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NFL free agency 2025 predictions: One top target for every team

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NFL free agency 2025 predictions: One top target for every team

This is supposedly the NFL offseason, but if you’re feeling like you may be suffering from a case of whiplash, there’s a good reason for that.

The Super Bowl came and went on Feb. 9. Two weeks later, the NFL world descended on Indianapolis for the annual scouting combine. And next week, free agency kicks off.

Essentially, the action never stops in the NFL. As a result, multitasking is a crucial strength for general managers. By week’s end, front offices across the league will have finalized their game plan for free agency. Monday, at noon ET, the legal tampering period begins. Wednesday, the new league year begins at 4 p.m. ET.

The NFL salary cap is set at $279.2 million — a jump of roughly $24 million from last season — so every team will have some money to spend. How much varies on a case-by-case basis, and as a result, some teams will rely more heavily on the draft than free agency to fill holes, and others will go on spending sprees. Regardless, needs will be met next week. And so, we’re looking into our crystal ball and offering you one free-agent target prediction for every team.

Arizona Cardinals: Edge Haason Reddick

The 2017 Cardinals first-round pick is a free agent after a frustrating 2024, when he was traded from the Eagles to the Jets, who both declined to grant his wishes for a long-term contract extension. Now Reddick hits the open market, and his former team makes a lot of sense. The Cardinals need pass-rushing help after no player managed more than five sacks in 2024, and the team ranked 13th in this statistic. After a lengthy holdout, Reddick appeared in only 10 games for the Jets, starting two of them. But he recorded double-digit sacks in the four seasons prior and could fill a big need for Arizona.

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Atlanta Falcons: Edge Khalil Mack

The Falcons ranked 31st in the league in sacks last season, with just 31. They need pass-rushing help in the worst way and would be wise to find help in this department in both free agency and the draft. Although not brimming with spending money, they need to find a way to free up some cash, and Mack — named to the Pro Bowl the last three seasons with the Chargers — would seemingly fit well.

Baltimore Ravens: FS Tre’von Moehrig

The Ravens have decisions to make with a number of their own players, including left tackle Ronnie Stanley, who is set to hit free agency. But as far as outside free agents go, they need help in their secondary, where a lack of speed and impact plays hampered their efforts. Moehrig would fill a big need at free safety after racking up 104 tackles, 10 pass breakups and two interceptions for the Raiders last season.

Buffalo Bills: WR Hollywood Brown

Easing pressure on Josh Allen is the name of the game, and the Bills need a field-stretching wideout to give their offense a greater home-run threat. Brown missed the bulk of last season with the Chiefs with injury, but now healthy again, he could provide a nice spark.

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Carolina Panthers: DT D.J. Jones

While Bryce Young displayed encouraging signs of growth, the Panthers remain a ways off from contention, and upgrading their defense is a high priority. Jones is among the most disruptive interior defensive linemen on the market, and he has ties to Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero from their time together in Denver. Jones would provide a veteran presence on a defense that is expected to feature multiple rookies next season.

Chicago Bears: C Drew Dalman

Positioning Caleb Williams for success is priority No. 1 for Ben Johnson and Ryan Poles, and based on the moves they made this week (trading for Rams lineman Jonah Jackson and Chiefs lineman Joe Thuney), supporting Williams begins with solidifying the offensive line. So look for the Bears’ new coach and fourth-year GM to work to further bolster this unit. A reliable center like Dalman would go a long way toward helping Williams find comfort in the pocket, and also would bolster a run game that can serve as a valuable security blanket for the second-year quarterback.

Cincinnati Bengals: G Brandon Scherff

Working out long-term extensions for Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are among the Bengals’ top offseason priorities. But Cincinnati also must further fortify its offensive line, especially following the cost-cutting release of guard Alex Cappa. A potential target: Scherff, the five-time Pro Bowl selection and fifth pick of the 2015 draft. After leaving Washington, Scherff battled injuries with Jacksonville. But when healthy, he’s a force in the trenches and would make life easier for Joe Burrow.

Cleveland Browns: QB Kirk Cousins

That’s IF the Falcons wind up cutting the 36-year-old Cousins now that they’re all-in on second-year pro Michael Penix Jr. Cousins makes so much sense for the Browns, who appear unlikely to have Deshaun Watson for some time because of the setback he experienced in his recovery from a torn Achilles tendon. Cousins played under Browns coach Kevin Stefanski when the latter was offensive coordinator in Minnesota and seemingly would be able to make a seamless transition to the Browns.


The Steelers declined Najee Harris’ fifth-year option. (Dale Zanine / Imagn Images)

Dallas Cowboys: RB Najee Harris

Jerry Jones committed malpractice by neglecting to address the running back position last offseason. Perhaps he has learned from his mistake and will devote resources to it now to give first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott a better shot at success. Harris played in every game over the past four seasons for the Steelers, but Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option. He rushed 263 times for 1,043 yards (4.0 average) and six touchdowns last season.

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Denver Broncos: WR Amari Cooper

The Broncos badly want a veteran wide receiver to pair with second-year pro Bo Nix. With the Bengals taking Tee Higgins off the free-agent market by using the franchise tag on him for a second straight offseason, Cooper is among the best options available. The 30-year-old never seemed to fully settle in with Buffalo after a midseason trade, but he should fit well with Sean Payton’s offense.

Detroit Lions: Edge Azeez Ojulari

The Lions are hoping leading pass rusher Aidan Hutchinson makes a complete recovery from a fractured left tibia and fibula, but their defense could really use an impactful running mate for the fourth-year defensive end. Ojulari is a pass rusher who should come at a fairly affordable rate. He has played just one full season (an eight-sack rookie campaign in 2021), he has been used primarily in his career as a situational pass rusher and is coming off a toe injury that limited him to 11 games in 2024. Teaming Ojulari with Hutchinson could translate into a boost for Detroit.

Green Bay Packers: Edge Josh Sweat

Sweat made himself some money with his impactful performance for the Eagles in Super Bowl LIX. He’s expected to hit the open market, where he’ll draw a good bit of interest. The Packers have needed a difference-making pass rusher, and Sweat seemingly could step in and fill that void.

Houston Texans: WR Stefon Diggs

Diggs’ lone season with the Texans came to an abrupt end with a Week 8 torn ACL. He was putting up solid numbers (47 receptions for 496 yards and three touchdowns), so the Texans would do well to bring him back to help ensure continuity for C.J. Stroud. The Texans have plenty of needs and limited cap space, but Diggs would check a big box.

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Indianapolis Colts: QB Daniel Jones

Jones’ time in New York ended with a late November release, and he spent the rest of 2024 learning from Kevin O’Connell while buried on the Vikings’ depth chart. Given the questions that still loom over Anthony Richardson, the Colts will look to add another quarterback, and Jones makes some sense. He will not break the bank, and after coming in and initially learning behind Richardson, the 2019 first-round pick could wind up earning playing time as an experimental starter should Richardson continue to struggle.

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Jacksonville Jaguars: G Mekhi Becton

The Jaguars have hit the reset button once again, hiring rookie head coach Liam Coen and first-year general manager James Gladstone. Getting the most out of Trevor Lawrence is the key to success, and the Jaguars know they have to upgrade the interior of their offensive line. Becton, who just helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl, would fill a key need.

Kansas City Chiefs: LT Ronnie Stanley

The Eagles made it abundantly clear in Super Bowl LIX the Chiefs need to upgrade Patrick Mahomes’ offensive line. After utilizing a patchwork line in 2024, look for Kansas City to devote resources in free agency and the draft to solidify the unit. Stanley, who has spent his entire career with the Ravens and just made his second Pro Bowl appearance, would give Mahomes a reliable blind-side protector.

L.A. Chargers: C Ryan Kelly

Like last season, general manager Joe Hortiz and coach Jim Harbaugh are expected to take a conservative approach to spending in free agency. They do, however, need to solidify the heart of their line, and Kelly — a four-time Pro Bowl selection, who has spent his entire career with the Colts — could help them do that.

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L.A. Rams: WR Davante Adams

With the Rams working to trade Cooper Kupp, Sean McVay and Matthew Stafford will need another target to pair with Puka Nacua. Adams is now available after the Jets released him on Tuesday. The six-time Pro Bowl wideout still has plenty left in the tank, and McVay boasts the creativity needed to maximize Adams’ skill set.

Las Vegas Raiders: QB Russell Wilson

After a failed pursuit of Matthew Stafford, the Raiders will turn their attention to another veteran quarterback who can serve as a bridge to their future. Pete Carroll and Wilson spent 10 seasons together in Seattle, so a reunion makes a lot of sense. The Raiders could then decide whether to draft a quarterback or wait for a more robust draft class in 2026 to find Wilson’s successor.

Miami Dolphins: S Talanoa Hufanga

The Dolphins seem likely to lose Jevon Holland to free agency, so that will leave defensive coordinator Anthony Weaver in need of a difference-making safety. Hufanga has battled some injuries, but when healthy is as impactful as they come, having garnered All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors in 2022 (his last healthy season).


Sam Darnold could remain with the Vikings despite their decision not to franchise-tag him. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)

Minnesota Vikings: QB Sam Darnold

The Vikings opted against franchise-tagging Darnold, which subjects them to the risk of losing the quarterback to free agency. But they should still do what it takes to bring him back for another season. Doing so would give them a chance to build on last season’s success rather than risk taking steps backward if J.J. McCarthy isn’t ready after missing all of last season with a torn meniscus.

New England Patriots: DT Milton Williams

The Patriots have plenty of needs as they try to surround second-year quarterback Drake Maye with a quality supporting cast. But look for defensive-minded coach Mike Vrabel to stress fortifying that side of the ball as well by adding impact players to dominate in the trenches. Williams, who just helped the Eagles win the Super Bowl, could rank among the centerpieces of the defense.

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New Orleans Saints: WR Darius Slayton

Derek Carr needs another weapon and the steady Slayton, who has averaged 720 receiving yards and four touchdowns a season, with 15 yards per catch, could fit nicely as a sidekick to Chris Olave while giving new coach Kellen Moore’s offense additional firepower.

New York Giants: QB Aaron Rodgers

It’s hard to say how appealing the Giants would be to Rodgers, because they seemingly have a ways to go before they are ready to contend. But the Giants certainly need a quarterback after ending the Daniel Jones experiment last season and swinging and missing at Matthew Stafford. Could Rodgers be the answer? A young receiver like Malik Nabers does make New York a little more attractive.

New York Jets: QB Carson Wentz

The Jets have Tyrod Taylor still under contract, but look for them to bring in another midlevel veteran for competition given that they seem unlikely to have a shot at drafting a top-flight quarterback. Wentz spent last season behind Patrick Mahomes and while not a franchise savior, he could compete for bridge duty.

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Philadelphia Eagles: Edge Baron Browning

The Eagles have some of the best interior linemen in the game, but with Josh Sweat expected to depart via free agency, they need to add more help off the edge. Howie Roseman could look to both the draft and free agency to meet needs here. Browning is a young player (26) who has a history with Vic Fangio, having played under the Eagles’ defensive coordinator when Fangio was head coach in Denver.

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Pittsburgh Steelers: QB Justin Fields

The Steelers used 2024 as an experimental season at quarterback, adding both Russell Wilson and Fields. Now both will become free agents. The Steelers should bring Fields back. Is he a finished product? Not at all. But he’s only 26, showed promise and will only ascend given another year working with Arthur Smith and in a system designed specifically for his strengths. Could the Steelers give Aaron Rodgers a shot? Sure. Could they try another experimental quarterback like Daniel Jones? Sure. But the upside with Fields is far higher.

San Francisco 49ers: CB D.J. Reed

The 49ers could wind up losing Charvarius Ward to free agency, so John Lynch and Kyle Shanahan may place a high priority on addressing the secondary. Reed makes a lot of sense. He spent the last three seasons with the Jets, playing under Robert Saleh, now the 49ers defensive coordinator, and should be able to make a seamless transition while serving as the lockdown corner San Francisco needs.

Seattle Seahawks: S Jevon Holland

The Seahawks are expected to maintain their usual conservative approach in free agency, but they need a veteran presence on the back end of their defense. Holland would help fill this need, bringing both versatility and aggressive playmaking. After playing under Anthony Weaver in Miami last season, Holland would see some carryover playing in the system of Mike Macdonald, under whom Weaver coached in Baltimore.


Charvarius Ward has discussed the emotional challenges of playing in California. (Mark J. Rebilas / Imagn Images)

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: CB Charvarius Ward

The Buccaneers have a strong defensive front anchored by Vita Vea, but they really could benefit from adding a top-flight cornerback like Ward. He seems likely to depart San Francisco after a trying 2024, which included the death of his 1-year-old daughter, and could potentially benefit from a change of scenery.

Tennessee Titans: QB Marcus Mariota

Let’s face it: Will Levis is not the answer. And because they own the top pick in the draft, the Titans can fill their need for a franchise quarterback. But whether it’s Cam Ward or Shedeur Sanders, the rookie of choice could take some time to develop. The smart move: Bring back former face of the franchise Marcus Mariota (2015-19) to serve as the bridge or as a valuable veteran mentor (similar to what he did last season with Jayden Daniels) to help a young QB navigate the pro game.

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Washington Commanders: Edge DeMarcus Lawrence

Edge rusher is one of the biggest needs on Washington’s defense and Lawrence can help in a big way. Lawrence, who played under Dan Quinn in Dallas from 2021 to 2023 and reached the Pro Bowl in back-to-back seasons, has averaged 7.4 sacks per season during his 11-year career. He’s coming off a season limited by a foot injury to four games, but now healthy again, Lawrence would make his presence felt in D.C.

(Illustration: Dan Goldfarb / The Athletic; photos of D.J. Reed, Josh Sweat and Russell Wilson: Nick Cammett / Diamond Images, Cooper Neill, Todd Rosenberg / Getty Images)

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NFL fans call the league’s streaming strategy a ‘money grab’ as costs spiral out of control

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NFL fans call the league’s streaming strategy a ‘money grab’ as costs spiral out of control

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Football fans are airing their frustrations about the continuing rise in the costs of watching the NFL.

As the league has continued to strike new media deals with different streaming services, fans are left scrambling to figure out not only which channel or streaming service the game is on, but also whether they subscribe to that service. OutKick’s Davey Hudson took to the streets of Nashville and New York City to talk to aggrieved football fans.

“I think it’s frustrating when you just want to watch a game, and you have to figure out what app it’s on. And then you’re paying for multiple apps all the time,” one fan said.

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New England Patriots fans look upset as the Patriots lose in the second half of an NFL game against the Chicago Bears at Gillette Stadium in Boston, Massachusetts, on Oct. 24, 2022. (Matt Stone/MediaNews Group/Boston Herald via Getty Images)

Another fan was blunt, calling the current system of watching games “f—ing stupid.”

“Well, it’s f—king stupid, you have to get five different platforms to watch all of the games that you want to, and still you have to pay on top. It’s ridiculous at this point,” the fan said.

One fan called it a “pain in the a–” to keep track of where and when the games are being streamed.

A different fan called it a “money grab,” citing Netflix as the latest streaming service the NFL brought in to start broadcasting its games.

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One fan, who said he is a New York Jets season ticket holder and has the NFL package, lamented that he still does not have access to every game.

FCC TAKES NOTICE AS AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR SPORT BECOMES INCREASINGLY COSTLY, FRUSTRATING TO CONSUME

NFL fans walk outside the Super Bowl Experience at the Moscone Center in San Francisco, California, on Feb. 6, 2026.  (Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)

“I can’t tell you how frustrating it is when I feel like I have every service, I have Jets season tickets, I have the NFL package, and then there is still games on top of that that I don’t have access to. It gets very frustrating,” the fan said.

Multiple fans said they pay for at least three, if not four streaming services. Numerous other fans said they pay for five or six different services at this point.

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The fan who called the current system “f—king stupid,” said that she thinks that the NFL is taking the long way around to returning to satellite TV.

“Well, I think what’s actually going to happen is we are just taking the long way around going back to like satellite TV, and we are in the last stages of this part of it. It’s all going to conglomerate at one point,” she said.

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Denver Broncos fans cheer during a game against the New England Patriots in the fourth quarter of the Patriots’ 10-7 win in the AFC Championship Game at Empower Field at Mile High in Denver, Colorado, on Jan. 25, 2026. (Aaron Ontiveroz/The Denver Post/Getty Images)

NFL fans who want access to every game need to purchase YouTube TV for “NFL Sunday Ticket,” in addition to the costly subscriptions for all the streaming services the NFL broadcasts on. Those streaming services are Amazon Prime, Peacock and Netflix. The combination of those respective services is over $1,500 a year, and that doesn’t include the fees that come with basic cable packages or high-speed Wi-Fi that is needed to accommodate the platforms.

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Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman Brendan Carr said he was concerned that the rising prices of streaming games are maddening for sports fans, and it appears his concerns are valid.

Fox News’ Brian Flood contributed to this report.

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Tom Brady’s calculated trash talk connects WrestleMania to Fanatics Flag Football to Las Vegas

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Tom Brady’s calculated trash talk connects WrestleMania to Fanatics Flag Football to Las Vegas

Fake is the operative word. Tom Brady’s beef with Logan Paul, Paul’s beef with Rob Gronkowski and Brady’s beef with World Wrestling Entertainment all are as fake as plant-based meat.

It’s also so much fun.

That’s the consensus opinion of fans and participants alike to the promotional shenanigans ahead of this weekend’s Fanatics Flag Football Classic at BMO Stadium in Los Angeles and next month’s WWE WrestleMania 42 at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

Brady used the word himself, calling wrestling “fake B.S.” Wednesday night at the Flag Football Classic draft at a Beverly Hills hotel. The comments came shortly after Brady went on Paul’s “Impaulsive” podcast and told the WWE star in no uncertain terms that he was not on the same athletic level as NFL players.

Paul took exception, pointing out that he played linebacker in high school. He is on the flag football roster of Team Wildcats alongside NFL quarterbacks and captains Joe Burrow and Jayden Daniels, so inquiring minds can evaluate Paul’s gridiron bona fides during the three-team flag fun televised at 1 p.m. PDT Sunday on Fox Sports.

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In addition to Team Wildcats, the inaugural flag football event features a team led by Brady and Jalen Hurts called Founders and another consisting of the U.S. men’s national flag football roster.

In promoting the venture, Brady poked the enormously popular WWE organization, telling Paul, “You know, I love WWE. It’s very cute. But honestly, this is like real football. This is just real competition.

“I’m glad you’re going to be there and finally participate in a competition that matters.”

Brady upped the ante after Sports Illustrated playfully asked how many WWE wrestlers it would take to sack him.

“They wouldn’t even get near me,” he replied. “Plus, if I had a good offensive line, they’d punch those guys right in the throat and they’d probably be crying.”

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All a deft segue to WrestleMania 42, which many followers suspect is positioning Brady to be some sort of scripted villain during the WWE’s annual five-day extravaganza. Last year WrestleMania 41 attracted more than 100,000 fans to Allegiant Stadium, generating roughly $65 million in ticket revenue and reaching a global audience with more than a billion social media views.

Adding the greatest quarterback of all time would only boost those numbers. Introducing a surprise antagonist has long been a key ingredient of the WWE recipe, and at this point Brady surfacing is all but expected.

The seven-time Super Bowl champion has morphed into a glue guy, whose employment as a Fox Sports NFL television analyst, part owner of the Las Vegas Raiders and key partner with Fanatics binds him with almost every major stakeholder in the Flag Football Classic and WrestleMania 42. Every stakeholder except the WWE.

That gives Brady license to take good-natured shots at wrestling for now and positions him to become a high-profile heel at WrestleMania 42.

It’s no coincidence that both events are in partnership with Fanatics, the outfit that has grown from designing and manufacturing licensed fan gear into a ubiquitous global digital sports platform and e-commerce company.

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That leaves only the feigned feud between Paul and Gronkowski — Brady’s longtime pal and New England Patriots teammate. It started when Gronkowski labeled Paul a “flake” on a podcast a few days ago after Paul made a $1-million boxing challenge to NFL players and subsequently backed out of a fight with former running back Le’Veon Bell.

The tongue-in-cheek beef culminated in a verbal volley at the flag football draft with Gronkowski jawing at Paul while balancing a paper plate stacked with hors d’oeuvres and Paul shouting back over the head of 5-foot-5 comedian Kevin Hart, who somehow found himself in the role of peacemaker.

“No one can tackle me. So if Logan Paul wants a piece of me, I’m down to throw it down on the field and even throw my fist and just go at it, an all-out brawl on the flag football field,” Gronkowski said with an impish grin.

Crazy how Fanatics posted a video of the exchange so quickly. It had racked up 250,000 views as of Friday morning. Just Gronkowski and Paul following Brady’s lead, knowing their job descriptions include promotion as well as performance.

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World Baseball Classic final attracted historic viewership with over 10M watching on FOX

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World Baseball Classic final attracted historic viewership with over 10M watching on FOX

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Venezuela defeated Team USA, 3-2, in the World Baseball Classic (WBC) final Tuesday, and the game was historic in more ways than one.

Venezuela won its first-ever WBC title, and players flooded the field with emotion and pride as they celebrated the thrilling victory. 

History was also made during the telecast when 10,784,000 viewers watched the final on FOX and FOX Deportes. 

It became the most-watched WBC telecast of all time. 

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Fox Sports broadcaster Tom Verducci interviews MVP Maikel Garcia of Venezuela and his translator after a 3-2 victory against the United States at loanDepot Park March 17, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

The telecast averaged 10,228,000 viewers, while hitting its peak at 12,148,000 from 10:30-10:45 p.m. ET on FOX. 

This number was up 128% from the Team USA-Japan WBC final on FS1 during the 2023 tournament, when Shohei Ohtani struck out Mike Trout to seal a third WBC win for his country. 

TRUMP RAISES EYEBROWS WITH ‘STATEHOOD’ COMMENT AFTER VENEZUELA BEATS THE US IN WORLD BASEBALL CLASSIC

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While this game had all the thrills, the WBC turned out to be an exciting tournament from the very start with pool play. 

Whether it was feel-good stories like Ondřej Satoria’s standing ovation from Japanese fans at the Tokyo Dome during his final outing for Czechia or Italy’s espresso machine home run celebration, viewers from all over were tuning in to watch magic happen on the diamond.  

Fox Sports broadcaster Tom Verducci interviews manager Omar López Team Venezuela after a 3-2 victory against the United States at loanDepot park March 17, 2026, in Miami, Fla.  (Megan Briggs/Getty Images)

The tournament averaged 1,294,000 viewers across FOX, FS1 and FS2, making it the most-watched WBC in its 20-year history on English language networks. 

It looked like Venezuela was going to shut out Team USA, which had just two hits and four base runners in the bottom of the eighth inning when Bryce Harper walked to the plate. 

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The game turned on its head when Harper belted a two-run homer to tie the game during the peak viewing window. 

Venezuela, though, never blinked. Eugenio Suarez hit a rope to left-center field, scoring the game-winning run with a double.

Members of Team Venezuela celebrate with their gold medals after defeating the United States 3-2 at loanDepot Park March 17, 2026, in Miami, Fla. (Al Bello/Getty Images)

Daniel Palencia closed things out for Venezuela, sealing the win with a strikeout of Roman Anthony. The party ensued for Venezuela at loanDepot Park. 

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