Author: Eternity Lab

Winning one title in a year is hard enough. Winning two puts you in one of baseball’s most exclusive clubs.

In March, Jackson Chourio, William Contreras and Antonio Senzatela helped Team Venezuela win a World Baseball Classic championship in Miami. Seven months later, they’re celebrating winning another title in Florida.

With the Milwaukee Brewers’ 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the World Series, the trio became just the third, fourth and fifth players in baseball history to win the World Baseball Classic and the World Series in the same calendar year.

Until now, only two players had won two world titles in the same calendar year: Alex Bregman and Luke Gregerson. 

Both won the 2017 WBC with Team USA and the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros. Bregman was a 22-year-old in his first full big-league season that year, and Gregerson was a veteran reliever in the Astros’ bullpen.

Chourio was the only of the three Brewers and two Astros who played in the final, starting and hitting ninth for Venezuela against Team USA.

Many players have won both a WBC and World Series title during their careers, such as Shohei Ohtani (Japan/Dodgers), Buster Posey (USA/Giants), and Salvador Perez (Venezuela/Royals), but they won them in different years rather than the same calendar year.

For the Brewers trio, the first title came back in March, when Venezuela beat the United States 3-2 to win its first-ever WBC championship.

Seven months ago, Chourio was limited in the World Baseball Classic due to a broken hand during spring training, so he batted ninth for the Venezuelan team that won the tournament. 

In the semifinal against Italy, Chourio executed a hit-and-run during Venezuela’s seventh-inning rally and later scored the go-ahead run on Maikel Garcia’s RBI single. Garcia was named tournament MVP.

William Contreras and his older brother Willson, the Boston Red Sox catcher, both won gold medals with Venezuela at the 2026 World Baseball Classic. (Photo by Daniel Shirey/WBCI/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Contreras’ contributions in March were also limited, but not due to injury.

Royals veteran Salvador Perez, Venezuela’s captain, handled much of the catching and was behind the plate for the title game, so Contreras appeared in only four games and went hitless. He still walked onto the podium with his older brother Willson, the Boston Red Sox first baseman, to receive their medals together. 

Seven months later, the younger Contreras spent October guiding Milwaukee’s pitching staff, including a bullpen game in the NLCS clincher against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Senzatela’s path to this double was the most unlikely. He was a member of the Colorado Rockies when he won the WBC, and he had spent his entire 10-year career in Colorado up to that point. 

After moving to the bullpen full-time in 2026, the Brewers acquired him at the Aug. 3 trade deadline to add another arm to their bullpen. 

A fourth Brewer was part of both championship teams but won’t officially join the list. Left-hander Ángel Zerpa pitched for Venezuela in the WBC, but he landed on the injured list in late April with left forearm tightness and underwent Tommy John surgery in May, ending his season. 

The sweep completes a remarkable turnaround for the first-time champion Brewers.

Milwaukee entered the postseason with MLB’s best record at 103-59. A year after the Dodgers swept them in the 2025 NLCS, the Brewers swept the two-time defending champions to reach their first World Series since 1982. 

Now the Brewers finally have one, and three of their players won two championships in 2026.

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Willson Contreras swapped his Red Sox colors for Brewers blue to cheer on his little brother, William, on the sport’s biggest stage.

The Red Sox veteran reportedly flew in from Hawaii on Wednesday to support William, the Milwaukee Brewers’ catcher, for Game 5 of the World Series against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field, wearing his brother’s Brewers jersey.

Suffice to say, his trip was worth the trouble.

Not only did the Brewers clinch their first-ever World Series title with a 4-1 win over the Rays in Game 5, but William was named World Series MVP after he went 8-for-21 with four RBIs through five games and threw out runners attempting to steal in each of the first three games.

William, Wilson and their older brother Willmer Contreras shared a special moment after the game, embracing each other before William joined the MLB on FOX desk for a postgame interview.

“It means a lot; it means everything to me,” Contreras said. “My brother is my best friend. Obviously, I love him, and I’ve got to say I appreciate him for everything.”

The Contreras brothers have already shared one championship this year. In March, both were part of Venezuela’s World Baseball Classic-winning roster that beat the United States 3-2 in Miami.

Willson then got a front-row seat as William chased a second title in the same calendar year.

A World Series win put William, along with teammates Jackson Chourio and Antonio Senzatela, in rare company. Only Alex Bregman and Luke Gregerson, who did it in 2017, have won the WBC and the World Series in the same year.

“We love this game,” Contreras said. “It’s the only thing we know how to do.”

World Series MVP William Contreras Gets Emotional Reacting to Brewers’ First World Series Title

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Christian Yelich has waited a long time to call himself a World Series champion. 

In the middle of the celebration, his thoughts turned to the man who wanted it as badly as anyone.

After the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays 4-1 in Game 5 to clinch the first championship in franchise history, Yelich spoke with FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal. Rosenthal asked what longtime Brewers broadcaster Bob Uecker would be thinking if he were looking down.

“He’s smiling, man. He’s smiling,” Yelich said. “I really wish he could have been here to see this. … But like we said a bunch, he’s been with us a lot. We keep him close to our hearts. And this one’s still for Bob.”

Bob Uecker, who died in 2025, was the longtime voice of the Brewers. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)

Uecker, the voice of the Brewers for 54 seasons, died in January 2025 at 90 from small-cell lung cancer, months after calling his final Brewers postseason game. His diagnosis was never made public, but those closest to him knew, including Yelich.

During the Stand Up To Cancer moment in Game 4, every Brewers player’s placard read “UECK.” (Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Uecker’s memory followed the Brewers throughout October. 

During Game 4 on Tuesday, play paused after the fifth inning for the annual Stand Up To Cancer moment, when everyone in the ballpark holds up a placard with the name of someone affected by cancer. 

As cameras panned across the Brewers lined up in front of their dugout, every placard carried the same name: “UECK.”

“It just feels like it’s fitting, the obvious choice to make,” Yelich said afterwards.

Yelich has seen this Brewers run take shape since the day he arrived in Milwaukee.

Acquired from the Miami Marlins in January 2018, he won NL MVP in his first season in Milwaukee. 

He’s now the second-longest-tenured Brewer behind Brandon Woodruff, and they’re the last two players left from the 2018 team that lost Game 7 of the NLCS to the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Eight years later, Milwaukee finally finished the job. The Brewers swept the Dodgers in the NLCS and then beat the Rays to bring home the city’s first World Series title.

“We’re coming home, baby,” Yelich told Rosenthal when asked for his message to Brewers fans. “We can’t wait to see you. Can’t wait to celebrate.”

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The Milwaukee Brewers waited 57 years for their first-ever World Series title. For some fans, that’s an entire lifetime; for rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt, it was much, much shorter than that.

“This is one of the greatest moments of my life,” Pratt told FOX Sports’ Tom Verducci after the Brewers’ World Series-clinching win over the Tampa Rays on Wednesday. “Oh my gosh. It doesn’t even feel real. It’s surreal. It only took four months, frick!”

The 22-year-old quickly became one of Milwaukee’s most valuable hitters during their World Series campaign. Through 13 postseason games, Pratt notched 17 hits, seven runs, seven RBIs and hit one home run.

Pratt is now the first rookie in MLB history to hit for three straight multi-RBI games in the World Series.

Pratt credited the Brewers’ fan base for keeping him and the team energized throughout their postseason run.

“We have the best fans,” Pratt said. “It’s loud, it’s crazy, the pressure is out of this world. It’s some of the hardest but most fun baseball I’ve ever been a part of.

“I messed up a lot of times this postseason, but the guys picked me up, and we’re here, and we’re world champions. It’s so special, man. I’m so blessed. I owe it all to my Heavenly Father. It’s amazing.”

Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, Christian Yelich & more react to WORLD SERIES WIN in Game 5 vs Rays

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The Milwaukee Brewers are World Series champions for the first time.

The Brewers beat the Tampa Bay Rays, 4-1, in Game 5 on Wednesday night, capturing the title and wrapping up one of the most dominant postseasons in recent memory.

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Forty-four years in the making, the Milwaukee Brewers are the 2026 World Series champions.

With a deep roster and dominance on both sides of the ball, the Brewers earned the franchise’s first ever title. For the MLB on FOX crew, Milwaukee proved why the Brewers were the team to beat for multiple reasons.

“This has cemented them now as one of the best overall teams that we’ve seen in a long time,” FOX Sports’ Derek Jeter said. “And in this day and age, when everyone’s trying to hit home runs, they don’t worry about strikeouts. You have a team like the Milwaukee Brewers that play situational baseball.”

Following a campaign in which they led MLB with 103 wins and won the NL Central for the fourth straight season, the Brewers dominated October. Their postseason record (11-2) included beating the Padres in the NLDS and then sweeping the Dodgers in the NLCS. 

The Brewers were so dominant they allowed fewer than five runs and 10 hits – while striking out at least five batters – in each of their final 18 games across both the regular season and postseason.

FOX Sports’ David “Big Papi” Ortiz emphasized what made Milwaukee dominant: their success at the plate and their ability to stay on offense made for a memorable World Series.

“They play the game right. They move the runner over. They get on base. They run the bases perfectly fine. They play good defense. They got great pitching. They have an old-school manager [in Pat Murphy] who basically keeps them put all year round, and that’s why they dominate the National League,” Ortiz said.

On a team that doesn’t have a standout star, it was their collection of talented players that shined at this World Series. Brewers’ ace Jacob Misiorowski, who’ll likely win the NL Cy Young award, pitched an unstoppable 5.2 innings in Game 5 before coming off with an apparent cramp. World Series MVP William Contreras dominated on the diamond, hitting .381 and going 8-for-21 during the series. He showed his talent behind the plate, throwing out four runners trying to steal base and winning 10 Automated Ball-Strike challenges. 

For FOX Sports’ Alex Rodriguez, beyond playing good baseball by the book, the elements that made Milwaukee the final team standing created the perfect love story for the Brewers’ first-ever title.

“This is an impossible love story; an impossible team not to admire,” Rodriguez said. “From top to bottom, the character, the A-plus roster construction, young guys, 9 to 10 guys under the age of 28, but they play like veterans.”

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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio, third baseman David Hamilton and right-handed reliever Abner Uribe stood side by side, put their arms around their shoulders and sang “Take Me Home, Country Roads” by John Denver.

As the World Series champions swayed and sang together in the clubhouse, Brewers first baseman Jake Bauers stood off to the side, grinning ear to ear, and watched his teammates celebrate the biggest accomplishment of their careers.

After Brewers closer Trevor Megill induced a ground out to Rays pinch-hitter Richie Palacios, and second baseman Brice Turang threw it to first, it was Bauers who secured the final out of Game 5 of the World Series to officially declare the 2026 Milwaukee Brewers first-time champions. The only thing running through his mind was that he needed to keep the ball safe.

“I’m so happy,” Bauers told me in Milwaukee’s euphoric, beer-soaked clubhouse. “I’m so happy for my teammates. I’m so happy for the entire staff. I’m so happy for the city of Milwaukee. We did it together. I’ll keep saying that until I die. It’s true. We found something together, and we just kept going until it was over.”

(Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Bauers said he never wanted this to end. Winning 114 times this year was not enough.

“I’m ready to start the next game,” Bauers told me. “We can keep going until the world freezes over for all I care. Start the game.”

In the background, the soundtrack to the Brewers’ celebration appropriately featured “We Are The Champions” by the rock band Queen. On the carpeted floor, there were champagne puddles everywhere.

Reporters who have been covering game-clinchers for decades remarked they had never before gotten that wringing-wet. No one was safe from being showered with whatever they could find. Champagne, beer, water, and even the Fanta that their rookie shortstop Cooper Pratt drinks.

Pratt, who hit .421 (8-for-19) in the World Series, carried the championship trophy around the clubhouse like it was a newborn baby. “I’m taking this thing for a joyride!” Pratt said.

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

Catcher and World Series MVP William Contreras stood in the corner of the clubhouse, eyeblack still on his face with goggles pushed up over his forehead, with the Venezuelan flag draped over his shoulders.

Contreras helped Team Venezuela win the World Baseball Classic in March. Just seven months later, he understood what it felt like to hold three trophies: the WBC, the World Series, and MVP.

“I was going to find one way or another to bring that trophy home with me for sure,” Contreras said. “Very happy we’re able to share this with the people in Milwaukee. Now we’ll be written in history with them, and get to celebrate this with them.”

(Photo by Carmen Mandato/Getty Images)

While the Brewers danced, sprayed champagne and guzzled bottles of beer in the over-capacity clubhouse at Tropicana Field, a member of the Brewers medical staff stood alongside the champagne-soaked wall and couldn’t shake that someone important was missing.

“It’s sad that Ueck’s not here,” Dr. Yuka Kobayashi, a team physician, told me. “He always wanted to make sure everyone was included. Even when I started out here nine years ago, when I was a youngling, he always, always made a point to come talk to you. He made you feel like you were the center of the universe.

“Right now, it’s all the emotions at once. We all miss him so much. He would’ve loved this.”

(Photo by Mike Carlson/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

There was an undercurrent of heartache rippling through the celebratory clubhouse in the profound absence of Bob Uecker, the former Brewers catcher, pop-culture icon and Hall of Fame play-by-play radio voice of the Brewers for 54 seasons. Uecker passed away at the beginning of last year after a battle with lung cancer at the age of 90.

Players insisted that Uecker had found ways to be a part of the Brewers’ championship run throughout this October.

In Game 1 of the NLDS against San Diego, after Padres first baseman Ty France hit a high fly ball that struck a roof cable at American Family Field, Murphy joked that, “We had Ueck knock that ball down.” Among the thousands of Brewers fans that traveled to Tropicana Field to watch the Brewers win the World Series on Wednesday, one individual standing behind the visitors’ dugout held up a sign that said: “UECK, WE DID IT!”

The Brewers played hard for Ueck all postseason, and they partied hard for him, too, even popping champagne bottles with his name on them.

Players snuck behind the plastic sheets hanging in front of their lockers and smoked cigars. There was no point in sneaking. The sharp smell of beer and cigars had long filled the room and escaped out into the tunnel.

Always, at the center of all the commotion was 22-year-old Jackson Chourio, who was so ecstatic to be a champion that he hugged camera crew and media members before they asked him questions. At one point, Chourio paused the partying and had a long chat with Hall of Famer Robin Yount, who earned a shout-out from Brewers manager Pat Murphy in his postgame clubhouse speech for paving the way as a member of the 1982 AL-pennant-winning Brewers.

A group of relievers found Brewers owner Mark Attanasio and poured three blue bottles of La Marca champagne over him. Wearing yellow, open-toed Brewers sandals, Attanasio was ready for it. His championship T-shirt was soaked through.

“For so long, we were told that we can’t win the way we’ve played,” Attanasio told me. “We can’t win by hitting singles, by not hitting home runs. They told us we need stars. We need Hall of Famers. We need expensive players. But we have extremely valuable players. With the players, we built this together. We didn’t just buy these players. Look at Cooper Pratt. Nobody knew who he was four months ago. They all know who he is now!”

If there’s one Brewer player everyone did know four months ago, it was Brandon Woodruff. The homegrown veteran right-hander is the longest-tenured Brewer in the organization, and after battling a right shoulder injury this year that was so severe it could’ve ended his season, he made a surprise return and was added to Milwaukee’s World Series roster ahead of Game 1.

(Photo by Mary DeCicco/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

Woodruff secured the final three outs of Game 3’s 10-1 victory over the Rays on Monday night at Tropicana Field, closing the book on one of the most memorable wins of this Brewers season. On Wednesday night, after Woodruff became a champion, the 33-year-old stood on a pile of blue and yellow confetti in the center of the outfield.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he reflected on his career. Woodruff told me he doesn’t yet know if he’ll hang up his cleats and retire after this year. All he could think about was how grateful he was to Murphy, otherwise and forevermore known as “Murph.”

“I had a little moment with Murph after we won it and I just told him, ‘Thank you. Thank you for getting me into a game,’” Woodruff said. “It makes every bit of that stuff worth it. And it’s pretty cool to do it all in one place.”

(Photo by Daniel Shirey/MLB Photos via Getty Images)

After the Brewers won it all and fell on top of each other on the field, Bauers held onto the ball from the final out. He held onto it throughout their chaotic on-field celebration and kept it in his pocket during the trophy presentation. Once the team came down from the stage and spilled onto the field, Bauers looked around for his manager.

The first baseman found Murphy and gave him the ball.

“Last out,” Bauers said as he handed it over.

Murphy didn’t hear him. “Last what?” he asked.

“Last out,” Bauers said again.

Murphy took the ball and put it in his back pocket. He shook his first baseman’s hand before giving him a hug.

The beloved Milwaukee skipper told Bauers, the NLCS MVP who is now officially a free agent, to remember what the Brewers did this year.

As if any one of them could forget.

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Week 8 of the college football season matched the chaos in Weeks 6 and 7. 

Can Week 9 make that four in a row?

Saturday starts with No. 25 Wisconsin, ranked for the first time since 2023, taking its College Football Playoff hopes to Kinnick Stadium, facing Iowa on “Big Noon Kickoff.” Meanwhile, No. 13 Texas Tech will try to avoid plummeting after a surprising loss to Cincinnati when it faces No. 22 Arizona. 

In the afternoon, can No. 17 Florida secure its third upset of a top-5 team this season against No. 3 Georgia? Will No. 6 Utah remain perfect against the surging Bearcats?

The night ends with Lincoln Riley’s coaching for his job, while No. 2 Ohio State tries to keep its season alive after losing quarterback Julian Sayin. 

We’re breaking down our straight-up picks and the matchups to watch closely throughout the weekend.  

	RJ Young	Laken Litman	Ben Portnoy
Last Week	4-6	2-8	5-5
Overall	50-28	45-33	46-32

  Iowa vs. No. 25 Wisconsin

Wisconsin quarterback Colton Joseph set the record for most rushing yards by a Badgers quarterback when he posted 141 against Michigan State. (Photo by Lawrence Iles/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (FOX)
Where: Kinnick Stadium, Iowa City, Iowa
Line: Iowa -3.5

RJ Young: Wisconsin
If Wisconsin can keep Lincoln Riley’s offense at bay, there’s no reason to believe it can’t do the same to Iowa.

Laken Litman: Wisconsin
After spending some time on the hot seat, Luke Fickell’s team maintains momentum on the road against an Iowa team which has lost two of its last three.

Ben Portnoy: Wisconsin
Wisconsin has found new life thanks to a retooled NIL operation and a roster that now more closely matches that of its Big Ten brethren. If the Badgers get through this one, it might be time to start thinking about a College Football Playoff game in Madison.

  No. 13 Texas Tech vs. No. 22 Arizona

Arizona quarterback Noah Fifita threw for 308 yards and one touchdown as the Wildcats dominated Iowa State in Week 8. (Photo by Christopher Hook/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, noon ET (ESPN)
Where: Galaxy Stadium, Lubbock, Texas
Line: Texas Tech -3.5

Young: Arizona
When Noah Fifita is playing at his best, the Wildcats look like a team capable of winning the Big 12 championship.

Litman: Arizona
In a wild and crazy Big 12, Arizona goes into Lubbock and gets the win behind a big performance from quarterback Noah Fifita.

Portnoy: Arizona
Arizona has quietly been one of the best teams nobody is talking about. Noah Fifita continues to be a star for the Wildcats. After last week’s debacle at Cincinnati, I’m skeptical Texas Tech has enough offensively to win this one.

  No. 12 Ole Miss vs. Auburn

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss threw for 250 yards, but the Rebels second-half comeback fell short against Texas in Week 8. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 12:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Vaught-Hemingway Stadium, Oxford, Mississippi
Line: Ole Miss -13.5

Young: Ole Miss
Trinidad Chambliss is the closest player college football has to New York Knicks’ guard Jalen Brunson and his clutch ability late in games.

Litman: Ole Miss
The Rebels bounce back at home and keep their CFP hopes alive.

Portnoy: Ole Miss
I know Auburn beat Georgia two weeks ago, but that came on the heels of a handful of lucky breaks that have made us think differently about this team. Simply put, Ole Miss is better in every facet right now and should win going away.

  No. 3 Georgia vs. No. 17 Florida

Gunner Stockton and Georgia are trying to bounce back from a loss against Auburn in Week 7, coming off their bye. (Photo by Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
Line: Georgia -11.5

Young: Georgia
The Gators are banged up at quarterback and wide receiver.

Litman: Georgia
The Bulldogs are rejuvenated after a bye week following their first loss of the season and will leave no doubt in this rivalry matchup.

Portnoy: Florida
I am still not quite sure what to make of Florida, but given the offensive upside, the Gators don’t need to be that effective to get a win here. Georgia quarterback Gunner Stockton was susceptible to turnovers against Auburn. Florida’s defense isn’t as good, but weird things happen in this rivalry.

  Oregon vs. No. 20 Northwestern

David Braun has Northwestern football in the Associated Press Top 25 for the first season since 2020. (Photo by Zoe Davis/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m. ET (Peacock)
Where: Autzen Stadium, Eugene, Oregon
Line: Oregon -3.5

Young: Northwestern
The Wildcats are healthier than the Ducks by a fair margin.

Litman: Northwestern
Northwestern gets a massive road win against a struggling Oregon offense that is desperately missing quarterback Dante Moore.

Portnoy: Northwestern
Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly should probably be the front-runner for the Broyles Award, honoring the best assistant coach in America. The Ducks are in the midst of a lost season and a slew of off-the-field issues have vibes at the lowest they’ve been in years around the program. Give me the ‘Cats to keep in the mix for a CFP berth.

  Cincinnati vs. No. 6 Utah

Utah quarterback Devon Dampier rushed for 150 yards and two touchdowns in the Utes win over Houston in Week 8. (Photo by Chris Gardner/ Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 3:45 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Where: Nippert Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Line: Utah -6.5

Young: Utah
The Bearcats will fall against a program as good at running the football as they are.

Litman: Utah
Cincinnati is coming off a huge win against Texas Tech, but Utah keeps its perfect season intact.

Portnoy: Utah
Utah finally played an opponent with a pulse last week and gave us enough evidence to suggest it and BYU should be considered the frontrunners for the Big 12 title this year. Cincinnati shouldn’t be overlooked after throttling Texas Tech, but the high of that win feels hard to shake off with a trip out West on tap.

  Iowa State vs. No. 24 Oklahoma State

Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker threw for 386 yards and four touchdowns in the Cowboys win over Colorado in Week 8.  (Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:00 p.m. ET (FS1)
Where: Jack Trice Stadium, Ames, Iowa
Line: Oklahoma State -8.5

Young: Oklahoma State
Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker is playing like a Heisman Trophy finalist. 

Litman: Oklahoma State
Drew Mestemaker is having one of the best seasons of any quarterback in the nation and that continues against the struggling Cyclones.

Portnoy: Oklahoma State
I’ve admittedly fallen victim to forgetting about Oklahoma State for long stretches after the loss to Tulsa. Hard to ignore now. Drew Mestemaker is playing as well as any quarterback in America. That’s the difference in this one.

  USC vs. No. 2 Ohio State

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has a decision to make, choosing a new starting quarterback after Julian Sayin’s injury. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (NBC)
Where: Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles, California
Line: USC -6.5

Young: Ohio State
The Buckeyes possess the better defense and the best player in the sport in wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Litman: Ohio State
Even without starting quarterback Julian Sayin, the Buckeyes show their resilience and make life for USC coach Lincoln Riley that much harder.

Portnoy: Ohio State
Is it Tavien St. Clair or Luke Fahey at quarterback for the Buckeyes? Perhaps both? I’m skeptical of how far this Ohio State team can go without Julian Sayin, but USC feels like it’s on the verge of implosion. Lincoln Riley has spent the week answering questions about job security. I don’t care who’s lining up under center for Ryan Day, that’s not exactly an inspiring sign of stability. 

  North Carolina vs. No. 1 Miami

Miami duo Darian Mensah and Malachi Toney combined for three touchdowns in the Hurricanes’ win against Pitt in Week 8. (Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

When: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET (ABC)
Where: Kenan Stadium, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Line: Miami -14.5

Young: Miami
The Hurricanes feel like 2025 Indiana.

Litman: Miami
The ‘Canes keep rolling ahead of next week’s massive showdown in South Bend against Notre Dame.

Portnoy: Miami
Short of Notre Dame next week, I’m not sure Miami won’t win every game remaining on its schedule by at least two touchdowns. I’m buying stock in quarterback Darian Mensah as the eventual Heisman winner, and, for all the good UNC has done this year, it’s not at the level of a national title contender like the Hurricanes.

Drew Mestemaker finds Enai White for 3-yard TD, taking lead for Oklahoma State over Colorado

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The Seahawks reminded why they have the best defense in football. The Lions have an ideal quarterback to spoil the Vikings’ perfect record. The Giants might have a new starting quarterback.

Each week, I dive into the All-22 coaches’ film before offering a few insights to watch. Here are three developments that could be long-term storylines involving some of the best teams and players in the NFL.

1.

Whenever a defense gets to face a former teammate who has teased and tormented them in practices for years, the unit can’t wait to spot the ball and shut down their ex to earn bragging rights. With star running back Kenneth Walker III returning to Seattle to face the league’s top defense in prime time this past week, the football world couldn’t wait to see how the “Dark Side” would treat K9 in his homecoming.  

Walker, of course, didn’t enter the matchup as merely the reigning Super Bowl MVP. He was the NFL’s rushing leader after averaging a whopping 133 yards per game while forcing 51 missed tackles through five games. The fifth-year pro was picking up 9.2 yards per carry when not hit behind the line of scrimmage, which led the NFL by over a full yard (minimum 25 carries). However, the Seahawks are a sure-tackling team, with a 90.1% tackling rate (third-highest) and hit running backs in the backfield on 48.5% of their carries, with 22.7% of those hits resulting in a tackle for loss or no gain. 

A long, hard look at the tape from this Week 7 showdown revealed a lot about the Seahawks. Namely, they boast the best defense in football. Defensive-minded head coach Mike Macdonald has installed a scheme that lets his playmakers play fast, but from various spots and alignments. As a proponent of positionless football, the Seahawks run five and six defensive backs on the field at all times, and their clever use of Nickel and Dime personnel, regardless of the offensive grouping, speaks to the unit’s versatility, with defensive backs deployed as quasi-linebackers on blitzes. 

Against Kansas City, Seattle didn’t stray from that approach, playing five or more defensive backs on 100% of the snaps. With Macdonald keeping his defensive backs deep to eliminate explosives through the air, the Seahawks impressively kept Walker in check without loading the box. They finished with a 7.1% stacked-box rate, per Next Gen Stats, while holding the Chiefs to 4.3 yards per play and limiting Walker to just 36 rushing yards total. The stellar performance snapped Walker’s 11-game streak with at least 50 yards and offered a blueprint for containing the NFL’s top rusher.  

Studying the All-22 coaches’ footage, the Seahawks contained the Super Bowl MVP with a high school-like game plan featured on Friday nights across the country. The defense stayed in a traditional two-deep zone or single-high safety coverage with five defensive backs on the field. They overwhelmed the Chiefs at the point of attack with interior size and outran Walker to the corner, with a speedy collection of linebackers and defensive backs running the ball with urgency. Seattle’s outstanding effort and flawless tackling stopped Walker in his tracks and disrupted the rhythm of an offense that has dictated its terms to opponents with a balanced but explosive attack. 

Although Macdonald added some tricks and gimmicks throughout the game, the Seahawks simply overwhelmed the Chiefs with their talent, toughness and tenacity. If they continue to play to their standard, the defending champs will have a lot to say about which team represents the NFC in Super Bowl LXI. 

2.

Under aggressive defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Minnesota Vikings have lived and died by the blitz. But the blitz-heavy tactician’s diabolical methods will be tested Sunday against Jared Goff and the Detroit Lions in America’s Game of the Week (1 p.m. ET on FOX).   

The Vikings enter Week 8 with the highest blitz rate in the NFL, coming off a game in which they registered the highest blitz rate in a single game (85.2%) in the Next Gen Stats era. Flores has pummeled quarterbacks into submission with an exotic pressure scheme that taxes the mind, body and soul. His unit relentlessly stresses opponents with five- and six-man pressures, complemented by simulated blitzes that radically change the picture for quarterbacks, with only four defenders rushing and seven falling back into coverage. 

Flores’ psychotic, high-pressure approach has turned the Vikings into a defensive juggernaut, and the football world is buzzing. In studying the All-22 coaches’ footage from the Vikings’ 16-10 win in Week 7 over the Colts, persistent pressure and constant harassment forced Daniel Jones into one of the worst performances of his career (he completed 13 of 22 passes for 108 yards and an interception), as Minnesota scratched out its sixth win with minimal contributions from the offense. 

Although Jones wilted under pressure, the Vikings will face an unflappable quarterback this weekend in Goff. The former No. 1 overall pick has become comfortable amid chaos, as shown by his remarkable numbers against the blitz. He enters Week 8 with a higher completion percentage (70% to 66%), passer rating (123.3 to 107.5) and yards per attempt (8.2 to 7.9) when blitzed compared to coverage. He surgically carves up defenses when under pressure, whether blitzes come up the middle or off the edges to disrupt his rhythm. Goff’s poise and pinpoint accuracy let him punish opponents for risky approaches. 

Against the Vikings, Goff must be prepared for “all-out” blitzes with everyone attacking the pocket from “mug” alignments (both linebackers positioned in the gap between the center and guard). An ultra-aggressive blitz from a hyper-aggressive alignment sets the tone for the rest of the game because it immediately speeds up the clock for the QB, forcing him to face his fear of a physical beatdown. Additionally, constant pre-snap movement and post-snap trickery can lead to countless mistakes and blunders from newbies and veterans alike. Moreover, it creates a scary-movie effect, making Flores the “Boogeyman” everyone fears around this time of year. 

Given his experience against Flores and his high-pressure scheme, Goff has a chance to crack the code on a defensive scheme that has quarterbacks and playcallers up late at night.

3.

Before you laugh at the thought of Minnesota castoff J.J. McCarthy becoming a permanent QB1 for his new squad, consider how the former first-rounder has quickly adapted to the Giants’ culture and energized an offense that suddenly looks competent under his direction. 

Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised by his early success after connecting with John Harbaugh, who likely received operating instructions from his brother on how to maximize the young quarterback’s talent. It was just a few years ago, after all, that McCarthy led Jim Harbaugh’s Michigan Wolverines to a 28-1 record and a national championship while running an old-school offense that bludgeoned opponents with a hard-hitting running game and a complementary aerial attack. 

Although skeptics questioned whether McCarthy could carry an offense as a designated playmaker, Jim Harbaugh advocated for him, calling McCarthy the “best quarterback” in the 2024 class during league meetings and after Michigan’s Pro Day. Harbaugh praised McCarthy’s arm talent, intangibles and competitiveness, and highlighted his exceptional command of the Wolverines’ offense. 

In New York, McCarthy has been as good as advertised despite his struggles with the Vikings. The underrated dual-threat has energized the Giants’ offense with his playmaking potential, adding an explosive element to an offense that needed a shot of energy. Despite playing less than a quarter of Week 6, McCarthy connected on five passes for at least 20 yards. That tied a career-high. After adding another five such completions in Week 7 — he trails only Caleb Williams (11) in the entire league over the past two weeks — it is time for the football world to reconsider its opinion of the polarizing passer. 

John Harbaugh’s tough love and blue-collar environment, combined with offensive coordinator Matt Nagy’s experience with young quarterbacks (see: Mitch Trubisky) leading playoff-caliber teams, could give the Giants a chance to hang onto the NFC East crown by season’s end. The Giants’ new QB1 has the right mix of gunslinger and game manager to enhance a ground-and-pound offense and complement an aggressive defense that can control the game with a dynamic crew of defensive linemen and linebackers. 

Should the Giants continue to build confidence with McCarthy under center, don’t be surprised if he ultimately forces an unexpected QB competition in 2027 with Jaxson Dart that determines which former first-rounder owns the starting job for years to come.

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A few big dominoes have already dropped ahead of the NFL trade deadline, and if we had it our way, there would be many more before 4 p.m. ET arrives on Nov. 10.

Last week, we looked at which player on all 32 teams is the top candidate to be dealt before the trade deadline. This week, we’re looking at which player every playoff hopeful should try to land before the deadline comes and goes. 

A couple of our choices are repetitive, as there are a few teams that should clearly take advantage of the Indianapolis Colts’ fire sale and try to land star running back Jonathan Taylor. Some of our picks aren’t the sexiest names, either, as there are a handful of teams who could be better served trading for depth. And a few of our selections are a bit outside the box, as we think of creative ways for certain teams to get better before gearing up for a playoff run.

So, which player should your favorite team try to trade for before Nov. 10 arrives? Here’s one player every playoff hopeful should target. 

Click on a team below to navigate this post.

AFC

NFC

 

Trade target: New York Jets edge rusher Will McDonald IV

Greg Auman: Atlanta has gotten by surprisingly well at edge rusher despite Jalon Walker being out for the year and James Pearce about to finish an eight-game suspension. If the Falcons are really looking to make a push to end their playoff drought, they could double down by trading for Will McDonald IV, who played for defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich in 2023-24 and had 10.5 sacks in their second year together. He’s under contract on his fifth-year option for 2027, so it’s not just a rental. 

Another cheaper potential reunion? Get much-needed receiver help and add Jerry Jeudy from the Browns, where he played for current Falcons coach Kevin Stefanski.

Trade target: Los Angeles Chargers S Derwin James

Steven Ruiz: The history is there. Derwin James played two seasons under Ravens coach Jesse Minter during his time with the Chargers, and general manager Eric DeCosta said he would have taken the safety if they hadn’t traded down in the 2018 NFL Draft. Bringing in James, who could take over as the full-time nickelback, would free up Kyle Hamilton to move around the defense. 

The Ravens haven’t gotten much out of their deep safeties, but Hamilton could solve that. In 2024, Baltimore moved Hamilton into a deeper role, and it transformed the defense for the better. Bringing in another versatile piece like James could turn this defense into a top-10 unit. And with the Chargers at 0-6, they’ll likely be open to offers for their expensive vets. 

If the Chargers decide to sell at the trade deadline, could Derwin James become the next player to play for both the Ravens and Chargers? (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)

Trade target: Arizona Cardinals S Budda Baker

Ben Arthur: The Bills are getting uneven play at safety and have pass-defense woes overall. They’re giving up 285.8 passing yards per game, ranked second-worst in the NFL, and sit 30th in scoring defense (28.5 points allowed per game). Despite being 30 years old, Budda Baker is still a big-time playmaker who would give Buffalo a major boost. Through seven games this year, he already has a career-high 3.5 sacks to go with an interception and four passes defended. 

Baker has no guaranteed salary left on his contract after this season, which makes it palpable for a team like the Bills to trade for the older safety. 

Trade target: Philadelphia Eagles CB Riq Woolen

Auman: There’s so much of a Seattle presence in Carolina between head coach Dave Canales and general manager Dan Morgan, both longtime Seahawks guys and where Tariq Woolen began his career. The Eagles’ struggles make Woolen available as a rental, and Carolina has had both starting corners on injured reserve for the past month. 

Backups aren’t likely going to get them a repeat division title, so upgrading the secondary would be a priority if they were to be active at the trade deadline. 

In the event the Eagles decide to trade players at the deadline, Riq Woolen is a candidate to be moved. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Trade target: Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack

Auman: The Chargers’ unexpected disaster should have them dealing veterans at the deadline, and the Bears have traded for Khalil Mack before. He’s 35 and has an 0-6 career playoff record, so you’d think he’d be thrilled to join a legit contender like Chicago. 

It’ll cost more, but the Chargers may make a much younger edge rusher, Tuli Tuipulotu, available. He’s only 24, had 13 sacks last season and will be a free agent next year, but you’d have to give Los Angeles a pick comparable to the one they’d get as a compensatory pick in 2028 for losing him in free agency.

