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The Justice Department has formed a ‘strike force’ to assess the evidence publicized by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard relating to former President Barack Obama and his top national security and intelligence officials’ alleged involvement in the origins of the Trump–Russia collusion narrative.

The Department of Justice (DOJ), Wednesday evening, announced the formation of the ‘strike force,’ to investigate potential next legal steps which may stem from Gabbard’s recent declassification of records suggesting that Obama administration officials ‘manufactured’ intelligence to form the narrative that then-candidate Donald Trump was colluding with Russia to influence the 2016 presidential election.

Justice Department officials told Fox News Digital that the DOJ takes the alleged weaponization of the intelligence community with ‘the utmost seriousness.’

A source familiar with the strike force told Fox News Digital that everything is being reviewed and that no serious lead is off the table.

The source told Fox News Digital that the National Security Division of the Justice Department will ‘likely be involved in the investigation.’ 

‘The Department of Justice is proud to work with my friend Director Gabbard and we are grateful for her partnership in delivering accountability for the American people,’ Attorney General Pam Bondi said.

‘We will investigate these troubling disclosures fully and leave no stone unturned to deliver justice,’ she said.

The strike force consists of teams made up of investigators and prosecutors that focus on ‘the worst offenders engaged in fraudulent activities, including, chiefly, health care fraud, wire fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, money laundering offenses, false statements offenses,’ and more, according to the DOJ.

The formation of the strike force comes after a slew of developments related to the origins of the Trump–Russia investigation.

Earlier in July, CIA Director John Ratcliffe sent a criminal referral for former CIA Director John Brennan to the FBI.

The referral came after Ratcliffe declassified a ‘lessons learned’ review of the creation of the 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA). The 2017 ICA alleged Russia sought to influence the 2016 presidential election to help then-candidate Trump. But the review found that the process of the ICA’s creation was rushed with ‘procedural anomalies,’ and that officials diverted from intelligence standards. 

It also determined that the ‘decision by agency heads to include the Steele Dossier in the ICA ran counter to fundamental tradecraft principles and ultimately undermined the credibility of a key judgment.’ 

The dossier — an anti-Trump document filled with unverified and wholly inaccurate claims that was commissioned by Fusion GPS and paid for by Democrat presidential candidate Hillary Clinton’s campaign and the DNC — has been widely discredited. The review marks the first time career CIA officials have acknowledged politicization of the process by which the ICA was written, particularly by Obama-era political appointees. 

Records declassified as part of that review further revealed that Brennan did, in fact, push for the dossier to be included in the 2017 ICA.

FBI Director Kash Patel received the criminal referral and opened an investigation into Brennan.

Patel also opened a criminal investigation into former FBI Director James Comey.

The full scope of the criminal investigations into Brennan and Comey is unclear, but two sources described the FBI’s view of the duo’s interactions as a ‘conspiracy,’ which could open up a wide range of potential prosecutorial options. 

The FBI and CIA declined to comment.

Neither Brennan nor Comey immediately responded to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Days later, Gabbard declassified documents revealing ‘overwhelming evidence’ that demonstrated how, after Trump won the 2016 election against Clinton, then-President Obama and his national security team laid the groundwork for what would be the yearslong Trump–Russia collusion probe.

Gabbard said the documents revealed that Obama administration officials ‘manufactured and politicized intelligence’ to create the narrative that Russia was attempting to influence the 2016 presidential election, despite information from the intelligence community stating otherwise.

The new documents name Obama, top officials in his National Security Council, then-Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, then-CIA Director Brennan, then-National Security Advisor Susan Rice, then-Secretary of State John Kerry, then-Attorney General Loretta Lynch, and then-Deputy FBI Director Andrew McCabe, among others.

Gabbard, on Monday, sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department related to those findings. DOJ officials did not share further details on whom the criminal referral was for.

And on Wednesday, Gabbard declassified documents that showed that the intelligence community did not have any direct information that Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help elect Trump during the 2016 presidential election, but, at the ‘unusual’ direction of Obama, published ‘potentially biased’ or ‘implausible’ intelligence suggesting otherwise.

That information came from a report prepared by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence back in 2020.

The report, which was based on an investigation launched by former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., was dated Sept. 18, 2020. At the time of the publication of the report, Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., was the chairman of the committee.

The report has never before been released to the public, and instead, has remained highly classified within the intelligence community.

Meanwhile, Fox News Digital, in 2020, exclusively obtained the declassified transcripts of Obama-era national security officials’ closed-door testimonies before the House Intelligence Committee, in which those officials testified that they had no ’empirical evidence’ of a conspiracy between the Trump campaign and Russia in the 2016 election, but continued to publicly push the ‘narrative’ of collusion.

The House Intelligence Committee, in 2017, conducted depositions of top Obama intelligence officials, including Clapper, Rice and Lynch, among others.

The officials’ responses in the transcripts of those interviews align with the results of former Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation — which found no evidence of criminal coordination between the Trump campaign and Russia in 2016, while not reaching a determination on obstruction of justice.

The transcripts, from 2017 and 2018, revealed top Obama officials were questioned by House Intelligence Committee lawmakers and investigators about whether they had or had seen evidence of such collusion, coordination or conspiracy — the issue that drove the FBI’s initial case and later the special counsel probe.

‘I never saw any direct empirical evidence that the Trump campaign or someone in it was plotting/conspiring with the Russians to meddle with the election,’ Clapper testified in 2017. ‘That’s not to say that there weren’t concerns about the evidence we were seeing, anecdotal evidence…. But I do not recall any instance where I had direct evidence.’

Lynch also said she did ‘not recall that being briefed up to me.’

‘I can’t say that it existed or not,’ Lynch said, referring to evidence of collusion, conspiracy or coordination.

But Clapper and Lynch, and then Vice President Joe Biden, were present in the Oval Office July 28, 2016, when Brennan briefed Obama and Comey on intelligence he’d received from one of Clinton’s campaign foreign policy advisors ‘to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.’ 

‘We’re getting additional insight into Russian activities from (REDACTED),’ read Brennan’s handwritten notes, exclusively obtained by Fox News Digital in October 2020. ‘CITE (summarizing) alleged approved by Hillary Clinton a proposal from one of her foreign policy advisers to vilify Donald Trump by stirring up a scandal claiming interference by the Russian security service.’

Meanwhile, former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power, according to the transcript of her interview to the House Intelligence Committee, was asked whether she had or saw any evidence of collusion or conspiracy.

Power replied: ‘I am not in possession of anything — I am not in possession and didn’t read or absorb information that came from out of the intelligence community.’

When asked again, she said: ‘I am not.’

Rice was asked the same question.

‘To the best of my recollection, there wasn’t anything smoking, but there were some things that gave me pause,’ she said, according to her transcribed interview, in response to whether she had any evidence of conspiracy. ‘I don’t recall intelligence that I would consider evidence to that effect that I saw… conspiracy prior to my departure.’

When asked whether she had any evidence of ‘coordination,’ Rice replied: ‘I don’t recall any intelligence or evidence to that effect.’

Meanwhile, former FBI Deputy Director McCabe was not asked that specific question but rather questions about the accuracy and legitimacy of the unverified anti-Trump dossier compiled by ex-British intelligence officer Christopher Steele.

McCabe was asked during his interview in 2017 what was the most ‘damning or important piece of evidence in the dossier that’ he ‘now knows is true.’

McCabe replied: ‘We have not been able to prove the accuracy of all the information.’

‘You don’t know if it’s true or not?’ a House investigator asked, to which McCabe replied: ‘That’s correct.’

After Trump’s 2016 victory and during the presidential transition period, Comey briefed Trump on the now-infamous anti-Trump dossier, containing salacious allegations of purported coordination between Trump and the Russian government. Brennan was present for that briefing, which took place at Trump Tower in New York City in January 2017.

The dossier was authored by Steele. It was funded by Clinton’s presidential campaign and the Democratic National Committee through the law firm Perkins Coie.

But Brennan and Comey knew of intelligence suggesting Clinton, during the campaign, was stirring up a plan to tie Trump to Russia, documents claim. It is unclear whether the intelligence community, at the time, knew that the dossier was paid for by Clinton and the DNC.

The Obama-era officials have been mum on the new revelations, but a spokesman for Obama on Tuesday made a rare public statement.

‘Out of respect for the office of the presidency, our office does not normally dignify the constant nonsense and misinformation flowing out of this White House with a response,’ Obama spokesman Patrick Rodenbush said in a statement. ‘But these claims are outrageous enough to merit one.’ 

‘These bizarre allegations are ridiculous and a weak attempt at distraction,’ Obama’s spokesman continued. ‘Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes.’

He added: ‘These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio.’ 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

A senior former Biden administration official arrived on Capitol Hill for a closed-door interview with House investigators on Thursday.

Ronald Klain served as former President Joe Biden’s chief of staff in the first half of his term, from the beginning of his term in January 2021 until early February 2023.

He did not answer shouted questions from reporters before disappearing for his voluntary transcribed interview with the House Oversight Committee.

Committee Chair James Comer, R-Ky., is investigating whether Biden’s top White House aides concealed signs of mental decline in the then-president, and if that meant executive actions were signed via autopen without his knowledge.

‘I think he’ll be forthcoming. I mean, he’s at the top of the organizational chart for the Biden administration,’ Comer told reporters on his way into the closed-door deposition. ‘I think everyone in America is wondering whether or not Joe Biden was mentally fit to be President of the United States, especially during the last six months of his administration.’

Reps. Andy Biggs, R-Ariz., and Ro Khanna, D-Calif., were also seen entering the room for the interview, which is expected to be staff-led.

Biden maintained he ‘made every decision’ in a recent interview with The New York Times.

Klain is the sixth ex-White House official to appear as part of Comer’s probe, and the third to appear on voluntary terms.

Former White House physician Kevin O’Connor, as well as senior advisors Annie Tomasini and Anthony Bernal, all appeared under subpoena.

Each also pleaded the Fifth Amendment to avoid answering questions.

Ex-staff secretary Neera Tanden and longtime Biden advisor Ashley Williams both appeared for voluntary transcribed interviews, like Klain.

Both of their interviews lasted over four hours, though House GOP investigators appear to have gleaned little new information.

Before serving as Biden’s chief of staff, Klain worked in the same capacity when the Delaware Democrat was vice president during the Obama administration.

He also served as a top advisor on Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign.

Most critical to investigators, perhaps, is the prominent role Klain reportedly played in preparing Biden for his disastrous June 2024 debate against now-President Donald Trump.

Rep. Eric Burlison, R-Mo., a member of the Oversight Committee, shared some of the information he hoped would be gleaned from Klain’s sitdown.

‘Did you ever see a question of cognitive ability in the president? Were you aware that he was not making these decisions? Was he being led?’ Burlison asked.

Fox News Digital’s Deirdre Heavey contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Sen. John Fetterman may be a Democrat, but on the issue of banning cashless-only businesses, he’s 100% right – and every small business owner, working-class American and financial realist should take note.

As a financial planner and entrepreneur, I’ve seen how pushing the U.S. toward a fully cashless society doesn’t just inconvenience people – it hurts them. It widens the wealth gap, excludes millions from daily commerce and puts Main Street businesses at a competitive disadvantage.

When Fetterman says, ‘It’s simple – it’s legal tender. If you accept money, you have to accept all money,’ he’s not just making a populist statement. He’s standing up for every American who gets punished simply for trying to pay with the money they earned.

Let’s look at the numbers:

5.9 million U.S. households are unbanked (FDIC).
18.7 million more are underbanked, relying on check cashers, prepaid cards and money orders.
13% of Americans use cash for all or most purchases.
Nearly 40% of Americans couldn’t cover a $400 emergency.

When a store refuses cash, it’s essentially telling millions of people – especially seniors, low-income earners and minorities – that their money isn’t welcome.

As the Pennsylvania senator put it, ‘We can’t let stores discriminate against people just because they don’t have a credit card or a smartphone.’

This push toward a cashless economy is driven by tech elites who assume everyone has digital access.  Aren’t you sick and tired of the guilt tipping button that now asks you for 20 or 25 or 30% tip with a server watching over you to see what you are going to give them. But this isn’t Silicon Valley – it’s America. Here, you should be able to buy lunch or medicine with a few bucks in your pocket.

And for many Americans, cash isn’t optional – it’s essential.

As someone who works with business owners every day and having owned a concrete driveway installation company, I can tell you, going cashless is bad for business. Here’s why:

Swipe Fees Eat MarginsEvery card transaction costs businesses 1.5% to 3.5%. On tight margins, that’s real money – especially in food, retail and service sectors.
Fewer Impulse BuysStudies show people are more thoughtful when using cash. That’s good for consumers – and helps prevent overreliance on credit.
System Outages Kill SalesWhen the power goes out or internet fails – like during the 2021 Texas storm – only businesses accepting cash could stay open. In emergencies, cash is king.
Customer LossMany older adults and working-class families still use cash daily. Turning them away is just bad business.

Every digital transaction is tracked. Your location, purchases and habits are cataloged and monetized by Big Tech and banks.

Cash, on the other hand, protects privacy. No monthly statements, no tracking, no algorithms.

The more we give up cash, the more control we give away – to institutions that charge fees, track behavior and limit access.

Cities like Philadelphia, San Francisco and New York have already banned cashless-only retail. It’s time to go national.

Fetterman’s proposed federal law would:

Require all physical stores to accept U.S. currency.
Impose penalties on violators.
Allow exceptions for online-only or high-security federal locations.

It’s not about resisting innovation – it’s about ensuring inclusion. Legal tender should mean what it says: legal for all debts, public and private.

Once we lose cash, we lose a piece of our freedom. We become more dependent on banks, apps and companies that profit off our transactions and control access to our own money.

Fetterman nailed it: ‘We’re going to keep pushing until every American – regardless of income – can walk into a store and buy what they need with a few bucks in their pocket.’

He’s right. And if we care about fairness, privacy and keeping Main Street open to all, we need to get behind him.

Because cash isn’t just currency. It’s economic liberty – and it’s worth protecting.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark is not expected to play in Thursday’s game against the Las Vegas Aces.

Clark has been dealing with a right groin injury.

The team did not practice on Wednesday but Clark was not listed as a probable starter for Thursday’s game on the team’s website.

Fever coach Stephanie White told reporters on Sunday that Clark was going to get another opinion from a doctor regarding her injury. White spoke to the media again on Tuesday before the Fever’s game against the New York Liberty, saying that Clark had visited a doctor in the morning but did not have any other updates.

How was Caitlin Clark injured?

Clark suffered the groin injury during the final moments of a game against the Connecticut Sun on July 15. 

She was voted as a team captain for the WNBA All-Star Game, but was unable to play, stating, ‘I have to rest my body.’

Clark has had other muscle-related injuries this season (left groin, quad tightness, quad strain). She’s missed 11 of the Fever’s 24 games this season, as well as the Commissioner’s Cup title game victory over the first-place Minnesota Lynx.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

In 2023, the NFC West provided the conference’s challenger for the Super Bowl. In 2024, it was a roller coaster ride that saw all four teams in contention for the division title at some point before the Los Angeles Rams won the crown via tiebreaker over the Seattle Seahawks.

The NFC West had a 10-win champion, tied with the AFC South (Houston) and NFC South (Tampa Bay) for the fewest last season. But its last-placed team in 2024 – the San Francisco 49ers – had more wins (six) than any other last-placed team league-wide.

No team established itself as the dominant force. Things could change in 2025 as teams across the division made significant changes this offseason.

Seattle brought in a new offensive coordinator and quarterback for 2025. The Rams signed a three-time All-Pro wide receiver. Arizona invested heavily in defense via both free agency and the 2025 NFL Draft. San Francisco brought back defensive coordinator Robert Saleh and lost many familiar faces on offense and defense via free agency and trades.

Many of these moves will have fantasy football implications. There are plenty of questions for each team ahead of the 2025 season but we’ve settled on one big one for each franchise.

Here’s our one burning question for each team in the NFC West.

Fantasy football questions: NFC West

Arizona Cardinals

Will Marvin Harrison Jr. make a leap in Year 2?

Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzig operates one of the most diverse and unpredictable run schemes in the league. Defenses are tasked with preparing for all types of schemes for James Conner and company to churn out tough yards.

The same can’t be said for the pass offense. It was head-scratching campaign 2024; tight end Trey McBride enjoyed a breakout season but didn’t score a touchdown until Week 17. Without a designated deep threat in the receiving corps, that fell on Harrison’s shoulders.

Harrison entered the league as one of the top fade route receivers in recent college football history. Quarterback Kyler Murray has a history of throwing those well. But neither could get on the same page. Arizona targeted Harrison on fade routes more than all but one receiver league-wide in 2024 and he caught six of them.

If it wasn’t for the incredible success of fellow 2024 draftees Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers and Ladd McConkey, Harrison’s rookie year might have felt less disappointing. He’s bulked up ahead of the 2025 season and that could help him adjust to the pro game better. But will Petzig and Murray get the most out of him? That could be the difference between WR8 and WR20 this season.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Trey McBride (TE2, overall: 19)
Marvin Harrison Jr. (WR21, overall: 42)
James Conner (RB18, overall: 51)
Kyler Murray (QB9, overall: 76)
Trey Benson (RB47, overall: 145)
Michael Wilson (WR74, overall: 195)

Los Angeles Rams

Can Davante Adams be a top-15 fantasy WR again?

Los Angeles brought in one of the top wide receivers of his generation this offseason by signing Davante Adams to a two-year, $46 million deal. The three-time All-Pro should slide in and fill the void left by longtime Rams wide receiver Cooper Kupp, now in Seattle.

Adams managed more than 1,000 yards and eight touchdowns in 14 games with the Raiders and Jets in 2024. That made him WR12 in standard scoring leagues and WR11 in PPR formats.

In 2025, he’ll have Matthew Stafford throwing the ball to him in Sean McVay’s scheme, with Puka Nacua taking attention from the defense. That’s a pretty sweet setup.

But Nacua may take a large share of the targets to keep Adams from repeating that performance. Nacua was still WR26 in PPR leagues despite playing just 10 games in 2024. Kupp played in 12 games and was WR38.

Nacua will likely be the top dog in the passing game in 2025. If healthy all season, Adams will be the No. 2 weapon, but he is entering his age-33 season. It’s tempting to paint the best-case scenario for the veteran receiver but this may be a case of a player being a better asset in real-world football than the fantasy realm.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Puka Nacua (WR4, overall: 6)
Davante Adams (WR17, overall: 32)
Kyren Williams (RB12, overall: 38)
Matthew Stafford (QB21, overall: 126)
Blake Corum (RB57, overall: 180)
Los Angeles Rams D/ST (D/ST11, overall: 202)

San Francisco 49ers

What will Christian McCaffrey be in 2025?

McCaffrey was a fantasy football championship winner in 2023. He was the top-scoring running back by a country mile, especially in full PPR formats, in addition to winning Offensive Player of the Year.

Last season was a different story. Injuries kept him off the field for much of the season and when he appeared things weren’t very good. He played just under 75% of snaps from Weeks 10 through 13 with 86.5 total yards per game – his lowest figure since his rookie year in 2017 (67.9). He failed to score a touchdown for the first time in his career.

This offseason, McCaffrey’s been on the field for minicamp, an improvement from a year ago. But San Francisco drafted Oregon running back Jordan James in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. As a powerful back who excels in short yardage and red zone situations, James could hawk some touchdowns from McCaffrey.

With no timetable for wide receiver Brandon Aiyuk’s return and fellow wideout Ricky Pearsall dealing with a hamstring injury, McCaffrey may end up being deployed more as a de facto wide receiver while James and speedy second-year back Isaac Guerendo take up carries. Or McCaffrey could stay the lead back as the 49ers lean more into the run game early on but see fewer end zone touches with James’ arrival. It’s tough to tell.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Christian McCaffrey (RB6, overall: 17)
George Kittle (TE3, overall: 34)
Jauan Jennings (WR39, overall: 83)
Brock Purdy (QB11, overall: 92)
Ricky Pearsall (WR47, overall: 107)
Brandon Aiyuk (WR48, overall: 111)

Seattle Seahawks

Can Jaxon Smith-Njigba be a top-5 fantasy WR in 2025?

Smith-Njigba hit 100 receptions and 1,000 yards in his sophomore season in 2024. The No. 20 overall pick from the 2023 NFL Draft made the Pro Bowl and established himself as the top pass-catcher in Seattle, finishing as a top-10 wide receiver in half and full PPR formats.

Seattle overhauled its offense for 2025 notably with a new coordinator in Klint Kubiak. The former Saints offensive coordinator will bring a different system to Seattle compared to last year’s coordinator, Ryan Grubb, and one that should complement new Seahawks quarterback Sam Darnold’s skillset.

Metcalf and longtime Seahawks wideout Tyler Lockett are both out. In their place are Washington native Kupp and Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Neither will likely challenge Smith-Njigba for status as the top target in the passing game.

Smith-Njigba already is a top-10 wide receiver in fantasy football. In Kubiak’s system with Darnold at quarterback, he could conceivably challenge for top-5 status.

Top players (Fantasy Pros ADP)

Jaxon Smith-Njigba (WR12, overall: 20)
Kenneth Walker III (RB15, overall: 43)
Cooper Kupp (WR45, overall: 104)
Zach Charbonnet (RB36, overall: 114)
Sam Darnold (QB26, overall: 166)
Seattle Seahawks D/ST (D/ST12, overall: 206)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Pat McAfee has apologized to University of Mississippi student Mary Kate Cornett, nearly five months after he discussed an unsupported rumor about her on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’

The false rumor about Cornett’s romantic life circulated on social media in February, and it was quickly amplified by Barstool Sports and McAfee. Although McAfee didn’t mention Cornett’s name on-air, he directly addressed the rumor during a show at the NFL Scouting Combine on Feb. 26.

On the July 23 edition of ‘The Pat McAfee Show,’ the former NFL punter apologized to Cornett.

‘I have since learned that the story was not true, and that my show played a role in the anguish caused to a great family, and especially to a young woman, Mary Kate Cornett,’ McAfee said. ‘I think you all know from tuning into this program that I never want to be a source of negativity or contribute to another human’s suffering.

‘I can now happily share with you that I recently got to meet Mary Kate and her family, and I got a chance to sincerely apologize to them and acknowledge that what I said about Mary Kate was based solely on what others were saying on the internet or what had previously been reported by others, and that we had no personal knowledge about Mary Kate or her personal life.’

Cornett spoke with The Athletic in April and said she received an onslaught of backlash over “something completely false.’ Her phone number was released online and she had to move into emergency housing and switch to online courses for her safety, she said.

She also told NBC News ‘it was absolutely ridiculous that an ESPN sports broadcaster would be talking about a 19-year-old girl’s ‘sex scandal’ that was completely false.’ Cornett added she intended to take legal action against McAfee and ESPN for helping spread the rumor.

The rumor hadn’t been mentioned on the show since then, but McAfee vaguely addressed it during a live event he hosted in Pittsburgh less than two weeks after The Athletic article. He said he ‘didn’t want to add any more negativity as it was taking place” and would try to ‘make some sort of silver lining in a very terrible situation.’ Other outlets like Barstool issued apologies for their part in spreading the rumor.

Regarding why the topic hadn’t been addressed on his show for months, McAfee said Wednesday ‘there was a lot going on behind the scenes.’ He added he personally wanted to talk to Cornett and her family before he addressed it publicly.

‘I can now say that I had the opportunity to meet (Cornett’s family), chat with them, and they’re wonderful people. And I’m very thankful that they gave me the opportunity to tell them how sorry I was that this all happened, and that our program was a part of this,’ McAfee said. ‘I deeply regret all the pain that this caused. I hated watching what our show was a part of, in her interviews and reading about it. And my hope is that this can be something that we all learn from going forward.’

USA TODAY Sports has reached out to Cornett’s lawyer for comment.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

MLS commissioner Don Garber says he is “managing” whether star Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba could receive one-game suspensions for skipping the All-Star Game on Wednesday, July 23 in Austin, Texas.

MLS released an updated All-Star roster about eight hours before the game, which didn’t list both Inter Miami players, who stayed in South Florida instead of traveling for the exhibition.

It’s unclear when Inter Miami communicated Messi and Alba wouldn’t travel for the match, leaving much of the conversation on the day of the exhibition around whether MLS would suspend its biggest star despite his massive workload during the 2025 season.

Inter Miami has not responded to multiple requests from USA TODAY Sports this week seeking comment on Messi’s All-Star absence.

“Yeah, we should have known earlier. We should have addressed it earlier. No doubt about that,” Garber said during his midseason press conference before the All-Star Game at Q2 Stadium when asked by USA TODAY Sports why an announcement of Messi’s absence didn’t come earlier in MLS All-Star week.

Garber believes the MLS All-Star Game is a “real priority” for players, fans and team owners and executives, who all convened in Austin to discuss several issues like altering the MLS calendar, improving rosters and the MLS/Apple TV partnership before the match.

Garber also said he was told Messi and Alba did not practice as Inter Miami held a training session on Wednesday ahead of their next match against first-place FC Cincinnati on Saturday, July 26.

An announcement on a possible suspension for Messi and Alba could come as early as Thursday, July 24.

“Miami has had a schedule that is unlike any other team. Most of our teams had a 10-day break. Miami hasn’t. We had Leo playing 90 minutes in almost all the games that he’s played. We have to manage through that as a league. [At] the same time, we do have rules, and we have to manage through that as well,” Garber said.

“So, we would have loved to have Leo here. We’d have loved to have every player that was selected for the All-Star team here. And after this All-Star Game, we’ll figure out what needs to happen this weekend.”

Messi, the Argentine World Cup champion, has played every minute for Inter Miami during a nine-game stretch lasting 35 days, from the FIFA Club World Cup opener on June 14 to the club’s last match on July 19.

Overall, Messi has played more than 2,000 minutes in 22 of 23 matches since April 2 with his only game off on April 30.

Inter Miami has also played more games than any club in MLS with 34 matches across all competitions in 2025, excluding five preseason matches played in Las Vegas, Peru, Panama, Honduras and Tampa, Florida.

They have played 21 matches during the MLS regular season, while other clubs have played 23 or 24 matches. They’ve also played seven matches in the Concacaf Champions Cup and four matches in the Club World Cup.

“I was told this morning that neither Jordi or Messi practiced today. Jordi came off with an injury in the last game, and we’ll have to manage through what Miami is going to say about that,” Garber added.

Messi, 38, was the oldest player named an MLS All-Star in 2025. He joined Inter Miami in June 2023, and won MLS MVP in 2024 despite missing the 2024 All-Star Game and two months due to his Copa America ankle injury.

Inter Miami is in ongoing negotiations to re-sign Messi, whose contract is set to expire at the end of the 2025 season.

Along with addressing the impact bought to MLS by David Beckham, the former L.A. Galaxy star and Inter Miami co-owner, Garber said “MLS wouldn’t be today what it is today with Leo Messi, either.”

“I don’t think any of us realized what impact this player would have on our league, on our global exposure, on our credibility, on creating the thrills and just unique experiences that he’s done over just the last couple of weeks, scoring multiple goals in multiple games, playing 90 minutes over the last four or five games, not wanting to come out of the game,” Garber said of Messi.

“He’s an incredible competitor, and he’s performing at a really high level. So, we are perceived very differently globally, because Leo Messi is in our league.”

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs say their blowout Super Bowl 59 defeat is serving as motivation as they embark on another season.

“We didn’t play the way we wanted to play. On a nation stage – a worldwide stage. You want to go out there and be better and so that kind of helps you out on some of those extra workouts that you don’t want to do or some of the different stuff in order to get better for the next season. It kind of keeps that in your mind,” Mahomes said this week at training camp. “But now we’re here. We’re here. You start over. ‘How can I get better for teammates? How can I get better for the guy beside me?’ And going out there and attacking so that we can find a way to win that last game and not lose it.”

The Chiefs begin training camp as a contender and the favorite in the AFC West, but there are unanswered questions — particularly on offense — that could prevent the club from an astounding 10th straight division title and fourth consecutive Super Bowl appearance.

Did Chiefs shore up their offensive line?

The Chiefs have an open competition at left tackle after starting four different players at the position in 2024. Kansas City is high on first-round pick Josh Simmons, who is already receiving reps with the first team. Free-agent addition Jaylon Moore is playing some at right tackle while incumbent RT Jawaan Taylor is on the PUP-list.

“You got to look for the best guy, I mean, to start with, that can fill in that spot, (so) that we can have a little consistency there. We didn’t have that last year and so let’s work at it and see what we come up with,” Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. “We’ve got some good candidates for it, and you know, we’ll just see where it goes.

The Chiefs are kicking the tires with Kingsley Suamataia at left guard as they aim to replace Joe Thuney whom they traded to Chicago.

“These are young guys that are going to get in there and compete, and I think that’s a positive thing, and we’re going to come out with somebody that’s a good player,” Reid said about the competitions at tackle and guard.

Kansas City’s shortcoming along its offensive line was magnified during the team’s Super Bowl 59 loss. Mahomes was pressured 254 times on 770 total dropbacks and sacked a career-most 36 times in 2024.

How long will Rashee Rice be suspended?

A suspension for Rice seems imminent after a judge sentenced the wide receiver to 30 days in jail and five years of probation for his role in a multicar crash last year. However, a final verdict on an NFL suspension for Rice is to be determined.  

“There’s no timeline. The league is reviewing the matter,” NFL vice president of communications Brian McCarthy told USA TODAY Sports.

Rice was limited to only four games last year due to a season-ending knee injury, so the Chiefs have grown accustomed to playing without their No. 1 wide receiver, but his absence does affect the team’s passing game.

Chiefs’ Rashee Rice sentenced to 30 days in jail for role in high-speed car crash

Mahomes averaged a career-low 245 passing yards per game last year and passed for under 4,000 yards for the first time since becoming a full-time starter.

Rice entered Week 4 of last season leading the NFL in receptions (24) and was second in receiving yards (288).

“You can’t worry about stuff that’s going to happen down the line. You worry about how can you get better this day and how can you get better the next day? And that’s how we go about our mindset, regardless,” Mahomes said about a possible suspension for Rice. “All that stuff will handle itself.”

Three of Kansas City’s first four games are against playoff teams from a season ago.

The AFC West had three clubs earn playoff berths in 2024 and the division should be stronger this year as Jim Harbaugh enters his second season in LA, Bo Nix has a under his belt, in addition to Pete Carroll’s arrival in Las Vegas.

The Chiefs’ track record affords them the benefit of the doubt, but uncertainty along their offensive line and Rice’s looming suspension are glaring unanswered questions as Kansas City prepares to rebound from a frustrating Super Bowl 59 loss.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

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Venus Williams’ comeback to the WTA Tour will apparently continue. 

After defeating world No. 35 Peyton Stearns on Tuesday, July 22 in Washington, D.C., her first official match win in 709 days, the 45-year-old star was granted a wild-card entry into the Cincinnati Open next month. 

Cincinnati is the last big hardcourt tune-up prior to the US Open, the event where Williams won two of her seven Grand Slam titles in 2000 and 2001. It’s unclear whether Williams intends to request a US Open wild card, but the burst of attention following her 6-3, 6-4 victory over Stearns suggests the USTA would likely grant one if she wants a spot in the field.

Williams has not been a full-time tour player since 2019. She has battled numerous injuries and the realities of age during her infrequent attempts to play. Since the start of 2022, she played a total of 16 matches before Tuesday, winning just three. 

Unlike her younger sister Serena, Venus Williams never officially retired and has been cagey about her intentions, even after her surprise entry in Washington. She revealed after beating Stearns that her fiancée, Italian actor Andrea Preti, had encouraged her to keep playing.

Whether Williams plans to play a more robust schedule going forward or simply a handful of tournaments is unknown, perhaps even to her. Given the way she played in recent years and the accumulated rust of having no matches under her belt, it was fair to wonder if she’d even be competitive against Stearns, who won the NCAA championship at Texas in 2022. 

But Williams played remarkably well given the circumstances, relying on her big serve and playing offense with her forehand to overwhelm Stearns, who tends to be more of a counterpuncher. 

Williams returns to the singles court Thursday, July 24 for a second-round match in Washington against No. 24 Magdalena Frech. 

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The NFL offseason, such as it is, officially ends today as the remainder of the league’s 32 teams kick off their training camps. Or, as Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh said after his team was the first to fully report last week: ‘It’s being reborn. It’s the start of the year. Some would think it’s January 1st. Those espoused to Catholicism, Christianity would think it’s the birth of Christ. Us in football, it’s the first day of training camp.’

As far as we know, it’s not New Year’s Day, nor are Three Wise Men set to report to Bethlehem. But we get it, Coach. Back to the football.

And while positional battles, injuries and the constant churn of league-wide transactions will continue to impact every club’s roster and depth chart, issuing report cards for each team’s showing since the 2024 season ended can no longer wait now that squads have essentially taken their full shapes for the upcoming campaign.

So, without further ado, here are each team’s grades for their performances off the field over the past few months:

Chicago Bears: A

They might have won the offseason the minute they hired highly, highly regarded Ben Johnson as their head coach, not only adding an offensive wunderkind but damaging the rival Lions in the process given the impact he’d had on their attack, which ranked in the top five each of the past three seasons.

Recently extended GM Ryan Poles made a series of other moves to not only help Johnson but also boost second-year QB Caleb Williams, who had an uneven rookie season (to put it mildly). Poles buttressed the blocking by trading for Gs Joe Thuney, an All-Pro, and Jonah Jackson before signing highly regarded C Drew Dalman. The draft also brought two new toys for Williams, TE Colston Loveland and WR Luther Burden plus, maybe, his next left tackle (Ozzy Trapilo). Poles also put in work on the defensive side, extending LB T.J. Edwards for two years, signing two-time Pro Bowler Grady Jarrett and up-and-coming pass rusher Dayo Odeyingbo before snagging DL Shemar Turner in the draft’s second round.

Little room for further excuses here, though Johnson and Poles now seem to have far more security than the players.

New England Patriots: A

The return of Mike Vrabel to Foxborough as this team’s new head coach should have the broadest impact on this franchise now and well into the future – and is also the stroke that should be the primary accelerant to second-year QB Drake Maye’s career. But the Pats also did plenty from a roster standpoint to bulwark the league’s worst offense – notably earmarking its first draft four picks to that side of the ball. First-round OT Will Campbell and second-round RB TreVeyon Henderson are both expected to immediately have major roles. New WR Stefon Diggs and RT Morgan Moses are veteran additions and somewhat damaged goods – both coming off knee surgery – but benefit Maye.

Expect a big jump defensively after most of the team’s copious free agent budget went there in order to sign DT Milton Williams (4 years, $104 million), considered perhaps the crown jewel of a thin free agent crop. LB Robert Spillane, OLB Harold Landry and DB Carlton Davis III all got three-year deals worth more than $130 million in sum – a lot to shell out for a trio with all of one Pro Bowl nod on their collective résumés. The return of DT Christian Barmore, who was sidelined by blood clots last season, is a bonus.

If Maye continues along his trajectory, a team that won four games in 2024 could easily double that total.

New York Jets: A-

Last week was the cherry on top of Phase One of their cultural reset, WR Garrett Wilson and CB Sauce Gardner signing four-year extensions that not only solidify the roster’s foundation but underscore the philosophical buy-in no-frills rookie coach Aaron Glenn is getting before even working a game. Those deals followed what seemed like a strong draft anchored by first-round RT Armand Membou and second-round TE Mason Taylor, who should both be Week 1 starters while adding further steel to this club’s backbone. New QB1 Justin Fields, tabbed to replace Aaron Rodgers after Glenn put an end to that era (error?), represented new GM Darren Mougey’s biggest foray into free agency and will either put a wedge in the team’s revolving door behind center or put them back in the market for a passer in what should be a strong 2026 draft at the position. CB D.J. Reed will be missed.

Philadelphia Eagles: A-

As has been the case with nearly every reigning champion during the salary cap portion of the Super Bowl era, you can’t keep everyone. And while the Eagles will return their offense nearly intact – it should be fine sans RG Mekhi Becton – the defense took some hits. Among the departed: Williams, OLB Josh Sweat, DBs Darius Slay and C.J. Gardner-Johnson and retired DE Brandon Graham.

However EVP/GM Howie Roseman, who always seems ready for what’s next, issued smart raises to RB Saquon Barkley and RT Lane Johnson, got new deals done for LB Zack Baun and C Cam Jurgens and, thanks to his drafting acumen, the defense appears backfilled by capable replacements, though there’s no sugarcoating the loss of depth. (However Roseman did bring in a lot of accomplished veterans at low cost, a list that includes LBs Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche, CB Adoree’ Jackson, TE Harrison Bryant and RB AJ Dillon.)

Versatile first-round LB Jihaad Campbell, who likely wouldn’t have fallen to the 31st overall pick had his shoulder been healthy, could also make up some of the shortfall. And watch out for second-round S Andrew Mukuba. In other good news, coach Nick Sirianni got an extension … as did the “Tush Push,” perhaps partially thanks to a late shove from former pusher Jason Kelce to the league’s owners.

Baltimore Ravens: B+

AFC North champs the past two seasons, they’re nicely set up to make another strong Super Bowl push – getting Pro Bowl LT Ronnie Stanley re-signed while adding accomplished veterans such as WR DeAndre Hopkins and CB Jaire Alexander. Their top two draft picks, S Malaki Starks and OLB Mike Green, could make instant impacts. A tight cap could make anything further on the personnel side a challenge, but an extension needs to get done fairly soon for All-Pro QB Lamar Jackson – he carries a prohibitive $74.5 million cap hit in 2026 and ’27 – and then new deals for young core players such as S Kyle Hamilton, C Tyler Linderbaum and TE Isaiah Likely should follow. Also, it remains to be seen what Baltimore gets from whomever replaces disgraced former K Justin Tucker, who was released last month.

Denver Broncos: B+

A team that made a surprising playoff run in 2024 behind rookie QB Bo Nix could be poised to take the next step. Denver drafted DB Jahdae Barron and RB RJ Harvey – both could play a ton of snaps as rookies – and took a targeted approach to free agency, which brought TE Evan Engram, RB J.K. Dobbins, LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga … though all of those veterans come with extensive injuries in their backgrounds. Yet if half of them pan out, Sean Payton’s team could challenge K.C. for AFC West supremacy.

Kansas City Chiefs: B+

You wouldn’t think a cemented dynasty would have this productive an offseason or this much financial flexibility – and QB Patrick Mahomes deserves more credit on that front given his ongoing willingness to restructure his contract and allocate money elsewhere. And while not everyone will be back, notably Thuney and S Justin Reid, the team managed to extend G Trey Smith and DE George Karlaftis, re-signed LB Nick Bolton, WRs Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster and RB Kareem Hunt.

GM Brett Veach was also able to add OT Jaylon Moore and CB Kristian Fulton. TE Travis Kelce will, at minimum, play out the final year of his contract, and WR Rashee Rice returns after last year’s season-ending knee injury − though he could miss the early part of the season if the NFL hands down a suspension in the aftermath of his legal issues being resolved. The defense was heavily augmented by the draft, but the spotlight will be on first-round OT Josh Simmons who, along with Moore, will be vying to solidify the new-look left side of a line that failed the team during its Super Bowl 59 three-peat bid.

It’s a fascinating mix of stability and churn for a team that’s only missed the Super Bowl once in the past six seasons. Yet the O-line does remain something of a question aside from Smith and C Creed Humphrey.

New York Giants: B+

If HC Brian Daboll and GM Joe Schoen are truly on the hot seat … gonna be interesting. First-round QB Jaxson Dart is clearly the future here, but will Daboll have the luxury of developing him in a redshirt manner after Schoen brought in veterans Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston? How much will the secondary benefit after New York invested three years and nearly $100 million collectively for S Jevon Holland and CB Paulson Adebo? (Maybe a lot with No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter, Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux rushing quarterbacks.) A draft that brought Carter, Dart and RB Cam Skattebo could pay off handsomely … whether it’s for this front office or the next one.

Seattle Seahawks: B+

A team that unexpectedly won 10 games and fell a tiebreaker short of postseason in 2024, Mike Macdonald’s first as head coach, nevertheless took something of a sledgehammer to the top of its roster. Gone are QB Geno Smith and WRs DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, among others. In are Pro Bowl QB Sam Darnold, WR Cooper Kupp and DE DeMarcus Lawrence, among others. The trades of Smith and Metcalf paved the way for a big-time draft that brought OL Grey Zabel, S Nick Emmanwori, TE Elijah Arroyo and highly intriguing third-round QB Jalen Milroe. Should be fascinating to see how a team more tailored to Macdonald’s philosophy coalesces.

Tennessee Titans: B

Given QB Cam Ward was the top pick of this year’s draft, there’s been remarkably little national buzz around the player or his new team. And maybe that’s not such a bad thing – ask the 2024 Bears. Ward has decent weaponry around him, and rookie GM Mike Borgonzi prepared for his arrival by securing veteran G Kevin Zeitler and LT Dan Moore in free agency. And now it’s undoubtedly full speed ahead with Ward following Monday’s news that last year’s starter, Will Levis, will miss the 2025 season after opting to undergo shoulder surgery.

Arizona Cardinals: B

Heavy defensive emphasis, GM Monti Ossenfort taking DT Walter Nolen and highly regarded CB Will Johnson with his first two draft picks after plucking Sweat from the champion Eagles during free agency. Trey McBride got a deal that briefly made him the league’s best paid-tight end at $19 million annually. Will it be enough to vault a team that doubled its win total to eight last season into the playoffs? If WR Marvin Harrison Jr. has improved as much as he and the team think, maybe.

Buffalo Bills: B

Is their interminable Super Bowl quest going over the top? Buffalo’s biggest move was re-signing QB Josh Allen to a six-year, $330 million extension – which is actually below market value at $55 million annually. Securing the reigning league MVP is a huge plus, and GM Brandon Beane also reinvested heavily elsewhere in his roster (DE Greg Rousseau, WR Khalil Shakir, LB Terrel Bernard, CB Christian Benford). The team seems confident the development of WR Keon Coleman, addition of WR Josh Palmer and return to health by TE Dalton Kincaid can take the passing game up a notch. But will a generally conservative reliance on continuity be enough? Also, first-round CB Maxwell Hairston is dealing with legal issues, and DE Joey Bosa (calf) is already coping with an injury.

Green Bay Packers: B

They made a splash – by Wisconsin standards – after taking Matthew Golden in the first round of the draft, breaking a 23-year streak when they’d avoided Round 1 wideouts. If he can establish himself as the No. 1 receiver, much as HC Matt LaFleur hates that label, this offense could reach a new level. GM Brian Gutekunst made other significant, if less noted, moves, extending OL Zach Tom and bringing in free agent G Aaron Banks and CB Nate Hobbs, all on four-year contracts. Hobbs basically replaces now-departed Alexander.

Houston Texans: B

After the offense regressed around second-year QB C.J. Stroud in 2024, a team that’s won the past two AFC South crowns should probably be given credit for not resting on its laurels, largely remaking the O-line and receiver room while firing coordinator Bobby Slowik, who was taking head coach interviews just a year ago. It remains to be seen how Stroud fares with new play caller Nick Caley or behind a line that could have a different player in every spot but right tackle compared to the combinations Houston used in last season’s playoffs. But with newly acquired vets like WR Christian Kirk and Gardner-Johnson plus a nice haul of rookies – OL Aireontae Ersery, WRs Jayden Higgins and Jaylin Noel – and perhaps six picks in the first three rounds of next year’s draft, it’s easy to understand GM Nick Caserio’s logic. And he gets extra points for moving quickly to extend All-Pro CB Derek Stingley Jr.

Jacksonville Jaguars: B

With the bold move up to get WR/CB Travis Hunter, rookie GM James Gladstone is banking on this as a transformative offseason that’s potentially netted a new face of the franchise. Whether Hunter, who cost the Jags their second-rounder this year and a first in 2026, can effectively gain this team a roster spot or even consistently be a major presence on both sides of the ball game in and game out remains to be seen. His impact will also be largely dictated by the health of QB Trevor Lawrence, who underwent surgery on his non-throwing shoulder and is adapting to yet another head coach with rookie Liam Coen now in the post.

But Lawrence should enjoy upgraded protection after Gladstone signed free agent OL Patrick Mekari and Robert Hainsey to three-year deals. But the organization really needs Coen, Hunter, WR Brian Thomas Jr. and maybe even new deep threat Dyami Brown to help the No. 1 pick of the 2021 draft blossom into the superstar he was projected to be coming out of Clemson.

Los Angeles Rams: B

You’re forgiven if you thought a team that traded out of the first round basically spent the offseason swapping out Kupp for Davante Adams and tweaking its O-line. But GM Les Snead also got new deals done for QB Matthew Stafford and LT Alaric Jackson while adding NT Poona Ford to an ascending defense. Second-round TE Terrance Ferguson could quickly add a new offensive dimension.

Minnesota Vikings: B

HC Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah both got deserved extensions in the wake of a surprising 14-win season and busily did what they could to put new QB1 J.J. McCarthy into an optimal situation as he prepares to take his first regular-season snaps following a rookie year completely lost to a knee injury. That’s meant adding OL Will Fries, Ryan Kelly and first-rounder Donovan Jackson plus re-signing RB Aaron Jones. McCarthy should also benefit from a play-making defense reinforced by veteran DTs Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave plus the retention of S Harrison Smith and fast-improving CB Byron Murphy. But this whole thing might be undone if the decision to part with Darnold proves a mistake.

Pittsburgh Steelers: B

Ultimately, this season will be judged by whether a team nearly a decade removed from its last playoff win made the right call at quarterback … something it hasn’t done for some time. But after failing to convince Fields, who was benched for Wilson last season, to re-sign or pry Stafford loose from the Rams, per reports, coach Mike Tomlin and GM Omar Khan settled on Rodgers – for what’s likely a one-year rental – rather than roll the dice on a rookie passer in a draft that seemed thin on QB prospects.

Otherwise? In are Metcalf, CBs Jalen Ramsey and Slay and TE Jonnu Smith. Out are WR George Pickens, RB Najee Harris and S Minkah Fitzpatrick. For better or worse, soon-to-be 31-year-old OLB T.J. Watt just landed an extension averaging $41 million, meaning he’s now the league’s best-compensated non-QB for the next five minutes. A seemingly strong draft class headlined by DL Derrick Harmon and RB Kaleb Johnson effectively gets additional boosts from 2024 first-round RT Troy Fautanu and speedy third-round WR Roman Wilson, who made one appearance apiece as rookies.

Will all that be enough to win more than 10 games and reach the divisional round of postseason? We don’t have to tell you to stay tuned.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: B

A team that values stability as much as any certainly maintained it, extending the contracts of GM Jason Licht and coach Todd Bowles as the organization eyes a fifth straight NFC South crown. WR Chris Godwin and LB Lavonte David are also back. OLB Haason Reddick and rookie WR Emeka Egbuka are probably the most prominent newcomers, though the draft brought quite a few defensive reinforcements. LT Tristan Wirfs (knee surgery) will miss the start of the season, but Godwin is hoping his ankle is ready to go for Week 1.

Dallas Cowboys: B-

Welp, it’s never dull in Big D. The Cowboys began 2025 with the fairly surprising choice of naming Brian Schottenheimer to his first head coaching gig – he replaced Mike McCarthy – and his tenure seems to be off to a good start in the locker room. It helps to have QB Dak Prescott fully recovered from the hamstring injury that cut his 2024 season short. There’s also been ample buzz following the trade with Pittsburgh for Pickens.

Issues certainly remain − though, despite owner Jerry Jones’ rhetoric, expect DE Micah Parsons to soon become the league’s next highest-paid non-quarterback. Figuring out if they have an effective runner to replace departed RB Rico Dowdle, whether Joe Milton III is potentially ready to fill in for Prescott and if recently fined CB Trevon Diggs can get back into the team’s good graces could actually be more difficult answers to find.

Las Vegas Raiders: B-

There’s little doubt they should be more competitive on the heels of a 4-13 campaign. Yet with a soon-to-be 74-year-old coach in Pete Carroll and soon-to-be 35-year-old QB Geno Smith, it all feels very … interim? The team locked up DE Maxx Crosby through the 2029 season. But All-Pro TE Brock Bowers feels like the only other cornerstone right now, though rookie GM John Spytek certainly hopes he found more in RB Ashton Jeanty, WR Jack Bech and others in what could be a strong draft class. The uncertain status of DT Christian Wilkins (foot surgery), signed to a four-year, $110 million deal a year ago, remains a concern.

San Francisco 49ers: B-

Some bills came due, literally and figuratively. Primarily, Brock Purdy finally became eligible to come off the NFL’s version of quarterback welfare, signing a five-year, $265 million extension. Two of the team’s other linchpins, TE George Kittle and LB Fred Warner, also inked new deals.

But there were unavoidable ripple effects, perhaps most notably the trade of WR Deebo Samuel. The defense was also stripped of several former mainstays, including Greenlaw, Hufanga, DE Leonard Floyd, CB Charvarius Ward, and DTs Hargrave and Maliek Collins. Former Jets coach Robert Saleh is back to run the unit but will have to try and revive it with a lot of new players after GM George Lynch devoted his first five 2025 draft picks to the defensive side of the ball before trading for DE Bryce Huff.

On the health front, All-Pros Christian McCaffrey and Trent Williams seem ready to return, but WRs Brandon Aiyuk and Ricky Pearsall are currently on the PUP list.

Washington Commanders: B-

Given QB Jayden Daniels enters his second season as a bona fide MVP candidate, you want to commend a team that’s already going for it by adding veterans like OLB Von Miller. And retaining leaders like LB Bobby Wagner, TE Zach Ertz and QB2 Marcus Mariota should only pay current and future dividends. Rookies Josh Conerly and Trey Amos should contribute heavily early and often.

