Off to an 0-3 start and with coach Mike McDaniel seemingly on one of the league’s hottest seats, the Miami Dolphins are already in deep water to start the 2025 NFL season. So maybe it’s a good time for them to break out their Nike “Rivalries” uniforms – the Fins’ version dubbed “Dark Waters.” Miami becomes the second team to don the new alternates, revealed by the sportswear apparel giant last month, joining the Arizona Cardinals, who rocked their “Built to Last” alternates Thursday.

Per Nike, Miami’s look is meant to convey speed and South Florida’s night life in what’s officially a “dark pitch-blue” colorway with hits of “Turbo Green,” and the club’s standard aqua and orange.

What’s new about the Dolphins’ ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

For a team that’s historically embraced South Florida’s vibrant colors – aqua, orange or white jerseys – this dark version is quite a departure for the Dolphins, who are basically offering their fans something akin to the black alternates so many pro teams have in their wardrobes.

Per the team’s website, “This design is unlike any before, featuring dark aquatic tones made to represent a team who hunts in dark waters. Complete with orange accents and sleek dark blue touches throughout, these uniforms are as fierce as the competition between longtime rivals when they meet in prime time.”

“Go Fins” is embroidered inside the collar. Miami’s 305 area code appears above the facemask.

“The Jets have always been our biggest rival,” legendary Dolphins wideout Nat Moore told Nike in conjunction with the uniform launch in August.

“They’re the team that, no matter what their record is, they’re always going to play us tough. Whether the game was down in Miami or up in New York, you just knew how important it was to the fans. And with so many New Yorkers living in South Florida, the rivalry just feels that much more real.”

What are NFL ‘Rivalries’ uniforms by Nike?

Think of them as the football version of the sports apparel company’s NBA ‘City Edition’ uniforms or Major League Baseball’s ‘City Connect’ jerseys. Signaled during the NFL draft and unveiled in August, Nike has strived to create something that further strengthens NFL teams’ bonds to their unique civic environments. And, as “rivalries” would suggest, all of them will be worn in intra-divisional matchups.

‘The 2025 Rivalries uniforms will celebrate storied local traditions and unite fan communities with designs unique to select cities and teams,” Nike announced during the rollout.

‘The designs are rooted extensively in the legacies and inspirations true to each team, serving as authentic, competitive expressions of community pride while giving athletes and fans an opportunity to connect like never before.’

Which NFL teams have ‘Rivalries’ uniforms?

Eventually all of them. But for 2025, each team in the AFC East and NFC West is scheduled to wear their “Rivalries” unis one time this season. Two additional divisions will be added to the rotation in each of the next three seasons, and the “Rivalries” option then becomes part of a team’s closet for the following three years.

When will NFL teams wear ‘Rivalries’ uniforms in 2025?

 Buffalo Bills: Oct. 5 vs. New England Patriots

 Los Angeles Rams: Nov. 16 vs. Seattle Seahawks

 New England Patriots: Nov. 13 vs. New York Jets

 New York Jets: Dec. 7 vs. Miami Dolphins

 San Francisco 49ers: Jan. 4, 2026 vs. Seattle Seahawks

 Seattle Seahawks: Dec. 18 vs. Los Angeles Rams

For a second straight Miami Dolphins home game, air traffic over Hard Rock Stadium was conspicuously busy.

The Dolphins are hosting their second home game of the season on Monday night in a prime-time clash with the New York Jets. And Dolphins fans are sponsoring a second plane banner to fly over the team’s home stadium this season to voice their frustrations.

‘Help wanted: new coach, new GM, new QB,’ read the banner flying over Hard Rock Stadium on Monday night.

Two weeks prior, ahead of the Dolphins’ home opener against the New England Patriots, a plane flew over the stadium with a different banner that read, ‘Fire (Dolphins general manager Chris) Grier. Fire (Dolphins head coach Mike) McDaniel.’

Monday night’s banner notably added a new subject of Dolphin fan frustration: quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.

Through three games, Tagovailoa has thrown four interceptions and fumbled twice while failing to record more than 200 passing yards in two out of his three outings. That’s led to a ranking of 31st of 34 NFL quarterbacks with a minimum of 64 plays in expected points added per play (-0.84), a PFF grade (52.9) that ranks 34th of 38 quarterbacks and a QBR (35.2) ranked 29th of 33.

The only quarterbacks with consistently worse or similar rankings in each category this season are Tennessee Titans rookie quarterback Cam Ward and the Cleveland Browns’ 40-year-old, veteran gunslinger Joe Flacco.

Meanwhile, Grier has been the team’s head executive since 2016, making him the third-longest-tenured GM in the team’s history. Miami holds a 75-76 record since he took over and are 0-3 in the playoffs.

McDaniel joined Miami as its head coach in 2022. He’s led the team to a 28-26 record since, including two playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023. Both ended with losses in the wild-card round.

The Dolphins lost their Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, 33-8, hosted the New England Patriots in a 33-27 home opener loss in Week 2 and fell to the Buffalo Bills, 31-21, in Week 3’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ game.

It’s time to talk about the upcoming NBA season. Literally.

Training camps are beginning, preseason games will start soon and the first NBA regular-season games are already less than a month away. So on Monday, Sept. 29, much of the league reconvened for NBA media day, where many of its stars spoke with reporters, as unanswered offseason questions were asked (and maybe answered).

There were 25 teams going through this exercise on Monday before starting their training camp for the 2025-26 season. The five others (the New York Knicks, Brooklyn Nets, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Phoenix Suns) previously held their media days and began practices due to international travel for preseason games.

Among the notable NBA players who spoke in front of the cameras: Nikola Jokic, Steph Curry, LeBron James, Anthony Edwards, Kawhi Leonard, Giannis Antetokounmpo, Kevin Durant, and more.

Steph Curry speaks on the Kuminga situation

With Jonathan Kuminga’s restricted free agency looming large over everything at Warriors’ media day, Steph Curry wasted no time giving his thoughts on the matter, telling reporters that he doesn’t care what Kuminga’s agent has to say on the matter. It only matters what the man himself says to him.

Draymond Green brings the BOOM! at media day

He might not be a Costco guy, but Draymond Green was not afraid to make an entrance at Golden State Warriors media day. The former Defensive Player of the Year approached his presser with large glasses in hand, glasses that read exactly what you’d expect them to.

Unfortunately, the questions being asked were a little too serious for such a goofy piece of headwear, so Green took them off within a minute of putting them on.

Chet Holmgren feels ‘great’ entering training camp

After playing just 32 games a season ago, Chet Holmgren says he spent the offseason focusing on his body.

‘I feel a lot better,’ said Holmgren. ‘Last summer, I didn’t have the time that I needed to kind of get my body to where it needed to be to feel great. I’d make all the same decisions again, but I didn’t have the time that I needed to kind of get my body to where it needed to be to feel great. So that was a big emphasis this summer in the weight room.’

Holmgren’s health is pivotal to the Thunder’s success. The big man’s presence at the rim was a major factor in OKC’s championship run a season ago.

LeBron James won’t wait on son, Bryce, to retire

This was the latest clue the Los Angeles Lakers star was willing to offer while discussing potential retirement and his motivations to continue playing as he enters his record-setting 23rd NBA season. Though James said nothing definitive about his future beyond this season, he did make light of the situation when asked if he desired to play in the NBA alongside his younger son, Bryce James, like he did last year with Bronny James.

‘I’m not waiting on Bryce,’ James said. ‘… He has his own timeline, I got my timeline, and I don’t know if they quite match up.’

∎ Read more here about what James had to say about potential retirement plans, the Lakers’ offseason additions and a full season playing alongside Luka Doncic

Clippers star Kawhi Leonard denies impropriety in Aspiration case

For the first time since the NBA announced that it was backing an inquiry into possible salary cap circumvention over an alleged “no-show” endorsement deal, Clippers star Kawhi Leonard addressed the claims against him and said he committed “no wrongdoing.”

The NBA has contracted a New York City law firm to investigate whether Clippers owner Steve Ballmer and the organization facilitated the endorsement deal.

“It’s easy, for us, it’s nothing to hide. It’s no wrongdoing there. So we’re just going to keep going as any other season. My name might pop up but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.

“Just going through the year last year, going through the (Los Angeles wildfire). Soon as I came back, that first game, my house and my community caught on fire. I don’t think it’s going to be harder than that.”

Leonard was mostly deflective in his comments, despite investigative reporter Pablo Torre uncovering and publishing hundreds of documents that showed a paper trail of money being transferred to Leonard.

“I understand the full contract and the service I had to do,” Leonard said. “I don’t deal with the conspiracies or the clickbait analysts or journalism that’s going on.”

When asked directly whether he had actually performed promotional services for Aspiration, Leonard pushed back against the claim that it was a “no-show” endorsement deal.

“I don’t think that’s accurate,” Leonard said. “It’s old. This is all new to you guys. The company went bankrupt a while ago, so we already knew that this was going to happen.”

Leonard also said he did not get all the money that was owed to him, per the endorsement contract he signed with Aspiration.

Against lesser opponents, Anthony Edwards will look to get his

Anthony Edwards is nothing if not honest.

Known as a player who says what’s on his mind, Edwards, now entering his sixth season in the NBA, will try to lead the Timberwolves to the Finals after falling short in consecutive seasons in the Western Conference finals.

Minnesota coach Chris Finch said he wanted to see Edwards and other stars fully engaged throughout the season, even against weaker opponents.

Edwards offered up an interesting approach to that problem.

“Try to get a career high in points,” he said Monday when asked how he plans to approach games against lesser competition in the middle of the season. “I think that’s how I’mma try to do it because I usually approach it like, ‘Ah, I’m about to let my teammates get that (expletive) off.’ Instead I’m just going to go for a career high. I think that’s how I’m going to stay engaged.”

Giannis Antetokounmpo doesn’t reaffirm commitment to Bucks beyond the present

Stuck in Greece because he contracted COVID-19, Giannis Antetokounmpo spoke to reporters virtually and maintained that he wants to compete for championships but did not give any assurances that he’s committed to the Milwaukee Bucks beyond the present.

“I want to be on a team that allows me and gives me a chance to win a championship,” he said Monday. “It is never going to change. I want to be among the best.”

Earlier Monday, Bucks owner Wes Edens said he and Antetokounmpo met in June, and that Antetokounmpo reaffirmed his commitment to Milwaukee. When it was his turn to speak, Antetokounmpo said he could not recall that conversation.

