NFL Network reporter Tom Pelissero appears on site during media coverage at the NFL Scouting Combine inside the Indiana Convention Center, Feb. 25, 2025, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Pelissero reported on league developments as executives, coaches, and scouts gathered to evaluate prospects and shape offseason decisions ahead of free agency and the draft. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
In Minnesota, Tom Pelissero is ol’ faithful. The national insider has plenty of connections to the Minnesota Vikings, making him uniquely-qualified among league-level voices to weigh-in on the QB pecking order.
Pelissero chatted with Tatum Everett, who works for the Vikings Entertainment Network. The reporter for The NFL Network described the team’s reluctance to move through another year without ample passer depth given the injury turmoil that undermined 2023 and 2025. Afterwards, there’s the clincher: “They love Carson Wentz, he’s coming in, I think it’s pretty clear as QB3. It’s going to be J.J. McCarthy versus Kyler Murray.”
What needs to be remembered is that Minnesota was undermined last year due the QB position having both a low ceiling and a low floor. As a result, the decision was to onboard passers who could elevate both areas. Murray is someone to raise the ceiling as a high-upside option; Wentz is in town to solidify the floor as a low-maintenance option.
Dec 14, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) slaps hands with Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell after a made field goal against the Dallas Cowboys during the second half at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Sitting between those two is J.J. McCarthy, the 23-year-old quarterback who got chosen at No. 10 in the 2024 NFL Draft (a lifetime ago).
Pretty consistently, Kevin O’Connell and Rob Brzezinski have clarified that the desire is alive and well: the franchise wants the Michigan passer to be the long-term starter. No team, short of the truly foolish squads, gives up on a young arm so quickly, especially when there hasn’t been any nefarious off-field issues to demand a divorce.
Moreover, so much of what has hindered McCarthy has been plain old bad luck. Getting and staying healthy could be the key.
Advertisement
The other part of the equation is the competition that’s taking place, something that Tom Pelissero circles around to in his answer. Not only is there a clarification about Wentz coming in at 3rd within the hierarchy, but Pelissero goes on to describe the situation as “a real competition,” a conclusion he has arrived at “based on everything that I’ve been told.”
Feb 4, 2026; San Francisco, CA, USA; Tom Pelissero on the NFL Network set at the Super Bowl LX media center at the Moscone Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
If the only criteria is who is the best quarterback at this precise moment, then Kyler Murray is a near certainty to start. What gets missed in that too-simple criteria is that J.J. McCarthy is improving.
If Murray takes a step forward, then McCarthy needs to take two or three steps forward within the same timeline. Do that enough times and the sizable QB chasm that exists on April 1st could get shrunk down in time for September 1st.
The young fella was out in California working with a private quarterback coach, continuing on his pilgrimage toward airtight mechanics. He’s now in the Twin Cities, building up his body with the Vikings’ staff at TCO Performance Center. Being healthy, owning good technique, and getting into the best shape of his life, McCarthy could very well become a very good passer.
Based on who offers the most upside over a long-term time horizon, J.J. McCarthy is the clear answer. He is younger, has better size, and has a contract that’s much easier to manage over the next several years. So, too, did he demand a far more expensive form of investment from the team.
Advertisement
At the end of the day, there’s training camp and the preseason for a reason. The competition is already underway no matter how much O’Connell tries to say that May and June are about class on the grass (mastering the scheme). Evaluation is a constant in the NFL, but O’Connell is correct that July and August are going to be what matter most as it relates to who starts in Week 1.
Dec 21, 2025; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) and head coach Kevin O’Connell hug before the game at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images
Guessing who comes out on top is precisely that: a guess.
What isn’t uncertain is whether Carson Wentz is now being looked at as a legitimate challenger for the QB1 job. That’s simply not the case. Rather, he’s a low-maintenance QB3, somebody who can help the team win without demanding much of a workload leading up to games. Something funky could happen that’s totally unforeseen, creating the conditions for Wentz to be the starter, but that’s going to take an anvil or grand piano falling from the sky.
In late July, Kyler Murray will be looking to hold off J.J. McCarthy within a two-horse race. Stay tuned.
Former pro-basketball player Jason Collins, the first active male athlete on a major American professional team sport to come out as gay, has died aged 47.
Collins died after a valiant fight with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain cancer, his family said in a statement shared by the National Basketball Association (NBA).
Advertisement
He announced last year that he had been diagnosed with the cancer and was undergoing treatment to stop the spread of the inoperable disease.
Advertisement
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said on Tuesday.
“Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others,” Silver added.
Collins said in December 2025 that the cancer was discovered after he was struggling to focus.
Advertisement
The brain tumour, he said, was like “a monster with tentacles spreading across the underside of my brain the width of a baseball”.
Advertisement
Without treatment, he would be dead within three months, doctors told Collins.
When revealing his diagnosis to the world, he said it reminded him of his decision to publicly come out as gay in 2013 in a front-page cover story for Sports Illustrated. The years since were “the best of my life”, he said.
“Your life is so much better when you just show up as your true self, unafraid to be your true self, in public or private. This is me. This is what I’m dealing with.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
Collins was being treated with a drug called Avastin to slow the tumour’s growth, and had been travelling to Singapore for a targeted form of chemotherapy.
The California native played for six teams in his 13 seasons in the NBA. He had previously been featured on Time Magazine’s 100 most influential people list. He retired in 2014.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” his family said on Tuesday.
He started his coming out essay for Sports Illustrated in 2013, by writing: “I’m a 34-year-old N.B.A. center. I’m Black and I’m gay.”
Advertisement
Advertisement
He was a free agent at the time the essay was published, and so it remained unclear whether coming out would end his NBA career.
While there were significant developments for the gay rights movement by then, gay marriage was not legalized across the US until 2015.
Collins went on to re-join the Brooklyn Nets, where he started his career, and became the first openly-gay athlete to ever play across any of the major four US sports leagues.
Feb 6, 2023; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna (51) signs autographs during Super Bowl Opening Night at Footprint Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
The Minnesota Vikings may or may not need an extra outside linebacker; that depends on the team’s early plan for rookie Jake Golday, who, in theory, could be used as the OLB3. But if interim general manager Rob Brzezinski wants a veteran free agent, well, the market shrank Monday again as the Buffalo Bills grabbed Mike Danna off the wire.
One more veteran pass rusher disappeared. The Vikings’ options are getting thinner.
Minnesota still has veteran OLB alternatives to explore, but Danna is off the board.
Advertisement
Minnesota May Have to Move Quickly for EDGE Help
Danna heads to a contender.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna speaks to reporters on Feb. 5, 2025, at the New Orleans Marriott ahead of Super Bowl LIX. Danna entered the championship week as one of Kansas City’s experienced defensive contributors after carving out a reliable rotational role in Steve Spagnuolo’s aggressive front over multiple playoff runs. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images.
BUF Signs Danna
Danna has a new NFL home after six seasons in Kansas City. ESPN’s Alaina Getzenberg wrote Monday, “The Bills added a familiar former opponent to the roster, signing outside linebacker Mike Danna to a one-year deal Monday, the team announced. Danna, 28, had played the last six seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, who released him Feb. 23 in a move to create salary cap space ahead of the new league year.”
“During his time with the Chiefs, he faced the Bills in five regular-season games and four postseason matchups. In the AFC Championship Game during the 2024 season, Danna recorded his only sack against Buffalo — a strip sack on Josh Allen that the quarterback recovered.”
Advertisement
Danna joins a Super Bowl contender, while the Vikings’ presumptive search for an extra pass rusher dwindles.
Danna’s Production and Resume
Danna entered the business in 2020 as a 5th-Round pick by the Kansas City Chiefs. He’s stuck around since. In terms of longevity, he’s the Vikings’ version of safety Josh Metellus if Metellus had signed with the Philadelphia Eagles, for example, this offseason.
Danna is basically the perfect guy for situational pass rushing, perhaps the Bills’ version of D.J. Wonnum from Vikings’ squads of yesteryear.
Advertisement
The Bills’ OLBs
Buffalo actually has some fantastic EDGE depth, onboarding three or four reputable outside linebackers this offseason. They’re serious and are in it to win it in 2026:
Here’s the current OLB group:
Bradley Chubb
Greg Rousseau
Michael Danna
T.J. Parker
Michael Hoecht
Andre Jones Jr.
Javon Solomon
Cade Denhoff
Parker, a rookie, now has ample time to develop with Danna around as the OLB3.
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna runs onto the field before a matchup against the Denver Broncos on Oct. 12, 2023, at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Danna continued developing into a dependable edge defender for the Chiefs, contributing steady pressure, rotational depth, and physicality along Kansas City’s defensive front. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports.
SI.com‘s Alex Brasky on the Danna addition: “While Danna and Solomon may not be roster locks by any means, signing a veteran not named Epenesa or Bosa at this stage is a bit telling, as OnSI’s Randy Gurzi wrote previously, along with highlighting the possibility of Solomon’s ultimate demise.”
“However, if that theory proves incorrect and Bosa and/or Epenesa are welcomed back, that would really spell trouble for Solomon. This is by no means an earth-shattering move, but there are reasons to look more closely at the Bills welcoming a player with Danna’s experience level, which includes Super Bowl experience.”
Brasky added, “We’ll see how it all shakes out, but this can’t be great news for Solomon. One thing that could salvage Solomon’s spot on the roster is Michael Hecht’s ongoing rehab from a season-ending Achilles injury.”
“If Hoecht cannot return in time for Week 1, that would open an additional roster spot for either Danna or the team’s homegrown pass rusher to hold down at least until Hoecht can return from injury.”
Who’s Left for Vikings?
Advertisement
Upset that Minnesota didn’t score Danna this week or Dante Fowler Jr. last week? Have no fear; the list of available outside linebackers remains impressive. Minnesota could somewhat easily sign one of these men as early as now:
Denico Autry
Derek Barnett
Joey Bosa
Jadeveon Clowney
Marcus Davenport
A.J. Epenesa
Leonard Floyd
Cameron Jordan
Von Miller
Haason Reddick
Kyle Van Noy
Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Mike Danna celebrates after a road victory on Sep. 22, 2024, against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Danna remained part of Kansas City’s deep defensive line rotation, helping the Chiefs maintain one of the NFL’s more disruptive pass-rushing units during the 2024 campaign. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images.
Floyd might make the most sense. He won a Super Bowl with Kevin O’Connell on the 2021 Los Angeles Rams squad. Van Noy, too, has ties to Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores from their days together with the New England Patriots.
Danna will turn 29 in December.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Jason Collins, the NBA’s first openly gay player who went on to become a pioneer for inclusion and an ambassador for the league, has died after an eight-month battle with an aggressive form of a brain tumour, his family announced Tuesday.
Collins spent 13 years as a player in the league for six different franchises. He revealed in 2013 that he was gay, an announcement that came toward the end of his playing career.
Collins had been diagnosed with Stage 4 glioblastoma, which has an extremely low survival rate. He was 47.
“Jason changed lives in unexpected ways and was an inspiration to all who knew him and to those who admired him from afar,” Collins’ family said in a statement released through the NBA. “We are grateful for the outpouring of love and prayers over the past eight months and for the exceptional medical care Jason received from his doctors and nurses. Our family will miss him dearly.”
Advertisement
Just last week, Collins received the inaugural Bill Walton Global Champion Award at the Green Sports Alliance Summit. He was too ill to attend and his twin brother, former NBA player Jarron Collins, accepted for him.
“I told my brother this before I came here: He’s the bravest, strongest man I’ve ever known,” Jarron Collins said while accepting that award.
Jason Collins averaged 3.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in his career. He helped the New Jersey Nets reach two NBA Finals and in his best season averaged 6.4 points and 6.1 rebounds for them in 2004-05.
“Jason Collins’ impact and influence extended far beyond basketball as he helped make the NBA, WNBA and larger sports community more inclusive and welcoming for future generations,” NBA Commissioner Adam Silver said. “He exemplified outstanding leadership and professionalism throughout his 13-year NBA career and in his dedicated work as an NBA Cares Ambassador. Jason will be remembered not only for breaking barriers, but also for the kindness and humanity that defined his life and touched so many others.
Advertisement
“On behalf of the NBA, I send my heartfelt condolences to Jason’s husband, Brunson, and his family, friends and colleagues across our leagues.”
Jason Collins revealed his sexuality in a first-person account for Sports Illustrated in April 2013. He was a free agent at the time, said he wanted to keep playing, and went on to play in 22 games with Brooklyn the following season.
“If I had my way, someone else would have already done this,” he wrote at that time. “Nobody has, which is why I’m raising my hand.”
