Could New York Giants see some changes to their ownership group in 2026? — and more

The New York Giants have already undergone a shift in their management group this offseason with the hiring of John Harbaugh as head coach and long-time NFL home office admin Dawn Aponte as their new senior vice president of football operations and strategy.

The next moves, however, could be more significant.

John Mara, whose family owns 45 percent of the Giants, has been undergoing treatments for cancer. He has been present throughout, even playing a large role in the courting of Harbaugh, but how long he can actively remain in his job is concerning.

Mara's partner, Steve Tisch, the team's Chairman of the Board, whose family also owns a 45 percent stake in the club, has his own issues. Tisch's name has appeared in the files released by the Department of Justice in the Jeffrey Epstein affair, and discipline from the league could be forthcoming.

There is a scenario where the Giants have a new CEO and a new Chairman this year. It's a difficult subject to broach, but the powers that remain in the building have to be girding themselves for what could be coming.

At the Super Bowl, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell promised to "look at all the facts" in Tisch's case, basically kicking the can down the road. That road is coming to an end soon, as the NFL's new league year begins next week and the owners are scheduled to convene at their annual meeting at the end of the month in Phoenix.

There will be no avoiding the issue. Tisch has violated sections of the Personal Conduct Act, and it has to, at the very least, be a topic of conversation.

Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk recently spoke to a league official who told him that Tisch has to be removed. That may not be as easy to do as one thinks. In fact, some believe the league won't do very much at all unless directed by the Department of Justice.

The league could be waiting for it to all blow over. Alternatively, the NFL could be hoping that the Tisch family will nudge Steve out of the spotlight as the representative of the folks who own the 45-percent share of the Giants.

Regardless, it’s not going away. As one high-level employee with another team told PFT on Friday, “Steve has to go.”

Whatever the outcome, the NFL must investigate Tisch. Until it does, it’s impossible for any league investigation of a player or any other non-owner to have a shred of credibility.

The Giants' ownership structure used to be cut and dry -- 50 percent Mara, 50 percent Tisch. Last summer, they decided to take on a third investor, Juila Koch, whose family bought a 10 percent equity stake in the club.

The brand hasn't taken much of a hit, if at all, which is another reason for inaction. The NFL is more popular than ever, and the Giants are one of its most valuable properties. It's unlikely the Tisch family will sell their stake, which is valued anywhere between $4 and $5 billion.

Knowing the history of this franchise, there probably won't be any selling of any stakes from either side.

As Florio suggests, the organization could coax the 76-year-old Steve Tisch into resigning his titles to another family member (his brother Jonathan or sister, Laurie, who are both board members) and steer clear of the team indefinitely. He'd still be an owner, but he'll be out of sight. That's a face-saving move for all.

As for the Mara end, if John has to step down, the likely candidates to take his spot are his younger brother, Chris, or his sister, Susan McDonnell, both of whom currently serve on the board.

This article originally appeared on Giants Wire: Could New York Giants see some changes to their ownership group in 2026?

Patriots Called To Sign 'High Upside' Seahawks Pass Rusher originally appeared on NESN. Add NESN as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The New England Patriots' pass rush could use some upgrades after they recorded just 35 sacks last season.

With K'Lavon Chaisson also hitting free agency, finding pass rushers in free agency and the draft could become a priority quickly. Even if the Patriots re-sign Chaisson, the pass rush still needs help. MassLive's Mark Daniels suggested Seattle Seahawks free agent Boye Mafe was a potential target.

"If the Patriots are looking for a high upside edge rusher, they could turn to Mafe," wrote Daniels on Monday. "The 27-year-old is athletic with great size. He had two sacks last season as a situational pass rusher for the Seattle Seahawks. Mafe had a career-high nine sacks in 2023 and six sacks in 2024. The Patriots saw him up close in Super Bowl 60. Mafe finished that game with a quarterback hit on Drake Maye."

Mafe had just two sacks in the regular season, but part of that was because of the Seahawks deep pass rush group. No Seahawks player had double-digit sacks last season, and they had one of the best defenses in football. On the Patriots, Mafe could see more opportunities.

In 2023, before Mike Macdonald took over as the head coach and implemented his own defensive philosophy, Mafe had a nine sack seaosn. The Patriots could allow him to be a full-time starter once again and help fix their pass rush. He is still young and may be cheap, given that he did not have his best season.

Mike Vrabel has shown he can get the most out of players who may be getting overlooked in free agency. Mafe could be the next success story for Vrabel on the Patriots.

Aston Villa have only won two of their past seven games. This is not the form of a team looking to secure Champions League football, nor one sitting third in the league for several months.

The team are looking sluggish, lacking in creativity and struggling to keep a clean sheet. Performances have been underwhelming, which has perhaps been more of a concern than the dwindling points tally.

The fixture against Chelsea at Villa Park on Wednesday is season-defining. A Champions League 'six-pointer' in which Villa could build a nine-point gap on the visitors, or the deficit between fourth and sixth could shrink to three points.

How can Unai Emery turn things around in a period of decline? It's time for something different - a fresh approach that will inject energy into a weary side creaking under the pressure.

The boss will never rip up his tactics sheet and start afresh, particularly in the final run-in of the season. But his team needs an evolution, not a revolution.

The easiest way for Villa to evolve is a change in starting personnel. Tammy Abraham has looked lively since his arrival, but has struggled to seize the shirt from Ollie Watkins. As Villa's record Premier League goalscorer struggles to net, the ex-Chelsea forward should be eyeing a start against his former club as an opportunity to stake his claim.

Meanwhile, youngster Alysson, who has had a stop-start beginning to his journey in claret and blue, has shown promise in his brief cameos so far. An energetic and physical attacker looking to impose himself on the Premier League feels exactly the type of player to fire Villa's frontline.

As the team look to spark the atmosphere at Villa Park, a refreshed performance will be the thing that really reignites belief and excitement among fans, who are longing to see the tide turn in a lengthy history of Villa falling at the final hurdle.

Find more from Hannah Gowen at UTV

Mar. 2—***

Doesn't take a genius — or a sportswriter — to figure out why the Big Ten has won the last three College Football Playoff titles: talent, both on the field and in the coaching box.

The good news for Tony Petitti's league is that despite key loses across the conference, the Big Ten is is in good shape for 2026. Enough to win a fourth consecutive title? I'm going with yes.

The hardest hit by departures, Indiana, is the best equipped to contend again. Sure, the Hoosiers lost Heisman winner Fernando Mendoza, but Curt Cignetti landed a talented quarterback from TCU, Josh Hoover. Hoover's job will be easier thanks to the return of All-American offensive tackle Carter Smith. The Big Ten's best offensive lineman will be joined by two other returning starters up front.

In my opinion, Indiana is one of eight Big Ten teams worthy of spots in the preseason Top 25. And they all have returnees worth bragging about.

Oregon quarterback Dante Moore listened to sound advice and returned for another season. He will be one of the first players off the board in the 2027 NFL draft,

With Moore, the Ducks will be a force on offense. And the defense looks loaded.

You will hear multiple Ohio State players called early in the first round of the NFL draft. No sweat. Ryan Day brings back defensive end Kenyatta Jackson, Jr., who could have gone too. The guess here is he doubles his 6 1/2 sacks from 2025.

Southern California's fortunes will ride on the arm of quarterback Jayden Maiava, who started his career at UNLV. He will miss star receiver Makai Lemon.

After Indiana's Carter, the next best lineman in the Big Ten is Iowa Kade Pieper, who played guard in 2025 but is expected to take over for star center Logan Jones.

Michigan has a new coach, Kyle Whittingham, and the same quarterback Bryce Underwood. He will make huge strides under the new coaching staff.

It looked like Washington would lose start quarterback Demond Williams Jr. Possibly to LSU. But Williams is back and the Huskies are in position to contend for the CFP.

Penn State is basically bringing in a new team under first-year coach Matt Campbell. But Iowa State East did manage to retain six starters from the previous regime.