After six long years away, Adele is everywhere again.
The 15-time Grammy winner piqued her fans' interest by sending subtle signals that she was gearing up for a new era before confirming Tuesday that a new single titled "Easy On Me" is releasing Oct. 15.
Now, Adele is the first person to simultaneously cover British Vogue and Vogue:
For the first time ever Vogue and @BritishVogue profile one cover star. @Adele is back—and this reemergence is different. https://t.co/5SvEldGN5U pic.twitter.com/b7GdOcAnqY
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) October 7, 2021
For the first time in history #BritishVogue and @VogueMagazine share a cover star: @Adele. In her first interview in 5 years, she speaks with @GilesHattersley about body image, romance, divorce, single parenthood and her “self-redemption” album: https://t.co/kcs689YMhl pic.twitter.com/EoKSv2CAzh
— British Vogue (@BritishVogue) October 7, 2021
With Abby Aguirre for Vogue, Adele went through a rigorous workout. The 33-year-old powerhouse opened up about her "Year of Anxiety" and the events of her divorce from Simon Konecki, with whom she shares nearly nine-year-old son Angelo.
"I was just going through the motions and I wasn’t happy," she explained. "Neither of us did anything wrong. Neither of us hurt each other or anything like that. It was just: I want my son to see me really love, and be loved. It’s really important to me."
Aguirre noted Adele and Konecki "were broken up for some time" before it was publicized, as Adele filed for divorce in 2019, and she has "been on my journey to find my true happiness ever since." (Adele later admitted the divorce "made Angelo really unhappy" at first.)
The profile also delves into Adele's pained relationship with her father, who died of cancer in May, her new relationship with LeBron James confidante and prolific agent Rich Paul, as well as how her forthcoming fourth studio album stands out from the rest of her record-breaking discography.
"It’s sensitive for me, this record, just in how much I love it," Adele said. "I always say that 21 doesn’t belong to me anymore. Everyone else took it into their hearts so much. I’m not letting go of this one. This is my album. I want to share myself with everyone, but I don’t think I’ll ever let this one go."
The same themes pervade her British Vogue profile by Giles Hattersley.
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The Cincinnati Bengals defense has stepped up its game in training camp this summer, and it's giving the coaching staff some pause about Joe Burrow's protection. The Bengals were tied with the New York Giants, giving up the 11th most sacks in the league last year (48). Given Burrow's importance to the team and long injury history dating back to his time at LSU, Cincinnati needs to see improvement from the offensive line. Per Paul Dehner Jr. of The Athletic, the Bengals' depth on the offensive line is a concern at training camp. During one practice, backups Cody Ford and Devin Cochran were seen getting first-team reps while starting right tackle Amarius Mims was sidelined, dealing with a hand injury. But it's not just the backups that are a worry. Cincinnati is expected to give third-round rookie Dylan Fairchild the starting job at left guard. "On top of concern regarding rookie third-round pick Dylan Fairchild, currently the leader in the clubhouse to start at left guard, the cast of question marks lacking experience, floating behind the starting tackles, is startling," Dehner wrote. "If the Bengals had to play Cleveland this Sunday without Mims, they couldn’t tell you who would hold down the starting spot. "Meanwhile, the Bengals’ defensive line consistently produced disruptive reps, and they are a group lacking historically potent pass rushers in their own right...The Bengals just feel notably weak and inexperienced. When the rest of the offense is so stacked with talent, and the history of the performance in front of Burrow being what it is, that’s hard to look past right now." The Bengals decided to spend their money on pass catchers for Burrow. Given the results of the offense last season, it's easy to understand why Cincinnati wants Burrow to deliver the ball to exceptional athletes. The risk is that Burrow won't hold up behind an offensive line that is lacking investment. If injuries pile up during the regular season, it's a concern that will only increase.
