Trainer Bjorn Baker didn’t originally intend to run Warwoven in the Golden Slipper on seven days’ notice, but looming Sydney showers are shifting his mindset toward embracing it.
Kiamichi managed the feat in 2019, Shinzo repeating three years later, so should Rosehill be rain-affected Saturday, the colt’s recent racing edge may pay dividends.
Barrier 14 befell Warwoven, priced at $7 Wednesday, as stablemate and early joint-favourite Paradoxium eased to $8 in gate 18.
Baker sees ongoing progress in both, their recoveries from Queensland Magic Millions interruptions proving their hardiness.
Advertisement
“Both colts have got a great constitution and very good attitudes, so that gives you a bit of encouragement,” Baker said.
“They’ve both been on the way up, so if anything, the back-up could work to our advantage, especially if there is a little bit of rain around and the track does get demanding. Maybe that would tip me towards Warwoven.”
A win aboard Warwoven would crown Rachel King the first female victor in the world’s top juvenile prize money event.
First-time blinkers adorn the colt, which Baker views as potentially crucial.
Advertisement
“He has worked in them previously and has gone very well so we thought, Saturday is the day to do it,” he said.
“It’s a bit of a risky move, but he’s drawn out a touch.
“We’ve got the option to go forward or take a sit. Rachel knows him very well, so we’ll figure that out.”
The awkward draw challenges Paradoxium, yet Baker emphasises tactical precision.
Advertisement
“No doubt, the gate, he is going to have to overcome that,” he said.
“He’s just going to need a little bit of luck from out wide and make sure we get our tactics spot-on.
“But the main thing is we are here, and he is in good shape and healthy.”
Last 15 Golden Slipper winners included seven from barrier 8+, six from 10+.
Advertisement
Chris Waller mirrors Warwoven’s change with blinkers on Fireball first-up, off Hidrix who underperformed in them during the Todman Stakes (1200m).
Mick Price, the Cranbourne-based handler, reveals he’ll sense more strain tracking Hot Digity Boom in Adelaide than with his Group 1 charges in Sydney or Melbourne.
Ownership in Hot Digity Boom is shared by Price’s partner Shona and daughters Kelly and Stephanie, as the filly prepares for the Charlie Hoile Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville Parks this Saturday.
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s yard encounters a full slate, with Guest House entered in the Golden Slipper, Reserve Bank in The Galaxy in Sydney, and Charm Stone in Caulfield’s Group 1 William Reid Stakes.
The stable sends three to Adelaide: Hot Digity Boom, alongside first-starter The Speed Machine in the Sportsbet Fast Form Handicap (1000m), and Bring Forth in the Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (2294m).
Advertisement
Last appearance saw Hot Digity Boom fifth behind Astral Flame in Flemington’s Benchmark 84 fillies and mares race on February 28; the 1400m return suits after her Cranbourne win at the distance.
“Hot Digity Boom, we’ll be doing our best for the girls, and family harmony,” Price said.
“She’s consistent but doesn’t win too often, so hopefully she can win again on Saturday.”
Bring Forth, another horse in which Price invests, is primed for the extra ground third-up this preparation.
Advertisement
He ran second most recently over 1800m at Sandown.
“Bring Forth is now third-up and is looking for the trip,” Price said.
“His two runs back have been good, and it was a good solid effort last time.
The rail is out nine metres, and it is on the Parks track, but I reckon we’ll ride Bring Forth with a bit of a smother.”
Advertisement
Kicking off in Adelaide is The Speed Machine, a two-year-old out of Blue Diamond Stakes second-place finisher Hanseatic.
“The Speed Machine has had two trials for two wins.
He’s a sharp little horse and I think he will be competitive in the first.”
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Minnesota Vikings former linebacker Ben Leber watches during an NFL International Series game against the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings re-upped with quarterback Carson Wentz on Thursday, and according to one of the team’s former linebackers, Ben Leber, a beloved member of the Vikings community, Wentz is in line to start as the QB1 in 2026 — not Kyler Murray.
Leber’s depth-chart idea turns a quiet signing into a real debate.
Most onlookers expect Wentz to end up with the QB3 job, not the QB1 title.
Advertisement
Leber’s QB Take Puts Carson Wentz Front and Center
Leber brings the heat on VikingsTwitter.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Ben Leber (51) celebrates with intensity during the fourth quarter on Oct 17, 2010, at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, reacting to a key moment as the Vikings close out a narrow 24-21 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in front of a charged home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Brace Hemmelgarn-USA TODAY Sports.
Leber: Wentz is the Vikings’ QB1
Minnesota added Wentz, and most fans didn’t bat an eye, as the veteran did a serviceable job holding down the fort during J.J. McCarthy’s absence (high ankle sprain) last September and October. And Wentz played so well — evidently — that Leber envisions a starter’s job in 2026.
He tweeted after the Wentz addition, “I believe there will be a true QB competition. So as of right now I would guess the depth chart would be: Wentz, Murray, McCarthy. May the best man win.”
Advertisement
Here’s the full tweet:
I believe there will be a true QB competition. So as of right now I would guess the depth chart would be: Wentz Murray McCarthy
Most Twitter (X) users read Leber’s comments a few times to confirm Leber’s account was real and not a parody. That happens.
But it was not parody, and Leber meant what he tweeted. Wentz met with the New York Jets one week ago to explore a relationship with Aaron Glenn’s team, where he could possibly start or serve as the QB2 behind the newly acquired Geno Smith. In the end, Wentz and the Jets did not reach an agreement, and Wentz came back to Minnesota.
Wentz must believe he can win the QB2 job over McCarthy. Or — if Leber is correct, against all odds, fans might be watching a Murray v. Wentz battle at training camp in Eagan.
SI.com‘s Jonathan Harrison on Leber’s bold take: “That would be shocking for numerous reasons. First off, with other options still available to him, Murray decided to sign with the Vikings after his release from Arizona. Presumably, that would mean he was told by the Vikings’ coaching staff he would be the starter or have a good shot at winning the ‘competition.’ There is no definitive answer, and there likely won’t be one until we see the snap distributions at training camp.”
Advertisement
“When pressed at a press conference following the Murray signing, O’Connell said he doesn’t have to name a starter now. Minnesota is a team that views itself as a contender. If it’s true that Wentz would have kept the job had he stayed healthy, his return likely signals that McCarthy really isn’t in the competition at all.”
The Wentz Numbers a Season Ago
With Wentz, Murray, and McCarthy perhaps duking it out via Battle Royale — per Leber — for the starting quarterback spot this summer, let’s take another look at how Wentz played in 2025.
The offense hummed more steadily with Wentz calling the shots. Minnesota scored over 20 points in four of the five games he started, even crushing the Cincinnati Bengals by 38 points. McCarthy, on the other hand, only hit that 20-point mark four times in ten starts, and his performance was all over the place week to week.
Advertisement
Out of 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks, Wentz was 25th in EPA per play, while McCarthy was way down at 37th — usually where you find rookies or guys who are still figuring things out. This difference was super clear on those long drives where you need to be patient.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) addresses media members during a press conference on Sep 26, 2025, at Sport Ireland Campus in Dublin, Ireland, speaking ahead of an international matchup as the team prepares for its overseas appearance and engages with local and traveling reporters. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
Why the difference? It mostly comes down to style. Wentz liked to make quick decisions and throw short passes, which kept the offense moving and reduced mistakes, even though the offensive line wasn’t always reliable. Plus, the run game didn’t help much, since Aaron Jones only played in one of those five games. McCarthy, though, preferred to throw the ball deep and take some risks, which led to some big plays but wasn’t as consistent.
Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy had more of those exciting, long plays, but his execution wasn’t as steady from drive to drive. Generally speaking, Wentz ran a smoother offensive operation, even if his performance was mediocre.
McCarthy on Notice?
Let’s be frank: McCarthy has experienced an absolutely dreadful offseason. The offseason from hell, in fact.
Advertisement
The guy who drafted him, Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, got fired on January 30th. If the Vikings owners ever needed something to scapegoat the McCarthy draft pick, well, they already have it by canning the man who nominated McCarthy as the franchise quarterback.
The Vikings signed Murray, who has a better resume than McCarthy per efficiency by leaps and bounds. When Minnesota signed Murray one week ago, McCarthy was demoted with the snap of two fingers. Not good news for the guy lined up as the franchise quarterback in 2024.
One week later, Minnesota signed competition in Wentz for McCarthy’s QB2 job. It’s like a nightmare for a young passer in the middle of his development.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups on Oct 19, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, preparing for a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles while working through throws and timing drills as part of his routine before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
McCarthy strutted into the summer of 2025 with the QB1 logo on his chest. Now, he must fight to avoid a QB3 fate.
Crimson Desert on PC allows players to pick between controller or mouse and keyboard as the primary input schemes. That said, which is the better option? The answer honestly depends on user preferences, but in this case, the controller is more preferable. This is even though it might seem counterintuitive at first glance.
Here’s all you need to know about using a controller versus a keyboard in Crimson Desert on PC. Read on to know more.
Why controller is better than mouse and keyboard for Crimson Desert on PC
Controller input scheme (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)
Keyboard & mouse is the staple combo for PC players, largely due to its versatility, thanks to offering several buttons to map controls down to. Crimson Desert is also a complex game, mechanically speaking. As such, several inputs requiring double button presses on the controller are simplified to a single input on keyboard, such as grab. As such, at first glance, it may seem like the keyboard is the way to go.
Advertisement
However, the controller is simply a lot more user-friendly in the long run. This is not just due to better ergonomics, but also because this is a third-person action game. For example, the action combos are easier to input on a controller due to the buttons being easier to reach in the heat of combat.
Keyboard controls menu (Image via Sportskeeda Gaming || Pearl Abyss)
This is better than them being separated on PC, as Punch/Kick on keyboard, but Light/Heavy Attack being tied to the mouse, which can be jarring in action. Furthermore, since developer Pearl Abyss has to fit a complex control scheme on a relatively limited set of buttons, the controller scheme has also been better thought out.
The downside here is that players will have to contend with some finicky inputs, especially when trying to press two buttons to perform Grab versus one on the keyboard. Thankfully, Crimson Desert is a massive game, so there will be enough time to get used to these somewhat unorthodox inputs over time.
Check out more articles:
Advertisement
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Are you stuck on today’s Wordle? Our Wordle Solver will help you find the answer.
Rajasthan Royals captain Riyan Parag on Thursday said Indian batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi should be allowed to enjoy his game without taking any additional pressure in and out of the field. Parag indicated that Sooryavanshi will pair up with India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal in the IPL beginning March 28 and said the 14-year-old should be given his space and time to continue developing in his game without any outside pressure.
“As a captain my message to him would be to not do a lot of press conferences or follow a lot of media,” Parag told reporters during a pre-season press conference.
“Let him just enjoy, which I will request you (media) as well. Do not reach out to his manager or anyone; just let him be. He’s a 15-16 (14) year-old kid, let him play cricket. He’s playing really well and he’s going to make the country proud.” Parag said Sooryavanshi will be given the licence to go all-out from the beginning and his senior partner Jaiswal is well equipped to soak the pressure.
Advertisement
“Of course he will have some pressure coming his way but I am going to tell him that whatever pressure is going to be there, Jaiswal will handle it as he is good enough to handle that role,” Parag said.
“My only message for Vaibhav is to go out and play. If the first ball is meant to be hit, hit it. There’s no issue in that.” “I don’t think any young player has done what he has over the last one year. He is scoring runs everywhere,” Parag added.
Meanwhile, head coach Kumar Sangakkara said he is not too concerned with the Royals not having any member of the Indian side which won the T20 World Cup earlier this month.
“It is what it is. India played amazingly well in the World Cup. I am more interested in the players that we have, rather than the players we don’t have. For me, looking at my squad, there are certainly enough good Indian players, who probably played in both World Cup sides,” he said.
Advertisement
Sangakkara said RR have tried to find more flexibility in the side from the last edition.
“We had to upscale our side in terms a little bit of batting depth, in terms of local spin, in terms of our all-rounders, (and) in terms of more options that we have in the bowling department so that we can also rejig the batting line-up,” he said.
In a pre-season trade, Rajasthan Royals saw their regular skipper Sanju Samson leaving after a 11-year stint with the team for Chennai Super Kings and Ravindra Jadeja coming on board.
“With the trades that we’ve done, with some of the auction buys, we have managed to address the local spin department so that we can then start looking at different options in terms of overseas batters and bowlers and that gives us a little bit more flexibility,” Sangakkara said.
Advertisement
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
NEW DELHI: Lockie Ferguson will miss the early part of IPL 2026 as he chooses to spend time with his family after recently becoming a father. The fast bowler, who plays for Punjab Kings, is expected to join the squad later in the tournament after taking a short break from cricket.Ferguson explained his decision. “Just had a wee son, trying to spend as much time as I can at home and help my wife out,” he said ahead of the 3rd T20I against New Zealand, as quoted by ESPNCricinfo. “I’ll have a few weeks off after this, before sort of heading to the later stages of the IPL and away for the winter.”
Watch
Shashi Tharoor & Samson’s Redemption Story: From Setbacks to Glory
He had earlier taken only a brief break during the T20 World Cup 2026, spending just a few days with his family before returning to play. Now, he wants a longer rest to balance personal life and cricket. Ferguson said he still enjoys representing the New Zealand national cricket team, adding, “Always a pleasure playing for the Black Caps, really enjoyed my time in India with the group again.” In his absence, Punjab Kings may turn to players like Ben Dwarshuis, along with other pace options in their squad.
Commitment to New Zealand and future goals
Ferguson made it clear he is not stepping away from international cricket. He said, “They thought this was my last game (laughs). No, I’m still very committed to play for New Zealand.”Looking ahead, he is focused on upcoming global tournaments and added, “Looking forward to the next two World Cups, there’s a great opportunity for our squad.” He also mentioned working hard to stay fit and contribute to the team.On the growth of cricket, Ferguson supported the idea of a franchise T20 league in New Zealand, saying, “I think it’s exciting that there’s a prospect at a franchise tournament,” and highlighted the country’s talent and potential to showcase its cricket on a bigger stage.
WWE Superstar Gunther recently took to social media to share a photo of his incredible physique. The Ring General also gave himself a new name.
Gunther has become one of the biggest heels in World Wrestling Entertainment in recent years. The former World Heavyweight Champion has now retired three legendary names, including Goldberg, John Cena, and AJ Styles. His latest victim was The Phenomenal One, whom he faced at Royal Rumble 2026. Since then, The Ring General has been in a heated feud with Dragon Lee and is trying to ‘end’ the latter’s career.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
The former Imperium leader recently took to Instagram to share a photo of his incredible physique in the gym. In the post’s caption, he gave himself a new four-word name.
Advertisement
“The divine Career K**ler #Gunther #WWE,” he wrote.
Check out his Instagram post below:
Gunther broke character for WWE legend John Cena
After giving fans a year-long retirement tour, John Cena hung up his wrestling boots after one final match against Gunther at Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 13, 2025. Cena shockingly tapped out to The Ring General’s Sleeper Hold during the bout.
During a candid conversation with Cody Rhodes on his What Do You Wanna Talk About? podcast, Gunther broke his on-screen heel persona to talk about facing Cena in his final ever wrestling match.
The former Imperium leader revealed that December 13 felt more intense to him than competing at WWE WrestleMania.
Advertisement
“That day, strangely, it felt like… it almost felt like more intense than WrestleMania that day,” he said.
Many believe Gunther will end another legendary career this year. It could be none other than Brock Lesnar. Fans have been wanting to see the two stars clash with each other for quite some time. If The Beast Incarnate decides to call it quits in 2026, The Ring General could be the perfect opponent for him.
It remains to be seen what the Triple H-led creative team has planned for the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion’s future.
Why did you not like this content?
Advertisement
Was this article helpful?
Thank You for feedback
Read all the hottest WWE news from Sportskeeda by choosing us as your preferred source. Click HERE.
An unbeaten contender who helped Manny Pacquiao prepare for Mario Barrios has offered his take on the Filipino’s rematch with Floyd Mayweather.
Over a decade removed from their first encounter, the two pound-for-pound greats will square off at the Sphere, Las Vegas, on September 19.
As expected, many are favouring the technical brilliance and defensive mastery of Mayweather, especially given the convincing nature of his points victory over ‘Pac Man’ in 2015.
Advertisement
At the age of 49, though, it remains to be seen whether the five-weight world champion is capable of producing a similarly impressive performance.
Back then, Barrios was the defending WBC world welterweight champion, yet Pacquiao gave him all he could handle and arguably deserved to emerge victorious.
One man who shared multiple rounds with the eight-weight world champion during that camp is lightweight prospect Samuel Contreras, who gave the 47-year-old a slight edge against Mayweather in his interview with FightHype.
Advertisement
“I think it’ll be a good fight – they’re around the same age. I’m looking forward to seeing that, and hopefully I’m in [Pacquiao’s] camp again.
“I would go for Manny, not just because I was in camp with him; I just really like how he fights, how [much of] a smart fighter he is and how [much of] a hard worker he is.”
Mayweather’s last professional outing, meanwhile, could hardly be considered a credible fight, given that it ended with a 10th-round finish over Conor McGregor in 2017.
Before that, the American defeated Andre Berto by unanimous decision and is now gearing up to put his 50-0 (27 KOs) record on the line.
DENVER — To this day, it’s a bit of a mystery to Jakob Poeltl.
“I honestly don’t know for sure myself, like, what caused it,” he said, speaking about his no-longer-troublesome back problems. “But I think it’s more accumulation of time and, like, a bunch of work and …”
And the rest is reflected in a long list of missed games over the course of the 2025-26 season — 33 out of a possible 68, the most games he’s lost to injury in any season over the course of a 10-year career.
But it seems like the worst is behind him now and, not coincidentally, the Toronto Raptors are the beneficiaries. Poeltl will never win style points or draw attention for his speed, power or any other quality that normally gets a second look in the NBA.
Advertisement
But having a smart, agile and efficient seven-footer that understands how to complement his teammates on the floor is a welcome addition to any NBA team and having Poeltl back and in good health is perfectly timed as the Raptors jockey for playoff position in the Eastern Conference.
Over his past 10 games, Poeltl has averaged 12.5 points, 8.6 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.3 blocks and a steal while converting 71.1 per cent of his field-goal chances and — as a bonus — 81 per cent of his free throws.
On the surface it’s still a notch behind his 14.5/9.6/2.8/1.2/1.2 on 62.7 per cent line from last season which represented his high-water mark in almost every category and was part of the reason he earned a three-year, $84-million contract extension this past summer that covers him through the 2029-30 season.
But on a per-possession basis, it’s essentially right on par, which bodes well for the future, even if Poeltl is keeping his focus firmly on the present.
Advertisement
For Poeltl, it’s a relief after months of uncertainty. Unlike other injuries, his back problems presented a challenge because the progress wasn’t linear.
“I think the hardest part about it was that there wasn’t a steady timeline,” he said. “With most injuries, you kind of know how long it’s gonna take, and sometimes it takes a bit longer or sometimes it takes a little less time but, generally, you know what the recovery process is.
“But what the time was exactly in this scenario was a big question mark. Like, we almost made up some timelines, kind of hoping that this would be when I would feel better again but, realistically, it wasn’t something that time was just gonna fix. So, I think that was the hardest part.”
But the hardest part seems to be behind him now.
Advertisement
After putting up 36 minutes banging against Pistons all-star Jalen Duren — the chiselled, six-foot-11 22-year-old — Poeltl was arguably the best centre on the floor, at least as indicated by his 21 points, 18 rebounds and five assists (Duren came in at 20 points, 11 rebounds and no assists).
“I felt fine, honestly,” said Poeltl, who hadn’t played 36 minutes in a game since Dec. 1, 2024. “Every game’s a little bit different, like you have different energy and stuff. I felt good on Sunday. Felt fine afterwards. Obviously, after a big game, you feel your body aching a little bit, but I think that’s normal for everybody, so I wasn’t too worried.”
The Raptors win Wednesday over the Chicago Bulls didn’t provide much of a test for the team collectively — 30-point wins over tanking teams shouldn’t — but for Poeltl watchers it was another checkpoint that he passed through easily. He finished with 17 points and eight rebounds on 7-of-10 shooting in 20 minutes, but it was the ease with which he changed ends that stood out.
He got a steal in the third quarter sprinting the floor to catch up with Bulls centre Jalen Smith, getting back in plenty of time to cut off an entry pass. He then immediately took off on a rim run the other way and was rewarded when RJ Barrett hit him for an easy lay-up that he converted while being fouled. He blocked a shot sliding with Bulls forward Matas Buzelis, eventually corralling him at the rim. His final bucket of the game came when he turned the corner on the 26-year-old Smith from above the three-point line and beat him to the rim.
Advertisement
There are bigger tests coming, like on Friday when the Raptors take on Nikola Jokic and the Denver Nuggets.
The three-time MVP looms like the Rocky Mountains, although with much more rounded shoulders.
The Nuggets have won five straight against the Raptors with Jokic in the lineup and are 9-1 against the Raptors in Denver.
Jokic is averaging 28.2 points and 12.6 rebounds along with 10.6 assists — the latter two numbers leading the NBA — on 57.3 per cent shooting so far this season. Since the former second-round pick morphed into a perennial MVP candidate in 2020-21, he’s averaged 27.2 points, 12.3 rebounds and 7.1 assists on 60 per cent shooting against Toronto.
Advertisement
“He’s a very talented guy. Kind of like a Swiss Army knife. He does a lot of different things out there on the court,” said Poeltl. “I think it’s one of those situations where you try to do your best to take him out of his comfort zone, just try to make him work all game long. And you just kind of accept the fact that he’s gonna make some tough buckets. He’s gonna make some tough plays. And for him there is a lot of playmaking as well. But you just try to force as many tough decisions as possible on him. And try to make him make as many mistakes as possible.”
It’s as good a strategy as any given Jokic made a career-high tying 10 turnovers in the Nuggets’ loss to the tanking Memphis Grizzlies on Wednesday, and is averaging a career-worst 3.9 turnovers this season.
And there are some reasons for hope, from a Raptors point of view.
Foremost among them is that the Raptors could have multiple options to use against Jokic. There’s hope that rookie Colin Murray-Boyles could be available Friday night after missing nine games with a left thumb injury that has been bothering him since he got it caught in an opponent’s jersey on Dec. 23, though he has officially been listed as doubtful.
Advertisement
Murray-Boyles gives the Raptors an option who has the quickness and comfortability of playing with him on the perimeter matched with the strength to at least hold his ground when Jokic begins his slow-motion rumbles to the rim. History suggests that resistance might be futile, but Murray-Boyles could at least give Jokic a different look.
“He’s definitely a different kind of player compared to Jak,” said Raptors head coach Darko Rajakovic. “His ability to pressure the ball, his ability to move his feet … he allows us much more switchability and he’s just got a gritty approach to the game. It really helps us. He’s finding ways to get stops, he’s finding ways to get rebounds and he’s really improving with his offence as well.”
However, for all his strengths, Murray-Boyles stands only six-foot-seven, leaving Poeltl as the Raptors’ only player taller than six-foot-nine. Any of the teams the Raptors could realistically meet in the first round of the playoffs have quality size. Without Poeltl, the Raptors quality and size diminishes in an instant.
There are still some long-term concerns about how Poeltl’s contract will age. Presuming he hits his games-played and minutes-played incentives over the life of the deal he’ll be set to earn $27.3 million at age 34, a significant bump from the $19.5 million he’ll earn this year and next. A pricy, aging centre with a wonky back can present a roster-building challenge, which the Raptors experienced at the trade deadline this year when they were unable to find a market for Poeltl in any of the deals they explored.
Advertisement
But for now, that’s a tomorrow problem. For today, Poeltl is healthy and playing well, and the Raptors will need to put considerable load on his shoulders as they pursue a playoff spot in April and anything beyond that.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) takes the snap at midfield on the NFL shield during first-quarter action on Sep 28, 2025, at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, operating the offense against the Pittsburgh Steelers in an international showcase as both teams adjust to the overseas stage and early-game tempo. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings’ leaders said in January that they wanted a deep quarterback room this offseason — and they weren’t kidding. The club re-signed Carson Wentz on Thursday, a move to fill out the QB corps next to Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy.
Minnesota now has a proven fallback option with real starting experience.
Wentz will now battle for a QB2 job against McCarthy, though some fringe thinkers believe he even has a chance at the QB1 job.
Advertisement
The Vikings Wanted More Stability behind Murray
The 33-year-old is back.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) drops back and scans the field during second-half action on Oct 23, 2025, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, facing pressure from the Los Angeles Chargers defense as he looks to extend the play and find an open receiver downfield. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images.
Wentz Re-Signs in MIN
If you enjoyed Wentz’s five starts in purple and gold last season, you are in luck, and there shall be a sequel.
ESPN’s Kevin Seifert wrote Thursday, “The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms with quarterback Carson Wentz on a one-year deal Thursday, adding to their depth in a key year for them at the position. Wentz, who started five games last season as the Vikings’ backup, joins a group that includes newcomer Kyler Murray along with incumbents J.J. McCarthy and Max Brosmer.”
Advertisement
“The Vikings have been determined to upgrade the position after injuries and poor performances were largely responsible for them missing the playoffs in 2023 and 2025. Speaking last week after signing Murray, coach Kevin O’Connell declined to name a starter or to discuss in detail his plans for the position. Murray is the heavy favorite to win the job, but the Vikings have not fully given up on McCarthy.”
With Murray, McCarthy, Wentz, and Brosmer in the house, the QB room is totally full.
The 2025 Numbers
Among the 40 quarterbacks with at least 200 dropbacks in 2025, Wentz ranked 25th in EPA per play. McCarthy, by comparison, ranked much lower at 37th — a position typically held by rookies or developing quarterbacks. This disparity was particularly evident in situations requiring sustained drives.
Advertisement
How, then, did the offense function under each quarterback? Wentz prioritized efficiency, relying on quick reads and shorter throws. This approach minimized negative plays, a necessity given the offensive line’s struggles. The running game offered little support, as Aaron Jones played in only one of Wentz’s five starts.
What about scoring? With Wentz at quarterback, Minnesota exceeded 20 points in four of his five starts, including a 48-point performance against Cincinnati. McCarthy reached this mark in only four of his ten starts. While not always seamless, the offense demonstrated greater consistency with Wentz under center.
Wentz completed 65.1% of his passes for 1,216 yards, with six touchdowns and five interceptions. McCarthy, while capable of generating bigger plays through riskier throws, lacked Wentz’s consistent drive-to-drive execution.
Now, the duo might duke it out this summer for the QB2 post.
Advertisement
The Role
Some fans got the notification to their phones that Wentz had re-signed, and they thought: Boom — there’s the QB3. Others interpreted the transaction as an anti-McCarthy maneuver, meaning Wentz was re-signed because O’Connell and his coaching staff don’t even trust the youngster with QB2 duty, let alone the QB1 job, which he held last year.
In all likelihood, because McCarthy faced zero competition for the QB1 job last year, he’ll be pushed to the limit this summer at training camp and in the preseason to hold off Wentz for the QB2 job.
On the other hand, Ben Leber, a former Vikings linebacker, tweeted Thursday that he expected Wentz to win the starter’s job, putting Murray on notice and on track for a QB2 assignment.
Advertisement
Washington Commanders quarterback Carson Wentz (11) stands on the field during pregame warmups on Sep 11, 2022, at FedExField in Landover, Maryland, preparing for a season-opening matchup against the Jacksonville Jaguars as he readies himself for his debut with the franchise. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports.
SKOR North‘s Judd Zulgad opined Thursday on Wentz’s upcoming role: “That would leave Wentz as the No. 3 quarterback, and it’s difficult to believe he signed on March 19 to accept a role as the backup to the backup. It’s more likely that Murray will open training camp as the starter with Wentz behind him.”
“The Vikings can’t be blamed for wanting more quarterback depth after what happened last season when injuries to McCarthy and Wentz forced Max Brosmer into taking on a role he wasn’t ready to assume. Privately, the Vikings also could point to the fact that McCarthy wasn’t nearly as ready for the starting job as they had hoped.”
Two QBs Who Grew Up as Fans of the Vikings
Wentz grew up in North Dakota and loved the Vikings as a kid and teenager. He talked at length about the connection when Minnesota signed him last summer. Murray came up in Texas, but for some reason, he also cheered for the Vikings, and he has never been shy about announcing it.
Yes, two guys who were reared by the Adrian Peterson era of Vikings football found their way to the same roster.
Advertisement
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz (11) goes through pregame warmups on Sep 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, focusing on throws and timing as he prepares for a matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, offering an early glimpse of his routine before stepping onto the field for kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
This development is important to mention because free-agent wide receiver Tyreek Hill also rooted for the Vikings as a kid — and Minnesota may need a WR3 this offseason if it doesn’t trust last year’s rookie Tai Felton with the job and doesn’t draft a new wide receiver in April. Jalen Nailor left for the Las Vegas Raiders last week.
Childhood fandom apparently matters in the free-agent decision-making process.
Wentz will turn 34 at the end of December. He is nearing a full recovery from his torn labrum that ended his 2025 season.
The Senegalese Football Federation announced Thursday it has instructed its lawyers to lodge an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after the national team were stripped of its Africa Cup of Nations title.
“Senegal will remain standing and will legitimately defend this victory on the field which we acquired on the field with the talent of our players”, the federation’s president Abdoulaye Fall told a press conference.
“We have given our lawyers a mandate to pursue this procedure at the level of the Court of Arbitration for Sport”, he added.
The contintent’s showpiece football final, in Rabat on January 18, descended into chaos when several Senegalese players walked off the pitch in protest after the hosts were awarded a penalty late in second-half stoppage time.
Senegal‘s players were coaxed back onto the pitch by captain Sadio Mane, but Morocco missed the penalty. Pape Gueye went on to score the goal in extra time that gave Senegal a 1-0 victory.
CAF said that having studied an appeal by Morocco, “the Senegal national team is declared to have forfeited the match” and the result was “officially recorded as 3-0” in favour of Morocco.
Advertisement
Asked what would happen to the trophy in the meantime, Fall told reporters the team would “comply with the statutory and regulatory provisions of CAF”.
The revocation of the win elicited a strong response from fans in Senegal, where authorities called for an “independent international investigation” into corruption.
In a resolution issued by the federation’s executive committee and read at the press conference, the federation said it would “use all possible legal, institutional and jurisdictional means to assert its rights and restore sporting fairness”.
Senegalese President Bassirou Diomaye Faye appeared in his office in front of the Africa Cup of Nations trophy in a social media post Wednesday, expressing his “outrage” at CAF’s decision.
The Moroccan Football Federation (FRMF), meanwhile has said the decision “upholds the rules and ensures the stability necessary for the smooth running of international competitions.”
You must be logged in to post a comment Login