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Editor’s note: Each day, Hogs Haven compiles a collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, with a sprinkling of other stuff. Enjoy!
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ESPN
2026 NFL offseason: Ranking 10 biggest position upgrades
3. Washington Commanders linebackers
In: Leo Chenal, Sonny Styles
Out: Bobby Wagner
One of the more brutal declines of the past few years has come from Wagner. As smart as they come, Wagner has continued racking up tackle numbers even in the twilight of his career, with 162 last season and a career-best 183 in 2023 with the Seahawks. He was making All-Pro teams as recently as 2024 for his incredible durability and nose for the ball carrier.
But Wagner’s lack of speed was a glaring weakness for the Commanders’ defense over the past two seasons. In 2025, Wagner’s max speed topped out at 18.2 mph, according to Next Gen Stats’ tracking data — fifth slowest among starting off-ball linebackers. His average speed — 9.1 mph — was dead last. The difference between Wagner and second worst (Cody Simon) was as large as the difference between Simon and 14th worst.
Wagner lacked explosiveness and change of direction along with true top-line speed, and as such, he could not get where he needed to be in coverage. He allowed a 109.4 passer rating when targeted, 12th among all linebackers. The 444 yards after the catch he gave up were the most of any linebacker in the league.
In free agency, the Commanders let Wagner hit the open market and signed Chenal from the Chiefs as a potential replacement. Chenal is younger and faster than Wagner, and in new defensive coordinator Daronte Jones’ system, he will be used as a rusher from on- and off-ball alignments. But Chenal was a rotational player in Kansas City who didn’t spend much time in coverage, and his role in the new defense could be redundant with incumbent Frankie Luvu’s ideal job. More was needed.
The stars aligned in the draft when Ohio State LB Styles fell to Washington at No. 7. Styles is a converted safety who brings the coverage chops sorely lacking in Washington’s linebackers room. At his size (6-foot-5 with an 81-inch wingspan) and with his speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash), he occupies a ton more space in zone coverage than the average LB. Styles hasn’t taken a snap of NFL football yet, so I don’t want to get over my skis here, but this is a player with revolutionary potential.
Washington’s linebackers were a mark for opposing offenses last season. This year, they should be a far faster and more versatile group — one that forces offensive attention elsewhere.
From the Athletic (paywall): My favorite offseason move by every NFL team
10. Washington Commanders edge rushers
In: Odafe Oweh, K’Lavon Chaisson, Charles Omenihu, Joshua Josephs
Out: Jacob Martin, Von Miller, Preston Smith, Jalyn Holmes
The Commanders’ leading snap getter at edge rusher last season was Martin. At 30 years old and on his seventh team, Martin played 670 snaps — tied for his career high and more than triple the amount he had in any of the previous four seasons.
This was not the plan, of course. The Commanders wanted to start Deatrich Wise Jr. and Dorance Armstrong, but Wise was placed on injured reserve before Week 3 and Armstrong joined him before Week 8. Martin became an early-down player alongside another veteran journeyman (Smith), with Miller and Holmes in rotational support. Smith and Miller were both well over 30 already, while Holmes turned 30 in January.
Unsurprisingly, this was not a great rotation. Armstrong was great to start the season, but in his absence, Miller became the Commanders’ best pass rusher with an 11.8% pressure rate — below the season average for starting edge rushers. On the year, the Commanders’ four-man rush had a pressure rate of 30.5%, 23rd in the league.
Armstrong is on his way back, but it’s never good when a 29-year-old coming off a torn ACL is a load-bearing part of your pass rush. Washington poured money into the position. It signed Oweh to a deal worth $25 million per year when the legal negotiating window opened and chased that signing with a one-year, $12 million deal for Chaisson. Both of them are speed rushers with recent production spikes; Chaisson’s 7.5 sacks last season for the Patriots were a career best, and Oweh’s 7.5 sacks with the Chargers were accumulated in only 12 games.
Oweh and Chaisson are a little lacking in size and staunchness, so the Commanders also added Omenihu, another familiar face to general manager Adam Peters. (He played for the 49ers in 2021 and 2022 when Peters was still in San Francisco.) Omenihu, like Wise, is a player with end/tackle versatility. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones will benefit from this deep room on late downs, when he wants to flood the defensive line with bodies for every gap, a la Brian Flores in Minnesota.
The Commanders still don’t have a true ringer of a defensive end — Oweh was a rotational player with the Chargers even as he was breaking out. But they have a deep group with different body types and much more juice than last season. Good work.
ESPN
2026 NFL offseason: NFC teams’ best and worst deals, picks
Washington Commanders
Best: Upgrading in the secondary. If you watched the Commanders attempt to play pass defense last season, you might be eligible for financial compensation. When their front four didn’t get pressure last season, Dan Quinn’s defense allowed 9.3 yards per dropback. That was the worst mark of any team in the NFL and the second-worst mark of any defense in that scenario over the past 10 years.
The Commanders fired defensive coordinator Joe Whitt after the season, but their issues weren’t strictly schematic. Marshon Lattimore, a high-profile trade addition during the 2024 campaign, was never really healthy during his time in Washington and struggled badly before tearing his ACL. Mike Sainristil, so impressive as a rookie, took a step backward. Noah Igbinoghene was in and out of the lineup. Starting safety Will Harris got hurt early in the season, forcing the Commanders to turn to special-teamer Jeremy Reaves, who had issues as an open-field tackler in spots where missing tackles result in huge plays.
General manager Adam Peters made major upgrades in the front seven, but the secondary should also be better. Amik Robertson, who should start in three-CB sets, quietly became an important player for the Lions in 2024. It was telling that the defense finally collapsed after Robertson got hurt two snaps into the divisional round loss to, coincidentally, the Commanders. Peters also added veteran depth in Ahkello Witherspoon, who has generally been solid when called upon over the past few seasons in Los Angeles. Nick Cross, signed on a two-year, $13 million deal, should be able to help near the line of scrimmage and as a blitzer for new coordinator Daronte Jones.
Are any of these guys stars in the way Lattimore was when he was acquired for three picks in 2024? No. Frankly, though, the Commanders needed more depth than what they had a year ago, when their stars didn’t play like stars. Avoiding an obvious weak link and limiting big plays might be a way for the Commanders to get back to an adequate pass defense in 2026.
The response to this ESPN article from A to Z Sports:
Commanders.com
Jayden Daniels shows comfort, confidence working under center
[T]here was some speculation on how Daniels would look executing plays that are at least more foreign to him than lining up in shotgun or pistol.
As it turns out, the answer to that question is that Daniels didn’t look much different under center from how he runs any other play. He’s still mobile, accurate with the football and able to uncork a deep shot at any given moment. He looked sharp going through his first practice open to the media since last season, which is what many have come to expect of the former No. 2 overall pick.
Although it might have felt like business as usual, the fact that Daniels looked unbothered learning a new offense requiring him to do things he’s not as familiar with should be reassuring to both fans and coaches after an injury-riddled second season that he admitted was a disappointment. Daniels, head coach Dan Quinn and offensive coordinator David Blough all believe the new scheme can maximize Daniels’ skill set, and while it is just one practice in May, there’s at least more confidence that they’re right.
The hope, Quinn said before practice on Wednesday, was that the offense would be more efficient and generate more explosive plays, but the changes could also help elevate Daniels and his career.
Daniels, who worked primarily in the shotgun and pistol formations during his first two NFL seasons, only took 32 snaps and attempted 18 passes under center in that span. Quinn promised reporters attending practice that they would see Daniels under center more often, and that ended up being true.
NFL.com
12 NFL rookies who NEED to succeed in Year 1: Heat is on Antonio Williams
Antonio Williams – Clemson · WR– Washington Commanders
Round 3, No. 71 overall
As stated a month ago, I’m afraid the Commanders haven’t done enough to upgrade Jayden Daniels’ weaponry. Beyond Terry McLaurin, the receiver room doesn’t have a single player who eclipsed 350 yards in the NFL last season. This could put undue pressure on the ninth wideout selected in April’s draft. Williams spent the majority of his time at Clemson in the slot, leading many to assume that’s where he’d earn his keep in the NFL, but the Commanders continue to stress their belief that he can be an inside/outside threat. At a hair under 6 feet tall and 187 pounds, Williams wins with quickness, route savvy and ball skills. And he has a good feel against zone coverage. Not to mention, the guy throws a nice ball, as evidenced by this 40-yard dime on the move from last season. It will be interesting to see how new offensive coordinator David Blough deploys this Day 2 pick, but Jayden needs him to produce from Day 1.
Last Man Standig (paywall)
All eyes on Commanders’ OTA 1.0
First look at Jayden Daniels, Terry Mclaurin, the revamped defense and more
CB Mike Sainristil, when asked how much the pass rush additions should help Washington’s pass coverage, said, “I’ve always been a believer that the secondary can help the pass rushers. I think as long as we do our job in coverage, then they’ll have time to get [in the backfield] and get sacks, force bad balls, which can lead to interceptions. So I think, as long we do our job as a secondary, the linemen will have a field day.”
Commanders Roundtable
New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones is working to rebuild the Washington Commanders’ defense
NFL rules limit how involved teams can be during OTAs with no pads or live contact allowed while 7-on-7, 9-on-7 and 11-on-11 non-contact drills are allowed. Still, that practice limitation hinders how involved the defense can be but the chance to “lay the bricks,” as defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw called it, stems from the preparation through film onto the white board ahead of practices.
“You try to understand the coach’s side of it, why things are called a certain way,” cornerback Mike Sainristil said. “You just want to ask questions. And then you do your film study, watch what they did where he was at [with Minnesota], and then put yourself in different spots while you’re watching film just so you can understand I might be here, I might be there.”
That approach is necessary given the versatility that Jones is asking not just out of his secondary, but the defense. While Sainristil admitted he hasn’t been told whether he will line up as primarily an outside or nickel corner in the new defensive scheme, lining up in multiple spots has been the point of emphasis through the first round of OTAs.
This week has given the staff a chance to install parts of their schemes each week with a chance to “get all those on tape and taught” ahead of training camp. Yet what the defense can prove is beyond the pads with a chance for the blend of new and returning pieces to begin picking up what’s expected to be an aggressive, multiple scheme under Jones.
Bullock’s Film Room (subscription)
Commanders OTAs Day 1 Round Up
Every receiver in the offense will run a shallow cross at some point, some will run them multiple times per game, so it makes more sense to work on that route as a warm up drill instead of basic slants or quick outs.
But there’s also some nice detail involved in these drills. First of all, they split the receivers up into two groups, enabling them to run shallow crossing routes from both sides of the field. This drills the receivers to run the routes from either side of the formation, but also lets them practice crossing through traffic. Both sets of receivers run at the same time so they cross in the middle of the field, as they would on a basic mesh concept. It’s a nice layer of detail, but it also adds to the efficiency because the Commanders can have two quarterbacks and two receivers practicing at the same time.
But another layer of detail here is how they’re drilling the receivers at the point of the catch. You can see they have multiple coaches with arm pads acting as underneath zone defenders. This gives the receivers a visual aid to see how and where they need to break off their crossing route against zone coverage and find a soft spot in the zone. But the details don’t stop there. You’ll also notice how the receivers break off their routes and turn back to face the quarterback, but as the ball arrives, they open up their bodies to help them turn and run down the field.
In soccer, this is known as receiving the ball on the half turn, where the body is opened up so a player can receive a pass from one side but still turn and run in the other direction. I believe NFL teams will refer to this as drop stepping. You can see the receivers drop step with their inside foot as the ball arrives. This enables them to get a head start on turning up the field and trying to pick up additional yards after the catch. It might not appear like a major detail, but that drop step or half turn can give a receiver an extra step on a defender, which can make all the difference in if they get tackled at the catch point or if they can make that defender miss and pick up an additional five yards.
This wasn’t the only targeted drill I saw from the Commanders offense either. I saw them working a lot of choice routes and pivot routes, which were staples in Ben Johnson’s 2023 Lions offense that we’re expecting David Blough to run.
Heavy.com
John Bates Sees Rams-Style Roles for Tight Ends
Bates spoke with JP Finlay of NBC4 Sports at OTAs, and the veteran blocker “explained tight ends will have a bigger role and expect to see multiple sets with multiple tight ends on the field. Maybe even 13 personnel like the Rams ran to great success last season. That’s exciting.”
