The German Football Association (DFB) has confirmed an unusual arrangement with Red Bull to secure Jürgen Klopp’s release as national team head coach, involving a €1 million donation to charity and a commitment to stage three future Germany matches in Leipzig.

Charitable Donation Was The Price Of Klopp’s Release

It has now emerged just how far the DFB had to go to get their man. Confirming the terms at Klopp’s official unveiling on Friday, president Bernd Neuendorf revealed that the federation agreed to make a €1 million donation to the Red Bull-backed “Wings for Life” foundation as part of the deal to free Klopp from his prior commitments.

Neuendorf explained that the gesture was designed to acknowledge how smoothly Red Bull had handled his release. “The German Football Association has made these special arrangements in recognition of the fact that the release was handled in such an uncomplicated and unbureaucratic manner,” he said.

Leipzig Secured As Venue For Future Internationals

The donation, it turns out, was only part of the agreement. As part of the wider arrangement with Red Bull, the DFB also committed to staging three senior Germany internationals at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig across the course of Klopp’s contract – a tangible concession that ensured the Red Bull-owned stadium and its local supporters benefited directly from a deal that saw one of the company’s most high-profile executives depart prematurely.

Landing Klopp is widely regarded as a major coup for a federation desperate to return German football to the top of the international game. Hans-Joachim Watzke, the DFB’s first vice-president and a long-time ally of Klopp from their years together at Borussia Dortmund, also made clear his relief that the situation had finally been resolved.

Behind The Scenes Of The Red Bull Negotiations

Getting Klopp out of his role as head of global soccer required sustained, high-level dialogue between the DFB and Red Bull’s leadership. Neuendorf disclosed that he held “very intensive talks with RB, specifically with Oliver Mintzlaff”, the company’s chief executive, in order to reach an agreement both parties could accept.

Reflecting on how those discussions concluded, Neuendorf praised the professionalism shown throughout by the Red Bull hierarchy. “I am very grateful to Oliver Mintzlaff for the discussions and how we were able to conduct them. We were both quickly in agreement that the simultaneous execution of Jurgen’s function at RB and the exercise of the office of national team coach would be difficult to reconcile with one another,” he said.

Years Of Struggle Across Three Coaching Eras

Klopp inherits a national team still searching for the identity it lost following the golden generation of 2014. Germany suffered a shock group-stage exit as defending champions at the 2018 World Cup under Joachim Low before Hansi Flick took over in 2021 and oversaw an equally painful group-stage elimination in Qatar — a run of results that made Flick the first head coach ever sacked by the DFB. Julian Nagelsmann was subsequently appointed in September 2023, given less than a year to prepare the hosts for Euro 2024, where he guided the team to a respectable quarter-final finish before extending his stay through to this summer’s World Cup.

That tournament, however, brought fresh heartbreak rather than the redemption Germany craved, with Nagelsmann’s side eliminated in the round of 32 on penalties against Paraguay – extending the nation’s wait for a run deep into a major tournament to more than a decade. It is against that backdrop of near-constant disappointment across three different coaching regimes that Klopp now arrives, tasked with restoring a team that once defined footballing excellence back to the level its history demands.

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Marcus Rashford has been warned that he must issue an “almighty statement” to Manchester United supporters and staff if he is to have any hope of resurrecting his career at Old Trafford. After spending the last 18 months away from the club on loan, the England international is due to return to a squad that has moved on without him under the leadership of Michael Carrick.

Proving Loyalty To Carrick

Following loan spells at Aston Villa and Barcelona, the 28-year-old finds himself at a crossroads. Rashford’s commitment was openly questioned in the first half of the 2024-25 season when he expressed a desire for a fresh challenge away from Manchester. talkSPORT host Hugh Woozencroft echoed these concerns, stating: “Rashford said he wanted a new challenge and unless you can be 100 per cent sure he is completely committed to Man United… he’s shown he wasn’t fully committed the last time he was at the club… how can you be sure he’s going to be this time around?”

Former England international Micky Gray believes the forward must address the circumstances of his departure and confirm his dedication to the club’s new era, if he truly wants another chance. “There’s a few things here, The most important one is, if Rashford has a future at Man United, he has to do an almighty statement of why he wants to be at Man United and what the reasons were to leave the club in the first place. I think that’s a priority that he has to do,” Gray told talkSPORT.

