The New York Liberty won the 2024 WNBA championship over the Minnesota Lynx following a hard-fought five-game finals series. More than nine months later, the Liberty and Lynx finally meet again.

Lynx forward Napheesa Collier said the 2024 WNBA Finals rematch has been a long time coming.

‘It should’ve been the first game of the season,’ she said matter-of-factly on Tuesday.

The Lynx host the defending champion Liberty on Wednesday, the first of four regular-season games. Although the Lynx and Liberty kept the majority of their rosters intact, Wednesday’s matchup will look a little different as the Liberty battle the injury bug. Breanna Stewart (right leg), Nyara Sabally (right knee) and Kennedy Burke (right calf) have all been ruled. Liberty starting guard Natasha Cloud is also questionable due to an illness.

Minnesota (22-5) and New York (17-8) sit atop the WNBA standings, but both teams are looking to bounce back from losses. The battered Liberty trailed by as many as 30 points in their wire-to-wire loss to the Dallas Wings on Monday. Meanwhile, the Lynx dropped their first home game of the season after falling short in comeback bid vs. the Atlanta Dream at Target Center on Sunday.

The Liberty haven’t lost three consecutive games this season and the Lynx have not dropped back-to-back contests this year. Here’s everything you need to know about the 2024 WNBA Finals rematch:

What time is the New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx?

The Minnesota Lynx will host the New York Liberty at 8 p.m. ET Wednesday, July 30 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The game will be broadcast nationally on ESPN.

How to watch New York Liberty vs. Minnesota Lynx: TV, stream

• Time: 8 p.m. ET
• Location: Target Center (Minneapolis)
• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: The ESPN App

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NFL power rankings with the 2025 preseason set to begin July 31 (previous rank in parentheses):

1. Philadelphia Eagles (1): The offense returns virtually intact, former coordinator (and new Saints head coach) Kellen Moore a notable exception. Coordinator Vic Fangio is back for a second year running the defense, though that unit will need to adapt from significant losses in free agency. Last year’s club was one of the very best of the past quarter century and seems to have an excellent shot at repeating − especially when you consider proven NFL players like RB AJ Dillon, CB Adoree’ Jackson and OLBs Azeez Ojulari and Josh Uche are all projected to be among the backups.

2. Baltimore Ravens (2): How talented is this secondary? Chidobe Awuzie, a Round 2 pick in Dallas eight years ago, projects as the dime back after former Green Bay Pro Bowler Jaire Alexander joined up as the fifth first-rounder likely to play ahead of him on this unit. Stopping the pass was a big problem here a year ago but could be a strength as QB Lamar Jackson and Co. make their latest run at a Super Bowl.

3. Kansas City Chiefs (4): With G Trey Smith and DE George Karlaftis extended, the only piece of semi-pressing team business remaining is a new deal for All-Pro CB Trent McDuffie − and that may have to wait. Resolution on WR Rashee Rice’s post-legal status would also be nice, but even having him back for some portion of this season is a win over his injury-aborted 2024 campaign. K.C.’s biggest issue, the O-line notwithstanding, could be a quickly narrowing gap with their AFC West competitors.

4. Buffalo Bills (5): The only franchise to play in four consecutive Super Bowls − all infamous losses in the 1990s − is now the only team with 78 wins (playoffs included) over a six-season stretch without reaching a Super Bowl. Will Josh Allen’s (and the Mafia’s) suffering finally end in 2025?

5. Los Angeles Rams (3): No team pushed Philly closer to the precipice in the 2024 playoffs than the Rams. No team might be more heavily reliant on a seemingly brittle component − Matthew Stafford − than the Rams, their 37-year-old quarterback sidelined so far this summer by a balky back. He’s missed 11 starts over the past three seasons. But if he’s generally available in 2025, LA could wind up in SF for SB60.

7. Washington Commanders (6): If you’d told their fans a year ago that the 2025 Commanders would reach the divisional round of the postseason, imagine what the excitement level would have been. Now? That might seem like a major disappointment for a team led by a quarterback, albeit the amazing Jayden Daniels, heading into just his second season.

8. Denver Broncos (13): While coach Sean Payton and QB Bo Nix might be this team’s most recognizable faces, a defense that ranked seventh overall in 2024 might wind up being its strength.

10. Pittsburgh Steelers (16): If the Aaron Rodgers era lasts eight months, this season could be the sterling silver Stairway to Seven. If the Aaron Rodgers era lasts seven months, this season will be a slag pile that could land some folks on the scrap heap. But it seems off to an encouraging start in steamy Latrobe, Pennsylvania.

15. Los Angeles Chargers (11): While the eye injury to RB Najee Harris and retirement of WR Mike Williams have generated the summer headlines, the main concern here might be the defense given the Bolts allowed an average of more than 25 points over their final five games of last season … and that was before they lost Joey Bosa and several others in free agency.

18. Cincinnati Bengals (12): In case you were wondering just how bad this defense might get without All-Pro DE Trey Hendrickson − though he’s at least ready to end his holdout and stop getting fined − no one else had more than five sacks or 23 pressures in 2024. He had a league-leading 17½ and 54, respectively.

21. Dallas Cowboys (22): Tyler Guyton, last year’s first-rounder, avoided a catastrophic camp injury and could be ready by Week 1. But whether he’s in the lineup or not, this team needs much better play from the left tackle spot if QB Dak Prescott is going to survive the full season.

22. Jacksonville Jaguars (26): The attention is understandably focused on WR/CB Travis Hunter, the second pick of the 2025 draft. Much more should be focused on QB Trevor Lawrence, the first pick of the 2021 draft − and upon whose shoulders, surgically repaired and otherwise, this franchise’s fortunes will rise or fall.

23. New York Jets (25): They’ve got certifiable stars, a new coach who seems to be galvanizing the entire organization, a compelling haul of rookies and ample buzz around new QB1 Justin Fields. But given how often potential and production are inversely related in the New York market, Glenn and Co. have plenty to prove despite all the promise.

24. Atlanta Falcons (27): Amid the runaway speculation about QB2 Kirk Cousins’ future here … it might be here. With all of 230 snaps as a rookie, QB1 Michael Penix Jr. hasn’t played much more than 2024 draft mate McCarthy, who also effectively replaced Cousins. But now two years removed from his Achilles tear plus arm and shoulder woes in 2024, don’t be surprised if ‘KFC’ comes out of the bullpen at some point and plays much better than he did late last season.

26. Las Vegas Raiders (21): Maybe the departure of DT Christian Wilkins proves to be addition by subtraction. But it also leaves the defense in an even more precarious position while further incentivizing opponents to double- and triple-team DE Maxx Crosby.

27. Miami Dolphins (24): Speaking of defenses that have shed Wilkins − and CB Jalen Ramsey and S Jevon Holland and DL Calais Campbell − if the Fins’ pass rush can’t live up to its dominant potential, then this offense might have to win a lot of shootouts.

28. Tennessee Titans (31): They got QB Cam Ward atop the draft and, to the degree it wasn’t already, it’s full speed ahead with the rookie now that backup Will Levis has opted for season-ending shoulder surgery. Could be a rough, if hopeful, ride in Nashville.

30. Indianapolis Colts (30): Legend has it that legendary coach and analyst John Madden uttered the phrase, “If you’ve got two quarterbacks, you have none.” Not sure many folks will be playing ‘Madden NFL’ with this Colts team.

31. Cleveland Browns (29): Given the open question here at quarterback, the offense would most obviously benefit from a strong rushing attack. But Chubb left and rookie second-rounder Quinshon Judkins remains unsigned due to ongoing legal issues. Jerome Ford, who rushed for a team-best 565 yards in 2024, stands to get a heavier workload than the DUDE Wipes that seem to underpin much of the team’s marketing efforts.

32. New Orleans Saints (32): Derek Carr − gone. Tyrann Mathieu − gone. The core of what was a top-10 scoring defense four of the past five seasons − gone. Hope at the outset of the 2025 season − a camp holdout.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Lionel Messi and Jordi Alba will return to action, and Rodrigo De Paul will make his debut as Inter Miami hosts Mexican club Atlas in their 2025 Leagues Cup tournament opener on Wednesday, July 30.

Messi and Alba are expected to play in their first match following their one-game suspensions for skipping the MLS All-Star Game.

Meanwhile, De Paul will make his debut after signing with the club last week, and receiving clearances on his P1 Visa and International Transfer Certificate on Wednesday, July 30. De Paul is one of Messi’s closest friends from the Argentine national team. They won the World Cup together in 2022, and Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024.

Inter Miami begins play in the Leagues Cup, a tournament featuring Major League Soccer teams and LIGA MX clubs from Mexico. Inter Miami won the 2023 Leagues Cup, shortly after Messi’s arrival.

Here’s everything you need to know about Inter Miami’s Leagues Cup match:

Is Messi playing tonight?

Messi is expected to play. His status will be confirmed when Inter Miami announces its starting lineup before the match.

What time does Inter Miami vs. Atlas match begin?

The match begins 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina).

How to watch Inter Miami vs. Atlas live stream link?

The match will be available on MLS Season Pass via Apple TV.

Watch Leagues Cup games on MLS Season Pass

Messi has another busy week with time off

Messi should be refreshed after his All-Star Game absence on July 23, and his suspension in Inter Miami’s scoreless draw with FC Cincinnati on July 26. Messi and his wife were on the Coldplay kiss cam during a Miami concert on July 27.

“Let’s hope he’s super motivated,” Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano said of Messi, adding the suspension had a “silver lining” of “mandatory rest after many consecutive games.”

“I think, in a way, the break was good for him. And well, to start this new marathon of games we’re going to have ahead of us with the Leagues Cup and then the MLS, it’s good for him to be a little fresher.”

Inter Miami vs. Atlas prediction

Inter Miami 4, Atlas 1: Lionel Messi scores two goals and assists another in a dominant return to action after his All-Star Game suspension. — Safid Deen

Inter Miami vs. Atlas betting odds

Here are the betting odds, according to BetMGM.

• Inter Miami: -300
• Draw: +400
• Atlas: +525
• Over/under: 3.5

Inter Miami upcoming schedule

• Aug. 2: Inter Miami vs. Necaxa, 7 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
• Aug. 6: Inter Miami vs. Pumas, 7:30 p.m. ET (Leagues Cup)
• Aug. 10: Orlando City vs. Inter Miami, 8 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Aug. 16: Inter Miami vs. LA Galaxy, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
• Aug. 23: D.C. United vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. ET (MLS regular season)

USA TODAY Sports’ 48-page special edition commemorates 30 years of Major League Soccer, from its best players to key milestones and championship dynasties to what exciting steps are next with the World Cup ahead. Order your copy today!

The top track and field athletes from around the country will descend upon Eugene, Oregon this week for the 2025 U.S. track and field championships.

Noah Lyles, Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone, Sha’Carri Richardson and Grant Holloway represent some of the star athletes who will compete this week at Hayward Field.

The championships will determine who will make the U.S. team for September’s world track and field championships in Tokyo, Japan.

USA TODAY Sports will be on the ground in Eugene, Oregon to report and provide insight on all the action. To get you ready, we have the marquee athletes to watch:

Noah Lyles

Events: 100, 200

Lyles doesn’t have to compete to clinch a spot on the U.S. national team because he’s the defending world champion in the 100 and 200 meters. He’s entered in both events, but he’s indicated he plans to focus on the 200 in Eugene.

Lyles ran a personal-best 9.79 to win the 100 at the Paris Olympic. His career-best of 19.31 in the 200 is an American record.

Lyles’ top times this year are 10.00 in the 100 and 19.88 in the 200, well off his career-best marks. However, Lyles tends to shine when the lights are bright. He’s the fastest man in the country when he’s in top form.

Sha’Carri Richardson

Events: 100, 200

The reigning 100 world champion earned a bye to the 2025 world championships, but she’s still entered in both the 100 and 200 meters.

Richardson finished ninth in the 100 at the Prefontaine Classic, running a season-best 11.19. Her personal-record is 10.65. She’s the most talented sprinter in the 100 field, but her training mate, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden, is having a better season. Jefferson-Wooden has the top 100 time (10.73) in the world this year.

Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone

Event: 400

The 400-meter hurdles world record holder and Olympic gold medalist dropped the hurdles and is set to run the open 400.

McLaughlin-Levrone is the heavy favorite in the event. The four-time Olympic gold medalist has run 49.43 in the 400 this year. McLaughlin-Levrone is one of the best female athletes in the country across all sports. She could flirt with the American record (48.70) in Eugene.

Grant Holloway

Event: 110 hurdles

Holloway has a bye into the world championships because he won gold in the 110-meter hurdles at the 2023 world championships. He’s entered in the 110 hurdles, but his bye comes at a necessary times because he’s been dealing with an injury.

Holloway is a three-time world champion in the 110 hurdles and won gold in the event at the Paris Olympics. His lifetime best of 12.81 is the second fastest time ever.

Quincy Wilson

Events: 400

The 400-meter prodigy became one of the darlings of track and field when he earned a spot on the 2024 U.S. Olympic team.

Wilson ran a 44.10 in July to break his own under-18 400 world record. The 17-year-old sprinter is tied for the fourth fastest entry in the 400. He’s a podium favorite and will certainly have the crowd on his side in Eugene.

Quincy Hall, the defending Olympic champion in the 400, won’t run at the U.S. championships due to injury.

Athing Mu-Nikolayev

Events: 800

The 800-meter runner looked unbeatable at the Tokyo Olympics and continued her dominance at the 2022 world championships, but she’s been unable to regain her form since.

Mu-Nikolayev endured a heartbreaking fall at the 2024 U.S. Olympic trials and failed to make the squad. She finished 10^th – well behind the other runners – at this year’s Prefontaine Classic.

Mu-Nikolayev is the American-record holder in the 800 (1:54.97), but will she be able to return to her dominant ways? It’s one of the biggest questions at the U.S. track and field championships.

When are U.S. track and field championships

The U.S. track and field championships begin Thursday, July 31. The last day of the competition is Sunday, August 3.

A complete schedule of events can be found here.

AI-assisted summary
• Bengals defensive end Trey Hendrickson ended his holdout but is still seeking a new contract.
• Hendrickson led the NFL in sacks over the past two seasons and wants to be paid more than the $21 million he is due in 2025.
• Hendrickson expressed optimism about being ready for Week 1 despite the contract dispute.

CINCINNATI — Still without the new contract he is seeking, Trey Hendrickson turned his holdout into a ‘hold-in’ Wednesday at Cincinnati Bengals training camp. Most of the team’s fans lined up for a glimpse of the edge rusher – who has the most sacks in the NFL over the last two seasons – had already turned toward the practice fields by the time Hendrickson emerged from Paycor Stadium’s tunnel to watch his teammates practice.

Hendrickson won’t take the field until the ink is dry on the parchment. Instead, wearing his white cap and black sweats, Hendrickson chatted with defensive line coach/run game coordinator Jerry Montgomery as the Bengals stretched and warmed up. He meandered over to the stationary bikes. And he watched as quarterback Joe Burrow dotted passes and the Bengals’ defense turned up the intensity amid a solid practice for both sides of the ball.

“I’m not interested in going over what I’ve said before. I think everything’s out there,” Hendrickson said at his locker after practice.

With 17.5 sacks in each of the last two seasons (the mark led the league in 2024), Hendrickson is seeking better compensation that exceeds the $16 million he’s due to make in 2025, the final year of the extension he agreed to after his first two of four consecutive Pro Bowl campaigns.

Recognition is fine, Hendrickson said. But security is what he values most.

‘I can’t do any more at this time to rush the passer on Sundays,’ Hendrickson said. ‘The hay is in the barn. It’s just whether we agree or not.

‘Moving forward, we’ll see what transpires.’

Hendrickson first asked for a trade in April 2024 and has been adamant about not playing this season on his current deal. But he finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting and made his first All-Pro team following another strong season, which provided the player with more leverage. The Bengals granted him permission to seek a trade March 6, as the front office first focused on the extensions of wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins.

The negotiations took a dramatic turn when Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn said on April 1: ‘I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point.’ Hendrickson expressed his dismay with the negotiations the next day on ‘The Pat McAfee Show.’ Talks resumed in June, but the sides could not come to an agreement.

As camp started, he posted a photo in his native Florida, a signal that he would be holding out. On Monday, ESPN reported there was still a gap in the talks over guaranteed money.

“Whenever you can have a guy like that in the building, who’s not (playing), it’s good to see his face, it’s good to have his presence,” quarterback Joe Burrow said. “He’s going to be a big, big part of this team this year. Just to have him around made a big difference in the energy around here.”

That energy is felt less so at practice but Hendrickson’s “unique” intensity is felt more around the training and meeting rooms, Burrow said. 

“I think that’s good for us,” said Burrow, who added: “This is the guy that has the most sacks over the last two years, and production has value in this league.” 

Anthony Richardson sets pace in Colts’ QB competition, Daniel Jones not far behind

Until Wednesday, Hendrickson was fined $50,000 for every day of camp he missed in accordance to the collective bargaining agreement in place between the NFL and players’ union.

The focus now turns to being a mentor and part of the defense “in this weird process that we’re going through.” 

Nothing has changed, Hendrickson said. He talked the situation over with his wife, and he thought of the younger defenders on the Cincinnati roster. 

“To not be a part of their development would be a selfish act,” Hendrickson said. “It was never the plan to leave. So being here for those guys is something I look forward to.” 

When it comes to being ready for Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns, Hendrickson replied: ‘I’m always ready.’

The Florida Atlantic product said he takes pride in training hard during the offseason.

‘How I train I’m not worried about. If I’m going to be ready, I’m not worried about it,’ he said. ‘Hopefully everything works out and we don’t have to worry about anything like that.’

Despite the tense negotiations and public sparring, Hendrickson was grateful for the kind words that director of player personnel Duke Tobin and owner Mike Brown offered prior to camp.

‘For them to talk about me in a high regard is a special thing … circumstantially, I’m more excited in getting something done,’ Hendrickson said. ‘But as we continue to go through this process, I plan on handling everything with respect to Zac Taylor, the 2025 Bengals and not being a distraction in any way, shape or form.’

AI-assisted summary
• The Astros are considering acquiring Carlos Correa, Nolan Arenado or Eugenio Suárez to replace injured third baseman Isaac Paredes.
• Correa and Arenado likely would be willing to waive their no-trade clauses to join the Astros.
• Suárez represents the cheapest option financially, but would require a significant trade package.

The Houston Astros, fearing that power-hitting third baseman Isaac Paredes will miss the remainder of the season with his strained hamstring, are interested in bringing in one of their jilted lovers to replace him.

The Astros, a high-ranking executive told USA TODAY Sports, are exploring the possibility of acquiring Minnesota Twins shortstop Carlos Correa or St. Louis Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado, while also remaining engaged with the Arizona Diamondbacks for All-Star third baseman Eugenio Suárez. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity since trade talks are ongoing.

The possibility of Correa’s potential return is fascinating considering he was a homegrown product, and led the Astros to four division titles, three pennants and a World Series title. The Astros offered him a five-year, $160 million as a free agent after the 2021 season, but he departed for the Minnesota Twins. He signed a three-year, $105.3 million contract before opting out after one season. He then agreed to deals with the San Francisco Giants and the New York Mets, but both contracts were voided after his physical, leading him back to Minnesota on a six-year, $200 million contract.

Correa, 30, still has $103.5 million remaining on his contract through 2028 with four club options. He also has a full no-trade clause. Yet, he has told friends that he would be willing to waive his no-trade for the opportunity to return to Houston, where he and his family still reside in the offseason. The Astros surely would demand the Twins to pay a significant portion of the contract in trade talks.

Arenado, 34, was on the verge of being traded to the Astros last December, but he exercised his no-trade rights and rejected it. Arenado wanted to play for a contender, telling the Cardinals he would accept a trade to the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets. He considered also waiving his rights for the Astros, but once they traded All-Star right fielder Kyle Tucker to the Chicago Cubs, while also replacing popular All-Star third baseman Alex Bregman, he declined. Simply, he didn’t believe the Astros would be a contender. He also rejected the Los Angeles Angels’ overtures.

‘We tried to convince him that we’re not rebuilding, that the window is always open with our owner,’ Astros GM Dana Brown told USA TODAY Sports. ‘We planned to compete in 2025 and beyond. He misunderstood our plan.’

Now that the Astros are sitting in first place in the AL West with a 61-47 record, and the Cardinals (55-54) plan to rebuild and trade veterans at the deadline, Arenado likely would now waive his no-trade clause. He still is under contract through 2027, and is owed $56 million.

The cheapest acquisition financially would be Suárez, who’s on the final year of his seven-year, $66 million contract. He is owed about $4.8 million for the rest of the season. Yet Suárez, who has hit 36 homers and driven in 87 runs, is also the best available position player on the market. He would be costly in the terms of parting with top prospects for a rental player. The Diamondbacks are seeking at least two or three of an organization’s top prospects for Suárez in their talks with teams.

The Astros really had no interest in Correa or Arenado, and had no sense of urgency until Paredes suffered a strained right hamstring July 19 running to first base. Astros manager Joe Espada called it a ‘pretty significant injury.’ Paredes is scheduled to seek a second opinion but could even need surgery that would sideline him until spring training.

The Astros, who have 17 players on the injured list, have struggled without Paredes, who was hitting .259 with a team-high 19 homers and 50 RBI. They have lost 12 of their last 18 games, with five everyday position players on the injured list.

While the acquisition of Suárez would be an offensive upgrade over Paredes, Correa and Arenado would be downgrades with their offensive struggles, although both are superior defensively.

Correa, a Gold Glove and Platinum Glove winner at shortstop, hasn’t been the same offensive force since leaving the Astros. He was a .277 hitter with an .837 OPS in his seven years in Houston, hitting a career-high 26 homers with 92 RBI in 2021. Yet, he’s hitting .265 with just seven homers, 31 RBI and a .701 OPS this year in the worst full season of his career.

Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove winner, is also having the worst offensive season of his career. He’s hitting .235 with 10 homers and 43 RBI, including a .295 on-base percentage, .368 slugging percentage and .664 OPS. The Cardinals, who were willing to pay $15 million of his remaining contract last December in their proposed trade, may have to pay down even more considering Arenado’s season.

The Astros say they don’t have a sense of which direction they’ll go with the third-base candidates before the 6 p.m. ET trade deadline Thursday, but insisted late Tuesday night that all three players remain as candidates.

The Astros would soar past the luxury tax threshold by acquiring Correa or Arenado, but they have about $60 million coming off the books after the season. They would gladly make the tradeoff of a luxury tax penalty if it meant reaching the postseason for the ninth consecutive season with another chance of a World Series run.

‘The last eight years we’ve been going to the playoffs and making a push to win the World Series,’ says Astros nine-time All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve, ‘and it seems like this year we have another great chance, even though we obviously have a lot of guys on the injured list. We’re here to win. That’s what this organization is all about. It won’t accept anything less.

‘Really, that’s what makes this place so great.’

Follow Nightengale on X: @Bnightengale

Plenty members of the 2024 NFL Draft class enjoyed quality rookie seasons and quickly developed into fantasy football assets.

No. 2 overall pick Jayden Daniels proved to be a league-winner for many who selected the quarterback in the middle rounds of their fantasy drafts after he racked up 4,459 total yards and 31 touchdowns. No. 6 overall selection Malik Nabers caught 109 of his 170 targets to become a PPR monster for his managers.

And perhaps most surprising of all, 125th overall pick Bucky Irving racked up 1,122 yards and eight touchdowns while averaging a whopping 5.4 yards per carry.

While these stars have already broken out in the NFL and across fantasy football formats, other touted members of their draft class have not yet done so. Plenty will have a good chance to do so as they enter their sophomore campaigns.

Here’s a look at the top second-year breakout candidates for fantasy football in 2025:

Fantasy football: Second-year breakout picks for 2025

Caleb Williams, QB, Chicago Bears

Williams ranked 24th in fantasy points per game (FPPG) among quarterbacks. He should have a chance to improve upon that after the Bears provided him with a handful of boosts ahead of his second season.

Chiefly, the Bears hired Detroit Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson to be their new coach. Johnson helped Jared Goff finish as a top-10 fantasy quarterback in three consecutive seasons, so there is optimism Williams — another former No. 1 overall draft pick — could achieve similar results.

Additionally, the Bears overhauled their offensive line after Williams was sacked a league-high 68 times during his rookie season. If Chicago’s new-look protection can hold up, Williams could become the Bears’ first-ever 4,000-yard passer after he generated 3,541 passing yards as a rookie.

Drake Maye, QB, New England Patriots

The Patriots did not offer Maye a lot of offensive support during his first season. Despite this, he completed 66.6% of his passes for 2,276 yards, 15 touchdowns and 10 interceptions while racking up 421 rushing yards across 12 starts.

New England has made numerous upgrades to its franchise entering the 2025 season. Mike Vrabel took over for Jerod Mayo as the team’s new coach and brought quarterback-friendly offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels into the fold.

Elsewhere, the Patriots upgraded its offensive tackle situation by drafting Will Campbell and signing Morgan Moses. They took a similar approach at receiver, drafting Kyle Williams and signing Stefon Diggs to upgrade that position. Those improvements should allow Maye to take a step forward. If he can continue to average 7.8 yards per carry, he could emerge as a high-floor fantasy starter.

Trey Benson, RB, Arizona Cardinals

If the Cardinals decide to reduce Conner’s workload, that would allow Benson to step into a larger role. The 2024 third-round pick had just 63 carries as a rookie, but averaged an impressive 4.6 yards per carry.

Jaylen Wright, RB, Miami Dolphins

Like Benson, Wright was used sparingly during his rookie season. The fourth-round pick logged 68 carries, but averaged just 3.7 yards per carry on those totes.

That said, Wright largely operated as Miami’s third-string running back behind De’Von Achane and Raheem Mostert last season. Mostert is now gone, so if Wright can beat veteran Alexander Mattison and rookie Ollie Gordon II for the backup role behind Achane, the speedster’s game-breaking ability could allow him to become a fantasy asset.

Marvin Harrison Jr., WR, Arizona Cardinals

Harrison faced high expectations entering his rookie season. The Ohio State product didn’t quite live up to them despite logging solid numbers (62 catches, 885 yards and eight touchdowns).

That should change in 2025. Harrison has built a season’s worth of chemistry with Kyler Murray and will benefit from playing with one of the league’s biggest mismatch weapons at tight end in Trey McBride. Expect Harrison to easily surpass the 1,000-yard mark in his second season and improve upon his WR26 finish from 2024.

Rome Odunze, WR, Chicago Bears

Odunze saw 101 targets during his rookie season. He should see more this year, as Chicago’s No. 2 target from 2024 — Keenan Allen — is no longer with the team.

Some might be scared off by the Bears’ addition of Luther Burden III in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft. However, Odunze’s existing chemistry with Williams should allow him to emerge as the true No. 2 option across from DJ Moore. That will allow the Washington product to improve upon his 54-catch, 734-yard, three-touchdown performance from his rookie season.

Ricky Pearsall, WR, San Francisco 49ers

Pearsall missed the first six games of the season after being shot in an attempted robbery on eve of the season. He then slowly acclimated to the NFL before showcasing his full potential to close the season.

In San Francisco’s last two games, Pearsall posted 14 catches, 210 yards and two touchdowns. That would extrapolate to 119 catches, 1,785 yards and 17 touchdowns over a 17-game season. He may not reach those levels, but he should play a big role in the 49ers’ passing game with Brandon Aiyuk still recovering from a torn ACL and Deebo Samuel now gone.

Theo Johnson, TE, New York Giants

Johnson is a solid, under-the-radar sleeper option at tight end. The Penn State product missed the final five games of the season with a Lisfranc injury, but he was a steady contributor for the Giants in eight games before that.

From Weeks 5 to 13, Johnson averaged 3.3 receptions and 36.8 yards per game. He logged just one touchdown in that span — and on the season — but he recorded at least three catches in seven of those eight contests.

Johnson’s steadiness should make him a consistent fantasy streamer at the least. That said, he could emerge as a top-10 tight end given the position’s dearth of high-end impact players and the quarterback upgrade he is getting as the Giants pivot from Daniel Jones as their primary starter to Russell Wilson.

German biathlon champion Laura Dahlmeier has died following a climbing accident on a mountain peak in northern Pakistan.

Dahlmeier was 31 years old.

Authorities said that workers are attempting to retrieve her body, as bad weather has prevented helicopters from reaching the site. But her management said that Dahlmeier’s body will not be recovered: ‘It was Laura Dahlmeier’s express and written will that in a case like this, no one should risk their life to rescue her. Her wish was to leave her body on the mountain in this case.’

‘Laura Dahlmeier was killed on July 28th in a rockfall accident at 5700 m on Laila Peak (6069 m) in the Pakistani Karakoram Mountains. The rescue operation was unsuccessful and was called off on the evening of July 29th,’  her representatives told the Die Welt newspaper.

On Monday, Dahlmeier was on the 6,069-meter-high Laila Peak in the Karakoram mountain range with her climbing partner, Marina Eva, when she was hit by falling rocks. Eva sent a distress signal and was rescued, making it back to the base camp on Tuesday.

‘Like so many people in our country, I feared for Laura Dahlmeier until the very end and hoped that she might still be rescued alive after her tragic mountain accident in Pakistan. I can only imagine the depth of your pain and despair. I express my deepest condolences to you, all of her family and friends,’ German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement offering his condolences to Dahlmeier’s parents. ‘Laura Dahlmeier was an ambassador for our country around the world, a role model for peaceful, joyful, and fair coexistence across borders. That’s how I, and many people in our country, will remember her.’

Dahlmeier won gold medals in the 7.5 km sprint and the 10 km pursuit races at the Pyeongchang Olympics in 2018 and a bronze medal in the 15 km individual competition, becoming the first female biathlete to achieve a sprint and pursuit double at the same Olympics.

She retired from competition in 2019, but not before winning 15 medals, including seven golds, during five World Championships.

Since the College Football Playoff’s inception in2014, Alabama has never gone consecutive seasons without making the field. By missing the playoff in 2024, the Crimson Tide didn’t meet the program’s standard in Kalen DeBoer’s first season. He knows it.

Alabama retooled with effective offseason maneuvering, but is it enough to make the playoff in the face of a tough schedule, with a new starting quarterback?

On this edition of ‘SEC Football Unfiltered,’ a podcast from the USA TODAY Network, hosts Blake Toppmeyer and John Adams engage in a fact-or-fiction debate regarding several possible scenarios this SEC football season, such as whether Alabama will make the playoff, and whether Arch Manning will win the Heisman Trophy.

They also rate the top six games involving SEC teams in Week 1. And they weigh in on the fizzled bromance between the SEC and Big Ten.

Here’s a snippet of their fact-or-fiction debate:

Alabama will make the College Football Playoff …

Toppmeyer: Fact. Why: The Crimson Tide nearly made the playoff last season as a three-loss team. Its strength of schedule could be even stronger this year, nudging it across the finish line.

Adams: Fiction. Why: I don’t trust Alabama’s quarterback situation.

Arch Manning will win the Heisman Trophy …

Toppmeyer: Fiction; Adams: Fiction

Why: It’s not that we like another candidate better, but in a preseason Heisman offering, take the field.

Garrett Nussmeier will win the Heisman Trophy …

Toppmeyer: Fiction; Adams: Fiction

Why: Again, we’re taking the field. But, if we could package Manning and Nussmeier together, we might jump at that, over the field.

Four SEC teams will make the College Football Playoff …

Toppmeyer: Fact; Adams: Fact

Why: There’s no shortage of SEC playoff contenders, and the committee might feel buyer’s remorse after looking elsewhere for the last-teams-in in 2024.

At least three SEC coaches will be fired …

Toppmeyer: Fiction. Why: I’ll take two to be fired.

Adams: Fact. Why: You could increase the number to four, and I’d still say ‘fact.’ The hot seat is crowded.

The Big Ten will produce another national champion …

Toppmeyer: Fiction; Adams: Fiction

Why: By taking the field, we not only get the SEC’s front-runners, but also teams like Clemson and Notre Dame.-

Texas will win the SEC championship …

Toppmeyer: Fact. Why: Texas has the roster, plus the quarterback, to do it.

Adams: Fiction. Why: I’ve got LSU as my SEC frontrunner after its strong portal plunder.

Florida will win more games than Tennessee …

Toppmeyer: Fiction; Adams: Fiction

Why: The Vols might lose in The Swamp (like usual) but still finish with a better record than the rival Gators, thanks to Tennessee’s more favorable schedule.

Vanderbilt will make a bowl game for the second consecutive year …

Toppmeyer: Fact. Why: The Diego Pavia journey demands a bowl finish.

Adams: Fiction. Why: Vanderbilt can’t expect to sneak up on anyone this year after overachieving in 2024.

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Blake Toppmeyer is the USA TODAY Network’s national college football columnist. John Adams is the senior sports columnist for the Knoxville News Sentinel. Subscribe to the SEC Football Unfiltered podcast, and check out the SEC Unfiltered newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.