Knicks denied their requests to interview 2 current NBA head coaches
The New York Knicks have hit some speed bumps in their quest to fill their head coaching vacancy.
The Knicks requested permission to interview Minnesota Timberwolves head coach Chris Finch as well as Houston Rockets head coach Ime Udoka, Shams Charania of ESPN reported on Tuesday. However, the Knicks ultimately had both of those requests denied by the two respective teams, Charania adds.
Finch and Udoka had both been linked to the Knicks opening for the last several days now. But with the latter winning 52 games and a division title this season and the former having made back-to-back appearances in the Western Conference Finals, they were always going to be extremely tough gets. Now this latest news effectively confirms that Finch and Udoka will be staying put in their respective posts.
The Knicks, who made it to the conference finals themselves this year for the first time since 2000, are looking for a new head coach after stunningly deciding earlier this month to fire Tom Thibodeau. Some new details have since emerged on why exactly Thibodeau was let go.
Charania notes that the Knicks can still request permission to interview other currently employed NBA head coaches. However, if the Knicks do go that route and successfully make a hire, they will be required to provide compensation to the employed head coach’s existing team.
Being denied permission to interview Finch and Udoka ultimately might not be the worst outcome for the Knicks. In fact, a report broke earlier this week claiming that the Knicks have a different preferred candidate in mind.
Rams player boycotting Madden 26 over his embarrassing cameo in game’s trailer
Los Angeles Rams safety Kamren Curl is understandably not a fan of the latest installment of the Madden video game franchise.
Last week, EA Sports uploaded a trailer for Madden NFL 26, which is set for release in August. Philadelphia Eagles running back Saquon Barkley, the cover athlete for this year’s game, was the star of the sneak peek.
Fans were thrown into a snowy showdown between Barkley’s Eagles and Curl’s Rams. Virtual Barkley got the ball in the backfield and executed a wicked inside-out move that had Curl slipping in the snow.
This new #Madden26 trailer did Kam Curl dirty… pic.twitter.com/Iq57hP7qDX
— Rams Bros. (@RamsBrothers) June 4, 2025
Curl caught wind of his hilarious cameo. The 26-year-old posted on X that he was boycotting the game this year.
“Lmao I ain’t playing Madden this year,” Curl wrote.
“Been playing all my life and this how my first time being on the trailer gone [sic] be,” the Rams defender added in response to Seattle Seahawks cornerback Quandre Diggs.
Lmao I ain’t playing madden this year 🖕🏾
— Kam Curl (@KCurl_2) June 4, 2025
The trailer’s goal was obviously to make Barkley look good while showing off the game’s slick mechanics on the field. Someone has to be on the wrong end of the highlight. Unfortunately for Curl, he played the role of the Washington Generals to Barkley’s Harlem Globetrotters.
But in all fairness to the Madden PR team, the trailer was just a recreation of an actual play Barkley pulled off during his first season with the Eagles. Barkley really did have Curl slipping in the snow during the Eagles-Rams Divisional Round matchup in January.
Is that you on the ground Dawg ?
— M_Cip (@TheCip41) June 5, 2025
🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅🦅 pic.twitter.com/CMsQ6hLH5M
Madden NFL 26 stuck to the source material for this one. At least the game didn’t botch Curl’s face like they did Marvin Harrison Jr. for Madden NFL 25.
Shohei Ohtani’s pitching return date is taking shape
Shohei Ohtani is getting closer to the finish line when it comes to his rehab as a pitcher.
The Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Ohtani is expected to join the rotation at some point in July, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN reported on Tuesday. Furthermore, there is a “slight chance” that Ohtani could make his pitching debut for the Dodgers before the All-Star break, Gonzalez adds.
This latest development comes with Ohtani having just completed three simulated innings of pitching (totaling 44 pitches) on Tuesday afternoon. Ohtani has been facing live hitters since the end of May and has now taken another big step towards his return as a pitcher.
About to turn 31 years old, Ohtani has not pitched since undergoing UCL surgery on his right elbow in Sept. 2023 (when he was still a member of the Los Angeles Angels). That marked Ohtani’s second major surgery on his pitching elbow after a Tommy John procedure in 2018.
With the Dodgers set to play their final game of the All-Star break on July 13, it is possible that Ohtani could finally be pitching for them within a month’s time. He has also recently looked good on video while throwing live batting practice.
As for the Dodgers as a team, they are an NL West-leading 40-27 this season, but that marks “only” the fifth-best record in baseball right now. While the Dodgers have another absurd amount of pitching injuries they are dealing with at the moment, it looks like they will only have to wait a little bit longer to finally see the reigning NL MVP Ohtani take the mound for them.
Scottie Scheffler reveals angry sports bettors forced him to delete his Venmo account
Not even Scottie Scheffler is spared from those pesky sports bettors.
The No. 1 golfer in the world talked to reporters Tuesday ahead of the 2025 US Open at the Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, Pa. Scheffler spoke about his less-than-savory interactions with fans, particularly the ones upset at him for losing them a bet.
Scheffler revealed that he has since deleted his Venmo account because too many fans had been requesting money from him.
“I think everyone hears from fans, whether they have a financial benefit or anything in their outcome,” Scheffler said. “That’s why I had to get rid of my Venmo, because I was either getting paid by people or people were requesting me a bunch of money when I didn’t win. It wasn’t a good feeling.”
Scottie Scheffler had to delete his Venmo after fans requested money. 🤣 pic.twitter.com/7yDCxjGP6S
— Golf Digest (@GolfDigest) June 10, 2025
Scheffler was asked about the fans who sent him money after he won tournaments, particularly about the biggest donation he had ever received. The 28-year-old said that he only ever got “a couple bucks” and that it “didn’t happen nearly as much as they requested.”
Given his immense success on the fairway, Scheffler has made fans much more money than he has lost if they just bet on him consistently. Since 2023, betting on Scheffler each tournament would have actually earned someone more money than investing in the S&P 500.
For all you golf degens out there:
— Silent Stackers (@Silent_stackers) June 6, 2025
Scottie Scheffler has outperformed the S&P 500 over the last 3.5 years.
The man’s not just winning tournaments, he’s beating the market. pic.twitter.com/039Pgd9eYI
How strangers got hold of Scheffler’s Venmo account number remains unclear. But Scheffler’s experience is far from an isolated case, with several athletes across different sports sharing similar experiences. Last month, an MLB All-Star received death threats against him and his children from a disgruntled overseas bettor.
Report: Kevin Durant now has 1 clear trade preference
Kevin Durant appears to be zeroing in on a new target.
The former NBA MVP Durant prefers a trade to the San Antonio Spurs, Ashish Mathur of Hoops Wire reported on Tuesday. Mathur further adds that Durant and the Spurs had mutual interest at the trade deadline last February and notes that Durant played his college ball at the University of Texas.
The information aligns with other recent reporting linking Durant to the Spurs. For one, Bill Simmons of The Ringer suggested on the latest episode of his podcast that a San Antonio trade for Durant may be “done already.”
Bill Simmons thinks Kevin Durant to the Spurs could be done
— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) June 9, 2025
“I wouldn't be surprised if KD to the Spurs is done already… like they’ve agreed on the specifics and they’ll just announce it the week of the draft.”
(Via @rBillSimmonsPod) pic.twitter.com/tgtz9u8uzm
Durant, now 36, is entering the final year of his contract next season at $54.7 million. He is widely expected to be traded away in the coming weeks by the Phoenix Suns (whom Durant has spent the last two-and-a-half seasons with, including a miserable 36-46 finish this season).
The Spurs obviously have plenty of intrigue with all-world seven-footer Victor Wembanyama, 21, and former All-NBA point guard De’Aaron Fox, 27, to build around. San Antonio also holds a lot of superb trade assets to offer to Phoenix, including reigning Rookie of the Year Stephon Castle, 20, and the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s draft.
Granted, the Spurs finished this season with an even worse record (34-48) than Durant’s Suns had, and there are multiple teams way closer to championship contention who are also pursuing Durant. But armed with the leverage of a walk year, it looks like Durant is ready to steer his way to the Lone Star State and attempt to join San Antonio.
Craig Kimbrel quickly lands with new team
Craig Kimbrel has officially landed with his ninth different MLB team.
The veteran reliever Kimbrel has agreed to a deal with the Texas Rangers, Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported on Tuesday. Kimbrel and the Rangers have come to terms on a minor-league contract, Rosenthal adds.
Now 37 years old, Kimbrel is one of baseball’s most decorated relievers as a nine-time All-Star and a four-time NL saves leader. Kimbrel is also one of only eight members of the 400-save club and won a World Series as a member of the Boston Red Sox in 2018.
Earlier this week, Kimbrel was involved in a bizarre saga with the Atlanta Braves, the team whom he first began his MLB career with. Kimbrel reunited with the Braves on a minor-league deal over the offseason and looked excellent in Double-A and Triple-A action this year, posting a 2.00 ERA over 18 combined appearancecs.
The right-hander Kimbrel was ultimately called up to the major league roster by the Braves for their game on June 6 (during which Kimbrel threw a scoreless seventh inning). But then the very next day, Atlanta bafflingly decided to designate Kimbrel for assignment. He then elected free agency after getting DFA’d.
As for the Rangers, they are a very underwhelming 31-35 this season and have not gotten much out of their bullpen (especially with fellow righty Josh Sborz still on IL recovering from offseason shoulder surgery). While Kimbrel was largely awful during his last full season of MLB work with the Baltimore Orioles in 2024, he should get a chance to be a part of the big-league roster in Texas before long.
Shedeur Sanders shuts down question about his father
Cleveland Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders was not interested in answering questions about his father’s health when they came up on Tuesday.
Deion Sanders is away from the Colorado football team due to an unspecified health issue. When asked about it Tuesday, his son suggested he did not even know much about the issue, and shut down further questions about it.
“I don’t know what’s going on,” Shedeur Sanders told reporters. “I’m here not to talk about pops. I’m here for the quarterback of the Cleveland Browns.”
🔥 Shedeur Sanders. Ridiculous Question. A Perfect Answer
— JaKi 🇺🇸 (@JaKiTruth) June 10, 2025
"I'm not here to talk about pops. I'm here to talk about the QB of the Cleveland Browns"
📽️ @Browns https://t.co/enEGHKG3vl pic.twitter.com/VAcAA4Unkf
Deion Sanders’ health issue was initially divulged by his oldest son Deion Jr., who said his father is feeling well but is not yet back on campus. Sanders Jr. added that Deion would discuss the issue on his own terms, and Shedeur is backing that up.
Shedeur will inevitably be asked about anything relating to his father, especially if it sounds like it could be significant news. He certainly has no obligation to answer, as was the case here.
Right now, Shedeur is focused on proving himself to the Browns after his big fall in the NFL Draft. Early reports out of the team’s camp have been pretty positive, at least so far.
Josh Naylor was so ticked off after his walk-off grand slam
Josh Naylor delivered a walk-off grand slam for his Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday night, but you wouldn’t know it based on his reaction in a postgame interview.
Naylor’s Diamondbacks beat the visiting Seattle Mariners 8-4 in 11 innings at Chase Field in Phoenix, Ariz. Naylor was facing Carlos Vargas with the bases loaded and one out, and he smashed a 1-2 pitch into right-center field for a grand slam to end the game. Naylor took his sweet time going around the bases before making it home for the win.
JOSH NAYLOR WALK-OFF GRAND SLAM pic.twitter.com/RNqCW8nK8i
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 10, 2025
After the game, Naylor was interviewed by the Diamondbacks’ TV partner after the game. Teammate Geraldo Perdomo dumped some water on him during the interview, and Naylor did not look peased at all.
After dodging Domo with the cooler, Naylor looks ecstatic to get water bottles dumped on him ☠️ pic.twitter.com/FV3WryVOUM
— Mack⚾️🏒 (@dbackmack) June 10, 2025
What’s Naylor’s deal? Does he just not like getting water dumped on him? He had a similar reaction when a teammate did that to him in Cleveland.
Don't overthink the video below. That's just Josh Naylor's personality. No issue here—he might just be a serious guy or simply doesn't like water dumped on him. https://t.co/SHjUm5WxWF pic.twitter.com/EDR8hzfwMB
— 🌵 Mr. Az (@MrAzSports) June 10, 2025
That’s no fun. Bring back the maniac!
Marvin Harrison Jr. is looking huge in new photo
Marvin Harrison Jr. has been putting in some time in the weight room.
The Arizona Cardinals on Monday shared a photo of Harrison via social media. People could not believe just how big he looked and how much muscle he had put on.
Year 2 Marv. pic.twitter.com/dDMhw6EMrX
— Arizona Cardinals (@AZCardinals) June 9, 2025
Was the photo enhanced or altered in some way? Did he just come from a bodybuilding competition? How in the world did he get so huge?
It’s not like he didn’t have muscles last year, but the definition and veins are extreme now.
Marvin Harrison Jr. year 1 vs year 2 🤯 pic.twitter.com/aiKR8aCVWF
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 10, 2025
Harrison was the No. 4 overall pick by the Cardinals last year out of Ohio State. The 22-year-old had 62 catches for 885 yards and 8 touchdowns in 2024. By the looks of things, Harrison is hunting his first 100-catch, 1,000-yard, 10-touchdown season in the NFL. He might have some competition from teammate Trey McBride in that category, but he looks primed for a big season. David Boston would be proud.
College basketball is adopting a controversial NBA rule
The NCAA is introducing a new rule to college basketball that the NBA is already familiar with.
NCAA Playing Rules Oversight Panel on Tuesday approved the addition of coach’s challenges for the 2025-26 season, according to Jeff Borzello of ESPN. Coaches will be allowed to challenge out-of-bounds calls, basket interference or goaltending, and whether a secondary defender was in the restricted area.
Similar to the NBA, coaches will only be allowed to challenge plays if they have at least one timeout remaining. A successful challenge will entitle a coach to a second challenge, but an unsuccessful one means the team will be out of challenges for the rest of the game.
It was perhaps inevitable that something like this would make its way to the NCAA after being introduced in the NBA in 2019. Challenges have been successfully used in some pivotal moments, and a well-timed challenge can certainly impact a game. Similarly, poor use of a challenge can cost a team a timeout and leave them with no recourse against a bad call later in the game.
There have been some unpopular side effects of the challenge rule in the NBA, and critics argue that they also slow down games. College coaches will have to make some adjustments to get the best out of the system, just as their NBA counterparts had to do.
Phillies suffer another major injury blow
The struggling Philadelphia Phillies absorbed another major injury blow to a star player on Tuesday.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson revealed that an MRI showed a stress reaction in pitcher Aaron Nola’s rib cage. Nola will be shut down for at least two weeks, and may be out until after the All-Star break in July.
An MRI showed a stress reaction in Aaron Nola’s right rib cage, Rob Thomson said. Nola will not throw for at least two weeks. A rather significant setback that probably means he doesn’t return until after All-Star break.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) June 10, 2025
Nola has been on the injured list for the last month due to an ankle injury, and he has not pitched since May 14. The fact that this new problem does not appear related to that is definitely a major concern, and it means Nola is looking at a spell on the sidelines that may ultimately exceed two months.
Nola had been struggling even before his injury, with an uncharacteristically high 6.16 ERA in his first nine starts of the 2025 season.
The Phillies are dealing with significant attrition right now even beyond Nola. Bryce Harper is also out for the foreseeable future due to a lingering wrist injury that also appears to be cause for concern.
This latest setback comes amid a stretch that had seen the Phillies lose nine of their last ten games prior to a walk-off win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday. They sit at 38-28 entering play Tuesday, four games back of the New York Mets in the National League East.
The Phillies have enough talent to absorb two big losses like this, but they will not want to be without Harper or Nola for too long. Unfortunately, it looks like they will be without both for at least a week, if not more.
Mike Tomlin has 1-word answer about TJ Watt’s status
Star edge rusher TJ Watt was a no-show for the first day of mandatory minicamp with the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the organization does not sound too concerned.
Watt is seeking a new contract from the Steelers and is skipping minicamp until he gets one. Coach Mike Tomlin said Watt’s absence was not a surprise, and that the two sides are working to get something done.
When asked if he was concerned about Watt’s future with the Steelers, Tomlin offered a simple one-word answer: “No.”
Mike Tomlin was asked if there's concern about T.J. Watt's future with the Steelers, and said simply: "No." https://t.co/No7q2ChL6W
— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) June 10, 2025
Watt has been hinting for a while at unhappiness over his contract. He is entering the final year of a four-year, $112 million extension he signed in September 2021, and has made it clear that he wants to remain with the team, but also wants to be fairly compensated. At least publicly, the Steelers are acknowledging that demand and seem willing to work with Watt to address the situation.
The situation is serious enough that there has been trade speculation, but that does not appear to be something the Steelers are entertaining at this time.
Watt collected 11.5 sacks for Pittsburgh last season and was selected to his seventh Pro Bowl. The 30-year-old should post big numbers again in 2025 provided his contract situation is worked out.
Fans all said the same thing about Aaron Rodgers getting married
Aaron Rodgers has finally put an end to the speculation about the ring he has been wearing on his left hand, and many fans had the same reaction to the big news.
Rodgers has been spotted on more than one occasion this offseason wearing what looked like a wedding band. In his first media availability as a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday, the star quarterback confirmed that he is married.
Almost nothing is known about Rodgers’ new wife. The 41-year-old would likely say that is because he wants privacy with his personal life, but a lot of people are not buying it.
After Rodgers confirmed that he is married, many fans said the same thing about how much the four-time NFL MVP loves attention.
This dude LOVES attention.
— David Hookstead (@dhookstead) June 10, 2025
Absolute king of doing things "not for attention" for attention
— RushingBaseball (@RushingBaseball) June 10, 2025
This guy man… always has to be the center of attention.
— Unbiased Colts Fan (@UnbiasedColtFan) June 10, 2025
For the guy who hates media attention, he sure does add a lot too it.
— Roll Coverage Pod (@RollCoveragePod) June 10, 2025
Bro tries so hard to be mysterious
— Max Hooper (@maxhoopr) June 10, 2025
Rodgers revealed in an interview with “The Pat McAfee Show” last December that he had a girlfriend named Brittani. We are unsure of the exact spelling of the woman’s name, but Rodgers specified that she was “Brittani with an ‘I’” when he brought it up. It is also unclear if that is the woman Rodgers ended up marrying.
Though he insists he prefers to keep his private life under wraps, Rodgers’ dating resume includes a NASCAR driver (Danica Patrick) and two well-known actresses (Shailene Woodley and Olivia Munn).
You could make the argument that Rodgers wearing a wedding band around while revealing nothing about his new wife adds to the intrigue. Some are convinced that Rodgers relishes that.
Tyrese Haliburton addresses his notable limp after Game 2
Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton sparked concerns when he visibly limped away from the podium following the team’s Game 2 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, Ok. On Tuesday, Haliburton addressed whether that limp is anything to worry about.
Video from Sunday showed Haliburton moving gingerly as he left the podium following his postgame media availability. That led some to wonder if the star guard is dealing with a physical issue that is hindering him during games.
Tyrese Haliburton with a noticeable, slight limp arriving and leaving his press conference. pic.twitter.com/nJkqxwPBoj
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 9, 2025
Haliburton downplayed any issues when speaking to the media on Tuesday. He said he was dealing with a “lower leg thing,” but that he feels “fine” and will be available for Wednesday’s Game 3.
Tyrese Haliburton on his noticeable limp after G2: “I'm fine. Really just a lower leg thing. I'll leave it at that. I don't think there's anything more to elaborate. I feel fine and I'll be ready to go for Game 3.”
— Scott Agness (@ScottAgness) June 10, 2025
Haliburton probably will not be opening up about any big health problems as long as he is able to play, which it seems he is. However, some might link this to his somewhat underwhelming start to the NBA Finals. He has scored 31 total points in two games, though he did hit the game-winning shot in the series opener.
Some have urged Haliburton to be more aggressive early in games to prevent the Pacers from falling so far behind. It will be interesting to see how he comes out in Game 3 with this physical issue as the backdrop.
Aaron Rodgers reveals that he is married
Aaron Rodgers met with the media on Tuesday for the first time since he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and the biggest takeaway from his news conference had nothing to do with football.
Rodgers was first spotted roughly a month ago with what appeared to be a wedding ring on his left finger. The band was then visible again in a photo that the Steelers shared on Saturday of Rodgers signing his contract.
A reporter asked Rodgers about the ring on Tuesday, and he confirmed that it is a wedding band. The 41-year-old said it has “been a couple months” since he got married.
Aaron Rodgers says the ring on his finger is, indeed, a wedding ring — and that he’s been married “for a few months.” https://t.co/ajHGv9Ozle pic.twitter.com/GqO9H9vaJ6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2025
Rodgers said during an April appearance on “The Pat McAfee Show” that he was in a “serious relationship” and had some off-field things consuming him. He had left open the possibility of retiring at the time, but he is now committed to the Steelers for at least 2025.
While very little is known about Rodgers’ wife, the four-time NFL MVP casually revealed in a different interview with McAfee last December that he had a girlfriend named Brittani. We are unsure of the exact spelling of the woman’s name, but Rodgers specified that she was “Brittani with an ‘I’” when he brought it up.
Rodgers is typically guarded when it comes to his personal life. Prior to the new mystery woman, the star quarterback’s last confirmed girlfriend was actress Shaleine Woodley, and the two split nearly three years ago.
In any event, Rodgers is now a married man. Steelers fans are hoping his wife can become a good-luck charm for the team.
Aaron Rodgers confirms major personal news
Aaron Rodgers met with the media Tuesday for the first time since joining the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he used the occasion to confirm some major personal news.
Rodgers was asked about the ring that has recently been seen on his finger, and he confirmed that it is a wedding ring. The quarterback offered few details, but said he has been married for “a couple months.”
Aaron Rodgers says the ring on his finger is, indeed, a wedding ring — and that he’s been married “for a few months.” https://t.co/ajHGv9Ozle pic.twitter.com/GqO9H9vaJ6
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 10, 2025
Speculation about Rodgers’ relationship status started in May, when he looked like he was wearing a wedding ring while attending a Kentucky Derby event. The same ring was spotted on his finger in photos of him signing his contract with the Steelers.
Rodgers said earlier in the offseason that he was dealing with some personal matters, which delayed his decision to sign. Perhaps his new marriage was one of them. The quarterback appears to prefer to remain tight-lipped on the details for now, as it is not even known who he had been dating most recently.
Rodgers agreed to sign with the Steelers last week and is already in minicamp with the team. His bonus-laden contract will be a bargain for Pittsburgh if he can play at a high level.
Stefon Diggs gets testy with media over questions about pink substance
Stefon Diggs spoke with the media on Tuesday for the first time since a video of him partying on a boat received attention, and the New England Patriots star became a bit annoyed after being asked several questions about it.
Diggs made headlines last month when some clips surfaced that seemingly showed him on a boat with his girlfriend, music performer Cardi B, and others in Miami, Fla. In one video, Diggs was seen talking with three women when he took out a small baggie that contained a pink substance.
There has been a lot of speculation about the substance, and Diggs had an opportunity to address things on Tuesday. He said he prefers to keep his personal life personal and that he has discussed the situation with head coach Mike Vrabel and others within the organization.
“Obviously, I want to be as candid with you guys as possible. I kind of, like, have a thing where I don’t talk about my personal life with people I don’t know personally,” Diggs said. “I’m pretty sure everybody here are great people, but you understand. I try to keep my personal life personal.
“I had a conversation with (Vrabel) obviously, and I’m gonna echo everything he said — hoping everybody making good decision. I had a conversation with people in the building as well, so everything else is everything else. The particulars is all internal.”
As expected, that response did not put an end to the line of questioning. When reporters began asking more questions about the substance, Diggs got a bit testy. He said he is still going to answer the question the same way regardless of how many variations of it the media asks.
Wow.
— Savage (@SavageSports_) June 10, 2025
Stefon Diggs on the party boat, pink drugs and talking to Mike Vrabel.
Gets upset at the media for asking him the same type of question multiple times.
😳
🎥: @NBCSBoston pic.twitter.com/1F6zvJ5E0d
It is hardly a surprise that Diggs chose not to share details about the pink substance. What was really laughable is that he said he wanted to be as “candid” with the media as possible, as he was really the exact opposite of that.
Vrabel seemed to suggest he was not happy with Diggs over the situation, but it appears the Patriots want to move forward.
Diggs signed a 3-year, $69 million deal with the Patriots this offseason. The 31-year-old had 47 catches for 496 yards and 3 touchdowns in 8 games with the Texans last year before suffering torn ACL.
Bengals first-round pick calls out team’s front office
The Cincinnati Bengals are at odds with their first-round draft pick before he has even played a game for the team.
No. 17 overall pick Shemar Stewart is with the Bengals during their mandatory minicamp, but is refusing to practice due to a contract standoff. According to Kelsey Conway of the Cincinnati Enquirer, the Bengals are trying to insert language in Stewart’s rookie contract that could allow the team to void future guarantees.
On Tuesday, Stewart spoke to the media about the dispute. He accused the Bengals’ front office of wanting to “win arguments” instead of games, and claimed that he has the backing of the team’s stars in his standoff.
“I’m 100 percent right. I’m not asking for nothing y’all have never done before. But in y’all case, y’all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games,” Stewart said of the team’s front office.
Another key quote from Shemar Stewart. By "y'all" he means the Bengals front office.
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) June 10, 2025
"I'm 100 percent right. I'm not asking for nothing y'all have never done before. But in y'all case, y'all just want to win arguments (more) than winning more games."
Shemar Stewart spoke at his locker just a bit ago. Will have more later, but one thing of note he said is stars in the locker room are telling him he's doing the right thing.
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) June 10, 2025
The Bengals have a reputation for being thrifty, and this offseason has only furthered that perception. Though the team did pay both Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, they are in a very public contract dispute with Trey Hendrickson, and are now facing this drama with Sanders.
The standoff with Sanders has opened the door for rivals to take shots at both him and the Bengals, but the rookie clearly thinks he is taking a principled stand. If his veteran teammates agree with him, the Bengals will find themselves in a tough spot.
Knicks have reportedly zeroed in on head coach candidate
The New York Knicks have been linked to a number of prominent head coach candidates since they fired Tom Thibodeau last week, but there is reportedly one name at the top of their list.
The Knicks want Jason Kidd to become their next head coach, according to ESPN’s Brian Windhorst. The reporter said on “Get Up” Tuesday morning that he believes the Knicks would hire Kidd without even conducting an interview if the Dallas Mavericks were to allow Kidd out of his contract.
“The Knicks absolutely would like to hire Jason Kidd to be their next head coach. The question is will the Dallas Mavericks allow that, and that’s really where this is. It will be in the Mavericks’ court here,” Windhorst said. “The asking of permission is a formality. If the Mavericks would agree to send Jason Kidd to the Knicks, I believe he would be with the Knicks. There’s not gonna be an interview.”
"The Knicks absolutely would like to hire Jason Kidd to be their next head coach. The question is, will the Dallas Mavericks allow that?"
— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) June 10, 2025
—@WindhorstESPN 👀 pic.twitter.com/3hxZBjCNPs
Windhorst reported on Monday that there is mutual interest between Kidd and the Knicks. He said there is a chance the Mavericks could simply tell New York “no,” which is what happened when the Phoenix Suns had interest in hiring Chauncey Billups away from the Portland Trail Blazers last year. Dallas could also entice Kidd to stay by giving him a contract extension. Another option would be to trade Kidd to the Knicks.
Kidd played for the Knicks for a brief period during his Hall of Fame career in 2012-13. He is also close with veteran NBA trainer Casey Smith, who was controversially phased out by the Mavericks a while back. Smith has since taken a job with the Knicks.
The 52-year-old Kidd just completed his fourth season as the head coach in Dallas. He led the team to the NBA Finals a year ago, but things changed dramatically for the Mavericks after Luka Doncic was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in a stunning move. Kidd suggested publicly that he had no say in the deal.
The Knicks have been linked to multiple coaches who are under contract with other teams, but their search may end rather abruptly if they can find a way to hire Kidd.
Dan Orlovsky makes decision on his ESPN future
After a number of cryptic comments about his future with ESPN, Dan Orlovsky has decided to stay with the network.
Orlovsky has agreed on a new deal that will keep him as one of the network’s more prominent football analysts, according to Andrew Marchand of The Athletic. The new deal has not yet been signed, but has been agreed upon.
As part of the deal, Orlovsky will remain on “NFL Live” and the second broadcast crew for “Monday Night Football.”
Marchand reported that Orlovsky was considered to replace the retiring Gary Danielson on CBS’ Big Ten broadcasts, but that Orlovsky wanted to see what ESPN would offer him. In the end, he clearly got terms that were agreeable to him.
Orlovsky made headlines after the Super Bowl when he said he was taking a break from ESPN and sounded as if he might be saying farewell to the network. He indicated that he was interested in coaching, and his contract with ESPN expired this summer. Despite those comments, he was back on the air within a month.
Orlovsky has quickly become one of ESPN’s most dependable NFL voices, and is someone the network is clearly a fan of. It is not a huge surprise that he ultimately decided to stay.
