LSU safeties coach Jake Olsen is now expected to remain with the LSU Tigers despite initially accepting the job with Washington, per Matt Zenitz of CBS Sports. The news roughly two months after head coach Lane Kiffin named Olsen one of a handful of assistant coaches expected to remain with the Tigers after taking over at LSU, marking it a notable win for LSU and a loss of a quality defensive assistant to add to a revamped defensive staff for the Commanders.<\/p>\n
Advertisement<\/p>\n
The connection came through the Commanders new defensive coordinator<\/a> after Olsen worked on the LSU defensive staff under Daronte Jones during the 2021 season.<\/p>\n While it served as an expected notable addition for Washington, what role he would have joined with the Commanders remained unclear given Tommy Donatell was announced as the current safeties coach and William Gay serving as cornerbacks coach among several new staff additions<\/a>, but he would have been be another piece to a defensive staff looking to turn the page from an abysmal season under Joe Whitt Jr.<\/p>\n A to Z Sports<\/p>\n Daronte Jones excited to work with Commanders LB Frankie Luvu this season<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cLove Frankie Luvu,\u201d Jones said. \u201cWatched him on tape. He\u2019s a guy who, before I even got here, we would watch and put on a tape in our meeting room. I love his athleticism. He\u2019s best going downhill, getting the match-up on running backs, that\u2019s always a key. You\u2019re going to hear that a lot in terms of match ability and putting guys in advantageous positions. He\u2019s best when he can go downhill, use his athleticism to win on edges, and use his speed.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n \u201cSo, time, distance, and space to encounter those matchups. And you want to put him in that situation where he\u2019s matched up on the running back. And I think running backs are one of the guys, on offense, that get the least amount of reps and protections.\u201d<\/p>\n Luvu was a great free agency signing for the Commanders two offseasons ago, and he was actually voted as the No. 70 player in the NFL\u2019s Top-100 after his 2024 season<\/a> and second team All-Pro honors. In 2025, we saw Luvu take a massive stepback, but he was also out of position, which went against his strengths.<\/p>\n Luvu played 473 snaps on the defensive line in 2025, far more than in 2024, when he played only 288 snaps up front. He was also forced to take on offensive tackles instead of running backs, like Jones pointed out, and it didn\u2019t take him long to see that on film. Luvu was forced to play as a pass rusher way too often with the injuries on the line, but that will change in 2026.<\/p>\n I expect Jones to let Luvu run loose as a linebacker again, and the Commanders will have to address the defensive line this offseason<\/a> for him to do so. Luvu\u2019s coverage ability and run-stopping will improve when he\u2019s back in the box, and he\u2019ll be a more effective pass rusher when he\u2019s coming on blitzes and getting matched up on running backs.<\/p>\n Riggo\u2019s Rag<\/p>\n 10 potential high-impact cap casualties the Commanders could pounce on<\/a><\/p>\n The Commanders should be monitoring all developments around the league<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Commanders should monitor Rashan Gary<\/p>\n The Commanders are desperately seeking help on the defensive edge. Adam Peters has made no secret of his desire to strengthen the unit, which lacked dynamism and speed, as the general manager relied heavily on aging veterans well past their primes.<\/p>\n There should be some enticing options available in free agency or the draft. Peters will also be monitoring possible cut candidates around the NFL for potential help, and Rashan Gary\u2019s situation with the Green Bay Packers won\u2019t go unnoticed.<\/p>\n Gary is still a high-end performer when firing on all cylinders. The Packers would save $19.5 million on their 2026 cap with a post-June 1 release, which is a tempting proposition after the team acquired Micah Parsons from the Dallas Cowboys last year.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The former Michigan star wouldn\u2019t solve every problem, but Gary has the potential to get Washington a lot closer.<\/p>\n Commanders should monitor Tremaine Edmunds<\/p>\n The Commanders need more at the linebacker position. New defensive coordinator Daronte Jones\u2019 projected switch to a 3-4 base front means more athleticism and explosiveness are required at the second level. If Bobby Wagner moves on as expected, the desire for reinforcements only becomes greater.<\/p>\n Adam Peters will probably look to the NFL Draft class, which is deep at the position. But if Jones wants to hit the ground running, he may want an established veteran with proven production at the highest level.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n Tremaine Edmunds has been touted as a potential salary-cap cut candidate for the Chicago Bears, which would save them $15 million. He\u2019s gone over 100 tackles in each of his eight NFL seasons. And the former Virginia Tech standout will be 28 next season, so this could be an investment for Washington\u2019s future as well as the present.<\/p>\n Commanders have a big decision to make with Treylon Burks before free agency<\/a><\/p>\n Massive changes are coming to Washington\u2019s receiver room this offseason. Only Terry McLaurin, Luke McCaffrey, and Jaylin Lane are guaranteed to be on the 53-man roster. Deebo Samuel Sr. could get a new deal<\/a> if the money works, but nothing is guaranteed. The rest are either aging veterans down on their luck or younger players who aren\u2019t quite up to the required standard.<\/p>\n As for Burks? He lies somewhere in the middle.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n He\u2019s not old enough to have reached his ceiling. He\u2019s not young enough to be a development project. His production was decent enough in difficult circumstances, but whether it\u2019s enough for another commitment from Washington is another matter.<\/p>\n The Commanders need a dynamic wideout capable of stretching the field. They need someone who can work the middle and be an asset in the red zone. They\u2019ll also need some complementary pieces, which Burks looks capable of with another full offseason with the club to build chemistry with quarterback Jayden Daniels and learn the schematic concepts being installed by new offensive coordinator David Blough<\/a>.<\/p>\n It would also be a relatively cheap exercise to keep him around, which only sweetens the pot.<\/p>\n The former Arkansas standout is expected to get a one-year, $3.54 million<\/a> deal, according to Spotrac.<\/p>\n Heavy.com<\/p>\n Noah Igbinoghene : Secures first career sack in 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Igbinoghene recorded 35 total tackles (22 solo), including 1.0 sacks, while also adding five passes defensed and 191 kickoff-return yards over 15 contests during the 2025 regular season. Igbinoghene was able to register at least 35 takedowns for the second straight year after compiling 29 total tackles over his first four seasons in the NFL. The 26-year-old was also able to notch his first career sack in 2025, bringing down Eagles quarterback Tanner McKee in the regular-season finale. Igbinoghene is set to become a free agent in the offseason, and his increased production over the last two seasons has certainly raised his value on the open market.<\/p>\n Podcasts & videosWashington Commanders Rumor Mill Just Took Unexpected Turn with release of edge rusher Bradley ChubbFireworks in F\/A for Washington?Free agent WR market could be tricky for Commanders | John Keim ReportNFC East links<\/p>\n Blogging the Boys<\/p>\n Why the Cowboys have an obligation to move on from Terence Steele<\/a><\/p>\n Steele has been one of the most scrutinized players on the team over the last few seasons. Sometimes deserved, other times, not so much. For years now, critics have voiced their desire to see a change at the position, often overlooking the many quiet moments where he just goes about his business, providing reliable play on the right side.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n But the time has finally arrived where fans could get their wish. Due to looming financial constraints, the Cowboys have some tough decisions ahead, and this once-feel-good developmental story could be nearing its natural conclusion.<\/p>\n Steele\u2019s NFL journey started as the classic underdog story, entering the league as an undrafted free agent from Texas Tech in 2020. He was thrust into a starting role far earlier than expected due to an injury to incumbent starter La\u2019el Collins, leading to a frantic rookie season where he looked physically overmatched, giving up nine sacks. But just like the little engine that could, Steele showed incredible resilience and improved his technique, replacing Collins and securing his spot as the team\u2019s new starting right tackle. His gradual rise earned him a five-year, $82.5 million extension, and he hasn\u2019t missed a single game over the last three years.<\/p>\n The primary hurdle in keeping Steele is his pricey cap hit. The team already has seven players on the roster making at least $20 million annually, and that doesn\u2019t include George Pickens, who should join them shortly. Steele is not one of those players, as he comes in with an average salary of $16 million over the next three years. That\u2019s not super expensive, but it\u2019s not chump change either.<\/p>\n [P]aying a hefty price for a right tackle who provides league-average pass protection is a luxury the Cowboys can no longer afford. If the team wants to ensure the proper resources are allocated in the right spots, then moving on from Steele is something to be considered.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n By pivoting to a younger or cheaper option, the Cowboys can maintain quality offensive line play while gaining the financial flexibility needed to create a more balanced roster.<\/p>\n Big Blue View<\/p>\n NY Giants free agency 2026: 5 wide receivers to consider<\/a><\/p>\n Tyquan Thornton, KC<\/p>\n Speaking of productive deep threats \u2014 particularly one who could likely be signed for a fraction of what it would cost to sign Pierce \u2014 this option deserves serious consideration.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-2 wideout blazed a 4.28 in the 40-yard dash at the combine and delivered his most efficient season yet, totaling 438 yards on just 19 receptions with three touchdowns. Still only 25, [he is] relatively proven vertical threat who can immediately inject speed into the offense, Thornton \u2014 coming off a 23.1 yards-per-catch mark with the Chiefs \u2014 would be a strong value option at the right price.<\/p>\n Over the Cap<\/p>\n Looking at the Costs of Cutting or Trading Eagles WR AJ Brown<\/a><\/p>\n Can The Eagles Cut Brown?<\/p>\n Cutting Brown would be extremely difficult for Philadelphia this season and would make little sense. His $29 million salary is fully guaranteed and the team would owe him that whether they release him or not. The dead money associated with a release would be $72.448 million, a loss of $49 million in cap room. While keeping him does trigger another $4 million in guaranteed salary for 2027, that number is small enough to not concern the Eagles.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n As a post June 1 the team could split the dead money as $45.354 in 2026 and $27.095 million in 2027. They could digest that a little more but again does not really make sense from a financial standpoint.<\/p>\n Can the Eagles Trade Brown?<\/p>\n Trading Brown would be a viable option for the Eagles if they could find a trade partner. The Eagles structure all of their contracts these days with \u201cbuilt in\u201d contract restructures and Brown\u2019s is no different. What the team does is include an option bonus that covers all of the salary for a player in a year except for the minimum that is mandated by the CBA along with any other minor bonuses in the contract.<\/p>\n This effectively accomplishes the same thing a restructure does by converting salary to bonus except it maintains a trade window for the Eagles. This is why Brown\u2019s salary cap charge for 2026 is $23.393 million rather than $45.35 million. The Eagles make the dates to exercise these options very late in the preseason, basically right before the first regular season game, thus giving them all summer to trade the player and not pay the salary required to lower the salary cap charge. In a normal restructure the Eagles would be on the hook for all but his $1.3 million base salary in a trade since the restructure bonus would have been committed by the Eagles.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n The cost to trade Brown on the cap prior to June 2nd would be $48.939 million. That would be a loss of $25.5 million in cap room for the team. They would also get a $5.5 million cap credit in 2027. I would imagine in a trade this year they would get a draft pick in 2026. I don\u2019t think you could rule this out but I think the team would try to wait things out until the summer.<\/p>\n If the team waited until the summer to make a trade the post June 1 rules would be in effect. The team would be looking at $22.09 million in dead money this year and $21.6 million in dead money in 2027(that number is the net number as the Eagles will receive a cap credit for $5.5 million in 2027). One thing that also works in the Eagles favor in a summer trade is that teams are far more willing to part with future picks, especially if they need to cover for an injury, and often can have all kinds of conditionals attached that can bring the round of the trade up. It also avoids the scrutiny of doing a trade, getting a mid round pick in the current draft, and then watching the player kill it in 2026 for another team.\u00a0 The do or die date for this scenario is the day before the first game of the year for the Eagles, which should be September 13th. That is a lot of time to find a trade partner.<\/p>\n What if Brown isn\u2019t Moved?<\/p>\n You simply wait things out and see how things go on the field this year. Maybe Brown gets along better with the coaching staff. Maybe his numbers go up. Maybe the offense is more productive. If not you cut him in 2027. In 2027 the Eagles would be looking at dead money worth about $53 million and they would definitely use a post June 1 release in that scenario splitting the dead money at $25.08 million in 2027 and $27.98 million in 2028. They would also get an offset credit in 2027 that should be worth $4 million. While that may look like dragging things out, considering there is no way out of his 2026 salary without a trade it is far better to drag the salary cap over three years rather than two years considering the Eagles cap situation.<\/p>\n Advertisement<\/p>\n A few weeks ago I put a video out that covers many of the same things as here. If you prefer that format you can watch the video instead.<\/p>\n NFL league linksArticles<\/p>\n ESPN<\/p>\n Hill, cut by \u2018Phins, vows, \u2018the Cheetah will be back\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n In a post on Instagram<\/a>, Hill thanked the Dolphins, his teammates and the team\u2019s fans. He also vowed that his career will continue.<\/p>\n The Journey Don\u2019t Stop\u270c\ud83c\udfff<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/c5398192eb5320bb8d0d853fce3f0aef.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/caaf10f3ea4e07ff3740ddb03a6e577e.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n