On Saturday night, Teofimo Lopez fell well short of expectations as he was dominated by Shakur Stevenson in a fight that cost him his world title. Since then, Lopez’s father and trainer has criticised his performance, and Roy Jones Jr has now had his say on those comments.

On three identical scorecards, Lopez won only one round in a fight that was anticipated to be a 50/50 affair beforehand, as Stevenson cruised to a comfortable victory at Madison Square Garden, with Lopez being unable to provide any resistance.

Following the scrap, Lopez Sr has spoken out and slammed the display of his son, telling Seconds Out that Lopez Jr failed to follow the game plan that he had set out beforehand.

“I was 100 percent sure we were going to win. For some reason, the game plan, my son didn’t do what I told him he was supposed to do. His rhythm was supposed to be different.

“Congratulations to [Stevenson] for winning, but that was not my son in there. I think the media — everything leading up to this fight was talking already about Shakur fighting in May.

“The winner [of this fight] was supposed to fight in May. I think that probably got to him.”

On the All The Smoke Fight YouTube channel, four-division world champion Jones Jr suggested that Lopez should seek out a trainer that better listens to him and provides him with what he needs.

“This is why at some point, as a man, you have got to go and get your own team.

“You can’t be there and just depend on him, because a lot of the time father’s get mad and they are gonna blame everything on you because they’re your father and they’re gonna think ‘well, he didn’t do what I told him to do’.

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“You gotta stop allowing him to tell you what to do, so that he can’t ever blame that on you.”

“At this point, somebody should be listening to what he [Lopez Jr.] says more.”

Lopez is now eyeing up a move to the welterweight division, whether he makes that jump with his father in his corner or not remains to be seen.

Are you excited to see what plan of action the Minnesota Vikings concoct at quarterback? If so, the verdict could arrive sooner rather than later if head coach + de facto personnel general manager Kevin O’Connell uses a trade for his next quarterback. Splashy trades have occurred in the NFL, well, right about now on the calendar.

The calendar has produced real QB deals in this stretch before, and Minnesota’s situation makes an early move feel realistic.

If O’Connell, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores pull the trigger on a quarterback trade, news of the deal doesn’t have to wait until March.

The NFL Calendar Has Precedent for QB Trades … Right Now

Yes, trades are basically fair game in January and February.

The January and February Trade Examples

On January 30th, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs ended the Alex Smith era via trade to the Washington Commanders, leaning full tilt into Patrick Mahomes, a decision that would net three Super Bowl trophies and counting. Smith attempted to latch on to the Commanders, but that didn’t really pan out.

On January 30th, 2021, the Los Angeles Rams conducted an NFL landscape-changing deal by shipping Jared Goff and draft picks to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford. The swap changed each team and the league forever, culminating in a Rams’ Super Bowl triumph one year later. Goff became a Top 12 quarterback in Detroit, whisking that then-sad franchise back to relevance.

On February 18, 2021, the Indianapolis Colts attempted to put their foot down, hoping to solve the quarterback spot once and for all by acquiring Carson Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles for draft picks.

All these deals happened [checks notes] right now on the calendar. There’s no rule stating teams must wait on the trade framework until March. O’Connell can wheel and deal right now if he chooses.

For the Vikings, Why Wait?

Unless Minnesota has sights set on a free agent, like Malik Willis, there’s no reason to wait to work the trade phones. Of course, nobody is absolutely sure if the Vikings prefer to swing for the fences at quarterback or if a veteran backup like Jimmy Garoppolo or Case Keenum would do the trick.

If O’Connell wants the former option — obtaining a big name to compete with McCarthy or flatly takes his job — he may want to act now. Between the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Vikings, a new quarterback might be on the menu for all three teams, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires.

In that vein, for whichever passer Minnesota has in mind, it’s better to agree to trade terms now — like Smith, Stafford, Goff, and Wentz — than to wait until free agency or the draft. The early bird gets the worm.

Code for Kyler Murray?

So, what exactly are we talking about here? It could be an obvious code for Kyler Murray.

The Cardinals have reportedly reached the end of the road with the 28-year-old, hiring a new head coach last week and likely wanting a fresh start after Murray took Arizona to the postseason just once in seven years. Think of it this way: if the Vikings had the same QB1 since 2019 and the club reached the playoffs one time, wouldn’t you want them to try something different?

That’s where the Cardinals are entering the 2026 offseason.

Because Murray’s stock is low and his contract is fat, the team that trades for him can probably ship a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder to the desert and call it good. Why not the Vikings? Why not in February?

Bleacher Report‘s Doric Sam noted on a Murray trade last week, “The relationship between Arizona and franchise quarterback Kyler Murray became strained during Jonathan Gannon’s tenure. Murray was limited to just five games this past season due to a foot injury, and there has been rampant speculation that he could be parting ways with the Cardinals this offseason.”

“ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported last month that ‘multiple sources’ said that Murray’s ‘trade value increased’ following Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s announcement that he was returning to the Ducks. The Cardinals could wipe the slate clean for LaFleur by shipping away the 2019 No. 1 pick if they get an offer they can’t refuse.”

Non-Murray Candidates

If Murray is not Minnesota’s trade target, there are two lists. Here’s the realistic one of quarterback options:

• Drew Lock
• Davis Mills
• Jalen Milroe
• Mac Jones
• Will Levis
• Spencer Rattler
• Anthony Richardson
• Zach Wilson

And the dream-big list, courtesy of starry-eyed Vikings fans:

• Baker Mayfield
• Joe Burrow
• Justin Herbert
• Lamar Jackson

It’s worth noting that Murray lives right in the middle of these lists — probably why he’s inside Minnesota’s rumor mill at a fever pitch.

Overall, remember that a would-be Vikings quarterback trade could hit your phone notifications at any minute.

The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2026 NFL draft.

The Green Bay Packers have their starting left tackle for the upcoming season in Jordan Morgan. The former first-round pick is penciled in to be Jordan Love’s blindside protector for the upcoming season and hopefully for the foreseeable future.

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In Zach Tom, the Packers have one of the best right tackles in the league. With those two in place, the Packers are set at offensive tackle.

What they need to address this offseason is adding a swing tackle. A potential target late on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft is Riley Mahlman. The Wisconsin Badgers‘ offensive tackle checks in at No. 78 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.

A four-star recruit and native of Lakeville, Minnesota, Mahlman started 31 games at right tackle prior to the 2025 season. During his final season as a Badger, Mahlman started the season opener at right tackle and started the final 11 games at left tackle.

“One of the most important developments in Mahlman’s final year was his positional versatility,” Christian Boorman, of Badger Backer, said. “He spent the majority of his career as a right tackle, but injuries along the line forced him over to left tackle to help stabilize the Badgers’ line. Although he had a slight adjustment period, he settled in and proved he could protect the blind side.”

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Standing at 6-8 and 304 pounds, Mahlman is an impressive physical specimen. The Badger offensive tackle has quick, active and powerful hands. He has a strong anchor against power and has agile feet to mirror. Through the first four games of the 2025 campaign, Mahlman gave up two sacks and eight pressures. During the final eight games, the Lakeville native gave up one sack and six pressures, including an impressive outing against a talented Oregon Ducks defensive front, a game in which he gave up zero sacks and zero pressures.

“Mahlman is a reliable pass protector,” Boorman said. “He has been among the leaders in pass blocking grades in the Big Ten on Pro Football Focus. He’s allowed just three sacks the past two seasons. He has relatively quick feet for such a big guy, too.”

Mahlman has strong hands and the grip strength to latch on and drive defenders as a run blocker. He looks comfotable climbing to the second level and he usually hits his landmarks.

