Emilio Gay pressed his case for England honours as the Durham batter made a superb fourth-innings hundred to lead his side to County Championship victory over Lancashire cricket.
The stylish left-hander, batting at No 3 but also comfortable opening, has been touted for a possible Test call-up after featuring for the England Lions in the winter, and held of James Anderson and co. on his way to an unbeaten hundred.
Gay shared a mammoth stand with South Africa international David Bedingham as the hosts chased down a target of 336 for the loss of just two wickets in a meeting of two of the strongest sides in Division Two.
It was a day of draws elsewhere, largely, as flat, slow pitches in a dry April made taking 20 wickets difficult across the country.
There were faintly farcical scenes at the Oval with Surrey at one point throwing wicketkeeper Ben Foakes the new ball as Essex held firm for a draw on the final day.
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Tom Westley (136) and Dean Elgar (107*) made hundreds for the visitors with Rory Burns and Dom Sibley also getting rare chances to rumble in, and Jordan Clark taking the ‘keeping gloves, with Surrey stymied before handshakes were offered at 4.50pm BST.
In better news for the Londoners, the attendance of 15,500 across the four days was a 21st century record in the County Championship.
Sussex also survived a bad light curtailed day at Headingley to draw with Yorkshire despite 3-67 for Joe Root. The games between Nottinghamshire and Warwickshire, and Glamorgan and Leicestershire, similarly drifted to draws in Division One.
In Division Two, though, there was a first sucess of the season for Gloucestershire, knocking off the 36 needed to beat Derbyshire in short order after a strong all-round performance. Worcestershire had thrashed Kent by an innings and two runs on Sunday.
It was a fairly solid weekend of NBA Playoff picks for the readers. We were able to get an easy win on the Magic team total over in Game 3 of their series against Detroit (Game 4 takes place tonight). We were also able to cash a ticket on the Thunder covering a fairly large number on the road against the Suns. Yesterday, the Cavs were in control until they did the typical Cleveland thing and blew the game late. It is almost as if every Cleveland sports team has decided to make the playoffs as unreliable as possible. Today, we go for a victory with the Timberwolves and the Nuggets taking each other on in Game 5.
This has been a bit of a chippy series, but it almost feels like that is precisely what the Timberwolves wanted. Minnesota has been the team calling out Denver about its defense, and they are happily accepting any sort of confrontation. Any team with Anthony Edwards on it will have some swagger, but this almost feels like the T-Wolves are being disrespectful to this challenger. I suppose it is working, considering the team is up 3-1 in the series.
Denver Nuggets PG Jamal Murray drives to the paint on Minnesota Timberwolves SG Anthony Edwards in Game 3 in the first round of the 2026 Western Conference Playoffs.(Abbie Parr/AP)
However, there is a major cause for concern. The Timberwolves took a big hit last game, and I’m not talking about the shoving between Jaden McDaniels and Nikola Jokic. Their sharpshooter, Dante DiVincenzo, who was cited as a major reason they won Game 2, was lost for the season (and probably next season) after he tore his Achilles. Significantly worse, the Timberwolves also lost Edwards for a few weeks after he hyperextended his knee. If Minnesota is going to get one more game in this series to close it out, they need to do it without Edwards.
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Minnesota Timberwolves All-Star Anthony Edwards shoots over Denver Nuggets PG Jamal Murray in Game 3 of their first-round NBA playoff series at Target Center in Minneapolis.(Abbie Parr/AP)
The Nuggets do not look like the one-time champion that you’d expect. They are proving the Timberwolves correct in the assessment that their defense is trash. In three consecutive games, they’ve allowed over 112 points to their opponent, which is about the season average. They also only scored 96 points in both of the games in Minnesota. Rudy Gobert, the much-maligned center for the Timberwolves, is doing a great job of limiting Jokic’s success. We will have to see if Jokic can figure out Rudy’s defensive efforts.
