Warriors are being linked to 2 notable shooters in free agency
The Golden State Warriors may be trying to play 5-out next season.
Golden State is interested in signing two notable shooters this offseason, Bleacher Report’s Jake Fischer reported in a video feature this week. They are eyeing forward Georges Niang and center Kelly Olynyk.
Niang, 33, and Olynyk, 35, are both known for their respective three-point shooting abilities. Both players are also still available as unrestricted free agents.
The 6-foot-7 Niang may be the better overall asset at this point. He averaged a career-high 9.9 points per game combined between the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Atlanta Hawks last season, also connecting on 40.6 percent of his attempts from three.
But the 7-footer Olynyk is also a strong shooter in the frontcourt. He was on the Western Conference champion San Antonio Spurs last season, averaging 3.2 points and 1.8 rebounds in a minimal role of 8.6 minutes per game. Still, Olynyk is a career 36.9 percent three-point shooter, which still makes him a rarity among 7-footers.
The Warriors have yet to make a single free agent addition this offseason, but they did draft rookie Yaxel Lendeborg to go along with their other frontcourt pieces of Draymond Green, Kristaps Porzingis, and Al Horford. With Golden State losing Quinten Post in free agency and also now facing what could be a major crossroads in the 2026-27 season, it looks like they will target size and shooting with one of their remaining roster spots.
College football team announces wild promo allowing fan to become OC
The University of Akron football program is thinking well outside the box to sell more season tickets.
The Akron Zips’ official X account on Tuesday announced a promotion called “Offensive Coordinator Of The Game.” The promo details indicated that one lucky fan would “be able to script the opening drive” during the team’s home opener against Robert Morris at InfoCision Stadium–Summa Field in Akron, Ohio.
Every season ticket holder gets a chance to be chosen during the promo’s Aug. 19 draw, with each successful season ticket referral giving fans an extra entry into the unusual sweepstakes.
Make history and be the lucky season ticket holder to design the opening drive of the home opener when @ZipsFB hosts Robert Morris‼️
— Akron Football (@ZipsFB) August 4, 2026
🗞️https://t.co/G5aTUlVpzT#GoZips🦘#MakeTheClimb pic.twitter.com/Qzu1w0R29O
The jokes were flying in the replies, with many already concocting some of the most deranged play sequences should they end up donning the headset.
Akron fans watching me trot out the kicker for the 6th consecutive wildcat flea flicker pic.twitter.com/RY44Xkj3bu
— BGSU agenda pusher (@BG_AgendaPusher) August 4, 2026
Dive
— MMAislife (@otfervin) August 4, 2026
Dive
Dive
Hail Mary on 4th
One fan raised a fair point — should he or she keep calling the plays if the team scores?
im not giving up the headset if we score
— sandwich guy (@sandwichguy1027) August 4, 2026
More than a couple suggested that they were prepared to have Akron line up for the longest field goal attempt in college football history.
"Akron starts the season first down from their own 20 yard line. It looks like they're…trying an 80 yard field goal?"
— Big Blue Dispatch (@BB_Dispatch) August 5, 2026
Me on 1st and 10: pic.twitter.com/pxryWKvezb
— Richard “Dick” Johnson (@DickJohns0n97) August 4, 2026
Unfortunately for fans dreaming big, the fine print at the bottom of the poster qualified the temporary OC’s powers for said opening drive. The note indicated that the drive would be scripted “with the head coach of course” and that the team was “not crazy” enough to let a fan script the whole thing.
There goes any real chance at a “Good Will Hunting” situation unfolding on the college gridiron.
Brewers’ declined trade offer for Tarik Skubal has been revealed
Tarik Skubal got away from the Milwaukee Brewers, but perhaps more so because of circumstance rather than a lack of effort.
Milwaukee made a trade offer to the Detroit Tigers for Skubal based around three prospects, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reported on Tuesday. All three prospects were reportedly hitters and at least two ranked among MLB Pipeline’s Top 100 prospects.
McCalvy also reports that shortstop phenom Luis Peña (No. 18 in the Top 100) was a confirmed inclusion in the trade package for Skubal. You can read McCalvy’s full report on the situation here.
Other than obvious untouchable Jesus Made (No. 1 in the Top 100), the Brewers also have outfielder Luis Lara (No. 64), infielder Jett Williams (No. 76), and outfielder Josh Adamczewski (No. 87) alongside Peña as their top-100-ranked prospects. But it appears that no combination of the latter four was enough to get a deal done for Skubal.
The Tigers accepted a Skubal trade package from the Los Angeles Dodgers based around outfield phenom Zhyir Hope and pitchers River Ryan and Brady Smith. But that package was deemed to be so weak that conspiracy theories quickly surfaced about the Skubal trade.
McCalvy does note though that Detroit was looking for controllable pitching in a Skubal deal. The Tigers also have a glut of talented young infielders in their farm system, which may partially explain why they declined the Brewers’ offer in favor of a more pitcher and outfielder-heavy package from the Dodgers.
Mark Cuban is looking to buy a stake in 1 major NFL team
Mark Cuban is hoping to expand his ownership portfolio even further.
The Dallas Mavericks minority owner Cuban is a name to watch as a potential investor in the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys, Calvin Watkins of The Dallas Morning News reported this week. Watkins notes that the Cowboys are not currently thinking about selling any shares to private equity groups but are also not ruling out the possibility in the future.
Longtime Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was also quoted as saying that he respects Cuban and respects what Cuban could potentially bring to a franchise. You can read Watkins’ full report on the situation here.
This news comes after Cuban recently purchased a stake in the Athletics of Major League Baseball. Cuban’s investment group Harbinger Sports Partners (for whom Cuban serves as the general partner and president of) bought an undisclosed minority share in the Athletics last month in anticipation of their 2028 move to Las Vegas.
The 68-year-old Cuban was the majority owner of the NBA’s Dallas Mavericks from 2000-2023 before selling his controlling interest to Miriam Adelson and Patrick Dumont. Cuban still retains a 27 percent minority interest in the Mavericks however.
The transition of power with the Mavericks has not exactly gone smoothly, and Cuban is even currently suing Dumont for allegedly freezing him out of team-related business opportunities. But now Cuban is hoping to eventually get in on another marquee Dallas franchise by buying an ownership stake in America’s Team.
Update emerges on rumors linking Ben Simmons to the 76ers
Ben Simmons might potentially end up with his former team … but not without some necessary prerequisites.
Rumors flooded social media this week about the Philadelphia 76ers appearing to be interested in a reunion with their ex-star forward Simmons. The source of the rumors seems to have been a little-known basketball outlet in Spain claiming that the 76ers were considering giving a one-year veteran’s minimum contract to Simmons.
On Tuesday though, Brett Siegel of ClutchPoints provided an update on the rumors. Siegel reports that the 76ers cannot currently sign Simmons to a minimum deal as they are just $1.8 million below their first apron hard cap.
As a result, Philadelphia would need to free up some extra room first. However, Siegel says that there is currently “no talk” of the 76ers getting rid of anyone on their current roster.
Now 30 years old, Simmons was originally the No. 1 pick by Philadelphia in 2016 and went on to earn three All-Star selections, two All-Defensive nods, and one All-NBA honor during his six years there. While Simmons seemed to have burned his bridge with the 76ers with his ugly trade request and holdout saga in 2022, he did say in a recent interview that he was now open to a return (after going unsigned during the 2025-26 season).
Philadelphia does have an open roster spot left and could foreseeably use another ball-handler and defender after the addition of LeBron James in free agency. But since a veteran’s minimum contract would be worth roughly $3.5 million for Simmons (who has nine total years of NBA service), some unexpected roster reshuffling may need to happen first.
Official cause of death for Bulls legend Stacey King has been revealed
Stacey King’s official cause of death is emerging this week.
The Chicago Bulls icon King died from hypertensive cardiovascular disease, Edward Lewis of The California Post reported this week. Citing a spokesperson for the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office, Lewis adds that King’s condition was caused by long-term high-blood pressure (with obesity also reportedly serving as a contributing factor in King’s death).
King died on June 7 at the age of 59. He was reportedly found dead at his home in River Forest, Ill.
