For all of the 2024 season, New York Giants fans have been tortured by watching Saquon Barkley take a rival team to Super Bowl 59. But the star running back did try to help his old team find a new quarterback — sort of.

Soon-to-be free agent quarterback Jameis Winston is serving as a correspondent for Fox Sports Digital ahead of the Super Bowl, and he was among the media members at Super Bowl Opening Night on Monday. Always hilarious, Winston asked Barkley what team should sign him in free agency this offseason. The Eagles running back had the perfect response.

‘I think New York needs a quarterback right now,’ Barkley said.

Winston asked which New York team, and Barkley responded the Giants.

It might have been some good advice from Barkley, but it was certainly a jab at his former team that infamously let him go. Barkley has poked fun at his former’s team decision. On ‘Hard Knocks: Offseason with the New York Giants,’ Giants owner John Mara said he wouldn’t be able to sleep if Barkley went to Philadelphia, and Barkley had some fun with Mara’s comments in an advertisement for Unisom, a sleep aid.

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However, the Giants do have to address the quarterback problem. They did release franchise quarterback Daniel Jones after a dismal tenure, and New York couldn’t find consistent quarterback play en route to a 3-14 regular season. New York does own the No. 3 pick in the 2025 draft and could draft a quarterback, but Winston might be an option.

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Cooper Kupp says his run with the Los Angeles Rams is coming to an end – against his will.

The wide receiver revealed Monday that the team plans to trade him despite his wishes to remain with the organization.

‘I was informed that the team will be seeking a trade immediately and will be working with me and my family to find the right place to continue competing for championships,’ Kupp wrote on X. ‘I don’t agree with the decision and always believed it was going to begin and end in LA.

‘Still, if there’s one thing that I have learned over the years: there are so many things that are out of your control, but it is how you respond to these things that you will look back on and remember.’

Kupp, who turns 32 in June, reiterated in January his plans to play in 2025 despite missing 18 games over the last three seasons due to injury.

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‘2024 began with one of the best training camps of my career,’ Kupp wrote Monday. ‘Preparations start now for 2025. Highly motivated, as healthy as ever, and looking forward to playing elite football for years to come.’

A third-round pick out of Eastern Washington in 2017, Kupp enjoyed a breakout season in 2021, when he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year after leading the NFL with 145 catches, 1,947 yards and 16 touchdowns. He earned Super Bowl 56 MVP honors after hauling in eight catches for 92 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning score with 1:25 remaining.

In the last two years, however, the Rams’ passing attack has centered on Puka Nacua, who has recorded 184 catches for 2,476 yards since being selected as a fifth-round pick in 2023.

Kupp is under contract through the 2026 season, with his upcoming cap hit of $29.78 million ranking as the fifth highest for any player at his position. He was frequently discussed as a potential candidate to be moved ahead of the NFL trade deadline in early November, but the team held onto him amid its push for an NFC West title.

If the Rams are unable to find a trade partner willing to take on Kupp’s current deal, they would be saddled with a $22.26 million dead cap hit but save $7.52 million against the cap.

This story has been updated with new information.

NEW ORLEANS – NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said at his annual Super Bowl-week news conference Monday that those who believe the Kansas City Chiefs receive preferential treatment from the officials are simply wrong. 

“A lot of those theories happen in social media and they have a new life … I understand it, I think it reflects a lot of the fans’ passion,” Goodell said. “I think it’s also a reminder of how important officiating is.” 

Goodell said he believes the individuals who call NFL games have the highest possible standards when it comes to integrity. 

“That’s a ridiculous theory, for anyone who might take it seriously,” Goodell said. “But at the end of the day, it’s something we have to continue to work on: How do we make our officiating better at all times?” 

The online hoopla reminded Goodell of last year’s narrative that the commissioner and others scripted the season from the league’s Park Avenue offices in Manhattan, New York. 

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“These officials are outstanding people – both men and women – and they go through a lot to become officials,” Goodell said. “It’s a tough job, a really hard job. … I’ve never seen a more dedicated group of people than NFL officials to getting it right, to doing the best job they possibly can, and I’m incredibly proud of them.” 

Moderated by Curt Menefee, the FOX Sports host who offered a few table-setting talking points for Goodell, the session lasted about 45 minutes. Menefee asked about the existence of a universal sky judge and how the league can be more transparent.

“I think that’s something we continue to work on: communicate better, educate better,” Goodell said. “But also to use technology. … We want to use technology to supplement and support and assist the officials in getting it right.” 

More plays may be available to “replay assist” – a quick decision from an official not on the field with access to more camera angles – after the league’s competition committee meets this offseason. 

Whether or not that includes using tech to spot the football rather than the eyesight of human beings is a work in progress, Goodell said.

The league tested that technology in the preseason and Goodell said it is complicated by the shape of the football makes it more difficult. The NFL’s partners are working to advance that as quickly as possible, Goodell added, and the league is experimenting to determine whether it can be used in the flow of a game.

Here are six other takeaways from the commissioner’s annual Super-Bowl-week news conference:

Expanding regular season to 18 games

The league and NFL Players Association have yet to hold formal talks about expanding the regular season, although union director Lloyd Howell and Goodell have discussed the possibility. There is no deadline for when a decision would have to be made, as the current collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the league and union is in effect through the 2030 season. 

“We know our fans love football, they want more football,” Goodell said. “But we have to be incredibly smart and sensitive in the balance and how we deal with that.” 

Rooney Rule/DEI  

The implementation of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies have become a hot-button issue in the first two weeks of Donald Trump’s presidency and essentially since his election in November.

Goodell stood by the gains the league has made in its hiring practices during his time as commissioner.  

“We felt it was the right thing for the (NFL),” Goodell said of its commitment to DEI. “I think we’ve proven ourselves that it does make the NFL better.”

But in the face of a White House that has declared war on those initiatives, Goodell is still confident “because our owners participate in everything we do.”  

“Our policies have been designed to be well within the design, well within the practice. There are no quotas in our system” Goodell said. “This is about opening that funnel and bringing in the best talent to the NFL.” 

The league office has spoken with the NFL’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee multiple times over the last six months, he said, and assured that the NFL’s policies are current with both the previous and current presidential administrations. 

To Goodell and the league office, it is not a trend. 

“Our efforts are fundamental in trying to attract the best-possible talent both on and off the field,” he said. 

However, teams such as the New England Patriots and the Dallas Cowboys were ridiculed for their head-coaching searches not appearing to seriously adhere to the Rooney Rule, which requires teams to interview at least two external minority candidates. 

“I think all of the steps that have been made are followed up, evaluated and feel comfortable that they’re being done the right way,” Goodell said of the Rooney Rule.

On the subject of coaches declining head-coaching interviews out of fear they are not serious candidates, Goodell said that is not unusual. He nonetheless encourages coaches to go through the process and gain experience in that area.

There have been candidates who have expressed to the league office that they felt their candidacy wasn’t legitimate, Goodell said. Slowing down the process was a win for the NFL, he added, in leveling the playing field among teams who are simultaneously seeking new head coaches. 

Flagging for flopping? 

Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes drew the ire of opposing fans for questionable penalties he drew against the Houston Texans in the divisional round last month. 

Goodell was asked whether the league would install a penalty specifically for flopping, and the commissioner noted it depends on one’s definition of the act. He did, however, point out that the league drew a line on players faking injuries to stop hurry-up offenses. The competition committee has discussed flopping in the past and “they could probably talk about (flopping) in the future, it wouldn’t surprise me.” 

Justin Tucker

Goodell said he was surprised by the Baltimore Banner’s reporting over the past week that detailed alleged sexual harassment and misconduct Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker, who vehemently denied any wrongdoing. 

Goodell said the league will adhere to its protocols in letting any potential criminal or civil processes play out. 

“We will look into those issues. They’re obviously serious issues,” Goodell said. “He’s taking that seriously and so are we.” 

International Super Bowl 

On potentially increasing the number of international games from eight to 16, Goodell tempered expectations by saying the league may fall short of reaching eight in 2025. Media rights are critical to that expansion, and the league is open for business in that respect to both existing and prospective broadcast and streaming partners. 

An international Super Bowl would occur only if the league expanded internationally. 

“I do think someday we’re going to have an international franchise,” Goodell said. 

Saints diocese report

With Saints owner Gayle Benson sitting in the front row, Goodell fielded a question about a report from Monday morning that Saints executives counseled local Catholic Church leaders in the wake of a child sex abuse scandal by clergymen. 

“Mrs. Benson and the Saints are very involved in this city and they are great corporate citizens,” Goodell said. “So Mrs. Benson takes all these matters seriously, particularly for someone with the Catholic Church connections that she does.” 

Goodell considered it a matter of the FBI and local law enforcement and referred any details to Benson’s prior statements and the emails that were made public. 

This story has been updated to include new information.

Hoberg, 38, considered one of baseball’s best umpires, is the first known umpire to be terminated for violating baseball’s gambling policy.

While there is no evidence that Hoberg directly bet on baseball during his 529 direct bets totaling $709,606 with two sports books, an account he shared with his close friend – a professional poker player – revealed 141 bets on baseball games, including eight bets during five games that Hoberg was either umpiring or in New York’s video replay booth.

“The strict enforcement of Major League Baseball’s rules governing sports betting conduct is a critical component of upholding our most important priority: protecting the integrity of our games for the fans,’’ Manfred said in a statement. “An extensive investigation revealed no evidence that Mr. Hoberg placed bets on baseball directly or that he or anyone else manipulated games in any way.

“However, his extremely poor judgment in sharing betting accounts with a professional poker player he had reason to believe bet on baseball and who did, in fact, bet on baseball from the shared accounts, combined with his deletion of messages, creates at minimum the appearance of impropriety that warrants imposing the most severe discipline.

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“Therefore, there is just cause to uphold Mr. Hoberg’s termination for failing to conform to high standards of personal conduct and to maintain the integrity of the game of baseball.”

MLB announced last summer that Hoberg was disciplined for potential illegal activity, but never revealed that he was terminated on May 24, 2024 because of an appeal he filed with the umpires’ union. MLB officially denied his appeal on Monday, ending his association with Major League Baseball.

Hoberg has the right to apply for reinstatement in 2026, just like Pete Rose had the opportunity to apply for reinstatement every year, but the all-time hits leader remained permanently banned from baseball until his death.

While Hoberg admitted to gambling on different sports, he vehemently denied gambling on baseball. Yet, after MLB opened its investigation in February, 2024, officials determined that he intentionally deleted messages central to its investigation. MLB did not find any data from sportsbooks that revealed Hoberg bet on baseball or manipulated the outcome of any games.

“I take full responsibility for the errors in judgment that are outlined in today’s statement,’ Hoberg said in his own statement. “Those errors will always be a source of shame and embarrassment to me. Major League Baseball umpires are held to a high standard of personal conduct, and my own conduct fell short of that standard. That said, to be clear, I have never and would never bet on baseball in any way, shape, or form.

‘I have never provided, and would never provide, information to anyone for the purpose of betting on baseball. Upholding the integrity of the game has always been of the utmost importance to me. I apologize to Major League Baseball and the entire baseball community for my mistakes. I vow to learn from them and to be a better version of myself moving forward.”

The MLB Umpires Association also released a statement, thanking the commissioner ‘for his careful consideration of Pat Hoberg’s appeal.

‘As Major League Baseball umpires, we have devoted our professional lives to upholding the rules and integrity of the game. If our union believed that an umpire bet on baseball, we would never defend him. But as today’s statement from the League makes clear, the neutral factfinder did not find that Pat placed bets on baseball. Yet we respect Pat’s unequivocal acceptance of responsibility for the mistakes that led to his termination.’

MLB opened its investigation last February when it received information from a licensed sports betting operator that Hoberg opened a sports betting account in his own name in January 2024, and that the personal electronic device associated with this account was connected with the legal sports betting account of a close friend of his who frequently traveled with him during the season.

Michael Hill, MLB senior vice president of on-field operations and workforce development, determined after viewing the evidence last year that “based on the totality of the circumstances, including impeding the investigation into his conduct, Hoberg’s conduct and extremely poor judgment created a situation in which Hoberg could not be trusted to maintain the integrity of the international game of baseball on the field as required by Article 9.A of the CBA.’’

Manfred reviewed all of the information during the grievance procedure, met personally with Hoberg, and upheld the termination.

Hoberg, who had a perfect score as the home-plate umpire during Game 2 of the 2022 World Series, began placing bets through his friend beginning in 2015 or 2016, and then opened his online account in 2019 when sports betting became legal in his home state of Iowa. Hoberg and his friend shared passwords and accounts, using the messaging app ‘Telegram.’ Hoberg and his friend settled outstanding debts in cash when they saw one another in person.

The investigation showed that Hoberg’s devices were used to place 529 direct bets with two sports books from Dec. 30, 2020 to Jan. 15, 2024, spending $709,605.83. He lost a total of $75,876 betting on football, basketball, hockey and golf. Hoberg’s associate bet 141 times on baseball between April 2, 2021-Nov. 1, 2023, betting a total of $213,754.45, focusing on the runs scored and the winner of games. Those bets produced winnings of $34,583.06.

There were five games that Hoberg was an umpire or in the replay booth in New York during those 141 bets, but MLB found no evidence of wrongdoing or attempt to manipulate the outcome of the games. His associate won $9,000 on those five games, all in 2021, but there was no call or replay that showed any potential pattern that indicated there was an integrity risk.

‘Throughout the entire process, Hoberg has adamantly denied betting on baseball or knowing that Individual A was betting on baseball, and the data provided by the sportsbooks does not show any baseball bets from his electronic devices,’ MLB said in a statement. ‘However, based on the record of evidence, it is found as a matter of fact that Hoberg knew or should have known that Individual A bet on baseball. He had unfettered access to the account that reflected his own bets – as well as his wins and losses.

“Individual A’s bets as well as wins and losses could easily be distinguished when compared to the Telegram ledger. Hoberg admitted that given Individual A was a sports gambler he had reason to believe that Individual A bet on baseball and thought that he could have bet on baseball.

“Hoberg acknowledged that he never told Individual A not to bet on baseball and said that it did not occur to him to ask if Individual A had done so. Accordingly, Hoberg did nothing to disassociate himself as a Major League Umpire from Individual A’s baseball betting for several years despite knowing that he was allowed to open betting accounts in his own name and bet on other sports.’’

The earliest Hoberg could apply for reinstatement is at the start of spring training in 2026, but in all probability, he has umpired his last game in Major League Baseball.

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(This story has been updated with additional details.)

Is there Tayvoodoo afoot at this year’s Super Bowl? Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce isn’t ruling it out.

Swifties coined the term to describe how pop star Taylor Swift seems to have an outsize effect on the universe. She may have deployed some of her magic when she mimed throwing a football during her Eras Tour in October at the Caesars Superdome — the site of Sunday’s big game in New Orleans.

‘We love to manifest things, for sure, and you can’t say it’s not real, because we’re here, right?’ Kelce said during a press availability at the stadium on Monday. ‘Whatever she was doing, I’m sure it helped.’

Fans suspect Swift alluded to Kelce and the Chiefs repeatedly during the course of the Eras Tour. They drew conclusions about the meanings behind her surprise mashups and noticed how she would call out the ‘guy on the Chiefs’ by changing the lyrics to her song ‘Karma’ on nights the team won. Kelce only made it to one U.S. Eras Tour show this year because of his football schedule.

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‘For me not being able to be there supporting her during those weeks, it made me feel like I was there,’ he said Monday.

The tight end fielded a few questions about his girlfriend Monday between inquiries about his team and their Super Bowl strategy, but he didn’t seem to mind. He brushed off a reporter who asked about his message for non-Swifties.

‘Who’s not a Swiftie?’ Kelce replied.

When another reporter asked about Swift’s famous baked goods, Kelce said she was ‘quite the cook.’

‘I’m a breakfast man. Her homemade Pop-Tarts are unbelievable,’ he said.

He also spoke about the drive the couple shares.

‘I better hold up my end of the bargain, right?’ he said. ‘If she’s out here being the superstar she is and never taking no for an answer and always working her tail off, I better match that energy.’

Swift brought some of that energy to the Grammys on Sunday, where she presented an award to Beyoncé and was seen in the audience dancing with a bottle of champagne. She wore red, the Chiefs’ signature color, and a ‘T’ charm on her leg.

At the end of his media appearance on Monday, Kelce had a message for Swifties in the form of a simple heart hand gesture.

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