Deploying three tight ends, one running back and a single wide receiver is known as 13 personnel, and Brooks outlined how “It can force opponents to keep their base defensive personnel on the field against a diverse collection of blockers and playmakers. Additionally, head coach Sean McVay can deploy a few traditional and overload formations that create extra gaps at the line of scrimmage, opening up the running game when defenders do not properly align or fill their assigned gaps at the point of attack. With personnel and formation diversity creating mismatches against lumbering linebackers or undersized defensive backs who struggle to handle the unit’s size, strength or speed, the Rams were able to dictate the terms of the game with their three-TE package.”
Numbers support the widespread adoption of two- and three-tight end sets. Brooks revealed “Last season, the Browns, Falcons, Ravens, Raiders, Packers, Bears and Giants used 12 personnel on at least 32.5% of their offensive snaps. Meanwhile, 13 tight ends finished 2025 with at least 600 receiving yards, and 11 tight ends posted 60-plus catches (Arizona’s Trey McBride led both categories with a 126-catch, 1,239-yard season).”
“The draw is obvious: elevating the passing game with more basketball-type athletes who can also enhance the ground attack with their size and blocking skills.”
Heavy.com
Jaylin Lane : Past ankle injury
Lane (ankle) was spotted participating during OTAs on Wednesday, Zach Selby of the Commanders’ official site reports. The 24-year-old from Virginia Tech was sidelined for Washington’s final two games last season due to an ankle injury, but his participation in Wednesday’s practice suggests he’s moved past the issue. Lane had an impressive rookie campaign, catching 16 of 32 targets for 225 yards while accumulating 314 punt-return yards and two touchdowns. Now back at full health, he’s expected to operate as one of the Commanders’ top return men during the 2026 season.
USA Today
Presale for Colts vs. Commanders NFL London tickets
On Sunday, Oct. 4, the Indianapolis Colts and Washington Commanders will go head-to-head at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London and the pre-sale for the matchup began on Wednesday, May 27.
SHOP:Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders London NFL tickets
If you’re starting to make plans for travel during the fall, you can include this game as tickets are already available. Learn more information about tickets and the game below:
Indianapolis Colts vs. Washington Commanders 2026 London NFL tickets
As of publication, the cheapest ticket to get into the Colts vs. Commanders game in London is $339.
If you’re looking to elevate your international experience and get a closer view of the action, lower level seating starts at $534 in Section 114.
Colts vs. Commanders NFL London game information
- When: Sunday, Oct. 4
- Where: Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London
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Commanders.com
PHOTOS | Antonio Williams is a Washington Commander
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Podcasts & videos
Commanders’ 5th-Round Pick Kaytron Allen will do “Whatever It Takes” | Raise Hail With the Rookies
NFC East links
Pats Pulpit
A.J. Brown trade rumors: Patriots and Eagles talks at an impasse?
The two sides remain apart with a pivotal deadline coming up
[O]nce the calendar flips from May to June, Brown’s contract becomes more tradable for the Eagles. While that might mean we could see some action as soon as next week, there still seems to be a lot of space between the two organizations.
In fact, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, the Patriots and Eagles are “not particularly close” at the moment.
Patriots head coach Mike Vrabel refrained from giving any insight into the topic.
“We want to continue to improve the roster at every opportunity we get,” Vrabel said. “When those opportunities arise, I don’t know.”
Blogging the Boys
How the Cowboys picked up an extra win with their schedule
The Cowboys have an interesting advantage
While scrolling through social media on Wednesday a video from The Athletic appeared. The TikTok made note of the fact that the Cowboys and Carolina Panthers each picked up an extra win by way of the schedule release. You can watch the video for yourself here.
The premise behind the Cowboys and luck smiling upon them is that Dallas does not have to play any short-week road games all year.
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Consider that three of the most difficult road games that Dallas will play all season occur with longer rest than normal. The Cowboys will visit the Green Bay Packers after playing on a Thursday night (so the mini-bye), they’ll visit the Seattle Seahawks on a Monday after their Thanksgiving Day game, and then they will travel to play the Los Angeles Rams coming off of their bye. That is a pretty sweet way of looking at things.
Big Blue View
Restructuring Andrew Thomas’ contract helps the Giants sign Arvell Reese
The New York Giants have a bit more breathing space under the salary cap. That’s thanks to star left tackle Andrew Thomas agreeing to a restructured contract on Thursday morning. The move creates $6.46 million in cap space for 2026.
