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Megadeth recently sat down for a SiriusXM Front Row interview with Jose Mangin on Liquid Metal to promote the band’s 17th and final studio album, Megadeth.
During the conversation, Dave Mustaine spoke candidly about his long, complicated history with Metallica, offering rare words of respect and admiration for his former bandmates while discussing Megadeth‘s newly recorded cover of Metallica‘s “Ride The Lightning.”
According to Mustaine, the idea to cover the song came late in the album process and marked unfamiliar territory for Megadeth. “We were nearing the end of the record and we’ve had cover songs by other people, but never a version of a song that I’d done before, excluding what happened with ‘Mechanix’ back in album number one,” Mustaine explained.
After some encouragement from management, Mustaine decided to take on the challenge — but only if Megadeth could put its own stamp on it. “You’ve got to do it as good as they do it or better. So how do you do a song better than Metallica?”
Mustaine said the band focused on modernizing the track, speeding it up slightly, reinforcing the drum fills, and reworking the solos. Guitar duties were split between Mustaine and Teemu Mäntysaari, with a nod to how Kirk Hammett originally approached the leads. “Kirk was doing it the way that I was originally doing it,” Mustaine noted.
Vocally, Mustaine took a different approach from James Hetfield, acknowledging their contrasting styles. “James and I have two very unique voices… I sang it a little bit more. I think James kind of had a more forceful delivery.”
Aware that comparisons would be inevitable, Mustaine admitted there was pressure in tackling such an iconic song — but said fan reaction so far has been overwhelmingly positive. “So far everybody that I’ve talked to really likes what we did… a lot of people noticed that we sped it up or beefed up the drums and solos, and they like it.”
Beyond the musical details, Mustaine emphasized that recording “Ride The Lightning” was also about respect and closure. “I wanted to pay my respects to James and to Lars… close the circle.”
He shared a personal anecdote from Metallica‘s early days, recalling the first time he saw Hetfield step into the role of guitarist and realizing the band had found something special. “I watched him and I went, ‘I don’t know how it happened, but hooray for me and hooray for Metallica because this guy is as good as I am, and now we’re going to be great.'”
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Commercial crude oil stocks decreased by 2.3 million barrels and were about 3% below the five-year average for the time of year, said the Energy Information Administration.
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Jordan Reid
Jordan Reid
NFL draft analyst
Matt Miller
Matt Miller
NFL draft analyst
Field Yates
Field Yates
ESPN NFL Insider
Multiple Authors
Tuesday was the first of three days of Senior Bowl practices in Mobile, Alabama, with more than 100 top prospects working out in front of coaches, scouts and personnel from all 32 NFL teams.
The Senior Bowl is an invite-only showcase of upperclassmen prospects and an important step toward forming a plan for the 2026 NFL draft. You can check out practice coverage Wednesday at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2/ESPN App, and then at 5 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App. Thursday’s practices will air at 2:30 p.m. ET on ESPNU/ESPN App, and then at 5 p.m. ET on ESPNNews. (Thursday’s practices will air again at 10 p.m. ET on ESPN2.) The Senior Bowl game kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. ET in Mobile (NFL Network).
NFL draft analysts Matt Miller, Jordan Reid and Field Yates are on hand. What are the biggest takeaways from Tuesday’s session? Which quarterbacks made a move up the board, and who else stood out? We answered these questions off each practice and sized up how some of the top names in college football fared. (Reid also gave his assessment of Shrine Bowl practices late last week.)
Let’s take a look at Tuesday’s action.
Jump to:
Day 1: Takeaway | QBs | Risers | Notes
Shrine Bowl observations
The defensive line class stood out on Day 1. With many of the perceived top players at the position not participating in the Senior Bowl — only two players (Zion Young, Lee Hunter) in my overall my top 32 are here — there’s an opportunity for risers to increase their draft stock, as there are fewer elite prospects to distract scouts. That’s the case for this deep group of defensive linemen.