“His mobility helps him with any pulling he’ll need to do, but also allows him to get to the second level,’ Boorman said. “He does a good job of keeping his legs driving and finishing blocks through the whistle.”

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Fit with the Packers

The Packers will almost certainly invest heavily in the offensive line this offseason, either via the draft or free agency. Given his track record, Brian Gutekunst will likely use a pick or two, maybe even three, on the position group.

Since taking over as general manager in 2018, Gutekunst has drafted 12 offensive linemen on Day 3 of the draft. As it stands right now, the Packers are projected to have six Day 3 picks and smart money would lead you to believe that at least one of those picks will be used on the offensive line group.

With Rasheed Walker and Sean Rhyan set to hit free agency, and Elgton Jenkins and Aaron Banks potential cap casualties, the Packers will have seats that need butts in them at the offensive line room inside 1265 Lombardi Avenue.

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Mahlman makes sense as a late Day 3 target for the Packers. With his ability to play both tackle spots and his well-rounded skill set, Mahlman could be Green Bay’s swing tackle of the future.

This article originally appeared on Packers Wire: Unpacking Future Packers: No. 78, Wisconsin OT Riley Mahlman

Lefty Framber Valdez is finally off the board. The Tigers have landed the top free-agent pitcher on a three-year contract worth $115 million, reports ESPN. Valdez has an opt out after the second season and there are deferrals, reports The Athletic. The team has not yet announcing the signing.

There are questions with Valdez that explain why he sat around on the market until just days before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Still, there’s a very good track record of success here.

Valdez, 32, has been one of the game’s top starters over the last six seasons, pitching to a 3.23 ERA since 2020 and averaging 30 starts and 192 innings per year since 2021. He is the game’s preeminent ground ball starter. Since 2021, Valdez has gotten a ground ball on more than 60% of balls in play, easily the highest among starting pitchers. The league average is around 42% grounders.

We ranked Valdez as the fourth-best free agent available this offseason, and the top starter available. Here’s the write-up:

Valdez isn’t for everyone. He’s a contact manager from a swing-and-miss generation who, year in and year out, belongs near the bottom of the majors in average exit velocity surrendered. Of course, that statistic doesn’t tell the whole story. Valdez utilizes his three-pitch mix (sinker, curve, change) to coerce the kind of earthbound contact that removes the sting from the ball. Pair him with some well-positioned and surehanded defenders and you’ll be happy with the outcome. Otherwise, why bother? 

Valdez rejected the qualifying offer earlier this offseason. The Tigers will have to surrender a 2026 draft pick to sign him and the Astros, Valdez’s longtime team, will receive a 2026 compensation draft pick for losing him to free agency.

Remember, Valdez came up in the Astros’ system and debuted in 2018, pitching for current Tigers manager A.J. Hinch in the 2018-19 seasons before Hinch was dismissed in the wake of the sign-stealing scandal. 

In adding Valdez, the Tigers now have a pair of frontline lefties atop the rotation along with two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal. Skubal is, of course, a free agent after the 2026 season. The presence of Valdez in the rotation post-2026 helps mitigate some of the potential loss of Skubal’s services, unless the Tigers are able to come to terms on an extension with Skubal. There is also the chance the Tigers decide to trade Skubal and have Valdez take his place in the rotation, too, though that would be a substantial downgrade. 

As things stand, the Tigers look to have a potentially robust rotation. Skubal and Valdez are an excellent place to start. Casey Mize was an All-Star last season, going 14-6 with a 3.87 ERA in 28 starts. Jack Flaherty has shown himself to be inconsistent for years, but when he’s on, he looks like a frontline starter (most recently in 2024). Reese Olson is quite capable for someone who figures to be the fifth starter and Drew Anderson is coming back to the majors after a 2.25 ERA in 30 starts in Korea in 2025. 

The Tigers have made the playoffs and advanced for two straight seasons, losing in Game 5 of the ALDS both times. They had a 14-game lead last season and blew that, finishing one game behind the Guardians for the AL Central title. Still, they bested Cleveland in the Wild Card Series to advance.

