In the NFL, the bar is always rising. Each offseason, superstars reset the market, altering the salaries that the best players at each respective position expect to receive. 

Well, as we approach the start of the 2026 NFL season, deals are still being made that are setting the bar at positions around the league. Philadelphia Eagles star Jalen Carter and Cleveland Browns Pro Bowler Denzel Ward became the latest players to receive a record-setting contract. Carter agreed to a deal that made him the highest-paid defensive tackle in the league, while Ward agreed to an extension that made him the highest-paid cornerback in the league. 

Carter and Ward join an illustrious list of players to be the highest-paid player at their respective position. So, who does he join on the All-Highest-Paid-Player-Per-Position Team?  Here are the NFL’s highest-paid players at each position, per average annual value (AAV), via Spotrac:

Mahomes is the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL again. He usurped Dak Prescott for the honor after he signed a two-year extension in June, bringing the total value of his deal to $504.75 million. Prescott had been the highest-paid quarterback in the NFL for nearly two years before that, signing an extension in September 2024 that pays him $60 million per year. 

Two days after Bijan Robinson signed the wealthiest contract for a running back, Jahmyr Gibbs slightly topped it. Gibbs and the Detroit Lions agreed on a three-year, $75.8 million deal ($67.5 guaranteed) on Thursday. The Lions selected Gibbs with the 12th pick of the 2023 NFL Draft, and he’s appeared in 49 games over three seasons. 

Cincinnati Bengals star Ja’Marr Chase held the honor of being the highest-paid wide receiver in NFL history for roughly a year, thanks to a contract that paid him just north of $40 million per season. But Smith-Njigba’s memorable 2025 campaign helped him usurp Chase for that honor. Smith-Njigba has reportedly agreed to a four-year, $168.6 million extension with the Seahawks.

Smith-Njigba won Offensive Player of the Year in 2025, leading the league in receiving yards (1,793). His dominant regular season preceded Seattle’s run to a Super Bowl title, which saw Smith-Njigba put up a 153-yard performance in the NFC title game. 

A few days after the 2025 NFL Draft ended, Kittle agreed to a four-year, $76.4 million extension with the 49ers. His new deal is worth an average of $19.1 million, surpassing the contract Trey McBride ($19M AAV) signed with the Arizona Cardinals earlier in April of that year.

However, Kittle might be facing his toughest test yet following another injury-plagued season in 2025. He missed time due to a hamstring tear before tearing his Achilles in the playoffs.

Tunsil agreed to a two-year, $60.2 million extension at the start of the 2026 offseason that made him the highest-paid offensive tackle. The 31-year-old took that honor from Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive tackle Tristan Wirfs, who signed a five-year, $140.6 million extension in 2024.  

Tunsil has been one of the game’s top offensive tackles since he entered the league in 2016. He’s been named a Pro Bowler five times, and was graded as Pro Football Focus’ sixth-best offensive tackle in 2025. 

Skoronski became the highest-paid guard in the NFL in August when he agreed to a four-year, $100 million extension with the Titans. The Titans selected Skoronski with the 11th overall pick in 2023, and he’s started 48 games over the last three seasons. 

Linderbaum became the NFL’s highest-paid center in March after signing a three-year, $81 million deal to join the Las Vegas Raiders. He passed Chiefs center Creed Humphrey for the honor, as Humphrey signed a four-year, $72 million extension ($18 million AAV) in August 2024.

Carter became the NFL’s highest-paid tackle when he agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension with $106 million guaranteed. He received the contract after earning his second Pro Bowl nod in 2025 as he was also a key part of the Eagles’ Super Bowl team in 2024. Carter usurped Chiefs defensive tackle Chris Jones for the honor, as Jones is getting paid $31.75 million per year on a five-year, $158.75 million deal. 

Anderson only needed three seasons to earn a contract that made him the highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL. He signed a three-year, $150 million extension with the Texans, which included just over $100 million guaranteed. Packers star Micah Parsons was previously the highest-paid edge rusher, signing a four-year, $186 million extension ($46.5 million AAV) in August 2025.

Of the defensive positions, inside linebacker has the cheapest average annual value contract leader. Still, Warner is making a pretty penny. He reached a three-year, $63 million extension ($56 million guaranteed) when he re-signed with the 49ers in May 2025. Warner is one of the longest-tenured 49ers, having played seven seasons with the team since he was drafted in 2018. 

He is arguably the NFL’s best inside linebacker, and if not, he’s at least the most consistent. He had been named to three consecutive All-Pro teams before an injury cut his 2025 campaign short. Warner was also the engine of San Francisco’s defense during its run to Super Bowl LVIII. He had recorded at least 118 total tackles in each season of his career prior to his injury-shortened 2025 season. 

Ward became the other player to set the standard at his position on Tuesday. He agreed to a two-year, $62.2 million deal with the Browns, making him the league’s highest-paid cornerback. Prior to Tuesday, Trent McDuffie was the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. He agreed to a four-year, $124 million extension with the Rams shortly after Los Angeles traded for him, giving him $31 million per year. 

In a good deal of contract maneuvering, James slightly beat out Ravens’ star Kyle Hamilton to become the NFL’s highest-paid safety. The Chargers’ star signed a three-year, $75.6 million extension in May after earning his sixth All-Pro nod in 2025.

There are two kickers who can claim to be the highest-paid player at the position. Both Aubrey and Boswell are making $7 million per year, as both players are also on a four-year, $28 million pact. Aubrey is receiving more guaranteed money, though, as his contract has $15 million guaranteed to Boswell’s $10.5 million guaranteed.

Stout was one of a few members of the Ravens’ organization to follow head coach John Harbaugh to the Giants, and he was paid handsomely for doing so. Stout received a three-year, $12.3 million deal at the onset of free agency this offseason. Stout was named first-team All-Pro in 2025, with his 44.9 average net yards per punt leading the league. 

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New Iowa State coach Jimmy Rogers is nothing if not confident.

The Cyclones were picked last in the Big 12 preseason media poll, return no starters and had 55 players transfer after Rogers was hired to replace Matt Campbell, who took 24 of the best with him to Penn State.

Rogers admitted to reporters in Ames, Iowa this week that he was the one who picked the Cyclones, in an On3.com anonymous coaches poll, to make it to the Big 12 championship game in his first season.

“What would you think if I didn’t vote on us? You’d wonder why I’m the head coach at Iowa State,” Rogers said. “I was brought in to win. Very self-aware. They didn’t hire me to come here and not be competitive. I wasn’t hired for my disposition. I was hired to create a program that competes and wins and that’s the goal. We’re not signing up for second place.

“So I know that’s a bold statement, and they’ll print it everywhere. But the reality is this: the players have to believe in what you say, and you have to act on how you believe. I believe that we can win.”

Rogers is replacing the all-time wins leader at Iowa State, which went 8-4 overall and 5-4 in the Big 12 in Campbell’s final season. The Cyclones played in seven bowls in Campbell’s 10 years — they opted out of a bowl last season — and appeared in the Big 12 championship game in 2020. The program hasn’t won a conference championship since 1912.

Tight end Tyler Fortenberry said Rogers’ prediction surprises no one on the team. He said Rogers’ abundance of confidence comes from the success he was part of as an assistant and head coach at South Dakota State of the Football Championship Subdivision. In his only year at Washington State, he led a team with 75 newcomers to a 6-6 record and a bowl bid.

“Coach Rogers does a good job in team meetings making sure we’re not focused on what Twitter says, what Instagram says or what the media says about what we’re going to finish,” Fortenberry said. “They all have us 16th. If you buy into that and believe what the media has to say, you’re not going to get anywhere in life.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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PORTLAND INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY (Portland, Ore.) — A year ago, INDYCAR drivers came to Portland knowing that Alex Palou could clinch the championship with a couple of races remaining in the season.

He did clinch the title at Portland a year ago. It was his third consecutive and fourth in the last five years.

The 1.964-mile, 12-turn Portland road course is earlier in the season this year, with five races remaining after the 110-lap affair on Sunday, Aug. 9 (4 p.m. ET, FOX).

But it is the same in that the field is once again chasing Palou. 

Here’s everything you need to know about this quest.

What’s Left In The Season?

Can Will Power get back into Winner’s Circle again at Portland this weekend?

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This weekend at Portland is a known commodity to the teams, as they have raced on the permanent road course for the last seven years.

But the next two weekends are not as familiar. 

A new circuit in the Toronto suburb of Markham replaces the race at the Toronto exhibition center. The new layout is a 2.19-mile, 12-turn street course.

And then comes a biggie. 

A 250-mile affair in Washington, D.C., where the course appears relatively simple at 1.7 miles and seven turns. But 250 miles will be the longest street course race since the series raced in the 1980s on the Cleveland airport.

The series ends with a doubleheader weekend at The Milwaukee Mile, a 1-mile oval where they will race on both Saturday and Sunday of the weekend before heading to the 2.238-mile, 11-turn permanent road course at Laguna Seca in Monterey, Calif.

How Big Is Palou’s Lead?

Alex Palou leads the field in points toward the title.

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It’s big but not totally insurmountable. There are 54 points available on a race weekend. There are 50 points based on finishing position and up to four bonus points (one for winning the pole, one for leading a lap and two for leading the most laps).

The Chip Ganassi Racing driver already has more than a one-race lead on the field. He has an 83-point lead on Team Penske’s David Malukas.

Following Malukas, Palou has an 87-point edge on Andretti Global’s Kyle Kirkwood and 104 points on Christian Lundgaard.

Can anyone catch him, needing nearly to cut 14 points a race at a minimum? INDYCAR veteran Graham Rahal isn’t convinced.

“The championship, I hate to say it, but it’s over really. Unless something crazy happens, I just don’t see it going the other way,” Rahal told me Friday morning at Portland. 

Who Has The Best Shot To Catch Him?

Can anyone catch the champ?

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I could give you my thoughts, but FOX Sports analyst and former INDYCAR driver James Hinchcliffe already has. So take a look here:

WHAT YOU SHOULD READ NEXT

Is This The Biggest Margin With Six Races To Go?

No it’s not. That record belongs to Scott Dixon, who had a 117-point lead in 2020 with six races to go to win the championship. Palou had a lead of 106 points — 23 more than this year — at this point last season.

What Is The Biggest Comeback With Six To Go?

Back in 2010, Dario Franchitt rallied from 50 points behind Will Power to win by five points. Power, by the way, is the defending winner at Portland.

How Does Palou Feel?

Palou very much displays an “it isn’t over until it’s over” type of vibe. He knows anything can happen.

