Tag: 2024 NFL offseason

WATCH: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels connects with Zach Ertz at OTAs

Zach Ertz has already become a favorite target of Jayden Daniels.

The Washington Commanders signed Zach Ertz in free agency to not only bring stability to the tight end room but also serve as a safety valve for their eventual young quarterback.

That young quarterback turned out to be Jayden Daniels. During Washington’s Offseason Training Activities two weeks ago, Daniels quickly recognized what a weapon Ertz could be for him, connecting multiple times during the open portion of practice.

The Commanders were back in Ashburn for their final week of OTAs on Wednesday and, again Daniels was looking for his tight end.

If Ertz can stay healthy, he should have a big season. Offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury expects to run a lot of 12 personnel this season, keeping multiple tight ends on the field.

Daniels and Ertz are off to a good start.

Commanders DC Joe Whitt Jr.: ‘We don’t have 11 starters’

The defensive coordinator is not ready to talk about a starting lineup.

Washington Commanders defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. became an instant fan favorite during his introductory press conference back in February. Whitt’s motto is simple: He wants his players to arrive violently.

Since then, we hadn’t heard from Whitt until Wednesday. In discussing his defense during the final week of OTAs, Whitt wasn’t interested in saying who was starting where. It’s all about depth.

“We don’t have 11 starters,” Whitt said. “You’re going to put this down, so don’t ask me who’s starting here. We have 17 to 18 guys. We’re going to go out there, we’re going to roll a deep crew and go out there and whoop people. We don’t have 11 guys, we have many personnel groups, and now can they own those positions when we put them in there? When that comes, don’t ask me about who’s starting, please.

Whitt is no-nonsense and fiery. He’s exactly what this defense needs. He isn’t going to play favorites. He will not play guys because of draft status or contract status. The best players will play.

It’s a new time indeed.

WATCH: Commanders QB Jayden Daniels visits D.C. elementary school

Jayden Daniels plays pitch and catch with some young fans.

You knew it wouldn’t take long for Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels to become a fan favorite.

From the moment Daniels heard his name called on draft night last month and put on that Washington hat, fans have been buying his jerseys and watching every clip they can find on the 2023 Heisman Trophy winner.

This week, the Commanders took a break from Organized Training Activities (OTAs). They held a Day of Service led by Marjorie Harris, team president Jason Wright, several team legends, and the 2024 rookie class. This was Daniels’ first community event as a member of the Commanders, and it was no surprise that he was a hit.

Here’s Daniels meeting with some young fans at Rocketship Rise Academy Public Charter School in Washington, D.C., courtesy of Scott Abraham of ABC 7.

It was no surprise that the kids wanted to play catch with the city’s new superstar quarterback.

One more of Daniels throwing to some new fans.

The quarterback is always the hero in Washington. Unfortunately, fans have been waiting a long time for that quarterback. The hope is the Commanders have found their guy in Daniels.

Attorney for Commanders kicker Brandon McManus releases statement on allegations

McManus’ attorney releases statement on allegations.

On Monday afternoon, news broke that Washington Commanders kicker Brandon McManus was being accused of sexual assault. McManus, 32, played for the Jaguars last season and was accused of sexual assault by two flight attendants. The lawsuit was filed in Duval County Circuit Civil Court last Friday, and the Jaguars were also named in the suit.

Shortly after the news broke, the Commanders released the following statement:

Earlier today, we were made aware of the civil lawsuit filed on May 24 against Brandon McManus. We take allegations of this nature very seriously and are looking into the matter. We have been in communication with the League Office and Brandon’s representation, and will reserve further comment at this time.

Now, McManus’ attorney, Brett Gallaway, has released a statement:

These are absolutely fictitious and demonstrably false allegations made as part of a campaign to defame and disparage a talented and well-respected NFL player. We intend to aggressively defend Brandon’s rights and integrity and clear his name by showing what these claims truly are — an extortion attempt.

 

The Athletic names most-liked move from Jets’ offseason

Which offseason move did The Athletic pick for the Jets as their favorite?

The Jets had another strong offseason in 2024, one they hope will actually result in a playoff run and maybe even a Super Bowl berth. But which move was the best?

Mike Sando of The Athletic recently shared his thoughts on his favorite offseason move from all 32 teams. Which move did he pick for the Jets? That would the Jets addressing the offensive tackle position, specifically the additions of Tyron Smith in free agency followed by the drafting of Olu Fashanu.

Signing former Cowboys mainstay tackle Tyron Smith and then using a first-round choice for Penn State tackle Olu Fashanu was solid work in addressing the offensive line for now and the future. It’s been easy to criticize the Jets for their short-sighted focus around Aaron Rodgers. Critics were waiting to pounce if the team used its first-round choice for tight end Brock Bowers. Instead, the Jets did what was sensible.

With all the problems and injuries across the offensive line in 2023, the Jets knew they had to upgrade up front. The Jets also traded for right tackle Morgan Moses from the Baltimore Ravens. This offseason was all about protecting quarterback Aaron Rodgers while also upgrading his weapons. As Sando mentions, the Jets were sensible in drafting Fashanu instead of Georgia tight end Brock Bowers. Bowers would have helped in the passing game, but the Jets already have good pass-catching tight ends in Tyler Conklin and Jeremy Ruckert and the Jets needed an offensive tackle for the future.

Are the Commanders offensively or defensively geared?

Do the Commanders lean offense or defense?

No NFL team had more turnover this offseason than the Washington Commanders. It began in the front office with new general manager Adam Peters to the sidelines with new head coach Dan Quinn and his staff.

In free agency, the Commanders added over 20 new players and chose to re-sign a few of their own free agents. Through the NFL draft and undrafted free agents, Washington added an additional 20 players.

Quinn is a defensive-minded head coach, so he focused on building a strong offensive staff led by offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Additionally, Quinn hired former Eagles offensive coordinator Brian Johnson to serve as assistant head coach/offensive pass game coordinator. In all, the Commanders have four former quarterbacks on staff.

While Quinn will oversee the defense, he hired Joe Whitt Jr. to be his coordinator. Whitt will call the plays and run a similar defensive scheme to what they ran in Dallas the past three seasons.

So, what about the roster? Is it offensive-heavy or defensive-heavy?

CBS Sports recently reviewed all 32 NFL rosters to see which teams relied more on offense or defense or were more balanced. The Commanders were one of nine teams in the “evenly balanced” category.

They’ve got a lot of splashy new faces on offense (e.g. Jayden Daniels, Austin Ekeler), but Dan Quinn may put even more focus on tightening up the revamped “D.”

Let’s be clear, CBS isn’t saying the Commanders will be a playoff team because they’re more balanced in terms of resources. It is more about showing that Peters focused on upgrading both sides of the ball evenly this offseason.

As for the rest of the NFL, only six terms were defensively geared, while 11 teams were offensively geared and five were the “total package.” The Chiefs, 49ers, Ravens, Texans and Jets were in the latter category. Yes — the Jets.

Peters used free agency to improve depth and raise the floor for the 2024 season. The draft was all about bringing in the best available talent. Peters’ strategy is why the Commanders have been given glowing reviews for this offseason.

Commanders GM Adam Peters’ statement on hiring David Blackburn

What did Adam Peters say about his latest hire?

Washington general manager Adam Peters is on a roll. After a busy free-agency period that saw the Commanders sign over 20 players, Peters selected nine players in the 2024 NFL draft, led by quarterback Jayden Daniels. The moves have earned him praise from around the NFL.

This month, Peters has remained busy reshaping the front office. Washington has allowed several executives and scouts from the previous administration to leave so that the personnel department can be rebuilt according to Peters’ vision.

Peters continues to make top-notch hires. Earlier this week, the Commanders hired 31-year-old Brandon Sosna as the new senior vice president of football operations. Sosna is viewed as a rising star around the NFL.

Next, Washington officially confirmed the rumored hiring of former Ravens personnel executive David Blackburn. Blackburn has spent the past 17 years with the Ravens—arguably the NFL’s best front office—and was named Washington’s new director of player personnel.

Here’s what Peters said of Blackburn:

I’ve known David Blackburn for a number of years dating back to our days scouting the West Coast. David has always impressed me with his consistent approach, talent in player evaluation and overall professionalism. He is one of the most respected scouts in the NFL and is also a top-notch person. He has been a valued member of the Baltimore Ravens personnel department and has learned from two of the most well-respected people in our business in Ozzie Newsome and Eric DeCosta. David will be an outstanding addition to the staff we are building here in Washington.

Peters deserves the most credit for hiring people he hasn’t worked with before. That means he doesn’t need to completely surround himself with only people who know how he thinks. He is hiring scouts and executives from around the NFL whom he has watched from afar and respects.

It’s certainly a new approach in Washington.

What has impressed Commanders DT Jonathan Allen the most about Jayden Daniels?

Allen is already impressed with Jayden Daniels.

Washington Commanders defensive tackle Jonathan Allen met with the media after Wednesday’s OTAs and sounded like a completely different player.

Throughout the second half of last season, every time Allen spoke after a game, you wondered if he was about to break. After a loss to the New York Giants, Allen did let loose. Cooler heads prevailed, as Allen was emotional after another tough loss. Allen even said he contemplated what it would be like on another team.

But Allen never said he wanted out. In February, at a media event, Allen was already coming around on general manager Adam Peters and head coach Dan Quinn.

Allen praised Peters, Quinn, and the coaching staff on Wednesday.

“I’m just so happy; I love the coaching staff, I love the direction we’re moving in, I love the way we’re working, man, it has truly been reinvigorating,” Allen said. “Just so fun to come to work every day. This is literally just a dream job right now.”

Allen is a respected leader, so having him on board is a win for Peters and Quinn.

So, what does Allen think of his new quarterback, Jayden Daniels?

“He’s cool, man, he’s a quiet guy,” Allen said. “He comes in, he works, and I pride myself on being one of the first guys here and he always beats me here. So, I think that’s pretty cool. Stays late, you know, he does everything you want out of your No. 2 overall pick rookie quarterback. I’m excited to see him work, I’m excited to see him play and just focus on what I gotta do to make his life as easy as possible.”

When someone like Allen praises you for your commitment before you begin training camp, that’s a win for Daniels. It’s easy to see why the franchise believes they have something special in the reigning Heisman Trophy winner.

Commanders set to hire Lions executive Brandon Sosna for prominent front office position

Commanders set to make a big-time hire.

The Washington Commanders are expected to make another significant hire. According to Mike Garofolo of the NFL Network, the Commanders are working to hire Detroit Lions executive Brandon Sosna to a high-ranking front office role.

Sosna would likely take over managing Washington’s salary cap. Rob Rogers currently holds that position. Rogers’ title is the senior vice president of football administration. He has been with the Commanders since 2020, and former head coach Ron Rivera hired him. Rogers has spent 29 years in the NFL, all with the Carolina Panthers and Washington.

The Commanders have allowed multiple executives and scouts to leave by not renewing their contracts, but Rogers is still listed on Washington’s homepage.

Sosna, 31, is currently Detroit’s senior director of football administration. He joined the Lions in 2022 and “oversees the strategic planning and management of the salary cap as the team’s primary contract negotiator,” per Detroit’s official website.

Before Detroit, Sosna spent 2019-21 with the USC Trojans, where one of his duties was overseeing the football program’s day-to-day operations. Sosna also spent time with the University of Cincinnati and the Cleveland Browns. He was a football administration intern for the Browns in 2018 before being promoted to salary cap and contract analyst in 2018.

A Cincinnati, Ohio native, Sosna graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor’s degree in political science. Sosna was named to Forbes’ “30 Under 30” list in 2020 and Sports Business Journal’s “New Voices Under 30” list in 2019.

Commanders reportedly only interviewed a few candidates for the job, one of whom was former Eagles vice president of football administration Jake Rosenberg.

 

Commanders P Tress Way doesn’t have a new number yet

Tress Way has a new number — sort of.

Just before the Washington Commanders opened rookie minicamp last Friday, punter Tress Way released a video revealing he had given his No. 5 jersey to rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

It was an emotional decision for the Pro Bowl punter and Washington’s longest-tenured player. On Saturday, Daniels expressed gratitude by opening his press conference by thanking Way.

While last weekend was just for the rookie, the entire team reported back to Ashburn this weekend for the opening of Offseason Training Activities (OTAs). That meant Way would need a number.

He had a new number — sort of.

Way jogged onto the field sporting the No. 10 jersey, which second-year wide receiver Kazmeir Allen currently occupies. Way has yet to decide on a permanent number, so the No. 10 was a temporary decision.

Viewing that video, Way looked like a quarterback in that jersey throwing passes.

Way joked about asking defensive end Clelin Ferrell for No. 99 due to all the Chase Young jerseys that will be at FedEx Field in the fall. We aren’t sure if he’s serious, but Way in 99 would be a cool look and would probably sell.