{"id":766279,"date":"2026-02-21T07:17:31","date_gmt":"2026-02-21T07:17:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/766279\/"},"modified":"2026-02-21T07:17:31","modified_gmt":"2026-02-21T07:17:31","slug":"should-the-commanders-be-targeting-ny-giants-te-daniel-bellinger-in-free-agency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/766279\/","title":{"rendered":"Should the Commanders be targeting NY Giants TE Daniel Bellinger in free agency?"},"content":{"rendered":"

So, why is Marshon Lattimore still on the roster?<\/a><\/p>\n

As with most things in the NFL, things are complicated. For one, Lattimore ended the season on injured reserve and is currently rehabbing that ACL. Under the NFL\u2019s collective bargaining agreement (CBA), releasing a player who is physically unable to perform can trigger \u201cInjury Protection Benefits.\u201d The team may be waiting on final medical evaluations before making a move to ensure they are in good standing with the league and the NFLPA, making sure they truly get that $18.5M in cap space back with zero dead money.<\/p>\n

Furthermore, Lattimore was recently arrested in Lakewood, Ohio, on January 7, 2026. The charges included a felony for improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle and a misdemeanor for carrying a concealed weapon. Typically, NFL teams stay in \u201cpurgatory\u201d and gather information before making a cut, especially with felony charges involved. Lattimore had a hearing on February 6th, and the team may be waiting on the League Office to determine if any suspensions are coming down the pike before officially severing ties.<\/p>\n

Finally, releasing Lattimore today would immediately relinquish any remaining trade leverage. While it is highly unlikely a suitor would absorb an $18.5 million contract for an aging corner coming off an ACL tear, there is zero advantage to cutting him before the clock runs out. The real \u201ctrigger date\u201d is March 15th, the day he is scheduled to get a $2M roster bonus. Washington will almost certainly want to avoid that, so I\u2019d expect Lattimore to be released right before then.<\/p>\n

3 underrated EDGE options <\/a>with younger upside<\/a> for Commanders to target during 2026 NFL free agency period<\/p>\n

Malcolm Koonce, Las Vegas Raiders<\/p>\n

Malcolm Koonce is a very underrated pass rusher in the league at just 27 years old. He suffered a torn ACL in 2024, but signed a one-year deal to return to the Raiders to prove himself once again. Koonce bounced back and collected five sacks, 35 pressures, and a forced fumble. He\u2019s ready for a bigger role as well and looks to be 100% healthy.<\/p>\n

He had eight sacks and 52 pressures in 2023 before his ACL injury, and getting that kind of production again would be a massive win. Koonce is smaller at 6-2 and 250 pounds, but he stops the run at a high level like the bigger defenders. He\u2019s projected to get a three-year, $30 million contract in free agency, which is a great deal for both sides.<\/p>\n

The Commanders don\u2019t have to risk throwing a bag at a player like Trey Hendrickson when they can sign one of these under-the-radar players this offseason. They found Dorance Armstrong as a rotational player in 2024, and now he\u2019s a top pass rusher<\/a>, so hopefully [a player on this list] could be the same.<\/p>\n

Commanders should target underrated Broncos\u2019 defender<\/a><\/p>\n

The top interior rusher on the market will be John Franklin-Myers of the Denver Broncos<\/a>. Denver has the cap space to re-sign Franklin-Myers, but hasn\u2019t reached a deal with him. He was a big part of the Broncos\u2019 top-ranked defense in 2025, recording 25 tackles, including six for loss, 7.5 sacks and 15 quarterback hits. Franklin-Myers recorded at least seven sacks in each of the last two seasons.<\/p>\n

Franklin-Myers is older than some other free-agent defenders, aside from Hendrickson. He\u2019ll turn 30 in September. However, recent evidence proves he\u2019s playing some of the best football of his eight-year NFL career. He\u2019s also a success story.<\/p>\n

His pressure numbers have improved over the past two seasons. He\u2019s also experienced playing in the 3-4 and 4-3 defenses. Franklin-Myers has played defensive end and defensive tackle, so his versatility is an asset.<\/p>\n

Another benefit for anyone who signs Franklin-Myers is that he is also stout against the run.<\/p>\n

Spotrac<\/a> projects Franklin-Myers to earn $7.9 million annually on his next deal. If he hits the open market, he\u2019ll almost certainly earn more.<\/p>\n

So, while the focus is on edge defenders, don\u2019t look past Franklin-Myers. He should be high on Washington\u2019s list.<\/p>\n

Daronte Jones: time at HBCUs helped build \u2018foundation for who I am today\u2019<\/a><\/p>\n

Jones, 47, finished up his college career as a defensive back with Morgan State. Almost a decade later, Jones returned to the DMV as Bowie State\u2019s assistant head coach and defensive coordinator — positions he held for five seasons.<\/p>\n

Jones knows that HBCUs don\u2019t have the same \u201cglitz and glamour\u201d as many of the top programs in the country, but many of the lessons he learned at both Morgan State and Bowie State helped shape the coaching philosophies that he still relies upon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s the foundation of who I am today,\u201d Jones said during his Feb. 10 introductory press conference.<\/p>\n

Von Miller quickly shot down the idea of joining the Raiders in free agency<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cFor one, I\u2019m still a taken man. I\u2019m still in a relationship with the Washington Commanders. For two, if I\u2019m going to go to the AFC West, it\u2019s got to be the Denver Broncos,\u201d Miller said. \u201cLike what? Me playing the Denver Broncos twice a year? I don\u2019t think it\u2019s nothing that I can do to really take away from my legacy that I\u2019ve already done with the Denver Broncos, but that: Going to the Raiders… That\u2019s really the only thing that could make the Denver Broncos fanbase, Broncos Country, not love me no more.\u201d<\/p>\n

Command Center Awards Special! NEW Coordinator Reactions & BIG time Playmakers! | Commanders | NFL<\/p>\n

Lane Johnson is officially playing for the Eagles in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The Eagles\u2019 legendary right tackle will NOT be retiring<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia Eagles\u2019 two-time Super Bowl champion right tackle told the Inquirer\u2019s Jeff McLane<\/a> that he\u2019s officially returning for his 14th NFL season in 2026.<\/p>\n

There was previously speculation that Johnson, who turns 36 in May, might call it a career after finishing the 2025 season injured. Jeff Stoutland\u2019s exit didn\u2019t seem to work in favor of Johnson returning.<\/p>\n

But former Eagles running back LeSean McCoy recently claimed that Johnson told him he\u2019s not retiring<\/a>. NFL insider Adam Schefter also said he expected Johnson to be back.<\/p>\n

Not to mention that Johnson would\u2019ve left a lot of money on the table by walking away this offseason.<\/p>\n

The Eagles are very happy to have their All-Pro right tackle in place for next season.<\/p>\n

Landon Dickerson reportedly plans to play in 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

More good news for the Philadelphia Eagles following Lane Johnson\u2019s decision to return for the 2026 season<\/a>: it sounds like Landon Dickerson will also be playing in 2026.<\/p>\n

the Inquirer\u2019s Jeff McLane<\/a> included this in his report about Johnson\u2019s decision to not retire (bold emphasis mine):<\/p>\n

Dickerson expressed some doubt about his future immediately after the 49ers defeat. He has yet to publicly address his plans, but there have been concerns inside the Eagles organization about the 27-year old\u2019s health.<\/p>\n

Recent indications are that Dickerson will return for his sixth season. The Eagles will likely have a clearer understanding of his plans ahead of next week\u2019s NFL combine, when Sirianni and general manager Howie Roseman are expected to be available to reporters in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

There was previously concern that the 27-year-old Dickerson could decide to retire<\/a> after playing through multiple injuries in 2025. He certainly didn\u2019t sound very optimistic about his future outlook<\/a> while speaking at locker room clean out day following the Eagles\u2019 playoff loss to the San Francisco 49ers:<\/p>\n

E.J. Smith of PHLY Sports reported that when asked if he\u2019ll make a full recovery, Dickerson said, \u201cIf I had that answer, I\u2019d feel a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n

It remains to be seen just how effective Dickerson will be next season \u2026 and if he can stay healthy.<\/p>\n

10 players snubbed by the scouting combine that could interest the Cowboys<\/a><\/p>\n

Edge Mikail Kamara, Indiana<\/p>\n

Although Kamara was a 15-game starter and a national champion in 2025 with the Hoosiers, he saw his production dip this past season. In 2023-2024, the former James Madison standout had several campaigns of production, accumulating 17.5 sacks.<\/p>\n

LB Jaden Dugger, Louisiana-Lafayette<\/p>\n

At 6\u20194\u201d, 240 pounds with nearly 35\u201d arms and a wingspan of 84\u201d, Dugger definitely looks the part of an NFL LB. In a deep LB draft class he\u2019s flying a little under the radar, but he could be a late round steal for. He has the skill set\/talent to contribute in the NFL.<\/p>\n

Banks is a versatile and explosive athlete who probably would\u2019ve lit up the combine had he been invited. The 6\u20191\u201d, 230-pound LB is a fluid mover playing with range and burst in both running and passing game. He\u2019s what teams look for in a modern-day LB.<\/p>\n

S Cole Wisniewski, Texas Tech<\/p>\n

Wisniewski was a physical tone setter on the back end of the Red Raiders\u2019 defense. He tallied a total of 78 tackles, six passes defensed, two forced fumbles, and one sack in 2025.<\/p>\n

NY Giants free agency 2026: Daniel Bellinger could find opportunity elsewhere<\/a><\/p>\n

Tight end has seemed undervalued by New York in recent seasons<\/p>\n

With NFL free agency looming, Bellinger now has an opportunity to find out if someone else will show him more appreciation than the Giants.<\/p>\n

Bellinger said at the end of the season that GM Joe Schoen had told him he was \u201cpart of the solution, not part of the problem\u201d for the Giants.<\/p>\n

Bellinger, though, also said that a bigger role elsewhere had appeal.<\/p>\n

\u201cEverybody wants to be number one in their position to succeed as much as they can,\u201d Bellinger said. \u201cAnd, of course, that\u2019s what I want.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut like I said, like my main goal in football from Little League to now and furthermore is just help a team win. If that is a tight end one role, that\u2019s what I want.You know what I mean? But if I can help a team in a tight end two role or in special teams, whatever it takes to help a team win, I think is my biggest goal, because that\u2019s what I want to walk away from the game and say, OK, I helped the team win games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bellinger\u2019s future with the Giants is no longer solely up to Schoen. New head coach John Harbaugh seems to be wielding final authority over most things these days, and which of their own free agents they prioritize keeping will likely be his call.<\/p>\n

I think someone is going to get a useful player at a bargain price, and that the Giants will end up wishing they had valued Bellinger\u2019s reliability rather than Johnson\u2019s flash.<\/p>\n

Bears $5B Stadium Plan Ramps Up As Indiana Pushes Ahead<\/a><\/p>\n

For nearly three years, the Bears have been unable to close a stadium deal in Illinois, creating an opening that Indiana is now taking advantage of<\/p>\n

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said Thursday that the state has \u201cestablished a broad framework for negotiating a final deal\u201d with the Bears, the most overt statement to date about its intent to complete an agreement for a domed facility for the team.<\/p>\n

Next up is a vote on an Indiana state senate bill that would provide significant public funding for a new stadium in Hammond, Ind. The team would contribute $2 billion, while the public sector would cover the rest of what could be a $5 billion project. That public contribution would be generated from bonding against a series of local taxes\u2014similar to the structure used to finance Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.<\/p>\n

A full state legislative vote on the bill is anticipated in the coming days after it unanimously cleared a state House ways and means committee Thursday. A new amendment hones in on the Hammond location as the preferred site after others in nearby Gary were previously considered. The site almost directly abuts the state line between Indiana and Illinois.<\/p>\n

As the Indiana situation has intensified, some Illinois leaders have shown a new willingness to work out a deal<\/a> with the Bears. That pivot, however, could prove to be too little, too late. A state legislative committee canceled a scheduled Thursday hearing about legislation that would allow the Bears, or other large developers, to negotiate payments with local taxing authorities\u2014a critical step toward getting an Illinois stadium deal done.<\/p>\n

\u201cIllinois was ready to move this bill forward,\u201d said a spokesperson for Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker. \u201cAfter a productive three-hour meeting yesterday, Bears leaders requested the [committee] pause the hearing to make further tweaks to the bill. This morning, we were surprised to see a statement lauding Indiana and ignoring Illinois.\u201d<\/p>\n

Buccaneers quarterback Teddy Bridgewater saw his career as a high-school coach in Miami end after other coaches complained that he was spending his own money to help his players.<\/p>\n

An effort is now underway to allow high-school coaches in Florida to do that.<\/p>\n

Via Andy Villamarzo of Rivals.com, the Florida Senate has passed<\/a> a \u201cTeddy Bridgewater Act\u201d that would allow coaches to use up to $15,000 of their own money to support student-athletes with food, transportation, and recovery services.<\/p>\n

The bill still must pass the Florida House of Representatives and be signed into law by Governor Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n

If it becomes law, the Teddy Bridgewater Act potentially opens Pandora\u2019s box. How will anyone accurately track expenditures? And what\u2019s to stop the coach from becoming the conduit for boosters to funnel more than $15,000 to players?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"So, why is Marshon Lattimore still on the roster? As with most things in the NFL, things are…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":766280,"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-766279","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\/116107402250178798","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766279","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=766279"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/766279\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/766280"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=766279"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=766279"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nfl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=766279"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}