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The Washington Commanders put in a ton of work this offseason, believing it will help propel them beyond last season's NFC Championship appearance.
They once again were active on the free agent market, with an emphasis on the defensive side of the ball. They also brought in veterans Laremy Tunsil and Deebo Samuel on the offensive side of the ball to help Jayden Daniels and company flourish even more.
Many Commanders showed up for offseason workouts thus far, but there was a notable name missing: star wide receiver Terry McLaurin.
It has come to light that McLaurin held out of mandatory minicamp as he seeks a contract extension with the team that he has been with since being drafted.
Things have gone a bit quiet on the front, sparking speculation on whether or not the Commanders will get a deal done with him as training camp looms.
However, according to FOX Sports' David Helman, Washington could look to trade its offensive weapon for one on the other side of the ball in Pittsburgh Steelers' pass rusher T.J. Watt.
"If Washington were to trade Terry McLaurin, they’d be opening some financial wiggle room to add another lucrative player," wrote Helman. "They could get at least two, if not three, years of play out of Watt before they have to worry about extending Jayden Daniels. They definitely need the pass rush help. Watt would give Dan Quinn a blue chip player."
The Commanders added veteran defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr. this offseason to pair across from Dorance Armstrong, but neither has the upside or elite playmaking ability that Watt possesses.
It would be odd for the Commanders to make such a move, especially given what McLaurin has given them over their tumultuous times. And that is exactly a point that Helman made as he continued through the thought process.
"Sure, maybe it’s a mixed message to hinder the offense by trading McLaurin only to add T.J. Watt. But, with all due respect to Scary Terry, I think it’s a bit harder to find a DPOY-level edge rusher than an All-Pro caliber receiver in today’s NFL."
It is hard to argue that fact, given that the Commanders also went and got Samuel this offseason and have a clear need for getting to the quarterback. However, the case can also be made that this move wouldn't get the Commanders any closer to where they were a season ago at the wide receiver position, despite the Samuel acquisition and also acquiring Michael Gallup in free agency, and drafting Jaylin Lane.
Both Watt and McLaurin skipped out on their respective teams' minicamps, but it seems unlikely that either will be heading elsewhere other than to sign long-term extensions with their current squads.
More must-reads:
- Five best NFL offseason value signings on offense: Bills get great deal with RB extension
- Dolphins humiliated by Lions at joint practice
- The '2023 NFL AP second-team All-Pro' quiz
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Justin Jefferson Injury Update Leaves Minnesota Vikings Fans With A Mixed Bag Of Emotions
The Minnesota Vikings are gearing up for the 2025 NFL season, with fans eager to see how the team will perform under JJ McCarthy’s leadership. However, one storyline dominating training camp is Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury. Arguably the best wide receiver in the league, Jefferson has been sidelined with the hope of a full recovery by Week 1. While updates on his rehab bring positive news, there are still concerns about how this will affect the Vikings’ season, particularly his chemistry with the team’s new quarterback. Here’s a deep dive into the positives, the challenges, and what it all means for the Vikings. The Good News: Justin Jefferson Is Progressing Head coach Kevin O’Connell recently provided an update on Jefferson’s recovery, noting that the receiver is progressing well and will be reassessed next week. For Vikings fans, this is the silver lining. The organization appears to be taking a cautious approach to ensure Jefferson is fully healed, as lingering issues with hamstring injuries have derailed seasons for even the best NFL players. O’Connell’s deliberate pacing suggests the team is focusing on the bigger picture—a healthy Jefferson navigating a 17-game season. After missing seven games in 2023 with a Grade 2 hamstring strain, the emphasis now is on preventing a repeat of that scenario. Leaving Jefferson out of practice and preseason games may seem frustrating, but it’s the smarter move considering his value to the team. With his track record of success, Jefferson doesn’t need extra reps to get up to speed and should be as dominant as ever once he returns to the field. The Concerns: Lingering Effects of the Injury Hamstring injuries, while often non-catastrophic, can be notoriously tricky. The soft tissue requires a delicate balance of rest and strengthening to avoid re-aggravation. The fact that Jefferson has dealt with hamstring issues before raises questions about whether this injury could linger. Given the missed time in