun Jaitley Stadium. Bowling first, KKR restricted DC to 142-8 as most of the bowlers chipped in. In the chase, Finn Allen slammed 100* off 47 balls as lift KKR to an easy win.
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Today’s RCB vs KKR toss result
RCB have won the toss and have opted to bowl first. RCB have made one change – Venkatesh Iyer comes in for Romario Shepherd. For KKR, Varun Chakaravarthy misses out due to a niggle, so Saurabh Dubey comes in.
RCB vs KKR – Today’s match playing XIs
Royal Challengers Bengaluru: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Rajat Patidar (c), Jitesh Sharma (w), Tim David, Venkatesh Iyer, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Rasikh Salam Dar, Jacob Duffy, Josh Hazlewood
“The conditions are hot and humid with a chance of thunderstorms. The pitch being used is a fresh surface. It appears quite similar to the wicket used in the previous match. The surface has noticeable cracks, which are expected to produce variable and inconsistent bounce. Fast bowlers are likely to enjoy these conditions. Batters will need to play cautiously early on.” – Nick Knight and Aaron Finch
Today’s RCB vs KKR match players list
Royal Challengers Bengaluru squad: Virat Kohli, Jacob Bethell, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (c), Krunal Pandya, Tim David, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Phil Salt (wk), Swapnil Singh, Josh Hazlewood, Suyash Sharma, Rasikh Salam, Satvik Deswal, Abhinandan Singh, Jacob Duffy, Venkatesh Iyer, Mangesh Yadav, Jordan Cox, Vicky Ostwal, Vihaan Malhotra, Kanishk Chouhan
“Not in a million years” did Daniel Levy believe Tottenham would be fighting for Premier League survival this season after he stepped down as executive chairman in September.
Levy said “relegation was not something we ever considered” during his 25 years in the role, but a wretched run of form in 2026 saw them slip into the drop zone.
After taking eight points from the last 12, Spurs are now two points above third-bottom West Ham with two games remaining.
Levy was appointed a CBE in the New Year Honours list for his services to charity and the community.
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Speaking following Wednesday’s investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle he said he felt “emptiness” at the team’s league position, but insisted he remained “optimistic that we will remain in the Premier League”.
Asked if he saw any signs the club would end up in a relegation scrap, he added “never, no, not in a million years”.
Levy oversaw the construction of Tottenham Hotspur Stadium and although the team reached the 2019 Champions League final, the only trophies Spurs won during Levy’s spell as executive chairman were the 2008 League Cup and last season’s Europa League.
“What I would have hoped for is winning the Premier League, winning the Champions League… easier said than done,” he added.
NLEX Road Warriors’ Robert Bolick during a game vs TNT Tropang 5G in the 2026 PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net
MANILA, Philippines—NLEX forward JB Bahio believes things could have turned out differently had Robert Bolick been on the floor in the closing minutes of their 96-93 loss to TNT in Game 1 of the PBA Commissioner’s Cup quarterfinals.
Following the crucial defeat on Wednesday, Bahio said NLEX missed Bolick’s presence late in the game after the star guard fouled out.
“I’m sure things would be different. Berto’s different. He’s brought us so many times to the finish line with his decision-making,” he told the Inquirer at Ninoy Aquino Stadium on Wednesday.
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“We needed to show the next man up, we had to show up but we couldn’t get the win.”
NLEX trailed TNT, 88-84, midway through the fourth quarter when Bolick was called for his sixth foul after fouling Jayson Castro in transition with 4:33 left.
Before fouling out, Bolick had 15 points, four assists and three rebounds.
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Without their top playmaker in crunch time, the Road Warriors failed to protect their twice-to-beat advantage as TNT forced a do-or-die game.
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“Breaks of the game. The luck just didn’t get to us in the end,” Bahio said.
Bolick, Bahio and the Road Warriors try to close out the series on Saturday at Ninoy Aquino Stadium.
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Last year was my worst year of baseball plays for OutKick. It wasn’t terrible by any stretch, but I never really found a footing, and I never went on a hot streak. I feel like I’m in the middle of a hot stretch or maybe at the start of one as I’ve hit five non-player prop plays in a row, and seven of my last eight plays. Baseball is typically my most profitable sport, so I hope we get our bankroll loaded this year.
The Kansas City Royals have been a bit of a disappointment this season. They are just 19-23 for the year and have lost twice as many road games as they’ve won, a 6-13 mark.
Overall, the team seems to be struggling to score. They are 22nd in the league in runs scored, averaging 4.1 runs per game. It isn’t terrible by any stretch. Their batting average isn’t terrible; they are ranked 15th in the league, which is right in the middle.
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Kansas City Royals starting pitcher Seth Lugo delivers a pitch against the Baltimore Orioles during the first inning at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo., on April 20, 2026.(Denny Medley/Imagn Images)
Their pitching hasn’t been great, but one guy who has been fairly reliable is Seth Lugo. If you’ve read my posts in the past, you know I’ve made a ton of money on Lugo starts. He is 1-2 for the season with a 3.21 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. He has made eight starts this season, and two of them were poor. One was against the Los Angeles Angels, where he allowed seven earned runs over 6.1 innings. In his last outing, he allowed four runs on seven hits over four innings.
This will be the second time he has faced the Chicago White Sox this season. In the first outing, he went 6.1 innings and allowed two runs, one earned. He hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in a game against the White Sox in 41.1 innings of his career.
The Chicago White Sox are an early-season surprise. I live in Chicago, and I don’t think most of the fans or residents here thought they would be this good. Good, I suppose, is a relative term in this situation. They are under .500 entering today’s game at 20-21, but they do have a winning record at home at 10-9. Their offseason signing, Munetaka Murakami, has been a very good power hitter with 15 homers already this year. The team is only hitting .231 for the year, though, so there should be reason to be pessimistic about the team’s future.
Bobby Witt Jr. slides past Cal Raleigh’s tag at home plate to score during the seventh inning at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Wash., on July 3, 2025. The Kansas City Royals won 3-2 over the Seattle Mariners.(Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
Wednesday’s starter for the White Sox is Noah Schultz. His numbers aren’t great at 2-2 with a 4.68 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP. However, not all of his starts have been bad. He has only made two home starts, going 10.1 innings and allowing five earned runs. I do have some concerns about his mechanics as he has already walked 16 guys in 25 innings. He is also a fly-ball pitcher, which is not ideal in Chicago, where wind can be a major factor. He has never faced the Royals.
I bet on the Royals last time Lugo took the mound against them. They lost the game 2-0. I’m running it back here as I’m not impressed with Schultz. Plus, this would give the White Sox a sweep and as bad as the Royals have been, I can’t see them allowing themselves to get swept. Give me the Royals at a very reasonable price of -120.
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami celebrates his two-run home run against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the seventh inning in Phoenix, Arizona, on April 22, 2026.(Ross D. Franklin/AP Photo)
Additionally, I’m taking the Lugo prop that keeps on giving – under 2.5 earned runs allowed. It is -118, and he has been so good against the White Sox in the past. I’ll back Lugo once again and hope we can get a 2-0 win for the Royals tonight.
They could be the kingmakers in this title race, if the Eagles take points off either City tonight or Arsenal on the final day they could determine the destination of the title.
Palace have a Conference League final just days after that final day visit of the Gunners, prompting a fear that maybe Oliver Glasner will rotate, while it remains to be seen how strong a side the Eagles boss opts for tonight given the busy schedule they have had this term with a deep and historic run in Europe.
One thing is for sure, Glasner is not in the least bit bothered about City or Arsenal.
“I don’t think [about the title race]. If we get a point, we can’t equal our points records, so that’s what we are looking at.,” he said in the build up.
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(Image: Oliver Glasner reacts during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Crystal Palace at Anfield on April 25, 2026)
The New York Mets’ offseason priority for this year was run prevention, and with a little help from an umpire, that’s exactly what they got.
Just about everything has gone badly for the Mets this season, as they boast one of the league’s worst records at 16-25 despite their league-high $334.8 million payroll.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith is tagged out by New York Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez while trying to score during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026.(John Jones/Imagn Images)
The Mets led the Detroit Tigers, 3-2, in the top of the fifth inning when Detroit’s Riley Greene singled into right field, and Colt Keith headed to third.
Keith was safe, beating the throw that got away from third base, so Keith took a gamble and started sprinting toward home.
Detroit Tigers third baseman Colt Keith hits a single against the New York Mets during the fifth inning at Citi Field in New York City on May 12, 2026.(John Jones/Imagn Images)
However, when Keith started heading toward the plate, he crossed paths with third-base umpire Rob Drake. The two collided, and Drake fell right to the infield grass.
That held Keith up for just a couple of seconds, and it was enough for Keith to be thrown out by pitcher Freddy Peralta at home, ending the inning and killing a rally the Tigers could have needed.
The game wound up getting away from the Tigers later, as the Mets scored three runs in both the sixth and eighth innings, and the Mets’ bullpen was able to hold Detroit scoreless for the rest of the game for a 10-2 New York win.
Colt Keith of the Detroit Tigers reacts during the game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia, on April 29, 2026.(Kathryn Skeean/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
The Mets are the owners of the league’s longest losing streak of the season at 12 games, but they have now won six of their last 10 as they desperately try to turn things around.
The 2026 NFL schedule is set to be released this Thursday night. Several games have been leaked, such as the full international schedule, which includes an NFL-record nine games. We also know the first few primetime matchups, such as the Cowboys at Giants on “Sunday Night Football” in Week 1, and Broncos at Chiefs on “Monday Night Football.”
While we don’t know the full NFL schedule just yet, we do know the opponents each team will play — home and away. Now that we also have the full international schedule, we know which teams will have the toughest travel schedules this upcoming season.
Bill Speros of Bookies.com has calculated all of the miles each NFL team will travel in 2026, measuring from stadium to stadium. He discovered that teams will travel a total of 628,873 miles this year, which equals 25.2 trips around the circumference of the Earth. Let’s take a look at Speros’ research:
The 49ers are expected to break an NFL record with over 38,100 miles traveled. A big reason why is because they are participating in the first NFL Australia game, but also make a trip to Mexico City in Week 11. The 49ers will become the first NFL team to play multiple international games in non-consecutive weeks. Speros says the 49ers will cross 58 time zones, breaking the record of 42 set by the Chargers last year.
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There is a caveat, however. If the 49ers bundle their two trips east (Giants and Falcons), they would not break the miles traveled record, per CBS Sports Research. However, we don’t know if those games will be close together on the schedule. Maybe the NFL gives San Francisco a break and puts those road matchups on back-to-back weeks so the 49ers can stay on that side of the country.
Panthers winners of the travel lottery
While the 49ers will travel the most miles in 2026, the Panthers will travel the fewest with 8,740. San Francisco travels 4.4x more miles than Carolina this year! The Panthers will make just six time zone changes, and don’t travel west of Minneapolis.
It’s a pretty nice benefit for the Panthers, who surprised many by clinching the NFC South last year for the first time since their last Super Bowl appearance with an 8-9 record. The Panthers kept up their momentum in the offseason, luring former Eagles pass rusher Jaelan Phillips and Jaguars linebacker Devin Lloyd to Charlotte with lucrative contracts in free agency. This is a team that wants to continue to improve, and the league has handed the franchise a big bonus with a lax travel schedule.
The Minnesota Vikings began interviews for their open general manager post on Monday, followed by a request to interview three more men on Tuesday.
Minnesota’s search now features nine names, including several assistant GMs from playoff-caliber front offices.
For now, Rob Brzezinski holds the interim title, but that could change before too long.
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Minnesota’s Front Office Search Gets Crowded
The Vikings’ search has become more expansive.
Detroit Lions assistant general manager Ray Agnew walks off the field beside offensive lineman Graham Glasgow after practice during training camp on July 22, 2025, at Meijer Performance Center in Allen Park, Michigan. Agnew remains one of the league’s notable front-office evaluators as Detroit continues building around one of the NFL’s deepest rosters entering the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images.
Agnew, Burckardt, Smith Enter GM Mix for Vikings
The search is growing. NFL Network‘s Tom Pelissero tweeted, “The Vikings requested interviews with Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew, Broncos assistant GM Reed Burckhardt and Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith for their general manager job, sources say. Minnesota’s initial round of virtual interviews is underway and the list has now expanded.”
A to Z Sports‘ Tyler Forness added, “It shouldn’t be much of a surprise that Burckhardt is on the list. The Vikings would have seriously considered Broncos general manager George Paton for the position after being in Minnesota for 14 years, but he signed an extension. His No. 2 is an obvious choice to interview, not to mention spending 13 years with the Vikings himself.”
