The last time the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles faced off in the Super Bowl, Greg Olsen, a former NFL tight end, was part of Fox’s top announcing team alongside Kevin Burkhardt.
Now, two years later, Olsen won’t be calling the game as Fox’s top analyst. Instead, Tom Brady has taken over that role, despite Olsen receiving high praise for his work as a lead analyst.
Olsen, however, sees this as a temporary shift. “In my mind, I’m going to call big-time games again,” Olsen told the Charlotte Observer‘s Scott Fowler this week. “I’m going to call Super Bowl games again. I just don’t know the timeline or the venue.”
Brady, who is in the first year of his 10-year, $375 million contract with Fox, has replaced Olsen, who still has two years left on his deal.
Despite the conflict of interest with Brady being a partial owner of the Las Vegas Raiders, Brady isn’t expected to leave the booth anytime soon.
Kansas City Chiefs holds the recovery ball in the 2nd half
Olsen, who has expressed his dissatisfaction with being moved to Fox’s No. 2 analyst role, spoke with management about his frustration.
“It’s pretty clear that the path, the upward trajectory as far as Fox goes, probably is a non-factor,” Olsen said. “I don’t know what the future holds. I enjoy working at Fox. Fox has been very good to me. They know. I’ve been very honest with them that I’m not content just calling one o’clock regional games for the rest of my career.”
Though Olsen is no longer at the stadium for NFL playoffs, he still thinks about the games he would have called. He admitted it’s hard to just watch now.
Brady has praised Olsen since it was announced that he’d take over as Fox’s top analyst. Olsen emphasized that there are no hard feelings toward Brady. “We’ve talked. He’s been super-great, gracious and grateful in return,” Olsen said. “So there’s no personal animosity in any of this, right? This is strictly business.”
Arch Manning doesn’t believe he has done enough yet to be one of the most famous players in college football.
In an interview, Manning discussed a variety of topics ahead of his first season as the starting quarterback for Texas. The former five-star recruit was a backup to Quinn Ewers in 2024 and is set to be the No. 1 QB in 2025 after Ewers moves on to the NFL.
When asked about the attention he gets because of his famous family — being the nephew of Super Bowl winners Peyton and Eli Manning and the grandson of Archie Manning — he was quick to respond.
“I think a lot of undeserved attention,” Manning said. “But hopefully it gets more deserving in the next few months.”
Manning went on to say, “I don’t think I’ve done enough yet to be taking a lot of pictures at restaurants and signing autographs. But maybe that will come eventually.”
Manning joined Texas and coach Steve Sarkisian ahead of the 2023 season as the top high school recruit in the country. When Manning arrived in Austin, Ewers was already the starter after transferring from Ohio State.
Manning started the 2023 season as the No. 3 QB, but became the primary backup when Ewers got hurt with a shoulder injury. Manning also played in the College Football Playoff when the No. 2 QB, Maalik Murphy, transferred.
Arch Manning celebrates after scoring a touchdown in the 2nd half
Manning got his first real playing time in 2024 when Ewers hurt his oblique in September. Manning replaced Ewers against UTSA, then started games against Louisiana-Monroe and Mississippi State before Ewers returned for the Texas vs. Oklahoma game.
Manning scored five touchdowns in the UTSA game but had only eight more over the next nine games he played. He finished the season with 63 completions on 95 attempts for 969 yards, nine passing touchdowns, and two interceptions.
Now, with Ewers headed to the NFL, Manning will have a full off season as the expected starter. The Texas offense will likely change a lot in 2025.
Manning, who believes his game most resembles that of his grandfather Archie Manning, also rushed for four touchdowns in 2024. He is more of a rushing threat than Ewers, and while Manning may not run a lot in 2025, his ability to move the ball with his legs will be a key part of the offense.
“I think he fits his offense and his play-calling to his players,” Manning said about Sarkisian. “That’s what I like most about him. He’s smart and he’s innovative and he wants to win. He’s a competitive guy. He works really hard, prepares and he gets us in the right position to win games.”
ESPN has agreed to exercise its option to continue broadcasting ACC sports through 2036, sources told on Thursday.
