Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell stands on the sideline during road action at Hard Rock Stadium, framed while overseeing game operations on Oct 16, 2022, in Miami Gardens. The scene captures O’Connell managing tempo and communication as Minnesota navigated an early-season matchup under bright conditions against an AFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Vikings have all but announced they’ll add another quarterback this offseason, so when NFL.com identified that exact recommendation for the club, it came as no surprise. Kevin Patra labeled one move for each NFL team this week, and for Minnesota, that’s adding a veteran passer.
Minnesota’s QB room needs experience and insulation, and a credible veteran option would tighten Kevin O’Connell’s offensive plan in 2026.
Free agency is 4.5 weeks away. Between that process or a trade, get ready for another signal-caller to enter the mix.
Advertisement
A Veteran QB Becomes the Vikings’ Priority
You better believe Kevin O’Connell will add some competition to the QB room.
Los Angeles Rams quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo stands near the sideline at Lincoln Financial Field, scanning the field before kickoff on Sep 21, 2025, as Los Angeles prepared to face Philadelphia. The image captures pregame focus and routine, highlighting Garoppolo’s return to a starting role amid a road environment and heightened early-season expectations for the Rams offense. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
NFL.com to Vikings: Add a Veteran QB
Patra assigned marching orders for each NFL team. For the Vikings, he scribed, “Despite Kevin O’Connell’s persistent support for J.J. McCarthy, the Vikings can’t head into 2026 without a legit veteran to challenge the third-year pro for the job.”
“The former first-round pick has struggled mightily through two seasons, missing 24 games due to multiple injuries. Even when he was healthy, McCarthy was scattershot, completing just 57.6 percent of his passes, sometimes missing by yards, not inches.”
Advertisement
Acquiring a different quarterback for optionality behind McCarthy is the worst-kept secret in the Twin Cities.
Patra added, “Unable to keep Sam Darnold and Daniel Jones from leaving last year, Minnesota must bring in a veteran who can, at the very least, push McCarthy for the job — if not outright take it. Potentially bringing back Kirk Cousins, who could be released from Atlanta before free agency, makes a lot of sense for both sides.”
“Cousins played well enough down the stretch and his fit in KOC’s system is obvious.”
A “Duh” Recommendation
Advertisement
A few days after the regular season ended, former general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and O’Connell spoke to reporters and were immediately asked about McCarthy — whether the youngster would take the QB1 title into the offseason and into September.
O’Connell replied, “Ultimately, I think in the quarterback room, it’s about having just the deepest, most talented room you possibly can, every single year. What that looks like at a pretty impactful position on your salary cap, when you’re able to possibly plan for your depth chart looking in a way where you can be competitive no matter what.”
“I think there has to be competition at quarterback. I think that’s what’s gonna make everybody better in that room. It’s gonna be what makes our entire offense thrive through that competition.”
O’Connell already admitted that his team would find another quarterback or two, making Patra’s recommendation Captain Obvious stuff. The plan is already in motion.
Advertisement
The Options from Free Agency & Trades
How will Minnesota bring Patra’s urging to life? Well, there are plenty of options.
From free agency, the market will look like this:
— Jake Browning — Teddy Bridgewater — Joe Flacco — Jimmy Garoppolo — Case Keenum — Marcus Mariota — Gardner Minshew — Kenny Pickett — Aaron Rodgers — Mitchell Trubisky — Tyrod Taylor — Carson Wentz — Mike White — Malik Willis — Russell Wilson
Advertisement
Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy drops back from the pocket at MetLife Stadium during first-half action on Dec 21, 2025, as Minnesota met the Giants. The frame shows footwork, timing, and composure, reflecting McCarthy’s command within the offense while testing coverage downfield in a hostile road setting with pressure building and receivers working routes. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images
Would-be trades become a bit juicier, even if players like Joe Burrow or Lamar Jackson probably won’t be available:
— Drew Lock — Davis Mills — Jalen Milroe — Mac Jones — Will Levis — Kyler Murray — Spencer Rattler — Anthony Richardson — Zach Wilson
But Cousins?
Patra specifically mentioned Cousins, which might be intriguing for the Vikings because, for the first time ever, he could be signed cheaply. All signs point to Atlanta releasing Cousins in a few weeks as a cap casualty, and almost assuredly, some team will sign him as a low-end QB1 or high-end QB2.
If O’Connell still has the utmost faith in McCarthy, Cousins could be just what the doctor ordered, given his familiarity with the offense and his newfound affordability.
Advertisement
Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kirk Cousins releases a pass at U.S. Bank Stadium during second-quarter play on Oct 8, 2023, against Kansas City. The moment highlights rhythm passing and pocket control, capturing Cousins operating within structure as Minnesota pushed tempo and attacked coverage in a high-profile matchup with national attention and playoff implications looming late. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
The Viking Age‘s Adam Patrick noted on a Cousins reunion last week, “Since the conclusion of the 2025 campaign, Minnesota has talked about adding competition to the quarterback room for J.J. McCarthy this offseason, and someone like Cousins, who has experience running Kevin O’Connell’s offense, already has an on-field chemistry with Justin Jefferson, and will be much more affordable at this stage in his career, would be one of the better signal-caller options for the Vikings to consider.”
“Bringing back Cousins wouldn’t put an end to the McCarthy era in Minnesota. But if McCarthy can’t beat out Cousins in a preseason quarterback competition, then it would make the Vikings’ decisions about the young passer’s future with the team a lot easier to figure out.”
It’s worth noting, though, that about half the Vikings’ fan base would groan about a Cousins reunion. Many hoped the franchise had turned the page.
Aryna Sabalenka has sparked engagement rumours with her new batch of photos. As the Belarusian shared some snaps from her latest glam session, fans were quick to zero in on an crucial detail and speculate if she had gotten engaged to long time boyfriend Georgios Frangulis.
Sabalenka and Frangulis have been a power couple of the tennis world for quite some time now. The Brazilian is the four-time Grand Slam champion’s biggest fan and is a constant presence in the audience when she’s competing. Recently, Sabalenka took to Instagram to share some glammed-up photos from her time at the Crown Towers and eagle-eyed fans were quick to spot the flashy piece of jewelry she sported on her ring finger.
Advertisement
Thanks for the submission!
The pictures were enough to set off some engagement rumours for the couple, with fans showcasing their curiosity in the comments section.
Advertisement
“Babe is it happening??? 💍☺️,” one fan wrote.
“Wait….what’s that big sparkly yellow thing on your finger???? 💍😮,” another added.
Via @arynasabalenka on Instagram
Aryna Sabalenka and Georgios Frangulis first began dating in early 2024. Rumours of their relationship caught fire sometime in April after the duo were spotted together in Madrid. The speculation found further purchase over the next few months as Frangulis began making regular appearances in the World No.1’s player’s box. The couple made their relationship Instagram official in July, 2024 and have since been vocal about their love for each other.
Aryna Sabalenka reflects on the beginning of her relationship with Georgios Frangulis, reveals why she was hesitant to date the Brazilian
Sabalenka and Frangulis at the WTA Finals 2025 (Image Source: Getty)
Aryna Sabalenka recently opened up about the beginning of her relationship with Georgios Frangulis. In an interview with Alexandre Cossenza, the Belarusian revealed that the duo knew each other for some time before they went on their first date. She also revealed the reason she had been hesitant about dating the Brazilian, saying,
“We met actually long before we actually went for the first date. So I just knew him from (when) I started working with Oakberry. And then we met a bit later and went for dinner and I felt really connected. Because before I wasn’t sure if I can handle a relationship with someone who doesn’t speak Russian and then I felt really connected to him, his mentality. I think we are really similar. He’s very kind and I fell in love and somehow he got me.”
On the tennis end of things, Aryna Sabalenka was last seen in action at the Australian Open. The World No.1 claimed her second-consecutive runners-up finish at the event, losing to Elena Rybakina in the finals.
Harry Potter fans may have dreamed of soaring across a pitch on a broomstick, and while that fantasy remains out of reach, a close alternative is taking shape in Uganda, where a real-life version of Quidditch is being played in a village. Now known as quadball, the sport unites boys and girls around a shared ambition of competing in the Quidditch World Cup, as Clarisse Fortuné reports.
The complex “bone bruising” injury in his left arm meant Draper had to take the tough decision to miss last month’s Australian Open as he was not yet ready for five-set matches.
But rather than watch contemporaries Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, Draper took a step back from the sport.
“In all honesty, in this period. I haven’t really been following it too much,” he said. “It’s something I put my whole life into and so I knew that when this injury came about, I had to maybe take a step back and not be so intense with it.
Advertisement
“I think that’s helped me off the court and to keep on improving on the court as well, because tennis is a bubble and sometimes you can get kind of distracted, and that it’s all that matters in life.
“Whereas when you have this kind of injury, you have time out and I used it wisely, I think, to try and make sure that when I come back to tennis and my arm is OK, that I’m ready to go all the way again.”
Jack Draper looked sharp on his return to the court (Getty Images for ITF)
Draper, who has played just one singles match since Wimbledon last year, needed just 59 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-2 win and give Great Britain a flying start in the first qualifying round.
Advertisement
It was hard to gauge precisely what Draper’s level is against Durasovic, ranked a lowly 313. However, eight aces, just 10 points dropped on serve and a healthy smattering of forehand winners was certainly an encouraging start.
“It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been able to compete on the match court and today was a great opportunity to do that,” he added.
“Obviously it’s been a difficult time for me, but I’m glad with the way I came back and I’m proud of my performance today.”
Advertisement
Draper helped Great Britain make a flying start before Cameron Norrie won his match for a 2-0 lead over Norway (Getty Images for ITF)
British number two Cameron Norrie, fresh from his run to the third round down under, had by far the tougher match against teenager Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, a former Wimbledon juniors champion, in the second singles rubber.
But the 30-year-old ground out a 6-4 6-4 win to put Great Britain 2-0 up going into day two of the first-qualifying round tie.
Leon Smith’s team can take an unassailable 3-0 lead if Wimbledon doubles champions Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash win the opening match on Friday afternoon.
TORONTO — Featuring a lineup anchored by Josh Naylor, Tyler O’Neill and Owen Caissie and a pitching staff fronted by Michael Soroka, Jameson Taillon and Cal Quantrill, Canada unveiled a promising 30-man roster for this spring’s World Baseball Classic on Thursday.
Most of the Canadians’ top choices from the provisional rosters submitted Dec. 3 have so far held, although power-armed Seattle Mariners reliever Matt Brash was a notable recent withdrawal.
All-star Freddie Freeman, the son of Canadian parents who wore the Maple Leaf at the past two tournaments, starter Nick Pivetta, relievers Cade Smith, Eric Sabrowski and Jordan Romano and pitching prospects Jonah Tong and Mitch Bratt are also among the notable players who either withdrew or turned down invitations.
But the Canadians have thus far sidestepped the insurance issues that have plagued other countries and this edition of the national team is marked more by who will be there, rather than who won’t.
Advertisement
Bo Naylor, Edouard Julien, Otto Lopez, Abraham Toro, Denzel Clarke and Jared Young are among the 14 other position players on the squad that will play out of Pool A in San Juan against host Puerto Rico, Colombia, Cuba and Panama.
Veterans James Paxton and Phillippe Aumont, prospects Adam Macko and Eric Cerantola and experienced arms like Rob Zastryzny, Jordan Balazovic and Logan Allen help fill out the pitching staff.
The top two teams advance from each pool and, separated from the powerhouse United States for the first time at the Classic, Canada has a real pathway to its first appearance in the quarterfinals.
Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet
The World Baseball Classic is back for its sixth edition, running from March 5-17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan and Tokyo. Catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.
“We feel in this pool every night we have a chance to go out and compete with whoever we’re playing and we don’t have to make some tough choices,” said Greg Hamilton, Baseball Canada’s director of national team programs. “You had to make tough choices every time you’re dealing with the U.S. in your pool and especially if you had the U.S. and Venezuela or the U.S. and Mexico. There wasn’t much room.”
Advertisement
That was the case in 2023, when Canada finished 2-2 and lost a win-and-advance game against Mexico, just as they did in the inaugural edition of the event. The Americans knocked them out in 2013.
There is more room this time and if Canada moves on, a lineup Hamilton described as “a clear strength,” will likely do the heavy lifting.
“It’s pretty much a major-league lineup, with impact in it,” he continued. “And we’re going to have options to have guys that are experienced major-league players that add depth and can certainly play roles and have impact. So the depth of our starting lineup is definitely going to be a strength.”
Soroka, Taillon and Quantrill give the Canadians three legitimate starters and Balazovic is a candidate to be the fourth if they don’t go piecemeal with the final slot, depending on how the tournament plays out.
Advertisement
Paxton, Aumont, Allen and righty Noah Skirrow give manager Ernie Whitt more flexibility as their usage will be less strict since they aren’t part of a big-league system.
“The ability to run out, by and large, round-by-round major-league starters that have impact at the big-league level is very important,” said Hamilton. “That’s certainly a strength and we’ve got experience in the bullpen around it. Do we have Brash? No. Do we have Cade Smith? No. You’d love to have those guys but we do have guys with upper-level experience and some depth and we have right-left balance.”
Catchers: Liam Hicks, Bo Naylor
Infielders: Tyler Black, Matt Davidson, Adam Hall, Edouard Julien, Otto Lopez, Josh Naylor, Abraham Toro
Advertisement
Outfielders: Owen Caissie, Denzel Clarke, Tyler O’Neill, Jacob Robson, Jared Young
Pitchers: Logan Allen, Micah Ashman, Phillippe Aumont, Jordan Balazovic, Eric Cerantola, Indigo Diaz, Antoine Jean, Carter Loewen, Adam Macko, James Paxton, Cal Quantrill, Noah Skirrow, Michael Soroka, Jameson Taillon, Matt Wilkinson, Rob Zastryzny
Nov 23, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of a Dallas Cowboys helmet before the game against the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images
The Dallas Cowboys will participate in the NFL’s first game in Rio de Janeiro in 2026, the league announced Thursday.
The 78,000-seat Maracana Stadium, which has hosted World Cup matches and the 2016 Olympic opening and closing ceremonies, will host the game. The league previously announced Rio as one of its new international markets; at least three regular-season games will be played there in the next five years.
The Cowboys’ opponent and the game date will be announced at a later date, but it’s likely to be early in the season. The NFL came to Brazil for the first time in 2024, and its Sao Paulo games in 2025 and 2026 were played on Friday of Week 1.
The Philadelphia Eagles beat the Green Bay Packers in Sao Paulo in 2024 and the Los Angeles Chargers beat the Kansas City Chiefs there this past year.
Advertisement
The NFL is adding International Series games in Melbourne, Paris and Rio for the first time in 2026 while continuing series in London, Madrid, Mexico City and Munich. Earlier Thursday, the NFL announced the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers would contest the Melbourne game, the league’s first in Australia.
Despite leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his storied two-decade career with the franchise, Tom Brady said he doesn’t have “a dog in the fight” in this week’s big game.
Brady’s stance drew strong responses from both his former teammates and current Patriots players.
Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane was among those who expressed angst over Brady’s position. “Personally it makes me sick,” Spillane said Thursday during a Super Bowl week media availability, via MassLive.com. “But at the end of the day [he’s a Patriot]; he has a dog in the fight. So for him to say that, it is what it is. At the end of the day, he’s an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders now, so he has to do what’s best for him.”
New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) speaks to media during Opening Night for Super Bowl LX at San Jose Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California.(Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)
Brady holds a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders.
Spillane appeared in 13 regular season games in his first year in New England, recording 48 tackles.
Brady reflected on his unprecedented run in New England during a recent edition of his “Let’s Go!” Sirius XM podcast with sportscaster Jim Gray, saying, “We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back, and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England.”
He added that he hoped “to see a good game” on Sunday.
Tom Brady looks on before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.(Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)
Those comments were not well-received by Patriots greats, including Rob Gronkowski, who played with Brady in New England and Tampa Bay. Gronkowski said he has not discussed this week’s Patriots-Seahawks game with Brady but suggested a reason for the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s neutral stance.
“He probably wants to be the quarterback,” Gronkowski said Wednesday during an appearance on “Up & Adams,” before adding, “He’s that competitive. He probably wants to be the guy in the Super Bowl right now.”
Advertisement
Two-time Super Bowl winner and former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork described Brady’s take as “bullcrap.”
Former New England Patriots player Vince Wilfork reacts before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts.(Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports)
Another former New England star, Asante Samuel, chimed in, saying in a string of social media posts that he was “highly disappointed” in the retired quarterback for “not rooting for your ex-teammate, Mike Vrabel.” Samuel also suggested that Brady was envious of Drake Maye’s rise.
Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance. “Does Tony Romo still pull for the Cowboys? I’d be surprised,” Diggs said Thursday. “I think Peyton Manning still loves Denver. I don’t hear him say too much about the Colts.”
Advertisement
Brady is Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst and called last year’s Super Bowl.
Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.
Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures done off the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.
Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.
The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London’s O2 Arena on 23 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.
Advertisement
If players are level on points after the 16 weeks then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime defeated Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 7-6 (3) in second-round men’s singles tennis action at the Open Occitanie on Thursday.
Auger-Aliassime fired 16 aces and won 82 per cent of his first-serve points.
The Montreal native broke on two of his 10 chances but held a 34-19 advantage on winners.
Wawrinka had five aces but four double faults, won 73 per cent of his first-serve points and broke on one of his four opportunities.
Advertisement
Auger-Aliassime had a bye through the first round as the tournament’s top seed.
He will next face sixth-seeded Frenchman Arthur Fils on Friday in the quarterfinals.
Atlético Madrid produced a dominant display to beat Real Betis 5-0 and cruise into the Copa del Rey semi-finals, extending their unbeaten away run in all competitions to eight matches.
Betis came into the game with confidence after winning their previous five home matches. They almost took an early lead in the sixth minute when Abde Ezzalzouli controlled a long pass and curled a shot just wide of the far post.
Advertisement
However, it was Atletico who struck first. In the 12th minute, captain Koke delivered a corner to the near post and David Hancko headed in to score his second goal of the season.
Atlético nearly doubled their lead four minutes later when new signing Ademola Lookman broke through on goal, but the debutant dragged his shot wide. Betis also missed a chance to score when Nelson Deossa fired wide from the edge of the box, and they were punished soon after.
Giuliano Simeone, who had scored at this ground earlier in the season, made it 2-0 by tapping in Matteo Ruggeri’s low cross after a quick move down the left. Eight minutes before half-time, Lookman opened his Atletico account. He controlled Pablo Barrios’ pass, cut inside two defenders and finished calmly to complete a rapid counter-attack.
Betis, who had scored in 28 of their last 29 Copa del Rey matches, tried to respond after the break. Ezzalzouli had a chance three minutes into the second half but hit his shot straight at goalkeeper Juan Musso.
Advertisement
Atletico remained in control and added a fourth goal just after the hour mark. Lookman set up Antoine Griezmann, who fired through the hands of Adrian to score his fourth goal of the competition this season.
With the result beyond doubt, Diego Simeone made several changes. Substitute Thiago Almada completed the scoring seven minutes from time, finishing from close range after Adrian saved Griezmann’s initial effort.
The win marked Atletico’s 11th victory in their last 14 meetings with Betis and handed the hosts only their fourth home defeat of the season. Betis will have little time to recover, as they are set to face Atletico again in LaLiga on Sunday.
Since its inception, name, image and likeness (NIL) deals have transformed not just how college sports operate, but professional sports.
Collegiate players, knowing they can stay in school for another year and make substantial money, do not have to turn professional to make money.
Former NFL agent Ben Dogra cited Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returning to college instead of declaring for the NFL Draft as something that might not have happened before NIL.
