Category: Sports Fox

Yeeeeeehaw. Football is here. The offseason didn’t feel quite as long as normal, with the 2026 FIFA World Cup filling my schedule with outstanding sporting experiences. But, man, I’m excited for the NFL season to get underway. And even if we’re still a long way away from the regular season, there might not be any better time of year than training camp. If you’ve never attended a practice, I’d strongly recommend dropping into your favorite team’s camp. It’s a whole different side to the sport. Speaking of which — I want to dig into that a little bit, especially because every camp will be underway by the end of the week. But first, give me the chance to welcome you back. If you’re returning, I appreciate you for checking back in. If you’re new, thanks for coming to the party. This is my weekly column that runs every Monday. Yup, this is Sound Smart, where I try to spin forward, dive deeper, think outside the box and read between the lines. Training camp is the beginning. It’s the time of year when players begin to earn — or begin to lose — their jobs. It’s the time of year when coaches earn — or don’t earn — their salaries. It’s the time of year when champions decide that this is their year. This is really their year. There are times when training camp is just another football practice, a distant relative of what you’d see at your local high school. But most practices are not like that, because no one has lost a game yet. Everyone’s job is on the line. And there’s a sense of optimism — both for the downtrodden franchises and the ones that will actually compete for a title. Training camp is the beginning — a beginning full of hope for every team. The season is about building game plans and devising specific paths to victory. But training camp is about building out the playbook, building out the fundamentals and developing identity. And coincidentally, Los Angeles Rams coach Sean McVay took folks behind the scenes — albeit unintentionally — of what training camp will be like for the Super Bowl favorites. Ahead of camp, there were two examples of McVay’s coaching style that went viral on social media. Both informed what it will be like for Rams players when they begin training camp on Monday. The first was an interview with the “Bussin’ With The Boys” podcast when McVay spoke about the type of players he wants on his 90-man camp roster. He said there are “non-negotiables” when he searches for players. Obviously, they have to have NFL-level talent. But beyond that, McVay looks for guys who have a history of overcoming adversity. “If [adversity] shapes you and callouses you the right way, growth demands that discomfort,” McVay said. He added: “I think that more than anything, especially because of some of the things I’ve gone through where I look back and say, ‘Man, I did not like the kind of leader or the caliber of person I was.’ I was fragile. I wasn’t resilient. … The game honors toughness, but I think life and the game honor toughness, both mentally and physically. How many different ways can we measure that mental resilience? What have they been through, and how did that shape who they’ve become in the midst of the journey?” So there’s a shared identity from one Rams player to the next. And that helps them bring that identity to the field and to the meeting room. You can see the work they put together on the field. That’s the beauty of training camp: It allows fans and media to watch the team practice openly. What we seldom see is what the teams look like in meetings — and certainly not when the coach is actively teaching his players about a play. So that brings us to the next piece of social media that circulated, which was a video of McVay running through a simple but impressive run play. He broke it down to the fine details to help people understand why the play succeeded. The video appears to be a public event from the 2024 offseason, with McVay breaking down a 28-yard touchdown run by Kyren Williams in L.A.’s 26-25 win over the New York Giants in 2023. He called it “one of my favorite plays of the year.” “When you see players do little stuff like this, man, it just makes you feel appreciated. It makes them feel appreciated, which they deserve. And I appreciate a lot of the little things right here,” he said. “[Receiver Cooper] Kupp usually comes back [to the left of the formation] on this play, but he’s going to check the slot pressure before he does that. … He’s able to recognize that they’re blitzing off the slot, so he’s able to secure this off the edge. Now, awesome job by a wideout to be able to do that.” McVay then went on to break down the footwork of right tackle Rob Havenstein and then the downfield blocking by guard Kevin Dotson and center Coleman Shelton. “That gets the play started. But then what does it look like to see receivers compete without the football?” McVay asks. He went on to note receivers Tutu Atwell and Puka Nacua charging downfield into the second level to get their hands on defenders. “That is a great run [by Williams], but that is some great s— by the players to understand the intent of the play,” McVay said. So if you wonder what players mean when they talk about the “fine details,” well, that’s probably only just the beginning. Entering camp, there are a handful of starting NFL quarterbacks who, frankly, will not have their jobs in 2027. You probably know who I’m thinking of. Las Vegas Raiders import Kirk Cousins serves as a clear example, just filling the gap until No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza is ready to take the reins. That’s its own kind of pressure, but it’s not exactly a hot seat. Then there are guys who face pressure to perform, but it would be a long shot to think they’re going anywhere. Think: Lamar Jackson and Jayden Daniels. Then there’s the group of starters whose status is yet to be determined for 2027. These seven QBs are effectively playing their way into a long-term job — or out of it. The Panthers announced they were picking up Young’s fifth-year option, but that’s not exactly a commitment that he’ll be their QB next year. There has been an enormous amount of conversation about next year’s crop of QB draft prospects, and so it’s easy to imagine the Panthers looking to upgrade if Young can’t continue to ascend. This isn’t to say he won’t ascend. Third-year coach Dave Canales has been patient and dedicated — two rare traits in the QB development process. Young has trended upward in a linear-enough fashion in his first three NFL seasons. But if his 2026 season doesn’t look better than last year, he might be searching for a new team next year. I hesitate to put Stroud on this list, because it would be hard for the Texans to pass on him in many of the ways that it was hard for the Miami Dolphins to pass on Tua Tagovailoa in 2024, when the timing demanded that he get a huge deal. There’s a 90 percent chance that Stroud gets re-upped. But given what we saw in the postseason, particularly against the New England Patriots, Stroud is not a lock to stay in Houston. He has not built off his rookie season. There are ways, in fact, where he’s gotten worse. And there’s a non-zero chance that things fall apart for Stroud and the Texans. It’s a contract year, and the Buccaneers are making Mayfield play for an extension. He’s a fierce competitor — one who probably takes it personally that the team hasn’t committed to him yet. As consistent and steady as he is, Mayfield still needs weapons to be a high-level operator from the pocket. And he just lost Mike Evans, the best wide receiver in franchise history, in free agency. It will be fascinating to see what the Bucs can do with their weapons, because I don’t know how much gas nine-year veteran Chris Godwin has left. Nor do I think Emeka Egbuka is the surefire WR1 that he looked to become at the beginning of his rookie season. I highly doubt that either of these quarterbacks will be Cleveland’s QB1 in 2027. I honestly doubt that new head coach Todd Monken will have his job in 2027. But if the Browns do the unthinkable and make the playoffs, then maybe Cleveland’s QB — whoever it is — could make the case to stick around. It’s a matter of when (not if) he wins the QB1 job in his supposed competition with J.J. McCarthy. But then the hard part begins. Coach Kevin O’Connell has earned the reputation as a QB whisperer. But now that comes with an asterisk, after a failed experiment developing McCarthy. O’Connell, however, retains his reputation for taking mid-tier veteran QBs and turning them into game-changers (Sam Darnold, Kirk Cousins). It could be magic if O’Connell can do it with Murray. But the McCarthy experiment proved that it’s not a foregone conclusion. Let the record state that I’m one of Hurts’ biggest supporters. But even I can recognize his shortcomings as a quarterback, namely that he has been less willing recently to run the ball and throw over the middle. That’ll need to change in 2026. And while the departure of WR1 A.J. Brown hurts, the arrival of USC All-American Makai Lemon should help Hurts attack the middle of the field. If Hurts gets back to efficient running, then the Eagles’ offense should hum. But it wasn’t exactly a success story last year. And with all that talent this year, we might see big changes if the offense flops for a second year in a row. Let’s lump three teams into the same bucket as they prepare for the 2026 NFL season: the Chicago Bears, New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Here’s why. All three teams made the playoffs last year. All three had a knack for pulling out wins in close games. All three had second-year quarterbacks (and former first-round draft choices) who took enormous leaps forward. All three of those quarterbacks had unstable success — meaning that it remains to be seen whether they can sustain that success. And finally, all three teams benefited from a weak schedule. They won’t have that same luxury in 2026. In the case of the Patriots, they’re hoping to fight off regression by improving their passing attack, bringing in receivers A.J. Brown and Romeo Doubs and left guard Alijah Vera-Tucker. The Broncos snagged receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade, and I have no doubt they’ll plug and play the speedster to perfection into Sean Payton’s offense. The Bears, meanwhile, seem to trust youngsters like tight end Colston Loveland and receiver Luther Burden III to take bigger roles — while investing in their defensive identity under DC Dennis Allen. That meant signing safety Coby Bryant and linebacker Devin Bush while drafting safety Dillon Thieneman and cornerback Malik Muhammad. I think all three teams will make the playoffs again — despite history indicating that they’re due for some bad bounces (and some tough losses). In all three instances, I like the coach, I like the quarterback and I like the thought process that went into bolstering the roster. Lost It: Cardinals GM Monti Ossenfort The plan is murky in Arizona. The Cardinals don’t have a starting quarterback. The current QB1, veteran backup Jacoby Brissett, is still negotiating a deal for 2026, and it’s not like he’s a long-term solution. Nor, in my opinion, is Carson Beck, whom the team drafted in Round 3 this year. I don’t mind that the Cardinals threw a dart in this year’s QB class, but Beck was among my least favorite quarterbacks in this class. The QB Arizona is paying a boatload of money, Kyler Murray, was released and is likely to spend the 2026 season starting for the Vikings. And then the Cardinals drafted Jeremiyah Love with the third-overall pick. I don’t fall in the camp of “running backs don’t matter.” But I do think that the Cardinals had way too many other problems for a running back to make the impact they hope he’ll make in the next four years. Running backs matter when you’re a playoff team. The Cardinals aren’t. And without a plan at QB, they won’t be for a few years. I’m just not sure what the Cardinals are trying to be other than … really bad. That’s tolerable for one year. But that’s what they were last year. And this year, they only look worse. Earned It: Eagles GM Howie Roseman The Eagles watched receiver A.J. Brown become less effective every season, with his counting stats and averages largely trending downward since his first year with the team in 2022. And to make matters worse, Brown was outspoken about his dissatisfaction with “the passing game,” which felt like either a shot at Jalen Hurts or head coach Nick Sirianni or offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo — or all three. That’s why I think there was a collective sigh of relief in Philly when the Eagles traded Brown to New England. The return was fine, a 2028 first-round pick that is, admittedly, a long time away. But it’s a first-round pick nonetheless. That move was admirable by Roseman — cutting ties with a superstar when the cutting was good. But I also loved the way Roseman handled the draft, moving up to steal USC receiver Makai Lemon, a guy who should help Hurts attack the middle of the field, a place where the QB was hesitant last year. Lemon isn’t a one-for-one replacement for Brown, but the rookie should eventually fill a much-needed role — and one that should help the shifting offensive identity around Hurts and running back Saquon Barkley. Oh yeah, and remember when Roseman traded for Jaelen Phillips a few days before the trade deadline last year? Well, Phillips made the most among all edge rushers in free agency because of how well he played in Philly. And Roseman let the guy walk, in part because he traded for Vikings All-Pro edge Jonathan Greenard. It’s fascinating how resourceful Roseman can be. He buys and sells on players at values that Wall Street traders would envy.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Another summer, another iteration of talking season in college football as conferences across the country hold their media day events this month in anticipation of the 2026 season. The Big 12, ACC and SEC have all enjoyed their turns in the spotlight in recent weeks, and now it’s time for the Big Ten — which has won three straight national titles — to do the same. Beginning on Tuesday at the Hilton Chicago, not far from the league office in Rosemont, Illinois, the Big Ten will kick off its annual three-day spectacle that serves as an unofficial start to football season. Once again, each day will feature representatives from six programs in the 18-team league: Day 1: Illinois, Iowa, Penn State, Rutgers, USC, Wisconsin Day 2: Michigan State, Minnesota, Ohio State, Oregon, Purdue, UCLA Day 3: Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Nebraska, Northwestern, Washington To prepare for the event and look ahead to the upcoming season, I’ve explored a key storyline for each of the conference’s teams. Here are some of the biggest talking points to follow in Chicago. * Recruiting and transfer portal rankings courtesy of 247Sports. Last year: 9-4 overall, 5-4 Big Ten Postseason: 30-28 win over Tennessee in the Music City Bowl Head coach: Bret Bielema, sixth season, 37-26 at Illinois Coordinators: Barry Lunney Jr. (offense); Bobby Hauck (defense) Recruiting: No. 24 nationally, No. 6 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 43 nationally, No. 11 in the Big Ten Key storyline: New defensive scheme Bielema opted to change the defensive system once coordinator Aaron Henry Jr. left to become the co-defensive coordinator/defensive backs coach at Notre Dame. He convinced Hauck, the former Montana head coach, to spurn a brief retirement and install the same 3-3-5 scheme that produced top-20 defenses three times in the last five years for the Grizzlies. How that system will fare against some of the run-heavy offenses in the Big Ten remains to be seen. The strength of Hauck’s unit in Year 1 is expected to be a secondary that returns three starters, including All-Big Ten performer Xavier Scott at nickel. He and safety Matthew Bailey bypassed the NFL Draft for another season with the Illini. Last year: 16-0 overall, 9-0 Big Ten Postseason: 27-21 win over Miami in the National Championship game Head coach: Curt Cignetti, third season, 27-2 at Indiana Coordinators: Mike Shanahan (offense); Bryant Haines (defense) Recruiting: No. 29 nationally, No. 9 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 8 nationally, No. 3 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Replacing QB Fernando Mendoza When Mendoza joined the Hoosiers following two impressive seasons at Cal, where he blossomed from a low-level recruit into a transfer portal darling, there were already big shoes to be filled at the quarterback position. Kurtis Rourke, who served as Cignetti’s original signal-caller at Indiana, had guided the program to new heights by reaching the College Football Playoff in 2024. All Mendoza did was raise that bar to include a Big Ten championship, a national championship and the Heisman Trophy. Next in line for Cignetti is TCU transfer Josh Hoover, a three-year starter who enters the upcoming season having thrown for 9,629 career yards and 71 touchdowns. Will the magic continue? Last year: 9-4 overall, 6-3 Big Ten Postseason: 34-27 win over Vanderbilt in the ReliaQuest Bowl Head coach: Kirk Ferentz, 28th season, 209-128 at Iowa Coordinators: Tim Lester (offense); Phil Parker (defense) Recruiting: No. 26 nationally, No. 7 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 77 nationally, No. 17 in the Big Ten Key storyline: An ongoing QB competition Ferentz’s search to replace dual-threat quarterback Mark Gronowski, who led the Hawkeyes with 16 rushing touchdowns last season, will continue into fall camp after an even battle between Hank Brown and Jeremy Hecklinski — both of whom were with the program in 2025. Brown is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound junior who originally transferred from Auburn two years ago. He served as Gronowski’s primary backup and completed 11 of 21 passes for 107 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Hecklinski is a 5-foot-11, 188-pound sophomore who enters the 2026 campaign having only attempted two career passes. Whichever player wins the job will need to enliven a passing attack that ranked 129th nationally and 17th in the Big Ten last year. Last year: 4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Mike Locksley, ninth season, 37-49 at Maryland Coordinators: Clint Trickett (offense); Ted Monachino (defense) Recruiting: No. 42 nationally, No. 11 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 62 nationally, No. 16 in the Big Ten Key storyline: The head coach’s job security Questions regarding how, when and if the Terrapins should move on from Locksley dominated the second half of Maryland’s season. After a 1-8 Big Ten record in 2025, Locksley has now finished below .500 in Big Ten play for seven consecutive years. What felt like a legitimate surge in momentum from 2021-23 — a promising stretch in which Locksley won 23 games and tallied three straight bowl victories — fizzled out rather swiftly amid back-to-back disastrous campaigns. Now, Locksley enters the 2026 season as one of the leading figures in any discussion about coaches with tenuous job security. He’ll need sophomore quarterback Malik Washington, who opened some eyes as a true freshman last fall, to take a noticeable step forward if the Terrapins want to sniff the postseason. Last year: 9-4 overall, 7-2 Big Ten Postseason: 41-27 loss to Texas in the Citrus Bowl Head coach: Kyle Whittingham, first season, 177-88 overall Coordinators: Jason Beck (offense); Jay Hill (defense) Recruiting: No. 12 nationally, No. 4 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 24 nationally, No. 5 in the Big Ten Key storyline: QB Bryce Underwood’s development Few quarterbacks in college football, if any, will face more scrutiny than Underwood this fall. The former No. 1 overall recruit in the 2025 cycle, Underwood navigated an uneven freshman season as the Wolverines’ starter — albeit for a program that would eventually fire head coach Sherrone Moore last December. He ranked ninth in the Big Ten in passing yards, 13th in passing touchdowns and 14th in completion percentage amid issues with his footwork and touch. An excellent rushing attack and retooled wide receiver room, which includes high-level transfer JJ Buchanan from Utah, should offer Underwood more ballast than he enjoyed last season. But more is expected from a player with such lofty expectations and significant compensation. Last year: 4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Pat Fitzgerald, first season, 110-101 overall Coordinators: Nick Sheridan (offense); Joe Rossi (defense) Recruiting: No. 45 nationally, No. 12 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 55 nationally, No. 14 in the Big Ten Key storyline: How will Fitzgerald adapt? Think about how different the sport looked when Fitzgerald last coached a game for Northwestern in 2022. The College Football Playoff was still a four-team affair, and the batch of conference realignment that sent Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC and added a West Coast contingent to the Big Ten was still more than a year away from going into effect. The one-time transfer rule that has revolutionized roster building was still in its infancy, and revenue sharing remained a far-flung concept reserved for news conference soapboxes. So, while there’s no question about the successful program Fitzgerald built from 2006-2022 — a run that included six eight-win seasons and two trips to the Big Ten title game — he still has plenty to prove in the modern era. Last year: 8-5 overall, 5-4 Big Ten Postseason: 20-17 win over New Mexico in the Rate Bowl Head coach: P.J. Fleck, 10th season, 66-44 at Minnesota Coordinators: Greg Harbaugh Jr. (offense); Danny Collins (defense) Recruiting: No. 28 nationally, No. 8 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 51 nationally, No. 13 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Fixing the running game When Fleck and the Gophers outperformed expectations by stringing together consecutive nine-win seasons in 2021 and 2022, they did so with one of the nation’s best rushing attacks that allowed Minnesota to control games. The Gophers ranked 27th nationally in rushing (198 yards per game) during the ’21 campaign and 16th nationally (207.5 yards per game) in ’22, firmly in keeping with the league’s rugged reputation. Since then, however, Minnesota’s potency on the ground has waned rather precipitously: a 66th-place finish in 2023, a 109th-place finish in 2024 and a 128th-place finish last season. Any uptick in balance the Gophers can find will benefit promising sophomore quarterback Drake Lindsey and the passing game. Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten Postseason: 44-22 loss to Utah in the Las Vegas Bowl Head coach: Matt Rhule, fourth season, 19-19 at Nebraska Coordinators: Dana Holgorsen (offense); Rob Aurich (defense) Recruiting: No. 88 nationally, No. 18 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 31 nationally, No. 8 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Rhule vs. ranked opponents On one hand, Nebraska will enter the 2026 season having compiled back-to-back winning records for the first time since 2013-14 under former coach Bo Pelini. On the other hand, the Cornhuskers’ current leader — Rhule — remains winless against ranked opponents (0-9) since taking over the program four years ago and hasn’t notched eight victories in a single season, college or otherwise, since before the COVID-19 pandemic. This year’s schedule could include as many as six games against ranked opponents, headlined by dates with arguably the conference’s three best teams: Indiana (home), Oregon (away) and Ohio State (home). It’s time for Rhule to prove he can elevate Nebraska beyond its current middling status. Last year: 7-6 overall, 4-5 Big Ten Postseason: 34-7 win over Central Michigan in the GameAbove Sports Bowl Head coach: David Braun, fourth season, 19-19 at Northwestern Coordinators: Chip Kelly (offense); Tim McGarigle (defense) Recruiting: No. 52 nationally, No. 13 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 42 nationally, No. 10 in the Big Ten Key storyline: A new offensive brain trust There probably weren’t many offseason college football bingo cards that had Northwestern as the program most likely to make a splashy offensive coordinator hire. However, the Wildcats swung big and landed Kelly, the former head coach at Oregon and UCLA and a national championship-winning offensive coordinator for Ohio State in 2024. It now falls on Kelly and freshly hired quarterbacks coach Jerry Neuheisel, formerly of UCLA, to finally maximize the many talents of transfer Aidan Chiles, the No. 153 overall player in the 2023 recruiting class. Chiles comes to Northwestern following two up-and-down seasons at Michigan State and a promising freshman year at Oregon State. The program should receive a nice boost from the opening of its new stadium (Ryan Field) in October. Last year: 12-2 overall, 9-0 Big Ten Postseason: 24-14 loss to Miami in the CFP quarterfinals Head coach: Ryan Day, eighth season, 82-12 at Ohio State Coordinators: Arthur Smith (offense); Matt Patricia (defense) Recruiting: No. 4 nationally, No. 3 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 7 nationally, No. 2 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Another former NFL head coach There were plenty of questions surrounding Day’s decision to hire former Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia as his defensive coordinator ahead of the 2025 season. Patricia, a longtime disciple of former New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, hadn’t worked in college football since 2003. His tenure with the Lions was rocky to say the least. But when push came to shove, Patricia established himself as one of the best coordinators in the country for a unit that finished first in scoring defense (9.3 points per game) and first in total defense (219.1 yards per game). Smith, meanwhile, hasn’t coached in college since he was a defensive intern at Ole Miss in 2010. He served most recently as offensive coordinator of the Pittsburgh Steelers (2024-25) and head coach of the Atlanta Falcons (2021-23). Can Day strike gold for the second straight year? Last year: 13-2 overall, 8-1 Big Ten Postseason: 56-22 loss to Indiana in the CFP semifinals Head coach: Dan Lanning, fifth season, 48-8 at Oregon Coordinators: Drew Mehringer (offense); Chris Hampton (defense) Recruiting: No. 3 nationally, No. 2 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 21 nationally, No. 4 in the Big Ten Key storyline: QB Dante Moore vs. elite defenses For as good as Moore was during his first season as the Ducks’ starter — he threw for 3,565 yards with 30 touchdowns and only 10 interceptions — it was difficult to shake the feeling that he underperformed against high-level opposition. He threw more interceptions (five) than touchdown passes (three) in games against Indiana (twice), Iowa and Texas Tech. His first pass in the national semifinals during a rematch with the Hoosiers, who had previously upended Oregon at Autzen Stadium earlier in the season, resulted in a pick-six for cornerback D’Angelo Ponds. Eleven of the 17 total sacks he absorbed last season came in the aforementioned four games. The arm talent that made Moore a five-star recruit is undeniable; the toughness and poise to become a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate are still developing. Last year: 7-6 overall, 3-6 Big Ten Postseason: 22-10 win over Clemson in the Pinstripe Bowl Head coach: Matt Campbell, first season, 107-70 overall Coordinators: Taylor Mouser (offense); D’Anton Lynn (defense) Recruiting: No. 65 nationally, No. 16 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 4 nationally, No. 1 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Life after James Franklin A long and winding coaching search to replace Franklin, who won at least 10 games in six of his 12 seasons with the Nittany Lions, ended with a figure most analysts agreed was an excellent choice for Penn State. Campbell, 46, has long been regarded as a rising star in coaching thanks to his yeoman’s work at Iowa State, a school largely bereft of top-end resources. His name is linked with high-profile jobs on what feels like an annual basis, both at the collegiate and NFL levels alike. Now, after tallying five eight-win seasons with the Cyclones and two finishes among the top 15 in the AP Poll, he assumes control at a program that has never quite claimed its place in the upper echelon of the modern game. The ongoing national title drought for Penn State stretches to 1986. Last year: 2-10 overall, 0-9 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Barry Odom, second season, 2-10 at Purdue Coordinators: Josh Henson (offense); Kevin Kane (defense) Recruiting: No. 55 nationally, No. 14 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 48 nationally, No. 12 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Churn, baby, churn When Odom took over the Boilermakers following a successful two-year run at UNLV, where he averaged 9.5 wins per season, one of his first orders of business was flipping the roster — a task made easier by the transfer portal. He added 86 new players, including 20 new starters, ahead of the 2025 campaign and promptly finished with an unsightly 0-9 record in conference play, the same as his predecessor Ryan Walters. So what did Odom do ahead of the 2026 season? He flipped his roster again. Fifty-four new Boilermakers joined the program since the end of last year, including 15 players who project as starters. There are also changes at defensive coordinator, running backs coach, offensive line coach and wide receivers coach. It’s anyone’s guess how well things mesh this fall. Last year: 5-7 overall, 2-7 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Greg Schiano, 18th season (two stints), 99-108 at Rutgers Coordinators: Kirk Ciarrocca (offense); Travis Johansen (defense) Recruiting: No. 36 nationally, No. 10 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 81 nationally, No. 18 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Fixing the cratering defense In 2022 and 2023, under the direction of defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak, now the head coach at UMass, the Scarlet Knights ranked 38th nationally and 16th nationally, respectively, in total defense. And then Rutgers went off a cliff. Schiano’s team plummeted to No. 95 nationally in 2024, which proved to be Harasymiak’s final season, and No. 127 last fall — worst in the Big Ten. In an effort to stop the bleeding, Schiano plucked Johansen from a sitting head-coaching job at South Dakota, a team that reached the national quarterfinals at the FCS level. Johansen, who had been at South Dakota in various roles since 2019, is now working in the power conferences for the first time. His first real challenge will come against high-flying USC on Sept. 19. Last year: 9-4 overall, 7-2 Big Ten Postseason: 30-27 loss to TCU in the Alamo Bowl Head coach: Lincoln Riley, fifth season, 35-18 at USC Coordinators: Luke Huard (offense); Gary Patterson (defense) Recruiting: No. 1 nationally, No. 1 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 29 nationally, No. 7 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Welcome back, Coach Patterson Beginning in 2000, when TCU elevated him from defensive coordinator to head coach, Patterson oversaw one of the most successful runs the sport had ever seen from a program outside the power conferences. He tallied an incredible seven 11-win seasons with the Horned Frogs while playing in either Conference USA or the Mountain West from 2003-11, including an undefeated campaign in 2010. His success largely continued after TCU joined the Big 12 as Patterson racked up three more 11-win seasons from 2014-17, though momentum eventually fizzled toward the latter stages of his Hall-of-Fame tenure. Now, the 66-year-old Patterson has come out of retirement in hopes of finally fixing a leaky Trojans’ defense that ranked 51st nationally in scoring last season. It might be playoff or bust for USC this fall. Last year: 3-9 overall, 3-6 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Bob Chesney, first season, 132-52 overall Coordinators: Dean Kennedy (offense); Colin Hitschler (defense) Recruiting: No. 62 nationally, No. 15 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 25 nationally, No. 6 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Can Chesney match the hype? Regardless of what happens this fall and beyond, Chesney has earned this opportunity in the power conferences. As a small-school lifer, he’s worked his way from defensive coordinator roles at Delaware Valley and Johns Hopkins to head-coaching opportunities at Salve Regina, Assumption, Holy Cross, James Madison and, finally, UCLA. The through line across his various stops? Winning. Chesney has endured just one losing season in 16 years as a head coach and guided JMU to the College Football Playoff last fall. All of that made Chesney, 48, one of the most coveted names on the coaching carousel and an excellent hire — on paper, anyway — for a program in desperate need of stability. Last year: 9-4 overall, 5-4 Big Ten Postseason: 38-10 win over Boise State in the LA Bowl Head coach: Jedd Fisch, third season, 15-11 overall Coordinators: Jedd Fisch (offense); Ryan Walters (defense) Recruiting: No. 13 nationally, No. 5 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 59 nationally, No. 15 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Finding new skill players Washington dodged a potentially Heisman Trophy-sized bullet when quarterback Demond Williams Jr., who announced his intention to transfer after signing a $4 million NIL deal this offseason, reversed course and vowed to return. For as great as that news was, it still only solved one of the Huskies’ problems on offense. Gone are top two running backs, Jonah Coleman and Adam Mohammed, a duo that combined for more than 1,300 yards and 21 touchdowns last season. Gone, too, are wide receivers Denzel Boston (62 catches, 881 yards, 11 touchdowns) and Raiden Vines-Bright (24 catches, 238 yards, 1 touchdown), the latter a very promising freshman. Finding the right players to replace those proven commodities is one of the biggest challenges facing Fisch and the coaching staff this fall, especially for a team that believes it should contend for a spot in the College Football Playoff. Last year: 4-8 overall, 2-7 Big Ten Postseason: None Head coach: Luke Fickell, fourth season, 17-21 at Wisconsin Coordinators: Jeff Grimes (offense); Mike Tressel (defense) Recruiting: No. 78 nationally, No. 17 in the Big Ten Transfer portal: No. 38 nationally, No. 9 in the Big Ten Key storyline: Fickell’s last stand This certainly feels like the last chance for Fickell, who once guided Cincinnati to the College Football Playoff, to right the ship at Wisconsin. Win totals have decreased in each of his three seasons with the Badgers — from seven in 2023, to five in 2024, to four in 2025 — and the athletic director who hired him, Chris McIntosh, recently left for a job in the Big Ten office. The lifelines are evaporating. But Fickell is hellbent on going down swinging, evidenced by a massive 33-player transfer haul that finished as the Big Ten’s largest class among programs without a new head coach. A difficult first half of the season should give way to a friendly November against Rutgers, Maryland, Purdue and Minnesota that might allow Fickell to build some momentum.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

INDIANAPOLIS MOTOR SPEEDWAY (Indianapolis) — Restart time appears to be Heim Time. Corey Heim diced his way to the lead on a restart with 35 laps remaining and then held off the best of the best to capture the Brickyard 400 for his second career victory. Heim, who is running a part-time schedule with 23XI Racing, has just eight starts this year and has won two huge races this summer — the road-course race at Naval Base Coronado and then on the hallowed grounds of Indianapolis. “I’m pretty out of breath,” Heim said after exiting his car on the TNT telecast. “That was a workout. It was a dream come true. Winning at the Brickyard? That’s unbelievable.” Here are my takeaways: 1. Restart Key To Heim Win Heim got a push from Joey Logano to jump out to the lead on the restart while the line of Denny Hamlin-Christopher Bell-Chase Briscoe couldn’t coordinate their push well enough. It cost Hamlin four spots as he dropped to sixth while Bell was able to get to second. “Pushing is the name of the game, and Briscoe let me know he was going to push me, but he got on me way early, and then it was pushing me into Denny — and then Denny is on the binders trying to not get a penalty [for jumping the restart],” Bell told me after the race. “The three of us just did not execute the restart very well. Fortunately, it worked out for me. Denny’s probably not going to be very happy.” After that, it was just up to Heim to first throw a block on Hamlin and then to hold off Bell, Joey Logano, Briscoe and Hamlin. And he did just that. “[Hamlin] has every right to be a little bit frustrated with me,” Heim said. “He probably would have done the same thing.” 2. Hamlin Left To Wonder Christopher Bell was right that Denny Hamlin wasn’t pleased. “It’s really more on us and the 20 [of Bell] and the 19 [of Briscoe] of just not orchestrating good pushes there,” Hamlin said in his TNT interview after the race. “We came detached at the wrong time.” Hamlin saw the win slip away, which couldn’t have been a good feeling even if he is the co-owner of 23XI Racing, which has now won back-to-back Brickyard 400s with Heim and Bubba Wallace last year. “That’s how you lose them,” Hamlin said. “These restarts, when everyone kind of knows when you’re going to go, it’s about the pushes. “That’s essentially where I got the lead from [Heim] the restart before. Just came back the other way around.” 3. Larson’s Indy Crashout Kyle Larson looked like he was going to have control early in the race, but he blew a left rear tire just when he was about to take the lead on Lap 44. The Hendrick Motorsports driver had no warning, and it was another sour end at a track that has been more sour than joy (except for his 2024 Brickyard 400 win). “It’s obviously disappointing,” Larson told me and other reporters after exiting the track’s medical center. “You go from 10th to the lead on a good start and then race strategy — we set ourselves up well to gain a lot of points there and also set ourselves up to maintain that track position the rest of the race. “It’s a bummer, but that’s just part of racing.” 4. Gilliland Wins Million Bucks Todd Gilliland finished 24th to win the $1 million in-season tournament, a bracket-based head-to-head challenge within the last five races. The Front Row Motorsports driver got to celebrate as his opponent, Ryan Blaney, got caught up in an accident and finished 26th. “My heart was pounding those last 25 laps,” Gilliland said. “It was me, the 16 [of AJ Allmendinger] and the 12 [of Blaney]. … I still feel like we kind of earned it coming down the stretch. “The biggest thing for me that was really cool through this whole process was seeing how my team really elevated themselves, really grabbed another gear.” Blaney wasn’t thrilled, as he told the TNT broadcast after John Hunter Nemechek apologized to him for the contact that triggered the wreck: “He apologized and said he didn’t mean to do it. It still happened. … It’s a shame it ended that way.” 4 ½. Off Week Before Iowa The NASCAR Cup Series has its second and final off weekend since the start of the regular season before getting back into action at the 0.875-mile Iowa Speedway oval. It is another short track and part of a string of short-track races with 0.75-mile Richmond and 1-mile New Hampshire following Iowa.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The New York Mets’ season has gone from World Series aspirations to a potential roster overhaul. With disappointment mounting in Queens, New York could become one of the busiest teams at the MLB Trade Deadline as the franchise shifts its focus toward selling. At least, that’s the expectation from FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal on Saturday broke down the team’s plans ahead of the deadline and highlighted the potential trades that could be on the way. In fact, he expects multiple players to be traded before the deadline, headlined by starting pitchers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes. “I expect them to make at least six trades,” Rosenthal said. “I see Peralta and Holmes. Holmes has a player option, but he’s like Shane Bieber from last year, coming off a significant injury but will be in demand and decline that player option. The Mets don’t seem interested in giving him an extension.” However, the Mets’ most valuable trade assets could come from their bullpen. Among the pitchers available is likely Luke Weaver, whose remaining year of team control could make him one of the most attractive relievers available at the deadline. “The two lefty relievers, A.J. Minter and Brooks Raley,” Rosenthal said. “Luis Robert Jr. and Tyrone Taylor and the big question will likely not be Lindor, but Luke Weaver. The Mets have him for another year. They want to compete in 2027, but the demand for relievers is always high.” If the Mets remain active at the deadline, their focus may not be limited to acquiring prospects. Instead, the team could target MLB-ready talent, as Rosenthal believes New York is looking to add major league players with the goal of being competitive again in 2027. “The Mets are one of these teams that might not want prospects back,” Rosenthal said. “They might want major league talent. With players on expiring contracts, I don’t know that you would get much either way, so it probably would be [prospects] back. But at the same time, they might look for major league help.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

The ongoing chatter of Aaron Donald returning to Los Angeles only amplified heading into the Rams training camp on Saturday. However, head coach Sean McVay wouldn’t say if Donald’s return was imminent, but he continued to leave the door open for the franchise icon. “If that is something that he wants to do, we are going to try to be able to make that happen,” McVay said at training camp on Saturday, according to ESPN. “But I genuinely do not have an answer on whether he is or isn’t.” The surge in rumors also comes from Donald’s recent appearance at the Rams training facility earlier in July. FOX Sports’ Eric Williams reported where Donald currently stands on a return: “While the team hasn’t set a timetable for Donald to decide whether to potentially unretire, a league source close to Donald told me he is leaning toward returning. Donald participated in a workout in full pads at the team’s facility two weeks ago,” Williams wrote on Friday. Donald retired as one of the Rams’ most decorated defensive stars. After 10 seasons, Donald recorded 111 sacks, 543 total tackles, and 24 forced fumbles. He also has one Super Bowl ring, three Defensive Player of the Year honors and 10 Pro Bowl selections. The Rams are coming off a successful season that earned them a trip to the NFC Championship Game before falling to the eventual Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks. Looking ahead to this year, the Rams return a star-studded roster that includes NFL MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford, wide receivers Puka Nakua and Davante Adams, defensive tackle Kobie Turner and cornerback Trent McDuffie. And if Donald were to don a Rams’ jersey again, he would play alongside two-time Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who was acquired from the Cleveland Browns in a blockbuster trade in June. McVay continued to note that Donald is still preparing himself to make that decision, and will be prepared to play if so. “I know he’s preparing himself to be able to make that decision,” McVay said. “And if he feels good, then you guys know he’s going to be ready to rock. But if not, he’s earned the right. He doesn’t owe us anything. And he’s a special person.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

LOS ANGELES — The NFL’s newest Super Team and heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl want all the smoke. That’s according to the Los Angeles Rams’ newest addition, reigning league Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett, who made that clear at the team’s unveiling of new uniforms in front of a packed house of season ticket holders at the YouTube Theater on Thursday. When Garrett was asked which NFC West team he looked forward to playing this season, he pointed north on I-5 to the Pacific Northwest and the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. “I want the champs,” Garrett said, with a rowdy crowd roaring its approval. “They won it all, and I’ve got to see what that’s about. They feel like they’ve got the pieces to run it back, and I feel like we’ve got the pieces to take over.” With one of the most loaded rosters in recent memory, Rams MVP quarterback Matthew Stafford said he embraces the challenge, operating in the ultra-competitive environment of Los Angeles since relocating from St. Louis 10 years ago. The Rams took a similar approach in 2021, loading up on stars like Odell Beckham Jr., Von Miller, Jalen Ramsey and Eric Weddle, which led to the team’s first Super Bowl victory since moving back to Los Angeles five years ago. That Super Bowl was played at their home field, SoFi Stadium, which is where this season’s Super Bowl will be played, too. “I’ve been around long enough to know that you have to go out and earn it every day,” Stafford said. “And that’s really the fun part, is getting to earn that, right? Not sitting here and talking about it, seeing what we look like on paper. So, well OK, let’s go out there and pump the football up, and see if we can score some points and stop some people. That’s kind of where my head’s at.” Rams team president Kevin Demoff addressed the most pressing question this offseason of defensive game wrecker Aaron Donald potentially returning, saying the franchise will continue to take a patient approach in the possibility of the four-time Defensive Player of the Year playing football again after retiring two years ago. “We don’t have a ring, or a Lombardi Trophy or a banner if not for Aaron Donald,” Demoff said. “I think Sean [McVay] said it best yesterday. If Aaron wants to return, we will wait with open arms. It’s his decision, his choice. But there’s not a day that goes by that I don’t wake up refreshing social media, seeing if there’s a post or hoping that there’s a text that says, ‘You up?” Added Stafford: “Whatever’s right for him will be right for all of us.” While the team hasn’t set a timetable for Donald to decide whether to potentially unretire, a league source close to Donald told me he is leaning toward returning. Donald participated in a workout in full pads at the team’s facility two weeks ago. As for the matter at hand on Thursday night, the two alternate uniforms the Rams introduced — “Classic Sol” and “Fearsome White” — celebrate the franchise’s championship history and iconic legacy, according to the team. The “Classic Sol” uniform celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Rams’ 1951 championship team, while the “Fearsome White” honors the legendary Fearsome Foursome defensive line of Deacon Jones, Merlin Olsen, Lamar Lundy and Rosey Grier that dominated the NFL during the 1960s and early 1970s. Grier, the oldest living former Ram at 94 years old, attended the uniform unveiling. “These uniforms are a celebration and reminder of the moments and people that built the Rams into what and who we are today,” said Kathryn Kai-Iing Frederick, chief marketing officer for the Rams. “Every detail was intentionally designed to honor the grit and greatness of our history while delivering a modern look for today’s players and fans.” The Rams will wear the Classic Sol uniform — a combination of yellow jersey and white pants — for the first time in a Week 2 home contest against the New York Giants. The Rams will also wear them in a Week 13 home game against the Kansas City Chiefs. The debut of the Fearsome White combination will be on their Thanksgiving Eve home matchup against the Green Bay Packers. Hall of Fame running back and Rams legend Eric Dickerson was on hand for the unveiling. Dickerson told me he wasn’t a fan of the Classic Sol and still wants the franchise to return to the classic horns look on the team’s helmets. But he praised the Rams for paying respect to the team’s history with the return to the traditional all-white uniforms. “It kind of reminds me of the Fearsome Foursome,” Dickerson said. “I wish we would have worn those uniforms.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