This agreement is a crucial step toward bringing stability to the ACC. With the TV deal settled, the conference is now working on reaching a resolution with Clemson and Florida State to potentially end their ongoing lawsuits against the ACC.
ESPN had until February 1 to pick up the option on the 20-year contract signed in 2016, which helped launch the ACC Network. If ESPN had not accepted, the partnership would have ended after the 2027 season.
After ESPN agreed to pick up the option, which the ACC board of directors approved on Wednesday, the conference is working on additional “value adds,” such as creating more high-profile matchups in football and men’s basketball to increase content on the networks. This could help build a new revenue distribution model and work toward a settlement with Clemson and Florida State.
Some athletic directors mentioned that the ACC could use its relationship with Notre Dame to create more games with the conference’s top teams. Notre Dame athletic director Pete Bevacqua recently said he was open to scheduling more games against Clemson.
Notre Dame already plays five to six regular-season football games against the ACC each year and is part of the conference in all other sports.
Discussions about the ESPN option ran alongside talks between the ACC and Clemson and Florida State about a new revenue distribution model. This plan aims to address concerns about financial disparities between the ACC and the Big Ten and SEC, which have bigger TV contracts.
Football helmets with the ACC logo, signed by league coaches
Under the proposed plan, a portion of the ACC’s TV revenue would go into a “brand” fund. This money would be distributed to schools that generate the most revenue in football and basketball, with Clemson, Florida State, Miami, and North Carolina likely to benefit the most.
If this agreement is finalized, sources say Clemson and Florida State are expected to drop their lawsuits.
Clemson’s lawsuit was mainly focused on determining the cost of leaving the ACC, rather than an intention to leave the conference. Florida State has been more vocal about testing the waters but has maintained it only wants to explore options, not necessarily leave the ACC.
Whether either school would find a place in another conference remains uncertain. Securing media rights, which each school signed over to the ACC in 2016, would have been crucial to any potential move.
ACC sources suggest that the vote on the new revenue distribution plan may not be unanimous. However, one administrator said a reduction in distributions might be acceptable if it leads to stability in college sports, which is currently facing major changes in its structure.
The collapse of the Pac-12 and the decline in the value of Oregon State and Washington State programs have made negotiations for a settlement more appealing.
New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick holds up a UNC-branded sleeveless hoodie presented to him during an NCAA college football news conference announcing his hiring
The new brand distribution fund would be in addition to the ACC’s “success initiatives,” which were approved in 2023. These initiatives are funded by revenue from the expanded College Football Playoff and payouts from ESPN for the conference adding new members like Stanford, California, and SMU in 2024.
SMU agreed to give up its TV revenue for its first nine years in the ACC, while Cal and Stanford will receive only 30% of their share.
The ACC’s success initiatives, which started this year, offer extra revenue to schools participating in postseason games. The brand initiatives would be available to all ACC schools, but the top programs would likely have an advantage. Specific metrics for these initiatives have not yet been decided.
With both the brand and success initiatives, it is expected that ACC schools could reduce the financial gap between Big Ten and SEC schools to just a few million dollars annually.
As early as February 2023, Florida State’s Alford began pushing for a change in how the ACC’s TV revenue is distributed, focusing on teams that provide the most brand value and television ratings. Alford claimed that Florida State provided about 15% of the value in the ACC’s media deal but only received 7% of the revenue.
The ACC has been in legal battles with Florida State and Clemson for over a year, as both schools filed lawsuits in their home states, hoping to break free from a grant of rights agreement that could cost them as much as $700 million to leave. The ACC countersued to preserve the grant of rights through 2036.
Clemson and Florida State argue that the ACC’s television contract, which brings in about half of what the Big Ten gets from Fox, puts them at a significant financial disadvantage compared to SEC and Big Ten schools, making it harder to compete for national championships.
As part of a settlement, Clemson and Florida State are asking the ACC to reduce penalties for leaving the grant of rights after 2031, when the TV deals for the Big Ten, SEC, and Big 12 are set to expire.
Brandon Saad is congratulated by teammates after scoring his third goal for a hat trick
The St. Louis Blues and Brandon Saad have agreed to mutually terminate his contract after he was placed on waivers on Wednesday. For the move to be finalized on Thursday, Saad will need to clear waivers again.
Saad, 32, is walking away from $5.425 million in salary, according to PuckPedia. The Blues had attempted to trade Saad over the past few months but were unable to find a trade partner.
“Obviously the production’s not there,” GM Doug Armstrong said in a midseason news conference on Tuesday. “Right now the cap is tight, and obviously, statistically, he’s not having a great year and he’s got another year left. If we could find a match, we would try.”
Saad has recorded 16 points (seven goals, nine assists) in 43 games this season, with a 9.3 shooting percentage, which is the second-worst of his 14-year career.
A two-time Stanley Cup champion with the Chicago Blackhawks, Saad is under contract through next season with a $4.5 million cap hit. Saad wants to keep playing in the NHL, sources say, but his contract’s extra year and high cap hit made it difficult for other teams to claim him on waivers or agree to a trade.
St. Louis Blues (NHL)
Now a free agent, Saad can sign with any team. If Saad had played for the Blues’ AHL affiliate in Springfield, the team would have faced a $1.15 million cap hit; now, they will be free of his contract, giving them more financial flexibility.
This season has already been one of change for the Blues, who fired coach Drew Bannister in November and hired Jim Montgomery after his firing in Boston.
The Blues are in what Armstrong has called a “retool” phase. The team doesn’t feel it can afford a full rebuild and is instead focusing on transitioning around a new core of players in their early 20s, including Robert Thomas, Jordan Kyrou, and new additions Dylan Holloway and Philip Broberg, who were acquired during the summer from offer sheets.
NBA Commissioner Adam Silver shared on Wednesday that he supports the idea of shortening games to 40 minutes by reducing the length of quarters from 12 to 10 minutes.
“As we get more involved in global basketball, the NBA is the only league that plays 48 minutes. And I would be — I am — a fan of four 10-minute quarters,” Silver said during his appearance on “The Dan Patrick Show.”
“I’m not sure that many others are. Putting aside what it means for records and things like that, yeah, I think that a two-hour format for a game is more consistent with modern television habits.”
This season, NBA games have lasted about 2 hours and 16 minutes on average, which is similar to the past 15 seasons.
“I think of a television program being two hours, Olympic basketball being two hours. And college basketball, of course, is 40 minutes,” Silver told Patrick.
Silver made these comments in response to a question about possible future changes in the league. He also mentioned that the idea of awarding two free throws to players fouled on 3-point attempts has come up in discussions.
Changing the length of the game, which has been 48 minutes for the entire 78-year history of the NBA, could have a major impact on the sport in both big and small ways.
Adam Silver talks to the reporters
A number of single-game and single-season records might become unbreakable, and some of the league’s star players could play entire games more often. (Mikal Bridges of the New York Knicks currently leads the NBA in playing time, averaging 38.4 minutes per game.)
“I hope we don’t become Barnum & Bailey, or do whatever we have to do to keep viewership. Because there’s a greatness and a history to this game, and a purity to this game that I hope we can find a way to stay true to,” said Nuggets coach Michael Malone.
Even if players couldn’t play the whole game, having the chance to play more minutes could affect how much teams value role players and bench players. With less need for those players, it could change how much they are paid.
Knicks coach Tom Thibodeau and Nuggets coach Michael Malone, whose teams played each other Wednesday night at Madison Square Garden, both expressed their dislike of any possible changes.
“I’m more of a traditional guy, so I’d hate to see that,” Thibodeau said, mentioning how shortening the game would affect breaking league records.
Malone, while respecting the NBA’s efforts to keep fans engaged, said there is a risk in going too far to please viewers.
“I give the league credit, because they’re always trying to find ways to keep the fans engaged,” he said. “But I hope we don’t go to 10-minute quarters.
I hope we don’t put in a 4-point line. I hope we don’t become Barnum & Bailey, or do whatever we have to do to keep viewership. Because there’s a greatness and a history to this game, and a purity to this game that I hope we can find a way to stay true to.”
The Denver Broncos’ offseason began with coach Sean Payton immediately emphasizing his search for a “joker,” a versatile player who can play both as a runner and receiver. This hybrid player can break tackles after the catch and is used in different formations. Payton talks often about the joker position and its importance to his offense.
However, Payton has not had a player like that in his first two seasons with the Broncos, despite being used to such players during his 15 years in New Orleans.
“I know how much it can help. … I didn’t really appreciate it at the time,” Payton said. “We went through a stretch of 15 or 16 seasons with real, real high-end offenses that maybe didn’t have a receiver get to a Pro Bowl, but those other spots did.”
Payton traces the joker position back to his time as an assistant coach and playcaller with the Giants and Cowboys, where he had tight ends Jeremy Shockey and Jason Witten. In New Orleans, the joker took many forms, from tight ends like Shockey and Jimmy Graham to running backs such as Darren Sproles, Reggie Bush, and Alvin Kamara.
In each case, the joker was a dynamic player who could do many different things and was especially important on third downs and against tougher defenses. Payton is hoping to improve the Broncos in these areas.
This season, the Broncos had the third-most three-and-out possessions (26.3%). They were 13th in third-down conversions and 17th in third-and-medium conversions (4-6 yards). Denver struggled against AFC playoff teams, averaging just 16.9 points per game and failing to score more than 16 points in five of seven games, including just one touchdown against the Bills in the 31-7 wild-card loss on January 12.
“We definitely have to score more than seven points in these tough games,” rookie quarterback Bo Nix said. “We went to Baltimore and only scored 10, scored seven [against the Bills]. So there are certain things where it all comes down to execution and scoring more points.”
The Broncos tried to create joker-like plays by involving running backs in the passing game. Javonte Williams finished second on the team with 52 receptions, while Jaleel McLaughlin had 24. However, they only combined for two receiving touchdowns and averaged less than seven yards per catch (6.7 for Williams and 3.2 for McLaughlin).
Denver Broncos players celebrate after a play
Limited tight-end productions
Lucas Krull led the group with 19 catches, but the tight ends had seven games without a 10-yard reception.
“I think in our league when you look around … you’ll always remember [tight end Travis] Kelce with the Chiefs, I don’t know that you’ll remember the receivers sometimes,” Payton said. “Do I think we have some candidates [to be a joker]? Yes. That inner triangle of attacking a defense is really important.”
Payton had hoped tight end Greg Dulcich, a third-round pick in 2022, could be that player who could attack defenses and challenge linebackers and safeties in coverage. However, Dulcich struggled with hamstring injuries and was inactive for eight games this season before being waived on November 25. He’s now with the Giants.
Wide receiver Marvin Mims Jr. is the closest player on the Broncos’ roster to the joker role Payton desires. Mims, who was named an All-Pro as a returner, began lining up in the backfield more as the season went on and had two 100-yard receiving games in the last month. He averaged more than 20 yards per catch in three of the final six regular-season games.
But Mims, at 5-foot-11 and 182 pounds, doesn’t have the size or the tackle-breaking ability in traffic that Payton typically looks for in a joker.
This means the Broncos may look to the draft to find a joker who can help Nix, who had 29 passing touchdowns, the second-most ever by a rookie quarterback.
Tight ends like Penn State’s Tyler Warren and Michigan’s Colston Loveland could be targets for Denver at pick No. 20. They may also consider running backs with strong receiving skills, like Kansas’ Devin Neal or Arizona State’s Cam Skattebo, later in the draft.
“We’ll go through that process, and we’ll look closely at what we think we still need, what we have to have and then what we want to have,” Payton said. “That only comes after evaluating our own roster. We’re just not there yet.”
Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo watches during an NFL football practice
New Colts defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo thinks it’s not always possible to outplay the best quarterbacks in the NFL. Sometimes, you need to use different strategies, like tricking them.
“Going through the playoffs and things like that and to the Super Bowl, you have to keep those great quarterbacks off balance,” he said during his introductory news conference last week. “I think you have to make them uncomfortable. Even the best ones, at times, you’re not going to fool them all day. But if it’s in the most critical situation, that’s what you’re hoping to do.
“And, certainly, we’ve had some success doing that.” After a tough 8-9 season, the Colts have promised to change their approach this offseason. Anarumo’s plans for the defense may represent one of the biggest changes the team has seen in a while.
The Colts are shifting from a predictable and steady defense under recently fired defensive coordinator Gus Bradley to a more unpredictable defense under Anarumo.
When Colts general manager Chris Ballard was asked if there was value in a more aggressive defense, he, who has been a supporter of simpler, zone-heavy schemes, seemed open to change.
“I definitely think there is value,” he said. “You have to be able to affect the quarterback.”
While Bradley typically used a few zone coverages, Anarumo prefers to mix things up. In 2024, the Colts played zone coverages on 67.9% of opposing quarterback dropbacks, which was the third-highest in the league. They played man coverages on only 31.8% of dropbacks.
On the other hand, the Bengals under Anarumo used a wider variety of coverages, making their defense harder to predict. Cincinnati played zone on 56.7% of dropbacks and man on 43.3%.
This is an example of Anarumo’s belief that letting quarterbacks figure out your defense ahead of time is a bad idea.
“I think you have to be flexible these days and [be] multiple,” he said. “When you’re playing the quarterbacks, especially on our side in the AFC — going against Joe [Burrow] every day in practice, trying to guard Tee [Higgins] and Ja’Marr [Chase], guys like that — it lends to not just, ‘Hey, you’re going to be in this coverage. You’re going to stay in that.’
“It’d be a long day.”
Indianapolis Colts players walk off the field
Anarumo has a different approach
Another key difference with Anarumo’s approach is his history of adjusting his defense based on the opponent. He showed this in the AFC Championship Game against Patrick Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2021 season, helping the Bengals beat the defending conference champions. Mahomes was sacked four times and threw two interceptions.
Anarumo gave the example of facing the Baltimore Ravens, saying he prefers to create a specific game plan based on what the opponent does well and focusing on how to stop their best players, instead of sticking to the same approach every week.
“You’re going to identify what the team does well,” Anarumo said. “Identify who the problem players are. Where’s the great receiver and what do we have to do to slow him down? Derrick Henry, Lamar Jackson, guys like that we had to play twice a year, they present multiple problems along with Zay Flowers and guys like that.
So, whoever or whatever the issues are, you want to put it in front of the guys and say, ‘OK, if we can take these guys away or minimize their damage in the game, we’re going to give ourselves a chance to win.'”
No matter how he goes about it, Anarumo needs to do better than he did in Cincinnati next season. The Bengals let him go after six seasons, with some successful moments but a disappointing finish. The Bengals finished the season ranked 25th in points allowed (25.5) and yards allowed per game (348.3).
Can Anarumo find success in Indianapolis with his new approach? The Colts are hoping that the lessons he learned in Cincinnati will help him in his new role.
“You learn from those things,” he said. “And on to the next.”
Is conservative play calling keeping the Seahawks from soaring in the NFC?
The Seattle Seahawks have long been a team defined by their gritty play, defensive strength, and ability to make big plays when it matters most. However, in recent years, one of the biggest criticisms surrounding the franchise has been its playcalling.
Many fans and analysts have begun to question whether conservative decision-making and a lack of offensive innovation are preventing the team from reaching its full potential.
A Stubborn Approach?
One of the main concerns surrounding the Seahawks’ play calling has been its predictability.
Under former offensive coordinator Shane Waldron, and even now under new leadership, the offense has often relied on a run-heavy approach, sometimes at the expense of maximizing the talents of their star quarterback and receiving corps.
Despite having dynamic playmakers like DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett, the playbook has not always allowed for explosive downfield opportunities.
In key moments, particularly on third downs and in late-game situations, Seattle has often leaned on conservative play calling rather than trusting its quarterback to make a game-changing play.
This philosophy has led to stalled drives and has prevented the offense from developing a rhythm against high-caliber defenses. While establishing the run is important, an over-reliance on it can become a liability, especially when defenses anticipate it.
The Quarterback Conundrum
The play calling debate also extends to the quarterback position. Since the departure of Russell Wilson, the Seahawks have relied on Geno Smith to lead the offense.
Seattle’s offense has weapons, but is the playbook holding them back?
While Smith has proven to be a capable starter, the coaching staff’s approach often seems designed to limit mistakes rather than unleash his full potential.
At times, he has shown flashes of brilliance, but questionable play calling has often led to conservative checkdowns rather than aggressive, game-breaking plays.
A more progressive offensive scheme could take better advantage of Smith’s skill set, particularly in utilizing play-action and spreading the field to create mismatches.
If Seattle hopes to compete with the top teams in the NFC, they must develop a more dynamic approach that adapts to game situations rather than sticking to a rigid philosophy.
Defensive Play Calling: Strength or Weakness?
While much of the criticism falls on the offensive side, defensive play calling has also been inconsistent. Head coach Pete Carroll has always prioritized a strong defensive identity, but in recent seasons, the team has struggled with getting key stops.
The lack of aggressive blitz packages and an over-reliance on soft zone coverage have allowed opponents to exploit the middle of the field and sustain long drives.
To regain their defensive dominance, Seattle must find a way to be more unpredictable.
Whether that means dialing up more blitzes, adjusting coverage schemes, or taking more risks in crucial moments, a more aggressive approach could be the key to turning the defense into a formidable unit once again.
As the Seahawks continue to fight for playoff positioning, the question remains: Will the coaching staff make the necessary adjustments to elevate the team?
If the current trends continue, Seattle risks becoming a team that is good, but not great—stuck in a cycle of mediocrity due to outdated and overly cautious play calling.
To truly contend, the Seahawks must embrace innovation on both sides of the ball. Whether that means adjusting the passing attack, trusting their quarterback in high-pressure situations, or finding ways to generate more defensive pressure, the key to success lies in adaptability.
If they fail to do so, the criticism will only grow louder, and the team may find itself falling behind in an increasingly competitive NFC landscape.
The Minnesota Twins, one of Major League Baseball’s most storied franchises, are experiencing a concerning decline in attendance numbers. The team, based at Target Field in Minneapolis, has seen a steady decrease in fans attending games in recent seasons.
This drop-off has raised several questions regarding the factors contributing to the fall-off in support, despite the team’s competitive performance on the field.
One of the primary reasons for this decline in attendance is the changing landscape of how fans engage with sports. The convenience of watching games from home or local bars has altered how fans prioritize attending live events.
With high-definition broadcasts, multiple camera angles, and the ability to follow games on smartphones, fans are no longer bound to the stadium to experience the excitement of baseball.
This trend is not exclusive to the Twins but affects sports teams across the nation. The comfort of home viewing, combined with increased access to televised and streamed games, makes it easier for people to skip the trip to the ballpark.
Ticket prices have also become a barrier for many fans. Although the Twins have made efforts to keep tickets affordable in comparison to other teams, the overall cost of attending a game can add up quickly.
With rising prices for parking, food, and merchandise, a family outing can easily cost over $100, making it difficult for many fans to justify the expense.
The economic realities of modern life, including wage stagnation and rising inflation, have made discretionary spending on entertainment less of a priority for many people.
Another factor contributing to falling attendance is the team’s inconsistent performance over the years. While the Twins have had competitive seasons, they have also gone through periods of rebuilding and underperformance. Fans want to see a winning team, and when the team struggles, their enthusiasm can wane.
Minnesota Twins players celebrate after the win
No Housefull Stadiums
Even when the Twins have had success, the excitement hasn’t always translated to packed stadiums. Consistency in team performance is essential for generating sustained fan interest and keeping the momentum going.
Minnesota’s weather also plays a significant role in attendance. Target Field, an open-air stadium, is beautiful during the summer months but becomes less appealing when the temperatures drop in early spring or fall.
The cold, unpredictable weather makes it difficult to attract fans to games in the early part of the season, and many will choose to stay home rather than deal with uncomfortable conditions.
This factor especially affects weekday games or those during early spring, when the weather is at its most unpredictable.
Moreover, the Twins are competing for attention in a city that boasts multiple sports teams and entertainment options.
With the Minnesota Vikings in the NFL, the Minnesota Wild in the NHL, and the Minnesota Timberwolves in the NBA, sports fans have a variety of options to choose from, especially during the offseason for baseball.
The sheer volume of entertainment choices in the Twin Cities may dilute the attention paid to the Twins. Efforts are being made by the franchise to attract more fans. These efforts include promotions, themed nights, and a focus on improving the fan experience at the ballpark.
However, if the Twins are to see a meaningful increase in attendance, they will need to address the combination of rising ticket costs, weather-related challenges, and fan experience concerns while maintaining a competitive and consistent team on the field.
As the Twins look ahead, they will need to adapt to changing fan behavior, provide value in both the experience and product on the field, and find creative ways to bring fans back into the stadium. Addressing these challenges will be key to ensuring a thriving fan base for years to come.
Minnesota Vikings players celebrates in the 2nd half
Since hiring general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah in 2022, the Minnesota Vikings have had the NFL’s sixth-best winning percentage, mainly with players drafted by his predecessor or other teams. This situation raises an interesting question: Can a team remain successful without relying on the draft?
From 2022 to 2024, the Vikings had 107 starts from players drafted during that time, the second-lowest in the NFL. The Miami Dolphins had even fewer due to league discipline. Adofo-Mensah made up for this by signing strong free agents in 2024, including three Pro Bowlers and 12 starters, helping the Vikings finish the season as the oldest team in the league based on age-weighted snap counts.
However, as Adofo-Mensah looks ahead to his fourth offseason, he faces pressure to improve the team with young talent.
The Vikings have three picks in the 2025 draft and possibly one more through the compensatory system. This puts them in a position to select the second-fewest players among NFL teams from 2022 to 2025. When asked about changes to the draft process, Adofo-Mensah said that the team is always trying to improve and expressed confidence in the team’s growth since his first year as GM.
The Vikings’ coaching staff has been more involved in the draft process, with head coach Kevin O’Connell pushing for certain players. O’Connell played a big role in the selection of receiver Jordan Addison in 2023 and quarterback J.J. McCarthy in 2024.
This month, O’Connell received a contract extension shortly after the Vikings were eliminated from the playoffs. Despite this, the team did not make any structural changes, and Adofo-Mensah remains the primary football executive.
Looking back at his 2022 draft, Adofo-Mensah admitted mistakes. First-round pick Lewis Cine was waived, and second-round picks Andrew Booth Jr. and Ed Ingram did not work out as expected. Since 2022, the Vikings have only one impactful player from the draft (Addison) and one consistent contributor (Jalen Nailor).
However, it’s important to consider the context. J.J. McCarthy, a top 2024 pick, missed the season due to a knee injury, and cornerback Mekhi Blackmon, also injured, would have been a key player. The Vikings also lost cornerback Khyree Jackson, a promising 2024 pick, in a car accident before training camp. Despite these setbacks, the Vikings are focusing on future improvements.
Minnesota Vikings linebacker Dallas Turner
Dallas Turner came with a lot of hopes
Adofo-Mensah placed a lot of trust in acquiring linebacker Dallas Turner, trading six picks and using a seventh to select him at No. 17 overall last spring. At that point, the Vikings had already signed linebackers Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel in free agency.
Both started every game and made the Pro Bowl, while Turner only played 315 defensive snaps (26.8%). In fact, 51 rookies around the league played more than he did.
Turner spoke about adjusting to the veteran locker room, saying, “My job was just be a rookie and be a sponge.” When he did get a chance to play, he recorded 17 tackles, three sacks, and eight pressures.
Given the heavy investment to acquire him, more immediate results were expected, but defensive coordinator Brian Flores compared Turner to Pittsburgh Steelers defensive lineman Cameron Heyward, who was a first-round pick in 2011 but didn’t start until his third season.
Adofo-Mensah, speaking more generally, commented on the desire for instant results in today’s world, saying, “That’s not how the good teams are built. They address wants before they are wants. You try and find unique opportunities when you can.”
Since hiring Adofo-Mensah and head coach Kevin O’Connell, the Vikings have had successful seasons with 13 and 14 wins. They’ve added key free agents and made good trades, but it’s hard to maintain success with players from other teams.
For comparison, the Kansas City Chiefs have gotten 286 starts from players drafted between 2022 and 2024, more than double the Vikings’ total. The Chiefs are heading to their fifth Super Bowl in six years. While there are many ways to build a successful team, the Vikings have a tough road ahead if they want to match a draft-focused strategy like the Chiefs’.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow will participate in the Pro Bowl Games for the first time on Thursday night in the skills competition in Orlando, Florida. Burrow, who led the NFL in passing yards this season, had been voted to the Pro Bowl twice before but had previously declined.