He also understands that with a couple of unknowns at Markham and Washington coming up, that could change how things play out.

But first things first. 

Portland is a place where he has to feel good. He has won twice and finished on the podium in four of his five Portland starts.

Are His Competitors Confident?

Kirkwood is looking to close the gap.

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They are confident in their abilities. They just aren’t confident that Palou could make enough mistakes or have enough misfortune that they would need to catch him.

Kirkwood sees the two upcoming races at Markham and Washington as ones where he could potentially close the gap.

“If history repeats itself, we’ve been really good on new tracks and new street courses, especially,” Kirkwood told me Friday. “Arlington [this year] was a new one. When we rolled out at Detroit a couple years back, we were definitely the cars to beat there.

“So if that stays true, we have a really, really good opportunity at both Markham and D.C. to claw back some of the points’ deficit that we’ve had. But we’ve got to tie together [strong runs] all the races. … If we can do all of it, we’ll have a chance at a championship.”

Does Palou Think That The Two Races After Portland Make Him Vulnerable?

Palou, as mentioned earlier, never takes anything for granted.

“I don’t know,” Palou told me Friday. “We never know, especially being a street track … Hopefully that doesn’t give them a chance to be any more competitive.

“We know it’s going to be tough in terms of what are we doing on strategy, on setup, on how much can I push? It’s going to be an adventure.”

How Does Malukas Focus On The Championship vs. Winning His First Race?

Malukas doesn’t have an INDYCAR win, so he is somewhat just trying to win as well as remain in the championship battle.

He indicated as much on Friday.

“There is still somewhat of a championship battle that we really want to focus on and that’s kind of our main objective,” Malukas told me and other reporters. “So nothing too risky. But if the opportunity arises, we’ll go forward and try to get that first win.”

How Is Malukas After The Nashville Crash?

Has Malukas recovered from his bruised right knee?

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Malukas bruised his right knee in a crash at Nashville three weeks ago, but he said he is fine.

“The knee is good,” Malukas said. “I’m pretty much back to 100 percent. I have full range of motion and was able to get back to the gym.”

What is painful is that Malukas will have a six-spot grid penalty at Portland for exceeding the engine limits this year. He had a grid penalty at Nashville and then ruined another engine in the crash.

“It makes it tough considering obviously the championship battle,” Malukas said. “This track is very qualifying important. We want to make sure we can qualify as good as possible considering the penalty on top of it.”

What Are The Keys At Portland?

The key at Portland is like many other tracks — have a good handling car and don’t make mistakes.

That’s exactly why it fits into Palou’s wheelhouse.

And he was one of the few drivers who has actually tested at Portland.

“I love this track,” Palou said. “Last year was good. We were not the fastest but I just love this track. I’m glad we tested here a couple of weeks ago. It allowed us to find some areas where we were missing last year.”

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David Forst won’t return as general manager of the Athletics, with the team announcing Friday that the two sides have “mutually agreed to part ways.”

Assistant general manager Dan Feinstein will work as interim GM for the remainder of the season as the team begins searching for a permanent replacement.

“David has been an integral part of the A’s and our success for nearly three decades,” team owner and managing partner John Fisher said in a statement. “His leadership, dedication, and commitment to this team have helped shape our baseball operations department and position us for the future. We are grateful for everything David has done for our organization.”

Forst received a new contract last September for this season, coming as the club continued a transition in California’s capital region while waiting for a planned relocation to Las Vegas in 2028. The move comes with the Athletics sitting near the bottom of the AL West at 45-70.

Forst had been GM since 2015 and with the organization since 2000.

“It was truly an honor to spend the last 27 years with the A’s, especially the last 11 as the GM,” Forst said in a statement. “This organization is full of incredibly talented, devoted, and good people, and I am lucky to have worked alongside them for so long.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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A Texas native, Drew Brees wanted to play football in his home state. But like the rest of his football journey, Brees took a fortuitous detour to Indiana, where he went to star in college at Purdue. 

After lighting it up for the Boilermakers, Brees eventually ascended to a Hall of Fame career in the NFL. So, it’s no surprise that Brees will have plenty of people to thank in his induction speech, set to take place in Canton on Saturday. Denver Broncos head coach Sean Payton, his head coach at New Orleans, will introduce Brees at the ceremony.

Joining Brees on stage as part of this year’s Hall of Fame class include Roger Craig, Larry Fitzgerald, Adam Vinatieri and Luke Kuechly.

“The way I really look at it is, this is my opportunity to convey my appreciation, gratitude to so many of the people and places that were a part of this journey,” Brees told reporters this week. “That’s what I’m most looking forward to, is all the people I’m going to have a chance to see and appreciate and let them know just how valued they are.” 

Standing at exactly 6 feet tall and weighing 209 pounds, Brees did not have the ideal stature of a quarterback. But through grit, a relentless work ethic and cerebral approach to the game, Brees developed into a 13-time Pro Bowler and Super Bowl champion.

Brees pointed to creating a culture of connectivity that led to sustainable winning during his time in the league, which included stints with the San Diego Chargers and New Orleans Saints.

“So much of my thought process each and every season was how do you recreate so much connectivity and chemistry with the guys that are on your side of the ball,” Brees said. “And then the team dynamics. How are we feeding off each other and how are we complementing each other? To me, that’s where a lot of the magic lies on a team is just how you build that chemistry. And how you build those relationships.” 

Now, let’s look at the 10 best moments from Brees’ Hall of Fame career. 

10. Winning Comeback Player Of The Year In 2004

Brees’ tenure with the San Diego Chargers was a bit more successful than some might have remembered. After the Chargers took him with the first pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft, Brees earned the starting job a year later in 2002. He went 8-8 that year before going 2-9 as a starter in 2003. 

With Brees and the Chargers struggling in 2003, San Diego selected Philip Rivers in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. But Brees not only fended off Rivers for the starting job in each of the next two seasons, he also led the Chargers to the playoffs for the first time in seven years in 2004. He won the Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year award for his play that season before going 9-7 as a starter in 2005. 

Brees finished his time in San Diego with a 30-28 record as a starter. He completed 62.2% of his passes for 12,348 yards, with 80 touchdown passes and 53 interceptions. 

9. Gold Jacket Connection: Brees Catches TD From LT

An underrated athlete and accomplished basketball player in high school, Brees got to show off his skills when he caught a 21-yard touchdown pass for a score from fellow Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson during a Week 4 contest against the Raiders in 2003. It was one of seven touchdown passes the multi-talented Tomlinson threw in his NFL career, and it was one of the eight receptions Brees made in his career. 

8. Eclipsing Johnny Unitas’ Record For Consecutive Games With A TD Pass 

Breaking a record by Unitas that lasted in the record books for 52 years, Brees completed a touchdown pass in 54 consecutive games between the 2009 and 2012 seasons. Brees threw the touchdown that broke Unitas’ record of 47 games against his former team, the Chargers, in Week 5 of the 2012 season with a 40-yard touchdown to Devery Henderson in the Superdome, giving him 48 at that time. His record of 54 consecutive games with a touchdown pass still stands.  

7. Becoming The First QB To Throw For 5,000 Yards In Over 20 Years

Dan Marino was the first quarterback to throw for over 5,000 yards, totaling 5,084 passing yards in 1984. But Brees became the second quarterback to accomplish that feat when he threw for 5.069 yards in 2008. And he produced one of the most prolific seasons three years later, completing 71.2% of his passes for a career-high 5,476 yards, with 46 touchdown passes and a 110.6 passer rating in 2011. Brees holds the NFL record by eclipsing 5,000 passing yards in five different seasons. 

6. Setting The NFL’s Single-Season Record For Completion Percentage 

Accuracy is an important statistic NFL scouts and talent evaluators consider when assessing if a quarterback can make the transition to the pros. And while smaller in stature, Brees was the gold standard for moving inside the pocket and finding throwing lanes between linemen to push the ball down the field. 

Brees holds the NFL record for completion percentage in a single season, completing 74.4% of his passes in 2018. Brees actually holds three of the top five season marks for completion percentage in a season. His 67.7% career completion percentage is the third-best mark in NFL history. 

5. Leading Saints To Victory In First New Orleans Game After Hurricane Katrina

Brees’ first home game with the Saints was one their fans will remember for ages. After Hurricane Katrina displaced the Saints for the 2005 season, they returned to the Superdome for the first time in Week 3 of the 2006 season. They decisively defeated the Atlanta Falcons, 23-3, with Steve Gleason’s punt block that led to a touchdown return serving as the memorable moment from that game.

Brees didn’t put up terrific numbers, but he gave New Orleans a steady hand that night. He threw for 191 yards, leading his team to four scoring drives. 

4. Surpassing Peyton Manning For Most TD Passes Ever

For about a year, no quarterback had more regular-season touchdown passes than Brees. In Week 15 of the 2019 season, Brees threw his 540th career touchdown pass on a throw to tight end Josh Hill. The touchdown pass broke Peyton Manning’s record for the most regular-season touchdown passes in NFL history, and it came against one of Manning’s former teams, the Indianapolis Colts. Brees’ pass to Hill was also his 20th-straight completion in that game.

Tom Brady wound up breaking Brees’ record in 2020. 

3. Breaking The NFL’s All-Time Passing Yards Record 

A year before Brees set the touchdown passes record, he broke the NFL’s all-time passing yards record. He also surpassed Manning for that record when he threw a 62-yard touchdown pass to Tre’Quan Smith in Week 5 of the 2018 season. 

Brees would finish his NFL career with 80,358 passing yards, becoming the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for 80,000 yards. When he retired in 2020, Brees was the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yardage, completions (7,142) and passing attempts (10,551). Brady wound up breaking those marks in the following seasons. 

2. Helping Saints Reach NFC Title Game In Year 1

Brees’ tenure with the Chargers ended with him suffering a devastating shoulder injury, leading the team to part ways with him as a free agent in the 2006 offseason. But that opened the door for a move that helped change the course of NFL history. After the Miami Dolphins were urged by team doctors not to sign Brees due to his recent shoulder surgery, the Saints picked up the quarterback in March 2006. 

The Saints were rewarded for taking on a significant risk. He led the team to a 10-6 record in his first year and was named first-team All-Pro. Brees threw for 243 yards and a touchdown in the Saints’ 27-24 divisional round win, helping the team secure their NFC Championship Game appearance. They lost to the Chicago Bears in that game. 

1. Delivering First Super Bowl To New Orleans and Winning MVP

The defining moment of Brees’ career came in the 2009 season. Four years into his New Orleans tenure, Brees helped the Saints get over the hump when they defeated the Colts in Super Bowl XLIV. His 32 completions were tied for the most in a Super Bowl at the time, and Brees won Super Bowl MVP as he threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns in that game. 

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When the Green Bay Packers hired Matt LaFleur to replace Mike McCarthy — who was fired during the 2018 regular season — in 2019, it was to squeeze out another Super Bowl run with Aaron Rodgers.

Well, to date, Green Bay hasn’t advanced past the NFC Championship Game under LaFleur with both Rodgers (2019-22) and Jordan Love (2023-present) under center and has been eliminated in the NFC wild-card round in back-to-back years (2024-25).

And while LaFleur signed a new contract in January, could he actually be coaching for his job this season?

“Matt LaFleur has been in the league a while, and he’s probably on the coolest hot seat any coach has ever been on,” Colin Cowherd said on Friday’s edition of “The Herd.” “It’s not your usual hot seat, but two things are working against the Green Bay coach. No. 1, his division has Ben Johnson [Chicago Cubs] and Kevin O’Connell [Minnesota Vikings], brilliant offensive head coaches, top of the league, and then, the ultimate alpha-dog coach, Dan Campbell [Detroit Lions]. Over the last two years, the NFC North has won seven more games than the next division. It is probably or arguably the best coach division in football …

“Here’s the other thing: Matt LaFleur has now developed a reputation, and the Packers’ front office knows it, and they’re watching the last couple of playoff losses, where they get that big lead, very smart, sophisticated game plan, and then they’re not tough enough to finish the game off.”

The Packers, who began last season 9-3-1, lost their last four regular-season games before blowing a 21-3 halftime lead to the archival Chicago Bears in the wild-card round, marking five combined losses to end the year.

Under LaFleur (2019-25), the Packers are a combined 76-40-1 in the regular season, 3-6 in the postseason and have won three division titles (2019-21). His 76 regular-season wins and 65.4% winning percentage each rank fourth in team history.

Regarding this season, Green Bay has a new defensive coordinator in former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, who replaces Jeff Hafley, who left to become the head coach of the Miami Dolphins. Gannon’s defense will begin the 2026 campaign without superstar defensive end Micah Parsons, who tore his ACL in Week 15 of last season.

Packers Related Stories

As for their competition, one could argue the Packers’ division, the NFC North, is the best in the sport. The Bears are coming off their first division title since 2018 and are entering their second season with Johnson as head coach; the Lions missed the playoffs last season, but they won 15 games in 2024 and have posted a winning record in four consecutive seasons (2022-25); the Vikings, who won 14 games in 2024, still went 9-8 last season in a campaign that saw them start three different quarterbacks (J.J. McCarthy, Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer).

“Smart gets you a lead in pro football. Toughness gets you the win,” Cowherd said about LaFleur’s Packers. “At the end of games, eight, 12-play drives; no passes; head down; you’re bloodied; you pick up a third-and-1 three separate times, and I think that’s the question about Matt LaFleur and Green Bay. And I don’t think it’s a cheap shot. I think we got some data that it’s probably true.” 

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At the start of his eighth season as Ohio State football head coach, Ryan Day is looking for his eighth consecutive top 10 finish, including No. 5 last season when the Buckeyes fell short of defending their 2024 national championship.

With those high expectations in mind, he had a relatively long list of concerns after coming off the practice field Thursday for the first time this preseason.

“Well, I think we all wanna see how the offensive line shakes out here, that’s for sure,” Day said. “I think the tight end room is an interesting room. I think that we do have some depth there, but who’s actually gonna take the majority of those reps?”

He also listed backup quarterback and receiver slots three, four, five and six before wondering about the running back position, where 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson is back, and the defensive secondary as a whole.

While Day being mostly concerned about backups might illustrate the types of “problems” most coaches would gladly take, the offensive line was a sore point throughout the offseason after getting shoved around in season-ending losses to Indiana in the Big Ten Championship Game and Miami (Fla.) in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.

Four starters return, but more than one position might have a new starter when the Buckeyes open the season at home against Ball State on Sept. 5.

Austin Siereveld, who started at left tackle last season, was at right guard Thursday to allow the team to take a look at Ian Moore at left tackle.

They could end up joining center Carson Hinzman, left guard Luke Montgomery and right tackle Phillip Daniels in the starting lineup, but others are also likely to get a look this month, including Joshua Padilla at guard.

At tight end, the Buckeyes lost Will Kacmarek and Max Klare to the NFL, but return Bennett Christian and Nate Roberts. Newcomers include transfer Mason Williams (Ohio University) and Hunter Welcing (Northwestern), so the cupboard is not exactly bare.

No one is likely to cry for Day when it comes to receiver either, as All-American Jeremiah Smith is back for his junior season along with senior Brandon Inniss, a respected leader who can play inside or out.

The choices to fill in the depth chart there include five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. and transfers Devin McCuin (Texas-San Antonio) and Kyle Parker (LSU).

Despite Jackson’s return at running back, the pecking order might not be determined thanks to a strong offseason for classmate Isaiah West’s work in the weight room over the winter and summer.

“He had a tremendous offseason, one of the best in the whole building,” Day said of West, who took reps with the first team offense Thursday. “When he was in there last year, he showed some real good things, so we want him to take the next step, just as we do Bo.”

Another option at running back, freshman Legend Bey, was not on the practice field Thursday, and Day attributed that to a violation of team rules.

“He’s learning, but he’ll be back on the field soon,” Day said.

The Buckeyes open the season on Sept. 5 against Ball State before a potential top 10 matchup at Texas the following week.

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Joaquin Niemann has a five-shot lead after two rounds at LIV Golf New York. He appears in total command of all facets of his game and is the only player in the field yet to make a bogey. It’s very reminiscent of 2025 when he won a record five LIV Golf tournaments.

But the Torque GC captain, seeking his second win in his last four league starts, isn’t interested in comparing his current form to last year. He doesn’t want to get stuck trying to simply duplicate the past.

“I feel like I’m never going to be the same as I was in 2025,” he said. “I feel like you’re always changing. You’re always evolving and you’re always a different person. 2025, I played amazing golf. I had five wins on LIV. Probably not the best results in major. But I feel I’m a better player now. I feel like I have matured a lot more and whenever time goes on, there’s always something to learn.”

The 27-year-old Niemann, the league’s youngest captain, followed his opening 7-under 64 with a bogey-free 65 on Friday, leaving him at 13 under entering the weekend at Trump National Bedminster. Fueled by Niemann, Torque also has a five-shot lead on the team leaderboard.

Niemann’s closest pursuer is the oldest captain in the field, 53-year-old Lee Westwood of England. The Majesticks co-captain is at 8 under after matching Niemann’s 65. Another stroke back is 47-year-old Fireballs GC Captain Sergio Garcia of Spain, who also shot 65.

Both of those European legends realize that catching Niemann will be a difficult task – especially if the Chilean star keeps starting his rounds so strongly. In each of the first two days at Bedminster, he’s shot 5-under 30 on the front nine.

“Joaco is obviously a world-class player. For me, he’s top 20 in the world,” Westwood said. “When he’s on his game, he can run away with a tournament. But everybody is human, and everybody makes mistakes, and everybody feels pressure. So, we’ll just see what happens, really. I’ll just try and control what I can control.”

Added Garcia: “If Joaco keeps shooting 5- or 6-under every day, it’s going to be very difficult to catch him; it’s as simple as that. When Joaco gets going the right way … it feels like he can birdie pretty much every hole.”

Garcia faces the same 36-hole deficit as he did in the 2024 season opener at Mayakoba when he was six shots behind after Niemann opened with a 59 at the 54-hole tournament. Garcia managed to force a playoff that Niemann eventually won in the fading light in Mexico.

“It would be nice hopefully on Sunday to have a playoff with him again,” Garcia said.

That win was the first of Niemann’s LIV Golf record eight individual titles. Two of those victories came when Niemann led after the first round in 54-hole tournaments. When Niemann won his first 72-hole LIV Golf title in May in Korea, he was three strokes off the lead with 36 to play before reeling in Talor Gooch and beating the OKGC captain in a playoff.

“Obviously I’ve been in this situation before, but like I say, I feel like every situation is different to the other ones,” Niemann said. “There’s just experience that you can learn from. I’m just excited to go out there for the weekend and see what I can learn. I feel like there’s so much golf to play. There are so many shots to hit. I’m just excited to have the opportunity to go and see my shots, try to deliver the best I can, and go from there.”

TOP OF THE LEADERBOARDS

Individual Top 10

1 (-13) – Joaquin Niemann, Torque (64-65)

2 (-8) – Lee Westwood, Majesticks (69-65)

3 (-7) – Sergio Garcia, Fireballs (70-65)

T4 (-6) – Tom McKibbin, Legion XIII (70-66); Harold Varner, OKGC (69-67)

T6 (-5) – Richard Bland, Cleeks (73-64); Paul Casey, Crushers (70-67); Scott Vincent, HyFlyers (69-68); Lucas Herbert, Ripper (66-71)

T10 (-4) – Thomas Pieters, 4Aces (68-70); Ian Poulter, Majesticks (66- 72)

Team Top 3

1 (-9) – Torque GC (Niemann 64-65, Ancer 71-72, Ortiz 71-71, Munoz 74-71; Rd. 2 score: -5)

2 (-4) – HyFlyers GC (Steele 68-74, Vincent 69-68, La Sasso 72-69, Tringale 74-70 ; Rd. 2 score: -3)

3 (-2) – Ripper GC (Herbert 66-71, Leishman 71-69, Smyth 71-71, Smith 75-72 ; Rd. 2 score: -1)

Click here for full leaderboard

ROUND 2 NOTES

WESTWOOD AND BEDMINSTER: When LIV Golf first visited Trump National Bedminster during the inaugural season of 2022, Lee Westwood shot 4 under to tie for sixth. The following year did not go as well, as Westwood finished last in the 48-player field at 20 over.

Asked on Friday how he felt upon seeing Bedminster back in the course rotation for this year, Westwood replied: “I really had mixed emotions about it, I suppose. But I don’t really look at it like that. I take the course on its merits, and this is an excellent golf course. This should suit the best players, the people that hit the most fairways and the most greens and make the fewest mistakes and roll in a few putts. I think it’s a very fair, difficult golf course.”

The Majesticks co-captain is finding Bedminster to his liking this week as he chases his 45th professional title. He leads the field in Strokes Gained Putting, citing the benefits of having his own putting studio at home. But even if Westwood does win for the first time on any tour since 2020, he doesn’t think it will change the perception of his career.

“It’s something I’d like to do, obviously,” he said. “But it won’t define my career on LIV, really, regardless of what happens in the future. I’m kind of at the age now where I just tee it up and try and have a fun, enjoyable week, and if I play well, I play well, right? That’s the way everybody should play the game. You prepare hard and try and prepare thoroughly for each tournament and then you just kind of roll the dice. If they turn up the way you want them to, you have a chance.”

INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIP RACE: Two-time defending LIV Golf Individual Champion Jon Rahm is 36 holes away from clinching his third consecutive season-long title.

The Legion XIII captain is tied for 27th at 1 over after shooting an even-par 71 on Friday. That leaves him 14 strokes behind tournament leader Joaquin Niemann but seven strokes ahead of the only player who can catch him in the points race, Bryson DeChambeau.

The Crushers GC captain is in 50th place at 8 over. That leaves him with a projected points total of 722.50, while Rahm is projected to finish at 947.54 points. DeChambeau must climb inside the 200-point barrier after this weekend at Bedminster to remain mathematically alive to catch Rahm in the regular-season finale at Indianapolis.

Jon Rahm during Round 1 of LIV Golf New York at Trump National Golf Club Bedminster. (Photo by Charles Laberge/LIV Golf)

LOW ROUND FOR BLAND: Richard Bland, the oldest player in the field at age 53, produced the lowest round on Friday, a bogey-free 7-under 64 that included birdies on five par 4s. It matches the Cleeks GC veteran’s lowest round, relative to par, this season.

“Drove the ball pretty well, hit some good irons,” said Bland, who’ll enter the weekend tied for sixth. “The chances I gave myself, I pretty much took, and also up-and-downed it a couple times when I needed to the last couple of holes.”

Bland is not the only 50-something who’s thriving this week, despite the heat and the mammoth 7,600-yard course. Westwood – just two months younger than Bland – is in solo second. His fellow Majesticks co-captain Ian Poulter, age 50, is tied for 10th after following his opening 66 with a 1-over 72.

“Obviously for our shorter hitters, hitting the fairways is crucial because if you get it in the rough, par is going to be a very good score,” Bland said. “So, I have to hit a lot of fairways. If you ‘re going to compete at this level, you need to have all your game with you too.”

HYFLYERS ON PACE FOR BEST RESULT: HyFlyers GC are in solo second on the team leaderboard at 4 under, five shots behind Torque GC. If they can maintain that position or catch Torque for the title, it would be the HyFlyers’ best-ever team result. The team has three third-place podium finishes in its history.

On Friday, Scott Vincent (68), Michael La Sasso (69) and Cameron Tringale (70) combined to shoot 6 under to offset Brendan Steele’s 74. Steele had set the pace in the opening round with a 68.

HERBERT’S CRIPPLING DOUBLE: Red-hot Lucas Herbert of Ripper GC was hanging close to leader Joaquin Niemann for the first part of his round, producing birdies in three of his first five holes. But then he suffered his first bogey in 49 holes after his par putt lipped out at the 7th hole.

Four holes later, he suffered a double bogey at the par-4 11th despite his approach shot hitting the green just 3 feet from the pin. The ball spun back and rolled off the green into the first cut of rough. He then twice failed to land his chip shot on the green at the par-4 11th. His third with a 6-iron and fourth shot with a wedge both rolled back down the slope near where he played the shots. He finally landed on the green with his third attempt before making the putt for six.

Herbert, winner of two of the last four LIV Golf tournaments, suffered another bogey at the 14th to shoot even-par 71, leaving him at 5 under entering the weekend and a tie for sixth.

This piece is courtesy of Mike McAllister in partnership with LIV Golf.

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There are 15 games on today’s MLB schedule. Fans can watch all FS1 and FOX games streaming live and on demand on FOX One.

MLB Schedule for August 8 on FOX Networks

Athletics at Red Sox

• Time: 4:10 p.m. ET
• TV: FS1
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One
• Venue: Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts

Boston enters the weekend in the playoff hunt, while the Athletics are trying to turn around a difficult season. Red Sox probable starter Jake Bennett (7-4, 2.90 ERA) faces Athletics probable starter Gage Jump (4-7, 4.59 ERA).

Guardians at White Sox

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One
• Venue: Rate Field, Chicago, Illinois

The Guardians and White Sox meet in an AL Central matchup with both teams seeking separation in a tight division race. Cleveland probable starter Gavin Williams (11-6, 3.56 ERA) faces Chicago probable starter Anthony Kay (8-5, 4.01 ERA).

MLB Related Stories

Orioles at Rangers

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One
• Venue: Globe Life Field, Arlington, Texas

Baltimore and Texas are both working to gain ground in a crowded American League playoff picture. Rangers probable starter Jacob deGrom (7-7, 3.96 ERA) squares off with Orioles probable starter Kyle Bradish (7-10, 3.79 ERA).

Tigers at Giants

• Time: 7:15 p.m. ET
• TV: FOX
• Stream: Watch 3 days free on FOX One
• Venue: Oracle Park, San Francisco, California

Detroit visits San Francisco in an interleague matchup between teams trying to build a late-summer run. Tigers probable starter Jackson Jobe is scheduled to make his 2026 major league debut after missing roughly 14 months following Tommy John surgery in June 2025. Jobe went 4-1 with a 4.22 ERA in 10 starts as a rookie in 2025 and posted a 1.76 ERA with 17 strikeouts over 15 1/3 innings during his 2026 rehab assignment. Giants probable starter Landen Roupp enters at 7-10 with a 4.34 ERA.

Other August 8 MLB Games

• 3:05 p.m. ET: Braves at Yankees (Braves Vision, YES TV – New York)
• 4:10 p.m. ET: Angels at Marlins (ABTV, Marlins.TV)
• 6:05 p.m. ET: Blue Jays at Phillies (Rogers SportsNet, NBC Sports – Philadelphia)
• 6:40 p.m. ET: Mets at Pirates (Sportsnet Pittsburgh, SportsNet New York)
• 6:45 p.m. ET: Reds at Nationals (Washington Nationals TV Network, Cincinnati Reds TV Network)
• 7:10 p.m. ET: Twins at Brewers (Milwaukee Brewers TV Network, Twins.TV)
• 7:10 p.m. ET: Cubs at Royals (Kansas City Royals TV Network, Marquee Sports)
• 7:15 p.m. ET: Astros at Padres (San Diego Padres, Space City Home Network)
• 7:15 p.m. ET: Rockies at Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals TV Network, Colorado Rockies)
• 8:10 p.m. ET: Dodgers at Diamondbacks (Spectrum SportsNet LA, Arizona Diamondbacks)
• 9:50 p.m. ET: Rays at Mariners (Seattle Mariners TV Network, Tampa Bay Rays TV Network)

How to Watch MLB Games

FOX and FS1 carry today’s national MLB games, all of which are streaming live and on demand on FOX One.

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In the years before Oregon joined the Big Ten, the football program was regularly a force in the Pac-12 and often a national championship contender.

But when the Ducks took flight for the conference in 2024, bettors didn’t follow along. 

That seems to be changing in the 2026 Big Ten futures odds market.

“One thing that seems different from previous years is that usually there are no Oregon believers. But right now, Oregon is leading in money bet for this season,” Caesars Sports head of football trading Joey Feazel said. “That’s the big takeaway at the moment. There’s more Oregon love.”

Feazel helps break down where things stand in Big Ten football championship odds, with the start of the season just a month away.

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.

LIFE’S GREAT AT OHIO STATE

Yes, Indiana is the defending Big Ten and national champion. It’s a great résumé to bring into the 2025-26 season.

But the consensus among oddsmakers is that Ohio State is again the best team. 

The Buckeyes are +575 favorites to win the College Football Playoff, so of course, Caesars has the Buckeyes favored in Big Ten football futures.

Still, it’s close, with Ohio State at +175, Indiana at +240 and Oregon +260.

“Ohio State is leading in tickets, and Oregon is right behind,” Feazel said of action on Big Ten odds. “I think Ohio State in the past five years has just been dominant. From that aspect and coaching and talent aspects, they’re clearly the team to beat.”

That said, a big early test looms. In Week 2, on Sept. 12, the Buckeyes travel to Austin for a huge prime-time showdown vs. Texas.

“That’ll be one of the biggest-bet games of the year,” Feazel said.

Granted, that matchup doesn’t impact Big Ten standings, but it could very well impact Big Ten futures odds, depending on how Ohio State shows out.

GIVING CHASE

Coach Curt Cignetti and Indiana hope to prove last season’s Big Ten and national championship runs were no fluke. Feazel has certainly become a believer after Cignetti’s first two years with the Hoosiers.

“I started out being a Cignetti doubter, but he has clearly proven everybody wrong,” Feazel said. “Until we see otherwise, we expect them to be the second-best team in the conference.”

Hence, Indiana being the +240 second choice in Big Ten futures odds. But bettors aren’t fully on board yet, with the Hoosiers trailing not only Ohio State and Oregon in tickets but also Michigan and USC.

Right behind Indiana in Big Ten futures odds is Oregon. Then there’s some separation, with USC and Michigan listed as the +1200 co-fourth choice.

Feazel doesn’t believe anyone beyond those first five will make waves this season.

“The thing with the Big Ten is it’s just so top-heavy,” Feazel said. “It’s hard to see any other team pushing through. I think you’re gonna see one of those top-five schools win it.”

VALUE PLAY

If that’s indeed the case, then perhaps there’s some value in wagering on the Trojans or the Wolverines. 

Unlike Oregon, USC has been popular each of its first two years in the Big Ten and continues to attract action ahead of the 2026 season.

“Year after year, they’re betting on USC. That might be a regional situation, because we’re taking a lot of USC action in Nevada,” Feazel said. “Michigan has big changes, with a new coach (Kyle Whittingham). But it’s still Michigan at the end, so we don’t want to count them out.

“I think both those teams have the potential to break out this season.”

NOT-SO-HAPPY VALLEY?

Penn State also has big changes, after imploding during the 2025 season. The Nittany Lions were 3-0 heading into a huge home game vs. Oregon, then lost that matchup 30-24 in double overtime.

That triggered a six-game losing streak, during which coach James Franklin was fired. In December, Matt Campbell left his post at Iowa State to become Penn State’s coach.

The Nittany Lions are the +1800 sixth choice in odds to win the Big Ten. And so far, bettors aren’t buying in.

“There’s not much support behind the Nittany Lions,” Feazel said. “It’s gonna be an uphill battle, but I wouldn’t count out that program. I’m just not sold that it’s gonna be this year.”

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