nfl

Bill Belichick isn’t the only key figure from the New England Patriots dynasty who won’t be getting into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this year.

Team owner Robert Kraft also failed to receive enough votes to be included in the Class of 2026, according to multiple media outlets. The inductees will be announced Thursday night at the NFL Honors ceremony in San Francisco.

Kraft was among the many people who expressed disbelief last week when the news surfaced that Belichick, who coached the Patriots to six Super Bowl victories and nine appearances in the NFL’s championship game, would not be entering the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility.

“Whatever perceptions may exist about any personal differences between Bill and me, I strongly believe Bill Belichick’s record and body of work speak for themselves,” Kraft said in a statement.

“He is the greatest coach of all time,” he added, “and he unequivocally deserves to be a unanimous first-ballot Pro Football Hall of Famer.”

Belichick and Kraft were part of a pool of candidates separate from that of the modern-era players. Belichick was this year’s finalist in the coaches category, while Kraft was the finalist in the contributors category. Three former players — Ken Anderson, Roger Craig and L.C. Greenwood — were selected as finalists in the seniors category.

The 50 members of the Hall’s selection committee were allowed to vote for up to three of those five finalists. A maximum of three of those finalists can make it into the Hall by receiving at least 80% of the votes. If none of them gets 80%, then the person receiving the most votes makes the cut.

Kraft was first nominated for the Hall of Fame in 2013 and was a finalist for the first time this year. He has made it to the Super Bowl 11 times since buying the Patriots in 1994, more than any team owner in NFL history.

While Kraft may not have his name announced as a Hall of Famer this week, he could be getting a pretty decent consolation prize days later — if coach Mike Vrabel, quarterback Drake Maye and the rest of the current Patriots bring home the Lombardi Trophy by beating the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl LX.

CARDI B loves bad boy Stefon Diggs, but one wrong move and she’s out, two sources have told The U.S. Sun.

The controversial NFL star is gearing up for next weekend’s Super Bowl, with the chance to lead the New England Patriots to glory in San Francisco. 

As The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed, the Patriots star has six baby mamas dotted across the United States, with the most recent addition to his ever-growing brood arriving late last year. 

Diggs, 32, and Cardi welcomed their son on November 4.

Incredibly, most of Diggs’ children were born within a few months of each other in 2025, fueling intense speculation and online debate. 

Amid paternity battles and feverish social media chatter, Cardi has quietly backed her man behind the scenes.

Read more on Stefon Diggs

DIGG DEEP

Stefon Diggs ‘shells out huge child support payments to baby mamas,’ expert says

An insider told The U.S. Sun that she was fully aware of Diggs’ reputation from the start — and believes he has changed.

“Cardi has known since day one that Stefon had a reputation as a womanizer and had seen multiple women in the past, but her love for him is above all of that,” the source said. 

“She knows he has been faithful since they made things official and that he’s been transparent about his previous relationships, only seeing her since they committed to each other.”

The insider added that while Cardi “hates all the drama,” she admires Diggs’ role as a father.

“She loves that he’s not a deadbeat dad,” the source said. “She believes he’s a present, loving, and supportive father.”

Diggs’ first child, daughter Nova, was born in 2016, but his family has expanded rapidly in recent years. 

In late 2024, Instagram model Aileen Lopera filed a paternity suit claiming Diggs was the father of her unborn child. Their daughter, Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera, was born in April 2025.

Diggs initially requested DNA testing, and by late 2025, The U.S. Sun exclusively revealed he was the biological father. 

The lawsuit was quietly dismissed in January 2026, suggesting the matter was resolved privately.

NO MESSING

Around the same time, Diggs also welcomed children with other women, including K’yanna Barber, who has previously been linked to Drake.

Rather than viewing Diggs’ children as competition or conflict, Cardi, who starting dating the Patriots star in October 2024 after divorcing rapper husband Offset, reportedly sees them as part of an extended family.

“She sees his children as an extension of the family and enjoys when they’re all together, spending time as one big extended family,” the source said.

“She doesn’t harbor hate toward Stefon’s exes or the mothers of his children. She doesn’t judge — she just wants everyone, especially the kids, to be happy and grow up in a stable, healthy environment.”

Still, Cardi has drawn a firm line.

The source said the New York rapper has been blunt with Diggs, warning him there will be no forgiveness if he crosses it.

“She’s been very clear with Stefon: if he messes up, if another woman comes forward with a baby after they became official and started a family together, she’s done,” the insider said.

“She told him plainly that if he cheats or has a child behind her back, it’s over.”

STEFON DIGGS’ KIDS

Nova Diggs

Born on October 14, 2016, Nova is Stefon’s eldest child and the most recognizable to NFL fans. She has been a fixture at his games since his time in Buffalo, often seen celebrating on the field or “negotiating” his contracts in viral social media clips. Her mother is Tyler-Marie, a singer from the Buffalo area. While the two are no longer a couple, they have maintained a visible co-parenting relationship for nearly a decade.

Shiloh Diggs

Shiloh was born in 2023 and is Stefon’s second-oldest child. She is the daughter of Kennedy Moore, a model from Diggs’ home state of Maryland. While Diggs kept her arrival relatively private compared to Nova’s, he shared photos of them together during the 2025 holiday season, confirming her place in his growing family tree.

Charliee Harper Diggs-Lopera

Born on April 2, 2025, Charliee was at the center of a high-profile legal battle. Her mother, Los Angeles-based model Aileen Lopera (known online as Lord Gisselle), filed a paternity suit in late 2024. In November 2025, DNA testing legally confirmed Stefon as the father. The case was officially resolved in January 2026 after Aileen dismissed her lawsuit, with both parties reportedly agreeing to a private co-parenting arrangement.

[Daughter – Name Not Public]

In April 2025—the same month Charliee was born—Stefon reportedly welcomed another daughter with New York City-based Instagram model Cayy Benji. While this child is rarely mentioned in formal interviews, Diggs was seen spending time with her during his 2025 Christmas break, solidifying reports of her paternity within the “wave” of children he fathered that year.

“Baby Brim” / “Touchdown”

Stefon’s most famous addition is his son with superstar rapper Cardi B, born on November 4, 2025. This is Cardi’s fourth child and Stefon’s first confirmed son. While the public and the parents themselves use the nicknames “Baby Brim” and “Touchdown,” Cardi B explicitly denied rumors in late January 2026 that his legal name is “Grayson,” stating that they are not yet ready to reveal his official name to the world.

[Son – Name Not Public]

The sixth and final child reported as of early 2026 is a son with Miami-based influencer K’yanna Barber. Barber is famously known as the “Kiki” referenced in Drake’s hit “In My Feelings.” Reports of her pregnancy surfaced in late 2024, and she is believed to have given birth in late 2025. Like several of his other 2025 additions, Diggs was pictured holding the infant during the 2025 holidays.

While fiercely loyal, Cardi reportedly struggles when Diggs is publicly criticized.

“She does get upset when people talk badly about him, seeing it as disrespect,” the second source said.

“She’s had arguments over how some people address or treat him in public — but she’s learning how to handle it better.”

Behind the scenes, Cardi has played an active role in helping Diggs navigate co-parenting and blended-family dynamics.

“When she loves, she fights for her man. Period,” the source said. “She talks to him often about how to best navigate situations involving multiple baby mamas and co-parenting. She gives him advice on being the best father he can be, and he appreciates the constant support she shows him.”

It promises to be another whirlwind few weeks for Diggs. 

Fresh from taking part in his first Super Bowl, he is set to head to court to contest felony strangulation and misdemeanor assault and battery charges stemming from an alleged incident in a Boston suburb on December 2.

The woman, who has not been publicly identified and was employed by Diggs as a personal chef, filed a police report on December 16 — several weeks after the alleged incident. 

According to Dedham police, she appeared “emotional and hesitant” to identify the suspect, citing his fame and public profile in New England.

Court documents allege Diggs entered her unlocked bedroom and confronted her over a text-message dispute regarding money he allegedly owed her. 

As the argument escalated, Diggs allegedly struck her across the face. When she attempted to push him away, he then tried to choke her, according to the report.

“The male then tried to choke her using the crook of his elbow around her neck,” the police report stated.

Another issue for Diggs, who is on a whopping $70 million, three-year deal with the Patriots, could be him shelling out an estimated $2 million alone on child support, according to an expert who spoke to The U.S. Sun.

Despite the mounting pressure, Cardi is standing by her man.

“She believes he’s telling the truth,” the source said. “She knows how frustrating these situations can be, but she’s there for him 100 percent, fighting alongside him.

“She sees herself as a lioness standing beside her lion — defending him, wanting him to be respected and loved, while also holding him accountable for his actions.

“To her, love means going to war for your partner when needed — being their strongest support in any circumstance.”

The U.S. Sun reached out to Cardi B’s reps, but is yet to hear back.

Rams kick returner Xavier Smith muffs a punt as Seattle’s Dareke Young recovers the ball in the third quarter Sunday in the NFC championship game.

(Jane Gershovich / Getty Images)

Mistake-prone special teams: Blocked kicks led to multiple early-season defeats, and the Rams in November signed Harrison Mevis to replace Joshua Karty and veteran snapper Jake McQuaide to replace Alex Ward.

A punt return for a touchdown by Seattle’s Rashid Shaheed on Dec. 18 ultimately led to McVay firing special teams coordinator Chase Blackburn.

Punter Ethan Evans was mostly solid and Mevis performed well. But punt returner Xavier Smith’s attempt to catch a ball while he was falling down in the NFC championship game resulted in a fumble that led to a pivotal touchdown by the Seahawks.

Too much for Tutu: Don’t blame receiver Tutu Atwell.

The Rams selected the diminutive-but-speedy receiver in the second round of the 2021 draft, but McVay, who is regarded as perhaps the best offensive mind in football, never fully maximized Atwell’s skill set. Atwell became a free agent after the 2024 season, and the Rams gave him a $10-million, one-year contract, ostensibly with promises that they had finally figured it out.

Alas, Atwell caught six passes (about $1.7 million per catch), including an 88-yard winning touchdown against the Indianapolis Colts. He was not active for the divisional-round playoff game against the Chicago Bears or the NFC championship.

No investment in secondary: The Rams were so confident the pass rush would be dominant, they stood pat and made no changes to the secondary. No draft picks. No free agents.

They made a trade deadline deal for cornerback Roger McCreary but otherwise rode with the same group from 2024.

In the NFC championship, Cobie Durant and Darious Williams started at cornerback.

Nacua’s social media mistake: Nacua, perhaps more than any other Rams player, embraces social media opportunities and has become one of the NFL’s most popular personalities.

But while appearing on a livestream a few days before a critical Week 16 game at Seattle, Nacua made critical comments about officials and, unbeknownst to Nacua, made an anti-semetic gesture. Nacua apologized and the NFL and the Rams issued statements. After scoring two touchdowns and amassing 225 yards receiving in the overtime defeat, Nacua posted another critical comment about officials. He was fined $25,000.

Lost home-field advantage: Entering a Week 13 game at Carolina, the Rams were 9-2, had won six games in a row and held the No. 1 seed for the NFC playoffs, which came with home-field advantage for the playoffs.

The Rams lost to the Panthers, the first of three losses in their final six games. They finished with the No. 5 seed.

That meant the Rams probably would have to win three road games to advance to the Super Bowl. They came back for playoff victories at Carolina and Chicago but could not do it at Seattle.

Minter has agreed to return to Baltimore in the top job, having previously spent four years as an assistant coach with the Ravens under Harbaugh.

The 42-year-old then worked in the college game before returning to the NFL as the Los Angeles Chargers defensive co-ordinator for the past two seasons.

“This is an organisation whose values, culture and tradition of excellence reflect everything I believe about the game of football and how it should be played,” said Minter.

Ravens owner Steve Bisciotti added: “He clearly understands the values, high expectations and history of the Ravens, and he has a great vision for the future.”

Harbaugh had been in charge of the Ravens for 18 years so Minter will be just the fourth head coach in the team’s 31-year history.

He also had a second interview with the Las Vegas Raiders and cancelled an interview with the Cleveland Browns.

Just like his famously inventive offenses, Mike McDaniel had many options.

He interviewed for several head coaching jobs after his four-year tenure in charge of the Miami Dolphins ended this month, and he could have been an offensive coordinator pretty much anywhere he pleased.

McDaniel still wants to be a head coach again someday, but he chose to join the Chargers alongside Jim Harbaugh and Justin Herbert because the combination of time, place and personnel seemed perfect for this idiosyncratic coach who also happens to be one of the top offensive minds in football.

“It didn’t take long for me to feel this is what I was looking for,” the Chargers’ new offensive coordinator said Tuesday. “You just want to be a part of a hungry organization with like-minded football people that are doing anything and everything to win. And for me, the opportunity to work with coach Harbaugh was too good to pass up. It felt like I was extremely fortunate to be afforded this opportunity.”

Harbaugh and the Chargers seem equally fortunate to land McDaniel, an ideal candidate for the crucial job of directing Herbert’s career into something worthy of his prodigious talent.

In his introductory news conference, McDaniel immediately went into great detail about what he wants to do for Herbert, who has thrown for 24,820 yards and 163 touchdowns while emerging as one of the NFL’s top passers in his six seasons with the Chargers.

“You have a competitive player that each and every year is trying to get better at his craft, (but) I think he hasn’t neared the ceiling to what he’s capable of,” McDaniel said.

Herbert has consistently shined despite playing with three permanent head coaches, four offensive coordinators and a changing collection of playmakers and linemen around him.

Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert scrambles against the New England Patriots in the AFC wild-card playoffs on Jan. 11.

(Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

Despite playing in some offensive schemes perceived to be relatively primitive by modern NFL standards, particularly in the past two years under Harbaugh and fired coordinator Greg Roman, Herbert has frequently carried the Chargers through his improvisation, arm strength and sheer competitive will.

Essentially, McDaniel doesn’t want Herbert to have to work so hard.

“There’s a lot of incredible plays Justin has made,” McDaniel said. “He’s firmly capable, and sometimes as a coach you can rely upon that a little too much. … It can be taxing over time for a player to necessitate an incredible play too often, so you try to take it off of him by creating some low-cost, high-reward offense that he’s firmly capable of doing, but maybe a player of lesser talent would be capable of doing as well.”

McDaniel said the Dolphins’ struggles when Tua Tagovailoa was out with injuries reinforced his determination to keep Herbert safer. The Chargers quarterback took 96 sacks in the past two seasons.

“He has an incredible ability to do off-schedule (throws),” McDaniel said. “I think I’ll be firmly coaching away from the off-schedule stuff at the front end, because he can always go back to that comfort zone as you work out other things. I think a primary focus on how to have offense without putting him in a vulnerable position will be a starting point, and we’ll extrapolate from there.”

McDaniel and Herbert spoke last week, and the quarterback is ready to work.

“He was in high spirits and just excited about attacking something,” McDaniel said. “You lose in the playoffs in the first round, it’s a lot of work that you feel kind of like (left you with) an empty stomach. So that hunger, I could hear in his voice.”

Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh attends Mike McDaniel’s introductory news conference on Tuesday.

(Marcio Jose Sanchez / Associated Press)

McDaniel is joining a good team that needed a spark after consecutive 11-6 seasons followed by two playoff losses under Harbaugh. The Chargers have needed that spark to join the NFL’s upper echelon ever since they moved north from San Diego, posting six winning records over nine years with just one postseason victory.

McDaniel could be the ingredient to put the Chargers into championship contention if this partnership with Harbaugh flourishes. The 42-year-old coordinator hit it off immediately with his famously square-looking new boss.

“I feel like we’re the same guy,” McDaniel said while Harbaugh laughed at the back of the room. “He’s just taller. No, I think one thing we share is that Jim has never patterned himself after somebody. He’s his own person, and I would say that hopefully I would be described in a similar fashion. Who knows? I might be a 100% Dockers coach now.”

The fashion-forward McDaniel’s line was even funnier because he delivered it while wearing what appeared to be a $12,000 Bottega Veneta woven leather jacket.

The chance to learn from Harbaugh was important in his decision, but McDaniel also paid his respect to past Chargers coaches Sid Gillman and Don Coryell, two offensive innovators who changed football forever.

“There was a lot that I found very attractive,” McDaniel said. “I was fortunate to have some opportunities, but it started with coach Harbaugh. To be a part of an organization that has the legacy of Sid and Air Coryell, I was super attracted to. Got a quarterback who I’ve always admired, and just a lot of young players. A great situation for my family and me to go to the next chapter.”

Beacham writes for the Associated Press.