January 9, 2026 4:36 am
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Pittsburgh offensive coordinator Arthur Smith confirmed Thursday that the Tennessee Titans have reached out to interview him for their head coach opening. Smith said he’s only focused on his current job and the future is a distraction right now. Smith coached for the Titans from 2011 when he started as a quality control assistant up to offensive coordinator in 2019 under four different head coaches. He left after the 2020 season to be head coach of the Atlanta Falcons where he went 21-30 in three seasons. The Titans were the first NFL team to fire a coach in October and now are among eight looking for a new coach.
January 9, 2026 2:36 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Ryan O’Hearn is a Pittsburgh Pirate. The veteran first baseman and outfielder has signed two-year deal with Pittsburgh worth $29 million. This is the Pirates’ first multi-year free agent agreement in nearly a decade. O’Hearn is coming off his best season, hitting .281 with 17 home runs and 63 RBIs in 2025. He made the All-Star team for the first time while playing for Baltimore and San Diego. This move follows Pittsburgh’s acquisition of two-time All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe from Tampa Bay as the Pirates try to build an offense to help out a pitching staff led by reigning Cy Young Award winner Paul Skenes.
January 8, 2026 4:30 am
LAS VEGAS (AP) — The NFL playoffs could see an unusual number of road favorites this weekend. As of Wednesday, four road teams are favored at BetMGM Sportsbook. Green Bay is a narrow favorite at Chicago, and the same is true for Buffalo at Jacksonville. That means there’s a chance those road teams won’t be favored by kickoff. The Los Angeles Rams are bigger favorites at Carolina, and Houston is favored at Pittsburgh. There were only three road favorites all of last postseason, according to Sportradar. And even in the games this weekend where the home team is favored, the lines aren’t that big.
January 8, 2026 4:32 am
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Ty Simpson has declared for the NFL draft. Simpson leaves Alabama after one season as the Crimson Tide’s starting quarterback. The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Simpson could be one of the top quarterbacks drafted in April. Indiana’s Fernando Mendoza is seen as the likely No. 1 selection. Simpson threw for 3,567 yards and completed 64.5% of his passes this season. He threw for 28 touchdowns with five interceptions, and he ran for two scores. Alabama lost to Mendoza and top-ranked Indiana in the Rose Bowl. Simpson suffered a cracked rib that knocked him out of that game.
January 8, 2026 4:31 am
Hockey is set to be a highlight at the Winter Olympics, with NHL players returning for the first time since 2014 and top women’s players competing for the eighth time. The main arena will feature smaller ice than NHL players are used to. North American teams are the ones to beat, with stars like Sidney Crosby and Hilary Knight aiming for gold. Russia is barred from hockey due to the war in Ukraine, sidelining top players like Alex Ovechkin.
January 7, 2026 2:36 am
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — John Harbaugh has been fired after 18 seasons as the Baltimore Ravens’ coach. Owner Steve Bisciotti said Tuesday relieved Harbaugh of his duties after the Ravens were one of the league’s most disappointing teams this season. They went 8-9 and missed the playoffs after entering Week 1 as one of the Super Bowl favorites. Baltimore’s season ended Sunday night when Tyler Loop missed a last-second field-goal attmpt, allowing Pittsburgh to hold on for a 26-24 victory in the game that decided the AFC North title.
January 7, 2026 4:24 am
A team official says coordinators Kliff Kingsbury and Joe Whitt Jr. are both gone from head coach Dan Quinn’s staff with the Washington Commanders after a 5-12 season. Kingsbury, the offensive coordinator, and Whitt, who had been in charge of the defense until being stripped of play-calling duties during the season, arrived in Washington with Quinn before the 2024 season. Quinn and Kingsbury mutually agreed to part ways, according to the person who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the staff changes hadn’t been announced. Whitt was dismissed. Bobby Johnson is out as Washington’s offensive line coach, too.
January 7, 2026 4:26 am
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) — NASCAR Commissioner Steve Phelps has announced his resignation after over 20 years with the organization. His departure follows a federal trial where inflammatory texts he sent during revenue-sharing negotiations were revealed. Phelps will leave at the end of the month, ahead of the season’s start. His texts, including a derogatory comment about Hall of Fame team owner Richard Childress, led to backlash from supporters. Despite his contributions to NASCAR, including expanding its international presence and returning the sport during the COVID-19 shutdown, his resignation comes amid controversy. NASCAR has not announced plans to replace him immediately.
January 6, 2026 4:25 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin isn’t dwelling on “what-ifs” after his team edged Baltimore to win the AFC North title for the first time in five years. While Tomlin is aware Pittsburgh’s margin of error is razor thin, he’s not going to apologize after the Steelers reached the playoffs when Baltimore’s Tyler Loop missed a 44-yard field-goal attempt on the final play. The Steelers face the streaking Houston Texans in the first round. Oddsmakers have made Houston an early favorite. Pittsburgh quarterback Aaron Rodgers is optimistic, saying the thrilling victory over Ravens should give the Steelers an added confidence boost.
January 6, 2026 4:26 am
PITTSBURGH (AP) — Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf is back at work following a two-game suspension for initiating contact with a fan. Metcalf says he’s relieved the Steelers were able to win the AFC North during his absence, freeing him up to return for a first-round playoff matchup with Houston. The Steelers clinched their first division title in five years with a thrilling 26-24 win over Baltimore on Sunday night. Metcalf watched from afar as the game had four fourth-quarter lead changes. He said it was like riding a roller coaster and is eager to help the Steelers try to win a playoff game for the first time since 2016.
