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Vikings Rank Dead Last in Offseason Spending

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Kevin O'Connell reacts on the sideline during a Vikings game against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium.
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts from the sideline during the second half against the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium. The moment occurred on Dec. 10, 2023, in Paradise, Nevada, as O’Connell guided Minnesota through a tense late-season road contest with playoff implications beginning to emerge. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

Did it feel like the Minnesota Vikings’ offseason and free agency, in particular, were a bit quieter than normal? Your observation was correct. CBS Sports ranked each NFL team last week by offseason spending, and Minnesota checked in at No. 32 — the fewest dollars spent.

It’s a new era in Minnesota with general manager Nolan Teasley in the saddle and a freshly reset salary cap.

“Quiet” Offseason Was Deliberate for Vikings

Kevin O’Connell reacts after an Aaron Jones touchdown against the Detroit Lions. Vikings offseason spending
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell reacts after an Aaron Jones touchdown against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. On Oct. 20, 2024, O’Connell celebrated an early scoring drive as Minnesota battled a division rival in Minneapolis. The head coach continued guiding one of the NFL’s most efficient offenses during the season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.

CBS Sports on Vikings’ Spending

The Vikings were fiscally restrained, and the numbers prove it.

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Garrett Podell wrote this week, “The Minnesota Vikings were up against it from a salary cap perspective entering free agency, which hindered how active they were this offseason. Minnesota began around $43 million over the salary cap, but was able to clear up space with the retirement of offensive lineman Ryan Kelly, plus contract restructures for wide receiver Justin Jefferson, left tackle Christian Darrisaw and cornerback Byron Murphy.”

“Trading edge rusher Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles also helped decrease the Vikings’ financial issues. Cutting defensive linemen Javon Hargrave and Jonathan Allen were also subtractions the Vikings needed to make to their roster this offseason.”

The Vikings went on an absolute spending barrage in 2024 and 2025; the 2026 offseason was markedly different.

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“While they weren’t big spenders, their most expensive free agent signing on an average per year basis — San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jauan Jennings — fills a key need. Minnesota lost speedster Jalen Nailor to the Las Vegas Raiders, but Jennings can certainly make up for some of the production lost in Nailor’s departure,” Podell added.

“Since 2024, Jennings’ 83 receiving first downs rank 28th in the NFL. Once 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy returned from injury in Week 11 in 2025, Jennings’ six receiving touchdowns from Week 11 to the end of the regular season were tied for the second most in the entire league. He’ll be a prime secondary weapon for whomever emerges in the quarterback battle between J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray.”

Who’d They Get?

Because the Vikings ventured into free agency without an official general manager — Kwesi Adofo-Mensah was fired about a week before the Super Bowl, and Rob Brzezinski took over in the interim — onlookers didn’t know what to expect from free agency.

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Well, Minnesota played it cool — aside from landing a new quarterback in Murray. Here’s the haul of notable additions:

  • Eric Johnson (DT)
  • Isaiahh Loudermilk (DT)
  • James Pierre (CB)
  • Jauan Jennings (WR)
  • Johnny Hekker (P)
  • Kyler Murray (QB)
  • Ryan Van Demark (OT)

Because Murray and Jennings have big-name offensive appeal, it didn’t feel like Minnesota was totally quiet. Yet, compared to the rest of the NFL, the spending was puny.

The Cap Is Reset

The Vikings pressed pause on the remote control this offseason, compared to their spending in 2024 and 2025. Theoretically, they could’ve pursued high-profile free agents like Tyler Linderbaum or Trey Hendrickson — moves that would have generated considerable buzz — but the team chose a different path.

Rather than front-loading massive cap hits into future seasons (2027-2030), the Vikings prioritized value. They secured Murray on a teensy contract, added the aforementioned veterans at reasonable prices, and largely steered clear of bidding wars.

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Mark Wilf and Nolan Teasley participate in a press conference at TCO Performance Center. Vikings offseason spending
Minnesota owner Mark Wilf and general manager Nolan Teasley speak during an introductory press conference at TCO Performance Center in Eagan. On June 3, 2026, Teasley discussed his vision for the franchise and outlined plans for collaboration throughout football operations. The event marked his first public appearance as general manager. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.

