Dec 28, 2024; Inglewood, California, USA; Arizona Cardinals tight end Trey McBride (85) celebrates with quarterback Kyler Murray (1) after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass against the Los Angeles Rams in the second half at SoFi Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Right now, Kyler Murray is chewing up $1.3 million on the Vikings’ salary cap. That’s going to be a single-season arrangement no matter how he plays in 2026. Getting him back for anywhere close to that number isn’t going to happen, especially if he shines.
A recent piece on Over the Cap underscored the issue. Jason Fitzgerald offers up a matter-of-fact title: “$50M QBs in the NFL.” Consider some good background to help readers understand the cap context: “$50 million represents about 16.6% of the salary cap. Players to earn more than 16.6% at signing include Kirk Cousins, Derek Carr, Carson Wentz, Jared Goff, Daniel Jones, Tua Tagovaiola, and Kyler Murray among others. If you look at what many other teams have done there is a pretty logical reason for him to hold firm on that number.”
What follows is some good insight about the cost of a well-paid QB1 that’s reasonably sobering.
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The Kyler Murray Cost Beyond 2026
Oftentimes, teams don’t get great return on investment when hitting that key percentage that Fitzgerald highlights.
A thought: “The numbers aren’t great here considering how much money is being spent. The win numbers basically work out to around 9 wins a year, but that assumes the player is healthy. That number drops to about 7.5 when you factor in injuries and the need for a backup QB to get you those extra few wins needed to qualify for the playoffs.”
Dec 21, 2025; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Atlanta Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins (18) against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images – Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Elsewhere, the cap expert writes, “I think it is fair for teams to start looking at the performances of many of these high priced QBs and ask if the return is really worth the big investment.”
Part of the answer, Fitzgerald suggests, is to put incentives into the deals. Doing so beefs up the number while keeping the heat on the quarterback to toss wins on the board.
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“If there is a happy medium,” Fitzgerald argues, “it probably is to make the QB contract more incentive based based on wins and performance to where a player like Mayfield can reach that $50M a year average if he delivers on the field year after year. That certainly is different than what we see now, but that may be an area that teams and players should look at in the future.”
Minnesota got a steal of a deal by getting Murray to agree to a contract for just $1.3 million. Critically, Murray ensured there was a no-tag clause at the end of things. Doing so ensures that he maintains leverage going into March of 2027.
Sep 8, 2024; Orchard Park, New York, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) rolls out looking to throw the ball against the Buffalo Bills during the first half at Highmark Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images
In all likelihood, Minnesota would need to get close to that magic number considered in the OTC piece. Dropping down a contract that averages $50 million isn’t impossible to digest but there would be consequences to such a deal.
Murray’s task involves proving so formidable that allowing him to walk would be deemed foolish. Proving to be the long-awaited franchise passer would mean that the Vikings are compelled to ensure Kyler Murray finishes his career with a horn on his helmet.
Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca spoke about what is needed from the club in the transfer window
18:01, 16 Aug 2026Updated 18:06, 16 Aug 2026
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Enzo Maresca said that the sooner Manchester City can make signings the better for them after a 3-0 defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield. The Blues were brushed aside by the Premier League champions in Maresca’s first outing on British soil as City boss after conceding in the first minute.
With Savinho, Tijjani Reijnders and Rodri all absent from the squad amid expected departures, City have work to do to replace the players they are set to lose on top of more additions they are looking to make. Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi is one player that City are in negotiations to sign but Sunday’s defeat to Arsenal highlighted more that is missing from Maresca’s squad.
City’s coach insisted after the game that the club’s transfer plans are ‘clear’ and unchanged by the Arsenal result. However, there is also much work to do in the final two weeks of the window for the Blues to give Maresca the backing that they want to do as he follows Pep Guardiola.
“Any new signing, the sooner they arrive the better because we are starting the Premier League in one week and if they start to work with us as soon as possible it’s better that they can also understand the way we want to play,” said Maresca.
“We knew already before the game of the things that we need to do. It’s not because we lost the game or even if we had won the game to think differently. We are quite clear in what we need to do and for sure we are going to do something before the window closes.”
Oct 5, 2025; Tottenham, United Kingdom; Members of the Great Britain IFAF European flag football world champions team pose for a photo before an NFL International Series game between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cleveland Browns at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The IFAF Flag Football World Championships 2026 concluded in Dusseldorf, Germany on Sunday with the United States taking home the title for the men and Canada securing the victory for the women.
In the men’s tournament, the United States cruised to a 46-26 win over Italy. They were dominant from the start, building a 38-8 lead at halftime.
Tyler Davis led the way with three touchdowns. Defensively, Aamir “Nuskiii” Brown had a big day, coming up with two interceptions. Jordan Bouah scored two touchdowns for Italy.
In the bronze medal game, Canada pulled out a 34-26 overtime victory over Mexico. In overtime, Canada’s Antony Auclair scored a touchdown and a two-point conversion. Then, Guillaume Beland secured the win with an interception.
For Canada, Auclair and Daniel Petterman led the way with two touchdowns each. Damian Chirinos scored two touchdowns for Mexico.
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In the women’s tournament, Canada defeated the United States 27-20 in the gold medal match. Following a Frederique Morneau touchdown, they extended their lead to 27-14 with 6:12 remaining. Morneau scored three touchdowns on the day.
Madison Fulford scored to cut the lead to 27-20 with 2:25 left. The United States got the ball back with 32 seconds left but were unable to pull out any late game heroics.
Mexico defeated Great Britain 20-19 in the bronze medal game. Mexico built a 20-6 lead at halftime, but Great Britain stormed back in the second half.
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The two teams posted similar offensive numbers; Mexico led Great Britain in yardage 117-113. However, Mexico’s three interceptions proved to be the difference.
The World Championships serves as a qualifying event for the 2028 LA Olympic Games. As the host nation, the United States automatically qualifies. As a result, the next two highest-placing teams in the men’s (Italy and Canada) and women’s (Canada and Mexico) tournaments earned an automatic Olympic bid.
Newcastleare preparing a bid of 55m euros (£47m) for Villarreal’s Georgia forward Georges Mikautadze, 25, who is also interesting Barcelona. (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
Nigeria forward Victor Osimhen, 27, has refused to rule out a summer move from Galatasaray,with Arsenal interested. (Caught Offside), external
Hull Cityare in advanced talks over a £21m deal for Panathinaikos forward Andreas Tetteh, with Roma also interested in the Greece international. (Ekrem Konur), external
Atletico Madrid want to beat Barcelona to the signing of Morocco midfielder Azzedine Ounahi, 26, who Girona value at about 25m euros (£21.3m). (Fichajes – in Spanish), external
RC Lens have won the French Super Cup after defeating Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final.
Florian Thauvin scored the only goal of the match in the 32nd minute, giving Lens a crucial lead before half-time.
Lens were reduced to 10 men after Kyllian Antonio was sent off in the 39th minute, but they defended their advantage with determination throughout the second half.
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PSG were unable to find an equaliser, while Nuno Mendes was also sent off late in the match as Lens held on to secure a historic victory.
The result gives RC Lens their first French Super Cup title and ends PSG’s four-year run as champions.
The benefit of age is clearly evident in Shadhavar, who added another Stakes victory to her impressive record with a hard-fought win in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield this past Saturday.
Following a campaign last preparation that saw Shadhavar achieve Listed race success across two starts, the mare has continued her development with yet another black-type triumph.
It was precisely one year ago that Shadhavar finished unplaced in a Benchmark 74 race at the corresponding meeting. However, the Pride Of Dubai filly has now recorded six wins from 15 career starts, accumulating in excess of $400,000 in prize money.
Sent off as the $5 favourite with Craig Williams in the jockey silks, Shadhavar managed to secure a short-neck victory over Persian Spirit ($10). Recommendation ($6) claimed the third position, a length behind the runner-up.
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Senior part-owner Joe O’Neill stated that there would be no immediate plans to extend Shadhavar to the 1400m trip for the Group 1 Memsie Stakes, which is scheduled to take place at Caulfield on August 29.
He suggested that the Group 3 Courtza Stakes (1200m), also scheduled for the same race day, would likely be a more suitable objective.
“She’s a very good mare and she’s improving all the time,” O’Neill commented. “Who knows where she may finish, as it is just the start of her preparation.”
“The Courtza Stakes is in two weeks’ time, and I would like to win that. I think we will keep her sprinting as you can go up in distance too quickly and have a gut-buster and it is a long way to Flemington.”
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O’Neill praised trainer Tom Dabernig for his outstanding management of Shadhavar, outlining a campaign strategy that he hopes will culminate at Flemington during the prestigious Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“The Champions Sprint,” O’Neill proclaimed. “I think she’s a sprinter, and that’s the thing, people tend to push horses sometime and push them out in distance. Keep her fresh, keep her happy, so it’s very good.”.
Given the mare’s current form, placing a wager on her victory in the Regal Roller Stakes via online bookmakers presents an appealing option.
Chris Evert threw her support behind Caitlyn Jenner, who lambasted the WNBA for its handling of transgender eligibility policies. After Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed her stance against the inclusion of transgender athletes, the WNBA has found itself surrounded by the hot-button issue.
The debate intensified after former NBA players Enes Kanter Freedom and Royce White declared themselves as the 2027 WNBA draft prospects.
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During her latest appearance on Fox News, Jenner addressed the manner in which the WNBA handled the controversy over whether transgender athletes should compete in the league. She backed the two former NBA players, who declared their intentions to feature in the WNBA.
“They’re showing the hypocrisy of what’s going on out there in the WNBA. The WNBA had their meetings on this issue and Cathy (Engelbert), the head, says, ‘We talked about the trans issue but we just haven’t come up with a conclusion at this point. We will continue the conversation.’ Cathy, XX, you’re in. XY you’re out. It’s that simple,” Jenner told Fox News.
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Chris Evert, the 18-time Grand Slam champion, backed Jenner’s views on the existing situation in the WNBA and wrote on X:
“The two people’s opinions I respect regarding this issue are Caitlyn Jenner and Renee Richards, who both have firsthand experience. They both have some strong opinions and have gone on the record.”
According to the existing laws in the WNBA, a lack of clarity prevails regarding whether transgender athletes can compete in the league or not. According to the WNBA’s collective bargaining agreement’s Article XIII, Section 1(a): “Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA.”
Chris Evert defends Martina Navratilova from critics amid WTA’s gender testing policy debate
The transgender inclusion debate has also been the talk of the town in the world of tennis. Tennis icon Martina Navratilova has been the loudest in support of the policy.
Several top players including Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and others have rooted for the WTA’s initiative. Chris Evert weighed in on the entire situation and wrote on X:
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“Martina Navratilova and Nancy Hogshead WERE the first athletes to back it and received a lot of criticism. It’s good to hear current athletes weigh in. My opinion? Ask Renee Richards or Caitlyn Jenner their opinion… They lived it, and I would certainly respect their opinion.”
As of now, no known transgender athletes are competing on the tour. The last known transgender athlete to feature in the WTA was Renee Richards, who competed from 1977 to 1981.
A Minnesota Vikings helmet sits on the turf during pregame warmups at Lambeau Field on Nov. 23, 2025, in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The scene captures a quiet moment before kickoff, with players preparing nearby as the NFC North rivalry matchup against the Packers approaches in crisp, late-season conditions. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images.
By a Minnesota mile, the worst part of any preseason game is the injuries that arise. Seeing safety Jamal Adams go down with what appears to be a serious injury certainly qualifies as terrible news.
The new Viking has been an elite player in the past but has seen his career’s prime hollowed out by needing time in the infirmary. The outlook suggests that’s coming yet again. Consider what the team’s social media had to say: “Head Coach Kevin O’Connell has said that Jamal Adams suffered a right knee injury in today’s game and that initial examinations don’t look good.”
New Viking Jamal Adams Hurt vs. NYG
To begin, consider the play where the injury arose:
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Going down without getting touched hints at a bad outcome. Think back to Kirk Cousins in that 2023 season for an example. Obviously, I can’t diagnose based on just seeing a play occur, but the outlook isn’t defined by optimism.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tyler Boyd (83) turns downfield after completing a catch as Seattle Seahawks safety Jamal Adams (33) defends in the first quarter during an NFL football game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Cincinnati Bengals Sunday, Oct. 15, 2023, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. – Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
After the game, the word that Kevin O’Connell arrived at was “crushed.” O’Connell’s thought after the game built off of what he said during the game:
“You’re just crushed for him, the role he was kind of paving for himself and just having a personality, experience, toughness that he brought in such a short amount of time. We’re going to miss him.” – Head Coach Kevin O’Connell on Jamal Adams pic.twitter.com/mhaOEov4qo
In Jamal Adams, the Vikings boasted a versatile veteran who appeared to be an excellent fit for what Brian Flores wants to do.
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The safety played linebacker last season for the Sin City Raiders. Switching positions isn’t easy but Adams happens to be a sharp guy who is passionate about ball. Better yet, he has always been somebody with a knack for making plays behind the line of scrimmage. He would have solidified Minnesota’s secondary and front seven.
`Nov 2, 2017; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; New York Jets strong safety Jamal Adams (33) sacks Buffalo Bills quarterback Tyrod Taylor (5) during the second half at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports
Alec Lewis passed along the thought from Josh Metellus: “Vikings S Josh Metellus said Jamal Adams sat in front of the defense earlier this week and told his entire story. The injuries, the mental toll, the joy he was playing with. ‘It’s just tough, man.’”
Note, as well, that Nolan Teasley has a history with Jamal Adams since they were co-workers when in Seattle. A lot of people in Minnesota have been impressed by the newcomer, meaning the news hits as being particularly painful.
Amy Hunt studied English Literature at Cambridge but clearly prefers making history in her spare time. In 90 years of the European Championships, no athlete has ever won four gold medals at a single edition — but Hunt is now just one winning race away.
After completing a stunning sprint double in the 100m and 200m, Hunt joined forces with Dina Asher-Smith, Success Eduan and Imani-Lara Lansiquot to storm to 4x100m gold at the Alexander Stadium in 42.05 seconds, the fastest time in Europe this season.
“I’m having the time of my life,” said Hunt. “I’m standing next to some amazing women — Dina wins these medals for fun, Success delivers babies for a living and Imani wrote a play. They are just special and talented people.
“This week has been a whirlwind and it’s not finished yet. I think next week the emotions are going to hit me and I’ll be crying every day.”
Tears can wait and, regardless of what happens in Sunday’s 4x100m mixed relay, Hunt is the story of these championships. But she was not the story of this night.
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There is now no more decorated athlete at this event than Asher-Smith, who has won ten medals since her debut in Amsterdam ten years ago, level with Polish sprinter Irena Szewińska. Seven of them are gold, the joint record with Croatian discus thrower Sandra Elkasevic and Norway’s middle-distance superstar Jakob Ingebrigtsen.
Asher-Smith is now the most decorated athlete at European level (Reuters)
And Asher-Smith did study history, at King’s College London – this is a quartet of brains and speed.
“I’ve had a good week but Dina, she’s the GOAT,” added Hunt.
Asher-Smith might be adjusting to no longer being the star turn of British women’s sprinting, but you don’t need to spend long on her Wikipedia page to realise the scale of her achievements. She is perhaps the best example of Seb Coe’s promise to ‘Inspire a Generation’ at the London 2012 Olympics, where she volunteered as a kit-bag carrier on Super Saturday. Within a year, she’d won the first of 25 career championship medals with a 4x100m bronze at the World Championships in Moscow.
“I hear the stats but they can go in one ear and out of the other,” said Asher-Smith, who had admitted disappointment with her bronze in the 200m. “Maybe it will sink in one day, perhaps in ten years’ time when I can look back and actually appreciate it.
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GB won a golden double in the relays on Saturday night (Reuters)
“It’s just an honour to be in the position to win these medals. It’s a privilege to do this and be part of this team. Some of the medals I won individually but lots have been won with a team and that just means so much.”
A few moments earlier, Britain’s Jeremiah Azu, Louis Hinchliffe, Zharnel Hughes and Romell Glave nailed their changeovers to scorch to victory in the men’s 4x100m for the fifth time in the last six championships. “They start it, we like to finish the show,” joked Hunt.
They also came in as favourites and calmly embraced the pressure, 100m champion Glave powering down the anchor leg as Germany and Belgium could only chase his fumes.
“We knew we could deliver. This team is incredible. Privately, we’ve set some big goals for the next two years and we are ticking them off one by one,” said 100m silver medallist Azu. “We’ve a great relationship between us. The days when you hated your rivals from your country are gone. We lift each other up. It feels special to win this with your friends, especially in front of our own fans.”
Jeremiah Azu, right, hugs Amy Hunt as they celebrate their relay gold medals (Annabel Lee-Ellis/PA) (PA Wire)
There was a time when you watched Britain’s men in relay action expecting spills, not thrills, especially at the Olympics. With the exception of their gold medal in Athens, they failed to finish in Atlanta and were disqualified in Sydney, Beijing and London. But these two relays were a masterclass in speed and technique. Check marks were extended to the very limit and exchanges were slick.
And when these two quartets are combined for Sunday’s mixed event, they’ll be tough to stop if they can repeat this magic.
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Burn needs no reminding that all of Newcastle‘s arrivals are 24 and under and have never played in the Premier League before.
But he wants to “embrace the change” as he looks to help the new signings quickly realise what it means to play for the club.
“Right now, can you tell if someone is going to be the next Bruno?” he said. “Maybe not, but I think there’s definitely ability there.”
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Jaissle has repeatedly used the word “transition” since taking charge and said the vocal Burn will be “vital in helping guide our younger players through this period of change”.
It will fall to Burn and the club’s other senior players to push those around them, knowing full well the standards which were set when the club qualified for the Champions League and ended a 70-year wait to win a major domestic trophy by lifting the EFL Cup.
Newcastle finished 12th in the Premier League last season, but were previously a ferocious and spiky side to play against at their best under Howe.
Burn, however, suggested they were “not allowed to” tap into the dark arts anymore.
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“It seemed everything we did was stopped in the Premier League in the season after,” he said of various rule changes.
“It’s more a mentality. Not that we ever tried to hurt people, but everyone said that. People feared us and didn’t want to play against us. I’d love for us to have a bit of that.
“All the best teams seem to. If that’s going to help us, I’d love to do that but I’d be surprised if the Premier League allowed us to.”
The top flight will get the first glimpse of this new-look side when Newcastle face Liverpool at St James’ Park next week (Sunday, 16:30 BST).
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It is set to be an emotional afternoon as the stadium pays tribute to the late Kevin Keegan, one of the most transformational figures in Newcastle‘s history, who also represented Liverpool as a player.
Burn had lunch with Keegan at the end of May – following an invitation from Newcastle‘s former manager – and said he was a “great person to be around”.
“I don’t think we need any motivation,” he said. “Either us or the city.”
Manchester City will say goodbye to Rodri in the coming days after agreeing a deal with Barcelona that they are happy with
Rodri will complete a move to Barcelona after the Catalan giants agreed a fee with Manchester City. Having rejected two bids, the Blues have accepted a total package that will reach £65.4m for their star midfielder.
City had hoped that Rodri would sign a new contract at the Etihad but with his deal entering the final year it became clear that the Ballon d’Or winner would not commit. With Barcelona looking to sign him in the last two weeks, City set a benchmark of over £60m and that has been met.
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It brings to an end seven glorious years for Rodri with City, where he established himself as the best player in world football before a serious knee issue in September 2024 cost him the best part of two years to injury. He returned in May 2025 and played a substantial part in City winning two trophies last season, but did not rediscover his best form until he captained Spain to World Cup glory in the summer.
The 30-year-old returned to the City Football Academy on Friday with no agreement between Barcelona and the Blues. However, he was absent from the squad that travelled down to the Community Shield for Sunday’s 3-0 defeat to Arsenal; while he is not fully fit, last year the Spaniard was present for matches while injured in order to support the team.
City are intent on replacing Rodri and a substantial fee will help them, and a deal for Lille midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi is advancing, but that is understood to be separate from another deal for Rodri; interest in Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez persists despite the deadline imposed by the West London club that was not met. However, boss Enzo Maresca highlighted that time is against the club with just a few weeks of the window left.
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“Any new signing, the sooner they arrive the better because we are starting the Premier League in one week and if they start to work with us as soon as possible it’s better that they can also understand the way we want to play,” said Maresca.
“We knew already before the game of the things that we need to do. It’s not because we lost the game or even if we had won the game to think differently. We are quite clear in what we need to do and for sure we are going to do something before the window closes.”
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