Scottie Scheffler claimed a share of the first-round lead at the US PGA Championship as Rory McIlroy finished a difficult first day seven shots back.

Scheffler was one of the last groups out at Aronimink Golf Club in south-west Philadelphia, on a day where low scoring had proved elusive.

He ended it three under, part of a seven-way group at the top of a congested leaderboard which featured German Martin Kaymer, 12 years on from the last of his two major wins.

A record 33 players are within two shots of the lead, eclipsing the previous high of 28 at the 1993 Open, including 12 major champions.

Scheffler started steadily but dropped a shot at the fifth. He made his move with back-to-back birdies at six and seven before salvaging par after chipping out of the greenside bunker at the monster 245-yard par-three eighth.

A third birdie came with a 28-foot putt on 10 to move two under and he joined the leading pack with another at 11.

Scheffler, in his 156th consecutive week as world number one, had cut a frustrated figure across the front nine but his move up the leaderboard had an air of inevitability.

A birdie on 16 cancelled out a bogey on 14 and ensured the four-time major winner held at least a share of the lead after the first round of a major championship for the first time.

The defending champion was in a strong trio alongside world numbers four and seven Matt Fitzpatrick and Justin Rose.

Rose bogeyed three and six but dug in and got his reward with a birdie at 13 followed by another at 14 as he chipped in from the bunker to delight the gathered crowds.

Fitzpatrick started with 13 straight pars before a bogey and a birdie also left him at even par.

Major winners Xander Schauffele, Patrick Reed and Shane Lowry – who chipped in for an eagle on nine – are a shot off the lead.

Nobody was able to break clear of the pack with a low score as Aronimink bared its teeth and allayed fears that it would not test the world’s best golfers.

The enormous, undulating greens proved a stiff examination, making avoiding bogeys feel like the priority.

McIlroy had felt it would be a “bash driver down and figure it out” course, but he more than most, paid the price for straying into the rough, admitting it was more penalising than he expected.

The Northern Irishman, bidding to win back-to-back majors and a seventh overall, finished his round with four successive bogeys and five out of the last six as wayward tee shots decimated his card to leave him four over.

After bogeying the first and birdieing the second, McIlroy reeled off 10 straight pars before a rollercoaster back nine left him with work to do.

As the late starters began to turn for home, McIlroy was on the practice range trying to find the answer to his driving issues.

His playing partners Jon Rahm and Jordan Spieth are among the vast group at one under par. Rahm pitched in from 98 yards for eagle at the second, his 11th, to banish a frustrating start and finished with consecutive birdies.

Selected round two tee times

11.45am – Dustin Johnson, Rasmus Hojgaard, Michael Block (hole one, all times BST)1.07pm – Viktor Hovland, Collin Morikawa, Shane Lowry1.18pm – Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, Chris Gotterup1.29am – Justin Thomas, Cameron Young, Keegan Bradley1.40pm – Scottie Scheffler, Justin Rose, Matt Fitzpatrick6.54pm – Xander Schauffele, Brooks Koepka, Tyrell Hatton7.05pm – Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth, Jon Rahm.

A week ago, the first Subway Series of the year was shaping up to be a snoozefest. Or at least, a potential knockout blow.

The New York Yankees, owners of the American League’s best record, were flying high after yet another series win. Aaron Judge was on one of his heaters. Ben Rice looked like an MVP candidate. A rotation of difference makers delivered quality start after quality start. Even the bottom of the lineup appeared to be heating up from a slow start. Ask someone on the Yanks about their ballclub and their eyes would get wide, a knowing smile would creep across their face.

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The New York Mets, meanwhile, were not in a happy place. Entering play May 8, the Mets were 14-23, tied for dead last in all of baseball. Their lineup was a woeful excuse for itself, an ugly hodgepodge of underperforming youngsters and over-the-hill veterans. Obviously, it didn’t help that multiple injury-prone pieces New York built its lineup around were, well, injured. The stylings of Juan Soto and a much-improved run prevention unit were not nearly enough to overcome the Mets’ offensive woes.

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Things were so dire, the fan base so worked up, that president of baseball operations David Stearns had to publicly reaffirm that no, he did not plan to fire manager Carlos Mendoza. In some ways, the Mets were trusting the process, but in truth, they had no other options.

Oh, what a difference a week makes.

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All of a sudden, the Mets are riding high, invigorated by a rousing home sweep of the Detroit Tigers. Their cross-borough counterparts, on the other hand, have now lost five of their last six and sit two games back of the high-flying Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East.

These recent events make this weekend an even more enticing proposition. A sweep by the Yankees would get their strong start back on track while simultaneously punting the Mets back into a state of hopelessness. A sweep by the Mets, on the other hand, would serve as a definitive sign of a bounce-back while increasing the agita up in The Bronx.

For the Yankees, given their level of continuity, many of the characters are the same as Subway Series past. It’s a different story for the Mets, who turned over half their roster last winter. As always, the players will define the series, so let’s run through five names sure to dictate the proceedings.

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Juan Soto — Mets outfielder

Remember when Juan Soto was a Yankee for an entire season? The drunk folks in pinstripes certainly do. And even though this weekend’s matchup will be at Citi Field, the Yankee faithful will surely be out in force and volume.

The man himself has had a bizarre start to the season. He starting lava-hot in typical Soto fashion, but hit the IL with a calf strain on April 6. In his absence, the Mets nearly disintegrated. But while the club has been better since his return on April 22, Soto himself has posted a relatively pedestrian .221/.333/.412 batting line in 81 plate appearances. He was pulled early from Wednesday’s game after clanging a foul ball off his ankle, but started and homered Thursday.

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With Bo Bichette still mired in a mega-slump and so many Mets lineup regulars on the IL, the weight will fall, once again, on Soto’s well-paid shoulders. He has, so many times throughout his career, met the moment.

Cam Schlittler — Yankees starting pitcher

New York’s 25-year-old beanstalk has been the biggest pitching breakout of the season. Through nine starts, Schlittler has a 1.35 ERA in 53 1/3 frames with over a strikeout an inning. Most importantly, he’s filled a massive early-season void for the Yankees, who are still waiting for Gerrit Cole to work his way back and only just got Carlos Rodón off the IL. The team is also monitoring Max Fried after he left Wednesday’s start early with elbow soreness. Schlittler was a revelation last season, capping his rookie campaign off with an unforgettably dominant outing against the Red Sox in the wild-card round. And yet, this guy has somehow gotten even better; there’s a legitimate chance he starts the All-Star Game.

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But because Schlittler debuted after both of 2025’s Subway Series matchups, he still hasn’t toed the slab against the Mets. Schlittler, an über-confident guy and occasional … Schlitt stirrer, will surely feed off the intensity of a road game in Queens. He’s going to be a main character in this rivalry for years to come, meaning his start Friday night could be the start of a memorable era.

Carson Benge — Mets outfielder

This will also be the first Subway Series for Benge, a rookie who made the big league club out of spring training a few months ago. Despite being the club’s consensus top hitting prospect, the 23-year-old started quite slowly after going yard on Opening Day. Through those scuffles, neither Benge nor Mets brass wavered an inch. Benge kept trucking and the club kept rolling the talented youngster out there.

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That call has paid dividends already. Since April 23, the Oklahoma State product has been one of New York’s best hitters, with a .333/.375/.875 line over 64 plate appearances. That’s how it goes for rookies sometimes. Even the most talented dudes need an adjustment period to figure out big league pitching. But when it clicks, it can click big. That’s what seems to have happened with Benge, who was recently moved up to the leadoff spot.

This guy wasn’t even supposed to be here.

Volpe, who served as the Yankee’s everyday shortstop for the last three seasons, was optioned to Triple-A Scranton on May 3 after completing a rehab assignment for an offseason shoulder surgery. But the 25-year-old didn’t even last two weeks as an official minor leaguer as he was recalled earlier this week when his replacement, José Caballero, went on the 10-day IL with a fractured finger.

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The former top prospect and boyhood Yankee fan didn’t make any noise in his first game back, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout Wednesday. But with the Yanks headed to Queens for three high-stakes games, he has a real chance to reorient his season. Mets fans are certainly going to let Volpe hear it; his struggles are their punch lines. But a big weekend against a big rival would provide a huge confidence boost to a player desperately in need of one.

A.J. Ewing — Mets centerfielder

By jove, a spark!

Ewing has provided a much-needed jolt in the three games since making his MLB debut Tuesday. The former fourth-round draft pick isn’t going to singlehandedly turn this Mets season around, though it certainly felt that way at points during the Detroit series. That’s because the 21-year-old Ohioan’s game revolves around characteristics in which the Mets have been seriously lacking.

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He’s a burner, a spark plug, a high-energy catalyst who makes things happen with his legs. Ewing swiped 70 bags in the minors last season and already has one (and a triple) in his short big league stint. With Luis Robert Jr. stuck on the IL with a hazy timetable, Ewing looks primed to be New York’s everyday centerfielder. For the neutral viewer, that’s great news. This kid is electric, a throwback slash-and-dash type who sprays the ball all over the diamond. Ewing has already endeared himself to the Mets faithful with an impactful first series, but could go supersonic with a few key hits against the Yanks.

Ben Rice — Yankees first baseman

This is Aaron Judge’s ninth full campaign in pinstripes. He has been New York’s best offensive player in every single year of that run. But in each season, Judge has had a different top sidekick. There was a Gleyber Torres year, a Gary Sanchez year, a DJ LeMahieu year and, of course, that Juan Soto year. This season, that role is being filled by Rice, whose offensive breakout has been one of the biggest stories in the sport.

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Through 39 games the former Dartmouth star has walloped 13 homers and driven in 29 runs with a league-leading 1.079 OPS. The underlying statistics support the legitimacy of Rice’s offensive explosion. It looks real, very real.

But Rice missed four games last week with a bruised hand, though the issue wasn’t serious enough for an IL stint. In his six starts since hopping back in the lineup, the first baseman has gone just 3-for-24 with just two walks and nine punchouts, easily his worst mini-skid of the season. Rice did go deep in the series opener Monday against Baltimore, but it’s worth keeping an eye on things to see if he’s actually back at full health

All eyes were on the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) X Division Championship on Thursday night as Leon Slater looked to retain the title over Cedric Alexander and solidify himself as the longest-reigning X Division champion in the company’s history.

Slater knew a legacy was on the line as he looked to break a record set by Austin Aries. But he needed to pin Alexander twice in one match to retain the title. It was a steep mountain to climb as Alexander had been just as dangerous since he entered the company.

The match started off hot with Slater and Alexander trading blows to begin the match. But a quick-thinking Slater rolled up Alexander quickly for the first fall.

Cedric Alexander in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 23, 2025. (Bradlee Rutledge/WWE)

Alexander was able to go on offense from there. He hit a nasty German suplex on the outside of the ring. He continued to work on Slater’s tweaked neck. He later hit a Lumbar Check to tie the match at 1-1.

Slater went deep into his bag. He hit an avalanche Styles Clash, which could have kept anyone else down. However, Alexander kicked out. Alexander was able to counter Slater’s high-flying abilities just for a moment and knocked him back out of the ring.

Alexander sent Slater into the steel steps, leaving him busted open. Alexander declared that he would be the “greatest” X Division champion. One brainbuster later, Alexander tried to pin Slater, but couldn’t get him down.

Alexander hit a Lumbar Check again, but Slater kicked out. Slater mustered up the last ounce of energy. A tilt-a-whirl slam set Alexander up for a swanton 450. Slater missed and Alexander hit another Lumbar Check, and then again.

Leon Slater enters the arena during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 6, 2026. (Craig Melvin/WWE)

Alexander pinned Slater for the win, completely shocking the fans in Sacramento, California. It will be the first reign for Alexander and his first title of any kind in TNA.

Alexander is a reminder, at least for TNA, that “The System always wins.”

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Fabian Aichner appears

Fabian Aichner, formerly known as Giovanni Vinci, makes his way to the ring during WWE SmackDown at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif., on Sept. 20, 2024. (WWE/Getty Images)

Moments before TNA went off the air, the lights went out in the Sacramento Memorial Auditorium. Emerging from the darkness was Fabian Aichner.

Aichner stared down Alexander and appeared to name himself the next challenger for the X Division Championship. Aichner, known as Giovanni Vinci for much of his run in WWE, hadn’t really been seen or heard from in months since his departure from WWE.

Aichner wrestled under his real name for a stint in WWE before he came back as Vinci in June 22. He was with WWE until 2025. He was a two-time NXT tag team champion and an Evolve champion before it became a WWE brand.

Eric Young earns future shot at TNA World Championship

Eric Young outlasted nine other men in an over-the-top battle royal and earned a shot at Mike Santana’s TNA World Championship to start the show.

The match came down to him and Elijah after the latter was able to toss members of The System out of the ring while also avoiding Frankie Kazarian trying to get back into the match following his own elimination.

Young and Elijah came to blows on the apron, knowing that as soon as their feet touch the ground, they would be eliminated. Young grabbed onto Elijah’s hair to try to hang onto the moment. Elijah broke away with Young’s back turned to him. Elijah, however, didn’t account for his wide stance.

The TNA original kicked Elijah in the groin and pushed him down to the ground. Young won the match and received a shot to win the TNA World Championship in the future.

He also made clear that Santana was next on his list of people to wipe out as he did to Joe Hendry, EC3 and Ricky Sosa in weeks past.

“Mike Santana, you’re gone next,” he declared.

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Mike Santana learns his next opponent

Mike Santana stands in the ring during NXT at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2025. (Kevin Sabitus/WWE)

Mike Santana came out to address the crowd and praised Young for his efforts to help build TNA from the ground up.

“You better be coming with something different because while you may be someone who helped build this place, when it comes to the new era of TNA on AMC, I’m the guy. I’m the man. I’m the one who holds down the fort week after week as your TNA world champion.”

While Young might have earned a title shot, Daria Rae came out and revealed to the crowd that Steve Maclin was cleared to return to action following an injury at the hands of Santana.

Maclin will get a shot at Santana’s TNA World Championship next week on “Impact.”

Santino Marella also came out during the segment after he was “suspended.” He revealed that Indi Harwell re-signed with TNA.

Lei Ying Lee, Xia Brookside rivalry heats up

Xia Brookside attends the “Freelance” screening at Regal Waterford Lakes in Orlando, Fla., on Oct. 24, 2023. (Jose Devillegas/Getty Images)

Lei Ying Lee brought the TNA Knockouts Championship back home last week with a win over Arianna Grace. She addressed the crowd before being interrupted by her former best friend, Xia Brookside.

In all black, Brookside claimed she was already in Lei’s head.

“You’re such a fraud. I’ve destroyed you mentally, I’ve destroyed you emotionally, I’ve destroyed you physically, and that title will be around my waist.”

Both competitors tossed expletives at each other before the segment was over. But Brookside made clear that she had her eyes on the title.

AJ Francis prevails over KC Navarro

A.J. Francis told Fox News Digital before the SacTown Street Fight on “Impact” that he was going to bring the pain to Navarro.

While wearing “Show Stealer” across his back, Francis did just that. Francis took some punishment from Navarro – a few shots from a baseball bat and a drop kick with a trash can.

Francis was able to turn the tide for a few moments, using the baseball bat to his advantage. But Navarro dug deep. He aligned six chairs in the ring, hoping to splash Francis through it. Instead, Francis countered and attempted an avalanche Down Payment. Somehow, Navarro countered with a cutter as both men crashed through the sea of chairs.

It looked like it could’ve been it. Navarro went for the pin, but only got a two count.

Francis turned on the heat from there. He got ahold of Navarro and hit a Down Payment through tables lined up on the outside of the ring.

He rolled Navarro back into the ring and picked up the pinfall victory.

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“Impact” match results

• Eric Young wins the 10-man battle royal to earn a shot at the TNA World Championship.
• A.J. Francis def. KC Navarro in a SacTown Street Fight.
• Rosemary and Allie def. Veronica Crawford and Mila Moore
• Cedric Alexander def. Leon Slater to win the X Division Championship.

There is no World Cup for Wales this summer but some members of Craig Bellamy’s squad will still be making headlines.

As the transfer window approaches – and some contracts expire – Bellamy will watch with interest to see where some of his players end up.

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Captain Ben Davies, for example, sees his Tottenham Hotspur contract run out in June, while Wales’ most influential player in recent times, Harry Wilson, will also become a free agent unless he agrees a new deal at Fulham.

There are others, too, who could be primed for a transfer this summer.

BBC Sport Wales looks at the players who could be on the move before the 2026-27 campaign.

Goalkeepers

Karl Darlow is among the frontline Wales players whose club future is uncertain as things stand.

The 35-year-old has handed Bellamy a welcome boost by playing a significant role at Leeds United this season despite the arrival of Lucas Perri for a reported £15.6m fee last summer.

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Perri started the season as Daniel Farke’s first choice in goal but Darlow has since claimed the number one shirt, making 20 Premier League appearances and winning praise for the part he has played in Leeds’ top-flight survival.

There have been suggestions that Darlow, Wales’ number one in recent times, will be offered a new Elland Road deal but there is no news of anything being finalised yet.

Of Wales’ other goalkeeping options, Danny Ward would seem likely to stay at Wrexham, particularly after reclaiming his place in Phil Parkinson’s side at the back-end of the Championship season.

Adam Davies, meanwhile, is out of contract at Sheffield United this summer, though there have been reports that he will be handed a new Bramall Lane contract.

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Defenders

The big question mark when it comes to Wales’ frontline defenders is alongside the name of Tottenham stalwart Davies.

The 33-year-old has made more than 350 appearances for Spurs since joining from Swansea City 12 years ago but how many more are there to come?

Last summer, Tottenham triggered a one-year extension in Davies’ contract to keep him at the club for the 2025-26 campaign but there is no word on yet on whether there will be a new deal on the table this time around.

There has been talk of Davies becoming a player-coach, or even switching his focus at some point to a role which is in football but away from the pitch.

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Certainly, Bellamy will be eager to see what happens to one of the key figures in his squad.

As for Bellamy’s other defenders, there could be question marks over Chris Mepham‘s future at West Brom.

Mepham joined the Baggies on a three-year deal last summer but has not played since February.

While Mepham’s absence was thanks in part to injury, the 28-year-old did not feature at the tail-end of the season despite boss James Morrison saying he was available.

Cardiff City’s Dylan Lawlor, meanwhile, may well be the subject of transfer speculation this summer despite the Bluebirds’ promotion to the Championship – and the fact that he signed a new deal running until 2028 last August.

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Lawlor has been tipped by many to play at the highest level, so transfer interest during the close season would be no surprise.

Rhys Norrington-Davies is another Wales international defender whose club future may come into focus.

Norrington-Davies made 39 appearances while on loan from Sheffield United at Queens Park Rangers in 2025-26, but he is under contract with the Blades until 2027.

Midfielders

What next for Jordan James? The midfielder was the brightest spark in an awful year for Leicester City, where he cleaned up at the end-of-season awards.

Still only 21, James is due to return to French club Rennes following his year-long loan spell with the Foxes but there are suggestions that another move to English football is likely.

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James’ contribution at Leicester suggests he would be an asset for any Championship club – while he may have earned a shot at the Premier League.

Ethan Ampadu is already shining at the highest level having enjoyed a fine season with Leeds, where he is under contract until the summer of 2027.

It has been reported that while the club have an option to extend the deal by 12 months, they are keen to tie Ampadu to a new longer-term deal to ward off any potential suitors.

There are other less prominent Wales players whose futures will also be on the agenda this summer, with Swansea City boss Vitor Matos revealing he will have a conversation with Ollie Cooper.

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Kai Andrews, meanwhile, may not be expecting much of an opportunity at Coventry City next season following their promotion to the top division.