Aaron Gordon has returned for Denver, but it does seem like he is still struggling. He only played 23 minutes and put in just nine points on 11 field goal attempts. Overall, the team shot just 21% from deep in this game. I have to imagine that improves. The team shot almost 40% from deep in the regular season, but they are shooting 28% overall in the series. That’s still better than what they showed in Game 4.
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Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic reacts in overtime against the Minnesota Timberwolves at Ball Arena in Denver, Colo., on Dec. 25, 2025.(Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)
A lot of the story in Game 4 was about the ending. It is a stupid narrative, but it pops up every now and then. The game was essentially over — the Timberwolves had the ball with seconds remaining, tossed it down court, and rather than dribble it out, McDaniels went in for a layup. Jokic took exception to it, and there was some minor shoving. No one ended up getting suspended, but there were some fines.
Missed in that was the impressive game from Ayo Dosunmu of the Timberwolves. He was acquired at the trade deadline from the Bulls and gave Minnesota a career performance. Dosunmo scored 43 points in that game, but I wouldn’t expect that success to continue. He is listed at 19.5 points tonight, and I like the under. He is still a bit of a role player, and even though he will have an increased role, there won’t be home court or an element of surprise. Julius Randle will need to take over the bulk of the scoring duties, and I think he is more likely to go over 21.5 points. I’ll play both of these options tonight as Denver looks to extend the series.
As Deakin journeys to Adelaide for a pending Stakes race, trainer Phillip Stokes intends to apply a technique that proved fruitful for Lindsay Park.
On May 9, the gelding begins his two-race winter series in the Group 3 The Cummings Stakes (1600m), a move Stokes expects to build a strong foundation for the spring.
Formerly the R A Lee Stakes, the Bart Cummings was the go-to race for Colin Hayes and David Hayes to debut imported stayers before a rest period targeting spring targets.
Hong Kong trainer David Hall followed suit, as did Lloyd Williams for his Melbourne Cup preparations.
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Deakin has been inactive since his eighth in last season’s Caulfield Cup, barred from the Melbourne Cup by Racing Victoria veterinary measures.
He trialled 1500m at Caulfield Heath last Thursday, readying for next Saturday week’s race before the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on May 30.
“He’s been away six months and an operation to put screws in his fetlocks,” Stokes said.
“That was his second jump-out and he’ll go to Adelaide on the ninth of May and go around in the Bart Cummings over a mile which will be a good starting point for him.
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“It will only be a two-run prep and then he’ll head up to Sydney to run in the Lord Mayor’s Cup and then he’ll have a little break and get him ready for the spring.
“All things being equal and if we’re happy with him, we’ll put him on a Caulfield Cup path once again, not Melbourne Cup.”
Stokes refuses to risk Deakin for the Melbourne Cup under Racing Victoria’s vet rules after last year’s disagreement.
“They said he had some changes in his fetlocks,” Stokes said.
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“We couldn’t get a reaction out of him, but that’s what they said, so we had to follow protocol, and we’ve done everything they told us to do, but it set us back a long way.
“They told us to put screws in him and when international horses want to come here with screws in them, they’re not allowed to run.
“My vet and I didn’t agree with them, and we thought he was going better than ever.
“I had a horse, Daqiansweet Junior, and he wasn’t sound, but he was OK to run.
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“He ran well in the Caulfield Cup last year and didn’t have a great run in it, but I’m not convinced he’s a two-miler anyway.”
Following Sydney, light work and paddock rest await Deakin, Stokes noted.
“I didn’t want him having almost a year off, it takes them too long to come back,” Stokes said.
“I remember Jeune ran in this race, Beldale Ball, Water Boatman and when I first started training, Lloyd Williams used to bring his horses over, give them one run, and then start again.
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“It’s a nice track to give him his start for his spring campaign.”
Visit trusted betting sites to check betting markets for the race in The Cummings Stakes.
The 2027 NFL Draft is officially on the clock, and it has the potential to be a big one. High-profile names like Arch Manning, Jeremiah Smith and Dante Moore will be household names from the start for NFL Draftniks, but if this year is any indication, many more are coming in the pipeline.
