| News |
|---|
|
Michael Gallup Michael Gallup Adds depth to Washington WR corps
Thu, Mar 20, 2025, 12:50 PM
The Commanders signed Gallup on Thursday.
Analysis: Gallup last saw regular-season action with Dallas during the 2023 season, when he logged a 34-418-2 receiving line in 17 regular-season games. After announcing his intention to retire last July, the 29-year-old sat out out the entire 2024 NFL campaign, but Gallup now is poised to resume his career with Washington, joining a wideout group headed by Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel, with Noah Brown, Luke McCaffrey and K.J. Osborn also in the mix. While Gallup doesn't have a clear path to steady volume at first glance, he does give the Commanders experienced pass-catching depth, as he reunites with coach Dan Quinn, who worked with the 2018 third-rounder while the two were together for three years in Dallas, per Ben Standig of The Athletic. |
|
Deebo Samuel Deebo Samuel Gets salary guaranteed
Wed, Mar 19, 2025, 2:56 PM
Samuel and the Commanders agreed to terms Wednesday on a reworked one-year contract that provides him with a $17 million guaranteed salary and $3 million in incentives, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Samuel's reworked contract seems mutually beneficial, as it provides him with new incentives and a stronger baseline for 2025, while likely lessening Washington's commitment beyond the coming season. He previously had a $16.6 million non-guaranteed salary. Coming off a lackluster 2024 campaign in San Francisco, the 29-year-old playmaker will work to reignite his career while lining up alongside reigning second-team All-Pro selection Terry McLaurin, and while catching passes from 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels. Samuel's versatility will make him a strong fit for offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury's scheme, as long as he can regain some of the dynamic abilities he showcased while earning 2021 first-team All-Pro honors. He recorded just 51 catches (on 81 targets) for 670 yards and three scores across 15 regular-season appearances in 2024, with just 42 carries for 136 yards and one touchdown (on a career-low 3.2 YPC). |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Feeling better after 2024 injury
Wed, Mar 19, 2025, 8:56 AM
Brown has resumed working out, and he said Tuesday that he'll "come back stronger" after missing the end of last season with a kidney injury, Commanders Wire reports.
Analysis: Released by the Texans last summer after they overbooked at wide receiver, Brown landed on his feet in Washington and quickly earned the No. 2 receiver job. He averaged 3.2 catches for 41.2 yards in 11 games, albeit with his lone TD coming on a hail mary, before a kidney laceration in early December brought his season to an early end. The Commanders re-signed Brown last week on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million, which is similar to what he got from the Texans at the same time last year before a trade for Stefon Diggs made him expendable. The Commanders have also made a major trade for a veteran wide receiver, adding Deebo Samuel, but they don't have great depth after losing Dyami Brown (Jaguars) and Olamide Zaccheaus (Bears) in free agency. While Noah Brown's depth-chart standing could still take a hit as the offseason progresses, he's a clear favorite for the No. 3 receiver job amongst players currently on the roster. |
|
Noah Brown Noah Brown Brought back by Washington
Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 12:58 PM
Brown (torso) re-signed with the Commanders on Thursday via a one-year contract, Adam Schefter reports.
Analysis: Brown's new deal with Washington is reportedly worth up to $4.5 million. The 29-year-old wideout operated as the team's No. 3 receiver across 11 regular-season appearances in 2024, finding modest success before landing on IR due to a kidney laceration sustained Week 13. In that span, he secured 35 catches for 453 yards and one touchdown on 56 targets. Brown has eclipsed the usual recovery timeframe for his injury, so he figures to be ready to participate in full by the start of offseason activities. He rejoins a wide receiver corps that added Deebo Samuel via trade from the 49ers, providing another established playmaker alongside No. 1 wideout Terry McLaurin. |
|
K.J. Osborn K.J. Osborn Returns to Washington
Thu, Mar 13, 2025, 11:59 AM
Osborn re-signed with the Commanders on a one-year contract Thursday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Osborn only suited up for one regular-season game upon being claimed off waivers by Washington in December, remaining a healthy scratch throughout the playoffs. The veteran wideout will now look to make the most of a full offseason to pick up the team's offensive scheme, with the goal of earning a consistent depth role during the 2025 season. |
|
Jeremy McNichols Jeremy McNichols Stayting in Washington
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 6:25 PM
McNichols agreed to a one-year deal with Washington on Tuesday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: McNichols mostly served as the No. 3 running back for the Commanders in 2024 behind Brian Robinson and Austin Ekeler, and he'll likely do the same in 2025. McNichols finished the 2024 regular season with 55 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns while adding nine catches (on 12 targets) for 27 yards and 164 kick return yards. |
|
Marcus Mariota Marcus Mariota Staying in Washington
Wed, Mar 12, 2025, 1:22 PM
Mariota agreed Wednesday with the Commanders on a one-year contract, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
Analysis: Mariota's combination of experience, mobility and scheme familiarity makes him a sensible backup for Jayden Daniels, who didn't miss any games during his rookie season but left two contests early (once because of an injury, and once in Week 18). Mariota played well both times, throwing for multiple touchdowns and completing more than 75 percent of his passes without turning the ball over. |
|
John Bates John Bates Signs new deal with Washington
Sun, Mar 9, 2025, 9:35 PM
Bates and the Commanders agreed on a three-year contract Sunday, Mike Garafolo of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Bates will remain in Washington ahead of the 2025 campaign. The tight end caught eight of 13 targets for 84 yards in 2024, his lowest totals in both categories over his four seasons in the NFL. Bates will compete with Ben Sinnott for the No. 2 spot at tight end behind Zach Ertz on the depth chart in 2025. |
|
Zach Ertz Zach Ertz Returning to Washington
Sat, Mar 8, 2025, 9:27 PM
The Commanders agreed to terms with Ertz on a one-year, $6.25 million contract Saturday, Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reports.
Analysis: Ertz can earn up to $9 million with incentives. Returning to Washington always made the most sense for the 34-year-old tight end after he appeared in all 17 regular-season games for the Commanders last season, reeling in 66 of 91 targets for 654 yards and seven touchdowns as one of Jayden Daniels' safety blankets in the middle of the field and red zone. Ertz's seven scores were his most since back-to-back eight-TD seasons in 2017 and 2018 with the Eagles. He also had a productive postseason, securing 18 passes for 155 yards and one touchdown, including an 11-104-0 effort in the NFC championship loss to Philadelphia. Ertz should once again lead Washington's tight end room in 2025. |
|
Chris Rodriguez Chris Rodriguez Tendered by Washington
Fri, Mar 7, 2025, 6:21 PM
Rodriguez was tendered a contract by the Commanders on Friday.
Analysis: Rodriguez will remain with the Commanders after entering the offseason as an exclusive-rights free agent. The running back compiled 173 yards and two touchdowns on 35 carries while also reeling in his only target for 12 yards over nine regular-season games in 2024. |
|
Jayden Daniels Jayden Daniels Wins Offensive Rookie of the Year
Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 8:13 PM
Daniels was named the 2024 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year on Thursday, Rob Maaddi of the Associated Press reports.
Analysis: Daniels completed 69 percent of his passes for 3,568 passing yards and 25 passing touchdowns while throwing nine interceptions over 17 regular-season games with Washington this season. He also added a rookie-QB record 891 rushing yards while scoring six touchdowns on the ground. It comes as no surprise that he was able to bring home the hardware as the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, edging out fellow quarterback Bo Nix, wide receivers Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas and tight end Brock Bowers for the award. |
|
Michael Wiley Michael Wiley Gets future deal with Washington
Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 3:33 PM
The Commanders signed Wiley to a reserve/future contract Thursday.
Analysis: Wiley spent time on Washington's practice squad during the 2024 campaign, though the undrafted rookie didn't ultimately suit up for a single regular-season or playoff game with the team. Now, Wiley will get a chance to continue his development with the Commanders for a second consecutive offseason. |
|
Chris Rodriguez Chris Rodriguez Finishes season with 173 rush yards
Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 1:31 PM
Rodriguez finished the 2024 regular season with 35 carries for 173 yards and two touchdowns and one catch for 12 yards.
Analysis: The 2023 sixth-round pick spent much of the season on Washington's practice squad and was a healthy scratch for the final two playoff games, but he also had a few chances to handle a significant role when the team was missing either Brian Robinson or Austin Ekeler, both of whom are under contract through 2025. Rodriguez is set to be an exclusive rights free agent, which means he'll likely be back with the Commanders in a depth role at the league-minimum salary for a third-year player. There is some chance Rodriguez gets an opportunity to move up the depth chart, as he's averaged 4.9 yards on 86 career carries after a prolific college career at Kentucky. |
|
Austin Ekeler Austin Ekeler Tough ending to solid season
Thu, Feb 6, 2025, 1:23 PM
Ekeler finished the 2024 regular season with 77 carries for 367 yards and four touchdowns and 35 catches for 366 yards in 12 games, adding 34 touches for 173 yards in three playoff appearances.
Analysis: Ekeler mostly played well in the first season of a two-year contract, but he suffered a pair of concussions along the way and then lost a fumble in the NFC Championship Game. His future in Washington is uncertain, as the team can add $3.46 million in cap space by releasing Ekeler this offseason. Regardless of how things play out with the Commanders, his days as a top fantasy asset appear numbered, with Ekeler now trying to continue his career as a backup/passing-down specialist. He'll turn 30 in May. |
|
Cole Turner Cole Turner Signs futures deal with Washington
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 4:33 PM
Turner signed a reserve/future contract with the Commanders on Tuesday.
Analysis: Turner spent the entire 2024 season on the Commanders' practice squad after failing to make the 53-man roster at the conclusion of training camp. The Nevada product has played in 22 regulars-season games since being selected by Washington in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Turner will be on the Commanders' 90-man roster at the start of the new league year, and he'll use OTAs, minicamp and training camp as an opportunity to earn a spot on the 53-man roster for the 2025 campaign. |
|
Chris Moore Chris Moore Staying with Commanders
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 4:31 PM
The Commanders signed Moore to a reserve/future contract Tuesday.
Analysis: Moore spent the 2024 regular season on the Cardinals' and Commanders' practice squads. He was elevated to Washington's active roster for the NFC wild-card game against Tampa Bay, during which he played 12 offensive snaps without drawing a target. Moore will be able to participate in OTAs, minicamp and training camp while working his way to earn a spot on the Commanders' 53-man roster for the 2025 campaign. |
|
Marcus Mariota Marcus Mariota Does well with limited chances in 2024
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:55 AM
Mariota completed 34 of 44 passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns during the 2024 regular season, then took two rush attempts for one yard in two playoff games.
Analysis: Mariota never made a start but got the majority of playing time in two regular-season games and led the Commanders to victory both times. He then got two snaps in short-yardage situations during the playoffs, converting one and getting stuffed on the other. The 31-year-old isn't under contract for 2025, but it won't come as any surprise if he re-signs with the Commanders to back up Jayden Daniels again. |
|
Ben Sinnott Ben Sinnott Buried on depth chart all season
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:30 AM
Sinnott finished his rookie season with five catches for 28 yards and a touchdown on five targets, adding one catch for 23 yards on a fake punt in three playoff games.
Analysis: Sinnott spent his entire rookie season third on the depth chart, behind Zach Ertz and blocker John Bates, neither of whom is under contract for 2025. It's possible the 2024 second-round pick gets a starting opportunity ahead of his second pro season, but the lack of playing time as a rookie still isn't the best sign for his future. Still, Sinnott's combination of size, speed and draft capital could make him a late-round sleeper for fantasy in 2025, especially if the Commanders don't re-sign Ertz or otherwise make a large investment in a receiving-focused TE. |
|
John Bates John Bates Adds three catches in playoffs
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:27 AM
Bates caught eight of 13 passes for 84 yards during the 2024 regular season, then added three catches for 31 yards on four targets in the playoffs.
Analysis: Bates has been Washington's No. 2 tight end ever since the team took him in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He's always been more of a blocker than pass catcher, and it's possible he finds a new home now that he's completed his rookie contract. TE Zach Ertz is also scheduled for free agency, but Bates is unlikely to have a major receiving role even if he re-signs with the Commanders while Ertz moves on. |
|
Jeremy McNichols Jeremy McNichols Fumbles in NFCCG
Tue, Jan 28, 2025, 9:24 AM
McNichols finished the 2024 regular season with 55 carries for 261 yards and four touchdowns and nine catches for 27 yards, adding five carries for nine yards and a touchdown in three playoff appearances.
Analysis: McNichols got a bunch of chances to step in as Washington's No. 2 back, with Brian Robinson missing three games and Austin Ekeler five. While he mostly performed well, the enduring memory of McNichols' season for a lot of Washington fans will be be his lost fumble on a kick return during the NFC Championship Game -- a mistake that allowed the Eagles to stretch their lead from eight points to 15. The 29-year-old McNichols is scheduled for unrestricted free agency this offseason. |
Connect With Us:
