Who was the Commanders’ biggest surprise contributor from the 2024 season?

The Commanders had several unsung heroes in 2024. Who was the biggest surprise contributor?

The Washington Commanders were the NFL’s biggest surprise in 2024, becoming the latest “worst-to-first” story. Washington’s turnaround wasn’t typical, as the Commanders went from four wins to 12. Washington also won two playoff games and appeared in the NFC championship game.

Most impressively, the Commanders made the turnaround with a roster of over 30 new players. While rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels is the headliner, Washington received contributions from many newcomers.

Which contributor was the biggest surprise?

NFL.com named a surprise contributor for all 32 teams, with veteran edge rusher Dante Fowler Jr. earning the award for the Commanders.

Fowler led the Commanders with 10.5 sacks and was second with 45 QB pressures, per NGS. The veteran’s 14.6 pressure percentage led all pass rushers on Dan Quinn’s squad. Playing a rotational role, Fowler was asked to get after the QB, and he did that with aplomb. Fowler’s 3.4 percent sack rate ranked No. 4 in the NFL (per NGS, min. 200 pass rush snaps). Quinn’s defense played greater than the sum of its parts for much of the season. Fowler’s ability to affect the passer, after years of mostly underwhelming as a former top-three pick, underscores that production.

Fowler’s 10.5 sacks were one short of his career-high 11.5. It was an impressive bounce-back performance from Fowler in his 10th NFL season. Fowler combined for 17.5 sacks over the past four seasons before he arrived in Washington.

Fowler now has the opportunity to explore free agency again, but a return to Washington under Quinn makes sense for Fowler. While he’s more of a situational pass rusher at this stage of his career, he proved he’s a very good one.

 

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Top photos from Eagles 55-23 win over Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Eagles dominated every facet of the game and won the turnover battle while dominating the Commanders to advance to Super Bowl 59. Philadelphia rushed for seven touchdowns, including three scores each for Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley, blowing out their NFC East rival 55-23 at Lincoln Financial Field on Sunday.

As preparations begin for the trip to New Orleans, we’re reviewing the top photos from the historic victory.

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Highlights from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead over Commanders in NFC Championship game

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 27-15 lead Commanders in NFC Championship game

The Washington Commanders have a young, ascending roster, and that youth showed in the first half. Costly penalties and crucial turnovers spurred the Eagles early on, giving them a 27-15 lead in the NFC Championship game.

Saquon Barkley’s two first-half touchdowns energized the Birds, and Jalen Hurts connected with A.J. Brown on a four-yard touchdown with 57 seconds left in the first half. We’re looking at the first-half highlights with the second half set to begin.

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These Commanders could bank some extra cash Sunday vs. Cowboys

This could be a big week financially for some Commanders.

We are at the point of the season where players are playing for personal reasons. Yes, football is the ultimate team sport, but football contracts are often the most complex. While MLB and NBA contracts are all guaranteed, NFL deals have several bonuses tied to team and/or individual performance.

Last week, Washington Commanders tight end Zach Ertz had a big day. Ertz caught six passes for 72 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winner, but it was also a financial success for the 12-year veteran. Ertz’s performance triggered three bonuses in his contract:

  • His sixth TD catch of the season triggered a $250,000 bonus.
  • Ertz earned another $250,000 by going over 60 catches this season.
  • Ertz earned yet another $250,000 by going over 600 yards receiving.

Yes, Ertz received $750K worth of bonuses for his performance. It’s tough for anyone to get much better than that.

Also, wide receiver Terry McLaurin earned $250K on Thursday when he was named to the Pro Bowl.

As for Sunday’s regular-season finale against the Cowboys, these Commanders could earn some extra cash. And yes, Ertz can bring in even more money. Contract details are courtesy of Spotrac.

Zach Ertz

  • If Ertz catches nine passes, he would reach 70 on the season, earning him another $250K.
  • If Ertz finishes with 90 receiving yards, he would have 700 on the season, earning another $250K.
  • If Ertz catches two touchdowns, that would give him eight, earning him yet another $250K.

Dante Fowler Jr.

  • If Fowler has a half-sack against the Cowboys, it would give him 11 for the season, triggering a $1.5 million bonus. Fowler has collected $1.125 million of the bonus.

Jeremy Chinn

  • If Chinn has two sacks, it would give him three on the season, triggering a $250K bonus.
  • If Chinn has two interceptions, it would give him three on the season, triggering a $250K bonus.

Frankie Luvu

  • If Luvu gets two sacks Sunday, it would give 10 for the season, triggering a $975K bonus. He has already collected $650K of the bonus for reaching eight sacks.

We named the incentives that could be reached on Sunday. Most are attainable, especially if you’re Ertz, Luvu, or Fowler.

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

Sights and sounds from first half as Eagles hold a 21-14 lead over the Commanders

A solid backup quarterback is the most important thing to an NFL team, and Kenny Pickett finally had his moment after Jalen Hurts was forced to exit with a concussion. The former Steelers first-round pick had one ugly interception but made some big throws as Philadelphia went into the half with a 2-14 lead.

An Eagles win would give Nick Sirianni, the head coach, his second NFC East title in four years.

Here are sights and sounds from the first half.

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Dante Fowler Jr. with pick-six off Andy Dalton for Commanders

The Commanders had an early pick-six against the Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have enough problems without their opponents scoring defensive touchdowns.

Less than four minutes into Sunday’s game, Dante Fowler Jr. picked off Andy Dalton and returned it 67 yards for a touchdown.

The Washington Commanders added a field goal and led 10-0 late in the first quarter

Panthers fans react to Andy Dalton’s awful pick-6 vs. Commanders

Panthers QB Andy Dalton threw one of the most head-scratching passes you’ll see all day.

The Carolina Panthers were moving on their first drive of the afternoon against the Washington Commanders . . . until they weren’t.

Sunday started with a pretty solid drive for the visiting Panthers, who trekked up to the Commanders’ 25-yard line less than four minutes into the game. But on a third-and-9, quarterback Andy Dalton—on an attempted screen pass to running back Miles Sanders—all but handed the ball to Washington linebacker Dante Fowler Jr.

Fowler Jr. then took the easy pick for a 67-yard house call, helping give the Commanders a (somewhat) shocking 7-0 lead at the 11:14 mark of the first quarter.

Needless to say, Panthers fans weren’t very happy . . .

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Cowboys Dante Fowler Jr. pops Chargers Austin Ekeler in pregame fight

The Cowboys and Chargers had a pregame bout at SoFi Stadium

The undercards are starting to get feisty in the NFL.

For the second time in Week 6, there was a pregame scrap.

This one took place on Monday at SoFi Stadium and was between the Dallas Cowboys and Los Angeles Chargers.

The biggest blow was Dallas defensive player Dante Fowler hitting Los Angeles running back Austin Ekeler in the face.

6 free-agent edge rushers Colts could consider in 2023

Here are six free-agent edge rushers the Colts could consider in 2023.

The Indianapolis Colts have some promising names in the defensive end room, but it wouldn’t be a surprise if they used free agency to add some depth to the position this offseason.

As Yannick Ngakoue, Tyquan Lewis and Ben Banogu are set to hit the market, the Colts could be looking at free agency as a way to add some cheaper production, especially at the LEO position if Ngakoue doesn’t return.

So the Colts are rolling into free agency with the promising youngsters in Kwity Paye and Dayo Odeyingbo leading the room.

We took a look at the following positions for the Colts to consider adding to in free agency:

We shouldn’t expect the Colts to go on a wild spending spree in free agency. It’s not their M.O., and Chris Ballard isn’t working with the same amount of salary-cap space as he’s used to.

Here’s a look at six free-agent edge rushers the Colts could consider in 2023:

Every Gator selected by Jacksonville Jaguars in NFL draft’s first round

The Jacksonville Jaguars love taking former Gators in the NFL draft, including taking six in the first round.

For better or for worse, the Jacksonville Jaguars love taking former Florida players in the NFL draft. The Jags have taken 11 Gators in the draft over the years, including six players in the first round during their history.

Some of the recent Florida players Jacksonville has selected include cornerback [autotag]CJ Henderson[/autotag] (2020), offensive tackle [autotag]Jawaan Taylor[/autotag] (2019), defensive tackle [autotag]Taven Bryan[/autotag] (2018) and defensive end [autotag]Dante Fowler Jr[/autotag]. (2015).

Former Jaguars and Gators head coach [autotag]Urban Meyer[/autotag] tried to add another former player who suited up in the Orange and Blue during the 2021 draft with its second first-round pick. He said he was crushed after the New York Giants took wide receiver [autotag]Kadarius Toney[/autotag] took him five picks before Jacksonville was on the clock again.

A day before the 2022 NFL draft kicks off, Gators Wire is reflecting on six Florida players Jacksonville has taken in the first round during its franchise history.