Sports
Panthers bench QB Bryce Young in favor of Andy Dalton
Sep 15, 2024; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young (9) prepares to pass in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images Two weeks into the new season, the Carolina Panthers benched former No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young and promoted Andy Dalton to starting quarterback Monday.
The Panthers (0-2) have scored a combined 13 points in their first two games under new head coach Dave Canales. Young threw for just 84 yards on 26 pass attempts in Sunday’s 26-3 home loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. He also tossed an interception.
Young, 23, became just the third player in the past 20 seasons to average 4 or fewer yards per pass play in four straight starts, according to ESPN. He has zero touchdowns against three INTs in two games this season.
Canales said after the game that Young would remain the team’s starter in Week 3 at the Las Vegas Raiders (1-1). He changed his mind less than 24 hours later.
“I just owe it to all the guys, the coaches, the staff, the players, everybody involved to be really critical about what we put on film, about what I’m seeing and to make sure that I’m constantly making the best decision for the team every week,” Canales said.
“And it happens to be the quarterback position and so it’s loaded that way, but it’s every position and it’s all the guys. And I was able to stand in front of the team and challenge all the guys that we all have to step up our passion for what we’re doing to play.”
Canales said a number of parties discussed the move but declined to reveal the extent to which team owner David Tepper was involved in the decision.
“Ultimately this comes on me,” Canales said. “My No. 1 responsibility is to help the Panthers win. This move, I believe, puts us in the best position to do that this week.”
Dalton, 36, is a three-time Pro Bowl quarterback with a record of 83-78-2 in 14 seasons. He has thrown for 38,511 yards and 246 TDs against 144 INTs for five teams, most notably the Cincinnati Bengals (2011-19), who drafted him in the second round in 2011.
As a journeyman backup and fringe starter, Dalton has made starts for the Dallas Cowboys (2020), Chicago Bears (2021), New Orleans Saints (2022) and Panthers (one start in 2023).
“I’m really looking forward to it,” Dalton told reporters. “I’m excited about what’s ahead. It’s a tough situation. I’ve been on both sides of it. It’s hard on everybody.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Predators' new acquisition Mavrik Bourque gets 6-year, $33M deal
Apr 28, 2026; Dallas, Texas, USA; Dallas Stars center Mavrik Bourque (22) looks on before the game between the Stars and the Wild in game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images The Nashville Predators on Saturday announced a reworked contract for newly acquired forward Mavrik Bourque, who signed a six-year, $33 million deal.
The Predators traded for Bourque on July 1, also acquiring defenseman Ilya Lyubushkin from the Dallas Stars in exchanged for a pair of draft picks: a second-rounder in 2027 and a third-rounder in 2028.
Bourque, 24, was a first-round selection (No. 30 overall) of the Stars in 2020. His playing time has steadily increased since. After appearing in one game as a rookie in the 2023-24 campaign, he recorded 73 appearances in Year 2 and 82 games last season, when he recorded career highs of 41 points, 20 goals and 21 assists.
He notched one goal for Dallas in last season’s playoffs and is a former MVP in the AHL, leading that league in points (77) in 2023-24.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Report: Patrick Ewing, Steve Clifford joining Wizards staff
Jun 13, 2026; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Former New York Knicks player Patrick Ewing is seen prior to game five of the 2026 NBA Finals between the New York Knicks and the San Antonio Spurs at Frost Bank Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Patrick Ewing is returning to the coaching ranks, joining the Washington Wizards as an assistant to head coach Brian Keefe, ESPN reported on Saturday.
Ewing, 63, had been serving as an ambassador for the New York Knicks, with whom he starred from 1985-2000. His first coaching position came as an assistant with the Wizards in 2002-03 before holding the same role with the Houston Rockets, Orlando Magic and Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets.
Ewing will likely be called upon to share his expertise with veteran stars Trae Young and Anthony Davis while helping 2026 No. 1 overall pick AJ Dybantsa adjust to NBA life. Ewing was also a No. 1 overall pick, in 1985 by the Knicks.
Per the report, former NBA head coach Steve Clifford is also joining the Wizards as a coaching advisor, a role he had held with the Phoenix Suns since August 2025.
For Ewing and Clifford, 64, it’s a reunion as the former Knicks legend was on head coach Clifford’s staff with the Bobcats/Hornets from 2013-17.
Along with the Bobcats/Hornets (2013-18, 2022-24), Clifford coached the Orlando Magic (2018-21). He was an assistant with the Knicks, Magic, Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers before being hired by the Bobcats.
An NCAA champion in 1984 at Georgetown, Ewing returned to his alma mater as its head coach in 2017 and guided the Hoyas to the Big East tournament title at Madison Square Garden in 2021. He was relieved of his duties in 2023.
Ewing, who had his No. 33 jersey retired by the Knicks in 2003, leads the franchise in points, rebounds, blocks, steals and games played, and helped lead New York to the postseason in his final 13 seasons.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Manager Gustavo Alfaro proud of Paraguay, 'cannot be objective' on penalty
July 4, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S.; Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro speaks with his players during a hydration break. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images PHILADELPHIA — After Paraguay narrowly went out of the World Cup 1-0 to France on a penalty awarded following a VAR review on Saturday, Albirroja manager Gustavo Alfaro said he could not criticize the eventual decision of Uzbek referee Ilgiz Tantashev.
Tantashev initially waved play on after France’s Desire Doue went down under Diego Gomez’s challenge but changed his mind after the referee was summoned to the VAR monitor.
“I saw it at the VAR screen when they were looking at it,” Alfaro said through an interpreter. “I was behind the referee, and I cannot be objective.
“The referee has a first impression. He says that the player had thrown (himself) trying to generate contact. Then VAR ratifies that it is a penalty, according to them.
“I’m going to look at it more in depth. And when I am looking at the gameplay, of course, (Doue is) in the air, he’s very skillful, and he can move in that small space.
“I believe the leg was there. It is very difficult to withdraw your leg. If you go toward the ball and find the leg, well, that would be a penalty. What can we do?”
Kylian Mbappe converted from the spot in the 70th minute for his 19th career World Cup goal and seventh of this tournament as Les Bleus reached the quarterfinals with the shutout victory in the round of 16.
France advance to meet Morocco next Thursday in Foxborough, Mass., in a rematch of the 2022 semifinal that ended in a 2-0 French victory.
In his pregame remarks Friday, Alfaro insisted what his squad achieved was already exceptional. His nation will likely agree; Paraguay’s president Santiago Pena even declared Tuesday a national holiday after their shocking win on penalties over Germany in the round of 32 on Monday.
But Alfaro conceded the end of the tournament brought a conflict of emotions after coming so close against the two-time world champions.
“I leave the World Cup with peace of mind knowing that we played,” Alfaro said. “I am sad because I wanted to go further, and defeat will never make you happy, of course.
“I do not like losing at anything. And as I was telling the team in the dressing room, if you want to be a winner, the first thing you have to do is learn how to lose.”
With Alfaro’s contract up at the end of the year, the 63-year-old Argentine who has managed the bulk of his career in his home nation’s domestic league said he was unsure of his future. But he clearly holds a deep appreciation for his adopted country.
“Today I have open wounds. I’m bleeding. I cannot really reflect because I am overwhelmed right now. I think I need to wait for things to calm down,” Alfarro said.
“Things need to calm down and we’ll see what happens. I honestly do not know what I’ll do professionally.
“For me, there’s no better place than Paraguay. The country has opened up their doors, clubs have opened up their doors, the relationship I have with players, the relationship of gratitude I have with everyone.”
–Ian Nicholas Quillen, Field Level Media
Predators' new acquisition Mavrik Bourque gets 6-year, $33M deal
Report: Patrick Ewing, Steve Clifford joining Wizards staff
