I tell you, it was good to be Jordan Davis this week.
Like all of us, Davis woke up, got himself together, hopefully caught up on the sports news of the day in Philly by reading Sports Daily (of course), and then got a call that the Eagles were prepared to make him $78 million richer over the next three seasons.
You read that right. The defensive lineman is here to stay after the Birds graced him with a new contract that affirms they view him as the future of the defensive line.
Marcus Hayes noted as much in his latest column, saying it was time for Davis and others to step up, given the apparent high value of the position (more on that below).
Listen to Davis, who spoke about his new deal on Wednesday. The shock of it all still hasn’t set in, but he noted he’s honored to help set the tone and the price tag for players in his position, whom he says often go overlooked — and underpaid.
“To be able to lead the way and pave the way for a different kind of attention on this position, I think that’s the biggest pride that I have,” Davis said.
We start your Thursday with a shoutout to nose guards everywhere, as told by Jordan Davis and Inquirer writer Olivia Reiner.
Rain is in the forecast today with highs hitting the mid-60s.
— Kerith Gabriel, @phillysport, sports.daily@inquirer.com.
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The hits keep on coming … is what we said when Tyrese Maxey suffered a finger injury that will keep him out for at least three weeks. Before that, the team was already without Joel Embiid (oblique injury) and Paul George (suspension). Now that Kelly Oubre Jr. is also out for at least two weeks with a left elbow injury we’ve officially reached 2024-25 levels of bad luck.
Back then, the Sixers lost former Sixer Jared McCain early and then Embiid, George, and Maxey all followed before they tanked and landed VJ Edgecombe, who recently returned from a back injury himself. At this rate the Sixers, who are currently in eighth in the East, could find themselves sinking again after having hopes of competing only a month ago.
What we’re …
⚽ Sharing: Iran’s national soccer team has pulled out of coming to the United States because of the war between the two countries.
🏒 Introducing: Meet Noah Powell, the hearing-impaired hockey standout who just inked a deal with the Flyers.
🏈 Reading: These five things to know about Riq Woolen, the newest cornerback to join the Eagles.
📋 Meeting: The new coaching contingent surrounding Eagles head coach Nick Sirianni.
🤔 Wondering: How for real is Drexel in a quest to lock up the CAA women’s basketball title and book another trip to the NCAA tournament?
The Phillies can breathe easy. They took Jesús Luzardo off the auction lot seven months before he’d have gotten to free agency by signing him to a contract extension that was comparable to what he probably would have found in free agency.
His five-year, $135 million deal will tie him for sixth in annual salary — $27 million — among active lefties.
It’s a lot of money, especially for a team that’s already invested heavily in its starting rotation. But it’s also consistent with Dave Dombrowski’s long-held roster-building philosophy.
And it’s worth it to Dombrowski because, well, check the record books.
To Bradley Carnell, it’s all a part of the Union’s progression.
Losing, that is. A Tuesday night loss against Club América didn’t bring immense frustration but hope to the second-year manager, whose club just dropped its third straight and is still looking for its first win in Major League Soccer this season.
“I mean, [I’m] frustrated for the guys because they’re working so hard … and you can see it’s starting to click and it’s starting to work,” Carnell said. “And now we’re getting some sort of penetration through the sides and getting some dangerous crosses in, and, you know, [it’s] everything but the goal. So I’m really proud of it. And it just shows me we’re getting close, and that gives me motivation and inspiration.”
Ahead of a weekend match against Atlanta Union on Saturday (3:15 p.m., Apple TV), we take a look at what ails the Union and the plan to remedy it.
And Inquirer writer Jonathan Tannenwald points out three things ailing the Union.
On this date
March 12, 2020: March Madness for both the men’s and women’s tournaments was called off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It was the first time the men’s tournament was called off since its inception in 1939.
The market for edge rushers exploded over the past three days. Odafe Oweh, who has averaged a modest 6.6 sacks in his five seasons, got four years and $100 million from the Commanders. Boye Mafe had just two sacks in 2025, and none in the playoffs for the Seahawks, but the Bengals expect him to replace Trey Hendrickson and gave him $60 million over the next three seasons. Howie Roseman demurred, and by doing so sent his second message: Jordan Davis, Jalen Carter, and Nolan Smith had better produce. — Hayes does an examination of the NFL’s free agency period so far and with a close lens on the faith Eagles brass has in its highly-touted defensive trio.
Stat that matters
30: With the Sixers needing a spark, Kelly Oubre Jr. delivered one with his 30-point, 12-rebound performance in Tuesday’s win against Memphis. But did you know it was the first time he’s scored more than 30 and pulled in more than 10 boards in a game in his 11-year career? Speedy recovery with this latest injury.
What you’re saying about the Phillies
We asked: What are your thoughts on Jesus Luzardo’s five-year extension?
Signing Luzardo to a long-term contract was a good move. Good pitching is so important, and good lefties are not easy to find. With Ranger [Suarez] gone, Jesus and Cristopher [Sanchez] will have to really step up. Can [Aaron] Nola return to his better days, and how long will it be before Wheeler can be the primary starter, and is Andrew Painter ready to be an effective MLB starter? Right now, the pitching looks a little iffy. — Everett S.
It had to be done. With Ranger allowed to leave, with [Zack] Wheeler and Nola facing challenges and Painter brand new, Sanchez and Luzardo will be vital to any success the Phillies will have. — Joel G.
Another smart move by Dave Dombrowski. He has solidified an experienced starting rotation with a mix of veteran leadership and youth. Now he needs to shore up the outfield! — Bob C.
We compiled today’s newsletter using reporting from Olivia Reiner, Marcus Hayes, Gina Mizell, Scott Lauber, Kerith Gabriel, Gustav Elvin, Jonathan Tannenwald, Katie Lewis, Jeff Neiburg, and Conor Smith
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That’s what I have for you today, Philly. We’re back tomorrow to get your sports weekend off on the right foot. — Kerith