On Tuesday, Young, Hunter, Caleb Banks (Florida) and T.J. Parker (Clemson) all looked like top-40 players in a class with average talent. But the 2026 class is lacking overall, which could put those four closer to the overall top 25 given their standout play in the first practice session. Hunter was the best player I saw on the field throughout two practices (more on that later), but Parker and Young both won consistently with power and length while using speed to close on the ball in team sessions. And Banks, who is returning from a season-ending foot injury, was as impactful as expected. You’re going to hear a lot about this defensive line class in the next three months. Tuesday was a great introduction. — Miller
Tuesday’s top performance belonged to Cole Payton (North Dakota State). The lefty passer had two of the most impressive throws of the day, the best coming off a bootleg on a deep ball to Caleb Douglas (Texas Tech). Having played in under-center at North Dakota State, Payton looked comfortable taking snaps and making throws from multiple pre-snap platforms. Even though he has a bit of an elongated and loopy throwing motion, it didn’t have a negative effect on his timing.
Payton displayed his accuracy and mobility in multiple sessions. Payton suffered a broken thumb on his throwing hand during the Bison’s loss in the FCS playoffs. He showed no signs of that injury. Payton carries grades as early as Round 4, as he’s a big athlete that some teams have mentioned as a project worth selecting on Day 3. — Reid
All eyes were on Hood, my top-ranked player at the Senior Bowl, and he stepped up Tuesday. He showed patience and confidence in one-on-one settings, turning and running with opposing receivers with ease while not being beaten once. The 5-foot-11, 188-pound junior was my No. 18-ranked player entering the week and solidified his status as the best player in Mobile throughout position drills and team settings. The Buccaneers, Jets and Lions all look like strong landing spots for him in the middle of Round 1. — Miller
I’m always looking for that “wow” first impression at all-star games and Hunter delivered it during team drills Tuesday. Lining up as a 1-technique, Hunter absolutely demolished an interior offensive lineman with his first-step power, rocking back the blocker’s shoulders and easily gaining ground. That backs up what we saw on tape during Texas Tech’s run to the CFP this season. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound Hunter currently ranks No. 29 on my board and boosted his stock even more on Tuesday. — Miller
Given that he played at a small school, this week provides a unique opportunity for Hurst. The lengthy wideout (6-foot-3, 207 pounds) made one of the better highlights of the day with a one-handed sideline grab. Hurst’s fluidity, especially given his size, has scouts intrigued. He’s a strong run-after-catch player, too. With a strong predraft showing, Hurst could move up into the third round from his current spot, which I view as early on Day 3. — Yates
Viewed as one of the nation’s top defenders entering the season, Parker didn’t have the season many envisioned, with his sack total falling from 11 in 2024 to five last season. Parker took a positive step toward reviving his draft prospects on the first day of practice Tuesday, as the 6-foot-3, 265-pounder displayed lots of power in his hands. That strength was present throughout multiple periods of practice. Scouts view Parker as a top-40 prospect who could sneak into the back end of Round 1. — Reid
After playing guard exclusively during his career at Georgia Tech, the 6-foot-4, 320-pound Rutledge took snaps at center throughout practice Tuesday. Rutledge showed comfort with snapping the ball and demonstrated that he can play any spot along the interior, answering one of the biggest questions scouts had about him entering the Senior Bowl. — Reid
Miller:
Offensive linemen usually start Senior Bowl week slowly while defensive linemen explode onto the scene with speed and power. It’s best to allow offensive linemen to settle in, and that’s what happened with Beau Stephens (Iowa). The guard prospect had a rough rep against Hunter early before settling down and winning with leverage and power against Zane Durant (Penn State) and others in one-on-ones. Stephens is a Day 3 prospect but showed impressive poise Tuesday.
Speaking of Durant, I must single him out for his Day 1 performance. The 6-foot-1, 290-pound defensive tackle won consistently at 3-technique with quickness and leverage throughout the practice against a good group of interior linemen. Durant currently sits as an early Day 3 player on my board but looked more like a top-100 prospect in his initial practice.
Reid:
Edge rusher Nadame Tucker (Western Michigan) caught my eye multiple times Tuesday. Opportunities like this are important for small-school prospects because they present major tests against high-level competition. The 6-foot-3, 250-pound Tucker entered the week as one of the event’s lesser-known names but opened many eyes during the first day of practice. He could interest teams looking for a midround pass rusher.
Wide receiver Malachi Fields (Notre Dame) was the best offensive player on the American team on Day 1. Officially measuring 6-foot-4, 218 pounds, Fields used his frame well. He was challenged multiple times at the line of scrimmage during one-on-ones against the corners. His physicality showed up, and he was able to fight through jam attempts prior to making strong catches. Fields carries a mixture of mid-to-late Day 2 grades as a prospect who continues to trend upward.
Wide receiver Kevin Coleman Jr. (Missouri) quietly had a strong first day. A well-traveled prospect, he started his career at Jackson State (2022) before transferring to Louisville (2023) and Mississippi State (2024) before landing at Missouri. Coleman is a smooth route runner who spent time on the outside and in the slot during practice. He also looked comfortable fielding punts on a chilly and windy day. In speaking to scouts, Coleman is primarily viewed as an early-to-mid Day 3 prospect, which is where I also have him currently.
Yates:
Edge rusher Zion Young (Missouri) brought ferocious energy to the one-on-ones, as he showed the power that made him a great college player. Young wins with knock-back power and length as a rusher, which he used to land an offensive tackle on his back in a one-on-one rep. I think Young will go early in Round 2.
Gennings Dunker is the next in a long line of talented Iowa offensive linemen, and I liked what I saw from him in pass protection Tuesday. Dunker showed good lateral agility and the length to ward off edge rushers, plus a toughness and finish on his reps (as well as an off-the-charts mullet). He’s another Day 2 prospect for me.
I spent three days at the Shrine Bowl last week and the talent didn’t disappoint. Cornerback Avery Smith (Toledo) was the week’s biggest winner. He had no problem with the bump in competition, showing that he was capable of playing press man and in zone coverage. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Smith was the prospect scouts were buzzing about the most and might have played his way into the top 100.
Offensive lineman Brian Parker II (Duke) also stood out. After spending last season at left tackle, the 6-foot-5, 300-pound Parker played center at Shrine Bowl practices, showing strong hands and a balanced base. He was viewed as a Day 3 prospect entering the event but boosted his stock and could go as early as Round 3.
On the quarterback front, Cade Klubnik (Clemson) recovered from a subpar Day 1 and had a strong final two days of practice. A streaky thrower, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Klubnik had multiple excellent throws during the team portions of practice. He showed plenty of emotion after each impressive throw and certainly helped his standing. Opinions remained mixed on where Klubnik will go. Some scouts had third-round grades on him, but there were others who saw him as a mid-Day 3 passer. — Reid
It’s been 40 years since seven people lost their lives when the Challenger space shuttle exploded minutes after launching from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.Video above: NASA remembers fallen astronauts at Kennedy Space CenterThe disaster claimed the lives of Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith A. Resnik, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair, Mike J. Smith and Ellison S. Onizuka.10th flightWith one flight behind them in 1986 and an ambitious schedule for the year ahead, NASA was preparing to launch the Challenger on its 10th flight, dubbed the STS-51L mission. During the six-day endeavor, the crew prepared to deploy a large communications satellite and deliver a payload to study Halley’s Comet.The mission was expected to make history: sending the first teacher to space. The nationwide search, first announced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, garnered intense interest with more than 10,000 teachers applying for the spot on the flight. In 1985, officials announced New Hampshire middle school teacher Christa McAuliffe would join the mission and teach lessons from space.1986 archive report above: Challenger crew speaks to media ahead of missionThe STS-51L mission was originally targeted for Jan. 23, 1986, but was pushed back because of delays with the Columbia shuttle and STS-61C mission just miles away at Launch Pad 39A. Weather conditions only exacerbated the delays more.Scrubbed On Jan. 27, the crew boarded Challenger to prepare for launch, but a mechanical issue and winds scrubbed their first attempt. Overnight, temperatures at Kennedy Space Center dropped significantly, causing ice to cover parts of the launch tower.While engineers had concerns about the effect of the cold temperatures on Jan. 28’s launch attempt, managers cleared the Challenger for flight. What they didn’t know is an O-ring failure caused by the cold doomed the Challenger before it even left the launch pad. Challenger 40 years later: Remembering the tragedy through the teacher who dreamed of space73 seconds after liftoffAs Challenger lifted off at 11:38 a.m., thousands of people, including many children, watched from the ground below while millions more watched it all unfold on live television.For the first minute or so, the flight appeared to travel normally. But at 73 seconds after liftoff, controllers lost all contact with Challenger as a fiery ball streaked across the sky and TV screens. A statement from the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident indicated the crew probably survived the fuel tank blast but ultimately died nearly three minutes later when the crew cabin hit the water at 207 mph.”The forces to which the crew were exposed during orbiter breakup were probably not sufficient to cause death or serious injury,” the statement indicated. “NASA is unable to determine positively the cause of death of the Challenger astronauts but has established that it is possible, but not certain, that loss of consciousness did occur in the seconds following the orbiter break-up.” Archive video from 1986: Nation unites in love after Challenger tragedy’We will never forget them … ‘That evening, Reagan addressed the nation. Quoting John Gillespie Magee, he said, “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’” The explosion led to the grounding of the Space Shuttle fleet for nearly three years, during which various safety measures, solid rocket booster redesign and a new policy on management decision-making for future launches were implemented. ‘Forever Remembered’ exhibitThe “Forever Remembered” exhibit at Kennedy Space Center still stands today, memorializing the seven astronauts lost in the Challenger disaster and the seven others who would be lost in the Columbia disaster on Feb. 1, 2003. There, visitors can see personal belongings from each of the crew members and recovered pieces from the shuttles.NASA still holds a day of remembrance every year to honor those lost and reflect on the safety changes to present-day operations.McAuliffe’s lost lessons were finally taught in space in 2018. Astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold performed some of the experiments from the International Space Station.
It’s been 40 years since seven people lost their lives when the Challenger space shuttle exploded minutes after launching from Florida’s Kennedy Space Center.
Video above: NASA remembers fallen astronauts at Kennedy Space Center
The disaster claimed the lives of Christa McAuliffe, Gregory Jarvis, Judith A. Resnik, Francis R. “Dick” Scobee, Ronald E. McNair, Mike J. Smith and Ellison S. Onizuka.
With one flight behind them in 1986 and an ambitious schedule for the year ahead, NASA was preparing to launch the Challenger on its 10th flight, dubbed the STS-51L mission. During the six-day endeavor, the crew prepared to deploy a large communications satellite and deliver a payload to study Halley’s Comet.
The mission was expected to make history: sending the first teacher to space.
The nationwide search, first announced by Ronald Reagan in 1984, garnered intense interest with more than 10,000 teachers applying for the spot on the flight.
In 1985, officials announced New Hampshire middle school teacher Christa McAuliffe would join the mission and teach lessons from space.
1986 archive report above: Challenger crew speaks to media ahead of mission
The STS-51L mission was originally targeted for Jan. 23, 1986, but was pushed back because of delays with the Columbia shuttle and STS-61C mission just miles away at Launch Pad 39A. Weather conditions only exacerbated the delays more.
On Jan. 27, the crew boarded Challenger to prepare for launch, but a mechanical issue and winds scrubbed their first attempt. Overnight, temperatures at Kennedy Space Center dropped significantly, causing ice to cover parts of the launch tower.
While engineers had concerns about the effect of the cold temperatures on Jan. 28’s launch attempt, managers cleared the Challenger for flight. What they didn’t know is an O-ring failure caused by the cold doomed the Challenger before it even left the launch pad.
Challenger 40 years later: Remembering the tragedy through the teacher who dreamed of space
As Challenger lifted off at 11:38 a.m., thousands of people, including many children, watched from the ground below while millions more watched it all unfold on live television.
For the first minute or so, the flight appeared to travel normally. But at 73 seconds after liftoff, controllers lost all contact with Challenger as a fiery ball streaked across the sky and TV screens.
A statement from the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident indicated the crew probably survived the fuel tank blast but ultimately died nearly three minutes later when the crew cabin hit the water at 207 mph.
“The forces to which the crew were exposed during orbiter breakup were probably not sufficient to cause death or serious injury,” the statement indicated. “NASA is unable to determine positively the cause of death of the Challenger astronauts but has established that it is possible, but not certain, that loss of consciousness did occur in the seconds following the orbiter break-up.”
Archive video from 1986: Nation unites in love after Challenger tragedy
That evening, Reagan addressed the nation. Quoting John Gillespie Magee, he said, “We will never forget them, nor the last time we saw them, this morning, as they prepared for their journey and waved goodbye and ‘slipped the surly bonds of earth’ to ‘touch the face of God.’”
The explosion led to the grounding of the Space Shuttle fleet for nearly three years, during which various safety measures, solid rocket booster redesign and a new policy on management decision-making for future launches were implemented.
