Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow delivers a fourth-quarter throw at Paycor Stadium during a tight matchup with the Seattle Seahawks, with Oct. 15, 2023 embedded mid-paragraph in Cincinnati. Burrow operated from the pocket late as the Bengals protected a narrow lead and closed out a 17-13 victory in front of the home crowd. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK.
Minnesota Vikings fans have decided in the last few weeks that Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is a realistic trade target. And while that idea is fantastic, and everyone is welcome to fantasize about it, it’s crucial to remember one thing: Burrow probably isn’t for sale.
Until Burrow openly forces an exit, the Bengals control the cards, and Minnesota’s “dream trade” stays where most offseason fantasies live.
Folks have theorized what it would take via trade to land Burrow, a king’s ransom to be sure. Still, context must be present.
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Cincinnati Holds All the Leverage in a Burrow Trade
The Joe Burrow trade rumor is hot and heavy among purple-and-gold enthusiasts.
Don’t Demand a Joe Burrow Trade and Then Get Mad if It Doesn’t Happen
For starters, Burrow-to-Vikings is a fan-driven deal. As an example, Strype Hype‘s Matt Fitzgerald wrote this week, “The Cincinnati Bengals couldn’t be under more pressure as an organization in 2026 when it comes to the future trajectory of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow. Trade buzz is swirling, with multiple recent reports even linking him to a blockbuster deal this offseason to go to the Minnesota Vikings.”
“An offer attractive enough could get the Bengals interested enough to pull the trigger. Don’t put anything past this front office. But at least for one more season, it sure sounds like Burrow is staying put.”
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Burrow’s teammate, running back Chase Brown, told CBS Sports this week that Burrow isn’t going anywhere, and those two are pals. Brown is a strong source in this instance.
Therefore, it’s important to remember: if the offseason comes and goes without a Burrow trade, Vikings fans shouldn’t assume that Minnesota’s front office bungled the situation. Burrow isn’t for sale. You can’t get upset about something that isn’t even an option.
The Drake Maye Example
The idea that the Vikings may not end up with Burrow and thus cause fans heartburn, well — look no further than Maye.
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The New England Patriots drafted Maye third overall in 2024, and because a substantial faction of fans wanted Maye as the Vikings’ quarterback — this website included — they decided that Minnesota’s draft decision was a binary choice between Maye and J.J. McCarthy. In fact, during the week before the draft, the discussion among Vikings faithful was “Who you got? Maye or McCarthy?”
The problem? Fans made that a choice for the team. Maye was never gettable. The Patriots would not move off the No. 3 pick — probably because they knew Maye would become a franchise quarterback. They were right.
To this day, especially with Maye heading to the Super Bowl in nine days, the group that wanted him remains upset that Minnesota did not draft him and claims, “The Vikings could have had Maye.”
Don’t do that with Burrow. A fan-driven dream is different than reality.
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The Bengals Would Be Damn Fools to Trade Burrow
Let’s remember: The Bengals would be utterly stupid and silly to trade Burrow. The most challenging part of any general manager’s job is to find a franchise quarterback. It’s why players like Quinn Ewers, Justin Fields, and Jacoby Brissett see ample playing time in a given season. Hell, the Vikings were forced to roll with Max Brosmer twice in 2025, and he played horribly.
The only way Burrow will migrate from Cincinnati is if he personally steers the ship of change. He will have to request a trade; the Bengals’ management team — they don’t have a traditional general manager — will have to be in a good mood, and the right compensation package must emerge to pull the whole thing off.
None of that is really likely. For the record, Cincinnati’s front office is notoriously prickly and stubborn. If Burrow asked for a trade, the Bengals may simply do nothing and play hardball.
Vikings fans are asking the most hardheaded front office in sports to maybe trade a Top 5 quarterback if he maybe expresses enough disgruntlement to be traded. Too many maybes to be realistic.
