After the Kyler Murray signing, I figured the Vikings were set at quarterback, with Murray and J.J. McCarthy dueling for the starting spot while both tried to stay healthy, and Max Brosmer would continue to develop as a cheap third QB.

Then the news hit that the Vikings re-signed Carson Wentz to a one-year, $3 million contract with a $1.1 million signing bonus and $2.645 million guaranteed, according to Spotrac. My first thought was that this further muddies the waters at the most important position for the Vikings.

My second thought was that they want to make sure they don’t ever go into a game with a rookie QB starting his first NFL game against the eventual Super Bowl champs, which was the case in the 26-0 Week 13 shutout in Seattle, when Brosmer had a dismal performance.

How Wentz’s Return Reshapes the Vikings’ QB Hierarchy

That won’t happen in 2026 with two QBs in Murray and Wentz, who have 186 regular-season starts (and two playoff starts) between them, plus McCarthy started 10 games last season, and Brosmer had two starts.

This assumes both Murray and Wentz make the team, which is not automatic, since neither player has a big dead-money hit if cut or traded due to poor performance, bad chemistry in the QB room, or a trade offer too good to pass up. The 23-year-old McCarthy is not going anywhere after the team invested the No. 10 overall pick (in 2024) in him as a potential future franchise QB, and despite his early struggles as injuries piled up, he is 6-4 as an NFL starter.

Yet the fact that Murray and Wentz are in the house tells us Kevin O’Connell is not yet convinced that McCarthy can be counted on in 2026 to be consistent and accurate enough to lead an offense with plenty of supporting talent, and adds the caveat that he has not yet had an injury-free season.

Which brings me to my next thought on the Vikings quarterback situation and McCarthy specifically.

What if O’Connell decides to give McCarthy another red-shirt year and goes with Murray as the starter and Wentz as the No. 2 this season? That will mean McCarthy would be through his third NFL accrued season, as he received an accrued season in his rookie year of 2024, since he was on IR for at least six games, and a second accrued season in 2025.

As he then heads into his fourth season in 2027, the Vikings will be faced with a deadline around May 1 next year to exercise the fifth-year option for McCarthy’s rookie contract at a fully guaranteed amount of an estimated $23 million. If McCarthy rides the bench this season, how could the Vikings make that commitment to a still unproven player with an injury history?

The team could then be looking at what the Giants dealt with after they didn’t exercise Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option in 2022 and wound up overpaying him on a $40 million per year deal when he did have a very good season in that final year of his four-year rookie deal (including his playoff win over the Vikings) before injuries and poor play derailed him in New York. Jones wound up in Indianapolis last year, where he played well enough before tearing his Achilles in Week 14 to earn a two-year deal that could reach $100 million with incentives.

And what if Murray plays well, stays healthy, and leads the Vikings on a playoff run this season? Then the Vikings won’t want a repeat of Sam Darnold leaving for Seattle after his 14-win season, so Murray would likely be re-signed to at least a three-year deal in 2027 with no fifth-year option for McCarthy, who would remain in a backup role for his fourth season and almost certainly sign elsewhere in 2028. Thus, another No. 1 pick down the drain for the Vikings, and the fear McCarthy—still only 26 years old—flourishes for another team.

There are so many ways this Vikings QB drama can play out over the next few years, beginning at OTAs in the coming months, through training camp/preseason, and into the upcoming season.

The Vikings certainly wish McCarthy had not hurt his knee and sat on IR for his rookie season and that he would have played better early last season and not sprained his ankle to open the door for Wentz (who as we know played so-so—2-3 record in five starts with six TD passes, five interceptions and a lackluster 85.8 passer rating—but he’ll have a better handle on O’Connell’s offense this year as will McCarthy after his 10 starts with a strong finish but it was not enough to prevent the arrival of Murray and the return of Wentz).

The good news for the team is that the combined 2026 salary cap hit for their four QBs is only $11.3 million. The bad news is the uncertainty at such a critical position.

Yet I understand why O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski decided to load up with Murray and Wentz, despite further muddying the waters for McCarthy and, to some extent, Murray. More options create more competition and protection against a repeat of the injuries that hit the QB room last year.

The best-case scenario for the Vikings is McCarthy taking a major step forward this season by claiming the starting role through improved play if he gets the chance due to Murray faltering in a new system or getting hurt again (he missed 21 games over the last three seasons with knee and foot injuries), and O’Connell going with McCarthy over Wentz.

And McCarthy leading the team back to the playoffs and on a playoff run to cement his position moving forward to the point the Vikings exercise his fifth-year option (while waiting for another quality season from McCarthy before he gets a huge second contract).

One thing is for sure: there will be an abundance of quarterback drama and fan interest in the Vikings QB battle this year.

Around the NFL free agency/trade observations

1. Instead of opening the 2026 NFL season on Thursday in Week 1, which is the usual custom for the defending Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks will host the opener on Wednesday, September 9, to allow for a Thursday night game in Melbourne, Australia between the Rams and 49ers.

That will be the first of a record nine international games this coming season. Other sites are London (three games), Munich, Mexico City, Rio de Janeiro, Madrid, and Paris.

Early speculation is that the Seahawks will host either the Patriots (in a Super Bowl rematch), the Chiefs, the Cowboys, or the Bears in the Week 1 opener. Patrick Mahomes posted a video of himself in a throwing session as he continues his rehab following ACL surgery in December.

He is targeting a Week 1 return, and given his competitiveness and dedication, I don’t doubt he’ll play in the opener, which could be in Seattle, to play up the drama of his possible return.

The Vikings have been regulars on the international circuit in recent years but may get the year off after playing back-to-back last season in Dublin and London (with a loss to the Steelers and a win over the Browns).

As a former team travel coordinator for the Vikings early in my career, I was in charge of preseason game trips to London and Sweden, so I understand all too well the logistical challenges of playing overseas.

2. With the news that the negotiations for a new CBA between the NFL and the NFL Referees Association are not going well at this stage, it brings up the possibility of a work stoppage that would force the use of replacement officials early in the upcoming season.

The last time that happened was during the first three weeks of the 2012 season, and it did not go well for the league, with plenty of controversy and unhappy coaches and players due to the relatively poor job the replacement officials did compared to the regular officials. For the sake of the sport, let’s hope this labor issue gets resolved before the season.

Jeff Diamond is a former Vikings GM, former Tennessee Titans President and was selected NFL Executive of the Year … More about Jeff Diamond

Gujarat Titans have significantly expanded their commercial portfolio ahead of IPL 2026, onboarding a total of 37 partners as the franchise continues to strengthen its brand presence. The development reflects not just an increase in numbers but a broader strategy focused on long-term value, deeper collaborations, and a diversified partnership ecosystem.

Since their title-winning debut in 2022, Gujarat Titans have steadily built a reputation for consistency on and off the field. The current mix of partnerships — ranging from renewals to new additions — highlights sustained trust in the franchise’s growing stature and its ability to deliver visibility and engagement.

Strong on-kit partnerships anchor ecosystem

At the centre of the Titans’ commercial structure is a well-established on-kit portfolio. Birla Estates continues as the principal partner, occupying the prime front-of-jersey position. The association reflects a long-term alignment between the brand and the franchise’s ambitions.

New integrations enhance match-day visibility

Gujarat Titans have also added fresh partnerships to boost on-field visibility. Brands such as Google Pixel, Grew Solar, and IGI have joined the ecosystem, ensuring a strong presence across match-day assets.

Equitas has also upgraded its association, moving from helmet branding to a more prominent position on the team jersey. The shift indicates growing confidence among partners in the franchise’s reach and engagement potential.

Diversified portfolio reflects wider reach

Beyond the playing kit, the franchise has focused on building a diverse and future-ready partner mix. Technology-driven collaborations, including those with Google’s platforms, are aimed at enhancing digital engagement and fan interaction, while AirAsia brings a lifestyle and travel dimension to the portfolio.

Consumer-facing brands such as Campa, Budweiser 0.0, Amul, Dream11, and Scapia continue to strengthen mass appeal. At the same time, partnerships with gaming and youth-focused platforms such as Krafton, Pokémon, and Big Ant highlight the team’s push towards engaging younger audiences.

Expansion into emerging and service sectors

The Titans have also broadened their footprint across emerging and service-driven categories. Associations with Bharat Taxi, Finkeda, Next Care Inc., HCG Hospital, and Max Fresh add value across mobility, fintech, healthcare, and personal care segments, reflecting a more holistic commercial strategy.

Focus on fan engagement and accessibility

Fan experience remains a central pillar, with BookMyShow continuing as the ticketing partner, ensuring streamlined access to matches. Radio partnerships with Mirchi and Fever are expected to enhance regional outreach and audience engagement throughout the season.

Merchandise push extends brand presence

Off the field, Gujarat Titans are expanding their retail and merchandise footprint through collaborations with T10, EM, Hapipola, Baller Athletik, Versant, Chupps, Cricket Icons, and Valiente. These partnerships aim to take the franchise brand beyond stadiums and into everyday consumer spaces.

Franchise targets long-term value creation

The franchise leadership believes the growing partner base reflects increasing confidence in the Titans’ vision and identity. The management indicated that these collaborations are focused not just on visibility but on building long-term relationships that deliver consistent value both on and off the field.

Betting sign up offers and free bets are available from betting sites for signing up and betting online.

At The Independent, our experts have used their impartial and detailed analysis to find new and existing customers the best betting sign up offers and free bets on the market.

We have stringent criteria when it comes to picking our top betting offers available. Our experts focus on accessibility, flexibility, fairness, key terms and conditions and regularity when selecting the best options out there.

Every betting site that we recommend is licensed and regulated by United Kingdom Gambling Commission, ensuring that new and existing customers are using a reputable betting operator.

Free bets can be claimed from betting sites by new and existing customers, allowing bettors to bet without risking their own money.

Terms and conditions are attached to free bets and betting offers. Usually, bettors must deposit or stake a qualifying amount to claim a free bet, which can be used on selected sports and events.

Wagering requirements can be attached to free bet offers, which means winnings must be played through a set number of times before you can withdraw funds as cash, but this is more common on casino sites.

Types of free bets

Free bets are straightforward to use for customers, although the way they can be deployed may differ depending on your chosen bookmaker.

Usually, betting sites will have a box or toggle on your bet slip that users can tick or move to confirm free bets on their bet.

An important note. If your bet wins, you only keep the profit, the free bet stake itself isn’t returned.

Bookmakers may require you to use free bets in precise portions, such as £5 or £10, while others will allow you to bet with amounts of your choosing until you’ve used up your balance.

Here are the latest betting sign up offers and free bets available for this week’s major sporting events.

Here are the standout betting offers on the market for users broken down into strength of category.

Coral – Best low-stake betting sign up offer

Coral offer the best low stake betting sign up offer allowing new customers to secure £30 in free bets after signing up and betting just £5 on any sports bet of their choice.

There’s plenty of flexibility over where users can place their qualifying bet. Customers can choose any sport with odds of 1/2 odds or greater, only Bet365 has a lower threshold among welcome offers, but their value is not as high as Coral’s.

Time is also on your side using Coral. Customers can take up to 14 days after sign up to make their first bet and still qualify for the betting sign up offer.

Payout is also prompt as soon as your qualifying bet settles. Coral will credit your account with £30 in free bets within 24 hours. These free bets are paid out in 6 x £5 free bets, giving customers plenty of scope to use their funds.

These free bets are fairly flexible as 4 x £5 free bets available to use on any sport on Coral, while the remaining £10 free bet balance is reserved for 1 x £5 football bet builder and a 1x £5 horse racing bet builder.

It’s arguaaly the best £5 deposit betting site around as customers secure a 600% return from their first deposit and bet. For first-time bettors it’s a perfect betting sign up offer for value.

Betano – Best football betting sign up offer

Betano is the best option for punters looking for free bets at leading football betting sites, with the Betano sign up offer providing £50 in free bets with an initial wager of just £10 (an excellent return for a low entry stake).

The offer includes a straightforward qualifying bet with minimum odds of evens and no accumulator required, while the 30-day expiry on free bets gives users flexibility, with plenty of time to use bonuses.

This new betting site provides great variety on its football markets – from match odds and BTTS to goalscorers, correct scores and much more – and users will also find regular offers and promotions once signed up to the site.

Tote – Best for horse racing free bets

The Tote betting sign up offer is an excellent choice for horse racing fans, with a £10 bet returning £30 in racing value – a strong 3x reward for such a low qualifying stake.

The offer provides £20 in Tote Credit for horse racing – which is ideal for pools, exotics, and Tote-only markets – as well as £10 in free bets to use on the sportsbook, offering plenty of flexibility for new customers.

The qualifying bet simply need to be a £10 wager on any sport (with some exclusions, though win, place, or pool bets all count) at odds of evens or greater, and winnings are fully withdrawable, with Tote Credit profits available to be cashed out, keeping risk low.

Tote also guarantee boosts payouts paid at SP or better, adding an extra upside for horse racing bettors and making Tote the best choice among horse racing betting sites.

Bet365 – Best for moneyback as a free bet

Bet365 have recently launched its moneyback specials across a number of sports, including football and horse racing, as well as a range of major events.

Customers can wager up to £10 and will receive their stake back in free bets if their bet fails. The system is simple for claiming the betting offer, with users ticking the ‘Money Back As Free Bets’ box on their bet slip to qualify.

Free bets are usually credited within a matter of hours, but it can take up to 24 hours. Free bet credits can be used anywhere on one of the best betting sites in the business with no limit on where and how your credits can be spent.

Bet365 moneyback specials are most common on football, and notably the Premier League where the highlight games of the week are covered with a moneyback special notably on Saturday and Sunday evenings, although Champions League and Europa League midweek games have also featured this betting offer.

The nuts and bolts of the requirements are as follows. Customers must place a qualifying bet builder on the eligible game or event, with bet builders needing only evens (2.0) or higher odds.

Bet365 also attaches its Sub Play On feature on football bet builders in conjunction with the moneyback special, which keeps bets alive even if a player is subbed.

Virgin Bet – Best free bet club

Existing customers can use the weekly Virgin Bet rewards club to claim £5 in free bets for placing qualifying accas.

Users only need to opt-in on the promotion before placing four £5 accas with odds of 2/1 or greater between Monday to Sunday, making these qualifying stakes smaller than most rival free bet clubs.

Virgin Bet have an extremely low minimum odds requirement to use your free bet at 1/100.

You’re spoiled for choice, and better yet, there are no restrictions where you can use your bonus.

In addition, the seven-day expiry gives plenty of time to use the bonus, meaning the free bet club offers huge flexibility.

After the qualifying bets have settled, Virgin Bet pays out the £5 free acca bet into your account and to activate the free bet offer, simply use the toggle on your bet slip to use up the credits.

Below, we’ve provided some detail on common traps that users can fall into when claiming free bets:

Stake not returned on free bets

Not all free bet offers return the original stake if your bet wins. For example, a £10 free bet at 3/1 pays £30 profit, not £40; always factor this in when comparing headline free bet amounts.

Short expiry windows

Free bets usually expire within 5-7 days of being credited, and occasionally less. Unused free bets are removed automatically once they expire, so casual or infrequent bettors can lose value this way.

Remember to always check the expiry date as soon as the free bet is added.

Bet builder or market restrictions

Some free bets are limited to certain types of use. For example, some are football bet builders only, accumulator bets or bets fixed to specific sports, leagues or events. These restrictions reduce flexibility and can increase risk.