training camp, Jefferson’s absence could even extend into the opening weeks of the season if the Vikings feel the need to be extra cautious. The team has a tough early schedule, and missing Jefferson against formidable defenses would significantly impact the offense’s explosiveness. Another concern is how Jefferson’s recovery might affect his usual sharpness. For a player who relies heavily on quick bursts, precise route-running, and agility, even slight discomfort could have an impact on his performance. Jefferson’s ability to separate from defenders makes him elite—any limitation in that department could be costly. The Chemistry Question with JJ McCarthy This offseason marked a monumental change for the Vikings with JJ McCarthy stepping in as the team’s quarterback. Developing chemistry between a quarterback and wide receiver duo is crucial, and every lost practice rep makes that process harder. McCarthy is a dynamic young talent, but he’s coming off a season-ending injury in 2024 and is still adjusting to the speed of the NFL game. While early preseason snaps have shown promise, the connection between McCarthy and Jefferson hasn’t been stress-tested enough to give fans full confidence yet. With Jefferson on the sideline and rookie receiver Jordan Addison suspended for the first three games, this puts even more pressure on McCarthy to adapt. Doubling down on their connection during training camp was a priority, but Jefferson’s absence forces a delay in that process. For now, McCarthy will build rapport with other playmakers like tight end TJ Hockenson, but it’s undeniable that Jefferson is the centerpiece of the offense. The earlier McCarthy and Jefferson can get meaningful reps together, the better the Vikings’ chances for a seamless start to the season. Why the Vikings’ Cautious Approach Is the Right Move While the concerns are real, this situation showcases the Vikings’ long-term thinking under Kevin O’Connell. Hamstring injuries demand respect—rushing back too soon can trigger setbacks that derail seasons. By prioritizing Jefferson’s long-term health over preseason scrimmages, the team is protecting its most valuable offensive asset. O’Connell has reiterated that the Vikings intend to compete for postseason success, not just early-season wins. This strategy, though frustrating for fans hungry to see Jefferson dominate, could help the team build toward sustained success over the course of a grueling season. Final Thoughts Justin Jefferson’s hamstring injury is a double-edged sword for the Vikings. On one hand, the careful management of his health inspires confidence that he’ll be ready to deliver highlight-reel performances when the games matter most. On the other hand, the lack of chemistry-building reps with JJ McCarthy raises questions about how quickly the offense can hit its stride. The Vikings are playing the long game, and that’s the right call. If Jefferson returns at 100% for Week 1, this moment of preseason adversity will feel like nothing more than a brief hiccup. If the injury lingers, however, it could magnify challenges for an offense that’s already adjusting to new leadership. For now, patience is the name of the game. Vikings fans should trust the organization to strike the balance between caution and urgency, as the ultimate goal remains deep postseason success with Jefferson as the team’s unstoppable playmaker.
Milwaukee Brewers: Bryan Reynolds Shows Respect for Brew Crew After Brutal Pirates Sweep
The Milwaukee Brewers may never lose ever again. Sure, that’s not going to happen, but the Brewers have indeed been the hottest baseball team today, and that continues to be the case following their completion of a three-game sweep of the lowly Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. After demolishing the Bucs on Tuesday to the tune of a 14-0 score, the Brewers wrecked the Pirates in the series finale, 12-5. Pittsburgh showed some fight, cutting a six-run lead down to a run after Bryan Reynolds’ back-to-back multi-RBI home runs in the fifth and the sixth inning, but the Brewers were simply too good and too hot for the Pirates. Brandon Woodruff had a solid start for the Brewers, pitching four scoreless innings before the bullpen gave up five earned runs to the Pirates, with Shelby Miller and Nick Mears struggling on the mound. Jared Koenig and Tobias Myers, however, combined to shut down the Pirates the rest of the way, as the Brewers collect their 76th win of the season. Reynolds praises Milwaukee Brewers after sweep Reynolds, who gave the Brewers lots of trouble by going 3-for-5 with two home runs and five RBIs, had nothing but flowers to give to Milwaukee. “I don’t think anybody wants to play this team right now,” said Reynolds after the game, per Adam McCalvy of MLB.com. “We just ran into that. They’re a great team.” The Pirates will look to snap their five-game losing skid on Friday, when they face the Chicago Cubs in Windy City for a series opener. As for the Brewers, they will deal with the Cincinnati Reds next on the road, beginning on Friday as well.
