Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones watches from the sideline during the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons on Dec. 8, 2024, at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Jones observed late-game action as Minnesota managed the closing stages of the contest during the regular season matchup. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones will turn 32 during the 2026 regular season, and hypothetically speaking, if the club released him this offseason, it would save about $8 million on the salary cap. Many expect Minnesota to drop Jones in favor of a younger option, so here’s a look at where Jones may land if he hits open free agency.
Atlanta, Houston, Washington, and a few others could view Jones as a short-term RB1/RB2 jolt.
SI.com‘s Will Ragatz noted on Jones this week, “If this is it for Jones in Minnesota, his two-year tenure will be remembered fondly. Despite his age and a reputation for picking up bumps and bruises, he played in 29 of a possible 34 regular season games over the past two seasons.”
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“During that time, Jones ran for 1,686 yards on 387 carries (4.4 YPC) and added 79 catches for 607 yards. He scored 10 touchdowns. Off the field, his infectiously joyous personality quickly made him a favorite of teammates, coaches, fans, and media members. The reasons why Jones is a logical cap casualty are fairly obvious.”
Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones Sr. (33) lines up during NFC Wild Card action against the Los Angeles Rams at State Farm Stadium. The veteran runner handled a key offensive role during Minnesota’s postseason push, providing steady production on the ground and as a receiver. Jan 13, 2025; Glendale, AZ, USA: Jones carried the workload in playoff competition. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images.
If Jones returns to Minnesota, it will be because of his locker room leadership role.
Ragatz added, “As currently constructed, his $14.55 million cap hit for 2026 is the third-highest among all NFL running backs, behind only Alvin Kamara and Jonathan Taylor.”
“Jones is 31 years old, he missed five games last season, and his yards per carry mark in 2025 was a career-low 4.2. He’s still a good player, but the Vikings might be able to get more explosive at RB while also saving some money by parting ways.”
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But let’s pretend Minnesota moves on. The following list ranks Jones’s landing spots from least to most realistic (No. 1 = most realistic landing spot).
Seven Realistic Team Fits for Aaron Jones
Jones will have a market if Minnesota cuts ties.
7. Atlanta Falcons
Jones was born in Savannah, Georgia, and although there are no coaching or general manager ties to Jones in Atlanta, the Falcons are probably on the cusp of losing Tyler Allgeier to free agency.
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Sliding in next to Bijan Robinson, the RB1, as a dependable RB2, Jones would make sense in Atlanta to wind down his illustrious career.
6. Houston Texans
As a kid, Jones lived all over the place with his parents in the military, but for high school, he eventually settled in West Texas, playing at Burges High School. He knows Texas.
The Texans are about to lose Nick Chubb in free agency, as well as Dare Ogunbowale. Meanwhile, no one is too sure about Joe Mixon’s long-term health trajectory. Houston featured rookie Woody Marks in 2025, who performed decently, but as an RB1 or RB2, Jones in Houston would make sense next to Marks.
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5. Washington Commanders
Jones plays offense, and former Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones coaches defense, but the two know each other. Daronte Jones accepted a promotion to run the Commanders’ defense this offseason; he could put in a good word for his RB-needy team.
Washington Commanders running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (22) celebrates in the end zone after reaching the goal line during first-half action against the Los Angeles Chargers at SoFi Stadium. The young runner flashed scoring ability while competing for offensive snaps in Washington’s backfield rotation. Oct 5, 2025; Inglewood, California, USA: Croskey-Merritt finished the drive with a touchdown run. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images.
Washington waltzes into free agency with just one running back under contract: the hot-and-cold Jacory Croskey-Merritt. From somewhere, the Commanders will need more running backs — probably about three or four more by the time training camp rolls around.
The Joneses can reunite in Washington.
4. Arizona Cardinals
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The Cardinals hired a new offensive coordinator last week, and that man’s name is Nathaniel Hackett. He’s most famous for flaming out as the Denver Broncos’ head coach, but before that, he led the Green Bay Packers’ offense from 2019 to 2021. These are also known as the glory years for Jones — the final two of which Aaron Rodgers won MVP.
Arizona drafted Trey Benson two years ago. His injury resume is a bit spooky. James Conner is recovering from a season-ending injury in 2025.
Jones getting back together with Hackett checks some boxes, with Benson and Jones headlining the Cardinals’ rushing offense.
3. Green Bay Packers
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This one isn’t too mysterious; Jones worked in Green Bay for seven seasons. He was beloved by fans. If he needs a new team, the Packers could easily re-up with Jones as the RB2 behind Josh Jacobs.
Not much explanation needed.
2. Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars’ RB1, Travis Etienne, is probably on the brink of signing with a new team next month. Jacksonville will presumably hand the RB1 baton to speedster Bhayshul Tuten, who flashed at times as a rookie in 2025. After Tuten on the depth chart, it’s LeQuint Allen Jr.
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Former Vikings assistant quarterback coach Grant Udinski runs the Jaguars’ offense. He crossed paths with Jones in Minnesota in 2024.
The Jaguars need a running back, and Jones might need a job. A partnership with Tuten might work.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
These men work for the Steelers or may work for the Steelers in 2026:
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Mike McCarthy: Jones’s former head coach
Aaron Rodgers: Jones’s former QB1
Brian Angelichio: Vikings TE coach turned Steelers OC
Frank Cignetti Jr.: A Packers QB coach in 2018
New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) talks with Minnesota Vikings running back Aaron Jones (33) following an international matchup at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. The veteran players shared a brief postgame exchange after a closely contested contest overseas. Oct 6, 2024; Tottenham, ENG: Rodgers and Jones met on the field after Minnesota’s loss in the NFL Global Series. Mandatory Credit: Shaun Brooks-Imagn Images.
What’s more, Pittsburgh tailback Kenneth Gainwell will test free agency in two weeks.
The Steelers are dripping with ties to Jones. If Minnesota cuts him loose, circle Pittsburgh as his top destination, especially if Rodgers returns for Year No. 22.
Real Madrid are reportedly considering France head coach Didier Deschamps as their potential head coach option this summer. Los Blancos could consider changing the leadership if Alvaro Arbeloa fails to lead them to any significant titles in this campaign.
Arbeloa took over the helm after former boss Xabi Alonso parted ways with Real Madrid mid-season in January. However, his stint has been a mixed bag so far. Los Blancos bowed out of the Copa del Rey and are seven points behind Barcelona in the LaLiga table. As such, Arbeloa’s future at the club may depend on how the Spanish giants end the season. They still have a fair chance of winning the Champions League and could make a comeback in LaLiga, but winning neither could spell trouble for the current coach.
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According to RMC Sport journalist Fabrice Hawkins (h/t One Football), Real Madrid are considering France head coach Didier Deschamps as a potential option to replace Alvaro Arbeloa this summer. Deschamps is set to leave the France national team after the 2026 FIFA World Cup and will be available.
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The report states that Los Blancos are specifically impressed by Deschamps due to three factors. The Frenchman has an exceptional record of winning with Les Blues, having led them to two consecutive World Cup finals in 2018 and 2022, and winning the first time. He also boasts a stellar record with clubs like AS Monaco, Marseille, and Juventus.
Secondly, Didier Deschamps’ closeness to Kylian Mbappe is reportedly another factor behind considering his candidature. Mbappe will remain an integral part of Real Madrid’s plans, and Deschamps’ close relationship with him could help the side. Finally, Deschamps is well-experienced in handling big dressing rooms, which is essential for the Spanish giants.
The final decision could depend on how Arbeloa handles things for the rest of the season, with both the Champions League and LaLiga at stake.
Real Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane set to take over the France national team as head coach after Deschamps’ departure: Reports
Zidane – Source: Getty
Reports from French outlet Le Parisien last month suggest that Real Madrid legend and former coach Zinedine Zidane is set to succeed Didier Deschamps as the France head coach after the World Cup. He has reached a verbal agreement with the French Football Federation to take over the helm.
In an interview with Le Figaro, FFF President Phillipe Diallo mentioned that they’ve already finalized Deschamps’ replacement, although he did not mention Zidane.
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“Yes, I know his name. We need a profile that ticks many boxes and that can also garner the support of the French people, since this French national football team is the team of the French,” he said.
Zinedine Zidane has been away from management since working with Real Madrid in the 2020-21 season, which marked his second managerial stint with the club. The midfield legend boasts a stellar record with Los Blancos both as a player and as a coach, having led them to three consecutive Champions League titles in his first stint.
Jiri Prochazka can become a two-time UFC titleholder this weekend if he can snap Carlos Ulberg’s nine-fight winning streak.
The light-heavyweight contenders are set to meet in the main event of UFC 327 with the winner going home as the organization’s new 205-pound champion.
Alex “Poatan” Pereira vacated the title earlier this year after deciding to move up to the heavyweight division, so the UFC paired No. 2 contender Prochazka and No. 3 contender Ulberg.
Before they step into the cage at Miami’s Kaseya Center on Saturday night, Prochazka and Ulberg needed to weigh no more than 205 pounds on the scale Friday morning during the official weigh-in.
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All non-title competitors are afforded a one-pound allowance, so any other light-heavyweight fighter on the card could weigh up to 206 pounds. Prochazka stepped on the scale with two pounds to spare and Ulberg came in one pound under the limit to make the championship bout official.
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UFC 327’s co-main event is another pivotal matchup at 205 pounds with undefeated Azamat Murzakanov welcoming former middleweight title challenger Paulo Costa to a new division. Fan favourites and frequent finishers Dominick Reyes and Johnny Walker are set to clash in another light-heavyweight contest.
Trash-talking heavyweight prospect Josh Hokit is looking to shake up the rankings when he faces the biggest test of his young career in No. 5 contender Curtis Blaydes.
The main card kicks off with Cub Swanson’s farewell fight. The 42-year-old featherweight stalwart has announced his scrap with Nate Landwehr will be the final fight of his two-decade career.
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A meeting of former Bellator MMA stars Patricio Pitbull and Aaron Pico headlines a preliminary card that also features strawweight contenders Tatiana Suarez and Loopy Godinez, plus standout lightweights Mateusz Gamrot and Esteban Ribovics.
Watch UFC 327 on Sportsnet+
A new era at 205 pounds begins when Jiri Prochazka and Carlos Ulberg compete for the vacant light-heavyweight title. Watch UFC 327 on Saturday, April 11 with prelim coverage beginning 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT, and pay-per-view main card starting at 9 p.m. ET / 6 p.m. PT.
Only one of the 24 fighters scheduled to compete on the card missed weight Friday morning.
Chris Padilla initially weighed two pounds above the non-title lightweight limit. Padilla was 158, while his opponent MarQuel Mederos was an even 155. Padilla, who accepted the matchup on short notice, was given an extra hour to shed the additional pounds but he did not cut any additional weight and as a result forfeits 20 per cent of his purse to Mederos. The fight will proceed as scheduled.
Below are the official UFC 327 weigh-in results and projected bout order (subject to change):
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— Jiri Prochazka (203) vs. Carlos Ulberg (204)
— Azamat Murzakanov (205) vs. Paulo Costa (205)
— Curtis Blaydes (261) vs. Josh Hokit (233)
— Dominick Reyes (205) vs. Johnny Walker (205)
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— Cub Swanson (146) vs. Nate Landwehr (145)
— Patricio Pitbull (145) vs. Aaron Pico (145)
— Mateusz Gamrot (156) vs. Esteban Ribovics (155)
— Kevin Holland (171) vs. Randy Brown (171)
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— Tatiana Suarez (116) vs. Loopy Godinez (116)
— MarQuel Mederos (155) vs. Chris Padilla (158)*
— Kelvin Gastelum (185) vs. Vicente Luque (185)
— Charles Radtke (170) vs. Francisco Prado (170)
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*Fighter missed weight, fined 20 per cent of purse, fight proceeds as scheduled
Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows spent the night in a hospital following a frightening collision with teammate Riley Greene on Thursday.
Meadows was left bloodied in the outfield and had to be helped off the field in the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins after appearing to hit his head during the collision with Greene.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows collided with left fielder Riley Greene on a fly ball hit by Minnesota Twins designated hitter Josh Bell in the eighth inning at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minn., on April 9, 2026. Meadows left the game after the collision.(Bruce Kluckhohn/Imagn Images)
“It’s a terrible feeling. I still feel terrible,” Greene said after the game. “He hit my head. I don’t know where I hit him, to be honest, but I just really hope he’s OK.”
The two collided when Twins first baseman Josh Bell, who already had one home run and two singles, hit a shallow fly to left-center field. Greene and Meadows collided hard enough that their caps flew off.
Greene made the catch as Meadows lay on the ground. The broadcast caught blood coming from Meadows’ mouth.
Detroit Tigers center fielder Parker Meadows is helped off the field after colliding with left fielder Riley Greene during the eighth inning against the Minnesota Twins in Minneapolis on April 9, 2026.(Matt Krohn/AP)
Tigers manager A.J. Hinch joined medical personnel on the field as Meadows eventually got up and was taken off the field on a cart. MLB.com reported that he would be held for observation overnight.
“We’re going to get him checked out for everything, but this one worries me,” Hinch said, confirming that Meadows did suffer a concussion.
Detroit Tigers outfielder Parker Meadows bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 1, 2026.(Mark J. Rebilas/Imagn Images)
Meadows has started 11 of 13 games in center field for the Tigers this season. He went 0 for 3 in the 3-1 loss on Thursday and is batting .250 with two extra-base hits.
Apr 9, 2026; New York, New York, USA; New York Knicks forward OG Anunoby (8) defends Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) during the fourth quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images
The Boston Celtics will have another chance to secure the No. 2 seed for the Eastern Conference playoffs when they host the New Orleans Pelicans on Friday night.
Boston (54-26) could have clinched second place by beating New York on Thursday night, but the Knicks scored nine of the final 11 points to earn a 112-106 victory.
The Celtics and Knicks each have two games to play, and any Boston victory or New York loss will give Boston the No. 2 seed. The Knicks will host Toronto on Friday night.
“Obviously we have to take care of the first round first, and I don’t think we can play them (the Knicks) in the first round, so that’s where our focus is,” Boston guard Payton Pritchard said. “If we see them again, we’ll be ready.”
Baylor Scheierman’s performance was a bright spot for Boston in the loss to New York. On a night when the Celtics didn’t have leading scorer Jaylen Brown (left Achilles tendinitis), Scheierman made 6 of 7 3-point attempts and tied his career high by scoring 20 points.
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“Obviously, shot-making is the easiest thing to see and helps us on the scoreboard, but he just does a lot for us,” Boston coach Joe Mazzulla said. “Whether it’s his crashing or his defense, but his instincts on both ends. … He just continues to get better and better, and that’s what we need, hitting that stretch there.”
Thursday’s game was the first time Jayson Tatum played at New York since he ruptured his right Achilles tendon in a road game against New York during the playoffs last season. Tatum collected 24 points, 13 rebounds and eight assists in Thursday’s loss.
“It was a big moment, a big hurdle for me,” he said. “I was nervous and anxious to come back here.”
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New Orleans (26-54), meanwhile, is coming off Tuesday’s 156-137 feel-good win against Utah. The Pelicans set a franchise record for points scored in a game with the win, which ended an eight-game losing streak.
Jeremiah Fears scored 40 points against Utah to set a Pelicans record for most points in a game by a rookie. Fears, the seventh overall pick in the 2025 NBA Draft, made 17 of 29 shots from the field.
“Really just proud of his growth,” New Orleans coach James Borrego said. “From training camp to where he’s at today — he’s taken a massive step. This franchise is in a really good place because of players like him. … I see a clear pathway for this team to be successful moving into the future.”
New Orleans won even though it played without starters Zion Williamson, Trey Murphy III, Dejounte Murray, Herb Jones and Saddiq Bey.
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Murphy (right ankle sprain) and Murray (left hand contusion) were injured. Williamson, Jones and Bey were active but didn’t leave the bench in the team’s final home game.
The Pelicans have ruled out Williamson, Jones and Bey for Friday’s game.
New Orleans, which will miss the playoffs for the second straight season, will wrap up the regular season Sunday at Minnesota.
“We have two more games to play,” Borrego said. “I want to honor those two games. Go play the best basketball possible for those two games.”
Rain has returned to Guwahati right after the toss! The covers are being rushed back on, and the match will not start at 8:15 PM as scheduled. In the meantime, let’s take a look at the Playing XIs and Impact subs!
Royal Challengers Bengaluru batting-first XI: Virat Kohli, Phil Salt, Devdutt Padikkal, Rajat Patidar (capt), Tim David, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Romario Shepherd, Krunal Pandya, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Josh Hazlewood, Abhinandan Singh
Manchester United face a managerial decision at the end of the Premier League season, with Michael Carrick considered a strong contender to take the job permanently
David De Gea has praised his former Manchester United teammate and interim head coach Michael Carrick for the ‘unbelievable’ job he is doing at Old Trafford. United have lost only one game since Carrick took over in January and are on course to qualify for European football, sitting third in the table.
The Spanish goalkeeper returned to England on Thursday night as Fiorentina faced Crystal Palace in the Conference League quarter‑final at Selhurst Park. The Italian side have a mountain to climb in the return leg in Florence after a 3-0 defeat.
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Speaking to TNT Sports after the match, De Gea, who played alongside Carrick between 2011 and 2017, was asked about the 44‑year‑old’s return to United.
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“He’s doing unbelievable,” the shot-stopper began. He’s a great guy, he knows how the players feel, so it’s easy to talk with him.
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“He’s doing an amazing job, United is winning a lot of games now, playing well.
“Hopefully we can get the Champions League spot and keep growing, growing, and let’s see United again in the high positions and fighting for trophies.”
Carrick is a strong contender for the permanent manager’s job at M16, with winger Amad backing the former midfielder as the ‘right man’ for the role and hinting at similar feelings within the squad.
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“Obviously it’s not for us as a player to decide his future, but he’s been very good, he’s been doing so much for the team,” Amad said.
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“He has a lot of experience, he knows the club and has the DNA. We think he’s the right man.
“He knows the club, he played for the club, so he has great experience to manage this club. Sometimes this kind of manager can bring a club where they belong.”
United return to Premier League action on Monday after the March international break. Carrick’s side host Leeds United at Old Trafford, with kick-off at 8pm.
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Tyson Fury has come out of retirement to face Russian boxer Arslanbek Makhmudov in a heavyweight clash in London on April 11. The fight will stream live on Netflix, which fans can get for free with Sky’s £15 Essential TV bundle or £24 Ultimate TV bundle, the latter of which also includes HBO Max and Disney+.
The racehorse Gold Dancer has been put down after suffering a fatal injury while winning the Mildmay Novices’ Chase on Ladies Day at Aintree.
Gold Dancer had managed to stay on its feet following an awkward landing on the final fence, with the 100-30 joint-favourite under Paul Townend crossing the line ahead of Regent’s Stroll by four and three-quarter lengths.
It was immediately clear, however, that Gold Dancer had suffered a serious injury when the horse made a mistake going over the final fence.
Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins walk from the course (Getty Images)
The seven-year-old, trained by Willie Mullins, received on-course treatment by the Aintree veterinary team after crossing the line. But it was then confirmed that Gold Dancer had been put down.
“Unfortunately he broke his back and they put him down,” said Eddie O’Leary of Gigginstowns, the horse’s stud.
“Paul said he made one mistake and he felt nothing and he kept going to the line no problem. It was just when he pulled up, unfortunately.
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“It was an unbelievable performance, he jumped brilliantly bar one little mistake. It’s a hollow victory now, the poor horse didn’t deserve that.”
A statement from Aintree Racecourse said: “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after the line and dismounted.
Gold Dancer after crossing the final hurdle (Action Images via Reuters)
“He was immediately attended to by our expert veterinary team but sadly he could not be saved. Our heartfelt condolences are with his connections.”
Last year, Celebre d’Allen died a few days after racing in the Grand National at Aintree, with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) ruling that the 13-year-old was ridden “when the horse appeared to have no more to give and was clearly losing ground” after the penultimate fence.
Tyson Fury returns to the ring on Saturday and he is planning to honour boxing legend Ricky Hatton.
Former world heavyweight champion Fury retired from the sport after losing to Oleksandr Usyk in December 2024, but now stages a comeback after 16 months away when he goes up against Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London.
It will be the first time that ‘The Gypsy King’ has been back in action since the tragic passing of sporting icon Hatton in September, with the close friends having worked together in the past, including Fury’s clash against Deontay Wilder in December 2018.
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Hatton is arguably the most popular British boxer of all time, taking legions of supporters across the world as he became a two-weight world champion and competed against the likes of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Fury was in attendance at Hatton’s funeral in October, as thousands of those fans packed the streets to pay tribute to ‘The Hitman’ for everything he has done, and Fury has a tribute of his own planned for tomorrow night.
The heavyweight star is set to wear boots that feature Hatton’s logo, along with the sky blue colouring of Manchester City, the beloved football team of Hatton.
🚨 EXCLUSIVE: Tyson Fury will wear custom boots honoring the late Ricky Hatton in his fight against Arslanbek Makhmudov in Tottenham.
Fury shared a close friendship with Hatton before his death and the boots feature Hatton’s logo, with blue accents promoting mental health… pic.twitter.com/rLAfwjD4lV
Fury’s clash against Makhmudov headlines a card that also features Conor Benn taking on Regis Prograis in the co-main event, along with Jeamie TKV facing Richard Riakporhe, and Frazer Clarke going up against Justis Huni, with the event broadcast live on Netflix.
Germany beat Switzerland and Ghana in their March friendlies and it’s now less than two months until their World Cup squad will be announced. Who will be in the final 26-man selection? The core group of players is clear, but who made the most of the last international break before World Cup preparation begins and who did not?
Winners
Kai Havertz — With nearly 60 caps, Havertz is a key part of this team. Having been out with injury for a long time, his starting place was no longer secure but a return to fitness and form is timely. His combination play in Switzerland was impressive, and his roar after confidently dispatching a penalty against Ghana was the sign of a player beginning to hit his stride again. If there were any doubts about his role in the starting eleven, Havertz dispelled them swiftly in these two games.
Florian Wirtz — Another player who is guaranteed a ticket to the United States this summer but who still excelled. His two goals and two assists in Basel speak for themselves. It was an exceptional display and in Stuttgart he helped set the tone, often brave with his choices on the ball. It felt significant that the 22-year-old delivered this display in the absence of Jamal Musiala, the player who he combined so well with at Euro 2024. It’s clear that even on his own, Wirtz can be the man for Germany when they need a spark.
Lennart Karl — The 18-year-old looked steady off the bench in Basel, but in Stuttgart he exploded into life. Bayern Munich’s newest jewel gave German coach Julian Nagelsmann a lot of good reasons to have him in the squad this summer. The agile playmaker worked hard to win the ball back and ran at the Ghana defense at every opportunity. His desire to take on players is exciting to watch and an all-too rare a sight for Germany these days. He should have capped his performance off with a goal, but he sent the ball wide. Nevertheless, Karl looks destined to be on the plane now.
Nathaniel Brown — Perhaps it is too generous to say a player who only played 60 minutes against a largely defensive Ghana side was a winner during this international break, but such is the concern around the left-back spot for Germany that it might just be enough. The Frankfurt defender looked more than competent when called upon. A spot in the squad looks almost certain for the 22-year-old now, and given David Raum has not exactly made the spot his own, there is a possibility that even more gametime awaits Brown.
Losers
Angelo Stiller — He might be Stuttgart’s midfield conductor and darts prodigy Luke Littler’s favorite German player, but Stiller did not make the most of an unexpected chance. Called up after injuries to others, Stiller started both games but looked a little uncertain with the ball at times. He was also slow to close down Switzerland for their opener in Basel, a point that did not go unnoticed by Julian Nagelsmann. Pascal Gross’s decent showing in Stuttgart means it looks like this World Cup might come too soon for Stiller.
Julian Nagelsmann knows the core of his squad but has some big decisions to makeImage: Tom Weller/dpa/picture alliance
Nico Schlotterbeck — Despite starting both games and clearly being one half of the favored central defensive pairing with Jonathan Tah, the Dortmund defender struggled. He was sloppy in Switzerland, twice making mistakes in the build-up play that proved costly. In Stuttgart he was a bit more stable, but still looked a little out of sorts at times. He will travel and will likely start, but this might have given Nagelsmann food for thought over the recent decision to make Antonio Rüdiger a back-up.
Nick Woltemade The plan was for the Newcastle striker to gain some confidence this break after enduring a tricky spell in England. Nagelsmann even spoke about how it made more sense to play a striker needing a boost rather than one in form (Deniz Undav). Sadly, the 24-year-old wasn’t able to make the most of it. In Switzerland, he did little with his 20 minutes off the bench other than head his one chance wide. In Stuttgart, he played almost 80 minutes but still couldn’t get on the scoresheet, missing a glorious chance in the first half and then hitting the bar in the second. He will almost certainly be in squad come May, but until then he needs to rediscover his form.
Oct 29, 2000; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Cris Carter (80) runs a route during game action against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium, showcasing his precise route-running and reliable hands in a matchup that highlighted his Hall of Fame-caliber consistency. Mandatory Credit: Paul Chapman-USA TODAY Sports
About three months ago, the Houston Texans walloped the Pittsburgh Steelers in the Wildcard Round of the postseason, and quarterback Aaron Rodgers still hasn’t made a decision about returning to Pittsburgh or retiring. According to former Minnesota Vikings wideout and Hall of Famer Cris Carter, that’s selfish and weird.
Rodgers’ drawn-out timeline keeps pulling fresh reactions from former NFL voices.
Carter teed off on Rodgers this week, speaking to the Fully Loaded podcast.
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Carter Zeroes In on the Odd Rhythm of Rodgers’ Offseason
Will Rodgers eventually return to the Steelers? If so, when?
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers runs onto the field during pregame introductions at Acrisure Stadium, with Nov 16, 2025 capturing the atmosphere as fans filled the stands ahead of a divisional matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals, highlighting the anticipation and energy surrounding the veteran quarterback before kickoff. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Carter on Rodgers
Carter discussed an array of topics on the show, even opining on CTE, a condition deemed “fake” by New York Giants running back Cam Skattebo.
On Rodgers, Carter opined, “You know he wants to play, but he just didn’t want to make up his mind. You need some time away from the game. It’s been a couple months from the Super Bowl. Now’s that time, before the draft, the minicamps. They’re an average team in the league. Aaron Rodgers is like a lot of these quarterbacks when they get to this stage.”
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“They’re so … so selfish. They never want to be called that, but they’re so selfish, and they’re so self-centered. Aaron Rodgers wants to play. He’s got one place that he can play. That’s in Pittsburgh, the place he played in last year, that happens to have his ex-coach.”
One might argue that sums up the general public’s sentiment regarding Rodgers’s bizarre waiting game.
This Is How It Always Goes for Rodgers
Since the 2021 offseason, Rodgers has done this annually, teasing his employer about his intentions, whether to stick around, retire, or ask for a ticket out of town. This go-round, Rodgers is holding the Steelers hostage, waiting at least three months before making his decision.
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He’s the only quarterback who currently does this. Before Rodgers, Hall of Famer Brett Favre did the same thing, creating a suspense thriller about his offseason outcome, dating back to the early 2000s in Green Bay and proceeding for about a decade — every offseason.
All other quarterbacks throughout NFL history either return or retire, but Rodgers and Favre prefer drama to the max. In fact, last summer, Rodgers declared that 2025 would probably be his last. The season came and went, and after this team stunk up the playoffs, he claimed it was way too early to make an emotional decision.
He must be feeling emotional three months later because nothing has happened on the Rodgers cliffhanger front.
The Current Rumor Mill
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Most believe that because Rodgers has not retired, he’ll return for one more run in Pittsburgh, mainly because he would’ve retired by now.
The Athletic’s Mike Silver said about the situation this week: “I think time has kind of made them feel like ‘hey, that was a pretty good thing. We’ve been through a lot.’ And so Mike McCarthy and Aaron Rodgers have been talking about this.”
“I think the Steelers organizationally are reasonably upbeat about the possibility of Aaron coming back and playing another season. They still don’t really have a great option for 2026 if Aaron says no or if he says, ‘You know what, I need a few more months.’ Cautious optimism in the building that Aaron Rodgers will come back.”
Betting markets suggest there’s about an 85% chance that Rodgers will return for Year No. 22.
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Pro Football Hall of Famer Cris Carter speaks during the Winged Foot Scholarship Foundation’s 34th annual banquet, with May 15, 2023 in Naples, Florida marking the event at Naples Grande Beach Resort as attendees gathered to hear from the former Vikings star and keynote speaker. Mandatory Credit: Ed Reed-Naples Daily News / USA TODAY NETWORK
Steeler writer Tyler Maher added this week, “It’s April, and the NFL Draft is only two weeks away, but the Pittsburgh Steelers still don’t have a starting quarterback for next season. It sounds like they’re expecting it to be Aaron Rodgers, who is still debating whether he wants to return, retire or play elsewhere after spending 2025 with the Steelers.”
“That said, Pittsburgh doesn’t have a good backup plan in place if Rodgers doesn’t return, as Mason Rudolph and Will Howard are the only quarterbacks on the Steelers’ roster at the moment. The Steelers have done a good job improving their roster this offseason, so time will tell.”
Rodgers’ Performance in 2025
In 2025, Rodgers passed for 3,322 yards with the Steelers, despite their conservative, run-heavy offensive scheme. He completed 65.7% of his passes, throwing 24 touchdowns and only 7 interceptions.
However, while his traditional statistics appeared strong, his efficiency metrics suggested a different story. Rodgers ranked around 19th in the league in EPA+CPOE, putting him in a similar tier to players like Jacoby Brissett and rookie Tyler Shough.
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Sep 28, 2025; Dublin, Ireland, IRL; Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (8) gestures after converting a first down during second-half action against the Minnesota Vikings at Croke Park, reacting to the moment as part of an NFL International Series game played overseas. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
The 2025 version of Rodgers was reliable, but he lacked the game-changing talent that defined his MVP seasons of 2020 and 2021.
Normally, one would surmise something to the effect of “Rodgers will likely notify the team of his plan before the draft on April 23rd,” but this is Rodgers, so all bets are off.
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