Emma Raducanu bossed her way into the semi-finals of the Transylvania Open in Cluj.

The top seed showed her class with a straight-sets demolition of Poland’s Maja Chwalinska, winning a one-sided quarter-final 6-0 6-4.

She moves into her fourth career semi-final and will face world number 91 Oleksandra Oliynykova as she moves closer to winning her first tournament since the incredible success at the US Open in 2021.

Raducanu certainly played like a champion in wait in Romania, barely giving her opponent a sniff, with a dominant, attacking display.

Indeed, the pole, who came through qualifying, won just seven points in the first set as Raducanu served a bagel.

The second set was more evenly contested, with Chwalinska finally getting on the board with a service hold to love.

The decisive moment came at 3-3, though, when a Chwalinska double fault handed Raducanu the break and she was able to serve it out from there.

Lurking in other side of the draw is Anastasia Potapova, who beat Raducanu in the second round of the Australian Open.

“I’m very happy with my performance today,” Raducanu said in her on-court interview. “I think I played a great match from the beginning and (am) really pleased I could get off to that start.

“As always, there’s going to be some moments of adversity that you need to overcome, and I did that well in the second set.

“So (I’m) really proud of how I did that. And Maya’s a really tricky opponent, moves incredibly well, has great hand skills, so she’s done a great job this week, qualifying and coming all the way here.

“So (I’m) really pleased to have overcome that challenge.

“I didn’t have much time last night to kind of get ready for this one. I’m just really focusing on recovery. Because each match, no matter the scoreline, it takes a lot out of you just to be so focused for however long it takes.

“So yeah, (I) need to just recover.”

The two quarterbacks in Super Bowl LX were both taken third overall in their respective drafts. Both were expected to be franchise saviors from Day 1, yet they could not have taken more different paths to Santa Clara, California, for the final game of the 2025 NFL season.

The Jets selected Sam Darnold No. 3 overall in the 2018 NFL Draft, behind Baker Mayfield and Saquon Barkley. Six years later, the Patriots pinned their future on Drake Maye after Caleb Williams and Jayden Daniels went off the board.

“Fit matters” is a recurring theme in the NFL and a phrase I repeat often during the pre-draft process, because we can talk all we want about this or that prospect being “can’t-miss” or “best in the class,” but the reality is Patrick Mahomes isn’t the version we see today if he hadn’t landed in Kansas City. Baker Mayfield didn’t find his footing until his fourth NFL team. It all came together for Daniel Jones in Year 7 with his third team (at least before the Achilles injury).

Sam Darnold proved this season that 2024 wasn’t a fluke when he led the Vikings to 14 wins in his seventh season. He won 14 more regular-season games in 2025, this time with the Seahawks, who will face Maye and the Patriots in the Super Bowl.

Maye’s path has been less circuitous. He played well as a rookie on a bad Patriots team and, in Year 2, is a legit MVP candidate, in part because the organization nailed the coach (Mike Vrabel), the offensive coordinator (Josh McDaniels) and, of course, the franchise QB.

With the Super Bowl just days away, it’s as good a time as any to redraft the top 10 picks of the 2018 and 2024 classes — the two years Darnold and Maye were selected in the top three.

And just like our 2021 redraft from last October, there are some ground rules. 

1. Assume the entire 2018 and 2024 NFL Draft classes are made up of free agents, and we’re holding a redraft based on their real-life NFL careers to date.
2. Assume all eligible players from the 2018 and 2024 draft classes are healthy as of the redraft, but prior injury history should be a consideration.
3. The original team cannot redraft the player they selected in 2018 or 2024.
4. Assume the same draft order from the first round of the 2018 and 2024 NFL Draft.

OK, let’s get to it — first up, the 2018 redraft:

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1. Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

Original pick: Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

I mentioned above that Patrick Mahomes wouldn’t have had the same career to date had he not gone to the Chiefs. Maybe we could say the same thing about Josh Allen going to the Browns here, but … you can’t not take him No. 1 overall.

The 2024 MVP singlehandedly dragged the Bills to the playoffs in 2025, and he remains one of the best players in the league.

2. Lamar Jackson, QB, Louisville

Original pick: Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

The Giants took Daniel Jones No. 6 overall in 2019, and despite signing a second contract, the two sides parted ways during the 2024 season. 

Lamar Jackson, like Allen, is a former league MVP. The Giants have had a losing record in seven of the past eight seasons and haven’t had more than nine wins since 2016; that wouldn’t have been the case if Jackson had been the pick in 2018.

3. Fred Warner, LB, BYU

Original pick: Sam Darnold, QB, USC

I mean … Darnold sorta feels like the right pick here but 1) our made-up rules prohibit it and 2) WE KNOW HOW THIS PLAYS OUT. Instead, the Jets take Warner, one of the best defensive players in the league. 

Originally the 82nd overall pick of the 49ers, Warner’s biggest concern coming out of college was whether he could hold up at linebacker because he played all over the field at BYU. 

The four-time All-Pro quickly proved he was a first-round talent — and in this redraft, he becomes the No. 3 overall pick on a 2018 Jets team that started Darron Lee and Avery Williamson at linebacker.

4. Minkah Fitzpatrick, S, Alabama

Original pick: Denzel Ward, CB, Ohio State

The Browns got this second first-round pick from the Texans after Houston traded up in the 2017 draft for … yep, Deshaun Watson. 

Part of me is tempted to draft Sam Darnold here and flip him for even more picks to a QB-needy team, but that’s beyond the scope of what we’re trying to accomplish. Saquon Barkley would be in consideration, too, but the Browns grabbed Nick Chubb in the second round, and he’s one of the best players in recent Cleveland history.

Instead, I’m taking Minkah Fitzpatrick, who can play anywhere in the secondary and would upgrade a unit that, in 2018, included T.J. Carrie, Damarious Randall and Jabrill Peppers.

5. Sam Darnold, QB, USC

Original pick: Bradley Chubb, EDGE, NC State

The Broncos were heading into the 2018 season two years removed from Peyton Manning, and their QBs were Trevor Siemian and, in 2018, Case Keenum. The future included starters like Joe Flacco, Drew Lock, Teddy Bridgewater and Russell Wilson before George Paton and Sean Payton drafted Bo Nix in 2024.

This is all a long-winded way of saying that then-coach Vance Joseph and then-GM John Elway are taking Sam Darnold.

6. Baker Mayfield, QB, Oklahoma

Original pick: Quenton Nelson, OT, Notre Dame

With the benefit of hindsight, Mayfield is a no-brainer here since 2018 was Andrew Luck’s final NFL season (and he missed all of 2017 with a shoulder injury). 

In the six seasons since Luck retired, the Colts have had six different QBs start the majority of their games: Jacoby Brissett, Philip Rivers, Carson Wentz, Matt Ryan, Gardner Minshew, Anthony Richardson and Daniel Jones.

Mayfield would’ve stabilized the position from the moment he stepped on the field.

7. Saquon Barkley, RB, Penn State

Original pick: Josh Allen, QB, Wyoming

This is worst-case scenario for the Bills, who, in real life, ended up with the best QB in the class and here, in the redraft, are left empty-handed with four QBs off the board.

Buffalo also has the No. 16 pick in this draft (it originally took linebacker Tremaine Edmunds), but we’re going to give whoever ends up under center some help in the form of Saquon Barkley, who will pair with 30-year-old LeSean McCoy.

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8. Quenton Nelson, OL, Notre Dame

Original pick:  Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Smith was a great pick, but since we can’t redraft him here, I did think about Nick Chubb. But the Bears had the solid tandem of Tarik Cohen and Jordan Howard, both in their early 20s in 2018.

Quenton Nelson isn’t a bad consolation prize. I know the Bears took James Daniels in Round 2, and he started at left guard as a rookie in Chicago, but he’s also played on the right side in Chicago and Pittsburgh.

9. Roquan Smith, LB, Georgia

Original pick: Mike McGlinchey, OT, Notre Dame

This is a sprint-to-turn-the-card-in situation, especially since the 49ers took Fred Warner in real life and he’s long gone in this redraft.

10. Nick Chubb, RB, Georgia

Original pick: Josh Rosen, QB, UCLA

I gave serious consideration to tackles Orlando Brown Jr. and Mike McGlinchey here, but Chubb fills a big need, too. 

David Johnson rushed for 940 yards in 2018 but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. He played just one more year in Arizona, and in 2019, Kenyon Drake led the team in rushing in just eight games while Johnson was third behind rookie Kyler Murray.

Chubb was a workhorse in Cleveland before a serious knee injury in 2023, and in Arizona, he would’ve been a huge asset in the backfield alongside Murray.

1. Drake Maye, QB, UNC 

Original pick: Caleb Williams, QB, USC

I’d have no issue running it back with Caleb here, but the made-up, arbitrary rules of the redraft forbid it. 

