ESPN analyst and former Alabama football quarterback Greg McElroy dropped quite the bombshell involving Nick Saban at SEC media days on Monday, July 14.

McElroy wasn’t the only person to predict Saban returning to football, either, as Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin later echoed the prediction regarding his former boss at Alabama.

‘I don’t think he’s done,’ Kiffin told reporters in a breakout session in Atlanta, per the The Clarion Ledger, part of the USA TODAY Network. ‘… Whether it’s college or NFL, I think he’ll be back.’

Saban, who retired after the 2023-24 season, is currently an ESPN analyst and key member of ‘College GameDay.’ His last game came in an overtime loss to eventual national champion Michigan at the Rose Bowl in the 2024 College Football Playoff.

‘A very much in the know person that I have a lot of respect for and have spent a lot of time around, and just really, really admire – they seem to think Nick Saban is not done coaching,’ McElroy said Monday morning on the ‘McElroy & Cubelic in the Morning’ show on WJOX radio in Birmingham, Alabama. ‘He’s pretty adamant that he thinks Nick Saban will be coaching again.’

McElroy then added: ‘If it wasn’t someone notable, I would never say a word.’

ESPN personality Paul Finebaum responded to McElroy by shooting down what McElroy shared, stating he doesn’t think Saban is coming back.

‘You know Nick Saban better than I do, but I ran into somebody the other day who spends time with Saban in Florida – you can imagine where – and said that he is literally having the time of his life,’ Finebaum said. ‘Why wouldn’t he? I’m much closer to Nick Saban’s age than you are and I can assure when you have everything you want and start playing golf at the best golf clubs in America, and you start making friends who belong to even better golf clubs, and you make a lot of money for doing very little work on TV, the interest in doing what he walked away from is not very high.

‘He had a better situation at Alabama the day he left than he’ll have anywhere he goes, let’s say next year. I don’t know if it’s college or pros. Could he be talked into something in the NFL? I don’t know how, because I don’t think that itch burns anymore either. But my opinion is Nick Saban is done in coaching.’

If Saban were to return to college football, he’d be the oldest active head coach, as he’s one year older than North Carolina’s Bill Belichick. He’d be the second-oldest coach in the NFL, as he’s a few months younger than Las Vegas Raiders coach Pete Carroll.

The 11-time SEC champion, considered the best coach in college football history, seemed like a longshot to return to the sidelines. That scenario may not be quite as farfetched as it was once thought, at least according to two prominent SEC figures.

The summer months continue to beat on, and NFL teams are inching closer to training camp.

Rookies from one team have already reported for camp. The Los Angeles Chargers were the first team to open camp on July 12 with their rookies reporting for action.

It’s a league-wide trend for the rookies to report earlier than veterans for training camp. Twenty-two of the 32 NFL teams have their rookies report early to get extra time to learn the system ahead of their first NFL campaign.

But almost one whole group of rookies won’t be reporting for training camp as they have yet to sign their deals: Round 2 picks.

Only two of the players selected in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft have signed their rookie contracts. The rest are still unsigned at time of publishing.

That’s a pretty high-profile group of players that includes the likes of high-profile offensive talent like quarterback Tyler Shough (New Orleans Saints), running back TreVeyon Henderson (New England Patriots) and wide receiver Luther Burden III (Chicago Bears).

So why haven’t they reported to camp? Here’s what you need to know.

Why second-round rookies haven’t signed contracts

The key may lie in the two Round 2 picks who have signed their deals.

The No. 33 overall pick, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, signed his deal with the Cleveland Browns in early May. The Houston Texans selected wide receiver Jayden Higgins one pick later and signed his deal around the same time.

Both signed fully-guaranteed contracts – a first for second-round picks in the latest collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

Because they signed those deals within weeks after the 2025 NFL Draft, they may have set a new standard that other players from Round 2 are looking to capitalize on.

Unsigned second-round picks

Of the 32 players selected in Round 2 of the 2025 NFL Draft, 30 have yet to sign their deals. Here’s the full list in order of when they were selected:

S Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks
RB Quinshon Judkins, Cleveland Browns
G Jonah Savaiinaea, Miami Dolphins
RB TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots
WR Luther Burden III, Chicago Bears
QB Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints
DT T.J. Sanders, Buffalo Bills
TE Mason Taylor, New York Jets
DT Alfred Collins, San Francisco 49ers
Edge Donovan Ezeiruaku, Dallas Cowboys
Edge J.T. Tuimoloau, Indianapolis Colts
TE Terrance Ferguson, Los Angeles Rams
CB Will Johnson, Arizona Cardinals
OT Aireontae Ersery, Houston Texans
LB Demetrius Knight, Cincinnati Bengals
TE Elijah Arroyo, Seattle Seahawks
Edge Nic Scourton, Carolina Panthers
Edge Oluwafemi Oladejo, Tennessee Titans
CB Benjamin Morrison, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
OT Anthony Belton, Green Bay Packers
WR Tre Harris, Los Angeles Chargers
OT Ozzy Trapilo, Chicago Bears
G Tate Ratledge, Detroit Lions
WR Jack Bech, Las Vegas Raiders
Edge Mike Green, Baltimore Ravens
RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
CB Trey Amos, Washington Commanders
DT Shemar Turner, Chicago Bears
DT Omarr Norman-Lott, Kansas City Chiefs
S Andrew Mukuba, Philadelphia Eagles

Wilson and the New York Jets have agreed to terms on a four-year, $130 million contract extension, a source confirmed to USA TODAY Sports.

The receiver is primed to stick around in the green-and-white for years to come after inking the extension, earning a second contract with the organization that made him the 10th overall pick in the 2022 NFL draft. The former Ohio State Buckeye has been a model of consistency since arriving in the NFL.

He’s thrived despite poor quarterback play and remains one of the league’s rising stars. As the Jets continue to build with Aaron Glenn and Darren Mougey now running the show, Wilson’s contract ensures they believe he’s a solution to putting a winning team on the field.

Here’s what to know about Wilson’s new deal with the Jets.

Garrett Wilson contract details

Wilson agreed to a four-year deal worth $130 million. The deal carries an average annual value (AAV) of $32.5 million, making him the fifth highest-paid wide receiver by AAV according to OverTheCap.

Wilson is set to be the first Jets first-round pick since Quinnen Williams to receive a second contract with the team.

Since the rookie wage scale was introduced in 2011, the Jets have made 17 first-round picks. Of the 15 players that reached extension eligibility, only two were signed – Williams and Muhammad Wilkerson.

Now Wilson has etched his name onto that list. His fellow 2022 draft pick, Sauce Gardner, will look to do the same.

Garrett Wilson stats

The 24-year-old Wilson has been everything the Jets could’ve hoped for when they selected him with the 10th pick in the 2022 NFL draft. He’s posted at least 1,000 receiving yards in each season and has been remarkably durable, playing in all 51 games for the green-and-white.

Wilson hasn’t enjoyed the benefit of great quarterback play during his young NFL career, but the 2022 Offensive Rookie of the Year has managed to produce regardless. Reuniting with his college quarterback, Justin Fields, might be what the doctor ordered if the former Ohio State signal caller can develop as a passer with his third NFL team. Wilson seems to be quarterback-proof, but finding a good one would go a long way towards cementing No. 5 amongst the league’s best.

For years, the SEC marketed itself by with the tagline, ‘It just means more’ — that is, the league’s football product, which has produced the majority of national champions over the past 20 years, is so extraordinarily excellent and carries such an outsized importance that no other conference in college athletics can match it.

Just how much does football mean to the league, exactly? In the SEC, media days — an event reserved for players and coaches to talk about how optimistic they are about the upcoming season and how everyone on the team is in the best shape of their life — stretches across four days.

The 2025 edition of SEC media days will take place this week, beginning on Monday, July 14 from the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park.

Watch SEC media days live with Fubo (free trial)

There, coaches and player representatives from each of the conference’s 16 teams will discuss the impending 2025 season, offering at least a glimpse at what fans can expect in what may yet again be college football’s deepest and most talented conference.

As is often the case, the SEC won’t be lacking in storylines.

USA TODAY Sports had updates and highlights from Day 1 at the SEC media days in 2025. Check them out below:

SEC media days live updates

This section will be updated throughout SEC media days.

Diego Pavia returned to Vanderbilt to win national championship

Diego Pavia is back at Vanderbilt after an exciting first season which saw the Commodores pick up an upset victory over then-No. 1 Alabama. The rest of the season was up-and-down for Vanderbilt, as it finished with an 7-6 record.

Pavia has higher aspirations for the Commodores this season.

‘Going 7-6 (last year) wasn’t good enough,’ Pavia said at SEC Media Days. ‘I came back because I want to win a national championship.’

Greg Sankey embellishes bold claims about SEC football schedule

‘True to his form, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey boasted Monday that nobody outside of his conference would trade its own conference schedule in favor of an eight-game SEC schedule.

‘Sankey’s biased, but is he wrong?

‘Well, he’s exaggerating – a bit, at least.’

Clark Lea says Vanderbilt has what it takes to play in January

Last season, Vanderbilt earned an upset win over Alabama when the Crimson Tide held the No. 1 overall ranking. At SEC Media Days, Lea believes Vanderbilt can take the next step.

‘We believe that we have what it takes to play into January,’ Lea said on July 14.

Netflix announces SEC football series

SEC football is coming to Netflix. During Day 1 of the SEC media days, the streaming platform announced the ‘SEC Football: Any Given Saturday’ sports series will premiere on August 5.

The ‘SEC Football: Any Given Saturday’ will be a seven-episode series — produced by Box To Box Films, the team behind Sprint, Full Swing, Formula 1: Drive to Survive, and Break Point — and will provide SEC (and college football) fans an inside look at the conference from the 2024 season. The docuseries won’t feature all 16 SEC teams, however, as Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Missouri, Ole Miss and Oklahoma all opted out of it, according to Yahoo Sports.

Will Nick Saban return to coaching?

The 2025 college football season will mark Year 2 of Nick Saban’s retirement from the sidelines, as he is now an analyst for ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ in his retirement.

But is the legendary Alabama coach set to make a return to coach? Former Alabama quarterback Greg McElroy, now a broadcaster for ESPN, and Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin, who coached under Saban at Alabama, think it’s on the table.

‘I don’t think he’s done,’ Kiffin told reporters in a breakout session in Atlanta on July 14 at SEC media day. ‘… Whether it’s college or NFL, I think he’ll be back.’

Click here to read more on McElroy and Kiffin’s thoughts on Saban from USA TODAY’s Austin Curtright.

Lane Kiffin ‘excited’ Ole Miss schedule

Lane Kiffin said he is excited about Ole Miss’ schedule in 2025. The Rebels will play nine home games at Vaught Hemingway Stadium in Oxford, Mississippi.

Lane Kiffin takes podium

Ole Miss coach Lane Kiffin takes the podium as the third coach to talk on the first day of the SEC Media Days. Kiffin is entering Year 6 as the Rebels’ coach.

South Carolina entering 2025 season with momentum

South Carolina football finished the 2024 season with a 9-4 record, which included six straight wins before a bowl game loss to Illinois. Gamecock coach Shane Beamer believes his team is entering the 2025 season with serious momentum.

‘There’s a lot of momentum going into this season because of what we did last season,’ Beamer said. ‘… There’s plenty of examples throughout college football of teams who get pumped up all summer long, and then they go out in Week 1 and get smacked in the face.’

Brian Kelly says LSU is ‘Death Valley’

Both LSU and Clemson claim stakes to ‘Death Valley’ as their home-field advantage. However, Kelly said Baton Rouge, Louisiana, is the home to Death Valley, not Clemson.

‘We still think we are the Death Valley,’ Kelly said. ‘They could use the name, too. We’re letting them borrow it. But I would say at the end of the day,

LSU coach Brian Kelly acknowledges season-opener struggles

LSU football coach Brian Kelly is the first coach to speak at the 2025 SEC Media Days. He acknowledges the Tigers need to get off to faster starts in the season opener. LSU is 0-3 under Kelly in the season opener. The Tigers open the season on Aug. 30 vs Clemson.

Greg Sankey says SEC will ‘continue evaluating’ eight-game conference schedule

The SEC is not yet ready to adopt a nine-game conference schedule, unlike the Big Ten. Sankey said on July 14 that the conference will ‘continue evaluating’ the eight-game conference schedule.

Greg Sankey calls SEC ‘superconference’

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey opened the first day of SEC Media Days by taking the podium. He called the SEC a ‘super conference,’ and then honored former head coach Mike Leach, journalist Bob Holt and the victims and first responders of the Texas Floods in his opening statement.

SEC media days interview schedule

Each day of SEC media days will highlight four teams from the conference, with players and the head coach from those squads speaking on a designated day.

Here’s a look at which teams will be appearing on each day of the event, with schools listed in alphabetical order, not the order in which their coach will be speaking at their press conference:

Monday, July 14

LSU
Ole Miss
South Carolina
Vanderbilt

Tuesday, July 15

Auburn
Georgia
Tennessee
Texas

Wednesday, July 16

Alabama
Florida
Mississippi State
Oklahoma

Thursday, July 17

Arkansas
Kentucky
Missouri
Texas A&M

Where are SEC media days 2025?

Location: College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park (Atlanta, Georgia)

The 2025 edition of SEC media days will be held at the College Football Hall of Fame and Omni Atlanta Hotel at Centennial Park in Atlanta. It will mark the third time since 2018 the event has been held in the Georgia capital, where the league stages its annual football conference championship game.

SEC media days schedule

Here’s a look at the player representatives for each of the league’s 16 teams at 2025 SEC media days, as well as the dates they’ll be appearing:

Monday, July 14

LSU

Chris Hilton Jr., WR, Senior
Garrett Nussmeier, QB, Senior
Whit Weeks, LB, Junior

Ole Miss

TJ Dottery, LB, Junior
Cayden Lee, WR, Junior
Austin Simmons, QB, Sophomore

South Carolina

LaNorris Sellers, QB, Sophomore
DQ Smith, DB, Senior
Nick Barrett, DT, Senior

Vanderbilt

Randon Fontenette, S/OLB, Junior
Martel Hight, DB, Junior
Diego Pavia, QB, Graduate

Tuesday, July 15

Auburn

Jackson Arnold, QB, Junior
Keldric Faulk, DL, Junior
Connor Lew, OL, Junior

Georgia

CJ Allen, LB, Junior
Daylen Everette, DB, Senior
Gunner Stockton, QB, Junior

Tennessee

Arion Carter, LB, Junior
Miles Kitselman, TE, Senior
Bryson Eason, DT, Senior

Texas

Anthony Hill Jr, LB, Junior
Arch Manning, QB, Sophomore
Michael Taaffe, DB, Senior

Wednesday, July 16

Alabama

Tim Keenan III, DL, Senior
Deontae Lawson, LB, Senior
Kadyn Proctor, OL, Junior

Florida

Caleb Banks, DL, Senior
Jake Slaughter, OL, Senior
DJ Lagway, QB, Sophomore

Mississippi State

Blake Shapen, QB, Graduate
Isaac Smith, S, Junior
Brenen Thompson, WR, Senior

Oklahoma

John Mateer, QB, Junior
Robert Spears-Jennings, DB, Senior
R Mason Thomas, DL, Senior

Thursday, July 17

Arkansas

Cam Ball, DL, Senior
Taylen Green, QB, Senior
Xavian Sorey Jr., LB, Senior

Kentucky

Alex Afari Jr., LB, Senior
Jordan Lovett, DB, Senior
Josh Kattus, TE, Senior

Missouri

Daylan Carnell, S, Graduate
Connor Tollison, C, Graduate
Zion Young, DE, Senior

Texas A&M

Will Lee III, DB, Senior
Ar’maj Reed-Adams, OL, Graduate
Taurean York, LB, Junior

What channel are SEC media days on?

TV channel: SEC Network | ESPN2
Streaming: ESPN app | ESPN+ | Fubo (free trial)

All four days of SEC media days will air live on the SEC Network. ESPN2 will air one hour of the proceedings, from 8 p.m. ET until 9 p.m. ET on Tuesday, July 15.

Streaming options include the ESPN app (requires a TV provider login) and ESPN+, which requires a subscription. Another option is Fubo, which carries the ESPN family of networks and offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

True to his form, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey boasted Monday that nobody outside of his conference would trade its own conference schedule in favor of an eight-game SEC schedule.

Sankey’s biased, but is he wrong?

Well, he’s exaggerating – a bit, at least.

“I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and its opponents with the opponents played by SEC conference teams in our conference schedule,” Sankey claimed in televised remarks on the first day of his conference’s media days.

Wisconsin might like a word. So, too, might Rutgers. Each received a brutal nine-game Big Ten draw.

Upon close examination of conference schedules, I don’t buy that no one would trade its conference schedule in favor of an SEC schedule.

Sankey is entitled to tout the SEC’s overall strength and that of its conference schedule. SEC teams consistently produce lofty strength-of-schedule metrics. The conference remains collectively stout, even as the Big Team’s cream became as sweet or sweeter as any league’s top end the past couple of seasons.

Sankey neglected to mention, though, that the SEC’s eight-game conference schedule – the Big Ten and Big 12 play nine conference games – allows its members to play more cupcake opponents than any other conference. He also overstated the number of SEC teams playing 10 games against Power Four competition.

And, he’s exaggerating when he says nobody would trade its conference schedule in favor of an SEC schedule. Most teams wouldn’t trade. A few likely would trade schedules this season.

Let’s review some of Sankey’s claims Monday in his state of the conference address:

Sankey: “In the SEC, we play eight conference games while some others play nine conference games. Never been a secret.”

Fact-check: This is accurate. The SEC and ACC play eight conference games and require their members to play a power-conference opponent in the non-conference schedule. Notre Dame and the two remaining Pac-12 teams count toward that non-conference requirement.

The Big Ten and Big 12 play nine conference games. Their members are not required to play a non-conference opponent from a power conference.

Most, but not all, Big Ten and Big 12 teams play at least one non-conference game against a Power Four non-conference opponent.

—–

Sankey: “We’re going to continue to evaluate whether increasing the number of conference football games is appropriate for us. As I’ve said repeatedly, understanding how the (College Football Playoff) will evaluate strength of schedule and even strength of record is critically important in our decision-making.”

Fact-check: This is accurate. Sankey would prefer that the SEC add a ninth conference game, but his membership has resisted that so far. The SEC has not decided on its conference schedule for 2026 and beyond, so the possibility of increasing to nine games remains an option.

It’s fair to say the undecided nature of the playoff format for 2026 affects the SEC’s schedule debate.

—–

Sankey: “Last season, all 16 members of the Southeastern Conference played at least nine games against what you would label power opponents. We had several that played 10 of their 12 games against power opponents. Some conferences have that, some don’t. The same will be true this year.”

Fact check: Let’s unpack Sankey’s assertion that “several” SEC teams played 10 power opponents last season and will do so again this year. While several satisfies the definition of three or more, just three of the 16 SEC teams played at least 10 Power Four opponents during the 2024 regular season. Florida played 11 Power Four opponents. Georgia and LSU played 10.

This season, Alabama, Florida and South Carolina are the only SEC teams that will play 10 Power Four opponents. The rest will play nine Power Four opponents, except for Mississippi, which plays eight SEC opponents, plus Washington State from the Pac-12.

Most teams from the ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 will play at least 10 games against Power Four competition. A handful of ACC, Big Ten and Big 12 teams only play nine Power Four opponents. Baylor and TCU from the Big 12 will play 11 games against Power Four competition.

—–

Sankey: “I don’t believe there’s anyone looking to swap their conference schedule and its opponents with the opponents played by SEC Conference teams in our conference schedule, be it eight or nine” conference games.

Fact-check: This opinion seems exaggerated. Wisconsin will play seven of its nine Big Ten games against teams that finished 8-5 or better last season. In October, the Badgers will play Michigan (road), Iowa, Ohio State and Oregon (road) in successive weeks.

Including a non-conference game at Alabama, Wisconsin will play at least five, and maybe six, teams expected to be ranked in the US LBM preseason Top 25 coaches poll. The Badgers will play three games against teams that made the playoff last season within a gantlet that ranks among the nation’s toughest schedules.

Comparatively, Missouri’s eight-game SEC schedule includes only three teams that won at least eight games last season and no teams that made the playoff. Tennessee and Auburn also drew favorable conference schedules, as compared to Wisconsin’s.

Rutgers’ Big Ten schedule includes a home game against Oregon and road games against Illinois, Ohio State and Penn State, all of which are expected to be preseason top-15 teams. The Scarlet Knights could be better off trading for an SEC schedule.

A small queue of teams likely would trade their conference schedule in favor of an eight-game SEC draw, with Wisconsin standing at the head of the line.

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

 ‘I got the green light from the Spurs’ medical staff just (on Friday),’ Wembanyama told French sports outlet L’Equipe. “Phew, I’ll finally be able to play a bit of basketball again.’

The 2023-24 NBA rookie of the year played in 46 games last season, averaging 24.3 points, 11 rebounds, 3.8 blocks, 3.7 assists and 1.1 steals and shooting 47.6% from the field, 35.2% on 3-pointers and 83.6% on free throws.

He was on his way to winning Defensive Player of the Year and All-NBA when the team announced on Feb. 20 that “Wembanyama has been diagnosed with deep vein thrombosis in his right shoulder. The condition was discovered when Wembanyama returned to San Antonio following the All-Star Game in San Francisco. Wembanyama is expected to miss the remainder of the 2024-25 regular season. The team will provide updates as appropriate.”

The Spurs were 34-48 last season and drafted Dylan Harper with the No. 2 pick and Carter Bryant with the No. 14 pick in the 2025 draft. They also acquired De’Aaron Fox from Sacramento at the trade deadline in February and are looking to make a jump in the Western Conference standings with Mitch Johnson taking over as coach,

Johnson replaces Hall of Famer Gregg Popovich who stepped down in May amid health problems. He sustained a stroke in November and did not return to the bench as coach. He remains part of the organization as president of basketball operations.

Jauan Jennings is entering the final year of his two-year, $15.3 million contract extension with the San Francisco 49ers.

The 49ers selected the 28-year-old wide receiver in the seventh round of the 2020 NFL Draft, and he is now seeking a second extension to remain in the Bay Area.

Jennings reportedly wants a new contract or a trade, per ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

San Francisco has handed out contract extensions to its core veterans this offseason. Linebacker Fred Warner landed a three-year, $63 million contract extension including $56 million guaranteed. Meanwhile, tight end George Kittle and quarterback Brock Purdy also signed multi-year extensions this offseason. Kittle became the highest-paid tight end in the league with his deal.

Will the veteran receiver become the next piece to secure an extension, or will he be traded?

Last offseason, Brandon Aiyuk faced a similar scenario with the team, which ultimately led to an extension in late August.

Jennings’ production was excellent last season when he stepped into a significant role with the offense riddled with injuries. He recorded career highs in receptions (77), yards (975) and touchdowns (6). He graded as Pro Football Focus’ 18th wide receiver among 223 qualifiers.

The 49ers traded Deebo Samuel this offseason and Aiyuk’s return date from a knee injury is uncertain; the Niners would be very thin at the position if they opted to move Jennings.

However, given his breakout season and playoff experience, several teams around the NFL could consider bringing the Tennessee product into the mix. Here’s a look at the top landing spots if the 49ers decide to move Jennings.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders are rebuilding after hiring Pete Carroll and trading for Geno Smith. It won’t be easy to contend in the AFC West in 2025, but they could challenge for a playoff spot. Carroll has notoriously leaned on the ground game and Las Vegas is primed to do so after selecting Ashton Jeanty sixth overall. Kyle Shanahan has lauded Jennings’ ability to block.

Among receivers with at least 200 snaps on run plays in 2024, Jennings ranked No. 1 in blocking per Pro Football Focus.

Tight end Brock Bowers is expected to lead the team in targets while Jakobi Meyers operates out of the slot. Las Vegas could excel by adding a perimeter receiver like Jennings to pair with second-round rookie Jack Bech.

New York Jets

There may not be another team looking to run the ball more than the Jets in 2025. New head coach Aaron Glenn, a defensive specialist, brought Tanner Engstrand with him from the Motor City to the Big Apple to serve as his offensive coordinator. They had a front row seat during their time in Detroit to watch the benefits of a dynamic run game. With Justin Fields under center, the offense could thrive with an outstanding run-blocking receiver like Jennings.

The Jets have a couple of veterans on the roster in Allen Lazard and Josh Reynolds, but they could use a higher-ceiling player like Jennings to add upside to the room. Garrett Wilson is an elite receiver and can strengthen his impact with another weapon on the field.

Tennessee Titans

A homecoming? Cam Ward could use additional weapons on offense. The team lacks athletic playmakers outside of Calvin Ridley, who accounted for 49.2% of the Titans’ air yards, the highest team share of any player in the NFL. Tennessee signed Tyler Lockett in free agency but he will turn 33 in September.

It’s also worth noting that new general manager Mike Borgonzi was not a part of the front office that traded for Ridley. That could lead Tennessee to search for another veteran upgrade as it looks to support Ward during his rookie season. Jennings played five college seasons with the Tennessee Volunteers and attended high school in Murfreesboro, which is roughly 35 miles from where the Titans play.

Denver Broncos

Sean Payton is always searching for ways to add wrinkles to his offense. Jennings can help create mismatches across the field by lining up in various formations alongside tight end Evan Engram and top wideout Courtland Sutton.

Like Ridley in Tennessee, Sutton dominated the team’s air yard share at 49%. Denver could use another trustworthy pass catcher.

The Broncos also have one of the league’s best gadget players in Marvin Mims Jr. but the receiver room is thin behind him. Denver is looking to make the next step and contend in the AFC playoff picture in 2025 with Bo Nix. The addition of Jennings would provide the team with another veteran with playoff experience.