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Who’s Agnew?
Agnew was actually 1st-Round draft pick as a player in 1990 — a defensive tackle taken by the New England Patriots before they morphed into a dynasty.
Here’s Agnew’s recent employment history:
— Los Angeles Rams (2017–2020) Director of Pro Personnel
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— Detroit Lions (2021–present) Assistant General Manager
He’s had a front-row seat to the Lions’ turnaround, going from a bottom-dweller and laughingstock to one of the league’s premier rosters and teams in the last half-decade.
How about Burckhardt?
As mentioned by Forness, Burckhardt is no stranger to the Vikings, serving in various capacities from 2009 to 2022, including these positions:
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Operations Intern
Personnel Department Assistant
BLESTO Scout
Area Scout
Pro Scout
Assistant Director of Pro Scouting
Director of Pro Scouting
He followed George Paton to Denver, taking part in the recent transformation when Sean Payton took over three years ago. Given his background, the man should know how to draft, which the Vikings need.
Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf stands during the NFL Annual League Meeting on March 30, 2026, at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix, Arizona. Wilf participated in offseason discussions involving league business, scheduling, and organizational planning as the Vikings prepared for another pivotal offseason featuring roster decisions and front-office changes around the franchise entering the summer. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
SI.com‘s Zack Kelberman on Burckhardt, “Burckhardt, a Minnesota native who spent 13 seasons working in the Vikings’ personnel department, is one of multiple candidates for the job. The Vikings also requested interviews with Detroit Lions assistant GM Ray Agnew and Miami Dolphins assistant GM Kyle Smith. Burckhardt’s candidacy is closely linked to George Paton, who served as the Vikings’ assistant GM from 2007 to 2020 before taking over as Broncos GM in 2021.”
“Paton brought Burckhardt to Denver the following year as director of player personnel, and the latter steadily rose through the ranks. Promoted to assistant general manager in 2025, he now oversees both pro personnel and college scouting.”
And Smith …
The Vikings onboarded Smith as an undrafted free-agent wide receiver in 2006, sticking around for a few months before continuing his brief NFL journey. He’s the current assistant general manager in Miami, a job he just obtained this offseason.
Here’s his resume as an executive:
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— Washington Commanders (2010–2020) Scouting Intern (2010) Scout (2011–2016) Director of College Personnel (2017–2019) Vice President of Player Personnel (2020)
— Atlanta Falcons (2021–2025) Vice President of Player Personnel (2021–2022) Assistant General Manager (2023–2025)
Miami Dolphins (2026–present) — Assistant General Manager
Smith crossed paths with Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell in Washington before O’Connell took the offensive coordinator job with the Los Angeles Rams, which later propelled him to the Vikings.
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Fans wearing Minnesota Vikings jerseys gather outside White Hart Lane station before kickoff on Oct. 5, 2025, ahead of an NFL International Series game at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London, England. Supporters wearing T.J. Hockenson and Justin Jefferson jerseys packed the surrounding streets as Minnesota continued expanding its international footprint with another overseas appearance. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
A to Z Sports‘ Kyle Crabbs on Smith: “If Minnesota ends up sniping Kyle Smith just months into his tenure with the Miami Dolphins, the only thing to do will be to laugh. It’d be a cruel twist for Sullivan to lose his right hand man, especially after the glimpses we got of Smith in the Dolphins’ draft room appeared to show a strong rapport with Sullivan.”
“Smith also impressed during draft weekend for how he handled the press availabilities after Miami’s selections. He’s impressive. And a general manager job feels probable in his future. It shouldn’t be too much to ask from the football gods to request that it doesn’t happen in 2026, though.”
The Full List of Combatants
To level set, here’s the full list of known Vikings general manager candidates:
Chad Alexander (Chargers Assistant GM)
Rob Brzezinski (Vikings Interim GM)
Ray Agnew (Lions Assistant GM)
Reed Burckhardt (Broncos Assistant GM)
RJ Gillen (49ers Assistant GM)
Terrance Gray (Bills Assistant GM)
John McKay (Rams Assistant GM)
Kyle Smith (Dolphins Assistant GM)
Nolan Teasley (Seahawks Assistant GM)
Dave Ziegler (Titans Assistant GM)
At the current pace, Minnesota should have a decision announced within a week.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
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