Sporting News‘ Dharya Sharma recently noted on the notion of a Burrow trade, “Burrow trade rumors have skyrocketed over the last two years due to Cincinnati’s playoff drought and the failure to provide Burrow with offensive line and coaching support. However, the Bengals would be foolish to trade Burrow, and there is a near-zero percent chance he wears a different uniform anytime soon.”
More Realistic Trade Options?
Well, what in the hell is realistic then? Probably options like this:
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow is introduced to the crowd during pregame ceremonies on Dec 28, 2025, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. The moment set the tone ahead of kickoff against Arizona, with Burrow leading the offense amid heightened expectations late in the regular season. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images
Aside from Murray, none of those candidates is as sexy or splashy as the Burrow idea, but they are realistic.
And in NFL trade-speak, realism matters. Don’t be upset with the Vikings if they don’t trade for a guy who isn’t for sale. That’s irrational. Just like the Drake Maye jealousy.
Feb 3, 2026; Anaheim, California, USA; Anaheim Ducks left wing Cutter Gauthier (61) celebrates his goal scored against the Seattle Kraken with defenseman Jackson LaCombe (2) during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Cutter Gauthier scored his team-leading 25th goal of the season as the Anaheim Ducks defeated the visiting Seattle Kraken 4-2 Tuesday night.
Jacob Trouba, Alex Killorn and Ross Johnston also scored and Jackson LaCombe and Jansen Harkins added two assists apiece for the Ducks, who won their second in a row and for the ninth time in their past 11 games to move past Seattle and into third place in the Pacific Division entering the Olympic break. Goaltender Lukas Dostal made 26 saves.
The Kraken, who saw their four-game winning streak snapped, will have a chance to regain that spot in the standings as they have one game left, Wednesday night in Los Angeles, before their three-week hiatus.
Seattle’s Jordan Eberle scored on a tip-in of Jared McCann’s shot at 15:31 of the third to spoil Dostal’s bid for his first shutout of the season.
The Kraken’s Shane Wright tallied at 17:29 after Dostal’s attempt at an empty-net goal was knocked down.
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Seattle goalie Philipp Grubauer stopped 27 of 31 shots.
Tuesday’s game completed the regular-season series between the division rivals, with the teams splitting the four matchups.
The Ducks outshot Seattle 11-7 in a scoreless first period.
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Anaheim opened the scoring at 4:01 of the second on a one-timer from the top of the right faceoff circle by Gauthier past a screened Grubauer just after a Kraken penalty had expired.
The Ducks made it 2-0 on defenseman Trouba’s goal at 19:27 of the period. Harkins carried the puck down the right wing before dropping a pass back to Trouba for a slap shot from the point that made it through a maze of players in front of the net.
Anaheim extended its lead to 3-0 as Killorn tallied just 24 seconds into the third on a wrist shot from low on the right wing through a screen.
Johnston made it 4-0 at 13:54 after Grubauer mishandled the puck behind his own net.
French footballer N’Golo Kanté has joined the Turkish side Fenerbahce after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan intervened to push through a transfer deal with Saudi club Al-Ittihad.
Miach Parsons was named to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. Although the superstar defensive end was in San Francisco to attend the Pro Bowl festivities on Tuesday, he was on an electric scooter while moving around Moscone Center due to his knee injury. In one of the videos from the festivities that went viral on social media, Parsons was spotted filming the female cheerleaders doing a routine for the crowd.
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When fans caught wind of the video clip in which Parsons was filming the cheerleaders while on an electric scooter, they slammed the Packers star.
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“Creep behavior,” one tweeted.
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“Kinda hate that this streamer a*s dude is a packer now. Like bruh… get us to the nfc championship mr highest paid ever,” another added.
“Tell that lame a*s podcaster to show up in the playoffs. Don’t nobody care bout Micah,” a user tweeted.
Micah Parsons finished the 2025 season with 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 6.5 stuffs, two forced fumbles and one pass defended. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos.
