The Washington Commanders have signed wide receiver Stefon Diggs, who played last season with the New England Patriots. Diggs, a four-time Pro Bowler, will join his hometown team and play as a slot receiver while taking a pay cut.
Key Facts
Stefon Diggs agreed to a contract with the Washington Commanders.
He played the previous season with the New England Patriots.
Diggs caught 85 passes, gained 1,083 yards, and scored four touchdowns last season.
He appeared in Super Bowl LX with his former team.
Diggs is from the DMV area (D.C., Maryland, Virginia) and returns to his hometown team.
He will play as the primary slot receiver alongside Terry McLaurin and others.
Diggs is expected to take a pay cut from about $20 million to $10 million.
The Commanders signed Diggs before joint practices with the Miami Dolphins and Baltimore Ravens.
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The Chicago Bears signed their starting right tackle, Darnell Wright, to a four-year contract worth $116 million, making him the highest-paid right tackle in NFL history. Wright praised head coach Ben Johnson for building his confidence and leading the Bears to a strong season with a division title and playoff win.
Key Facts
Darnell Wright signed a four-year, $116 million contract with $93 million guaranteed.
Wright is now the highest-paid right tackle in the NFL.
He was drafted 10th overall by the Bears in the 2023 NFL Draft from Tennessee.
Wright earned second-team All-Pro honors in his rookie season.
The Bears finished 11-6 last season and won the NFC North division.
Head coach Ben Johnson led the Bears to their first playoff win since 2010.
Wright said Johnson was the first coach to tell him the offense depended on him.
The Bears aim to remain competitive in the NFC despite tough rivals returning players.
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The Arizona Cardinals will not have their top rookie running back, Jeremiyah Love, play in the first preseason game against the Carolina Panthers. Instead, rookie quarterback Carson Beck will start, giving him a chance to show his skills.
Key Facts
Jeremiyah Love, the Cardinals' first-round draft pick and former Heisman Trophy candidate, will not play in the Hall of Fame preseason game.
Head coach Mike LaFleur confirmed Love's absence before practice.
Love may play in later preseason games, including against the Las Vegas Raiders on August 13.
Tyler Allgeier is listed as the Cardinals' first option at running back and has a two-year contract worth $12.25 million.
Allgeier played for the Falcons last season, appearing in all 17 games and scoring eight touchdowns.
Love was drafted to improve the Cardinals' running game and reduce pressure on the quarterback.
Rookie quarterback Carson Beck will start the Hall of Fame Game; he was selected in the third round of this year’s draft.
The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock at 8 p.m. ET on Thursday.
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Atlanta Falcons running back Bijan Robinson signed a three-year, $75 million contract, making him the highest-paid running back in NFL history. Robinson and Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs, both drafted the same year, have talked during contract talks and motivate each other on the field.
Key Facts
Bijan Robinson agreed to a three-year deal worth $75 million with the Atlanta Falcons.
His annual salary of $22.25 million is the highest ever for an NFL running back.
Robinson led the NFL last season with 2,298 total yards from rushing and receiving.
Jahmyr Gibbs, the Detroit Lions running back, has not yet signed a new contract.
Gibbs finished the season with 1,839 total scrimmage yards and 18 touchdowns.
Both players are 24 years old and are key offensive players for their teams.
Robinson and Gibbs often compare their performances and say it helps them compete better.
Many expect Gibbs’ next contract to be as high or higher than Robinson’s deal.
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Vic Fangio is the defensive coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles and is entering his third season in this role. He recently said that the Eagles' defense has been better than their offense during training camp, a trend that has continued for the past two years.
Key Facts
Vic Fangio has been the Eagles’ defensive coordinator for three seasons.
The Eagles won Super Bowl LIX in Fangio’s first season as defensive coordinator.
In that Super Bowl-winning year, running back Saquon Barkley had a very strong rushing season.
Last year, the Eagles’ offense performed poorly, ranking in the bottom half of the league for total yards and points scored.
Fangio said the defense outperformed the offense during recent training camp practices.
The Eagles have a new offensive coordinator, Sean Mannion, hired this offseason.
This will be the fourth straight year the Eagles have changed offensive coordinators.
The Eagles start their 2026 season on September 13 against the Washington Commanders.
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Dallas Cowboys wide receiver George Pickens was ranked No. 36 on the NFL Top 100 players for 2026, voted by active players. Veteran wide receiver Keenan Allen said Pickens has the potential to become the best receiver in the NFL after a strong 2025 season.
Key Facts
George Pickens caught 93 passes for 1,429 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025, all personal bests.
Pickens took a leading role while teammate CeeDee Lamb was injured.
Keenan Allen praised Pickens, saying he could be the best wide receiver in the league.
Pickens did not sign a long-term contract before 2026, so he will play under a $27.3 million franchise tag this season.
The Cowboys will start their 2026 season against the New York Giants on September 13.
The NFL Top 100 ranking is voted on by active players in the league.
Pickens is considered a primary target for Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott.
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Stefon Diggs is joining the Washington Commanders for the next NFL season, signing a deal reported to be worth up to $12 million. Diggs played last season for the New England Patriots and is known as a skilled wide receiver with over 12,000 career receiving yards.
Key Facts
Stefon Diggs is signing with the Washington Commanders for the upcoming season.
The deal is reportedly worth up to $12 million.
Diggs played for the New England Patriots last season and had 99 catches for 1,123 yards and five touchdowns.
New England released Diggs in March, and he remained unsigned for a time during free agency.
Diggs faced criminal charges related to a dispute with his former chef but was found not guilty in May.
The NFL decided not to discipline Diggs after reviewing the case.
The Commanders hope Diggs will complement their wide receiver Terry McLaurin and help quarterback Jayden Daniels.
Diggs has had a 12-year NFL career with multiple teams and was an All-Pro in 2020.
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The Washington Commanders plan to sign Stefon Diggs, a wide receiver who has been selected to the Pro Bowl four times. Diggs recently played for the New England Patriots and will join the Commanders on a one-year deal potentially worth $12 million.
Key Facts
Stefon Diggs is a four-time Pro Bowl wide receiver.
He played last season with the New England Patriots.
Diggs is expected to sign a one-year deal with the Washington Commanders worth up to $12 million with incentives.
He was released by New England in March after one season on a three-year, $63.5 million contract.
Diggs was acquitted in May of charges related to an alleged assault on his private chef.
The NFL found no evidence that Diggs violated the league’s personal conduct policy, so he will not be suspended in 2026.
Last season, Diggs caught 85 passes for 1,013 yards and four touchdowns, and he helped the Patriots reach the Super Bowl.
Diggs has 942 catches for 11,504 yards and 74 touchdowns in 161 regular-season games.
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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is still recovering from a torn ACL and has not returned to full team practice. Meanwhile, Tua Tagovailoa, who the Falcons signed this year, is gaining chances to be the starting quarterback for the upcoming season.
Key Facts
Michael Penix Jr. suffered his third ACL tear last November.
Penix has only participated in individual drills and smaller group workouts, not full team practice.
Tua Tagovailoa was signed by the Falcons in March and is seen as a possible starter.
Head coach Kevin Stefanski has not yet announced the starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
Penix said he could return to full practice any day but is focusing on improving rather than a timeline.
The Falcons’ preseason game against the Denver Broncos is on August 14.
The Falcons have invested in key offensive players like Drake London, Kyle Pitts Sr., and Bijan Robinson.
Consistent quarterback performance is crucial for the Falcons as the regular season approaches.
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Newcastle United has hired Matthias Jaissle as their new head coach on a four-year contract until 2030. Jaissle, 38, has never coached in the English Premier League before but has had success in Saudi Arabia and Austria. He will face his first competitive game with Newcastle against Liverpool on August 23.
Key Facts
Matthias Jaissle signed a four-year deal with Newcastle United lasting until 2030.
He is 38 years old, making him the second-youngest coach in the Premier League.
Jaissle has previous coaching success with Al-Ahli in Saudi Arabia and Red Bull Salzburg in Austria.
This is Jaissle’s first coaching role in one of Europe’s top five leagues, including the Premier League.
Newcastle’s former coach, Eddie Howe, left after helping the club win the EFL Cup in 2025 and qualify for the Champions League several times.
Newcastle has recently lost several key players, including Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and captain Bruno Guimaraes.
Jaissle is known for demanding hard work and intensity during training and quickly addressing players who do not give full effort.
Jaissle aims to develop younger players and compete well despite Newcastle’s lower wage bill compared to bigger clubs.
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Baltimore Orioles players planned to watch the new Spider-Man movie, but just before entering the theater, catcher Adley Rutschman got traded. The team chose not to watch the movie and instead said goodbye to Rutschman with hugs and support.
Key Facts
Orioles players Gunnar Henderson, Colton Cowser, Ryan Mountcastle, and Adley Rutschman planned to see “Spider-Man: Brand New Day.”
Rutschman received news of his trade right before they entered the theater.
The Orioles decided not to watch the movie and hugged Rutschman goodbye instead.
Colton Cowser expressed emotional support and love for Rutschman.
Rutschman was considered a top trade candidate before the MLB trade deadline.
Gunnar Henderson said he was not ready to talk about the trade the day after it happened.
The article notes the emotional impact on the team after losing a key player.
The new Spider-Man movie had the highest-grossing domestic opening weekend ever.
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Real Madrid has offered Vinicius Jr an improved contract as he enters the last year of his current deal. The club hopes he will stay, but Arsenal is interested and ready to move quickly if he declines.
Key Facts
Vinicius Jr is a Brazilian winger playing for Real Madrid.
He joined Real Madrid in 2018 and recently finished a World Cup campaign with Brazil.
His current contract ends in 12 months, though it was extended three years ago to last until 2027.
Real Madrid and Vinicius have been negotiating a new deal for about 18 months.
The club recently made a new, improved contract offer to Vinicius.
Vinicius has played 375 games for Real Madrid and scored 128 goals.
He wants to be paid as one of Real’s top stars, but the club usually keeps strict salary rules.
Arsenal is interested in signing Vinicius if he does not renew with Real Madrid.
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The Brooklyn Nets did not make any big trades or sign star players this offseason but focused on adding dependable players to strengthen the team. They gained veteran Julius Randle and role players like Keon Ellis and rookie Mikel Brown Jr., while losing important defender Nic Claxton.
Key Facts
The Nets avoided flashy moves and focused on steady improvement this offseason.
Julius Randle joined the team, bringing experience and scoring ability.
Keon Ellis was added for defense and outside shooting.
First-round draft pick Mikel Brown Jr. offers potential for future growth.
Nic Claxton, a key defensive player, left the team and will be missed.
Ziaire Williams also left after showing some promise.
The team had the chance to make bigger moves but chose to be patient.
The goal is to let young players develop and see how the roster performs before making major changes.
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Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith criticized Minnesota Lynx head coach Cheryl Reeve for wearing a shirt that said "Trans Kids Belong" during a WNBA game. The shirt was worn after comments by Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham related to transgender athletes.
Key Facts
Stephen A. Smith spoke on his SiriusXM show about the issue.
Cheryl Reeve, coach of the Minnesota Lynx, wore a shirt supporting transgender kids during a game.
The shirt read "Trans Kids Belong."
The event took place during a WNBA game against the Indiana Fever.
Sophie Cunningham, a guard for the Fever, had made comments about transgender athletes before the game.
Stephen A. Smith called the coach’s action irresponsible.
The discussion centers on transgender participation in women’s sports.
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The Chicago Bulls have made big changes to their team this offseason after hiring Bryson Graham as their new executive vice president of basketball operations. They focused on adding players who are tall, athletic, and physical, such as Caleb Wilson and Nic Claxton, while also trading away some players like Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton.
Key Facts
Bryson Graham was hired as executive vice president of basketball operations in May.
The Bulls are rebuilding by focusing on players with size, length, athleticism, and physicality.
Caleb Wilson was picked 4th overall in the NBA draft and is known for his athletic ability.
Nic Claxton was acquired via trade for his strong defensive skills as a center.
Norman Powell was added to bring experience and toughness to the team.
Anfernee Simons and Collin Sexton left the team during the rebuild.
The Bulls are not expected to be instant championship contenders but are working on building a new identity.
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The Cleveland Cavaliers focused on keeping star player Donovan Mitchell by signing him to a four-year, $273 million contract extension. Aside from that, their offseason included adding a young player, Meleek Thomas, and veteran Mario Hezonja, while losing some role players, which affects their team depth.
Key Facts
Donovan Mitchell signed a four-year, $273 million max contract extension with the Cavaliers.
Keeping Mitchell provides the team with stability and a clear future plan.
The Cavaliers drafted Meleek Thomas in the second round; he performed well in the Summer League.
Veteran player Mario Hezonja joined the Cavaliers’ roster in the offseason.
Cleveland lost players Dean Wade, Keon Ellis, and Larry Nance Jr., reducing team depth.
The Cavaliers aim to remain competitive in the tougher Eastern Conference.
The team has struggled in recent playoff series, winning only two games in three tries.
The front office values continuity and keeping the core team intact to improve next season.
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DeVonta Smith and Makai Lemon, two top wide receivers for the Philadelphia Eagles, missed practice due to hamstring injuries. Both injuries are minor, and the team expects them to return before the preseason game on August 15.
Key Facts
The Eagles traded away All-Pro receiver A.J. Brown and rely on DeVonta Smith as their primary receiver (WR1).
Smith sat out practice with a hamstring injury, which is not serious but worth watching carefully.
Makai Lemon, the Eagles’ first-round pick, also missed practice with a hamstring injury.
Both players missed practice again the following day, with others like Dontayvion Wicks and Hollywood Brown taking more playing time.
The injuries are minor, and the first preseason game is more than a week away.
Smith likely won’t play much early in the preseason to focus on being ready for the regular season.
Lemon, as a rookie, would have benefited from playing in the preseason to gain experience.
Hamstring injuries can be tricky, so the team is monitoring the situation closely.
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Atlanta Falcons linebacker Jalon Walker will miss the entire 2026 NFL season due to a torn ACL in his left leg. Walker got injured during training camp and will be out after a strong rookie season in 2025.
Key Facts
Jalon Walker tore his ACL during a pass-rush play in Falcons training camp.
Walker was carried off the field and cannot put weight on his left leg.
He was the Falcons’ first-round draft pick (15th overall) in 2025.
In his rookie year, Walker made 36 tackles, 5.5 sacks, forced two fumbles, and recovered one.
His play helped the Falcons go from one of the worst teams in sacks in 2024 to the second-best in 2025.
Another key Falcons pass rusher, James Pearce Jr., may face suspension after a legal issue.
The Falcons will rely on other players like Samson Ebukam and Azeez Ojulari to fill Walker’s role this season.
DeAngelo Malone, another pass rusher, is on the team's reserve/physically unable to perform list.
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The Boston Celtics traded star player Jaylen Brown to the Philadelphia 76ers, stirring rumors of personal conflicts with teammate Jayson Tatum. Former Celtics player Grant Williams denied any bad feelings between Brown and Tatum during his time with the team.
Key Facts
Jaylen Brown was traded from the Boston Celtics to the Philadelphia 76ers in a major deal.
The trade brought Paul George and future draft picks to the Celtics.
Reports suggested Brown and teammate Jayson Tatum had personal issues.
Grant Williams, a former Celtics teammate, said he never saw any conflict between Brown and Tatum.
Brown praised his new teammate LeBron James during a recent livestream.
Brown mentioned feeling disrespected by how his trade was handled but did not blame Tatum.
Brown and Tatum’s teams will meet in preseason games, with regular-season matchups expected later.
Grant Williams played for the Celtics from 2019 to 2023 before being traded to the Dallas Mavericks.
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LIV Golf has found a main investor to help continue its operations after Saudi Arabia’s fund said it would stop supporting the league by 2026. The league plans to give players majority ownership and aims to hold 10 events next season, including tournaments in the U.S. and internationally.
Key Facts
LIV Golf secured a lead investor with a signed agreement approved by its board.
The new investment deal is expected to close in September.
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund invested about $5 billion since 2022 but will stop funding after 2026.
LIV Golf plans to make players the majority owners, a first in major global sports leagues.
Next season will have 10 events: five in the U.S. and five international tournaments.
The league canceled its New Orleans event and its season-ending team championship in Michigan.
LIV Golf is exploring deals with multiple minority investors to improve long-term stability.
The league will return to play starting this week at President Donald Trump’s golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey.
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