Author: Eternity Lab

Folarin Balogun’s return to the English Premier League will have to wait until 2027.

According to multiple reports in Europe, the U.S. men’s World Cup striker’s widely expected $50 million-plus move from French Ligue 1 team Monaco to Prem mainstay Everton has collapsed in the final hours of European soccer’s summer transfer window.

Everton reportedly submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League to give the club a two-hour transfer deadline extension to finalize a move for the United States men’s national team forward, but Balogun ultimately decided against the move after the deal was renegotiated.

The two clubs had agreed on the fee and Balogun to what was surely a significant salary bump. Balogun had been given permission by Monaco to travel to the blue side of Liverpool on Tuesday to complete his “medical” — the routine but nonetheless required physical examination that is almost always a formality for some of the world’s best conditioned athletes.

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

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The 25-year-old New York-born, London-raised 25-year-old sat out much of Monaco’s preseason with what was thought to be a minor injury he first sustained at the World Cup.

Balogun scored three goals in four games — including the winner in a knockout stage victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina before the Americans were eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16. 

He also found himself at the center of an international controversy after President Trump asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino for global soccer’s governing body to review the red card that would’ve kept him out of the co-hosts round of 16 match against Belgium. FIFA suspended the suspension, allowing Balogun to play, though the U.S. lost 4-1.

Folarin Balogun’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇺🇸

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Another report, from the highly respected French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe, said that the holdup was caused by Everton needing to first finalize the sale of Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Ndiaye’s transfer was finalized, but Balogun’s wasn’t.

Staying at Monaco until the January transfer window opens wouldn’t be the worst thing for Balogun or the U.S. national team if that’s how this shakes out, though the club will miss out on the UEFA Champions League this season after finishing seventh in France’s top flight last term.

Balogun was a hot commodity this summer after his breakout performance for the Stars and Stripes, having also drawn interest from Champions League participants Aston Villa and Spanish champions Barcelona, per reports.

Everton, which was suddenly left shorthanded up top after sending veteran forward Beto to Italian side Fiorentina on Tuesday, could also circle back on Balogun in the new year.

The American would be an ideal supplement to 6-foot-5 target man Thierno Barry under Toffees manager David Moyes. The Gunners product shouldn’t need much time to adapt to life on the blue side of Liverpool, or to the physicality of the Prem, as Balogun made 10 first team appearances for Arsenal over parts of two seasons. In his three years in Monaco, Balogun has scored 31 goals, including 29 in 85 Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches.

If healthy, Balogun is expected to be included on USA coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for home exhibition games later this month against Chile and Peru and in early October vs. regional foes Canada and Mexico.

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After trading 2023 second-round draft pick Gervon Dexter and going through a training camp with injuries to key players, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles still views his team as capable of defending the NFC North title.

The major reason is quarterback Caleb Williams’ development in his second season under coach Ben Johnson and third year overall.

“I think the first year, he was white-knuckling the whole time, trying to figure it out, trying to do it right,” Poles said Tuesday. “He continues to do that, wanting to do it right, but I think you see that joy back in his game where he’s playing free.”

Johnson backed that thought about Williams, who threw only five passes in preseason.

“I’ve seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building,” Johnson said. “This guy, you know, might have had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago. And I use that term with love.

“And now you just see a more serious player and intent every time I’m around him. And I think his teammates feel that as well.”

The Bears may need an explosive offense and more focused QB because their secondary is still in question coming out of training camp despite being an area Poles sees as loaded with versatile players.

Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon’s injury situation is an issue. He suffered an offseason calf injury and hasn’t practiced all training camp, after missing 14 regular-season games last season with a groin injury.

Poles said he’s still hopeful of Gordon’s return.

“Any time you have an injury and you’re coming back from something, there’s discomfort that you have to push through and that’s what it comes down to,” Poles said. “So we haven’t been able to get over that hump and we’re not progressing as fast as we’d like. That’s really all I have to say about that.”

Up front on defense, the trade of Dexter for a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III allowed the Bears to set up budding young defensive tackles Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving with more potential playing time. They avoided a big pay day next year for a veteran player who hasn’t fit well into defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme.

“Those young guys started making a push when we got through camp, and along with obviously Grady (Jarrett), (Kentavius) Street and Neville Gallimore),” Poles said. “And we felt like the timing made sense for us. So really, it was about the shape in the room and really how well those young guys were doing, too. So, we feel really good and confident in our talent level at that position.”

Phillips could eventually fit their plans to replace Gordon, but he hasn’t played much slot cornerback in the NFL. For now, they’ll use fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad in the slot. They’ve also considered Josh Blackwell, Xavier Woods, and even first-round rookie safety Dillon Thieneman.

Injuries hit the secondary during camp, starting with Gordon. Safety Coby Bryant is out until at least December. In addition, cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson were hurt during a joint practice last week against the Titans, but both returned Tuesday from minor issues to practice.

The injuries were less severe on offense, with only running back Kyle Monangai a real question for the Sept. 13 opener against the Panthers.

The Bears fought through injury and consistency issues at left tackle to settle on Braxton Jones protecting Williams’ blind side, possibly until starter Ozzy Trapilo returns from knee surgery. It now appears Trapilo is well ahead of schedule and made it onto the 53-man roster.

“We’re going to be able to operate as an offense and I think we’ll be able to score points,” Johnson said. “It’s going to take all 11 of those guys out there in order to get that done.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Gabriel Jesus completed a transfer deadline day move from Arsenal to Barcelona on Tuesday on a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old Brazil striker was part of Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning squad last season after lifting four league crowns with Manchester City.

He joins Spanish champion Barcelona following the departure of Robert Lewandowski at the end of last season.

Jesus joined Arsenal in 2022 after six trophy-laden seasons at City. Despite enduring an injury-disrupted time at the Emirates Stadium, he was part of the squad that ended the London club’s 22-year wait to be crowned English champion.