So MVP candidate Drake Maye it is — and it’s an easy decision given how well he played under trying circumstances in 2024 and how he made such a huge leap in Year 2 under Josh McDaniels. You have to imagine he’d have similar success playing for Ben Johnson.

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2. Caleb Williams, QB, USC 

Original pick: Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU

Duh. Williams made big strides in 2025, and his familiarity with former Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury makes this an easy choice. 

And I know we’re discounting injuries for our purposes here, but in the real world, Jayden Daniels missed a lot of the 2025 season because he couldn’t stay healthy. That hasn’t been a problem for Williams through his first two seasons.

3. Jayden Daniels, QB, LSU 

Original pick: Drake Maye, QB, North Carolina

Again, this selection doesn’t require a lot of thought. And it’s not hard to envision a healthy Daniels replicating a lot of what we saw from Maye this season.

Coming out of LSU, Daniels was an elite deep-ball passer, something Maye has excelled at in 2025. Both are top-flight athletes, with the biggest difference being weekly availability due to staying healthy.

4. Jared Verse, EDGE, Florida State

Original pick: Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Ohio State

The Cardinals used their second first-round pick on defensive end Darius Robinson, who has struggled to stay healthy, but that didn’t stop us from taking Jared Verse because a) he’s been healthy, b) he’s been incredibly disruptive and c) you can never have enough top-end pass rushers.

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5. Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

Original pick: Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Alt was a home run. He battled injuries in 2025, and I gave some consideration to taking JC Latham here because he’s been solid for the Titans, and he played right tackle in college. I also thought about Quinyon Mitchell but eventually landed on Malik Nabers.

I know the Chargers used a first-round pick on Quentin Johnston in 2023 … but they also used a high second-rounder on Ladd McConkey in 2024. Nabers is a legit No. 1, especially in a world where Justin Herbert is his QB.

6. Joe Alt, OT, Notre Dame

Original pick: Malik Nabers, WR, LSU

A lot of great options here — Alt, Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean (if you want more of a CB/S hybrid), even Brock Bowers. But Alt at right tackle, along with a healthy Andrew Thomas at left tackle, and maybe Brian Daboll doesn’t lose his job midway through last season.

7. Brock Bowers, TE, Georgia 

Original pick: JC Latham, OT, Alabama

The Titans had needs along the offensive line, for sure, but their receiving room in 2024 included Calvin Ridley, Tyler Boyd and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, with Chig Okonkwo, Josh Whyle and Nick Vannett in the tight end room. Put another way: Will Levis could have benefited from Bowers being on the field.

8. Quinyon Mitchell, CB, Toledo

Original pick: Michael Penix Jr., QB, Washington

Do you roll the dice on Bo Nix here? Maybe … but he’s a great example of the importance of fit, and he and Sean Payton have been a near-perfect marriage in Denver. I’m not sure that would’ve been replicable elsewhere.

Instead, we’re going with Quinyon Mitchell here, pairing him with A.J. Terrell for what could immediately give the Falcons two of the best cover cornerbacks in the league.

9. JC Latham, OT, Alabama

Original pick:  Rome Odunze, WR, Washington

Man, I’m tempted to take Marvin Harrison Jr. here, but Odunze has outplayed him. If I’m going with a receiver based on production, Brian Thomas Jr. or Ladd McConkey would have to be in the conversation.

Instead, though, let’s continue to beef up the offensive line. Darnell Wright is one of the best right tackles in football, and JC Latham — who played on the right side in college — has proven he can play left tackle in the NFL, which solves an issue still facing the Bears.

Plus, assuming their 2025 draft still includes Colston Loveland and Luther Burden III, swapping Odunze for Latham feels even more palatable.

10. Bo Nix, QB, Oregon

Original pick: J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan

I love the idea of Brian Thomas Jr., Ladd McConkey or Marvin Harrison Jr. paired with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, but they can’t throw the ball to themselves. (Unless we’re living in the same universe where the Vikes re-sign Sam Darnold or roll with Aaron Rodgers in 2025.)

Through two seasons, J.J. McCarthy hasn’t played like the No. 10 pick, and you can assign blame wherever you see fit. But I think Kevin O’Connell, QB whisperer, would be able to get more out of Bo Nix, similar to the production we’ve seen from the former Oregon QB in Denver.

If you think the Minnesota Vikings bungled a chance to obtain Drake Maye via trade in 2024, you’ve been fed false information. Former Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah had a deal in place for Maye, but New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft backed out at the last second. And with the Super Bowl a few days away, and Maye front and center, SI.com‘s Albert Breer reconfirmed the situation this week.