Cleveland Browns

The Browns’ offense has question marks all over it. There’s a four-man quarterback competition heading into training camp between Joe Flacco, Kenny Pickett, Dillon Gabriel and Shedeur Sanders. Cleveland’s second-round pick, running back Quinshon Judkins was arrested on July 12. The receiver room consists of Jerry Jeudy, Cedric Tillman and much-maligned Diontae Johnson.

The lack of depth at receiver is concerning. Tillman flashed in four healthy games after Amari Cooper was traded but he missed the final six games of the season due to a concussion. Meanwhile, Johnson signed as a free agent after he bounced around between three teams in 2024. Whoever ends up under center could benefit from the services of Jennings in what appears to be an offense in need of playmakers.

The 2025 Open Championship, the final major of the year, will tee off on July 17 at Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland.

The last time The Open Championship was held at Royal Portrush was in 2019, when Shane Lowry emerged as the champion and claimed the Claret Jug trophy. However, this year, the unpredictable nature of golf is evident, as Lowry is considered a longshot, with odds of +4100.

At the top of the field is Scottie Scheffler, the early favorite with odds of +400. He is aiming to finish the year on a high note following a top-ten finish at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Scheffler, with his significant victories at the Memorial Tournament, PGA Championship, and CJ Cup Byron Nelson, has set the stage for an exciting performance at the 153rd Open Championship.

Here are the current predictions, picks, and odds ahead of the 153rd Open Championship.

When is 2025 Open Championship? Dates, time, how to watch

The 153rd edition of the Open Championship is scheduled to take place from Thursday, July 17, to Sunday, July 20, at Royal Portrush Golf Club in Northern Ireland. Fans can watch the first and second rounds of the tournament on the USA Network or stream it live on Peacock or Fubo (which is offering a free trial to new subscribers). The third and fourth rounds will be broadcast live on NBC with early coverage on USA Network, and can also be streamed on Fubo.

Stream 2025 British Open on Fubo

Dates: Thursday, July 17– Sunday, July 20
Where: Royal Portrush Golf Club (Antrim, Northern Ireland)
TV: USA Network, NBC and Golf Channel
Stream: Peacock, Fubo, NBC Sports app

2025 Open Championship odds

British Open odds according to BetMGM, as of afternoon of Monday, July 14:

Scottie Scheffler: +500
Rory McIlroy: +700
Jon Rahm: +1200
Bryson DeChambeau: +2200
Ludvig Aberg: +2500
Shane Lowry: +2500
Tommy Fleetwood: +2500
Tyrrell Hatton: +2500
Xander Schauffele: +2500
Viktor Hovland: +2800
Collin Morikawa: +3300
Robert MacIntyre: +3300
Matt Fitzpatrick +4000
Sepp Straka: +4500
Justin Thomas: +5000
Russell Henley: +5000
Joaquin Niemann: +5500
Justin Rose +5500
Jordan Spieth: +6000
Patrick Cantlay +6000

2025 Open Championship predictions

Golf.com: Rahm to have a top-7 finish

Brady Kannon writes: ‘Rahm played tremendous golf from tee-to-green at Oakmont — one of the very best in the entire field — but his putting was awful. He finally found a hot putter on the final day, shot a 67 and finished seventh. Not only am I looking for the top players and good current form, but I also want golfers who are well-versed in links-style golf. Rahm fits the bill as he has finished top-7 at the Open Championship in three of the past four years and has won the Irish Open three times.’

Golf Digest: Rory McIlroy

Alex Myers writes: ‘If you had said before the season that McIlroy would be coming back to his home country with three wins and a major under his belt in 2025, you’d have made him a clear favorite.’

BetMGM: Sepp Straka

Nick Hennion writes: ‘For Straka, his distance won’t be punished at the Open like it would at the Masters and PGA. That should allow his two best attributes – iron play and putting – to shine.  Amongst all PGA Tour players this season, Straka ranks second in SG: APP, first in greens in regulation percentage and 16th in SG: Putting.  Based on those factors, the price alone is worth it for Straka to claim his first major title.’

Jauan Jennings is doing his best Jerry Maguire impression: he’s asking the San Francisco 49ers to show him the money.

Jennings, 28, is entering his walk year in 2025 after he signed a two-year, $15.4 million contract extension with the 49ers last May. And according to a report from ESPN, he’s asking San Francisco to grant him another contract extension or a trade to another team that might pay him.

The 2020 seventh-round pick has become something of a rising star for the 49ers in recent years.

During the team’s Super Bowl 58 clash with the 49ers after the 2023 season, Jennings became the second player to catch and throw for a touchdown in a Super Bowl after Nick Foles did it in Super Bowl 52. In 2024, Jennings’ production reached new heights during the regular season, particularly in the wake of fellow wideout Brandon Aiyuk’s season-ending knee injury.

Jauan Jennings stats

Jennings caught 77 passes for 975 yards and six touchdowns last season, all of which were new career highs.

His 77 receptions were just one behind tight end George Kittle for the team lead. His receiving yards and touchdown totals were also both second on the team behind Kittle.

Barring a trade or potential holdout, Jennings’ contributions to the 49ers’ passing attack were expected to maintain pace if not grow in 2025. His 2024 season showed No. 1 receiver capabilities in head coach Kyle Shanahan’s offense. Further, San Francisco’s trade of wideout Deebo Samuel to the Washington Commanders seemed to cement Jennings’ future as a top pass-catcher for the team.

Jauan Jennings contract

Length: Two years
Value: $15.4 million

Jennings is set to make $7.5 million this season, per ESPN.

His request for a contract extension is ill-timed for the 49ers, who worked out extensions for star linebacker Fred Warner, quarterback Brock Purdy and Kittle earlier this offseason. And that all came one year after extending Brandon Aiyuk on a four-year deal.

Though those deals locked up four of the team’s most important players, they’ve also significantly shrunk the 49ers’ cap space in the coming years. Finding the money for a Jennings extension may be a difficult task.

The Home Run Derby is one of baseball’s most beloved traditions. The opportunity to see raw power on the biggest stage has long captivated fans. The recent changes to the tournament have been well-received as well. Changing the rules to be a timed tournament adds a sense of urgency and tension to what was already an enthralling event.

With the new format, endurance has become a pivotal part of the derby, giving younger competitors a huge advantage. That’s likely a big reason why, prior to Teoscar Hernandez winning a year ago, no competitor over the age of 26 had won since the format changed.

Those are the factors you have to keep in mind when determining a winner this year. You’ve got to look for youth, stamina, and raw power.

Here is every participant this year ranked by their odds of winning the Home Run Derby. All odds via BetMGM.

Power Ranking 2025 Home Run Derby participants

Favorites

1. Cal Raleigh, SEA (+280)

It’s obvious that the guy with the most home runs in baseball is going to be a favorite in an event about hitting home runs. But I wouldn’t be so sure that the Big Dumper is going to win it all. He’s a little old for his first tournament, and considering Raleigh has historically been a better hitter when batting right-handed, Truist Park has always been a pretty middling home run park for righties, favoring hitters from the left side.

Maybe Raleigh will participate as a lefty. After all, 22 of his 38 home runs have come as a lefty. However, that’s just because there are more right-handed pitchers in baseball than southpaws. He’s just had more opportunity to hit homers from the left side than the right.

Raleigh is slashing .229/.375/.543 as a lefty batter in 2025. He’s slashing .333/.382/.853 as a righty. If he wants to put his best foot forward, he’ll hit right-handed, which could hurt his chances.

Dark Horses

2. Oneil Cruz, PIT (+350)

3. James Wood, WSH (+400)

These two should be the favorites. They are both young enough to dominate in a battle of stamina and both are near the top of the exit velocity leaderboards this season. In fact, no one has hit a ball harder than Cruz’s 122.9 mph, per Baseball Savant. Wood ranks fifth on that list. Cruz also ranks first in average exit velocity. He should be the favorite.

These two should be the frontrunners and are likely the best bang for your buck if you’re looking to gamble on the derby.

Underdogs

T-4. Byron Buxton, MIN (+900)

T-4. Brent Rooker, ATH (+900)

T-4. Matt Olson, ATL (+900)

While none of these participants is very young, they all have immense power. These guys could do some damage in the earlier rounds, but a decline should be expected as the tournament progresses. It would be a shock if any of these three win.

Longshots

7. Junior Caminero, TB (+1000)

8. Jazz Chisholm Jr., NYY (+1500)

Caminero is not getting nearly the love he deserves. Caminero’s max exit velocity of 116.5 ranks 13th in Major League Baseball. The only two participants with better max exit velos are Wood and Cruz. Yet somehow they have much better odds than he does. Yes, Caminero is a right-handed hitter, which is a detriment in comparison to lefties Wood and Cruz, but if anyone is going to put up a fight against those two titans, it’s going to be Caminero.