One year ago, Fernando Mendoza was a relative no-name after transferring from California. He later became the No. 1 pick in the draft. The same is true of Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey and Ohio State linebacker Arvell Reese, who were solid players but ascended to the top of the draft after fantastic seasons.
With that in mind, we looked at a few players with major breakout ability that could find themselves in high draft conversations next year. Some were transfers who landed in perfect spots to thrive. Others step into featured roles where their talents should shine.
Here are 10 under-the-radar players with the potential to play themselves towards the top of the 2027 NFL Draft.
WR Charlie Becker, Indiana
2025 stats: 34 catches for 679 yards, 4 TDs
Becker rose to prominence during Indiana’s run to the national title, but there’s reason to believe that he could be one of the nation’s best in 2026. Despite receiving only 11.9% of the Hoosiers’ targets, Becker posted 679 yards and four touchdowns thanks to an absurd 20.0 yards per reception, the best mark in the Big Ten. If he can come close to replicating those numbers with a higher target share, the 6-foot-4 Becker could emerge as a legitimate alpha receiver and can’t-miss prospect in the ’27 draft.
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TE Terrance Carter, Texas Tech
2025 stats: 55 catches for 624 yards, 5 TDs
Texas Tech has potential NFL Draft picks all over the field, but don’t discount the rising star Carter. The Killeen, Texas, native has posted more than 600 yards receiving each of the past two seasons while also playing a key role as an in-line blocker. His 6-foot-2 frame is a little undersized, but Carter’s versatility and blocking ability will make him one of the nation’s best on a likely College Football Playoff team.
Several quarterbacks could break onto the scene in Mendoza fashion, including Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby, Oklahoma State’sDrew Mestemaker and Indiana’s Josh Hoover. However, Hoover’s replacement is one of the most intriguing signal-callers in the country. Craig starred at Harvard, throwing for more than 5,000 yards and 58 touchdowns over the past two seasons to land on NFL Draft boards. At TCU, Craig will team up with first-year offensive coordinator Gordon Sammis, who helped UConn post a historic season in 2025. It doesn’t take much squinting to see Craig as one of the fastest risers in the country.
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DL John Henry Daley, Michigan
2026 stats: 48 tackles, 17.5 TFL, 11 sacks
If not for a torn Achilles, Daley very well could have been a first-team All-American and high draft pick in 2026. However, the Utah transfer has an opportunity to cement his draft stock after following coach Kyle Whittingham to Michigan. In only 11 games, Daley exploded for 17.5 tackles for loss and 11.5 sacks for the Utes, including sacks against conference finalists BYU and Texas Tech. If he can return to form, Daley could be one of the best edge rushers in the Big Ten. His quickness off the edge is a tough matchup.
OT Trevor Goosby, Texas
Goosby, frankly, might be too highly rated to land on this list, but retaining him is one of the most important moves Texas made this offseason. The Melissa, Texas, native earned playing time as a freshman before emerging as one of the most talented tackles in the SEC last season. If Goosby can take another step, he could force his way into top-five consideration and power the Longhorns to a national championship.
No one invested more along the offensive line than Kentucky under first-year coach Will Stein, and Heard is the diamond of the bunch. The former five-star recruit is a two-year starter at Tennessee but stagnated at times in a veer-and-shoot blocking scheme. Stein demands a lot of his linemen with his diversified offensive system, which should allow Heard’s natural skills to develop quickly.
Betting on Ohio State defensive linemen has become an easy moneymaking opportunity, and Jackson appears next in line. The rising senior posted 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks during his first major opportunity, including sacks against Indiana, Michigan and Penn State. With Caden Curry out of the way, Jackson’s stats will rise to match his impressive frame.
Keeley struggled to find a consistent role at Alabama after entering as one of the top recruits in the nation. But after bulking up to 275 pounds and recording sacks in two of his three final games with the Tide, Keeley steps into an intriguing spot at Notre Dame. The junior projects behind Bryce Young and Boubacar Traore at defensive end, but the Fighting Irish should rotate him into the lineup plenty. During the recruiting process, he wowed scouts with his first step. If the Fighting Irish can harness it, he’s a potential breakout player.
