“It looks like this train has left,” the 27-year-old, draped in the Ukrainian flag, told reporters after emerging from a two-and-a-half-hour hearing in Milan.
“I cannot do another race so it is done.”
He said he had no plans to return to the sliding venue during these Winter Olympic Games but still felt he had done the right thing by trying to compete with a helmet adorned with portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia’s war on their country.
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‘I hope truth will prevail’
“I’m really thankful for the opportunity to speak and we were treated equally at the hearing room and arguments were heard.
“We are waiting for the decisions, but as you see I look pretty happy so I’m pretty positive about how it went. I hope truth will prevail and still I know that I was innocent.”
The appeal was heard on Friday morning by an ad hoc division of the Swiss-based court, which was moved by his story but ruled against him anyway.
The arbitrator, CAS said, “is fully sympathetic to Mr. Heraskevych’s commemoration and to his attempt to raise awareness for the grief and devastation suffered by the Ukrainian people, and Ukrainian athletes because of the war.”
Olympic Charter Rule 50
Heraskevych was prevented from competing in the men’s skeleton, which began on Thursday, due to a ruling by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that the helmet he had intended to wear violated Rule 50 of the Olympic Charter. It states that: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”
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The medals in men’s skeleton were to be awarded later on Friday.
The helmet in question bears the portraits of more than 20 Ukrainian athletes who have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine four years ago.
He had worn the helmet in his five training runs – each time placing among the top six.
The IOC interpreted the depictions of the killed Ukrainian athletes as a political statement, something that the skeleton racer disputes.
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“I am convinced that we are not breaking any rules. I also believe that we have had and continue to have this attention all these days because people understand that we are on the right side and have not broken any rules,” he said.
Solidarity from Ukrainian lugers, President Zelenskyy
The Ukrainian luge relay team expressed solidarity with Heraskevych during their competition on Thursday. In the finish area, the six athletes knelt together, held up their helmets, and shouted: “Vlad, we are with you, Ukraine, we stand with you.”
Members of the Ukrainian mixed relay luge team raised their helmets in solidarity with HeraskevychImage: Robert Michael/dpa/picture alliance
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he will award Heraskevych a medal of merit.
On the X platform, he sharply criticized the IOC, writing that “Sport shouldn’t mean amnesia, and the Olympic movement should help stop wars, not play into the hands of aggressors.”
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A group of around 40 members of the European Parliament have also sent an open letter to the IOC, calling on it to reconsider its decision.
IOC ‘open to everything’
Meanwhile, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Kirsty Coventry, who had personally delivered the news of Heraskevych’s ban to the athlete on Thursday, said there were no immediate plans to review the rules governing political expression.
“I have had a number of conversations with athletes over the last couple of days. They still feel strongly that we should be able to keep part of our Olympic movement, and their Olympic experience, safe,” Coventry told a Friday press conference.
“If our athletes would like us to look at it (the rules), we are open to everything. But the rules are the rules as of today, and I believe they are good rules.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sparked outrage earlier this week when he claimed the UK had been “colonised by immigrants”
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised to the Glazers for his controversial comments about immigration which brought shame on Manchester United. It’s understood Ratcliffe contacted his fellow co-owners to explain himself and for the furore he had caused.
Ratcliffe sparked outrage when he claimed in an interview that immigrants had “colonised” the UK. The FA are now examining the comments before deciding whether to launch a full-scale investigation. In the meantime, the damage done to United’s image and reputation has been massive.
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The Glazers are said to have huge concerns about what effect the backlash from Ratcliffe’s comments will have on United’s relationship with sponsors and commercial partners moving forward. There are also worries about what impact the events of this week could have on United’s hopes of building a new stadium.
Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham slammed Ratcliffe’s comments as being “inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory”.
Burnham has worked closely with Ratcliffe and United on plans to either regenerate Old Trafford or build a new £1billion stadium. The Glazers are desperate to see the project come to fruition because it would increase United’s valuation.
