The Valley’s Brittany Cartwright Shares Relationship Status With Brandon Hanson, Divorce Update With Jax, and Talks Son Cruz
Brittany Cartwright explained her relationship with rumored boyfriend Brandon Hanson on Tuesday as she attended a premiere party for the upcoming fourth season of Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test.
As the 36-year-old cast member of
“Every single time someone catches me with a guy, he’s my boyfriend instantly. I’m not in a relationship yet. I am dating,” Brittany clarified during a September 9 interview with Entertainment Tonight, via YouTube.
That said, Brittany made it clear she was smitten, noting, “He is a great guy. So, we’ll see where it goes … I am very happy.”
As for where she stands with Jax, whom she filed for divorce from last August, Brittany said the two of them are “still going through it” and still having “a lot of ups and downs.”
“[We’re] still not divorced. We have a date. I’m hoping it works out … it’s soon,” she continued, adding that it will be a “big relief” and “a lot easier” once her marriage is over.
Moving on to Cruz, 4, Brittany said he’s “doing amazing” and “getting stronger and stronger every day.”
“He is such a happy kid. I’m learning more from him than he is from me at this point. He is just amazing, and seeing the world through his eyes is the most beautiful thing ever,” she gushed.
With the Special Forces premiere just weeks away, Brittany said she can’t wait to show Cruz the episodes.
“I think that that will be amazing. I think that he will love it, and I’m just excited for him to see,” she said.
According to Brittany, she was prompted to sign on to the series in an effort to see how much she could handle.
“I was just going through such a tough time in my life and I wanted to see what else I could do, really push myself and, you know, see how far I could get, make myself proud,” she explained. “[And] I was proud of myself for doing certain things that I was terrified of, like heights and different stuff like that that I never thought I could do. It’s an experience that I never thought I would go through.”
Alongside her on the physical series were Teresa Giudice, 53, Gia Giudice, 24, and Eva Marcille, 40, all of whom were “comforting” for her to be around.
“Teresa was kind of like a Mama Bear. It was nice to see [them],” she stated.
Also during the interview, Brittany was asked which Valley co-star would do best on the show.
“I think Jason Caperna‘s probably the most physically fit on our show. I think he would do a great job. Even [Michelle Saniei] I think would do a great job,” she revealed.
Special Forces: World’s Toughest Test season four premieres on Thursday, September 25, at 9/8c on Fox.
Buccaneers Staring at Major Contract Decisions for Key Contributors
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ core could look different in 2026, with a bunch of important pieces on expiring contracts. The NFL posted its “Top 25 NFL free agents in 2026” on Friday, and the Buccaneers make up four of the top 20 selections.
Playing in a contract year can help motivate players looking to earn a big day, which could benefit Tampa Bay. There is a chance that any of the players could be extended before the season ends to ensure they don’t become free agents.
As it stands, the Buccaneers are set to have just over $38 million of cap space in 2026. That number gives them the 12th most money in the league. As a team with Super Bowl aspirations, Tampa Bay is sure to look to keep as many players around as possible
Two of the Highest-Paid Positions Are Expiring
Headlining the group of impending free agents is wide receiver Mike Evans, entering the second year of a two-year extension. The 11th-ranked free agent is currently under contract for an average of $20,500,000 a year. It would be a shocking move if the long-time Buccaneer didn’t return.
The wide receiver group outside of Evans is impressive, especially after the addition of Emeka Egbuka. The first-round pick could be a sign that the team understands regression is looming for Evans as he enters the back end of his career at 32 years old.
Ranking just behind Evans at No. 12 is right tackle Luke Goedeke. The 26-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract, and will be looking for a big pay raise. His current, four-year, $6,178,985 contract will most likely be trounced by what’s to come in 2026.
At tackle, Tampa Bay’s depth currently includes veteran Charlie Heck and undrafted free agent Benjamin Chukwuma. The team proved it’s willing to spend big money at the tackle position after signing Tristan Wirfs to a five-year, $140,600,000 extension.
Rounding out the Top Four Expiring Deals
Cornerback Zyon McCollum is ranked 16th on the NFL’s list, also entering his age-26 season. He, too, is currently in the last year of his rookie contract and will be looking for a raise. As a fifth-round pick back in 2022, McCollum is currently on a measly four-year, $3,981,732 contract.
Luckily for McCollum, cornerback is another position that the Buccaneers have paid handsomely in recent memory. Jamel Dean cashed in on a four-year, $52 million contract back in 2023. Similar to wide receiver, the cornerback position was a main focus of this year’s draft, making a second (Benjamin Morrison) and third-round (Jacob Parrish) addition.
If it hasn’t become clear, the best picks of Tampa Bay’s 2022 draft class make up the majority of its expiring deals. Tight end Cade Otton also fits the bill, entering the final year of his four-year, $4,493,944 rookie contract at 26 years old. He comes in at No. 18 for the 2026 free agents.
The young tight end is currently dealing with a leg injury, but is the main asset at his position with little depth behind him. He’ll look to build off an impressive year in 2024, and hopefully cash in with a big-time payday.
