Tag: Anthony Lynn

Commanders RB Austin Ekeler: ‘I have no intentions of slowing down’

Austin Ekeler sees big things for himself in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense.

Remember when the Washington Commanders signed veteran running back Austin Ekeler to a two-year deal in the early moments of free agency in March? Many reacted that Washington overpaid Ekeler. We aren’t sure how giving Ekeler a two-year deal worth up to $11.43 million is a bad deal.

Ekeler had a down year for the Chargers in 2023. However, the Chargers, much like the Commanders, had a horrible season playing out the string with a lame-duck head coach. Additionally, Ekeler was dealing with a nagging injury that he played through for most of the season.

Washington, with new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, had a plan for Ekeler. His signing with the Commanders reunited Ekeler with his first NFL head coach, Anthony Lynn. Washington hired Lynn as the running backs coach/run game coordinator in the offseason. The Commanders believe a backfield consisting of Ekeler and Brian Robinson Jr. can be one of the NFL’s best.

Ekeler, who has been the NFL’s best pass-catching back for several seasons, can also be a safety valve for rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Ekeler still believes he has plenty left to give Washington.

“It’s been great,” Ekeler told Scott Abraham of ABC 7 in Washington. “I think every year is the same type of adjustment minus this year for me the location. What I mean by that is coming in, establishing yourself, establishing your role, being a leader at the position I’m at, and continue to bring everyone along and push yourself at the same time.”

Ekeler then discussed his motivation entering year eight of his career.

“I think it’s just really something that’s been built into my journey. I’ve come from what I call the bottom and took the stairs. And have no intentions of slowing down. So, for me, it’s continue to push myself because I want to see how far I can take my capabilities.”

Ekeler seems excited about his role in Kingsbury’s offense.

“To put the right plays in place and put players like myself, I’m all over the field, I’m in the slot, I’m out wide,” Ekeler said.

Washington believes it has two starting running backs, Robinson and Ekeler. Both will be on the field at the same time at times.

Commanders Dan Quinn poised to succeed in his second shot as a head coach

Quinn not afraid to lean on others as he looks to take advantage of his second chance.

One of the things that impressed the Washington Commanders in their interview process with Dan Quinn this year was his preparation and attention to detail. Quinn had been a head coach before, going 43-42 in five-plus seasons as coach of the Atlanta Falcons.

The high point of Quinn’s Atlanta tenure came in 2016 when the Falcons won the NFC and led the Patriots 28-3 in Super Bowl LI before falling 34-28. Quinn did not post a winning record in his final 2.5 seasons with the Falcons.

Quinn landed in Dallas in 2021 as the defensive coordinator. In three seasons with the Cowboys, they finished in the top five of most statistical categories each year, making Quinn a hot head coaching candidate again.

Quinn wasn’t going to take just any job; it needed to be the right one. Washington was the right opportunity for Quinn. Quinn has described the effort he’s put forth since his time in Atlanta to avoid repeating some of the same mistakes. He’s repeatedly asked other leaders for advice.

That hasn’t changed since the Commanders hired Quinn.

Quinn’s coaching staff includes offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury (former Cardinals head coach), running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn, and pass game coordinator Brian Johnson (former Eagles offensive coordinator). Each brings something different to Ashburn, and Quinn is leaning heavily on his staff in the development of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

Their working relationship was on display when Jori Epstein of Yahoo Sports recently visited Ashburn.

Lynn may be the running backs coach/run game coordinator, but as a former head coach, he was instrumental in developing Chargers star quarterback Justin Herbert.

From Epstein:

“I want you to think about your time with Justin: What did you do that was too much? What did you do that was not enough?” Quinn asked Lynn on June 5. “Don’t answer me now.”

Next, there is Kingsbury. While his time as head coach of the Cardinals produced mixed results, Kingsbury’s work with young quarterbacks, most recently Kyler Murray, is respected around the NFL.

Johnson spent the past three seasons with the Eagles working with Jalen Hurts.

Quinn isn’t only reaching out to staff members. Duke women’s basketball coach Kara Lawson recently visited Ashburn for her own “professional development,” Quinn used it as a learning opportunity.

“Teaching and coaching and leading transcend the sport and sector,” Lawson said, per Epstein.

Who knows how Quinn’s tenure in Washington will go? Whatever the result, it will not result from being outworked or unprepared. Quinn views the Commanders as the opportunity of a lifetime, and he’s not afraid of leaning on others as he looks to resurrect the long-struggling franchise.

New Commanders RB Austin Ekeler talks why he is no longer with the Chargers

Ekeler discusses his exit with the Chargers and how there are no hard feelings.

Austin Ekeler was an afterthought when he signed with the Los Angeles Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Coming out of college, Ekeler had a phenomenal career, but Western Colorado wasn’t exactly a hotbed for future NFL talent.

So, Ekeler signed as a priority free agent with the Chargers and their head coach, Anthony Lynn. Lynn, a former NFL running back and first-time head coach, was the perfect mentor for Ekeler. The pair spent four seasons together until Lynn was fired after the 2020 season.

The bond remained strong, though. This offseason, with Ekeler finally a free agent, he chose to join his mentor in his new job with the Washington Commanders. Washington hired Lynn as its running backs coach and run game coordinator.

Why did Ekeler split with the Chargers after seven seasons?

“Well, I think you can kind of see how they’ve been building the team so far this offseason,” Ekeler told Kay Adams on “Up and Adams” of the Chargers and new head coach Jim Harbaugh.

“They went out and drafted a tackle in the first round, brought in some bigger backs over from Baltimore. They want a guy that can hand the ball off to 200-300 times a year, and look, I haven’t had the capacity to do that; that’s not my game. That’s not how Austin Ekeler is going to be best on the field. There was a misalignment there, no harm, no foul. I will go find somewhere else where I can add value, where Austin can be the best version of myself out there.”

Ekeler has had a phenomenal NFL career as a dual-threat back. He has averaged 4.4 yards per rushing attempt and has 440 receptions and 30 receiving touchdowns. While he had a down year in 2023 — so did the entire team — injuries were to blame.

The Commanders are taking the chance that a healthy Ekeler, used correctly in Kliff Kingsbury’s offense and reunited with Lynn, will help Ekeler be the best version of himself.

Commanders sign running back Jeremy McNichols

The Commanders add another veteran to the running back room.

The Washington Commanders added to their backfield on Monday, signing veteran running back Jeremy McNichols.

McNichols, 28, was a fifth-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2017 NFL draft out of Boise State. McNichols was released during final cuts and signed to the 49ers’ practice squad. He was promoted to the active roster in November and released during San Francisco’s final cuts in 2018.

He split the 2018 season between the Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He was again waived during Tennessee’s final roster cuts in 2019 and signed with the Chicago Bears. The Bears waived him in December, and he signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars for the remainder of the season.

In 2020, McNichols returned to the Titans, where he’d remain for two seasons. He had brief stints on the offseason rosters of the Falcons and Steelers in 2022 before returning to San Francisco in 2023. He spent time on the 49ers’ practice squad and 53-man roster last season and was released in January.

McNichols has 90 rushing attempts for 364 yards and a touchdown in his NFL career. He has appeared in 37 career games and all but two of his rushing attempts came with the Titans. He also has 40 receptions for 295 yards and a touchdown.

Washington has starting running back Brian Robinson Jr. and 2023 sixth-round pick Chris Rodriguez Jr. returning in 2024. The Commanders also signed veteran Austin Ekeler to be more of Washington’s 1b to Robinson’s 1a in 2024.

McNichols’ connections to Washington are general manager Adam Peters and running backs coach Anthony Lynn.

Commanders agree to terms with Chargers RB Austin Ekeler

The Commanders are expected to sign one of the NFL’s top backs in recent years to pair with Brian Robinson Jr.

The Washington Commanders are staying busy. Shortly after agreeing to terms with Panthers linebacker Frankie Luvu on the first day of the legal tampering period Monday, Washington also agreed to terms with longtime Los Angeles Chargers running back Austin Ekeler.

Ekeler, who will turn 29 in May, agreed to a two-year deal with Washington, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.

An undrafted free agent from Western Colorado in 2017, Ekeler has been one of the NFL’s best running backs for the past few seasons. The 2023 season was a down one season for Ekeler, after rushing for over 900 yards and 13 touchdowns with 107 receptions and five receiving touchdowns in 2022.

Considered one of the NFL’s premier pass-catching backs, Ekeler replaces Antonio Gibson, who left Washington for New England.

For his NFL career, Ekeler has 4,355 rushing yards, 39 rushing touchdowns and an average of 4.4 yards per attempt. He also has 440 career receptions for 3,884 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Ekeler played the first four seasons of his career under new Commanders running backs coach Anthony Lynn, who was his head coach with the Chargers.

WATCH: Commanders RB Brian Robinson Jr’s top plays from 2023

The top highlights from Brian Robinson’s 2023 season.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. took a big jump in his second NFL season. While Robinson’s rushing yards didn’t take a massive leap — he rushed for 64 fewer yards in 2023 — don’t blame him.

Washington was last in the NFL in rushing attempts in 2023, while Robinson’s yards per attempt were up from 3.9 to 4.1.

Robinson really stood out as a receiver in 2023. After catching nine passes in 12 games as a rookie, Robinson caught 36 passes for 368 yards with four receiving touchdowns last season. Robinson accounted for 1,101 yards and a team-leading nine total touchdowns.

Imagine if the Commanders had committed to running the ball in 2023.

The good news is Robinson will be a featured offensive piece for new coordinator Kliff Kingsbury in 2023. Additionally, running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn is known for assembling a strong running game.

Here’s one final look back at 2023 with Robinson’s top plays.

Commanders new RB coach Anthony Lynn is a big fan of Brian Robinson Jr.

Good news for Brian Robinson Jr.

Washington Commanders running back Brian Robinson Jr. took a big step in his career in 2023. After missing the first four games of his NFL career in 2022 after suffering gunshot wounds in an attempted carjacking, Robinson somehow was able to return in Week 5 and have a solid rookie season.

Even more remarkable is that Robinson was never 100% but still managed to rush for 797 yards and score three touchdowns in 12 games.

Robinson was better overall in 2023 despite fewer rushing yards. In 15 games, he averaged 4.1 yards per attempt and ran for 733 yards and five touchdowns. But it was his work in the passing game where Robinson flexed his versatility. He caught 36 passes for 368 yards and four more touchdowns.

Robinson would have easily gone over 1,000 rushing yards if former offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy had committed to the run more. Washington was last in the NFL in rushing attempts.

Bieniemy is gone. Enter Kliff Kingsbury. While the former Arizona Cardinals head coach is known more for his connection to the Air Raid offense, Kingsbury does run the ball. And even better news for the Commanders and Kingsbury, they hired former Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn away from the San Francisco 49ers as the new running backs coach and run game coordinator.

Lynn is one of the most respected coaches in the NFL and is known for his work with the running game. He played for Mike Shanahan and spent the last two seasons under Kyle Shanahan. Now, he brings that expertise to Washington to help Kingsbury.

Lynn is excited to be in Washington, and he’s also a big fan of Robinson.

On Wednesday, Washington’s assistants met with the local media and discussed numerous topics, and Lynn asked about the Commanders’ star back.

If healthy, Robinson is about to have his best NFL season yet. He’s been excellent through two seasons despite facing different obstacles. His growth in the passing game will help him stay on the field for three downs next season. And Lynn will give the Commanders a competent running game.

You can also expect new general manager Adam Peters to invest heavily in the offensive line this offseason. Additionally, Robinson’s former backfield mate Antonio Gibson is scheduled to be a free agent. Washington will bring in another back, but Robinson is the unquestioned starter in 2024.

New Commanders assistant Anthony Lynn loves the team’s leadership

Lynn praises Dan Quinn and Adam Peters’ leadership and explains why he left the 49ers for Washington.

Two weeks ago, San Francisco’s assistant head coach and running backs coach, Anthony Lynn, was coaching his team to a tie in the Super Bowl, which they eventually lost in overtime.

He was not fired, and yet he decided to come to Washington, where he will not be an assistant head coach.

Nor will Lynn be the offensive coordinator. That job had already been filled by former Cardinals head coach Kliff Kingsbury. So why did Lynn decide to leave a better organization with much better offensive personnel?

“I love the leadership here; that’s what brought me here, Dan Quinn and Adam Peters and even the president Jason Wright.”

“Dan and I came up the same way; we had the same agent. He connected us together and said you guys are so much alike; I want you to meet each other. We’ve been friends ever since.”

An opportunity appeared, and so Quinn offered Lynn to come be his running game coordinator. Lynn jumped at the chance.

“We’ve talked about doing it together one day. He went to the Falcons, and I went to the Chargers as head coaches, so it didn’t work out for us, but now we are here.”

Why would Lynn leave an offense that included Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Trent Williams, Brock Purdy and George Kittle? In addition, why would he leave the NFC Champions and come to the last-place Commanders?

“I just know what type of man he is. I know what type of leadership the organization has now. You bring Adam Peters here, I’ve worked with Adam the last two years in San Francisco. He is awesome.”

When asked by Scott Abraham what he thought the coaching staff may have in common, Lynn responded succinctly, “Good people; Dan brought the right people into the building.”

You can listen to Lynn here, courtesy of 106.7 The Fan.

5 things to know about new Commanders defensive line coach Darryl Tapp

Getting to know Darryl Tapp.

The Washington Commanders finalized their coaching staff on Wednesday with three more hires: defensive backs coach Tom Donatell, running backs coach/run game coordinator Anthony Lynn and defensive line coach Darryl Tapp.

Lynn grabbed the headlines as a former head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers and a respected longtime NFL coach. However, Tapp, 39, was another big hire for the Commanders. An up-and-comer, Tapp spent the past three seasons with the 49ers as an assistant defensive line coach.

Now, with Washington, Tapp gets a chance to lead the room.

Here are five things to know about the Commanders’ new defensive line coach.

Commanders’ Dan Quinn promised people wanted to come to Washington

Dan Quinn said people want to be in Washington. He’s right.

Dan Quinn wasn’t kidding.

With new coaching staff hires on Wednesday, it reveals Quinn wasn’t exaggerating when last week he promised, “There are people that really want to be here.”

Quinn said in his introductory press conference he learned a lot from his head coaching experience in Atlanta and that if he could get one more shot at an NFL head coach position, he would make the most of what he learned.

Consequently, in this last week, Quinn has retained Ryan Kerrigan, Tavita Pritchard, and Bobby Engram from the staff of the 2023 Commanders. Also added to Quinn’s staff in the last week have been Brian Johnson (offensive pass-game coordinator), Jason Simmons (defensive pass-game coordinator), Larry Izzo (special teams), Bobby Johnson (offensive line), John Pagano (senior defensive assistant), Ken Norton Jr., (linebackers), David Raih (tight ends), Sharrif Floyd (assistant defensive line), Tom Donatell (defensive backs), Darryl Tapp (defensive line), and Anthony Lynn (running backs/offensive run-game coordinator).

Lynn has head coaching experience (Chargers) as does Kliff Kingsbury (Cardinals). Lynn played for and coached under Mike Shanahan and, most recently, was on Kyle Shanahan’s 49ers staff.

Simmons, 47, played defensive back in the NFL for a decade and has coached DBs with the Packers, Panthers, and Raiders.

Donatell played defensive back at Iowa and has served on Pete Carroll’s staff with the Seahawks, worked with Norton for three seasons, and most recently served on Brandon Staley’s staff with the Chargers.

Johnson (Brian) most recently was the Eagles OC employing an innovative run-pass option offense led by Jalen Hurts. Previously, he worked on the Dan Mullen staff at Mississippi State (Dak Prescott) and then Florida (Kyle Trask).

Johnson (Bobby) had the misfortune of the Giants offensive line spending more time in rehab than on the field, thus giving up the most sacks in the NFL. But the previous season, the Giants made the playoffs and won a playoff road game, utilizing an effective running game with Saquon Barkley and Daniel Jones.

Do you notice a trend? Both Johnsons have worked with systems utilizing a running quarterback. All three of the top quarterback draft prospects, Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels, and Drake Maye, are dual-threat quarterbacks. Come to think of it, so is Sam Howell.

Add to that, Lynn comes from the 49ers rushing attack as the running backs coach. Don’t make the mistake of thinking Kingsbury will only be throwing the ball in 2024. He is surrounding himself with people who know how to creatively run the ball in their schemes.

This coaching staff is loaded with experience, knowledge and talent.

All of them will not be able to be powerful and the smartest man in the room. It will be up to them to lay aside their egos and accept their assigned roles on Quinn’s staff.

But compared to the Ron Rivera staff of the last four seasons, couldn’t Quinn’s team be a much better-coached team?

Isn’t it fun thinking about how much better this franchise is already trending upward?