Some folks’ revisionist timeline keeps resurfacing, but the Vikings’ 2024 draft position and New England’s leverage made Maye a nonstarter.

Vikings fans will continue to think “What could have been?” on Maye, but he just wasn’t for sale.

The Maye Narrative Keeps Getting Rewritten

The end-all of the Maye-to-Minnesota fodder.

Breer on Maye to MIN

Breer published an article this week about Sam Darnold’s rise to power in Seattle, outlining the takeaways from that voyage.

Tucked in the article, he scribed this tidbit, “There’s the one caveat to all of this, which is that the Vikings tried with all their might to trade up for Drake Maye in 2024. O’Connell loved him. Maye was coached in high school by Vikings assistant Josh McCown and was a teammate of McCown’s son.”

“Minnesota offered both of its first-round picks in 2024 (Nos. 11 and 23) and its 2025 first-rounder to the Patriots, with later-round pick swaps favoring Minnesota to move up to the third pick.”

Since the 2024 NFL Draft, some Vikings fans have lived in fantasyland, believing Minnesota simply backed out of the Maye trade — a false assertion.

Breer added, “O’Connell pushed them to go further. It wouldn’t matter, because the Patriots weren’t moving, sitting there as convicted in Maye as Minnesota was in the former North Carolina quarterback.”

“But if the Vikings had somehow gotten the Patriots off their spot with Maye, all of this might look different, and the aforementioned rumblings probably would have stopped.”

Of course, there is a seismic difference between “the Vikings got cold feet when trading for Maye” and “the Patriots declined to trade the pick.” For some reason, many prefer the revisionist history of the former, which makes the Vikings’ front office look wickedly dumb.

Surprise, Surprise: The Patriots Got It Right

The Patriots have won six Super Bowls. Here’s a newsflash: that didn’t happen by accident, and it wasn’t only because the franchise showcased Tom Brady and Bill Belichick for two decades. It’s because the masterclass starts from the top, with Kraft calling the shots.

And facing a decision to trade the third overall pick — basically Maye — to Minnesota or another suitor, Kraft could’ve easily pulled the lever to receive a king’s ransom deal. He had that option; the Vikings floated it, in fact. Kraft could’ve outfitted his roster with oodles of notable draft assets.

Yet, he recognized that Maye had the special sauce. For an organization that became mostly irrelevant after Brady left in 2020, Kraft needed a premier quarterback to end the doldrums. He stuck to his guns, declined Minnesota’s offer, and picked Maye.

He got it right not to sell; that’s what football icons do.

Maye in the Super Bowl; Vikings Pondering the 2026 QB1

Meanwhile, Maye is headed toward Super Bowl immortality — against Sam Darnold, “the other guy” the Vikings let walk. So, if you’re keeping score at home — you are — that’s two quarterbacks somewhat linked to Minnesota who will play in Super Bowl LX on Sunday.

What do the Vikings have lined up for QB1 in 2026? Nobody knows. They could roll with J.J. McCarthy, who struggled in 2025 and has missed 70% of all games in his career. They could trade for Kyler Murray. They could sign Malik Willis from free agency. They could sign a journeyman backup like Jimmy Garoppolo and call it good. Kirk Cousins might even be available next month.

The moral of the story? Adofo-Mensah was fired due to poor drafts and possibly a side dish of the Darnold gaffe — not because Robert Kraft declined a trade request.

Accumulating Blame on Adofo-Mensah after His Termination

Moreover, with Adofo-Mensah out of the way, there’s been a rush to assign everything bad that’s happened in the last four years to his name, with the temptation to pump O’Connell up as the maestro of the good.

That’s rather convenient and is probably unfair to Adofo-Mensah, who preached a collaborative approach with O’Connell from the day the two were announced as the new leaders in 2022.

O’Connell shares ownership of the McCarthy selection, and just because he wanted Maye — so did Adofo-Mensah — doesn’t mean that the Vikings are fools for not landing him two years ago. He wasn’t gettable. Breer’s reporting level-set history all over again.

You can’t buy something that’s not for sale.

Kun Khalifat FC have made a U-turn less than 48 hours after announcing their withdrawal from the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL).

In a statement signed by CEO Michael Amaefula on Thursday, February 5, 2026, the club confirmed their return following constructive talks with the League Management Board.

“Kun Khalifat FC is pleased to announce its return to the Nigerian Premier Football League (NPFL) following positive discussions with the League Management Board. The club had earlier withdrawn from the league citing unfair treatment and disproportionate sanctions,” Amaefula said.

He expressed delight at the dialogue with the NPFL. “We are happy to put our differences behind us and focus on the beautiful game. We appreciate the League Management Board’s willingness to listen and address our concerns. We look forward to a more collaborative and productive relationship moving forward,” he added.

The club has been reinstated and is set to resume its NPFL campaign immediately. Kun Khalifat FC will face Shooting Stars of Ibadan at the Dan Anyiam Stadium in Owerri on Sunday, February 8, 2026.

“We are calling on all our fans in Owerri and beyond to come out in their numbers to support the team. This is a crucial match for us, and we need the backing of our supporters to get a positive result,” Amaefula said.

He also thanked the club’s fans for their patience and loyalty. “Kun Khalifat FC acknowledges the patience and loyalty of our fans during this challenging period and appreciate your continued support. The club is committed to entertaining the people of Owerri with exciting football and we promise an unforgettable experience for all who attend the games. The management of KFC is optimistic about a successful return to action and is counting on the energy and passion of our supporters to drive the team forward.”

Ticket information and other match details will be announced soon, with the club looking forward to welcoming fans back to the Dan Anyiam Stadium.

Kun Khalifat FC had initially withdrawn from the league on February 3, 2026, following sanctions imposed for failing to honour their Matchday 24 game against El-Kanemi Warriors. The NPFL awarded the match 3–0 to El-Kanemi and deducted three points from Kun Khalifat, while also imposing a ₦10 million fine, suspended for the rest of the season if no further offences occurred.

The club had described the punishment as “outrageous and disproportionate” and accused the league of bias and lack of transparency, saying: “We cannot continue to be part of a system that disregards the well-being of its member clubs and prioritises punishment over fairness and justice.”

The reversal marks a fresh start for Kun Khalifat as they aim to refocus on their league campaign with the support of their fans.

Manchester City have spent millions in recent transfer windows amid the wait for a possible points deduction from their ongoing legal battle with the Premier League

Manchester City’s transfer spending should come as no surprise despite them waiting for the verdict of their 115 alleged breaches, according to football finance expert Kieran Maguire.

City were charged with breaching regulations over nine years, from 2009 to 2018. The hearing concluded over a year ago, and a verdict has yet to be issued.

The club released its annual report in December and confirmed that there had been no resolution as of the date of publication. This week marks four years since the charges were first presented, and there is no clear timeline for an outcome.

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In the summer, City spent big to bring in Tijjani Reijnders, Rayan Ait-Nouri, Rayan Cherki, Gianluigi Donnarumma, and James Trafford. January saw them spend over £50million to sign Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guehi.

Much has been made about City’s spending and how it makes a mockery of the Premier League, with them allegedly spending significant sums of money despite being accused of breaching financial rules. However, Maguire has claimed that, from conversations he’s had with people at the club, it’s business as usual.

“If Man City are innocent of the charges and I’ve spoken to one or two people at the club, they say, ‘if we’ve done nothing wrong, why can’t we conduct our business in similar lines to that of the other clubs’,” he told The Manchester Evening News.

“Chelsea have 70-odd charges against them from the football association and they are buying players. Leicester City have had charges against them from the Premier League and those charges are probably eight or nine months outstanding now.

“What we are seeing now is the wheels of football justice are turning very slowly and the basic law is innocent until proven otherwise and City should be allowed to buy players.

“If they are found guilty, the punishment’s going to be very severe, and I think you’d find an awful lot of those players would be on the sale side of City.”

SAN FRANCISCO – NFL referees are under the biggest microscope they have ever been. With cameras from every angle and the slowest of motions possible, it’s quite easy to criticize officiating from the couch.

But Rob Gronkowski, who watches plenty of football as part of “NFL on FOX,” believes the league needs to do something to increase the quality of calls.

‘Officiating’s been up in the air. I don’t want to sit here and really criticize officiating because it’s really tough. It’s really tough to do that. It is a split second. You gotta make a call, throw a penalty flag, and kind of remember what you saw right on the spot. So it’s tough,” Gronkowski told Fox News Digital on radio row.

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Rob Gronkowski of the New England Patriots argues with field judge Mike Weatherford after receiving a penalty for his late hit on Tre’Davious White of the Buffalo Bills during NFL game action at New Era Field on Dec. 3, 2017, in Buffalo, New York.  (Tom Szczerbowski/Getty Images)

Gronkowski’s solution is one that you may not even know is a fact.

“I think officiating should, they should get paid very well and compensated well, and they should be full-time. From what I hear, they’re not full-time, and they have other jobs as well. That makes absolutely no sense,” Gronkowski said adamantly. 

New England Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski  argues his case to New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, left, and an on field official after an altercation. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)

ROB GRONKOWSKI JOKES ABOUT TOM BRADY’S HALL OF FAME CANDIDACY AFTER BILL BELICHICK, ROBERT KRAFT MISS OUT

“This is a multi-billion-dollar industry. These officials need to be paid big dollars, but also they need to be putting the time and work in 24/7 throughout the whole year. Yeah, they can have a little time off in the summer, but they got to be around the game of football at all times. And I think that will help, you know, the game’s called in a better way because I don’t want to criticize, but there have been some absolutely terrible calls, and it’s very inconsistent… That needs to stop, and I think that would stop, you know, if they’re full-time.”

Officials found themselves in the limelight earlier this postseason during the Denver Broncos–Buffalo Bills divisional-round matchup. Brandin Cooks had a ball taken away from him by Broncos defensive back Ja’Quan McMillan after he seemingly completed the catch. The referees ruled it an interception, taking the ball away from the Bills. Buffalo was called for two defensive flags on Denver’s ensuing drive.

Denver Broncos cornerback Ja’quan McMillian intercepts a pass intended for Buffalo Bills wide receiver Brandin Cooks during overtime of an AFC Divisional Round playoff game at Empower Field at Mile High.  (Ron Chenoy/Imagn Images)

Goodell defended officials during his pre-Super Bowl LX press conference on Monday.

“I’m so amazed at how good our officials are. We spend time all week looking at various angles and still debating it a week later. These guys have to make a split-second decision, and the men and women on our field are incredible. I think they’ve proven over and over again they’re really wonderful at what they do,” he said.

“On the other hand, it’s a difficult sport to officiate. It’s fast. It’s quick. And we have to be able to use technology, in my view, to try to prevent the obvious errors. Now, they’re not all obvious. I think, depending on which team you’re for, they’re obvious in your eyes potentially. But at the end of the day, we see that if there’s an obvious error, we need to be able to fix it. And I think technology can help that.”

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Shawn Smith has been named the head official for Super Bowl LX on Sunday, marking his first time leading a crew in the big game.

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Monank Patel, Dilpreet Bajwa and Jatinder Singh (X)

With Suryakumar Yadav leading India into the T20 World Cup 2026, much of the attention will naturally centre on the hosts. Yet beyond India’s title defence, the tournament carries another fascinating Indian connection — several associate nations will be captained by players of Indian origin, adding an extra narrative to the global event. Co-hosted by India and Sri Lanka, the 2026 edition will feature associate sides such as the Netherlands, USA, Nepal, Namibia, Oman, UAE and Canada, all arriving with growing confidence and ambition. Having battled through demanding qualification pathways, these teams are no longer content with simply taking part. They are intent on challenging established sides and leaving a mark on the tournament.

The gap between associate teams and full members has steadily narrowed in recent years. The Netherlands have repeatedly sprung surprises at ICC events, supported by a solid domestic system and players with county and franchise exposure. USA and Canada have benefited from expanding domestic competitions and increased international opportunities, while Nepal continue to draw strength from passionate crowds and a strong spin culture. Namibia’s rise has been built on discipline and tactical clarity, while Oman and UAE bring valuable experience from multiple ICC tournaments and an ability to handle pressure situations. For Indian fans, the presence of Indian-origin captains leading associate sides adds another layer of intrigue — leaders keen to prove their credentials on the biggest stage.Monank Patel (USA) Monank Patel’s journey to international leadership has been far from conventional. Born on May 1, 1993, in Anand, Gujarat, he progressed through India’s age-group system, representing Gujarat at Under-16 and Under-19 level and even sharing the field with Jasprit Bumrah in his junior days. Despite early promise, his path in Indian cricket stalled.

After securing a green card in 2010, Monank moved permanently to the United States in 2013. At one stage, he seriously considered stepping away from the game altogether. Instead, he rebuilt his career from the ground up, making his international debut for USA in both ODIs and T20Is in 2019. Since then, he has been the backbone of the USA batting line-up, scoring 2,288 ODI runs at an average of 34.66, with three centuries and 18 half-centuries. In T20Is, he has also registered a century against the Bahamas. Appointed captain in 2021, Monank led USA to a historic victory over Pakistan at the 2024 T20 World Cup, earning the Player of the Match award. His performances in Major League Cricket for MI New York, including a career-best 93 in 2025, have further highlighted his ability to deliver in big moments.Dilpreet Bajwa (Canada) Dilpreet Singh Bajwa has emerged as one of the most exciting young batters in associate cricket and now carries the responsibility of leading Canada. Born on January 26, 2003, in Gurdaspur, Punjab, Bajwa’s early cricketing education took place in India. He trained at the Government College grounds under coach Rakesh Marshal and studied at Guru Arjun Dev School in Dhariwal, following the traditional age-group pathway with long hours in the nets.

