A notable NFL expert believes there was a very specific reason Aaron Rodgers waited until this week to re-sign with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and it wasn’t about haggling for money.

After a few months of speculation and rumors, the inevitable happened, and NFL legend Aaron Rodgers signed a new one-year deal with the Steelers. Most of the league expected him to return to Pittsburgh for a second season. Especially when the team did not give him many options.

When the Steelers exercised the unrestricted free agent tender on the 42-year-old, it severely limited his options to sign elsewhere because Pittsburgh would receive a compensatory draft selection if he joined another team. So why did it take until May for Rodgers to finally sign a contract?

Aaron Rodgers wanted to see the Steelers’ schedule before re-signing?

Some have speculated that he is still not sure whether he will play another season. Others have suggested that he was not completely set on reuniting with his former Green Bay Packers head coach, Mike McCarthy. However, Pro Football Talk’s Mike Florio has a different idea: Rodgers wanted to take a look at the Steelers’ 2026 schedule first.

Florio suggests that he waited until after May 14, when the schedule was released, to anger the NFL, because if he had known he would return in 2026, he would have placed more Steelers games in primetime during the first half of the season. And the four-time NFL MVP wouldn’t be interested in helping the league. But maybe he just wanted to see how tough the road to the playoffs could be?

While next season’s schedule isn’t easy for Pittsburgh, it’s not one of the five to six worst. Knowing they don’t have a specific schedule, perhaps Rodgers has received final confirmation that he will return for another season and make a playoff run in 2026. Because in the end, he just wants another year in the league for more wins and glory.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Following their disappointing loss in Game 5, an NBA expert explains why the Detroit Pistons are upset, and the Cleveland Cavaliers will head to the Eastern Conference Finals after Friday night.

Pistone did not want to be in this situation again. In the quarterfinals of this year’s playoffs, the former No. 1 seed suffered a 3–1 loss in their series with the Orlando Magic. However, this mostly young team showed its mettle by battling back and defeating Orlando in a do-or-die Game 7 last week.

They then started their semi-final series against the Cavaliers with a decisive win. It seemed like the team that was so dominant during the regular season was back and performing better. However, over the past week, the wheels on the bus have worn off, and Detroit now finds itself on the verge of elimination after blowing a nine-point lead in the final minutes of Game 5.

It was one of the worst losses to the franchise in decades and may be looked upon with regret for years to come. Still, there’s reason to believe that after such a crushing loss the Pistons can circle the wagons again and force a Game 7 on Sunday. However, on Thursday morning, The Athletic NBA expert Zach Harper explained why Detroit fans should be very concerned.

Cade Cunningham has been good, but not great, against the Cavaliers

Detroit’s loss on Wednesday wasn’t just about a bad night or a bad few minutes. It was about the issues that have been going on for the last few weeks. Cade Cunningham had 39 points, nine assists and six threes in Game 5. Numbers that should lead to victory. But Harper pointed to a bigger problem with the Pistons’ top star at the moment.

“[Cunningham] Harper wrote, “There were six more turnovers, bringing their turnover total to 69 in 12 games.” He also noted Cunningham “fell asleep” late in overtime and allowed James Harden to get his rebound off a missed free throw. A mistake that couldn’t happen at such a crucial moment.

Then Jalen Duren continues to disappear. A player who had a big breakout season in 2025-26 has been a huge disappointment in the playoffs. In 12 games, he is shooting 50% from the field, down from 65% during the season, and scoring half as many points a night as he did in the regular season.

Yet, in Game 5, things reached a new low point as he played only a few minutes in the fourth quarter and was benched for the entire overtime. Duren is the reason the Pistons had a great regular season, and he’s the reason they’re likely to be out in Game 6 on Friday night.

Detroit Pistons didn’t get the best version of the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 5

What makes things seem more ominous as the series returns to Cleveland is that the Cavaliers didn’t get great nights from their top stars on Wednesday. While Harden had 30 points, 8 boards and 6 assists, he shot 8-21 from the field and committed six turnovers. Donovan Mitchell had 21 points on 18 shots.

If not for Evan Mobley’s 19 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists, the Pistons would have won Game 5.

Detroit can certainly win on Friday night, but there are ample indications that Cleveland will go 7-0 at home in these playoffs and advance to the Conference Finals in Game 6.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A top NFL expert offered a bold prediction for the New York Giants that will have Big Blue fans happy heading into the 2026 season.

In November, the Giants were a complete mess. After finishing 3-14 in 2024, head coach Brian Daboll began the 2025 campaign with a miserable 2-8 record that included some brutal losses. Unsurprisingly, this was the last straw for the management, and they fired him midway through the fourth season. It was the right move, but there was no obvious replacement they could turn to.

Then the Baltimore Ravens gifted the Giants with the perfect option: John Harbaugh. Although it wasn’t easy and they are giving a Super Bowl winning coach a lot of money and control over the roster, there is a lot of hope and excitement for the team next season.

Not just because of how good a coach Harbaugh is, but because the Giants have some very good pieces on the roster that were absolutely wasted last season. Additionally, many NFL experts believe the team played well in last month’s draft, which included a pair of first-round picks in Arvel Reese and Francis Mauigoa.

The new coaching staff and roster have many in New York thinking the team can compete for a playoff spot this season. However, ESPN NFL expert Peter Schrager believes they can do even better and compete for the NFC East title.

Peter Schrager loves the NY Giants roster and coaching staff for the 2026 season

In a new conversation with SNY, Scherzer explained why he’s confident the Giants can be an “11 or 12-win team.”

“I think Jimmy and Jose are there. They’ve got a pretty good roster,” Schrager began by saying. “I was a little bit like, ‘Okay, let’s see how this all goes. [with Harbaugh] Based on the appointment process and ‘He is coming, but we have to wait.’ What’s up [General Manager Joe] Schoen, but he’s on the board, and in that offensive room, you’ve got Matt Nagy, Greg Roman, Brian Callahan, three really talented play callers, and two of them are former head coaches.

“And then Harbaugh is the ultimate adult in the room. The way he handled the Malik Nabors podcast appearance during the draft, I thought, was a masterclass on leadership and dealing with this new generation… I don’t think double-digit wins are crazy for the New York Giants.’

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

An MLB prospect expert believes New York Yankees Triple-A star Spencer Jones has a lot of potential. But he also believes that this young player could easily flop in the Bronx.

This week, Jason Dominguez endeared himself to Yankees fans when he went all out to make a catch during a game against the Texas Rangers. In the process of making possibly the best catch of his career, he sprained a low-grade left AC joint in his knee and is expected to be sidelined for several weeks.

To fill his spot on the roster, the Yankees are pulling the trigger on something New York fans have wanted to see for a few years: top star Aaron Judge in the same outfield with stud prospect Spencer Jones. The pair of 6-foot-7 sluggers will now bookend the Yanks’ outfield for the foreseeable future.

Yankees fans have heard about Jones and his big power over the years. He has been a top prospect in their system and has been close to untouchable as a minor leaguer for the franchise. So, expectations are high as he joins a 26-12 team.

Could Spencer Jones be the next Race Hinds?

Baseball America editor-in-chief JJ Cooper spoke after news of his promotion on Friday foul territory show Regarding Jones, prospect experts admitted that Jones “scares” them because, in their time in this role, they have never seen a player with such a wide range of possible career outcomes.

He made it clear that he would never come close to being as good as Judge, but he believed he could become a player who hits 25 to 30 homers in the big leagues. But he also said his performance could be similar to that of Cincinnati Reds prospect Race Hinds. A player who was a beast in the minors but has a .172 average in 51 games played over the last three seasons.

The big reason he’s so unsure about Jones is not just his high strikeout rate that could lead to 0-4 with 4 Ks days, but it’s his miss rate in the zone. Jones is one of the top picks in the minor leagues. Cooper concluded by saying that Spencer Jones’ promotion to the Yankees’ big league roster this week carries “massive potential but also massive risk.”

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

One notable NFL Draft expert believes the New York Giants could make a very questionable decision with their first pick in tonight’s event.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the first draft of the John Harbaugh era for the Giants. With the No. 5 pick heading into this week’s event, the team has several directions it can go. In various mock drafts since the season ended, Big Blue has been linked to a boatload of five players, including Ohio State’s Caleb Downs and Notre Dame’s Jeremiah Love.

However, Thursday night got even more exciting for Giants fans last week when the team somehow managed to acquire the 10th overall pick from the Cincinnati Bengals in exchange for disgruntled three-time Pro Bowler Dexter Lawrence. The G-Men now have two picks in the top 10, and there is new speculation over who they might take with that second selection.

One name that has come up frequently in recent conversations is Arizona State wide receiver, Jordan Tyson. A player who impressed in his open workout last week. Still, while some believe he could be the best receiver in this year’s class, he was projected to fall out of the top 15 for a few weeks due to injury concerns and declining issues last season.

Could the New York Giants use the No. 5 pick on Jordan Tyson?

But taking him 10th overall could still be a smart risk because of his high upside. However, during an appearance rich eisen show This week, ESPN draft expert Matt Miller suggested the Giants could use their pick five on Tyson when asked about a potential surprise in Round 1.

Miller said, “I think it would be surprising. Where the Giants get on the clock, and whether it’s you guys, or you know, Mel Kiper and those guys talking about it, and you’re running through all the options of these defensive players, and they call out Jordan Tyson.”

Tyson is a very talented player, but there are good reasons to be concerned about his durability at the next level. Selecting him at age 10 may be a reach, but a worthwhile risk. There’s no point in taking a player originally expected to go in the top five at pick 15 when Harbaugh and the front office have the luxury of picking again at 10.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Popular sports podcaster Bill Simmons has a bold trade idea that would send Miami Heat star Bam Adebayo to the Charlotte Hornets, and both teams should seriously consider it.

The Heat is one of the most respected franchises in the NBA. “Heat culture” is a brand known throughout the league, and the team’s seventh consecutive trip to the playoffs to miss the playoffs proves it. However, the devil is in the details, and their last three appearances were needed to secure the postseason by participating in the NBA Play-In Tournament.

This month, they again reached the play-ins but lost to the Hornets. Furthermore, the team has achieved 50 wins in only one season in the last 12 years. While the Heat are always competitive and reached the NBA Finals in 2023, they haven’t been a serious title contender in a very long time. That’s why this is an important offseason for the club, with ample reason to discuss major changes to the roster.

Maybe that’s why The Ringer podcast host, Bill Simmons, came up with a revolutionary idea this week. In this, Miami will send three-time All-Star Bam Adebayo to the Hornets. At first glance, Heat fans may scoff at the idea of ​​trading away their best player and the guy who scored 83 points a game this season, but they should seriously consider the notion.

Why the Heat should consider trading Bam Adebayo to the Hornets

In a potential trade for Simmons, the Heat would get the expiring contracts of Miles Bridges – who averaged 17.1 points and 5.8 boards – and Grant Williams. They get their first-rounder back in 2027, so Miami can get all of their future first-rounders again. Also, the Hornets have two Round 1 picks this year (14th and 18th overall) and the first in 2029.

Simmons’ guest on the show, ESPN NBA insider Zach Lowe, liked the trade for the Hornets. He also said Adebayo is a North Carolina native and his family goes to a lot of Hornets games every year. “He’ll be great there,” Lowe said.

However, is it worth it for Miami? As Lowe noted, this summer is a “come to Jesus moment” for the Heat. It appears that this group has reached its limits, and it seems like the time is right for big changes. Since Adebayo feels like he’s a perfect fit for Charlotte, they’d probably be willing to give up what Simmons suggested. But Adebayo’s transfer doesn’t mean a losing season in 2026-27.

Bam Adebayo stats: 20.1 ppg, 10.0 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 0.7 bpg

There have long been rumors that the Heat would pursue a Giannis Antetokounmpo trade this summer. Those additional draft picks would make Miami’s offer to the Milwaukee Bucks even better. Still, he doesn’t have to be the only player they get.

