Sports
US-Iran war adds to list of concerns
March 3 marks 100 days until the 2026 World Cup kicks off. A series of playoffs this month will determine the last six teams to make up the newly expanded 48-team tournament.
But with the US and Israeli attacks on Iran and Iran’s retaliatory strikes in the Middle East, one of those playoff contenders — likely Iran’s neighbors Iraq — may replace Iran, who qualified a year ago.
“It’s not possible to say exactly, but there will certainly be a response,” Iran Football Federation President, Mehdi Taj, said on Monday on Iran’s IRIB Channel 3. “This will surely be studied by the country’s high-ranking sports officials and there will be a decision on what’s going to happen.
“But what we can say now is that due to this attack and its viciousness, it is far from our expectations that we can look at the World Cup with hope.”
While no decision has been taken for the men’s side, Iran’s women kicked off their Asian Cup campaign with defeat to South Korea on Monday in Australia with nothing in the way of protest or politics on display. While Australia has not directly attacked Iran in the way that the US and Israel have, the Australian Prime Minister. Anthony Albanese, has said that “we support the United States” in its actions.
Iran’s men are due to play all three of their World Cup group games in the US. First against New Zealand and Belgium in Los Angeles, host city of the 2028 Olympics, then against Egypt in Seattle.
A World Cup for everybody?
Tournament organizers FIFA have said they are monitoring the situation, and the organization’s general secretary, Mattias Grafstrom, added that “our focus is to have a safe World Cup with everybody participating”.
However, Iranian fans will be banned from traveling to the US for the tournament as they — like fellow qualifiers Ivory Coast, Senegal and Haiti — are on US President Donald Trump’s travel ban list. Players and approved officials are exempt. Trump’s travel bans, and a perceived general air of hostility to foreigners enforced by ICE agents, are also sparking safety concerns among potential travelers.
While talk of a European boycott of the tournament has cooled slightly since Trump backed down on his threats to annex Greenland by force earlier this year, the volatility of the US president makes predictions difficult.
Trump’s close relationship with FIFA President Gianni Infantino further muddies the waters. Infantino was at the launch of Trump’s Board of Peace just over a week before the Iran attacks and donned a MAGA-style cap at the event.
World Cup ticket prices proving prohibitive
For those from countries not on the banned list or at war with the hosts, the price of tickets and associated costs are controversial. Final tickets start at $2,000 ($1704) and the best seats are $8,680. That’s before accounting for FIFA’s resale portal, which recently had a ticket listed at $143,750.
Prices could rise still higher, with FIFA holding back an unspecified number of tickets to be released in April, once all the qualifiers are known (barring any boycotts or withdrawals). These will be “on a first come, first served basis” and the lack of regulation around secondary ticket sellers, including FIFA’s own platform, has many fans concerned things will get worse.
With US stadiums often only accessible by car, even those fans lucky enough to afford the ticket, travel and accommodation will be stung for parking. A spot at the SoFi stadium in Los Angeles, for example, will set you back $300 per matchday and still leave you a mile (1.6 kilometers) to walk. These costs are significantly higher than they would be for US domestic sporting events at the same arenas.
Fan parks in major doubt
For those without tickets, or with tickets to matches elsewhere, fan parks have become part of the World Cup tapestry in the last 20 years. But a partial federal shutdown in the US has put those in doubt this year. Almost $900 million designated for the 11 host cities in the US has yet to be received, leading to many cities warning they may have to scrap events.
“We have to start making some really tough decisions and it starts with our fan festival,” Ray Martinez, chief operating officer of the Miami World Cup Host Committee said, warning that there must be resolution before the end of this month. Other cities have made similar noises.
“The matches up at the stadium will take place, but preparing for all the impromptu events and watch parties that we are expecting to see will be in jeopardy,” Martinez said.
Mexico cartels also cast shadow
Preparations for the tournament in Mexico and Canada had, until recently, appeared more serene. Mexico City will host the tournament opener between Mexico and South Africa on June 11, and games in the country will take place across three cities.
But a wave of violence set off by the killing of a Mexican drug cartel boss in late February has raised some safety concerns there too.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum confirmed last week that FIFA will visit the country soon to make an assessment, but that Infantino told her he has “full confidence” in the country as a host.
“He assured me that the World Cup would be held in our country,” she said. “We agreed that a FIFA team would definitely come to review several issues. We’ve been working on this for a long time, but the issue of security is particularly important, of course.”
Two Canadian cities, Toronto and Vancouver, will also host games.
Edited by: Chuck Penfold
A Round 1 playoff preview perhaps. A measuring stick for two Eastern Conference titans. A civic referendum on hockey culture. Something grander than 60 minutes of entertainment as the frost evaporated off the Causeway’s flying Bobby Orr statue.
A couple of storied and good teams puffing their chests to see who’s better.
In 2024-25, you may recall, the Maple Leafs and Bruins were co-owners of the NHL’s longest active post-season streak at eight years.
Well, Boston ceded that title Toronto last March, and now the floundering Maple Leafs have spiked their own impressive playoff run, selling at the trade deadline and hoping for a Bruins-like rebound to relevance in 2026-27.
To that end, a top-five draft pick in 2026 would bless Leafs Nation with much-needed hope.
A prospect drafted between No. 6 and No. 10 overall that funnels into Boston’s system?
That’s a major yikes. And it would only further reflect poorly on GM Brad Treliving’s 2025 deadline deal for defenceman Brandon Carlo, which cost Toronto 21-year-old Fraser Minten and a 2026 first-round pick that is only protected through the top five.
Team Tank would prefer the Maple Leafs extend their losing skid Tuesday, when Treliving’s most criticized move will be on full display.
Whip-smart Minten has bulked up. He is in the throes of a breakout campaign, his first full one in the show. His 70 games, 16 goals, and 31 points are all career highs.
Minten’s plus-22 rating leads all Bruins forwards. And he’s now centring playoff-bound Boston’s top line. David Pastrnak is on the man’s wing.
Boston coach Marco Sturm has likened Minten to another two-way pivot, L.A.’s Quinton Byfield, in the way the centre thinks the game.
“There are a lot of things you can’t teach,” Sturm told reporters of Minten’s hockey IQ, which was also raved about in Toronto. “That’s why he’s ahead of some other guys. He already had it. Even the teaching part, he gets it right away. He just has it. He’s lucky enough to be born with it.”
The flip side of the Minten trade, Carlo, has heard the criticism and admitted to reporters in Toronto on Monday that the fan base’s angst over move has been “a little bit” tough on him.
“If you’re gonna be in the NHL environment, there’s gonna be a lot of things you need to tune out throughout your career,” Carlo said. “Just put it in the category with most of those things and continue forward.”
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32 Thoughts: The Podcast
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Could the prospect-light Maple Leafs, who recently traded away depth centres Nicolas Roy and Scott Laughton, benefit from the service of the emerging Minten? No doubt.
To be fair, Carlo has battled a foot injury this season and has consistently professed his appreciation and desire to be a Leaf. He’s also under contract for a team-friendly $3.49-million cap hit next season, which makes him a valuable contributor if they get back in the mix and a valuable trade asset if they don’t.
And then there’s this nugget, which may surprise some: The Maple Leafs, at minus-29, have the worst goal differential in the Eastern Conference. Carlo (plus-9) is the only Leafs defenceman (minimum 12 games played) who has been on the ice for as many more goals for as goals against (36-36), despite starting only 45 per cent of his shifts in the offensive zone.
Carlo hasn’t hurt his new team.
The catch is that where the Maple Leafs find themselves now — in search of picks, young impact players and centre depth — Carlo’s best game can’t make up for all of that.
Carlo is the rare player who has seen both sides of the Toronto-Boston rivalry. He predicts a competitive affair Tuesday, standings be damned.
“You know it’s going to be physical,” Carlo said.
And, because of their link, you know both Carlo and Minten will be scrutinized in this one.
Stolarz rebounds from Nylander scare
Despite Saturday’s unplanned visit to an Ottawa hospital and Monday’s recall of third-stringer Dennis Hildeby on an emergency basis, Anthony Stolarz is expected to start one half of this week’s back-to-back. (Coach Craig Berube hasn’t declared whether that’ll be in Boston, site of Stolarz’s original neck injury this season, or Wednesday at home versus the New York Rangers.)
An errant William Nylander warm-up shot caught the goaltender in the throat, making it difficult for him to breathe or talk for 30 or 40 minutes.
Stolarz, who recovered from a nerve issue in his neck shortly before the Olympic break, went for imaging to make sure blood vessels weren’t damaged. He was cleared by the buzzer and traveled home with the club.
“I’m fine,” Stolarz told reporters in Toronto, after practising with some new neck protection. “It’s an occupational hazard. You get pucks coming at you anywhere from 70 to 100 miles an hour, they’re gonna catch you in a bad spot once in a while. Just kinda shock.”
Nylander checked in on Stolarz immediately after his mistake and followed up with text messages before leaving Canadian Tire Centre on Saturday.
“I have certain spots where I shoot it, so they know where I’m shooting it all the time,” says Nylander, who was aiming glove. “Except for maybe the last shot we do in the half-moon, maybe you try to score. But other than that, I’m always doing the same shot.
“I feel really bad for that.”
Accidents happen. No real harm done.
“He’s good. It’s a one-off,” Stolarz said, shaking off the incident with a smile.
During the broadcast, Sportsnet analyst Craig Simpson suggested the onus is on Nylander to control his aim. A couple goaltenders we spoke to, though, suggested that goalies must never let their neck be exposed during shooting drills.
Soccer players cover their most sensitive bits when building a wall to block free kicks.
Auston Matthews even gave Stolarz a bit of advice: “Next time, keep your chin tucked.”
One-Timers: Morgan Rielly missed Saturday’s game in Ottawa due to a lower-body injury but returned to practice Monday and was a full participant…. Oliver Ekman-Larsson left practice early because “something was bugging him,” according to Berube. The coach assures the durable defenceman will be fine to play Tuesday…. Joseph Woll says he never took so many pucks in the head as he did Saturday in Ottawa: three. “My poor mask was taking a beating,” he chuckled. “It broke. We fixed it. It broke again. Check my brain after that game. That’s the most I’ve gotten hit in the head for sure.”… The Maple Leafs mentors’ trip is going down in Boston.
Maple Leafs’ projected lineup Tuesday in Boston:
Cowan – Tavares – Nylander
Knies – Domi – Robertson
Maccelli – Groulx – Joshua
Lorentz – Quillan – Järnkrok
Two All-Star Mile triumphs have established Tom Kitten firmly as a leading 1600m contender in Australia, providing him with this weekend’s prospect to demonstrate his 2000m credentials anew.
This five-year-old gelding pursues an initial 2000m win since his October 2023 Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes success, entering the $2 million Australian Cup at Flemington.
A product of Harry Angel, the one-time European sprinter, Tom Kitten ran placed in last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Champions Stakes – taken by Via Sistina – over his prior two 2000m starts, and co-trainer Sam Freedman feels the distance increase beyond his All-Star Mile victory fits perfectly.
“He’s in good form and at 2000 metres he might be slightly more effective than the mile,” Freedman, who trains in partnership with his father Anthony, said.
“He bounced out of the (last) run really well, so he’s going to be ready to go next week.
“Three weeks between runs suits and his fitness is good.”
The Australian Cup represents a shot at a third successive victory this season for Tom Kitten, after the Group 3 Heffernan Stakes (1400m) and his repeat All-Star Mile win at Flemington on March 7.
His record stands at eight wins from 31 races with eight additional placings, accumulating more than $7.5 million for Godolphin as a homebred.
Tom Kitten is nominated alongside 15 others for the Australian Cup, with Pride Of Jenni, Birdman and reigning victor Light Infantry Man among the key opponents.
Discover premier betting sites for competitive Australian Cup odds.
Samir Zeljkovic, Bede Osuji and Dani Ramirez struck once each in the first half as Punjab FC defeated Kerala Blasters FC 3-1 for a third consecutive triumph in their Indian Super League here on Saturday.
Punjab FC climbed to fifth place in the table with eight points from five matches, while Kerala Blasters remained 13th with just one point from six outings.
Zeljkovic was adjudged Player of the Match for his performance.
Kerala Blasters head coach David Catala named an unchanged starting XI for the first time this season, while his opposite number Panagiotis Dilmperis made three changes, two of them enforced.
Pramveer Singh came into defence in place of Pablo Renan Santos, Osuji started up front for the suspended Nsungusi Effiong, and Muhammad Suhail returned in place of Leon Augustine.
Punjab FC started with high intensity and kept their opposition under sustained pressure, which paid off with an early breakthrough.
Khaiminthang Lhungdim spotted Zeljkovic and lofted a pass into space, allowing the Bosnian midfielder to chest the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper before calmly slotting it into an empty net for his first goal of the season.
The home side were repeatedly guilty of conceding possession in midfield, and Punjab capitalised again in the 18th minute.
Hormipam Ruivah’s pass was intercepted by Zeljkovic and the midfielder played a simple through ball to Osuji. The Nigerian striker controlled it well before firing a left-footed shot past the outstretched arms of Arsh Shaikh to double the lead.
The Shers once again capitalised on sloppy play in the Blasters’ midfield.
Zeljkovic intercepted the pass and quickly played it forward to Manglenthang Kipgen. The youngster then unleashed a curling left-footed effort from outside the box that beat the backtracking goalkeeper but rattled the crossbar and bounced back into play.
Dani Ramirez reacted quickest inside the box, pouncing on the rebound and heading the ball into an empty net before the defenders could recover, as Punjab carried a commanding three-goal lead into the second half.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with Kerala Blasters continuing to concede possession in dangerous areas, though this time Zeljkovic’s effort was kept out by the goalkeeper.
Kerala Blasters finally pulled one back just after the hour mark through Fallou Ndiaye.
Naocha Singh tested Arshdeep Singh with a long-range effort following a cleared corner, and after the goalkeeper made the save, Jai Quitongo recycled the ball into the box.
Ndiaye reacted sharply, attacking the delivery and powering a header past the goalkeeper.
The goal injected fresh momentum into the home side, evident in their increased attacking intent, while Punjab were content to sit deep and play on the counter.
However, clear-cut chances remained scarce for the Blasters, as the Shers held firm to shut down their late surge.
Kerala’s Marlon Roos-Trujillo was sent off for a second bookable offence in stoppage time, reducing them to ten men.
Armitage stresses the importance of keeping your stroke short and efficient.
“If your stroke gets long, it’s wrong,” Armitage says. “Because then you have to manipulate the face too much or you slow down.”
In the video above and below, he says you can use your toes as a guide on 3-footers. Simply take the putter back, stopping at your trail toe. Then, on the follow-through, finish at your front toe.
“Now that putter is moving efficiently,” Armitage says. “You don’t need a long stroke for a 3-footer, unless you’re playing on greens that are very, very slow.”
This simple guide will help you produce a short, efficient stroke that keeps the face stable and prevents any decelerating through the ball.
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Listen for the ball to go in
One of the most common mistakes amateurs make on short putts is picking up their head to watch their putt drop. However, Armitage offers a simple alternative that, when mastered, will improve your performance on these short, pressure-packed putts: listen for it to go in.
“That sound, for me, is something that I want to hear,” he says. “And the key is if I don’t hear that sound, I missed it. So, I don’t need to look up to know if I missed it or holed it.”
This approach can look different for every player. Armitage notes tour pros who have won tournaments by keeping their eyes closed over putts. To practice listening for your putts, you can find a spot on the green just in front of the ball to focus on, or even keep your eyes closed. Whatever you decide, the key takeaway is the same — keep your head still and trust your stroke.
Expect to make these putts
The final key to making pressure-packed putts, is to expect to have to make them.
“Always expect to have to hole this putt,” he says. “Always look forward to holing it. Want to hole it.”
It doesn’t matter whether you’re playing alone or in a tight match with a friend. By expecting to have to execute these putts, you face the pressure head-on and become more comfortable under it. No matter the outcome, this will help you build confidence that carries over to every round.
Improve your game with GOLF Top 100 Teachers.
Sign up for GOLF Schools Today
Offensive tackle Oli Udoh has been removed from the Minnesota Vikings’ roster orbit for three years, bouncing around the NFL since, and now landing with the Arizona Cardinals.
Udoh is headed to Arizona after spending most of his career in Minnesota.
