Anthony Rizzo caught a home run ball in the Wrigley Field bleachers
Anthony Rizzo appears to be a magnet for home run balls when he attends games as a fan at Wrigley Field.
Rizzo managed to catch Cubs first baseman Michael Busch’s first inning home run against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday. Rizzo, who was in attendance to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Cubs’ 2016 World Series win, first made the grab before lifting his son onto his shoulders triumphantly.
If we had a nickel for every time Anthony Rizzo's caught a Cubs home run in the bleachers, we'd have two nickels.
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 18, 2026
Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice! pic.twitter.com/XOAK3B1kFo
Rizzo actually nearly caught a home run ball last September, though it narrowly slipped out of his hands. The fact that he would even get a shot at two in the span of a year is pretty remarkable in light of who he is and how rarely he actually sits in the outfield at Wrigley.
In a later interview, Rizzo divulged that he was even wearing the jersey he wore during Game 7 of that World Series.
Anthony Rizzo is wearing his Game 7 jersey from 2016
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 18, 2026
He originally gave it to his dad who got a mustard stain on the back of it when he wore it on Opening Day in 2017 https://t.co/jwNfLtsSOW pic.twitter.com/U3p9Ws9Q8I
At this point, if the Cubs keep hitting home runs at Rizzo, they’re going to have to plant him out there permanently. That might be one way to address their frustrating lack of consistency so far this season.
Brandon Aiyuk calls out NFLPA in his new social media post
San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk now appears to be burning bridges with the NFL Players Association.
Aiyuk on Saturday posted criticism of the NFLPA to his Instagram story as he remains in contract limbo with the 49ers. The wide receiver suggested that the union was conducting a “smear campaign” to try and tarnish him, seemingly because he did not seek to recoup money the 49ers withheld from him.
Brandon Aiyuk is now attacking the NFLPA
— Coach Yac 🗣 (@Coach_Yac) July 18, 2026
This really is the end of BA’s NFL career, isn’t it… pic.twitter.com/JpTbNPtbLO
The 49ers voided Aiyuk’s guaranteed salary last season, alleging that he failed to take part in team events and rehab. He has already played his last game for the team, with the Niners essentially holding onto him to see if a trade could be facilitated.
Previously, Aiyuk had been eager to join the Washington Commanders, but he may have blown that as well with his social media activity. At this point, his career may legitimately be in doubt.
Aiyuk has not played since 2024 due to a torn ACL and MCL. His best season came in 2023, when he caught 75 passes for 1,342 yards and seven touchdowns and earned second-team All-Pro honors.
Rory McIlroy rips Bryson DeChambeau over British Open meltdown
Rory McIlroy did not hold back in his assessment of Bryson DeChambeau’s behavior at the British Open on Friday.
McIlroy was asked Saturday about DeChambeau’s two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the par-4 fifth hole at Royal Birkdale. Not only did McIlroy think the penalty was justified, but he thought DeChambeau’s reaction was “performative” and disrespectful to everyone else.
“I think there’s no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing. Whether it was careless or whether it was intentional, I don’t think it matters. Hopefully it was careless. But I think the two-shot penalty was justified,” McIlroy said. “I won’t pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I’m not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it’s performative. I think a lot of it’s for attention. To hold the tournament hostage like that and have all of us, volunteers, players, everyone waiting on him to depart, I didn’t feel like it was a great look.”
Here's Rory on the Bryson ruling — said there's no doubt that he improved the line of his backswing and penalty was justified.
— Patrick McDonald (@pmcdonaldCBS) July 18, 2026
Then added: "I won't pretend to be up here and defend Bryson. I'm not particularly fond of him. I think a lot of it's performative. I think a lot of… pic.twitter.com/knSptf5Opo
DeChambeau had a lengthy argument with rules officials on the course after the penalty was assessed that wound up looking like a bit of a temper tantrum. At one point, he seemingly threatened not to play on Saturday, though he walked back that threat.
As McIlroy indicated, DeChambeau’s antics actually delayed the release of Saturday’s tee times, much to the frustration of other members of the field.
While McIlroy and DeChambeau have largely maintained a respectful relationship, there has been tension between the two of them in the past. McIlroy has also been a staunch loyalist to the PGA Tour, while DeChambeau defected to join LIV Golf, adding a further element to their rivalry.
Ketel Marte made a baffling mistake that cost Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte made a rather inexplicable mistake to end Friday’s loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.
Marte was at bat at Chase Field in Phoenix, Az. with the tying run at second and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning. The All-Star infielder took a 2-2 pitch that appeared to be clearly above the strike zone, but umpire Bill Miller punched him out for strike three.
Despite the Diamondbacks having both of their ABS challenges remaining, Marte opted not to use one. He would have won the challenge and still had a chance to drive in the tying run on a 3-2 pitch.
What is Ketel Marte thinking????? pic.twitter.com/J6qHyOZsNS
— Austin Oravec (@AustinOravec) July 18, 2026
Marte does not even seem to consider challenging, which is remarkable. There would be no downside to doing so. If he’s right, the game continues and he stays alive. If not, it is not as if he gets to save the challenge for later.
Normally when we see players err on a challenge, it’s because they were overzealous. While players are often conservative about using them early in the game, the ninth inning tends to be a time when just about anything borderline gets challenged. Marte did not do that, and it genuinely may have cost his team a win, or at least an opportunity to do so.
Yankees’ Aaron Boone regrets trusting Gerrit Cole in loss
In a tightly contested 2-1 defeat to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Friday night, New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone shouldered responsibility for a pivotal decision that proved costly.
With his team clinging to a 1-0 lead in the seventh inning, Gerrit Cole issued a leadoff walk to Mookie Betts. Boone visited the mound with left-hander Brent Headrick warming in the bullpen, but ultimately left his ace in to face Max Muncy after Cole assured the manager he had one more out in him.
Cole, who had dominated through six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts on 90 pitches in his 10th start since returning from Tommy John surgery, jumped ahead 0-2. However, he hung a slider that Muncy crushed for a go-ahead two-run homer. Boone later admitted the choice fell squarely on him.
“I probably should’ve grabbed him there,” Boone said, via The Athletic. “Sometimes you’ve got to take it out of their hands. … That falls on me.”
Cole expressed disappointment with the pitch location but noted the competitive opportunity against a strong lineup. The Yankees had chances to tie the game later, including a strong double from Ben Rice, but a baserunning play at the plate ended their threat.
The loss prevented New York from gaining more ground in the AL East.
Adam Ottavino’s Mets reveal prompts MLB to restrict dugout AI use
Major League Baseball has implemented new restrictions on the use of iPads in dugouts to prevent teams from leveraging artificial intelligence for real-time strategic decisions.
The policy, which took effect at the start of the second half of the 2026 season, limits access to custom tabs on the devices that had allowed expanded functionality beyond viewing video and league-provided data.
According to a June 11 memo from MLB executive vice president of baseball operations Morgan Sword, some clubs had installed custom apps enabling recommendations on substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game choices traditionally handled by players and coaches. An estimated third of teams utilized these enhancements to varying degrees.
“In many cases, the custom tab had expanded the use of the dugout iPads beyond their originally intended purpose to include recommendations regarding substitutions, pitch calling, and other in-game decisions traditionally made by players and coaches,” Sword wrote.
MLB acted after determining the practice exceeded the original intent of the iPad pilot program, which began in 2015 and expanded in 2016.
Former New York Mets reliever Adam Ottavino, now a broadcaster, highlighted the Mets’ involvement on his Baseball & Coffee livestream. He claimed the team invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in an expensive AI program for pitch prediction and related assistance, with some within the organization reportedly bragging about the technology early in the season.
Ottavino noted that while other clubs employed similar tools, the Mets drew particular attention, prompting MLB to intervene swiftly. The Mets declined to comment on the matter.
The decision has sparked varied reactions across the league. New York Yankees captain Aaron Judge expressed surprise at the extent of AI reliance, while managers like Toronto’s John Schneider and Arizona’s Torey Lovullo acknowledged the evolving role of technology in baseball.
“I read the article and I was like, I can’t believe what I’m seeing,” Judge said, via ESPN. “Teams are making decisions off of AI? Man, that’s just crazy.”
Sword emphasized that the change provides teams time to adjust without penalties, as a review confirmed prior compliance.
This move underscores MLB’s ongoing effort to balance innovation with the human elements of strategy following past controversies like the Astros’ sign-stealing scandal. As AI continues to influence sports, the league aims to preserve traditional decision-making while maintaining competitive integrity.
Charles Barkley takes shot at Draymond Green despite apology
Charles Barkley did not hold back when addressing his brief exchange with Draymond Green, even after the Golden State Warriors forward issued an apology for an earlier jab. Speaking on the Pardon My Take podcast on Friday, Barkley reflected on the May incident that unfolded during an Inside the NBA segment.
The original tension arose when Barkley commented on the Warriors’ aging roster and their diminished title hopes. Green responded by taking a personal shot at Barkley, referencing his time with the Houston Rockets in a way that implied a diminished legacy.
The remark drew widespread criticism from fans and media, who highlighted Barkley’s strong individual production during his Rockets stint compared to Green’s career averages.
Green later apologized on his podcast, expressing that he meant no disrespect. Barkley, however, indicated he had not paid much attention to the online fallout at the time, as he and Green even went out for drinks afterward.
Barkley acknowledged the strong public defense of his legacy but emphasized his own stature in the game.
“Listen, man, Draymond is a good player, I was a great player,” Barkley said. “We’re not on the same level.”
Barkley’s comments reflect his willingness to speak candidly about players while drawing a clear distinction in career accomplishments. Green, who averaged 8.4 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in his 14th season, faced comparisons to Barkley’s Year 14 numbers with Houston of 15.2 points and 11.7 rebounds.
The exchange highlights the ongoing dynamics between NBA legends and active players, with Barkley showing he remains unafraid to address perceived slights on his own terms.
It remains to be seen if Green will respond to the latest remarks.
After flip-out, Bryson DeChambeau walks back threat to quit The Open
Bryson DeChambeau erupted in frustration during the second round of the 2026 British Open at Royal Birkdale after officials hit him with a two-stroke penalty for improving his lie on the par-4 fifth hole.
DeChambeau’s drive sailed into thick fescue rough. While preparing his next shot, he took several steps and appeared to flatten the grass behind the ball with his feet. The R&A reviewed the situation post-round and assessed the penalty under Rule 8.1, changing his bogey into a triple bogey. That adjusted his solid 66 to a 68, leaving him at 5-under and three shots back of leader Lucas Herbert.
Video showed a heated exchange with rules officials on the course, and DeChambeau seemed to threaten walking away from the tournament.
His agent told reporters they would “see” if he teed it up Saturday.
DeChambeau quickly walked it back on social media. He admitted he was disappointed with the ruling and didn’t agree with it, but said the whole thing fired him up. He declared himself ready for the weekend and looking to make a move.
The two-time major winner remains in the mix despite the controversy.
This is hardly the first time DeChambeau has lost his cool on the course. Earlier this year at LIV Golf Mexico City, he threw a notable tantrum over poor course conditions after blading a bunker shot into patchy grass and mud. He sarcastically pointed out the “destroyed grass” to his caddie and called for a rules official, complaining that the situation was “unbelievable.”
DeChambeau has a well-documented history of such outbursts when things don’t go his way.
Jalen Brunson hilariously shuts down Giants helmet autograph request
New York Knicks superstar and freshly minted NBA Finals MVP Jalen Brunson found himself in quite the pickle at Fanatics Fest on Thursday — and no, it wasn’t a midrange jumper he couldn’t knock down.
A hopeful Giants fan thrust a Big Blue helmet his way for an autograph, only for Brunson, a die-hard Eagles disciple, to hit the brakes harder than a Vic Fangio defense.
“Wait, wait, I am not signing that,” the point guard declared, via the New York Post. “That’s against my religion. Are you gonna make me sign a Giants helmet? Can I write ‘Go Birds’ on it? I’m gonna write ‘Go Birds’ on it.”
After some playful back-and-forth — including a fan’s desperate plea to “convert” him — Brunson eventually put pen to plastic, but only on his own terms. The New Jersey native, who bleeds South Jersey green and once rocked a Jalen Hurts jersey courtside, stayed true to his Philly roots despite thriving in Knicks blue and orange.
Born in New Brunswick but forever tied to Villanova and the Eagles, Brunson proved once again that some rivalries run deeper than basketball allegiances. Giants fans might be licking their wounds, but at least they got a signature — even if it came with an unwanted Birds endorsement.
In the end, Brunson delivered the perfect mix of clutch performance and comedic relief, reminding everyone why he’s a fan favorite on and off the court.
Astros could make a major Yordan Alvarez move
The Houston Astros could be getting real experimental for the stretch run of the season.
Houston could potentially move their star slugger Yordan Alvarez into left field, Chandler Rome of The Athletic reported this week on “Foul Territory.” Rome adds that the thinking for the Astros would be to target another bat at the trade deadline, adding that “nothing is off the table.”
Could the Astros move Yordan Alvarez to left field to help fix their offense at the trade deadline?@Chandler_Rome says "nothing is off the table," especially with a playoff push on the line. pic.twitter.com/p9jrDbBCfl
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) July 17, 2026
The lefty-hitting Alvarez, 29, has been Houston’s best player this season and arguably the best player in the entire American League. He leads the AL in hits (113), homers (31), RBIs (71), batting average (.321), and OPS (1.067).
Perhaps almost as impressive has been Alvarez’s availability this year. He has remarkably appeared in 97 of 99 games thus far for the Astros and has shed the injury-prone reputation that he gained last season after appearing in just 48 games due to hand and ankle issues.
That said, Houston needs a further jolt at the plate as their 19th-ranked offense (both by runs scored and by batting average) is a big reason why they sit at just 47-52 overall. Moving Alvarez permanently to left field, where he has already made 15 starts this season and 227 starts over his entire MLB career, would open up the designated hitter spot for another outside power bat.
Of course, playing left field is a much more taxing physical commitment and would drastically increase the risk of injury for Alvarez if done on a full-time basis. But the Astros obviously need some kind of shake-up ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline, especially after all of the notable selling that they have been doing recently.
Justin Jefferson is being linked to 1 team in trade rumors
Justin Jefferson might be getting the itch to reunite with his former offensive coordinator.
The Minnesota Vikings star receiver Jefferson could potentially want to move on from the team and join the Las Vegas Raiders, according to a recent report by Raiders beat writer Hondo Carpenter. Additionally, Carpenter says that Jefferson may possibly be amicable to move to the Raiders due to the potential for a reunion with Klint Kubiak.
Jefferson, 27, just completed his sixth career season with Minnesota. He cannot become a free agent until after the 2028 season either as he signed a big $140 million contract extension with the team in 2024.
But concern is quickly building for the Vikings as a whole. Amid a nightmare quarterback situation last year, the team went 9-8 and missed the playoffs as Jefferson produced career-low marks with 1,048 receiving yards and a mere two touchdowns. Now Minnesota will be having a wide-open QB competition for next season between underwhelming incumbent JJ McCarthy and the newly-signed Kyler Murray.
As for the Raiders, they recently hired Kubiak as their head coach to replace the fired Pete Carroll. Kubiak coached Jefferson in Minnesota, including as the offensive coordinator during the 2021 season.
The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year Jefferson has been facing trade speculation for the last several months now, and some public signs of his frustration with the Vikings have already emerged. With Las Vegas still lacking a true WR1 for No. 1 overall draft pick Fernando Mendoza to throw to, the fit there may make sense if both teams are willing to explore it.
Fans all noticed the same thing about Dwight Howard’s chance encounter with Andrew Bynum
Fans had a lot to say about Dwight Howard’s surprise encounter with old pal Andrew Bynum.
The 6’10” Howard was documenting himself roaming the streets of New York City this week when he spotted a man approaching who looked even taller than him. Turns out it was the 7’0″ Bynum, seemingly cooling down after a workout.
The former Los Angeles Lakers All-Star, who was wearing a sweaty tank top with a towel draped over his back, momentarily took off one of his earphones to dap up Howard. The two shared a quick exchange before Bynum continued walking down the block.
Dwight: “That bi*ch tall right there.”
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) July 17, 2026
“That looks like Andrew Bynum.”
Dwight: “That is Andrew Bynum!!!”
— Dwight Howard randomly runs into Andrew Bynum in NYC. 🤣🤣🤣🤣
(h/t @MrBuckBuckNBA)
pic.twitter.com/y5zPvcCR0S
While Bynum acknowledged Howard and smiled as the two crossed paths, several fans pointed out how Bynum did not stop at all to share a chat with his former on-court rival. Bynum just kept walking while Howard still seemed to have things to say.
Lmao he ain’t stop or nothing 😂
— Nick Thompson (@Aktivated_) July 17, 2026
What the hell was wrong with AB? Why was he so cold? And why was he wrapped in a towel or blanket or whatever that was?
— Al Lee (@sepelesht) July 18, 2026
Some theorized that perhaps it was because Bynum was still upset at Howard, who eventually replaced him as the Lakers’ starting center during the latter’s short-lived stint in L.A.
Same vibes pic.twitter.com/NSnVj8BQBj
— MrBuckBuck (@MrBuckBuckNBA) July 17, 2026
This is hilarious 😂
— MT (@MikeTx47) July 18, 2026
Bynum was still mad dwight got traded for him after he was supposed to be the lakers next franchise center. Sucks he got injured bowling, and wasn’t great for the sixers. He still a legend and a big what if though full respect to him!
He walked right by.
Others speculated that perhaps Bynum did not even recognize Howard at all and instead mistook him for a rather large and enthusiastic fan.
Bynum had no idea that was Dwight. Thought he was just a fan. 😂
— 𝟭𝟬𝗗𝗘𝗘𝗣 | 𝟯𝘅 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀 (@TenDeep_) July 17, 2026
It’s also possible that Bynum just felt the usual social anxiety of running into an old friend or acquaintance when one isn’t in the mood to catch up. That’s on top of the fact that the ever-boisterous Howard was also filming the encounter.
Whatever the case may be, Bynum appeared to still be in great physical shape. He’d probably still eat folks alive if he decided to (or still does) lace them up at a local park or gym for the occasional pick-up game.
Howard and Bynum were arguably the two best centers in the NBA during an era when superstar centers were in short supply. Bynum made an All-Star team and won a couple of championships alongside Kobe Bryant, but had his career derailed by injuries just as he was entering his prime.
Despite several attempts at an NBA comeback, Bynum never played beyond the 2013-14 season, essentially being forced into retirement at just 26 years old.
Khabib’s manager floats conspiracy theory about Conor McGregor’s latest fight
Veteran MMA manager Ali Abdelaziz is not buying what Conor McGregor has been trying to sell.
McGregor suffered a serious knee injury seconds into his fight last Saturday against Max Holloway. McGregor bowed out of the fight just over a minute after the first bell rang for UFC 329’s main event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nev.
Abdelaziz, who is the longtime manager of former McGregor rival Khabib Nurmagomedov, believes the Irishman fought through a preexisting injury. During a recent episode of the “Pound 4 Pound” podcast hosted by his clients Kamaru Usman and Henry Cejudo, Abdelaziz peddled the idea that a hurt McGregor still got in the octagon in order to get closer to fulfilling his contractual obligations with the UFC.
“Maybe he thought, ‘You know what? I’ve already got all my guaranteed money, and everybody’s going to say Conor just got injured. He didn’t get beat up,’” Abdelaziz said of McGregor during the podcast episode, via Bloody Elbow’s Harvey Leonard.
“… I think Conor took the easy way out. You just have to really, really fight all the way, especially with the amount of money he’s making and the people flying in.
“There are also two scenarios. Maybe he got injured a little bit in there, or maybe he’s like, ‘You know what? I owe you two fights. Here you go. One fight, and the second one I’ll give you in six or seven months, and then I’m out.’ That’s what I think.”
Abdelaziz also stated that he believed Holloway was going to “tune him up” because McGregor “isn’t the guy he used to be.” In Abdelaziz’s eyes, the injury gave McGregor an easy out from getting beaten up by the former “BMF” title holder.
Abdelaziz wasn’t alone in theorizing that the “Notorious” one may have been hurt before the match began. While McGregor immediately denied having any preexisting injuries, some pointed out that McGregor appeared to be favoring one side just moments before the fight.
Even former UFC champion Israel Adesanya stated earlier this week that he believed McGregor was lying.
LeBron James laughed off 1 All-Star’s ill-fated recruiting pitch
Cross the Indiana Pacers off the list of potential landing spots for LeBron James.
James was a guest panelist alongside Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton this week during this year’s Fanatics Fest event at the Javits Center in Manhattan, N.Y. Haliburton used the opportunity to tease James repeatedly about his free agency process.
Haliburton also revealed to the crowd that even he had pitched LeBron via text on the merits of joining the Pacers, even before news broke that he was leaving the Los Angeles Lakers. Rather than respectfully declining Tyrese’s recruiting pitch, James just replied to him with a pair of laughing emojis.
The Pacers guard claimed that response marked the official end of his efforts to bring James to Indiana.
Tyrese Haliburton said he made a recruiting attempt to bring LeBron to Indiana, even before he let the Lakers know he would be leaving.
— Dave McMenamin (@mcten) July 16, 2026
LeBron’s text back: 🤣🤣
Haliburton said that was the end of his recruiting efforts.
Considering the Pacers were a game away from winning the NBA Finals two seasons ago, adding a talent like James for cheap could push the team to legitimate contender status.
But LeBron’s fit in Indiana would be questionable to say the least, beyond just the fact that Indianapolis isn’t among the country’s bigger media markets.
The Pacers’ offense revolves completely around Haliburton’s playmaking ability, which may push James off the ball more than he would like.
The Pacers also play at a breakneck speed to take advantage of the team’s ability to finish in transition. That may not be the most appealing style of play for a 41-year-old LeBron to close out his career. Based on some of James’ other comments during Fanatics Fest, another Eastern Conference team may have a better shot at his services.
Kudos to Haliburton for still shooting his shot, though.
Caitlin Clark posts wild stat line never seen in WNBA history
Caitlin Clark put on a performance for the ages on Friday in front of a capacity crowd inside Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Ind.
The Indiana Fever star willed her team to victory in a 110-107 contest against the Seattle Storm. Clark erupted for 45 points to go along with 10 assists, 4 steals, and a pair of blocks. Clark became the first player in WNBA history to post 40+ points and 10+ assists in a single game.
Clark’s 45 also marked a career high and set a new franchise single-game scoring record.
A HISTORIC PERFORMANCE BY CAITLIN CLARK 🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 18, 2026
She recorded 45 PTS (career-high), 10 AST, 6 3PM, 4 STL & 2 BLKS to log the first 40+ points and 10+ assists stat line in a game in WNBA History! She also became the fastest player to reach 200 career three pointers and the first in… pic.twitter.com/QlJinDIIf7
The 2-time All-Star saved her best for last. Her final field goal was a go-ahead step-back triple to push her team ahead 105-102 with under a minute left to play.
CAITLIN. CLARK. FOR. 41. POINTS. 🔥🔥
— WNBA (@WNBA) July 18, 2026
She drains this step back triple to not only bring her to her NEW career high in PTS, but also bring the @IndianaFever to the lead (105-102)! https://t.co/tMM9GBzEAv pic.twitter.com/rwQjyWRkAl
When asked to weigh in on her record-setting night, Clark shrugged it off like it was no big deal.
“I mean, it’s cool. I don’t really care,” Clark said during her postgame interview. “And I know what I’m capable of, and I know what this team is capable of. It’s my job to help us win and be the best team in the WNBA, and I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Arguably even more impressive was the fact that Clark recorded her 45 points on just 18 shots. She went 11/18 from the field with 6 three-pointers, and also shot 17/19 from the free throw line.
Clark has turned into the most polarizing figure in the WNBA, often for matters that have nothing to do with basketball. She reminded the basketball world Friday of what she’s capable of on the court.
Robert Kraft makes strong statement about Mike Vrabel’s future with the Patriots
The New England Patriots sound ready to weather the current storm surrounding head coach Mike Vrabel.
As every Patriots fan under the sun knows by now, Vrabel has been a lightning rod of controversy for his alleged improper relationship with veteran NFL reporter Dianna Russini.
The scandal immediately sent speculation swirling regarding Vrabel’s future in New England. But Patriots owner Robert Kraft made it clear Friday that his 50-year-old head coach isn’t going anywhere.
During an appearance on “First Take,” Kraft was asked about “navigating” what has been a “tumultuous offseason” for Vrabel.
“We’re privileged to have Mike as our head coach,” Kraft said of Vrabel.
“You know, no one is infallible. And what’s great about Mike is he has great intellectual knowledge about football, all the technical skills. He relates to the players beautifully. And he’s someone I have a strong belief and faith in. And I hope he’s going to be our head coach for many years to come.”
If only someone could ask Bill Belichick about Kraft’s take on the fallibility of head coaches.
Russini did not get the same grace when it came to her own employment. The 43-year-old journalist felt compelled to resign from The Athletic due to the media firestorm caused by the controversial photos of her with Vrabel.
Should Vrabel eventually regain his post without any further repercussions, the worst he may have to go through might very well be couples therapy.
Trae Young drops hint about Wizards’ chances to keep Anthony Davis
Trae Young seems to believe Anthony Davis’ mind has already been made up about his place with the Washington Wizards.
The Wizards traded for Young and Davis in back-to-back months during the 2025-26 season. The moves were meant to expedite Washington’s rebuild process to go from perennial cellar dwellers to potential playoff contenders.
But while Young has already committed to a massive contract extension, questions have remained about what the future holds for Davis. The 10-time All-Star big man has been the subject of trade talks, with more established contenders reportedly looking to acquire him.
Based on Young’s latest comments, Davis may very well stick to the status quo. Young had a cheeky response when asked by ESPN’s Ohm Youngmisuk about whether he’s been “in Davis’ ear about wanting to stay in Washington.”
“I ain’t on it too much,” Young told Youngmisuk with a smile. “I think he knows where he wants to be right now.”
It probably helped the Wizards’ cause that the team landed the No. 1 overall pick and selected potential franchise changer AJ Dybantsa during last month’s draft. Davis and Young were among several Wizards watching courtside last week when Dybantsa dropped 27 points in a win over No. 2 pick Darryn Peterson and the Utah Jazz in summer league play.
With Davis and Young spearheading Washington’s promising young core of Dybantsa, Alex Sarr, Kyshawn George, and Tre Johnson, basketball may be back on the map in our nation’s capital.
While Davis may very well stick around in D.C., it’s unclear whether the team is amenable to Davis’ unibrow-raising contract extension demands. Davis is currently slated to make 58.5 million next season and also holds a $62.8 million player option for the following year.
Arizona Cardinals executive allegedly leaked draft picks to gamblers
A top Arizona Cardinals executive has been suspended by the NFL for allegedly leaking information about draft picks.