“It’s a disservice to basketball and just to the game, to not want it to compete in a high level, to want your season to end in April,” Antetokounmpo added. “It’s pretty much the same. It’s not the first time. I had the same thoughts last year. I had the same thoughts two years ago.”

Nikola Jokic: ‘Plan is to be with Nuggets forever’

The three-time NBA MVP met with reporters on Monday for the first time since reportedly informing Nuggets officials he would wait to hold contract extension discussions with the team until 2026 after becoming eligible to sign a three-year, $212 million extension starting in July.

But the delay isn’t a sign that Jokic’s loyalty to Denver is wavering, despite speculation this offseason after significant front office, coaching and roster changes made by the Nuggets in the wake of last season’s playoff exit in the Western Conference semifinals. Jokic made that clear to reporters when asked about the situation during the team’s media day ahead of the start to training camp.

“My plan is to be with Nuggets forever,” Jokic said.

After tumultuous offseason, Clippers exec praises James Harden

Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, spoke highly about James Harden and his role with the team during the offseason.

“James demonstrated incredible, incredible leadership,” Frank said Monday. “I think that the best leaders — they unite, align, inspire with their actions.”

Harden played a key role in the team’s success last season, averaging 22.8 points, 8.7 assists and 5.8 rebounds in 79 games played. He is back for his 17th year in the NBA and his third with the Clippers.

Kevin Durant addresses future with Rockets

It sounds like the Houston Rockets can expect to see a lot more of Kevin Durant.

The 37-year-old 15-time All-Star and prized trade acquisition of the offseason is entering the final season of his contract. Durant told reporters at Houston’s media day session Monday that he thinks his stay will be longer.

“I do see myself signing a contract extension,” Durant said. “I can’t tell you exactly when that will happen, but I do see it happening. Just seeing the quick progression of this franchise, from where it was right after that James Harden-Chris Paul era, seeing when (coach) Ime (Udoka) got here and how he turned it around so fast.

“And I have some connections here within the organization, people I work with around the league already, so it felt organic and natural coming into the gym and being a Houston Rocket for the first time.”

The Rockets shipped Jalen Green, Dillon Brooks and an array of draft capital to the Phoenix Suns in June to acquire Durant, instantly making the Rockets a potential title contender in a crowded Western Conference.

Mavericks’ Anthony Davis must wear protective eyewear for rest of career

Anthony Davis will have a new look out on the court with the Dallas Mavericks this season, and however many more seasons he plays in the NBA.

Davis had surgery to repair a detached retina in his right eye this offseason and doctors told him to wear protective eyewear moving forward, he revealed to reporters on Monday. The 6-foot-10 star, who was traded to Dallas last February as part of the blockbuster Luka Doncic deal with the Los Angeles Lakers, was still showing the physical effects of the procedure with swelling and redness around his right eye when he appeared at Mavericks media day on Monday.

Davis said, however, that he will not be limited in training camp and his vision is no longer impaired. He played in just nine regular-season games for Dallas due to an adductor injury he aggravated in his Mavericks debut.

‘Nothing has changed for me. The goal is still to bring a championship here,’ Davis said. ‘… I’m happy to be here. I’m excited to be here. I want to win here.’

First look at Kevin Durant with the Rockets

Damian Lillard casts doubt on possible return this season

Don’t expect to see Damian Lillard on the court this season.

The Trail Blazers guard who tore his Achilles tendon in the playoffs as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks, Lillard expressed caution when addressing his comeback and a potential return to action.

“I don’t plan on (playing this season),” Lillard told reporters Monday. “I feel like if this team is a one-seed, they probably got it. I’m trying to be as healthy as possible.”

Lillard said he and fellow guard Scoot Henderson, who tore his left hamstring last week, will use their time rehabbing to acquaint themselves with each other.

Lillard added that trainers recommended prudence during recovery from the Achilles rupture.

“ ‘Don’t try to be the guy who does it in record time,’ ” Lillard said when asked the advice he received from trainers. “ ‘There’s a lot you have to work through. It usually takes a little bit longer.’ ”

Tyler Herro announces injury return timeline for Miami Heat

Tyler Herro showed up to Miami Heat media day with a cast on his foot, a scooter to get around, and a potential timeline for his 2025-26 season debut.

The 25-year-old guard underwent surgery earlier this month to alleviate an issue affecting his left ankle and foot called posterior impingement syndrome, Heat officials previously announced. The team did not give an expected return date at the time, but Herro has one in mind.

‘I’ll be back in the next 8 to about 12 weeks and it should be a full recovery and I’ll be better soon,’ Herro told reporters on Monday.

Kyrie Irving injury update: ‘Right on schedule,’ but no return date

Jason Kidd is trying to make sure the Dallas Mavericks control the narrative surrounding Kyrie Irving’s potential return from injury.

Irving suffered a torn ACL last March and is expected to miss the beginning of this season. The Mavericks coach made it a point to emphasize nobody get ahead of themselves when he met with reporters on Monday. Kidd emphasized Irving is ‘doing quite well … but he’s not ahead of schedule.’ He deemed a recent social media report suggesting that was the case to be ‘bad reporting.’

Irving, for the record, began his media day news conference by announcing, in reference to Kidd’s comments, ‘I’m right on schedule.’ He admitted, however, there is no set timetable at this point for when he could make his 2025-26 season debut with the Mavericks.

‘The best advice I got is take your time, no timeline is gonna be perfect,’ Irving told reporters in Dallas. ‘Don’t compare it to anyone else, and just enjoy the process.’

Bucks owner says Giannis Antetokounmpo ‘very committed’ to team

There had been some noise about Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks being in doubt.

Antetokounmpo, 30, led Milwaukee to a title in 2021 but has maintained that he wants to keep competing for more championships. With the Bucks undergoing some roster turnover — including the offseason waiving and stretching of former point guard Damian Lillard — rumors swirled that Antetokounmpo could potentially ask out of Milwaukee.

Team owner Wes Edens dispelled that notion.

“I had a great conversation with Giannis back in June out here, where he was very committed to Milwaukee,” Edens told reporters Monday. “He likes being here. He likes his family being here.”

Antetokounmpo is expected to address reporters shortly.

‘No pressure’ for Jayson Tatum to return to Celtics this season

Jayson Tatum went viral.

The day before the Celtics held their media day, a video posted on social media showed Tatum, the star Boston forward who ruptured his Achilles nearly five months ago, back on the court, putting up shots and moving around the floor — seemingly — with no limitations.

It sparked enthusiasm that a return to action might be possible later this season for Tatum, who told USA TODAY Sports last week that he has not fully ruled out that possibility.

Despite that, Tatum stressed that he’s going through his rehab on his own terms.

“No pressure, I’ve stated that,” Tatum told reporters Monday, when asked if he felt any urgency from the team to return this season. “There’s no pressure to return back any sooner than when I’m 100% healthy. No pressure from (general manager) Brad (Stevens), (coach) Joe (Mazzulla), the team, the organization. The most important thing is that I’m 100% recovered and healthy whenever I do come back.”

Spurs injury updates: Victor Wembanyama, Dylan Harper, De’Aaron Fox

There’s excitement about what Year 3 of the Victor Wembanyama era could hold in San Antonio, but it’s been tempered a bit by the uncertainty surrounding Dylan Harper, the team’s No. 2 pick in the 2025 NBA Draft. Spurs coach Mitch Johnson, beginning his first full season as Gregg Popovich’s replacement, had a definitive update on Wembanyama Monday and a not-so-clear one regarding his newest rookie guard.

Johnson told reporters in San Antonio that Wembanyama has been fully cleared by the team’s medical staff and the NBA after missing the final two months last season with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder. But there remains no timetable on Harper’s return from thumb surgery earlier this month.

‘Dylan is doing well. He’s on the court,’ Johnson said, noting ‘we’ll see’ when asked if Harper could still play in preseason action. ‘It’s a pretty straightforward ramp up to get that thing to a point where it can have contact and be ready to be in a game.’

Johnson noted Wembanyama has ‘been ramping up, he’s in a really good place. … He’s ready to get back on the court, and it’s been, obviously, some time and he was in angst for a long time to come back.’ De’Aaron Fox, meanwhile, will be on the court at practice when training camp begins, but the team is being cautious with a lingering hamstring issue.

UPDATE (1:30 p.m. ET): Fox told reporters on Monday he does not expect to be ready for the team’s season opener due to his hamstring injury.

Wembanyama and Fox played only five games together last season after the Spurs acquired Fox from the Sacramento Kings around the trade deadline before Wembanyama was sidelined. Harper’s injury occurred in a preseason workout.

Tyrese Haliburton injury update

Injured Indiana Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton was the first player to speak at media day for the defending Eastern Conference champions, even though he’s unlikely to play in an NBA game this season. Haliburton indicated to reporters Monday that his rehab is going well and on track with where it should be after he suffered a torn Achilles in the NBA Finals.

‘This summer has been, I don’t want to say awful because I’m in a good position in life, but it’s just been a drag trying to keep the mental in the right place,’ Haliburton admitted, according to the Indianapolis Star.

Haliburton will travel some with the team and wants to stay as involved as possible. He is preparing as if he won’t play this season.

‘I think whenever you don’t get to play, you get a new perspective on things,’ Haliburton told reporters. ‘I think there’s always time to learn and grow, and I think that for me this year, not being able to play, I’m going to see the game in a different way, potentially see it more from a coaching perspective where I don’t always see eye-to-eye with our coaching staff and what they’re seeing. I look forward to being able to digest the game without playing for a full year. I think that’s going to be different for me, but I think being able to still be in the locker room with the guys and hear what they’re seeing, but also to be sitting there with the coaches on the bench, hear what they’re seeing, try to be the bridge between that.’

A key player to reportedly skip Warriors media day

While NBA fans may be eagerly awaiting the unique look that Jimmy Butler may show up with at Golden State’s media day, Warriors fans may have angst over a player who reportedly won’t be there.

Per ESPN, restricted free agent Jonathan Kuminga did not travel to San Francisco and will not participate in the team’s media day session, as his contract situation remains in a stalemate.

Kuminga, 22, remains unsigned after what appeared to be a frustrating offseason for the offensive-minded wing. As a restricted free agent, the Warriors had the chance to match any offer sheet that another team may have offered Kuminga. But with very little salary cap space available, the interest for Kuminga never materialized.

According to ESPN, Warriors general manager Mike Dunleavy Jr. connected with Aaron Turner, Kuminga’s agent, but no progress toward a deal was made.

The Warriors have extended a pair of offers to Kuminga — one for two years and $45 million and another for three years and $75.2 million — though both include team options, something Kuminga prefers to avoid, according to ESPN.

Kuminga has until 11:59 p.m., Wednesday, October 1 to sign the one-year, $8 million qualifying offer.

NBA media day schedule for Monday

Here’s a look at when media day is scheduled to start for the 25 NBA teams about to begin training camp for the 2025-26 season (All times Eastern):

9 a.m. — Atlanta Hawks
9:30 a.m. — Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors
10 a.m. — Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz
10:30 a.m. — Denver Nuggets
11 a.m. — Charlotte Hornets, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Miami Heat, Washington Wizards
12 p.m. — Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Portland Trail Blazers
2 p.m. — Los Angeles Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Sacramento Kings
3 p.m. — Los Angeles Clippers

When does the NBA preseason begin?

The NBA preseason starts on Thursday, Oct. 2 with an international matchup between the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Tipoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET and will air on NBA TV and NBA League Pass.

The preseason will end on Friday, Oct. 17 with eight games scheduled.

When does the NBA regular season start?

The NBA regular season begins Tuesday, Oct. 21 with a doubleheader.

The season will start with the defending NBA champion Oklahoma City Thunder hanging their banner before hosting a matchup against the Houston Rockets. That game is set to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET.

That game will be followed by a classic Steph Curry vs. LeBron James matchup as the Los Angeles Lakers host the Golden State Warriors at 10 p.m. ET at Crypto.com Arena.

Jon Gruden probably would connect with Arkansas boosters, but there’s scant evidence he can coach college football.
So, if not Jon Gruden, how about Bobby Petrino? No, that’s an even worse idea.

Jon Gruden carried a heavy cardboard box, and the look on his face suggested he’d awoken to Christmas in July. The Arkansas Razorbacks sent Gruden a swag box last summer, stuffed with goodies, and he couldn’t wait to slit open the top and dive in.

Gruden sifted through about a dozen Arkansas hats and espoused the greatness of Frank Broyles in a video posted to his social media. Finally, he reached the big prize: a hog hat. Gruden plopped it on his head and grinned, looking as if Chucky and Cheshire Cat melded into one.

“Woooooo! Pig sooie!” Gruden exclaimed. “I love this hat!”

Gruden does this schtick of opening swag boxes from teams and posting the videos. So, this video wasn’t random.

The internet being the internet, though, took this as a sign that Gruden and Arkansas could be a match.

Hello darkness, my old friend.

Let the ‘Grumors’ begin again.

Where will they end?

Very likely, in the same place they always do: with Gruden, 62, not coaching college football.

Arkansas needs an exciting new direction after firing Sam Pittman, and the Razorbacks could be well-served with a bold, daring hire.

Hiring Gruden would be plenty bold, sufficiently daring and profusely dumb.

It’s natural to speculate about an Arkansas-Gruden connection, especially after he said in August he “would die” to coach in the SEC.

There’s scant evidence Gruden, 62, would be good at it, though.

Arkansas job too big for Jon Gruden

By the time Gruden took a blowtorch to his NFL career by sending emails featuring offensive, homophobic and racist language, he’d long stopped being a good coach.

SEC schools aren’t above giving second chances to premier coaches with a few skeletons in the closet. Gruden stopped being a premier coach a generation ago.

Gruden’s professional peak occurred in 2003. His last NFL postseason win came in Super Bowl XXXVII. His Raiders sequel soured quickly.

Gruden’s career sank to such depths that he now works as a media personality for Barstool Sports, and he opens gift boxes on video.

It’s a big leap to think a 62-year-old internet content creator is poised to be successful SEC coach, no matter how badly Gruden might want to reignite his coaching career.

In this modern college football landscape, schools hiring a coach need a fundraiser, a CEO and a smart tactician wrapped into one.

The ideal candidate can raise money like a televangelist, can identify, attract and develop talent, can build a staff of smart assistants and ace recruiters, and can scheme third-down conversions.

It’s a big job.

Too big, I think, for a media personality like Gruden who last coached in college in 1991 as a Pittsburgh assistant.

Neither Jon Gruden nor Bobby Petrino is answer for Arkansas

Arkansas can be a top-25 job, with the right coach.

If Missouri and Mississippi can be playoff contenders, why can’t Arkansas become one, too?

If Indiana can unearth Curt Cignetti and enjoy a football renaissance, why can’t Arkansas?

Galvanizing a program does not require a flashy name. When Indiana hired Cignetti from James Madison, he encouraged skeptics to Google him. Arkansas needs its very own Cignetti more than it needs a YOLO hire like Gruden.

When Arkansas basketball uprooted John Calipari from Kentucky, that hire counted as bold and brash, but also safe and secure.

Calipari would establish a high floor, with the potential to lift the ceiling.

With Gruden, watch Arkansas’ floor sink lower than the 7-6 seasons Pittman could be countered on to deliver.

Bill Belichick brought much stronger NFL credentials to North Carolina and just as skimpy of a college résumé, and how’s that rebuild coming along? Not great!

This hire doesn’t call for someone like interim coach Bobby Petrino, either. The Razorbacks need bold and daring, but dependable. Petrino would be tired, aggrieved and dependably dishonest. In fact, the idea of Petrino Part II sounds even more ruinous than taking a wild swing with Gruden.

Jon Gruden could pass the hat, but Arkansas needs modern college coach

Gruden would be a hit with boosters. He’d pass the hat and make sure it came back stuffed with cash. Whatever else you might say about Gruden, he’s charismatic.

Athletic director Hunter Yurachek said at a recent fan gathering the Razorbacks weren’t financially positioned to chase championships in football. Pittman did a commendable job navigating Arkansas away from the pitiful Chad Morris era, but he wasn’t suited to the pay-for-play landscape. A new coach could help reshape the finances.

There might not be Texas oil money in Northwest Arkansas, but there’s Walmart money. There’s chicken money, too, a fact to which Calipari can attest.

Is there enough money to go around, though? Calipari’s basketball program demands heavy booster investment. Baseball matters to Arkansas, too.

Everyone’s got their hand out in college athletics.

So, yes, Arkansas football needs a fundraiser.

Surely, Gruden isn’t the only guy who’d connect with money men, though. Surely, there are coaches who can fundraise and also would come with experience relevant to coaching college football in 2025.

Gruden is perfectly suited to his role as a Barstool content creator. Arkansas needs a coach suited to modernizing Razorbacks football and spurring a revival.

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.

Monday’s news was a good reminder that the NFL’s schedule is written in pencil, not pen.

The league announced its first flex of the year on Monday, with a planned swap of two games broadcast by CBS in the Week 6 Sunday slate – just under two weeks away.

The matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers, which was originally scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET kickoff, has been flexed to the late afternoon slate. Its new kickoff time is scheduled for 4:25 p.m. ET.

Taking its place in the earlier slate of Sunday face-offs is an interconference battle between the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints. That game, which the Saints will still host, will now kick off at 1 p.m. ET.

Why did the NFL change its schedule?

The choice is likely a result of how the Week 6 Sunday slate is structured in addition to the performances of the four affected teams in the early season.

Week 6 is another with two ‘Monday Night Football’ games, meaning Sunday’s late-afternoon slate – with matchups scheduled after 4 p.m. ET – features only three games. That means each game will reach a wider national audience.

Given that the Saints are 0-4 and the Patriots are 2-2, their Week 6 meeting is guaranteed to feature at least one team with a losing record. Meanwhile, the Buccaneers and 49ers both appear to be playoff contenders with their matching 3-1 records.

By swapping the two games, the NFL on CBS is providing coverage of a Week 6 game with higher stakes and greater implications to a larger audience of NFL fans in the United States.

(USA TODAY has full coverage of NBA media day. Click here for all the latest news.)

LOS ANGELES — Kawhi Leonard and the Los Angeles Clippers enter the 2025-26 season with expectations of being an NBA title contender coming out of the Western Conference.

While the veteran-laden team prepares to start training camp on Tuesday, Sept. 30, the headlines surrounding the Clippers involve Leonard, team owner Steve Ballmer and an ongoing NBA investigation concerning the team’s alleged role in facilitating a $28 million “no-show” endorsement for Leonard with a now-bankrupt sustainability company called Aspiration.

In his first public comments since the league opened the investigation, Leonard denied any wrongdoing.

“It’s easy, for us, it’s nothing to hide,” Leonard said. “It’s no wrongdoing there. So we’re just going to keep going as any other season. My name might pop up but it is what it is. I’ve been through times like this before.

“Just going through the year last year, going through the (Los Angeles wildfire). Soon as I came back, that first game, my house and my community caught on fire. I don’t think it’s going to be harder than that.”

Ballmer did not speak to the media on Monday, but Lawrence Frank, the Clippers’ president of basketball operations, spoke on behalf of the team.

“There is no gray area,” Frank said about the investigation. “There are no shortcuts. It’s clear what we are allowed to do. … We are eager for the whole picture to come out, and we are confident in what they will show.”

Both Leonard and Frank mentioned during their media availability that they welcome the NBA to do the investigation.

Leonard also mentioned that he’s not allowing himself to be distracted by the situation.

Leonard admitted that he wasn’t surprised by all that’s currently happening, saying: “This is old. This is just all new to you guys. That company went bankrupt a while ago.”

With Leonard as the player at the center of the situation, Frank said the six-time All-Star’s role hasn’t changed much. 

The star forward averaged 21.5 points, 5.9 rebounds and 3.1 assists in 37 games played last season.

Investigative reporter Pablo Torre released the latest episode in his podcast series regarding the Clippers just hours before the team’s media day. In the episode, he provided context and aligned the movement of money between Ballmer, Aspiration founder Joseph Sanberg and Leonard.

He also detailed the various requests made by Leonard’s representatives Mitch Frankel and Dennis Robertson, who is Leonard’s uncle.

Lawrence was asked if he had any of those experiences dealing with Robertson’s reported demands.

“Dennis knows the rules,” Lawrence said. “Kawhi knows the rules. Mitch Frankel knows the rules and we know the rules.”

It may not be the quarterback matchup anyone expected, but it’s the one they’ll get when the Denver Broncos take on the Cincinnati Bengals on ‘Monday Night Football.’ (Follow Jets vs. Dolphins live updates.)

The Bengals were forced to make a quarterback change after Joe Burrow’s injury with Jake Browning assuming the starting job. His performances in Weeks 2 and 3 didn’t inspire much confidence that the Bengals can tread water without their QB1. Browning has already thrown five interceptions in 59 passing attempts, continuing a concerning trend for the backup that stems back to prior relief appearances.

Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ with Fubo (free trial)

Still, the Bengals and Broncos are two teams expected to vie for an AFC wild-card spot, and jockeying position could prove vital in this matchup, even if it’s only Week 4.

USA TODAY Sports will provide updates, highlights and more for the ‘Monday Night Football’ matchup between the Broncos and Bengals below. All times are Eastern.

Where to watch Broncos vs. Bengals

With ESPN broadcasting the New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins matchup, Broncos vs. Bengals will air on ABC. Joe Buck and Troy Aikman will have the call.

What time is Denver Broncos game today vs. Bengals?

The Broncos and Bengals are set for kick off at 8:15 p.m. ET on Monday night. The Bengals travel to Empower Field at Mile High for the tilt.

Bengals inactives vs Broncos

Broncos inactives vs. Bengals

Who’s the quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals?

Bengals quarterback Jake Browning, who has stepped in for the injured Joe Burrow, has played in 14 career games, starting eight, and has a 4-4 record overall. His first starts came in 2023, when he started seven games.

In two games for the Bengals this season, he’s completed 67.8% of his passes for 381 yards, 3 TDs and 5 INTs for a passer rating of 67.1. In a Week 3 loss to the Vikings, Browning competed 19 of 27 passes (70.4%) for 140 yards, a TD and two INTs for a 63.8 passer rating.

Over his three-year career, Browning has completed 69.9% of his passes for 2,317 yards, 15TDs and 12 INTs.

Ja’Marr Chase stats

Bengals receiver Ja’Marr Chase has recorded 21 catches on 27 targets for 241 yards (80.3 per game) and a touchdown.

Bengals vs. Broncos point spread, odds

Monday Night Football schedule

There are two ‘Monday Night Football’ matchups on Monday to close out Week 4. The Jets travel to Miami to take on the Dolphins, while the Bengals travel to Denver to battle the Broncos.

7:15 p.m. ET:Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
8:15 p.m. ET:Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos

Is Joe Burrow playing vs. Broncos?

No. Bengals superstar quarterback Joe Burrow suffered Grade 3 turf toe in Week 2 and subsequently underwent surgery to repair the ailment following Week 2.

Joe Burrow injury update

Broncos vs. Bengals prediction

The Broncos defense hasn’t quite played up to standard so far this season, with their coverage grade ranking amongst the lowest in the NFL, per PFF. That could mean one of two things: Their defense will get right against Jake Browning, who has been relatively careless with the ball or Browning will take advantage of a bad coverage unit with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The vote here is for the former.

Prediction: Broncos 23, Bengals 13

Jake Browning stats

Over his three-year career, Browning has completed 69.9% of his passes for 2,317 yards, 15TDs and 12 INTs.

Jake Browning passing yards last game

In a Week 3 loss to the Vikings, Browning competed 19 of 27 passes (70.4%) for 140 yards, a TD and two INTs for a 63.8 passer rating.

Bo Nix stats

The second-year passer has looked like a second-year passer through three starts so far this season: 535 passing yards, 5 TDs, 3 INTs, 64.2% completion rate, 83.4 passer rating.

Bo Nix passing yards last game

In a Week 3 loss to the Chargers, Nix completed just 56% of his passes (14 of 25) for 153 yards and a touchdown.

Marvin Mims stats

Broncos wideout Marvin Mims has gotten off to a slow start this season as he looks to build on his promising 2024 season. The Broncos pass catcher has tallied the following: Six catches (10 targets), 40 yards, one TD, 13.3 yards per game.

Broncos uniforms tonight vs. Bengals

Denver is wearing midnight navy uniforms at home against Cincinnati.

Where to watch New York Jets vs. Miami Dolphins

Broncos vs. Bengals live stream

Live stream:Fubo

Those looking to live stream the game can look to Fubo. Fubo carries ABC, as well as CBS, Fox, NBC, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you’ll get to catch NFL action all season long.

Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ with Fubo (free trial)

Broncos defense ranking

The Broncos defense is ranked ninth in the NFL in passing yards allowed (728) and sixth in rushing yards allowed (334).

Denver Broncos’ record

The Broncos enter their matchup with the Cincinnati Bengals at 1-2. They started off the 2025 season with a win over the Tennessee Titans, but followed that up with losses to the Indianapolis Colts and Los Angeles Chargers.

What is the Cincinnati Bengals’ record?

The Bengals enter their matchup with the Broncos at 2-1. They opened the season with wins over the Browns and Bengals, but were trounced by the Minnesota Vikings in Week 3.

Broncos vs. Bengals injury report

Broncos schedule 2025

Bengals schedule 2025

The Minnesota Twins fired manager Rocco Baldelli on Monday, Sept. 29 after a 70-92 season during which the team had a major selloff.

Baldelli just completed his seventh season with the team and had the third sub-.500 record in his tenure.

His career-worst mark was aided by a fire sale before the July 31 MLB trade deadline. The Twins moved out Carlos Correa,Jhoan Duran, Harrison Bader, Willi Castro and others, shedding 10 players from their 26-man roster. They went 19-34 down the stretch.

‘This is a difficult day because of what Rocco represents to so many people here. He led with honesty, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to our players and staff,’ Twins president of baseball and business operations Derek Falvey said in a statement. ‘He gave himself fully to this role and I have tremendous respect and gratitude for the way he carried himself and the way he showed up every single day.

‘This game is ultimately measured by results, and over the past two seasons we did not reach the goals we set. I take personal responsibility for that. After discussions with ownership, we determined that this is the right moment for a change in voice and direction. This decision is not a reflection of Rocco’s effort or leadership. It reflects where we are as an organization and the belief that a different voice is needed to help us move forward.’

Baldelli joined the Twins for the 2019 season and had 101 wins that year, winning AL Manager of the Year. His teams also finished first in the AL Central in 2020 and 2023 but missed the playoffs four of the past five seasons.

His 527-505 record ranks him third in team history in all-time wins.

Baldelli was the second MLB manager to lose his job Monday, following the San Francisco Giants’ Bob Melvin.

For the third time in as many years, the San Francisco Giants – the paragon of stability a decade ago – are making a change in either the dugout or the executive branch.

Their Sept. 29 firing of manager Bob Melvin came one year after the elevation of franchise legend and future Hall of Famer Buster Posey to the perch of baseball operations president, supplanting Farhan Zaidi.

And that came one year after Zaidi fired his hand-picked manager, Gabe Kapler, two years after the duo shepherded the club to a franchise-record 107 wins.

Since then, mediocrity has taken up permanent residence at 24 Willie Mays Plaza.

After four seasons of numbing, non-descript performance – 81-81 giving way to 79-83, 80-82 and another beautifully symmetrical 81-81 – who can bring stability and prosperity back?

A look at four managerial candidates Posey could consider:

Bruce Bochy

Well, if you’re going to take a shot of nostalgia, might as well finish the bottle.

Zaidi’s frenetic roster management had old heads yearning for the glory days in San Francisco, to the point the greatest Giant of their 2012, ’14 and ’16 clubs now runs the joint.

Posey persuaded ownership to make significant capital investments in this team – namely, the $182 million given shortstop Willy Adames and the more than $200 million in salary assumed in the blockbuster Rafael Devers trade. It wouldn’t be a hard sell to suggest Bochy – one of the few managers still out there worth a handful of extra wins a year – could put them over the top.

Bochy is now 70, his contract with the Texas Rangers expired two years after adding a fourth ring to his collection and the first Commissioners’ Trophy to the Rangers’ case. Simply, the man may never retire – and now, he has options.

Craig Albernaz

His roots run fairly deep in the Giants’ recent history, as the bullpen and catching coach from 2019-23, a span that covers the end of Posey’s playing career as well as the start of current catcher Patrick Bailey’s. Of greater import, Albernaz, 42, racked up two years of dugout experience in the well-respected Cleveland organization, as Stephen Vogt’s bench coach in 2024 and then “associate manager” this season, a nice bit of title inflation that kept him in Cleveland.

Of greater note, Albernaz is well-regarded by three solid baseball operations departments – Tampa Bay, Cleveland and San Francisco – yet also has the combo of baseball smarts and everyman sensibilities that take him far beyond simply another quant in a uniform.

Brandon Hyde

Of the four managers fired in-season, Hyde may be the most well-regarded among baseball officials. He rode out the storm of a brutal rebuild in Baltimore to produce 101- and 91-win seasons and a pair of playoff berths.

Hyde, 51, is a Santa Rosa native familiar with the Bay Area market, and has significant dugout experience with the Marlins, Chicago Cubs (where he ascended to bench coach) and the Orioles, where he lasted nearly seven seasons as manager. There’s often a significant improvement for managers the second time around, and Hyde’s floor is already pretty high.

Skip Schumaker

Take a number.

Schumaker has been biding his time since leaving the Miami Marlins after last season, chilling out in an advisory role with the Rangers. Now, he may have his pick of several jobs.

Kind of interesting how he was seen as an heir apparent to Bochy in Texas, yet now his future may remain at least partially tied to the future Hall of Fame skipper’s plans. With superstar infielders Corey Seager and Marcus Semien bit by injury (and, in Semien’s case, significant underperformance for the first half), the future in Texas may not look as rosy.

From Schumaker’s perspective, San Francisco would offer ownership that still has money to spend and a very hungry club president willing to be bold and aggressive. Can Texas, Washington, Colorado, Minnesota or any of the half-dozen other potential job openings say the same?

‘I have recently been diagnosed with cancer and have been following the treatment plan recommended by an outstanding team of doctors,’ Mara said in a statement via the Giants’ account on X.

‘I’m feeling strong and optimistic, and I’m committed to seeing this through to a positive outcome. I plan to remain active with the team throughout my treatment, and I’m fortunate to be surrounded by incredible support – personally, professionally and medically.

‘I ask that you respect my privacy and my family’s privacy at this time.’

Mara, 70, has been the president and CEO of the Giants since 2005. The franchise was founded by his grandfather, Tim Mara, in 1925 and the Giants ownership has remained in the family ever since.

Wellington Mara, father of John, died of lymphoma in October 2005.