The teenager has spent the second half of 2025-26 on loan with Hibernian but has struggled for regular game-time with the Scottish Premiership club.

Fellow youngster Charlie Crew, of Leeds, is another player who could be looking for another move after his season-long loan spell at Doncaster Rovers was cut short.

Forwards

Should no new agreement with Fulham materialise, Wilson will be one of the most attractive options on the Premier League free-agent market this summer.

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The 29-year-old has enjoyed a spectacular season, with goals coming regularly and often in memorable fashion.

Wilson told BBC Sport Wales last June that he was in discussions over a new Craven Cottage contract but, with nothing agreed, various clubs are being linked with his signature.

Another man who could be in demand is Sorba Thomas, who was named player of the year after his fine debut season at Stoke City.

Winger Thomas, 27, scored 10 goals in 46 appearances for a Potters side who fell away after a promising start to their Championship campaign and has been linked with a move to the Premier League.

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When asked towards the end of the season whether he would still be a Stoke player next terms, Thomas set tongues wagging by declining to comment.

Of Wales’ other attacking players, Lewis Koumas looks the most likely to be on the move again following loan spells at Birmingham City and Hull City in 2025-26, unless of course Liverpool decide the 20-year-old is ready for a first-team chance at Anfield.

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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by Data Skrive TV listings provided by LiveSportsOnTV.

In full fairness, this particular Vikings rumor made a ton of sense. After all, the player at the center of the purple dot connecting — WR DeAndre Hopkins — publicly expressed a desire to become a Minnesota Viking.

At this stage, though, a marriage between Minnesota and the veteran appears quite unlikely. Signing Jauan Jennings means that Minnesota sits atop arguably one of the best receiver groups in the NFL, if not the best crew (something they’ll look to prove on the grass, which is all that matters). Where does that leave Mr. Hopkins?

Vikings Rumor Now Far From Becoming Reality

As cruel as it sounds, Mr. Hopkins may need to wait for an injury to get a call.

The NFL is a league that’s constantly chasing cheap youth. Hopkins will come cheap, but he no longer has a claim on being youthful (at least within an NFL workplace; being in one’s early 30s means being downright ancient). Recent draftees and undrafted pickups will get a chance to show they belong in the big leagues during the coming months. If/when some of these young lads fail, then there will be a turn for an elder statesman.

Or, perhaps, there’s an injury, suspension, or retirement. Think some sort of extenuating circumstances. In these conditions, a team could be in need for an extra receiver.

Part of the problem, though, is that DeAndre Hopkins isn’t going to offer much on specials, if anything at all. In a career that goes back to 2013, Hopkins has played a whopping 10 special teams snaps. The last time he got onto specials was for a single play in 2023.

— READ MORE: More Leaks Arrive Thursday Morning for Vikings Schedule —
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Quite possibly, Hopkins could go out there for a hands team assignment for an onside kick, but a gunner he is not. That’s an issue.

Sitting in the WR4 or WR5 job generally means needing to contribute somehow other than with catching the ball. Sure, there could still be a target or two within that sort of role, but the league doesn’t often feature games where a fifth option at WR explodes for 10+ touches.

DeAndre Hopkins may therefore have to be patient.

— READ MORE: By Golly, The Vikings May Have Pulled it Off Again —
— READ MORE: A Fantastic Vikings Problem Keeps Getting Worse —

Before the Jennings development, the Vikings could have justified bringing the receiver to town. Doing so would help to ensure Tai Felton doesn’t get forced into a job he’s not ready for. Plus, he has built-in chemistry with Kyler Murray due to their time together as Cardinals. And then his size should allow him to still pull down contested catches for a 1st Down or a touchdown.

Off the field and in the locker room, Mr. Hopkins could reasonably be a mentor for Justin Jefferson. Basically nobody out there knows what it’s like to operate within the same stratosphere as Jefferson. Hopkins is one of the few who gets it since he has been a superstar.

Is there an intangible element where Hopkins can help on the sidelines in the same way a veteran QB2 helps a stud at QB1? Hopkins understands what it’s like to face double teams on a constant basis. He may even have some helpful pointers for how to beat those double teams.

Now, that’s not to say that the veteran has soared as high as Jefferson or that Jefferson needs a shepherd to guide him. Still, though, there’s very little downside in boasting a well-respected vet who was an All Pro five times and a Pro Bowler as many times (which is to say nothing of being in the running for Offensive Player of the Year, the award Jefferson has won).

As things stand, Jefferson is the second-oldest player in that Vikings receiver room. Jennings is the old fella at 28; Jefferson will turn 27 later this summer. Each got into the NFL in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Going into the 2026 season, the Vikings will be rallying around a top receiver trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Jauan Jennings. Very few teams boast the necessary talent to run with those three.

Next up would appear to be Tai Felton alongside Myles Price, both of whom boast impressive abilities on special teams but who have yet to break through on offense. Making room for one more receiver isn’t impossible, though it’s no sure thing the team carries six WRs.

DeAndre Hopkins will turn 34 in June. Drafted at No. 27 in the 2013 NFL Draft, Hopkins is likely to get into the Hall of Fame.

Senior Editor for Vikings Territory & PurplePTSD . Twitter & Bluesky: @VikingsGazette. Email: k.joudry[at]vikingsterritory[dot]com. Canadian. Jude 1:24-25.

Mumbai Indians returned to winning ways, registering their fourth victory of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 campaign after a thrilling win over the Punjab Kings on Thursday. The victory came under the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah after both Hardik Pandya and Suryakumar Yadav missed the fixture. While MI have suggested that Hardik’s absence is due to a back spasm, rumours suggest there is more to the story than meets the eye. Former India opener Virender Sehwag feels Hardik should be released by the franchise if these rumours are true.

As Hardik remains absent from the Mumbai Indians squad, reports of dressing-room discord between him and certain players have emerged. Though Sehwag does not believe all these rumours are true, he feels the franchise should let Hardik go if that is indeed the case.

“If you just talk about cricket, then retain him. But then you have all these rumours, which I’m not sure are true, about some dressing-room tension or off-field issues. If that is true, release him. If false, based on cricket, he must be retained because he is a top-quality player,” he said during a discussion on Cricbuzz. He also mentioned that, personally, he would like to retain Hardik.

“Irrespective of the rumours, I will retain him. You can always put an end to that. Those dressing-room differences, if true, can be settled. Because you have to play as a team. And Hardik is more valuable as a player. Mumbai Indians need him,” he said.

At present, the most expensive player in the IPL is Rishabh Pant, having been bought for Rs 27 crore in the IPL 2025 mega auction. Sehwag feels Hardik is a player whose actual value is the figure Pant received, and not his current salary of Rs 16 crore.

“Remember, he used to play well even when he was not the captain of Mumbai Indians. There were rumours even then. But I would still retain him. In fact, Rs 16.35 crore is very little. He is a Rs 27 crore player,” he added.

Mumbai Indians have two more matches to go before their IPL 2026 season concludes. It will be interesting to see if Hardik makes a comeback to feature in either of the remaining matches.

Featured Video Of The Day

Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash

The July 19 World Cup final in New Jersey will be the first to include a Superbowl-inspired “Halftime Show,” with performances from American veteran Madonna, the Colombian voice of the 2010 and now 2026 World Cup Shakira, and South Korean boyband BTS. 

The curator is Coldplay frontman Chris Martin, who announced the lineup in a promotional video featuring characters from Sesame Street and the Muppets on Thursday. 

What did FIFA say about the event? 

FIFA says the event aims to raise money for its FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund. A promotional poster visible on the video carried the motto: “The world’s biggest stage, an even bigger purpose.” 

FIFA President Gianni Infantino also shared news of the lineup for the event, which he first announced would take place this March, online. 

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“The FIFA World Cup 2026 Final Halftime Show will be a truly special moment, bringing together music, football and a shared commitment to improving the lives of children around the world,” Infantino wrote.

Asked at one point during the promotional video whether the show would also feature “surprises” beyond the three headline acts, the Coldplay singer Chris Martin answered in the affirmative. 

The video featured various characters from Sesame Street and The Muppets, including Elmo, the Cookie Monster, Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and Animal on the drums. 

Does football have halftime shows? 

The length of the show is not confirmed but some reports suggest it could last around 11 minutes. This could lead either to a longer interval, or little or no chance for broadcasters to revisit the action or air commercials. 

Typically, the halftime break at a football match is only around 15 minutes long. The time is used for a combination of commercial breaks if required or desired, and analysis of the action. 

The Champions League final, for instance, has a pre-match concert, rather than eating into the brief break between the two halves when there is sporting business to discuss. 

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Halftime shows or songs are a rarity. Famously, German pop star Helene Fischer performed at half time at the 2017 German Cup (DFB Pokal) final, to audible whistles and boos from supporters in real time in Berlin, and weeks of criticism afterwards. The practice was subsequently abandoned. 

FIFA is striking an optimistic note, though, describing the event ahead of time as “a singular moment at the intersection of sport, culture and purpose, broadcast live around the world.”

Edited by: Wesley Dockery

The 2026 NFL schedule has arrived, and per usual, there’s a great slate of primetime matchups. It doesn’t get any more “primetime” than “Monday Night Football,” which has been bringing every regular-season week (except the last one) to a close since 1970. ABC owned the broadcast rights until 2006, when it shifted over to ESPN — both are part of the Disney company — and as you’ll see, this year, several games air on both channels.

In a welcome change in most fans’ eyes, there will be no “Monday Night Football” doubleheaders in 2026. The “MNF” slate begins with a bitter AFC West rivalry as the Broncos visit the Chiefs. It could be the first game back after major injuries for both quarterbacks; Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in December, and Bo Nix suffered a fractured ankle in the playoffs one month later.

Here’s a rundown of every Monday night game for the 2026 season. Each contest will kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET:

Ranking 2026 ‘Monday Night Football’ Games

17. Falcons at Saints (Week 4)

In a loaded year, someone has to finish last. In this case, it’s the Falcons visiting the Saints. Atlanta presents an underwhelming offseason quarterback battle between Tua Tagovailoa and Michael Penix Jr. Even if one of those two can improve upon underwhelming 2025 seasons, neither looks like a long-term answer at the moment. The Saints hope they have a long-term answer at the position in Tyler Shough, but that’s also TBD. Just like the NFC South as a whole, this matchup just isn’t quite up to par with its competitors.

16. Giants at Lions (Week 16)

The Giants are getting a lot of love with Jaxson Dart entering Year 2, John Harbaugh coming in and two top-10 draft picks (Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa). But Harbaugh will be the first to tell you building a contender doesn’t happen overnight. The Giants should be better than last year, but by Week 16, they might not be in the playoff picture. The Lions should be. Jahmyr Gibbs will be licking his lips considering what he did against the Giants last year.

15. Panthers at Buccaneers (Week 12)

The Panthers made big upgrades at edge rusher (Jaelan Phillips) and linebacker (Devin Lloyd), and if Bryce Young can take even a half-step forward, they’ll make a push to repeat as NFC South champions. The Buccaneers might be their stiffest competition. But this matchup ranks just 15th, mainly because it’s at the end of an absolutely loaded week: one game on Thanksgiving Eve, three on Thanksgiving, one on Black Friday and 10 on Sunday. I’ll never be football-ed out, but this will push even my limits.

— tier break —

14. Commanders at 49ers (Week 6)

The Commanders were the darling team entering 2025. Now, they’re one of the least discussed. That’s what an injury-riddled 5-12 season will do. The 49ers, meanwhile, will be a popular playoff pick, and for good reason, especially if healthy. Also, the Commanders will be on a brutal travel schedule: vs. the Colts in London in Week 4, back home for the Giants in Week 5, then off to the West Coast. After a Week 1 game in Australia, the 49ers don’t leave the West Coast until Week 7.

13. Giants at Rams (Week 2)

As I’ve already said, the Giants should be improved. I’ve also already said it doesn’t happen overnight, and it certainly doesn’t happen by Week 2. The Rams are the Super Bowl favorites, and this will be a really tall task for New York. Also, the Rams play in Australia on Thursday in Week 1, so they’ll have a rest advantage over New York, which opens its season on Sunday Night Football.

12. Steelers at Jaguars (Week 14)

There’s nothing “wrong” per se about this game. Both teams made the playoffs. It’s just not quite as exciting as the next games in these rankings. We still don’t know what’s happening with Aaron Rodgers, but even if we did, the Steelers present as a low-ceiling outfit. The Jaguars will hope their excellent second half of 2025 carries over after a quiet offseason.

11. Bills at Vikings (Week 9)

There’s a chance this game could rise. But “could” is a dangerous word when it comes to the talented-but-inconsistent, oft-injured Kyler Murray. There’s a chance the partnership between him, ace play caller Kevin O’Connell and superstar wide receiver Justin Jefferson goes perfectly. There’s also a chance it doesn’t go well, or Murray can’t stay healthy. He didn’t play in Week 9 in 2021, 2023 or 2025. Maybe this is a great game, with Murray getting a chance to shine in the spotlight and Josh Allen facing defensive mastermind Brian Flores. But there are more sure things elsewhere on this list.

10. Bengals at Commanders (Week 10)

Let’s just watch the “Monday Night Football” highlights from Jayden Daniels and Joe Burrow in 2024.

More of that, please. (Though both teams, after making major defensive investments this offseason, will hope for better defense.)

— tier break —

9. Texans at Packers (Week 17)

OK, here we go. From here on out, all of the teams included are projected playoff teams, and we’re pumped to see each and every one.

C.J. Stroud faces a hugely important year ahead, as the Texans look like a serious Super Bowl contender almost everywhere else. The defense is absurdly good. Houston made upgrades at running back (David Montgomery) and along the offensive line. The Packers should have their own elite defender, Micah Parsons, back with several games under his belt. How does Jordan Love do against Houston’s defense? Does weather play a factor? Green Bay winters can be … unpleasant. 

8. Eagles at Bears (Week 3)

Last year, the Bears entered their Black Friday showdown against the Eagles with an 8-3 record, but the perception was that they weren’t quite as good as their record. Then they hammered the Eagles with 281 yards on the ground and a 28-14 first downs advantage in a 24-15 win. Now, these two reigning division champs meet again in a standalone game. How will Jalen Hurts look in a new offense? How will Caleb Williams look in his second season under Ben Johnson?

7. Bears at Seahawks (Week 8)

The Seahawks feel like one of the least talked-about Super Bowl champions in recent memory. Give them some credit. This was an excellent team: third in scoring offense, first in scoring defense. That’s rare air. This game will feature one of the NFL’s premier offensive minds (Ben Johnson) vs. one of the NFL’s premier defensive minds (Mike Macdonald), two former USC star quarterbacks (Caleb Williams and Sam Darnold) and two teams looking to show last year was no fluke.

