Commanders links
Articles
Commanders Roundtable
Why Odafe Oweh Is the Perfect Piece for Commanders, Daronte Jones
Oweh’s measurables are exactly what you look for in an All-Pro defender. At 6-foot-5 with 34.5-inch arms, he has the length to disrupt passing lanes and win at the point of attack. His 4.37-second forty-yard dash, 39.5-inch vertical, and 11-foot-2-inch broad jump place him in rare athletic company for any position, let alone a 257-pound edge defender. Speed and explosion off the snap — the foundational traits of any elite pass rusher — aren’t things you develop. You either have them, or you don’t. Oweh has them in abundance.
Advertisement
Beyond the pass rush, Oweh has graded among the top edge defenders in run stop rate in back-to-back seasons, ranking third in both 2024 and 2025 at the position. That matters enormously for a Jones defense that will ask its edge players to set hard edges in the run game while also being capable of dropping into coverage on occasion. Oweh has logged more coverage snaps than the average edge defender throughout his career, demonstrating the positional flexibility Jones covets in a multiple-scheme.
When a defense has a legitimate edge threat winning individual matchups, it creates a domino effect: corners don’t have to hold coverage as long, linebackers can attack downhill, and safeties can cheat toward the line of scrimmage. Jones’ scheme is designed to generate takeaways and exploit those cascading advantages — but it only works if there’s a disruptive presence up front forcing the issue.
Paired with a returning Dorance Armstrong, Oweh doesn’t have to carry the load alone. He just has to be the headliner Jones’ system was designed around — a long, explosive, turnover-forcing edge defender who makes everyone else around him better.
On paper, the fit is seamless.
The Athletic (paywall)
Advertisement
A potential star and a steal: Commanders use Day 1 of free agency to bolster defense
[Washington] zeroed in on the defense, adding versatile cornerback Amik Robertson on a two-year, $16 million deal and then pass rusher Odafe Oweh on a four-year, $100 million contract, according to sources.
In between, the team re-upped with veteran backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on a one-year, $7 million deal, then turned to defense again to bring back defensive tackle Tim Settle, Washington’s fifth-round pick in 2018.
The prize of the group, in monetary value and on-field potential, is undoubtedly Oweh, a 27-year-old edge rusher who has the size (6-foot-5, 251 pounds), length (34.5-inch arms, according to his pro day measurements) and speed (unofficial 4.36-second 40).
Advertisement
Oweh spent more than four seasons with the Baltimore Ravens after they drafted him in the first round out of Penn State in 2021. He opened last season with a dry spell in sacks and was traded to the Los Angeles Chargers, a move that jump-started his season and raised his value. In 13 games with the Chargers (including one in the playoffs), Oweh notched 10.5 sacks, the last two of which were strip-sacks of Patriots quarterback Drake Maye in the Chargers’ wild-card playoff loss. Oweh had three total sacks in that game.
[T]he steal of Washington’s offseason so far may be Robertson, a smaller but versatile corner who can play in the slot and outside at corner. Robertson played primarily out wide last season for the Detroit Lions, but spent the majority of his 2024 defensive snaps inside.
Despite being only 5-foot-9 and 180 pounds, Robertson plays fearlessly, and is scrappy in coverage. He led the Lions with 12 pass breakups last season and has played beyond his size throughout his career.
Take his interception in coverage against Ja’Marr Chase in Week 5 of last season. Or when he stayed glued to Justin Jefferson and nearly had a pick in the end zone in Week 16. Or this pick of Jordan Love in 2023 or this pick of Daniel Jones later that season.
Advertisement
“He’s a skilled player,” Lions coach Dan Campbell once said of Robertson. “He’s tenacious, he’s feisty, he’s confident and teammates love his energy because he does, he brings it all the time. He brings it in practice, brings it in the games, he’s a ball guy. And he is, he’s kind of one of those guys that sparks our defense, the other guys around him.”
The Athletic (paywall)
Commanders, LT Laremy Tunsil agree to 2-year extension: Source
Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil agreed to a two-year extension with the team that will keep him under contract until 2028, according to two league sources.
The deal, according to one of those sources, is for $60.2 million in total value for the two years and includes $32.5 million in a signing bonus, the largest one ever given to an NFL offensive lineman.
Advertisement
Tunsil started 14 games last season, missing the final three because of shoulder and oblique injuries. He allowed only two sacks and 15 pressures, and was especially effective as a run blocker.
Off the field, Tunsil immediately took on the role of mentor to two of the team’s youngest linemen, rookie Josh Conerly Jr. and Brandon Coleman, inviting both to Auburn to train with him in the offseason.
Riggo’s Rag
Commanders throw down the gauntlet to Johnny Newton after Tim Settle deal
The Commanders were expecting big things from Johnny Newton when they took him at No. 36 overall in the 2024 NFL Draft. Most experts thought he was a first-round lock before injuries dented his stock. Washington thought it was getting a steal, but two years into his professional career, the jury is still well and truly out.
Advertisement
Newton has found it difficult to carve out a prominent role for himself. Aside from a three-sack outing against the Dallas Cowboys on Christmas Day, his production has been relatively underwhelming. The Commanders are not ready to give up on him just yet, but the Illinois product’s chance of gaining additional reps hasn’t exactly increased after Settle’s arrival.
Assuming Settle assumes the nose tackle role in Daronte Jones’ projected 3-4 base front, Daron Payne and Javon Kinlaw will line up as the ends. These are large, space-eating linemen who can free up space for the edge rushers to do damage, which now includes Oweh after he agreed to a four-year, $100 million deal with $68 million guaranteed.
Where that leaves Newton is anyone’s guess.
He’s young enough at 23 to keep improving, but his snap count diminishing to 38 percent last season was a significant step back. The acquisition of Settle means starting this year is out of the question, barring injury. Perhaps the Commanders see Newton as a pass-rush specialist and nothing more. While that’s useful, it’s not why he got drafted early on Day 2.
Commanders Wire
Commanders agree to terms with former Lions cornerback
Though Robertson played more outside than at slot in 2025, the Lions did have a ton of injuries last season. It could very well be that Lions coaches determined Robertson would fill a bigger need playing outside for them in 2025. Robertson is only 5-9, 183 pounds and may very well have been signed to play at slot corner, meaning the Commanders may be planning on moving Sainristil permanently to the outside.
Advertisement
Robertson spent his first four NFL seasons (2020-23) with the Raiders, after being drafted No. 139 overall in the fourth round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He then played his last two seasons with the Lions (2024-25). Some Commanders fans may recall that in the 2024 season playoff game at Detroit, Robertson broke his arm early against Washington.
In his six NFL seasons Robertson has started 35 games, intercepting five passes, defending 35 passes, and forcing seven fumbles.
ESPN
Sources: Commanders re-signing backup QB Marcus Mariota
The Washington Commanders are re-signing backup quarterback Marcus Mariota on a one-year, $7 million deal, according to NFL Network.
Advertisement
Mariota can make up to $11 million in incentives, per the report.
Mariota, 32, started eight games last season for Washington and appeared in 11 as starter Jayden Daniels battled injuries. Mariota threw for 1,695 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions, but the Commanders won only two of his starts.
He has started 82 games in his career, throwing for 17,879 yards, 107 touchdowns and 62 interceptions. He also has rushed for 2,453 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Podcasts & videos
GENUINE: Adam Peters PAYING Odafe Oweh $100M marks a massive Washington Commanders free agency shift
NFC East links
Bleeding Green Nation
Jaelan Phillips is not returning to the Eagles
The Eagles weren’t able to keep one of the league’s top upcoming free agents in Philadelphia, and instead he’s heading to Carolina
Advertisement
The Eagles made a big deal ahead of the NFL trade deadline in 2025, bringing edge rusher Jaelan Phillips to Philadelphia from Miami. The former Dolphins pass rusher was instantly impactful upon reuniting with Vic Fangio and he even called the trade the best thing to ever happen to him. Despite the Eagles reportedly making a strong push to keep him in Philly, Phillips will instead head to the Carolina Panthers on a four-year contract worth $120 million, including $80 million guaranteed.
Jahan Dotson will not return to the Eagles
The Eagles WR3 will join another Philadelphia alumnus down in Atlanta this season
The Birds’ WR3 is reportedly heading to the Atlanta Falcons on a two-year deal worth $15 million and includes $10 million guaranteed, according to a report from NFL insider Jordan Schultz.
