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Daily Slop – 16 Jul 25 – Monk’s jersey, McLaurin’s contract, Luvu named top-5 LB by ESPN

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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

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Commanders.com

Commanders to retire Art Monk’s No. 81 jersey in Week 9 vs. Seahawks

Monk was not expecting visitors, never mind some of his former teammates like Gary Clark, Ricky Sanders and Doug Williams standing on his patio. They were joined by Washington Commanders Managing Partner Josh Harris, Team President Mark Clouse and several family members, all wearing t-shirts with his old jersey number and ear-to-ear smiles on their faces. They were there to tell him that no Washington player would wear No. 81 ever again.

All Monk could muster was, “What the…?”

Now, Monk is among the select few players to have their jerseys retired by the franchise, with the honor coming on Nov. 2 during the team’s Week 9 game vs. Seattle on Sunday Night Football.

“I’ve been sitting here these last few days just trying to digest it all,” Monk said.

Washington Post (paywall)

Commanders to retire Hall of Fame receiver Art Monk’s No. 81

Monk, the franchise’s all-time leading receiver (888 catches for 12,026 yards) who spent 14 seasons with Washington (1980 to 1993), will be honored during the Commanders’ Week 9 game against the Seattle Seahawks on Nov. 2, when the franchise will debut its “Super Bowl Era” alternate uniforms. The look is designed to mimic the uniforms Washington wore during its three Super Bowl victories (XVII, XXII, XXVI) in the 1980s and early ’90s.

Monk spent his final two seasons in the NFL with the New York Jets (1994) and Philadelphia Eagles (1995). While still with Washington in 1992, he surpassed Steve Largent for the most receptions in NFL history. Monk ended his career ranked second in catches (940) and fourth in receiving yards (12,721); he now stands 24th and 23rd, respectively.

Last week, the team unveiled its Super Bowl Era alternate uniforms, which it will wear for three games this season.

The Athletic (paywall)

Commanders must walk the walk and pay WR Terry McLaurin what he deserves

Terry McLaurin, on his recent trip to Italy with his wife, Caitlin, learned a little Italian.

“I think ‘bene,’ it means ‘good,’” McLaurin said Tuesday after filming a new commercial for the wonderfully kitschy Eastern Motors folks in Laurel, Md.

By contrast, most of the preceding half hour in which McLaurin addressed his current negotiations with the Washington Commanders was non va bene.

McLaurin’s frustration with the slow pace of talks is certainly genuine. But going public with it was also designed to put maximum pressure on the Commanders’ front office to take care of one of the two or three legit faces of the franchise, someone who’s done nothing but play at a high level since the team took him in the third round of the 2019 draft.

McLaurin acknowledged the buzz about his unhappiness with negotiations, which has gained steam in recent days, wasn’t just media spin. “It’s not just what people are hearing, it’s coming from me,” he said.

You can’t talk about being a family and having a brotherhood and then not pay the guy who best personifies that on your team.

It is left to me, the curmudgeon, to note how Monk’s time in Washington ended — in a salary dispute that led to his finishing his career with the New York Jets and Eagles, rather than in Washington. I know this because I wrote the story announcing his departure from D.C. on that April night in 1994. At the time, no then-Washington player was as beloved, or as respected, as James Arthur Monk. No one was classier or as revered in the community.

Similarly, all these years later, we know who McLaurin is and what he’s about.

We think we know, after almost two years at the helm, who Josh Harris is and what he’s about, and who Peters is and what he’s about. They’ve been very good in their roles. You can’t say “let AP cook,” and then squawk when the heat gets turned up a little.

If the dispute centers on a third year, or how much money should be guaranteed in that third year, when McLaurin’s 33, I get it. That’s tricky. You have a week to hash that out.

But, McLaurin has earned a deal near the top of the wide receivers chart. He signed a three-year extension in 2022, not knowing who’d be in Washington to shepherd him through the rest of his prime, or whether he’d be in Washington afterward. He bet on himself. The gamble paid off.

ESPN

Commanders’ Terry McLaurin frustrated by lack of contract talks

McLaurin, talking to reporters after shooting a commercial Tuesday, said “without any progress in discussions it’s kind of hard to see how I step on the field.”

However, McLaurin also said he wasn’t pushing for a trade and that, “I want to be here. I want to make that abundantly clear.”

But, he said, “it takes two to tango.”

McLaurin is in the final year of a three-year, $68 million extension he signed in 2022. He has been Washington’s top receiver since entering the NFL as a third-round pick in 2019 and has topped 1,000 yards for five consecutive seasons.

McLaurin turns 30 in September, an age when receivers’ production often starts to diminish, which can make teams reluctant to sign them to lucrative long-term contracts. However, McLaurin is entering only his seventh season and coming off arguably his most productive year with a career-best 13 touchdowns, second most in the NFL. He caught 82 passes for 1,096 yards.

“I’m not dismissing [age] completely,” he said. “There are data points to support that, but how come it’s not OK to say this may be a different case and based on what he’s proven, showing no signs of deterioration, I feel that should be acknowledged as well.”

“When things were adverse when there was a lot of chaos going on, I held firm, I held strong,” McLaurin said. “I held my head high and I was a leader. I’m going to continue to do that.”

Riggo’s Rag

Adam Peters risks Commanders mutiny if he keeps ignoring Terry McLaurin

McLaurin’s public outburst regarding his unhappiness in front of the media this week didn’t sit well with the fan base. The fact that such an important player feels undervalued and disrespected reeks of the old regime’s ways. It hasn’t gone down well with some teammates, either.

Peters is not running a charity. He’s running the football operation with professionalism and is always looking at the bigger picture. McLaurin is an indispensable member of the squad, a fan favorite, and an established figure on and off the field. Even so, the Commanders are aware that the wideout will be 30 years old in September and want an agreement that reflects this.

The situation has taken its toll on McLaurin. He was resolute yet despondent. Things haven’t gone as he’d hoped, and the former third-round selection simply doesn’t know where things go from here.

Peters has done almost everything right over the last 18 months. But if he continues to ignore McLaurin and stalls on this extension, things will turn sour quickly.

The respected executive might even have a mutiny on his hands. That’s how much McLaurin is revered by everyone associated with the franchise.

ESPN

Execs, coaches, scouts rank NFL’s top 10 off-ball linebackers for 2025

5. Frankie Luvu, Washington Commanders

Highest ranking: 5 | Lowest ranking: Unranked

Age: 28 | Last year’s ranking: N/A

Luvu’s first year as a Commander vaulted him into the top-10 conversation. He received a few votes last year but was largely a nonfactor in the voting. But this year he appeared in the top five of many ballots.

While some evaluators believe No. 5 is rich for Luvu, he earned the votes and this is a composite ranking.

“I have so much respect for him — he’s been one of the best tone-setters in the NFL,” a veteran NFL defensive coach said. “His production over the last three years is as good as anyone.”

Head coach Dan Quinn deploys Luvu somewhat similarly to Micah Parsons in Dallas, a hybrid linebacker with pass rush ability off the edge. Luvu capitalized in a big way with 8.0 sacks, 12 tackles for loss and 7 pass deflections on his way to second-team All-Pro honors.

“Versatile, playmaking in the run game, the pass game and with pass rush,” an NFL coordinator said. “His play style is all over the tape.”

One knock on Luvu: He’s a bit of a scheme fit. “Can’t play in every scheme. Can’t ask him to play in man coverage consistently,” an NFC executive said.

Honorable mention

Bobby Wagner, Washington Commanders: “The physical skills have declined, but he can compensate with all-world instincts.” — AFC exec “Still great at getting jump on a play, doing everything you want out of a LB, smart, instincts, knows what everybody is doing. Pass coverage is where you see a little bit of a dip, which is to be expected at this stage.” — NFL personnel evaluator

Podcasts & videos

Art Monk Reflects on Jersey Retirement, Super Bowls & Greatest Moments | Next Man Up | Commanders

Photos

Commanders.com

Throwback Thursday: Art Monk





NFC East links

Sports Illustrated

Dallas Cowboys price to re-sign DaRon Bland just went up

The cornerback market has now been reset after the extension for Sauce Gardner by the New York Jets.

Among the top priorities on [the Cowboys] list, is star cornerback DaRon Bland, who has emerged as the Cowboys top defensive back over the last two seasons.

But now, the price to retain Bland, may have just gotten significantly higher.

On Tuesday, the New York Jets signed their own star corner, Sauce Gardner, to a massive four-year $120.4 million deal, making him the highest-paid corner in NFL history.

And while Bland was never going to command that type of money, Gardner resetting the market with his new deal will certainly play a role in his negotiations with the Cowboys going forward.

Since 2022, Bland has been a first-team All-Pro, has one Pro Bowl, and led the NFL in interceptions in 2023. He has 164 tackles, 27 pass breakups, and 14 interceptions with five defensive touchdowns in his career.

With Gardner now the highest-paid corner, where Bland fits in with the market remains to be seen. [T]he Cowboys will have to think very hard in the coming months about whether or not it is worth bringing him back, or finding another destination for him via trade.

NFL.com

C.J. Gardner-Johnson: Eagles traded me to Texans because they’re ‘scared of a competitor’

During an interview with The Pivot podcast, Gardner-Johnson was asked by Ryan Clark why he was no longer in Philly following such a successful, Super Bowl-winning stint.

“Scared of a competitor,” Gardner-Johnson answered. “Simple as that.”

Asked what he meant by that, the DB responded, “You can’t program a dawg.”

Gardner-Johnson sounded as though he didn’t have the backing of the staff and felt he was always blamed when things went sideways, citing his ejection from a late-season game against the Washington Commanders. He also noted that he was blamed for a postseason practice fight.

ESPN

Previewing the top storylines for 2025 NFL training camps

DeMarvion Overshown, LB, Dallas Cowboys

One of the breakout stars of the 2024 season, Overshown started 12 games and collected 90 tackles along with five sacks, three pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble. Then, in Week 14, he tore the ACL, PCL and MCL in his right knee — less than two years after an ACL tear in his left knee robbed him of his rookie season.

Overshown should be one of two starting linebackers under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus, but when exactly he gets back on the field is something to monitor. He gave a bullish update on his health to the Cowboys team site in May: “I think it really couldn’t be any better. If it was better, I’d probably be out there playing right now. Where I’m at in my rehab, in my process, it’s where I’m supposed to be plus some.”

That sounds rosy, but expect the Cowboys to be cautious with Overshown (as one should be with a player who tore three ligaments in one knee). Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said in April the team does not expect Overshown to start the season, and local reporters have tagged November as a likely window to return. I’d be stunned if we see him do much during camp, but if he really is ahead on his rehab, we could see the rumblings in August of an early return to action.

The Philly Voice

Nick Sirianni calls ‘bulls***’ on idea that Jalen Hurts was ‘along for the ride’ during Eagles Super Bowl run

Normally, when a quarterback wins a Super Bowl and brings MVP hardware home with him, he’s widely celebrated. However, in the wake of Jalen Hurts’ ultimate NFL accomplishment, praise is almost always accompanied by the caveat that he didn’t win the Super Bowl all by himself.

It’s certainly true that Hurts had as good a situation as any quarterback could ask for during the 2024 season. He played behind the best offensive line in the NFL, he handed off to the best running back in the NFL in Saquon Barkley, he threw to one of the best trios of pass catchers in A.J. Brown, DeVonta Smith, and Dallas Goedert, and on the other side of the ball the defense consistently created takeaways, putting Hurts and the offense in favorable positions.

Interestingly, in the scope of the 2024 Eagles as a team, that caveat only applies to Hurts.

[W]e can all imagine what some other quarterbacks might do if we replaced Hurts with them on the Eagles’ roster.

NFL league links

Articles

Washington Post (paywall)

Why are so many NFL rookies still unsigned as training camps arrive?

There’s not much to negotiate in a rookie deal, but players — specifically those selected in the second round — are trying to lock in guaranteed money.

The second-round logjam is the result of a negotiating impasse between players and teams over fully guaranteed contracts. The portion of guaranteed money in the players’ contracts is one of the few items that needs to be negotiated under the rookie pay system.

Until this year, no player chosen in the second round had ever received a fully guaranteed contract. In May, the Houston Texans signed the second selection of the second round, wide receiver Jayden Higgins, to a fully guaranteed four-year contract worth just more than $11.7 million. The Cleveland Browns followed by signing the opening pick of the second round, linebacker Carson Schwesinger, to a fully guaranteed four-year deal worth just more than $11.8 million.

The question has become how deep into the second-round draft order the cutoff for fully guaranteed contracts will extend. Next in line is safety Nick Emmanwori, the third selection of the second round by the Seattle Seahawks. He’s represented by prominent agent David Mulugheta.

“If [numbers] one and two have gotten fully guaranteed contracts,” Corry said, “David Mulugheta is going to want a fully guaranteed contract” for Emmanwori.

The player chosen fourth in the second round by the Browns, running back Quinshon Judkins, was arrested Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on a battery charge in an alleged domestic violence case.

“Some of these things will get done, if not at the rookie reporting date, the veteran reporting date,” Corry said. “People don’t want to look foolish. So everyone has decided to table it until there’s more information. That’s really what it comes down to. … Let’s say Shough gets done and then [numbers] seven and eight get done and you went first at number five and you don’t have a fully guaranteed contract. That’s the fear. That’s why people are waiting.”

“At some point, the agents — some of these players aren’t going to want to miss time. … They’re not under contract, so you can’t fine them,” Corry said. “The only thing is they’ll be missing time, which can help them with a starting job. That’s why I think Tyler Shough is counting on the Saints caving, because they want him to start. So do they really want to go to war with him over this issue and have him miss reps?”

Discussion topics

ESPN

Execs, coaches, scouts rank the NFL’s top 10 WRs for 2025

4. CeeDee Lamb, Dallas Cowboys

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: 10

Age: 26 | Last year’s ranking: 4

Lamb has checked many boxes required by an elite receiver. He had a banner season in 2023, with 135 receptions (league-high), 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. He has had no true down years. He’s a perennial All-Pro first- or second-teamer. And he can produce through adversity, including multiple injuries to Dak Prescott and a bad running game.

5. A.J. Brown, Philadelphia Eagles

Highest ranking: 3 | Lowest ranking: unranked

Age: 28 | Last year’s ranking: 6

It’s odd to see a top-five receiver here tied for 43rd in leaguewide targets last season (97). But those numbers for Brown were more a product of the run-heavy Eagles offense and didn’t affect his high-end ability.

Philly was 16-1 while averaging 31.5 points per game with Brown in the lineup last season. Without Brown, the team went 2-2 while averaging 18.0 points per game. Those numbers include Philadelphia’s playoff run.

7. Malik Nabers, New York Giants

Highest ranking: 4 | Lowest ranking: unranked

Age: 21 | Last year’s ranking: not eligible (rookie)

Nabers has the NFL’s full attention. Surpassing 100 catches and 1,200 yards as a rookie in one of the league’s worst offenses with four different quarterbacks is rock-climbing-on-stilts difficult. The receptions total is the second most by a rookie in NFL history behind Raiders tight end Brock Bowers (112).

The Giants force-fed Nabers with 171 targets, second in the league behind Chase. Nabers proved he could handle the major workload by not breaking down and still side-stepping defenders. Nabers’ 19 forced missed tackles topped all rookie receivers.

Honorable mentions

Terry McLaurin, Washington Commanders: Washington quarterbacks produced a 133.0 passer rating when targeting McLaurin last season. “Criminally underrated.” — NFL general manager

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