Daily Slop – 26 Jun 25 – Jayden Daniels talks about handling pressure in extensive interview

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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Articles

Washington Post (paywall)

Where each D.C. Council member stands on the Commanders RFK stadium deal

At least seven lawmakers are needed for Mayor Muriel E. Bowser’s RFK stadium deal with the team to proceed.

On Tuesday, D.C. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) introduced a stand-alone RFK Stadium bill identical to Bowser’s proposal, which he said would allow the council to “complete its due diligence” and hold a public hearing. The council is also awaiting a financial analysis on the impact of various tax abatements offered to the Commanders as part of the deal, which it expects by mid-July.

Mendelson said that he would plan to hold a vote on the proposed deal “as soon as possible” after a public hearing, which his staff said would be held July 29 for the public and on July 30 for the team and government officials.

“No one should infer from the introduction of this bill that funding in the Mayor’s proposed budget for the Washington Commanders Football Team is in jeopardy,” Mendelson wrote in a statement accompanying the bill, noting that capital funds for the stadium remain in the budget expected to be approved in July.

All but one council member have either committed to supporting the stadium development with public investment or are contemplating specific changes to the terms that would get them to a yes vote. Here are the conditions, requests or concerns that lawmakers are raising before they vote on the deal.

Yes, and …

Some council members count themselves among the more enthusiastic supporters of the stadium — but even [four] lawmakers who say they will vote yes have additional requests.

Undecided

3 council members

No, unless …

Numerous lawmakers have framed the mayor’s proposed terms as a bad deal for taxpayers that needs improvement, whether seeking less taxpayer investment or greater revenue from the development. [These three council members] are also signatories of the project labor agreement letter.

No

[Brianne K.] Nadeau said she firmly opposes a stadium. “If we don’t spend any local dollars, I would consider it,” she said. “I’m not sure we need to vote on it.”

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Heavy.com

2nd-Year Surge? Former 2nd-Rounder Eyeing Breakout in 2025

In OTAs, Sinnott showed off improved timing with quarterback Jayden Daniels, who is also entering his second year and already has full command of the offense. Sinnott was used in a variety of alignments; in-line, H-back, and occasionally split out wide and made several standout plays in 7-on-7 and red zone drills. His ability to quickly turn upfield after the catch and find soft spots in zone coverage was particularly noticeable.

Sinnott appears more confident and fluid in his movements. His route running looks sharper, and he’s no longer second-guessing his reads. Coaches noted that his understanding of the playbook has taken a “major leap,” which is allowing him to play faster and more instinctively.

At 6-foot-4 and 250 pounds, he has the frame and athleticism to become a reliable chain-mover and red zone threat. In college, he was known for his soft hands, sneaky speed, and ability to break tackles after the catch. These are traits that fit well in a Commanders’ offense looking for mismatches against linebackers and safeties.

With Daniels’ dual-threat arsenal and defenses likely to key on Terry McLaurin, Deebo Samuel, and Ertz, there will be plenty of favorable matchups for another tight end who can exploit spaces out wide and in the seams.

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Riggo’s Rag

New Commanders signing compares locker room energy to legendary NFL dynasty

A championship culture seems to be present in Washington.

The Washington Commanders have installed a championship-caliber mentality across the franchise under the current regime. One recent arrival who was part of the league’s most dominant dynasty sees the similarities.

Dan Quinn is a personable, no-nonsense coach. He’s a genuine leader of men who sets high standards for himself and his players. It’s received an immensely positive response, with the Commanders going from a bottom-feeder to the NFC Championship game in Year 1 under his leadership.

Quinn isn’t letting standards slip. His coaches are relaying that message to the playing personnel. There have been aggressive, impressive changes once again this offseason, but the common goal remains the same.

Put the hard yards in now, and you’ll benefit later.

Deatrich Wise Jr. came through the ranks under Bill Belichick during his eight-year stint with the New England Patriots. The defensive end believes the Commanders have created a similar environment to flourish, which focuses heavily on practicing well to ensure they are ready for anything when competitive action arrives.

“But also one of the things Bill [Belichick] always said was ‘practice execution becomes game reality.’ That’s one thing I’ve always taken to heart. Practice as hard as I can and exactly how I want the game to be. That’s what makes great teams great. And I feel like that’s the first two things I heard being talked about when I got to the Commanders by Coach [Joe] Whitt [Jr.] [defensive coordinator, and also by Coach DQ [Quinn]. They both was like, ‘We have to be able to practice the same way we want to have happen in the game.’ So they’re echoing success every single day that we’re in that building.”

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Commanders.com

Trey Amos impressed coaches, teammates with desire to learn

Amos, regarded by some draft analysts as a first-round pick, was one of the players Washington considered taking at No. 29 overall. Adam Peters and the team’s front office decided to draft offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr. instead and took a gamble on Amos still being available when they were on the clock again with the 61st pick.

To their surprise, Amos was still there at the end of the second round. They were thrilled to get the Ole Miss cornerback, and so far, he has justified their excitement that he could be an immediate contributor in their secondary.

“He’s looked really good,” said defensive pass game coordinator Jason Simmons. “The thing about him that I’m most impressed with is his maturity; his ability to be able to grasp the playbook; his willingness to ask questions.”

Amos certainly looks the part of an NFL cornerback with the track record to back it up. He used his 6-foot-1, 190-pound frame to lead his team with 13 pass breakups and earn a First Team All-SEC selection. He also has a history of preventing explosive plays, as he has allowed a sub-19% completion rate on throws traveling at least 20 air yards, according to Pro Football Focus.

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Podcasts & videos

Commanders’ QB Jayden Daniels talks pressure, new season and waffles on Living Well with Alison Starling

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NFC East links

Philly Voice

10 reasons the Commanders will be a dumpster fire this season

3) What are these stupid signings this team made?

The Commanders entered free agency loaded with cap space and limitless possibilities. Their big free agency signing was Javon Kinlaw, who somehow scored a three-year deal worth $45 million. Kinlaw spent his first four years with the 49ers, and last year with the Jets. He has 9.5 career sacks in five seasons.

Kinlaw has a hulking frame, but has been an atrocious run defender throughout his five-year career. For example, the Eagles tossed him around like a ragdoll in the NFC Championship Game

Kinlaw got overpaid on a one-year “prove it” deal worth $8 million with the Jets last offseason, he proved nothing, and the Commanders were like, “Hey, why don’t you come play here for $45 million?”

That was the oddest signing of free agency, league-wide.

Otherwise, by my count the Commanders signed, traded for, or re-signed 12 (!) players who are 30+ years of age, plus another seven players who will turn 30 by the time the Super Bowl is played in February of 2026. Speaking of which…

4) Good Lord, this team is old AF

I think that the perception of the Commanders, from a national perspective, is that they are a young, up-and-coming team, because they had a stellar rookie quarterback last season. They are not. In fact, they have 30 (!) players who are 29 years of age already, or older.

The Commanders had a chance to continue to surround their young star quarterback with long-term pieces with whom he could grow. Instead, they’ll field what will almost certainly be the oldest team in the NFL, and very likely by a wide margin.

That dumbass approach this offseason kind of reminds me of some other team in Philly that is owned by Josh Harris.

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NFL league links

Articles

Front Office Sports

Tight End U Has Sponsors, Golf, and Taylor Swift. Travel Could Be Next

Tight End University has become larger than founders Travis Kelce, George Kittle, and Greg Olsen could have imagined. The summit could become a traveling road show next.

TEU has brought together NFL tight ends (75 of them this month) for several days each summer since 2021 for positional training work at Vanderbilt’s football facilities—and plenty of fun off campus. But as the event grows, it could turn into a traveling road show akin to the NFL Draft.

The business of TEU is intriguing. Every tight end on an NFL roster is invited, and all their expenses are covered, thanks to revenue brought in by the event’s robust list of sponsors.

Tight ends can even bring their significant other, as roughly 40 were planning to do this year. Taylor Swift, Kelce’s superstar girlfriend, added some hype to TEU by attending Monday night’s welcome party. Throughout the week, the WAGs have organized brunches, shopping experiences, and a mobile med spa, among other activities.

TEU makes money, but it isn’t a cash grab for Kelce, Kittle, and Olsen. “Every dollar we make goes towards the event, and whatever we don’t spend goes to charity,” Raskin said, estimating they donated $2.5 million in the first four years. “We are not looking to make a profit, so we’ve turned down more sponsors than we’ve probably taken on.”

The only fan element for the mostly private event is a country concert Tuesday night that sells tickets to the public. But TEU is looking into adding more ways for spectators to be a part of the summit, which Raskin said “will probably happen” in 2026, depending on where TEU ends up being hosted.

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NFL.com

Saints QB Tyler Shough ready to deal with ups, downs of being rookie starter: ‘You’re not going to faze me if we start off 0-2 or I (expletive) suck

Shough believes his bumpy path to the NFL has him battle-tested for the peaks and pitfalls that lie ahead.

“I think for me and what I’ve been through: I’ve been carted off the field, I’ve been booed, I’ve been an MVP, I’ve been a starter, I’ve been a backup to Herbert — I’m like, throw some s— at me, you’re not going to faze me if we start off 0-2 or I f—— suck,” Shough said. “It’s going to be fine. That’s what I was excited about, that opportunity, or any opportunity, and I think, going into it, I’ve got to continue to get to know the guys; like I said earlier I’m still a rookie. I may be older, but I have to earn the respect of everybody and do my job.”

Though he’s the frontrunner, Shough also has to earn the starting job. He’s competing with Spencer Rattler and Jake Haener, aiming to become just the second Saints Week 1 rookie QB starter and the first since Archie Manning in 1971.

It’s an opportunity Shough is grateful to have.

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All aTwitter

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