CHICAGO As his new boss spoke on stage in the Hilton Chicago ballroom for Big Ten football media days, Chris McIntosh was present while staying far from the spotlight.McIntosh stood off to the side and toward the back of the room, listening to Big Ten commissioner Tony Petittis press conference alongside a few others in leadership roles, whether that be in the conference office or a member school.It was new in some ways for the Big Tens deputy commissioner for strategy, but it also familiar for the ex-Wisconsin athletic director who bolted from his alma mater in April. Nearly three months into that mix of new and old, Petitti praised McIntoshs great work.We have great staff that have experience in lots of different places, but Macs leadership position at Wisconsin really made it an obvious choice, Petitti said. Really well respected by our athletics directors and our leadership.McIntosh announced his immediate resignation on April 13 after nearly five years as Wisconsins athletic director. His departure came after nearly five years of leading the Badgers and amid historic football woes. UW suffered its first back-to-back losing seasons since the early 1990s.McIntosh said in an exclusive interview with the Journal Sentinels Lori Nickel after his departure from UW that he does not feel like Im abandoning Wisconsin as he moved to the conference office.I will play a bigger role than I had as the athletic director in shaping a sustainable system in which the Wisconsins, and the Iowas, and the Michigan States, and everybody can prosper, McIntosh said.His move also came amid a time of consistent change in the college sports landscape. It was nine-plus months after the House vs. NCAA settlement took effect and the College Sports Commission began its work. Conferences also have lobbied for Congressional action, and the NCAAs five-in-five eligibility model gained approval in June.As we continue to evolve in the office and you face the kind of issues that we do on a daily basis in the conference office and so much that we did around establishing CSC, I think it just became really clear that having expertise from campus is critical, Petitti said.Adding McIntosh during this time has given us a lot more depth, Petitti said.Hes involved in helping us on these long-term issues every day and the strategic part in not only shaping it going forward, but bringing that perspective and [being] able to talk to ADs not only in our league, but across the country as well. Were facing unprecedented challenges, and we need campus experience in the office.McIntoshs alma mater, meanwhile, has moved forward with the hiring of Shawn Eichorst as its next athletic director. Eichorst took the UW job earlier in July after eight years as Texas deputy AD. He also has been an AD at Miami and Nebraska.The start of Eichorsts time in the Wisconsin spotlight has come with positive reviews from UWs head coaches. Football coach Luke Fickell has been impressed with Eichorsts sincerity and authenticity. Mens basketball coach Greg Gard said he has been a breath of fresh air.I couldnt be more excited and more happy, Gard said. You know you got a guy thats really got your back and understands what this is all about and wants to attack it head on. So Im fired up. Everybodys through the roof on having him here, and Badger Nation should be, too, because hes freaking good.This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-Wisconsin AD Chris McIntosh gives Big Ten valued 'campus experience'

After opting out of his deal earlier this offseason, veteran forward Draymond Green is officially back with the Golden State Warriors.According to ESPNs Shams Charania, Green is returning to Golden State on a one-year, $27.7 million deal.Draymond Green has agreed to return to the Golden State Warriors on a one-year, $27.7 million deal, Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul tells ESPN, Charania reported.There was never any doubt that Green would be back. MORE: Draymond Green and Udonis Haslem still have beefThe only reason Green opted out of his deal was to give the Warriors the flexibility to pursue LeBron James, who ultimately signed with the Philadelphia 76ers this past weekend.Heres a look at what the Warriors starting lineup looks like with Green back in the fold.Warriors projected starting lineupGolden State Warriors head coach Steve Kerr talks to guard Stephen Curry (30) and forward Draymond Green (23) during the first half against the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center. Credit: Matthew Hinton-Imagn ImagesPG: Stephen CurrySG: Brandin PodziemskiSF: Jimmy Butler/Gui SantosPF: Draymond GreenC: Kristaps PorzingisThis lineup wouldve looked a lot better if LeBron James was in it, but unfortunately that dream is now dead.The biggest question mark here is Butler, who suffered a torn ACL in January that leaves his status for the 2026-27 campaign up in the air.While Butler should be back at some point this coming season, we may not see him on the floor until February, which will be one year from his surgery.The Warriors director of medicine, Rick Celebrini, is known for his cautious approach with veterans in the late stages of rehab.DeAnthony Meltonreturned from his ACL tear last season at exactly the 12-month mark, ESPNs Anthony Slater said of Butlers possible timeline.MORE: Ranking LeBron James 5 worst NBA teams in his careerI mean, hell, I hope its early season, Butler said of his hopeful return timeline. I want to play as many games as I can while I can alongside Steph and [Draymond Green]. That was the reason that Joe [Lacob] and them brought me here.Even when he returns, Butler may not be himself in his first season back from such a significant injury, especially because hes going to be 37 years old.With an aging roster that has a massive question mark in Butler, its no surprise LeBron decided to play elsewhere.Green would disagree with that, though.MORE: LeBron James has sights set on another NBA recordI ultimately dont think Bron was ever able to get over the history and I understand it, I get it, Green said of LeBrons decision to not play for the Warriors.Whatever the case may be, the Warriors are now heading toward another mediocre season as the remaining remnants of a once-great dynasty play out their final days with the franchise.

Fernando Mendoza was the No. 1 pick in Aprils NFL Draft. But hell have to earn a starting job with the Las Vegas Raiders.Head coach Klint Kubiak confirmed to reporters Tuesday that veteran Kirk Cousins will start training camp as the Raiders starting quarterback. Kubiak made his comments at a news conference a day before the start of training camp.When we go out to practice tomorrow, Kirk Cousins the starting quarterback. Hes the guy, Kubiak said. Hes gonna get a ton of reps. He deserves it. Hes played really good football.I want Fernando and I want Aidan [O'Connell] to push him.Kubiak added that its important for me to be fair to the players and put the best player out there.Kirk Cousins is our starter. Raiders head coach Klint Kubiak on the Raiders quarterback situation: : @MikeDixon_VST#RaiderNation | #Raiderspic.twitter.com/wgZITx1d7n Vegas Sports Today (@VegasSportsTD) July 28, 2026Mendoza is obviously the Raiders planned quarterback of the future. But the plan, for now, is not to rush him. The Raiders signed Cousins to a two-year contract prior to Aprils NFL Draft to add a veteran presence in the room and presumably allow them to ease Mendoza into his role. How long Cousins will remain the Raiders starter is unclear.How Mendoza develops and is placed into the starting position will be the most important challenge for Kubiak as a rookie head coach.This story will be updated.

ST PETERSBURG, FLORIDA - JULY 10: Luis Castillo #58 of the Seattle Mariners looks on against the Tampa Bay Rays during a game at Tropicana Field on July 10, 2026 in St Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesMany expected the Dodgers to be facing the Mariners in the World Series last season, but Seattle couldnt close the deal against the Blue Jays. Now, a year later, theyre an inferior team, but one still fighting to enter the postseason. The Ms will go with the veteran Luis Castillo for the opening game of this series; potentially good news for a Dodgers offense that scored more than four runs only once in its last five games, making the pitching do the heavy lifting in the road trips last stop at Citi Field.A symbol of stability for this young Mariners staff ever since his acquisition back at the deadline in 2022, Castillo has a 3-9 record this season, which is a direct indicator of career-low numbers almost across the board. Lately, though, Castillo has had problems keeping the ball in the yard, allowing five home runs in his last two outings, the losing pitcher of record in each of his three outings this month. Although that 4.85 ERA this season justifies a lousy record, it is also a byproduct of the Mariners complete inability to provide him any run support, scoring just 19 runs in his last eight starts.Back to the home runs and how they might come into play, the one Dodger to actually leave the yard against the Mets, Kyle Tucker, is also one of the two who has gone deep against Castillo before. The two home runs in Citi Field were encouraging, but even in this recent stretch, Tucker needs to show more to come close to the player the Dodgers thought they were getting. Hitting at home hasnt been an enjoyable task for Tucker with a .607 OPS at Dodger Stadium.One player who has definitely enjoyed performing at Dodger Stadium, though, is Justin Wrobleski. The Dodgers starter has managed to keep an ERA below 3.00 both at home and on the road, but his .461 OPS allowed in seven starts at home genuinely sounds made up. Monitoring how he does with an increased workload in the second half is a priority for the Dodgers.Tuesdays game infoTeams: Dodgers vs. MarinersBallpark: Dodger Stadium, Los AngelesStart time: 7:10 p.m. PTTV: SportsNet LARadio: AM 570 (English), KTNQ 1020 AM (Spanish)

CLEVELAND, OHIO - OCTOBER 27: Ben Cleveland #66 of the Baltimore Ravens warms up prior to a game against the Cleveland Browns at Huntington Bank Field on October 27, 2024 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Diamond Images via Getty Images) | Diamond Images/Getty ImagesOn Monday, one day before the Chargers veterans reported to training camp in El Segundo, it was reported that the team had released veteran offensive lineman Ben Cleveland.In February of 2025, Cleveland was arrested and cited for DUI in his home state of Georgia. He plead guilty to the charge on November 4th and was ultimately suspended for three games by the Ravens. Cleveland was given a one-year probation on his drivers license. On July 16th, just 12 days before the start of camp, Cleveland was picked up for speeding which violates that probation.The Chargers finally took a small risk and https://t.co/ic2QzDpU0Tpic.twitter.com/AqJUvGPBja Tyler Schoon (@tylerjschoon) July 28, 2026Due to the repeated off-field issues, it looks like the Chargers finally decided keeping Cleveland around wasnt worth the negative publicity. And to be fair, Cleveland was no longer a good fit with the Chargers after the firing of offensive coordinator Greg Roman.Now, the Chargers can focus on their wealth of young offensive lineman without needing worry about the availability of a fringe roster player.

By the end of the day on Wednesday, all 32 NFL teams will have logged one training camp practice. And by the end of Wednesday, anyone could win the Super Bowl. Sure, itllprobablybe the Los Angeles Rams. And it almost definitelywont be the Cleveland Browns. But, theoretically, it could be anyone. And looming over every training camp practice, there will be at least one burning question something thats on the minds of fans, media and (even though they wont admit it) likely players and coaches. So lets take a look at 10 of them. Here are the most important NFL questions entering training camp 2026. It could be any day now that nine-time All-Pro defensive tackle Aaron Donald returns to the Rams.After two years in retirement, the 35-year-old Donald is leaning toward a return, per FOX Sports Eric Williams. It has to be mighty tempting to join a defensive line that includes Garrett, who set the single-season sacks record last year with 23. He joined L.A. in June in a blockbuster trade with the Browns that sent Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round pick and two day-two picks to Cleveland. The Rams' line already featured a staggering amount of competence, with Poona Ford, Braden Fiske and Byron Young among others. But of course, it would be historic to see Garrett and Donald on the same line. It would be cooler even than Puka Nacua and Davante Adams as receivers 1a and 1b. Or Kyren Williams and Blake Corum as running backs 1a and 1b. Holy mackerel, this Rams team is stacked! Heres where we can see whether coach Mike Macdonald is really the defensive version of Sean McVay. Its one thing to be the schematic king of the NFL. And Id argue thats exactly what Macdonald is. (After all, he bested McVay in the NFC Championship Game.) Its another thing to hold onto that mantle, with changing personnel and shifting league trends. Its hard to say before the first regular-season snap what league-wide trends are coming. But we can clearly see who the Seahawks lost in free agency: edge Boye Mafe, running back Kenneth Walker III, cornerback Riq Woolen and safety Coby Bryant. Thats a lot of talent, particularly on the defensive side of the ball, where Macdonald will have to carry the intellectual load. But dont discount that his top deputy and former offensive coordinator, Klint Kubiak, is now the head coach of the Las Vegas Raiders. Thats a massive departure one that might put more work on Macdonalds plate than any of the player departures. A.J. Brown is a Patriot, alongside Drake Maye. Jaylen Waddle is a Bronco, alongside Bo Nix. Mike Evans is a 49er, alongside Brock Purdy. DJ Moore is a Bill, alongside Josh Allen. Wan'Dale Robinson is a Titan, alongside Cam Ward. Its easy to see how every one of those new landing spots will supercharge each receivers production. But its hard to imagine every one will actually go as planned. Who booms? And who busts? Its always fun to see what the Eagles are cooking up in the offseason. Because for all the hoopla around the A.J. Brown trade which was justified there were also several foundational transitions taking place, perhaps getting overlooked. The Eagles extended defensive linemen Jordan Davis and Jalen Carter to serve as core stars for years to come. They retained Dallas Goedert, their outstanding (albeit aging) tight end. They let edge Jaelan Phillips walk in free agency, which will likely yield a third-round pick in the compensatory formula, offsetting his third-round cost at the trade deadline. In free agency, they played small-ball, snagging the right players: cornerbacks Riq Woolen and Jonathan Jones and receivers Dontavion Wicks, Hollywood Brown and Elijah Moore. In the draft, Roseman added receiver Makai Lemon, tight end Eli Stowers and tackle Markel Bell. It all begs the question: Did Roseman just do it again? Did he compile a unique hodgepodge of talent to help the Eagles contend yet again? It seems to be what he does every year. There is a renewed sense of optimism surrounding the Chiefs thatI dont fully understand. It would be one thing if the optimism were centered around Patrick Mahomes, but even he seems to be tempering expectations around his ACL injury. Hes cleared to play, yes. But at practice, "I dont get hit," he said ahead of camp. Most Chiefs optimism, however, is centered around the free-agent signing of Kenneth Walker III, one of the NFLs most explosive running backs. He's the reigning Super Bowl MVP after all. The problem was that for most of the 2025 season, Walker was in a time-share with Zach Charbonnet. And Id argue that Walker has Charbonnet to thank for his hard work between the tackles, in short yardage and at the goal line. Walker got the glory. Charbonnet did the dirty work. For that reason and others Im dubious about how rapidly Walker can change the Kansas City offense. Last year, the Chiefs were 12th-worst in points per game. They were 11th in offensive EPA per play (-.01) and 14th in offensive success rate (43.1%), per Next Gen Stats. This doesnt feel like an offense that was a running back away. As someone who seems to only draft running back Christian McCaffrey in down years, its worth nothing that he has an on-again, off-again tendency. He put up huge numbers in 2021, only to struggle to stay on the field in 2022. Then he boomed in 2023 only to struggle again in 2024. So if 2025 was another booming year, then what happens in 2026? Im just asking for a friend who is once again afraid of getting burned. But in real life, the 49ers' injury concerns don't stop there. Tight end George Kittle has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career. Receiver Ricky Pearsall hasnt exactly been the picture of durability. Nor for that matter has quarterback Brock Purdy. And edge Nick Bosa has a long list of injuries. So it was almost comical when the 49ers signed Mike Evans, who is an elite receiver with (you guessed it) injury problems. It feels like the 49ers will continue to manage injuries much more than any other team in the league. But if they can stay healthy, I think they can win the Super Bowl. If they stay healthy. Somehow. The Steelers are a very funny combination of players that, on paper, look sorta like a team that could jell. Aaron Rodgers may be well in decline at age 42, but he's as smart and resourceful as any quarterback in the league. WR1 DK Metcalf remains a hulking and speedy presence on the outside a classic big-play threat. Newcomer Michael Pittman is an excellent possession receiver. Germie Bernard, the rookie receiver, is a workmanlike slot guy who could work his way into a WR3 job. And then there are the running backs, who maybe arent the best fantasy options but are definitely quality players: Jaylen Warren and Rico Dowdle. Its a team that if you squint looks OK. But of course, new head coach Mike McCarthy is going to be running the show on offense. And Im just not sure that McCarthy a West Coast disciple and Rodgers a checkdown merchant last year can beat defenses collapsing down on this quick-game offense. Everyone is going to have to do something different than theyve done in the past. Mike Vrabel would have had enough on his plate if he were just managing a Super Bowl loss followed by a Week 1 rematch against the Seahawks in the Wednesday night NFL season-opener. But Vrabel was also entrenched in scandal this offseason, with a long run of news about his relationship with an NFL reporter. Vrabel is back to business now that training camp is underway. But I wonder what will happen if the Patriots struggle in the early weeks of the season. Because Boston sports radio is never afraid to dig at drama and harp on the negative. If the Patriots don't get off to a strong start, the pressure could make things uncomfortable for Vrabel. You gotta be careful about getting too excited about the Chargers. And you gotta be careful about getting too excited about a Mike McDaniel offense. Both entities often don't sustain in January let alone February. Its sort of a tradition for the Chargers to start Chargering in the playoffs. And in Miami, it was sort of a tradition for McDaniels high-octane offense to wither and shiver in the cold playoff months. But if youre like me, you cant wait to see what McDaniel can do for Justin Herbert and the L.A. offense. And heck, itll be fun to see what McDaniel can do for second-year running back Omarion Hampton, too. Maybe this team is doomed in the postseason. But the regular season should be absolutely nuts. Because McDaniel may have fizzled as head coach of the Dolphins, but I think hes still one of the sharpest offensive minds in the NFL. He, Herbert and Hampton are going to put up big numbers this year. New Giants coach John Harbaugh went viral ahead of training camp and it was for being unbearably cringe. He left the Baltimore Ravens and got one of the more desirable (if not the most desirable) head coach openings of the offseason. And thats because hes extremely accomplished and good at what he does. But this clip showed that for all his competence the man has no aura. For a long time, Harbaughs legacy preceded him. He made a Super Bowl champion out of Joe Flacco. He made an MVP out of Lamar Jackson (twice). He contended for championships practically every year. But sometimes, a coachs methodology runs its course in the NFL. Im not saying that just because of one clip Harbaugh doesnt have what it takes anymore. But I cant help but wonder if itll be harder for him to build a program than any of us might have realized particularly in New York, where everything is magnified.

There's plenty of ground to cover from the first day of SEC Media Days in Chicago

A former Georgia Bulldog and current New Orleans Saints rookie is earning praise online after a simple act of kindness at a Louisiana grocery store.According to a X post that has been widely shared, defensive tackle Christen Miller quietly paid for a stranger's groceries after she offered to let him check out first because he only had one item.Here's what to know.What happened at the grocery store?In a social media post, Leslie Perigo said she was shopping at a Rouses Market in Metairie, Louisiana, when a "very large gentleman" walked up behind her carrying a single bag of fresh shrimp.Perigo said her groceries were already on the conveyor belt, so she told the cashier to let the man go ahead because he only had one item.Instead, she said, he placed the shrimp on the belt and asked the cashier to ring up both purchases together.According to Perigo, she initially declined, but the man smiled and told her:"My momma always taught me to do good deeds, and I'd like to bless you today. Please don't take that blessing from me."Perigo said he then wished her, "God bless you."Well done @fatchr7s pic.twitter.com/BqX9vlAneI New Orleans Saints (@Saints) July 28, 2026Who is Christen Miller?Perigo said she didn't realize who the man was until another customer told the cashier he played for the New Orleans Saints.The cashier reportedly ran outside to ask for his name, and he identified himself as Christen Miller.Perigo said Miller never introduced himself as a professional football player or sought recognition for his gesture.She ended her post by thanking his mother, writing, "And to Momma Miller, thank you."What is Miller's Georgia connection?Miller is an Ellenwood, Georgia, native who attended Cedar Grove High School before playing defensive tackle for the Georgia Bulldogs.During his four-year career at the University of Georgia, Miller recorded 64 tackles, four sacks and 11.5 tackles for loss before moving on to the NFL.Now with the New Orleans Saints, Miller is making headlines off the field as well, with many social media users praising his quiet act of generosity.While the Saints have not publicly commented on the viral post, Perigo's story has resonated with football fans and others who applauded Miller's willingness to help a stranger without expecting anything in return.Vanessa Johns is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia, covering food and entertainment. Email her atVcountryman@gannett.com.This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Former Georgia football player goes viral for surprise grocery gift

Things are not going well on the injury front for the Carolina Panthers.Training camp got off on the wrong foot as starting linebacker Nic Scourton went down with a season-ending ACL injury. The franchise is also dealing with two offensive linemen, Damien Lewis and Robert Hunt, working their way back from injuries. And starting tackles Taylor MotonandIkem Ekwonu are also currently injured and missing training camp, with both expected to miss the season opener.So any new injuries at this point will be felt even harder, which is why a scary moment at camp on Tuesday immediately raised concerns.Panthers TE Mitchell Evans suffers injury during training campReports on Tuesday morning indicated that Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans, who made 17 appearances and 10 starts for Carolina as a rookie in 2025, went down with an apparent lower-body injury and had to be carted off the field stoking concerns as injuries continued to mount for the franchise.#Panthers tight end Mitchell Evans being carted off the field after going down in an 11-on-11 rep. Alex Zietlow (@alexzietlow05) July 28, 2026Luckily for the Panthers, there is a decent chance this injury won't turn out to be as serious as Scourton's was. Head coach Dave Canales said that Evans got rolled up on the play, and an initial examination did not indicate a serious injury."They [the medical staff] are pretty optimistic," Canales said. "But we're going to do a full evaluation just to make sure there's nothing happening in there...I'll give you more information as we do the full evaluation."This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Panthers continue to face more injury issues at training camp