Washington Post (paywall)<\/p>\n
As the Commanders set their roster, an undrafted rookie had a \u2018surreal\u2019 day<\/a><\/p>\n Ale Kaho, a free agent linebacker, made the 53-man roster without receiving the dreaded cut call.<\/p>\n As Tuesday afternoon bled into evening, Ale Kaho learned a truism about the NFL\u2019s hardest day. \u201cWhen you don\u2019t get a phone call,\u201d Kaho said, \u201cthat\u2019s better than getting a phone call.\u201d<\/p>\n Barring a roster move between now and [the Week 1 game], Kaho will be there. In April, months after he\u2019d played his final game for UCLA, he waited seven rounds without hearing his name. It hurt. \u201cIt definitely fueled a lot to the fire,\u201d Kaho said. \u201cIt definitely made me take a step back and reevaluate myself as a person, as a player. What are my habits? How do I live?\u201d<\/p>\n [H]e arrived for training camp as a largely anonymous rookie. He proved himself a sure tackler. He played fast and aggressive on special teams. He listened to everything veteran teammates Bobby Wagner and Frankie Luvu said. He led the Commanders with seven tackles in their final preseason game. Two days later, the Commanders never called to say they were cutting him.<\/p>\n Terry McLaurin returns to Commanders\u2019 practice after contract saga: \u2018Like riding a bike\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n After skipping minicamp and holding out for the start of training camp, he\u2019s since been in the building to rehab and work on his conditioning, making only a few public appearances to sign autographs for fans or stand on the sideline in a hooded burgundy jacket, away from media.<\/p>\n On Wednesday, in a lighter and later team workout in flat pads and helmets, McLaurin was back in his No. 17 practice jersey, catching passes from Daniels and running alongside one of his newest teammates, receiver Deebo Samuel.<\/p>\n \u201cI was telling Jayden, it\u2019s like riding a bike,\u201d McLaurin said. \u201cThose things never run away from you, per se. And I wasn\u2019t just doing nothing while this contract situation was going on.\u201d<\/p>\n Commanders embrace Terry McLaurin\u2019s return to practice field<\/a><\/p>\n After the agreement was announced Monday, Peters said he heard a commotion coming from outside his office. It was from players celebrating with McLaurin, who said he was mobbed by about 30 teammates coming into the weight room to congratulate him.<\/p>\n \u201cThroughout this entire process, that was the biggest gift that I probably got playing football,\u201d McLaurin said. \u201cThat\u2019s what the brotherhood is about. I hope that\u2019s a reflection of the type of team player they feel I am.\u201d<\/p>\n There was little doubt the Commanders were happy to have him back.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s good to have his energy [back],\u201d linebacker Bobby Wagner<\/a> said.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s so dynamic and such a great player,\u201d center Tyler Biadasz<\/a> added. \u201cAnd as a leader of the group, it\u2019s huge.\u201d<\/p>\n Terry McLaurin was back at Commanders practice like nothing had ever happened<\/a><\/p>\n Peters gave agent Buddy Baker his chance to revel in the glory of McLaurin\u2019s extension. However, the full details of the contract<\/a> indicate that the general manager and the franchise got the best out of this particular transaction.<\/p>\n If Peters and McLaurin are happy, everyone should be. And it was no surprise to see the former third-round pick out of Ohio State show up to practice looking like a different player.<\/p>\n There was a smile on McLaurin\u2019s face. He was his typically vibrant self. He was engaged with his teammates. And the most important thing of all? He was practicing.<\/p>\n 5 takeaways from Washington\u2019s initial 53-man roster<\/a><\/p>\n 5. It\u2019s the most linebackers they have kept in years.<\/p>\n The Commanders\u2019 linebacker depth had been light for several years prior to Quinn and Adam Peters taking over. Now, it\u2019s one of the deepest positions on the roster.<\/p>\n Kaho is a member of a seven-player crew with two Hall of Famers leading it. Bobby Wagner is joined by Von Miller, the active leader in career sacks. Behind them is Frankie Luvu, who provided emotional leadership to the defense in addition to racking up eight sacks last season. Frankie Luvu and Jordan Magee, who were drafted over the past two seasons, are the position\u2019s future with the potential to have key roles this season. Medrano stood out in coverage, while Quinn called Magee \u201ca hell of a competitor.\u201d<\/p>\n The Commanders spent the offseason investing in ways for them to get more physical up front with more options to rush the passer. Most of that was focused on the defensive line, but part of that effort was also spent on making sure what ESPN\u2019s Mike Clay called the best linebacker corps in the NFL ahead of the 2024 season could contribute to that as well.<\/p>\n Commanders announce 5 jersey number changes<\/a><\/p>\n Here is the full list of jersey number changes:<\/p>\n QB Marcus Mariota: No. 8T George Fant: 77TE Colson Yankoff: 80DT Javon Kinlaw: 99S Tyler Owens: 18<\/p>\n Terry McLaurin Finally Feels \u2018Genuinely Valued\u2019 | First Words After New Commanders Deal<\/p>\n On location from Lost Rhino Brewing Company: All Ears with JP Finlay | NBC4 Washington<\/p>\n How the 2025 post-Super Bowl Eagles are different than 2018 \u2014 and the lessons they learned<\/a><\/p>\n In August 2018, with Philadelphia still basking in the afterglow of its first Super Bowl victory, former Eagles safety Malcolm Jenkins bemoaned the Eagles\u2019 locker room redecoration. During the offseason, the franchise added a \u201cSuper Bowl LII Champions\u201d sign with the Lombardi Trophy in the back of the locker room. \u201cI hate it, personally,\u201d Jenkins declared<\/a>. The leadership council met with coach Doug Pederson to have it removed.<\/p>\n Pederson\u2019s intentions were noble \u2014 he called for Lombardi Trophies to be the \u201cnew normal\u201d in Philadelphia and had T-shirts printed that read \u201cEmbrace the Target\u201d \u2014 and he vowed to fight complacency. He spent the offseason wanting the Eagles to shift their mindsets so they could \u201crip off the dog masks and no longer be the underdog, but now be the hunted.\u201d<\/p>\n It was a steady reminder: You\u2019re the champions. That was why Jenkins thought the Eagles needed to move on. It would be difficult to avoid a Super Bowl hangover if you encounter a celebration every day.<\/p>\n [The Eagles] tried maximizing the championship window with an aging roster. They relied upon players coming off major injuries \u2014 most notably quarterback Carson Wentz. A late-season surge pushed the Eagles to the playoffs at 9-7. They won an opening-round game before a narrow defeat to New Orleans in the divisional round.<\/p>\n There would not be another postseason victory until the 2022 season \u2014 at which point the Eagles had a new coach, a new quarterback and significant roster turnover.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s very simple: Every team has a one-year expiration,\u201d Landon Dickerson said. \u201c2024 Philadelphia Eagles were a great team. That team no longer exists. \u2026It\u2019s the 2025 Philadelphia Eagles. Right now, we\u2019ve accomplishing nothing.\u201d<\/p>\n