Over the Super Bowl weekend, there was plenty of talk regarding the Minnesota Vikings. Sadly, for Vikings fans, it wasn’t because their team was playing. It revolved around the now-infamous decision not go all in on Sam Darnold after a 14-win debut season in Minnesota.

The NFL’s Eyes Are on the Vikings’ Next Move

Darnold’s success throughout the 2025 season has drawn ridicule from some quarters, and that was rubber-stamped when Darnold hoisted the Lombardi Trophy after the Seattle Seahawks won Super Bowl LX.

Kwesi Adofo-Mensah bet big on his first-round quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2025, and it cost him his job as the Vikings general manager. Opinion was mixed after Darnold melted down in the final two games of the 2024 season, but with the benefit of hindsight, the Vikings should have done everything possible to keep Darnold. 

I don’t think Minnesota would have won the Super Bowl if they’d kept Darnold. However, on the back of Brian Flores’ strong defense, the team finished just half a game out of the playoffs despite historically bad QB play. McCarthy ranked last in the NFL in completion percentage (58%), touchdown-interception (11-12), and passer rating (72.6). He also struggled with injury again, meaning Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer started seven games. A Darnold-led Vikings probably makes the playoffs.

The pressure mounted on McCarthy and the decision-makers in Minnesota when veteran players like Justin Jefferson and Aaron Jones spoke to the media during Super Bowl week and suggested that letting Darnold leave was a mistake. It will be particularly important to keep Jefferson happy, who had career lows in receiving yards (1,048) and receiving touchdowns (2). The national media doesn’t need an excuse to try to push a Jefferson trade agenda.

The NFL World is Watching

CBS Sports ranked the Vikings No. 1 on its list of teams to watch this offseason — the others were the Los Angeles Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals, and Tennessee Titans. The big talking point surrounding the Vikings, of course, is what the team will do at QB. With Adofo-Mensah gone, all options remain open. 

The focus will be on head coach Kevin O’Connell. With Minnesota not beginning its search for a new general manager until after the draft, this will be viewed as O’Connell’s show. His future in Minnesota likely lives or dies on the upcoming QB decision. Another season where the Vikings are relying on the defense, and they might want to think twice about letting Flores go into the next head coaching cycle.

So how will the Vikings address the quarterback position this offseason? Even if it’s just for the morale of their offensive players, like Jefferson. Minnesota has to bring in a veteran quarterback this offseason to compete with and/or mentor McCarthy. Aaron Rodgers and former Viking Kirk Cousins would meet that mentor role in the final years of their playing days.

Bringing in one of those would give the Vikings a chance to let McCarthy step back and maybe come back. Alternatively, someone like Kyler Murray or Mac Jones would be competition for the long-term role.

Onlookers are fascinated by what Minnesota’s offseason approach will be. It will be one of the league’s big storylines this offseason.

Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.

After a long wait, the All India Football Federation (AIFF) have finally announced the official schedule for the Indian Super League (ISL) 2026 on Sunday. The new season will get underway on February 14, 2026, with two matches kicking off the new campaign, the AIFF confirmed in an official release.

The opening game of the season will feature Mohun Bagan Super Giant taking on Kerala Blasters FC at the iconic Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan in Kolkata. Later on the same day, FC Goa will square off against Inter Kashi at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

Indian Super League 2026: Teams and home venues

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  Mohun Bagan – Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
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  East Bengal – Vivekananda Yuba Bharati Krirangan
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  Kerala Blasters – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
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  Mumbai City – Mumbai Football Arena
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  Goa – Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
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  Bengaluru – Sree Kanteerava Stadium
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  Chennaiyin – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium
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  Odisha – Kalinga Stadium
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  Jamshedpur – JRD Tata Sports Complex
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  NorthEast United – Indira Gandhi Athletic Stadium
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  Punjab FC – Guru Nanak Stadium
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  Mohammedan SC – Kishore Bharati Krirangan
• 
  Inter Kashi – Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar Stadium
• 
  Sporting Delhi – Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium

Indian Super League 2026: Full schedule

Indian Super League 2026: Live streaming and telecast details

When will Indian Super League 2026 begin?

The Indian Super League 2026 will begin on Saturday, February 14.

Which two teams will play in the opening fixture of Indian Super League 2026?

Mohun Bagan Super Giant will take on Kerala Blasters in the opening fixture of Indian Super League 2026.

How many matches will each team play in Indian Super League 2026?

Each team will play 13 matches in the Indian Super League 2026.

What time will the Indian Super League 2026 matches begin?

The Indian Super League 2026 matches will kick off at 5 pm IST for evening matches and 7.30 pm IST for night matches.

Where to watch live telecast of Indian Super League 2026 matches in India?

The live telecast details of Indian Super League 2026 matches are not available yet.

Where to watch live streaming of Indian Super League 2026 matches in India?

The FanCode app and website will live stream Indian Super League 2026 matches in India.

Adam Zampa of Australia celebrates with teammates (Getty Images)

Nathan Ellis produced a fiery opening spell to propel an under-strength Australia to a commanding 67-run victory over Ireland in their Group B opener of the T20 World Cup on Wednesday. Defending 183, Australia’s pace spearhead ripped through the Irish top order, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 12 in 3.5 overs. Leg-spinner Adam Zampa then dismantled the middle and lower order with 4 for 23 from his four overs as Ireland were restricted to 115 for 9 in 16.5 overs.

Veteran Paul Stirling was retired hurt and did not bat. With Mitchell Marsh sidelined by a groin injury and senior quicks Mitchell Starc retired, plus Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood unavailable due to injuries, Ellis stepped up as the leader of the attack. He struck early, bowling Ross Adair with a skiddy delivery before Ben Calitz dragged one back onto his stumps against sharp pace and bounce. His initial spell read 3 for 9 in three overs. Zampa then tightened Australia’s grip, although George Dockrell’s 41 off 29 balls ensured Ireland crossed the 100-run mark. Ellis returned to claim his fourth wicket and close out the match. Earlier, Australia posted 182 for 6 after being sent in on a sluggish surface. Josh Inglis (37) and Cameron Green (21) set the tempo before Matthew Renshaw (37) and Marcus Stoinis (45) combined for a crucial 61-run stand. Ireland’s spinners bowled tidily but dropped chances proved costly. After Travis Head was reprieved in the first over and then run out in the second, Inglis and Green counterattacked briskly. Green struck towering sixes before falling to midwicket, while Inglis was dismissed following a stunning diving catch by Stirling. Harry Tector removed Glenn Maxwell, but Renshaw and Stoinis rebuilt steadily before Humphreys bowled Renshaw. Stoinis followed soon after, despite a powerful six. Ireland conceded 53 runs in the final five overs as Australia sealed an emphatic start.

Snowboarding sensation Chloe Kim, despite admitting to nerves and just four weeks removed from a schedule-disrupting shoulder injury, effortlessly secured her spot in the Olympic final in Livigno, finishing first in Wednesday’s qualifying round.

Her commanding performance sets the stage for a historic attempt at a third consecutive gold medal, with Kim quipping, “I might be better at snowboarding than I am at walking.”

Her dominant display included a massive big air leap, propelling her 13 feet above the halfpipe’s edge, punctuated by a showy board grab.

She also executed a 1080-degree spin while riding backward, immediately setting her apart from the two dozen riders vying for a spot in Thursday night’s final.

The 25-year-old is competing with a shoulder brace, a consequence of an awkward fall four weeks prior during a training run in Switzerland.

open image in gallery

She returned to the halfpipe only two weeks ago, marking her first significant run since last March. Reflecting on her recovery, Kim noted, “She’s been very well behaved,” looking down at her left shoulder.

Her 22-year career underpins her consistent excellence, affirming “Muscle memory is a thing” to explain her high-level performance despite limited recent practice.

While American Maddie Mastro showcased impressive double corks, Kim’s performance underscored her decade-long dominance.

For the final, Kim plans to “go bigger”, aiming to link frontside and backside 900s, having pulled up on her second qualifying run after a slight skid to conserve energy.

She was later seen sharing hugs with her boyfriend, Cleveland Browns defensive end Myles Garrett.

“I’ve landed all the components of my finals run, I just haven’t put them together,” she stated. “So I’ll get to do it on the big day.”

Among her key challengers for a medal are Mastro, Japan’s Sara Shimizu and Sena Tomita, Korea’s Gaon Choi, and fellow US rider Bea Kim.

However, the injury has shifted Kim’s perspective on her historic quest.

“If you’d asked me before the shoulder injury, I’d maybe have a different answer for you,” she admitted.

“But just because I’m coming back from an injury, obviously I didn’t get nearly the amount of reps I would normally get going into an Olympics, I’m just really proud of myself and proud that I’ve been able to push it as far as I have.”

Olympic skier Ryan Cochran-Siegle picked up Team USA’s latest medal on Wednesday, capturing a silver in the alpine skiing men’s super-G.

Cochran-Siegle put together a time of 1:25.45 and finished 0.13 seconds behind Swiss skiing star Franjo von Allmen, who picked up his third gold medal of the Milan Cortina Games. Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt won the bronze.

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United States’ Ryan Cochran Siegle speeds down the course during an alpine ski, men’s super-G race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Gabriele Facciotti)

For Cohran-Siegle, it’s his second Olympic medal of his career. He won a silver medal in the same event at the Beijing Olympics in 2022. He came in 14th in super-G at his first appearance in the Games in 2018 in Pyeongchang.

He finished 18th in downhill earlier in this Olympics.

AMERICAN ASHLEY FARQUHARSON CAPTURES RARE OLYMPIC LUGE MEDAL AT WINTER GAMES

United States’ Ryan Cochran Siegle wears a flag as he walks away from the medal ceremony after winning the silver medal in an alpine ski, men’s super-G race, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Americans Sam Morse, Kyle Negomir and River Radamus also competed in the super-G. Morse finished in 23rd place with a time of 1:27.12, and Negomir finished in 26th with a time 1:28.62. Radamus didn’t complete the course, as he slipped and fell out of position. He appeared to be frustrated with himself as he skied toward officials that were near his part of the hill.

Cochran-Siegle, who is from Vermont and skis out of the Mount Mansfield club, made his World Cup debut when he was 19. But he hasn’t finished better than seventh in the super-G in his career. He is finished for these Games and will cheer on his skiing teammates the rest of the way.

Switzerland’s Franjo von Allmen, gold medalist in an alpine ski, men’s super-G race, center, celebrates on the podium with silver medalist United States’ Ryan Cochran Siegle, left, and bronze medalist Switzerland’s Marco Odermatt, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, in Bormio, Italy, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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Negomir will compete in the giant slalom and team combined later in these Games. Ryder Sarchett will also compete in the giant slalom. Negomir and Radamus competed in the team combined and finished 18th.

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Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) President Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed that Eric Chelle will remain the head coach of the Super Eagles and will continue his job until his contract ends.

Chelle’s future has been a subject of speculation since the end of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations, where Nigeria finished third. Reports had linked him with other national teams, but Gusau said the coach is still under contract and is not expected to leave.

Gusau explained that Chelle still has one year left on his contract and must respect it.

He said, “We still have a one-year contract with Eric and therefore whatever anyone will show on him, he has to wait until his contract expired.”

The NFF boss added that the federation does not want distractions around the coach, stressing that Chelle enjoys working with Nigeria.

Gusau also said money should not be the main reason for a coach to change jobs, as success and results are more important than salary. He questioned whether Chelle would achieve the same results if he moved to another team.

He further explained that Chelle believes in the Super Eagles and the quality of players available, and feels he can achieve his career goals with Nigeria.

According to Gusau, Chelle has confidence that he can achieve his dreams with the Super Eagles and has strong belief in the team.

Gusau concluded by saying the NFF believes in Chelle and that he remains part of the Super Eagles setup. He added that Nigerians will be informed about future plans when the time comes.

With Gusau’s statement, it is clear that Chelle will stay in charge for now and could even earn a contract extension if he continues to impress.