Category: Sport

One storyline from the NFL head-coaching cycle this offseason was that Black coaches had a difficult time getting hired.

There were 10 teams looking for a new head coach and none of the open spots went to a Black coach. The coach who came the closest might have been Denver Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph, who got multiple interviews due to his work leading a fantastic Broncos defense each of the last two seasons. Joseph didn’t get one of the open jobs, and he’ll return to the Broncos.

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That’s good news for the Broncos, but Denver head coach Sean Payton was still confused over why Joseph didn’t get a head-coaching spot. Payton did not mention the aspect of no Black head coaches being hired this offseason when he was asked about Joseph not being hired, but he clearly thought NFL owners made a mistake passing on his defensive coordinator.

“It’s hard to tell … there’s 32 of these teams that are owned individually and everyone is different,” Payton said at the NFL scouting combine. “And yet, a lot of them have trouble getting out of their own way.”

Payton praised Joseph, whose Broncos defenses have finished top three in the NFL in points allowed each of the last two seasons. Denver led the NFL in sacks last season, went 14-3 and advanced to the AFC championship game for the first time in 10 years.

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That got Joseph interviews, but not any head coaching job.

[Get more Broncos news: Denver team feed]

“I am a little surprised, with the season we had as well as how well we played defensively and 10 openings,” Payton said.

Payton said Joseph is adept at getting the best out of his players, and his calming influence is his “superpower.”

Joseph’s first stint as a head coach, when he went 11-21 with the Broncos in 2017 and 2018, might have worked against him. However, four of the 10 new hires this cycle were on their second stints as head coaches. New Titans head coach Robert Saleh, who is of Lebanese descent, has a 20-36 career record as a head coach.

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Payton joked, “I love that he’s back” in reference to Joseph, but appeared confused over why Joseph was passed over.

“He felt like he had a handful of interviews that were productive and good opportunities,” Payton said. “I know when that opportunity comes, he’ll be successful.”

Portland Trail Blazers guard Shaedon Sharpe has been sidelined for six games with a calf strain.

Now he’s facing an extended absence, potentially for the remainder of the season. The Trail Blazers announced Tuesday that new imaging has revealed that Sharpe also has a stress reaction in his fibula.

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He’ll be reevaluated for the injury in 4-6 weeks, putting the remainder of his 2025-26 regular season in doubt. Portland’s last game this season is scheduled for April 12 against the Sacramento Kings, less than two weeks out from the back end of the 4-6 week timeline.

As of Monday, the Trail Blazers were in ninth place in the West at 28-30, putting them in position to make the play-in.

Sharpe is Portland’s second-leading scorer with averages of 21.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, 2.6 assists and 1.4 steals per game. Portland’s leading scorer, Deni Avdija (24.4 ppg, 7 rpg, 6.6 apg), meanwhile, is dealing with a lingering lower-back injury that’s sidelined him for multiple games. He’s listed as out for Tuesday’s game against the Minnesota Timberwolves.

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[Get more Blazers news: Portland team feed]

The Trail Blazers have a six-game cushion over the 11th-place Memphis Grizzlies (21-35), who would be the first team in the West out of the play-in based on Tuesday’s standings. But the injuries to key players have put Portland’s play-in hopes at risk.

The Trail Blazers are seeking their first playoff appearance since 2020-21 with a team that featured Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum and had veteran Carmelo Anthony coming off the bench. But with little hope of advancing out of the first round if they get there, there may not be much motivation for Portland to push their young stars back from injury.

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Avdija has already experienced a setback after returning to game play from his back injury. He played just one minute in Sunday’s win over the Phoenix Suns after deciding late to play. He was listed as questionable before the game and was ruled out of Tuesday’s game a day in advance.

Nate Tice & Matt Harmon join forces from Indianapolis as they preview what to watch at the 2026 NFL Scouting Combine. The duo kick things off with some of the buzziest news items from around Indy, including the Atlanta Falcons franchise tagging Kyle Pitts, some uncertainty from the Philadelphia Eagles around AJ Brown’s future with the team and the New York Jets planning to use a tag on RB Breece Hall.

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Next, Nate & Matt dive into their top prospects to watch this week at the NFL Combine. Matt shouts out LB Sonny Styles topping an insane linebacker class and WR KC Concepcion, while Nate talks about the entire Ohio State defense and Notre Dame RB Jeremiyah Love.

Later, the two hosts cover a few of the most underrated prospects to watch this week, including WR Omar Cooper, TE Kenyon Sadiq, RB Jonah Coleman and more, plus a few spare news items from Indianapolis (could a Trent Williams release be looming?)

(2:10) – Top Combine storylines and news

(24:00) – Top prospects to watch

(40:20) – Underrated prospects to watch

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(55:00) – Odds and ends from Indianapolis

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Check out all episodes of Football 301 with Nate Tice and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

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Matt Harmon, Justin Boone, and Jori Epstein are live from the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, breaking down the free agency and trade rumors that could shake up the fantasy landscape. The trio reveals the crown jewel free agent, potential blockbuster trade candidates, and the players most likely to receive the franchise tag.

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(4:30) Crown jewel free agent: Malik Willis

(11:40) Free agents in weird situations: Aaron Rodgers, Daniel Jones

(20:30) Likely on the move via trade: Kyler Murray

(27:20) Free agent difference makers at RB: Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III, Rico Dowdle, Travis Etienne Jr, Tyler Allgeier

(47:15) Real free agent WRs: George Pickens, Alec Pierce, Wan’Dale Robinson

(56:00) WR trade targets: Brandon Aiyuk, AJ Brown, DJ Moore

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Check out all episodes of the Yahoo Fantasy Forecast and the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Before Davis Webb was promoted to offensive coordinator, the Denver Broncos assistant interviewed for head-coaching opportunities this offseason. One of those was with the Buffalo Bills.

While the Bills ultimately went a different direction, instead elevating Joe Brady for the role, their general manager, Brandon Beane, came away impressed with the 31-year-old Webb, whom Beane hinted Tuesday at the NFL combine would call plays for the Broncos next season.

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Later in the day, Broncos head coach Sean Payton confirmed that he is, in fact, handing over play-calling duties to Webb.

Payton made a name for himself in the NFL as a play-caller and continued to call plays as a head coach, first with the New Orleans Saints and then with the Denver Broncos.

Although Payton made it clear he’ll still be calling some plays on game day, he’s entrusting Webb to direct the Broncos’ offense. It’s a decision Payton believes is best for his team, which earned the AFC’s top seed and reached the conference title game during the 2025 campaign.

“It was something that I kind of knew during the year,” Payton said, eventually specifying that he had the realization midseason.

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“[Davis] and I visited on a handful of occasions. He’s extremely talented. With regards to play-calling, it’s something that I think he’ll be really good at. I know that’s like, ‘Man, are you going to give up play calling?’ And I would only do that if I felt like it would help our team.

“I’ll still be involved with what we do offensively, just like what we do defensively. But I do think he has a gift. I think he’s real sharp. I’m glad he’s on our staff.”

Payton quipped when he was asked in January about Webb potentially landing the Las Vegas Raiders’ head job. He has the utmost confidence in the former NFL quarterback, however, and he noted Tuesday that he believes Webb will become a head coach some day.

That said, play-calling wasn’t necessarily a bargaining chip to keep Webb in Denver, according to Payton.

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“I don’t know that this was, ‘Well, I’m staying if I get to do this,’” Payton said.

“I don’t think that was the case. … I think he really likes what he’s begun to do here with us and the start of working with a young quarterback. It’s hard to leave that. It was something I was already moving toward before anyone had even discussed it.”

That said, Payton knew he needed an offensive mind of Webb’s caliber to follow through with this type of transition.

He liked what he saw from Webb this past preseason. At the time the Broncos’ quarterbacks coach and offensive pass game coordinator, Webb called plays in Denver’s final exhibition game, a 27-7 win over the Arizona Cardinals.

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The former Texas Tech and Cal standout and NFL backup quarterback oversaw the team’s QB room from 2023-25. He was part of Payton’s inaugural Broncos staff.

Most notably, he’s assisted the development of Bo Nix, whom the Broncos selected No. 12 overall in the 2024 draft. Nix has thrown a combined 54 touchdowns in two seasons, and he’s already engineered 11 total game-winning drives: Eight of them came in Year 2, including one in Denver’s AFC divisional-round win versus the Bills.

Webb will be tasked with helping Payton enhance an offense that was 10th in offensive EPA in 2025 yet was inconsistent at times, had too many drops at the receiver position and too often sputtered in the run game.

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But it’s important to note that Webb has coached for only three seasons.

“You have coaches that you definitely want to retain, and it’s never going to be quite on your timeline,” Payton said candidly before alluding to now-Baltimore Ravens OC, and then-Broncos tight ends coach, Declan Doyle leaving the organization last offseason for the Chicago Bears’ OC gig.

“In other words, it just happens faster.”

Payton said that, even though Webb will be calling plays, the Broncos aren’t straying from their offensive system.

Payton’s had games before where he hasn’t called plays.

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“Sometimes you feel like you’re used to carrying something in a hand so your hands feel empty when you’re not doing that,” he said. “Look, I think it’s going to help our team, and I’ll do everything I can to support him. It’s something that I wouldn’t do if I didn’t think would help.”

He also said, with a splash of his signature humor: “I’m going to have opinions with plays. Mine will be the bad ones, his will be all the good ones.”

The Atlanta Falcons have officially placed the franchise tag on tight end Kyle Pitts, the team announced on Tuesday.

The franchise tag salary for tight ends in 2026 is projected at roughly $16 million. Franchise tag values are calculated by averaging the top five salaries in the league at a given position.

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NFL teams have until March 3 to apply the franchise tag to a single player. Players under the franchise tag will then have until July 15 to negotiate a long-term contract. After that deadline passes, a player is required to play under the franchise tag, barring a holdout.

Pitts, 25, played in 2025 on the $10.9 million fifth-year team option of his four-year, $32.9 million rookie contract he signed as a first-round pick in 2021. He has totaled $43.9 million in career earnings.

After tallying 68 catches for 1,026 yards as a rookie, Pitts has failed to reach 1,000 yards again and has largely failed to meet the expectations that he arrived in the NFL with as the fourth overall pick. He entered the final year of his rookie deal without a contract extension.

In 2025, Pitts had his most productive campaign since his rookie season with 88 catches for 928 yards and five touchdowns. His yardage tally was the second-highest in the NFL for a tight end behind Trey McBride of the Arizona Cardinals. He reached that tally despite shaky production at quarterback from Michael Penix Jr. and Kirk Cousins.

It was enough for the Falcons to prioritize using the franchise tag on Pitts. Whether it turns into a long-term contract for Pitts is yet to be seen.

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Kevin O’Connor is joined by Jason Timpf to check in with unhappy fan bases across the NBA. They discuss whether the criticism of Karl Anthony-Towns is fair and offer solutions to the problems in New York. Then, they break down the root of Atlanta’s issues since the Trae Young trade. Plus, what’s going on in Los Angeles and can it even be fixed?

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Next, KOC shares why Collin Murray-Boyles could be the next Draymond Green and why the Celtics-Pistons matchup is the game of the week. Who should the Pistons target before the trade deadline? KOC gives his picks! Plus, is Ja Morant’s stock rising? Do the Timberwolves need to make a trade to find success this season?

Later, Justin Boone joins to discuss why the Buffalo Bills parted ways with Sean McDermott, recap the wild NFL divisional games and preview the upcoming championship weekend.

(0:15) Jason Timpf joins

(1:23) Unhappy fan bases: New York Knicks

(9:18) Unhappy fan bases: Atlanta Hawks

(15:49) Unhappy fan bases: Los Angeles Lakers

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(25:16)  Collin Murray-Boyles = Draymond Green

(29:13) Celtics vs. Pistons preview

(41:56) Is Ja Morant’s stock rising back up?

(49:19) Do Timberwolves need to make a trade?

(1:06:23) All-Star starters announced

(1:10:26) NFL 6 Points! with Justin Boone

🖥️ Watch this full episode on the Yahoo Sports NBA YouTube channel

Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family athttps://apple.co/3zEuTQj or atyahoosports.tv

Nate Tice & Matt Harmon react to the latest NFL coaching hire news before determining what went wrong for playoff losers and what each team can do to get further next season. The duo start with their thoughts on the latest coaching hires, including the Miami Dolphins hiring Jeff Hafley, the Tennessee Titans getting Robert Saleh, the Detroit Lions hiring OC Drew Petzing and the Kansas City Chiefs hiring OC Eric Bieniemy.

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Next, Nate & Matt deep dive on the four Divisional Round losers, determining what direction each team needs to take to retool and get even closer to a Super Bowl next season. The duo cover the post-Sean McDermott Buffalo Bills and their need to nail the next coaching hire, the Chicago Bears and how they can fix their defense, the Houston Texans and next steps to fix C.J. Stroud and the San Francisco 49ers, who are entering a sketchier offseason than you may realize.

(5:00) – Titans hire Robert Saleh

(14:10) – Dolphins hire Jeff Hafley

(20:30) – Key OC hires: Petzing to Lions & Bieniemy to Chiefs

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(41:00) – Bills deep dive

(1:00:45) – Bears deep dive

(1:06:45) – Texans deep dive

(1:20:15) – 49ers deep dive

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at Yahoo Sports Podcasts

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The New York Mets struck big last year when they reeled in Juan Soto from the Bronx to headline an eventful winter. However, after a disappointing 2025 campaign, the Amazin’s have been on a mission to retool this offseason, and thanks to David Stearns, they’ll go into 2026 with plenty of new faces and hope for success.

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On this episode of Baseball Bar-B-Cast, Jake Mintz and Jordan Shusterman talk about the retooled lineup that the Mets have assembled, which includes signing Bo Bichette and trading for Luis Robert Jr. from the Chicago White Sox. In addition to the signings of Devin Williams and Jorge Polanco, the new-look Mets are looking forward to a redemption season in 2026.

Later, Jordan and Jake talk about Carlos Beltrán and Andruw Jones being elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, why the Houston Astros cheating scandal caused Beltrán to have to wait and the improbable climb for Jones to make it into the Hall. Then the guys discuss the Philadelphia Phillies bringing J.T. Realmuto back to the City of Brotherly Love, Elly De La Cruz rejecting a big contract extension from the Cincinnati Reds and take a look at the LIDOM Championship Series.

1:12 – The Opener: New-look Mets

22:09 – Luis Robert Jr. trade

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33:24 – Hall of Fame results

54:26 – Around the League: Phillies re-sign Realmuto

1:03:02 – Three-team trade

1:06:47 – Elly turns down extension

1:09:33 – LIDOM Championship Series

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Check out the rest of the Yahoo Sports podcast family at https://apple.co/3zEuTQj or at yahoosports.tv

Team USA revealed its ski and snowboard roster for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic Winter Games on Thursday.

Leading figures include Olympic veterans Lindsey Vonn, Mikaela Shiffrin and Chloe Kim. Vonn, who won gold in the downhill at the 2010 Winter Olympics, returned to the sport in 2024 after retirement and a partial knee replacement. Three-time Olympian and two-time gold medalist in snowboard slopestyle Jamie Anderson was not on the 97-person list.

Shiffrin, the most decorated Alpine skier, will compete in her fourth Olympics. Kim, a three-time Olympian, aims to be the first snowboarder to win a third straight gold in halfpipe.

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“In many ways, making this team is even harder than the Olympics themselves,” snowboard program director Rick Bower explained in a statement. “The depth of our field is incredible, and selection truly came down to the wire.”

On the men’s side, the U.S. team will be led by three-time Olympian and 2018 slopestyle gold medalist Red Gerard, snowboard cross racer Nick Baumgartner, and 17-year-old Alessandro Barbieri, who’s seen as a medal contender in halfpipe.

Four-time Olympian Nick Goepper will head the freeski halfpipe squad, which also includes two-time Olympic medalist Alex Ferreira, Birk Irving and first-time Olympian Hunter Hess. Irving’s sister, Svea Irving, qualified for the women’s freeski halfpipe. Defending Olympic freeski slopestyle champ Alex Hall is also set to compete in his third Olympics.

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Olympic champion and three-time cross-country skiing medalist Jesse Diggins will participate in her fourth and final Olympics. Chris Lillis is returning for the aerials team. He took gold at the 2022 Games.

At the 2022 Beijing Games, skiers and snowboarders earned 15 of the 25 medals for Team USA. For the 2026 Winter Olympics, they’ll make up nearly half of all the athletes representing the U.S.