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Henrique Gucciardi’s Vikings Mock Draft 1.0
Generally speaking, mock drafts before free agency tell us nothing. There’s still almost two months of scouting to be done, a ton of conversations, visits, pro days, etc.
And, of course, players to be signed starting next week. So why do one now? To familiarize ourselves with some prospects, see what the Vikings could do if the draft were tonight, and some of the holes on the roster.
It’s a Safety and RB Out of the Gate for MIN in the Draft
Whether or not the Vikings choose to sign will alter what they do when they are on the clock, but what other teams do can also change who will be on the board at #18. For example, the Los Angeles Rams have been heavily linked to a cornerback early in the draft, but they likely will look somewhere else after trading for Trent McDuffie.
The quarterback will also impact the players, at least for me. If they stick with J.J. McCarthy, I don’t know how comfortable I’d be with a rookie or inexperienced center. However, if they do sign a veteran QB1, I’d like to see them use a draft pick on a new center. What happens with Jonathan Greenard will also impact the plan.
I think you all get the point. A lot will change between now and the draft. Also, I’m using PFF’s simulator to do this mock.
Henrique Gucciardi’s Mock Draft 1.0
1st Round, 18th pick: Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, DB, Toledo
We still don’t know if Harrison Smith will be back. Regardless, safety is a big position of need even if he returns. But McNeill-Warren isn’t the pick because of his position. His Combine numbers don’t jump off the page, but the tape shows a player with very good zone instincts, good enough athleticism, a knack for finding the football (14 turnovers in four years), and physicality.
His tackling at the line is good, but he will need to improve it in open space, especially against stronger, faster players. He showed he belongs at the Senior Bowl, which is a natural concern for players coming from smaller schools.
Trade Alert
The Jacksonville Jaguars send picks 56 and 100 for pick 49.
There were still some prospects I liked, and the idea of having five Day 2 picks was enticing. Don’t know how this would look in the trade value charts, but for the Vikings, it looked like a good deal.
2nd Round, 56th pick: Jadarian Price, RB, Notre Dame
For very good reasons, Jeremiyah Love is the Fighting Irish running back in the spotlight. But Price is also a great prospect. He’s explosive, patient at the line, and has fantastic vision. With the team cutting Aaron Jones, a running back to pair with Jordan Mason becomes a necessity.
And I think they’d complement eachother really well. Price will have to become a better tool in the passing game to fit KOC’s offense, but he has that home-run threat that we haven’t seen since Cook’s better days.
3rd Round, 82nd pick: Connor Lew, OC, Auburn
As I said earlier, I don’t envision the team pairing McCarthy with a young center. Considering Lew is 20 years old, I think another player will be the signal-caller in 2026. Lew will likely miss a chunk of his rookie season, as he suffered a torn ACL last October.
Looking at the bright side, though, it could give him some time to develop behind the scenes. If all goes well, he should be cleared during camp, so this could be viewed as a redshirt season. A great processor and pass protector (1 sack allowed in his sophomore season), he could be the final piece in the offensive line.
3rd Round, 97th pick: Devin Moore, CB, Florida
Moore is a very big cornerback. At 6’3 and 198lbs, he shows promise as a press corner. He had multiple injuries throughout his career, but his size, jump-ball skills, and tackling ability are hard to ignore.
The Vikings are probably rolling with Byron Murphy and Isaiah Rodgers as the starters in 2026, but Moore can factor as a rotational player, particularly when in the red zone. He will have to improve a lot as a zone defender to be a starter, but he can absolutely use his size when closer to the endzone.
3rd Round, 100th pick: Kyle Louis, LB, Pittsburgh
If Moore stands out because he’s big, Louis stands out for being small. But don’t let it fool you. He may lack the size to take on blocks in the running game, but he had 10.0 sacks in the last two seasons. When playing for Brian Flores, the ability to blitz is a must.
He has a little Ivan Pace to him, in that he can slip out of blocks, with 24 tackles for loss since 2024. But he is way better in pass coverage, and has a knack for finding the ball in the air. His 2025 season was worse, but he showed the potential to be, at least, a solid starter.
5th Round, 161st pick: Bryce Lance, WR, North Dakota State
6th Round, 195th pick: Cole Brevard, DL, Texas
6th Round, 197th pick: Tanner Koziol, TE, Houston
With Jalen Nailor likely out, the Vikings should look to add another young receiver. With Tai Felton on the roster and in contention to be the new WR3, Lance can come in as a depth option. A very good route runner, he would benefit from learning from Justin Jefferson and Keenan McCardell.
Brevard may not be a scheme fit, as he lacks the versatility that Flores loves. But he can be a solid nose tackle for this defense.
Especially considering I’ve taken an undersized linebacker, a 6’3, 346lbs defensive tackle who eats space would be a smart move. You are unlikely to find a do-it-all player at #197, so finding athletic projects and/or role players is the objective here.
There’s a lot of talk about Hockenson being a cap casualty. Even if he stays, 2026 looks like his last year in purple and gold. So, trying to find another receiving tight end is a good move. Koziol fits exactly that mold, playing mostly as a big slot for Houston in 2025.
Blocking is a huge area of improvement for him, but he does remind me of a young Josh Oliver, who’s also very big and had trouble in the running game. With a 6’7 frame and strong hands, Koziol could be a weapon over the middle and in the redzone.
6th Round, 202nd pick: V.J. Payne, DB, Kansas State
7th Round, 234th pick: Vincent Anthony Jr., EDGE, Duke
7th Round, 240th pick: Eric Gentry, LB, USC
Safety is a position the Vikings should invest heavily in, even if they trust Jay Ward. Payne would add depth and speed to a unit that needs it.
Athletically, he has the build of a great safety, with a rare combination of size and speed. He is a very good zone defender who played multiple roles in Kansas State’s defense, but he will need to improve his tackling to be an effective player.
Anthony comes as a draft project. He has the size (6’6″) and a solid build at 258 lbs, though he could add some more bulk. But he is as raw as it gets and will need serious development to see the field. But with Andrew Van Ginkel, Jonathan Greenard (at least for now), and Dallas Turner, he will have time to do so.
Gentry would be one of the tallest linebackers in the league at 6’7. He will have to add some bulk, but it is super rare to find a player with his size, athleticism, and playmaking. If he adds weight and improves his play strength without sacrificing much of his speed, there’s a real possibility that the Vikings find their linebacker duo in this class. It’d also be very funny to see a 6’0 and a 6’7 linebacker duo.
The Vikings may be hard-pressed to find immediate starters in this draft. After all, this was one of Kwesi’s biggest perceived flaws among fans and the media. So, selecting two players with injury history may not sit well with everyone.
But, to me, Lew and Louis have enough upside that it didn’t bother me, and they should factor in as key players from 2027 and beyond. McNeill-Warren and Price would have an impact from Day 1, while Louis would have the chance to start as a rotational player and key special teams contributor.
Lance and Kozior would spend their first two years developing and with few snaps, but could have bigger roles in the future. At least they should improve the depth. Payne is the late pick with the most potential out of the group and, if he’s able to improve his tackling during camp, could even be part of the defense as a rookie.
Brevard is a player with a very specific role, but not less of a contributor because of it. Anthony and Gentry should spend every single day at the gym, but there’s potential there.
This is the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira, the “BMF” championship main event bout Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
Holloway is currently No. 12 in the MMA Fighting Pound-for-Pound Rankings, with Charles Oliveira at No. 19.
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This is a long-awaited rematch for the two future Hall of Famers, with Holloway getting the win in a featherweight bout all the way back at UFC Saskatoon in August 2015 when Oliveira suffered an injury to bring the contest to a disappointing end.
Holloway (27-8) went on to establish himself as one of the best featherweights of all time, winning a UFC title and successfully defending it three times. His list of conquests includes Jose Aldo, Dustin Poirier, Justin Gaethje, Frankie Edgar, The Korean Zombie, and Anthony Pettis, and many others considered among the best fighters of this generation. He knocked out Gaethje in the final seconds of a dominant performance at UFC 300 to snatch the BMF belt and became the only fighter to successfully defend it when he defeated longtime rival Dustin Poirier this past July.
“Do Bronx” hasn’t done bad for himself either. The UFC’s all-time leader in submission victories finally made it to the top of the mountain at 155 pounds when he defeated Michael Chandler for a vacant belt at UFC 262. Since that win, Oliveira has gone 5-3 while providing highlight after highlight whether in victory or defeat. Like Holloway, he aims to build on a UFC 326 main event win to earn one more shot at an undisputed title.
Check out the UFC 326 live blog for Max Holloway vs. Charles Oliveira below.
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Preamble
Here we go. Forget all the White House drama and the lackluster undercard, this is what we’re here for. Two of the best ever finally getting to see who is the better man. All in.
Always tell me the odds
Holloway has been the favorite since this one was announced, -196 on FanDuel. Oliveira the underdog at +164. But this feels closer to a pick ‘em, doesn’t it?
Walkouts
Round 1
Marc Goddard the third man in the cage for your main event.
Oliviera immediately attacks with leg kicks. There’s a 1-2 from Holloway. Uh oh, he’s landing early. But here comes Oliveira, throwing heavy. Body lock and Oliveira just dumps him to the mat. Fast start!
The University of New Brunswick Reds are headed to the U Sports women’s basketball championship final for the first time in nearly 50 years.
Kylee Speedy scored 16 points and ignited a decisive third-quarter run as UNB defeated the Calgary Dinos 70-66 in Saturday’s first semifinal at the Amphitheatre Desjardins.
The Fredericton-based Reds will play the University of Saskatchewan Huskies in Sunday’s final. The Huskies got past the Laval Rouge et Or 55-43 in the other semifinal.
Katie Butts led the Reds against the Dinos with 20 points and six rebounds, while Katie McAffee had 10 points and three rebounds.
Kourtney Oss, Christine Geraldo, Amelie Collin and Lilia Skumatova all scored 14 points for the Dinos, who trailed 35-31 at halftime.
Ella Murphy Wiebe led the Huskies with 26 points and 16 rebounds, while Maya Flindall and Tea DeMong each scored nine points.
Brinly Holt led the Rouge et Or with 16 points and nine rebounds, while Sabrine Khelifi had 12 points and five rebounds.
The Dinos will play the Rouge et Or for bronze on Sunday.
Baselines: The Carleton Ravens edged the Toronto Metropolitan Bold 60-58 in Saturday’s fifth-place game. Kyana-Jade Poulin led the Ravens with 19 points and nine rebounds.
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Former Chicago Blackhawks standout Troy Murray, who transitioned to the broadcast booth after his playing career, has died, the team announced Saturday. He was 63.
The Blackhawks said he died earlier in the day.
It’s unclear where Murray spent his final moments. Murray publicly disclosed his cancer diagnosis in August 2021. While he revealed he had been undergoing chemotherapy, details about the type of cancer he was fighting were kept private.
Murray, affectionately known as “Muzz,” continued to appear on Blackhawks broadcasts during his cancer battle, though his appearances eventually tapered off. He stepped away from the booth entirely ahead of the 2025-26 NHL season.
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Troy Murray is honored during Hockey Fights Cancer night during a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and the San Jose Sharks at United Center Nov. 28, 2021, in Chicago. (Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
For more than a decade, Murray starred at center for the Blackhawks. CEO Danny Wirtz said the loss of one of the franchise’s most respected leaders left the team “deeply heartbroken.”
“Troy was the epitome of a Blackhawk so far beyond his incredible playing career, with his presence felt in every corner of our organization over the last 45 years,” Wirtz said.
“During his long and hard battle with cancer, it was often said that Troy didn’t have any ‘give up’ in him,” Wirtz added. “While our front office won’t be the same without him, we will carry that spirit forward every day in his honor. We’ll miss you, Troy.”
Troy Murray, a former player for the Chicago Blackhawks, is honored during the “One More Shift” campaign prior to a game against the Ottawa Senators at the United Center Feb. 21, 2018, in Chicago. (Chase Agnello-Dean/NHLI via Getty Images)
After 12 seasons with the Blackhawks, Murray finished his NHL career with the Colorado Avalanche, winning the 1996 Stanley Cup.
After spending the following season with the International Hockey League Chicago Wolves, Murray stayed in the city to begin his broadcasting career in 1998. Murray was also named the president of the Blackhawks alumni association.
“Troy Murray is remembered for not only his contributions on the ice, but for his professionalism and humility and dedication to the city of Chicago,” the team said in a release. “He leaves behind a lasting legacy within the Blackhawks family and the broader hockey world.”
Chicago Blackhawks radio announcers John Wiedeman and Troy Murray wear lavender ties in honor of Hockey Fights Cancer night during a game against the Vancouver Canucks Oct. 20, 2010, at the United Center in Chicago. (Bill Smith/NHLI via Getty Images)
From Calgary, Alberta, Murray topped 20 goals five times, but he also became known for his defensive play. In 1986, he became the Blackhawks’ first player to win the NHL’s Frank J. Selke Trophy, the award for the league’s top defensive forward.
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Murray finished with 197 goals in 688 games over two stints with the Blackhawks and also played for the Winnipeg Jets, Ottawa Senators and Pittsburgh Penguins. Overall, he had 230 goals in 915 career games.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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Rory McIlroy has withdrawn from the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Orlando after suffering spasms in his lower back before he was due to start the third round.
The Northern Ireland player’s exit was announced by the PGA Tour about 30 minutes before his tee time.
In a later statement, the five-time major winner said: “While warming up in the gym this morning, I felt a small twinge in my back.
“As I started hitting balls on the range before the round, it worsened and developed into muscle spasms in my lower back. Unfortunately, I’m not able to continue and have to withdraw.”
McIlroy held a share of ninth place – nine shots back – after moving to four under on Friday with a round of 68, having shot level par on Thursday.
Having birdied four of the first seven holes on the back nine, McIlroy had said he was “really pleased”, adding he had played a “controlled, patient round of golf”.
The 36-year-old, who was competing in his third PGA Tour event of the season, is due to defend his titles at the Players Championship at Sawgrass next week and the Masters at Augusta from 9-12 April.
A play-off win at the latter against Justin Rose last year saw McIlroy become the sixth man to complete a career Grand Slam, ending an 11-year drought at the sport’s four biggest competitions.
Since 2022, T.J. Hockenson has been the top tight end in the Twin Cities. Getting him onto the roster involved Kwesi Adofo-Mensah pulling off a bold, unexpected trade deadline swap with an NFC North rival.
These past few years have included highs and lows for Mr. Hockenson. Great performance got interrupted by injury and a prolonged recovery.
He’s going to remain on Minnesota’s roster. ESPN’s Adam Schefter offers the update: “Vikings and T.J. Hockenson have agreed to a restructured contract that saves the team more than $5M in cap space in 2026. Interim GM Rob Brzezinski continues to clear cap space before free agency.”
Later on, Tom Pelissero offered more details. Check it out: “As part of Vikings TE T.J. Hockenson’s restructured contract, the team agreed to delete the final year of his deal, per sources. So Hockenson takes a $5 million pay cut that provides Minnesota cap relief, and now gets to be a free agent after this season.”***
Vikings Make T.J. Hockenson Decision
Lately, there have been all sorts of moves to get the finances into a decent spot.
Already, WR1 Justin Jefferson, CB1 Byron Murphy Jr., and LT1 Christian Darrisaw have seen their deals restructured (read more here and here). C1 Ryan Kelly is moving into retirement. DT2 Jonathan Allen, DT3 Javon Hargrave, and RB1 Aaron Jones are all going to be cut unless an unexpected trade gets figured out (not likely).
There are even rumors swirling around EDGE1 Jonathan Greenard. Lots going on.
Kevin Seifert chimed in with some added insight on why the decision was made. Consider his brief word to offer context: “Prior to the restructure, T.J. Hockenson was going to have a cap number of $21.3 million this season, highest in the NFL for tight ends.”
Consider a rough, simple summary of the cap savings that are known:
- Justin Jefferson: $18M
- Christian Darrisaw: $9M
- Byron Murphy: $11M
- Ryan Kelly: $8M
- T.J. Hockenson: $5M
And then with the upcoming cuts — Allen, Hargrave, and Jones — the Vikings will add another $25 million into the mix. Adding it all together means obliterating the $46 million in cap debt that was showing up on Over the Cap.
Rob Brzezinski, a numbers nerd who had been wrestling with Minnesota’s salary cap for decades, has injected $76 million into the mix. Debt is gone; cap space is available.
Other levers that can get pulled include trades. More likely, though, are the extensions. In particular, there’s Brian O’Neill, who can give back more than $14 million in 2026 with an extension.
So, the Vikings will be able to add talent if there’s a desire to do so. Can’t get too frisky in free agency but can join in the fun.
T.J. Hockenson, 28, is coming off a season where he turned 51 catches into 438 yards and 3 touchdowns. The 8.6 yards-per-reception average is modest. So is the scoring. He’ll look to improve in both areas, something that appears plausible since he’s further away from his serious knee injury. More importantly, Minnesota’s quarterback play should (note: should) take a large step forward next year.
Worth remembering, as well, that keeping Hockenson means sitting on a deep tight end position. Josh Oliver remains. So, too, is there Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek, and others in the mix. What happens with Ben Sims, someone whom the Vikings like quite a bit?
The Vikings won’t need to worry about adding at tight end unless there’s a great opportunity.
Mr. Hockenson comes in at 6’5″ and 248 pounds. A gifted athlete who was chosen at No. 8 in the 2019 NFL Draft, Hockenson has been getting better as a blocker. Returning to his old explosiveness would make a huge difference.
Look for him to work toward a bounce back in 2026 as the team more broadly endeavours to do likewise.
Editor’s Note: Information from Pro Football Reference and Over the Cap helped with this piece.
*** The Pelissero note was inserted into the story afterwards since the details weren’t known at original time of publication.
Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.
Mar 3, 2026; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies forward Rashaun Agee (12) reacts during the second half against the Kentucky Wildcats at Reed Arena. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images Rashaun Agee had 26 points and 11 rebounds and converted a go-ahead three-point play with 24 seconds left in the third overtime as Texas A&M outlasted LSU 94-91 on Saturday in Baton Rouge, La.
Rylan Griffen scored 24 points, Pop Isaacs had 18 and Ali Dibba added 12 for the Aggies (21-10, 11-7 Southeastern Conference).
Max Mackinnon scored 20 points, Jalen Reece had 17, Michael Nwoko had 16 points and 13 rebounds, and Marquel Sutton and Robert Miller III scored 12 each for the Tigers (15-16, 3-15).
Both teams made two free throws to start the scoring in the third overtime before Ruben Dominguez made a 3-pointer for his only points, giving the Aggies a 90-87 lead.
Miller’s layup and Reece’s jumper gave LSU a one-point edge before Agee’s three-point play pushed the Aggies ahead 93-91. Dibba made one of two free throws with 7 seconds left, leaving LSU with a chance to tie with a 3-pointer but Mackinnon missed.
Isaacs made a layup to start the scoring in the second overtime, then Mackinnon made two free throws for LSU’s first points with 1:33 left, tying the score. Mackinnon followed with a layup, giving the Tigers an 83-81 lead with 1:04 left.
Marcus Hill converted a three-point play for his only points of the game, giving Texas A&M a one-point lead with 50 seconds left. Griffen sank one free throw, but Mackinnon answered with two with 12 seconds left, forcing a third overtime.
The score was tied once and the lead changed hands for a fourth time in the first overtime when Agee’s 3-pointer gave the Aggies a two-point lead with 1:05 left. Reece’s jumper tied the score at 79 with 6 seconds remaining and Griffen missed a jumper, forcing a second extra period.
LSU led by nine points early in the second half before Texas A&M took its first lead of second half, 61-60. Mackinnon’s layup tied the score at 70 with 38 seconds remaining in regulation. Both teams missed a 3-pointer in the final seconds.
–Field Level Media
Over recent days, media outlets have leaked details of upcoming moves, suggesting a youth movement on the Vikings’ defensive line in Minnesota. It’s out with the old and potentially in with the new in Minnesota this spring.
Minnesota’s Interior Defensive Front Is Entering a Transition Phase
There have been three significant moves made at the interior defensive line position. Both Jonathan Allen and Javon Harhrave are going to be released just a year on from signing for Minnesota in big-money deals. Hargrave’s release was leaked first, along with veteran RB Aaron Jones, and both were moves I expected. The news regarding Allen came a few days later and was more of a surprise.
It was a big move when the Vikings signed Allen and Hargrave on the same day last March. Both were coming off injury problems, but had been very good players in the league. Surely one of them would recapture their old form? Both were ok but neither got close to being worth the two-year, $30 million (Hargrave) or three-year, $60 million (Allen) contracts they got from Minnesota.
Unless someone comes in with a trade offer, which would be a surprise at this point, their pair will be released, giving the Vikings a combined savings of $17.4 million against this year’s salary cap. Releasing Allen two years early will leave a huge dead cap hit of $17.3 million unless it is designated as a post-Jun 1, where a further saving of $4.7 million can be made, but it still leaves a hefty dead cap hit.
The Emergence of Jalen Redmond
One reason the Vikings can feel comfortable making these moves is the emergence of Jalen Redmond. Undrafted in 2023, Redmond was signed and then discarded by the Carolina Panthers before eventually landing in the XFL. Redmond got a second chance in Minnesota and has never looked back, playing in 30 games, including 17 starts, over the last two seasons.
Redmond comfortably outplayed both Allen and Hargrave, which has led the Vikings to place the exclusive rights tender on him. After a six-sack season in which he showcased his all-around ability, a long contract will soon be on its way.
Soon to be 27, Redmond is suddenly the senior man on the Vikings’ defensive line, alongside Levi Drake-Rodriguez (25), Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins (22), and Elijah Williams (23), making up the rest of the depth chart. All of those are well thought of in Minnesota, but there certainly needs to be someone else added to the mix.
Adding via Free Agency or the Draft?
The question now is, do the Vikings add to the position via free agency or the draft? They probably do both, but my preference would be to add a cheap veteran via free agency – a Jonathan Bullard type – and then go early in the draft. No Jalen Carter or Aaron Donald is screaming to be picked near the top of this year’s draft – the Vikings wouldn’t be in position to get them if they were – but there are some good players.
The big names this year are Caleb Banks, Peter Woods, Kayden McDonald, and Lee Hunter, and they are the big names to look out for early in the draft.
I’m a big fan of Banks and have been banging the support for him as the Vikings pick at 18 – even more so since his impressive display at the NFL Combine. He is the only one of the four I’d take in the first round. If Minnesota goes with a different position on Day 1, then the other three are good options if available on Day 2.
A depth chart that reads Redmond, Banks, Drake-Rodriguez, Ingram-Dawkins, and Williams would signal a significant shift toward a Vikings defensive line youth movement. Depending on the group’s development, it could be an exciting prospect for a group that has been together for a significant amount of time.
Proud UK Viking. Family Man. Enjoy writing about my team. Away from football an advocate for autism acceptance.
When the Minnesota Vikings turned their focus to the offseason, two separate necessities were top of mind. They needed to find a quarterback who could push J.J. McCarthy down the depth chart. They also needed to clear nearly $50 million in salary cap space.
They have yet to do the former, but it sounds like Kyler Murray is their desired answer. We’ll have more clarity on that next week when free agency actually opens. Minnesota has done plenty of restructuring and made cuts to get below the salary cap, and one additional move was decided for them.
Minnesota Suddenly Has a Real Question at Center
On Friday afternoon, Ryan Kelly decided that his career was ready to be over. After suffering multiple concussions this season, and even more over the course of his career, it was time to call it an end.
Of course, Kelly’s departure leaves the Vikings without a starting center. Pro Football Focus ranked him as one of the best in the league last year. That’s why Minnesota signed him to a two-year deal last offseason. Kelly only played eight games last season, though, and Kevin O’Connell was consistently forced to test out his depth.
Michael Jurgens was initially slated to be the backup center, but instead lost the spot to Blake Brandel. He regained it and played there too, but now the Vikings have a pair of uncertain talents they’ll need to decide whether to trust.
The reality is that Kelly is irreplaceable by the talent on this roster. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, Kelly was arguably the best part of the Vikings’ offensive line last season. When he suffered the first concussion, though, it needed to be over. Having a long history of brain injuries, it was tough to think he should get back out there.
Unfortunately, he did. Then Kelly suffered another concussion. That all but cemented his future, and the Vikings put him on injured reserve to finish the year. Of course, Kelly needed to talk with family and those among his inner circle, but with a wife and kids, this was always the right move.
Kelly is just 32 years old and should be prioritizing his quality of life. He has spent more than a decade in the NFL, and not subjecting himself to further issues is as straightforward as it gets.
The Minnesota Vikings now need to add another center to the rotation. Either Jurgens or Brandel could start, but neither is truly a desirable outcome. Kelly’s retirement saves a decent amount of money under the salary cap, and the team could certainly use some of that to find his replacement.
A fuming Pep Guardiola is facing a two-game touchline ban after being booked for the sixth time this season as Manchester City eased past Newcastle into the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Spaniard confronted fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline at St James’ Park after Kieran Trippier had felled Jeremy Doku, prompting referee Sam Barrott to act, and will now have to sit out the Premier League fixture with West Ham and the club’s last-eight clash.
That proved the only downside for Guardiola on a night when a team featuring 10 changes from the midweek draw with Nottingham Forest won 3-1 at a canter.
The City boss said: “I will tell you something – we have all the records in this country, all of them, despite everything. We have the record of the manager with the most yellow cards. I want all records and now I have it.
“Two-game ban now and I will go on holidays the next two games. There are things after 10 years I cannot understand.
“Review the action. Of course I’m going to defend Doku and all my teams.”
If that decision left Guardiola perplexed, it was one of few events which did as his side completed a fourth successive victory in five games against Newcastle this season, with his big guns rested ahead of the first leg of their Champions League showdown with Real Madrid on Wednesday night.
It was a 19th win in 21 FA Cup ties in the last year – the only two defeats have come in finals against Manchester United and Crystal Palace – a record of which he is justifiably proud.
He said: “It’s the best game we have played against Newcastle here in our period together in 10 years, in the FA Cup and a difficult one, so I’m really, really pleased how we behaved, how we played defensively, offensively and the concentration on top.
“Eight times in a row in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, that means how good this organisation is.”
The hosts took an 18th-minute lead as they started impressively, Harvey Barnes running on to Sandro Tonali’s picture-book pass, but once City flexed their muscles it proved a chastening evening for Eddie Howe’s men.
Savinho levelled before the break and Marmoush put the game to bed after it with a double to take his tally against the Magpies to seven in five appearances, half his entire total for City.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe now faces the task of raising his players for Tuesday night’s visit of Barcelona to St James’ Park, which is unlikely to be any less challenging.
Asked about chief executive David Hopkinson’s aim of being part of the debate over the top club in the world by 2030, he said: “My focus is really short-term and it’s trying to win the game that’s in front of me, and that’s Barcelona in the Champions League.
“As much as it is easy to be very negative in this moment – and I understand, we’ve gone out of the FA Cup – but we have the biggest game in the club’s history coming up in no time at all. We’ve got to get the players ready for that, we’ve got no time to dwell on this.”
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