Satuala was a solid get as a four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, but he flashed pro potential much faster than expected for the surging Cougars. The Utah native boasts a big, powerful frame at 6-foot-4 and 210 pounds with the speed and range to make plays all over the field.
DL David Stone, Oklahoma
Oklahoma lost a few deeply talented players on the defensive line after R Mason Thomas and Gracen Halton went to the league. But while both will be missed, opening opportunities for the former five-star David Stone could be a blessing in disguise. The Sooners rotated defenders, holding him to only 454 total snaps, but Stone wreaked havoc when given the opportunity. As a sophomore, Stone posted eight tackles for loss, including a sack against Auburn and two TFLs against Ole Miss. Stone recorded two interior pressures against Alabama and helped pace a top-three national rushing defense. If he can continue to improve his pass rushing, Stone could get into the top 10 conversation.
MADRID — Tennis players are facing an unknown opponent at the Madrid Open.
A stomach virus or food poisoning has affected Coco Gauff, Marin Cilic and a few others, causing some concern.
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka avoided an upset by Naomi Osaka on the court on Monday and said she’s trying to avoid illness by sticking to a simple diet of chicken breast, rice and salad.
The rumour among the players was bad shrimp tacos were to blame.
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Sabalenka knocked on wood and said, “So far, so good. I heard that I have to avoid those tacos (laughing). I stick to the same food, same meal that I’ve been having since the very beginning of the tournament.”
Sabalenka said she was spending as little time as possible on site at the Caja Magica tennis complex.
“I try not to stay for too long,” she said. “Extra vitamin C, I guess, extra IM8, and I’m good to go, hopefully.”
Gauff vomited on the court on her way to a victory over Sorana Cirstea on Sunday. Cilic couldn’t play his match against João Fonseca on Friday.
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“Unfortunately, I got food poisoning,” Cilic said. “After trying to recover all night my body is unfortunately exhausted and not at the proper level to get into the battle.”
Sabalenka rebounded from a set and a break down against Osaka in their fourth round contest.
She prevailed against No. 15 Osaka 6-7 (1), 6-3, 6-2 in two hours, 20 minutes to reach the quarterfinals and stay on track to defend her title.
“Oh my God, that was an incredible level,” Sabalenka said. “She played incredible tennis. I feel like I just got lucky in a couple of shots in the third set, that’s why it went that fast. I’m happy she brought that fight, I had to fight through to level up my game.”
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Sabalenka won her 15th straight match and advanced to her 17th consecutive quarterfinal. She hasn’t lost before that round since February 2025 in Dubai. The Belarusian said her team kept pushing her to “keep fighting, keep going.”
“I’m really happy that I didn’t give up and I was pushing until the very last point,” Sabalenka said.
Longest tiebreaker since 2024
Sabalenka will next face American Hailey Baptiste, who defeated Belinda Bencic 6-1, 6-7 (14), 6-3 after losing the second set in the longest tour-level regular tiebreaker since 2024, according to the WTA.
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Baptiste broke the racket on her leg in frustration after the loss in a set in which she wasted six match points, including five during the tiebreaker.
The 32nd-ranked American was able to rebound and clinch the victory in two hours, 42 minutes.
Rybakina’s line-calling frustration
World No. 2 Elena Rybakina said she has no trust in the electronic line-calling system in Madrid. She complained to the chair umpire after her opponent, Zheng Qinwen, was awarded an ace in the second set. Rybakina said the mark on the court was out. The umpire refused to inspect the mark and backed the system. Rybakina eventually won in three sets on Sunday.
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“Well with this thing, I won’t trust it at all,” Rybakina said. “Because there was no mark even close to what the TV showed.”
She felt it was a similar situation to what happened to men’s player Alexander Zverev last year in Madrid, where he ended up grabbing his cell phone and taking a photo of a mark of an alleged wrong call. Zverev was warned for unsportsmanlike conduct.
“You can’t not see it,” Rybakina said. “It’s kind of a stolen point. I understand it was her serve and she was serving really well, but it’s really frustrating.”
Jódar only Spaniard left
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Daniel Mérida lost to Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-4, 6-2 and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina lost to defending champion Casper Ruud 6-3, 6-1 on Monday, leaving 19-year-old Rafael Jódar as the only Spaniard left in the tournament.
Jódar, one of the promising stars on tour, needed three sets to get past Fonseca, another teen sensation.
World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, Spain’s current top player, withdrew from the home tournament because of a right wrist injury.
There was an unusually long rally in the Ruud vs. Davidovich Fokina match when the Spaniard resorted to 15 straight lob shots to the back of the court.
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The high returns in the 32-shot rally kept Ruud from attacking until one shot came up a little short and allowed him to power a forehand and take the point.
In the match between Francisco Cerundolo and Luciano Darderi, Cerundolo won a point after reaching over the net to get to a high return that spun back into Darderi’s side of the court. Cerundolo won the match 6-2, 6-3.
DC vs RCB Live Score, IPL 2026 LIVE Cricket Score: Royal Challengers Bengaluru took six wickets in the powerplay, leaving Delhi Capitals in huge trouble amid uneven weather.
While Virginia Cavaliers running back J’Mari Taylor was certainly hoping to have his name called in the 2026 NFL Draft, the former ’Hoo will still get his chance to earn an NFL roster spot this summer. Taylor, who earned First Team All-ACC honors in 2025, agreed to an undrafted free agent deal with the Jacksonville Jaguars on Saturday night in the hours following the conclusion of the draft.
Taylor began his collegiate career as a walk-on at North Carolina Central but went on to finish inside the top 10 of the Eagles’ all-time rushing yards leaderboard before taking his talents to Charlottesville for the 2025 season.
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At Virginia, Taylor quickly separated himself as the workhorse in a crowded Cavalier backfield, rushing for a team-high 1,062 yards (third-most in the ACC) and 14 touchdowns while adding an additional 253 yards and a score through the air.
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At 5-foot-9, 199 pounds, Taylor’s metrics at the NFL Combine weren’t otherworldly (he received a below-average ‘Athleticism Score’ of 57), but UVA fans know just how talented he is between the lines. With many mock drafts predicting Taylor to be a day-three pick, the Jaguars are getting a steal in the versatile Charlotte, North Carolina, native. Taylor runs with a deadly combination of power and elusiveness, evidenced by multiple breakaway touchdown runs, including a season-high 78-yard scamper in a UVA win at Duke in mid-November.
With Taylor going undrafted, Virginia’s streak of having a player selected in four consecutive NFL drafts comes to an end. Three former ’Hoos who went on to finish their collegiate careers elsewhere, however, did find homes in the draft.
Linebacker Jacob Rodriguez, who began his career as a quarterback with Virginia in 2021, went 43rd overall to the Miami Dolphins. Wide receiver Malachi Fields, who racked up 1,849 receiving yards in three seasons at UVA from 2021 to 2024, went 74th overall to the New York Giants. And offensive lineman Logan Taylor, who was in Charlottesville from 2021 to 2022, went 202nd overall to the Los Angeles Chargers.
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In addition to Taylor, three other members of Virginia’s 2025 offense found NFL landing spots for the summer. Quarterback Chandler Morris earned an invite to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ rookie camp; electric wide receiver and returner Cam Ross agreed to a UDFA deal with the Denver Broncos; and tight end Sage Ennis earned a rookie camp invite as a fullback with the Miami Dolphins.
World No 1 and top seed Aryna Sabalenka survived an almighty scare against Naomi Osaka at the Madrid Open, fighting back from a set and a break down to progress to the quarter-finals.
The Belarusian’s usual prowess in tiebreaks deserted her as she lost the first set on a lopsided breaker, 7-6(1), before falling 2-1 down in the second set after two mammoth games.
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But she regained her composure to break back to love for 2-2, aided by an Osaka double fault, and broke again for 5-3 from 40-0 down on her way to levelling the match.