Despite Ja Morant’s low trade value, they could easily acquire both Antetokounmpo and Morant this summer. If management still has big faith in Jaime Jacquez Jr. and Kel’El Ware, they could try to re-sign Norman Powell and pair those three with Donovan Mitchell, who reportedly could be placed on the trade block if he doesn’t sign an extension with the Cleveland Cavaliers this summer.

They may still be able to add Morant to that mix if they want. Either way, moving Adebayo to the Hornets could open the door to a major overhaul that would make Miami a better team in the short and long term.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

on weekends, Tottenham HotspurCristian Romero suffered a knee injury during the Premier League defeat to Sunderland.

The Argentina international clashed with his own goalkeeper Antonin Kinski and suffered a concussion.

On Monday, Sports Witness Covered claims from Argentina The Tottenham star will undergo tests to find out the extent of the damage.

Later that day, we broadcast news That the centre-back could be out of action for five to eight weeks.

However, there was no confirmation as to how long the 27-year-old would be sidelined.

plasma treatment for tottenham player

Argentina assistant manager Roberto Ayala talking to Hernan Castillo, Lucas Castroman and Pablo Alvarez.

hail The Argentine has released his comments on the latest injury to Tottenham Hotspur defender Cristian Romero.

Lionel Scaloni’s assistants are happy that the 27-year-old has suffered no serious injuries and has no further complications with his knee. He also discussed what type of treatment the Spurs man will undergo.

“This morning we got the results of QT’s MRI. Thank God, in quotes, that there’s nothing else wrong with his knee,” He said.

“Now they’re going to stabilize it and possibly give him the platelet-rich plasma treatment, which is being used right now. We’ll see what happens after that.”

The coach said the national team is in regular contact with its players and Scaloni has sent them a message ahead of the World Cup.

“We started praying every weekend that nothing happens to anyone, so that they can finish their matches. We are communicating with everyone via Zoom or directly by phone to see how everyone is performing.” Ayla explained.

“The coaching staff has quarantined several players and we are in charge of monitoring them. If there is anything that requires the doctor to come in, he will take care of it. What did we do, Leo? [Scaloni] Told him at some point: ‘Think about the national team’. When you think you have to…think a little.

Romero’s injury is a big blow for Spurs

Tottenham Hotspur are now two points behind 17th-placed West Ham United.

New manager Roberto De Zerbi’s immediate task is to help the north London club stay in the Premier League. If Cristian Romero is out for eight weeks, the Italian will not be able to rely on him for the last six league matches this season.

Tottenham’s remaining Premier League matches:

• vs brighton and hove albion [home] on 18th April
• v Wolverhampton Wanderers [away] on 25th April
• vs aston villa [away] on 2 may
• v leeds united [home] on 12 may
• in chelsea [away] tbd
• vs everton [home] tbd

A notable NBA expert detailed a major problem with the Oklahoma City Thunder that has them seemingly dethroned by the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA Playoffs.

After winning the franchise’s first NBA championship last spring, the Thunder had a big target on their back. However, because they have reigning MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and a core that is still very young, there were questions about whether any team was good enough to defeat them this season.

Well, as the campaign progressed, it became clear that Spurs could be strong enough to dethrone the champions. Victor Wembanyama is developing into an absolute monster, and San Antonio also has a talent-rich young core. Furthermore, the Spurs are 4-1 against the Thunder this season.

However, OKC star Jalen Williams missed many of those games and has only played in 33 this season. Certainly, now that he’s back healthy, the Thunder will look like the team that won it all last year. Or maybe not.

Is Jalen Williams a bust in 2025-26?

On Saturday, Yahoo Sports NBA expert Kevin O’Connor posted an interesting video on why this isn’t the same Thunder team as last year, and that’s because Williams isn’t playing like he did in 2024-25 when he had a huge role in their trip to the championship.

O’Connor says Williams’ evolution from a mid-range specialist to a dangerous three-point shooter was really important for OKC last year. His long range shooting had to be respected by the opponents. However, their number has been significantly reduced to three in 2025-26.

Last year, he was shooting 37%, but that has dropped to 30% this season. Furthermore, he is back to his mid-range game and is taking very few shots from long distance. Additionally, he is shooting 41% from the field, down from 46% last season.

NBA insiders speculate that the injuries that have limited him all year — recovering from offseason wrist surgery and hamstring problems — could have a big impact on his approach to offense. He claims he is very concerned that the player from last spring needs to return if the Thunder are to get back to the Finals.

The report opens the door to further speculation that Spurs are set for an unexpected finals run this spring.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Assuming the New York Knicks do not win the NBA Championship this spring, teams like them and the Golden State Warriors are expected to make a summer trade for Giannis Antetokounmpo. However, popular NBA analyst Bill Simmons explained this week why both teams need to go in a different direction.

Although they are still behind the Boston Celtics and Detroit Pistons in the Eastern Conference standings, the NY Knicks still have high hopes of reaching the NBA Finals in the spring. However, the Pistons have given them a lot of trouble during the season, and the Celtics now have top star Jayson Tatum back, they cannot score goals.

If they don’t, he is expected to be a top contender in the summer trade market for Antetokounmpo. Similarly for warriors also. A team that feels like they’re a major chunk away from getting Stephen Curry another championship before he ultimately walks away from the game over the next few seasons. Furthermore, both are considered to be the preferred spots for the two-time NBA MVP.

However, is giving up a large amount of long-term asset the right thing for any team planning on moving Antetokounmpo? Bill Simmons isn’t so sure, and during a new edition of his The Ringer podcast, the popular NBA expert laid out some interesting reasons why the 10-time All-Star isn’t worth a king’s ransom.

Antetokounmpo trade not worth the risk to NY Knicks, Warriors?

First of all, he has played in the league for 13 years, a total of 895 games, 89 playoff games, more than 29,000 minutes, and more than 3,000 playoff minutes. He also mentioned various injuries he sustained during that period, including a hyperextended knee, a bad wrist sprain and a few groin strains. That’s a ton of wear and tear that is hurting again and again.

Yet, the worrying details did not end there. He asked his co-host how many players have averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds for a season in years 14 and up? The answer was only one player. Moses Malone’s 20 and 12 seasons in 1988 and ’89.

Then he asked how many players age 32 or older averaged 24 points and 10 boards? Only four in NBA history have done so. They’re Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Hakeem Olajuwon, Karl Malone and Elgin Baylor, and that hasn’t happened in 28 years.

Simmons makes a pretty strong case for why a trade for Antetokounmpo would be a big risk for the NY Knicks or Warriors. Because there is clear evidence that they won’t get the players they need, and that could set those franchises back a decade.

The NY Knicks faced an injury-plagued star disaster when they signed Amare Stoudemire in 2010. Giving up all of your assets and then giving a future Hall of Famer a new max contract seems like a huge risk. As far as the Warriors are concerned, the goal of trading for Antetokounmpo would be to acquire a new superstar after Curry. However, based on clear evidence, they could trade and re-sign a player who may never stay healthy.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Popular sports analyst Bill Simmons doesn’t like the Houston Rockets’ excitement as the NBA playoffs approach, and even he believes head coach Ime Udoka is not a fan of this roster.

Entering the season, the Rockets were viewed by many as a serious threat to the Oklahoma City Thunder in the West. They had an elite defense, a good young core, and added future Hall of Famer Kevin Durant to give them the scorer they were lacking.

For most of the season, they have been a top four team in the conference. However, they seem to be slowly faltering. Lost 6 of their last 10, including potential playoff rivals, the San Antonio Spurs, the Los Angeles Lakers (twice), and the Minnesota Timberwolves on Wednesday.

His recent play has dedicated NBA fan and expert Bill Simmons very concerned, and he expanded on his thoughts during a new edition of his The Ringer podcast.

Are the Rockets on a tear after Kevin Durant burner phone rumors?

“The body language doctor is terrified of,” Simmons began. The popular podcaster claimed that the Rockets have bad vibes, and that he thinks they are “the most disconnected of the playoff teams.” The biggest evidence of why he feels that way was a key moment during this week’s 110-108 overtime loss to the Timberwolves.

After a bad turnover at the end of regulation, All-Star Alpern Sengun made an incredible play by running back and getting a big block. He moved so far that he lost his balance, fell on his face and got a cut on his lip. Yet instead of his teammates getting excited about the game, Reed Shepard gave him a “Good job, dude, like it’s the end of the first quarter.”

Simmons also noted how Durant and his other Rockets teammates did not show much support after the game. He said, “That team is not on the same page. I don’t like the vibes. Something is really wrong.”

Then he took the matter a little further. There are suggestions that Ime Udoka has done one of the worst coaching jobs in the NBA this season, and questions over his lack of late-game adjustments.

Simmons said, “The feelings are terrible. I don’t think he really likes the team that much. And if you want to go into the whole conspiracy theory, they haven’t been the same since the KD Burner stuff during the All-Star break.”

Earlier this season a conspiracy surfaced on an X account owned by Durant that featured group chat conversations criticizing Rockets teammates as well as other players and coaches around the league.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

Angel Villanueva says Manchester City’s Rodri has a 30% risk of suffering a serious knee injury and has urged Real Madrid to consider it.

The Spain international’s future at Manchester City remains uncertain after this season. The main reason for this is that the La Liga giants are eyeing him for the summer window.

On 6 March, Game Witness Covered Claims Real Madrid have identified the Manchester City star as their priority target. Last week, Spain International refused to discuss His future plans after this season.

He is now with La Roja for the ongoing international break. This allowed zero wave to chat with the 29-year-old and asked him specifically about the Real Madrid link.

Rodri leaves the door open to joining the Spanish giants despite his previous stint Atletico Madrid.

“I have a year left on my contract, there will come a time when we have to sit down and talk. You can’t turn down the best clubs in the world.” He said.

Manchester City star’s fitness could be an issue

Villanueva is a Madrid-based physiotherapist and knee specialist.

After Rodri was admitted on Thursday, he was taken to the specialist xFormerly known as Twitter, to explain why Los Blancos should be cautious.

In September 2024, the Manchester City player suffered a serious knee injury and returned to the field in May 2025. He struggled with knee and hamstring problems in the first half of the season. To put this into context, the Spaniard was out for 113 days.

However, he has remained fit throughout this year and has been a regular player for Pep Guardiola. Despite this, Villanueva has warned of potential setbacks for Rodri in the future.

“Is his signature ready? Let’s get to work. The player returned in May 2025 (8 months later). In my opinion, too soon. This caused muscle soreness in the operated knee and discomfort for some time. In September 2025 (1 year later), apparently the same knee got injured again,” He said.

“Return to previous level: 60-80% chance. Risk of re-rupture (same ACL or other): 18-30% in the first 2 years. + 60% risk of muscle injuries (hamstrings). Osteoarthritis in the medium to long term: increased risk, especially if the meniscus is affected.

“Factors that complicate their signature [for Real Madrid] 30 years in 2026 (slow neuromuscular recovery). Position: Defensive midfielder (turning, braking and changing direction). Quick withdrawal + relapse can lead to loss of strength, precociousness and confidence.

Villanueva’s message to Real Madrid

The expert suggests what Real Madrid should do in advance if they want to sign the Manchester City star in the summer.

“Is this a resounding ‘no’ from a medical perspective? No. But Real Madrid needs to improve its injury prevention programs and consider its specific context to properly manage the workload each season.” Villanueva explained.

“It is important to monitor his performance in the coming months. There are risks that need to be evaluated: A comprehensive medical examination is mandatory: MRI, isokinetic testing (>90-95% symmetry), jumps/changes in direction analysis, and psychological evaluation. Possible clauses in the contract based on medical history (game bonuses, specific insurance).”

“If the investigation is clear then the signing is viable. Rodri will remain one of the best midfielders in the world when healthy. He could perform at his peak for the next 3-4 years, but it is not without risks. It would be a mistake to ignore his knee history. Let’s hope Real Madrid knows how to manage it.”

Rodri stats, contract and price

This season, the Spaniard has played 1,790 minutes in 28 matches in all competitions. This includes 1,246 minutes from 18 Premier League appearances with 14 starts.

His contract expires in 2027, and transfer market He is worth €65 million.

A new ranking of MLB’s pitching staff from a top insider puts the New York Yankees well ahead of the New York Mets, despite several key pitchers expected to miss significant time to start the new season.

There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Yankees and Mets this week leading up to the start of the new MLB season. Expectations are always high in the Bronx, and despite being eliminated in the Divisional Round in October and not making notable changes to the roster, many experts believe they still have a team that can reach the World Series.

The Mets, on the other hand, suffered a disastrous collapse at the end of the season, costing them a chance at a playoff spot. That disappointing finish surprisingly led to an overhaul of the coaching staff and roster for 2026. A big addition this offseason was Milwaukee Brewers ace Freddy Peralta.

On paper, it seems like the Mets’ starting rotation is in a better position to start the 2026 season than the Yankees. Mainly because they are healthy. The Yanks will begin the campaign with one-time Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon and Clark Schmidt all on the injured list and expected to miss the first few weeks or months of the season.

Bowden ranks the Yankees’ rotation as the third-best in MLB

However, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden doesn’t see it that way. On Tuesday, the outlet released the MLB Insider rankings of all 30 rotations, and the Mets cracked the top 10, but dropped to No. 9. The former general manager, of course, ranks above rookie Nolan MacLean and was a fan of his depth. However, he praised the Yankees far more.

“Despite those injuries, the Yankees still have a strong rotation to start the year, led by their top hitter Max Fried followed by right-hander Cam Shitler, right-hander Will Warren, newly acquired southpaw Ryan Weathers and former AL Rookie of the Year Luis Gil,” he said of the rotation ranked No. 3 on his list.

“By the end of the season, they may have the best rotation in baseball, especially if Cole can return to his Cy Young Award-caliber form.”

The Mets have Peralta, Rookie of the Year favorite Nolan McLean and a pair of one-time All-Stars in Dave Peterson and Kodai Senga in the rotation. But Bowden still has more confidence in Will Warren, Cam Shitler, Lewis Girl and Ryan Weathers.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A top NFL Draft expert just offered a quarterback who could be a late steal for teams like the New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals next month.

Like every other year, many teams would love to find a potential franchise QB in April’s NFL Draft. Unfortunately, this year’s QB class is weak. The Las Vegas Raiders are set to use the No. 1 overall pick on Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza. After the Heisman Trophy winner, Alabama’s Ty Simpson is the next best QB on the board, and it’s debatable whether he’ll even go in Round 1.

That’s why many teams have been aggressive in acquiring veteran options that have become available over the past few weeks. However, teams like the NY Jets, Steelers, and Cardinals have situations where they need to consider using the pick on the signal-caller. But in a year with a heavy QB class, which player should they take and when?

Should the NY Jets or Steelers target Cole Payton in the NFL Draft?

Well, this week, veteran draft expert Todd McShay offered a low-cost, high-profit alternative. In a new social media post, he suggested that North Dakota State star Cole Payton is the lowest-rated QB in the entire draft.

“In conversations with NFL GMs, this is a one-of-a-kind guy,” he said, praising his timing and accurate passing. Additionally, he has a high ability to extend the play and make accurate throws under pressure. He added, “There’s a lot of unused stuff here.”

Former first-round picks Carson Wentz and Trey Lance are NDS alumni, and McShay believes Payton is the best QB prospect ever drafted by the university. The fifth-year senior had a career year in 2025, throwing for 2,719 yards and hitting 72% of his 225 passes. He also rushed for 777 yards and scored 29 total touchdowns.

Payton is expected to be a Day 3 pick and could fall as far as Round 7. He could be an interesting option for the NY Jets, Steelers and Cardinals as a project to develop this year.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

A new mock draft from one of the top experts for the event believes the Kansas City Chiefs will use the first of their two picks in Round 1 of next month’s event on a controversial prospect in this year’s class.

As we pass the midpoint of March, we get even closer to the biggest event of April, the 2026 NFL Draft. After a rare losing season in 2025, the Chiefs’ selection next month becomes even more important. And after making a big trade this offseason that sent Trent McDuffie back to the Los Angeles Rams, including another first-round pick this year, Kansas City has a chance to get two top-30 prospects.

But who will the Chiefs select with their valuable pick at No. 9? There has been a lot of speculation about who they would take, and they would be wise to go after the best cornerback available to replace the All-Pro they just traded. He has also been linked to Heisman Trophy finalist Jeremiah Love. The player teams around the NFL are praying they don’t fall for.

Could the Chiefs select Reuben Benn Jr. at No. 9?

Well, according to ESPN NFL Draft expert Mel Kiper, he expects general manager Brett Veach to go in a different direction. In his latest mock draft, Draft Guru projects the Chiefs to select Miami star Reuben Benn Jr.

The Hurricanes defensive end became a controversial figure during the NFL Combine last month when it was revealed that his average arm length was 30 7/8 inches. There hasn’t been a player with fewer weapons in Round 1 of the draft since the Philadelphia Eagles used the 15th overall pick on fellow Miami alumnus Jerome McDougald in 2003. The length of his arm was 31 3/8 inches.

McDougald was a notable draft bust of that year’s class and played only four seasons in the NFL. Nevertheless, Kipper believes that Chiefs cannot afford to miss the chance to select Bane if he is still on board and they are at No.9.

He wrote, “It will be very difficult to overtake Ben at this position. Despite 30⅞-inch arms, which caused quite a stir at the combine, Ben dominates the sideline.” “He easily finds ways to get to the QB, whether it’s his speed, power or intelligence. Last season he had 71 pressures with 9.5 sacks and 18.5 tackles for loss.”

Star pass rusher Chris Jones has shown clear signs of age-related decline over the past few seasons. While he and Benn play different positions, the Chiefs need to start planning for life after Jones and develop a new top pass rusher. Ben can be that player.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos

One notable NFL Draft expert believes rumored New York Giants first-round target Jeremiah Love could be better than Jahmir Gibbs or as valuable as the typical 2025 MVP finalist.

The NY Giants are in an interesting position in the early rounds of the draft. Obviously, after a 4-13 finish in 2025, they could use help in various areas of the roster. However, the team feels they have a long-term option at quarterback with Jackson Dart. This means that when it’s time to choose they can take the best player available.

While early mock drafts have linked the team to players like Ohio State stars Carnell Tate and Caleb Downs, recently there has been rumors and momentum about the organization selecting Notre Dame star Jeremiah Love at No. 5. The Heisman Trophy finalist’s stellar performance at last week’s NFL Combine has certainly piqued his potential interest.

In the days since, the buzz around Love has been intense with football experts all around praising the running back and speculating how good he could be at the next level. The latest information comes from FOX’s top college football analyst Joe Klatt.

Joe Klatt compared Jeremiah Love to Christian McCaffrey?

In a new edition of joe cleat showHe called Love “phenomenal” because of his homerun abilities, pass catching and never fumbling. “If you look at some of the recent players. Like Ashton Jeanty, Omarion Hampton, Bijan Robinson, Jahmir Gibbs, I think Love is as good or better than all of those players,” Klatt said.

All of those backs were first-round picks in an era when running back value declined around the league. Following the combine, rumors are increasing that Love could be a top three pick in April, and will go no further than the NY Giants at No. 5.

Klatt later compared Love again to Gibbs, but also to 2025 MVP candidate Christian McCaffrey. “To me, he’s more like Jahmir Gibbs and Christian McCaffrey than some of the other backs in the NFL,” Klatt said.

This is a bold comparison. In his first three seasons in the game, Gibbs has become one of the game’s elite running backs. While the San Francisco 49ers star has been one of the most valuable players in the game over the past few seasons.

After earning a journalism degree in 2017, Jason Burgos worked as a contributor to several sites, including MMA Sacca… More about Jason Burgos