Washington Commanders
Role Player
Daily Slop - 8 Jun 25 - Giants fans have Week 1 home game vs Commanders circled on the calendar
Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/8/...me-game-vs-commanders-circled-on-the-calendar
Photo by Rich von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff
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Laremy Tunsil displaying leadership while away from the Commanders
Natalie Spala of ABC News 7 in Washington, D.C., recently caught up with offensive line coach Bobby Johnson after OTAs this week in Ashburn. Johnson revealed that Tunsil was the first person to reach out to Conerly after the Commanders selected him 29th overall in the 2025 NFL draft.
“He was the first guy to reach out to Josh when Josh got drafted,” Johnson said. “So, you automatically see a guy who is willing to be a leader and how he can help this young guy. I’m excited to see how fast that accelerates Josh’s development. Because here is a guy who has done it at a high level, who’s very talented, that can kind of give Josh the answers to the test.”
This is interesting because, reportedly, Tunsil’s play wasn’t the issue in Houston. Here’s what Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated wrote about the Tunsil trade from the Texans’ perspective:
Essentially, Houston preferred going younger at offensive tackle and didn’t want to give Tunsil (31 in August) another lucrative extension. The Commanders were thrilled to land Tunsil to protect quarterback Jayden Daniels’ blind side. Washington believes Tunsil has several years of high-quality play remaining.
Commanders Wire
One potential cause for concern remains for the Commanders
Cornerback Marshon Lattimore didn’t exactly impress last year after he was traded from the New Orleans Saints for three draft choices. Lattimore not only struggled, but he was targeted by opposing passing games. Yes, we are aware he dealt with a hamstring injury.
Lattimore had an opportunity to demonstrate that he is aware of the importance of having an offseason that builds rapport with teammates and coaches. He needs to build confidence in others who will be playing with him and coaching him.
Certainly, Lattimore doesn’t think he had a good season in Washington, does he? I mean, how could he? Why doesn’t he feel he has something to prove in Washington? One has to wonder how aware Lattimore is of his actual position. Does Lattimore even realize he is a big question mark right now?
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders might have cracked the code to finally unleash Javon Kinlaw
Joe Whitt Jr. has an interesting plan for Washington’s high-priced free agent acquisition.
It’s no secret that Washington’s defensive line is going to require some creativity to perform at an acceptable standard in 2025. Kinlaw will likely spend most of his snaps lining up at defensive tackle alongside Daron Payne, who is in a make-or-break season following the departure of his longtime running mate Jonathan Allen.
On the edge, Washington’s situation is even bleaker. Some combination of veteran journeymen Dorance Armstrong Jr., Clelin Ferrell, Deatrich Wise Jr., and Jacob Martin will be asked to be the primary contributors, barring someone unexpectedly emerging or the Commanders making another signing.
For that reason, giving Kinlaw some run at the defensive end spot might not be a bad idea at all.
He could be a mismatch against opposing tight ends while allowing Washington to fill the interior with additional run-stoppers. Last year’s second-round pick Johnny Newton had impressive moments as a rookie, and Eddie Goldman is another veteran free agent signing who figures to play a key reserve role.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders plan to get Jordan Magee more involved in 2025
Jordan Magee was a fifth-round pick by the Commanders in 2024 but didn’t see the field very much as a rookie. He appeared in only eight games due to injury, recording nine tackles and no other statistics. He did enough to impress defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., who wants to get the second-year player from Temple more involved in 2025.
Magee figures to compete with Dominique Hampton, Kain Medrano, and more for backup snaps at linebacker in Whitt’s defense, which generally runs a 4-2-5 scheme. [Though Whitt] also notes that the Commanders could utilize more three-linebacker sets this upcoming campaign.
There’s certainly room for him to find a regular place on the field. Should Wagner or Luvu be forced to miss time due to injuries, the player’s role would become even more crucial.
Whitt says that even last year, he wanted to get Magee more reps. However, it was hard to give him a proper acclimation to the NFL after he missed the first seven games of Washington’s season with a knee issue that required surgery.
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Survey results: Giants fans can’t wait for Week 1
Giants fans want Washington.
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We’re in the season of hope, and Week 1 should be our first chance to see Russell Wilson, Abdul Carter, Darius Alexander, and Cam Skattebo on the field. The Giants will get to test themselves against a division rival that played in the NFC Champhionship, and prove that they’re better than they’re given credit.
And the chance to, perhaps, start Jayden Daniels sophomore season on a sour note is compelling as well.
It’s still early yet and a lot can change over the coming months. But FanDuel Sportsbook lists the Giants as 6.5-point underdogs on the road against Washington.
That, however, also illustrates just how rapidly life can change in the NFL.
Pro Football Talk
Giants DC Shane Bowen tells his players to “be a damn pirate”
Giants defenders have celebrated turnovers during their organized team activities by depositing footballs into a treasure chest and defensive coordinator Shane Bowen was asked about the new tradition during a press conference this week. Bowen said he got inspiration from his son playing on the Pirates in his tee-ball league and he’s using the chest to motivate players after the Giants forced just 15 turnovers a year ago.
“The main thing is emphasizing takeaways,” Bowen said, via a transcript from the team. “We got to get better at takeaways. Somehow got the idea of piracy, violent, attacking to steal possessions or goods, right? You’ll hear our guys say it. I say it ad nauseum: Be a damn pirate. We got to find ways to get the ball. And, again, you get what you emphasize. We’re making it a priority this year to make sure we find ways to get the ball.”
Bowen noted that 12 of the 14 playoff teams — the Buccaneers, who have a pirate ship in their stadium, were tied for 16th — were in the top half of the league in turnovers last season and the Giants are trying to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2022.
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Seven NFL enigmas in 2025: Kyler Murray, Kyle Pitts, Bryce Huff among a confounding group of players
George Pickens - Dallas Cowboys · WR
The big-play specialist has terrorized opponents during stretches as a vertical playmaker with exceptional size, length and leaping ability. Over his first three NFL campaigns, Pickens averaged a whopping 16.3 yards per catch and scored 13 touchdowns despite playing on a team lacking competent quarterback play. And yet, Pittsburgh still traded for DK Metcalf this offseason before dealing Pickens to Dallas. Clearly, the Steelers chafed at the 24-year-old’s immaturity and inconsistency, ultimately preventing the team from committing to Pickens as the No. 1 option. But with the Cowboys, Pickens could be the perfect WR1/WR2 hybrid to share the marquee with CeeDee Lamb. Considering the number of 1-on-1 chances Pickens will receive in an offense that is committed to pushing the ball down the field with Dak Prescott at the helm, Dallas’ newest pass catcher could take a major step forward in a contract season.
Kayvon Thibodeaux - New York Giants · OLB
As the fifth overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft, Thibodeaux was expected to take the league by storm as an explosive pass-rushing threat off the edge. Though the fourth-year pro has amassed 21 sacks, six forced fumbles and 46 quarterback hits in 43 career games, the polarizing defender has not blossomed into the game changer some envisioned when the Giants added him to a front that desperately needed an impact player on the edge. With Dexter Lawrence, Brian Burns and 2025 No. 3 overall pick Abdul Carter poised to command significant attention from opponents this fall, Thibodeaux will have plenty of chances to show off his pass-rushing prowess against favorable 1-on-1 matchups at the point of attack.
All-Paid Team of Tomorrow: Lamar Jackson, Micah Parsons poised to reset market at respective positions
WIDE RECEIVER
Drake London -Atlanta Falcons · 24 years old
- Projected APY: $40+ million
- Free agent after: 2026
London emerged as a star in his third season with the Falcons, finishing with 1,271 receiving yards in 2024 (fourth-most in the league). London was one of the league’s dominant intermediate threats, joining Ja’Marr Chase as the only receivers with 600-plus yards on targets in the 10–19 yard range, per NGS. London also had 67 first-down grabs in 2024, trailing only Chase (75) and Amon-Ra St. Brown (73).
If the start of the Michael Penix Jr. era is any indication, London might be going to the moon in 2025. He averaged 117.3 receiving yards per game in Penix’s three starts last season, the most by any starting QB-receiver duo in the NFL (minimum three starts). His 6-foot-4 frame and basketball background make him an elite jump ball threat — his 40 contested catches over the last two seasons lead the NFL, per PFF.
It’s hard for any receiver this side of Justin Jefferson to make a case to be paid higher than Chase. However, as the salary cap continues to grow, players will challenge Chase for the top average annual salary. As the pie gets bigger so do the slices.
ON THE RADAR:
Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: McLaurin has thrived regardless of who is throwing him the football in Washington. He’s led the team in receptions and receiving yards in each of his first six seasons. In his first year with Jayden Daniels under center, McLaurin almost doubled his previous high in touchdown catches (from 7 to 13) and finished with his fifth straight 1,000-yard season. He’s consistently made his quarterbacks better (he led the NFL with 24 contested catches in 2024). McLaurin turns 30 in September and is in the final season of his deal. He won’t challenge Ja’Marr Chase’s salary, but he’ll be paid like a clear WR1 soon.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Rashawn Slater - Los Angeles Chargers · 26 years old
- Projected APY: $29+ million
- Free agent after: 2025
Slater has proven to be one of the NFL’s best pass protectors since entering the league.
A Pro Bowler as a rookie in 2021, Slater missed 14 games due to a ruptured bicep the following season. He returned without missing a beat in pass protection but did struggle in the run game in 2023. The latter aspect of his game improved greatly in his first season under head coach Jim Harbaugh. He earned the fifth-highest PFF run-blocking grade among tackles and remained elite as a pass blocker, grading out as PFF’s third-best offensive tackle in pass protection (90.3 grade).
Slater is currently slated to play 2025 on his $19 million fifth-year option. Harbaugh values his offensive line as much as anyone. In Slater, the Chargers have an improving run blocker and one of the league’s best pass protectors on Justin Herbert’s blindside. It would be a shock if Slater doesn’t have a new deal before Week 1.
ON THE RADAR:
OT Laremy Tunsil, Washington Commanders: With protecting Jayden Daniels being the main mission in Washington, the Commanders traded for Tunsil, one of the league’s best pass blockers. It’s unlikely the team will let Tunsil walk anytime soon, given the draft assets it parted with to acquire him. He has two years left on his current deal and will turn 31 in August. A Pro Bowler in five of the last six seasons, Tunsil should get a multi-year contract at the top of the market, barring a huge decline in his first season in D.C.
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Pro Football Talk
Judge approves landmark college sports settlement
The deal includes $2.8 billion in payments to players over the past 10 years along with payments to players moving forward.
This hardly ends the chaos currently consuming college sports. The major conferences have launched the College Sports Commission (which is different from the presidential commission that was under consideration for like a week) to regulate NIL collectives that have in many instances become pay-for-play programs.
Here’s the problem. Any collective action by independent businesses that restrict the earning capacity of the athletes potentially creates a fresh antitrust problem.
Friday’s settlement resolves (in theory) the manner in which the schools will directly compensate players. The NIL issue is separate.
And it should be open season, thanks to the American system of free enterprise. That’s why the colleges want the federal government to throw them a lifeline with legislation that would include an antitrust exemption.
The only truly effective solution would come from creating a nationwide union and negotiating rules regarding key issues like compensation limits and transfer rights. With that, however, the players would have the ability to secure protections against, for instance, unlimited padded practices and a year-round schedule of intense workouts that leave the players with very little time to themselves — especially relative to pro athletes.
So the settlemen isn’t the end. It’s more like the end of the beginning, with plenty more work to be done.
All aTwitter
Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/8/...me-game-vs-commanders-circled-on-the-calendar
