Daily Slop – 19 Apr 25 – Jon Gruden goes one-on-one with Jayden Daniels

A collection of articles, podcasts & tweets from around the web to keep you in touch with the Commanders, the NFC East, the NFL and sports in general, and a sprinkling of other stuff

Commanders links

Articles

Washington Post (paywall)

D.C., Commanders discussing $3.2 billion public-private stadium deal

[Note: some details presented in this Washington Post article differ from initial reports published by various media sources earlier this week]

Under the preliminary agreement, a stadium would anchor a large development at the 174-acre site including hotels, housing, some retail and possibly office space, plus parking facilities, Mendelson said. The overall cost of the stadium development would be $3.2 billion — the majority of which would be paid for by the Commanders, which would put up a minimum of $2.5 billion, Mendelson said. D.C.’s contribution would be $500 million. EventsDC — D.C.’s convention and sports authority — would put up $181 million for a parking facility, the chairman said.

The Commanders would also fund a parking facility, which D.C. would buy from the team in 2032 for $175 million, Mendelson said. Combined with EventsDC’s portion, the costs to taxpayers add up to a total of $856 million. NBC4 first reported on the preliminary financial details of the deal Wednesday.

The team — which currently plays in Landover, Maryland — will pay 100 percent of the construction for a stadium in any deal, according to a person with knowledge of the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private negotiations.

The mayor has pitched sports and entertainment as a big revenue and tourism driver for D.C. The city is separately putting half a billion dollars toward renovating Capital One Arena, where the Washington Wizards and Capitals play, while the Washington Nationals are also hoping the city will back major upgrades at the ballpark.

But the city has a limit to how much it can borrow for capital projects, a bucket of money that is separate from funding city services but does include projects such as school or library renovations, meaning they all compete for limited funds.

The city’s separate operating budget, meanwhile, is facing significant strains. The House has yet to pass legislation correcting $1 billion in cuts to D.C. due to the omission of routine language in a recent spending bill — leading Bowser to begin planning for furloughs and facility closures — while D.C. also faces a separate $1 billion shortfall over the next several years because of economic headwinds caused in part by the Trump administration’s shake-up of the federal workforce.

While some residents at a recent town hall were thrilled about a potential return of the Commanders, others have launched opposition campaigns, with some contrasting the city’s desire to invest in the stadium against the expected cuts to city services.

Bowser has said she wants to do it all at RFK, saying there is room for a stadium, affordable housing and retail on the 174 acres.

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The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders mock draft scenarios: Navigating needs, trades and desire for more picks

Mock 1 — Oh, captains

• 1 (29) — Donovan Ezeiruaku, DE, Boston College*
• 2 (61) — Benjamin Morrison, CB, Notre Dame*
• 4 (128) — Jaylin Lane, WR, Virginia Tech*
• 6 (205) — Kain Medrano, LB, UCLA*
• 7 (245) — Eli Cox, C, Kentucky*
• UDFA — Howard Cross III, DT, Notre Dame*

This version combines the KISS method — keep it simple, Standig — by addressing Washington’s perceived three primary needs with last year’s pursuit of prospects who served as team captains in college.

Mock 3 — On the move

Commanders trade No. 29 to Jaguars for Nos. 36, 107, 142

After playing out Washington’s five-pick holdings in the first two scenarios, it’s time to trade. This one drops the Commanders out of the first round — no fifth-year contract option — but only seven spots to pick up a fourth and fifth. The extra picks allow Peters more best-player-available consideration, though I went with obvious need areas at the top.

Mock 4 — Planning for 2026

Commanders trade No. 29 to Seahawks for Nos. 50, 92, 172 and 2026 second-rounder

The choices here consider Washington’s roster, which is jammed with players on expiring contracts, including running backs Brian Robinson Jr., Austin Ekeler and three edge rushers. Another goal involved replenishing 2026 selections after the Commanders traded away next year’s second and fourth in the Tunsil trade.

Mission accomplished on all fronts. Moving out of the first round to help its future self meant not making a pick until No. 50. That’s less of a concern this year, with consensus on positional and overall rankings varying significantly, though this drop cost the hope of landing Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson.

Mock 5 — Maximize Jayden Daniels

Commanders trade No. 61 to 49ers for Nos. 75 and 100

Mock 6 — YOLO

Commanders trade Nos. 29, 128 and 2026 third-rounder to Broncos for No. 20 and 2026 sixth-rounder

Commanders trade No. 61 to Patriots for Nos. 77, 106 and 238

Commanders trade No. 77 to Jaguars for Nos. 107, 126, 142 and 2026 fourth-rounder

Commanders trade No. 142 to Vikings for 2026 fourth-rounder

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ESPN

2025 NFL draft: Debating need, value for 32 picks in Round 1

Miller’s pick that fills a big need: TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State

Trading for left tackle Laremy Tunsil and wide receiver Deebo Samuel Sr. took care of two big needs, but Washington is still missing a true game changer at running back. Henderson has elite hands to catch passes from Jayden Daniels, and his big-play ability is something this unit lacks.

Reid’s pick that gets best value: Shemar Stewart, Edge, Texas A&M

Stewart, ranked No. 28 on my board, is one of the most polarizing prospects in this class because he had only 1.5 sacks last season despite having athletic traits that popped at the combine. Washington could be willing to take a risk here because of his immense potential.

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Commanders.com

Breaking down Commanders’ longest standing career records

• Joe Theismann (1975-85): 25,206 yards
• Theismann is one of many Washington Legends who will be listed as stands as one of the best quarterbacks in franchise history with a decorated career that includes a Super Bowl championship, an MVP selection in 1983 and two Pro Bowls. He played his entire career with Washington and won 77 games in 12 years — the most by any passer for the team.
• Who has the best chance to beat it? Jayden Daniels has a long way to go before being considered an all-time Commanders player but got off to a good start. His 3,568-yard rookie campaign, which helped him become the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year, already puts him 21st in team history.

Defense

Interceptions

• Darrell Green (1983-2002): 54

Pass breakups

• Champ Bailey (1999-2003): 81 (Official)
• Darrell Green (1983-2002): unknown (Unofficial)

Sacks

• Ryan Kerrigan (2011-20): 95.5 (Official)
• Dexter Manley (1981-89): Unknown (Unofficial)

We’re throwing the defensive categories together because multiple stats for that side of the ball were not counted in some players’ careers, so the rankings are a bit wonky. What’s indisputable, however, is that all four of the players mentioned above are some of the best to ever play the sport. Green was one of the most iconic cornerbacks in NFL history with a slew of NFL records, both in terms of performance and career longevity. Bailey is mostly known for his time with the Denver Broncos but made an impact early in his career with Washington. Manley was a dominant pass-rusher who would have been credited with more sacks, but the plays were counted as statistics by the NFL until 1982. Kerrigan did surpass Manley’s official numbers in 2020, though, adding an exclamation point to what was an exceptional career for a fan favorite.

• Who has the best chance of beating these records? The Washington player destined to surpass Green has not been drafted yet and perhaps never will be. Something similar could be said for Bailey, although his record with Washington seems far more breakable. As for the sacks, Daron Payne is the only current Washington player who could climb up the rankings, although he‘s currently sitting at 17th with 34.

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Podcasts & videos

Jayden Daniels FULL INTERVIEW | Gruden Goes Long

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Commanders FINAL Draft Predictions By Top Analysts: Mel Kiper Has Bold Prediction

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NFC East links

Bleeding Green Nation

2025 NFL Mock Draft: Washington Commanders choose edge rusher

With the 29th overall pick in the 2025 Bleeding Green Nation community mock draft, Washington Commanders GM Mailata_in_a_Miata selects …

As any Commanders fan will tell you, they would have won that game if ​​they didn’t have all those turnovers and if the NFL would have just allowed Frankie Luvu to keep leaping over the neutral zone a dozen more times. It’s a shame the refs awarded the Eagles 55 points, otherwise the Commanders would be Super Bowl winners once again.

Since then, GM Adam Peters is showing Jerry Jones what it means to go “ALL IN”. The Commanders signed 23 players to 1-year contracts, most in the NFL. 12 of these guys are 30+ years or older. Some may say that this is Washington’s attempt to “Win now” but they are not exactly building for the future. It is imperative for jersey sales that they get a rookie who will be around long enough for fans to remember his name. But for which side of the ball?

The Commanders are reasonably set on offense. Currently the best blocker on the team is Jayden Daniel’s Mom (AND AGENT!?) who has seemingly prevented Jayden from getting sacked by a female for 24 years.

Adam Peters has “upgraded” the LT position by trading for Laremy Tunsil, who led the league in penalties last season with 19 fouls. Jayden Daniel’s security blanket, Zach Ertz, was re-signed for another season. The GM must have been disappointed with the low level of tantrums he saw last year, so he traded for Deebo Samuel to bolster the wide receiver corp. This also gives Marshon Lattimore someone to slap fight with during practice. The running backs are either old or bullet riddled so that position is a definite need!

Jalen Hurts is looking at this defensive line and yawning.

The Washington Commanders need more explosiveness within their edge-rushing unit. That’s why the Commanders select Donovan Ezeiruaku, Edge from Boston College.

It pains me as an Eagles fan to draft him to a rival when he feels like a natural Eagle.

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NFL league links

Articles

NFL.com

Puka Nacua believes 49ers’ ‘window closes’ if Brock Purdy makes more than $50 million per year

Nacua was asked if he thought Purdy warranted a new contract averaging in the high $40 millions per year.

“I think, no. I think mid-4s,” the receiver responded, saying it should be closer to $45 million.

Edelman noted that if Purdy does take a contract in the mid-40 million, it would be a smart deal for the club.

“I think he seems like a smart guy,” Nacua responded. “They have a chance to still be in their window. And I think if he goes for a 5 [$50 million-plus], then the window closes. Right?”

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Pro Football Talk

Report: Seahawks are open to trading QB Sam Howell

ESPN reports that the Seahawks are open to trading Howell, and that the Seahawks have been “receiving inquiries” from interested teams.

The Seahawks currently have four quarterbacks under contract — Sam Darnold, Lock, Howell, and Jaren Hall. Lock recently signed with Seattle.

Howell, who arrived in a trade last year with the Commanders, enters the fourth year of his rookie deal. He was a fifth-round pick out of North Carolina in 2022.

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UFL links

Front Office Sports

UFL and Players Union Agree to New CBA, Pending Board Approval

Players say the new deal gives them wins on wages and healthcare.

Players went into talks seeking year-long healthcare and a pay raise from the $55,000 minimum salary. The new CBA raises the minimum salary to $62,005 for players who participate in all 10 regular-season games, and the minimum salary will increase to $64,000 for the 2026 season.

In addition to the four months of in-season coverage they were already receiving, players will now get three months of offseason coverage plus five months of subsidized COBRA for eligible players and their dependents, according to a union release.

“UFL players are not millionaires. Like many Americans, they are simply hard workers looking for fair pay and healthcare from an employer who can afford it,” said Harry Marino, president of Sports Solidarity and the UFL’s lead negotiator in a release. “We are gratified to have ultimately reached a fair agreement that will benefit all parties.”

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Discussion topics

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