The Pro Bowl Games face challenges getting star quarterbacks to participate, with Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens and Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills, who both had deep playoff runs, not playing this year. C.J. Stroud of the Houston Texans declined as an alternate, and Bo Nix of the Denver Broncos passed due to a back injury.
The AFC quarterbacks besides Burrow are Drake Maye from the New England Patriots (who replaces Jackson) and Russell Wilson from the Pittsburgh Steelers (who replaces Allen). The NFC quarterbacks are Sam Darnold from the Minnesota Vikings, Jared Goff from the Detroit Lions, and Baker Mayfield from the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (who replaces Jayden Daniels of the Washington Commanders).
J.J. Watt, a former five-time Pro Bowler, criticized the event after five alternates were named, calling it the “Participation Bowl”.
The Pro Bowl Games, which have been revamped to focus on flag football, have completed their second year. The NFL reports that fan and player interest remains high, giving the event more stability.
Peter O’Reilly, the NFL’s executive vice president of club business, international, and league events, expressed confidence in the new format. “This is different,” he said, referencing the shift to flag football. Since its start in 2023, the flag football game has averaged 57,020 in attendance.
Cincinnati Bengals players in the 1st half
The Pro Bowl’s return to Orlando in 2024 followed the success of the event in Las Vegas, and local officials are happy to host the game again. Steve Hogan, CEO of Citrus Sports, praised the high energy in the stadium and constant fan engagement. Visit Orlando’s CEO, Casandra Matej, said the Pro Bowl brings a $45 million economic impact to the area.
TV ratings have dropped across all-star events in other pro sports, but the Pro Bowl Games have performed well, with 5.8 million viewers last year—nearly tripling the ratings for the 2024 Stanley Cup Finals.
O’Reilly shared that players’ feedback about the new format has been positive, with satisfaction increasing significantly since the event switched to flag football. This shift could be contributing to better player participation, with fewer replacements this year, even with the Super Bowl taking players away from the event.
The move to flag football has helped the Pro Bowl become more competitive, as players are no longer worried about injuries that come with tackle football.
Flag football has also made the event more relatable to younger fans who are playing flag football in greater numbers, which the NFL views as an important focus leading up to the 2028 Olympic Games, where flag football will be featured for the first time.
“We came together with the players, made the determination to move away from the tackle football game and create something that really accomplished a number of things,” O’Reilly said. “And at the core of this is celebrating some of the best players in the NFL, doing that in a way that works for them and has the right feel to it and is fun.”
Kansas City Chiefs players celebrates in the 1st half
The NFL’s security chief expressed confidence in the league’s plans for the Super Bowl, set to take place in New Orleans on February 9, following a terrorist attack that killed 14 people on New Year’s Day.
Cathy Lanier, the NFL’s chief security officer, said on Wednesday that security measures would be stronger around the game.
“I think the most important thing is, very clear and unequivocal, saying without hesitation that we are really confident in our security plan going into the Super Bowl,” she said.
New Orleans is expected to host about 100,000 visitors for the 11th Super Bowl held there, according to Collin Arnold, the director of the New Orleans Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness.
Investigations are underway to determine how an attacker, inspired by the Islamic State group, was able to drive his truck onto Bourbon Street and strike people celebrating New Year’s. A lawsuit claims the city and contractors did not put security measures in place that could have prevented the attack.
Patrick Mahomes in the team practice
Lanier explained that the NFL had already planned security for the event over the past two years. The league worked with federal, state, and local authorities and reassessed the plans after the January 1 attack to ensure fans feel safe before the game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
“I think the biggest thing that you’ll see that’s different following the attacks is just a lot more visible law enforcement presence,” she said. “We are still prepared to make new modifications should something change between now and the Super Bowl. That’s kind of our job is to be flexible and make changes, as needed.”
Lanier added that the Department of Homeland Security gave the Super Bowl the second-highest security rating due to the attack.
“I feel very confident that we’re going to the Super Bowl in an environment that people are going to feel comfortable, they’re going to feel safe and they’re going to enjoy the Super Bowl,” she said.
