Day: May 7, 2026

Now that the NFL Draft is behind us, the bulk of the 2026 NFL offseason is in the books — and it was really one to remember. There were 10 new head coaches hired, the most since 2022. The Arizona Cardinals decided they no longer wanted Kyler Murray, but the Minnesota Vikings deemed him good enough to sign him and allow him to compete with J.J. McCarthy for the starting quarterback job. The Las Vegas Raiders, meanwhile, will seemingly start veteran Kirk Cousins after taking Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Los Angeles Rams might have had the biggest swings this offseason. They traded for All-Pro cornerback Trent McDuffie in a deal with the Kansas City Chiefs, giving up a first-round draft pick in that deal before using another first-round pick to surprisingly take quarterback Ty Simpson. But the biggest news this offseason surrounded a blockbuster trade that didn’t happen. The Baltimore Ravens landed star edge rusher Maxx Crosby for a few days before pulling out of the deal due to his medicals. As Crosby remains with the Raiders, the Ravens opted to sign star edge rusher Trey Hendrickson instead. So, now that the dust has largely settled this offseason, let’s take a look at the five teams that have improved the most this spring as we inch closer to the start of training camp in July. Notable additions: Robert Saleh (hired as head coach), Brian Daboll (hired as offensive coordinator), wide receiver Carnell Tate (selected with fourth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Keldric Faulk (31st overall pick), wide receiver Wan’Dale Robinson (signed a four-year, $78 million contract), defensive lineman John Franklin-Myers (signed a three-year, $63 million deal) Let’s start with coaching changes. The Tennessee Titans hired a defensive-minded head coach with a strong, charismatic personality in Robert Saleh, who brought in an experienced staff led by former New York Giants head coach Brian Daboll as the team’s offensive coordinator and former Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Gus Bradley as the team’s defensive coordinator. Along with an experienced coaching staff, Saleh’s focus has been surrounding last year’s No. 1 overall draft pick Cam Ward with upgrades at receiver in first-round pick Carnell Tate and free agent signee Wan’Dale Robinson. However, the offensive line remains a question mark. The Titans took late-round flyers on two interior offensive linemen in Fernando Carmona and Pat Coogan. How Daboll changes things schematically, along with how offensive line coach Carmen Bricillo brings that group together, will go a long way to Ward’s improvement. Saleh will make the defense better, an experienced coaching staff will limit mistakes and help Tennessee double its win total from three games in 2025. Notable additions: Linebacker Sonny Styles (selected with the seventh overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), edge rusher Odafe Oweh (signed a four-year, $100 million deal), linebacker Leo Chenal (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher K’Lavon Chaisson (signed a one-year, $12 million deal), tight end Chig Okonkwo (signed a three-year, $30 million deal), running back Rachaad White (signed a one-year, $2 million deal) Head coach Dan Quinn isn’t using injuries as an excuse for last year’s disappointing 5-12 finish after reaching the NFC Championship Game two years ago. Instead, the Washington Commanders made wholesale changes on offense and defense, moving on from experienced offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in favor of quarterbacks coach David Blough, who will put Jayden Daniels under center more in the upcoming season. The defensive-minded Quinn also moved on from defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., replacing him with Minnesota Vikings defensive passing game coordinator Daronte Jones. Expect an emphasis on improved pass rush defensively, led by athletic first-round pick Sonny Styles. The team also made a splash in free agency, adding Odafe Oweh after he recorded 7.5 sacks in 12 games with the Los Angeles Chargers last season. And on offense, general manager Adam Peters hopes the additions of running back Rachaad White, running back Jerome Ford and wide receiver Dyami Brown in free agency will lead to more explosive plays. Peters also drafted enticing Clemson wide receiver Antonio Williams in the third round and Penn State running back Kaytron Allen in the sixth round to help achieve that goal. The Commanders should improve this upcoming season and be back in the race for the NFC East division title. Notable additions: Defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence (acquired in trade with New York Giants), edge rusher Boye Mafe (signed a three-year, $60 million deal), defensive tackle Jonathan Allen (signed a two-year, $$25 million deal), safety Bryan Cook (signed a three-year, $40.25 million deal), edge rusher Cashius Howell (selected with 41st overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft) If Joe Burrow can stay healthy, the Cincinnati Bengals have upgraded enough defensively to compete for the top spot in the AFC North. The big move was trading for dominant defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence in a deal with the New York Giants, sacrificing the 10th overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But they also signed defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, edge rusher Boye Mafe and safety Bryan Cook in free agency, helping to fill the void left by edge rusher Trey Hendrickson, who signed with the Baltimore Ravens. The Bengals had one of the worst defenses in the league last season, but have an infusion of talent that includes the addition of defensive linemen Cashius Howell and Landon Robinson through the draft. The Bengals allowed 29 points per game last season. If they can drop that number to the low-20s, Cincinnati will win more games because of an explosive offense. And the Bengals still have insurance behind Burrow in an accomplished veteran quarterback in Joe Flacco. Notable additions: Running back Travis Etienne (signed a four-year, $52 million deal), wide receiver Jordyn Tyson (selected with eighth overall pick in 2026 NFL Draft), guard David Edwards (signed a four-year, $61 million deal), linebacker Kaden Elliss (signed a three-year, $33 million deal), tight end Noah Fant (signed a two-year, $8.75 million deal) The New Orleans Saints appeared to have gotten the quarterback right, with last year’s second-round pick Tyler Shough showing he can be the long-term answer with the way he played in the second half of 2025. New Orleans added an elite playmaker with receiver Jordyn Tyson in the first round. Now the Arizona State product must prove he can stay healthy, dealing with a hamstring injury this past college football season. Third-round pick Oscar Delp is an athletic mover who gives head coach Kellen Moore the ability to use more heavy formations with more tight ends. North Dakota State product Bryce Lance, the younger brother of quarterback Trey Lance, was considered by some scouts I spoke with as one of the most underrated prospects in this year’s draft, with New Orleans adding the wide receiver in the fourth round of the draft. The Saints also signed running back Travis Etienne, guard David Edwards and tight end Noah Fant in free agency. Defensively, Georgia defensive tackle Christian Miller and Ohio State safety Lorenzo Styles should help upgrade the defense. New Orleans also signed Atlanta Falcons free agent linebacker Kaden Elliss to replace departed veteran inside linebacker Demario Davis. Those moves could put the Saints in a position to compete in the winnable NFC South. Notable additions: Running back Kenneth Walker III (signed a three-year, $45 million deal), cornerback Mansoor Delane (selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft), defensive tackle Peter Woods (selected with the 29th overall pick), safety Alohi Gilman (signed a three-year, $24.75 million deal), edge rusher R Mason Thomas (selected with the 40th overall pick) With the loss of cornerback Trent McDuffie in a trade and fellow corner Jaylen Watson to the Los Angeles Rams in free agency, the Kansas City Chiefs focused on replacing those playmakers by taking four defensive players with their first four picks in the draft, including cornerbacks Mansoor Delane and Jadon Canady, defensive tackle Peter Woods and edge rusher R Mason Thomas. The Chiefs also signed veteran safety Alohi Gilman and defensive tackle Khyiris Tonga in free agency, revamping their defensive unit from front to back. Offensively, the centerpiece of this offseason was securing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III in free agency from the Seattle Seahawks. Walker’s arrival should take pressure off Patrick Mahomes to carry the offense, as he returns from season-ending ACL knee surgery. Mahomes is expected to be ready for Week 1, as general manager Brett Veach recently said his star quarterback is ahead of schedule. Add in the return of Travis Kelce, and the Chiefs should rebound from a 6-11 campaign in 2025.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

New York — Time after time, leadership gets passed down. That’s especially true for those that are sponges; not only willing to learn, but eager to lead. Pete Alonso grew up in the big leagues alongside some of the greatest players who have ever stepped on a baseball field. In 2019, even as he slugged his way to 53 home runs and won the National League Rookie of the Year award with the Mets, Alonso never presumed to know it all. He leaned on veterans to understand how to be a professional major-leaguer, and how to do things the right way. Seven years ago, he didn’t know where life would take him. Now, playing with the Orioles on a record-breaking contract, Alonso is bringing all that he’s learned to Baltimore, aiming to shape it into a championship-caliber organization. “I was really fortunate,” Alonso told me at Yankee Stadium this week. “I’ve had a lot of great teammates. Max Scherzer, [Jacob] deGrom, [Justin] Verlander. Future Hall of Famers. And for me, too, Noah [Syndergaard] was a huge influence. Robbie Cano, Todd Frazier. So those guys, they would take me out to dinner, bring me places, introduce me to things. They were like, ‘This is not only how you play, but this is how you behave.’ It was like, these are the standards of what you need to carry yourself as a professional, not just in the big leagues, but in New York. “And I feel like those professional life lessons, they kind of helped me through. It’s definitely made a big impact. They were showing me, this is what you do in the big leagues. This is how you operate. So, for me, I’m paying it forward. I was on the receiving end for a number of years, so now it’s like, it’s my turn.” Being a mentor to his Baltimore teammates has come naturally for the first baseman. It was Alonso’s idea to take the O’s to the Clemente Museum — which is dedicated to preserving the life and legacy of baseball player and humanitarian, Roberto Clemente — when they traveled to Pittsburgh to play the Pirates in the second week of the season. Over the years, Alonso has built a strong relationship with the museum’s owner, Duane Rieder, who the slugger said, “Makes some of the best wine and has incredible baseball memorabilia.” The Clemente Museum houses an urban winery in the cellar, which surprised some younger players. “It’s just really an unbelievable hangout spot,” Alonso said. “I think it’s the best one in Pittsburgh. So it’s an easy thing to do. I want to be able to do things like that because we did a lot of things that built camaraderie on some of the good teams that we had with the Mets. All good teams, they do stuff together.” The Orioles entered Thursday with a 17-20 record. Much like many contending teams around the league struggling to eclipse .500, it’s not the start Baltimore had hoped for. But Alonso is reminding his new club to stay the course. Those who are getting to know the way the “Polar Bear” works have appreciated that, even if Alonso goes 0-for-4 with four strikeouts at the plate, he’s still the same guy, keeping his head up, afterward. Orioles teammates describe Alonso as a vocal leader. He’s often the first to speak up on team bus rides. He’s tapping players on their backs after losses, saying, “We’ll get ‘em tomorrow.” He’s spending extra time in the batting cages with hitters — particularly after games, wins or losses — to help when someone isn’t having the most success at the plate, or if someone’s struggling with a certain pitch. Third baseman Coby Mayo, now in his third year in the big leagues, has struggled to hit offspeed pitches this season. He was starting to get down on himself when Alonso stepped in and offered a new approach: “How about just eliminating the pitch?” Alonso advised Mayo to stop swinging at curveballs and sliders, and then opposing pitchers might change their game plans against the 24-year-old. Mayo has since focused on working himself into better counts. He’s forcing pitchers to throw more competitive pitches in the strike zone. “Instead of worrying about not hitting this pitch well, mostly, it’s because you’re not swinging at the right ones, and you’re chasing them too much,” Mayo told me, explaining how Alonso has collaborated with him. “So, just little things that can help you see it in a different way. It’s cool that he takes the time to talk to guys about it.” Guiding younger Orioles hitters like Mayo, Jackson Holliday, Jordan Westburg, Colton Cowser and Jeremiah Jackson was one of the primary reasons owner David Rubenstein was comfortable signing Alonso to a five-year, $155 million contract in December. Alonso’s $31 million average annual value marks the largest commitment in Orioles franchise history. Baltimore’s roster carries several promising young talents, and there was a void in leadership that is now being filled in a way players hadn’t seen or experienced prior to Alonso’s addition. “We would do little things here and there, but I’d say this is the first year when I’ve felt that presence, that leadership presence,” Mayo said. “He’s been great. We haven’t had a guy come into that type of role, making the biggest contract in our history. So it’s definitely a higher level of respect for Pete.” Orioles manager Craig Albernaz considers Alonso his “thought partner.” Being new to the organization, accompanied by a new coaching staff, the first-year skipper has enjoyed bouncing ideas off the first baseman. Alonso is “echoing the right messaging, and he also wants to talk ball,” Albernaz told me. Alonso reached the postseason in 2022 and ‘24 with the Mets, so Albernaz is leaning on the slugger to help the Orioles get back on track. After back-to-back playoff appearances (2023-24), the 2025 Orioles season was a major disappointment. They finished 75-87, last place in the American League East, and were eliminated from postseason contention by mid-September. Following a poor start, manager Brandon Hyde was fired last May. The team failed to recover largely due to an absence of strong pitching and extreme underperformance from their emerging hitters. There was a missing piece in the clubhouse and, so far, Alonso has looked like the answer. After a slow start at the plate, the slugger is beginning to heat up. Alonso’s three-run blast off Marlins right-hander Eury Perez in the first inning Wednesday was the difference in Baltimore’s 7-4 win over Miami. He’s hitting .225/.331/.449 with seven home runs and a 119 OPS+ in 37 games. “Pete was brought in to be Pete Alonso,” Albernaz told me during Orioles batting practice in the Bronx this week. “And everything he brings on the field, it’s been an added bonus of him being him, and how he navigates the clubhouse. It really comes down to him being a great teammate. He really wants the best out of everyone around him. He wants to help. He’s there to help. He’s not overbearing. As I’m talking now, he’s dapping up kids and stuff. He has such a big heart. He cares so much. And he’s such a fierce competitor. He really wants to win every night. He’s about winning.” Community service is another area where Alonso has always been a leader, and he and his wife, Haley, haven’t wasted any time giving back to Baltimore. Last month, the Alonso’s donated $10,000 through the Alonso Foundation to the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter, a local shelter not far from Camden Yards. They’ve rescued two dogs, and they love animals, so Alonso described the decision to donate as “a quick, easy thing.” And after becoming parents last September, welcoming their son, Teddy, into the world, the Alonso’s have shifted their efforts to helping families and mothers. Understanding all that it takes to raise a child, they’ve made a few donations to a local Baltimore diaper bank. “Diapers aren’t cheap,” Alonso said. “So we just wanted to kind of help out that way, too. We want to be able to do more, but we’ve just been so busy. As the season starts to kind of unfold, and we spend more time, we’ll have a better plan of how to help out more.” Paying it forward, indeed. “From The Dugout” is where we provide an insider’s view on the biggest and best storylines surrounding MLB’s top players and teams.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports