Sports
Ex-49ers star discusses state of team after another crushing Super Bowl: 'They have everything they need'
For the second time in four years, the San Francisco 49ers blew a double-digit lead in the fourth quarter of the Super Bowl to the Kansas City Chiefs.
The Niners have made it to the NFC championship game three straight years, and in each of their last seven playoff appearances.
They found a diamond in the rough with quarterback Brock Purdy, taking him with the last pick of the NFL Draft in 2022, and they figure to be in the fold once again, vying for that coveted Lombardi Trophy they last won in the mid-1990s.
Vernon Davis of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sidelines against the Philadelphia Eagles at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, on Sept. 28, 2014. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
Despite no ring to show for it in recent years, ex-Niners star tight end Vernon Davis says they’ve become a staple and an organization others should strive to be.
“I think they’re doing some wonderful things, man. To make it to the postseason year after year, it speaks volumes about who they are as an organization, as a team,” Davis told Fox News Digital in a recent interview. “Now, all they have to do is just keep plugging away. They have everything that they need. Eventually, something is going to be a shift, and they’re going to win a Super Bowl. They just got to keep doing what they’re doing. Everything they did last year, do it again.”
Of course, the clock is ticking, though, amid trade rumors surrounding both Brandon Aiyuk and Deebo Samuel. Aiyuk, who is in line for a new deal, has been speculated to be on the trade block for some time, and the Niners drafting Florida wide receiver Ricky Pearsall in the first round didn’t help matters.
Deebo Samuel (19) and Brandon Aiyuk of the San Francisco 49ers are shown during the game against the Cardinals in Glendale, Arizona, on Dec. 17, 2023. (Robin Alam/ISI Photos/Getty Images)
TRAVIS KELCE’S LONGEVITY WILL COME DOWN TO THESE FACTORS, EX-NFL STAR VERNON DAVIS SAYS
“It’s going to be difficult, but I think, at the end of the day, it becomes a [numbers] game,” Davis said. “How much money [do] they have in the cap to Deebo and [Aiyuk]? It’s all a numbers game at the end of the day.”
So, where does all that money go? He thinks it will go to Purdy.
“He’s proven. He puts the numbers up.”
He sure does. Since taking over, Purdy has gone 21-6 as a starter, completing 68.7% of his passes for 5,654 yards, 44 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. Purdy was named to the Pro Bowl last season and finished fourth in the MVP voting.
Brock Purdy of the San Francisco 49ers looks on from the sideline before Super Bowl LVIII against the Kansas City Chiefs at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas on Feb. 11, 2024. (Ryan Kang/Getty Images)
But a team’s greatest gift is having a franchise quarterback on a rookie deal; Purdy is entering his third NFL season and set to be a restricted free agent following the 2025 campaign.
There may be some shaking up in the somewhat near future, but it seems like Davis knows what it takes to win a Super Bowl in the Bay. He was just one win away from having a ring of his own in the 2012 season.
So, it’s best that they probably listen to his advice.
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Winning two knockout stage games? That means you’re really in the running to win the World Cup.
Let’s check out the updated odds for which countries will make it to the quarterfinals at FanDuel Sportsbook as of July 1.
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To Reach Quarterfinals
France: -1250 (bet $10 to win $10.80 total)
Argentina: -425 (bet $10 to win $12.35 total)
Morocco: -260 (bet $10 to win $13.85 total)
Brazil: -240 (bet $10 to win $14.17 total)
England: -175 (bet $10 to win $15.71 total)
Spain: -140 (bet $10 to win $17.14 total)
Colombia: -105 (bet $10 to win $19.52 total)
USA: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Mexico: +140 (bet $10 to win $24 total)
Norway: +160 (bet $10 to win $26 total)
Portugal: +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50 total)
Canada: +180 (bet $10 to win $28 total)
Belgium: +185 (bet $10 to win $28.50 total)
Switzerland: +195 (bet $10 to win $29.50 total)
Senegal: +370 (bet $10 to win $47 total)
Algeria: +550 (bet $10 to win $65 total)
Egypt: +650 (bet $10 to win $75 total)
Ghana: +750 (bet $10 to win $85 total)
The USA is currently one of the favorites to reach the World Cup quarterfinals (Getty Images).
Here’s what to know about this oddsboard.
Recent History: The quarterfinals are kinda a given for France, at least in recent years. The French have made it to at least the quarterfinals in five of the last seven World Cups, and they have made the final in four of the last seven years, winning the tournament twice. Les Bleus are now heavy favorites at -1250 to beat Paraguay and get back to the quarterfinals.
The Host Nations: Before this summer, Canada had never won a World Cup match in two tournament appearances. But that has all changed. Canada is through to the Round of 16 after beating South Africa in the Round of 32. As for Mexico, it has recorded four straight scoreless wins to start the tournament for the first time in its nation’s history. El Tri will look to get back to the quarterfinals for the first time in 40 years after dominating Ecuador in the Round of 32. After its win over Ecuador, Mexico jumped from +290 to +140 to make the quarters. The U.S. looks to replicate the other two host nations’ knockout stage performances against Bosnia and Herzegovina on Wednesday.
Dodgers manager Tommy Lasorda celebrates after the Dodgers beat the Montreal Expos to win the NL pennant in 1981.
(Associated Press)
Years as manager: 1976-1996
Record: 1,599-1,439, .526 win pct
After serving as the team’s third base coach for four seasons, Lasorda took over as manager late in the 1976 season when Alston announced his retirement. He led the Dodgers to the National League pennant in his first two full seasons, losing both times to the Yankees in the World Series. He won his first World Series in 1981, knocking off the Yankees, and rallied his team to a surprise title in 1988 in which the Dodgers beat the heavily favored Athletics. Lasorda was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1997, his first year of eligibility.
A fiery and vibrant presence who spent 71 years with the Dodgers, Lasorda managed nine players who won the NL rookie of the year award. The Dodgers also opened the Japanese player pipeline on his watch. Hideo Nomo, the first Japanese big leaguer to permanently relocate to the U.S., joined the Dodgers in 1995. Three decades later, the team features Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto on its star-studded roster.
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Back in January, the odds that King James would retire before the beginning of the 2026-27 season were slightly longer than the odds that he would give it another go.
But as of now, it looks like LeBron will, in fact, give it another go but with a team other than the Lakers.
Here are the latest odds for where James could land next season at DraftKings Sportsbook as of June 30.
This page may contain affiliate links to legal sports betting partners. If you sign up or place a wager, FOX Sports may be compensated. Read more about Sports Betting on FOX Sports.
LeBron James Next Team Odds
Golden State Warriors: -115 (bet $10 to win $18.70 total)
Los Angeles Lakers: +105 (bet $10 to win $20.50 total)
Cleveland Cavaliers: +600 (bet $10 to win $70 total)
Miami Heat: +1000 (bet $10 to win $110 total)
New York Knicks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Detroit Pistons: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
Dallas Mavericks: +3000 (bet $10 to win $310 total)
San Antonio Spurs: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)
Milwaukee Bucks: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Brooklyn Nets: +4000 (bet $10 to win $410 total)
Washington Wizards: +5000 (bet $10 to win $510 total)
NBA free agency begins on June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. However, hours before its official start, LeBron James’ agent, Rich Paul, made a jaw-dropping announcement.
According to ESPN reporting, Paul notified the Lakers that the franchise could move on without LeBron because he plans to play elsewhere for the 2026-27 season.
James played for the organization for eight years — the longest he’s played for any other team. While in L.A., King James broke the all-time scoring record, won an NBA title and earned his fourth NBA Finals MVP.
The imprint he’s left on the league in his more than 20 years has been immeasurable.
Where will LeBron land next season now that his time in Los Angeles is over?
In addition to his tenure in Los Angeles, he’s played for the Cavaliers and the Heat, winning titles with all three franchises. He won Rookie of the Year, has four regular-season MVPs and is a 22-time All-Star.
James has averaged 26.8 points, 7.5 boards and 7.4 assists over the course of his career.
During the 2025-26 season, he helped lead the Lakers to a 53-29 record in the regular season. The team secured the No. 4 seed in the Western Conference and defeated Houston 4-2 in the first round.
Eventually, Los Angeles got bounced by Oklahoma City in the conference semifinals, 4-0, which marked LeBron’s last dance in Hollywood.
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