CHICAGO Beginning with commissioner Tony Petitti, every leading figure who addressed reporters from the primary stage at Big Ten Media Days has been flanked by the last three national championship trophies. These shimmering, cylindrical showpieces symbolize the conference's climb toward college football supremacy. Their visual prominence is simple: For the first time since World War II, the Big Ten has won three straight national championships. In an era when the Big Ten and SEC keep jockeying for the unofficial title of preeminent conference in collegiate athletics, any opportunities to poke and prod must be taken. "In addition to winning three consecutive titles," Petitti said during his opening remarks on Tuesday morning, "the Big Ten has dominated the first two seasons of the expanded College Football Playoff. Seven Big Ten teams [have] combined for the nation's-best 11 wins, more than double the next closest league." Consider the message delivered and the knife twisted. If Michigans national championship victory three seasons ago finally wrested college footballs biggest prize away from the southern states, whose representatives had hoisted the trophy 17 times over the preceding 18 years, then subsequent wins by Ohio State and Indiana became the tipping point in the sports balance of power. Regardless of whether the Big Ten can add a fourth consecutive championship in the coming months, the conference will have another opportunity to upstage the SEC in this years Heisman Trophy race. Indiana quarterback Fernando Mendoza snapped a run of 18 consecutive winners from outside the Big Ten, dating to former Ohio State quarterback Troy Smith in 2006. With a glut of high-end players returning for the upcoming season many of whom spoke at the Hilton Chicago this week the league could retain the award for a second straight year. That hasnt happened since the mid-1970s. "Having big-time players on the stages that they are right now is so healthy for them and the conference," Minnesota head coach P.J. Fleck when I asked him about the impact of potentially stringing together Heisman Trophy wins. "Because theres a lot of people here that are going to be Heisman candidates as we talk through the whole year in the Big Ten. And I think the Big Ten is in the best spot its ever been." So who are this years leading candidates? According to the most recent odds from DraftKings Sportsbook, which were updated earlier this week, four of the top eight betting favorites in the 2026 race will play for Big Ten schools: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (+1000), Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin (+1200), Indiana quarterback Josh Hoover (+1300) and Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith (+1400). Its worth noting that Sayin and Smith finished among the top 10 in last years voting, too, as the conference claimed three of the six leading vote-getters overall. The Big Ten winning a second consecutive Heisman Trophy would continue to shift the mantle atop college football. Two years ago, the Big Ten ranked third in NFL Draft picks produced (42) behind both the SEC (60) and the old Pac-12 (43). By 2025, however, the Big Ten ascended to second with the help of absorbing some of the leading programs from the Pac-12. When coupled with the Big Tens current run of national championships, an overall narrowing of the gap seems clear even as the SEC finished plus-19 in draft choices earlier this year. "I dont think people see that as reflective of where the league is or any league is," former Indiana, LSU and Vanderbilt head coach Gerry DiNardo told me on Wednesday, in between his duties as a Big Ten Network analyst. "Now, if a Big Ten player win it [again this year], there are going to be people saying, Weve won three championships in a row and two Heisman Trophies. So I think people will tag that onto it and make the narrative there. But I dont think it reflects the league." Legitimate reflection or otherwise, completing such a rare achievement would be attention-grabbing. Only three times in the history of the Heisman Trophy, which has been awarded annually since 1935, has the Big Ten ever produced consecutive winners, according to FOX Sports Research. There were three straight Big Ten recipients from 1939-41, including Nile Kinnick (Iowa), Tom Harmon (Michigan) and Bruce Smith (Minnesota); there were back-to-back winners in 1954-55 with Alane Ameche (Wisconsin) and Howard Cassady (Ohio State); and former Ohio State tailback Archie Griffin remains the awards only two-time winner after finishing first in both 1974 and 1975. Beginning around the turn of the century, however, quarterbacks have dominated the Heisman Trophy race. A victory for Wisconsin running back Ron Dayne in 1999 now feels like the unofficial end to an era with 21 signal-callers lifting the trophy across the ensuing 26 years, including Mendoza last winter. The only non-quarterbacks to win the award during that span were CB/WR Travis Hunter (Colorado), WR DeVonta Smith (Alabama), RB Derrick Henry (Alabama), RB Mark Ingram II (Alabama) and RB Reggie Bush (USC). Exploring what a wide receiver must do to win the award became a popular topic of conversation inside the Hilton Chicago when Ohio States contingent addressed the media. Smith, a unanimous All-American, finished sixth in last years voting after catching 87 passes for 1,243 yards and 12 touchdowns. Many coaches, analysts and scouts believe that he was, and still is, the single best player in college football, worthy of being selected No. 1 overall in the 2027 NFL Draft. Smith faces far longer odds of winning the Heisman Trophy based on his position alone. When asked about that conundrum on Wednesday afternoon, Smith said hes never quite understood the voting requirements. Because of that, Smith told reporters hed be happy to wind up on stage as a finalist come December. "I always felt it was a quarterback award unless you have a crazy season," Smith said. "I dont really know the criteria of what they look at. Is it the best stats? Is it the best player? I dont really know. But well see this year." Smith or not, perhaps the answer will still reside in the Big Ten.

