Klint Kubiak is keeping his cards close to his chest.
The preseason is now in the history books for the Las Vegas Raiders, but the starting quarterback in Week 1 remains a mystery for the silver-and-black.
Kubiak declined to name his QB1 in the immediate aftermath of the preseason finale. However, the rookie head coach might've provided a hint as to who has the edge in the battle between Kirk Cousins and Fernando Mendoza.
“He needs another three preseason games,” Kubiak said of Mendoza during his post game press conference. “You know, all those rookies do. And now that the season’s starting, you know, the practice reps get smaller, and that’s just life. But, us as coaches, we gotta get them ready to play, keep developing them.”
“The NFL is really tough," Mendoza said. "There is a big jump going from college to the NFL, and the speed in, there's so many different aspects. And the NFL is a tough business and it's a challenge. I look forward to taking head on with my teammates, and I'm excited for the future."
Luckily for Mendoza, his on-field future doesn't have to be his present.
The Raiders opted to sign Cousins as a bridge to the rookie, affording the team an opportunity to let the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft to let him sit and learn behind a quarterback he called "ruthlessly efficient."
Cousins started for a second time in the preseason, seemingly indicating the Raiders' intention to start him. While Kubiak refuses to officially name a starter, Cousins isn't worried about the decision ahead of Week 1.
"It's just up to coach," said Cousins. "You just do the best you can with the opportunities you're given, lead as well as you can, compete, and you're never a finished product. Naming something one day can change the next day. So you just go about your business each day methodically and let the chips fall they may."
Of course, Kubiak has no obligation to name his QB1. It could just be some gamesmanship from the rookie head coach. After all, everything seems to point in one player's direction to get the nod in Week 1.
One way or another, that decision will be revealed no later than 4:25 p.m. ET on Sept. 13 when the Raiders kick off the season at home against the Miami Dolphins.
As the anticipation for the 2026-27 NHL season grows, TheHockeyNews.com will be taking a look at the top 10 prospects in the St. Louis Blues' system, with towering 6-foot-4 Canadian center Maddox Dagenais coming in at the fifth spot.
The players in this ranking do not have extensive NHL experience and are all 23 and under. Therefore, players like Jimmy Snuggerud, Dalibor Dvorsky, and Logan Mailloux, among others, won't feature in this ranking for those reasons.
The order of these rankings reflects a mix of their ceilings and potential, as well as how they've performed over the past year with their respective clubs.
Depending on which scout you trust, the Blues either had great value in selecting Dagenais at pick 16 of the 2026 NHL draft, or they reached. Either way, the Blues felt he was their guy, and they snagged him up in the first round.
Heading into the 2026 NHL draft, the Blues felt that center depth in their prospect pool and in their lineup was a weak point. With their first two selections, they grabbed centers Tynan Lawrence and Dagenais, while also trading for 23-year-old Mason McTavish.
Now, the Blues have first-round picks of Robert Thomas, Dalibor Dvorsky, McTavish, Lawrence, and Dagenais within their roster or prospect pool.
But Dagenais brings a different element than all of the aforementioned players. Standing 6-foot-4 and weighing 196 pounds, Dagenais plays as physically as his frame suggests. Dagenais uses his body very well when shielding the puck. He uses reverse hits to create space and uses his height to protect the puck.
By all accounts, Dagenais is a typical power forward. While his defensive game isn't discussed as much as other aspects of his game, there is plenty of room for growth in that area.
Offensively, the 18-year-old has a heavy shot that he can show off in transition. Despite his size, Dagenais is a powerful skater, using linear crossovers to gain speed.
Dagenais possesses many valuable skills, but patience will be important for his development. Whether he plays two more seasons with the Québec Remparts in the QMJHL and then joins the Springfield Thunderbirds in the AHL, or moves to the NCAA, allowing Dagenais time to develop his skills and add weight to his frame will be critical to his success.
Trying to predict where Dagenais projects is difficult. If all goes well, Dagenais could become a top-six center, and the hope is that, at worst, Dagenais can become a third-line center.
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SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - AUGUST 13: Carnell Tate #14 of the Tennessee Titans warms up prior to the start of the game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on August 13, 2026 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The NFL Rookie of the Year awards are always a curious marker for success. In recent years we’ve had standout talent like Ja’Marr Chase and Micah Parsons win the award and go on to dominate the NFL, but dig just a little deeper and there’s guys like Eddie Lacy and Marcus Peters who ended up being small blips on the radar when it came to their NFL career.
The common thread when it comes to winning Rookie of the Year in the NFL is landing on a team that requires you to play immediately, and at a position where there isn’t a lot of talent, meaning a rookie can shine. Today we’re diving into the offensive and defensive sides of the ball to look at the guys who start the 2026 season in the best position to make noise.
Offensive Rookie of the Year
Carnell Tate, WR — Tennessee Titans
The stage is set for Carnell Tate to make noise with the Titans this season. Tennessee is going to be throwing the ball a lot to get back into games while Robert Saleh builds their defense over time, and when that happens rookie receivers in a shallow depth chart get a ton of opportunities. There’s also an impetus to call many plays that get Tate involved in the passing game with Cam Ward to develop their relationship as teammates.
It’s a similar situation to Tetairoa McMillan with the Panthers a year ago. Tate is in a position right now to stuff the stat sheet, and he’s my favorite to win the award this year.
Makai Lemon, WR — Philadelphia Eagles
Lemon is sitting at WR3 on the Eagles depth chart, which is the role he was drafted for. Working out of the slot in this offense will give him a lot of opportunities, and Philly brings the exposure needed to build a campaign. Lemon is also in a position where he could get a lot of targets from Jalen Hurts, and is in a rare situation among the rookie receivers where he’s landing on an elite offense.
There’s a chance he could become a key touchdown scorer this season, and I’m not entirely sure that being on an offense with DeVonta Smith will really hurt him.
Carson Beck, QB — Arizona Cardinals
Rounding out the top three is a quarterback, and not the one you’d expect. While Fernando Mendoza will absolutely get reps this season, I think he’ll start a little too late to really make a campaign. Instead I think that Carson Beck has the potential to be this year’s Tyler Shough, the second-day QB who starts earlier than expected and makes waves.
The Cardinals did take Jeremiyah Love early, but I think that offensive line isn’t good enough to let him shine — similar to Ashton Jeanty in 2025. Beck meanwhile has a chance to be integral in the passing offense as soon as the team pivots off Jacoby Brissett, which will happen.
Defensive Rookie of the Year
Arvell Reese, LB — New York Giants
The Giants defense is utterly stacked, but I have a lot of faith in John Harbaugh moving Arvell Reese all over the line and using him in creative ways. Also, with Brian Burns and Abdul Carter rushing the passer there’s going to be free lanes for Reese to make plays as a linebacker, and his insticts in a Harbz defense makes for a really compelling package.
I believe Reese can become an impact player quickly, stuff the stat sheet, and put together a resume that is impossible to ignore.
Caleb Downs, S — Dallas Cowboys
Not only was Downs my favorite player in this draft class, but might be the best safety I’ve ever evaluated. Instincts and athletic ability coalesce to create a truly brilliant player who can work up around the line and bring some pass rush for the ‘Boys, or drop back and deliver big hits in the secondary.
I’m a sucker for anyone who can play multiple levels in the NFL and I think Downs will have a lot of opportunities to shine working out of the Nickel as a rookie.
Dillon Thieneman, S — Chicago Bears
The Bears LOVE to generate turnovers, and it’s here that Thieneman can make an impact as a rookie. He’s extremely good at defending the pass in the air, and this will come into play with a Bears secondary that’s really good at locking down the corners and pressuring passes inside.
When the dust settles he could get 4+ interceptions this season, a solid amount of tackles, and establish himself as a great safety for this Bears system.
Just like that, Detroit Lions training camp is officially complete. After about four weeks of practices, the last hurdles standing between the team and the regular season are the final preseason season game against the Indianapolis Colts on Saturday, and cut-down day on Sunday where coach Dan Campbell and general manager Brad Holmes will be faced with some difficult decisions in regards to who is going to make the final roster.
And while we can expect the majority of the Lions’ starters to be in street clothes for the preseason finale in Indiana, there are still several hotly-contested competitions taking place, starting at the quarterback position. Can rookie quarterback Luke Altmyer do enough to unseat the battle-tested veteran Josh Dobbs? Staying on the offensive side of the ball, there are still things to sort out concerning the running back and wide receiver positions, too.
Defensively, there are potentially even more tough decisions to make. Along the defensive line, there is a bit of a logjam at defensive tackle between the likes of Skyler Gill-Howard, Chris Smith, and Mekhi Wingo. Moving into the secondary and there may be even more questions than the defensive line.
That brings us to today’s question of the day:
What will you be watching for in the Lions’ final preseason game against the Colts?
My answer: As usual, my eyes will be fixed on the trenches. On the offensive line, who gets the most work at center? Will Juice Scruggs see any reps, or will he also be in street clothes? If he isn’t dressed, will Seth McLaughlin see the majority of the opportunities? On the other side of the ball, will the last preseason game help the coaching staff figure out which direction they want to go in as far as the active roster is concerned?
What about you? What will you be watching for in Saturday’s game against the Colts? Join our community and share your answer in the comment section.
ASHWAUBENON, WISCONSIN - JULY 31: Tyrod Taylor #6 of the Green Bay Packers throws a pass during the Green Bay Packers training camp at Ray Nitschke Field on July 31, 2026 in Ashwaubenon, Wisconsin. (Photo by Patrick McDermott/Getty Images) | Getty Images
A few days ago, I tried with all my might to make the case for why each of Tyrod Taylor and Kyle McCord are worthy of being the Green Bay Packers QB2. Dear reader, there was a reason that article was like 300 words long. With one preseason game left for the Packers, the team will soon have to decide who they want stepping in if they find themselves without Jordan Love. Here’s what’s wrong with both of their candidates.
The Case Against Tyrod Taylor
A career journeyman, Taylor has spent time with 8 different teams since being drafted in 2011. The experience is there, but the ride has been bumpy. Taylor has started 63 career games, but has just one playoff start to show for it, way back in 2017 with the Buffalo Bills. AKA: When Tyrod is your long-term starter, your season is probably lost. To be fair—this can be said about most backup quarterbacks, and some starters!
There’s a reason Taylor has lasted 15 years in the NFL. He’s been pretty serviceable, and has been somewhat of a dual threat with his legs over the years. The problem is, I’m worried he doesn’t have it in him anymore. Through two preseason games, the 37-year-old has completed 8 of 16 passes for 38 yards and 1 TD, and has rushed 3 times for 11 yards. Yes, this is preseason, and head coach Matt LaFleur isn’t pulling all of his regular season tricks out of the bag just yet, but I’m having a hard time envisioning a potential Taylor start going as well as what we saw with Malik Willis.
The Case Against Kyle McCord
And then we have…the baby! Kyle McCord has seen zero regular season action as an NFL player since being drafted in 2025 by the Philadelphia Eagles. So, we don’t exactly know what we’re working with, outside of what we’ve seen this preseason. Through two games, McCord has 24 completions on 35 attempts for 220 yards. He’s not considered much of a threat on his legs, which is a stark shift from one of the things that made Malik Willis so fun for Matt LaFleur in Green Bay. Now, I’m not here to judge a quarterback by his lack of explosiveness in the run game, but I can’t really judge Kyle McCord by much, can I? Therein lies the problem.
The Verdict
Personally, I think McCord gets cut, simply due to inexperience. There’s something there that should keep him on the practice squad, unless something uncouth happens during Friday’s game against the Arizona Cardinals. I think the Packers are looking for a guy who can lead a locker room if needed, and we’ve seen that Tyrod Taylor can at least do that. One thing is for sure: the Packers backup in 2026 is going to be either a guy who was drafted 180th overall 15 years ago, or a guy who was drafted 181st overall 1 year ago. Buckle up. The team’s final preseason game is at home against Mike LaFleur and the Arizona Cardinals on Friday at 7 PM local time.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 29: Leonard Williams #99 of the Seattle Seahawks reacts before delivering the the first pitch before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at T-Mobile Park on May 29, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Jack Compton/Getty Images) | Getty Images
When our Seattle Seahawks traded for Leo Williams, there was a bit of talk about wasted picks, positional need, and other uncertainties, especially considering how discombobulated our team was at the time. Now, I’d say event the most causal of ‘Hawks fans would agree that Mister Williams is not only an integral part of this current iteration of the squad; but, a Seahawks legend. Leonard Williams is very happy to be a Seahawk. I’d say the coaching staff is hyped. And you? How are you feeling about Williams’ extension? Be honest, how did you feel at the time of the trade? I remember arguing with my nephew about it. His response was, “who is Leonard Williams?” Now, he knows. Let us know how you feel in the comments below. Thanks for being here. Happy Friday! Go, ‘Hawks!
No Ego, All Legacy: Jody Allen Bids Farewell to the Seahawks – Emerald City Spectrum We see it all the time in sports, especially in the NFL. Owners are, usually by nature, egocentric billionaires who want the credit, glory, and control. Jerry Jones in Dallas is the posterchild for the meddling, egomaniac owner. It hasn’t won him a Super Bowl in three decades. Jimmy Haslam in Cleveland certainly has a track record of similar behavior.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - AUGUST 22: J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Minnesota Vikings walks off the field after the preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens at U.S. Bank Stadium on August 22, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Stephen Maturen/Getty Images) | Getty Images
J.J. McCarthy’s ankle, Max Brosmer’s tape, and Friday’s roster auditions in Denver dominate The Real Forno Show as Tyler Forness and Dave Stefano preview Minnesota’s last exhibition.
Tyler opened with the only question that still moves the building: will McCarthy play Friday at 8 p.m. CT against the Broncos? He missed Wednesday so the deltoid ankle sprain could settle. Forness’s read is blunt. “If he does play, and especially coming off of an injury like this, I think it’s another stronger signal that he’s done in Minnesota.” He still expects McCarthy gone by Sunday’s 3 p.m. cut deadline — trade or waiver — and listed Jets, Dolphins, Chargers (Jim Harbaugh), Cowboys, and Cardinals as the shops worth watching, while parking rumor-mill “he wants out” items until Rapoport, Schefter, or Pelissero confirm them.
The blame pie is split on purpose. “I think you’re going to have to put blame on both the coaching staff, Kevin O’Connell included, and J.J. McCarthy.” Forness will not settle that argument until McCarthy’s next stop plays out: Darnold renaissance or flameout. Dave asked who Friday is supposed to impress. Tyler’s answer: not the fans first. “I think McCarthy really needs to prove to himself that he can be that guy again… he’s lost that confidence.” The Raiders tape from two years ago is the standard. The meniscus, the slump, and too many voices in his ear (O’Connell, the QB coach, Wes Phillips) are the wreckage. Grant Udinski’s exit is “worth considering at a high level,” Forness said — “I am also not willing to sit here confidently and say that it’s everything.”
Brosmer is the other face on the thumbnail. Last year’s UDFA earned QB3 over Brett Rypien, then got thrown into real games he “shouldn’t have had to play.” Friday he may see almost the whole night. Tyler wants last year’s preseason version: anticipation, middle-of-the-field answers, no telegraphed picks. “The only way he’s on the roster is if J.J. McCarthy’s gone.” If McCarthy stays, Brosmer is fighting for a practice-squad tape dump.
What they’re watching Friday:
J.J. McCarthy’s future: Rumblings from insiders suggest McCarthy wants out and teams have called about a trade. Forness expects resolution by Sunday.
Max Brosmer’s opportunity: The undrafted QB may play nearly the entire game. “I wanna see the Max Brosmer of last preseason and I wanna see it take a little bit of a step forward,” Forness said.
RB3 battle — Demond Claiborne vs. Zavier Scott: Claiborne needs to prove his speed translates: “Speed only matters if you can use it in a football context.” Scott must show he can block and contribute on special teams.
