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Patriots lose to Jets in Belichick's potential last game

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Patriots lose to Jets in Belichick's potential last game

Coach Bill Belichick’s potential final game with the New England Patriots was one for the record books — in a way he won’t want to remember.

The Patriots lost to the Jets 17-3 at Gillette Stadium on Sunday, ending New York’s 15-game losing skid to New England. The Patriots recorded 119 yards of offense, marking the fewest of the Belichick era. The team’s previous low was 149 against the Miami Dolphins on Oct. 7, 2001.

Rumors abound — as they have for much of the fall — that Belichick and the Patriots may part ways at the end of the season. Answers about the franchise’s future are expected to come following a sit-down with owners Robert and Jonathan Kraft and Belichick shortly after Sunday’s game.

Asked about his future postgame, Belichick said he’d only talk about Sunday’s contest.

“Disappointed in the way the game finished,” Belichick said when asked whether he thinks he’ll be back with the Patriots. Belichick added that he “still enjoys coaching.”

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The team’s struggling offense traded off between quarterbacks Mac Jones and Bailey Zappe this fall before settling on Zappe as the starter in late November. He went 12-of-30 with 88 yards, no touchdowns and two fourth-quarter interceptions against a Jets team that’s had a dramatic season of quarterback issues.

The Jets’ Trevor Siemian — starting for Zach Wilson who was moved to injured reserve with a concussion Saturday — also failed to throw a touchdown. He finished 8-of-20 with 70 throwing yards.

With Sunday’s loss, the Patriots finished the season at 4-13 and are last in the AFC East for the first time since 2000, Belichick’s first year on the job.

Belichick is one of the most successful coaches in NFL history, building a dynasty with quarterback Tom Brady and winning nine AFC championships and six Super Bowls (2001, 2003, 2004, 2014, 2016 and 2018). Under Belichick, the franchise has had a winning record in 20 of his 24 seasons.

However, the relationship between Brady and Belichick was fractured by the end of the 2019 season, and Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in free agency. The following season, Brady led the Bucs to a Super Bowl title, the seventh of his storied career.

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Over the last four years, the Patriots, meanwhile, tried quarterbacks Cam Newton, Jones and Zappe as their offense slowly became one of the league’s worst.

After arguably the best 20-year run in league history, the Patriots haven’t won a playoff game since the 2018 Super Bowl and have gone 30-37 since Brady left.

NFL coaching changes live updates: Coaches fired, on the hot seat, latest Belichick news, rumors and job candidates

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What’s next for Belichick?

All eyes turn to Belichick. He brought more success to one franchise than any coach ever. But the Patriots just finished their worst season since 1992.

They’ve had a losing record in three of the four years since Brady left, leaving Belichick’s future very much up in the air. He’s expected to meet with the Krafts on Monday to discuss their path forward, but at this point, a “mutual parting” of ways is very much possible — if not likely. Belichick and Robert Kraft have had their differences for years, but now the success that smoothed over those rough patches has dried up.

The Patriots run their franchise far differently from any other, a siloed organization where collaboration is often discouraged in favor of whatever avenue Belichick seems fit. What he’s chosen in recent years hasn’t worked. That could lead to the Krafts desiring change and a more modern approach to the organizational structure. News of Belichick’s future could come as early as Monday. — Chad Graff, Patriots staff writer

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What’s next for the Patriots?

It was a fitting end to the season for the Patriots offense, which closes with the fewest points scored of any team. No matter who the coach is, the Patriots need a major overhaul on that side of the ball, including (but not limited to) a new quarterback, multiple new wide receivers and at least one new offensive tackle. — Graff

The Jets, finally, ended the skid of 15 straight games lost to the Patriots and Belichick. The game was meaningless in the grand scheme of things — these were two bad teams playing a game that didn’t matter at the end of disappointing seasons for both of them — but at least the Jets finally got this monkey off their back. They did it on the back of running back Breece Hall.

The Jets star set a career-high with 37 carries for 178 yards and he surpassed 1,500 total yards for the season with his performance, the first Jets running back to do that since Thomas Jones in 2008. The most impressive part is that Hall did it in his first year post-ACL surgery. Hall clinched the win with a 50-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter.

Now the Jets go into the offseason with a lot of questions — but Hall is not one of them. Expect the Jets to build their offense around his talents both as a runner and pass-catcher, and — if he stays healthy — should have a shot at 2,000 yards with Aaron Rodgers next year. — Zack Rosenblatt, Jets staff writer

NFL playoff bracket, scenarios, projected matchups and seeding live updates: Full Sunday schedule

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(Photo: Winslow Townson / Getty Images)

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Jason Day already told to tone down his bird-themed Malbon Golf outfits at Masters: report

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Jason Day already told to tone down his bird-themed Malbon Golf outfits at Masters: report

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The Masters Tournament is all about tradition, and that includes everything down to what the golfers wear during the four days at Augusta National Golf Club.

That was on display last year when Australian star Jason Day was asked to keep his Malbon Golf outfits a bit more reserved. But it seems that he’s already starting to push the boundary before teeing off for his first round on Thursday.

Day, a former world No. 1 golfer, was spotted on Monday for his practice round in Malbon’s “Birds of Georgia” collection, wearing a top that featured a bunch of different birds, from orioles to cardinals to woodpeckers and more. The outfit was supposed to have matching pants, but it was reported by Sports Illustrated that Day was told by Augusta National to wear normal, solid-colored pants instead.

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Jason Day of Australia plays a shot from the 12th hole tee box during a practice round before the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 6, 2026. (Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

This came after Malbon dropped Day’s fits for the week on social media.

“If you are on the course and you are tuned in with nature and know the sounds of birds, you’ll make more birdies,” Malbon Golf founder Stephen Malbon told the outlet about Day’s lineup for the week. “It’s inspired by Native American beliefs. Each one of these birds has a different meaning. I’ve been sending the noises of the birds to Jason for the last six months. Hopefully, he’s trying to stay in touch with nature.”

Throughout the week, Day’s birdwatcher-themed outfits will even feature a vest, set for Wednesday’s practice round.

TIGER WOODS STEPPING BACK INTO COMPETITIVE GOLF AS MASTERS LOOM

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Day isn’t the only Malbon athlete in the field either. Sungjae Im will be rocking Malbon’s bird-themed clothing.

In 2024, Day made national headlines with his first Masters collaboration with Malbon. He was spotted wearing a vest that had “No. 313. Malbon Golf Championship” written across it in bold lettering with accompanying blue, baggy pants.

Jason Day of Australia wears a detailed vest during a practice round before the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 6, 2026. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

But, when Day showed up to the course for his next round, which came on the same day due to a rainout on Thursday, the vest was no longer being worn.

Day revealed that Augusta National told him to remove the sweater, and as he didn’t want to ruffle any feathers during the first major of the year, he did what he was told.

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“My agent got a call from high above and said, ‘Hey, we need Jason to take that vest off.’”

Day said last year’s original Masters plans were “a lot crazier” than the 2024 lineup, and the Masters requested an early look at what he was expected to wear. Plans had to be changed.

Jason Day of Australia practices at the tournament practice area before the 2026 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Ga., on April 6, 2026. (Andrew Redington/Getty Images)

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But, while Day admitted he was “not here to step on anyone’s toes because I know that when we play at the Masters, it’s all about the Masters,” his outfits this week already seem to be pushing the limit.

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This will be Day’s 15th Masters Tournament appearance at Augusta National, with his best finish coming in 2011 when he finished tied for second.

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Months after venting about losing, WNBA star Angel Reese has been traded to Atlanta

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Months after venting about losing, WNBA star Angel Reese has been traded to Atlanta

Angel Reese has a new WNBA home.

After spending her first two seasons with the Chicago Sky, the two-time All Star has been traded to the Atlanta Dream in exchange for first-round picks in 2027 and 2028, the teams announced Monday morning. Atlanta also receives the option to swap second-round picks with Chicago in 2028.

“An Angel’s DREAM,” Reese posted on X. “ATL WHAT UP?!”

Reese was already a star before coming to the WNBA after helping Louisiana State win the national championship over Caitlin Clark and Iowa in 2023 and leading the Tigers back to the Elite Eight the following year.

Selected by Chicago with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, Reese finished as runner-up to Clark in rookie-of-the-year voting and led the league in rebounds per game in each of her first two seasons. Overall, she has averaged 14.1 points and 12.9 rebounds a game.

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The Sky have gone 23-61 and missed the playoffs both seasons since drafting Reese. On Sept. 3, the Chicago Tribune published quotes from the star player that indicated her frustration with the team’s inability to build a winning roster and an inclination to leave if the organization isn’t able to get it right.

“I’d like to be here for my career, but if things don’t pan out, obviously I might have to move in a different direction and do what’s best for me,” Reese told the Tribune.

After the Sky’s 88-64 victory over the Connecticut Sun that night, Reese told reporters she had apologized to her teammates about the article.

“I think the language is taken out of context,” she said, “and I really didn’t intentionally mean to put down my teammates, because they’ve been through this with me throughout the whole year. They’ve busted their ass, just how I bust my ass, they showed up for me through thick and thin, and in the locker room when nobody could see anything.”

Reese did not play for Chicago again. She was suspended half a game for her comments, which were deemed “detrimental to the team,” served a separate mandatory one-game suspension by the WNBA for receiving eight technical fouls during the season and missed the final three games of the season with what was listed as a back injury.

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The Sky said in a statement Monday that the “trade is designed to achieve roster balance and represents a great opportunity for all parties.”

“Angel has achieved many record-breaking milestones in her first two years in the WNBA and has been a competitive force for the Sky,” the team wrote. “We are thankful for her many important contributions to this league and this game, and we know she will continue to have a big impact on the court and beyond.”

Reese joins an Atlanta team that went 30-14 and finished first in the Eastern Conference before losing to the Indiana Fever in the first round of the playoffs. The roster includes Allisha Gray, who finished fourth in the MVP voting last season, as well as sixth player of the year Naz Hillmon and All-Star Brionna Jones.

“Angel is a dynamic talent and a perfect fit for what we are building in Atlanta,” Dream general manager Dan Padover said in a statement. “She has already proven herself as one of the most impactful players in the league, and her competitiveness, production and drive to win align seamlessly with our vision. This is an exciting moment for our organization and our fans.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Dawn Staley gives classy answer after Geno Auriemma question following national title loss: ‘It’s UCLA’s day’

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Dawn Staley gives classy answer after Geno Auriemma question following national title loss: ‘It’s UCLA’s day’

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South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was disappointed how the Gamecocks’ season ended on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, a 79-51 loss to the UCLA Bruins in the national championship game.

During her post-game interview, Staley was asked about what happened in the Gamecocks’ prior Final Four matchup against UConn, where she and head coach Geno Auriemma had a tense exchange after South Carolina advanced to the title game for the third year in a row.

Rather than hash out more of her thoughts, Staley had a classy response.

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Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball championship game against the UCLA Bruins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026. (Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos)

“I don’t want – this is UCLA’s day, right? Let’s keep it UCLA, them winning the national championship,” Staley told reporters, via The Athletic. “… We’re not going to damper UCLA’s day with it.”

Before this national title contest, Staley was spotted having a cordial experience greeting UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close — a much different experience than how Friday night ended with Auriemma.

UCLA WINS FIRST WOMEN’S BASKETBALL NATIONAL TITLE IN PROGRAM HISTORY WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER SOUTH CAROLINA

After the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies, Staley and Auriemma went viral with their interaction at midcourt, where Auriemma appeared to enrage Staley before walking off.

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This time, Staley and Close hugged and shared a few words. During the exchange, Staley “looked around afterward like, ‘see??’”, per NBC Sports.

Staley was showing a bit of sarcasm, as she noted Auriemma didn’t shake her hand before the Final Four tipped off between the two teams on Friday night.

After the Gamecocks’ victory over the Huskies, Staley was asked what exactly happened with Auriemma, though she tried to explain her focus in helping her team lock in for the national title game. If they won, it would’ve been the fourth national championship in the last 10 years for South Carolina.

Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins watches during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026. (Christian Petersen/Getty Images)

“For me, no distractions at this time. I’m concentrating on winning a national championship, that’s it,” Staley said at the time. “That’s a little disheartening. This is sports, sometimes things like this happen. Continue to focus on my team and ability to advance in this tournament and hopefully win another national championship.”

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Auriemma later released a statement, apologizing for his behavior after the loss.

“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut,” the Hall of Fame coach said in a statement on Saturday. “I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”

Staley added she had “no idea” why Auriemma was angry after the game, though she guessed perhaps he was ticked off by the lack of handshake before the game on his own end. Either way, Staley was moving forward.

UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close shakes hands with South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley after defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the NCAA women’s championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 4, 2026. (Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)

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“I don’t know what he came with after the game, but, hey, sometimes things get heated. We move on,” she said.

For UCLA, it was the first time the women’s basketball program has won the national title, as their emotional celebration ensued following the game in Phoenix.

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