Commanders Team Notes

[Washington Commanders]

Automated news about the Washington Commanders.

 

[Washington Commanders]

Jayden Daniels took the NFL by storm in 2024. The Washington Commanders’ rookie quarterback broke numerous records and led his team to its best season in 33 years, two road playoff wins and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year.

The future is bright for Daniels and the Commanders. But critics will tell you to be careful in expecting Daniels to repeat his 2024 success, often pointing to Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud. Stroud led the Texans from worst to first in 2023, breaking numerous rookie quarterback records before struggling at times in 2024.

Ultimately, Stroud settled down to have a solid second season, but some were disappointed that he didn’t take a more significant step forward in 2024.

Kurt Warner can say he’s lived in Daniels and Stroud’s shoes. The Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback was thrust into a starting role in 1999 after Trent Green’s injury and would lead the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl as a first-year starter.

A two-time MVP winner, Warner enjoyed a 12-year career before retiring, but things weren’t always as easy as they were in his first year as a starter.

Last week, in town for Super Bowl LIX, Warner joined Grant Paulsen of the “Grant and Danny” show on 106.7 The Fan in Washington, D.C., where he discussed Daniels.

“He’s a really good player. I know sometimes we get caught up in rookies aren’t supposed to be successful, but I can go back to ’99 when I felt I was a good player and so I played well, and that’s what I think about Jayden Daniels,” Warner said via Lou DiPietro of Audacy. “You watched him last year win the Heisman, and coming out, you knew that if everything you saw on tape translated to the NFL, this kid’s gonna be a phenomenal player because he can do everything really, really well. And I think that’s what we saw this year.”

Warner was most impressed by Daniels’ poise and how nothing ever rattled him.

Warner already believes Daniels is a big-time NFL quarterback. However, he believes some should tone down their expectations for Daniels. Not because he thinks Daniels can’t exceed them but because if Daniels takes even a small step back in 2024, it will be held against him because of the bar he set in 2024.

“Jayden’s gonna put in the work, and sometimes, you have off games or off seasons, but you don’t go into things thinking, he’s gonna have a sophomore slump, or, he’s got to be better than he was this year,” Warner said.

“To me, it’s always about letting it play its course. I’m always a believer of give me three years of seeing a guy, because there’s going to be ebbs and flows, but then I can tell you who I believe he is as a quarterback. So I think the hard thing is having a year like this is you guys are going to come back and go, if he doesn’t do better than this, then what’s wrong? But if he just drops a little bit from what he did this year, it’s still gonna be a phenomenal season for him, so we have to put things in perspective. You’ve got a really good quarterback who I believe is going to be good for a long time, let him show us who he is over a few years and let it play out – I think you’re going to see that Jayden Daniels is going to be a solid NFL starter for a long time.”

This is very good advice from Warner. He had a phenomenal start to his career before crashing down to earth a few years later. Warner recovered and was still playing at a high level when he retired after the 2009 season.

These days, there is always a hurry to anoint or crown someone immediately. That happens in football, other sports, or even the workplace. Daniels doesn’t need to put up better statistics in 2025 to prove his rookie wasn’t a fluke. He understands what needs to be done to take the next step, and there’s no reason to doubt next season will be just as big for Daniels.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...ame-qb-kurt-warner-commanders-jayden-daniels/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Did the Commanders' Adam Peters offer former Eagles cornerback a contract?

Did the Washington Commanders pursue the former Eagles’ cornerback Bradley Roby?

Last offseason, Commanders GM Adam Peters was indeed very busy nearly entirely making over and reconstructing the Commanders’ roster, ridding himself of many players Ron Rivera brought to Ashburn.

Interestingly enough, veteran cornerback Bradley Roby tweeted Sunday afternoon, implying he could have signed with the Commanders last offseason but refused to ink a deal with Washington.

Roby tweeted, “Didn’t sign to commanders this year bc I loved it in Philly too much and knew Eagles was destined for the ring this yr ! Gotta bring it home today.”

Didnt sign to commanders this year bc I loved it in Philly too much and knew Eagles was destined for the ring this yr ! Gotta bring it home today

— Bradley Roby (@BradRoby_1) February 9, 2025

It is true; Roby was an unrestricted free agent last spring. In addition, I find no record that Roby signed with any NFL team during the free agency signing period, the summer offseason, or during this 2024 season.

So, why did Roby declare he didn’t sign with the Commanders because he loved Philly too much? Do we know that the Commanders even offered Roby a contract? Roby says he loved Philly so much. Thus, if Philly had offered him a deal, he would have signed with the Eagles, correct?

Whatever the truth is regarding the Commanders and Roby, the one truth we do know is that no team signed Roby all year, including the Eagles.

Thus, a logical question would be, “Was Roby tweeting he didn’t sign with the Commanders simply to get attention on Super Bowl Sunday?”

If so, Commanders Wire is not providing him the attention he desires. The Eagles never re-signed Roby, either. Therefore, is Roby attempting to claim the Eagles are his NFL team?

Actually, Roby, in his 10 NFL seasons, was with the Eagles only one season (2023) when he appeared in nine games, starting two.

Roby was drafted by the Broncos 31st overall in the 2014 draft out of Ohio State. Roby played five seasons with the Broncos, then played two years for the Texans, two with the Saints, and the lone 2023 season with the Eagles.

Adam Peters not signing Roby appears to have been the right move by Peters because no one else signed Roby either.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...offer-former-philadelphia-eagles-cb-contract/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders have less than 5% chance to win Super Bowl LX

In 2024, the Washington Commanders had one of the most tantalizing seasons in their history. Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels burst onto the scene and showed the entire NFL what he is truly capable of. Adam Peters and Dan Quinn put together a team that somehow gelled in a way we haven’t seen in decades.

The result was that Daniels broke records, set new records, and changed the way the entire world looked at the franchise. The Commanders went farther into the postseason than they have in over 30 years, having their best season since 1991.

With all that in mind, you would think the Commanders would be closer to the top of the list of potential Super Bowl LX winners, but they actually rank ninth, according to BetMGM.

Not only that, but BetMGM gives the Commanders just a 4.76% chance to win the big game. That’s behind the Philadelphia Eagles, Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, San Francisco 49ers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Green Bay Packers.

Let’s put this in perspective, though. BetMGM gives the Eagles the best chance to win the Super Bowl next year with 13.33%. This is not a high number either, and they are at the top. And, the reality is, all of these numbers are going to change every single time a team adds or drops a player.

But today, the Commanders have less than a five percent chance of winning the 2025 Super Bowl. Now, they just have to go out and prove everyone wrong all over again.

Related​

Key dates for Commanders fans to know this offseason​

Jayden Daniels remains haunted by NFC Championship loss to Eagles​

Where are the Commanders in ESPN's first 2025 NFL power rankings?​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...have-less-than-5-chance-to-win-super-bowl-lx/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders select Ohio State star in latest Field Yates mock draft

The 2025 NFL draft is less than three months away, and with the Super Bowl marking the end of the 2024 season, the league is focused on what comes next. For analysts and insiders, it’s all about the mock drafts, predicting which teams will select which players.

Most analysts predict that the Washington Commanders will elect to pick up a defensive player to strengthen its run defense, a few have suggested a tight end, and now ESPN’s Field Yates is predicting that the Commanders will draft a wide receiver.

Emeka Egbuka, WR, Ohio State

As the Commanders look to surround Jayden Daniels with more playmakers, they could tap back into the Ohio State receiver pipeline to pair Terry McLaurin with Egbuka, who leaves Columbus with the most catches in school history (205). Egbuka is among the most ready-made prospects in this class, as he features pristine route running, reliable hands and a selflessness as a blocker that the Commanders would undoubtedly love. He caught 10 touchdowns for the Buckeyes this season.

The Ohio State Buckeyes won this year’s NCAA CFP National Championship game in decisive fashion, overcoming the toughest road to get to the big game. Emeka Egbuka was a big part of the Buckeyes’ success in 2024, and despite the hype around Jeremiah Smith’s freakishly talented athleticism, Egbuka proved he is equally as dynamic and capable on the field.

Not only would Egbuka provide Jayden Daniels with a reliable target, but Terry McLaurin is a former Buckeye, too. The two receivers complement each other well, especially with Egbuka’s experience covering the middle of the field while Smith handled the length.

The Commanders have the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft, so who they decide to grab will depend on who’s left to choose.

Related​

Comanders select LB James Pearce in latest 33rd Team mock​

Commanders make surprising pick new CBS mock draft​

Jayden Daniels gets some help in the new Daniel Jeremiah mock draft​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...nders-emeka-egbuka-ohio-state-nfl-mock-draft/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Is Deebo Samuel a realistic option for the Commanders?

San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel has been granted permission to seek a trade after six seasons with the team. The 49ers drafted Samuel in 2019, and while the team has been successful, they didn’t make the playoffs this year and Samuel has decided it’s time to move forward with a different team.

The Washington Commanders could provide a landing spot for Samuel, if the right conditions can be agreed upon. Bleacher Report recently listed some realistic trade options for Samuel, one of which includes the Commanders. In the proposal, the Commanders receive Samuel and a 2026 fifth-round draft pick, and in return, they give up a 2026 second-round draft pick. In part, the article says:

Samuel’s rushing ability would also add a dangerous dynamic to Kliff Kingsbury’s offense in Washington. That offense was already hard to corral because of Daniels’ elite scrambling ability. Adding Samuel to the backfield as a running-receiving threat could open up Kingsbury’s playbook even further.

While Washington has the cap space to target free agent receivers before turning to the trade market, it also has several impending free agents who were brought in on short-term deals last offseason—the list includes Bobby Wagner, Dante Fowler Jr., Noah Brown, Jeremy Chinn and Zach Ertz, to name a few.

The Commanders do have some free agents they need to nail down, but letting Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Chinn go would be a travesty. However, they also have enough capital to seek out Samuel after the draft. He would definitely provide another talented weapon for Jayden Daniels, but it all depends on what the Commanders decide to focus on, and their most significant focus right now is defense.

Samuel could end up in Washington; it’s not out of the realm of possibilities, but it’s certainly not an imminent event.

Related​

Commanders select Ohio State star in latest Field Yates mock draft​

Commanders' top 10 plays from 2024 season​

Commanders face major decisions with these 4 free agents​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...ld-provide-veteran-commanders-jayden-daniels/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Former Pro Bowler says be careful writing off Commanders' Daron Payne

Daron Payne looked like he was on the verge of stardom in 2022. Payne set personal career-highs in tackles (64), tackles for loss (18), sacks (11.5) and quarterback hits (20). It was a perfect storm for Payne: He was in a contract year.

Despite the Washington Commanders being for sale, the former regime managed to re-sign Payne to a four-year deal worth $90 million. It was the second-highest contract at that time for a defensive tackle, behind only Aaron Donald. The deal came two years after the Commanders extended fellow DT Jonathan Allen for four years.

Payne was 25 during his breakout season and surely appeared primed for much more.

In two years since Payne started all 34 regular-season games, he has had a combined eight sacks and 18 tackles for loss. Many believed Payne would have a new lease on life under new head coach Dan Quinn, one of the NFL’s top defensive minds.

Not only was Payne not an impactful presence, Washington was horrible against the run. It’s fair to expect more when paying premium money to two interior defensive linemen. That’s not to say all of the Commanders’ defensive woes were on Payne — far from it.

As general manager Adam Peters looks to retool a roster with 28 unrestricted free agents that surprisingly went to the NFC championship game, many fans want to see the Commanders move on from Payne and Allen.

Payne isn’t going anywhere. His contract almost ensures he’ll be in Washington for at least one more season. Allen has only one year remaining with no guaranteed money remaining.

One former Pro Bowl defensive tackle believes people should be careful about writing off Payne.

Former Tampa Bay star Gerald McCoy joined “Grant and Danny” on 106.7 The Fan recently and discussed Payne.

“Payne’s one of my favorites to watch, so y’all shouldn’t write him off,” McCoy said via Audacy. “Everybody has ups and downs, and it’s a year-to-year league.”

McCoy correctly said there was a lot more to playing defensive tackle than just sack numbers.

“When we’re looking at the tackles, I think we should look more at the disruption of what are they doing to disrupt the game,” McCoy said.
“If it’s in the run game, if they take on a double team, are they getting knocked back or are they holding the point to where this running back just ran into a wall that allowed somebody else to go make the play? In the pass rush, are they getting pressure up the middle and it’s not always coming free? You might put the guard in the quarterback’s face, and that’s making him have to flush out. Those are the things that people should start looking at. Sacks are a great stat, but they’re not all created equal.”

McCoy is correct and knows much more about playing defensive tackle than the media, fans and those who break down the All-22 on X.

With that being said, it’s also fair to expect more from Payne. This will be an interesting offseason for the Commanders, with more potential changes coming at defensive tackle.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...daron-payne-pro-bowl-buccaneers-gerald-mccoy/

 

[Washington Commanders]

How do the Commanders evaluate TE Ben Sinnott?

The Commanders were on the clock at No. 53 last April in the NFL draft.

They chose Kansas State tight end Ben Sinnott.

Owner Josh Harris was clearly surprised and asked about Zach Ertz, whom the Commanders had signed earlier in free agency.

GM Adam Peters must have thought TE Zach Ertz was likely to play only one more season, seeing the Cardinals and Lions released Ertz.

Ertz was healthy enough to gain the confidence of Washington quarterbacks to finish second in targets, receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns, and receiving first downs.

Ertz may play again for Washington in 2025, and if he does, what does it mean for Sinnott? Oh, being chosen 53rd overall, Peters and head coach Dan Quinn will not give up on him next season. However, some analysts say the 2025 NFL draft has several good tight ends. Could Peters use a round 3 pick on another tight end because he does not believe in Sinnott?

There is always the possibility / the odds that Ertz at his age and wear and tear may not go through another season as well as he did this past 2024 season.

Ertz was the most effective receiver for the Commanders in 2024 when he got open on third and fourth downs. If he is healthy enough in 2025, you can bet Daniels will want Ertz in the lineup and will often go to him again on those money downs.

The other side of the coin is that Peters and Quinn will also want to see enough from Sinnott in 2025 other than him using his toughness on special teams. The Commanders need to see the development of Sinnott’s game as a route runner. Daniels, as well, will need to see that route-running development, or he won’t look to Sinnott often in 2025.

Ertz, having such a terrific year and returning for 2025 could also be a blessing for Sinnott to learn one more season from Ertz in practice, games, and the meeting rooms.

Yet, the Commanders’ brass will need him to show more in 2025.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/13/washington-commanders-ben-sinnott-2025-nfl-offseason/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Where did the Commanders' tackling rank in 2024?

Prior to the 2024 season, Next Gen Stats and Amazon Web Services collaborated to create Tackle Probability. This is a new artificial intelligence model to estimate all 11 defenders’ chances of making a tackle every tenth of a second of every play from scrimmage. At the end of the season, the NFL used this model to grade each team’s defensive tackling ability. They looked at metrics like tackle efficiency and missed tackle yards lost and graded each team’s success.

The Washington Commanders landed in the top 10 in this category, ranking 8th overall with an 86.8% (B+).

Dan Quinn led the league’s greatest turnaround in Washington this season, and one factor was his development of a disciplined tackling unit that improved from 22nd in the NFL in efficiency in 2023 to fifth this year. The Commanders’ playoff campaign was keyed by a raft of veteran acquisitions, including Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Chinn, who were as impressive as anyone; they were two of four players in the league to convert over 100 tackles on an efficiency rate of 93% or better. Both cornerstones were on one-year deals, and Washington might need to pay up to retain them.

Washington definitely needs to find a way to retain both Wagner and Chinn. They were instrumental in the Commanders’ success on defense this year. While the run defense still needs some love, these two leaving for another team is not ideal for the Commanders.

It is interesting, though, that the Commanders rank 8th in this category, considering how poor their run defense was in 2024, although they did have one of the top-ranked passing defenses. Still, they must find a way to get a solid edge rusher on their line while ensuring Bobby Wagner and Jeremy Chinn don’t go anywhere else.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/13/washington-commanders-ranked-8th-in-tackling-in-2024/

 

[Washington Commanders]

What is the Commanders' biggest roster decision this offseason?

The Washington Commanders have plenty of holes to fill the season but plenty of salary cap space to get things done. That sounds like previous years for Washington, but things are much different this time.

The Commanders are coming off a 12-5 season with two playoff wins, the franchise’s best season in 33 years. Now, Washington must show that last season was no fluke and surround Jayden Daniels with more help on the offensive line, another wide receiver and defensive upgrades.

So, with that cap space and needing to improve, what is the Commanders’ biggest offseason roster decision? Pro Football Focus said it’s all about how Washington chooses to use its cap space.

Going from making the NFC Championship game to having the third-most money to spend in free agency is a pinch-me scenario for Dan Quinn and Adam Peters. This offseason will prove to be a watershed one for Washington, and that $78 million needs to be used to the best degree.

The Commanders’ undoing all season long was their defense, which finished 30th in success rate, 29th in expected points added per play and 29th in team PFF coverage grade. Pass rush, linebacker and cornerback all need work, even after the team added Marshon Lattimore in the middle of the 2024 season. Meanwhile, Washington’s receiver corps needs another dynamic talent next to Terry McLaurin (84.8 PFF receiving grade), while both tackle spots could be better.

Anticipate Washington to make a big signing or two on defense, likely in both the front-four and the secondary. From there, finding complementary pieces to round out the roster seems shrewd. What Peters should avoid is splurging too heavily, thereby handicapping his remaining money to go around.

There are mixed opinions on what the Commanders will do. Some think they’ll be aggressive, while others think they will employ a more measured approach. Rest assured, general manager Adam Peters knows the roster must improve. Just don’t expect a splash move, such as signing Tee Higgins. Washington will look to add multiple quality players this offseason.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...ommanders-2025-nfl-offseason-roster-decision/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders select safety in Joel Klatt's first mock draft

The Washington Commanders have several things to address during the offseason. Whether it’s through the draft, free agency, or trades, they need to improve the run defense, add to the secondary, and add weapons for Jayden Daniels on offense.

Right now, the 2025 NFL draft is at the forefront of everyone’s minds and mock drafts are in abundance. Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt released his very first mock draft on Thursday, and he predicts the Commanders will select safety Nick Emmanwori out of South Carolina.

The Commanders need to address the defense, as we all saw in the NFC Championship Game. I think they should make a play for Myles Garrett. If they’re able to land Garret without giving up this pick, I like Emmanwori here for Washington. I think he’s the best run-stopping safety in the draft.

Throughout his career at South Carolina, Emmanwori recorded 88 total tackles, four interceptions, and scored two touchdowns. The Commanders have several members of its secondary who will become free agents in March, so what they do with those players will give us insight into what their intentions are with the draft.

The Commanders have the 29th overall pick in this year’s draft, and there’s no real consensus as to what the team will do with it.

Related​

Commanders select Ohio State star in latest Field Yates mock draft​

Commanders make surprising pick new CBS mock draft​

Commanders select EDGE James Pearce in latest NFL mock draft​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...el-klatt-first-mock-nfl-draft-south-carolina/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Could Commanders sign Chris Godwin in free agency?

Wide receiver Chris Godwin has been in the NFL for eight seasons. All eight of those seasons, Godwin has suited up for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, but next month, Godwin becomes a free agent. He missed 10 games in 2024 with an ankle injury, forcing the Bucs to rely on other receivers like Mike Evans to get to the postseason.

This, perhaps, hurt Godwin’s status with the Bucs, and they have the salary cap to consider, which is why they may let him go. If that’s the case, The 33rd Team has suggested that Godwin could land with the Washington Commanders.

Thanks to Jayden Daniels’ breakthrough, Washington will be a popular landing spot for mock trades and free-agent signings. Flush with money and featuring a well-liked coaching staff, Washington will win most recruiting battles if they want to. Its quest to add a great No. 2 receiver next to Terry McLaurin is one race it could spend a lot on.

Godwin primarily wins from the slot, logging at least 61 percent of snaps there in five of his last six seasons. Washington may like Luke McCaffrey, but the third-round rookie wasn’t good enough to dissuade them from chasing Godwin and utilizing both receivers in various alignments. Instead, this would be more of an upgrade on Jamison Crowder and Olamide Zaccheaus than McCaffrey.

Jayden Daniels’ favorite target in 2024 was Terry McLaurin, and it’s not even close. The problem with that is that it’s easy to defend, so the Commanders are looking for that solid number-two receiver right now, and only McLaurin and Luke McCaffrey are currently under contract for 2025.

Godwin only appeared in seven games in 2024, recording 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns. If we extrapolate that to the whole season, he would have ended up with nearly 1,400 receiving yards in 2024, whereas Dyami Brown, a Commanders’ free agent, recorded 30 receptions for 308 yards in 16 games.

Both free agency and the ability to trade players begin next month.

Related​

Ravens star would be perfect free-agent addition for Commanders​

Terry McLaurin and Tee Higgins would form one of the NFL's most 'lethal receiving tandems'​

NFL analyst says Commanders are best spot for Myles Garrett​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...ton-commanders-sign-chris-godwin-free-agency/

 

[Washington Commanders]

What occurs if Commanders lose QB Marcus Mariota to free agency?

What would Washington general manager Adam Peters do if quarterback Marcus Mariota departs via NFL free agency?

Mariota is not averse to moving. In his ten NFL seasons, he has already played for five different teams. Mariota, who was drafted by the Titans, spent five seasons in Nashville. Then, He spent two seasons with the Las Vegas Raiders, one as an Atlanta Falcon and Philadelphia Eagle, and last season as a Washington Commander.

Appearing in three games, he took exactly 100 offensive snaps for the Commanders. Mariota played well against the Panthers when Jayden Daniels went down in the first quarter and led a second-half comeback win over the Cowboys in the season finale in Dallas.

Yes, Mariota has a dream job in that he can primarily be a mentor on the practice field, game sidelines, and meeting rooms for Daniels. Mariota could remain healthy in this role, not risking his health for later life.

However, what if Mariota is offered an opportunity to be a team’s bridge starter for a year while they groom and prepare a rookie for 2026? The competitor in Mariota might welcome that opportunity, being fully aware it could very well be his last opportunity to start for an NFL season.

Two teams immediately come to mind who might pursue Mariota to start a year or two for them (The Jets and Raiders). They wouldn’t have to spend so much money, and Mariota might relish one final opportunity at such a role.

Marcus Mariota with the big gain!#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/pSpLQTO6Ot

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) January 5, 2025

If the former No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft determines to depart as a free agent, what does that mean for the Commanders and Adam Peters?

Before you reflexively reply that Jeff Driskel could handle the job as Daniels’ backup, be aware that Driskel is also an unrestricted free agent. It’s not beyond the realm of possibility that both could be offered a raise and depart the Commanders and Daniels.

The Commanders will need to be looking to sign a QB(s) whose market value and role correspond as a backup to Daniels.

Are there connections to Peters or OC Klint Kingsbury? Trey Lance and Jimmy Garoppolo were both in San Francisco with Peters.

Surely some team looking for a possible starter would sign Justin Fields? Might Joshua Dobbs be interested in coming to Ashburn?

Might Daniel Jones be willing to take on such a role as a supportive backup?

Perhaps it would be best for Daniels if Mariota and Driskel were interested in returning to the DMV for another season.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/16/washington-commanders-marcus-mariota-nfl-free-agency/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders WR Terry McLaurin produced one of the top YAC plays of 2024 season

The 2024 NFL season featured several memorable plays for the Washington Commanders. The “Hail Mary” from quarterback Jayden Daniels to Noah Brown to sink the Chicago Bears in Week 8 stands out above the rest. After all, it was the “NFL Moment of the Year.”

Daniels’s touchdown pass to wide receiver Terry McLaurin in the Week 3 edition of Monday Night Football to defeat the Bengals also ranked high on the list.

However, perhaps the most underrated play of the year came in Week 12 when the Commanders hosted the Cowboys in Landover. It was a wild game tied 3-3 at halftime but featured 41 combined points in the fourth quarter.

It looked like the Cowboys had clinched the win when wide receiver KaVontae Turpin returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown with just over two minutes remaining to extend Dallas’ lead to 27-17.

After the Commanders kicked a quick field goal to make it 27-20, Washington made a defensive stop, giving Daniels one more shot. Remarkably, Daniels threw a dart to McLaurin, and he did the rest, taking it 86 yards to the house.

According to Next Gen Stats, the McLaurin catch-and-run made the list of “Incredible YAC” plays.

NGS explained what makes a play “incredible.”

Receiver X catches the ball with no defenders near him and gets 10 yards after the catch. Receiver Y catches the ball in tight coverage, breaks a tackle and gains 5 yards after the catch.

Here’s McLaurin’s touchdown.

COMMANDERS 86-YARD TOUCHDOWN WOW

: #DALvsWAS on FOX

: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/apaNEKNCkh

— NFL (@NFL) November 24, 2024

McLaurin went 60 yards after the catch, including 48 “YAC above expected.”

Unfortunately for the Commanders, kicker Austin Seibert missed the extra point, allowing the Cowboys to hold on for the win.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...terry-mclaurin-top-yac-plays-2024-nfl-season/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders among NFC favorites for 2025 in ESPN expert's panel

The 2024 NFL season is in the books. The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl LIX, their second championship in eight seasons. On their way to the Super Bowl, the Eagles beat the Washington Commanders in the NFC championship game.

The Commanders’ appearance in the NFC championship game shocked everyone. One year after finishing 4-13, Washington, led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and first-year head coach Dan Quinn, had the franchise’s best season in 33 years.

So, it’s not a surprise that the Commanders are an early contender to win the NFC in 2025. Sure, the Eagles will be strong again and difficult to overtake, but Washington has plenty of salary cap space to add talent around Daniels and improve a struggling defense.

ESPN recently gathered 13 “experts” to preview the 2025 season. Each expert made a Super Bowl prediction. Two of those experts have the Commanders making the Super Bowl next season.

Dan Graziano: Chiefs over Commanders. I’m not taking the result of one game to mean the Chiefs are done winning Super Bowls with Patrick Mahomes. Look forward to two weeks of “Is Jayden Daniels the next Mahomes?” conversations leading up to the Super Bowl next season.

Pamela Maldonado, sports betting analyst: Bengals over Commanders. Bold predictions are not for the weak. The Bengals are looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2024 season, and the Commanders are an intriguing long shot after making the NFC Championship Game. With significant cap space, both teams could make impactful moves to bolster their rosters and make the big game.

Three of those experts also predicted Daniels to be the 2025 NFL MVP.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...mmanders-super-bowl-favorites-jayden-daniels/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury is a big fan of Jaguars WR Christian Kirk

The Super Bowl is over and the 2024 season officially concluded with the Philadelphia Eagles crowned champions. Teams are now evaluating their rosters, evaluating draft prospects, deciding which free agents to keep and which ones to let go, and determining if there are players they want to trade for.

Then there are the players who get cut. Whether it’s for cap space purposes, performance problems, or some other reason, players who are cut will be looking for a fresh start somewhere else.

Jacksonville Jaguars wide receiver Christian Kirk is among those players who could be cut in 2025 due to subpar performance the last two seasons and a huge salary cap hit if he stays. The Jaguars’ loss could be the Washington Commanders’ gain, though, as offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury likes what Kirk brings to the table.

ESPN’s Bill Barnwell recently previewed 17 veteran wide receivers who could be available in free agency or via trades this offseason. Barnwell named Kirk a cut candidate.

Former Arizona coach Kliff Kingsbury, now the offensive coordinator in Washington, raved about Kirk as “one of my favorite players I’ve ever been around,” and the Commanders need to add help at wide receiver beyond Terry McLaurin. Luke McCaffrey should have a larger role in his second NFL season, but it wouldn’t be shocking if Kirk reunited with his old coach to play in the slot for Jayden Daniels.

Kingsbury coached Kirk in Arizona from 2019-2021, so there’s already a relationship between the two men. Kirk enjoyed his best NFL season under Kingsbury in 2021. He can line up in the slot, giving Jayden Daniels another outlet while Terry McLaurin stretches the length of the field.

If the Jaguars do cut Kirk, it wouldn’t be surprising if Kingsbury tracks him down and he suits up in burgundy and gold this fall.

Related​

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Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...ury-raves-about-cut-candidate-christian-kirk/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders hire John Madden's grandson to coaching staff

The Washington Commanders are hiring the grandson of an NFL legend to Dan Quinn’s coaching staff.

The team announced on Tuesday that it has added Jesse Madden, the grandson of the late Hall of Famer John Madden, as an offensive quality control coach. It’s Jesse Madden’s first coaching opportunity in the NFL after graduating from Michigan, where he played quarterback as a freshman before switching to defensive back.

Madden was part of the Wolverines’ National Championship team two seasons ago so he’s making a quick transition from playing to coaching.

In addition to Madden, the Commanders also hired Brian Schneider as their assistant special teams coordinator. Schneider worked with Quinn in Seattle, so their connection goes back to their days with the Seahawks.

Brian Schneider and Jesse Madden have been added to the coaching staff

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) February 18, 2025

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/18/commanders-john-madden-grandson-jesse-michigan/

 

[Washington Commanders]

The grades are in and the Commanders had the NFL's best rookie class

No Washington fan will ever forget Greg Zuerlein. It was on Christmas Eve 2023 when the veteran kicker crushed a 54-yard field goal with five seconds remaining to give the New York Jets a 30-28 win over the Washington Commanders.

That kick changed the course of Washington’s history. It made the Commanders’ GM and coaching jobs even more valuable and put the franchise in a position to draft LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The rest, they say, is history.

General manager Adam Peters moved around throughout the draft to add more selections, giving the Commanders three second-round picks and two third-round picks to build around Daniels. The results spoke for themselves. Daniels was phenomenal, leading Washington to a 12-5 season and two road playoff wins. He wasn’t just the best rookie quarterback in NFL history; many analysts and fans are already calling him a top-five quarterback.

So, just Daniels alone would give the Commanders an elite class, but add in contributions from others, such as cornerback Mike Sainristil (50th overall pick) and this was a franchise-changing class.

CBS Sports recently ranked all 32 2024 NFL draft classes. No surprise, Washington was No. 1. But how many “hits” did the Commanders have in Year 1?

Year 1 hits: QB Jayden Daniels, CB Mike Sainristil, OT Brandon Coleman​

Daniels concluding his rookie season as the runaway Offensive Rookie of the Year pushes the Commanders over two of their NFC East rivals here. Sainristil was otherworldly at times — particularly in the playoffs — as a former slot cornerback playing on the perimeter, and Coleman held it down at left tackle as a rookie.

Regardless of whether you think Coleman is a true left tackle, right tackle, or guard, he’s a surefire starter in the NFL for a long time. And to land him in the third round was good business for Peters.

Daniels is the headliner, while Sainristil didn’t receive enough national attention for his outstanding play. He was often overlooked due to Philadelphia’s two rookie cornerbacks.

The Commanders’ three other Day 3 picks (DT Johnny Newton, TE Ben Sinnott and WR Luke McCaffrey) all played, with Newton playing the most. Newton had some standout moments, but will look to take another step in 2025. Sinnott and McCaffrey were further down the depth chart at their respective positions, but remain a big part of Washington’s future.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...nders-nfl-draft-rookie-jayden-daniels-grades/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders cap space update after NFL gives Washington good news

The Washington Commanders already had a good amount of financial freedom in 2025 and didn’t have a lot of changes to make, and now the NFL is expected to increase the salary cap by more than $22 million.

The NFL today informed teams that the 2025 per-team salary cap will fall in the range of $277.5 million to $281.5 million, way up from last year’s $255.4 million. Cap will have increased by more than $53 million over the last two years.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) February 19, 2025

This increase gives the Commanders that much more capital to work with this offseason, giving them even more opportunity to go after those highly sought-after free agents with confidence. With this increase, the Commanders will have more than $82 million in cap space to work with in 2025, according to Over the Cap.

The NFL is waiting on the NFL Players Association to determine what it wants to do with its 2025 deferral, which is why we don’t have a solid number for the increase. Once the NFL gets that information from the NFLPA, we’ll learn what the actual number is.

The Commanders are sitting in really good shape to get what they need this offseason, and if Adam Peters and Dan Quinn can work more magic, there’s no reason to think this team won’t make the Super Bowl in 2025.

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com...manders-gain-capital-nfl-salary-cap-increase/

 

[Washington Commanders]

Commanders named potential landing spot for WR Chris Godwin

The Washington Commanders don’t have much to focus on in the way of missing pieces this offseason, provided they can re-sign the impending free agents they desire to keep. Outside of that, they need to pick up an extra weapon or two for Jayden Daniels to throw to, solidify the run defense, and strengthen the secondary. They’re in really good shape heading into 2025, thanks to Daniels, general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

Regarding the weapons for Jayden Daniels, the Commanders will look at free agency and the draft but could lean toward free agency and getting a veteran who can line up across from Terry McLaurin to stretch opposing defenses. To that end, Tampa Bay Buccaneers wide receiver Chris Godwin agreed with the team to push back his contract void date, meaning that they will not be able to use the franchise tag on him, so if they can’t reach a deal by March 12, Godwin becomes a free agent.

Should Godwin become a free agent, CBS Sports says the Commanders are a potential landing spot.

Jayden Daniels was even better as a rookie than was [Drake] Maye. He had the benefit of working with Terry McLaurin as one of his outside receivers, but the rest of his pass-catching corps still left a lot to be desired. It’s important that Washington not simply be satisfied and count on internal improvement next year. Throwing Godwin into the mix could send Daniels into the stratosphere, and like New England, Washington has more than enough money available to make it a reality.

Over seven games in 2024, Godwin recorded 50 receptions for 576 yards and five touchdowns before injuring his knee. If we extrapolate those numbers to a full season, he would have recorded his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season with 1,399 yards on 121 receptions with 12 touchdowns.

Even if Godwin doesn’t return to his pre-injury form, he’s still a very capable receiver who will make defenses think twice about doubling McLaurin. And the Commanders have the capital to bring in a guy like Godwin, so it’s not out of the realm of possibilities if the Bucs let him get to free agency.

Related​

Could Commanders sign Chris Godwin in free agency?​

Would Rams WR Cooper Kupp be an option for the Commanders?​

Could Bucs star wide receiver be an option for Commanders?​

Source: https://commanderswire.usatoday.com/2025/02/20/washington-commanders-tampa-bay-bucs-wr-chris-godwin/