{"id":100888,"date":"2025-06-03T14:38:23","date_gmt":"2025-06-03T14:38:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/100888\/"},"modified":"2025-06-03T14:38:23","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T14:38:23","slug":"wft-news-washington-commanders-news-links-33","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/100888\/","title":{"rendered":"WFT News: Washington Commanders News Links"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>  Commanders links<br \/>\nArticles<\/p>\n<p>Bullock\u2019s Film Room (subscription)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/markbullock.substack.com\/p\/should-quan-martin-be-the-commanders\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Should Quan Martin be the Commanders long term FS?<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"U504GQ\">Breaking down the play of FS Quan Martin ahead of a critical third year<\/p>\n<p id=\"gYEEZv\">One player flying completely under the radar for the Washington Commanders this past season and throughout the offseason has been free safety Quan Martin. With all the issues in the secondary, particularly at cornerback last season, the Commanders focused their attention on fixing the cornerback position. They traded for Marshon Lattimore during the season, <a href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/markbullock\/p\/what-cb-jonathan-jones-brings-to?r=fd8sn&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=false\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">signed Jonathan Jones during free agency<\/a> and then <a href=\"https:\/\/open.substack.com\/pub\/markbullock\/p\/what-cb-trey-amos-brings-to-the-washington?r=fd8sn&amp;utm_campaign=post&amp;utm_medium=web&amp;showWelcomeOnShare=false\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">drafted Trey Amos in the second round<\/a>. They also lost starting strong safety Jeremy Chinn in free agency, replacing him with Will Harris.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ILxFm8\">With all that happening in the secondary, Martin has been overlooked. But he\u2019s entering a critical third year in his rookie contract. This time next year, he\u2019ll be eligible for an early extension, so this season could be huge for his career in Washington. He could cement himself as a foundational piece of Dan Quinn\u2019s defense, or potentially become a piece that needs to be replaced long term.<\/p>\n<p id=\"S2a714\">So how did Martin play last season and what can the Commanders expect out of him going forward? Before the season, Quinn and defensive coordinator Joe Whitt Jr. heaped praise on Martin throughout the offseason, highlighting his ball skills and tackling ability frequently. In a defense that wants to play aggressively and take the ball away, those are two fundamental traits for any defensive back in this system.<\/p>\n<p id=\"CB9lPp\">The praise wasn\u2019t just hot air either, Martin backed up what Quinn and Whitt had said during the season. Martin\u2019s ball skills were on display in the playoffs against the Lions.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p>Commanders.com<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commanders.com\/news\/brian-robinson-washington-commanders-kliff-kingsbury\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Brian Robinson \u2018really focused\u2019 ahead of Year 4<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"IXjSiR\">The Commanders\u2019 offense and its third-ranked rushing attack were at their best when Robinson was a focal point of the game plan. The team was 7-1 in the regular and postseason when Robinson got 15 or more carries and 3-0 when he rushed for 100 yards. Four of the Commanders\u2019 top six offensive outputs also saw Robinson carry the ball at least 16 times and rush for at least 60 yards.<\/p>\n<p id=\"pQBU52\">Robinson has yet to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, but the 2022 third-round pick had his best season in Kingsbury\u2019s system. He rushed 799 yards with eight touchdowns and averaged 4.3 yards per attempt, all three of which were career-highs, while getting just nine more carries (187) than he did in 2024 (178). Three of his top four single-game performances came last season, including 133 yards in the team\u2019s Week 2 win over the New York Giants.<\/p>\n<p>Pro Football Talk<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/nfl\/profootballtalk\/rumor-mill\/news\/kliff-kingsbury-brian-robinson-knows-what-this-year-means-to-him\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Kliff Kingsbury: Brian Robinson knows what this year means to him<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"plklGm\">\u201cB-Rob\u2019s a guy who has played an incredibly high level,\u201d Kingsbury said, via a transcript from the team. \u201cI thought early in the year when he was really healthy, he was what we expect him to be and the focus this offseason has been great. He knows what this year means to him and can mean to us when he plays at that level.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"cOQ7Fl\">Ekeler and McNichols are also out of contract after the 2025 season, so there could be a very different look in the backfield if this year\u2019s approach fails to meet expectations.<\/p>\n<p>ESPN<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45398033\/why-commanders-expect-better-jayden-daniels-2025\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Why Commanders expect to see a better Jayden Daniels in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"gWbsYC\">Daniels\u2019 on-field talent was obvious last season \u2014 namely his accuracy and running ability. But what also impressed teammates was the work he did on his own to prepare and improve. Last spring, he showed up at 5:45 a.m. each day. He continued the practice during the season, when he added walkthroughs with Kingsbury and quarterbacks coach Tavita Pritchard three days per week to perfect the game plan for the upcoming opponent.<\/p>\n<p id=\"oord4M\">But while Daniels\u2019 focus and preparation has remained the same, his body has changed. Daniels looks more muscular than last season and has added weight, though he declined to say how much. There wasn\u2019t a directive for him to bulk up or add muscle, he and others have said. They\u2019ve called it a natural byproduct of working out, saying that last season, while preparing for the draft, there wasn\u2019t as much time to work on his physique.<\/p>\n<p id=\"rfkrNv\">Another big difference in Daniels, said those around him, has been the velocity on his throws.<\/p>\n<p id=\"DjS3nI\">\u201cI don\u2019t think it was anything that we really said, \u2018Hey, you\u2019ve got to be this weight or that weight,\u2019\u201d Kingsbury said, \u201cI mean, he knows what he has to do to protect himself and where he feels comfortable playing, but the arm strength, it looks better and you can tell he\u2019s stronger, there\u2019s no doubt.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"RvoDUs\">[W]hile defenses try to figure out ways to defend Daniels, Washington \u2014 which Quinn says didn\u2019t show all of its playbook last season \u2014 can\u2019t wait to see what new it has in store for those opponents.<\/p>\n<p id=\"UQMWjF\">For Kingsbury, it\u2019s about Daniels\u2019 ownership of the offense. He said playing in the same system will allow Daniels to grow but also to, in some ways, coach it himself.<\/p>\n<p id=\"f2MBfQ\">\u201cYou look traditionally through the NFL, the guys who\u2019ve had a ton of success have been able to stay in those long term,\u201d Kingsbury said, \u201cjust the comfort level and then being able to take ownership of it and understand it inside and out, where now you\u2019re correcting people, you don\u2019t even need the coaches. And he\u2019s kind of getting to that point.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Washington Times<\/p>\n<p id=\"vK5A2H\">Apparently every member of the Commanders roster felt their best option was to show up for the workouts, except for three players \u2014 receiver Terry McLaurin, offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and cornerback Marshon Lattimore.<\/p>\n<p id=\"aSkRBp\">For them, OTAs meant Other Teammates Attending.<\/p>\n<p id=\"MDO23x\">McLaurin is seeking a contract extension, so the assumption is that\u2019s the reason he wasn\u2019t there. He would seem to earn a pass based on his standup track record with the organization since he arrived as a rookie in 2019. He has banked plenty of goodwill.<\/p>\n<p id=\"CY1zsU\">The other guys, though? Lattimore, with his spotty performance last year after he came to Washington in a trade with the New Orleans Saints, is overdrawn on his account. <\/p>\n<p id=\"2oXH5w\">Tunsil? He hasn\u2019t even opened an account yet, having arrived in a deal in March with the Houston Texans for four draft choices. Reportedly, he wasn\u2019t a fan of OTAs in Houston, but still performed as one of the top left tackles in the NFL and was named to five Pro Bowls. He was a valuable contributor to a Texans team that went 41-51 in the six years he was in Houston. So I guess he can make a deposit when he feels like it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"hsWSYm\">This doesn\u2019t exactly fit in with the narrative that everyone in the league wants to come to Dan Quinn\u2019s football camp. We\u2019ve heard one testimonial after another from Washington players about how great it is to be here and how others are knocking down the door to be part of it.<\/p>\n<p id=\"nVH0fF\">How important are OTAs? Let\u2019s let former Washington receiver DeSean Jackson speak to that:<\/p>\n<p id=\"nbCsjo\">\u201cThat\u2019s when Super Bowls and championships are won.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"1TByt2\">That was 2014. Next year Jackson didn\u2019t show up because he was filming his new BET reality television show \u2014 \u201cDeSean Jackson Home Team.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"Z4yFt5\">Some team activities are more important than others.<\/p>\n<p>PFWA<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.profootballwriters.org\/2025\/06\/02\/commanders-pr-staff-selected-as-pfwa-2025-pete-rozelle-award-winner\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Commanders PR staff selected as PFWA 2025 Pete Rozelle Award winner<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"kibK13\">The Rozelle Award is given to the NFL club public relations staff that consistently strives for excellence in its dealings and relationships with the media. The award is named for Rozelle, NFL commissioner from 1960-89, who started his distinguished career in sports PR roles as a student at both Compton (Calif.) Junior College and the University of San Francisco. After two more years as USF\u2019s assistant athletic director after graduation, he broke into the NFL as the PR director of the Los Angeles Rams from 1952-55. Rozelle used his PR principles as commissioner to build relationships with the media during a period of unprecedented growth and challenge for the league.<\/p>\n<p id=\"Tddd8k\">\u201cThe greatest strength of Washington\u2019s football PR staff is its ability to build trust. Sean\u2019s group is honest, transparent and fair, and has a keen understanding of the jobs of media, players and team executives,\u201d said PFWA president Nicki Jhabvala, who covers the Commanders for the Washington Post. \u201cIt works with media instead of against them, often seeking reporters\u2019 input to try new things, such as off-record roundtables with the head coach, and using feedback to adjust its schedule when needed. Pitches may not always be fulfilled, but they\u2019re always fully considered.<\/p>\n<p id=\"Bmnrse\">\u201cIt\u2019s fair to assume no NFL club PR staff has dealt with more crises and franchise-altering news in recent years, but never has the group seemed rattled and never has it treated media with anything other than respect. It\u2019s about time Sean\u2019s staff got its due.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Podcasts &amp; videos<br \/>\nRookie WR Jaylin Lane is a \u201cDAWG\u201d    | Raising Hail with the Rookies | Washington Commanders | NFL<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Episode 1,085 &#8211; Guest: <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SethWalder?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">@SethWalder<\/a> on the Commanders ranking No. 6 in the NFL per ESPN&#8217;s Football Power Index in its first rankings for the 2025 season. Also, what Jayden Daniels excelling in Total QBR tells us.<\/p>\n<p>Analysis of Nats&#8217; &amp; Orioles&#8217; good weekends<a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/NcQYGuYlBG\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/NcQYGuYlBG<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Al Galdi (@AlGaldi) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AlGaldi\/status\/1929499485589422536?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p>NFC East links<br \/>\nBlogging the Boys<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bloggingtheboys.com\/2025\/6\/2\/24440420\/dallas-cowboys-bryce-huff-trade-eagles-roster-building-howie-roseman-free-agents\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">The Bryce Huff trade highlights an example of the stark contrast between the Eagles and Cowboys<\/a><\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\"   alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-upload-width=\"741\" width=\"741\" height=\"580\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/temp_otc_chart.jpg\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"EbDtKG\">The heavy use of void years allows the Eagles to spend money like crazy. They aren\u2019t a team that is making \u201call the right moves,\u201d they are a team that is making all kinds of moves, hoping enough of them will stick to create a talented football team. And it\u2019s working. The Eagles are loaded with talent all over their roster.<\/p>\n<p id=\"nASLJT\">And because the Eagles are throwing money around left and right, some of their purchases won\u2019t be good ones. This was revealed in a rather costly fashion on Friday when we learned the team is waving the white flag on free agent edge rusher Bryce Huff and trading him to the San Francisco 49ers.<\/p>\n<p id=\"i6pFTx\">[W]hile this will quickly become another mistake that Howie can sweep under the rug, it won\u2019t be forgotten by those who are paying close attention. That\u2019s because this move was really bad. The Eagles gave Huff $34 million in guaranteed money with his new deal.<\/p>\n<p id=\"I71FZw\">The Eagles won the Super Bowl, so is it fair to pass judgment on any move they make, regardless of how terrible it looks? When you take a lot of swings, you\u2019re going to miss sometimes. Howie\u2019s not perfect.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6hjEP0\">The problem with this type of logic is that it\u2019s evasive. There is no world where the Huff trade should be looked at in a favorable light. It was bad. Really bad. Sure, no one in Philly is feeling the sting because the Eagles invested in so many other players that compensated for their mishaps.<\/p>\n<p id=\"IgXdl8\">And they didn\u2019t make these investments with smart, calculated moves. They do it by making an abundance of moves, some good, but also some very bad. The Huff signing was bad. Trading a third-round pick for Jahan Dotson was bad. The Cowboys make mistakes, but not to that level. They get dragged through the mud for moves like the Trey Lance or Jonathan Mingo trades (which were bad), but those were Day 3 draft picks, and they are never tending to wounds from bad free agent signings.<\/p>\n<p id=\"uEdg91\">[The Eagles] paddle through those mistakes by pushing out a ridiculous amount of money and reloading the clip. That is the Roseman way.<\/p>\n<p id=\"AeruTs\">Watching the Eagles win the Super Bowl makes everyone think a little differently about what the correct path is to get there. When you lay everything out on the table, it becomes easier to see that the Eagles make a lot of mistakes, but their willingness to keep swinging by borrowing extra hacks from future seasons affords them a lot of forgiveness. The Cowboys get no forgiveness. Until they win the big prize, anything they do will always be seen as not good enough.<\/p>\n<p>Big Blue View<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.bigblueview.com\/2025\/6\/2\/24441679\/deion-sanders-defends-shedeurs-preparation-for-meeting-with-new-york-giants\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Deion Sanders defends Shedeur\u2019s preparation for meeting with Giants<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"MrChkl\">Sanders\u2019 father, NFL Hall of Famer and Colorado football coach Deion Sanders, has <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nbcsports.com\/nfl\/profootballtalk\/rumor-mill\/news\/deion-sanders-pre-draft-attacks-on-shedeur-and-shilo-hurt\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">hit back at the idea<\/a> that Shedeur would not have been prepared for a meeting with any NFL coach.<\/p>\n<p id=\"QAYOfi\">\u201cWhen you sit up there and say something like he went into a meeting unprepared, like, dude,\u201d continued Deion. \u201cShedeur Sanders? Who has had six different [offensive] coordinators, who has still functioned and leveled up every time we brought somebody new in, and you\u2019re gonna tell me he was unprepared? You\u2019re gonna tell me he had on headphones? Anybody who knows my son understands he\u2019s a professional.<\/p>\n<p id=\"6rrbuA\">\u201cYou got to understand my kids are built for everything&#8230; We\u2019ve always been in front of the camera, so they know how to navigate, they know how to handle themselves. You\u2019re not going to catch them in no foolery or no mess. You\u2019re not going to do that whatsoever.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"plbGRS\">Todd McShay of The Ringer was the first analyst to discuss <a href=\"https:\/\/sports.yahoo.com\/article\/todd-mcshay-reveals-shedeur-sanders-180849530.html\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">a difficult meeting between Sanders and Daboll<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p id=\"b5jyjI\">\u201cShedeur didn\u2019t have a great interview with Brian Daboll in a private visit,\u201d McShay said.<\/p>\n<p id=\"fi1UKb\">\u201cAn install package came in. Preparation wasn\u2019t there for it. [He] got called out on it. Didn\u2019t like that. Brian didn\u2019t appreciate him not liking it.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"qBR4In\">The Giants ended moving from No. 34 to No. 25 in the draft to select Jaxson Dart. Sanders went in the fifth round to the Cleveland Browns, a monumental fall for a player who thought he would be selected in the top three.<\/p>\n<p id=\"jJC1Rd\">Honestly, the more all of this stuff swirls around the more I am glad it\u2019s not the Giants having to deal with it.<\/p>\n<p>NFL.com<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nfl.com\/news\/saquon-barkley-on-eagles-chasing-back-to-back-super-bowls-we-know-the-recipe\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Saquon Barkley on Eagles chasing back-to-back Super Bowls: \u2018We know the recipe\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"1ahqau\">Repeating as Super Bowl champions is a daunting task. Only the 2022-23 Kansas City Chiefs and 2003-04 New England Patriots have done so this millennium.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7LKMRj\">Backing up a 2,000-yard rushing campaign with a similarly productive season is also a tall ask. Of the previous eight backs to complete the feat, none hit the 1,500-yard rushing mark the following season, none averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry, and two missed at least half the season due to injuries (Terrell Davis, Derrick Henry).<\/p>\n<p id=\"8WX7gY\">Year after 2,000-yard rushing season: O.J. Simpson, 1,125 yards (4.2 YPC); Eric Dickerson, 1,234 (4.2); Barry Sanders, 1,491 (4.3); Terrell Davis, 211 (3.1); Jamal Lewis, 1,006 (4.3); Chris Johnson, 1,364 (4.3); Adrian Peterson, 1,266 (4.5); Derrick Henry, 937 (4.3).<\/p>\n<p>NFL league links<br \/>\nArticles<\/p>\n<p>Pro Football Focus (subscription)<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fnfl-screen-pass-rates-success-study-2025&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">NFL teams are calling more screens. It isn\u2019t working<\/a><\/p>\n<p id=\"pxOV2t\">\u201cIt\u2019s an extension of their run game.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"kgEK6o\">You\u2019ve likely heard that line when watching an NFL game \u2014 the broadcaster referencing how an offense uses quick passes or screens to pick up \u201ceasy\u201d yards. And if you\u2019ve heard it more often recently, that\u2019s because teams are turning to screens at a higher rate. <\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\"   alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-upload-width=\"1024\" width=\"1024\" height=\"700\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AD_4nXfd4u_itkDcusmLngJib1qyXDYr4QSMRFhfBxulSOumursaYlPtEEgldpigxh_wAIAs0TOJD8GAvz6ISq_QBD7hxKYcNHI1.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"kxV8ml\">More than 10% of total dropbacks across the NFL have been screen attempts in each of the past three seasons. The 2022 campaign was the first time the average sat above that threshold, and it has only continued to rise over the past two years. <\/p>\n<p id=\"JQxWIn\">One might assume screen usage is going up for the obvious reason: NFL teams are having success with it. But that hasn\u2019t necessarily been the case.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\"   alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" data-upload-width=\"1024\" width=\"1024\" height=\"692\" src=\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/AD_4nXccgaHJ9vWFXRA9KcKktWEjUBYenzSfay2oagfQdjMuRFTcsntdmgA4mc1rYd08pyMJOPiPFEmmSZKXUXP6b_R6yoA4HjNB.png\"\/><\/p>\n<p id=\"7vgRC0\">Eric Eager, my former colleague and the current Vice President of Football Analytics for the <a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Fteams%2Fcarolina-panthers%2F5%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DKlaviyo%26utm_campaign%3Dinsider_scoop&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">Carolina Panthers<\/a>, wrote about <a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnews%2Fnfl-weak-links-offensive-line-2021%23%3A%7E%3Atext%3DIf%2520a%2520run%2520play%2520is%2Cgraded%2520blocks%2520on%2520a%2520play.&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">the value of perfectly blocked runs<\/a> for PFF in 2021. <\/p>\n<p id=\"HQeNSk\">Eric wrote, \u201cIf a run play is perfectly blocked up (using PFF grades), the running game itself is more efficient than the most efficient offenses in the NFL \u2026 a perfectly blocked-up running play is more effective than a perfectly blocked-up passing play on average, and the results are \u2018smooth,\u2019 as there isn\u2019t the equivalent of an incompletion in their world.\u201d<\/p>\n<p id=\"CF3TNT\">Offensive coaches in the NFL have an innate belief in their ability to call the right plays and execute at a high level. In other words, they believe their team can beat the averages of roughly one in three plays being perfectly blocked. That\u2019s relevant in this piece because, in theory, screens are the pass-game extension of a run call. <\/p>\n<p id=\"zIkMXd\">On average, offenses were more efficient when running into blitzes than when calling a screen pass during the 2024 season. <\/p>\n<p id=\"4GLY1Z\">A well-executed screen thrown into a void left by a blitzing defender is one of the more beautiful plays in football. But some parallels can be drawn between that and perfectly blocked run plays. The numbers indicate that it happens less than we would like to believe.<\/p>\n<p id=\"gA3O4I\">This all points to a world where a rising screen rate makes sense; it\u2019s a compromise between the more efficient pass plays and the \u201csafer\u201d runs, where a well-executed play still offers some upside. The issue is that screens, on average, aren\u2019t any more efficient than running the ball and still carry more downside.<\/p>\n<p id=\"1KRmhl\">In the cyclical nature of football, it seems like we\u2019re reaching a point where run rates could increase with teams playing more two-high coverage shells due to trying to take away explosive passes. That was, in many ways, the story of the 2024 NFL season, with veteran running backs <a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Fplayers%2Fsaquon-barkley%2F45791%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DKlaviyo%26utm_campaign%3Dinsider_scoop&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">Saquon Barkley<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Fplayers%2Fderrick-henry%2F10679%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DKlaviyo%26utm_campaign%3Dinsider_scoop&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">Derrick Henry<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/go.redirectingat.com?id=66960X1516590&amp;xs=1&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pff.com%2Fnfl%2Fplayers%2Fjosh-jacobs%2F45953%3Futm_medium%3Demail%26utm_source%3DKlaviyo%26utm_campaign%3Dinsider_scoop&amp;referrer=sbnation.com&amp;sref=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hogshaven.com%2F2025%2F6%2F3%2F24437273%2Fdaily-slop-3-jun-25-bullocks-film-room-studies-quan-martins-2024-film-to-analyze-his-long-term-value\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" has-subtag=\"true\" data-cdata=\"{\" rewritten_url=\"\">Josh Jacobs<\/a> as key components on new teams.<\/p>\n<p id=\"CMlGWI\">It\u2019s worth watching next season whether that trend pushes screen rates down from the 11.0% clip in 2024, or whether that number continues to climb despite falling efficiency. <\/p>\n<p>Discussion topics<br \/>\nESPN<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45406539\/predicting-2025-nfl-offseason-signings-trades-break-flop-next-darnold-barkley\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">NFL offseason signings, trades who could break out \u2014 or flop<\/a><br \/>\nDyami Brown, WR, Jacksonville Jaguars<\/p>\n<p id=\"wQLPWV\">Signed from Commanders as unrestricted free agent<\/p>\n<p id=\"EObcSX\">A 2021 third-round pick who had fallen down the Washington <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/team\/depth\/_\/name\/wsh\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">depth chart<\/a>, the arrival of Kliff Kingsbury as offensive coordinator last year and the trading away of Jahan Dotson helped revitalize Brown\u2019s career. He saw regular snaps throughout the season and was an able blocker on the outside, but he didn\u2019t start amassing meaningful production until the postseason. After a career-high 308 receiving yards during the regular season, he had 229 more during the postseason, including games with 89 and 98 receiving yards during the Commanders\u2019 two playoff victories.<\/p>\n<p id=\"ywC1KO\">Did Brown turn into a different player during that playoff run? I\u2019m not sure I see that on film. Several of his big plays over that stretch came on blown coverages and scramble drills. Those yards count, but they\u2019re a product of scheme as opposed to Brown getting himself open. He had a 24-yard catch-and-run on a screen and a 42-yard completion against Lions backups who failed to pass off a route concept correctly. Brown did have a 38-yard gain on a seam route running past rookie corner Terrion Arnold out of the slot, but that was the exception for his production during the playoff run. He also fumbled twice, losing a key fumble early on against the Eagles in the NFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n<p id=\"eIIZQW\">Over the regular season, Brown averaged 1.4 yards per route run, which ranked 68th out of the 114 wideouts who ran at least 200 routes. While he saw steady work, there were few wideouts who ran routes less often when they were on the field than him. He ran routes on 50.6% of his offensive snaps, the sixth-lowest rate for any wideout.<\/p>\n<p id=\"hSWKm7\">On one hand, the limited usage suggests Brown\u2019s modest regular-season numbers were deflated by a lack of opportunity. On the other, it seems telling the Commanders didn\u2019t prioritize targets for Brown despite Terry McLaurin being the only imposing option. Don\u2019t be surprised to see more of that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44193369\/source-jaguars-sign-ex-cowboys-cb-jourdan-lewis\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">in Jacksonville<\/a>, where the throws will go to Brian Thomas Jr. and Travis Hunter. Instead of reaching his January form, Brown is likely to make more of an impact as a blocker and clear-out receiver.<\/p>\n<p>Deebo Samuel Sr., WR, Washington Commanders<\/p>\n<p id=\"CcO6XN\">Acquired from 49ers via trade<\/p>\n<p id=\"mlbkSH\">Samuel is the YAC god. Samuel has ranked first (2021), first (2022), first (2023), and second (2024) in ESPN\u2019s YAC score over the past four seasons. While he benefited from playing around other star playmakers and for Kyle Shanahan, he exhibits a generational ability to break through tackles and run away from defenders.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3rvqaX\">That\u2019s a great trick, but it hasn\u2019t led to spectacular seasons. Samuel\u2019s 1,405-yard campaign in 2021 was three full years ago now, and it\u2019s the only time he topped 900 receiving yards in a single campaign. Samuel had five plays of 50 or more yards that season, which is more than he had over the other seasons of his career combined (four). Even for a player with his talents, that sort of performance was unsustainable.<\/p>\n<p id=\"eMTJiU\">Samuel also had a wild rushing efficiency in 2021, scoring eight touchdowns on 59 carries. That hasn\u2019t stuck around either, although the 29-year-old still managed to score nine times on 121 rush attempts over the ensuing three years. Coordinator Kliff Kingsbury might not be as inclined to use Samuel at running back, but it wouldn\u2019t be a surprise if the Commanders lined him up there as window dressing for some of their quarterback run concepts.<\/p>\n<p id=\"h2pV76\">Leave that 2021 season out of the analysis and there\u2019s a relatively consistent player here. Samuel will create a few big plays out of nothing and run through a few defenders. He\u2019s going to drop a few more passes than you would like and miss a couple of games each season, but that\u2019s perfectly reasonable for a WR2. He will do well with the high quantity of screens and RPOs the Commanders ran last season, but don\u2019t expect his production to reach the 2021 heights.<\/p>\n<p>Laremy Tunsil, OT, Washington Commanders<\/p>\n<p id=\"vHMPr0\">Acquired from Texans via trade<\/p>\n<p id=\"vo1JOV\">There\u2019s an interesting thing happening here, right? The Texans want to protect quarterback C.J. Stroud, who was beaten up and eventually injured by the end of the playoff loss to the Chiefs. There\u2019s no doubt they needed to address their offensive line this offseason, and their method was moving on from their cornerstone left tackle. Clearly, Houston prefers trying out several draft picks while hoping Cam Robinson will be its short-term solution on Stroud\u2019s blind side.<\/p>\n<p id=\"GiDxVx\">The Commanders, meanwhile, have their own young quarterback they want to protect. And while it looked like they were comfortable keeping Brandon Coleman along as their left tackle of the future, general manager Adam Peters clearly thought Tunsil wasn\u2019t a liability or on the downswing when he <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44195693\/sources-commanders-trade-texans-ot-laremy-tunsil\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">traded a pair of Day 2 picks<\/a> to acquire the five-time Pro Bowler.<\/p>\n<p id=\"YmY8gf\">The numbers suggest Tunsil was solid last season \u2014 as a blocker. NFL Next Gen Stats credits him with 2.5 sacks allowed, which is a good number for a left tackle playing a full season. His quick pressure rate was right around league-average (2.2%). He had some trouble with speed around the edge, as Will McDonald IV and James Houston were able to go outside him and create sacks of Stroud, even if they didn\u2019t finish the job themselves.<\/p>\n<p id=\"3qjLFb\">The problem was what happened before and after the snap. Referees flagged Tunsil a league-high 19 times, including for 12 false starts. He was penalized three times for illegal formation as part of a six-penalty game against the Vikings early in the season. Later in the year, a 77-yard Nico Collins touchdown was wiped off by Tunsil getting downfield prematurely. A veteran tackle of Tunsil\u2019s stature shouldn\u2019t be making those sorts of mistakes.<\/p>\n<p id=\"H3Ebw2\">Serving as his own agent, Tunsil has done a masterful job of creating leverage for himself and negotiating a series of player-friendly contracts. He\u2019s coming up for another one after this season, and it\u2019s entirely possible the Texans didn\u2019t think the 2024 version of him was worth a raise to whatever the top of the left tackle market is after Rashawn Slater soon signs his extension with the Chargers.<\/p>\n<p id=\"z47clQ\">The Commanders, on the other hand, probably see a player who has another contract or even two ahead of him. The illegal formation penalties were all in one game, suggesting they might have been from an overzealous officiating crew. Tunsil has had issues with flags in the past, but 2024 was the first time he led the league in penalties or came close since 2019. And frankly, in an offseason when Dan Moore Jr. and Jaylon Moore signed for at least $15 million per season to play left tackle, Tunsil making $21 million per year in 2025 and 2026 might feel like a bargain.<\/p>\n<p>Benjamin St-Juste, CB, Los Angeles Chargers<\/p>\n<p id=\"46bLUM\">Acquired from Commanders as an unrestricted free agent<\/p>\n<p id=\"C3pNLs\">The Dan Quinn revolution made a lot of guys look good in Washington last season. One of the few exceptions was St-Juste, who was the Commanders\u2019 top cornerback to begin the season. Noah Igbinoghene emerged in the slot, though, which pushed rookie Mike Sainristil outside. St-Juste was already struggling when the Commanders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/42212028\/sources-commanders-trade-saints-cb-marshon-lattimore\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">traded<\/a> for Marshon Lattimore, and when the former Saints corner was finally healthy enough to play regularly, St-Juste got bumped to the bench. He played just 24 defensive snaps during Washington\u2019s run to the NFC Championship Game.<\/p>\n<p id=\"2Y8gAy\">It was no surprise to see the Commanders let St-Juste leave in free agency this offseason, and his landing spot makes all the sense in the world. Jim Harbaugh and Jesse Minter were the league\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/45359854\/los-angeles-chargers-secondary-tarheeb-cam-hart\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">cornerback rehabilitation factory<\/a> a year ago. In addition to getting excellent seasons from Day 3 rookies Cam Hart and Tarheeb Still, the Chargers coaxed a solid year from Kristian Fulton and a career season from Elijah Molden, who shifted to safety on a full-time basis with glowing results.<\/p>\n<p id=\"FwtHOU\">Fulton and injured incumbent Asante Samuel Jr. left the Chargers this offseason, opening up an opportunity to take another chance on rebuilding a cornerback\u2019s confidence. St-Juste was probably expecting to sign a much larger second deal heading into last season, but his one-year, $2.5 million contract is a relative bargain for L.A.<\/p>\n<p id=\"xg1MxI\">The Chargers focused on size and physicality across the board this offseason, which should hardly be a surprise given their coach. When St-Juste has been at his best, he has been able to leverage his 6-foot-3 frame to challenge receivers at the line of scrimmage and on contested catch opportunities. He has a solid missed tackle rate (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.pro-football-reference.com\/players\/S\/StJuBe00\/gamelog\/2024\/\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">8.4%<\/a>) as a pro, and while he entered the league as a 24-year-old, the Chargers might feel like there\u2019s more refinement to come to his game with better coaching.<\/p>\n<p id=\"7zd0oS\">St-Juste won\u2019t have a guaranteed starting role with Hart and Still returning. L.A. also signed Donte Jackson to a two-year, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/story\/_\/id\/44195923\/sources-chargers-donte-jackson-reach-2-year-13m-deal\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">$13 million deal<\/a>, which should bump him ahead of St-Juste on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.espn.com\/nfl\/team\/depth\/_\/name\/lac\/los-angeles-chargers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">depth chart<\/a> as training camp begins. St-Juste could end the season as a key starter on a potential playoff team or buried in a fourth or fifth cornerback spot. I\u2019d argue he has more upside than most of the other cornerback signings this offseason.<\/p>\n<p>All aTwitter<\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The final score was a blowout. They were down 11 points at the start of the 4th, driving at mid field when Ekeler lost a fumble. <\/p>\n<p>Could have been down, just 3. <\/p>\n<p>They didn&#8217;t play scared. They played badly. There&#8217;s a difference for those of us capable of nuance. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/v7uNxH8NFe\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/v7uNxH8NFe<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Chris Russell AKA the   ! (@Russellmania621) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Russellmania621\/status\/1929739557622448380?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 3, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The Commanders recently hired another asst. athletic trainer, George Sechen, doubling the number of assistants on staff from before the sale.<\/p>\n<p>Four years ago, this team relied on just 3 assistants + volunteers\/interns for athletic training because their head trainer was under\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Nicki Jhabvala (@NickiJhabvala) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/NickiJhabvala\/status\/1929659182287933798?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">WOW &#8211; this is a shocker<\/p>\n<p>best run blocking center in the NFL last year<\/p>\n<p>#2 best center in overall grade<\/p>\n<p>just turned 29 years old <\/p>\n<p>played 15 to 16 games each season for 3 straight years<\/p>\n<p>All Pro &amp; Pro Bowler each of last 2 seasons <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/blrgyTTObX\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/blrgyTTObX<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SharpFootball\/status\/1929571563445350541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Frank Ragnow confirms he\u2019s retiring on IG: \u201cl&#8217;ve tried to convince myself that I&#8217;m feeling good but I&#8217;m not and it&#8217;s time to prioritize my health and my families future. I have given this team everything I have and I thought I had more to give, but the reality is I simply don&#8217;t.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/V5PIBeiwO4\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/V5PIBeiwO4<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/TomPelissero\/status\/1929570174077718921?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">We knew the Lions young interior offensive linemen would play this year. Assumption was they&#8217;d be replacing Zeitler and Glasgow, not Ragnow. Lions now must hope Glasgow holds up at either center or guard, or the entire interior will be very young.<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Kevin Patra (@kpatra) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/kpatra\/status\/1929572559181242790?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Another retirement: Veteran CB Ronald Darby, who played 10 seasons and helped the Eagles win Super Bowl LII, informed the Houston Texans that he is retiring from the NFL, per sources. <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/ZC9RqbSqqv\" rel=\"nofollow\">pic.twitter.com\/ZC9RqbSqqv<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AdamSchefter\/status\/1929613826095304706?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Former SF and Washington TE Vernon Davis was Inducted into the Gridiron Greats Hall of Fame in Chicago Friday. Was inducted along with Leonard Marshall, Marc Collins, Olin Kreutz and former CFL star Garney Henley. In a release, Davis called it a &#8220;profound honor.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 John Keim (@john_keim) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/john_keim\/status\/1929580767165743478?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">The downside of being on the Madden cover for Saquon Barkley?<\/p>\n<p>The Madden curse has hit every RB who&#8217;s ever been on it.<\/p>\n<p>From Eddie George (Madden 2001) to Christian McCaffrey (Madden 2025), it&#8217;s been rough for running backs.<\/p>\n<p>Here&#8217;s the full list\u2b07\ufe0f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/IlAmUiVVbc\" rel=\"nofollow\">https:\/\/t.co\/IlAmUiVVbc<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 John Breech (@johnbreech) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/johnbreech\/status\/1929614783021474127?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">June 2, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Commanders links Articles Bullock\u2019s Film Room (subscription) Should Quan Martin be the Commanders long term FS? Breaking down&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":100889,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2069],"tags":[3663,427,4180,1563,7,29,1266,1265,4179,88,6,2481,855,111,2480,4178],"class_list":{"0":"post-100888","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-washington-commanders","8":"tag-category-daily-links","9":"tag-commanders","10":"tag-daily-slop","11":"tag-exclude-from-stn-video","12":"tag-football","13":"tag-front-page","14":"tag-haven","15":"tag-hogs","16":"tag-links","17":"tag-news","18":"tag-nfl","19":"tag-openthread","20":"tag-washington","21":"tag-washington-commanders","22":"tag-washingtoncommanders","23":"tag-wft"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/114619947697498253","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100888","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=100888"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/100888\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/100889"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=100888"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=100888"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=100888"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}