But the project will depend on alignment between the club, local councils and Greater Manchester leaders. Ratcliffe, who bought a £1.25billion stake in United in 2024, issued a statement on Thursday after his comments sparked an avalanche of condemnation.
He said: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.
“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.
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“My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone.
“It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”
Ireland U20 held off the gritty Italians 30-27 in a tight high-scoring 6 Nations game at Virgin Media Park in Cork on Friday night.
Tries a plenty in both halves – as both teams claimed bonus-point tries, a game that was in the balance for most of the night, saw the home side edge home by three points in the end.
Ireland score first
Ireland took an early lead with a relatively easy penalty kick for Garryowen’s Tom Wood. The Munster player comfortably slotted over from directly in front of the post for a 3-0 lead.
🇮🇪 3-0 🇮🇹 Ireland out-half Tom Wood claims the opening score of the game as the hosts take an early lead Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/PljD30nwRb
Winger Derry Moloney opened the Italian defence as he burst through the visitors side. Beginning in his own half, the Leinster speedster was supported by Noah Byrne and then by Christopher Barrett.
With Moloney offloading to Byrne, Barrett then received possession of the ball, and had the task of touching down for the game’s opening try. A second successful kick of the night from Tom Wood – this time, a conversion – pushed Ireland out to a 13-0 advantage with just over 13 minutes played on the clock.
Despite some moments of both poor passing and substandard handling, the Italians were next on the scoresheet. Winger Luca Rossa was on the receiving end of an Azzurri move as the Irish defence was breached for the first time tonight. Francesco Braga added the extras for the visitors, leaving Ireland with a 10-7 lead approaching the end of the first quarter of play.
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Winger Ryan gets on score sheet
The hosts laid a charge to the Italian line following a powerful brake from centre Rob Carney. With Ireland pummelling the defensive line, winger Daniel Ryan eventually touched down in the furthest corner from thew Main Stand.
With a more difficult conversion attempt – right on the side line – Wood was unsuccessful this time, meaning Ireland had a 15-7 lead.
Converted try and penalty give Italians half-time advantage
Italy struck back immediately with a pushover try that saw hooker Valerio Pelli crash over for a five-pointer. A favourable position have Braga a relatively easy effort – which he converted, as the Irish lead was reduced to a single point.
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🇮🇪 15-14 🇮🇹 Again Italy respond well to a setback, hooker Valerio Pelli powering over from a dominant rolling maul Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/Ri88G1e4XA
With the half-time whistle close, Italy won a penalty which Brage kicked to give the Italian side an unexpected 17-15 lead at the interval.
Half-time: 🇮🇪 15-17 🇮🇹 Italy take the lead with the final act of the half, Francesca Braga maintaining his 100% record off the tee in Cork tonight Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/mipp7j9U0e
The home side claimed the first score of the second half. Excellent teamwork and understanding between centre Rob Carney and Derry Moloney saw the winger score.
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With Carney in possession as he made rapid throughout from his own half of the field to the opposition’s, the Cashel RFC man kept the Italian defence guessing as to whether he would go for the line himself or pass out to Moloney. Ultimately he did neither, as a nicely placed grubber kick was successfully chased by Moloney who score in the corner to the delight of the home fans.
Tom Wood was unsuccessful with his effort – his second missed kicked of the evening.
🇮🇪 20-17 🇮🇹 A huge hit from Tom Wood turns Italy over before Derry Moloney shows blistering pace to put Ireland back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/D8DF7vUXUn
With the Italians enjoying a period of domination on the field, Valerio Pelli claimed his second try of the night. As Italy made numerous efforts to cross the try-scoring line, the brawn and strength of the Mogliano Veneto Rugby player was required to complete the task. Kicker Braga missed at the posts for the first time, as the Italians held a slender 22-20 advantage.
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🇮🇪 20-22 🇮🇹 Once again the Italians show their strength with the rolling maul, hooker Valerio Pelli with his second try of the night. The visitors back in front Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/REfU3bItVo
Ireland soon fought back as they noticeably upped the tempo. With the Azzurri defence penalised near their own line, Ireland reacted quickly and three quick motions saw Josh Neil of Leinster in for the bonus-point try.
🇮🇪 27-22 🇮🇹 Josh Neill secures a bonus point for Ireland by barging over from close range Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/BEGATpZskF
Wood kicked – from directly in front of the posts – for a 27-22 lead, but the Munster number 10 soon extended this advantage, as a successful penalty kick – which saw Italian Davide Sette sin-binned – gave Ireland a little breathing space on the score board, 30-22, with the game inside the final quarter.
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🇮🇪 30-22 🇮🇹 🟨 Italy’s Davide Sette is sent to the sin bin and Tom Wood converts the resulting penalty. Watch live coverage of Ireland v Italy in the Under-20 Six Nations on @rte2 ➡️ https://t.co/rEypK4GBeypic.twitter.com/g0zdyKcTWt
Replacement Jacopo de Rossi gave the Italians hope of taking the victory in this game when his teammates’ powerful maul allowed him touch down for a try, his side’s bonus-point five-pointer. Braga, who had been so successful with his kicking in the opening period, missed his second of this half, as Ireland faced into the final 10 minutes with a slender three-point advantage.
Final score: Ireland U20 30 Italy U20 27
Ireland U20 Team
15. Noah Byrne (Dublin University FC/Leinster), 14. Derry Moloney (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 13. Rob Carney (Cashel RFC/Munster), 12. James O’Leary (UCC/Munster), 11. Daniel Ryan (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht), 10. Tom Wood (Garryowen FC/ Munster), 9. Christopher Barrett (UCC RFC/Munster).
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1. Max Doyle (UCD RFC/Leinster), 2. Lee Fitzpatrick (Blackrock College RFC/Leinster), 3. Sami Bishti (UCD RFC/Leinster)(captain), 4. Dylan McNeice (UCD RFC/Leinster), 5. Donnacha McGuire (UCD RFC/Leinster), 6. Joe Finn (Garryowen FC/Munster), 7. Josh Neill (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 8. Diarmaid O’Connell (Galway Corinthians RFC/Connacht).
Replacements:
16. Rían Handley (Old Wesley RFC/Leinster), 17. Christian Foley (Young Munster RFC/ Munster), 18. Blake McClean (Instonians RFC/Ulster), 19. Ben Blaney (Terenure College RFC/Leinster), 20. Billy Hayes (Garryowen FC/Munster), 21. James O’Dwyer (Old Belvedere RFC/Leinster), 22. Charlie O’Shea (UCC RFC/Munster), 23. Johnny O’Sullivan (Dublin University FC/Leinster).
Johannes Klaebo of Norway wins the 10km interval start free 10K men’s cross country event in Tesoro, Italy, on Friday at the Milan Cortina Olympics.
TESERO, Italy — Norway’s Johannes Klaebo won the men’s 10km freestyle cross-country ski race on Friday to earn his eighth Olympic title and equal the record for the most gold medals at the Winter Games.
Mathis Desloges of France won silver, his second of the Milan Cortina Olympics, while Norway’s Einar Hedegart won the bronze.
The victory was the third of this Olympics for Klaebo, 29, and tied the Norwegian skier with three of his compatriots — fellow cross-country skiers Marit Bjoergen and Bjorn Daehlie and biathlete Ole Einar Bjorndalen — with eight gold medals overall. He is scheduled to ski in three more events and could take the outright lead for gold medals by an individual Olympian.
“Today is one of the toughest races we’ve done, and everyone was completely exhausted when we crossed the finish line. For me, today was really hard. I tried to open with control and at the end there it was really hard,” said Klaebo, who won his first three Olympic golds at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games and two more at the 2022 Beijing Games.
“I’m really satisfied with being first. This is my first time winning a 10k in interval style.”
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Hedegart, a biathlete who shifted his focus to cross-country skiing and was considered one of Klaebo’s biggest challengers, came close to taking victory, but lost steam on a climb in the final section of the race.
He ended up in third, 14 seconds behind the winner, with Desloges 4.9 seconds adrift in the interval-style race.
“I’ve never experienced this kind of dizziness. I was so dizzy the last two kilometers and I had nothing left in the tank, so it was just pain and suffering,” Hedegart said.
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“In the last 200m I didn’t know if I was going to make it to the finish line, and even though it was only downhill I was so scared that I would pass out.”
Skiers faced another day of warm weather, with temperatures hitting 42 degrees, prompting some to forgo their tops and only wear a race bib. Those starting earlier in the competition had an advantage as conditions deteriorated over the course of the race, causing several skiers to crash when going down hills.
Course officials decided against salting the track to make the snow more compact, as they had done the previous day for the women’s 10km freestyle event.
USA’s Ilia Malinin, the red-hot favourite for men’s figure skating gold at Milan-Cortina 2026, falls twice as he misses out on a podium finish to give Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan the gold medal.
Figure skating’s self-styled ‘Quad God’ fell to earth on Friday as Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov came from nowhere to claim gold in a dramatic finish to the men’s singles competition in Milan.
All-conquering Ilia Malinin headed into the free skate with a five-point lead over his rivals and audacious plans to make history by becoming the first skater to land seven quad jumps.
Instead Malinin, unbeaten in all competitions for over two years, fulfilled just three – falling on two more – as he plummeted out of medal contention to finish in eighth place.
As the 21-year-old Malinin left the ice in tears, Shaidorov, who started the night in fifth place, over 15 points behind his rival and a 100-1 shot to make up the difference, looked shell-shocked to become Olympic champion.
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Earlier, Malinin’s rivals had done all they could to aid his coronation. Starting the free skate in third place, Adam Siao Him Fa fell twice to also slide down the standings, while Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama clung onto silver place despite two falls.
Malinin took to the ice with the gold at his mercy, but his routine quickly unravelled.
His quad axel – a jump only he has mastered – became a single, his quad loop a double and he fell on both his lutz and salchow.
It was a shocking end to the Olympic cycle for Malinin, who had failed to make the 2022 Olympic team when compatriot Nathan Chen made history by landing five quads in his winning routine to Elton John’s ‘Rocket Man’.
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These days, five quads were supposedly the preserve of an also-ran. They were landed by Shaidorov, who then sat and watched his rivals falter in front of him. Shun Sato leaped from ninth place to take bronze medal on a night to remember.
One of the annual highlights of NBA All-Star Weekend features the league’s best marksmen competing from beyond the arc, and the 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest will take place on Saturday. The NBA 3-Point Contest field features two past winners in Devin Booker and two-time champion Damian Lillard, as well as All-Stars Donovan Mitchell, Tyrese Maxey, Jamal Murray and Norman Powell. Veteran Bobby Portis and rookie Kon Knueppel round out the field. The event takes place at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles during NBA All-Star Saturday Night, which has a start time of 5 p.m. ET.
Knueppel (+250) and Lillard (+480) are the top-two favorites, per the latest 2026 3-Point Contest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, with Booker at +600. Maxey and Murray are both at +650 to utilize in NBA bets, followed by Mitchell (+750). You can potentially find value at the bottom of the NBA odds board in Powell (+950), a former LA Clipper who is familiar with the Intuit Dome rims and in Portis (+1500) who leads the field in 3-point percentage. Before making any 2026 NBA 3-Point Contest picks, be sure to check out the 2026 NBA All-Star Weekend predictions from SportsLine expert Mike Barner.
Barner is one of the most respected voices in the industry, and his work has appeared in Sports Illustrated and on Yahoo, RotoWire and KFFL. He’s also been featured on ESPN Radio. He digs deep into the data, examining team trends and projecting game outcomes. If there’s anybody who can spot an edge in a matchup or identify a player in position to break out, it’s him.
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Barner’s expertise has been on full display lately as he enters the All-Star break on a 40-17 run on NBA picks (+2014). He is coming off a dominant 2024-25 NBA season, finishing 239-178-2 and returning $3,209 to $100 bettors. Anyone following at sportsbooks and on betting apps could have seen huge returns.
Barner is fading Damian Lillard (+480), despite him being one of the favorites and a two-time winner of this event (2023, 2024). Lillard has not played this season as he recovers from a torn Achilles, which poses two issues. One is that his movement around the ball racks may be a bit limited compared to his prior contest appearances. Another is that he will likely lack rhythm having not played a competitive game in nearly 10 months.
While Lillard has played just one game at the Intuit Dome, which came last season, it’s worth noting his 3-point shooting in that contest. He went 1 for 9 from beyond the arc for an 11.1% rate. Among his 50 games last season with at least 7 attempts from downtown, that 1 for 9 performance was his worst all year. Thus, Barner doesn’t see Lillard joining Larry Bird and Craig Hodges as the only three-time winners of the NBA 3-Point Contest. See more predictions at SportsLine.
Barner has studied the NBA 3-Point Contest from every angle and predicts the winner will “make history” with his performance. See who it is over at SportsLine.
Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior admitted his side’s work ethic was the stand-out feature as they cruised to a 4-0 win at his former club Hull in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
Pedro Neto fired a hat-trick, his second direct from a corner, while Brazil winger Estevao was also on target as Championship promotion chasers Hull were swept aside at the MKM Stadium.
Rosenior, making his first return to the club where he was player and manager, said: “The overall positive thing was the application of the team. Our pressing, our intensity, our work rate and Pedro exemplified that, to be honest.
“That’s why he scores the goals that he does. I’m very lucky to have such talented players. What I’m really realising quickly is they’re not good players, they’re outstanding professionals.
“It was a really professional performance against a very good team, who are pushing for the Premier League.
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“This is not an easy game, and some of our football was everything I want to see. But before that, the values of what the team stood for tonight made me a very happy coach.”
Chelsea spurned several first-half chances, with Rory Delap and Estevao the guilty parties in particular, while Hull never threatened an upset.
Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic has led them to fourth in the second tier, five points off the top two and Rosenior hopes his former club can seal top-flight promotion.
“The spirit and the character of the team and their threat in transition,” he said. “I really hope it happens. So I wish them all the best.
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“It’s so nice to see so many really welcoming faces here and I think the manager is doing a fantastic job.”
While Rosenior made seven changes, Jakirovic made six of his own with one eye on his side’s promotion push.
The Bosnian, who felt Chelsea’s extra quality was evident, said: “It’s difficult, because we played against Chelsea. I think we gave everything today.”
Lewis Koumas went closest to a consolation for the Tigers when his low late effort hit a post.
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“Towards the end, I think that we deserved one goal,” Jakirovic said. “We had a few nice chances and I said to (Rosenior) that we deserved the goal and of course, he agreed.
“Congratulations to my players. Maybe if we play our next games like this, with this passion, energy, intensity, that we are complicated, that we are tactically good, that we can be much higher in the table.”
Both head coaches condemned some abusive chanting from a section of home fans during the tie.
The stadium announcer warned against it at half-time and again in the 60th minute when he confirmed some arrests had been made.
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Chelsea Pride, the club’s official LGBTQ+ supporter group, released a statement which read: “Tonight, homophobic chanting was once again directed at our supporters. This is utterly unacceptable.
“We acknowledge that Hull City made stadium announcements, confirmed CCTV was being monitored, and that arrests have been made. Action matters. Accountability matters. Consequences matter.
“But let us be clear, the fact that this chant is still being heard in 2026 is a stain on our game.”
Rosenior said: “Without knowing what has happened, any discriminatory language in any form, about anything, is unacceptable so I hope it get gets dealt with.”
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Jakirovic added: “This is not a place for this, for sure, in the stadium and also in public as well. This is not good.
“The stadium is not a place for that and this is the reason why they have been arrested.”
Shakur Stevenson is making it quite clear that he will fight anybody.
The pound-for-pound talent recently became a four-weight world champion at the age of 28 with a dominant points win over Teofimo Lopez. Stevenson now holds the WBO world title at 140lbs, and has been stripped of his WBC belt at 135.
Riding high from that win, and for good reason, the Newark southpaw has been calling out fighters left, right and centre, one being Ryan Garcia. Garcia, who challenges for the WBC Welterweight World Title held by Mario Barrios next weekend in Las Vegas, also wants it to happen.
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Speaking to the Ring Magazine just over a week out from his title effort, Garcia confirmed Stevenson as his next target.
“I really want to fight Shakur. [The Haney rematch] is always gonna be there, but that’s who I want to fight. I want to go from Barrios to Shakur … 144. I’ll make a whole division called 44. Me and Shakur. He said he’d do it. I know he’s confident, so let’s run it.”
Speaking on X shortly after Garcia’s words went live, Stevenson said:
“144 Ryan, let’s do it… I’ll be at your fight now scrub! VADA will be involved so don’t run from that.”
His mention of the Voluntary Anti-Doping Agency alludes to Garcia’s previous failed test that saw his victory over Devin Haney overturned to a no contest. Stevenson then followed up with a promise.
A lot must happen for these fighting words to turn into something concrete. Garcia first has a challenge in Barrios, who looks to retain his world title with a win for the first time following two draws.
Next, Stevenson seems to be committing himself to numerous match-ups and must settle on a route. He has expressed an interest in Isaac Cruz and Conor Benn, and may look at other champions in the super-lightweight ranks to unify.
Space Rider aims to bolster his Australian Guineas prospects during his Flemington appearance.
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr’s charge lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington, acting as the ideal forerunner to the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at Flemington a fortnight hence.
By performing well, Space Rider could join Planet Red in the Australian Guineas lineup, building on the stablemate’s strong second to Observer in the Autumn Stakes (1400m) conducted at Caulfield last Saturday.
Ethan Brown, victor with Observer in that race, retains the partnership with Space Rider after piloting the three-year-old to his fresh victory in the Group 3 Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on January 24.
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“It was a big win first-up. He sat three-wide, no cover,” Kent Jnr said.
“He was there to be challenged but fought all of them off, but it’s going to get harder from here on in, however Ethan Brown sticks.
“The colt of Chris Waller, Sixties, will be hard to beat. It looks to have come back really well, but our guy is a lovely big moving horse that is really going to love Flemington.”
Though Space Rider’s trio of wins have all been achieved first-up, Kent Jnr anticipates the generous Flemington track will suit the colt ideally for this Saturday’s second-up run over the tighter turns he has faced before.
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Kent Jnr approved of Planet Red’s return to racing at Caulfield last week.
Spring Caulfield Guineas runner-up—a race in which Space Rider was 11th—Planet Red flew home late under Jamie Kah’s urgings last Saturday.
“If he had drawn a softer gate, he lands a pair or two closer and it might have been interesting,” Kent Jnr said.
“He’s going to strip fitter from that run and we’re looking forward to the Australian Guineas.”
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Discover competitive offers via racing betting markets for the upcoming CS Hayes Stakes.
Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) reacts following a home victory at the Oakland Coliseum, where Nov 3, 2019 capped a competitive afternoon against the Detroit Lions as he acknowledged the crowd and celebrated with teammates on the field. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports..
A few days ago, when Derek Carr teased unretirement, some fans backhandedly said, “Maybe he’ll end up with the Vikings.” Now, thanks to NFL.com, there’s an actual Carr rumor train for the purple team. Nick Shook published an article Wednesday of Carr’s would-be landing spots, and wouldn’t you know it? The Vikings earned a mention.
The Vikings are getting linked to Carr, though any real traction depends on cost and the J.J. McCarthy plan.
Carr-to-Minnesota is probably a long shot, generally speaking, but until the Vikings officially trade for or sign their J.J. McCarthy alternative, Carr’s name will live in the conversation.
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Derek Carr Fodder Swirls around Minnesota
No, Carr may not be done just yet.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) scrambles against the Denver Broncos during the first half on Dec. 26, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, accelerating into open space as the Raiders fought to keep their postseason hopes alive in a tightly contested AFC West showdown. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
NFL.com: Vikings Make Carr Shortlist
So, the Carr rumor mill is here. Shook wrote, “If Carr is interested in manning a backup role that could include a camp competition for the starting job, he’ll find that in Minnesota. J.J. McCarthy didn’t cement his role as the Vikings’ franchise quarterback in his first season as their starter and has plenty of work ahead of him this offseason.”
“Minnesota might not exercise as much patience in 2026, either, not after they watched their playoff hopes evaporate this past season because of unreliability under center.”
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If you’re not familiar with Carr’s career, he’s basically another Kirk Cousins — not great, not bad, just pretty good.
Shook continued, “Carr would address Minnesota’s need for a proven veteran capable of handling the job — an area which former GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah admitted he’d misjudged prior to being fired in January — and could also push McCarthy in camp. Carr might also be enticed by the presence of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison and T.J. Hockenson.”
“Ultimately, this fit might depend on whether Carr is interested in competing for a job, or if he’d rather walk into a situation that has him penciled in as QB1. Money matters, too, and the Vikings have a salary cap hole to dig out of before they can start thinking about Carr.”
The other squads on Shook’s list? The Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Jets, and Miami Dolphins.
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Carr’s Stats Since 2014
Carr didn’t play in 2025 — he retired — but his usual resume as a starter looks like this when spread to a 17-game season:
The guy isn’t afraid to fling it and has started nearly 170 games in his career. His teams own a 77-92 (.455) record in those contests, mostly dragged down by Carr playing for the Raiders, a franchise known for losing and general dysfunction over the last couple of decades.
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Carr would, however, provide Cousins-like efficiency. Here’s his EPA+CPOE ranking resume from the last decade:
Onboarding Carr would basically boil down to whether the Vikings want an old quarterback as the solution or prefer youth that McCarthy or another player might provide.
The Trade Hassle
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Of course, getting Carr wouldn’t be as simple as signing him to a modest contract. Like Sean Payton a few years ago, the Saints hold Carr’s contractual rights, meaning they can control his future and demand a draft pick in a trade. Next offseason, the Pittsburgh Steelers can do the same with coach Mike Tomlin if they’re in the mood.
Las Vegas Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (4) celebrates a key sequence against the Denver Broncos in the second half on Dec. 26, 2021, at Allegiant Stadium in Paradise, Nevada, reacting with visible emotion as Las Vegas battled to strengthen its position in the crowded AFC playoff race. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports
Carr won’t break the bank via trade, but there’s a small chance that New Orleans holds him hostage, demanding a late-round pick for his services. That complicates his unretirement just a bit.
A Solution Congruent with Vikings History — for Better or Worse
While fans will debate whether Carr moves the needle as a QB1 or QB2 solution in 2026, one observation is obvious: adding him to the depth chart as a starter would be The Viking way.
In the last 35 years, the Vikings have sought these veteran quarterbacks as solutions after failing to draft one on their own who lasted for longer than a season or a few:
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Sam Bradford
Matt Cassel
Kirk Cousins
Randall Cunningham
Sam Darnold
Jeff George
Brett Favre
Case Keenum
Jim McMahon
Donovan McNabb
Warren Moon
It’s not normal to find that many retreads for QB1 duty. Most teams haven’t relied on that many, instead relying on the draft to foster and cultivate quarterbacks. The Viking Way is just a little bit different.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Derek Carr (4) fires a pass against the New England Patriots in the second half on Oct. 8, 2023, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, attempting to generate rhythm and momentum for his offense during a challenging road matchup. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports
The move would also keep the Vikings right in the “middle” of the NFL — giving the perception that the club is afraid to roll the dice on McCarthy’s development. preferring the safe harbor of Carr’s age-35 ceiling that likely won’t result in a Super Bowl.
