ENGLEWOOD, Colo. (AP) The two biggest offseason changes to the Broncos ' offense figure to help tight end Evan Engram in his second year in Denver. Wide receiver Jaylen Waddle's addition via trade from Miami should benefit all the pass-catchers as the speedster draws extra attention from defenses, leaving others 1-on-1, and Engram is very familiar with the team's new play-caller, former QB Davis Webb, who was a member of Engram's draft class with the New York Giants back in 2017.A second season with quarterback Bo Nix also should help Engram, who caught 50 passes for 461 yards and a touchdown, in Week 4 against Philadelphia. All the changes might allow Engram to be more of the joker he was hailed as when he first got to Denver last year. In Sean Payton's offense, a joker is a multi-tasking hybrid player, typically an elite receiving tight end or dynamic running back who moves all over the formation to stress defenses, exploit size-speed mismatches and prevent opponents from either double-teaming or substituting for better matchups.Last year was kind of I'm trying to learn the lay of the land and getting used to the offense and the complexity of it and just really learning the culture here and immersing myself in it and now I'm just feeling way more comfortable, Engram told The Associated Press in an interview after the team's first practice of training camp Friday.The relationships are just way better, I'm definitely more comfortable in the offense. My voice is a little bit louder in the leadership role, just being around the guys and seeing how everybody operates," Engram said. "I think just how close we were last year to the big dance, I think what else could I do? What more could I add to my part of the puzzle to help us get over that hump?"Being the player he's mostly been during his nine seasons in the NFL five with the Giants and three with the Jaguars before coming to Denver would give the Broncos' offense another dynamic option.Engram caught a 58-yard pass in an exhibition game last summer where Davis was filling in as the offensive play-caller, and he's eager for more opportunities with his former draft classmate.Yeah, me and Davis got drafted together in New York, lived right next to each other, got really close, Engram said. "I just got to know him as a person, got to know him as a pro, I got to see how hard he worked and how hungry he was for his opportunity to play and it never came until the very end of his career. But he always prepared as if it was going to come that next game. I just remember Eli (Manning) slowly leaning on him, Eli was like, I need you to help me game-plan, can you find certain looks, can you find plays that will help this week? Engram recalled. From that moment on I knew he was going to have a future if not playing quarterback, as a coach.Davis, who took over play-calling duties from Payton this season after serving as Nix's position coach the last two years, had a couple of head coaching interviews last cycle and is seen as a rising star who shouldn't have to wait long to become an NFL head coach.That's no surprise to Engram.No, I knew when he got the job here. I'm like, how do you know Sean? I think it was his resume and his interview just blew everybody out the water, Engram said. I was like, Davis, he's going to climb up fast. I knew that from the beginning because of how he works. I think when you work like that round-the-clock and you're that dedicated, the sky's the limit.If there's any hiccups to start out, not to worry, Engram said.I think obviously, we'd love for things to start off perfectly and we hit the ground running, but I know how he responds to adversity, as well, Engram said. It's the NFL. We're going to face adversity; he's definitely built for it.And this offense is building around Waddle now, who commands double-teams, which should help the likes of Courtland Sutton, Pat Bryant, Troy Franklin and Engram get open.Defenses can't leave Jaylen alone, they can't forget about him," Engram said. So, I think not only myself, everybody's going to benefit from him just being on the field. And yeah, he can blow the top off a game at any moment. I do think that addition is going to help out everybody on our offense.___AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL

One undrafted rookie is forcing Andy Reid to make a difficult decision originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.An unexpected storyline is emerging at Kansas City Chiefs training camp, and its coming from a player few expected to be competing for a starting job this early. Undrafted rookie offensive tackle Kahlil Benson is making a strong impression after spending a second consecutive practice with the first-team offense.What made Thursdays practice particularly noteworthy was that head coach Andy Reid entrusted Benson with all of the first-team reps at right tackle. That decision came as a surprise considering five-year veteran Jaylon Moore entered training camp as the favorite to claim the starting role.Benson, who starred at Indiana before signing with the Chiefs as an undrafted free agent, has quickly earned the coaching staffs attention through his combination of size, athleticism and physical play.Hes done a nice job, Reid said. Hes learning. Very strong and powerful, good feet, good athletic ability. Hes working at the consistency part, scheme-wise. Physically, hes got all the tools.The biggest surprise at Chiefs campWhile Reid praised Bensons raw talent, he emphasized that the rookies biggest challenge now is proving he can consistently perform against NFL competition.The next phase of training camp will provide Benson with exactly that opportunity. As the Chiefs put on the pads for the first time next week, hell be matched up against some of Kansas Citys top pass rushers, including George Karlaftis, Ashton Gillotte, R Mason Thomas and Felix Anudike-Uzomah.For Reid, those practices will reveal whether Benson is truly ready to compete for a starting spot.Can you pound through those 2-hour practices in the heat with the pads on? Reid said. And then, youve got the preseason game. How do you handle that? Its a long road, but well see how he does. But up to this point, my hat goes off to him.If Benson continues to hold his own against the Chiefs talented defensive front, the undrafted rookie could complete one of training camps biggest surprises by winning a starting job before Week 1.More NFL news:Patriots earn major NFL distinction before 2026 training campPatrick Mahomes changing appearance through the years has NFL fans saying the same thingIt just got a lot harder for Cowboys to trade George PickensBears urged by NFL exec to use Cole Kmet more amid top-10 TE rankingIf Bills trade Josh Allen, this would be the mind-blowing cost

There have been questions regarding LeBron James' presence with the Philadelphia 76ers. Obviously, he will make the Sixers a much better team, but he also distorts everything around him. The Sixers will need to adjust to him just as much as he needs to adjust to his new teammates and how they do things.There has been a school of thought that James' presence will hinder the development of Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe, but James' agent, Rich Paul, dispelled that on an episode of the "Game Over" podcast as he stated on Maxey, first:I think Tyrese is probably gonna benefit the most, in all ways, because he's not the youngest, but he's a perennial All-Star, and it's his team. The second most benefactor is VJ Edgecombe.Edgecombe is entering his second season in the league and will be looking to give the Sixers similar production from his rookie season. He will have to make his own adjustments as there will be nights where he is the fifth option, and his scoring numbers will go down a bit, but as long as he is contributing to winning, then that's all that matters.Paul stated on Edgecombe:My thing with VJ is, the reason why I say he's going to benefit, is because it's almost like when Rockefeller was selling oil, right? Well, there's a substance that runs off of that oil that they don't use, which is kerosene. So in your game, you're being able to separate the two. Yes, VJ is ultra talented, athletic, can do it all, etc., but sometimes me being able to do it all can lead to, you know, maybe it's a bad shot attemptwhen you think about it, the reason why I say he's going to benefit is because now he's going to be able to become such an efficient player...I told Tristan (Thompson) this when LeBron came back to Cleveland, I said, 'Tristan, there are five pockets in a pair of jeans. That little one, be right there because you're gonna benefit so much from there.' Tristan was averaging, like, eight points and eight rebounds, and got $82 million.Rich Paul believes Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe will benefit the most with LeBron on the SixersRich also doesnt believe that VJs future money is affected by the additions of LeBron and Jaylen Brown(Via Game Over) pic.twitter.com/DR8ES4Rh8w NBA Courtside (@NBA__Courtside) July 31, 2026The Sixers will be looking to lean on Maxey and Edgecombe a lot in the upcoming season, but there is also the presence of Jaylen Brown and Joel Embiid that James and Co. will have to figure out as well. There is so much for coach Nick Nurse and the staff to have to figure out as time moves on. It will be interesting for the Sixers to have to work it all out in 2026-27.This article originally appeared on Sixers Wire: Rich Paul believes Sixers guards will benefit from having LeBron James

A year ago, Russell Martin tore strips off his Rangers team after an opening day draw at Motherwell.Two managers and plenty of disappointment later, it was the same result but a different tone at Dundee United as the Derek McInnes era started in underwhelming fashion.The former Aberdeen, Kilmarnock and Hearts boss stressed the need for time and for further additions as he guides the Ibrox outfit through a summer of transition."It's one game," he told Sky Sports following a 1-1 draw on Friday. "I'm not really interested in what's happened previously, but from my point of view, we are going to get better as we go along."Having gone behind to Lachlan Rose's first-half effort, Rangers improved after the break and equalised through Thelo Aasgaard, but failed to capitalise and were fortunate not to concede late on when Jesse Randall dinked a tame effort straight at debutant goalkeeper Ivor Pandur."It's disappointing - we've dropped a couple of points, but we weren't good enough to get all three," McInnes added. "We've got to have more trust in what we're doing, keep our shoulder to the wheel and do simple things better."Dundee Utd hold Rangers in Premiership openerWill Scottish Premiership return to two-team title tussle?Scottish Premiership is back - here's why you shouldn't miss itFormer Rangers striker Steven Thompson agreed with McInnes that there is no need to panic."It's not the result Rangers wanted, but it is a point away from home at a difficult venue," he said on BBC Radio Scotland. "Other teams will come here and find it very difficult."At this point in the season, there's no knee-jerk [reaction] or anything here."It's not what McInnes wants, but it's the first game of the season. There will be time to judge once he gets the players he wants and once he gets more work done on the training ground."He will have learned a lot from his players tonight."On a night where Pandur, centre-back Ben Godfrey and former Hearts duo Cammy Devlin and Lawrence Shankland all made their debuts from the start, it was a glimpse into what this new-look Rangers side might look like under McInnes.Summer signings Dan Neil and Ross McCrorie also came on as substitutes and McInnes made it clear there will be further additions in the weeks to come.However, former Rangers man Andy Halliday saw what he believes to have been flaws in McInnes' tactical set-up."No matter how many defenders you play with, the main fundamental is being compact, and I thought Rangers were the furthest thing from compact," he said on Sportsound."All the best individuals, other than Thelo Aasgaard, were Dundee United players."Rangers are a work in progress, I think they'll still make additions to try and improve, but it certainly wasn't the start they were looking for."Rangers 'working hard' for new wingersWith Godfrey going off with a hamstring complaint and uncertainty over whether new signing Olwethu Makhanya will receive a visa for Thursday's trip to Jagiellonia Bialystok in Europa League qualifying, Rangers are after defensive recruits, but it is in wide areas that McInnes is most keen to strengthen.Djeidi Gassama started on the left at Tannadice but was hooked at half-time, and Rangers finished with Mohamed Diomande and Aasgaard playing narrow."I thought second half as the game got stretched, we had opportunities to play in the spaces and we need people with the ability to go past [defenders]," McInnes told Sky. "We still would like a winger to go get at people, make a difference and get people on the back foot. "We never quite had that and we're working hard to bring those types of players to the club. Our strikers are all dependant on service. We're working hard and we know what we want."Visit our Rangers page for all the latest news, analysis and fan viewsGet Rangers news notifications in the BBC Sport app

Three-star power forward Nolan Nelson out of Providence High (Jacksonville, Florida) included the Florida Gators in his top five on Friday.Florida is the only Power Four team to make the cut, alongside Furman, Harvard, Santa Clara and South Florida. He told 247Sports' Travis Branham that he's been in contact with head coach Todd Golden and associate head coach Korey McCray since taking an unofficial visit in June. "Florida would have a similar development plan for me as Denzel Aberdeen and Isaiah Brown," Nelson told Branham. "I wouldn't be projected to play right away, but I know what I could do if I went there, and I will have an impact on the team when I get there."Nelson has official visits lined up with Furman (Aug. 28), Harvard (Sept. 10) and USF (Aug. 21). He says he's looking for "a culture full of guys who work hard and like to win." Nelson is expected to make a decision by the end of the year, likely in October or November.Final 5! Grateful for the opportunity pic.twitter.com/bSGOpNqTfh NolanNelson2027 (@NolanNelson2027) July 23, 2026Nelson is ranked No. 26 among power forwards in the class of 2027 and is the No. 26 recruit out of Florida, according to 247Sports' standalone rankings. The 247Sports composite puts him at No. 174 nationally, No. 28 at his position and No. 26 in the state.ESPN ranks Nelson No. 36 among power forwards, No. 52 in the Southeast region and No. 18 in the state, also granting a three-star grade. He stands at 6-foot-8-inches and previously played at Creekside in St. Augustine, Florida. He has flashed some touch from three-point range but does most of his work in the post, showing good production on the glass. As a junior, Nelson averaged 13.5 points, 10.9 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.2 blocks and 1.2 steals per game over 13 tracked games on MaxPreps. In addition to Nelson's top five, he held offers from Ball State, Columbia, Florida Gulf Coast, Florida State, Jacksonville and Richmond. Follow us@GatorsWireon X, formerly known as Twitter, as well as Bluesky, and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Florida Gators news, notes and opinions.This article originally appeared on Gators Wire: In-state forward Nolan Nelson includes Florida basketball in top 5

Reynolds defensive back Zion Ikeme is heading back to Christ School and reclassifying to the class of 2028 from 2027.He announced his decision to transfer to the Greenies from Reynolds on Instagram on July 31. Christ School coach Clint Alexander confirmed his transfer in a text message to the Citizen Times. Ikeme intercepted four passes while recording 39 tackles, three pass deflections, two fumble recoveries and a forced fumble with the Rockets last season. He helped Reynolds go 7-5 and finish second in the Mountain Athletic Conference and reach the second round of the NCHSAA 6A playoffs.This will be his second stint with Christ School. He transferred from Reynolds to the Greenies after the 2023 season. Ikeme is one of the top defensive backs in Western North Carolina. He was named All-WNC Third Team in 2023 and 2025. Zachary Huber is a high school sports reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Email him at zhuber@gannett.com or follow him on X @zacharyahuber.This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Zion Ikeme transfers back to Christ School football, reclassifies to 2028 class

Following a pair of ramp-up days on Wednesday and Thursday, the Denver Broncos held their first full-speed practice of training camp on Friday.The club welcomed about 1,000 fans to Broncos Park Powered by CommonSpirit for the opening practice.Yes, it was good," Broncos coach Sean Payton said after practice when asked about the fans taking in practice. "I dont think at the time we planned practice in the spring for today, I dont think we knew which way the fields were going to be running. So initially we moved the practice to the field closer to where the bleachers were, but it was great seeing them.The fans add a spark and seemingly add more energy to practice. "It was good to have them out there," Payton said. "You know its going to help you with your practice when you have that energy.Here are five quick takeaways from Friday's session. 5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp1. Jaylen Waddle looks as advertised: Denver traded first-, third- and fourth-round draft picks to the Miami Dolphins in exchange for Waddle and a fourth-round pick this spring. It's obviously very early, but Waddle has already stood out. He wowed with a one-handed catch during pre-camp acclimation, and he caught the first pass in full-team 11-on-11 drills on Friday. Romi Bean of CBS tweeted that the Nix to Waddle connection "just looks so seamless. So easy and smooth." The Denver Post's Luca Evans added that Waddle is an "exceedingly tough cover" for every Broncos cornerback. "There are two ways to separate," Payton said after practice. "You can run faster than everyone, and he [Waddle] has really good speed. Then if you can stop fast, and hes able to match speed and then sink his hips. That is unique. Thats why you see coverage that ends up being it looks like three yards off because theres that threat of speed. Then his ability to sink his hips is unique.2. Broncos view Ben Powers as a starter: After returning from injury, Powers agreed to cut his salary from $12.49 million down to about $6 million ahead of the 2026 season. Despite coming off injury and taking a pay cut, Powers remains the team's starting left guard. That doesn't mean Alex Palczewski can't push for playing time, though. Theres always going to be competition; hes doing fantastic, and we certainly see him as a starter, and hes playing well," Payton said. 3. J.K. Dobbins vows to stay healthy, lead NFL in rushing: Dobbins was vibrant in his post-practice media session, pinky-promising reporters that he will stay healthy for all 17 games this season. He also reiterated his goal to lead the NFL in rushing, and he once again noted that he was born to be a Bronco.J.K. Dobbins:"I was born to be a Bronco...and I'm gonna play all 17 games this year...I pinky promise you that."#BroncosCountrypic.twitter.com/DvbKOMxrvd Guerilla Sports (@guerillasports) July 31, 2026J.K. Dobbins pinky promised the media he won't get hurt this year "Remember this day" pic.twitter.com/4DezK5PVPV DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) July 31, 20264. Evan Engram stood out: Engram was one of the clear standouts from Day 1, with his highlights including catching a 50-plus-yard bomb from Jarrett Stidham. Engram's big day led several media members to point out that the tight end is good friends with former teammate Davis Webb, who now calls plays as Denver's offensive coordinator. Payton didn't brush off the suggestion that Engram benefits from Webb calling plays. I would say yes to some degree," Payton said. "I think hes trying to find different ways where he might have a matchup, and I think thats a good thing. Now its just executing, and its ball security, catching, the landmarks, some of the nuances. Hes one other piece where youre trying to spread the ball around. Whos going to earn those touches? Those have to be earned.5. Bo Nix looked sharp: In his first 11-on-11 setting of full-speed camp, Nix showed "great command" and a quick connection with Waddle, according to Evans. The Athletic's Nick Kosmider noted that Nix looked more comfortable on the run than he did during acclimation workouts. Aric DiLalla of the team's official website tweeted that Nix was "dealing" during team period. Evans concluded that Nix was "*sharp*" in the final team period of practice. It certainly sounds like the third-year QB is off to a good start this summer. Denver's players will return to the practice field tomorrow, followed by a day off on Sunday (view the full training camp schedule). The Broncos will have 14 practices with fans in attendance this summer, but (free) tickets are required. Up next is Day 2 on Saturday morning. Social: FollowBroncos WireonFacebookandTwitter/X!Did you know:These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: 5 takeaways from Day 1 of Broncos training camp

Fifa president Gianni Infantino says he has scrapped the controversial plan to sell off stakes in the governing body's major competitions, following widespread opposition.More to follow.Infantino on the brink? Who might replace him if he goes?Fifa executive says staff 'deceived' by Infantino plansFollow your club with BBC SportListen to the latest Football Daily podcastGet football news sent straight to your phone

It's the U.S. women's national team vs. Canada in the International Cup softball tournament Friday night at Devon Park in Oklahoma City.Follow along for live updates:More: USA Softball 'really connected' at International Cup even with short turnaroundInternational Cup softball live score updates: USWNT vs Canada1234567-FCAN---------USA---------More: Who will make Team USA softball for 2028 Olympics in OKC? We make our predictionsWhat time is USWNT vs Canada today? When is International Cup softball game today?Date:Friday, July 31Time:7 p.m.The U.S. women's national team vs Canada game starts at 7 p.m. Friday from Devon Park.What channel is USWNT vs Canada on today? Where to watch International Cup softball game on TV, streamingStreaming:ESPN+ (here's how to stream it live)The U.S. women's national team vs Canada game will stream on ESPN.More: Get to know OSU, OU softball legends on Team USA rosters for 2026 International CupWhat is the International Cup schedule?July 30-August 3 at Devon Park:Thursday, July 30Game 1:Japan 5, American Samoa 0Game 2:Canada 3, China 1Game 3:U.S. Elite 6, Chinese Taipei 4 (8)Game 4: USWNT 12, Australia 0 (4)Friday, July 31Game 5:Japan 5, Chinese Taipei 3Game 6:China 5, Australia 4Game 7:U.S. Elite vs. American Samoa, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)Game 8:Canada vs. U.S. women's national team, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)Saturday, Aug. 1Game 9: American Samoa vs. Chinese Taipei, 10 a.m. (USASoftball.TV)Game 10: Canada vs. Australia, 1 p.m. (USASoftball.TV)Game 11: U.S. women's national team vs. China, 4 p.m. (ESPN+)Game 12: U.S. Elite vs. Japan, 7 p.m. (ESPN+)Sunday, Aug. 2Game 13: Group A #4 vs. Group B #3, 10 a.m.Game 14: Group B #4 vs. Group A #3, 1 p.m. Game 15: Group B #2 vs. Group A #1, 4 p.m.Game 16: Group A #2 vs. Group B #1, 7 p.m.Monday, Aug. 3Game 17: Game 13 loser vs. Game 14 loser, 9 a.m.Game 18: Game 13 winner vs. Game 14 winner, noonGame 19: Game 15 loser vs. Game 16 loser, 3 p.m.Game 20: Game 15 winner vs. Game 16 winner, 7 p.m.Who is on U.S. women's national team roster?Maya Brady, OF: The face of OKC Spark remains in town with her renowned left-hand swing that led the AUSL this season in home runs. Paired with her elite outfield range and ability, she has become one of Team USAs biggest stars.Alyssa Brito, UTL: A former Oklahoma standout who won three national championships, Brito is a versatile utility player capable of playing everywhere from third base to the outfield. She brings just as much production at the plate, going 5 for 7 with two home runs and eight RBIs in four games during Team USA's Down Under Series in December 2025.Erin Coffel, INF: Fresh off her collegiate career at Kentucky, Coffel made an immediate impact in the AUSL, earning 2025 MVP and Hitter of the Year honors with her elite power and ability to send any pitch out of the park.Jayda Coleman, OF: The former Sooner star who led OU to four consecutive title runs is coming straight off another championship season with the Utah Talons in the AUSL. Coleman is known for her highlight-reel defensive plays and superior left-handed bat.Montana Fouts, RHP: This former Alabama star led Team USA to a gold medal at the 2022 World Games with a 0.00 ERA. As a member of the AUSL championship-winning Utah Falcons, Fouts also recorded the leagues best win-loss record this season.Rachel Garcia, RHP: One of the two Olympians on this team, the veteran was part of Team USAs silver medal squad at the 2020 Olympics. With extensive international experience and a standout collegiate career that included National Player of the Year honors, she brings valuable leadership to this team.Megan Grant, UTL: The UCLA graduate has a rare ability to switch between infield and outfield relatively seamlessly. A two-sport athlete, she was also a member of UCLAs 2026 NCAA Womens Basketball Championship team during her senior year.Janae Jefferson, INF: This decorated Texas alum helped Team USA capture a gold medal at the 2022 World Games. An elite all-around athlete, she combines a powerful bat with defensive excellence at second base.Tiare Jennings, INF: Another Sooner and familiar face in Oklahoma returns home. A natural leader on the field, Jennings brings extensive experience as a run producer while providing exceptional defense at every position she plays.Lexi Kilfoyl, RHP: The Oklahoma State product features an elite downward-breaking sinker and an ability to strike out even the games best hitters, making her a crucial asset on the teams pitching rotation.More: Oklahoma State softball offseason primer: What are five biggest questions for Cowgirls?Kayla Kowalik, C/OF: Kowalik is a rare catcher-outfield hybrid who brings a high-contact bat, making her a valuable addition to a limited roster where versatility is essential.Aubrey Leach, UTL: This flexible defender has been on Team USA rosters since graduating from Tennessee in 2019. Known for her ability to get on base, she brings elite on-base skills and sets the table for one of the most talented lineups in the game.Kelly Maxwell, LHP: Maxwell spent four seasons at OSU before transferring to OU, where she became a key contributor on the Sooners 2024 national championship team. She already has international experience, helping Team USA earn a silver medal at the 2024 WBSC Womens World Cup with 14 strikeouts during the tournament.Dejah Mulipola, C: Another Olympic silver medalist from the 2020 Games, Mulipola brings valuable international experience to Team USA. Known for her powerful throwing arm behind the plate, she remains one of the programs top catchers.Karlyn Pickens, RHP: The former Tennessee ace is recognized for throwing the fastest pitch in NCAA softball history at 79.4 miles per hour. She debuted for Team USA during the 2025 Down Under Series, going 2-0 in the circle with a 0.00 ERA and eight strikeouts through six innings.Skylar Wallace, INF: A former Florida standout, Wallace combines elite speed and power to impact the game in multiple ways, creating runs at the plate while providing dependable defense in the infield.Jocelyn Erickson, C: One of two International Cup additions to the roster, Erickson is one of the nations top catchers. The Florida standout is known for her high softball IQ, defensive skills and ability to control the game from behind the plate.Hannah Flippen, UTL: Another addition to the WNT roster for this tournament, Flippen is a longtime member of Team USA who brings extensive leadership experience and versatility as a go-to infielder.This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: USA Softball WNT vs Canada live updates: Where to watch International Cup game

Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski/Imagn Images // Corey Perrine/Florida Times-UnionNFL training camp is in full swing, giving us our first full looks at teams on the eve of the 2026 season. The start of camp also means we get our first look at what narratives and expectations teams are setting for themselves heading into the year.Jaguars coach Liam Coen was quick to jump on the Nobody believes in us! train. Speaking with Jacksonville sports radio station 1010XL, Coen described the national medias lack of interest in the Jaguars as a blessing in disguise, comparing the relative fanfare around their team to that of the Bears.What I said to the staff the other day, This is the best part of coaching the Jacksonville Jaguarsyou dont have to make up telling your players stuff. You dont have to make up the fire. You dont have to make it up. Its given to us every day, Coen said. Its a gift from the heavens. I just scroll. I pull out my phone and look at the NFL Network website. Im just curious if I see any photos or anything about the Jacksonville Jaguars. I think Ill scroll right on through. I think Ill see 40 pictures of Caleb Williams, and I wont see a single thing about any of our players on here, and so its beautiful. This is great. Thank you. Im going to tell all these guys how much you all think they suck, and well just keep going.All Ill see is 40 pictures of Caleb Williams and not a single thing about any of our players. Liam Coen had a hilarious way of describing why he loves coaching the Jaguars on The Drill with Dan Hicken and Jeff Prosser. WATCH NOW: https://t.co/E5etiiSE3n#DUUUVAL | pic.twitter.com/idQZCvDMkK 1010 XL / 92.5 FM (@1010XL) July 30, 2026That clip made the rounds on Thursday, and by Friday, Bears coach Ben Johnson weighed in with his own take on preseason expectations.Well, were the No. 1 regression candidate, so I think weve got plenty of motivation ourselves, Johnson said when asked about Coens comments. We talked about Caleb in the past; hes used to handling a lot of attention, so Im not worried about that.Well, were the No. 1 regression candidate.Ben Johnson responds to Liam Coen talking about Caleb Williams and the idea of needing to be motivated: https://t.co/ajefZrGdVFpic.twitter.com/FetlaJnbyJ CHGO Bears (@CHGO_Bears) July 31, 2026Both coaches here are taking some liberties in framing where their teams stand in the national hierarchy. Coen argues no one talks about the Jaguars because no one thinks they can win, when their lack of coverage is much more driven by simply being in Jacksonville and the AFC South. Johnson says the Bears have a chip on their shoulder because the narrative is that they are set to regress after their success last year. While that may be true, Caleb Williams in particular might be getting some extra attention this year because hes on the cover of Madden, more than any larger feelings people have about Chicago as a team.Luckily for both coaches, theyll get the chance to settle which side has been more unfairly framed by the media on the field when they meet in Chicago in Week 13 of the season. Johnson has already had a few must-watch postgame handshakes in his career as a head coachheres another to add to the list.The post Liam Coen, Ben Johnson trade barbs on relative hype of Jaguars, Bears appeared first on Awful Announcing.