The University of Alabama has agreed a new seven-year contract with head football coach Kalen DeBoer worth $87.5m, extending his stay in Tuscaloosa until 2033.
The lucrative deal will see the 51-year-old earn a base salary of $12.5m per season.
It was officially approved by the university’s compensation committee during a virtual meeting on Wednesday.
The agreement adds two years to his previous terms and includes a $10m buyout clause that remains active until January 2027.
Replacing a legendary figure
The former Washington boss took charge of the Crimson Tide following the retirement of iconic coach Nick Saban in January 2024.
Saban walked away after guiding the illustrious program to six national championships, leaving behind a daunting rebuilding task.
Despite intense external pressure, the new man at the helm has navigated his first two campaigns with a commendable 20-8 overall record.
This impressive run includes an 8-4 mark against ranked opposition over the past two seasons.
Commitment amid fierce speculation
Following an 11-4 campaign that ended with a College Football Playoff quarter-final defeat by eventual champions Indiana, DeBoer was linked to other high-profile vacancies.
Rumours heavily connected him to prominent off-season openings at both Michigan and Penn State.
However, the experienced tactician did not interview with either institution, opting instead to cement his future with his current employers.
“We are excited about the opportunity to continue our time in Tuscaloosa with this contract extension,” DeBoer said in a statement.
“This program has a long history of success and an unmatched tradition that I was eager to be a part of two years ago, and I cannot wait to keep coaching our guys.”
Continuing a winning tradition
Prior to his arrival in the south, he led the Huskies to a stellar 14-1 season in 2023, culminating in a national championship game appearance.
His pedigree in major fixtures is undeniable, boasting 20 victories against ranked opponents since 2021.
Alabama athletics director Greg Byrne publicly praised the continued development of the squad under the current regime.
“We are pleased to extend Coach DeBoer and are proud to have him leading the Crimson Tide football program,” Byrne stated.
“He is an excellent coach and has done a commendable job developing our student-athletes.”
The Las Vegas Raiders are heavily tipped to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick in Thursday’s NFL draft, while the New York Jets target linebacker Arvell Reese at number two.
The Las Vegas franchise has been locked in on the Indiana signal-caller for a considerable time, making his selection at the top of the board a mere formality.
However, the real intrigue of the 2026 draft begins when the New York outfit goes on the clock with the second overall selection.
Jets zero in on Reese
Internal debates have raged within the Jets’ headquarters regarding whether to draft Ohio State’s Reese or Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey.
The situation seemingly crystallised after Bailey’s scheduled visit was unexpectedly cancelled last week, pointing towards Reese as the ultimate choice.
The talented defensive prospect is viewed as an immediate contributor in an off-ball role who also possesses significant developmental upside.
Cardinals explore trade options
Attention then turns to the Arizona Cardinals at number three, a franchise widely known to be actively exploring trade-down scenarios to accumulate extra picks.
A potential move could involve a team like the Kansas City Chiefs moving up from the ninth spot to secure Bailey.
Should a viable trade fail to materialise, Arizona is reportedly prepared to draft Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love.
Selecting a rusher so early would represent a surprising strategy for the Cardinals, who already possess veteran James Conner and have substantial salary cap resources tied up in the position.
With pre-draft smokescreens prevalent across the league, the opening round promises significant volatility once the initial selections are finalised.
Former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin will join NBC’s “Football Night in America” as a studio analyst for the upcoming NFL season after resigning from his position in January.
The 53-year-old steps away from the touchline for the first time in two decades following a legendary 19-season stint in Pennsylvania.
Discussions between the celebrated tactician and the broadcast network accelerated two weeks ago during meetings in Augusta, Georgia.
Following a familiar television path
The Super Bowl XLIII winner is the second consecutive Steelers boss to transition directly into television punditry.
He mirrors the career trajectory of his predecessor, Bill Cowher, who became a CBS analyst in 2007 and never returned to the coaching ranks.
The renowned orator will now bring his unique communication style to the Sunday night pregame show format.
A historic coaching legacy
The veteran leader concluded his remarkable tenure holding the record as the longest-serving head coach of any North American professional sports franchise.
He compiled an extraordinary 193-114-2 regular-season record and famously never suffered a losing campaign.
Becoming a champion at just 36 years old, he was the youngest coach to lift the Lombardi Trophy until Sean McVay achieved the feat in 2022.
However, recent postseason success ultimately proved elusive for the seasoned professional.
His final playoff victory came against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2016, while his last game in charge ended in a heavy wild-card defeat to the Houston Texans.
The Las Vegas Raiders are widely expected to select Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza with the first overall pick of the 2026 NFL Draft in Pittsburgh this Thursday.
The three-day selection process stands as the most crucial offseason event for all 32 franchises.
Teams will finalise their rosters before pre-season training camps begin later this summer.
Mendoza set for Las Vegas
The real intrigue in this year’s draft is expected to start after the opening selection.
It is widely accepted that the Las Vegas outfit will choose the national championship-winning signal-caller.
The accurate passer has drawn comparisons to former NFL Most Valuable Player Matt Ryan.
Despite some lingering doubts about his overall ceiling, the young prospect offers surprising mobility alongside his elite arm talent.
Solving the quarterback puzzle
Las Vegas have navigated a prolonged period of uncertainty at the pivotal position since the departure of Derek Carr.
Pairing the incoming rookie with veteran Kirk Cousins would instantly transform the franchise’s offensive outlook.
With the New York Jets holding the second pick, they are heavily projected to target a premium pass rusher to upgrade their defensive line.
Early trade drama and elite talent
Attention will quickly turn to the Arizona Cardinals at number three, where trade negotiations could dominate proceedings.
Arizona may attempt to leverage the availability of highly-touted Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love to acquire additional draft capital.
The explosive ball-carrier is viewed as a generational talent capable of scoring from anywhere on the field.
Having amassed 40 touchdowns during his college career, the dynamic playmaker has inevitably drawn comparisons to Saquon Barkley.
While the Cardinals recently signed Tyler Allgeier, securing a team to trade up ahead of the Tennessee Titans could accelerate their wider roster rebuild.
Minnesota Vikings star Justin Jefferson has challenged quarterback J.J. McCarthy to elevate his game following the arrival of Kyler Murray at the start of the team’s offseason programme.
The former first-round draft pick endured a difficult rookie campaign in 2024 and now faces intense competition for the starting role.
Murray signed a one-year contract in March to inject proven playmaking ability into the Minnesota offence.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the reshaped quarterback room, the All-Pro receiver was candid about the pressure now facing his younger teammate.
Veteran arrival brings new pressure
The 25-year-old pass catcher has spent significant time working with the second-year signal-caller during the offseason to build crucial chemistry.
“For J.J., for somebody to enter that room with that type of ability, that type of talent, he’s got to step it up a little bit,” Jefferson said.
“It’s good for him to feel that type of pressure and to really lock in a little bit and say, ‘It’s either now or I’m going to take that back seat again.'”
These private throwing sessions took place both in Minnesota and at undisclosed locations to help develop vital timing before training camp begins.
Looking forward to explosive plays
While dedicating time to his developing teammate, the team’s premier receiver also expressed excitement about catching passes from the dynamic veteran acquisition.
“I’m definitely looking forward to his speed, his quickness, his arm strength that he’s shown countless times over the years,” the receiver added.
Head coach Kevin O’Connell has currently refused to formally dictate a depth chart hierarchy for the upcoming NFL season.
This leaves the door firmly open for the 10th overall pick of the 2024 draft to potentially win the job during summer workouts.
Building crucial timing
The intense spotlight on the pivotal offensive position will undoubtedly create a competitive edge during otherwise routine spring practices.
“It’s all about just feeling the ball coming and seeing the ball coming out of his hand and then just feeling the impact and the velocity of his football,” Jefferson noted regarding his recent workouts.
He added that his young quarterback appears noticeably more confident in predicting route breaks and executing his throws with conviction.
With veteran reserves Carson Wentz and Max Brosmer also in the building, the battle for the starting job promises to be a defining storyline in Minnesota.
San Francisco 49ers left tackle Trent Williams has agreed a historic two-year contract extension worth $50m (£39.5m), making him the first non-quarterback in NFL history to surpass $400m in career contracts.
The new agreement includes $37m in fully guaranteed money alongside a $22m signing bonus.
This lucrative extension ensures the 12-time Pro Bowler will remain under contract in the Bay Area through the 2028 season.
Record-breaking career earnings
With this latest deal, the veteran lineman sets a new financial benchmark for his position with career guarantees exceeding $225m.
His representatives confirmed the historic financial milestones achieved by the new agreement on social media.
Trent is the first non-QB in NFL history to surpass $400m in contracts and $225m in guarantees.
Elite Loyalty Sports
San Francisco had previously declined to exercise a $10m option bonus due in March, leading to initial struggles in finding common ground during the offseason.
Securing the offensive line
The 37-year-old was originally slated to enter the 2026 campaign with no guaranteed money remaining and a massive salary cap hit of $38.84m.
Releasing or trading the former All-Pro was never a realistic option for the franchise, as such a move would have incurred a crippling $34.15m dead money charge.
San Francisco also lacked a proven replacement on their current roster, having only added swing tackle Vederian Lowe from the New England Patriots for rotational depth.
Chasing Hall of Fame history
This extension paves the way for the offensive anchor to achieve his stated goal of playing in the NFL until he turns 40.
Having earned second-team All-Pro honours in 2025, he now sits just two selections away from matching Bruce Matthews’ all-time record of 14 Pro Bowl appearances by an offensive lineman.
The legendary tackle will now focus on continuing to build his formidable Hall of Fame resume while chasing an elusive first Super Bowl victory.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is widely expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders as the first overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft following his national championship success.
The 6ft 5in prospect has cemented his status as the undisputed top talent during the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis.
His sensational final collegiate season was capped by a heroic scramble that secured Indiana’s first-ever national championship in January.
That title-winning display, combined with a game-winning throw against Penn State earlier in the autumn, effectively concluded the debate over his draft stock.
Brady connection awaits in Las Vegas
The Las Vegas franchise currently holds the first selection in the upcoming draft.
Their minority owner, Tom Brady, has been heavily linked with mentoring the incoming rookie.
“To potentially have a mentor like that would be pretty impressive.”
The 236lb signal-caller acknowledged the seven-time Super Bowl champion’s influence while speaking to the media this week.
Unconventional character draws scout attention
Beyond his impressive physical attributes, the prospective number one pick has drawn attention for his uniquely polite and inquisitive personality.
Former coach Tim Plough, who worked with the standout talent during his time at Cal, has faced persistent questions from professional scouts regarding his temperament.
Evaluators have questioned whether his highly polished, almost overly courteous demeanour will translate successfully into a professional locker room.
However, those closest to the national champion insist his enthusiasm and relentless curiosity are entirely genuine traits.
A rare blend of physical and mental traits
NFL decision-makers are increasingly convinced by his rare combination of elite arm strength, pocket mobility, and pinpoint accuracy.
April’s draft now appears to be a mere formality for the widely admired collegiate star.
Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza is heavily projected to be selected first overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in Thursday’s NFL Draft in Pittsburgh.
A comprehensive seven-round forecast predicting all 257 picks has placed the standout signal-caller firmly at the top of the board.
The exhaustive mock draft, based on extensive league intelligence and scouting, anticipates no trades in the pivotal opening rounds.
Raiders target long-term solution
Las Vegas have been desperately searching for a franchise quarterback to anchor their offence.
Mendoza boasts the ideal combination of size, arm strength, and decision-making required for the professional level.
The highly rated prospect overcame considerable adversity last season to establish himself as the premier talent in this class.
He threw a staggering 41 touchdown passes alongside just six interceptions during a stellar collegiate campaign.
Those phenomenal numbers guided the Hoosiers to a flawless 16-0 record and a national championship title.
Jets and Cardinals look to the trenches
The New York Jets are predicted to use the second overall pick on Ohio State defensive standout Arvell Reese.
Reese is viewed as an interchangeable asset who can excel as either a traditional linebacker or a disruptive edge rusher.
The explosive defender represents a foundational piece for a New York organisation currently navigating the early stages of a rebuild.
Meanwhile, the Arizona Cardinals are expected to select Miami offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa at number three.
Protecting the quarterback remains a glaring weakness for Arizona, who surrendered 59 sacks last season.
Mauigoa would offer an immediate, plug-and-play solution on the right side of a struggling offensive line.
Titans secure premier pass rusher
The Tennessee Titans hold the fourth selection and are projected to bolster their defensive front rather than draft offensive weapons.
Texas Tech edge rusher David Bailey is tipped to head to Nashville after producing an incredible season.
The dynamic prospect utilised a lethal first step to record 14.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss last year.