Before leaving India, Bajwa produced a standout innings of 130 in an Under-19 match against Patiala, an effort widely expected to earn him selection for the Punjab Under-19 side. When that opportunity did not materialise, his family made a decisive move. In 2020, with his father Harpreet Singh working in the Agriculture Department and his mother Harleen Kaur a government school teacher, the family relocated to Canada. Bajwa made his T20I debut in September 2023 against Bermuda and his ODI debut in February 2024 against Nepal. In T20Is, he has already scored four half-centuries at a strike rate of 133.22. He also created history in Global T20 Canada by becoming the first Canadian to score a century, finishing unbeaten on 100 from 55 balls. Appointed captain for the T20 World Cup 2026, Bajwa is central to Canada’s long-term ambitions.Jatinder Singh (Oman) Jatinder Singh’s rise is rooted in persistence rather than privilege. Born on March 5, 1989, in Ludhiana, Punjab, he moved to Oman at a young age and began his cricketing journey without the support of formal academies. His early development came on cement wickets, followed by Astro turf, before transitioning to turf cricket in 2011 — a progression that shaped his adaptability.

Inspired first by Sachin Tendulkar’s discipline and later by Virat Kohli’s intensity and fitness standards, Jatinder steadily worked his way through Oman’s domestic structure. A right-handed top-order batter, he made his T20I debut in 2015 and his ODI debut in 2019, quickly becoming a mainstay of the national side. In ODIs, he has accumulated 1,704 runs, including four centuries and nine half-centuries, with a highest score of 118 against Papua New Guinea. In T20Is, he leads Oman’s run charts with 1,605 runs from 72 matches. Appointed captain in 2025, Jatinder guided Oman to their maiden Asia Cup qualification, marking a landmark moment for both player and country. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, these Indian-origin leaders will not only carry the hopes of their teams but also embody the global spread and evolving depth of the modern game.

England Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed the extent of a nasty facial injury after being struck flush on the face by a cricket ball during a training session. The all-rounder shared an image on Instagram showing a badly bruised and swollen right eye, a cut on his cheek and lip, and a bandage packed into his nose.

Ben Stokes Insta story

Despite the severity of the blow, Stokes took the incident in good humour, captioning the post: “You should see the state of the cricket ball,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.

Stokes is currently not part of England’s white-ball plans and will miss the upcoming T20 World Cup. He is expected to make his return during England’s Test series against New Zealand in June. The incident comes in the aftermath of a difficult Ashes campaign for England, which ended in a heavy 4-1 defeat in Australia. Expectations had been high ahead of the tour, with England aiming to win the Ashes Down Under for the first time since 2010–11. However, defeats in the first three Tests meant Australia retained the urn within 11 days. England managed a consolation win in the Boxing Day Test at the MCG before losing the series finale in Sydney. Stokes himself endured a tough series with the bat, averaging just 18.40 across 10 innings. He was more effective with the ball, finishing with 15 wickets at an average of 25.13. His leadership also came under scrutiny. Fast bowling legend James Anderson questioned Stokes’ public praise of his players following the defeat, expressing surprise at the tone of the captain’s comments. “When I saw Stokes come out and say, the way (Josh) Tongue and (Brydon) Carse have just run in like consistently, I had a Roy Keane moment,” Anderson said on BBC Radio. “I was like, that’s your job. If you’re not willing to run in all day for your team, don’t bother. You’re in the wrong sport.” Stokes defended his side after the fifth Test, insisting effort and commitment were not the issue. “We’ve dropped a lot of catches on this tour which have been very costly to the overall situation of the games. In terms up of stepping up, I can never fault anyone’s commitment or energy that they’ve given into this. We haven’t performed well, we know that, we hold our hands up to that. But no one should question the care and commitment to try and go out there and give it your absolute best. It’s just been down to the lack of execution,” he said. Stokes later admitted he had made significant mistakes as captain during the series. England’s tour was also marred by off-field controversy, with a mid-series trip to Noosa drawing attention amid reports of a drinking culture within the camp. As Stokes recovers from his facial injury, the focus now shifts to his return in the longest format, where England will hope for a reset after a bruising Ashes campaign, both on and off the field.

