The Baltimore Orioles traded starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Los Angeles Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward.
Rodriguez, a former first-round pick, missed all of last season with injuries but has four years of team control remaining.
Ward is coming off a career-high 36 home runs for the Angels and is in the final year of his contract.

The first major trade of the Hot Stove season came with little warning Tuesday night as the Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Angels made a classic 1-for-1 swap.

The Orioles sent starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez to the Angels for outfielder Taylor Ward in a deal that hints of additional moves to come.

Rodriguez, 26, is a former first-round draft pick, taken 11th overall in 2018. However, he missed all of last season with several different injuries, and he hasn’t appeared in a major league game since July 31, 2024.

Ward, 31, was also a first-rounder (26th overall in 2015) who hit a career-high 36 home runs last season for the Angels.

How did the two teams do in the deal? Here’s our instant analysis.

Baltimore Orioles trade grade: C

Rodriguez has been a solid pitcher during his two seasons in the Orioles rotation, and he was showing signs of a breakout in 2024 before he was shut down in August.

That season, he was 13-4 with a 3.86 ERA in 20 starts — with 130 strikeouts in 116 2/3 innings.

However, the injuries have persisted with a lat injury, followed by a bone spur in his elbow. With the Orioles looking to return to the playoffs after missing out this past season, Rodriguez’s injury history — and possibly his prospects of returning to full health — apparently made him too much of a risk for the Orioles front office to take.

However, trading away Rodriguez when the team’s greatest offseason need is to upgrade its starting pitching is a head-scratcher. It only makes sense if Baltimore can add one (or maybe two) established starters in free agency or via another trade.

In Ward, the O’s get an established right-handed power hitter coming off the best season of his career. He appeared in a career-high 157 games, posting a .228/.317/.475 slash line. His 36 homers more than doubled the Orioles’ team leaders in that category last season. However, he’s in the last year of arbitration and can become a free agent at the end of the season.

The Orioles will likely have Colton Cowser as their full-time center fielder, with Ward in left and a mix of Tyler O’Neill, Dylan Beavers and Heston Kjerstad battling for the job in right. They also signed veteran Leody Taveras earlier this month as a free agent.

Los Angeles Angels trade grade: B+

The Angels are clearly in the rebuilding process after finishing last in the AL West with a record of 72-90. And there are plenty of holes on the roster.

Rodriguez could fill one of the most important ones — staff ace — if he can stay healthy. Plus, at age 26, he still has four more years of team control and won’t be eligible for free agency until after the 2029 season.

With Ward in his final season before free agency and due around $13.7 million in arbitration, the Angels turned his career year into a lottery ticket that could pay major dividends well into the future.

Trading Ward also allows the Angels to deal from a position of strength and address an area of need.

They finished fourth in the majors in 2025 with 226 home runs. Only the Yankees, Dodgers and Mariners had more. Meanwhile, their 4.89 team ERA was the worst in the American League and third-worst overall behind the Rockies and Nationals.

And they still have Mike Trout, Jo Adell and Jorge Soler to fill the corner outfield and DH slots.

The Orioles said they expected Rodriguez to be ready for the start of spring training. If that’s the case, he’ll likely slot in as either the Angels’ No. 1 or No. 2 starter to begin the regular season under first-year manager Kurt Suzuki.

Potential Angels starting rotation

LHP Yusei Kikuchi
RHP Grayson Rodriguez
RHP Jose Soriano
LHP Reid Detmers
RHP Caden Dana

Jessie Diggins’ incredible career is coming to an end.

The most decorated cross country skier in U.S. history announced Wednesday, Nov. 19, that this will be her final season. She plans to compete at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, her fourth, before finishing her career on home snow at the World Cup Finals in Lake Placid, New York. The finals are March 19-22.

‘I hope I’m remembered not just for the pain cave and ability to suffer deeply for a team that I love and a sport I care about so much, but for the joy, sense of fun on snow, heart-on-sleeve racing, deep vulnerability and openness that I’ve brought to everything I do,’ Diggins said in the release announcing her retirement.

Diggins, 34, set new standards for U.S. cross country skiers. She and Kikkan Randall gave the United States its first Olympic gold in cross country when they won the team sprint at the Pyeongchang Games in 2018. Four years later, Diggins became the first American to win an individual sprint medal at the Games, taking bronze. She also won silver in the 30k freestyle in Beijing.

Diggins is the reigning overall champion, a title she’s won three times. Her first, in 2021, was the first by a U.S. woman and first for any American since Bill Koch did it in 1982. She’s the only non-European woman to win the overall trophy.

Diggins also was the first American to win an individual gold at the world championships, winning the 10k skate in 2023. She has seven medals overall from the world championships.

But she didn’t just leave her mark on the snow. Diggins has been an outspoken advocate for mental health, sharing details of her eating disorder and her recovery.

‘I’m proud of how hard I’ve worked to lead a team as well as how I’ve worked to help change an entire sport’s culture around mental health – how we talk about it, how we’re allowed to ask for help and how we help athletes in need,’ Diggins said.

‘I’ve tried to become the advocate and role model that 18-year-old Jessie needed,’ said Diggins, who puts sparkles on her cheeks when she races to remind herself to have fun. ‘Whether or not I’ve succeeded in that, I am deeply proud of having the courage to put my own life story out there to bring about the change I wanted to see.”

A former Los Angeles Angels teammate of pitcher Tyler Skaggs testified in the wrongful death civil suit against the team that he, Skaggs, and former communications director Eric Kay hid their drug use from the Angels.

Skaggs’ family is suing the Angels for wrongful death, seeking at least $118 million in lost earnings, compensation for pain and suffering, and punitive damages against the team, claiming they should have been aware that Kay was giving him drugs.

Mike Morin, who pitched for the Angels from 2014 through 2017, said that he had an arm injury during his last season with the team and that Kay provided him with drugs. The pills would be dropped off in his locker, and Kay would pick up the money that Morin left for him there.

Morin said Kay gave him ‘blue boys,’ a term used to identify blue, 30-milligram oxycodone pills, and said he and Skaggs used the clubhouse bathroom for their drug use, crushing up pills and snorting them on a toilet paper dispenser.

Morin said during his testimony that he had five to eight dealings with Kay involving payment for drugs and added that he feels that Skaggs was responsible for his own actions, a key point in the Angels’ defense.

‘It’s impossible for anyone to understand what it’s like to play at the MLB level,’ Morin said. ‘Only people that get it are in the same room. It’s immense highs and immense lows. What it feels like to devote your life to something and fail, yeah, there’s not a whole lot of other people that can fully understand what it takes to get there and to stay there.’

Kay is currently serving 22 years in federal prison after being found guilty of distribution of a controlled substance resulting in death and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute controlled substances in the July 1, 2019, death of Skaggs, who was found dead in a Southlake, Texas, hotel room as the Angels were set to play a four-game series against the Texas Rangers. Authorities said that Kay distributed the fentanyl-laced pills that killed Skaggs.

Week 12 of the 2025 NFL season features five games between teams with a .500 record or better.
Key matchups include the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts visiting the 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs.
In the NFC, the 6-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers will face the 8-2 Los Angeles Rams in a primetime game.
This season has seen a record number of close contests, with 43 games decided in the final two minutes or overtime.

NFL season is officially in Week 12. This week features five games between teams that have at least a .500 record.

The 5-5 Kansas City Chiefs desperately need a win when they host the 8-2 Indianapolis Colts. Two of the best teams in the NFC meet up in primetime on Sunday night when the 6-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers face the 8-2 Los Angeles Rams.  

There are bound to be plenty of close contests this week. There have been 43 games with a game-winning score in the final two minutes of regulation or in overtime this season, the most-ever through Week 11, via NFL Research.

Here is a look at picks and predictions for all of the Week 12 games on the 2025 NFL schedule.

NFL Week 12 game predictions, picks

Odds courtesy of BetMGM.

Week 12 game predictions

Buffalo Bills vs. Houston Texans

Date: Thursday, Nov. 20
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, TX
TV: None
Streaming: Amazon Prime, NFL+
Spread: Bills (-6)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bills 27, Texans 20

C.J. Stroud is still in concussion protocol. The Texans defensive line should make life difficult for Josh Allen, but the Bills are the more complete team are a trying to keep pace with the Patriots. I believe Buffalo wins this one on the road.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Bills 27, Texans 20

“The Texans have allowed an NFL-best 163 points, but they face a Bills team that just had Josh Allen score six touchdowns and put up 44 points. Buffalo will be able to outscore Houston.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Bills 28, Texans 17 

“Will C.J. Stroud (concussion) return for the Texans? Houston is 2-2 S/U at home, but those losses to Denver and Tampa Bay were by a combined total of four points. Buffalo is 2-2 S/U on the road. Josh Allen is coming off a six-TD performance. This is go-time for the Bills if they want to catch the Patriots in the AFC East.”

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Chicago Bears

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field, Chicago, IL
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Bears (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Steelers 25, Bears 24

Ben Johnson deserves coach of the year consideration with how he’s helped turn around the Bears. Johnson’s helped Caleb Williams play with more structure within the offense. However, I think the combination of T.J. Watt and Alex Highsmith will disrupt Chicago’s offensive attack. Plus, DK Metcalf and Pittsburgh’s tight ends are going to make enough plays on offense.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Bears 24, Steelers 23

“Will Aaron Rodgers or Mason Rudolph start for the Steelers? Will it matter? Caleb Williams and the Bears will win a fourth straight close game.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Bears 20, Steelers 19

“The Bears have not turned the ball over in those three wins – might be primed for something more, especially if they force two or more turnovers from Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph. This is a tough pick, but we will stick with Chicago.”

New England Patriots vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Patriots (8-5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Patriots 26, Bengals 20

TreVeyon Henderson is coming off a three-touchdown game. He’s added some explosiveness to New England’s offense. Stefon Diggs is really starting to build a rapport with Drake Maye who’s emerging as a star. The Bengals don’t have the defense to stop the Patriots offense.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Patriots 31, Bengals 20

“The Patriots are 5-0 on the road this season. They will be 6-0 after Drake Maye and New England beat the Bengals in Cincinnati.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Patriots 30, Bengals 20

“The Patriots are on an eight-game winning streak, and the Bengals have not forced a turnover in their last three losses. It’s a bad defense made worse when Trey Hendrickson is not on the field. TreVeyon Henderson – a former Ohio State running back with four rushing TDs the last two weeks – could have a monster game here. The Pats are 3-0-1 ATS when favored by more than five points.”

New York Giants vs. Detroit Lions

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Field, Detroit, MI
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Lions (-11)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Lions 28, Giants 20

The Lions offensive line versus the Giants defensive line is a matchup to watch. But Detroit has multiple ways to win against an inferior Giants club. The Lions roar in this one.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Lions 33, Giants 17

“Jared Goff and the Lions have not lost back-to-back games all season. They are not going to start here. Detroit will rebound with a big offensive performance at home.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Lions 31, Giants 16

“The Lions are 3-1 at home, and they won those games by an average margin of 23.3 points per game. Jameis Winston had two turnovers in the loss to the Packers in Week 12. Detroit will get on track in a convincing fashion here to get ready for the rematch with Green Bay on Thanksgiving.”

Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Packers (-6.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Packers 26, Vikings 17

The Vikings swept the season series last year. I think the Packers return the favor this season. Green Bay’s offense has struggled in recent weeks, but the Packers should have some advantages vertically.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Packers 21, Vikings 20

“The injuries are starting to take a toll on the Packers, but Jordan Love will make some big throws late to help Green Bay edge Minnesota in an NFC North thriller.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Packers 23, Vikings 19 

“The Vikings are in desperation mode here after a heartbreaking loss to the Bears. JJ McCarthy did not take a sack in the loss to Chicago, but he has struggled with accuracy (50.5%) the last three weeks. Four of Minnesota’s five road games have been decided by one score. Will the Packers lose a third straight game at Lambeau Field?”

Seattle Seahawks vs. Tennessee Titans

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Seahawks (-13.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 28, Titans 17

Let’s face it, the Titans are rebuilding and lack talent outside of building blocks, Cam Ward and Jeffery Simmons. The Seahawks are one of the top teams in the NFL. Mike Macdonald deserves coach of the year consideration.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Seahawks 27, Titans 14

“We don’t see Sam Darnold throwing four interceptions in this game and Seattle almost beat the Los Angeles Rams last week when he did.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Seahawks 28, Titans 19

“Is this a potential emotional letdown spot for the Seahawks coming off the loss to the Rams? The Titans have lost consecutive one-score games, and the inability to run the football with a league-worst 78.9 rushing yards per game continues to be a problem. That’s a lot of points for a road team to cover.”

Indianapolis Colts vs. Kansas City Chiefs

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Chiefs (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chiefs 26, Colts 24

Jonathan Taylor and Daniel Jones are MVP candidates, but I this is a must-win game for the Chiefs. The AFC West might be out of reach for Kansas City, but a playoff berth isn’t.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Chiefs 28, Colts 24

“The Chiefs are a much better team at home (4-1) than on the road (1-4). This is a must-win game for Kansas City against an Indianapolis team coming off a bye. Patrick Mahomes and company will get it done.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Chiefs 27, Colts 20 

“The Chiefs are .500 and face the Colts coming off a bye week. Kansas City is 0-5 S/U in one-score games this year – a bad omen against Indianapolis. The Colts are 3-2 S/U in one-score games. The Chiefs allow 100 rushing yards per game. How much will they give up to MVP candidate Jonathan Taylor? That is going to be the key at Arrowhead Stadium.”

New York Jets vs. Baltimore Ravens

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, MD
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Ravens (-13.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Ravens 28, Jets 17

The Ravens have won four straight games and are beginning to resemble the team many picked to represent the AFC in Super Bowl 60. The Jets are in the infancy stages of a rebuild after gutting their team at the trade deadline.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Ravens 30, Jets 14

“The Ravens needed to rally to win their fourth straight game last week. Lamar Jackson and company won’t need to rally in this game. Baltimore will cruise to a fifth straight win.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Ravens 35, Jets 17

“Is this blowout waiting to happen? New York has actually played better on the road – where their three losses are by an average of seven points per game. It’s just difficult to entertain an upset knowing the Jets have a passing attack that averages a league-worst 139.9 yards per game and benched Justin Fields. Lamar Jackson will get the Ravens’ offense going against a Jets’ defense that has forced one turnover all season.”

Cleveland Browns vs. Las Vegas Raiders

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Raiders (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Browns 17-16

The is a pick ‘em game between two bad teams. Somebody has to win, right (maybe)? The Browns have one of the NFL’s top defensive units. I think Myles Garrett and Cleveland’s defense force a couple turnovers that lead to a victory.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Raiders 20, Browns 17

“The Browns will be starting a rookie QB on the road. Advantage: Las Vegas. But not by much with Cleveland’s defense keeping it close.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Raiders 20, Browns 19

“Will Shedeur Sanders start? That’s one of the burning questions for two teams that rank in the bottom five in scoring offense. Myles Garrett — who had four sacks in Week 10 — and Maxx Crosby – who has heated up at home – are going to be key players in what should be an ugly matchup. The Raiders are 3-0 S/U against the Browns since moving to Las Vegas.”

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Arizona Cardinals

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: State Farm Stadium, Glendale, AZ
TV: CBS
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Jaguars (-2.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Jaguars 26, Cardinals 20

The Jaguars are coming off a big Week 11 win. Jacksonville carries that momentum into Arizona. I would’ve loved to see Travis Hunter matched up against Marvin Harrison Jr. in this game.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Jaguars 24, Cardinals 20

“The Cardinals have given up 85 points in their last two games. They won’t give up that many to Trevor Lawrence and the Jaguars, but they will give up more than they score.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Jaguars 26, Cardinals 21

‘The Cardinals have allowed an average of 42.5 points the last two weeks. Jacksonville has scored 29 or more points in its last three games and is coming off a blowout victory against the Chargers. Travis Etienne and Bhayshul Tuten against a middle-of-the-pack Arizona run defense. This is the Jaguars’ third West Coast trip this season – and they are 2-0 S/U.’

Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, TX
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Eagles (-3.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 26, Cowboys 21

The Eagles swept the season series against the Cowboys last season. Philadelphia is bound to do it again this year. I expect Saquon Barkley and A.J. Brown to have big performances against a leaky but improved Cowboys defense, unlike the Week 1 matchup.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Eagles 30, Cowboys 23

“The Cowboys are a much better team at home than on the road, but are coming off a short week for this game. We trust Philadelphia’s defense more.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Eagles 27, Cowboys 17

‘Keep doubting the Eagles at your own peril. Philadelphia allowed 16 total points in victories against the Packers and Lions. Defense is the identity of this team. Jalen Hurts is 1-3 S/U in four career starts at AT&T Stadium, but he should be able to control the game against Dallas’ defense. The Eagles have a chance to make it four in a row in the series.’ 

Atlanta Falcons vs. New Orleans Saints

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Caesars Superdome, New Orleans, LA
TV: FOX
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Saints (-1.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Falcons 20, Saints 17

Bijan Robinson and Atlanta’s run game have some advantages against the Saints defense. Kirk Cousins’ goal should be to hand the ball off to Robinson and avoid costly mistakes. Losers of five straight games, the Falcons really need this game if they want to keep their season afloat.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Saints 21, Falcons 20

“The Falcons are favored, but the Saints are coming off a bye week and Tyler Shough had extra time to prepare for this start. New Orleans will win a second straight game and hand Atlanta a sixth straight loss.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Falcons 20, Saints 17 

“The Saints had a bye week, and the Falcons are stuck in a six-game losing streak that has peaked with overtime losses each of the last two weeks against the Colts and Panthers. Tyler Shough has taken three sacks or less in his three starts, but the Saints are averaging just 10 points per game in those matchups. New Orleans has won the last three home meetings. Kirk Cousins breaks the streak.”

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Los Angeles Rams

Date: Sunday, Nov. 23
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo, NFL+
Spread: Rams (-6.5)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 28, Bucs 25

The Rams are a contender, but they might just be the top team in the conference. A win against the Seahawks last week, followed by a victory against Tampa Bay this week would send a statement to the rest of the NFL.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: Rams 28, Buccaneers 20

“Matthew Stafford may not be a dual threat like Josh Allen, but he will be able to pick apart Tampa Bay’s secondary in leading Los Angeles to a sixth straight win.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: Rams 34, Buccaneers 28 

“What can the Buccaneers do to slow down Matthew Stafford – who has 27 TDs, two interceptions and a 112.7 passer rating? Stafford has yet to throw an interception at home. Tampa Bay is 0-2 ATS as an underdog of six points or more. Will Baker Mayfield help Tampa Bay avoid a third consecutive loss?”

Carolina Panthers vs. San Francisco 49ers

Date: Sunday, Nov. 24
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: Fubo, NFL+, ESPN+
Spread: (-7)

Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: 49ers 26, Panthers 21

Kyle Shanahan deserves a lot of credit for keeping the 49ers’ season afloat despite a depleted roster. Brock Purdy is back behind center, and he still has weapons Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle.

Jeremy Cluff, Arizona Republic: 49ers 24, Panthers 21

“Bryce Young and the Panthers have been a surprise in the NFC, but it would really be a surprise to us if Carolina upset Brock Purdy and San Francisco on the road.”

Bill Bender, Sporting News: 49ers 27, Panthers 21

“The Panthers might be the most-interesting boom-or-bust team in the NFL right now. Carolina has won its last two road games at Green Bay and Atlanta. Brock Purdy was efficient in his return for the 49ers. San Francisco is 3-2 ATS as a favorite this year, but Bryce Young continues to improve on the road.”

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

Northwestern University is building a new Ryan Field, set to open in 2026, with a focus on an enhanced fan experience.
The new stadium will cost $862 million, largely funded by the Ryan family, and will have a reduced capacity of 35,000.
The stadium will include a canopy covering 100% of the seats to protect fans from weather and amplify crowd noise.

EVANSTON, IL – Pat Ryan Jr. has a vision for Northwestern football fans when the school completes its construction of Ryan Field, and the Wildcats can begin playing games in a permanent home starting in the 2026 season.

Ryan, an alum and President and CEO of Ryan Sports Development, whose family ties to Northwestern span generations ― and whose father’s name the brand-new stadium will bear ― has sought to improve the fan experience for college football games by eliminating the worst seat in the stadium.

‘The death of the nosebleeds, ‘the most expensive seat to build, the hardest seat to sell and has the lowest satisfaction,’ Ryan told USA TODAY Sports.

Northwestern is looking to the future when it comes to the fan experience, and the elimination of the nosebleeds is just the beginning.

‘So that is unique, a premium experience for everybody involved,’ Northwestern athletic director Mark Jackson told USA TODAY Sports. ‘Not only is it the most accessible stadium for those dealing with physical disabilities, but we also wanted to make it accessible from a price standpoint, too, and to make it affordable so that our young alums can take part in this or younger people that are just starting their careers, to come in, have a premium experience, have a chair back on every seat, have a covered canopy that protects everybody from the elements.

‘Those kinds of opportunities that, comprehensively throughout an entire stadium, we haven’t seen quite like this.’

The Wildcats played the first five home games of this season at Martin Stadium — a re-imagined lacrosse field — and will play the final two home games of the season at Wrigley Field (a 24-22 loss to Michigan on Nov. 15 and again on Nov. 22 vs. Minnesota).

Last season, the Wildcats played two games at Wrigley Field against Ohio State and Illinois. Here’s what you need to know about the new Ryan Field, which is estimated to be the largest college football stadium project in history:

How much did Northwestern’s new stadium cost?

When renderings for Ryan Field were first unveiled on Nov. 18, 2024, the price tag for its construction was listed at $850 million. Ryan said the final approved budget for the new Ryan Field comes in at $862 million, a number Ryan says would have ballooned by nearly 50% had the university waited.

‘I’ve been told by more than one person that if we bid it out now, it probably costs $1.2 billion,’ Ryan said.

Who is paying for Northwestern’s Ryan Field?

The majority of the cost to complete Ryan Field comes from the Ryan family itself. However, the university is also chipping in for the cost, which it had already raised through donors to initially renovate the stadium.

Starting over with a new stadium made more sense for Ryan and Northwestern than renovation. The old Ryan Field was originally opened on Oct. 2, 1926 and expanded in 1949 and 1952 before undergoing renovations in 1996. Northwestern’s former home was demolished in 2024.

‘The reason we didn’t renovate the old stadium is because we would have spent all that money, and frankly, all it would have done is shore up the old building structurally,’ Ryan said.

‘The building did not have a lot that was preservable at the time. It’s 100 years old next year. … We did not want to spend $300 million on propping up a building that did not improve anything. It didn’t make sense. So, the university had a commitment to how much money it was going to put into renovating the stadium. We said we would finance the balance of that.’

The Ryan family company ― Ryan Sports Development ― is in charge of the design and development of the new Ryan Field. The Ryan family is a minority owner of the Chicago Bears and owns a stake in the English Premier League club AFC Bournemouth.

‘I want to be really clear on this is that it’s just not your typical donation. This is an investment, not only of resources from the Ryan families at an incredibly generous amount, but it’s they’re also intimately involved in the design and development and management of the project,’ Jackson said.

When will the Northwestern’s new Ryan Field open?

Ryan told USA TODAY Sports that Ryan Field is on target to open in the fall of 2026. When Northwestern will play its first game, however, is to be determined.

The Wildcats have three games already scheduled for 2026, two of which are good options early in the season: on Saturday, Sept. 12 vs. South Dakota State and Saturday, Sept. 19 vs. Colorado.

Ryan Field capacity

New Ryan Field capacity: 35,000
Old Ryan Field capacity: 47,130

One thing fans will notice about the new Ryan Field will be a reduced capacity. The 35,000-seat venue will easily be the smallest in the Big Ten Conference. The former Ryan Field’s capacity was 47,130 — already the smallest in the conference, behind Minnesota’s Huntington Bank Stadium capacity of 50,805.

‘We didn’t just reduce the number of seats. We actually reduced the numbers,’ Ryan said. ‘We did that so that we could put every seat on top of the action by not having to put another 20,000 seats behind. It meant that you don’t have to worry about blocking those other seats. So you can put everybody in. So when you come through the stadium, we’ll get to give you a point.’

The removal of the nosebleeds is part of the reason for the reduction in the number of seats. But it sets up an opportunity for the new Ryan Field to give a different experience to fans.

Better sightlines are a major selling point of the brand-new stadium.

‘When you go through the stadium, you will see that the sightlines in our stadium, the worst seat in the house, are 136 feet from the sideline,’ Ryan said. ‘The most expensive seat at Notre Dame is 235 feet away. So, what we’ve done is we put people right on top of the action in a way that feels like it’s better than TV because you’re so close.

‘It’s like you’re watching on TV, but you can see everything at the same time. So it’s better than the sightlines. This death of the nosebleed is the first thing.’

Canopy covers most of Ryan Field

Ryan Field will take a decidedly NFL approach when it comes to canopy coverage.

In the NFL, the Buffalo Bills have a canopy that covers 64% of the stands at Highmark Stadium, getting the majority of the fans away from the harsh conditions in Buffalo during the winter. The Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium offers 92% canopy coverage to protect fans from the harsh South Florida heat.

In Illinois, the average high temperatures are 49 and 36 degrees, respectively, in November and December. The threat of cold rain or snow is always prevalent in those months near Lake Michigan. That’s why at the new Ryan Field, 100% of the fans will be covered by a canopy.

‘Most people look at it and say, well, that’s a soccer thing? Do you think that the reason there’s a roof canopy over the seats is because of the shape of the ball? Of course not,’ Ryan said.

‘It’s because soccer is played in the UK, which is played in England in January, where it’s cold and rainy. In Chicago in November, it gets cold and rainy. So the idea of leaving, we try to take the best of both, leave the game out in the elements, but protect the fans from adverse weather, creates more of that experience.’

Ryan added that creating 100% coverage eliminates the distinction of ‘haves and have-nots.’

‘We’re a college, we’re a university, it’s everybody, we should, we’re a community,’ Ryan said. ‘The community should all be having experience together, not that there are people in the skyboxes and the people on the benches. It should be the same for everybody. So this premium for everybody; nobody’s done that in football before.’

Another unique aspect that canopy will bring is amplifying crowd noise, despite the smaller capacity, giving Northwestern a different home-field advantage at games.

‘The canopy just doesn’t protect you from the weather, but it also reverberates sound,’ Ryan said. ‘It will allow our might Wildcat Nation to be loud and intimidating in a way that’s hard in a big open-air stadium, because the noise dissipates out.’

Fan experience outside of Ryan Field

For Ryan, the experience of a college football Saturday does not start and end with the football game. For a fan who has to travel to watch a Northwestern game, the experience should start from the time the fans arrive at the stadium and end when they exit.

That’s why part of the construction of the stadium also includes a Wildcat Plaza ― four festival grounds wrapping around the stadium ― for fans to tailgate and get the entire experience of a college football game.

‘We’ve created like the Super Bowl, we created like a campus around it,’ Ryan said. ‘So you enter, you don’t enter the building with your ticket. You enter the festival grounds that surround the building, and then you have a choice. You can go to any of these festivals. Students have the student one, but you can go to a festival where you can tailgate yourself or you can go to a community tailgate.

‘You can go to some of the best pop-up restaurants in town, like a street festival type of feel, or you can take kids and go to something where it’s like the, where you can like do all the cool drills like you’re at the NFL experience at the Super Bowl.’

Antonio Brown’s otherwise clear-cut case for the Pro Fooball Hall of Fame could be complicated by his legal issues, including an attempted murder charge.
Hall of Fame voters are instructed to only consider what a candidate accomplished on the field when weighing whether candidates are worthy of making the cut.
But the case of Jim Tyrer, who killed his wife, demonstrated that other factors come into consideration during votes.

One look at the football resume and there’s no debate that Antonio Brown produced so many of the credentials that should land him a bust in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

On top of sterling stats and a collection of Pittsburgh Steelers franchise records, Brown made the All-Decade Team for the 2010s – chosen by Hall of Fame voters – and was the only wide receiver during that decade with four first-team All-Pro selections. It should be noted that Calvin Johnson, Julio Jones and Larry Fitzgerald played in that decade, too.

But this debate runs way deeper than football.

One whiff of the enormous legal matter facing Brown – arraigned Monday in Florida on an attempted murder charge, he pleaded not guilty – and it’s apparent that the repercussions will likely weigh heavily on his projected Hall of Fame status.

No, Brown, 37, isn’t in the mix for the next Hall of Fame class that is now under consideration, to be revealed during the week of Super Bowl 60. He won’t be eligible until the Class of 2027, which means he’ll be on the ballot at this time next year.

By then, perhaps there will be resolution of Brown’s criminal case. The prosecutor has said that Brown faces up to a 30-year prison sentence because a firearm was allegedly used. Brown has maintained that he acted in self-defense during an incident in May that followed an amateur boxing match in Miami. Let the legal system play out.

The Hall of Fame process?

Technically, whatever transpires with Brown off the field – and that includes multiple allegations of varying degrees of misconduct in recent years – is not supposed to be considered as part of his Hall of Fame candidacy.

It’s in the bylaws. As a member of the Hall’s selection committee for nearly 30 years, I’ve seen it in writing, heard it, wondered about it and discussed it. We’re instructed as voters to only consider what a candidate does on the field.

That sounds so cut and dried.

Until it isn’t.

The selection committee, remember, involves human beings casting votes. That’s where conscience comes in. It can be hard enough to distinguish between worthy candidates at any given position with no sorts of off-the-field issues – the current slate of receivers, for instance, includes holdovers Torry Holt, Reggie Wayne, Steve Smith, Sr. and Anquan Boldin, with first-ballot Fitzgerald now in the running – because the competition is so thick.

Throw in a criminal case, conviction or other forms of drama, and bylaws or not, the swing factor happens. Unlike the Baseball Hall of Fame, there’s no “morality clause” in the mix for the NFL version. At least not on paper.

Brown, who caught 928 passes for 12,291 yards (ranked 25th and 28th, respectively, on the NFL’s all-time list) over a 12-year career, undoubtedly has issues right now that are much bigger to deal with than his potential Hall call.

Yet it’s fair to wonder about the ripple effect of his case, especially in the wake of a candidacy last time around that tested the boundaries of the Hall’s voters limits.

In January, the selection committee considered Jim Tyrer as a seniors finalist. Tyrer, who played 13 of his 14 pro seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs in the 1960s and ‘70s, is arguably the most decorated eligible candidate not in the Hall of Fame. A dominating left tackle, he earned eight All-Pro selections and nine Pro Bowl bids. He won a Super Bowl, is in the Chiefs’ Hall of Fame and is on the AFL’s All-Time Team.

Tyrer, though, killed his wife, Martha, and died by suicide in 1980.

Never mind his football credentials. Tyrer was never seriously considered for the Hall until advancing in the last process as one of the three seniors finalists.

It ignited some of the most passionate debate during my decades on the committee. Supporters of Tyrer’s candidacy argued that his condition before the tragedy – including depression, paranoia and severe headaches – reflected symptoms of chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), the brain disease linked to repetitive head trauma.

Of course, CTE wasn’t discovered until 2002, when Dr. Bennet Omalu performed an autopsy of former Steelers center Mike Webster. So, Tyrer’s case, despite apparent symptoms, wasn’t definitively proven to be CTE.

Beyond that, however, some, if not many, voters struggled with Tyrer’s candidacy as a moral issue and demonstrated a clear line they wouldn’t cross. It is doubtful that Tyrer will advance to the final round of seniors candidates this time.

That is certainly an extreme case. Yet it is part of the package that voters must consider as real human beings charged to do their due diligence.

Similar to the Tyrer candidacy that was dormant, Darren Sharper had legit credentials. The former NFL safety picked off 63 passes, tied for eighth all-time, twice led the league in interceptions and was named to the All-Decade Team for the 2000s. Sharper, who played for the Packers, Vikings and Saints over a 14-year career, became eligible for the Hall in 2015.

In 2014, he pleaded guilty to rape and drug charges, resulting in a 20-year prison sentence. So much for the Hall. Sharper has technically remained on the initial ballot of modern-day candidates but is essentially an invisible candidate who hasn’t advanced.

It’s notable, too, that Sharper was removed from the Hall of Fame at his alma mater, William & Mary. That prompts a flashback of the heat on the Hall in 1994, after O.J. Simpson was charged in the double murders of Nicole Brown Simpson and Ron Goldman. Amid intense demands to have Simpson (Class of ’85) and his bust ousted, the Hall of Fame stuck to the bylaws that stipulate an enshrinee can never be removed.

Yeah, those bylaws.

Brown is innocent until proven guilty, and thankfully no lives were lost in the incident that led to his charges. After being extradited from Dubai, he was released on $25,000 bond with the stipulation he wear a GPS ankle monitor.

The bylaws tell us that regardless of what happens with Brown’s criminal case, we as voters are only to consider what happens on the field.

I guess that makes the bizarre incident in Brown’s final NFL game fair game. Brown, traded by the Steelers to the Raiders in 2019, never played with Oakland. He was cut after an incident with then-GM Mike Mayock. He then played just one game with the New England Patriots that year after allegations of misconduct were followed by threatening text messages that became public. After serving an eight-game NFL suspension, he played his final two (partial) seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Brown, reunited with his former Steelers coordinator, Bruce Arians, won a Super Bowl with the Tom Brady-inspired Bucs. And then the next season there was that last game. After refusing to go in the game against the Jets (later contending that he had an injury issue), Brown removed his jersey, shoulder pads, under shirt and ran his bare-chested self out of MetLife Stadium in a dramatic scene.

Hey, it happened on a field.

The bylaws provide pointed guidelines for the voting. But history suggests that Brown’s pending criminal case may also serve as the first potential cutdown for his Hall of Fame candidacy.

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