TAMPA, Fla. — By his name alone, Arch Manning is subject to an unprecedented and nearly unfair level of high expectations. He has a football legend for a grandfather and two uncles who won two Super Bowls each. So, when asked what quarterbacks he compares himself to, the Texas junior politely declines. “I’m trying to do better at not comparing myself to others,” Manning said Thursday, wearing a burnt orange tie as he talked to a few dozen reporters in the final session of SEC Media Days. “Comparison, they say, is the thief of joy. So I’m trying to not compare myself to others. I guess that’s y’all’s job.” No college player faces higher standards in 2026, and that was evident at SEC Media Days. Manning’s session was the most anticipated among the players in attendance this week. And somehow Manning has been here before, his reputation preceding him a year ago when he was a first-year starter taking over for the Longhorns. “You know, Arch Manning, a year ago, wasn’t on social media or on television saying ‘I’m going to be the first pick of the draft.’ He wasn’t on television saying ‘I’m going to win the Heisman Trophy,'” Texas coach Steve Sarkisian said Thursday. “All he did was work really hard. All he did was try to be the best teammate he could be. And then we had some failures as a team. He didn’t have [them]. He didn’t play the way of what he was capable of playing. “What he got put through probably would have melted or destroyed 99% of people in his shoes. All he did was stay consistent and true to who he was, just continue to work hard, continue to be a great teammate, to get better.” A year ago, Manning was the buzz of college football, anointed as a Heisman Trophy favorite despite the fact he had just 95 pass attempts in his first two years at Texas. It was too much, too soon, born of his quarterback pedigree, but bad NFL fan bases were actively hoping their teams would lose enough to land him at the top of the 2026 NFL Draft. Manning’s team stumbled out of the gates. Texas lost its opener to Ohio State 14-7, with Manning throwing for just 170 yards. After three non-conference wins, the Longhorns, still ranked No. 9, lost at unranked Florida, with Manning throwing two interceptions in the loss. College football’s spotlight shifted quickly and Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza kept winning — and impressing — to keep it on him. With the spotlight shifted off of him, Manning found himself in the final eight games of Texas’ 2025 season. The Longhorns went 7-1, their only loss to No. 5 Georgia, and Manning had 15 touchdowns against two interceptions in those games. Texas beat four ranked teams in that span — No. 6 Oklahoma, No. 9 Vanderbilt, No. 3 Texas A&M and No. 18 Michigan — and Manning had seven touchdowns and zero interceptions in those four upset wins. Then, Manning opted to stay at Texas, which again installed the Longhorns among the teams to beat for a national title. The supporting cast around him is stronger. This past year, Texas didn’t have an offensive player drafted in the first five rounds, but it could have four first-round picks in 2027. Receiver Cam Coleman, a transfer from Auburn, could go in the top 10, as could returning tackle Trevor Goosby, with receiver Ryan Wingo another potential first-rounder. Longhorns edge rusher Colin Simmons is also projected as a likely first-round pick. Manning is seen by many as a potential No. 1 pick, which could be held by the Arizona Cardinals, New York Jets or Miami Dolphins, based on preseason expectations. He’s again the oddsmakers’ favorite for the Heisman, tied with Notre Dame’s C.J. Carr as the current favorite, and he has the best odds to be the No. 1 overall draft pick, but there’s no consensus on where he’ll fall in a deep and talented group of quarterback prospects. FOX Sports NFL Draft Rob Rang had Manning being the No. 1 overall pick in his first 2027 NFL mock draft, making him the first of five quarterbacks to go off the board. FOX Sports lead college football analyst Joel Klatt also rates Manning highly entering the season, placing him second behind Oregon’s Dante Moore in his top-10 quarterback ranking for 2026. However, The Athletic placed Manning seventh in its ranking of the starting quarterbacks for all 138 FBS programs, behind Ole Miss’ Trinidad Chambliss, Oregon’s Dante Moore, Carr, Miami’s Darius Mensah, Ohio State’s Julian Sayin and Oklahoma State’s Drew Mestemaker. One NFL front-office executive told me his team had Manning graded slightly higher than Mendoza in this past year’s draft evaluations — higher than the No. 1 overall pick in a down year for the position — but there are still lingering concerns and things he can work on. That starts with overall inconsistency, understandable for a first-year starter, but the overall makeup of how he carries himself is what NFL teams want to see. He has accurate, on-time throws to all windows, but also “unusual, head-scratching misses” in between them at times. Texas’ schedule will give Manning ample opportunities to show what he can do against the best in college football, with six games against teams likely to be ranked in preseason. He gets another shot at Ohio State on Sept. 12, goes to uncle Peyton’s Tennessee Volunteers on Sept. 26, has Oklahoma in Dallas on Oct. 10, grandpa Archie and uncle Eli’s Ole Miss Rebels on Oct. 24, then games at LSU on Nov. 14 and Texas A&M on Nov. 27, plus whatever the postseason might bring. Manning’s reputation is strong within the SEC, even with coaches new to the conference. Florida’s Jon Sumrall, whose Gators face the Longhorns for a third year in a row this fall, said he got to know Manning when he was at Tulane in Arch’s hometown. “What a great young man,” Sumrall said of Manning at SEC Media Days earlier this week. “When I was a coach at Tulane, Archie would shoot me a text or a phone call and say, ‘Hey, is it OK in May in some downtime if Arch comes over and throws?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah, and ask him if he wants to transfer,’ because he wasn’t a starter yet. I’d go out there and might watch him throw or [father] Cooper or whoever might be out there, and I’d be like, ‘I would like to coach that guy.’ He’s a good player. “I really have a lot of respect for the Manning family as a whole. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree with Arch and how he carries himself.” Texas just missed out on the 12-team college football playoff last year, and Sarkisian said what impressed him was how the late-season success didn’t change Manning, who kept his head down with humility when it would have been easy not to do so. “He’s a fantastic player at the end of the year, but he didn’t go back on social media and say I told you so,” Sarkisian said. “And all he’s done this year is continue to work hard again. So there’s always going to be outside opinions of that guy, and that comes with the territory. He understands that. “I think he learned a lot about himself last year, about dealing with adversity and overcoming, and I think he learned about his teammates and the support that they gave him, and recognized the mental and physical toughness that he has to play the position and be their leader. I think he’s grown into a great leader for us, and I’m very proud of Arch for the way he’s carried himself.” Peyton and Eli Manning are beloved not only for their football, but also for a self-deprecating sense of humor that allows them to have an everyman-likeability despite all their on-field success. Arch has shown promising signs of that, talking Thursday about how he’s taken up golf as a respite from football, competitive yet relaxing, a mental break to enjoy something he knows he’s not that good at yet. “I hit my driver far,” he said when asked for his best club. “I just don’t know where it’s going.” Asked his handicap, he smiles and says it’s “probably around a 10.” “Broke 80 for the first time last week,” Manning said of a round at Austin’s Barton Creek course, where “one of my buddies had a friend that was a member.” He stops himself: “It probably was an 80. I gave myself a putt.” He said the best golfer in the Manning family is probably Peyton, and concedes he’ll have to stop golfing in a week or so to focus on football “until February,” keeping everything in play for himself and Texas football. He’ll graduate in December, but won’t even commit to this being his final season of college football, keeping his focus on the here and now and his own expectations of himself. “I don’t really worry as much about legacy,” he said when asked about his future. “I’m just trying to be the best teammate I can be right now, to help us win games on Saturday and have fun while I’m doing it. I think the more fun we have, the better I play, and the better we play as a team.”​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Three weeks ago, the Red Sox were an afterthought. They were a last-place club, facing the possibility of selling their top assets. Then Boston ripped off 15 wins in a row, tying a franchise record that dates back to Ted Williams, and suddenly the AL East looks different. Forget the Blue Jays. They’ve been lapped, dropped from the conversation entirely. The team the Yankees actually have to worry about just climbed out of the basement in dramatic fashion and is playing the best baseball in their division. The Rays sit atop the AL East at 59-42. The Yankees, at 57-45, are hanging on to a wild-card spot rather than controlling their own destiny, and the gap behind them is closing fast. The Red Sox, at 52-49, are now seven games behind the Rays and in possession of the final AL wild card spot. That’s the environment Yankees general manager Brian Cashman is operating in with the trade deadline looming. Then, there’s the elephant in the room. The uncomfortable question hanging over every move Cashman makes between now and August 3 is whether this Yankees offense is actually good enough to hang onto a playoff spot without Aaron Judge for an indefinite amount of time. Are the Yankees operating without their best player for another month, or will Cashman be forced to spend prospect capital to patch a hole that won’t close until September or October? Judge has been out since June 2 with a stress fracture in his right rib, and things have been ugly without him. The Yankees are 19-21 without Judge this season, compared to 36-23 with him. Since June 18, they’ve scored the second-fewest runs and struck out the most among any team in the majors. Their .203 batting average with runners in scoring position is ranked 27th in MLB since Judge went on the IL. Cashman isn’t dressing that up. Asked recently about the team’s performance without Judge, he acknowledged the lack of offense and how the onus falls on the rest of the lineup to pick up the slack. “Clearly, you miss him,” Cashman told reporters in Tampa earlier this month. “That’s certainly part of it. But that’s not an answer to why we’re struggling with some consistently really good players that are going into collective slumps at the same time. That has nothing to do with Aaron Judge.” The Yankees can also stop pretending Judge’s return date is close. He underwent another round of re-imaging on his fractured rib during the All-Star break, and though it showed some healing, it wasn’t enough for Judge to begin baseball activities. The slugger has to wait an indeterminate amount of time before a team of specialists gives him and the Yankees the green light to swing a bat again. Judge, for his part, has remained steadfast that he will return at some point this season. “It’s feeling better,” he said recently at Yankee Stadium. “There were a couple of weeks that were tough, where I really couldn’t do a lot. Now we’re feeling ten times better.” So, where do the Yankees go from here? At least, if Judge was healthy, his bat would help cover up some of the glaring weaknesses in the lineup. Without him, the Yankees have no choice but to address their issues. There’s an obvious hole at catcher. There’s a need for a right-handed power bat with Giancarlo Stanton out since April 24 with a nagging calf strain. And there are reinforcements needed in the bullpen. It’s hard to imagine the Yankees moving on from this trade deadline without addressing their catching problem. Yankees catchers have combined for a .180 batting average, .270 slugging percentage, and a wRC+ of 50, all of which are ranked 29th in the majors this season. Austin Wells has cratered — he’s batting .163 with an OPS+ of 48 — and the tandem behind him hasn’t been better. Cashman, at least, has stopped soft-pedaling it. “It’s an issue, clearly,” he said of the team’s backstop situation. Their realistic targets are Minnesota’s Ryan Jeffers and Colorado’s Hunter Goodman. Jeffers is a right-handed bat hitting close to .290 with a .950 OPS. He’ll be a free agent after this season. The biggest concern with Jeffers is how much his hamate fracture, which sidelined him for nearly two months this season, will continue to impact his power. Goodman, meanwhile, leads the National League in slugging (.563), has hit 31 home runs, and has been more consistent than Jeffers while also being a right-handed bat under team control through 2029. The bullpen is where things get expensive. New York had hoped to solve part of it for free, by sliding hard-throwing top prospect Carlos Lagrange into a high-leverage relief role. But Lagrange’s shoulder injury in his throwing arm shelved that plan. Since then, the reported appetite has grown far bigger than a depth arm. The Yankees have been connected to Padres closer Mason Miller, and multiple reports indicate the Yankees are willing to discuss virtually every prospect in the system except their untouchable No. 1 prospect, infielder George Lombard Jr., to get him. Their interest in Miller indicates that small moves won’t be enough if Judge doesn’t return to full strength. And it’s a real gamble, given Miller would likely cost MLB-ready outfield chips like Spencer Jones or Jasson Dominguez, precisely the kind of long-term value Cashman has spent years trying to protect. Or, perhaps a reunion with Mets reliever Luke Weaver is on the table. The Yankees have the prospect capital to be genuinely aggressive. Whether they should be, with Judge’s timeline still murky and a tight division race that’s heightening the pressure, is the harder question. Cashman has less than two weeks to answer it, and with the Red Sox surging, the Yankees’ margin for error is getting thinner.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

Lane Kiffin is the answer. I mean it, and it’s true. Lane Kiffin is the answer. He’s the answer to who the clown — excuse me, crown prince of college football is after he both pulled off a genuinely legacy-defining feat and almost immediately managed to trample it in the Mississippi mud on his way to the swamp in Baton Rouge. Lane Kiffin is the answer… Or the folks at LSU sure as hell hope he is, after shelling out $54 million to former head coach Brian Kelly to make way for Kiffin, paying Kiffin bonuses for a College Football Playoff he didn’t coach in, handing him a reported $40 million to acquire the roster he believes he needs to be competitive and insisting on making him the highest-paid head coach in the history of the sport who hasn’t won a damn thing. It’s not just that Kiffin is one of three college football coaches raking in at least $13 million annually; the other two are Kirby Smart and Curt Cignetti, who have won three of the last six national titles. It’s also that Kiffin makes more annually than Ohio State coach Ryan Day and Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, who also share three CFP national titles between them. Hell, even an assistant on Kiffin’s staff, Ed Orgeron, won a national title as head coach. Yet, Kiffin hasn’t even led a team to the SEC championship and once got booted from Nick Saban’s Alabama staff because he was too distracted to do the job. Kiffin is the answer… for exactly who Tennessee fans loathe most among SEC coaches because he abandoned them after one humiliating season to head west to USC. Kiffin is the answer… to the future Jeopardy clue, “Al Davis openly called this former Oakland Raiders coach a ‘professional liar.’” Kiffin is the answer… for who Kirby Smart believes is the “Adonis of all college football coaches,” like he’s never heard of Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, who is, without a dollop of doubt, the most attractive head coach in the sport, and it ain’t close. (Sorry, Deion Sanders.) Kiffin is the answer… for how Ole Miss coach Pete Golding informed folks at SEC Media Days on Wednesday that he was able to recruit star quarterback Trinidad Chambliss and running back Kewan Lacy to remain Rebels and not defect to the Tigers. “Just Google ‘Lane Kiffin,’”Golding told them. “A dude that they would have built a statue of here three days ago. Google his name right now. They wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire, right? And so they’re going to do the same thing to y’all two if you do what?” What a damnable fact. And yet there are many of those around Kiffin. Even Florida coach Jon Sumrall sought to put some distance between himself and comparisons to Kiffin on Wednesday. “How you walk into a place says a lot about you, and how you leave says even more,” Sumrall said. In November 2025, Kiffin held Ole Miss and LSU hostage. He demanded to coach the Rebels through the College Football Playoff, his legacy defining event, and wanted to accept the job at LSU. Folks at Ole Miss, within their rights and having some self-respect, said, No, you’re either coaching Oxford or Baton Rouge in December. You ain’t doing both. Sumrall faced a similar set of circumstances as he had coached Tulane to an invitation to the CFP while accepting the head-coaching job at UF. But there is a difference not just between the two jobs each coach was leaving but in how each of their former programs think of their respective character. “Lane and I talked as we were going through it,” Sumrall said at SEC Media Days. “He’s like, ‘You and I are going through the same thing in November.’ I’m like, ‘No, Lane, we’re not. If you leave, you’re leaving an SEC school to go to SEC school. It’s a little different. I’m leaving Tulane.’ It was challenging to do it. I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I may have been on the front end of taking this job, maybe not been at my best every second for Florida because I wanted to make sure I left Tulane the right way. “If any university had told me I couldn’t coach in the playoff game, I don’t think I’d have taken the job just because I couldn’t leave the team I had coached all year.” In comparison, Kiffin walked away from a team he’d coached all year, a team that was four games from winning the national title, for a bag of money and a bit more prestige. He also walked away from an opportunity to show maturity, growth and an appreciation for where his feet were — principles most coaches claim to impart to their players — at a moment when adulation for him and the mountain Ole Miss had climbed was at an all-time high. Lane Kiffin’s move to LSU will be a failure this season if the Tigers don’t win the national title after the price they paid for him, Kelly and their 2026 roster. But I sense Tigers fans can live with that. I wonder, will they be able to live with his inevitable exit, which will probably be messy, immature and bombastic? Lane Kiffin is the answer for whom many of us hope our college football coaches don’t become, and I sincerely wish that wasn’t so.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports

It takes solid role players and contributors to chase a Super Bowl, but championship teams are usually led by core foundational players who make big plays in the critical moments of the game to bring home the Lombardi Trophy. Just look at last season’s Super Bowl run for the Seattle Seahawks. They had big-time playmakers like wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba, cornerback Devon Witherspoon, quarterback Sam Darnold and running back Kenneth Walker III make critical plays that led to a dominant victory over the New England Patriots. With that in mind and the start of training camp looming, here’s a look at the top 10 core foundations for NFL teams with less than two months before the beginning of the regular season. Top five: QB Drake Maye, WR A.J. Brown, CB Christian Gonzalez, DT Milton Williams, DB Kevin Byard New England struggled to compete with Seattle in Super Bowl LX this past season. While the offensive line must play better to protect MVP candidate Maye, the addition of Brown should lead to more explosive plays on offense. Byard, who led the NFL in interceptions last season, brings experience and playmaking ability to the back end defensively, but the Patriots could still use pass rush help on the perimeter to partner with productive defensive tackles Christian Barmore and Williams. Maye is just 23 years old, and Byard (32) is the only core player that’s over 30, so that bodes well for the Patriots keeping their Super Bowl window open. Overall, New England’s harder schedule will likely mean fewer wins in 2026, and we’ll find out early how Mike Vrabel’s roster sits when the Patriots face the Seahawks in a Super Bowl rematch in Seattle to start the year. New England must also get Gonzalez signed to a new deal that will make him one of the highest-paid corners in the league. Top five: QB Lamar Jackson, S Kyle Hamilton, RB Derrick Henry, DE Trey Hendrickson, LB Roquan Smith Seeking a new contract that will make him the highest-paid player in the league, Jackson is under pressure to finally deliver another Super Bowl for the Ravens with the franchise moving on from head coach John Harbaugh. And Jackson has one of the most talented rosters to work with in Baltimore. The dynamic signal-caller finally has a No. 1 receiver in Zay Flowers, who emerged as a consistent playmaker on the perimeter. And even at 32 years old, Henry is still one of the top running backs in the game. New defensive-minded head coach Jesse Minter can build his defense around one of the best safeties in the game in Hamilton, like what he achieved by using Derwin James Jr. during his time leading the defense for the Los Angeles Chargers. And Hendrickson gives the Ravens a double-digit sack guy on the perimeter to pair with DT Nnamdi Madubuike. Baltimore should be the favorite to win the AFC North. Top five: QB Dak Prescott, WR George Pickens, WR CeeDee Lamb, DL Quinnen Williams, OL Tyler Smith Don’t look now, but Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has finally built Dallas into a playoff contender. The Cowboys have one of the most explosive offenses in the league, led by Prescott and two big-play receivers in Lamb and Pickens. Smith gives Dallas an anchor up front along the interior of the offensive line. But the key for the Cowboys will be how improved the defense is under new defensive coordinator Christian Parker. He has talented pieces to work with in defensive lineman Kenny Clark, linebackers DeMarvion Overshown and Rashan Gary at the second level and Jalen Thompson and rookie Caleb Downs in the defensive secondary. If the Cowboys play to their potential defensively, they have a shot to reach the postseason for the first time since the 2023 season. Top five: QB Patrick Mahomes, OL Creed Humphrey, TE Travis Kelce, RB Kenneth Walker III, DL Chris Jones Yes, the Chiefs are old, with three of their core players – including Mahomes – in their thirties. Still, Kansas City should be properly motivated after missing the playoffs last season for the first time in nearly a decade. Mahomes is coming off season-ending knee surgery but is expected to be ready at the start of the regular season. Recently married, Kelce was surprisingly productive in 2025, and the 36-year-old future Hall of Famer could be playing in his final season. But the keys for Kansas City will be how defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo rebuilds a defense that lost key players in the secondary and whether Walker can be a bell-cow running back in the offense, led by the return of offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy. Top five: CB Patrick Surtain II, DT Zach Allen, DL Nik Bonitto, OL Garrett Bolles, QB Bo Nix The Broncos had one of the top defenses in the league last season, keyed by a formidable pass rush led by Allen and Bonitto. Along with that, Denver has a shutdown corner in Surtain. A focus for head coach Sean Payton will be improving a ‘meh’ offense. Denver made a move to improve on that side of the ball by promoting Davis Webb to offensive coordinator. And the addition of receiver Jaylen Waddle via trade should help create more explosive plays and provide a good pairing with Courtland Sutton. But Nix returning healthy after a season-ending ankle fracture will be critical for the Broncos. Nix is developing into one of the better young quarterbacks in the league and needs to take another step in that development under the tutelage of Webb. Top five: QB Jared Goff, DE Aidan Hutchinson, WR Amon-Ra St. Brown, RB Jahmyr Gibbs, OT Penei Sewell The Lions have one of the most talented rosters in the league. Pro Bowl linebacker Jack Campbell, tight end Sam LaPorta and safety Brian Branch could have also been included on this list. Detroit has one of the most explosive offenses in the NFL, led by an efficient passer and expert executioner of the offense in Goff. However, the question for the Lions is how enthusiastic head coach Dan Campbell will direct his coordinators to get the best out of the talent on both sides of the ball. I’m a believer in new offensive coordinator Drew Petzing, but it will be interesting to see how the offense changes with him at the controls. And defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard needs his defense to take another step in development. Finally, the Lions must stay healthy after experiencing a rash of injuries last season. Top five: DE Will Anderson Jr., DE Danielle Hunter, CB Darrell Stingley Jr., LB Azeez Al-Shaair, WR Nico Collins Led by defensive-minded head coach DeMeco Ryans, the Texans have arguably the best defense in the league heading into the season. They have playmakers at all three levels defensively in pass rushers Anderson and Hunter, an athletic traffic cop in the middle of the field in linebacker Al-Shaair and lock-down cornerbacks Stingley and Kamari Lassiter. The issue for Houston is whether it can get more consistent performances from quarterback C.J. Stroud and whether he can get back to the level he played at in his first two years in the league. And can the offensive line do a better job of keeping Stroud upright? The playmakers are there, with talented receivers in Nico Collins and Jayden Higgins, tight end Dalton Schultz and productive running backs in David Montgomery and Woody Marks. Top five: WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, DL Leonard Williams, QB Sam Darnold, CB Devon Witherspoon, LB Ernest Jones IV The defending Super Bowl champs lost four key players in free agency in cornerback Riq Woolen, edge rusher Boye Mafe, safety Coby Bryant and Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker III. However, the Seahawks still have plenty of juice on the roster, headlined by Smith-Njigba, who won Offensive Player of the Year last season. The Ohio State receiver is joined on offense by quarterback Sam Darnold, who’s looking to build on an impressive first year in Seattle. Left tackle Charles Cross and left guard Grey Zabel serve as the anchors of the offensive line, helping to keep Darnold upright. The Seahawks return the best defense in the league, led by Williams, Jones and Witherspoon, along with versatile safety Nick Emmanwori, interior pass rusher Byron Murphy II and edge rushers DeMarcus Lawrence, Uchenna Nwosu and Derick Hall. Top five: QB Jalen Hurts, RB Saquon Barkley, OL Jordan Mailata, DT Jalen Carter, CB Quinyon Mitchell The Eagles are hopeful for addition by subtraction with the trade of the mercurial Brown to New England. Look for DeVonta Smith to fill the void as Philadelphia’s No. 1 receiver. However, the strength for the Eagles is the offensive and defensive lines, led by bookend tackles Lane Johnson and Mailata on offense, and massive defensive tackles Jordan Davis and Carter on defense. While he has yet another offensive coordinator, Hurts is expected to take another step in his development with Sean Mannion leading the offense. Zack Baun is one of the best off-ball linebackers in the league, and Cooper DeJean brings versatility to one of the best defenses in the league, led by longtime defensive guru Vic Fangio. Top five: QB Matthew Stafford, DE Myles Garrett, WR Puka Nacua, CB Trent McDuffie, WR Davante Adams. Byron Young, Kyron Williams, Kobie Turner, Braden Fiske and offensive guards Steven Avila and Kevin Dotson also could be on this list. But from top to bottom, Sean McVay’s squad has the most talented roster in the league and perhaps one of the best rosters in NFL history, which is why they are heavy favorites to win the Super Bowl despite losing to last year’s Super Bowl champ Seattle in the NFC Championship game. And this does not include Aaron Donald, who is flirting with the idea of unretiring to play another season. But one of the few question marks for the Rams remains backup quarterback, where first-round selection Ty Simpson will presumably beat out Stetson Bennett. It’s no surprise McVay desperately wanted a veteran like Jimmy Garoppolo or Kirk Cousins to serve as his backup quarterback as insurance in case Stafford once again catches the injury bug.Honorable mention: Cincinnati Bengals, San Francisco 49ers, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears and Los Angeles Chargers.​Latest Sports News from FOX Sports