One of the most polarizing WWE stars will be in the Royal Rumble.

Brock Lesnar announced he will be in the 2026 men’s Royal Rumble match. He revealed his participation during ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Wednesday, Jan. 28. He called into the show to announce the news.

‘I’m heading to the Royal Rumble and I’m gonna win it,’ Lesnar said.

Lesnar is one of 11 WWE stars to have won the Royal Rumble match twice, doing so in 2003 and 2022. Automatically a favorite to win the match, a third victory would make him the second person to achieve the feat alongside Stone Cold Steve Austin.

The news is a slight surprise, as Lesnar has not appeared in WWE since Survivor Series in November, when he was part of the winning team in the men’s WarGames match.

Lesnar made his sudden return to WWE at the end of SummerSlam 2025 in August when he attacked John Cena after the main event. It was his first appearance in nearly two years, with his hiatus coinciding with the Vince McMahon lawsuit. In January 2024, former WWE employee Janel Grant sued McMahon, alleging the wrestling company’s founder took part in sex trafficking and put her through sexual acts that were done with ‘extreme cruelty and degradation.’ Lesnar is mentioned in the lawsuit as someone that McMahon offered sexual encounters to with Grant.

The 2026 Royal Rumble takes place Saturday, Jan. 31 at 2 p.m. ET in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

You say always be crootin’. Miami says: Always be raidin’ — good quarterbacks, anyway.
Darian Mensah to Miami becoming a likelihood after transfer QB settles lawsuit with Duke.
Cam Ward to Carson Beck to Darian Mensah would be quite a run for Miami and Mario Cristobal. Cash is king.

Remember that old college football mantra? Always be crootin’.

That’s overdue for a refresh.

Always be raidin’.

Outwork the competition? No, out-plunder the competition.

Don’t go cheap, either, when conducting a raid of a premier quarterback.

Perhaps no organization has better deployed this plan the past few years than Miami.

Target a proven quarterback who hits the transfer market, and make the buy.

Don’t fret if that quarterback is only going to be in town for one season. Reap the rewards. Then, do it again with another transfer.

Signing, retaining and developing a quarterback over the course of a few seasons, and trying to turn him into a star, is the old way of doing business.

Miami’s going new school. Let some other program sign the prospect and invest in the initial development. Then, plunder the product.

In 2024, that meant winning 10 games with Cam Ward, fresh off the transfer line from Washington State. Ward, a Heisman finalist, went to the Titans with the No. 1 pick in last year’s NFL draft. Consider Ward a smart transfer buy for Miami.

Last season, Miami spent big for Carson Beck’s services. The Hurricanes reached the national championship game. That counts as another good transfer buy.

Next up: Darian Mensah, come on down from Duke.

Miami the frontrunner to land QB Darian Mensah

Mensah previously announced he planned to return to Duke. When he decided to change course, Duke filed a lawsuit this month alleging a breach of his multiyear NIL contract.

Such is college football in 2026, right? Nothing happens until the lawyers get their say.

Mensah reached a settlement with Duke, and he’s free to go.

All roads lead to Miami.

Mensah is the epitome of a modern college quarterback. He started his career with Tulane. He transferred to Duke. Next came a lawsuit. Now, vamoose to Miami.

Put him on a Wheaties box.

Miami had interest in Arizona State transfer Sam Leavitt. He chose LSU. Leavitt and Lane Kiffin make for an intriguing pairing, but Miami fans will boast they wound up with a better quarterback in Mensah. They might be right, too.

This isn’t “Wolf of Wall Street” pink sheet activity. When seeking a quarterback, Cristobal doesn’t scour the portal for penny stocks he’s hoping will rebound. Miami seeks proven star power, at the game’s most important position.

Mensah fits the mold. He helped Duke win the ACC this past season. He led the conference in passing.

Miami’s transfer QB strategy with Mario Cristobal works

I can’t argue with Miami’s strategy. The plug-and-play quarterback method seems smarter than spending a few years developing a blue-chip teenager and hoping he’ll not only stick around, but develop into a player worthy of a yearslong investment.

Cristobal doesn’t go hog wild in the portal, not compared to some peers. Miami’s transfer class is currently 10-deep. That’s relatively modest. Cristobal strikes a healthy balance between high school recruits and transfers. His transfer classes are rich in quality, no matter the quantity. Mensah and outbound Duke wide receiver Cooper Barkate, who’s expected to transfer to Miami, fit that strategy.

Cristobal seeks production, not projects. He doesn’t take chances at quarterback. Why should he?

The last two national champions started one-year solutions as transfer quarterbacks.

Find an answer from the portal. Rinse, repeat.

Always be raidin’, remember?

Do that at every position, and you’re playing whack-a-mole. At quarterback, though, you’re hunting for one guy. The portal is the play — particularly, if you possess Miami’s funds to purchase a good one.

Miami once earned a reputation as Quarterback U. Its string of greats included Jim Kelly, Bernie Kosar, Vinny Testaverde, Steve Walsh, Gino Torretta and, years later, Ken Dorsey.

Those quarterbacks were the payoff of an always be crootin’ (and developing) era.

Transfer rules changed. Methods evolved. Miami’s raid-a-QB model works — especially, when able to secure transfers of the quality of Ward, Beck and Mensah.

Curt Cignetti, college football’s new kingpin, went this route, too. At Indiana, his quarterbacks progressed from Kurtis Rourke (Ohio transfer) to Fernando Mendoza (California transfer) to now Josh Hoover (TCU transfer).

Here’s another old football cliché you’ve probably heard: If you’ve got a quarterback, you’ve got a chance.

That doesn’t mean a team should take a chance at quarterback.

Step 1: Target a proven commodity.
Step 2: Pay the man.
Step 3: Win.
Step 4: Repeat.

For Miami, that plan renews with Mensah. Consider it another successful raid.

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

The NBA trade deadline rumor mill is now officially in full swing.

A massive update related to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s future with the Milwaukee Bucks came across Wednesday, Jan. 28, and it’s one that will have ripple effects across the entire trading market.

Several teams with the assets necessary to make a bid for Antetokounmpo have been waiting for him to become officially available in a trade, which has caused the overall market to lag some.

That means stars such as Anthony Davis, Ja Morant might have to wait for resolution in the Antetokounmpo case to see if they’ll have new homes.

The trading deadline is Thursday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m. ET.

Here are the latest trade rumors surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo and his future with the Milwaukee Bucks:

Giannis Antetokounmpo trade rumors

According to an ESPN report that published Wednesday morning, Antetokounmpo has indicated he’s ready to move on from the Bucks, which is essentially a euphemism that he’s requesting a trade.

Antetokounmpo and the Bucks have been cautious about optics in this case, and neither side has wanted to appear – at least in the public eye – as the culprit for what is becoming an inevitability.

Per ESPN, the Bucks are now more open than ever to field offers for Antetokounmpo prior to the trading deadline, though Milwaukee is under no obligation to move the two-time MVP.

In fact, the Bucks are operating from a position of some leverage and can wait until the offseason to find resolution in this case. Teams are constrained by the salary cap and limited roster size during the season, and suitors will have far more draft capital available to ship to Milwaukee.

A trade like this also may require a third or fourth team, so the logistics of wrangling all moving parts together before next Thursday would be complicated.

ESPN also reported that potential suitors have gotten the sense that Milwaukee is willing to listen to offers. The question now becomes whether any team can present a deal enticing enough for the Bucks to maximize their return on Antetokounmpo, who has spent 12 ½ seasons in Milwaukee.

Antetokounmpo, 31, has averaged 28.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists through 30 games this season, though he recently suffered a right calf strain that will sideline him for at least the next month.

Giannis Antetokounmpo landing spots

Now more than ever, it’s a near inevitability that Antetokounmpo and the Bucks are nearing the end of their relationship.

It may come before the trading deadline, or it may come in the offseason, but Milwaukee, understandably, has started to listen to offers and may consider shipping the two-time Most Valuable Player before Feb. 5.

With that said, which teams can actually present compelling cases to land the versatile star?

What does Giannis Antetokounmpo’s contract look like?

This is the crux of why it’s seemingly inevitable that the Bucks move on from Antetokounmpo. He’s in his 13th season in the league and is currently locked in through the end of next season (2026-27) for a combined $112.6 million.

After that, he has a player option for 2027-28 worth a staggering $62.8 million. But if Antetokounmpo feels the Bucks are no longer in a position to contend, there’s a scenario where Milwaukee could see him walk in free agency and get nothing in return. That’s why a trade now (or in the offseason) makes sense; this way, the Bucks can recoup assets for their rebuild and life without Antetokounmpo.

But Antetokounmpo’s massive salary is also what makes a trade somewhat complicated; the salary returned has to match for both teams to stay under punitive aprons.

One last thing to note here: the only way Antetokounmpo would be able to sign a max contract with a new team this offseason would be if he’s traded before the deadline. That’s because a player must be with his current team for at least six months before he can sign a max contract.

Giannis Antetokounmpo stats this season

The Bucks star has already missed 15 games this season due to injuries, but he remains incredibly productive when on the court. In 30 games this year, Antetokounmpo is averaging 28.0 points on an absurdly efficient 64.5% shooting rate, with 10.0 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.

Giannis Antetokounmpo injury update

Another reason why this has been a frustrating season for Antetokounmpo has been injuries.

Earlier in December, Antetokounmpo had also missed eight games with a previous right calf strain.

In fact, including a strained adductor sustained in mid-November, Antetokounmpo has missed 15 games this season because of injury.

Milwaukee Bucks playoff chances

Antetokounmpo has said time and again that his priority is to compete for championships. He led the Bucks to a title in the 2021 NBA Finals over the Phoenix Suns, and he has been chasing that ever since.

The Bucks, however, have struggled significantly this season, with Antetokounmpo and without.

Milwaukee is 18-27 and fell behind the Charlotte Hornets in the standings. The Bucks are currently on a three-game losing streak and sitting in 12th place. The play-in picture starts with the 10th seed, so there’s the chance – especially with Antetokounmpo expected to miss at least a month – that Milwaukee keeps sliding.

The Antetokounmpo injury also makes it less likely that the Bucks would be buyers at the deadline.

Milwaukee is 15-15 when Antetokounmpo plays, compared to 3-12 when he’s out.

Giannis has expressed frustrations recently

It has been a turbulent season for Antetokounmpo in Milwaukee.

It all started before the season, during Bucks media day on Sept. 29, when team owner Wes Edens said he and Antetokounmpo met in June, and that Antetokounmpo reaffirmed his commitment to Milwaukee.

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

But when it was his turn to speak, Antetokounmpo said he could not recall that conversation and did not give any assurances that he’s committed to the Bucks beyond the present.

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

Then, on Dec. 2, Antetokounmpo scrubbed his social media accounts of almost every reference or photo from his time with the Bucks, sparking speculation about trade rumors.

Throughout the season, Antetokounmpo has repeatedly voiced his frustrations with the situation in Milwaukee – he most recently characterized the team’s play as “selfish” – and has maintained that he wants to compete for championships.

Interestingly, prior to Milwaukee’s 139-122 loss Tuesday, Jan. 27 against the 76ers, Bucks coach Doc Rivers told reporters that Philadelphia center Joel Embiid, the 2022-23 NBA Most Valuable Player, was “the most talented player I ever coached.” It raised eyebrows considering Rivers has coached Antetokounmpo, a two-time MVP, for parts of three seasons.

Former Buck Jae Crowder weighs in

Forward Jae Crowder, who played for the Bucks for two seasons, took to social media Wednesday after news of Antetokounmpo’s future in Milwaukee broke. Crowder was part of the 2023-24 team that eventually fired former coach Adrian Griffin and replaced him with Doc Rivers.

Giannis Antetokounmpo age

Giannis Antetokounmpo has been in the NBA 13 seasons, and just turned 31 last month, on Dec. 6.

Sources: Giannis preps for Bucks exit amid offers

Giannis Antetokounmpo is ready for a new home ahead of the trade deadline as several teams have made aggressive offers to the Bucks, league sources told ESPN.

And then there were two.

The Cleveland Browns filled their head coaching vacancy on Jan. 28, hiring former Baltimore Ravens offensive coordinator Todd Monken to succeed Kevin Stefanski.

‘We are very excited to name Todd Monken the next head coach of the Cleveland Browns,” Browns owners Dee and Jimmy Haslam said in a statement. “Todd is highly intelligent, and his experienced, innovative offensive mindset has been at the forefront of constructing productive and successful offenses at the NFL and collegiate level over the last 20 years. He is an outstanding leader and has a clear vision to lead our team as a strong communicator who values trust with his players but also accountability and preparation.

‘In our committee’s exhaustive reference work on Todd, his commitment to player development was evident, and his tough and straightforward coaching is respected by the players and the coaches he’s worked with, putting our team in a position to succeed while developing our players to maximize their talents. We welcome Todd, Terri, and the rest of the Monken family back to the Browns and look forward to him establishing the winning culture that will lead our team to the success our fans so deserve.”

Monken, 59, has never been a head man in the NFL but was Southern Mississippi’s head coach from 2013 to ’15. Now he switches addresses in what will be a radically different AFC North in 2026, the Cincinnati Bengals the only team in a division long known for its stability that didn’t change coaches this month. Monken was widely expected to join former Ravens coach John Harbaugh, who was quickly hired to lead the New York Giants, to run the offense for Big Blue. But Harbaugh will now have to pivot on that front.

Monken inherits a Cleveland squad that has plenty of talent − led by All-Pro defensive end Myles Garrett and a very strong crop of rookies obtained in last year’s draft − but is (still) seeking an answer at quarterback … despite Shedeur Sanders’ recent Pro Bowl (Games) nod.

Monken joined the Ravens in 2023 after spending three seasons (and contributing to two championship runs) as the OC at the University of Georgia. Prior to his arrival in Athens in 2020, he was the Browns’ offensive coordinator in 2019 and served the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the same role from 2016 to ’18. Monken, who also has extensive coaching experience in the college ranks, began his career at Grand Valley State in 1989 and moved on to Notre Dame two years later.

“Todd has a varied and diverse background that we found as a particularly appealing match for our team at this stage in its life cycle,” EVP of football operations and GM Andrew Berry said in a statement. “He has a direct, demanding, and detail-oriented leadership style that will create a great incubator for a young team. His successful offensive track record at both the pro and college level with a variety of offensive systems and QB skill sets will allow maximum flexibility as we make several, long-term investments on that side of the ball.’

The Ravens ranked in the top five in scoring offense in 2023 and ’24 but fell to 11th last season, when quarterback Lamar Jackson missed four starts due to injuries and generally didn’t play up to his usual MVP-caliber abilities. Baltimore’s offense ranked first overall in 2024.

However Monken was a lightning rod for criticism in Baltimore at times given the team’s persistent struggles to salt away fourth-quarter leads. The Ravens also tended to stray from their formidable running game at inopportune times − notably their 17-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 AFC championship game in Baltimore, when the Ravens ran the ball 16 times … eight of them by Jackson.

Given the questions behind center in Cleveland, Monken may have to lean heavily on backs Quinshon Judkins and Dylan Sampson, both rookies in 2025. Judkins led the Browns last season with 827 rushing yards and seven TDs. He broke his ankle and fibula in Week 16 but is expected to be ready for the 2026 season.

The Browns scored the second-fewest points in the league last season and ranked third from the bottom overall offensively.

Stefanski, a two-time NFL Coach of the Year, was fired on Black Monday but was subsequently hired by the Atlanta Falcons.

This hiring cycle has seen 10 head coach vacancies but all have now been filled save the Arizona Cardinals’ and Las Vegas Raiders’ jobs.

College basketball this season is top heavy, with the top 10 of the USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll having a combined 14 losses and no one with more than three defeats. That makes for a fun race to grab the precious No. 1 seed.

We all saw last season how valuable the No. 1 seed is when all four top teams in the bracket made it to the Final Four, the second time it’s happened since seeding began in 1979. With how strong the top teams in the country look, that very much could happen again, making it paramount to get the top spots in the bracket and get the inside track to Indianapolis.

Selection Sunday is six weeks away, but we are getting a good sense of who is in the running to be a No. 1 seed in the 2026 NCAA tournament.

Arizona

Record: 21-0 (8-0). Quad 1 record: 9-0. NET Ranking: 1.

Why Arizona is here: The Wildcats put themselves in the top spot, one of two undefeated teams left in the country. The nine Quad 1 wins are tied for the most in the country, and most of them came in what was a challenging nonconference schedule that included Florida, UConn and Alabama. Arizona had a relatively easy start to Big 12 play that showcased its dominance, and it continued playing a top brand of basketball in a road win against BYU that ended a little too close for comfort.

What’s next: The schedule only gets tougher. Arizona plays six ranked teams in 10-game stretch, which includes Iowa State, Houston and Kansas twice. Arizona will certainly be tested, but it is very safe right now in being a No. 1 seed.

Michigan

Record: 19-1 (9-1). Quad 1 record: 6-0. NET Ranking: 3.

Why Michigan is here: Remember when everyone was ready to declare Michigan national champion in November? Arguably no one had a better start than the Wolverines, who blew out teams for much of the first two months of the season, including a 40-point romp of Gonzaga. They aren’t blowing teams out as much since then, but they keep winning — the only defeat a three-point loss to a hot-shooting Wisconsin team. The Wolverines got a big resume boost by ending Nebraska’s undefeated season Tuesday, Jan. 27.

What’s next: A trip to in-state rival Michigan State is the first major road game for Michigan, and February will only get more challenging with games away from home against Purdue, Duke and Illinois in a 10-day span.

UConn

Record: 20-1 (10-0). Quad 1 record: 5-1. NET Ranking: 8.

Why UConn is here: Dan Hurley is back in the title conversation. What’s impressive about UConn’s resume is the five Quad 1 wins all came away from home, including neutral games against BYU and Illinois, as well as a road victory at Kansas. The lone blemish is a home loss to Arizona, a game the Huskies could have won. The Big East has presented some challenges, but they have emerged victorious in every conference game so far.

What’s next: The rest of Big East isn’t near UConn, with the biggest challenges two February games against St. John’s and at Villanova. This team has the easiest path to a No. 1 seed and it’s theirs to lose, even without a top five NET ranking.

Duke

Record: 19-1 (8-0). Quad 1 record: 9-1. NET Ranking: 2.

Why Duke is here: Of course, Duke found a way to be even better after Cooper Flagg left. The Blue Devils had challenging nonconference slate and made statements with wins over Kansas, Florida and Michigan State. They are a one-point loss vs. Texas Tech away from being undefeated. The nine Quad 1 wins are tied with Arizona for the most in the country, picking up more in dominating fashion in the ACC. It has won every conference game by an average margin of 15.7 points, including two routs of Louisville.

What’s next: An improved ACC will continue to challenge Duke outside of the two meetings with rival North Carolina. Clemson and Virginia visit Cameron Indoor Stadium in February, and then there’s the game against Michigan that could give it the best nonconference resume in the country.

Just on the outside

Nebraska

Record: 20-1 (9-1). Quad 1 record: 6-1. NET Ranking: 5.

Why Nebraska is here: Nebrasketball is alive and well in a historic season for the Cornhuskers. The perfect start came with some caution as they weren’t tested much to start the season, but all was validated with wins over Illinois and Michigan State. Even though its undefeated season ended against Michigan, the narrow loss proved the Cornhuskers are in the same tier of title contenders.

What’s next: The Cornhuskers are in the midst of one of their toughest stretches with Illinois up next and Purdue visiting Lincoln in a few weeks. However, the end of the regular season isn’t too treacherous. There’s a chance Nebraska gets a top-two seed for the first time, and finally captures that elusive first NCAA tournament win.

Gonzaga

Record: 21-1 (9-0). Quad 1 record: 3-1. NET Ranking: 4.

Why Gonzaga is here: Another year, another run of dominance for Gonzaga. The blowout loss to Michigan has overshadowed what’s been another outstanding start for Mark Few, with wins against Alabama and Kentucky away from the Northwest. It did enough to start the resume strong before West Coast Conference play began, which has been another relatively easy going run for Gonzaga in its last year in the conference.

What’s next: As usual, Gonzaga faces an easy rest of the regular season, with the major challenge being the two annual games against Saint Mary’s. Prime opportunity to boost the low Quad 1 resume, and the Bulldogs can hope teams above them start to slip so they can climb up the seed line.

Houston

Record: 17-2 (5-1). Quad 1 record: 4-2. NET Ranking: 11.

Why Houston is here: Last season’s national runner-up has quietly put itself back in a spot to be a No. 1 seed for the fourth-straight season. The early season loss to Tennessee doesn’t look as good with the Volunteers’ inconsistency since then, but it was able to split the season series with Texas Tech. The Cougars are still one of the best defensive teams in the country and have become even better offensively.

What’s next: The Big 12 gauntlet gives Houston more opportunities to rise, with games against BYU, Iowa State, Arizona and Kansas in the middle of February. That stretch will determine whether the Cougars can be a top seed.

Iowa State

Record: 18-2 (5-2). Quad 1 record: 5-1. NET Ranking: 7.

Why Iowa State is here: The high-powered Iowa State offense blitzed several teams to start the season, headlined by the big road victory over Purdue. It hasn’t nabbed any notable wins since then, and the two uninspiring losses have pushed the Cyclones away from a No. 1 spot, mostly thanks to suffering a Quad 2 loss at the hands of Cincinnati.

What’s next: There are plenty of key win opportunities coming up for the Cyclones. It ends the season with six Quad 1 games in the last eight, which features Houston, BYU, Texas Tech and Arizona, needing to win at least three of them to feel good about getting the first No. 1 seed in program history.

Also contenders

Illinois, Texas Tech and Michigan State,