Are you excited to see what plan of action the Minnesota Vikings concoct at quarterback? If so, the verdict could arrive sooner rather than later if head coach + de facto personnel general manager Kevin O’Connell uses a trade for his next quarterback. Splashy trades have occurred in the NFL, well, right about now on the calendar.

The calendar has produced real QB deals in this stretch before, and Minnesota’s situation makes an early move feel realistic.

If O’Connell, interim general manager Rob Brzezinski, and Brian Flores pull the trigger on a quarterback trade, news of the deal doesn’t have to wait until March.

The NFL Calendar Has Precedent for QB Trades … Right Now

Yes, trades are basically fair game in January and February.

The January and February Trade Examples

On January 30th, 2018, the Kansas City Chiefs ended the Alex Smith era via trade to the Washington Commanders, leaning full tilt into Patrick Mahomes, a decision that would net three Super Bowl trophies and counting. Smith attempted to latch on to the Commanders, but that didn’t really pan out.

On January 30th, 2021, the Los Angeles Rams conducted an NFL landscape-changing deal by shipping Jared Goff and draft picks to the Detroit Lions for Matthew Stafford. The swap changed each team and the league forever, culminating in a Rams’ Super Bowl triumph one year later. Goff became a Top 12 quarterback in Detroit, whisking that then-sad franchise back to relevance.

On February 18, 2021, the Indianapolis Colts attempted to put their foot down, hoping to solve the quarterback spot once and for all by acquiring Carson Wentz from the Philadelphia Eagles for draft picks.

All these deals happened [checks notes] right now on the calendar. There’s no rule stating teams must wait on the trade framework until March. O’Connell can wheel and deal right now if he chooses.

For the Vikings, Why Wait?

Unless Minnesota has sights set on a free agent, like Malik Willis, there’s no reason to wait to work the trade phones. Of course, nobody is absolutely sure if the Vikings prefer to swing for the fences at quarterback or if a veteran backup like Jimmy Garoppolo or Case Keenum would do the trick.

If O’Connell wants the former option — obtaining a big name to compete with McCarthy or flatly takes his job — he may want to act now. Between the Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Vikings, a new quarterback might be on the menu for all three teams, especially if Aaron Rodgers retires.

In that vein, for whichever passer Minnesota has in mind, it’s better to agree to trade terms now — like Smith, Stafford, Goff, and Wentz — than to wait until free agency or the draft. The early bird gets the worm.

Code for Kyler Murray?

So, what exactly are we talking about here? It could be an obvious code for Kyler Murray.

The Cardinals have reportedly reached the end of the road with the 28-year-old, hiring a new head coach last week and likely wanting a fresh start after Murray took Arizona to the postseason just once in seven years. Think of it this way: if the Vikings had the same QB1 since 2019 and the club reached the playoffs one time, wouldn’t you want them to try something different?

That’s where the Cardinals are entering the 2026 offseason.

Because Murray’s stock is low and his contract is fat, the team that trades for him can probably ship a 2nd- or 3rd-Rounder to the desert and call it good. Why not the Vikings? Why not in February?

Bleacher Report‘s Doric Sam noted on a Murray trade last week, “The relationship between Arizona and franchise quarterback Kyler Murray became strained during Jonathan Gannon’s tenure. Murray was limited to just five games this past season due to a foot injury, and there has been rampant speculation that he could be parting ways with the Cardinals this offseason.”

“ESPN’s Josh Weinfuss reported last month that ‘multiple sources’ said that Murray’s ‘trade value increased’ following Oregon quarterback Dante Moore’s announcement that he was returning to the Ducks. The Cardinals could wipe the slate clean for LaFleur by shipping away the 2019 No. 1 pick if they get an offer they can’t refuse.”

Non-Murray Candidates

If Murray is not Minnesota’s trade target, there are two lists. Here’s the realistic one of quarterback options:

• Drew Lock
• Davis Mills
• Jalen Milroe
• Mac Jones
• Will Levis
• Spencer Rattler
• Anthony Richardson
• Zach Wilson

And the dream-big list, courtesy of starry-eyed Vikings fans:

• Baker Mayfield
• Joe Burrow
• Justin Herbert
• Lamar Jackson

It’s worth noting that Murray lives right in the middle of these lists — probably why he’s inside Minnesota’s rumor mill at a fever pitch.

Overall, remember that a would-be Vikings quarterback trade could hit your phone notifications at any minute.