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The 2026 NFL season will be here before you know it, as hard as that is to believe. Could we see some training camp or preseason trades? Of course! Personnel transactions always bubble up this time of year, as teams look at their rosters and assess the strengths and weaknesses of their position groups. Best NFL free agents as training camps begin, from Stefon Diggs to Joey BosaWe've gone through all 32 NFL teams and identified 20 players we could see being on the move this summer. While none of these players could be traded, they all at least seem somewhat possible as candidates. Let's assess. We've got everyone from true-blue superstars to intriguing draft misses with potential to spare. Raiders DE Maxx Crosby Crosby is obviously the biggest fish in the trade pond after his Baltimore Ravens deal fell apart earlier in the year. If Las Vegas gets an offer it can't refuse, we could see Crosby playing elsewhere to start the season. Buccaneers NT Vita Vea Vea has requested a trade over a contract dispute, which could send the elite run-stuffing defensive tackle elsewhere. Any number of contenders could benefit from Vea on the defensive line. Colts QB Anthony Richardson Sr. Richardson probably won't ever be the starting quarterback for the Colts, so a fresh start has always made sense. We could see a training camp deal come together if Indy gets an offer it likes. He's got oodles of untapped potential. Titans QB Will Levis Levis is a borderline-level starter with raw tools that intrigue, even if the flaws are evident. We could see a QB-savvy team taking a flier on Levis and training him for a year to see if they can help his development. Cardinals OLB Josh Sweat Sweat would be a slam-dunk add for any team needing a pass-rusher; the Cardinals just have to want to talk. Cardinals RB Tyler AllgeierAllgeier got a raw deal when Arizona drafted Jeremiyah Love as its de-facto starter at running back. With James Conner also on the roster, you could see Allgeier being traded elsewhere for a team needing a starter. Bills WR Keon Coleman Coleman has been an unfortunate miss for Buffalo so far, and we could see him reigniting his career elsewhere if he falls behind on the Bills depth chart through training camp under new coach Joe Brady. Patriots WR Kayshon Boutte Boutte is an exciting deep threat who has been productive for New England. The team loaded up at wideout in the offseason, however. If Boutte wants more snaps and the Pats are comfortable trading him, he'd be an exciting add. Bengals DT Kris Jenkins Jr. Jenkins, the former second-round selection, hasn't broken into the Bengals' starting lineup. We could see Jenkins getting a fresh start elsewhere as Cincinnati has loaded up with veteran talent at defensive tackle. Browns WR Cedric Tillman Could Tillman follow former Cleveland coach Kevin Stefanski to Atlanta with the Falcons? Atlanta needs depth at wide receiver, and Tillman hasn't quite panned out as hoped in the Land. Browns QB Dillon Gabriel Gabriel has started games, but his future in Cleveland doesn't look strong. Any team with quarterback concerns might throw a late-round pick at the Browns and add Gabriel into a competition for a roster spot. Steelers QB Will Howard Like Gabriel, Howard doesn't look long for Pittsburgh. He has a strong Ohio State career to lean on as a possible boost to a quarterback depth chart for a team lacking. Steelers RB Kaleb Johnson Johnson hasn't lived up to the hype of his third-round selection; he could be a prime candidate who just needs a refresh to find his Iowa excellence again. Texans WR Tank Dell Dell could be a hot name via trade for teams needing speed at wide receiver in the slot. Houston's busy depth chart could make him expendable, particularly since he hasn't played since 2024. Falcons CB Mike Hughes The Falcons drafting A.J. Terrell's younger brother Avieon might make Hughes expendable. His contract is bigger, but any team with a gap at cornerback might be willing to eat the cap hit to add Hughes to the room. Chiefs DE Felix Anudike-Uzomah Anudike-Uzomah is probably just a rotational player at this point, but we wouldn't be shocked to see Kansas City pull off a trade with the former first-round selection. He could use a fresh start, too. Chiefs CB Kristian Fulton Fulton is a starting-caliber cornerback who may not start with the Chiefs this season. Any team with cornerback concerns should ask if he's available. Giants OLB Kayvon ThibodeauxThibodeaux might not be on the move this season, but we're curious if the right offer could convince New York to pull off the blockbuster trade. Giants G/T Evan Neal Neal is another former Giants first-round selection who could see himself playing elsewhere this fall if he's unable to win a spot on the 53-man roster. He's still got some potential. Giants CB Deonte Banks Like Thibodeaux and Neal, Banks is another former New York first rounder who might be a good trade candidate. This article originally appeared on For The Win: 20 NFL trade candidates (Maxx Crosby!) for 2026 training camp

LeBron James-ESPN documentary, explained: What to know about reported 'Last Dance'-style film for NBA legend originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.LeBron James' first season with the 76ers might not be his last in the NBA. The 41-year-old has a player option for a second year, and agent Rich Paul recently told ESPN he could be energized enough to play anywhere between two and four more seasons.Regardless of how it turns out, the cameras will be rolling.James is "closing in" on an agreement for a documentary resembling Michael Jordan's "The Last Dance" series, which captivated nostalgic fans in 2020.Here's what we know about the reported documentary centering on James.MORE:Inside LeBron James' decision to join 76ersLeBron James-ESPN documentaryJames and ESPN are working toward an agreement on a "behind-the-scenes documentary" for the upcoming season, The Athletic's Andrew Marchand reports.Talks are on the "one-yard line," the outlet says, so the deal appears likely to be finalized.The financial terms of the deal aren't clear, and there is no reported date for the completion of the documentary. The Athletic reports James "will have a camera crew documenting his time with the Philadelphia 76ers," which indicates it may not just be a one-year project if the NBA legend opts to play more than one season in Philadelphia.The series will certainly remind fans of "The Last Dance," which documented the end of Michael Jordan's legendary tenure with the Bulls. The documentary focused on Jordan's final season in Chicago, which ended in a championship, but it also touched on other highlights of his career and his rivalries with other stars.MORE LEBRON JAMES NEWS:Why LeBron James took massive pay cut to sign with 76ersFirst look at 76ers projected lineup with LeBron JamesHow LeBron James joining76ers impacts NBA oddsWhat will be in LeBron James-ESPN documentary?The documentary will reportedly focus on James' time with the 76ers, but it's also set to include footage from earlier in his career, including "some never-before-seen footage" from camera crews that have followed him since his rookie season.How much of that footage is available and how much of the documentary will be older footage compared to newer footage isn't clear, but James has played his career in an era in which cameras are just about everywhere, at least compared to Jordan.It's also unclear whether the project will focus on the upcoming season or James' entire tenure with the 76ers if he opts to continue his career past 2027.MORE:Can the 76ers win a title with LeBron James?When will LeBron James-ESPN documentary air?There is no release date reported for James' ESPN documentary. If it's dependent on James' retirement, it could be quite a while before anyone knows when the project will be complete.Jordan's documentary didn't air until 22 years after the end of his tenure with the Bulls and 17 years after the end of his NBA career, but that was the result of Jordan owning the rights to the footage and only deciding to move forward with a project long after his playing days ended. Still, ESPN struck gold by releasing "The Last Dance" during the COVID-19 pandemic, when sports were completely frozen out.Assuming this agreement is finalized, James is giving ESPN the rights to the footage, meaning fans shouldn't have to wait long at all to see it.

Baker Mayfield reported to Buccaneers training camp without a contract extension and made it clear that the teams failure to meet his deadline left him feeling disrespected. Mayfield said he wanted an agreement completed before Tampa Bays veterans reported for camp. The quarterback had warned the organization that he would end negotiations once football activities began, and he reiterated that the deadline was not a negotiating tactic.Mayfield told ESPN's Jeremy Fowler that the Bucs offered him a two-year deal, which was probably the most disappointing part. The quarterback wanted a long-term commitment. Mayfield added that the Bucs were pretty far from $50+M per club, which he wanted to enter.I wanted the deal done and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that, and I did mean that, Mayfield said.Baker Mayfield tells ESPN the Bucs offered him a two-year deal, which was probably the most disappointing part. Wanted long-term commitment. Added Bucs were pretty far from $50+M per club, which he wanted to enter. More to come on @SportsCenterpic.twitter.com/B0ydNRWG8U Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2026Mayfield addressed the team and said his unresolved contract would not change his approach to the season. He also expressed disappointment that Tampa Bay apparently expected him to accept proposals that did not reflect what he believes he has contributed.Baker Mayfield says he feels disrespected by the Bucs. I wanted the deal done and set the deadline and told them it was going to be all ball after that and I did mean that and I dont know if they thought I was just going to take some of the others they gave. But Im at the https://t.co/8kwcKyaMe9 Rick Stroud (@NFLSTROUD) July 30, 2026The 31-year-old is entering the final season of the three-year, $100 million contract he signed in March 2024. The sides remained far apart as his deadline arrived, leaving Mayfield prepared to play out the deal and potentially revisit negotiations after the season. NFL.com previously reported Mayfields plans to end talks when camp opened.Im very, very thankful for the chance they gave me, Mayfield said. Do not get me wrong on that. But I also really know what I brought this franchise, leadership-wise and play-wise.Mayfield revived his career after signing a one-year contract with Tampa Bay in 2023. His performance earned him the current deal, and he believes his comfort within the organization should lead to continued improvement.Its some of the best years of my career, and I think its only going to trend upwards, Mayfield said. Its disappointing in that regard, to feel disrespected a little bit.General manager Jason Licht has publicly said the Buccaneers do not want to lose Mayfield. Without an extension, however, his future will remain one of Tampa Bays largest questions throughout the 2026 season.This article originally appeared on Bucs Wire: Baker Mayfield feels disrespected after Buccaneers miss contract deadline

We are just 37 days away from Texas football and its time for another Thursday Thought. Today, its about the Longhorns head coach and if hes creating more pressure around this team than already exists.During SEC media days, Sarkisian made another in a long-line of offseason headlines, this time around the players Texas had to let go this offseason. Its no mystery Texas made aggressive moves in the portal, but does Texas need their headman talking about it, especially using the players names? Im not sure.Heres the reality around this quote: no one learned something they didnt know before after reading this. It was no mystery that guys like Livingstone, Moore, Wisner and Baxter left and were replaced by Coleman, Smothers, Brown and more. That reality should not have shocked anyone. However, heading into this season, theres not a team in the country that is facing more conversation and expectations than Texas. Avoiding added attention should be one of the goals of the coaching staff.NEW: Steve Sarkisian says Texas had to let players go to create "cap space"To make the moves we make, to bring in a Cam Coleman, to bring in a Hollywood Smothers, to bring in a Raleek Brown, to bring in a Mike Masunas at tight end; we had to let DeAndre Moore go. We had to pic.twitter.com/hdD7D7Y1FN On3 (@On3) July 23, 2026Now, none of this matters if this team is everything it seems to be on paper. Its rather objective Texas upgraded at each of the skill positions Sarkisians talked about. If they play to their potential, its unlikely the added attention will be the reason this team falls short. However, if there are a few cracks early, that added attention can make those cracks bigger as the season goes on.Steve Sarkisian is heading into his sixth season. Thats been the season many coaches have found their way over the hump and added a trophy to their resume. Sarkisian is looking to do the same and theres zero question the outside world expects greatness from this team. Sarkisians comments, while true, does little to keep the pressure and expectations to a minimum for this team."I can't rack my brain recently for a roster, on paper, going into a season that is this good and this flawless... I had a Texas fan say, '8-4 wouldn't be fireable.' Bull crap." - @BrooksAustinBA says the pressure is on Steve Sarkisian to win NOW at Texas pic.twitter.com/zu7yGNAN7A The Next Round (@NextRoundLive) June 4, 2026Steve Sarkisian is confident about this team and, from where Im standing, he should be. There isnt a clear hole on the starting 22, with some great depth that premium positions. This is a team that, regardless of the attention, should be able to go win a National Championship this season. However, the controversial quotes do little to help the team heading into the year, and have the ability to hurt them in the long run.Every coach has a different way of going about their business. Steve Sarkisian has never been someone to mince his words or be known for coach speak. Hes going to tell you how he feels and Id argue, for the most part, that is a good thing from head coaches. That being said, the 2026 Texas football team isnt a normal team under normal circumstances. They are a team that will have the weight of the world on their shoulders to go win a title, all while a Manning is their starting QB.Im not here to say Sarkisians quotes are going to hurt this Texas team. I am here to say I believe his goal should be to stay as quiet as possible until the season and then allow this team to show what they are. Now, the expectations have been set, both by Sarkisian and the outside world, and if Texas doesnt live up to those expectations, its Sarkisian thatll have to answer for it.This article originally appeared on Longhorns Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Is Sarkisian adding unneeded pressure for Texas?

New Dolphins head coach Jeff Hafley says his team isn't rebuilding, and good players wouldn't want to to be part of a rebuilding team.Hafley was asked today about the idea that the Dolphins are a rebuilding team, and he said that's not a word you'll hear around the team facility."I don't know how you can have a conversation with a competitive player or a competitive coach and have it sit right with them where you say, 'We're just going to rebuild this year.' That's just not the mentality of any competitor who's made it to this level or any coach who's made it to this level," Hafley said. "Whether it's practice or whether it's a drill I think we all want to win it. Our mindset is we need to get better, we need to develop, and everything we do is going to be about competing to get better. We want to win, so I just don't think any player or any coach is going to say we're going to throw in the towel and rebuild, so that's probably why no one is hearing that. If you had a group of players saying that, then I think we got the wrong players."It's fair to say that some of the Dolphins' offseason moves, most notably trading No. 1 receiver Jaylen Waddle to the Broncos, were the moves you'd expect of a rebuilding team. But the players who are on the 2026 Dolphins want to win, and Hafley wouldn't want it any other way.

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