Although Parsons helped the Packers qualify for the playoffs, his team was eliminated in the wildcard round with a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Micah Parsons explains how his relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason
Green Bay Packers DE Micah Parsons – Source: Getty
Micah Parsons’ relationship with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason, which led to the team trading the DE to the Packers in August. On Tuesday, Parsons opened up his acrimonious split with the Cowboys.
“I just wish some of those things never happened. You know what I mean?,” Parsons told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS Cowboys. “I wish that he never brought me into the office and just let the agent speak. And I wish he hadn’t compromised our relationship. I thought me and Jerry had a good relationship up to that point until this offseason, and it’s sad that it went to sh*t like that.”
Parsons played four years with the Cowboys, earning a Pro Bowl selection in each season. He signed a 4-year, $188 million extension with the Packers after the Cowboys traded him last year.
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Team USA’s Olympics base camp is making headlines since it had to change its name from Ice House to Winter House. But first, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the country is planning a social media ban for under-16s. Next, Russian athletes could soon be back competing under their national flag. Meanwhile, the 2030 Olympic Games in France are off to a slow start. Finally, scientists study what love might look like in space.
Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79. Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, but is perhaps best known for presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.
If this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is even half as good as the last time these two franchises met on this stage, it will be a wild ride. Eleven years after a Super Bowl XLIX thriller, the teams meet again with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks, similar to their previous Super Bowl trips, have been powered by one of the NFL’s best defenses. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league this season and finished first in yards per pass attempt allowed and yards per rush attempt allowed. The defense flexed its muscle in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, allowing a paltry 3.9 yards per play — San Francisco’s worst mark all season.
But it was the offense that stepped up most in the NFC Championship Game. Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams, with 153 yards and a touchdown going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kenneth Walker III had 111 yards from scrimmage and a score, and Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo also found the end zone.
Though the offense was hit-or-miss down the stretch of the regular season, it seems to have found its footing in the playoffs and, crucially, has zero turnovers. Overall, Seattle has a plus-four turnover differential this postseason.
Speaking of turnovers, no one has forced more than New England this postseason, and it’s not particularly close. The Patriots’ defense has absolutely wreaked havoc, first against the Los Angeles Chargers, then the Houston Texans and finally, in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos. The Patriots’ 8.7 points per game allowed is the fewest by any team through three playoff games since the vaunted 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense.
The Patriots offense, which powered much of the team’s regular-season success, hasn’t fared as well. New England’s 18.0 postseason points per game is the fewest entering a Super Bowl appearance since the 1979 Rams. Still, Drake Maye has made several big plays — both with his arm and his legs — and New England’s firepower will certainly be a major test for Seattle’s defense.
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Here’s how to watch the game, followed by keys to the contest and a prediction.
Super Bowl LX: Where to watch Seahawks vs. Patriots
For as good as Darnold has been this season — and especially this postseason — he does have a penchant for turnovers. In fact, his 20 turnovers this season were most in the NFL, and his 14 interceptions were third-most. Eight of those 14 turnovers happened when he was pressured, tied with Geno Smith for most in the NFL.
Now (mostly) healthy, the Patriots’ pass rush has been dominant this postseason with an NFL-best 52% pressure rate. For comparison’s sake, the highest pressure rate during the regular season was 45% (by the Minnesota Vikings).
The Seahawks have done a good job keeping Darnold clean for the most part, and play-caller Klint Kubiak does a good job of getting him out of the pocket via play-action and giving him easy answers.
The path for the underdogs to come out on top starts with getting to Darnold. The next step is protecting their own quarterback. Maye has taken five sacks in all three of his playoff games so far, and while that’s come against three of the NFL’s best defenses, it’s not as if the Seahawks’ unit is any easier.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald dials up a variety of different schemes and pressure looks, and he has both a disruptive duo inside (Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II) and a plethora of edge rushers to generate pressure.
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When the Seahawks do get pressure, Maye has to be careful with the ball: He has six fumbles (three lost) this postseason, both most of any player.
Can Maye hit the deep ball?