The Tigers were already arguably the favorites in the AL Central (+125, per Caesars), so adding Valdez to beef up the rotation puts them in better position to take their first division crown since 2014.

Mick Price’s emerging stars Guest House and Big Sky are benchmarks for his other speedy colts, but a youngster he never saddled up continues to echo strongly in his recollections.

The trainer observed that his Home Affairs gelding echoes 2005 Golden Slipper hero Stratum, father to Guest House’s dam Flamboyant Lass, which spurred Price to invest $270,000 at last year’s Magic Millions January Yearling Sale.

Stratum went to Paul Perry for training after the latter outbid Price for the Redoute’s Choice colt during the 2004 yearling sales.

“I remember Stratum because I bid on him,” Price said.

“He was a beautiful colt with no pedigree and he (Guest House) reminds me of Stratum.

“When I saw him, that’s what I saw.”

In partnership with Michael Kent Jnr, Price sends Guest House out for his second career start since an effortless win at Cranbourne on December 27, entering the $350,000 Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield this Saturday.

Owned by Roll The Dice Racing, the colt looks to replicate Flying Artie, Price’s charge who captured a Prelude 10 years ago en route to a gallant runner-up finish behind stablemate Extreme Choice in the Blue Diamond.

That Extreme Choice had romped home by 4-1/2 lengths in the 1000m Chairman’s Stakes prior, a race recently dominated by three lengths by Guest House’s barnmate Big Sky.

Emulating their predecessors from 10 years past, Guest House at $4 and Big Sky at $4.50 command the shortest prices in this year’s Blue Diamond betting.

With a recent dominant 800m hit-out at Cranbourne on January 26 under his belt, Price expects the Saturday assignment in the $350,000 Group 3 to have Guest House firing for the Group 1 1200m Blue Diamond Stakes on February 21. Fans can dive into the racing betting markets ahead of the key Blue Diamond Prelude clash.

“He’s raring to go, that horse,” Price said.

“So, we’ll sit him off one on Tuesday, get a nice gallop (and) turn up in the 1100 where he’ll be hard to beat.

“He will improve and I reckon he’s got a very robust 1200 (metre race) in him.”

Thirteen colts and geldings are nominated, encompassing the Preview quartette of Alibaba, Milsons Point, Invicto and High Alert, alongside Eternal Warrior (Merson Cooper Stakes) and Eurocanto (Maribyrnong Trial).

A parallel $350,000 Group 2 Prelude for fillies draws 18 nominations topped by Geelong Diamond conqueror Moana Spirit.

The post Guest appearance a stark reminder for Price first appeared on Just Horse Racing.

A preliminary round match between Finland and Canada in women’s ice hockey at the Winter Olympics was postponed on Thursday due to a norovirus outbreak.

The Finnish women’s team was dealing with the issue, the team said.

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Finland’s Elisa Holopainen celebrates scoring their third goal on April 20, 2025. (REUTERS/David W Cerny)

Their matchup with Canada was postponed to Feb. 12. Finland completed its early afternoon practice session with just eight skaters and two goalies. The remaining 13 players were either in quarantine or isolation due to the stomach virus issue that started to affect the players Tuesday.

“While all stakeholders recognize the disappointment of not playing the game as originally scheduled, this was a responsible and necessary decision that reflects the spirit of the Olympic Games and the integrity of the competition,” Olympic officials announced.

TEAM USA HOCKEY STAR ‘FIRED UP’ TO REPRESENT STARS AND STRIPES IN OLYMPICS: ‘WHERE YOU WANT TO BE’

Finland players celebrate with their trophy and medals after the match on April 20, 2025. (REUTERS/David W Cerny)

“All stakeholders thank teams, partners and fans for their cooperation and understanding, and look forward to the rescheduled game being played under safe and appropriate conditions.”

Finland was already considering possibly forfeiting the matchup.

Finland coach Tero Lehterä said it may have been unfair to ask his 10 healthy players to compete in a full game. The coach said the team took into account the possibility that Canada was also plagued by the same issue.

“Most of them are getting better but not healthy enough to play. And there’s the chance that if we would play it could influence Team Canada and their health as well,” Lehterä said following practice.

Finland players celebrate with their trophy and medals after the match at the World Championships on April 20, 2025. (REUTERS/David W Cerny)

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“But I couldn’t risk my players if they were ill yesterday to play tonight because that would be wrong against the individual,” he added.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Former two-division world champion Roger Mayweather trained his nephew Floyd Mayweather for over a decade, but the ‘Black Mamba’ believed there was one fighter who could have threatened the unbeaten run of ‘TBE’.

Roger Mayweather held the WBA super-featherweight crown in 1983 and claimed the WBC super-lightweight title four years later, but lost the belt after four successful defences.

In both of the divisions in which he reigned, Mayweather was knocked out by supreme Mexican icon, Julia César Chavez, first losing to ‘El César del Boxeo’ by second-round stoppage at 130lbs, before being halted in round 10 of their super-lightweight rematch in 1989.

Previously speaking to Hustle Boss, Roger Mayweather heaped praise onto the legendary three-weight conqueror, who holds the record for most successful world victories (31) and fights (37).

“Chávez would give motherf***as problems today, just like he gave motherf***as like me problems. Remember, he fought the best in the world, period. I couldn’t see nobody today that he wouldn’t give a problem to.”

Roger then went on to admit his belief that Chávez would have caused issues for his nephew, who hung up the gloves with a flawless 50-fight record back in 2017.

“It don’t matter if he fought my nephew [Floyd], that would be a tough fight too.”

Chávez retired with a record of 107-6-2 back in 2005 and his son, Chávez Jr., has since gone on to become a world champion himself.

As for Roger Mayweather, he sadly passed away at the age of 58 years old back in 2020, leaving behind a legacy in both the ring and the corner that will never be forgotten.

As the Vikings announced the Kwesi Adofo-Mensah surprise firing last Friday, I quickly asked, “How is this going to work without a new GM in place through the critical upcoming period of offseason team building via free agency and the draft?”

Owners Mark and Zygi Wilf said executive V.P. of football operations Rob Brzezinski will lead the team’s operations through the draft. So will Brzezinski make the final call on free-agent cuts, restructures, signings, and draft choices?

Or will head coach Kevin O’Connell play a larger role in the decision-making process along with DC Brian Flores, who we know has had a major impact on key defensive free agent signings, such as home-run hits Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard, and Blake Cashman in 2024?

Diamond’s Perspective on the Vikings’ Seismic Move

How it’s going to work hasn’t been a focus for local media and fans as much as asking why Adofo-Mensah’s contract was extended last year and what changed the Wilfs’ thinking on their GM.

I think a few things stuck in the Vikings owners’ minds and tipped the scales against Adofo-Mensah. And it was a logical decision for the Wilfs to make, except it probably would have been beneficial to make the move right after the season to get the new hire in place now, unless their top choice is still under contract elsewhere. That’s the situation if the Wilfs want to bring back current Broncos GM George Paton, a former Vikings assistant GM, who is not being extended by Denver and is in the last year of his contract.  

As for the major miscues by Adofo-Mensah that cost him his job, first there was the botched 2022 draft that left the Vikings without starters other than third receiver Jalen Nailor after their top three picks—safety Lewis Cine, corner Andrew Booth, and guard Ed Ingram—all were gone by the start of last season.

Meanwhile, several excellent players the Vikings could have picked in the 2022 first round were missed out on after trading out of the No. 12 spot down to No. 32, including three-time Ravens all-pro safety Kyle Hamilton, two-time Chiefs all-pro corner Trent McDuffie, three-time Ravens Pro Bowl center Tyler Linderbaum, and Lions wide receiver Jameson Williams (twice a 1,000-plus yard receiver), who the Lions grabbed after Adofo-Mensah made a rare in-division trade with the pick.

