Category: Sports Fox

To recap: Tarik Skubal is now a Dodger, Freddy Peralta is a Ray, Kevin Gausman is a Cub, Casey Mize is a Padre, Luke Weaver is a Pirate, Adley Rutschman is the Red Sox’s catcher, Luis Arraez is a Phillies infielder and … well, just take a look below for more. In this week’s post-deadline Power Rankings reshuffle, we’ll highlight every team’s biggest move or moves. (And you can find the winners and losers of the trade deadline here and our trade grades for the biggest moves here.) The Angels got a lot worse at the deadline, which is … actually refreshing! This organization wasn’t ready to contend anytime soon and was in need of an overhaul. The infusion of nine prospects to the system — even if it meant parting with controllable pieces, including starter José Soriano and outfielder Jo Adell — was a necessary move. They now have a new top position player prospect in shortstop Arjun Nimmala, a top-50 prospect in baseball. Remember when the A’s were 38-38? Me neither. They’ve lost 29 of their past 36 games and nothing really changed with their outlook at the deadline. Their biggest move was trading 2022 third-round pick Colby Thomas, a corner outfielder who has been a below replacement level player in his brief MLB tenure, for 2019 first-round pick Seth Johnson, a reliever from the Phillies who has also been a below replacement level big-league player. Much like the Athletics, this was a team that needed to sell but lacked the talented rentals to bring back impact pieces. They held onto controllable arms Michael Wacha and Seth Lugo and sold low on injured starter Kris Bubic — to, guess who, the Dodgers — after an All-Star season last year. Their biggest move was getting pitching prospect Lucas Braun as part of the Lane Thomas trade to Atlanta. This had a chance to be a bigger deadline for the Rockies, considering the interest in All-Star catcher Hunter Goodman and the lack of available outfielders for contending teams. But Goodman stayed, as did outfielders Jake McCarthy and Mickey Moniak, who reportedly signed a two-year extension amid the deadline chaos. The Rockies did trade outfielder Brenton Doyle and relievers Antonio Senzatela, Victor Vodnik and Seth Halvorsen to add mostly arms to the farm system. The Giants weren’t able to move any of their long-term deals, but they did what they had to do, trading most of their rentals. Ramon Marquez (acquired in the Luis Arraez trade), Henry Lalane (acquired in the Heliot Ramos trade) and Miguel Mendez (acquired in the Robbie Ray trade) immediately become three of the best pitching prospects in the system, and it will be interesting to see if a change of scenery can unlock more out of former top prospect Marcelo Mayer. They needed to sell, and they did. The only surprise was that they held onto Luis Robert Jr., who maybe didn’t have the market we expected. Their returns were more quantity over quality, though infielder Jefferson Rojas — acquired in the Clay Holmes deal with the Cubs — immediately became their top prospect. The Mets also clearly think highly of shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura, a 2023 second-round pick who’s mashing at High-A, as they acquired him straight up for one of the top relievers on the market in Luke Weaver. Huh? This was a confounding deadline for the Reds, who traded Nathaniel Lowe and Caleb Ferguson but held onto rentals Brady Singer, Tyler Stephenson and Brock Burke. With as many contenders as there were out there in need of catching help, I have no idea how or why Stephenson in particular is still on the team. The Adley Rutschman era is over with unfulfilled promise and zero playoff wins. The O’s received a significant haul of prospects in dealing away their franchise catcher to a division rival — Anthony Eyanson and Kyson Witherspoon are now two of their top arms on the farm. It’s very possible they win that trade, but at what greater cost? It’s another year in which the fan base has to think toward the future instead of the present. Taylor Ward, Dean Kremer and Tyler Wells were also part of the deadline sale. After trading Tarik Skubal two days before the deadline, the Tigers were a fascinating team to watch to see what they did next. They were still within striking distance of a wild-card spot, so they could have gone either way — tear it down and look to the future, or convince the fan base that even after dealing Skubal there were still enough pieces in the rotation to contend. But by trading Casey Mize at the buzzer, while holding onto other pieces (including a rental in Gleyber Torres), this felt more like a half measure. When you’re a team withstanding an unexpectedly poor first half after coming two outs away from winning the World Series a year ago, you can understand the desire to thread the needle at the deadline. The Blue Jays did that arguably more than any other team, adding starters José Soriano, Spencer Arrighetti and Jameson Taillon and infielder Josh Smith while trading starter Kevin Gausman, outfielder Daulton Varsho and former closer Jeff Hoffman. The 2026 magic might have run out for a youthful St. Louis club. After losing each of their first five series to start the second half, the Cardinals traded Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Lars Nootbaar at the deadline. The deal with the Brewers netted two legit outfield prospects in Alexander Frias and Josiah Ragsdale. This was not a deadline about capitalizing on unexpected success. A recent sweep of the Phillies, and moving just a couple games out of a playoff spot, didn’t cause the Marlins to change direction. They were light sellers, trading one of their best hitters this year in Liam Hicks and a starter in Braxton Garrett to look toward the future, but they held onto Sandy Alcantara. What a difference a week makes. Last Tuesday, the Rangers were two games up in the division and seen as potential buyers. Then they lost six straight and basically sat out at the deadline. They did, at least, grab a couple relievers in Chase Silseth and Adam Macko, but it was quiet in Arlington. The Nationals have lost six straight and are unsurprisingly looking to the future after trading their best pitcher, Foster Griffin, to the Guardians and one of their top hitters, Luis Garcia Jr., to the Yankees. They needed an infusion of arms into the system, and that’s what they got. Some should quickly assist what is one of the worst bullpens in baseball. The trade for starter Connelly Early already looks like a big win. A year after selling off every big piece in their bullpen, the Twins used this deadline to try to patch it back up by adding Jeff Hoffman and AJ Minter. They needed a right-handed bat and found one in Taylor Ward. They also traded from their excess of starting pitching and got Luis Castillo’s contract off the books in a deal with the White Sox, adding an intriguing catching prospect (Boston Smith) and a piece who can help their bullpen now (Seranthony Domínguez) in the process. Their deadline looks better when you consider how little the other AL West contenders did to improve. They’ve won 11 of 13, just swept the Rangers to move into first in the AL West … and got little help from the front office at the deadline to back up their strong start to the second half. The Astros picked up Daulton Varsho to help a lackluster Houston outfield, but they traded Spencer Arrighetti to get him when they could really use more, not less, starting pitching. The Guardians needed to add more pop to their lineup (who would have thought?), and the additions of Jo Adell and Nathaniel Lowe should do that. The more unexpected move was their trade for All-Star Foster Griffin, which adds depth to an already solid rotation. Relief pitching was the obvious area of need, and the Pirates completely rebuilt their bullpen by adding Luke Weaver, Camilo Doval, Lake Bachar and Kirby Yates. The Weaver acquisition was one of the best moves any team made at the deadline. I was all set to put Arizona in the top 10 … and then they snoozed at the deadline. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar could be a nice addition, but this was a disappointing deadline for the D-backs, who could have used both first base and pitching reinforcements and whose play to start the second half deserved more. With both the bats and the team heating up, GM AJ Preller managed to fix the biggest problem area of the club by acquiring starters Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. Whatever you think of Preller’s body of work, you have to give him credit for always finding a way to surprise at the deadline regardless of how depleted the farm system might be. The White Sox needed pitching help and got it, but I’m not a huge fan of the Luis Castillo trade. He has a 5.06 ERA, his strikeout rate is plummeting, and he has been a below replacement level pitcher on the year. I wish they would have added more of a sure upgrade to the rotation. We’ll see if Castillo can turn it around with a change of scenery. I liked the Huascar Brazoban addition for the bullpen, and Brenton Doyle provides more outfield depth. This will be one of the most interesting teams to watch after the deadline. The addition of Luis Arraez gives the offense a needed boost and an element it has been missing, but he also completely reshuffles the defensive alignment. Surely that won’t be a problem, right? The additions of Brooks Raley and Caleb Kilian were important moves for the bullpen. It was a bit of an odd deadline for the Yankees, who didn’t address their needs at catcher or the bullpen but did manage to upgrade the offense with the additions of Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos. Garcia might be the best bat moved at the deadline, but I’m still surprised Reds catcher Tyler Stephenson, at the very least, isn’t on this team. “Adley Rutschman, Boston Red Sox catcher.” Imagine saying that when Alex Cora got fired in April. Or in May, when Boston was 23-33. Or in June, when Boston was 32-46. The Red Sox have won 28 of 33 games, and after sweeping the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, Craig Breslow went all-in at the deadline. Now, we wait to see if the Rutschman gamble was worth it. The Cubs needed pitching help across the board. How about Kevin Gausman, Clay Holmes, Braxton Garrett and Ryan Zeferjahn? That do anything for you? Jed Hoyer needed a big deadline if he wanted the Cubs to contend, and he delivered. The Braves failing to get an impact starter was one of the biggest swings and misses of the deadline. Lane Thomas, Tyler Mahle and Brent Suter might be useful pieces for them, but their start to the season deserved more than depth. They lose a spot on this list for their inaction. They raised the ceiling of the rotation by adding Freddy Peralta, acquired a useful bullpen arm in Tyler Wells, and while everyone was penciling in Luis Arraez as the logical bat to add, the Rays instead made an unexpected big swing to upgrade at catcher by trading for Liam Hicks. Don’t be surprised if we look back on that Hicks move as one of the biggest of the deadline. Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Antonio Senzatela will all help the Brewers. But none of those pitchers are Tarik Skubal (or even Casey Mize, Clay Holmes, Foster Griffin or José Soriano). That is worth remembering if they flame out in October again. The trade for Tarik Skubal has distracted a bit from the fact that the Dodgers have not been playing good ball. They’ve now lost six of their past eight games after running into the buzz saw that is the Red Sox over the weekend. But, who are we kidding? On Tuesday, Skubal will make his Dodgers’ debut, Blake Snell is throwing what will likely be his final rehab start, and Tyler Glasnow heads out on assignment. Also, lest we not forget, they have Ben Rortvedt again. It’s full speed ahead in L.A.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

After an eventful offseason in the NFL, the real drama is about to resume. Pressure is everywhere, as star players are trying to get their respective teams over the hump, get their careers back on track, reach their potential, live up to big contracts, earn new ones and everything in between. So, with all of that considered, who’s under the most pressure ahead of the 2026 NFL season? We ranked 15 players who must deliver big this year. Bucky Brooks: The departure of Micah Parsons left a huge hole in the middle of the Cowboys’ defense. Despite the team’s commitment to replace Parsons’ production, the unit misses the All-Pro’s sideline-to-sideline playmaking prowess. Overshown has shown flashes as a disruptive defender (see: five sacks, an interception, forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 2024 as a 12-game starter), but he has missed more games (32) than he has played (19) due to multiple knee injuries. As he enters the final year of his rookie deal, Overshown is trying to carve out a long-term role and ideally earn a contract extension by season’s end. Meanwhile, the Cowboys need all they can get from the fourth-year linebacker. They’ve missed the postseason two years in a row, and their beleaguered defense is the primary reason for it. A healthy and productive Overshown could change their fortunes. Brooks: The 2024 Defensive Rookie of the Year has the unenviable task of replacing a future gold jacket playmaker with a pair of Defensive Player of the Year awards and the single-season sack record. Verse not only steps into the role previously occupied by Myles Garrett, but he must anchor a defense that is transitioning under a new defensive coordinator. Given the lofty standards and expectations within the “Dawg Pound,” the third-year pro must provide a disruptive presence on the frontline to enable the defense to continue suffocating opponents. Moreover, Verse must deliver massive sack production to help compensate for the loss of a destructive force who posted eight straight seasons with at least 10 sacks. Considering the stellar performance and production of his predecessor, the Browns’ trade acquisition is on the hot seat to put up blockbuster numbers to justify the surprising trade. It’s a huge challenge for a player who has earned two Pro Bowl selections in his two seasons yet recorded just 12 career sacks. Eric D. Williams: The fifth-year running back recently earned Super Bowl MVP honors with the Seahawks. Now he’s the potential X factor for his new team to get back to the big game. After signing a three-year, $45 million deal with the Chiefs, he will be counted on to serve as the bell-cow running back for an offense that has become a bit stale and whose all-world quarterback is coming back from a torn ACL. For years, Patrick Mahomes has compensated for Kansas City’s mediocre running game. In fact, the Chiefs haven’t had a single back eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in Mahomes’ eight seasons as a starter. The 31-year-old version of Mahomes will need more help, and Walker is more than capable of providing it. The bigger question is whether he can stay healthy. He struggled to stay on the field in Seattle, despite often sharing lead back duties. Brooks: The big-play specialist averaged 20-plus yards per catch in back-to-back seasons as the secondary option in the Indianapolis Colts’ passing game. With a promotion to the No. 1 role after Michael Pittman’s departure, Pierce must show that he can win against elite corners and double coverage tactics. Just as important, Pierce must validate the Colts’ $114 million commitment to a former WR2 transitioning to the featured playmaker spot. Although his position coach (Reggie Wayne) successfully made the transition when his Hall of Fame teammate (Marvin Harrison) retired, the student must apply his mentor’s lessons to handle his new role and responsibilities as a go-to guy with the Colts desperate to get back to the playoffs. Williams: Pickens has taken the high road in terms of his contract negotiations with the Cowboys, signing his franchise tender. So, he’ll make $27.3 million on a one-year deal for the upcoming season. But another strong season from Pickens could lead to an even greater payday, as evidenced by the recent extensions for Zay Flowers and Chris Olave. If Pickens matches the numbers he put up in a career year in 2025 (93 receptions for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns), he should be looking at a long-term deal that pays him over $30 million annually while also potentially serving as the catalyst to a deep Cowboys playoff run. If Pickens falls well short of that, though, he could miss out on a major payday and might have to prove his worth again in 2027. Brooks: If the former Pro Bowler cannot win a quarterback competition against a young, inexperienced passer with an extensive injury history, his days as a QB1 are over. Tagovailoa steps into a situation where he is surrounded by blue-chip talent on the perimeter, with a solid offensive line in front of him that will enable him to wheel and deal from the pocket. As a quick-rhythm thrower who perfectly matches Kevin Stefanski’s quarterback profile, the seventh-year pro has the requisite “3Ps” (play caller, playmakers and protectors) needed to play at a high level. Considering he has led the league in completion percentage (72.9% in 2024) and passing yards (4,624 in 2023) at various points of his career, Tagovailoa enters the “no-excuse” zone in Atlanta. Williams: Garrett finally got his wish in the blockbuster trade of this offseason, with Browns general manager Andrew Barry moving the reigning Defensive Player of the Year to a team built to win now in the Rams. Now, the expectation is the NFL’s all-time single-season sack leader will elevate a Rams defense that underperformed in the bright spotlight of the postseason. Specifically, the Rams had trouble closing out offenses at the end of games. It was a surprise given that they finished the regular season tied for sixth in the league in sacks (47) and fifth in pressure rate (38%). But they finished with just one sack in three postseason games. Enter Garrett (and perhaps Aaron Donald?), who was brought in as the final piece for L.A.’s Super Bowl puzzle. Brooks: The two-time Pro Bowl selection has been lauded as a fringe top-five quarterback, but a résumé still void of a postseason win (and big moments in general) has critics questioning whether Herbert is a clutch performer capable of sparking a Super Bowl run. Despite his record-breaking success as a gunslinger during the regular season, including the most passing yards and completions in NFL history through the first five seasons of a career, the seventh-year pro has plenty to prove with a new offensive coordinator at the helm. Mike McDaniel not only brings a wealth of knowledge and experience as a playcaller, but a quarterback-friendly scheme that transforms a simple game of “pitch-and-catch” into a pinball session that lights up the scoreboard. If Herbert is unable to lead the Chargers on an extended playoff run, the football world will continue to view him as a talented underachiever who gives off Cinderella vibes in the postseason. Williams: After getting traded to the team he preferred and a coach he respects in Mike Vrabel, there should be no need for Brown to partake in the theatrics that defined the end of his tenure in Philadelphia (see: reading a book in-game on the sidelines). It’s time for Brown to let his play do the talking in New England. Brown’s playing with perhaps the best young quarterback in the game in Drake Maye. Moreover, the Patriots need Brown to play like a No. 1 receiver, particularly in the red zone where he should receive plenty of 1-on-1 matchups. New England has a much tougher schedule after a surprising run to the Super Bowl last season, and the addition of Brown should help add more explosive plays to this offense. Williams: The lightbulb seemed to turn on for Young in 2025 after struggles in his first two seasons, when he was benched for Andy Dalton after the Panthers took him with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2023 draft. He led Carolina to the playoffs last season, helping the Panthers win the NFC South. Specifically, Young played clutch in critical moments of the game, as evidenced by leading the Panthers to six game-winning drives last season and pushing the Rams to the limit in a close playoff loss. But Young has to continue improving if he’s going to command a long-term deal. The Panthers exercised the fifth-year option on his rookie deal for the 2027 season, but he’s not getting a big extension until he can prove he can play at a high level on a consistent basis. This year is the ultimate test. Brooks: After making a blockbuster trade to acquire Hunter in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Jaguars are counting on their prized acquisition to make his mark in 2026 as a full-time cover corner and part-time offensive playmaker. Although Hunter flashed big-play potential as an offensive weapon as a rookie prior to his season-ending injury, the 6-foot-1, 185-pound dynamo is expected to step into the CB1 role this season to upgrade a turnover-obsessed defense with his ball-hawking presence. While questions persist about his athleticism and explosiveness after his ACL injury, the second-year pro must play like an elite defender and pass-catcher from Day 1 to silence the critics doubting his impact potential as a two-way pro. Williams: Just three years ago, Stroud posted one of the better rookie QB seasons en route to leading the Texans to a surprising postseason appearance (and victory). But the former No. 2 overall pick has failed to play to that level since, throwing just 39 touchdowns compared to 20 interceptions while taking 75 sacks (tied for sixth-most in the league). That regression is why Houston didn’t sign him to an extension this offseason, something that seemed like a lock two years ago. During that charmed rookie season, Stroud threw for over 4,000 yards with 23 touchdown passes and just five interceptions, posting a 100.8 passer rating. The Texans have a championship-level defense but need Stroud to return to form to make a legitimate run at a title. Williams: Nacua would be wise to let his play do the talking as he heads into a contract year. The BYU product has been one of the best receivers in the league since entering the NFL as a fifth-round selection in the 2023 draft. However, immaturity and off-field issues led to Nacua checking himself into a holistic care facility this offseason. McVay said Nacua’s situation has not risen to the level where he’s no longer in the Rams’ long-term plans. But the extension that seemed inevitable when last season concluded still has to be earned. On the field, Nacua deserves to be paid among the top receivers in the league. But given the natural concerns surrounding his behavior coupled with how the Rams traditionally handle contract extensions, he will have to not only wait for a new contract but prove he’s good for it. Williams: After a disappointing 2025, the Ravens opted to move on from longtime head coach John Harbaugh, and Jackson had a say in who replaced him. Baltimore ultimately hired Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter to replace Harbaugh, and he brought in 29-year-old Declan Doyle from the Chicago Bears to be the team’s offensive coordinator, which will undoubtedly bring a new approach to the Ravens. Now, it’s up to Jackson to make it work. The 29-year-old, two-time NFL MVP had an underwhelming season himself last year, in which he struggled to stay healthy and didn’t play to his elite potential when he was on the field. That led to the Ravens missing the playoffs for the first time since 2021, as questions about Jackson’s ability to perform in big moments continue to linger. And, oh yeah, Jackson is seeking a new deal that would make him the highest-paid player in the league. How’s that for pressure? Williams: A.J. Brown has been traded to New England, so there’s no excuse for bad vibes in Philadelphia. And although Hurts has his sixth offensive coordinator in seven seasons in Philadelphia with Sean Mannion, he must prove to doubters that he is an elite signal-caller in the league. Armed with one of the best offensive lines, one of the best runners in Saquon Barkley and a talented receiver room led by DeVonta Smith, along with some intriguing newcomers, Hurts has the weapons and system in place to create an explosive offense. Now he must go out and make it happen. Brooks: The rhetoric around the former Super Bowl MVP is alarming, given his individual success and the Eagles’ status as a perennial contender. Despite leading the franchise to a pair of Super Bowl appearances where he outplayed Patrick Mahomes in each contest, the Eagles’ sagging passing game with Brown as the featured playmaker has raised concerns about Hurts’ long-term effectiveness as a pocket passer. With his sixth playcaller in place since arriving in Philadelphia, Hurts must adapt to another system while dealing with outsized expectations from a fan base growing increasingly frustrated by the Eagles’ inconsistent offense. Hurts needs a strong 2026 campaign to silence the boo birds and naysayers — and perhaps save his head coach’s job, if not his own. Hurts has seen firsthand in Philly how this could all play out.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Now that the chaotic frenzy of MLB’s trade-deadline day is over, we have a better idea of where some contenders stand. The Dodgers landed Tarik Skubal, stole the deadline and sparked fresh debate about baseball’s impending labor negotiations. Fringe clubs like the Mariners, Guardians, Padres and Pirates decided to buy and make their push for the postseason. Teams that we expected to be more ambitious — like the Yankees, Braves and Brewers — ultimately disappointed. But we’ve still got some questions. Here are 10 that we’re curious about as we enter baseball’s stretch run. While it’s true that adding a two-time Cy Young award winner to an already stacked rotation gives the reigning back-to-back champions a ceiling that no other team can match, Skubal’s addition doesn’t guarantee a Dodgers three-peat. Health and matchups still decide what happens in October, and we saw the Dodgers get pushed to the brink by a red-hot Blue Jays team just last year. The rest of the league is motivated to dethrone the Dodgers, and this might all come down to who gets hot at the right time. Skubal and the Dodgers, while staggeringly dominant, are not indestructible. Boston surrendered the deadline’s biggest prospect haul, dealing Carlos Narvaez and top prospects Anthony Eyanson, Kyson Witherspoon, Enddy Azocar and a player to be named later or cash considerations for Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman. The three-time All-Star has been sidelined with a wrist injury since July 20, his fifth stint on the injured list in a 14-man span. It’s not great that the Red Sox seem to have no idea when Rutschman will make his debut, and he’ll hit free agency after next season, creating an even shorter window for Boston’s return on its investment. The Red Sox paid a steep price, to be sure, but Rutschman addresses their roster flaw, and you have to appreciate Boston going all-in — even if this might end up not working out for the club long term. The departure of Rutschman reminds me of the impactful loss of Pete Alonso in Queens, and how letting the Polar Bear walk to Baltimore still and might forever distress the Mets’ fan base. It’s hard for the Orioles to say no to the massive package the Red Sox pushed across the table. After all, Rutschman’s Baltimore tenure did not even feature a single playoff win. But you have to feel sorry for O’s fans, who are dealing with major heartbreak after the blockbuster in-division trade. The Phillies have one of the worst offenses in baseball, with their 92 wRC+ tied with the Mets and Rockies for 26th in the majors. Three-time batting champion Luis Arraez is a fantastic who should help improve their offensive numbers. But I still would’ve liked to see Philly add more, particularly a right-handed-hitting outfielder. The club’s recent October failures have come down to situational execution, and second baseman Arraez’s addition will require a defensive realignment, with Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm moving positions. That will present more challenges to a Phillies team with the worst Defensive Runs Saved (-47) in MLB. All eyes will be on the dozen starting pitchers who found new homes on deadline day, including Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes to the Cubs, Robbie Ray and Casey Mize to the Padres, Freddy Peralta to the Rays, José Soriano to the Blue Jays, Foster Griffin to the Guardians, Luis Castillo to the White Sox, Dustin May to the Brewers, Tyler Mahle to the Braves, and of course Skubal to the Dodgers. This one will be answered by the end of September, but the Cubs might experience the biggest benefit here. The Yankees, Braves and Brewers were all considered losers this deadline after failing to meet their needs and add in the significant ways that they were expected to. New York didn’t get any bullpen or catching help. Atlanta didn’t make a splash on the starting-pitching market even though it was flooded with solid options. And Milwaukee refused to part with top prospects in their loaded system. The Yankees face the most pressure to win a championship, and they should be the most nervous about neglecting their checklist. It’s not Skubal. The Dodgers, better than anyone, can afford to ease him in without sacrificing their winning ways. So the answer here has to be Arraez in Philly, Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos in the Bronx, and Peralta in Tampa Bay. A lot is hinging on Garcia and Ramos being the answer to New York’s offensive problems, but at least they’re under team control beyond 2026. Arraez and Peralta are free agents after this year, plus they carry huge stakes for the success of their new clubs. Mets outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and, given the news from the Bronx today, Yankees shortstop Anthony Volpe. Both of these bats don’t have a ton of value right now, and the Mets tried hard to trade Robert, to no avail, likely because rival executives balked at the $20 million he’s owed next year. Volpe was demoted to Triple-A hours after the deadline, and with Yankees No. 1 prospect George Lombard Jr. called up to replace him at shortstop, it’s hard to see how Volpe fits into their long-term plans. And, with so few shortstops available, New York probably could’ve addressed their bullpen or catching needs by moving him. The AL East is going to be popcorn-worthy from now until the final day of the regular season. The Red Sox, of course, were the most aggressive of the divisional contenders, and they’ve been playing really well as of late. The Rays whiffed on Skubal but still bolstered their rotation with Peralta, and they’ve been the team to beat all season. The Yankees stayed relatively quiet and passed on major upgrades, which could end up hurting them. New York is in second place, 3.5 games behind the Rays. Boston is in third place, 5.5 games behind Tampa. It will be fascinating to see how much that race changes over the next two months. Without doing a full-on deep dive that can be reserved for the offseason, when front offices will again try to use some of the prospects they just gained as leverage in trade deals, it seems like the Blue Jays and Cubs took the biggest hits. Toronto parted ways with its top prospect, shortstop Arjun Nimmala, in order to gain a controllable arm in José Soriano, which addressed one of the team’s biggest current needs. And the Cubs dealt their No. 2 overall prospect, infielder Jefferson Rojas, to the Mets in order to get Holmes. These were big blows to their farm systems, even though it might help them in the short term.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

There’s no shortage of star talent in college football ahead of the 2026 season, and that’s apparent when you look at Joel Klatt’s list of the top 10 players in the sport. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is widely viewed as one of the best receivers in college football since the turn of the century, and he’s only heading into his junior year. Several quarterbacks are also talented enough to potentially be a top pick in the 2027 NFL Draft, like Texas’ Arch Manning and Notre Dame’s CJ Carr. Which of those players is the best in college football, though? Here’s Klatt’s top 10 players for the 2026 season. 2025 stats: Completed 77% of his passes for 3,610 yards, 32 touchdowns and 8 interceptions Klatt’s thoughts: “To be candid with you, they played it safe with him. … If you’re looking for some areas of improvement with Juian Sayin, I’ve got a couple for you … he’s not a gunslinger. I don’t want him to get careless with the football. … But there are times where there are throws to be made down the field, big throws to be made down the field … there are times the throw is there down the field to Jeremiah Smith and he checks the ball. “I think his next step in his maturation as a quarterback is to take those shots down the field. I think the other area that hurt them is the fact that he’s not a very big guy … the short yardage issues for Ohio State were a thing. “This is likely going to be an offensive-led team. This is one of — if not the best — offenses in college football. Led by Sayin. He’s calm, cool and collected. He learned some lessons late last year… I think he’s going to be better for it as he moves into his second year as starter.” 2025 stats: 33 total tackles, 4.5 sacks, 3 forced fumbles Klatt’s thoughts: “I love watching this guy on film. He’s quick, he’s fast, he’s got a good motor. … Remember, two years ago, he was incredible as a freshman. … He backed it up with a pretty productive year last year, and I think he’s likely going to be a top four, five, six pick in next year’s NFL Draft. “Do I love South Carolina? No. But do I love Dylan Stewart? Yes. This guy is an elite player and there’s no doubt. … Could this guy absolutely wreck a game? Yes. That’s what makes South Carolina such an interesting case study. Fabulous player. I love watching him play.” 2025 stats: 2 sacks, 7 pressures allowed at Colorado (per Pro Football Focus) Klatt’s thoughts: “This is a guy that I love more than most. … He’s 6-foot-7, he’s 307 pounds, and he’s got 22 starts under his belt. … He was already [LSU’s] best offensive lineman right when he walked through the door. This guy was an elite player, an elite pass protector. “I think this is a guy who can go in the top 10 of the NFL Draft next year. … He’s certainly going to anchor what I feel like is a really good offensive team… This is one of the pieces to fix that LSU offense.” 2025 stats: 43 total tackles, 12 sacks, 3 forced fumbles Klatt’s thoughts: “The moment I saw him as a true freshman at Texas, I was like, ‘Yup, that’s an elite player right there.’ He was elite last year as well, 12 sacks a year ago, and now he has 21 sacks in his first two seasons in college football. An elite pass rusher and edge player since he stepped foot on campus there in Austin. “This is a defense that’s going to need to improve. This is a team with high expectations. One of those consistent performers for that Texas team a year ago was Colin Simmons. He needs to have a great year for them to bring Will Muschamp along, improve the defensive side … this is the type of guy who can do it.” 2025 stats: Completed 71.8% of his passes for 3,565 yards, 30 touchdowns and 10 interceptions; rushed for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns Klatt’s thoughts: I want to put this guy higher, but there are incredible players ahead of him. Moore was outstanding last year. Outstanding. Truth be told, if he had come out for the draft last year, he would’ve been the No. 2 overall pick. … 15 touchdowns on deep throws last year, nobody was better in college football. They’re going to be an elite team around him. “He’s entering his second year as the starter, I’m a big believer in experience at the quarterback position. There are some absolute dogs in the top five.” 2025 stats: 109 receptions, 1,211 receiving yards, 10 receiving touchdowns; 113 rushing yards, 1 rushing touchdown Klatt’s thoughts: “Was there a better player, other than Fernando Mendoza, than Malachi Toney in the College Football Playoff? “I believe he could have a really good year. I love his playmaking ability. [I love] his versatility in the way that he can impact and attack the defense. Can you get him the ball right away on the outside? Yes. He’s a terrific slot receiver and has a really good feel for space for such a young player. I’m a big Malachi Toney fan.” 2025 stats: Completed 61.4% of his passes for 3,163 yards, 26 touchdowns and 7 interceptions; 399 rushing yards, 10 rushing touchdowns Klatt: “Here’s the problem from last year for Arch: The expectations were outrageous. … If you look after his first few starts, he was elite … with a supporting cast that was subpar. … Their wide receiver room, woefully short of Texas standards. Their offensive linemen, woefully short of Texas standards. Their ability to run the football, or lack thereof, woefully short of Texas standards. So, it fell all on Arch’s shoulders. “He’s not a bust. He’s got that running ability when he gets loose on the outside, he’s got that Trevor Lawrence quality to him when he gets space. I think it could be a big year for Arch.” 2025 stats: Completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,741 yards, 24 touchdowns and 6 interceptions; 33 rushing yards, 3 rushing touchdowns Klatt: “I cannot contain my excitement for CJ Carr at Notre Dame. I think CJ Carr is incredibly talented. This is going to be a different style of Notre Dame offense this year. “What people fail to realize is how explosive [Notre Dame was], and can be this year, offensively throwing the football. They averaged over 40 points last year, 42 to be exact. “Carr got a bunch of experience a year ago. They got a chip on their shoulder after not being in the playoff. This is an offense that’s going to be more quarterback-centric than it was running back-centric than it was a year ago. … He could have a monster, monster season in terms of numbers. He’s probably my Heisman frontrunner.” 2025 stats: 31 total tackles, 1 forced fumble, 5 interceptions Klatt: “I think he’s absolutely the top cornerback in next year’s draft. … Leonard Moore is fantastic. He’s going to allow them to do so much on that defensive side. This should be one of the best defenses in all of college football. They’re good up front, they’re good at linebacker, they’re really good in the secondary. “I can’t wait to see what Leonard Moore does in the playoff. I think this is absolutely a playoff team. He can do everything. He can play well in zone, he’s got good instincts. He can play well in man; he’s got good coverage ability. He’s loose, he’s flexible, he’s fast, he’s terrific once the ball is in the air.” 2025 stats: 87 receptions, 1,243 yards, 12 receiving touchdowns Klatt: “There’s no other No. 1 when he’s playing in college football. He’s physical, he’s fast, he’s great catching the football. He’s got great hands. He’s a technician. If [Julian] Sayin lets it loose and throws the ball down the field, Jeremiah Smith might have 15, 18 touchdowns this year. He’s a regardless receiver, which means regardless of what coverage you’re in, they’re throwing him the football. “Nobody can cover him. The only guy I think who can have a chance is Leonard Moore, my No. 2 player. He’s that elite. It’s, candidly, not even close.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

U.S. District Judge for the District of Colorado Charlotte Sweeney seemingly upended college sports with her filing on Friday. In short, she granted an injunction against the NCAA that allows high school athletes who graduated in 2022, who’d previously exhausted their four years of eligibility, another year of eligibility based on the NCAA’s adoption of the five-for-five eligibility rule earlier this summer. And it’s being met with a mix of bemusement, optimism and acrimony. “Definitely a cluster f—,” one football assistant coach told me. “Like assembling a plane at 30,000 feet.” While on fire. The five-for-five rule grants NCAA athletes an opportunity to play sports for five seasons in five years. The new rule starts the eligibility clock for high school athletes at age 19 or upon enrolling at university — whichever comes first. The five-for-five rule sought to eliminate redshirting and seek an end to the growing number of eligibility cases the NCAA faces from student-athletes who feel they’ve been unfairly restricted from play due to eligibility rules the NCAA has selectively enforced. Now, with preseason training camp beginning this week for most FBS teams, general managers have an opportunity to add depth and experience to their rosters. However, they cannot dip into the transfer portal to do it. Judge Sweeney clarified this in her order on Sunday. “The Court’s order does not enjoin the operation of transfer rules,” Sweeney wrote. “As the plain language of the preliminary injunction order and this order make clear, the Court’s injunction concerns only the implementation of the Rule (as defined in the preliminary injunction order) and any Bylaw that prohibits Plaintiffs and Class Members from competing in a fifth season of collegiate athletics.” This means that teams can add players to their roster who were on it last year and had not entered the transfer portal, but those teams cannot break the revenue-sharing cap or go over the 105-player roster cap to do it. Furthermore, players who were 20 years old or older at the start of their five-year clock remain ineligible. Still, the NCAA plans to fight Judge Sweeney’s injunction and warned programs about adding players from the 2022 class back to their teams. “Schools and coaches must make their own independent decisions, but an injunction is intended to be short in duration, and the NCAA intends to appeal it on an expedited basis,” the NCAA wrote in a letter to its membership. It added Sweeney’s injunction “plainly lacks the authority to undermine the House injunction, which all of the plaintiffs in the Colorado case are bound by, including the roster limits and revenue share cap.” However, that has not stopped both players and general managers from actively looking to engage with each other. For instance, reigning national champion Indiana could theoretically add linebacker Kellan Wyatt and defensive end Stephen Daley to its 2026 team if the Hoosiers have the roster and revenue cap space. If they did, they’d return 99 games of experience, including 65 starts. “Par for the course this season,” an FBS general manager told me. “It’s been a year making it up as we go along.” The 2026 offseason has certainly felt that way. Following the crowning of a national champion, Congress has drafted two separate bills attempting to save college football from itself, while local judges and at least one federal one have provided injunctions and temporary restraining orders against the NCAA for players seeking a year of eligibility. The NCAA’s remedy, five-for-five, hasn’t survived two months without an unintended consequence, and the nature of college football players has never been more different. To wit: Players are suing to continue playing college football when, 20 years ago, Maurice Clarett was suing to get out of college football and all for one reason: money. No player was interested in playing a fourth — let alone fifth — year of college football until 2021, when it became clear that there was not just money but lots of money to be made playing the game, especially if players know the NFL believes they’re not good enough to play in its league. 2022 high school seniors under contract in the NFL are ineligible to play college football under Sweeney’s order. Some might still want to, though. In some cases, a veteran college football player can make more and is worth more to his team in college than in the NFL. Former Miami Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck will make less as a rookie in the NFL than he did in his last season of college football on an NIL deal. Skilled labor is hard to come by in college because the nature of the sport is so transitive. Yet, there are more players to try to make college last longer because they know the NFL does not value them as much or, in some cases, at all. Former Texas offensive lineman Connor Hutson sued the NCAA for the chance to return to the Forty Acres only when he attended rookie mini camps with the Dallas Cowboys and Cleveland Browns and left without being offered a contract. However, he played 48 games with 23 starts for Steve Sarkisian’s Longhorns and could likely help this 2026 offensive line both on the field and at practice. He has value for them. “But should he?” isn’t a question the sport is concerned with. When Indiana wins the national title, and Texas doesn’t even qualify for the College Football Playoff, ethics in sport might well take a backseat to the cult of championships.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Pencils down! After the Dodgers struck early for the prize of the deadline, there was a flurry of activity in the final 24 hours as the Red Sox pushed their chips in for Adley Rutschman, the Cubs and Padres patched up their rotations, the Pirates loaded up on relievers and the Angels finally made meaningful moves to restock their farm system. Here are the winners and losers of the 2026 MLB trade deadline. The best team in baseball got the best player at the deadline, and they did it without losing any big-league talent or decimating their farm system. They also made an interesting low-risk, high-reward move for injured Royals starter Kris Bubic, who was an All-Star last year, and got some catcher reinforcements with Will Smith and Dalton Rushing on the shelf. Then again, who are we kidding? After landing Tarik Skubal, they could have snoozed through all that deadline day action and still been the winners of the deadline. Will Dustin May, JoJo Romero and Antonio Senzatela be helpful pieces for the Brewers? Absolutely. I have no doubt Milwaukee will get the most out of all of those arms, and they’ll all likely contribute to a fourth straight division title. But, c’mon, man! At some point, you’ve got to play for more than winning the regular season. If last year’s NLCS wasn’t a wake-up call to move some of their prospects for star talent, I don’t know what could be. The Braves needed a co-ace to pair with Chris Sale in October. They didn’t get it. Tyler Mahle will help with depth in the rotation for the next couple of months and Lane Thomas will assist the outfield, but it feels like they’re going to regret missing out on an impact arm. The Cubs had needs throughout the pitching staff, and they overhauled the group. They got two of the best starters available in Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes, whose penchant for keeping the ball on the ground should play well with the exceptional defense behind him. They made an upside move bringing in Braxton Garrett. They paid a big price for those starters and for reliever Ryan Zeferjahn, whose high walk rate also comes with some of the best swing-and-miss stuff in the game. If they get where they hope to go, it will be worth it. These get grouped together, for obvious reasons. Two years from now, we might look back on the Adley Rutschman trade as a turning point for the Orioles, who received a massive haul back from Boston. For now, though, it’s all just hard to swallow. All that promise in Baltimore after the rebuilding years, the 101-win seasons in 2023, those first two years from Rutschman…and zero postseason wins before blowing up another core. To make it worse, O’s fans now have to watch Rutschman on a division rival for at least this season and next. Baltimore also traded Taylor Ward, Tyler Wells and Dean Kremer from a team that was 2.5 games out of a wild-card spot. Once again, it’s all about the future, not the present. Meanwhile, it’s the opposite in Boston. As incredible as the Red Sox turnaround has been on the field, trading for Curtis Mead and immediately watching him fracture his wrist made for a disappointing start to Boston’s deadline. Chief baseball officer Craig Breslow made up for that with a major swing, rewarding his team’s resurgence by sending a stunning haul of prospects for Rutschman and adding a big arm to the bullpen in the Giants’ Erik Miller. The price was steep. There’s a lot riding on Rutschman, currently sidelined with a wrist issue, returning as an impact piece. But there’s belief in Beantown again. Relief pitching was Pittsburgh’s clear need, and the Pirates reconstructed the group entirely. They added some big arms at the back end in Luke Weaver, arguably the top reliever dealt at the deadline, and Camilo Doval, who might be a good change-of-scenery candidate to put his tools together, and also acquired Kirby Yates, Lake Bachar and Ron Marinaccio. There’s pressure on this offense to keep up its pace, but they answered their biggest need. At 59-53, the D-backs are trending toward a spot in the postseason. They had a clear need at first base, where they have the lowest OPS and wRC+ in MLB, but they watched Luis Garcia Jr. go to the Yankees and Nathaniel Lowe go to the Guardians. They didn’t get any arms to a staff that ranks 18th in ERA and will now be reliant on the returns of some of their injured arms. Their only addition at all was outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who has been a below league-average hitter in a limited sample this season. That’s…not enough. Never doubt AJ Preller’s ability to find a way to add. Despite depleting his farm system in recent years, he still managed to get two of the better rental arms available in Casey Mize and Robbie Ray. It would have been nice to find a bat, too, but with the offense starting to perform better, starting pitching help was clearly the biggest need. And the Padres got that done. Luis Garcia Jr. and Heliot Ramos should help an offense that needed reinforcements with Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton down. But while they watched Adley Rutschman go to Boston and Liam Hicks go to Tampa Bay, they did nothing to upgrade at catcher — why isn’t Tyler Stephenson, at the least, in the Bronx right now? — or the back end of the bullpen. The best teams in the division can’t figure out if they’re good or bad, and nothing they did this week will change that. The Mariners at least got some needed right-handed help with Taylor Ward, and I like what they did with the Luis Castillo deal, but nothing they did significantly changes my opinion of them. Houston’s inaction was more disappointing. Daulton Varsho isn’t going to singlehandedly fix the Astros’ outfield hitting woes, and they not only failed to add to their rotation, but they sent starter Spencer Arrighetti away in that Varsho trade. The Rangers, meanwhile, basically sat out of deadline day entirely. Maybe these teams are more snoozers than losers, but I expected a little more. It wasn’t supposed to go this way. Not after signing Framber Valdez. Not after holding onto Tarik Skubal this winter. Prospects Zyhir Hope and River Ryan could both end up being great players in the years to come, but I’m still surprised they couldn’t get more out of the Dodgers — or from another more needy team — in the trade for Skubal. Still, I can understand them trying to get a return for the back-to-back Cy Young Award winner rather than watching him walk for nothing. So, their placement in this category is more about what happened next. Only 2.5 games out of a playoff spot, maybe they could have sold their fans on a second-half surge with Valdez, Casey Mize, Troy Melton, Keider Montero and Jackson Jobe nearing his return. But then they traded Mize at the buzzer. If you’re going to do that, why is Gleyber Torres still a Tiger? Or Kenley Jansen? Or Kyle Finnegan? John Mozeliak stepped in as interim general manager and immediately went to work restocking the farm system, making changes that have been sorely needed for years. The Angels added nine prospects, including a top-100 talent in Arjun Nimmala, while trading away a group of big leaguers who probably wouldn’t have been around to see the next contending team in Anaheim anyway. The moves are finally an acknowledgment of reality. Congrats, guys. You did it.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Following the announcement of Mauricio Pochettino extending his contract with the U.S. men’s national team, FOX Sports analyst Alexi Lalas shared his perspective on the state of the program and the expectations facing the head coach heading towards the 2030 World Cup. Reflecting on the recent tournament performance, Lalas noted that the job ultimately comes down to winning matches in the knockout stages. “When it comes to Mauricio Pochettino and his job and role, it was to win the game against Belgium, and in that moment, he and this team failed,” Lalas said on his “State of the Union” podcast. Lalas emphasized that evaluating a manager based on results on the biggest stage and whether he can lead the Stars and Stripes to new heights. “Where he is again going to be judged is if he is going to get us to that rarefied air and that promised land. And for a lot of people, and that was made very very clear this summer, that is winning the round of 16 games.” Lalas explained that success in those key matches shifts the broader conversation surrounding American soccer. “If this U.S. team under Mauricio Pochettino this summer had found a way to get past Belgium, all of this talk and all of this self-examination—whether it’s you know pay-to-play and player development and style of play and who we are as a soccer-playing nation—that all goes away,” Lalas said. Looking ahead, Lalas expressed support for keeping Pochettino for the upcoming cycle. That includes competitions such as the Concacaf Nations League, the Concacaf Gold Cup and possibly the 2028 Copa América should the U.S. be an invited team. “I think Mauricio Pochettino is fine. I think that he will be a better coach this cycle than he was last cycle,” Lalas said. However, he stressed the importance keeping the commitment through the next tournament, where the USA will actually need to go through the qualifying process this time around. “That final judgment will come four years from now, and it remains to be seen whether he is even going to be in charge four years from now. It would really disappoint me if, after all of this and this decision that has been made today, if Mauricio Pochettino was not the coach four years from now because he saw something better or took a different job someplace else.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The summer of soccer continues after the best World Cup ever. This time, select teams from Major League Soccer and their Liga MX counterparts will kick off the Leagues Cup in the latest edition of the tournament. Here’s what to know as 36 teams featuring star players like Inter Miami’s Lionel Messi square off in the Leagues Cup. The action begins on Wednesday with a full slate of games, including the Seattle Sounders taking on Toluca (10 p.m. ET on FS1). Which MLS and Liga MX Teams Are Playing? In all there are 36 teams who’ll participate in the Leagues Cup. The tournament will feature 18 of the 30 MLS clubs and all 18 Liga MX squads. The 18 MLS clubs that qualified were based on the 2025 regular season table. Check out the full schedule. Each team will play three opponents from the other league for a total of 54 MLS vs. Liga MX catchups in the first phase alone. But each league will have its own specific table for this competition. The top four from each table advance to the knockout round. What Is The Competition Format? When Is The Final? This year’s edition of the Leagues Cup is played in two phases. The tournament uses a no-ties format to ensure a winner in every match: • Phase One (Aug. 4–13) — 54 MLS vs. LIGA MX matchups in a round-robin format • 3 points for a regulation win• 2 points for a penalty shootout win (after a tie)• 1 point for a penalty shootout loss • Knockout Rounds (Aug. 25–Sept. 6)      – Single-elimination bracket beginning with the quarterfinals and culminating in the final on Sept. 6. Will Argentina’s Lionel Messi Play For Inter Miami? Following Argentina’s 1-0 defeat to Spain on July 19 at the FIFA World Cup final, Messi took some time off before reporting back to duty with Inter Miami. He is expected to play for Inter Miami during the Leagues Cup and the rest of the MLS regular season. He’ll be joined by his Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul and newly arrived Brazilian midfielder Casemiro. It was at this tournament in 2023 in which Messi made his Inter Miami debut. He and Miami went on to win the inaurgural edition, giving him his first piece of silverware stateside. Inter Miami’s League Cup Schedule Aug. 5: Inter Miami vs. Atlético San LuisAug. 8: Inter Miami vs. MonterreyAug. 12: Inter Miami vs. León Any USA Stars From the World Cup Playing? Several of the players who were part of the USA’s squad this summer at the World Cup are expected to play. Those include defender Tim Ream (Charlotte FC), goalkeeper Matt Freese (NYCFC) and midfielder Alejandro Zendejas (Club América). Other players from the USMNT squad include keeper Chris Brady (Chicago Fire), midfielder Cristian Roldan (Seattle Sounders) and defender Miles Robinson (FC Cincinnati), Two players who just missed the World Cup roster were Real Salt Lake duo Diego Luna and Zavier Gozo. Those two will be playing in the Leagues Cup as well. What Are Some Other World Cup Stars At The Leagues Cup? Plenty of international star power will be featured throughout the tournament. That includes LAFC’s Son Heung-min, who has been part of several South Korea World Cup squads. Vancouver Whitecaps’ Thomas Mueller won the 2014 World Cup with Germany, while new Orlando City signing Antoine Griezmann lifted the World Cup trophy with France in 2018. Robert Lewandowski, who featured for Poland, will play for the Chicago Fire. The Liga MX teams feature several talents from Mexico’s World Cup team, including 17-year-old Gilberto Mora (Tijuana). Four players from Chivas – Luis Romo, Roberto Alvarado, Brian Gutierrez, Armando Gonzalez – played for Mexico this summer. What’s At Stake? The Leagues Cup provides three spots for the 2027 CONCACAF Champions Cup, which involves top teams across North America. The Leagues Cup winner gets a Round of 16 spot in that tournament, which has a direct path to bigger events such as the FIFA Club World Cup. Any Predictions On Who’ll Win It All? The first two editions of this tournament saw teams from Liga MX win (Cruz Azul in 2019, León in 2021). Since then, it’s been all MLS with Inter Miami (2023), the Columbus Crew (2024), and the Seattle Sounders (2025) taking it all. In fact, no Liga MX team has even made the final since 2021. For this edition, expect that to change. Look for a top-tier team like Club América to try and reach the final. Pumas UNAM, Cruz Azul and Toluca have also been among the best Liga MX teams in recent seasons. On the MLS side, don’t discount Messi and Inter Miami reaching the final again. Nashville tops the current MLS standing while Vancouver and LAFC are also teams primed for a deep run here.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

We’re only in the opening days of NFL training camp. However, there are plenty of things observers around the league are keeping their eyes on as we’re getting a peek at how teams might look in the 2026 season. So, we asked scouts and executives around the NFL what they’re focused on as teams are starting to put on the pads in practice. While most are focused on on-field matters, there was one off-field story that’s emerged that some around the league are keeping tabs on. Here’s more on what NFL scouts and executives are following during the opening week of training camp. Eric D. Williams: A couple league sources I spoke with said they’re keeping a close watch on the contract impasse between Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield and the front office. Mayfield publicly voiced his displeasure, saying he feels disrespected and undervalued by Tampa Bay’s contract offer sheet and that he deserves to be paid like a franchise quarterback. The 31-year-old Mayfield is entering the final season of a three-year, $100 million deal. However, the Bucs lost seven of their last nine games last season, missing out on the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Mayfield’s 27 interceptions over the last two seasons are second to only Geno Smith (32) over that time frame. But since Mayfield’s arrival, he’s led Tampa Bay to NFC South division titles in two of the last three seasons he served as the team’s starter, including throwing for 4,500 passing yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. “It’s interesting that Tampa Bay and Mayfield have not been able to agree on an extension and Baker came out saying he feels disrespected,” an NFL contract negotiator told me. “When I worked in NFL front offices, we never wanted a player in our locker room feeling like the team was getting over on them, especially at the quarterback position.” However, a longtime NFL scout intimately involved in evaluating Mayfield as a prospect coming out of Oklahoma wasn’t surprised by Mayfield’s prideful stance. “Mayfield is being disrespected by the Bucs? What a crock,” the longtime NFL scout told me. “He’s lucky they saved his career. He’s got a big ego and needs to get real. In the NFL, they only give you what you prove.” Ralph Vacchiano: Trading away a No. 1 receiver for future draft picks isn’t a good formula for making a team better. But somehow, that might be exactly what the Philadelphia Eagles did when they traded away A.J. Brown. At least that’s what the Eagles are hoping. They’ll spend the summer making sure that Brown has been adequately replaced. “You can’t argue that the deal made them better on the field. He was their most talented receiver,” one NFL executive told me. “But we all saw that something looked off with them last year. They were always out of sync, [with] no chemistry. Their body language made them look almost unhappy at times. And nobody was more out of sync or unhappy looking than A.J. Brown. “Dealing him shows they thought he was the problem. If they were right, maybe they are going to be better without him.” Of course, as one scout told me, “even if it’s addition by subtraction, they still have to replace him on the field,” and this summer will show how they plan to do that. DeVonta Smith, who topped 1,000 receiving yards in three of the last four seasons, will slide seamlessly into Brown’s old No. 1 role. But beyond him, it could be an open competition with first-round pick Makai Lemon and the recently acquired duo of Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown. “They’re deep enough to run their offense,” the scout told me. “But it remains to be seen if any of them are as good as Brown used to be.” *** Vacchiano: Jaxson Dart re-energized the New York Giants with his promising rookie. Now the NFL is waiting to see if John Harbaugh can turn him into a star. “There’s a lot to like about that kid,” one NFL executive told me, “I think given what he had around him last year, his rookie year was even better than his numbers. He clearly can run. And he was pretty efficient as a passer. “What you need to see is whether he can take the next step. Having [receiver Malik] Nabers healthy would be a big part of that, no doubt. But he’s still got a ways to go to prove he can be their guy for the next 10 years. He’s not a star yet.” Actually, in some ways, the 23-year-old is already a star, which made one opposing coach worry a little. Dart was everywhere in the offseason, enjoying the trappings of celebrity. He was also a fixture on social media. And he got into a public rift with teammate Abdul Carter — and angered more than a few people in the front office, not to mention parts of the fan base — when he introduced the president at a political rally without informing the team. “Being a franchise quarterback is about more than play on the field,” the NFL assistant told me. “It’s about being the face of the franchise. It’s about leading a team and projecting the right image. “I think that will be Harbaugh’s biggest challenge with him — helping him mature. The kid is a star and he knows it. And he seems to love that part of it. That’s fine. But at the end of the day, everyone — the front office, the coaches, teammates, fans … everyone — they all need to see that the work comes first. “That’s how you lead best: By example.” *** Greg Auman: We had a good sense of this before the draft even, but 2026 looks to have as quiet a class of rookie quarterbacks as the NFL has seen in a long time. The Las Vegas Raiders will take it slow with Fernando Mendoza, the No. 1 overall pick, letting veteran Kirk Cousins open the year as their starter, and we’ve seen the Arizona Cardinals give Jacoby Brissett a nice bump as their 2026 starter, which makes it less likely to see much of third-round pick Carson Beck. NFL fans have come to expect a steady dose of rookie quarterbacks every year — in the last 15 seasons, there have been at least 40 touchdown passes thrown by rookies in all but one season. That was 2022, when no quarterbacks went in the top half of the first round and the rookie class totaled just 29. Mendoza might end up being a fine NFL quarterback, but we might not see much of it this year, and it could take an injury for any other rookies to get real snaps in games this season. Las Vegas gave up an NFL-high 64 sacks last year, and while they’ll be improved after bringing in center Tyler Linderbaum, they want Mendoza to be ready when he takes the field. The lack of rookies with clear paths to playing is also a function of teams knowing the 2027 draft will be loaded with promising quarterbacks — perhaps in line with the elite 2024 class, which had 97 touchdown passes between Drake Maye, Jayden Daniels and Caleb Williams, among others. But don’t worry — 2026 won’t be the worst year for rookie quarterbacks. In 2007, even with a No. 1overall pick in JaMarcus Russell, rookies combined for just 16 touchdown passes, and the all-time low was in 2000, when all the rookie quarterbacks combined for four touchdown passes all season. *** Williams: During the World Cup, NFL players made a plea on social media for the NFL to make grass fields mandatory for all NFL stadiums. Players pointed to NFL stadiums that usually have artificial turf converting to grass fields for the World Cup soccer games as evidence that the same thing can be done on NFL game days. Players believe practicing and playing on grass curbs injuries and is better for the longevity of players’ careers. However, NFL owners are still not fully on board. Currently, 15 NFL stadiums have grass fields. The NFLPA conducted a player survey, with the results stating that 92% of players prefer grass fields. “The thing I’m hot about right now is that NFL owners refuse to look at uniform grass logistics for all 32 teams and take care of the players,” a league source told me. “Just like the helmets and healthcare, they’ll have to be required to be committed to it, all while going to the bank big time.” With the league dangling the expansion to an 18-game season, the move to mandatory grass fields could be used as a bargaining chip by players. But one league source I spoke with doesn’t see the push for grass fields as a galvanizing issue for NFL players. “I don’t think a half-hearted NFLPA social media campaign will do much,” the league source told me. “Elite players will need to lobby their respective teams, eye-to-eye and face-to-face, for change to actually happen. “And free agents will have to stay away from field turf teams/divisions for anything to really change.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Clint Dempsey didn’t hesitate. When I asked arguably the greatest American soccer player of all time what the U.S. men’s national team must do to keep its fans engaged and create new ones before the next World Cup arrives in 2030, Dempsey — the USMNT’s all-time co-scoring leader and a FOX Sports analyst during the 2026 tournament — was unequivocal. “Win,” Dempsey told me during a post-World Cup interview. “Score goals, keep clean sheets, get the people excited and out of their seats because you’re fighting for your country, making them proud. I mean, that’s what it’s all about, right?” Right. And for three games at the first World Cup held on American soil in three decades, the home team did all of that. Those emphatic group stage wins over Paraguay and Australia, and another in the new round of 32 against Bosnia and Herzegovina, were enough to convince the U.S. Soccer Federation to offer Pochettino a new four-year contract despite a 4-1 loss to Belgium in the round of 16. The deal became official on Monday, giving the 54-year-old Argentine — who took over the program less than two years before the last World Cup — an entire cycle to build a squad to compete on the biggest stage in sports. Before that, lots of games must be played. The USSF is expected to announce the first slate of exhibition games on the road to 2030 later this week. There are Concacaf Nations League matches in November and March. The 2027 Concacaf Gold Cup follows in June. In 2028, there’s a Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and almost surely another U.S.-hosted Copa América — the South American championship. In other words, to Dempsey’s point, a lot of opportunities for Poch and his players to continue to endear themselves to the broader American public before the main event returns four summers from now. With that in mind, here are five things Pochettino must accomplish before the 2030 World Cup arrives. 1. Uncover Fresh Talent While the U.S. needs upgrades in several areas, no positions are thinner than central defense and goalkeeper. Premier League veteran Chris Richards, 26, will remain the Americans’ defensive anchor. But his partner, captain Tim Ream, is now two months shy of his 39th birthday and has probably played his last game for the national team. Finding newcomers who can challenge reserve center backs Mark McKenzie and Miles Robinson for Ream’s vacated spot will be both crucial and challenging. There simply aren’t many good young American center backs, in MLS or overseas. Landing 19-year-old German-American Noahkai Banks would be huge. But don’t be surprised if Poch drafts in guys like 29-year-old Vancouver Whitecaps mainstay Tristan Blackmon, who made two U.S. starts last year. In goal, Poch now has two keepers with World Cup experience in Matt Freese and Matt Turner. Both should be in the mix going forward, but there will be chances for others to push them. Among those are World Cup third-choice keeper Chris Brady, Barcelona prospect Diego Kochen and 19-year-old FC San Diego starter Duran Ferree. It should be a wide-open race for the next couple of years at least. 2. Win Next Year’s Concacaf Nations League And Gold Cup The U.S. won the first three editions of the new regional competition, beating blood rival Mexico in the final in 2021 and 2024 (and in the semis in 2023). But they didn’t even make it to the decisive match in Pochettino’s maiden Nations League trip, losing to Panama in the semis and Jesse Marsch-led Canada in the third place game. Getting back to the title bout next March would show progress. Winning the first available trophy this cycle would be an even better signal of intent. It would also give themselves momentum heading into the second regional championship of 2027 just a few months later. After the Nations League debacle in 2025, Pochettino used the Gold Cup to reset the mentality of the U.S. team. Or at least he tried to: Christian Pulisic, the Americans’ most important attacking player, withdrew from consideration citing fatigue. Same for Yunus Musah, another American starter at the 2022 World Cup. A slew of other regulars — including striker Folarin Balogun, midfielder Weston McKennie, and left back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson — also missed the tourney because of injury or FIFA Club World Cup commitments. But those who Pochettino summoned instead took advantage of the opportunity. Players like Sebastian Berhalter and Alex Freeman, who didn’t have a cap before that summer, would both go on to score at the 2026 World Cup. But the 2025 Gold Cup literally ended in tears for Pochettino, as the U.S. lost to Mexico in front of 71,000 mostly green-clad fans in Houston. This summer, expect all the top Americans to participate. If they do, there’s no reason the U.S. can’t claim the Gold Cup for the eighth time and first since 2021. 3. Make Deep Runs At The Copa América And Olympics In 2028 The U.S. under-23 national team will have home-field advantage at the Olympics. It’s imperative that they don’t squander it. So it will be fascinating to watch how Poch and U-23 boss Steve Cherundolo decide which players get sent to what team. Will Cherundolo have first dibs on youngsters like 19-year-old Zavier Gozo? What three overage players will the former U.S. defender have access to? Because the best U.S. won’t be available for both the Olympics and Copa. The Americans have history in the latter, reaching the semis in 2016 and in Uruguay in 1995, when they stunned Poch’s native Argentina 3-0. But things didn’t go nearly as well two years ago. Under former coach Gregg Berhalter, the red, white and blue became the first Copa América host ever to be eliminated before the knockout stage. Making a deep run in 2028 is therefore important for several reasons. It’s just two years before the next World Cup, obviously. But a successful Copa would also give the Americans the confidence that they can beat better foes. The same goes for the Summer Games; Spain’s World Cup-winning roster had 12 former Olympians on it. Meanwhile, Miles Robinson was the lone member of the 2024 U.S. Olympic team on Pochettino’s 26-man World Cup squad. 4. Beat One Of Soccer’s Iconic Teams In the not-too-distant past, the U.S. upset the sport’s superpowers regularly frequently. The Americans topped Portugal at the World Cup. A Dempsey goal helped stunned European champ Spain in the semifinals of the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup. In friendlies, they beat former World Cup champs like Germany and Italy. But it’s now been more than a decade since the Stars and Stripes beat one of FIFA’s Top 10 squads. In the last two months alone, they lost to Germany and Belgium. Chances to test themselves against elite opposition don’t come often for the current generation of U.S. players; the advent of Europe’s own Nations League has made it harder to schedule non-official matches against that continent’s best. That only makes it more crucial to take advantage of the next opportunity against one of soccer’s best. 5. Qualify For The 2030 World Cup It sounds simple and it should be. Even if the next World Cup doesn’t end up expanding from the 48 nations  that participated next summer to 64, Concacaf will have as many as seven slots for 2030. (When the Americans famously failed to reach the 2018 event, they finished fifth in a single-table format.) Still, as the 2026 World Cup showed, soccer’s smaller countries are getting more competitive with each passing year. Neither Costa Rica nor Honduras, which both qualified for multiple 32-team World Cups this century— the Ticos even reached the quarters in 2014 — made the cut for 2026 despite the additional berths. So while the ultimate goal is success at the World Cup itself, “First,” Pochettino acknowledged, “We need to qualify.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports