Player eligibility in college sports has become a thorny and occasionally confusing issue in recent years, with athletes staying in school longer and entering the college ranks from non-traditional backgrounds.

This week, the NCAA aimed to add some clarity to the matter.

In a statement released Tuesday, Dec. 30, NCAA president Charlie Baker said the NCAA “has not and will not” grant eligibility to prospective or returning men’s college basketball players who have signed an NBA contract or a two-way deal with an NBA franchise and its G League affiliate.

The clarification comes about a week after Baylor announced the signing of center James Nnaji, the No. 31 overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft who has spent the past five years playing in the EuroLeague. Though Nnaji has played in the NBA Summer League, he has never played in an NBA game. Because of that, he was ruled eligible by the NCAA and is expected to play for Baylor this season.

‘As schools are increasingly recruiting individuals with international league experience, the NCAA is exercising discretion in applying the actual and necessary expenses bylaw to ensure that prospective student-athletes with experience in American basketball leagues are not at a disadvantage compared to their international counterparts,” Baker said in a statement he posted to social media. “Rules have long permitted schools to enroll and play individuals with no prior collegiate experience midyear. While the NCAA has prevailed on the vast majority of eligibility-related lawsuits, recent outlier decisions enjoining the NCAA on a nationwide basis from enforcing rules that have been on the books for decades — without even having a trial — are wildly destabilizing. I will be working with DI leaders in the weeks ahead to protect college basketball from these misguided attempts to destroy this American institution.’

Nnaji is the latest player with professional experience who is making the jump to college basketball with athletes now able to earn money off of their name, image and likeness.

Several former professional players from overseas have suited up for college programs in recent seasons. Though neither were NBA draft picks like Nnaji, two former G League players — Thierry Darlan and London Johnson — signed with college programs this fall, with the former going to Santa Clara and the latter signing with Louisville. 

On Saturday, Dec. 27, On3 Sports reported Trentyn Flowers, who has a two-way contract with the Chicago Bulls and has played in two NBA games this month, was drawing interest from college programs. Many of the programs mentioned in the report, however, denied any involvement with Flowers. The original social media post about Flowers was deleted and On3 apologized for the “poorly produced report,” noting it “fell below our standards.”

The influx of professional players into the college game has drawn intense criticism from some within the sport. 

After Baylor signed Nnaji, UConn’s Dan Hurley posted on social media that ‘Santa Claus is delivering mid season acquisitions…this s*** is crazy!!’ While he said he couldn’t blame programs or coaches for making such moves, Gonzaga coach Mark Few took aim at the NCAA, saying “our lack of leadership has really shown.”

Perhaps the most biting critique came from Michigan State coach Tom Izzo.

‘I’ve got a call in to (Baylor coach) Scott (Drew),” Izzo said to reporters on Saturday, Dec. 27. “I’m anxious to see what he tells me. Not saying we’re holier than thou or anybody should not do this or that, but if we’re dipping into that one, if it’s like I’m reading or hearing … and now we’re taking guys that were drafted in the NBA. If that’s what we’re gonna do, shame on the NCAA. Shame on the coaches, too. But shame on the NCAA. Because coaches are going to do what they’ve got to do, I guess.’

Drew defended his move earlier this week, noting international players who went through the NBA draft process but weren’t picked are playing college basketball this season. He added he had a “great conversation” with Izzo.

‘As he said, most coaches are 99% aligned on things that we would like to see done with our game,” Drew said on Sunday, Dec. 28. “At the same time, from my knowledge, until we get to collective bargaining, I don’t think we can come up with rules that are agreeable or enforceable. Until that, I think all of us have got to be ready to adjust and adapt to what’s out there. Early on, when it first came out with G League players, I wasn’t in favor of that either. But again, we don’t make the rules and as we find out about things, we’re always going to adapt to put our program in the best position to be successful, because that’s what we get paid to do.’

You cannot deny the risk. You can’t ignore the opportunity, either, for Kalen DeBoer and Alabama against No. 1 Indiana.
Indiana built from transfer portal fires. Alabama is more traditional, leaning on high school recruits.
Hoosiers’ success shows how Nick Saban perhaps misjudged the transfer portal.

You cannot deny the risk. You can’t ignore the opportunity, either.

Both exist for Alabama coach Kalen DeBoer inside this College Football Playoff quarterfinal matchup with No. 1 Indiana at the Rose Bowl.

If Alabama falls, particularly if it falls hard, then DeBoer’s Year 2 will be sullied. The second campaign as Nick Saban’s successor will be remembered as much for its bookends — an opening loss to Florida State and a playoff exit — as it will for the achievements in between.

That’s the risk.

The opportunity? A takedown of Curt Cignetti’s top-ranked Hoosiers would count as DeBoer’s most impressive triumph in two seasons at Alabama.

DeBoer already has beaten Kirby Smart twice. He’s 2-0 in the Iron Bowl. His Tide engineered an unlikely comeback to topple Oklahoma in a playoff game. He’s got pelts on his wall, but upsetting Indiana in the Rose Bowl would be a 16-point trophy buck.

Never mind Indiana’s history as a former basketball school and a longtime football doormat. The Hoosiers transformed into a Big Ten bully with a hotshot coach who’s proving success in this world of NIL and transfer free agency is not limited to blue bloods.

“He’s done an awesome job,” DeBoer said of Cignetti.

Has he ever.

Indiana being a seven-point favorite in a playoff game against Alabama speaks to college football’s remarkable, warp speed evolution.

Nick Saban perhaps misjudged transfer portal effect

It also underscores how Nick Saban once miscalculated the transfer portal.

In 2021, the NCAA altered its rules to allow undergraduate transfers to play immediately for their new school instead of having to sit out for a season. I asked Saban what he thought about that rules change.

“Is that going to make the rich get richer?” Saban, Alabama’s coach at the time, said then. “I don’t know. You can decide that.”

Saban didn’t answer his rhetorical question, but he seemed to imply the transfer rules change would benefit the haves more than its have nots.

The transfer portal, Saban surmised back then, would be filled with “bad players” who were unable to gain playing time on good teams, while blue-blooded programs like Alabama would cherry-pick top transfer talent.

Months after the transfer rules changed, another major evolution arrived. The NIL spigots opened for the first time.

Years later, we can see within this playoff field that the arrival of NIL, plus transfer free agency, did not kneecap blue bloods. Ohio State is doing just fine. Georgia and Alabama are still standing. But, they’re not hoarding talent to the degree they once did.

Schools like Indiana, Mississippi and Texas Tech are scooping up capable players, too, much of it acquired from the portal.

So, did the rich get richer?

Well, consider Indiana’s 24 victories the past two seasons match its total from a six-year span from 2007-12.

That’s not a case of the rich getting richer. That’s a longtime pauper hitting the lottery.

Indiana surpassed Alabama with transfers

Cignetti’s past two recruiting classes adhered to Indiana’s historical norms for signing mostly three-star prospects, but the portal’s elixirs greased the wheels for an uprising. Indiana assembled deep transfer hauls in each of the past two offseasons. Cignetti got the most out of those inbound players.

Among teams remaining in the playoff, Ohio State, Georgia and Alabama are built mostly with high school recruits, although the Tide also possess several high-impact transfers.

Ole Miss, Indiana and Texas Tech feature the most transfer-laden rosters.

Oregon and Miami fall in the middle of the two ends of the spectrums, with the most evenly blended rosters.

Risk meets opportunity for Kalen DeBoer

Alabama fans are smart enough to realize the sport takes a much different shape today than it did when Saban forged his dynasty, but they’re demanding enough that DeBoer can’t expect them to be satisfied with a four-loss season, if it ends in the quarterfinals at the hands of Indiana.

Twenty years ago, or even five years ago, Alabama wouldn’t be playing in this game. Playoff quarterfinals didn’t exist. A team with Alabama’s resume would be playing in something like the Citrus Bowl and not at risk of getting clubbed by the nation’s only undefeated team.

A New Year’s Day bowl game would have been accompanied by less risk back then. Less opportunity for reward, too, and no hope for a national championship. If Alabama can upset Indiana, that’ll offer evidence the Tide can play with anyone in this bracket. DeBoer would mount another pelt on his wall, with a chance for more in the rounds to come.

Risk and opportunity will coincide when Alabama faces a burgeoning football program from a basketball state, built by Cignetti in a way that showed there’s room for the nouveau riche in this evolved landscape.

Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s senior national college football columnist. Email him at BToppmeyer@gannett.com and follow him on X @btoppmeyer.

The United States is perfect in its attempt for a three-peat at the world junior hockey championship as the level of competition ramps up with each game.

That continues on Wednesday, Dec. 31 when the USA (3-0) faces Sweden (3-0) in the final preliminary round game with the top seed in Group A on the line before the quarterfinals begin on Jan. 2.

The USA has already beaten Germany, Switzerland and Slovakia. They have been without top defenseman Cole Hutson since midway through the Switzerland game after he was hit by a puck and left the ice on a stretcher. He’s day-to-day.

The Americans also faced adversity in the Slovakia game, overcoming a 2-0 deficit to pull off a wild win.

Here’s what to know about Wednesday’s USA vs. Sweden world junior championships game, including how to watch:

What channel is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

TV channel: NHL Network

Livestream: Fubo, which offers a free trial to new subscribers, or Sling TV.

Watch world junior championships on Fubo

What time is USA vs. Sweden world juniors hockey game today?

Date: Wednesday, Dec. 31

Time: 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)

The game is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time) at the Grand Casino Arena in Saint Paul, Minnesota, the home of the Minnesota Wild.

World juniors USA vs Sweden: How to watch, stream

Time: 6 p.m. ET on Wedneday, Dec. 31

Location: Grand Casino Arena (Saint Paul, Minnesota)

TV: NHL Network

Streaming: Fubo and certain levels of Sling TV carry NHL Network.

Today’s world juniors hockey schedule

All times p.m. ET

Dec. 31

Switzerland vs. Slovakia, 1
Czechia vs. Latvia, 3:30
USA vs. Sweden, 6
Canada vs. Finland, 8:30

Christian McCaffrey is the engine that powers the San Francisco 49ers’ offense.

Could an injury prevent him from playing in the regular season finale? The star running back has managed to avoid those issues all season long, but he popped up on the injury report with a back ailment ahead of Week 18.

Early indications are that it’s just a stiff back for McCaffrey and the overall concern appears to be minimal. Regardless, his status is now in question for the team’s matchup against the Seattle Seahawks on Saturday, Jan. 3.

The No. 1 seed in the NFC is on line in San Francisco and all eyes are now on the health of McCaffrey.

Here’s the latest on the 49ers running back.

Christian McCaffrey injury update

McCaffrey missed practice on Tuesday, Dec. 30 with a stiff back.

The running back has routinely missed the first official practice of the week all season for rest-related reasons. Given his injury history, it appears San Francisco has been doing everything in its power to ensure the star would be fresh for a postseason run.

Head coach Kyle Shanahan didn’t seem too concerned about the injury for McCaffrey, telling reporters on Dec. 30 that it’s only a stiff back. The coach added that it was an ailment that popped up against the Tennessee Titans on Dec. 14.

‘I know he battled it hard that week, but I haven’t heard anything about it since,’ Shanahan said. ‘It might have stiffened up in the game, and it was sore from Sunday night, so that’s why we’ve got him on here today.’

Shanahan indicated that the team has been holding walkthrough practices since their Week 18 contest against the Seahawks comes on a short week.

Injuries have been a problem for the 49ers throughout the 2025 season, but McCaffrey doesn’t appear to be in danger of missing the regular season finale at this time.

That concern will ramp up if he continues to be sidelined though.

49ers RB depth chart

Christian McCaffrey
Brian Robinson Jr.
Jordan James
Isaac Guerendo

McCaffrey handles a majority of the workload in the San Francisco backfield with a small dose of Robinson snaps sprinkled in.

James and Guerendo remain on the outside looking in at this point in the season.

Shanahan indicated that James moved ahead of Guerendo on the depth chart, but it would still take an injury for him to get some playing time.

If McCaffrey can’t go in Week 18, expect the 49ers to roll with a combination of Robinson and James.

Citrus Bowl: Texas vs. Michigan, 3 p.m., Wednesday; TV: ABC

Today’s Citrus Bowl is a rare bowl these days between top-25 teams that won’t feature too many opt outs. Texas and Michigan are led by high-profile young quarterbacks in Arch Manning for the Longhorns and Bryce Underwood for the Wolverines, and both are expected to play.

Biff Poggi will lead the No. 17 Wolverines as interim coach with Kyle Whittingham waiting in the wings after a tumultuous month following the firing of Sherrone Moore. All that upheaval has the 14th-ranked Longhorns as 7-point favorites (per BetMGM), and it’ll take a brave soul to pick the Wolverines in this one.

Writers from the Detroit Free Press and Longhorns Wire, both part of USA TODAY Co., provided their predictions for today’s Citrus Bowl (3 p.m., ABC) in Orlando.

∎ Texas 26, Michigan 20: Michigan players have sounded confident all week about their prospects against Texas. Poggi earlier said he ‘loved’ the offensive game plan the team is entering with. There’s really nothing to hold back at this point and U-M should be extremely aggressive in every way. That said, the Wolverines haven’t been able to stack up against the top teams they’ve played this year, falling to all three ranked opponents by double digits. This one will be a bit closer, but not enough to get over the hump.— Tony Garcia, Detroit Free Press

∎ Texas 31, Michigan 23: The Kyle Whittingham era begins! Well, sort of. The Wolverines’ new coach will function as an observer and his team will be without its best pass rushers. That’s going to severely hinder Michigan’s ability to get to Texas quarterback Arch Manning, who should win his Citrus Bowl duel with Bryce Underwood. — Carlos Monarrez, Detroit Free Press

∎ Texas 31, Michigan 21: The Wolverines were 9-3 but didn’t beat anybody and got trucked by Ohio State. Meanwhile, Texas had three top-10 wins. So, on paper, it’s not even close. I wouldn’t be shocked if Texas blows out Michigan. But in many ways, this game is secondary. The real value is for Kyle Whittingham, who gets to watch his new team up close. The practices. The prep. The game. And the aftermath. He can decide what players and coaches he must keep. Even more importantly, what he needs from the portal to succeed quickly. — Jeff Seidel, Detroit Free Press

∎ Texas 31, Michigan 20: The Longhorns have found their way to the final game of a disappointing 2025 season. Despite that, they have a chance to lock up their 10th win, something that felt nearly impossible not long ago for the Longhorns. This is a game that will feature tons of young players, as is the case in most bowl games. Texas has a chance to get the young OL, RBs, WRs and LBs more time in this one. With Michigan somewhat in disarray, I think the Longhorns are able to take over this one. I expect Arch Manning to shine, the young WRs to flash, Bryce Underwood struggle at times against the Longhorns pass rush and Texas to get a rather comfortable win over the Wolverines. — Tommy Bresee, Longhorns Wire

∎ Texas 24, Michigan 20: While the Longhorns have only been out of action for a few weeks, their roster will look very different due to players entering the portal and declaring for the draft. The Longhorns enter this matchup on a two-game winning streak in which the offense has shined. They will need a big game from Arch Manning and Ryan Wingo. If the Longhorns can replicate their performance against Texas A&M, they should win this game. — Jamie Gatlin, Longhorns Wire

∎ Texas 27, Michigan 17: Never in history have so many players (and teams) opted out of bowl games like this year. It makes picking games tough. Here’s what we know. Arch Manning looked very solid at the end of the season and if we’re being honest, the Horns should have been in the CFP instead of teams like James Madison and Tulane. Before the break, Texas looked better than Michigan. But some of the weaknesses of this Longhorns team have gotten worse. A historically bad running back corps has lost its starter and primary backup to the portal. The defense will be patchwork at best. But can Michigan’s offense take advantage? — Trey Luerssen, Longhorns Wire

When is Michigan vs Texas Citrus Bowl today, TV channel?

When: 3 p.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31
Where: Orlando, Fla.
TV: ABC

Sidney Crosby and Alex Ovechkin have been linked since the No. 1 overall picks entered the league together in 2005-06.

That happened because a season-long lockout delayed Ovechkin’s arrival. And the generational players’ achievements and rivalry was just what the NHL needed after canceling a season during a protracted labor dispute.

So naturally, Crosby and Ovechkin are in the front as USA TODAY chooses its NHL All Quarter-Century team from the first 25 years of the 21st century. Even though some players on this list started their careers in the 20th century, only their accomplishments since 2000-01 are taken into account.

We’ll be like the NHL with its annual All-Star teams and do a first team and a second team. Here’s a look at our quarter century team:

First Team

C Sidney Crosby (2005 to present)

The Penguins’ 2005 No. 1 overall pick won three Stanley Cup titles and just passed Mario Lemieux to become the franchise’s leading scorer. He’s eighth overall with 1,727 points and been named MVP twice in the regular season and twice in the playoffs. He also won two Olympic gold medals, the 2016 World Cup of Hockey and last season’s 4 Nations Face-Off.

LW Alex Ovechkin (2005 to present)

The Washington Capitals’ 2004 No. 1 overall pick became the NHL’s all-time leading goal scorer last season. He edged Crosby for 2005-06 rookie of the year, won three MVP awards, one Stanley Cup (he was playoff MVP in 2018) and nine goal titles. Teams knew his one-timer from the left faceoff circle was coming, but still had troubles stopping it.

RW Nikita Kucherov (2013 to present)

He’s won three scoring titles, including the last two. He was MVP in 2018-19 as the Tampa Bay Lightning put together one of the best seasons in league history. Kucherov won two championships and led the league in playoff scoring both times. He led in 2021 despite missing the entire regular season after hip surgery.

D Nicklas Lidstrom (1991 to 2012)

The Red Wings star won seven Norris trophies from 2001 to 2011. He also won his third and fourth Stanley Cup titles after the turn of the century and was the first European captain to win a championship. Lidstrom was the model of consistency and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2015.

D Zdeno Chara (1997 to 2022)

Another Hall of Famer. The Islanders traded Chara to the Senators in 2001 in one of the league’s worst trades and his career took off. He won a Norris Trophy and played more games than any other defenseman. His size, wingspan and physicality forced teams to adjust how they entered the zone. Chara made the Hall of Fame in 2025.

G Marc-Andre Fleury (2003 to 2025)

The 2003 No. 1 overall pick finished second in the league with 575 victories. He won three Stanley Cup titles with the Penguins. Fleury went to the Golden Knights in 2017 and took the expansion team to the Stanley Cup Final in Vegas’ first season. He also won a Vezina Trophy there. The goalie was a popular teammate, even with his persistent pranks.

Second Team

C Connor McDavid (2015 to present)

He’s averaging 1.53 points per game and could end up with more points than anyone on the first team. He has won the Hart Trophy three times with some spectacular seasons. He was the fourth fastest to 1,000 points. The one thing that’s missing is a championship, though he has made the Final the past two seasons and was playoff MVP in 2024. He scored the winning goal in the 4 Nations Face-Off.

LW Brad Marchand (2009 to present)

He’s a 1,000-point scorer but is also effective as a pest who tries to get opponents off their games. He won a Stanley Cup with Boston in 2011 and his trade to Florida last season helped the Panthers win a second consecutive title.

RW Patrick Kane (2007 to present)

The 2007 No. 1 pick has won three championships and was playoff MVP in 2013. He won a scoring title and Hart Trophy in 2015-16. Kane is getting close to passing Mike Modano to become the top U.S.-born scorer.

D Cale Makar (2019 to present)

Among his accomplishments in his relatively young career: two Norris trophies, a Calder Trophy, a Stanley Cup and playoff MVP. His skating allows him to make special plays.

D Victor Hedman (2009 to present)

Two Stanley Cup titles, a playoff MVP and a Norris Trophy for the 2009 No. 2 overall pick.

G Sergei Bobrovsky (2010 to present)

He won the Vezina Trophy twice with the Blue Jackets and two Stanley Cups and another trip to the Final with the Panthers.

The NFL regular season all comes down to this.

The final postseason berths and seeding for the playoffs will be determined by the results of games on Saturday and Sunday, with two spots and four division titles still up for grabs. Also at stake: the top seeds in each conference, which come with an all-important first-round bye.

Perhaps the most interesting situation is in the NFC South, where the Atlanta Falcons have been eliminated from playoff contention, but could knock out the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with a win over the New Orleans Saints.

Here’s each team’s best-case scenario for Week 18:

Denver Broncos Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Broncos win
Broncos tie + Patriots loss or tie
Patriots loss + Jaguars loss or tie

New England Patriots Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Patriots clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with

Patriots win + Broncos loss or tie
Patriots tie + Broncos loss

Jacksonville Jaguars Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Jaguars clinch AFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

Jaguars win + Broncos loss + Patriots loss

Jaguars clinch AFC South with:

Jaguars win or tie
Texans loss

Houston Texans Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Texans clinch AFC South with:

Texans win + Jaguars loss

Baltimore Ravens Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Ravens win

Pittsburgh Steelers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Steelers clinch AFC North with:

Steelers win or tie

San Francisco 49ers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

49ers clinch NFC’s No. 1 seed and home-field advantage with:

49ers win

Seattle Seahawks Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Seahawks win or tie

Carolina Panthers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Panthers win or tie
Falcons win

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Week 18 playoff clinching scenarios

Buccaneers win + Falcons loss or tie

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a felony strangulation charge and a misdemeanor assault charge.
The charges were filed in Dedham District Court on Monday, Dec. 29, following an incident on Dec. 2.
Diggs’ attorney has requested that the police report be impounded and remain sealed.
The Patriots organization stated they are aware of the allegations, which Diggs denies, and that they support him.

New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs is facing a felony strangulation or suffocation charge, along with misdemeanor assault, according to online court records reviewed by USA TODAY. 

The charges were filed Monday, Dec. 29, in Dedham District Court and stemmed from an alleged incident on Tuesday, Dec. 2.  

In a statement, the Patriots said they were aware of the accusation and stood by Diggs. 

‘Stefon has informed the organization that he categorically denies the allegations. We support Stefon,’ the statement said. ‘We will continue to gather information and will cooperate fully with the appropriate authorities and the NFL as necessary. Out of respect for all parties involved, and given that this is an ongoing legal matter, we will have no further comment at this time.’

USA TODAY Network acquired the police report in which a woman, his former personal chef, accused Diggs of smacking her and placing his hands around her neck following an argument at Diggs’ home in Dedham, Massachusetts about her compensation. The report was filed Dec. 16 and although she initially didn’t press charges, she did a week later.

Diggs’ attorney, David Meier, also reiterated that his client ‘categorically’ denied the complaints. 

‘They are unsubstantiated, uncorroborated, and were never investigated — because they did not occur,’ Meier said in a statement. ‘The timing and motivation for making the allegations is crystal clear: they are the direct result of an employee-employer financial dispute that was not resolved to the employee’s satisfaction. Stefon looks forward to establishing the truth in a court of law.’  

The Patriots defeated the New York Giants, 33-15, on Dec. 1 in a ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup, with the incident allegedly occurring the following night. The NFL said it was aware of the matter.

Diggs’ girlfriend, singer Cardi B, gave birth to the couple’s son in November. 

Diggs was scheduled to be arraigned Jan. 23, 2026, two days after the AFC championship game. The Patriots clinched the AFC East on Dec. 28. Along with the motion to seal, the judge said she would consider moving the arraignment to March.

On the field, Diggs has been a reliable target for second-year quarterback Drake Maye. The University of Maryland product has 82 receptions, 970 yards, and four touchdowns in his first season with New England. 

The Dallas Cowboys aren’t waiting until the end of the regular season to make roster changes.

Dallas waived two-time Pro Bowl cornerback Trevon Diggs Tuesday morning less than two years into a five-year contract extension which made him one of the highest-paid players at his position.

Diggs has taken a step back this season under defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Per NFL Pro stats, Diggs is allowing a career-worst 158.3 quarterback rating when targeted and 85% catch rate.

Diggs, 27, enjoyed a breakout year in 2021 for the Cowboys. His 11 interceptions and two pick-sixes led the league and he was named a first-team All-Pro. He followed that with a Pro Bowl campaign in 2022 thanks to three interceptions.

Since then, he’s managed just three interceptions and played 21 of 50 possible regular-season games.

Diggs is now available for another team to pick up ahead of the postseason. Here’s where he could land:

Trevon Diggs landing spots

New England Patriots

New England is in contention for the No. 1 seed in the AFC behind one of the most efficient offenses in the NFL and a stout run defense. The worst phase of the Patriots’ defense is the passing game; New England ranks 10th in passing yards allowed and 11th in expected points added (EPA) per pass allowed.

Christian Gonzalez and Carlton Davis are both long corners that play a physical brand of football but both have had some injury concerns over the last two years. Diggs could be a low-risk addition to provide some depth and injury insurance. New England has plenty of cap space to keep him on the books into the future.

Los Angeles Chargers

Chargers defensive coordinator Jesse Minter has routinely maximized late-round picks at cornerback like Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still. Give him a proven commodity like Diggs and he could likely find a way to maximize him even more.

The AFC is relatively wide open compared to prior years, with the Chiefs and Bengals out of contention, and the Ravens in danger of missing out. Small additions on the margins could make the difference in a playoff run. Los Angeles’ defense is one of the best against the pass and could use one more defender to keep them in contention.

Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh is knocking on the door of a division title but it all comes down to Week 18 against Baltimore. The Steelers have had another solid year from Joey Porter Jr. at one of the outside cornerback spots but have rotated through veteran options opposite him throughout the year.

Pittsburgh recently brought on Asante Samuel Jr. to play outside cornerback with James Pierre working through injury. Diggs could be an upgrade and a more natural fit outside than both of those options.

Los Angeles Rams

Los Angeles’ defense was exposed slightly against the Atlanta Falcons on ‘Monday Night Football’ in Week 17. The Rams’ defensive front is ferocious but things can take a turn if they aren’t able to generate a consistent pass rush.

Like his counterpart on the other Los Angeles franchise, Rams defensive coordinator Chris Shula is garnering a reputation as one of the better play-callers on that side of the ball this season. The team took a formerly disappointing first-round pick, Emmanuel Forbes Jr., and has him playing solid football in his first full year in Los Angeles. Diggs could give the unit a similar bump ahead of a playoff run against the NFC’s best.

New York Jets

If Diggs isn’t looking to join a playoff contender, New York should drop a line and see what could happen. Jets coach Aaron Glenn had a lot of success in Detroit with developing defensive backs in general and could offer a long-term fit for the former Pro Bowler.

New York will have plenty of holes to fill with their first-round picks in the 2026 NFL Draft. Adding Diggs could provide insurance at a position of need if their top choices are off the board or they opt to focus elsewhere.