WR6 — Dillon Bell vs. Dontae Fleming: With Jeshaun Jones suspended three games (DUI arrest, per Ben Goessling’s reporting), the sixth receiver spot is open. “Bell had a lot of hype coming into training camp and he’s kinda fallen flat,” while Fleming has been “inconsistent, but solid.”
Tight end — Gavin Bartholomew vs. Ben Yurosek: The long-term TE1 conversation is live. “Who do they think can maybe develop into your tight end one next year?”
Offensive line depth concerns: Beyond the top six, Forness was blunt: “After that, Dave, it’s kind of stinky.”
EDGE/DL: Edge 3 is the hole. Chaz Chambliss (now No. 40 so he can play fullback without reporting) has ST value. Elijah Williams is ahead of Isaiahh Loudermilk. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins profiles as a 5-tech
Linebacker shakeup: Ivan Pace Jr. could be expendable. “If you get enough from both [Jacob]Roberts and Bangally Kamara to where, hey, Ivan Pace expendable, you’re gonna save almost $2.7 million.”
Jakobe Thomas (drafted safety) vs. Jacob Thomas (UDFA safety): “Jacob Thomas has outshined everybody in that secondary, but it’s also UDFA in the preseason. I wanna see the third-round pick play.”
CBs: Charles Demmings and Da’Veawn Armstead for CB4/5; Zemaiah Vaughn is the sneak.
Jake Golday’s role: Forness envisions a Dallas Turner-like development path — sub-packages only, not a full snap load yet.
Punter battle: Johnny Hekker vs. Brett Thorson — watch hang time, direction, and ball placement.
Listen:
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Watch:
“Everybody is expendable. Everybody,” Forness said. That is the whole finale. Live Two-Minute Warning lands around 10:45 p.m. CT Friday; Two Old Bloggers takes the 3 p.m. Sunday cutdown.
Watch the full Real Forno Show from Vikings 1st & SKOL and Bleav, then tell us: if McCarthy takes the first snap in Denver, is that development — or a goodbye tape?
Does J.J. McCarthy playing Friday mean the Vikings are already done with him? Do you think McCarthy has played his last snap in purple?
CLEVELAND, OHIO - AUGUST 27: Wide receiver Luke Floriea #81 of the Cleveland Browns scores a touchdown against cornerback Kindle Vildor #28 of the New England Patriots in the first quarter of a preseason game at Huntington Bank Field on August 27, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) | Getty Images
The worst position group for the Cleveland Browns last year was arguably the wide receiver group. GM Andrew Berry took on the assignment to improve this group and get them out of the hole of being ranked #32 last year. In case you are scoring at home, that is dead last.
Each NFL club usually retains five or six receivers. For the Browns, Jerry Jeudy and the two rookies are a lock. The coaching staff really likes the development of Isaiah Bond. That leaves two spots.
Floriea was signed to a reserve/futures deal in January. Jamari Thrash and Corley were tendered in March. Wallace came to Cleveland during the free agency period. Undrafted rookies Aaron Anderson and Kole Wilson were inked right after the draft.
Anderson and Thrash ended up injured and were waived with an injury designation. Undrafted rookie Ben Patterson was then signed to fill the void.
The Ohio kid
Back to Floriea, which is pronounced as “Flo-REE-uh.” He is an Ohio player. He grew up in Mentor, Ohio, and attended Mentor High School, where he played basketball and football despite only being 5’-8” tall and weighing 179 pounds. Floriea was an exceptional basketball player, playing 101 contests and averaging 11.5 points a game, 2.7 rebounds, 2.0 steals, and 4.4 assists. 22 times in his final three seasons, he was named the “Player of the Game.”
In football, he played receiver and ran a 4.48 in the 40 with a vertical leap of 32”. As a senior, he had 52 receptions for 939 yards and 14 touchdowns. He was named Second Team All-Ohio, First Team All-District, and First Team All-County. He was listed as a three-star recruit. Athletics run in the family, as his sister Paige was a track star.
He had plenty of offers, but chose Kent State.
His career totals are 48 games played, 100 receptions for 1,321 yards, 12 TDs, a 13.2 yards-per-reception average, and four rushes for 23 yards with a single score. Floriea was also a return man with seven kickoffs for a 17.8 yards-per-return average, plus 21 punt returns with an average of 7.6 yards per return.
After his junior and senior seasons, Floriea was named First Team All-MAC and received a Hula Bowl invite. As a senior, he caught 44 receptions for 699 yards with seven touchdowns. He ranked fifth in the conference in yards per catch (15.9).
The sixth and final receiver spot on the Browns’ roster is up for grabs. Last year, Floriea was a bubble guy as well, was waived, and then spent the year on Cleveland’s practice squad.
Versus the Patriots
Going into the final preseason game with the New England Patriots, it was made known that the starters weren’t going to play, and this contest was for the bottom third of the roster to prove that they deserved a roster spot.
Like Floriea.
Against New England, Floriea was lined up with the second team. The final catch of the first drive impressed.
Cleveland had driven down to New England’s seven-yard line with a first-and-goal. Rocket Sanders had gotten most of the yardage to finally get the offense down close. With Dillon Gabriel at quarterback, he found Floriea who had come from the left slot to the right flats, alone at the 9-yard line.
He then headed to the right pylon despite three defenders bearing down on him. Staying in-bounds by inches, he fought his way to the pylon for the game’s first touchdown with CB Kindle Vildor and S John Saunders all over him.
It wasn’t the crossing route, or getting wide open, or his decision to turn upfield, or his speed. It was the fight to get into the end zone for points that was the most impressive.
Make that two touchdowns in two weeks.
On the next possession, the pass was to WR Greg Larvadain with 7:31 left in the first quarter. Larvadain caught the ball while Floriea then walled off his man, which gave the receiver an extra six yards on the completed pass. It’s plays like this that don’t show up on the stat sheet.
Let’s discuss his second touchdown of the game.
The Browns drove down to New England’s fourteen-yard line. Dillon in shotgun, with Floriea now as the right slot receiver. He did a right juke, then immediately cut to the inside and headed towards the left center of the end zone. He pretty much shrugged off his man, CB Marcellas Dial, but still had a safety man deep. The pass hit him perfectly at the seven-yard line with two steps now on Dial.
His speed got him to the three as S Dell Pettus approached, Floriea gave him a right-turn head bob. This caused Pettus to pause, which gave Floriea a millisecond. Then the two met at the one with a fight to cross the goal line.
Yes, both scores were against the Patriots’ second-team defense. We get that. However, receivers have the job of catching passes and trying to score. Floriea is doing both. He doesn’t drop balls. He doesn’t throw his arms up when he doesn’t make a contested catch. He accepts incompletions. He runs crisp routes. He sells his fakes. He does his job.
This year, it just seems different for Floriea. His routes have more meaning. He is giving extra deception and is selling it more.
I’ll be completely honest: What you saw from Luke Floriea tonight is what we see every day in practice. He consistently gets open, makes plays, works hard and is a great teammate.
This isn’t a feel-good story anymore. I talked about him last year, and he continues to produce.… https://t.co/yL72FhBOJm
— Lance Reisland (Coach Riz) (@LanceReisland) August 28, 2026
Take Floriea’s touchdown-not-touchdown in the second quarter. The throw was bad and died heading towards the ground. Yet Floriea made the effort with both hands and was one inch away from his third touchdown of the game. In fact, the initial call was touchdown, but the replay showed a small skip off the turf.
Is it enough?
Patterson did some good things in the Patriots game, including the 52-yard gain and leading all receivers. He seems destined for the practice squad. Larvadain has had a roller coaster in training camp as well as in preseason games. That might become two down.
Sources: Former #Jets WR Malachi Corley is signing with the #Browns.
I’m told Corley had multiple opportunities on the open market, and ultimately chose Cleveland. pic.twitter.com/bHXDWo8MGn
Corley is a guy who failed to wow anybody in preseason, but the coaching staff loves him. He offered more as a complete player last year, even though that was with another staff. But he has a lot of potential, has genuine juice, and came from a college program that was on full throttle every game on offense. He is a weapon once he catches the ball and is an above-average kickoff returner, adding to his versatility. The last receivers on the depth chart usually have to also play on punt and kick coverage units as well, something Corley has experience with.
What do you think about Floriea’s chances of making the roster? Should the Browns choose WR talent over special teams contributions to keep the Mentor native?
The moment came during Amazon Prime Video’s broadcast of the Cleveland Browns’ preseason game against the New England Patriots. As the broadcast returned from a commercial break, the camera showed an aerial view of Cleveland, Ohio, with Lake Erie in the background.
Michaels, 81, used the shot to reference Trump’s executive order, which he signed earlier Thursday directing the federal government to rename Lake Ontario “Lake America” for federal purposes. The move came as tensions with Canada over a trade deal continue to escalate.
“That is Lake Erie. We think it is still called Lake Erie. We’re not quite sure at this point,” Michaels said. “But we’ll be by Lake something like Ontario or whatever it’s going to be called by the time we get to Buffalo [for Week 1].”
Michaels added, “Anyway, you know what I’m talking about. Some of you do. Read the news.”
Al Michaels took a not-so-subtle jab at President Donald Trump during Thursday night’s NFL preseason broadcast, joking about the president’s decision to rename Lake Ontario 'Lake America' (Getty)
His broadcast partner, Kirk Herbstreit, 57, appeared to stay out of the joke, responding only with a brief “Some of us do [know about the name change].”
The joke came just hours after Trump signed the executive order renaming Lake Ontario. The change applies to U.S. federal usage and does not change what the lake is called in Canada.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney rejected the name change, saying the lake’s name is more than 400 years old and predates both the founding of Canada and the U.S.
Carney said on X that Canadians would continue to call it Lake Ontario “then, now and always.” Other Canadian officials, including Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston, also dismissed Trump’s move.
Trump’s executive order directs the Interior Department to update the federal Geographic Names Information System, and requires US agencies to use ‘Lake America’ (Reuters)
Ford wrote on X, ‘It’s Lake Ontario to Canadians and the rest of the world. Now and forever,” while Houston said, “It’s Lake Ontario, buddy.”
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, whose state borders the lake, likewise rejected the new name, saying, “New York won’t be calling it that.”
Trump’s executive order directs the U.S. Interior Department to update the federal Geographic Names Information System and requires federal agencies to use “Lake America,” but it does not have authority over Canada or other countries, international organizations or private entities.
Trump's order is the latest in a series of geographic name changes pursued by his administration. In 2025, Trump directed the federal government to use “Gulf of America” instead of “Gulf of Mexico,” while his administration also restored the name Mount McKinley for Alaska’s Denali.
Michaels has been Amazon Prime Video’s lead Thursday Night Football play-by-play announcer since 2022, working alongside Herbstreit. He is a legendary broadcaster best known for his famous “Miracle on Ice” call at the 1980 Winter Olympics.
The Independent has contacted the White House and Amazon Prime Video for comment.
PHILADELPHIA, PA - JANUARY 11: Christian McCaffrey #23 of the San Francisco 49ers runs the ball during an NFL wild card playoff football game against the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field on January 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Hello all! Fantasy football is back for yet another year! Can you believe it? The NFL has been given the go-ahead for another season! This plucky upstart of a league may just make it after all. And as long as the NFL is still churning out football games, I’ll have my drafting tiers for all of you fake footballers. There is plenty of drafting software out there now that can help when you sit down to pick your team, but will they be FREE like my tiers? Will they! No. They probably won’t.
My tiers are like other tiers you’ll find out there in the wild, but these are in PDF form and are printable! This new fangled technology has disrupted the whole fantasy football market! I always draft from printed tiers because it’s easier to see the whole picture of the draft with all the positions and players on one page grouped into tiers of similar value. Give it a go!
2026 Fantasy Draft Strategy
First off, I really want to grab two running backs from Tier 2. If I get the first or second pick, I’ll grab Jahmyr Gibbs or Bijan Robinson. That gives me tremendous fantasy floor and upside and lets me go with the best pick between a wide receiver and running back.
Secondly, I love the first three tiers of wide receivers. After I get my two running backs, I want to go hard in grabbing wide receivers from Tier 3 or Tier 2 if any have fallen.
Thirdly, tight end is deep this year and I don’t feel the need to use a top pick on one of the true studs. I will most-likely grab someone from Tier 3. If I happen to miss all the TEs through Tier 3, I’ll probably grab two tight ends to stream, unless I have really short benches and then I’ll stream from the waiver wire.
Fourthly, I see quarterback as deep as well. Sure, I’d love Josh Allen, but I think the strategic move is to wait, especially in home leagues that often grab QBs early. Which QB I get will probably depend a lot on how the draft goes. If we get into the 6th or 7th round, and someone from Tier 2 has fallen, I’ll grab him. If not, I’ll feel pretty good about getting someone from Tier 4. Jaxson Dart, who is in Tier 4, has a caveat in that I want to make sure I have a usable backup for him, as he spends way too much time in the medical tent.
Fifthly, I almost always wait until the final two rounds for kicker and defense. This is tried and true and I stick by it, but, if somehow Brandon Aubrey falls far enough, and I’m in a league that only starts QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, FLEX, K, D/ST, then kicker takes up a decent portion of your total score each week. Aubrey is going to have some 20 point weeks and average in the double-digits. That can be an edge. Also, be sure to check kicker scoring. If they give you a big boost for 50 and 60 yard field goals, try to get Aubrey.
Sunday, August 30 features an exciting MLB tripleheader on NBC and Peacock. First, at 12:00 PM ET, the Miami Marlins face the Washington Nationals in the MLB Sunday Leadoff game. Then, at 3:00 PM, the Houston Astros take on the New York Mets at Citi Field. Later, at 7:00 PM, Sunday Night Baseball heads to Wrigley Field as the Cincinnati Reds go head-to-head with the Chicago Cubs. See below for additional information on how to watch each game.
2016 Cubs World Series champion Anthony Rizzo and 1990 NL All-Star pitcher Jeff Brantley join play-by-play voice Jason Benetti on the call for Sunday's Reds vs Cubs game.
Ahmed Fareed will host the pregame show alongside Joey Votto, who will also provide “Inside the Pitch” commentary from the batter’s perspective during the game.
MLB Sunday Leadoff is a weekly Major League Baseball showcase featuring live Sunday daytime games. It highlights marquee matchups throughout the regular season and streams primarily on Peacock, with some games also airing across NBC Sports and NBC.
MLB Sunday Night Baseball is a weekly primetime Major League Baseball showcase, featuring marquee matchups each Sunday night during the regular season. The games air on NBC and Peacock and anchor NBC Sports’ Sunday night programming lineup.
NBC Sports will also stream one out-of-market game each day of the 2026 MLB season nationally on Peacock. Telemundo Deportes will present all NBCUniversal-produced MLB games in Spanish, with Universo televising all games broadcast on NBC.
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Due to territorial blackout restrictions, select regular season, special event, and Postseason games may be unavailable on Peacock. Television territory blackout restrictions apply regardless of whether a Club is home or away and regardless of whether a game is televised in that Club's home television territory. For more information, visit Peacock’s Help Center.
Tennessee guard Manny Green (1) speaks at Tennessee basketball media availability on Aug. 27, 2026. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Co
Tennessee basketball is so loaded with transfers that it’s easy to forget about the freshman class coming in. Manny Green is trying to change that, though.
Throughout summer practices, Green has been standing out to those in attendance. The 6-7 wing enters the equation in Knoxville buried under several veteran faces in the rotation, but he’s quickly proven that he belongs and could make a push for some minutes this season.
“Manny’s been a pleasant surprise,” Tennessee assistant coach Amarrow Morgan said. “Like, just his willingness and understanding of what needs to be done in order for him to potentially get on the floor. He’s coming and asking questions.”
Green has something a lot of freshmen don’t these day, which is a want to understand the culture that was created before him. At Tennessee under Rick Barnes, that means embracing defense — and the Volunteers have had plenty of examples through the years. He also realizes that defense could be his way onto the floor early on.
“He’s doing things that most freshmen don’t do,” Morgan said. “He’s asking to watch film of Jahmai Mashack. He’s asking to watch film of Zakai Zeigler, some of the greats that came before him.
“If there’s an area that we could potentially be deficient at right now, we got a lot of scoring, who’s gonna be willing to be one of those tough, hard-nosed connectors, guys that are willing to guard? And man, he’s trying to do what he can and give himself a chance to play. He’s asking questions, trying to learn about those guys that came before him. And Manny has also been making shots at a high clip. We’re really excited about Manny and his development and his growth for sure.”
Green comes to Tennessee as a 4-star prospect ranking just outside of the top 100 players in last year’s cycle. The Georgia native scored 23.7 points per game as a senior, leading Cedar Grove High School to a 5-3A state title in Georgia. Green committed to Tennessee over Alabama, Auburn and several others.
“Just defensively, in my opinion, just understanding that, hey, Tennessee is being a top 15 defense in the country year in and year out,” Morrow said. “How can we continue to sustain it? How can we continue to have it? And we just need to do that with having guys with that type of mindset that Manny has. Manny has the right mindset right now. He understands that as a freshman, it might not be his offensive night every single night, but he’s just trying to do whatever he can and find an opportunity to get on the floor. And then from there, you never know what could happen.”
Green will fight for time behind the Juke Harris, Dai Dai Ames, Tyler Lundblade, Troy Henderson and others, but the potential is there for him to carve out a role. Could he be the next defensive stopper for Rick Barnes? Jahmai Mashack has made a career out of that, which is exactly why Green is going to work studying him.
Barnes will undoubtedly get frustrated early in the season and tinker with the rotation, as he always does. Don’t be surprised if Green is tossed onto the floor in a big spot so Barnes can see what he’s got.
In Part Three of this series, we’ll take a look at the back half of the top 10 Anaheim Ducks prospects heading into the 2026-27 season. None of these prospects are likely destined to perform at the top of an NHL lineup in their careers, but they all play highly translatable games, and it would be somewhat surprising if they didn’t each play at least 100 career games in the NHL.
Due to the cap structure the Ducks’ front office is now forced to operate under, they’ll likely have to move forward with a top-heavy roster, and the development of these five players and the five players who will be highlighted in Part Four will be paramount if the Ducks are to keep their build on track. Luckily, they have a lot of arrows in the quiver, as their goal is now to fill out the middle of their depth chart with these young, translatable players.
Author’s Note: To qualify for this list, players must be rookie-eligible in 2026-27. Unfortunately, that disqualifies Tristan Luneau from this particular exercise.
In reverse order, let’s dive into the Ducks’ top 10 prospects:
10. Eric Nilson, 19, Michigan State University (NCAA)
C, 6-foot, 170 pounds, 45th overall in 2025
Nilson made the jump to North America the season after he was drafted in the second round by the Ducks with a pick they acquired in the trade that sent Trevor Zegras to the Philadelphia Flyers. In his freshman season at MSU, Nilson was given a premium checking role and did well to become the goal line to goal line, matchup center that was required of him, but his production suffered as a result. He only tallied 11 points (3-8=11) in 35 NCAA games and added three points (1-2=3) at the 2026 World Junior Championships, where Sweden won a gold medal.
Compared to former Ducks center William Karlsson at the time of his draft by Ducks director of amateur scouting and assistant GM Martin Madden, Nilson is effortlessly smooth, intelligent, and technically proficient over the entire ice surface and on both sides of the puck. He performed in the role he was tasked with during his freshman season, but the hope is that with more comfort at the NCAA level in his sophomore season, he’ll see the production increase to the level he’s capable of.
If he can explore the limits of his puck skills, express his creativity, and add to his frame, his ceiling tops out at that of a middle-six forward. His IQ and skating raise his floor considerably, and should lead to him playing at least a couple hundred NHL games throughout his career.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2028-29
9. Lasse Boelius, 19, Assat (Liiga)
LHD, 6-foot-1, 190 pounds, 60th in ’25
Speaking of Madden, he certainly has a type when it comes to blueliners. In the mold of Cam Fowler, Hampus Lindholm, Shea Theodore, Marcus Pettersson, Jacob Larsson, Jackson LaCombe, and Pavel Mintyukov comes Boelius, drafted from Assat in Finland. Consistently playing above his age group, Boelius hasn’t produced much on the offensive side of the puck. He only totaled eight points (1-7=8) in 40 Liiga games a year ago. That’s not to say he’s incapable of offensive production, as he tallied seven points (2-5=7) in seven games at the 2026 World Junior Championship.
Boelius is mobile, long, and consistently makes crisp, smart outlets up ice. He hasn’t shown much willingness to activate and attack low in the offensive zone to this point, but is more than capable of patrolling a blueline and getting intelligent shots through traffic. Playing in professional men’s leagues has refined his defensive habits quickly and raised his projected NHL floor. He’ll return to Liiga for the upcoming 2026-27 season.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2029-30
8. Lucas Pettersson, 20, San Diego Gulls (AHL)
C, 6-foot, 190 pounds, 35th in ’24
Like Nilson, Pettersson was also compared to William Karlsson by Martin Madden at the time of his draft in 2024. However, at this point in their careers, Pettersson has the offensive edge on Nilson, rendering him a bit more akin to that of another former Ducks player who developed alongside Karlsson: Rickard Rakell. Pettersson played his first full SHL season with Brynas IF in 2025-26, scoring 20 points (10-10=20) in 41 games and adding six (4-2=6) in six WJC games.
Pettersson is another 200-foot center, prolific on both sides of the puck and in every zone. He is an intelligent, high-pace attacker who cleverly finds ways to get pucks on his stick and make plays from there with quick cutbacks and changes in direction. He made the jump to the AHL at the tail end of 2025-26, and though he failed to register a point in four games, he can now hit the ground running and knows what’s expected of him to succeed with the Gulls in 2026-27.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2027-28
7. Anton Wahlberg, 21, San Diego Gulls (AHL)
W, 6-foot-4, 205 pounds, 39th in ’23
The Ducks acquired Wahlberg from the Buffalo Sabres along with a second-round pick (Jayden Kurtz) in exchange for defenseman Olen Zellweger just before the start of the 2026 Draft. Wahlberg is among the Ducks’ most NHL-ready prospects following two full seasons in the AHL with the Rochester Americans. In 2025-26, he increased his production from 30 points (11-19=30) in 63 games to 37 points (9-28=37) in 68 games the year before and added three assists in three playoff games.
Wahlberg can play up and down a lineup, providing a forechecking impact and a desire to get to the interior of the ice. He’s capable of protecting pucks low on the cycle or making connecting plays on the rush. He possesses the necessary skill to play in the top half of a lineup and the tenacity and powerful skating ability to play lower if tasked. He’ll likely start the 2026-27 season in the AHL with the Gulls, but it wouldn’t be surprising if he proves to be one of the season’s first call-ups among forwards for the Ducks.
NHL Arrival Prediction: 2026-27
6. Tyson Hinds, 23, Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
LHD, 6-foot-3, 201 pounds, 76th in ’21
Hinds’ presence this high up the list may raise an eyebrow or two. His placement ultimately came down to the fact that he’s a surefire NHL defenseman right now. He’s in line for his first full season with the Ducks in 2026-27 after finishing the 2025-26 season on a recall and starting nine playoff games on the team’s run to the second round. With Jackson LaCombe and Pavel Mintyukov clearly ahead of him on the depth chart and Stian Solberg nipping at his heels, it’s unlikely Hinds will become more than a third-pairing defenseman. However, he’s capable and in line to receive a sizable role on the penalty kill for the Ducks moving forward and has the capacity to eat tough minutes against quality NHL competition.
Hinds uses every bit of his length and four-way mobility to angle and shut down rush attacks, get his stick in lanes and on pucks, and close perceived gaps quickly. He has enough skill to retrieve a puck, make a decent first pass, and get pucks to the net from the point, but his value comes on the defensive side of the puck, where he can provide a steadying presence for a more offensively inclined partner and become a difficult defenseman to play against on a shift-to-shift basis. He was one of the few Ducks defenders during their playoff run who could be relied upon to clear the net front of pucks and bodies on a consistent basis.
LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 26: Moses Itauma during the Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic: Natural Born Thriller workouts at Spitalfields on August 26, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Richard Pelham/Getty Images) | Getty Images
Ahead of this weekend’s heavyweight title fight between Moses Itauma and Filip Hrgovic, both fighters showed face for the final press conference before their fists start to fly. Itauma, who has the opportunity to become a world champion at just 21 years old, makes it clear that he’s focused on the belt more than any record.
“I’m not trying to become the second youngest heavyweight champion of the world, I’m trying to beat Filip Hrgovic and become a heavyweight champion,” Itauma said. “Second of all, listen, this fight is what I’ve wanted. I’ve asked Queensberry for so long. I think it’s a style matchup that I reckon I can thrive on, the pressure I can thrive on. Now, it’s just waiting until fight night.”
Hrgovic, 34, hasn’t shied away from the moment himself, having expressed a lot of confidence and being somewhat dismissive of Itauma during their promotional run up to this fight.
“I just telling you facts,” Hrgovic said. “I’m not playing games. I just tell you what I think in the moment. Like I said, I’m not so smart to play these mind games…I think he’s a kid, he’s not mature enough. I think I’m the man, I’m in much better age, much more experienced, and that’s it. No mind games…God willing, I’ll beat him. I’ll smash the kid on Saturday, I’ll send him back to high school.”
Hrgovic would continue to goad Itauma over the course of the event, and you can check out full highlights from the press conference in the link below!
Missouri and Learfield have partnered together for a “historic” sponsorship, the school announced on Friday. With it bring a jersey patch for the Tigers, coming to an agreement with Ambetter Health. This is just the latest college football program to add a patch ahead of the 2026 season.
“In less than three years, we have more than doubled our sponsorship revenue with over 130% growth, establishing significant NIL resources to help our teams secure the talent to compete for championships,” Mizzou athletic director Laird Veatch said in a statement. “That investment reflects the momentum and strength of the Mizzou brand and demonstrates the value we’re creating for our partners. We have asked the major corporate brands in our great state to seize this opportunity to partner with us to continue elevating our university brand and state economy – and many of those brands are responding in record fashion. We are incredibly grateful to these partners, and to our Learfield colleagues at Mizzou Sports Properties, and proud of the momentum we’re building together.
“As we continue to build these powerful partnerships across Missouri, we’re grateful for the incredible alignment we have with state leadership, particularly Gov. Kehoe and Sen. Schmitt, who have clearly demonstrated their support and recognition of the economic impact and brand development power of Mizzou Athletics for the State of Missouri.”
Football is not the only program to work alongside Ambetter Health. Missouri says Olympic sports will also have a patch on their jerseys moving forward. This includes men’s and women’s basketball, along with the baseball program.