The news was first reported by Adam Schefter of ESPN.
The contract restructure, considered a “simple restructure” converts roughly $15.9 million in base salary into signing bonus. The move doesn’t make a difference to Thomas, who will see the guaranteed money either way. However, it allows the Giants to spread the cap hit out over the life of the contract, creating cap space for the 2026 season.
The Giants were [cap]-strapped prior to the move, and were at roughly -$3.659 million in “effective” cap space per OverTheCap.
To be clear, the Giants were already under the salary cap, with $11.24 million in actual cap space. However that’s for their Top 51 contracts and doesn’t include the contract yet to be signed by No. 5 overall pick Arvell Reese. Reese’s contract will be worth (roughly) $48.586 million for 4 years, with an expected cap hit of $8.833 million this year. Thomas’ restructure will help the Giants sign Reese and absorb his cap hit while maintaining financial flexibility to cope with injuries throughout the season.
NFL league links
Articles
NFL.com
Niners RB Christian McCaffrey shrugs off workload concerns entering age-30 season
As McCaffrey approaches his 30th birthday next week, some might understandably be concerned about how much tread McCaffrey has left on his tires, especially after the running back posted a league-leading 413-touch regular season (plus another 37 in the playoffs) in 2025. From McCaffrey’s vantage point, those worries are exaggerated. He’s built for — and prepares for — the workload.
“I’ve been dealing with those questions for nine years,” McCaffrey said Thursday, via ESPN. “I think the workload in our sport is really monitored in practice, not in games. We play 17 regular-season games a year and everybody’s livelihoods are on the line. I would say on Sunday you’ve got to do whatever it takes to win and that’s not a coach’s job. You don’t tell the 3-point shooter you only get six 3s today.
“So much of it is rhythmic and it’s my job to put my body in the best position I can to go out there and play and I think everything else can be monitored during the week or with a practice schedule or certain ways you train, whatever it may be. But when it comes to game days, I like to think you prepare yourself for playing every snap.”
The Athletic (paywall)
NFL bumps up roster-cutdown deadline due to Rams-49ers game in Australia
The NFL is shifting its deadline for teams to determine their 53-man rosters from Tuesday, Sept. 1, to Sunday, Aug. 30, a league source confirmed to The Athletic on Thursday. Teams will have to submit their waiver claims by 1 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 31, rather than Wednesday, Sept. 2.
This year, the San Francisco 49ers will play the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Sept. 10, in the NFL’s first Australian game. Niners head coach Kyle Shanahan said Thursday that his team plans to leave on Wednesday, Sept. 2, and arrive at their facility Sept. 4.
That timeline conflicts with the previous waiver deadline, preventing the 49ers and Rams from making final changes before departing for their Week 1 matchup at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Discussion topics
Front Office Sports
George Kittle Shares 2 Changes NFL Should Make for 18th Game
The Pro Bowl tight end is focused on rest and money
“You got to have an extra bye regardless,” Kittle told FOS. “This season is too long as it is. I think 16 games was perfect. They add an extra game for more TV stuff, which, hey I get it makes everyone more money. If you’re gonna add an 18th game you gotta add an extra bye.”
Kittle’s first request doesn’t seem unrealistic. Patriots owner Robert Kraft said in March he, too, would want an extra bye week if the league added another game.
“The one thing that didn’t really make sense to me is you sign a contract to play 16 games,” Kittle said. “They added the 17th game and you don’t get paid anymore money, your paycheck just gets cut an extra time. So you’re making 17 paychecks instead of 16. So in my opinion I’m just like if you bumped up the payment a little bit for that last game instead of cutting it again I think guys would be more interested in that as well.”
Players got additional revenue from the 17th game [which increased salary cap and went into players’ pockets], and would likely seek more if the league pushes for an 18th game. Owners would have to make their own concessions to lengthen the schedule, which is why Kittle has a wish list.
The union was also against the addition of a 17th game, but ultimately approved it in 2021. The league’s current CBA doesn’t expire until 2031, which means the ultimate decision may still be years away.
aBit o’Twitter
Statement from Josh Jacobs’ attorneys on this developmentpic.twitter.com/b9z3j6FGzr
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) May 27, 2026
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