Bet builder-only free bets often require multiple selections to win, meaning long odds, and it is the same with accas. Remember to check eligible markets before placing your qualifying bet.

Minimum odds requirements

Betting offers may require minimum odds on either the qualifying bet or the free bet itself, and sometimes both. Higher odds thresholds can push bettors toward riskier selections, while a smaller free bet with low odds requirements can offer better value.

Cash-Out and In-Play exclusions

Remember that cashing out a qualifying bet often voids eligibility for the offer. Some free bets also cannot be used on in-play markets.

These exclusions are commonly hidden in the T&Cs, so avoid cashing out unless you’re sure it won’t affect the promotion.

Wagering requirements and bonus conditions

Wagering is uncommon on free bets, but it is not unheard of. Some promotions attach extra conditions to winnings or follow-on bonuses instead.

Offers requiring winnings to be wagered multiple times reduce real value, while simpler “bet and get” free bets are usually the safest option.

Before a bookmaker makes our list of free bet offers, they must meet key criteria to ensure a high-quality betting experience.

1. Licensing

Only sites with a valid UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) licence are considered on our list of recommended operators.

The UKGC ensures fair play and consumer protection, working alongside independent testing agencies like eCOGRA. If a bookmaker isn’t regulated, it’s not safe – anyone can verify a licence via the UKGC register.

2. Security

Every bookmaker we recommend must implement high-quality security measures such as SSL encryption and two-factor authentication to protect customer data.

3. Reputation

Reputation also plays a role – established brands like Betfred, William Hill and Bet365 consistently rank highly with us, but we also highlight new, reputable operators such as BetMGM when their free bet offers meet our expectations.

4. Mobile

With most bets now placed on phones and tablets, mobile betting functionality is essential.

Bookmakers with dedicated betting apps that mirror the desktop experience are given preference, and we also consider user app reviews from the Apple and Google Play stores.

5. Experience

The customer experience is equally crucial – we rigorously test bookmaker support channels, favouring those that provide fast, effective resolutions.

Ultimately, our rankings focus on the quality of the free bet offers, but we also take into account matters including odds restrictions, timeframe to both unlock free bet offers and use your bonus funds, wagering requirements and available payment methods.

6. Value

Operators that provide valuable betting sign up offers, competitive terms, and ongoing free bet promotions for returning customers get the highest ratings.

If you decide to engage with any of the online betting sites highlighted on this page, remember to gamble responsibly, even when using free bets and betting sign up offers.

When betting, always assume you’ll lose and therefore, only bet what you can afford to lose. Even free bets still involve a level of risk.

The same applies if you’re using new online casinos, slot sites, poker sites or any other form of gambling.

Make sure you use the responsible gambling tools offered by betting companies such as deposit limits, reality checks, loss limits and time outs. These can stop gambling from getting out of hand.

If you have gambling-related concerns, then seek independent help. There are several UK charities and institutions that offer support, advice and information, with a few listed below:

Are free bets withdrawable?

No, it is not possible to withdraw a free bet. It must be used according to the terms and conditions of the free bet offer or it will be forfeited.

Can you cash out free bets?

In most cases, bookmakers will not allow punters to cash out a free bet before the bet has run its course, so you will likely have to wait for your bet to settle before receiving any winnings.

What does money back in free bets mean?

This means you can get a refund on your stake, but not as withdrawable cash – only as a free bet, meaning you have to stake the same cash again on a different bet.

What is the best betting sign up offer available now?

In the Independent’s view, Coral provides the best betting sign up offer on the market at present. New customers need only sign up and deposit £5 before betting £5 on any sports market with odds of 1/2 or greater to unlock £30 in free bets.

What betting sites give free bets without a deposit?

Few bookmakers hand out free bets for nothing, but you can earn free bets by entering free-to-play prediction games on Bet365, BetVictor, NetBet, Betway, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and BetMGM.

We may earn commission from some of the links in this article, but we never allow this to influence our content. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.