Several weeks ago, we learned some details about King’s death, including that he had suffered a fall at his home. Now the official cause of death from the local Medical Examiner’s Office has been disclosed.
Listed at 6-foot-11 and 230 pounds during his playing career, King played in the NBA for eight total seasons from 1989-97. King enjoyed his greatest success with the Bulls, winning three straight championships with them from 1991-93 while averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game overall in Chicago.
After retiring as a player, King went into a 20-year career as a television broadcaster for the Bulls. He became a beloved figure for his animated and energetic calls on the air, and fans are already missing his iconic voice over Chicago highlights.
Why 1 Lakers player will not attend Luka Doncic’s overseas minicamp
Luka Doncic is trying his best to have the Los Angeles Lakers bond before the 2026-27 NBA season.
Doncic is hosting his teammates for a four-day minicamp in his home country of Slovenia. The minicamp will include workouts, tours and golf.
So far, 16 of 17 Lakers players are planning to attend, including Walker Kessler, who came to LA via a sign-and-trade this summer. The one player who won’t attend is rookie Cameron Carr, the team’s first-round pick, due to other NBA obligations, according to NBA insider Marc Stein.
“I’m told that 16 of the 17 players on the Lakers’ roster not named Doncic — from Austin Reaves to Walker Kessler to Bronny James to two-way signees Arthur Kaluma, Chris Mañon and AK Okereke –have all committed to attend,” Stein wrote. “League sources say it would have been 17 of 17 if just-drafted swingman Cameron Carr wasn’t required to participate in an official NBA rookie orientation that conflicts with what Doncic is calling a “team bonding trip.”
The bonding trip is scheduled for August 20–24, and Carr is set to be a part of the NBA’s Rookie Transition Program, which goes over several things to get them ready for the jump to the NBA.
Carr played for the Tennessee Volunteers before finishing his college career with the Baylor Bears, and he was selected by the Lakers at No. 24 overall in the most recent NBA draft.
Padres could void $32 million after pitcher’s rehab setback
The San Diego Padres looked like they could get starting pitchers Nick Pivetta and Joe Musgrove back for the postseason push.
Pivetta made a rehab start on Tuesday for the Lake Elsinore Storm, but he exited after just 14 pitches and went to the dugout in frustration.
An update from Lake Elsinore.
— Sammy Levitt (@SammyLev) August 4, 2026
Nick Pivetta walked off the mound after throwing a pitch and went straight to the dugout. pic.twitter.com/qdpo3eGHZ9
Pivetta started just four games before landing on the IL due to a right elbow injury, and he has been working hard to make it back.
However, this latest setback is a tough blow, and the Padres could void the rest of Pivetta’s deal.
“San Diego could cut short Nick Pivetta’s $55 million, four-year contract after two seasons if he gets a specified long-term injury and the Padres also could extend the deal for a fifth season at the relatively low price of $5 million,” according to Ronald Blum of The Associated Press.
Pivetta signed a four-year, $55 million deal before the 2025 season, so the Padres could void the remaining $32 million if Pivetta doesn’t return by August 22.
Brutal.
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) August 4, 2026
Nick Pivetta threw a pitch and immediately took himself out of the game in his rehab start.
Of note: If Pivetta isn’t back by August 22nd, the Padres can void the final 2 years, $32 million of his contract. pic.twitter.com/T1qapdF0qS
The Padres acquired a pair of pitchers at the trade deadline, landing Robbie Ray in a deal with the San Francisco Giants and Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers, so there is some help on the way.
Still, Pivetta was San Diego’s best starter in 2025, and depending on how the next few weeks go, he could be cut loose following the 2026 campaign.
Mike McCarthy responds after Aaron Rodgers’ Dr. Fauci comments
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers sure made headlines on Monday when asked about Dr. Fauci.
Rodgers called Dr. Tony Fauci an “absolute coward” in response to an unrelated question on “The Pat McAfee Show.”
On Tuesday, Steelers coach Mike McCarthy was asked about the comments from his QB, but he didn’t give an inch and said he is focused on football.
“These are grown men. They all have different opinions. There’s no question about that,” McCarthy said. “But at the end of the day, my job is to keep it about football, keep the focus on winning. That’s why we’re here. We have a good locker room. We have a player council that’s in place. We had our second meeting yesterday. We’re in a good spot.”
"They're grown men. They all have different opinions."#Steelers head coach Mike McCarthy on Aaron Rodgers' comments on The Pat McAfee Show where he called Dr. Anthony Fauci an "absolute coward."#NFL pic.twitter.com/Wz9s2S0U1i
— FOX 53 (@fox53wpgh) August 4, 2026
Steelers spokesperson Burt Lauten also told The Athletic that players are “entitled to their own personal views.”
Rodgers’ comments quickly circulated across social media, and the 42-year-old QB didn’t have much reservation about what was going through his mind.
McCarthy knows Rodgers very well, as the two spent plenty of time together with the Green Bay Packers. The Steelers hired McCarthy as the new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down, and this figures to be the final season of Rodgers’ career.
Aaron Donald’s potential NFL comeback could be part of a new media career
Signs continue to point to Aaron Donald returning to the Los Angeles Rams after spending the last two years in retirement. A new report suggests he is planning big moves off the field as well.
Donald has signed with management company Envisionary with the aim of expanding his businesses, brand partnerships, and overall profile in the media and entertainment industries, according to Ryan Glasspiegel of Front Office Sports. As part of that deal, Donald has begun to develop his own docuseries.
While there is no reason to think Donald’s potential comeback is being done to fuel a media career, a docuseries about it would certainly be enticing, assuming he is the subject of that series. While he has largely kept himself out of the spotlight since retiring, he seems to keep tabs on the NFL and would be highly sought as an analyst. On the other hand, any meaningful media or entertainment career would probably have to wait until he is certain that his playing days are finished.
Donald has been teasing a comeback ever since the Rams acquired Myles Garrett in a trade at the start of June. He still has yet to make a firm decision, but the consensus is he is leaning toward doing it, and even coach Sean McVay is suggesting it is growing increasingly likely.
Between his potential NFL comeback and the media career he is eyeing, it sounds like we should get used to seeing a lot more of Donald in the months and years to come.
Robert Saleh throws Titans star out of practice
Robert Saleh appears to be putting his stamp of authority on the Tennessee Titans.
Star defensive tackle Jeffery Simmons was thrown out of Tuesday’s practice after getting into a fight with members of the team’s offensive line. Reports suggested that Simmons threw a punch at tackle JC Latham, prompting other offensive linemen to intervene.
#Titans Jeffery Simmons and Austin Schlottman w/some extracurricular after a play. Simmons swung in JC Latham in the scrum before Tanzel Smart grabbed Simmons. Saleh didn't like it. Stopped practice and gathered the group for a cool down talk. Simmons was forced to work in a side…
— TURRON DAVENPORT (@TDavenport_NFL) August 4, 2026
Saleh’s reaction was swift. He booted Simmons out of practice and banished him to a side field for the rest of the day. According to the Titans coach, the team has a policy that throwing a punch is an automatic ejection from practice, just as it would be in a real game.
Saleh on Jeffery Simmons, who got into a practice skirmish with JC Latham: Our policy is if you throw a punch, you're ejected, just like in a game, in explaining why Jeffery Simmons didn't finish. Simmons worked on the side field
— Jim Wyatt (@jwyattsports) August 4, 2026
Simmons is the anchor of the Titans’ defense. The team is certainly paying him like it, and his 42.5 career sacks over seven seasons would demonstrate that as well. If Saleh has no problem holding him accountable, it should certainly send a message to the rest of the team.
Notably, there are previous instances of Simmons getting into it with teammates during training camp. Two years ago, then-coach Brian Callahan did not take any action against Simmons. Saleh appears to be going for a much more disciplined approach.
Deshaun Watson got hostile reception from Browns fans at camp
Deshaun Watson has not even taken the field in a game situation this season, but he is already getting a reminder that Cleveland Browns fans do not particularly like him.
The Browns held one of their open practices Tuesday during training camp in Berea, Oh., and both Watson and fellow quarterback Shedeur Sanders got some reps in. Watson, however, was a lot less popular.
According to Noah Olson of SINow, Watson even got booed at one point.
Watson currently being boo’ed by Browns fans. #DawgPound
— Noah Olson (@Noaholson77) August 4, 2026
Reports largely indicated that the defense was well ahead of the offense on Tuesday, and that was not solely down to Watson.
First session of 11-on-11s firmly dominated by the defense and the defensive line specifically. Shedeur Sanders, Deshaun Watson and Dillon Gabriel all took snaps, and each had dropbacks that likely end in sacks.
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) August 4, 2026
Watson has a lot of work to do if he ever wants to get on the good side of Cleveland fans. This is, after all, a fanbase that could be heard cheering when the quarterback suffered a significant injury during a game two years ago.
Thus far, Watson has been a very expensive mistake for the Browns. He signed a fully-guaranteed 5-year, $230 million deal with the team after being traded there in 2022, but has been hurt a lot and performed very poorly when he was actually on the field. Despite that, he may have the inside track on being the team’s Week 1 starter now that he is healthy again.
Steelers player suggests Mike McCarthy’s training camp is a significant change
The Pittsburgh Steelers are holding training camp under a coach other than Mike Tomlin for the first time since 2006, and things are clearly quite different.
Gerry Dulac of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, who has covered the Steelers since 1993, revealed that Monday’s practice was the “most tame, uneventful first day in pads” he had seen while covering the team. Running back Jaylen Warren did not speak in terms quite as stark, but it was pretty obvious that the Steelers were ratcheting down the intensity under Mike McCarthy relative to what things were like under Tomlin.
“It’s not what we’re used to,” Warren told reporters.
That was the most tame, uneventful first day in pads I've seen in all my years at training camp. "It's not what we're used to," said RB Jaylen Warren.
— Gerry Dulac (@gerrydulac) August 3, 2026
Tomlin was certainly known for his intensity. That approach did yield results, as he never actually posted a losing season in his time coaching the Steelers. On the other hand, this does not necessarily need to be a bad thing, especially if McCarthy’s lighter touch keeps players fresh later into the season.
McCarthy has a reputation as a players’ coach, and his players loved him in Dallas, where he last coached. If the Steelers have a strong first season under him, nobody will be bothered by him being a bit less tough on his players. If they do not, expect to hear criticism about him taking too soft an approach.
Falcons lose key player to apparent season-ending injury
Training camp has yet to wrap up, but we already have our first significant injury of the NFL season.
Atlanta Falcons edge Jalon Walker likely suffered a torn ACL during Tuesday’s practice, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Walker suffered the injury right at the end of practice and had to be carted off the field.
#Falcons promising edge Jalon Walker is feared to have torn his ACL, per me and @wyche89, a potential brutal injury for this defense.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2026
Walker will have an MRI to confirm the injury from practice today, which drew an emotional reaction from his team. pic.twitter.com/Io6ldOVVeu
This would be a brutal blow for the Falcons in more ways than one. Walker was very impressive as a rookie last season, as the 15th overall pick from the 2025 NFL Draft collected 5.5 sacks and 36 total tackles in his first year.
The injury also hits the Falcons hard positionally. The team is already bracing itself for a potential suspension to edge James Pearce Jr. due to his offseason arrest. Walker would have been leaned on to take on a more significant role in that scenario.
The Falcons will have little choice but to try to add some more help at the position at this point. As it stands, Azeez Ojulari, Samson Ebukam, and Bralen Trice would take on the bulk of the snaps on the edges.
NFL reporter makes prediction about Aaron Donald
Aaron Donald has yet to formally decide whether or not he will play this season, but those in the know seem to think the decision has already been made.
Albert Breer of The MMQB appeared on “The Dan Patrick Show” Tuesday and suggested that Donald will likely return to the NFL and play the entire 2026 season. He does not anticipate a decision being made before next week, but also indicated that Donald and the Rams will have a plan in place to make sure he can get up to speed in time for Week 1.
“I think he’s coming back and I think he will play the full season,” Breer predicted. “Sean McVay and Aaron Donald are very, very close. They already have a framework of a plan laid out for how this is going to work and what this is going to look like.”
"I think he's coming back and I think he will play the whole season."
— Dan Patrick Show (@dpshow) August 4, 2026
– @AlbertBreer on Aaron Donald pic.twitter.com/wsCSnGxwOg
On one hand, no decision has been made publicly. On the other hand, even coach Sean McVay is pretty strongly hinting that Donald is leaning toward a comeback. Other insiders have also indicated that a comeback is more likely than not at this point.
Whispers of a potential Donald comeback began to spread the moment the Rams traded for Myles Garrett in June. Donald himself reportedly told media members that he instantly began weighing the pros and cons, though he is clearly determined to make sure he can fulfill the physical demands of an NFL season before committing to playing.
Report reveals Falcons’ likely starter at QB
The Atlanta Falcons already know who will likely start at quarterback for them in Week 1, and the decision does not sound like a tough one at all.
Tua Tagovailoa is almost certain to be the Falcons’ starting quarterback for Week 1, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. The reasoning is simple: Michael Penix Jr. still has not been medically cleared as he continues to recover from his ACL tear.
“Tua Tagovailoa, who now is healthy and back in practice, has gotten all the first-team reps,” Rapoport said. “It certainly seems like, based on the way this thing is tracking, that he will likely be the Week 1 starter for the Atlanta Falcons. Michael Penix is still recovering from an ACL injury. He has not yet been cleared. Until he is medically cleared, he is not the starter.”
From Inside Training Camp Live: A look at the #Vikings and #Falcons QB situations… with the likelihood that Tua Tagovailoa is the Week 1 starter for ATL as Michael Penix focuses on getting healthy before he jumps into the mix. pic.twitter.com/j9SfF24tTe
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 4, 2026
Tagovailoa had been dealing with his own injury ahead of training camp, but it appears to have been minor, as Rapoport says he has recovered from it.
The Falcons signed Tagovailoa in March as insurance while they waited for Penix to recover from his ACL injury. At the time, there was a belief that the two would wind up competing for the job in training camp, a battle Tagovailoa was confident of winning. It seems he might have simply won it by default now.
During his final season with the Dolphins in 2025, Tagovailoa passed for 2,660 yards and 20 touchdowns against 15 interceptions, while completing 67.7% of his throws across 14 games.
Aaron Rodgers makes admission about his health during Steelers’ last playoff game
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Aaron Rodgers was playing through a significant health problem during the team’s playoff game last season.
Rodgers said he was battling flu-like symptoms prior to the Steelers’ AFC Wild Card loss to the Houston Texans. Though Rodgers felt he had recovered by the start of the game, the team had actually sent him home the day before the game.
“I wasn’t feeling good, and I actually came over to the team hotel, and they sent me home — probably because I was pale and looked like s—,” Rodgers admitted Saturday, via Michael Silver of The Athletic.
Rodgers said he experienced fever and vomiting, but former Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith said the quarterback was “downplaying” how sick he was.
“There was never a question he was gonna play, and he’s never one to complain, but he looked terrible (before the game),” Smith said.
Rodgers struggled during that game, going 17/33 for 146 yards with two turnovers. At the time, it was largely chalked up to the Texans’ outstanding defense, and Rodgers did not seem to be doing badly after the game, either.
Either way, Rodgers is returning for one more season. That will not be his last time on an NFL field, which might have been one motivating factor to play for the Steelers in 2026.
Panthers have made a decision on Kenny Pickett
The Carolina Panthers will be going with Kenny Pickett as their starter under center when they take on the Arizona Cardinals in Thursday’s preseason Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
Panthers head coach Dave Canales announced the decision on Monday.
Bryce Young remains the Panthers’ QB1, but he’s unlikely to see action in the exhibition matchup, so it will be the former Pittsburgh Panthers star quarterback Pickett and undrafted free agent rookie Haynes King, who are expected to share the quarterbacking chores against the Cardinals.
“We have a good number of guys that will be helping out early on in the game, just because we don’t want to overload any one particular group on our team,” Canales said, via Darin Gantt & Kassidy Hill of the Panthers’ official website. “We do have practices leading into the game, and we have practices coming out of it, so I felt that with a number of guys being out there, being able to take a couple of series will really help the whole group, and we just need the football.
“So I’m excited about it, and Kenny is excited as well as the rest of the group, and they’ve been talking a lot about it.”
A first-round pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, Pickett is coming off a stint in 2025 with the Las Vegas Raiders, with whom he appeared in six games, including two starts. He passed for 188 yards and a touchdown with 2 interceptions on a 62.2% completion rate with the Raiders.
He had plenty of experience as a starter during his first two seasons in the league with Pittsburgh. From 2022 to 2023, he appeared in 25 games (24 starts) and went 14-10, while throwing for 4,474 passing yards and 13 touchdowns against 13 interceptions on a 62.6% completion rate.
It is also worth noting that Pickett won a Super Bowl with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2025.
MLB players ‘broke down crying’ on the team plane after learning of huge trade
The Toronto Blue Jays and their players had quite an emotional rollercoaster heading into Monday’s MLB trade deadline.
According to Mitch Bannon of The Athletic, some players on the team were so devastated after learning of pitcher Kevin Gausman’s trade to the Chicago Cubs that they were reduced to tears while on the team plane.
“[Dalton]Varsho says he, Kevin Gausman and George Springer broke down crying on the #BlueJays team plane last night when Gausman was traded to Chicago,” Bannon shared on X.
The two-time All-Star Gausman was always vocal about how much he loved his time with the Blue Jays and the city of Toronto, making his departure from the franchise all the more painful. But he will have to finish the 2026 season with another team in another league, as he now looks to help the Cubs make a run in the second half with the goal of making the MLB postseason.
Interestingly enough, Varsho was also let go by Toronto in a trade on Monday, sending him to the Houston Astros for pitcher Spencer Arrighetti.
Additionally, Toronto traded reliever Jeff Hoffman to the Minnesota Twins for three prospects, namely Dasan Hill, John Klein and Damuery Pena.
Gausman, Varsho and Hoffman were all part of Toronto’s 2025 American League championship team, one that came so close to winning the World Series. But they won’t get the chance to finish that unfinished business together after being traded to different teams.
Fans had the most ruthless reactions to the Mets’ message for traded pitcher
Hearts aren’t exactly broken in Queens after the news of Freddy Peralta’s trade from the New York Mets to the Tampa Bay Rays.
On Sunday, New York traded the 30-year-old Peralta to the Rays in exchange for three minor leaguers in outfielder Aidan Smith, infielder Emilien Pitre and right-hander Gary Gill Hill.
In a farewell post for Peralta, the Mets expressed their gratitude for his contributions to the team over a short time.
Thank you, Freddy. pic.twitter.com/jbXi6apyvf
— New York Mets (@Mets) August 2, 2026
Meanwhile, several fans took to the post’s comment section to express their bewilderment over what exactly the Mets were thanking Peralta for, considering his disappointing numbers with the team.
This guy caused the Mets less nightmares. pic.twitter.com/oH9vXyiZrJ
— CluelessMickey (@CluelessMickeyC) August 2, 2026
— Suffering Padres Fan (@pleasewinpads) August 2, 2026
— Jxroce (@jxroce) August 2, 2026
For what exactly? Being trash? Having the second highest era in baseball?
— ThatNYsportsguy (@ThatNYsportsguy) August 2, 2026
For what?
— The 7 Line (@The7Line) August 2, 2026
The Mets traded infielder Jett Williams and pitcher Brandon Sproat to the Milwaukee Brewers in January to get Peralta and another pitcher in Tobias Myers.
That deal initially sounded like a fair one for the Mets since Peralta had just led the National League in wins (17) in the previous season. But he’s regressed in 2026, going just 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA and an 83 OPS+ in 22 starts. Those are numbers Mets fans clearly aren’t appreciating.
Peralta, however, is now in a much better position to win a World Series than the Mets are to even make the playoffs.
The Rays are currently leading the American League with a 65-46 record, while the Mets are wallowing in the bottom of the NL East standings with a 47-66 record (20.5 games behind the division-leading Atlanta Braves).
