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The Jacksonville Jaguars have aggressively reshaped their roster in a bid to contend for an AFC title, and the NFL's trade deadline on Tuesday at 4 p.m. ET is expected to bring more moves. The Chicago Bears have already seen an immediate impact from newly acquired Jeffery Simmons, while the Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, and Detroit Lions have also strengthened their squads. Several notable players have already switched teams, and the action is far from over.
All eyes are on the Minnesota Vikings (6-2) after Carson Wentz's rough outing against Buffalo on Monday night. The Vikings are likely exploring quarterback upgrades, and with Kyler Murray hampered by a hamstring issue and his offense sputtering, Minnesota could be active in the market.
College Football Playoff Expands to 24 Teams
The College Football Playoff will expand to 24 teams next season, ending a three-decade run of conference title games as the primary pathway. College leaders announced the new format on Monday after ESPN agreed to a revised contract that adds 11 games over five years for an additional $1.7 billion. The new structure includes five automatic qualifiers—champions from the Power Four leagues and one other—with the remaining teams selected by a committee. The top eight seeds will receive first-round byes, and the playoff will begin on the second weekend of December.
Bob Boone Dies at 78
Bob Boone, the catcher on the Philadelphia Phillies' first World Series championship team in 1980, has died at 78. Boone's son, Bret, announced the death on social media Tuesday; the Phillies said in a statement that Boone died Monday. No cause was given. Boone won seven Gold Gloves and was part of baseball's first three-generation family—his father, Ray, played in the majors, and sons Bret and Aaron also had long careers. Boone spent his first 10 seasons with the Phillies, then played seven with the California Angels and two with the Kansas City Royals. He later managed the Royals and Cincinnati Reds.
Rookie of the Year Awards
Detroit Tigers infielder Kevin McGonigle won the American League Rookie of the Year award after a standout all-around season. The 22-year-old batted .278 with an .806 OPS, 18 homers, 72 RBIs, 28 doubles, and 12 stolen bases while splitting time between shortstop and third base. He is the first Tigers player to win the award since Michael Fulmer in 2016 and the first Detroit infielder since Lou Whitaker in 1978. Cincinnati Reds slugger Sal Stewart took the National League honor after hitting 32 homers and driving in 112 runs while playing all 162 games.
F1 Finale Set for Qatar and Abu Dhabi
Formula 1 will proceed with its season-ending races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi despite Middle East tensions, and has dropped plans to use Italy's Imola circuit as a backup. A source confirmed the development to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because no public announcement has been made. FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem said on Instagram that preparations for both races are underway and emphasized the commitment to delivering outstanding Grand Prix weekends. Security details were not disclosed.
College Athletes Propose CBA Model
A group representing college athletes, Athletes.org, has partnered with Tennessee basketball players to release a detailed collective-bargaining model for college sports. The proposal, backed by school leadership, outlines guidelines for player compensation, the transfer portal, and academics. Freshman DeWayne Brown III called the process a steppingstone for more athletes. Supporters, including Tennessee's athletic director, believe it could save the financially strained industry, while opponents warn it might bankrupt athletic departments. The model suggests a centralized employer structure similar to Major League Soccer to streamline payments.
Big Ten Scoring Dip Leads to Coordinator Changes
The addition of four former Pac-12 teams was expected to boost offense in the Big Ten, but scoring has declined this season, leading to three offensive coordinator firings. Nebraska dismissed Dana Holgorsen and Michigan fired Jason Beck over the weekend, while No. 18 Oregon let go of Drew Mehringer two weeks earlier. Scoring had risen in 2024 and again last year, but the drop this year has been significant enough to prompt swift action.
Broncos' Improbable Interception Secures Record Win
Devon Key's quick thinking led to a crucial interception for the Denver Broncos in Sunday's 26-21 win over the Carolina Panthers. Key grabbed a ball that bounced off Tommy Tremble's hands and right wrist, and although the play initially appeared dead, Broncos coach Sean Payton challenged the call just in time. Replays confirmed the interception, helping Denver secure its 16th consecutive one-score victory, an NFL record. The Broncos, now 7-2, have benefited from key officiating calls in several games this season.
Champions Classic Features Blueblood Showdowns
No. 2 Duke faces No. 5 Michigan State and No. 15 Kansas meets No. 24 Kentucky in the Champions Classic on Tuesday night in Chicago. The high-profile matchups follow a series of challenging exhibitions for the bluebloods, who faced tough opponents like Texas Tech and UConn. Duke coach Jon Scheyer said the exhibitions were crucial for testing his team, while Kentucky's Zoom Diallo views the game against Kansas as a statement opportunity. The Champions Classic remains a highlight of the early-season college basketball schedule.
South Carolina and USC Renew Rivalry with Watkins Back
No. 1 South Carolina will face third-ranked USC on Sunday for the third time in the past 12 months. The Gamecocks won the first two meetings, including an NCAA Tournament second-round victory last season. This time, the Trojans will have star wing JuJu Watkins back in the lineup after she missed both of last season's games while rehabbing an ACL injury suffered 20 months ago. South Carolina has looked dominant in its first two games, beating ranked opponents Maryland and North Carolina, including a 45-point win over the Tar Heels—the program's largest margin over a Top 25 team according to ESPN. Watkins has looked strong in her return.
Originally reported by hjnews.