The Seahawks’ excellent cornerbacks play very aggressively, and it almost always works. The results speak for themselves.
But if the offensive line holds up, Maye might have the opportunity for a deep ball or two, and he’s been as good as anyone in those scenarios: His 35 completions at least 20 yards downfield this regular season were second-most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford.
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Super Bowl LX pick, prediction
Expect some nerves early, especially from the quarterbacks, but as both settle in, this should be a great, close battle between an ascending star and an unlikely one.
Maye is looking to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Darnold is looking to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after playing for at least five different teams.
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Ultimately, the Seahawks’ defense gets a few timely stops, and Seattle leaves with its second championship.
Nigeria have intensified preparations for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Uzbekistan by moving their training base to the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, the venue for the February 7 to 8 encounter.
The move from the National Stadium, Surulere, is part of final match readiness as the players familiarise themselves with the courts and surroundings ahead of the two day contest.
Uzbekistan, which arrived in Lagos on sunday have also settled in and held their first training session on Monday. The visitors travelled with three players and four officials, with their leading player, Khumoyun Sultanov, joining the squad after his recent title win at the ITF M15 tournament in Kuwait.
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Sultanov, 27, reached the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers in 2025 and achieved a career high ATP ranking of 216 in January. He is joined by Ilya Ignatov, Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, and 17 year old Sukrob Saidov.
Nigeria will be led by national number one Daniel Adeleye, alongside Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel, all selected based on national rankings. Uche Oparaoji returns to the squad, while Abubakar Yusuf is set to make his Davis Cup debut after representing Nigeria at the Africa Games in Ghana.
Despite Nigeria being ranked 74 in the world and Uzbekistan 49, confidence remains within the Nigerian camp. According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, hosting the tie reflects the country’s progress in international tennis.
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Federation president Victor Ochei said the opportunity to host was a result of recent performances.
“Nigeria has been consistent at this level and that consistency has earned us trust,” Ochei said. “Hosting this tie shows that we can compete and also deliver at international standard.”
He confirmed that the National Sports Commission is supporting the federation in funding and event delivery.
A 15 member Central Planning Committee, chaired by Victor Hembah, has been set up to oversee preparations in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation, the National Sports Commission, Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the host club.
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President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, said the venue is ready for the tie.
“The courts and facilities are prepared, and we are ready to host,” Adewusi said. “This is an important event for Nigerian tennis.”
The match will take place on the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club this weekend.
Enyimba FC players are in the second day of their strike on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, over unpaid match bonuses. SportsRation reports.
According to SportsRation sources in Aba, the players trained themselves at a primary school field this morning without any coach present. The club’s technical team had waited at the Enyimba International Stadium, only to discover that the squad had moved to the school field.
The players say they will not return to proper training until the club settles the match bonuses owed to them. This action comes amid growing tension between the Kanu Nwankwo-led management and the Abia State Government.
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The strike threatens to affect the club’s recent revival on the field. Enyimba had picked up four points in their last two matches after a difficult month.
Enyimba currently sit 11th on the league table with 31 points from 24 matches, while Bayelsa United occupy 14th place with 28 points.
While most football fans are excited to see the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks match up in Super Bowl LX, there is one fan base that could be staring at this game as the worst matchup possible.
The New York Jets haven’t seen the playoffs in 15 years, the worst mark of any professional sports team in the U.S. And fans certainly weren’t happy to see a 3-14 finish in the first season under head coach Aaron Glenn.
But to make matters worse, the Patriots, their AFC East rival who were with them with back-to-back four-win seasons, turned around quickly with Mike Vrabel at the helm and Drake Maye turning into an MVP candidate in just his second season.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams.(Getty Images)
The Jets and their fan base spent years being tormented by Tom Brady and the Patriots, and to have New England back in the “Big Game” this quickly isn’t ideal.
Then, on the other sideline in Santa Clara will be the Seahawks, the No. 1 seed in the NFC this year led by quarterback Sam Darnold — the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold is the first quarterback from that draft, which included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield, to reach the Super Bowl. Jets fans pictured Darnold wearing the green and white, beating the Patriots on his way to the Super Bowl.
Things never turned out that way for Gang Green, but one former Jets quarterback believes there’s only one way for fans to root for something in this Super Bowl.
“I think there’s probably a lot of people that are still rooting for Sam,” Ryan Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, while discussing his trip to Aruba with his wife, Liza, after partnering with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
“Sam would be the first to say he didn’t play well enough, but it’s very hard when there’s not an infrastructure and people around you to be successful as a quarterback in this league. I think Jets fans should be happy and proud to see Sam come out on the other side, because it’s not easy.”
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Sam Darnold of the New York Jets looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Darnold’s time in New York lasted only three seasons despite his draft selection, culminating in up-and-down weeks and unfortunate memes, including his most infamous against the Patriots where he said he was seeing “ghosts” on the field.
After stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold was able to rekindle his career in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season last year. That allowed him the chance to pick where he wanted to go in free agency this past offseason, and he chose the Seahawks after they traded away Geno Smith.
Darnold clearly made the right move.
If Fitzpatrick were still a Jets fan — he actively roots for the Buffalo Bills, the team he played for before joining New York — it would be easy to root for Darnold’s success.
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But even though Fitzpatrick himself was beaten by the Patriots for years during his career, he does find himself reluctantly rooting for them on Sunday.
“The hard thing for me in this one, I mean I’ve hated the Patriots forever. Even though I was in Boston, I was at Harvard, they had a good, little run while I was there. I was still never a Patriots fan, and then it’s like I spent eight years of my career in the AFC East just getting beat up by them every single year,” he explained. “The fact that they’re good again and find themselves back in the Super Bowl after Tom leaving and Bill leaving, and now having Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick on set during the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“It’s a hard realization, but I love Mike Vrabel so much. I was with him in Houston, I get to play golf with him at the American Century in [Lake] Tahoe every summer. He’s a great dude. I love his family, I love his kids, I love him. So, actually, I feel like I’m rooting for New England in this game, which pains me to say.”
ONE HAPPY ISLAND, ONE HAPPY FITZ
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After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, visited Aruba for some well-earned relaxation to reset and recharge before the Super Bowl.
He partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which showcases the island’s commitment to responsible tourism, which includes protecting the island’s natural environment, celebrating local culture and inviting guests to travel mindfully through the Aruba Promise and Guest Guidelines.
Fitzpatrick did that and loved every minute of it, as he experienced the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their time in Aruba after the 2025 NFL season.(Aruba Tourism Authority)
“My wife and I — seven kids. So, we very rarely get away. So, when we get away, we gotta make sure it’s the right spot, and this one hit. It has the white-sand beaches, it has the resort, which is great. But it also has the adventure. I’m not a guy that likes to just sit on the beach and get the tan all day long. There was hiking, we were swimming in a natural pool, we went and searched some caves a little bit.
“The great thing for my wife and I, right away you feel relaxed. Then, we come home and there is this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we’re feeling. It stayed with us.”
The timing of Everton’s decision comes as a surprise, just hours after the transfer deadline closed and they added Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar to their ranks.
Sorensen has been involved in recruitment and many of their additions over the past two windows have suited his requests.
But the feeling a change of direction was needed has been lingering at Everton for several months.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by their performances with Sorensen seemingly still unsure on his best XI and often using players out of position.
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His experimental style has been effective before and he should be praised for his management last season when Everton’s injury crisis left a thin squad amid a time when the club were awaiting the completion of the Friedkin Group takeover.
However, expectations grew this year when investment came, signings were made and the squad had enough quality to be challenging further up the table.
They have been dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle and Everton have acted now in the hope that they can do enough to stabilise their position before rebuilding in the summer.
Sorensen’s overall time at Everton has shown his capabilities as a coach but the inability to field a consistent team has harmed his progression.