Micah Parsons officially requested a trade, and every single team in the league should have some interest in acquiring the superstar. A four-time Pro Bowler and two-time First-Team All-Pro, Parsons is one of the best players at one of the game’s premier positions and, now entering his age-26 season, should have several years of elite play left in his tank. Players like this usually earn record-setting contracts, and Jerry Jones does not seem willing to hand out that kind of money. With this in mind, Bleacher Report‘s Alex Kay proposed a trade where the Cowboys will trade Micah Parsons to the Los Angeles Chargers in exchange for two first-round picks, a second-round pick, a fifth-round pick, and running back Najee Harris. “Parsons, meanwhile, would help L.A.’s already impressive defense be even better, potentially for longer,” Kay writes. “While the Chargers still have a high-profile pass-rusher in Khalil Mack, he’s 34 and set to play on a one-year deal. With $32 million in cap space, the Chargers could afford to make Parsons their long-term defensive star.” Chargers, Cowboys Connected In Micah Parsons Trade Rumor Micah Parsons may have requested a trade, but as of this posting, the Cowboys do not seem interested in granting his wish. This is par for the course with Jerry Jones, as the owner has a long, detailed history of drawing out these types of negotiations. He did it with quarterback Dak Prescott and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb, and history could be repeating itself with Parsons. However, for the sake of argument, let’s assume the Cowboys eventually decide to trade Micah Parsons. If this happens, they should be happy with this type of return. The Khalil Mack trade is the closest comparison to Parsons, and the Raiders parted ways with him and a 2020 second-round pick for two first-round picks, a third-round pick, and a sixth-round pick. This is roughly an equivalent value to what Kay offers in his article, so it’s easy to see Dallas pulling the trigger on this Micah Parsons trade. However, it would probably need to happen before the start of the regular season, as Najee Harris is a part of the deal. While he’s just a throw-in, the running back is currently playing on a one-year deal, and his value depreciates by the week. Would the Chargers Do This? Micah Parsons is a phenomenal player, but would the Chargers give up this much in a trade for one player? While we’ll never know for sure, the Chargers are the type of team that could make this risk. Head coach Jim Harbaugh brought this team to the playoffs last year, quarterback Justin Herbert is one of the game’s top talents, and the roster is loaded with talent. This team may be one piece away from a Super Bowl, and Parsons could take them to the next level. The Chargers have a strong team, but they need an influx of talent to overtake the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC West. A Micah Parsons trade could be the missing piece this team needs as they finally look to go on a deep playoff run for the first time since the Philip Rivers days.
The NFL preseason is a time for optimism—a chance for fans and coaches alike to dream about overcoming obstacles and achieving greatness. But for Minnesota Vikings fans, there’s one lingering issue that tempers any excitement year after year: the team’s ongoing struggle to find consistency at the kicker position. Now, as training camp unfolds, that familiar uncertainty has crept back in. The Vikings’ current kicker, Will Reichard, is facing scrutiny following a shaky camp performance that has reignited concerns about whether Minnesota can finally close the book on its long, frustrating history with kickers. Minnesota Vikings: A Rocky Start for Will Reichard in 2025 Struggles in Training Camp Will Reichard came to the Minnesota Vikings with high expectations. After being selected in the sixth round of the 2024 NFL Draft, he was viewed as a potential long-term solution to the team’s troubles at kicker. For a brief moment early in his rookie season, it seemed like the Vikings had struck gold—Reichard began his career with a perfect 14-for-14 streak on field goals, including four impressive conversions from beyond 50 yards. But things began to unravel. A quad injury midway through the season disrupted his rhythm, keeping him sidelined for four games and impacting his performance upon his return. Over his final five games, Reichard made just 10 of 14 field goal attempts, missing key kicks that left fans uneasy. Fast forward to training camp in 2025, and Reichard’s form appears to still be a work in progress. Reports from camp have described misses on routine field goal attempts, including two inside 40 yards during a recent session. These struggles are especially concerning for a team that frequently finds itself involved in close games where field position and special teams play a pivotal role. Root Causes of Reichard’s Struggles Special teams coordinator Matt Daniels acknowledged earlier this offseason that Reichard’s exhaustive rookie year may have played a role in his late-season slide. “The guy basically played eleven straight months of football without a break,” Daniels said, referencing his college playoff games, Senior Bowl participation, and NFL pre-draft commitments. This demanding schedule, combined with the physical toll of an NFL season, may have contributed to the quad injury and subsequent dip in performance. But excuses, while understandable, won’t satisfy Vikings fans who’ve grown weary of the team’s perpetual kicking carousel. The NFL is an unforgiving league, and the clock is ticking for Reichard to prove he can handle the pressure that comes with being an NFL kicker. The Vikings’ Troubled History with Kickers A Legacy of Heartbreak For much of their history, the Minnesota Vikings have been haunted by a seemingly endless cycle of kicker-related heartbreak. From missed playoff kicks to ill-fated experiments with new talent, the team’s inability to find stability at the position has cost them dearly. One of the most infamous moments came during the 1998 NFC Championship Game, when Gary Anderson—who had been perfect all season—missed a critical field goal that ultimately contributed to the Vikings’ loss. More recently, a missed 27-yard field goal by Blair Walsh during the 2015 playoffs sent shockwaves through a stunned fanbase. These moments aren’t just isolated mistakes; they’ve cast a long shadow over the franchise, leaving kickers who wear the Vikings jersey under unparalleled scrutiny. High Expectations in a High-Pressure Role The psychological toll of being a Vikings kicker is difficult to overstate. For any player stepping into the role, the expectations are sky-high, and even minor errors are magnified. It’s a position where good performance is expected but rarely celebrated, and failure—however fleeting—can define a career. This legacy of intense pressure raises questions. How much of the Minnesota Vikings’ kicker struggles are physical, and how much is mental? With Reichard now under the microscope, the team must evaluate whether his training camp struggles are a short-term hiccup or indicative of deeper issues. What Comes Next for the Minnesota Vikings? Patience or Panic? The NFL preseason offers Reichard a chance to put his training camp woes behind him. Preseason games, while still lower-stakes than the regular season, are a litmus test for kickers. If Reichard can bounce back and deliver reliable performances, he could cement his spot as the team’s starter before Week 1. But if the struggles persist, the Vikings may be forced to revisit their options. With veteran free agents potentially available and camp cuts creating opportunities, Minnesota could bring in competition to push Reichard or provide a backstop in case things continue to go south. Fixing Fundamentals Some factors affecting Reichard’s performance may extend beyond his own capabilities. The kicking operation—the trio of kicker, holder, and long snapper—requires precision. Reports from training camp indicate the team is testing new holding candidates, which could add instability to Reichard’s attempts. Straightening out these technical aspects will be critical as the team evaluates its special teams unit. A Familiar Feeling for Fans For Vikings fans, anxiety over the kicker spot is nothing new. Every wide-left miss or low-pressure shank in camp feels like déjà vu, a reminder of past heartbreaks that are all too fresh in their minds. But while skepticism runs high, so does the cautious hope that this time—finally—the team may find a solution. Final Thoughts The Minnesota Vikings’ search for consistency at the kicker position remains an ongoing saga, with Will Reichard’s training camp struggles adding another chapter to a story that’s defined by frustration and unmet expectations. However, the preseason still offers hope—hope that Reichard can reset and realign before the stakes become real. For now, though, the Minnesota Vikings walk a tightrope. If Reichard can rise to the challenge, stabilize his form, and deliver when it matters most, he could put an end to years of uncertainty. But if the struggles continue, the team must act quickly to avoid letting special teams woes derail another season. For Vikings fans, all they can do is hold their collective breath—and hope history doesn’t repeat itself.
With MLB's trade deadline now behind us, Yardbarker's MLB writers got together this week to identify the best trade each club has made in the last decade (more or less). (Records and stats are entering play on Monday.)