NFC East News: New York Giants finalizing deal to hire John Harbaugh

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There are currently 9 open head coaching jobs in the NFL, and the first domino is reportedly falling with the news that John Harbaugh is finalizing a deal to become the New York Giants’ next head coach. Harbaugh was considered the top target for several teams looking to make a change. He was let go by the Baltimore Ravens after 18 seasons, and reportedly had big demands for his next team.

The New York Giants will now be on their 5th head coach(not counting two interims) since Tom Coughlin was fired during the 2015 season. There has not been a lot of success associated with that franchise over the last decade, and ownership has continued to try different people with similar results. Brian Daboll was fired during another disappointing season with offensive coordinator Mike Kafka taking over to play out the string.

Every NFC East team will have at least one new coach next season, but the Giants were the only one replacing their head coach. The Washington Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. and they’re still looking for his replacement. They “mutually agreed to part ways” with offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, and hired assistant QB coach David Blough to replace him. The Eagles are looking for a new OC, and the Cowboys need a DC. Fun times in the division.

John Harbaugh and the Giants are working to finalize an agreement to make him New York’s next head coach and, barring a setback, a deal is expected, multiple sources tell ESPN.

The deal is not final and contract numbers still are being negotiated. “There still is a lot to work… pic.twitter.com/CQmSljImf9

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/nfc-east-...-giants-finalizing-deal-to-hire-john-harbaugh
 
DC Defenders Draft Gabe Taylor, Brother of Redskins Legend Sean Taylor

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With the United Football League in the midst of draft season ahead of their 2026 season, the reigning champion DC Defenders have drafted Gabe Taylor, brother of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor.

NEWS: The DC Defenders have signed defensive back Gabe Taylor, brother of former Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor.

Taylor played four seasons at Rice, totaling 236 total tackles and 10 interceptions.#UFL pic.twitter.com/Y1giPwwSD0

— Christian Paolantonio (@CPaolantonio_) January 15, 2026

Gabe played his college ball at Rice University, where he spent five seasons and 49 games, finishing with 236 total tackles and 10 interceptions.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, Gabe Taylor received an invite to the Washington Commanders rookie mini-camp. Taylor did not sign an NFL contract following rookie camp, and has remained unsigned since.

Taylor’s biggest liability comes from his size, listed at 5’9 190 lbs., but he makes up for it with his speed and superb range on the backend. Taylor consistently ran 40 yard-dash in the 4.38-4.44 range at his Rice Pro Day, placing himself in a special category.

On the 14th anniversary of his older brother Sean Taylor’s passing, Rice’s Gabe Taylor just sealed a win for his team with this INT 🙏

(via @RiceFootball)
pic.twitter.com/3n4DYXt05d

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) November 27, 2021

While Taylor played safety at Rice, he was listed as a cornerback when the Defenders announced his draft selection, so it remains to be seen where he lines up this spring.

Taylor joins a defensive backs room in DC that currently includes Deandre Baker, Lewis Cine, Ekow Boye-Doe, Bryce Thompson, Azizi Hearn, Kiondre Thomas, Leon O’Neal Jr., Trey Dean III, Sam Kidd, Kai Nacua, Deontay Anderson, and Maceo Beard-Aigert.

UFL players will begin reporting to camp in just over a month, as the league kicks off on Friday, March 27th. Keep an eye out for the UFL’s official schedule release on January 22nd.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/general/3...taylor-brother-of-redskins-legend-sean-taylor
 
Film Session: Can Johnny Newton develop into a 3-down lineman?

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Washington Commanders defensive tackle Johnny Newton is entering a critical offseason of his rookie contract. Newton had a relatively quiet second season before his stat-stuffing performance against the Dallas Cowboys, when he compiled three sacks, five quarterback hits, two TFLs, and nine tackles. Not to suggest he didn’t have his “moments,” but the former 2024 second-round pick had not truly put his stamp on the games he played in yet. Newton saw 38 percent of defensive snaps in 2025, which is a 13 percent decrease from his rookie season. Granted, in 2024, former Commanders’ defensive tackle Jonathan Allen’s injury impacted Newton’s increased usage.

Newton’s vision of the football stands out, and he has an excellent motor that allows him to stay in most plays. While he flashes with his hand usage, it is inconsistent, and currently lacks secondary or tertiary moves that help win engagements. Newton is quick as well and shows flashes of it occasionally, but he can improve his lower-body and core strength.

In this Trap or Dive film session, I studied Johnny Newton’s last few games of the season. I detailed which alignment he had most success with, what he wins with as a pass rusher and run defender, and the inconsistencies that are hindering his impact heading into his third season.

Like, Subscribe, and comment your thoughts on the Newton’s ceiling heading into year three.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/washingto...n-johnny-newton-develop-into-a-3-down-lineman
 
Washington Commanders Coaching Search Tracker: Former NFL QB hired as assistant QB coach

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Danny Etling hired as assistant QB coach​


The Washington Commanders have hired their third new coach on offense, adding former NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant QB coach. He will work under new offensive coordinator David Blough and QB coach D.J. Williams. Blough was given the promotion from assistant QB to OC after Kliff Kingsbury’s departure earlier this month. Etling never played in a regular season NFL game, and spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. This will be his first coaching job after retiring from playing football. Etling and Blough were teammates in college at Purdue.

The #Commanders are hiring former LSU and NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant quarterbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was a 2018 draft pick of the Patriots and then spent six seasons in the NFL as a player. Now set to return to the NFL as a coach. pic.twitter.com/sWehXJjedo

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2026

D.J. Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and to work under David Blough​


The Commanders front office has been searching for a QB coach ever since announcing David Blough’s promotion last week. Today Adam Schefter and others reported the hiring of D.J. Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role.

Commanders are hiring former Falcons QBs coach D.J. Williams as their QB coach, per sources. D.J. is the son of Washington legend Doug Williams, an executive in the Commanders’ front office.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026

After 2 years of entry level work in with the Saints, Williams joined the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for New Orleans in 2019. Williams was hired as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Falcons in 2024, and promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. The Atlanta staff is in flux following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is seen as an attractive candidate for a number of teams trying to replace defensive coordinators, including the Commanders.

D.J. is the first new coach to join David Blough’s staff. The Commanders also interviewed Mike Bercovici, the Panthers assistant quarterback coach, for the position.


Brian Flores interviewing today​


The Washington Commanders were hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and that is happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he’d like him back if he doesn’t get an opportunity to be a head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use someone of Flores’s coaching pedigree, but he is in high demand, and a lot of people expect him to stay in Minnesota.

The #Commanders are, in fact, interviewing Brian Flores for their DC job today, source said. https://t.co/LcOZvqqXyt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026

Washington interviews Seahawks DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott​


The Washington Commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports they have interviewed Seattle Seahawks DBs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get a job in the NFL until 2021 as a DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022, and is highly-regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, and have several players Washington could be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have past experience as a DC.

Washington interviewed Seattle DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott per me and @BradyHenderson for their defensive coordinator opening. He's the only one they've interviewed without prior DC experience. They will meet with Jonathan Gannon Thursday.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 14, 2026
Hire Karl Scott

Bring: Mafe, Bryant and Woolen with you. pic.twitter.com/cZgj5cQqHE

— Steve (@AirRaidConcepts) January 4, 2026

Kliff Kingsbury to the Eagles?​

A league source said Kliff Kingsbury (a runner up when the team hired Kellen Moore) & Kevin Stefanski will "get a real look" for the #Eagles offensive coordinator position–among other options–assuming head coach signings don't supersede the team's vacancy. pic.twitter.com/LDUfo1kUGT

— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) January 14, 2026

Hoping for Brian Flores​

The #Commanders are hoping to interview #Vikings DC Brian Flores for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. Flores’ contract is up in Minnesota, so he is able to look at other similar jobs. pic.twitter.com/ie2xaMDPnG

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 13, 2026

Commanders request interview with Falcons QB coach D.J. Williams​

Doug and D.J. Williams in Atlanta before the Commanders played the Falcons last year.https://t.co/RFbKK6lqth https://t.co/jlEa9eHBjc pic.twitter.com/DkFjUU5gwn

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) January 13, 2026

Former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon scheduled for DC interview​

Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026

First QB coach interview request reported​

Sources: The #Commanders have requested to interview #Panthers assistant QBs coach Mike Bercovici for their QBs coach position on OC David Blough’s staff.

A former QB himself and just 32, Bercovici has played a big role on Carolina’s staff working with Bryce Young. He also… pic.twitter.com/Od2jzdRVhw

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 12, 2026

Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC job​


Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the last two seasons. He is the latest name added to the Washington Commanders interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.

Wilson, 43, is a Hyatteville, MD native who went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson entered coaching after an injury ended his first season, going back to DeMatha as their passing game coordinator & DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, before getting his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.

Joe Cullen interviewed for DC job​


Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has interviewed with Washington as the replacement for fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension.

Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as their defensive line coach a year later. He also was the defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15), Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.

It would seem that his most obvious link to the Commanders decision-makers may have come from his 3-year stint (’06-‘08) as the Lions defensive line coach when Asst GM Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.

The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 9, 2026

Original story​


The Washington Commanders moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. There are more changes expected with two new coordinators set to be hired. Kingsbury was expected to get head coaching consideration, despite the Commanders 5-12 season, but conflicts about offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him go shortly after the season ended.

There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly getting an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly-vacated offensive coordinator job. Johnny Morton was fired after one season of not being able to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.

Blough was seen as a young, upcoming coach who was being groomed to take over OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford, and Blough took on a lot of his responsibilities, along with Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches that were seen as Kingsbury guys could also exit after yesterday’s news.

Follow along here for update from Washington’s search, and from other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for Washington’s coordinator openings.

Washington Commanders Rumors​

Doug and D.J. Williams in Atlanta before the Commanders played the Falcons last year.https://t.co/RFbKK6lqth https://t.co/jlEa9eHBjc pic.twitter.com/DkFjUU5gwn

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) January 13, 2026
Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026
Sources: The #Commanders have requested to interview #Panthers assistant QBs coach Mike Bercovici for their QBs coach position on OC David Blough’s staff.

A former QB himself and just 32, Bercovici has played a big role on Carolina’s staff working with Bryce Young. He also… pic.twitter.com/Od2jzdRVhw

— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) January 12, 2026
Dennard Wilson interviewed for the Commanders defensive coordinator position today, per source. The veteran NFL coach was the Titans’ defensive coordinator the last two seasons.

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 10, 2026
The Commanders interviewed five candidates for their OC vacancy:

Cowboys TEs coach Lunda Wells
Cardinals WRs coach/ PG coord. Drew Terrell
Commanders TEs coach David Raih
Commanders PG coord./asst. HC Brian Johnson
Commanders asst. QBs coach David Blough

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 10, 2026
The #Commanders are hiring former NFL QB and rising assistant coach David Blough to be their new offensive coordinator, sources say.

The #Lions showed real interest in Blough, and Washington acted fast to hire one of the NFL’s youngest and brightest offensive minds. Big hire. pic.twitter.com/FpT83guQk9

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 9, 2026
Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen interviewed today for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator job.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 9, 2026
The Cowboys were denied by Atlanta to talk with Jeff Ulbrich for DC job, according to sources. He remains under contract w/ the Falcons despite their search for a head coach. A potential interview can be revisited later if they hire a HC, who has a different coordinator in mind.

— Todd Archer (@toddarcher) January 8, 2026
Commanders requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their defensive coordinator job, per source. pic.twitter.com/jRL82TZGcn

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

NFL Coaching Rumors​

Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell just said Brian Flores is going to talk to at least one NFL team about their head coaching vacancy and wouldn't be surprised if it's multiple teams

— Pat Leonard (@PLeonardNYDN) January 13, 2026
Harbaugh, as said when he was let go, is #Giants No. 1 and they’re going all-in to get him, I’m told.

Would be a huge hire that can reset direction of franchise. https://t.co/Dcmlem2T8o

— Connor Hughes (@Connor_J_Hughes) January 9, 2026

Kliff Kingsbury HC interviews​

Former #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was requested to interview for the head coach position for the #Ravens and #Titans, sources say.

The former #AZCardinals head coach is already getting HC interest. pic.twitter.com/SxxM4I1380

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2026

Raheem Morris​

Former Falcons HC Raheem Morris now has confirmed head coach interviews in the next week with Cardinals, Giants and Titans, per sources. pic.twitter.com/neoRMlRAQ6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/washingto...rmer-nfl-qb-coach-hired-as-assistant-qb-coach
 
Everything there is to know (currently) about the Commanders new stadium at the RFK stadium campus is available in one place

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A 35-page document that has been submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission for review.

The full document is available for review by clicking HERE.

The document does not answer every question about the stadium — it primarily addresses how the stadium fits into the surrounding area and complies with legal requirements.

You won’t find seating area design, discussion of the food service or what type of field surface is planned.

This is still a broad-brush document, but even with its limited scope, it is interesting and provides a lot of good information.

Here are just a few excerpts and highlights from that document:

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/general/3...-rfk-stadium-campus-is-available-in-one-place
 
NFL Divisional Playoffs: San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks

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The divisional round of the playoffs is here and there were two games on today’s schedule. Tonight’s the third matchup between two NFC West rivals. The San Francisco 49ers are going to Seattle to play the Seahawks, and will be looking for a big win after losing the #1 seed, and division title, in their Week 18 battle. Brock Purdy is leading a team that has dealt with a crazy amount of injuries this season. The Seahawks are the biggest favorites this weekend, can they dominate their 49ers again?

Matchup: San Francisco 49ers (13-5) at Seattle Seahawks (14-3)

Location: Lumen Field | Seattle, WA

Date/Time: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 8 p.m. ET

TV: FOX, FOX One, FOX Deportes

Kevin Burkhardt (play-by-play)

Tom Brady (analyst)

Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi (sidelines)

RADIO:

Sirius XM NFL


49ers: XM/SXM 226, Internet 827

Seahawks: XM/SXM 228, Internet 828

National: 88

Español: XM/SXM 227, Internet 832

Live Streaming: Fubo.TV, NFL+, Sling TV

Odds: Seahawks -7, 44.5 O/U

San Francisco: +270

Seattle: -335

Prediction: Seahawks 23 – 49ers 14

SB Nation: Niners Nation | Field Gulls


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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/openthrea...yoffs-san-francisco-49ers-vs-seattle-seahawks
 
NFL Divisional Playoffs: Buffalo Bills vs Denver Broncos

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The divisional round of the playoffs is here and we’ve got two games today. The AFC kicks off a great weekend of football with the Buffalo Bills visiting the Denver Broncos. The Bills defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars in a 27-24 thriller last week to earn their ticket to the next round. The Broncos had the best record in the AFC, and will come into today’s game well rested after their first-round bye. Josh Allen took a beating last week, but he’s on a quest for his first Super Bowl ring. Can second-year QB and the Broncos defense kill those dreams again, or will Allen advance to the Conference Championship Game and not have to worry about Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow?

Who: Buffalo Bills (13-5) at Denver Broncos (14-3)

Where: Empower Field at Mile High | Denver, CO

When: Saturday, January 17, 2026, 4:30 p.m.

TV: CBS

Jim Nantz (play-by-play)

Tony Romo (game analyst)

Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)

Sirius XM NFL

Buffalo: XM/SXM 226, Internet 803

Denver: XM/SXM 225, Internet 809

National: 88

Español: XM/SXM 227, Internet 832

Online Stream: Paramount+, Fubo.TV, NFL+, Sling TV

FanDuel Sportsbook odds: Broncos -1.5, 46.5 O/U

Buffalo: -102

Denver: -116

Prediction: Broncos 20 – Bills 13

SB Nation Blogs: Buffalo Rumblings | Mile High Report


Hogs Haven Media Information


Podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Pandora | Spotify | Podbean | iHeartRadio

Facebook Page:
Click here to like our page

Twitter: Follow @HogsHaven

Instagram: Follow @Hogs_Haven

Threads: Follow @hogs_haven

Blue Sky: Follow Hogs Haven

Manager: Scott Jennings: Follow @ScottJenningsHH

Buy Washington gear at the Hogs Haven Fanshop



NFL News twitter feed

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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/openthread/398380/nfl-divisional-playoffs-buffalo-bills-vs-denver-broncos
 
NFL Divisional Playoffs: Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

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The divisional round of the playoffs is here and we’re on to the second day! The first game on today’s lineup features the 2nd and 5th seeds from the AFC. The Houston Texans are visiting the New England Patriots in the second AFC game of the weekend. The Patriots have been impressive against a weak schedule, and they had no problem handling the Chargers in the wild card round. The Texans defense has been fun to watch, but can they stop MVP-candidate Drake Maye?

Matchup: Houston Texans (13-5) at New England Patriots (15-3)

Location: Gillette Stadium | Foxborough, MA

Date/Time: Sunday, January 18, 2026, 3:00 p.m. ET

TV: ABC, ESPN

Joe Buck (play-by-play)

Troy Aikman (analyst)

Lisa Salters and Laura Rutledge (sideline)

RADIO:

Sirius XM NFL


Houston: XM/SXM 226, Internet 812

New England: XM/SXM 225, Internet 821

National: 88

Español: XM/SXM 227, Internet 832

Live Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo.TV, NFL+, Sling TV

Odds: Patriots -3, 40.5 O/U

Houston: +150

New England: -180

Prediction: Texans 20 – Patriots 17

SB Nation: Battle Red Blog | Pats Pulpit


Hogs Haven Media Information


Podcasts: Apple Podcasts | Pandora | Spotify | Podbean | iHeartRadio

Facebook Page:
Click here to like our page

Twitter: Follow @HogsHaven

Instagram: Follow @Hogs_Haven

Threads: Follow @hogs_haven

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Manager: Scott Jennings: Follow @ScottJenningsHH

Buy Washington gear at the Hogs Haven Fanshop



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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/openthrea...ayoffs-houston-texans-vs-new-england-patriots
 
Daily Slop: 19 Jan 26 – Should TE Adam Trautman be a top free agent target for the Commanders?

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Commanders links

Articles​


ESPN

2026 NFL offseason: Free agents, draft notes, predictions


What is their top offseason priority? Hire a defensive coordinator. Coach Dan Quinn took over playcalling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. for the final seven games, but his preference in the past has been to have someone else run the defense. Whitt, hired in 2024, did not have prior playcalling experience, so it’s possible Washington will want someone who has done so in the past.

What is one secondary priority to watch? Add impact players on defense. Washington desperately needs them, otherwise simply changing coordinators won’t have a strong enough yield. The Commanders need more speed and youth in their front seven, as well as a starting corner and safety. — John Keim

Early draft outlook: As mentioned above, improving the defensive front seven will be a core need for Washington, especially with linebacker Bobby Wagner set to hit free agency at 36. Ohio State’s Arvell Reese would solve a lot of problems in the middle of the defense, but some scouts think he can be an edge rusher in the NFL. That’s another priority for Quinn’s unit. — Miller



Hogs Haven

5 under-the-radar Free Agents for the Commanders to sign


TE Adam Trautman

With Ertz nearing retirement the Commanders could use another depth piece at tight end. Bates and Sinnott have proven to be productive in certain situations but whether they can make the leap to top options remains to be seen. Adam Trautman has been a versatile, productive tight end for his entire career and he seems to never get his flowers. He is a willing blocker and helped the Broncos offense tremendously in that department and he had incredible efficiency as a receiver in 2025. On 23 targets he had 20 receptions for 195 yards and a score giving him a catch percentage and yards per target rate well above the league average. The Commanders have some decent tight ends in place but bringing in a productive player like Trautman couldn’t hurt.



Riggo’s Rag

Commanders may not get the chance to speak with Jeff Ulbrich for their defensive coordinator vacancy


Stefanski has also done his homework on Jeff Ulbrich with a view to keeping him on as defensive coordinator, according to ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler. The Falcons would like to keep him around, which represents a blow to the Commanders if this scenario becomes reality.

“[Kevin] Stefanski has done research on potentially working with Falcons DC Jeff Ulbrich in Atlanta, per sources. Owner Arthur Blank would like to keep Ulbrich, who would be a top coordinator candidate on the market if available.”Jeremy Fowler

Most beat writers believe Ulbrich is high on Quinn’s shortlist. He hasn’t had the chance to speak with him yet, due to the previous uncertainty in Atlanta. And if the Falcons opt to retain his services, the Commanders have to look elsewhere.



Riggo’s Rag

Commanders insider believes Marshon Lattimore could be cut after disastrous season


Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic thought releasing cornerback Marshon Lattimore with one year remaining on his deal seemed feasible. His unreliable performance levels, current injury timeline, and recent offseason arrest dictate nothing less, especially given the savings attached and the absence of dead-cap ramifications.

“[Marshon] Lattimore has lacked the explosiveness he had in his prime, and at times got handsy to compensate. He had seven defensive penalties for 89 yards in only nine games this season. If there’s a move Washington ends up regretting over the last two seasons, it’s probably this trade. Cutting him will save $18.5 million against the cap.”Nick Jhabvala, The Athletic

Jhabvala is right. This bombshell trade to acquire the four-time Pro Bowler from the New Orleans Saints comes with regret attached. Peters was right to be aggressive in pursuit of the Commanders getting over the hump, but Lattimore was never able to reach the heights that saw him become one of the league’s most feared shutdown corners once upon a time.


Podcasts & videos

🎙 If you aren't football'd out, there's a new "Mock Draft Monday" episode for ya. The view from Vegas on the 2026 class and a natty preview with @1TimMurray.

Plus, latest on the DC search. Looks like we can scratch off one candidate. OL coach thoughts.https://t.co/IheR4GQey2

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 19, 2026

NFC East links


Big Blue View

NY Giants news: Cleveland Browns might wreck plan to hire Todd Monken as OC


Monken will interview in-person on Tuesday for the Browns vacant head-coaching job, according to ESPN NFL insider Jeremy Fowler. Monken has already has a virtual interview with the Browns, who fired Kevin Stefanski at the end of the season.

Monken, 59, was head coach at Southern Miss from 2013-2015, but has never been an NFL head coach.

If Monken gets the Cleveland job, Harbaugh will have to go to Plan B. BBV’s Chris Pflum recently listed Mike Kafka, former Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, Denver Broncos’ quarterbacks coach Davis Webb, and Los Angeles Rams’ passing game coordinator Nate Scheelhasse as other possibilities.



Blogging the Boys

The Cowboys are interviewing defensive coaches who gave Dak Prescott fits this season


So far, they have completed interviews for six coaches already.

  • Jim Leonhard, defensive pass game coordinator, Broncos
  • Daronte Jones, defensive pass game coordinator, Vikings
  • Jonathan Gannon, head coach, Cardinals
  • Zach Orr, defensive coordinator, Ravens
  • Ephraim Banda, safeties coach, Browns
  • Aaron Whitecotten, defensive line coach, Cowboys

And they have interviews scheduled for three more…

  • Charlie Bullen, interim defensive coordinator, Giants
  • Demarcus Covington, defensive line coach/run game coordinator, Packers
  • Christian Parker, defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator, Eagles

One interesting aspect of this group is that two-thirds of these nine candidates faced off against the Cowboys this past season, and most of them caused problems for the Cowboys’ offense.

If a defensive coach has given Brian Schottenheimer fits this past season, he remembers. And those coaches appear to be at the top of the list in the Cowboys’ coaching search.


NFL league links

A few coaching updates​

Multiple teams want to schedule second, in-person interviews with Broncos OPGC/QB coach Davis Webb for their head coaching jobs, but by rule, he’s not allowed to meet again until Jan. 26.

Webb will be busy this week, preparing Jarrett Stidham to start the AFC Championship Game. pic.twitter.com/fAbaUfj3dl

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 18, 2026
The plan is to have Saleh, Chiefs OC Matt Nagy and Packers DC Jeff Hafley (who gets to Miami tonight and interviews with the Dolphins tomorrow) in over the next 36 hours. Process being accelerated in Nashville. https://t.co/wRcIAjXX1W

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 18, 2026
Hearing that Brian Flores’ second interview with the #Steelers is on Tuesday.

— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) January 18, 2026
Brian Flores sounds done in Minnesota. Steelers should re-hire him. And he becomes the team’s defensive coordinator. And he runs the defense. More Flores. Less Tomlin. The better. pic.twitter.com/rmUEVmyxfC

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) December 31, 2025
Even though he hasn’t called plays in the NFL, we should see Karl Scott hired after the Super Bowl.

I think it’s a forgone conclusion.

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 18, 2026

Divisional Round Playoffs​


ESPN

Caleb Williams makes crucial mistake in OT that ends the Bears season


Williams threw a jaw-dropping touchdown pass on fourth down with 18 seconds remaining to force overtime, but an interception in the extra period proved costly as Chicago’s 20-17 loss to the Los Angeles Rams ended its miraculous run through a season marked by routine come-from-behind victories.

Williams became the first quarterback in franchise history to lead seven fourth-quarter comebacks in a season. He became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw three touchdowns in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter in a postseason.

[But he couldn’t pull] off an eighth fourth-quarter comeback win, which would have tied the most in NFL history.

The Bears trailed the Rams by seven points late in the game when Williams backpedaled to avoid multiple defenders, then threw a high-arcing 14-yard touchdown pass to tight end Cole Kmet in the corner of the end zone on fourth-and-4 to force overtime.

Caleb Williams threw his game-tying touchdown pass to Cole Kmet from 26.5 yards behind the line of scrimmage.

No quarterback since 2016 had completed a pass from a depth of more than 22 yards. #LARvsCHI | #DaBearspic.twitter.com/jsxuxm2pPp

— Next Gen Stats (@NextGenStats) January 19, 2026
Imagine being field side and witnessing this game tying catch on 4th down to for e OT pic.twitter.com/Ky4eKBcOZ1

— Martinez (@MartinezOnChain) January 19, 2026

According to Next Gen Stats, Kmet’s touchdown catch had a completion probability of 17.8%. Williams has three touchdowns on throws with a completion probability under 20% since he entered the league in 2024, tied with Justin Herbert and Jayden Daniels for most over that span.

[H]is second-half struggles were apparent in the loss. Williams was 10-of-23 passing after halftime with two interceptions, including the one in overtime. The Rams won it with a field goal on the ensuing possession.

Caleb Williams with the Playoff lights on:
52% Completion
4 TDs
5 INTs

Game losing interception in overtime
pic.twitter.com/QvhTlgzW1Y

— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) January 19, 2026


Pro Football Talk

Ben Johnson: Thought about going for two, liked our chances in OT better


Bears head coach Ben Johnson opted to kick an extra point to tie the Rams with 18 seconds left in regulation on Sunday night and he was asked about that decision in his postgame press conference.

“Thought about it,” Johnson said in his postgame press conference. “Probably what played a little bit of a factor was our goal-to-go situations hadn’t gone very clean. Our inside the five plan hadn’t worked out quite like we’d hoped. I just felt better about taking our chances there in overtime.”

The Bears failed to score after picking up a first down at the Rams’ 5-yard line with just over five minutes to play in the game. They ran D’Andre Swift three times before Williams had a pass broken up by Rams linebacker Omar Speights on fourth down. The Bears also failed to convert two other fourth downs in the first half and their inability to convert in those moments impacted the game multiple times.



NFL.com

Patriots force 5 turnovers to beat the Texans


Patriots win sloppy affair. The weather fit (or perhaps caused) the style of play Sunday in Foxborough: frigid, wet and disruptive. New England and Houston committed a combined eight turnovers, defining a day in which neither team seemed capable of maintaining possession for very long. Drake Maye was responsible for all three of the Patriots’ giveaways, limiting their ability to capitalize on the five takeaways recorded by their defense. But by the end of the game, however, it was clear which team was more complete: Mike Vrabel’s Patriots. This is a team that has thrived off the renewed energy inside Gillette Stadium, flocks to the football defensively with a sense of aggression and determination that fits their coach, and proudly rallies around its NFL MVP candidate under center. Like every team remaining in these playoffs, the Patriots have their own flaws but have overcome them in resounding fashion through two playoff games by turning up the intensity defensively and riding the wave of excitement at home. They’re now one game from returning to the Super Bowl — Sunday’s AFC Championship Game at the Bo Nix-less Denver Broncos — a reality that seemed absurd just one year ago.

C.J. Stroud melts down. Houston’s win over Pittsburgh on Wild Card Weekend featured an incredible defensive performance and a highly concerning showing from the Texans’ franchise quarterback. A week later, those worries proved to be legitimate. C.J. Stroud appeared just as skittish in the pocket as he did in Pittsburgh, struggled with accuracy, continued to refuse to give up on doomed plays and gave away possession, and never looked anything like the quarterback who’d taken the NFL by storm as a rookie two seasons ago. Unlike in their win last week in Pittsburgh, Stroud also failed to produce big completions with downfield precision, traditionally his greatest strength, and was reduced to a checkdown-reliant passer who never seriously threatened New England’s safeties. His accuracy was an issue all afternoon, as were many of the decisions he made under fire, leading to his four interceptions. Even his most important throw of the day — a 10-yard touchdown pass to Christian Kirk — saw Stroud put the ball on the wrong shoulder, requiring Kirk to adjust and make a contested grab. Stroud made a similar error later that led to Carlton Davis’ second interception, which followed the veteran’s earlier takeaway that was only made possible by Stroud missing his intended target by a significant margin. It was a nightmarish game that prompted many to wonder whether Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans might bench Stroud for backup Davis Mills at halftime and caps a two-week stretch of mediocrity that will inspire plenty of debate regarding the former No. 2 overall pick’s future in Houston in the offseason.

What do the Texans do about CJ Stroud going into next season?

Back to back disappointing seasons. They’ve been swapping out OCs. You can’t give him a huge extension at this point.

With THIS defense, all he had to do was not kill them and he killed them.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 18, 2026

Drake Maye delivers in key spots. An ugly weather day never bodes well for a passer’s chances of success, especially in the playoffs, and that was largely true for Maye on Sunday. What’s important in these settings, however, is how a quarterback maximizes the chances he’s given, and Maye did plenty of that. It began with a courageous fourth-down conversion attempt early in the first quarter, in which Maye calmly received the snap and fired a dart just beyond the palm of Texans safety Calen Bullock to Demario Douglas for a 28-yard touchdown, and continued with Maye’s consecutive tight-window bullets to Kayshon Boutte and Stefon Diggs for a gain of 18 and a 7-yard touchdown completion. Maye made his share of mistakes, sure, including three strip-sack fumbles (one was recovered by Houston) and another fumble lost on a QB keeper. But Maye managed to strike frequently enough to put the Patriots in a comfortable position in the fourth quarter, capping a triumphant day with a strike to Boutte, who made a spectacular one-handed grab for the game’s decisive touchdown. Sunday’s showing marked two straight outings in which Maye didn’t carry the Patriots to victory by launching an aerial assault on an opponent, but did exactly what was needed to help the Patriots prevail in two straight defensive contests.

Houston’s defense meets unfair ending. It must be plainly stated that the Texans owned a Super Bowl caliber defense, a unit capable of finishing among the likes of the 2000 Ravens, 2002 Buccaneers, 2013 Seahawks, 2015 Broncos, etc. in this century’s football history. They were that good, helping Houston bury Pittsburgh with two defensive touchdowns and doing everything possible to keep the Texans in a game that should have been out of hand by halftime on Sunday. Their efforts were wasted by an offense that never truly found a consistent rhythm in 2025 and was both outrageously ineffective and also a self-sabotaging operation on Sunday. It was telling that when trailing by 12 with 4:03 left to play, Ryans opted to punt because he essentially believed his defense had a better chance of forcing a turnover (and potentially scoring) than his offense did of moving the ball into scoring position. The fact nobody disagreed with this logic in the moment underscores how good this defense was, and how woefully inept the Texans’ offense proved itself to be. Houston’s defense deserved a better fate.

"The second half has legit ramifications on whether or not C.J. Stroud is the quarterback for the Houston Texans going forward."@Realrclark25 on C.J. Stroud after his 4-INT first half 🏈 pic.twitter.com/ywZx956xEz

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 18, 2026

Next Gen Stats insight from Texans-Patriots (via NFL Pro): C.J. Stroud completed -15.9% of his passes below expected, his second-lowest mark in a game of his career. Stroud is now 0-6 in games when he has a CPOE worse than -7.0%. Stroud threw into a tight window on a career-high 29.8% of his attempts, completing just two of those 14 passes. Out of his four interceptions, three were on play action, three were on dropbacks over 2.5 seconds and three were under 10 air yards (all targeting Xavier Hutchinson).

PER ESPN RESEARCH

That was the 2nd time this century a team has punted down 2 scores (9-16 points) in the final 5 minutes of a playoff game

Previous was the Panthers in Super Bowl 50, they punted down 14 points on 4th-and-24 from own 6-yard line with 2:08 left. https://t.co/hGKdk6opSJ

— DJ Bien-Aime (@Djbienaime) January 18, 2026


The Athletic (paywall)

Green Day to do Super Bowl LX pregame performance: ‘Right in our backyard!’


Rock band Green Day will perform during the pregame show for Super Bowl LX on Feb. 8 at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, Calif., the NFL announced Sunday.

“We are super hyped to open Super Bowl 60 right in our backyard!” lead singer Billie Joe Armstrong said in a league news release. “We are honored to welcome the MVPs who’ve shaped the game and open the night for fans all over the world. Let’s have fun! Let’s get loud!”

Green Day, which formed in Berkeley, Calif., in 1986 — not far from Levi’s Stadium — has sold 75 million records worldwide and has 20 billion cumulative streams. The group has won five Grammy Awards and is a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

After Green Day performs, several other acts will take the stage, including Charlie Puth, Brandi Carlile and Coco Jones.


Discussion topics


Front Office Sports

Conference championship games will feature 3 new faces at QB position


Matthew Stafford is the only quarterback remaining who has won a Super Bowl

Stafford, who is in his seventh postseason, is the only QB who has won a Super Bowl. Darnold, 28, is the only other one who made the playoffs before this year, but his lone playoff appearance came last season when he went one-and-done with the Vikings.

Maye, 23, is in his first postseason after being drafted No. 3 in the 2024 draft. Nix was also drafted last year (No. 12), while the 29-year-old Stidham has started just four games in his career, and none in the playoffs.

The youth and lack of playoff experience of the three remaining quarterbacks make this a relatively underpaid final four. The six highest-paid quarterbacks who qualified for this postseason have already been eliminated.

Stafford, who makes $40 million a year, was seventh among postseason QBs and 16th overall. Darnold’s $33.5 million per year is 18th among all NFL QBs.

The four quarterbacks’ average annual salary is $22.2 million, about 60% of the AAV of last year’s final four ($37.1 million average for Patrick Mahomes, Jalen Hurts, Josh Allen, and Jayden Daniels). Maye and Stidham make less than $10 million a year, and little would change in this scenario if Nix were the Denver starter as he actually makes less annually than Stidham ($4.7 million).


aBit o’Twitter

Lack of turnovers was a criticism during Kam Curl's time here. Had one over final three seasons. Three over two seasons with the Rams not much better.

What a time to create the biggest turnover of his career.

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 19, 2026
49ers lost the turnover battle 3 to 0 and lost to the Seahawks.

Bills lost the turnover battle 5-1 and lost the Broncos.

Houston Texans lost the turnover battle 5 to 3 and lost the Patriots.

Bears lost the turnover battle 3 to O and lost to the Rams.

The ball is EVERYTHING.

— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) January 19, 2026
Probably safe to cut/paste this every year but I really am liking this WR class. Working my way through the tape & there is depth and variety of skill sets.

— Daniel Jeremiah (@MoveTheSticks) January 19, 2026
SPHERE is coming to the DMV pic.twitter.com/rfIKsZLZXs

— Jake Sherman (@JakeSherman) January 19, 2026


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/daily-slo...be-a-top-free-agent-target-for-the-commanders
 
CFP National Championship Game: Miami Hurricanes vs Indiana Hoosiers

imagn-28026599.jpg


Tonight is the National Championship Game featuring the Miami Hurricanes vs the Indiana Hoosiers. This is the conclusion of the second College Football Playoff, and should be a great game. Miami started the playoff as the No. 10 seed, and they defeated Texas A&M, Ohio State, and Ole Miss to earn their spot in the championship game. Indiana was the No. 1 seed, and went through Alabama and Oregon for their ticket to the big game.

Screenshot-2026-01-17-171519.png

Who: Miami Hurricanes (13-2; No. 10 seed) vs Indiana Hoosiers (15-0; No. 1 seed)

Where: Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, FL

When: January 19, 2026, 7:30 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN

Chris Fowler(play-by-play)

Kirk Herbstreit(analyst)

Holly Rowe(sidelines)

Molly McGrath(sidelines)

ESPN’s Megacast

Main Telecast: ESPN

Field Pass with Pat McAfee: ESPN2

Film Room: ESPNU

Skycast: ESPNEWS

Field Pass with ACC Huddle: ACCN

Spanish Language: ESPN Deportes

ESPN Radio: National Radio Broadcast

Miami Hometown Radio: ESPN Streaming Live

Indiana Hometown Radio: ESPN Streaming Live

All-22 with ESPN Radio: ESPN Streaming Live

Command Center: ESPN Streaming Live

High Skycast: ESPN Streaming Live

Halftime Bands: ESPN+

4K Main Telecast: Main Telecast

Sirius XM

Miami: 81

Indiana: 84

National Stream: 80

Online Stream: Fubo.TV, ESPN+

FanDuel odds: Hoosiers -8.5, 47.5 O/U

Miami: +270

Indiana: -335

Prediction: Indiana 34 -Miami 24

SB Nation: State of the U | The Crimson Quarry


Hogs Haven Media Information


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Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/openthrea...hip-game-miami-hurricanes-vs-indiana-hoosiers
 
All a’Twitter: 21 Jan 26 – Upheaval in hiring process for new coaches as Bills fire Sean McDermott after divisional round loss

gettyimages-2254938470.jpg

Selected coaching updates​

Titans are set to hire former 49ers DC Robert Saleh as their new head coach. (via @Rapsheet, @TomPelissero, @MikeGarafolo) pic.twitter.com/NMuso8hY8G

— NFL (@NFL) January 20, 2026
Bills GM Brandon Beane will be retained, per source.

He will lead the search for Buffalo's next head coach.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 19, 2026
The Bills announce Beane isn't just staying, he's PROMOTED. If he could negotiate with wide receivers like he does with ownership, they will really have something!

— Gregg Rosenthal (@greggrosenthal) January 19, 2026
Several organizations want to move quickly on Sean McDermott, but timing is the obstacle. A number of key decision-makers are tied up in in person meetings with other candidates today.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 19, 2026
I'm guessing that plenty are curious if John Harbaugh or Kevin Stefanski would have preferred the Bills job the most if they knew that it would open up before committing to their new teams.

— Nick Korte (@nickkorte) January 19, 2026
The #Commanders are promoting Darnell Stapleton to offensive line coach and Shane Toub to assistant offensive line coach, person familiar confirms. ESPN first.

Stapleton spent last season as asst. OL coach, while Toub was quality control.

— Tom Schad (@Tom_Schad) January 19, 2026
FWIW, Stapleton is coaching the OL for the National team in the Senior Bowl, and Toub is coaching the OL for the West team in the East-West Shrine Bowl.https://t.co/AkW7syN7V0

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 19, 2026
Mentioned Stapleton the other day on the podcast as a good possibility. Good rapport with the OL and was heavily involved in protection schemes and other aspects of the O. Aligned with Blough’s vision. https://t.co/LCBF5U1GXz

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 19, 2026
temp-bullock-tweet.jpg

Sources: The Detroit Lions are working to finalize a deal to hire former Cardinals offensive coordinator Drew Petzing as their next offensive coordinator. pic.twitter.com/yBRs33V7LA

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2026
Wonder where Blough would have ranked on the Lions OC radar. Have to figure fairly highly given how quick Commanders were to promote him. But now have to wonder if Commanders could have waited for McDaniel

— Mark Bullock (@MarkBullockNFL) January 19, 2026
Dolphins now have hired former Packers personnel man Jon-Eric Sullivan as their general manager and former Packers defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley as their head coach. https://t.co/H3fGP6GnM7

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2026
The updated NFL head coach landscape:

🏈Giants: John Harbaugh
🏈Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
🏈Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
🏈Bills:
🏈Steelers
🏈Ravens
🏈Browns
🏈Titans
🏈Cardinals
🏈Raiders

Three down, seven to go. https://t.co/H3fGP6GnM7

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 19, 2026
Reunion: All signs are pointing towards Eric Bieniemy returning to the Chiefs as their offensive coordinator, sources say.

With Matt Nagy out of contract and in the head coaching mix, Kansas City plans to bring back Bieniemy, a valued member of Andy Reid’s staff from 2013-22. pic.twitter.com/VtsYJxZ2xR

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 19, 2026
Brian Flores is believed to be a serious contender for the Steelers’ head coaching job. He previously worked for the Steelers as their linebackers coach under Mike Tomlin before his successful defensive coordinator stint with the Vikings.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 20, 2026
Albert Breer on Mike McDaniel: https://t.co/hRyWwTkoBG pic.twitter.com/mzb0VbOwLg

— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) January 19, 2026
"This year is not the season in which I want to be out there needing to hire an offensive coach."

@minakimes on who the Bills should replace head coach Sean McDermott with ✍️ pic.twitter.com/HvGG8S2RQ5

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 19, 2026
Just launched my 2026 NFL Coaching Staff Tracker. Update every team's HC, OC, and DC hires in one place. Includes coach stats, EPA rankings, and full coaching tree relationships (parents, siblings, uncles, nephews) to help you build the perfect staff.https://t.co/LnuugqOZId pic.twitter.com/A9pNlwKIoE

— Jake Cardonick (@JakeCar120) January 19, 2026

Zach Charbonnet has a significant knee injury and is going to need surgery, Mike Macdonald says on @SeattleSports. He’s out for the playoffs

— Dugar, Michael-Shawn (@MikeDugar) January 19, 2026
Josh Allen manned up and took the blame for the last Bills loss

4 turnovers are obviously hard to overcome

in that same game, McDermott's defense allowed:

73-yard touchdown drive
70-yard touchdown drive
69-yard touchdown drive
75-yard field goal drive
64-yard field goal drive

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 19, 2026
Josh Allen in the playoffs since 2020, out of 28 QBs:

#1 success rate (50%)
#2 EPA per play (+0.14)
#3 completion rate (68%)

And yet the Bills have:

0 Conference Championships
0 Super Bowl appearances
0 Super Bowl wins

it has long been time to try something new

— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) January 19, 2026
"If you're Houston, you win that game with 31 other quarterbacks." 👀

@danorlovsky7 on the Texans' loss to the Patriots pic.twitter.com/QsjfpYwstx

— Get Up (@GetUpESPN) January 19, 2026
Projected salary cap rollover for each NFL team into 2026, per NFLPA records pic.twitter.com/2OHPdlSxOE

— Troy_OTC (@TexansCap) January 19, 2026
By DVOA, the NFC Championship Game is essentially the best NFL matchup of the last 47 years, and by a lot.

This is only the seventh playoff game between two teams over 30% DVOA. SB LIV (2019 KC-SF) is the one not on this table. pic.twitter.com/KjsQwzV723

— Aaron Schatz 🏈 (@ASchatzNFL) January 19, 2026
I usually be chilling on here, but you one of the ones I'd gladly do Oklahoma drill with for free. You a bum and a weirdo. https://t.co/Y1tapeB7tT

— Jeremy Reaves (@JR1ERA) January 19, 2026
Imagine taking issue with how hard Jeremy Reaves plays? Like being mad at McDonald’s for not serving delicious French Fries.

— Grant Paulsen (@granthpaulsen) January 19, 2026
You right OG! Always appreciate you champ! 🫡 https://t.co/tIU47EMaTU

— Jeremy Reaves (@JR1ERA) January 19, 2026
How ironic😭

The NFL posted this before the season btw pic.twitter.com/BYvcCwpjmz

— Trev🗣️ (@Boisabronco) January 19, 2026
Last NFC Championship Game appearance:
– Dallas Cowboys, 1995
– Chicago Bears, 2010
– New York Giants, 2011
– Carolina Panthers, 2015
– Arizona Cardinals, 2015
– Atlanta Falcons, 2016
– Minnesota Vikings, 2017
– New Orleans Saints, 2018
– Green Bay Packers, 2020
– Tampa Bay…

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) January 19, 2026
2026 Panini Senior Bowl Coaching Staffs 🏈🔥

The American and National staffs are set for Mobile, representing 14 teams across the league.#TheDraftStartsInMobile #WherePlayersPlay pic.twitter.com/7XR1ZhY6dc

— Panini Senior Bowl (@seniorbowl) January 19, 2026
How absurd is this … next season’s CFB National Championship won’t be played until Monday, January 25th, 2027 …

…essentially TWO MONTHS after the end of the regular season on Saturday, November 28th, 2026.

Outrageous.

— Chris Phillips (@CPhilly19) January 19, 2026
C.J. Stroud's 28.0 QB rating is the NFL postseason's worst (minimum 30 attempts) since Brian Hoyer's 15.9 in the 2015 Wild Card game.

Both started for the Texans.

— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) January 18, 2026
4 touchdowns, 2 INT's & 6 fumbles through 2 playoff games for Drake "The Schedule" Maye.

Greatness. Now he's being asked to out-duel future HOF QB Jarrett Stidham in the AFCCG. No QB has it tougher. https://t.co/PGUFJnZtIL

— Barry (@BarryOnHere) January 18, 2026
Caleb Williams 2nd season in the books and he finishes:

Passer Rating: 25th (7 spots below rookies Jaxson Dart and Tyler Shough)

Adjusted Completion %: 41st (just below Cam Ward, Jake Browning and Shedeur Sanders) pic.twitter.com/VqD9L8fMGE

— Packerfan Total Access- Clayton (@packers_access) January 19, 2026
“Caleb led us to one playoff win and then threw 3 interceptions the next game. It was our greatest season ever” https://t.co/yxjUgb7EEv pic.twitter.com/pXL3IsXfxq

— brady (@burgermanders) January 19, 2026
Incredible chemistry between Stafford and the equipment guy on the jacket transfer. pic.twitter.com/G6mGKBPM3X

— Keff Ciardello (@Keff_C) January 19, 2026


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/openthrea...re-sean-mcdermott-after-divisional-round-loss
 
Daily Slop: 20 Jan 26 – Who were the 10 most disappointing Commanders in 2025?

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Commanders links

Articles​


The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders stay in house for offensive line coach as staff takes shape: Source


The team promoted Darnell Stapleton to offensive line coach in place of Bobby Johnson, who was fired after the season, according to a source with knowledge of the Commanders’ staff changes. To fill Stapleton’s old role as the assistant OL coach, the Commanders promoted quality control coach Shane Toub.

You do realize 37 sacks over 17 games is not bad😂

And this is with a rookie starting at RT who had a tough start to his season. https://t.co/ikv0jstUKO

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 20, 2026

ince Whitt was stripped of his play-calling duties earlier in the season, [t]he team has interviewed six candidates — Seattle Seahawks DBs coach Karl Scott, Kansas City Chiefs defensive line coach Joe Cullen, Las Vegas Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, former Tennessee Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores — to replace [him], but it has yet to make a hire.



Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)

Breaking down what Darnell Stapleton’s promotion to OL coach could mean for the Commanders run game


Stapleton is more experienced than Blough, having coached a lot in college. He was the offensive line coach at Florida before joining the Commanders in 2024

It’s not all risk though, there are benefits to promoting Stapleton. He has a rapport with the current set of offensive lineman already, who are largely going to remain the same this offseason. He also supposedly has a good relationship with David Blough, with the Commanders seemingly briefing the media that the pair share an aligned vision for the offense and that Stapleton was “heavily involved in pass protection and helped with game planning” over the past two seasons. Just about every beat reporter had that phrasing in their reports of the news breaking.

The fact they mention pass protection and game planning, but not the run game is of note to me. At Florida, Stapleton coached an almost exclusively zone-based run scheme. Over the past two years, the Commanders have used plenty zone scheme runs but lean more on gap scheme runs. When I wrote last week about lessons David Blough can learn from Ben Johnson first year in Chicago with a young quarterback in Caleb Williams, one of the things that stood out was how Johnson streamlined his run game and focused more on zone scheme runs as a foundation, as opposed to the diverse run scheme he had in Detroit previously.

So I think Blough could potentially be lining up to follow that blueprint and Stapleton makes sense for that with his background being coaching the zone scheme.

We’ve seen from the Commanders this season when they do use zone runs, especially from pistol or under center, they’ve been pretty effective with it.

I’m going to split these clips into two sections, based on that Stapleton coaching clinic. Stapleton likes to draw a line down the middle of the center and split zone blocks into front side and back side blocks. So I’ll do the same when looking at these clips to show how well zone running fits the Commanders personnel.



Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 position review | Defensive line


What to do about the depth up front?

Though it didn’t feel like the case during the season because of all the injuries, the Commanders have a decent amount of depth at defensive line. The problem for the 2026 season, however, is for the Commanders to decide who to keep for next season, as nine players are set to hit free agency. [Jacob] Martin might have the strongest case to re-sign with the team, as he ended the year with a career-high 39 tackles and 5.5 sacks when he was originally signed as a depth piece before taking on a larger role.

Players like [Deatrich] Wise and [Von] Miller have seemingly murkier futures, mostly because of age rather than results. Wise was a solid run-stopper before he got hurt, and Miller proved he can still provide value as a pass-rusher despite being one of the oldest active players in the league. It’s possible one or both players re-sign with the Commanders in March, although both head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Adam Peters have expressed a desire to get younger and fast players on the roster. Peters even went as far as specifying that getting a younger pass-rusher was on his mind.

A quick count of the players [currently] on either the active roster, practice squad or signed to future deals shows that there are 19 defensive linemen for the Commanders to choose from [many of whom are on tract to enter free agency in March]. There are some foundational pieces in the group, but changes are certainly coming for a team that wants to improve at putting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.



Riggo’s Rag

Sean McDermott firing could improve Commanders’ chances of landing Brian Flores


This could also indirectly impact the Washington Commanders. They are not firing Dan Quinn — not yet, anyway. He generated too much equity in 2024 for that, but parting ways with both coordinators indicates how the pressure is building.

David Blough was the man chosen to replace outgoing offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. It’s a contentious in-house promotion with feast-or-famine potential. Washington’s search for a new defensive coordinator is ongoing, and Quinn is seeking an experienced play-caller. If they’ve been a head coach before, that only sweetens the pot.

McDermott got the job in Buffalo after steering the Carolina Panthers’ defense to unprecedented heights. He’d be a possible candidate for Washington if he didn’t want to jump straight back into the top job. However, his presence on the market may help Quinn land another big fish being considered.

The Commanders caused a stir by bringing in Brian Flores for an interview. He’s getting head-coaching interest, and the Minnesota Vikings are also highly confident of keeping him around. However, if McDermott throws his hat into the ring, that could hinder [Flores’ odds] of getting a second chance.

That might work in the Commanders’ favor. They are biding their time, waiting for the head-coaching cycle to shake out before deciding on their next move. Whether that’s waiting for Flores or someone else remains to be seen, but staying patient is a risk Quinn is willing to take to secure the right successor to Joe Whitt Jr.



Commanders Wire

10 most disappointing Commanders from 2025 NFL season


DT Daron Payne

Payne appears to take off plays, then plays hard some plays. He allows numerous runs up the middle, then will suddenly make a nice play. Has Payne even produced enough that another team would be willing to trade a draft pick to take on his contract?

HC Dan Quinn

The Commanders didn’t look intense in preseason. Might Quinn have relaxed, thinking the Commanders were much better than they were? They were undisciplined, having entirely too many penalties this season. Though Whitt was the DC, defense is Quinn’s expertise, and the Commanders’ defense gave up more yards than any team.


Podcasts & videos

On video with ⁦@CoachGreggSB44⁩ talking defense. With the Commanders looking for a new DC, we discussed what makes a good one? How to turn around a group. A favorite of his to watch and Sean Taylor memories. More. ⁦@ESPNRichmondhttps://t.co/baKeot6wus

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 19, 2026

Episode 1,241 – Guest: @BenStandig.
– where we are in Washington's DC search
– who is Dan Quinn's top target?
– the pros & cons with Brian Flores
– more crucial for Quinn's job security – the OC hire or DC hire?
– what Ben has been told about D.J. Williamshttps://t.co/ya7vqFxlvy

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) January 19, 2026

HIGHLIGHTS: Top 10 Commanders Plays of 2025 NFL Season​


NFC East links


Big Blue View

NY Giants news: Vikings’ assistant to get defensive coordinator interview


John Harbaugh apparently considering plucking from the Brian Flores’ coaching tree

The New York Giants have requested to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator Daronte Jones for their vacant defensive coordinator position, per ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.

Jones has already interviewed in-person for the defensive coordinator openings with the Dallas Cowboys and New York Jets.

Jones, 47, has never been an NFL defensive coordinator. He was defensive coordinator at Bowie State from 2005-2009 and at LSU in 2021.

Jones has been defensive backs coach with the Vikings since 2022, adding pass game coordinator to his title in 2023.

Brian Flores, regarded as one of the NFL’s most creative and aggressive defensive coordinators, has been Minnesota’s defensive coordinator since 2022.



Bleeding Green Nation

Ranking 19 Eagles offensive coordinator candidates by tiers

Category 1: The Proven Adult in the Room


An experienced, lower-risk hire with a clear track record of doing the job competently and raising the floor.

KLIFF KINGSBURY

Former Washington Commanders offensive coordinator

Pros

Kingsbury brings real quarterback development experience and a system that gives QBs defined reads and simplified post-snap decisions. His version of the Air Raid leans on spacing, vertical stress, and RPO elements, which are all areas Hurts is comfortable in from his Oklahoma days. He has helped produce productive seasons from Kyler Murray, Baker Mayfield in college, and Jaden Daniels within structures that reduce mental load and allow athletic quarterbacks to play fast. It is also worth noting that Hurts has historically been more comfortable in true shotgun spread looks than under-center timing systems, which aligns more closely with Kingsbury’s DNA. He fits Hurts the best out of anyone on this list.

There is also an upside case that Kingsbury offers the quickest “plug-in” solution to get Hurts back into comfort. His scheme can mitigate Hurts’ slower middle-field processing by creating cleaner perimeter reads and conflict targets. And while his reputation took hits in Arizona, his offenses did not collapse because of a lack of ideas, they often plateaued due to injuries.

Cons

The critique is that Kingsbury tends to arrive with a pre-made system and expects players to adapt to it rather than tailoring it to personnel. His offensive evolution appears average year-to-year and NFL defenses seem to catch up to the system in year 2. Kingsbury reportedly wanted to bring his own staff during the previous Eagles OC interview cycle, which was a non-starter given Jeff Stoutland’s presence and the franchise’s preferences regarding staff autonomy.

His offenses have also shown late-season regression, something fans in Arizona have complained about for years. And unlike other candidates, Kingsbury does not bring a proven track record of hybridizing his scheme with other trees. If the Eagles need answers beyond spread/RPO, those adjustments may not come naturally.

Overall Thoughts

Kingsbury represents real offensive upside, the perfect quarterback fit, but real downside if his system doesn’t evolve. He is arguably the best short-term comfort hire for Hurts, but the least proven long-term builder. The question is whether the Eagles want comfort or reinvention. I have convinced myself that this might be a slam-dunk hire for a year. I’m in.



Bleeding Green Nation

Let’s try to have a nuanced conversation about Jalen Hurts


He’s a complicated player, so let’s talk about it

Let’s get this out of the way right at the top; Jalen Hurts did not have a great 2025 season.

Objectively, it’s a fact. In terms of the traditional numbers, his 98.5 QB rating was 12th out 41 players with at least 150 attempts, he was 16th in passing yards (3,224), tied for 9th in touchdowns (25), his 64.8% completion percentage was 21st, and he tied for 19th in yards per attempt.

The nerd statistics had him at 21st in EPA/Play, 18th in Pass EPA, and a whopping 33rd in success rate. Folks, those numbers are straight-up garbage. Perhaps most surprising for a player whose legs have always been a key aspect to his dynamism, he was 20th in scramble percentage, and his 421 yards on the ground were 6th among QBs. As Ruben Frank noted in an excellent NBC Sports article last week, the offense stumbled in large part because Hurts stopped running with the football this season.

When Hurts ran five times this year, the Eagles were 8-2. When he didn’t, they were 3-4. Throughout his career, they’re 57-24 when he runs five times and 9-12-1 when he doesn’t…

…Hurts was asked numerous times this year why he hasn’t run as much, and he always answered the same way, saying he’s doing what he’s told to do. And the RPO numbers were way down – just 81 RPOs all year compared to 128 last year. And he only ran on 10 of them, compared to 41 last year.

Hurts’ 421 yards rushing were the lowest of his career as a starter, a full 209 yards less than a season ago in which he played one fewer game. He was still successful when he did run (a 53.3% success rate was just a tick under his 55.3% a year ago), but he attempted just 6.6 rushes per game, down from 10.0, 9.2, 11.0 and 9.3 in his first four seasons as a starter.


NFL league links

Coaching updates​


ESPN

Sources: Titans finalizing deal to make Robert Saleh coach


The Tennessee Titans are finalizing a deal to hire San Francisco 49ers defensive coordinator Robert Saleh as their next head coach, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Monday night.

Saleh, the former New York Jets coach, spent Monday in Tennessee with the Titans, and the sides impressed each other enough to move forward together, sources said.

Tennessee also had completed an in-person interview with Matt Nagy on Monday.

Saleh is set to become the 20th coach in Oilers/Titans history and the seventh since the team moved to Nashville in 1997. He’ll take over a team that fired Brian Callahan in mid-October and finished 3-14 but has a young quarterback in Cam Ward, the No. 1 pick last year.

The Titans made it clear they wanted every head coach candidate to lay out a plan for Cam Ward. In the end, though, Tennessee opted for a defensive-minded head coach, prioritizing a reset of the organization’s culture.

An offensive coordinator has not yet been selected

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 20, 2026
Expect new #Titans HC Robert Saleh to call defensive plays this time around. Mentioned this on @NFLGameDay Morning the other day, that Saleh felt not calling plays as #Jets coach disconnected him from the game too much. Came to the realization he’d do it differently next time. pic.twitter.com/1AWg2aDqBe

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 20, 2026


NFL.com

Dolphins hire Packers DC Jeff Hafley as next head coach


Miami has agreed to terms with Green Bay defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley on a five-year contract to become the team’s next head coach, NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero reported on Monday.

The Dolphins officially announced Hafley’s hiring.

Hafley emerged as a frontrunner for the job over Divisional Round Weekend, a development that made sense roughly a week after the Dolphins had tabbed Packers vice president of player personnel Jon-Eric Sullivan as their new general manager.

Hafley, 46, spent the past two seasons in charge of Green Bay’s defense. During his first year as DC, his group finished sixth in points allowed and fifth in yards allowed. He then went into the 2025 campaign buoyed by the Packers trading for All-Pro pass rusher Micah Parsons, but injuries plagued the Packers defense — including Parsons suffering a torn ACL — which faded down the stretch to finish 11th and 12th in points and yards allowed, respectively.


The first four NFL head coaches hired all have head coaching experience:

🏈 Former Ravens HC John Harbaugh to the Giants

🏈 Former Browns HC Kevin Stefanski to the Falcons

🏈 Former Boston College HC Jeff Hafley to the Dolphins

🏈 Former Jets HC Robert Saleh to the Titans

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2026


ESPN

Bills fire coach Sean McDermott after 9 seasons, no Super Bowls


McDermott, 51, leaves Buffalo with a 98-50 record and an 8-8 mark in the postseason, including two AFC championship losses to the Kansas City Chiefs (2020, 2024 seasons). He won five consecutive AFC East titles from 2020 to 2024, finishing second at 12-5 behind the New England Patriots this season.

McDermott could emerge as a head coaching candidate for other NFL teams that now have an opening. McDermott told his staff on Monday that he intends to continue coaching, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.

The Buffalo job instantly becomes the most attractive. MVP quarterback in his prime, no questions about his short- or long-term future with the team. Will there be pressure and high expectations? Yes. But not many open spots come with this kind of potential and opportunity.

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 19, 2026

Beane, who will remain in his role as general manager in addition to taking on increased responsibilities as president of football operations, will lead the team’s search for a new coach as Buffalo prepares to debut a new stadium next season.

“Brandon will oversee all facets of our football operation,” Pegula said. “… I have full faith in and have witnessed Brandon’s outstanding leadership style and have confidence in his abilities to lead our organization.”

Beane was hired by the Bills just months after McDermott in 2017.



Front Office Sports

Bills’ Sean McDermott Firing Marks Staggering 10 NFL Coaches Out


Sean McDermott is out two days after losing to the Broncos in the divisional round, tying a high mark for NFL coaching openings in one season

There have now been a record 10 NFL coaches out this cycle (including those dismissed during the regular season), tying the previous high mark for coaching vacancies, which most recently happened after the 2021 season.

Updated head coaching carousel:

Giants — John Harbaugh
Falcons — Kevin Stefanski
Dolphins — Jeff Hafley
Titans — Robert Saleh
Cardinals
Ravens
Bills
Browns
Raiders
Steelers

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 20, 2026


NFL.com

Chiefs plan to bring back longtime assistant Eric Bieniemy as next OC


The Chiefs plan to hire Eric Bieniemy as their next offensive coordinator, NFL Network Insider Tom Pelissero reported on Monday.

Bieniemy, who coached the Bears’ running backs in 2025 following stints with UCLA (2024) and the Commanders (2023), previously spent 10 seasons working with head coach Andy Reid in Kansas City. He served as the Chiefs’ running backs coach from 2013 to ’17 before taking over as offensive coordinator in 2018 (Patrick Mahomes’s first season as a full-time starter), a role he held through the 2022 season.


Jets interim DC Chris Harris interviewed for the team’s full-time defensive coordinator position yesterday. Harris has been widely seen as a rising star in coaching.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 19, 2026

College Football


Front Office Sports

Indiana ‘Culture’ and Cash Land Stunning First Title


The unlikeliness of Indiana winning a College Football Playoff national championship cannot be overstated

Two years ago, the Indiana Hoosiers were one of the worst college football teams in any power conference. Now, they’re national champions.

On Monday night, the No. 1 Hoosiers beat the No. 10 Miami Hurricanes 27-21, capping off a historic—and now perfect—16-0 season.

The Hoosiers have never won a national championship in football. In fact, Indiana hadn’t seen a national championship in football or men’s basketball since the late Bobby Knight led the Hoosiers to a title in 1987 over Syracuse—almost four decades ago.

To climb the ladder to success, Indiana participated in the same trends as its opponents. They embraced the era of the unrestricted transfer portal to build a championship-caliber roster—after all, they were led by transfer quarterback (and Heisman winner) Fernando Mendoza.

The Hoosiers aren’t considered to be in the top five or so programs as far as NIL spending, and they don’t have any five-star players. “You have to understand how you use economics, and I think what’s really set IU apart is—we’re not like, ‘Okay, let’s raise as much money as we can to pay everybody more,’” Cuban said. “It’s more about how do we structure, how do we build a culture.”

And they didn’t participate in one major trend across college football: hiring a general manager. Cignetti proclaimed before the season that he would be the coach and general manager—something that Indiana athletic director Scott Dolson told FOS was a philosophy he insisted upon even during his interview process in 2023.


aBit o’Twitter

Ranking the Commanders positional groups heading into the offseason
💪🏻 = Pretty good shape
🛟 = Need some help
👎🏻 = Need LOTS of help

#1: O-Line 💪🏻
#2: QB 💪🏻/🛟
#3: IDL 🛟
#4: WR 🛟
#5: RB 🛟
#6: CB 👎🏻
#7: TE 👎🏻
#8: LB 👎🏻
#9: ED 👎🏻
#10: S 👎🏻

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 19, 2026
Despite the loss, both of Miami’s proj top 10 picks showed up tonight, and then some.

EDGE Rueben Bain Jr (34 pass rush snaps):

• 5 total pressures
• 4 hurries
• 1 sack
• 6 tkls
• 3 run stops
• 1 TFL

OL Francis Mauigoa (34 pass pro snaps):

• 1 pressure
• 0 sacks
•…

— Ryan Fowler (@_RyanFowler_) January 20, 2026



Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/daily-slo...-the-10-most-disappointing-commanders-in-2025
 
Daily Slop: 21 Jan 26 – Is Seahawks’ DB coach Karl Scott the right man to fix the defense in Washington?

imagn-24957359.jpg

Commanders links

Tweets​

Losing Lynn would be a blow for Washington. Only real experienced vet on offensive staff and goes back with Blough to the Detroit days https://t.co/HoueEG9AJf

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 21, 2026

Articles​


Commanders Roundtable

Washington Commanders to fill two more offensive staff vacancies


Stapleton was recently named a possible name to know by ESPN’s John Keim after noting he’s someone the coaching staff is high on. Stapleton is in his third season with the organization and previously serving as the assistant offensive line coach, his first job in the NFL. He previously spent two seasons as the offensive line coach at Florida under Billy Napier after stints at Louisiana, Sam Houston, Bucknell and Rutgers. He also served as head coach of the New York Sharks, a member team in the Women’s Football Alliance (WFA), back in 2018.

Stapleton also spent four seasons in the NFL including his first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers after signing as an undrafted free agent following the 2007 NFL Draft. He started the final 12 games of the 2008 season at right guard before being placed on injured reserve ahead of the 2009 season due to injury. He also played for the Florida Tuskers in the UFL during 2010 before closing out his playing career on the New England Patriots during the 2009 preseason.

Toub, meanwhile, is now back for his fourth season with the organization after spending the prior three as an offensive quality control coach. He began his coaching career with the Chicago Bears where he spent the first two seasons as an offensive assistant coach beginning in 2018 before transitioning to a defensive quality control coach in 2020 for two seasons. His dad is Dave Toub, the current assistant head coach and special teams coordinator of the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stapleton and Toub [will] inherit an offensive line that hopes to extend Laremy Tunsil and re-sign Chris Paul to restock the protection for third-year quarterback Jayden Daniels as the Washington Commanders look to turn the page from their five-win season in 2025.



Commanders.com

Logan Paulsen explains how Commanders can win NFL Draft


Logan Paulsen believes the best way for the team to “win” the draft is to make sure it puts just as much emphasis on the players taken on Days 2 and 3.

“That is 1,000% true,” Paulsen said on this week’s “Drive to the Draft” podcast. “You just get more picks there. You got a third-, fourth-, fifth-, sixth-, seventh-round pick. That’s [five] guys right there that are gonna provide some role for your team.”

The Commanders, who have drafted 14 players so far under Peters, have found multiple players who fit that mold. Jer’Zhan Newton — taken No. 36 overall in 2024 — is a key part of the defensive line rotation. Luke McCaffrey, who was taken with the final pick of the third round later that year, emerged as a reliable kickoff returner with promise as a slot receiver. Washington’s 2025 draft class, though nearly half as large, included players like cornerback Trey Amos, Jaylin Lane and Jacory Croskey-Merritt who were either starters or key contributors last season.

“Maybe it’s the special teams linebacker who comes in for certain packages on second down,” Paulsen said. “I think that’s the thing that differentiates those rounds. That’s where you get depth; you get developmental pieces.”

Paulsen points out that teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, who have won the NFC East for the last two seasons, are exceptional at finding ways to “nail their third-, fourth- and fifth-round picks. For example, Tyler Steen, who was taken in the third round of the 2023 draft, was the team’s starting right guard last season. Will Shipley — taken in the fourth round of the 2024 draft — was Saquon Barkley’s primary backup and had 777 kickoff return yards in 2025.



ESPN

2026 NFL draft: Big questions for teams with top-10 picks


[T]he defense needs youth, speed and athleticism — especially on the edge.

The Commanders have one rotational defensive lineman under 28 years old. Their top pass rusher, Dorance Armstrong, tore his ACL in October. But realistically, every area of the defense needs to be upgraded after the team finds a new coordinator.



Riggo’s Rag

5 free agents who could reunite with Commanders head coach Dan Quinn in 2026


Commanders could sign Donovan Wilson

The Commanders need a rethink in their safety room. Whatever general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn have done so far just hasn’t worked. And with the stakes getting higher under the glaring microscope of underachievement, no stone should be left unturned.

Too much faith was placed in Quan Martin. The Commanders let Kamren Curl walk in 2024 free agency so he could move onto the defensive back end. They did the same with Jeremy Chinn to ensure the former Illinois standout became the top dog in Washington’s safety unit. Both maneuvers failed spectacularly, and the defensive back’s regression makes his status far from secure.

Nobody would shed many tears if Will Harris were let go after one season. Jeremy Reaves, Tyler Owens, and Percy Butler look like special-teams performers and nothing more. Decisive action is needed, which could mean a discussion is had about Donovan Wilson.

Wilson was a mainstay on Dallas’ defense once again in 2025, logging 71 tackles, five pass breakups, and two interceptions. There were times when he became a liability in coverage, but one also has to consider the complete lack of productivity on the Cowboys’ defensive front seven.

Before that, he’s been a very useful contributor. It’s also worth noting that Wilson’s best seasons in the NFL came under Quinn.



Heavy.com

Atlanta Falcons Keep Jeff Ulbrich as DC, Commanders Continue Search


With Ulbrich no longer available, Washington will shift focus to other candidates. Their recent interview with Minnesota defensive coordinator Brian Flores appears likely to end with Flores remaining with the Vikings, if he doesn’t get a head coaching job. The next candidate under consideration is former Arizona Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon. Gannon is reportedly eyeing a coordinator job to restore his reputation after finishing his tenure in Arizona with a 15-36 record.

Gannon utilizes a quarters defense that can feature five players near the line of scrimmage to counter spread offenses. His scheme is adaptable for both 4-3 and 3-4 formations, focusing on the defensive backfield.

Another candidate for Washington is Karl Scott, Seattle Seahawks‘ passing game coordinator and defensive backs coach. Seattle allowed just 292 points in 2025, the fewest in the league. Their pass defense excelled, surrendering less than 200 yards 11 times, and only Baker Mayfield in Week 5 and Matthew Stafford in Week 16 surpassed 300 passing yards against them. However, Scott has never called defensive plays, as his focus has been on concepts and position groups rather than overall playcalling.

Another coach in the mix is Patrick Graham, formerly of the Las Vegas Raiders, who could fit Quinn’s aggressive approach. Graham, a Bill Belichick disciple, has adapted those teachings into his own system. Known for generating pressure, he prefers to free up linebackers by employing at least two large defensive linemen to fortify the line of scrimmage.



Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)

Breaking down the pros and cons to the known defensive coordinator candidates for the Commanders


The search for a new defensive coordinator is dragging on for the Washington Commanders, as it is for most of the league. With so many teams firing their head coaches and overhauling their staffs, many of the top candidates are involved in head coaching interviews and giving those priority over defensive coordinator jobs. That means those looking for a new defensive coordinator, like the Commanders, could have to wait for another week or so while these head coaching positions fill out.

We do know, however, who the likely candidates are. At this point, the Commanders are known to have interviewed Vikings defensive coordinator Brian Flores, former Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon, Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham, Titans defensive coordinator Dennard Wilson and Seahawks defensive backs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott. We also know that they had significant interest in Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich, but he’s been retained by new head coach Keven Stefanski. Former Falcons head coach Raheem Morris has strong ties to Washington via Dan Quinn and would make sense, but he hasn’t interviewed for the position as far as we know.

All of those interviews took place last week. We’ve not heard of any more interviews this week so far, though perhaps they’ve managed to keep those quiet. But for now it seems like that is their list. So I thought I’d go over a quick pros and cons of each option, having watched their respective defenses a little bit since last week.


temp-keim-tweet.jpg



Commanders.com

Local radio host makes his pitch for Commanders’ DC candidates

“We’ve got 30+ free agents. Most of those guys ain’t coming back! We are going to remake this in your image.”

“We’re going to be acquiring player after player after player, including probably a first-round pick, maybe multiple, if we’re able to trade back. We’re going to give you some of the pieces to have the kind of defense you want.”

“Here’s the difference. You can have a good defense and it will actually make a difference. If you’re okay with this defense in the near future, with the way our vision, our plan works, we’ve got this guy, Jayden Daniels, on the offensive side. If he has a nice, healthy season, you could be in the conference championship game, by making (causing) a couple turnovers here and there, and a quarterback that’s going to right a lot of wrongs.”

It was a good listen, and Rouhier was 100 percent correct. The Commanders should be advertising Daniels for whatever and whomever they need.



Commanders Roundtable

Analyst answers Washington Commanders backup quarterback question


Daniels, who will also suit up in Riyadh in Fanatics’ event in March, is one of two quarterbacks under contract next season alongside Sam Hartman, who the staff elected to bypass for starting consideration over the final two games after starting Josh Johnson and signing Jeff Driskel from Arizona. And after watching Daniels struggle with health in 2025, who the backup quarterback is in 2026 is worth tracking.

Nick Shook of NFL.com pointed to Marcus Mariota as one of eight quarterbacks who must be re-signed this offseason, joining Malik Willis in Green Bay, Aaron Rodgers in Pittsburgh, Daniel Jones in Indianapolis, Tyler Huntley in Baltimore, Gardner Minshew in Kansas City, Jimmy Garoppolo with the Rams and Trey Lance with the Chargers.

https://t.co/EcGdqmXcby names Marcus Mariota one of eight QBs who should be re-signed this offseason

Commanders have just two QBs under contract next season: Jayden Daniels & Sam Hartman pic.twitter.com/RqqnD0glRM

— Washington Commanders on Roundtable (@WSHRoundtable) January 19, 2026

Podcasts & videos

New pod on OL coach promotions and whats next in Commanderland:https://t.co/JeTVKL6QMT

— Mitchell Tischler (@Mitch_Tischler) January 20, 2026

Episode 1,242 – Guest: @DOrlandoAJC. Has covered the Atlanta Falcons since 2003. Great insight on what the Washington Commanders are getting in D.J. Williams as quarterbacks coach and on the possibility of Raheem Morris as Commanders defensive coordinator.https://t.co/Jic7HZVQ1D

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) January 20, 2026

On video talking about the Commanders’ new OL coach; the 2024 QB class — a Quick Look at Jayden Daniels’ playoff run in comparison. Lessons that should be learned. More. ⁦@ESPNRichmondhttps://t.co/0BD1HpyKkx

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 20, 2026

On video with former Washington QB Alex Smith talking about Jayden Daniels and changing offensive systems; how tough is it? Under center or gun/pistol. His work dealing with concussions. More. ⁦@ESPNRichmondhttps://t.co/jVM3nR93lI

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 21, 2026

DEEBO: Washington Commanders Face TOUGH Choice—Will Deebo Samuel SIGN or WALK After 2026?​


NFC East links


Bleeding Green Nation

Eagles reportedly miss out on their top offensive coordinator target


The Philadelphia Eagles won’t be hiring Mike McDaniel to replace Kevin Patullo.

The former Miami Dolphins head coach is expected to become the new Los Angeles Chargers offensive coordinator, according to a report from ESPN.

McDaniel apparently wants to work with Justin Herbert instead of Jalen Hurts.

This development is disappointing news for the Eagles, who reportedly had McDaniel as their top OC candidate.

More from the Inquirer earlier on Tuesday:

In the past week, the Eagles have made it known to sources around the league that hiring former Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel as their new offensive coordinator is their No. 1 offseason priority. That includes fired Giants coach Brian Daboll, who is expected to interview for the position this week. Virtually no amount of money, literally no amount of autonomy, and no fear of conflict would deter the team from signing McDaniel, a respected offensive innovator.

Eagles fans also seemed to be pretty intrigued by McDaniel. It would’ve been interesting to see his approach in Philly. Alas, we won’t get the chance.

The Eagles might need to act fast to get their next choice or else risk losing [him] to another team.

Siriani and Daboll on the same sideline is more volatile than the San Andreas Fault https://t.co/N9jZHZaWMu

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 20, 2026


Bleeding Green Nation

List of 2026 Eagles free agents


Howie Roseman will have some tough roster decisions to make, especially with the defensive side of the ball.

Despite their long list of shortcomings, the Eagles still have one of the highest paid offenses, which will make the decisions Roseman makes on defense even more challenging. They still have several players on rookie deals, but several key members of the team are set to be free agents.

Of those set to hit the market, some of the more notable names, include LB Nakobe Dean, EDGE Jaelan Phillips, and S Reed Blankenship. There’s also Brandon Graham who came out of retirement mid-season to help the Eagles down the stretch, but he’ll either go back to retired, or see if the team would offer him another one-year deal — which they probably would because he was still playing at an elite level and is big leader in the locker room.

On offense, Roseman might consider bringing OT Fred Johnson back to keep depth behind Lane Johnson, and as someone they could develop to be his ultimate replacement. The other lineman the team might be interested in re-signing is Brett Toth, who was able to fill in multiple positions up front, including center.

As for the tight end group, three are set to hit free agency, and after setting a new franchise record for touchdowns by a TE, Dallas Goedert will be the biggest miss if they let him walk.

[Over the Cap estimates that, with 63 players under contract, the Eagles will have approximately $10.5m in available cap space this offseason. Because of how highly leveraged all the current contracts are, GM Howie Roseman, similar to last year, has few options for creating more salary cap room.]



Blogging the Boys

Cowboys need to hit home runs this offseason to avoid last place in the NFC East


With the New York Giants going out and hiring John Harbaugh as their next head coach, the NFC East has three coaches leading their teams who have made a Super Bowl in their careers. The only one yet to make one is Brian Schottenheimer.

With the division looking a lot more competitive than it has in recent history, there’s a chance whoever finishes last in the NFC East has a winning record. Look at the NFC North. The Detroit Lions were fourth in their division with a 9-8 record. They beat the Cowboys 44-30 this year.

Every team in the division will be looking to reload after disappointing seasons. The Washington Commanders let go of both coordinators and are looking to maximize their rookie window with Jayden Daniels at quarterback. Adam Peters, the team’s general manager, has not been shy about being aggressive in free agency or in the trade market to make the team better. That’s what got the Commanders to the NFC Championship game way ahead of schedule.

The Giants also have a rookie quarterback they are excited about, and the future of their organization. With a healthy Jaxson Dart, Cam Skattebo, and Malik Nabers leading the team on offense and Dexter Lawrence, Abdul Carter, and Brian Burns on defense, New York has a ton of talent that was in desperate need of guidance and leadership. That’s why the team went after Harbaugh with everything they had and handed him the keys to the organization.

Of course, there’s also the Philadelphia Eagles, who are not afraid to counter their mistakes in a big way, making sure they don’t happen again the following year. They are also looking for a new offensive coordinator to help elevate the offense to pair it with their championship-level defense. The Eagles are determined to pursue the top options available on the market.

This is the offseason for action, considering the quarterback and Jones don’t have much sand left in the hourglass for a championship run for different reasons.



Big Blue View

10 questions John Harbaugh needs to answer as NY Giants introduce new head coach


Will you consider retaining any current Giants assistants?

There seems to be some confusion about the status of assistant coaches with the Giants at the end of the 2025 season. Those coaches, to my knowledge, are still under contract to the Giants.

There was one report that some of those coaches had already been told by Harbaugh that they would be let go. Another report indicated that assistant coaches would meet with Harbaugh later this week in what would amount to an interview to keep their jobs.

When I checked with an assistant coach, he was in the dark and had no information either way. That could indicate that assistant coaches are being considered on a case-by-case, or coach-by-coach, basis.

One of the big reasons Harbaugh is now the Giants coach, and that Joe Schoen remains the general manager, is that ownership seems to believe coaching was at the root of the Giants’ issues the past couple of seasons. That could make it difficult for the Giants to keep many of the coaches left from Brian Daboll’s staff.

Losing close games and big leads has been a habit here. How does that change?

The Giants, as their fan base knows all too well, excruciatingly lost five games during the 2025 season in which they held double-digit leads. Over the past two seasons they have gone 2-14 in one-score games. They blamed 1-8 in one-score games in 2024 on poor quarterback play, and 1-6 in such games in 2025 on bad defense.

Will Harbaugh have the answer? It is a valid question. The Ravens were 1-5 in one-score games during the 2025 season. With a two-time MVP quarterback in Lamar Jackson at the helm over the past eight seasons, Baltimore never reached the Super Bowl. That period of time is littered with close playoff losses and games during which Harbaugh’s game plans or late-game decisions were questioned.

How does he learn, or how has he learned, from such failures? How can he help the Giants learn to avoid the inexplicable losses that have defined their last couple of seasons?

Second acts have been a mixed bag for successful coaches. Why are you confident this will work?

No coach who has won a Super Bowl as coach of one team has ever done so as coach of a second team. Sean Payton of the Denver Broncos, who won one with the New Orleans Saints, has a chance to change that history this season. To do so, though, he will have to hope backup quarterback Jarrett Stidham can summon his best Jeff Hostetler impersonation after the unfortunate season-ending injury to Bo Nix.

A high degree of success in one place does not, though, guarantee that same high level of success in another place.

Andy Reid has had more success with the Kansas City Chiefs than he did with the Philadelphia Eagles. Tom Coughlin won both of his Super Bowl titles with the Giants, his second stop as an NFL head coach. Bill Belichick’s run with the New England Patriots followed a losing tenure with the Cleveland Browns.

Mike McCarthy, Bill Parcells, Mike Shanahan and Mike Holmgren are all Super Bowl-winning coaches who not only did not win Super Bowls in a second stop, but did not win games nearly as often as they had.

John Harbaugh gets it: “It's the New York FOOTBALL Giants. My dad taught me they were the New York FOOTBALL Giants. They weren’t just the Giants — they were the New York FOOTBALL Giants.” https://t.co/R0lYLX7bY7 pic.twitter.com/V3X3oRaTxK

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 20, 2026

NFL league links

Selected coaching updates​

Update on Flores: https://t.co/Hr9v0mKuys

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 20, 2026
The Bucs and the Eagles both pursued McDaniel as their top OC target. The Bucs were especially diligent in their courtship, and McDaniel was very engaged with them throughout. Ultimately, the lure of getting back to California and coaching Justin Herbert proved strongest. https://t.co/CGKw5wgGTz

— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) January 21, 2026
With the #Chargers’ OC job off the board, the #Titans’ job slides up near the top, if not at the top, of many candidates’ lists. Brian Daboll interviewed for the head-coaching job there but remains in play for OC, which would be a union of the two previous NY team HCs. pic.twitter.com/fyPhVU0RQT

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 21, 2026
Interesting timeline for the @Titans

• Wednesday: John Harbaugh takes the @Giants job, cancels a Thursday interview.

• Saturday: Kevin Stefanski takes the @AtlantaFalcons job, cancels Sunday interview.

• Monday: Jeff Hafley takes the @MiamiDolphins job, cancels Tuesday…

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 20, 2026
The #Buccaneers are hiring veteran special teams coordinator Danny Smith, sources tell me and @RapSheet. Now 50 years into his coaching career, Smith is still going and still considered one of the best in the biz. On to Tampa for the 72-year-old, gum-chewing Smith. pic.twitter.com/Apn4dYj71q

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 20, 2026
The Bills will interview offensive coordinator Joe Brady for the team’s head coaching vacancy, per source.

Brady, who has received interview requests and met with other teams in this cycle, will get a look in Buffalo. pic.twitter.com/nlN4XKP5nf

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 21, 2026
Brian Daboll is expected to have several options at offensive coordinator. The Titans and Eagles aren’t the only teams pushing hard to land him and now, with Buffalo showing interest in him for head coach, teams will have to wait to see how Buffalo’s moves play out.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 21, 2026

Discussion topics


ESPN

NFL exec predictions: A.J. Brown traded, key players get franchise tag


Making bold predictions on an upcoming NFL season is a tough business. It’s like the draft — hitting on 40-50% of first-round picks is very hard to do.

We here at ESPN like the challenge so much that each January we ask industry sources around the league to forecast the season. The possibilities are limitless: free agency signings, retirements, contenders and pretenders, trades and MVP favorites.

Eagles trade A.J. Brown to the Bills

Brown’s happy-to-be-here quotient in Philly is miserably low. He’s a great player and great players are hard to replace. But the Eagles have never been scared to make a move due to the salary cap implications. The Eagles actually can save $7 million on the cap by trading Brown after June 1.

And it feels like it’s time. Some league execs have felt that way since October.

“The Bills have to upgrade there — their best receiver is Khalil Shakir, who is a nice player but he’s not a top guy,” an NFL personnel evaluator said. “Brown is an immediate upgrade and he’s still young [turning 29 in June]. And the Eagles can build the passing game around DeVonta Smith and a high draft pick.”

Other potential fits, via NFL scouts: the Tennessee Titans, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers and Las Vegas Raiders.

George Pickens’ situation in Dallas gets sticky

The Cowboys are expected to franchise-tag Pickens, which would pay him around $28 million next season. But Pickens will want a long-term deal above that number, and if Dallas doesn’t give him that, some around the league wonder whether he stays away from the team for a large portion of the offseason or even training camp.

“I just don’t see him, coming off the season he had, welcoming the tag with open arms,” a veteran AFC coach said.

Falcons franchise-tag Kyle Pitts Sr.

Pitts’ fifth season was his best as a pro, with 88 catches for 928 yards and 5 touchdowns.

The tag for tight ends projects to be $15.9 million.

“The number is reasonable and is a good basis for a long-term deal for him,” an AFC executive said. “Not sure what they do with Drake London but keeping Pitts seems like a good move at this stage.”


NFL Draft​


Commanders.com

Check out every player invited to the 2026 Senior Bowl


We’re nearing the end of January, which means that it’s almost time for some of the best college prospects in the country to meet in Mobile, Alabama, for the 2026 Senior Bowl.

Previously meant for only the top senior prospects, the all-star game now includes some of the best draft-eligible underclassmen, providing NFL teams with a look at an even deeper talent pool.

This year’s practices will take place at Hancock Whitney Stadium on Jan. 27-29 with coverage beginning at 2 p.m. ET on NFL Network and NFL+ each day. The actual game will be on Jan. 31 with a scheduled 2:30 p.m. ET kickoff and will be broadcast on NFL Network and NFL+.

Here is a full list of all the players with accepted invites broken down by position.

Full rosters for 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl


NFL teams have shifted their focus towards evaluating prospects for the 2026 NFL Draft, and this year’s East-West Shrine Bowl will offer them a chance to see nearly 140 players compete and show off their skill sets.

Players will begin arriving in Frisco, Texas, later this week to participate in interviews. Practices will begin on Jan. 23 at The Star practice facility and continue until Jan. 26. The actual game will be on Jan. 27 with a 6 p.m. kickoff at The Star.

Here’s a full look at the rosters for the East and West teams.


aBit o’Twitter

Right from ESPN https://t.co/0rpRN6eSwY pic.twitter.com/u8c2kAccEL

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 20, 2026
Here is your 2026 EDGE Rusher class by TFL production.

The target number for a potential first-round pick is 1.2 TFLs/game in a player's best season. pic.twitter.com/ZK4Zpj6jaD

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 20, 2026
Here is a list of some of the best pass rushers in the NFL over the last 15 years.

None of them averaged under 1.0 TFL/game in their best season…. pic.twitter.com/Qavo5Zt5Yl

— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) January 20, 2026
Congrats to Chris Rodriguez Jr. and his wife Jordyn! pic.twitter.com/hiJboJLitU

— COMMANDERS FOOTBALL (@HogsHaven) January 21, 2026
temp-qb-tweet.jpg

Happy to see Kam Curl get his shine.

Always fun to hear pros talk ball and reflect on their plays.

I find it very interesting. #RaiseHail https://t.co/UVGhzfjQuF

— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) January 21, 2026
#Rams HC Sean McVay huddled his team together before overtime after the Caleb Williams miraculous TD.

“We are winning this game! Whatever happened, who cares?! MOVE ON. Be present! Let’s go and beat ’em!"

(🎥 @insidetheNFL)pic.twitter.com/HcUXFlXEKR https://t.co/EyuqvRRe7k

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
Failed is quite the reach pal. Still waiting on a text/call from him after I got shipped off like a piece of garbage. Can’t wait to see you twice a year, Coach. https://t.co/jUUsYkvlOC

— Baker Mayfield (@bakermayfield) January 20, 2026
Trevon Diggs is subject to waivers.

If he is claimed, which is highly unlikely, the waiver assignment would be deferred until after the Super Bowl.

If he clears waivers, he can be signed immediately as a free agent. https://t.co/BRCXt0MYKB

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 20, 2026
#Patriots owner Robert Kraft says the NFL wants to move to an 18-game regular season, reduce the preseason from three games to two, and have every NFL team play an international game each season.

(🎥 @985TheSportsHub)

pic.twitter.com/yiO7LMzBMt

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 20, 2026
NFL’s Super Bowl LX officiating crew: pic.twitter.com/RX8sA0Xen9

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 20, 2026
This looks like something straight out of a movie pic.twitter.com/9ltMD8XonV

— Chalkboard (@ChalkboardHQ) January 20, 2026
NFL meeting divisional round pic.twitter.com/SrveXz40Xh

— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) January 20, 2026


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/daily-slo...he-right-man-to-fix-the-defense-in-washington
 
Washington Commanders Coaching Search Tracker: Brian Flores signs extension with Vikings

gettyimages-2250752250.jpg

Al Harris, next man up?​


The Washington Commanders are interviewing Bears secondary coach Al Harris, who had the same role under Dan Quinn when they were with the Dallas Cowboys two years ago. Dallas blocked Quinn’s attempt to add Harris to his coaching staff in Washington. If Harris is hired, he would replace Joe Whitt Jr, who he worked with in Dallas.

Bears passing game coordinator Al Harris is interviewing for the Commanders defensive coordinator position, per source.

Harris interviewed in Green Bay today, per @AdamSchefter.

Bears led NFL in interceptions (23). pic.twitter.com/oCBTAIAO7L

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 22, 2026

Brian Flores signs extension to stay with Vikings as DC; only leaving for HC job​


The Washington Commanders were the only team that Vikings DC Brian Flores interviewed with for a defensive coordinator position. He has been focused on becoming a head coach again, and he’s only going to leave Minnesota if he gets that opportunity. Flores’s contract was up after this season, but he’s signed an extension, taking him off the DC market.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has signed a contract extension with the Vikings. If he does not receive a head coaching job this cycle, he will be back as the team’s defensive coordinator.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026

Anthony Lynn gets a head coaching interview​


Anthony Lynn hasn’t been a head coach since 2020 when he was fired by the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons, but has his first interview opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. He was hired by the Washington Commanders as their run game coordinator. Lynn was part of Dan Quinn’s new coaching staff, and he brought a lot of experience as a former player, running backs coach, offensive coordinator, and his two stints as a head coach.

The Bills gave him his first taste of being a head coach, but it was on an interim basis after Rex Ryan was fired. He was a finalist to keep the job that eventually went to recently-fired Sean McDermott, and now gets another chance to get the gig full-time. Lynn was not interviewed for the Commanders OC job which went to assistant QB coach David Blough.

Former Bills assistant head coach and current Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn — a finalist for the Buffalo head coaching job in 2017 that went to Sean McDermott — is scheduled to interview for the Bills head coach job Saturday, per a league source.

Back in 2017,… pic.twitter.com/ctgZnTiFuS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2026

Darnell Stapleton and Shane Toub promoted​


The Commanders fired OL coach Bobby Johnson on the same day they parted ways with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and are now promoting Johnson’s assistant OL coach to his old job. Darnell Stapleton is the Commanders new OL coach, and offensive quality control coach Shane Toub will be his new assistant.

Stapleton built up a strong rapport with Blough over their last two years together as assistant positional coaches in Washington. Stapleton was well-liked by players, heavily involved in pass protections and helped with game planning.
Sources: Commanders are naming Darnell Stapleton offensive line coach and Shane Toub assistant OL coach. Promotions for both. Stapleton has worked closely with new OC David Blough and been a big part of Washington’s game
planning and protection plans the last two years.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 19, 2026

Danny Etling hired as assistant QB coach​


The Washington Commanders have hired their third new coach on offense, adding former NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant QB coach. He will work under new offensive coordinator David Blough and QB coach D.J. Williams. Blough was given the promotion from assistant QB to OC after Kliff Kingsbury’s departure earlier this month. Etling never played in a regular season NFL game, and spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. This will be his first coaching job after retiring from playing football. Etling and Blough were teammates in college at Purdue.

The #Commanders are hiring former LSU and NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant quarterbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was a 2018 draft pick of the Patriots and then spent six seasons in the NFL as a player. Now set to return to the NFL as a coach. pic.twitter.com/sWehXJjedo

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2026

D.J. Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and to work under David Blough​


The Commanders front office has been searching for a QB coach ever since announcing David Blough’s promotion last week. Today Adam Schefter and others reported the hiring of D.J. Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role.

Commanders are hiring former Falcons QBs coach D.J. Williams as their QB coach, per sources. D.J. is the son of Washington legend Doug Williams, an executive in the Commanders’ front office.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026

After 2 years of entry level work in with the Saints, Williams joined the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for New Orleans in 2019. Williams was hired as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Falcons in 2024, and promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. The Atlanta staff is in flux following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is seen as an attractive candidate for a number of teams trying to replace defensive coordinators, including the Commanders.

D.J. is the first new coach to join David Blough’s staff. The Commanders also interviewed Mike Bercovici, the Panthers assistant quarterback coach, for the position.


Brian Flores interviewing today​


The Washington Commanders were hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and that is happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he’d like him back if he doesn’t get an opportunity to be a head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use someone of Flores’s coaching pedigree, but he is in high demand, and a lot of people expect him to stay in Minnesota.

The #Commanders are, in fact, interviewing Brian Flores for their DC job today, source said. https://t.co/LcOZvqqXyt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026

Washington interviews Seahawks DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott​


The Washington Commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports they have interviewed Seattle Seahawks DBs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get a job in the NFL until 2021 as a DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022, and is highly-regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, and have several players Washington could be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have past experience as a DC.

Washington interviewed Seattle DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott per me and @BradyHenderson for their defensive coordinator opening. He's the only one they've interviewed without prior DC experience. They will meet with Jonathan Gannon Thursday.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 14, 2026
Hire Karl Scott

Bring: Mafe, Bryant and Woolen with you. pic.twitter.com/cZgj5cQqHE

— Steve (@AirRaidConcepts) January 4, 2026

Former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon scheduled for DC interview​

Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026

Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC job​


Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the last two seasons. He is the latest name added to the Washington Commanders interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.

Wilson, 43, is a Hyatteville, MD native went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson entered coaching after an injury ended his first season, going back to DeMatha as their passing game coordinator & DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, before getting his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.

Joe Cullen interviewed for DC job​


Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has interviewed with Washington as the replacement for fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension.

Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as their defensive line coach a year later. He also was the defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15), Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.

It would seem that his most obvious link to the Commanders decision-makers may have come from his 3-year stint (’06-‘08) as the Lions defensive line coach when Asst GM Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.

The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 9, 2026

Just launched my 2026 NFL Coaching Staff Tracker. Update every team's HC, OC, and DC hires in one place. Includes coach stats, EPA rankings, and full coaching tree relationships (parents, siblings, uncles, nephews) to help you build the perfect staff.https://t.co/LnuugqOZId pic.twitter.com/A9pNlwKIoE

— Jake Cardonick (@JakeCar120) January 19, 2026

Original story​


The Washington Commanders moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. There are more changes expected with two new coordinators set to be hired. Kingsbury was expected to get head coaching consideration, despite the Commanders 5-12 season, but conflicts about offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him go shortly after the season ended.

There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly getting an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly-vacated offensive coordinator job. Johnny Morton was fired after one season of not being able to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.

Blough was seen as a young, upcoming coach who was being groomed to take over OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford, and Blough took on a lot of his responsibilities, along with Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches that were seen as Kingsbury guys could also exit after yesterday’s news.

Follow along here for update from Washington’s search, and from other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for Washington’s coordinator openings.

Washington Commanders Rumors​

Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026
Commanders requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their defensive coordinator job, per source. pic.twitter.com/jRL82TZGcn

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

NFL Coaching Rumors​

Jeff Ulbrich staying on as Falcons defensive coordinator, per @RapSheet https://t.co/0rIqVZZFv4 pic.twitter.com/TWB1pijRCe

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 18, 2026
Welcome to Atlanta, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski! https://t.co/LMaSUdjv0O pic.twitter.com/Vv4vFAvTQr

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 18, 2026
Welcome to Big Blue, Coach Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/Uoa0ds0rdp

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 17, 2026

Kliff Kingsbury HC interviews​

Former #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was requested to interview for the head coach position for the #Ravens and #Titans, sources say.

The former #AZCardinals head coach is already getting HC interest. pic.twitter.com/SxxM4I1380

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2026

Raheem Morris​

Former Falcons HC Raheem Morris now has confirmed head coach interviews in the next week with Cardinals, Giants and Titans, per sources. pic.twitter.com/neoRMlRAQ6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/washingto...ker-brian-flores-signs-extension-with-vikings
 
Washington Commanders 2026 Panini Senior Bowl Targets

Every winter some of the nation’s best college football players descend on Mobile, Alabama for the Senior Bowl.

This year boasts some top talent, and many of those players happen to be at positions of need for the Washington Commanders. With just two picks currently in the top 100, it will be very important for Adam Peters to hit on these picks come April.

The week leading up to the January 31st kickoff will be very important for coaches and scouts to see these players in action and get a feel for their personalities off the field.

Below is a list of players who could be of interest to the Commanders with their top picks.


Commanders Top Needs:​

  • EDGE
  • Safety
  • Linebacker
  • Wide Receiver
  • Cornerback
  • Tight End

EDGE:​

  • David Bailey 6’3” 250 Texas Tech RD 1
  • Reuben Bain Jr. 6’2” 277 Miami RD 1
  • Akheem Mesidor 6’3” 275 Miami RD 1
  • T.J. Parker 6’3” 265 Clemson RD 1-2
  • Dani Dennis-Sutton 6’5” 265 Penn State RD 2-3
  • L.T. Overton 6’5” 278 Alabama RD 2-3

Safety:​

  • AJ Haulcy 6’0” 222 LSU RD 2
  • Kamari Ramsey 6’0” 204 USC RD 2
  • Genesis Smith 6’2” 204 Arizona RD 2-3
  • Emmanuel McNeil-Warren 6’3” 209 Toledo RD 2-3
  • Zakee Wheatley 6’2” 200 Penn State RD 3
  • Jalon Kilgore 6’1” 219 South Carolina RD 3

Linebacker:​

  • Jacob Rodriguez 6’1” 230 Texas Tech RD 3-4
  • Kack Kelly 6’2” 242 BYU RD 3-4

Wide Receiver:​

  • KC Concepcion 5’11” 190 Texas A&M RD 1-2
  • Elijah Sarratt 6’2” 210 Indiana RD 2-3
  • Ja’Kobi Lane 6’4” 195 USC RD 2-3
  • Ted Hurst 6’3” 195 Georgia St. RD 3-4

Cornerback:​

  • Julian Neal 6’2” 200 Arkansas RD 1-2
  • Chris Johnson 6’0” 185 San Diego St. RD 2
  • Will Lee III 6’2” 190 Texas A&M RD 2
  • Tacario Davis 6’3” 190 Washington RD 3-4
  • Hezekiah Masses 6’1” 185 Cal RD 3-4

Tight End:​

  • Justin Joly 6’3” 252 Stanford RD 3


The week of practice leading up to the game and the interviews with teams are the most important part of the week. It will give our staff a first-hand look at how some of these top prospects compete against the best and hold themselves in meetings.

Last year Washington’s top three picks, Josh Conerly, Trey Amos and Jaylin lane all participated in the Senior Bowl.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/draft/399210/washington-commanders-2026-panini-senior-bowl-targets
 
2026 NFL Mock Draft Roundup: Mel Kiper goes defense again for the Commanders

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We’re back with another mock draft roundup as the NFL prepares for the conference championship games on Sunday. The Washington Commanders were still in playoffs at this time last year season, but not after they finished with a 5-12 record, and the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft. The Commanders shook up their coaching staff after that massively disappointing season, with assistant QB coach David Blough replacing offensive coordinator, and assistant OL coach Darnell Stapleton replacing OL coach Bobby Johnson. Defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr was also fired, and the search for his replacement continues after two of their top options stayed with their teams.

This roundup has 38 mock drafts and 23 of them feature EDGE rushers. Miami’s Rueben Bain and Texas’s David Bailey are tied for the most popular choice, with 10 mocks sending them to D.C. Auburn’s Kevin Faulk rounds out the group with his name called twice for Washington this week.

ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr went with Bailey in our last roundup, but has the Texas pass rusher going to the Tennessee Titans at No. 4 overall for new head coach Robert Saleh. The Commanders get the consolation prize of Miami’s Reuben Bain who Kiper said “has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches.” Lack of pressure due to injuries and lack of top talent severely limited Washington’s defense last season, and Adam Peters stated the team needed to add more pass rushers in his post-season presser.

Ohio State safety Caleb Downs continues to be a Top-10 pick, and he gets called the best player in the draft a lot….for a safety. He’s picked for Washington 10 times in this week’s roundup, one less time than in our last roundup. People will argue the positional value isn’t there for a safety this high, but Washington’s defense continues to have a need at the position. Downs is a smart player who would elevate a defense that needs a new direction.

There are two more edge rushing options with Keldrick Faulk and Cashius Howell rounding out the biggest position group need for Washington. Ohio State LB Arvell Reese is expected to be a Top-5 pick, but gets linked to Washington one time this week to give fans a glimmer of hope.

Wide receiver and running back round out the roundup, with two picks each. Notre Dame’s Jeremiyah Love and Ohio State’s Carnell Tate have been getting mentions for the Commanders new offense under Blough. Kiper has Tate going No. 5 overall to John Harbaugh’s new version of the New York Football Giants. Love goes to the Kansas City Chiefs to work with the returning Eric Bieniemy. The weapon Patrick Mahomes needs to comeback from a playoffs-season?

Position selections:

WR – 2

RB – 2

EDGE – 23

LB – 1

S – 10

Where will Washington pick, and who/what position should they take next year?


Rueben Bain, EDGE, Miami​

E$PN (Kiper)

NFC East quarterbacks and offensive tackles aren’t going to be happy if Washington goes
this way. Bain knows how to reach the quarterback, with 9.5 sacks and 17.5 tackles for loss
in 2025 (including a sack and 2.5 TFLs on Monday night against Indiana in the national
title game). He has a great mix of power, speed and bend, and the Commanders could
move him around on the defensive line to create mismatches. Von Miller led the team with
nine sacks this season, but he will turn 37 in March and isn’t under contract for 2026. This
is a clear need for Washington after the defense allowed 6.0 yards per play, tied for third
worst in the league.

By the way, this would be only the third time in the common draft era (since 1967) that
multiple Miami players went in the top 10 (2004 and 1987).

Yahoo Sports (McDonald/Tice)

Washington desperately needs to get younger and more explosive in the front seven, and gets a gift with Bain falling to the seventh pick. There have been concerns about Bain’s arm length and how that will affect him in the NFL, but he’s got the build and athleticism to bully offensive tackles off the edge. He’d be a perfect fit in Dan Quinn’s front that will ask him to play with aggression.

USA Today (Middlehurst-Schwartz)

After wrecking college football throughout the season, Bain presents a fascinating dilemma to teams on how closely they want to cling to prototypes. Listed at 6-3 and 275 pounds, he’s almost sure to fall short of the arm-length measurements that some organizations demand of their edge rushers. But in marrying overwhelming power with an unrelenting approach, he’s carved a place for himself as an extremely vexing matchup. Washington might be more inclined than most to look past any perceived imperfections, as the Commanders’ defensive line is short on true disruptors.

Fox Sports

Bain might have the best film of any edge player in this draft, dominating teams like Notre Dame, Florida, Texas A&M, and Ohio State. In that first round CFP game, he had a whopping three sacks against an Aggies offensive line that had given up just 12 in 12 games.

Bain is also an elite run stopper and can move inside when needed. According to PFF, he’s the only edge player in FBS to have over 500 pass-rushing snaps with a pass-rush grade over 90. He also has the fifth-highest run defense grade (87.1) of any edge rusher with at least 200 run defense snaps.

Bain is the perfect player for a Dan Quinn defense.

FanSided (Williams)

Draft Notes: Nearly a 25% pressure rate in 2025; 66 hurries and 11 sacks as junior; concerns about arm length

We might get to witness Dan Quinn doing cartwheels in the Commanders’ draft room if Washington were to be lucky enough to have Rueben Bain Jr. fall into their laps here. While Reese, with his versatility, gets shine for what he can do as a pass-rusher, Bain is a more of a pure artist in that capacity off the edge. Against all levels of competition, he’s been a menace. And while there are some concerns about his arm length, he has the burst and get-off, combined with savvy in terms of his moves to generate pressure, that can give the Washington defense a massive injection of juice.

NFL Mocks (Basile-vaughan)

There is going to be a debate on whether Miami’s Rueben Bain Jr or Texas Tech’s David Bailey is the best edge rusher in the draft. Bailey has more sacks, but Bain Jr. is a player who brings attitude to the field and backs it up with his explosive first step and high motor. There is some question about his arm length, but Bain makes that up in other areas. With 46 tackles, 8.5 sacks in 2025, Bain will put any concerns to rest if he helps lead the Miami Hurricanes in shutting down Mendoza and the Indiana Hoosiers in the National Championship Game.

Bleacher Nation (Flowers)

Bain is a disruptive, relentless edge presence — the type of defender Dan Quinn covets to build a faster, more aggressive front.

Stadium Rant (Willey)

The Commanders have a talented team led by a former Offensive Rookie of the Year QB. Their biggest hurdle right now is finding youth. They currently have one of the oldest rosters in the NFL and could lose key players in the coming seasons.

If Reese falls this far, he’ll go to Washington, but since he likely won’t, they’ll grab another top-tier defender. Rueben Bain is a versatile machine that can instill some juice into this team. The Commanders’ defense needs strength, and they’ll get it here.

Fantasy Sports on SI (Morales-Smith)

Bain is a steal at pick No. 7, and the Commanders will be lucky to get him here if the draft falls this way. They need defensive help, and the best possible outcome is a stud pass rusher.

TWSN (Bradshaw)

David Bailey, EDGE, Texas​

The Athletic (Brugler)

I understand the argument that the Commanders should lean offense with this pick to help their young quarterback. But their defense was atrocious this season, with a noticeable lack of juice, especially off the edges.

With his explosive twitch and raw power, Bailey is one of the most disruptive rush pieces that this draft has to offer.

Sporting News (Iyer)

The Commanders need to get young, more explosive and tougher vs. the run in the pass rush and Bailey can give Dan Quinn all of that in the transition to a new defensive coordinator for his system.

SB Nation (Dator/Schofield)

The Washington Commanders need some help along the defensive front.

Enter David Bailey.

Bailey helped turn the Red Raiders into one of college football’s best defenses this past season, and was one of the players mentioned on Bruce Feldman’s annual “Freaks” list heading into last year. He might need to round out his toolkit as a pass rusher, but his athleticism and burst is a great starting point.

Pro Football Network (Infante)

Let’s face it: 2025 was a disaster of a season for the Washington Commanders. Injuries flooded their roster, but they also exposed their lack of developing young talent outside of injured quarterback Jayden Daniels. They have a serious chance in the 2026 NFL Draft to give their roster a much-needed youth infusion, especially in the trenches.

David Bailey is pass-rushing lightning in a bottle, and he deserves to be selected early in Round 1 in this 2026 NFL Mock Draft.

He’s a little undersized but brings impressive first-step acceleration, flexibility turning the corner, and an advanced understanding of how to use his hands to exploit the weaknesses of whichever offensive tackle he’s going up against.

Round 3: Omar Cooper Jr., WR, Indiana

Omar Cooper Jr. is an impressive wide receiver with strong ball skills, coordination, and strong hands. If he continues to develop as a route runner, taking him in Round 3 could be very good value.

Round 5: Jack Endries, TE, Texas

Round 6: Sam Hecht, C, Kansas State

Round 6: Arion Carter, LB, Tennessee

Round 7: TJ Hall, CB, Iowa

Sports Illustrated (Flick)

Commanders coach Dan Quinn parted ways with both coordinators, and his team could go either direction with its first pick. But Washington had one of the NFL’s worst defenses this past season in both yards and points allowed, and Quinn, a defensive-minded coach, will likely address that side first. Bailey is a Quinn-esque pass rusher—disruption is his calling card, as he led the FBS in pressures through Texas Tech’s loss in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals. Bailey is quick off the snap and can win with bend around the arc, with power through the offensive tackle or with an inside counter.

Draft Wire (Popejoy)

The Commanders have holes on both sides of the football so we go with the highest-rated play on our board in Bailey, who can control a game as a pass rusher.

NFL Spin Zone (Scataglia)

The Commanders need to take the best pass rusher available with this selection. Getting consistent pressure off the edge could vault this team back into the postseason.

Saturday Blitz (Rome)

Dan Quinn is going to have a ton of pressure on him next season after a season where the team regressed and he shook up the coaching staff. This defense didn’t have a player post a ton of production rushing the passer aside from Von Miller’s 9 sacks which the team can’t count on. David Bailey was the most productive pass rusher in the Country, and he could help transform Quinn’s unit in 2026.

Clutch Points (Crean)

The Commanders must beef up their pass rush next season, and David Bailey can get after the quarterback. He led the FBS with 14.5 sacks and the Big 12 with 19.5 tackles for a loss. That kind of pass rusher will thrive in Dan Quinn’s defense.

NFL Mocks (Blair)

Washington must upgrade a defense that gave up 27 points per game last season and struggled to pressure the quarterback. Texas Tech’s David Bailey led the nation with 74 pressures and finished second with 13.5 sacks, giving the Commanders a much-needed difference-maker off the edge.

Keldric Faulk, EDGE, Auburn

CBS Sports (Wilson)

First, Faulk just turned 20 years old in September. Second, he’s unofficially 6-foot-6 and 288 pounds, and he is already near-elite as a run defender. The power and athleticism with which he plays make it an easy projection to see him as a dominant pass rusher down the road. Maybe it doesn’t happen until, say, Year 2 in the league, but when it all comes together, it’s going to be scary.

San Diego Union~Tribune (Brown)

The Commanders’ biggest problem is they can’t keep Jayden Daniels healthy. Their second biggest problem is they need more playmakers at all three levels of their defense. Faulk is a 6-foot-6, 285-pound edge who was the No. 9 player on Bruce Feldman’s 2025 “Freaks List”, reportedly squatting 700 pounds and benching 415. He’s a versatile chess piece on the D-line in odd or even fronts, and has even shown the ability to standup and play outside linebacker. Faulk doesn’t turn 21 until next September. Top needs: Edge, LB, CB

Cashius Howell, EDGE, Texas A&M

Pro Football Focus (McGuinness)

The Commanders will dream that one of the top two edge defenders falls to them at No. 7 overall, but if not, Howell would be a solid consolation prize. The Texas A&M standout earned a 90.3 PFF pass-rush grade and produced a 19.8% PFF pass-rush win rate in 2025.

Arvell Reese, LB, Ohio State​

Bleacher Report (Knox)

Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State​

CBS Sports (Edwards)

Washington needs to add young players who can impact the game on defense. The preference would be an edge rusher, but a few of the top options are gone at this point. Auburn’s Keldric Faulk should be considered, but Downs is a safer bet.

Pro Football Focus (Chadwick)

The Commanders simply need difference makers on defense and can procure one of the very best players in the draft in Downs here. He has been an elite player ever since he arrived in college football as a five-star recruit in 2023, producing an elite 93.6 career PFF grade. Downs is one of the best safety prospects in recent memory and would transform Washington’s defense.

The Draft Network (Eisner)

Caleb Downs is a perfect match for Dan Quinn’s defense in Washington. He’s an incredibly instinctive player who can thrive anywhere on the field, whether he’s playing deep centerfield or flying up to stop the run. He brings the kind of leadership that should earn him a team captain role sooner rather than later. After a 2025 season where the Commanders’ secondary looked lost at times, Downs provides the stability and talent to be a future defensive cornerstone.

The Draft Network (Melo)

The Washington Commanders need a total revamp on defense. Dan Quinn let go of both coordinators, so it’ll largely be a fresh start in 2026. Safety Caleb Downs is a legitimate tone-setter with game-changing potential. Downs is the best overall prospect in the class, but positional value pushes him to the Commanders’ selection.

Fantasy Pros (Janvrin)

While safety may not be the most alluring position to take in the top 10, Caleb Downs may very well be the best overall player from this class. The Commanders get an easy win here at pick No. 7.

Bleacher Nation (Rooney)

Safety might not be considered a premier position, but Caleb Downs is an elite defender and playmaker on that side of the football. I think they’d have a hard time passing on him if this is how the board shook out.

GMENHQ (Luciano)

There’s a strong argument to be made that Downs is the best player in this draft, and the tissue-thin Commanders defense would likely jump at the chance to add someone who is the best safety prospect since Kyle Hamilton years ago.

Draft Countdown (Bosarge)

Mock Draft Database

Tankathon

Carnell Tate, WR, Ohio State​

Pro Football Network (Decker)

What could go wrong did go wrong for the Commanders in 2025. The organization needs a reset, and adding another weapon would give Jayden Daniels much-needed support in a passing game that grossly underperformed a year ago.

Walter Football (Campbell)

Jordyn Tyson, WR, Arizona State

Washington needs to give Jayden Daniels more receiving talent. Here’s a wideout to pair with Deebo Samuel.

Tyson had 61 catches for 711 yards and eight touchdowns while missing some time with injuries. On top of being a good wideout, Tyson has blocked well. Tyson was a dangerous weapon for the Sun Devils in 2024 as he hauled in 75 catches for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns. Tyson is quick with easy acceleration. The 6-foot-1, 195-pounder has adequate size and showed big-play ability in 2022, averaging 21.4 yards per reception (22-470-4). Team sources have durability concerns with Tyson as he missed time with injuries in each season in college.

Jeremiyah Love, RB, Notre Dame​

Walter Football

Jacory Croskey-Merritt was a fun story because he liked to be called Bill for some reason, but the Redskins need to make sure that Jayden Daniels can lean on a potent rushing attack so that he’s not taking too many hits.

Jeremiyah Love is a powerful, downhill runner with plus receiving ability.

A to Z Sports

I’m going to live in a world where Jayden Daniels is healthy and returns to his 2024 form in 2026. One way to help ensure that: make sure he has a reliable run game. Love is one of the better prospects in this class, and he will bring a level of juice and competitiveness that has been absent from the Commanders’ backfield.

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/mock-draf...l-kiper-goes-defense-again-for-the-commanders
 
Daily Slop – 23 Jan 26 – NFL Draft: Day 2 and Day 3 DE/Edge players who could help the Commanders

gettyimages-2253729350.jpg

Commanders links

Articles​


Commanders.com

3 pass-rushers Washington could target in 2026 draft


Dani Dennis-Sutton, EDGE, Penn State

Paulsen’s projection:
Third round
Height: 6-5
Weight: 265
2025 stats: 42 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 3 FFs, 3 PDs

Why: He’s a big ole’ hoss. He’s kind of in this long lineage of Penn State edge rushers with Chop Robinson, Abdul Carter, all these guys that have come through. He’s a tier down [from Bailey]. I think you could take him with that third-round pick at 71. He’s bigger; he’s got a complement of moves. He’s more of a power rusher…but I think there’s more athletic juice. There’s more “pass-rusher” there. He’s got long arms. He’s got everything you want. He’s big; he’s heavy-handed. So, if you want just a solid rotational piece, he kind of falls into that mold.



A to Z Sports

Day 3 options at EDGE


Logan Fano, Utah

Logan Fano is an older draft prospect at 24 years old, but he has a high floor as a big-time run stopper who can still get to the quarterback. He doesn’t have the flashy sack numbers with only five in 2025, but he has a 24.5% win rate in true pass rush sets, so he wins his matchups. Fano has a bigger frame that you want in an EDGE defender at 6-5, 260 pounds, and a lot of experience that can help him produce day one for a defense.

Logan Fano (6’5 260) Utah

+ Ideal frame for an edge
+ 76.8 run defense grade
+ Diagnosing as a run defender
+ 24.5% win rate on true pass sets
+ 1,300 snaps played in last 3 years
+ Football family with his brother Spencer and four uncles that played in the league

– ACL… pic.twitter.com/RWoNADtx9o

— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) January 21, 2026


Riggo’s Rag

Commanders could consider giving Tyler Biadasz a contract extension this offseason


Nicki Jhabvala from The Athletic thought the Commanders could lock down starting center Tyler Biadasz at some stage this offseason. He’s heading into the final year of his deal, and tying him up long-term would give quarterback Jayden Daniels even more stability beyond 2026.

“The Commanders also need to lock up their center for the long term to keep their front five intact for years to come, and to provide [Jayden] Daniels some continuity. Biadasz has a $1 million roster bonus due April 1 and carries an $11 million salary cap hit for 2026.”Nicki Jhabvala

Biadasz is a solid player. He’s been a dependable presence over the last two seasons, communicating pre-snap and effectively blending run blocking and pass protection. While the former Wisconsin standout isn’t a world-beater by any stretch, the Commanders could do a lot worse.

At 28, Biadasz has a lot of good football left. Dan Quinn knows him well from their time together on the Dallas Cowboys, and he made the lineman one of his most pressing targets in 2024 free agency. He’s done nothing to suggest he isn’t deserving of a new contract.



Commanders Wire

Who is Joe Cullen?


Many won’t know the name. Some will recognize the name “Joe Cullen” but are not sure who he is. A few will recall that he recently interviewed for the Washington Commanders’ defensive coordinator position.

One concern is that, with so many openings this offseason, the top candidates are taking the top jobs, leaving the Commanders with someone who has not previously been a defensive coordinator.

Cullen is not currently a defensive coordinator. But he has been a defensive coordinator, and more than once. Currently, the defensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs (2022-2025), Cullen, a former college noseguard at the University of Massachusetts, graduated in 1990 with a Bachelor’s in Sports Management.

Getting his early coaching experiences in college football, Cullen coached defensive line at UMass, Richmond, LSU, Memphis, Indiana and Idaho State. He has college defensive coordinator experience at Richmond and Indiana. There is plenty of NFL experience too, where he coached defensive line for the Lions, Jaguars, Browns, Bucs, Ravens and Chiefs. He also has one year of NFL defensive coordinator experience, having led the Jaguars’ defense in 2021. Unfortunately for Cullen, Urban Meyer’s lone NFL season was a failure, and he never really had a chance.

When it was reported that Cullen interviewed with the Commanders, Chiefs star defensive tackle Chris Jones made it clear he didn’t want his coach to leave.



Commanders Wire

5 Washington Commanders who shouldn’t return in 2026


Quan Martin, S

Quan Martin did play in all 17 games for the Commanders in 2025, but the results weren’t exactly promising. The safety racked up 99 tackles, one tackle for loss, and three pass deflections.

Pro Football Focus was not a fan of Martin’s play, giving the defender a pitiful 50.2 grade in 2025. That ranked 89th out of 98 qualified safeties, and the Commanders could almost assuredly find better production elsewhere. The team could free over $3 million by cutting Martin before June 1.


Podcasts & videos

Top-Tier Tight Ends + NEW Stadium Reveal Reactions! | Command Center | Washington Commanders | NFL​


Episode 1,245 – Guest: @MarkBullockNFL. Great All-22 analysis of the Commanders' defensive-coordinator candidates, including Karl Scott, Al Harris, Jonathan Gannon & Patrick Graham. Pros/cons, styles of defense & much more. Who should/will Washington hire?https://t.co/Nstf9rq301

— Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) January 23, 2026

NFC East links


ESPN

Source: Cowboys reach DC agreement with Eagles’ Christian Parker


Parker, 34, has spent the past two seasons as the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator and secondary coach. He has worked under Eagles defensive coordinator Vic Fangio since 2021 when they were with the Denver Broncos.

He helped develop Eagles cornerbacks Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean into Pro Bowlers in their second seasons while also getting productivity from veterans like Darius Slay, C.J. Gardner-Johnson and Reed Blankenship. DeJean was effusive in his praise of Parker on X, writing “wouldn’t be the player I am without Coach CP.”

This marks the first time since Monte Kiffin in 2013 that the Cowboys have not had a former NFL head coach as their defensive coordinator. Since then, they have had Rod Marinelli (2014-19), Mike Nolan (2020), Dan Quinn (2021-23), Mike Zimmer (2024) and Matt Eberflus (2025), who was fired after Dallas finished last in the league in points allowed and 30th in yards per game.



Bleeding Green Nation

Eagles reportedly lose Christian Parker to the Cowboys


Bad news for Philly

Losing Parker was likely inevitable. Losing him to a division rival isn’t very fun.

We previously touched on Parker’s value:

The 34-year-old Parker has a strong track record of getting the best out of his players. He notably oversaw the development of Patrick Surtain II with the Denver Broncos before coming to Philly and coaching Quinyon Mitchell and Cooper DeJean to All-Pro status in their second seasons.

The Eagles have had one of the best defenses in the NFL since they hired him along with Vic Fangio during the 2024 offseason. The team would probably like to retain him, especially since he could potentially be a Fangio successor one day. But it’s quite possible — if not outright likely — that Parker will be poached before that can happen.

It’s possible that Parker is a good position coach but not a good defensive coordinator. And Dallas has a long way to go in remaking their talent on that side of the ball after it was such a disastrous unit under Matt Eberflus in 2025.

But it’ll be pretty annoying for the Eagles if Parker helps the Cowboys turn things around in a big way.



Big Blue View

Dallas Cowboys’ defensive coordinator hiring good news for NY Giants


Charlie Bullen, Daronte Jones, Jim Leonhard bypassed by Dallas

Charlie Bullen, outside linebackers coach for the New York Giants the past two seasons and interim defensive coordinator the final five games of the 2025 season, will not become defensive coordinator of the Dallas Cowboys.

The Cowboys are set to name Philadelphia Eagles passing game coordinator Christian Parker as their new defensive coordinator, replacing the fired Matt Eberflus.

In further good news for Harbaugh and the Giants, three other candidates believed to be in consideration to become Harbaugh’s defensive coordinator in New York were bypassed by the Cowboys. Those are Minnesota Vikings’ defensive pass game coordinator Daronte Jones, Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator Zach Orr, and Denver Broncos’ defensive pass game coordinator Jim Leonhard.


NFL league links

Selected coaching updates​

Your next coach of the Baltimore Ravens.

We have agreed to terms with Jesse Minter to be our head coach! pic.twitter.com/5VEBGk8iB1

— Baltimore Ravens (@Ravens) January 22, 2026
The updated NFL head coach landscape:

🏈Ravens: Jesse Minter
🏈Giants: John Harbaugh
🏈Falcons: Kevin Stefanski
🏈Dolphins: Jeff Hafley
🏈Titans: Robert Saleh
🏈Bills:
🏈Steelers
🏈Browns
🏈Cardinals
🏈Raiders

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026
It would not be surprising to see the Ravens hire Kliff Kingsbury as their offensive coordinator under Jesse Minter, their new coach. Kingsbury interviewed with the Ravens for their head coaching job.

— MarkMaske (@MarkMaske) January 22, 2026
The deal is now done. https://t.co/6VUeKvxm1V

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 22, 2026
The Titans continue to work through offensive coordinator options, with Kliff Kingsbury, Arthur Smith, Brian Daboll, Adam Stenavich and Bobby Slowik among the potential options, per sources. All have OC experience as Robert Saleh looks for the right man to work with QB Cam Ward.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2026
Former New York Giants coach Brian Daboll will meet with owner Terry Pegula, Brandon Beane and other key Bills decision-makers today.

The 50-year-old’s top choice is to become Buffalo’s next head coach. Today, he gets a shot at an in-person interview. pic.twitter.com/rLUlzzz7Gx

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 22, 2026
Wilson figured to be out in Tennessee once the Titans hired a defensive minded HC.

Washington interviewed Wilson for its DC opening. https://t.co/69uInaapQW

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 22, 2026

Articles​


NFL.com

NFL Honors: Finalists announced for MVP, other awards from 2025 season


AP Most Valuable Player presented by Invisalign
Josh Allen, Buffalo Bills QB
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars QB
Drake Maye, New England Patriots QB
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams QB

AP Defensive Player of the Year presented by TCL
Will Anderson Jr., Houston Texans DE
Nik Bonitto, Denver Broncos LB
Myles Garrett, Cleveland Browns DE
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions DE
Micah Parsons, Green Bay Packers DE

AP Offensive Player of the Year presented by Microsoft Copilot
Drake Maye, New England Patriots QB
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
Puka Nacua, Los Angeles Rams WR
Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons RB
Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Seattle Seahawks WR

AP Offensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL
Jaxson Dart, New York Giants QB
Emeka Egbuka, Tampa Bay Buccaneers WR
TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots RB
Tetairoa McMillan, Carolina Panthers WR
Tyler Shough, New Orleans Saints QB

AP Defensive Rookie of the Year presented by EA SPORTS Madden NFL
Abdul Carter, New York Giants LB
Nick Emmanwori, Seattle Seahawks DB
James Pearce Jr., Atlanta Falcons DE
Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns LB
Xavier Watts, Atlanta Falcons S

AP Comeback Player of the Year
Stefon Diggs, New England Patriots WR
Aidan Hutchinson, Detroit Lions DE
Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars QB
Christian McCaffrey, San Francisco 49ers RB
Dak Prescott, Dallas Cowboys QB

AP Coach of the Year
Liam Coen, Jacksonville Jaguars
Ben Johnson, Chicago Bears
Mike Macdonald, Seattle Seahawks
Kyle Shanahan, San Francisco 49ers
Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots

AP Assistant Coach of the Year
Vic Fangio, Philadelphia Eagles DC
Brian Flores, Minnesota Vikings DC
Vance Joseph, Denver Broncos DC
Klint Kubiak, Seattle Seahawks OC
Josh McDaniels, New England Patriots OC



ESPN

NFL quarterbacks with first start of season in playoffs


Check out other quarterbacks who made their first start of the season in the playoffs below:


Discussion topics


ESPN

2026 NFL offseason WR market: Free agents, trade candidates


Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers

An occasionally tumultuous run for Doubs in Green Bay likely came to an end in the Packers’ wild-card loss to the Bears. The underrated Doubs was suitably impactful in his final game, catching eight passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. That goes well with a 151-yard performance in his playoff debut, a win over the Cowboys in the 2023 wild-card round, and an 83-yard follow-up the subsequent week against the 49ers.

Given how often the Packers run the ball and how willing they are to rotate a deep, flat receiving corps, Doubs has also gone missing at times. He literally did so for a few practices in 2024, leading the Packers to suspend their 2022 fourth-round pick for a game. Doubs returned and played out the rest of his Packers tenure without incident, but GM Brian Gutekunst used two of his top three picks in the 2025 draft on wide receivers and extended Christian Watson, who would have also been a free agent.

Doubs is therefore extremely likely to actually make it to free agency, which isn’t always the case for young wideouts. And there has been steady growth in his underlying metrics. Doubs’ yards per route run has improved during his time in Green Bay, from 1.4 during his rookie and second seasons to 1.8 in Year 3 and 1.9 in Year 4. Drops can be an issue, but the 6-foot-2 wideout produced a top-30 catch score this season, per ESPN’s receiver scores.

I’ll be fascinated to see where Doubs’ deal comes in. There’s a chance teams see him as only a midtier No. 2 receiver, leaving him something in the range of $15 million per year. I suspect there will be at least one team that sees him as a player with untapped potential who could blossom in a more pass-happy scheme and with a steadier, more reliable usage pattern. That team might be willing to go north of $20 million per season.

Alec Pierce, Indianapolis Colts

Last offseason, teams desperate for speed simply overpaid to sign replacement-level talent at wide receiver in free agency. The Rams brought back Tutu Atwell on a one-year, $10 million deal and got 192 receiving yards over 10 games, as the move into 13 personnel groupings and the ascension of Xavier Smith and Konata Mumpfield cut off Atwell’s access to the field as the third wideout behind Davante Adams and Puka Nacua.

The Jaguars signed Dyami Brown to an identical contract after a hot postseason in Washington, yet despite Travis Hunter’s knee injury, they essentially lost interest in Brown after a slow start. Jacksonville traded for Jakobi Meyers and promoted Parker Washington ahead of him in the lineup. Brown played single-digit snaps down the stretch and was a healthy scratch in the season-ending loss to the Bills.

If speedy receivers who barely see the field are worth $10 million deals, Pierce’s pending free agency poses an interesting question: What if a speedy receiver who was actually good hit the market? Pierce narrowly topped 1,000 yards for the first time as a pro with a 132-yard effort against the Texans in Week 18, but his breakout wasn’t really a product of better quarterback play in 2025. His rate of off-target potential receptions was roughly the same in 2024 (23.5%) and 2025 (23.8%).

Deebo Samuel, Washington Commanders

Catch Samuel on the right week and he’s devastating. Samuel led the league in yards after catch score (in ESPN’s receiver scores) in 2021, 2022 and 2023, and he was second in 2024. He dropped off only to 10th in 2025. He’s still a special talent when it comes to breaking tackles and making something out of nothing. And while Samuel has never put together a full healthy season as a pro, he did manage to play 16 games for the second time in his seven-year career this season.

On the other hand, Samuel has consistent problems with drops and fumbles, with three of the latter coming on 89 touches in 2025. He has become less impactful as a runner, where he managed just four first downs on 17 carries this season. And with each passing year, Samuel’s 1,405-receiving yard, 365-rushing yard campaign of 2021 looks more and more like an outlier. He averaged nearly 111 yards from scrimmage that season and is at 61 yards from scrimmage per game across his six other seasons, a figure that fell all the way to 50 yards from scrimmage per game in 2025.

Samuel spent most of the season playing with various backup quarterbacks as opposed to Jayden Daniels, which obviously hurt Samuel’s chance at a big season. But even if you prorate out Samuel’s six games with Daniels under center, we end up with 99 catches for just 850 yards, which tells you how much of Samuel’s production came on screens and lateral throws around the line of scrimmage. His average target with Daniels on the field traveled just 4.5 yards in the air, which would rank 65th out of 67 wideouts in terms of target depth over a full season.

There’s a useful player here, but Samuel’s injury history, problems holding on to the football and age (he turns 30 in January) will limit his market. It would be surprising if Samuel landed a multiyear guarantee, and he’s likely to take a pay cut from the $17.5 million he made this season.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

Though Coleman had a 36-yard catch-and-run against the Jaguars, the 2024 second-round pick has clearly fallen out of favor in Buffalo. Coleman was both benched for disciplinary reasons and subsequently healthy scratched multiple times in 2025. When he has been on the field, Coleman managed 59 catches for 404 yards and four touchdowns, much of which came in a comeback win over the Ravens in Week 1. He had 112 yards in that win and hasn’t topped 50 yards in a game since then. It seemed telling in the wild-card round that Tyrell Shavers — who was literally playing through a torn ACL — had more snaps in the second half than Coleman.

Coleman still has two years left on his rookie deal and will make $3.8 million between 2026 and 2027, most of which is already guaranteed. That’s a pittance for a player whom teams saw as a Day 2 pick heading into the 2024 draft, which is why there will be interest if the Bills do decide that a fresh start is best for all parties involved. Given that owner Terry Pegula seemed to blame the decision to draft Coleman on fired coach Sean McDermott during an explosive news conference Wednesday, it’s safe to say that Coleman is better off getting out of Buffalo.

The Commanders received a third-round pick (and moved a fifth-rounder) when they sent Jahan Dotson to the Eagles, while the Cowboys sent a fourth-round pick to the Panthers for Jonathan Mingo and a seventh-round selection. The Bills should be able to get something in line with the latter price for Coleman, with teams betting they can get more out of his size and contested-catch ability than Buffalo.


aBit o’Twitter

We have signed CB Qwuantrezz Knight to a Reserve/Futures contract pic.twitter.com/xhSZMBc6OI

— Washington Commanders (@Commanders) January 22, 2026
John Keim believes Raheem Morris is the Commanders' top candidate for defensive coordinator pic.twitter.com/bOcIcQ8v9q

— The Team 980 (@team980) January 22, 2026
I agree. Safe, lazy hire IMO.

I really want Scott over him https://t.co/BPyBcGq3GW

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 22, 2026
John Keim on why the Commanders are at a disadvantage to land a prominent DC due to having major roster holes on defense pic.twitter.com/8YW7RmRnt9

— The Team 980 (@team980) January 22, 2026
During our Film Room today, @MarkBullockNFL highlighted the creative mind of David Blough.

From Detroit to Purdue to Washington, he’s always loved dabbling with trick plays designed to stymie a defense.

Check out the examples below. Who knew Blough had hands? 👀#RaiseHail pic.twitter.com/Ens6F4T2dB

— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) January 22, 2026
temp-karl-scott-tweet.jpg

Let's do this one better… only 4 NFL teams have similarly discounted jerseys on all current players online & in-person at Dick's 🚨
– Commanders: all except white "throwbacks"
– Falcons: all except black throwbacks
– Ravens: all
– Titans: all

Not only are those 4 teams I… https://t.co/kAR7LXDwVB pic.twitter.com/5EIqAMYsd4

— Zach Cohen (@ZachCohenFB) January 22, 2026
Washington is one of a few teams who will be getting new alternate uniforms, including helmets, for the 2026 season.

Could mean the “alternate” is moving to permanent and a new alternate will be unveiled.

Should be fun to watch this offseason

— Mark Tyler (Hogs Haven) (@Tiller56) January 22, 2026
💻 @JoshPateCFB

Now that the Transfer Portal is "closed," what happens to all the players who are trapped in purgatory without a new team? pic.twitter.com/T7fWC2xJae

— Rich Eisen Show (@RichEisenShow) January 22, 2026
20 years of NFC Championship games 👀

Can you spot the ONE team that hasn't made it? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/StAQLTSfpe

— DraftKings (@DraftKings) January 21, 2026


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/daily-slo...de-edge-players-who-could-help-the-commanders
 
Washington Commanders Coaching Search Tracker: Steelers DC interviewed

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Teryl Austin interviewed​


The Washington Commanders reportedly prefer to hire a coach with play calling experience as their next defensive coordinator and they’ve added a new name to the list. The Steelers are searching for a new head coach after Mike Tomlin stepped down. His defensive coordinator Teryl Austin has interviewed to be Washington’s next DC.

Another name to add to the Commanders’ defensive coordinator search: Steelers DC Teryl Austin interviewed for the job, per sources.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 23, 2026

Al Harris, next man up?​


The Washington Commanders are interviewing Bears secondary coach Al Harris, who had the same role under Dan Quinn when they were with the Dallas Cowboys two years ago. Dallas blocked Quinn’s attempt to add Harris to his coaching staff in Washington. If Harris is hired, he would replace Joe Whitt Jr, who he worked with in Dallas.

Quinn worked with Harris in Dallas of course. Washington had been intent on hiring an experienced DC/play caller. Harris lacks that experience (as does Karl Scott). But with Ulbrich and Flores out (uncertain on Morris) search is expanded https://t.co/q1m0WSaOJd

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 22, 2026
Confirmed candidates who have interviewed or will interview for the Commanders' DC job:

Joe Cullen, Chiefs DL coach
Brian Flores, Vikings DC
Jonathan Gannon, ex-Cardinals HC
Patrick Graham, Raiders DC
Al Harris, Bears DBs/pass game coord.
Karl Scott, Seahawks DBs coach
Dennard…

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 22, 2026

Brian Flores signs extension to stay with Vikings as DC; only leaving for HC job​


The Washington Commanders were the only team that Vikings DC Brian Flores interviewed with for a defensive coordinator position. He has been focused on becoming a head coach again, and he’s only going to leave Minnesota if he gets that opportunity. Flores’s contract was up after this season, but he’s signed an extension, taking him off the DC market.

Defensive coordinator Brian Flores has signed a contract extension with the Vikings. If he does not receive a head coaching job this cycle, he will be back as the team’s defensive coordinator.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 22, 2026

Anthony Lynn gets a head coaching interview​


Anthony Lynn hasn’t been a head coach since 2020 when he was fired by the Los Angeles Chargers after four seasons, but has his first interview opportunity with the Buffalo Bills. He was hired by the Washington Commanders as their run game coordinator. Lynn was part of Dan Quinn’s new coaching staff, and he brought a lot of experience as a former player, running backs coach, offensive coordinator, and his two stints as a head coach.

The Bills gave him his first taste of being a head coach, but it was on an interim basis after Rex Ryan was fired. He was a finalist to keep the job that eventually went to recently-fired Sean McDermott, and now gets another chance to get the gig full-time. Lynn was not interviewed for the Commanders OC job which went to assistant QB coach David Blough.

Former Bills assistant head coach and current Commanders run game coordinator Anthony Lynn — a finalist for the Buffalo head coaching job in 2017 that went to Sean McDermott — is scheduled to interview for the Bills head coach job Saturday, per a league source.

Back in 2017,… pic.twitter.com/ctgZnTiFuS

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 21, 2026

Darnell Stapleton and Shane Toub promoted​


The Commanders fired OL coach Bobby Johnson on the same day they parted ways with former offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury and are now promoting Johnson’s assistant OL coach to his old job. Darnell Stapleton is the Commanders new OL coach, and offensive quality control coach Shane Toub will be his new assistant.

Stapleton built up a strong rapport with Blough over their last two years together as assistant positional coaches in Washington. Stapleton was well-liked by players, heavily involved in pass protections and helped with game planning.
Sources: Commanders are naming Darnell Stapleton offensive line coach and Shane Toub assistant OL coach. Promotions for both. Stapleton has worked closely with new OC David Blough and been a big part of Washington’s game
planning and protection plans the last two years.

— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) January 19, 2026

Danny Etling hired as assistant QB coach​


The Washington Commanders have hired their third new coach on offense, adding former NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant QB coach. He will work under new offensive coordinator David Blough and QB coach D.J. Williams. Blough was given the promotion from assistant QB to OC after Kliff Kingsbury’s departure earlier this month. Etling never played in a regular season NFL game, and spent the last two seasons in the UFL with the Michigan Panthers. This will be his first coaching job after retiring from playing football. Etling and Blough were teammates in college at Purdue.

The #Commanders are hiring former LSU and NFL QB Danny Etling as assistant quarterbacks coach, sources tell @CBSSports.

Was a 2018 draft pick of the Patriots and then spent six seasons in the NFL as a player. Now set to return to the NFL as a coach. pic.twitter.com/sWehXJjedo

— Matt Zenitz (@mzenitz) January 16, 2026

D.J. Williams hired as QB Coach to replace Tavita Pritchard and to work under David Blough​


The Commanders front office has been searching for a QB coach ever since announcing David Blough’s promotion last week. Today Adam Schefter and others reported the hiring of D.J. Williams, son of Washington legend Doug Williams, for the role.

Commanders are hiring former Falcons QBs coach D.J. Williams as their QB coach, per sources. D.J. is the son of Washington legend Doug Williams, an executive in the Commanders’ front office.

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 15, 2026

After 2 years of entry level work in with the Saints, Williams joined the NFL coaching ranks as an offensive assistant for New Orleans in 2019. Williams was hired as the assistant quarterbacks coach for the Falcons in 2024, and promoted to quarterbacks coach in 2025. The Atlanta staff is in flux following the firing of head coach Raheem Morris, and defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich is seen as an attractive candidate for a number of teams trying to replace defensive coordinators, including the Commanders.

D.J. is the first new coach to join David Blough’s staff. The Commanders also interviewed Mike Bercovici, the Panthers assistant quarterback coach, for the position.


Brian Flores interviewing today​


The Washington Commanders were hoping to interview Minnesota Vikings defensive coordinator, and that is happening today. His contract is expiring, but Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell has already said he’d like him back if he doesn’t get an opportunity to be a head coach again during this hiring cycle. The Commanders could use someone of Flores’s coaching pedigree, but he is in high demand, and a lot of people expect him to stay in Minnesota.

The #Commanders are, in fact, interviewing Brian Flores for their DC job today, source said. https://t.co/LcOZvqqXyt

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 14, 2026

Washington interviews Seahawks DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott​


The Washington Commanders added another name to their defensive coordinator search list today. ESPN’s John Keim reports they have interviewed Seattle Seahawks DBs coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott for the position formerly held by Joe Whitt Jr. He has been coaching since 2007, but didn’t get a job in the NFL until 2021 as a DBs coach with the Minnesota Vikings.

Scott has been with the Seahawks since 2022, and is highly-regarded around the league. The Seahawks have one of the top defenses in the league, and have several players Washington could be interested in adding in free agency this year. Scott is also the only known candidate who doesn’t have past experience as a DC.

Washington interviewed Seattle DB coach/pass game coordinator Karl Scott per me and @BradyHenderson for their defensive coordinator opening. He's the only one they've interviewed without prior DC experience. They will meet with Jonathan Gannon Thursday.

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 14, 2026
Hire Karl Scott

Bring: Mafe, Bryant and Woolen with you. pic.twitter.com/cZgj5cQqHE

— Steve (@AirRaidConcepts) January 4, 2026

Former Cardinals HC/Eagles DC Jonathan Gannon scheduled for DC interview​

Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026

Dennard Wilson interviewed for DC job​


Dennard Wilson is a veteran NFL coach who was the defensive coordinator for the Tennessee Titans the last two seasons. He is the latest name added to the Washington Commanders interview list for their open defensive coordinator position.

Wilson, 43, is a Hyatteville, MD native went to DeMatha High School and played at Maryland. His only season in the NFL was with the Washington Redskins in 2004, playing safety on the practice squad. Wilson entered coaching after an injury ended his first season, going back to DeMatha as their passing game coordinator & DBs coach. He spent two years as a graduate assistant at Maryland before getting his first opportunity to coach in the NFL with the St. Louis Rams as a defensive quality control coach. Wilson spent time with the Jets, Eagles, and Ravens, before getting his first coordinator job with the Titans in 2024.

Joe Cullen interviewed for DC job​


Mike Garafolo reports that Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen has interviewed with Washington as the replacement for fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt. This is the first time Cullen’s name has been mentioned nationally this cycle. Back in 2024, prior to Super Bowl LVIII, Kansas City quietly inked him to a contract extension.

Cullen, 58, entered the NFL as a defensive assistant in 2006 with the Lions. He returned to the college ranks in 2009 before the Jaguars hired him as their defensive line coach a year later. He also was the defensive line coach for the Browns (2013), Bucs (2014-15), Ravens (2016-20) and joined the Chiefs in that role in 2022. In 2021, Cullen was the defensive coordinator of the Jaguars.

It would seem that his most obvious link to the Commanders decision-makers may have come from his 3-year stint (’06-‘08) as the Lions defensive line coach when Asst GM Lance Newmark was in Detroit, but relationships in the NFL often run deep.

The #Commanders have interviewed #Chiefs DL coach Joe Cullen for their vacant defensive coordinator job, source said. He is a long-time D-line guru and was previously the #Jaguars DC.

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 9, 2026

Just launched my 2026 NFL Coaching Staff Tracker. Update every team's HC, OC, and DC hires in one place. Includes coach stats, EPA rankings, and full coaching tree relationships (parents, siblings, uncles, nephews) to help you build the perfect staff.https://t.co/LnuugqOZId pic.twitter.com/A9pNlwKIoE

— Jake Cardonick (@JakeCar120) January 19, 2026

Original story​


The Washington Commanders moved on from offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr., and offensive line coach Bobby Johnson yesterday. There are more changes expected with two new coordinators set to be hired. Kingsbury was expected to get head coaching consideration, despite the Commanders 5-12 season, but conflicts about offensive scheme reportedly led Washington to let him go shortly after the season ended.

There was more news from Washington yesterday, with Commanders assistant QB coach David Blough reportedly getting an interview with his former team, the Detroit Lions, for their newly-vacated offensive coordinator job. Johnny Morton was fired after one season of not being able to live up to the legend of Ben Johnson.

Blough was seen as a young, upcoming coach who was being groomed to take over OC when Kingsbury left for a bigger opportunity. QB coach Tavita Pritchard left Washington late last year for the head coaching position at his alma mater, Stanford, and Blough took on a lot of his responsibilities, along with Brian Johnson. Blough, along with other coaches that were seen as Kingsbury guys could also exit after yesterday’s news.

Follow along here for update from Washington’s search, and from other searches around the league. Seven head coaches have already been fired, and a few of them could be candidates for Washington’s coordinator openings.

Washington Commanders Rumors​

Former #AZCardinals coach Jonathan Gannon had a busy week ahead. Sources tell me and @MikeGarafolo that his interview schedule is as follows:
#Cowboys for DC tomorrow.
#Commanders for DC Thursday.
#Titans for HC Sunday. pic.twitter.com/mEeaqesHsF

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 12, 2026
Commanders requested an interview with Raiders defensive coordinator Patrick Graham for their defensive coordinator job, per source. pic.twitter.com/jRL82TZGcn

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

NFL Coaching Rumors​

Jeff Ulbrich staying on as Falcons defensive coordinator, per @RapSheet https://t.co/0rIqVZZFv4 pic.twitter.com/TWB1pijRCe

— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) January 18, 2026
Welcome to Atlanta, Head Coach Kevin Stefanski! https://t.co/LMaSUdjv0O pic.twitter.com/Vv4vFAvTQr

— Atlanta Falcons (@AtlantaFalcons) January 18, 2026
Welcome to Big Blue, Coach Harbaugh pic.twitter.com/Uoa0ds0rdp

— New York Giants (@Giants) January 17, 2026

Kliff Kingsbury HC interviews​

Former #Commanders OC Kliff Kingsbury was requested to interview for the head coach position for the #Ravens and #Titans, sources say.

The former #AZCardinals head coach is already getting HC interest. pic.twitter.com/SxxM4I1380

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 8, 2026

Raheem Morris​

Former Falcons HC Raheem Morris now has confirmed head coach interviews in the next week with Cardinals, Giants and Titans, per sources. pic.twitter.com/neoRMlRAQ6

— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) January 7, 2026

Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/washingto...aching-search-tracker-steelers-dc-interviewed
 
Daily Slop: 22 Jan 26 – Can 3rd-year player Ben Sinnott step into Zach Ertz’ shoes as the Commanders top tight end?

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Commanders links

Articles​


A to Z Sports

The Commanders have the second-highest salary cap rollover heading into 2026, and Adam Peters has to spend in free agency


After a very conservative approach and budget spending [in 2025], the Commanders are projected to carry over $23.8 million in salary cap space to the 2026 offseason. This is the second most in the NFL, and they’ll need every dollar.

The Commanders currently have the sixth-most salary cap space in the NFL, at $63.5 million. That number can change…if, [for example] the league’s base salary cap goes up again. The Commanders can also make multiple moves to increase it, such as releasing Marshon Lattimore to save another $18.5 million, and extending Laremy Tunsil to lower his 2026 salary cap hit. [Cap space will also go down with season-end adjustments for things like earned incentives, etc. Also, over $12m in cap space will ’disappear’ in mid-March when Deebo Samuels’ contract voids unless it is extended before that time].

The roster is old, has the most pending free agents in the NFL, and needs an upgrade at many starting spots on both sides of the ball. It looks like a disaster on paper, but it’s very doable to take a major step this offseason in rebuilding the foundation of the roster, while swinging big on two or three free agents like Trey Hendrickson, Breece Hall, and Alec Pierce.



Commanders.com

Commanders 2025 position review | Offensive line

  • What’s the situation at left guard? The Commanders originally started the season with Brandon Coleman as the starting left guard but ended up replacing him with Chris Paul in Week 3. Paul, a 2022 seventh-round pick from Tulsa, had a career season as a pass blocker, allowing two sacks and 17 pressures. Paul is set to be a free agent and could feasibly re-sign with the Commanders, but the team also believes that Coleman, who was the starting left tackle in 2024, can make the full transition to guard with a full offseason. Left guard seems to be the only spot for Coleman to be a starter with Tunsil securely placed at left tackle, Biadasz at center, Cosmi at right guard and Conerly at right tackle. The Commanders let Paul and Coleman compete for the spot during training camp, so perhaps they will re-sign Paul and repeat the process in 2026.
  • What happens with the depth? Part of the reason why the Commanders had such a solid offensive line in 2025 was because of its depth. Wylie, Fant and Scott all had starting experience and appeared in certain packages as extra linemen on game days. Now, all three of those players are expected to hit the open market in March. Scott and Fant could be easier to re-sign, but it’s possible Wylie could want to go elsewhere to compete to be a starter. The Commanders do have solid backup options at guard in Allegretti and whoever becomes the backup between Paul and Coleman. Still, though, both backup tackle spots will need to be addressed as well as center.


Hogs Haven

Ben Sinnott: Tight Ends & Peak Performance


Sinnott entered the league as a more explosive, more contact-balanced athlete than Ertz ever was (RAS = 9.72), with more versatility across Y, H, and F alignments. If he were to follow an Ertz-style arc—quiet early seasons followed by major technical growth.

At peak, Sinnott will likely not profile merely as a safety blanket, but as a true middle-of-the-field stressor. An Ertz-arc Sinnott projects to something like 60 to 85 catches, 700 to 950 yards, and six to nine touchdowns annually, with more yards after contact and a deeper ADOT than Ertz typically handled. He’ll win with separation versus linebackers, the ability to hold safeties up the seam, and contact balance after the catch. Sinnott’s early wins have been with tempo, head fakes out of breaks, and vertical stem pressure, along with the ability to cross a defender’s face quickly. The critical leap, just as it was for Ertz, would be moving from “open when designed” to “open when needed.” That transition—from play-dependent to solution-provider—is what defines tight end functionality.

Ertz’s own career trajectory shows how nonlinear this path can be. He entered the league in 2013 as a moderate contributor, grew steadily from 2014 through 2017, exploded in 2018 with 116 catches and 1,163 yards, remained highly productive through 2019. He had a slow build, a multi-year prime, and then gradual decline.

Sinnott’s journey from a walk-on fullback at Kansas State, to the NFL ranks has been short and steep. 2022 was his first experience playing TE in a collegiate uniform. He has largely honed his skills in the NFL in a raw, high-effort mold. This abbreviated college reps at the position—coupled with the fullback roots—likely tamps down his early NFL acceleration, extending the runway for technical polish to emerge.



Heavy.com

Commanders interviewing former Dan Quinn assistant Al Harris after Brian Flores renews contract with Vikings


Quinn will no doubt be pleased the Commanders are sitting down with Chicago Bears passing game coordinator Al Harris, an interview reported by Schefter’s colleague Jeremy Fowler.

Coaxing Harris from the NFC North wouldn’t be the headline move the Commanders would’ve made by hiring Flores. Yet, recruiting Harris would still rate as a minor coup for Quinn.

It would be a reunion of sorts for latter, who had Harris on staff when Quinn served as defensive coordinator for the Dallas Cowboys. That connection is why Harris has previously been tipped as an intriguing option to replace another of Quinn’s former assistants with the Cowboys, Joe Whitt Jr.

The risk would be mistaking a more opportunistic defense for an overall better and more stingy unit. Although the Bears led the NFL in picks and forced 12 fumbles, recovering eight, their defense was also guilty of ranking 23rd in points and 29th in yards, per Pro Football Reference.



Riggo’s Rag

Commanders could have serious competition for Raheem Morris if Dan Quinn declares his interest


Jeremy Fowler of ESPN acknowledged that Raheem Morris is still in contention for the Arizona Cardinals’ head-coaching vacancy. If that doesn’t work out, he’s expected to be a hot commodity for defensive coordinator opportunities, and he named three clubs with strong ties that could throw their hat into the ring.

“Raheem Morris is waiting out head coaching chances – he’s involved in Arizona search – but is expected to have multiple defensive coordinator looks should he not get a head job, per sources. Morris has close ties to Kyle Shanahan (SF), Matt LaFleur (GB) and Dan Quinn (WSH).”Jeremy Fowler

This is a waiting game for everyone. Morris may be holding out for the Arizona job, but he is unlikely to be short of offers if they go with another option.


NFL Draft​

Prospects​


Commanders.com

Logan Paulsen’s ‘Prove it’, ‘Show me’ Shrine Bowl prospects


The opinions expressed in this article do not reflect those of the team.

Over 100 college prospects will meet in Texas to participate in the 2026 East-West Shrine Bowl next week, giving the Washington Commanders and the rest of the NFL an up-close look at their skill sets. While each player has potential, Commanders analyst Logan Paulsen said each player has a few “warts” they’ll need to work out during practice and at the game. He and co-host Jason Johnson laid out on the “Drive to the Draft” podcast” which players need to prove or show them something starting this weekend.

Here are some of Paulsen’s candidates for each category. Take a listen to the full podcast [embedded in the article] for the rest of his analysis.

Diego Pounds, T, Ole Miss

Height:
6-6
Weight: 340 pounds

Paulsen’s take: Prove it

Analysis: This guy can move around a little bit … His ability to sit, get power and get depth on the kick slide and the strength that he had in his body, you can feel that 340 (weight) while also having good knee bend. I left watching that Miami tape — which wasn’t a perfect film by any stretch of the imagination — looking at his frame, looking at his length and being like, “This dude might be a top 10 tackle in this draft.” That’s how good I thought he was. I think he’s a good football player … To me, I just want to see him in person. He reminds me a little bit of Jalen Travis from last year. Is he a perfect athlete? No, but the size, the length, I want to see those measurements come to life.


Compensatory picks​


Over the Cap

Projecting The 2026 Compensatory Picks


This article refers specifically to OTC’s final projection for the 2025 NFL Draft’s compensatory picks. For details on the basics and methodology of projecting compensatory picks in general, please reference this article. Note that this projection does not include compensatory picks awarded via 2020 Resolution JC-2A.

To understand how this projection is generated for each team, please reference the compensatory pick cancellation charts here.

Washington

  • If Deatrich Wise does not qualify, Washington will get a 6th for Dante Fowler.

Philadelphia

  • If Azeez Ojulari does not qualify, Philadelphia gets a 6th for Isaiah Rodgers.

Dallas

  • If Chuma Edoga qualifies and Solomon Thomas and Cooper Rush do not qualify, or if all three players qualify, Dallas will get a 6th for Rico Dowdle.
temp-comp-picks.jpg


Podcasts & videos

Commanders Offensive Recalibration/Riggo Auctions SB17 Jersey​


GAMECHANGER: Washington Commanders Could LAND Maxx Crosby in Bold Patrick Graham Trade Move​


NFC East links


Blogging the Boys

2026 Cowboys Mock Draft: Mel Kiper has Dallas going with defensive stars


Mel Kiper dropped his first mock of the year on Wednesday and he has the Dallas Cowboys going with some heavy-hitters on defense.

12 – Dallas Cowboys
Sonny Styles, LB, Ohio State

If you wanted to score points in 2025, all you needed was a matchup with the Cowboys’ defense. They allowed 30.1 points per game, the most in the league. This is another spot where Jermod McCoy could make sense, though DaRon Bland (foot) will be back in 2026. And I think Keldric Faulk could fit here if he is still on the board. But Dallas could really use an impact player in the middle of the defense. Styles is a former safety, and it’s no surprise once you see his speed. He can close on ball carriers and pass catchers in a flash. With 174 tackles over the past two seasons, he’s a top-10 prospect for me.

20 – Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
Akheem Mesidor, DE, Miami

Miami lost in Monday’s national championship game, but did you watch Mesidor? He had two sacks, bringing his season total to 12.5. He has been around college football for a long time, playing at West Virginia in 2020 and 2021 before transferring to Miami. Mesidor has battled injuries, but his toolbox is full. His bend, burst and power could help the Cowboys recapture some of the pass-rush juice they lost when they traded Micah Parsons in August. Mesidor can get into the backfield quickly and finish, registering 17.5 tackles for loss and four forced fumbles this past season. Taking Sonny Styles at No. 12 then Mesidor here would help that Dallas defense in a big way — but Jerry Jones would have to figure out the secondary on Day 2 or in free agency. That’s yet another hole on that side of the ball.

As Kiper notes at the end of his Mesidor write up though, the Cowboys are not addressing the secondary with either of these picks. He mentions that Dallas could look to shore that up on Day 2 or in free agency which presents some interesting problems:

  1. The Cowboys are not exactly known for dabbling in free agency on a serious level
  2. At the moment the Cowboys do not have any Day 2 picks as they traded them both (the second-rounder as a part of the Quinnen Williams trade and the third-rounder for George Pickens)


Big Blue View

NY Giants news: John Harbaugh lets most defensive assistant coaches go


Charlie Bullen reportedly only defensive coach with a chance to stay

The New York Post is reporting that with the exception of Charlie Bullen all of the team’s 2025 defensive coaches have been let go.

According to the Post, assistant coaches Andre Patterson (defensive line), John Egorugwu (inside linebackers), Marquand Manuel (secondary coach/pass game coordinator) and Jeff Burris (cornerbacks) will not be retained. Assistant defensive line coach Bryan Cox had previously been fired by interim head coach Mike Kafka.

Bullen, the outside linebackers coach, did an excellent job as interim defensive coordinator after taking over for the fired Shane Bowen. Bullen has a previous relationship with GM Joe Schoen, and has also been getting interviews for vacant defensive coordinator positions. Bullen, per the Post, is not yet guaranteed to remain on Harbaugh’s staff.

Per Jordan Ranaan of ESPN, special teams coordinator Michael Ghobrial is also out.

The fate of offensive coaches is not yet known.

In what might be a sign of changes yet to come, though, Harbaugh is the only coach currently listed on the team’s website.



Bleeding Green Nation

Brian Daboll reportedly won’t be the Eagles’ new offensive coordinator


The Philadelphia Eagles reportedly entered their offensive coordinator search with Mike McDaniel and Brian Daboll as their top two candidates.

It’s now looking like the Eagles have struck out on both options.

McDaniel is reportedly going to the Los Angeles Chargers.

Daboll is reportedly between the Buffalo Bills head coach opening and the Tennessee Titans offensive coordinator opening, according to a report from The Athletic

As a reminder, here are the known candidates that realistically remain (it’s possible someone like Joe Brady still gets added to the mix, we’ll see):

  • Former Tampa Bay Buccaneers offensive coordinator Josh Grizzard
  • Former Atlanta Falcons offensive coordinator Zac Robinson
  • Former New York Giants interim head coach Mike Kafka
  • Indianapolis Colts offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter
  • Miami Dolphins senior passing game coordinator Bobby Slowik
  • LSU offensive coordinator Charlie Weis Jr.

NFL league links

Selected coaching updates​

The Vikings have signed defensive coordinator Brian Flores to a new contract, sources tell me and @RapSheet.

Flores is still a candidate with the Steelers and Ravens head coaching jobs. But if he doesn’t land one of those, he’ll stay in Minnesota. pic.twitter.com/RAPKF9kZkR

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 22, 2026
By signing an extension with the Vikings’ DC, Flores really just eliminated the Commanders from contention. He could still get a head-coaching job this cycle.