Yet it’s worth asking if Washington will ultimately be happy with its trades for Samuel, who’s a touch volatile and often banged up, and LT Laremy Tunsil, who led the NFL with 19 penalties in 2024 (12 of them false starts). Also, three years and $45 million for DL Javon Kinlaw? And it probably shouldn’t have taken this long to reach a financial agreement with WR Terry McLaurin, who’s been a good soldier here long before the team got good … or even respectable.

New Orleans Saints: C+

Derek Carr recently retired. Former All-Pro Ryan Ramczyk officially retired. The longtime 4-3 base defense was retired. Tyrann Mathieu juuust retired. At least the team’s often tenuous cap situation improved. Reid, OLB Chase Young and TE Juwan Johnson are all good players who signed three-year deals. Rookies Kelvin Banks, Tyler Shough and Vernon Broughton, might be, too. However expectations for this season should be decidedly in check. Perhaps it’s all ultimately for the best if Shough turns out to be the starting quarterback for rookie HC Kellen Moore much sooner than initially expected.

Carolina Panthers: C

Though they drafted WR Tetairoa McMillan with the eighth pick of the first round, the general lack of tinkering with the offense is indicative of how they feel about QB Bryce Young’s progress last year and the pieces around him. The return of DE Derrick Brown, who missed all but one game in 2024 with a knee injury, should be the best news for a defense that gave up the most points and yards in the league last season. But GM Dan Morgan also paid up to improve that side of the ball, signing S Tre’von Moehrig and DTs Tershawn Wharton to three-year deals averaging at least $15 million after missing out on ex-Eagle Milton Williams. CB Jaycee Horn also got a huge extension. OLB Jadeveon Clowney was released in May, and lingering concussion issues led to LB Josey Jewell’s departure, at least for now.

Cincinnati Bengals: C

They deserve some credit after ponying up to extend WRs Ja’Marr Chase, who was the league’s top-paid non-quarterback for a few months, and Tee Higgins, a development that kept QB Joe Burrow happy. But, at least in regard to Chase, an All-Pro who won the league’s receiving triple crown in 2024, that was a no-brainer … as it was last year, when he would have cost significantly less. One would also think giving All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson the raise he’s earned going into the last year of his contract, or even simply signing first-round DE Shemar Stewart would similarly be no-brainers. But the Bengals have been Bengal-ing and risk immediately crippling their season at its outset if Hendrickson and Stewart, who’s impressive skill set already needed polishing, remain absent from what’s already a highly suspect defense.

Los Angeles Chargers: C-

They’ll likely need to rely even more on their top two draft picks, RB Omarion Hampton and WR Tre Harris, following the July 4 eye injury suffered by RB Najee Harris, a free agent pickup, and WR Mike Williams, who decided to retire last week. (Good thing the Bolts drafted with a sense of redundance.) Beyond that, they hung on to OLB Khalil Mack but let Bosa go. The Chargers’ two other biggest additions were Becton and CB Donte Jackson. Meh. Despite Harbaugh’s optimism, tight end, corner and maybe even who will be QB Justin Herbert’s top pass-catching alternative to WR Ladd McConkey remain concerns. LT Rashawn Slater still needs a new contract. 

Atlanta Falcons: D+

Unlike the Vikings, they haven’t been able to optimize the supporting cast around QB Michael Penix Jr., who enters a season as the starter for the first time, because he’s got a backup, Kirk Cousins, with a nine-figure contract. And now he’ll loom over Penix from the sideline while hovering like a dark cloud over the salary cap. GM Terry Fontenot did manage to extend LT Jake Matthews but couldn’t hang on to promising Dalman. Jarrett also left for Chicago. Maybe Fontenot will get more from a notoriously underwhelming pass rush after signing Floyd and drafting Jalon Walker and James Pearce in Round 1, though Pearce came at the exorbitantly high cost of next year’s first-round pick.

Indianapolis Colts: D+

As Brad Pitt’s “F1” character, Sonny Hayes, said: ‘Hope is not a strategy.’ But kinda feels like that’s where the Colts are as they assess whether Anthony Richardson or Daniel Jones will be their Week 1 quarterback – an issue potentially exacerbated after the offensive line was raided during free agency. First-round TE Tyler Warren projects as an immediate difference maker. Sadly, much will be different in these parts for an organization rocked by the recent death of longtime owner Jim Irsay.

Detroit Lions: D

For those who see water in the glass, DE Aidan Hutchinson is on track to return from the broken leg that prematurely ended a 2024 season in which he seemed destined to win Defensive Player of the Year honors. All-Pro Kerby Joseph also became the league’s highest-paid safety with a four-year, $86 million extension.

But the injury bug also got an extension, DT Levi Onwuzurike already lost to a season-ending knee injury, and DT Alim McNeill still recovering from a torn ACL. C Frank Ragnow belatedly chose retirement over another season of pain. Rookie DL Tyleik Williams and OL Tate Radledge will need to be ready to play straight away. LB Alex Anzalone also seems to have some wounded pride as he awaits an extension heading into his walk year.

But the main issue for this team, which is a bit of a victim of its own recent success, could be the departure of eight assistants, most notably OC Ben Johnson (Bears) and DC Glenn (Jets), both hired to their first head coaching gigs. A team that’s gone 27-7 over the past two regular seasons will be severely challenged to maintain its momentum, much less build on it.

Miami Dolphins: D

A team that’s been unable to win games of importance in recent years has been hemorrhaging talent, LT Terron Armstead retiring, Holland leaving during free agency, then Ramsey and Jonnu Smith traded last month. WR Tyreek Hill admits he’s (still) working on his professionalism. Maybe first-round DT Kenneth Grant and second-round G Jonah Savaiinaea will provide toughness some have said this team lacks. GM Chris Grier and HC Mike McDaniel don’t seem all that well positioned to justify the vote of confidence owner Stephen Ross gave the after last season’s 8-9 finish.

Cleveland Browns: I (for incomplete)

They seem to be playing something of a long game, but it’s just too early to know how it ultimately plays out as a team likely destined to finish last in the AFC North straddles the line between rebuilding and trying to remain competitive.

They compelled DE Myles Garrett to stick around after making him the first non-QB with a contract averaging $40 million annually (over 4 years). Whether Cleveland should have cashed out on a 29-year-old at the peak of his powers who’d requested a trade earlier in the year remains an open question. After all, the Browns divested the No. 2 overall pick of the draft for a package that included Jacksonville’s first-rounder next year.

So what are we doing? TBD, which also sums up the team’s four-way competition to determine its starting quarterback, a scrum that includes former Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco and fifth-round lightning rod Shedeur Sanders. Otherwise? Though GM Andrew Berry passed on the opportunity to pick Hunter, he brought in some very nice players, including DT Mason Graham, LB Carson Schwesinger and battering ram RB Quinshon Judkins – though his availability is currently in limbo after he was recently charged with misdemeanor domestic battery. Pro Bowl LB Jeremiah Owusu-Koramoah (neck) is already out for the year.

But hey, y’all, the team could be playing in a fancy new stadium in four years … a point when we’ll know whether keeping Garrett, bypassing Hunter and picking Judkins and Sanders while likely punting on a long-term quarterback solution until 2026 were wise decisions.

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