Jesus is the latest arrival in a busy transfer window for Barcelona, following deals for Anthony Gordon, Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Karim Adeyemi and Dominik Livakovic.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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In arguably the hardest division in the NFL, two teams have emerged as not just potential winners of the NFC West, but as potential candidates to lift the Lombardi trophy In February.  However, the question remains: Can the Seahawks go back-to-back or will the Rams take back the NFC West?

The Rams won the offseason with their defensive additions in defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Trent McDuffie. But the biggest win came from the return of four-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement to play alongside Garrett in Los Angeles. 

However, the reigning Super Bowl champions make a strong case to win a second consecutive NFC West title. Returning quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba make a strong case to keep the hardware for a second year in a row. 

Here’s how all three First Things First co-hosts’ predictions for the NFC West this season.

Nick Wright’s NFC West Predictions:

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Nick Wright elected for a repeat NFC West title for the Seattle Seahawks, followed by the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in last. 

Even with the loss of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Wright says the Seahawks are still in position to be a 14-win team led by quarterback Sam Darnold.

“They’re going to go 14-3. Aside from losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, which is a massive loss, I don’t know why they wouldn’t be awesome again,” Wright said on Tuesday’s edition of First Things First. “They were dominant all of last year…Do we see post-Super Bowl win, a free Sam Darnold where he’s actually better than we’ve ever seen him before? It’s certainly on the board.”

As the Seahawks rebuild at running back, the Rams are a team whose additions make them one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. However, Wright said LA is due for an 11-6 record and won’t be ‘quite as good as everyone expects them to be.’

Wright placed the 49ers in third because of last season’s injury overhaul, the overuse of running back Christian McCaffrey and the departure of their former defensive coordinator.

“So many injuries. I don’t trust the wide receivers. I think they will miss Robert Saleh. They pressed the CMC button so many times last year,” Wright said. 

Which leaves Arizona in last place, according to Wright. The Cardinals closed out their 2025 campaign with a 3-14 record, and could be set up to repeat the record this season. 

“They’re going 3-14. They might be the worst team in the league, and they definitely have the toughest schedule in the league,” Wright said. 

Chris Broussard’s NFC West Predictions:

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Chris Broussard went a different direction and chose the Rams as his NFC West favorites. The Rams have had an eventful offseason with the addition of star defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett. 

When it came to putting the Super Bowl champions in second, Broussard made his point about where they could be after the big win. 

“I still have them making the playoffs. I just think they’re not going to be quite as good as last year. I think it’s kind of natural. Macdonald is great. They just won a Super Bowl,” Broussard said. 

When talking about the 49ers, who came in third on Broussard’s list, the amount of injuries and the departure of former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is a big reason Broussard did not make them a playoff team. 

“Half the team is hurt. And I don’t have them in the postseason. I would be pleasantly surprised if Brock (Purdy) went out there and cooked…I agree with Nick, they’re going to miss Saleh. He kept that defense together last year,” Broussard said. 

While Broussard placed the Arizona Cardinals last, he tabbed rookie Jeremiyah Love as someone to watch on Arizona’s roster this fall. 

“We all know who’s finishing last, the Arizona Cardinals. I do want to see what Jeremiyah Love does,” Broussard said. 

Danny Parkins’ NFC West Predictions:

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Danny Parkins followed similar suit of Wright’s picks, placing the Seahawks first. Parkins’ reasoning for Seattle’s first place prediction comes from being overlooked because they won a Super Bowl. 

“I think everyone is continuing to overlook a Super Bowl team that blew out the 49ers in their playoff game. Blew out the Patriots in the Super Bowl,” Parkins said. “I have the Seahawks being the forgotten champion and running it back.”

The Rams were labeled as Parkins’ “super team,” which was only reinforced after Los Angeles traded for Myles Garrett, which led to Aaron Donald returning along with a returning Matthew Stafford. 

As the 49ers also come in third place on Parkins’ list, the difference he made is his prediction that San Francisco will make the playoffs. 

“The San Francisco 49ers, I have them making the playoffs,” Parkins said. “They won 12 games, and basically everything went wrong…it’s been a weird offseason, but they also added Mike Evans. They were the third most injured team last year, and they won 12 games.”

San Francisco was without star defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. However, the 49ers managed to make their way to an NFC Divisional win over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

As the Cardinals, once again, fell last place in the predictions, Parkins did not count out offensive stars like Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiyah Love and Trey McBride. However, it’s not enough. 

“I like a few of the players on the Cardinals. I do think Marvin Harrison is in line for a good year. I think McBride is excellent. Jeremiyah Love is excellent. The problem is, everything else.”

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The summer transfer window slammed shut across Europe on Tuesday evening, and for fans of the U.S. men’s national team, it was a frustrating Deadline Day as the biggest potential move of any American player post-2026 FIFA World Cup fell apart at the 11th hour.

Folarin Balogun was thought to be headed to English Premier League mainstay Everton from Monaco in a deal worth more than $50 million.

With three goals in four games during soccer’s quadrennial showpiece, the 25-year-old New York-born, London-bred Balogun was the breakout star for the Americans at this summer’s World Cup. That showing drew interest from multiple suitors, but the Toffees — the club where USA legends Tim Howard, Landon Donovan and Brian McBride all once played — appeared to have won the race for his signature.

But following some last minute hiccups, Balogun reportedly walked away from the deal late Tuesday despite traveling to Merseyside to complete the deal. 

Although Balogun’s high-profile move didn’t happen, other Americans found new clubs this window.Here’s how the transfers of five of his Stars and Stripes teammates could impact their club careers and the national team in the months ahead.

Zavier Gozo: Real Salt Lake To Crystal Palace

(Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

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As I reported in May, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino thought enough of Gozo’s performances with RSL to include the uncapped 19-year-old on the Americans’ 55-player “provisional” World Cup roster, the preliminary list from which the final 26 came. So did Palace after the Utah native bagged 10 goals in 42 MLS games, including six in 16 appearances in 2026. Gozo made his Premier League debut for the London club in last week’s loss to mighty Manchester City.

Gio Reyna: Borussia Mönchengladbach To Strasbourg

(Photo by Yohan Castella/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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After spending the first seven years of his career in Germany, the 23-year-old traded the Bundesliga for France’s Ligue 1. Reyna, who scored a brilliant goal to cap the Americans’ World Cup-opening 4-1 rout of Paraguay, joined Les Bleus et Blanc for $3.5 million in early August on a five-year contract. The onetime teenage prodigy managed only one goal in 20 appearances — 16 of them off the bench for ‘Gladbach in 2025-26. He should play more this season;  Strasbourg’s new No. 10 started and logged 76 minutes in central midfield during the club’s most recent outing, a 2-1 win over Lens last Saturday.

Sebastian Berhalter: Vancouver Whitecaps To Middlesbrough

(Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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The scrappy central midfielder and set-piece specialist could’ve traded Western Canada for England’s second tier before the World Cup, opting instead to stay in Vancouver and cement the roster spot he won with aplomb last year. It worked: Berhalter appeared in all five of the USA’s contests and scored in the 3-2 group stage loss to vs. Türkiye. Now he’ll try to help ‘Boro gain promotion back to the Premier League after heartbreak in last season’s promotion playoff final. Berhalter walked straight into coach Kim Hellberg’s starting lineup upon arrival in late July, notching the game-winning assist against Wrexham in his first appearance the following week. The 25-year-old, who would’ve been a free agent this winter, has started each of the club’s five games across all competitions so far.

Max Arfsten: Columbus Crew To Middlesbrough

(Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Arfsten became the third American at ‘Boro, joining Berhalter and Aidan Morris — one of the final cuts to Pochettino’s roster — when he signed Aug. 4 for a fee of up to $7.5 including incentives, according to the Athletic’s Tom Bogert. The attack-minded left back made one brief cameo as Antonee “Jedi”Robinson deputy at the World Cup. He could play a larger role under Poch this cycle given the 29-year-old Jedi’s history of knee problems. Arfsten, 25, is already gaining crucial experience in the rough and tumble Championship, having appeared in all three league games last month ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley.

Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo To Stoke City

(Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Although an untimely injury cost the sweet-footed lefty any real chance of competing for a place on the Americans’ World Cup squad, McGlynn, 23, will be just entering his prime in 2030. Pochettino likes the Queens, New York product’s profile, having capped him 12 times in 2025 and getting two goals in return. Stoke needs the help, with the longtime Premier League team languishing in 21st place in the 24-strong Championship four games into the 2026-27 campaign. They got some by landing McGlynn on Deadline Day. 

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The NFL kickoff is officially one week out, triggering the annual wave of hot takes, hot seats, and high expectations. From chaotic division battles to dark-horse contenders, no outcome is off the table for this season.

With two-time MVP Patrick Mahomes returning from a season-ending injury, all eyes shift to a wide-open AFC West. The Denver Broncos came within a game of the Super Bowl, but was their breakout season a real power shift in the division or was it just fool’s gold?

During Tuesday’s segment on FOX Sports’ show First Things First, hosts Nick Wright, Chris Broussard and Danny Parkins made their predictions. Here’s how they see the division unfolding. 

Nick Wright’s AFC West Prediction

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To no one’s surprise, Wright has the Chiefs reclaiming the AFC West title, with the Broncos hot on their heels. However, his Chargers’ third-place analysis stood out, as he predicted them for third place, largely due to a brutal Week 3 through 10 schedule.

“I don’t think they’re gonna be terrible,” Wright said. “Weeks three through 10…how’s this work for you? Bills, Seahawks, Broncos, Chiefs, Rams, Texans, Ravens. Around week nine is when we’re gonna start hearing, guys year eight is the year Justin Herbert pops.”

Wright’s doubt regarding Herbert is nothing new, but his Broncos take relies on simple regression. Denver and Chicago were incredibly clutch in the fourth quarter last year, but Wright foresees those close-game bounces leveling off this season.

“They played 17 games in the regular season last like everyone, but they trailed in 15 of them,” Wright said. “They had a historically good record in one-score games. John Franklin Meyers is gone and Jonathan Cooper’s on the exempt list.”

Despite the adversity facing the Broncos this season, Wright still sees them as a playoff team. He projected them to finish 11-6 and finish second in the AFC West, driven largely by his confidence in head coach Sean Payton.

As a self-proclaimed Chiefs fan, Wright’s division pick comes as no surprise, but his logic is sound. The Chiefs have dominated the AFC West with nine titles in the last decade, and their defense looks noticeably stronger heading into this season.

“My pick for defensive player of the year was going to be Chris Jones because all of a sudden he has someone next to him,” Wright said. “Yeah, Peter Woods, who was projected to go top-five in the draft 14 months ago.”

Wright’s praise of the young Chiefs defense didn’t slow down.

“They’ve got R. Mason Thomas as another edge coming around and then Mansoor Delane, a top-six pick at cornerback,” Wright said. “So you’re going to have three months for this young defense, young secondary to learn [Steve] Spagnuolo’s scheme.”

Chris Broussard’s AFC West Prediction

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Broussard saw things entirely differently, dropping Kansas City to third place in his division standings. Unlike Wright, Broussard is buying into Los Angeles, picking the Chargers to dethrone the Chiefs and take the AFC West title.

“The schedule is kind of light for them [Chiefs],” Broussard said. “So I got them sneaking in [the playoffs]. I really am high on the Chargers. I think [Jim] Harbaugh is excellent. [Jesse] Minter is a big loss, but Harbaugh has always had good defenses in the NFL himself.”

Not only is Broussard picking the Chargers to win the AFC West, but he is fully sold on the new pairing of offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel and quarterback Justin Herbert. In fact, he even expects Herbert to finish as an MVP finalist this season.

“So look, [Mike] McDaniel, maybe I’m giving him too much credit,” Broussard said. “But Tua [Tagovailoa] led the league in passing with Mike McDaniel. Herbert’s got talent. I think McDaniel and Herbert are going to be great together. I expect Herbert to be in the MVP conversation.”

Danny Parkins’ AFC West Prediction

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Unlike Wright and Broussard, Parkins has the Chiefs missing the playoffs as they finish in third place in his AFC West predictions. 

“Lotta questions for the Chiefs,” Parkins said before unveiling 10 reasons why they won’t make the playoffs, including their young roster, stars like Travis Kelce and Chris Jones aging and he believes that they’re no longer invincible. Parkins added that Kansas City’s schedule is tough (it ranks fifth in opponents’ winning percentage from last season) and that wide receiver Rashee Rice isn’t trustworthy.

As for the rest of the division, Parkins said that the Raiders have a “pretty solid foundation for a last-place team” before calling on them to trade star edge rusher Maxx Crosby. For the Broncos, Parkins said that he thinks this year’s team is better than the squad that went 14-3 a year ago and likes their addition of wide receiver Jaylen Waddle. However, he doesn’t think they’ll have the same luck they had in one-score games last season.

Finally, Parkins picked the Chargers to finish in first for a “simple” reason.

“You have Justin Herbert. You have Jim Harbaugh. You have Mike McDaniel. You have the inevitability of Herbert’s talents,” Parkins said. 

AFC and NFC West Predictions: Rams ‘got greedy’ in offseason, Will the Chiefs be back on top? | FTF

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ANGEL STADIUM (Anaheim, Calif.) — The only direction from here is up, Angels fans. 

Amid an 11th straight losing season, after a decade of destitution, owner Arte Moreno is finally heeding his fans’ advice and selling the team.

Stan Kroenke, the owner of the Los Angeles Rams, is acquiring a controlling interest in the Angels for a reported $4 billion, a Major League Baseball record. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2027, subject to MLB approval, according to the Angels and Kroenke Sports & Entertainment. Moreno, who bought the Angels in 2003 for $183.5 million, will retain a minority stake in the club. 

But it’s the dawn of a new day in Anaheim.

“Fresh start,” said Mike Trout. “You kinda felt that was needed. No hard feelings against Arte, but we’re super excited. The guys are excited. There’s a good vibe around the clubhouse, vibe around the stadium.”

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA – AUGUST 25: Mike Trout #27 of the Los Angeles Angels against the Cleveland Guardians during a game at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on August 25, 2026 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Scott Strazzante/Getty Images)

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Trout was among the many Angels players and executives stunned by the news but encouraged by what it could mean. 

The Rams have made the playoffs seven times in the last nine years. In 2016, Kroenke moved the team from St. Louis to Los Angeles. The Rams hired Sean McVay as their head coach in 2017, went to the Super Bowl in 2018 and won it in 2021, a year after moving into their brand-new SoFi Stadium. (For what it’s worth, the Angels’ lease at Angel Stadium runs through 2032.) 

KSE, Kroenke’s holding company, also owns the Denver Nuggets (NBA), Colorado Avalanche (NHL), Arsenal F.C. (Premier League) and the Colorado Rapids (MLS), among its vast sports portfolio. The Rams, Nuggets, Avalanche and Arsenal have all won championships since 2022 under KSE’s ownership. 

“What a track record,” Trout said. “Wherever he buys, he wins.”

(Photo by Stuart MacFarlane/Arsenal FC via Getty Images)

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Trout, who has never won a playoff game in 16 years with the Angels, and teammate Zach Neto both reached out to Rams players shortly after hearing the news of the sale. 

The feedback they received about Kroenke was encouraging. 

“Most important thing that they said is he just wants what’s important for us,” Neto said. “That’s to make the clubhouse better, in the sense of whatever we need, we get — whether that’s amenity-wise, speakers, whatever it is. He’ll make sure we get those.”

That has not always been the case under Moreno, whose tumultuous tenure started promisingly and ended hopelessly, with the owner unwilling to invest in the resources or put the infrastructure in place to return the Angels to relevance. 

Moreno bought the team in 2003, a year after the Angels won the World Series. The next year, he brought in Vladimir Guerrero and watched him win MVP. The Angels made the playoffs five times from 2004-09. 

Since 2010, however, they’ve made the postseason just once, in 2013, when they were swept in the American League Division Series. They wasted the primes of Shohei Ohtani and Trout, unable to get them to the postseason over their six years together or acknowledge the reality of their plight. The Angels sought quick fixes, routinely rushing prospects through the system. Moreno’s unwillingness to make the difficult choice to rebuild prevented the kind of change necessary to chart a prosperous path forward.

(Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)

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In July 2023, instead of trading Ohtani to get the requisite pieces to reshape the farm system, the Angels dealt more prospects away and finished the year 73-89. Ohtani left in free agency and won the World Series in each of his first two seasons with the Dodgers. 

This year has marked a season of change in Anaheim. The announcement of the ownership sale comes months after team president Molly Jolly dismissed general manager Perry Minasian in June. 

John Mozeliak, who spent 18 years running baseball operations for the Cardinals — a stretch that included 10 postseason appearances, six division titles and a World Series championship — took over as the interim GM and began charting a new path forward. In an effort to revive a rudderless franchise, he started making the wholesale changes the team refused to do for years, including a deadline fire-sale that injected the Angels’ lagging farm system with needed talent.

(Photo by Mindy Schauer/MediaNewsGroup/Orange County Register via Getty Images)

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He has also started making changes to the coaching staff — pitching coach Mike Maddux, bullpen coach Dom Chiti and assistant pitching coach Darryl Scott were fired in August — and reshaping the front office. Just a day before the announcement of the ownership sale, Mozeliak promoted Matt Swanson and Michael Lord as assistant general managers while restructuring the scouting department. 

Then, on Tuesday morning, Jolly dropped a folder down on his desk and let him know his day was going to change. 

“Obviously, this was news to me,” Mozeliak said of the ownership change. “When I first came here, I spoke with Arte, and he had mentioned that this was a possibility. But to learn it this morning from Molly, I was definitely surprised. But it wasn’t a shocker. I think it’s exciting news for everybody. I think change is what I came in to try to start doing.”

Mozeliak plans to continue to do that with an eye toward the future, until he’s told otherwise. 

“Obviously, the new ownership is going to have to give us some direction on what they want to see that to look like,” Mozeliak said. “But I do think they should be part of that calculus.”

(Photo by Ross Turteltaub/Getty Images)

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Moreno explored a sale in 2022 before ultimately remaining in place, much to the chagrin of fans whose chants to “sell the team” have reverberated throughout Angel Stadium in recent years. 

If a change was going to be made, many expected it would come after the next collective bargaining agreement. The timing took most by surprise. Jolly was one of the few who did not sound shocked. She didn’t divulge exactly how long Moreno had been in talks with Kroenke, other than to say it did not come together quickly. 

“I knew he was contemplating it as far as, what is your legacy and your exit strategy?” Jolly said. “So, that didn’t surprise me at all that, at some point, he was going to transfer to the right next person.”

(Photo by Keith Birmingham/MediaNews Group/Pasadena Star-News via Getty Images)

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How long Mozeliak and the current Angels regime remain in place is to be determined.

Kroenke could start with a clean slate, should he choose to do so. Mozeliak’s contract goes through December. Kurt Suzuki is managing on a one-year deal. The only players under contract beyond this year are Trout and Yusei Kikuchi.

(Photo by Brace Hemmelgarn/Minnesota Twins/Getty Images)

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For many years, the Angels under Moreno maintained a top-10 payroll in the sport. That has since changed in recent seasons. 

But under Kroenke, who now becomes MLB’s richest owner, there is hope for a brighter future. 

“We’re excited for the new guy to come in and hopefully change things around and get some new life in here,” Neto said. 

It couldn’t be much worse. 

“You look at the track record, I know the No. 1 thing on his mind is going to be to get to the World Series and win a championship,” Trout said. “As a player, it makes you feel good to have that and to feel that.” 

Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. Follow him on X at @RowanKavner.

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When thinking about potential winners of the 2026 Heisman Trophy, it’s worth looking back at last year’s voting results: Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin finished in fourth place. His Buckeyes’ teammate, wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, was the top non-quarterback and was sixth. SEC stars Gunner Stockton (Georgia) and Trinidad Chambliss (Ole Miss) finished seventh and eighth, respectively. 

All of those players returned for another season of college football, which should make the upcoming Heisman race among the most exciting in quite some time. Not to mention there’s another handful of high-end, NFL Draft-worthy players who are likely to factor into the race: From Arch Manning at Texas to Dante Moore at Oregon, from Darian Mensah at Miami to Josh Hoover at Indiana. There is no shortage of worthy contenders. 

That’s on the field. On the sideline, we’re also considering likely candidates for Coach of the Year, which Indiana’s Curt Cignetti won in 2025 while coaching his Hoosiers to their first-ever national championship and a 16-0 record. He could be in the mix this year with another competitive-looking team. But he’s not among our preseason picks.

So ahead of the 2026 college football season, here are our picks for this year’s Heisman and Coach of the Year winners.

JUMP TO: Coach of the Year

2026 Heisman Trophy Predictions

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver

Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith is looking to be the first wide receiver to win the Heisman since DeVonta Smith in 2020. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)

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2026 Heisman Trophy odds: +1400

If he’s not an elite quarterback or a running back, a college football player has the same odds to win the Heisman as one certain Hoosier — Fernando Mendoza — did before the 2025 season. Ohio State’s Jeremiah Smith isn’t a quarterback or running back. So it’s not a snowball’s chance in hell, but a snowball’s chance in lukewarm temperatures: Odds are it is probably gonna melt.

In most years, Heisman voters simply won’t choose you. In fact, 80 of the 90 winners of the Heisman have been quarterbacks or running backs. And the ones who weren’t? Wide receivers — every last one of them. Yes, I’m counting Michigan’s Charles Woodson and Colorado’s Travis Hunter as wide outs because Lord knows Heisman voters ain’t gonna ever let a player who only plays defense win their award. 

So now that we’ve eliminated 19 of the 22 positions on the field from consideration, I can safely say Jeremiah Smith ought to win this award if he puts together the kind of season he’s planning to in 2026: lead Ohio State to a second national title in three years and put up numbers that would make him undeniable, despite his position.

“I always felt like it was a quarterback award unless you have a crazy season like DeVonta Smith with 1,800 yards and 24 touchdowns,” Smith said at Big Ten media days last month.

See that? There? Smith knows the target, and he’s chasing it. — RJ Young

CJ Carr, Quarterback

CJ Carr enters his second season as Notre Dame’s starting quarterback. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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2026 Heisman Trophy odds: +700

The Heisman Trophy has essentially become a quarterback’s award. This season, there are plenty of quarterbacks to like from Arch Manning to Dante Moore to Darian Mensah and more. But CJ Carr stands out. He started all 12 games for the Fighting Irish last year and finished the season with 2,741 passing yards and 24 touchdowns, while leading the nation’s second-best scoring offense at 42.0 points per game.

After a productive first season, Carr is expected to take that next step. And when it comes to the Heisman, it’s helpful when your team is also really good. Notre Dame has the second-best odds to win it all this year, on DraftKings. The Irish have a favorable schedule with both Miami and SMU at home.

Carr will have plenty of opportunities to deliver Heisman moments while playing for one of the most visible brands in the sport. He has the poise and the name recognition — he’s the grandson of former legendary Michigan head coach Lloyd Carr. And if he can take that next step in his career and lead Notre Dame into the College Football Playoff, then the award is as good as his. — Laken Litman

Darian Mensah, Quarterback

Darian Mensah transferred between ACC teams from Duke to Miami (Fla.) during the 2026 offseason. (Photo by Samuel Lewis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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2026 Heisman Trophy odds: +1150

Darian Mensah has had one hell of an offseason from his controversial transfer from Duke to some of the – ahem –  words he had about the whole situation during ACC media days.

Now that football is here, we can talk about his on-field skillset. I love what he brings to a Miami offense that should remain incredibly explosive with receiver Malachi Toney and tailback Mark Fletcher Jr. back in the fold. Throw in that Mensah is joined in Coral Gables by second team All-ACC performer Cooper Barkate from Duke and the weapons are there.

The other underrated piece in all of this is the return of offensive coordinator Shannon Dawson, who has brought innovation and stability that Miami hasn’t had on the offensive side in quite some time.

Mensah was a revelation at Tulane. He was impressive (and a lightning rod) at Duke. I think he cements his college football legacy with a Heisman at Miami. — Ben Portnoy

Jeremiah Smith, Wide Receiver

As Smith noted during Big Ten media days in late July, this will be his third and final season of college football. He arrived at Ohio State carrying one of the strongest recruiting profiles in recent memory — Smith was the first receiver to finish No. 1 overall in the 247Sports Composite rankings since former Missouri signee Dorial Green-Beckham in 2012 — and immediately justified the circus-like hype. In making 76 receptions for 1,315 yards and 15 touchdowns as a true freshman two years ago, Smith earned first-team All-America honors while simultaneously guiding the Buckeyes to their first national championship since 2014. His individual demolition of then-No. 1 Oregon in the Rose Bowl (seven catches, 187 yards, two touchdowns) and his game-winning reception on a deep pass from quarterback Will Howard in the national championship against Notre Dame will never be forgotten around Ohio State.

By that point, he was already the best wide receiver in the sport, smashing a host of program receiving records along the way. And when he mirrored that stratospheric level of production again last fall — this time snagging 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns — Smith became a unanimous first-team All-America selection and finished sixth in the Heisman Trophy voting. No other wide receiver appeared in the top 10.

Both career achievement and real-time production will determine Smith’s Heisman case this fall. Smith is likely to be the best player at his position for a third consecutive season based on 2026 output alone. Sure, the award is only meant to encapsulate a single campaign. But sometimes, as in Smith’s case, sustained greatness deserves its own applause. — Michael Cohen

2026 Coach Of The Year Predictions

Lincoln Riley, USC

Lincoln Riley is entering his fifth season at USC and still seeking his first CFP appearance with the Trojans. (Photo by Jordan Teller/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Generally, this award goes to the coach who won the national title or did the most with the least. Gratefully, it’s not so out-of-touch and nauseating an electorate as the Heisman, but the list of candidates at preseason could be anybody — really. Run the table. Go undefeated. Win a conference title when you’re expected to have a bad year. There are as many ways to secure the Eddie Robinson Coach of the Year Award as there are playcalls on first-and-goal. 

However, picking that guy in August is asking who could win this award if things go right: I’ll pick Lincoln Riley. 

Riley had the humility to recruit and hire a better coach than himself to captain his defense in College Football Hall of Famer Gary Patterson. Patterson is not only one of the best defensive minds the game has ever seen but has pulled off the feat of running the table (13-0, 2010), winning the conference title and coach of the year in 2009 as head coach at Texas Christian.

Riley hired Patterson to marry his 4-2-5 defense with an explosive offense in such a manner that USC can reach the CFP for the first time in its history and, perhaps, make some noise competing for the Big Ten title. — RJ Young

Steve Sarkisian, Texas

Steve Sarkisian and Texas are hoping to rebound after missing the CFP in 2025. (Photo by David Buono/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Texas is looking for redemption after a disappointing 2025 season. Really up until last year, things were going according to Steve Sarkisian’s plan. In his third year in Austin, the Longhorns won the Big 12 championship and made their CFP semifinal debut. In Year 4, Texas made it back to the final four, where it lost to eventual champion Ohio State. But the program hit a speed bump in Year 5. Arch Manning didn’t live up to the hype as the team struggled for the first half of the season, looking suspect in games where they should have dominated. Manning hit his stride later on and Texas beat Texas A&M and Michigan to finish the season 10-3 after missing the playoff.

While the spotlight remains on Manning entering this season, it’s not like it was a year ago. Sarkisian has reloaded in the transfer portal, picking up star playmakers like Cam Coleman, Hollywood Smothers and Rasheem Biles. Sarkisian also parted with longtime defensive coordinator Pete Kwiatkowski and hired Will Muschamp — who held the same position with the Longhorns from 2008-10 — to lead the unit.

Sarkisian believes he has a talented team, no doubt. But more importantly, he believes his players have learned from last year’s struggles, which he hopes shows up in their consistency, physicality and maturity. If everything clicks — and if Texas can stay healthy — it can make a deep run into the CFP and maybe even win it all for the first time since Vince Young led the program in 2005. — Laken Litman

Marcus Freeman, Notre Dame

Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame are looking to return to the CFP after missing the postseason in 2025. (Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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The 2026 season feels like a new beginning for Notre Dame. After three consecutive 10-win seasons, head coach Marcus Freeman eschewed interest from the NFL to sign an improved contract with the Fighting Irish last winter, infusing the program with long-term stability. The school recently completed, and opened, a new training facility that cost north of $100 million. The incoming high school recruiting class ranked among the top five in the country for the first time since 2013. Starting quarterback CJ Carr, who threw for 2,741 yards and 24 touchdowns in his debut last season, should be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate this fall.

After an offseason spent fuming over last year’s perceived College Football Playoff snub, the bedrock is there for the Fighting Irish to return to the postseason. Freeman returns 14 starters from a group that was playing as well as any team in the country when the final CFP rankings were released, including eight starters on defense alone. Carr, safety Adon Shuler, cornerback Leonard Moore and nickel Christian Gray are among the best players in the country at their respective position. Incoming transfer wide receivers Mylan Graham and Quincy Porter, who both came from Ohio State, will be counted on to support returner Jordan Faison (640 yards, four touchdowns).

If the Fighting Irish can navigate a tricky road game at BYU in mid-October and a home game against Miami in early November, they should have a good chance to enter the postseason undefeated and Freeman should be in position to win Coach of the Year. — Michael Cohen

Steve Sarkisian, Texas

Steve Sarkisian and Arch Manning are trying to bring Texas back to the CFP semifinals. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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If Indiana wins the Big Ten for a second consecutive year, Curt Cignetti might deserve this award in perpetuity, but I’m going to go with Steve Sarkisian.

Sarkisian has caught ample flack over red zone playcalling and the Longhorns’ inability to get over the hump in the postseason, but there’s too much talent in Austin this year for things to go completely off the rails — even with a nine-game conference schedule.

Cam Coleman might be generating more buzz than he already is if it weren’t for the existence of Jeremiah Smith. Colin Simmons, too, ought to be one of the most dominant defensive players in the country again this fall.

I was genuinely shocked Texas didn’t receive a single preseason No. 1 vote in this year’s Associated Press preseason poll. Sarkisian’s squad has its share of huge games on the schedule — Sept. 12 vs. Ohio State, Oct. 10 vs. Oklahoma and Nov. 14 at LSU — but the rest of the slate should be manageable as SEC schedules come.

As Arch Manning goes, this Texas team will go — and quarterbacks are Sarkisian’s calling card. The Longhorns have spent the cash and have a roster that can win a national championship. It’s on Sarkisian to put it all together. — Ben Portnoy

‘Fear Arch Manning’ USC a CFP sleeper, can Indiana repeat as National Champions, Notre Dame | FTF

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This weekend marks the beginning of college football season, starting at Week 0.

Here are five contests to watch this weekend, along with what to know about Saturday’s games (odds via FanDuel Sportsbook as of Aug. 28).

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.

(All Times ET)

North Carolina vs. TCU (noon, ESPN)

Spread: TCU -8.5 
Moneyline: TCU -360, UNC +290
O/U: 46.5

What To Know: The very first game of Saturday’s Week 0 slate is a showdown between the Tar Heels and the Horned Frogs all the way at Aviva Stadium in Dublin, Ireland. TCU is the heavy favorite. But all eyes will be on Bill Belichick as he tries to lead UNC to a bounce-back season after going 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the conference in 2025. FOX Sports betting analyst Will Hill also explains that bettors might want to keep their eyes on the quarterback play, since both squads are trotting out new starters at the position.

San Jose State @ No. 14 USC (3 p.m., NBC)

Spread: USC -38.5
Moneyline: TBD
O/U: 61.5

What To Know: Can the No. 14 Trojans open up their year with an emphatic win? Based on the odds, USC should easily roll over San Jose State. In fact, Will Hill believes the Men of Troy will “score seven or more touchdowns” as they host the Spartans. Back in 2023, SC put up 56 points on SJSU when the two squads faced off.

NC State @ Virginia (3:30 p.m., ESPN)

Spread: Virginia -4.5
Moneyline: Virginia -182, NC State +150
O/U: 51.5

What To Know: Virginia didn’t earn a preseason ranking in the AP or Coaches Poll, but the Cavaliers did get some votes in both and could be on the verge of breaking through. UVA, however, will give it a go with a new starting QB since last year’s starter signed an undrafted free agent deal with the Buccaneers.

Hawaii @ Stanford (7 p.m. ACCN)

Spread: Stanford -4.5
Moneyline: Stanford -192, Hawaii +158
O/U: 48.5

What To Know: Stanford led most of this game last season before falling to the Rainbow Warriors, 23-20. Can the Cardinal avenge their loss from 2025? Considering they’re playing on their home field and are returning more starters than Hawaii, the Cardinal could be in a good position to win this catchup straight up (SU).

Memphis @ UNLV (10 p.m., FOX)

Spread: UNLV -4.5
Moneyline: UNLV -184, Memphis +152 
O/U: 56.5 

What To Know: Week 0 ends with a nightcap on FOX featuring Memphis and UNLV facing off in Nevada. The UNLV Rebels come into this contest off a 10-2 regular-season record. Memphis went 8-4 in 2025, including a six-game winning streak to open up the season.

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SEC commissioner Greg Sankey started with the high points, winding his way through his usual football media days state-of-the-union address.

He pointed to the league winning a record 13 team national championships; that it was putting in additional programming to fight the growing influence of sports gambling; that its live viewership hours during football season accounted for 40% of those consumed by the Power Four leagues.

And then, the questions began.

“How real are the conversations within the SEC about potentially breaking away from the college structure as we know it?” a reporter queried.

“They’re real,” Sankey answered flatly. “People have talked about that. They’ve opined about the frustrations that bring them to the point of saying we should look at something significantly different. I do not believe that is a leverage point. I think that’s just honest communication.”

The threats of a “breakaway” are, in fact, quite real.

Angst from administrators and presidents has pushed the SEC and, to a lesser degree, the Big Ten to a point where each has explored what self-governance at the conference level might look like — sentiments that have been broadcast more publicly over the past six months.

At SEC media days in July, league Commissioner Greg Sankey answered questions about the future of college sports regulation and even potentially breaking away from the NCAA. (Photo by Parker S. Freedman/Getty Images)

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Stakeholders have fundamentally taken issue with the lack of actual enforcement of rules laid out in the House settlement and by the College Sports Commission and NCAA. 

The solution, at least to some, is to take on more regulation at the conference-level and allow leagues to set their own rules around eligibility, revenue-sharing caps and other pieces to college sports’ ever-evolving jigsaw puzzle of a future structure.

But as eligibility lawsuits litter the news cycle, the SEC, in particular, is providing an early test case for how feasible regulating anything at the league level in this new era ultimately is.

And it’s a fight brewing on the bayou that has everyone paying attention.

“I can’t speak for the entirety,” one league source told me, “but I would say [the SEC’s] charge is to defend the rules that everyone voted on as members.”

Where Else Could This Drama Play Out Than Baton Rouge?

There are certain places that are almost too good, too cliché, too Spielbergian to be the setting for the stories they tell. Louisiana, college sports and a good old-fashioned power struggle are certainly that.

These are complicated times in Baton Rouge; times wrought with regime changes and political interference — albeit that can often be the norm around these parts.

BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – MARCH 24: Head Coach Lane Kiffin and Associate Head Coach Kevin Smith of the LSU Tigers in action during spring practice at the LSU Football Operations Center on March 24, 2026 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

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Gov. Jeff Landry was squarely involved in running off athletics director Scott Woodward and football coach Brian Kelly in October 2025. Then in March, Gov. Landry pushed to get men’s basketball coach Matt McMahon fired and to bring controversial castoff Will Wade back to town as McMahon’s successor.

There was also the live mascot debacle of 2024 — another Landry-driven agenda item intended to return a living, breathing tiger to the sidelines in Death Valley.

Even earlier this month, the governor’s residence played host to a meeting of LSU boosters to discuss a new-look equity approach to fundraising for the school’s athletic programs.

So, of course, it was in a Baton Rouge courtroom last week when a Louisiana state judge granted a handful of athletes an additional year of eligibility, including several players who had recently signed NFL contracts. To little surprise, two of those athletes — tight end Dae’Quan Wright and defensive lineman Zxavian Harris, formerly of the Cleveland Browns and New Orleans Saints, respectively — were expected to head to LSU and play for Lane Kiffin, their former head coach at Ole Miss.

Dae’Quan Wright suited up for the Browns in a preseason game against the Buffalo Bills last week. Could he be returning to college football this fall? (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images)

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These reprieves were matched in gravity and wide-ranging condemnation via a separate ruling from a different Louisiana judge on Tuesday that granted an additional year of eligibility to former All-American basketball player RJ Luis Jr. After starring for St. John’s, Luis went undrafted in the 2025 NBA Draft, signed a two-way contract with the Utah Jazz and played in three NBA preseason games.

“These athletes generated value under the prior framework and should not be denied the additional year the NCAA itself created for others,” attorney Darren Heitner, who represents Wright, told me. “Roster and portal management gets messy for schools, but that is a problem of the NCAA’s own making.”

Exiting the courtroom on Monday, a smile crested on Luis’ face in a moment captured by a local reporter. It was there in the lobby of this place of law and order that his past and future collided.

Adorning a purple polo and thrusting his arms wide, Wade, the Tigers’ second-term head coach, offered Luis a full embrace with a smirk to match.

No consternation here. LSU got its star.

“Because of these rulings, they’re either going to play for you or they’re going to play for someone else around the country,” Kiffin said at a press conference on Monday. “So we’ve made the decision to recruit [Harris and Wright] like probably most people are.”

That those in Baton Rouge are flashing smiles can’t be said for the rest of College Sports, Inc.

LSU coach Lane Kiffin argues that if he doesn’t recruit star players deemed eligible by the courts, they’ll wind up playing for someone else. (Photo by Gus Stark/LSU/University Images via Getty Images)

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The Big Ten was the first league to pass a sweeping ban on professional athletes returning to college sports. The SEC, Big 12 and ACC have since followed suit, while conversations persist elsewhere across the FBS.

The SEC pulled together a call among its presidents and chancellors on Monday ahead of two days of pre-scheduled meetings between that group and the league’s athletics directors. It closed the evening by pushing out a statement condemning the situation.

“Fundamentally, everybody needs to move on,” a second Power Four source told me. “If you’re going to support and believe in NCAA rules, then you better start playing by them yourself.”

These are not new issues, of course.

It’s only six months past that Alabama basketball player Charles Bediako was brought back from professional basketball, granted an injunction and swiftly dismissed again. It was that action that prompted the usually buttoned-up and generally savvy Sankey to sign an affidavit supporting the NCAA against the Crimson Tide hooper.

That this saga is bubbling up on the banks of the mighty Mississippi River once more, however, isn’t so much about LSU or two football players or even the omnipresent college sports villains that are Kiffin and Wade. No, this is about grander aspirations and efforts to control an ecosystem that has proved to be ungovernable as it currently exists.

“We’ve got a simple choice to make: Do we want to be governed or not?,” Texas A&M athletics director Trev Alberts posited during SEC spring meetings in May. “We are sending a very strong message that college athletics refuses to be governed. That’s all I can say.”

   Is Regulation At The Conference Level Possible?

The Big Ten and SEC have been embroiled in conversations about how to best operate within an uncontrollable world for months. 

Their hopes for order currently reside on Capitol Hill, where the Protect College Sports Act remains in limbo until the Senate returns from its recess on Sept. 14. That has its own challenges.

Where the buck stops in the lingering eligibility lawsuits ought to provide at least some clarity around leagues’ longer-term ambitions and whether regulation at the conference level is possible.

Big Ten Commissioner Tony Petitti, who recently signed an extension through 2033, isn’t talking breakaway, but he recognizes the need to create a set of rules to regulate the new college sports landscape. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)

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“‘Breakaway’ is a word that creates a lot of emotion,” Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti said from the pulpit at his own football media days last month. “I’ve never heard that anybody doesn’t want to play anybody else. We want to schedule more good games that our fans expect.

“We’ve just got to get to a system that allows us to do that.”

Buried in the jargon of the SEC’s wider ban on professional athletes on Tuesday night was a note that Sankey is “authorized to enforce this expectation with penalties against member institutions.” A shot across the bow, perhaps.

The league’s bylaws include language that prevents players from transferring intra-conference outside the portal window. LSU’s additions of Wright and Harris would run directly counter to that edict. As would former Kentucky basketball player Mark Mitchell’s move to Missouri, which comes after he won his own eligibility lawsuit granting him an extra year two weeks ago.

The SEC itself has also now been thrust into the legal proceedings as attorneys amended their complaint in Louisiana state court on Thursday evening to include the league and Sankey.

So the standoff has started — and whether the SEC can actually enforce its own rules is where this story really begins.

Laissez les bons temps rouler. Let the good times roll.

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