The strategy contrasts sharply with that of many other NFL teams. The Eagles, for example, are known for pushing cap obligations into future years, a tactic the New Orleans Saints also employed for an extended period. While effective in the short term, this approach eventually leads to substantial financial reckoning.

It appears Minnesota decided that 2026 was the opportune time to rectify its financial outlook.

While this offseason has been quieter, the Vikings’ cap health has improved. By 2027, they anticipate having substantial financial flexibility, avoiding the cap disasters that often plague teams employing more aggressive spending habits.

Heading into 2027, the books will be relatively clean.

Any More on the Way?

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Minnesota has just over $13 million in cap space — from spending judiciously. The roster is largely in good shape, but as always, a couple of enhancements could be in order.

Leonard Floyd stands on the field during a Rams game against the Cardinals in Arizona. Vikings offseason spending
Los Angeles Rams linebacker Leonard Floyd appears during a road game against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. On Dec. 13, 2021, Floyd continued another productive season as one of the Rams’ primary pass rushers. The veteran edge defender played an important role on a defense that later won the Super Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports.

At the top of the list, the purple team needs an OLB3 if rookie Jake Golday isn’t ready to fill a hybrid ILB-OLB role as a rookie, or if the tentative plan to convert DT Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins to OLB doesn’t take flight. Free agents like Jadeveon Clowney, Joey Bosa, Leonard Floyd, and others are waiting on the wire for a phone call.

Otherwise, the Vikings could sign an extra guard or safety for depth if Harrison Smith doesn’t return or OT Walter Rouse isn’t converted to guard.

The Vikings’ regular season begins in 81 days.


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Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
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Man City vs Inter LIVE confirmed squad members plus early team news and how to watch

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Goalkeepers: Marcus Bettinelli, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Jack Wint, Max Chabot

Defenders: Rayan Ait-Nouri, Vitor Reis, Josko Gvardiol, Abdukodir Khusanov, Kaden Braithwaite, Max Alleyne, Rico Lewis, Matty Henderson-Hall, Stephen Mfuni

Midfielders: Tijjani Reijnders, Mateo Kovacic, Nico Gonzalez, Claudio Echeverri, Floyd Samba, Jaden Heskey, Xavier Parker

Forwards: Savinho, Jeremy Monga, Antoine Semenyo, Phil Foden, Ryan McAidoo, Divine Mukasa, Divin Mubama, Mahamadou Sangare

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Read more about the selections and who had missed out here>>>

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 16: Phil Foden holds the FA Cup trophy in the air as he sits on the shoulder of Gianluigi Donnarumma during the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Manchester City on May 16, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Pantling - The FA/The FA via Getty Images)

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Zavier Lucero laments lapses in close Magnolia loss

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Magnolia Hotshots' Zavier Lucero during a game vs Ran or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup

Magnolia Hotshots’ Zavier Lucero during a game vs Ran or Shine Elasto Painters in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Magnolia forward Zavier Lucero was humble in defeat in the Hotshots’ heartbreaking 98-97 loss to Rain or Shine in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

Instead of playing the blame game, Lucero owned up to his mistakes and said he could’ve done better to help quell the Elasto Painters’ fourth-quarter rally.

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“Today, I feel like I let the guys down a little bit,” he told the Inquirer. “I didn’t produce as much as I hoped I would.”

“My role in this team is to defend… Tonight, I don’t think I did too good of a job but that’s basketball.”

Lucero finished with a double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds, along with a steal and a block.

However, he couldn’t help stop not one, but two clutch baskets from Adrian Nocum in the paint that ultimately spelled doom for the Hotshots.

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Still, Lucero vowed to learn from the loss while tipping his hat to import KJ Buffen, who picked up the slack offensively.

“He draws so much attention as expected, he’s the import. He’s a really good player,” he said of Buffen, who also ended up with a double-double of 31 points and 17 rebounds.

“He’s really good and I’m just trying to pick up the pieces.”

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Lucero looks to bounce back on Sunday when Magnolia takes on Barangay Ginebra in the newest chapter of the “Manila Clasico” rivalry at Araneta Coliseum.



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Clark records triple-double in Fever’s victory over Fire

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PORTLAND, Ore. — Caitlin Clark had 26 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for her fourth career triple-double, and the Indiana Fever won their fifth straight with a 112-98 victory over the Portland Fire on Friday night. 

Kelsey Mitchell also had 26 points for the Fever (19-10), who have won nine of their last 11 and had five straight games with 100 points. 

Bridget Carleton had 26 points for the Fire (11-18), who have lost four straight.

The Fever pulled away in the third quarter, going up by 18 points to lead 90-72 heading into the fourth quarter. Makayla Timpson hit a layup that pushed the lead to 10 points to open the fourth. 

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Portland closed the gap, pulling to 98-88 on Carleton’s 3-pointer with 4:08 left. She had a layup that made it 100-93 to get the Fire even closer. Clark hit free throws to make it 110-96 with just a minute to go and the Fire ran out of time. 

There was a pregame rally outside of the Moda Center in support of Sophie Cunningham and her recent comments about barring transgender athletes from women’s and girls’ sports. A similar rally was held before the Fever’s 105-94 victory at the Seattle Storm on Tuesday. 

Cunningham was booed by the Moda Center crowd when she came into the game midway through the first quarter. Shortly thereafter, she hit a three-pointer that put the Fever up 14-8. Cunningham finished with 13 points.

Megan DiLeo’s three-pointer put the Fire up 36-30, but the Fever clawed back a 56-47 lead at the half. Clark led the Fever with 17 first-half points. 

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The game was a sellout with a Fire-record 19,959 in attendance. 

Fever: At Minnesota on Sunday.

Fire: Host Los Angeles on Sunday. 

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Redblacks one loss away from tying modern-era CFL record for longest losing streak

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New coaching staff, same old results for the Ottawa Redblacks.

Despite bringing in two-time Grey Cup-winning head coach Ryan Dinwiddie this season, the Redblacks fell to 0-7 with a 34-13 loss to the Montreal Alouettes on Friday in the nation’s capital.

Dating back to last season, it marked the 13th consecutive loss for a Redblacks team that has not won a playoff game since 2018. It was also Ottawa’s 13th loss in a row against its closest geographical rival.

The latest loss puts the Redblacks just one defeat away from tying the modern-era — since the creation of the CFL in 1958 — league record for most losses in a row.

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The record was set by the Shreveport Pirates, who lost their first 14 games in their expansion season in 1994.

The Pirates were owned by former Ottawa Rough Riders and Renegades owners Bernie and Lonnie Glieberman, who presided over some dismal days in Ottawa football.

The Gliebermans bolted from Ottawa late in the Rough Riders era to start the Pirates franchise, which lasted two years in Louisiana before the CFL gave up on its American experiment. The father-son duo returned to Ottawa in 2005 for the final year of the Renegades before that franchise folded. Bernie passed away in 2024.

The Redblacks, who brought Ottawa back to the CFL in 2014, will have their hands full avoiding the record book. They play their next three games on the road, starting next Friday in Saskatchewan, followed by contests in Winnipeg and Montreal.

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Six other teams also lost 13 games in a row before avoiding a 14th consecutive defeat.

The Redblacks still have a ways to go to match the all-time Canadian football record, set by the Ottawa Senators and Rough Riders, who lost 25 in a row from 1928 to 1932. The Hamilton Wildcats sit second, with 16 straight defeats from 1948 to ’49.

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Chris Newsome urges quick turnaround for Meralco after loss

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Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.Meralco Bolts' Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings' Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors' Cup.

Meralco Bolts’ Chris Newsome and Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings’ Riley Grigsby during a game in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines—Meralco guard Chris Newsome knows the Bolts can’t afford to dwell on another setback in the 2026 PBA Governors’ Cup.

The veteran guard stressed the importance of moving on quickly after the Bolts fell to Barangay Ginebra, 84-75, at Mall of Asia Arena on Friday.

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“We got to have short-term memory. It’s tough when you lose a game like that. We didn’t have momentum, we didn’t shoot well, it was one of those nights that you want to try and forget quickly,” he told the Inquirer.

“With a game on Sunday, that’s exactly what we have to do. We have to find a way to erase this one.”

Playing with a depleted lineup, the Bolts trailed from start to finish after falling behind, 18-10, at the end of the first quarter and never matched the Gin Kings’ intensity.

With a 2-3 card and a long break looming, Newsome hopes Meralco quickly shifts its focus to Sunday’s matchup against a surging Rain or Shine squad at Araneta Coliseum.

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“We have to stay positive in the things that we do. We have to continue to trust what we do even if it didn’t show up today,” he said.