Cardinals director of college scouting Ryan Gold has been suspended indefinitely for a violation of the league’s gambling policy, according to a statement. The NFL alleges that Gold “provided confidential, non-public inside information regarding 2026 Draft selections by the Cardinals before they were announced, and that Mr. Gold participated in parlay bets on NFL and college games.”
NFL now has confirmed the indefinite suspension of Cardinals personnel executive Ryan Gold for violating the league’s gambling policy.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 17, 2026
NFL statement: "The NFL confirmed today that Ryan Gold, Director of College Scouting for the Arizona Cardinals, has been suspended indefinitely…
The statement does not specifically say who Gold provided information about draft picks to. Considering it is mentioned in a statement about a gambling policy violation, however, it is certainly implied that those who received the information used it for their benefit.
Gold has worked for the Cardinals since 2014, first as a scouting assistant and then as a full-time scout. He was promoted to college scouting director in 2025, a role in which he oversaw the organization’s evaluation of prospects prior to the draft.
While the NFL does not accuse Gold of impacting any games, the allegations do bear some similarities to others that have gotten certain NBA figures in a lot of trouble. For now, though, his issues lie with the NFL, not the legal system.
Padres may consider trading Mason Miller on 1 condition
The San Diego Padres are trying to decide what their trade deadline strategy should be, and that could involve trading star reliever Mason Miller after all.
The Padres are at least considering whether they would trade Miller as part of a package that also gets them out from under Xander Bogaerts’ contract, according to Kevin Acee of the San Diego Union-Tribune. The Padres still owe Bogaerts roughly $175 million over the next seven years, and it is considered a “foregone conclusion” that they will find a way to get at least some of that salary off the books.
The Padres are not necessarily eager to move Miller, and have made public statements regarding their commitment to him. However, another team’s willingness to take on a large portion of the Bogaerts may “tip the scales” and compel the Padres to move Miller.
The Bogaerts contract has become an expensive mistake for the Padres with no clear escape route. The 33-year-old has seen his numbers decline over the last few seasons, and he is hitting just .224 with nine home runs on the season so far. The team has been willing to trade him for over a year, but nobody else wants that contract unless they are given some sort of incentive to take it on.
Miller could be that incentive. The 27-year-old has allowed just four earned runs in 39.2 innings of work this season while striking out 72. He is as close as it gets to automatic for a closer and could fortify any contender’s bullpen. Interested teams would just have to swallow a bad contract to perhaps make it happen.
Paul Finebaum goes off on ‘stupid’ Dabo Swinney
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney’s latest defense of his program has sent Paul Finebaum off the deep end.
Swinney defiantly said at ACC Media Days on Thursday that he had nothing to prove to anyone having already won a national title, and pointed to the success Clemson has had over the last 15 years. That did not fly with Finebaum, who accused Swinney of spending too much time harping on past glories without adding any more success.
“I am getting so exasperated listening to Dabo tell us how great he used to be. They’re not great anymore,” Finebaum said on ESPN’s “Get Up!” “You don’t hear Brady talking about his Super Bowls. Dabo is just stuck on stupid right now trying to convince us that his program is still legitimate. It’s not. It’s slipping and sliding away. It’s good. Maybe they’ll win nine games this year, maybe they won’t, but they lost six games last year with the Heisman favorite. That is downright embarrassing.”
"Dabo is just stuck on stupid right now trying to convince us that his program is still legitimate. It's not."@Finebaum is TIRED of hearing Dabo Swinney talk about the past 🏈 pic.twitter.com/fzux2ubj2x
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) July 17, 2026
This is far from the first time Swinney has put forward a defiant message like this one. While no one disputes his accomplishments at Clemson, his team has only made the College Football Playoff once since 2019, and lost in the first round on that occasion. The Tigers went 7-6 last season and finished the year unranked for the first time since 2010.
Swinney has often been criticized for failing to adapt to college football’s modern landscape. Even his mentor has suggested as much. Finebaum is essentially putting it much more bluntly.