Cincinnati Bengals

AFC North

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Trade target: Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor 

Arthur: This Bengals’ season is about making big swings, right? Cincinnati has already seen the major impact of DT Dexter Lawrence, who was acquired for the 10th overall pick in the past draft, on their once-maligned defense. One of the NFL’s superstar running backs, Jonathan Taylor, could be that piece on offense that takes the Bengals to the next level. 

Chase Brown has been a solid lead back in the past (990 rushing yards in 2024, over 1,000 rushing yards in ‘25), but his production has regressed significantly this year and the Bengals rank 30th in total rushing (81.2 rushing yards per game). That puts way too much pressure on Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to carry the load. The addition of Taylor would give Cincinnati a true pick-your-poison offense.

Jonathan Taylor might be the top name on the trade market as the Colts continue their fire sale. (Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images)

Trade target: Philadelphia Eagles TE Dallas Goedert

Arthur: With Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson back from injury, the Browns are in good shape at running back. But they could really use help at pass catcher for quarterback Deshaun Watson. Outside of Harold Fannin, Cleveland doesn’t have a dependable tight end option. After Fannin, who’s averaging 36.7 receiving yards per game, the team doesn’t have a tight end touching six receiving yards per game. Dallas Goedert’s presence would open up two tight end sets for the Browns, which could make coach Todd Monken’s scheme more versatile. 

Browns GM Andrew Berry was also the Eagles’ vice president of football operations in 2019, so there is a connection to the front office in Philadelphia, which could be a seller ahead of the NFL trade deadline with a 2-5 record. 

Trade target: Arizona Cardinals edge rusher Josh Sweat

Ruiz: The Cowboys could solve a lot of their defensive issues by just getting to the quarterback more often. Unfortunately, teams aren’t just giving away pass-rushing talent, but Josh Sweat and the Cardinals have been headed for a split for the past year, so he could come at a reduced price. Defensive coordinator Christian Parker was on the Eagles coaching staff when Sweat notched eight sacks for Philadelphia during its Super Bowl run.

It’s a no-brainer from a fit perspective, but the 29-year-old hasn’t been productive this season, with just two sacks and seven hurries on a bad Cardinals defense. A trade to a playoff-contending team might bring out the best in him.

Josh Sweat could be a fit for the Cowboys as they seek to fix their defensive woes. (Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Trade target: Indianapolis Colts RB Jonathan Taylor 

Ruiz: Well, since it’s unrealistic for the Broncos to trade for a new starting quarterback, we’ll go with the offense’s second-biggest need: a running back who can produce big plays on the ground. Denver has the offensive line and scheme to produce a good running game, but it doesn’t have a back who can capitalize on those advantages. 

We saw what Jonathan Taylor can do in a friendly offensive environment in 2025 when he played himself into contention for Offensive Player of the Year with the Colts. Broncos coach Sean Payton seems to love Jonah Coleman, who just returned from a preseason injury, but if the 2026 fourth-round pick doesn’t impress in Week 8, Payton could get desperate on deadline day. The Denver coach loves explosive plays, and Taylor can provide them. 

Trade target: Kansas City Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton

Ruiz: The Lions need cornerbacks who can hold up in man coverage if they want to continue running defensive coordinator Kelvin Sheppard’s aggressive scheme. Those can be hard to find on the trade market, as teams typically covet man corners. But the Chiefs have a bit of a surplus at cornerback right now with rookie Mansoor Delane, Nohl Williams, and LaJarius Snead at the top of the depth chart. 

Kristian Fulton, who’s at his best in man coverage, hasn’t played more than 10 coverage snaps since Week 2. If the Chiefs are in the market for a receiver, they may look to flip Fulton for draft capital to help facilitate a trade for one. Detroit has too many holes in its defense to give away draft picks, but adding Fulton shouldn’t cost much. 

Trade target: Philadelphia Eagles G Landon Dickerson

Henry McKenna: The Packers have been connected to basically every trade candidate around the NFL, from Quenton Nelson (now with the Seahawks) to Jonathan Taylor. How about someone who’s unhappy — but under the radar? How about Landon Dickerson? The Eagles have moved him in and out of the lineup and onto injured reserve, and his play has been … downright bad. 

But it’s not like the 28-year-old turned into a bad player overnight. The Packers should kick the tires and bring him in, maybe for a relatively small price on the trade market.

Trade target: New York Jets S Andre Cisco 

Arthur: Safety Reed Blankenship, who signed a three-year deal with the Texans in the offseason, has had an uneven tenure so far in Houston. Andre Cisco would bring much-needed stability at safety and to Houston’s larger secondary, which has been a big disappointment and needs to get on track if the Texans are to turn around their 2-5 start. The Texans are currently allowing 244.0 passing yards per game, which ranks 27th. 

A former third-round pick, Cisco is allowing just a 76.2 passer rating as the nearest defender in coverage, according to Next Gen Stats. He’s seen his playing time dwindle in New York this season, so he could be available, and the Texans already have plenty of familiarity with him from when he played with the division rival Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-24). He’s due just over $910,000 in base salary for the rest of this season, after which he’ll be an unrestricted free agent. 

Jacksonville Jaguars

AFC South

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Trade target: Los Angeles Chargers CB Donte Jackson

Auman: Jacksonville has the NFL’s best run defense, but the Jaguars are 30th against the pass, some of which is opponents trailing and throwing much more often. Having another veteran option at corner would help them in the playoffs and prevent someone like Josh Allen from having a big day, like he did last year when he completed 80% of his passes in Buffalo’s wild-card win in Jacksonville. Having more talent at corner also helps you let Travis Hunter freelance more on offense, so it could end up helping both sides of the ball. 

Donte Jackson turns 31 next month, but is the kind of ballhawk the Jaguars love, with nine interceptions in 2024-25.

Trade target: New York Jets WR Garrett Wilson 

McKenna: If I’m the Chiefs, I’d happily settle for Brian Thomas Jr. He and Garrett Wilson have similar styles of play. But if we’re talking about who the Chiefs should target — above everyone else — then Wilson absolutely qualifies as the No. 1 candidate. He has already realized the form that you’d have to (very optimistically) project Thomas could achieve. 

The price difference would be substantial, with Wilson likely requiring a package that might be something like a first- and second-round pick (or thereabouts) — whereas Thomas might cost something around a second-rounder. But the Chiefs have been too patient for too long about their WR position. Time to get aggressive.

Is it time for the Jets to trade Garrett Wilson? (Photo by Jordan Bank/Getty Images)

Trade target: Philadelphia Eagles G Landon Dickerson

Eric D. Williams: The Raiders need help along the offensive line, and Landon Dickerson provides a veteran presence from an organization with a championship pedigree with a workable contract. The Eagles have lost five in a row and are cratering. Dickerson is working his way back from a knee injury, but this is more of a long-term play to get another veteran offensive lineman to grow with Fernando Mendoza.

Trade target: Minnesota Vikings WR Jauan Jennings 

Williams: Davante Adams will be out at least six weeks with an injured hamstring and Puka Nacua has already missed two games this season due to injury. Jauan Jennings is a tough receiver who brings a lunch-bucket mentality and would fit in nicely to L.A.’s receiver room. 

Jennings should be familiar with Sean McVay’s offense from his time with Kevin O’Connell and Kyle Shanahan. And Jennings has not found a meaningful role in the passing game of Minnesota’s offense. 

Trade target: New England Patriots RB TreyVeon Henderson

McKenna: TreVeyon Henderson quietly has not worked out for the Patriots — with minimal success as a pass protector and too many instances where he simply runs into the back of the offensive line. Henderson’s splash plays have made rounds on social media, but his lack of consistency has given way to a guy like Corey Kiner (who?!) getting more work. 

So what if the Vikings took the opportunity to give Henderson a change of scenery and in a different scheme (which Minnesota just adopted this year)? Henderson could be better suited as a 1-2(-3) punch with Jordan Mason and Aaron Jones. ‘

TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t lived up to expectations this season, seeing his snap count slip as of late. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

New England Patriots

AFC East

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Trade target: Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack

McKenna: There are a handful of enticing names on the market, from edge Josh Sweat to defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons. But the Patriots already gave up a first-round pick in the last few months. I don’t see them doing it again here at the deadline. So Khalil Mack would make sense, given that he’s a veteran who can help in a rotational role — and for a late-round pick. 

It won’t move the needle much. But the Patriots probably don’t think they need to move the needle much, with the effects of A.J. Brown still pending. When he finally starts contributing, the Patriots should improve — perhaps substantially.

Trade target: Indianapolis Colts DT Grover Stewart

Ralph Vacchiano: The Giants never really replaced Dexter Lawrence in the middle of their defensive line, and that’s easy to see from a run defense that’s giving up 128.1 yards per game. They have enough weapons on offense, as long as QB J.J. McCarthy keeps playing well. What they need to do is fortify a defense that has been battered by season-ending injuries to LBs Brian Burns and Tremaine Edmunds. 

Tennessee’s Jeffery Simmons is the DT star of the market, but he’ll likely cost a first-round pick. Grover Stewart, 33, should cost less than the fourth-rounder the 49ers dealt for Stewart’s old teammate, DeForest Buckner, though. And at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, he could be a cheap way for the Giants to bulk up their defensive line and add a little interior push, too.

Philadelphia Eagles

NFC East

↑ All teams

Trade target: Los Angeles Rams TE Colby Parkinson    

Vacchiano: It’s pretty clear that the Eagles need to be big sellers at the trading deadline, but GM Howie Roseman is a wizard at playing the long game, so there’s no reason he can’t do a little buying too. It would have to be strategic, though, and adding a tight end to replace the soon-to-be-departing Dallas Goedert would definitely be a good strategy. 

Colby Parkinson, 27, is a vastly underrated receiver and a huge (6-7, 266) red-zone target, who is just lost at times in the deep and talented Rams offense. With L.A.’s season teetering, and Parkinson’s contract expiring after the season, he’d be a low-cost addition for Philly. And if they can re-sign him in the offseason, he’d fill a huge 2027 need, too.

Pittsburgh Steelers

AFC North

↑ All teams

Trade target: Jacksonville Jaguars WR Brian Thomas Jr.

Vacchiano: With injuries to Michael Pittman and Roman Wilson, the Steelers desperately need to add passing game weapons to help out aging QB Aaron Rodgers on his last ride. And adding a potential deep threat like Brian Thomas Jr. would surely help, especially since WR DK Metcalf has been erratic in that role. 

Thomas is still only 24 and a former first-round pick who had a monster season as a rookie just three years ago (87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns), but he’s been completely buried in Liam Coen’s Jaguars offense. The speedy 6-2, 209-pounder could be a really low-cost addition (though several teams could be interested and turn it into an odd bidding war). And the upside could be huge for an offense that needs a downfield threat and a boost.

San Francisco 49ers

NFC West

↑ All teams

Trade target: Los Angeles Chargers edge rusher Khalil Mack

Williams: Even if Nick Bosa eventually returns from injury and after Tuesday’s trade for DeForest Buckner, the 49ers still need help at edge rusher to improve the pass rush on a team that has Super Bowl aspirations. After mulling retirement, 35-year-old Khalil Mack decided to return and play one last season in Los Angeles. But he didn’t expect to potentially end his career for one of the worst teams in the league. Mack still has gas left in the tank and could contribute to a veteran team in position to make a deep postseason run.

Trade target: Tennessee Titans RB Tony Pollard

Williams: Seahawks GM John Schneider already made a move to bolster the offensive line with the addition of Pro Bowl guard Quenton Nelson. He won the battle of optics by Seattle’s defense shutting down former teammate Kenneth Walker III in his return to Lumen Field with the Kansas City Chiefs. 

However, even with the eventual returns of first-round pick Jadarian Price and Zach Charbonnet on the horizon, the Seahawks still need more juice in the running game to protect Sam Darnold if they want to defend their Super Bowl title. Tony Pollard provides that on a team that Seattle made a midseason trade with a few years ago, landing linebacker Ernest Jones IV from Tennessee. 

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