João Fonseca and Marcelo Melo are the doubles champions at the Rio Open; they delivered a special moment for Brazilian tennis.
Fonseca, 19, is one of the most exciting young players on tour. A former junior world No. 1 and US Open boys’ singles champion, he has been transitioning steadily into the professional ranks, with Rio marking another significant milestone in his early career.
Melo, 42, is also a former world No. 1 in doubles and a Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion in doubles. He has spent years competing at the top of the discipline. He has multiple Masters 1000 titles and a long-standing presence as one of Brazil’s most successful doubles players.
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There are 23 years between them, but in Rio, it made no difference; they stood on the same side of the net and lifted the trophy together.
Jan 9, 2022; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer waves to the crowd after the game against the Chicago Bears at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports.
Things did not end well between the Minnesota Vikings and Mike Zimmer four years ago, when he was shown the door. The veteran coach has taken several shots at his old franchise. Last year, he was reportedly set to retire, but a comeback is in the works.
The Denver Broncos could be the next stop in his NFL career, where he would reunite with his old coworker Sean Payton. The two experienced skippers crossed paths on the Dallas Cowboys staff from 2003 to 2005. He also knows Broncos GM George Paton from his time in Minnesota.
Broncos insider Mike Klis reported Monday, “Per source, #Broncos visited last week with veteran coach Mike Zimmer about a senior coaching position. Nothing imminent but there is mutual interest. Zimmer has been a football coach since 1979 and started his NFL career in 1994.”
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Zimmer was the Cowboys’ defensive coordinator in 2024, but his unit left much to be desired. When the organization parted ways with head coach Mike McCarthy, Zimmer was not retained and decided to call it a career. Looks like that might have only lasted a year.
Oct 6, 2019; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Giants head coach Pat Shurmur (left) and Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer (right) meet before a game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-USA TODAY Sports
His previous job in the NFL was with the Vikings, whom he head-coached from 2014 through 2021. When he arrived, he took over a franchise without an identity, and he quickly established a culture — and a defense — that regained national respect for his club.
At his peak, he led the Vikings to the NFC Championship game in 2017 behind an outstanding defense. In his eight seasons, the Vikings ranked 7th in points allowed. Excluding 2020 and 2021, his squad ranked 2nd, trailing only the Patriots.
In his final two seasons in Minnesota, the defense was the clear weakness. Perhaps he failed to make adjustments later in his career, but it’s only fair to note that he worked with subpar defensive personnel in both years and injuries further increased the struggles.
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But he didn’t just get fired for his defenses; the culture in the building had reached a point where the usually patient Vikings ownership group wanted to overhaul everything, letting go of both Zimmer and GM Rick Spielman.
Dec 25, 2020; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Mike Zimmer talks to New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton before their game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports.
Zimmer gave a feisty interview in September 2024, telling the Star Tribune that he hadn’t watched a single Vikings game in the two seasons since his departure.
A couple of storylines about him not getting along with general manager Rick Spielman, going so far that they didn’t even talk in the later stretches of their Vikings’ employment, and the fact that Zimmer refused to address the locker room following his dismissal because his players got him fired. All of that might explain why the team didn’t reach the postseason in his final two years with the organization.
Still, during his time with the Vikings, he oversaw the team with the 10th-best record, 72-56-1, His playoff success was limited to a couple of wins, both over his potential new boss, Sean Payton and his Saints.
At the end of the day, Zimmer is still viewed as a brilliant defensive mind and that’s why the Broncos are interested. They have one of the league’s elite units and want to keep it that way.
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Dec 7, 2025; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Denver Broncos defensive end John Franklin-Myers (98) reacts after a sack against the Las Vegas Raiders during the first half at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Chad Jensen of SI.com commented, “The Broncos fielded one of the NFL’s best defenses in back-to-back seasons, leading the league in sacks over that span. Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph has done an excellent job, and he’ll be returning in 2026 after all the head-coaching vacancies dried up.”
Joseph was viewed as a hot head coaching candidate, but like Brian Flores, hasn’t gotten the desired interest.
“The Broncos lost their defensive-coordinator-in-waiting when Jim Leonhard was hired by the Buffalo Bills last month. Zimmer is getting up there in age, but if he’s hired as a senior assistant, it makes me wonder whether he’ll be the fail-safe in the event that Joseph finally gets a second bite at the head-coaching apple following the 2026 season.”
If the Broncos do add Zimmer in a senior advisory role, it would mark a notable return for one of the most influential defensive minds of the past decade. While his tenure in Minnesota ended on a complicated note, his reputation around the league as a defensive strategist remains intact, which helps explain why a contender with an already strong defense would explore adding his experience to the coaching staff.
Zimmer, 69, might not be done with the NFL after all.
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Janik Eckardt is a German sports nerd, who likes numbers and stats. He chose the Vikings to be his … More about Janik Eckardt
Marcus Rashford is in strong form for Barcelona but old habits have reared their head
Maria Ortega and Chris Burns Senior Sports Writer
13:28, 24 Feb 2026
Marcus Rashford once admitted to breaking the rules at Manchester United as his manager at Barcelona has introduced stricter measures to combat players who are late to training or on a matchday.
Currently on loan from United, Rashford has rediscovered his finest form. Yet punctuality issues that previously plagued him at Old Trafford have continued to dog him.
Earlier this season, Barcelona boss Hansi Flick dropped him from the squad as a consequence. Rashford arrived just two minutes late to a team meeting and was subsequently left out of the starting line-up for a match against Getafe.
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Flick had instructed his players to be present for a 9:30am meeting on matchday, followed by an ‘activation session’ at 11am. Despite being only two minutes late, the manager’s strict disciplinary code meant Rashford did not feature from the off.
The German head coach has since introduced even tighter regulations for players who indulge in tardiness – with offenders now facing a steep financial penalty. Barca forward Ferran Torres recently revealed: “Hansi Flick has just changed the rules on arriving late. If it’s match day and you’re late, you have to pay €40,000 (£34,900) fine”.
In 2024, Rashford faced severe disciplinary action after attending parties and skipping training in Manchester following consecutive midweek nights out in Belfast. The forward missed a Friday training session, citing illness as his reason for absence, and was ultimately slapped with a £650,000 fine.
Rewind to January 2023 and Rashford himself admitted that he was left out of United’s starting line-up against Wolves after oversleeping and arriving late to a team meeting. Former United boss Erik ten Hag then left the forward on the bench for the tie at Molineux.
Speaking to BT Sport, Rashford said: “I was a little bit late for a meeting – I overslept. It’s the team rules and it’s a mistake that can happen.
“I’m disappointed not to play, but I understand the decision and I’m happy that we managed to win the game anyway. I think we can draw a line under it and move on.”
Barcelona currently sit top of the La Liga standings, one point clear of rivals Real Madrid, following their 3-0 victory over Levante on Sunday. Flick now appears to be instilling first-class standards at the club as he chases his second consecutive league title with the Spanish giants.
He said: “The group is convinced of the work we are doing. It is not a simple situation, but communication is essential. We have been very clear and honest with each other. I ask them questions, it’s my way of managing the team.
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“We need leaders in the dressing room and for that, it is key to speak to them at the same level. After that, the decisions are mine. I want the players to take responsibility and they are doing that.”
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Bridgerton season 4 part 2 is going to carry on the recent chapter of Netflix’s Regency era drama, centering the story around Benedict Bridgerton and his love affair with Sophie Baek. Following the launch of part 1 that took viewers to a masquerade ball and introduced a Lady in Silver, the excitement level is getting higher for the season finale.
Bridgerton season 4 part 2 is the second half of an eight-episode season that covers the third book in Julia Quinn’s series, An Offer from a Gentleman. After the first part set up the emotional drama, the new episodes should bring to a close the main issue of fantasy versus reality that characterizes Benedict and Sophie’s love story.
Bridgerton season 4 part 2 premieres on February 26 at 12 a.m. PT on Netflix, concluding Benedict and Sophie’s romance arc with returning cast members including Luke Thompson, Yerin Ha, and key members of the Bridgerton family.
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What is the release date of Bridgerton season 4 part 2 and what to expect?
Bridgerton season 4 part 2 will be released on February 26, 12 a.m. PT on Netflix. The launch will wrap up Benedict’s storyline in the season and reveal the state of his relationship with Sophie following the disclosures of Part 1.
