{"id":756290,"date":"2026-02-16T16:27:21","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:27:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/756290\/"},"modified":"2026-02-16T16:27:21","modified_gmt":"2026-02-16T16:27:21","slug":"washington-commanders-news-links-and-videos-29","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/756290\/","title":{"rendered":"Washington Commanders News Links and videos"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tre\u2019 Johnson, the former Washington O-lineman, dies at 54<\/a><\/p>\n

Tre\u2019 Johnson, a former NFL standout offensive lineman with Washington who went on to become a Maryland high school history teacher, died Sunday. He was 54.<\/p>\n

In a Facebook post, Johnson\u2019s wife, Irene, said he died during a family trip.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is with a heavy heart that I inform you that my husband, Tre\u2019 Johnson, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly … during a brief family trip,\u201d she wrote. \u201cHis four children, Chloe, EJ, EZ and Eden, extended family, friends, and I are devastated and in shock.\u201d<\/p>\n

After starring at Temple, Johnson was drafted by Washington with the 31st pick in 1994. He played for Washington through 2000, spent 2001 with Cleveland and returned to Washington for a final season in 2002. The 6-foot-2, 328-pound guard was a Pro Bowl selection in 1999.<\/p>\n

After football, he became a history teacher at the Landon School in Bethesda, Maryland. His wife said recent health issues had forced him to take a leave of absence.<\/p>\n

Bullock\u2019s Film Room (subscription)<\/p>\n

Commanders Free Agent Fits: Tight End<\/a><\/p>\n

Good Value: Isaiah Likely, Ravens, 25<\/p>\n

Likely is somewhat similar in profile to Pitts in that he\u2019s more of a receiving tight end than a blocker, but he\u2019s quite different in the way he wins. While Pitts is more linear and more of a vertical threat, Likely is more shifty. He shows the ability to work in and out of breaks sharply, making him a threat on underneath and intermediate routes. He\u2019s more of what would be known as an \u201cF\u201d or \u201cJoker\u201d tight end that can move around the formation and often line up in the slot. From there, he can win quickly underneath and provide the quarterback early outlets.<\/p>\n

Free-Agent Fix: Six Targets That Fit the Commanders\u2019 Budget<\/a><\/p>\n

High Upside Corner: Jaylen Watson (27) <\/p>\n

Current Team: Kansas City Chiefs2025 Stats: 2 INTs, 6 Pass Deflections, 2.0 Sacks, 64 TacklesProjected AAV: $12.5M – $15.0M<\/p>\n

Why he\u2019s available: The former seventh-round pick has exceeded expectations, but the Kansas City Chiefs currently rank 32nd in the NFL in salary cap space. They are projected to have -$57M on their books and need to release talent. Watson will likely be a cap casualty.<\/p>\n

Why he fits: With a PFF overall score of 74.1 and a run defense grade of 83.5, Watson provides a blitzing, tough, aggressive defender who could thrive in a Flores-inspired defense. At 6\u20192\u201d and 197 lbs, he provides ample size to complement the CB room. He also ranks 10th out of 114 CBs in QB pressures, showing his versatility around the line.<\/p>\n

Are LSU defensive backs the clear NFL Draft targets for Commanders?<\/a><\/p>\n

The Washington Commanders reportedly upgraded its defensive staff on Friday night after adding LSU assistant Jake Olsen, who was one of only a few to be retained by new head coach Lane Kiffin this past offseason.<\/p>\n

Olsen now joins a defensive staff with some familiarity given his year spent with the Tigers under Daronte Jones, who served as LSU\u2019s defensive coordinator at the time while he was formally introduced as the Commanders new defensive coordinator earlier this week<\/a>.<\/p>\n

What role Olsen will serve on the defensive staff remains to be seen with Tommy Donatell the current safeties coach and William Gay serving as cornerbacks coach with both also carrying the \u2018defensive backs coach\u2019 title.<\/p>\n

LSU safety AJ Haulcy enters the NFL Draft as one of the top prospects at his position with ESPN\u2019s Mel Kiper ranking him eighth best.<\/p>\n

[W]hat Haulcy did well fits what Daronte Jones has emphasized in interviews: takeaways with eight interceptions and 12 pass breakups over his last two seasons. While his angle and pursuit were inconsistent during SEC play, Haulcy has also flashed as a tackler through his college career including a career-high 24 tackles in 2023 against Fresno State. Other safeties not named Caleb Downs who fit Washington\u2019s defense include Bud Clark from TCU and Kamari Ramsey from USC, but with familiarity between Olsen and Haulcy, there\u2019s an obvious connection. Haulcy has drawn day two grades with some outlets projecting him to come off the board in the third round, making it a realistic possibility for the Commanders ahead of the combine later this month.<\/p>\n

John Harbaugh could take Caleb Downs out of Commanders\u2019 reach at No. 7<\/a><\/p>\n

During an appearance on the Mike Francesca Podcast, Harbaugh revealed that he would take Downs in a heartbeat<\/a> at No. 5 overall. He wants the Giants to take the best player available, regardless of need or positional importance. That would not be great news for the Commanders, especially considering they\u2019d have to face the defensive back twice a season within the NFC East.<\/p>\n

\u201dBig fan. Big fan. We value Hall of Fame safeties, so if we have the chance to potentially draft a future Hall of Fame safety in Caleb Downs, that would be just fine with me. We\u2019ll take the best player. When you draft that high, you take the best player. It\u2019s not a need pick; it\u2019s the best player pick. That\u2019s what the goal is at that pick. That guy would be just fine with me. I\u2019d take him in a second.\u201cJohn Harbaugh<\/p>\n

Harbaugh knows the value of having an ultra-productive safety. He\u2019s worked with exceptional forces such as Brian Dawkins, Ed Reed, and Kyle Hamilton throughout his illustrious coaching career. It\u2019s clear he sees Downs as someone who could follow a similar trajectory to superstardom<\/a>, and if he\u2019s got the final say over general manager Joe Schoen, this might be the choice when push comes to shove.<\/p>\n

One potential 2026 salary-cap cut for every NFL team<\/a><\/p>\n

Cap casualty, veteran cut, unsurprising cut \u2014 use whatever label you want, but Lattimore\u2019s time with the Commanders is almost certainly done. He has one year left on his deal, but his $16.5 million salary isn\u2019t guaranteed, which means the team can move on and save $18.5 million in cap space. It\u2019s a layup, and frankly it\u2019s necessary for the defense to improve. But the failed experiment was costly. Washington gave up essentially three draft picks (the Commanders also swapped fifth-rounders) to acquire Lattimore from the New Orleans Saints at the 2024 trading deadline. The Commanders\u2019 attempt to rebuild, at the time, seemed to be on a faster track than anticipated. But Lattimore was often more of a liability than an asset to Washington\u2019s secondary, and the team proved last season that it\u2019s clearly far from contending anytime soon. \u2014 Nicki Jhabvala<\/p>\n

Kirk Cousins has interesting Sean McVay theory from time in Washington<\/a><\/p>\n

Regarding how Bruce Allen low-balled Cousins after the 2015 season, never offering him anything close to his market value? Cousins took the high road again, stating he understood if they wanted more time to assess and he was glad to go ahead and play for the franchise tag. He also clarified that they did come with a legitimate offer later in 2017, but he thought that with Sean McVay having left, and changes were in the works, he would simply finish the season and see how the season progressed and see what his market value would be.<\/p>\n

Interestingly, Cousins thought if the Redskins had won the 2016 finale against the Giants, they would have been in the playoffs, and that reduces the chance the Rams would have waited on 31-year-old Sean McVay. \u201cI regret losing that game; I gave Sean the chance to go interview in LA, and the rest is history.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Most Loved and Most Hated NFL Players, According to Fans<\/a>\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Players Who Rank Highly for Both Love and Hate<\/p>\n

Josh Allen (Buffalo Bills)<\/p>\n

Love Rank: No. 1Hate Rank: No. 17<\/p>\n

Allen ranks first for love while still landing inside the top 20 for hate \u2014 proof that the biggest stars attract the widest emotional swing.<\/p>\n

Daniel Jones (Indianapolis Colts)<\/p>\n

Love Rank: No. 7Hate Rank: No. 5<\/p>\n

Jones sits near the top of both lists, driven by heavy discussion volume and sharply divided expectations.<\/p>\n

Justin Fields (New York Jets)<\/p>\n

Love Rank: No. 9Hate Rank: No. 8<\/p>\n

Fields generates near-equal measures of optimism and frustration, making him one of the most debated players in the league.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Hurts leads by a wide margin.Jalen Hurts ranks No. 1 with a Hate Score of 10.0, separating himself clearly from the rest of the league.<\/p>\n

When I think of a lot of views on this board, it\u2019s hard not to assign them one of these words, myself included.<\/p>\n

A cynic is generally defined as someone who doubts human sincerity, believing actions are motivated solely by self-interest, often expressing this via sarcasm.<\/p>\n

For sure that\u2019s me at times.<\/p>\n

A skeptic is a person who habitually doubts generally accepted beliefs, claims, or knowledge, requiring evidence before accepting them as true.<\/p>\n

So if the team doesn\u2019t win anything important in 30 years and Jerry says he\u2019s doing something different now because his old ways weren\u2019t working, which word is applicable?<\/p>\n

So back to AI – Skepticism vs Cynicisim?<\/p>\n

Skepticism<\/a> is a constructive, evidence-based inquiry that doubts assumptions to find truth, while cynicism<\/a> is a jaded, pessimistic default that assumes the worst in people and ignores evidence. Skeptics remain open-minded but demand proof, whereas cynics are closed-minded, distrustful, and motivated by negativity.<\/p>\n

