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The Washington Commanders are taking advantage of Jayden Daniels' rookie contract with the signings of Deebo Samuel and Laremy Tunsil this offseason.
Already one of the better offenses in football last season, the Commanders have upgraded two key positions for Kliff Kingsbury. But there isn't much in terms of long-term futures.
And it is here that The Athletic's Ben Standig thinks the Commanders would be wise to invest in the future, given that they've gone all-in on the now.
"The offense is obviously Washington’s strongest unit, especially after trades for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel," Standig writes. "However, investing more in the Daniels-led group is appropriate. The Commanders return the bulk of last season’s offensive skill players that contributed to the league’s fifth-highest scoring attack. There are immediate concerns, though, namely the lack of speed and long-term options."
The long-term options thought are valid: Deebo is a one-year rental, Terry McLaurin, Brian Robinson Jr., and Austin Ekeler will be free agents after 2025, while Zach Ertz is on a one-year deal.
So that is a host of key players set to enter free agency next offseason, which is why it makes sense to look toward the future in the draft.
We fully expect McLaurin to put pen to paper on a new deal, but for the rest? They could easily be moved on, leaving the Commanders short on firepower.
Drafting a couple of offensive pieces would help soften that potential blow. There are ample receivers and tight ends that will be available in the early rounds of the draft, and the Commanders would be wise to entertain the thought of taking them.
An Ertz replacement, plus another receiver to grow with McLaurin, are smart choices because while the Commanders are in the win-now business, they must be in the long-term business too.
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NFL Notes: Christian Wilkins Fallout, Raiders Training Camp Observations
After a busy and noteworthy week, players from the Las Vegas Raiders are vying for spots on the roster as training camp heats up. With the goal of improving from last year’s performance, head coach Pete Carroll is energizing and motivating the team. Currently, there are no pads, but many of those pads will be cracking on July 31. Before that date, it will be crucial for players to excel in seven-on-sevens and one-on-ones. Additionally, just in case you missed it, Christian Wilkins has been released. Jamal Adams was signed just before training camp and has been practicing with the linebackers. It was certainly an intriguing development, but you could argue that he fits with what Carroll is trying to implement—a player-coach at this point in his career. It is crucial to understand that the starting lineups will change before the preseason starts. Nonetheless, the lineups on day one are significant. The “Starters” on Day 1: Dont’e Thornton Jr. gets early praise There are not many humans who stand at six foot five and run 4.3 forty-yard dashes. He has been receiving most of the first-team reps during training camp. Offensive coordinator Chip Kelly believes he has been performing well. “He has a great skillset for someone that tall and that fast,” Kelly said. “It is comforting to Geno [Smith].” Nonetheless, Thornton Jr. is being placed in a position to be a focal point of this offense. After averaging 25.4 yards per reception in college, he will be the field stretcher for Las Vegas. Thayer Munford Jr. missed Day 1 of Raiders training camp For the purpose of maintaining unpredictability against opponents, injuries do not need to be disclosed. Thayer Munford Jr. missed the first day of training camp, but no details were reported. Additionally, the 2022 seventh-round draft pick is competing for a starting position on the offensive line. He needs to improve upon his 45.9 Pro Football Focus grade in 2024. Right now, only the offensive guard positions are up for grabs. Last season, he primarily played as an offensive tackle. On the second day of training camp, the former Ohio State Buckeye was back on the practice field. Can the 25-year-old offensive lineman win a starting job? Who has been performing in the first two days? Maxx Crosby has clearly been the standout player in practice. His relentless effort and tenacity have become a daily hallmark for this Defensive Player of the Year candidate. Tyree Wilson is also beginning to showcase his potential as a strong pass rusher. Meanwhile, the defensive backs have been actively making plays throughout practice. Isaiah Pola-Mao and Trey Taylor both caught interceptions on Thursday. These were the first turnovers of training camp. Taylor also broke up a pass on day one. Additionally, Sam Webb broke up a short route on Wednesday and almost caught an interception. Day one was an evenly matched practice, but the second day was won by the defense. On the first day, tight end Ian Thomas had the best highlight of the day with a one-handed touchdown snag. Overall, the defensive line has emerged as the strongest position group during these practices. July 31 is set to be a crucial day for evaluating the potential of this roster. In terms of roster changes, a significant development occurred on Thursday, leaving the defensive tackle position relatively thin. Maybe you heard? Fallout from Christian Wilkins’ release by the Raiders… The fact is, there was considerable hope from Raider Nation as Wilkins recovered from his foot injury. A healthy Wilkins in the middle would have created numerous opportunities for Crosby and Malcolm Koonce. However, the Raiders did not wait for the depth chart to become unmanageable; they chose to claim defensive tackle Keondre Coburn off waivers from the Tennessee Titans. Still, no one can replace Wilkins’ impact at this juncture with training camp in full swing. Wilkins and the Raiders will be back in the news, especially with the legal and ethical issues that will arise from this mess.
Wrestling legend Hulk Hogan leaves behind a complicated legacy
On Thursday, wrestling icon Terry "Hulk Hogan" Bollea died at the age of 71. "WWE is saddened to learn WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has passed away," the company said in a statement. "One of pop culture’s most recognizable figures, Hogan helped WWE achieve global recognition in the 1980s... WWE extends its condolences to Hogan’s family, friends, and fans." Hogan was the first true superstar to emerge in the wrestling industry, capturing a casual audience worldwide and bringing new eyes to the sport. He was an unbelievable draw, both as a baby face and as a heel. From his time as an All-American hero to leading the New World Order and teaming with Randy Savage as part of the "Mega Powers," he has been a staple of the scene for decades. Who can forget his WrestleMania III moment, where he defied the laws of physics to body-slam a 520-pound Andre the Giant? Or, more recently, his match with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at WrestleMania 18? His last appearance on WWE RAW on Jan. 6 saw him booed throughout, highlighting the rocky legacy Hogan leaves behind. Hogan's universal popularity has plummeted in recent years, primarily due to a racism scandal that led to his removal from the Wrestling Hall of Fame, only to be reinstated in 2018. Nevertheless, the damage had been done. Hogan's outdated and unwelcome outlook on specific aspects of life derailed the final stanza of a legendary career. Still, there's no denying that without Hogan, the wrestling we know and love today wouldn't exist. There wouldn't be WWE on the world's largest streaming platform, or All Elite Wrestling, which is developing into one of the most successful challenger brands. Instead, there would be smaller, more localized promotions, all competing for a sliver of television time. Hogan popularized the sport by bridging the gap between the wrestling ring and Hollywood. During his time in the spotlight, Hogan appeared in movies such as "Rocky III," "No Holds Barred" and "Suburban Commando," all of which helped bring his larger-than-life persona to a new audience. It's no surprise, then, that The Rock, John Cena and Dave Bautista have all made similar jumps in recent years. Hogan leaves behind an everlasting imprint on the wrestling world. Unfortunately, it comes with multiple asterisks; however, that doesn't change what he achieved as the first global wrestling star.
