If you’re reading about the Super Bowl, chances are you’re a pretty big football fan and know exactly what to expect Sunday evening. You know that the New England Patriots are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since the end of the Tom Brady era, looking to capture their record-setting seventh Super Bowl title. And you know that the Seattle Seahawks are back in the Super Bowl for the first time since they made back-to-back trips over a decade ago, and are looking to get revenge for their loss to New England in Super Bowl XLIX.
On the other hand, maybe you don’t know any of that. Maybe you’re just a casual fan whose only engagement with football every year is going to a Super Bowl party and contributing a few words here and there during the commercials.
In that case, we’ve got you covered. This is the eighth annual casual fan’s guide to the Super Bowl, where we’ll teach you everything you could possibly need to know to turn yourself from a novice into an expert before the game begins.
Representing the AFC, we have the New England Patriots. The Pats are making their record-setting 12th trip to the Super Bowl, and their first since the Tom Brady era. If they win this game, they’ll break a tie with the Pittsburgh Steelers for the most Super Bowl wins in NFL history, with seven.
Representing the NFC are the Seattle Seahawks. Seattle is back in the Super Bowl for a fourth time in franchise history, and the first since losing to the Patriots following the 2014 season. If they win this game, it’ll count as revenge for one of the most dramatic (and traumatic) Super Bowl losses in the history of the league.
What time is the Super Bowl? Where is it? How do I watch?
Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 | Time: 6:30 p.m. ET Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California) TV: NBC, stream live on Peacock Follow: CBS Sports App
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The Super Bowl starts at 6:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2026. The game will be played at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California. The NFL rotates the location of the Super Bowl every year because it generally wants to provide a neutral site so that no team has home-field advantage. This has worked out in all but two seasons.
This year’s broadcast is on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The average Super Bowl broadcast over the past 20 years or so has been about three-and-a-half hours. It’s pretty long. That includes a halftime show that generally lasts 20-30 minutes.
Who’s performing at halftime?
It’s international superstar and six-time Grammy Award winner Bad Bunny.
Who are the quarterbacks of the Patriots and Seahawks?
It’s always a good bet that the quarterbacks will play a big role in the Super Bowl. A quarterback usually wins MVP of the game, after all. A quarterback has won 34 of the previous 59 Super Bowl MVP trophies, and 17 of the last 25 since 2000.
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The quarterback of the Patriots is Drake Maye (No. 10). Maye is only in his second NFL season after being selected with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. He’s considered an inner-circle MVP candidate along with Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford after Maye led the NFL in completion percentage, yards per attempt, passer rating, QBR and expected points added per play during the regular season. He’s struggled a bit as a passer during the playoffs but his work as a runner has been terrific, especially during the AFC title game against the Denver Broncos.
The quarterback of the Seahawks is Sam Darnold (No. 14). Darnold is also a former No. 3 overall pick, having been selected by the New York Jets back in 2018. He washed out with New York and was traded for a pittance to the Carolina Panthers after his third NFL season. He was quickly benched in Carolina as well, then became a backup for the San Francisco 49ers. Last season, he led the Minnesota Vikings to a 14-3 record but the Vikings allowed him to leave in free agency to turn the quarterback job over to J.J. McCarthy. He signed a free-agent deal with Seattle and led the Seahawks to another 14-3 record. The NFC title game against the Rams was arguably the best game of his NFL career.
Are there other especially notable players I should know?
Of course! You don’t get to the Super Bowl without a ton of quality talent on your team.
Let’s start with the Patriots:
Running backs Rhamondre Stevenson (No. 38) and TreVeyon Henderson (No. 32). Stevenson is a fifth-year back who signed a four-year, $36 million contract. He struggled badly to start the season, including having some fumbling issues, but has really come on down the stretch of the season and relegated Henderson to a bit role. Henderson is a rookie who specializes in explosive plays. He filled in as the lead back in place of Stevenson when the latter was hurt during the season, but has since slid back into a secondary role.
Wide receiver Stefon Diggs (No. 8). A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro, Diggs signed a three-year, $63.5 million contract with the Patriots this past offseason. He tore his ACL last year but has been fully healthy throughout this season. He’s Maye’s top option in the passing game despite not playing a full complement of snaps.