His decision was widely lauded, with star players such as Kobe Bryant quickly speaking out in support of Collins. There was even support from the White House and then-former President Bill Clinton — whose daughter, Chelsea, went to Stanford with Collins. At Stanford, Collins was roommates with someone who was part of another American political dynasty, that being Joe Kennedy III, who spent eight years in Congress representing Massachusetts.
Advertisement
Collins, in the piece for Sports Illustrated, wrote that he realized he needed to go public about his sexuality when Kennedy walked in Boston’s gay pride parade in 2012 — but Collins couldn’t do the same.
Until then, Collins kept his feelings about gay rights close to the vest. He wore jersey No. 98 for the majority of his final three playing stints with Boston, Washington and Brooklyn — a nod to the year that Matthew Shepard, a gay college student in Wyoming, was killed. He also wore 46 in one game for the Nets, since it was the only jersey the team had available when he signed.
Collins made nearly 61 per cent of his shots in his career at Stanford, which remains a school record. He was an honourable mention selection for The Associated Press’ All-America team in 2001, a few months before the Houston Rockets took him with the 18th pick in that year’s NBA draft.
“It’s a sad day for all of us associated with Stanford basketball when we lose one of the program’s greats,” former Stanford coach Mike Montgomery said. “We all have great memories of Jason and the kind of person he was. It’s hard to separate Jarron and Jason because they thought so alike, but even though he was an identical twin, Jason was unique in his own way. The impact he had on Stanford was immense, as he could match up against anyone in the country because he was big, smart, strong and skilled, all while being a very bright and nice person.”
Oct 20, 2024; San Jose, California, USA; Colorado Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson (42) warms up on the ice before the game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center at San Jose. Mandatory Credit: Robert Edwards-Imagn Images
Avalanche defenseman Josh Manson was fined $5,000 on Tuesday for butt-ending Wild forward Michael McCarron.
The incident occurred in the first period of Colorado’s 5-2 win at Minnesota on Monday night in Game 4 of their Western Conference second-round series, which the Avalanche lead 3-1.
Manson received a double minor on the play after appearing to jam the butt end of his stick into McCarron’s neck area as they were tangled up on the ice.
“He’s a dirty player. He’s always been,” McCarron told ESPN during a break in the action. “Surprised he got away with a four-minute (penalty).”
Advertisement
Manson, 34, was making his first appearance since April 23 due to an upper-body injury. He has two assists and eight penalty minutes in four games this postseason after posting 31 points (five goals, 26 assists) and 91 penalty minutes in 79 games in the regular season.
The fine was the maximum allowable under the collective bargaining agreement.
Nikita Shulchenco of LCW UAECycling Team in action during the Tour of Luzon. –HANDOUT PHOTO
LINGAYEN, Pangasinan—Barring a massive disaster, Nikita Shulchenko has the MPTC Tour of Luzon title in the bag.
The Russian rider finished second in the individual time trial on Tuesday, the summer cycling spectacle’s penultimate stage, and built a four-minute cushion against French cyclist Antoine Huby
Article continues after this advertisement
Advertisement
“It’s great for me,” said Shulchenko after crossing the finish in 26 minutes and one second amid the scorching heat and windy conditions at Lingayen Baywalk. South Korean ace Min Kyeong-ho beat him by 22 seconds.
Shulchenko crossed the finish in 26 minutes and one second amid the scorching heat and windy conditions at Lingayen Baywalk.
Min ruled the race-against-time format, but that meant little to the LCW UAE Cycle top rider, who built himself a buffer heading into the killer final stage from here to Baguio via Kennon Road, which will feature a climb that is more suitable to Huby’s talents.
Biggest threat
Huby was tagged as a potential challenger for Shulchenko, with mountain stages affording several opportunities to eat up time deficits, but he could not keep pace during the time trial, finishing at 27:21—1:42 behind Min and 1:20 slower than Shulchenko.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
Shulchenko now has an aggregate time of 36:42:22, ahead of the 7-Eleven Roadbike Philippines ace by 3:50.
Huby emerged as the biggest threat to Shulchenko’s hold on the yellow jersey when he conquered the difficult climb towards Daang Kalikasan in Mangatarem the previous day to move within 2:30 of the Russian.
But a poor finish in the time trial by Huby turned Wednesday’s final stage into a virtual coronation lap for Shulchenko and not the “Battle Royale” that 7-Eleven team manager Ric Rodriguez billed it to be during the Tour’s rest day in Pagudpud last week.
Advertisement
Article continues after this advertisement
Huby had beaten Shulchenko in the tough climbs, including the unforgiving Stage 10 at Bessang Pass in Cervantes, Ilocos Sur, which could have made the final stage more dramatic had the 25-year-old slashed the deficit even more or even just kept pace.
“It’s a nice gap for me, but there’s no reason for me to relax,” Shulchenko said.
The Russian rider has donned the symbolic jersey since Stage 3, and will look to secure the P1 million top prize for the best individual rider of the Tour—which would make a fitting early birthday present.
Advertisement
Shulchenko will turn 27 on May 31.
His LCW teammate, Ibrahiem Alrefai, is third in the general classification (5:37 behind), while MPT DriveHub’s Nash Lim moved into fourth (8:05 behind) and is now the best Filipino rider.
Fan favorite Mervin Corpuz of 7-Eleven is fifth (+8:54), with Malaysia national team’s Muhammad Mazlin (+9:26) in sixth and 7-Eleven’s Ronnilan Quita (+9:46) seventh.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Advertisement
Your subscription has been successful.
Rounding out the top 10 are MPT’s Rustom Lim (+12:19), Seoul’s Jung Woo-ho (+13:30) and Go for Gold Philippines’ Rench Michael Bondoc (+13:54).
Jacob Fatu brutally assaulted Roman Reigns and The Usos on the latest episode of Monday Night RAW. Following this incident, he has now broken his silence on social media.
The Samoan Werewolf challenged the OTC for the World Heavyweight Championship last Saturday at Backlash in Tampa. Despite dominating Reigns during the match, Jacob Fatu was unable to get the job done. In the end, Roman managed to pin him to retain his title.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Frustrated, Fatu attacked the World Heavyweight Champion after the match. That’s not all. The Samoan Werewolf still didn’t hold back this week on the red brand. He brutally assaulted Roman Reigns and The Usos during what was meant to be an “Acknowledgement Ceremony.”
Advertisement
Following this incident, Fatu has now broken his silence on X/Tiwtter with this message:
Real Reason why Jacob Fatu lost at Backlash – Check Here!
“@Golden1Center @WWE WE NEED A PLE IN THE 916 WHERE IM FROM❗️❗️❗️❗️” Fatu wrote.
Will Triple H book Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu II?
Roman Reigns may have survived WWE Backlash 2026 with the World Heavyweight Championship intact, but the war with Jacob Fatu looks far from over. In fact, the RAW after Backlash only added more fuel to the fire.
Fatu’s explosive actions on Monday night made it clear that he is still hunting the OTC. The Samoan Werewolf has been relentless ever since stepping into the main event picture, and despite falling short at Backlash, he doesn’t appear ready to move on. Given this, it’s possible that Triple H could book Roman Reigns vs. Jacob Fatu II at Clash in Italy later this month.
Advertisement
The first match proved that Fatu belongs at the top of the card. He pushed Reigns to his limit and nearly walked away with the title before the Tribal Chief escaped with a narrow victory. WWE now has a golden opportunity to capitalize on that momentum with an even bigger rematch on May 31.
At the same time, WWE could take a different route if Adam Pearce decides to punish Fatu for his post-Backlash chaos on RAW. A suspension or storyline fine would temporarily delay the rematch and allow Reigns to move into another feud before revisiting unfinished business with his dangerous cousin.
Having sparred Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez last year, Jaron Ennis has weighed in on what makes him one of the best fighters of his era.
Canelo and ‘Boots’ Ennis sparred back in August when the Mexican was preparing for a defence of his undisputed super-middleweight title against Terence Crawford, and ‘Boots’ was going through the gears ahead of his super-welterweight debut against Uisma Lima.
Reflecting on their sessions, the Philadelphian told All The Smoke Fight of his fondness for the four-division champion.
“He [Canelo] was cool, he was regular, he is a funny dude, super funny, People don’t know but when he speaks English super fluent, he is super funny, that whole team is funny.”
In terms of his ability, Ennis went on to point out how valuable the rounds were for him, still viewing Canelo as an elite fighter due to his experience, intelligence and patience.
“My sparring sessions went great, I was in there being myself and having fun. I was picking his brain, he is like 70 fights in, so he knows different things and little tricks, so I’m picking his brain and seeing what is working, seeing what I can do. It was fun, I enjoyed myself.
“He was smart, he takes his time. He is like super patient, the same way as when he fights … Honestly, that might be his best [attribute].
Asked about Canelo’s power specifically, Ennis said:
Advertisement
“It was cool. No [not the hardest I’ve been in with.]”
The two bottom sides in the MLS Western Conference table lock horns on Wednesday when Orlando City take on Philadelphia Union at the Inter&Co Stadium. While the hosts could pick up back-to-back home wins for the first time this season, Bradley Carnell’s men will be aiming to snap their run of five consecutive matches without a win.
Orlando City were sent crashing back to earth last Saturday as they fell to a 2-0 loss against CF Montreal when the two sides squared off at the Saputo Stadium.
Thanks for the submission!
Advertisement
Martin Perelman’s side had won their previous two outings, picking up a thrilling 4-3 victory over New England Revolution on April 30, four days before defeating Inter Miami by the same scoreline at Nu Stadium.
After four straight games on the road, Orlando return to the Inter&Co Stadium, where they have won two of their most recent three league games, with a 1-0 defeat against Houston Dynamo sandwiched between the two victories.
Advertisement
Elsewhere, Philadelphia Union failed to find their feet last weekend when they fell to a 2-1 defeat against New England Revolution at Gillette Stadium.
Carnell’s men have gone five consecutive games without a win, losing twice and claiming three draws, while managing just one win from their 12 MLS matches so far.
With just six points from a possible 36, Philadelphia Union sit rock-bottom in the Western Conference standings, four points and one spot below Wednesday’s hosts.
Advertisement
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Head-To-Head and Key Numbers
Philadelphia Union hold a slight upper hand in the history of this fixture, having won nine of the last 24 meetings between the two teams.
Orlando City have picked up one fewer win in that time, while the spoils have been shared on seven occasions.
Orlando have lost just one of the last six matches against Philadelphia Union while picking up three wins and two draws since March 2023.
Philadelphia Union have failed to win seven of their last eight away games across all competitions, losing six and claiming one draw since February 22.
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Prediction
It has been a difficult start to the campaign for Orlando City and Philadelphia Union, and both sides know a positive result on Wednesday could be the catalyst for a run of good form.
Recent performances at home should give Orlando plenty of optimism and we see them getting the better of Carnell’s men, who have managed just one away win since February.
Prediction: Orlando City 2-1 Philadelphia Union
Orlando City vs Philadelphia Union Betting Tips
Tip 1: Result – Orlando City to win
Tip 2: Over 2.5 goals – Yes (There have been at least three goals scored in six of the last seven meetings between the two sides)
Advertisement
Tip 3: Both sides to score – Yes (Both sides have also scored in six of their last seven encounters)
With the Draft behind us, the Vikings’ roster for the offseason is mostly fulfilled. They still have a few spots open, and as we’ve seen with the Jauan Jennings signing, they are looking for key contributors.
The idea of a roster prediction in early May isn’t to be 100% correct (although I fully intend to brag if I am), but rather to gauge where things stand before OTAs, minicamp, training camp, and the preseason.
Several Vikings Roster Spots Are Already Getting Tight
And I also think this is a fun exercise, so let’s get to it.
Advertisement
Quarterbacks (3)
In: Kyler Murray, J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz;
Out: Max Brosmer
Brad Rempel-Imagn Images
For now, I think this is the easiest one. Murray is likely to start things off as the starter, but McCarthy will have his fair shot if he shows improvement. Carson Wentz gives you an experienced voice in the room, and I don’t think he’d have returned for 2026 if he didn’t think he’d stick around.
Max Brosmer could still develop into a solid backup, but he played poorly in 2025, even for an undrafted rookie. One of my hot takes for 2026 is that Murray and McCarthy won’t both be on the roster, but we’ll see about that.
Advertisement
Wide Receivers (6)
In: Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, Jauan Jennings, Tai Felton, Myles Price, Dillon Bell;
Out: Joaquin Davis, Dontae Fleming, Jeshaun Jones, Shaleak Knotts, Marcus Sanders, Luke Wysong.
I’ll be bold here: I think Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison make the roster. They form one of the best duos in the league and will continue to do so for at least two more seasons. Jauan Jennings is a much-needed, stronger, and taller wide receiver.
Felton is a high pick, only in his second season, and was great on special teams, so there’s no reason to think he won’t stay. Price handled both returning spots, and he’ll probably do it again in 2026. Rookie UDFA Dillon Bell is a fun one.
Advertisement
He was a gadget player and could find himself in a similar role in Kevin O’Connell’s offense, as the team doesn’t have anyone with this skillset.
Halfbacks (5)
In: Aaron Jones, Jordan Mason, Demond Claiborne, Zavier Scott, Max Bredeson;
Out: Kejon Owens.
With the Vikings not spending heavily on the running back position, it’s fair to assume that Jones and Mason will handle the bulk of the carries again. Demond Claiborne can be a demon (bad pun intended) on the field, but his ball security woes can cost him playing time.
Advertisement
If he can figure it out, though, the rookie can be the home-run threat this room lacks. Scott got one of the last spots on the roster, but mostly because I don’t know if Kevin O’Connell will have four running backs.
However, Scott’s ability as a receiver complements this backfield really well, and he had some good plays in 2025. Bredeson comes in as the new fullback on the roster and should be a contributor right away, given his prowess as a run blocker.
Tight Ends (4)
Dan Powers-USA TODAY Network via Imagn Images
In: T.J. Hockenson, Josh Oliver, Gavin Bartholomew, Ben Yurosek;
Out: Bryson Nesbit.
This may be the team’s weakest position on offense. Hockenson doesn’t look the same after his knee injury and has had one of the worst seasons of his career. There’s a chance this had to do with the quarterback play, but it’s still cause for concern.
Advertisement
Josh Oliver is excellent as a blocker and more than capable as a pass catcher, but heavily underused in this aspect. Bartholomew missed his entire rookie season due to a back problem, so this will be the first time we see him in action. Yurosek had over 100 snaps and appeared in 12 games in 2025, giving him a shot at making the roster this season.
Offensive Linemen (9)
In: Christian Darrisaw, Donovan Jackson, Gavin Gerhardt, Will Fries, Brian O’Neill, Blake Brandel, Joe Huber, Ryan Van Demark, Caleb Tiernan;
Out: Michael Jurgens, Delby Lemieux, Henry Bird, Vershon Lee, Tomas Rimac, Caleb Etienne, Tristan Leigh, Walter Rouse.
Four spots on the offensive line are set in stone. Blake Brandel will kick things off as the starting center, but I think this can evolve into a competition with rookie Gavin Gerhardt. Although he’s a seventh-round pick, he has a lot of experience at the position, starting for four years in college.
Advertisement
I also like the idea of Brandel working at center and being able to serve as the backup for every position. The Vikings spent a considerable amount of money on Van Demark in the restricted free agency and used a top-100 pick on Caleb Tiernan, so both should be locks.
If Gerhardt wins the starting job, I’m okay with having only Huber as a true backup guard, as Brandel would also be able to fill in.
Out: Elijah Williams, Monkell Goodwine, Eric Johnson II, Taki Taimani.
Advertisement
Raymond Carlin III-Imagn Images
Arguably the most promising position on the roster, the Vikings have young defensive tackles with tons of potential. Redmond had a breakout season in 2025, and hopefully that was just the start.
At 27, he could be the leader of this group for the next handful of years. If we’re talking about potential, no one embodies it better than the first-round rookie Caleb Banks. The early signs are that he’ll be able to practice fully at the start of training camp, and, if his foot doesn’t bother him again, could make a nasty duo with Redmond.
The other three round out this duo really well: Ingram-Dawkins comes in on passing downs, Orange possesses the ability to be a great nose tackle, and Rodriguez can contribute on both, although he’s more of a nose tackle as well. How well they perform will hinge on Redmond’s continued development and Banks’ health, but if all goes well, they can wreak havoc in opposing backfields.
Edge Rushers (5)
In: Andrew Van Ginkel, Dallas Turner, Kyle Van Noy, Bo Richter, Tyler Batty;
I wasn’t fond of the idea of trading Jonathan Greenard. The price was mostly fair, considering he’ll turn 29 and has an extensive injury history.
But this trade left the Vikings in an odd position. Van Ginkel will continue to do Van Ginkel things, while I fully believe Dallas Turner is ready to take that additional step. However, the depth behind them is way less than optimal. Both Bo Richter and Tyler Batty are special teams players who have never had more than 6% of the defensive snaps.
In the NFL, you must rotate your front seven as often as possible, so this is not enough. There aren’t any premium edge rushers in the market, as we are in the middle of May. Kyle Van Noy is my pick here, mostly due to his familiarity with Brian Flores, and he has played at least 50% of the snaps in each of the last three seasons. After Jauan Jennings’ signing, I believe that a veteran edge rusher is the next big priority.
Linebackers (4)
In: Blake Cashman, Jake Golday, Eric Wilson, Ivan Pace;
Advertisement
Out: Keli Lawson, Jacob Roberts, Josh Ross, Scooby Williams.
This is another position that I believe is set in stone. Blake Cashman is a very underrated player, but his injury woes are cause for concern. Eric Wilson had a career year in 2025, but banking on it happening again wouldn’t be wise, which is one reason I picked Golday even more.
Speaking of Golday, I think he can impress enough to be the starter alongside Cashman. Wilson should still see the field a lot, but more as a rotational player. Ivan Pace provides solid depth and special-teams play.
Cornerbacks (5)
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
In: Byron Murphy, Isaiah Rodgers, James Pierre, Charles Demmings, Zemaiah Vaughn;
I think the first four players are safe bets. Murphy is the best cornerback on the team and has slot-boundary versatility. Isaiah Rodgers had his moments in 2025, and James Pierre is an improvement at the CB3 position.
I believe that Flores would’ve pushed harder for a cornerback if he weren’t comfortable with this trio. Most of the other cornerbacks fighting for a roster spot are current or former UDFAs, so the fact that the Vikings used a pick on Demmings is a great sign that he makes the roster. The final spot was between Vaughn and McGlothern, although Marcus Allen is likely to have an opportunity as well.
Safeties (4)
In: Josh Metellus, Jakobe Thomas, Jay Ward, Theo Jackson;
Out: Jacob Thomas, Tavierre Thomas.
Advertisement
The hope here is that Metellus can go back to his 2024 form. He played with a shoulder injury through most of 2025, and it clearly impacted him. A top-100 pick, Jakobe Thomas will have an opportunity to play early if he can quickly understand Flores’ scheme. Jay Ward got some snaps late last season and impressed, and he also has a chance to be an impact player this season. Theo Jackson was kind of underwhelming in 2025, but unless Harrison Smith returns, I can’t see him not making the roster.
Special Teams (3)
In: Will Reichard (K), Brett Thorson (P), Andrew DePaola (LS);
Out: Johnny Hekker (P).
Will Reichard is an All-Pro caliber player. Andrew DePaola is an All-Pro caliber player. Even if the Vikings had brought someone to “compete” with them, the other player would certainly lose. This means that the only true debate is Johnny Hekker and Brett Thorson.
Advertisement
Hekker will absolutely go to the Hall of Fame when he decides to hang up the cleats, but he’s coming off arguably his worst season in the NFL. Thorson, an UDFA, won the Ray Guy award for the best punter in college last season. The punter position came down to who’s the better holder in the last few seasons, and it’s likely to happen again in 2026. When it comes to punting, though, Thorson has all the momentum.
Shakur Stevenson has looked unbeatable in recent fights, but in the eyes of two-division world champion Tim Bradley, there is one man he would struggle against.
Now, he has options at 135lbs and 140lbs, but is also being called out by several welterweights to jump up to 147. Ryan Garcia, Conor Benn and Devin Haney have all targeted the pound-for-pound star, who has said he would only agree with either a rehydration clause or catchweight in the contract.
“Right now, at 147lbs, I would give Devin the edge, but at 144lbs I would give it to Shakur.
“Devin understands Shakur, he understands how to deal with him and knows what he has got to do. It will be a mixture of boxing and smart pressure and letting his hands go. I have watched their sparring sessions a hundred times and Devin has got some dog in him too.
“Shakur has got dog in him, as well, but Shakur wouldn’t be able to be cute on the outside and beat him with just one hand, ain’t no way. So, at 147lbs, right now, I would favour Devin.”
Both Haney and Stevenson have been linked to a move to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing ahead of that proposed fight, although their signatures have not yet been confirmed, and Stevenson has told fans that there is little truth in the reported fight talks.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login