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With preseason games on the horizon, Tuesday brought us our first taste of joint practices across the NFL this summer — and with joint practices came injuries and fights. The Los Angeles Rams had an eventful day, with All-Pro edge rusher Myles Garrett missing Tuesday’s practice, while wide receiver Puka Nacua left early with a groin injury. Following a competitive quarterback competition, the Minnesota Vikings named Kyler Murray as their starting quarterback. Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant is undergoing knee surgery and expected to miss the next four-to-six months, while San Francisco 49ers edge rusher Nick Bosa deals with tendinitis in his surgically repaired knee as he eyes a Week 1 return. Catch up with all the updates across the NFL: The Los Angeles Rams held defensive end Myles Garrett out of Tuesday’s joint practice with the Dallas Cowboys due to knee swelling.  Head coach Sean McVay didn’t appear concerned and labeled the decision to reporters as precautionary. “I don’t know what 100% is going to look like, but it must be pretty good if that’s 85%,” McVay told reporters. “He’s so tough, he wanted to be able to be out there. … There’s nothing to be concerned about. It was just kind of us erring on the side of caution. There wasn’t any setbacks, anything like that.” Wide receiver Puka Nacua left Rams practice early with trainers, leaving McVay without an immediate update on his status. It was later revealed that the star receiver is dealing with general groin soreness and the team plans to take a cautious approach with Nacua, NFL Network reported. Following practice, quarterback Matthew Stafford downplayed concerns regarding Nacua’s early exit, telling reporters he didn’t believe the issue was major. “I’m not really sure what the issue was, but nobody ran up to me in a panic,” Stafford said. “I don’t think it was anything too major.” After weeks of split reps, film study, and heavy debate, the Minnesota Vikings have made their decision at quarterback. Head coach Kevin O’Connell is rolling with Kyler Murray over J.J. McCarthy this season, the team announced Tuesday. Murray signed a league-minimum deal with the Vikings this offseason and every indication suggested he would eventually win the job. The team was desperate for stability at the position after a year that saw McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer all take snaps under center. Not only did Murray’s Arizona Cardinals tenure end abruptly, but his lack of production in recent seasons was hard to ignore. With O’Connell’s strong reputation as a quarterback whisperer, Murray signing with the Vikings felt like the ultimate opportunity to potentially reignite his career. In seven NFL seasons, Murray has never reached the 4,000-yard mark and has thrown 25 passing touchdowns only once. O’Connell’s system is built to elevate passing numbers; just ask Kirk Cousins and Sam Darnold, who both hit those benchmarks under his watch. Now that the dust has settled on the competition, all eyes turn to McCarthy. Entering his third season, the former national champion finds himself on the bench, now leaving his long-term future in Minnesota suddenly up in the air. San Francisco 49ers pass rusher Nick Bosa hasn’t played since week three of last season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee. He’s been working on his recovery all offseason, but hit a setback this week after head coach Kyle Shanahan revealed he’s dealing with tendinitis. Shanahan and the rest of the coaching staff don’t appear concerned, as they described it as “a pretty normal thing with ACLs.” Still no firm timetable for Bosa’s return, but Shanahan gave an update Monday saying that Bosa is currently week-to-week with tendinitis. He also said he has “no concerns” about Bosa’s long-term status and expects him ready for the Week 1 opener against the Los Angeles Rams. Joint practice sessions brought physical play and multiple altercations between the San Francisco 49ers and the Tennessee Titans before both squads are scheduled to face each other in preseason action Thursday. The two teams were reportedly involved in four separate scrums during the first 10 minutes of their joint session, NBC Sports Bay Area reported. One of the altercations was reportedly initiated following a hit by 49ers cornerback Renardo Green on receiver Wan’Dale Robinson. This led to immediate responses from players on both teams before coaches stepped in to separate the groups. Chicago Bears safety Coby Bryant has undergone knee surgery following a recent training camp injury, significantly shifting his recovery timeline. He is now expected to miss four to six months while recovering from the procedure, the team announced. Chicago remains hopeful that the veteran defensive back could return in time for a potential postseason run. Bryant signed a three-year, $40 million deal with the Bears this offseason after winning the Super Bowl last season with the Seattle Seahawks. With Bryant now sidelined, the defense will be looking at Oregon first-round pick Dillon Thieneman, Cam Lewis, Elijah Hicks and Xavier Woods to fill out the safety room. The Arizona Cardinals are heading into the season with plenty of question marks, but that won’t stop head coach Mike LaFleur from playing his starters in the preseason. He revealed to the media on Monday afternoon that he plans to play all of his starters on Thursday night. Not only will rookie running back Jeremiyah Love finally see some game action, but veteran quarterback Jacoby Brissett will also take the field. “They’re all going to play, so we’ll have our guys out there,” LaFleur said. “How much? It’s not going to be much. Could be one drive, max of two for those main guys. They’ll be playing and they know that…that includes Jacoby [Brissett].​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Patrick Mahomes’ place atop FOX Sports’ Nick Wright’s NFL quarterback power rankings has been so consistent the segment adopted his name. And, in Wright’s opinion, Mahomes continues to be the king of the mountain as the 2026 NFL season approaches. FOX Sports’ Chris Broussard, however, felt otherwise. Other questions consist of, can Los Angeles Rams’ Matthew Stafford repeat his MVP form? How far has Baltimore Ravens’ Lamar Jackson fallen? Who will continue to ascend toward the summit? Mahomes is on the peak for now, but will Mahomes Mountain retain its rightful leader, or will another quarterback claim the top spot? In Wright’s first edition of “Mahomes Mountain” this season, he’s confident there are “18 or 19 teams that feel pretty good about their quarterback situation.” The bottom rung aren’t part of that group. 8th Row “Either young, unproven players or guys you don’t feel comfortable being your starting quarterback,” Wright said. While both quarterbacks competing for the Atlanta Falcons’ starting job made the list, only one half of the Cleveland Browns’ competition was included. No DeShaun Watson. “I don’t think it’s a real competition,” Wright said. “If DeShaun Watson’s the starting quarterback, I think it’s because the owner made him do it… It’s pretty clear who [Todd Monken] likes more, it’s pretty clear who has more upside — even though I’m not a Shedeur [Sanders] guy — it’s pretty clear what the best thing for the Browns is.” 7th Row The seventh row consists of a group with the potential to make their teams feel good about the quarterback position, but also the chance to destroy their season with poor quarterback play. That list includes: Daniel Jones, Cam Ward, Tyler Shough, Jaxson Dart, Bryce Young, Kyler Murray, Aaron Rodgers. “[Cam] Ward, [Tyler] Shough and [Jaxson] Dart…They’re too young to have proven anything,” Wright said. Ward will get boosted with the addition of Wan’Dale Robinson and Carnell Tate at hideout, while Dart will get the experience of John Harbaugh in his ear. Shough will get a full season under his belt with the addition of rookie wide receiver Jordyn Tyson. Wright, however, isn’t as optimistic about whom the Minnesota Vikings named their starting quarterback on Tuesday. “I’m not a Kyler Murray guy, you guys will see how this year goes,” Wright said. 6th Row Wright left two vacant spots on the sixth row, “because this is the line of demarcation on if you’re set at quarterback, believe you’re set at quarterback, or have a potential problem.” He believes these quarterbacks have proven themselves, but aren’t solidified as reliable week-in and week-out starters. Bo Nix, Jayden Daniels, Brock Purdy and C.J. Stroud “Stroud is borderline, but the three playoff wins…the playoffs every year and the great rookie season,” Wright said. “I’m not putting him down in the other group.” 5th Row Wright’s fifth row is the definition of solid. The quarterbacks Wright listed know who they are, and their teams are confident in what they have. Still, they lack the superhero traits possessed by the quarterbacks Wright ranks above them. 4th Row Each of these quarterbacks, according to Wright, are “clearly top-10 quarterbacks.” Joe Burrow and Dak Prescott have supported their teams even as the defenses have struggled. Trevor Lawrence and Sam Darnold led their teams to success after being doubted in most of their careers, with Darnold taking the Seattle Seahawks to a Super Bowl victory last season. 3rd Row “Three guys that either are already superheroes… and two guys with superhero talent.” Jackson dropped to 14th among quarterbacks in ESPN’s top 100, but Wright believes he’s securely in the top 10. “I have some pretty well established concerns about Lamar [Jackson] in the playoffs, and concerns about Lamar not being a consistent rushing threat, but the idea that he’s not still a top 10 quarterback in the league is total absurdity.” “And then you have two guys that, I believe, are going to be perennially top 5 quarterbacks throughout their prime. Maybe this year Drake’s already in it. Maybe Caleb’s entering it… I think they’re star quarterbacks.” “We are in an era of the best quarterbacks having these superhero athletic traits that make it very hard to be atop the mountain if they don’t have one of those. I think Caleb Williams and Drake Maye have those.” 2nd Row Chris Broussard believes Stafford should jump up the list. “Mahomes should not be atop the mountain right now,” Broussard said. “He’s coming off the worst season of his career. He’s coming off the worst injury of his career. His receiving core doesn’t look special… And his last three years, individually, he doesn’t look great. Stafford should be atop the mountain right now.” 1st Row “I believe Patrick Mahomes is the best quarterback in the NFL. Did he have the best season? Nope. Is he coming off a torn ACL? Yep. Did Matt Stafford have an unbelievable year? Yeah. Did Josh Allen have a pretty good year until the playoffs? Sure. Those guys had the opportunity to go out and grab it, and they didn’t. They didn’t. So, still atop the mountain is a guy who, god forbid, has made five of the last seven Super Bowls, god forbid, three people have won an MVP more recently than him.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — The New York Jets spent a lot of money and draft capital in the offseason to rebuild their broken team, and there is no question they have a lot more talent than they had last year. But when they got a first look at their retooled roster in a competitive setting on Tuesday morning, it served mostly as a reminder of the one thing they still don’t have. And that, as always, is a viable quarterback. As much as they’d like to believe the second time will be the charm for Geno Smith, the Jets’ joint practice against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers wasn’t a good omen at all. The 35-year-old Smith struggled against a Bucs’ defense that Jets coach Aaron Glenn admitted was “a scheme that’s difficult to deal with.” He was 10-of-16 in team drills, was sacked way too often, and was picked off twice (though Bucs linebacker Josiah Trotter couldn’t hold on to the second one). He was also picked off once in 7-on-7 drills, where veteran quarterbacks are usually flawless. It’s early in the summer, of course, and Smith has had a generally good camp up to this point. But he remains the glaring Achilles heel on the improved roster that Glenn and general manager Darren Mougey assembled. There is a lot to love about this group. They have electric skill players, like wide receiver Garrett Wilson and running back Breece Hall, a strong offensive line, a big and veteran-heavy defense, and a rookie edge rusher (David Bailey) who has looked sensational all summer long. In fact, the Jets stack up pretty well with the Bucs up and down the roster — except at the most important spot. The Bucs have Baker Mayfield at quarterback, and while he’s hardly a flawless starter. He’s a capable one who averaged 4,079 passing yards in his three seasons in Tampa. Smith threw for a lot of yards in Seattle two seasons ago (4,320), but his most glaring stat is the 32 interceptions he’s thrown in the last two years. And for the Jets, that really is a tradition like any other. They have been locked in a perpetual quarterback search for as long as most of their fans have been alive. It has been eight years since Smith’s last start with the Jets in 2016. The Jets have had 14 different starting quarterbacks in that time. But even a mid-level quarterback like Mayfield with this group of Jets and they might have a realistic chance of ending their astonishing and NFL-worst 15-year playoff drought. But Smith, once a promising second-round pick who was thought to be the Jets’ quarterback of the future, is just more of the same at this point. He’s a reminder that this lost franchise won’t be fully restored until they finally get the quarterback position right. Players To Watch Bain, the 15th overall pick in the draft, was much quieter. He was hardly noticeable, to be honest. But he still had a couple of impressive moments, mostly while making plays against the run. He clearly showed his speed to track down Jets running backs before they could turn the corner. He’s got the ability to be a top pass rusher too, even if it wasn’t on display against the Jets. Bailey was the star of the practice, consistently wrecking the Bucs’ offensive line and blowing up plays in the backfield. His speed, power and explosiveness are going to make him one of the best pass rushers in the NFL over the next few years. The two of them could easily be Pro Bowlers a year or two down the road, if not sooner. And both will be on aggressive defenses, playing for defensive-minded coaches eager to turn them loose. “I have a rule: If you’re over 240, I ain’t messing with you. … When I see a fight happen, that’s my water break.” — Jets running back Breece Hall on why he didn’t get involved in any of the MANY fights between the Jets and Buccaneers players during their joint practice on Tuesday. Bucs: Contenders Jets: Not so much Calling the Bucs contenders is a no-brainer, considering they tied for first in their division with an 8-9 record last season. There’s no reason they shouldn’t be at least a little better. If they get better health from running back Bucky Irving and wide receiver Chris Godwin, and wide receiver Emeka Egbuka is OK after slamming into the rookie wall last year, they should piece together enough offense even with wide receiver Mike Evans gone. And once defensive tackle Vita Vea’s contract dispute is over, Todd Bowles’ defense still has a bunch of good pieces, especially if linebackers Ruben Bain and Josiah Trotter — their first two picks in the draft — are as good as the Bucs expect. The Bucs could easily be a nine-win team, and in the NFC South that might be more than enough. The Jets, though, won’t have nearly enough. They have a lot of excellent pieces, like Wilson, Hall, the offensive line, Bailey, and a veteran-heavy defense. But they are not deep, and the quarterback position is still a huge problem. Smith will be a lot better than last year’s original starting quarterback, Justin Fields, but that’s not saying much. Smith’s history is that for every one good thing he does, he counteracts it with a bad thing. So expect moments of promise and maybe even brilliance, followed by a game-killing bad decision or interception. In all, the Jets should be more competitive and better than they were last season. But again, the bar is very, very low. Maybe they can squeeze out six wins, if everything breaks right. But by Thanksgiving, their eyes will be laser-focused on the quarterbacks coming out in the 2027 NFL Draft. After beginning my road trip in New Jersey, Wednesday begins my travels around the Northeast. The Washington Commanders will be hosting the Miami Dolphins on Wednesday for a joint practice, just ahead of their preseason game on Friday night. The practice will be a good chance for Washington to see what its new receiver, Stefon Diggs, still has left at age 32, since he likely won’t do much in the preseason game, if he plays at all. And it’ll be a good chance for new Dolphins coach Jeff Hafley to see what his team has left … period. They have a new quarterback in Malik Willis and they still have running back De’Von Achane. But really, that’s about it after a massive offseason of changes. Temperatures should be relatively cool (upper 70s to low 80s), so maybe these two teams will do a better job of getting through practice without trying to throttle each other than the Jets and Bucs did in the New Jersey heat on Tuesday.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Colin Cowherd is ready to ask a question that some thought might have been unimaginable a year ago: Did the Dallas Cowboys actually win the Micah Parsons trade? A day after the Cowboys extended four-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Quinnen Williams to a three-year, $105.9 million deal, Cowherd thinks there’s momentum building toward the idea that Dallas won its trade with the Green Bay Packers. “People were freaking out about the Micah Parsons trade. I would make an argument by October or Thanksgiving, the Dallas Cowboys, it could be official, won the Micah Parsons deal,” Cowherd said on Tuesday’s edition of “The Herd.” “You got Quinnen Williams, a Pro Bowl defensive tackle. By the way, when they traded Micah, initially, the Cowboys got worse. That gave them a better draft pick. That draft pick became Caleb Downs, who, to me, is the steal of the draft. I think there’s an argument he could be the best player in the draft. “You don’t get that if the Cowboys had two or three more wins [last season]. … We overvalue non-quarterback stars in this league.” The Cowboys acquired the star defensive tackle in a trade with the New York Jets ahead of the trade deadline last season, using some of the draft capital they got in the deal with the Packers for Parsons. Dallas received defensive tackle and three-time Pro Bowler Kenny Clark and first-round picks in 2026 and 2027 from Green Bay for Parsons. Then, they traded a 2027 first-round pick, a 2026 second-round pick and defensive tackle Mazi Smith to the Jets for Williams. As for the 2026 first-round pick the Cowboys received from the Packers, the Cowboys selected UCF Knights linebacker Malachi Lawrence with the No. 23 pick after a trade-back. Earlier in the draft, they traded up one spot to select Ohio State Buckeyes safety Caleb Downs with the No. 11 pick. The Packers, meanwhile, saw Parsons have an encouraging debut season with the franchise, logging 12.5 sacks, earning his third career All-Pro honor and finishing third among edge defenders in overall grade (91.9), according to Pro Football Focus. However, Parsons’ 2025 campaign ended after 14 games due to a torn ACL, which is expected to keep him off the field for at least the first month of the 2026 season. With Parsons sidelined, the Packers lost their last five combined games of the season (regular season and postseason), ending with an NFC wild-card round loss to the Chicago Bears. The two teams actually faced off in Week 4 of last season, playing to a 40-40 tie. Granted, the Cowboys went on to miss the playoffs for a second consecutive season, and their defense finished last in points allowed. However, with the reinforcements Dallas has received thanks to the Parsons trade, Cowherd thinks the Cowboys are on the rise. “I look at the Cowboys’ roster, between Caleb Downs, Quinnen Williams and the roster flexibility, this is the best team they’ve had, in terms of overall talent, arguably in a decade,” Cowherd later said. “The Cowboys are in a good spot.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The stretch to the finish has begun. And everyone continues to chase Alex Palou. The reigning champion earned his sixth victory of the season Sunday at Portland International Raceway. Kyle Kirkwood and Christian Lundgaard are two of the drivers chasing him and they both moved up these rankings. Lundgaard had a hybrid issue in qualifying and started 25th before working his way to ninth in the race. Now, the series heads to Markham, the new Ontario (Canada) stop that takes the place of Toronto. Here are my power rankings with four weekends (five races) left in the season. Dropped out: Pato O’Ward (Last Week: 6) On the verge: Pato O’Ward, Nolan Siegel, Kyffin Simpson Power finished third in a strong performance at Portland. He has four top 10s (with a pair of thirds) in his last five starts. McLaughlin had a workman-like Portland weekend with a disappointing qualifying. He started 13th but was able to gain spots and finish seventh in the race. It was his fifth top 10 in his last seven starts. Armed with a newly announced contract extension, Ericsson’s rebound season continued with a sixth-place finish at Portland. It was his fourth top 10 in his last six starts. For the third time in the last six races, VeeKay earned a fourth-place finish. These aren’t flukes; he made the Fast Six at Portland and at Mid-Ohio last month. Rosenqvist won the pole and finished second at Portland for his first podium and fourth top 10 since he won the Indianapolis 500. Malukas, saddled by a six-spot grid penalty for exceeding the engine limits, had just his third finish of the season where he placed outside the top 10 as he ended up 12th at Portland. No longer needing crutches to get around, Newgarden salvaged a decent day after starting 14th and finishing eighth at Portland. Kirkwood placed fifth at Portland, a place where he qualified 19th and finished 20th a year ago. So he was happy with that even though he lost ground to Palou in the championship race. A ninth-place finish typically doesn’t result in moving up in the top five of the rankings. But the fact he caboosed the field at the start shows just how strong Lundgaard was at Portland. After his sixth win, Palou has a 110-point lead in the standings. He can be average the rest of the season and win the championship. And there is nothing average about Palou.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Christopher Bell has finished second in four of the last five races. That string of solid performances puts him at the top of this subjective power ranking list. I know, I know, he hasn’t won. And Ty Gibbs has a win, a third and two fourths over the last six races. But Bell’s run over the last five races shows that he’s right there challenging for the win every single week. Here are my NASCAR power rankings heading into the Saturday night race at Richmond Raceway: Dropped out: Ryan Preece (Last Week: 9), Carson Hocevar (Last Week: 10) On the verge: Josh Berry, Chase Elliott, Carson Hocevar, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson, Ryan Preece Buescher finished 13th but slips into the top 10 — thanks to a 10th, an 11th and a 13th in his last four races. With so much parity, three top 10s in four races puts him on this list. Maybe I just don’t have the heart to drop Reddick off the list. He has a series-high five wins and that has to mean something. But Reddick is trying his best to fall off this list with four finishes of 30th or worse in his last six starts. Welcome back on the list, Willy B! A ninth-place finish might be what’s expected for someone from Hendrick, but as the best Hendrick car at Iowa, it shows he is doing something right. Logano finished second in both stages at Iowa but a loose wheel when he started to drive away on a pit stop forced him to put the car in reverse to return to his pit stall and lose valuable spots. With no cautions in the final stage, he never recovered. A speeding penalty hurt Wallace, but he still placed 12th at Iowa. In a feast-or-famine season, this was closer to feast for Wallace. Briscoe overcame brake issues over the weekend to place sixth. It was his fifth top-six finish in his last six races. Blaney jumped a couple of spots after winning the pole and placing third at Iowa, where he led a race-high 129 laps. It was his first top 10 in three weeks and his series-high 16th of the season. Gibbs earned his second victory of the season with the triumph at Iowa. He is more consistently running in the top five, and if he does that, this won’t be his last win of the year. Hamlin rallied to finish fifth despite not having confidence in his brakes throughout the race at Iowa. He has a big lead in the point standings and has four top fives in the seven races since his last win. Some would say he should remain atop this list. It’s rare to have a non-winner atop the list this late in the season. But Bell has seven second-place finishes this year, including four in the last five races and six of the last 11. Some would say he’s the first loser, but he won’t be a loser much longer if he keeps knocking on the door.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The start of training camp has prompted a flurry of big extensions. But the most impactful moves, the ones most likely to affect the bottom line this season, were made months ago. Given some time to examine free agency, here are my five riskiest deals and five best bets of the offseason. Best Bets Contract terms: 1 year, $1.3 million (zero guaranteed) The Vikings were able to secure the services of a former No. 1 overall pick with an Offensive Rookie of the Year award (2019) and a pair of Pro Bowl berths on his résumé for the veteran’s minimum. Although the end of Murray’s tenure in Arizona raises some concerns about his game and leadership skills, the veteran is the most talented quarterback that Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has worked with in Minnesota, potentially leading to the most dynamic and explosive offense yet during KOC’s tenure. With Murray still in his prime and fueled by the skeptics dismissing his return to prominence as a QB1, the diminutive playmaker can rewrite the narrative surrounding his name with a bounce-back performance in 2026. Contract terms: 1 year, $12 million ($12 million guaranteed) The rangy cornerback joins a defensive backfield loaded with All-Pro-caliber playmakers in Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean. Woolen adds a dimension to the unit with his size, length and speed, making him nearly impossible to throw over on the perimeter. As defensive coordinator Vic Fangio tweaks his scheme to accommodate the newcomer’s talents as a sticky man-to-man defender, the Eagles’ man-match scheme will frustrate passers and playmakers unable to find room in the passing game. Moreover, the marriage between Woolen and a scheme that is perfectly suited to his talents will make his contract look like the best bargain on the market when we review the offseason transactions at season’s end. Contract terms: 2 years, $20 million ($13.5 million guaranteed) After watching C.J. Stroud struggle behind a makeshift offensive line that could not keep defenders out of the backfield, the Texans invested heavily in the trenches with free-agent signees and draft picks coming on board throughout the offseason. Smith’s signing did not garner major headlines, but the former division rival will provide much-needed protection on Stroud’s frontside, while blowing holes open for David Montgomery and Co. at the line of scrimmage. If the veteran can avoid the injury bug that sidetracked him in 2023 and 2024, Smith’s arrival on a bargain-basement deal could help stabilize an offense that for the past two years has kept the Texans, with their star-studded defense, from being serious Super Bowl contenders. Contract terms: 3 years, $43.05 million ($28.7 million guaranteed) Ignore the chatter from the running back haters who have diminished the value of RB1s around the league, and look at how Walker’s arrival will make it easier for Patrick Mahomes to reclaim his crown as the NFL’s undisputed QB1. The lack of an efficient and explosive running game allowed defenses to sit in various two-high shells to take away the deep ball and force the two-time MVP into a “dink-and-dunk” game that featured few big plays. With Walker flashing “take over the game” potential as a lead runner during the Seahawks’ title run, defensive coordinators must pay closer attention to the Chiefs’ running game or run the risk of Andy Reid controlling the action with a creative ground attack that punishes opponents for aligning in “light boxes” with smaller defenders all over the field. Although the reigning Super Bowl MVP’s hefty price tag created a stir in the marketplace, Walker’s impact in Kansas City could actually help restore the value of running backs in the minds of team builders across the league. Contract terms: 3 years, $30 million ($20 million guaranteed) The Chargers needed to improve the frontline to maximize Justin Herbert’s potential as a pocket playmaker. After watching the superstar QB take a beating throughout 2025, the club acquired an underrated pivot to fill a hole created by Bradley Bozeman’s surprise retirement. Although Biadasz is not a blue-chip talent, he adds some physicality, toughness and competitiveness to an offensive line that was bullied at times last season. Moreover, he gives Herbert an experienced “trench warrior” with the identification and communication skills to handle the protections and adjustments at the line of scrimmage. Given how the Chargers desperately needed help at the point of attack, adding Biadasz should help them remain a viable contender this season. Riskiest Deals Contract terms: 3 years, $67.5 million ($45 million guaranteed) Despite the familiarity between general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan, head coach Jeff Hafley and Willis from their time together in Green Bay, the Dolphins might have drastically overpaid a fifth-year signal-caller with only six pro starts to his name. The spectacular flashes with the Packers have given off some franchise quarterback vibes, but recreating that magic in South Florida could be a challenge for a team in the midst of a rebuild. With Willis also struggling during his initial stint as a QB1 with the Tennessee Titans, the hefty contract and lofty expectations could doom this marriage before it starts. While no one expects the marquee free agent to play like Dan Marino in Miami, the Hall of Fame inductee’s performance and production have set the standard for a city and franchise that demands a lot from its starting QB. Contract terms: 4 years, $114 million ($84 million guaranteed) It is rare for a WR2 to seamlessly transition to the WR1 role. Pierce is attempting to defy the odds after inking a lucrative extension to be the No. 1 option in the Colts’ passing game. Although the fifth-year pro has averaged 20-plus yards per catch in each of the past two seasons, the speedster must put up monster numbers against defenses that will be focused on limiting his impact with “traveling” corners and loaded zones. Considering the daunting challenge Pierce faces as an unproven go-to receiver, all while taking on the opponent’s top corner and creative tactics, the Colts might experience some buyer’s remorse if their primary pass-catcher fails to dominate on the perimeter in his new role. Contract terms: 3 years, $42 million ($25 million guaranteed) The Panthers signed the big-play specialist to a multiyear deal after watching him record five interceptions, one fumble recovery, seven pass breakups, 10 quarterback hits and 81 tackles in 2025 with the Jaguars. Lloyd’s spectacular final season in Jacksonville overshadowed a topsy-turvy tenure that resulted in the former first-rounder being benched multiple times and the team declining his fifth-year option before his breakout season. While a new scheme and coaching staff found a way to unlock his talents, the fifth-year pro must make a similar transition in Carolina while playing up to lofty expectations and a big contract. With Lloyd earning Pro Bowl honors in 2025 as a part-time player — he typically came off the field on third downs with the Jaguars — the Panthers are hoping that more playing time will result in more splash plays. They’ll need them to justify this deal. Contract terms: 4 years, $96 million ($68 million guaranteed) The Commanders’ need for a consistent pass rush prompted general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn to gamble on a “boom-or-bust” sack artist with 30.5 career sacks over five seasons. Although he has amassed 22.5 sacks since 2023, Oweh entered the league as a developmental player with a limited toolbox, leading to some pass rushing droughts that impacted his stat line, particularly his final five games in Baltimore, where he failed to register a sack. With former Chargers DC Jesse Minter finding various ways to create sack chances for Oweh through clever scheming during a partial season in Los Angeles, the Commanders’ marquee free agent will need defensive coordinator Daronte Jones to tap into his exotic pressures to help the sixth-year pro take advantage of winnable matchups on the edges. Contract terms: 3 years, $58 million ($42 million guaranteed) The Titans’ porous pass defense desperately needed a top-notch cover corner to improve under the direction of new head coach/defensive playcaller Robert Saleh. Taylor was a hot commodity on the free-agent market after enjoying a banner year as the New Orleans Saints’ slot corner; the fifth-year pro is expected to handle the CB1 role in Tennessee, aligning primarily on the outside to neutralize opposing No. 1 receivers. Although the Titans will utilize him occasionally at nickel, the 6-foot-1, 199-pound Taylor will have a chance to show the football world that he can go toe-to-toe with the premier playmakers in the game. Considering the talented pass-catchers within the division alone (see: the Texans’ Nico Collins, the Colts’ Alec Pierce and the Jaguars’ Brian Thomas Jr. and Parker Washington), the upgrade in competition will quickly reveal if Taylor is the man for the job as a newly minted $20 million corner.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

OXNARD, Calif — New Dallas Cowboys cornerback Cobie Durant knows what a winning culture looks like. Durant, who spent the last four seasons with the Los Angeles Rams, nearly helped his old team play in their third Super Bowl over the course of a decade this past year. Now, the fifth-year pro is being tasked with helping turn around a Cowboys’ defense that was statistically the worst in football last season — and he’s already making an impact in trying to turn things around. During an intense, fully padded practice on Sunday, Durant and other Cowboys defensive players celebrated every pass deflection and forced turnover by rushing the field before aggressively trash-talking in the faces of Dallas stars Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. “Every day we come out here, we want to compete at a high level and do your one-eleventh,” Durant told me. “And it’s on display every day we come out here. High energy, everybody doing their part and bringing what we do in the classroom and make it come to life on the field.” While Durant has brought an energy to the Cowboys’ defense so far in training camp, he’s not the key person who joined Dallas this offseason to revitalize that unit. Defensive whiz and new coordinator Christian Parker has been the heart of the reenergized unit. Parker was hired by the Cowboys to run their defense after serving as the Philadelphia Eagles’ defensive backs coach over the last couple of seasons, working under Vic Fangio in Philadelphia and Denver. And what has helped Parker form such a quick connection with his unit (which features eight new starters) is his age. The 34-year-old has brought a culture shift, wearing a pair of Jordan 11s, navy blue sweats and a cut-off hoodie with white sleeves while calling plays on a radio along the sideline during practice. “That’s dead,” Parker screamed, high-fiving coaches and players nearby as his defense stuffed a red-zone run. Durant said not only is Parker detailed, but his youthful energy is infectious. “He’s a real players’ coach who’s willing to listen and see what our thoughts are,” Durant, who is only five years younger than Parker, told me. “And also helping us as defensive vets and as a unit. It’s good to have a coach pour into you and allow you to just be you when you’re on the grass.” “He’s very direct. He knows what he wants out of his guys, and he does a really good job of teaching and communicating,” edge rusher Donovan Ezeiruaku added about Parker, who is also the youngest defensive coordinator in Cowboys history. “But he’s a cool guy at the same time. He’s very chill, very relatable. He’s got some swag to him.” And as the Cowboys’ defense has been fired up and ready to fight back at the offense, Lamb has taken notice. “It’s fire, man,” Lamb said. “I embrace it. I love it. It’s good to see your defense come out with that type of energy, that type of fire, that type of aggression early on. And for our offense, they leave us no choice to either bow down or fight back and to get back on top. “And I know one thing about us: We won’t bow down to anybody.” However, Parker had some bumps in his early days at training camp. Parker said he’s not a fan of the flood of access available to fans and media at training camp practices, which includes live streams and videos from 11-on-11 team drills posted on social media by folks in attendance. Parker noted that he picked up things as a coach for other teams watching those same videos. But owner Jerry Jones isn’t changing his training camp policy — the more eyeballs on his team, the better, and Parker is learning to adjust to the constant attention on “America’s Team.” But as for on-field matters, one of the key chess pieces for Parker’s defense is first-round pick Caleb Downs, who provides the versatility Pro Bowl defensive back Cooper DeJean offered for the Eagles. The Ohio State product is working at safety and slot cornerback, showing up in pass coverage over the two days I watched practice, including breaking up two passes intended for Lamb. A physical presence who provides leadership and playmaking ability, Downs is expected to thrive in Parker’s scheme. “He’s a guy who’s not afraid to fail and is not going to make the same mistake [twice],” Durant told me. “And that’s what you want in this league. When you come in, and you see all these big names, with some guys that could mess with your confidence. With him, it doesn’t faze him.” And while Parker might not like the amount of access outsiders have at Cowboys camp, the team’s practices have been all about football this year, which is a big change from last year. Gone are the constant headlines generated by the contentious Micah Parsons contract negotiations and eventual trade to the Green Bay Packers. That’s allowed Brian Schottenheimer to take an old-school approach to practice as he enters his second season as head coach. On Saturday, Schottenheimer lit into coaches and players for what he deemed a lackadaisical approach to the start of practice. “I just felt like the energy was a little bit off,” Schottenheimer said. “I felt like we broke stretch in bag (drills) and went to circuit drills, and the coaches weren’t as organized as I thought they should be. And so, I’m always going to point out what I feel. And I think they got the message and ended up putting together a hell of a practice.” Schottenheimer also has players run gassers at the end of practice for extra conditioning. “It’s probably painful because you just did a whole practice,” receiver George Pickens said about the end-of-practice conditioning. “But definitely conditioning is another component of the game that can definitely give you an edge over guys.” Obviously, the Cowboys hope that those conditioning drills will be part of what gets them over the hump as they seek their first Super Bowl title in over three decades. Prescott has made it clear in the opening weeks of training camp that he and the team have the Lombardi Trophy in their sights, going as far as to say he’s “manifesting” it to happen. Parker, Schottenheimer and Prescott will get a good test of where those dreams stand during a joint practice against the Rams at Los Angeles’ Woodland Hills headquarters on Tuesday. Last year, the Cowboys were overwhelmed by the Rams’ bevy of playmakers, with Davante Adams, Puka Nacua and Kyren Williams going up and down the field for scores in a foreshadowing of what was to come in 2025. Durant is hoping for a different result against his former team this year. “I’m overly excited,” Durant told me. “I went up against that offense for four years. It’s a high-powered offense. You got Matthew Stafford, the running backs in the backfield and the wide receiver core — it’s a sight to see when you’re in practice going up against it. “But now I’m here with the Dallas Cowboys, running a new defense with new guys on this defense. And now you’ll actually get to see what the guy next to you is really about, going against another offense.” And Schottenheimer is highly anticipating Tuesday’s practice, too. “I want to see these guys play,” Schottenheimer said. “I want to see the same passion and play style that they do against our guys. I want to see them do it against them. But it’s a building block, another ramp-up.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Preseason officially kicks off for 30 of 32 teams across the NFL this week, but contract matters continue to dominate the news. Monday featured a major contract agreement for Dallas Cowboys defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and an extension for New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry. Aaron Rodgers also did something relatively unusual at Pittsburgh Steelers practice, while there’s another update to share on Aaron Donald’s potential return to play. Here is the latest news from around the league. Star defensive lineman Quinnen Williams has agreed to a three-year, $105.9 million extension with the Cowboys, NFL Network reported Monday. The deal for Williams reportedly includes $101 million guaranteed with $63.35 million due at signing. Williams is entering year two in Dallas after arriving at last year’s trade deadline. With a wave of massive contracts hitting the defensive line market this summer, all eyes now shift to the ripple effect on the rest of the league. “Usually, if you have two people wanting to get something done, it can get done. … Every deal is different,” Cowboys Executive Vice President Stephen Jones told reporters, via The Athletic. “You just hit certain bumps in the road where things don’t. It’s not because we don’t want to. … We’re always in the mode if it’s the right situation to do a deal.” Next in line for a payday at defensive tackle is Tampa Bay Buccaneers standout Vita Vea, who requested a trade at the start of training camp. Maybe a new contract for Williams could reignite negotiations between Vea and the Buccaneers? Vea is entering the final year of his contract, which holds a $17 million base salary. The Cowboys put quite the investment into Williams before the extension. At last year’s trade deadline, they traded defensive lineman Mazi Smith, a 2026 second-round pick and the more favorable of their two 2027 first-round picks for Williams. The New England Patriots agreed to terms on a two-year contract extension with tight end Hunter Henry on Monday, ESPN reported Monday. The extension reportedly carries a base value of $16 million with incentives that could raise the total value to $20 million, including $14.5 million guaranteed. The 31-year-old tight end had one year remaining on his previous contract and is now locked in through the 2027 season. Henry served as a primary target for quarterback Drake Maye last season, hauling in 60 receptions for 768 yards and a team-high seven touchdowns. Quarterback Aaron Rodgers took an unconventional turn during practice on Monday, lining up as an edge defender against his team’s second-string offense. Video captured the veteran quarterback working on defensive reps during team drills. The moment offered a lighthearted break during competitive practice sessions as Rodgers continues his training camp workload. As the 42-year-old Rodgers returned to the Pittsburgh Steelers for one more season, the quarterback made news over the weekend when he credited Mike Tomlin for helping him get his spark back last year. “I’m thankful for last year with Coach Tomlin, because he helped me get that love back, that deep love back for the game,” Rodgers told SiriusXM Radio. “That, you know, tearing my Achilles and going through a year of rehab, and just never feeling like myself, it just kind of beats you up a little bit, and I didn’t want that to be my ending in the game that I love so much, and Mike and being around the guys, got me that love back, and I was content in walking away.” While Tomlin left the Steelers this offseason, Rodgers nearly followed him until the team decided to hire one of his former coaches with the Green Bay Packers, Mike McCarthy, to replace him. “They hired Mike McCarthy, and I was like, ‘OK, maybe we need a full circle here, me and Mike need a full circle here,'” Rodgers said. Aaron Donald is continuing to spark rumors of his return. His trainer shared a video of Donald training alongside Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Braden Fiske. The video came a few days after Donald had an official workout with the Rams, only heightening the speculation that he’ll return. It’s been rumored that his decision could come soon, with Rams head coach Sean McVay saying in late July that Donald would likely make a decision later in August. Donald, a three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year and eight-time First-Team All-Pro selection, has maintained an active training regimen following his retirement from professional football in 2024.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Even John Harbaugh can’t say for sure whether the Giants are going to be good this season after 12 mostly miserable years. But one thing their new coach is very clear about is that they’re going to be prepared. That’s a big reason why his practices are so long — 2.5 hours on Monday in 90-degree heat and stifling humidity, in what was the team’s first practice after their 10-day camp-opening trip to West Virginia. Harbaugh’s practices are crisp, too. There isn’t a lot of standing around, and there is a purpose to every drill they do from the moment they hit the field. That is … different than what it was under Brian Daboll … and Joe Judge … and Pat Shurmur … and, to an extent, even Tom Coughlin, who drilled his players hard but not often for as long. Still, the early reviews from the players have been nothing but positive. Or, at the very least, they’re not complaining. There’s been too much losing around here for too long for anyone to be upset about an accomplished coach who wants to push them. And Harbaugh has been thrilled to learn that these Giants are ready to work. “I see it, in this organization and this team, with the players especially,” Harbaugh told me shortly after practice. “These players are determined to do what is required to become good enough, to earn the right to have a chance to win a football game. “I feel like I see that. I see it every day in what they do and how they carry themselves and how hard they work. And I know they look back and they say, ‘Man, we’re getting better. We see it.'” That alone could go a long way toward changing the culture of an organization that has had double-digit losses 10 times in the past 12 years, including the 4-13 season last year that got Daboll fired and led the Giants to lure Harbaugh with a five-year, $100 million deal. How many wins it translates to, though, will probably be determined by the growth of second-year quarterback Jaxson Dart and the health of key players like receiver Malik Nabers and running back Cam Skattebo. But the big expectation is that no matter what happens, no matter who is on the field, Harbaugh — who was fired after 18 seasons in Baltimore despite a 180-113 record, a Super Bowl championship, and 12 trips to the playoffs — will have this team ready to be way more competitive than it has been in the recent past. And if that ramps up the expectations and puts more pressure on the head coach, that’s OK. He understands it. “Heck yeah,” Harbaugh told me. “People want to win.” Nabers is recovering from a torn ACL and a torn meniscus in his right knee after surgery to repair the damage in October and another cleanup procedure in the spring. He did only individual drills on Monday, which was basically what he did during the Giants’ trip to West Virginia. The reports from there were generally good, but it’s clear the Giants are being cautious with him. And they should be, because he’s the one elite talent they have in that spot. They’re deep at that position. Rookie Malachi Fields is both big (6-foot-4, 222) and fast. They have solid veterans in Darnell Mooney and Darius Slayton, a potentially good slot receiver in Calvin Austin, and a couple of long-shot veterans in JuJu Smith-Schuster and Odell Beckham. But Nabers is the difference-maker. He showed that as a rookie in 2024 when he caught 109 passes for 1,204 yards and seven touchdowns in just 15 games. His second season ended in Week 4 — in the second quarter of Dart’s first NFL start. “We’ve been begging him to do that for a while now.” — Giants edge rusher Brian Burns on why everyone cheered so loudly when quarterback Jaxson Dart finally slid along the sidelines. Improved, But Maybe Not Good Enough To Contend So much has changed about the Giants, it’s hard to get a real feel for how things will go in Harbaugh’s first season. There is no doubt they will be better. Their quarterback should be improved. They have more talent. They will be a much, much better-coached team. That should be good for another three to four wins, which could put them on the edge of playoff contention. But will Nabers be at full strength and back to his old self early in the season? What about Skattebo, who has been practicing fully but still needs to test his knee in a game? If those two can pick up right where they left off, the Giants could be a surprise playoff contender if they stay healthy. If they don’t, their path is much more difficult. My guess is it’ll be somewhere in the middle. Figure the Giants to win around six to eight games, depending on their health, but expect that they will improve as the season goes along. For this year, that might just mean more competitive football and even an important game or two in December. Then they can set themselves up nicely to be a real contender in 2027. I’m headed to Florham Park, New Jersey, where the New York Jets will be hosting the first of two joint practices with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Tuesday morning. Bucs coach Todd Bowles will be making his return to the Jets’ suburban practice facility, where he ran the drills as their head coach from 2015-18.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports