Longtime Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin decided to step down after 19 seasons. This decision impacts the future of Aaron Rodgers, a star quarterback who signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, partly to play under Tomlin. Steelers owner Art Rooney II suggests that Tomlin's departure could influence Rodgers’ choice about retiring.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin stepped down as head coach of the Steelers after 19 seasons.
Tomlin never had a losing season with the Steelers but faced seven early playoff exits.
Aaron Rodgers, who is currently with the Steelers, may retire and Tomlin's departure could affect his decision.
Rodgers signed a one-year deal with the Steelers, viewing it as potentially his last NFL season.
Steelers owner Art Rooney II said Tomlin's departure might influence Rodgers’ retirement decision.
Rodgers, 42, expressed that the past season was enjoyable despite challenges.
The Steelers had a loss to the Houston Texans before Tomlin's announcement.
The Baltimore Orioles are looking to improve their team by adding a strong pitcher for the upcoming season. They are interested in signing Ranger Suárez, a top player from the Philadelphia Phillies. Adding Suárez could help the Orioles have a better season after their recent struggles.
Key Facts
The Baltimore Orioles want to improve their pitching team after a poor performance last season.
Ranger Suárez, a standout pitcher from the Philadelphia Phillies, is a key target in free agency.
The Orioles have already made moves by trading for Shane Baz and re-signing Zach Eflin.
They aim to add Suárez to join pitchers like Trevor Rogers and Kyle Bradish.
Mike Elias, the Orioles’ president of baseball operations, has been actively enhancing the team’s roster.
Last season, the Orioles finished last in the AL East division with 75 wins.
Signing Suárez would require the Orioles to match his current high-level contract.
Mike Tomlin has stepped down as the head coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers after leading the team for 19 years. The team is now looking for a new head coach, with several candidates being considered, including defensive coordinators Chris Shula and Brian Flores.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin resigned as the Pittsburgh Steelers' head coach after 19 seasons.
Chris Shula, the Rams' defensive coordinator, is a leading candidate to become the new head coach.
Brian Flores, the Vikings' defensive coordinator, also has a strong chance, and he previously worked with Tomlin.
Robert Saleh, the 49ers' defensive coordinator, is another candidate being considered.
The Steelers have not changed head coaches in nearly two decades.
Kalshi, a prediction market, lists Shula, Flores, and Saleh as top candidates with varying chances.
Brian Flores is known for his defensive skills and his past head coaching role with the Miami Dolphins.
Chris Shula's family has a history of involvement in the NFL, adding to his credentials.
There is speculation about whether Mike Tomlin, the current Pittsburgh Steelers coach, might join the Baltimore Ravens. Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti responded humorously to the idea, while also commenting on the recent firing of former Ravens coach John Harbaugh.
Key Facts
Mike Tomlin is the coach of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The Baltimore Ravens recently fired their coach, John Harbaugh.
Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti spoke publicly after Harbaugh's firing.
Bisciotti joked about the possibility of Tomlin joining the Ravens but did not confirm it.
Bisciotti explained that Harbaugh would have been let go even if the team made the playoffs but lost in the first round.
John Harbaugh is considering coaching offers from other teams, including the New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, and Tennessee Titans.
Longtime NFL wide receiver Adam Thielen announced his retirement after a 13-year career. Thielen, who started with the Minnesota Vikings and was a Pro-Bowl player, made his final appearances with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Key Facts
Adam Thielen announced his retirement from the NFL on social media.
He had a 13-year career in the league.
Thielen was a wide receiver and a two-time Pro-Bowl player.
He started as an undrafted free agent with the Minnesota Vikings in 2013.
Thielen had more than 1,200 receiving yards in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
He recently played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Thielen had 704 catches, 8,497 yards, and 64 touchdowns in his career.
He announced his retirement plans when signing with the Steelers in December.
