Kiko Mauigoa Is Already Putting Jets Veteran LBs on Notice at Minicamp
Kiko Mauigoa Is Already Putting Jets Veteran LBs on Notice at Minicamp
Efstathios Savvidis|
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New York JetsMandatory minicamp is an important period for players battling to earn a prominent role on the team. With this being the last item on the offseason practice schedule before training camp, these players need to leave a good impression on the coaching staff before being let go for a month.
For the New York Jets, the linebacker group is one of several position battles the team has. While Demario Davis and Jamien Sherwood are etched in as the starters, the third linebacker position is up for grabs, as the Jets’ brass bypassed adding to the unit in the 2026 NFL Draft.
Although there have been calls to add a veteran to the mix, Francisco "Kiko" Mauigao has paused the chatter, taking advantage of his opportunity on Tuesday. According to Jets on SI’s Nick Faria, the former 2025 fifth selection “has had an underrated start to minicamp”, coming away with multiple pass breakups in coverage.
Faria also highlighted Mauigoa’s play as a run-defender, adding that he “seemed to be reading the run very well.” With his standout performance in practice, the second-year player has put himself in a strong position to earn the third linebacker spot.
Mauigoa is in the driver’s seat for Jets’ LB3 role
Alongside Mauigoa, Marcelino McCrary-Ball, and Mykal Walker are also competing for the third linebacker role. Both players had some "quality moments” in OTAs, according to Faria, performing well in coverage.
While one practice won’t solidify him for a starting role, Mauigoa’s encouraging play gives him an edge over McCrary-Ball and Walker. Despite both players having more experience, Mauigoa was head coach Aaron Glenn’s preferred choice last season.
The former Miami Hurricanes logged more defensive snaps (328) than both McCrary-Ball (106) and Walker (195) despite struggling with inconsistency. Additionally, Mauigoa wasn’t good in coverage according to Pro Football Focus’ metrics, receiving a 31.7 coverage grade, which ranked 82nd among 88 qualifying linebackers.
He allowed 10 receptions (14 targets) for 83 receiving yards and one touchdown. Even though Mauigoa wasn’t as great as McCrary-Ball and Walker in this area, it’s evident that Glenn and the coaching staff believe in his athletic and developmental upside.
His recent performance against the pass provides hope that Mauigoa has progressed in this area. Mauigoa has already showcased that he can be a solid run defender, logging 11 stops last season.
Although the Jets' big emphasis entering the offseason was improving against the run, they also prioritized improving against the pass after allowing the most passing touchdowns (36) last season.
If Mauigoa can continue to develop in coverage, he could widen the gap from the competition and carve out a significant role this year.
Again, the pecking order won’t be established based on performance in minicamp; however, Mauigoa is well on his way towards winning that LB3 role. But now his play must translate over to training camp.
If he does that, it will force the Jets to forego adding a free agent at the position. Mauigoa has flashed potential, but he must continue to stack days and provide consistent production before Glenn etches his name as the LB3.
Published Jun 18, 2026
EFSTATHIOS SAVVIDISEfstathios is a writer for OnSI covering the New York Jets. With a B.A. in Journalism from Roger Williams University, he's been in sports media for the last two years. Efstathios is also a contributor for Fansided's Local Network.
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