Falling Down The Old Trafford Pecking Order

While Rashford enjoyed a productive season in Spain, scoring 14 goals for a Barcelona side that secured the La Liga title, he will soon return to a United squad that has significantly evolved.

Gray warned that the academy graduate must prepare for a reduced role if he stays, stating: “If he does stay then he’s got to get used to being a bit-part player. He’s not first on the list; he’s not going to be playing every week.. [Bryan] Mbuemo, [Matheus] Cunha, [Benjamin] Sesko, Amad to name a few. They’ve caught up to and if not surpassed Rashford.”

Gray explained that the physical demands of the English game will also pose a significant challenge for the winger after his time in Catalunya, adding: “Spain is not England .He did very well, but he can play at Barcelona at a different level to what he can at Man United. He can’t deny that the Premier League is 100mph – he’s going to have to get himself super fit in pre-season.”

International Form vs Domestic Expectations

Despite the uncertainty surrounding his club future, Rashford remains a regular fixture in the England setup, having helped the Three Lions to a third-place finish at the 2026 World Cup. He featured in six of England’s eight matches during the tournament and scored in the 4-2 victory against Croatia, reminding onlookers of his quality on the global stage.

However, Gray pointed out: “We saw the good and the bad of Rashford for England at the World Cup. Can Man United utilise him in a way they can expect to see the good side and not the bad side? If they do that and he stays, Rashford has got to expect that he isn’t going to play every game.”

Potential Swap Deal Involving Kone

While a reintegration plan is being discussed, United officials are also exploring more transactional solutions for Rashford’s future. The club are reportedly keen on Roma midfielder Manu Kone but are hesitant to meet the Italian side’s full €60m valuation.

United have considered a swap deal involving Rashford to bridge the gap. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini is thought to be an admirer of the Englishman’s technical qualities, though any potential move is hindered by the player’s substantial wage demands.

Rashford currently earns roughly €11m net per season, a figure that far exceeds Roma’s budgetary constraints.

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So much for a quiet start to camp for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Extension talks between Vita Vea and the franchise have officially hit a wall and the two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle is now requesting a trade out of Tampa Bay, ESPN first reported and confirmed by our Greg Auman. Vea plans to be in attendance when Buccaneers’ veterans report for camp on Tuesday, though, meaning he won’t hold out, Auman added. 

Vea is entering the final year of the four-year, $73 million extension he signed in 2022. According to his agent, Collin Roberts, the trade request follows unsuccessful negotiations between Vea and the Buccaneers front office on a new deal.

Vea has done nothing but impress since being selected in the first round of the 2018 NFL Draft. Not only is he one of the league’s most dominant interior defensive linemen and a two-time Pro Bowler, but he also played a major role in the Buccaneers’ Super Bowl LV run.  Since taking over as a full-time starter in 2019, his presence in the interior has consistently produced one of the league’s premier run defenses.

The Buccaneers posted three straight top-three finishes in total defense from 2019-21. They returned to being a top-five defense in 2023, thanks to players like Vea. During that stretch, the 347-pound Vea led a defensive front that allowed 92.58 rushing yards per game. Through eight seasons with the Buccaneers, Vea has logged 256 total tackles (154 solo), 35 sacks, and three forced fumbles across 112 regular-season games.

It remains unclear if a reconciliation is possible or if an extension can be reached. If not, Vea could be one of the best defensive tackles to switch teams since the New York Jets traded Quinnen Williams to the Dallas Cowboys ahead of the 2025 trade deadline. 

In the event that Tampa Bay decides to move Vea, his preferred trade destination appears to be on the West Coast. Vea prefers to return closer to home and be traded to a California team or the Las Vegas Raiders, according to The Athletic.

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The Basketball Tournament is down to the quarterfinals. As these teams chase the $2 million prize, bettors can win big too, with bonuses from sportsbooks and their new user promos.

The Red Rose War Ready face Gotham City Bockers in the Vegas Bracket, with the winner advancing to face Davis Steel in the next knockout round. The winner advances to face Davis Steel, while Heartfire Elite awaits the winner of Knueppel Crew and The Mecca. 

The Kansas alumni team JHX Hoops meets defending champion AfterShocks in one of the biggest games of the tournament. Tonight’s winner between JHX Hoops and AfterShocks advances to Wednesday’s Alumni Bracket Championship against La Familia, the Kentucky alumni team. 

The winner of that game earns home-court advantage for the $2 million championship on Aug. 2 against the winner of the Vegas Bracket.

Those Round 2 winners will then meet in the Vegas Bracket Championship, with the survivor earning a trip to face the Alumni Bracket champion for the tournament title.

The opening Alumni round was played as a best-of-three series, but every remaining game—including the bracket championships and the $2 million final—is single elimination. 

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Coach Kyle Shanahan’s voice in Brock Purdy’s helmet has been nearly a constant at practice during Purdy’s first four seasons in the NFL.

That has forced Purdy to adjust as he prepares for year five with the San Francisco 49ers with Shanahan starting training camp as a silent observer at practice rather than an active part of it following a serious car crash that left the coach with a concussion.

“He’s our guy,” Purdy said about Shanahan after practice on Monday. “He’s the one leading all the team meetings and stuff and going over just situational football, what practice is going to look like. He’s our leader. It has been weird in terms of not having that. But I will say I think the assistant coaches have done a good job with stepping up.”

As the starting quarterback, Purdy typically interacts with Shanahan as much or more than any other player on the team, whether it be at meetings or on the practice field where the coach typically calls in the play to the quarterback on a walkie-talkie.

That role has been given to offensive coordinator Klay Kubiak to start camp this summer as Shanahan recovers from the concussion. Offensive line coach Chris Foerster is running the team in Shanahan’s absence with help from coordinators Kubiak, Raheem Morris and Brant Boyer.

Purdy said his contact with Shanahan since the car crash on July 14 has been mostly messages about Shanahan’s well-being and a brief hug on the field at practice on Monday.

Shanahan once again came out about midway through practice and watched alongside general manager John Lynch for the final 45 minutes. Shanahan even had to dodge an errant deep pass from Purdy to Mike Evans.

“I saw it after and I was like, ‘Damn, I almost hit Kyle,’” Purdy said. “But I was mad we couldn’t complete the throw. … Heads up coach.”

Purdy was able to joke about it in Monday but the emotions were much different when he first heard about it from Shanahan’s wife, Mandy, shortly after the crash. Shanahan suffered a concussion, broken ribs, a broken nose and broken hand in the crash that sent him to the hospital.

Purdy said he initially checked with teammate George Kittle to make sure the news was real and then focused on his coach’s health.

“It hurt really bad just reading that text,” Purdy said. “First off, is he OK? What’s next? How is he and all that? I reached out to him and he hit me back up. Once he texted me back and stuff, I was, all right, he’s good. It’s a scary moment, because all you care about is life at that moment. Is he alive? Is he good? But after hearing Mandy and then what Kyle had said, I was like, all right, Kyle’s good. This is going to be a little process. I don’t know what the road to recovery looks like, but he’s going to be good. That’s all I cared about in that moment. I know he’s good, just seeing him talking to him and stuff. … I have a lot of faith that he’ll bounce back quick.”

Rookie Romello Height Gets Hurt In Practice

Rookie defensive lineman Romello Height was carted off the field after suffering cramps late in practice. Height was attended to for several minutes before being taken off the field on the cart.

Four other players didn’t practice after getting hurt in the first session on Sunday. Swing tackle Vederian Lowe has a high ankle sprain and is expected to miss a chunk of training camp.

Receiver Christian Kirk (calf strain), rookie DL Gracen Halton (bruised knee bone) and DL Andrew Farmer (back) were also out on Monday.

Cornerback Nate Hobbs returned to practice after sitting out the first session on Sunday.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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New York Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain.

Bellinger was placed on the 10-day injured list on Sunday, a day after he got hurt running the bases during a 3-1 win at Philadelphia. He had more tests on Monday in New York that revealed the extent of the injury.

“So the good thing is he’s obviously able to move around right now,” manager Aaron Boone said before the opener of a four-game series at the Chicago White Sox. “So we’ll continue to do that and just allow this thing to heal and get him right.”

The loss of Bellinger is another major injury for a New York team already playing without reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge, who has been out since May 31 because of a fractured rib. Designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton has been sidelined since April 24 because of a strained right calf.

The Yankees trailed AL East-leading Tampa Bay by three games going into Monday’s action.

“We’ve had some tough injuries to some really important people,” Boone said. “But again, that is part of it. As I say, the season waits for no one.”

Max Schuemann got the start in left field for the series opener against the White Sox. Spencer Jones, who was brought up from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre when Bellinger was placed on the IL, was in center, and Jasson Dominguez was in right.

The MLB trade deadline is next week, but Boone downplayed the effect of Bellinger’s injury on the strategy for general manager Brian Cashman and the team’s front office.

“I get the sense that they have been working on this in different ways, shape and form for the last several weeks, getting ready for trade deadline stuff,” Boone said. “I expect them to try and do all they can to improve our team, but again, you never know how that’s going to shake out.”

Bellinger, 31, felt tightness in his hamstring while rounding first on a double in the eighth inning on Saturday night. He is batting .259 with 11 homers and 53 RBIs in 102 games this season.

Bellinger re-signed with the Yankees last winter for $162.5 million over five years. He was the MVP of the All-Star Game on July 14 in Philadelphia.

Judge and Stanton are with the team in Chicago, and Boone said Stanton is continuing with his running progression.

“The strength stuff, explosive stuff he’s doing in the weight room has been very good,” Boone said. “So we just got to get him up to a level obviously on the running side of things to be able to go out there.”

Left-hander Carlos Rodon and right-hander Clarke Schmidt are both expected to throw again this week, Boone said. Rodón is coming back from elbow inflammation, and Schmidt had Tommy John surgery a year ago.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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In Driver’s Eye with James Hinchcliffe, the six-time INDYCAR winner will bring you inside the mind of a racer while breaking down the nuts and bolts of the sport for fans.

When you think of success in INDYCAR in the last half decade, you think of one name: Alex Palou. He joined the series as a relative unknown, was plucked seemingly out of obscurity from racing in Japan by Dale Coyne and has been nearly unstoppable ever since.

His rookie season has some moments that certainly gave you the sense that he had some big potential. But even the most ambitious of predictions wouldn’t have landed on what the future would hold for the now-29-year-old Spaniard. Since joining Chip Ganassi Racing, he has been on the podium more than 50% of the time. He has won 24 races, four titles and an Indianapolis 500.

If he is able to pull off five championships in six seasons, it will be unlike anything we’ve ever seen in the modern era of INDYCAR racing. 

Alex Palou and his daughter Lucía at the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix at Nashville Superspeedway. (Photo by Perry Nelson/Lumen via Getty Images)

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Dario Franchitti, a legend with a Hall of Fame career, won four titles in five years, but most of that success came in the second half of his career. Where Palou is in his driving days, the sky is the limit and the record books are getting ready for a reprint.

When an athlete is performing at such a high level, people take notice. Especially other athletes. 

Even Tom Brady — one of the greatest athletes of all time — was taken by this level of success, and asked Townsend Bell and me last year what makes this Palou guy so good? 

The simple truth is there is no one thing, but a confluence of traits that make him so devastatingly effective. 

WHAT MAKES ALEX PALOU SO CONSISTENTLY DOMINANT?

An abundance of unique traits and unparalleled factors aligned to make Palou and his Chip Ganassi Racing crew so seemingly unstoppable. But three stand out to me.

First, racing is a team sport, as I’ve discussed in this column. Palou wasn’t winning titles with Dale Coyne Racing, so credit needs to go to CGR for giving Palou the tools he needs to be so dominant. 

That means great race cars, near-faultless strategy calls, mistake-free pit stops, as well as the ability to learn from both the team’s and his teammate’s (namely, six-time champ Scott Dixon) vast experience of how to keep getting better.

(Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images)

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Next up is his work ethic. This is something that you hear a lot from standout performers in any given sport. It’s certainly something Brady was accused of in his playing days. You talk to the team, and they can’t say enough about Palou’s relentless quest to improve and perfect. 

The truth is, you can never run a perfect race. Or have a perfect weekend. Even if you win from pole and lead every lap, something, somewhere in the weekend could have been executed better. 

Palou, win or lose, never stops chasing that perfection. 

He spends hours training physically, training mentally, pouring over data and video trying to find any little weakness that he can improve on. He is simply outworking many of his rivals.

Finally — in the sense of this column, because trust me, there are more than three things! — is his temperament. 

Palou is as cool a customer under pressure as anyone I’ve ever seen. Dixon was always known as the Iceman for his unflappable demeanor, but it’s like Palou saw that template, and said, “Hold my beer.”

Whether he is cruising to a win out front or in the thick of an on-track battle, his radio communications are always the same: cool, calm and collected. Even when things go wrong — be it a mechanical issue or another driver taking him out — his heart rate never goes up, his approach never changes. He simply operates in his best window at all times. It’s arguably the most impressive thing he does — and the most difficult for others to replicate.

When we, up in the booth, watch him take the lead in a race you weren’t expecting him to, you can’t help but admire what you’re watching. 

We all love the unpredictability of INDYCAR. But I love watching history be made, and right now, we are witnessing sports history.

SOUND LIKE AN INDYCAR EXPERT: SCHUMACHER, F1 AND INDYCAR

Switching disciplines in racing is a big ask. Gone are the days of drivers winning an INDYCAR race one week, being on a Formula 1 podium the next, then hitting a sprint-car race on a Thursday before tackling a 500-mile NASCAR race the following Sunday. 

Each discipline is so specialized now that making the transition from one to another often requires a period of adjustment. And that is what Mick Schumacher is facing in his rookie INDYCAR campaign.

(Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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Yes, F1 and INDYCAR are about as close as you can get when switching series, but even still the differences are massive. The type of car, tires and track are vastly different and require a completely different skill set.

Every one of these tracks is new to Schumacher, and with the way weekends run, there really isn’t a ton of track time. A lot of your learning as a rookie comes during the race itself. 

If he could start the weekends with the knowledge he has by the end of them, it would be a very different result.

Coming off his first top-10 finish of the season at Nashville Superspeedway, you can’t help but think that he would have liked to reach that milestone sooner in the season. That said, apart from team leader Graham Rahal’s string of podiums, strong results have been hard to come by for the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing squad in general. 

And let’s not forget that highly rated — and recently re-signed to a multi-year deal — Louis Foster didn’t manage to achieve a top-10 finish with RLL in his first season on the big stage.

With news of RLL downsizing from three cars to two, and the belief being it is Schumacher’s No. 47 program that is falling away, the hope is that Mick will be able to land somewhere else for 2027. Then, he could return to each track armed with the knowledge and experience of 2026 and show what his true potential is.

(Photo by Michael L. Levitt/Lumen via Getty Images)

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1 FOR THE ROAD

The teams and drivers are enjoying their final off weekend before the final stretch of the season that covers six races in five weeks. 

It will be a marathon stint for the collective paddock and can certainly test the mental resolve of every member of a team. Keeping your cool — and focus — over that run can make or break a season. Momentum is a real thing, but it works both upward and downward. 

A bad start to this stretch can spiral a program out of control. It will be fascinating to see which groups struggle and which excel in the final push of 2026.

MORE DRIVER’S EYE:

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The NFL’s wild offseason is almost over and the real work is about to begin. And every team has their hopes sky-high as training camp officially begins across the league.

Not all of those dreams will be realized, of course. Some clubs did put themselves in position to challenge the defending champion Seattle Seahawks. Others … not so much.

So how does the league landscape look now that summer vacations are over and players are hitting the practice field? It’s all right here in my latest NFL Power Rankings.

*Super Bowl odds courtesy of DraftKings

Super Bowl odds: +50000

The NFL suspended the Cards’ scouting director for leaking draft info and betting on college games. If he wants to make back his lost income, he can just bet on the Cardinals to lose most of their games this year.

Super Bowl odds: +35000

They might end up striking gold (or at least silver) in QB Malik Willis. But it still could be hard to tell. They didn’t get him a lot of weapons to work with. And the schedule is brutal, too.

First-time head coach Jeff Hafley faces a potentially long rebuild in Miami. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl odds: +20000

I started to convince myself the Jets would be better this year. But QB Geno Smith is trying hard to convince me I’m wrong. This offseason, he’s reportedly had an angry encounter with police at a traffic stop, was investigated (and cleared) by police in a domestic dispute and was cited for speeding. It could be a long fall.

Super Bowl odds: +15000

If it’s true that the Raiders want Kirk Cousins to start at QB all season, so No. 1 overall pick Fernando Mendoza can watch and learn, then this is a wasted year. It’s not necessarily a bad strategy. It just makes the 2026 results completely irrelevant.

Super Bowl odds: +20000

The offseason didn’t clear up the QB battle, which is apparently only between Deshaun Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Honestly, this doesn’t feel like a situation where anybody actually wins.

Super Bowl odds: +13000

The Titans did a lot of nice things to completely overhaul this team in the offseason. It’ll take some time, but if QB Cam Ward turns out to be good, they should look much-improved by December.

Super Bowl odds: +6000

They are really high on the work they did to fix their defense, and they should be. But they are still light on offensive skill players for their dynamic QB. Besides WR Terry McLaurin, who is about to turn 31, they don’t have much else.

Super Bowl odds: +9000

The return of DE Cam Jordan helps their defense, and finding a way to keep RB Alvin Kamara is good as long as his role is reduced. Everything still rides on how much you believe in QB Tyler Shough, though.

Kellen Moore surprised many with how competitive the Saints played last year in his first season as a head coach. (Photo by Tyler Kaufman/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl odds: +5000

A 42-year-old quarterback, a backloaded schedule, and a division with two potential Super Bowl contenders (Ravens, Bengals). I know the Steelers are hoping for one last glorious ride for Aaron Rodgers, but they should have started rebuilding around a young QB this year.

Super Bowl odds: +6000

QB Daniel Jones does appear to be on track to practice this summer and start the regular season on time. Still, the last time he returned after a major injury, his play was terrible and he ended up getting benched. How long until he regains his form is a fair and open question.

Super Bowl odds: +13000

They still don’t know when QB Michael Penix Jr. will be back, or if he’d even start over Tua Tagovailoa. And edge rusher James Pearce is likely facing a suspension after he was arrested on three felony charges in a domestic incident back in February. Neither is good news.

Super Bowl odds: +7000

The good news is RB Cam Skattebo is healthy enough to do backflips. But WR Malik Nabers’ return from a knee injury isn’t as clear. No one wants to give a timetable or talk about Week 1, which is usually a bad sign.

Super Bowl odds: +5000

The Bucs improved their defense in the offseason, but they seem to be relying most on improved health on offense. The tools could be there, though, especially if they can extend QB Baker Mayfield’s contract and get that distraction off his plate.

Super Bowl odds: +2500

A lot of people around the NFL like what the Cowboys have done to fix their crummy defense this offseason. It definitely should be improved, but enough to make them a contender? Their elite offense still may have to do most of the work.

Super Bowl odds: +9000

It’s a make-or-break season for QB Bryce Young. If he finally plays like he was worthy of the No. 1 overall pick, the Panthers could be a rising force. But he’s shown that only sporadically over his first three NFL seasons, so don’t count on it.

Super Bowl odds: +5000

Team Norway made this the Summer of the Vikings, but let’s face it: Erling Haaland is not walking through that door in Minnesota. It’s only QB Kyler Murray. And everything up north depends on whether Kevin O’Connell can resurrect him.

Vikings coach Kevin O’Connell is regarded as one of the NFL’s brightest offensive minds, which means he’ll be expected to get more out of his QB(s) this season. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl odds: +1800

A domestic violence investigation is now hanging over RB Josh Jacobs, and that’s somehow not the worst offseason news for the Pack. They also now know that Micah Parsons (ACL) won’t be back until at least mid-October.

Super Bowl odds: +1900

The Lions did the right thing releasing CB Terrion Arnold, their 2024 first-round pick, after he was arrested on kidnapping and robbery charges. He missed half the season last year, and their secondary will be more than fine without him.

Super Bowl odds: +1700

Their schedule will prove challenging in the first half of the season. But they seem confident in their revamped and healthier offensive line. And if offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel can unlock Justin Herbert’s potential, they might really have something here.

Super Bowl odds: +1600

Things you never want to hear about your No. 1 WR: He had knee surgery in June while in jail for a probation violation. But that’s Rashee Rice.  On the bright side, QB Patrick Mahomes is cleared to practice, but his full recovery from ACL surgery is still a concern.

Super Bowl odds: +1900

They’ve got some injury issues with TE George Kittle and DE Nick Bosa and a really tough travel schedule to navigate. But all the pieces are there, as long as they get rid of the distraction/headache of WR Brandon Aiyuk at some point.

Super Bowl odds: +3000

It’s easy to trust coach Liam Coen, but it’s really hard to like what this team did (and didn’t do) in the offseason. Riding with that RB corps, led by Chris Rodriguez and Bhayshul Tuten, seems like a big risk for a contender.

Super Bowl odds: +2000

With Joe Burrow back, the defensive front rebuilt, and a pretty easy schedule, it’s hard not to be really excited about this team. Check back in Week 3, though. If the Bengals can avoid their trademark slow start, watch out.

Coach Zac Taylor seemingly begins the season on the hot seat after missing the postseason each of the past three seasons. (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl odds: +1800

The Texans don’t seem in any hurry to sign QB C.J. Stroud to an extension, which is understandable. It’s a big season for him. If he can regain his rookie form, the Texans are a dark horse Super Bowl contender.

Super Bowl odds: +2400

Their dangerous offense is only going to get better in Year 2 of the Ben Johnson era. Their only question is whether they did enough to fix their defense. The jury on that is still out.

Super Bowl odds: +1600

They are still loaded, but there’s no way to spin the A.J. Brown trade as a good one for this season. He’s still an elite WR and hard to replace, especially with rookie Makai Lemon already dealing with hamstring issues.

Super Bowl odds: +1000

I’d feel so much better about this team if they had added one more WR, or done better than D.J. Moore as their No. 1. Still, never count out a team with Josh Allen and James Cook.

Super Bowl odds: +1600

Drake Maye was an MVP-caliber QB already, but getting an elite WR like A.J. Brown could bring his game to an even higher level. It won’t be easy with a much more difficult schedule. But they should definitely be Super Bowl contenders again.

Super Bowl odds: +1100

I know, I know: The defending champs deserve more respect. But with Kenneth Walker III gone and Zach Charbonnet recovering from a torn ACL, the Seahawks may be asking too much of rookie Jadarian Price, who was Notre Dame’s No. 2 RB last year.

Super Bowl odds: +1000

If newly signed center Ethan Pocic is healthy, he’ll really help the Ravens’ offensive line. If Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry are healthy, this team has a great shot at reaching Super Bowl LXI.

After swiftly rising up the coaching ranks, Jesse Minter has inherited a Ravens team that some see as a Super Bowl contender. (Photo by G Fiume/Getty Images)

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Super Bowl odds: +2000

QB Bo Nix is supposed to be “full go”, according to Sean Payton, when camp opens. If he had been full go for the AFC Championship Game last year, the Broncos would’ve made the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl odds: +550

Some are already calling the Rams “The Dream Team” after they reloaded this offseason. Just imagine how dangerous they’re going to be if the rumors turn out to be true and former All-Pro defensive lineman Aaron Donald comes out of retirement.

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The Basketball Tournament names its Alumni Bracket champion today, with La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) taking on JHX Hoops (Kansas Alumni) on FS1 and FOX One. Here’s what’s on and when.

TBT Schedule for Wednesday, July 29

• 7 p.m. ET: Alumni Championship: Kentucky Alumni vs. Kansas Alumni (FS1, FOX One)

How to Watch TBT

The game airs live on FS1, streaming on FOX One, FOXSports.com and the FOX Sports App.

The winner becomes the Alumni Bracket champion and advances to face the Las Vegas Bracket champion in the $2 million TBT Championship on Aug. 2.

What’s on the Line: Alumni Bracket

La Familia (Kentucky Alumni) opened with a 3-1 series win over The Ville (Louisville Alumni), then beat Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse Alumni), 70-66, in the quarterfinals and topped AfterShocks (Wichita State Alumni) in the semifinals to reach tonight’s final.

JHX Hoops (Kansas Alumni) opened with a 2-1 series win over Purple Reign (Kansas State Alumni), then got past AfterShocks (Wichita State Alumni) in the quarterfinals and beat Boeheim’s Army (Syracuse Alumni) in the semifinals to punch its ticket to tonight’s championship.

Tonight’s winner becomes Alumni Bracket champion and awaits the Las Vegas Bracket champion, which will be decided Thursday, for the $2 million winner-take-all title game on Aug. 2.

Where Things Stand: Vegas Bracket

There’s no Vegas Bracket game today. Davis Steel and Heartfire Elite each won their semifinals Tuesday and meet Thursday on FS1 in the Las Vegas Bracket Championship, with that winner advancing to face today’s Alumni Bracket champion.

What Is The Basketball Tournament?

TBT is an annual tournament built around former college basketball stars, many of them playing for alumni teams tied to their old schools. For 2026, the field shrank to 14 teams: eight alumni squads opening with best-of-three series and six non-alumni squads playing in two groups followed by knockout rounds in Las Vegas. The winners of the Alumni Bracket and Vegas Bracket meet in the championship for the winner-take-all prize.

TBT still uses the Elam Ending, in which the game clock shuts off in the fourth quarter and a target score is set by adding eight points to the leading team’s score. Whichever team reaches that score first wins.

What Is the Purse?

TBT’s purse is a winner-take-all $2 million prize, the largest since 2019.

Who Won The Basketball Tournament Last Year?

AfterShocks (Wichita State Alumni) beat Eberlein Drive in the 2025 championship to win the title.

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Raiders quarterback Fernando Mendoza was selected No. 1 overall in the 2026 NFL Draft, but that wasn’t good enough to make him one of the 10 highest-rated rookies in “Madden NFL 27.” 

The 10 highest-rated rookies in “Madden NFL 27” were revealed by EA Sports on Tuesday. Mendoza fell just outside the top 10 with a 74 overall player rating. 

Fernando Mendoza enters his rookie season with a 74 overall player rating. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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Arizona Cardinals running back Jeremiyah Love and Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs are among the highest-rated rookies from the 2026 NFL Draft class in “Madden NFL 27.” The New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys have two players each rated in the top 10. 

[Read more: The 100 People Who’ll Shape The Upcoming NFL Season]

Here are the top 10 rookies in Madden NFL 27, ranked:

Offensive lineman Francis Mauigoa earned a 78 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Mauigoa is the first of two New York Giants rookies included in the top ten overall ratings. Mauigoa started all 42 games at right tackle during a dominant three-year college career for the Miami Hurricanes.

Edge rusher Malachi Lawrence received a 78 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Lawrence is the first of two Dallas Cowboys defensive players in the top ten. Lawrence recorded 20 career sacks at UCF, making him just the 10th player in school history to do so.

Selected at No. 9 overall, Spencer Fano earned a 79 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Fano holds the highest rating among rookie offensive linemen for the Cleveland Browns. Fano won the 2025 Outland Trophy, which recognizes the nation’s top offensive lineman.

Defensive lineman Akheem Mesidor was selected No. 22 overall and received a 79 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Mesidor joins the Los Angeles Chargers roster for the upcoming season. Mesidor finished his last season at Miami with 12.5 sacks, 17.5 tackles for loss, and four forced fumbles, earning first-team All-ACC and second-team All-American honors.

Cornerback Mansoor Delane earned a 79 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Delane enters the game as a member of the Kansas City Chiefs secondary. Delane recorded 45 tackles and two interceptions at LSU in 2025 following a four-interception season with Virginia Tech in 2024. 

Arvell Reese enters his rookie season with a 79 overall player rating. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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Linebacker Arvell Reese received a 79 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. The New York Giants rookie is one of four players assigned a 79 overall rating. Reese recorded 69 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks during his final season at Ohio State, earning Big Ten Linebacker of the Year honors.

Defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. earned an 80 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers rookie is the fourth player in the class to reach an 80 overall rating. Bain recorded 15.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks at Miami in 2025, winning the Ted Hendricks Award as the top defensive end in college football.

David Bailey enters his rookie season with an 81 overall player rating. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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Edge rusher David Bailey received an 81 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. The New York Jets rookie holds the third-highest rating among all first-year players. Bailey recorded 14.5 sacks at Texas Tech in 2025, earning Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year honors and a unanimous All-American selection.

Caleb Downs enters his rookie season with an 82 overall player rating in Madden NFL 27. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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Safety Caleb Downs earned an 82 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Downs is tied with Love for the highest rating in the rookie class as he joins the Dallas Cowboys. Downs won the Jim Thorpe Award and Lott Trophy at Ohio State in 2025 after earning unanimous All-American honors.

Jeremiyah Love enters his rookie season with an 82 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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Running back Jeremiyah Love received an 82 overall rating in Madden NFL 27. Love shares the top rating among all rookies in this year’s release as he begins his career with the Arizona Cardinals. Love won the 2025 Doak Walker Award at Notre Dame after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns in his junior season.

The top 10 rookies ranked by “Madden NFL 27” player rating. (Photo courtesy of EA Sports)

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