The Philadelphia Eagles had a good regular season but struggled offensively in their playoff game against the San Francisco 49ers, leading to changes in their coaching staff. The Dallas Cowboys have shown interest in interviewing Eagles defensive backs coach Christian Parker for their open defensive coordinator role. Some Eagles fans are unhappy with the possibility of losing Parker.
Key Facts
The Eagles ended the 2025 regular season with an 11–6 record.
Philadelphia's offense ranked 24th in total yards and 19th in points per game.
Their defense was stronger, ranking 8th against the pass and 5th in scoring defense.
The Eagles lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs with a score of 23–19.
The Eagles began changing their coaching staff, dismissing offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo.
The Dallas Cowboys want to interview Eagles coach Christian Parker for their defensive coordinator position.
Christian Parker has been part of the NFL since 2019 and joined the Eagles in 2024.
Eagles fans expressed opposition to Parker possibly leaving for the Cowboys.
The Philadelphia Eagles ended the 2025 season with an 11–6 record but were eliminated in the playoffs by the San Francisco 49ers. After their playoff exit, the Dallas Cowboys requested to interview Eagles coach Christian Parker for their defensive coordinator role, sparking strong reactions from fans.
Key Facts
The Eagles had an 11–6 record in the 2025 season.
They were eliminated by the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs.
The Eagles' offensive performance was lower than previous seasons, ranking 24th in total yards and 19th in points per game.
Defensively, the Eagles were ranked eighth against the pass and fifth in scoring defense.
The Cowboys requested to interview Christian Parker, the Eagles' defensive backs coach, for a defensive coordinator position.
Parker started his NFL coaching career in 2019 and has worked with the Eagles since 2024.
Eagles fans expressed strong opinions against the idea of Parker leaving for the Cowboys.
Alex Bregman has joined the Chicago Cubs with a five-year, $175 million contract. He will now wear jersey No. 3, since No. 2 is taken by Cubs player Nico Hoerner. Hoerner is currently the focus of trade talks involving other teams.
Key Facts
Alex Bregman signed a five-year contract with the Chicago Cubs worth $175 million.
Bregman will wear jersey No. 3 instead of his usual No. 2, which belongs to Nico Hoerner.
Nico Hoerner is the Cubs’ second baseman and has won the Gold Glove award twice.
The San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and New York Yankees are interested in trading for Hoerner.
Bregman decided to change his jersey number to respect Hoerner’s position on the team.
Hoerner has been with the Cubs since being drafted in 2018.
Amateur tennis player Jordan Smith won the "One Point Slam," a sudden-death tennis event, held at Rod Laver Arena before the Australian Open. He beat world number 117 Joanna Garland in the final and claimed a A$1 million prize. The event included top professional players and amateurs, where each match was decided by a single point.
Key Facts
Jordan Smith is an amateur player from Australia who won the "One Point Slam."
He won a prize of A$1 million (about US$670,000).
The event featured both professional tennis players and amateurs.
Each match was determined by one point; winners moved on, and losers were out.
Matches included a game of "rock, paper, scissors" to decide who served.
Amateurs were allowed two serves, while professionals only got one.
The event occurred at the Rod Laver Arena before the Australian Open.
Notable professionals like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner participated, with Sinner losing to Smith.
NFL players, including Saquon Barkley, will join Tom Brady in a flag football event in Saudi Arabia in 2026. The event, known as the Fanatics Flag Football Classic, aims to promote the sport globally and involves several top NFL stars.
Key Facts
Tom Brady will participate in a flag football exhibition in Saudi Arabia in 2026.
The event is called the Fanatics Flag Football Classic and will be held in March.
This exhibition includes a three-team, round-robin tournament.
NFL players like Saquon Barkley, Christian McCaffrey, and CeeDee Lamb will join.
Coaches Pete Carroll, Kyle Shanahan, and Sean Payton will lead the teams.
The event is part of efforts to expand American football internationally.
Whistleblowers sent 185 reports about suspected doping to the UK's national anti-doping organization in 2025. The concerns led to charges against two people for breaking anti-doping rules. New reporting methods like WhatsApp and SMS helped protect anonymity.
Key Facts
Whistleblowers made 185 reports of suspected doping in 2025.
The reports came from 25 different sports.
This was the second-highest number since the initiative started in 2020.
The highest was 211 reports in 2024.
Two people were charged with breaking anti-doping rules because of these reports.
Ukad introduced WhatsApp and SMS in 2024 for anonymous reporting.
15 people in the UK faced penalties for anti-doping violations in 2025.
LSU's head coach, Lane Kiffin, has successfully recruited Husan Longstreet, a talented quarterback from California, through the college football transfer portal. Longstreet, previously set to play for USC, will join LSU and likely start in 2027 after Sam Leavitt graduates.
Key Facts
Husan Longstreet, a top-rated quarterback from California, has transferred to LSU.
He was previously expected to play for USC under coach Lincoln Riley.
Husan will play backup to Sam Leavitt at LSU before likely becoming the starting quarterback in 2027.
Longstreet entered the NCAA transfer portal after his first season in college football.
His older brother, Kevin, also left USC by entering the transfer portal.
LSU's previous quarterback, Jaxson Dart, was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round.
The transfer portal will close on January 16, 2026.
Amateur tennis player Jordan Smith won A$1 million by defeating top-ranked players, including Jannik Sinner, in a special event at the Australian Open called the Million Dollar One Point Slam. The event allowed amateur players to compete against professional players in one-point matches for a chance at the prize money. Smith emerged as the standout performer, despite being nervous, and enjoyed the unusual format of the competition.
Key Facts
Jordan Smith, an amateur player, won A$1 million in a one-point tennis competition.
Smith beat Jannik Sinner, the world number two, without needing to hit the ball because Sinner failed to serve properly.
Smith also defeated world number four Amanda Anisimova and Pedro Martinez.
The event, called the Million Dollar One Point Slam, included professional and amateur players.
Matches were decided by playing just one point, with the server chosen by 'rock, paper, scissors.'
Alec Reverente, another amateur, beat world number seven Felix Auger-Aliassime and won a car.
The event was held at Rod Laver Arena, attracting an audience of 10,000 people and involved 48 competitors.
It aimed to increase interest in tennis with a different format and featured professionals like Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek.
The Green Bay Packers lost a playoff game against the Chicago Bears after leading 21-3 at halftime. Despite the loss, there is discussion about head coach Matt LaFleur's future with the team, with some expecting negotiations for a new contract. The situation remains uncertain, with possibilities of either a contract extension or a trade involving LaFleur.
Key Facts
The Packers lost to the Bears 31-27 after leading 21-3 at halftime.
Matt LaFleur, the Packers' head coach, has a regular season record of 76-40-1.
LaFleur's playoff record is 3-6 since he became the head coach in 2019.
There is speculation about LaFleur's future with the Packers after the playoff loss.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported talks of a potential new contract for LaFleur.
There is also a suggestion that LaFleur could be a trade target for other teams.
The situation regarding LaFleur's future with the Packers remains uncertain.
The Philadelphia Eagles fired their offensive coordinator, Kevin Patullo, after losing to the San Francisco 49ers in the playoffs. This decision comes after a season with offensive difficulties, and former Eagles player Jason Kelce commented on the need for change.
Key Facts
The Philadelphia Eagles lost 23-19 to the San Francisco 49ers in the first round of the playoffs.
The Eagles fired offensive coordinator Kevin Patullo after the playoff loss.
Head Coach Nick Sirianni announced the firing and expressed respect for Patullo's contributions.
This is the fifth change of offensive coordinator for the Eagles in five years.
Former player Jason Kelce discussed the firing on his podcast, noting the offensive struggles.
The Eagles ranked 24th in offensive yards per game and averaged just over 22 points each game.
Kelce mentioned injuries to the offensive line affected the team’s performance this season.
The Eagles plan to look for a new offensive coordinator with a fresh perspective on the team's needs.
Harrison Bader, a baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies, is expected to leave the team and join the Cleveland Guardians through free agency. This move comes after changes in the Phillies' lineup and predictions that the Guardians are interested in signing Bader to strengthen their roster.
Key Facts
Harrison Bader played for the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
He remains a free agent as of now.
Tim Kelly of Bleacher Report predicts Bader might join the Cleveland Guardians.
The Guardians may consider Bader for center or right field positions.
Bader is seen as a good fit because of his strong playing skills.
The Guardians lack the budget to sign top outfielders like Cody Bellinger or Kyle Tucker.
Bader might receive a one or two-year deal with the Guardians.
The New York Mets are looking to strengthen their pitching staff and are predicted to sign Framber Valdez, a top free-agent pitcher from the Houston Astros. Adding Valdez would help improve the Mets' rotation, alongside promising rookie Nolan McLean. The potential contract for Valdez may be costly, with estimates ranging from $180 million to $200 million.
Key Facts
The Mets need to improve their pitching for the upcoming season.
They missed the postseason partly due to neglecting their pitching staff.
Framber Valdez is a sought-after free agent and one of the best pitchers available.
Valdez has been linked to the Mets for several months.
Nolan McLean is the National League Rookie of the Year favorite.
A deal with Valdez could cost between $180 million and $200 million.
Adding Valdez would position the Mets better for future success.
The Mets could also pursue additional trades for other pitchers.
Michael Irvin, a former NFL player, encouraged Jordan Seaton, a college football player, to join the University of Miami after Seaton decided to transfer from Deion Sanders' Colorado team. This comes as the University of Miami is preparing for the College Football Playoff National Championship. Colorado has been active in the transfer market with many players leaving and joining the team.
Key Facts
Jordan Seaton, a former star player, is leaving Colorado's football team through the transfer portal.
Michael Irvin suggested on social media that Seaton should join the University of Miami.
Irvin and Deion Sanders were teammates on the Dallas Cowboys.
The University of Miami is getting ready for the College Football Playoff National Championship.
Colorado's football team has seen 32 players join and 37 players leave recently.
Miami has fewer transfer moves with only eight players leaving and four joining.
Irvin is a former player for Miami and has been active as a fan during their recent games.
Devin Booker of the Phoenix Suns briefly left a game against the Miami Heat due to a leg injury but returned to play later. Despite his efforts, the Suns lost the game with a score of 127-121. The Suns will monitor Booker's condition to decide on his future playtime.
Key Facts
Devin Booker left a game against the Miami Heat with a leg injury but later returned.
Before leaving, he scored 22 points and was close to a triple-double with 7 rebounds and 8 assists.
The Suns lost the match to the Heat with a final score of 127-121.
Booker's coach, Jordan Ott, mentioned concerns about his ankle stiffening.
The Suns will evaluate Booker's ankle to determine his availability for future games.
This season, Booker has played 36 games and averages 25.3 points per game.
Phoenix Suns are currently sixth in their conference.
Booker finished the game with 24 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists.
AJ Brown, a star wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles, is the subject of trade rumors linking him to the New England Patriots. ESPN's Adam Schefter suggests Brown might be a trade candidate due to ongoing issues with the Eagles. Brown has been very productive with the Eagles, but potential trade talks might happen if offers are strong enough.
Key Facts
AJ Brown is a wide receiver for the Philadelphia Eagles.
He has been involved in trade rumors since the 2025 offseason.
ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter predicts Brown may be traded to the New England Patriots.
Schefter mentions that Brown and Patriots' head coach Mike Vrabel have a connection.
Brown has scored 32 touchdowns and over 1,000 yards each season during his time with the Eagles.
Any trade involving Brown would likely be costly for the Eagles.
There is significant interest from the Patriots in acquiring Brown.