Udoh experienced a quiet free agency out of the gate, but he’s in the house with Mike LaFleur’s team, probably on tap for OT3 or OT4 in 2026.
Arizona Adds Familiar Vikings Depth Up Front
Udoh originally played for the Vikings for five years, believe it or not.
Udoh to ARI
It’s official. Udoh is a member of Kyler Murray’s old team. Cardinals reporter Darren Urban wrote Friday, “The Cardinals still may use the No. 3 pick overall on an offensive lineman, but they continue to add depth to the roster for the unit and give themselves leeway for their first pick in April’s draft. On Friday, that came in the form of a one-year contract with veteran Olisaemeka’ Oli’ Udoh.”
“Udoh, 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds, has played 74 games in his NFL career since becoming a sixth-round pick of the Vikings in 2019. The Cardinals are expected to draft a tackle at some point, and there remains the possibility that it would come at No. 3; Miami’s Francis Mauigoa is mocked most often as the probable pick if that were to happen.”
Vikings fans, for the most part, remember Udoh in a positive light — and as an effective depth lineman.
The Cardinals’ OTs before the Draft
With Udoh in the house, the Cardinals’ OT group now looks like this:
- Paris Johnson Jr.
- Elijah Wilkinson
- Josh Fryer
- Oli Udoh
- Demontrey Jacobs
- Christian Jones
Wilkinson, the man on tap for starting RT duty, is a serviceable-to-decent OT. He can hold the job if needed in September. However, he’s not a dazzling solution, so the Cardinals are widely expected to draft a tackle with the third overall pick — probably the aforementioned Francis Mauigoa from Miami. The pick would put Odoh in line as OT4 or so.
Udoh’s Resume
Udoh served as a backup tackle throughout his rookie contract with the Vikings, playing in 43 games and starting 18 when injuries arose. Minnesota also tried Udoh at guard in 2021 and 2022, but penalties hampered his progress, preventing him from securing a consistent role.
Udoh started at guard full-time in 2021, holding the position for the entire season. His most productive period came in 2022 when he returned to a backup role and earned a 74.7 Pro Football Focus grade in 189 snaps.
His career stops through six seasons:
- Minnesota Vikings (2019–2023)
- New Orleans Saints (2024)
- Tennessee Titans (2025)
- Arizona Cardinals (2026-now)
Udoh played 341 snaps for the 2025 Titans, or about one-third of the time.
Our Janik Eckardt on Udoh: “It’s unlikely that Udoh is more than depth, but he has made a career out of providing an alternative as an injury replacement at offensive tackle. At 6’6″ and 323 lbs, Udoh had the size and the movement skills to be an intriguing tackle prospect, which is why Rick Spielman took a shot when he drafted the Elon project.”
“In his rookie year, Udoh made the 53-man roster and avoided any practice squad stints. His only rookie appearance came against all-world defender Khalil Mack and he looked surprisingly good against him. After another season of depth duties, Udoh’s breakthrough came in 2021 when Mike Zimmer’s squad deployed him as a starting guard, with inconsistent results, especially in the penalty category.”
All the Cardinals FA Moves
Arizona has been one of the busier teams in the NFL this offseason, adding these newcomers and re-signing these men:
- Tyler Allgeier (RB) ATL → ARI
- Andrew Billings (DL) CHI → ARI
- Kendrick Bourne (WR) NYJ → ARI
- L.J. Collier (DL) ARI → ARI
- Devin Duvernay (WR) CHI → ARI
- Simi Fehoko (WR) LAC → ARI
- Jack Gibbens (LB) NE → ARI
- Zonovan Knight (RB) ARI → ARI
- Casey Kreiter (LS) NYG → ARI
- Roy Lopez (DL) DET → ARI
- Gardner Minshew (QB) KC → ARI
- Matt Pryor (G/T) PHI → ARI
- Teagan Quitoriano (TE) ATL → ARI
- Isaac Seumalo (G) PIT → ARI
- Starling Thomas V (CB) ARI → ARI
- Oli Udoh (LT) TEN → ARI
- Andrew Wingard (S) JAX → ARI
- Elijah Wilkinson (G) ATL → ARI
- Jonah Williams (ED) NO → ARI
And the players who ventured elsewhere:
- Evan Brown (G/C) ARI → HOU
- Akeem Davis-Gaither (LB) ARI → IND
- Emari Demercado (RB) ARI → KC
- Greg Dortch (WR) ARI → DET
- Kyler Murray (QB) ARI → MIN
- Jalen Thompson (S) ARI → DAL
- Channing Tindall (LB) ARI → ATL
- Dalvin Tomlinson (DL) ARI → LAC
Udoh turned 29 last month on Valentine’s Day. The Cardinals are expected to win four or five games next season.
Sports
Burnt in the Ashes, but no clean-up: ECB decides against sacking Ben Stokes and McCullum | Cricket News
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday decided not to make any changes to its leadership group after England’s 4-1 Ashes defeat in Australia, following a review of the tour.Firing people would “be the easy thing to do,” Gould said but he insisted, “This is not the time to throw everything out.”Managing director Rob Key, head coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes will continue in their roles. England, described as their strongest side to tour Australia in 14 years, lost the Ashes within 11 days, with two Tests still to be played.
“Moving people on can sometimes be the easy thing to do. That’s not the route that we’re going to take,” Gould said, as cited by news agency Associated Press. “I’ve seen the driving ambition and determination that we’re lucky enough to have within our leadership group to take the lessons from the Ashes and move forward.”Gould, who previously served as chief executive of Bristol City football club, said cricket operates differently from football and does not follow a hire-and-fire approach.“Cricket is a very unique sport in that it takes a team of leadership … it’s not like football where there’s a single point of failure or success with a manager,” he said. He added the ECB would not “select or deselect management based on a popularity campaign.”The review identified issues around preparation, player behaviour and selection decisions during the tour.At a press conference at Lord’s, Gould and Key said there had been no “bust up” between McCullum and Stokes. They added that McCullum is not expected to “completely change” but “to evolve,” while acknowledging that some player behaviour was “unprofessional.” They also pointed to stricter consequences for underperformance and a focus on “better long-term planning” ahead of major Test series.Some adjustments were already made during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, where England reached the semifinals. Gould suggested that performance played a role in McCullum retaining his position.Key accepted that supporters may have expected stronger action.“I know people want punishment and that people then should be sacked for that,” Key said. “That doesn’t mean we don’t feel like we’ve gone through some serious pain: Brendon, myself, Ben. It’s been as tough a time as I think I’ve had.”
The NFL’s quarterback free-agent pool received an injection on Monday after the New England Patriots cut ties with former Minnesota Vikings quarterback Joshua Dobbs. The 31-year-old will now scour the league’s lay of the land for his 10th employer.
New England moved on, and Dobbs is back on the market again.
The Patriots will also need a QB3 for the 2026 campaign, or at least for the summer, so the Dobbs release is a bit strange.
NE Moves on from the Former Vikings QB
The Patriots have passed on the Passtronaut for 2026.
Dobbs Dropped by NE
Dobbs lasted a year in Foxborough. ESPN’s Mike Weiss wrote Monday, “The New England Patriots released quarterback Joshua Dobbs on Monday. Dobbs, 31, served as the No. 2 quarterback behind Drake Maye in the 2025 season. He was scheduled to earn a base salary of $3.2 million in 2026 and carried a $4.75 million salary cap charge. The deal included per-game roster bonuses of $25,000 (up to $425,000) and a $75,000 workout bonus.”
“Dobbs’ signature game with the Patriots came in a 31-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Oct. 19 when Maye left early in the third quarter to be evaluated for a concussion. Dobbs entered and on third-and-5 completed a 12-yard pass to receiver DeMario Douglas before Maye returned on a drive that ended with a touchdown. That put the Patriots ahead 24-13, and they cruised from there.”
For what it’s worth, Dobbs should have no problem finding work as a QB2 or QB3 as early as now.
Tommy DeVito Wins for Now
The Patriots recently added DeVito, formerly of New Giants mini-fame, and that was apparently the catalyst for Dobbs’s release.
Weiss noted on DeVito, “The Patriots’ decision comes after the club signed No. 3 quarterback Tommy DeVito to a two-year deal with a base value of $4.4 million after not tendering him as a restricted free agent. DeVito’s deal includes incentives that could increase its value to $7.4 million.”