Offensive lineman Will Campbell (No. 66) Campbell was the Patriots’ first-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, being selected with the No. 4 overall pick. He had a solid rookie year but has occasionally struggled in pass protection, especially with speed around the edge. He also missed time with an injury toward the end of the regular season and hasn’t looked his best since then.
Defensive linemen Milton Williams (No. 97), Khyiris Tonga (No. 95) and Christian Barmore (No. 90). Williams signed a monster free-agent deal with the Patriots last offseason and has been fantastic in his role. The New England defense reaches a different level when he’s on the field. Tonga signed a low-cost deal with New England this past offseason and has been a revelation, specifically as a run defender. He also occasionally operates as a fullback when the Pats get into short-yardage situations. Barmore is on a four-year, $84 million contract extension signed back in 2024. He was New England’s second-round pick in 2021, and he’s largely been a very good player since then. He missed most of the 2024 season due to blood clots but returned this year.
Cornerback Christian Gonzalez (No. 0). Gonzalez is one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL. He is often charged with “shadowing” the opposing team’s top wide receiver (i.e. following him all over the field, no matter where he lines up) and could be asked to do that in this game with Seahawks star Jaxon Smith-Njigba (more on him below).
And what about the Seahawks?
Wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (No. 11). JSN had one of the best wide receiver seasons in recent memory, catching 119 passes for 1,793 yards and 10 touchdowns. He is by far the top target for Darnold in the passing game, lining up all over the formation and breaking opponents down with his silky-smooth route running and soft-but-strong hands.
Running back Kenneth Walker III (No. 9). Walker is the Seahawks’ feature back in the wake of an injury to co-starter Zach Charbonnet. Known for his explosive runs, Walker isn’t the most consistent runner on a down-to-down basis but he is a threat to score any time he touches the ball.
Defensive linemen Leonard Williams (No. 99), Demarcus Lawrence (No. 0), Uchenna Nwosu (No. 7)and Byron Murphy (No. 91). Seattle’s defensive front is one of the best in all of football, if not the best. These guys are absolute game-wreckers who destroy opposing offensive lines both in the run game and when rushing the passer. If there is any area in this game where the Seahawks have a big advantage, it is with this group against New England’s so-so-at-best offensive line in front of Maye.
Defensive backs Devon Witherspoon (No. 21) and Nick Emmanwori (No. 3). Witherspoon and Emmanwori are key to making head coach Mike Macdonald’s defense work. Witherspoon is an elite cornerback who splits his time between lining up outside and in the slot. Emmanwori is nominally a safety but spends much of his time operating as a slot corner or passing-down linebacker, and he’s been fantastic in the dual role during his rookie season.
Wide receiver/Returner Rashid Shaheed (No. 22). The Seahawks traded for Shaheed during the season, acquiring him from the New Orleans Saints in exchange for fourth- and fifth-round picks. He has mostly made his impact in the return game but also operates as a complementary receiver alongside Smith-Njigba and Cooper Kupp.
There are obviously more notable players, but this list is a good start.
Who are the coaches of the Patriots and Seahawks?
The head coach of the Patriots is Mike Vrabel. A former longtime Patriots linebacker who won three Super Bowls with the franchise in 2001, 2003 and 2004, Vrabel is a CEO-style coach (i.e. he does not call plays on either side of the ball) who leans toward the defensive side of the ball. He is the former head coach of the Tennessee Titans, having gone 54-45 in six seasons with Tennessee while also leading the Titans to one AFC title game. He was fired by Tennessee amid a power struggle with the front office and sat out the 2024 season before landing the Patriots’ coaching job last offseason. He led one of the biggest single-season turnarounds in league history, taking the Patriots from 4-13 to 14-3 in just one year.
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The head coach of the Seahawks is Mike Macdonald. Macdonald is widely considered one of the best defensive minds in the NFL. A longtime assistant and former defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, Macdonald landed the Seattle job as part of the 2024 head coaching cycle. He quickly built one of the league’s best defenses, which took off down the stretch of the 2024 campaign and remained elite throughout this season. Macdonald fired former offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb after his initial season as the head coach, hiring Klint Kubiak (more on him below) in his place, which helped the offense take another step forward and lead the Seahawks to a 14-3 record during the regular season.
The Patriots and Seahawks also both have several well-known assistant coaches.
New England’s offensive coordinator isJosh McDaniels. McDaniels was the longtime offensive coordinator for the Patriots during the Bill Belichick and Tom Brady era. He has been a head coach twice in his career but each stint was extremely unsuccessful, so he is back in New England under Vrabel, who brought him in to elevate Maye’s career.
The Patriots’ defensive coordinator is Terrell Williams. Williams has been dealing with a cancer diagnosis throughout this season and has been away from the team, but he is expected to travel to the Bay Area for the game. Inside linebackers coach Zak Kuhr has been calling the defensive plays in Williams’ place and should be expected to do so again during the Super Bowl.
The Seahawks’offensive coordinator is Klint Kubiak. One of the hottest head coaching candidates on the market this offseason, Kubiak is a highly respected offensive mind. A member of the famed Shanahan coaching tree, he runs an offense that emphasizes the run game and play-action passing. He’s considered a front-runner for the open Las Vegas Raiders head coaching job.
Seattle’s defensive coordinator is Aden Durde. A former defensive line coach for the Dallas Cowboys, Durde hails from London, England, which is quite unusual for an NFL coach. He doesn’t call the defensive plays, as that responsibility lies with Macdonald.
What’s a good talking point to bring up with fans of each team?
Patriots fans: We’re back on top! (The Patriots were the winningest franchise in the NFL during the Tom Brady era.)
Seahawks fans: Revenge! (The Seahawks lost to the Patriots in traumatic fashion in Super Bowl XLIX.)
Miach Parsons was named to the Pro Bowl in his first year with the Green Bay Packers. Although the superstar defensive end was in San Francisco to attend the Pro Bowl festivities on Tuesday, he was on an electric scooter while moving around Moscone Center due to his knee injury. In one of the videos from the festivities that went viral on social media, Parsons was spotted filming the female cheerleaders doing a routine for the crowd.
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When fans caught wind of the video clip in which Parsons was filming the cheerleaders while on an electric scooter, they slammed the Packers star.
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“Creep behavior,” one tweeted.
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“Kinda hate that this streamer a*s dude is a packer now. Like bruh… get us to the nfc championship mr highest paid ever,” another added.
“Tell that lame a*s podcaster to show up in the playoffs. Don’t nobody care bout Micah,” a user tweeted.
Micah Parsons finished the 2025 season with 41 tackles, 12.5 sacks, 6.5 stuffs, two forced fumbles and one pass defended. However, he suffered a season-ending knee injury in Week 15 against the Denver Broncos.
Although Parsons helped the Packers qualify for the playoffs, his team was eliminated in the wildcard round with a 31-27 loss to the Chicago Bears.
Micah Parsons explains how his relationship with Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason
Green Bay Packers DE Micah Parsons – Source: Getty
Micah Parsons’ relationship with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones soured last offseason, which led to the team trading the DE to the Packers in August. On Tuesday, Parsons opened up his acrimonious split with the Cowboys.
“I just wish some of those things never happened. You know what I mean?,” Parsons told Clarence Hill of All City DLLS Cowboys. “I wish that he never brought me into the office and just let the agent speak. And I wish he hadn’t compromised our relationship. I thought me and Jerry had a good relationship up to that point until this offseason, and it’s sad that it went to sh*t like that.”
Parsons played four years with the Cowboys, earning a Pro Bowl selection in each season. He signed a 4-year, $188 million extension with the Packers after the Cowboys traded him last year.
PRESS REVIEW – Wednesday, February 4, 2026: Team USA’s Olympics base camp is making headlines since it had to change its name from Ice House to Winter House. But first, Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has announced the country is planning a social media ban for under-16s. Next, Russian athletes could soon be back competing under their national flag. Meanwhile, the 2030 Olympic Games in France are off to a slow start. Finally, scientists study what love might look like in space.