Celtics' sale comes with significant and surprising twists
The sale of the Celtics to an investor group led by William Chisholm has received unanimous approval from the NBA’s Board of Governors, the league announced. The results of the vote were never really in doubt, but it’s significant that there was no opposition to Chisholm’s purchase. The league states that the deal is expected to be finalized soon. Chisholm, a Massachusetts native and lifelong Celtics fan, reached a tentative agreement in March to purchase the franchise for $6.1 billion, which set a record at the time as the largest amount ever paid for a North American sports team. That number has since been exceeded by the sale of the Lakers for $10 billion. Chisholm submitted the highest offer among four groups that were bidding for the team. According to Brian Robb of MassLive, his other stakeholders include Aditya Mittal, Robert Hale and Bruce A. Beal Jr., along with Sixth Street, a private investment firm. Chisholm’s group will obtain a 51% stake in the team from the Grousbeck family in the first phase of the sale and will purchase the remaining shares in 2028. When the sale was first announced, Wyc Grousbeck intended to remain in his role as the team’s governor through the 2027-28 season. However, in a surprising twist, a report on Tuesday indicates that’s no longer possible because Grousbeck will control less than the 15% minimum stake that the NBA requires for the person who holds that position. Instead, Chisholm will become lead governor as soon as the sale is official with Grousbeck serving as alternate governor and CEO through the 2027-28 season. Chisholm will take over the Celtics during a time of transition after years of being one of the NBA’s elite teams. Jayson Tatum‘s Achilles injury coupled with a second-round playoff exit have placed an emphasis on cost-cutting measures to lower the team’s tax bill and escape second-apron restrictions. Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet are already gone from last year’s roster, and more money-saving moves may take place before the new season begins.
Jets QB Justin Fields had 'alarming' practice against Giants
New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields found out he has a long way to go following his performance at Tuesday's joint practice with the New York Giants. Per Connor Hughes of SNY TV, Fields started hot at the practice before struggling during the move-the-ball period. "Very interesting practice for #Jets QB Justin Fields," Hughes posted on X. "He finished 7 of 12 with a TD. 5 of 5 to start practice. Then 0 for 4. Finished 2 of 3 with the really impressive TD to Jeremy Ruckert in red zone (starter 18 yard line). "The offensive performance was a bit alarming in move-the-ball period of practice. Fields Co. had three attempts to get down field. They didn’t gain a first down. Only gained yards twice (two short Breece Hall runs). Three sacks. That needs to be fixed. #Giants defense toyed with NYJ during that period." Some Jets fans online thought Hughes was using hyperbole to characterize the practice, but he doubled down on his judgment of the offense. Fields looked strong on his first and only drive in the Jets' 30-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Saturday night. He went 3-of-4 passing for 42 yards and rushed two times for 14 yards and a touchdown. However, the Giants defense at the joint practice is a much better unit than the short-handed one the Packers trotted out for the first preseason game. Fields' issues seen with the Chicago Bears and Pittsburgh Steelers, with holding the ball too long and not being able to pass consistently downfield, were a factor against the Giants. Following Saturday's game, Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Fields was getting better but had a lot to improve on. Tuesday's practice was a humbling reminder that Fields needs to become a consistent passer if the Jets are going to move the ball on good defenses in the regular season.
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