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Errors began to creep into Osaka’s game in a frustrating third set, while Sabalenka was near-faultless on serve, dropping just three points, and she ran away with the decider to post a 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 win in two hours and 20 minutes.
The result keeps her hopes of defending her title and winning a fourth trophy in the Spanish capital alive.
Sabalenka said afterwards: “Oh my God, that was incredible level. She played incredible tennis. I feel like I just got lucky in a couple shots in the third set, that’s why it went that fast.”
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“I think I just dropped my level at the end of the first set and gave her that tiebreak quite easily, but overall I’m happy with my performance. When someone put me under pressure, I was able to pull out really incredible shots and incredible tennis. So I’m happy.
“I’m happy that she actually brought that fight, just so I could fight through it, I could struggle a little bit, and find a solution in the match.”
The top seed will face 30th seed Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive WTA 1000 tournament, after the American came through a three-set tussle of her own with Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
Osaka ran out of steam in the final set (Getty)
Baptiste won 6-1, 6-7(14), 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes but missed six match points in the second set, including five in an epic tiebreak – the longest first-to-seven tour-level tiebreak since Palermo 2024.
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The American served a series of three double faults at 6-5 and another two at match point, before a third at 11-11 in the tiebreak, whereupon she smashed her racquet in fury.
But after being taken to a decider by the 11th seed she regained composure to set up a second meeting with Sabalenka, who she lost to 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals in Miami last month.
She said: “The tiebreak was insane. It was quite obvious that nerves got a bit in the way when I had some moments to close out the match, but that’s obviously a part of the game. I wasn’t able to get out of that tiebreak, but I was able to turn it around in the third set, so I can be happy about that. Super easy to just leave the match mentally after something like that.
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“Six match points? Outrageous. Having six chances — painful, very, very painful to not get out of that. Then you just start to think, is she going to turn this match around and have that victorious win? I think I told myself that I wasn’t going to allow that.”
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the timing was right for both him and the organization when he stepped down after 19 seasons without a losing record.
Tomlin, who guided the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII in the 2008 season, told NBC on Sunday night in his first interview since resigning in January that the lack of postseason success — no playoff wins since 2016 — figured into what was a difficult decision.
“You know, it’s probably not an overnight decision,” said Tomlin, 54. “It’s probably not something that I could articulate or share with people. There’s a loneliness with leadership.
“I just thought it was a good time for me personally and by that, I mean, just where I am in life and I thought it was a good time for the organization, to be quite honest with you. We didn’t have success in the playoffs in recent years and there’s just some veteran players there, man, guys like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt and (Chris) Boswell, man, that I thought that just were worthy of the excitement and the optimism of new leadership.”
Tomlin will join NBC as an NFL pregame show analyst on “Football Night in America,” the network officially announced on Sunday. The show airs ahead of “Sunday Night Football.”
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“I just thought it would be a great way to stay connected to the game and the awesome people in it, players, coaches, executives,” Tomlin said, “and excited about doing that on Sunday night and traveling to different venues and getting that feel for the environment and lastly, I just thought it would be awesome to share insight with fellow football lovers.
“I love to talk football and so that’s just an exciting component for me. I got to admit, though, there’s going to be some anxiety about stepping into a new space, but good anxiety, it’s good to be uncomfortable with the growth associated with that. I’m fired up about it.”
The Steelers went 10-7 in 2025 with a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Jan. 12. He was replaced by Pittsburgh native and veteran head coach Mike McCarthy in late January.
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Tomlin guided the Steelers to the Super Bowl XLIII title with a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in February 2009. Pittsburgh lost Super Bowl XLV to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, 31-25, in February 2011.
Tomlin posted a 193-114-2 record with Pittsburgh, tying him with Hall of Fame member Chuck Noll for the most regular-seasons win franchise history and ninth in NFL history. Noll also coached the Steelers (1969-91), with Bill Cowher (1992-2007) bridging the gap between Noll and Tomlin.
Rodgers, who played for McCarthy in Green Bay and with Tomlin last season, hasn’t announced his intentions for 2026 — return, retirement or something else. Tomlin predicted Rodgers, 42, will play his 22nd NFL season for the Steelers.