The “Forever Remembered” exhibit at Kennedy Space Center still stands today, memorializing the seven astronauts lost in the Challenger disaster and the seven others who would be lost in the Columbia disaster on Feb. 1, 2003. There, visitors can see personal belongings from each of the crew members and recovered pieces from the shuttles.
NASA still holds a day of remembrance every year to honor those lost and reflect on the safety changes to present-day operations.
McAuliffe’s lost lessons were finally taught in space in 2018. Astronauts Joe Acaba and Ricky Arnold performed some of the experiments from the International Space Station.
HAVANA — The number of sexual abuse cases being treated at a clinic in Haiti’s capital has tripled in the past four years as gang violence surges across the troubled Caribbean country, a health charity warned Wednesday.
Doctors Without Borders said it was “alarmed and outraged” by the overwhelming level of sexual and gender-based violence.
“The extent to which numbers have increased, it has shocked us,” Diana Manilla Arroyo, the group’s head of mission in Haiti, said in a phone interview. “It is not only the numbers, but the severity.”
More than half of the patients being treated at the Pran Men’m clinic, which opened a decade ago in Port-au-Prince, were attacked by multiple members of armed groups, the charity, also known as Médecins Sans Frontières, or MSF, said in a new report.
“Over 100 individuals were attacked by 10 or more perpetrators at a time,” it said, noting an average of three perpetrators per case.
The clinic has treated nearly 17,000 patients in the past decade, including 2,300 alone in the first nine months of last year. More than 350 of those patients are boys and men, MSF said.
The demographics of those being attacked has also changed. Prior to 2022, half of all cases at the clinic involved patients younger than 18, compared with 24% today. The number of cases in the 50-80 age range has increased sevenfold, according to MSF.
Gangs control an estimated 90% of Port-au-Prince, with many resorting to sexual abuse to instill fear, experts say.
The abuse occurs during kidnappings, territorial takeovers and to control humanitarian aid, according to MSF.
“Armed groups are using sexual violence to terrorize, control and subjugate communities,” Manilla said.
The report citied one unidentified woman, aged 53, who said she was raped by three men young enough to have been her children.
“They beat me and broke my teeth,” she was quoted as saying. “After raping me, they also raped my daughter.”
At particular risk are those living in makeshift shelters, with gang violence displacing a record 1.4 million people across Haiti in recent years, according to the United Nations.
A 34-year-old woman quoted in the report noted that young women and boys are mixed together at shelters.
“Mothers are forced to stay close because when a child begins to grow, they can become a target for rape at any moment,” she said.
Nearly 70% of people who sought help between January and September 2025 after being sexually abused were displaced, according to the U.N.
Meanwhile, MSF said its clinic is struggling to find shelters willing to accept patients, and it noted that women with children or those who are pregnant or need medical care are often rejected.
“The lack of available services leaves survivors exposed to the same risks that led to their initial trauma,” MSF said. “Without safe shelter or relocation options, MSF discharges its patients straight back into the nightmare they came from, just to see them return another day after being violated again.”
Fear over reporting sexual abuse cases persist because of ongoing stigma and a lack of faith in Haiti’s police and justice system.
Another reason for avoiding medical care is to preserve one’s life; civilians have been beaten or killed by vigilante groups if they live in a neighborhood controlled by a gang since they’re automatically associated with the armed group.
Since 2022, the proportion of survivors who sought help at the Pran Men’m clinic within three days of their attack dropped by half, from almost two-thirds to one-third, according to MSF. As a result, nearly 70% of them arrived too late to receive post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV, the group said.
In addition, the proportion of patients who sought care within five days of their attack dropped by nearly half, from 72% to 41%. That meant that nearly 60% of them missed the opportunity to prevent unwanted pregnancies, MSF said.
To fight stigma, one local nonprofit organization reaches out to women using arts, theater and music, with survivors writing and talking in focus groups about their experiences in a safe place.
“They find a way to understand their own reality, their own experiences,” said Pascale Solages, the coordinator of an independent Haitian feminist group, Nègès Mawon. “It can be difficult,” she said.
MSF called on Haiti’s government to allocate more funds to free health care and services for sexual abuse survivors.
“One immediate and practical measure it could implement is a 24/7 government-operated hotline to provide confidential guidance and connect survivors to critical resources,” MSF said. “Many lack access to medical care, are displaced from their homes, and face immense barriers to finding support and rebuilding their lives.”
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Follow AP’s coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Two more artists have dropped out of the lineup of Kid Rock‘s 2026 Rock the Country Festival, and this time, both are from the country genre.
Rolling Stone reports that Carter Faith and Morgan Wade both exited the lineup after formerly being listed as performing artists when Rock the Country was announced earlier this month.
Their exit comes days after rapper Ludacris pulled out of Rock the Country. Representation for Ludacris said that it was a “mix-up” that he was ever listed on the bill to begin with, and that “lines got crossed and he wasn’t supposed to be on there.”
Read More: Ludacris Exits the Lineup For 2026 Rock the Country Festival
However, Ludacris had also faced an outcry from fans upset with him for performing on a festival headed by Rock, since the singer is one of Pres. Donald Trump’s most vocal musical supporters. Rock the Country also includes other MAGA-associated stars, such as Jason Aldean.
Neither singer gave an official reason for leaving the lineup. Taste of Country reached out to representatives for both artists for clarification, but as of time of publishing, neither camp responded.
As of Wednesday morning (Jan. 28), Wade’s name was removed from the lineup on Rock the Country’s website, though Faith’s name still appears on the bill.
TikTok user Jordy Cray shared a screenshot of a TikTok comments section in which a fan says, presumably to Faith, “Why are you performing at Rock the Country Festival? So disappointed in this.”
“I’m not anymore!” Faith responds.
In the comments section of Cray’s post, Maren Morris — who’s been vocal about her political beliefs, and clashed over issues with Aldean and his wife Brittany — provided some insight into why newer artists like Wade and Faith might have been booked in the lineup without necessarily wanting to be associated with Rock’s political stances.
Morris emphasized that she’s not close to this particular situation, but spoke about her experience as a young artist.
“Sometimes as a young opener on a tour, your tour route loops in festival dates between normal shows, so occasionally artists don’t have eyes on every festival because they’re at the mercy of the headliner/tour package they’re opening for,” she wrote.
Maren Morris Comment Carter Faith Morgan Wade Rock the Country
“I ended up playing a festival in 2018 and didn’t realize until I was there how sus it was because I was opening on tour for someone who was headlining the bill,” Morris continued.
“Either way, good for them for taking a stand!”
Aside from Rock himself, headlining acts at the eight-stop Rock the Country Festival including a rotating cast of superstars. Jelly Roll, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are all headliners, as are Brooks & Dunn, Riley Green, Ella Langley, Hank Williams Jr. and more.
Stars from other genres are also performing, including Creed, Nelly and the rock band Shinedown.
Read More: All the Country Tours + Festivals Scheduled For 2026
The festival will hit eight small towns across the country for a two-day experience in each location. A selection of the full lineup will appear at each stop. Find a full list of dates and cities below.
May 1-2 – Bellville, Texas @ Austin County Fairgrounds
May 29-30 – Bloomingdale, Ga. @Ottawa Farms
June 27-28 – Sioux Falls, S.D. @ W.H. Lyon Fairgrounds
July 10-11 – Ashland, Ky. @ Boyd County Fairgrounds
July 25-26 – Anderson, S.C. @ Anderson Sports & Ent Center
Aug. 8-9 – Hastings, Mich. @ Barry Expo Center
Aug. 28-29 – Ocala, Fla. @ Florida Horse Park
Sept 11-12 – Hamburg, N.Y. @ Erie County Fairgrounds
Who had the most played country song during the year you were born? This list is a fascinating time capsule of prevalent trends from every decade in American history. Scroll through to find your birth year and then click to listen. Some of these songs have been lost through the years, many of them for good reason!
Gallery Credit: Billy Dukes
The apparel company recorded one of its strongest quarters in over three years in its Americas region, driven by its North Face and Timberland brands.
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For a fifth straight year, the Pittsburgh Steelers will have to figure out a plan at quarterback for the upcoming season. It appears, however, that they already started to develop that plan under new coach Mike McCarthy, whose career has been synonymous with high-level quarterback play.
McCarthy was hired first and foremost because Steelers president Art Rooney II believes that he is capable of leading Pittsburgh to a championship. McCarthy’s track record at the quarterback position didn’t hurt, either.