“Things aren’t gonna go your way all the time but we have to stay strong and keep pushing forward.”



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Judo gold rush, Neeraj Chopra claims silver, Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

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Team India enjoyed a landmark ninth day at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday, July 31. Highlighted by a historic double gold sweep on the judo mat, a podium finish in the men’s javelin throw, and a groundbreaking medal in athletics, the Indian contingent added significantly to its collection as the Games hit their climax. Team India’s medal tally stands at 23 won medals after day 9, along with 10 guaranteed medals locked in for upcoming finals.

Here is a full breakdown of how Team India performed across venues on Day 9.


Judo: Twin Commonwealth Games golds and silver mark red-letter day for Indian combat sports

Judo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: GettyJudo - Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 - Source: Getty
Judo – Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games: Day 8 – Source: Getty

India’s judokas produced a standout performance at the venue, delivering one of the finest single-day displays in the country’s Commonwealth Games history.

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Asmita Dey scripts Golden Score drama

In the women’s 48kg final, young judoka Asmita Dey displayed remarkable resilience against Canada’s Heidi Quach. After a tight bout during regulation time, the contest moved into Golden Score overtime, where Asmita executed a decisive throw to score a Yuko and secure India’s first judo gold medal in Glasgow.

Harsh Singh doubles the gold tally

Minutes later in the men’s 60kg final, Harsh Singh completed a flawless tournament run. Taking on Australia’s Joshua Katz, Harsh remained composed before scoring a crucial point in the closing moments to bag India’s second judo gold medal of the day.

Yamini Maurya earns silver

In the women’s 57kg final, Yamini Maurya added to India’s combat medal count with a hard-fought silver medal. Yamini reached the final following an emphatic 98-second Ippon victory in her semi-final bout before falling short against England’s Acelya Toprak.


Track & field: Javelin double podium and historic decathlon medal at Commonwealth Games

Neeraj Chopra takes silver; Yash Vir Singh claims bronze

The marquee event of the evening took place at the stadium in the men’s javelin throw final. Two-time Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra registered a season-best effort of 85.83m to claim the silver medal. Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage captured gold with a massive 89.75m throw.

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Joining Chopra on the podium was teammate Yash Vir Singh, who launched a personal best throw of 85.41m on his final attempt to snatch the bronze medal and secure a 2-3 finish for India.

Tejaswin Shankar scripts decathlon history

Multi-event athlete Tejaswin Shankar turned in a heroic two-day performance across ten grueling disciplines to claim the bronze medal in the men’s decathlon with a total of 7,976 points. Shankar’s podium finish marks India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games medal in the decathlon.


Boxing: Unbeaten semi-final sweep sends ten Indians into finals of Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s boxing squad put together a dominant session, winning all scheduled semi-final bouts to guarantee ten spots in the gold medal clashes:

  • Women’s 54kg: Preeti Pawar defeated Zambia’s Catherine Mwape via a unanimous 5-0 decision.
  • Men’s 80kg: Ankush Panghal controlled his bout against Canada’s Joshua Ofori to advance.
  • Women’s 57kg: Jaismine Lamboria notched a Referee Stops Contest (RSC) victory over Lesotho’s Rapelanf Maselela.
  • Women’s 70kg: Arundhati Chaudhary comfortably defeated Rosie Eccles of Wales.
  • Men’s 55kg: Jadumani Singh outpointed Namibia’s Philip Haoseb via unanimous decision.
  • Women’s 51kg & 60kg: Sakshi Chaudhary and Priya Ghanghas sealed victories over their respective semi-final opponents.
  • Heavyweight bouts: Lovlina Borgohain, Sachin Siwach, and Narender Berwal closed out the day with semi-final wins.

Lawn bowls and track cycling at Commonwealth Games

Here is the performance of Indian athletes at lawn bowls and track racing on day 9:

  • Lawn bowls: The men’s pairs duo of Navneet Singh and Dinesh Kumar extended their unbeaten run by defeating the Falkland Islands 2-0 in sectional play to move into the knockout rounds. In women’s singles, Nayanmoni Saikia posted a convincing 2-0 win over Zambia’s Mildred Mkandawire.
  • Track cycling: Harshveer Sekhon and Dinesh Kumar competed in the men’s 4000m individual pursuit qualification rounds but missed out on advancing to the final heat.