January 14, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver
Brian Thomas Jr. was a big disappointment to his fantasy managers in his second season in the NFL after he came out guns blazing in his rookie campaign with 87 catches for 1,282 yards and 10 touchdowns on 133 targets in 17 games. This year, Thomas took a step back with 48 catches on 91 targets for 707 yards and two touchdowns in 14 regular-season games. "When you are part of a team that wins, the wealth will be shared. It will never truly be about one player. I will continue to pour into these guys... BT will 100% be a part of that," head coach Liam Coen said when asked about Thomas' future. The 23-year-old is going to remain involved in the Jags' passing attack, but the addition of
Jakobi Meyers in 2025 really hurt his upside. Although
Travis Hunter could play more defense in 2026, his presence will also be an obstacle to Thomas trying to rediscover his rookie form.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
January 14, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals are requesting to interview Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith for their head-coaching job, a source told The Athletic's Dianna Russini. Smith is also interviewing for the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching opening on Wednesday. The 43-year-old is a Memphis native and spent 10 years as a coach with the Titans before becoming the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons for three seasons, so his preference could be to return home. Smith has a connection to the Cardinals as well, serving alongside current Arizona general manager Monti Ossenfort when he worked for the Titans. It's unlikely that Smith would stick around on Pittsburgh's staff after they bring in a new head coach to replace Mike Tomlin, who resigned on Tuesday. Smith served as the OC for the Steelers for the last two seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
January 14, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is interviewing for the Tennessee Titans' head-coaching opening on Wednesday, a source told Conor Orr of Sports Illustrated. Smith is well-liked in the Titans' building and will be looking for a new job after Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin resigned on Tuesday. In addition to Smith, the Titans are interviewing former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel for the head-coaching job on Wednesday. Smith spent 10 years as an assistant coach for the Titans before eventually being promoted to the OC role. He eventually left Tennessee to become the head coach for the Atlanta Falcons. The Arizona Cardinals have also requested to interview Smith for their head-coaching job. Smith's offensive philosophy would be an interesting fit in Tennessee with current tight ends
Chig Okonkwo and
Gunnar Helm.
--Keith HernandezSource: Sports Illustrated - Conor Orr
January 14, 2026
The Arizona Cardinals have requested to interview Houston Texans defensive coordinator Matt Burke for their head-coaching job, a source told Dianna Russini of The Athletic. Burke is the play-caller for the No. 1 defense in the NFL, and he previously coached the Cardinals' defensive line in 2022. The Cardinals are looking to replace Jonathan Gannon, who was fired last week after the team went 3-14 in 2025. Burke has been the Texans' DC for three seasons under head coach DeMeco Ryans. In addition to Houston being first in points allowed this year, they ranked second in yards allowed. Burke is well-traveled around the NFL as a coach, with stops in Tennessee (2004-08), Detroit (2009-13), Cincinnati (2014-15), Miami (2016-18), Philadelphia (2019-20), New York (2021), and Arizona (2022).
--Keith HernandezSource: The Athletic - Dianna Russini
January 14, 2026
The Miami Dolphins requested an interview with Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their head-coaching job, a source told Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. In addition to interviewing for Miami's head-coaching job, the Washington Commanders are interested in Graham filling their DC job. Graham also received head-coaching looks last year but was not a finalist anywhere. Despite a tough season for the Raiders, he's still a respected defensive mind and head-coaching candidate. The Dolphins recently hired a new general manager and are now looking to replace Mike McDaniel, who was let go last week. Graham was the Dolphins' DC in 2019, but he'll likely be considered a long shot to get their head-coaching job. He has a much better shot at going elsewhere in 2026 in a DC role again.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 14, 2026
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
Aaron Rodgers said that he enjoyed his experience with the Steelers in 2025, but owner Art Rooney hinted that he's unlikely to re-sign with the team this offseason if he decides to continue his playing career, according to Amanda Godsey of the Johnstown Tribune-Democrat. Rooney said that Rodgers "came here to play for Mike." Long-time Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin announced his resignation on Tuesday, and he's not expected to coach anywhere in 2026. The 42-year-old future Hall of Fame QB could be leaning towards retirement despite finishing this year with a rough performance in the Wild-Card loss to the Houston Texans on Monday, when he went 17-for-33 passing for 146 yards, no touchdowns, one interception, and a lost fumble. If this is it for Rodgers, the four-time MVP and Super Bowl champion will finish with 66,274 passing yards and 527 touchdown passes in the regular season in 21 NFL seasons.
--Keith HernandezSource: Johnstown Tribune-Democrat - Amanda Godsey
January 14, 2026
The Philadelphia Eagles fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo on Tuesday after a disastrous first season as the team's coordinator in 2025. The Philadelphia Inquirer's David Murphy thinks that former Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel would be the perfect guy to replace Patullo. McDaniel initially made the Dolphins' offense pretty scary with all the speed they had, but they collapsed this year, and it didn't help that they lost receiver
Tyreek Hill (knee) early in the year. Despite being fired by Miami, McDaniel is still considered one of the brightest offensive minds in the league, and he'd certainly have plenty of shiny toys to play with in the Eagles' offense. The problem for Philly is that McDaniel is also a candidate for open head-coaching jobs around the NFL this cycle.
--Keith HernandezSource: Philadelphia Inquirer - David Murphy
January 14, 2026
Dallas Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland (foot) had surgery on his left foot on Tuesday, according to Todd Archer of ESPN. It's the second surgery on Bland's foot in as many years, but the expectation is that he will be ready for the team's offseason program in the spring. The main focus is on having the 26-year-old defensive back be a full-go for training camp in the summer. The Cowboys held Bland out of the final three games of the 2025 season with his foot injury, and they're hoping the injury can be put behind him going into the 2026 campaign. Bland recorded a career-high 73 tackles (45 solo), an interception returned for a touchdown, and six pass breakups in 12 starts this year. He picked off 14 passes (five returned for touchdowns) in his first two years in the NFL, but he has just one interception in the last two years and has had trouble staying on the field.
--Keith HernandezSource: ESPN Dallas - Todd Archer
January 14, 2026
Denver Broncos safety Brandon Jones (pectoral) has a chance to return if the Broncos advance to this year's Super Bowl, a source told Mike Klis of 9 News. The starting safety had surgery to fix a torn pectoral muscle that he suffered near the end of the first half against the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. With the 27-year-old sidelined, P.J. Locke has filled in admirably as the team's starting free safety. In his second season with the Broncos before his injury, Jones had 78 tackles (43 solo), half a sack, one interception, seven pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 14 games played. Denver would love to get Jones back if they made it deep in the postseason, but there's no guarantee that Jones will be ready to contribute if they do get back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2016.
--Keith HernandezSource: 9 News - Mike Klis
January 14, 2026
Green Bay Packers wide receiver/cornerback
Bo Melton (ankle) said that he expects to need just one month to recover from the ankle injury that he suffered in the Week 18 regular-season finale against the Minnesota Vikings, according to Tom Silverstein of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Barring a setback, Melton should be good to take part in the team's offseason workouts in the spring. The 26-year-old is unsure if he'll work more as a receiver or defensive back going into the 2026 season. Melton was mostly a backup wideout for the Packers this year, catching only four passes for 107 yards and a touchdown on 13 targets, transitioning more to a defensive role. He'll be a restricted free agent this offseason, which means he'll most likely return to Green Bay. We aren't expecting Melton to have any real fantasy football value in the fall.
--Keith HernandezSource: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel - Tom Silverstein
January 14, 2026
NFL teams were told that former Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin "does not plan to coach next year," according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. Teams around the league contacted Tomlin to express their interest in him in the hours after he told the Steelers that he was stepping down on Monday, according to sources. The Steelers still have Tomlin's rights, and draft compensation would be necessary if Tomlin were to go to another team. That could eventually still happen, but it looks like Tomlin's plan right now is to take next season off after 19 years as the head coach in Pittsburgh. While Tomlin's recent run with the Steelers was marred by early playoff exits, he amazingly didn't have a losing season in his entire 19-year run with the organization. If the future Hall of Fame coach doesn't coach in 2026, he could be hired as an analyst by one of the big TV networks.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Ian Rapoport
January 14, 2026
Jacksonville Jaguars general manager James Gladstone said that wide receiver/cornerback
Travis Hunter's (knee) rehab from a torn LCL is going "as expected," and he will play on both offense and defense next season, according to Cameron Wolfe of NFL Network. Hunter played 67% of the offensive snaps and 36% of the defensive snaps in his first seven NFL games in 2025 before suffering a season-ending knee injury. Wolfe says to expect Hunter to play much more on the defensive side in 2026, which will be a bigger need for the Jaguars. Hunter, the No. 2 overall pick in last April's draft, had surgery on his knee on Nov. 11. The 22-year-old caught 28 of his 45 targets for 298 yards and a touchdown before his injury, but he was starting to see a bigger role right before he got hurt. Hunter should be fully ready for the start of next season, but coming off injury and expected to see less time on offense means that his price tag on draft day will most certainly drop considerably from what it was going into his rookie season.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Cameron Wolfe
January 14, 2026
The Philadelphia Phillies met with free-agent infielder
Bo Bichette on Monday, and Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports that both sides "emerged with optimism" from the meeting. Across 628 plate appearances for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2025, Bichette slashed .311/.357/.483 with 18 home runs, 94 RBI, 78 runs scored, and four stolen bases. He'll turn just 28 years old in March, making him one of the younger big-name free agents on the open market. Bichette has spent the majority of his career playing shortstop, but he's graded out as a poor defender and has expressed an openness to moving off the position with his next team. Philadelphia already has
Trea Turner at short, so Bichette would likely take over for either
Bryson Stott at second base or
Alec Bohm at third base with the Phillies. Multiple other teams, including the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, have been linked to Bichette at different points throughout the offseason. However, Gelb highlights Philadelphia's historical willingness to sign longer-term free agent deals as one reason why the organization may emerge as the winner of the Bichette sweepstakes.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Matt Gelb
January 14, 2026
Free-agent first baseman
Paul Goldschmidt "continues to loom as a potential fit" with the Arizona Diamondbacks, per Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic. Goldschmidt spent the 2025 season with the New York Yankees, posting a .274/.328/.403 slash line with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, 76 runs scored, and five stolen bases across 534 plate appearances. Entering his age-38 season, Goldschmidt's days as an everyday player are likely behind him. However, he mashed left-handed pitching to a .336/.411/.570 line in 2025, which could make him an ideal platoon partner for Diamondbacks left-handed hitting first baseman
Pavin Smith. Goldschmidt also spent the first eight years of his career in Arizona before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals, so a homecoming could be a nice story for both player and team.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
January 14, 2026
Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reports that some members of the Boston Red Sox organization are "high on free-agent left-hander
Ranger Suarez," and speculates that signing Suarez could be one way for Boston to pivot after losing third baseman
Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs in free agency. Across 157 1/3 innings (26 starts) for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2025, Suarez posted a 12-8 record with a 3.20 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, and 151 strikeouts. He lowered his walk rate to a career-best 5.8% in 2025 and now hits free agency going into his age-30 season. In Boston, Suarez would likely slot in alongside veteran right-hander
Sonny Gray as one of the top starting pitching options behind ace of the staff
Garrett Crochet. However, Rosenthal also reports that Suarez's market "remains unclear," so it does not appear that a signing is imminent.
--Will BradySource: The Athletic - Ken Rosenthal
January 14, 2026
Tim Healey of The Boston Globe reports that the Boston Red Sox met with starting pitcher
Framber Valdez in person at the MLB general managers' meetings in November, and speculates that the team could circle back to Valdez after losing third baseman
Alex Bregman to the Chicago Cubs in free agency. Valdez, who is entering his age-32 season, posted a 13-11 record with a 3.66 ERA, 1.25 WHIP, and 187 strikeouts across 192 innings for the Houston Astros in 2025. The veteran left-hander has made at least 28 starts in four consecutive seasons, posting a 3.21 ERA across 767 2/3 innings pitched in that span. Healey notes that the Red Sox acquired starting pitcher
Sonny Gray after meeting with Valdez, so it's possible the team feels it has filled its rotation needs. However, Boston could choose to upgrade its pitching staff with the money it has left over after missing on Bregman.
--Will BradySource: The Boston Globe - Tim Healey
January 14, 2026
Former Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh continues to gather information on potential destinations, and the expectation is that he will interview with the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans, and Atlanta Falcons by the end of the week, according to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network. Other teams are interested, but Pelissero reports that the Giants, Titans, and Falcons appear to have the inside track. The Athletic's Ian O'Connor reports that Harbaugh is expected to meet with the Giants in New Jersey on Wednesday, barring a last-minute schedule change. New York and Tennessee have promising young quarterbacks in place for Harbaugh, and while the Falcons have a big question mark at the position, given
Michael Penix Jr.'s (knee) injury situation, the former Ravens head coach could have some sway in picking the team's next general manager.
--Keith HernandezSource: NFL Network - Tom Pelissero
January 14, 2026
According to David Ubben of The Athletic, the FBS head coaches unanimously voted to expand redshirt eligibility from four games to nine. While that does not make the expansion official, it is a recommendation that will be put forth to the Division I committees. Redshirt eligibility was expanded to four games ahead of the 2018-19 college football season, and coaches are pushing for an even more lenient rule just a relatively short time after. If this passes, a player can play up to nine contests without losing a year of collegiate eligibility. College football has seen major changes over the last few years, and it looks like change will continue to take place in the next few years. This is just another possibility.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: David Ubben - The Athletic
January 14, 2026
Former Ohio State wide receiver Mylan Graham has officially signed with Notre Dame, according to On3's Pete Nakos. Graham is a former four-star recruit in the Class of 2024, and he was rated as the No. 1 player from the state of Indiana coming out of high school. Buried behind stud wideouts such as Emeka Egbuka, Jeremiah Smith, and Carnell Tate on the depth chart, Graham played in just four games in 2024 and nine games in 2025. He tallied just six catches for 93 yards through his first two collegiate seasons. However, his path to playing time should be clearer in South Bend, as Notre Dame is losing standout wide receiver Malachi Fields to the NFL. Graham is joining former Ohio State teammate Quincy Porter with the Irish in 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3
January 14, 2026
LSU running back Caden Durham entered the NCAA transfer portal on January 3, but On3's Pete Nakos reports that he officially withdrew his name on Tuesday. The rising junior is now expected to stay with the program under new head coach Lane Kiffin. The Oklahoma native has played in 24 games for the Tigers over the last two seasons, totaling 295 touches for 1,609 yards and 11 total touchdowns. He flashed as a true freshman before regressing in 2025, in large part due to shaky offensive line play in Baton Rouge. LSU currently has three transfer running backs committed to the school, in Rod Gainey Jr. (Charlotte), Dilin Jones (Wisconsin), and Raycine Guillory (Utah). With Durham staying put, he should be the favorite to handle the most carries in Kiffin's offense in 2026.
--Jackson Sparks - RotoBallerSource: Pete Nakos - On3
January 14, 2026
Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl once again did the business against the Nashville Predators on Tuesday night but didn't get to celebrate a victory, notching three points in a 4-3 overtime loss. In NHL history, only Jerome Iginla has tallied more points against Nashville than Draisaitl, who had an even-strength goal and two power-play assists this time in the matchup. With the effort, Draisaitl extended his point streak to five games. He has averaged two points per game during that run, posting five goals and five assists. In 47 games, Draisaitl has posted 67 points (25 goals, 42 assists), which puts him tied for fourth among all scorers this season. He's also second in the league with 31 power-play points (11 goals, 20 assists).
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 14, 2026
St. Louis Blues goaltender Joel Hofer produced a 33-save shutout against the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday night, backstopping his team to a 3-0 victory. Hofer became the first Blues goaltender with four shutouts in a season since Jordan Binnington in 2018-19, tying Ilya Sorokin of the New York Islanders and Jesper Wallstedt of the Minnesota Wild for the league lead. After an awful start to the season, Hofer began to pick up form in December and has enjoyed a 4-2-0 stretch. He has improved his record to 10-9-2 and has a 2.81 goals-against average and a .902 save percentage for the season.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 14, 2026
After a year marred by injury in 2024, Jordan Spieth returned in a somewhat subdued capacity in 2025. The evolving landscape in professional golf makes it challenging to determine what a typical schedule looks like these days. Nonetheless, Spieth is hoping to reestablish his place among the best players in golf this year. Waialae presents an opportunity for the former Texas Longhorn to get off to a fast start. Last season was his best strokes gained putting season since 2021 (+0.152), and his ball-striking stats returned to an acceptable +0.313 strokes gained average off the tee and +0.230 on approach. A juiced-up field, easy green complexes, and a course where good short game can be a huge strength down the stretch; sounds like heaven for Jordan Spieth.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
January 14, 2026
Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman recorded his first shutout of the season on Tuesday, finishing a 3-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings with 24 saves. After dropping four consecutive starts in late December, Swayman now finds himself on a 4-1-0 run. He has won back-to-back starts and can aim for his second three-game winning streak of the season. Boston faces the Seattle Kraken in its next game on Thursday. Swayman improved to 18-11-2 for the season on Tuesday night. He has a 2.79 goals-against average and a .905 save percentage.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 14, 2026
Columbus Blue Jackets defenseman Zach Werenski posted his fifth three-point game of the season on Tuesday night, helping Rick Bowness enjoy a winning debut as the team's new head coach in a 5-3 victory over the Calgary Flames. Werenski scored a power-play goal in the third period and finished with two even-strength assists. It was Werenski's 15th consecutive home appearance with at least one point. Werenski is now just three points behind Colorado's Cale Makar in the battle for the NHL's highest-scoring defenseman honors. He has recorded 50 points (17 goals, 33 assists) in 42 contests. Werenski could soon move past Makar, as Columbus will play six of its next seven games on home ice.
--Taavi PailkSource: ESPN
January 14, 2026
Seattle Kraken center Chandler Stephenson (personal) was activated from the non-roster list and is available for selection on Wednesday night against the New Jersey Devils. Stephenson has missed the last two games. He should return to a top-six role against New Jersey. The 31-year-old has enjoyed a few hot weeks, becoming Seattle's third-highest scorer. In 42 contests, Stephenson has produced 27 points (11 goals, 16 assists). 15 of his points have come in his last 17 appearances. During that stretch, Stephenson has been held off the score sheet only four times.
--Taavi PailkSource: Seattle Kraken PR
January 14, 2026
Miami Marlins pitching prospect
Robby Snelling appears poised to compete for a starting job in the rotation during spring training. Over the past week, the Marlins have sent two of their starting pitchers,
Edward Cabrera and
Ryan Weathers, to competing teams in exchange for top prospects. As a result, Snelling faces even less competition to crack the rotation next month. Last summer, the southpaw was one of the most dominant pitchers at the Triple-A level. While he had a modest start to the season at Double-A, where he posted a 3.61 ERA with a 1.22 WHIP across 72 1/3 innings, he reached a new level with Jacksonville. Through 63 2/3 innings at the top level of the minor leagues, Snelling posted an elite 1.27 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, with an 81:17 K:BB. Snelling is a name to closely monitor in spring training, as he would carry high-end sleeper appeal given the strikeout upside he flashed against the top hitters in the minor leagues if he begins the season in the majors.
--Andy SmithSource: RotoBaller
January 14, 2026
It was a great year for Aaron Rai, even if the finishes are a bit high compared to the exceptional ranking in ball striking stats. He was the second-most accurate driver of the golf ball of anyone on tour last season (73.85%) and was 18th in greens in regulation (70.52%). That culminated in ranking inside the top 25 in both strokes gained off the tee and on approach metrics. Putting was/is a large detriment to his limited upside. He also isn't a very long hitter, which also doesn't bode well for keeping pace at some venues. However, a spot like Waialae isn't the most demanding he'll see this season, and the accuracy is clearly there. Rai is by no means a must-play this week, but there are certainly worse options.
--Todd McGillSource: PGA Tour
January 14, 2026
Nashville Predators right wing Jonathan Marchessault (lower body) was shifted to Injured Reserve on Tuesday. He missed his 13th consecutive game on Tuesday night against the Edmonton Oilers. The 2023 playoffs MVP has been out with a lower-body injury, and it's unclear when Nashville will have him available again. Marchessault has been limited to 10 points (seven goals, three assists) in 28 appearances this season and carries an ugly minus-18 rating. Strangely, the Predators have been streaking without Marchessault, winning nine of the 13 games he has missed.
--Taavi PailkSource: NHL.com
January 14, 2026
Former first-round pick Caden Bodine was included in the package to Tampa Bay that sent right-handed pitcher
Shane Baz to the Baltimore Orioles earlier this offseason. The Orioles selected the young backstop with the 30th overall pick in last year's MLB Draft and will now join his second professional club. Following his selection out of Coastal Carolina, the backstop was set to Low-A Delmarva, where he appeared in his first 11 professional contests. In this brief stint, Bodine held a .326/.408/.349 line with a .757 OPS. The 22-year-old hit one double and had an 8:5 K:BB. The catcher is considered Tampa Bay's No. 13 overall prospect. Entering the draft, Bodine was credited with having some of the best contact skills in the class. Dynasty managers should expect the switch-hitting catcher to spend most of 2026 in the lower levels of the Tampa Bay system.
--Andy SmithSource: Jeff Passan
RADIO
