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.

Ted Schwerzler is a Minneapolis based blogger that covers the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. Sharing thoughts constantly on Twitter, … More about Ted Schwerzler

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.”

Chelsea reached the FA Cup quarterfinals after goals in extra time from Alejandro Garnacho and João Pedro sealed a 2–0 win over hosts Wrexham at the Racecourse Ground on Saturday.

The match was tightly contested, with Wrexham putting in an incredible effort to keep the score level during normal time. The breakthrough came in extra time when Garnacho rose to meet a precise cross and powered the ball into the net, giving Chelsea the lead. João Pedro later added a second to secure the win.

The game was also marked by a dramatic VAR moment. Wrexham midfielder George Dobson was initially shown a yellow card for a high tackle on Garnacho. However, after a review prompted by Video Assistant Referee Paul Howard, referee Peter Bankes upgraded the decision to a straight red card for serious foul play.

“After review, Wrexham No 15 catches his opponent high with intensity,” Bankes announced to the crowd. “The final decision is a red card for serious foul play.”

The incident highlighted the difference between Wrexham’s usual Championship games, which do not use VAR, and top-tier matches where video technology is in play.

Despite the setback, Wrexham continued to challenge Chelsea throughout the match but were unable to find a goal. Chelsea’s victory sets up a quarterfinal clash as they continue their pursuit of FA Cup glory.

Garnacho’s performance, including the winning goal, underlined his growing influence for Chelsea, while João Pedro’s late strike confirmed the Blues’ spot in the next round.

South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (ANI Photo)

Quinton de Kock has criticised the International Cricket Council after reports suggested that England cricket team would return home before both South Africa national cricket team and the West Indies cricket team following their exits from the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Travel plans for several teams have been affected due to international airspace restrictions linked to the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran. As a result, a number of sides have remained in India while waiting for charter flights arranged by the ICC. The West Indies were knocked out of the tournament on March 1 after a defeat to the India national cricket team in the Super 8 stage, while South Africa’s campaign ended with a semi final loss to the New Zealand national cricket team. Since then, both teams have remained in India awaiting travel arrangements. The Caribbean side has been in the country for about a week following their elimination, while the Proteas have been waiting for three days. In contrast, England were beaten by India in the second semi final on Thursday but are set to leave for home on Saturday, just two days after their exit. The situation prompted de Kock to question the apparent imbalance, suggesting that some teams might have greater influence within international cricket.

Quinton de kock’s insta story

“Funny @icc, we have heard nothing! Meanwhile, England are leaving before us somehow? @westindies and @proteasmencsa are just in the dark! Strange how different teams have more pull than others,” wrote Quinton de Kock on Instagram Stories. Earlier, former England captain Michael Vaughan also raised similar concerns about the travel situation. He questioned why England were able to leave earlier despite other teams being stuck in India for longer.

Michael Vaughan post

“So England got knocked out on Thurs, get a charter home today .. West Indies go out last Sunday and are still in Kolkata .. SA in the same position .. That’s where the power is all wrong .. All teams in this situation should be treated the same .. just because you are more powerful at the ICC table shouldn’t count .. #JustSaying,” he wrote on X. According to ESPNCricinfo, England are expected to depart on Saturday, while both South Africa and the West Indies are likely to leave on Sunday once charter flights organised by the ICC become available. England’s flight is scheduled to head directly to London. Meanwhile, South Africa and West Indies are set to travel first to Johannesburg, after which the Caribbean side will continue their journey to Antigua. However, neither team has officially confirmed the exact timing of their departures. Frustration within the West Indies camp has been visible. Head coach Daren Sammy posted “Day 6” on X on Friday, highlighting how long the team had been stranded in Kolkata since their match against India at the Eden Gardens. Earlier in the tournament, the Zimbabwe national cricket team also faced travel delays after playing their final match against South Africa on March 1 in New Delhi, before eventually departing India on March 4.

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola is facing a two-game touchline ban after being booked for the sixth time this season during Saturday’s FA Cup win at Newcastle.

Guardiola was shown a yellow card after confronting fourth official Lewis Smith on the touchline at St James’ Park after Kieran Trippier had fouled City’s Jeremy Doku.

New regulations introduced this season mean Premier League managers are suspended for one game once they have received three yellow cards, while six cautions will result in a two-match ban.

The ban applies to league and FA Cup games but not European games or domestic cup finals, meaning Guardiola will be on the touchline for the Carabao Cup final with Arsenal on 22 March.

However, the Spaniard will have to sit out next Saturday’s Premier League fixture with West Ham and City’s FA Cup quarter-final clash on the weekend of 4-5 April, with the draw yet to be made for that round.

After the win at Newcastle, Guardiola said of his angry reaction that led to his booking: “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.”