The Philadelphia Eagles have acquired linebacker Jonathan Greenard from the Minnesota Vikings on Friday in a trade accompanied by a new four-year, $100m contract.
Philadelphia sent the 98th overall pick in this year’s draft and a 2025 third-round selection to Minnesota.
In return, they receive the 28-year-old pass rusher along with a seventh-round pick in 2026.
The lucrative extension includes $50m in guaranteed money, according to his representation.
Eagles pivot after missing out on Phillips
Securing a quality edge rusher has been a major priority for the franchise throughout this offseason.
Philadelphia initially targeted a reunion with Jaelan Phillips ahead of the free agency period.
However, the Carolina Panthers priced them out of the market by offering Phillips a massive four-year, $120m deal.
That prompted a swift move for the former Houston Texans defensive standout.
Looking to recapture double-digit sack form
The newest arrival in Pennsylvania will be eager to bounce back from a relatively quiet recent campaign.
He managed just three sacks in 12 appearances during his final season in the NFC North.
Despite that dip in production, he previously recorded consecutive double-digit sack seasons.
He now bolsters an outside linebacker rotation featuring Nolan Smith, Jalyx Hunt and Arnold Ebiketie.
The veteran brings significant experience, boasting 38 career sacks across six professional seasons.
Atlanta Hawks guard Nickeil Alexander-Walker has been named the NBA’s Most Improved Player for the 2025-26 season following a spectacular breakout campaign.
The 6-foot-5 guard averaged a career-high 20.8 points, 3.7 assists, and 3.4 rebounds to go along with 1.3 steals per game.
He also recorded personal bests in blocks, overall field goal percentage, and three-point efficiency over the course of the year.
His scoring output increased by an astonishing 11.4 points from his previous season as a bench player for the Minnesota Timberwolves, marking the third-highest statistical jump over the past 25 years.
Historic back-to-back success for Atlanta
Alexander-Walker succeeds his teammate Dyson Daniels, who claimed the prestigious honour last season.
This unprecedented achievement represents the first time in NBA history that two consecutive winners have emerged from the same franchise.
The versatile playmaker arrived in Georgia during free agency after being actively recruited by former Hawks point guard Trae Young.
When Young sustained an early-season knee injury and was subsequently traded to the Washington Wizards, the newly acquired guard stepped up to ensure his squad remained a playoff team.
‘Tireless work ethic’ drives record-breaking season
The former Timberwolves rotation player established a single-season franchise record by connecting on 251 three-pointers, which ranked fourth overall across the league.
Hawks head coach Quin Snyder praised his player’s remarkable transformation and crucial contribution to their current campaign.
“Nickeil’s dedication, continual work on his craft, and the ensuing results this season make him incredibly deserving of this award.”
Quin Snyder
Snyder also highlighted how his unselfish attitude as a teammate has positively impacted the overall success of the squad during a transitional year.
Atlanta’s general manager Onsi Saleh echoed these sentiments, pointing to the guard’s exemplary professionalism both on and off the court.
“He brings a high level of care and professionalism to everything he does associated with the game of basketball. Nickeil truly embodies what it means to be the best version of yourself and we are excited for his future growth in our program.”
Onsi Saleh
Manchester City have opened high-level discussions with former Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca amid growing expectations that Pep Guardiola will leave the club to manage the Italian national team.
The 44-year-old Italian tactician is currently a free agent having recently resigned from his post at Stamford Bridge.
Reports suggest the Premier League champions are actively preparing for life after their historic treble-winning boss.
Guardiola linked with Italy vacancy
Speculation surrounds the future of the Catalan coach, whose departure from the Etihad Stadium is increasingly anticipated this summer.
The vacant head coach position for the Azzurri has emerged as a primary destination following Gennaro Gattuso’s recent exit.
Taking charge of the four-time World Cup winners would represent a first foray into international management for the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich mastermind.
Chelsea target record deal for Shaw
In the Women’s Super League, the Blues have reportedly made a historic contract offer to Manchester City striker Khadija Shaw.
The proposed deal for the prolific 29-year-old Jamaican international is believed to be worth at least £1m per year.
The reigning WSL Golden Boot winner sees her current contract in the north-west expire at the end of the current campaign.
Fabregas commits to Como project
Elsewhere, Cesc Fabregas has publicly dismissed speculation linking him with a return to West London to replace Maresca.
The Spanish World Cup winner insists his complete focus remains on his ongoing managerial project at Serie A side Como.
This clarification comes after the Italian club’s ownership admitted they would not block a potential move to the Premier League heavyweights.
Nottingham Forest moved a step closer to Premier League survival after Vitor Pereira’s side delivered a stunning 5-0 victory over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The East Midlands outfit extended their unbeaten league run to six matches with a devastating first-half display.
Four goals before the break blew the Black Cats away, establishing an eight-point cushion over the relegation zone.
Forest manager Pereira had challenged his players to produce elite-level performances during the crucial run-in.
“I asked my team to play at the level of Champions League because the Premier League is our Champions League.”
First-half blitz stuns Stadium of Light
The visitors opened the scoring in fortuitous circumstances when an Igor Jesus header deflected in off unwitting defender Trai Hume.
However, there was nothing lucky about the ensuing six-minute spell that completely dismantled the home defence.
Chris Wood capitalised on a glaring error by goalkeeper Robin Roefs to double the advantage.
Superb strikes from Morgan Gibbs-White and a second for Jesus quickly followed, leaving the Wearsiders in tatters long before the interval.
Midfielder Elliot Anderson then compounded the misery for Regis Le Bris’ side with a late fifth goal in the closing stages.
Safety not yet secured
Despite pulling away from the bottom three, the Portuguese head coach refuses to declare their survival mission accomplished.
With four matches remaining in the campaign, Pereira insists his squad cannot afford to lose focus.
“In my opinion, it isn’t enough, it isn’t enough, it isn’t enough. We need more points and we need to keep our mentality. We cannot relax.”
The commanding victory places immense pressure on relegation rivals Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United ahead of their weekend fixtures.
Rather than monitoring those crucial matches, the Forest boss plans to spend his two days off relaxing away from football.
“For sure, I will not watch the games because I suffer with my games, that’s enough. Maybe I will be at home, maybe drinking a pint, but not watching the games.”
‘Like a punch in the face’
The heavy defeat leaves Sunderland reflecting on a disastrous evening in front of their own supporters.
The hosts sat 10 points ahead of their opponents before kick-off but were comprehensively outplayed in every department.
Black Cats manager Le Bris admitted the performance fell alarmingly short of expectations.
“It hurts, it’s painful because it’s not the face we want to show, so for the players, I think it was like a punch in their face, and for me as well.”
The French tactician praised the home faithful, conceding that the fans were significantly better than his team on the night.
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe asked to be substituted with a suspected hamstring injury during a 1-1 draw against Real Betis that severely dents the club’s LaLiga title hopes.
The French World Cup winner was withdrawn in the 81st minute after feeling discomfort and headed straight down the tunnel at La Cartuja.
Head coach Alvaro Arbeloa confirmed the substitution was precautionary, with Spanish media reporting a potential issue in his left leg.
Further medical tests are scheduled for Saturday to determine the full extent of the damage.
He felt some discomfort. We’ll see how he evolves over the next few days.
Alvaro Arbeloa
Late heartbreak for Los Blancos
The injury scare compounded a highly frustrating evening for the visitors in Seville.
Vinicius Junior had initially fired the reigning European champions into an early lead after just 17 minutes.
However, Hector Bellerin struck a 94th-minute equaliser to snatch a dramatic point for the hosts.
The result leaves Arbeloa’s squad trailing league leaders Barcelona by eight points, with the Catalan side holding a game in hand.
World Cup preparations loom
Any prolonged absence for the 25-year-old would be a significant blow to both his club and country.
The prolific striker has been in scintillating domestic form, netting 24 times in 28 league appearances this campaign.
France will also be monitoring the medical reports closely ahead of their World Cup opener against Senegal on 16 June.
Meanwhile, a depleted Madrid squad must regroup for their next fixture against Espanyol before a crucial Clasico showdown.
Penalty controversy adds to woes
The Spanish giants have now secured victory in just one of their last six matches across all competitions.
Their latest setback was not without controversy, as officials waved away late appeals for a handball against Betis defender Ricardo Rodriguez.
It’s a clear penalty, with the arm out. There isn’t much else to see, it’s very clear… They’re decisions that affect the game a lot.
Alvaro Arbeloa
The Green Bay Packers have signed wide receiver Jayden Reed to a three-year contract extension worth $50.25m, securing his long-term future at Lambeau Field through to 2029.
The lucrative new agreement includes $20m in guaranteed money for the electric playmaker.
Selected in the second round of the 2023 draft, the 24-year-old was preparing to enter the final year of his initial rookie deal.
Securing the receiving corps
This major financial commitment follows a significant period of transition within the Green Bay receiver room.
The franchise recently allowed Romeo Doubs to depart for the New England Patriots in free agency and traded Dontayvion Wicks to the Philadelphia Eagles.
Attention will now inevitably turn towards Christian Watson, who is also entering the final year of his contract and could command a similarly substantial extension.
The Packers are expected to rely heavily on a primary attacking trio featuring Watson, last year’s first-round selection Matthew Golden, and the newly extended wideout.
Bouncing back from injury
The explosive pass-catcher led the team in receiving during his first two seasons but endured a frustrating, injury-hit campaign last year.
Foot and shoulder issues restricted him to just seven appearances, with both injuries requiring surgery in week three.
He successfully returned for the final five regular-season fixtures and featured heavily in the wild-card playoff defeat by the Chicago Bears.
Despite registering an impressive 14 touchdowns over his first two campaigns, physical setbacks caused his output to dip to 19 catches and a single score last season.
Playoff pain driving future success
The devastating post-season loss in Chicago remains a significant source of motivation heading into the new NFL campaign.
A crucial dropped pass on the final drive denied his team a potential game-winning opportunity, an error he openly lamented to reporters.
“I didn’t sleep that next day till like 5 a.m. Just thinking about it, I’m still thinking about it right now.”
“I know that’s a play I gotta make if I want to be a great player in this league.”
“All I can do now is work. I can’t get it back. It ain’t no excuse, my only mindset is don’t let it happen again.”
Jayden Reed
The highly rated receiver insisted that his sole focus is on returning stronger and ensuring such high-profile mistakes are permanently eradicated from his game.
Millwall have climbed to second in the Championship table after securing a dramatic late 1-1 draw against relegated Leicester City.
The visitors arrived at the King Power Stadium knowing a positive result would significantly boost their automatic promotion ambitions.
Despite trailing for much of the contest, the south Londoners showed immense resilience to salvage a crucial point on the road.
Foxes frustrated by late drama
Leicester City had looked on course to claim all three points in front of their expectant home supporters.
The former Premier League champions controlled long spells of the match but ultimately failed to put the game beyond reach.
Dropping late points will serve as a bitter blow to the hosts as they navigate the rigorous demands of England’s second tier.
Lions roar into promotion contention
Securing a result against such high-calibre opposition underscores the growing momentum building within the visiting squad.
Moving into the top two represents a massive psychological boost for a club fiercely determined to reach the top flight.
This vital late intervention ensures they maintain intense pressure on the league leaders as the Championship campaign unfolds.
NASCAR majority owner Jim France is stepping down from his role as chief executive, with president Steve O’Donnell set to become the first non-family member to lead the racing series.
France, who has held the top position since 2019, will retain his majority ownership stake and remain as chairman of the organisation.
The historic leadership change is expected to be officially announced at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama on Saturday.
O’Donnell’s appointment marks a monumental shift for a motorsport property that was founded by Bill France Sr in 1948 and has always been guided by a family member.
Management restructuring continues
Alongside the change at the very top, France’s great-nephew Ben Kennedy will be promoted to the position of chief operating officer.
The outgoing executive originally took control of the boardroom following the sudden resignation of his nephew, Brian France, five years ago.
Legal battles and recent controversy
This major transition follows a tumultuous period for the American stock car racing series, highlighted by a bruising anti-trust lawsuit.
The racing magnate adopted a hardline stance during negotiations for the 2025 revenue-sharing agreement, which triggered legal action from Michael Jordan’s 23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports.
A settlement was eventually reached in December, granting competing teams the permanent charter agreements they had been demanding.
Testimony struggles and Phelps exit
During the recent anti-trust trial, the softly spoken chairman faced difficulties during his first day of testimony, repeatedly needing questions clarified and struggling to recall specific topics before recovering on the second day.
The courtroom drama also led to the high-profile departure of NASCAR commissioner Steve Phelps earlier this year.
Phelps was forced to resign after inflammatory text messages sent during the contentious revenue-sharing negotiations were made public during the legal proceedings.