Advertisement
“I think it still remains to be seen because it’s still relatively new, but I think you’re seeing, based on what happened with the quarterback at Oregon, Moore staying in school. I would never have anticipated a player that would go possibly top 10 in the draft, let alone the top five, would actually stay in school with the amount of money that he’s willing to risk,” Dogra told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Jan. 9, 2026.(Brett Davis/Imagn Images)
Moore was being projected in some mock drafts to go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets before deciding to return. Dogra wasn’t sure how big the NIL deal that Moore signed to stay with Oregon was but thought it influenced his decision.
“I know it’s an individual decision, but with NIL and when you look at Oregon and you see one of their biggest donors in (Phil) Knight of Nike, I don’t know what was promised or what was done, but I think it was significant enough (to have) allowed the young man to think, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t want to go out,’ the way he did, throwing a pick six, and they think they have a chance to win a national championship,” Dogra said.
Advertisement
Dogra said he expected players projected in the third and fourth rounds, maybe the second round, to return to school but not someone who was projected to go as high as Moore was. He said some players would make more money returning to school than declaring for the NFL Draft if they were projected to be a mid-round pick.
“And some players want to stay in college,” Dogra said. “Because they’re making more money than if they’re drafted, right? I mean, that’s the vast majority, because there’s only 32 first-round picks, whether you like it or not. That’s it.
“And then you’ve got 32 second-round picks. That’s where the money is. Once you start getting in the third round, that’s a functional starter. Could be a very good player. But those are (where) you’re filling out your roster, and you’re hoping to steal those players in the third and fourth round.”
Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter during a College Football Playoff first-round game against James Madison at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., Dec. 20, 2025.(Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Dogra cited current Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers as someone who opted to go to the NFL Draft instead of transferring out of Texas and extending his college career.
“The test cases aren’t out there, but Quinn Ewers is a pretty prime example. All-American. He had to move on from Texas because the commitment was to Arch Manning. And, instead of going to another school, which I think they reported that he was going to make like $7 million in NIL, he elected to go to the draft. He won’t make $7 million where he was drafted.”
Ewers was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $4.3 million contract. Not only will Ewers make less, Dogra said, he could be out of the NFL sooner because of when he was drafted.
“In four years, he might be out of the league because you don’t get the same amount of chances as a late-round pick as you do as a first-round pick. First-round picks, they give you every opportunity to succeed because the general manager is going to let you be on that team for three years, or he’s getting fired, right?” Dogra said.
Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025.(AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)
Dogra said NIL will not only affect who stays and goes in college football. In the pre-NIL era, college athletes weren’t allowed to sign with agents until after their final college game.
Dogra said that while that rule remains in place, there is a different dynamic in the agent-player interaction.
“Now, it’s a different dynamic. Although that rule remains in place with NIL, you’re seeing that agents and marketing agents are getting these players a lot faster than you ever anticipated,” Dogra said.
Advertisement
“It’s almost like hockey. So, now you’re going after these players in high school. So, if you go after them in high school, how are you going to disseminate that information on how good that player is going to translate five, six years from now? So, it’s really Russian roulette.”
With contacts between players and agents being earlier in their career than they’ve ever been, Dogra said agents have to weigh different options for how they want to cultivate the relationship.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers looks to hand the ball off to a teammate against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026.(David Butler II/Imagn Images)
“It’s the wild, wild west as I say because if you go early and you cultivate that relationship, you could get stale and old,” Dogra said. “And if that happens, you’re not going to sign the player. That’s happening.
Advertisement
“But on the flip hand, if you develop that relationship early and that player pans out, and you build that credibility, now you’re going to be in the driver’s seat for when they’re eligible and it’s going to be really hard for other people to break down that door. So, it can go either way. But it’s a lot more work. It’s a lot more uncertain.
“That’s going to be very dangerous and dicey for agents. It looks good. But a lot of those agents are going to lose players because recruiting is sales. That’s all it is. And if you … undersell and overperform, you’re going to keep the player. But (the) tendency in recruiting is very simple. You oversell and underproduce because you’ll move on to next year’s guy. And with this transfer portal, you just don’t know. There’s no continuity anymore.”
Dogra represented Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Mario Williams and Richard Sherman during his career.
