Sports
Vikings' Brian Flores traces roots of rebuilding dominant 'D'
Sep 15, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle (85) runs for yards after catch as Minnesota Vikings linebacker Blake Cashman (51) pursues during the second quarter U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores told his defense to “do what we’ve been doing and a little bit more” as Minnesota seeks a 3-0 start to the regular season for the first time since 2016.
Unheralded outside linebacker Pat Jones II had two sacks of Brock Purdy in Week 2 and leads the team with 4.0, but his play on early downs and attention he drew on third downs stands out to Flores.
“It’s those other snaps I’m looking at. I like the sacks too, don’t get me wrong,” Flores said of Jones’ strong start.
There was heavy offseason speculation about the demise of Minnesota’s pass rush after Danielle Hunter left in free agency. But the Vikings have 10.0 sacks, four takeaways and allow 11.5 points (third in the NFL) during a perfect start some didn’t see coming.
“We play team defense. I don’t know whose going to make the play. What I like to see is a number of players making plays, it’s not a one-man show,” Flores said. “We’ve just got to keep our head down and keep working.”
Minnesota knows not to overreact in Week 3. The Vikings began last season 0-3, then won six of seven games only to collapse under the weight of injuries — to wide receiver Justin Jefferson and then-quarterback Kirk Cousins — and finished 7-10.
Back in 2016, they started 5-0 only to wrap the year at 8-8.
But as first steps go, the Vikings like where they stand in September — the lone undefeated team in the NFC North.
Flores felt the tide was turning after developing a vision of what his defense could be in free agency. He collaborating with the scouting staff and front office knowing the plan was “a little different.” He felt finding footing early in the season was a critical launch point, and the Vikings executed the vision to perfection with wins over the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers.
“It’s not a grocery list — there’s other factors, budgets, salary cap. But there’s certainly a vision early on. To watch it kind of come to life has been pretty cool. But it’s still early. We’ve got to continue to build.”
One critical signing that helped significantly was bringing in Eden Prairie, Minn., product Blake Cashman. Raised a Vikings’ fan, Cashman and his brother used to mow lawns for NFL players including running back Adrian Peterson.
A cornerback and linebacker for a high school state champion in the same town the Vikings’ team headquarters is located as a teammate of Buccaneers safety Antoine Winfield Jr., Cashman was lightly recruited to the University of Minnesota.
Cashman developed with the Houston Texans after being drafted in the sixth round by the New York Jets. Flores pushed for his signing after recalling a conversation with Cashman’s linebackers coach at Minnesota, Mike Sherels.
Sherels’ perspective: praise and projection of his potential impact was off the charts.
Flores crafted a vision for Cashman, and the Vikings landed him in March with a $22.5 million, three-year deal. Thus far, Cashman is exceeding expectations, especially in terms of communication and getting people in the right place, Flores said.
“He’s big on ‘where’s my help and how can I help someone else?’ It’s a big part of team defense,” Flores said. “I’m excited to have him. Excited to keep working with him.”
Hunter landed with the Texans (2-0) and heads to Minneapolis as a key figure in Houston’s pass rush. He has 1.5 of the Texans’ 9.0 sacks in 2023.
–Field Level Media
Sports
SoFi workers reach agreement to avoid strike ahead of World Cup
May 25, 2026; Inglewood, CA, USA; A general overall view of Sofi Stadium (Los Angeles Stadium), a host site for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images A potential strike by SoFi Stadium workers, ahead of the United States’ World Cup opening match at the venue Friday, was averted when an estimated 2,000 employees reached a tentative agreement Tuesday through their union.
The union representing hospitality workers at the stadium in Inglewood, Calif., had voted to authorize a strike last Friday, a week before the United States men’s national team was set to play against Paraguay.
Mostly composed of concessions workers as well as cashiers, dishwashers, bartenders and food attendants, the union had voted 96% in favor of the strike, which had been looming for the last few months since the existing deal with stadium operators Legends Global expired.
The new agreement earned workers a 40% pay increase for concession stands attendants and also has a clause allowing workers to walk off the job if the union believes that the presence of federal agents, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), creates a “reasonable apprehension of harm to the safety and security of workers,” The Athletic reported.
The agreement, which the union announced at a news conference, still has to be ratified by workers on Wednesday.
Kurt Peterson, co-president of the union, said the agreement will make the venue’s concessions workers the highest paid at NFL stadiums, according to a report in The Athletic, with most earning “more than $40 per hour, and many of them significantly more than that.”
Workers also will be able to earn “premium pay for mega-events, including all eight World Cup games,” Peterson told The Athletic.
SoFi Stadium is scheduled to host two of the United States’ three group-stage matches, against Paraguay (Friday) and Turkey (June 25), as well as three tournament knockout-stage matches, one of which is a quarterfinal on July 10.
The venue is the home of both the Los Angeles Rams and Chargers of the NFL. It also is slated to be a co-host for the Opening Ceremonies during the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as well as the home for the swimming competitions.
The new agreement lasts until April 30, 2028, giving the union leverage for renegotiations before the Olympics begin.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Rangers activate RHP Cole Winn from 15-day injured list
Texas Rangers pitcher Cole Winn (60) throws against Detroit Tigers during the fourth inning at Comerica Park in Detroit on Friday, May 1, 2026. The Texas Rangers activated right-handed reliever Cole Winn from the 15-day injured list on Tuesday after he was sidelined since May 23 by arm fatigue.
Winn, 26, takes the spot on the 26-man roster vacated by right-hander Luis Curvelo, who was optioned to Triple-A Round Rock on Sunday.
Winn allowed two runs on two hits in a third of an inning of his most recent outing that came during a 5-2 loss to the host Los Angeles Angels. He exited the game after three batters with fatigue and soreness in his right shoulder.
In 22 appearances this season, he is 2-1 with one save, a 5.59 ERA, seven walks and 23 strikeouts in 19 1/3 innings.
In 68 career relief appearances, Winn is 2-3 with one save, a 3.91 ERA, 28 walks and 72 strikeouts in 78 1/3 innings.
Texas made Winn the 15th overall selection in the 2018 MLB Draft.
Curvelo, 25, had a scoreless inning Sunday in the Rangers’ 10-0 victory over the visiting Guardians. He has a 4.91 ERA, two walks and four strikeouts in 7 1/3 innings over seven relief appearances.
He was on the 15-day injured list with a right biceps strain from April 15 to May 19.
In 24 career relief appearances since 2025, Curvelo is 1-1 with a 5.47 ERA over 26 1/3 innings
–Field Level Media
Sports
Frances Tiafoe outlasts Daniel Altmaier in first round at Stuttgart
Jun 1, 2026; Paris, France; Frances Tiafoe of the United States returns a shot during his match against Matteo Arnaldi of Italy on day nine at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images Sixth-seeded Frances Tiafoe saved 7 of 9 break points and outlasted Germany’s Daniel Altmaier 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-4 to post a first-round victory at the BOSS Open Tuesday in Stuttgart, Germany.
Tiafoe had 24 winners and 30 unforced errors while prevailing on the grass surface after the end of the clay-court season. Altmaier had 15 aces among his 40 winners but committed 42 unforced errors.
Tiafoe next faces Australia’s Rinky Hijikata, who rallied for a 6-7 (7), 7-6 (2), 6-3 victory over German wild card Tom Gentzsch. Australia’s Nick Kyrgios beat the only other seeded player in action, prevailing 6-3, 6-4 over No. 8 Corentin Moutet of France.
The other winners Tuesday were Marcos Giron, Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff and Yannick Hanfmann, Australia’s James Duckworth, France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro.
Libema Open
Adrian Mannarino of France hit 25 winners while posting a 6-4, 3-6, 7-5 victory over defending champion Gabriel Diallo of Canada in ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
Mannarino ended a nine-match drought in singles play dating back to the Miami Open in mid-March. Diallo had 52 unforced errors against just 20 winners. Mannarino committed 44 miscues.
Martin Damm advanced with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Spain’s Jaume Munar. Also, China’s Zhang Zhizhen registered a 7-6 (4), 5-7, 6-1 victory over Jenson Brooksby.
–Field Level Media
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SoFi workers reach agreement to avoid strike ahead of World Cup