“He is someone who has a longer track record than many of the other candidates, a winning track record,” Rooney recently told the team’s website. “He’s been a winner everywhere he’s been. Probably just as important for our purposes, the quarterbacks that he’s worked with have all been very successful. So he has a proven track record of developing top flight quarterbacks. Those are the things that maybe stick out the most.”
Specifically, Rooney said that McCarthy’s ability to develop the team’s next quarterback “certainly is important to us.” With that in mind, here’s a rundown of Pittsburgh’s possible quarterback options for 2026, starting with the most likely candidates.
Steelers fans who have been clamoring for Howard to get an opportunity may get their wish. McCarthy a fan of Howard and likes the fact that the Steelers have a young, promising quarterback on their roster.
“I’m really excited about Will Howard,” McCarthy said during his introductory press conference. “I think he’s someone that really came on there at Ohio State. I’m anxious to work with him.”
Howard, 24, was selected by the Steelers in the sixth round just months after he helped lead Ohio State to a national championship. He showed early promise during training camp, but his rookie season took a big hit after he fractured his hand during practice and was placed on injured reserve. The injury prevented him from playing in any of Pittsburgh’s three preseason games.
While the injury was a setback, Howard is used to overcoming adversity.
An injury in high school severely limited his college options. He stayed at Kansas State despite the school bringing in Nebraska transfer Adrian Martinez prior to his junior season. That year, Howard helped the Wildcats capture a Big 12 title.
Howard completed his college career at Ohio State two years later. And despite a gut wrenching loss to Michigan in their regular-season finale, the Buckeyes won four games in the newly formed College Football Playoff. Howard excelled during Ohio State’s playoff run as he completed 75.2% of his passes with eight touchdowns and just two picks.
At 6-foot-4 and roughly 235 pounds, Howard has impressive physical tools. He is also able to adjust his game based on how the defense is playing. Howard also has a winning pedigree.
Howard’s pre-draft slights included a tendency to stare down pressure and occasional robotic play. He also had the luxury of predominately throwing out of a clean pocket during his year with the Buckeyes.
As a rookie, Howard embraced the chance to learn from Aaron Rodgers. Now, he’ll get a chance to work with Rodgers’ former coach.
Speaking of Rodgers, McCarthy’s hiring led to early speculation about Rodgers’ running it back with Pittsburgh in 2026. McCarthy said on Tuesday that he would “definitely” be interested in Rodgers coming back for the 2026 season.
“I don’t see why you wouldn’t,” he said. “I have spoken to Aaron, and so that’s really where we are there. I was able to sit back and watch the games. I watched most of the Pittsburgh games on TV, and I thought he was a great asset for the team.”
McCarthy and Rodgers enjoyed a decorated run together in Green Bay that included a Super Bowl win at the Steelers’ expense at the end of the 2010 season. The duo also led the Packers to eight straight playoff appearances from 2009-16. During that span, Rodgers won a Super Bowl MVP and the first two of his eventual four league MVP awards.
Rodgers spent the first 18 years of his career in Green Bay before spending two seasons with the New York Jets. Last year, his first with the Steelers, Rodgers helped Pittsburgh capture its first division title since 2020. He and the Steelers felt short, however, of capturing the franchise’s first playoff win since 2016 following their 30-6 loss to Houston. Mike Tomlin, who had been the Steelers’ head coach for 19 years, stepped down one day later.
Regarding the upcoming season, McCarthy stressed the importance of Rodgers taking the time he needs before making a decision on what he plans to do next season. That is in line with how his predecessor, Tomlin, handled Rodgers last offseason before Rodgers ultimately decided to sign with the Steelers just before the start of minicamp.
“I think when players are up at that stage of their career, they need to step away and decompress,” McCarthy said. “I think that’s very important.”
Despite having a new coach, it appears that the Steelers don’t plan to revamp their quarterback room for a third straight year. McCarthy likes Howard’s potential and alluded to Rudolph during Tuesday’s presser.
While he didn’t get the praise that Howard received from his new coach, it nonetheless appears that Rudolph will at least get a chance to show McCarthy what he brings to the table. McCarthy surely knows Rudolph’s background as a veteran backup who has typically played well when called upon.
Rudolph was at his best late in the 2023 season, when he replaced an injured Kenny Pickett and an ineffective Mitch Trubisky during the season’s final three games. At 7-7, the Steelers needed to win out in order to make the playoffs, and Rudolph helped them do just that after he completed 74.3% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions over that span.
With Rodgers hurt, Rudolph made his lone start this past season in Week 12 against the Chicago Bears. He completed 77.4% of his passes for 171 yards with a touchdown and a pick in an eventual 31-28 loss.
The safe bet would be Rudolph reprising his role as a backup this season. That could change, however, if the Steelers don’t bring in another veteran quarterback and Rudolph outperforms Howard during training camp.
The Steelers dined with Willis before the 2022 NFL Draft and had a chance to draft him before ultimately selecting Pickett instead. Now, the Steelers have a chance to acquire Willis again.
Willis appears to be the best of a weak quarterback free agent market that also includes Pickett, Trubisky, fellow former Steelers Russell Wilson and Skylar Thompson, and fellow veterans Joe Flacco, Tyrod Taylor, Carson Wentz and Marcus Mariota, among others. Daniel Jones is also slated to be a free agent, but all signs are pointing to him re-signing with the Indianapolis Colts.
A college star at Liberty, Willis did little in two years with the Titans before being traded to the Packers ahead of the 2024 season. He went 2-0 as the Packers’ starter in 2024 while completing 74.1% of his passes with three touchdowns and no interceptions. In his lone start in 2025, Willis went 18 of 21 for 288 yards and a touchdown. He finished the season with a 85.7% completion percentage with three touchdowns and no picks.
Willis thrived in Matt LaFleur’s offense, and it’s possible that he could have similar success with McCarthy give his track record with promising young quarterbacks. One challenge for Pittsburgh could be the fact that Willis may have his pick of several teams, which could create a bidding war.
The general consensus is that the Steelers will wait until 2027 to draft a quarterback as that is expected to be a much better class. While that may end up being the case, don’t be surprised if the Steelers decide to draft a quarterback this year as well.
While it isn’t deep, there are a few notable quarterbacks in this year’s draft sans Fernando Mendoza, who is expected to be selected by the Las Vegas Raiders with the first overall pick. Simpson, the second-ranked quarterback prospect in this draft, could be an option for the Steelers if he is still available in the second round.
The 6-foot-2, 208-pound Simpson played his entire college career at Alabama. As a first-time starter this past season, he led the SEC in attempts (473) and completions (305) while throwing for 3,567 yards with 28 touchdowns and five interceptions. He completed an impressive 64.5% of his throws.
Simpson had some notable games that included his performance during Alabama’s road victory over Oklahoma in the first round of the College Football Playoff. He threw a pair of touchdown passes that night that included a 30-yard strike early in the second half that gave Alabama the lead for good.
During his lone season as Alabama’s starter, Simpson showcased solid pocket presence, made quick decisions and showed the ability to complete a variety of passes. He also made several plays in the clutch, specifically during a four-game stretch against ranked opponents. Alabama won each game over that span with Simpson being a key difference-maker in each contest.
The third-ranked QB prospect in this year’s draft (which will be held in Pittsburgh), Chambliss is being projected as a mid-round pick. While he is currently slated to enter the draft, Chambliss could end up playing another year in college if the NCAA grants him one more year of eligibility.
Prior to coming to Ole Miss, the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Chambliss enjoyed a decorated run at Ferris State that included leading the Bulldogs to a Div. II national title in 2024. That season, Chambliss threw for nearly 3,000 yards and 26 touchdowns while also rushing for 1,019 yards and 25 scores.
Chambliss made his first (and possibly last) season at Ole Miss count as he led the SEC with 3,937 passing yards while throwing 22 touchdowns and just three interceptions while also rushing for eight scores. He finished eighth in the Heisman voting while leading the Rebels to a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Despite the uprooting of Lane Kiffin, Chambliss continued to play at a high level during the College Football Playoff. In those three games, he completed 67.9% of his passes with four touchdowns and no interceptions. Chambliss threw for a season-high 362 yards and two touchdowns in Ole Miss’ thrilling win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl.
If Chambliss isn’t granted another year at Ole Miss, it’s safe to say that he will generate interest from the Steelers and other NFL teams that need help at quarterback.
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