All signs point to Yankees moving on from Anthony Volpe
With the trade for Ryan McMahon now complete, it would seem New York Yankees’ general manager Brian Cashman has fulfilled one of his three priorities. He can now cross third base off the list, which leaves the rotation and bullpen as his remaining priorities. However, according to one Yankees writer, Cashman might not be done with the infield. Chris Kirschner of The Athletic reported this after the McMahon trade: “The Yankees may not be done adding to their infield. A team source said the Yankees are interested in adding a right-handed hitter who could play the infield.” Kirschner adds that the Yankees have had interest in Willi Castro and Amed Rosario. But the question now is, how would another player fit in the Yankees’ infield? Needless to say, Paul Goldschmidt and Jazz Chisholm Jr. aren’t going anywhere, and McMahon is just getting there. That leaves the low-hanging fruit. Anthony Volpe has been at the center of controversy all this season. His 13 errors, many of which had come at make-or-break moments, amount to the second-highest total in the game. In addition, his bat has not been able to compensate, hitting .214/.286/.407 with 14 home runs. There was always a lot to like about Volpe. He won a Gold Glove in his rookie year, his power has always been promising and his speed is nothing to scoff at. Unfortunately, his glove has become a liability and his speed has also produced very few results. Volpe has swiped just 10 bags in 17 attempts. His power is the one thing that still has some upside, but it hasn’t been enough to justify a spot in the lineup. Both Castro and Rosario have been far more productive at the plate this season than Volpe. Kirschner doesn’t clarify how serious the Yankees are in their pursuit of another infielder, but that most likely isn’t available information. Having just turned 24, Volpe could still become the type of player that was expected from him as a top prospect. However, his recent performance has weighed heavily on his team’s efforts and it may be buying him a ticket out of the Bronx — or at least a spot on the bench.
Steelers News: Omar Khan Details Why George Pickens Was Traded to the Cowboys Despite 'Developing' Him Since 2022
Following his breakout year in 2023, George Pickens was expected to be the WR1 of the Pittsburgh Steelers for the foreseeable future. He had already justified the second-round draft capital that the franchise had initially invested in him, but there were growing concerns about Pickens’ lack of maturity. Fast forward to the 2025 offseason, and even though he’s managed to produce a career total of 2,841 receiving yards throughout his first three seasons in the league, the Steelers were willing to let him go in exchange for nothing more than a 2026 third-round pick and a minuscule value swap with the Dallas Cowboys. While the team has since managed to replace Pickens’ service with that of D.K. Metcalf, fans and analysts alike are still questioning the decision. Thankfully, the self-titled host of The Rich Eisen made the most of his recent discussion with the team’s general manager, Omar Khan, by directly asking him “Why did George Pickens have to go despite developing him?” “I’ll just say, as we went through the offseason and the process, it just became evident that, for both sides, a fresh start was the best thing,” Khan explained. “It just made sense for both of us.” Suffice to say, Khan’s answer, while not very insightful, does suggest that Pickens’ relationships with various Pittsburgh personnel had become fractured beyond repair. Whether it was the Steelers or Pickens himself who was responsible for things not working out does not matter anymore, as Khan’s brief statement brings the entire saga to a somewhat definitive end. For one reason or another, it was no longer in either side’s best interest to continue working together, and that’s that. Much like the rest of his interview with Eisen, Khan and the rest of the Steelers’ organization is now moving forward. When Eisen noted that Pittsburgh’s trade involving Minkah Fitzpatrick and Jalen Ramsey couldn’t have “happened over night,” Khan explained that it took “weeks” to finally get the deal done with the Miami Dolphins. Being sure to cover all of the high notes from the Steelers’ chaotic offseason, the seven-time Sports Emmy award nominee also inquired about T.J. Watt’s latest benchmark contract with the team. While he was unwilling to go into the “specifics of the numbers,” Khan did proclaim that, “I think it just reflects how we feel about him. It was important for me, and the organization, for T.J. to be a one-helmet Hall of Famer. It would be a great thing and hopefully there’s many, many more years to go with T.J., but it was just important. His numbers speak for themselves… As great of a player as he is, he’s an even better person.” At 6-foot-4 and 229-pounds, the aforementioned Metcalf is certainly capable of filling the Pickens-sized hole in Pittsburgh’s receiving core. Likewise, the addition of Ramsey along with their retaining of Watt will help to ensure that the defense is as stout as ever. The Steelers are going all in on the 2025 regular season with the hopes of discovering their first playoff win since January 15th of 2017 and it’s too late for them to turn back now. They’ll have to hope that they’ve made the right moves and prioritized the right signings. Otherwise they’ll risk wasting the final regular season of one of the most storied careers in all of NFL history.
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