6. Cowboys at Seahawks (Week 13)

The Seahawks really flexed their muscle down the stretch of last season, winning their final seven regular-season games before their playoff run to the Super Bowl title. If all goes to plan, this will be a classic offense-vs.-defense showdown; there aren’t many passing-game triumvirates than Dak Prescott, George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb. Will the Cowboys’ defense be improved enough for it to matter?

5. Chargers at Ravens (Week 10)

We get a mentor vs. mentee here, as Jim Harbaugh faces his longtime defensive coordinator, Jesse Minter. Minter did excellent work with Harbaugh at Michigan (2022-23) and with the Chargers (2024-25) before taking over in Baltimore this offseason. Lamar Jackson is looking for a bounce-back year. Justin Herbert has a new offensive coordinator (Mike McDaniel) and hopefully a much healthier offensive line. The only other time Jackson and Herbert met on “MNF,” Jackson threw for two touchdowns and ran for another in a 30-23 comeback win.

4. Broncos at Chiefs (Week 1)

This one might be a few spots higher if both Patrick Mahomes and Bo Nix weren’t coming off significant injuries. While both are expected to play, we can’t be 100% sure until it’s here, and even if they do play, both will be shaking off considerable rust. Even so, this is a terrific divisional rivalry to open “MNF.” The AFC West should be highly competitive once again.  

3. Patriots at Chiefs (Week 15)

This is the final “MNF” conference game of the year, with playoff implications for both teams. Mahomes will be over a year removed from his ACL tear and should be back in the swing of things. Kenneth Walker III, who dominated the Patriots to the tune of 161 yards in the Super Bowl, will look to have a repeat performance in his new home. The Patriots, meanwhile, will look not only to limit Walker but also to take advantage of an overhauled Chiefs’ secondary. Drake Maye vs. Patrick Mahomes? We’re here for it.

2. Cowboys at Eagles (Week 7)

Whenever these two meet, sparks fly and tempers flare. Remember Jalen Carter getting ejected for spitting on Dak Prescott before the first snap of the season opener last year? Jalen Hurts has never lost at home against Dallas. By the time we’re this far into the season, we’ll have a good inkling of how Hurts is adapting to the new offense and if the Cowboys’ defensive upgrades are enough.

1. Bills at Rams (Week 5)

When two teams this good meet up, it doesn’t matter that it’s not a conference game and not late in the season; it has to be at or near the top of any ranking. Two years ago, they produced a high-flying 44-42 Rams win that featured over 900 yards of combined offense. Matthew Stafford. Josh Allen. Puka Nacua. DJ Moore. Davante Adams. James Cook. Let’s sit back and enjoy this one.

Teenager Vaibhav Sooryavanshi continues to impress one and all with his batting heroics in the Indian Premier League 2026. Defying his age, the 15-year-old batter has been smashing even the fastest and most experienced pacers for massive sixes. Playing just his second season, Sooryavanshi has already broken several records. Amid his sensational run, a video of a father-son duo is going viral on social media. In the surfaced clip, a father forces his 10-year-old son to face senior fast bowlers in the nets despite the kid’s resistance.

Watch it here:

Dude… pic.twitter.com/6jFmNfrPSN

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— Haydos (@GovindIstOdraza) May 13, 2026

Teenage batting prodigy Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was on Thursday named in the 15-member India A squad for the tri-nation 50-over series in Sri Lanka, starting June 9. Apart from the hosts, the other team in the tournament is Afghanistan A. The matches will be played in Dambulla.

India A will also play two multi-day (four-day) ‘Tests’ in Galle, but the squad for that will be announced later.

Sooryavanshi has been included as selectors wanted to give him a chance to assess him with the Pathways squad (India A) before he is picked for the senior team for the upcoming tour of the United Kingdom (Ireland and England), starting June 26, said a PTI report. The tri-nation series ends on June 21.

A look at the 15-member squad indicates that the average age of the team is around 23 years. Only the pace bowlers Arshad Khan, Yudhvir Singh and Yash Thakur are above 25 years of age. None of the players in the squad are above 30, and all have been performers in the Vijay Hazare Trophy (National One Day Championship), apart from being contracted with IPL squads.

Apart from Tilak and vice-captain Riyan Parag, who are the mainstays for MI and Rajasthan Royals respectively, Sooryavanshi (Rajasthan Royals), Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Suryansh Shedge (both PBKS), Harsh Dubey (SRH), Nishant Sindhu, Arshad Khan (both GT), Badoni (LSG) have been first team regulars at various points during this edition of IPL.

In the squad, Anshul Kamboj (Test), Riyan Parag and Tilak Varma (T20Is and ODIs) have already played for the senior team while Ayush Badoni was picked in the Indian squad earlier this year although he didn’t get a game.

India A squad for the tri-series: Tilak Varma (Captain), Priyansh Arya, Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, Riyan Parag (Vice-Captain), Ayush Badoni, Nishant Sindhu, Harsh Dubey, Suryansh Shedge, Prabhsimran Singh (WK), Kumar Kushagra (WK), Vipraj Nigam, Yash Thakur, Yudhvir Singh, Anshul Kamboj, Arshad Khan.

(With PTI Inputs)

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