Newly-appointed Portugal head coach Jorge Jesus has insisted he will refrain from making wholesale changes to the squad following their premature World Cup exit. The former Al-Nassr manager confirmed that his upcoming selection will closely resemble the previous group, keeping the door firmly open for veteran captain Cristiano Ronaldo.

Jesus Plans Minimal Changes

Portugal’s new manager Jesus, who signed a four-year deal to lead the national team until the 2030 World Cup, has asserted he will not fundamentally overhaul the squad composition ahead of his Nations League debut. The 71-year-old feels limited preparation time makes major experimentation a risky move following their 2026 World Cup round-of-16 exit. This pragmatic approach strongly signals that 41-year-old Ronaldo remains part of his core plans.

Coach Addresses Squad Continuity

The former Al-Nassr tactician reassured the public that he will only alter a few names from the group that featured in North America. Speaking to Canal 11, Jesus stated: “People might think that the new manager is going to come in and change a lot of players. That won’t happen. I’m not stupid. On top of that, I don’t have enough time to bring in several players who weren’t called up this time.”

He continued: “Over the next four years, new players will undoubtedly emerge, [but] it won’t stray far from those who were called up [for the 2026 World Cup]. Two or three new players, something along those lines, it won’t stray far from that.”

Focus Turns To Performance

While retaining the core framework including Al-Nassr superstar Ronaldo, Jesus demands a significant step-up in performance levels to remain competitive on the European stage. 

Addressing national team standards, Jesus added: “If the national team doesn’t play better than they did at the World Cup, I won’t do any better. Together with my coaching staff, we have to play better, otherwise, we’ll just keep chasing a dream we’ve had for years. 

“We have great players, but we don’t win much. We won the Euros 10 years ago, and we’ve won two Nations Leagues, which isn’t the most important competition, but it is the hardest competition because you’re always up against the best European teams. Just last year, Portugal, France, Germany, and Spain reached the finals.”

New Era Begins Soon

The manager’s first test arrives in Portugal’s Nations League Group A4 opener against Wales on September 24. Clarity over Ronaldo’s international future now rests with Jesus after they won the Saudi Pro League title together at Al-Nassr last season. Their national team reunion is expected to anchor the initial transition into their new era.

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Liberty coach Jamey Chadwell says he feels the best he has since the 2023 season while still dealing with some limitations for what has been called a “serious but treatable medical condition” that required surgery at the beginning of this year.

Chadwell still has not revealed the exact issue, but said during Conference USA’s football media day Tuesday that determining what it was and the treatment since has made a difference in how the 49-year-old coach feels going into his fourth season with the Flames.

“I feel physically probably the best I’ve felt since ’23,” he said. “Now there’s still some body, physical limitations I’m going through that I’m still working through, but as far as my mind and the way I was feeling compared to the last couple years, night and day.”

Chadwell said because of that, he is looking forward “more probably to this season than a long time, because I feel like I’m back, at least health-wise, to what I was prior to.”

Last January, about six weeks after the end of the 2025 season, Liberty announced in a statement that Chadwell was recovering from a successful procedure to address the medical issue. He was able to return in time to lead the Flames through spring practice.

“This is probably the best as far as physically, as far as inside, probably in the last two years that I’ve felt,” he said. “I had a lot going on the last two years and we couldn’t figure out what it was.”

After his 13-1 debut with the Flames in 2023 that included the Conference USA championship before their only loss was to Oregon in the Fiesta Bowl, Chadwell said he spent the entire 2024 season going through blood work and other tests trying to figure out what was going on. The answer finally came right before the start of last season.

“Not ideal, but it was a blessing to figure out what was going on,” he said.

Liberty went 8-4 in 2024, but finished 4-8 last season after losing its last four games by a combined 23 points.

“When you don’t know what’s going on when you’re trying to figure it out, you’re thinking about everything,” he said. “I’m disappointed that I allowed it to interfere with us last year. But it won’t happen again.”

Liberty senior tight end Caleb Ryan said the way Chadwell has handled adversity, with players going alongside him during it, has brought the team closer together.

“I think that fire in him is burning a little hotter this year, just wanting to go out there, put our best out there,” Ryan said.

Before replacing Hugh Freeze at Liberty, Chadwell was 39-22 in five years at Coastal Carolina with consecutive 11-win seasons.

“He’s a guy that his players respect. He’s a true professional,” said Western Kentucky’s Tyson Helton, the longest-tenured C-USA coach going into his eighth season. “He seems great and he’s excited, and got a lot of energy. … I have tremendous respect for him.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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He’s the dean of Southeastern Conference coaches who also has two national titles on his resume, so what Georgia’s Kirby Smart says about the state of college football is bound to resonate far outside his own state.

On Tuesday at SEC media days, Smart made clear that to become dean of SEC coaches and win those national titles, he’s had to focus on the little picture more than the big one — because it’s the only thing he truly can control.

“I’ve had questions about expansion, more SEC games, portal, college and federal legislation to navigate the NIL era we’re in. Players leaving, coaches leaving. That’s all people want to talk about,” Smart said. “What we focus on in Georgia is what wins football games, and that’s my passion and energy.”

At stake for the Bulldogs in 2026 is a chance to defend their SEC title — Smart has four in 10 years between the hedges — and to make a run at another natty, where both Georgia and the SEC as a whole have been shut out for the last three seasons.

To reach either goal, the coach will need to find answers for an offensive line that lost two starters to the NFL draft and a receiving corps that got Isiah Canion from the transfer portal (Georgia Tech) but needs more to replenish a position missing four of last year’s top five pass catchers.

The constant will be Gunner Stockton, the quarterback who heads into his redshirt senior year as Georgia’s highest-profile player.

(Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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In a team-building moment bound to take on a life of its own, especially if Georgia plays well this year, Stockton found himself at the front of the raft on a whitewater trip with team leaders earlier this summer.

“They said, ‘OK, who’s going to be in the front of the boat?'” Smart said. “They explained this might be the most risky position. You may fall out. When you go over a rapid, you may be the first to fall into that water. But he chose to jump into that seat.”

Stockton said that, indeed, he got wet that day, but it was a chance worth taking.

Regarding his coach, and the way he deals with name, image and likeness payments, one of the many elements disrupting college sports while also reshuffling pecking orders in locker rooms across the country, the quarterback said Smart keeps it real.

“He basically tells us the truth, which is that once you’re out on the field, it doesn’t matter how much someone makes, or doesn’t make, everyone has to prove themselves,” Stockton said. “Once you’re on the football field, nobody really cares how much money you make.”

Smart Continues To Weigh In On The Sport’s Biggest Issues

(Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)

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For the record, Smart has had much to say about all the changes upending his sport. At a memorable appearance less than two months ago at the SEC annual meetings, he sounded off on several topics, including the backroom conversations about the league breaking off from the rest of the NCAA if college sports can’t align behind a single set of rules.

“I’ve been a huge advocate that if we can’t find the rules that everybody plays by, then we should play our own. I’m not afraid of that,” he said at that time.

On other topics he discussed at the meetings:

— Smart wonders if the new nine-game league schedule will really produce gains in strength of schedule that the SEC is touting.

— He loves the SEC title game but recognizes it might have to go if the College Football Playoff is expanded beyond 12 teams: “When you take that revenue stream out, can we make it work? Is it sustainable to do without it would be my biggest concern,” he said.

— He’s not against players getting money, but he recognizes that college sports could be on an unsustainable path if it doesn’t find some guardrails: “We’re going to lose that if we keep spending because not everybody can spend at the rate that we’re spending.”

Heading into his 11th season with the Bulldogs, Smart has settled into the role as the league’s elder statesman once held by his mentor, Nick Saban, who left following the 2023 season after 17 years at Alabama and 22 in the SEC.

The 50-year-old Georgia coach recognizes he is in a changing industry and wants to play a role in shaping it. But at SEC Media Days, with the start of practice looming and the first game (against Tennessee State) only 46 days away, Smart felt his focus should be directed elsewhere.

“I don’t mind talking or speaking to it,” he said. “All I’m saying is that at events like this, it eats the air and takes away from what actually wins and loses football games.”

Reporting by the Associated Press. 

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Georgia running back Dante Dowdell was injured in a recent off-campus accident, and Bulldogs coach Kirby Smart told reporters Tuesday at SEC media days that he will be indefinitely sidelined.

Smart didn’t offer specifics. ESPN reported that Dowdell was involved in an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) accident. The outlet confirmed with Smart that Dowdell is receiving care at Shepherd Center in Atlanta, a medical facility specializing in treatment and rehabilitation for spinal cord and brain injuries.

“The Dante Dowdell situation is tough,” Smart told reporters. “I don’t know when he’ll be back. He had an off-campus accident back home during our break, and we’re praying for him and his family. We expect a full recovery, but the outlook right now is we’re waiting to see.”

Dowdell transferred to Georgia after rushing for 560 yards and three scores last season for Kentucky. The tailback from Picayune, Mississippi, was slated to compete for carries behind starter Nate Frazier. Dowdell spent the 2024 season with Nebraska and the ’23 season at Oregon.

Smart told ESPN that Dowdell was “out of the really tough range, but as far as his complete health and coming all the way back, I don’t know what that looks like in terms of this year.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Athletics infielder Joshua Kuroda-Grauer’s hot start to his MLB career has been paused due to an unusual injury. 

In Monday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Kuroda-Grauer fouled a pitch directly into his groin. He remained in the game, and managed to hit a single. But after that at-bat, Donovan Walton replaced Kuroda-Grauer as he went to receive an ultrasound to determine the severity of his injury. 

Then, on Tuesday, the Athletics announced, Kuroda-Grauer had to undergo surgery for a “ruptured testicle” and will be placed on the 10-day injured list.

Before the injury, Kuroda-Grauer had a .417 batting average in his first 16 MLB games. He was called up from AAA Las Vegas on June 29 to help the Athletics with injuries to infielders Jacob Wilson and Zack Gelof. He handled responsibilities at both shortstop and third base, while hitting seven extra base hits and four RBIs. 

Now he’s picked up his own injury, which could end his run at the major league level for now as Wilson has returned from injury and Gelof is also on his way back. It’s unfortunate timing for Kuroda-Grauer, who had hit his first MLB home run in Monday’s game before rupturing his testicle. 

Kuroda-Grauer will be eligible to return from the injured list on July 30. 

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Expanding the College Football Playoff has led to parity in the sport. 

After the CFP expanded to a 12-team field in 2024, 20 different programs have made the postseason tournament. Eight teams, including Ole Miss, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, and Miami (Fla.) made their first CFP appearance in the 12-team format in 2025. With these additional spots, more fans believe their school has a chance to compete for the most important trophy in the sport. 

So, who will be the next crop of programs to break into the 12-team playoff for the first time in 2026? 

FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt previewed the 10 teams that are most likely to make their first 12-team College Football Playoff appearance on the latest episode of “The Joel Klatt Show.”

10.

Klatt: “Iowa’s had eight-plus wins in the last full 10 seasons. Kirk Ferentz is as consistent as anyone in the sport. … For them, though, it’s about replacing the right players. The offensive linemen from the Joe Moore Award-winning offensive line that was obviously a very good group. Can you replace those players up front? They’ve hit the [transfer] portal for experienced players from the G-5 from the FCS, and I think a lot of those guys will be smart, experienced guys that’ll pay off. … They’ll need one win out of these three — Michigan, Ohio State, Washington.”

9.

Klatt: “I like what Jedd Fisch builds. He builds good, quality programs. They got their quarterback Demond Williams back. He’s got four returning starters on the offensive line. I think the big key for Demond Williams is going to be playing better in big games. 

“Oct. 3, they go to USC … They welcome Iowa in. They welcome Penn State into Iowa Stadium. They have Indiana at home. And then at Oregon in their rivalry game to end the season… They are 25-2 at Husky Stadium [over the last four seasons]. This is one of the great teams in all of Husky Stadium.” 

Demond Williams Jr. led Washington to a 38-10 victory over Boise State in the LA Bowl. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images) –>

8.

Klatt: “Houston is coming off a 10-win season and finishing in the top-25 under Willie Fritz, and Willie Fritz is a really good football coach. They bring back their quarterback, Connor Weigman. He’s got an all-Big 12 wide receiver, Amari Thomas, on the outside. They added Makai Hughes. Remember, Makai Hughes was with Fritz back in the Tulane days, and that worked for them. Makai Hughes went to Oregon. We thought he was going to be a huge contributor for Dan Lanning a year ago, but that didn’t really pan out. So now he’s back with Fritz this time at Houston. 

“I like what I see. They’ve got a road game at Texas Tech; I don’t love that. They’ve got this critical three-game stretch with Kansas State, Oklahoma State and Utah is going to be a tough one.”

7.

Klatt: “I like Arizona here. Brent Brennan is now in Year 3 in Tucson, and he brings back his first-team All-Big 12 quarterback Noah Fifita. He’s going into Year 4 as a starter. … They retain their defensive coordinator, so they’re going to have some continuity there; that’s Danny Gonzalez, who brings a really unique structure, which is hard for teams to prepare for. 

“They brought some defensive help to fill the portal. They lost a lot of really good players, and particularly out of the secondary, some of those guys to the draft. … Now it’s about the schedule; it’s backloaded. They have an early game at BYU, which is not going to be easy, because BYU is a tough place to play.”

6.

Klatt: “It’s just about getting to the conference championship game, and which are the most likely candidates to do that? I think Utah is one of those. Morgan Scalley isn’t going to flip everything upside down in Salt Lake. This guy is a Utah lifer … they’re still going to be aggressive on defense, they’re still going to be good on the offensive line. He’s gotten to learn from Kyle Whittingham. They’re not going anywhere. They got their quarterback back in Devon Dampier. 

“The schedule sets up nicely for Utah. … They’ve got Idaho, Arkansas, Utah State, at Iowa State, off week, Kansas and at Colorado. I really like their chances at a conference championship game.”  

Morgan Scalley was promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach this offseason after being the head coach in waiting. (Photo by Bryan Byerly/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images) –>

5.

Klatt: “Out of the ACC, you have Miami and who? Who else at this point is going to be strong in the ACC? Might be Louisville. … [Last season], they beat Miami on the road. Three of their four losses were by three or less, including two in overtime. 

“They bring in Lincoln Kienholz from Ohio State — that’s a wait-and-see for me. He’s an older player, but not experienced. … He can rely on his star running back Isaac Brown. … They’ve got 33 transfers coming in. They hit the portal for wide receivers, including Vandy’s leading receiver from last year, Trey Richardson. They brought in a tight end out of the portal, Brody Foley from Tulsa; he got over 500 yards and seven touchdowns last year. They’ve got a really good returning defensive end, Clev Lubin; he’s their best player on defense.  

“It’s about getting to the ACC Championship, where you’ve got a shot in one game to potentially win a championship and go to the playoff. … Look at their ACC schedule. They don’t have to play Miami. They don’t have to play Clemson. They don’t have to play Virginia, and they don’t have to play Virginia Tech. So for me, they won the ACC schedule lottery.”

4.

Klatt: “Let’s say that big question is answered positively, and that Michigan’s got an offense that’s humming against, and they’re Michigan, again. Well guess what? Here’s the tough part: Their schedule is brutal this year. … They’ve got to play Oklahoma. They’ve got to play Iowa. They’ve got to host Penn State. They’ve got to host Indiana. They’ve got to play Oregon. They’ve got to go to Ohio State. It’s a ridiculously difficult schedule, there’s no doubt. 

“I do think it’s one of those schedules that, because they’re willing to play and hang on to one of these tough, marquee non-conference games, there is a chance that Michigan would get consideration, if not love, at the end of the season, even as a 9-3. … With that schedule, if you’re facing Ohio State with the right to go to [the CFP], that would be a huge win.”

Michigan in Joel Klatt’s post-spring top 25 Joel Klatt Show

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3.

Klatt: “I’m bullish on USC. They have not made a playoff. And I think this is a team that could absolutely make a playoff run this year. I think Lincoln [Riley] finally has the team that can play requisite football at the line of scrimmage. … They showed me signs. I thought the game against Michigan, the game against Iowa — those were tough, hard-nosed wins. 

“They were quietly one of the best teams in the country at home. They were 7-0. And now this year, they get Oregon, Washington and Ohio State at home. 

2.

Klatt: “BYU was oh so close a year ago. They were in that Big 12 Championship Game, and they came up short. Now they came up short because of their offense. They couldn’t do anything against that [Texas] Tech defense. … Both losses last year for Kelani Sitake and BYU were to Texas Tech. Texas Tech was very good and BYU was 12-2. 

“BYU should be in the Big 12 Championship Game. They’re too consistent a program. They got their quarterback back. I love this program. … I love Bear Bachmeier’s one heck of a player. He and LJ Martin are going to need to lead this offense. They get three starters back in the secondary. Should be one of the best defenses in the Big 12.”

1.

Klatt: “If they don’t make the playoff, I’m going to be very surprised. … Obviously, they were in the four-team playoff. That’s the only CFP that LSU has been to — the Joe Burrow year. That’s shocking. That’s why Lane Kiffin is there. 

“Kiffin’s got 10-plus wins in four of his last seasons at Ole Miss. This guy can coach. … This is absolutely the no-brainer of no-brainers. This team screams playoff this year. … I think [Sam] Leavitt is a really good player. I think it’s going to be a team that is very good. I think they can be better on defense. They’re certainly gonna be better on offense. And I’m going to be surprised if LSU is not a 10-win team.”

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This is an especially fun time to talk quarterbacks. We have yet to see teams take a single snap in training camp — let alone in a padded practice. And this year, there’s no real consensus on which QBs are among the elite. There’s even less consensus around the quarterbacks ranked from No. 9 to No. 19. The beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

But that’s what makes the ranking — and ensuing conversation — so compelling. 

Patrick Mahomes no longer lays claim as king of the NFL … or does he?

Josh Allen is obviously the best QB on the planet right now … or is he?

And Drake Maye has established himself as the best QB from the vaunted 2024 NFL Draft class … or, wait, did Caleb Williams? … Or then again, is that still Jayden Daniels? Now that I think about it, don’t count out Bo Nix!

There’s a lot to consider. For now, this ranking is an early look forward to Week 1. Who will be ready? Which QBs have been set up to succeed? And which QBs have a track record of success despite their surroundings? With those questions held at the fore, let’s rank the NFL QB1s as of today.

Previous: QB Stock Market: One Burning Question for Every 2026 Starter

If the quarterback competition between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders is close — as it appears to be — will the Browns go with the beleaguered young guy who could be their future? Or will they favor the embattled veteran in a last-ditch effort to get some return on their investment (from the hundreds of millions of dollars and the traded draft picks)? 

I’m genuinely not sure. 

The sensible decision is to go with Sanders. The Browns could see what the second-year QB can do with first-team reps. They might as well see how Sanders fares alongside their first three draft picks from this past spring: offensive tackle Spencer Fano and wideouts KC Concepcion and Denzel Boston, each of whom went in the top 40.

It’s likely that the Browns’ 2027 starting quarterback isn’t on the current roster. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)

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But the longer this QB competition carries on, the more I begin to wonder if the organization is deadset on recouping some value from Watson amid what is universally considered the worst NFL trade of all time. And so maybe they’ll let him spin it.

To further complicate matters, a deep 2027 QB class looms over this decision. 

For all the stress and scrutiny that’ll go into Watson versus Shedeur, the most likely outcome is that the Browns will select a QB in the top five picks of next year’s draft. And in that sense, it’s fair to wonder if any of the Browns’ current QBs will get a serious shake.

New Dolphins QB Malik Willis is saddled with one of the weakest supporting casts in football. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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There’s still so much to like about Baker Mayfield, who is accurate, smart and a die-hard, dedicated winner. Maybe he’s a system quarterback, but he has staying power (and versatility to operate in multiple systems) because of his situational awareness and risk management. 

I think back, for example, to his performance in Week 5 oflast year when the Bucs didn’t need Mike Evans — who is now with San Francisco — to beat the Seattle Seahawks, 38-35. Then look at the next week, when Mayfield and the Bucs lit up the 49ers without Evans or Chris Godwin.

There’s still reason for optimism surrounding the Bucs.

But optimism can’t stray into delusion.

Mayfield is playing on an expiring deal in an offense that’s on its fourth offensive coordinator in the QB’s four years with the Bucs. They don’t have an obvious replacement for Evans, and so without their downfield threat, their passing game could grow condensed, with an emphasis on the quick game.

Can Mayfield win sustainably with that identity? If he doesn’t, will the Bucs begin to think about the 2027 NFL Draft class. It’s a pressurized situation in Tampa.

Jared Goff has somewhat quietly averaged more than 4,500 yards and 30 touchdowns the past four years with Detroit. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

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The Bears appear to plan as carefully as any team in the NFL. That’s why coach Ben Johnson came at such a premium price. And his skills include quarterback development and optimization. So it’s hard not to trust Johnson’s plan for Caleb Williams, which the coach relayed to me at owners’ meetings.

It starts with lifting the completion percentage and addressing accuracy and decision-making for Williams (and drops from his receivers). And while it won’t end there, that should make a sizable difference in staving off regression from a Bears team that seemingly did nothing but win close games — often despite playing from behind.

Williams will have to steady his game, preserving the magic that has made him special in the fourth quarters of games — while excising the inexplicable misses and perhaps even limiting the moments when he tries to do too much.

But with Williams’ talent and Johnson’s coaching, it’s hard to imagine the third-year QB going anywhere but up.

Despite Dak Prescott’s stellar production, the Cowboys are 10-14-1 in his starts over the past two seasons. (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

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That ranking in the NFL 100? Woof!

Lamar Jackson landed at 69th in NFL Network’s anonymous, players-only ranking. The Ravens QB and two-time NFL MVP was only three spots ahead of receiver (and teammate) Zay Flowers — and ranked lower than linebacker Jordyn Brooks (67th) and receiver Chris Olave (64).

Make that make sense. I dare you.

We did learn just how important Lamar’s health is to his game. His athleticism is one of many things that make him great, and with the injuries piling up — and his insistence on playing through them — he didn’t look like himself for much of last season.

Maybe people are afraid that Jackson will turn into the next Cam Newton: elite one day and washed up the next. But I’m here to say that this isn’t the new normal for Lamar. He’s still just 29 years old. He really doesn’t take big hits, opting to slide away from contact. He doesn’t have an injury history beyond the hamstring and back from 2025. If he can get that hamstring right, he’ll make a comeback this year and jump back into the players’ top-10 list. 

Kenneth Walker III, whom Kansas City signed in free agency this offseason, is a great running back. He is not the Chiefs’ offensive cure-all. This offense is likely to struggle again in 2026, and certainly at the outset. 

I understand that Patrick Mahomes is a generational talent. I respect the heck out of that talent, perhaps substantially more than most. But that talent has very little to do with his physiological recovery from an ACL injury. It’s an injury that sets back even the most dedicated and diligent athletes. Take Tom Brady, for example. He set a record in 2007 with 50 passing touchdowns. He tore his ACL in the first game of 2008. And then in 2009, he threw for 28 touchdowns and 13 interceptions — one pick away from his career high (14). It took him time to return to form.

This is all to say that we should temper expectations around Mahomes’ return. He won’t be himself. His offense — which was as bad as ever last year — won’t suddenly return to its glory simply because of a top-tier running back. This is still a very messy situation in KC. And while I think Mahomes will be a good and steady force in 2026, I don’t think he’ll wow in Week 1. And I don’t know that he’ll regain his magic until late in the season.

Justin Herbert is coming off his second career Pro Bowl campaign, but it was one in which he also took a career-high 54 sacks. (Photo by Kevin Terrell/Getty Images)

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If there’s one game that complicates Joe Burrow’s 2025 season, it’s Cincinnati’s matchup against Baltimore in Week 15. He put up a stinker — with two interceptions (and one pick-six) and no touchdowns — in a shutout loss to Lamar Jackson’s desperate squad.

It was one of the few games that mattered for Burrow in a campaign cut in half by injury, and he struggled tremendously.

Burrow was trying to do too much to help the Bengals make the playoffs when they were unable to help themselves. Cincy fell to 4-10 and was officially eliminated. And for the rest of the season, Burrow tore apart crappy defenses without any stakes or pressure.

That said, aside from that Ravens game, it’s hard to hold last season against him. He was injured, as usual. And his defense was garbage, as usual. Coach Zac Taylor is still fighting against the club’s perennial tradition of starting the season slow. Elite quarterbacks should be able to overcome some of these issues — but certainly not all. And Burrow’s numbers were really impressive, given he played in only eight games.

So looking forward, there’s one question surrounding Burrow:

Given that history has a way of repeating itself, is it foolhardy to expect something different in 2026?

It’s not.

I promise.

The Bengals invested in their defense this offseason, which should alleviate some of the scoring pressure that Burrow has felt in recent years. It could bring balance to the offense. And it could finally bring Cincinnati not just into the playoff bubble but atop its division. If Burrow is the guy he’s been in the past, the Bengals could (and should) win three of their first five games. And it’ll be thanks to Burrow’s established rapport and explosiveness with his two star receivers, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

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What’s going on with Deebo Samuel?

The 30-year-old wide receiver and 2021 All-Pro is among the best remaining players on the NFL free agent market, but the ex-Washington Commanders and San Francisco 49ers receiver has no intention of hanging up his cleats anytime soon.

“Going on Year 8 … [I] still feel like I got a lot, at least like three, four good years left,” Samuel said in a recent video posted to his YouTube page. “It’s kind of been tough, not even going to lie to you. All the free agency stuff going on, waking up in the morning, looking at your phone, seeing if your agent hit you and was like, ‘This team is interested,’ or things along those lines. And it’s been kind of like a roller coaster. [I’ve] been through a lot, not just ball.

“With me and how I play this game, it’s just like, no matter what I’m going through, no matter what I’m doing, if I’m able to perform, I’m going to go out there and put it on the line for my team.”

Following six seasons with the 49ers (2019-24), San Francisco traded Samuel to Washington, which was coming off a 2024 campaign that saw it reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991 — when it won Super Bowl XXV — and saw quarterback Jayden Daniels win Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

All that said, the Commanders went on to have a 5-12 season in 2025, with Daniels playing in just seven games due to knee, hamstring and elbow injuries, respectively. Across 16 games, Samuel totaled 72 receptions for 727 yards (10.1 yards per reception) and five touchdowns. All three totals led the Commanders, with Samuel also rushing for 75 yards and one score.

“Some people ask like, ‘Are you ready to hang it up?’ And I’m like, nah, everything’s got timing,” Samuel said. “So, I promise you, when the time comes, it’s going to come. And I’m overly prepared, overly ready for the moment. And whenever that right opportunity shows up, we here first, man. I’m ready to rock out.”

Since Samuel’s 2021 All-Pro campaign, which saw him average an NFL-high 18.2 yards per reception and log 365 rushing yards and eight rushing touchdowns, the veteran has averaged 59.8 receptions for 730.3 yards and 4.3 touchdowns per season from 2022-25, while rushing for 167.0 yards per year.

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Elite wide receivers are often the driving force behind the NFL’s most explosive offenses. 

Let’s take a look at the odds for which players will lead the league in receiving yards and receiving touchdowns, as of July 22 at DraftKings Sportsbook.

This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.

Puka Nacua is +550 to lead the NFL in receiving yards (Simon Bruty/SI via Getty Images).

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Most regular-season receiving yards

Puka Nacua: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Ja’Marr Chase: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Amon-Ra St. Brown: +950 (bet $10 to win $105 total)
CeeDee Lamb: +1100 (bet $10 to win $120 total)
Justin Jefferson: +1400 (bet $10 to win $150 total)
Nico Collins: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Drake London: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
A.J. Brown: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)

What to know: This race is expected to be extremely close, with several superstar receivers clustered near the top of the oddsboard. Jaxon Smith-Njigba led the NFL with 1,793 receiving yards in 2025, while Puka Nacua finished second with 1,715 despite playing one fewer game. Elsewhere on the oddsboard, Nico Collins and CeeDee Lamb are among the contenders after abbreviated 2025 seasons. Collins finished with 1,117 receiving yards in 15 games, while Lamb posted 1,077 yards in 14. A.J. Brown also makes the list in his first season with the New England Patriots and quarterback Drake Maye. 

Ja’Marr Chase is favored to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns (Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images).

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Most regular-season receiving TDs

Ja’Marr Chase: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Davante Adams: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Amon-Ra St. Brown: +700 (bet $10 to win $80 total)
Jaxon Smith-Njigba: +800 (bet $10 to win $90 total)
CeeDee Lamb: +900 (bet $10 to win $100 total)
Puka Nacua: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
A.J. Brown: +1500 (bet $10 to win $160 total)
Tee Higgins: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Nico Collins: +1800 (bet $10 to win $190 total)
Justin Jefferson: +2000 (bet $10 to win $210 total)
Drake London: +2500 (bet $10 to win $260 total)

What to know: Despite only catching 60 passes for 789 yards, Davante Adams led the entire NFL in receiving touchdowns last season with 14, establishing himself as a major red zone weapon for Matthew Stafford. As a result, Adams enters the 2026 season with the second-best odds (+700) to lead the league in receiving touchdowns once again. Ja’Marr Chase is the current favorite at +650 after catching eight touchdown passes in 16 games last season, tied for 11th in the NFL. Meanwhile, his Bengals teammate, Tee Higgins, finished tied for second in the league with 11 receiving TDs. Several other superstars atop the oddsboard produced double-digit touchdown seasons in 2025, including Amon-Ra St. Brown (11), Nacua (10), and Smith-Njigba (10). 

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There is always baseball happening — almost too much baseball for one person to follow themselves.

Don’t worry, we’re here to help you by figuring out what you missed but shouldn’t have. Here are all the best moments from last night in Major League Baseball:

D-Backs Walk It Off

The Diamondbacks have won their way right into holding a postseason spot, as Tuesday’s win over the Athletics in extra innings, paired with the Cardinals’ fourth-straight defeat, put Arizona in a tie with the Pirates for the last wild-card spot in the NL. It almost didn’t happen, though: the D-backs were up 4-1 after seven innings, but then the A’s stormed back with a run in the eighth and two in the ninth.

With the A’s down to their final out, shortstop Jacob Wilson picked up his lone hit of the day, a two-run homer to tie it up, 4-4.

The Athletics would then add on another in the top of the 10th when first baseman Jonah Heim drove in the lead runner with a sac fly. But that mostly set the D-backs up for the dramatic victory in the bottom of the inning. Third baseman Nolan Arenado singled to center, driving in right fielder Corbin Carroll…

…which brought up Ildemaro Vargas with the bases loaded and one out. The fourth pitch from right-hander Luis Medina was a 98.6 mph four-seam fastball, way, way up and above the strike zone. But still somehow not where it could escape Vargas’ bat.

Look again at how high that pitch was! It was up at Vargas’ eyes! And he hit it on the ground, through the hole in the infield and into left, giving Gabriel Moreno an easy trot home from third base for the win.

Goodman Matches Career-High With Game Winner

In 2025, Rockies’ backstop Hunter Goodman hit 31 homers, a career-high that would also seem like a ton of home runs in a season where Cal Raleigh wasn’t setting records for backstops and switch-hitters. Now, through July 21, Goodman matched last season’s total, and he picked a great day for it, too. Goodman’s solo dinger in the bottom of the eighth against the Nationals gave the Rockies an 8-7 lead, which Colorado would not relinquish.

It was bad timing for a loss for the Nationals, considering the Cardinals, Pirates and Marlins all lost — this was an opportunity to move up in the crowded wild-card race, but instead, Washington remains 1.5 back. Not that it’s a massive deficit by any means, but considering how many teams are chasing so few spots, losses like this could always come back to haunt.

Triple Play!

Speaking of the Marlins losing, Miami fell to the Astros, 5-3. Before taking the L, though, the Marlins managed to pull off a triple play. Around the horn, to third baseman Leo Jiménez, to second baseman Xavier Edwards and finally to first and Kyle Stowers.

More Like Realmutoooh Noooooooo

This one was ugly. First, some setup. In the bottom of the first, third baseman Alec Bohm drove in first baseman Bryce Harper to go up, 1-0 over the Dodgers. That would end up being the only run the Phillies would score, though.

The Dodgers had their own issues crossing the plate, not just figuratively but literally. Shohei Ohtani at first appeared to drive in a run, but he decided to try to leg it out for a double and, after a review, was called out at second, nullifying the run scoring since Eliezer Alfonzo thought he had plenty of time and didn’t have to go as hard as possible running home. Ohtani running when he maybe should not have, and Alonzo not running as hard as he needed to. A couple of whoops, yeah, but give it a second, that will be eclipsed.

Third baseman Max Muncy would end up hitting a two-run homer in the next inning to give the Dodgers a lead…

…and the Phillies would threaten to tie things up in the bottom of the ninth. Bohm singled off Tanner Scott to lead off the inning, then catcher J.T. Realmuto doubled, sending pinch-runner Justin Crawford to third. Here’s where things get weird.

Right fielder Brandon Marsh came to the plate with one out. He hit a ground ball to third, and Bohm realized he was in trouble as the lead runner right near Muncy. So, he stood between third and home to give Realmuto time to get to third, and simultaneously start a rundown that might give him a chance to score and tie the game. Realmuto did head to third, and then for some reason instead of just letting Bohm be tagged out at third as things went back and forth, ran back to second. 

So. The Dodgers got Bohm, and then they got Realmuto, too — that was the ballgame. Instead of two outs and a runner on first and third with center fielder Derek Hill up, the game was over and the Phillies lost. Brutal.

Luis Robert Jr. Obliterated A Baseball

Center fielder Luis Robert Jr. recently returned to the Mets’ lineup after a lengthy stint on the IL, and made his presence felt. Robert hit this ball 451 feet, with an exit velocity of 112.2 mph — it took just about four seconds to get from the plate to the stands, and Bryse Wilson knew it was gone the second he heard the sound the bat made.

What a shot. The Mets would win 4-0, which was great for them, but Robert was somehow outdone on the same night despite this impressive blast. And that’s because…

Fernando Tatis Jr. Obliterated A Baseball, But More

The Padres defeated the Braves 8-3, thanks to a couple of homers from third baseman Manny Machado and a good night from right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., who drove in three with a 3-for-5 performance. Tatis hit a double, but his most impressive plate appearance was the one that ended in a 474-foot dinger.

Dear lord. JR Ritchie caught too much of the plate with the eighth pitch of the at-bat, and Tatis drove it back 111 mph to left-center, to the back of the bleachers. That thing one-hopped its way to the outfield concourse! Tatis earned the right to admire this one, that’s for sure.

The Padres, along with the Diamondbacks, were the only other team chasing the ones with wild cards to win on Tuesday. And San Diego was already ahead when Tatis unloaded this one, but it was some exclamation point.

A Big Day For Suárez

The Reds and Mariners faced off, which meant that Eugenio Suárez was facing off against his former team. And he’s had a tough season, but it didn’t look like it against Seattle. Suárez had just one hit, but he made it count by going yard to put the Reds up 2-0.

He also showed off his defense with a reach that kept a ball from heading into the outfield, and converted from the backhand into an overhead throw to first from foul territory. Sure, it was a little bit off — Sal Stewart had to stretch to bring in the throw — but Suárez got it there in the air despite the distance and off-balance toss.

Left fielder Randy Arozarena felt he was safe, even making the sign as if he was while running, but nope. Suárez and Stewart pulled this one off. And the Reds ended up with a 4-2 win, as well, dropping Seattle half-a-game further behind the idle Red Sox.

PCA’s Glove >>>>

Pete Crow-Armstrong. He’s pretty good defensively, not sure if you’ve heard about this. Great with the bat, after some early struggles, anyway, but always thriving with the glove. Like he did on Tuesday against the Tigers in an 11-2 Cubs victory.

He makes it look surprisingly easy, but there’s a reason he’s ranked first in Outs Above Average in Statcast for the second year in a row. It’s only easy for guys like him.

Nimmo’s 4-Hit Night

A night after getting blown out 10-3 by the White Sox, the Rangers responded with a 10-0 victory. Right fielder Brandon Nimmo was a significant part of that, scoring two runs and driving in two himself with a 4-for-4 showing. The main highlight? This home run to get the Rangers on the board in the first place and put them up 2-0.

Nimmo also had three singles, and the win gave the Rangers back possession of first-place in the AL West. Texas is just half-a-game up on the Mariners and 51-50 — there’s no guarantee the eventual division champion is even a .500 team at this point, but hey, a postseason spot is a postseason spot.

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