The hope for every NFL team ahead of each season always comes down to one truth: the belief that they have a player (or players) who will finally exceed their expectations. Someone, they think, is about to become a star. And they believe the whole team will be carried along for the ride.

So who’s primed to break out in 2026? Some are familiar names. Some have flown way under the radar.

Here are 16 breakout candidates — one for each NFC team.

NFC EAST

His career has been a disaster of injuries, from a torn ACL keeping him out as a rookie to another one prematurely ending his second season and ruining his third. But in between, Overshown did have five sacks in 13 games in 2024, where he showed off his speed and explosive playmaking ability. Presumably healthy now, the 6-2, 220-pound linebacker could be a star on a Dallas defense that needs one with Micah Parsons now long gone, especially with a rebuilt defensive line playing in front of him. Overshown has the sideline-to-sideline skills the Cowboys have been lacking of late.

‘Not sure’ C.J. Stroud is good enough, Packers under pressure, Cowboys Super Bowl contenders? | FTF

–>

There were huge expectations for the No. 3 overall pick of last year’s draft, but his headline numbers didn’t match them. He didn’t have his first full sack until Week 13 and finished with just four overall. But buried behind that disappointing total were 23 quarterback hits and, according to PFF, 66 quarterback pressures, which led all rookies. Those are huge numbers, which indicate there’s a lot more to come. He still has fellow pass-rushers Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux to draw attention, and a new defensive coordinator in Dennard Wilson to presumably find better ways to use him. Double digits in sacks wouldn’t be a shock for Carter.

When Howie Roseman traded fifth- and sixth-round picks for Wicks this offseason, it looked like a depth move for a team that was about to trade A.J. Brown. But it could end up being a lot more than that. Yes, DeVonta Smith is the Eagles’ No. 1 receiver, and first-rounder Makai Lemon is the favorite to be No. 2. But Wicks could put up a fight for that spot in the short term. He was underused in Green Bay, despite catching 60% of the balls thrown his way and averaging 12.3 yards per catch. He’s also only 25, so his best might still be in front of him. Lemon has more upside, but Wicks has the experience and played in the system new offensive coordinator Sean Mannion is bringing with him from Green Bay. Wicks will have a chance to help fill Brown’s shoes, especially early in the season.

Daniel Jones will ‘pick up where he left off,’ Eagles offense a concern heading into 2026 season

–>

In Jayden Daniels’ spectacular 2024 rookie season, 19% of his passes went to tight end Zach Ertz, who was his second-leading receiver (66-654-7). Ertz is gone now, replaced by the 26-year-old Okonkwo. He averaged 54-522-1 over the past three seasons for some bad Titans offenses. The Commanders do have a new offensive coordinator (David Blough), but Daniels clearly loves to throw to his tight ends. And he doesn’t have a lot of other great weapons to choose from in Washington anyway. All of that should mean an increase in workload for Okonkwo, who potentially has huge upside with a better quarterback.

NFC NORTH

He went a long way toward establishing himself as an elite tight end last season when he caught 58 passes for 713 yards and six touchdowns. But it’s how he finished that truly showed off his potential. He exploded after catching just 11 passes for 116 yards over the first six games of his rookie campaign. In his final four games alone, including two in the playoffs, he had 28 catches for 378 yards and two touchdowns. If he even comes close to replicating that over a full season, he might be the NFL’s top receiver at his position. The Bears do have Cole Kmet to take away a few catches, but Loveland is firmly established as Chicago’s No. 1 tight end. There aren’t many who are more electric in the entire league.

Colston Loveland looked like one of the best tight ends in the NFL as a rookie, particularly in the postseason. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)

–>

The Lions looked like they had a budding star in the middle of their defense in 2023 when McNeil had five sacks through the first 13 games and was proving to be a tough run-stuffer. But then his season was derailed by a knee injury. The Lions still gave him a four-year, $97 million extension, but the next year he had 3.5 sacks in 14 games before tearing his ACL. He’s presumably healthier now than he has been in three seasons. And with a healthy Aidan Hutchinson and Tyleik Williams alongside him, the Lions’ line could be more dangerous than ever. McNeill won’t get a lot of attention from blockers, which could give him the room for his pass rushing numbers to shoot back up.

The Packers didn’t give the 2022 second-rounder a four-year, $110 million contract in the offseason for more of the same from a player who’s never topped 41 catches or 620 yards in any of his four NFL seasons. Nor would they have traded away Dontayvion Wicks or let Romeo Doubs leave in free agency for a middling player. What they did was clear the deck for the 27-year-old to finally fulfill his promise in what surely will be a larger role. Matt LaFleur’s offense has never been high volume for the passing game, and it has always encouraged spreading the ball around, save for some seasons involving Davante Adams. But there are fewer weapons for quarterback Jordan Love to target now, and Watson has the talent to be the best of the smaller bunch.

The 23-year-old edge defender recorded eight sacks last season, but even more was expected when the Vikings traded up to get him in the first round in 2024. He didn’t do much as a rookie, or in the first half of last season. But the former SEC Defensive Player of the Year had 6.5 sacks over the final eight weeks of 2025, which could be a sign of things to come. The Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to Philadelphia, clearing the way for the speedy Turner to be the top edge rusher in Brian Flores’ blitzing scheme. If the second half of last season was any indication, he could eventually be one of the best pass-rushers in the league.

Kyler Murray vs. J.J. McCarthy Vikings QB battle, Are the Falcons already in trouble? | FTF

Kyler Murray and J.J. McCarthy are currently battling to be the starting QB of the Minnesota Vikings. Danny Parkins, Eric Mangini, and Greg Jennings ask which QB should start, and if the Atlanta Falcons are already in trouble.

NFC SOUTH

After picking off 13 passes in his final two seasons at Notre Dame, everyone knew Watts had ball-hawking instincts. The lone conern was whether he had the skills to do it in the pros. Well, there’s no question now, after the third-round pick had six picks in his rookie season and finished fourth in the Defensive Rookie of the Year voting. The only question now is, how high is his ceiling? Watts had 11 pass breakups, 96 tackles and a fumble recovery as a rookie, showing he’s got an all-around game. He has the potential to be a regular among NFL interception leaders and an anchor in the Atlanta secondary for a long time.

He’s competing alongside the reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in front of him (Tetairoa McMillan) and another former first-rounder (Xavier Legette). But there is still room to grow with the Panthers for this former undrafted rookie (2024). The proof was in Coker’s playoff outburst — a nine-catch, 134-yard, one-touchdown performance in a first-round loss to Rams. Coker was actually already beginning to emerge over the final five games of the regular season (19-244-3). And he’s yet to drop a pass in his short career. The 6-3, 213-pounder likely opens the season as Carolina’s third receiver, but if quarterback Bryce Young continues to improve, Coker has a chance to put up sizable numbers in that role. That’s why the 24-year-old just got a new three-year, $55 million deal.

He was the best rookie quarterback last season, even though the second-rounder started only nine games for a bad Saints team. He put up some impressive numbers in those starts, completing 69.2% of his passes for 2,256 yards, 10 touchdowns and five interceptions. He also led the Saints to a 5-4 record, including a 4-1 finish that nearly got them into the playoffs. This offseason, New Orleans beefed up its offensive line (with free agent guard David Edwards), drafted a first-round receiver (Jordyn Tyson), and added a top free-agent running back (Travis Etienne). In other words, the 26-year-old Shough is set up for even more success with offensive-minded head coach Kellen Moore again calling the plays. Playing in a bad division, Shough could quickly emerge into a star.

Is Tyler Shough ready to take a leap after a surprisingly successful rookie season? (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images) –>

He absolutely exploded onto the NFL scene as a rookie last year with 25 catches, 445 yards and five touchdowns over his first five games. But he seemingly hit a wall after that and played himself right out of Rookie of the Year contention. He still finished with a respectable 63-938-6 stat line, but he was on pace for so much more as the centerpiece of the Bucs’ passing game for much of the season given the injuries to Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. No Buc had more targets (127), yet Egbuka caught only 49.6% of those passes. Assuming he improves at getting into the right spots and finishing plays, he will have a chance to put up elite numbers, especially with Evans no longer in the picture.

NFC WEST

He has 103 catches, 1,493 yards and 12 touchdowns since the Cardinals drafted him No. 4 overall. It’s about what would be expected of him if that had come in one season instead of two. Harrison, however, has been hampered by injuries and a terrible quarterback situation in Arizona. Entering Year 3 … well, hopefully his health has at least improved. If so, expect new coach Mike LaFleur to add some creativity to an offense surely built around this potentially dominant receiver. His numbers should spike, even if the Cardinals’ QB situation remains a mess.

He had 12 sacks last season, so maybe it could be argued that he already had his breakout season (and really, most of the powerful Rams already have). But last season, he was the big man on the edge of the L.A. defense. Now, opposing offenses will have to deal with Myles Garrett (and perhaps Aaron Donald again). With the reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year on the other end, it’s safe to say Young won’t see many double teams this year. He was already a top-10 pass-rusher in most categories, and with Garrett drawing most of the attention now, Young’s pressure rate and sack totals should only increase. 

49ers core’s ‘one last ride’, Rams depth issues, Can Maye follow up his 2nd-place MVP season? | FTF

–>

He came into the NFL in 2024 with a reputation for locking down college football’s best receivers, and late in his rookie season he began to flash that potential. But last season was a step back for the former second-rounder, who wilted at times under the pressure created by the 49ers’ lack of a pass rush. That rush should be better this season, and accordingly, the 25-year-old Green could be right back on track. He has the speed, physical style and elite instincts to develop into one of the NFL’s elite corners. He just has to put it all together.

For three seasons, the 6-1, 214-pounder has been the perfect handcuff in Seattle for Kenneth Walker III and a bruising option at the goal line. With Walker now in Kansas City, the 25-year-old Charbonnet is in prime position to be a bell-cow back. The good news is, he has shown over the years he’s more than capable of handling that. The bad news is, he’s never really been asked to expand his role for more than a few games at a time. He’s been fairly durable while averaging 4.1 yards per carry and has caught 82% of the passes thrown his way. Considering that 2026 first-round pick Jadarian Price had a limited role at Notre Dame, he’s not really a threat to steal too many touches right off the bat. Don’t be surprised if Charbonnet puts up Walker-like numbers as Seattle’s unquestioned No. 1 back.

]–>

Source

Finding NFL players with something to prove this season — or in any season — is not difficult. But of those currently navigating contract years or looking to move past 2025 hiccups, who has the most to gain in 2026? 

Here’s my top 11 in descending order, ranking players not only by financial compensation at stake but also their perception in the eyes of the league:

11.

Williams established himself as one of the league’s brightest young quarterbacks last season, delivering in the clutch and leading the Bears to their first playoff victory in 15 years. If he builds on what was an impressive second season, he sets himself up for what could be an extension that resets the quarterback market in the 2027 offseason. 

Caleb Williams led all NFL QBs with six fourth-quarter comebacks last season, but he also ranked next to last among all qualified quarterbacks in completion percentage. (Photo by Todd Rosenberg/Getty Images)

–>

10.

The 31-year-old Mayfield is entering a contract year after he and the Bucs failed to reach an extension agreement before training camp. A bounce-back campaign in 2026 — Mayfield’s numbers regressed across the board last season compared to his first two years in Tampa — should earn the former No. 1 overall pick a deal that ranks comfortably in the top 10 of quarterback contracts. 

9.

Nix has been a good quarterback through two NFL seasons, helping lead the Broncos to back-to-back playoff appearances. If he makes the leap to elite in Year 3, it not only would mean a record-setting contract for the 2024 first-round pick next offseason, but would also make Denver a legitimate Super Bowl contender. 

8.

If Pickens once again performs like a true WR1 in 2026, a top-end wide receiver contract awaits him from the Cowboys or someone else in the spring. The former second-round pick will play in Dallas this season on the franchise tag, which will pay him $27.3 million fully guaranteed. 

In his first season with Dallas, George Pickens made his first Pro Bowl after setting career-highs in catches (93), receiving yards (1,429) and touchdowns (9). (Photo by Matthew Pearce/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

–>

7.

After an injury-riddled 2025, Daniels needs to show the Commanders that he can stay on the field. Doing that, and picking up from his historic rookie season two years ago, would all but guarantee him a deal that resets the benchmark for quarterback contracts. 

6.

The talented Woolen is coming off a season in which he lost his starting job. After three years with the Seahawks, he’s now with the Eagles on a prove-it, one-year deal worth $12 million fully guaranteed. If he can recapture Pro Bowl form from his rookie season, he’ll be able to secure a contract that will rank among the richest cornerback deals. 

5.

The 2023 No. 1 overall pick, Young’s career has been marked by inconsistency, including a benching in 2024. But he’s coming off his best season as a pro — he posted career-highs in completion rate, passing yards and touchdowns, and guided the Panthers to their first playoff appearance in eight years. Another step forward in 2026 will cement his place as Carolina’s long-term quarterback. 

4.

After playing just 12 games over the past two seasons combined due to suspension and injury, Rice is now in the last year of his rookie deal. If he’s on his best behavior and produces like a WR1 this season, the former second-rounder is in line for a lucrative second contract. 

3.

Texans general manager Nick Caserio has said the team has had “productive” extension talks with Stroud, but there’s a possibility that the QB plays this season without a new deal, given his playoff struggles last season and general regression since his rookie year in 2023. 

A bounce-back Year 4 would not only cement Stroud’s status as Houston’s long-term quarterback, but also earn him a mega extension in 2027. 

C.J. Stroud’s future in Houston is on the line after two subpar years following his rookie breakout. (Photo by Tim Warner/Getty Images)

–>

2.

Murray signed a league minimum, one-year contract with the Vikings after his release by Arizona. If he wins Minnesota’s starting quarterback job and regains Pro Bowl form, a top-end QB deal will be waiting for him in the spring. 

1.

Football-wise, Nacua already deserves a second contract that would be the richest for a wideout in league history. He led the NFL with 129 catches last season and his 95.3 receiving yards-per-game career average is the most all time. 

But after a few off-field controversies dating back to last season, the All-Pro receiver must rebuild the Rams’ trust in him to earn that mega extension. The former fifth-round pick is slated to make just over $5.6 million in base salary in 2026, while a new deal would be expected to start at over $42 million in average annual value. 

NFL Related Stories

Source

LIV Golf New York brings four days of golf to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster from Thursday, Aug. 6 through Sunday, Aug. 9. Here is how to watch every round on FOX platforms.

When Is LIV Golf New York 2026?

LIV Golf New York begins Thursday, Aug. 6 and concludes Sunday, Aug. 9. The tournament returns to Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey, for the first time since 2023.

What Channel Is LIV Golf New York On?

FOX will carry live coverage Friday, Saturday and Sunday. FS2 will have coverage on Friday as well. Thursday’s opening round and the beginning of Friday’s second round will be available through the FOX Sports App. Every round also streams live on FOX One.

LIV Golf New York 2026 Schedule

All times Eastern. The listed start times are LIV Golf’s scheduled shotgun starts. Broadcast coverage may begin before or after the opening shots.

• Round 1: Thursday, Aug. 6, 1:15 p.m. ET (FOX Sports App, FOX One)
• Round 2: Friday, Aug. 7, 12:15 p.m. ET (FS2 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; FOX Sports App from 1 to 2 p.m.; FOX from 2 to 3 p.m.; FOX One beginning at noon)
• Round 3: Saturday, Aug. 8, 12:15 p.m. ET (FOX, FOX One beginning at noon)
• Round 4: Sunday, Aug. 9, 11:05 a.m. ET (FOX, FOX One beginning at 11 a.m. ET)

LIV Golf United Kingdom Best Moments ️ Golf on FOX

Check out the best moments from LIV Golf United Kingdom!

How Can I Stream LIV Golf New York?

Every round of LIV Golf New York streams live on FOX One. Coverage is also available through FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.

Where Is LIV Golf New York Being Played?

The tournament is being played at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster in Bedminster, New Jersey. LIV Golf previously visited the course in 2022 and 2023, with Cameron Smith winning the most recent individual event there.

Who Is Playing in LIV Golf New York?

The 57-player field includes major champions Bryson DeChambeau, Jon Rahm, Cameron Smith, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Sergio Garcia and Bubba Watson. Joaquin Niemann and Tyrrell Hatton are also among the notable players scheduled to compete.

What Is the LIV Golf Tournament Format?

LIV Golf events expanded to four rounds and 72 holes in 2026. The individual competition uses stroke play while the team competition runs concurrently. Each round uses a shotgun start, with groups beginning at the same time from different holes.

Follow the LIV Golf New York leaderboard on FOX Sports for scores, tee times and results throughout the tournament.

]–>

Source

Bijan Robinson set the market, and Jonathan Taylor is following it.

The Indianapolis Colts have signed Taylor to a two-year, $44 million extension, ESPN reported on Thursday morning. The contract includes a maximum value of $47 million and includes $39 million guaranteed.

This deal, which includes a $22 million average annual value, makes Taylor the second-highest paid running back in the NFL behind Robinson, who signed a three-year, $66.75 million extension ($22.25 AAV) with the Atlanta Falcons earlier this week ($75 million maximum value).

Taylor was entering the final season of a three-year, $42 million extension that he signed with the Colts during the 2023 regular season.

Taylor, a 2021 All-Pro and three-time Pro Bowler, rushed for 1,585 yards — which was third in the sport — and an NFL-high 18 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry last season (2025). He tallied 46 receptions for 378 yards and two touchdowns. Taylor also logged 67 forced missed tackles, which ranked second among running backs, according to Pro Football Focus.

The now-seventh-year star back has led the NFL in rushing touchdowns and rushing attempts twice apiece (2021 and 2025), while leading the sport with 1,811 rushing yards in 2021. Moreover, Taylor, who was selected by Indianapolis with the No. 41 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft out of Wisconsin, is first in Colts history with 69 rushing touchdowns and second with 7,598 rushing yards.

The Colts are coming off an 8-9 season that saw them miss the playoffs for a fifth consecutive year in a season derailed by quarterback Daniel Jones — who was re-signed on a two-year, $88 million deal this offseason — suffering a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in Week 14. Indianapolis lost its last seven games after starting the season 8-2.

Source

–>

Lionel Messi scored his first two goals since the World Cup and took the career scoring lead in the Leagues Cup as Inter Miami overcame an early deficit to beat Atlético San Luis 4-2 on a rainy Wednesday night.

The match at Nu Stadium was delayed 30 minutes in the second half because of lightning in the area.

Messi scored in the 11th and the 44th minutes. He has 14 goals in 12 Leagues Cup matches — one ahead of Los Angeles FC’s Denis Bouanga for most in the tournament’s four-year history.

Telasco Segovia and defender Micael also scored, and Noah Allen had three assists as Inter Miami extended its unbeaten streak to eight matches.

Messi returned to Miami’s starting lineup in his second match since the World Cup, where he led Argentina to its second straight final appearance before La Albiceleste lost 1-0 to Spain. The 39-year-old played 37 minutes as a substitute in a 2-2 draw with the Columbus Crew on Saturday.

After being held off the scoresheet against Columbus, it didn’t take Messi long to make an impact on Wednesday. He fired a long cross from Allen past Andrés Sánchez to equalize after David Rodríguez put San Luis ahead with a header four minutes into the match. Messi finished from close range later in the first half and assisted on Micael’s header in stoppage time.

Rafa Llorente also scored for San Luis.

Messi led Miami to the Leagues Cup title in 2023 shortly after his arrival with the club. Inter Miami reached the final again last year, losing 3-0 to Seattle in a match that ended with a brawl involving Luis Suárez. The veteran forward appeared to spit toward a member of the Sounders’ staff and grabbed at least one Seattle player by the neck during the melee, resulting in a six-match tournament suspension.

That means Suárez, who has seven goals in the past four matches, was not available Wednesday and will not play in this year’s tournament.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

[–> Get more from the Leagues Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more [–>

Source

New York Mets rookie Jefry Yan jumped high in the air with his feet spread apart, landed on the front of the mound and then slapped the grass with his left hand while briefly going to a knee.

It was an emphatic celebration for the 29-year-old left-hander after striking out the first batter he faced in his major-league debut during the Mets’ 6-5 win in Cleveland over the Guardians on Wednesday night.

“Honestly, I was really excited. I was also a little nervous,” Yan said through a translator.

Yan’s viral moment came after pinch-hitter Ángel Martínez took an 88.7 mph slider for a called third strike to open the Guardians’ sixth. After the leap and slap, Yan stood straight up with his feet together and lifted both arms over his head.

“Once I had him with two strikes, I said, ‘You know what, I’m going to throw that slider,'” he said. “And if I freeze him, which is exactly what I did, I celebrated accordingly.”

That was already a signature celebration for Yan, who did the same after striking out a batter in a Mets spring training game earlier this year.

After Martínez struck out, the Guardians loaded the bases on two singles and a walk. But Yan escaped without giving up a run with his second strikeout and an inning-ending grounder.

“Once I was able to get out of the inning, I said, you know, I can finally breathe right here,” he said.

Mets interim manager Andy Green added: “It’s real stuff. It’s really impressive. To get out of a bases-loaded jam, get your first punchout, just excited for him. He deserves that.”

Yan bounded off the mound, slapping his hand against his glove several times, after the inning ended. Cleveland fans booed as Yan went to the dugout with the Mets ahead 4-3.

“If they want to yell at me, if they want to boo me, they can do whatever they want,” Yan said. “I’m in my zone. And yeah, I’m going to enjoy my game any way that I want to.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

The defending Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks are being featured on the HBO series “Hard Knocks” for the first time in franchise history, and it didn’t take long for someone to stir the pot.

Last Friday, Seahawks linebacker Derick Hall put offensive lineman Bryce Cabeldue into a chokehold and body-slammed him during a fight in practice that was shown on the first episode, which debuted on Tuesday night. Cabeldue and linebacker Tyrice Knight shoved one another before Hall brought Cabeldue to the ground.

Following Wednesday’s practice, Hall acknowledged that things got out of control, but he said he and his teammates have since made up.

“At the end of the day, we all love each other,” Hall said. “We’re a team. We are a brotherhood. At the end of the day, it happened out here. We go in the locker room, you know, ‘Hey man, I apologize, that was beyond the line of where we’re trying to go, where we trying to get.’ And we move forward.”

During the episode, defensive coordinator Aden Durde revealed to coach Mike Macdonald that fullback and special teams captain Brady Russell had egged Hall on. According to Durde, Russell said Hall, who signed a $42 million, three-year contract extension in June, had changed because of his new deal.

When asked if the players involved in the fight had smoothed over the situation, Macdonald said they had.

“Yeah, the guys have been great,” Macdonald said Wednesday. “The guys have been awesome.”

Macdonald said he is proud of his team for the way it has handled itself and was presented in the episode of the long-running docuseries, barring a “couple of fun exceptions.” Hall agreed with the coach.

“I think it shows who we are as a unit, as a team, right?” Hall said. “Things happen out here on the football field, obviously, as you saw in the episode.”

Hall was also featured off the field. He arrived for the Seahawks’ first day of training camp in a souped-up truck that he modified himself. The 6-foot-3, 254-pounder drove his truck over an HBO camera, smashing it.

“I ran [it] over, and they were like, ‘D-Hall, did you feel something when you rolled in?’” Hall said. “I’m like, ‘No.’ And then they showed me the camera and it was just smashed. So, I was like, ‘Dang, I apologize.’ I know it’s unique, it’s authentic, but I did smash the camera.”

Much like that incident, Hall is moving on from the fight. Even though he was captured during a tough moment, he has enjoyed being part of the show.

“I love it. I love it,” Hall said. “I think that’s a big piece of what they’re trying to do. Again, it just shows who we are as a team. What guys do outside of football. A lot of people see us in this limelight as professional athletes, and what we do on the field, and these media sessions, different things like that. So, I think it’s pretty cool.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

Source

Since 1962, the NFL has kicked off its preseason with the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame Game during Enshrinement Week in Canton, Ohio. The 2026 edition will pit the Carolina Panthers against the Arizona Cardinals, marking Carolina’s first appearance in the game since 1995 and Arizona’s sixth all time. Check out everything you need to know about the 2026 Hall of Fame Game below.

When is the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?

The 2026 Hall of Fame Game kicks off at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, Aug. 6, 2026.

Who is playing in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?

The Carolina Panthers will face off against the Arizona Cardinals in the 2026 Hall of Fame Game.

How can I watch the Hall of Fame Game? What channel is it on?

The 2026 Hall of Fame Game will be broadcast live on NBC and Peacock. Any cable or streaming service that carries NBC, or an antenna in range of a local station, will carry the game.

NFL Related Stories

How can I stream the Hall of Fame Game?

The 2026 Hall of Fame Game can be streamed on Peacock, NFL+ and Fubo, among other providers that carry NBC.

Who Are the Announcers for the 2026 Hall of Fame Game?

Mike Tirico will handle play-by-play for NBC, with Cris Collinsworth serving as analyst. Melissa Stark will report from the sideline and Terry McAulay will serve as rules analyst.

Where is the Hall of Fame Game?

The Hall of Fame Game will be played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

Chiefs’ spot ‘no longer guaranteed’, Bills & Bears have ‘too much hype’ on Nick’s NFL Tiers | FTF

–>

Nick Wright lists his NFL tiers entering the Hall of Fame Game tomorrow, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, and Chicago Bears. Chris Broussard and Kevin Wildes add their input as well, including giving the Los Angeles Chargers more credit.

When Is the 2026 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement?

The Class of 2026 Enshrinement ceremony begins at noon ET on Saturday, Aug. 8 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The five enshrinees will receive their Gold Jackets during a dinner Friday, Aug. 7 before their bronze busts are unveiled during Saturday’s ceremony.

Who Will Be Inducted Into the Hall of Fame?

Five players will be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame during Enshrinement Week. Two have direct ties to the teams playing in this year’s game: Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire career with the Cardinals and Luke Kuechly played his entire career with the Panthers. Both will be recognized with the rest of the class during pregame activities Thursday. The full Class of 2026 is:

• Drew Brees (QB)
• Roger Craig (RB)
• Larry Fitzgerald (WR)
• Luke Kuechly (LB)
• Adam Vinatieri (K)

Source

The Major League Baseball trade deadline has come and gone, leaving many teams looking quite different than they did a week ago. 

The most notable trade, of course, was the back-to-back defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers acquiring left-handed ace Tarik Skubal from the Detroit Tigers. 

However, plenty of other deals went down.

Let’s take a look at five post-deadline bets I like. 

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.

CUBS TO WIN WORLD SERIES (+1600)

While a lot of the attention was on the Dodgers adding Skubal, the Cubs quietly had a very productive deadline. Pitchers Kevin Gausman, Braxton Garrett, Clay Holmes and Ryan Zeferjahn were all brought in, and should thrive with the support of an elite Cubs’ defense. Chances are Chicago will have to go the long route to the World Series, likely entering the playoffs as a wild-card team. However, while the Cubs trail the Brewers by 5.5 games in the NL Central, the two teams meet seven times between now and Sept. 9, giving the Cubs a chance to get back into the division race. Coming off of a sweep of the Dodgers, Chicago looks like a real contender.

NATIONALS UNDER 75.5 WINS

The Nationals have exceeded expectations so far this season, but I’m not sure the feel-good story continues into the late summer. All-star outfielder James Wood is currently on the injured list with an oblique injury, and fellow all-star Luis Garcia Jr. was just traded to the New York Yankees before the deadline. Sporting one of the worst bullpens in baseball, it might be a rough ending to what has been a good season in Washington.

ANGELS UNDER 62.5 WINS 

While the other team in L.A. goes for its third straight title, the Angels were once again sellers at the deadline. Pitchers Jose Soriano and Ryan Zeferjahn were dealt, as was outfielder Jo Adell. Mike Trout remains in town, but the oft-injured future Hall of Famer isn’t enough to keep the Angels from limping to the finish line and staying under this win total.

CUBS OVER RED SOX (+10000)
Exact World Series result

Back to the Cubs. If the 16-1 payout doesn’t do it for you, they are 100-1 to defeat the Red Sox in the Fall Classic. Neither team is leading their division, but both teams are red-hot and within striking distance of first place. The Red Sox enter play on Thursday having won seven straight games and 30 of their last 35. The Red Sox to defeat the Cubs is 150-1 if you want to go that route and go for the even bigger payday, but playing either combination I think is a fun bet to have, and one you might be glad you made come October.

ORIOLES TO BE 6-SEED (+750) 

The Orioles enter play on Thursday just a half-game behind the Rangers for the final American League wild-card spot (6-seed). If the Orioles get into the playoffs, they will likely be the 6-seed, as they trail the 5-seed by 6.5 games. At +750, the Orioles snagging the final playoff spot is a good bet in an American League playoff race that is wide open. 

.

Source

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

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

Cubs Sweep Dodgers Despite Late Rally

Things are not going great for the Dodgers right now. Los Angeles was in line to be the first team to 70 wins in MLB, as it won No. 69 back on July 30. The Dodgers are still waiting to win 70 a week later, which the Brewers already did, and now L.A. has seen the Braves catch up to it in the standings, too.

The Red Sox swept the Dodgers over the weekend, and that series went right into one against the Cubs in Chicago — Los Angeles was swept for a second series in a row with an afternoon loss on Wednesday. Six games is the second-longest losing streak the Dodgers have suffered since 2019, with Los Angeles dropping seven in a row in 2025. That didn’t stop it from winning the 2025 World Series, but there are reasons to be genuinely concerned that this club isn’t as dominant as it needs to be to ensure another title. Of course, that’s why they play the games, and it’s only August.

Things started out well enough, with Shohei Ohtani crushing his 11th leadoff home run of the season, four shy of tying the MLB record and also of passing the Dodgers’ franchise mark of 32, currently held by teammate Mookie Betts.

The issues began the next inning, when Pete Crow-Armstrong answered Ohtani’s leadoff blast with one of his own.

Chicago’s center fielder would hit another later on, too, a two-run shot that had also followed an RBI double earlier by PCA — he was responsible for four of the five Cubs’ runs at this point.

Chicago would go up 7-1 through the seventh, and then the Dodgers finally started to muster some offense. Third baseman Max Muncy hit a 413-foot three-run shot to cut the deficit to three in the eighth, and then Ohtani logged his 26th dinger of the season with a two-run shot later that same inning.

The scoring stopped there, however, with Jacob Webb throwing a clean ninth inning for the Cubs to secure the W and the sweep. The Cubs are now 66-49, still 5.5 back of Milwaukee in the NL Central but 5.5 ahead for the top wild-card in the NL, suddenly within three games of the Dodgers’ record, which was the best in the league at the start of the month. Pretty good news for Chicago; less good for Los Angeles.

Braves Win 7th Straight

As said, Atlanta now has as many wins as the Dodgers, and even a better record owing to one fewer defeat — the Braves’ seventh-straight win got them there, with Atlanta taking down the Marlins on Wednesday, 4-1, pushing their NL East lead to 8.5 games. The Braves scored all the runs they needed in the second, when third baseman Austin Riley hit a ground-rule double to score second baseman Ozzie Albies, which was followed by DH Drake Baldwin hitting a two-run single that scored Riley.

Also of note in this W is that first baseman Matt Olson reached a major milestone. This was his 896th consecutive game played, giving him sole possession of the eighth-longest such streak in MLB history by passing Hall of Famer Stan Musial.

Olson isn’t going to set the MLB record unless he never misses another game and also plays another roughly 1,800 in a row, but there is room to get into the top five, at least: next up is Joe Sewell, at 1,103 games, and Miguel Tejada is currently in fifth at 1,152 — that’s just 256 games from now for the 32-year-old Olson.

Red Sox Win 7th Straight

This one was decided early, but that’s the kind of thing you don’t know until it’s over. The Red Sox scored in the top of the first when first baseman Willson Contreras singled in Wilyer Abreu to go up, 1-0. The White Sox would never end up scoring, but even if they had managed a couple, well, Boston’s center fielder had another way of crossing the plate: he hit his 20th dinger of the year and fourth in his last three games to put the Sox up 2-0…

…and then Boston added another pair of runs from there. Red Sox starter Sonny Gray was on point, throwing six scoreless with eight strikeouts against two walks and three hits before a trio of relievers handled the rest. White Sox starter Sean Burke didn’t even do a poor job of things — he gave up two runs in 4 ⅔ — but with the lineup giving him zero support, he took the tough loss.

Boston is now 11 games over .500, 5.5 back in the AL East and just one behind the Yankees for second in the division and the first wild-card in the junior circuit. It’s won 25 of its last 28 games and nine series in a row, the second-longest streak in franchise history, and is victorious in 16-straight games against first-place teams. 

Still, For The White Sox…

It’s difficult to complain too much. First, there’s how dominant the Red Sox have been of late, but also consider what Wednesday was the anniversary of: the White Sox losing their 21st-straight game, en route to the modern single-season loss record, in 2024. In 2026, though, even after dropping two in a row to Boston, Chicago is in first place in the AL Central, and with a three-game lead over the Guardians.

There are worse fates, is all.

A 4-Hit Debut

On Wednesday, the Guardians called up one of their top prospects, third baseman Angel Genao. And he sure delivered on his promise out of the gate: the 22-year-old gave starting third baseman José Ramírez a day off, and went 4-for-5 in his debut in his place.

All four hits were singles, but he also scored a run and drove in another. He had a chance at the first-ever five-hit big-league debut, but flew out to the warning track in the ninth inning with what would have been the winning run on second.

This ended up being important, too, as the Mets scored in the top of the 10th thanks to an RBI single by third baseman Bo Bichette — his one knock of the day in five trips to the plate. The Guardians failed to score in the bottom half of the frame, and New York got the come from behind win in extras. 

Hey Hey Be Careful

Jefry Yan made his big-league debut on Wednesday, after getting the call to fill one of the many post-deadline spots in the Mets’ bullpen. And he struck out pinch-hitter Angel Martínez, the first batter he faced in the majors, which merited a little bit of celebration.

It’s all fun and dance moves until someone blows out a knee. But hey, just getting there at all is a dub for Yan — his pro career began back in 2014, and he even left baseball for years following Tommy John surgery. But he’s finally made it to the majors just before turning 30, a dozen years after he first got started on that path. Jump away, Yan.

The Yankees Are Going To Love This Guy

Did the Yankees lose? Yes, 3-1 to the Cardinals, who are still fighting for a postseason spot despite doing some deadline selling. But that sort of thing happens regularly, even to the best teams — see the above re: the Dodgers of late. More important in the long run and for New York’s chances the rest of the season is the below, this play by rookie shortstop George Lombard Jr.

Look at that range! That’s going to help win some ballgames in the future, and is exactly the kind of thing the Yankees need to help out its starters and bullpens. That Lombard might end up being a pretty good hitter, too, is just that much better.

The Phillies Are Going To Love This Guy

Luis Arraez was a deadline acquisition, not a promotion like Lombard, but he’s set to make an impact on the season for the Phillies, too. Arraez drove in two runs in his Philadelphia debut on Tuesday, and on Wednesday, he both scored and drove in a run for the Phillies, thanks to a solo homer in the second inning.

Now, Arraez can’t help the bullpen out, but that’s a whole other story.

Nationals Go Wild In Extras

One we can get to… now. The Nationals defeated the Phillies 10-4 on Wednesday, but the game was actually a whole lot closer than that final score makes it appear. The game went into extra innings because the Phillies managed to tie the game up, 3-3, in the bottom of the seventh. In the 10th, both Washington and Philadelphia scored a run to make it 4-4. But in the top of the 11th, the Nats erupted for six runs.

Center fielder Jacob Young walked to lead off the inning, giving Washington two baserunners and no outs. Shortstop CJ Abrams then tripled to center field to make it a 6-4 game, as Derek Hill just missed catching it and the ball went ricocheting into right — Hill would exit the game with an injury from crashing into the fence on the attempt. 

Pinch-hitter — and pitcher — Mike Mikolas then drove in another run with a sac bunt, and then Andrés Chaparro, who entered as a pinch-hitter earlier in the contest, made it 9-4 with a double.

The final run came on a ground out by second baseman Nasim Nuñez — not pretty, but it counts all the same, and meant a six-run 11th for Washington.

That was enough for the W, and it was a necessary one for Washington if the plan is to stay in wild-card contention: the Nats are 5.5 back after a 2-8 stretch and some selling off at the deadline.

Now That’s Extension

The Mariners defeated the Tigers 4-2 on Wednesday, which retroactively makes a run-saving effort like this one huge. Left fielder Randy Arozarena got up for this one.

That was, at the least, going to drive in the runner on second. And it could have been worse, as there was also a runner on first and the wrong bounce could have meant a triple. And that’s if the ball hadn’t carried just a little further and gone over the fence for a three-run homer.

The Mariners improved to 56-59 with the win over the Tigers, which, despite being a few games under .500, has them just one game back of a wild-card spot in the AL and 2.5 behind the Astros in the AL West.

Blue Jays Top Astros In Extras

Just 2.5 behind the Astros, because Houston was defeated by the Blue Jays, 5-4. The game-winning hit came courtesy of infielder Ernie Clement to cap off a comeback. The Astros had gone up 3-0, but a three-run sixth from the Jays tied things up, where things stayed until Clement struck in the 10th.

Houston managed to push a run across in the bottom of the 10th, but it needed two — Toronto, which both bought and sold at the trade deadline, picked up some ground in the wild-card race with the win thanks to losses by the Yankees, Guardians, Twins and Tigers, but the Jays are still staring up at all but three teams in the AL in the standings.

Source