“Man, if you got a gun to my head, I’d say it’s AR,” Tomlin said. “I just think, Aaron, I just think being around him for the 12 months that I’m around him, he’s got a love affair with the game of football and not only the game, but the process, the informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates. I think he has an addiction to that, and there’s only one way to feed it. And certainly he is still capable and in really good shape. And so I think at the end of the day, he’ll play football.”
Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night and drafted no wide receivers during the event. Those circumstances make the team’s current free-agent board pretty damn clear: Minnesota needs a WR and OLB — at least two.
The roster is thinner in two obvious spots, and Minnesota can still patch both before training camp.
So, here’s who they should sign. Plain and simple.
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A Few Veterans Still Fit Minnesota’s New Roster Situation
Ranked from good signing to best, this is the Vikings’ theoretical free-agent pecking order. Note: The Vikings obviously won’t sign all of these players.
Tyreek Hill stands near the Miami Dolphins sideline during the first half, surveying the field as teammates and coaches move behind him on Sep 18, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The wide receiver wears his No. 10 jersey while awaiting the next series against the Ravens. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
5. Tyreek Hill (WR)
Hill’s existing relationship with Frank Smith, his offensive coach for four seasons in Miami and now Minnesota’s assistant head coach, presents a significant advantage if Hill’s free agency takes off. Additionally, Hill’s childhood as a Vikings fan creates a natural appeal.
If his medical checks clear, general managers will act swiftly. While his dastardly 2025 injury complicates the timing, a verdict should be near on Hill’s availability for 2026. If he receives clearance, Minnesota should pursue him aggressively; a hypothetical trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Tyreek Hill would be magnificent.
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4. A.J. Epenesa (OLB)
This offseason, the Vikings hired Ryan Nielsen as their defensive run game coordinator. Nielsen, a well-traveled coach, most recently served as a senior defensive assistant for the Bills in 2025. There, he worked with Epenesa, a former 2nd-Round pick now in his sixth season.
Epenesa remains unsigned, is currently in the mid-tier free-agent market, and is likely available for approximately $4–7 million. His role is well-defined: given sufficient playing time, he consistently generates pressure on quarterbacks. He typically records around six sacks per season, making him a solid rotational depth piece behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Epenesa’s primary weakness is his run defense, an aspect of his game that has not significantly improved over the years. That lack of development likely contributes to his current market value and explains Buffalo’s reluctance to re-sign him. Nevertheless, he remains a valuable asset as a situational pass-rusher.
In Minnesota, the Vikings have Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange for run defense. They just need an extra pass rusher.
3. Joey Bosa(OLB)
Bosa played 64% of defensive snaps last year in Buffalo and 50% in Los Angeles (Chargers) the year before that. Truth be told, with Greenard’s departure to the Eagles, that’s what Minnesota needs — a third pass rusher who can play on passing downs or start if something happens to Van Ginkel or Turner.
Joey Bosa lines up for the Los Angeles Chargers, focused on the snap and ready to rush from his linebacker spot during action on Jan 1, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The defensive star wears No. 97 as the Chargers face the Rams in a Los Angeles matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The four-time Pro Bowler has 10 sacks in the last two seasons. Why not add five more in Minnesota as Bosa embarks on his 30s? It could work.
2. Deebo Samuel (WR)
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Kyler Murray, entering his eighth season, has never been known for a deep-ball-heavy offense, although Murray certainly has the arm for it. If the Vikings build their offense around his obvious strengths — a strategy they absolutely should pursue — Samuel would be a highly sensible target.
Samuel excels with the ball in his hands, typically operating near or just beyond the line of scrimmage. At his peak with the San Francisco 49ers, he even functioned as a part-time running back, transforming short receptions into game-changing plays.
His age, turning 30 this year, is a factor. Samuel will likely seek a team with a legitimate chance at a Super Bowl. With Murray now leading the charge, Minnesota wouldn’t be a long-shot destination. The Vikings could offer a concrete quarterback plan, a dynamic offensive scheme from Kevin O’Connell, and a roster poised for contention.
Bring him to Minnesota.
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Pro Football Network‘s Austin Swaim on Samuel to the Vikings: “Imagine telling someone at the start of 2023 that Deebo Samuel would be combining with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. That would be discussed as perhaps the greatest wide receiver room ever. Samuel’s ‘decline’ being a season in which he still crested 700 receiving yards despite quarterback issues might mean that becomes a reality, especially as the Vikings look to give either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy all the assistance they can get.”
“Minnesota has holes at cornerback, safety, running back, offensive line, and potentially EDGE if they end up dealing Jonathan Greenard. I just don’t think they can invest a quality pick into a reliable No. 3 receiver, and Samuel is a great complement in the slot to Jefferson and Addison’s ability to get vertical.”
1. Jadeveon Clowney(OLB)
Clowney played 373 defensive snaps for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys and tabulated 8.5 sacks. He’s 33, so he assuredly isn’t a long-term solution, but let’s face it: with Greenard gone and Van Ginkel scheduled for free agency next offseason, Minnesota will probably have to draft an EDGE rusher early in 2027. In the meantime, Clowney makes sense as a patchover OLB, a man who can start if Van Ginkel or Turner battle injuries.
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Jadeveon Clowney patrols the field for the Carolina Panthers during second-half action, scanning the offense and preparing for the next play on Dec 22, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Wearing No. 7, he faces the Arizona Cardinals in a late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
The former first-overall pick (2014) never quite lived up to his billing, but he’s had staying power in the league, and if he were anything other than a first-overall pick, his career would be considered a resounding success.
He’d probably cost the Vikings $5 million. A bargain.
The pair have reportedly agreed terms to clash in the ring, a full decade after their rivalry first emerged. Boxing chief Turki Alalsheikh confirmed the bout on social media, with Joshua subsequently revealing he has put pen to paper on a multi-fight deal.
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Alalsheikh said: “To my friends in Great Britain – it’s happening. It’s signed.”
Joshua is set to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25. The 36-year-old has been working alongside Usyk, who has defeated both AJ and Fury twice, ahead of his return following a serious car accident in Nigeria.
The Ukrainian heavyweight has already shared his verdict on the contest and is firmly convinced Joshua has the ability to beat the Gypsy King. Speaking this month, Usyk said: “I believe. I looked at how Anthony is training, he’s a machine. But now I think Anthony needs help.
“We, people who support, we must say, ‘Yeah, we do believe,’ because a lot of people, you know… I’m a fan of the soccer team Dynamo [Kyiv], I’m a fan a lot of the time. Sometimes my team lose, but I don’t say: ‘You’re bad, you’re bad.’ I say: ‘Things happen, you must work.’ I pray. I say ‘it’s normal’, because it’s a sport.’
“But sometimes people are negative. They’re not family, they’re bulls***. Listen, we must help each other. If we don’t help each other, we are not people, we are animals.”
When asked if he thinks Joshua would knock out Fury, Usyk added: “I have no idea. I know he wins, but I don’t know.”
Usyk also weighed in on Fury’s unanimous decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier in April. He said: “Listen, it’s not a good performance for me, but Tyson wins, [so] it’s good.”
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“It’s normal. Listen, I support Tyson Fury, you know? I get a lot of messages from my acquaintances and my friends: ‘Oh, your friend won.’ It’s good.”
“[But] I’m nervous, because I watched only six rounds – the first six rounds, but then I went to church. I said: ‘Oh, be careful, hands up.’”
Fury and AJ have signed on a multi-fight deal in the past, only for it to fall through, but British boxing fans might finally be getting the match-up they’ve longed for. The agreement came off the back of Fury calling out AJ, who was sat ringside for the Manchester fighter’s comeback win over Makhmudov just over two weeks ago.
Joshua will first have to come through unscathed against unknown Albanian fighter Prenga, a heavyweight with 20 wins – all coming by way of knockout – and one defeat before the Battle of Britain.
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