Advertisement
During his two years in Philly, the former Penn State pass-catcher recorded 37 catches for 478 yards and one touchdown. While Dotson made some highlight catches at times (few and far between), he ranked 189th out of 200 wide receivers in yards per route run in 2025. His minimal role behind A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith was evident ever since the team traded for him in 2024.
Now Dotson will head to the Falcons, where he’ll have a chance to play a bigger role in the offense. Dotson will join another former Eagles receiver, Olamide Zaccheaus, who also reportedly plans to sign with Atlanta in free agency.
Nakobe Dean is not returning to the Eagles
The linebacker will be moving on after four seasons as a leader on the Eagles defense
Advertisement
Nakobe Dean, who reportedly agreed to a three-year, $36 million deal that includes $20 million guaranteed with the Las Vegas Raiders — leaving behind a plethora of Georgia teammates he’s played with since college.
Dean has struggled to stay healthy at times but he’s always locked in even if it’s from the sideline. Still, that history — including a Lisfranc injury, a torn patellar tendon, and a hamstring injury — impacted his free agency options.
Reed Blankenship is not returning to the Eagles
Philadelphia will need a new starting safety in 2026
The Birds are losing their starting safety and team captain to the Houston Texans, who are reportedly signing Blankenship to a three-year, $24.75 million contract. That $8.25 million annual value makes him the league’s 25th-highest paid player at his position on a yearly basis, just above Jeremy Chinn.
Advertisement
Blankenship’s departure raises questions about the Eagles’ safety position entering next season. The team is seemingly high on 2025 second-round pick Andrew Mukuba … but he’s coming off a serious injury. Vic Fangio clearly hasn’t trusted the erratic Sydney Brown to play meaningful snaps to this point. Marcus Epps is a free agent and maybe Blankenship’s exit makes his return to Philly more likely.
Blankenship is the fourth Eagles free agent to reportedly sign elsewhere since the league’s negotiating window opened at noon on Monday.
Blogging the Boys
Net results from Rashan Gary, Micah Parsons Trades
It is interesting to see the Cowboys make another trade with the Green Bay Packers given the events of last year. Dallas sent Micah Parsons to their longtime rivals a week before last season began and then a few weeks later had a thrilling tie with them at AT&T Stadium.
Advertisement
Obviously the trades are separate from one another, but they are interesting to look at in a net total sort of way.
Dallas Received
Green Bay received
Cowboys and Terence Steele negotiate new contract, create $13M in cap space
The Dallas Cowboys…have negotiated a new deal for starting right tackle Terence Steele. He will receive $22 million in guaranteed money on his new deal with a $33 million base value, which can go up to $36 million. This also creates $13 million in cap space for the Cowboys.
Big Blue View
NY Giants news: Recently-released veteran linebacker signs with New York
The New York Giants have filled their need for a veteran off-ball linebacker by signing Tremaine Edmunds, recently released by the Chicago Bears, to a three-year, $36-million contact.
Advertisement
The Giants recently released inside linebacker Bobby Okereke, who was in the final year of a four-year, $40 million contract. Off-ball linebacker Micah McFadden is also a free agent.
What it means for the Giants
Edmunds to the Giants has been speculated about for several weeks, even before the Bears released Edmunds to save $15 million against the salary cap. There was a time when some thought the Giants might need to engineer a player-for-player swap, sending Kayvon Thibodeaux to the Bears, for Edmunds.
In the end, all the Giants needed was cash.
NY Giants news: Cor’Dale Flott to the Titans; What it means for the Giants
Flott has become the third member of the Giants’ 2022 draft class to follow Brian Daboll to the Titans, joining Wan’Dale Robinson and Daniel Bellinger.
Advertisement
The Giants were reportedly all set to re-sign Flott, however the Titans made a last-minute push to woo the 24-year old corner. Conor Hughes of SNY reports that the Titans laid out their entire defensive plan, including how he would be used.
The loss of Flott creates a significant question mark for the Giants across from Paulson Adebo. It was believed that former Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Jamel Dean could be an option if the Giants lost Flott, however he agreed to terms with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
aBit o’Twitter
Read the full article here