Adofo-Mensah’s follow-up drafts in 2023 and 2024 have yielded only a few starters and, so far, only a few true impact players, including WR Jordan Addison, all-pro kicker Will Reichard, and emerging edge rusher Dallas Turner. Of course, the jury is still out on QB J.J. McCarthy, which leads us to the next big mistake on Adofo-Mensah’s watch: the messed-up No. 2 QB situation (Sam Howell, Carson Wentz, and Max Brosmer) that kept the Vikings out of this past postseason.

Daniel Jones should’ve been given an offer he couldn’t refuse after Sam Darnold wasn’t franchise-tagged and left for future Super Bowl glory in Seattle. And in retrospect, a one-year deal for Aaron Rodgers, who wanted to sign here, would’ve gotten the Vikings to at least 10 wins after he played reasonably well for a playoff team in Pittsburgh. There were several better options than what actually happened.   

Free agent signings worked out great for Adofo-Mensah and the team in the 14-win 2024 season, but not so well in 2025, especially at quarterback and center, where Ryan Kelly arrived with a sizable contract and an injury history (missing nine games with three concussions, which discombobulated the Vikings’ interior offensive line).

Who makes the final call in this interim period?

Back to the initial question I raised: I believe it will be a consensus operation until the new GM is hired, and even after a new GM is in place, that person will seek consensus in major football decisions involving player acquisition.

In my many years as Vikings GM and Titans President, I had the power to decide on player personnel moves involving free agency, the draft, and trades. But I trusted the input I received from our coaches and player personnel departments during those years when the Vikings and Titans were playoff teams in 10 of 12 seasons and Super Bowl contenders most of those years.

As we discussed, made our plans for free agency, and lined up our draft boards, we reached consensus on the direction we wanted to go in almost every case, so I only had to break a tie a couple of times. It probably won’t happen as I expect consensus, but if there is a disagreement on a player personnel matter before a new GM is hired, will it be Brzezinski or O’Connell who has the final say? 

I believe the Vikings operated with a consensus system with Adofo-Mensah in charge, and that’s how I see things playing out this offseason. The GM gets the credit or the blame in player acquisition, but there are a lot of cooks in the kitchen.

O’Connell and Flores have had significant input, and I expect them to play even larger roles, with O’Connell obviously having the most impact alongside Brzezinski during this interim period. There will likely be more changes in the player personnel department this year, especially after the draft, following Adofo-Mensah’s departure. There has to be an uneasiness among the staff at this time.

For now, many staff members will provide input as they work with Brzezinski, O’Connell, Flores, and the rest of the coaching staff while the team identifies players to be retained or released, free-agent and trade targets, and prepares the draft board with grades for the incoming draft class.

This group of mostly behind-the-scenes staffers includes: Assistant GM Ryan Grigson (a former Colts GM), Assistant GM Demitrius Washington, Director of Player Personnel Ryan Monnens, Assistant Player Personnel Director Chisom Opara, Director of Pro Personnel Sam DeLuca, Senior Personnel Exec Jamaal Stephenson, and Director of College Scouting Mike Sholiton.

It’s obvious that this upcoming free agency and draft are extremely important for a team that must add young, affordable talent, which is usually the case for every team. With injuries so prevalent in the NFL, especially among older free agents such as Kelly, the draft has to be the lifeblood of a team, with free agency the vehicle to augment the draft in roster building.

Unfortunately for Adofo-Mensah, free agency with its much higher salary cap cost took on too much importance due to not enough draft picks hitting (only four full-time starters last season were from Adofo-Mensah’s 2022-2025 draft classes—Nailor (2022 sixth round who as third WR is a virtual starter), Addison (2023 No. 1), McCarthy (2024 No. 1–10 starts as injuries cost him seven games) and left guard Donovan Jackson (2025 No. 1).

Turner (second No. 1 in 2024) started 10 games due to time missed by starters Van Ginkel and Greenard, but Turner clearly is a future starter and potential star. And Reichard was an excellent sixth-round pick in 2024.

There just aren’t enough of the second, third, fourth, and fifth round picks on the current roster that provide starters and depth players on NFL teams, so they don’t have to be overly reliant on filling holes in free agency or keeping so many undrafted players.

The Vikings’ NFC North rival teams—especially the Packers and Lions—have fared much better in recent drafts. The Vikings are much better stocked with picks this April compared to recent years. They currently have eight picks, including the top three rounds (with No. 18 overall in the first round), and will likely gain one or two compensatory picks with a fourth-rounder likely for the Sam Darnold loss in last year’s free agency and possibly another pick or two for players such as Cam Bynum and Daniel Jone,s who both signed with the Colts.

It all shapes up as a fascinating time for the Vikings organization, with a ton of pressure on the Vikings football people to get it right with the roster over the next several months, as the Wilfs watch closely and prepare to decide on the next Vikings GM.

Jeff’s Super Bowl Pick

I like the leaders of both the Seahawks and Patriots. I’ve gotten to know Seattle GM John Schneider over the years, and he’s a good guy who certainly ranks among the league’s premier GMs. When I left the Vikings and before joining the Titans as team president, I interviewed for the Patriots GM job with owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft, whom I knew well from our years in the league. I like them both, and their track record of six Super Bowl titles speaks to their success as owners.

The tipping point for me in who I’m rooting for on Super Sunday is Sam Darnold. Although the Vikings let him walk, which made sense after his flop in the final two games last season, how can you not hope for the culmination of Darnold’s rags-to-riches career journey that has taken him from Jets’ first-round bust to Super Bowl QB for the NFC champs? Darnold comes off a tremendous game with 346 passing yards and three TDs in the win over the Rams, who ended his Vikings season in last year’s playoffs.

Pats QB Drake Maye is also a great story, the third overall pick in the 2024 draft, who has reached the Super Bowl before the two QBs selected before him—Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels. Maye had a lackluster rookie season, going 3-9 as a starter, but rebounded with an outstanding second season, leading the Patriots to a 17-3 record while posting an NFL-best passer rating of 113.5. He’s been less effective in the playoffs, but nasty weather has made it difficult, and his running has still been impactful.  

Both QBs are supported by run games and defenses that ranked in the top 10 in each category for both teams during the regular season and have continued to perform well in the playoffs.

I’m excited to watch how Darnold and Maye perform on the Super Bowl stage, along with some exciting matchups such as Seattle all-pro WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba against New England’s Pro Bowl corner Christian Gonzalez, and ex-Viking and current Pats leading WR Stefon Diggs against Seahawks Pro Bowl CB Devon Witherspoon.

Other key things to watch are whether the Patriots D led up front by stout DTs Milton Williams and Christian Barmore can contain excellent Seahawks RB Kenneth Walker and pressure Darnold into turnovers, and seeing if the Seattle defense led by vet D-linemen Leonard Williams and DeMarcus Lawrence can stop the Pats’ run game, and if star LB Ernest Jones can keep Maye from key runs.

I think Pro Bowl kick returner Rashid Shaheed gives Seattle an edge on special teams.

Both teams have had unexpected success after missing the playoffs last year (which bodes well for teams such as the Vikings, who hope to have turnaround seasons in 2026). In the final analysis, I think Seattle is the better team, and I’m picking the Seahawks 27-23 in an exciting Super Bowl.

Next Week: I’ll give my review of the Vikings’ coaching staff moves, of which there have been quite a few in the last couple weeks and probably a few more coming by next week, but the good news for the team is the principal leaders of the coaching staff—KOC and B-Flo—remain in place. I’ll also give my reactions to Super Bowl Sunday.  

Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond