A ruthless New Zealand rode on a record-breaking 33-ball century from opener Finn Allen to outclass South Africa by nine wickets and storm into the T20 World Cup final in Kolkata on Wednesday. Allen smashed 10 fours and eight sixes to chase down 170 in just 12.5 overs, leaving the entire South African side stunned.The century, the fastest in T20 World Cup history, was a display of sheer power and timing rarely seen at Eden Gardens. Allen’s front-foot dominance and impeccable shot selection saw him clear the rope consistently, with the last 24 runs—from 76 to 100—coming off just five deliveries from Marco Jansen, whose 2.5-over spell for 53 runs turned into a nightmare.

New Zealand, led by Mitchell Santner, never looked like losing. Their spinners laid the foundation, restricting the Proteas to a below-par 169 for 8. Cole McConchie (2/9) and Rachin Ravindra (2/29) exploited the early grip of the Eden track, dismantling the top order with precision, while Tristan Stubbs (29 off 24) and Jansen (54* off 30) rescued the innings, adding a 73-run sixth-wicket partnership after South Africa slumped to 77/5. Jansen’s innings featured five towering sixes, with many landing deep into the stands, providing some respectability to the total.Allen and Tim Seifert then stole the show. Seifert scored 58 off 33 balls, putting on a whirlwind 117-run opening stand with Allen in just nine overs. The pair hit 13 boundaries and six sixes, effectively ending the contest inside the powerplay. Seifert reached his fifty off 33 balls, while Allen completed his half-century in just 19 deliveries, despite taking a brief medical timeout.The Eden track, slightly slower earlier in the day, became perfect for stroke-play as dew settled in, and the Kiwi openers capitalised brilliantly. Allen’s ability to pick the length and muscle the ball to all parts of the ground left South Africa shell-shocked. By the time he brought up his record century, New Zealand had already seized control, with the chase wrapped up with 7.1 overs to spare.This victory marked New Zealand’s second T20 World Cup final appearance, following their 2021 summit clash in the UAE. If India beat England in Mumbai on Thursday, the final will be a repeat fixture of last year’s Champions Trophy final.For South Africa, it was a frustrating night. Despite Jansen’s heroic 54* and Stubbs’ contribution, the Proteas were undone by a lethal combination of spin in the middle overs and Allen’s audacious power hitting. Dewald Brevis (34 off 27) and Aiden Markram (18) could not anchor the innings, and the top order’s collapse left the side chasing shadows. Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi, and Corbin Bosch struggled to contain the Kiwi openers, while Jansen’s earlier misfiring with the ball compounded the misery.

Ask and you shall receive. Ideally, that’s how things go for players and agents in free agency. Things usually aren’t that easy. There’s always a risk of pricing a client out of the market with exorbitant demands. The easiest way to get an asking or target price is with multiple NFL teams vying for a player’s services. If a player’s market is soft, lowering the asking price will likely become a necessity.

Agents and NFL teams may have already gotten a sense of the 2026 free agent market. Meetings between agents of impending free agents and teams routinely occur at the NFL Scouting Combine, which ended on March 2. These types of discussions technically aren’t permitted by NFL rules. Teams are rarely penalized for tampering with players from other teams when those players are scheduled to become free agents. 

The exclusive negotiating rights teams have had with their impending free agents ends on March 9. That’s when NFL teams are allowed to negotiate with the agents of prospective unrestricted free agents during a two-day period beginning March 9 at noon ET and ending at 4 p.m. ET on March 11. Prospective UFAs who don’t have an agent can also negotiate with front office executives of teams. Players can’t sign deals with new clubs until the 2026 league year and free agency officially begin at 4 p.m. ET. A player’s ability to re-sign with his current club is allowed during the period.

It was my responsibility while working on the agent side to create target or asking prices for the firm’s clients headed toward free agency regardless of whether I was the lead agent. Along those lines, I have set target prices with total contract value, overall guarantees and amount fully guaranteed at signing for 10 intriguing offensive players who will be unrestricted free agents or were designated as franchise players. 

Players don’t necessarily sign for their target prices since free agency is a fluid process where adaptations must be made to changing market conditions. Some players are disappointed in free agency’s outcome because their market never develops for a variety of reasons (age, unrealistic contract demands, supply and demand at playing position, etc.).

Remember the target or asking prices for these players may be on the high side and aren’t necessarily what their actual deals will be.

Kenneth Walker III, Travis Etienne Jr. lead strong class of NFL free agent running backs, ranked

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Zachary Pereles

QB Daniel Jones

($37.833 million transition tag)

• Contract package: $180 million/4 years ($45 million per year worth up to $190 million with incentives)
• Overall guarantees: $100 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $90 million

Jones received the seldom used transition tag to ensure that he remains with the Indianapolis Colts for at least the 2026 season. The transition tag gives the Colts matching rights if Jones signs an offer sheet with another team.

Jones, who signed a one-year, $14 million deal worth up to $17.7 million in 2025 free agency, was having a surprising career resurrection before tearing his right Achilles during a Week 14 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars last season. He was an early-season MVP candidate when the Colts were averaging a league-leading 33.8 points per game and were off to a league-best 7-1 start.

The average salary for starting quarterbacks in 2025, excluding those on rookie contracts which are strictly determined by draft position, was $44,067,508 per year, according to NFLPA data. Jones was much better than average when healthy last season.

It remains to be seen when Jones will be recovered from his injury. Jones being ready for the start of the 2026 regular season isn’t out of the question. 

WR George Pickens

($27.298 million franchise tag)

• Contract package: $150 million/4 years ($37.5 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $105 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $85 million

The calculated risk the Dallas Cowboys took by trading a 2026 third-round pick and a 2027 fifth-round pick to the Pittsburgh Steelers for Pickens and a 2027 sixth-round pick last May paid big dividends. Pickens had 93 receptions, 1,429 receiving yards and nine receiving touchdowns, all career highs, while averaging 15.4 yards per catch in 2025. He ranked in the NFL’s top 10 in each of these categories last season. Pickens was named to the Pro Bowl and earned second-team All-Pro honors both for the first time in his career because of his efforts.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones indicated during the 2025 season that having two high-priced wide receivers isn’t going to be an issue. Pickens and CeeDee Lamb are arguably the NFL’s best wide receiver duo. Lamb is currently the NFL’s third-highest-paid wide receiver with the four-year, $136 million contract extension, averaging $34 million per year, he signed in August 2024. The deal has $100 million in guarantees, of which $67 million was fully guaranteed at signing. At the time, both marks were the second-most ever in a wide receiver contract. The $67 million fully guaranteed at signing included a wide receiver-record $38 million signing bonus.

Being patient could work in Pickens’ favor. His best deal might come from letting the wide receiver market further develop. 

Jaxon Smith-Njigba, 2025’s NFL Offensive Player of the Year, recently said he believes he should be the league’s highest-paid wide receiver. Ja’Marr Chase sets the wide receiver market with the four-year, $161 million extension, averaging $40.25 million per year, he received from the Cincinnati Bengals last March. The Seattle Seahawks intend on extending Smith-Njigba’s contract this offseason. Nico Collins and Puka Nacua, who are in contract years, are also in line for new deals from the Houston Texans and Los Angeles Rams. These deals getting done before the July 15 deadline for franchise players to sign long term would be ideal for Pickens. 

TE Kyle Pitts

($15.045 million franchise tag)

• Contract package: $70 million/4 years ($17.5 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $45 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $37.5 million

Pitts was the highest drafted tight end in NFL history when the Atlanta Falcons made him 2021’s fourth overall pick. He was thought to be the future of the tight end position after a Pro Bowl rookie season with 68 receptions and 1,026 receiving yards. Pitts didn’t come close to that type of production again until last season. He was second in the NFL among tight ends with a career-high 88 receptions and 928 receiving yards in 2025. Pitts was selected to his second Pro Bowl and was named a second-team All-Pro in 2025.

C Tyler Linderbaum

• Contract package: $95 million/4 years ($23.75 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $60 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $52.5 million

The price of Linderbaum’s fifth-year option salary is the reason why he isn’t under contract for the 2026 season. The $23.402 million cost, which was the 2025 franchise tag for offensive linemen because he was named to the Pro Bowl on the original ballot in the 2023 and 2024 seasons, doesn’t reflect the center market. Since there aren’t specific option-year salaries for center, guard and tackle, the amount is the same regardless of position. The NFL’s highest-paid center is Creed Humphrey with the four-year, $72 million extension, averaging $18 million per year, he received from the Kansas City Chiefs during the 2024 preseason. 

Baltimore Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta revealed during his media session at the NFL combine last week that he has offered Linderbaum a market-setting deal to prevent him from becoming a free agent. He also referred to Linderbaum as the league’s best center. Linderbaum should become the NFL’s first $20 million-per-year center. The real question is how much above that mark.

RB Breece Hall

($14.293 million franchise tag)

• Contract package: $62 million/4 years ($15.5 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $37.5 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $32.5 million

Hall had a career-best 1,065 rushing yards in 2025. It was the first time a New York Jets running back hit the 1,000-yard rushing mark since Chris Ivory in 2015. Hall has dual-threat capabilities. He caught a career-high 76 passes in 2023.

Preventing Hall from hitting the open market with a franchise tag made sense for the Jets financially. The Jets have an abundance of 2026 salary cap space. There’s approximately $74 million of cap room after Hall’s franchise tag.

The franchise tag could pave the way for Hall to justify more money and/or better structure than if he hadn’t gotten the designation. A second franchise tag for Hall in 2027 at an NFL collective bargaining agreement mandated 20% increase over his 2026 number will be $17,151,600. Hall would make nearly $31.5 million from two straight franchise tags for an average of just under $15.75 million per year.

Getting the richest running back contract in Jets history might be an important benchmark to Hall. That distinction belongs to Le’Veon Bell. He signed a four-year, $52.5 million deal, averaging $13.125 million per year with $35 million of guarantees where $27 million was fully guaranteed at signing, in 2019 free agency. Incentives and salary escalators made Bell’s deal worth as much as $60.15 million.

QB Malik Willis

• Contract package: $50 million/2 years ($25 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $35 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $35 million

Willis played well in limited action after the Green Bay Packers acquired him from the Tennessee Titans in a 2024 preseason trade. He completed 78.7% of his passes (70 of 89 attempts) for 972 yards with six touchdowns and zero interceptions to post a 134.6 passer rating in 11 games, which included three starts, during his two seasons with the Packers. The contractual blueprint for Willis is the two-year, $40 million deal with $30 million fully guaranteed that Justin Fields received from the New York Jets in free agency last year.

WR Alec Pierce

• Contract package: $30 million/3 years ($30 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $62.5 million 
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $62.5 million

Pierce has become one of the NFL’s top deep threats. He has led the NFL in yards per catch in each of the last two seasons with 22.3 in 2024 and 21.3 in 2025. Pierce had career highs in 2025 with 47 receptions and 1,003 receiving yards. The Indianapolis Colts are trying to keep Pierce from hitting the open market by re-signing him before the two-day negotiating period begins.

RB Kenneth Walker III

• Contract package: $39 million/3 years ($13 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $27.5 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $27.5 million

Walker should be the beneficiary of the New York Jets designating Breece Hall as a franchise player. He is clearly the top running back available in free agency. Walker had 1,027 rushing yards for the Seattle Seahawks while splitting carries with Zach Charbonnet last season. He capitalized on Charbonnet tearing the ACL in his left knee during a divisional playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers. Walker rushed for 313 yards on 65 carries with four touchdowns in three postseason games. He earned Super Bowl LX MVP honors with 135 yards on 27 carries. 

OT Rasheed Walker

• Contract package: $90 million/4 years ($22.5 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $55 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $47.5 million

Walker is the best young left tackle available on the open market. According ESPN Analytics, Walker had a 93.8% pass-block win rate to rank 11th among offensive tackles last season. Walker should be encouraged by Dan Moore Jr., who is an inferior player, signing a four-year, $82 million contract, averaging $20.5 million per year, with the Tennessee Titans in free agency last year. Moore’s deal has $50 million in guarantees, of which $42.51 million was fully guaranteed at signing.

G Alijah Vera-Tucker

• Contract package: $45 million/3 years ($15 million per year)
• Overall guarantees: $31 million
• Fully guaranteed at signing: $24 million

Vera-Tucker could be a “let the buyer beware” proposition. Ability isn’t the issue with Vera-Tucker. It’s availability. Vera-Tucker missed the 2025 season with torn left triceps. Durability concerns didn’t stop the New York Jets from picking up Vera-Tucker’s fully guaranteed $15.313 million fifth-year option for 2025. Vera-Tucker has only played 43 of a possible 85 regular-season games in his five NFL seasons. It wouldn’t be surprising for NFL teams to err on the side of caution with Vera-Tucker where he ultimately signs a one-year “prove-it” deal in the $8 million to $10 million range.

With college basketball conference tournaments officially underway, some of the wonkiest brackets in all of sports are taking center stage. None is crazier than the Sun Belt’s seven-round “stepladder” event, which is already underway in Pensacola, Florida.

No. 11 seed Old Dominion and No. 12 seed Louisiana began their journeys with victories on Tuesday night. To cut down the nets on March 9, they will need to win seven games in seven days. By comparison, No. 1 seed Troy and No. 2 seed Marshall won’t play until the semifinals.

The Sun Belt’s format debuted for the 2025 season and is one of several conference tournaments now optimized to reward regular season performance. There is thoughtful reasoning behind the trend.

While the stepladder format obviously makes it tougher for a Cinderella to emerge from down the seeding hierarchy, the growth of the concept is actually a means of enhancing Cinderella’s viability in the NCAA Tournament. When a likely one-bid conference protects its best teams, it’s more likely that the NCAA Tournament representative from that conference will be a legitimate threat in the Big Dance.

That is one way to counter a prevailing narrative that this NIL-oriented and transfer-heavy era of college basketball is making it harder for the “little guys” to thrive in the NCAA Tournament. If leagues create conditions that accommodate the best teams from the low and mid-major ranks, it enhances the likelihood that teams in the 12-16 seed range of the Big Dance will be competent enough to make some noise.

There is also a financial incentive. Every conference collects an additional financial “unit” any time one of their teams advances in the NCAA Tournament. Those units are valuable revenue for leagues lacking high-dollar TV deals.

Here is a rundown of the most extreme conference tournament brackets.

1. Sun Belt Tournament

When the Sun Belt unveiled its new conference tournament format before last season, here’s what commissioner Keith Gill had to say: “The new Sun Belt Basketball Championship brackets will reward our top seeds for their accomplishments during the regular season, ensuring they receive the advantage they’ve earned for their on-court performance.”

What league leaders perhaps didn’t envision is a six-way tie for second in the conference standings like what we saw this season. Due to tiebreakers, Arkansas State landed as the No. 7 seed, despite having the exact same 11-7 league record as No. 2 seed Marshall. As a result, the Red Wolves will have to win five games to be the tournament champion while the Thundering Herd will need just two victories. Here’s a look at the Sun Belt Tournament bracket. 

2. WCC Tournament

The WCC has been doing things this way for over two decades. By granting automatic bids to the semifinals for its top two teams, the league has created ideal conditions for premier programs like Gonzaga and Saint Mary’s. The Bulldogs have rarely needed an automatic bid in order to qualify for the Big Dance.

But by implementing the stepladder format and sticking with it, the conference was able to placate the Zags, who have long been of interest to other conferences. Gonzaga will finally be moving on to the Pac-12 after this season. They have 22 WCC Tournament championships already. Can they add a 23rd on the way out? Here’s the WCC bracket. 

3. AAC Tournament

The American moved to a stepladder format for the 2026 season, and it’s looking like a great decision because of the way this season played out. South Florida will be the No. 1 seed, and the Bulls will need just two victories in order to secure a spot in the NCAA Tournament. 

USF profiles like a team that could upset a No. 5 seed in the first round of the Big Dance if it lands as a No. 12 seed. No one will want to get matched up against the Bulls in the Big Dance, and the American is ensuring South Florida has a great path to the field of 68.

4. Big Ten Tournament

The Big Ten permitted just 15 of its 18 members to reach the conference tournament last season, resulting in Nebraska, Penn State and Washington getting left on the outside looking in. However, the conference is letting all 18 teams in for the 2026 event. It is messy, but that’s just what happens when you work with this many teams. 

As a result, the path to a title looks much different for seeds Nos. 15-18 than it does for seeds Nos. 1-4. The former group will need to win six games in six days while the ladder will need just three victories to hoist the trophy.

5. MEAC Tournament

If you look closely, you can see there is a massive reward for earning the No. 1 seed in the MEAC Tournament. While every other team in the field will need to win three games in order to be the champion, the No. 1 seed will need to win just two. 

This provides a clear reward to the conference’s regular season champion and enhances the league’s chance of sending a competitive team to the Big Dance.

South Africa’s captain Aiden Markram (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

South Africa captain Aiden Markram admitted it was simply a night where very little went his side’s way as a rampant New Zealand national cricket team stormed into the T20 World Cup final with a crushing nine-wicket win at Eden Gardens.New Zealand’s charge was led by a breathtaking 33-ball century from Finn Allen, the fastest hundred in T20 World Cup history, as they chased down 170 in just 12.5 overs. For Markram, the damage was done early.

“I think you look at conditions early and they bowled really well up front. Ball didn’t quite feel like coming on, some were just stopping on the wicket and some were hitting quite low on the bat and they made scoring really tough and through that pressure builds and you lose wickets unfortunately,” Markram said.He credited the Kiwi bowling unit for squeezing his side during the powerplay, where scoring never quite flowed. “So give credit to their bowling unit and obviously with the bat, someone plays an innings like that, don’t think you will come out on the right side of the result many times as a fielding team.”South Africa eventually posted 169 for 8, thanks largely to Marco Jansen’s unbeaten 54 off 30 balls and a crucial stand with Tristan Stubbs after they had slumped to 77 for 5. Markram felt there was still hope at the break.“To get to 170 was a great effort to be fair. At the halfway point we really felt like we had a sniff,” he said.That optimism quickly faded as Allen and Tim Seifert tore into the bowling. “But then, as it goes in T20 cricket.. (in) the powerplay (they) got off to a flyer and can’t protect every boundary unfortunately, and yeah they got away and then from there it was really hard to pull it back.”Markram reserved special praise for the openers who killed the contest inside the first six overs. “So we give massive credit to Finn Allen’s knock, Tim Seifert’s knock to kill the game as early as they did, and yeah unfortunately, it was just that bad night for us tonight.”Reflecting on what could have been done differently, the skipper suggested a quicker tactical adjustment with the bat might have helped.“It’s hard to say right now. We’ll reflect as the group. I think we expected the wicket to play really well. It looked pretty good to the eye, so potentially just adapt a bit quicker with the bats and go back to maybe a bit more old school approach, set it up and try to scrape your way to 190, and maybe you’ll be in the game from there.”Despite the disappointment of falling short of another final, Markram stood firmly behind his squad. “So yeah, we’ll reflect as a group. Obviously disappointed with the result, but very proud of this group of guys who have played some really good cricket throughout this comp, and it’s just an unfortunate evening really.”

When Floyd Mayweather announced a pro return against Manny Pacquiao for later this year, many felt his exhibition with Mike Tyson would be cancelled.

The bizarre clash between Mayweather and Tyson was announced in September 2025. Things went quiet in the months that followed, until it was recently reported that the legendary duo were set set to clash in the Congo on April 25.

Last month it was then announced that Mayweather was set for a professional battle against former rival Pacquiao at the Sphere in Las Vegas in September, whilst an exhibition against Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis has also been pencilled in for June.

It means that some boxing fans began to raise doubts over whether or not the Mayweather vs. Tyson fight would indeed go ahead, but boxing journalist Dan Rafael has posted on social media to confirm it will still be happening, though it won’t be in April.

“Been much discussion about the Mike Tyson-Floyd Mayweather exhibition taking place April 25 in Congo but, per source with knowledge of the plans, it definitely won’t be that date. It will move to a later date & while it might be in Congo no site is set.”

Rafael also confirmed that Mayweather can’t go ahead with any other fight unless he goes through with the Tyson battle.

“Floyd is contractually obligated to the Tyson even before he can do anything else.”

Whilst no new date has yet been released for the Tyson match-up, TMZ Sports executive producer Michael J. Babcock posted on social media to state he has been informed it will be in May.

“I’m told Floyd Mayweather vs. Mike Tyson is still happening — most likely May in Congo. Floyd is training… sparring, running daily. He’s also started filming a countdown show, Living With The Legend.

“It’s gonna be a busy year for the boxing legend — Tyson in May, Greek kickboxer Mike Zambidis in June, and Manny Pacquiao in September.”

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With three fights lined up, Mayweather is set to be more active in 2026 at the age of 49, than he arguably was during the peak of his own iconic career.

The Kansas City Chiefs are set to trade All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie to the Los Angeles Rams as the headliner of a blockbuster deal, per CBS Sports NFL insider Jonathan Jones. The teams agreed to a trade that sends four draft picks to Kansas City. The Chiefs will receive the No. 29 overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft, along with a fifth-round pick, a sixth-round pick and a 2027 third-rounder.

McDuffie was set to enter the final season of his contract after the Chiefs picked up his fifth-year option. Instead of committing to a long-term extension, general manager Brett Veach is sending him to the Rams, who are expected to sign him to a new deal. McDuffie would have earned $13.6 million with the Chiefs in 2026. 

When McDuffie signs his contract extension with the Rams, he’s expected to become the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL, per NFL Media. The Colts‘ Sauce Gardner currently holds that title at $30.1 million per year.

McDuffie, the No. 21 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, excelled over his first four years in the NFL and was a key contributor to the Chiefs’ Super Bowl teams as a rookie and second-year standout. He made 55 starts in Kansas City and defended at least seven passes in each season. He also forced five fumbles in 2023 and recorded three interceptions over the last two years.

This is the ninth time in the last 10 years the Rams have traded their own first-round pick. The only time they used their pick over the past decade was in 2024 when they selected Jared Verse. The Chiefs now have picks No. 9 and No. 29 in the first round of April’s draft.

The trade cannot become official until the new league year starts at 4 p.m. ET on March 11.

Why McDuffie trade makes sense for Rams

With the trade, the Rams pick up a plug-and-play star in their secondary who could help in their pursuit of at least one more Super Bowl during the Matthew Stafford era. This year could be the final season of the reigning NFL MVP’s career, so the Rams are expected to go all-in to maximize their chances for a deep postseason run. SoFi Stadium will host Super Bowl 61 in what would be a de facto home game for the Rams if they reach it.

The secondary is the position group Los Angeles figures to prioritize most this offseason. The McDuffie acquisition is the first step toward reconstructing a pass defense that ranked No. 22 in yards allowed last year, and it fills one cornerback spot with the other starting job still in flux. Depth also remains a concern, as the Rams have four pending free agent cornerbacks on their roster.

Why McDuffie trade makes sense for Chiefs

The Chiefs are once again moving on from a standout in favor of draft capital. Four years ago, they made a similar move by sending Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for five picks. Two years ago, it was L’Jarius Sneed who got shipped out of town on an expiring deal.

This is the latest salary-shedding move for the Chiefs in an offseason that requires significant work to get under the cap. Kansas City entered 2026 more than $57 million over the cap and, before the trade, still needed to clear more than $14 million in effective cap space, per Over The Cap. The team has been performing financial gymnastics over the past month and notably restructured Patrick Mahomes’ contract for the fourth consecutive season.

Trent McDuffie trade grades: Chiefs and Rams both earn high marks for massive blockbuster deal

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John Breech

How McDuffie trade impacts free agency plans for Chiefs, Rams

The Rams now have one less spot to fill in free agency. Cornerback will remain an area of emphasis, though, especially if any of their potential departures at the position come to fruition. Cobie Durant, Roger McCreary, Ahkello Witherspoon and Derion Kendrick will all become unrestricted free agents next week.

Kansas City could also enter next season with two new starting cornerbacks, as Jaylen Watson is scheduled to hit free agency. With McDuffie off the depth chart, this is suddenly one of the Chiefs’ most pressing positions of need. Financial inflexibility could limit their ability to replace those departures with top talent, though.

How McDuffie trade impacts draft plans for Chiefs, Rams

By NFL Draft analyst Josh Edwards

Cornerback had been a primary need for the Rams, but with another first-round pick at their disposal, courtesy of the Falcons, they can still address offensive tackle, wide receiver or another position of need.

For the Chiefs, they were already in unfamiliar territory with a pick inside the top 10, but now have a second pick on Thursday night to address areas of need. Kansas City historically addresses the cornerback position on Days 2 and 3, but does have options at No. 29 should it go that route: Tennessee’s Colton Hood, Clemson’s Aveion Terrell, South Carolina’s Brandon Cisse and others. Running back, offensive tackle and the defensive line are other potential positions of focus for Kansas City.

Mexico City’s iconic Azteca Stadium is undergoing a significant transformation, with giant cranes and construction vehicles dominating the landscape as hundreds of workers race against time to prepare the venue for its grand reopening ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

The historic stadium is set to make history itself, becoming the first ground to host three World Cup opening matches when Mexico takes on South Africa on 11 June.

However, its doors are scheduled to reopen much sooner, on 28 March, for a friendly fixture between Mexico and Portugal.

Located south of the capital, the stadium will host five World Cup games, adding to its legacy from the 1970 and 1986 tournaments.

Opened in 1966, Azteca has seen several refurbishments, most recently in 2016 to accommodate NFL games. It closed its doors in May 2024 for its latest, much-needed facelift.

The extensive project includes new seating across all sections, additional video screens, enhanced lighting, updated locker rooms, a new entrance leading to a hybrid pitch, a new Wi-Fi system, two new large screens, and a state-of-the-art sound system featuring 250 speakers.

open image in gallery

Stadium director Felix Aguirre and owner Emilio Azcarraga Jean revealed that the new locker rooms and the pitch entrance proved to be the most challenging aspects, contributing to overall renovation delays.

Azcarraga expressed some scepticism regarding the contractors’ timelines last month, stating: “The contractors say that yes (it will be ready), I’m not a construction expert, they set dates, there’s a meeting every week, I told them I’m not a specialist, but I don’t see their dates going accordingly as the (planned) dates. There was a lot of difficulty at the beginning.”

Aerial images captured by The Associated Press on Tuesday show that all 82,000 new seats are now in place, alongside the new hybrid pitch.

However, crews are still actively working on hospitality areas and new luxury boxes.

A similar hybrid surface installed in 2018 led to an NFL game being relocated due to poor field conditions, prompting the installation of natural grass the following year.

The new pitch, however, boasts advanced ventilation and drainage systems designed to withstand Mexico City’s frequent heavy downpours. The stadium’s capacity is expected to reach 87,000 for the World Cup.

“The stadium has undergone a significant modernization process that will improve the experience for soccer fans in every way,” Aguirre affirmed. “Rest assured, Mexico City’s iconic and emblematic stadium will be fully ready.”

Despite this, one of the stadium’s car parks still contains a considerable amount of rubble, and old seats remain on the ground.

open image in gallery

Azcarraga acknowledged the phased nature of the work: “This first stage, which ends on March 28 with the reopening, is important, and then we’ll continue with the remaining work for the World Cup. And then there’s a lot more to do; the complexity of the project doesn’t allow you to do everything at once.”

Beyond the stadium, the Mexico City government is also enhancing local infrastructure.

An adjacent street will receive a new asphalt surface, an improved drainage system, and new pavements.

Work is also progressing at the light rail station opposite the Azteca, with upgrades to outdoor lighting and a pedestrian bridge.

On match days, the Xochimilco Light Rail, known as Tren Ligero, offers one of the quickest routes to the stadium.

The city has acquired 17 new trains for the World Cup, adding to its existing fleet of 20.