“The team now projects to bump DeVito, on a cheaper contract, to the No. 2 role. A No. 3 quarterback is expected to be added later in the offseason.”
DeVito turned heads as a rookie in 2023 when the Giants went 3-3 on his watch, while the youngster delivered an 8-touchdown to 3-interception split. Oozing machismo, some bought into DeVito as the next big thing, but his undrafted Cinderella streak eventually ran out.
New England must believe it can resurrect DeVito in a QB2 capacity.
Dobbs’ Career
For starters, here’s Dobbs enormous resume so far in his career:
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2019)
- Jacksonville Jaguars (2019)
- Pittsburgh Steelers (2020–2021)
- Cleveland Browns (2022)
- Detroit Lions (2022)
- Tennessee Titans (2022)
- Cleveland Browns (2023)
- Arizona Cardinals (2023)
- Minnesota Vikings (2023)
- San Francisco 49ers (2024)
- New England Patriots (2025)
In a remarkable three-week stretch in 2023, Dobbs led the Vikings to unexpected victories against Atlanta and New Orleans. These wins kept Minnesota’s playoff hopes alive, increasing their chances of making the postseason to over 80%.
It all unfolded rapidly. After Kirk Cousins suffered a season-ending Achilles injury in late October 2023, and with Nick Mullens also unavailable, general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah quietly traded with Arizona, acquiring Dobbs for a 6th-Round pick and a conditional 7th. The condition for the 7th-Round pick was never met because Dobbs didn’t play enough for Arizona to trigger it, making the trade a minimal investment for Minnesota.
Dobbs’s debut was unforgettable. Jaren Hall started against Atlanta that day but suffered a concussion, forcing Dobbs into action with limited knowledge of the playbook. His performance ignited “DobbsMania” in Minnesota. The following week, he replicated that success, leading the Vikings to a win against New Orleans.
However, the magic soon faded. The passing game struggled. Dobbs and Jordan Addison couldn’t establish a consistent connection, his accuracy faltered, and a critical miscommunication with Justin Jefferson in Denver proved costly. The following week in Las Vegas, head coach Kevin O’Connell replaced Dobbs with Mullens mid-game. The Vikings won, marking the abrupt end of Dobbs’s brief but memorable tenure in Minnesota.
He spent a season in San Francisco in 2024 and on to New England, where he lasted as another one-hit wonder.
The Patriots’ FA Moves in March
In addition to the Dobbs release, the Patriots did not re-sign these players:
- Alex Austin (CB) NE → MIA
- K’Lavon Chaisson (ED) NE → WAS
- Jack Gibbens (LB) NE → ARI
- Jaylin Hawkins (S) NE → BAL
- Austin Hooper (TE) NE → ATL
- Vederian Lowe (LT) NE → SF
- Khyiris Tonga (DL) NE → KC
Former Vikings center Garrett Bradbury was traded to the Chicago Bears a couple of weeks ago, so in addition to Dobbs and Bradbury, New England is basically getting rid of all its former purple players, including OT Vederian Lowe, DT Khyiris Tonga, and WR Stefon Diggs, who was also released.
In return, the Patriots added these newcomers via free agency and re-signed these men:
- Kevin Byard (S) CHI → NE
- Mike Brown (S) TEN → NE
- K.J. Britt (LB) TB → NE
- Romeo Doubs (WR) GB → NE
- Reggie Gilliam (FB) BUF → NE
- Julian Hill (TE) MIA → NE
- James Hudson (LT) NYG → NE
- Dre’Mont Jones (ED) BAL → NE
- Alijah Vera-Tucker (T/G) NYJ → NE
- Kindle Vildor (CB) DET → NE
Oddsmakers expect the Patriots to win nine or ten games next season.
Fulham FC have taken a significant step towards signing Samuel Chukwueze on a permanent deal after opening talks with AC Milan over a possible summer transfer.
The Nigerian winger, who joined Fulham on loan earlier this season, has impressed since arriving in England. After struggling for regular form in Italy, Chukwueze has rediscovered his confidence in the Premier League, where he has played with greater freedom and purpose.
One of his most notable performances came in December, when he scored twice against Manchester City in an exciting encounter. That display strengthened Fulham’s belief that he can play an important role in the club’s future.
Chukwueze has also settled quickly off the pitch, helped by the presence of fellow Nigerians Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey. Their influence has contributed to his smooth adaptation and improved performances.
Reports indicate that Fulham have now informed AC Milan, through an intermediary, of their intention to trigger the buy option included in the loan agreement. Although the move has not yet been made official, it reflects the club’s strong interest in securing his services permanently.
Chukwueze is also believed to be open to the move. The winger is said to be happy at Fulham and would welcome a permanent stay if both clubs reach an agreement.
For AC Milan, the deal could represent good business. The Italian side had hoped a loan move would help the winger regain his form, and that plan now appears to be working. During his time in Italy, Chukwueze found it difficult to secure a consistent starting role, partly due to competition from players such as Christian Pulisic.
The agreed buy option is reportedly valued at around €24 million, with additional bonuses that could take the total fee to €28 million. Milan are now waiting for Fulham to formalise their interest, with expectations that the deal could be completed smoothly once negotiations are finalised.
Based on his performances this season, the move appears beneficial for all parties. At Fulham, Chukwueze has already made a stronger impact in fewer matches compared to his time in Italy, showing that his style suits the pace and intensity of English football.
The potential transfer represents a fresh start for the Nigerian international, who now looks set to continue his revival at Fulham.
Carlos Alcaraz suffered a shock defeat at the Miami Open 2026, falling to Sebastian Korda in what marks one of the biggest wins of the American’s career.
For Korda, this moment has been a long time coming. After battling injuries and setbacks, the 25-year-old finally delivered on his potential against one of the best players in the world.
After the match, Korda reflected on the performance:
“It feels great. I took the scenic route that’s for sure . A little more stress than I would want but happy with how I played and stayed with it. Kept believing. I got myself in some nasty situations . Just kept going and kept believing. I played really well at the end.”
He also spoke about the mindset shift that helped him get over the line:
“a lot of soul searching that’s for sure. I’ve gone through a lot of things, played a lot of great players. Haven’t been able to get it done but I felt always when I was playing these top players that I’d start spraying the ball and try to do a bit too much than I need to do. With Ryan we sat down, our goal today was to play average. Just have an average ball. Don’t do too much with it. That’s when you get in trouble. That’s kind of what he’s searching for is you start spraying and you get yourself in trouble against him.”
On how he managed to execute against Alcaraz:
“I mean the ball speed. Not the way I played I was as aggressive as possible. I served great the whole match. That’s what you need to do to beat a player like him. He’s unbelievable in every aspect of his game. Movement, volleys, forehand, backhand.. there’s nothing he can’t do. I had to be aggressive. I had to take the ball out of his hand and take the point in my favor.”
A huge result in Miami and a reminder that even the very best can be pushed off their game.
A man who knows Keyshawn Davis very well has claimed the former world champion is doing everything in his power to avoid a fight.
Davis is widely regarded as being one of the best talents in all of boxing, beginning when he won a silver medal at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
After turning professional, he became WBO lightweight champion when he knocked out Denys Berinchyk, though he was later stripped of the title when he came in overweight for a defence against Edwin De Los Santos, which was subsequently cancelled.
Davis returned in January when he moved up to 140lbs and earned a stoppage win over Jamaine Ortiz, and he has since made his intentions known to head up a further weight class and potentially challenge WBO welterweight champion Devin Haney.
One man that seemingly doesn’t appear to be on the radar of Davis is Andy Cruz, who beat the American on all four occasions when they met as amateurs, most notably in the gold medal clash of the Tokyo Olympics.
Speaking to Fight Hub TV, Cruz referred to Davis as ‘his son’, and accused his past rival of making excuses to not face him again.
“Truth is, my son doesn’t want anything to do with me and I’m letting him enjoy his career on his own. He always talks about me but he’ll always have excuses not to fight.”
As a professional, Cruz holds a record of six wins from seven fights, after unsuccessfully challenging Raymond Muratalla for the IBF lightweight title back in January, perhaps making it difficult for a fight with Davis to take place anytime soon.
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