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 22, 2026
Quinn worked with Harris in Dallas of course. Washington had been intent on hiring an experienced DC/play caller. Harris lacks that experience (as does Karl Scott). But with Ulbrich and Flores out (uncertain on Morris) search is expanded https://t.co/q1m0WSaOJd

— John Keim (@john_keim) January 22, 2026
Confirmed candidates who have interviewed or will interview for the Commanders' DC job:

Joe Cullen, Chiefs DL coach
Brian Flores, Vikings DC
Jonathan Gannon, ex-Cardinals HC
Patrick Graham, Raiders DC
Al Harris, Bears DBs/pass game coord.
Karl Scott, Seahawks DBs coach
Dennard…

— Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) January 22, 2026
I’ve often communicated that a potential reason why the Commanders haven’t made a decision and/or a defensive coordinator hasn’t been hired just yet is because…..person(s) are still in the playoffs.

Just a thought.

— CWallSports (@cwallse) January 22, 2026
I think it's pretty clear Washington is now expanding their D-coordinator search now that Flores & Ulbrich are off the board.

— JP Finlay (@JPFinlayNBCS) January 22, 2026
BREAKING: Excellent Steelers insider Mark Kaboly says Pittsburgh native Mike McCarthy is the current favorite to be the next Steelers Head Coach.

Sweet sassy molassy. pic.twitter.com/iQbU9Z2NBX

— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) January 21, 2026
The Eagles are conducting their offensive coordinator search with the understanding that Brian Daboll wants the Bills’ head coaching job. If he doesn’t land it, Daboll is expected to wind up in Tennessee as the offensive coordinator for Cam Ward and the Titans, per sources.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 21, 2026
In essence, Kevin is running back his staff and saying his methods were not the problem.

He's saying Cleveland was the problem. I'm Fascinated to watch this plays out. https://t.co/2W3SITlukU

— Nick Karns (@karnsies817) January 21, 2026
The Buccaneers are bringing ex-Titans coach Brian Callahan back for a second interview for their offensive coordinator spot tomorrow, per sources. With Mike McDaniel off the market, Callahan, ex-Falcons OC Zac Robinson and Bengals OC Dan Pitcher are among those still in it.

— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) January 21, 2026
As the Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers continue to show strong interest in Anthony Weaver for head coach, the Buffalo Bills have also submitted a request to interview the Dolphins defensive coordinator for head coach, per sources.

— Dianna Russini (@DMRussini) January 21, 2026
The #Bills initial list of HC requests:

• Bills OC Joe Brady
• Jaguars OC Grant Udinski
• Ex-Giants HC Brian Daboll
• Colts DC Lou Anarumo
• Dolphins DC Anthony Weaver
• Commanders RBs Coach Anthony Lynn

There likely will be more.

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
#Ravens special teams coordinator Chris Horton is among a handful of coaches the team has blocked for lateral moves, sources say. His assistant Anthony Levine Sr. and senior ST coach Randy Brown might also be retained, pending the new HC hire. pic.twitter.com/piSeRNCGlI

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 20, 2026
The question was, if the #Broncos win, will Davis Webb's HC stock rise? Answer: It's already high. pic.twitter.com/NKsOieGVzv

— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) January 21, 2026
If Broncos’ assistant Davis Webb gets a head coaching job — he’s in on Baltimore and Las Vegas, possibly Buffalo — one name floated in league circles as a possible OC pairing: Kliff Kingsbury, Webb’s coach at Texas Tech.

Kingsbury will have options and is in on head jobs, too. pic.twitter.com/WxvyE0eydA

— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) January 21, 2026
13 years after his time as head coach of the Lions ended, Jim Schwartz could be getting his second shot, in Cleveland. https://t.co/RGcajxURRJ

— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) January 21, 2026
The Bills requested an interview with Jaguars offensive coordinator Grant Udinski for their head coaching job, per source.

Udinski, who just turned 30, has a second interview for the Browns job on Friday. pic.twitter.com/GJnb3hdBZr

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) January 21, 2026

Articles​


ESPN

Bills owner made call to fire coach in locker room after loss


“My decision to bring in a new coach was based on the results of our game in Denver,” Pegula, 74, said during a 54-minute interview session Wednesday that included general manager Brandon Beane, who was also made president of football operations this week.

The owner, however, did not base the decision just off the result of the game, but instead, from the collection of events that had taken place over years in the postseason.

“I did not fire Coach [McDermott] based on a bad officiating decision. If I can take you into that locker room, I felt like we hit the proverbial playoff wall year after year — 13 seconds, missed field goal, the catch. So, I just sensed in that locker room, like, where do we go from here with what we have? And that was the basis for my decision.”

#Bills owner Terry Pegula explains his rationale for firing Sean McDermott:

Says it came after the loss in Denver, when looking at the locker room, including a Josh Allen "with his head down, crying" who would not even acknowledge Pegula.#BillsMafia @WGRZ pic.twitter.com/M0yPPC75HJ

— Jonathan Acosta (@JAcostaTV) January 21, 2026
"Great roster. Good coaching. No Super Bowl appearance…It was the sense of how do we overcome this? And I just couldn't see us doing that with Sean [McDermott]" – #Bills owner Terry Pegula on his decision to fire Sean McDermott pic.twitter.com/GzSt5uBvR1

— Carl Jones (@Jones11_) January 21, 2026


Commanders Wire

Ravens QB Lamar Jackson wants Kliff Kingsbury


In an appearance on “The Herd,” with Colin Cowherd, NFL insider Dianna Russini of The Athletic said that Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson wants Kingsbury in Baltimore, as do his receivers.

“The plan for OC has to be there, Kliff Kingsbury is a name that’s out there,” Russini said. “I can tell you, I know for a fact, Lamar Jackson and those receivers would like Kliff Kingsbury to run their offense. They have shown support, they have been vocal about it. They’ve been part of some of these interviews. Lamar Jackson is part of these. He’s zooming in, he’s in touch with the decision-makers, of what he likes, who he’s liked. We’ll see how this shakes out, but I think that Anthony Weaver is one of those, again, I mentioned, that is going to be in the running for this job. And from what I understand, Kliff Kingsbury would be his OC.”
"I know for a fact that Lamar Jackson and those receivers would like Kliff Kingsbury to run their offense. They've shown support. They've been vocal about it.

From what I understand, [he] would be [Weaver's] OC." – @DMRussini pic.twitter.com/MxT87PsSC0

— Russell St. Report (@RussellStReport) January 21, 2026

Discussion topics


Front Office Sports

NFL Should Make Refs Full-Time Employees


Fox Sports rules analyst Mike Pereira says its time for NFL to hire part-time referees as full-time employees

During an interview with columnist Scott Fowler of The Charlotte Observer, Pereira said the 17 referees who lead NFL officiating crews should be full-time employees. Put them all in the same office year-round, said Pereira. That way they can train together, commiserate and hopefully improve performance and consistency.

“I think it’s time to look at full-time officials. Not everyone. But I do believe that the person that represents the crew in the field, the guy in the white hat, the referee—I think those 17 people should be full-time working together all year,” said Pereira. “Not going home in between games, but going to an officiating institute and breaking down all the games together, so the messages are consistent. … I’m not a fan of making everyone full-time, but make the referees full-time. To me, it’s time for that.”

The 75-year-old served as an NFL ref and the league’s VP of officiating before becoming the first TV rules analyst in 2010. The opportunity is coming to turn Pereira’s suggestion into a reality.

The league’s collective bargaining agreement with the NFL Referees Association expires in May. If the primary reason the league doesn’t want to make refs full-time employees is they don’t want to pay, then that’s penny-wise and pound-foolish.

The NFL is on a heater TV-wise, with regular-season viewership reaching a 37-year high of 18.7 million per game. It’s the most popular sports league, and by far the most popular brand in all of entertainment. About the only thing that could derail the NFL would be a betting scandal. As Sports Illustrated NFL writer Albert Breer told Dan Patrick, the league is playing with fire by ignoring growing fan suspicions over officiating.

“I really think that they need to go in this offseason and tear the thing down to the studs,” Breer told Patrick. “Take all the technology available, take the crews they have available, maybe add sky judges to each crew, and rebuild it all together. I just think what’s happening right now flat out isn’t working in the eyes of the public—and the public trust is such an important thing for a professional sport.”

The NFL is the best at almost everything. So invest in quality and training with the refs. If shelling out a few million in salary to refs to make them better at the jobs is the cost, then I call that a small price to pay.


aBit o’Twitter


The #NFCEast became more competitive with the addition with John Harbaugh.

I asked @BenStandig if this puts pressure on the #Commanders to be more active in Free Agency, and push in the chips a little more.

Here is what he had to say. #RaiseHail @DougMcCrayNFL pic.twitter.com/zrC08d3lz9

— George Carmi (@Gcarmi21) January 21, 2026
Two sides to every story, but I'm not sure how anyone is excited about the idea of Brandon Aiyuk to Washington based on these and other comments out of San Fran.

(fwiw I'd rather see Commanders spend on a Z-receiver like Aiyuk than slot.)pic.twitter.com/GP9jAF1TII

— Ben Standig (@BenStandig) January 21, 2026
#49ers GM John Lynch on Brandon Aiyuk:

“It’s safe to say he’s played his last snap as a Niner.”

Aiyuk transaction will come at some point but he will not be back.

— Nick Wagoner (@nwagoner) January 21, 2026
#Bears HC Ben Johnson was asked about building off this season:

"There is no building off of this. We're back to square one. We’re back at the bottom again. And that’s all 32 teams. If you feel otherwise, you’re probably missing the big picture.” pic.twitter.com/sngRkSRIvX

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
Keon Coleman might as well never step foot in Buffalo again. Man dang near got blamed for Sean McDermott firing.

— Ryan Clark (@Realrclark25) January 21, 2026
Wow. #Bills owner Terry Pegula says the coaching staff pushed to draft WR Keon Coleman and that was never GM Brandon Beane's top choice in that situation.

"That was Brandon being a team player. … He's taken heat over it. I'm here to tell you the true story."

Wowza. I've never… pic.twitter.com/mimTgT9zc9

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
People who reflexively think billionaires are smarter than they are should watch more pressers with NFL owners.

— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) January 21, 2026
The leadership of the Buffalo #Bills has done the impossible this morning. They’ve made the opportunity to coach a team with Josh Allen as the quarterback less appealing.

— Mike Greenberg (@Espngreeny) January 21, 2026
all quotes from Brandon Beane on draft night:

“I went to bed that night saying it’s Keon unless someone blows us away”

“Barring someone offers us something stupid. We’ll take Keon Coleman”

Sure sounds like it was HIS pick! pic.twitter.com/qaZMNu2wNB

— Joel Moran (@joelvmoran) January 21, 2026
"I'm glad Coleman ran that (4.57 40). It'll help to get him" 2 months before the draft pic.twitter.com/vj18EgvqyJ

— Billy M (@BillyM_91) January 21, 2026
"Their owner is just throwing a young player who does have immense talent … under the bus like that. Why are we doing this?"

@FieldYates on Bills owner Terry Pegula saying it was the coaches decision to draft Keon Coleman 😳 pic.twitter.com/WU5FY47GP1

— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) January 21, 2026
Terry Pegula: "I'm aware there's criticism out there of our franchise. Does anyone know what the numbers 5, 2, 3, 2, 2, 2, 6 represent?"

"That's our seeding over the last seven years in the playoffs"

"It's impossible to have those kind of results without a good roster."

— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) January 21, 2026
Holy cow… #Bills GM Brandon Beane was being asked about the team falling short…

Owner Terry Pegula jumps in "A BAD CALL." https://t.co/02FUJWJmaz pic.twitter.com/zoT1Fy0h2i

— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) January 21, 2026
The most real-life Madden play of all time 🤯
pic.twitter.com/ujBirJKPLs

— Footballism (@FootbaIIism) January 22, 2026


Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/daily-slo...ch-ertz-shoes-as-the-commanders-top-tight-end
 
The more I learn about the Commanders recently promoted offensive coaches, the more excited I am

gettyimages-84667452.jpg


Over the years that I have been developing the Reacts surveys and publishing their results, I’ve found a few things to be consistent about the process.

Firstly, in choosing the topic(s) from week to week, I need to pick something topical, but also something that will still be of as much interest on Saturday when the results are published as it was on Tuesday or Wednesday when the questions were first posed. For example, it’s probably not a good idea to give a list of names and ask which guy should be hired to a coordinator position if the decision might be announced on Thursday, and also probably a bad idea to ask if a player should be released if the decision could be made on Tuesday afternoon.

Secondly, choices need to be clear and not over-explained. Binary choices are best; if ratings need to be used, the levels should be clearly differentiated with a few words of explanation. Nothing derails a survey like a set of answers that don’t make sense to the respondents. When I’ve written bad questions in the past, I have sometimes abandoned the results and simply written about something else when it came time to publish the Saturday article.

Thirdly, I’ve learned that the best questions don’t really need any framing when the survey is published. For example, last week I asked for confidence in Dan Quinn and Adam Peters to be rated. I didn’t have to recap their two-year history with the team because those histories have been heavily documented. Respondents know a lot about them and often have deeply held beliefs. But there are times when framing is necessary, or at least helpful. For example, early in the season, I asked which of three running backs should get the most snaps in the coming game, and in the survey article, I provided snaps and stats for the 3 players to allow respondents to make an informed choice. Likewise, if I want to ask whether a player should be signed to an extension, I will almost certainly provide not only the player’s relevant statistics but also some digestible salary cap details so that the cap ramifications can be factored into the answer.

Finally, I have reached a point where I generally know before I ask the question what the results are likely to be. I often comment, when writing and publishing the results article, on whether the results were a bit more positive or negative than I had expected, but I am seldom totally surprised at the results.

In this week’s survey, I stayed away from the search for a new defensive coordinator, which, in any case, I asked about two weeks ago, since we could have gotten an announcement at any time.

I still stayed with the coaching staff, however, asking you to rate two of the decision that have already been announced: the promotions of David Blough an Darnell Stapleton to fill the previously vacant position of offensive coordinator and offensive line coach, respectively.

I opted not to offer a binary choice (e.g., “Do you approve of the decision?”), choosing instead to offer a range of numerical options with a few descriptive words to nail down the scale. I also opted NOT to frame the questions with background information about the two coaches, choosing instead to include a “0” response that allowed respondents to simply say that they don’t know enough about the coach to have an opinion.

When I put the short survey together on Tuesday, I was confident that I knew what the results would look like, and over the next few days, I planned out the article (yes, this article!) that I would write when those results came in. Of course, without knowing the actual results, I can’t fully plan the article, but I can develop concepts of a plan. and in this case my concepts were pretty fully formed.

As things turned out, I had to totally ditch the article that I had mentally prepared because I totally whiffed on my estimation of how Hogs Haven members would respond to these questions.


temp-oc-promotions-reacts-B.jpg



As with last week’s survey results, I have created a weighted average score to evaluate the overall rating for each coach. Unlike last week’s survey in which DQ and AP were known quantities, I have adjusted this week’s weighted average score to exclude any “0” ratings, meaning that the weighted average is based on only those respondents who expressed an opinion.

The resulting adjusted weighted averages (AWA) surprised me quite a lot by being much more positive than I had expected.

Both AWA scores are between 3 and 4 — between “ambivalence” and “good” — with David Blough, as expected, scoring slightly higher than Darnell Stapleton, who would have been unknown to all but the most passionate fans of the Commanders, Union High School, Hudson Valley Community College or one of the other 10 stops Stapleton has made as a player or coach since 2007.


Darnell Stapleton career summary​

temp-darnell-stapleton-career-history.jpg

Wikipedia excerpt

In 2008, Stapleton was a reserve for the first four games of the season, before starting the final 12 games at right guard in place of an injured Kendall Simmons. He also started the team’s three playoff games, including the Super Bowl XLIII victory over the Arizona Cardinals. He did not play in the team’s first three preseason games in 2009 before being placed on injured reserve on August 31, 2009, with a knee injury.

Notably, Stapleton started for the Steelers at right guard in their Super Bowl win at the end of the 2008 season before his playing career was cut short by injury.

Stapleton was unable to mount a comeback after his injury and started his coaching career in 2011. He has progressed from coaching in the Women’s Football Alliance and high school in ‘11 and ‘12 to eleven years in the college ranks before joining the Commanders staff in 2024.

His ten years of coaching college offensive linemen in 4 colleges started with the Bucknell Bisons and culminated with the Florida Gators. Based on that indirect evidence, it seems likely that the 40-year-old is a good coach and a good teacher who is now getting the chance to run his own position group in the NFL.



That’s the sort of ‘framing’ that I might have chosen to put in the survey article, but I decided not to do so because it would tend to skew the responses more positively. What I was interested in with this survey was not so much an ‘educated opinion’ as a ‘gut reaction’.

And, to be honest, I expected the reaction to be strongly pessimistic and critical of the organization.

Prior to the survey, I had the sense that Hogs Haven members were aggrieved that the team had moved quickly on David Blough and that the news that Mike McDaniel in particular had accepted the role of OC for the LA Chargers seemed to rub salt in the wound. I had the further sense that many saw the promotion of Blough as a kind of capitulation on the part of Dan Quinn akin to punting on 4th & 4 at midfield when trailing by 9 points with 5 minutes left in the game — a sign that DQ was on such shaky ground in Washington that he couldn’t attract a high-quality and experienced OC like McDaniel, Daboll, or others.

In short, I thought the decisions to promote the two in-house coaches would be met with a huge amount of criticism.

That wasn’t really the case.

Instead, there was a lot of positive messaging in the comments of the survey article:

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One Hogs Haven member, Atticus took the time to post very detailed thoughts on the promotion of Blough:

I’ve reflected on the Blough hire a bit more and have quietly landed on very pleased.

David Blough is clearly an up and comer who has strong advocates among the people who’ve worked with him most closely. Ben Johnson and Dan Campbell have both spoken highly of him. Yes, he’s relatively green, but as we’ve seen perhaps more than many fanbases, meteoric rises happen in the NFL all the time. Relative unknowns become proven stars quickly when organizations identify the right traits early. This hire feels like a bet on trajectory and process rather than resume length.

Beyond that, here’s what I like.

He knows Jayden Daniels

I understand the fair concern that “babying” Jayden isn’t good for his long term development. That critique came up around KK’s offense and why Jayden was such a fan of it. But this feels less about babying and more about sequencing development properly. Familiarity with Jayden Daniels the player and the person creates continuity that Washington simply wouldn’t get from an external hire. Jayden has already proven he can play at a high level in the NFL. With Blough, there’s a real opportunity to hit the ground running in 2026 with a coordinator who understands his strengths, his limitations, and how he processes the game.

More importantly, this is a QB development hire as much as it is a schematic one. Blough has lived in quarterback rooms and translated systems for players rather than forcing players to conform to systems. That’s a meaningful distinction at this stage of Jayden’s career.

His scheme background is diverse and practical

Blough knows Kingsbury’s offense and what Jayden likes and excels at, but he’s also been exposed to Ben Johnson and Kevin O’Connell and their West Coast oriented approaches. According to Kiem and JP, he’s more likely to install a Johnson or O’Connell influenced West Coast offense than simply run back the Air Raid. That’s encouraging.

A more balanced run game, heavier play action, and increased use of 12 and 13 personnel should serve Jayden and the rest of the offense well. It allows for progression-based reads without throwing Jayden into the deep end immediately. Ideally we see him under center more this year, but a gradual transition from the pistol makes sense. That compromise limits risk while expanding the offense’s ceiling.

This approach also aligns better with the current roster. It reduces pressure on the offensive line, creates cleaner throwing windows, and lets the offense dictate terms rather than react snap to snap.

The hire signals patience and organizational confidence

What stands out most is what this decision says about Washington’s process. This doesn’t feel like a panic hire or an optics-driven swing. It suggests the organization believes its quarterback plan is sound and is now focused on optimizing it rather than resetting it. Too many young quarterbacks fail because teams cycle philosophies every year. This move prioritizes continuity without stagnation.

There are real risks. Blough hasn’t called plays at scale and there will be growing pains. But this is the right moment in a quarterback’s lifecycle to take that risk. Jayden’s baseline competence buys patience, and the organization appears comfortable allowing the offense to evolve deliberately rather than all at once.

Ultimately, this hire feels less about winning headlines in 2026 and more about maximizing Jayden Daniels’ long term outcome. That’s a mature decision, and quietly, it’s a reason to feel good about the direction they’re taking.

This endorsement of the move is not surprising to me in that it came from Atticus, who typically takes a positive view of the organization, but reading through the comments as a whole, I was surprised by the seemingly broad based upbeat view.

Of course, it wasn’t all rainbows and Kumbayah in the comments:

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And there were, of course, many people who take the view that very few, if any, of us know enough about either coach to form a meaningful opinion.

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It turns out that Commanders fans have gotten what so many of us have constantly asked for in recent years — the team has decided NOT to let one or more bright young coaches leave in search of promotion opportunities, but to reward those bright sparks with promotions that keep them in DC. We won’t have to look at Blough or Stapleton like we do at LeFleur or McDaniel and ponder what could have been; they are staying put in Washington instead of being hired away by other teams.

At this point, I think the exciting (and nerve-wracking) part of the Blough hire will be finding out what he’s going to be about as an offensive coordinator over the coming 9 to 12 months. He could turn out to be a lump of coal in the stocking or the next Sean McVay. It will be fun (or incredibly frustrating) finding out which it is.

For my part, I’m feeling optimistic about what lies ahead with out new offensive coordinator.

And as far as the new OL coach, Darnell Stapleton is concerned, I am encouraged to learn that he is 40-years-old; that he has 11 years of college coaching behind him, including 2 seasons in the SEC; that he was an NFL player who started and won a super bowl after humble beginnings (undrafted in 2007); and that people in the Commanders organization have such confidence in him after working with him for 2 full seasons. Perhaps he’ll be the next Joe Bugel, who spent 11 years coaching in the college ranks before making the leap from Ohio State to the NFL, presumably a largely unknown quantity to fans in the pro league.

As I’ve said already, I was pleasantly surprised how open-minded and optimistic Hogs Haven readers are as a whole, to these promotions. I hope we’ll all be rewarded with a resurgent offense in 2026 and beyond under the guidance of these young coaches, and that we’ll have reason to someday bemoan that we had more young geniuses on the coaching staff (like McVay, LeFleur and McDaniel) who were eventually allowed to ‘get away’ and become successful head coaches for other NFL teams. The spotlight will certainly be shining brightly on the coaching staff over the coming 12 months. Hopefully, based on their great success, other NFL teams in search of head coaches and coordinators will sniffing around and trying to hire them away as ‘young and impressive coordinators and position coaches’ to inject something special into those struggling teams in the next year or two.



Source: https://www.hogshaven.com/washingto...moted-offensive-coaches-the-more-excited-i-am
 
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