News Commanders Team Notes

Daily Slop - 23 Jun 25

NFL: APR 27 2023 Draft

Photo by Scott Winters/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

Commanders links

Articles​

ESPN

Five Commanders who could strike it rich in 2026


The Commanders have 37 players entering the final year of their contracts, with 20 who would be considered either starters or key backups. Not all of those 37 will make the roster. Some, though, have a chance for multiyear deals if they produce, whether in Washington or elsewhere.

Here are five players whose next contract will be greatly impacted by this season:

WR Deebo Samuel Sr.​


The Commanders did not negotiate an extension with Samuel after trading a fifth-round pick to the San Francisco 49ers for him this offseason. They converted $15.43 million of his existing base salary into a signing bonus and added four voidable years to spread the cap hit. He’ll count only $5,151,105 on the cap this season.

RB Brian Robinson Jr.​


He, too, is in the final year of his rookie contract. In his first three seasons Robinson has rushed for 2,329 yards and 15 touchdowns, averaging 4.1 yards per carry. The Commanders drafted running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt in the seventh round. It’s way too soon to consider him Robinson’s eventual replacement, but regardless, the fourth-year back needs a strong season. He has yet to rush for more than 800 yards in a season.

He should have a stronger offensive line to open holes; in the last nine games last season, including the postseason, Robinson had six games when he averaged 1.48 yards or less before first contact. The league average was 2.67 yards.

Nagging injury issues have hindered his play the past two years.

“The biggest thing for me is being available,” he said. “I’m hell when I’m well.”


The Athletic (paywall)​

Commanders owner Josh Harris buys $500,000 Jayden Daniels card in record sale


A new record sale for a Jayden Daniels trading card was set when Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris agreed to pay $500,000 for one of Daniels’ most sought-after rookie cards while standing next to the young quarterback on stage at Topps Trade Night on Saturday.

Harris and Daniels were special guests at the event, which followed Day 2 of Fanatics Fest at the Javits Center.

The original unearthing of the Daniels Black Finite card bears its own improbable story.

A collector with the username “Dr. Moist Muffins” acquired the card from a pack through a box break (where collectors pay for a select portion of the cards opened by a third party) on a Fanatics Live stream around midday New Year’s Day. Dr. Ojash Raval, as he’s known outside of trading card livestreams, only spent $36 for the rights to all the Commanders cards in the break. The monster Daniels card then emerged from a pack, spurring immediate offers from interested buyers. Alexis Ohanian, the co-founder of Reddit and husband to tennis legend Serena Williams, had previously offered a $200,000 public bounty to whoever pulled the card.

Roth wouldn’t give an exact amount of how much was spent in buying the card from “Dr. Moist Muffins,” but said it was in the mid-$300,000 range. So Roth and Ramos will share in a profit of about $150,000 on the card.

And as much as the original discovery of the card came by chance, the card’s sale to Harris felt just as improbable.

Roth said he walked into Fanatics Fest before the doors opened early Saturday since his business had purchased a table to sell cards at the show. He found Rubin “just chilling, kicking a soccer ball” in the Dick’s Sporting Goods set-up near one of the Fest’s entrances. Ramos called the encounter with Rubin “just random.”

“I walked up to him and said, ‘Yo, we’ve got to show Jayden this card. It’s the best (Daniels) card in existence,’” Roth said. “Now granted, it’s not a Topps product. So Rubin was kind of (hesitant).”

Roth said his table had a great day at the show and he and his business partner Ramos then walked into the Topps trade night, which is essentially a swap meet for card collectors, on the top floor of Javits Center after the Fest closed up shop for the day.

Rubin introduced Daniels and Harris to the crowd and shortly after asked, “Who has the biggest Jayden Daniels card?” The duo, with the help of a bulky lead blocker, broke through the crowd to the stage holding up the one-of-a-kind card.


Riggo’s Rag

5 Commanders who silently took over the offseason without anyone noticing

Chris Moore - Commanders WR​


Terry McLaurin, Noah Brown, and Michael Gallup all missed time for different reasons over the Washington Commanders’ off-season program. That provided a chance for other wide receivers to get more involved, and some grasped the opportunity with both hands.

Chris Moore shone more than most. The veteran pass-catcher is looking to shake the dynamic in a crowded room. He’s caught the eye with consistent route running and assured hands. It’ll take much more to make the squad, but he’s off to a good start.

The former fourth-round pick out of Cincinnati arrived late last season. Moore was an emergency option, but nothing else, which is understandable in the circumstances. This experience around the set-up has served him well, so he’s a player to watch as the summer unfolds.

McLaurin, Brown, Deebo Samuel Sr., Luke McCaffrey, and rookie Jaylin Lane will make the 53-man roster. That leaves potentially one more available spot if the Commanders take six receivers through. Others will fancy their chances, but Moore might be in the driver’s seat right now, given his outstanding start to preparations.

Jonathan Jones - Commanders CB​


There is plenty of hype around the Commanders’ cornerback room entering 2025. This once-problematic area could become one of strength if everyone meets expectations. That’ll be needed considering the concerns around the team’s lack of legitimate pass-rushing options.

Marshon Lattimore looks healthy and explosive. Mike Sainristil is a franchise cornerstone in waiting after his phenomenal rookie campaign. Noah Igbinoghene will be looking to kick on after an encouraging season. Second-round pick Trey Amos is a potential steal who could help immediately.

Less has been said about free-agent signing Jonathan Jones. The two-time Super Bowl winner signed a one-year deal this offseason, ending his prolific nine-year stint with the New England Patriots. He’s punched well above his weight throughout his career. Based on the former Auburn star’s early integration into the Commanders, hopes are high that this trend can continue.

Jones often goes under the radar. Nobody gave him a shot initially. He went undrafted and was deemed too undersized to make any sort of impression. He’s silenced those doubters and so much more, and he’s ready to help Washington get over the hump.


Podcasts & videos


Episode 1,099 - Guest: @BrandonThornNFL. High-level analysis of Commanders' offensive & defensive lines. Great insight on Laremy Tunsil, Josh Conerly, Brandon Coleman, Johnny Newton, value of interior rush & more.

Big wins for Nats & O's - James Wood https://t.co/a0l24LjeDg

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) June 20, 2025

NFC East links

Big Blue View

Odell Beckham Jr. hints being open to Giants reunion, is his return really on the table?


It’s the kind of moment that sets Giants fans into a frenzy. And it’s not just the comment, it’s the timing.


Fan yells “Go back to the Giants” to Odell Beckham Jr.

“I got you.” pic.twitter.com/3JDvb5M4gj

— Arye Pulli (@AryePulliNFL) June 21, 2025

the idea of adding Beckham to the mix brings more than nostalgia. It brings leadership, playoff experience, and the kind of spark that can’t be taught.

Since leaving New York, Beckham’s journey has been a mixed bag. He won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Rams in 2021, had a short stint in Baltimore, and finished last season with the Miami Dolphins catching just nine passes before being released.

MetLife Stadium would erupt if No. 13 returned even in a limited role and it’s a storyline that would bring a full-circle moment to one of the most electric players in franchise history.

Beckham may no longer be the same superstar, but his connection to the Giants fanbase runs deep. And in a season where the team is looking to find both identity and momentum, could this door stay cracked open just a little longer?


NFL league links

Articles​

Deadspin

Why Saquon Barkley Is Unlikely to Reach 2,000 Rushing Yards Again This Season


Saquon Barkley will not rush for 2,000 yards in 2025, and it has nothing to do with a Super Bowl hangover or a Madden curse.

More than a century of history stands in the way of the Philadelphia Eagles star, who became the ninth member of the 2K club in 2024. It’s a club with zero two-time members.

The first eight players to reach the milestone missed a combined 28 games in their follow-up campaigns and averaged just under 1,080 rushing yards that season — a fine total, for sure, but barely halfway to NFL immortality.

Barkley is only 28 and still in his prime, but he would have to survive another heavy workload after leading the league with a career-high 345 carries in 16 games last season. He will undoubtedly encounter more stacked boxes and other run-targeting game plans, plus Philadelphia will face the NFL’s fourth-toughest schedule (.561 opponents’ winning percentage in 2024).

Those are a few of the factual, physical barriers in his path, to say nothing of the aforementioned mythical roadblocks as both a reigning Super Bowl LIX champion and “Madden NFL 26” cover model.

Not even Barkley can hurdle that many obstacles.


The Athletic (paywall)​

The board decision that sent the MLB, NFL unions into controversy


Last June, eight members of the board of directors for a licensing group called OneTeam Partners, which is co-owned by the players unions for five major sports leagues, signed a resolution that would have included the member unions in a plan to receive “profits units.” Those units, like traditional equity, could be turned into cash if the company did well.

It was a move that raised alarms within at least one of the unions.

The resolution, which was obtained by The Athletic, called for any eventual payouts — made through what is known as a senior employee incentive plan (SEIP) — to go to the unions the board members hail from. The resolution also directly acknowledged the possibility that the unions could then grant that money to their board members.

“The explicit goal throughout the process was to financially enrich the individuals who serve on the OTP Board as labor organization representatives,” the NFLPA official wrote to lawyers in a communication criticizing the plan, which was reviewed by The Athletic. “… the idea was to pay the money into the unions, then the individuals.”

In a statement to The Athletic, OneTeam said that though the plan was considered, it was ultimately abandoned.

The NFLPA official who voiced concern about the incentive plan wrote that they were concerned about the potential for various conflicts of interest. The official argued internally that the change to the plan could dilute the players’ existing stakes, which they held via their unions. The official also questioned whether the players were informed of how their financial interests might be affected.

Plans like SEIP are common in the business world. Companies use them to reward and lure top leaders, and the programs often grant traditional shares in a company. Private companies in particular will often grant something that operates similarly to shares but is not traditional equity, according to Chris Crawford, managing director for the executive compensation practice at the firm Gallagher.

“It’s not a publicly traded, readily tradable environment,” Crawford said. “It gets into these third-party transactions that get a little bit messy. The most common is by a generic term called ‘phantom stock.’”

Hence OneTeam’s use of “profits units.”

But ultimately, OneTeam is not a common business because it is largely owned by unions. Union officials have legal obligations to their members and their members’ interests, and most unions don’t have for-profit arms with the overlay of those governance concerns.

“The labor organizations’ representatives on the OTP Board are there as FIDUCIARIES representing their union members’ direct ownership interests in the Company — their legal duties are not to the Company generally, but rather their union members’ ownership in the company,” the NFLPA official wrote in the email to lawyers.

The union officials have their positions on OneTeam’s board because of their union roles, positions for which they are already compensated.


All aTwitter


Born to battle pic.twitter.com/xXijdVdSuF

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 21, 2025

major 2014 vibes pic.twitter.com/OYspBpp9lD

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 22, 2025

77 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/ejM1kLyuZI

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 22, 2025

77 days (11 weeks!) until the @Commanders kick off against the Giants! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/Z7QU7xs4es

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 22, 2025

The boss and the franchise QB. pic.twitter.com/RKT3asAC0Z

— Riggo's Rag (@RiggosRag) June 22, 2025


Kevin Durant says Micah Parsons will be a Washington Commander at some point in his career.

Kay Adams: "When?"

Durant: "I will say two years from now."

Parsons: "Yo, I only rock with Dan Quinn."

Durant: "Exactly. That's all ya need to rock with!"

( @FanaticsFest) pic.twitter.com/22CLa3EeZo

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) June 22, 2025

Jayden Daniels and Joe burrow catching up #RaiseHail #Bengals #LSUFootball pic.twitter.com/8ipjyxpB8o

— PAIN (@Xommanders) June 22, 2025

Rick Snider’s Washington says RIP Fred Smith, who should have owned the Washington Redskins over Dan Snyder. Gimme two minutes. pic.twitter.com/pdStYKDtIA

— Rick Snider's Washington (@Snide_Remarks) June 23, 2025

Aaron Wiggins becomes the fourth Terp to win an NBA title in program history as a player joining Adrian Branch (1987), Keith Booth (1998), and Tony Massenberg (2005).

Drew Nicholas was also part of the Denver Nuggets front office for their 2023 NBA title.

-… https://t.co/h1P2xElabj

— Maryland Men’s Basketball (@TerrapinHoops) June 23, 2025

The Thunder are the youngest NBA championship team in more than 40 years pic.twitter.com/iWtAJ0W42t

— Lev Akabas (@LevAkabas) June 23, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/23/24450709/daily-slop-23-jun-25
 
Daily Slop - 25 Jun 25 - Jayden Daniels, Javon Kinlaw, Josh Conerly Jr, Terry McLaurin, and the RFK Stadium site

Chicago Bears v Washington Commanders

Photo by Scott Taetsch/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

Commanders links

Articles​

NFL.com

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler: Jayden Daniels ‘exceeded expectations’ in 2024, but will show ‘more growth this year’


Ekeler believes Daniels will be an improved version during his sophomore NFL campaign.

“He definitely exceeded expectations,” Ekeler said in a recent Sirius XM NFL Radio interview. “I think that’s a good thing, not that I have low expectations for him, but you really don’t know.

“So, I think with quarterbacks that come in, and I’ve been around long enough to know how much they have on their plate, there’s a lot that they have to acclimate to. There’s a lot, especially learning a new playbook and getting into a new organization and you were the second-overall pick and a lot of high expectations. It was like, ‘Yeah, I’m expecting you to play well.’ Now, go out and kind of have an MVP-caliber type season and where you are competing in those conversations, typically you don’t get that from players.”

Washington got that from Daniels, though, as he sparkled to the tune of 3,568 passing yards and 891 rushing yards, becoming the first rookie to ever cross the 3,500 passing and 800 rushing thresholds. His rushing total was a rookie QB record, as was his 69.0 completion percentage. Daniels had 31 touchdowns (25 passing, six rushing) in the regular season, one in which he quarterbacked Washington to a 12-5 record for its first winning season since 2015. That all preceded Daniels piloting Washington to the franchise’s first NFC Championship Game appearance since 1991.

“I think there’s even going to be more growth this year, which is awesome because of where we are at with our team and have a lot of players back,” Ekeler said.


Commanders.com

Javon Kinlaw thrilled to reunite with Darryl Tapp


He was brought to the DMV by Adam Peters, who was part of the San Francisco 49ers front office that drafted him, and reunited with defensive line coach Darryl Tapp — a former member of the 49ers’ coaching staff that has deep knowledge of his skill set and how to get the most out of him.

The Commanders and Kinlaw believe that relationship will help elevate both his game and the entire defense.

“Coming from a guy who actually knows me pretty well, even outside of the game of football, it’s always a beautiful thing,” Kinlaw said. “He knows what he’s getting when it comes to me. I’m excited, for sure, because he brings a lot of energy.”

Tapp, who was hired by the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach in 2021, finally got to work with a fully healthy version of Kinlaw ahead of the 2023 season. Although the 49ers chose not to re-sign Kinlaw, he did have his best performance with the team, recording 25 tackles and six quarterback hits. He got his first sack in nearly three years and ended up with a then career-high of 3.5 sacks.

Tapp said Kinlaw was “a puppy” when they first started working together. Now, while Kinlaw still has room to grow, he’s a more confident player who can both stop the run and pressure quarterbacks as an interior defender.

“He’s doing a lot of big things and really come into his own as far as his play style,” Tapp said.


ESPN

2025 NFL rookie updates: Tracking all first-round draft picks

29. Commanders: Josh Conerly Jr., OT​


The Commanders are excited about Conerly. The belief is that he could move to left tackle down the road. For now, though, Conerly will play right tackle. They have not handed him the starting job. He worked mostly with the second group in the spring. But his footwork and ability to play in space and move on pulling action make the team confident. It’s hard to accurately gauge an offensive lineman until the pads come on in practice, but his movement skills impressed.

“He’s going to be a dog,” Laremy Tunsil said. “Just the way he moves, the way he bends, athletic, smart, very intelligent. He has all the tools to be a damn good player in this league.” — John Keim


Heavy.com

Cost of Loyalty: Why Washington Must Lock in Terry McLaurin


Financially, Washington is well-positioned to get a deal done. The team is not strapped by massive veteran contracts and has managed its salary cap efficiently heading into 2025. With the NFL cap rising again this offseason, the window is wide open to offer McLaurin a top-of-market deal.

The question is: how much?

Letting McLaurin reach free agency would be a dangerous gamble. He would instantly become one of the top players on the market, with no shortage of suitors. Beyond the risk of losing his on-field production, parting ways with McLaurin would jeopardize the culture Quinn is building, one centered around accountability, consistency, and professionalism. McLaurin embodies all three.

McLaurin has played through chaos, kept his head down, and performed like a star. He has earned his place as a leader, a fan favorite, and one of the most respected players in the league. While other players have come and gone, McLaurin has been the face of the Commanders’ resilience.

With the franchise now turning a corner, a potential Super Bowl team with national attention, including a marquee game in Madrid and multiple primetime appearances, keeping McLaurin in the fold is a no-brainer.

Paying McLaurin isn’t just about statistics. It’s about rewarding the kind of player every team hopes to build around. For a team that’s finally building something real, there’s no better time, and no better message, than locking in No. 17 for the long haul.


Commanders Wire

Will DC Council get the job done for the new Commanders stadium?


In recent weeks, we have heard how the city council may not actually approve the Commanders’ new stadium being built at the old RFK Stadium site.

The city council must vote for this by July 15 to get it going, which means DC Mayor Murial Bowser and the city council have only three weeks.

If this is going to get done, it’s going to have to be because Commanders’ owner Josh Harris and his ownership group step in and provide something else, promising more. Harris and his people are more promising to get it done, not only because Harris and his group are miles and miles beyond what Dan Snyder and his group were, but also because the Harris ownership group actually wants to have the Commanders in the new stadium playing NFL games by the 2030 season.

If the city council drags its feet again on this, the chances of hosting the Women’s World Cup in 2031 would be seriously jeopardized. Harris would also like to host a Super Bowl in Washington....


Podcasts & videos


With @DaltonRoss. Whether the Commanders boosted the offense enough to carry the team. Reading between the lines of coach/player speak. Rooting behind enemy lines.
Also, the Pacers-Commanders Corollary and Fred Smith's local legacy.https://t.co/gUnAUHjdei

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 23, 2025


NFC East links

Blogging the Boys

Osa Odighizuwa should dominate for Cowboys in new defensive scheme


A big reason I'm very bullish on Osa Odighizuwa in Eberflus' scheme is that he's going to be tasked with attacking his gap rather than playing blocks (which he did a ton of with Invader Zim).

OO97's biggest issue versus the run comes when he's catching blocks, as he doesn't…

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) June 18, 2025

To sum up Owning’s point, Zimmer’s scheme did not ask Odighizuwa to be a straight up disruptor as often. Due to the complexity of Zimmer’s schemes, Odighizuwa was often tasked with a variety of other responsibilities in addition to “see ball, get ball.”

Odighizuwa wasn’t even a bad fit for Zimmer, either. He recorded seven sacks, 60 pressures, and 30 run stops according to Pro Football Focus, all of which are career bests for him. Despite not operating solely as a gap penetrator, Odighizuwa blew his previous pass rushing high marks - four sacks and 43 pressures - out of the water.

Still, attacking his gap and exploding into the backfield is the thing Odighizuwa does best, and he’ll be doing an awful lot of it with Eberflus in town. His pass rush win rate of 15.1% in 2024 ranked third-best in the league among interior defenders, behind only John Franklin-Myers and Chris Jones.

Imagine how much more effective Odighizuwa can be in a role that frees him up to exclusively hunt the quarterback.


Big Blue View

Have the Giants solved their swing-tackle problem?


In 2023, they kept 2023 third-round pick Matt Peart as the designated swing tackle, but when they needed a replacement for Thomas refused to use him. Instead, they plugged in Josh Ezeudu, a guard who had failed to win a starting job.

That was a disaster. Ezeudu wasn’t up to the task, and that contributed to the Giants’ offensive line falling apart. Quarterback Daniel Jones suffered a neck injury, then a season-ending knee injury while getting pounded game after game. Giants’ quarterbacks ended up getting sacked a ridiculous league-leading 85 times.

The Giants didn’t end up with a better plan in 2024. When it became clear Neal wouldn’t be ready for the season, they moved Eluemunor to right tackle. They did not, though, pivot and find another swing tackle. That job fell to Ezeudu again.

Thomas, of course, suffered his Week 6 injury and Ezeudu was forced back into the lineup. The Ezeudu at left tackle plan again proved inadequate.

This offseason, [the Giants] signed a pair of veteran swing tackles in James Hudson and Stone Forsythe.

It was clear during spring practices that the Giants are counting on Hudson to step in if injuries once again befall Thomas. Hudson took almost all of the first-team left tackle reps in the spring as Thomas continued his off the field rehab program.

When I asked Jared Mueller of SB Nation’s Dawgs By Nature, which covers the Browns, about Hudson he used the word “inconsistent.” Which is probably why Hudson has never been a full-time starter.

Fingers crossed that Thomas stays healthy and the Giants don’t need Hudson to play for an extended length of time. If he does have to play, though, we will see if the Giants have made the right bet that he can handle a critical job.


NFL league links

Articles​

NFL.com

Ranking each division by quarterback heading into the 2025 NFL season


With each week of the NFL season, it is my job to analyze every snap of every game with a focus on the signal-callers. And after each week’s games are complete, I rank every quarterback.

But I typically only handle quarterbacks through an individual lens. What if we were to group them by division, in an effort to determine which four-team collective packs the greatest passing punch?

That’s exactly what I’ve done here — and I’ve added a fun wrinkle that taps into the final QB Index from the 2024 season, in which I ranked every QB to start a game last year, to add a bit more order to a process that might otherwise be reputation-dependent. The divisions are listed below according to how each team’s expected starting quarterback ranked as of the end of the 2024 playoffs, presented in countdown fashion.

3) NFC EAST​


Average QBI ranking: 14


For a division that commands big-market attention annually, this feels right. There is a new hierarchy of main actors, however. In many previous years, Prescott would be the unquestioned top quarterback among the four. Instead, after missing nine games in 2024, he’s third among this group, according to the year-end QBI rankings, and is going to need a strong bounceback season to usurp the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year (Daniels) and Super Bowl LIX MVP (Hurts). That’s how high the bar is in the NFC East, where Wilson’s Big Apple arrival will almost certainly be overshadowed, especially compared to the amount of attention his move to Denver in 2022 drew. More eyes will be focused on Daniels’ sophomore season and Hurts’ title defense. We’ll see if the latter QB bumps his ranking up, which would appease the many Eagles fans who likely spend their free time throwing darts at my headshot.

1) AFC WEST​


Average QBI rank: 12.5


Surprised? I was, at least a little bit. We knew Mahomes and Herbert would lift this division’s overall ranking to a certain level, but the true linchpin of the group is the new student in the class; not only did Smith’s acquisition by the Raiders give Las Vegas a legitimate starter, it also filled out the league’s strongest quarterbacking division entering 2025. I haven’t forgotten about Nix, who flirted with end-of-year awards consideration in 2024, even as a bit of a tumultuous late-season stretch reminded us of the challenges that face every rookie. Nix married quite well with coach Sean Payton, helped the Broncos return to the postseason for the first time in nearly a decade and positioned Denver for a very optimistic 2025. If he keeps it up, he’ll climb the ranking and confirm the supremacy of a division otherwise populated by proven veterans.


Discussion topics

Pro Football Focus

Ranking top 10 returning NFL head coaches entering 2025

  1. Andy Reid
  2. Sean Payton
  3. Sean McVay
  4. John Harbaugh
  5. Mike Tomlin
  6. Jim Harbaugh
  7. Kyle Shanahan
  8. Nick Siriani
  9. Dan Campbell
  10. Kevin Stefanski

(BiB: With 7 newly hired head coaches, this ranking is 10 out of 25, or the top 40%. Dan Quinn was ranked 13th)


Big Blue View

Is Brian Daboll of the Giants really the NFL’s worst returning head coach?


[H]ere is what PFSN said about Daboll:

Brian Daboll’s head coaching tenure with the New York Giants has been a tale of diminishing returns. Following an impressive 9-7-1 debut in 2022, which included a playoff win, expectations skyrocketed. But since then, Daboll has gone just 9-25 over the past two seasons.

New York’s offense has ranked in the bottom three in scoring in each of the last two seasons, and the defense ranked 31st in PFSN’s Defense+ metric in 2024. Though Daboll’s tenure with the Giants hasn’t been long, it’s beginning to seem like his brief early success was more of an outlier than the foundation for something special.

Considering how the Giants have regressed across the board, it’s a bit surprising that Daboll made it through another offseason unscathed. We’ve seen other coaches get canned for less. However, the front office appears to be holding onto hopes that he can find the magic again. It’s fair to question whether or not Daboll should return to a coordinator role, where he thrived in Buffalo.

Daboll’s future comes down to this — let’s see what he does now that he and the Giants have drafted him a quarterback he had a heavy hand in selecting, and can mold from scratch in the NFL.

Quarterback coach Jordan Palmer, who coaches Josh Allen and thus knows Daboll well, has been waiting for the Giants to get Daboll “his guy.”

“What I really like about this marriage is that I’ve seen in my work with Josh Allen Brian Daboll’s ability to teach,” Palmer said. “Now, Giants fans have their opinion on Brian, whatever it is, and it’s largely tied to win-loss record.

“What doesn’t get seen is his ability to teach. I’m a quarterback coach, but at the end of the day I’m a teacher. I’ve seen Brian Daboll be one of, honestly if not the best at teaching the game.

“I just kind of have felt for a couple years that I can’t wait until Brian can get his guy that he picked, that he brought in. I can’t wait until he can come in and start from scratch with somebody and just teach, because I think he’s one of the best teachers in the game.”


All aTwitter


Call him coach Deebo

DC showed out for @19problemz' youth football camp pic.twitter.com/P2wCxgg2K7

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 24, 2025

If you drive by Ashburn and see there’s no bubble at the Commanders’ facility, it’s because the team is putting up a new bubble (a new shell), along with all the other construction for a new locker room.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 24, 2025

Ravens announce 16 training camp practices open to fans plus a stadium practice. I’m very curious what the number is for the Commanders, they’ve got a ton of construction going on in Ashburn but the word is should be complete by camp.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 24, 2025


I will never complain about paying for top tier talent at 2022 prices … All-Pro Latt incoming #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/58WPC3pDRo

— Burgundy&Gold Soulja (@FLYSHit_Period) June 25, 2025


Top Plays From Mike Sainristil's rookie season (including playoffs)

A thread

#1
Clutch Interception In The Divisional Game pic.twitter.com/qmEAlfeVEr

— CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) June 18, 2025

#2
Mike Sainristil gets his first interception in the NFL pic.twitter.com/sStDvYxVpd

— CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) June 18, 2025

#3
Trick Play Interception pic.twitter.com/8y6ArXr3JV

— CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) June 18, 2025

#4
Clutch Pass Breakup In The Redzone pic.twitter.com/Ry6qqJ1Epn

— CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) June 18, 2025

#5
Pass Breakup On Jalen Tolbert pic.twitter.com/4ThwkeF26z

— CommandersMuse (@CommandersMusee) June 18, 2025


75 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/iu6tNxOjrc

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 24, 2025

75 days until the @Commanders kick off the 2025 season! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/5ATNbKeJRI

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 25, 2025


“I’m pretty sure this is my last season and that’s why we did the one year deal..

I’ve played twenty years and I’ve enjoyed it..

There’s no better way to finish it than with Mike Tomlin and the Pittsburgh Steelers” @AaronRodgers12 #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/hWN5veErEH

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 24, 2025


BUDGET NEWS: @ChmnMendelson makes it official that he wants to pull the Commanders stadium deal out of the budget the D.C. Council is currently reviewing. Instead, it will be considered as a stand-alone bill. He says funding will stay in budget, pending approval of deal. pic.twitter.com/vkf3BKS8cz

— Martin Austermuhle (@maustermuhle) June 24, 2025

July 15th is looming.

A source close to the situation said that the Commanders believe there is a path to get the D.C. Council to vote in three weeks time.

Source added:
retractable roof not out of question
maybe keeping RFK in new stadium name
museum in new stadium? pic.twitter.com/qerjSo1Avl

— Scott Abraham (@Scott7news) June 24, 2025


Congrats GOAT! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/hDhGfNTqKh

— ᖇIGGO 70 ᑕᕼIᑭ ™ (@karl_diesel) June 24, 2025

Are you kidding me? What an amazing thing. The Padres telecast just showed a closer intro from start to finish. This is big league!!!!

So jealous. This telecast has a steady cam operator running out on the field behind the closer and no commercial break going into 9th. pic.twitter.com/ly6H7RARm2

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 25, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/25...onerly-jr-terry-mclaurin-and-rfk-stadium-site
 
Washington Commanders UDFA Spotlight: Defensive tackle Ricky Barber from UCF

Syndication: The Enquirer

Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

A Mason-Brennan dark horse candidate?

Ricky Barber is a 6’3”, 293-pound defensive tackle from UCF and one of Adam Peters' first signings following the 2025 NFL Draft.

He began his six-year college career as a three-star recruit and chose to play for Western Kentucky University over Cincinnati, Indiana, and Purdue. Barber shined in four starts before redshirting the remainder of his freshman year. He had a breakout season in 2020 with 51 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 27 hurries, and a forced fumble. The newly named Freshman All-American entered the transfer portal at the end of the season. Despite hearing from several top programs including Penn State and Tennessee, he decided to follow his defensive line coach, Kenny Martin, to the University of Central Florida. In an interview with Knights247 in 2021, Ricky discussed his relationship with Martin and his decision to transfer to UCF:

"My relationship with Coach Martin played a big role," Barber explained. "I trusted him at Western (Kentucky) and I trust him now... The fan base stands out to me a lot."

Barber shared what he likes about Martin and why his position coach is different from others in college football.

"He’s a perfectionist and he pushes his players to do things at a high level," Barber said about Martin, who also played the defensive tackle position in college before becoming a coach.

Barber, Martin, and Gus Malzahn would have a strong inaugural season including a 9-4 record and win over the Florida Gators in the Gasparilla Bowl. The Knights joined the Big 12 in 2022, and Barber was introduced to a whole new level of competition. His full college statistics are listed below:

TacklesDef InterceptionsFumbles
SeasonTeamConfClassPosGSoloAstCombTFLSkIntYdsIntTDPDFRYdsFRTDFFAwards
2019*Western KentuckyCUSAFRDL434711.000000000
2020*Western KentuckyCUSAFRDT1226325874.000000001
2021*UCFAmericanSODL1114152963.000010000
2022*UCFAmericanJRDL1418314993.000040000
2023*UCFBig 12SRDL108101821.500010000
2024UCFBig 12SRDT1215193462.500000000
Career63841111953115.000060001
UCF (4 Yrs)4755751302310.000060000
Western Kentucky (2 Yrs)1629366585.000000001

Defense & Fumbles Table
Provided by CFB at Sports Reference: View Original Table
Generated 6/25/2025.


You will notice a drop in production in 2023, which readers may mistakenly believe coincides with the transition to the Big 12. In fact, he struggled with an undisclosed injury for a good portion of the season. He discussed the injury and his rehab in a press conference before his return:

So, what type of player are the Commanders getting in Ricky Barber? Surprisingly, not an overwhelming athletic one:


Ricky Barber went undrafted as a DT in the 2025 draft class. He scored a 4.85 #RAS out of a possible 10.00. This ranked 1048 out of 2033 DT from 1987 to 2025.

UDFA #Commandershttps://t.co/XhHErgWz7K pic.twitter.com/atrQpA8YNS

— RAS.football (@MathBomb) April 27, 2025

The 4.85 RAS is low in comparison to some of Washington’s other rookies, but I would like to point out a couple of items. One, Ricky’s height seems to be somewhat in dispute. He is listed as 6’1 above and by Draft Scout, but both the UCF and Washington rosters list him as 6’3”. In addition, there are no numbers for bench press, an area one would think Barber would test well. Improved numbers in both categories would change his rating to “Good” in the composite size category and improve his overall score. There are no comprehensive draft profiles on the defensive tackle, but a 2022 player profile by UCF Knights on SI summarized his game:

Run Defense

Barber’s natural strength makes him hard to move with one blocker, as USF players undoubtedly know. Additionally, with UCF having other talented defenders up front like Keenan Hester, Lee Hunter and Anthony Montalvo, even if other teams decide to double team Barber, he’s helping his teammates to be in one-on-one situations to where they can make plays.

Helping to Pressure the Quarterback

Barber is also quick enough to beat his opponent with his first-step quickness and/or power. He has a chance to change games this fall during obvious passing situations. Overall, estimating Barber’s over/under sack total projection should be placed at a minimum of six.

Let’s look at some of his highlights:

Ricky Barber also dominated the Hula Bowl recording 2 tackles, 3 pressures, and a sack resulting from an impressive spin move:


BIG RICK!!! https://t.co/9XsS5mDqst

— Coach Kenny Martin (@Coach_Martin95) January 11, 2025

You can see the first step quickness in his highlights and that should be his meal ticket at the next level. Paired with NFL size and strength developed in the team’s strength & conditioning program, he could be a disruptor on the interior. Overall, the UCF defense had a rough season in 2024, but with Barber’s help they finished in the Top 3 versus the run. While he’s demonstrated some rushing potential, his pass rush win rate was a modest 6.6% last season, which ranked in the middle of 2025 defensive linemen draft class.

What’s his path to the final 53? Despite the defensive line arguably being the weakest position on the Commanders roster, it will be an uphill battle in a crowded room.

Jon Allen was replaced by Javon Kinlaw, a roster lock alongside Daron Payne and Johnny Newton. Eddie Goldman would seem to have the inside track on another slot; leaving one spot that must be wrestled away from either Sheldon Day or Jalyn Holmes. Even a spot on the practice squad is not given, with the likes of Carl Davis, Norell Pollard, and Villami Fehoko returning from last year’s squad. However, quantity does not always equal quality. Barber matches well with these players in terms of size and strength. In my view, if he shows the ability to play strong against the run and provide some pass rush ability he could be a Mason-Brennan dark horse this year.

I know of at least one college coach in Florida who agrees:


Washington @Commanders got themselves a SPECIAL player!! I’m extremely proud of you @RIckyBarber75 ! This is what we’ve been talking about since Day 1!! Go be great 5!! Love ya big dawg #ChargeOn ⚔️⚔️⚔️⚔️ https://t.co/YbDs5wWuHc

— Coach Kenny Martin (@Coach_Martin95) April 27, 2025

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/26...tlight-defensive-tackle-ricky-barber-from-ucf
 
Daily Slop - 26 Jun 25 - Jayden Daniels talks about handling pressure in extensive interview

temp_jd5_interview.0.jpg


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

Commanders links

Articles​

Washington Post (paywall)​

Where each D.C. Council member stands on the Commanders RFK stadium deal


At least seven lawmakers are needed for Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s RFK stadium deal with the team to proceed.

On Tuesday, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced a stand-alone RFK Stadium bill identical to Bowser’s proposal, which he said would allow the council to “complete its due diligence” and hold a public hearing. The council is also awaiting a financial analysis on the impact of various tax abatements offered to the Commanders as part of the deal, which it expects by mid-July.

Mendelson said that he would plan to hold a vote on the proposed deal “as soon as possible” after a public hearing, which his staff said would be held July 29 for the public and on July 30 for the team and government officials.

“No one should infer from the introduction of this bill that funding in the Mayor’s proposed budget for the Washington Commanders Football Team is in jeopardy,” Mendelson wrote in a statement accompanying the bill, noting that capital funds for the stadium remain in the budget expected to be approved in July.

All but one council member have either committed to supporting the stadium development with public investment or are contemplating specific changes to the terms that would get them to a yes vote. Here are the conditions, requests or concerns that lawmakers are raising before they vote on the deal.

Yes, and …​


Some council members count themselves among the more enthusiastic supporters of the stadium — but even [four] lawmakers who say they will vote yes have additional requests.

Undecided​


3 council members

No, unless …​


Numerous lawmakers have framed the mayor’s proposed terms as a bad deal for taxpayers that needs improvement, whether seeking less taxpayer investment or greater revenue from the development. [These three council members] are also signatories of the project labor agreement letter.

No​


[Brianne K.] Nadeau said she firmly opposes a stadium. “If we don’t spend any local dollars, I would consider it,” she said. “I’m not sure we need to vote on it.”


Heavy.com

2nd-Year Surge? Former 2nd-Rounder Eyeing Breakout in 2025


In OTAs, Sinnott showed off improved timing with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is also entering his second year and already has full command of the offense. Sinnott was used in a variety of alignments; in-line, H-back, and occasionally split out wide and made several standout plays in 7-on-7 and red zone drills. His ability to quickly turn upfield after the catch and find soft spots in zone coverage was particularly noticeable.

Sinnott appears more confident and fluid in his movements. His route running looks sharper, and he’s no longer second-guessing his reads. Coaches noted that his understanding of the playbook has taken a “major leap,” which is allowing him to play faster and more instinctively.

At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he has the frame and athleticism to become a reliable chain-mover and red zone threat. In college, he was known for his soft hands, sneaky speed, and ability to break tackles after the catch. These are traits that fit well in a Commanders’ offense looking for mismatches against linebackers and safeties.

With Daniels’ dual-threat arsenal and defenses likely to key on Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and Ertz, there will be plenty of favorable matchups for another tight end who can exploit spaces out wide and in the seams.


Riggo’s Rag

New Commanders signing compares locker room energy to legendary NFL dynasty


A championship culture seems to be present in Washington.

The Washington Commanders have installed a championship-caliber mentality across the franchise under the current regime. One recent arrival who was part of the league’s most dominant dynasty sees the similarities.

Dan Quinn is a personable, no-nonsense coach. He’s a genuine leader of men who sets high standards for himself and his players. It’s received an immensely positive response, with the Commanders going from a bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under his leadership.

Quinn isn’t letting standards slip. His coaches are relaying that message to the playing personnel. There have been aggressive, impressive changes once again this offseason, but the common goal remains the same.

Put the hard yards in now, and you’ll benefit later.

Deatrich Wise Jr. came through the ranks under Bill Belichick during his eight-year stint with the New England Patriots. The defensive end believes the Commanders have created a similar environment to flourish, which focuses heavily on practicing well to ensure they are ready for anything when competitive action arrives.

“But also one of the things Bill [Belichick] always said was ‘practice execution becomes game reality.’ That’s one thing I’ve always taken to heart. Practice as hard as I can and exactly how I want the game to be. That’s what makes great teams great. And I feel like that’s the first two things I heard being talked about when I got to the Commanders by Coach [Joe] Whitt [Jr.] [defensive coordinator, and also by Coach DQ [Quinn]. They both was like, ‘We have to be able to practice the same way we want to have happen in the game.’ So they’re echoing success every single day that we’re in that building.”


Commanders.com

Trey Amos impressed coaches, teammates with desire to learn


Amos, regarded by some draft analysts as a first-round pick, was one of the players Washington considered taking at No. 29 overall. Adam Peters and the team’s front office decided to draft offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. instead and took a gamble on Amos still being available when they were on the clock again with the 61st pick.

To their surprise, Amos was still there at the end of the second round. They were thrilled to get the Ole Miss cornerback, and so far, he has justified their excitement that he could be an immediate contributor in their secondary.

“He’s looked really good,” said defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons. “The thing about him that I’m most impressed with is his maturity; his ability to be able to grasp the playbook; his willingness to ask questions.”

Amos certainly looks the part of an NFL cornerback with the track record to back it up. He used his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame to lead his team with 13 pass breakups and earn a First Team All-SEC selection. He also has a history of preventing explosive plays, as he has allowed a sub-19% completion rate on throws traveling at least 20 air yards, according to Pro Football Focus.


Podcasts & videos

Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels talks pressure, new season and waffles on Living Well with Alison Starling​


NFC East links

Philly Voice

10 reasons the Commanders will be a dumpster fire this season

3) What are these stupid signings this team made?​


The Commanders entered free agency loaded with cap space and limitless possibilities. Their big free agency signing was Javon Kinlaw, who somehow scored a three-year deal worth $45 million. Kinlaw spent his first four years with the 49ers, and last year with the Jets. He has 9.5 career sacks in five seasons.

Kinlaw has a hulking frame, but has been an atrocious run defender throughout his five-year career. For example, the Eagles tossed him around like a ragdoll in the NFC Championship Game

Kinlaw got overpaid on a one-year “prove it” deal worth $8 million with the Jets last offseason, he proved nothing, and the Commanders were like, “Hey, why don’t you come play here for $45 million?”

That was the oddest signing of free agency, league-wide.

Otherwise, by my count the Commanders signed, traded for, or re-signed 12 (!) players who are 30+ years of age, plus another seven players who will turn 30 by the time the Super Bowl is played in February of 2026. Speaking of which...

4) Good Lord, this team is old AF​


I think that the perception of the Commanders, from a national perspective, is that they are a young, up-and-coming team, because they had a stellar rookie quarterback last season. They are not. In fact, they have 30 (!) players who are 29 years of age already, or older.

The Commanders had a chance to continue to surround their young star quarterback with long-term pieces with whom he could grow. Instead, they’ll field what will almost certainly be the oldest team in the NFL, and very likely by a wide margin.

That dumbass approach this offseason kind of reminds me of some other team in Philly that is owned by Josh Harris.


NFL league links

Articles​

Front Office Sports

Tight End U Has Sponsors, Golf, and Taylor Swift. Travel Could Be Next


Tight End University has become larger than founders Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen could have imagined. The summit could become a traveling road show next.

TEU has brought together NFL tight ends (75 of them this month) for several days each summer since 2021 for positional training work at Vanderbilt’s football facilities—and plenty of fun off campus. But as the event grows, it could turn into a traveling road show akin to the NFL Draft.

The business of TEU is intriguing. Every tight end on an NFL roster is invited, and all their expenses are covered, thanks to revenue brought in by the event’s robust list of sponsors.

Tight ends can even bring their significant other, as roughly 40 were planning to do this year. Taylor Swift, Kelce’s superstar girlfriend, added some hype to TEU by attending Monday night’s welcome party. Throughout the week, the WAGs have organized brunches, shopping experiences, and a mobile med spa, among other activities.

TEU makes money, but it isn’t a cash grab for Kelce, Kittle, and Olsen. “Every dollar we make goes towards the event, and whatever we don’t spend goes to charity,” Raskin said, estimating they donated $2.5 million in the first four years. “We are not looking to make a profit, so we’ve turned down more sponsors than we’ve probably taken on.”

The only fan element for the mostly private event is a country concert Tuesday night that sells tickets to the public. But TEU is looking into adding more ways for spectators to be a part of the summit, which Raskin said “will probably happen” in 2026, depending on where TEU ends up being hosted.


NFL.com

Saints QB Tyler Shough ready to deal with ups, downs of being rookie starter: ‘You’re not going to faze me if we start off 0-2 or I (expletive) suck


Shough believes his bumpy path to the NFL has him battle-tested for the peaks and pitfalls that lie ahead.

“I think for me and what I’ve been through: I’ve been carted off the field, I’ve been booed, I’ve been an MVP, I’ve been a starter, I’ve been a backup to Herbert — I’m like, throw some s--- at me, you’re not going to faze me if we start off 0-2 or I f------ suck,” Shough said. “It’s going to be fine. That’s what I was excited about, that opportunity, or any opportunity, and I think, going into it, I’ve got to continue to get to know the guys; like I said earlier I’m still a rookie. I may be older, but I have to earn the respect of everybody and do my job.”

Though he’s the frontrunner, Shough also has to earn the starting job. He’s competing with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, aiming to become just the second Saints Week 1 rookie QB starter and the first since Archie Manning in 1971.

It’s an opportunity Shough is grateful to have.



Many fans often think 5-, 6-, or 10-year deals mean more money — but @aj__stevens explains why shorter contracts are usually the smarter move for players:

“Any year after the guarantees run out, it basically becomes a team option.”

Full episode: https://t.co/IoR29OapXE https://t.co/kqrZJG28Lz pic.twitter.com/wjskWRmEii

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 24, 2025

All aTwitter


New look for the rooks pic.twitter.com/s5dXkLgKK9

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 25, 2025

Agree. I dont think there's any chance for retractable roof. Source said to expect much more investment in really cool windows/glassworks that makes indoors feel outdoors. ATL & Minny do that very well https://t.co/EeW5xxKtzP

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 25, 2025

Statement from a #Commanders spokesperson after DC Council chairman Phil Mendelson proposes pulling Commanders stadium deal from the upcoming budget, which would likely delay plans to open in 2030: pic.twitter.com/JMchgdZb9y

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 25, 2025

Big news, we just got off a call w/ @DC_OCA, and the Washington @Nationals stadium bonds will be fully paid-off next year, which is nearly 14 years ahead of schedule. You can call that a public/stadium success, and a model for what DC can do w/ the @Commanders proposed RFK 2.0.

— Talk Nats (@TalkNats) June 25, 2025

"I expect him to be the best quarterback in the NFC East."@Mspears96 has high expectations for Jayden Daniels going into next season pic.twitter.com/lI7Q4EWYs1

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) June 25, 2025


74 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/Tf0OC2jB9k

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 25, 2025

74 days until the @Commanders start the 2025 season! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/mjv65HbNjD

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 25, 2025


Day 1 with Quan Martin of the @Commanders pic.twitter.com/beFaX009oO

— Martino DeSalvaje (@TheCoachSavage) June 25, 2025


*hits snooze* pic.twitter.com/oIiCkpUsCP

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 25, 2025

WOW!

George Pickens bailed on his sold-out youth camp at Highmark Stadium.
Said he’d go after the trade — then backed out.

But last minute Pat Freiermuth stepped up.

Wasn’t his camp or his job — but he showed up anyway.

That’s a Steeler#NFL #Steelers pic.twitter.com/rySFAwdol3

— The Standard (@TheStandard412) June 25, 2025

JJ Watt on Philip Rivers pic.twitter.com/GxHvB6mzkl

— Football’s Greatest Moments (@FBGreatMoments) June 25, 2025

Wizards just got one of the best shooters in the NBA Draft in Tre Johnson #ForTheDistrict pic.twitter.com/IEWsMRJxtv

— brandon (@JayDanielsMVP) June 26, 2025

Utah sent No. 43 and second-rounders in 2031 and 2032 to Washington in this deal. https://t.co/lNZR5jaPes

— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) June 26, 2025

Love the pick. Will Riley is a three-level scorer who sees the floor well and creates quality looks for his teammates off the dribble. The 19-year-old has tremendous upside and is already adding muscle to address one of his primary concerns. https://t.co/Lmr3IgKKYG

— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) June 26, 2025

Looking mad and dropping an agitated F bomb after a team drafts you is like seeing a parent get upset after the gender reveal is blue or pink. pic.twitter.com/U1nZK8UOxG

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) June 26, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/26...bout-handling-pressure-in-extensive-interview
 
Daily Slop - 28 Jun 25 - ESPN says Commanders QB Jayden Daniels is on a “superstar trajectory”

14th Annual NFL Honors - Arrivals

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/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

Commanders links

Articles​

Heavy.com

Dan Quinn’s Blueprint: Brotherhood Before Business


Peters hasn’t just looked for skill, he’s looked for fit.

“We want guys who love the game, love the grind, and love each other,” Peters said earlier this offseason. “That’s how you win.”

It’s showing. The roster is deeper, faster, and more physical than it’s been in years, but what stands out is the cohesion. Players are showing up early, staying late, and openly supporting one another in a way that feels rare in today’s NFL.

The foundation being built in Washington is real, and the culture – the brotherhood – might just be the most valuable asset Quinn and Peters have brought to D.C.

For a franchise that has struggled with identity and dysfunction for years, this era feels refreshing, not just because of the talent, but because of the togetherness. The Commanders are no longer just a group of individual athletes; they’re a bonded unit with a shared mission. Super Bowl talk and expectations are normal chatter because the brotherhood believes those goals are attainable.


Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ decision to pick Camaron Cheeseman over Trey Smith still haunts fans


When the Washington Commanders traded up to No. 225 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft, fans were hoping for one name and one name only. But as was typically the case when previous head coach Ron Rivera called the shots, he threw a curveball into the mix.

A decision that’s still haunting the Commanders to this day.

The best prospect available at the time, by a considerable margin, was Trey Smith. He was projected as a first or second-round talent, but a health issue during his pre-draft assessments caused him to tumble down the pecking order. But in the sixth round, it represented a risk well worth taking.

Rivera moved up, which meant he had a target in mind and was willing to sacrifice additional assets to get them on board. Instead of Smith, who was the expected choice, he went with long-snapper Camaron Cheeseman instead.

Smith went one pick later to the Kansas City Chiefs. The interior offensive lineman’s been making the Commanders and everyone else around the league pay for it ever since.


Commanders.com

2025 opponent breakdown | New York Giants

Key questions​

  • What’s going on with the Giants’ quarterback situation? If there was an award for putting together the most interesting quarterbacks in one room, the Giants would be the easy favorites to win it. Wilson showed that he still have something left in the tank by winning nine games for the Pittsburgh Steelers, including a stretch where he threw 12 touchdowns to three interceptions. He also didn’t look great in the last month of the regular season and committed as many turnovers (four) as he threw touchdowns in a four-game losing streak. Jameis Winston is a mystery box, meaning he’s just as likely to throw three touchdowns in a win over the Baltimore Ravens as he is to complete 56% of his passes and throw three picks against the Los Angeles Chargers. And then there’s Jaxson Dart, the first-round pick who has tools but also needs a lot of work to be a competent starter. How that group works together is the biggest unknown for the Giants. It could end well or lead to frustration for Giants fans. Either way, it’s possible all three players will start at least one game.
  • Can the beefed-up pass rush lead to more wins? While the Giants’ roster needs work at several positions, their defensive line is not among them. It was already one of the best in the league with Dexter Lawrence sandwiched between Brian Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux, but it could be at the top now that Carter is in the rotation. There’s no doubt that those four players will make up one of the most formidable pass rushes in the game. The real question is what does that mean for the Giants? Could they improve upon the three wins they won in 2024, or will their defensive line be one of the only shiny components of what could be another difficult season? Good pass rushes can cover up several warts on a roster, but will it be enough to make New York more competitive in a division that had two top 10 offenses last season. The Commanders will be the first litmus test for that, and fortunately for the Burgundy & Gold, they have also strengthened their offensive line to negate their effectiveness.

Podcasts & videos

Bram Weinstein: Terry’s leverage is what?​


Commanders PUSH to Bring Football Home | RFK Stadium Comeback in​


NFC East links

Big Blue View

Do the Giants have enough defensive backs who can actually cover?


Not a single cornerback made PFF’s top 10 list in all three seasons. Only a few - Pat Surtain II, Sauce Gardner, Charvarius Ward, and Christian Benford - even made it twice.

That’s the message: Good cornerbacks in the NFL are a scarce and variable commodity. Part of it, as we’ll show, is inconsistency from year to year, and part of it is premature aging relative to other positions.

Timo Riske of PFF did a study a few years ago about aging of NFL players at different positions. Not surprisingly, players in the “trenches” achieve a larger fraction of their career wins above replacement (WAR) after age 30 than do “speed” positions such as cornerback and safety:



Why are defensive backs so inconsistent from year to year compared to other positions? No one knows for sure, but what is known is that there is a statistically significant tendency for pass coverage to be more unpredictable from year to year than pass rush is.

The low repeatability of defensive back success is a scary prospect for the Giants, who will see A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, CeeDee Lamb, and George Pickens twice each this year. Much of the attention in New York will be focused on Paulson Adebo, one of the Giants’ major free agent signings. Adebo’s career...has been somewhat checkered in PFF’s eyes

The bad news is that we have no idea which Paulson Adebo and Jevon Holland we’re going to get in 2025. For that matter, we have no idea whether the Dru Phillips we saw in 2024 will be able to build on that or regress in 2025. And that’s bad news because the success of the Giants’ coverage may decide the success of the defense overall.

Maybe Banks can return to his early rookie form, when he was very competitive against good receivers such as Terry McLaurin. Flott and Belton are fine, maybe even improving, but by this point we shouldn’t expect elite. Will that be enough against the parade of elite WRs the Giants will see just in the NFC East, never mind the rest of their schedule? If so, then the anticipated strong Giants pass rush may wreak havoc with opposing quarterbacks. If not, the defense may be no better than middle of the pack.


NFL league links

Articles​

ESPN

Team- and player-friendly NFL contracts at six positions


This isn’t about labeling contracts as the “best” or “worst,” because a lot of that depends on perspective. A contract that’s “bad” for the team could be “great” for the player, and vice versa. We wanted to highlight a couple of position groups and look at the poles in each — some of the most team-friendly deals versus some of the most player-friendly deals — and explain why. We begin, as we always seem to, with the quarterbacks.

Player-friendly deal: Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys​


The deal: Four years, $240 million with $129 million fully guaranteed at signing and $231 million in total guarantees

Prescott took this right out to the end. With one year left on his contract last offseason, he didn’t sign this extension until literally the morning of Dallas’ Week 1 game. Had the deal not been done before kickoff that day, it’s possible Prescott could have played out the 2024 season and become an unrestricted free agent. After all, the previous extension he signed with Dallas in 2021 contained a clause prohibiting the Cowboys from using the franchise tag on him.

Waiting paid off for Prescott. He collected a $78,458,333 signing bonus — technically an $80 million signing bonus that somewhat hilariously had to be prorated down because players had already been paid their Week 1 salaries by the time he signed the deal — and another $7.8 million in cash in 2024. The deal also included a guaranteed $47.75 million for 2025, and an injury-guaranteed $40 million for 2026 that converted to a full guarantee this past March.

So what makes this deal player-friendly (other than the no-franchise clause, the no-trade clause and the massive signing bonus)? If the Cowboys were to release Prescott right now, he’d still have collected a total of $174 million for one season. Prescott’s deal continues to benefit him at a high level. His $45 million 2027 salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s still on the Cowboys’ roster on the fifth day of the 2026 league year (next March), and $17 million of his $55 million 2028 salary becomes fully guaranteed if he’s on the roster on the fifth day of the 2027 league year. The odds of Prescott seeing the full $231 million in guarantees (no coincidence, by the way, that number is $1 million higher than Watson’s $230 million) are extremely high.

One bit of consolation for the Cowboys? Because of the insurance policy they have, and because Prescott sat out the final nine games of the 2024 season because of a hamstring injury, the Cowboys were able to recoup about $6.4 million of the signing bonus. But Prescott didn’t have to pay that back; the insurance company did. Player-friendly deal.


The Athletic (paywall)​

NFL will not hold Supplemental Draft in 2025: Sources


The NFL informed teams that for the second consecutive year, there won’t be a Supplemental Draft this summer, sources informed on the decision confirmed to The Athletic on Friday.

The Supplemental Draft is an option for draft-eligible players who did not declare for the regular NFL Draft for various reasons. In most cases, that’s due to a player having unexpected eligibility issues in college (academic or otherwise).


Discussion topics

Fox Sports

Drama, Delusional, Bold: One Word That Describes Every NFL Team’s Offseason

Cowboys: Rebound​


With quarterback Dak Prescott back healthy, the Cowboys will look to return to the playoffs in 2025. They traded for receiver George Pickens and a pair of former first-round defenders (linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., cornerback Kaiir Elam) to give their team a boost under new coach Brian Schottenheimer.

Giants: Fascination​


The Giants will be the latest team to attempt a redshirt rookie season for a first-round quarterback (Jaxson Dart). They also happen to have what appears to be a loaded pass-rush unit with the addition of No. 3 pick Abdul Carter, bringing curiosity about what New York can do in 2025 with a tough schedule.

Eagles: Reloaded​


The Eagles may have lost key players on their defensive line, like Josh Sweat and Milton Williams, but they’ve added Josh Uche and Azeez Ojulari on low-risk, high-reward contracts as replacements. Former first-round pick Kenyon Green also enters the picture for guard depth after Mekhi Becton’s departure in free agency. With the core of last year’s Super Bowl-winning team returning and the expected growth of young players, Philadelphia should be a threat to repeat.

Steelers: Delusional​


The Steelers’ patience was rewarded earlier this month when Aaron Rodgers finally signed after a months-long courtship. But they have their hopes set too high if they believe the 41-year-old makes them a Super Bowl contender.

Seahawks: Gamble​


Sam Darnold had a resurgent 2024 with the Vikings, but there’s a big risk the Seahawks are taking in the former No. 3 overall pick, who replaces Geno Smith as QB1. In Seattle, Darnold won’t have Kevin O’Connell or nearly the same caliber of an offensive cast that he had in Minnesota.

Commanders: Upside​


Jayden Daniels is on a superstar trajectory after one of the best rookie quarterback seasons in league history. The Commanders have been savvy about building around him (and his cheap contract) too, trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Washington also added a first-round offensive tackle in Josh Conerly Jr. and re-signed tight end Zach Ertz. This is a team set to compete for Super Bowls for many years to come.


All aTwitter


New bubble coming for the Commanders pic.twitter.com/5n14WqRf5p

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) June 27, 2025

Days until…

Training Camp - 17

Preseason - 34

2025 Season - 69

— NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) June 28, 2025

Great question from @NickiJhabvala - what happens first for the Commanders?

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) June 27, 2025

72 days away Pay Terry! @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/0Mjs8iSpjV

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 27, 2025

72 days until the @Commanders kick off the 2025 season! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/8n5UhkdNfw

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 28, 2025

TERRY MCLAURIN, @Commanders WR - Produced a 135.3 QB Passer Rating When Targeted in 2024 -Ranking 2nd out of 98 qualifying WRs (Per PFF) #NFL #HTTC #RaiseHail #Commanders #Washington #NFLUK #nflnews #NFLTop100 #PFHOF #NFLPicks pic.twitter.com/1TXIuV96ox

— Pro Football Hall of Fame Ambassador (@PFHOFAmbassador) June 27, 2025


After seemingly dipping below Kenny Pickett in OTAs, there are rumors that Joe Flacco may be considered the favorite to be the #Browns' starting QB to open training camp:https://t.co/tBmMOtgSpc

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) June 27, 2025

The #Steelers are planning to draft a quarterback in the first round in 2026.https://t.co/QDZOLkM9Ma

— Pro Football Rumors (@pfrumors) June 27, 2025


Using a post-COVID data set helps trim the numbers a bit closer to aligning with the growth of the salary cap. https://t.co/upQdJwtwPf pic.twitter.com/GzqaGFHo2q

— TexansCap (@TexansCap) June 26, 2025

Ranking the Top 10 Linebacker Units in the NFL pic.twitter.com/jwmKNRBrG4

— PFF (@PFF) June 27, 2025


NFL Top 100 premieres Monday from @NFL on @X & @NFLPlus

Monday
No. 100 -- 10a ET
No. 99 -- 11a ET

Tuesday
No. 98 -- 10a ET
No. 97 -- 11a ET

Wednesday
No. 96 -- 10a ET
No. 95 -- 11a ET

Thursday
No. 94 -- 10a ET
No. 93 -- 11a ET

Friday
No. 92 -- 10a ET
No. 91 -- 11a ET pic.twitter.com/rl2HV9LqFU

— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) June 27, 2025


.@JayD__5's got jokes

HBD! @Bwagz pic.twitter.com/ncU6Jm31x4

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 27, 2025

Travis Hunter, Dyami Brown and Brian Thomas Jr. filming workouts out in the Bahamas pic.twitter.com/neoYSf7xNb

— JACK GILLEN (@thejackgillen) June 27, 2025

George Kittle and Taylor Swift at Tight End University this week

pic.twitter.com/ngU8uc06Wd

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) June 27, 2025

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/28...b-jayden-daniels-is-on-a-superstar-trajectory
 
Daily Slop - 29 Jun 25 - Bobby Wagner praised as one of the top-25 draft picks of this century

Washington Commanders v Arizona Cardinals

Photo by Christian Petersen/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

Commanders links

Articles​

Bleacher Report

Ranking the Top 25 NFL Draft Picks from 1st Quarter of 21st Century


17. LB Bobby Wagner — Round 2 (47th overall) by the Seahawks in 2012

An integral part of the Seahawks throughout the Russell Wilson/Pete Carroll era, Wagner is a six-time first-team All-Pro with longevity to boot. Yet he was only the second-best pick in one of the greatest team draft classes in NFL history.

1. QB Tom Brady — Round 6 (199th overall) by Patriots in 2000

Duh. The most accomplished player in the history of professional football was famously just the seventh quarterback selected in that draft.


Pro Football Focus

2025 NFL linebacker unit rankings

1. Philadelphia Eagles


Philadelphia holds the top spot in these rankings with a stacked linebacker unit that only got better this offseason. They handed Zack Baun a well-deserved contract extension after he finished 2024 with a league-leading 90.2 PFF overall grade. Nakobe Dean wasn’t far behind, placing 11th among qualified linebackers (77.4).

The team drafted insurance for Dean’s postseason injury in Alabama’s Jihaad Campbell, who was the 2025 class’ best linebacker. Youngsters Jeremiah Trotter Jr. and Smael Mondon Jr. also provide quality depth.

5. Washington Commanders


The Commanders face questions in other areas of their defense, but Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu are the heart and soul of the unit. Wagner continued to prove why he is a sure-fire Hall of Famer by earning a 91.2 PFF run-defense grade and a 90.9 PFF pass-rush grade at 34 years old in 2024. Luvu’s 64.2 PFF overall grade represents a decrease from his prior work in Carolina, but he is still a valuable and versatile piece capable of affecting games in multiple ways.

Wagner and Luvu were both incredibly durable last season, as well, with each playing well over 1,200 snaps. If they need rest, young players such as Jordan Magee and Kain Medrano are available.

27. Dallas Cowboys


While Dallas’ linebacker unit is filled with familiar names, it doesn’t offer a track record of elite production. DeMarvion Overshown is likely to be sidelined for a large portion of the season due to a knee injury. Former first-rounder Kenneth Murray Jr. has posted sub-55.0 PFF overall grades in each of his five NFL seasons. Jack Sanborn projects as a rotational player who is familiar with defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. Damone Clark and Marist Liufau also project as serviceable depth, albeit with low production ceilings.


Heavy.com

Brian Robinson Jr. Undermined By Core Weaknesses


A career average of 4.1 yards per carry is solid, but Robinson lacks elite quickness, natural shiftiness and keen field vision. He’s not a swift, one-cut-and-go runner, nor is the 6-foot-1, 228-pounder an overwhelming bruiser able to batter defenses into submission between the tackles.

Those deficiencies in his game help explain Robinson tallying a mere 1.9 yards after contact, per Pro Football Reference. Breaking just 34 tackles from 570 rushing attempts also hints at Robinson’s problem.

The 26-year-old is tough and dependable, but he’s never going to scare defenses. That won’t change even if the player who’s missed 10 game in three years can finally complete a full season.

Robinson told JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports, “the biggest thing for me is being available. I’m hell when I’m well.”

It’s a confident boast, but...he’ll continue to find his playing time threatened once training camp gets underway on July 18, when more than one exciting youngster will be vying for carries.

No player can do more to put Robinson’s job in jeopardy than potential draft steal Jacory Croskey-Merritt. This year’s seventh-rounder turned heads at minicamp thanks to the kind of sudden burst Washington’s ground game has lacked with Robinson leading the way.

Robinson simply can’t match this variety and acceleration. The veteran still has his fans, with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury even singling Robinson out earlier this offseason, but the Commanders can’t ignore any chance to add more big plays on the ground.


Riggo’s Rag

The story of the coach who ended a Washington dynasty and disappeared


Richie Petitbon’s head coaching tenure is a forgotten footnote in Washington’s history.

What happened to Washington’s football team between 1992 and 1999, setting the stage for the dark years? It all started with Joe Gibbs’ initial retirement and a successor who wasn’t quite able to fill his shoes.

The name Richie Petitbon should be one that’s celebrated in Washington. He was a three-time Super Bowl champion as a defensive coordinator under Gibbs and is a member of the Commanders’ Ring of Fame. Instead, younger generations are likely not very familiar with him, while older fans may most remember his one-year head coaching tenure in 1993. It did not go well.

Washington entered the 1993 season only two years removed from a Super Bowl, and having still made the playoffs with a 9-7 record the previous campaign. Mark Rypien remained the quarterback, and the roster featured additional key contributors with championship pedigree, such as Art Monk, Darrell Green, Jeff Bostic, Charles Mann, and Brian Mitchell.

[T]he team went 4-12.

Petitbon took much of the criticism and was relieved of his duties following the season as the organization hired an outsider in Norv Turner. The former standout coordinator was never heard from again in the NFL.

The Commanders wouldn’t win more than 10 games in a season or advance past the second round of the playoffs again until accomplishing both feats in 2024.


Podcasts & videos

ALVIN WALTON WASHINGTON REDSKIN SAFETY 1986 - 1991​


Bram Weinstein: the RFK delay​


NFC East links

Big Blue View

The 6-technique: Pros and cons



The letters are the GAPs, and the numbers are the techniques. In this article, I want to focus on the 6-technique lined up directly over the tight end.

A 6-technique lines directly over the tight end instead of shaded to the inside over the tackle’s outside shoulder (5-technique) or outside wide of the tight end (WIDE-9). The utilization of the 6-technique helps defenses control gaps in the run game.

Pros of the 6-technique​


The 6-technique forces tight ends to block a defender—who is typically comparable in size or bigger—straight up, eliminating an advantageous angle. Depending on the defender’s technique and execution, this could force rushing attacks to spill or be boxed inside. The utilization of the 6-technique leads to better overall edge containment.

6-techniques also give the front a lot of versatility. They can easily drop into coverage off simulated pressures, slant inside or outside, and operate games/twists/stunts that confuse the protection and set up a mismatch with a bigger defensive lineman against the tight end (T/E Twist).

Cons of the 6-technique​


The 6-technique is better used against the run, and it limits the pass-rushers’ angle to the pocket. Depending on the front, the 6-technique is easily engaged by the tight end and the tackle could be a reinforcement, giving the defender little space to operate when trying to sack the quarterback. It’s also easy for combo blocks with the tackle, depending on the defensive front employed.


NFL league links

Articles​

Pro Football Talk

Who’s on the [head coaching] hot seat entering the 2025 season?


this is my own assessment of the broader, 32-team situation. I’m not reporting anything. I’m identifying the guys whom I believe are under the biggest cloud of uncertainty as the season approaches.

5. Panthers coach Dave Canales.

The key becomes owner David Tepper. Will the hard-charging, results-demanding, drink-throwing (at least once) owner tolerate, say, a 4-13 finish?

[Editor’s note: In a prior version of this story, I said Canales is entering his third season. I had my head up my ass. Sorry. It’s year two. Which doesn’t matter for an owner who fired his last coach, Frank Reich, during year one.]

4. Cowboys coach Brian Schottenheimer.

He was on exactly zero teams’ short lists during the latest hiring cycle. For the Cowboys, who wanted to have offensive continuity for quarterback Dak Prescott, it was either Schottenheimer or Eagles offensive coordinator (new Saints coach) Kellen Moore. Schottenheimer came cheaper.

3. Colts coach Shane Steichen.

Through two seasons, Steichen is 17-17 with no playoff appearances. His non-interim predecessor, Frank Reich, went 40-33-1 with a pair of playoff berths and was abruptly fired.

2. Giants coach Brian Daboll.

[O]ne day, Giants co-owner John Mara said he’d be sticking with G.M. Joe Schoen and coach Brian Daboll. Then, Mara said he’s running out of patience.

It’s a mixed message to Daboll as to the potential impact of the upcoming season, and it necessarily puts him on the hot seat.

1. Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel.

There’s dysfunction. There’s turmoil. There’s an unsettled situation with a star player who received a market-level contract in September 2024, and another star player who has said he wants out and who may feel the same way all over again if the 2025 season starts poorly.

Thirty years ago, the late Jets owner Leon Hess fired Pete Carroll after one season by saying this, “I’m 80 years old. I want results now.”

Stephen Ross is five years older than Hess was when he said that.


Discussion topics

The Athletic (paywall)​

Justin Tucker had a decision to make. Will it help him return to the field?


Justin Tucker didn’t issue an apology Thursday or acknowledge any wrongdoing after the NFL suspended him 10 weeks for violating the league’s personal conduct policy.

Instead, in a statement released by his longtime agent, Rob Roche, the former Baltimore Ravens kicker stood by his previous denials and said he’s disappointed with the league’s decision. The statement also made clear that he will not appeal the decision “in order to put this difficult episode behind him and get back on the field as soon as possible.”

If he and his high-powered legal team made it known they planned to fight it, his status likely would have been unresolved for months.

Attorneys Michael Belsky and Catherine Dickinson, who represent 13 of Tucker’s accusers, praised the league’s investigation, calling it “incredibly thorough and thoughtful.” Dickinson said the league interviewed 15 of the accusers. Yet, Belsky said Friday at a news conference at the SBWD Law office, which is down the street from the Ravens’ M&T Bank Stadium, that Tucker’s refusal to acknowledge wrongdoing left “many of the victims, our clients, with the stain of a denial.”

Most teams carry only one kicker. Signing Tucker now so he’ll be available in mid-November would send a clear message to a team’s current kicker that he almost certainly isn’t in the long-term plans.

[In 2024] his 73.3 field goal percentage was fourth-worst among kickers who were active for more than 10 games.

Would an established GM be willing to absorb the heat if he felt Tucker would help his team win games in December and January?

By not appealing, Tucker left that door ajar.


All aTwitter


Built for this pic.twitter.com/TP1UUXRbKk

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 28, 2025

Terry McLaurin is currently out in Chantilly, VA at a CSA Shows event. @CSASHOWS hosts vendors tables, sports card memorabilia, and player meet-and-greets.

Per CSA, McLaurin was a "big hit" amongst #Commanders fans today.

Terry seems in good spirits. #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/2hQ0F55MNi

— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) June 28, 2025

71 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/E7FDmRTaPB

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 28, 2025


.@Rosenbergradio is in DISBELIEF that people in a poll chose "Redskins name but it means Dan Snyder back" over the current situation! pic.twitter.com/sjyE8XoDwg

— 106.7 The Fan (@1067theFan) June 27, 2025


Redskins fans might recognize this former Kansas Jayhawks RB. #HTTR pic.twitter.com/mgUv7rJHVs

— DRB 15 (@DaveBroadie) June 28, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/29...one-of-the-top-25-draft-picks-of-this-century
 
2024 REWIND: Week 17 - Commanders beat Falcons in OT on SNF to move into 6th seed in NFC playoffs

Atlanta Falcons v Washington Commanders

Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images

Jayden Daniels finishes 24-36, 227 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 INT and 127 rushing yards

This Week 17 prime time Sunday Night Football game was a key matchup for the ‘24 Commanders with significant playoff implications. With a win, Washington could lock up — at least — the 7th seed in the NFC playoffs. Combine a win with the loss by the Packers against the Vikings and the Commander would move into the 6th seed.

A loss to Atlanta would not eliminate the Commanders from playoff contention, but would create a lot of pressure for the team to win its final game in Dallas.

Atlanta was, at the time, leading the NFC South where they were locked in a battle for the division title with the Buccaneers — one that the Bucs would eventually win.

The Falcons changed starting quarterbacks the week before, benching struggling veteran Kirk Cousins in favor of rookie Michael Penix, who notched a win over the Giants in his first-ever NFL start in Week 16.

The Commanders 4th-ranked scoring offense (28.8 ppg) would be up against the Falcons 19th ranked scoring defense (23.3 ppg allowed). Washington’s defense ranked 18th in points allowed, just ahead of Atlanta.

Like their defense, the Falcons offense also ranked 19th, scoring 21.8 ppg, but the offensive effectiveness was likely to be quite different with the QB change. The Falcons put up 34 points against the Giants seven days earlier, but that total included two defensive touchdowns; the offense accounted for 20 points, scoring 2 touchdowns and 2 field goals on 8 full offensive drives.

The Falcons appeared to be relatively healthy for a late-season game, though speedy WR Rondale Moore was on IR. More importantly, they had recently put their talented kicker Younghoe Koo on IR, replacing him with Riley Patterson, who had a cup of coffee with the Commanders prior to the ‘24 regular season. Patterson missed his first field goal attempt of the season (43 yards) against the Giants, though he made two other field goals in the game (37 yards, 52 yards).

The Commanders were not really healthy. In addition to players like Austin Ekeler and Noah Brown on IR, Washington ruled out 5 other players, including 3 starters — CB Marshon Lattimore, WR Dyami Brown, and RT Andrew Wylie.

Of the three, the injury to Lattimore was expected to be most impactful. His injury meant that either Michael Davis or Benjamin St-Juste, who was sent to the bench when Lattimore played his first game as a Commander against the Saints in Week 15, would return to the starting lineup.

At RT, the Commanders were in good shape. Cornelius Lucas and Trent Scott both ended up playing significant snaps in the game.

The receiver position had been in flux all season. Near the end of training camp, the offseason presumptive #2 receiver, Jahan Dotson had been traded away to the Eagles. Soon after, Noah Brown was signed following his release from the Texans. Brown played well, but struggled with injury, playing in just 11 games before being put on season-ending IR.

Other players had stepped up in his absence, including Dyami Brown, who had 11 receptions over the previous three games and was one of the few players on the roster, outside of Terry McLaurin, capable of threatening defenses deep. Kliff Kingsbury had, in fact, kept a stable of second-tier receivers busy all season, with 5 wide receivers, 2 running backs and a tight end each being targeted at least 20 times by rookie QB Jayden Daniels. Against the Falcons, it was Olamide Zaccheaus who stepped up, finishing the game with 8 catches for 85 yards and a TD — almost the exact same stat line that AJ Brown had put up against the Commanders a week earlier.

One other key player, starting defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, had been activated from IR for this game.

One area of the offense that had not been firing on all cylinders of late was the running game (outside of QB Jayden Daniels, who was Washington’s leading rusher for the season), and with the loss of Noah Brown, Dyami Brown and Austin Ekeler in the passing game, it seemed important for the Commanders to get this part of the offense back on track. Starting running back Brian Robinson had perhaps the worst game of his NFL career last week, with 2 lost fumbles and just 24 yards on 10 carries against the Eagles. By the end of the Falcons game, Robinson and Chris Rodriguez had put together unremarkable stats, combining for 18 carries, 76 yards and 1 TD.

Atlanta ranked 11th on the season in rushing yards allowed at 112 per game, but over their most recent 3-game stretch, which included two victories, they had limited opponents to just 75 rushing yards per game (pretty much what Washington produced in this game).

One pleasant surprise against the Eagles a week earlier had been the job done by rookie wide receiver Luke McCaffrey in the kickoff return game. Luke returned 7 kickoffs, giving the Commanders the following starting positions: 25 (yard line), 30, 33, 35, 37, 43, and Philly’s 43. His 30-yards-per-return average helped create a field position advantage for the Commanders that contributed greatly to the teams win last Sunday. He never got the chance to do the same against Atlanta, who kicked off 4 times in the game, with each one a touchback.

The Commanders were 4.5-point favorites in this game. Everyone knew exactly what to expect from Jayden Daniels, who seemed to have all but guaranteed the Offensive Rookie of the Year award at this point in the season, but the expectations for Michael Penix Jr. in his second NFL start were a bit murkier. With the Buccaneers winning earlier in the afternoon, this will be a critical game for both teams, worthy of prime-time Sunday Night Football.


Reminder of what's on the line for these teams tonight

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rvZbFw29op

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

First Quarter​


Penix turns the ball over on the first drive
The Falcons opened up with the ground game. Despite being hit behind the line, Bijan Robinson earned 7 yards on the opening play before Penix completed a pass to Hodge behind the line of scrimmage & run for the game’s initial first down.

After two passes, it was 3rd & 8 at the Atlanta 47-yard line. Michael Davis, the CB filling in for Marshon Lattimore was shaken up on the 1st down play.

On 3rd down, Penix threw deep, but the ball went straight to Washington safety Quan Martin for an easy pick.


.@Commanders INT!! What a start for the home team

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/gEAruf8RVS

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Washington had the ball 1st & 10 at the ATL 38-yard line.

Commanders take the early lead
Jayden Daniels went to work, completing passes for 2 quick first downs to get the ball to the 16-yard line.

On 2nd & 9, Daniels hit Zach Ertz in the middle of the end zone, but the ball went right through the tight ends hands. On 3rd & 9, Jamison Crowder came up a yard short.

An endzone shot to Zach Ertz just came off his fingertips. Perfect throw. Just a dropped pass. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T01:31:28.431Z

Dan Quinn went for it on 4th & 1, with Jayden Daniels faking the dive to Robinson, keeping the ball as he rolled left, then throwing a strike to Olamide Zaccheaus for the game’s first score!


Washington makes good on the INT! TD for Olamide Zaccheaus on 4th and 2

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/EX1rUExrSr

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Zane Gonzalez hit the PAT to make the score 7-0; the scoring drive covered 38 yards in 7 plays following the interception. Good start for the home team in their quest for the #6 playoff seeding.

Atlanta ties the game
On 1st down, Bijan Robinson exploded for 13 yards straight up the middle of the defense, but on the next play, Penix threw incomplete deep in the middle to Khadarel Hodge, who got blown up by Jeremy Chinn. It was a beautiful throw by Penix, but a great play by Chinn.


This hit by Jeremy Chinn

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/USFC28CXxz

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Kyle Pitts was up next, with a 23-yard catch & run to the Commanders 34-yard line.

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 4 at the 28-yard line; on third down, Penix completely missed Drake London on the right side on a play that started with an early snap.

Riley Patterson came on to attempt a 46-yard field goal, which he drilled — BUT AN OFFSIDES penalty against Sainristil took the points off the board and gave the Falcons a first down at the 23 yard line.


This time, Penix hit London for 13 yards to the 10 yard line for 1st & goal.

Two plays later, on 3rd & goal from the 6 yard line, Michael Davis was called for pass interference in the back of the end zone to put the ball at the 1-yard line with a fresh set of downs.

Mike Davis (back in after leaving hurt earlier) gets called for DPI here. Pretty blatant DPI. No arguments here. Crushing though.

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T01:44:46.650Z

Bijan Robinson took a direct snap and walked into the end zone for the Falcons first TD of the game. With the PAT, Atlanta tied the score at 7-7 with just over 5 minutes left in the first quarter. The drive covered 70 yards in 10 plays.


.@Bijan5Robinson with his 11th TD on the year All tied up!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5bMPhBPzhD

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Commanders go 3 & out
Brian Robinson’s frustrations continued as he was stopped for no gain. He has 2 carries for 3 yards so far. The pass game isn’t going great right now either, as Jayden Daniels is sacked for a loss of 13 yards to bring up 3rd & 23.

This was terrifying. The way the air just involuntarily left my lungs... Jayden Daniels is fine though. Popped right up and didn't show any signs of pain. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T01:50:54.462Z

Zaccheaus gained 12 yards on a catch & run, but the punt team came on facing 4th & 10.

After the punt and a 13-yard return, the Falcons took over at their own 27-yard line with 02:48 left in the first quarter. The momentum, which was with Washington early, feels like it has shifted. The defense needs to find a way to slow down Bijan Robinson.

The Falcons offense goes 3 & out as well
On 3rd & 8, Penix threw incomplete on a deep pass to an open Bijan Robinson about 25 yards downfield.

Bullet dodged for the #Commanders defense here. Quan Martin was absolutely beaten by Robinson, but Penix overthrew the pass. That would have been a touchdown if the pass was better. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T01:57:25.880Z

Following the punt, which was initially muffed by Crowder before a 22-yard return, Washington took over at the 28-yard line with 45 seconds remaining in the quarter.

The Falcons defense takes the ball away
The quarter ended on the 1st down play, a 9-yard catch & run to Zach Ertz in the middle of the field to bring up 2nd & 1.

Second Quarter​


After driving down the field, Washington had a 1st down at the 12-yard line.

After a holding call, on 1st & 20, Jayden Daniels threw an interception directly to LB Kaden Ellis for a brutal turnover.


Kaden Elliss comes up with the pick for the @AtlantaFalcons!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/yXwqa3vGFI

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

What had felt like a sure scoring drive was killed by a penalty and a turnover. Another huge momentum swing.

Falcons jump into the lead
The Falcons changed backs, and Tyler Algier gained 8 yards right up the gut on 1st down, and then another 5 yards on the next play to earn a fresh set of downs.

Penix overthrew Hodge again on a deep ball down the left sideline on 1st down, but completed to Drake London for 14 yards to the Washington 45-yard line on 2nd down.

Bijan Robinson returned, and got 17 yards on the next two carries for 1st & 10 at the 28-yard line. The defense needs to stiffen here.

The Falcons went back to Algiers, who went straight ahead for 5 yards. On second down, Penix was under heavy pressure from Dante Fowler, who was called for roughing the passer for pushing him to the ground and touching his helmet. We’ve seen this before.

This was called Roughing the Passer and I absolutely hate that call. Absolutely no way that should be a flag. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T02:16:25.055Z

Two plays later, Bijan Robinson went wide to the right and walked into the end zone — apparently giving his team the lead, but replay took the points off the board and put the ball at the half-yard line.

The Falcons were stopped on a QB sneak on 1st down.

On 2nd down, Robinson strolled into the end zone; this time, the TD counted. Following the PAT, the score was 14-7. The scoring drive covered 72 yards in 11 plays.


Bijan was short the first time, but not this time! @AtlantaFalcons take the lead!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/2DW5tQbWor

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Washington is forced to punt again
The drive started out great, with Daniels faking the handoff to Robinson and keeping the ball around the left side for a 25-yard gain to the Atlanta 46-yard line.


Jayden Daniels running it himself

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/1yacUhhh8d

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

On the next play, offensive holding by Brandon Coleman pushed the ball back to Washington territory, 1st & 20. Tyler Biadasz was being looked at by trainers on the field as the broadcast went to commercial. He went to the medical tent and Michael Deiter came on to play center.

The effect was felt immediately, as Matthew Judon came off the left side of the offense for a 10-yard sack on Jayden Daniels in combo with an interior blitz.


Matthew Judon with a MASSIVE sack

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5uk7CZlwr3

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

On 2nd & 30, Kliff Kingsbury looked at his play sheet to find a play. What he found was an incomplete pass by Daniels, rolling right under pressure, to bring up 3rd & 30. After a 10-yard catch & run by Zaccheaus, it was 4th down.

Before Tress Way punted, the two-minute warning was given.

Facing 4th & 20 at Washington’s 45-yard line, Way punted after the timeout. A holding call against Washington was enforced at the end of the kick — the Commanders’ 6th penalty of the half.

The Falcons add to their lead before halftime
The Falcons gave the ball to Robinson on two plays, and then hit Drake London at the Washington 36-yard line to put themselves into field goal range with less than a minute to play.

Darnell Mooney caught a pass and ran for a 1st down at the 24 yard line. After a catch by Kyle Pitts, it was 2nd & 7 with 20 seconds left; Atlanta had 3 timeouts in hand.

On the next play, the ball was well-defended and bounced up in the air by Bobby Wagner in the middle of the field and ALMOST picked off by Noah Igbinoghene.

On 3rd & 7, Penix missed Drake London on the left side of the end zone to force the field goal attempt.

Patterson hooked the ball, but it went through the uprights to pad the Falcons’ lead.

The score was 17-7 with 2 seconds left in the half. The scoring drive lasted 8 plays and covered 51 yards.

Jayden Daniels kneeled down to end the half.

Washington will get the ball to open the second half, and they will need to get a touchdown on the board to get control back in this critical game.


At the break@LIUNA | #ATLvsWAS pic.twitter.com/BFxAVDudn9

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024

Halftime Stats​



Statistics via ESPN


Third Quarter​


Bijan Robinson has 82 yards and 2 touchdowns. To win this game, the Commanders are going to have to find a way to stop him, or at least slow him down.

Commanders open the second half with a touchdown
It was a bad start with another penalty — offensive holding against Cosmi - to make it 1st & 20. The penalties have kept Washington behind the chains for the entire game.

On 2nd & 15, Daniels was sacked, despite looking like he was about to escape, to bring up 3rd & 22.

It looked like another sack on Daniels on 3rd down, but an untimely penalty on the Falcons secondary for defensive holding gave Washington an extremely fortunate 1st down at the 24-yard line.

Three plays lager, an 11-yard catch & run by Zaccheaus was erased by a holding call against KJ Osborn to make it 1st & 20 (again) at the 24 yard line.

The next play was a highlight — Zach Ertz caught a pass on the left. Jayden Daniels, under pressure, found the tight end about 9 yards downfield and no-YAC-Zach got a 37-yard gain to the Atlanta 39-yard line.


Daniels escapes and finds @ZERTZ_86 for a big 38-yard gain!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/pIR1ZpBRha

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

McNichols, on his only carry of the game, went for 5 yards to bring up 3rd & 5, and then Jayden Daniels saw the opportunity to scramble against a 3-man rush and went 9 yards for a 1st down at the Atlanta 25-yard line.

With great protection on 3rd down & 10, Daniels hit Crowder for a gain of 9 in the middle of the field. Dan Quinn sent his offense on the field on 4th & 1.

It was no surprise when Daniels ran a QB keeper right for the first down.

Then again, I am an idiot. First down, Jayden Daniels. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T03:06:22.883Z

Two plays later, it was 3rd & 8 at the 9 yard line, and Daniels had all day to find Zach Ertz about 1 yard inside the end zone for a huge touchdown!


15-play drive ends with an Ertz TD! @Commanders tighten the gap

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/bWWYViBfpG

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

The extra point was good; 17-14 with 07:13 remaining in the 3rd quarter. The drive covered 69 yards in 15 plays. We have a ball game.

Commanders defense forces a 3 & out
Bijan Robinson was stuffed on first down; Drake London got 4 yards on 2nd. On 3rd & 5, the crowd made their presence known.

On the 3rd down play, Dante Fowler knocked the ball out of Penix’ hand; the QB jumped on his own fumble. The defense had, indeed, joined the party, forcing the 3 & out.

Dante Fowler flicks the football out of Michael Penix' hands, and although Penix fell on the ball, it was 3rd down and recovered well short of the LOS so the Falcons are punting. #Commanders suddenly have stolen all the momentum. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T03:15:01.161Z

Commanders re-take the lead with a 7-minute TD drive
It was an auspicious start as Jayden Daniels tucked the ball and scrambled up the middle for 13 yards.

Sam Cosmi picked up penalty #9 with a false start to make it 1st & 15 at their own 38-yard line. After another incompletion to McLaurin, JD5 scrambled right for 18 yards and another first down. Right now, it’s the Jayden Daniels show.

Jayden Daniels. Again. First down. Again. I'm excited. Again. #RaiseHail

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T03:18:52.520Z

Jayden getting sneaky to make defenders miss

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/vBY8CPkeM6

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

With 2:21 left in the quarter, on 3rd & 5 at the 39-yard line, Daniels tried to hit Terry McLaurin on a corner route inside the 5 yard line, but the ball was a yard overthrown.

On 4th & 5, Daniels hit McNichols in the middle of the field who, with a 2nd & 3rd effort, broke a tackle to (just) reach the line to gain.


McNichols REFUSED to be short on this play

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/MjHKTqeqLG

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

With 01:38 left in the quarter, Daniels hit OZ on the right side of the field for a 6-yard catch & run. Zaccheaus is having a good game. On 2nd down, McNichols ran 5 yards for another first down, followed by another keeper-right by Daniels for another 5 yards to bring the quarter to an end with Washington facing 2nd & 5 at the Atlanta 14 yard line.

Fourth Quarter​


The Commanders opened the final quarter with Rodriguez getting hit behind the line of scrimmage, but bulling his way through several tackles to earn 4 yards. On 3rd & 1, CRod carried the ball on another tough 2-yard run to earn 1st & goal at the 8-yard line.

1st down - Rodriguez 6 yard carry to the 2-yard line straight up the middle

2nd down - Rodriguez, lined up 8 yards deep, takes a pitch left and evades AJ Terrell to get into the end zone for a go-ahead touchdown.

This was a running clinic by Washington’s running backs and Jayden Daniels.

Daniels leads all Washington players with 76 rush yards. Robinson has 36 and Rodriguez has a tough 16 yards on 5 carries for a key touchdown.


Another long @Commanders drive ends with 6️⃣! Rodriguez takes it in for the lead!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/HwnfZ9vseF

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

The 14-play, 70-yard drive took more than 7 minutes off the clock.

With 13:03 remaining, this game isn’t over, but the home team has re-taken control in the second half after giving it up in the second quarter.

Another Falcons punt
A short pass completion and a 2-yard run by Bijan Robinson brought up 3rd & 2 at the 38-yard line. On 3rd down, Penix hit McCloud for a short pass. After a broken tackle, McCloud earned 13 yards.

Two plays later, Dorance Armstrong sacked Michael Penix on 3rd & 10. The QB fumbled but an Atlanta lineman fell on the loose ball. Great defense by the burgundy & gold.


Washington pads the lead with a 10-play scoring drive
Crowder showed up with a 17-yard return on the punt to set up his offense at the Washington 36-yard line.

With 10:02 remaining, a scoring drive here would be a big step towards putting this game away. Daniels spent the 3rd quarter putting the offense on his back. Can it be more of a team effort in this final quarter?

Things started well with another completion to Zaccheaus for 18 yards. He now leads the team with 8 catches for 84 yards.

Now across midfield, Daniels kept the ball, ran left, and broke a tackle to earn 7 yards and set a new record for most rushing yards by a rookie QB, breaking the old record held by RG3.

Brian Robinson must have been inspired by the broken record, because he ran for 11 yards on the next play, and followed it up with another 12 yards on the next. This is an offensive clinic on this drive so far.

With about 7 minutes left in the game, Daniels hit TE John Bates for his 8th catch of the season — a 14 yard catch and run to the 3-yard line. He was all by himself in the middle of the field.


.@Commanders threatening in the red zone...

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/WVosbNRvoP

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

First & goal at the 3-yard line, and Washington, with the play clock winding down, burned a time out. The drive then completely fizzled.

Daniels kept the ball on an inside run on first down for 2 yards.

Somehow, the offense couldn’t get organized on the play and had to burn another time out before the play clock expired on 2nd & goal at the 1-yard line.

When they finally ran the 2nd down play, a heavy formation run by Robinson up the middle, they lost 2 yards.

On 3rd & goal, with 4:46 on the clock, it looked like Olamide Zaccheaus put the cherry on top of his career day with a touchdown reception, but it was erased by a holding call on Sam Cosmi, Washington’s 10th penalty of the game!

Touchdown... but no. Daniels finds Zaccheaus in the endzone, but Sam Cosmi is penalised for the hold and it's wiped off the board.

Chad Ryan (@chadwiko.bsky.social) 2024-12-30T03:53:10.718Z

On the replay of 3rd down, Daniels threw the ball away. This drive can still end with points, but an opportunity to open a 2-score lead was squandered by penalties and disorganization.

Gonzalez hit the 31-yard field goal to open a 7-point lead on the Falcons with 04:32 left in the game. The scoring drive covered 52 yards in 10 plays.

Falcons tie the game with a touchdown
Atlanta started what is likely its final offensive drive of the game at the 32-yard line.

Following a 5-yard run and an incomplete pass, it was 3rd & 5 at the 37-yard line with Atlanta perhaps ready to run 4 plays if needed. We’ll never know. Drake London gained 14 yards to get a fresh set of downs at the Washington 49-yard line.

On a key 3rd down play, Penix threw deep to Kyle Pitts on the right sideline who was blanketed by Jeremy Chinn — incomplete!

On 4th & 11, Penix came up with a huge play to Drake London on the left sideline; the big receiver caught a pass, broke a tackle, and ran to the Washington 19-yard line. Great play by Atlanta, poor defense by Washington.

The next play— a run by McCloud, went for 14 yards to earn 1st & goal at the Washington 5 yard line.

Unbelievably, lined up with Bijan Robinson in wildcat formation, the snap went high over his head. Robinson chased it down and was tackled for a 21-yard loss by Jalyn Holmes as the game reached the two minute warning.


CHAOS!!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/rcMBO3yHYT

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

Following the timeout, Atlanta had the ball 2nd & goal at the Commanders 26-yard line, needing a touchdown.

2nd down - 13 yard gain on pass to London to 13-yard line

3rd down - Penix overthrows London in the right corner of the end zone

4th down - Penix hit Kyle Pitts in the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown!


What a throw, what a catch Unreal from the rookie QB @themikepenix!

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/BVp6C46ARF

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

With 01:19 left in the game, Raheem Morris sent his kicker out to try to tie the game.

The PAT was good, and the score was tied at 24-24 on the first-ever NFL TD pass from Michael Penix. He’d converted two huge fourth downs on the drive.

With 79 seconds on the clock and the Commanders needing just a field goal to win, and with Jayden Daniels at QB, Washington fans have to feel pretty good. We’ve been here a lot this season, and the rookie has delivered nearly every time.

The Falcons defense holds
After the kickoff, Washington started their final offensive drive of the 4th quarter with only one timeout. Daniels and the offense had the ball 1st & 10 at the 30-yard line, needing perhaps 40 yards to set up a potential game-winning field goal attempt by Zane Gonzalez.

After a 1-yard sack on a Jayden Daniels scramble, the 2nd down pass missed Terry McLaurin in the middle of the field. The Commanders faced 3rd & 11 with 53 seconds on the clock. Daniels delivered a beautiful pass to Zaccheaus near midfield, but it skipped off the receiver’s hands to force 4th down and a Washington punt.


Zaccheaus came up big except for when they needed him most
pic.twitter.com/7feBtSOgPm

— SleeperNFL (@SleeperNFL) December 30, 2024

Good coverage by Percy Butler put the Falcons at their own 19-yard line with two timeouts in hand.

Riley Patterson misses from 56 yards to send the game into overtime
They gained 26 yards on first down on a pass from Penix to Mooney. On 2nd down, the pass to Mooney was incomplete downfield.

With a stopped clock, Atlanta had the ball at their 44-yard line with two time outs and needing a field goal for the win. On 2nd down, London seemed to fall down, and the pass hit the grass in the middle of the field.

With 7 seconds on the clock, on 3rd & 10 at the Atlanta 44, Washington was flagged for an offsides penalty, moving the ball across midfield.

On the 3rd down play, Penix was under heavy pressure. He threw incomplete downfield, but a flag was thrown against CB Michael Davis for defensive pass interference, putting the ball at Washington’s 38 yard line.

With 2 seconds on the clock, Riley Patterson came on to attempt a 58-yad field goal.

His kick was short!

No good!

Overtime!!!


Kick is no good!! We're headed to OT

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/DHKr8Gpg1x

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

OVERTIME​


Washington can clinch a playoff spot with a tie, but a win will push them to the 6th seed.

The Commanders won the toss and elected to receive. Hopefully, they’ll have more success than they did on their final drive of the 4th quarter, which resulted in 3 & out.

With Jayden Daniels in the game, there’s always a chance until the clock reads 00:00.

Commanders end the game with a 12-play, 70-yard drive
Following the kickoff, the Commanders started the overtime period on offense at the 30-yard line.

Bad news with another false start penalty, this against Brandon Coleman. D’oh!!

On 1sst & 15, Daniels scrambled for another 7 yards, and then hit Zach Ertz for 10 yards on 2nd down to reach the 41-yard line.

It was another 7-yard scramble on first down for Daniels (he now has 99 yards rushing).

A 1-yard run by Brian Robinson brought up 3rd & 2.

No surprise, on 3rd down, Jayden scrambled right for 16 yards. He is the leading rusher for both teams with 115 yards.


Jayden gliding for the 1st ‍♂️

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/5XM5j0zhYz

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

The ball is already at the Atlanta 34 yard line, so, the team is in field goal range if it comes to that.

It won’t.

Two plays later, it was 1st & goal following a Jayden Daniels run inside for 6 yards.

1st down - Daniels called run left for no gain.

2nd down - Daniels scrambles for 6 yards to the 2-yard line

The crowd starts chanting “MVP...MVP...MVP”!


Jayden Daniels is really giving it his all

: #ATLvsWAS on NBC/Peacock
: Stream on #NFLPlus pic.twitter.com/uoZVak2P72

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

3rd down - Jayden Daniels hits Zach Ertz for the touchdown, the win, and a guaranteed playoff spot!!


DANIELS TO ERTZ

THE @COMMANDERS ARE GOING TO THE PLAYOFFS! pic.twitter.com/OzzGe0upei

— NFL (@NFL) December 30, 2024

A huge win for the Commanders to reach 11-5!!!

Playoffs and the 6th seed in hand!!!

Jayden Daniels has done it again!!


PLAYOFF BOUND!!!!!!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/djmqZv3kH6

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) December 30, 2024

Atlanta Falcons vs. Washington Commanders Game Highlights | 2024 Week 17​

Full Game Stats​



Statistics via ESPN



Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/29...-on-snf-to-move-into-6th-seed-in-nfc-playoffs
 
Daily Slop - 30 Jun 25 - Rich Eisen projects Jayden Daniels’ 2025 stats: 4,500 yards, 35 touchdowns, 6 picks

NFC Divisional Playoffs: Washington Commanders v Detroit Lions

Photo by Michael Owens/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

Commanders links

Articles​

Last Word on Sports

Colin Cowherd Places Jayden Daniels In Elite Company


Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is coming off an impressive rookie season, and Colin Cowherd isn’t afraid to put him up against the league’s elite quarterbacks. Selected with the second-overall pick, the LSU product took the league by storm, guiding the Commanders to the NFC Championship Game while completing 69% of his passes for 3,568 yards, 25 touchdowns, nine interceptions, and a 90.6 PFF grade, the sixth-best mark in the league.

Now entering Year 2 and with Super Bowl aspirations, Colin Cowherd believes that Jayden Daniels is in the same tier as guys like Patrick Mahomes and Josh Allen when it comes to untradeable athletes. In a recent segment, the NFL analyst named Daniels as the seventh-most untradable athlete in all of sports, not just football.


"I think he's our next superstar in the NFL."

Which surprise player cracks @colincowherd’s list of untradeable athletes? pic.twitter.com/fCOsCc4SsP

— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) June 26, 2025

Pro Football Focus

10 late-career NFL veterans still playing at a high level

LB Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders


Despite playing more than 14,000 snaps in his 13-year career, Wagner is showing no signs of slowing down. Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels received a lot of the headlines amid the Commanders’ impressive turnaround last season, and deservedly so, but Wagner’s impact on the defense in his first year with the team should not go unheralded.

Wagner’s 88.3 PFF overall grade ranked third out of 84 qualifying linebackers, and he led the position in PFF pass-rush grade (90.9) and ranked second in PFF run-defense grade (91.2). It was his third straight year of earning a PFF run-defense grade higher than 91.0.


Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ passing on Amon-Ra St. Brown was one of many draft errors by Ron Rivera


[O]ne can point the finger squarely at Rivera’s draft failings as a huge reason behind his demise.

There are too many examples of poor decision-making to count. One of the most notable centered on the Commanders’ decision to take wide receiver Dyami Brown over several other enticing options at No. 82 overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.

Brown was expected to be a deep threat capable of becoming the No. 2 option behind Terry McLaurin. This never materialized, and the Commanders felt he wasn’t worth the money to keep him around in free agency after the Jacksonville Jaguars came in with a decent offer.

Fans were clamoring for two names at the time, both of whom have enjoyed far more success. The most obvious was Amon-Ra St. Brown, who got discarded until the Detroit Lions ended his slide at No. 112 overall.

He’s been making everyone regret their lack of conviction ever since. And nobody was surprised when Damian Parson from The Bleacher Report named St. Brown among his biggest steals from the 2021 NFL Draft class.

“[Amon-Ra] St. Brown is one of the best pound-for-pound wide receivers in the league. He has outplayed his draft position and brought immediate reliability and consistency to the Lions’ passing attack. The Lions’ passing attack would be less efficient and effective without St. Brown’s high-end production. He is the engine for their offense and is a top-10 wide receiver in the league. St. Brown’s career has been outstanding, and he isn’t slowing down anytime soon.”

Damian Parson

Hindsight is a wonderful thing to have. St. Brown was arguably more NFL-ready and would have been taken a lot higher had it not been for an injury that restricted him to just six games at USC in 2020. That was enough for the Commanders and others to go in different directions, which ended up being a grave error in judgment.


Podcasts & videos

Bram Weinstein: The list of available NFL free agents is surprising​


Rich Eisen on the Great Expectations for Jayden Daniels Coming Off His Stellar Rookie Season​


NFC East links

Pro Football Rumors

Offseason In Review: New York Giants


As Wilson attempts to stave off a younger challenger for the second straight year, he again received assurances (from Daboll) the starting job was his. The Steelers made that their party line last year, but Fields closed the gap to the point it took Tomlin until barely a week before the regular season to officially announce the decision.

For all the sack troubles Wilson has encountered — especially as his athleticism wanes — he has remained a viable starter. (Wilson sits 11 behind Rodgers for most sacks taken in NFL history, reaching this point despite playing in 49 fewer games.) How long will be be able to hold off a handpicked Daboll rookie?

Winston’s increasing popularity as one of the NFL’s most colorful characters aside, his turnover penchant — and perhaps Browns increased interest in protecting high draft real estate — led to a benching for an overmatched Dorian Thompson-Robinson. Winston’s two-year deal, though, gives him a better chance to be a Giant in 2026 compared to Wilson. Winston, 31, being a third-string option does not align with his present profile. Once Dart ascends to first-string duty, which will almost definitely happen this season, trade rumors involving Winston and/or Wilson — should the transition be made before the deadline — figure to emerge out of the Giants’ remade QB room.

A post-draft report indicated the Giants, between the 2024 season and the extensive pre-draft process, spent more time on Sanders than any team spent on any prospect. Daboll weighing in late in that process looks to have accelerated Sanders’ historic freefall. The fourth-year Giants HC and second-generation NFL prospect are believed to have clashed during the draft run-up; this certainly was not the only Sanders dustup during a process, by just about every account, he did not handle properly. That said, the Giants’ coaching staff — with Daboll at the wheel — looks to have made the Dart-over-Sanders call, as a post-draft report pointed to the front office preferring Sanders.

As Sanders’ infamous weekend involved a No. 144 investment, Dart became the primary beneficiary. The Ole Miss prospect was believed to sit above Sanders on some draft boards, and Daboll’s Dart interest became a talking point in the days leading up to the draft. The Giants contacted teams after the Steelers’ No. 21 choice, correctly predicting Pittsburgh would — as Rodgers’ wait created drama — pass on a QB. The Giants later feared the Browns could outflank them for Dart, but they managed to trade up without surrendering a future first in the way the Jaguars (for Hunter) and Falcons (for James Pearce Jr.) did.

Impressing in an RPO-heavy offense, Dart will face pressure to develop into an NFL-level processor soon. Daboll and Schoen’s jobs may depend on it. Dart brings a better run-game toolbox (1,498 yards from 2022-24) and deep-ball game than Sanders, and the Giants are hoping his work in a QB-friendly Rebels offense can translate into immediate NFL promise. A USC recruit who transferred after Caleb Williams followed Lincoln Riley to L.A., Dart led FBS passers with 10.8 yards per attempt and paced the SEC with 4,279 and a 69.3% completion rate.


Blogging the Boys

Cowboys win projection for 2025 is the lowest it’s been in over 20 years


This isn’t going to be a good year for the Dallas Cowboys. We might as well just pack up shop and head home because there won’t be much to cheer for this upcoming season. At least, that’s the mindset of many of the NFL so-called experts when it comes to their season predictions.

The NFL oddsmakers aren’t putting a lot of faith in the Cowboys, offering up 50 to 1 odds for them to win the Super Bowl. A ten-dollar dart throw bet could be worth 500 bones should the Cowboys shock the world and take home that long-coveted sixth Lombardi trophy.

While winning the Super Bowl might seem outlandish, they have the Cowboys’ win total projection at a mere 7.5 games this season. If that seems low to you, that’s because it is. In fact, you’d have to go back over 20 years to find a season where they had a win total projection this low.

Examining what it would take for the Cowboys to start entertaining life without Dak Prescott


Before he got hurt last year, Prescott was having his worst season as a pro. His completion percentage, yards per completion, and QB rating were the lowest of his career. He’s just a year removed from leading the NFL in interceptions. His recent playoff performances have featured far too many instances of bad decisions with the football, resulting in costly mistakes.

Prescott turns 32 years old next month. He’s entering his 10th season as the team’s starting quarterback. You might remember that it was Tony Romo’s 10th season as the team’s starter when he got hurt twice and only played in four games that year. That was the dreaded 2015 season, which ended up being the last year Romo started a game for the Cowboys. After never missing a game his first four years in the league, Prescott has now missed games in four of his last five seasons. In three of those seasons, he missed at least five games. It’s not unreasonable to say he’s reached a point in his career where every time he goes to the ground, we cringe.


NFL league links

Articles​

Pro Football Focus

Top 10 NFL quarterbacks by time to throw in 2024


While there’s more than one way to succeed in the NFL, one of the largest factors in a quarterback’s success is how much time they have to throw.

Holding onto the ball can be a double-edged sword. Doing so allows a passer to diagnose defenses and let plays develop downfield, or even extend plays to make something out of nothing. But some schemes operate best when the ball is coming out quickly, avoiding potent pass rushers and allowing targets more opportunities to produce with the ball in their hands.

Either way you slice it, there are positives and negatives to each approach. Let’s take a look at the quarterbacks who excelled most on both ends of that spectrum during the 2024 NFL season.

Editor’s Note: Quarterbacks needed a minimum of 100 dropbacks to qualify

Under 2.5 seconds


Over 2.5 seconds



All aTwitter


Opening weekend is 10 Sundays from now. pic.twitter.com/m6n60PqidJ

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 29, 2025

Deebo Samuel putting in Work doesn’t look slow to me at all #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/6TbqYNqBWT

— PAIN (@Xommanders) June 30, 2025

70 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/rQ3EKKiTrA

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 29, 2025

Missed 71 days (still hurts to see Trent Williams) but now 70 days (10 weeks!!) until the @Commanders kick off the season at home vs. the Giants! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/EUrmbOLNFv

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 30, 2025

After waiting his turn for the QB1 job, Garrett Nussmeier broke through last season and enters 2025 as one of college football's top quarterbacks. Will he make another leap as a senior? @MoveTheSticks provides his initial scouting report on the LSU passer.… pic.twitter.com/GLbvduxno0

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) June 30, 2025

I love when Eagles Fans Hype Up Jayden let me do the same !

Jalen Is the 2nd Best Qb in the NFC #RaiseHail https://t.co/pSq6UOjSYF

— CommanderDev3x (@CommanderDev3x) June 29, 2025

Brian Robinson Football Camp ️ pic.twitter.com/nAB9tmHR5s

⚡️URGE (@SurgeTheShooter) June 29, 2025

“Forty men together can’t lose”

https://t.co/M1hSSgH0aV pic.twitter.com/DlUCbJokPk

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 29, 2025

James Wood’s last 4 plate appearances:

Intentional Walk
Intentional Walk
Intentional Walk
Intentional Walk

First player with 4 IBB in a game since Barry Bonds. pic.twitter.com/IPSEL4tdPW

— Underdog MLB (@UnderdogMLB) June 29, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/6/30...s-2025-stats-4500-yards-35-touchdowns-6-picks
 
Daily Slop - 1 Jul 25 - Rookie RB Croskey-Merritt has huge opportunity with Commanders in 2025

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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

Commanders links

Articles​

Riggo’s Rag

Michael Gallup is entering the last chance saloon with Commanders at camp


The time away allowed Gallup to refocus and find his love for football again. Washington gave him a route back into the league, but it comes with no guarantees whatsoever. He’ll have to earn his spot in a crowded wide receiver room just like everyone else.

Things began well enough for Gallup over early workouts. He found his groove quickly and looked capable of carving out a role for himself. Unfortunately for the wideout, a hamstring strain kept him out of Washington’s mandatory minicamp, denting his momentum at the worst possible time.

This was a blow for Gallup; there’s no getting away from that. But all hope is not lost with the former Colorado State standout just yet.

Gallup’s got a few weeks to heal before camp. That’s the first objective. After that, it’s about hitting the ground running through consistent pass-catching and sharp route-running in a more intense setting.


Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 training camp preview | Running back

What to watch​

  • Can Brian Robinson take another step? Although his numbers look similar from his previous two seasons, Robinson did take a step forward in 2024 by rushing for a career-high 799 yards. He is not a speedster like other running backs playing today, but his physical style kept the Commanders’ offense moving. His coaches have praised his approach this offseason, saying that he knows how important this season is for him (it’s the last year of his rookie contract).
  • Will Austin Ekeler have a similar effect on the offense as last year? Ekeler became one of the Commanders’ most valuable free agent pickups last offseason, despite recording his fewest scrimmage yards since his rookie season. He was the team’s primary returner on kickoffs and had 594 yards — the third most in the NFL — on 19 returns. Concussions were the biggest obstacles for Ekeler in 2024, but he looked healthy in OTAs and minicamp and ready to prove once again that he can still be productive at 30 years old.
  • What will Jacory Croskey-Merritt add to the backfield? Croskey-Merritt, a seventh-round pick, has created plenty of hype among Washington’s fans. He’s largely unproven since 2023 because of eligibility issues, but he looked quick and decisive during OTAs. He certainly has an interesting skill set that could be useful as the team’s third running back, but he will need to earn a roster spot before he can take on that role.

Heavy.com

Commanders Rookie RB Bill Croskey-Merritt Has Real Breakout Potential in 2025


The Washington Commanders offense hasn’t seen a running back rush for over 800 yards in a season since Antonio Gibson back in 2021. This lack of a true feature ball carrier opens the door for RB Jacory Croskey-Merritt entering his rookie year.

Croskey-Merritt saw his draft stock plummet after eligibility issues essentially robbed him of his final collegiate season in 2024, where he played just one game for the Arizona Wildcats before his college career abruptly ended.

Dean Jones of Riggo’s Rag wrote, “Croskey-Merritt was the No. 245 overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft through no real fault of his own. The backfield threat saw his stock crash after having his eligibility revoked by the NCAA just one game into his transfer to Arizona. Not even winning Offensive MVP at the East-West Shrine Bowl could help change his narrative, but the Commanders saw something in him that others didn’t.”


Commanders.com

2025 opponent breakdown | Green Bay Packers

  • Can the Packers get more out of their run game? Josh Jacobs ignited the Packers’ ground game in a manner that has not been seen in recent memory. They finished fifth in yards per game — their highest ranking since 2003 — as Jacobs rushed for his fourth career 1,000-yard season. The strategy, which took pressure off Love while also fueling the fifth-best scoring offense in 2024, seems to be the approach going forward, but is it possible for the Packers’ run game to reach another level? Green Bay’s front office certainly thinks so, which is why they signed Banks away from the San Francisco 49ers.
  • Who is the new leader in the secondary? Jaire Alexander, a two-time Pro Bowler who spent his entire career in Green Bay, is now with the Baltimore Ravens after being released, leaving a noticeable hole in the team’s secondary. It’s true injuries limited Alexander to just 14 games over the last two seasons, but he is still a solid cornerback when healthy. There’s obvious talent at defensive back with McKinney at safety, and Keisan Nixon has two First Team All-Pro nods since arriving in Green Bay.
  • Can Matthew Golden elevate the offense? The Packers drafted a wide receiver in the first round for the first time since Sterling Sharpe in 1988, causing Packers fans to rejoice at the decision. There’s a lot to like about Golden, from his 4.29 speed to his massive jump in production for Texas in 2024. Is he enough to improve a passing attack that was on the fringes of being a top 10 unit? Possibly; he excels at all three levels and can win contested catches.

The Athletic (paywall)​

One lingering question for every NFL team as the league’s summer break begins

Washington Commanders​


Did the front office do enough to substantially help last season’s substandard defense?

The offseason plan was clear: Get bigger. Saquon Barkley dominated in three meetings, and many others ran over the Commanders. New linemen Javon Kinlaw and Deatrich Wise are massive humans, and second-round cornerback Trey Amos brings good size on the perimeter. Washington needs a healthy CB Marshon Lattimore and a motivated DT Daron Payne. Early signs show promise on both fronts. Still, there are scant scary pass rushers and bigger isn’t always better versus the run. Expect more 4-3 formations in hopes of slowing down ground games. — Ben Standig

Philadelphia Eagles​


How effective will the secondary be?

Slay and Gardner-Johnson are gone. Kelee Ringo is the front-runner to replace Slay. Sydney Brown is in the mix to replace Gardner-Johnson. Both defensive backs contributed to the 2023 unit’s dysfunctions as rookies who both started in at least four games. How much more have they developed? Will rookie Drew Mukuba start at safety instead? Will a strength of the top-ranked 2024 defense become a vulnerability opponents can regularly exploit? — Brooks Kubena


Riggo’s Rag

Commanders’ new additions labeled injury-prone, except they’re not


One thing that has not been brought up as a concern for the Commanders is injuries. But don’t tell Cody Benjamin from CBS Sports, who seems to think this is Washington’s biggest potential weakness.

In Benjamin’s article examining the biggest red flags for every NFL team in 2025, his blurb on Washington focuses on the injury history of wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr., offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, and defensive tackle Javon Kinlaw. The only problem is that this is just untrue.

“Adam Peters wasted no time upgrading Daniels’ supporting cast by swinging trades for Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil this offseason. The only issue is both Samuel and Tunsil, who will play vital roles in aiding and protecting Daniels, have missed extensive time due to injury in the last few years. Veteran defensive addition Javon Kinlaw falls in the same boat.”

Cody Benjamin

Tunsil has missed three games in the past three years, all in 2023. Samuel has made at least 13 appearances in each of the past four seasons. Kinlaw did have trouble staying on the field early in his career, but he hasn’t missed a contest since 2022.


Podcasts & videos

Power Hour with Ryan Clark! Ranking all 32 Teams | The Mina Kimes Show​


Commanders (#7) are discussed at the 13:40 mark


2025 NFL Offseason grades for each NFC East team: Cowboys, Eagles, Commanders, & Giants​


Dan Quinn on the support from the Washington D.C. community & history of The District | SC with SVP​


Dan Quinn interview begins at the 3:00 minute mark


NFC East links

Blogging the Boys

Ride or die: Understanding the financial commitment the Cowboys have in Dak Prescott


A closer look at Dak Prescott’s contract shows that the Cowboys are heavily committed to him for the next few years.

Less than a year ago, Prescott signed a new four-year, $240 million contract, making him the highest-paid player in NFL history.

On the surface, we know the team is committed to Prescott, but maybe in the back of your mind, you’re thinking, if things don’t go well, the team can get out of it. It might not be real soon, and it certainly will be expensive, but there has to be an escape hatch somewhere if things get really bad, right?

In the words of a piece of twine who’s at the end of its rope, “I’m a frayed knot.”

Prescott’s agent, Todd France, and the CAA Football agency made sure that their client had a room full of money where he could roll around in it like Scrooge McDuck. Not only is Prescott the highest-paid player in the NFL with an annual salary of $60 million, but they also worked some contract language that should help preserve some job security over the next few years.

With each new year that goes by, more guarantees are triggered, increasing the team’s overall investment. For example...

  • $40 million of his 2026 base salary became fully guaranteed on March 16 of 2025
  • $45 million of his 2027 base salary becomes fully guaranteed in March of 2026
  • $17 million of his 2028 base salary becomes fully guaranteed in March of 2027

This means the front office must declare their commitment in the spring of every year without the knowledge of what the draft or training camp activity might bring them. Breaking it down by these time intervals, here is the financial commitment the Cowboys have with Prescott over the length of his contract.



Using a timeline, it looks like this...



This makes it really easy to identify [that the first] potential out for the Cowboys...is not until 2028. That means three more years of Dak, whether people like it or not.


The Athletic (paywall)​

Can anyone catch the Eagles? NFC East 2025 preview

Eagles (11.5 wins)​


Key question: Can Saquon Barkley do that again?

The NFL couldn’t stop Barkley in 2024, but history suggests that his 436 carries in 20 total games — tied with 2014’s DeMarco Murray for the heaviest load since 2000 — might slow him in 2025. The Athletic’s Jim Ayello presents a strong case for this making Barkley the riskiest pick in fantasy football.

Better than 2024? No, but that’s OK.

They maintained continuity, mostly. But the Eagles lost OC Kellen Moore and eight key members of their defense, then saw their schedule difficulty increase more than any other team. (Prepare to read a lot about harder schedules today, since the NFC East has to play the stacked NFC North and AFC West, a year after getting the NFC South and AFC North.)

Commanders (9.5 wins)​


Key question: Can their defense keep up?

Adding size was the offseason focus for Daniels and Washington’s defense. The latter needed it more, as the Commanders’ run defense allowed 1.93 yards before contact (fourth-most) and 4.8 yards per carry (tied for third-most). Their line needs DT Daron Payne to revert to Pro Bowl form. Early reports are promising.

Better than 2024? Yes, with a catch.

Daniels was the story, but Washington’s surprising offensive line was also why this team won 12 games. That group lost starting G Sam Cosmi to an ACL injury in January, but was smartly reinforced with Pro Bowl LT Laremy Tunsil and first-round pick RT Josh Conerly Jr. Still, their unimposing defense and tougher path — they rank behind only the Eagles for the largest year-over-year increase in schedule difficulty — is why I expect regression here.

Cowboys (7.5 wins)​


Key question: What can rookie head coach Brian Schottenheimer do with this offense?

The selection of Schottenheimer was uninspiring, an appropriate term for Dallas’ entire team lately. It’s been five years since he was a full-time play caller, but a healthy Dak Prescott, reliable target in Lamb, the deep threat of George Pickens and underrated Jake Ferguson offer Schottenheimer many options for a strong passing game. The problem is …

Position to watch: Running back.

All Dallas had to do last offseason was sign one of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley or Josh Jacobs. The Cowboys instead paired Ezekiel Elliott with Rico Dowdle. Results were as expected, with the Cowboys ranking 27th in rushing yards per game (100.3). This year’s group is led by the shell of Javonte Williams, Miles Sanders and fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue. A committee is on the table.

Giants (5.5 wins)​


Better than 2024? Yes.

This team is much improved. On paper. Their defensive line is the league’s most talented, their secondary is better after signing CB Paulson Adebo and S Jevon Holland, and their quarterback situation can’t be worse. But the league’s toughest schedule, based on both opponents’ winning percentage from 2024 and projected win totals for 2025, makes six wins a positive outcome here.


NFL league links

Articles​

Front Office Sports

Steelers Win-Now Mode Is Good News for NFL Media Partners


Pittsburgh has made a rare flurry of big offseason moves, which should translate to strong TV ratings.

Ever since their glory days in the 1970s, the Steelers have been a top TV draw, along with the Cowboys and Packers. But the six-time Super Bowl-winning franchise hasn’t won a playoff game since 2016. They’ve struggled at quarterback since two-time Super Bowl winner Ben Roethlisberger retired after 18 seasons in 2022.

But the Steelers’ offseason flurry of “win-now” moves is being cheered across sports media. Besides signing four-time MVP Aaron Rodgers, they swung a blockbuster trade Monday with the Dolphins, swapping three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey. They previously acquired star wide receiver DK Metcalf and cornerback Darius Slay. NFL insiders are optimistic they’ll reach a deal with pass-rusher T.J. Watt. Put it all together, and interest is rising around the Steelers, which translates into bigger TV ratings for media partners.

“This is an all-in move. Very atypical of Pittsburgh. Very intriguing,” said former Dolphins GM turned ESPN analyst Mike Tannenbaum about the Ramsey trade on Monday’s Get Up. NBC Sports’s Matthew Berry wrote on X/Twitter: “Steelers gonna play ridiculous defense, run the hell out of the ball and win every game like 17-13.” On his show, Dan Le Batard said it will be a season of “uncommon pressure” for coach Mike Tomlin. The Super Bowl-winning coach “either gets further in the playoffs this year—or he’s in big trouble.”

Despite their lousy playoff record over the past decade, NFL schedulers put the Steelers in four nationally-televised primetime games this season: NFL Network’s telecast of the Steelers-Vikings international game from Dublin on Sept. 28; Amazon Prime Video’s Thursday Night Football stream of Steelers-Benglas on Oct. 16; NBC Sunday Night Football’s twin telecasts of Steelers-Packers on Oct. 26 and Steelers-Chargers on Nov. 9; and ESPN’s Monday Night Football telecast of Steelers-Dolphins on Dec. 15.

The Cowboys, Chiefs and Commanders lead the league with eight standalone regular-season game telecasts this season, followed by the Super Bowl champion Eagles with seven.


Discussion topics

ESPN

NFL trade grades: Jalen Ramsey, Minkah Fitzpatrick, Jonnu Smith

  • Steelers get: CB Jalen Ramsey, TE Jonnu Smith, 2027 seventh-round pick
  • Dolphins get: S Minkah Fitzpatrick, 2027 fifth-round pick

Steelers’ grade: C

Dolphins’ grade: A

This was truly a stunner.

While it had been made abundantly clear that Ramsey was not going to be on the Dolphins in 2025, the fact that it was the Steelers trading for him — there had long been rumors Ramsey might be headed back to the Rams — was a surprise. It was a complete shock that Fitzpatrick was the compensation in return. And Smith lumped in, too? Folks, this was a June blockbuster.

Let’s break this down from the more complex Steelers side first. By signing quarterback Aaron Rodgers, the team signaled it is taking a long-shot swing at another run while in the tail end of the T.J. Watt/Cameron Heyward era. It had money to spend — Pittsburgh has the third-most cap space in 2026. But adding Ramsey and Smith in exchange for Fitzpatrick is still jarring.

The financial compensation matters here. The Steelers are picking up nearly the entirety of Ramsey’s tab — the bulk of his $26.6 million in 2025 after giving him a light raise. That’s a pretty hefty amount of money for him at this stage in his career — and especially if he isn’t playing outside cornerback. Prior to this trade getting done, I wasn’t even sure Miami was going to find a team willing to pick up the entirety of Ramsey’s pre-raise contract. Yes, the Steelers have the cap room, but that they could take on the contract ought to have helped them in the trade negotiation; I don’t know if I see where it really did. Ramsey is under non-guaranteed team control for $21-24 million in cash in each of 2026, 2027 and 2028, per OverTheCap.com.

Fitzpatrick, meanwhile, has two years left on his deal and will cost Miami $15.5 million in 2025 and $17.6 million in 2026. Those terms probably offer the Dolphins good value for Fitzpatrick, who made the Pro Bowl again last season.

I don’t know that this move really improved Pittsburgh in 2025 or beyond, and it came at a cost. The optimistic view is that Ramsey has been a star in the past and can be a star again, and we might well look back on this trade as being part of the realization of that upside case for Pittsburgh’s defense.

Let’s flip over to Miami’s side here, which is both more straightforward and, from my perspective, a pretty clear win.

The Dolphins had been looking for a taker on Ramsey. I assumed this would involve the Dolphins eating a portion of Ramsey’s guaranteed salary, but they ended up finding a trade partner that took on just about the full freight. Losing Smith isn’t ideal, but the Dolphins’ offense is intended to funnel through Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, who each took a step back last season. If all goes as planned for Miami, far more targets should go to the two wideouts again in 2025. And the same analysis on Smith holds here, too: The Dolphins — who are in a far tighter cap situation — didn’t want to overpay the tight end after a career year, and that makes sense.


All aTwitter


Engine Company 18, the first responders to January’s tragic plane crash near DCA, were surprised with tickets to our home opener by team president Mark Clouse and Washington Legends

We're deeply grateful for their ongoing dedication to keeping our community safe pic.twitter.com/DSl0BeyzSy

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) June 30, 2025

https://t.co/6vMqotwHCp

— Riggo's Rag (@RiggosRag) June 30, 2025


69 days away @Commanders #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/bsjeklDCQD

— DLacks21 (@Cheddarbob804) June 30, 2025

69 (nice) days until the @Commanders start the 2025 season! #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/SDm28R7Y8O

— MurphCommanders (@CommanderMurph) June 30, 2025


Deebo looks good on the treadmill #RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/kgKJRtYnyy

— SleeperCommanders (@SleeperWSH) June 30, 2025

Deebo. pic.twitter.com/yyJbQe9EIj

— Riggo's Rag (@RiggosRag) June 30, 2025


.@TheAthleticNFL's Robert Mays (@robertmays) joined the show today and we made our way around the NFL discussing hot topics.@DougMcCrayNFL posed a question about Terry McLaurin, his contract, and how it pertains to Deebo Samuel.

Here is what Robert had to say... #RaiseHail |… pic.twitter.com/JKbxkEmmdV

— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) June 30, 2025

"There's no update on the Terry McLaurin situation and that's the problem..

There is quite a gap between what both sides want right now and they have not made any progress"@AdamSchefter #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/pBatkLA2cs

— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) June 30, 2025


Commanders ownership and DC council members meeting at Café Milano discussing a possible move to the old RFK site. And guess who just walked out? DC’s own @Wale @fox5dc

— Julie Donaldson (@juliedonaldson_) June 30, 2025

I haven't fact-checked this, but FYI: https://t.co/hJaTgpjMeA

— Bill-in-Bangkok (@billhorgan2005) July 1, 2025


Break my own news! #HereWeGo @steelers pic.twitter.com/vnwJLZBDpM

— Jalen Ramsey (@jalenramsey) June 30, 2025

ESPN sources: Steelers traded three-time All-Pro safety Minkah Fitzpatrick to the Dolphins in exchange for three-time All-Pro cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

The rare player-for-player trade, and another trade.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) June 30, 2025

The full Dolphins-Steelers trade, per source:

PIT receives:
CB Jalen Ramsey
TE Jonnu Smith
2027 seventh-round pick

MIA receives:
S Minkah Fitzpatrick
2027 fifth-round pick pic.twitter.com/XWitHbgnEv

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) June 30, 2025

Steelers fans celebrating the Jalen Ramsey trade finding out it cost Minkah Fitzpatrick pic.twitter.com/PVaIbBDaks

— Simpsons NFL (@TheSimpsonsNFL) June 30, 2025


Personal news posts are the worst. Alas… Today is my final day with The Athletic. pic.twitter.com/da2YhvqYel

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) June 30, 2025


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/2025/7/1/...-has-huge-opportunity-with-commanders-in-2025
 
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