Ouch. But wait a minute. I think my view of Jerry is pretty much this – \u201cjaded, pessimistic default that assumes the worst in people\u201d but I think I AM basing that on empirical evidence! (30 years is a long time.) \u201cSkeptics remain open-minded but demand proof\u201d…<\/p>\n

So what is there to be open-minded about? So if we believe Jerry has turned over a new leaf, and we believe there will be positive results in the future, what do we call that?<\/p>\n

Back to AI – what is Pollyannish?<\/p>\n

Pollyannaish describes an outlook that is excessively, naively, or blindly optimistic, often ignoring potential problems or harsh realities.<\/p>\n

But there needs to be a better word for a kind of positivity (or negativity) that is based on commercial interests, no?<\/p>\n

Google? What if the \u201cpollyannaish\u201d, \u201cskeptic\u201d, or \u201ccynic\u201d is offering their view for commercial interest, what do we call that?<\/p>\n

When a person\u2019s outlook\u2014whether optimistic, skeptical, or cynical\u2014is driven by commercial interest rather than genuine belief, it is generally referred to as rent-seeking behavior or, more specifically, motivated reasoning used for profit.<\/p>\n

Now we are getting somewhere. So do I really qualify as a cynic when I know darn good and well much of what I am being fed is derived from \u201cmotivated reasoning\u201d? Commercial interests if you will?<\/p>\n

So yeah, if Jerry and our local media all have a commercial interest in convincing us things will be different (because they made a ton of money on Cowboy fans over the same 30 years of futility) shouldn\u2019t we be cynical rather than skeptical? Do I really need another offseason of proof? Evidence?<\/p>\n

Jerry, imo is ALWAYS rent-seeking. So I am going to go ahead and admit it…I\u2019m a cynic when it comes to anything Cowboys that has a commercial interest for Jerry. Because it, in my view, is what keeps us from winning anything important for 30 years.<\/p>\n

NY Giants 2026 NFL Draft scouting report: Josiah Trotter, LB, Missouri<\/a><\/p>\n

Can Josiah Trotter exceed his father\u2019s legacy?<\/p>\n

Josiah Trotter will likely begin his career as an early down and short-yardage linebacker, as well as a special teams player.<\/p>\n

Trotter has the potential to be a three-down, and starting, linebacker in the NFL. However, he will need to make significant improvements in his pass coverage before teams trust him on neutral or passing downs. That could limit his draft stock, though his interviews and board work could convince teams to bet on his upside with a relatively high pick.<\/p>\n

Final Word: An early Day 3 or later Day 2 pick<\/p>\n

Raiders hire Seahawks QB coach Andrew Janocko as new OC<\/a><\/p>\n

Janocko will once again reunite with first-time head coach Klint Kubiak<\/a>, whom he worked with in Seattle, New Orleans<\/a> and Minnesota<\/a>. Janocko was also a candidate for the same title in Seattle as Kubiak\u2019s successor.<\/p>\n

Janocko and Kubiak will be tasked with turning around a Raiders offense that was one of the worst in the league in 2025. Under Chip Kelly and interim offensive coordinator\/quarterbacks coach Greg Olson, Las Vegas was last in points scored (14.2), rushing yards per game (77.5) and total yards (245.2), and 26th in red zone efficiency (50%).<\/p>\n

Sources: Seahawks expected to hire 49ers\u2019 Brian Fleury as OC<\/a><\/p>\n

The Seattle Seahawks<\/a> are expected to hire San Francisco 49ers<\/a> tight ends coach and run game coordinator Brian Fleury as their new offensive coordinator, sources told ESPN\u2019s Adam Schefter on Sunday.<\/p>\n

The decision represents a pivot for the Super Bowl champion Seahawks, who began their search for Klint Kubiak\u2019s replacement thinking they would likely promote from within.<\/p>\n

Instead, they pluck from a division rival by hiring Fleury, who has spent the past seven seasons with the 49ers. He joined Kyle Shanahan\u2019s staff in 2019 as a defensive quality-control coach and spent the next two seasons (2020-21) as an offensive quality-control coach before a promotion to tight ends coach (2022). Fleury added the title of run game coordinator last season.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tre\u2019 Johnson, the former Washington O-lineman, dies at 54 Tre\u2019 Johnson, a former NFL standout offensive lineman with…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":756291,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2069],"tags":[427,4180,7,6,52437,855,111,10421,2480],"class_list":{"0":"post-756290","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-washington-commanders","8":"tag-commanders","9":"tag-daily-slop","10":"tag-football","11":"tag-nfl","12":"tag-open-threads","13":"tag-washington","14":"tag-washington-commanders","15":"tag-washington-commanders-news","16":"tag-washingtoncommanders"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/channels.im\/@nfl\/116081253680914437","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/756290","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=756290"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/756290\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/756291"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=756290"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=756290"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=756290"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}