Hundreds of free agents are set to hit the open market on Monday when “legal tampering” begins, so it’s not an easy task to pinpoint exactly who the Minnesota Vikings will sign. But we will try. Last year, we nailed the Jonathan Allen signing, even if it only lasted one season.
These names check key boxes for scheme fit, cost, and roster need.
Based mainly on current Vikings coaches’ ties to former players, these are the most likely free agents to sign with the Vikings, listed alphabetically.
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The 5 Targets That Make the Most Sense for Minnesota
On a skinny budget, Vikings free agency starts Monday.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa (1) celebrates with offensive tackle Larry Borom (79) after throwing a touchdown pass during the first quarter as the Dolphins faced the Atlanta Falcons on Oct 26, 2025 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, with Miami’s offense surging early during the interconference matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
1. Larry Borom (OT)
The Vikings recently hired Frank Smith, the Miami Dolphins’ offensive coordinator for the last four seasons, and he now holds the title of assistant head coach. Borom worked for the 2025 Dolphins, so the player-coach connection is front and center.
Minnesota needs credible OT depth in 2026 because Christian Darrisaw’s ACL recovery didn’t go as planned last year, and Brian O’Neill is “getting up there” in age. The team can re-sign Justin Skule rather easily, but it might need to pull one more lever for a veteran offensive tackle.
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Borom can be the lever, and his next contract should cost a team around $3 million per year.
2. Montaric Brown (CB)
Minnesota added Ryan Nielsen to the defensive coaching staff a few weeks ago, and he crossed paths with Montaric Brown in Jacksonville when Nielsen served as the Jaguars’ defensive coordinator. At 26 years old, Brown enters free agency with a strong résumé. In 2023, he allowed a 74.3 passer rating and earned a 72.8 overall PFF grade, including a 75.5 coverage grade.
With an estimated market value between $9–10 million per year, his price aligns with the Vikings’ budget this cycle.
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While Jacksonville could retain him — similar to predictions for Seattle and Riq Woolen — Brown will be a sought-after commodity if the Jaguars choose otherwise. Selected in the 7th Round of the 2022 draft, he has developed into a dependable defender.
Standing at 6’0″ and 190 pounds, Brown could be a valuable addition for any team seeking a consistent cornerback.
3. Andre Cisco (S)
Cisco also worked for the 2024 Jaguars under Nielsen. At 25 years old and with 71 career games (55 starts), he is entering free agency, rumored to be worth around $4 million per season. His PFF grades have consistently been in the mid-60s, reflecting reliable performance.
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Jacksonville Jaguars safety Andre Cisco (5) tracks the play while defending against the Philadelphia Eagles during regular-season action on Nov 3, 2024 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, working in the Jaguars’ secondary during a tightly contested matchup against the NFC opponent. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images.
Cisco has been somewhat of an unsung hero, a common situation for defenders on the New York Jets. His low profile belies his effectiveness; he excels at stopping the run and can be relied upon in downfield coverage.
A former 3rd-Round pick, he has performed well consistently each year. The Vikings could add Cisco and toss him into a summer safety battle among Theo Jackson, Jay Ward, and Josh Metellus.
4. Luke Fortner (C)
Fortner, 27, is projected to command a contract worth $6–8 million per season. His 2025 PFF grade was 66.5, with a 72.5 pass-protection grade and a 65.3 run-blocking grade. Fortner is a solid, ascending center.
The Vikings’ approach to the center position will depend on the upcoming draft. With at least nine picks in April (barring trades), Minnesota’s front office will have ample opportunity to secure a long-term starter on a rookie contract.
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If the team opts for free agency, Fortner could be a viable target, especially after Ryan Kelly’s retirement on Friday. Fortner jells with the Vikings’ roster age profile, and his projected salary is reasonable compared to the market’s top-tier options.
Tyler Linderbaum, the premier free-agent center, is expected to command around $20 million annually, a figure likely beyond Minnesota’s current spending threshold.
This cost disparity reflects their respective career trajectories. Fortner, drafted in the 3rd Round in 2022, evolved into a full-time starter in Jacksonville and demonstrated significant improvement by 2025. He’s a decent Kelly replacement at a reasonable cost.
5. Asante Samuel Jr. (CB)
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Before signing with Pittsburgh, Samuel Jr. visited several teams in November 2025, including the Vikings in Eagan. He [probably] met with head coach Kevin O’Connell, defensive coordinator Brian Flores, and then general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah.
Los Angeles Chargers cornerback Asante Samuel Jr. (26) lines up on defense during the first quarter as the Chargers faced the San Francisco 49ers on Nov 13, 2022 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, preparing in coverage during the early stages of the interconference matchup between the two clubs. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports.
That visit is significant because the Vikings have an existing connection with Samuel Jr. Although he ultimately chose the Steelers, the situation in Pittsburgh has since changed with Mike Tomlin’s departure. Given that Flores remains a logical fit for Samuel’s skill set, a renewed pursuit by the Vikings makes sense.
Samuel Jr.’s PFF grades since entering the league are as follows:
While his 2024 grade dipped, his performance in 2022 and 2023 demonstrates his potential as a reliable starting cornerback capable of matching up against top receiving threats. If Minnesota can unlock that level of play, acquiring Samuel Jr. could be a worthwhile move, especially considering his youth, experience against elite receivers, and stylistic alignment with Flores’s man-heavy scheme.
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Financially, the move would likely involve a short-term, low-risk contract. A one- or two-year “prove it” deal would keep costs down.
And it’s worth noting that the Samuel Jr. rumor for the Vikings is coming up on a year old.
The stable of Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman plans to leverage their recent Group 1 conquest with a different three-year-old filly lined up at Rosehill.
Aimed at fillies and mares, the Group 1 Coolmore Classic sees Ole Dancer third-up heading into the race.
Ole Dancer, who took the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield in springtime, returns after two preparatory runs.
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Her campaign kicked off at Flemington February 14 pursuing Sass Appeal, victor of the Kewney Stakes at Flemington last Saturday, then she was third to Tempted in the Group 1 Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick two weeks back.
Moody indicated Ole Dancer has developed positively since Randwick and galloped sharply for Coleman in Sydney recently.
“She stayed up there and has done well,” Moody said.
“Sheza Alibi just likes the home environment a bit more, whereas Ole Dancer, you could park her in an apartment somewhere and it wouldn’t bother her.
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“Katherine’s been up there and is really pleased with how she is.
“Zac Lloyd rides her on Saturday as Trumby (Luke Nolen) can’t make the weight.”
Post her first clockwise start, Ole Dancer stayed in Sydney, but Moody relocated Sheza Alibi to Pakenham for oversight.
Considering the intense 11-month workload Sheza Alibi managed, Moody eyes a spell before late autumn pursuits.
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“She probably has one more if she pulls up alright, but if she doesn’t, she’ll go to the paddock,” Moody said.
“The fact that we are bringing her home, she won’t run again within three weeks, because it would be too hard to make two trips in two weeks, but I’m mindful she was in work 11 months last year.
“That was why I wanted to run her in the Australian Guineas and then maybe have one or two runs in Sydney before she spelled.”
Saturday’s Coolmore Classic has attracted 16 fillies and mares, including Cinsault chasing four wins in a row, Arctic Glamour, Jenni The Fox, Manaal, Savvy Hallie and Verona Rose.
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Visit trusted betting sites to check the latest odds on the Coolmore Classic.
After three straight wins to begin the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC), Team USA earned a spot out of Pool B, advancing to the quarterfinal round after defeating Mexico, 5-3, in Houston on Monday night.
Mexico has been the victor in each of the last three matchups against the U.S., including the 2023 game that ended with El Tri taking down the Stars and Stripes, 11-5.
But thanks to some bat power from captain Aaron Judge and 21-year-old Boston Red Sox phenom Roman Anthony, Team USA was able to end that streak at Daikin Park.
Aaron Judge of the United States reacts to hitting a home run in the third inning during a World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026, in Houston, Texas.(Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After the U.S. was unable to cash in on bases loaded in the first and runners on in the second, Judge wasted no time hitting his second home run of the tournament, taking Jesus Cruz to right field for a 2-0 lead.
Then, after Kyle Schwarber singled to right, and Cal Raleigh was hit by a pitch, Anthony didn’t miss a stitch of a pitch inside. The towering moonshot took forever to land, and Anthony, who was gunned down at the plate in the bottom of the second inning, got some redemption by breaking the game open.
The tone was certainly set by Paul Skenes, who got his first Team USA start in the WBC and was lights out. He allowed just one hit and struck out seven hitters over four innings (60 pitches).
Skenes’ repertoire was electric as per usual, with sharp breaking sinkers and changeups to go along with a high-90 mph fastball. The former Air Force Academy pitcher has looked forward to this moment for a while, and he didn’t squander the opportunity to help his team.
Paul Skenes of the United States reacts in the first inning during a World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026 in Houston, Texas.(Houston Astros/Getty Images)
After the five-run inning, the U.S. bats went a bit silent, which allowed Mexico a chance to gain momentum.
It was Anthony’s Red Sox teammate, Jarren Duran, who got El Tri on the board with a solo home run off Matthew Boys, the Chicago Cubs’ ace.
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And that wouldn’t be Duran’s only big fly, as he was clearly seeing the ball well in Houston. After Joey Meneses’ infield single scored Jonathan Aranda later in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 5-2 game, Duran led off the top of the eighth inning with a 374-foot shot to right field off Boyd again.
Griffin Jax was called upon by manager Mark DeRosa to clean up the frame, and Garrett Whitlock shut the door in the ninth inning to secure the victory.
With a 3-0 record, the U.S. doesn’t have a do-or-die situation in their final pool play contest against Italy on Tuesday night. Of course, they would love to go undefeated and carry momentum into games that will resemble a Game 7 in the postseason each time moving forward.
Aaron Judge of the United States hits a home run in the third inning during a World Baseball Classic Pool B game between Mexico and the United States at Daikin Park on March 9, 2026 in Houston, Texas.(Houston Astros/Getty Images)
Suryakumar Yadav and Tilak Varma of India lift the T20 World Cup trophy. (Getty Images)
They were the overwhelming favourites coming into the tournament — a stunning run since winning the 2024 edition, playing in familiar home conditions and with almost all the players in form. But the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026 did not pan out as expected for the defending champions and co-hosts India.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Reaching the Super Eights was never going to be an issue, with the expanded 20-team tournament featuring several associate nations. But the real challenge was getting past the Super 8s and qualifying for the knockouts. And there, India were tested as they were hammered by South Africa in their first Super 8 match.After that, it was a must-win situation for India, especially in the final Super 8 clash against West Indies. It required some superb individual performances to carry the team forward.
Proud families celebrate India’s World Cup heroes | SKY, Abhishek & Axar’s loved ones react
India were not completely in control even in the semi-final against England despite posting a record 253/7, eventually winning by just seven runs. Finally, riding on another blockbuster batting display in the summit clash, they thrashed New Zealand by a record 96 runs to defend the title.India rewrote T20 World Cup history with this win — becoming the first team to defend the title and the first to win it at home. They also became the first team to win the tournament three times, adding to their triumphs in 2007 and 2024.Despite it being a not-so-perfect campaign, Indian players somehow scraped through as they won their third ICC title on the trot — T20 World Cup 2024, Champions Trophy 2025 and T20 World Cup 2026.
Here’s how Team India’s players performed in this month-long tournament: Suryakumar Yadav (captain) — 6.5/10The India skipper started the campaign with an unbeaten 84 against USA in the tournament opener when the team was struggling at 77/6, but he did not have much success with the bat in the next eight matches, ending with a golden duck in the final.It was a topsy-turvy campaign as captain too, but he kept his wits intact, especially in the final, to guide India home. Surya, however, contributed consistently with the bat and finished with 242 runs – third most in the team – at an average of 30.25 and a strike rate of 136.72.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 9 | I 9 | R 242 | HS 84* | Ave. 30.25 | SR 136.72 | 1x50s | 10x6s
Man of the Match – vs USA (84*)
India head coach Gautam Gambhir with captain Suryakumar Yadav. (Pic credit: BCCI)
Abhishek Sharma (Opener) — 4/10Everything that could go wrong went wrong for the World No.1 T20I batter Abhishek Sharma.He started the tournament with a hat-trick of ducks. A 55 against Zimbabwe in the must-win Super 8 match gave some hope, but he struggled again against West Indies in the virtual quarter-final and England in the semi-final.Abhishek, however, repaid the team management’s faith by scoring a quick-fire 52 off 21 balls against New Zealand in the final.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
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M 8 | I 8 | R 141 | HS 55 | Ave. 17.62 | SR 158.42 | 2x50s | 8x6s
Abhishek Sharma and Sanju Samson (ANI Photo)
Sanju Samson (Wicketkeeper-opener) — 9/10Undoubtedly one of the heroes of India’s campaign, Sanju Samson made the difference in the title defence. Samson lost his place in the starting XI to Ishan Kishan before the tournament.He got just one game in the group stage before getting his opportunity in the Super 8s after India were hammered by South Africa.Samson then made the tournament his own with a stunning unbeaten 97 off 50 balls against West Indies in the virtual quarter-final. It was followed by two identical scores of 89 in the semi-final and final, joining the elite group featuring Shahid Afridi (2009) and Virat Kohli (2014) to achieve the feat.He ended the campaign as the second-highest run-getter with 321 runs and also hit the most sixes in the tournament — 24 — all in just five innings.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 5 | I 5 | R 321 | HS 97* | Ave. 80.25 | SR 199.37 | 3x50s | 24x6s
Man of the Match – vs West Indies (97*); vs England (89)
Ishan Kishan (AP Photo)
Ishan Kishan (Wicketkeeper-opener) — 8/10It was one of the best comeback stories, as Ishan Kishan nudged Sanju Samson out of the opening slot alongside Abhishek Sharma before the tournament.When Abhishek was struggling for runs, it was Ishan who kept the scoreboard moving at the top, scoring 61 against Namibia and 77 against Pakistan in the group stage.He later lost the opening slot after Samson was promoted to open with India needing wins in the final four matches. But it did not deter him as he continued contributing at No.3, including 39 off 18 against England in the semi-final and 54 off 25 in the final against New Zealand.Ishan finished as India’s second-highest run-getter and third overall with 317 runs.T20 World Cup 2026Stats:
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M 9 | I 9 | R 317 | HS 77 | Ave. 35.22 | SR 193.29 | 3x50s | 18x6s
Man of the Match – vs Pakistan (77)
Hardik Pandya (Getty Images)
Hardik Pandya (Pace all-rounder) — 7/10India’s evergreen X-factor Hardik Pandya had another successful campaign, scoring quick runs, providing crucial breakthroughs and being a livewire in the field.Batting at No.5 or lower, Hardik scored two fifties and played his part in giving India strong finishes. He ended with 217 runs.With the ball, he provided timely breakthroughs and finished with nine wickets. His all-round performance against Namibia — 52 off 28 balls and 2 for 21 — earned him the Player of the Match award.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 9 | I 9 | R 217 | HS 52 | Ave. 27.12 | SR 160.74 | 2x50s | 15x6s
M 9 | I 9 | W 9 | Best 2/16 | Ave. 31.66 | Econ. 8.90
Man of the Match – vs Namibia (52 & 2/21); vs Zimbabwe (50* & 0/21)
Tilak Varma (Batter) — 6/10India’s designated No.3 batter Tilak Varma had a below-par outing initially and often struggled to get going. The disappointing opening stands before Samson’s promotion did not help either.Except for a 16-ball 25 against USA, his strike rate remained a concern. In the next four innings at No.3, his strike rate stayed below 120, putting pressure on the middle order.However, once Samson moved to the top and Ishan batted at No.3, Tilak was pushed down the order and found his rhythm. His unbeaten 44 off 16 against Zimbabwe, 27 off 15 against West Indies and 21 off seven against England in the semi-final helped India reach the final.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 9 | I 9 | R 207 | HS 44* | Ave. 29.57 | SR 154.47 | 0x50s | 11x6s
Shivam Dube, left, and Tilak Varma (AP Photo)
Shivam Dube (Pace all-rounder) — 7/10Shivam Dube played the middle-overs enforcer’s role effectively. He consistently scored quick runs to give India strong finishes.His 66 off 31 balls against Netherlands, along with figures of 2/35, helped India remain unbeaten in the group stage. Dube was run out three times while attempting quick runs, reflecting his aggressive intent.Although he picked up five wickets with his medium pace, it was his batting that stood out. His unbeaten 26 off just eight balls played a key role in taking India’s total in the final to 255/5, well beyond New Zealand’s reach.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
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M 9 | I 8 | R 227 | HS 66 | Ave. 37.83 | SR 166.91 | 1x50s | 17x6s
M 9 | I 5 | W 5 | Best 2/35 | Ave. 29.20 | Econ. 14.12
Man of the Match – vs Netherlands (66 & 2/35)
Axar Patel (Spin all-rounder) — 6.5/10Vice-captain Axar Patel was a livewire in the field, proving the phrase “catches win matches” — particularly in the semi-final against England, where his fielding efforts broke crucial partnerships.He also picked up important wickets, including three in the final, and finished with 11 wickets in seven matches.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 7 | I 7 | W 11 | Best 3/27 | Ave. 18.63 | Econ. 8.20
Jasprit Bumrah (AP Photo)
Jasprit Bumrah (Pacer) — 9/10India’s pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah once again proved why he is head and shoulder above the rest.He picked wickets in almost every match and delivered an excellent spell of 3/15 against South Africa too despite India’s big defeat. But his defining performance came in the final against New Zealand.Defending a massive target, Bumrah produced a sensational spell of 4 for 15 — the best figures by a pacer in a T20 World Cup final.He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the tournament with 14 wickets, alongside Varun Chakaravarthy, while maintaining a superb economy rate of 6.21.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 8 | I 8 | W 14 | Best 4/15 | Ave. 12.42 | Econ. 6.21
Man of the Match – vs New Zealand (4/15)
Varun Chakaravarthy (Mystery spinner) — 5/10The World No.1 T20I bowler began the tournament strongly, claiming nine wickets in the group stage, including 2/17 against Pakistan.However, his form dipped in the Super 8 stage. He was hammered for 47 runs by South Africa and struggled to regain control.His toughest outing came in the semi-final against England, where he conceded a record 64 runs in four overs.After the group stage, he returned figures of five wickets for 225 runs in five games — a stark contrast to his group-stage performance of nine wickets for 62 runs. Still, his early exploits ensured he finished joint-highest wicket-taker with Bumrah with 14 wickets.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 9 | I 9 | W 14 | Best 3/7 | Ave. 20.50 | Econ. 9.25
Varun Chakravarthy, left, and captain Suryakumar Yadav (AP Photo)
Arshdeep Singh (Pacer) — 6/10Arshdeep Singh was not at his wicket-taking best. The leading wicket-taker in T20Is for India returned nine wickets from eight innings and went wicketless in the final.His best figures were 3 for 24 against Zimbabwe, while his most expensive outing came against England in the high-scoring semi-final.Overall, it was a decent campaign, though overshadowed by Bumrah’s brilliance.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
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M 8 | I 8 | W 9 | Best 3/24 | Ave. 28.22 | Econ. 8.46
Rinku Singh (Middle-order batter) — 2/10India’s designated finisher Rinku Singh had a disappointing campaign and eventually lost his place when Sanju Samson was drafted in at the top.His final outing was a two-ball duck against South Africa in the first Super 8 match.Rinku finished with just 24 runs from five innings at a strike rate of 82.75 — well below expectations for a finisher’s role.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 5 | I 5 | R 24 | HS 11* | Ave. 8.00 | SR 82.75 | 2x6s
Rinku Singh (PTI Photo)
Washington Sundar (Spin all-rounder) — 3/10Washington Sundar played just two matches and remained wicketless in both — 0/36 in four overs against Netherlands and 0/17 in two overs against South Africa.He lost his place after Axar Patel returned to the playing XI.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
M 2 | I 2 | W 0 | Best 0/17 | Econ. 8.83
Kuldeep Yadav (Spinner) — 7/10With the team management persisting with Varun Chakaravarthy, Kuldeep Yadav featured in just one match — against Pakistan.He returned figures of 1 for 14 in three overs. It was difficult to judge his performance from a single outing in a long tournament, and it was unfortunate he did not get more opportunities.T20 WorldCup 2026 Stats:
M 1 | I 1 | W 1 | Best 1/14 | Ave. 14.00 | Econ. 4.66
Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj (PTI Photo)
Mohammed Siraj (Pacer) — 7/10Mohammed Siraj also played just one match — India’s tournament opener against the USA.He made an immediate impact, returning figures of 3 for 29 in four overs and finishing as the highest wicket-taker in the match.However, the return of Jasprit Bumrah in the next game meant Siraj had to sit out due to team combination.T20 World Cup 2026 Stats:
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M 1 | I 1 | W 3 | Best 3/29 | Ave. 9.67 | Econ. 7.20
The stable of Ciaron Maher is pondering choices for Light Infantry Man prior to his Caulfield engagement.
Light Infantry Man’s probable next start is the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) on Saturday, building on his fresh win at 1600m on Caulfield last month.
Both fixtures occur on March 28, and recall Light Infantry Man won last year’s Australian Cup.
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Last Saturday’s Group 1 All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington was another option Maher mulled for Light Infantry Man.
As a French import, this stayer relishes a brisk pace, evident from his victory in the Australian Cup the year before.
“He is one horse that does enjoy (Pride Of) Jenni’s speed,” Maher said.
“In the Australian Cup when she was ripping along, he was one of the few horses that had a smile on his face during the run.
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“(Ethan) Brownie (Brown) put him into the race off a hot speed, so you know he loves a true gallop and the 1800 metres at this stage of his preparation should suit him.
“After Saturday we’re looking at the Tancred Stakes potentially with him. The 2400 metres at weight-for-age looks like it will suit him.”
Maher’s Berkshire Breeze is also in line for the Peter Young Stakes, not seen since running last in the November Sandown Classic (2400m).
Rory McIlroy cut his week at Bay Hill short, withdrawing from the Arnold Palmer Invitational with a balky back. But when he’s healthy and swinging freely, there are few golfers with greater access to the game’s most coveted courses.
Take Augusta National Golf Club, where McIlroy earned a lifetime invitation after winning the Masters Tournament last year. Or Seminole Golf Club, where getting a tee time isn’t much of an issue when your father happens to be a member. (McIlroy has jokingly claimed that he should be a member, too, given that he pays his dad’s dues.)
McIlroy himself belongs to a hefty handful of elite clubs, including The Bear’s Club in Florida, Queenwood Golf Club outside London, and the R&A. That’s not to mention the steady rotation of world-class venues he sees on Tour, from Pebble Beach Golf Links to Harbour Town Golf Links to Riviera.
In other words, McIlroy plays a version of golf — and lives a golfing life — that most of us can barely imagine.
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But in one respect, he’s just like the rest of us. He’s got a bucket list.
McIlroy shared it recently in an interview with Kevin Van Valkenburg of The Fried Egg, rattling off a handful of courses he still hopes to see.
Among them: New South Wales Golf Club in Australia, an Alister MacKenzie design that ranks 46th on GOLF’s Top 100 Courses in the World, having vaulted 18 spots on the strength of a MacKenzie & Ebert renovation. “I haven’t been there,” McIlroy said. “That looks really cool.”
Another is Fishers Island Club, the famously private Seth Raynor design where Long Island Sound meets the Atlantic.
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Despite living in the U.S. for years, McIlroy admitted that he’s left a lot of American ground uncovered. “There are so many in the States that I haven’t,” he said, singling out Chicago Golf Club and Pasatiempo Golf Club. Even back home in Ireland, there are notable gaps. “Waterville,” he said. “I haven’t played. I would love to play there.”
When his schedule allows him to play golf for fun more often, McIlroy plans to start ticking some of them off. He’s already gotten a taste of such freewheeling adventures, including a getaway a few years back to Tara Iti Golf Club in New Zealand.
But he hasn’t made it to one of the biggest names in destination golf. He’s never been to Bandon Dunes.
“I’d love to go to Bandon and do that,” McIlroy said.
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Let’s hope he doesn’t rush. The place is busy enough without him jumping the line.
ARCA Menards Series driver Cleetus McFarland has been facing backlash from both NASCAR fans and insiders ahead of his O’Reilly Series debut. This time, former seven-time NASCAR champion Richard Petty’s son, Kyle Petty, joined the discussion and pointed out that “internet sensations” like McFarland have “no place on racetracks” with stock car racing drivers.
On March 4, 2026, McFarland signed a new deal with Richard Childress Racing to debut in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The 30-year-old will pilot the #33 Chevy entry for the team in three events each year. This announcement drew criticism from several figures, including Freddie Kraft, Kyle Busch, and now Kyle Petty.
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During a post-Phoenix race, Petty talked about Cleetus McFarland’s experience in stock car racing. The YouTuber has only one official start in the NASCAR Truck Series, raising Petty’s concern. Following that, Richard Petty’s son blasted McFarland ahead of the Rockingham race (via DailyDownforce.com):
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“All you have to do to be a NASCAR O’Reilly or Truck [driver], to get to that level, is to have your parents buy you a video game when you’re young, so you can learn how to drive on a sim, or have ten million YouTube followers. You don’t have to have any talent. You don’t have to know anything about it. You just have to drive a Crown Vic and have some great races and some great crowds show up for you.”
“Don’t come here if all you are is an internet sensation because you’ve got no place on a racetrack with those guys at the Cup level, and you’ve got really no place with a lot of those guys at the O’Reilly level,” he added.
Cleetus McFarland is set to pilot the #33 Chevy for RCR alongside Jesse Love and Austin Dillon at the North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Presented by Black’s Tire. The 250-lap race is scheduled for April 4, 2026, at Rockingham Speedway.
“My son’s run more races than he has”: Kyle Busch’s blunt reaction to Cleetus McFarland’s RCR deal in the O’Reilly Series
A few days ago, two-time Cup Series champion Kyle Busch called out Cleetus McFarland for his O’Reilly Series deal with Richard Childress Racing. Despite competing for the same team in the Cup Series, Busch was not impressed by the decision and questioned the YouTuber’s experience behind the wheel.
Continuing, the Cup Series driver cited Denny Hamlin‘s experience as an example and compared McFarland to his son, Brexton. Busch emphasized that his 10-year-old son has more starts than the ARCA Menards Series driver.
The Richard Childress Racing driver further told the media:
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“I mean, he just, I don’t know. I don’t know how many races he’s run. Denny Hamlin ran 10,000, right, before he got here. I don’t know if Cleetus has run 10 or not, but there’s definitely a need to having ample experience.”
“My son’s probably run more races than he has, and he’s 10 years old. You know what I mean? So I don’t think that sits well with many of us,” he concluded.
However, Kyle Busch was not the only NASCAR figure questioning Richard Childress Racing’s decision to sign a deal with Cleetus McFarland. Previously, 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace’s spotter, Freddie Kraft, also called out the decision on social media.
Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) celebrates his touchdown scored against the UCLA Bruins during the first half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The running back position is an evolving commodity in the NFL, and multiple teams will be looking to shore up their backfields this offseason.
Running backs have continued to become more athletic and more involved in the passing game as the years have gone on, and Emmett Johnson is the perfect example of that build in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Background
Oct 25, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
Johnson patiently waited in the Nebraska backfield for his opportunity to shine after redshirting his freshman year and being a rotational back in 2023 and 2024. He finally got his starting opportunity in 2025, and he made the most of it.
Johnson led the Big 10 in carries and rushing yards this year for a Cornhuskers program that hasn’t been known for having a star running back in a long time. Now, he is hoping that productive year can propel him towards the top of the draft class this spring.
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Strengths
Nov 28, 2025; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs against Iowa Hawkeyes defensive back Zach Lutmer (6) during the third quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images
The first thing that jumps off the screen when watching Johnson play is his explosive burst out of the backfield. He gets up to speed in a hurry, and while he won’t necessarily blow people away with his long speed, his 10-yard split is very comparable to that of Jeremiyah Love’s, which is a much more telling metric for running backs who won’t be running in a straight line downfield very often.
Not only is Johnson a cannon ball once he gets a carry, he is a very slippery runner. It doesn’t take much of a gap for him to find a way to slither his way through the trenches to pick up some positive yards. Once he gets into the open field, he uses his excellent vision and agility to change directions in a hurry, leaving potential tacklers in his dust.
The versatility as a receiver is just the kicker, making him a player with true three-down potential in today’s NFL. Nebraska wasn’t afraid to line him up in the slot to run routes, which is a testament to his footwork.
Weaknesses
Nov 8, 2025; Pasadena, California, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) runs the ball against the UCLA Bruins during the second half at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
While Johnson’s receiving ability can keep him on the field on third down, his lack of size and power could cause trouble in short yardage situations and near the goal line in the NFL.
That lack of size not only impacts his ability to truck his way for 2-3 yards on third and short, but he is not equipped to handle a pass blocking role at the next level. He often found himself struggling to keep pass rushers in front of him on the few pass blocking opportunities he had in college.
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2026 NFL Draft Projection
Nov 22, 2025; University Park, Pennsylvania, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers running back Emmett Johnson (21) jumps to avoid a tackle from Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback A.J. Harris (4) during the first quarter at Beaver Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew O’Haren-Imagn Images
NFL Draft Projection: Day 2 (Mid Round 2-Early Round 3)
Team Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, San Francisco 49ers, Jacksonville Jaguars
Johnson is best fit in a running back room with another running back who can be a ground-and-pound type of player, but there certainly is a role in the NFL for him. He has all the energy and effort that you look for in a prospect, and he proved in 2025 he is capable of taking the bulk of the carries throughout a season.
Editor’s Note: Statistics from Pro Football Focus helped with this article.
Josh Frey is a senior writer at both PurplePTSD.com and VikingsTerritory.com, with a fascination for the NFL Draft. To … More about Josh Frey
The two-year-old Paradoxium has fought back from a pneumonia setback to emerge as a serious Golden Slipper contender following an outstanding performance in the Todman Stakes at Randwick.
He had been a short-priced elect for the Gold Coast’s Magic Millions Classic in January, buoyed by success in a vital Wyong warmup, until illness excluded him from the Queensland spectacle.
Questions lingered over a timely Slipper return, but Baker was optimistic after the colt’s spirited gallop a few weeks prior, believing him fully restored.
“Full credit to all my team, particularly my vet, Allan Frogley, and the vets who looked after him up in Queensland,” Baker said.
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“He got very, very sick, very fast and for him to get back here and do that is pretty special.
“I think he is going to improve a heap out of this. He’d only had the one trial, and he’s got a good two weeks’ into the Slipper now, and he’s in.”
Jason Collett sent Paradoxium ($2.60 fav) forward to lead, and he fended off Hidrix entering the straight, staying on powerfully to win by 1-1/2 lengths over Silver Slipper winner Stretan Ruler ($3), from Wolf Gap ($5.50) a further 1-1/2 lengths behind.
Paradoxium’s time trailed Chayan’s in the fillies’ Reisling Stakes (1200m) by under a second, yet his visual dominance was clear after three months off.
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Baker highlighted the colt’s explosive pace as a major plus for the Golden Slipper (1200m).
“Speed, speed, speed. That’s what we breed for in Australia. Fast, strong, tough horses,” Baker said.
“I’ll tell you what, he’s fast and tough and hopefully we’ll find out how strong he is in a couple of weeks.”
Chad Schofield praised the beaten favourite, who he felt needed more pressure upfront.
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“It was just a trot and canter up front,” Schofield said.
“The winner had a picnic and sprinted sharply. My horse was very strong late.”
His Todman Stakes triumph saw Paradoxium into $5 Slipper favouritism, ahead of Warwoven ($6) from the same stable and Chayan ($9), with Stretan Ruler out to $11.
Keith Andrews criticised the “disgusting” culture of ridiculing players who miss penalties after Dango Ouattara’s fluffed Panenka cost Brentford a place in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
Ouattara’s outlandish dinked effort was easily caught by West Ham goalkeeper Alphonse Areola as the Bees slipped to a 5-3 shootout loss at London Stadium.
Brentford boss Andrews alluded to the host of England internationals who have been “persecuted” for failing from 12 yards at major tournaments during a passionate defence of the Burkina Faso forward.
Hammers captain Jarrod Bowen and Bees top scorer Igor Thiago each scored twice during normal time as an entertaining fifth-round tie ended in a 2-2 draw after 120 minutes.
“No, I’m not annoyed at all,” Andrews said of Ouattara’s penalty.
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“I think the easiest thing for a footballer to do is not take a penalty. It takes unbelievable courage on a stage like that to take a penalty.
“It’s probably the first time I’ve ever spoken about penalty kicks and people that miss them.
“I despise the culture around players that have missed penalty kicks – I think you know the ones I’m talking about, national heroes that have done it, ridiculed, persecuted. I think it’s disgusting.”
Ouattara stepped up second for Brentford in the shootout.
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The 24-year-old was the only player from either side to fail as the west London club’s wait for a first FA Cup quarter-final since 1989 was extended in agonising fashion.
“It takes serious courage to do that,” continued Andrews. “He practises that technique a lot, if it goes in everyone’s raving about him.
“Dango will get the absolute support he needs from myself and everybody attached to it.”
West Ham defender Konstantinos Mavropanos converted the decisive spot-kick to set up a last-eight meeting at home to Leeds.
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England forward Bowen poked the hosts into a 19th-minute lead in an action-packed first half before Thiago levelled for the Bees with his 20th goal of the season.
Bowen doubled his tally with a 34th-minute penalty, only for Thiago to force extra-time by converting from the spot in the 81st minute.
Three-time FA Cup winners West Ham, who are embroiled in a Premier League relegation battle, are into the quarter-finals for the first time in a decade, having last progressed to that stage during the 2015-16 season – their final one at Upton Park.
Hammers head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said: “(It was) a long night but a good one.
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“The atmosphere in the end was amazing, our fans celebrating.
“They deserve this moment of happiness, it’s been hard but they’ve been sticking with us, supporting us, and I think the boys are giving back.
“The game was very tight, it could go both ways, we have to be fair.
“In the penalties, I think it’s all about being ready to do their tasks and they did it well.”
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Nuno opted to remain in the dugout, rather than watch the spot-kicks.
“I don’t like to see it, I get too nervous, too anxious,” he explained. “I’m going to see it now. I’ve been told they were really well taken.”
The Chargers agreed to terms with offensive lineman Cole Strange on a two-year, $13 million deal. There is reportedly $9 million guaranteed on the deal.
Strange is another former Dolphins player the Bolts have added in the last few days.
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Over the weekend, Los Angeles agreed to terms with fullback Alec Ingold, who spent four seasons under Mike McDaniel as head coach.
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Now, the Chargers have added another former player of McDaniel’s in Strange, who started 14 games at right guard in Miami last season. The 27-year-old should provide much-needed depth to the offensive line, a unit that struggled to stay healthy throughout the 2025 season.
Strange is entering his fifth NFL season and is set to don powder blue for the next two seasons. He has played in 44 games, including 43 starts. He’s spent the most time playing left guard, logging 1,546 snaps at the position. He also has 808 snaps at right guard and 117 snaps at center.
General manager Joe Hortiz said the front office would be prioritizing protecting Justin Herbert this offseason, and they’ve done just that with their additions in the last few days.
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Here’s how social media reacted to the Chargers agreeing to terms with Strange: