Category: Sports

Los Angeles Chargers starting center Bradley Bozeman announced on Instagram on Monday that he is retiring from the NFL.

“This game has given me so much — lessons, lifelong friendships, and memories my family will carry forever,” Bozeman said in his post. “I’ve poured everything I had into this journey, and I walk away grateful and proud.”

A native of Roanoke, Alabama, Bozeman played college football at the University of Alabama, where he won a national championship in 2018. The Baltimore Ravens selected him in the sixth round of the 2018 draft, and Bozeman went on to play eight years and start 110 games in his career.

Bozeman spent his final two years in Los Angeles, where he became one of the team’s most beloved and respected players. But his on-field performance drew scrutiny. He was part of one of the league’s worst interior lines and became a frequent target of criticism, which appeared to wear on him.

“There’s things that I wish I could take back, obviously, but overall, I feel like I had a solid year. A lot of people don’t think that, but a lot of people aren’t in our room,” Bozeman said after the season while fighting back tears. “… So for me, I’m proud of this year. I’m proud of myself.”

Chargers linebacker Daiyan Henley offered his support of his retiring teammate.

“Great man battled every season proud teammate,” Henley posted on X. “With all that’s goin on in the world I hope we celebrate his retirement for the right reasons. Seeing how critical mental health can be I wish my dog a true happy retirement. congrats on a career that spanned over 8 seasons.”

Bozeman had one year left on a two-year, $6.5 million contract he signed last offseason but didn’t have any guaranteed money left on the deal. Bozeman’s 2026 cap hit of $6.935 million will come off the Chargers’ books.

The Chargers likely would have brought in competition for Bozeman regardless, but now they have a void at center, with no players under contract at the position.

L.A. is projected to have the third-most cap space ahead of free agency and could pursue Ravens center Tyler Linderbaum, one of the top projected free agents and a player whom general manager Joe Hortiz had a hand in selecting in the first round of the 2022 draft.

Linderbaum was the league’s second-best pass-blocking center in pass block win rate (97.2%). Bozeman ranked 30th (92.5%).

The top stories and transfer rumours from Tuesday’s newspapers…

Premier League

Darwin Nunez could make a surprising Premier League return this summer, merely a year after departing Liverpool for Al-Hilal, with Tottenham and Newcastle reportedly interested – Daily Express.

MLS is a potential next destination for Manchester United midfielder Casemiro when he becomes a free agent and leaves Old Trafford at the end of the season – Daily Express.

Newcastle United are looking at a major regeneration project as part of a plan to build a new stadium next to St James’ Park – Daily Telegraph.

Former Liverpool star Emile Heskey has earmarked PSG ace Khvicha Kvaratskhelia as a potential replacement for Mohamed Salah – Daily Mirror.

EFL

Norwich City teenager Ajay Tavares has completed his move to Spanish champions Barcelona – Daily Mail.

Scotland

Motherwell manager Jens Berthel Askou has now shot to the top of the bookies’ odds as the new favourite to be appointed the next Celtic manager – Scottish Sun.

World football

Orlando City is in advanced discussions over a move for Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann for their open designated player spot – The Atheltic.

England‘s World Cup group game has been plunged into chaos after a US stadium licence row threatened to pull matches at Gillette Stadium – Daily Mirror.

Five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal-kicks are poised to make their debut at this summer’s World Cup, as football’s governing bodies gear up to introduce a series of measures aimed at accelerating the pace of play – Daily Express.

Zinedine Zidane has reportedly reached a verbal agreement to become the new manager of France after the World Cup – Daily Mirror.

World Cup minnows Curacao have suffered a major blow with veteran coach Dick Advocaat stepping down four months before the tournament – The Sun.

The planned World Cup fan zone in New York has been cancelled – in the latest blow to the tournament – The Sun.

Winter Olympics

Lindsey Vonn says her leg could have been amputated if not for the heroics of her doctor as she reflected on her horror crash at the Winter Olympics after finally leaving hospital – Independent.

Cricket

Former England vice-captain Moeen Ali says cricketers should ‘speak up’ amid concerns Pakistani players will be excluded by teams in The Hundred with owners from the Indian Premier League – The Times.

Ali has also warned that players will take action if they believe that Pakistani signings are being boycotted by Indian owners in the Hundred, saying such discriminative behaviour “can’t happen in the UK.” – Daily Telegraph.

Racing

An inner-city teenager breaking class boundaries in racing was cheered on by the Queen on his first day as a jockey – Daily Telegraph.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Chiefs coach Andy Reid usually smiles whenever someone mentions tight end Travis Kelce. The veteran coach was smiling again Friday while discussing Kelce’s status for next season during a news conference ahead of next week’s NFL combine.

Reid’s demeanor and positive tone when describing talks with Kelce seemed to indicate the 13-year veteran could be leaning toward re-signing with the Chiefs for at least another season instead of retiring.

“There is communication,” Reid said of talks with Kelce. “That’s the main thing. I’ve said this before: As long as there’s communication, I’m good. That means people want to move forward. I think that’s where Travis is.”

Six weeks ago, when the Chiefs’ season ended, Kelce said he was uncertain of his future. However, he vowed to make a decision for next season by early March before NFL free agency begins.

Kelce made several public appearances in the days leading up to Super Bowl LX, and several members of the Chiefs’ organization say they expect him to return, which would give him another year of playing alongside quarterback Patrick Mahomes, his best friend on the team.

“I’m not trying to put words in his mouth at all, and I try to give him some space here,” Reid added. “He’s been doing this a long time, and he can sort all that out as he goes forward. But we’re proceeding with that.”

Even at age 36, Kelce led the Chiefs in targets (108), receptions (76), yards (851), touchdowns (5) and receiving first downs (45). His base salary last season was $4.5 million, although his roster bonus was $12.5 million. Following the Chiefs’ loss to the Las Vegas Raiders in the regular-season finale, Kelce declined to say whether he would accept a similar contract or reduced salary for the 2026 campaign.

If Kelce re-signs with the Chiefs, he will be reunited with offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy, whom the team brought back last month for the same job he held from 2018 to 2022. Kelce performed the best in his career under Reid and Bieniemy, who has received admiration from the tight end for his disciplined coaching style.

“It’s great,” Kelce said of Bieniemy’s return during an episode of his “New Heights” podcast, which the tight end co-hosts with Jason Kelce, his brother. “I can’t wait to see him back in the building. He’s one of my favorite coaches of all time. I’ve had so many unbelievable growing moments under him as a player.”

While Kelce continues his decision-making process, Mahomes has spent the past two months rehabbing after he had surgery to repair the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. Reid said Mahomes has been diligent in working with athletic trainer Julie Frymyer and is already showing progress.

“He’s around here all the time,” Reid said of Mahomes. “He spends a ton of time here, seven hours a day. He’s in there cranking away and making progress every day. It’s great to see. Julie grinds on him and makes sure he stays on task and challenges him. He keeps showing up. That’s about half the battle on these things when you have these injuries.

“It’s not going to be a pleasant thing. Every day, you’ve got to fight through it and you’ve got to attack the challenge of the workout and rehab. He’s doing a great job with that.”

In 2024, a Team USA squad full of NBA stars, role players, up-and-comers and legends survived two thrillers — a 95-91 win over Nikola Jokic-led Serbia squad and an exhausting 98-87 clincher over host France — on its way to the Olympic gold medal.

But while 22-year-old Victor Wembanyama has vowed vengeance after coming up short in his home city of Paris and 31-year-old Jokic is sure to have similar feelings after Serbia settled for the bronze medal, it doesn’t appear that USA Basketball’s graybearded Avengers will reassemble to chase a sixth consecutive gold.

At least not in full.

Kevin Durant, the all-time leading scorer for the United States men’s basketball team, told ESPN earlier this month that he does plan on returning for another run of international play in 2028. The 37-year-old swingman, who won an Olympic-record fourth gold medal at the 2024 Games, disputed the notion that Paris was a last run.

“That narrative, where did the last dance thing come from?” Durant said. “I didn’t say I wasn’t playing. LeBron [James] said he wasn’t. You didn’t hear that from me or Steph [Curry].”

While it seems unlikely Curry, 37, will return, Durant was emphatic about his own plans. He’ll be nearing 40 by then, but assuming good health, he wants in.

“Hell yeah, I want to play,” Durant said. “But I’ve got to stay on top of my game. I’m not expecting. I want to produce on the floor and make Grant [Hill, USA Basketball managing director since 2021] and whoever is making the decisions want to put me on the team. Not just for seniority; I want to still prove I can help the team win.

“Today, yeah, I feel like I’ll put my name in that hat.”

Whether Durant is on the roster or not, USA Basketball’s next era is coming.

And with the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy closing on Sunday, the decisions facing Hill and Team USA officials will slowly enter the spotlight. Many American players already have raised their hands, both publicly and privately, to relay their interest.

“I’m just trying to get through the [FIBA] World Cup,” Hill told ESPN last week, referring to the 2027 event in Qatar, a tournament the U.S. hasn’t won since 2014.

Hill not only has to replace James and likely Curry, he tabbed Erik Spoelstra to replace coach Steve Kerr on the sidelines. Spoelstra spent the 2024 Games on Kerr’s staff, giving Spoelstra an advantage in adjustments to international play and in roster selection.

There’s still more than a full NBA regular season and two postseasons before definitive choices have to be made. But with the U.S. hosting a Summer Olympics — in Los Angeles in July 2028 — for the first time in many NBA players’ lifetimes, and with worldwide competition closer than ever to knocking Team USA off its pedestal, the next 28 months represent a critical transition period.

The roster

Durant, of course, is a mainstay. Unlike Curry and James, Durant has been a consistent presence in USA Basketball since entering its pipeline as a youngster. But missing Curry and James would leave a massive void in both playmaking and veteran leadership.

After Durant, Anthony Edwards and Bam Adebayo appear to be locks among major contributors from 2024. The same should be said for Devin Booker, who transformed into a defensive specialist during his run in France.

Beyond that, things get trickier.

Hill and USA Basketball have two paths: Take the best nine players and add three role players or take the 12 players who best fit together.

The latter approach secured gold in Paris, but it wound up leaving Jayson Tatum outside the rotation in what became a daily topic of conversation. Tatum seemed to struggle playing off the ball, which exacerbated Kerr’s decision to leave him on the bench most games. (Assuming good health and a full recovery from a torn Achilles suffered in last season’s playoffs, Tatum will most likely be selected.)

But after sending the oldest roster in USA men’s basketball history to Paris — the average age was 30.1 — expect an infusion of youth in 2028. And there will be no shortage of options.

Cade Cunningham, a top contender for 2025-26 NBA Most Valuable Player, hopes to get the call. Earlier this season, Cunningham told Hill how much he wanted to represent his country in Los Angeles. When asked by ESPN last week, the 24-year-old guard doubled down.

“I put the work in,” Cunningham said. “I feel like I am part of the next wave of American players. So, to be able to represent the United States would be a blessing. But I don’t make those decisions.”

During the ramp-up to the 2024 Summer Olympics, Cunningham and Detroit Pistons teammate Jalen Duren impressed against the veterans as part of a USA Basketball Select Team that also included Jaime Jaquez Jr., Jalen Suggs, Amen Thompson and a 17-year-old Cooper Flagg.

At 6-foot-6, Cunningham can play multiple positions and can slide to the wing to defend forwards, a challenge he has taken on during his breakthrough season in Detroit. Duren, an athletic big who can handle the ball, also will get strong consideration. Both young stars are likely to play in the 2027 World Cup to bolster their international résumés.

Durant even mentioned Duren when talking about candidates for the 2028 national team. Durant said he hopes to talk to Hill about the roster being built for Los Angeles.

“Just because I try to put the team together on my own. You know how that goes,” Durant said. “There’s so many great players that are up for consideration that are either established or [younger].”

Paolo Banchero, 23, could be a candidate. The Orlando Magic star forward was a member of the 2023 FIBA World Cup team that finished fourth.

“Look at how Anthony Edwards came out of the World Cup in 2023,” a source connected with USA Basketball told ESPN. “Look at how Tyrese Haliburton came out in 2023.”

Haliburton became an All-NBA third-team selection in 2024 and was a gold medalist in France, even though he played a menial role. Edwards was a key contributor in France, but each star made a leap following the World Cup.

“I enjoyed my experience, even though we didn’t medal,” Banchero told ESPN early this season regarding the World Cup. “I felt like I could’ve done more for that team.

“I think the FIBA game is different. But I’m definitely interested [in playing in 2028].”

Not being the focal point of an offense can be a tough adjustment for younger players entering international play, especially with shorter games and fewer possessions. If someone could fit into an Aaron Gordon-type role — a multipositional defender who can plug into any lineup — it could make him more attractive to the selection committee. That has made versatile players such as Jalen Johnson and Scottie Barnes intriguing options.

Kon Knueppel also has opened eyes with his shooting, sources told ESPN. The Charlotte Hornets rookie, who last month became the fastest to record 100 made 3-pointers in NBA history, would help fill the void if Curry indeed steps away from international play. A major priority under Kerr was 3-point shooting, and that need won’t dissipate with the coaching change.

The toughest decisions could come at guard, especially whether to lean toward taller players. International play has become far more physical than the NBA on the perimeter.

The 6-foot-5 Haliburton played a small role in the national team’s 2024 run to the gold medal, but he has good size and is a natural distributor. Assuming good health — like Tatum, Haliburton is recovering from a torn Achilles, suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals — he will be strongly considered for a return and an expanded role.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The flirtation between receiver Tyreek Hill and the Kansas City Chiefs did not take long.

Hill, who began his NFL career with the Chiefs, became an unrestricted free agent for the first time in 10 years last Monday when the Miami Dolphins released him as part of a series of moves to create salary cap space. The decision from the Dolphins let them to save $22.8 million. By early that evening, Chiefs pass rusher Chris Jones, had used his X account to send Hill, his teammate with the Chiefs for six seasons, a message that anyone on the social media website could see. He tagged Hill’s account and used the alarm clock emoji to indicate that it was indeed time for the receiver to rejoin the Chiefs.

Jones wasn’t the only person who expressed that a reunion for Hill and the Chiefs for the 2026 season would be beneficial to both parties. Several analysts suggested that Hill, who is recovering from surgery to repair his dislocated left knee and torn ACL that he sustained last season in Week 4, has the best chance to reestablish himself as a player in the league with the Chiefs.

“Not only do they need him, he needs them,” Louis Riddick, the analyst and former NFL safety, said Wednesday on ESPN’s “First Take.”

In March, Hill, whose elite speed and playmaking established him as one of the league’s best offensive threats, will turn 32. Within hours of being informed by the Dolphins of his release, Hill wrote a post on Instagram to guarantee that he will continue his career with the same level of production that made him a star.

“The Cheetah don’t slow down. Ever,” Hill wrote. “So to everyone wondering what’s next… just wait on it. The Cheetah will be back…Born Again.”

Two days later, Hill used his Snapchat account to show that he was back in Kansas City to visit family members and to continue his rehab. Of course, Hill’s profile photo showed him in a Chiefs uniform.

While it’s uncertain if Hill will be available for the season opener, the Chiefs are expected to monitor the progress of his recovery and training, according to league sources.

“We go through everything and everybody [in free agency],” Reid said Friday. “That’s how [general manager] Brett [Veach] does [it]. I’m sure [Hill’s] working hard on that [rehab] part of it and trying to get all that straightened out. We talk about everything, so there’s nothing happening there, but we know he’s out there and cranking away trying to get himself back to where he can play.”

The Chiefs, as they’ve done in the past, could offer Hill a one-year contract with incentives to add a boost to their offense — a unit that will feature quarterback Patrick Mahomes after he recovers from the most significant injury of his career, the torn ACL and LCL in his left knee. In 2022, after the Chiefs traded Hill to the Dolphins for five draft picks, the team signed veteran receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster to a one-year deal for a maximum of $10.75 million. The Chiefs and Hill could negotiate a similar contract, which would allow Hill to be a free agent again next year with the hope of him being healthier and his knee further strengthened.

If both parties can agree to a deal, whether later in the offseason or early in the season, Hill would be reunited with Mahomes, coach Andy Reid and potentially tight end Travis Kelce, who is strongly considering re-signing with the team for the 14th season in his career, according to multiple members of the Chiefs’ organization..

Adding more talent at the receiver position should be one of the top priorities this offseason for Reid and Veach. Entering this week, the Chiefs have just five receivers on their roster — Rashee Rice, Xavier Worthy, Jalen Royals, Jason Brownlee and Jimmy Holiday.

Even if Hill can just replicate his production from the first month of last year prior to his injury, his play will be an upgrade from what the Chiefs had at the position for much of their 2025 campaign. Entering Week 4 last year, Hill had accounted for more than half of the Dolphins’ air yards (53.5%), and his three deep receptions — 20 air yards or more — almost matched his total from the previous season (four), according to Next Gen Stats.

“With his work ethic, I’m not counting him out coming back and being just as dominant as he was before,” former Chiefs safety Tyrann Mathieu said Wednesday of Hill on his “In The Bayou” podcast. “The next best thing for him to do is to find a quarterback and an offensive coordinator that likes him, that appreciates his talents, his gifts.

“I’m sure a lot of people are going to talk about K.C. Essentially, me and him left the Chiefs at the same time [in 2022]. … I know a lot of people are going to throw his name in the hat as far as linking back up with Mahomes, which I don’t count that out.”

Since Hill was traded to the Dolphins, the Chiefs’ offense hasn’t been as explosive as it was in the past. In fact, Kansas City has not had a 1,000-yard receiver since 2021 — and that player was Hill.

“Given the guys that they have on the roster now, he might be the person to sort of lift those guys’ play,” Mathieu said of Hill. “One of things that impressed me most with Tyreek was he was just like me. He [doesn’t] miss practice, he’s going to take all his reps, he [doesn’t] miss no games.

“Given what the Chiefs have experienced the last three years at the receiver position, he may be the next-best teacher for them.”

Ben White could leave Arsenal this summer, while Luka Modric is reportedly open to returning home to Croatia. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Ben White‘s future at Arsenal is uncertain, with the club closely monitoring Sporting CP right-back Iván Fresneda, according to TeamTalk. Premier League title rivals Manchester City are also keen on the 21-year-old — their sporting director, Hugo Viana, who used to work at Sporting, has driven their interest. Newcastle United are also reported to be interested.

– AC Milan midfielder Luka Modric could opt to rejoin Dinamo Zagreb after representing Croatia at the World Cup, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 40-year-old started his senior career with the HNL club and club president Zvonimir Boban was his idol. There are still other possible scenarios, though, as Milan have an option to extend Modric’s stay by a year, and they want him to remain with them but will only trigger the clause if he wants them to. There is also a possibility that the midfielder could decide to retire.

– Paris Saint-Germain are monitoring Olympiacos midfielder Christos Mouzakitis, as reported by Nicolo Schira. The 19-year-old, who has impressed so much with the Greek club that he won the 2025 Golden Boy award, has also been the topic of interest of several Premier League clubs. He has played 30 matches across all competitions this season, providing three assists.

– Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario is Juventus’ preferred option as the Serie A club looks to replace Michele Di Gregorio, as reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport. The 29-year-old is valued at €25 million to €30 million and his salary of €4.5 million-per-year would fit within Juve’s parameters, but there is strong competition from Internazionale as they could need a replacement for Yann Sommer. If Juventus can’t sign Vicario, they could turn to Atalanta’s Marco Carnesecchi.

– A Tottenham scout was at Unipol Domus to watch Marco Palestra during Cagliari’s goalless draw against Lazio on Saturday, as reported by Nicolo Schira. The 20-year-old wing-back is on loan at Cagliari from Atalanta and played the full 90 minutes, seeing a goal ruled out due to an offside call. Various reports elsewhere have suggested that Palestra has received interest from big-name Serie A clubs.

EXPERT TAKE

play

Marcotti: Tottenham would be idiotic to wait for Pochettino

Gab & Juls discuss the potential of Mauricio Pochettino joining Tottenham after the World Cup.

OTHER RUMORS

– Aston Villa are determined to keep Amadou Onana despite Manchester United’s renewed interest in the midfielder. (Football Insider)

– Napoli and Juventus are monitoring Bayer Leverkusen winger Ernest Poku. (Nicolo Schira)

– Joao Neves has signed a one-year contract extension, which will keep the midfielder with Paris Saint-Germain until 2030. (Le Parisien)

– Zeki Celik wants to leave Roma as a free agent in the summer and has been approached by three Serie A clubs, three Premier League clubs, two Bundesliga clubs and one from the Turkish Super Lig. (Nicolo Schira)

– A meeting between Juventus and Dusan Vlahovic‘s agent has been scheduled for March as the club aims to renew the striker’s contract, which is due to expire in June. (Nicolo Schira)

– Newcastle United will only consider offers for Nick Woltemade this summer if the striker demands a move. (Football Insider)

– RB Leipzig blocked a January transfer for El Chadaille Bitshiabu, but the 20-year-old centre-back will force a summer move if his situation doesn’t change. (Philipp Hinze)

– Mattia Perin could leave Juventus during the summer transfer window. (Nicolo Schira)

– Lens midfielder Andrija Bulatovic is set to agree a new deal to stay with the Ligue 1 club until June 2030. (Fabrizio Romano)

The top stories and transfer rumours from Monday’s newspapers…

Premier League

Arsenal were given late cause for concern against Tottenham after star winger Bukayo Saka limped off – The Mirror.

Edwin van der Sar has revealed he held two rounds of talks with Ed Woodward about joining Manchester United in an executive role – Daily Mail.

Pep Guardiola only had half an eye on the north London derby as the Manchester City boss jetted out to Italy to watch a Serie C clash – The Sun.

Tottenham hero Dele expressed his determination to return on the pitch soon amid a five-month spell in the sidelines as a free agent – The Sun.

EFL

Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere had to be dragged away from angry fans after his Luton Town side were held to a 1-1 draw against Burton Albion – The Mirror.

Scotland

The Tartan Army is facing a war over sporrans amid fears the kilt pouches will be banned from US World Cup stadiums – Scottish Sun.

World football

AC Milan and England World Cup hopeful Ruben Loftus-Cheek was rushed to hospital with a serious head injury – The Sun.

Winter Olympics

Israel’s four-man bobsleigh team was disqualified by its own national association over accusations that one of the athletes faked an illness to allow a substitution – The Telegraph.

VERONA, Italy — The Milan Cortina Olympics ended Sunday as the twin flames in co-host cities Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo were extinguished during a closing ceremony inside the ancient Verona Arena, roughly mid-distance between the far-flung mountain, valley and city venues that made these the most spread-out Winter Games ever.

In declaring the 2026 Games over, International Olympic Committee president Kirsty Coventry told local organizers that they “delivered a new kind of winter Games and you set a new, very high standard for the future.”

The next Winter Games will be held in neighboring France, which received the Olympic flag in the official handover earlier in the ceremony. Following the same spread-out model, the 2030 Winter Games will stage events in the Alps and Nice, on the Mediterranean Sea, while speedskating will be held either in Italy or the Netherlands.

A total of 116 medal events were held in eight Olympic sports across 16 disciplines, including the debut of ski mountaineering this year, over the course of 17 days of competition. With the final events wrapping up just hours before the ceremony, the 50-kilometer mass start men’s and women’s cross-country medals were awarded by Coventry inside the Arena.

Host Italy won its highest Winter Olympic tally ever with 30 medals — 10 gold, six silver and 14 bronze, crushing the previous record of 20 set at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994.

“Your outstanding performance united Italians everywhere and played a fundamental role in the success of the games,” Giovanni Malagò, the president of the Milan Cortina Foundation, told the Italian athletes sitting behind him wearing headbands emblazoned with ”Italia.”

The closing ceremony paid tribute to Italian dance and music — from lyric opera to Italian pop of the 20th century to the DJ beat of Gabry Ponte, who got the 1,500 athletes on their feet and dancing while color confetti exploded on stage. Italian Achille Lauro delivered the last word with the song “Incoscienti Giovani,” or reckless young people, just before athletes who so aptly harnessed their youthful energy for these Games filed out.

The 2½-hour ceremony opened with a whimsical tribute to Italian lyric opera, with the stage director rousing not only the closing ceremony cast, including Achille Lauro, but also long-dormant opera characters tucked away in crates within the amphitheater’s tunnels.

On stage, Madama Butterfly in a bright pink and green costume and Aida in golden tiers were unpacked from mirrored crates while 17th century musicians played the joyous “Libiamo ne’ lieti calici” from “La Traviata,” a nod to the Arena’s long history as the venue for a summer opera festival.

The opera characters, led by the jester Rigoletto, spilled out into the piazza outside, mixing with the bemused athletes who were flag-bearers for their countries, some of whom pulled out their phones to film.

In a later sequence, internationally acclaimed ballet dancer Roberto Bolle made his first-ever aerial performance inside a blazing ring meant to represent the sun. He was lowered to the stage that mimicked the Venetian lagoon, replete with gondolas, where he danced to a haunting song by Italian singer Joan Thiele.

In a key moment, the Olympic flame encased in a Venetian glass vessel was carried into the Arena by Italian gold medalists from the 1994 Lillehammer Games. The Olympic rings illuminated in white appeared high on the stone stairs behind the stage, flanked by national flags, when one raised the flame in the center of the stage.

This was the first Olympics for Coventry, a two-time Olympic champion in swimming, who watched much of the ceremony alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

Some 12,000 spectators joined the athletes and officials for the closing ceremony, which was much more intimate affair than the opening ceremony starring Mariah Carey and Andrea Bocelli inside Milan’s San Siro soccer stadium, attended by more than 60,000 people.

The Milan Cortina Games spanned an area of 22,000 square kilometers (8,500 square miles), from ice sports in Milan to biathlon in Anterselva on the Austrian border, snowboarding and men’s downhill in Valtellina on the Swiss border, cross-country skiing in the Val di Fiemme north of Verona and women’s downhill, curling and sliding sports in co-host Cortina d’Ampezzo.

The closing ceremony concluded with the Olympic flames extinguished at the unprecedented two caldrons in Milan and Cortina, viewed in Verona via video link. A light show substituted fireworks, which are not allowed in Verona, to protect animals from being disturbed.

The Milan Cortina Paralympics’ opening ceremony will also take place in the Verona Arena, on March 6, and those Games will run until March 15.

FRISCO, Texas — Acquired at the trade deadline with the hope of shoring up the linebacker spot, veteran Logan Wilson was waived by the Cowboys on Friday.

The move saves the Cowboys $6.5 million in salary cap space.

In seven games, Wilson was credited with 28 tackles and a forced fumble, but he started just once. Despite the struggles at the position and the defense in general, the Cowboys kept Kenneth Murray Jr. as the starter over Wilson. In the Christmas Day win against the Washington Commanders, he did not play a snap, which was called a coaches’ error in the days after the game.

The Cowboys gave up a 2026 seventh-round pick to the Cincinnati Bengals for Wilson. In Cincinnati, where he was voted a captain in 2025, Wilson was benched in favor of rookie Barrett Carter and led to the trade.

In parts of five seasons with the Bengals, Wilson started 65 games, intercepted 11 passes and was a key figure in their run to Super Bowl LVI where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams.

With less than 45 days until the Final Four, men’s college basketball fans were given a preview of potential national semifinal matchups in Indianapolis.

The top four teams in the latest AP poll headlined a loaded Saturday slate, with No. 3 Duke taking down No. 1 Michigan, and No. 4 Arizona taking down No. 2 Houston. It was the first time the Nos. 1 and 2 teams lost on the same day since Feb. 8, 2025.

What did the results teach us about each contender? And how should all four be ranked coming out of the day? ESPN’s Jeff Borzello and Myron Medcalf break it down.

How would you rank Michigan, Houston, Duke and Arizona after Saturday’s results?

Jeff Borzello

1. Duke: Can I really put any other team at the top? Duke just beat Michigan on a neutral court, and proved it doesn’t need the most explosive offense in the country to beat an elite team. The Blue Devils have just two losses all season: by one to Texas Tech in a game they led by 17, and by three to North Carolina in a game they led by 13. Saturday showed they can close against a high-level opponent.

2. Arizona: Tommy Lloyd’s team has an incredible set of wins, adding the victory at Houston to a group that already included victories at UConn, over Florida in Las Vegas and over Alabama in Tuscaloosa. It was one of the more gritty, tough-minded wins we’ve seen from any team all season. No Koa Peat, no Dwayne Aristode and a less-than-100% Brayden Burries with Motiejus Krivas and Tobe Awaka in foul trouble. That they were able to get a win shows this team has a certain level of toughness past Arizona teams haven’t quite possessed.

3. Michigan: The Wolverines are still arguably the favorites to win the national championship, despite the loss. The fact they were right in the game in the final minute despite getting dominated in the paint and missing a dozen open 3s is evidence of their ability. But they were certainly knocked off their pedestal, and questions will be raised about where they go for offense late in games.

4. Houston: A two-loss week for the Cougars. What most concerns me after this stretch is how dependent they are on their defense forcing turnovers. When they can’t get easy points or put teams on the backfoot, they rely so heavily on the shotmaking of their guards. Their guards are elite, so it’s not necessarily a dealbreaker, but it’s worth monitoring. Iowa State and Arizona combined to turn the ball over just eight times against Houston, and allowed a combined three points off turnovers; the Cougars entered the week forcing nearly 15 turnovers per game and scoring 19 points off turnovers.

Myron Medcalf

1. Duke: The Blue Devils made the plays they had to make down the stretch of a close, incredible game — one that could set the stage for a rematch in March. They proved that they’re the best team in America right now. They are also led by the best player in the country with Cameron Boozer. Hard to make a case for anything but the top spot for them.

2. Michigan: The Wolverines stayed close throughout the loss to Duke until the 3s stopped falling and they couldn’t outduel the Blue Devils in those precious final minutes.

3. Arizona: Even though they were shorthanded without Koa Peat, the Wildcats were the better team against Houston. Jaden Bradley made big plays down the stretch that helped the Wildcats overcome another outing with limited impact from the 3-point line. But what really stood out was a defensive effort that fueled Houston’s drought of 10-plus minutes without a field goal in the second half.

4. Houston: The Cougars squandered two opportunities this week to prove that they belong with the other national title contenders on this list — if Iowa State was here, I’d put Houston after the Cyclones. The Cougars were up by double digits against Iowa State but fell apart in the final minutes. They also couldn’t find a shot for most of the second half in the loss to Arizona, ruining their second opportunity to make a strong case for a spot on the top line come Selection Sunday.

What we learned from Saturday’s results

What we learned about Duke

Duke is as good as any team in college basketball. While its record and ranking already reflected that, it hadn’t really yet been considered among the top of the national championship contenders this season. Michigan, Arizona, UConn (at times) and Houston (more recently) have all been in that conversation. Now, Duke is too, placing the Blue Devils squarely in the mix to earn the No. 1 overall seed on Selection Sunday.

If there was any doubt, Duke’s Cameron Boozer is the clear National Player of the Year favorite. Michigan senior Yaxel Lendeborg outscored the freshman in the first half, but Boozer put Duke’s offense on his back when it mattered. Boozer finished with 18 points, 10 rebounds and seven assists, and he scored seven straight Duke points in the final minutes to give the Blue Devils the edge.

Saturday’s outing was about more than Boozer, though. Blue Devils guard Caleb Foster hit some big shots from the perimeter and took care of the ball. Patrick Ngongba II made an impact at both ends. Nikolas Khamenia gave Duke some really good minutes off the bench. Isaiah Evans didn’t shoot well, but the confidence he has on the offensive end didn’t waver.

Duke’s offense isn’t as explosive as that of other contenders. But when the defense plays like it did on Saturday, the Blue Devils don’t need to score 80 or 90 points. That’s what could separate them come March. — Borzello

What we learned about Michigan

Essentially all the ingredients that have made Michigan the most dominant team in college basketball this season — all the things that allowed the Wolverines to have a comfortable win at Purdue earlier this week — weren’t there on Saturday.

The biggest eyebrow raiser came up front. Michigan’s frontcourt has been unparalleled, with coach Dusty May relying on jumbo lineups to bully and overpower teams. On Saturday, the Wolverines struggled against an opposing frontcourt for maybe the first time all season. They entered the game averaging 41 paint points per game and had an average rebound margin of nearly 10 boards. Duke outscored the Wolverines 34-24 in the paint and outrebounded them 41-28. It was the first time this season Michigan was outrebounded by double digits.

Michigan might have been able to overcome its lack of production on the interior had it shot the way it did against the Boilermakers, against whom it went 13-for-23 from 3. But the Wolverines were just 6-for-25 from beyond the arc versus Duke, making only one 3-pointer from the 9:40 mark of the first half until the 3:50 left in the second. Elliot Cadeau, Trey McKenney, Nimari Burnett and L.J. Cason combined to hit two treys.

It’s not a loss that will truly impact their perception as the favorites to win the national championship — on another day, those open 3s fall, Aday Mara doesn’t get in foul trouble and so on — but what looked like a waltz to a national title has hit a bump in the road. — Borzello

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Arizona Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars: Game Highlights

Arizona Wildcats vs. Houston Cougars: Game Highlights

What we learned about Arizona

The Wildcats can still beat any team in America, and they proved as much in one of college basketball’s most hostile environments against one of its best teams.

Arizona had been nearly flawless until last week, suffering its first losses of the season at Kansas and then to Texas Tech. Despite that two-game slide, the Wildcats have been one of the nation’s most consistent contenders for four months. More importantly, they have excelled in the crucial moments that define a season, and proved that once again Saturday.

Arizona’s defense was excellent after halftime, when Houston struggled to score. The Cougars didn’t score for nearly eight minutes in the second half, their longest scoring drought of the season. Jaden Bradley made big shots down the stretch and finished with 17 points. Anthony Dell’Orso had 22 off the bench, and Ivan Kharchenkov added 16 points. The Wildcats shot 25% from beyond the arc Saturday and failed to extend the lead by more than 10 points. — Medcalf

What we learned about Houston

This was the type of battle Kelvin Sampson’s Houston teams seemed to enjoy, but the Cougars once again suffered a scoring drought that they couldn’t overcome.

Houston went scoreless for nearly eight minutes in the second half against Arizona. And though the Wildcats’ defense played a significant role in that drought, the Cougars can’t expect to cut down the nets in April if they can’t get a much-needed bucket. They were also outscored 21-9 in the last 11 minutes of their 70-67 loss at Iowa State on Monday.

Do they have the offensive output to trade punches with the best teams in America? The NCAA tournament is decided by playmakers and stars, and the Cougars have them, but their inability to overcome a pair of ugly stretches in back-to-back games is concerning. This week’s losses suggest that unless star freshman Kingston Flemings can create shots in clutch moments, they might be vulnerable to more droughts at the most critical juncture of the season. — Medcalf

When the NFL combine begins in Indianapolis this week, it will be the next step in the evaluation process ahead of the 2026 NFL draft (April 23-25, ESPN and ABC).

Each spring presents prime opportunities for NFL teams to scout prospects: the all-star games (Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, and the East-West Shrine Bowl in Frisco, Texas, among the more notable), the combine and individual pro days leading up to this year’s draft in Pittsburgh. Teams also have the opportunity to bring in as many as 30 players to their facility during the spring. While each team scouts events differently, there are major things they’re looking for at each stop.

“The football aspect, that’s what resonates right now. We’re trying to confirm the things we see and then obviously you find out who the guys are that love this game and are doing all the little things to help their career along and help the organization achieve their goals,” said New Orleans Saints running backs coach Joel Thomas, who coached the American team during the Senior Bowl, in January.

Teams at the combine will interview players, run them through workouts and share medical information. Pro days and top-30 visits allow teams to interact with players who chose to skip the combine or who were not invited to the event.

One NFC executive told ESPN that evaluating players’ draft stocks after their seasons can still be difficult to measure. “Most of the work that gets done after the season is usually an affirmation or confirmation of what you believe already,” he said.

Where do things stand right now? ESPN’s Jeff Legwold, Jeremy Fowler and Roman Modrowski used the Senior Bowl, Shrine Bowl and Super Bowl as opportunities to poll executives, coaches and players on three big questions about the class. Will the Las Vegas Raiders keep the No. 1 pick and draft quarterback Fernando Mendoza? Who is the best prospect in this class, regardless of position? And which prospects will be most exciting to watch on Sundays this fall? (Each reporter asked a question, and the number of responses differs from question to question.)

Jump to a question:
Will the Raiders keep the No. 1 pick?
Who is the best prospect in the class?
Who are NFL players most excited to watch?

Will the Raiders keep the No. 1 pick and select Fernando Mendoza?

Keep the pick: Eight votes
Trade the pick: Zero votes

The Raiders are smart to remain noncommittal in the public eye, but people around the league see through that. To executives and scouts, the answer to this question is clear-cut: There’s zero chance the Raiders move out of the top spot and pass on drafting the QB out of Indiana.

“Never say never, but never,” said an AFC exec about the Raiders moving from the top pick while evoking a line made famous by former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin.

Getting a capable starting quarterback on a rookie contract is the envy of most front offices. The Raiders have that chance — perhaps the only chance in a draft with one slam-dunk passer at the top. That’s Mendoza, the Heisman Trophy winner who showed out in his final collegiate season. It was a performance of the ages, similar to star turns by Joe Burrow (Cincinnati) and Jayden Daniels (Washington) during their final seasons at LSU.

“The Raiders’ roster is bad, but Mendoza is the best passer in the draft and it’s not close,” an NFC executive said. “You can’t pass that up. He’s accurate to all levels of the field with a good arm, plus-size and good character.”

Those same evaluators believe Mendoza could be a good fit for a Raiders team that needs a dose of his enthusiasm.

“That can be his superpower,” a separate NFC executive said about the QB’s demeanor. “… He’s really that focused, and I think guys will gravitate toward that.”

A few voters weighed the alternative, if trading the first pick could land a big fish such as Burrow or Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson. But such deals are considered unlikely at best.

The Raiders ranked last in the NFL in total offense last season (245.3 yards per game). Mendoza won’t have much talent around him in Vegas in Year 1, but it wouldn’t surprise if the Raiders spend aggressively along the offensive line and skill positions in free agency. Vegas’ near-$88 million in salary cap space ranks second behind the Tennessee Titans. — Fowler

Who is the best prospect in the class, regardless of position?

Arvell Reese, LB/Edge, Ohio State: Five votes
Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame: Three votes
Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State: One vote
Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana: One vote

Since roughly the time Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning was selected with the No. 1 pick of the 1998 NFL draft, there seem to be two draft boards that teams have each year: the quarterback board and everybody else. Twenty-one quarterbacks have been selected No. 1 in the past 28 drafts, including seven of the past eight years.

So, when asked about the best prospect in this year’s draft, every scout or personnel executive that was polled was quick to say they believe Mendoza will be the No. 1 pick. And they said that Mendoza was easily the best quarterback on the board and is certainly one of the best players in the draft.

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Why Fernando Mendoza is Field Yates’ top prospect in the 2026 draft

Field Yates and Ben Solak discuss what makes Fernando Mendoza the top overall player in the 2026 NFL draft.

“But it won’t be a Mario Williams-type year,” an NFC general manager said. “I don’t see many, if any, scenarios where [Mendoza] doesn’t go No. 1, no matter where everybody is graded. There will be some grades a bit higher.”

Williams was one of the seven nonquarterback No. 1 picks over those past 28 drafts when the Houston Texans selected him No. 1 in 2006. He was eventually named to four Pro Bowls to go with one first-team All Pro selection in his 11-year career, but Vince Young (No. 3), Matt Leinart (No. 10) and Jay Cutler (No. 11) were the first-round quarterbacks that year.

When it comes to who the best prospect is in the 2026 class regardless of position, that honor based on our polling goes to Reese. The Ohio State linebacker/edge rusher was a multitask player in the Buckeyes’ defense, boasting athleticism, physicality and walk-in starter ability as a three-down player. He has enormous potential as an edge rusher to go with his vast array of off-ball abilities.

Love, who had 35 rushing touchdowns over the past two seasons combined, received the most votes after Reese. For a league in search of explosive plays, the Notre Dame running back is a player who could emerge in a big way, and the fact he isn’t considered a scheme-dependent back will make his list of NFL suitors longer. — Legwold

Which draft prospects are current NFL players most excited to watch on Sundays?

Two weeks before he helped the Seattle Seahawks win Super Bowl LX, first-team All-Pro defensive end Leonard Williams watched Mendoza lead Indiana to the national championship. Mendoza’s iconic scramble-and-stretch over the goal line was one of the most memorable in championship game history, but there was something else that stuck with Williams.

“He just looks like a great, humble kid,” Williams said during Super Bowl week. “He just looks like he’s happy to be there, wherever he’s at. I think that type of attitude, combined with his athleticism and playmaking ability, he’s going to change a locker room wherever he goes.”

Mendoza’s 27 red zone touchdowns (without an interception) were the most in the FBS, and his 79.2% adjusted completion percentage ranked second in the country. But Mendoza also made an impact when the ball wasn’t in play.

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Who will the Jets draft at No. 2?

Field Yates and Mina Kimes speculate on what the Jets could do with the No. 2 pick in this year’s NFL draft.

“Being in the league for [11 years], it’s not always about your ability to play, it’s about your ability — especially at quarterback — to influence a team. His demeanor and his nature, the way he is to the core, you can see it,” Williams said.

Patriots guard Mike Onwenu said he’s excited to see what Mendoza can do in the NFL, too.

“Based on the year he had, and seeing him as a leader, seeing him address the team and seeing him address the media, he went from moment to moment,” Onwenu said.

Patriots Pro Bowl cornerback Christian Gonzalez said he’s most looking forward to welcoming Arizona State wide receiver Jordyn Tyson to the NFL, though. Tyson has battled injuries the past two seasons, but ESPN’s Field Yates has him going No. 8 to the Saints in his most recent mock draft.

Gonzalez’s interest in the 6-foot-2, 200-pound wide receiver extends beyond the stats.

“He’s from the same area as me, near Dallas,” Gonzalez said. “And we have the same agent. So I got to know him a little bit. Great guy, great athlete. Excited to see him in this league, and he’s going to be a great player.”

Patriots special-teamer Alex Austin also chose Tyson after watching some of his highlights on YouTube.

“He’s real athletic,” Austin said. “I’m excited to see what he does. I think he can be a great weapon. He’s legitimate.”

Seahawks rookie safety Nick Emmanwori had a standout season after being named a first-team All-American at South Carolina. It was no surprise that some of the prospects Emmanwori has his eye on have S.C. ties.

“I like [South Carolina CB] Brandon Cisse,” Emmanwori said, “and [Clemson WR] Antonio Williams. … I played [Williams] in high school, played him in college, he’s from Irmo, South Carolina, which is where I’m from. Hometown rival. Great college career. Those are the dudes I’ve been keeping up with coming out of college.”

Emmanwori also mentioned Ohio State’s Reese and LSU cornerback Mansoor Delane among the prospects he is most excited to watch.

Mendoza wasn’t the only player who had a strong championship game. Miami defensive lineman Rueben Bain Jr. had a sack and 2.5 tackles for a loss. “He’s an exciting player,” Patriots linebacker Jack Gibbens said of him. “I watched him in a couple of the playoff games and he seems like he’s definitely someone to watch.”

And finally, Seahawks defensive tackle Jarran Reed chose Alabama receiver Germie Bernard as the prospect he’s most excited to watch.

“Why? Cause I went to Alabama,” Reed said. — Modrowski

ESPN Saints reporter Katherine Terrell contributed to this story.

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