Christian McCaffrey’s brother lands an NFL coaching job
Another McCaffrey brother will be working in the NFL next season.
Max McCaffrey is joining the Los Angeles Chargers as an offensive assistant, according to Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The oldest of the four McCaffrey brothers spent last season as an offensive assistant with the Miami Dolphins, meaning he is following new Chargers offensive coordinator Mike McDaniel to his new team.
It’s considered a strong possibility the #Chargers hire #Dolphins offensive assistant Max McCaffrey, potentially as running backs coach, sources tell @CBSSports.
— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) February 7, 2026
Is a former NFL receiver and the older brother of 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey and Commanders WR Luke McCaffrey. Has… pic.twitter.com/bEowiF2cRQ
Max McCaffrey did not catch on as a player in the NFL, but does appear to have made it as a coach. He got his start at the college level at Northern Colorado, where he eventually became offensive coordinator. In 2023, he jumped to the NFL with the Dolphins.
The move means Max will be on the West Coast with brother Christian, though the two will not cross paths often on account of being in different conferences.
It has been a pretty big weekend for NFL legacy families landing coaching jobs. McCaffrey is just the latest to do so.
Aaron Rodgers’ chances of returning to Steelers have been revealed
Signs are pointing toward Aaron Rodgers playing another season for the Pittsburgh Steelers after all.
According to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, “the odds are increasing” that Rodgers will return for another season in Pittsburgh. The quarterback has spoken with coach Mike McCarthy, and has also been in contact with wide receiver DK Metcalf, who is lobbying for Rodgers to return.
Pelissero says no final decision has been made yet and the two sides would still need to work out a contract. The Steelers are hopeful that Rodgers will make a decision prior to the start of free agency.
The "odds are increasing" that Aaron Rodgers returns to the Steelers next season, per @TomPelissero.
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) February 8, 2026
NFL GameDay Morning on NFLN pic.twitter.com/AN3U12WJY3
Rodgers’ situation has seemingly been trending this way for a while, at least since McCarthy was named the new Steelers head coach. It was reported last week that the Steelers were “expecting” Rodgers to play one more year in 2026.
Rodgers, 42, was good enough to guide the Steelers to an AFC North title and a playoff appearance last season. He threw for 3,322 yards with 24 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, and seemingly made a good impression on the entire organization.
Derek Carr could attempt an NFL comeback
After one year away from the NFL, Derek Carr may already be considering a return.
Carr could make an NFL comeback if presented with the right situation and coaching staff, according to Ian Rapoport, Tom Pelissero, and Mike Garafolo of NFL Network. Carr has remained in shape and the shoulder injury he underwent surgery for last year has healed.
Several teams reached out to Carr during the season to gauge his interest in a return. The Cincinnati Bengals did so after Joe Burrow got hurt, as was previously reported, but at that time, Carr resisted any inquiries. Even now, he is still not actively trying to return, but is simply said to be open to it in the right scenario.
The New Orleans Saints still hold Carr’s rights, but after the emergence of Tyler Shough, would likely be willing to let him move on for a reasonable price.
Carr, 34, retired last season after an 11-year career primarily spent with the Raiders. His best season came in 2016, when he finished third in MVP voting, but he established himself as a solid starter over the course of his career who could at least guide a team to the playoffs. Plenty of teams would have loved to have a quarterback of that caliber last season.
Lindsey Vonn airlifted after horrifying Olympic crash
American skiing legend Lindsey Vonn’s bid for Olympic glory at the 2026 Winter Games in Milan-Cortina ended in dramatic fashion on Saturday morning during the women’s downhill at the Olympia delle Tofane course in Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy.
The 41-year-old, competing in what she intended as her final Olympics after a remarkable comeback from retirement, crashed hard just seconds into her run — roughly 14 seconds after starting 13th in the field.
Vonn, who had ruptured her left ACL in a training crash nine days earlier at a World Cup event in Crans-Montana, Switzerland (where she was also airlifted), pushed forward with a large knee brace.
In the Olympic race, she lost control, spun awkwardly over a jump, and twisted violently, remaining prone on the snow while audibly screaming in pain. Medical teams responded immediately, halting the event.
After over 10-20 minutes of on-course treatment, including placement on a backboard and stretcher, she was airlifted by helicopter to a hospital for further evaluation.
“It was scary, because when you start to see the stretcher pulled out it’s not a good sign,” Vonn’s sister Karin Kildow told NBC. “We were just saying like the man in the arena, she just dared greatly. She put it all out there. It’s really hard to see, we just hope she’s OK.”
Vonn’s resilience had inspired many; she completed a successful training run on the same slope just days after a fresh ACL tear, vowing that her “Olympic dream is not over” after the earlier incident.
This latest crash marks a heartbreaking conclusion to her storied career, which includes three Olympic medals and dominance on the downhill circuit.
The race resumed after the delay, with U.S. teammate Breezy Johnson among the leaders.
Travis Scott was completely unhinged as he crashed James Harden’s postgame interview
Nobody was more fired up about James Harden’s debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers than Travis Scott.
The world-famous rapper was courtside for the Cavaliers’ road contest against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, Calif. Harden gave him plenty to cheer about down the stretch.
After a quiet first three quarters, Harden went off for 15 points in the final period to help the Cavs avoid an upset loss against the Kings. Harden was having his postgame interview next to Donovan Mitchell following the 132-126 victory when Scott decided to crash the party.
“We’re going to the young! What are we doing? … What the f–k?” Scott screamed into the mic, with some unintelligible words mixed in.
TRAVIS SCOTT CRASHES JAMES HARDEN’S POST-GAME INTERVIEW. 🤣🔥
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) February 8, 2026
(h/t @ohnohedidnt24)
pic.twitter.com/Mx8o9UurGk
Mitchell and Harden couldn’t help but laugh as Scott left the scene as quickly as he had arrived.
If there’s any positive in the Scott crash-out, it gave Mitchell and Harden a bonding moment they probably won’t forget anytime soon. The two All-Star guards were still feeling each other out early but developed some chemistry as the game went along.
Mitchell led all scorers with 35 points on 13/24 shooting, while Harden tallied 23 points on an efficient 7/13 clip in his first game with the Cavaliers. Travis Scott was there to soak it all in.
Lakers signing G League’s No. 1 scorer
The Los Angeles Lakers have locked in their pick to fill the team’s final roster spot.
The Lakers are reportedly signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year contract. According to ESPN’s Shams Charania, the deal includes a team option for the 2026-27 season.
The Los Angeles Lakers are signing guard Kobe Bufkin to a two-year deal, with a team option for the 2026-27 season, sources tell ESPN. Bufkin has starred for L.A.'s South Bay affiliate and now rejoins the Lakers in his third NBA season to fill their 15th roster spot. pic.twitter.com/Z1m3M4KvTM
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) February 8, 2026
The Lakers liked Bufkin for reasons that go beyond just sharing the same name as the late Kobe Bryant.
Bufkin, a 2023 first-round pick for the Atlanta Hawks, tore up the G League this season playing for the South Bay Lakers. He led the G League in scoring during the regular season with averages of 27.7 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 4.7 assists across 14 games. His shooting splits were immaculate: 52.2% from the field, 43.1% from three, and 89.1% from the free-throw line.
The Los Angeles Lakers last month called Bufkin up on a 10-day deal, but he didn’t give fans much to get excited about. Bufkin scored just 12 points over 4 games played with the senior squad.
With Bufkin now signed to a guaranteed NBA deal, the Lakers are hoping his game also stabilizes at the next level.
Devin Booker appeared to call out Joel Embiid for flopping
Phoenix Suns guard Devin Booker seemed to let Joel Embiid know Saturday that he was not happy with the Philadelphia 76ers center’s in-game theatrics.
Booker was guarding Embiid during the final possession of the first half of the 76ers-Suns game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz. Embiid fell to the floor after attempting a spin move on Booker, leaving him with no time to get a proper shot off.
The Suns All-Star was seen barking at Embiid as he walked off the court. Booker made hand gestures that appeared to be his way of mimicking Embiid’s foul-baiting tactics.
Devin Booker had some words for Joel Embiid at the end of the half 😯👀
— CantGuardBook (@CGBBURNER) February 8, 2026
“I got all ball n*gga.” pic.twitter.com/rhcvQM1GBH
The two were teammates on Team USA a couple of summers ago, but looked far from friendly during Saturday’s matchup.
Embiid drew eight free throws by himself in the second quarter, which was quadruple the amount the Suns had as a team.
Some of it was due to Embiid being a 7-foot behemoth that’s difficult to defend. But Embiid did use some crafty foul-drawing moves that some would label as flopping throughout the period, which seemed to rub Booker the wrong way.
Embiid finished with 33 points on 9/19 shooting with 9 rebounds and 3 assists. He also drew 13 free throws and made 11 of them en route to a 109-103 76ers win.
Footage emerges of Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. getting arrested after police chase
Video footage has emerged of Atlanta Falcons defensive end James Pearce Jr. getting arrested Saturday after being pursued by police.
A warrant was issued for Pearce’s arrest in Miami-Dade County on domestic violence charges. According to WPGL Local 10 News, the Falcons rookie was charged with two counts of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon and one count of aggravated stalking.
Per the report, Pearce made things worse by refusing to cooperate with the authorities. He was later charged with fleeing and eluding police, aggravated battery of a law enforcement officer, and resisting an officer without violence to his person.
A bystander captured Pearce’s arrest on video, showing several officers being needed to hold down the 6’5″ pass rusher. Pearce reportedly tried to evade police in his Lamborghini Urus but ended up crashing his vehicle.
Pearce was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional just before 7 p.m.
The Falcons later issued a statement on the matter.
“We are aware of an incident involving James Pearce Jr. in Miami,” the Falcons’ statement read. “We are in the process of gathering more information and will not have any further comment on an open legal matter at this time.”
The Falcons selected Pearce 25th overall in last year’s draft. The Tennessee product finished third in Defensive Rookie of the Year voting after recording 10.5 sacks in his first NFL season.
Warriors’ plan for Kristaps Porzingis after huge trade emerges
Golden State Warriors fans will have to be a little more patient with Kristaps Porzingis.
The Latvian big man was the Warriors’ major acquisition ahead of Thursday’s NBA trade deadline, but it will take time before he gets the chance to make his debut in Golden State threads.
Before the Dubs’ Saturday game against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, Calif., Golden State head coach Steve Kerr shared that Porzingis will not play until after the All-Star break.
“Steve Kerr said the Warriors plan is to hold Kristaps Porzingis out the next three games, keep him working in San Francisco during the All-Star break and debut him out of the break,” Anthony Slater of ESPN reported.
Porzingis, who is recovering from Achilles tendinitis, has barely seen action in the 2025-26 NBA season. Before he got traded, he appeared in only 17 games for the Atlanta Hawks. He’s played in only three games since the calendar flipped to 2026, and his last appearance was on Jan. 7.
Golden State doesn’t have to rush Porzingis back and risk aggravating his injury. With the All-Star break on the horizon, it makes sense for the Warriors to use that long pause to get the 30-year-old center more time to be ready for the action in the second half of the season.
North Carolina fans stormed the court before game ended against Duke
North Carolina fans celebrated a split-second too early Saturday in their team’s rivalry game against Duke.
Tar Heels guard Seth Trimble sank a go-ahead three-pointer as time expired to put his team up 71-68, which fans assumed was a buzzer-beating game-winner. The crowd wasted little time storming the court at the Dean E. Smith Center in Chapel Hill, N.C.
THIS RIVALRY DOES NOT DISAPPOINT ‼️
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 8, 2026
SETH TRIMBLE GAME-WINNER FOR NORTH CAROLINA 🔥 pic.twitter.com/uVsOm9DIav
Referees later determined that there was still some time left in the game after Trimble’s shot went through the net. The officials put 0.4 back on the clock as venue announcers asked fans to return to their seats. The celebration stoppage didn’t last long, as Duke was unable to get a clear shot off with what little time they had left.
It’s hard to blame the North Carolina fans for getting so fired up. Their team never led the entire game until the last second, when Trimble provided the latest exclamation point in the storied UNC-Duke rivalry.
North Carolina freshman Caleb Wilson kept the team afloat in the first half, scoring 17 of his team’s 29 points in an otherwise anemic first half for the Tar Heels. He more than held his own against rival Cam Boozer, who paced Duke with 24 points and 11 rebounds.
Trimble took the baton from Wilson in the closing moments. He tallied 16 points on 5/7 shooting from the floor, with his three-pointer to win the game being his only attempt from beyond the arc.
The Cowboys have made a decision on George Pickens’ future
The Dallas Cowboys are going to give it another go with wide receiver George Pickens.
Following an impressive 2025 NFL season with the Cowboys, Pickens is expected to be franchise tagged by Dallas, according to several reports.
The franchise tag for Pickens is said to be worth “roughly $28 million,” as reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN on Saturday.
While it’s not the multi-year extension Pickens would have loved more, it gives the two sides more time to negotiate.
The Cowboys can’t apply the tag to the former Georgia Bulldogs star wide receiver until at least after Feb. 17, per Schefter, but the decision has indeed been made on his short-term outlook with Jerry Jones’ franchise.
Traded to Dallas by the Pittsburgh Steelers in May 2025 along with a sixth-rounder in 2027 for a 2026 third-rounder and 2027 fifth-rounder, Pickens immediately made an impact on the Cowboys’ offense.
In the 2025 campaign, the 24-year-old Pickens posted career-highs of 1,429 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns and 93 receptions on 137 targets, while operating in the Dak Prescott-led passing attack.
He seemed to be a great fit in Dallas, and the Cowboys will get another look at him in the 2026 season, as they aim to bounce back after missing the NFL playoffs for the second year in a row and winning just seven games in 2025.
Thunder fans had classy gesture for Jared McCain in his OKC debut
It took all of one game for Oklahoma City Thunder fans to embrace Jared McCain.
The Thunder made one of the most intriguing trade deadline acquisitions when it landed McCain in a deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. The trade was one of those under-the-radar moves that could very well impact the title race come playoff time.
Thunder fans present for McCain’s debut felt that way. The OKC crowd gave McCain a standing ovation as he checked into the team’s game Saturday against the Houston Rockets at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Okla.
Jared McCain gets a huge ovation from the OKC crowd 👏
— ESPN (@espn) February 7, 2026
Watch Rockets-Thunder on ABC and the ESPN App 🍿 pic.twitter.com/8Io8xOFizE
McCain couldn’t help but marvel at the Thunder faithful’s reaction to him playing his first Thunder minutes.
“It was amazing,” McCain said when asked about the OKC crowd. “I felt the love right when I entered the game. … It was nuts. Nothing like it.”
The Duke alum didn’t have a huge game based on the box score. He tallied 5 points on 2/6 shooting along with 2 rebounds, an assist, and a pair of turnovers in the Thunder’s 112-106 loss. He did finish with a +12 in his 14 minutes on the floor, which ranked second-best on a team missing MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander.
McCain looked like one of the best rookies last season, averaging 15.3 points in his first 23 games with the 76ers. But his opportunities dried up this year with the emergence of the Tyrese Maxey-VJ Edgecombe backcourt in Philly.
Video shows object thrown at Nate Oats while leaving the court against Auburn
Alabama Crimson Tide head coach Nate Oats got a souvenir he didn’t ask for following his team’s 96-92 win against SEC rivals Auburn Tigers on Saturday at Neville Arena in Auburn, Ala.
As Oats was exiting the court, someone in the stands threw an object at him, likely an Auburn shirt.
The Alabama mentor did not seem rattled by the incident, as he appeared to have anticipated it. Oats had his hands up, ready to catch the shirt, though he dropped it before picking it up. He then raised the shirt over his head, as if the garment was among his victorious team’s spoils.
Here is the video of that moment.
Someone throws a shirt at Nate Oats as he comes off the court pic.twitter.com/FdnaFzzAeo
— Katie Windham (@katiewindham_) February 7, 2026
The 51-year-old Oats and the Crimson Tide still had the last laugh, leaning on a strong second half to repulse Auburn.
Alabama trailed the Tigers by four points at the half before putting together runs of 11-0 and 8-0 in the final 20 minutes of the contest to sway the momentum in their direction.
Sophomore guard Labaron Philon Jr. scored 16 of his game-high 25 points in the second half, while freshman forward Amari Allen stuffed the stat sheets with 17 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists for Alabama, which improved to 6-7 overall and 6-4 in SEC play.
Christian McCaffrey leaves fans in disbelief after showing his other talent on stage
Christian McCaffrey just showed that he has a little “Amadeus” in him.
The San Francisco 49ers running back apparently can do more than just evade tackles and burn rubber on the football field, as McCaffrey joined Zach Bryan on stage during the country music star’s concert on Friday.
Jeff Darlington of ESPN shared some clips of the Niners star hitting the keys, impressing fans who had no idea before that McCaffrey can also play the piano.
Christian McCaffrey currently playing piano for Zach Bryan at EA Sports’ concert. (Zach and Christian go WAY back to when Zach wasn’t nearly as popular as he is now.) pic.twitter.com/L98HFItn1b
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) February 7, 2026
Although it was not the first time McCaffrey had shown his piano skills, many seemed to learn about it for the first time upon seeing him flex it on the concert.
What CAN’T he do????🤩
— Isabella Miggy (@BellaMig) February 7, 2026
Need to have a chat with God about spreading around the talent, @CMC_22
— Alvin Cowan (@Alvincowan) February 7, 2026
That’s awesome!!!
— GHouse (@greathouse76185) February 7, 2026
What can’t he do!?
— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) February 7, 2026
San Francisco failed to reach Super Bowl LX, but McCaffrey somehow managed to steal the spotlight days before the Seattle Seahawks and the New England Patriots lock horns to determine who takes home the Vince Lombardi Trophy.
Racking up yards and finding the end zone are still McCaffrey’s top abilities, but playing piano is an endeavor he can continue long after his football skills fade.
The 29-year-old McCaffrey rushed for 1,202 yards and 10 touchdowns on 311 carries in 17 games in the 2025 NFL season. In addition, the former Stanford Cardinal star recorded 924 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns on 102 catches and 129 targets.
Rudy Gobert brutally called out his Timberwolves teammates
Minnesota Timberwolves center Rudy Gobert did not hold back about what he saw as a lack of defensive effort from his teammates.
Gobert openly advocated for coach Chris Finch to start benching players after a 119-115 home loss to the New Orleans Pelicans at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minn. on Saturday. Gobert even suggested the players were failing to get the message themselves, so more drastic action was required.
“It should start with ourselves, but it seems like we don’t have that, so I think at some point (it has to come) from the coaches,” Gobert said, via Jon Krawczynski of The Athletic. “It’s not an easy position for a coach to take guys out of the game. It’s not something that you want to do, but I think if the players don’t show any effort, at some point, no matter how talented we are as a team, if you don’t have that, you just can’t be a winning team.”
Those are unusually pointed comments from any player. It highlights an ongoing issue with the Timberwolves, who blew an 18-point third quarter lead in the game.
Gobert infamously threw a punch at one of his own teammates in a game three years ago. This sort of brutal honesty might best be relayed in-house, but it sounds like the veteran center has tried that already without success.
Seahawks player’s mom goes viral with her unfiltered Super Bowl response
Mom knows best, but when it comes to the Super Bowl, Seattle Seahawks defensive back Nick Emmanwori’s mother probably needs a little more guidance about the hype about it.
While being interviewed by Noah Chast of ABC Columbia just before she flew to California for Super Bowl LX, Emmanwori’s mom, Justina, got very candid when asked about the biggest game in football. She basically admitted that she doesn’t get why people are so invested in it.
“To be honest with you, I don’t know,” Justina said. “Everybody keeps asking, ‘Do you know what you are going for?’ I said, Super Bowl. They said, ‘Do you know how many people die to go to Super Bowl?’ I’m like, how? I have an opportunity to go there. So, I’m like, maybe this is something big I don’t know.”
You can watch her interview here.
Nick Emmanwori's mom Justina, who is Nigerian, does not yet understand the hype around the Super Bowl 😅
— Noah Chast (@NoahChastTV) February 7, 2026
"Maybe this is something big that I don't know."
Her and the whole Emmanwori family are heading to San Francisco to watch Nick and the Seahawks.@abc_columbia pic.twitter.com/6urpt52SZ0
There is no better opportunity for Emmanwori’s mom to understand what the Super Bowl is all about and why people put it above other important things than to actually be there.
Even better, her son is going to be part of it right on the field, as the Seahawks safety Emmanwori looks to help his team contain and defeat Drake Maye and the New England Patriots on Sunday at Super Bowl LX in Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif.
Selected by the Seahawks in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft, Emmanwori had an interception, 11 pass breakups and 2.5 sacks in 14 games in his first season in the pros.
Dirk Nowitzki criticizes the Mavericks over the Anthony Davis trade
Dirk Nowitzki has another bone to pick with his longtime franchise.
The retired Dallas Mavericks legend Nowitzki called out the team on Saturday over their trade of Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards. Speaking on Amazon Prime’s pregame show, Nowitzki said that he was “disappointed” in the return that the Mavericks got from the Wizards for Davis.
“There’s not a lot that came back with picks or player-wise,” said Nowitzki. “So this is all about financial flexibility for the future.
“I’m a little disappointed obviously,” Nowitzki added. “I think when AD actually played with Cooper [Flagg], they played off each other really really well. I think that was a solid combo, but we’ll never know.”
Dallas traded Davis to Washington in a big eight-player deal (full details here). 34-year-old Khris Middleton was the biggest name that went back to the Mavericks in return. While Dallas did get two future first-round draft picks, it cost them three other players along with Davis. Meanwhile, those two picks are a 2026 selection projected to be at the end of the first round and a 2030 pick that is heavily restricted (top-20 protected).
The clear goal for the Mavericks was to move off the oft-injured soon-to-be 33-year-old Davis and the significant money that he still had left on his contract ($58.5 million for next season with a $62.8 million player option for 2027-28 as well).
But what makes it all a much harder pill to swallow is that Davis was the centerpiece of Dallas’ return for superstar franchise cornerstone Luka Doncic just one year ago. Nowitzki was very critical of the Mavericks over the Doncic trade and reportedly even distanced himself from the organization in its aftermath. Now the 14-time All-Star Nowitzki is offering more harsh comments for Dallas about their recent trade of Davis.
Malik Willis could be targeted as a starting QB by 2 teams
Green Bay Packers quarterback Malik Willis is a free agent this offseason, and in a relatively weak class of quarterbacks, he could be in line for a solid payday.
ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler wrote Saturday that the Miami Dolphins and Arizona Cardinals are seen as teams that make a lot of sense for Willis. Both have ties with the Packers, as former Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley is Miami’s new head coach and new Cardinals coach Mike LaFleur’s brother Matt coaches the Packers. New Dolphins general manager Jon-Eric Sullivan was also hired away from the Packers.
The Packers are already resigned to losing Willis, who flashed potential as Jordan Love’s backup this season. That was particularly true in Week 17, when he showed the kind of touch and athleticism that can entice teams.
On the other hand, Willis only has six NFL starts to his name, and is hardly guaranteed to be a success. He only attempted 35 passes for the Packers last season, but he did complete 30 of them for 422 yards and three touchdowns.
The Cardinals and Dolphins would likely have to escape from the contracts of Kyler Murray and Tua Tagovailoa, respectively, to make a run at Willis. Both would like to, but it remains to be seen if they can actually do it.
Carmelo Anthony’s son got benched by Syracuse
Carmelo Anthony’s son Kiyan was abruptly benched Saturday during the team’s game against the Virginia Cavaliers.
Kiyan Anthony did not play a single minute of Syracuse’s 72-59 loss to the Cavaliers at John Paul Jones Arena in Charlottesville, Va. on Saturday. It was the first game all year in which Anthony did not appear.
After the game, coach Adrian Autry said Anthony’s benching was a coach’s decision made in response to Virginia’s experienced lineup.
“(Virginia) is a physical team, an experienced team,” Autry said. “It was just my decision. It was nothing else, no injuries or anything like that, there’s no narratives about any of this stuff.”
After @BurgessLuke03 asked Adrian Autry why Kiyan Anthony didn't play against Virginia, Autry repeated the fact that it was his decision four separate times in one short answer.
— Cooper Andrews (@cooper_andrews) February 7, 2026
Today was Kiyan's first time not logging a single minute in any game this season. pic.twitter.com/6QVqsHnWpj
Autry’s decision was the source of a lot of speculation since it came days after Carmelo Anthony made a disapproving Instagram post about the program after a loss to North Carolina.
Carmelo Anthony voicing his concerns on Syracuse basketball👀
— Cardiac Cuse (@cardiac_cuse) February 3, 2026
Can we just fire Red now? pic.twitter.com/nyTHVWsrbF
Anthony is a high-profile freshman, so it remains to be seen if this will continue. If it does, transfer rumors will inevitably start.
Kiyan committed to Syracuse with much fanfare in 2024. The freshman is averaging 8.9 points per game this season while playing just under 20 minutes per game.
Shannon Sharpe calls for ESPN to rehire him after his firing
Shannon Sharpe is hoping for an (unlikely) second chance from ESPN.
The Pro Football Hall of Famer Sharpe was interviewed this week by Front Office Sports. During the interview, Sharpe said that he would like to return to ESPN after he was fired last summer.
In his remarks, Sharpe said he was “willing” and “more than capable.” He also cited the success of his podcasts.
“That’s not my call, [but] I would love to go back if they were to call,” Sharpe said of ESPN. “Burke [Magnus], Jimmy [Pitaro], Dave Roberts. That is their call. But obviously, I’m more than willing, I’m more than capable. They see what we do here on ‘Nightcap.’ They see the numbers that we generate.
“’Club Shay Shay’ was in the Top 10 this weekend on YouTube,” added Sharpe. “Both of our shows are normally in the Top 20. Very few people can say they have a Top 20 show. We normally, customarily have two shows in the Top 20 on YouTube. So clearly, I still have a fan base. I still have a big following. If a reunion is in order, I’m amenable to it.”
The 57-year-old Sharpe joined ESPN in 2023 after he left FOX Sports. But Sharpe, who appeared on “First Take” and other TV programs, was fired by ESPN in July 2025 after settling a lawsuit in which OnlyFans model Gabriella Zuniga accused Sharpe of sexual misconduct. Zuniga later went on to retire from OnlyFans after settling the lawsuit with Sharpe.
Sharpe said a few months ago that he was “at peace” with ESPN’s decision to fire him amid all of the negative publicity. But now Sharpe is hoping for a longshot chance of being rehired by The Worldwide Leader in 2026.