Season 4 focuses on Benedict, played by Luke Thompson, who at the outset is against getting married while his brothers have already set up their family life. His attitude changes after he runs into a woman wearing a mask at his mother Violet’s masquerade ball.
He only knows her as the Lady in Silver and henceforth, he looks for her in every corner of society, not knowing that she is Sophie, a maid working under Lady Araminta Gun.
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As Part 1 makes clear, Benedict and Sophie come to the world from totally different places. Showrunner Jess Brownell shed light on this theme, saying that Benedict is a man who fantasizes. Sophie is a woman who has to cope with a harsh reality. Brownell went on to say that the pair needs to find a middle ground, a place where the extremes meet, for love to blossom, in a chat with Netflix Tudum.
Luke Thompson, an actor in the series, mentioned that the plot of the show is inspired by the tradition of fairy tales, and that the series combines children’s ideas of magic and romance with the familiar world of Bridgerton.
Yerin Ha, the actress portraying Sophie, expressed that the character’s strength and the social challenges that she faces kept her interested. Ha also mentioned Quinn’s book, as Sophie is a mixture of temper and vulnerability, which is the way she tried to show her character on the screen.
In addition, Brownell quoted, in the Netflix press release, that Sophie should not be seen as a typical damsel in distress but rather as an intelligent and cunning character whose survival instincts at times hinder her from entering into love.
What is the returning cast for Bridgerton season 4 part 2?
Bridgerton season 4 (Image Via Netflix)
Thompson in the lead role of Benedict Bridgerton. Several well-known cast members also reprise their roles, such as Simone Ashley in the role of Kate Bridgerton, Jonathan Bailey as Anthony Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan as Penelope Bridgerton, Claudia Jessie as Eloise Bridgerton, Ruth Gemmell as Violet Bridgerton, and Golda Rosheuvel as Queen Charlotte. Julie Andrews serves as the narrator and the voice of Lady Whistledown.
There are several new faces introduced this season, namely Katie Leung as Lady Araminta Gun, Michelle Mao as Rosamund Li, and Isabella Wei as Posy Li. Brownell depicted Araminta and her daughter Rosamund as very shrewd and strategic players in the marriage market, while Posy is described as more dreamy and less scheming. These statements have also been shared in Netflix’s official release.
Other characters coming back in Bridgerton season 4 part 2 are Emma Naomi as Alice Mondrich and Hugh Sachs as Brimsley, who both have been given bigger roles in the main cast.
The filming for the season was conducted at Shepperton Studios, which is located near London. There, a newly built backlot recreates the Georgian and Regency architecture, including Mayfair streetscapes.
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Production designer Alison Gartshore, in collaboration with Antony Cartlidge, supervising art director, and Adam David Grant, art director, was responsible for the set expansion project.
PSG and Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has been ordered to stand trial in a rape case, lawyers confirmed to the Associated Press on Tuesday.
Hakimi’s lawyer Fanny Colin revealed she is planning to appeal the judge’s decision that followed recommendations from the Nanterre public prosecutor’s office, which last August called for the player to stand trial.
Colin added that a date for the trial has not been set at this stage.
Rachel-Flore Pardo, who represents the plaintiff, told the AP her client welcomed the order committing the case to trial “with relief”, before adding it “is fully consistent with the evidence in the file.”
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Hakimi has denied any wrongdoing (REUTERS)
Hakimi, one of the best defenders in the world, has denied any wrongdoing and posted on X that he “calmly awaits” a trial that “will allow the truth to emerge publicly.”
“Today, an accusation of rape is enough to justify a trial, even though I contest it and everything shows that it is false. This is as unjust for the innocent as it is for genuine victims,” he said on the eve of a crucial Champions League playoff.
Hakimi was given preliminary charges of rape in March 2023 after a 24-year-old woman accused him.
She said she was raped by Hakimi at his home in a Paris suburb. In the French legal system, preliminary charges mean judges have strong reason to suspect a crime was committed but are allowing time for further investigation before deciding whether to send a case to trial.
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“A trial has been ordered based on an accusation that rests solely on the word of a woman who obstructed all investigations, refused all medical examinations and DNA testing, refused access to her mobile phone, and refused to provide the name of a key witness,” Colin said.
Colin claimed that two successive psychological assessments of the plaintiff “revealed a lack of clarity regarding the facts she claims to denounce, as well as the absence of any post-traumatic symptoms.”
In her statement, Pardo said if the justice system has been exemplary in this case, “the broader handling of this affair serves as a reminder of one thing: There remain environments where the Me Too movement has yet to break the sound barrier, chief among them the world of men’s professional football.”
Colorado football turns up the heat this spring as a surprise quarterback draft pick stirs the pot.
With Julian Lewis snubbed as the top QB selection in favor of true freshman Kanel Sweetwine, locker room dynamics and competitive fire reach new heights.
Is this a tactical ploy to motivate Lewis, or the start of a real QB controversy?
I dive deep into the spring practice draft and the leadership pressure mounting on Lewis as Colorado’s new wave of talent acclimates.
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Coach Prime’s sky-high salary raises eyebrows nationally. Still, I make what I think is a compelling case for Deion Sanders’ worth, highlighting his transformative impact: quadrupling win totals, sparking record ticket sales, and delivering $3 billion in publicity value for Boulder.
The debate rages—are wins and losses the only metric, or is Prime’s star power the very lifeblood Colorado needs to compete in the Big 12?
Spring ball hasn’t even started, but injuries loom large: eight Buffs—including top runners and receivers—face time on the sidelines, threatening depth and position battles.
Can Colorado’s new faces make the most of these openings, or will persistent injury woes undermine momentum?
I break down the immediate impact, the risk to player development, and what Colorado must do to keep its roster healthy and competitive.
Will Julian Lewis rise to the challenge? Will Coach Prime’s investment pay off, and can Colorado overcome its injury bug to deliver on soaring spring expectations?
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This episode covers it all—competition, controversy, and optimism—as the Buffaloes chase a statement season.
Cal State Northridge is making a run in the Big West, and people might need to start paying attention.
Last week, I focused on UC Irvine and Hawai’i. This week, I zero in on the Matadors ahead of their home game on Thursday against the Anteaters.
I know there are a million things to do in L.A., but attending a CSUN game is becoming one of the better choices for basketball aficionados.
The Run and the Three-Headed Monster
On January 24th, CSUN was 11-10 and had lost three in a row, after Hawaii decimated them by 21 points.
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Their season felt over.
One month later, the Matadors are 18-10, having won seven in a row, including recent victories over two of the league’s top teams to move into a three-way tie at the top of the conference.
What’s the flavor?
The biggest takeaway from their box scores is that multiple players can get jiggy with it.
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During the Matadors’ seven-game winning streak, they’ve had two different players score at least 30 points in a game, and three with 20.
Josiah Davis scored 31 in an overtime victory over Santa Barbara last Thursday, and Larry Hughes II had 32 against Cal Poly on February 5th.
Mahmoud Fofana also had back-to-back 22-point games entering 2026.
Josiah Davis vs Hawai’i | Chuck Marvel/CSUN Athletics
This three-headed monster on offense has proven too much for opponents during this streak. Davis, Hughes II, and Fofana have combined for at least 78 points in their last seven contests.
Hughes II leads the team, averaging 18.2 points per game, while shooting 42 percent from beyond the arc.
But the Matadors lost number eight to UC San Diego last season, and faltered down the stretch, losing their first game in both the Big West and NIT tournaments.
Now, just like last year, they have a chance to host a top team at Premier America Credit Union Arena.
But the outcome remains unwritten.
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Head Coach Andy Newman a Proven Winner
Andy Newman has instantly turned California State Northridge into a contender. Before his arrival, the Matadors hadn’t had a winning campaign since 2008-09.
Newman’s fast-paced offense has brought the Matadors to life
He’s also bringing wins to the Valley. CSUN is on pace for 20 dubs this year, having grabbed 22 a season ago, and 19 in his inaugural campaign.
The key to the Matadors’ success this season has been their dynamic offense, which ranks 59th in the nation in points per game.
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But this shouldn’t come as a surprise.
CSUN Athletics
Newman promised to bring “an exciting, fast paced, team-oriented style of basketball back to the valley” when he was hired, and to do it “by lighting up the scoreboard and competing for championships.”
He has done just that.
Before Cal State Northridge, he won everywhere he coached, bringing a 206-98 record to Northridge.
He was already known within Big West circles after serving as an assistant coach at Cal State Fullerton for 10 years.
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Newman was also an interim Head Coach for the Titans in 2012-13, when CSUF had the best offense in the conference.
He led Cal State Northridge to the First Round of the NIT last year. This season, if they keep winning, the Matadors could find themselves in the NCAA Tournament.
Writes about football and basketball as a Senior Writer and hosts “The Nick Bartlett Show” for SuperWest Sports.
Manchester United striker Benjamin Sesko continued his hot streak in front of goal against Everton at the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday.
Benjamin Sesko was booed by home supporters as he left the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Monday night, but he did not flinch as he walked towards the team bus. The 22-year-old’s temperament is one of his biggest strengths.
Michael Carrick named Sesko on the bench for a sixth game in a row on Merseyside. Other players of a similar age might have sulked, but the Slovenia international has just got on with his job with no fuss.
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Sesko delivered off the bench again to net his sixth goal in seven appearances. He is the most in-form striker in the Premier League, yet hasn’t made a start during Carrick’s interim tenure so far.
The conversation in the build-up to the Everton game was about whether Sesko would get his first start under Carrick, who said, “I get why everyone is making a big deal out of it,” after the 1-0 win.
The calls for Sesko to start this weekend will be deafening. The striker has made himself impossible to ignore, although his response to a question about how it feels not to be starting spoke volumes about his character.
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Speaking to reporters after the game, Sesko said: “We are talking, of course, but he [Carrick] believes in me, everyone believes in me. they are getting me ready to start as soon as possible. It’s more about me showing up when it’s important, no matter how many minutes I’m getting, I’m focusing on delivering and trying to help the team secure the wins.”
When asked whether being gradually bedded in had helped him this season, he responded: “Of course. I’m getting settled in the league from game to game. Again, I’m not even thinking about ‘I have to start, I have to start’.
“For me, it’s just whenever the coach decides to put them there or not, I’m just going to be there. If I get the next minutes, five minutes, I’m going to use them and for me it’s just about trying to enjoy and delivering for the team.”
Sesko copped flak earlier in the season from pundits. Gary Neville said he was “miles off it” compared to United’s other summer signings. Ruben Amorim even said he was “struggling a little bit”.
Sources at Carrington believe Sesko might not have seen Neville’s comment, as he is rarely on social media. He prefers reading books at home and watching basketball.
Sesko is embracing the pressure that comes with a £66.4million price tag, and a transfer to the biggest club in England. “For me, the way I look at the pressure, it’s something that, if I want to be a good player, I have to have. I take it as a privilege,” he said.
“It’s something that has [to be there] if you want to play at the highest level, and it’s about accepting it and not really caring about it. For me, it didn’t really affect me [the pressure to score goals this season] and I don’t think for Cunha and Bryan as well.”
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Speaking about his relationship with Cunha and Mbeumo, Sesko said: “We are understanding each other. There is a lot on the training field where we are working a lot. It’s also the way Bryan made a pass [for the winning goal] because he saw that I was running, he saw that I wanted that ball.
“And obviously, with his quality to make a perfect pass because it’s also not easy to do that to put it directly there. That’s what it’s about, to have such quality in the team. Obviously, it looks so easy [to finish], but because you have so much time, many things are on your mind, but I chose one corner, and I went fully for that.”
Sesko has made an electric start to 2026, but he was keen to credit Carrick and his coaching staff for the work they have done at Carrington. “Everyone is working for each other and I said many times the coaching staff in general, not just Carrick, but also the others he has beside him are unbelievable,” he said.
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“They are working on individuals and you can see that on the pitch. In the end, to win so many games and secure so many points, it’s made out of details and that’s how we get all these points.”
Travis Binnion, formerly Under-21 manager, has been a big help for Sesko. “After the trainings, it’s work in the box, on the edge of the box, short contacts because in the Premier League you don’t have time,” he explained.
“This is where it’s really helping me, and not just me, but also the other players. I’m really happy that I can work with [Binnion] because he’s helped me a lot.”
Speaking about his mental preparation, he added: “The most you can improve is on the pitch because the ball is, in the end, the thing that has to hit the net, and this is where the most work comes out. Obviously, it’s really important when I arrive home to do some work, which is really important for the mental part.”
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A rumour circulated that Sesko had spoken to Dimitar Berbatov about his finishing technique. Sesko confirmed it was not true, but said it would be “nice” to speak to him before crediting the coaching staff again. “They are doing individual work each day, which is really helping me to focus,” he said.
Sesko politely said “thank you so much” when he was congratulated at the beginning of the five-minute chat. “As much as it means to me, it means more to our team to secure the win because it was a really tough game,” he said.
“We were fighting from the start. It was an interesting game, but even though in the end it was quite hard because of the corners, we were fighting and secured the win, which was really, really important.”
Sesko is becoming a key part of this United team – and his best years are ahead of him.
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Minnesota Vikings quarterback Carson Wentz goes through pregame warmups before a matchup against the Philadelphia Eagles at U.S. Bank Stadium on Oct. 19, 2025, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The veteran passer prepared on the field prior to kickoff while serving as a depth option for the Vikings during the 2025 season. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings have outwardly professed they will add another quarterback this offseason, likely to pair with 23-year-old J.J. McCarthy in a summer training camp competition — or at least to employ a top-tier backup alternative. But according to Yahoo Sports‘ Charles Robinson, McCarthy could be traded if the right deal presents itself.
It’s rumor territory, yet it connects to Minnesota’s offseason, cap planning, and a desperate QB market.
The report is especially noteworthy as the NFL Combine begins this week, and general managers + head coaches converge on one spot to wheel and deal.
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Combine Week Puts the Vikings’ Quarterback Situation under a Microscope
Don’t rule out a McCarthy trade altogether, says Yahoo Sports.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy prepares before his first preseason appearance against the Las Vegas Raiders on Aug. 10, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The rookie passer later suffered a meniscus injury during the exhibition schedule but returned the following offseason positioned to take over Minnesota’s starting quarterback role. Mandatory Credit: Imagn Images.
Robinson on McCarthy
Most Vikings fans don’t have McCarthy on the trade block, but Robinson subtly challenged that position on Friday.
With the Combine kicking off Monday, he wrote, “Throw in some young players who might get a call or two just to see if they are available on the trade market, including Buffalo Bills wideout Keon Coleman, Jacksonville Jaguars wideout Brian Thomas Jr., Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson and Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy. Thomas, Richardson and McCarthy are not expected to be officially on the trade block, but all three could garner some interest and calls.”
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“Thomas seems less likely to be dealt with the Jaguars moving Travis Hunter primarily to cornerback. McCarthy won’t be dealt unless the Vikings are presented with a quarterback option that effectively renders any chance of him having a future as moot.”
What’s the Right Deal?
Robinson claimed McCarthy could be jettisoned via trade if his future became “moot.” That’s a rather meaty ultimatum, one that suggests the Vikings would be deep-sea fishing for his replacement. It’s rare for a quarterback-whispering head coach like Kevin O’Connell to draft a player in Round 1 and cast him off less than two years later.
Therefore, to trade McCarthy, per the Robinson theory, the incoming quarterback would have to be quite splashy. The list might look like this:
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Joe Burrow
Justin Herbert
Lamar Jackson
Baker Mayfield
And there’s just no evidence to suggest any of the players’ teams will trade those passers.
Team Control for Up to Three Years
Meanwhile, McCarthy remains under contract with the Vikings through the end of 2028 if Minnesota eventually exercises his fifth-year option. They achieve no major cap relief by trading McCarthy. The franchise would basically sever ties altogether because it found something proven and better.
McCarthy struggled in 2025, his second year in the pros, sans a handful of big moments in clutch spots, as well as a memorable three-game stretch against the Washington Commanders, Dallas Cowboys, and New York Giants, when McCarthy played at a Pro Bowl clip against three poor defenses.
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy warms up on the field before a division matchup against the Green Bay Packers on Jan. 4, 2026, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. McCarthy participated in pregame routines as Minnesota prepared for its regular season finale with the young quarterback continuing his development. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images.
It’s too early to mail it on McCarthy — unless he’s required to land Burrow, for example.
Aaron Rodgers in Play? Malik Willis?
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Robinson was actually full of Vikings quarterback theories.
He noted on Aaron Rodgers’s situation: “The future of Aaron Rodgers will be a pressing question for the Pittsburgh Steelers — at least as it pertains to the organization’s other options and what kind of timeline there would be for a Rodgers decision.”
“It’s possible we exit the combine under the presumption that the Steelers are going to move forward and try to find their future QB, which would shift the Rodgers conversation back to the Vikings, whom he was interested in before landing in Pittsburgh last offseason.”
The rumor mill featured Rodgers to Minnesota front and center last offseason before the 42-year-old signed with the Steelers.
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Robinson also mentioned Malik Willis, the league’s top free-agent quarterback, while dropping the Vikings’ name once again.
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis hands the ball off during the fourth quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Oct. 27, 2024, at EverBank Stadium in Jacksonville, Florida. Willis helped direct the Packers offense in a close contest that was decided by a late field goal during Green Bay’s road victory. Mandatory Credit: Corey Perrine-Florida Times-Union.
“The ballpark speculation in the agent community is some kind of two-year deal averaging $30 to $35 million a season with $40 to $45 million guaranteed. That would put Willis in position to go back to the table next offseason and negotiate a longer term deal that tacks on to the end of 2027 and extends his guaranteed money out into a three-year window through the 2028 season,” he scribed.
“There are varying opinions on the numbers and structure, not to mention the potential interest. Willis feels like the first big quarterback domino that has to fall in March to trigger a larger migration. If he were to land in Pittsburgh, that then puts Rodgers — if he still wants to play — onto the market for the Vikings or any other suitors. And once Willis is off the board, the teams that ultimately don’t have him as an option will then have to reassess.”
Willis will turn 27 in May and may be the league’s next big reclamation story, akin to Sam Darnold and Baker Mayfield.
It’s also worth noting that Robinson isn’t a hot take merchant; if he says McCarthy could be traded for a big fish, that’s a credible assertion.
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka could enjoy a massive home advantage in the ongoing ICC T20 World Cup 2026, with Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium in line to host their semi-final — but only under specific conditions confirmed by the International Cricket Council.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!According to ESPNCricinfo report, as per tournament logistics shared with stakeholders after the Super Eight stage was finalised, Semi-final 1 remains a “floating” fixture that could be held either in Colombo or Kolkata. The ICC clarified that Pakistan will automatically play their semi-final in Colombo if they qualify. However, if Pakistan fail to reach the last four and Sri Lanka qualify instead, the island nation will host the semi-final in Colombo — provided their opponent is not India.
Inside Pakistan’s intense nets session in Kandy ahead of their Super Eight clash against England
This arrangement creates a potentially decisive edge for Sri Lanka, who could play a knockout match in familiar home conditions with crowd support behind them. However, if Sri Lanka end up facing India in the semi-final, the match will not be held in Colombo, as India’s semi-final has been designated for Mumbai unless it is against Pakistan, in which case it shifts to Colombo.
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Who would benefit more from the current semi-final venue rules in the T20 World Cup 2026?
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The report further said that if neither Pakistan nor Sri Lanka reach the semi-finals, Kolkata will host Semi-final 1, while Mumbai will stage Semi-final 2. India, if they qualify, will play in Mumbai regardless of opponent, except in the case of a clash with Pakistan.Also, since Sri Lanka and Pakistan are in the same Super Eight group, they cannot face each other in the semi-finals.
Coach Prime’s sky-high salary raises eyebrows nationally. Still, I make what I think is a compelling case for Deion Sanders’ worth, highlighting his transformative impact: quadrupling win totals, sparking record ticket sales, and delivering $3 billion in publicity value for Boulder.
Can Colorado’s new faces make the most of these openings, or will persistent injury woes undermine momentum?
Last week, I focused on UC Irvine and Hawai’i. This week, I zero in on the Matadors ahead of their home game on Thursday against the Anteaters.