Snooker legend and BBC commentator John Virgo has died aged 79. Virgo enjoyed an 18-year professional career, but is perhaps best known for presenting popular snooker TV show Big Break alongside comedian Jim Davidson from 1991 to 2002.
If this year’s Super Bowl between the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots is even half as good as the last time these two franchises met on this stage, it will be a wild ride. Eleven years after a Super Bowl XLIX thriller, the teams meet again with the Lombardi Trophy on the line.
The Seahawks, similar to their previous Super Bowl trips, have been powered by one of the NFL’s best defenses. Seattle allowed the fewest points in the league this season and finished first in yards per pass attempt allowed and yards per rush attempt allowed. The defense flexed its muscle in Seattle’s 41-6 divisional-round win over the San Francisco 49ers, allowing a paltry 3.9 yards per play — San Francisco’s worst mark all season.
But it was the offense that stepped up most in the NFC Championship Game. Sam Darnold threw for 346 yards and three touchdowns in a 31-27 win over the Los Angeles Rams, with 153 yards and a touchdown going to Jaxon Smith-Njigba. Kenneth Walker III had 111 yards from scrimmage and a score, and Cooper Kupp and Jake Bobo also found the end zone.
Though the offense was hit-or-miss down the stretch of the regular season, it seems to have found its footing in the playoffs and, crucially, has zero turnovers. Overall, Seattle has a plus-four turnover differential this postseason.
Speaking of turnovers, no one has forced more than New England this postseason, and it’s not particularly close. The Patriots’ defense has absolutely wreaked havoc, first against the Los Angeles Chargers, then the Houston Texans and finally, in the AFC Championship Game, the Denver Broncos. The Patriots’ 8.7 points per game allowed is the fewest by any team through three playoff games since the vaunted 2000 Baltimore Ravens defense.
The Patriots offense, which powered much of the team’s regular-season success, hasn’t fared as well. New England’s 18.0 postseason points per game is the fewest entering a Super Bowl appearance since the 1979 Rams. Still, Drake Maye has made several big plays — both with his arm and his legs — and New England’s firepower will certainly be a major test for Seattle’s defense.
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Here’s how to watch the game, followed by keys to the contest and a prediction.
Super Bowl LX: Where to watch Seahawks vs. Patriots
For as good as Darnold has been this season — and especially this postseason — he does have a penchant for turnovers. In fact, his 20 turnovers this season were most in the NFL, and his 14 interceptions were third-most. Eight of those 14 turnovers happened when he was pressured, tied with Geno Smith for most in the NFL.
Now (mostly) healthy, the Patriots’ pass rush has been dominant this postseason with an NFL-best 52% pressure rate. For comparison’s sake, the highest pressure rate during the regular season was 45% (by the Minnesota Vikings).
The Seahawks have done a good job keeping Darnold clean for the most part, and play-caller Klint Kubiak does a good job of getting him out of the pocket via play-action and giving him easy answers.
The path for the underdogs to come out on top starts with getting to Darnold. The next step is protecting their own quarterback. Maye has taken five sacks in all three of his playoff games so far, and while that’s come against three of the NFL’s best defenses, it’s not as if the Seahawks’ unit is any easier.
Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald dials up a variety of different schemes and pressure looks, and he has both a disruptive duo inside (Leonard Williams, Byron Murphy II) and a plethora of edge rushers to generate pressure.
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When the Seahawks do get pressure, Maye has to be careful with the ball: He has six fumbles (three lost) this postseason, both most of any player.
Can Maye hit the deep ball?
The Seahawks’ excellent cornerbacks play very aggressively, and it almost always works. The results speak for themselves.
But if the offensive line holds up, Maye might have the opportunity for a deep ball or two, and he’s been as good as anyone in those scenarios: His 35 completions at least 20 yards downfield this regular season were second-most in the NFL behind Matthew Stafford.
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Super Bowl LX pick, prediction
Expect some nerves early, especially from the quarterbacks, but as both settle in, this should be a great, close battle between an ascending star and an unlikely one.
Maye is looking to become the youngest quarterback to win a Super Bowl, and Darnold is looking to become the first quarterback to win a Super Bowl after playing for at least five different teams.
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Ultimately, the Seahawks’ defense gets a few timely stops, and Seattle leaves with its second championship.
Nigeria have intensified preparations for their Davis Cup World Group II tie against Uzbekistan by moving their training base to the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, the venue for the February 7 to 8 encounter.
The move from the National Stadium, Surulere, is part of final match readiness as the players familiarise themselves with the courts and surroundings ahead of the two day contest.
Uzbekistan, which arrived in Lagos on sunday have also settled in and held their first training session on Monday. The visitors travelled with three players and four officials, with their leading player, Khumoyun Sultanov, joining the squad after his recent title win at the ITF M15 tournament in Kuwait.
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Sultanov, 27, reached the second round of the Australian Open qualifiers in 2025 and achieved a career high ATP ranking of 216 in January. He is joined by Ilya Ignatov, Abdulaziz Usmonjonov, and 17 year old Sukrob Saidov.
Nigeria will be led by national number one Daniel Adeleye, alongside Canice Abua and Michael Emmanuel, all selected based on national rankings. Uche Oparaoji returns to the squad, while Abubakar Yusuf is set to make his Davis Cup debut after representing Nigeria at the Africa Games in Ghana.
Despite Nigeria being ranked 74 in the world and Uzbekistan 49, confidence remains within the Nigerian camp. According to the Nigeria Tennis Federation, hosting the tie reflects the country’s progress in international tennis.
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Federation president Victor Ochei said the opportunity to host was a result of recent performances.
“Nigeria has been consistent at this level and that consistency has earned us trust,” Ochei said. “Hosting this tie shows that we can compete and also deliver at international standard.”
He confirmed that the National Sports Commission is supporting the federation in funding and event delivery.
A 15 member Central Planning Committee, chaired by Victor Hembah, has been set up to oversee preparations in collaboration with the International Tennis Federation, the National Sports Commission, Lagos State Government, security agencies, and the host club.
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President of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club, Dr Adeyinka Adewusi, said the venue is ready for the tie.
“The courts and facilities are prepared, and we are ready to host,” Adewusi said. “This is an important event for Nigerian tennis.”
The match will take place on the centre court of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club this weekend.
Enyimba FC players are in the second day of their strike on Wednesday, 4th February 2026, over unpaid match bonuses. SportsRation reports.
According to SportsRation sources in Aba, the players trained themselves at a primary school field this morning without any coach present. The club’s technical team had waited at the Enyimba International Stadium, only to discover that the squad had moved to the school field.
The players say they will not return to proper training until the club settles the match bonuses owed to them. This action comes amid growing tension between the Kanu Nwankwo-led management and the Abia State Government.
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The strike threatens to affect the club’s recent revival on the field. Enyimba had picked up four points in their last two matches after a difficult month.
Enyimba currently sit 11th on the league table with 31 points from 24 matches, while Bayelsa United occupy 14th place with 28 points.
While most football fans are excited to see the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks match up in Super Bowl LX, there is one fan base that could be staring at this game as the worst matchup possible.
The New York Jets haven’t seen the playoffs in 15 years, the worst mark of any professional sports team in the U.S. And fans certainly weren’t happy to see a 3-14 finish in the first season under head coach Aaron Glenn.
But to make matters worse, the Patriots, their AFC East rival who were with them with back-to-back four-win seasons, turned around quickly with Mike Vrabel at the helm and Drake Maye turning into an MVP candidate in just his second season.
Sam Darnold of the Seattle Seahawks walks on the field after the NFC Championship NFL football game against the Los Angeles Rams, Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Seattle. The Seattle Seahawks won 31-27 against the Los Angeles Rams.(Getty Images)
The Jets and their fan base spent years being tormented by Tom Brady and the Patriots, and to have New England back in the “Big Game” this quickly isn’t ideal.
Then, on the other sideline in Santa Clara will be the Seahawks, the No. 1 seed in the NFC this year led by quarterback Sam Darnold — the Jets’ No. 3 overall pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.
Darnold is the first quarterback from that draft, which included Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson and Baker Mayfield, to reach the Super Bowl. Jets fans pictured Darnold wearing the green and white, beating the Patriots on his way to the Super Bowl.
Things never turned out that way for Gang Green, but one former Jets quarterback believes there’s only one way for fans to root for something in this Super Bowl.
“I think there’s probably a lot of people that are still rooting for Sam,” Ryan Fitzpatrick told Fox News Digital, while discussing his trip to Aruba with his wife, Liza, after partnering with the Aruba Tourism Authority.
“Sam would be the first to say he didn’t play well enough, but it’s very hard when there’s not an infrastructure and people around you to be successful as a quarterback in this league. I think Jets fans should be happy and proud to see Sam come out on the other side, because it’s not easy.”
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Sam Darnold of the New York Jets looks on during a game against the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium on Dec. 20, 2020 in Inglewood, California.(Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
Darnold’s time in New York lasted only three seasons despite his draft selection, culminating in up-and-down weeks and unfortunate memes, including his most infamous against the Patriots where he said he was seeing “ghosts” on the field.
After stints with the Carolina Panthers and San Francisco 49ers, Darnold was able to rekindle his career in Minnesota, leading the Vikings to a 14-win season last year. That allowed him the chance to pick where he wanted to go in free agency this past offseason, and he chose the Seahawks after they traded away Geno Smith.
Darnold clearly made the right move.
If Fitzpatrick were still a Jets fan — he actively roots for the Buffalo Bills, the team he played for before joining New York — it would be easy to root for Darnold’s success.
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But even though Fitzpatrick himself was beaten by the Patriots for years during his career, he does find himself reluctantly rooting for them on Sunday.
“The hard thing for me in this one, I mean I’ve hated the Patriots forever. Even though I was in Boston, I was at Harvard, they had a good, little run while I was there. I was still never a Patriots fan, and then it’s like I spent eight years of my career in the AFC East just getting beat up by them every single year,” he explained. “The fact that they’re good again and find themselves back in the Super Bowl after Tom leaving and Bill leaving, and now having Mike Vrabel and Drake Maye.
Ryan Fitzpatrick on set during the TNF on Prime pregame show prior to an NFL football game between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 25, 2025 in Kansas City, Missouri.(Cooper Neill/Getty Images)
“It’s a hard realization, but I love Mike Vrabel so much. I was with him in Houston, I get to play golf with him at the American Century in [Lake] Tahoe every summer. He’s a great dude. I love his family, I love his kids, I love him. So, actually, I feel like I’m rooting for New England in this game, which pains me to say.”
ONE HAPPY ISLAND, ONE HAPPY FITZ
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After a long football season, Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, visited Aruba for some well-earned relaxation to reset and recharge before the Super Bowl.
He partnered with the Aruba Tourism Authority, which showcases the island’s commitment to responsible tourism, which includes protecting the island’s natural environment, celebrating local culture and inviting guests to travel mindfully through the Aruba Promise and Guest Guidelines.
Fitzpatrick did that and loved every minute of it, as he experienced the outdoor lifestyle that Aruba, nicknamed “One Happy Island,” has to offer.
Ryan Fitzpatrick and his wife, Liza, enjoyed their time in Aruba after the 2025 NFL season.(Aruba Tourism Authority)
“My wife and I — seven kids. So, we very rarely get away. So, when we get away, we gotta make sure it’s the right spot, and this one hit. It has the white-sand beaches, it has the resort, which is great. But it also has the adventure. I’m not a guy that likes to just sit on the beach and get the tan all day long. There was hiking, we were swimming in a natural pool, we went and searched some caves a little bit.
“The great thing for my wife and I, right away you feel relaxed. Then, we come home and there is this air of happiness and rejuvenation that we’re feeling. It stayed with us.”
The timing of Everton’s decision comes as a surprise, just hours after the transfer deadline closed and they added Roma midfielder Zara Kramzar to their ranks.
Sorensen has been involved in recruitment and many of their additions over the past two windows have suited his requests.
But the feeling a change of direction was needed has been lingering at Everton for several months.
Supporters have grown increasingly frustrated by their performances with Sorensen seemingly still unsure on his best XI and often using players out of position.
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His experimental style has been effective before and he should be praised for his management last season when Everton’s injury crisis left a thin squad amid a time when the club were awaiting the completion of the Friedkin Group takeover.
However, expectations grew this year when investment came, signings were made and the squad had enough quality to be challenging further up the table.
They have been dragged into an unnecessary relegation battle and Everton have acted now in the hope that they can do enough to stabilise their position before rebuilding in the summer.
Sorensen’s overall time at Everton has shown his capabilities as a coach but the inability to field a consistent team has harmed his progression.
CSR:
Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores watches from the sideline during the NFC Wild Card matchup against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, as the postseason unfolded on Jan. 13, 2025. The moment captured Flores overseeing Minnesota’s defensive adjustments amid playoff pressure, with communication and situational control at a premium throughout the game. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
Brian Flores will return to the Minnesota Vikings in 2026 as the defensive coordinator, and while he cooks that meal on defense, he might just get to buy the groceries. With general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah out as general manager, Flores is expected to have a significant personnel impact in free agency and the draft.
If Minnesota leans defense early, Flores’ fingerprints could be all over the March plan and April board.
Minnesota signed Flores to a monster extension and will have to earn it by obtaining the right players.
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Brian Flores Could Wield Rare Roster Influence in 2026
Rejoice: Flores is back — with more power.
Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores tracks the action from the sideline during the second half as the Vikings faced the Jets at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Oct. 6, 2024, managing calls and communication in a rare London setting while Minnesota navigated crowd noise, travel fatigue, and the challenges of an international regular-season game environment. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The Kwesi Disharmony
Star Tribune‘s Ben Goessling noted on Adofo-Mensah last weekend, “Adofo-Mensah’s background led some around the NFL to view him with skepticism, and he acknowledged several times during his tenure that he was learning on the job, in everything from player evaluation to leading his front-office staff.”
“Rob Brzezinski stepped in to assist in some trade negotiations, while coach Kevin O’Connell served as an emissary during tense discussions such as Danielle Hunter’s 2023 hold-in. Sources spoke of frustration from the team’s scouting staff and from defensive coordinator Brian Flores, who let his contract expire before signing a new deal Jan. 21.”
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Folks had wondered for months why the Vikings hadn’t signed Flores to an extension. It now appears that he wasn’t necessarily fond of Adofo-Mensah.
Goessling added, “The Vikings’ lack of draft success seemed to be a constant stressor, leaving the roster without the depth it needed to weather injuries and forcing Brzezinski to cover draft mistakes with cleverly structured contracts that were lucrative enough to woo players to Minnesota without putting the Vikings back in cap purgatory.”
Adofo-Mensah did not draft well, the Vikings must hit on rookies as soon as this April, the team will not hire a new general manager until after the draft, and Flores might be the last man standing to make the call when Minnesota is on the clock.
Think about it: Who else would it be?
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Flores a De Facto Defensive GM?
Without the buck-stops-here guy — Adofo-Mensah from 2022 to 2025 with his general manager title — drafting defensive players or finding them in free agency is now up to Brzezinski, O’Connell, and Flores. Well, take one wild guess who’s the best defensive mind of the trio. It is, of course, Flores.
Brzezinski does not have an advanced personnel background, at least compared to his capologist magic. O’Connell will presumably run the show on offense, and that leaves Flores for defense.
It’s actually a coach’s dream — the ability to pick his players for his scheme. While other coordinators might have input, Flores may now has the keys to the city. No wonder he returned to Minnesota.
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Follow the Money
How is this theory plausible? It’s the money. Minnesota will pay $6 million per year, a record-shattering sum and one deserved for a coach who habitually fosters Top 3 defenses. Why would a coordinator get so much? Foremost, there’s the production. He immediately transformed Minnesota’s defense into a contender from the jump when hired in 2023.
Then, it just makes sense that the guy who’s pulling down the supreme coordinator contract would take on quasi-general manager responsibilities. He probably loves it, but think about it: if the franchise needs Flores to determine the right players from free agency and the draft, shouldn’t he be paid extra handsomely for his services? That’s how the world works.
Flores’ new giant contract reflects that of a man who is about to lead a Top 5 defense and choose the right players from free agency and the draft.
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New England linebackers coach Brian Flores patrols the sideline during the AFC Championship matchup against Jacksonville at Gillette Stadium on Jan 21, 2018, observing defensive alignments and situational responses as the Patriots battled for a Super Bowl berth in a tense, weather-influenced postseason environment with constant pressure from a physical Jaguars offense throughout the night. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
NBC Sports‘ Mile Florio noted on Flores’s salary: “Because coaching pay lacks the transparency of player pay, it’s impossible to know with certainty how much anyone makes. It was reported that Raiders offensive coordinator Chip Kelly received $6 million per year. Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio makes $4.5 million annually.”
“With Kelly now fired, those numbers would make Flores the highest-paid coordinator in the league. Minnesota’s willingness to spend that much on Flores may help explain the reluctance of the Cowboys to enter the bidding. Yes, we’d be surprised by the amount of the check that owner Jerry Jones would write to guarantee a Super Bowl win. We’d be surprised, because it’s so small.”
Translation to … Who in the Draft?
Let’s pretend that Flores gets his way, and the Vikings spend their 1st-Round pick — No. 18 — on a defensive player. Flores will have options. These players might blend the best player available at No. 18 and the club’s long-term roster need:
CJ Allen (LB, Georgia)
Caleb Banks (DT, Florida)
Brandon Cisse (CB, South Carolina)
Mansoor Delane (CB, LSU)
Colton Hood (CB, Tennessee)
Kayden McDonald (DT, Ohio State)
Jermod McCoy (CB, Tennessee)
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (S, Toledo)
Sonny Styles (LB, Ohio State)
Aveion Terrell (CB, Clemson)
Dillon Thieneman (S, Oregon)
Peter Woods (DT, Clemson)
LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane celebrates following a second-half play against Clemson at Memorial Stadium on Aug 30, 2025, reacting to a pivotal moment as the Tigers tested coverage discipline, composure, and athleticism during an early-season road environment charged with intensity and momentum swings from both sidelines under national attention and crowd noise pressure applied. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
Cornerbacks, especially, will be plentiful at Minnesota’s spot, and the franchise hasn’t successfully drafted one in 11 years.
The Minnesota Vikings finished the 2024 season with a record of 14-3 and a playoff spot. They finished the 2025 season 9-8 and on the outside looking in at the playoffs. They have spent some time since being eliminated looking inward to divine what went wrong. And late last week they decided that at least part of the blame goes to general manager Kwesi Adolfo-Mensah—despite receiving a new contract before the season began.
Kwesi was relieved of his duties on January 30. And while the disappointing 2025 campaign was not all his fault, by any stretch of this imagination, plenty of blame can be laid at his feet. Since becoming the GM in 2022, Kwesi has produced uneven drafts at best and woefully unproductive ones annually. He made risky trades with division rivals, left holes in the roster that required plenty of free agents to fill, depleted the team’s depth with spotty drafting while producing the oldest roster last season and spending near the most money over the salary cap coming into the next one.
When you throw in some rumored/reported in-fighting with other members of the Vikings staff, it sounds like the timing of the firing (which many pundits were confused by) comes later than it perhaps should have. In fact, at least one of
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the fellas at the Vikings Territory Breakdown podcast, Joe Oberle, senior writer at vikingsterritory.com and purplePTSD.com and Mark Craig, NFL and Vikings writer for the Star Tribune and startribune.com) put Kwesi on the hot seat shortly after the team was eliminated from post season play. So, now without a new GM yet named, the Vikings begin again. Tune in to check out our discussion of it all. Skol!
Listen to Vikings Territory Breakdown here or on your favorite podcast network.
Joe Oberle is a veteran sportswriter/editor/reporter and has covered the Vikings since 2008. The author of three books, he … More about Joe Oberle
